If you’re caught without your Tarot cards, you can make do with ordinary playing cards. The Romany gypsies traditionally did their readings this way. Tarot cards came into common use much later, as they were far too rare and expensive for common usage.

 

You have to manage without the Major Arcana, but the suit correspondences go as follows:

 

Spades/Swords

 

Practical issues, Rational thought, Trouble, Strife, Authority, Health, Logical solutions, Direct action, Spades urges one to analyze, then make a balanced decision using both logic and intuition, then find the courage to stand noble and take action, progress is born out of change.

 

Clubs/Wands

 

Inspiration, Creativity, Passion, Energy, Fire, Imagination, Negotiation, Courage to seize the moment,  Determination through the power of positive thought, Willpower, Clubs remind one that a thought acted upon becomes a tangible reality, Clubs tell one that a dream is only a dream when one does nothing to bring it to life.

 

Hearts/Cups

 

Emotions, Feelings, Compassion, Desires, Love given and received, Matters of the heart, Often feelings are influenced by people, surroundings and events, The suit of hearts beckons to prepare for and examine emotional changes, Understanding one’s own feelings is the key to controlling one’s  own happiness.

 

Diamonds/Pentacles

 

Worldly treasures, Finances, Possessions, Physical skills, Tangible resources, Investments, Physical work, House and home, Family, Diamonds tell where one’s physical energy needs to be employed and warns against waste, Diamonds asks one to examine the balance - Effort versus Reward – both must be equal for a truly harmonious life.

 

It’s quite a useful skill to practice, especially when you’re learning. You have to focus on straight forward answers, and recall the pictures on your Tarot cards to help match them to the playing cards. It’s an excellent learning exercise, plus a handy skill to have at parties!