In the Playing (Destiny) Card system, as well as in the Tarot deck, the four Suits perform an integral and critically important function. Not only is it thought that each of the four Suits corresponds to and represents one of the four Seasons, the entire nature of this correspondence is closely linked to humanity dating back to the earliest times.
Of Seasons ....
Since the dawn of time, early man closely observed the unique characteristics of each one of the four Seasons, as such characteristics had a direct impact on his very survival. To this end, early man not only learned to cooperate with the flow of the natural annual cycle ~ for example, planting in Spring and harvesting in Autumn ~ but, equally significantly, man also developed a profound respect for nature.
It is believed that this profound respect for nature, the natural processes occurring on Earth and interconnected to the Sun, Moon and Planets, evolved into the earliest forms of religion, whereby man saw the entirety of the Universe as divine. Recognition and reverance of this universal interconnectedness resulted in certain associations being formed in the mind of early man, which associations have been variously represented by symbols.
These ancient symbols emanated from all corners of the World and, in some respects, are strikingly similar. They have endured in the human psyche throughout the ages and are worth consideration in the study of the "science" of The Playing (Destiny) Card and Tarot divination systems.
Of Suits ...
A survey of antique and modern playing cards from around the world reveals a common thread in the theme but quite a few differences in style and symbolism. Insofar as the suits are concerned, with the notable exception of Chinese and Indian cards, four suits in a deck appears to have prevailed throughout history and in different parts of the world. Hence, the connection of the four suits to the four seasons in the Playing (Destiny) Card system has very strong support and foundation.
As to the actual symbols used to identify each of the four suits ~ here is where we see some differences in both the playing and tarot cards. The difference in the symbology, both in terms of identification of the suits as well as other aspects, can largely be attributed to cultural and regional influences. However, although the symbols may differ, the underlying meanings of the symbols are the same, or essentially the same. The following is a chart of corresponding seasons, suit symbols and general meanings:
In Love & Light,
Angelika
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The Playing (Destiny) Card System and the Calendar
Playing (Destiny) Card: Season and Suits: Spring and Hearts
The Playing Card Divination System, also called or known as the Destiny Card System, is both beautifully simple and exquisitely complex, tying together numerology, symbology and astrology. This article discusses one the most important aspects of the System: its relationship to the calendar. Worthy of consideration are all of the following correspondences involving the playing cards:
- There are 4 suits in a deck of playing cards, as there are 4 seasons.
- There are 13 cards in each suit, as there are 13 weeks in each season and 13 revolutions of the Moon around the Earth during a lunar year.
- There are a total of 52 cards, as there are a total of 52 weeks in each year.
- There are a total of 12 court cards, whose average value is 12, and as there are a total of 12 months in the year, 12 hours in the AM, and 12 hours in the PM.
- The average value of each card is 7, as there are 7 days in the week, 7 planets, 7 colors in a rainbow.
As can be seen from the foregoing, the Playing (Destiny) Card System has a close relationship to the calendar. Some scholars have advanced the theory that the cards were originally a time keeping tool ~ i.e., an early calendar. The annual calendar is, indeed, represented by the Playing (Destiny) Cards as follows:
- 52 (cards) x 7 (average value of each card) = 364 + 1 (Joker) = 365 (Days in a Year)
- 4 (suits) x 13 (cards in each suit) x 7 (average value of each card) = 364 + 1 (Joker) = 365 (Days in a Year)
- 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 10 + 11 + 12 + 13 (value of individual cards in each suit) x 4 (suits) = 364 + 1 (Joker) = 365 (Days in a Year)
- 365 + 1 (the second Joker in the deck) = 366 (Days in a Leap Year)
As noted above, the Playing (Destiny) Card system is both simple and complex. As it is my favorite divination tool and forms the basis of many of the readings I perform for my clients, I will be discussing each aspect of the system in depth in this blog.
In Love & Light,
Angelika
Related Articles:
Playing (Destiny) Cards - Suits and Seasons
Playing (Destiny) Cards: Seasons and Suits: Spring and Hearts
