Today, we will delve into the intriguing world of the Russian Gypsy Deck, a unique set of cards that stands out from the usual tarot decks. These cards are captivating due to the profound messages they reveal in response to our questions, providing us with guidance to resolve any issues we may face.
The Power of the Russian Gypsy Deck
These cards possess the ability to foresee events that may occur in our lives. They can highlight both positive and negative aspects, not by directly answering our questions, but through the imagery depicted on the cards.
A Unique Structure
This is not your conventional tarot deck. It consists of 25 square cards that form a deck of 50 figures, each with four different forms and corresponding meanings.
Clarity in Readings
The readings from these cards are often very clear and precise. The insights they provide are valid for up to six months, with some exceptions like the clover card, which may have a longer influence.
Cultural Significance
According to the creator, Svetlana Alexandrovna Touchkoff, the Russian Gypsy Deck follows certain rules and traditions. For instance, readings should never be conducted on Sundays, as this day is reserved for worship and church attendance among Russian Gypsies. Additionally, it is forbidden to use the cards with children, as their energy is considered too dynamic for these practices.
How to Consult the Russian Gypsy Deck
Before using the cards, it’s essential to cleanse them:
Hold the cards in your right hand over your left hand, face down. Shuffle them ten times at heart level. Then, shuffle them seven more times while focusing on your question.
Next, cut the deck and regroup the cards. Lay out the spread with five horizontal and five vertical cards, from left to right. Examine each card to find the halves of the four images on each card, aligning them to form a complete figure. Pay attention to the direction of the arrow, as it changes the meaning of the figure. Finally, read the four halves according to their position to understand the current situation and the final outcome.
Time Frames or Periods of Influence
This deck is divided into four time frames:
- Immediate: Events occurring within 1 to 2 weeks before or after the reading.
- Short: Events occurring within 2 to 4 weeks after the reading.
- Medium: Events occurring from 1 month to several months after the reading.
- Lifetime: Effects that last throughout one’s life.
Positions
- Position 1: Most significant meaning.
- Position 2: Weaker meaning.
- Position 3: Slightly negative meaning.
- Position 4: Negative meaning.
Meaning of Each Card
The Knight
Card Number: 1
Period of Influence: Immediate to short
Symbol of: News
Meaning:
- 1: Pleasant news.
- → 2: Unexpected happy news.
- ← 3: News that brings disappointment.
- ↑ 4: Unpleasant news.
General Meaning: This card may describe a lawyer, judge, or someone in an administrative role. It can also signify official news, gossip, or communications.
The Clover
Card Number: 2
Period of Influence: Medium
Symbol of: Luck
Meaning:
- 1: Happiness and fulfillment of wishes.
- → 2: Happiness slightly marred by a misunderstanding.
- ← 3: Short-lived sadness with a satisfactory ending.
- ↑ 4: Misfortune or disappointment.
General Meaning: The clover typically refers to our surroundings, including home, work, leisure, and family.
The Ship
Card Number: 3
Period of Influence: Medium
Symbol of: Finances, adventures
Meaning:
- 1: Receiving an inheritance or a prize.
- → 2: Wealth from trade or work.
- ← 3: Travel.
- ↑ 4: Material loss or unsuccessful efforts.
General Meaning: The ship signifies movement and is closely related to economy and travel.
The House
Card Number: 4
Period of Influence: Immediate or medium
Symbol of: Family, business matters
Meaning:
- 1: Success in all business endeavors.
- → 2: Taking the right steps will lead to success.
- ← 3: Be wary of those around you.
- ↑ 4: Failure of a newly planned project.
General Meaning: The house image refers to family well-being, business, work, and economy—everything that provides security and protection.
The Firewood
Card Number: 5
Period of Influence: Immediate
Symbol of: Physical health
Meaning:
- 1: Good health.
- → 2: Recovery.
- ← 3: Minor illness.
- ↑ 4: Bruise, cut, or illness.
General Meaning: Firewood is used for warmth during cold days. This card signifies an immediate state of health.
The Apple
Card Number: 6
Period of Influence: Immediate
Symbol of: Encounter
Meaning:
- 1: A pleasant event.
- → 2: Something pleasant and unexpected, a gift.
- ← 3: Unpleasant meeting, encounter.
- ↑ 4: Something unpleasant will happen soon.
General Meaning: Meetings, encounters, the apple is always related to love and friendship.
The Snake
Card Number: 7
Period of Influence: Immediate to Medium
Symbol of: Being attacked by someone
Meaning:
- 1: A verbal attack from a malicious person.
- → 2: Betrayal, infidelity.
- ← 3: Loss.
- ↑ 4: Bitter jealousy.
General Meaning: The snake has been associated with women since ancient times, symbolizing their vulnerability, infidelities and unpleasant news. However, it also has a positive side, such as its venom used in medicines and its skin to make bags and shoes. For me, this letter is very negative.
The Hearse.
Card number.- 8
Influence Period: Immediate to Medium.
Symbol of.- Danger at the physical and emotional level.
Meaning.-
🌟 1.- Illness.
→ 2.- A loss of status, though only temporary.
← 3.- Something unpleasant and inevitable awaits you.
↑ 4.- You will escape a danger in time.
General Meaning.- The image of the hearse is unpleasant and initially shocking, but it is merely a warning, a bit more serious and lasting than that of the firewood card. It never means death.
The Bouquet of Flowers.
Card number.- 9
Influence Period: Immediate to Short.
Symbol of.- Happiness.
Meaning.-
🌟 1.- Great success in all businesses.
→ 2.- Profits.
← 3.- Fulfillment of a desire.
↑ 4.- You will find a way to make money.
General Meaning.- Celebrations, triumphs, and love are always manifested with a bouquet of flowers, but this bouquet is the result of great effort after much work.
The Scythe.
Card number.- 10
Influence Period: Immediate or lifelong.
Symbol of.- Destiny altering your life.
Meaning.-
🌟 1.- Bad luck follows you.
→ 2.- You will hear a threat that will have consequences.
← 3.- You will escape a catastrophe.
↑ 4.- Fight.
General Meaning.- The scythe cuts all weeds and is also used to reap grown grain. It is also the symbol that always accompanies death, to warn us that our time is up. This card always relates to situations beyond our control.
The Branches.
Card number.- 11
Influence Period: Immediate to lifelong.
Symbol of.- Reconciliation or anger with the family.
Meaning.-
🌟 1.- Reconciliation after a fight.
→ 2.- Family disagreement.
← 3.- Breakup with an intimate person.
↑ 4.- Tears, an offense.
General Meaning.- The tree represents the family, and its branches represent the individuals that form it.
The Birds
Card number.- 12
Influence Period: Immediate.
Symbol of.- Release from responsibilities.
Meaning.-
🌟 1.- Joy, fun.
→ 2.- Unexpected pleasure.
← 3.- Expect someone to break a promise, and you are right.
↑ 4.- An obstacle you will have to face.
General Meaning.- Birds are a symbol of freedom, fun, joy; birds have no obstacles in their flight.
The Child
Card number.- 13
Influence Period: Immediate to short.
Symbol of.- Adventure.
Meaning.-
🌟 1.- Travel in the near future.
→ 2.- You will find yourself in good company and have pleasant moments.
← 3.- A new friendship is possible.
↑ 4.- An unexpected meeting or a date.
General Meaning.- The child represents innocence, play, adventure… no matter how adult we are, we all have that child within us.
The Fox
Card number.- 14
Influence Period: Short.
Symbol of.- Deception.
Meaning.-
🌟 1.- You are being skillfully deceived.
→ 2.- A falsehood will be uncovered.
← 3 .- It is not wise to trust a new friendship.
↑ 4.- Be careful and do not place unjustified trust in certain people.
General Meaning.- The fox represents cunning, lying, or deception. It is an animal that usually hunts at night, behind people’s backs, when everyone is asleep. It takes advantage of that situation to hunt, meaning it also represents betrayal, and does so behind the scenes without anyone seeing. Together with another card indicating infidelity, it represents an unfaithful person.
The Bear
Card number.- 15
Influence Period: Medium.
Symbol of.- Work, effort, with good results.
Meaning.-
🌟 1.- If you are careful, happiness will not elude you.
→ 2.- Your efforts will bear fruit.
← 3.- You will achieve what you desire, though not immediately.
↑ 4.- Do not place your faith in all advice.
General Meaning.- The bear is a strong and resilient animal, but also sweet and loving. The bear hunts only with its brute strength and hibernates during the coldest months when food is scarce. We, too, will know how to move forward or stop when it is not the right time to act.
The Stars
Card number.- 16
Influence Period: Short to lifelong.
Symbol of.- The influence of destiny in your life.
Meaning.-
🌟 1.- The star that guides you will lead you to your goal.
→ 2.- Success in deals.
← 3.- Temporary ignorance will lead to a series of mistakes.
↑ 4.- A series of unpleasant events.
General Meaning.- Stars have always represented people’s destiny and have guided us in that destiny. They also represent people’s dreams and illusions.
The Heron
Card Number: 17
Period of Influence: Medium
Symbol of: New beginnings or change
Meaning:
- 1: Change of residence
- → 2: Circumstances will force you onto an unwanted path
- ← 3: Changes in friendships
- ↑ 4: Family expansion
General Meaning: The Heron, related to the stork, symbolizes the arrival of a baby and migration for sustenance.
The Dog
Card Number: 18
Period of Influence: Medium to lifetime
Symbol of: Friendships
Meaning:
- 1: You have a loyal friend
- → 2: Friends’ support will be crucial
- ← 3: A friend may betray you
- ↑ 4: Change in friendships
General Meaning: The Dog represents loyalty and companionship, symbolizing our most faithful friends.
The Castle
Card Number: 19
Period of Influence: Lifetime
Symbol of: Security
Meaning:
- 1: Achieving hopes, though later in life
- → 2: A refuge in old age
- ← 3: A long life
- ↑ 4: Chronic illness
General Meaning: Castles symbolize security and protection, representing our well-being and achievements.
The Forest
Card Number: 20
Period of Influence: Medium
Symbol of: People around you
Meaning:
- 1: Continuous friendship with valuable people
- → 2: Being in pleasant company with a purpose
- ← 3: Contact with suspicious individuals
- ↑ 4: Beware of traps laid in your path
General Meaning: The Forest, like a community, can harbor both helpful and harmful individuals.
The Mountains
Card Number: 21
Period of Influence: Immediate
Symbol of: Danger
Meaning:
- 1: Be on guard, a treacherous enemy lurks
- → 2: An unpleasant incident can be avoided
- ← 3: After reflection, you’ll make the right decision
- ↑ 4: Help from powerful people during tough times
General Meaning: This card warns of external dangers, much like the perilous nature of mountains.
The Road
Card Number: 22
Period of Influence: Medium to lifetime
Symbol of: The journey of life
Meaning:
- 1: A happy journey
- → 2: An enjoyable trip
- ← 3: A lonely and tedious road
- ↑ 4: Help from powerful people during tough times
General Meaning: The Road symbolizes life’s journey, filled with both smooth paths and obstacles.
The Mice
Card Number: 23
Period of Influence: Immediate
Symbol of: Losing or finding a material object
Meaning:
- 1: You will find what you lost
- → 2: An unexpected discovery
- ← 3: A theft
- ↑ 4: Stolen goods will be lost forever
General Meaning: Mice, known for stealing food, symbolize theft or loss.
The Heart
Card Number: 24
Period of Influence: Medium
Symbol of: Love
Meaning:
- 1: Your happiness depends on the response from your loved one
- → 2: Love will ignite your heart
- ← 3: Fun and joy will never leave you
- ↑ 4: Harmony with close ones
General Meaning: The Heart symbolizes love and all the emotions tied to our loved ones.
The Ring
Card Number: 25
Period of Influence: Medium
Symbol of: Relationship between two people
Meaning:
- 1: A wedding or agreement
- → 2: Engagement to a wealthy person
- ← 3: Disruption in relationships between lovers or friends
- ↑ 4: Total breakup between lovers
General Meaning.– The ring is the symbol of commitment for eternity, since it is a circle and as such it has no beginning or end, it is eternal. It always symbolizes the union between two people.
The Book
Card Number: 26
Period of Influence: Short
Symbol of: Secret news
Meaning:
- 1.- Communication of a secret.
- → 2.- Something important is being hidden from you.
- ← 3.- A secret that was entrusted to you will be revealed.
- ↑ 4.- Your talkativeness will harm you.
General Meaning: The book represents a collection of pages that hold a story, legend, or diary. It symbolizes a secret that will be revealed or kept hidden, depending on the situation.
The Letter
Card Number: 27
Period of Influence: Immediate to short
Symbol of: News from afar
Meaning:
- 1.- Happiness will come from afar.
- → 2.- Interesting and unexpected news.
- ← 3.- You will hear something you have been waiting for a long time.
- ↑ 4.- Sad news.
General Meaning: The letter signifies news, usually written and often arriving quickly.
The Horseshoe
Card Number: 28
Period of Influence: Medium
Symbol of: Success
Meaning:
- 1.- Good fortune awaits you.
- → 2.- Everything you start in the near future will be successful.
- ← 3.- You will achieve your desire.
- ↑ 4.- You will pass by happiness without seeing it.
General Meaning: The horseshoe represents unexpected luck or fortune through effort.
Money
Card Number: 29
Period of Influence: Medium
Symbol of: Money
Meaning:
- 1.- You will receive a substantial sum of money.
- → 2.- Success or benefits in a business venture.
- ← 3.- An unexpected and pleasant gain.
- ↑ 4.- A long wait before getting paid for your work.
General Meaning: The money card indicates the arrival of money, whether through legal bets, lotteries, work, inheritances, or gifts.
Lilies
Card Number: 30
Period of Influence: Lifetime
Symbol of: Fidelity
Meaning:
- 1.- A happy life full of meanings.
- → 2.- You will know fidelity until death in this life.
- ← 3.- Happiness that is not of this world.
- ↑ 4.- Unnecessary doubts about fidelity, jealousy.
General Meaning: Lilies symbolize happiness, beauty, love, and care. They emit a fantastic, sweet, and intense fragrance. The bouquet refers to earthly and physical happiness, while the lily flower refers to spiritual happiness.
The Sun
Card Number: 31
Period of Influence: Immediate to medium
Symbol of: Warm and strong character
Meaning:
- 1.- Prosperity, flourishing, life’s praises, happiness.
- → 2.- Warmth and light are found only within you.
- ← 3.- A lack of courage prevents you from achieving your desires.
- ↑ 4.- The coldness of the heart will stop you.
General Meaning: The sun gives us warmth, lifts our spirits, and makes our plants and fruits grow. Additionally, in many pagan cultures, it was a symbol of worship.
The Moon
Card Number: 32
Period of Influence: Short to medium
Symbol of: Peace
Meaning:
- 1.- Despite an ordinary life, you are happy.
- → 2.- If you have patience, you will get what you desire.
- ← 3.- Do not be discouraged by a temporary setback.
- ↑ 4.- A delay in acting will go against your interests.
General Meaning: The moon has a strong influence on the earth, nature, people, and animals. It is one of the most adored celestial bodies even today in many cultures. It represents female fertility due to its similarity with lunar cycles.
The Fish
Card Number: 33
Period of Influence: Short to medium
Symbol of: Material and/or spiritual fortune
Meaning:
- 1.- Fortune, especially at sea.
- → 2.- If you seek success, look for it in the water, not on land.
- ← 3.- Commerce will bring you benefits.
- ↑ 4.- In a difficult moment in your life you will not sink, but rather you will rise to the surface.
General Meaning.– The image of the fish symbolizes abundance of food and economic needs, and spiritual life.
The Owl
Card Number: 34
Influence Period: Short.
Symbol of: Problems with immediate projects.
Meaning:
- 1.- You are eager to act imprudently.
- → 2.- Your cunning plans will be discovered.
- ← 3.- Your project will not succeed.
- ↑ 4.- Your plans will not come to fruition.
General Meaning: The owl, a nocturnal bird with a unique and captivating sound, is stealthy, patient, and wise, never acting rashly. This card speaks to the development of your projects, and regardless of the outcome, you must act like the owl.
The Anchor
Card Number: 35
Influence Period: Medium.
Symbol of: Stability or obstacle.
Meaning:
- 1.- Success in love, you are loved.
- → 2.- You will achieve what you expected, success at sea.
- ← 3.- Disappointment with the ideal, doubts.
- ↑ 4.- Your mistake will be difficult to correct.
General Meaning: The anchor is what sailors and fishermen use to secure and immobilize their boats. Similarly, this card represents security and stability.
The Handshake
Card Number: 36
Influence Period: Medium or lifelong.
Symbol of: The state of union between two people.
Meaning:
- 1.- A strong friendship that will support you throughout your life.
- → 2.- Love will unite you with the person you love.
- ← 3.- The handshake will weaken if you don’t make an effort to strengthen it.
- ↑ 4.- Your union is threatened with breaking.
General Meaning: The handshake has always symbolized an agreement between two people, whether in business, friendship, or a relationship. The image usually refers to the state of that union. The images of the BRANCHES and the RING also pertain to union but with a slightly different meaning.
The Angel
Card Number: 37
Influence Period: Medium.
Symbol of: A guardian angel that protects you.
Meaning:
- 1.- Bright and desired happiness awaits you.
- → 2.- Reconciliation will bring you joy.
- ← 3.- Love and tenderness will comfort you.
- ↑ 4.- Celestial powers will save you from a misstep.
General Meaning: The angel is a symbol of protection, guidance, good feelings, and the spiritual part of life.
The Lady
Card Number: 38
Influence Period: Short.
Symbol of: Support, help.
Meaning:
- 1.- A soft and feminine hand will support you in time.
- → 2.- The help you receive does not come from friendship but from hidden love.
- ← 3.- Do not pay attention to the display of courtesy; it is false.
- ↑ 4.- After taking everything they could from you, they will leave you.
General Meaning: The lady can symbolize the mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, or friend. She always symbolizes practical and material support.
The Horse
Card Number: 39
Influence Period: Immediate.
Symbol of: Emotional turmoil.
Meaning:
- 1.- You will have an intense or traumatic experience.
- → 2.- Appearance and external beauty will turn your head.
- ← 3.- Hold the reins tightly, or you will stumble.
- ↑ 4.- Your feelings will be trampled.
General Meaning: The horse is a very powerful animal. Since ancient times, humans have admired the intelligence, sensitivity, nobility, and pride of this animal.
The Knot
Card Number: 40
Influence Period: Lifelong.
Symbol of: Family ties.
Meaning:
- 1.- You have tied strong bonds for life.
- → 2.- The chains that bind you will always be pleasant.
- ← 3.- You will break the ties that bind you.
- ↑ 4.- You can only achieve freedom by cutting the Gordian knot.
General Meaning.- The image of the knot is a symbol of union, representing strong ties that bind us, especially in marriage. It also signifies entanglements and problems that prevent us from doing what we truly desire. Our attitude towards these ties determines whether they are positive or negative.
The Cat
Card Number.- 41
Period of Influence: Short.
Symbol of: A hidden danger.
Meaning.- 1.- You will succumb to the charms of a person.
→ 2.- Be wary of the claws hidden behind a friendly exterior.
← 3.- After receiving a blow, you will hide your feelings with dignity.
↑ 4.- You will be scratched unexpectedly.
General Meaning.- Cats have always been linked to esoteric worlds, magical powers, and their friendship with witches. Although domesticated, cats are unpredictable and can be both affectionate and treacherous.
The Balance
Card Number.- 42
Period of Influence: .
Symbol of: Justice, balance.
Meaning.- 1.- In your destiny, good will outweigh evil.
→ 2.- Your happiness depends on the decision you make.
← 3.- If you maintain your balance, you will successfully navigate a difficult situation.
↑ 4.- Your bad action will have consequences.
General Meaning.- The balance symbolizes justice and maintains the equilibrium of society.
The River Crab
Card Number.- 43
Period of Influence: Short to lifelong.
Symbol of: Learning to move forward in the face of destiny.
Meaning.- 1.- Having taken a too daring step, you will need to retreat.
→ 2.- Your pride will be hurt.
← 3.- Delays are sometimes marked by destiny.
↑ 4.- Often, haste ruins the business.
General Meaning.- The river crab, a small crustacean living under rocks in rivers and ponds, represents destiny. It shows us ways to face obstacles in life.
Fire
Card Number.- 44
Period of Influence: Short to medium.
Symbol of: Passion.
Meaning.- 1.- The fire will engulf your heart.
→ 2.- Be careful with the fire, you will burn your wings.
← 3.- You will fall from the frying pan into the fire.
↑ 4.- Love will warm you during cold and difficult days.
General Meaning.- For me, fire represents passion and love.
The Pig
Card Number.- 45
Period of Influence: Immediate to medium.
Symbol of: Earthly pleasures.
Meaning.- 1.- This year will certainly be prosperous and happy.
→ 2.- Earthly happiness.
← 3.- Your greed will be punished.
↑ 4.- Overindulgence in food will make you ill.
General Meaning.- The pig is a symbol of prosperity. In the past, it was the wealthy farmer who had pigs, providing food throughout the year.
The Bridge
Card Number.- 46
Period of Influence: Short to lifelong.
Symbol of: Deliberate change.
Meaning.- 1.- A radical change in your lifestyle awaits you.
→ 2.- You will build a bridge that connects you with a loved one.
← 3.- Wherever you go, the past will follow you.
↑ 4.- If you desire freedom, you must create a bridge over the void.
General Meaning.- The bridge symbolizes our ability to change our circumstances.
The Demons
Card Number.- 47
Period of Influence: Immediate.
Symbol of: Negative subconscious thoughts.
Meaning.- 1.- Do not listen to cunning whispers that seek to harm you.
→ 2.- Yielding to the temptation of revenge for an offense will only increase your displeasure.
← 3.- Excessive fun without restrictions often precedes sadness.
↑ 4.- Your fervor will lead you nowhere good.
General Meaning.– Demons are our inner conflicts, negative thoughts that make us doubt or push us to retaliate.
The Rooster
Card Number.- 48
Period of Influence: Immediate.
Symbol of: News that awaken you.
Meaning:
1.- You will soon hear good news.
→ 2.- You will share heartfelt news.
← 3.- A fun pastime will help you forget your sadness.
↑ 4.- You will wake up from a sweet dream to daily activities.
General Meaning.– The rooster crows at dawn, signaling the arrival of light. Similarly, this card brings either good or bad news.
The Dagger
Card Number.- 49
Period of Influence: Immediate.
Symbol of: Secret attack.
Meaning:
1.- You will be protected in time.
→ 2.- You will escape danger thanks to a friend’s interest.
← 3.- Your pride will be hurt.
↑ 4.- Someone will cause you heartache.
General Meaning.– A dagger is a sharp and cutting weapon, capable of causing real or symbolic wounds.
The Bread
Card Number.- 50
Period of Influence: Medium.
Symbol of: Happiness.
Meaning:
1.- You will be made happy with a gift.
→ 2.- Prosperity and happiness at home, success in business.
← 3.- Fulfillment of desires.
↑ 4.- Having received something, do not forget others.
General Meaning.– Bread is a staple, symbolizing the essence of life. The cultivation of grain has led to the formation of a stable society. Thus, bread implies stability, prosperity, generosity, and sustenance.
