The Ace of Spades & December 21st--Tell me what you know!

I was just posting on a thread about 12/21/12 and someone got me droning on about one of my favorite subjects—11:11. I was just about to give a brief synopsis of this thread idea to that poster, but figured why pass up the chance to organize my research and present a full-fledged ATS thread for everyone? I've been meaning to write a thread about the Ace of Spades in a deck of playing cards for a couple of weeks. At one point I decided it was a toss-away and that I wouldn’t write it. Funny how fate often has other ideas for us.

Bear with me on this post, it DOES pertain to 12/21/12 (kinda…I think…maybe.) Alright mods, move it if you must.

The Ace of Spades is unique in a deck of playing cards. It is the only one with an oversized symbol of its suit. It was, in older times, even sold separately from the rest of the deck (due to the tax on playing cards in early Amercia!)

Once playing cards became popular in America and the local governments took notice there were either bans instituted against their use ... or there were taxes levied against their manufacture or importation. The Ace of Spades was often used as the card that would carry the revenue stamp indicating the tax was paid on that deck of cards.

Long before the Ace of Spades played on the superstitions of soldiers during the Vietnam War, it was already known as the “death card.”

Richard Harding who was nabbed w/ thousands of counterfeit stamped Aces ... was tried and convicted of 'forging, fabricating, and counterfeiting the legal stamp of the Ace of Spades'. Forgery (as a second offense) was elevated to a capital crime in England in the mid 16th century. The early 18th century yielded a more stringent policy toward forgery making it punishable by death. Mr. Harding was unfortunately hanged for his offence in 1805. This could be construed as an early instance of the association of the Ace of Spades as the 'death card' ...The Ace of Spades and it's aura about being the 'death card' really came to its maturity during the Vietnam war.

www.cardboardillusions.com...

I got a deck of fresh playing cards from one of the local casinos a couple months ago (it was given to me as a gift from a relative who works at the casino.) I gamble rarely, and when I do I usually just play a couple dollars on video poker or something. I’m not a big card player or anything.

Anyhow, I started fiddling around with the cards; mostly just learning how to shuffle, bridge, and flourish the cards for show. I would do this for hours! While listening to music, watching a movie, or just chatting online or something. I would just shuffle, shuffle, shuffle those cards over and over and occasionally cut the deck in half before starting to shuffle them some more. I started to notice something peculiar. The Ace of Spades was making an unusual number of appearances. I would start seeing it about 1 out of every 5 times that I would cut the deck (it was usually the bottom card of the top half.) I starting seeing it occasionally when I dealt a hand of 5-card. I even dropped it out of the deck onto the floor a few times. I mean, there's 52 cards in all and I was seeing this card far, far more often than I ought to have been. Any mathematicians want to challenge the odds—go for it—because I don’t buy it. I was seeing the Ace of Spades a lot! It grabbed my attention. Now I just needed to figure out what the message was. My sloppy, internet-skimming research stretches from the practical to the mystical. It is a starting point only, and I’m hoping someone else can dig up more on the subject—or possibly share similar episodes, research, discovery, and personal revelation!

I know that playing cards are essentially comparable to the minor arcana www.learntarot.com... in tarot. (I used to be interested in tarot cards and did study them for a time ages ago.) I know a thing or two about tarot and remember some of the meanings and symbols. I lost interest pretty quickly though I must say. Anyhow, I had a mystery to solve!

I started with finding out which card is comparable to the Ace of Spades. It is the Ace of Swords according to the tarot suits; and is NOT to be confused with the major arcana "Death" card.

The Ace of Swords is a symbol of possibility in the area of intelligence, reason, justice, truth, clarity and fortitude. In readings, it shows that a seed of clear understanding has been planted in your life although you may not yet recognize it.

www.learntarot.com...
To grossly understate and paraphrase its meaning, it is essentially a card of death and rebirth. However, that’s not where I stopped my research.

I was very intrigued to learn about the highly symbolic nature of a deck of playing cards. Most people already know that the kings and queens are based on actual royal personages. But, what interests me even more are the numbers! The four suits correspond to the four seasons and four esoteric elements of fire, water, air, and earth. It is speculated that the 13 ranks for each of the four suits is representative of either a 13-month calendar or the 13 lunar cycles in a year (which varies between 12 and 13.) There are 52 cards in the deck as well as 52 weeks in a calendar year; thus, each individual card is representative of a week in the year. Even the black and red colors are indicative of the masculine and feminine qualities. www.psywarrior.com... Tell me you ever thought of that while trying to bluff your opponent. It’s enough to spoil your very best poker face.

But this is what finally made my jaw drop! At one point in my research, it was even suggested that the Ace of Spades itself corresponded to the week of December 21st itself! Sorry, but quoting from this text is not allowed, but luckily it is right at the top of the page: www.psywarrior.com... That particular date is abuzz around ATS right now and I’m sorry to add another 2012 thread. But, this left me completely astounded! I now know a little bit more about the symbolism of the card that was so mysteriously grabbing my attention—throw a December 21st reference into the mix and I figured it was either one for the birds, or one for ATS. This source was not only a major piece to the puzzle for me, it is a captivating read all by itself and I highly recommend you enjoy it if you're interested in learning more about the Ace of Spades and its history and symbolism.

Perhaps even more fascinating, I came upon a source that even posited that the large spade on the ace was likened to the eye of Horus. I regret that I couldn’t find this particular source (I had to drum up all the sites I had researched weeks ago.) And of course google couldn’t find material on this particular connection for me (typical!)

I...kinda see it, but whatever!

[continued...]

And then of course it got whimsical—I started to find allusions to Atlantis and blah blah blah.

The Ace of Spades is also the symbol for The Order of the Magi. Author Robert Lee Camp states, “With its origin over 20,000 years ago in the early days of Atlantis, The Order of the Magi is probably one of the oldest spiritual organizations that has ever existed.

Although unverifiable, it is still interesting to say the least. yourdivineblueprint.com...

And like so many of these episodes we post about—the OP himself/herself (in this case, “him”) is no closer to an answer. But the speculation is sure fun! Please contribute if you have anything to bring.

Hello OP....this is fascinating...thank you for the information.
I have my own Ace of Spades story, lol.
A few years ago a friend and I made an appointment with a local psychic, a lady in her 80's who was known for doing 'readings'. She used a regular deck of cards (as opposed to a specific tarot deck)....and as she was preparing to 'read' for my friend, she removed the Ace of Spades from the deck. (She told us that she doesn't use the 'death card' when she does readings).
When she was finished with my friend, she turned to me. As she shuffled the cards, she looked for the Ace of Spades and couldn't find it. It wasn't on the table....or on the floor....and none of us could find it in the deck.
The three of us looked for it and couldn't find it at all! She shrugged it off, shuffled the deck....had me cut the deck...then proceeded to lay out the cards for my reading. Guess what came up?
The Ace of Spades.
She seemed visibly shaken....and gave me a very quick reading.
Very strange indeed. (I've never visited another psychic since).
jacygirl

reply to post by jacygirl


Excellent story! Thanks for sharing. During my shuffling "meditation" (which often lasted for hours) I would see the Ace of Spades an inordinate number of times in really unbelievable ways. And it's not like I was checking it intentionally. I wasn't really noticing any other cards..just every now and then I would unintentionally glimpse the bottom card when I cut the deck and it would be the Ace.

Or, of the few hands of 5-card poker that I dealt, the Ace would unwaveringly make its presence in the hand.

Even a couple of times a card would get away from me during a shuffle and end up on the floor..every time it was you know what!

I don't believe it was confirmation bias and pareidolia etc. aka "You see it because you want to see it." (the same hogwash used to dismiss 11:11 synchronicity)

This card was simply calling to me and asking me to notice it. It is interesting that there are both positive and negative connotations associated with the Ace of Spades. It is both a little intimidating and reassuring at the same time. I can't wait to hear more!

reply to post by NarcolepticBuddha


Thank you!
It annoys me when people say you're looking for 11:11....I started seeing it 30 years ago!!
I would wake up EVERY night and look at the clock at 11:11....also every morning. It appeared everywhere to me, and still does (to a lesser degree) now.
I asked psychics, numerologists....anyone....and at that time, NO ONE knew anything about it. When I got online (years later) and did a search for 11:11....I found people allover the world talking about it.
There are some things that we just don't understand....but when something happens enough times...(11:11 or the Ace of Spades)....it makes you wonder just WHAT is going on!!
jacygirl

reply to post by jacygirl


Hey me too! 11:11 is one of the things that brought me to ATS in the first place (among a few other things that I have experienced.)

I was still pretty young when I first noticed 11:11 and would think "This means something!" Much like Roy Neary in Close Encounters when molding his mashed potatoes.

All the weird stuff came first and ATS and other research questions came later. Maybe that's all these symbols and synchronicities are meant to do? Get us to dig deeper than we would have normally cared to venture? To keep our imaginations healthy and vital.

I still would like some answers though. I am too curious to just "accept" it all without any meaningful answers. That's the trouble, ain't it? Too many unanswered questions we carry through life.

Interesting stuff

I came about a similar article about a recently uncovered set of 400-year old playing cards. The face suits are King, Knight & knave. The set also did'nt have jokers.

Check out the article here

reply to post by NarcolepticBuddha


Interesting read, I'm going to have to check back later to see if anyone has added more insight to this...

The use of the normal card deck for readings is something I learned from an old roommates friend allllooooooong time ago, thought that was rather intersting. She never really explained much about it, mostly because I never really asked, but she seemed to know what she was doing.

Grim

Originally posted by jacygirl
reply to post by NarcolepticBuddha

 

Thank you!
It annoys me when people say you're looking for 11:11....I started seeing it 30 years ago!!
I would wake up EVERY night and look at the clock at 11:11....also every morning. It appeared everywhere to me, and still does (to a lesser degree) now.
I asked psychics, numerologists....anyone....and at that time, NO ONE knew anything about it. When I got online (years later) and did a search for 11:11....I found people allover the world talking about it.
There are some things that we just don't understand....but when something happens enough times...(11:11 or the Ace of Spades)....it makes you wonder just WHAT is going on!!
jacygirl

I have had the same experience as you regarding 11:11. It's been 30 years, I was in my teens. I would go to bed and wake up every night as my digital clock was flipping to 11:11. It was bizarre. After weeks of this happening I started to wonder what the hell was going on. I never told any one, or asked about it. Thirty years ago we didn't have home computers to search things on. All these years I have seen the 11:11 or 1:11. I still wake out of a sound sleep to see these numbers on the clock, or look at my phone at just those times. I have read all over the net what this means. Do I know for sure? NO! I have no idea. But I do know I have been seeing this for 30 years and been in a sound sleep when suddenly awake to see it. I was amazed when I did search to see if there was any information on it. But you would be the first one I have seen that has seen it as long as I have.

reply to post by summer5


Hi summer5.....It's been that long for you too? When I found other people online experiencing the same 11:11 "phenomena"....I was floored! People were trying to figure out what it meant....is this the date I'm going to die? kind of thing. Every November 11 (Remembrance Day here) I would get somewhat nervous....but I'm still here.
(On a side note....the 'phenomena' started right after I got married....and I recently figured out that my marriage lasted exactly 11 years and 11 months....soooo strange!!
jacygirl

reply to post by summer5


That is exactly how 11:11 hits me too. Sometimes I would spontaneously wake up from still sleep just to look at the clock (conditionally, automatically, but not intentionally), see 11:11, think to myself, "Yeah? So what?!" and then instantly fall back to sleep.

And some still have the nerve to say you, I, we all had the solid plan to "want to see it" so we could discuss it on ATS x amount of years later.

It is a very real and very intriguing phenomena that deserves serious attention. It's even more intriguing how we all manifested this 11:11 thing without any external influence whatsoever! I know many, many have claimed (myself included) that 11:11 came about before they ever discussed it with anyone, or found a book about it, or were even able to research it online..

reply to post by jacygirl


Yep, it's been that long here too. I have no children born on that day. I have no relationships that lasted that long. I have nothing I can relate this to. All I know is I see it, have seen this, for many years. The only thing I did find out that my life path number is also an 11

reply to post by NarcolepticBuddha


I agree. There is something to it...especially for those of us who had been seeing this WAY before the internet age. It wasn't like it was a thought put into our head to notice, or be woken to seeing it. WHAT is it? THAT is the million dollar question.

reply to post by summer5


I don't know why, but for some reason the binary interpretation of 11:11 always sits in the back of my mind when I think of it.

1111= true, true, true, true

So, what does that mean? You got me! I'm not even interested in computers or binary code etc.

I suppose the point in bringing up 11:11 with my OP was to compare it to the synchronicity I was noticing with the Ace of Spades. Now that the frame of reference has been established, I'd love to hear about synchronicity involving numbers and symbols--and how they might possibly relate to December 21st, 2012 etc.

Let's just set it all out on the table and piece it together like a jigsaw puzzle!

reply to post by NarcolepticBuddha


If you are correct about this 11:11 thingy, don't you think that something would have happened by now ?

11 Nov 2011 - Nothing
11 Nov 2012 - Nothing
22 Nov 2012 - Nothing

Notice a pattern here ?

12 Dec 2012 - Oooo i wonder what might happen. Nothing !!!! Again.

This 11:11 thing is turning into a damp squib.

Those who are giving out these codes havn't got a clue what to do with them.

This thread needs this.

reply to post by NarcolepticBuddha


I think what bothers me the most....is the Dec. 21, 2012 date...the exact time being stated is...11:11.
I have wondered if this date will be 'different' for those of us experiencing this phenomena....(not that I have any clue what/if anything is going to happen)....but 30 years is a long time to be wondering....what does this mean?
jacygirl

reply to post by zedVSzardoz


Haha nice! I kept seeing that as a result on my google searches and was praying somebody would post that song. Thanks!

Originally posted by Rapha
reply to post by NarcolepticBuddha

 

If you are correct about this 11:11 thingy

Correct about what? I don't think anyone in this thread has made a specific claim about 11:11. We're just speculating about it.

I'm not going to waste time and posting space trying to convince anybody of 11:11 or other synchronous moments. If you experience it regularly then you already know what it feels like. If you don't experience it then find some other thread to nitpick on.

This is silly, but....while I'm on ATS I'm also playing Spider Solitaire....I looked at the clock on my computer at exactly 11:11...of course!....but, as I clicked on a new game of Solitaire....it dealt me 4 Ace of Spades, lol.
(I always think someone is trying to tell me something, but geez...I wish it was easier to understand what!!)
jacygirl