Lenormand Jottings: (Mostly) Simple Card Meanings
AUTHOR’S NOTE: My involvement with several online Lenormand communities has brought with it numerous opportunities to practice card interpretation, which has given me the confidence to post my own insights. My baseline in this regard is Andy Boroveshengra’s Lenormand, 36 Cards (although I don’t intend to plagiarize it), but I’ve gained considerable depth and breadth in my own outlook as a result of conversations with online colleagues and mentors, beginning with Andy way back in 2012. These are the general meanings I’ve been using in my own practice. Note that all “near” and “far” statements are in reference to distance from the Significator card representing the querent or the theme of the reading.
It can be all-too-tempting to embellish the interpretation of any card with a litany of keywords, many of which vary little in meaning, and some writers have done so ad nauseum (perhaps to pad out their books). Personally, I tend to glaze over when I try to absorb reams of verbiage, such that I’m no longer studying but merely skimming. My approach has always been to settle on one key idea for every card and perhaps allow a secondary definition or two as the reading requires, but I try to stay clear of the tertiary level since it can become a case of diminishing returns. The other Prime Directive is that I will not free-associate from the images in any significant way when reading, instead sticking with traditional concepts and reining in intuitive conjecture. I also prefer to avoid psychological mind-reading exercises and spiritual suppositions, leaving “psychism with props” to the tarot.
Rider (1): News; an incoming message (usually delivered in-person) or the arrival of someone, originally a “young man” since — in my own opinion, of course — at the time of Lenormand’s creation most solitary travelers were men in their prime who rode horses while old men and women journeyed in carriages. I’m inclined to see it as “any random person” unless accompanying cards provide more specific identification. News comes from afar when this card lies distant from the Significator, but originates closer to home when it is near. (Before the modern doubling of the Man and Woman cards in a deck, it was pressed into service as representing a male partner of the same gender as the querent.)
Clover (2): In general, something small and brief; a small amount of good luck; a minor uptick in one’s fortunes; a short period of encouragement and optimism; “found” luck as opposed to “self-made” destiny; a windfall; “pennies from heaven;” boon companions; loneliness when far away if it is afflicted by negative cards.
Ship (3): Enterprise and commerce; foreign trade or travel; going or sending as opposed to welcoming or receiving as with Rider; one of the “money” cards, suggesting income from abroad; opportunity for an important journey when near. (When it suggests “long-distance travel,” I might intentionally “charge” it in a reading to look at conditions surrounding the voyage.)
House (4): “Where one lives” in all its forms (physical, mental and emotional); domicile, domestic matters; self-establishment; health maintenance that preserves the “temple of the body;” improvement in all ventures; the nearer it comes to the querent’s card, the greater one’s chance of overcoming any troubles
Tree (5): Health matters in general; ill health when close, less severe when far away; inertia; something solidly rooted or stubbornly entrenched (i.e. a chronic disease).
Clouds (6): Troubles, misfortune; confusion; worse tidings toward the “dark” side, less ominous and with a clearing forecast on the “bright” side; difficulties are most challenging when it is near and above the Significator, increasing when to the right and passing away when to the left.
Snake (7): Treachery that aims to hurt; a vicious “snake in the grass;” complications or convolutions; all are potentially reduced in duration and severity when far away; one of the “survival” cards, although we might add “at all costs” or “by hook or by crook.” (I seldom see it as describing “a woman” and particularly not “the other woman” in a relationship, although it is sometimes used to indicate a sister, daughter or same-sex female partner, even though I don’t consider it a “sex” card in general.)
Coffin (8): Ends whatever comes before it; opens a new chapter upon whatever comes after it; serious illness; still grim but with reduced duration when far away, offering a chance to fight it off; one of the “stop” cards that precludes continuing on the same course as before.
Bouquet (9): A pleasant invitation or offer; a surprise gift; enjoyable companionship even when far away.
Scythe (10): Danger or threats in general; severing or cutting of something (typically in the direction in which the blade points; the handle side can only bludgeon); interruption; sudden reversal of fortune; more dangerous to one’s associates when far away.
Whip (11): Arguments and disagreements; repetitive or recurring events; two of something, as in bouts of illness or relapses; the cause and nature of the disturbance will depend on the cards it is with. (Not usually a “sex” card for me, although I have previously described it as “vigorous, repetitive action of a thrusting nature.”)
Birds (12): Minor upset (often due to nervous tension or restlessness) that causes short-term stress; nagging irritation, like an inaccessible itch that needs scratching or a scab to be picked (a friend once quipped “Birds peck at things, it’s what they do”); local travel; neighborhood gossip; the “twittering” of loose lips; two of something; a sudden, pleasurable journey when far away. (For me this is not primarily a “conversation” card.)
Child (13): Something small and new; an initiative; a child; informality; a benediction of sorts, bestowing kindness and trust; active assistance from others when near — they are still encouraging but less helpful when it is far away.
Fox (14): Dishonesty, fraud or deceit; the “con artist;” clever manipulation; “wrongness;” less troublesome when far away; one of the “survival” cards — I call it “survival of the quickest,” whereas Snake is “survival of the slickest.” (Not the main “work” card for me, although it could mean having strong survival instincts and the associated resourcefulness to excel at a job.)
Bear (15): Power, strength, protection when near; incurs the envy of others when far away; major investments; effective resource management; one of the “money” cards but just as often real estate and other valuable property. (Infrequently, it can mean a “mother figure” due to its emphasis on protective impulses.)
Stars (16): Success in general; in pragmatic terms, confidence in or affirmation of our chosen path; less fortunate when far away.
Storks (17): Change in general; marked improvement when near; less motivating if far away.
Dog (18): Friendship; faithfulness; trusted advisors (doctor, lawyer, financial consultant, counselor, etc) when near; “fair-weather friends” are indicated when far away.
High Tower (19): Longevity; lasting trends; enduring healthfulness and well-being; government institutions; older man of dignity and authority (father, grandfather, uncle); isolation and solitude; long-term debilities when with negative cards.
Park/Garden (20): Public engagement; community; group dynamics; social affairs; advantageous new associations when near, but false friends, isolation and loneliness when far away.
Mountain (21): An obstacle or hardship that is difficult to surmount; can signify an arch-rival, uncompromising opponent or staunch enemy when near, powerful friends come to one’s aid when far away; one of the “stop” cards that shows a significant barrier to progress.
Crossroads (22): A choice or decision; possibly a crisis; when far away, problems will be overcome with a little perseverance.
Mice (23): Theft or loss (possibly recoverable if near); diminished prospects; fouling or desecration of adjacent matters; worries and anxieties of lasting duration if near.
Heart (24): Passion of all kinds, generally bringing great joy; the “true love” card when near; when far away, sincere but platonic friendships.
Ring (25): Contracts; connections; cyclical activities; the “marriage” card.
Book (26): Secrets, concealed (closed book) or to be revealed (open book); knowledge; education; when near, a significant and possibly uncomfortable revelation; when far away, a surprising eye-opener that can nevertheless be taken in stride. Some say the spine shows what is known (you can read it when the book is closed) and the pages what is hidden, although I prefer the other “open or closed” paradigm.
Letter (27): Written communications or documents; when near, unpleasant news delivered through impersonal channels.
Man (28): Usually the male querent (has no divinatory significance unless it represents another person).
Woman (29): Usually the female querent (has no divinatory significance unless it represents another person).
Lilies (30): Family solidarity and values; legacies; older relatives; conjugal sex and offspring; virtuous when above the Significator, may be scandalous when below.
Sun (31): Great good luck and success when near; misfortune and difficulties when far away.
Moon (32): Reputation; honors and recognition; acclaim; daily job; the impression we make on others; failed ambitions when far away. (This is never a card of feelings or emotions.)
Key (33): Affirmation of the cards touching it: “this is the way;” hopes may be dashed when it lies far away.
Fish (34): Abundance; income; many opportunities; prosperity when close; hard times when far away. (Usually seen as the main “money” card but it is not always so.)
Anchor (35): Stability; solid foundation; fidelity; long-term career or employment security; strongest when near as long as it is unaffected by negative cards. (Not the primary “work” card for me, except in the sense of an established profession or life’s work.)
Cross (36): Burdens and hardships; short-term if near but not reduced in severity; prolonged when far away; a period of testing; one of the “stop” cards that presents a major hurdle to overcome. (Although it has been used as such, it’s not even remotely a card of “faith” for me; the keynote is “adversity.” Author Mary Greer once asserted that it can mean “a release” similar to that of the Coffin, with the card that follows it showing what will be released, but I would submit that it would certainly require a powerful “laxative” whereas the Coffin is purgative by nature.)
Originally published at http://parsifalswheeldivination.wordpress.com on August 28, 2023.
