R E V I E W

The Doors of Somlipith: A New Dimension of Card Reading

by Ana Cortez (Author), CJ Freeman (Illustrator)

REDFeather (April 11, 2023)

Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages; 52 cards

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0764365037

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0764365034

Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 2 x 9 inches

I am delighted to introduce my blog followers to the latest incarnation of the amazing divination deck created by Ana Cortez and her father, C.J. Freeman. If you search for “Cortez” in this blog, you will find the many posts I have written, including an interview with Ana Cortez herself.

The Doors of Somlipith: A New Dimension of Card Reading is a card and book set packaged in a beautiful, well-constructed box. The 52 cards are sturdy quality. The book is paperback, around 5-3/4 inches by 5-1/4 inches, containing 304 pages of well-organized information printed in black, red, and gold type.

This book is a true treasure trove of – in the words of the publisher – “magical symbology, ancient astrology, pyramid knowledge, natural timekeeping, geomancy, in-depth elemental and numerological perspectives, original story, a secret alphabet, mystical mandalas, innovative archetype, and more.” 

Here are a few other things I feel you need to know if you are considering The Doors of Somlipith:

• It is NOT a Tarot deck. It is a 52-card deck with many similarities to a regular deck of playing cards. However, Ana Cortez states: “You must throw out everything you have learned from other card-reading methods.”

• This is NOT an “out of the box” reading deck. There is a learning curve. If you are not familiar with the cards created by C.J. Freeman and how they are used, you will need to take some time to study and practice. Fortunately, in the accompanying book, Ana Cortex provides extremely useful instruction and examples.

• There are FOUR REALMS that correspond to the four suits found on playing cards: Ignita (Diamonds/Fire), Ethra (Clubs.Air), Agana (Hearts/Water), and Terra (Spades/Earth).

• Each Realm has an UPPER KINGDOM consisting of four archetypal personalities: Lady, Jack, Queen, and King.

• Each Realm has a LOWER KINGDOM consisting of Ace through Nine. 

I greeted The Doors of Somlipith deck and book set with a mixture of delight at seeing old friends and anticipation for new experiences and knowledge.

In this post, I am going to focus on one component of the system presented by Ana Cortez for using The Doors of Somlipith deck. 

In Chapter 9: The 36 Gates, Cortez tells us that “from the Sun’s perspective, we see only the 36 Lower Kingdom cards as markers of time. The Courts are gods and do not participate in timekeeping.” The 36 Gates are arranged by date segments such as Jan. 1-10, Jan. 10-20, Jan. 20-29, and so forth. Each of these segments is assigned a Lower Kingdom card.

Using the table provided in the guidebook, we see that today’s date – April 13 – falls in the segment that covers April 11-20. This segment is represented by the 3 of Diamonds (Ignita / Fire). For my Daily Card draw, I will be using the 3 of Diamonds paired with a card which I will draw at random from the deck. By analyzing that pair of cards, I may get a sense of what today might bring. My draw for today is the 8 of Hearts (Agana / Water).

As advised by Ana Cortez, my first step is to look at this layout as a picture, a collection of images. I look at these two cards together and sense that The Faun on the 8 of Hearts is trying to cast a spell on  (or influence) the woman holding the severed head (3 of Diamonds). The story Cortez provides concerning the latter emphasizes "the selfishness necessary with creative ambition, and the consequences, which can be most dire." What might The Faun's goal be? Read on.

THREE OF DIAMONDS: Severed Head

Let’s explore this a bit. As Cortez points out, all Threes “complete the first triplicity within the ascending sequence” . . . they “arise from the experience of the Ace and the Two.” Here we have consequences and manifestation. The keyword for the 3 of Diamonds (Severed Head) is “Ambition.” 

This is a Fire (Ignita) card. A chart provided by Cortez in the guidebook tells us that Fire represents Spirit, Autumn, South. Its qualities are “volatile, transmuting.” Among the Positive Attributes we find “courage, vitality, self-esteem, confidence…” Among the Negative Attributes we see “Egotism, insensitivity, selfishness, impulsivity…”

All days that fall within the April 11-20 range are represented by this card. It’s not unique to me, but applies to everyone.

EIGHT OF HEARTS: The Faun

This is my draw for today, April 13. Cortez tells us that all Eights are “building block” cards representing escalation and increase. Like the Three, the Eight is about “making manifest seeds previously sewn.”  

The keyword for this card is “Mischief.” The 8 of Hearts is a Water card. The chart in the guidebook tells us that Water (Agana) represents Emotion, Spring, West. Its qualities are “Yielding, penetrating.” Among the Positive Attributes we find “empathetic, nurturing, generosity, enjoyment of life…” Among the Negative Attributes we have “Self-doubt, obsession, jealousy, subconscious controlling action/judgment…”

With the 8 of Hearts we might expect energy that is strong and virile, and that can create confusion between what is real and what is illusion. The perceived order is likely to be threatened.

For those of us who are still learning, Cortez is kind enough to provide insight into what a Diamonds-Hearts (Ignita-Agana, Red-Red) pairing might indicate. Her key phrase for this pairing is “The ‘One-Night Stand.’” It’s not hard to understand how impulsivity paired with strong feelings (Ambition + Mischief) might play out. Situations suggested by this pairing are likely to be short-term but volatile and impossible to ignore.

As I post this, my day is not over, and it may yet become clear what these two cards are trying to tell me. It has been a quiet day so far, with nothing exciting or challenging taking place.

This is just one of many ways The Doors of Somlipith can be used. If you are not adverse to studying and learning how to work with a truly fascinating deck, I encourage you to give The Doors of Somlipith a try.

To read more about The Doors of Somlipith, click on these links:
https://anacortez.com/doors-somlipith-divination-with-playing-cards/

https://store.anacortez.com/products/the-doors-of-somlipith-a-new-dimension-of-card-reading

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In accordance with the FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, I hereby disclose that this product was provided by the publisher for free. Other than the occasional review copy, I receive no monetary or in-kind compensation for my reviews.  The substance of my reviews is not influenced by whether I do or do not receive a review copy.

Interview with The Playing Card Oracles, Alchemy Edition

Today’s deck interview takes place in a large, open loft space – an artist’s studio – with flickering candles along the walls. The cards come forward to answer my questions by taking shape on large easels spaced around the room. I sit quietly in the center of the room, surrounded by the easels, waiting for the appearance of the card selected by the others to respond to my first question.

(1) How would you describe your essence or essential energy?

Slowly the canvas on the easel fills with shades of crimson and scarlet, blood red, wine red. A heart held in a hand. A golden falcon, a bird of prey, perches atop the heart. The heart opens one eye. The ACE OF HEARTS has arrived.

ACE OF HEARTS: “I would describe my essence or essential energy as Passion -- passion arising from memories that live within the deep subconscious of your feeling Self. My falcon, like your innermost feelings, is constantly on the hunt, seeking nourishment and sustenance. My open eye is your conscious existence; my closed eye is your unconscious existence. Within me lies all potential of love and devotion, passion, and compassion – but also obsession, fear, and compulsion. Draw from my well – the well of Agana, your inner Water source.”

(2) Which card do you feel reflects my essence or essential energy?

To the left of the Ace of Hearts, a dark shape takes form on the easel. Pale skin and auburn hair come forth to complete the image. It is Morgana, the QUEEN OF SPADES.

QUEEN OF SPADES / Morgana: “You were an Old Soul from the beginning, so I don’t worry about ‘insulting’ you when I say your essence or essential energy is that of advanced age. I also happen to know that you are fascinated by Morgana in Arthurian legend, that you have a strong Earth presence in your birth chart and often identify with the Queen of Pentacles in Tarot -- so there are many reasons for this choice. In you I see strength, independence, practicality, and attention to detail. There is also a secret sadness beneath your exterior and leanings toward the darker side of the craft. A part of you seeks to control, manipulate, or dominate people or circumstances – not because you are an egomaniac, but because you feel more secure if you can succeed in those efforts. Failure to do so generates anxiety and uncertainty, which is difficult if not impossible for you to tolerate.”

(3) What story do you hope to tell me?

On the easel beside Morgana’s, as if forming a clone of the Queen, another woman clothed in black appears. She is Terrene, the Lady (10) of Spades.

LADY (TEN) OF SPADES / Terrene: “I hope to tell you the story of my birth to Morgana and Mardoc, of how Morgana snatched me and took me back to the Spade abode, slung within her dark cloak. She left my twin brother in the wilderness, where we were born. In me, she recognized something of herself, and she imagined she could make me into a servant. I am a child of service. A common sense, sturdy girl, I am hardworking, yet my will is not yet my own. I hope to tell you the story of yourself, and how that story continues to evolve from the positive and negative aspects of who you are consciously, subconsciously, and unconsciously.”

(4) What should I not expect from you?

On a fourth easel, bright, flaming colors leap to life, swarming over the canvas like flames – and indeed they are flames, engulfing a woman tied to a stake, clearly in torment. Of all the cards, based on my early pases through the deck, this is one of the most disturbing to me. It is the EIGHT OF SPADES (The Curse). How interesting that it appears as what I should NOT expect from this deck.

EIGHT OF SPADES – The Curse: “Historically, I was considered a very unlucky card, indicating guilt, suppression, or persecution. However, you should NOT expect me to dwell on or emphasize these things in my relationship with you. That is not my purpose. I see no reason to remind you of failures, poor choices, or shortcomings in your life. When these things rise to the surface, as they inevitably do, my goal will be to help you to liberate yourself by facing your deepest fears, to take your arm as you ‘walk through the fire’ and emerge from it strengthened and renewed.”

(5) Which card most closely represents us as a team?

I already noticed that the suit of the card representing the deck’s energy (Hearts / Water) and the suit representing my energy (Spades / Earth) are compatible with each other. That seems to bode well, but I admit I am a bit nervous as I watch the fifth and final image come to life on the remaining empty canvas. A strange form takes shape… It is the ACE OF CLUBS, Dream Moth.

ACE OF CLUBS / Dream Moth: “As a team, we have great potential to connect and communicate – to speak or write about that which is unseen, unmanifest. We can tell of premonitions and prophecies, emergized by dreams, ideas, and creative impulses. We have the ability to detach and see a higher perspective and the ability to put ourselves in another’s shoes. Our challenges as a team are to avoid being impersonal, talking too much, and allowing our energies to be scattered.”

I study the five images, noting that the interview begins and ends with an Ace, which seems fitting. Even though the element Fire (Diamonds) is not represented as a suit, fire is seen in abundance on the Eight of Spades representing what I should NOT expect from this deck. I am not quite sure how to interpret this. Fire has many fine attributes, but it also can represent egoism, insensitivity or lack of awareness to others, greed, over-ambition, impatience, or temper. Unfortunately, those tendencies come quite naturally to me as a Sagittarius. My relationship with this deck may well be more productive without them, even if we also experience limitation of Fire’s better qualities.

To read my review of The Playing Cards Oracle, Alchemy Edition, click HERE.

Review: The Playing Card Oracles, Alchemy Edition

R E V I E W

The Playing Card Oracles

_Alchemy Edition Divination Deck_

by _Ana Cortez_ and C.J. Freeman

Two Sisters Press

54 cards (including 2 Jokers)

Sizes: 2-1/2 by 3-1/2 inches and 3-1/2 by 5-3/4 inches

_About My Reviews_

TOP LINE (formerly Bottom Line)

As a fan of the _Playing Card Oracles Divination Deck_ by Ana Cortez and C.J. Freeman (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.), I was delighted and intrigued when I learned Ana was publishing a new deck based on her father’s artwork.

Freeman’s art is dramatic and distinctive, evocative and expressive. My reaction to so many of the images is “Oh my,” followed by a closer study of every element in the image. Many of the images seem to come alive, infused with an intense spirit that cannot be suppressed. My fascination deepens when I explore the relationships between the images and the suits and numbers of a traditional deck of playing cards, then incorporate the title or name applied to each card.

It should be obvious to anyone who looks at this deck of cards that there is profound meaning to be found, and no doubt a few surprises as well. I can't wait to find out what Freeman's friends have in store for me...

THE PUBLISHER'S PRODUCT SUMMARY

“Playing cards offer a profound language for the pursuit of self knowledge and personal
reflection. Yes, playing cards. This is something few are aware of. Used primarily either
for games or parlour style fortune telling, playing cards have been overlooked by more
‘serious’ practitioners of divination for many a century. This is changing. The deck you
now hold in your hands and your own exploration of it are part of a new dawn. A bright
era of self awareness and empowerment approaches as the world awakens to playing
cards in a new light. . . The Playing Card Oracles: Alchemy Edition Deck reveals the power in that little paper dynamo so long hidden in humble black and red. The strength of the illustrations but mimics the strength inherent in the ordinary cards themselves. When used according to
the principles laid out in this PDF and in The Playing Card Oracles, A Source Book for
Divination, their voice comes through loud and strong, like a roar.”

BASIC INFORMATION

This deck features 54 pieces of oracle art, including 52 cards of traditional playing card suit and number plus 2 jokers, designed for divination. The 52 cards correspond to the 52 weeks of the natural year. The four suits (Diamonds, Hearts, Clubs, and Spades) correspond to the four seasons. The thirteen cards in each suit correspond to the 13 weeks of each season as well as the 13 lunar cycles of the year (each of 4 weeks).

The Court cards symbolize 16 basic archetypes for the human personality. The suits determine which element and which category of personality are expressed. Diamonds represent Fire; Clubs represent Air; Hearts represent Water; and Spades represent Earth. Unlike a deck of regular playing cards, which has three Court cards for each suit, this deck has four: the Lady (numbered 10), Jack, Queen, and King.

Pips number Ace through Nine. Cortez advises us to view these as experiences or “part of a script in a play or movie,” whereas the Court cards are the characters in that play or movie. Interpreting the Pips is based on a combination of numerology and element/suit designation.

A PDF guide is available for the deck. I printed mine in booklet form and stapled the left side, after which (as you can see) I proceeded to do a lot of highlighting. The guide offers sections titled Essential Information, The Courts, The Pips, Essential Suit Meanings, The Oracles, and sections for each pip number.

Readers are also encouraged to use the book _The Playing Card Oracles: A Source Book for Divination_ by Cortez (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.) The book was originally written to accompany the Playing Card Oracles Divination Deck, but the material contained therein applies equally well to the Alchemy Edition.

Cortez notes that some of the imagery from the U.S. Games “Playing Cards Oracle Deck” resembles imagery in the “Alchemy” edition, while some is quite different.

For example, compare and contrast:

(To read my review of the book Playing Card Oracles: A Source Book for Divination, click HERE. To see a reading I did with the Playing Card Oracles, click HERE .)

APPEARANCE, SIZE, QUALITY

The Alchemy Edition is available in two sizes: 2-1/2 by 3-1/2 inches and 3-1/2 by 5-3/4 inches. Both sizes arrive shrink wrapped and tucked in a natural muslin keepsake bag, with a custom, hand stamped design.

Card fronts have a gray background. They incorporate a large central image with a card number and suit marker in the upper left and lower right corners. When cards are named, the name often appears just under the suit marker in the upper left corner, but can also be found centered above or below the image, or elsewhere on the card.

Card backs are what I would call eggplant purple with a cream-colored design that stretches from side to side and incorporates various shapes and symbols.

Ana tells me, “As far as symbols on the backs of the cards, I think they are each wonderful for meditation, many being symbolic representations of the number 4, which is so key in the playing deck. I like that they are a little unusual, maybe people will see in an unusual way. Don't know where my dad got these from. They were cut and pasted on top of a vintage Japanese wallpaper design (the swirls) he found in a book. He had so many obscure books...”

The card stock is medium, typical Tarot card weight. The smaller size is, of course, easier to shuffle, but the impact of the images is stronger with the larger format.

ART

Ana Cortez says: “What you will find in this new deck is 52 cards of traditional suit and number (plus 2 jokers) with very untraditional imagery. My dad used to point out how very generic playing card figures had become over the centuries. He wanted to revitalize them and return them to something exciting and alive.”

My verdict: Success on all fronts!

In accordance with the FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, I hereby disclose that this product was provided by the publisher for free. Other than the occasional review copy, I receive no monetary or in-kind compensation for my reviews.  The substance of my reviews is not influenced by whether I do or do not receive a review copy.

Exploring The Playing Card Oracles Divination Deck

In addition to my 75 Tarot decks, I own a great many oracle decks. I love these decks, but don't use them as often as I would like. Every now and then, I am going to share a card from one of these oracle decks here on the blog. I hope people will enjoy seeing cards from various decks and will gain something from the interpretations of the cards!

For this episode of oracle card exploration I am using The Playing Card Oracles Divination Deck by Ana Cortez and C.J. Freeman (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.)

Our card for today is the ACE OF DIAMONDS.

The Playing Card Oracles Divination Deck

Aces represent the number one, the lowest number. However, in the many card games I have learned to play over the years, the Ace of any suit is very often the top card a player can hold. Numerology helps us understand the importance of the number one, as we can see in my "Take a Number" series on this blog.

In The Playing Card Oracles deck, the Ace of Diamonds is titled "Ignita," which is the feminine form of the masculine ignito in Latin. The word can mean (1) heated, lit, (2) flaming, bright, or (3) impetuous, ardent. As I'm sure you can tell, the English word "ignite" comes from this.

Ana Cortez asks us to notice that "the large red diamond in the center looks more like a gem than a traditional suit sign." When we gaze deep into the middle of that diamond, we can see "a figure silhouetted within its core." To me, it looks like an embryo, which would certainly make sense given that this is an Ace, representing "a beginning".

Oh yes, and there's a dragon -- a fire lizard, to be precise. He is not a cutesy cartoon dragon, but a fairly intimidating one. He guards the stone "Philosophicus" which is depicted as holding the secrets of the element Fire.

Like all elements, Fire can be helpful or harmful, depending on how it is used. Among the positive aspects listed by Ana Cortez are "the creative ability to will our dreams into reality as well as attract money and resources." Undesirable qualities include "greed, egotism, and insensitivity." In his story "The Diamond Ace," C.J. Freeman writes: "The fire lizard, Philosophicus, can be a deadly, unstable force that rampantly destroys everything it touches. However, as the ancients also deduced, this is a divine agent that can benefit those who have wisdom and are prepared for its effects."

To read my review of The Playing Card Oracles Divination Deck, click HERE.

REVIEW: Playing Card Oracles Divination Deck

R E V I E W

Playing Card Oracles Divination Deck
Author: Ana Cortez, C.J. Freeman
Artist: C.J. Freeman
U.S. Games Systems, Inc., 2012 
ISBN 978-1-57281-525-4  

To read my review of The Playing Card Oracles: A Source Book for Divination  by Ana Cortez and C.J. Freeman (U.S. Games Systems), click HERE.

My interview with Ana Cortez is posted HERE. 
THE PUBLISHER'S PRODUCT SUMMARY

“Playing Card Oracles transforms the ordinary 52-card deck into an extraordinary divinatory tool. Each card in this divination deck features exquisite original artwork that invokes the mysteries of the ancient oracles.”

BASIC INFORMATION

In addition to the 52 cards of the oracle, this deck includes a title card, an “About the Authors and Illustrator” card, and a card containing a description of the purpose and nature of the deck.
As Ana Cortez states in the Introduction to the 27-page LWB (Little White Book) that accompanies this deck, The Playing Card Oracles deck is not a Tarot deck, or even derived from a Tarot deck.

Although similar in some ways to a standard playing card deck, these cards feature “exquisite artwork designed to help you discover the secret wisdom of the ancient oracles.”

In the Introduction we are also encouraged to consider the construction of the standard deck of playing cards, 52 in number just as there are 52 weeks in a year. Cortez points out that the playing deck is “actually a perfect replica of a Fixed Lunar Calendar.” I was most intrigued by her comment that we use calendars to chart events that have not yet occurred (like we might use an oracle), something I confess I never thought of!

The suits in the Playing Card Oracles – representing the four essential aspects of our lives --  are Diamonds (Fire), Clubs (Air), Hearts (Water), and Spades (Earth). Key Concepts are provided for each suit. As in a standard playing card deck, Spades and Clubs icons are rendered in black; Hearts and Diamonds are red.

Cortez explains that she intends the explanations of each card to be “clues” or “abbreviations.” We are encouraged to allow the images, colors, and the total picture in a layout inspire our interpretations.

At the end of the LWB we are given a 4-card spread called “The Present Spread.” This spread is intended to provide a snapshot of the time at hand as well as the four weeks to come. Next, we have another 4-card spread called The Cat Spread (deriving its name from the belief that cats are sensitive to subtle energies). We are also given a technique for interpreting the cards in a 4-card spread as representing the Head, Throat, Torso, and Feet of a human body. This can give us a picture of a person in time (the time specified by the cut of the cards).

Four blank pages are provided for Notes.

APPEARANCE, SIZE, QUALITY

The cards are small -- 2 ½ by 3 ½ inches -- and printed on glossy card stock.

Card backs: The ¼ inch outer border is cream colored. Inside that is double black inner border, and within that, another ¼ inch cream border. Black and cream swirls, whirls, and symbols fill the center. The backs are not reversible if you look closely.

Card faces: Most of the cards have a cream-colored background; some have a black background (8 of Hearts, 3 of Hearts). Still others have a predominantly gray/white background (2 of Hearts, 6 of Spades). I am not able to discern a pattern or reason for this, although perhaps I will discover something as I continue to read with these cards.

Court cards: The suit icon, card name, and card number appear in various places on the cards, along with a portrait-style or full-body picture of the Court member. These cards are multi-colored. Court cards are numbered 11, 12, 13, and 14. The figures on cards 11 and 12 are youthful; those on 13 and 14 are older. The Courts are not titled King, Queen, and so forth. Instead they are titled with a proper name. For example, the Queen of Spades is Morgana, the King of Hearts is Good King Nichomiah.
Pips (numbered cards): Images are gray, white, and black. Suit icons are superimposed on the images. The Aces feature a large suit icon in the center, interwoven with the central image.

ART

Ana Cortez’s father, C.J. Freeman, created the illustrations on The Playing Card Oracles. The artwork is highly symbolic and explained clearly in The Playing Card Oracles: A Source Book for Divination by Ana Cortez and C.J. Freeman (U.S. Games Systems).

BOTTOM LINE

I find these cards to be engaging and intriguing. Freeman’s art is distinctive and compelling. The small size makes the cards easy to shuffle as well as easy to carry in purse or pocket. I do recommend that the cards be used with the larger source book mentioned above to get the most from them, but the LWB provides a basic understanding. 

If you enjoy oracle decks and inventive systems or methods for reading them, you’ll appreciate The Playing Card Oracles.


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In accordance with the FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, I hereby disclose that this product was provided by the publisher for free. Other than the occasional review copy, I receive no monetary or in-kind compensation for my reviews.  The substance of my reviews is not influenced by whether I do or do not receive a review copy.

A Reading with the Playing Card Oracles Deck

I was so enthralled with the reading method described in The Playing Card Oracles by Ana Cortez, I immediately wanted to do a practice reading for myself using the Playing Card Oracles Divination Deck by Ana Cortez and C.J. Freeman (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.)

Ana graciously agreed to review what I did and offer suggestions and comments that would help me benefit even more from this reading.

Below is my reading, followed by Ana's comments. Thank you so much, Ana, for taking the time to do this! I know my blog readers will find it useful!

In her book, Ana Cortez rightfully asserts that her method of card reading "is not meant to be mastered in a short period of time."

I make no claim to having "mastered" this method. I consider this reading to be part of the "practice, practice, practice" also advised by Ana Cortez.

The purpose of this four-card spread -- called The Present Spread -- is to provide a "snapshot" of the time at hand as well as the four weeks to come. My question is: What do I need to understand about  my jewelry-making business now and in the next four weeks?

Following the instructions in The Playing Card Oracles book, I shuffled the cards and turned four of them over, as if turning a book page -- in other words, NOT by flipping them head over tail, as is commonly done when playing card games. Cortez writes that "Flipping negates the nature of the deck as a book and reverses the original direction of the card, potentially altering the way the card is read."

Position 1: The Head Position (ruled by the suit of Diamonds)
THREE OF HEARTS (The Clutch)

Note: This position tends to dominate the general character of the reading. It takes on additional significance when the question refers to finances, self-esteem, or creativity -- or questions specifically related to the head and face.

I have drawn the Three of Hearts in this position. This position is ruled by Diamonds. When Diamonds are paired with Hearts, the result is often unpredictable energy or a lack of self-restraint.

Threes suggest that things are fluctuating and unstable. It may be time to make a choice or consider an opportunity. I am being encouraged to tune in more closely to my personal goals and where I want to go with my jewelry-making business. The suit of Hearts tells me that emotions play a large role here. I need to understand what my emotional needs are and whether those are being served by my current approach. Am I just adding emotional drama and stress to my life?

I confess that the illustration on this card is a bit puzzling to me. On the card I see three connected hearts, a single heart with a keyhole, and a fragmented heart. There are a total of FIVE Hearts on the card, yet the card is the THREE of Hearts.

Position 2: The Throat Position (ruled by the suit of Clubs)
TWO OF HEARTS (The Lovers)

Note: The card in this spot usually refers to ideas and communications. This can include legal documents and other written or verbal agreements. It also relates to social relationships.

I have drawn the Two of Hearts in this position. This position is ruled by the suit of Clubs. Hearts paired with Clubs can suggest a fertile imagination and strong creative ability.

The number Two indicates an initial exploration outside of ourself, taking into account both self and "the other." It can suggest partnership and cooperation or opposition and division. As mentioned above, the suit of Hearts indicates emotional involvement. The illustration depicts what Cortez calls "a heartfelt entanglement" of some sort, not necessarily limited to male/female lovers. Am I being encouraged to consider a partnership with someone else?

Position 3: The Torso Position (ruled by the suit of Hearts)
NINE OF SPADES (The Throne of Spiders)

Note: This position includes the heart, solar plexus, womb, and sexual organs. Therefore, it relates to questions of love, reproduction, and emotions in general. Hidden, unconscious issues may appear in this position, or it may refer to questions about one's mother. Health, vitality, and healing are also included. This position is also likely to reveal the "heart" of the matter.

I have drawn the Nine of Spades in this position. This position is ruled by the suit of Hearts. Hearts and Spades are called "The Gravitational Partnership." Paired with each other, they can indicate security and dependability.

Nines often speak of endings, final trials, or the last stages of something. There is a sense that moderation is lacking. We are moving at full tilt through the passageway between the pips and the court cards. Nines are occasionally seen to represent people themselves, typically young people.

With the Nine of Spades, we are looking at something that has gotten way out of hand, especially in a physical or material sense. Energy and resources are being drained and depleted. There is a sense of overwork, burden, or even addiction/co-dependence.

I'm speechless at this point. I have invested a lot of money and time into my jewelry-making business. Is this card saying that I have wasted enough money and time on the enterprise and that I should let it go? Or is there a way to "cut the load" without dumping it altogether? What is it that is actually burdening me? The feeling that I *need* to make money with the jewelry or the desire to create the jewelry in the first place? And what do I make of the Hearts/Spades partnership?

Position 4: The Foot Position (ruled by the suit of Spades)
EIGHT OF SPADES (Field of Stone)

Note: This position corresponds to the most practical, fundamental areas of life. This might include housing, possessions, career, daily routines, and living habits. One's father is also a possible subject for this position.

This position is ruled by Spades, and I have I have drawn the Eight of Spades here. This is somewhat comforting. Spades can carry largely negative (or negative-seeming) energy, and the Eight of Spades has a history of being considered a card of ill omen (the unluckiest card in the deck). It can suggest difficult karma, obstacles, bad timing, a threat -- or a need to wait and rethink strategies. The fact that my card is dignified in this position does offer a wee bit of hope, but not a lot.

The Foot Position makes me think of the expression "the bottom line." It seems to me that the Eight of Spades is pointing out that my timing is terrible in this case, and that I need to hold off on further expansion until the timing is better. The figure on this card is helpless, tied to a rock. Circumstances (the economy, for example) are beyond my control.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

The reading contains two Red (Heart) cards and two Black (Spades), suggesting a balance of energy. Hearts and Spades are called "The Gravitational Partnership," which indicates security, dependability, practicality, and traditional values. All of this seems encouraging.

GEOMANTIC CALCULATION

Geomancy by Number

The "First Witness" (geomancy by number) indicates the beginning stages of the situation.

The pattern created with the asterisks above is called AMISSIO, ruled by Venus. It represents "A loss. Diminishing. That which is taken or given away. Emptying out. Shedding an 'old skin.' Letting go." Interestingly, in astrology the planet Venus rules jewelry.

Geomancy by Color

This "Second Witness" (geomancy by color) corresponds to the unfolding of circumstances as time progresses.

The total value of the red cards in this reading is 5, an odd number. Therefore, the red cards will be represented by a single asterisk. The black cards will be represented by two asterisks (even).

The pattern created with these asterisks is called FORTUNA MINOR (ruled by the Sun). It represents "Lesser fortune. Exterior protection. Help from outside. Not very positive."

We now combine the testimony of the two "Witnesses" to determine a "Judge."


The Judge is CONJUNCTIO (ruled by Mercury), representing "Connection. The lost being found. Relationship. Contracts. Agreements. Negative coming together with negative. Positive coming together with positive. Generally considered a neutral figure."

Overall, I don't get positive vibes from these cards concerning the matter in question. There seems to be a lot of loss here and almost no encouragement on the horizon. At the same time, the bigger picture shown by the Gravitational Partnership of the Hearts and Spades could suggest that I might be okay if I just "hold steady" right now rather than completely discontinuing the jewelry business. The outlook for the next four weeks isn't good, but the Judge does offer a small amount of encouragement that things may eventually improve.

Let's see what Ana Cortez says about my trial run with her deck:

"Hi Zanna,

Very ambitious and precise with your information I see here. Good job on many counts! I do SO appreciate the recent attention you have given to my work :-)

So regarding your reading. Yes, I see that this is in no way time for expansion, as you yourself surmised. The 8 of Spades being dignified in the Spade position, as you mentioned, gives this card greater gravity and power and always when you push forward with this card you will encounter only obstacles. And so magnified for you in regard to everything most practical. That being said... I would surrender instead to stillness and see what opens up for you in your heart.

There is beautiful heart energy nurturing this reading but it is floating around at the top of the spread. We are going to bring it DOWN. :-) EVENTUALLY :-)  So... the lovers being in the thinking and mental position tells me that you have a dream of absolute devotion to your work, so I would spend some quiet time and ask your heart what it would like in your creative life. Put your hand over your heart and whisper the question directly to it :-) Then listen!!! Write it down, so your head is in sync with your heart.

There is something on it's way out, as witnessed by the 9 in the heart position, so dream with your heart as to what you would like to come to you next. As you mentioned, the three is begging direction and manifestion, and it is the governing energy of this reading (top position). A challenging influence. Again, once you tune in to your heart and ask it what IT wants, new directions will open up for you.

I hope this is helpful.

Fondly and with great thanks,
--Ana C."

To read my recent interview with Ana, please click HERE.

An Interview with Ana Cortez

Ana Cortez

Ana Cortez, the author of The Playing Card Oracles (A Source Book for Divination), describes the book as "the result of a remarkable journey that began more than twenty years ago, a journey not of miles but personal discovery." I invited Ana to join us here at Tarot Notes to talk about her journey and how we all might benefit from what she has learned.

Hello, Ana, and welcome to Tarot Notes: Major and Minor!

Tarot Notes (TN): I love the part of your book where you describe the first time you saw your father's paintings of playing cards. Would you tell our blog readers a little bit about that experience?

Ana Cortez (AC): Certainly! As I remember it, I was in the ninth grade, visiting Dad from out of state, as my parents were not together at that time. Well, my dad’s whole house was kind of like a museum of things strange, to begin with. One day he took me down the narrow creeky staircase to the basement to see his current project. There were teeny tiny rooms - dirt floors - stuffed with stacks of large paintings, the image for the King of Hearts in progress on the easel. He was weird looking, no doubt. Sort of ghostly with  flouncy vermillion attire. My dad showed me how the names of my sister and myself had been worked into the folds of the fabric on this King. Really, to me at the time, it was just one more curious thing my dad was doing.

TN: In the book you mention learning about reading the cards from a woman named Lainy and another woman called Laddy LaDoux. How did those experiences propel you along your path?

AC: Well, Lainy in particular made a huge impression on me in terms of card reading. She was equally as strange as the weird things my dad was collecting in his house. He took her in from the street and taught her card reading. He pasted together a 52-card deck for her using photographs of his paintings from the basement. She had such a peculiar and child-like way of looking at things. She existed in her own magical world. To me (at about age 18), it was the first adult I had ever seen who lived like a child. This is so important in tapping in to messages from the Spirit world - to be like a child. She taught me this.

TN: How old were you when you decided to write a book about reading the cards? Were you inspired or prompted by anything in particular at the time?

AC: I guess I was about 30 or 31 years old, on the heels of a crushing Saturn return. Writing the book was my therapy. Meditating on the cards was a way to focus my energy. Also, along with this, I felt a very palpable calling, or responsibility to write the book. The information that was coming through about the 52-card deck was so profound, so detailed, and so unlike anything else that my dad and I realized we had to document everything.

TN: Would you explain to our readers how a deck of playing cards can be seen as a "time machine"?

AC: Well, it actually is a time machine put into card form. This allows you to shuffle and cycle through time. The numerology in the deck is so obviously derived from natural time keeping. I hear people pull numerological correspondences together as proof for this and that just seems like such a stretch. The 52-card deck is not that way. It is plain, simple, and obvious.

• 52 cards are the 52 weeks of the year and the 52 years of the Mayan cycle.
• The 4 suits are the 4 seasons of that year. 
• The 13 cards in each suit represent the 13 weeks in each season. Did you know there are exactly 13 weeks in each season? I did not know that until I studied the cards. 
• If you add every number in the suit, you get 91 - and there are exactly 91 days in each season.
• 364 numbers total in the deck, corresponds to 364 days in the lunar year. The deck is a lunar or natural calendar. So we must use it as such. There is no known game that uses a calendar, except of course, the game of prophecy.

TN: Do you have a favorite memory or story about a specific reading that you did using the methods you describe in The Playing Card Oracles?

AC: Oh there are so many. I have been reading this way for so long. If I have to choose, it is typically the most recent reading I have done, because they linger with me. To me, to be a good reader, you are always learning from your cards - always maintaining that child-like perspective. When anything feels stagnant it is time to re-evaluate how you are doing your readings. My expectation with each reading is to be the child walking out the door into my very first snowfall.

TN: In the book, you write that geomancy "makes use of the seven original planets of astrology plus the North and South Nodes of the moon." How would you describe the degree of difficulty involved in using geomantic calculations with a playing card deck?

AC: Oh, it is so easy.  I am surprised at how many people assign difficulty to this aspect of the system before they have given it a try. It is as easy as throwing an I-Ching figure. Odd and even. It is not hard. Learning the meanings of the 52 cards and how to lay them out should be more intimidating than learning the 16 figures of geomancy. Plus, always, you pull in the information that is useful in a reading. Not everything on the table is relevant. The amount of information possible in a spread would be overwhelming if you attempted to analyze every single detail. That is not necessary to give a good reading.

TN: Anything else you would like to share with our readers?

AC: I so appreciate the opportunity to give this interview, Zanna! The 52-card deck has existed under a veil for so so long. It is time for the gifts encoded here to come out into the open. We have been in the dark ages for so long, on so many levels. It is no coincidence that the secrets embedded in the deck so many centuries ago are coming out now (like everything else!!), as we approach the galactic center.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To find out more about Ana Cortez and the Playing Card Oracles or to request a reading from Ana Cortez, please visit www.anacortez.com. I highly recommend listening to the recordings of her interviews on Transitions Radio out of Santa Fe, New Mexico, posted on that site!

To read my review of her book The Playing Card Oracles, please click HERE.

To see a practice reading I did with the Playing Card Oracles Divination Deck (with comments by Ana Cortez), please click HERE.

REVIEW (by Zanna): The Playing Card Oracles

REVIEW

The Playing Card Oracles
A Source Book for Divination
by Ana Cortez
Illustrations and essays by C.J. Freeman
256 pages; 9 x 6.5 x 0.8 inches
Published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
ISBN: 1-57281-522-1

[To see a practice/trial run reading I did with the Playing Card Oracles deck, click HERE.]

Before I continue with my review of this marvelous book, I want to make something clear: The book is not about learning how to read ordinary playing cards. [PLEASE NOTE: I am editing this part of the review to avoid confusion. You can definitely use this book to help you interpret ordinary playing cards. However, it is not *purely* for that purpose. The images in the book are not ordinary playing cards, and the text does go into the symbolism and meaning of those images on each card. I just want people to understand up front that this book is not *strictly* about reading ordinary playing cards.]

The purpose of this book is to explain, explore, and elaborate on a system designed to be used with a deck of cards called The Picture Book of Ana Cortez. At this writing, the cards published by U.S. Games are not readily available.* I found a deck through Amazon.com. I plan to share a reading and/or deck interview in the future on this blog. You can purchase the original deck (produced by Two Sisters Press) directly from Ana Cortez. Contact her at ana@anacortez.org. You can also visit her blog at www.anacortez.com.

You can also use the system described in this book with ordinary playing cards. Ana Cortez tells us to "find a deck of playing cards that you like and follow along." You can even use some aspects of this system with Tarot cards. For example, the notes on numerology and the elements can be applied to Tarot cards. I am planning to experiment with using geomancy (as described in this book) with Tarot cards as well.

FROM THE PUBLISHER'S PRODUCT SUMMARY:
"Every now and then a book comes along that is so strikingly original that it can completely change popular perceptions on a given subject. This is one of those books. In this work of poetry and prophecy, a new voice emerges from a rare father-daughter team."

BASIC INFORMATION

The book is divided into three major sections. BOOK ONE contains four parts: Card Symbolism; Preparing for and Doing a Reading; and Something Old, Something New; and Final Frontiers.  BOOK TWO consists of Essays, Notes, and Commentary written by C.J. Freeman. As Ana Cortez explains in her Introduction, the book is a collaboration between her father (C.J. Freeman) and herself. Cortez first saw her father's larger-than-life oil paintings of the cards when she was about 13 or 14 years old. Over the years she came to see what a valuable tool her father's system could be. In the book Cortez includes material on calendar systems, the four elements, alchemy, astrology, and geomancy. The amount of information may seem overwhelming, but the book offers excellent advice: "Take it in pieces, and practice, practice, practice."

APPEARANCE, SIZE, QUALITY

This paperback book measures 9 x 6.5 x 0.8 inches, thus fitting comfortably in the hands. The black and red ink used for the text stand out nicely on the cream-colored stock. For the most part, the type size and style are easy on the eye. I found the scroll-y font used for the titles of the cards to be beautiful but almost unreadable. However, that did not interfere with knowing which card was being discussed.  The paper is good quality and the binding seems sturdy. The book is very well organized and well written. As a professional copy editor, I usually spot numerous typos and other types of errors in the books I read. I saw none in this book. Win!

ART

As might be expected, the illustrations used in the book are from The Picture Book of Ana Cortez, created by Cortez's father, C.J. Freeman. I found the artwork on these cards to be so compelling that I had to purchase the deck. The artwork is highly symbolic and explained clearly in the book. The illustrations in the book are black, white, and red. In contrast, the back cover features images of the cards in full color. I assume that is what I will be receiving. However, I like Cortez's explanation of the red, black, and white color scheme: "To the alchemists, the trinity of black, red, and white was the magical color combination that corresponded to the three essential phases of spiritual evolution."

BOTTOM LINE

I am fascinated by the material included in this book, particularly the information about divinatory geomancy. As I mentioned above, the book is very well written and a pleasure to read. The various spreads presented in the book -- for example, The Cat Spread and The Lost Man Spread -- are intriguing. You don't have to know anything about other divinatory systems, like the Tarot, but I enjoyed comparing and contrasting the descriptions of these cards with my knowledge of Tarot cards. I am really excited about this system and using The Picture Book of Ana Cortez cards, once I receive my order.

Review edited 21OCT11 and 26 OCT11 by Zanna Starr.

* My source at U.S. Games tells me that the company will be reissuing The Picture Book of Ana Cortez cards in a smaller size but printed on better stock.
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In accordance with the FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, I hereby disclose that this book was provided by the publisher for free. Other than the occasional review copy, I receive no monetary or in-kind compensation for my reviews.  The substance of my reviews is not influenced by whether I do or do not receive a review copy.

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