The Meaning of the Jack of Spades in Cartomancy & Tarot

If you drew a Jack of Spades card while doing cartomancy, you’re in the right place. We’re here to explain what it means in cartomancy, along with how to interpret it in terms of love, career, and health. We’ll also cover what the Jack of Spades and its equivalent (the Page of Swords) means in tarot and as a birth card, with help from expert astrologers.

Jack of Spades Meaning

Psychic astrologer Stina Garbis notes that the Jack of Spades equates to the Page of Swords in tarot, and the card is associated with intellect or challenges. The Jack of Spades represents cleverness, conflict, and deceit.

Section 1 of 9:

Jack of Spades Meaning & Description

The Jack of Spades symbolizes a clever, ambitious, and cunning individual. On a playing card, he appears as a young nobleman in a right-facing profile (with one eye visible). The Jack of Spades wears aristocratic European clothing, including a headdress, and carries a staff or weapon; the letter "J” appears, along with a black spade symbol (♠). He is known for his intelligence and resourcefulness, sometimes perceived as manipulation or deceit.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source

The Smithsonian Institution
Leading group of museums and research institution funded by the U.S. government

Go to source}
- Suit: Spades (associated with intellect, wisdom, and overcoming challenges)
- Tarot Card: Page of Swords
- Star Sign: Gemini
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Stina Garbis is a psychic astrologer who specializes in personal tarot card and astrological readings as well as business consultations.

Jessica Lanyadoo is an astrologer and psychic medium with over 30 years of experience helping individuals cultivate emotional intelligence and navigate life with clarity.

Section 2 of 9:

Jack of Spades Meaning in Cartomancy

1
Cartomancy Meaning The Jack of Spades signifies a quick-witted, but possibly untrustworthy person. He is sometimes viewed as an opportunistic figure, or even as a trickster (similar to the Joker playing card), who deceives and outwits others through cunning. This card is linked to themes of conflict and transformation, as well as “the intellect or challenges,” according to Garbis.^{[2]
X
Expert Source

Stina Garbis
Psychic Astrologer

Expert Interview} Check out these specific meanings for the Jack of Spades in different kinds of cartomancy:^{[3]
X
Research source}
- French cartomancy: A mean or angry young man.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
- Classic American cartomancy: A dark, unreliable youth or con man.^{[5]
  X
  Research source}
- Conservative British cartomancy: A man who wishes to hurt you.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}
- Sibylle des salons cartomancy: A dark-haired, young man.^{[7]
  X
  Research source}
2
Love The Jack of Spades symbolizes a mysterious or volatile lover or romantic interest. The lover may be considered a secret the reader is keeping to themselves, or the lover may have a secret of their own to keep. The card can also serve as a warning about deceit or manipulation in a relationship, along with someone arrogant and overly ambitious.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- How to interpret the card: Look for red flags in a relationship as well as signs of sincerity to make sure your partner is being honest with you about who they are.
- The “jack” in the reader’s life may appear as a “bad boy/girl,” or as someone who’s wild and unpredictable.
3
Career Where careers are concerned, the Jack of Spades is thought of as a sign of success and talent. It reminds the reader to balance things like intelligence with hard work, or their thoughts with their passions. The card also warns against a cunning or opportunistic person the reader may encounter at work, like a new boss, employee, or coworker.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- How to interpret the card: Focus on your work/life balance, while watching for any particularly devious or overly clever individuals who may cause conflict.
4
Health This card represents possible health issues or difficulties due to unbalanced or self-centered lifestyle choices. It doesn’t indicate specific health concerns, but brings attention to any circumstances that could cause them. The reader may have a health issue they need to pay attention to, or someone close to the reader may also be concealing a health condition.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- How to interpret the card: Stay mindful about your health, how you’re feeling, and don’t overlook any pain or discomfort you might be experiencing.
In yes/no style cartomancy, the Jack of Spades usually represents “no.” In cartomancy, red cards mean “yes,” while black cards stand for “no.” In standard playing cards, spades ♠ (and clubs ♣) are black, while hearts ❤️ and diamonds ♦️ are red.^{[11]
X
Research source}
6
When Paired With Other Cards The Jack of Spades’ meaning changes slightly when paired with other suits. Some themes that come up when the Jack of Spades card is paired with other playing card suits, including hearts, clubs, or diamonds, or certain court cards (aces, kings, queens), are ahead:^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Paired with Hearts: A potential unhappiness or conflict in romance.
- Paired with Clubs: A challenging obstacle or force, especially in a career.
- Paired with Diamonds: A warning regarding financial or material goods.
- Paired with Other Court Cards:
  - Aces: Transformation; endings or bad fortune.
  - Kings: Guidance and ambition; sometimes a conflict with authority.
  - Queens: Creative, practical partnership; betrayal in a relationship.

Section 3 of 9:

Jack of Spades Meaning in Tarot

1
Tarot Meaning The equivalent to the Jack of Spades card in tarot is the Page of Swords, according to Garbis.^{[13]
X
Expert Source

Stina Garbis
Psychic Astrologer

Expert Interview} When doing a tarot card reading, the Page of Swords stands in as a curious messenger who can bring either new ideas or challenges. It represents truthfulness and clear communication, depending on the situation; its negative connotations include being overly defensive, miscommunicative, and having possible insecurity or fears. More meanings are ahead:^{[14]
X
Research source}
- Upright Meaning: Desire to learn, mental agility, action-oriented, and communication.
- Reversed Meaning: Deception, immaturity, cruelty, no follow-through.
- Yes or No: Yes (upright) with new ideas or approach; No (reversed) as a warning not to be impulsive or defensive.
  - Astrologer & psychic medium Jessica Lanyadoo prefers asking the tarot for “more complex and nuanced information,” rather than a yes or no question. She also believes that "the best way to use tarot is by asking questions that help you to make better choices and navigate your life instead of telling you what's going to happen."^{[15]
    X
    Expert Source
    
    Jessica Lanyadoo
    Astrologer & Psychic Medium
    
    Expert Interview}
- Unlike cartomancy, which uses a deck of 52 playing cards for divination, tarot traditionally uses a deck of 78 cards, including the Major and Minor Arcana.
2
Love For new relationships, the Page of Swords represents a charming partner, who may be intelligent, but could also be insecure or overly guarded or secretive. It emphasizes honest expression and a warning about a partner being emotionally unavailable.^{[16]
X
Research source}
- How to interpret the card: Work on improving communication with your partner to avoid misunderstandings and maintain a strong connection.
3
Career The Page of Swords card regarding careers is associated with having curiosity and interest in new ideas, whether at work or in terms of a passion project. It encourages the reader to embrace change and transformation while applying mental clarity and focus on whatever they’re interested in doing professionally.^{[17]
X
Research source}
- How to interpret the card: Take calculated risks and don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. Be practical about making new plans and executing them successfully.
4
Health When relating to a reader’s health, the Page of Swords card is also focused on using mental clarity to overcome any ongoing health issues. It means having a better understanding of a person’s health overall to work through illness or injury with confidence. The Page of Swords also suggests that the reader be cautious with their vitality or energy.^{[18]
X
Research source}
- How to interpret the card: Be careful to preserve your mental agility and clarity when dealing with an ailment or any health challenge. Try to gain a better grasp of what you’re going through while taking care of your physical health.
EXPERT TIP

Jessica Lanyadoo
Astrologer & Psychic Medium
Jessica Lanyadoo is a Humanistic Astrologer, psychic medium, and animal communicator with over 30 years of professional experience. Known for her grounded and accessible approach, she helps individuals cultivate emotional intelligence and navigate life with clarity. She is the author of Meditations for Your Sign (2025) and Astrology for Real Relationships (2020) and hosts the acclaimed podcast Ghost of a Podcast. Her work has been featured in CNN, The Today Show, Rolling Stone, Vogue Italia, Time Magazine, Oprah Magazine, and more.

Jessica Lanyadoo
Astrologer & Psychic Medium

Stay connected to the question you’re posing to the tarot. Focus your conscious mind on the words of your question, your subconscious, and the pictures and feelings associated with your question when you're shuffling the cards.

Section 4 of 9:

Jack of Spades Meaning as a Birth Card

Having the Jack of Spades birth card means you have youthful energy. He is associated with intellectual curiosity and the potential to be successful through transformation; he is sometimes called a “hero archetype.” Those with the Jack of Spades as a birth card can also fall prey to arrogance or manipulation. It all depends on where they choose to focus their energy.^{[19]
X
Research source}
- Birthdays: January 3, February 1
- Add the individual numbers of your birth day, month, and year in your birthdate to figure out your birth card number. If the sum is a 2-digit number, add the 2 digits together until you have a single number.
- Birth cards signify aspects of someone’s personality, their life path, and future possibilities. They relate to the strengths, weaknesses, and themes throughout a person’s life.

Section 5 of 9:

Jack of Spades Meaning in Astrology

In astrology, the Jack of Spades card is associated with the Gemini sign. Both Gemini and the Jack of Spades are associated with being articulate and eloquent, as well as quick-witted, adaptable, and flexible. Playing cards and astrology are connected through the practice of cardology. In cardology, astrological meaning is attributed to both playing cards and zodiac signs. Playing cards are then linked to specific zodiac signs, and their characteristics.^{[20]
X
Research source}
- Gemini: May 20 to June 20
- Symbol: Twins
- Type of sign: Air
- Positive traits: Curious, intellectual, adaptable
- Negative traits: Unreliable, inconsistent
- Careers: Journalism, acting, teaching
- Tarot Cards associated with Gemini: The Knight or Page of Swords, The Lovers, and The Magician.

Section 6 of 9:

History of the Jack of Spades

The Jack of Spades is based on the figure Ogier the Dane. This legendary historical character (also known as Hogier) was one of Charlemagne’s knights and appeared in medieval French chivalry-themed romances. In the stories, Ogier the Dane was most known for fighting the Saracens and slaying the giant Brehus.^{[21]
X
Research source}
- In the traditional French playing card pattern, court cards stood for historical or mythological figures.
- The Paris pattern was the official design for French playing cards during the 18th century.

Section 7 of 9:

Origins of the Jack Playing Card

The Jack playing card’s name was originally the “Knave.” The “Knave” card was then changed to "Jack" in the mid-19th century to avoid confusion with the King card. “Kn” (meaning “knave”) and “K” (meaning “King”) were often mistaken for each other when appearing on the cards. In 1864, English cardmaker Samuel Hart officially used "J" to represent the Knave card, which made the name Jack more widespread for playing cards.^{[22]
X
Research source}
- In the 19th century, Jack was also a common term for a working-class man.

Section 8 of 9:

The Origin of Cartomancy

Cartomancy dates back to the introduction of playing cards in 14th-century Europe. The practice of performing divination using a deck of playing cards didn’t become popular until the 18th century, when French occultists began assigning certain meanings to the cards themselves. Using a deck of 52 playing cards for divination continued to grow in popularity during the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.^{[23]
X
Research source}
- "A deck of playing cards is similar to the Minor Arcana of tarot except it is missing the face cards of the knight and page; instead, you have a Jack that could stand in for the knight or the page," explains Garbis. She also recommends “combining the card’s number and the suit to find meaning” whenever you’re interpreting cards in cartomancy.^{[24]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Stina Garbis
  Psychic Astrologer
  
  Expert Interview}
- The standard playing cards used for cartomancy are also called Lenormand cards in France.
- The term "cartomancy" was invented by Jean-Baptiste Alliette (known as Etteilla), who helped make card divination more widespread.
- Learn more about telling fortunes with playing cards in our fun and fascinating forum!

Section 9 of 9:

Jack of Spades Tattoo Meaning

The Jack of Spades tattoo symbolizes intellect and overcoming challenges. As a tattoo, it’s also associated with transformation, wisdom, and charisma. He serves as a reminder to remain curious and seek out new adventures. Some associate the Jack of Spades tattoo with a trickster figure, as well.
- Like the Queen of Clubs and other court cards, having a Jack of Spades tattoo is a way to celebrate the art of taking a chance if you’re a poker player or gambler.