Cartomancy 101 Introduction

Before tarot, there was another form of reading cards. This form was used with regular playing cards, which today we know as ‘playing cards’ or ‘poker cards’.
They were originally used to tell prophecies and NO ONE, I mean NO ONE would have dreamed of using them for card ‘games’.  They were considered a sacred tool of divination.

If you are familiar with Tarot, you will find that the similarities are amazing.However, you don’t need to be a master at tarot to do Cartomancy. If you do use Tarot, you will find the differences intriguing.  Some say in fact, that Cartomancy is even more accurate than tarot. However, you must decide this for yourself.

The exact origins of the cards (Cartomancy) are lost to as many theories as there are interpretations of the card meanings. When the Church decided to ban the use of such a tool, it helped lose the true beginnings and so commenced theories only. The Church’s claim said that the cards were to ‘good’ for the common people and in using them, they could lead to all sorts of sinful acts. Soon after, the cards were not only used for foretelling (those who decided to go against the law) but began to be used for games.

In the 19th century Cartomancy took another chance at popularity. The use of the cards for prophesy spread like a wild fire once again. A man named Monsieur Etteilla, who was a Frenchman, designed the tarot, along with his own system, an interest spurred and based from Cartomancy. He predicted the deaths of many who died in the revolution among other things.

Another popular woman at that time named Madame Le Normand, who became a popular Tarot reader and clairvoyant, began her path to high society using Cartomancy. She read for one particular interested client whose name was Empress Josephine.
Josephine began great interest in card readers when she first learned of her marriage to be to Napoleon. She learned of their life & following his disgrace, from a Cartomancer in the West Indies.

Let it be known that the first pack of cards and its use has been tracked thus far to the Hebrews & Egypt of Ancient Times. They called them Naibi, which means to foretell in the Hebrew Language.

So in the following blog posts, when I have time, I will post some lessons and ‘how to’ concerning Cartomancy in case anyone wants to give it a try. All articles will be listed in order under the Paranormal & Occult index.

What we will be covering:

1. Introduction
2. Choosing a Deck
3. The differences between Tarot & Cartomancy
4. Astrology and Cartomancy
5. Combining Tarot & Cartomancy
6. The Symbolism of Court Cards
7. Choosing a suit
8. Heart, Diamond, Spade, Club Meanings
9. Brief Card (PIP) Meanings (for easy memorizing)
10. Suit Card Meanings
11. Interpretation Tips
12. Specific Combinations
13. Different Spreads & examples
14. Whatever I forgot