Lenormand: Wisdom In A Cup
AUTHOR’S NOTE: As Mary K. Greer has pointed out, the original source for many of the Lenormand card descriptions was not solely the German Game of Hope (although that added to the vocabulary), but rather the practice of “coffee-ground” divination that predated it, at first in the Middle East and later in Europe. Among the numerous translations in his e-book, Lenormand Symbols, Anthony Louis offers a compendium of evidence regarding how the swirls of residue remaining in an upended coffee cup were deciphered.*
As I understand it, when a figure offering a specific divinatory insight appeared at the top of the cup and “in the clear” (that is, free from Clouds or other discordant signs and absent any dots or dashes [specks of debris] that modified its influence “for good or ill”), the symbol delivered its signature import in a straightforward manner that bolstered a fortunate augury and may have slightly dispelled an unfavorable one.
If it showed up in the middle of the cup or “in the thick,” the situation — even if seemingly benign — was more complicated and would have required some prudence in navigating its permutations.
Its arrival at the bottom of the cup (I think of it as “in the dregs”) was typically the most perilous placement of all, requiring considerable caution in approaching its challenges and opportunities.
I decided to use this model to create a 9-card, 3×3 Lenormand spread with three tiers of relevance: a top row showing a “surfeit” (an overabundance) of whatever the three-card combination conveys, whether positive or negative; a middle row describing a “sufficiency” of the triune essence (that is, just enough to be taken up and wielded with reasonable effort); and a bottom row reflecting a “shortfall” in actualizing the three-phase impact that would require vigorous engagement to recoup or offset. This has similarities to the premise of the Grand Tableau that the cards above the Significator are highly influential in directing the querent’s actions while those below encourage (or demand) being actively managed in order to optimize their effect.
Each three-card set is read left-to-right as a “sentence” describing the circumstances under which its influence will manifest, with the right-hand cards showing the outcome of each evolution. Currently, I don’t plan on reading the columns or diagonals for this purpose, although that’s still an option to be explored so I’ve given it some “flow-chart” structure. I might identify the most beneficial and detrimental of the “outcome” cards and treat them as an envelope revealing the boundaries of the matter as a “best-case/worst-case” scenario. The aggregate positive-or-negative stimulus of the cards in each tier would either extend or withhold a satisfactory result. (I’ll mention now that my example reading includes few of these stipulations.)
The tiers can be ranked according to the congruity and cumulative potency of their blended cards. A top-tier emphasis would indicate a “shoo-in” for the designated consequences (not a good thing if the cards are markedly unfavorable) that could entail a bit of stretching to accommodate, while a bottom-tier focus could show an “uphill battle” that might be no worse off for a little strategic delay, reconsideration of tactics or redeployment of resources as a way to defuse or deflect the struggle. (I’m thinking of “mitigation and avoidance” initiatives.) A prioritized middle tier would deliver a “steady-state” outlook that, once again, may not serve up the most desirable conclusion if the cards are anything but benevolent in complexion. Here is an example reading to illustrate the concept:
The most potent theme here is that of “Surfeit;” it suggests overconfidence and perhaps overstated ambition. But the cards are entirely auspicious, conveying strength of will and purpose (Bear); a small measure of luck (Clover) and abundance (Fish). The upshot looks like “all systems are go” and its pursuit portends a tidy yield (although not quite an “embarrassment of riches” . . . where’s the Sun when I need it?) But I’m not complaining, go ahead and bring it on! There’s no “abundance of caution” here.
The “Sufficiency” and “Shortfall” tiers begin on a problematic note but resolve themselves nicely in two highly-favorable outcome cards. It’s as if enthusiasm must be held in check with a sobering launch that endures convolutions and cut-backs before finding its footing. It’s hard to choose between the two, but I like Snake-Key-House better because it includes the Key, which I call the “This is the way!” card; it takes that sneaky serpent in stride and “brings home the bacon.”
Both advise “staying the course,” but the Scythe-Heart-Star series seems just a bit more “tweaked” in an unpleasant way. (At least the Scythe’s blade is pointing away from the action; the Heart receives “blunt-force trauma” from the handle instead of being sharply nettled.) But joined with the Star, the Heart signifies a “great-hearted” optimism that can weather the blow. It never looks back.
*My research shows that in Turkey, after the coffee was consumed, the cup was turned upside-down so the grounds ran down the inside, forming patterns for interpretation.
Originally published at http://parsifalswheeldivination.wordpress.com on January 6, 2025.
