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The Power of Using Playing Cards for Divination, by Stephen Ball

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

Playing cards have been with us for centuries, but they're less popular in divination today than more famous systems such as the tarot. This is partly because the few definitions we have for reading poker-style decks are very old-fashioned: nearly all of them focus only on work, illness, and marriage (the most important topics at the time!) and their attitudes to women are...well, two or three hundred years out of date. Traditional playing cards are an exciting, unbroken link to our past, but those meanings are just not satisfying to readers who are used to oracles that reflect all of life's situations while containing deep symbolism and wisdom in each image. By contrast, a book of "Kentucky Superstitions" in the 1920s lists the court cards as, "A blond man, A rather dark-haired man, An extremely dark-haired man..." and so on, and the number cards aren't much more developed. I decided to write about the beautiful playing card pack—full of the glamour of the old west, spies in casinos, and fortunes read on kitchen tables—and to make modern answers available for those who want them. It was a nice plan, but I hadn't counted on one thing: that with a deck this full of history, the stories and characters within the cards themselves would have their own ideas!

I've been creating divination systems for many years (I published Elemental Divination: A Dice Oracle with Llewellyn in 2018) and knew that there were great ways in which the romance and danger of playing cards could be conjured. There are good reasons for adding them to your toolkit because (like dice) these decks are easily available, cheap to buy, come in hundreds of beautiful styles, and don't raise any eyebrows if you carry them in public. Most importantly, they have a long tradition of serious use in divination that deserves a revival.

It's not too heretical to apply newer meanings to the cards, as they've already changed greatly over time. For example, the King of Clubs once represented a man "with both friends and enemies," and then only as an evil man, but is often seen today as a wise authority figure. (No system is immune to this gradual change, not even the tarot). Many people who write about using playing cards for divination comment that they originally learned it from one person who had already changed the definitions a little, and they now include their own differences, too. Going back to the oldest sources we can find (including the wonderfully named Dr. Flamstead's and Mr. Patridge's New Fortune-Book containing their newly invented method of knowing one's fortune by using a pack of cards, and which published in 1729) we see definitions that were later updated in the 1800s and 1900s, and doing so again today is entirely in the spirit of the deck.

Most importantly, playing cards are perfect at encouraging a crucial skill that any divination reader should have, whether you're using an established system or creating a new one—the skill of visualisation. If your answer is "A tree," for example, you can gain insight into its nature by imagining a painting of the tree that belongs in that situation and describing it in words. You can start very simply by writing, "A tree with a brown trunk and green leaves." By exploring the image and connecting with your inspiration, you can then develop this for more powerful readings. After seeing it in your mind, the description might change to, "A strong tree with a full crown of green leaves, standing in a clearing while rain falls in the dark night behind it." These words create pictures for anyone who reads them. You don't need advanced writing skills for this; the key is to be able to think of the image and then give it more detail. There is a tradition of using tarot cards or paintings as "doorways" to unleash your imagination and intuition, but it can be also be done with simple words.

This inspiration is useful during readings, but is absolutely essential when creating or updating a system. It's difficult enough to know what a single symbol such as a tree will finally look like, but some oracles have more than one moving part. In Elemental Divination, for example, each reading is made up of two of the magical elements meeting to give, "Greater Water over Fire" or "Lesser Air over Earth." In those cases, each element is easy enough to picture, but what relationship do they have when they come crashing together? Or when one retreats gently? Oracles don't only exist in card form; they can be objects drawn from a bag, or dropped onto a surface, and your imagination is even more important then. Some formats help, and some make it more difficult. Luckily, playing cards turned out to be perfect for encouraging this exploration.

There is a type of playing card deck that has always fascinated me, called a "transformation" deck. Artists took the pips on a card (such as four red hearts) and drew a picture, which made them into the helmets or angry faces of fighting soldiers or flying birds. The plain pips of poker cards are not as evocative as the fully illustrated minor arcana in some tarot, so this was a way for the artist to create a scenario packed with emotion and flavour. I loved this "transformation" idea, and decided to do it—not with art, but with words. Moving from the simple sentence saying "a tree," to the more developed lines of detailed description, there is a third and final stage we can use to communicate a deep and full scene without needing to be an artist: short stories. I'd had no intention of writing fifty-two stories when I started, but the cards didn't care about that. They're wild, serious, and full of history, and the result is Playing Card Divination: Every Card Tells a Story.

I was once again faced with two pieces coming together to make an answer. Each number represents a Mythic Role such as The Hunter, The Healer, The Noble, or The Singer (these form a path of wisdom much like the Fool's Journey through the Major Arcana). The suits also gain an extra meaning, giving the Promise, Gambit, Folly, and Triumph of each role. The Two of Hearts is therefore "Lover's Triumph," and the Jack of Diamonds is "Trickster's Gambit." There are also unique spreads, with cards drawn the way they are in classic poker games, and the sparkle of chance and the unknown that the deck always brings.

The process of creating a story for each answer in an oracle is often the same. The result has a primary meaning, such as "love," "intellect," or "security." You must then think about what "security" means in the system you are using. Are there are symbols that you feel fit this idea strongly? If you are making an oracle yourself and can set the theme, are there any that you have always loved and want to include? The story will also need at least one character in it, and a location. If the theme is security, which walls are making it secure? If it is conflict, what are the two forces that are opposing each other? If it is knowledge, what is the superior source of it in the story and who is learning? The answers can be anything. You can have your character be a human, or animal, or the spirits of a warm sunlit forest. You can have the time period be today, or a century ago, or five, or set it in a magical or mythological past or otherworld. When you are free to create the theme, every answer starts as a blank page and becomes a colourfully detailed story. If you are writing for yourself, then even a few quick lines can be enough to remind you of the rest.

The stories that naturally arise from playing cards almost write themselves. They are not the only versions possible, only suggestions to help the reader understand exactly what is happening in the Hermit's Folly, Hunter's Promise, and Noble's Gambit. When the forces at play in those combinations are understood, the reader can write their own story if they wish, but the best way to convey it to others for the first time turns out to be in a tale. Those in the book include scenes of tense card games, gleeful taverns, a nature goddess speaking to a queen, and even a phoenix made of stars. Like a gambler, I thought I could take on the cards and walk away with less effort than writing a new adventure for the lesson of each one, but they promptly reminded me of how immersive divination can be.

When I tested this with friends, it was an immediate hit, and the Jacks in particular wouldn't stop living up to their Role. Tricksters are powerful figures in myth—they always know something that you don't (or they wouldn't be able to trick you) and they think that their odd way is better than the straight route from A to B that anyone could use. When you take up the cards, you invite chance and luck to play their games...and some of the time the masterful Magician and compassionate Healer will be fooled by the crafty Trickster. I certainly was.

In this deck two or more cards can be read together, in a similar way to Lenormand cards. Tarot readers, if they are drawing just one, may be used to seeing "The Star" and knowing the deep and detailed meaning of that in isolation, but with a Lenormand deck several cards are always drawn together and read depending on their relationship with others. A Rider bringing news might be neutral, but directly next to a bad-luck card such as The Clouds the news itself becomes bad. The playing cards in my system can be read this way, too: the Healer's Gambit is a gift or good deed that you could receive, but the Trickster's Promise is a lie. When these two are together, the gift becomes a danger that you mustn't trust—one that looks nice, but is false. These unexpected twists arise in all card games, gambling and fortune-telling. Many of the other readings are stable, romantic, and fun, but the skills of visualisation and inspiration still apply whenever several cards meet and that new mix must be understood.

I'd been concerned about imposing my own ideas on the cards, but this deck has been loved and treasured by too many people over centuries to sit still for me now. Again and again the shining diamonds and grinning Jacks showed that they had their own character and a sense of humor. On one occasion I was reading for an important client; they were worried and wanted advice, and I was hoping for an answer that would really tackle their concerns and give them serious ideas for moving forward. It might sound strange to turn to fortune-telling when matters are that complex, but talking about a situation with another person while being prompted to look at it from different angles by the cards can be very helpful. The first to be drawn, Smith's Triumph, is positive. It signifies the end of a long-term project where the rewards finally come in, a harvest or the completion of a masterpiece. The client was confused; he couldn't think of a project to which that could be referring. The next card was the Warrior's Promise, which indicates conflict and resistance. Again, he didn't have any idea of what this could apply to—people are usually happy when work finishes and they can sit back with satisfaction. Read together, the two cards meant that this usually good ending would instead cause anger and resentment. In an unexpected twist, it turned out to be referring to…the recent end of his favourite long-running television series. (Which also had unexpected twists that he hadn't liked.) Sometimes the cards just pick up on a person's biggest concerns on that day!

There are incredibly beautiful playing card packs available to buy now, in far greater numbers than in the past. Designs with gold leaf, art, figures from legends and modern fiction, the range is as exciting and different as the art we expect from tarot decks. The cards can help us improve skills that aid any divination, but they're also unique. The thrill of Aces, the power of Queens and Kings, in teamwork and in conflict is one that has been constantly felt by people around the world for years. They are worth investigating for anyone who collects divination objects, dives into new mysteries, or feels the excitement of luck and chance as each new card turns.

And in any system, the creation of your own images doesn't need to be in the form of art on the card itself, or the rune, or the coloured stones that form an oracle. You can use simple words to reach into a deep place of intuition and connection. Try this yourself and see what it adds to your practice, whether you feel most comfortable writing one line, two sentences, or the transforming power of a whole story.

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2020. All rights reserved.

For most of my life, I have had visions of a pale blonde man clothed in flowing black material. His eyes are grey, and when I see him, he either frightens or fights off evil entities surrounding me. The only problem is that he frightens me too! There is something that seems evil about him as well. I always thought he was some type of image from my mind until I felt wind when he moved and I heard him tell me his name, which is Adalric. What do you make of this? Do you think he is real or the mental personification of some spiritual force? I feel crazy even telling you about it!

Rachel

Dreamchaser:

I am so excited to be answering this question. I "heard" in my gut that your "vision man" is actually a spirit guide. I also heard that I could do some research and find out who he actually was in LIFE. This is very rare and very exciting. His giving you his name is so helpful.

He is Adalric, Duke of Alsace, who was born in Sweden around 634. He died on February 20 in either the year 689 or 690 - most say 690, but there are also reports of 689. His given name was Eticho. He married a real-life princess named Berswinde. He had two children, one of whom he named Adalbert. The other child was named Eticho II. That child later became the patron saint we now call St. Odile, Patron Saint of Alsace.

Adalric obtained the Duchy of Alsace in 662. He was the Head of the Alsatian House of the Ethiconides. If you want to find out more about his earthly life or duties, you can ask him. Just get a pencil and paper, ask the question out loud and write down what you hear in the form of your own thoughts.

I think he is absolutely real. Our spirit guides are as real as we are. Some people can see them, some people can hear them, some people do not even know they are around, and everything in between. For example, my son can see his guides, I can sense and hear my guides, and my daughter has no idea that anything is around her.

I think the reason you feel "fear" at times is because he was obviously a man who had a lot of power. He had it in his last human life and he continues to have it in the spirit world. He is powerful, used to being listened to, and is quite forceful.

He chases everything away from you that you consider "evil." He, however, is not evil by nature, or he could not be your spirit guide. "God"/ the Universe/ Spirit /whatever term you like to use does not put EVIL on the payroll.

If we see a big, burly man coming down the street at us at night, odds are we are going to cross to the other side. The same concept applies here. You fear what you "see," and thus you never get to really know him better. You need to figure out exactly what it is about him that frightens you and then ask him about it. He will help you understand.

What determines if something that is a "mental personification of some spiritual force" (to use your words) is "real?" Anything that is speaking with you is "real" on some level.

I wish you fascinating interactions with All That Is.

*****

Astrea:

Kiddo, you are NOT crazy, and you are being protected by one of the Big Shot Angelic Spirits. I looked up "Adalric" in my old time Dictionary of Angels, and this is what it says about him:

"ADALRIC: Seraphic Assistant to the Archangel Gabriel, Adalric chooses one human being to protect during that person's lifetime in each human generation. While he usually chooses a woman and her family, he has been known to also occasionally extend his protection to single gay men. He is particularly fond of women in the medical field, and has spent many human lifetimes protecting female doctors and nurses.

He dresses in black to confound Evil, which comes to him in disguised Angelic Form. His robes contain hundreds of pockets in which he carries soothing balms. The first modern recorded sighting by a human being was during the Crimean War, where he accompanied the famous Florence Nightingale as she began what we know as today's nursing profession.

A powerful force against all evil, he is particularly interested in being effective against plague and disease. Adalric has been credited with stamping out many of the world's plagues, and has a rich oral tradition beginning in the Middle Ages at the end of what we now know as the Bubonic Plague. Communication with him is often carried on through one of his Messenger Angels, particularly Tuam."

I'm so excited for you! This is an IMPORTANT personage in the Angelic Hierarchy! He's only once removed from Gabriel, who is one of the "big four" Archangels of the Universe!

If you wish to speak with him directly, ask him to come to you in a dream. Gather some white flowers, Narcissus or Mums (something with a strong and pungent smell), and place them in a white vase in your bedroom to draw him to you. By the flowers, leave a note with the questions you want him to answer in your dream. It may take him a few days to get back to you, but don't be afraid! He's here to help you find your bliss in life. As the flowers fade, you'll begin to see more and more of him every day.

If you are not in the medical field at this time, it would be a good idea to ponder such a career. He wouldn't have chosen to be with you for your lifetime if you didn't have a particular healing gift. You're a VERY LUCKY girl to have him interested in you and your family. He's here to help you, not to frighten you. Work with him - you'll be so blessed!

Astrea:

Many times in life we hear, "You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT." Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown's book was all it took to get you there.

Even though you hadn't read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!

While I don't usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity - you gotta love it!

I like your description of "getting caught." That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? One minute you're free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!

As a little kid, I loved that "feeling of return." With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.

I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family's interest in "psychic stuff" will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.

You'll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she'll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn't nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it's STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!

Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.

A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don't get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you're doing here on Earth.

You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.