Introducing the Intuitive Cartomancy Deck
About the Intuitive Cartomancy Deck
I had toyed with the idea of making my own set of playing cards. I wanted them to be scenic, much in the way much that transformation cards are designed – only I wanted the scenes to correspond to the meanings I have either curated (my chief influences being the late Dr. Leo Louis Martello and Regina Russell) or developed (as a result of personal and direct experience over time).
The concept would periodically go to the back burner as I found myself giving my time and attention to other projects.
Earlier this year (2023) though, I felt what I can only describe as a “call” to come back to the system that started my life and work as a card reader, and the desire to create a scenic playing card deck was reignited. But I still didn’t have an overall idea as to how I wanted the cards to look.
It wasn’t until a few days before Thanksgiving this year that the proverbial light bulb went off and I received inspiration on the actual design of the cards, as well as the deck name: The Intuitive Cartomancy Deck.
The Cards
The Intuitive Cartomancy Deck is a 54-card deck, consisting of the 52 cards found in a standard deck of playing cards, along with two Jokers (one Red and one Black). The cards are standard poker size, and printed on linen stock.
Each card has the standard playing card as an insert, much like in the Lenormand and Sibilla cartomancy systems. It was really my working on my own set of Gypsy Witch cards that the design was really cemented in my mind.
The design of the cards is an homage to my journey with cards: I started out with pip cards and then moved to more scenic types of cards (Tarot and oracle cards), and both approaches had a profound effect on my reading style.
As a person who wanted to be a superhero comic-book artist back in the day, I know that an image can tell a story and aid in developing an intuitive style of reading that can enhance the more interpretive style of reading that comes with using pip decks. For me, my Intuitive Cartomancy Deck is like having the best of both worlds.
Specifications:
- Size: 2.5” x 3.5” (63.5 x 88.9mm)
- Number of cards: 54 (plus a title card)
- Card stock: (M31) Linen
- Packaging: Custom metal tin
Companion Material for the Intuitive Cartomancy Deck
I have created a companion PDF, The Intuitive Cartomancy Deck Quick Reference Guide, which you can view and download here.
I will be featuring the deck in a larger volume detailing my cartomantic journey and my processes as a student and reader of the cards. That book is still in its initial stages, so the Reference Guide is being presented to get you started working with the deck right out of the tin.
You can also check out my blog as I’ll be presenting cards from the deck as the Card of the Week. Below are a couple examples, pulled from posts on social media platforms, to give you an idea of how I expound on the cards.
3 of Hearts
In some cartomantic traditions, one meaning of the 3 of Hearts is a love triangle (or perhaps these days, a throuple). You can see this subtlety in the image: the 2 of Hearts and Queen of Spades on the table, with the two Kings in hand.
For me, one of the meanings of the 3 of Hearts is the art (3 is a number that can mean creativity) of divination, symbolized by the various divinatory tools in the image.
With cards being the dominant tool in the image, the 3 of Hearts can pertain to the study and practice of card reading (cartomancy). The 3 of Hearts reflects this aspect of my work with clients, using systems like playing cards, Lenormand, and Kipper.
So, the first message would be for those who read cards is to consider expanding your practice (the 3 can also mean expansion) in some creative way. It might be that you incorporate a new deck or card system into your practice, or another divinatory tool altogether (symbolized by the runes on the table).
But what if you’re not a cartomancer? What would the 3 of Hearts mean for you?
Another message is that you may have to be more “hands-on” when dealing with challenges as they turn up. It’s possible that some of those challenges will be in how you choose to handle situations with others (another reference to the hand holding all those face cards in the image).
The 3 of Hearts can also suggest thinking about whether or not you want to play games (cards being used for gameplay) with others – especially those around you who might like playing “head” games; this could be a time where you draw your line in the sand and set some much-needed boundaries.
You’ll get to decide whether or not you want to put your cards on the table and play the hand you’ve been dealt, or if you’re going to keep your cards close to the vest. It’s a matter of the risks involved with each of those strategies – and whether you’re feeling lucky enough to take the chances. Will you play the odds?
With these thoughts in mind, I’m reminded of some words from the song “The Gambler,” in that “you gotta know when to hold ‘em and know when to fold ‘em.” The lyrics can imply it’s time to consider “cutting your losses.” It says, in the game of life, you win some and you lose some.
So, if you’re dealt what looks like a loss, how can you spin it and see it as a winning hand instead?
7 of Clubs
When 7 of Clubs turns up, it suggests that improvement (7) comes through hard work and effort (Clubs).
In the image, a man is working to repair a bicycle wheel. 7 of Clubs can suggest a time of “putting your nose to the grindstone,” suggesting work that is continuous in nature.
In one sense, this might suggest work that is somewhat repetitive or that goes in “cycles” (references to the wheel). This work might be in the job and employment sense, or it might suggest spiritual and/or psychological work and effort toward self-improvement. In this light (the light in the image), the wheel might symbolize noticing cycles and patterns that you go through (experience) repeatedly – and that awareness brings with it the desire to “fix” those situations to restore a greater sense of balance (the bicycle) to you and your life.
If you realize there are cycles and patterns in your life that aren’t working for you (anymore), 7 of Clubs is an invitation to consider a new perspective. This is the time to step back and see if there’s a lesson from a “big picture” point of view. There’s wisdom within these repetitive experiences that you wouldn’t acquire any other way. In this light, 7 of Clubs says it’s time to integrate those lessons learned.
In another sense, 7 of Clubs might suggest work or effort that requires attention to detail, as well as reparation and/or restoration. Taking a closer look (examination) at both the material and the immaterial could bring to light something that might seem “small” in nature having a huge impact on the ability to make progress. In the spiritual sense, this work might be going within (meditation) and “seeing the light” during a more contemplative moment.
Whatever you deem the work to be – and how you choose to go about doing it – 7 of Clubs suggests a possible result will be an ability (perhaps newfound) to cope with the challenges of life.
Using the Cards
There are many ways to work with the cards. One of the ways I use the deck is for what I call a “daily draw.” I ask a simple question, like “What is my guidance for today?” or “What do I need to focus on today?” I then draw a single card as the answer, and reflect on the possibilities being offered as guidance.
I also work with the cards to answer more specific questions, using “What do I need to know about (the particular situation or experience)?” as the prompt. This is just one example of the numerous types of questions you can put to the cards. I then draw three cards: the first representing the situation; the second offering guidance or advice; and the third suggesting a potential or possible outcome. As with the single card draw mentioned above, I take time to reflect on each of the cards for the insights they can provide.
And the third way I like to use my deck is to read a line of five cards. As with the three-card draw, I ask a clear and specific question; for example, “What do I need to know about my study and work as a card reader?” I draw five cards: the first represents the situation; the second, my expectations; the third, any possible hidden influences; the fourth, guidance or advice being offered for consideration; and the fifth card, a potential or possible outcome.
I believe The Intuitive Cartomancy Deck can be used by people with all levels of reading experience. Whether you’re just staring out reading cards, or you consider yourself to be an expert, The Intuitive Cartomancy Deck can be a tool for personal and spiritual growth and development.
Clicking the button above will take you to my online shop within the Make Playing Cards (MPC) Marketplace. MPC is a print on demand service provider, and will be responsible for the printing and shipping of The Intuitive Cartomancy Deck to you. In most cases, the deck arrives in approximately two weeks time.