Q&A: how do i know when face cards represent people vs. situations?

When do face cards represent people and when do they represent situations?

Figuring out when the face cards represent situations vs. people is a frequently-asked question and it's a tough one. The best way to figure it out is (1) set an intention about how you wish to read the face cards BEFORE you begin your reading and (2) journal your readings so you will be able to review them to see when the face cards appeared as people or as events. I think your intuition and the context of the reading should also guide you.

 General Rule

In general, I read the face cards as people. However, in my system, you'll notice that the meanings for the Kings and Queens are more specifically describing people while the Jacks can also describe situations. When I do a reading and see a Jack, I think about it as both a person and a situation. Another thing I've noticed is that in relationship readings, the face cards will also show the type of relationship. For example,

King of Spades = a rocky relationship

Queen of Diamonds = a security blanket relationship – one of convenience or comfort where partners are too afraid to move on.

Jack of Clubs = on again, off again relationship 

When you come across a face card, try to apply the people and situation perspective. They may both make sense.

3-Card Reading

In the 3-card reading, the position and the question will determine how the card is interpreted. A face card in the 1st position is someone the questioner knows or a role they are playing. Look at the question. Did they ask about someone (Will I reconcile with my ex?). If so, this is who is showing up in the 1st position.

The 2nd position often shows someone they don't know who is involved in the issue. In a question like, Will I reconcile with my ex? the Queen of Hearts may show up here to suggest the ex has already found a new love. In the question, What do I need to know about my marriage? the Queen of Clubs may appear here as the other woman.

The last position shows who controls the outcome or who the outcome affects. A face card here can show someone who comes to your rescue or determines your financial fate, for example. This person is usually known by the questioner although they may not have been mentioned in the question. In these cases, the question is often, What's on my _________ (love, financial, career) horizon? Where will we get the money? Will I be promoted? A face card here may show that their fate is not in their hands but in someone else's.

An Example

Once, while I was out of town, I did a quick reading for my day. Here are the cards I chose:

King of Spades = a man causing worries or problems, someone in remote position of authority. Judge. Police. Military, Power of attorney. May suggest legal issues.

Jack of Clubs = Coming and going. A traveler or visitor. Someone who is on the go.

King of Hearts = A male relative or dear friend. A devoted partner. Married or in a committed relationship. Doctor. Minister. Therapist. Anyone who offers counsel to those in need.

At first glance, it looked like I would encounter several people during the day…a man causing me worries or someone in a remote position of authority; a visitor or someone who comes and goes; and possibly a therapist, healer, doctor or minister. Or I figured I would be around several folks having a heated conversation. In the spread, the Jack and King of Hearts are confronting each other and the Jack is ignoring the King of Spades.

At the end of the day, I realized this reading was showing me the PLACES I would go that day. First, I had to meet with the continuing education coordinator (i.e., authority figure) and sign some paperwork/contracts (King of Spades). Next I stopped at the campus’ Visitors Center (Jack of Clubs). Finally, I went to a natural foods market that features massage practitioners, psychic readers and other healers and counselors (King of Hearts).

This reading proved that context is key. My natural inclination was to interpret these cards as people. But when I did this reading, I was in a hotel room visiting a different city and only had one day to get around, so my reading was all about places I would visit during my stay.

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Q&A: how to interpret Diamonds cards in love readings?

How should Diamonds cards be interpreted when they fall in readings about romance and relationships?

Diamonds cards reflect your sense of financial and emotional security and issues concerning structure and stability. They reflect your desire to acquire things, to increase your financial status, and to feel satisfied with your progress and station in life.

If you have a relationship reading that's not about money but a lot of Diamonds cards appear, think about the ways that money is like a relationship. For example, in relationships you may feel secure or divided. A relationship can grow little by little, or it can be eaten away and feel empty. You may consider it a gift, or an investment of your time and energy. Your relationship status might change and others may congratulate you for reaching a milestone in your relationship. Your relationship may make you wealthy or simply feel blessed!

Let's take a look at a reading submitted for a student's practical exam.

The seeker asked for a general reading but if we look at the first card we can see she is interested in learning about a relationship or partnership. The middle card represents underlying influences and I like to look at it as "the REAL issue or question". So it seems the seeker wants a reading about a relationship (2 of Hearts). Her real question is, "Is he stable (mentally, materially, etc.)? Is he financially secure enough to consider marriage? Is he the type of person that wants to build a life together? (Ace of Diamonds). 

The Ace of Diamonds traditionally symbolizes the engagement ring and it shows up in SO many relationship readings for women. It seems to trump the Ace of Hearts in terms of what women really want. Women know that Hearts personalities don't lead to marriage. Diamonds personalities do.

The numerical theme of the reading is 7 (2 + 1 (Ace) + 4 (King)). This theme often appears when people are wondering what path to take or if they should continue on their current path. They are often asking Should I? questions. So her unstated question might be "Should I continue with this relationship? Is this leading to something more permanent and secure?"

The final card (King of Diamonds) suggests that it is and yes he will take a more permanent role in her life.

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Q&A: who shuffles?

Hi, I would like to know when you are doing a reading for another person do you shuffle the cards for them or does the questioner shuffle the cards by themselves?

If you and the questioner are together then you can have them shuffle the cards but this is really based on the preference of the reader. Sometimes, the questioner is good at shuffling their intention into the cards and other times they are not -- it depends on how emotionally involved they are with the concern and also how confused they feel about the issue.

Since most of my readings have been done online, I can't have the questioner shuffle so I shuffle for them. This is why having a question is so important. If you shuffle for them, you clear your mind of your thoughts and focus on their question, then shuffle the cards.

Do you have a cartomancy question? 

Email it to overthemoonoraclecards@gmail.com

Q&A: how do you redirect your querents when they only ask yes or no questions?

This question was asked by one of the students in my course, Your Future Is In The Cards:

How do you redirect your querents when  they only ask yes or no questions?

Great question. It's one I had many years ago. I would try to lead people to ask open-ended questions so they could get more insights but then I realized that's how I like my questions. But you'll find the majority of questions are yes/no, which is why I created this course -- it's geared to the way people ACTUALLY request readings, not necessarily to my preferred method of reading which is more self-discovery oriented.

Another thing I do is add an advice card to the yes/no readings. For instance, what do you need to do to encourage your boyfriend to come back? What can you do to make more money? This way, you're giving advice to help them reach their goals instead of just a yes/no response. So these days, I don't see anything wrong with a yes/no question. It's very easy to provide a direct answer just as you've shown you are already doing. The real question is why do YOU have a problem with the yes/no questions?

Do you have a cartomancy question? 

Email it to overthemoonoraclecards@gmail.com