Reading #1: Myself

The spread is as shown above and laid out in the directions given by Wenzell Brown in his book How to Tell Fortunes With Cards.

Center Card:

"By and large, the central card (number 1) represents either the Querent (the sitter), his personality and the nature of his problems, or the primary influences which are moving through his life at the present moment."

Six of Diamonds

"The six of diamonds is a card of well-being, physical comfort and economic security. When it lies in the middle of the spread, it may emphasize the importance of these things to the Querent. The Six of Diamonds may indicate the comfortable circumstances of the Querent or it may guide him towards securing desired ends.

"Frequently the appearance of the Six of Diamonds in the spread offers the Querent a choice between moderate financial well-being accompanied by security and ease of mind or a more advantageous road which may be studded with pitfalls and uncertainties. This is particularly true if the Six of Diamonds is placed at the juncture of a wing.

"If either of the upper wings shows routes leading to marked success or to misfortune, the Querent should be apprised of this. The choice may lie open to him to pyramid his success but, at the same time, he may jeopardize his security in the attempt. If the Six of Diamonds lies at the extreme of the upper right wing, the indication is that if he continues on the route he is following, he will achieve satisfying results. If the Six of Diamonds lies at the extreme of the upper left wing, the indication is that an opportunity for change will arise which, if he so desires, may reward him with a calm, secure and comfortable life. 

"When the Six of Diamonds appears in the lower wings of the spread, its meaning is somewhat altered. The indication here is that the Querent should be alert to take advantage of a situation which can be turned to his benefit. This may be a business deal which brings him a handsome profit, the sale of property or a chance episode which can bring him considerable pleasure. If a face card flanks the Six of Diamonds, it indicates that such an opportunity may arise through his association with an individual whom the face card depicts.

"In the Six of Diamond lies the suggestion that the benefits offered may come about through unpredictable sources, such as the seemingly chance meeting with an old friend, a social gathering, a call made through kindness. Because opportunity may wear a commonplace mask, the Querent should be warned that hasty rejection of new responsibilities, or that irritation with old friends and routine work, may cause him to overlook means of securing advantages which may be of the utmost importance to him."

Second Card:

"The cards which flank the central cards (number 2 [L] and 3 [R]) are the next most important cards in the spread. They clarify the personality of the Querent and provide basic information regarding the situation in which he finds himself. A face card in the middle of the spread may represent the Querent or may represent an individual close to him who plays a dominating role in his life. The latter is more likely to be the case if the card ordinarily designates an individual of the opposite sex from the Querent."

Ten of Clubs

"The Ten of Clubs takes the form of a youth, inexperienced, with a mind still filled with wonder at the earth's miracles. In this youth will be an admixture of lofty ambitions, uncertainty, an eagerness to experience life and a withdrawal from harsh realities. Because his character and personality are not fully formed, he will appear a mass of contradictions. 

"This youth does not represent the Querent but a person through whom the Querent may experience the fluctuating joys and sorrows of the young. Where the Querent has reached maturity, the youth may be a protege, son or daughter, or even a grandchild. In the youthful Querent, the Ten of Clubs may represent a friend whose life is linked to his.

"Through this youth, the Querent may enter into a whole new set of experiences, acquire fresh interests and re-awaken dormant ambitions and ideals. His life will be enriched but not all will be clear sailing. Misunderstandings will arise and clashes of personality. The relationship may appear one-sided yet, if this is so, it represents a failure on the part of the Querent. The youth is capable of loyalty, idealism, insight and clear intelligence. His questing spirit may at times lead him into misadventure, rebellion and acts which hurt the Querent or meet with his disapproval.

"The older Querent should be cautioned not to attempt to remake the youth into his own image but to respect the system of trial and error through which the youth seeks to secure dominion over himself. The older Querent may advise, guide, open new doors for intellectual growth or assessment of values but he should be aware of emotional dependence on the younger person.

"Because the Ten of Clubs combines the significance of two Tarot cards, it sometimes has an alternate meaning. It may indicate the interests which held the Querent at an earlier date will be, or should be, renewed, The Querent may find pleasure in seeking out friends from the past or he may find that ambitions long forgotten will return. These interests will usually relate to some form of creative activity in the area of the arts, such as writing, painting, music of acting.

"The Ten of Clubs is symbolized by a figure with one arm reaching back to the past, the other stretching into the future. The indication is of a new life, built upon the foundation of the old, which will form a continuity between youth and the years which lie ahead.

"In gypsy lore, this card was often spoken of as the card of adoption. Occasionally this may be interpreted in a literal sense, but usually the suggestion is of adopting new ideas, fresh interests and more exciting patterns which will enrich one's life."

Third Card:

Seven of Hearts

"Traditionally the Seven of Hearts denotes a lover's quarrel. It is also a card of credulity and faith symbolized by the linked hands of children. The quarrel may be no more than a tiff which can clear the air for a better understanding between the participants. However, where the Seven of Hearts appears, it is wise to warn the Querent of a situation in which he should guard his temper lest words spoken in anger should form a permanent rift between himself and someone whom he loves.

"The phrase 'Lover's quarrel' should not be taken too literally. The card may indicate a disagreement between any two people who are devoted to each other such as husband and wife, mother and daughter, or intimate friends. Where passions are unleashed the quarrel may become serious. The presence of the Nine of Hearts or Ten of Spades or the Ten of Clubs close to the Seven of Hearts is a danger warning, signalling the Querent to guard his tongue.

"Where the Seven of Hearts appears in the middle of the spread, the indication is that the Querent is too trustful, too content to let matters run their own course. Thoughtlessness or indolence may cause the loss of cherished friendships or happiness. He should take steps to reaffirm his love or affection for those whose warm regard is important to him. He should not take friendships, family intimacies and continued love for granted.

"When the Seven of Hearts appears in either left wing of the spread, the indication is that another person had need of the Querent's strength and cherishing. If the card is in the lower left wing, the person dependent upon the Querent may be shy, inarticulate or so in awe of the Querent that he or she is incapable of making his needs known. Because of this, such a person may cloak his affection with sharp words or criticism. The Querent should be advised to deal gently with the situation so that no discord of a permanent nature arises.

"If the Seven of Hearts appears in the right-hand side of the spread, the situation is reversed. The Querent may have a deep affection for or a dependency upon another individual, which he attempts to conceal or to which he gives inadequate thought. In this case the Querent should be warned against carping criticism, nagging or other undesirable means of attracting the attention of the love object. Instead, he should take constructive measures to strengthen the relationship. Honest appreciation and frankness of purpose will serve the Querent better than more devious means of securing the rapport which he desires."

My interpretation: this is really accurate as far as my current situation stands. I recently bought a house and am very happy in it but... and it's a major but, there are unresolved issues with a person whom is dear to me and has left a profound mark on an otherwise joyous time of my existence.

Fourth Card

"The three cards in the upper right wing (number 4 [L], 8 [C], 12 [R]) indicate the course into which the Querent's life would normally flow unless checked by some positive action on his part."

Five of Spades

"The Five of Spades is the card of separation. Its appearance in the middle of the spread is likely to mean that the Querent will break old ties, change employment, settle in a new location or travel extensively. Inherent in the Five of Spades is a sens of grief, sorrow and sometimes remorse. Traditionally the Five of Spades is associated with tears but, in most cases, the change is voluntarily made. The sorrow which comes from leaving old friends may be compensated by meeting new situations, finding enlarged patterns of experience and constructing a more pleasurable life.

"The separation may be symbolic or spiritual rather than physical. Ideas previously accepted may be rejected. Concepts may change. Prejudices may evaporate. Long established judgments may alter. Illusions may die.

"The cards close to the Five of Spades indicate the nature of the separation and whether it will bring eventual joy or sadness to the Querent. If the separation born of quarrels, bitterness or strife, the Reader should advise the Querent to examine his plans for change and not to act with precipitation or through anger. If he can divorce himself from undesirable reactions to what seem an intolerable situation, it is possible that the separation can take place with a minimum of grief or ill will.

"When the Five of Spades appears in the upper right wing of the spread, it frequently means that someone close to the Querent will depart from his life or that a situation with which he has long been familiar will change. If the Five of Spades is flanked by Diamonds, the indication is a shift of business relationships. If the Five of Spades appears in the upper left wing, the separation will be optional. The two remaining cards of the wing will hint at the effects of the change should the Querent decide to follow this pattern.

"If the Five of Spades appears in the lower wings of the spread, the indication is that the separation will be incidental to other matters. The person or situation removed from the Querent's life may be of importance only in that it affects his business, finances or social life.

"Under no circumstances is the Five of Spades a card of death. At its worst this card may mean loss of friendships through quarrels, vituperation or anger. Frequently a swift clean-cut cleavage from an established pattern of life if preferable to maintaining a situation fraught with petty annoyances, irritation, bickering, distrust and other forms of unpleasantness.

"Because radical change and separation from friends, family or employment always involves unforeseeable dangers as well as opportunities, it is unwise for the Reader to make positive recommendations. His advice should be restricted to guiding the Querent toward the recognition of his innermost feelings so that he will not take irrevocable steps before testing their advisability against his mature judgment."

Fifth Card

Five of Clubs

"The Five of Clubs warns that care must be taken to avoid a rift between friends. There is danger of a quarrel that will cause the Querent grief unless he takes steps to prevent it. This is not a lover's tiff or a disagreement between husband and wife. The quarrel is much more likely to be between the Querent and a person of his own sex unless a face card representing the opposite sex lies next to the The Five of Clubs.

"This card symbolizes rivalry, competition, strife and jealousy. It warns the Querent not to flaunt his own success or to resent the social success of others. Should the The Five of Clubs appear in the middle of the spread, the Querent may find hidden hostilities among his associates which he does not suspect. Unless he guards his temper and shows unusual consideration, he may suffer a social setback and alienate individuals whose friendship he cherishes. The prominence of the position of the card in the spread is an indication of the serious after-effects of a quarrel which may seem insignificant in its early stages.

"If the The Five of Clubs appears on the upper wings of the spread, the quarrel is one which can be avoided and the other cards in the wing should direct the Reader in guiding the Querent away from a situation which can only bring sorrow and regret.

"If the The Five of Clubs appears on the lower wings of the spread, the quarrel is much more likely to relate to a specific matter. In this case the ill will of another, not necessarily an intimate, may cause the Querent to be disappointed in some project of a social nature which is of importance to him. In the lower left wing, this lack of success may spring from a set of circumstances for which no one individual is responsible and, if this is the case, the Querent should be warned not to attempt to place blame. Actually a seeming loss of prestige may have beneficial results, which may be made known through the cards adjoining the The Five of Clubs."

Sixth Card

Seven of Diamonds

"The Seven of Diamonds is often a card of distress. It represents an unresolved problem weighing upon the Querent. Usually it involves finances although it may relate to domestic or business situations in which monetary matters are of secondary importance. Often there is a delayed decision. Circumstances which obscure the real issues of the problem make a solution difficult.

"When the Seven of Diamonds lies in the middle of the spread it may represent a problem which casts a shadow over the Querent's life and is preventing his progress towards the goals he desires. When this is so, it may be that the problem is not a difficult of a solution as it appears, that the hazard can be removed or, at least, progress need not be delayed by the uncertainty which the dilemma creates. The nature of the problems will be suggested by the remaining cards in the spread.

"Where the Seven of Diamonds is prominent in the spread, the utmost tact is required on the part of the Reader. If he notices that the Querent is unduly agitated, he should do what he can to calm him down. He should avoid giving too concrete advice, but should discuss the problem in general terms. The cards should guide him in finding material helpful to the Querent in establishing attitudes which will enable him to act according to his best judgment.

"Frequently the Querent is voluble in his desire to discuss his problem and presses the Reader for direct answers. When this occurs, the Reader should draw attention to the strong cards in the spread, those that indicate qualities such as generosity, courage in the face of adversity, the capacity to form friendships, etc. The Querent should then be advised to explore the ways in which these characteristics can be used to his benefit.

"Where the Seven of Diamonds appears on the upper wings of the spread, the indication is that a distressing situation may arise, but that it can be avoided or minimized if the Querent recognizes it in time. If the Seven of Diamonds is found in the lower wings of the spread, the problem may involve the Querent only indirectly. For instance, misfortune may befall a friend or circumstances may cause disturbances in his employment, his social activities or his business interests.

"Inherent in the Seven of Diamonds is the possibility of advantageous solution. This card does not mark catastrophe, but a problem and the need to chart a course of action. If strong cards lie beyond the Seven of Diamonds, there is a promise that benefits may arise out of a period if discomfort or anxiety which could not have occurred otherwise.

My interpretation: distress, separation and a quarrel not based upon malice is so accurate that it almost seems that the cards were hand-picked by some invisible force. Unfortunately, much of the aforementioned dilemma is out of my control per expressed wishes.

Seventh Card

"The three cards in the upper left wing (number 13 [L], 9 [C], 5 [R]) offer the Querent an alternate route which he may follow if he so desires. This wing designates possibilities which are open to him. Whether this alternate route is desirable or one which will be dangerous to him depends upon the cards themselves."

Seven of Spades

"The Seven of Spades is a card of division. It indicates partial success in the plans or aspirations of the Querent. It is also a warning of unexpected turns and twists of fate. Where the Seven of Spades appears, the Querent may find the objectives which he has successfully achieved do not bring expected satisfaction and rewards! The Querent should be advised to re-evaluate his plans and to view them with greater objectivity. The pathway ahead is, in all likelihood, strewn with more difficulties than he realizes. He must accept setbacks but, if he can weather these disappointments, he can achieve some of his goals. He should be cautioned not to give up too easily. Above all he should not act in pique in such a way that he destroys future opportunities. The Reader should remind him, in as tactful a way as possible, that success which comes too easily loses it meaningfulness, while success which comes after many hardships and sacrifices gives enduring pleasure."

Eighth Card

Five of Diamonds

"The Five of Diamonds forecasts a clash of wills. This is not to be interpreted as a quarrel, a lover's spat or an enduring feud. Usually this clash of wills will occur without acrimony. Indeed it may be so deeply submerged in the subconscious of those affected that they are unaware of the undercurrents of tension which run between them.

"This will be a conflict of spiritual forces in which two people, closely united, accept opposing standards of values and seek different patterns in their futures. Outwardly the two people may be in accord, but their ambitions, their dreams of the future and their moral judgments set them apart.

"This may occur in a husband-wife relationship, a business partnership or in situations relating to parent and child. Money may be involved, but this is not the crux of the conflict and it should not be permitted to obscure more important issues. 

"Sometimes, especially when the Five of Diamonds appears in the middle of the spread, there is an indication that the warring factions lie with the Querent. He may have two sets of conflicting moral codes or be torn with indecision between two patterns of living. This division in his personality may serve as a block to prevent happiness or success, causing him to vacillate or to negate his own accomplishments.

"Inherent in the Five of Diamonds is the power to adapt, to reach a state of concord, so that the two lives can flow in harmony, each with the other. This does not necessitate compromise. Often conflicting points of view are not as divergent as they may appear. Sometimes identical long-term objectives are sought in different ways, and mere failure to interpret the objectives of another correctly may be the root of the conflict.

"The Querent who recognizes some hidden strife that mars his happiness should be encouraged to clarify his own aspirations and objectives, to set aside petty grievances and to concentrate on the moral and spiritual values which are of greatest importance to him. Once these are clear in his own mind, he may be able to present them to the other party in such a way as to gain their acceptance. Misunderstandings may be, to a large extent, the result of a failure to communicate with those close to him.

"While the Five of Diamonds holds the promise of renewed warmth and strength in a personal relationship, it also hints at loneliness and separation if the warning is ignored."

Ninth Card

Jack of Hearts

"The Jack of Hearts is the card of romance. Also it is the card of folly and thoughtless abandonment to pleasure.

"Where the Jack of Hearts appears, the Querent may expect a carefree interlude between the more serious pressures of life. This may mean an affair of the heart, but not necessarily so. It can represent a happy holiday, pleasant friendships, a round of parties or some other amusing break from the monotonu of routine work.

"When the Jack of Hearts lies in the middle of the spread, it may serve as a warning to the Querent to take life more seriously, to look towards the future and to avoid hedonism. The Jack of Hearts is easily tempted to excesses in eating and drinking and tends towards self-indulgence. He is by nature generous and fond of people, so that he must take care lest he become involved in unpleasant situations through his impulse to please others.

"If the Jack of Hearts lies in the corner of any of the wings, the indication is that the Querent will meet a person whose gaiety will charm and disarm him. This association may be pleasant, stimulating and even valuable to the Querent, but he should not take the situation too seriously. If there is a romantic interlude, it should be entered into lightheartedly for the Jack of Hearts is likely to be inconstant and mercurial in temperament - here today and gone tomorrow. When the Jack faces a Spade, especially a Seven or Ten, there is a clear-cut warning of disappointment or heartbreak for the Querent if he dallies too long amid pleasures.

"On the other hand, where the Jack of Hearts appears at the end of a wing, the Querent may look forward to a rewarding period of joy which mark the success of some enterprise for which he has worked long and hard."

My interpretation: again, the nagging issue is reiterated along with the current personal state of fulfillment. The clash being that the two aspects are razor close to merging into one happy continuum and conversely the same distance from a complete and irreversible chasm. 

Tenth Card

"The three cards in the lower left wing (numbers 14 [L], 10 [C], 6 [R]) are generally guide posts which will assist the Querent in making his decisions. However, where the Querent is elderly, or past middle age, this wing is likely to represent elements in the past which affect his present or future circumstances. In the youthful Querent, these cards are more likely to forecast future events and offer advice as to how to prepare for them."

Queen of Spades

"Superficially, the Queen of Spades represents a dark woman.

"But the darkness does not refer to coloration, nor does it indicate evil as is sometimes supposed.

"The Queen of Spades is a woman of unsuspected depths, whose immediate personality may be misleading. Such a woman, especially as she grows older, tends to conceal her emotions beneath a cloak of calmness which may make her appear unemotional and haughty or even shallow and unresponsive. This woman is not easy to know, but the cultivation of her friendship will be rewarding. Once this friendship is won she will offer unswerving loyalty and unselfish devotion. On the otheer hand, she may become an implacable enemy, ruthless and cruel.

"Such a woman should be approached with complete sincerity, for she is highly intuitive and will be quick to recognize deceit or ulterior motives. Unless the Querent can meet her with frankness and a genuine desire to secure her friendship, it is best to avoid her.

"While the Queen of Spades is a woman of deep emotional responses, her appearance in the layout rarely indicates romance. She is much more likely to play the role of mentor, advisor or confidante. However, where there is romantic attachment between her and the Querent, she will be a woman of endless surprises - passionate, possessive, inclined to jealousy.

"Because she is psychic, she often possesses knowledge gleaned through telepathic sources and her advice should be listened to with care. Her critical faculties are acute, and her intuitive knowledge of persons is likely to be sound unless prejudiced by personal affront. Many successful people have a Queen of Spades in their lives and this particularly true in the field of arts. She provides a practical, stabilizing influence upon whom the gifted may depend. She is frequently the source of inspiration, the spur to fame or success, the demanding critic who will not permit failure. She has the tendency to dominate and to appear aggressive and unfeeling but she can easily be won over by affection, good nature and respectful consideration of her views. Once such an emotional bond is established, she is unstinting in her generosity and self-sacrifice.

"Conversely, if she is antagonized, she is a dangerous enemy. Her intuitive powers are sharpened to find every weakness and flaw in her adversary. Guided by some psychic force, she finds ways to hurt, humiliate or injure the individual who has offended her.

"The complexity of her nature will make her appear mysterious and enigmatic, driven by vagaries, subject to insights hidden from others and capable of contradictory actions.

"But she is a woman well worth cultivating.

"She must be accepted graciously - or scrupulously avoided."

Eleventh Card

Three of Diamonds

"The Three of Diamonds often represents a legal document such as a contract, a will, a lease, or papers related to sale or purchase of property. At times it may represent a dispute over finances, wherein no legal documents are involved. It can also denote legal contracts which are not directly related to finances, such as marriage, divorce, adoption or other legal procedures.

"The Three of Diamonds serves notice of financial or legal entanglement but, in itself, does not forecast the outcome. The card which lies just beyond the Three of Diamonds will give a clue to the conclusion of the proceedings. The Five of Diamonds in this position warns against acrimony and bitterness. The Seven of Diamonds indicates a solution to the situation which will be immediately displeasing to the Querent, but one which may serve his ends better than he thinks. The Nine of Diamonds lying beside the Three indicates that, while the Querent succeeds in his objectives, he may pay too heavy a price in achieving his ends. The Nine of Hearts promises happy issue from the contract. Minor Hearts indicate that the contract will be made in a friendly fashion, without dispute. Minor Clubs give promise that the document will lead the Querent into a more active life. Often when such Clubs appear, the indication is that the contract will deal with business and often increased opportunities to the Querent.

"If small Diamonds flank the Three of Diamonds, the Querent should be warned of placing too much emphasis on details of finances. Because of his preoccupation with a lawsuit or dispute over money, he may lose opportunities of greater importance. In this case, the wings of the spread should be studied for alternate routes through which petty annoyances may be avoided."

Twelfth Card

Ten of Spades

"The Ten of Spades symbolizes a wall or barrier. In spiritual matters it may mean the end of a delusion, the recognition of false goals, the surrender to the inevitable or the abandonment of long-cherished plans. The acceptance that a certain phase of life is finished nay be difficult, The individual may feel disappointed, bitter or humiliated. The person who hurls himself recklessly against the wall, who blames others or who wallows in self-pity, may shatter his life. On the other hand, a calm appraisal of the situation may lead to a new and better set of values, to increased spiritual strength and to fresh pleasures from which frustrating and unrewarding ambitions  have been removed.

"When the Ten of Spades is the outer card in one of the wings of the spread, the indication is that some course of action which appeared open will either close or lead to a dead end. Where the formation occurs, the Querent should be urged to review his plans for the future with the possible idea of reviewing them. The Reader should take the utmost care against advising the Querent to abandon any given set of plans. He should, instead, encourage the Querent to explore alternate routes and not to commit himself so fully to a single hope or ambition that he becomes blind to all other objectives. The pathway that is blocked may lead to unhappiness or even tragedy; therefore the barrier may be a blessing in disguise.

"When the Ten of Spades lies in the middle of the spread, it is an indication of important news which will alter the course of the Querent's life. It is also likely that some person as yet unknown to the Querent will play a significant role in his future. The Reader's judgment in assessing whether this new influence is benign or otherwise must be based in part upon the surrounding cards, but the Querent is the final, decisive factor. His reactions to a frustrating and disappointing situation is the keynote to his enduring happiness. He need not know lasting defeat because one passage is barred, but it may require wisdom and courage to seek a new pathway to happiness."

My interpretation: this is all very self-explanatory in relation to the interpretation of the first part as is the description of the said person. The barrier and separation lie within that framework. If it were all up to me it would be resolved but there are other factors at play here which involve more than just the participants and the wall between.

Thirteenth Card

"The three cards in the lower right wing (numbers 7 [L], 11 [C], 15 [R]) usually represent specific forces at work outside of the Querent. While these forces cannot be controlled, the Querent can adapt himself to them, thus utilizing them for his own advantage."

Two of Hearts

"Traditionally, the Two of Hearts is a love letter or a bit of good news.

"Actually this card has far greater significance, It points out the possibility of unexpected pleasure, satisfaction or joy which can be found in the ordinary routine of life. Often this promise is overlooked because it seems commonplace, or it is lost in a mass of detail.

"Where the Two of Hearts occurs, the Querent should be advised to examine his everyday life to see if he is deriving the maximum values from it. He may be missing opportunities, worthwhile friendships or social success because he is so intent on distant goals that he is oblivious of his immediate surroundings.

"If the Two of Hearts lies next to a face card of the opposite sex from the Querent, the intimation is that there is someone at hand who would offer love and devotion if given the chance to do so. If a face card if the same sex lies next to the Two of Hearts, it may mean that the Querent is overlooking a friendship which could be beneficial to him. If Diamonds flank the Two of Hearts, it should be suggested that the Querent search his surroundings for financial opportunities and promotion in business. Where Clubs predominate in the spread, channels for happier social relations lie open if the Querent will seek them out.

"If the Two lies between Hearts, the Querent may be indolent or to preoccupied with the pursuit of pleasure to establish more enduring values.

"Whatever the case, the Two of Hearts marks opportunity close at hand which can enrich the Querent's life, he has no need to shed his lofty ambitions or his dreams of the future, but he should be advised that opportunities which lie at his fingertips may be rewarding beyond his dreams."

Fourteenth Card

Eight of Spades

"The Eight of Spades is a card of contentment. It represents a haven or refuge from worldly cares, a surcease from competition and trouble. It is a card of quiet pleasure, rest and relaxation, This calm joy may be found through the relationship with another person or it may be related to a place or some kind of activity such as a hobby or sport. The cards which surround the Eight should give the Reader some clues as to the nature of this benign force.

"However, the Eight of Spades represents only a facet if the Querent's life. It is not a total card. The comfort, the pleasure which lies within the Querent's grasp is a part-time thing, a segment of his life which is separated from the mainstream of his daily activities.

"The Querent should be warned against too great a dependency on this quiet pleasure. If he seeks to withdraw into a state of torpor and complete relaxation, thereby neglecting responsibilities, he may be due for a rude awakening in which he finds his world shattered.

The pleasure is there for the taking but to keep his refuge safe, he should wall it off from the rest of his life and remain vigilant lest he become imprisoned by his own sybaritic tendencies."

Fifteenth Card

Ace of Clubs

"The Ace of Clubs is a card of talent. It tells of high hopes and ambitions and denotes strong passions, imagination, energy and the power to communicate with others. Inherent in the card, however, is the suggestion that promises are unfulfilled, talents unchannelled, and the maximum of creativity jeopardized by inner turmoil.

"When the Ace of Clubs is centrally located in the spread, it intimates that the Querent has been given high gifts of artistic creation, intuitive power, forces that spring not only from the mind but also from mystic sources. His imagination will be vivid and he will have the power to express his images through authorship in the larger sense, which may include communication through the written word, art, music, the ministry and a variety of other channels.

"However, the Ace of Clubs also warns of the possibility of chaos. Too many drives may nullify one another, preventing the success of any. Keenness of mind, sharp perceptions and vividness of imagery may fail to serve useful purposes unless they can be given concrete shape.

"The Ace of Clubs indicates a quickness of mind which is often accompanied by a failure to understand the limitations of others; an artistic temperament which thrusts aside practicalities; imaginative heights which lure their author away from solid accomplishment. For these reasons, the Querent should be urged to organize his activities and to perfect his plans lest he become a dabbler in the arts instead of a creative artist.

"In arcane lore, the Ace of Clubs us sometimes linked with the nomad or wanderer who moves restlessly with the seasons, delighting in each day without thought of the future. Conversely, other arcane sources designate the Ace of Clubs as the master builder with the power to control the movements of the moon and sun and to change the pattern of the stars in the sky. In each case, the sense of exaltation is present and there are indications that the Querent who finds this card in his spread will enjoy travel, quick changes and variety, and that he will be deeply moved by beauty. Whether he controls these shifting forces or lets himself be carried willy-nilly through life depends upon the character and personality of the Querent.

"The Reader should be guided in his advice to the Querent by the cards surrounding the Ace of Clubs. Where Hearts predominate in the spread, there is a warning of hedonism and a suggestion that the Querent may not have developed his talents because of his pleasures in daily living. Where Clubs dominate the spread, an interest and enjoyment in people and social activities may prevent full development of artistic skills. Diamonds indicate that material rewards may be gained by the exercise of latent talents. Spades may warn that the Querent is too easily discouraged by minor setbacks. A well-balanced spread promises increased pleasure and spiraling rewards through creative activity."

My interpretation: the same as the other three parts: it could be Heaven, Hell or purgatory depending on the actions of another. Not to diffuse any blame in the matter but I've made my intentions clear, provided for them and allowed for the opinion of the other party to be the deciding outcome with my open protest divulged and summarily dismissed. In this case, torpor is preferential to torpedoing another's expressed open wishes.

Three and Four of a Kind

"When pairs of cards appear in the spread, there is usually little significance except that the importance of each card may be magnified to some degree by the presence of the other. However, when three or four cards of the same numerical value appear in the spread, a specific meaning may be attached beyond the significance of the individual cards, as follows."

3 Sevens

"Bickering, petty gossip, possibility of false accusations. Querent is warned not to be misdirected from high purposes, to ignore unfairness and jealousy, so that when truth is established, he may benefit by his own integrity."

3 Fives

"Revolt against authority, but unconsidered judgment may result in loss of prestige, waste of energy over trivialities. Querent should be advised to weigh any action to make certain his goals are worthy as well as workable."

Preponderance of Suits in the Spread

"A preponderance of SPADES heralds unexpected events. There is a suggestion of movement, upset plans, confusion and change. In general, Spades are associated with disappointment, regret and mysterious forces at work which are beyond the Querent's control. However, Spades should not be linked with misfortune. Throughout the ages they have been cards of mystery, charting courses in the unknown. Spades indicate activity and should serve as a challenge to the Querent for, if he is forewarned, he may be able to use the forces about him for his own good."

High and Low Cards in the Spread

...

"Conversely, if the spread is composed largely of lesser cards, the indication is that the Querent's life will adhere closely to its present pattern. In this case, the interpretation of each card should be minimized. Thus the promise of a letter containing good news should be interpreted merely as a pleasant communication; quarrels may be reduced to misunderstandings, and unhappy events may be no more than passing irritations."

Final interpretation: all hope is not lost but one cannot force things and I have no intention of doing so. Likewise, I am not closing any potential door to communication but am also not going to lie dormant at its stoop waiting for the eagerly anticipated or perilous rapping before a final turning away.