Its primary signification, when the card is reversed, is that of a Paul Pry, or spy, whence we have the secondary ones of inquirer, spectator, watcher, overseer, as well as the result of such a man's investigations. Hence applied more generally, the card signifies scrutiny; examination; reports; remarks; notations, and commentaries.
Another secondary signification of this card is traitor, from which we readily obtain the following synonyms:
Deception; duplicity; stratagem; disguise; prevarication; disloyalty; breach of trust; conspiracy; tale bearing; imposture; black heartedness; perfidy; falsehood; dissimulation and breach of confidence.
The card is, moreover, used to forewarn lovers that there is danger of their being pursued in event of elopement.
Ace of Spades—Upright. This card, coming out in natural position, and intervening between the representative cards of a male and female, relates wholly to love affairs. When accompanied by the ten of spades it shows that an intrigue will be accompanied with a deal of sorrow and affliction, and will ultimately end in abandonment under most disastrous circumstances.
One of the primary significations of this card is a paper or document, chiefly appertaining to law matters, such as warrants for arrest, writs, subp[oe]nas and legal pleadings.
Another is that of a ship, or other means of conveyance by water, particularly when accompanied by the eight of clubs, reversed, which betokens the consultant to be on the eve of a sea voyage, or other journey over water of some description.
Ace of Spades—Reversed. When in the oracle of a married consultant, this card appears reversed, and near to her representative, its primary signification is pregnancy, which in her case can be expressed by the following synonyms:
Conception; maternity; accouchement; childbirth.
From this we derive a secondary signification, applicable to other things, for which we employ correspondent synonyms: