I’m enjoying working with decks that haven’t appeared in this space for some time, so I’m continuing that trend.
This week, I wanted to work with The Hermes Playing Card Oracle by Robert M. Place (published by Hermes Publications).
What I like about this deck is that Place has made the playing card aspect of the deck prominent—and included symbols on the cards to add additional layers of meaning; most are from the Lenormand system, with some also being from other cartomancy systems like the Gypsy Witch Cards and the Old Whitman Fortune-Telling Cards.
I’m taking the deck in hand, shuffling the cards, and asking the general question, “What do we need to know about the possibilities for the week ahead?”
This week’s video reveals the cards for our reading:
If you prefer to read the post, here it is:
The cards for the week are: Ace of Spades, 6 of Hearts, 5 of Spades, Ace of Hearts, and 3 of Hearts.
Focus of the Reading
The focus card this week, which is in the middle of the line, is 5 of Spades.
For me, when a card from the suit of Spades appears in the center of a line, it can point to a problem or challenge needing to be solved and/or resolved.
The 5 is a number associated with change, suggesting a change with the problem, or that a change of mind (Spades represent the mind) could lead toward the problem being resolved.
I also equate the 5 with activity, and this slant can suggest being “hands-on” with regard to the problem, or that there’s something that needs to be done to change the situation.
The 5 of Spades can turn up when it’s time to consider separating or divorcing yourself from a person, environment, or circumstance. I read this card as suggesting it’s the better part of valor to walk away from a fight (challenge).
And, on that note, let’s take a look at the symbol on the card: A lion can symbolize strength and courage, so this adds the message that, whatever the specifics of the challenge, we’re strong enough and courageous enough to face it.
A lion can also symbolize pride, so it could point toward pride (being too proud) being at the heart of the problem—or that pride could possibly be what’s keeping from the problem being solved and/or resolved.
Looking at the Line
Starting off the line, we have the Ace of Spades.
Here we have another card from the suit of Spades, highlighting a possible challenge or problem. When a card from the suit of Spades begins a line, I typically read it as a problem on its way out; since we have another card in the middle of the line, having the Ace of Spades as the first card can point to the beginning or origin (Ace) of the problem (Spades). Moving from an Ace to a 5 in line can suggest the problem escalates or continues to go on.
If we consider solving or resolving the problem, the Ace of Spades suggests the first step is to make up our minds to do so, as this card indicates a decision.
On this card, we have the Lady, and this suggests a woman may play a significant role or part in the situation. With direction in mind, she faces the other cards in the line, and this can mean that she’ll be facing a challenge or problem she’ll need to make a decision about going forward.
Looking at the card closest to her, we have the 6 of Hearts.
The suit of Hearts refers to emotions, feelings, and relationships, and having this card sandwiched between two cards from the suit of Spades, can suggest the challenge being faced is one of an emotional nature, and may even concern a problematic relationship.
Hearts can also refer to healing, so if the situation being presented is to be healed on an emotional level, the number 6 adds a message to assuming responsibility for one’s contribution to the problem—and to its resolution.
The 6 of Hearts has the symbol of the Star, and suggests striving toward an ideal or goal. While it would be ideal for everyone involved to take responsibility for both the pain caused (Spades) and for healing that pain (Hearts), that might not happen—and this brings back to mind the separation or divorce aspect mentioned with the 5 of Spades.
Here, the cards point toward having a difficult conversation in the hopes of clearing the air (Star being a symbol of “atmosphere”); even with that hope and intention, there will be the choice to “put all your cards on the table” or to “keep your cards close to the vest.”
Moving to the cards on the other side of the 5 of Spades, we first come to the Ace of Hearts.
Two things jump out with this card: First, we have another card from the suit of Hearts, suggesting a challenge between the head (Spades being the mind) and the heart (Hearts), as well as reinforcing an emotional or relationship problem; second, we have two Aces in the line, again reinforcing a situation that’s potentially in its beginning stages.
The Ace of Hearts is a card that refers to home and family, so the problem may be on the “home front.” If it’s not on that front specifically, then the situation may be one that’s “close to home.”
We have an interesting development when we look at the symbol on the card, which is the Gentleman. Just as the Lady indicated a woman playing a significant role in the situation, the Gentleman refers to a man also playing a significant role in the situation.
And—these two people face each other in the line, with the 6 of Hearts and the 5 of Spades between them—remember what was said about having a difficult conversation with the hopes of clearing the air, but might result in a separation or divorce?
And that brings us to the final card in the line, the 3 of Hearts.
So, we now have three cards from the suit as Hearts as the majority, emphasizing an emotional situation that needs healing.
And a possibility with the 3 of Hearts is a love triangle. The interesting thing to note here is that this card is next to the Gentleman, with him not facing it; this visual can suggest a love triangle from the man’s past is now having an effect on both his present and possibly his future.
The symbol on this card is of a Wine Bottle, and can indicate something to celebrate. The 3 of Hearts, in this aspect, can suggest good times, a social event, or a party.
As the final card in the line, the 3 of Hearts can end the reading on a positive note: Whatever the specifics of the potentially challenging problem, once a decision is made to resolve the issue, and taking the necessary actions to change it, the 3 of Hearts can suggest having something to celebrate once things have been handled and the problem is resolved.
And, on that note, I’ll raise my proverbial glass and say, “Cheers!”
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