Playing Cards As Tarot

Introduction

Reading playing cards as tarot (also called cartomancy) is an accessible way to tap into divination using an everyday deck. Each suit and rank carries symbolic meaning similar to the Minor Arcana in tarot. Below is a guide to interpreting each card.

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🃏 Suit Correspondences

• ♥ Hearts = Cups (Water) – Emotions, love, intuition, relationships
  
• ♦ Diamonds = Pentacles (Earth) – Work, finances, material life, home
  
• ♣ Clubs = Wands (Fire) – Action, creativity, drive, ambition
  
• ♠ Spades = Swords (Air) – Intellect, conflict, truth, transformation
  

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♥ Hearts — Cups (Water)

• Ace: New relationships, love blossoming
  
• 2: Balance in emotions, connection
  
• 3: Celebration, joy with friends
  
• 4: Emotional stagnation, boredom
  
• 5: Loss, sadness, emotional grief
  
• 6: Nostalgia, comfort from the past
  
• 7: Fantasy, choices in love
  
• 8: Walking away, emotional evolution
  
• 9: Contentment, wish fulfillment
  
• 10: Emotional abundance, family joy
  
• Jack: A romantic or emotional messenger
  
• Queen: A nurturing emotional figure
  
• King: Mastery of emotions, emotional wisdom
  

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♦ Diamonds — Pentacles (Earth)

• Ace: New financial or work opportunities
  
• 2: Balance and juggling responsibilities
  
• 3: Collaboration, teamwork
  
• 4: Control, holding tight to resources
  
• 5: Financial hardship, exclusion
  
• 6: Charity, giving and receiving
  
• 7: Patience, long-term growth
  
• 8: Skill-building, dedication
  
• 9: Luxury, self-sufficiency
  
• 10: Financial abundance, legacy
  
• Jack: A student or beginner in material affairs
  
• Queen: A grounded, nurturing figure
  
• King: Mastery of work and finances
  

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♣ Clubs — Wands (Fire)

• Ace: New inspiration or project
  
• 2: Planning, looking ahead
  
• 3: Progress, expansion
  
• 4: Celebration, stability
  
• 5: Conflict, competition
  
• 6: Recognition, success
  
• 7: Defense, standing your ground
  
• 8: Swift movement, progress
  
• 9: Perseverance, resilience
  
• 10: Burden, heavy responsibilities
  
• Jack: A passionate messenger or spark of energy
  
• Queen: A bold, magnetic figure
  
• King: Leadership, creative vision
  

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♠ Spades — Swords (Air)

• Ace: New ideas, breakthroughs
  
• 2: Stalemate, difficult choices
  
• 3: Heartbreak, sorrow
  
• 4: Rest, recovery
  
• 5: Conflict, winning at a cost
  
• 6: Transition, journey
  
• 7: Deception, strategy
  
• 8: Feeling trapped, mental restrictions
  
• 9: Anxiety, overthinking
  
• 10: Painful ending, betrayal
  
• Jack: A curious, quick-witted figure
  
• Queen: A sharp, wise woman
  
• King: Authority in truth and logic