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Anything I do with Lenormand is what I learned in Andy B's book and his course years ago. Whether I accurately reflect what I was taught is another question. 😅 So the first 3 cards are a message for the sitter, almost like a daily draw in many cases. Then the corners for important influences or events during the time period. -- It's nice that these things cover our blind spots. I read proximity to a subject card as related to the subject card, so the first 3 and corners can sometimes show other topics that weren't on my radar. I see where knighting would lead you toward the future, as in chess. By the time knighting came up, I had so much to figure out that I left it to the side. I have never been, and don't think I ever will be, as comfortable reading Lenormand symbols as I am tarot. But there are some practical questions I prefer to do with Lenormand. I like that too. With 24 cards, I can do 4 rows of 6. But 25 cards for say, 1 subject and 2 significators, is a problematic layout if you want a centered bottom row. (And I really do. 25 is no good 🙃) I like your neat rows. Speaking of which, where you said that the fourth card on your second row goes on top of the card that represents your issue -- Do you give that card extra weight in the reading? Ok you just made it all sound way cooler. I love that connection. Agreed. I usually add a comment to be clear about that. Early on I was put off by some "best way to do it for all readers" tarot info from a few people out of the many that were on Aeclectic. I don't want anything I say to be taken that way.

So do you treat the croners as a secondary message or weave them together? With mine, I have a curious observation: They tend to have a hang towards the future with this spread, think its due to personal habit/ingrainment (knighting). Guess what? It's true and entirely coincidential - I never even considered the option! Normally, I am an advocate for a fluid approach. However, pre-selecting the theme and rowing over it brought much needed focus and stability to the - Heh, where's that from? Tableau Majeur. Now that sounds great. The reason it stuck is the aesthetics: You have all cards on the table (with MO) and they form a neat lil' box. What I like about your version is that it is super organic and has an alchemistic touch to it: Add a "foreign substance" (minors to majors) and draw a resume based on the reaction, in this case you get an insight into the nature of the foreign substance (minors) by examining what sticks to it. Personally, I think that applies to all reader's ways, at any given point in time.

Continuing on from my last post... Nice. Honestly, I just like reading with proximity, and this was the way I came up with to do it, but your way works just as well, or even better when you want to use the whole deck. (I get a little muddled with so many cards if my Lenormand deck doesn't have clear, uncluttered images, so I thought for tarot the TdM minors would really stand out for me in what's basically a majors-only reading I'm doing. ) Your reading has the benefit of knowing you can place three rows of 7 exactly. With mine, the layout has to change a little depending on the number of pre-selected cards. Yes, definitely. And I like reading the corners for that too.

Neither of these, although, you could do either. I shuffle my pre-selected Minor subject card(s) and Court significator(s) in with the Majors only. In other words, almost all of the minors are set aside and never shuffled. My final 'deck' for a reading is between 24 cards (majors, 1 subject, 1 sig) and 26 (majors, 2 subjects, 2 sig) depending on the reading. I don't know in advance where the subject and significator cards will appear. Thanks @Mister , I meant to include that; I'll add it! (Of course, my way is just an option. And after laying the cards, there are plenty of other Lenormand techniques from knighting to houses that I don't use, but others might.)

Hi all, I have come across a series of short videos where a life situation is described, and then "there is a card for that!" (the_eternal_tarot on instagram, if you are here, I LOVE your videos!). This person has an interesting way of looking at her cards, and spins an entire situational story for them. Where is it coming from, what happened BEFORE this snapshot (present), and where will it continue to? This makes me wonder, could one conceivably then do a PPF reading with just one card?

Hi @Rose Lalonde This is cool - One question still: How exactly do you operate the pre-selected cards? Do you place them on the table prior or do you mentally select them and then shuffle the whole pack, looking if they appear or not? Or...? I sometimes use a similar one with the Majors, place one card representing the theme of inquiry straight in the middle of the table then shuffle the rest and deal 3 rows of seven, one at the top of the card placed, the second row so that the fourth card lands on top of the pre-selected one, and the third row below the other two. Mode of reading is the same, look whats near and take it to matter, look what's far to see what doesn't, and the middle distances for a tad more info. The 3-cards dealt first as a message works, too. It's a nice one when matters are confusing or an overview is needed.

The Grand Tarot Tableau Despite the number of cards dealt, it doesn't have to be a long reading unless you'd like it to be. There are several cards that I don't read in this type of spread. The cards are laid in rows as you would Lenormand, after first selecting card(s) that represents the subject(s) you want to focus on. You read the cards surrounding the pre-selected subject matter card and notice which cards are far away. That's the extent of overlap with Lenormand methods. I read the cards as I normally would for tarot. You could do this with a majors only deck if you're happy for a major to represent your focus. I like to use the majors, a minor (or multiple minors) I've chosen to represent the subject matter, and courts that represent myself and/or my husband. An example with 2 areas to look at: Questions and pre-selecting cards to represent them: "What's required to increase my energy level?" -- preselected card is 8 of Wands "What to do about a current situation at work?" -- preselected card 3 of Pents My significator - preselected card (by birthday) is Knight of Swords Husband's significator - preselected card (by birthday) is Queen of Cups Shuffling: I shuffle my pre-selected Minor subject card(s) and Court significator(s) in with the Majors only. In other words, almost all of the minors are set aside and never shuffled. My final 'deck' for a reading is between 24 cards (all majors, 1 subject, 1 sig) and 26 (all majors, 2 subjects, 2 sig) depending on the reading. I don't know in advance where the subject and significator cards will appear. Tower Devil World Priestess Sun Death Chariot Star 8Wands Emperor Lovers Justice Magician Fool Strength Moon Judgement Hierophant Empress QueenC Hermit Wheel Temperance KnightS 3Pents Hanged Reading the Majors: The Tower and Devil are a shakeup above the 8 of Wands; the aspiration of the Star is opposite the organized Emperor, and Strength is required to overcome illusion in the Moon. The Sun is the most energetic major to me, so it not being near the 8 means it won't be an easy transition. My significator is far from the 8 too (I know I'm not as motivated as I could be)... Etc. And I'd do the same for the 3 of Pents for Work. Not doing a full reading here to save us a wall of text. This spread is good for seeing whether two issues are connected. Since the 8 of Wands is far from the 3 of Pents, there's not a connection here. OR you could read on two things you know are connected and focus your reading on the cards that sit between them (like in this case the Emperor, Hierophant, Judgement, and Knight). It's also good for looking at which cards don't have as much influence, for better or worse. Cards that are far. I like to use a (mini) TdM so pips stand out clearly.

Welcome back @BrightEye , @Bodhiseed, and @Rachelcat! Good to see the gang together this week 😀

My new deck of the week theme is decks (I own but haven’t used as decks of the week yet) that were originally published between 1909 and 1980, that is, between publication of the RWS and the 1980s tarot boom. Let’s call this period mid-century esoteric. This week will be G***y Oracle Cards, Lo Scarabeo, copyright 2007, 52 cards. (The forum automatically redacted the assumed slur, so I’m continuing that here and on my collection list.) I just like the black borders and titles. It looks like the original was sometime 1900-1920s because of the fashions. And someone on Aeclectic IDed the Hope card as a painting by George Frederick Watts, painted 1886-1895. For some reason, I don’t want to add the deck to my historical lists, so I’m assuming it’s later than 1909. This is going from a very deep oracle to a fortune-telly oracle, so new skills are required! I’ll probably use Lenormand-style pairing spreads this week, but first a regular interview. What is your most important characteristic? Young woman It was created as a fortune-telling device for young people who have their lives ahead of them. What is your strength? Hope She doesn’t look very hopeful? She doesn’t see reality, but she hopes for the best. The deck can lead people on to see what they want to see. Not really a strength, but . . . Your weakness? Wife The deck is traditional and only sees a few fortunes for young women, wife and mother are two of them. What can I learn from you? Lord I can learn to take the high road. Or maybe the fortune-telling is only for the fortunate? How can I learn it? Messenger Ok, there are way too many people cards in this deck! Receive the messages as they are given. No need to read between the lines. What will be the outcome of our work together? Journey The deck will take me places. Or I will send it on a journey to another owner! Well, we’ll see!

Thank you Fire cat! I'm in with the Prairie Tarot paired with the Medicine Cards. Prairie Tarot, Tower; Medicine Cards, Spider Better ride an ass that carries me, than a horse that throws me. —English Proverb The Tower is built on illusions, a framework of deceptions we tell ourselves (or that others tell us) that creates an impression of power, security and well-being. But as Thomas Carlyle wrote, "No lie can live forever." Hitting the ground of reality will knock the breath out of us, but hopefully it will also slam some common sense into us as well. Spider's two body segments resemble the shape of an eight - a symbol of infinity. She reminds us that we have endless creative opportunities, but we need to stay rooted in reality rather than living in a fantasy world. An illusory web catches no flies.

I’m in again with Christephania’s Kipper deck.

A unique version of Reading Circle for those who would like to work through their collection of decks, participants choose decks from their collections to work with for the week. Some use one deck, others use two or more. Some combine methods: Tarot, non-tarot (e.g. oracle), playing cards, or any other divinatory method is welcome. All we ask is that you use at least one tarot or oracle deck. No collection is too large or too small. The only rules we have are the Tarot, Tea & Me Rules; Be respectful of one other. Please join us! Please post with your choice of deck(s) for the week Chat away about your deck, how you're finding it (or not), etc., it's all up to you Participants may either choose to share their readings here in this discussion thread or opt to have their own journal in the Journals Forum and link it here Yet others may even have an offline journal in paper & pencil/pen form Share as often, as much, or as little as you like. You can drop in and out at any time—reality and life permitting. New to tarot? Long time reader? Come on in! Participants fire cat pickles: Tarot de la Rea BrightEye: Christephania’s Kipper Deck Bodhiseed: Prairie Tarot paired with the Medicine Cards Rachelcat: G*psy Oracle Cards (LoS) Click here for DOTW 475 (8/10 - 8/16)

I'm so glad you enjoyed it @Tanga ! I really think that it's a beautifully curated exhibition ❤️

Today, I asked a mundane question: Do I need a copy of Mervyn Peake’s Gormenghast Trilogy for my own personal library? Sad News - Much Money (here retitled Gain) I could see this meaning the book would cheer me up. For my library, it will be an asset, filling a gap or void. — I’m undecided, though, whether the second card emphasises or counteracts the first. If the former, I could read this pair as great regret. — I would say that regret is unlikely in the context of building my library. The book is a classic, even though I’ve not read it in its entirely. I suppose the sensible thing would be to borrow it from the local library and if it appeals, get my own copy, but then we are not reading the cards anymore. — I wonder whether the message in the bottle image in the first card is meaningful?

Thanks, @Moon-Hermit It's the same thing, which is good.

Yes, it’s your normal houses, like what you usually see with the Lenormand. The first house is the Rider, the second the Clover, and so on till the end. It is called as such in Andy’s book because the Game of Hope was originally a board game and the houses imagine you’re laying your cards on such a board.

I'm sure there is a bunch on it already, really. There must be. It's just how things are at the moment. And of course, there is the urge to experiment here and there (it once got me using a Black Pete pack - it still gets me occasionally), and while often the experiment itself doesn't stick, I found them worthwhile. If only to know for sure that this'n'that doesn't work for me or to experience which tendencies carry over and by virtue of that qualify for examination of what constitutes the core relied upon. @timtoldrum and @Moon-Hermit , when you speak of the "Game of Hope"-Method, is that the same thing I'd call "houses-method", in that you use the numbers on the card and their line-up to determine which house is where and what it speaks of or is it yet another thing?

I would certainly not use that with the Lenormand, especially the psycho astrological stuff, lol. I think that because Lenormand seems to be easier than the other systems at first glance, a lot of those that are newly introduced to it are tempted to experiment and see if they can enrich it with additional stuff (if it even needs that in the first place). I know that after some time I did (for a while I tried incorporating geomancy and everything that can come with it into my readings); while it seemed fun and fascinating and all that, it really didn't add anything significant to what I was doing. It was unnecessary, in other words. I feel the same towards the master method, at least when it's being used heavily. The couple of times I used it myself I had to constantly look through my book to find the associations and naturally, what I was trying to say ended up sounding very much disconnected. If a reader can make it work smoothly, though, I'd certainly admire them. I enjoy watching Malkiel's videos, even though I don't understand German and have to rely on captions.

Thanks for being so kind. Ooh, that clarifies things! I had come across a book that was about the Gong Hee Fot Choy when I was first learning how to read with the playing cards, though I never sat down to study the thing extensively. Seems like a revisit is in order 🙂 It has been the same for myself as well, i.e. using the Game of Hope method if I decide to look at the houses in a GT. While I certainly appreciate the detail that the master method can offer, I feel it makes the reader focus more on the pips than the actual Lenormand images. Besides, there are so many associations, and I'm afraid I don't have the memory required to memorize them all, lol.

Currently, at least in Germany, we see the emergence of a crop of readers putting heavy focus on it, especially online. It seems some like to use the Master-Method as the foundation of their personal blend; there's been an upspike ever since Malkiel opened his course. And it is blending all right, maybe so much that it's safe to say they already practice the "houses-method" instead of what strictly constitutes the MM. I am sure it blended so much that some come to the cards thinking that's the way to read them, the one you gotta know - Well, it is what it is. Personally, I am waiting for the emergence of the Psycho-Astrological-Houses-Master-Method, it'd be a very german thing to do. Is it alround already?

Of course. I’m always happy to answer questions and discuss the cards. Unfortunately, that must be a typo. It should read several. I know of four systems: the Game of Hope, the Master Method, the Gong Hee Fot Choy and one used by a reader Sarajevo. The latter is much like the master method, but the houses’ significations are different and include family, enemy, blessing and curse. The Game of Hope and master method tend to be the dominant systems. If I use them with the Petit Lenormand I keep to the Game of Hope, but I use the master method with the Petit Cartomancien and tarot pips.

@timtoldrum , since this is a topic concerning the houses, may I ask you a question related to that if it’s okay? In appendix #5 of your book you mentioned that there are seven house methods. I searched a lot but could never find anything other than the master method and the normal game of hope houses. May I know where to look for the other five methods? Even though I do not use the houses that much in my own practice, I am curious regardless. Thank you

All of the various methods of forming combinations, whether through counting, mirroring, knighting, or the use of houses, produce different results and are best employed with discernment. Of these techniques, the use of houses is the one I rely upon least, and I genuinely believe it is rather overused. Whether one adopts the 8 × 4 + 4, 6 × 6, or 9 × 4 layout should, in my view, make very little difference. I tend to think of the tableau as a large house containing thirty-six rooms, each belonging to a particular card. Every room is enclosed by four walls and is defined by the character and essence of the card that resides there. Thus, the House of the Birch Rod is the house of correction. If the Cloverleaf falls within that house, there may be an opportunity to correct something swiftly and successfully. More often than not, however, this tells us relatively little, as it remains merely a two-card combination in isolation. What appears in House 10 or House 12 is largely irrelevant in terms of house interpretation, because each room is confined by its own walls and therefore by its own essential meaning. If one is employing the Master Method, then the traditional essence of the house is replaced by the meaning assigned to it within that system. There is also no reason why the houses cannot be randomised. I vaguely recall Tali teaching something along those lines. Ultimately, they are your cards, and you are free to work with them in the manner that best serves your practice. The key, however, is to use all of these techniques with purpose and discrimination. The objective is not to apply every available method simply because one can, but to employ those techniques that help uncover the information one actually needs. For me, most tableaus can be read primarily through proximity, master cards, attendance (vertical, horizontal and diagonal) and counting. I only use other techniques if I need further information.