Learn the Secrets of Tarot Reading with These Expert Playing Card Techniques

Tarot reading is done with the help of tarot cards designed specifically for a tarot reading. However, there have been instances where professional tarot readers had to improvise due to the lack of tarot cards and used a deck of playing cards instead for a reading. Believe it or not, there are ways to use a deck of simply playing cards for divination and derive meaning in a reading.

To do a tarot reading with playing cards, treat each impression and number on the playing cards as a symbol and discern the meaning of each to understand the message hidden in each reading. However, certain features, such as Major Arcana, are impossible with a deck of playing cards.

This article is a quick guide on tarot reading with a set of playing cards. You will find a summary of the meanings ascribed to each card and explain how to interpret these meanings. Keep reading to understand how a set of playing cards can be used for a tarot reading.

Initial Difficulties in Reading From Playing Cards

At the outset, doing a tarot reading from playing cards may be difficult. This is especially so because, unlike tarot cards, playing cards do not use as much imagery to guide you in your reading and divination sessions.

There are the royal court figures that offer a bit of imagery, and then there are the numbers too that are important because they all carry the burden of symbolism over their shoulders. Each imagery on a deck of playing cards does the heavy-duty work of representing some key element in the tarot deck.

For instance, hearts represent cups, diamonds become pentacles, and so on. In the upcoming segments of this article, we will delve deeper into each of these symbols and even the numbers to understand what each represents. This video shows how tarot reading can be done using a deck of playing cards:

Cartomancy With Playing Cards

Cartomancy is the art of telling fortune by gazing into the depths of a deck of cards. This could be any tarot card, but it could also be a deck of playing cards. To be proficient in cartomancy, you will need to know not just what the imagery in the playing cards deck represents, but you will also have to combine them with the numbers.

In the next segment, we will look into how to combine numbers when you are doing a tarot reading and arrive at a proper message that the reading grants us this way. You can use these Bicycle Premium Playing Cards to get started on your journey of conducting tarot reading by using playing cards.

Playing Card Tarot: Meanings and Interpretations

Each element of the playing card deck is assigned a different meaning and symbolism that helps greatly with reading the tarot card. It is necessary to have each element and image on the playing card to be helpful, so every picture and number carries a symbolic meaning when you use a playing card deck for a tarot reading.

The meanings of each playing card are provided here; however, their interpretations are not limited to whatever purpose is ascribed to them. Think of the symbolism as the germ of an idea that needs to sprout in ways you choose to help it grow. Ultimately, you should be able to build on the concept that originates from this initial interpretation.

The suit of hearts is representative of the cups in a tarot deck, and it, in turn, represents emotions and feelings and how they affect relationships. The spades are equivalent to swords and relate to thinking and communication, while diamonds represent pentacles affecting an individual’s material world.

Lastly, clubs are equated with wands from the tarot deck and indicate creativity. This is discussed in more detail in the subsequent paragraphs.

Reading the Suit of Clubs

Clubs in a deck of playing cards have been equated to the wands found in tarot reading cards. It represents something positive along the lines of passion, inspiration, and action, and the interpretation is also associated with the element of fire. Here is a brief description of each of the cards that contain clubs:

• Ace of Clubs – This represents inspiration and passion. If you are doing a love tarot reading, it could mean that a new love affair is on the horizon. For professional and career-related readings, it means a new business is about to kickstart, or there will be a life change in a whole new direction.
• Two of Clubs – This indicates imminent delays and longer wait periods where you may be waiting for a signal or a go-ahead to move on with your plans.
• Three of Clubs – This is where you have to understand that you have done all you can, and now you need to sit and wait for the results and believe that your hard work will pay off.
• Four of Clubs – If you are dealt with this card, it means that a cause for celebration is there in the not-so-distant future. It also indicates that a bit of rest should be considered to hit the pause button and take in the peace and stability surrounding you.
• Five of Clubs – This card is indicative of aggression and competition. It means that petty fights and arguments are looming on the horizon, and things are not working in harmony in some regions of your life.
• Six of Clubs – This indicates success. So, it could be a deal you are waiting to get through, your exam results, or even winning over a loved one that can be interpreted from this card.
• Seven of Clubs – This card tells you that you need to make a stand, make yourself heard, and have others listen to you and consider your viewpoint. Getting this card means you have been put in a position where you must defend what you stand for.
• Eight of Clubs – This shows that events in your life will happen at quite a breakneck speed and is also a sign for you to get organized with various aspects of your life. A possible pregnancy is also not out of bounds if this card appears in the reading.
• Nine of Clubs – This represents stress and burn out. If you are in a corporate environment, it could mean that you need a break. It could even be related to family matters and indicate that you need to pause and regroup yourself before moving forward. It also means that you are determined to finish the task and see through any conflicts at work or home.
• Ten of Clubs – This shows that you are weighed down by responsibilities and overburdened either at work or home, either physically or emotionally. It could be that you are pulling all-nighters at work, and this card indicates that the project is very taxing on the body—physically. But this card also means that the person is at the end of that taxing project or phase.
• Jack of Clubs – This is also called the knave of clubs, and it usually indicates a passionate affair due to which an individual cannot focus on any tasks at hand.
• Queen of Clubs – This card usually indicates an ambitious, career-oriented woman who is also passionate and fun. It can also indicate grace and compassion, and toughness as well. A lot of the interpretation will also depend on the questions raised.
• King of Clubs – The king of clubs reflects a leader and visionary aware of the bigger picture. On the downside, this card indicates someone who is not so fantastic with attention to detail.

Reading the Suit of Hearts

The suit of hearts is the equivalent of the tarot of cups as they are used to represent emotions and heightened. They also represent a sense of fulfillment and the universal feeling of love and loss.

The natural element that hearts are associated with is water. Here is a quick summary of the different cards in the suit of hearts and what they represent:

• Ace of Hearts – It represents a new found love and the beginnings of a deep connection and conception.
• Two of Hearts – This indicates mutual attraction and friendship. It is the opposite of unrequited love, and people who are dealt with this hand often have their love reciprocated.
• Three of Hearts – This is a card of a celebration of friendship, of night outs, and sometimes it even indicates the end of an emotional cycle, thereby telling you that freedom from the bondage of past relationships is on the not-so-distant horizon.
• Four of Hearts – This indicates emotional maturity and stability. However, in certain cases, it may also hint towards low-level depression that makes one unable to appreciate life or look at the positive aspects of things happening around them.
• Five of Hearts – The five of hearts indicate loss and the ensuing sadness and grief. It could be the death of a loved one or the end of a relationship. In general, this card is a representation of grief, depression, and sadness.
• Six of Hearts – This card says that something from the past will reappear. It could be from one’s childhood, a strong bout of nostalgia and memories long forgotten, or even an old flame.
• Seven of Hearts – This card comes up when someone feels indecision, where their feelings have overtaken their clarity of thought process and objective and critical thinking powers, where their choices make them feel like they are going astray.
• Eight of Hearts – This is not too great a card to be dealt with as it has many negative connotations. It indicates the end of the road, a separation, the end of long innings, and sometimes a change of direction.
• Nine of Hearts – If you are seeking fulfillment and draw this card for your reading, it is a good sign. It means that you will be able to obtain that fulfillment. You will also bask in the understanding that solitariness is not loneliness and find contentment in that understanding.
• Ten of Hearts – This is the equivalent of the ten of cups in the tarot cards and represents fulfilled love, strong bonds, and family. It is considered to be an achievement of an emotional peak.
• Jack of Hearts – The jack or knave of hearts is usually picked up by someone who is in love with the idea of love and wears his heart on his sleeves. It also indicates that a romantic suitor is on the way to making an appearance in your life, and a short-term affair will probably ensue.
• Queen of Hearts – This card shows that there is someone in your life you can turn to who will offer you emotional support and a shoulder to lean on. However, you also need to be cautious and watch out for that person, for she may suffer from her problems.
• King of Hearts – This indicates a wise and kind counsel you can rely on. This means that someone in your life gives you advice based on their experience. The downside is that this person could be an alcoholic or some addict and have unresolved issues.

Reading the Suit of Spades

The general interpretation of the suit of spades is that it is equivalent to the tarot suit of swords. These cards are representative of our thoughts and communication. It deals with mental health and associated queries. Spades are associated with the natural element of air. Here is a quick summary of what each of the playing cards that have spades in them indicates:

• Ace of Spades – This indicates a sudden flash of insight, an epiphany, or a sudden revelation and realization. It also indicates clarity when you gain an understanding or come up with an idea.
• Two of Spades – This card shows that there is a certain amount of reluctance and denial when it comes to the truth. It is a gradual withdrawal from reality, and there may be difficulties in getting any communications across for this reason.
• Three of Spades – A total communication breakdown is represented by this card, which in turn leads to a total misunderstanding and a rift in the relationship. It could also mean a lover’s spat indicating a fight or break-up.
• Four of Spades – This card points towards a recovery period. It could also mean a need to hit the pause button and recuperate. In general, if something is weighing you down, this card tells you to stop acting on it and rather take some time off the matter and get back to it when you have healed.
• Five of Spades – The five of spades have a dark connotation. It means that someone may be bullying you, deceiving you, or walking away from a disagreement. It indicates resistance in being able to either put your point forth for consideration or even a hindrance in a professional or personal set up.
• Six of Spades – This is the time to move on to a new direction and seek out a challenge or a change of affairs. This card tells you to put your past behind you and forge a new path ahead.
• Seven of Spades – The seven of spades point to theft and sometimes even a recovery of lost property. It is also used to indicate the regaining of the loss of abstract traits and qualities, such as confidence, faith, or even self-esteem.
• Eight of Spades – This card reflects the subject’s feeling that there is no recourse from a situation and the trapped feeling of having no choice, and one is pushed up against a wall and cannot see the way out. Even though this card is representative of these negative feelings, pulling it out from a deck of cards also indicates that the solution to the problems is also in plain sight.
• Nine of Spades – This card represents all things dark of the night – right fem nightmares to negative thought cycle. The feeling of loneliness, depression, and anxiety that problems cause in our lives are all represented through this card.
• Ten of Spades – The ten of spades often indicates endings and breakdowns, including mental breakdowns. Some even believe that it means that the person has hit rock bottom. The only upside is that the only way from there is up. It is also a precursor to new beginnings.
• Jack of Spades – This card indicates that someone is on a mission. It identifies a very focused individual who is single-minded, clever, and sarcastic.
• Queen of Spades – If one deals with the queen of spades, it would mean that that person is a seeker of truth and very efficient. This person is intolerant of stupidity and cannot bear indecision. For this person, quick-calculated risks float her boat. Anything less is unacceptable.
• King of Spades – This is the card that any professional would want to be dealt with as it indicates a person who is good at his job and is highly motivated and intelligent. Usually, business advisors, lawyers, accountants, and writers pick this card.

Reading the Suit of Diamonds

The suit of diamonds is the equivalent of the suit of Pentacles in tarot cards. They are representative of the material world and everything materialistic. All that we see and touch and desire to own someday are covered by the suit of diamonds. Ranging from money to work and practical projects and even home, the suit of diamonds offers insight into all these topics. It also is used to indicate the practical aspects of relationships.

Diamonds are associated with the natural element earth, and these are, in brief, what each of the cards means in a suit of diamonds of a playing deck.

• Ace of Diamonds – An ace of diamonds card indicates a prize or a gift. It could also mean a new home, project, or job.
• Two of Diamonds – This card symbolizes balance. Whether balancing a ledger, finding work-life balance, or juggling resources, this card strongly suggests the need or presence of balance.
• Three of Diamonds – A card with three of diamonds indicates that you need to focus on your work and hone your skills further. It also indicates teamwork and collaboration and suggests that equal contribution from all participants will result in a success story for your project.
• Four of Diamonds – This card indicates guarding your resources or being aloof by not socializing. If a person picks this card, it would mean either being an introvert or anxious about losing something.
• Five of Diamonds – This card indicates financial distress. A person picking this card would need financial help or be on the verge of poverty. A job loss may also be on the horizon if this card is picked.
• Six of Diamonds – This is the card for charity. This card will surface if someone is on the verge of offering or receiving any help. It could mean that the person will either give or receive financial aid.
• Seven of Diamonds – It means a materially affluent person who may not be spiritually happy and is looking for a new direction to fulfill that missing part of their soul. A new path or at least a longing for a new direction is needed for this individual.
• Eight of Diamonds – This card points towards the direction of a new career change that is short. A new initiative about one’s career is possible if this card shows up; it could be anything from undergoing training and teaching, or relearning something anew, a new language perhaps.
• Nine of Diamonds – The nine of diamonds indicate material and spiritual independence. It is drawn up mainly by those who are satisfied with their lives materially and spiritually. They do not feel lonely and are actually quite happy in their solitude; some even look forward to their time alone.
• Ten of Diamonds – This card indicates fulfillment regarding family ties and wealth. It also points towards social acceptance and a traditional lifestyle.
• Jack of Diamonds – When this card gets pulled up in a tarot reading from a set of playing cards, it indicates that the person who chose this card is a hard worker and a loyal person with many hidden talents
• Queen of Diamonds – The queen of diamonds is a person who likes everything home-related. They are the typical nest builders and are enthusiastic about being a mother/father and having a large family. Family gatherings and events are something they look forward to all the time. They also prove to be great leaders when put in a position to be one.
• King of Diamonds – The king of diamonds card shows someone with excellent business acumen and who collected a lot of laurels through sheer hard work. They like to enjoy the fruits of their labor and bask in the well-earned luxury that their achievements beget.

Differences in Reading From a Tarot Card Deck vs. Reading From a Playing Card Deck

Reading from a tarot card deck, you may find a few reversed cards. However, these reversed cards are not there in a playing card deck. Since the cards in a playing card deck look the same whichever way they face, it is impossible to have a reverse card when doing a tarot reading using playing cards. Reversed cards are associated with negative meanings.

Another essential feature of the tarot cards – the major arcana is also missing from a typical playing card deck. The major arcana is a set of 22 picture cards with divine and symbolic meanings.

Final Thoughts

Reading tarot cards or playing cards often feels akin to making shapes out of clouds. Just as the clouds have a say in how it merges and disperses, tarot reading with playing cards also shapes a narrative.

Rather than controlling, we sometimes have to let the cards show us the way. Cards have a unique way of interacting with one another, and they weave different tales and convey different messages every time. Choosing the meaning that resonates most with our inner dilemmas is essential.