Part 15

Strange; unaccustomed; unknown; unheard of; unusual; unwonted; surprising; admirable; marvelous; prodigious; miracle; episode; digression; anonymous.

When employed as a representative of a person, it denotes a light haired, unmarried man, who, although one of your nearest relations, will sacrifice your interests to his own; a person of stubbornness; hot headed and hasty, tenacious of his own opinions and unable to brook contradiction.

JACK OF DIAMONDS--Reversed. This card's signification is a public or private servant; and in the latter case, without reference to gender, either a male or female domestic. Its synonyms therefore are in accordance with its acceptation:

Servant; waiter; valet; chambermaid; lady's maid; a subordinate; an inferior; a hireling; condition of one employed; servitude; postman; errand boy; messenger; agent; expressman; newsman; message; announcement; commission; directions; a household; relative to post office and the transmission of messages.

ACE OF DIAMONDS--It is a matter of perfect indifference whether this card assumes its place in the oracle in an upright or reversed position, as its primary signification is in no wise varied, although of a most comprehensive nature, being, expressing generally, a letter, a note, a paper, a petition, etc.

It requires, however, a great deal of attention to discriminate between the manifold significations of this all-important card, which is governed in a great measure by the cards coming next to it, otherwise the interpreter may be entirely baffled in comprehending the intent of the oracle.

The general synonyms of the ace of diamonds are:

Epistle; writings; the art of writing; grammar; Holy Writ; text; literature; doctrine; erudition; literary labor; book; correspondence; composition; alphabet; elements of all learning; principles; bonds; bills of exchange; notes of hand; evidence of indebtedness.

With the seven of spades, reversed, coming next to it, this card denotes the existence of a law suit, in which case we have synonyms, founded on the following basis:

Deed; covenant; agreement; law paper; writs; warrants; litigation; differences; contestations; disputes; discussions; bickering; contest; strife; discord; contradiction; stratagem; trick; broil; pettifogging; wrangling.

TEN OF DIAMONDS--Like its companion, the ace, which with this card form the only two in the pack possessing this peculiar quality, the ten of diamonds preserves its value and signification, whether it emerges either upright or reversed. The primary significations of this card are gold, water, the sea, a foreign city, change of locality.

As the representative of gold its synonyms are:

Riches; opulence; magnificence; splendor; éclat; sumptuousness; luxury; abundance; means.

When its signification is assumed relative to water and the sea, the synonyms assume both a specific and general nature:

Fluid; humid; ablution; dew; rain; deluge; inundation; the ocean; river; torrent; stream; fountain; source; lake; pond; cascade; falls.

When the surrounding cards designate this one to be accepted as representing a foreign city, its synonyms are:

Traveler; traveling; foreign parts; beyond the sea; homeless; wanderer; wandering abroad; trading; commerce; a sailor; ships; refuge; exile.

When accepted to signify a change in locality, the synonyms, in addition to preservation of its original meaning of a mere change in domicile, or habitation, are inferentially extended to embrace a wider scope, such as:

Departure; displacement; journey; pilgrimage; peregrination; steps; motion; visits; excursions; incursions; emigration; immigration; transmigration; flight; tour; rotation; circulation; deportation; rout; defeat; overthrow; bewilderment; disconcert; to break one's allegiance; desertion; disinheritance; alienation; alien; a foreigner; houseless.

It will be seen that with the varied significations which can be given to this card, it is one of the most important in the pack.

NINE OF DIAMONDS--Upright. When coming forth in its natural position, this card is one of particular good omen, as it foretells great success in business operations and consequent gain. Its primary meaning comprehends the grand mainspring to human exertion, enterprise, while at the same time it assures you of the desired result, advantage or gain. Viewed as such its synonyms are, as to enterprise in the first instance:

To undertake; to commence; to usurp; to take possession of; audacity; boldness; hardihood; impudence; rashness; speculative; speculation; fearless in trade; in love.

When taken to represent advantage, the synonyms are:

Gain; profit; lucre; success; thanks; favor; benefit; ascendency; power; empire; authority; government; rule; glory; reputation; happy results; profitable end; victory; cure; fulfillment; termination; satisfaction.

NINE OF DIAMONDS--Reversed. We have the other side of the picture, for this card, coming up reversed portends the occurrence of dire mishaps and abject despoliation with its concomitant poverty. In view of this immense difference in the value and signification of this one and the same card in its two positions, too much care cannot be taken to mark the way in which it emerges.

In its modified signification of delay, its synonyms are:

Disarranged; sent back; suspension; variation; wavering; slowness; relenting; obstacle; impediment; misfortune; adversity; accidental injuries; miscarriage.

But viewed in its more bitter light as spoliation and poverty, its synonyms are: