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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yes or no? how to get your answer with the story method of interpretation

I've been reading a lot of blog posts lately about answering yes/no questions using an image-based deck like tarot. Some say it can't be done. Some say it can. Some find ways to do it by assigning cards a positive (yes) spin or a negative (no) spin.

I say if you have an image-based deck all you need to do is look at the picture and say what you see. This is the story method of interpretation. The questioner or subject of the reading becomes the main character in the image and you simply describe what's happening.

For example, what if you are asking, Will I get a promotion? Imagine that someone is getting a promotion. What do they look like? Happy, sad, angry? Imagine the scene -- What are they doing? Celebrating? Relaxing? What kind of body language would we see? Tight and tense or relaxed and open? Now, look through the cards in your deck. What cards would verify a yes answer? What cards verify no?

Let's look at examples using Over the Moon Oracle Cards. I'm using the non-captioned version of the deck so we can see the entire image clearly.

Will I pass my test?

Status | 8 of Diamonds

Look at you! You've got your feet up, chillaxin at home with your needlepoint. I'd say you passed your test.

Rejection | Ace of Spades

You are leaving a school dragging a book on the ground. This looks more like a walk of shame than a victory march so I would say NO you don't pass the test.

Forgiveness | 6 of Hearts

Yes, you will pass the test but with a little help, maybe a tutor or study aid. Or perhaps some help from above -- divine help -- in the form of prayer!

Will my finances improve by next month?

Empty | 4 of Diamonds

You're starving! You've got no money for food so you've resorted to eating plates! It doesn't look good financially.

Fun | 5 of Hearts

You're playing and having fun, without a care in the world, so yes it looks like your finances improve.

Waiting | 2 of Clubs

You are waiting for something, perhaps a check in the mail. It looks like things will still be tense on the financial horizon but you may be in a position of expecting money.

Will I get a new job soon?

Gift | 6 of Diamonds

You are giving or receiving money. Either way, this is a good sign. It looks like you may receive a job offer or at least have enough extra money to hold you over.

Traveler | Jack of Clubs

You're getting out of the house and looking for a job. It could also mean that you will get a job that will require you to travel or move.

Security | Ace of Diamonds

 You're sitting at home by the fireplace, so no job.

Does he like me?

Interference | 3 of Spades

Since the question is does HE like me we'll focus on the male in the image. He appears annoyed at being set up. But perhaps once he gets to know you better, he'll warm up to you.

Romantic| Jack of Hearts

He definitely likes you. He's trying to win you over.

Restriction | 8 of Spades

He is more concerned with his own predicament than a relationship right now. I'd say he's just not that into you.

What if the question is posed negatively instead of positively as in the above examples? This is one of the reasons the story method works so well. If we had randomly assigned yes and no for each card, how would we interpret positive cards in a negatively worded question like the ones below?

Is my boyfriend cheating?

Commitment | 4 of Hearts

No, you two are like an old married couple and he still only has eyes for you.

Troublemaker | Jack of Spades

Well, he looks like he stole something and is trying not to get caught. So, I would say yes, he's probably cheating.

Delay | 4 of Spades

He may not be cheating but he appears disappointed with the relationship. He's not having any fun.

Is the relationship over?

Partnership | 2 of Hearts

You two are still infatuated with each other. Look at the close body language -- I'd say no, the relationship is not over.

Loss | 10 of Spades

Unfortunately, yes. Like Humpty Dumpty, it's fallen and it can't get up. As the story goes, no one can put Humpty Dumpty (or the relationship) back together again.

Rest | 4 of Clubs

Maybe, but this might just be a time out period where both of you need a break from each other.

Do you use this method of interpretation?

the deck interview

This is a spread used to "interview" your new deck. It's a great way to find out its potential.

What will you offer?

Traveler | Jack of Clubs is the same card I got in my first reading. Perhaps this deck will offer new adventures, a way for people to get from here to there, and discover where they are headed.


What will you help us discover about ourselves?

Maybe we will gain wisdom and a wealth of knowledge like the gentleman in the Owner | King of Diamonds who carries books under his arm. The card keyword suggests this deck will help us take ownership of our issues.


What type of readings will you excel at?

Friendship | 3 of Hearts shows relationship readings of all kinds. Any type of reading that helps connect you with someone else.


What should I do to collaborate with you?

Hmmm, when I saw Widow | Queen of Spades, I was tempted to pull another. Instead, I sat with it and did a story method of interpreting. The question is asking what to do so I need to focus on what the woman is doing not how she's feeling. She's holding keys. To collaborate with the deck, I need to "hold the keys" or be the key to decoding the deck and helping people work with the deck.


What is the potential outcome of our working relationship?

I definitely didn't want to see Delay | 4 of Spades here. It relates to delays, disappointment, and a disruption of plans. What you expect to happen will not happen as planned. Perhaps my vision for the way I'll work with the deck will not be how it's actually used.

How would you interpret these cards in these positions? 

Share in comments!

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