Kipper Cards 1-6: Main Male, Main Female, Marriage Status, Meeting, Good Gentleman, Good Lady

Kipper Card Meanings including notes, quirks and directional features, using the Wahrsagen Kipperkarten, Fin de Siecle & Salish decks.

Here are the main card meanings for all the above Kipper cards. In terms of the images, I want to illustrate some of the extra nuances you can get in terms of meaning by using the images and directions indicated on the cards, and also how different decks might compare on this.

So the decks I’m showing from left to right in these card meaning lists are a) the “Original” Wahrsagekarten, Lieder version b) the Ciro Marchetti Fin de Siecle, and c) the Salish Kipper decks. As we’ve said, the Salish, although a modern deck, usually follows the directions in the “Original original” 1890s printing of the deck, so that’s the one to use if you’re a purist.

You can see my comparison and overview of these three different Kipper decks here:

Unlike the Sibilla decks, Kipper cards do NOT have reversed meanings. I also note below where there are equivalent or similar cards from other oracle systems. Plus whether they are considered Master cards for Master card readings (more on that in a future post). I have marked those that are with an M.

1. Main Male (M)

Meaning: This is the Main Male querent card, or a significant male figure in the querent’s life. Use in much the same way as the Male Consultant card in the Sibylle des Salons—make him the central figure if your consultant is male. In a Grand Tableau, the entire reading centres on the main consultant. Not all readings will use significators, but he is the one to use when they do.

Illustration & directions: The “Original Original” had him facing to the right like in the Salish. But whichever deck you have, use the direction he is facing when reading, for instance in a Grand Tableau or a 9 or 5 card or Master Card spread. Ahead of him, is said to be his future, behind him, his past. Some readers also suggest that what’s ahead of him is more auspicious, controllable or favourable than what is behind him. I tend not to use this interpretation, but do use the past and future directional aspects.

Similar to: Male Consultant in Sibylle des Salons, Gentleman in Lenormand

Notes: You’re under no obligation to get caught up in ‘directional’ readings if you have a deck where your Main Man isn’t facing where you think he should, or perhaps anywhere at all! If he doesn’t have a direction, I’d just read him with the cards to the right of him influencing him and as the future, as with most other decks. This is a master card.

2. Main Female (M)

Meaning: This is the Main Female querent card, the significator, or a significant female figure in the querent’s life. Use in much the same way as the Female Consultant card in the Sibylle des Salons—make her the central figure if your consultant is a woman. In a Grand Tableau, the entire reading centres on the main consultant. Not all readings will use significators, but she is the one to use when they do.

Illustration & directions: As per the Main Male Card but transposed. Note that she is holding a rose, illustrating that Kipper cards were usually mainly used to ask about romances.

Similar to: Female Consultant in Sibylle des Salons, Lady in Lenormand and Sweetheart in Vera Sibilla.

Notes: As above, don’t feel obliged to get caught up in ‘directional’ readings if your female consultant isn’t facing where you think she should. If she doesn’t have a direction, I’d just read her with the cards to the right of her influencing her and as the future, as with most other decks. This is a master card.

3. Marriage Status (M)