Cartomancy: The Art of Fortune Telling With Playing Cards by Sophia Buckland is great for learning cartomancy. I had the book gifted to me in jail, I copied it down and re-gifted it but upon being released from jail bought it on Amazon Kindle again. I couldn't find a free PDF for you but I'll give to a tutorial on how to read using my favorite method and spread. I have also included the card meanings and unique names I have given them based on their properties, you can name them whatever. There are several other methods and spreads. Card combinations also factor in and I will include these as well.
The 32 Card Method -
Only use the King, Queen, Jack, Ace, 10, 9, 8 and 7 of each suit stacked in that order also in the suit order of Diamonds, Hearts, Spades then Clubs beginning with Diamonds on the top then Clubs on the bottom of the deck. I remember that order as 'you give the diamonds to the girl to get her heart and you protect her optimally with a spade then a club' (weird memorizing technique, huh). You or the person you are reading for chooses a king or queen of any suit as the 'consultant' which symbolizes the person.
Card meanings - Each card has an upright and reverse meaning. You should put something like a pentagram in the top right corner of each card so you can tell when it is in reverse.
King of Diamonds:
Upright - [Military Man] A man who is most likely military, police or something similar. They are often angry, vendictive and aggressive
Reverse - [Country Man] A man who is often from a rural lifestyle who is hard-working and sweet but can also be severe.
Queen of Diamonds:
Upright - [Kind Talkative Woman] A sweet woman who is sociable, economically wise, loyal in marriage but until married can be a big flirt. Is fairly likely to be from a rural background.
Reverse - [Meddlesome Woman/Unexpected] Usually a woman that wishes the person being read to be harmed or done wrong in some way. It could also just mean unexpected harm from someone.
Jack of Diamonds:
Upright - [Good Stranger/Soldier] A kind, strong, loyal and prodigious young man but can have a temper.
Reverse - [Servant/Worker] Usually someone in a career where they are constantly serving people. Such as food, housemaid, mailman job etc.
Ace of Diamonds:
Upright and Reversed [A Paper] - Both symbolize a paper, letter, document, petition, etc.
Ten of Diamonds:
Upright and Reversed - [Sea, Water, Gold, Foreign City, Change of Locality] This card can pertain to any of the names of it or one or some of the names being a result of the others. Finding work in a new location, going on vacation from obtaining a sum of money, simply traveling, simply traveling via water, etc.
Nine of Diamonds:
Upright - [Advantage/Gain]
Somehow advancing, gaining something, success.
Reverse - [Delay/Misfortune]
Somehow being delayed or experiencing misfortune, poverty.
Eight of Diamonds:
Upright - [Country/Riches] The country or wealth. I find the wealth is often obtained from agriculture or naturally obtained produce but this isn't necessarily true and it's my personal note.
Reverse - [Sorrow/Movement] To experience sadness, to move forward or proceed with something.
Seven of Diamonds
Upright - [Conversation/Good News] A good talk with someone or multiple people, good news of some sort
Reverse - [Creation/Large Amount/Birth] Creative energies, creating something, a large amount of something, the birth of something perhaps a child.
King of Hearts:
Upright - [Advocate/Statesman] A man advocating on your behalf or someone else, someone that works for the state, often times a lawyer.
Reverse - [Tutor/Man in Anger/Office] A tutor of any kind who is often very angry, a man in office often times a deceitful, crooked politician.
Queen of Diamonds:
Upright - [Friendly Woman/Justice] An honest, friendly, and understand woman who often times can be a female court judge.
Reverse - [Dishonorable Woman] A woman who is dishonorable in some way, often times tries to get someone to cheat on their lover, possibly a female sex worker
Jack of Hearts:
Upright - [Fortunate Strong Man] A smart and fortunate man, can also symbolize journeys
Reverse - [Evil Desires/Longing]
A man that leads a woman on, a womanizer, lecher, a cheater, depraved and sick.
Ace of Hearts:
Upright - [House/Festivity]
The house, a festivity, harmony on the home, a house party
Reverse - [Disorderly Home/Forced Enjoyment/News] Lack of harmony in the home, company of other you aren't particularly enjoying, News of any kind
Ten of Hearts:
Upright - [Metropolis/Envy] The city, crowds, envy, envious people in the city or simple just ennvious people
Reverse - [Inheritance, Relatives, Bad Surprise] Inheritance that is often obtained from a misfortune such as the death of a family member, interactions with relatives, a bad surprise of any kind
Nine of Hearts:
Upright - [Victory/Union/Labor/A Gift] Victory of any kind, union, harmony, labor, a gift, the fruits of one's labor
Reverse - [Weariness/Curiosity/Obstacle] Growing weary of something such as a career or relationship, growing curious of new possibilities, an obstacle or inhibition in your life
Eight of Hearts:
Upright - [Honest Girl/Success]
An honest woman or a success of any kind
Reverse - [Noise/Quarrel/Great Joy/Means of Satisfaction] Often times symbolizes a woman who is a great joy but can be argumentative, it can also be independently of an actual person and can simply symbolize noise, quarreling, great joy, or something satisfying
Seven of Hearts:
Upright - [Thought/Arm/Jewel/Soul/Solitude] Simply means any of the things in the card name
Reverse - [Package/Desire/Repulsion] A package of any kind, the desire of things particularly material, repulsion from anything, often times the disgust from others for unnecessary spending
King of Spades:
Upright - [Business Man] An honorable, ambitious business man
Reverse - [Wicked Man] A man who may be abusive, cruel, deceptive, perverse, a cheater
Queen of Spades:
Upright - [Wary Woman/Widow] A woman who is wary or untrusting of people, she may have been hurt in love, she may be a widow.
Reverse - [Evil Woman] A cunning, wild, and malicious woman
Jack of Spades:
Upright - [Good Friend/Messenger/Critic]
A valuable friend who is loyal and self-sacrificing,Someone delivering a messenger or a critic, often times a friend giving you good advice that you may or may not like, but it's good advice.
Reverse - [Spy/Betrayer of Secrets] A spy or someone invading someones privacy, someone who will compromise secrets
Ace of Spades:
Upright - [Sorrow/Paper/Ship] Sorrow usually pertaining to unsuccessful love endeavors, any kind of paper relating to law matters, a voyage across water
Reverse - [Pregnancy/Decline] Bearing children, the creation of life, the downfall of something, decrease
Ten of Spades:
Upright - [Jealousy/Sadness] Jealousy or sadness of any kind, it could be the combination of the two or them resulting from each other.
Reverse - [Loss/Secret] A loss of any kind, secrecy, mystery, the occult
Nine of Spades:
Upright - [Priest, Mourning, Sadness] A priest of any kind, religious corruption, mourning and sorrow of any kind, a death
Reverse - [Failure/ Abandonment/Delay] A failure, being abandoned, a delay in something
Eight of Spades:
Upright - [Sickness/Bad News/Wisdom] Sickness of any kind, bad news often relating to someone's sickness or impending death, wisdom of any kind, in my opinion the wisdom to prevent the sickness and death
Reverse - [Desire/Ambition/Peaceful] Desire of any kind, ambition, peace, a peaceful and spiritual person
Seven of Spades:
Upright - [Coffin/Hope]
The possible impending death of a loved one, hope in general, hope for the preservation of said persons life
Reverse - [Good Advice/Friendship/Indecision] Good advice, friendship, indecision, indecision on how to proceed from getting the good advice of a friend
King of Clubs:
Upright - [Affectionate Business Man] A business man who is very affectionate and supportive both emotionally and financially
Reverse - [Vicious Man] A man of vice, has problems with addiction, is bad mannered, is uncleanly
Queen of Clubs:
Upright - [Tender Wealthy Woman] A kind and wealthy woman with class, style and swagger, is very good at speaking and has a vast vocabulary
Reverse - [Charming Ignorant Woman] A charming and flirtatious woman who isn't very bright and relies on her charm to progress in the world.
Jack of Clubs:
Upright - [Loving Prodigy] A loving, studied and prodigious young man who is very generous
Reverse - [Frenzied Bachelor] A young man who is overambitious and gets angry over his inability to reach his goals regardless of how great he may be.
Ace of Clubs:
Upright - [Riches] The most fortunate card pertaining to obtaining wealth, gifts and delights of any kind
Reverse - [Nobility/Love/A Present] A nobleman or man of power, Love, A present, probably love and a present from a nobleman, perhaps a proposal
10 of Clubs
Upright - [Gain/Future] You will gain tremendously from something or someone possibly due to the death of someone, the future, the afterlife
Reverse - [Lover] Concerning a current lover, or a new lover is approaching
9 of Clubs:
Upright - [The Present/Effect/Indiscretion] The present, now, effect, result, indiscretion, uncertainty, want of foresight
chaos, mistakes, disgrace
Reverse - [Gift/Gamble] A gift, gambling, company of gamblers, taking chances, a gift to or from someone earned by gambling or taking a chance
Eight of Clubs:
Upright - [Virtuous Girl] A polite and courteous lady who isn't permiscous and is very hospitable.
Reverse - [Vanity/Selfish Girl/Removal/Departure] Vanity, a selfish woman who you may take interest in but will meet disaster and departure from the lady, could simply mean the removal or departure of someone or something.
Seven of Clubs:
Upright - [Money Trifle/Family/Child/Gathering] A dispute over money or finances, conserving money, family, a child or childish behavior, a gathering, perhaps a family gathering,
Reverse - [Embarrassment/Hindrance] Something embarrassing, feeling or being portrayed as an embarrassment,something hindering or preventing you from proceeding with something, perhaps being hindered by embarrassment
Always remember with the card meanings, it doesn't always mean each meaning associated with the card. It can mean merely one of the meanings or multiple. You must use your intuition to read it properly.
Combinations of Cards - Combinations are only valid if they are in a succession or row. Meaning they must be right next to each other reading left to right.
Court Cards:
Four Aces.—When these fall together they imply danger, financial loss, separation from friends, love troubles, and, under some conditions, imprisonment. The evil is mitigated in proportion to the number of them that are reversed.
Three Aces.—Passing troubles, relieved by good news, faithlessness of a lover and consequent sorrow. If reversed, they mean foolish excess.
Two Aces.—These portend union; if hearts and clubs it will be for good, if diamonds and spades, for evil, probably the outcome of jealousy. If one or both be reversed, the object of the union will fail.
Four Kings.—Honours, preferment, good appointments. Reversed, the good things will be of less value, but will arrive earlier.
Three Kings.—Serious matters will be taken in hand with the best result, unless any of the three cards be reversed, when it will be doubtful.
Two Kings.—Co-operation in business, upright conduct and prudent enterprises to be crowned with success. Each one reversed represents an obstacle. All three reversed spell utter failure.
Four Queens.—A social gathering which may be spoilt by one or more being reversed.
Three Queens.—Friendly visits. Reversed, scandal, gossip, and possibly bodily danger to the inquirer.
Two Queens.—Petty confidences interchanged, secrets betrayed, a meeting between friends. When both are reversed there will be suffering for the inquirer resulting from his own acts. Only one reversed means rivalry.
Four Knaves(Spades).—Roistering and noisy conviviality. Any of them reversed lessens the evil.
Three Knaves.—Worries and vexations from acquaintances, slander calling the inquirer's honour in question. Reversed, it foretells a passage at arms with a social inferior.
Two Knaves.—Loss of goods, malicious schemes. If both are reversed the trouble is imminent; if one only, it is near.
Combinations of Plain Cards.
Four Tens.—Good fortune, wealth, success in whatever enterprise is in hand. The more there are reversed, the greater number of obstacles in the way.
Three Tens.—Ruin brought about by litigation. When reversed the evil is decreased.
Two Tens.—Unexpected luck, which may be connected with a change of occupation. If one be reversed it will come soon, within a few weeks possibly; if both are reversed, it is a long way off.
Four Nines.—Accomplishment of unexpected events. The number that are reversed stand for the time to elapse before the fulfilment of the surprise.
Three Nines.—Health, wealth, and happiness. Reversed, discussions and temporary financial difficulties caused by imprudence.
Two Nines.—Prosperity and contentment, possibly accompanied by business matter, testamentary documents, and possibly a change of residence. Reversed, small worries.
Four Eights.—Mingled success and failure attending a journey or the taking up of a new position. Reversed, undisturbed stability.
Three Eights.—Thoughts of love and marriage, new
family ties, honourable intentions. Reversed, flirtation, dissipation and foolishness.
Two Eights.—Frivolous pleasures, passing love fancies, an unlooked-for development. Reversed, paying the price of folly.
Four Sevens.—Schemes and snares, intrigue prompted by evil passions, contention and opposition. Reversed, small scores off impotent enemies.
Three Sevens.—Sadness from loss of friends, ill-health, remorse. Reversed, slight ailments or unpleasant reaction after great pleasure.
Two Sevens.—Mutual love, an unexpected event Reversed, faithlessness, deceit or regret.
Various Cards Read Together.
The ten of diamonds next to the seven of spades means certain delay.
The ten of diamonds with the eight of clubs tells of a journey undertaken in the cause of love.
The nine of diamonds with the eight of hearts foretells for certain a journey.
The eight of diamonds with the eight of hearts means considerable undertakings; with the eight of spades there will be sickness; and with the eight of clubs there is deep and lasting love.
The seven of diamonds with the queen of diamonds tells of a very serious quarrel; with the queen of clubs we may look for uncertainty; with the queen of hearts there will be good news.
The ten of clubs followed by an ace means a large sum of money; should these two cards be followed by an eight and a king, an offer of marriage is to be expected.
When the nine, ace, and ten of diamonds fall together we may look for important news from a distance; and if a court card comes out after them a journey will become necessary.
The eight and seven of diamonds in conjunction imply the existence of gossip and chatter to be traced to the inquirer.
When the king, queen, knave, and ace of one colour appear
in sequence it is a sign of marriage; should the queen of spades and the knave of hearts be near, it shows there are obstacles in the way; the proximity of the eight of spades bodes ill to the couple in question, but their happiness will be assured by the presence of the eight of hearts and the eight of clubs.
The ace of diamonds and the ten of hearts also foretell wedding bells.
The seven of spades, with either a court card or the two of its own suit, betrays the existence of a false friend.
The eight and five of spades coming together tell of jealousy that will find vent in malicious conduct.
A number of small spades in sequence are significant of financial loss, possibly amounting to ruin.
The king of hearts and the nine of hearts form a lucky combination for lovers.
The nine of clubs joined to the nine of hearts is indicative of affairs connected with a will likely to benefit the inquirer.
The queen of spades is the sign of widowhood, but if accompanied by the knave of her own suit she is symbolical of a woman who is hostile and dangerous to the inquirer.
General Meaning of the Several Suits.
Hearts, as might well be supposed, are specially 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 mainly representative of financial matters. small and great, with a generally favourable signification.
Clubs are the happiest omens of all. They stand for worldly prosperity, a happy home life with intelligent pleasures and successful undertakings.
Spades, on the other hand, forebode evil. They speak of sickness, death, monetary losses and anxieties, separation from friends and dear ones, to say nothing of the minor worries of life. They are also representative of love, unaccompanied by reverence or respect, and appealing exclusively to the senses.
Some Lesser Points to Notice.
When a number of court cards fall together it is a sign of hospitality, festive social intercourse, and gaiety of all kinds. Married people who seek to read the cards must represent their own life partner by the king or queen of the suit they have chosen for themselves, regardless of anything else. For example, a very dark man, the king of spades, must consider his wife represented by the queen of spades, even though she may be as fair as a lily and not yet a widow.
Bachelors and spinsters may choose cards to personate their lovers and friends according to their colouring. Two red tens coming together foretell a wedding, and two red eights promise new garments to the inquirer.
A court card placed between two cards of the same grade—for instance, two nines, two sevens, &c., shows that the one represented by that card is threatened by the clutches of the law, and may be lodged at His Majesty's expense.
It is considered a good augury of success when, in dealing the cards out, those of lesser value than the knave are in the majority, especially if they are clubs.
Should a military man consult the cards he must always be represented by the king of diamonds.
It is always essential to cut cards with the left hand, there being a long-established idea that it is more intimately connected with the heart than the right. A round table is generally preferred by those who are in the habit of practising cartomancy. It is a matter of opinion as to whether the cards speak with the same clearness and accuracy when consulted by the inquirer without an intermediary. The services of an adept are generally supposed to be of great advantage, even when people have mastered the rudiments of cartomancy themselves.
Patience, the power of putting two and two together, a quick intuitive perception, and a touch of mysticism in the character, are all useful factors in the pursuit of this pastime.
21 Card Spread - shuffle the 32 cards and have you or the one being read cut the deck with their left hand. Withdraw the first 11 starting from the top of the deck and discard them. The remaining 21 cards are shuffled and cut as mentioned before. Place the first card of the deck aside for the 'surprise'. The 'surprise' card tends to shed light on the whole message of the reading. If the 'consultant' isn't in these 21 cards, retrieve it from the discarded pile and lay it aside and proceed to read the cards as the consultant being an imaginary last card with each reading. Read the 20 cards from left to right, then the surprise. Gather the 21 cards up, shuffle then cut and lay one aside in an orderly fashion for the next three surprises to be read at the end of the reading. Lay them out in rows of 7, 7, then 6. The person being read picks a row and you read just that row(but not the surprise this time, that's for the end of the reading). Gather the 20 cards (not the surprise), shuffle then cut, put another in the orderly row of 'surprises', lay out in rows of 7, 6, then 6, have them pick a row again, read it. Gather the 19 cards up, shuffle then cut, lay the final surprise in its row, lay out in the order of 6, 6 and 6(cool huh?), have them pick a row again and now read it along with the 3 surprises (in an orderly fashion hopefully). Reading complete.
