In most card games, the two Jokers are removed from the deck before play begins, which raises an interesting question: why include them at all? The answer lies in the rich mystical history of the Joker’s inclusion in the deck, as outlined in ‘The Mystic Test Book’ by Richmond. Here, he reveals that the Joker was not simply an afterthought, but an intentional addition designed to reflect a connection with our calendar.

The Origin of the Joker

Richmond explains that the Joker was introduced to represent one and a quarter days, with its spot value aligning with this number. If you add the values of the 52 cards in a deck, you get 364. When you include the Joker, it completes the 365¼ days of the year—precisely matching our calendar, including the leap year. This was not a mere coincidence but a deliberate choice by the mystical brotherhood that Richmond refers to.

The Big Joker and the Small Joker

Over time, the role of the Jokers evolved. Initially, there was only one Joker, but now, most decks include two: the Big Joker and the Small Joker. The Big Joker symbolises 31st December, marking the end of the year. If you are born on this day, two cards influence your birth: the Ace of Hearts if born before noon, or the King of Spades if born after noon.

The Small Joker, on the other hand, represents the rarest of all days—29th February, leap day. Those born on this day are influenced by the 9 of Clubs if born before noon, and the 9 of Spades if born after noon. Despite these influences, the Joker itself remains the primary force guiding these individuals, making them unique and enigmatic.

A Pivotal Role in the Deck

Although it might seem like the Joker’s inclusion is just a convenience, it plays a pivotal role in aligning the deck with the year. The Jokers are not random wild cards—they are structural components of a deeper, mystical framework. They may be removed before most games begin, but they occupy essential positions in the ‘crown row’ of the cards’ natural order.

Elegant Positions of the Jokers

In the natural arrangement of the cards, the Big Joker takes his place after the King of Spades, resting in the top left corner, with black lettering and a red star. The Small Joker, representing leap day, occupies the top right corner. The positions of these Jokers follow a natural counter-clockwise flow, representing the quarters of a day they symbolise.

The Final Resting Place

When performing mystical readings with cards, the Jokers are allowed to participate during the shuffling, but are removed once the quadration begins. This step places them in their rightful positions, ensuring their influence remains intact but outside the movement of the other cards. The Big Joker and Small Joker thus hold the final two spots in the natural order, waiting to influence those rare individuals born on 31st December or 29th February.

In essence, the Jokers are not mere extras—they are mystical markers of time, governing the framework of the deck and its alignment with the cosmos.