Various meanings have been ascribed to the individual cards in
different countries and times, several lists of which, and they the
known standards of the art, are given throughout this book. The first
list of interpretations that we present is from a very ancient work,
first published in 1600 or a little later. This, it will be noticed,
defines the entire fifty-two cards of the pack and has no separate
signification for any card being upright or reversed; in either
position the cards' meanings are the same.
Suit values are as follows: Clubs lead and mostly portend happiness
and good business arrangements, and no matter how numerous or how
accompanied by cards of other suits are seldom considered as bearers
of other than the very best augury. Next comes hearts, which are
usually taken to signify love-making, invitations, and good friends;
diamonds, money; and spades, annoyances, sickness or worry, sometimes
loss of money.
_Clubs._
Ace--Great wealth, much prosperity, and tranquillity of mind.
King--A man who is humane, upright and affectionate; faithful in
all his undertakings. He will be happy himself, and make every
one around him so.
Queen--A tender, mild and rather susceptible woman, who will be
very attractive to the opposite sex.
Jack--An open, sincere and good friend, who will exert himself
warmly in your welfare.
Ten--Speedy wealth.
Nine--Obstinacy and disagreeables connected therewith.
Eight--A covetous person, extremely fond of money; that he will
obtain it but not make a proper use of it.
Seven--The most brilliant fortune and the most exquisite bliss
this world can afford, but beware of the opposite sex, from
these alone can misfortune be experienced.
Six--A lucrative partnership.
Five--Marriage to a person who will improve your circumstances.
Four--Inconstancy and change.
Trey--Three wealthy marriages.
Deuce--Opposition or disappointment.
_Diamonds._
Ace--A letter.
King--A man of fiery temper, continued anger, seeking revenge, and
obstinate in his resolutions.
Queen--A coquette, and fond of company.
Jack--However nearly related, will look more to his own interest
than yours, will be tenacious in his own opinions, and fly off if
contradicted.
Ten--A country husband (or wife), with wealth, and many children;
also a purse of gold.
Nine--A surprise about money.
Eight--Unhappy marriage late in life.
Seven--Waste of goods, and losses.
Six--An early marriage and widowhood, but a second marriage would
probably be worse.
Five--Success in enterprises; if married, good children.
Four--Vexation and annoyance.
Trey--Quarrels, lawsuits, and domestic disagreements, your partner
for life will be a vixen, bad tempered, and make you unhappy.
Deuce--Your heart will be engaged in love at an early period, but
you will meet with great opposition.
_Hearts._
Ace--Feasting and pleasure, and is also the house. If attended
with spades it is quarreling; if by hearts, friendship and
affection; if by diamonds, you will hear of an absent friend;
if by clubs, merry-making and rejoicing.
King--A man of good natured disposition, hot and hasty, rash in
his undertakings, and very amorous.
Queen--A woman of fair complexion, faithful and affectionate.
Jack--A person of no particular sex, but always the dearest friend
or nearest relation of the consulting party. It is said that you
must pay great attention to the cards that stand next to the jack,
as from them alone you are supposed to judge whether the person
it represents will be favorable to your inclinations or not.
Ten--A good heart, it is supposed to correct the bad tidings of the
cards that stand next it; if its neighboring cards are of good
report, it is supposed to confirm their value.
Nine--Wealth, grandeur, and high esteem; if cards that are
unfavorable stand near it, disappointments and the reverse.
If favorable cards follow these last at a small distance,
you will retrieve your losses, whether of peace or goods.
Eight--Drinking and feasting.
Seven--A fickle and unfaithful person.
Six--A generous, open and credulous disposition, easily imposed
on, but the friend of the distressed.
Five--A wavering and unsettled disposition.
Four--The person will not be married till quite late in life, which
will proceed from too great a delicacy in making a choice.
Trey--Your own imprudence will greatly contribute to your
experiencing much ill will from others.
Deuce--Extraordinary good future and success; though if
unfavorable cards attend this will be a long time delayed.
_Spades._
Ace--Has to do with love affairs generally. Death when the card is
upside down.
King--A man ambitious and successful at court, or with a great man
who will befriend him, but let him beware of a reverse.
Queen--A woman who will be corrupted by the rich of both sexes.
Also a widow.
Jack--A person, who, although he has your interest at heart, will
be too indolent to pursue it.
Ten--Is supposed to be a card of bad import, and in a great
measure to counteract the good effects of the cards near it.
Nine--Is professed to be the worst card of the pack; dangerous
sickness, total loss of fortune and calamities; also endless
discussion in your family.
Eight--Opposition from your friends. If this card comes out close
to you, leave your plan and follow another.
Seven--Loss of a valuable friend, whose death will plunge you in
very great distress.
Six--Very little interpretation of your success.
Five--Good luck in the choice of your companion for life, who will
be fond of you. Bad temper and interference.
Four--Sickness.
Trey--Good fortune in marriage, an inconstant partner, and that
you will be made unhappy thereby.
Deuce--A death or disagreeable removal.