Solitaire Spread
Reading with Traditional Playing Cards
Because tarot cards were also originally created for gameplay, they share a lot of the same features as playing cards. Both types of decks have four suits of pip cards (the minor arcana) and court cards. However, a traditional deck lacks princesses (pages) and the major arcana, with the exception of the fool/joker card. Also, because of their symmetrical design there can be no reversals, so readings become even more limited and simplified.
Despite these limitations, it is possible to read from a deck of playing cards, given that you approach it with the same knowledge as the Tarot.
Hearts = Cups
Clubs = Wands
Diamonds = Pentacles
Spades = Swords
Jacks = Knights
Queens = Queens
Kings = Kings
These correlations are pretty intuitive so it isn’t hard to get used to. There is no Princess in a traditional deck, but I like to think of the aces as representing both. Just as aces are sometimes high and low in card games, you can read them as you see fit. Aces are limitless potential, princesses are the vessels for that potential, so in the end they are one in the same, the beginning and end of a cycle. This is certainly not the traditional way of doing it, but since I subscribe to princesses over pages this is just my preference. (I’ll go into more depth on that in a later post.)
You can also choose to use the Joker as a stand in for The Fool to represent outside forces, turning points, and unlimited potential. You could even shuffle in two if you’re feeling wild. If they do appear they probably have an important message that will directly relate to the story of your spread in a unique way.
You can attempt any spread you like with playing cards, but just keep in mind that your reading will be of a more personal and intimate nature due to a lack of major arcana cards, which generally represent greater, outside forces and major turning points.
I chose this spread as a companion to the Hermit because the very nature of Solitaire is solitude. For me, Solitaire is a very meditative game. The action of laying out the cards and playing not against yourself, but with yourself, is very relaxing and introspective on its own. I wanted to try to replicate that feeling, so this spread is roughly inspired by the game, but with a more ‘Tarot’ approach that celebrates the dual nature of the cards. It’s a quick and simple check-in spread to use when you feel like you need some inner guidance. There’s something so poetic and powerful about the hand you deal yourself and how you choose to use it.
Solitaire Spread
Level: Beginner
Type: Self-Reflection
The Set up
Shuffle the cards. Draw a card and lay it face up. Draw another card. If it is the same suit cover the first card, if not start a new pile. Continue until you have a pile for each suit. If the joker shows up place it in a pile you haven't started yet. Stop when you have all four piles, including any that are just Jokers. Read the cards on top.
The cards will be a guide to the current state of each of your four worlds. You can ask questions that are more specific to you, but in general:
Clubs: What is the state of your personal power, or where are you on the journey towards the fulfillment of your passions?
Diamonds: What is the state of your material world, or where are you on the journey to material fulfillment?
Spades: What is the state of your intellectual world, or where are you on the journey of knowledge and awareness?
Hearts: What is the state of your emotional world, or where are you on the journey to emotional fulfillment?
Use the answers to those questions to set an intention to move forward with. If you don’t like where you are, how can you work to change it?
My Example
9 of Clubs (Wands): I am feeling very protective of my creative endeavors. I feel like no one actually supports me and that my ideas are under attack. I’ve run into a lot of setbacks that have tested my will to keep moving forward, but despite all the hardships, I am willing to keep fighting for my dreams.
Jack of Diamonds (Knight of Pentacles): I am working hard to improve my material world. My productivity is at an all time high. I am trying to keep to a set schedule, meet my deadlines, and push forward through the grind of every day life. I am being conservative with the little bit that I have in hopes of a better tomorrow.
10 of Spades (Swords): I’m not in the greatest spot mentally. Despite trying to move on, I still feel the sting of all the loses and failures that have put me in my current position. I’m trying to accept my circumstances and learn from them, but I still feel betrayed by the world.
Jack of Hearts (Knight of Cups): Despite where I am mentally, emotionally I am still full of hope and happiness because of the other blessings in my life. I have a wonderful love, some new friends, and creative endeavors that I’m passionate about. This card is a further reminder to keep pursuing my dreams and make them a reality. I am happiest when I allow myself to be guided by my intuition rather than my practical thinking mind.
