From the Melanated Man:

Another post on the true meaning of one of America’s favorite play toy: the deck of cards. From Poker to to Tunk to Spades, the deck of cards is a staple we truly enjoy.  But like many things, it’s original purpose has been forgotten.

Take it from here Dr. Afrika…

Per African Holistic Health by Llaila Afrika:

The Caucasians have reduced the deck of cards to a play toy. they are African in origin and had the symbolism of Egyptian Tarot cards and African astrology and spirituality. The cards were used to teach astrology, astronomy, mathematics, divining, spirituality, and to diagnose and treat diseases. A deck of cards has…

Two Colors: Red and Black; active and passive; positive and negative; Male Principle and Female Principle; Masculine Signs (Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, Aquarius and Feminine Signs (Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, Pisces).

Four Suits: Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds, Spades; the four elements (fire,water,air, earth); the four seasons.

Twelve Court Cards: Kings, Queens, Jacks; the twelve months of the year.

52 cards: The 52 weeks of the year.

13 Cards in each Suit: The 12 signs of the zodiac and the sun; the body of Osiris that was cut into 13 pieces (dis-membered, so we must re-member).

Values of Numbers: Seven and nine. The number seven (7) is the center of each suit. Ancients believe there were seven planers. They are heavenly forces (seven planets) that symbolize Chakras; Ma’at and the Seven Halls of Osiris. There are seven days to a week. The number nine (9) as the last single number. The Cycle of experience; the number that includes all planets; and is the highest digit. After nine, there is “0” and the sequence starts over with “1.” There are nine holes in the body (umbilical navel hole is closed.)

The Joker: The “remnant of days” beyond the logical seven times fifty-two, to total our required 365 1/4 days for the Sun’s travel in the solar year. This is more fully explained in the Mystic Text Book. the Joker is the “highest” symbol in the deck. Usually pictured as fate in a fools clothes. It is rejected or “played wild” in Caucasian card games. Its true significance is identical with that of the “0” or “Fool Card,” in Egyptian Tarot. It also symbolizes “1” day that is part of the 365 1/4  day solar year. It is the spiritual element that completes the earth’s existence (365 days).

Basic Characteristics of Personality or Disease

Fire Sign Hearts=Aries,Leo, Sagittarius

Earth Sign Spades=Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn

Air Sign Diamonds=Gemini, Libra, Aquarius

Water Sign Clubs=Cancer,Scorpio, Pisces

 

Quality of Personality or Disease

Cardinal (Outgoing, initiators, aggressive, illness) = Aries (Hearts), Cancer (Club), Libra (Diamond), Capricorn (Spade).

Fixed (resist change,originators, severe disease)=Taurus (Spade),Leo (Hearts), Scorpio (Club), Aquarius (Diamond)

Mutable (flexible, versatile, healing is fast) = Gemini (Diamond), Virgo (Spade) Sagittarius (Heart), Pisces (Club)

 

Suits of Cards

The order corresponds to the Seasons: Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds, Spades or Spring, Summer, Harvest, Winter.

The next time you decide to jump into a game of Spades or Texas Hold Em’, remember what that deck of cards truly stands for.

Peace and love to my melanated family,

The Melanated Man