Guide
Playing Card Meanings: Cartomancy with an Ordinary Deck
By Seraphina
Cartomancy is fortune-telling with an ordinary deck of playing cards. It was popular across Europe long before tarot became common for divination, and it is still practised in many folk traditions.
There is no single official system. The meanings below follow a widely used English folk tradition. Remove the jokers and use the remaining 52 cards. Most readers read cards upright only.
What each rank means
Every rank takes on the colour of its suit.
- Ace: beginnings and the purest form of the suit.
- 2: partnership or a choice.
- 3: growth and other people getting involved.
- 4: stability, or feeling boxed in.
- 5: change and challenge.
- 6: moving forward, harmony.
- 7: a test or a surprise.
- 8: movement and effort.
- 9: a wish card, near completion.
- 10: the full outcome of the suit.
- Jack: a young person, a messenger or news.
- Queen: a woman or a nurturing influence.
- King: a man or an authority figure.
Hearts: love, family, emotions
- Ace of Hearts
- MeaningNew love or a happy home
- 2 of Hearts
- MeaningA strong partnership or engagement
- 3 of Hearts
- MeaningA celebration, but also choose carefully
- 4 of Hearts
- MeaningContentment, or emotional boredom
- 5 of Hearts
- MeaningJealousy or a change of heart
- 6 of Hearts
- MeaningAn old friend or a sweet memory returns
- 7 of Hearts
- MeaningBroken promises, unreliable feelings
- 8 of Hearts
- MeaningVisits, gatherings, invitations
- 9 of Hearts
- MeaningThe wish card: a wish granted
- 10 of Hearts
- MeaningGreat happiness, family joy
- Jack of Hearts
- MeaningA close friend or young lover
- Queen of Hearts
- MeaningA kind, affectionate woman
- King of Hearts
- MeaningA warm-hearted, generous man
Diamonds: money, work, practical news
- Ace of Diamonds
- MeaningA letter, gift or money news
- 2 of Diamonds
- MeaningA business partnership or disapproval to manage
- 3 of Diamonds
- MeaningLegal or official matters
- 4 of Diamonds
- MeaningA small inheritance or steady finances
- 5 of Diamonds
- MeaningBusiness success, good for prosperity
- 6 of Diamonds
- MeaningEarly marriage or money troubles to watch
- 7 of Diamonds
- MeaningGossip or a gamble
- 8 of Diamonds
- MeaningTravel or a late-life relationship
- 9 of Diamonds
- MeaningA surprising change in money
- 10 of Diamonds
- MeaningA change of fortune, often travel
- Jack of Diamonds
- MeaningA messenger, or a person who can't be fully trusted
- Queen of Diamonds
- MeaningA sociable, flirtatious woman
- King of Diamonds
- MeaningA determined, sometimes stubborn man
Clubs: friendship, ambition, effort
- Ace of Clubs
- MeaningWealth, fame or good news
- 2 of Clubs
- MeaningDisappointment or opposition
- 3 of Clubs
- MeaningA second marriage or a good partnership
- 4 of Clubs
- MeaningPossible misfortune, take care
- 5 of Clubs
- MeaningNew friends or a helpful ally
- 6 of Clubs
- MeaningFinancial help from a friend
- 7 of Clubs
- MeaningProsperity, if you avoid a rival
- 8 of Clubs
- MeaningGreed or a quarrel over money
- 9 of Clubs
- MeaningStubbornness, but a beneficial meeting
- 10 of Clubs
- MeaningGood luck, unexpected money, travel
- Jack of Clubs
- MeaningA reliable friend
- Queen of Clubs
- MeaningA confident, capable woman
- King of Clubs
- MeaningA loyal, honest man
Spades: challenges, endings, warnings
- Ace of Spades
- MeaningAn important event, sometimes misfortune
- 2 of Spades
- MeaningSeparation or a hard choice
- 3 of Spades
- MeaningUnfaithfulness or a parting
- 4 of Spades
- MeaningIllness or money trouble, rest
- 5 of Spades
- MeaningObstacles that can be overcome
- 6 of Spades
- MeaningSlow improvement
- 7 of Spades
- MeaningLoss of a friend, sadness
- 8 of Spades
- MeaningDisappointment, be cautious
- 9 of Spades
- MeaningThe worst card: anxiety and bad luck
- 10 of Spades
- MeaningWorry, a heavy burden
- Jack of Spades
- MeaningA well-meaning but immature person
- Queen of Spades
- MeaningA widowed or independent woman
- King of Spades
- MeaningAn ambitious, powerful man
A simple three-card spread
- Shuffle while thinking of your question.
- Lay out three cards: past, present, what is coming.
- Note the suits. Many Hearts point to emotions; many Spades suggest caution.
- Read the cards together as one story rather than three separate answers.
Card readings are for reflection and tradition. Treat a 'warning' card as a prompt to take care, not a certainty.
Keep exploring
See the tarot card meanings, angel oracle cards, playing card meanings, crystals for spells and herbs in witchcraft guides, read the Journal, or visit the shops for a reading or spell from our partner practitioners.