Lesson Three: Cartomancy and Chinese Fortune Sticks
During this lesson, we will take a look at two divination methods: Cartomancy and Chinese Fortune Sticks. Both of these methods are quite popular across the world. When one thinks of divination, at least one of these methods would come to my mind. There is so much to discover with each. I think these will be methods you will enjoy dabbling in, for I do dabble in one of these methods below and get majorly freaked at the seemingly very accurate results.
What is Cartomancy?
Cartomancy, more widely known by its most popular form of tarot reading, is a method of divination by using cards to read insights about the future. Practitioners can use either tarot cards of regular playing cards to perform cartomancy.
Cartomancy began shortly after playing cards found their way to Europe in the fourteenth century, including Italy, Germany, and Spain. In the beginning, the playing cards were read sometimes by help of dice or spinners. Some claim that Tarot reading began as a form of divine wisdom in Ancient Egypt. The first complete Tarot card deck was found in the 15th century in Italy. Although it was created as a card game of chance, the cards quickly became widely used as a way of future-telling. Antoine Court de Gebelin claimed in a volume published in 1781 that he had seen a group of women with the cards and realized the cards were being used for a divine and mystic purpose. His book also goes on to connect the reading of Tarot cards to gypsies (Because according to his books, gypsies were Egyptians roaming Europe). Tarot cards were considered to be the devil's picture book by Dominican preachers.
Cartomancy began shortly after playing cards found their way to Europe in the fourteenth century, including Italy, Germany, and Spain. In the beginning, the playing cards were read sometimes by help of dice or spinners. Some claim that Tarot reading began as a form of divine wisdom in Ancient Egypt. The first complete Tarot card deck was found in the 15th century in Italy. Although it was created as a card game of chance, the cards quickly became widely used as a way of future-telling. Antoine Court de Gebelin claimed in a volume published in 1781 that he had seen a group of women with the cards and realized the cards were being used for a divine and mystic purpose. His book also goes on to connect the reading of Tarot cards to gypsies (Because according to his books, gypsies were Egyptians roaming Europe). Tarot cards were considered to be the devil's picture book by Dominican preachers.
Cartomancy in the Wizarding World
Cartomancy is a wizarding method of divination. Centaurs do not believe in cartomancy at all. Professor Sybil Trelawney was a practitioner of Cartomancy. We know of two incidences where she was seen reading cards (and often correctly). Once, Harry hid from her behind a statue in the castle while she was shuffling cards and came across the knave of spades in her deck. She stated this meant that a troubled dark young man who disliked her was near while stopping right in front of the statue Harry hid behind. She shook it off, disregarding the reading, and continued on her walk, not realizing the truth in that reading. The second time it was mentioned she had been reading cards was again with Harry in the castle later that year. She told him she'd been doing Tarot readings and kept coming across a lightning-struck tower each time, She claimed this to be a seriously ill omen and meant a disaster would be taking place. Dumbledore was indeed killed later that night on the astronomy tower. It seems that Trelawney was quite talented in cartomancy, being that on both occasions we know of, she was correct.
How to Practice Cartomancy
As stated above, there are two ways to practice cartomancy: with playing cards or tarot cards.
Playing Cards
To me, playing cards seem easiest. One shuffles the deck while thinking about the question or problem. Then, draw the cards in no particular order and lay them in front of you. For a simple, quick answer, only draw one card. Pick three cards for answers to the past, present, and future. (First card is past, second card is present, third is future). There are other layouts but these are easiest.
Now that you have drawn your card(s), it is time to read them. Each card in a deck is assigned a meaning. Each suit is associated with an element. Heart is water, club is fire, spade is air, diamond is earth. Some example of meanings are:
Want to see a full list? See the link on the sources page for Playings Cards Meanings!
I personally completed my own reading myself. I pulled out my Harry Potter playing cards and shuffled while thinking of a question about a guy, because I am 25 and have settling down on my mind. I decided to draw 3 cards, because I wanted some answers about the present as well as the future. I received the 7 of diamonds for the past, the 5 of spades for the present, and the K of hearts for the future (which just so happens to be a picture of my favorite HP character Ron Weasley, so that must be a good sign, right?). According to the meanings, my past with this man had an argument about a job (true), but is supposed to be resolved happily (we'll see - it doesn't seem like it recently). My present has opposition and obstacles that are temporary and apparently are a blessing in disguise, caused by negativity or depression (this could be very true as well - the negative and depressed part). Finally, my future is apparently a fair-haired man with a good nature and it continues to describe this man I was thinking of completely (whaaaat.....). So basically we're in a bad place now but all cards are saying we'll will work out in the end.
Err.... perhaps you shouldn't do this reading on yourself. After my own reading, I'm kind of thinking this was a bad idea, because now I'm more confused as ever. And really freaked out about how accurate it seems to be. But mostly confused. Anyways... back to the lesson!
Tarot Cards
There are two ways to read the cards. You can get a tarot card book and memorize all the meanings for all the different cards, or you can use your own intuition to read the cards. After you've decided, shuffle your deck. Then hold the deck and ask it a question. Put the deck on the table and cut the deck in half with your left hand and then put the top half of the deck on the left side. Take the first card on the right side deck and turn it over. For the reading, consider your first thoughts when you looked at your card, what your intuition is telling you, the colors on the card, the action going on in the picture of the card, characters and symbols on the card as you look for its meaning.
Afterwards, reshuffle your deck to prepare for the next reading, whether it is now or days in the future.
Playing Cards
To me, playing cards seem easiest. One shuffles the deck while thinking about the question or problem. Then, draw the cards in no particular order and lay them in front of you. For a simple, quick answer, only draw one card. Pick three cards for answers to the past, present, and future. (First card is past, second card is present, third is future). There are other layouts but these are easiest.
Now that you have drawn your card(s), it is time to read them. Each card in a deck is assigned a meaning. Each suit is associated with an element. Heart is water, club is fire, spade is air, diamond is earth. Some example of meanings are:
- Ten of hearts - good luck or success.
- Five of clubs - new friendships are made.
- Ten of spades - worry, bad news.
- Three of diamonds - a legal matter.
Want to see a full list? See the link on the sources page for Playings Cards Meanings!
I personally completed my own reading myself. I pulled out my Harry Potter playing cards and shuffled while thinking of a question about a guy, because I am 25 and have settling down on my mind. I decided to draw 3 cards, because I wanted some answers about the present as well as the future. I received the 7 of diamonds for the past, the 5 of spades for the present, and the K of hearts for the future (which just so happens to be a picture of my favorite HP character Ron Weasley, so that must be a good sign, right?). According to the meanings, my past with this man had an argument about a job (true), but is supposed to be resolved happily (we'll see - it doesn't seem like it recently). My present has opposition and obstacles that are temporary and apparently are a blessing in disguise, caused by negativity or depression (this could be very true as well - the negative and depressed part). Finally, my future is apparently a fair-haired man with a good nature and it continues to describe this man I was thinking of completely (whaaaat.....). So basically we're in a bad place now but all cards are saying we'll will work out in the end.
Err.... perhaps you shouldn't do this reading on yourself. After my own reading, I'm kind of thinking this was a bad idea, because now I'm more confused as ever. And really freaked out about how accurate it seems to be. But mostly confused. Anyways... back to the lesson!
Tarot Cards
There are two ways to read the cards. You can get a tarot card book and memorize all the meanings for all the different cards, or you can use your own intuition to read the cards. After you've decided, shuffle your deck. Then hold the deck and ask it a question. Put the deck on the table and cut the deck in half with your left hand and then put the top half of the deck on the left side. Take the first card on the right side deck and turn it over. For the reading, consider your first thoughts when you looked at your card, what your intuition is telling you, the colors on the card, the action going on in the picture of the card, characters and symbols on the card as you look for its meaning.
Afterwards, reshuffle your deck to prepare for the next reading, whether it is now or days in the future.
What is Chinese Fortune Sticks?
Chinese Fortune Sticks, or Kau cim, is a method of divination where answers to questions are given by a sacred oracle lot. It is usually performed in front of a Buddhist or Taoist altar in China. Since the twentieth century, an American version called Chi Chi Sticks have been sold. Chinese Fortune Sticks began around the third century during the Jin dynasty. Chinese Fortune Sticks seemed to stay predominantly in China until 1915, when Chi Chi Sticks were introduced in San Francisco, California.
Chinese Fortune Sticks in the Wizarding World
In the wizarding world, Chinese Fortune Sticks were popular, but it does not appear that they were popular in Divination class. There is no mention of it ever being taught in Divination at Hogwarts. Instead, the fortune sticks were popular in shopping. Zonko's Joke Shop sells Chinese Fortune Sticks; 78 fortune sticks per each container. You can still find Chinese Fortune Sticks on your next trip to Zonko's!
How Do I Practice Chinese Fortune Sticks?
The fortune sticks come in a cup or tube made of bamboo. Each stick has a number on it, and each number has a different outcome. No two sticks are the same.
Begin with the sticks inside the cup. It is usually followed after giving devotion to a deity. Then, purify the cup by revolving it three times around the incense burner while mixing the sticks by hand. Then, ask your question through prayer by holding the cup between your hands. Then, shake the cup, tilting it slightly downward, until one stick falls out. If more than one sticks fall out, do it again and only take the one that drops out by itself. When it falls out, look at the number, then find the matching message on the piece of paper with each stick's meaning.
Begin with the sticks inside the cup. It is usually followed after giving devotion to a deity. Then, purify the cup by revolving it three times around the incense burner while mixing the sticks by hand. Then, ask your question through prayer by holding the cup between your hands. Then, shake the cup, tilting it slightly downward, until one stick falls out. If more than one sticks fall out, do it again and only take the one that drops out by itself. When it falls out, look at the number, then find the matching message on the piece of paper with each stick's meaning.