Lenormand Newbies

1. What's the difference between Lenormand and other divination systems? There are a few key differences. Lenormand cards are read in a much more literal way than other systems. Each card has a number of set meanings, which do not change based on the question being asked. Cards are always read in combinations with each other, not individually as one would do in a tarot or other oracle card reading. The order of the cards can also change the interpretation. It is advised to think of reading a 'string' of Lenormand cards as a sentence, with each card being a word or short phrase within that sentence. Answers from the Lenormand are generally more direct and to the point…

Hello! This new section of the forum is dedicated to beginner-level discussion of the Lenormand. This is the place to post basic questions about the cards and how to read them. Answers in these threads should be kept brief and easy to understand for the benefit of those just starting out with Lenormand. Please keep more technical and complex discussions in the main Lenormand section. For example, discussions about the differences between reading traditions, pip suit analysis, and the Grand Tableau should be kept over there. For detailed discussion of individual cards and their symbolism, please post those in the new Lenormand C…

Hey everyone. I have a quick question about timing in grand tableaus. To give a bit of background, I normally use the houses technique in my GT readings (not the near-far method) and would separate my tableaus into past-present-future segments if I'm not reading for a specific question/ time-frame. For timing, I've been experimenting with the technique I read about first in Rana George's book, i.e. using time signs. She explains that when you've located the significator, you'll then find a focus card which represents the situation you're asking about and count the spaces between the two; if said card is to the right of the significator, then we're looking at the…

I cast my first proper GT a couple days ago for the next semester. Are cards to the left of the sig definitively stuck in the past and won't happen? including the ones in the rows below or above. In this vein, is it unproductive to read on symbols behind the significator? All the work and money related cards happen to be behind my significator which I find kinda strange, since I basically have been living unemployed and jobless for the past several months, and they are surrounded by mostly positive cards. Also, is there any significance to the house the significator is in? For example, mine is the house of Scythe. Thanks

If you own more than one Lenormand deck, do you notice differences in your readings ? I have been studying with the Blue Owl. As of late I notice that whatever 3-card line I draw, it happens very quickly. Except for some lines I still struggle to read, it is sharp, literal, and quick - very quick : within the hour or so. So much so I feel I could keep drawing cards every half hour and discover my entire day like this...just 30 minutes before it happens. I recently bought another deck, out of idleness I suppose, and I don't like it much yet. It's the one published under Colette Silvestre's name and I don't know which old traditional deck she used (sorry, b…

Like many learners I struggle to find ways to practice and "drill" (uneventful life, small social circle, etc.). And it's not just about the "meaning" of the card, but now it's more about wording, while sticking to the essence of the card. So here's the exercise I've been doing : - Shuffe a Tarot deck, pull one card, keep it face down. - Question : "what does this card predict ?" => pull 3 Lenormand cards (maybe because it's too early for me but I find 5 cards very difficult here). - Read, combine, etc. Remember you want to know what it predicts so a statement in the future helps (wink to those trying to break away from the soul-deep vi…

Since I been doing daily draws with the Lenormand, I realize that it straight out tells you what’s going to happen. I don’t find it cryptic but it’s like trying to figure out the correct answer. For instance some of it can be literal. ex. clover + fish a small fortune. where some I’m left confused Ex. snake + tree medicine that’s contraband? I find it fascinating as well you really do have to analyze your day to figure out where the cards are at play. I do admit at times I let the my own combination influence me only to realize it means something different 🫣 Also for some reason I feel that this is more strai…

As I move through learning Lenormand, there's a big concept I'm having trouble understanding and I'm hoping more experienced readers can help. How do you incorporate a card as timing rather than meaning? I understand the mechanics of a card's timing, I just don't know how to read a card as such, or when to read a card as timing. All help appreciated!

Hello, I'm always surprised by how little is said about the way cards are pulled. To me it seems almost the most important - I feel I suck at pulling cards. With Tarot that feeling has passed, but it's a hefty deck and somehow, overhand shuffle than cut in two, restack and pick from the top is ok. With Lenormand, I'm not sure. I don't like the fan version. So what is your way of doing it ? Do you fan out your deck and choose one by one ? For larger spreads it seems a long process. Do you shuffle, cut, restack ? Do you cut in three piles and select one from each (and in which order then ?) Curious to see how you feel about pull…

From what I've gathered, the prevailing sense when it comes to Lenormand relative to tarot is that Lenormand is better for direct answers to questions about the everyday, worldly, and mundane. While tarot works for that too, of course, it can also be good for more complex questions of introspection, philosophy, and explorations of the psyche because it's as much about humans as it is about situations. What I'm trying to suggest, I suppose, is that tarot may be better suited for "new age" tarot reading -- meaning, tarot reading that's less for divination and more so for what I described in the title of this post. You're not going to have as much room for meditative interpr…

I am just getting started learning Lenormand. I'm learning from the book The Lenormand Oracle Handbook by Caitlin Matthews. She has exercises for each chapter. She said that the deck used should have the playing card insets. My choice of decks are very similar The Lenormand Oracle (which is a larger format) and the smaller Grand Tableau Lenormand for larger spreads--the imagery is almost exactly the same so it shouldn't be confusing, in fact I thought they were the same decks at first only different in size. Both decks are published by Lo Scarabeo I like the larger cards because I have big hands, but I realize that using them for everything wouldn't be practical. I …

Hi guys, Can u help me get the answer of the question reading "Did he sleep with someone else after our broke up ?" "Scythe + Moon + Lilies + Mountain + Book" and "Heart + Tree + Lilies + Cross + Snake"

I already read Tarot and some Oracle cards. I’ve wanted to learn Lenormand for a long time now. I started a book on it, but I was side tracked by an Old Cartomancy Deck learned that instead. I have several Lenormand Decks and just ordered Gilded Reverie Lenormand Expanded Edition, I also have a couple of more traditional ones and the Green Glyphs Lenormand. I guess what I want to know is it easy to get started using YouTube videos? I am very busy right now and I haven’t had a chance to get back to the book, I’ve been studying Tarot in depth instead. Can I start doing preliminary readings without an extensive course? If not I can put it on the back burner for after …

So, some background… I was in a toxic relationship with a narcissist when I was a young woman. It ended when he died. This was a relief. Also, 35 years ago. So, it’s been a minute. Since then, I have created a family and home with my husband. We’ll be celebrating 30 years in a couple of months. 😊 About six weeks ago, I was picking up on signs that someone who has passed on was trying to reach out to me. I’ve narrowed it down from three possible people to my ex. Let’s just say it was a Bye, Felicia moment on my end because NO. Well, last month I purchased my first Lenormand deck. It seems like every other reading…

This is far beyond my skillset ... but I've seen tutorials and read books that mention the "houses" in the GT [i.e. Rider is first house and Cross is #36 house according to the deck itself]. But I can't remember anyone mentioning if its significant when a card falls in its own house. Does this strengthen the card? Make it more positive? Or? Doesn't matter?

Hello, I have been practicing consistently since last year and keeping notes - It has been a wonderful experience to learn about my day, occasionally myself & my environment. Couple of cards are giving me trouble and it's not the bear or the moon. Anchor: How does everyone read the anchor card? Going over my journal notes, looks like It mostly appears in the capacity of stagnation for me. Has anyone experienced this? Clover: Can clover be read as something fleeting or is it always gamble/luck? Eg: I was trying to see if I can do a prediction for a minor event. It was more like "what will the result of the eve…

Hi all, I'm still experimenting my way through Lenormand and need some help. I was doing a few readings trying to dig through why a person was behaving in a certain way toward me and the Whip card kept showing up repeatedly. It showed up when I asked more pointed questions about the behavior and then when I pulled back and asked questions about the individual's personality it appeared as well. If I were to read this with Tarot and saw a card repeating I would assume I needed to pay more attention to that particular card. Is Lenormand completely context-based and should only be considered among the cards it is pulled with, or do I assu…

I know a little about tarot, but Petit Lenormand/Spiel der Hoffnung is quite a different world to me. I haven't bought any Lenormand/Hoffnung deck yet, so I need some advice. Oracle decks of this type doesn't seem to follow any standard regarding the direction the Rider and the Ship moves, nor regarding on which side the Clouds are darker. From what I've gathered, persons proficient in "the Lenormand method" often seem to have quite firm positions on how these three cards ought to look. Which decks follow the "ideal" Lenormand design of these three cards? I don't want to buy a divergent Lenormand design by mistake, because I don't want to muddle my future use …

Any beginner deck for lenormand?

I'm searching for my first lenormand decks so do you consider these decks beginner friendly? Blue Bird Lenormand Gypsy Witch Fortune Telling Cards Lenormand Fortune Telling Cards Any other deck suggestions? Also I'm searching for some Lenormand beginner books and i stumbled upon this A practical guide to the lenormand oracle cards i noticed it says oracle thought some info on this one feedback and other lenormand book suggestions would be much appreciated ☺️🙏

I'm new-ish to Lenormand, and just tried out the Grand Tableau for the first time, a couple of days ago. I was just experimenting to see how to read that layout, (no specific querent or question, but I chose the Woman card as the significator.) I laid out a Grand Tableau three times. One time the significator card appeared on the right edge of the spread. Another time it appeared at the bottom edge of the spread. So the significator/querent has no future (right edge)? Or has no control whatsoever about what happens? (bottom edge?) I found I was unable to figure out how to read this kind of result, when the significator appears as an edge card. Any advice?

Hi all, I just ordered the Grand Tableau Lenormand deck and I was thinking of doing a daily card draw for myself and journaling to help learn the meanings. With only 36 cards, I would expect it would be a little bit easier than doing a daily Tarot draw. Does anyone have any thoughts? Or maybe a better way to learn the cards?

So I’m trying to use Lenormand for advice. I am putting out a 3x3 spread and I am wondering which way should it be read. I am assuming it won’t be read as past, present, future 1-2-3 4–5-6 7-8-9 would the advise be 2+4+5+6+8 or would it be 3-6-9. And if 3-6-9, what would be 1-4-7 and 2-5-8?

Continuing with the thread "Newbie trying a five card reading - option 1" Option 2 Bouquet Snake Clover Scythe Tower Bouquet Snake - Superficial happiness Snake Clover - temporary enemy? Clover Scythe - Swift Luck Scythe Tower - drawing a Blank here! Mirroring Bouquet Tower - Entertainment places Snake Scythe - Enemy/ambition cut off? Option 1 ( combinations look positive but focus card coffin option 2 combinations don't look great but focus card clover. Should I pay attention to the central card or how the line reading ends? How will you read these? Please help Thank you!!

Hello I'm a newbie but have been practicing.Can any of the experienced readers help me out with this? This is for a family member. What will X's experience be if he/she chooses option 1 or option 2 this is not about a romantic/love interest. Mountain Man Coffin Bear Clover Mountain Man: obstacle by a man. Stubborn man Man Coffin - man causes negativity/transformation Coffin Bear - Financial endings/ Money coming from someone's death Bear Clover - Luck with investments Mountain Clover - lucky delays delays clearing Man Bear - overbearing man/financial advisor Option2 in another thread because of…