What is Cartomancy? Exploring the Differences Between Tarot and Poker Cards

Cartomancy is a type of divination or fortune-telling that uses cards to tell the future. It’s an ancient practice that has been used for centuries by many cultures, and it’s still popular today. But what are the differences between Tarot and Poker cards?

In this post, we will take a look at how these two types of cards are used in cartomancy and everything else you might need to know about cartomancy to get you up to speed on all of it!

First up, Tarot Cards

Tarot cards have a rich history which dates back to 15th century Italy. They were first used for card games, but quickly became popular for divination purposes.

There are 78 tarot cards, divided into two categories - Major Arcana (22) and Minor Arcana (56). The Major Arcana generally contains archetypal images representing life lessons or spiritual growth, while the Minor Arcana represents more mundane everyday issues.

When performing cartomancy with tarot cards, each card has its own meaning which can be interpreted in various ways based on its position in a spread.

Next, Poker Cards

Unlike tarot cards, poker cards were designed specifically for gambling purposes. The deck consists of 52 playing cards made up of four suits – spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs – with values ranging from two through ten, plus Jacks, Queens and Kings.

Each card has its own value as well as unique symbolism that can be interpreted when performing cartomancy with poker cards.

For example, spades represent wisdom and knowledge; hearts symbolize relationships; diamonds signify wealth; and clubs represent work or action. Like tarot cards, poker cards can be interpreted in different ways depending on their position in a spread. 

What is Cartomancy?

Cartomancy is the practice of using playing cards to provide insights into people’s lives. It dates back to the 15th century, when people began using tarot cards as a form of divination. Over time, this practice evolved and more decks were created with different meanings.

In the 18th century in Europe, the use of playing cards specifically for fortune-telling became popular.

Where Did It Come From?

The exact origins of cartomancy are hard to trace, but it is believed that the practice began in ancient Italy.

The oldest known decks were hand-painted in Italy during the early 1400s and featured full suits including coins and cups.

These decks were used by nobility for entertainment purposes rather than for fortune-telling. By the 1700s, these decks had become increasingly popular with commoners who used them for divination purposes. However, it wasn’t until the late 1800s that fortune-telling with cards became widespread.

Nowadays, people all over the world still use cartomancy as a form of divination. Some use it to gain insights into the present, others for predicting the future, and some even to explore their own subconscious. The opportunities here are endless!

Why Is It Used?

People use cartomancy because it provides an accessible way to gain insight into their lives and make decisions based on their readings.

Unlike tarot readings which require some knowledge of esoteric symbolism and complex spreads, anyone can quickly learn how to interpret card combinations without much effort or training—making it perfect for beginners who don't want to invest too much time into learning a new skill.

Additionally, many people find comfort in using traditional playing cards because they represent more everyday experiences rather than spiritual ones like tarot cards do. 

These days, cartomancy is more popular than ever as people look for a diverse range of methods to gain insight into their lives. Whether it's used to make decisions, explore relationships or find ways to move forward with life—cartomancy can be an incredibly powerful tool. There are even online  tools like virtual tarot and poker card readings available that make it even easier to get started, which is why even though the whole thing fell off for a while, it's gotten right back up and is popular all over the world!

The Bottom Line

Cartomancy is an ancient art form that has been used since the 15th century to gain insights into life decisions and uncover hidden truths within oneself. While its exact origins are unknown, it is believed that this practice first emerged in Italy before spreading throughout Europe during the 1700s when playing cards became widely available outside of noble circles.

Nowadays, people are still turning to cartomancy as an accessible way to explore their own inner wisdom without investing too much time or energy into learning a completely new skill set like tarot reading requires! Whether you're just starting out on your journey or have been practicing for years – there's something special about letting the cards guide your path forward!