Best Foot Forward: A Lenormand Personality Matrix
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Although I very seldom use the Lenormand cards for any psychological purpose (subconscious self-awareness, mind-reading, character analysis, personality profiling, etc), I’m always looking for legitimate ways to do so that won’t outrage my non-mystical cartomantic sensibilities. Here’s one that comes from a “best-case-scenario” perspective that can be used as a template for a random pull to bring its sunny positivism back down to Earth. The premise in selecting the base cards was to assume the best in anyone until the evidence proves otherwise. If, on the other hand, you are familiar with the foibles of your subject, you can pick a less-optimistic card for any base position. One incidental goal of this initiative is to help answer that perennial “mind-reading” question “What is he or she thinking or feeling, and what can I expect?” Its broader objective is to ascertain “Exactly who am I dealing with here?”
It may be advisable to lay the base cards using a large-format deck and choose a second deck of smaller dimension for the actual reading cards that are placed atop them. In this way it would be possible to receive a “second dose” of any base card as part of the commentary, although not necessarily in its original position. Since the cards shown here are all relatively fortunate in nature, this occurrence could be an encouraging reinforcement of the “best case” outlook.
You can use one of the “person” cards as a back-up significator or not as you see fit (here I’m showing the Man and the Woman); the Key is the formal focus card, serving as the enabling “signature” of the profile and uniting all of the other factors. The random cards that land in the base positions could reflect either ennobling virtues or enfeebling vices according to their disposition (and even the most well-mannered personality might run amok under their influence).
After placing the base cards in the template as shown, shuffle the rest of the deck (or a second deck) and lay nine more cards on top of the base cards. Read these additional cards as the mundane “outlet” for the archetypal modes that will either release their positive potential or interfere with its expression. Severely debilitated cards could go as far as curbing that particular developmental aspect, leaving it diminished and possibly flawed. If we assume that the base cards display the ideal vision of psychological wholeness, the covering cards convey the sometimes harsh reality.
The Key as focus card provides affirmation that this is the “best-case” personal-growth prospectus, although the random card that falls on top of it could temper that impression. For me, this card always suggests “This is the way” in any reading scenario, and here I’m using it to portray individual potential within the scope of the matrix.
Optional: If for no other reason than to have an “avatar” to represent the person of interest, you may place an appropriate “person” card beneath the Key. (If you’re doing this reading for a pet you could choose the Dog). When used as such, this card has no divinatory meaning; it receives influences but doesn’t generate them.
The left-hand column indicates “where the individual is coming from,” the middle column his or her present status and the right-hand column “where the subject is headed.”
The left column suggests “legacy” values arising from upbringing (Child), family (Lilies) and home environment (House). In a situation that is not presented as a life-reading scenario, this column can describe the nascent forces driving the matter as wielded by those involved.
In the middle column the Sun represents the subject’s most dynamic and self-assured statement of intent (what they truly want), the Key relates to overall potential for success or failure in concert with the rest of the cards, and the Moon reflects what can be achieved in terms of reputation and public acceptance. Taken together, the Sun, the Key (backstopped by the Significator) and the Moon comprise the “Authentic Self.”
The right column illustrates the fully-realized personality: what the individual would love to be and do (Heart); what he or she brings to that passionate pursuit in the way of resolve (Anchor); and what these qualities can mean for the subject’s sense of fulfillment and ultimate destiny (Stars).
The rows depict three distinct developmental “arcs:” emotional, experiential (or “empowering”) and ethical. The cards in these rows are for the most part self-explanatory.
Originally published at http://parsifalswheeldivination.wordpress.com on September 6, 2023.
