His Thoughts
Meaning
His Thoughts is the card of mental activity, internal reflection, and the planning that precedes action. It represents what someone is thinking — whether the querent, their partner, a colleague, or any person relevant to the situation. It is the card revealing intentions, secret plans, hidden concerns, and decisions maturing in someone's mind before manifesting in the world.
Unlike Cloudy Thoughts (33), which speaks of mental confusion and anxiety, His Thoughts is a neutral-positive card: it indicates active reflection, not mental paralysis. The person is thinking, planning, evaluating options. The outcome of that reflection depends on surrounding cards.
In directional reading, His Thoughts above the significator confirms what is being thought about is what most occupies the querent's mind. Beside it, it indicates someone close is reflecting on the situation. Cards adjacent to His Thoughts reveal the content of that reflection: with Success in Love (15), thinking about romance; with Work (34), thinking about career; with Gain Money (11), thinking about finances.
Revealing combinations: with Pleasant Message (7), thoughts will turn into positive communication — someone will decide to tell you what they think. With the False Person (8), that person's thoughts are not sincere. With Expectation (28), they are thinking but not yet ready to act.
Card History
Card number 16 in the original Kipper addressed a fascinating topic for 19th-century querents: what the other person is thinking. In an era without text messages, social media, or quick ways to know someone's intentions, knowing another person's thoughts was literally magic. Early editions showed a pensive figure, often with hand on chin or surrounded by clouds representing the mental world.
Bavarian card readers used this card constantly because it answered the most frequent question of all: "what does he/she think of me?" In a society where emotions were expressed modestly and intentions were hidden under layers of social formality, knowing someone was thinking about you was a powerful revelation that could change the course of a relationship.
In modern interpretation, His Thoughts maintains that relevance because uncertainty about what others think remains one of the greatest sources of human anxiety. Social media gives us the illusion of knowing what others think, but the reality is that true intentions remain as mysterious as they were in Munich taverns 150 years ago.
In Love
In romantic readings, His Thoughts is one of the most consulted cards because it directly answers the burning question: "is he/she thinking about me?" The short answer is yes — this card indicates someone is actively thinking about you. But the content of those thoughts depends on context.
For couples, this card reveals your partner is reflecting on the relationship. They may be planning something special, processing a recent conflict, or evaluating where they want the relationship to go. If Success in Love (15) is nearby, their thoughts are romantic and favorable. If Grief (32) accompanies it, they are processing something painful they have not yet verbalized.
For singles, His Thoughts indicates someone has you on their mind. The person you are interested in thinks about you more than they show. Perhaps they have not contacted you yet because they are evaluating how to approach, or because they are dealing with their own insecurities before making a move.
If Marriage (3) appears next to His Thoughts, someone is seriously considering a formal commitment with you. With Journey (10), they think about you but distance complicates the situation. With Prison (29), they want to act but something blocks them — fear, a previous relationship, obligations that bind them.
At Work
Professionally, His Thoughts indicates the situation requires reflection before action. It is the moment to plan strategically, analyze options, study the market, and draw up a plan before executing. Impulsiveness is contraindicated: think first, act later.
It may also indicate someone in your work environment is thinking about you — a boss considering promoting you, a client evaluating hiring you, a colleague planning to propose a collaboration. The thoughts are there; action will come when the reflection matures.
Work combinations: His Thoughts with Work (34) indicates you need to rethink your professional strategy. With High Honors (25), someone is considering formally recognizing your achievements. With Change (9), the reflection will lead to a decision of professional transformation.
Advice
His Thoughts reminds you that every significant action begins as a thought. What you think today determines what you will do tomorrow, and what you do tomorrow determines where you will be in a year. Do not underestimate the power of reflection: well-thought plans produce results improvisation will never achieve.
But this card also warns you of the danger of thinking too much. Excessive reflection becomes paralysis. At some point you need to stop planning and start executing, stop imagining scenarios and start living one. Thought is the first step, not the final destination.
If this card refers to another person's thoughts about you, remember something important: you cannot control what others think nor should you try. You can influence through your actions, but another person's mental world is sovereign territory you do not have access to. Focus your energy on what you can control — your own decisions — and let others' thoughts follow their own course.