Part 11
One thing more about the reckoning. If, say, hearts occur only four times in the heap, and no other suit is present as often, then, as we say, good luck is yours. But, should hearts occur five, six, seven or eight times, then your good luck is correspondingly increased in amount. The same rule should be applied to the other suits.
PEERING INTO THE FUTURE
You probably have some question that you would like answered. It may concern--well, it can concern anything you like and you need confide to nobody what it is about. This is a method of obtaining the answer to such a question:
If you are of the female sex, take the four queens from a pack and, if you are a male, take the four kings. Place them face down on the table in front of you and, with your eyes shut, shuffle them round and round, using only your left hand. Work the cards round in the opposite direction to the movement of the hands of a clock. When you have lost all idea of the identity of the cards, still with your left hand and with your eyes tightly shut, place the cards in a line in front of you. Now, open your eyes and turn the cards face up.
The card to the left of the line stands for "This year"; the card filling the second position stands for "Next year"; the card coming third, for "Sometime"; and the card at the right of the line, for "Never." The card that is a heart answers the question and the others are ignored. Thus, if the heart fills the second position, the answer is "Next year"; if it comes fourth, the answer is "Never."
It is claimed by astrologers that a true answer to the question is only obtained on the first occasion that this method is employed after a new moon has appeared.
WHAT REVERSED CARDS REVEAL
In most cases, the cards of an ordinary pack look the same whether viewed one way or the other; in other words, if they were cut in halves across the shortest dimension, each half would be exactly alike. But this is not so in every case. Take, for instance, the aces of hearts, clubs and spades; with these the tops and bottoms would be different, though with the ace of diamonds, they would be the same. All the sevens offer further cases where the two halves are not identical and the same may be said of some of the eights. In addition, it must be pointed out that all packs do not follow the same arrangement, so that a list of these unbalanced cards cannot be given.
Astrologists have long considered that these cards, which are not alike top and bottom, possess certain powers in deciding one's luck. This is how they act:
Take a full pack and shuffle it thoroughly, then cut with the left hand. After that, turn each card over, one by one, and it is advisable to work slowly, as mistakes are easily made.
Look at every card in turn, count the pips on it that are the right way up and those that are upside down. When the latter are more in number than the former, you have a reversed card. Set it aside and continue with the cards that follow. Note that it is not any card that permits of being reversed, but only those that are actually reversed, that should be set aside. Note, also, that a reversed card to you is not reversed to someone sitting opposite you.
When the pack has been run through and all the reversed cards taken out, note what you have found. Count up the number belonging to each suit. If hearts are in the majority, you are indeed lucky; if spades figure most, you are the reverse. Clubs are not quite so lucky as hearts and diamonds rank a little below clubs.
Should any suit figure much more than the others, then the above readings are strengthened.
CARD COMBINATIONS
This method of discovering certain facts about your future is as old as the hills, if not older. It depends on laying out the cards and noting how certain of them are arranged.
The first thing you do is to take an ordinary pack and remove from it all the twos, threes, fours, fives and sixes. This will leave you with thirty-two cards in hand. Next, you shuffle very thoroughly and cut with the left hand. That done, you set out the thirty-two cards in four rows, each of eight cards. Be careful to commence each row at the right and then work to the left. Of course, you must put them out in exactly the same order as they come off the pack.
The "lay-out" being completed, you carefully look at the cards. You look, first, to see if by any chance there are four aces touching anywhere. If so, the scrutiny ceases and you find out, from the list given below, what the meaning is of four aces touching. But if there are not four such aces, then you search for four kings and, failing them, four queens, and so on, down to four sevens. If all these fail, you look for three cards of a kind starting as before with aces and working down to sevens. Should there be no groups of threes, then you look for groups of two. Of course, after that there is no point in continuing the scrutiny if there are no twos.
Be careful to understand that the cards forming a group need not all occur in the same horizontal line. As long as one card touches another of the same value, whether at the top, bottom, sides or even at the corners, it will count. Note also that the only reading that may be taken from a "lay-out" is the highest reading. Thus, if there are four aces and three queens, you are not permitted to take the reading of the queens, if you prefer it, to that of the aces. The reading of the aces alone counts.
These are the readings:--
Fours
_FOUR ACES._--Dangers may attack you while you are least expecting them.
_FOUR KINGS._--You are likely to rise in the world and be endowed with fame.
_FOUR QUEENS._--You will be led into quarrels, not of your own seeking.
_FOUR JACKS._--Treachery is afoot and you will be the victim, unless you play your cards remarkably well.
_FOUR TENS._--You will succeed at what you have most set your heart.
_FOUR NINES._--People will endeavor to cheat you. Keep your eyes open and thwart the wrong-doers.
_FOUR EIGHTS._--You are likely to form some great desire, and that desire will be attained, if you are true to yourself.
_FOUR SEVENS._--There is a very happy home marked out for you, if you wish it.
Threes
_THREE ACES._--Good news is coming.
_THREE KINGS._--Some great desire that you have is about to be realized. It is nothing to do with work or business, but pleasure.
_THREE QUEENS._--You will be happy in one particular friendship that you are about to make.
_THREE JACKS._--Certain disputes are trying to find their way into your existence. Be guarded.
_THREE TENS._--Wait patiently and a very happy time will not be long in coming.
_THREE NINES._--Your wishes may not come true as soon as you would like. But wait.
_THREE EIGHTS._--Marriage is imminent for those of single blessedness who have set their hearts on it.
_THREE SEVENS._--First, there is a cloud and behind it is bright sunshine. This applies to you.
Twos
_TWO ACES._--You are about to start on some new enterprise and make a success of it.
_TWO KINGS._--You are shortly meeting a stranger who will mean a good deal to you.
_TWO QUEENS._--Doubt is to cloud your mind. You will seek advice from a certain quarter. Take the advice and do not lose sight of the giver.
_TWO JACKS._--Your faith is to be sorely tried. See that you do not injure your reputation.
_TWO TENS._--There is every sign of good fortune in the future.
_TWO NINES._--There is a great surprise in store for you.
_TWO EIGHTS._--Be judicious in your dealings with the opposite sex.
_TWO SEVENS._--The unengaged are soon to be engaged.
Other Combination of Cards
Should the cards offer none of the above arrangements, the following may be found, but they are meaningless unless all the foregoing have failed.
_KING OF CLUBS AND TEN OF HEARTS._--Love is coming.
_KING OF DIAMONDS AND TEN OF SPADES._--Beware of lovers' quarrels.
_KING AND QUEEN OF SAME SUIT._--A proposal or its equivalent.
_QUEEN OF SPADES AND ANY JACK._--Take care of the wiles of a woman well known to you.
_TEN OF HEARTS AND NINE OF CLUBS._--A journey is awaiting you.
_TEN OF HEARTS AND ACE OF SPADES._--A birth.
_NINE OF HEARTS AND ACE OF CLUBS._--Your wishes will be fulfilled.
_SEVEN OF HEARTS AND SEVEN OF CLUBS._--Your troubles are about to end.
ZODIAC CARD READING
Perhaps you do not know which is your lucky month. If you would like to find out, the following simple method is helpful.
Take one or two packs of cards, according to the instructions below. Bridge cards are preferable as they are small. Then, cut twelve pieces of paper, each the size of one of the cards. On each piece, draw a sign of the Zodiac and arrange the pieces on the table, as shown in the diagram. It will be seen that the signs are placed in their monthly order from April to March and not from January to December. This order must be followed.
[Illustration: No. 24.--The Arrangement of the Signs for Zodiacal Card Reading.]
Next, find out your lucky number, as directed in the chapter "What is your Lucky Number?" For such numbers from one to four, one complete pack is needed; for numbers from five to eight, two packs are necessary. When nine is the lucky number, either use three packs or take two packs and shuffle in with the cards four pieces of paper, each the same size as a card, and on each write a heart, a club, a diamond or a spade.
Shuffle the cards thoroughly and then deal them out, giving each sign of the Zodiac a card in turn. Lay on each sign as many cards as indicated by your lucky number, then stop.
Look at the cards lying on each sign. Wherever you find more hearts than any other suit on a sign, take it as a portent that the month indicated by the sign is a lucky one for you. Of course, it is quite possible and even desirable that you may have more than one fortunate month.
A BIRTHDAY MESSAGE FROM THE CARDS
We have seen this fortunetelling game played at many parties and other gatherings, and it has always caused a good deal of innocent amusement.
First of all, an ordinary pack is taken and the court cards are withdrawn from it. They alone are used, while the numeral cards are put on one side. These court cards are shuffled and the players sit around the table.
One of the players is appointed as the seer. He or she takes the twelve cards, spreads them out in a fan, face down, and the first player selects one. When this card is withdrawn from the fan, it is turned up. While everybody looks at the chosen card, the seer asks the player the date of his or her birth. On hearing the date, the seer notes whether it comes under the heading, spring, summer, autumn or winter. Then he reckons:
(a) Any date in March, April or May as spring.
(b) Any in June, July or August as summer.
(c) Any in September, October or November as autumn.
(d) Any in December, January or February as winter.
Next, he looks down the appropriate section, given below, and reads out the message, according to the card which the player has withdrawn from the fan.
That completes the business for the first player and the performance is gone through afresh, in exactly the same way, for the second and all subsequent people taking part in the game.
Here are the messages provided by each card:
Spring
_KING OF HEARTS._--Kindness to an elderly person will result in financial gain to you.
_QUEEN OF HEARTS._--A friendship will grow into love, quite unexpectedly.
_JACK OF HEARTS._--You are advised not to marry the one that is good looking.
_KING OF CLUBS._--You will have a love letter that will cause you some surprise.
_QUEEN OF CLUBS._--Show more affection. Coldness is unlikely to bring you happiness.
_JACK OF CLUBS._--Money will mean much in your matrimonial affairs.
_KING OF DIAMONDS._--The one you look upon as your best friend is a "dark horse."
_QUEEN OF DIAMONDS._--You are marked out for fortune's smile.
_JACK OF DIAMONDS._--A light-haired woman is anxious to do you a good turn.
_KING OF SPADES._--Be very charming to the person with blue eyes.
_QUEEN OF SPADES._--You are shortly to come into money.
_JACK OF SPADES._--A sudden change in domestic affairs is imminent.
Summer
_KING OF HEARTS._--An old acquaintance of whom you have lost sight will return into your life.
_QUEEN OF HEARTS._--That for which you have been longing is not far off.
_JACK OF HEARTS._--A telephone call will revive some old memories which will please you.
_KING OF CLUBS._--Show your love and your love will be returned.
_QUEEN OF CLUBS._--A stranger will assist you to good fortune.
_JACK OF CLUBS._--You will attend a wedding and something will happen there which will surprise you.
_KING OF DIAMONDS._--You are wanted overseas, but do not be in a hurry to accept the invitation.
_QUEEN OF DIAMONDS._--You will find happiness most where money abounds.
_JACK OF DIAMONDS._--You have remarkable powers which you are not fully using.
_KING OF SPADES._--Your happiness lies in marriage. Treat the one who is to be your partner with consideration.
_QUEEN OF SPADES._--Live more in the open air and many kinds of happiness will come of it.
_JACK OF SPADES._--Be careful to hide your feelings.
Autumn
_KING OF HEARTS._--A close relation will share some good luck with you.
_QUEEN OF HEARTS._--Friendship will change into love.
_JACK OF HEARTS._--Get a move on and your luck will change.
_KING OF CLUBS._--Don't let money stand in the way of your marriage.
_QUEEN OF CLUBS._--Do not be surprised if an enemy relents and becomes a friend.
_JACK OF CLUBS._--Try to forget your disappointment. Happiness is due from quite another quarter.
_KING OF DIAMONDS._--Relatives are rising against you. Act fearlessly and they will recognize your sterling qualities.
_QUEEN OF DIAMONDS._--You are marked out by the Fates to be the recipient of some very good fortune.
_JACK OF DIAMONDS._--Within seventeen days or weeks, a startling offer is to be made to you.
_KING OF SPADES._--Make a wish within the next hour and it shall be fulfilled within the next year.
_QUEEN OF SPADES._--Avoid the one with the dark complexion.
_JACK OF SPADES._--A late marriage will be more prosperous than an early one.
Winter
_KING OF HEARTS._--Good friends are ready to help you on the road to success.
_QUEEN OF HEARTS._--Do not decide until you are quite certain.
_JACK OF HEARTS._--Be cautious of the friends you make while dancing.
_KING OF CLUBS._--Get out of the groove you are in and sail away to success.
_QUEEN OF CLUBS._--A delightful adventure will pave the way to happiness.
_JACK OF CLUBS._--Flirting never gave anybody any lasting happiness. Be more sober.
_KING OF DIAMONDS._--Some good news is coming and the postman will bring it.
_QUEEN OF DIAMONDS._--Keep your head and you will keep your lover.
_JACK OF DIAMONDS._--You have too many strings to your bow and too many irons in the fire.
_KING OF SPADES._--You are beloved by someone you least suspect.
_QUEEN OF SPADES._--Your affairs will straighten out shortly and then you will understand.
_JACK OF SPADES._--Your rival seems to be gaining successes, but wait. In a short space, they will collapse like a pack of cards.
THE WISH CARD
The nine of hearts has long been regarded as the wish card; that is to say, if a player wins this card, in any agreed manner, he or she will have a wish fulfilled.
The most usual way to decide who is to be the lucky individual is for the players to sit around the table and for each to write down a wish on a slip of paper, and then to initial it. That done, the papers are collected and set aside to await the decision of the cards.
The cards are dealt to the players in turn in the ordinary manner from a full pack. Just how many each person is to receive depends on the number of players, but all must have the same number, and each should be given as many as the pack allows. Thus, there will often be a few cards left over. These are set in the middle of the table and not used.
When play starts, somebody begins by turning over the first card on his or her pack. If this is a numeral card, the next person follows by turning over the first card on his or her pack, and so the play continues round the table. But, if someone turns over a jack, the next person must pay that person one card, i.e., the card coming first on his pack. If a queen is turned over, the payment is the next two cards; if it is a king, the next three cards, while an ace requires the payment of the four next cards. The person playing the jack, queen, king or ace takes not only the cards paid but any that may be lying face upwards in front of the person paying. All paid cards are placed at the bottom of the receiver's pack.
There is one point more to note; if, while in the act of paying, the payer turns over a jack, queen, king or ace his debt is cancelled, the previous player gets nothing and the next player has to enter upon the business of paying.
As soon as one player has lost all his or her cards, the game stops and everybody glances through his or her pack to see who possesses the wish card, the nine of hearts. The lucky individual is then given the slip of paper on which his wish is written and must read it out loud. Not until it has been announced to all the company will the Fates take any consideration of it.
OLD MAID
The game known as "Old Maid" is a favorite that will continue to be played as long as cards exist. How it is played is within the knowledge of everybody, but the following variation is not so well-known, and it is certainly more exciting.
Instead of taking out of the pack any of the queens, in this variation the Queen of Clubs is removed. Then, the passing on of cards from one player to another and the pairing, whenever possible, proceeds in the usual way. But a red queen can only be paired with the other red queen, which makes the Queen of Spades a troublesome card.
Whoever is left with it at the end of the game is a very unfortunate old maid, since spades are the most unlucky cards of the whole pack.
THE LAST CARD
Have you some question that you want answered? It may be a question to do with love, marriage, health, finances, or almost anything. Here is a way to find the answer.
[Illustration: No. 25.--The Last Card.]
From a pack of playing cards, take out the four aces, the four twos, the four threes and the four queens--sixteen cards in all. Note that men use the four kings instead of the queens.
Shuffle the sixteen cards and then spread them out on the table, face down. They should lie on the table in a mixed-up heap and not in an orderly pack.
To start, pick any card from the heap, turn it over, and then, according to its value, place it in its proper position, as indicated by the formation shown in the diagram. Suppose, for instance, that it is a two of hearts; then it fills the space of the bottom left-hand corner; or if it is the queen of diamonds, it goes in the second space of the third row.
When the first card is placed, pick at random a second card and put it in the position indicated for it in the diagram. Follow in the same way with all the other cards, from three to fifteen, but not with the sixteenth. This is the card which supplies your answer. If it is the queen (or king) of hearts, your answer will be "Certainly yes"; if it is the two of spades, it is "Certainly not." The other cards come between these two and supply answers varying from "yes" to "no." Their actual meanings are as follows:--
1.--_QUEEN OF HEARTS._--Certainly yes.
2.--_ACE OF HEARTS._--Yes.
3.--_THREE OF HEARTS._--Probably yes.
4.--_TWO OF HEARTS._--A likelihood of yes.
5.--_QUEEN OF CLUBS._--It may be yes.
6.--_ACE OF CLUBS._--It is hopeful.
7.--_THREE OF CLUBS._--If you are lucky, it will be yes.
8.--_TWO OF CLUBS._--It is fifty-fifty.
9.--_QUEEN OF DIAMONDS._--The chances are equal.
10.--_ACE OF DIAMONDS._--If you are unlucky, it will be no.
11.--_THREE OF DIAMONDS._--It is not hopeful.
12.--_TWO OF DIAMONDS._--It may be no.
13.--_QUEEN OF SPADES._--There is a likelihood of no.
14.--_ACE OF SPADES._--Probably no.
15.--_THREE OF SPADES._--No.
16.--_TWO OF SPADES._--Certainly no.
Be very careful to decide the question before the cards are touched.
MADAME LENORMAND'S METHOD
Madame Lenormand, one of the most celebrated fortunetellers who has ever lived, had a method of divining people's futures by means of cards which we describe here.
[Illustration: No. 26.--Madame Lenormand's "Lay-Out."]
First, she decided on her client's matching card, in the way explained elsewhere in this chapter, and placed it on the table in the position marked 1, in the diagram.
Next, she took the four aces, twos, threes, fours, fives and sixes from a pack, giving twenty-four cards, and allowed her client to shuffle them, which was followed by the same person cutting them with the left hand.
Then Madame took the cards and arranged them around the matching card in the order shown in the diagram. The layout completed, she looked at the various cards and gathered information from their positions.
It would be impossible for any ordinary person to derive as much information from them as she did, but we can follow the chief lines of her thoughts.
This is how she reasoned:
My client assumes the central position, and around her are positions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Now what cards fill these stations? If there is an abundance of hearts, then friends surround her; if there is an abundance of spades, then enemies encompass her. If there are clubs or diamonds, then just ordinary people are flocking to her side.
It will be seen that Madame gave little consideration to the clubs or diamonds, though she naturally preferred the former, and made her calculations largely on the positions of the hearts and spades. Broadly speaking, the nearer the hearts pressed around the matching card, the better were the fortunes of her client, the farther away were the hearts, the worse were the client's fortunes.
Then, she considered an ace to have a stronger force than a two, and a two a stronger force than a three, and the six weakest of all. Thus an ace of hearts could more than neutralize the evil influences of a six of spades; but an ace of spades would be more than a match for the six of hearts.
We advise you to follow Madame Lenormand's method and see how the cards dispose themselves in your favor.
PATIENCE LUCK