How to Read Playing Cards - Video 14 - The "Lost Man" Alternate Layout

[@Leelahel]

This might be one of my favorite spreads to try with the Playing Card Oracles. It is so insightful.

[@AnaCortez]

thanks Monica! I love it too

[@captainnolan5062]

It is so delightful to watch you 'play' with the cards. I wondered about how you would interpret the Sword of Enchantment, and whether it might be the key to the young man's troubled, hidden thoughts (or hidden issue - the ruins). Also, interesting to see Gillles peeking out of the 9 of hearts, so even where there might be some comfort for the youth (in terms of the heart interacting with the spade) , there is something hidden and lurking behind the scenes.

[@AnaCortez]

Hello Captain! Nice to get your thoughts here. As far as the Sword of Enchantment in this reading, I would say i'm not making the connection for it to be the key to the young man's troubled hidden thoughts, at least as a main hit. It's a little far in proximity from the 6 of Spades and not compatible in Suit. At least this young man is not making the connection. I would say the Sword describes more the part of himself he likes to share or show with others. The Nine of Hearts could be very pivotal, however, if he was able to find a way to express or channel the emotions there without feeling threatened by them. Hope this helps!

[@captainnolan5062]

@@AnaCortez Your response speaks to (or implicitly contains) something that is hinted at in the Playing Card Oracles, but is not stated explicitly (at least so far in my reading of the book, maybe it will be in there later), and that is the traditional Cartomancy concept of "near" and "far." Perhaps you could do a video and address this concept, ...talking about when is a card too far away to have much influence on another; and which cards might spread their influence farther in the layout than others. I get the impression that this system considers touching cards to have direct influence on another (i.e. when cards are touching, they can directly affect each other; but as the distance increases from a card, the influence rapidly drops off, so that even one card between another may 'cut it off' from the influence of a card that is "two" cards away). I would be interested in your take on this topic, and would love to see a video addressing the topic head on.

[@ganimedes1046]

Just realised that in the first example Mardoc got a 2 of hearts on the left that when you put it out to show "what if it was between him and Morgana", It revealed Dango. Hiding underneath the 2 of hearts. Maybe a secret love?

[@AnaCortez]

Hi Ganimedes. Thanks for your comment. Yes, great observation! Dango was definitely hiding beneath that 2 of Hearts, so yes, quite possibly a "secret love," as you say.

[@gangasharma4850]

Dear Ana, Very Innovative. I have a Request. Is it possible for you to use a Mike / Amplifier for Future Videos? Your Voice is very soft and gentle. I had kept my Speakers at the Maximum, yet had difficulty in comprehending.. Love from India, Ganga

[@AnaCortez]

Ganga! Thank you for the feedback! So very helpful. Will make sure this is taken into account in future videos

[@alunarska]

Do you read the cards on the left as past and those on the right as future?

[@AnaCortez]

Hi Agata. Thanks for your question and this opportunity to clarify. For me, sometimes I do use the spread like this but typically only if I am picking that up from CARD DIRECTION. You have watched that video, yes? I let the cards tell me what is going on. Sometimes past and future come into play in this spread but most often not (for me.) Usually I look at this layout as LAYERS or LEVELS of experience, like peeling an onion, with the signifying card at center. Hope this helps and thank you again!

[@ganimedes1046]

I got a question: let's say if the "lost man card" ended being the top card or too much on the top of the deck, what would you interpret that? And what If it's the opposite, like the card is on the bottom or too much close too it? (I'm sorry if I wasn't very clear)

[@AnaCortez]

Terrific question! In either of these instances the "halo" of choices and possibilities around the signifier card (or "Lost Man") is confined to one direction. So there are different ways to interpret this, of course. There could be "only one way to go." Or the person could be so affected by the past (cards to the left of the signifier, if signifier was on the top of the deck) that everything is being determined by that and until the past is resolved, the future will not be open for free choices. And on and on. As always, use the intuition