We have nothing to do in this book with cards used for gambling purposes, but as instruments of Cartomancy we find them full of charm and interest. Every person has a certain amount of superstition in his nature and desires to take a look into the dim and mysterious future. No one need be ashamed of confessing a certain amount of interest in the unseen and occult. Strange coincidences are happening all the time, and there are many inexplicable occurrences that meet us at every turn. Educated men and women are taking an interest in the occult to a greater extent than ever before, altho in the past the great statesmen and famous women of France, even the great Napoleon himself, were believers in the power of cards to foretell the future. Divination by cards is of great antiquity and is still as popular as ever. Formerly it was connected with astrologers’ incantation and religious practices. Now, however, it is indulged in principally as a means of amusement. Of course no one need be warned against the danger of taking a pack of cards as a guide in matters of importance requiring judgment and discretion. What the Cards Signify There are several systems of telling fortunes by cards. In each the meaning of the cards and the mode of laying them out differ. The meaning of a card is modified when the card is reversed. As our modern packs are practically the same, looking at them from either end, it is well to mark the cards so that you can tell which is the top and which is the bottom. This could be done before starting to use the pack. MEANING OF THE VARIOUS CARDS. Hearts are especially connected with the work of Cupid and Hymen. The suit has also close reference to affairs of the home and to both the domestic and social sides of life. Diamonds are representative of financial matters, small and great, with a generally favorable signification. Clubs stand for prosperity, a happy home life with intelligent pleasures and successful undertakings. Spades forebode evil. They speak of sickness, death, monetary losses and anxieties, separation from friends and dear ones. They are also representative of love, appealing exclusively to the senses. MEANING OF THE HEARTS. _Ace._—A love letter, good news; (reversed) a removal or a visit from a friend. _King._—Fair man of generous disposition; (reversed) a disappointing person. _Queen._—Fair, good-natured woman; (reversed) she has had an unhappy love affair. _Knave._—A young bachelor devoted to enjoyment; (reversed) a military lover with a grievance. _Ten._—Antidote to bad cards, happiness and success; (reversed) passing worries. _Nine._—The wish card, good luck; (reversed) short sorrow. _Eight._—Thoughts of marriage, affections of a fair person; (reversed) unresponsiveness. _Seven._—Calm, content; (reversed) boredom, satiety. MEANING OF THE DIAMONDS. _Ace._—A letter, an offer of marriage; (reversed) evil tidings.