Astro-Cards and Magian Cardology

IAIN ALLAN MCLAREN-OWENS (1943 - 2021)

During his life, Iain Allan McLaren-Owens (King of Diamonds♦) was well known as the man who knew more about the history of Cardology than anyone else. Iain personally knew most of the authors who have written the books about the ancient mystical science of playing cards. He maintained an extensive library of historical books, research, and information. Until his final days, Iain wrote continuously about his theories about this sacred system. As a Master Cardologer, he changed lives of many with his personality, his knowledge, and his publications. Iain paved the way for so many of us today in understanding the Order of the Magi, Olney H. Richmond, and the magical system of playing cards. His contributions to the founding of the International Association of Cardology, and his role as the association's Official Historian and Archivist, are invaluable. 

Many would agree that to describe Iain, and who he was, is not an easy task. It may be best to let Iain provide his background in his own words, as he shared in his newsletters. Below is what he wrote about himself:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR / PUBLISHER

IAIN MCLAREN–OWENS

I was born February 12, 1943 (K♦) in N.W. London, England. In the mid-1950’s, I began my studies, both with teachers and texts, into the ‘old school’ Astrology, Numerology, Esoteric Disciplines, and general Metaphysical subjects, which I continue to this day.

In 1975, I was introduced to the playing card readings, that has since developed into the ASTRO-CARDS SYSTEM, by one of Edith Randall’s pupils, while she was visiting London. Shortly after this, I relocated to the U.S., where I was introduced to the ‘new school’ of more modern thinkers and the latest developments in the fields of Astrology and other related occult systems. I was immediately drawn to the Card System and while in New York, by amazing luck, I obtained the final edition of "The Mystic Test Book" (MTB) by Olney H. Richmond, and the "Sacred Symbols of the Ancients" (SSA) by Edith L. Randall and Florence Evylinn Campbell, M.A.. By late 1975, I had settled in San Francisco, at which time I began an intensive study of the only books then available on this subject.

My studies continued on for nearly four years without finding anyone else who had even heard of this System. Fortunately, that allowed me to avoid the indoctrination of the existing teachings and dogma, which left me free to examine the material with a fresh and unbiased viewpoint. My Card System studies have been coupled with extensive investigations into everything from Ancient Mythology to the latest developments in the Astrological fields. These studies and research led to the creation and publication of my version of this technique which I call the ASTRO-CARDS SYSTEM OF MAGIAN CARDOLOGY, based on what I truly believe the Playing Cards to be: a complete astrological databank that is hidden within this ancient system.

These studies have also opened many avenues of research. Some of my publications are directly linked to this System, while others come from peripheral developments, and yet others are just provided due to their rarity or importance of information. All the works are created to provide “food for thought” so that you may learn to establish your own understanding and methodologies for personal enlightenment and self-improvement.

For those of you reading this page and understand Cardology, you may find it interesting to know that Iain magically transitioned on 11/23/2021 at 9:11am MST during his yearly Uranus 52-day period with an Ace of Spades♠️, the card of transformation, death and rebirth.

Iain McLaren-Owens was an astrologer and a member of The Arizona Society of Astrologers (ASA) in Scottsdale, Arizona. ASA is the oldest (founded in 1973) and one of the largest statewide astrology organizations in Arizona to promote astrology through teaching, lecturing, research, and practice in a professional and ethical manner. The ASA hosts well-known and inspiring teachers and lecturers from around the world at regular monthly meetings. Over the years, Iain gave lectures and presentations on his system of Astro-Cards, the weaving of Astrology with Cardology. 

Iain Allan McLaren-Owens and his publishing company, Astro-Cards Enterprises, will forever be missed. Fortunately, the International Association now has the privilege, and the responsibility, of keeping his work, research, and contributions alive and available to the Cardology community and the world at large.

DISCLAIMER:  Iain McLaren-Owens and Astro-Cards Enterprises publications consists of various concepts, extrapolations, interpretations, methods, and theories about playing cards and the ancient system of Cardology, initially presented in 1893 by Olney H. Richmond in his book, The Mystic Test Book. Like others, author/publisher Iain McLaren-Owens expanded the science of the cards into different realms, not always following Richmond's original material. The International Association of Cardology does not endorse any particular book, concept, research, and/or information, of Iain McLaren-Owens, or any other particular Cardologer, and is not responsible in any way for any misinterpretations that occur.

Advanced Birth Chart Readings (2020)

Aspects (1996)

Cards & Letters / Trees & Tribes

Composite & Relationship Cards (2013)

Cycles of Interactivity + Monthly Cycle-Date Tables

Cycles of Periodicity + Monthly Cycle-Date Tables

Day-Cards & Astro-Degrees (1993)

Magian Cardology Readings Spreads with Explanatory Text (2004)

Magian Cardology Record (2004)

Magian Cardology System - Card Chart Tables (2017)

Planetary Rulers (1997)

Planetary Squares (2010)

Planetary Types (2014)

Planetary Types (Supplement) (2014)

Pure, Life & Age Spreads (No Text)

Readings Pamphlet (2017)

Sacred Symbols for the Modern Times (2017)

Spreads Sets Texts (Includes All Spreads)

The Calendar & Its Cycles

The Day & Its Divisions + Workbook (2003)

The Expanded Spreads Explained (2020)

The "Key" Spread (1996)

The Magi, The Gypsies & The Playing Cards (2020)

The Primary Stages Explained (2020)

The Synopsis: A Gathering of Playing Card Interpretations from Ace to Thirteen by Suit also including the 12 Zodiacal Court Card Archetypal Influences + the Joker (Supplement) (2016)

Universal Spread (1997)

Compilations and Reprints (with original publication dates) are listed below, some with notes, comments and appendices from lain McLaren-Owens of Astro-Cards Enterprises.

Compilations:

Articles on The Order of The Magi  (3rd Edition) compiled by lain McLaren-Owens (2007)

Astro-Cards Quarterly  (Issues 0-13) compiled by Int’l Association of Cardology (2024) 

Card Interpretations From The Mystic Test Book by Olney H. Richmond compiled by lain McLaren-Owens (1996)

Monographs No. 1-3  compiled by Int’l Association of Cardology (2023)

Mystic Test Book  (Centennial and 6th Edition) Olney H. Richmond I lain McLaren-Owens (1997)

Special Bundle: THE MAGI, THE GYPSIES & THE PLAYING CARDS by Iain McLaren-Owens (1992-2020)

Temple Lectures  (Centennial Edition Vol 1 & 2) Olney H. Richmond (1892 - 1896) / Iain McLaren-Owens (1996)

Reprints:

Astrology and the Cards by E. H. Bailey (c. 1920)

Birthday Readings by J. B. Schmalz (1900)

Fortune Telling Birthday Book (1938)

Fortune Telling By Cards by Margot Le Myne (1936)

Konnekting-Profiles (Manual and Workbook) by Alicia Maez (1995)

Mystic Thesaurus by W. F. Whitehead (1899)

Nuggets from K. Solomon's Mines by J. B. Schmalz (1908)

Periodicity by Prof. Joseph. R. Buchanan, MD (3rd Edition 1912)

Square of Sevens by R. Antrobus (1740) II. Stevenson (1897)

Symbolism by Milton A. Pottenger (1905)

The Magea Book by Olney H. Richmond (1893)

DISCLAIMER: The International Association of Cardology and the sale of any publication from this listing or its website does not endorse any particular book, concept, information, method, and/or theory. The International Association is not responsible in any way for any misinterpretations.