Special Cards



Surprise Cards

While you are shuffling the cards, you may find that a single card falls or jumps out from the deck, perhaps even a couple of cards. These cards are clamoring for your attention, so take note of them. They may be giving you a quick and concise answer to whatever was in your mind while you were shuffling. Alternatively, they could be bringing your attention to another issue that is demanding to be taken into account.

After taking note of them, replace them in the deck and continue shuffling. If they reappear in the reading, their importance is emphasized, and they should be given more weight in the reading.

The Base Card

After shuffling and cutting, take a moment to glance at the card which sits at the bottom of the deck. This is the Base Card and it can provide important insights before you even start the reading. It reveals what lies at the base of the question and what is impelling the querent to ask for a reading. At the very least, it can confirm the direction of the reading, so that you know you are on the right track.

For example, if someone has come for a reading about love and the state of their relationship, the Base Card may reveal that their biggest worry is actually the state of their finances or their social status.

The Significator

The Significator refers to the card that represents the querent, or the person who is receiving the reading. Some readers use a Significator in their readings, others do not. It is generally used in spreads that include all or almost all of the cards in the deck to provide a focus.

Traditionally, one of the court cards is usually chosen to be the Significator for the querent. A King is chosen for an older man, a Knight for a younger man, a Jack for a woman or a young person.

You can match the personality to the suit by appearance, by star sign or by your own personal preference. A few modern readers use the Joker as the Significator

A Significator can also be chosen to represent the question itself or the issue at hand, although this is less common.