Who Was Jack the Ripper?

I went searching

Illustrated London News for October 13, 1888

Jack the Ripper was an unidentified serial killer active in and around

the impoverished Whitechapel district of London, England, in 1888. In both criminal case files and the contemporaneous journalistic accounts, the killer was also called the Whitechapel Murderer and Leather Apron. Attacks ascribed to Jack the Ripper typically involved women working as prostitutes who lived and worked in the slums of the East End of London. [Wikipedia].

I only have a vague awareness of the Jack the Ripper murders, but I was interested to see if any kind of divination tool could help identify Jack.

First I tried the cards

I drew:

Ten of Wands

The Ten of Wands is a card of burden and overwhelming responsibility. It suggests that Jack may have been carrying significant pressures or a hidden weight—perhaps due to work, personal life, or mental strain. This card could indicate that he led a life that appeared challenging or overextended, possibly juggling multiple roles or facing inner turmoil that fueled his violent impulses. He might have felt trapped in a way that compelled him to “release” this energy in a destructive form.

Four of Wands

The Four of Wands is traditionally associated with celebration, stability, or home. This card might suggest that Jack maintained a facade of normalcy, blending into society or holding a stable social standing that provided a cover. He may have even been involved in local gatherings, family life, or communal events, appearing to others as an ordinary, possibly even respected, member of his community. This could imply that Jack was someone familiar within the area or held a steady, perhaps trusted position.

Three of Cups

The Three of Cups symbolizes friendship, camaraderie, and social circles. This card suggests that Jack was not entirely isolated; he may have had friends, acquaintances, or a social network. It also hints that he could have used these connections or gatherings as an opportunity to scout or select his victims or places to strike. There’s a possibility he was hiding in plain sight, using social ties or the cover of friendly appearances to deflect suspicion.

The Empress

The Empress represents creativity, nurturing, and feminine energy, which could suggest multiple interpretations. On one hand, it might indicate that Jack had a complicated relationship with women, possibly rooted in an unhealthy fixation on female figures or a particular woman in his life who influenced his feelings toward others. Alternatively, it could mean Jack was deeply influenced by female archetypes, or perhaps he had issues stemming from his family, particularly his mother. This card could imply he was drawn to women who reminded him of unresolved feelings or relationships, which he expressed in twisted ways.

Page of Swords

The Page of Swords represents curiosity, a sharp mind, and youthfulness. This card suggests that Jack was someone intelligent, curious, and possibly younger than often assumed. He may have been an observer, someone who blended into crowds and listened carefully, gathering information on others. This card also indicates that he was likely adaptive and strategic, thinking on his feet and using his cunning to evade capture. On a mundane level, swords are cutting instruments; weird that the last card was a Sword, based on Jack’s method of murder.

But then I felt compelled to draw a sixth card, which I felt would be the Core Card. (Trust your instincts) Up popped the Hierophant.

Here’s what I think

The cards collectively paint a picture of someone who was likely intelligent, strategic, and skilled at concealing his darker side. He may have appeared as a stable member of his community (Four of Wands), mingling in social circles (Three of Cups), and possibly held a trusted role or even a respectable profession.

The Ten of Wands suggests an internal burden or complex personal life that fueled his actions, while the Empress hints at troubled feelings towards women, perhaps stemming from personal relationships. The Page of Swords implies that he was younger than typically suspected, clever, and able to manipulate social interactions to avoid suspicion.

From this spread, you could easily conclude that Jack the Ripper was someone known within the area, maintaining a veneer of normalcy with friends or associates, possibly possessing a complex view of women and a sharp, observant nature. He likely hid behind a profession that allowed him access to the streets where he carried out his crimes.

The Hierophant as the core adds an intriguing layer to understanding Jack the Ripper’s identity. The Hierophant represents tradition, authority, and institutional structures, often linked with religious, academic, or professional institutions. This card can imply someone deeply involved in the established order or someone who presented himself as an upstanding figure within society’s rules and expectations.

The Illustrated Police News - 24 November 1888

Given this Core Card, along with the others, I concluded that Jack was a doctor (with a strong religious background) or a young priest who felt he was doing ‘God’s work’ by ridding the streets of prostitutes. He felt a moral justification for his actions, twisted as that might sound. He may have rationalized his actions as “teaching” or “correcting” in his own warped perception.

I also feel that along with his ‘moral justification’ he had a complex relationship with women. Possibly he felt that putting women on a pedestal (Empress) drove him to rid the world of those women he considered ‘less than’.

But then I decided to throw charms

First, I got something that’s like a bird, but as soon as I saw it I said ‘King’s College’. I have no idea what or where that is, but it’s what popped into my mind.

Next was a yin/yang symbol; totally in line with my dual personality theory.

But here’s the kicker. The third charm was a doctor’s bag.

Honestly, you can’t make this stuff up.

What’s your take?

Nancy