Geistliche Karten

Published September 09, 2010 Updated July 19, 2022

Geistliche Karten, Augsburg, 1718. Each card carries a text in Gothic typeface giving advice regarding what to do and think each day. Not quite oracle or divination cards, they are more like 'a motto for the day' collection. The method of using the cards is not known.

1718 Germany Biblical Cartomancy Education Oracle Religion
Box from Geistliche Karten, Augsburg, 1718

Geistliche Karten, Augsburg, 1718

Religious cards... a motto for the day.

It is, of course, possible to learn about almost anything with the aid of playing cards, and Biblical morality appears to be the subject of this rather rare deck from Germany. At times the Church has been at odd with playing-cards and gambling, but nevertheless this pack would have provided a stimulus for pious thought. The subject-matter is no doubt very interesting, however, there are no pictures or illustrations on the cards to lighten their visual appearance. Instead, we find each card carries a text in a Gothic typeface surrounded by a plain square border, giving advice regarding what to do and think each day. Not quite oracle or divination cards, they are more like 'a motto for the day' collection for Catholics. The method of using the cards is not known. However, illustrated fortune-telling cards were not far away...

Geistliche Karten, Augsburg, 1718

Above: Geistliche Karten, Augsburg, 1718, featuring Biblical advice. The top line on each card is a card value, e.g. 'Hertz 4' is the Four of Hearts. The text always starts with 'Heut' - 'Today'. Each card gives religious advice on what to do today. E. g. one of the cards (Hertz 8) says something like "Today imagine death, you have to die, death is certain and will come soon, do not know today or tomorrow or whether he waits longer. Prepare soon, take the ladder of Christ and climb up to virtue. To achieve this mercy say a Lord's Prayer and an Ave Maria for the soul that does not regard death and doesn't prepare enough for it." Others start "Today imagine hell ...", "Today regard your sins ..." or "Today imagine heavenly joy ..." [Translations by Peter Endebrock.]

See also:   Book of FateBuena Suerte Cartomancy, c.1975Cartas BlancasCartas GitanasCartomancy & Divination CardsEdyta Gdek Tarot17th Century Fortune-Telling Cards72 Names CardsGrapho-DeckJason Ennis TarotMinchiateMlle Lenormand CartomancyMail Artist's Lenormand DeckNaipes Tu DestinoPicture Book of Ana CortezPicture Show Zodiac Fortune Telling CardsRameses Fortune-telling cardsRamses II TarotSelf-Guided TarotSelf-Nurturing SolitaireTarocco BologneseTarocco PiemontesiTaroquis ObeliscoTarot Egipcios KierWelsh TarotTarot

avatar
1,485 Articles

By Simon Wintle

Member since February 01, 1996

I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.

Related Articles

1988 VEB Kombinat Kali

VEB Kombinat Kali

Advertising pack depicting old means of salt production, with designs by Hannelore Heise.

1995 National Gallery of Art

National Gallery of Art

Fifty-three masterpieces from the collections of the National Gallery of Art, Washington.

1997 Burghausen

Burghausen

Historical figures and buildings to promote the town of Burghausen, with designs by Jonny Petri.

1991 Magyar Tarot

Magyar Tarot

Hungarian fortune-telling cards with surreal and unconventional designs.

2000 Wiener Pattern – Nuremberg Version

Wiener Pattern – Nuremberg Version

A classic deck in a new illustrative style, with notable variations in line work, detail, and colour...

1893 Historic Shakespeare

Historic Shakespeare

“Historic Shakespeare” playing cards featuring Shakespearean characters by Chas Goodall & Son.

2019 CARD-AB Miltenberg

CARD-AB Miltenberg

Illustrations by Rita Stern depicting notable landmarks and scenes from the town of Miltenberg in Ge...

1964 New Altenburg Skat cards – German DDR Pattern

New Altenburg Skat cards – German DDR Pattern

Authentic Altenburger Skat cards with German suits (Acorns, Hearts, Leaves, Bells).

1971 German Travel Cards

German Travel Cards

A travel-themed educational deck helping American tourists visiting Germany.

1984 Can You Believe Your Eyes?

Can You Believe Your Eyes?

“Can You Believe Your Eyes?” playing cards featuring visual illusions & other oddities.

1949 Briefmarken-Quartett

Briefmarken-Quartett

Quartet game featuring postage stamps from the Zones of Occupation in post-WWII Germany.

1986 IG Chemie Papier Keramik

IG Chemie Papier Keramik

Promotional pack designed by Karl-Heinz Schroers for a German trade union with comical bears on the ...

2025 Baraja de Juan Martín Zamorano

Baraja de Juan Martín Zamorano

Deck inspired by El Pendón de los Zamorano, a military pennant dating from 1501, published by Priego...

1897 Tarot hiéroglyphique égyptien

Tarot hiéroglyphique égyptien

The design of the cards draws inspiration from various religious and philosophical traditions merged...

2022 Oracle Rock

Oracle Rock

Cartomantic set depicting rock and pop stars, designed by La Rata, with a book by Virginie Despentes...

1976 Eki karuta

Eki karuta

Japanese fortune-telling cards based on I Ching, with bold, modern designs.