It’s been ages since I’ve done one of these! (I guess that’s what happens when stuff gets buried on your desk!) Anyway, here’s another card described in rhyme from Fortune-Telling by Cards, by Professor P. R. S. Foli; this one the fortune for the one who draws the Ace of Hearts:
He that draws the ace of hearts
Shall surely be a man of parts;
And she that draws it, I profess,
Will have the gift of idleness.
Card from a vintage deck at eBay.
PlumParty.com calls this set of 8 placecard holders singles placecard holders:
But with labels such as “tease,” “high maintenance,” “gold digger,” “drama queen,” “damaged goods,” and “on the rebound,” I think they are perfectly wonderful for any good old-fashioned get together. Sure, for girls’ night, but how much fun to use as a party game in mixed company –with couples too — where you either…
A) turn the moniker away from the chair, facing the rest of the dinner guests, and have each guest guess what their label is
Or, B) you hand one to each guest as they enter, and have them act out their label, making the other people guess what their personality/circumstance is.
Naturally, all your guests will need to be both secure enough with themselves not to take anything personally as well as have a good sense of humor about the whole thing. But you’re cool like that, so you must have friends that cool too.
(Or at least you are wise enough to know better than to get these placecard holders to begin with.)
The Seven of Spades described in rhyme from Fortune-Telling by Cards, by Professor P. R. S. Foli:
Now as the seven comes to hand,
It does entitle you to land;
But maids with this shall wed with those
That have no money, friends, or clothes.
Lucky in cards, unlucky in love card via Flickr.
Another card described in rhyme from Fortune-Telling by Cards, by Professor P. R. S. Foli: the Three of Diamonds:
You that have drawn the number three
Great honour will your fortune be;
But if a female draw the same,
She must beware of fickle shame.
Card from Flickr.
Another card described in rhyme from Fortune-Telling by Cards, by Professor P. R. S. Foli; this time the Queen Of Hearts:
Now by this card it is well known
Thou shalt enjoy still all thine own;
But women, if they draw the same,
Shall sure enjoy a happy name.
The image is from Pinup Playing Card Cigarette ID Case/Business Card Holder from sweetheartsinner at Etsy.
As promised, the first rhyming fortune-telling verse.
The Ace of Diamonds:
Since that this ace is now your lot,
You will wed one that’s fierce and hot;
But if a woman does draw it,
She will wed one with wealth and wit.
Now just what have we learned? That the Ace of Diamonds is a good card, yes; but also that women are valued for their passionate lusty ways while men are valued for their wealth — and wit. Now feel free to discuss.
I’ve got this old book, Fortune-Telling by Cards, by Professor P. R. S. Foli (aka Sir Cyril Arthur Pearson). My copy is an old hardcover edition published by R. F. Fenno & Company.
One of the chapters has silly little rhyming divination poems for each card in a regular deck of cards and I thought it would be a hoot to post these as a semi-regular feature here, starting with the overview at the beginning of the chapter:
There are those to whom the more elaborate forms of fortune-telling by cards may seem a trifle wearisome, or possibly too intricate to be followed without a somewhat exhausting effort of attention.The method which we give in this chapter has the advantage of being at once simple, diverting, and varied.
As the rhyming significations concern both sexes, a great deal of fun can be provided where there is a party of young people, and who can tell whether the long arm of coincidence may not use this old-time practice to bring some loving pair together?
Take a new pack of cards, or at any rate one in which there are no tell-tale marks on the reverse sides, and spread them face downwards upon the table. Before any one draws a card, he or she is requested to close the eyes, place the right hand on the heart, and say, “Honi soit qui mal y pense.” The card must then be drawn with the left hand, and its meaning will be read by the one who holds the key contained in the verses which we now give.
I just know that you’re just dying to begin play — but be patient, my little love bunnies! I’m only giving a tip at a time. The first card rhyme will be posted tomorrow, but after that, you won’t know just when…
And yes, this is a shameless way to get you to keep visiting.