How to Read Playing Cards as Tarot: Beginners Guide to Cartomancy

By Alex Assoune Jun 07, 2025

Long before tarot cards became the popular go-to for divination, ordinary playing cards were used to tell fortunes, offer guidance, and uncover hidden truths. This practice—known as cartomancy—has been around for centuries and is still used today by those who prefer a simpler or more discreet alternative to tarot.

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your standard deck of 52 playing cards into a powerful spiritual tool, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll explore the history of cartomancy, the meaning of each card, common spreads, and practical tips to start reading playing cards just like a tarot deck.

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A Brief History of Cartomancy

Cartomancy is the art of fortune-telling or divination using a deck of playing cards. It dates back to at least the 14th century, shortly after playing cards were introduced to Europe. While tarot cards evolved into their own rich symbolic system, many seers and fortune-tellers continued using ordinary playing cards for readings—especially when tarot decks were less accessible or culturally taboo.

In fact, in many parts of Europe and the Americas, playing card readings were the preferred method of divination well into the 19th century, used by traveling Romani readers, mystics, and even royal advisors.

Why Use Playing Cards Instead of Tarot?

There are several reasons why people might choose playing cards for divination:

Accessibility: Almost everyone has a deck of playing cards lying around.
Discretion: In cultures or families where tarot is frowned upon, playing cards are more socially acceptable.
Simplicity: With fewer cards and less artwork, readers can focus more on intuition and number/suit meanings.
Tradition: Cartomancy is a respected historical practice in its own right.

Understanding the Deck: Playing Cards vs. Tarot

A standard deck of playing cards has 52 cards divided into four suits:

Hearts
Diamonds
Clubs
Spades

Each suit contains cards numbered Ace through 10, plus Jack, Queen, and King. Unlike tarot, playing cards do not include the 22 Major Arcana or the Page card.

Here’s how they roughly compare to the Minor Arcana in tarot:

Playing Cards	Tarot Equivalent	Suit Meaning
Hearts	Cups	Emotions, relationships, love
Diamonds	Pentacles/Coins	Money, work, material life
Clubs	Wands	Action, ambition, creativity
Spades	Swords	Intellect, conflict, struggle

The court cards—Jack, Queen, and King—are directly comparable to the tarot’s Knight, Queen, and King. The Page in tarot is often merged with the Jack in cartomancy.

The Meaning of Each Suit

Understanding the elemental and symbolic meanings behind each suit is the foundation of reading playing cards.

1. Hearts – Emotions & Relationships

Connected to the element of Water
Represents love, compassion, family, friendship, and emotional well-being
Think of it as the "heart" of the matter—your feelings and personal life

2. Diamonds – Finances & Material Concerns

Linked to the element of Earth
Symbolizes wealth, work, possessions, physical health, and ambition
Concerns the practical side of life: career, money, and status

3. Clubs – Action & Growth

Associated with the element of Fire
Stands for passion, creativity, communication, and progress
Related to your goals, energy, and personal power

4. Spades – Challenges & Intellect

Tied to the element of Air
Represents thinking, communication, adversity, and change
Often signals conflict, mental strain, or life lessons

Card Number Meanings

Each number holds symbolic weight, much like in numerology or tarot:

Ace: Beginnings, potential, energy
Two: Balance, partnership, duality
Three: Growth, expansion, creativity
Four: Stability, foundation, structure
Five: Conflict, change, instability
Six: Harmony, cooperation, recovery
Seven: Reflection, mystery, challenge
Eight: Power, movement, strength
Nine: Near completion, wisdom, fulfillment
Ten: Completion, endings, transition

Court Card Interpretations

Jack: A youthful person, messenger, or new opportunity. Often immature or learning.
Queen: A nurturing, intuitive figure. Represents emotions, care, or inner knowledge.
King: Authority, leadership, mastery over the suit’s qualities.

When court cards appear in a spread, they can refer to people, roles, or aspects of yourself depending on context.

Jokers in Cartomancy

Not all playing card decks include Jokers, but if yours does, you can use them creatively:

Joker as The Fool: Represents unpredictability, freedom, new journeys, or wild cards.
Some readers use black Joker as chaos or warning and red Joker as surprise blessings.

In traditional cartomancy, Jokers were not always used, so their interpretation is flexible.

How to Prepare Your Deck

Before doing a reading, follow these steps:

Cleanse the Deck: Knock on the deck, shuffle thoroughly, or place a crystal over it.
Set an Intention: Focus your energy and ask your question aloud or silently.
Shuffle & Cut: Let intuition guide when to stop.
Draw Cards: Choose your spread or draw cards freely based on your question.

Common Spreads for Playing Cards

You can use many tarot spreads with playing cards. Here are a few beginner-friendly options:

1. Three-Card Spread

Ask a question and pull three cards:

Past – Present – Future
Situation – Challenge – Advice
Mind – Body – Spirit

2. Five-Card Cross

Draw five cards:

Center: Present
Top: Spiritual influence
Bottom: Earthly influence
Left: Past
Right: Future

3. Yes or No Reading

Pull an odd number of cards (3, 5, 7):

Count how many are red (Hearts or Diamonds) vs. black (Clubs or Spades)
More red = Yes, more black = No
Equal = Unclear or “ask again later”

Sample Card Interpretations

Let’s say you ask, “What should I know about my current relationship?” and draw:

10 of Hearts: Deep love or long-term commitment
7 of Spades: Mental tension or trust issues
Queen of Clubs: A passionate, social woman (could be you or a rival)

Interpretation: There's emotional depth in the relationship, but underlying mistrust or anxiety. The Queen could point to external influence or the need for better communication.

Tips for Beginners

Journal Your Readings: Write down the question, cards pulled, and your interpretation.
Start Small: Stick to 1–3 card spreads until you get confident.
Trust Intuition: Don’t rely solely on memorized meanings—let your gut guide you.
Learn from Patterns: Notice repeating numbers or suits and what they mean.
Don’t Fear “Bad” Cards: Spades and fives may seem negative, but they often highlight growth opportunities.

Combining Cartomancy with Other Tools

You can enhance your cartomancy practice by integrating:

Numerology: Add meaning based on personal numbers or life paths
Astrology: Assign planetary or elemental associations to each suit
Crystals or Pendulums: Use alongside cards for extra clarity
Dream Work: Ask questions about dream symbolism using the cards

Final Thoughts

Reading playing cards as tarot is not only possible—it’s historically authentic and spiritually enriching. You don’t need an expensive or esoteric tarot deck to begin your divination journey. A simple pack of 52 cards, your intuition, and a desire to explore will do just fine.

Whether you're reading for yourself or others, cartomancy offers clear, direct, and often surprisingly profound insight. Over time, as you build a personal connection with your deck, you’ll discover that the cards speak a language that’s both timeless and uniquely your own.

So next time you find a deck of playing cards in a drawer, don’t just think of poker or solitaire. Shuffle, ask a question, and let the cards reveal what lies beneath the surface.

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About the Author: Alex Assoune

Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.

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