People Cards In The Sibylle Des Salons

A closer look at the main "character" cards, the two Consultants and the court cards, aka Jacks, Queens and Kings, plus the possible extras.

As we said when discussing the Italian Vera Sibilla/Gypsy Oracle deck and its people cards, all readings involve stories, and stories include both people and events. And just like that deck, the French Sibylle des Salons/Parlour Sibyl has a number of character cards available to signify people.

However, although you’ll note that some of them are very similar archetypal characters across the decks, there are some significant differences. The characterisations of the Court cards, for instance, don’t really tally between decks (they’re presumably based on different playing card traditions), and unlike with the Vera Sibilla, the Sibylle des Salons has specific Consultant cards, a bit more like the Lady & Gentleman cards in Lenormand.

As a caveat. please do bear in mind: these meanings reflect 19th century sensibilities (so, the general sexisms, cultural expectations and roles and characterisations made of people in mid-century, upper middle class France!). Right-on, they ain’t. I hope I shouldn’t have to say that it doesn’t follow that everyone who uses these cards therefore endorses 19th century attitudes! But it IS how the cards were originally; they are not going to involve 21st century sensibilities, so you may have to adapt them sometimes. The 2022 Grimaud version of the deck has updated some of the cards to try to get away from some of it, not always with great success, it must be said, but I’ve noted some of these below also.

Who Are The Main Character Cards?

The MAIN People or Character cards in the Sibylle des Salons deck are the two Consultant cards, who should always be used to represent the Querent in readings, or when a reading requires a signifier. They will also represent the MOST significant male or female figure in the reading, if you haven’t specifically chosen a signifier.

Other Characters: Court or Face Cards

These are the cards that have a playing card reference indicating the Jacks/Knaves, Queens and Kings of Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs and Spades.

It’s worth noting also that the meanings of the playing card Court or Face cards in this deck don’t match or map exactly to those either in the Vera Sibilla or, those in traditional playing card cartomancy. (The translation of the suits also have a different “feel”, which can seem a little confusing at first) They are also far more likely than in the Vera Sibilla to represent the essence of the card rather than the person involved, due to the main character cards being the Consultants, above. Nonetheless, they are useful as “Other People” cards if the reading requires it.

Court Cards: Hearts (Emotion, Family & Personal Relationships)

Jack: Visit

Queen: Tenderness

King: Pensioner/Stock-Holder

Here, we have the face-to face visitor, the communicator, who is a little like the Lenormand Rider, and mingling in general (Jack), and the Queen who is the essence of warmth, affection and tenderness, presented as perhaps a little overemotional, even gushing, at times. A maternal figure, a mother, grandmother, loving aunt

The one card that doesn’t seem to “fit” exactly with how we usually think of the suit of Hearts is the Pensioner (King), as he is not usually characterised as particularly loving, emotional or even kindly.

Rather, he represents someone senior and old, not a worker, who holds the assets and wealth that can provide material comforts, much in the same way as the Money card in the Vera Sibilla, which is also in the suit of Hearts. This seems to indicate that the wealth he offers in this sense is about assets, the stability you need behind you and what you have in store to rely on for your creature comforts. He may be generous, however.

Court Cards: Spades (Problems, Difficulties, Challenges)