Lenormand Step by Step
Page 7
There is an existing technique in which the distance of certain cards in the Grand Tableau is used to make deductions (not interpretations). The most commonly used pairing in this technique is the Bear and the Tree. If the Bear is near the Tree, then it is presumed to indicate if the querent is dealing with health issues. However, in all of the previous methods and techniques provided, the cards need to be connected in some way in order to make that kind of conclusion, not merely plucked out of the GT. In other words, if they are not paired or somehow connected they won’t have a relevant meaning. So why then, if the cards don’t connect to the layout or other cards in some way, would you pair them? As an alternative, I recommend drawing conclusions from cards that are connected or in proximity within a 3x3 Grid. In this way, it is obvious if the Tree is affected by the Bear.
Eventually, the cards will develop relationships with each other that you can easily identify. As a result they play off of each other, even if they are not paired. Again, I look for them near each other in a 3x3 Grid that is within a GT. For instance, I know that if the Significator and the Snake are in close proximity it is never good. I see this as a troublesome person in the life of the querent or they are, in some way, their own worst enemy. While these are not traditional interpretations, they do provide some insight into what is going on in the life of the querent.
Record your thoughts about relationships in the cards before you implement making these types of connections in your readings. Some of the proximities that I look for are listed below. Again, they must be in the same 3x3 Grid surrounding the Significator.
1) The Snake and the Mice. This proximity indicates lots of problems. On one hand, the snake eats mice. On the other hand, there are a lot of mice and a snake! So, the snake needs to be removed and the mice need to be exterminated!
2) The Fox and the Snake. The fox is sneaky and he will outsmart the snake in the grass.
3) The Bear and the Mountain. The Mountain in this proximity indicates the presence of a serious issue that the querent may likely have a hard time getting over. However, the Bear is right at home on a mountain and has no problem navigating it. The querent may need a reminder that they are, indeed, a bear in this situation.
4) The Snake and the Tower. This is an interesting one. When in proximity, these cards often represent a legal problem which may include a courtroom or prison, particularly if the Letter is around. In this situation, the Snake often represents a Judge.
The Grand Tableau Quick Reference Guide
1) Choose a Grand Tableau style.
2) Set your intention about your keywords, reading techniques, timeframe, and whether you will use houses.
3) Shuffle and lay out the cards. Locate the Significator. If it is in an undesirable location, note it, add cards if desired, or stop the reading and start another one.
4) Once you have a spread that works, interpret the theme of the reading using cornerstones.
5) Locate the Significator and follow the lines doing pair chains.
6) If there are other subjects you are interested in, repeat the process as if the 3x3 Grid were printed on a transparent sheet that can be moved over the top of the GT.
7) When drawing your conclusions pay attention to the timeline you have selected (weeks, months, etc.).
8) Read the destiny cards if applicable.
9) Check houses if using that technique.
10) Mirror the Significator.
11) Knight the Significator.
12) Add depth to the reading by adding any nuances you use and include your own observances.
13) If using your intuition, let that come through.
14) Make an overall assessment; summarize the reading.
Grand Tableau readings may convey a lot of information. Therefore, the querent should wait at least a month before doing another GT.
Homework:
Use the GT Quick Reference Guide. Practice the 8x4+4 spread (Figure 8a) or the 9x4 spread (Figure 8d). Each practice session will likely take more than thirty minutes (maybe even hours), so plan accordingly.
Write your interpretations and conclusions in your notebook.
Chapter 9: Suggestions
Mixing and Matching
It is possible to mix and match the cards from different Petit Lenormand decks if they are the same size (Figure 9a). Make sure the new blended deck has cards numbered from one to thirty-six. This is just plain fun to do!
Figure 9a
Companion Notebook
If you would like to create an organized Lenormand notebook include the following areas/tabs:
Notes
Lists and the 3x3 Grid
Spreads
Readings and Interpretations
You may want to include the following lists:
Suggested Keywords or other traditional keyword lists
PAMs
Card Pairings
People in the Cards
Work in the Cards
Money in the Cards
Intimate Relationships in the Cards
Card Attributes - Positive/Negative/Neutral
The 3x3 Grid
House Meanings
Card Relationships for Proximities
Difficult Issues
Readings may reveal some very personal issues. However, your instincts are likely going to point you in the right direction, which may be the most important tool in your Lenormand tool box.
Keep your boundaries and have healthy detachment about the querent.
Remember to avoid reading about the 3 Ds! Death, divorce, and disaster are topics that should be referred to professionals, such as qualified readers and mediums, doctors, lawyers, or therapists.
Be patient and gentle when bringing up topics that could emotionally jar a querent. If you are not pursuing professional readings, consider leaving those difficult topics alone. If you don’t have the skills to deal with troublesome topics, you could actually aggravate the querent’s experience of an issue so that they become unhinged.
Since a lot of people have depression or psychological diagnoses of some kind, depression may be spotted in readings as well. Often the Clouds, Moon, and/or Mountain will be in proximity of a central card of a 3x3 Grid (Figure 6b). This is a sign that the depression is related to a specific issue. If those cards are surrounding a Significator then it is likely something the querent is dealing with personally. However, that is not definitive. Tread lightly and consider asking the querent if there is a problem. Remember, it isn’t your job to manage another person’s mental health (unless you are a qualified mental health professional). And, if you suspect the person isn’t of sound mind, end the reading.
The querent may expect a particular outcome from a reading and reject any other input than what they want to hear. I often explain that the reading process opens up new possibilities and perspectives. If that doesn’t change the situation, I explain that I cannot ethically tell them what they want to know (though I wish I could) because I have an obligation to interpret what I actually see.
There is a situation that professional readers call “test the psychic.” This is not the fun game you play at home with friends to see how psychically skilled someone might be. This is an unpleasant game in which a new querent sits before a professional reader and spends most of the reading time demanding they provide them with all the answers they are seeking without giving them any input. The querent may need to feel validated that the psychic is genuine, but this wastes a lot of valuable reading time. Sure, it feels good when we produce a ta-da! moment. However, that is more about ego than it is about a productive reading. Should you experience this when providing a reading, suggest to the querent that they might actually get more out of the reading if they become involved in it. Explain that you would like to have time to talk to them about core issues. On the other hand, if you do quick back-to-back party or event readings, then ta-da! moments are very helpful.
The querent, themselves, may be difficult. They may even be insulting. Sugge
st they see a professional or direct them elsewhere. The querent isn’t likely to get help from the reading. Remember that you don’t have to read for someone just because they’ve asked.
Gently end a reading and offer a refund (if warranted) in any reading where you are not comfortable.
Appendix
Attached are extra copies of the Suggested Keywords list, the PAMs list, and the 3x3 Grid. They are here for your convenience and you are welcome to print a copy of them for your personal studies. Again, I am giving my permission to you to print a copy of the three documents in this appendix for personal use. Do not distribute copies in groups or publish them as your own works in any way. I ask that you respect the copyright of all my material, including images.
Suggested Keywords
1 Rider
News, Messenger, Visitor
2 Clover
Luck, Opportunities, Fortune
3 Ship
Travel, Moving, Vehicle
4 House
Home, Family, Property
5 Tree
Growth, Health, Longevity
6 Clouds
Unclear, Doubt, Depression
7 Snake
Betrayal, Seduction, Nemesis
8 Coffin
Transformation, Grief, Loss
9 Bouquet
Abundance, Gift, Romance
10 Scythe
Cut off, Ending, Harvest
11 Whip
Repetition, Arguments, Chemistry
12 Birds
Conversation, Chatter, Pairing
13 Child
Youth, Fun, Child, Sibling
14 Fox
Logic, Intelligence, Cunning
15 Bear
Overbearing, Heavy, Sturdy
16 Stars
Connectedness, Vision, Multitude
17 Stork
Beginning, Momentous Occasion, Announcement
18 Dog
Loyalty, Friendship, Pet
19 Tower
Perspective, Authority, Structure
20 Garden
Gathering, Networking, Event
21 Mountain
Challenge, Blockage, Endurance
22 Crossroads
Choice, Impasse, Direction
23 Mice
Annoyance, Problematic, Anxiety
24 Heart
Love, Endearment, Empathy
25 Ring
Commitment, Agreement, Union
26 Book
Secrets, History, Reflection
27 Letter
Correspondence, Contract, Results
28 Man
Querent, Another Person, Important Person
29 Lady
Querent, Another Person, Important Person
30 Lilies
Harmony, Wisdom, Experience
31 Sun
Success, Vitality, Warmth
32 Moon
Cycles, Emotions, Shadowy
33 Key
Answers, Threshold, Destiny
34 Fish
Increase, Multiply, Wishes
35 Anchor
Stability, Goals, Perseverance
36 Cross
Burdens, Stuck, Hopeless
© Kendra Hurteau 2018
PAMs
(Write your own keywords for each of the cards listed below)
1 Rider
2 Clover
3 Ship
4 House
5 Tree
6 Clouds
7 Snake
8 Coffin
9 Bouquet
10 Scythe
11 Whip
12 Birds
13 Child
14 Fox
15 Bear
16 Stars
17 Stork
18 Dog
19 Tower
20 Garden
21 Mountain
22 Crossroads
23 Mice
24 Heart
25 Ring
26 Book
27 Letter
28 Man - Querent, Significant Other
29 Lady - Querent, Significant Other
30 Lilies
31 Sun
32 Moon
33 Key
34 Fish
35 Anchor
36 Cross
© Kendra Hurteau 2018
Bibliography
Books
Boroveshengra, Andy. Lenormand Thirty Six Cards: An Introduction to the Petit Lenormand. CreateSpace Independent Publishing, 2014
Dos Ventos, Marcus The Game of Destiny - Fortune Telling with Lenormand Cards. Nzo Quimbanda Exu Ventania, 2007
Dunn, Patrick. Cartomancy with the Lenormand and the Tarot: Create Meaning & Gain Insight from the Cards. Llewellyn Publications, 2013
George, Rana. The Essential Lenormand: Your Guide to Precise and Practical Fortunetelling. Llewellyn Publications, 2014
Katz, Marcus and Goodwin, Tali. Learning Lenormand: Traditional Fortune Telling for Modern Life. Llewellyn Publications, 2013
Louis, Anthony. Lenormand Symbols: Exploring the Origins of the Images on the Cards. Anthony Louis; Amazon Digital Services LLC, 2014
Matthews, Caitlín. The Complete Lenormand Oracle Handbook: Reading the Language and Symbols of the Cards. Destiny Books, 2014
Steinbach, Sylvie. The Secrets of the Lenormand Oracle. Createspace Publishing, 2007
Websites
British Museum. http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/search.aspx
Donnaleigh http://www.divinewhispers.net/lenormandlessons.htm
Melissa Jo Hill. http://melissajohill.com
Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Normand
Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tableau
Learn Lenormand. http://learnlenormand.com/how-to-read-petit-jeu-lenormand/
Mary K. Greer. https://marykgreer.com/2013/07/21/the-petit-lenormand-tradition/
Under the Roses http://undertheroses.wixsite.com/undertheroses
U.S. Games Systems, Inc. https://www.usgamesinc.com/home.php
Card Decks
Das Spiel der Hofnung. G P J Bieling, 1800
Grand Jeu of Mlle. Le Normand, Grimaud, 1890
Mlle Lenormand Blue Owl. U.S. Games Systems Inc., 2011
No. 194115 Mlle Lenormand Cartomancy Deck of 36 Cards. Piatnik, date unknown
Thirty-Two Emblematical Cards (aka Viennese Coffee-Cards). Champante & Whitrow, 1796