Cartomancy
is a form of fortune-telling or divination using a deck
of cards. The practice of cartomancy has been observed
since playing cards first came into use in Europe in the
14th century.
Practitioners of cartomancy are generally known as cartomancers,
card readers or, simply, readers. Some practitioners have
claimed that cartomancy's origins date back to ancient
Egyptian times, the art being derived from wisdom given
to the ancient Egyptians by the scribe-god Thoth, although
this belief is by no means common today.
According to some traditions, a deck that is used for
cartomancy should not be used for any other purpose. Cartomancers
generally feel that the deck should be treated as a tool
and cared for accordingly. Some cartomancers also feel
that the cards should never be touched by anyone other
than their owner.
