The World of Playing Cards Logo
Published January 18, 2016 Updated October 07, 2022

The Playing Card Oracles

The Picture Book of Ana Cortez is an original work of art designed to facilitate Divination.

2002 USA U.S. Games Systems Charles J. Freeman Cartomancy Fantasy Oracle Add to Collection

PLAYING CARD ORACLES

Extraordinary playing cards created by Charles J. Freeman (1941-2010)

“There is magic in the seemingly ordinary playing card deck we all grew up with, a whole enchanted world, just waiting to be discovered. The playing card deck has slipped through our lives for many hundreds of years under a veil of ordinariness, its magic disguised by its simplicity and the fact that it can be used for games…”

This deck is an original work of art designed to facilitate Divination, evoking the mysteries of ancient oracles, created by Charles J. Freeman (1941- 2010). Charles Freeman spent many years developing a full series of illustrations which are quite different from all previous decks in this genre.

cards from the Picture Book of Ana Cortez

Above: the Picture Book of Ana Cortez, a pen and ink style illuminated pack of playing cards designed to facilitate divination by Charles J. Freeman (1941-2010). 52 cards + title card first published by Two Sisters Press, 2002. The deck was reprinted by U.S. Games Systems and is available now from the publisher and Amazon. It is a smaller version than the original printing, a true "playing card size." The first publishing, by Two Sisters Press, is available only to members of the online Workshop offered through www.anacortez.com, as they are extremely limited.

The Playing Card Oracles is an inspiring and beautifully illustrated 280-page book based around the cards, containing a wealth of insights and ideas on playing card symbolism and meanings. Written by Ana Cortez, the book also includes a section written by her father, Charles J. Freeman, with supplementary essays, notes and food for thought regarding the history of playing cards. The book is available from: www.anacortez.com

THE SUIT OF SPADES Cards - Meanings

Interpretations for the suit of spades taken from “The Playing Card Oracles” by Ana Cortez, suitable for use with Playing Card Oracles - Alchemy Edition or with any normal deck of playing cards.

ACE of SPADES – Terra Incognita

  • Something concealed, secrets
  • Change, a threshold
  • Death
  • Potential for re-creation

TWO of SPADES – The Enemies

  • Opposition
  • Division, conflict of interest
  • Inability to find resolution
  • Wars, disputes
  • Inner turmoil
  • Need for harmony, cooperation

THREE of SPADES - The Grave

  • A time to “let go”
  • A burial
  • A past that no longer serves
  • A burden being carried

FOUR of SPADES – The North Wind

  • A strong, unsettling energy
  • Raw power
  • Sexual motivations
  • Hardship, challenge
  • The need to seek protection
  • The direction of North

FIVE of SPADES – Circle of Crows

  • To feel trapped or ganged up on
  • Uncertainty, frustration
  • Dismal prospects / an unsatisfying job
  • Constriction, fear of change
  • Feeling a victim

SIX of SPADES – The Ruin

  • A lingering past
  • Something that has been neglected or destroyed
  • Form without substance or life
  • A past that can provide lessons for the future
  • Hibernation or rest, winter

SEVEN of SPADES – Sword of Destruction

  • The ability to cut off or let go of those things that do not serve
  • The need to exercise control, discipline
  • The power to do harm
  • Destruction

EIGHT of SPADES – The Field of Stones

  • Difficult karma
  • Numerous obstacles
  • Bad timing / bad luck
  • Time “run out”
  • The need to wait, to rethink strategies
  • A threatening group, an army

NINE of SPADES – Throne of Spiders

  • An energy drain / a heavy burden
  • Overworking yourself
  • Addiction or co-dependence
  • Bad company / peers leading you in a poor direction
  • A need to let go

TEN of SPADES - Terrene

  • Earthy, grounded
  • Serving or subservient
  • Melancholic
  • Nurturing, protecting
  • Practical
  • Meek or modest
  • Tactile / sensual

JACK of SPADES – Pampero

  • Reliable, loyal
  • Disciplined, predictable
  • Something missing, forgotten
  • A whiner or complainer
  • Physically strong

QUEEN of SPADES – Morgana

  • Alone or lonely, isolated
  • Strong, independent
  • Discontent, unhappy
  • Secretive, manipulative
  • A disciplinarian or one who dominates
  • Vanity, aging beauty
  • The menopausal woman

KING of SPADES – Mardoc

  • A ruler over labour and practical matters
  • Stubborn, skeptical
  • Cold, unforgiving
  • One who terminates
  • A wanderer, one without a permanent home.

Related external links:

Divination is an important aspect of Candomblé worship. The priest or priestess casts cowry shells and interprets the pattern in which they fall... more

avatar
5 Articles

By Ana Cortez

Member since January 10, 2015

Ana Cortez is the author of "The Playing Card Oracles, A Source Book for Divination" and "Oracle Alchemy." Daughter of Oracle creator and illustrator C.J. Freeman, she is a self-described misfit, truth seeker, rule breaker, and freak for the supernatural.


Related Articles

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs

A limited edition art print of the Jack of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Hearts

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Hearts

A limited edition art print of the Jack of Hearts 1984 woodblock joker.

Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs

Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs

A limited edition art print of the Queen of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.

Woodblock and Stencil Joker

Woodblock and Stencil Joker

A limited edition art print of the 1984 woodblock joker.

1994 Music playing cards

Music playing cards

Portraits of 13 classical music composers.

2010 Manara: baraja de poker

Manara: baraja de poker

Exotic illustrations by Italian comic book artist and writer Milo Manara.

2010 Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland collector’s edition with illustrations of characters from the film, published by...

1989 Ulysses a Vau-de-Ville

Ulysses a Vau-de-Ville

the James Joyce cards with drawings by Rosita Fanto.

2001 Women by Royo

Women by Royo

‘Women by Royo’ erotic playing cards published by Heraclio Fournier, Spain, 2001.

1982 Star Trek II • The Wrath of Khan

Star Trek II • The Wrath of Khan

This deck is a vibrant photographic tribute to "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," one of the most be...

1989 Il Vostro Destino

Il Vostro Destino

Italian fortune-telling pack produced by Viassone and later by Masenghini.

1992 Norfin® Trolls

Norfin® Trolls

Troll dolls with gaudy hairstyles in a multitude of different costumes.

2002 Impressionist Art Cards

Impressionist Art Cards

Details of 13 paintings by 8 different Impressionist artists on elongated cards.

2003 Safety playing cards

Safety playing cards

Safety playing cards designed to reinforce the “Think and Be Safe” concept.

2016 Politicards 2016 & Politikids 2016

Politicards 2016 & Politikids 2016

Politicards™ 2016 & Politikids 2016: twin decks of satirical playing cards produced by Peter Green f...

2004 K Deck

K Deck

“K Deck” political playing cards, USA, c. 2004.

2016 Tuxedo playing cards

Tuxedo playing cards

Stylish ‘Tuxedo’ playing cards with animal faces created by Natalia Silva, USA, 2016.

2003 The Deck of Hillary

The Deck of Hillary

‘The Deck of Hillary’ with quotes and photographs of Hillary Clinton, USA, 2003.

2005 Shakespeare playing cards: Insults

Shakespeare playing cards: Insults

Shakespeare Insults playing cards with portraits by Jan Padover, USA, 2005.

2004 Shakespeare playing cards: Quotes

Shakespeare playing cards: Quotes

Shakespeare playing cards: Quotes, the first volume of a double set published by Prospero Art of San...

2012 Old Testament playing cards

Old Testament playing cards

Old Testament playing cards with illustrations by Jan Padover, USA, 2012.

2008 Politicards 2008

Politicards 2008

Politicards ’08 with caricatures cast as characters from classic movies, USA.

2003 Starz behind bars

Starz behind bars

Starz behind bars playing cards with mug shots of the rich and famous under arrest, USA, 2003.

2003 House of Cards: Deck of Bush

House of Cards: Deck of Bush

House of Cards: Deck of Bush playing cards presenting reasons not to re-elect President Bush for a s...

Southern Comfort

Southern Comfort

Southern Comfort whiskey playing cards, USA.

2011 Holy Trinity Church playing cards

Holy Trinity Church playing cards

Holy Trinity Church commemoration playing cards, USA, 2011.

1992 Batman® playing cards

Batman® playing cards

Characters from Batman: The Animated Series on a pack issued in 1992.

2010 FDR New Deal Deck

FDR New Deal Deck

Facsimile of ‘FDR New Deal Deck’ of 1934 re-published by Bill Schroeder, USA, 2010.

2008 Gay / Really straight Republican hypocrites

Gay / Really straight Republican hypocrites

Gay / Really straight Republican hypocrites, USA, 2008

2008 Politically Wild John McCain

Politically Wild John McCain

“Politically Wild John McCain” published by Newt’s Playing Cards, USA, 2008.

Mohegan Sun playing cards

Mohegan Sun playing cards

Mohegan Sun playing cards published by Gemaco for Mohegan Sun casino.

1970 Ripley’s Believe It or Not! playing cards

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! playing cards

Strange facts from Robert Ripley’s ‘Believe It or Not’ books, in the form of cartoons.

2020 Undressed deck

Undressed deck

Undressed deck created by Edi Rudo and Néro Catineau, USA, 2020.

Fate fortune telling cards

Fate fortune telling cards

Fate fortune telling cards published by Merrimack Publishing Corporation, USA.

2004 Politicards 2004

Politicards 2004

Politicards 2004 with satirical cartoons by the award-winning illustrator Peter Green, USA.

1972 Politicards 1971

Politicards 1971

Politicards 1971 for the presidential election in which Richard Nixon won a landslide victory.

1996 Politicards 1996

Politicards 1996

Politicards ’96 with satirical caricatures on every card by Peter Green, USA.

1984 Politicards 1984

Politicards 1984

Politicards 1984 with caricatures by Donald Gates, published by the Kamber Group, USA.

1980 Politicards 1980

Politicards 1980

Politicards 1980 in which Ronald Reagan defeated the incumbent Jimmy Carter, with caricatures by Kei...

1981 Card Tricks

Card Tricks

Stereotypical representations of gay men and men they most admire, in a 1981 pack from San Francisco...

1974 Royal flash playing cards

Royal flash playing cards

Royal flash playing cards with non-standard suits, USA, 1974.

1975 Ms. playing cards

Ms. playing cards

‘Ms. playing cards’ promoting votes for women, USA, 1975.

1825 Cartomancy deck by Johann Ernst Backofen

Cartomancy deck by Johann Ernst Backofen

German-suited Cartomancy deck published by Johann Ernst Backofen, Nürnberg.

1986 Old Met playing cards

Old Met playing cards

Old Met playing cards published by the Metropolitan Opera Guild, USA, 1986.