Pick a Card...Any Card

It has been a while, traveler! Welcome back to The Caravan! I am relieved that our paths have crossed again. Step on up and ride along with me for a bit, I have a story to share with you...perhaps you would even be willing to play a little game with me?

As you may already know, recently I stole away Lady Ann to join me for a few days in and around the foothills of the Appalachians. We went on many adventures during this short visit and brainstormed many more adventures to come. Perhaps you joined us on our final night together. A night of communing with the spirits...or attempting to, anyway. Ouija boards and card games. Have you ever played such games in the dark? Were you there to play along with us that evening?

Aside from the Ouija boards, we opened a little black book filled with pages dipped in crimson. A book that promised to show us something new...a forbidden game. Of course, we found one worth our time. Oddly enough, the game that seemed perfect for us (and of which we readily had the components) was The Playing Card Game. Without going into too much detail, we used a standard deck of playing cards to perform cartomancy in an attempt to see if any entities were around us that evening. 

The suits of the cards are key here. Diamonds represent ‘maybe’ while Clubs mean ‘I don’t know.’ Spades indicate ‘no’ and hearts convey ‘yes.’ Before the game can begin, one must light some candles, use a bit of salt, and shuffle the cards the appropriate number of times. Then, the test truly begins. First, you must ask the cards if anyone is willing to play with you. If a spade appears, the game must end post haste. The deck must be destroyed. If any other suit appears, however, it is (relatively) safe to continue speaking with the other side. 

Lady Ann and I were able to have some communication with an entity that claimed to be an observer, watching our behavior after we spent some time in a haunted location. The story of that night, however, is for another time. 

Now that I have you here, traveler, let us try this game together. Perhaps we will have similar fortune as Lady Ann and I did. Let’s stop the horses for a bit and climb into the vardo. I have all we need ready to go. (I had hoped to run into you soon enough.)

Don’t be alarmed. I took the liberty of having the game setup prior to your arrival. The initial ritual has been complete. I just need you to sit opposite of me. 

Excellent.

Now...focus...you are going to be the one pulling the cards this eve, so be careful! Above all else, though, be RESPECTFUL!

Are there any spirits willing to speak with us this evening?

Move your hand over the cards, palm down, until one calls to you.

Did you find it? Yes? Turn it over.

A spade! Oh, dear traveler, the game is over before it has begun! I should have known better. Forgive me for dragging you into this too soon!

Quickly, now! Blow out the candles! Give me the deck. I will destroy it appropriately. We must go at once. We cannot stay here tonight...



Until next time,
Heather







​
Further Reading:
“The Playing Card Game.” Dangerous Games to Play in the Dark, by Lucia Peters, Chronicle Books, 2019, pp. 186–193.