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Kipper Card Meanings

The Kipper is a specialized forecasting system that focuses exclusively at providing advice about a Dating Game. Therefore avoid using it for answering questions about business or civic matters, and instead use it only to answer questions pertaining to your love life.

There are 36 Kipper cards, and each Kipper card is differentiated only by its standardized card Number. Traditionally, card publishers will include a brief keyword phrase of their own devising on each card to help newbies. Originally these phrases were only written in German, but several decks with phrases written in English are now available.

Kipper cards are always read upright inside of Spreads (card #8 often fulfils the role of a "reversal" aspect), which can be either Tableaus or Strings. Individual cards can also express a clear Yes, No, or Maybe answer. Card interaction is a key feature of Kipper Spreads, and the cards reveal quite a bit about the dating game players. The de facto reference deck is the 1920s facing variant of the classic "Original Kipper".

In a Spread, cards falling to the left of a focus card are usually seen as being in the past, while those to the right are seen as being in the future. Note that although amplifying readings using image facing has been a popular adjunct since the mid 20th century, there are no standards requiring how images must face (and most LWBs don't even mention it), so facing interpretation is always deck (and cartomancer) dependent.

Although small in number, Kipper cards are very versatile. Four of the cards express low/high aspects of their theme. Twelve of the cards are antonyms of each other. Card 08 can flip a cards' meaning. Ten cards specifically refer to the actual players in the Dating Game, with six of these referring to major players. The other cards refer to the events in the melodrama. Many cards can reveal an aspect about a card that they are paired with, and some can even recommend actions for the Querent to take.

Kipper Lessons (*.mp4)

Lesson 1 - The Dating Game

Lesson 2 - Persons in the Kipper

Lesson 3 - Action in the Melodrama

Kipper Card Facing - Facing comparison between five popular Kipper decks

Card examples are taken from the classic Original Kipper. Above the card photo is the cards standard number, along with a keyword phrase that I believe expresses the card meaning succinctly. Below the card photo are bullet points. The [ ^ ] symbol shown on some person cards indicates whom the avatar is often traditionally substituted for (actual avatar assignment is always at the discretion of the cartomancer). The [ * ] symbol indicates a course of action that the card is suggesting for the Querent. The [ " ] symbol indicates an alternative card meaning.


01 - Prime Gentleman	02 - Prime Lady	03 - Marriage	04 - Meetups

Man in prime of life Male Querent Male Significant Butch Significant	Woman in prime of life Female Querent Female Significant Effeminate Significant	Union Marital bond Committed cohabitation	Physical socializing Courting opportunity


05 - Older Gentleman	06 - Older Lady	07 - Pleasant Message	08 - False Person

Fatherly figure Mature male Querent Mature male Significant `^ Rival masculine Suitor ^ Cuckold`	Motherly figure Mature female Querent Mature female Significant `^ Rival feminine suitor ^ Cuckquean`	Upbeat tidings * Reveal your satisfaction	Deceptive Person * Warning to reevaluate "Flips meaning of paired card"


09 - Change	10 - Journey	11 - Sudden Riches	12 - Privileged Woman

A shift New direction Relocation Change of view	Round trip Away on travel * Take a trip	Major monetary increase Financial windfall "Gain"	Young woman Free spirit Artistic `^ Potential tryst partner` "The finer things in life"


13 - Wealthy Man	14 - Upsetting Message	15 - Success in Love	16 - Collect Thoughts

Young man Person of means Well connected `^ Potential tryst partner` "Auspicious results in money matters"	Downbeat tidings * Reveal your displeasure	Sex Intimacy Mutual love	Reflecting Forward planning * Think it through


17 - Bestowed a Present	18 - Child	19 - Ending	20 - House

Minor recognition Meriting acceptance	Dependent child * Warning of childishness "Fresh start"	Conclusion Termination	Stability Domesticity A secure physical retreat


21 - Private Matter	22 - Regimented Person	23 - Dispute	24 - Theft

Embarrassing secret Present tense Privacy	Controlling person Official Tries to manage your affairs for you "The executive branch"	Disagreement Denial	Unexpected loss Clandestine exploitation * Avoid self-imposed deprivation


25 - High Honors	26 - Fortune Smiles	27 - Gift of Money	28 - Expectation

Major recognition Meriting reverence	Success Good luck Ease	Minor monetary increase Unexpected extra cash	Short wait * Be patient


29 - Trapped	30 - Judgmental Person	31 - Malaise	32 - Adversity

Unwanted obligation Restricted Isolated	Resolving person Arbitrator Tries to make your decisions for you "The judicial branch"	Uneasiness Suspicion Temporary indisposition	Failure Bad luck Troubles


33 - Doubts	34 - Absorbing Distraction	35 - Long Road Ahead	36 - Hope

Uncertainty Concern Depression Pessimism	Hobbies Delinquency from the game	Long wait * Be persistent	Wishing Open mindedness Wanderlust