Can Ordinary Playing Cards Reveal Our Purpose and Destiny?
In 1893, a peaceable druggist living in Grand Rapids, Michigan came out of the metaphysical closet. For decades, Olney H. Richmond had quietly studied esoteric practices from the ancient Chaldean and Egyptian mystery schools. He pursued “ear-whispered” knowledge; unwritten and passed from teacher to student by direct instruction. As the “Grand Mage” of the Ancient Order of the Magi, he authored the order’s premise; “we are students of a scientific religion that accepts nothing as fact until proven.”
After publishing the results of his work in his treatise “The Mystic Test Book,” Richmond became a reluctant object of curiosity. In an interview with the local Grand Rapids Daily Democrat, he described a system based on the laws of “astral magnetism” related to the symbols on ordinary playing cards.
Richmond explained that an individual’s entire life path, or “destiny,” could be revealed by examining the card associated with their birth date, as well as a “life spread” of additional cards. He said that this method, based on mathematical laws and methods from “Egyptian, Chaldaic, and Arabian Magi” was a combination of science and magic. The card system also incorporated astrology, astronomy, and numerology; Richmond believed the system originated in Atlantis and Lemuria.
Called the “Cards of Destiny,” this system was not a method of divination in the tarot card genre; each of the 52 cards had an associated, predetermined life spread indicating periods of prosperity and austerity, growth and stasis, and one’s location on the ferris wheel of fortune.
Chart courtesy of The Cards of Life.
Richmond also referred to the system as “The Book of Seven Thunders,” referencing the then known seven planets of the solar system. The “book” was the 52-card deck. Since then, the system has also been called “The Cards of Destiny,” and “The Book of Life.”
The Cards of Destiny had a quiet following for several decades, but was reintroduced by Florence Campbell and Edith Randall in 1947 with a privately published, spiral-bound text titled “Sacred Symbols of the Ancients.” Based on Richmond’s work, the text became the defining classic for the Cards of Destiny system now popularized by Robert Lee Camp’s publishing company, books, software, and website, 7thunders.com, and Gina Jones’ books and The Cards of Life website; both offer resources for birth card meanings, life scripts, etc.
Card Symbolism
The two colors of the suits represent masculine, yang (red) and feminine, yin (black). The kings, queens, and jacks, totalling 12, represent the 12 months. Thirteen cards in each suit correspond to the 12 signs of the zodiac plus the “sun behind the sun,” a reference to the creator or source. The 52 cards correspond to 52 weeks in a year.
According to Sacred Symbols of the Ancients, the deck’s “special” numbers are seven and nine. Seven is considered the “center” of each suit, and corresponds to the “original seven planets known to the ancients.” Seven also represents the sacred number of the soul of man.
Nine is the last single digit number, and is considered the universal number representing the complete cycle of human experience.
The Joker, associated with the Dec. 31 birthday, is in a class of its own. Corresponding to the fool card in the tarot, the Joker has all the characteristics of the other cards, and paradoxically none of them. According to Sacred Symbols of the Ancients:
“The initiate/teachers of old deliberately concealed much of their wisdom from the ‘profane’ by words or pictures which conveyed opposite, or distorted meanings to all but the serious students who, by meditation and visual impression, could see behind the veil and discover the truth.
“The fool of the tarot is the pictorial statement of the One Force, the NO THING (0) yet everything to all men — eternal energy, boundless, measureless and infinite. It is all seasons, all forms, and all activities.”
The Four Suits
Like tarot, the standard card deck is made up of four suits representing the four elements; earth, air, fire, and water. The suit and ranking of each card is indicated by “pips,” or symbols printed on a card. These are cursory definitions; much more detail is available online, or in texts listed in the resource section below.
Hearts
Associated with the Fire element, the Hearts relate to love, emotions, children and childhood, and springtime. Hearts are ruled by Venus and Neptune.
Clubs
The Clubs represent the Air element, and correspond to the intellect, education, curiosity, intuition, and the written word, i.e. literature. The related season is summer. Clubs are ruled by Mercury and Mars.
Diamonds
Corresponding to Water, Diamonds have to do with values, livelihood, security, responsibility, and entertainment. The Diamond season is autumn. Diamonds are ruled by Jupiter.
Spades
Related to winter, Spades rule old age, wisdom, health, and transformation. Their element is earth. Spades are ruled by Saturn and Uranus.
Numbers
Below are numerical meanings in the broadest terms. For more information, see the resources section at the end of this article. All are taken from Randall and Campbell’s “Sacred Symbols of the Ancients.”
One, or Ace: Individualization, leadership, progress; can also indicate selfishness, dictatorship, and disregard for the needs of other.
Two: Cooperation, diplomacy; also indifference or dishonesty.
Three: Happiness, optimism and sociability; also jealousy, worry, or intolerance.
Four: Organization, self-discipline and service; also carelessness, restriction, or destruction.
Five: Adaptability, versatility, and change; also aloofness, superficiality, and restlessness.
Six: Responsibility, love, and harmony; also meddling, criticism, and anxiety.
Seven: Spirituality, mental agility, peace, and silence; also melancholy, cynicism, and coldness.
Eight: Power, material freedom, and philanthropy; also materialism, manipulation, and bullying.
Nine: Humanitarianism and universal love; also selfishness, emotionality, and wastefulness.
Ten: Universal ideals and progress and the divine spark within all; also exploitation, ambition, and self-promotion.
Jacks, queens and kings, also known as the court cards, also have general meanings.
Jacks: Inspiration and ideas; also laziness and immaturity.
Queens: Power and receptivity; also selfishness or martyrdom.
Kings: Principles and values; also fixation.
The system is far more complex than the scope of this article; below are resources for those who wish to learn more about the Cards of Life.
Resources:
Face Value: Understanding the Evolution of Numbers in Playing Cards by Gina E. Jones
The Power of Playing Cards by Saffi Crawford and Geraldine Sullivan
Destiny Card Calculator click here.
Life Card Interpretations here.
About the Author
100 Tarot Questions: What You Should and Shouldn’t Ask
The Tarot offers a window into our inner world and a guide to facing challenges and making decisions. The key to getting useful answers lies in asking open and reflective questions. In this article, we explore the importance of questions, how to formulate them, how many to ask, and which ones to avoid in a Tarot reading.
Table of Contents
- The Importance of Questions in a Tarot Reading
- 100 Examples of Tarot Questions
- 10 General Questions
- 10 Questions About Love
- 10 Questions About Work
- 10 Questions About Finances, Business, and Money
- 10 Questions About Health and Well-being
- 10 Questions About Important Decisions
- 10 Questions About Family and Children
- 10 Questions About Spirituality
- 10 Questions About Past Lives
- 10 Questions About Life Purpose
- Do Tarot Cards Reveal the Future?
- What to Do with the Information from a Tarot Reading?
The Importance of Questions in a Tarot Reading
The questions we ask in a Tarot reading are crucial for the type of answers we receive. Well-formulated questions can provide clarity, direction, and understanding about various areas of our lives. On the other hand, vague or poorly phrased questions can result in confusing or unhelpful answers.
It’s essential to focus on questions that encourage reflection and self-awareness. Open-ended questions allow us to explore different aspects of a situation, offering a more complete and detailed perspective. This not only facilitates a better interpretation of the cards but also promotes a deeper and more meaningful internal dialogue, helping to uncover the true causes and possible solutions to the challenges we face.
In the series Mystery Teachings of the Tarot, available on Gaia, Dr. Theresa Bullard emphasizes the importance of asking questions that help us connect with our intuition and gain a clearer understanding of our circumstances. This series is an excellent guide for those who wish to deepen their Tarot readings and learn how to formulate effective questions to obtain useful and revealing answers.
How Many Questions Can I Ask?
There is no fixed number of questions to ask in a Tarot reading; it depends on individual needs and circumstances. A good number might be between three and five well-formulated questions, but this can vary depending on the depth of the answers you seek and the time available.
Limiting the number of questions helps avoid information overload. By focusing on a few questions, you can reflect properly on the answers received and apply the lessons learned to your daily life effectively. This allows you to explore each question in depth and maximize the value of the reading.
What Questions Should I Avoid in Tarot?
To get the best answers from the Tarot, it’s advisable to avoid questions that seek to predict specific events or depend on factors outside your control. Instead of asking, “When will I meet my soulmate?”, it’s more useful to ask, “What can I do to prepare my heart and life for a meaningful relationship?” This approach allows you to actively work on your personal development and be better prepared for future opportunities.
It’s also important to avoid questions that seek “yes” or “no” answers, as these don’t encourage deep dialogue or provide enough information for reflection. For example, instead of asking, “Should I change jobs?”, ask, “What should I consider when thinking about a career change?” This type of question opens the door to a more complete exploration of your options and circumstances, allowing for more detailed and enriching answers.
100 Examples of Tarot Questions
Below, we present 100 examples of questions in various areas of life that can help you make the most of your Tarot reading.
10 General Questions
- What is my life purpose at this moment?
- What do I need to know about my current situation?
- How can I overcome the obstacles I’m facing?
- What should I learn from my current challenges?
- How can I improve my overall well-being?
- What talents should I develop to achieve my goals?
- What is preventing me from moving forward in my life?
- How can I improve my personal relationships?
- What actions should I take to find inner peace?
- What should I know to make better decisions?
10 Questions About Love
- What can I do to attract a healthy romantic relationship?
- How can I improve my current relationship?
- What should I learn from my past romantic experiences?
- What qualities should I look for in a partner?
- How can I heal from a breakup?
- What is preventing me from finding true love?
- What do I need to know about my future love life?
- How can I communicate better with my partner?
- What aspects of my behavior are affecting my romantic relationships?
- How can I rekindle the passion in my relationship?
10 Questions About Work
- How can I advance in my professional career?
- What can I do to find a job I’m passionate about?
- What skills do I need to develop to succeed in my work?
- How can I improve my relationship with my coworkers?
- What should I consider when thinking about a career change?
- How can I better manage work-related stress?
- What is preventing me from achieving my professional goals?
- How can I find a better balance between my work and personal life?
- What opportunities for professional growth are available to me?
- What should I know about my current work environment?
10 Questions About Finances, Business, and Money
- How can I improve my financial situation?
- What should I know before making a major investment?
- What steps should I take to achieve financial stability?
- How can I better manage my personal finances?
- What should I consider when starting a business?
- How can I increase my income?
- What financial habits should I change?
- What financial opportunities are available to me?
- How can I free myself from debt?
- What is preventing me from achieving my financial goals?
10 Questions About Health and Well-being
- What can I do to improve my physical health?
- How can I better manage stress and anxiety?
- What habits should I adopt for a healthier life?
- How can I better balance my body and mind?
- What should I know about my emotional well-being?
- How can I strengthen my immune system?
- What is preventing me from achieving optimal well-being?
- How can I improve my mental health?
- What steps should I take to heal a specific ailment?
- What should I keep in mind to maintain a healthy lifestyle?
10 Questions About Important Decisions
- What should I consider when making this decision?
- What is the best path to follow in this situation?
- What consequences can I expect from this choice?
- How can I make a decision aligned with my values?
- What is preventing me from making a clear decision?
- What should I know before deciding?
- How can I find the courage to make this decision?
- What information am I missing to make this decision?
- How can I overcome the fear of making important decisions?
- What benefits will I gain from making this decision?
10 Questions About Family and Children
- How can I improve my relationship with my children?
- What should I know to better support my family?
- How can I foster a harmonious family environment?
- What family challenges do I need to address?
- How can I be a better parent?
- What can I do to improve communication in my family?
- What family patterns should I change?
- How can I better support my partner in parenting?
- What should I consider for my family’s emotional stability?
- How can I reconcile family differences?
10 Questions About Spirituality
- How can I deepen my spiritual practice?
- What should I know about my spiritual path?
- How can I better connect with my inner self?
- What spiritual lessons should I learn now?
- How can I balance my spiritual energy?
- What spiritual obstacles should I overcome?
- How can I find peace and spiritual balance?
- What spiritual practices should I incorporate into my life?
- How can I better align with my spiritual purpose?
- What should I know about my spiritual guides?
10 Questions About Past Lives
- What lessons from past lives are influencing my current life?
- How can I heal traumas from past lives?
- What should I know about my karmic connections?
- How have my past lives affected my current relationships?
- What talents from past lives can I use now?
- What repetitive patterns come from past lives?
- What vows or promises from past lives should I release?
- How can I better integrate the lessons from my past lives?
- What should I know about my experiences in other incarnations?
- How can I use the knowledge of my past lives for my personal growth?
10 Questions About Life Purpose
- What is my mission in this life?
- How can I discover my true purpose?
- What steps should I take to align with my life purpose?
- What is preventing me from fulfilling my purpose?
- How can I use my talents to fulfill my life mission?
- What should I learn to move forward on my life path?
- How can I better contribute to the well-being of others?
- What important lessons should I learn in this life?
- How can I live a more meaningful and fulfilling life?
- What should I know to fulfill my destiny?
Do Tarot Cards Reveal the Future?
The Tarot should not be seen as a tool that predicts the future in a fixed and immutable way. The cards reflect current energies and trends, suggesting possible paths and scenarios that could develop based on the querent’s decisions and actions. It’s essential to interpret Tarot answers with an open and contemplative mind, understanding that they offer guidance based on the present, not an absolute prediction of the future.
Rather than fixing destiny, the Tarot provides insight into the influences and opportunities present in the querent’s life. The cards can reveal behavioral patterns, blockages, and potentials that help in making informed decisions. The purpose of the Tarot is to empower the querent, providing the tools needed to navigate their circumstances with greater clarity and wisdom.
Querents should use the information obtained from the Tarot as a guide to reflect and make decisions based on their own judgment and inner wisdom. By doing so, they can make the most of the lessons and advice the cards offer, adapting their actions to better align with their personal goals and values. When used consciously, the Tarot becomes a powerful ally for self-awareness and personal growth.
What to Do with the Information from a Tarot Reading?
Once you’ve obtained the information from a Tarot reading, it’s important to take the time to reflect and process the answers. It’s recommended to jot down the ideas and feelings that arose during the reading to review them later. This practice not only helps you remember important details but also allows for continuous reflection on how to apply the advice received in daily life.
Applying the information obtained is the next important step. This involves taking concrete actions based on the Tarot’s suggestions, whether by adjusting behaviors, exploring new opportunities, or facing challenges in a different way. Integrating these changes into your daily routine can lead to significant growth and transformation, better aligning your actions with your personal goals and values.
Finally, it’s helpful to regularly review past readings to see the progress and changes that have been made. This not only reinforces the understanding of the Tarot’s messages but also allows you to adjust your course of action as needed. The process of continuous review and adjustment is key to maintaining an effective connection with the guidance provided by the Tarot, ensuring it remains relevant and useful over time.
