by Liz Yetter
Spell Crafting with Playing Cards
By Liz Yetter
Text copyright © 2014 Liz Yetter.
All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimer:
This book is intended as a reference and for entertainment purposes. No guarantees are made nor are they to be presumed.
Table of Contents
A Very Brief History of Playing Cards
Earliest Use of Playing Cards in Witchcraft
Using Playing Cards in Spells
Buy Cheap Cards
Hearts
-- Ace of Hearts
-- King of Hearts
-- Queen of Hearts
-- Jack of Hearts
-- 10 of Hearts
-- 9 of Hearts
-- 8 of Hearts
-- 7 of Hearts
-- 6 of Hearts
-- 5 of Hearts
-- 4 of Hearts
-- 3 of Hearts
-- 2 of Hearts
Diamonds
-- Ace of Diamonds
-- King of Diamonds
-- Queen of Diamonds
-- Jack of Diamonds
-- 10 of Diamonds
-- 9 of Diamonds
-- 8 of Diamonds
-- 7 of Diamonds
-- 6 of Diamonds
-- 5 of Diamonds
-- 4 of Diamonds
-- 3 of Diamonds
-- 2 of Diamonds
Clubs
-- Ace of Clubs
-- King of Clubs
-- Queen of Clubs
-- Jack of Clubs
-- 10 of Clubs
-- 9 of Clubs
-- 8 of Clubs
-- 7 of Clubs
-- 6 of Clubs
-- 5 of Clubs
-- 4 of Clubs
-- 3 of Clubs
-- 2 of Clubs
Spades
-- Ace of Spades
-- King of Spades
-- Queen of Spades
-- Jack of Spades
-- 10 of Spades
-- 9 of Spades
-- 8 of Spades
-- 7 of Spades
-- 6 of Spades
-- 5 of Spades
-- 4 of Spades
-- 3 of Spades
-- 2 of Spades
Bibliography
A Very Brief History of Playing Cards
"All is symbol: the cards of the gamester are symbolic; full of meaning of high import, and yet he is ignorant of it, cares not to know it… is indifferent about his soul, and prays only that he may hold a good hand of trumps, -- symbol again!" - William Andrew Chatto.
A common question asked by lovers of cards is which was created first, the tarot card or the playing card. The simplest answer is that the tarot card was first created, but that answer does not explain the complexities surrounding the origin of the modern day playing card. The original tarot playing cards were used for divination and for playing games. They were cards that portrayed symbols and / or pictures. They brought both meaning and pleasure.
The country of origin is not completely known and there are several possible origins ranging from China, where it is said that they were created to keep the emperor's harem from being bored, to Persia and Egypt. It is also said that they were invented sometime in India by the wife of a maharajah.
It is a popular theory that the card were invented in Korea to represent the arrows used in divination. In Korean Games with Notes on the Corresponding Games of China and Japan (1895), Stewart Culin states that, "The Korean playing-cards again furnish the most direct evidence in Asia of the ceremonial use of the arrow in divination, which afterward became an amusement. They still bear representations of the feathers of the arrows from which they were derived, and their Chinese name varies only in tone from that of arrow, tsin."
Wherever playing cards were invented, they came to Europe in the 14th century, probably starting in Germany, Italy, or Spain. Some historians claim that it was the gypsies that introduced the cards to Europe. Whatever the case, playing cards spread like wildfire among royalty throughout Europe. These early playing cards had anywhere from 32 to 78 cards in a deck, called a bunch. The suits were sometimes cups, swords, coins, and clubs. In Germany the suits were commonly hearts, bells, leaves, and acorns. Hearts, diamonds, spades and clubs came into use during the 16th century in France.
To choke up the origin of cards and the suits even further, Leopold Wagner wrote in Manners, Customs, and Observances (1894), “Playing Cards were invented about the year 1390, for the amusement of Charles VI., of France, who had relapsed into a very melancholy state of mind; who the inventor was is not recorded. The French playing cards are the same now as they were five centuries ago. And, since the court cards bear different names upon them, this helps us not a little to determine their meaning. The four KINGS are David, Alexander, Caesar, and Charlemagne, representing the four celebrated monarchies of the Jews, Macedonians, Romans, and Franks under Charlemagne. The QUEENS are Argine, Esther, Judith, and Pallas, typifying noble birth, piety, fortitude, and wisdom, the four qualifications supposed to reside in the person of every queen. A key to these names is furnished us by the circumstance that Argine is an anagram for Regina, meaning queen by descent. The KNAVES are the servants or pages of the knights, represented by what we call the "spades." Knave is an old English term for servant; witness the allusion in an old translation of the Scriptures, where St. Paul is styled the Knave of Jesus Christ. To come now to the suits, or colours, as they are called in France. These suits were intended by the inventor to represent the four orders or classes of men in the king's dominions. The HEARTS, or Caesars, are the gens de choeur, choir-men and ecclesiastics. The Spaniards, who undoubtedly derived their playing cards from the French, have instead of hearts colas, or chalices, which mean the same thing. The SPADES are an imperfect representation of the ends or points of the pikes anciently carried by the nobility, forming the prime military section of the people. The Spaniards make use of estades, or swords, in lieu of the pike ends; which being so, perhaps accounts for our misapplication of the figure. The DIAMONDS denote the order of citizens, merchants, and tradesmen. The French term for this figure, carreaux, square stone tiles or the like, is translated by the Dutch Stienen, literally stones, but applied in the sense of diamonds or precious stones. The Spaniards substitute a coin for this figure. Lastly, Treste, the trefoil or common clover, signifies the husbandmen or peasants. The English term CLUBS has been derived from the Spaniards, who employ staves or clubs.”
Everyone wanted a part in the creation of these cards. There were cards depicting people from royalty, mythology, and even the Christian bible. The cards were used to play games, foretell the future, and some were simply collected for their beauty. These early European cards are similar to the tarot cards we know of today.
With the invention of the printing press, these early cards were changed again. The major arcana was removed. The cards were made into a 52 card deck and were easily affordable by anyone.
This pissed off the Christian church to no end. The Church's earlier bans on cards were lifted. Like the book burnings so loved by the Christian church, Christians held playing card burnings, but it did nothing to stop the spread of the cards. Everyone wanted their own deck of cards for gambling, gaming, and fortune telling.
And so the development of the tarot and the playing card happened simultaneously. In a way, the early cards became so developed and held so much meaning, that they had to be split into two decks: one deck devoted primarily to divination and the other deck devoted primarily to gaming.
This split did not lessen the power of the playing deck. In fact, I feel that it strengthened it and gave the new deck a far more devoted focus than can
be found in the tarot deck. Especially when it comes to using playing cards in spell crafting.
Earliest Use of Playing Cards in Witchcraft
In The History of Playing Cards by Rev. Taylor (1865), he states: "A still darker story, of the same period, is told in allusion to the death of Queen Elizabeth. Two ladies waiting on the Queen, in her chamber, discovered, in the bottom of her chair, a queen of hearts, with a nail of iron struck through the forehead, which they durst not pull out; remembering that the like thing was reported to be used to others for witch-craft."
This is one of the earliest instances of playing cards being used in witchcraft I could find in my research. We must assume, however, that there were far more instances of cards being used in witchcraft because the Queen's ladies recognized the use of the card as witchcraft. Instances of cards being used against "lesser" people of the time would have gone unrecorded.
As an interesting aside, the Queen of Hearts has been said to represent Queen Elizabeth or maybe even Anne Boleyn.
Using Playing Cards in Spells
In this book, I am going give you the meanings of each of the cards and I am going to show you how you can use each card or multiple cards in spells. The spells that I have created, over 52 spells, will give you a working knowledge on how the cards are used so that you, too, can create your own spells using a deck of cards.
Using playing cards in spells is not the same as playing card divination. The cards have different meanings and are used differently than when divining the future. It has taken me years to develop this form of witchcraft.
I will also be focusing on the positive uses of the cards. Playing cards can be used in harmful spells, but sharing that information goes against my personal belief system. I will let someone else make those discoveries and write their own book of dark spells. I cannot have that on my conscience.
Buy Cheap Cards
I collect playing cards, but I never use my good decks for spell casting. Instead, I buy cheap decks of cards. Once a card is used in a spell, it cannot go back into the deck to be used for something else. This is because the card has absorbed the energies of that spell and it would muddle any further spells you might attempt with that same card. I will show you what you can do with the card after the spell is cast. This can be anything from keeping the card in a safe place, burning the card, or burying the card.
Hearts
Meaning of the Heart
The heart is the center of your being. It is the place of emotions, specifically love. Because of the diverse nature of the heart, it is associated with all the elements: love has the fluidity of water, it has the spirit of air, it can burn like a fire, and it can be grounded in the earth. Its ruling planet is, of course, Venus.
In cards, the heart symbolizes all matters of the heart: love and affection, friendships, relationships, family, peace, sympathy, good fortune, and happiness.
Simple Love Binding
The simplest spell involving a heart requires only a pen and a square piece of paper. Write your name down in the center of the paper and say, "This is me." Write your lover's name beneath yours and say, "This is she/he." Draw a heart around both of the names and say, "This heart I drew makes one from two." Fold the paper into a small square and place it in a safe place.
Ace of Hearts
Used to bring about happiness, pleasure, and good fortune for all matters of the heart.
To Bring Luck and Lust Into Your Marriage or Relationship
Take the Ace of Hearts and cut it into 7 pieces. Hold the pieces in your power hand (most likely that is the hand you write with) and say over the pieces, “Not torn apart, but made into more, good fortune to us and now our love soars.”
Place the card pieces inside a small white, pink, or red envelope. Add a pinch of ground cinnamon to the envelope and say, “Here is the spice to add to the heat, with our love comes strength and a sacred retreat.”
Seal the envelope and write your name and the name of your lover on the back. Hide the envelope in the bedroom where it won’t be found.
King of Hearts
Represents a good, strong, easy-going man. The type of man that is good for marriage and a stable relationship.
To Attract a Man for Marriage or a Long-term Relationship
This spell can be used to attract a man for marriage or a long-term relationship. It can be used whether you are gay or straight.
On the night of the New Moon, take the King of Hearts and hold it in your right hand. Say, “Moonlight new, Bring love that’s true. Draw him to me and me to he.” Place the card, King-side facing the outside, in your bedroom window. He will make himself known to you by Full Moon and you can place the card in a safe place, such as under the mattress.
Queen of Hearts
Represents a woman of great affection. She is lighthearted and sympathetic. The type of woman that is good for marriage and a stable relationship.
To Attract a Woman for Marriage or a Long-Term Relationship
This spell is used to attract a woman for marriage or a long-term relationship. It can be used whether you are gay or straight.
On the night of the New Moon, hold the Queen of Hearts in your right hand. Say, “Venus Moon, Love Moon, Bring the woman of my dreams to me. May she love me and I love her, From now until the hereafter.” Place the card, Queen-side facing the outside, in your bedroom window. She will make herself known to your by the Full Moon and you can place the card in a safe place, such as under the mattress.
Jack of Hearts
This is the Bacchus of cards. He represents short bursts of fun and excessive pleasure.
For a Fun Night Out
Before heading out for a party night or just a fun night out, take the Jack of Hearts and place him on a table or flat surface before you. Say, “Let Bacchus rule this silly fool, From now until the break of Dawn.” I like to place a bottle of booze on top of the card before heading out the door, but you can place anything that symbolizes what you will be doing for the night, such as coins to represent gambling or a plate to represent a dinner party. The next day, remove what is covering Old Jack and put him away until the next time you are going out for the night. He can be used again and again for this single purpose.
10 of Hearts
This is a card for success and for good fortune. It can be used to bring good news.
To Receive Good News from Family or a Friend
Whatever good news you are waiting or hoping to hear, you can use this simple little spell to cut down on the waiting time.
Place the 10 of Hearts face side upwards on the kitchen or dining room table (both are traditionally places of family and social gatherings). Hold your receptive hand (normally, the hand you do not write with) over the top of the card and say, “Send news, Good news, [Name of person you are waiting to hear from]. Send soon, Know soon. Let all be clear.” Keep the card on the table until you have heard from the person. Afterwards, I like to do a simple card cleansing where I set the card on a small plate and sprinkle table salt on it. I let it sit overnight and put the card away the next day so that I can use it with this spell the next time I am expecting news.
9 of Hearts
Use this card to get positive results. It brings good fortune to all that you do.
Lucky Lotto Numbers
Purchase your lottery numbers and set your ticket, face up, on a flat surface where it is safe and it won’t be disturbed. Place the 9 of Hearts face down on top of the ticket. Place your power hand on top of the card and ticket, and say, “By the Blessings of Nine, All things Divine, Bring fortune and winnings, And brand new beginnings.” Leave the card and ticket alone until the drawing. You can use the 9 of Hearts over and over again for this purpose, and the power of this card will begin to build over time.
8 of Hearts
This card can be used to attract good company or a gift.
Friends Come Over
Whether you are planning a barbecue or just want the company, this little spell will help motiv
ate people to come over for a visit. Perform it before sending out invitations or calling people over.
This spell is based off a spell I learned from a Polish Catholic friend. It’s a bit odd, but it works.
Take an apple and cut it in half. Place the 8 of Hearts between the apple halves and rubber band the apple together, still holding the card between the halves. While holding the apple in your power hand, say, “Sweetness lasts and lingers, Brings folks by the fingers.” Hide the apple either inside or outside your home, close to your front door. Contact those you want to come over. Afterwards, retrieve the apple, remove the rubber band, and discard the apple and card.
7 of Hearts
Use this card to end a lover's quarrel.
To End a Quarrel With a Loved One and Bring Peace
Tensions can run high after an argument with someone you love. Cast this spell to dispel the negative energy and bring peace back into the home.
Hold the 7 of Hearts card above your head and wave it back and forth while saying, “I wave away the anger and tension. Good-bye. Good-bye. The gentle breeze is peace and loving. Hello. Hello.” Set the card face up in an out of sight place until the spell has settled over the home. This card can be used again for the same spell.
6 of Hearts
This card will increase or better a relationship.
To Make Love Soar
This is a great spell to give love a boost between yourself and your lover or spouse. It especially works when it is yourself who is faltering with feelings of love and contentment.
In pen or marker, write your lover’s name and your name on the face (on the side where the 6 and hearts show) of the 6 of Hearts. Say over it, “[Lover’s Name] and [Your Name], This is we as one. Bound by love. Bound by Sun and Moon. Always we grow strong as one.” Place the card under the mattress or at the bottom of your underwear drawer.
