A BIRTHDAY MESSAGE FROM THE CARDS
We have seen this fortunetelling game played at many parties and other gatherings, and it has always caused a good deal of innocent amusement.
First of all, an ordinary pack is taken and the court cards are withdrawn from it. They alone are used, while the numeral cards are put on one side. These court cards are shuffled and the players sit around the table.
One of the players is appointed as the seer. He or she takes the twelve cards, spreads them out in a fan, face down, and the first player selects one. When this card is withdrawn from the fan, it is turned up. While everybody looks at the chosen card, the seer asks the player the date of his or her birth. On hearing the date, the seer notes whether it comes under the heading, spring, summer, autumn or winter. Then he reckons:
(a) Any date in March, April or May as spring.
(b) Any in June, July or August as summer.
(c) Any in September, October or November as autumn.
(d) Any in December, January or February as winter.
Next, he looks down the appropriate section, given below, and reads out the message, according to the card which the player has withdrawn from the fan.
That completes the business for the first player and the performance is gone through afresh, in exactly the same way, for the second and all subsequent people taking part in the game.
Here are the messages provided by each card:
Spring
KING OF HEARTS.—Kindness to an elderly person will result in financial gain to you.
QUEEN OF HEARTS.—A friendship will grow into love, quite unexpectedly.
JACK OF HEARTS.—You are advised not to marry the one that is good looking.
KING OF CLUBS.—You will have a love letter that will cause you some surprise.
QUEEN OF CLUBS.—Show more affection. Coldness is unlikely to bring you happiness.
JACK OF CLUBS.—Money will mean much in your matrimonial affairs.
KING OF DIAMONDS.—The one you look upon as your best friend is a "dark horse."
QUEEN OF DIAMONDS.—You are marked out for fortune's smile.
JACK OF DIAMONDS.—A light-haired woman is anxious to do you a good turn.
KING OF SPADES.—Be very charming to the person with blue eyes.
QUEEN OF SPADES.—You are shortly to come into money.
JACK OF SPADES.—A sudden change in domestic affairs is imminent.
Summer
KING OF HEARTS.—An old acquaintance of whom you have lost sight will return into your life.
QUEEN OF HEARTS.—That for which you have been longing is not far off.
JACK OF HEARTS.—A telephone call will revive some old memories which will please you.
KING OF CLUBS.—Show your love and your love will be returned.
QUEEN OF CLUBS.—A stranger will assist you to good fortune.
JACK OF CLUBS.—You will attend a wedding and something will happen there which will surprise you.
KING OF DIAMONDS.—You are wanted overseas, but do not be in a hurry to accept the invitation.
QUEEN OF DIAMONDS.—You will find happiness most where money abounds.
JACK OF DIAMONDS.—You have remarkable powers which you are not fully using.
KING OF SPADES.—Your happiness lies in marriage. Treat the one who is to be your partner with consideration.
QUEEN OF SPADES.—Live more in the open air and many kinds of happiness will come of it.
JACK OF SPADES.—Be careful to hide your feelings.
Autumn
KING OF HEARTS.—A close relation will share some good luck with you.
QUEEN OF HEARTS.—Friendship will change into love.
JACK OF HEARTS.—Get a move on and your luck will change.
KING OF CLUBS.—Don't let money stand in the way of your marriage.
QUEEN OF CLUBS.—Do not be surprised if an enemy relents and becomes a friend.
JACK OF CLUBS.—Try to forget your disappointment. Happiness is due from quite another quarter.
KING OF DIAMONDS.—Relatives are rising against you. Act fearlessly and they will recognize your sterling qualities.
QUEEN OF DIAMONDS.—You are marked out by the Fates to be the recipient of some very good fortune.
JACK OF DIAMONDS.—Within seventeen days or weeks, a startling offer is to be made to you.
KING OF SPADES.—Make a wish within the next hour and it shall be fulfilled within the next year.
QUEEN OF SPADES.—Avoid the one with the dark complexion.
JACK OF SPADES.—A late marriage will be more prosperous than an early one.
Winter
KING OF HEARTS.—Good friends are ready to help you on the road to success.
QUEEN OF HEARTS.—Do not decide until you are quite certain.
JACK OF HEARTS.—Be cautious of the friends you make while dancing.
KING OF CLUBS.—Get out of the groove you are in and sail away to success.
QUEEN OF CLUBS.—A delightful adventure will pave the way to happiness.
JACK OF CLUBS.—Flirting never gave anybody any lasting happiness. Be more sober.
KING OF DIAMONDS.—Some good news is coming and the postman will bring it.
QUEEN OF DIAMONDS.—Keep your head and you will keep your lover.
JACK OF DIAMONDS.—You have too many strings to your bow and too many irons in the fire.
KING OF SPADES.—You are beloved by someone you least suspect.
QUEEN OF SPADES.—Your affairs will straighten out shortly and then you will understand.
JACK OF SPADES.—Your rival seems to be gaining successes, but wait. In a short space, they will collapse like a pack of cards.