"Shape of my Heart"

"Shape of my heart" performed by Sting was released in 1993. Sting stated that this song was written about a card player, a gambler who plays not to win but to figure out some mystical logic in luck, or chance, or some type of scientific , almost religious law. He stated that it's about a poker player who finds it difficult to express his emotions ,so he wears a mask that never changes.

I believe this song also relates to Tarot and playing cards. Many people seek out the Tarot and even playing cards to give them the answers. It is therefore an attempt to find the answers underneath it all. So the song speaks not just about winning, it's not just about the card game. It's about looking deeper ,looking for the meaning in life , finding the answers even if it means not winning, it's about how the game is played, it's about the journey and expressing one's self without concealing emotions.

The following represents the symbols in Tarot and playing cards which relate to this song :
Spades are Swords which may represent death, misfortune, thinking (usually destructive)
Hearts are Cups representing love, emotions, happiness
Diamonds are Coins/Pentacles represent money, fortune, business, work
Clubs are Wands which represent news and information

This makes sense when you relate it to the lyrics below :
"I know that the spades are swords of a soldier
I know that the clubs are weapons of war
I know that diamonds mean money for this art"

Now for the full lyrics to the song :

He deals the cards as a meditation
And those he plays never suspect
He doesn't play for the money he wins
He doesn't play for respect
He deals the cards to find the answer
The sacred geometry of chance
The hidden law of a probable outcome
The numbers lead a dance

I know that the spades are swords of a soldier
I know that the clubs are weapons of war
I know that diamonds mean money for this art
But that's not the shape of my heart

He may play the jack of diamonds
He may lay the queen of spades
He may conceal a king in his hand
While the memory of it fades

I know that the spades are swords of a soldier
I know that the clubs are weapons of war
I know that diamonds mean money for this art
But that's not the shape of my heart

And if I told you that I loved you
You'd maybe think there's something wrong
I'm not a man of too many faces
The mask I wear is one
Those who speak know nothing
And find out to their cost
Like those who curse their luck in too many places
And those who fear are lost

I know that the spades are swords of a soldier
I know that the clubs are weapons of war
I know that diamonds mean money for this art
But that's not the shape of my heart


As an avid Tarot card reader I too look for the answers underneath it all, I use tarot for guidance and when I feel I have reached a crossroads and have some important decisions to make. To be honest at times I just want to know what's going to happen and so I pull out my tarot deck hoping for an answer. Usually when that happens the tarot just reflects what I already knew ..

The Sugababes and Craig David covered their version of this song in 2003. I think that Craig David is one incredibly talented singer performing "Rise and Fall" ..listen for yourself. The Sugababes performed "Shape", they do a great version too. All 3 including the original are really good tracks.

The original "Shape of my Heart" by Sting was played at the end credits for the movie "Leon" featuring Natalie Portman in 1994. A excellent movie I might add.

Below are all three in no specific order :