|
Grey Fox

Registered: 01/22/15
Posts: 2,652
|
Card Reading (Divination) With The Standard 52 Card Deck
#27139447 - 01/10/21 10:30 AM (3 years, 18 days ago) |
|
|
The Tarot Deck is very popular for divination. But what about the standard 52 card deck of playing cards?
My first ever experience with card divination occurred when I was a young man (20 or 21) and someone offered to read my fortune with a standard deck of cards. That fortune has always stuck with me in my memory.
The standard deck is basically the same as the Minor Arcana. Spades is Swords. Hearts is Cups. Clubs is Wands. Diamonds is Pentacles. Instead of there being a Page and a Knight, there is just the Jack. But otherwise, the meanings are the same.
There is no Major Arcana in the standard deck. But if you use the two Jokers, then they represent the Major Arcana. The Jokers are equivalent to the Fool, but fortell a significant, unexpected, positive happening or development. Dumb Luck, so to speak (as I understand it).
Lately I have been doing self-divination with the standard deck.
I do a 3 card spread. I try not to be too rigid or legalistic about card order or exact meaning. I try to allow intuition and gut-reaction to guide the reading.
So lately I keep drawing the Ace of Clubs and a lower Club, plus the Jack of Spades. I started a new job less than 2 months ago. So I keep understanding this repeating spread to indicate that in this transition period that I am in with the new job that there will be challenges to work through that are significant but not insurmountable (Jack of Spades). But I see the final outcome with the new job as positive and beneficial in a very significant way (Ace of Clubs) and well as a small, incremental positive step forward in terms of my health/strength (the lower Club which is usually 2 or 3 or 5, etc).
But last night I drew this:

So I'm feeling pretty good about it. I feel that things are lining up for a very positive development with this new job. Perhaps the challenge of transitioning to a new company, new coworkers, new responsibilities and skills to learn, etc, is mostly behind me now and something very positive and unexpected is about to occur. That is what I am hoping for. I have been working so hard, pouring my energy and focus into the new job. My body is drained at the end of the day. I am tired and spent. But my body keeps getting stronger and my skills and ability keep growing. Feels like the cards keep confirming these feelings and assuring me that this path forward is a good one.
-------------------- IT WAS ALL A DREAM
|
Loaded Shaman
Psychophysiologist



Registered: 03/02/15
Posts: 8,006
Loc: Now O'Clock
Last seen: 28 days, 2 hours
|
Re: Card Reading (Divination) With The Standard 52 Card Deck [Re: Grey Fox]
#27141045 - 01/10/21 11:47 PM (3 years, 17 days ago) |
|
|
Playing cards were historically based off the Tarot cards, so you're not incorrect drawing those parallels, my friend.
In theory you can use anything for divination.
I only use the Major Arcana from the traditional Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, via a split hexagram spread as such:
--------------------
  "Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance." — Confucius
|
Grey Fox

Registered: 01/22/15
Posts: 2,652
|
Re: Card Reading (Divination) With The Standard 52 Card Deck [Re: Loaded Shaman] 1
#27142445 - 01/11/21 05:29 PM (3 years, 17 days ago) |
|
|
The Rider-Waite deck is so beautiful and intuitive. I love that deck.
But these days I'm always playing cards with the family (Crazy 8's, Spades, etc). So when things quiet down I start looking through the cards and reflecting. The Bee deck and the Tally-Ho circle backs are my favs.
Card divination is an interesting tool for tapping into the subconscious level of thinking. Not dissimilar from psychedelics in that regard. The cards make me think about things in ways that I wouldnt otherwise under normal circumstances. I appreciate them for that.
-------------------- IT WAS ALL A DREAM
|
Loaded Shaman
Psychophysiologist



Registered: 03/02/15
Posts: 8,006
Loc: Now O'Clock
Last seen: 28 days, 2 hours
|
Re: Card Reading (Divination) With The Standard 52 Card Deck [Re: Grey Fox]
#27142948 - 01/12/21 12:09 AM (3 years, 16 days ago) |
|
|
Agreed about the subconscious tapping bit. I'd argue that's what magick is actually doing; bypassing filters of the ego to let you just access what/whom you truly are. Practice makes perfect, and inner strength and wisdom grows just like a muscle.
I'll have to check out those two decks you mentioned!
--------------------
  "Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance." — Confucius
|
Grey Fox

Registered: 01/22/15
Posts: 2,652
|
Re: Card Reading (Divination) With The Standard 52 Card Deck [Re: Loaded Shaman] 1
#27153970 - 01/17/21 06:03 PM (3 years, 11 days ago) |
|
|

The Tally-Ho deck has the nicest back IMO. The spiral in the center is very psychedelic. It has a way of turning into an eye that is looking at you, if you are high enough.
The Bee deck is my overall fav though. The back is very nice. It is subtle. But if you zoom your vision in closer, there is surprising amount of detail.
But the Ace of Spades and Jokers on the Bee deck are the most beautiful to me. The Ace of Spades is filled with a hive of bees. And the Ace is surrounded by flowering plants and bees.
The Bee Jokers always make me wonder, "Is that a minature man standing on a normal sized bee? Or is it a normal sized man standing on a giant bee?" I can see it both ways. When you're high enough, the shift back and forth in perspective can be hilarious!
Both decks have a textured finish of tiny squares. The detail shines or blurs at different angles. On the face cards the faces and clothes can "shift" back and forth to give an odd effect.
-------------------- IT WAS ALL A DREAM
|
Yellow Pants


Registered: 05/14/17
Posts: 1,386
Loc:
|
Re: Card Reading (Divination) With The Standard 52 Card Deck [Re: Grey Fox]
#27153977 - 01/17/21 06:06 PM (3 years, 11 days ago) |
|
|
AGREED
|
Loaded Shaman
Psychophysiologist



Registered: 03/02/15
Posts: 8,006
Loc: Now O'Clock
Last seen: 28 days, 2 hours
|
Re: Card Reading (Divination) With The Standard 52 Card Deck [Re: Grey Fox]
#27154415 - 01/17/21 11:02 PM (3 years, 10 days ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Grey Fox said:

The Tally-Ho deck has the nicest back IMO. The spiral in the center is very psychedelic. It has a way of turning into an eye that is looking at you, if you are high enough.
The Bee deck is my overall fav though. The back is very nice. It is subtle. But if you zoom your vision in closer, there is surprising amount of detail.
But the Ace of Spades and Jokers on the Bee deck are the most beautiful to me. The Ace of Spades is filled with a hive of bees. And the Ace is surrounded by flowering plants and bees.
The Bee Jokers always make me wonder, "Is that a minature man standing on a normal sized bee? Or is it a normal sized man standing on a giant bee?" I can see it both ways. When you're high enough, the shift back and forth in perspective can be hilarious!
Both decks have a textured finish of tiny squares. The detail shines or blurs at different angles. On the face cards the faces and clothes can "shift" back and forth to give an odd effect.
Nice cards! I agree about the backing; that's one thing I laugh about on my Rider-Waite; it's just generic blue and white square patterns, lol. Just make them black or white or a solid color, you'd think, yeah?
Eyeing the Hermetic Tarot for my next step:

--------------------
  "Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance." — Confucius
|
Asante
Mage


Registered: 02/06/02
Posts: 86,795
|
Re: Card Reading (Divination) With The Standard 52 Card Deck [Re: Loaded Shaman]
#27156635 - 01/19/21 02:27 AM (3 years, 9 days ago) |
|
|
There is the lenormand method that uses an ordinary deck of playing cards.
-------------------- Omnicyclion.org higher knowledge starts here
|
Loaded Shaman
Psychophysiologist



Registered: 03/02/15
Posts: 8,006
Loc: Now O'Clock
Last seen: 28 days, 2 hours
|
Re: Card Reading (Divination) With The Standard 52 Card Deck [Re: Asante]
#27156677 - 01/19/21 03:14 AM (3 years, 9 days ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Asante said: There is the lenormand method that uses an ordinary deck of playing cards.
Correct.
--------------------
  "Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance." — Confucius
|
Grey Fox

Registered: 01/22/15
Posts: 2,652
|
Re: Card Reading (Divination) With The Standard 52 Card Deck [Re: Asante]
#27159181 - 01/20/21 10:11 AM (3 years, 8 days ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Loaded Shaman said:
Eyeing the Hermetic Tarot for my next step:


The imagery in that deck is impressive! Lots of detail in there.
The Rider-Waite deck is so beautiful though. I'm still trying to wrap my head around all of the symbolism in that classic deck.
Quote:
Asante said: There is the lenormand method that uses an ordinary deck of playing cards.
I've never heard of it before. Thanks for the info!
-------------------- IT WAS ALL A DREAM
|
mycot
Crazy as fuck


Registered: 05/31/06
Posts: 1,112
Loc: Australia
Last seen: 1 month, 5 days
|
Re: Card Reading (Divination) With The Standard 52 Card Deck [Re: Grey Fox]
#27159420 - 01/20/21 12:02 PM (3 years, 8 days ago) |
|
|
Austin Osman Spare talks about use of a standard deck in a publication "Two Tracts on Cartomancy" the tract itself being "Mind to Mind and How"
A question for Loaded Shaman. Have you had a look at Aleister Crowley's Thoth tarot deck and what do you think of it ?
|
Loaded Shaman
Psychophysiologist



Registered: 03/02/15
Posts: 8,006
Loc: Now O'Clock
Last seen: 28 days, 2 hours
|
Re: Card Reading (Divination) With The Standard 52 Card Deck [Re: Grey Fox]
#27160525 - 01/20/21 11:21 PM (3 years, 7 days ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Grey Fox said:
Quote:
Loaded Shaman said:
Eyeing the Hermetic Tarot for my next step:


The imagery in that deck is impressive! Lots of detail in there.
The Rider-Waite deck is so beautiful though. I'm still trying to wrap my head around all of the symbolism in that classic deck.
Quote:
Asante said: There is the lenormand method that uses an ordinary deck of playing cards.
I've never heard of it before. Thanks for the info!
Yes the imagery on both is astoundingly beautiful; that's half the charm for me (and most, I'm sure)!
I have a Rider-Waite deck handy nearby my desk, but since getting this book:

I've had the urge to start fooling with said deck above (it's only $20 on Amazon, lol).
I've only been using a basic hexagonal spread with just the Major Arcana; not versed enough in the minor, but the above book really, really lays it all out in simple terms so you can start NOW.
--------------------
  "Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance." — Confucius
|
mycot
Crazy as fuck


Registered: 05/31/06
Posts: 1,112
Loc: Australia
Last seen: 1 month, 5 days
|
Re: Card Reading (Divination) With The Standard 52 Card Deck [Re: Loaded Shaman] 1
#27160637 - 01/21/21 03:05 AM (3 years, 7 days ago) |
|
|
Since you have the book "The Qabalistic Tarot" by Robert Wang, you would not be unfamilar with Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot. That book by Robert Wang is very dense and comprehensive covering tarot, Qabalism and history, an impressive and solid work from my skimming of it. That said, without some familiarity with Qabalah, I think many would find the book too dense.
|
Loaded Shaman
Psychophysiologist



Registered: 03/02/15
Posts: 8,006
Loc: Now O'Clock
Last seen: 28 days, 2 hours
|
Re: Card Reading (Divination) With The Standard 52 Card Deck [Re: mycot]
#27160643 - 01/21/21 03:17 AM (3 years, 7 days ago) |
|
|
Correct it's very straight forward and there's no embellishing via storytelling, so the average person will check the fuck out ASAP LOL.
Funny thing about Crowley is all the Golden Dawn based Magick literature says his Thoth deck isn't ideal for said practice. I forget their exact reasoning, but the black and white Hermetic Tarot above, and the Rider-Waite, are the two most suggested by them.
--------------------
  "Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance." — Confucius
|
Asante
Mage


Registered: 02/06/02
Posts: 86,795
|
Re: Card Reading (Divination) With The Standard 52 Card Deck [Re: Loaded Shaman] 1
#27161022 - 01/21/21 09:35 AM (3 years, 7 days ago) |
|
|
-------------------- Omnicyclion.org higher knowledge starts here
|
mycot
Crazy as fuck


Registered: 05/31/06
Posts: 1,112
Loc: Australia
Last seen: 1 month, 5 days
|
Re: Card Reading (Divination) With The Standard 52 Card Deck [Re: Loaded Shaman]
#27162061 - 01/21/21 05:57 PM (3 years, 7 days ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Loaded Shaman said: Funny thing about Crowley is all the Golden Dawn based Magick literature says his Thoth deck isn't ideal for said practice. I forget their exact reasoning, but the black and white Hermetic Tarot above, and the Rider-Waite, are the two most suggested by them.
While I have enjoyed working with the AC Thoth deck, I can understand several reasons why Golden Dawn based magical literature may advise use of a different deck. The Rider-Waite deck I can understand. The Hermetic Tarot, even though based on "Golden Dawn" less so.
Which brings me round to what originally prompted me mention AC. Upon looking at the pictures of the Hemetic Tarot above, the cards "The Chariot" and "The Hanged Man" stood out as being inspired by AC's Thoth deck, which I find a somewhat incongruous in a Golden Dawn based deck. Upon looking at an online version of "The Hermetic Tarot" I find that a great many of Minor Arcana cards have been inspired by AC's Thoth deck to the point of what I would call plagarism. All in all, I find this very strange.
|
Loaded Shaman
Psychophysiologist



Registered: 03/02/15
Posts: 8,006
Loc: Now O'Clock
Last seen: 28 days, 2 hours
|
Re: Card Reading (Divination) With The Standard 52 Card Deck [Re: mycot]
#27162634 - 01/21/21 11:19 PM (3 years, 6 days ago) |
|
|
Quote:
mycot said:
Quote:
Loaded Shaman said: Funny thing about Crowley is all the Golden Dawn based Magick literature says his Thoth deck isn't ideal for said practice. I forget their exact reasoning, but the black and white Hermetic Tarot above, and the Rider-Waite, are the two most suggested by them.
While I have enjoyed working with the AC Thoth deck, I can understand several reasons why Golden Dawn based magical literature may advise use of a different deck. The Rider-Waite deck I can understand. The Hermetic Tarot, even though based on "Golden Dawn" less so.
Which brings me round to what originally prompted me mention AC. Upon looking at the pictures of the Hemetic Tarot above, the cards "The Chariot" and "The Hanged Man" stood out as being inspired by AC's Thoth deck, which I find a somewhat incongruous in a Golden Dawn based deck. Upon looking at an online version of "The Hermetic Tarot" I find that a great many of Minor Arcana cards have been inspired by AC's Thoth deck to the point of what I would call plagarism. All in all, I find this very strange. 
I don't disagree! I'll pull one of my Magick books out later where Kraig goes into detail about exactly why the Thoth deck isn't ideal. I'll post it here!
Ordering my Hermetic deck today, btw!
--------------------
  "Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance." — Confucius
|
InnerWisdom


Registered: 08/09/19
Posts: 1,936
Loc: North EU
Last seen: 4 days, 9 hours
|
Re: Card Reading (Divination) With The Standard 52 Card Deck [Re: Loaded Shaman]
#27162649 - 01/21/21 11:31 PM (3 years, 6 days ago) |
|
|
I recently got the thoth deck and it is beautiful. It was first printed in 1971. To understand that book of thoth properly and the tarot I feel like would require years of studying the kabbalah and what not. Not gonna start that now lol. However, the tarot can be used without full understanding of all symbols and using rituals too
|
Loaded Shaman
Psychophysiologist



Registered: 03/02/15
Posts: 8,006
Loc: Now O'Clock
Last seen: 28 days, 2 hours
|
Re: Card Reading (Divination) With The Standard 52 Card Deck [Re: InnerWisdom]
#27162735 - 01/22/21 01:12 AM (3 years, 6 days ago) |
|
|
I have all the majorly suggesting Golden Dawn (complete series, all the books), Modern Magick all 3 editions, the Qabalistic Tarot by Robert Wang, several Crowley books, and various other books on the topic.
Keep notes and pay attention to where information contradicts, as well as reinforces.
A basic daily journal is suggested!
--------------------
  "Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance." — Confucius
|
Loaded Shaman
Psychophysiologist



Registered: 03/02/15
Posts: 8,006
Loc: Now O'Clock
Last seen: 28 days, 2 hours
|
Re: Card Reading (Divination) With The Standard 52 Card Deck [Re: Loaded Shaman]
#27166604 - 01/24/21 04:18 AM (3 years, 4 days ago) |
|
|
I posted this in the other Tarot thread, as well:
Hermetic deck just arrived:

I'm using that along with the Rider-Waite deck in conjunction with the following books/resources as guides:


--------------------
  "Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance." — Confucius
|
|