The Monthly Grand Tableau: A Structured Approach
AUTHOR’S NOTE: I’ve always viewed the Lenormand Grand Tableau as a “long-range, big-picture” spread that can address any and all questions in a single pass over a 6–12 month period, but in online discussions I see that many people use it for shorter-duration readings of a more focused nature. I already do a monthly New Moon tarot reading, and I’m thinking that if I structure it properly a monthly Grand Tableau would be just as revealing while not amounting to “overkill.”
As a natal astrologer I typically pay the most attention to the three “building blocks” of the personality: the Sun, the Moon and the Ascendant; these are also the main harbingers of change in the most-used predictive techniques — periodic transits, progressions and returns. In contemplating a more narrowly-structured Grand Tableau, I intend to focus on the three “luminaries” — the Sun, the Moon and the Stars — as the key factors in the monthly perspective along with the status of the Primary Significator (querent’s card) and their connection to it. The Sun and its house position can suggest our positive self-image and “where we can shine” (just as it does in astrology) while the cards in proximity or otherwise closely linked to it can reveal how that might be accomplished (akin to astrological aspects). The Moon indicates our public image (once again as it does in astrology); its house placement can reflect the environment in which we can “polish” that image, while the attending cards can offer hints on how to go about it. The Stars, its house and its entourage can be construed to show the results of properly harnessing the other two to create a success path while also implying our most natural and comfortable mode of self-realization (similar to the astrological Ascendant).
I will include the House card as describing where and how I should conduct self-maintenance on my “home base,” which embodies the physical, mental and emotional aspects of my overall well-being (think of it as my constitutional core or nexus). The Clouds as a general barometer of troubled times is also worth considering every month. Because I come from a large, aging family, I will add the Lilies to the snapshot so I can stay tuned to my “sibling radar.” Job and career don’t apply to me since I’m retired, so anything to do with work is irrelevant. Similarly, financial matters reflected by Fish, Bear and Ship are quite secure and don’t require monthly scrutiny. At my age new romance is a non-starter, and marriage and children are stable, long-established factors in my life. The other major life-area or “theme” cards (see the graphic below) are all too impersonal or incidental for a base-level synthesis to offer practical short-term insights, although I can bring them in for any month where I know they will be relevant.
After laying out the 36 cards in my preferred 9×4 array, I will locate the Significator (Man card for me) and study its condition from a proximity standpoint: What is its “matrix of becoming?”( for lack of a better metaphor, although I was also considering “cocoon”). Then I will find the Sun, Moon and Stars if not already analyzed and examine any meaningful links between the four according to the various GT “sub-routines” (proximity, knighting, mirroring, intersection, etc) with a primary emphasis on intersection. Any patterns formed by these interactions and the environmental nature of their houses will provide the thematic backdrop for the month ahead. I will look closely at any favorable indicators that I can leverage and will ignore the neutral or non-applicable cards, while the less fortunate ones will be screened as discussed below and woven into the outlook for a balanced accounting of the major factors.
I will then treat the secondary topic cards (House, Clouds and Lilies) in the same manner, assessing whether and where they integrate with the four main themes and the primary network of influences. At this time I will consider including additional topic-specific cards that I deem to be sensitive subjects over the next four weeks. (For example, I know that next month I must make the two-hour drive to Boston so I will include the Ship in the forecast.)
Next I will identify any direct impingement of the other “troublemakers” (Tree, Snake, Coffin, Scythe, Whip, Fox, Mountain, Mice and Cross) on the chosen theme cards, using the same primary/secondary hierarchy. The presence of critical connections (in particular close proximity) will show where and how I should prepare myself for possible adversity in the affected area of life.
Last but not least, I will assess the testimony of the four “corner” cards as showing the general tenor of the upcoming month without putting too fine a point on their significance. (I always go clockwise from the upper left with this overview.) Consider it the broad circumstantial framework within which the concerns and contingencies of life will play out over the period.
General Topic or Theme Cards:
Originally published at http://parsifalswheeldivination.wordpress.com on September 26, 2023.
