Help with German translation of old Playing card meanings

[Raggydoll]

I would be ever so grateful if someone could help me out with a translation:  https://archive.org/details/EynLoszbuchAusDerKartenGemacht/page/n20/mode/1up?view=theater

This book has poems and meanings for all the german playing cards, if you scroll down the document it looks like this (random screenshot)

 

I know this is a very big ask, but I was hoping that someone else would be equally interested in these poems as me. The whole book is 36 pages but not all of it consists of these poems. That bit starts at page 15 and ends around page 28. Anything you could help me with is greatly appreciated!

 

 

[Raggydoll]

For easy access, here are the relevant pages

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 18, 2023 by Raggydoll

[BrightEye]

If you google Mainzer Losbuch, there is a kickstarter site where you can see one of the pages translated into English. It’s not easy to translate, partly because it’s not modern German, so hard to understand in places. And the text allows for quite a wide range of interpretation. 
 

I’d say the first page with the short verse and the diagram says something like (very loosely translated): this is a book of lots / fortune telling with cards. It was invented as a form of pastime, but despite this you would do well to heed its powers. Basically, this is a project that began as a pastime, but it is a powerful tool for fortune telling.

 

 

[Raggydoll]

11 minutes ago, BrightEye said:

If you google Mainzer Losbuch, there is a kickstarter site where you can see one of the pages translated into English. It’s not easy to translate, partly because it’s not modern German, so hard to understand in places. And the text allows for quite a wide range of interpretation. 
 

I’d say the first page with the short verse and the diagram says something like (very loosely translated): this is a book of lots / fortune telling with cards. It was invented as a form of pastime, but despite this you would do well to heed its powers. Basically, this is a project that began as a pastime, but it is a powerful tool for fortune telling.

 

 

Thank you! I was aware that there had been a Kickstarter but I don’t want to buy another deck/book 😕. I didn’t know they had a page available in English, I’ll go look at that! 

[Nemia]

Give me some time, I'll do it, it's not difficult. 

[Raggydoll]

16 minutes ago, Nemia said:

Give me some time, I'll do it, it's not difficult. 

Oh that is so kind of you 😍

 

I am hand making a personal copy of the Stukeley deck, and I am very interested in learning about the way German suits are interpreted! 

[Nemia]

A book of lots (oracles) made from cards,

And prepared because it’s interesting.

If you don’t want to believe it

You have learned them wrongly.

 

I’m the noble King of Hearts

And I tell you upon my honour

If you believe what you were told

It’s because of your simple-mindedness

Don’t take the words as they’re spoken

To you here and there

In your face they talk nicely

But the intention is evil.

 

Upper Man of Hearts is my name

And I set into your hand

The heart which means

That your love is faithful

And may never be your enemy

Your most beloved favourite.

You shall dance and jump

And sing happily.

 

I’m the Knave of Hearts

And tell you my thoughts jokingly

I’ll tell you honestly

That you’re a proper fool

If you play with dice

And lose your pennies

You should stop it now

And save your eyes.

 

I’m the Pawn/Farmer of Hearts

And tell you upon my word

No more than that

You don’t rely on others

You believe that you won friends

That happens when a donkey learns to spin

I’ll tell you neither good nor bad

As long as you are arrogant.

[BrightEye]

This is so good! Hats off @Nemia

[Raggydoll]

[Nemia]

(9 Hearts)

Nine Hearts tell you truthfully

That you shall  be happy and joyful

With your most beloved

Who gives you love

If you heart is faithful

You deserve it

You will be honoured

by your love.

 

(8 Hearts)

I’ll tell you the truth

You should wear gray clothes

Because you’re suffering

Nobody cares about you

I hear that people look at you askew

Over their shoulders

And gossip about you

Even if you don’t notice it.

 

(7 Hearts) 

Seven are for you

Whether big or small

They’re daughters or boys

To one who’s doing well

And doesn’t desire more

He will be received with love

Very soon by his love

And will get a kiss on his mouth.

 

(6 Hearts)

The Lover that you chose

Is lost to all work

No matter how he flatters you

Another one encourages him more

So let him, I want to tell you

You’ll suffer great damage otherwise

And leave alone those who are bound

And stick to (unclear).

Edited December 19, 2023 by Nemia

[Nemia]

(5 Hearts)

I tell you and reveal to you

Very soon something will happen to you

A thing that makes you happy

And with your eyes you’ll see

Clearly your most beloved

Who shows his love to you

And will do so openly

If you always do his bidding.

 

(4 Hearts)

You must believe me

You’ll rob yourself

Of dear friendship and loyalty

Take care so you won’t regret

Losing something you didn’t value enough

Turning love into its opposite

If you want to succeed

It’s money you need

 

(3 Hearts)

Phoenix doesn’t live differently

When striving for the fier

Than your loving mind

Venus, the beautiful queen,

Will stand by you

If you do it right

With heart and senses

It will be your gain.

 

(2 Hearts)

I tell you straight and clear

That you’ll soon wear black

You’ll suffer grief

You should take care early enough

Otherwise sadness will overwhelm you

When you miss the one you love

And you deserve it

If your heart is traitorous

[Nemia]

I'll continue later, it's a busy day today. The German is archaic but understandable. The text seems to be addressed to a female reader. The word for lover (Buhle) is ambiguous but the pronoun is masculine. 

[Raggydoll]

Just now, Nemia said:

I'll continue later, it's a busy day today. The German is archaic but understandable. The text seems to be addressed to a female reader. The word for lover (Buhle) is ambiguous but the pronoun is masculine. 

Thank you so much! No rush ❤️

 

Yes it seem like love advice for females. I was wondering about the unclear sentence for 6 of hearts. Is it the word geistlichem ? As in referring to something spiritual? 🤔 (like ‘turn to church/the priest’ instead of to bound men? 😅 ) 

[Nemia]

Yes, something with geistlich. Maybe I'll understand it later. Kynd - is it Kind or Kund? child or message? If I find the word again, it may become clear. 

[Raggydoll]

46 minutes ago, Nemia said:

Yes, something with geistlich. Maybe I'll understand it later. Kynd - is it Kind or Kund? child or message? If I find the word again, it may become clear. 

Yes, this is so intriguing! 

[BrightEye]

On 12/19/2023 at 7:49 AM, Nemia said:

Yes, something with geistlich. Maybe I'll understand it later. Kynd - is it Kind or Kund? child or message? If I find the word again, it may become clear. 

Would you read 'synd' as 'sind'? in which case 'kynd' would be 'Kind' (the 'i' sound in 'geystlich' is also a 'y').

 

What are the words between 'mit der' and 'von geystlichem kynd' in the last line of the 6 of Hearts?

 

The word 'arbeyt' earlier in the 6 of Hearts: in Middle High German the word had the connotation of strife/ hardship/ pain (e.g. the first stanza of the Nibelungen). Did it still have that connotation at the time when the Losbuch was written? 

[Scandinavianhermit]

On 12/19/2023 at 7:49 AM, Nemia said:

The text seems to be addressed to a female reader. The word for lover (Buhle) is ambiguous but the pronoun is masculine. 

"Buhle" looks like it is related to the very archaic Swedish word "bolare", which certainly isn't a flattering designation. "Bolare" fell out of use several generations ago.