THE 36 KIPPER CARDS – COMPLETE MEANING LIST
1. Main Male
The querent or the most important man in the situation.
2. Main Female
The querent or the most important woman in the situation.
3. Marriage Card
Union, partnership, agreements, commitment, contracts.
4. Courtship
Dating, early connection, meeting someone, social interaction.
5. Good Gentleman
Helpful older man, mentor, advisor, father figure.
6. Good Lady
Supportive older woman, guide, mother figure, benefactor.
7. Pleasant Letter
News, messages, communication, invitations.
8. False Person
Deception, hidden motives, manipulation, secrecy.
9. Change
Movement, relocation, transition, improvement.
10. Journey
Travel, progress, movement forward, a shift in direction.
11. Winning Lots
Small luck, minor gains, opportunities, small wins.
12. Privileged Lady
Elegance, lifestyle, comfort, self-care, social status.
13. Rich Good Gentleman
Wealth, business, financial support, investor energy.
14. Sad News
Disappointment, delay, emotional setback.
15. Lovers
Romance, attraction, emotional connection, intimacy.
16. His Thoughts
Planning, contemplation, mental focus, intentions.
17. Gift
Generosity, blessings, positive developments, support.
18. Child
New beginnings, innocence, creativity, something small.
19. A House
Home, stability, property, family, foundation.
20. A Living Room
Privacy, personal matters, intimacy, your inner world.
21. A Military Person
Discipline, structure, protection, official matters.
22. A Thief
Loss, draining energy, theft, something slipping away.
23. Court
Legal matters, official decisions, bureaucracy.
24. Theft
(Modern decks merge 22 & 24; traditional decks keep both.) Loss, misdirection, something being taken.
25. High Honour
Recognition, achievement, respect, success.
26. Great Fortune
Major luck, abundance, breakthrough, best possible outcome.
27. Unexpected Money
Financial gain, surprise income, opportunity.
28. Expectation
Waiting, patience, anticipation, something developing.
29. Work, Occupation
Career, projects, daily tasks, productivity.
30. Court Person
Mediator, official, someone involved in decisions.
31. Bad Illness
Stress, vulnerability, exhaustion, temporary weakness.
32. Grief and Adversity
Struggle, conflict, emotional hardship, obstacles.
33. Murky Thoughts
Confusion, doubt, anxiety, unclear motives.
34. Work, Employment
Job, career path, professional identity.
35. A Long Road
Long-term development, slow progress, life path.
36. Hope, Big Water
Dreams, aspirations, spiritual expansion, distant goals.
BEGINNER’S KIPPER SPREAD – “THE 9-CARD BOX”
This is the most classic and intuitive Kipper layout. It gives a storyline of your situation.
Layout
1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9
How to read it
- Card 5 (centre): The heart of the situation
- Row 1: Past influences / what led here
- Row 2: Present dynamics
- Row 3: Near future / unfolding events
- Left column (1,4,7): What supports or influences you
- Right column (3,6,9): External factors / outcomes
- Person cards: Identify who is involved and follow their direction
- Movement cards: Show where the story is heading
- Negative cards: Show blocks or hidden issues
Example interpretation flow
- Start with Card 5 – the core issue.
- Read Row 1 to understand the past.
- Read Row 2 to see what’s happening now.
- Read Row 3 for the near future.
- Look at person cards to see who is facing what.
- Look at movement cards (Journey, Change, Long Road) to see direction.
- Synthesize into a storyline.
