The following interpretations were gathered from several Bosnian diviners—three women in their forties and fifties, and two men, one aged 33 and the other 67 at the time of the interviews. I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed my amateur research, which spanned almost twenty years. I believe that much of the material I recorded is valuable for publication, both for its educational purpose and as an excellent reflection of the Bosnian spirit, imagination, and harmony with the unseen forces of fate.
Today, influenced by the New Age trend, it’s common to read that divination with playing cards requires brand-new cards, which should be purified with incense or kept in a special box, among other ritualistic rules. However, none of the individuals I spoke with were familiar with or practiced these customs. They often played card games with friends or family, using the same cards, and then interpreted the fate of the interested person. The cards they used were typically old and worn, some stained with water or other substances, which lent them a unique mystical charm and a sense of history. This led me to conclude that in any form of divination, the important factor is not the prop used, but the innate ability and intuition of the person practicing it.
As Mrs. Nisveta once told me, "When I arrange the cards, I stare at them and wait for a sense of mild excitement to wash over me. When that happens, I can perceive important details about someone's fate in the cards. I can even discern the color of their car, hair, or eyes. I see these details not literally in the cards themselves, but rather feel them in my mind. Then I know what I need to say."
Beware of the Joker!
It is an old piece of wisdom that each card carries a fixed meaning that does not change. Therefore, memorizing the meaning of each card is essential. Cards are interpreted from left to right, always in silence, and the person interpreting them must be relaxed, sober, healthy, and completely calm. While each fortune teller may arrange the cards on the table according to their method or the teachings of their teacher, they all agree on a fundamental structure: the cards are arranged in three rows. Regardless of how many cards are used—whether it’s 9, 13, 15, 22, or 24—following the three-row format is a standard practice among diviners. The number three symbolizes heaven, earth, and underworld, as well as past, present, and future, or man, child (house), and woman, among other interpretations. It is a sacred number for every diviner.
As we know, a standard deck of playing cards contains 52 cards divided into four suits, each typically consisting of 13 cards. There is also a 53rd card known as the Joker, which is equivalent to the Fool card in Tarot. Some fortune tellers include it in their readings because they believe it represents the client. In the standard interpretation, the Joker signifies disguise—masking one’s true self. It represents hidden intentions, as well as the act of concealing or lying about something. For bolder fortune tellers, the Joker card signifies secret knowledge and skills. If this card appears next to the Queen of Spades or the King of Spades, it represents a witch or a magician.
Fate between a red and a black card
When interpreting the fate indicated by red and black cards, it's crucial to pay attention to their positions. For instance, if all the cards in the first row are red, the client should be particularly cautious, as someone, such as a friend, partner, or lover, may be deliberately misleading, lying, or trying to deceive him. Conversely, if all the red cards are in the last, third row, this is a highly favorable sign for love, emphasizing intimate companionship, romantic encounters, and falling in love. Black cards generally carry negative meanings, symbolizing unfortunate events, dark emotions, and negative energy. If all the cards in the first row are black, the client may be facing challenging life moments and inner struggles, as well as external adversities. If these cards appear in the second row, they likely indicate serious health issues. If found in the third row, they suggest an influence of black magic on the client's life and fate.
When several cards of the Club suit are found together, it signifies a positive period for the client, often described in Bosnia as "flowers will bloom in your life." Similarly, multiple Heart cards indicate success in planned endeavors and suggest that the client is likely to experience good fortune in love. Conversely, multiple Spade cards can indicate challenges. If they are low-numbered cards, such as two, three, four, or five, they signify difficulties of lesser intensity and duration. However, high-numbered Spade cards, ranging from six to ten, warn of serious issues, such as disaster, severe illness, bankruptcy, or divorce.
If the Ace of Diamonds card appears between several Spades in the same row—specifically, two Spades to its left and two to its right—it signifies bankruptcy, financial failure, or a significant loss. According to Bosnian fortune tellers, the Ace of Diamonds represents human life and happiness. Therefore, it is crucial to analyze its positioning and the cards surrounding it, as it reveals what is predetermined by fate. It is worth noting that Aces are considered the strongest cards by Bosnian fortune tellers and exert influence over all the other cards.
Whether they are found together or scattered across three rows, having four Aces indicates extremely favorable influences of luck in one’s life, heralding radical changes. This situation is often described as "New luck (or fate) is being written for you right now!" In contemporary terms, it suggests that "your life energy is changing," presenting an opportunity to confront challenges. With discipline, this can lead to professional or romantic success, or even recovery from a serious illness.