7 Day Lenormand, page 2
And that was it – the instructions were simply to compose a “jocular tale”. There is almost an instruction in there that the oracle is for entertainment purposes only. Perhaps that line as used nowadays traces itself back all the way to an old hang-up about the cards being used in a non-Christian way rather than a modern legal requirement!
So, today, having looked over the cards yesterday, let’s look at several pairs of cards. We try not to learn Lenormand by one card at a time - they really do read far better and easier with more than one card.
If we remember our introduction at the start of this book, we know that we can make a simple tale about a Dog and a House.
What about a Snake and a Child?
That gives a far more ominous title to a story! The child will not know there is danger, and the snake may have a nasty bite.
Now that we know that we can make intuitive stories from pictures, we add a little bit of language magick to our ‘saying out loud’ exercises. This makes a small – but important – step into reading the cards.
We will not stick with this purely ‘intuitive’ approach, as the cards have specific meanings, but it is a fine place to start and a useful skill to develop.
Exercise 1
Here are some titles for stories.
Imagine the first few lines or think about what sort of story they would be and what might be happening in it:
The Gentleman and the Fox
The Dog and the Child
The Bear in the Tower
The Key of the Moon
The Bouquet at the Crossroads
Take your time and think about each one several times before deciding on your response. There is no ‘correct answer’ for these - just allow your natural response to be a guide.
Exercise 2
Now that you have considered five tales, select out two cards from your deck and create a tale yourself – or simply write down the title and think about what sort of story it would be.
You are now already on your way to learning Lenormand by reading it as it was instructed in the original game!
Optional Exercise
Try reading three cards by putting them in the following sentence structure:
[CARD 1] BECAUSE OF
[CARD 2] BECAUSE OF
[CARD 3]
So, if we had MOUNTAIN + HEART + GARDEN, this would read:
MOUNTAIN BECAUSE OF
HEART BECAUSE OF
GARDEN.
We have a Mountain, which seems like a serious obstacle or difficult challenge, knowing what we know of mountains, because of Heart – a romance, perhaps – because of a Garden? That makes us think about a Shakespeare play where everyone meets in a garden, but there is confusion. So, someone met someone, fell in love, but it has led to a current obstacle … this easily sounds like a Lenormand reading.
You try it!
You will notice we have not even covered the ‘meaning’ of the cards yet – we will do this tomorrow, trusting that we can all respond to the natural symbolism used in the deck, unlike the obscure and esoteric symbolism sometimes used in tarot decks.
Day 3. LENORMAND CARDS
Today we meet all the cards and start to quickly widen our experience in reading cards from the whole deck.
A lot of so-called ‘traditions’ or ‘schools’ or ‘styles’ of Lenormand reading have been suggested, but only by people within the last few years. Different decks, books, languages, locations and authors have all modified the meanings of the cards, extended them, and copied them over time from the original sources.
The original ‘meanings’ of the cards generally came from a sheet which was issued with the earliest ‘Lenormand’ cards and was said to have been written by “Philippe LeNormand”. This person did not exist and was used as a marketing ploy.
As we know, the cards themselves published as ‘Lenormand’ were not those used by Mlle. Lenormand.
In the following section, I have provided a reference page for each card and given a set of meanings starting with the ‘Phillipe Sheet’ (c. 1846) in italics and working historically through the earliest dream symbolism, prior meanings given in the Coffee Cards (1796) and Game of Hope instructions (1799), followed by later meanings from A. E. Waite (1909, writing on coffee grounds) and finally offering several contemporary meanings.
I have also provided my own ‘functional’ interpretation of each card as it might be used in a general sense, where the specific meaning may not immediately fit a precise situation. Sometimes the MICE may mean ‘little bits’ rather than an actual thief, which would be nonsense for every time it appeared in a reading.
If you wish to read the cards in a historical manner, you can simply use the first set of meanings in each case, or if you prefer to use contemporary meanings, you can ignore any contradictory historical sets of meanings.
The historical meanings also include game instructions which we can ignore in this context other than that they might indicate if the card was a positive or negative card such as “lose 4 marks” being negative or “advance 6 cards” being positive.
Some cards may not have the same amount of references as others because the Game of Hope and Coffee Cards differed by several card images and the game does not have a specific rule for every card.
If you would like to use the cards for universal themes, or for deeper, psychological and spiritual readings, consult the dream symbolism section for each card. I have taken these from a variety of symbolism books, including Cirlot. They provide a universal language suited in extending the cards to more profound and powerful readings.
At the end of each card section, I have then written a “what you say” sentence for basic practice and when reading for yourself, to ensure the cards speak directly and simply.[3]
Before I introduce all the cards, here is the exercise for today which will quickly get you familiar with reading the deck.
Exercise 1
Think of a small question to ask the cards, even if it is “Tell me what is important for me to know”. Shuffle the deck and lay out three cards from left to right. Now consult the cards in the following section and join together the “what you say” quotes for the cards (which you will find under each card description) with any combination of these linking words:
And … so … when … as … because … if … but …
That is to say, if you drew FISH + HOUSE + DOG you might combine the quotes like so:
The Fish bring resources and the House is secure because the Dog is a friend.
You can simply use “and” as the connecting word if this is easiest for you – just find what works best for you.
Depending on the question, this reading would indicate that we can benefit in our security through a friend, rather than trying to do something about it by ourselves.
If you feel like using more meaningful linking words or extending the sentence even further, elaborating more on a particular card, then do so – as long as you try and stick to the meanings here and do not wander too far away.
Fish + House + Dog
Try different draws of cards and different questions today for your practice and to get used to reading the card meanings in different ways.
You might like to journal your exercises at this point or repeat the earlier exercises for further practice until you are comfortable. There is no need to rush to get everything done in seven days – take whatever time you require.
1. The Rider (Cavalier)
is a messenger of good fortune – if not surrounded by unlucky cards, brings good news, which the Person may expect, either from his own house or from abroad; this will, however, not take place immediately, but some time later.
Dream Symbolism: In myth and folklore a horse was portrayed as a clairvoyant animal. The horse corresponds to Mars and people believed that the sudden appearance of a horse portended news of war and disruption. Clairvoyance. Dreams. Bad News. A Herald.
Coffee Cards: DENOTES good news from abroad, in money matters, a good situation in a foreign, or good prospects. He that doubts his fortune, is promised a lasting one by this emblem.
Coffee Card Verse: Despair not of Men’s goodness for you shall have an unexpected proof of it; you may expect news, and restitution of that which you thought lost.
Game of Hope: N/A
Waite: Someone who will fight (espouse) your cause.
Contemporary: News, new information. Innovation, surprise.
Functional: Novelty.
What You Say: The Rider brings news.
2. The Clover Leaf
is also a harbinger of good news; but if surrounded by clouds it indicates great pain; but if No 2 [Clover] lies near No. 29 [Lady] or No. 28 [Gentleman], the pain will be of short duration, and soon change to a happy issue.
Dream Symbolism: The Trinity. Divine nature. Mountain clover was a sign of success through perseverance and faith; making your own luck. Perseverance. Divine Reward.
Coffee Cards: Is as well here as in common life a lucky sign.
Its different position in the cup alone makes the difference; because, if it is on the top, it shews that the good Fortune is not far distant, but it is subject to delay, if it is in the middle or at the bottom. Should clouds surround it, it shews that many disagreeables will attend the good Fortune; in the clear, it prognosticates serene and undisturbed happiness, as bright as the party wishes.
Coffee Card Verse: You may be very fortunate indeed if you always discharge your duty with honor and integrity.
Game of Hope: N/A
Waite: Speedy Good Fortune
Contemporary: A little bit of luck, small gains, a little success.
Functional: Minor positive change.
What You Say: The Clover brings a little luck.
3. The Ship
the symbol of commerce, signifies great wealth, which will be acquired by trade or inheritance; if near to the Person, it means an early journey.
Dream Symbolism: The journey, often into the unknown – or the unconscious. Transition and self-development. New shores. Gathering oneself together for a new phase of life.
Coffee Cards: N/A
Coffee Card Verse: N/A
Game of Hope: The one, who throws 3 pips and thus gets to the Ship, will be happily taken by this ship to the Canary Islands, where the well-known beautiful birds are at home, no. 12.
Waite: N/A
Contemporary: Travel, risk, adventure, speculation.
Functional: Movement.
What You Say: The Ship means risk.
4. The House
is a certain sign of success and prosperity in all undertakings; and although the present position of the Person may be disagreeable, yet the future will be bright and happy. If this card lies in the centre of the cards, under the Person, this is a hint to beware of those who surround him or her.
Dream Symbolism: Protection and security. The Self or Psyche. The house can also represent the human body, the exterior is the front we give out to the world, the interior contains our inner realm; our mind, emotions and the soul that it shelters.
Coffee Cards: INDICATES, at the top of the cup, blessing and success in all your enterprises; if your situation be then not the most favourable, you may hope that it soon will change for the better. In the middle, or below, it cautions you to be vigilant over your servants, as your vigilance alone will prevent you being injured.
Coffee Card Verse: From the visit which you and your house will receive, great advantages must ensue, but let prudence guide your conduct.
Game of Hope: On entry in this House, two marks have to be given up to the doorkeeper.
Waite: House.
Contemporary: Home, family, security.
Functional: Stability.
What You Say: The House is security.
5. A Tree
if distant from the Person, signifies good health; more trees of different cards together leave no doubt about the realization of all reasonable wishes.
Dream Symbolism: Symbolic of the strong life-force, durability and even immortality. The tree connects the earth and the heavens as it has its roots in the earth and its branches touch the sky. Spiritual wellbeing and holistic healing. Connection to the highest principles and our deepest sources.
Coffee Cards: One tree only, be it in clear, or thick part, points out lasting good health; several trees denote that your wish will be accomplished. If they are encompassed with dashes, it is a token that your fortune is in blossom. And will require some time to bring it to maturity. If they are accompanied by dots, it is a sign that you will make your fortune in the country where you reside.
Coffee Card Verse: Never regret labor or pains; a good work is its own reward, be this your consolation. The industrious, in whose number you are comprised, will never want for lucre and decent support.
Game of Hope: N/A
Waite: Health.
Contemporary: Health. Longevity, strong roots.
Functional: Support.
What You Say: The Tree is health.
6. Clouds
if their clear side is turned towards the Person, are a lucky sign; with the dark side turned to the Person, something disagreeable will soon happen.
Dream Symbolism: Changeability. Portent, Signs, a Celestial Messenger. Accepting unstable conditions.
Coffee Cards: If they be more light than dark, you may expect a good result from your hopes, but if they are black, you may give it up. Surrounded with dots they imply success in trade, and in all your undertakings, but the brighter they are, the greater will be your happiness.
Coffee Card Verse: Just as the clouds are dispelled, so let your anger vanish, then you will soon be superior to all vexations.
Game of Hope: The Thundercloud drives back to no. 2
Waite: Happiness (Misfortune)
Contemporary: Confusion, uncertainty, change, loss of direction.
Functional: Misdirection.
What You Say: The Clouds brings uncertainty.
7. Snake (Serpent)
is a sign of misfortune, the extent of which depends upon the greater or smaller distance from the Person; it is followed invariably by deceit, infidelity and sorrow.
Dream Symbolism: Potential for Energy or Evil. Mutability. But also, temptation, something that will lead you astray from your path. The snake has regenerative capabilities, so on a positive note, resurrection and renewal. Kundalini, harnessing sexual energy.
Coffee Cards: ALWAYS the emblem of falsehood and enmity. On the top or in the middle of the cup, it promises to the consulting party the triumph which he desires over his enemy. But he will not obtain it so easily, if the serpent be in the thick or cloudy part. By the letter which frequently appears near the emblem, the enemy may easily be guessed, it makes the initial of his name.
Coffee Card Verse: A secret enemy endeavours to injure you; try by kindness to make him your friend.
Game of Hope: To stay safe from the bite of this dangerous Snake, 3 marks have to be paid.
Waite: Treachery, an Enemy.
Contemporary: Betrayal, deception, deceit, lies, distrust, danger.
Functional: Attack.
What You Say: The Snake is betrayal.
8. A Coffin
very near to the Person, means, without any doubt, dangerous diseases, death or a total loss of fortune. More distant from the Person, the card is less dangerous.
Dream Symbolism: End of an attachment to the material life and embarking on a more spiritual life. Initiation.
Coffee Cards: The emblem of death prognosticates the same thing here, or at least a long and tedious illness, if it be in the thick or turbid. In the clear, it denotes long life. In the thick at the tip of the cup, it signifies a considerable estate left to the party by some rich relation; in the same manner at the bottom, it shews that the deceased is not so nearly related to the consulting party.
Coffee Card Verse: You may rejoice at a considerable legacy, but many people will envy you for it.
Game of Hope: The one who gets to this Coffin is deemed to be dead until another player comes to this sheet or until he casts a double, for when it his turn to roll the dice he is not excluded.
Waite: N/A
Contemporary: End, Stop, completion.
Functional: Finality.
What You Say: The Coffin brings an end.
9. The Bouquet (Flowers)
means much happiness in every respect.
Dream Symbolism: Gift of language. Diplomacy. The appreciation of others. Empathy. Sympathy. Presenting oneself in a complete way.
Coffee Cards: The greatest success in any science or art; if the consulting party be married, he may expect good children, and all the fruits to be expected from their good education in his old age.
Coffee Card Verse: You sport with fortune, but whatever the cards refuse, your good sense, your skill, and learning will amply compensate.
Game of Hope: N/A
Waite: Joy, Happiness, Peaceful Life. The most fortunate of Omens.
Contemporary: Gift, appreciation, bonus.
Functional: Presentation, a Showing.
What You Say: The Bouquet brings a gift.
10. The Scythe
indicates great danger, which will only be avoided if lucky cards surround it.
Dream Symbolism: Death but also rebirth – a timely death of what must be harvested. A point in a natural cycle. If the scythe is curved, a lunar symbol of regular change. If a long scythe, a symbol of Saturn and a deeper transformation.
