When the Cards Come Back - On Spirits Within The Deck
On this night of the thinnest veil between this world and that of spirits, I want to talk about our beloved decks—and the spirits attached to them.
I have a theory that good friends always find their way back to you, even after many years of absence. I treat my card decks much the same. It may not be the exact same deck, but those carrying the same imagery have a way of returning to me after long intervals, as if to say that some bonds simply do not fade.
In my experience, decks can house helping spirits—or have a spirit bound to them. When I draw cards, I often speak directly to this presence. I ask it to work with me, to guide my hands so that the cards fall into the right places. Then I listen for my own spirit patrons to whisper where to look, what to notice, and how to connect the signs. Each of us has a way of conversing with the cards; this just happens to be mine.
Try, if you wish, to recognize whether one of your decks carries a particular spirit. I happen to know one well. It is bound to a set of beautiful German playing cards that have followed me since childhood. The originals were made by Ass Altenburger, and we first used them to play games. I loved the court figures—their faces, colors, and postures—so much that, when I began reading cards as a teenager, this became one of my earliest cartomantic tools.
Altenburger still produces the deck, though the modern printings have lost much of their former charm. The images are coarser, the colors flatter, and some cards bear intrusive serial numbers that disrupt the visual flow. For years I did not use them.
Then, a few weeks ago, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that a small factory—Stralsunder Spielkarten Fabrik—has begun reproducing the same deck in its original 19th-century form under the name Berliner Bilders. Stralsunder was historically connected to Altenburger, and the revived workshop now focuses on a curated selection of heritage designs. Their work is meticulous, and I intend to encourage them to bring back more of the old Stralsunder decks that once embodied such quiet artistry.
Of course, I asked the cards why they—and she—had found their way back to me.
Salonkarte - Skat - Berliner Bild, made by Speilkarten Fabrik. The original design is from 19th-century card makers W. Falkenberg & Co.
Queen of Hearts, Jack of Hearts, Queen of Clubs.
The spirit tied to this deck has always revealed herself as the Queen of Clubs, so it was a pleasant confirmation to see her appear. In this spread, she is sent to me (with the King of Hearts appearing as the base card) by the ancestral line represented by the Queen and Jack of Hearts—to act once again as a helping familiar in divination, guiding my hand and sight.
So I say, welcome back, dear old friend.
And to all who read this on All Hallows’ night, may your own spirits speak clearly. Some friends never truly leave us; they simply wait for the right moment to return, shuffling their way back into our lives through the cards.
You may also like exploring other writings on playing cards and cartomancy — visit all articles under the Playing Cards tag to continue reading.
And if the cards are calling, you can book a reading with me—whether focused or in-depth, each is tailored to your question and guided by the same living spirit of the cards.
