AUTHOR’S NOTE: Here is a playing-card reading using a truncated version of a fifteen-card Italian Romany design I encountered several years ago. I created the spread (linked below) for use with the Tarot de Marseille but it should be equally effective for playing-card divination.

It can be read in two ways: 1) as rows that are interpreted “in the Present” to describe ongoing developments in four areas leading to an imminent conclusion in each one; and 2) as three “Past/Present/Future” columns following the same left-to-right, top-to-bottom progression. The top card of the shuffled deck (“The Situation”) and the bottom card (Wisdom and Folly” aka “Lessons Learned”) are pulled first, with the former face-up and the latter face-down until read. The deck is then cut into four sub-packs from right-to-left and the top three cards in each sub-pack are dealt left-to-right into the rows, starting with the uppermost row and finishing with the lowest row.

In this example reading, I envisioned an open-ended situation and let the cards define what the circumstances would be at the start and what they would turn into. My interpretations were “cherry-picked” from the more topic-specific meanings in my downloaded Art of Cartomancy material since I have not yet internalized the system.

Preliminary Observations:

Three of the four Two’s are present, suggesting “lots of activity; everything happening at once,” particularly in the domains of the “Heart of the Matter” and “Best-Case Developments” where they appear at the beginning. Similarly, three of the four Queens are here, all in the “Worst-Case Developments” row, making me think of Macbeth’s witches – “Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble;” they imply a cabal or conspiracy of women, but without the Queen of Hearts there is no kindness or compassion in their manner. These ladies mean business! (The advice of this row is “Don’t set up shop in Eastwick, Rhode Island.”)

The Situation:

7 of Diamonds – Improved prospects for achievement, reward and recognition; earned success and steady gain

Pragmatic Summary:

A fortunate time to pursue financial initiatives that could bring easy money

The Heart of the Matter:

2 of Hearts – Emotional excitement; love; affection; good news
7 of Spades – A setback; reversal of plans; frustration; a lack of progress
10 of Clubs: Ambition; achievement; success; career change for the better; social prominence

Pragmatic Summary:

Euphoric highs followed by depressing lows that trigger an important career or business move, bringing success after struggle

Best-Case Developments:

2 of Diamonds – Minor income or payment; financial partnership or assistance
9 of Diamonds – Extra money; a check or bonus; influence of others’ wishes and desires on the querent
King of Clubs – Entrepreneurial or professional success; reliability and trustworthiness

Pragmatic Summary: Accepting a low-paying offer from a potential partner now could unlock future abundance

Worst-case Developments:

Queen of Diamonds – Intelligence, imagination, energy; possibly a relative by marriage
Queen of Clubs – Industry, efficiency, reliability; a no-nonsense pragmatist
Queen of Spades – Ambition, skill, intelligence; clever, cold, and calculating

Pragmatic Summary:

This looks like a recipe for manipulative interference by a self-interested coalition. It should be squashed by the King of Clubs before it gets that far.

Unexpected Surprises:

10 of Spades – Misfortune; disappointment; obstacles to success; negative emotions
Jack of Diamonds – Intelligence, energy; dynamism; start of a venture; possibly a relative by marriage
4 of Spades – Confinement, exhaustion, illness, rest; recuperation, an unhealthy situation

Pragmatic Summary:

This looks like a false start that goes nowhere. Although willing, the Jack doesn’t stand a chance against those dismal Spades, so it’s not a good time to over-extend oneself. Any surprises would be of the unhappy kind.

Wisdom or Folly (Lessons Learned):

2 of Clubs – Something freely given or received; a gift, favor or helpful advice; an exchange of value between peers

Pragmatic Summary:

This “outreach” card could be leveraged to serve as an incitement for a likely benefactor.

Overall Impression:

The 2 of Hearts, the 2 of Diamonds, the 9 of Diamonds, the 2 of Clubs and (especially) the King of Clubs suggest that a sympathetic, savvy and disciplined compatriot should be recruited to help navigate troubled financial waters, especially those stirred up by the fractious Queens. The Jack and Queen of Diamonds present the temptation to undertake a business venture with “relatives by marriage,” but the normally energetic Jack is sorely beset by the enervating 4 of Spades while the enthusiastic Queen comes attached to two siblings of very different mind, all of which stacks up to an unpleasant experience. Riding with the steady, established King of Clubs is the right way to go. Along with the redoubtable 10 of Clubs, he’s the “top dog” among the “outcome” cards in the “Past/Present/Future” scenario.

The Romany Cut “Wisdom or Folly” Situational Awareness Spread