Little White Book
Little White Book by Jean Hamilton-Fford
Table of Contents Acknowledgements How to Care for Your Deck Introduction Using Your Deck 01 Messenger 02 Luck 03 Journey 04 Home 05 Tree 06 Clouds 07 Misfortune 08 Transformation 09 Gifts 10 Danger 11 Conflict 12 Anxiety 13 Child 14 Wrong 15 Golden Bear 16 Stars 17 Change 18 Friendship 19 Time 20 Meeting Place 21 Blocks 22 Choices 23 Loss 24 Heart 25 Rings 26 Book 27 Message 28 Gentleman 29 Woman 30 Hen and Chicks 31 Sun 32 Moon 33 Key 34 Fish 35 Anchor 36 Cross Spreads 3-Card Spreads Focus for Today Grand Tableau (GT) About Jean
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you for purchasing Freshly Squeezed Lenormand! I hope you enjoy the deck. This deck and the packaging was handcrafted and this was done to ensure quality and to pour as much love, light and blessings into the deck as I could before it reached you. I hope you are blessed by this deck. I have so many people to thank. I have had such support and encouragement while creating this deck, I have been truly blessed! Firstly, I need to let you know that this deck came about through inspiration from dreams that were given to me before the project and through the project. If I had difficulty understanding what I was to do, I would sleep on it or meditate and the solution would present itself to me. The verses flowed through my Spirit and hands, through the keyboard and onto the computer. So, I have to thank the Source of my inspiration, Divine Energy, God, the Universe. My husband, Jon, my co-creator as he helped me learn the software and helped me troubleshoot graphics issues and helped create images when none were to be found, is the love of my life, my help mate and he created the packaging and the graphics for it! My daughter, Kaelyn, who kept my spirits bolstered and kept me going through the creation of this deck, is truly a blessing in my life! My sisters who challenge me and keep me grounded... Lynn and Donna, love you both! Friends on FaceBook who I communicate with on an almost daily basis, Bonnie and Cat, were the first and most vociferous cheerleaders on the planet! These woman are my mentors, my sisters in Spirit and my guides on this journey. Thank you both for your tremendous support and love! Then there is Pearl Annie, who introduced me to Lenormand and who’s sense of humour and encouragement just when I needed it, kept me so connected with a lovely, light and buoyant energy... thank you! You are not only another sister in Spirit, you are an Angel. I don’t want to leave anyone out but there are so many others as well: those who gave me clarity, direction, a sense of community, cohesiveness, love and even helped me just by posting feelings and thoughts. This gave me a sense of continuity and an awareness the life keeps going whether I want to pay attention and be present or not. So, thank you to everyone... all of my FaceBook family and friends.
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR DECK We have used the very best of materials available to us. Because we are unable to accept tons of playing card stock, we have used the heaviest stock available to us while still being able to shuffle the cards and the best stock so the images will stay fresh and the ink will stay bright. There is no plastic or metal in these cards, they are heavy card stock. As such, they need a little extra attention. If you will keep them out of long periods of sunlight, keep them dry and clean and handle them with care, they will last for quite a long time. They are flammable so do not use them next to an open flame. If they get wet, they will bubble up like puff paint and you will no longer be able to use them. I wish you many hours of pleasure!
INTRODUCTION I have learned so much during this journey. Lenormand has come to life for me and I hope it takes you on a delightful journey as well. I have written this book in the hope that you will print it out, use it and truly explore and discover the depths of this deck. I find things everytime I look at the cards. There are hidden things, there are things that will touch you because of your culture and experience. There is only love in this deck and, should there be any offence, it is completely unintended. It is through love, through grace and through sharing that this deck will help you see things everytime you pick it up. Lenormand cards are an old divination credited to Mlle Marie-Anne Lenormand. She was born in 1772 and became famous for her divination and fortunetelling powers. She was consulted by famous individuals, including Napoleon and Josephine, and she died in Paris in 1843. She was hailed as the ‘Sibyl of Paris’ to honor her for her work. Freshly Squeezed Lenormand is a new take on this old divination. This is an updated version using images and tools that are more current with today. The verses have been channeled through me by Spirit. While immersing myself in Lenormand as a way to round out and question my Tarot studies, I found that there were so many cards that were full of heavy, negative and hopeless images and verses and wondered if, perhaps, it was simply because of the period of time in which they were written. Hopelessness still abounds today but I am a person of hope. My Spirit and my life are about hope and there is still hope to be found in this world. I understand why I was compelled to offer hope in these cards. It is needed and many have forgotten that hope is always present if you look for it. Dawn Alice, a FaceBook friend of mine, has called these cards ‘little boxes of hope.’ My wish is that they bring hope to you. I found also that the images may have meant what they were purported to mean but, I found no real relevance in some of the images that were coupled with the verses and was inspired to change and update them. My daughter, Kaelyn, was the one who helped me to see that each card, alone, was a ‘miniature work of art’ that would mean different things to different people but, along with the verse, would make current sense. So, I give you the Freshly Squeezed Lenormand. You may not agree entirely with the deck and that is true of all decks. You may find that you are drawn to and connected with certain cards in the deck or certain images or words and that is, again, true of all decks. I hope you will find enough to make this one of your favorite decks that you use for your pleasure and that you keep using for a long time. Thank you for giving opportunity to loving Spirit, hope and the miniature works of art found in the Freshly Squeezed Lenormand. Let’s get started...
USING YOUR DECK YOUR CARD Let’s talk about the card that will represent the Querent, the person consulting the cards for information. In traditional decks and booklets, this card is referenced as the Key card. However, if you are new to the Lenormand, this can be very confusing. The Lenormand has, literally, a Key Card... it is card number 33. In this deck, I reference this card as ‘your card’ in the hope of clarity. This way, any card can be used to represent the Querent, not just the Gentleman (28) or the Woman (29). MYSTERY CARDS I need to also address with you the 4 Mystery cards. You will find these cards at the end of the deck. I suggest you separate these cards from the main deck and use them only when needed. These cards are ‘YES,’ ‘NO,’ ‘NOW,’ and ‘LATER.’ When you use these cards in the deck, I suggest you randomly place them in the cards and shuffle them a few times before you continue. If you haven’t ascertained which card the Querent is using as ‘your card,’ you will need to do this before you proceed. Once that is established, start turning the cards over one at a time until you find the ‘your card’ of the Querent’s choice. Then continue turning the cards over one at a time until you come across one of the cards you have placed in the deck to answer the yes/no or now/later question. Note how many cards came between the ‘your card’ of the Querent and the yes/no/now or later card that answers their question. This will determine the certainty of the answer and if there is any ‘wiggle’ room regarding the strength of the answer. If there are a great number of cards between the ‘your card’ and the yes/no/now or later card, there is something not being revealed by the Querent that turns this into a ‘maybe’ card. It could be that the Querent has yet to acknowledge and identify what is blocking the strength of the answer... so, be gentle when asking about this... it could be a rather sensitive issue. It might be better to suggest to the Querent that they take time to reflect on how they feel, think or perhaps if they are ready to acknowledge how they feel or think about their yes/no/now/later question. It could also be that the Querent isn’t asking the right question. For instance, a Querent might want a yes/no to if they are going to move house. However, the real question might be “Will I lose my job?” or “Will I get the job I’m hoping to get?” and have to move house. You may have to gently prompt the Querent to make certain the real question is being asked. It could also be that there are circumstances or other people outside the Querent’s control that will decide the strength of the answer. Again, this could be a sensitive issue with the Querent or the Querent may not be acknowledging that the locus of control for deciding this rests outside the Querent’s control of the decision. Okay, let’s dive into the deck:
01 Messenger "The Messenger wings his way To you, Are you ready to
receive him? He brings news For you to use, It could be good or grim. How you apply it Depends on your state And where you are in this place. Look at the cards And they will tell you If you need to be on your guard." In traditional decks, this is the Cavalier or Horse Rider. I chose the owl as they are known to bring wisdom and insight and I thought it appropriate that the owl should be carrying "air mail" to bring you a message. Follow your intuition. If you receive a message, take time to think and reflect. You may also receive some mail (by post or internet), that makes you pause for thought. This card could be a message from a young man, gentleman or could be the young man or gentleman, himself. This card usually brings good news if it is close to your card. But, just as the sky is blue, it is also filled with clouds and the further this card is from your card, the more likely the news will be cloudy. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
02 Luck "The pig, the clover, The cock and the dragon Appear for you
here To bring luck and good fortune. Choose what you like But beware your wish, This card with others May see your plans go amiss." In traditional decks, this is the Luck card. This card is all about luck! The background is void of any interest. The interest is on the items in the foreground. What you see here are all symbols of luck. From the white elephant and dragon on the table as well as the Barcelos cock and a vase with a four-leaf clove in it and one laying on the table beside it, to the pink golden pig, the blue lotus, white anemone and pink camellia and the laughing buddha wearing a pink and purple and white lei. Don't miss the horseshoe supported on the table by the Barcelos cock. Which of these symbols speaks to you? Which of them would you choose? What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
03 Journey "However you may journey, However you may roam, Look to
the cards To show you, how far You will have to go. By ship, by plane, By foot, by train, By animal, bike or car, Wherever you go, There you are."
Most Lenormand decks call this one the Ship. But there are many ways to journey now and I have updated this card to include a train and a plane. I've also added a whale fluke because some of us journey by swimming and the land and air because some journey by flying long distances or covering ground by bicycle, motorcycle, car or other modes of transportation. What you need to remember is that this card is about travel or a journey. Look at the cards around this card. If this is near your card, the travel or journey is imminent. If it is far away, it has yet to manifest. This could also mean that someone or something is making its way to you imminently or in the future. I hope you enjoy this card as much as I enjoyed making it! What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
04 Home "Home is the place Where you hang your hat And embrace the
warmth and love. Home is the place Where you feel secure From the cares of the day. The cards around it will signify If you stay at home or if you fly."
In this card, we see a timber house, a healthy and strong tree, green grass and blue sky. This is the epitome of home. It is where we run too when we feel insecure or ill. It is where we gather family and friends. It is where we keep things of value to us, including our family. It is where we grow up, regardless of our age. It is where we grow together. This is where we celebrate our successes and milestones and where we begin families. This is our private space. Most decks call this card House. I couldn't bring myself to do that. House has no real meaning. It is an object, not a heart place. This card usually means favorable circumstances are ahead, if it is near your card. If it is away from your card, these favorable circumstances have yet to manifest. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
05 Tree "The yew tree stands in isolation. Near to you, you will rue As
this is the tree of death, rebirth and transformation. Far from you, the tree will fool you As it is also the tree of longevity. Look at the cards and you will see The health of life, The magic of the yew tree." I chose the yew tree as it signifies longevity, isolation and the mysteries of life and death. This is all about health and this tree is well-matched around those issues. The rabbits are here because they signify quick multiplication and amplification of the consequences of not controlling one's desires. The peonies are here because they not only represent riches and prosperity but they are represent a devil-may-care attitude and a disregard of consequences. All of these representations and significations can be seen in our health. If we disregard our health and take it for granted, it will soon fail us. If we are cognizant of our health and listen to our bodies, we will flourish. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
06 Clouds "Things may be cloudy But look around The cards will tell you
To which cloud you are bound. Which cloud are you near The dark or the light? This will tell you Of your demise or delight!"
In traditional decks, this is the Clouds card. This card is quite straightforward. Check the cards around this one to shed light on them. Of course, if you are checking for the future, remember this: clouds have a way of changing and blowing through quickly. As you approach the future event, check again! The clouds may have changed. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it?
NOTES:
07 Misfortune "The portents abound They lay all around you Nothing appears
as it seems. The ladder, the number 13, The snake, the broom, The magpie and black cat, The comet, the horseshoe, The mirror crack'd Misfortune comes your way! Look at the cards What do they say If this card is near you Luck is far away!" This card is traditionally know as the Snake. However, the snake, like most creatures worldwide, holds a very ambiguous meaning. I chose to use the symbols on this card because, together, they have the effect of bringing one's understanding to that of misfortune: insidious, innocuous-looking, unpredictable, etc. The black cat (under an unrestrained ladder) reaching up to disturb the magpie (1 for sorrow) and most likely disturbing the ladder that is leaning against the wall. The cracked mirror (7 years bad luck), the upside down horseshoe (emptying the luck it contained the other way around), the broom (fallen - something's up, pay attention, death) and the snake (cunning, devious, harm) crossing it (amplifying the meaning of the fallen broom). The comet (used to signify bad luck or death) and the number 13. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
08 Transformation "Transformation happens Through sickness, sorrow or death
You always begin again When things come to an end Rebirth happens upon your last breath. When this card is near you Take heart and do not fear When this card is far away Do your best to steer clear. Either way, know and be wise It is only the ending of a beginning Never your total demise." This card is usually the Coffin card in traditional decks. Let's look at this card a little more closely. In the background, there is a yew tree. This tree is associated with life and death and is found in many graveyards. While scientists are extracting goodness from its toxins to use in medicines, this tree is known for being very poisonous. It is what longbow makers have used, what wands are made from in some instances and anyone who works the wood, if they do not take care, will sicken and die. In front of the yew tree are peony bushes. The peony has more than 200 compounds that are used in medicine. It is known as the bashful flower because it doesn't root easily but, when it does take, it becomes a flower of longevity because it will bloom for decades. In front or beside the peonies is a sarcophagus and in front of that is a wooden coffin with an urn sitting on one end. The tombstone in front of that coffin shows a magpie (1 for sorrow) and a skull with flies munching away at some left over flesh and a rat (bringer of disease) by it. The message on the tombstone reads: "Here lies the endings of your new beginnings." Below the saying is a lemniscate indicating eternal energy. The sarcophagus, coffin are urn are three different ways people choose to finish their life and enter their afterlife. There are more as each culture has their own unique way of dealing with the dead. The flowers in front are the red roses (desire) and the white lilies (knowledge). This gives impetus to the notion of 'new' beginnings. Once you begin something, once you act upon it, the new beginning dies and is replaced by a work in progress. The 'new' beginnings are the thoughts, ideas, epiphanies from which we draw inspiration to apply to our lives. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
09 Gifts "Come to the table Choose your gifts Happiness awaits and
eternal Bliss. There is joy in receiving A proposal, contract or partnership. Whatever you desire, whatever you wish These gifts are always here Waiting for you to claim your happiness. Whether near or far away from you Take heart and do not fear These gifts are always favorable Your joy can be found here. In traditional decks, this card would be Flowers. Apple trees (prosperity, abundance, love) bloom in the background, red roses (desire) bloom around the table and a red (passion) carpet leads you to your gifts. Multicolored balloons add a festive flair. A bonsai tree (beautiful gift constrained in miniature) and a vase of sunflowers (attainment, flexibility, opportunity, happiness) lend vertical color. Wooden blocks form the word 'Love.' A ring box can be seen just in front of these blocks and various gifts and envelopes are seen strewn on the table top. A blue sky and green grass complete this favorable picture. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
10 Danger "Danger waits For your complacency Your tiredness and
distraction Danger lurks When you do not look When you do without thinking Or act in haste Danger Catches you unaware Suddenly and with great loss Life, limb, family, friends, Bankruptcy, injury, pain or grief Danger lies ahead." Traditional decks call this card the Scythe. They tell you to look at where the scythe points and that will identify the danger. There is a scythe on this card accompanied by the grim reaper. This is dead man's curve because if you are travelling too quickly or are distracted or tired, you may not take the curve at the appropriate speed or you may hit the potholes and react badly and go over the edge, straight at the reaper and your fate. It's a long drop! So this card tells us to be vigilant. Pay attention. Take precautions. Plan ahead. This card reminds us to take care of our bodies and our health so there is no distraction or impediment on which to focus. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
11 Conflict "Conflict has begun In quarrels that ensue In standing off your
opponent's move Conflict is here It is in the air Tensions rise and vaporise Agreements between pairs Ride out the storm Batten down the hatches Whether conflict appears Through fun or surival It will leave you battered Without means of retrieval." In traditional decks, this card is the Rod or Whip. What does this card signify? Conflict, disagreements, quarreling, failing marriages, etc.
I chose the birds because the conflict was evident as it becomes a matter of survival. I chose the chess game because there is conflict between you and your opponent, strategic conflict, to win the game by out-maneuvering and out-thinking your opponent. I chose the cat-o-nine tails to tie this back with the traditional cards. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
12 Anxiety "It's clear from your face Your manic pace Has left pencils
broken And a phone undone I can feel the anxiety In your sorrowful eyes And there is brevity In your whimpering cries This can be put right And I can put you at ease The problem is solved You are absolved And now we can Our travels plan." Traditionally, this card is known as the Birds/Owls (representative of two elderly women). There are so many culturally ambiguous meanings with those pictures, I felt compelled to update it. The wallpaper is so loud and so overwhelming. It signifies how anxiety can affect us. So, the writing is on the wall. We all get anxious when we perceive we have done something wrong. We don't look for the positive in our undoings and I would encourage you to see the positive side of those things that seem to go wrong. This card is visually nervous and suggests there was a moment of mad rushing due to the upset phone and broken pencils. Sorrow is expressed in the dog’s remorseful eyes. This card also represents telephone calls and, with the phone off the hook, suggests someone very talkative. Understand that this sorrow or anxiety is of short duration. Things can be solved. If this card is near your card, find the source of your anxiety. Once you identify that source, you can then find ways to deal with it. If this card is far away, this may mean that an unexpected trip may be needed. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
13 Child "Let the inner child within you Come out to play! It is time to
be carefree Time to dress colorfully Laugh and sing and dance The day away! Be silly, have fun Give your worries away! Let your inner child Come out to play!" In traditional decks, this is the Child card. After Danger, Conflict and Anxiety, this card is a breath of fresh air!! We have conquered our demons and can let loose and PLAY!!! Wherever this card appears, fun appears or a child or young woman is the focus of the reading. This card is all about freeing your inhibitions and enjoying life! It may be cold outside but it's warm and loving and full of good cheer whenever this card appears! Enjoy! This card is about new beginnings and how, when we begin new things, we are like children, naive and full of possibility, intrepid and fearless. We are confident and thoughtful and kind in our actions because new things are untested and untried. If this card is near your card, allow yourself to look at things in your current life with a new perspective. Understand that a new enterprise or creative project may be imminent. Approach it with the attitude of a child and have fun. If this card is far away from your card, there is time for fun and creativity in the future. New beginnings are on the horizon, new enterprises or creative projects are ahead. Allow yourself to eagerly anticipate what is before you and face them with confidence. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
14 Wrong "Not all that glitters is gold Have you not been told? There are
lies and deception In every direction And signs tell you 'Wrong!' To get your attention Heed the signs Beware the fox In collar and tie He'll lead you astray! It is all wrong You'll see come the dawn Of a new day." In traditional decks, this card is identified as the Fox.
The fox is known to be cunning and deceptive, sly and sneaky. They are masters at contortion and finding their way into any hen house, given the opportunity. They skulk and are curious about everything. The fox here is wearing a fancy collar and the tie of deception. The sign says 'Wrong!' to let you know to look at what surrounds this card and determine what is wrong in your life. Whatever card it is near will indicate that you need to raise a red flag and look at that area with discernment and objectivity. Lies are told. People are led astray and get hurt. This is a card of warning and you should heed its appearance. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
15 Golden Bear "Walk in the footsteps Of the Golden Bear He leaves behind
Golden sunshine As he walks the path Of becoming one with the Sun Put on the mask Take the key and the toy The path will lead you To wealth and happiness Put on the strength Feel the joy Of the Golden Bear!" In traditional decks, this card is the Bear. The verse should tell you what you need to know here. This card signifies good fortune, wealth, happiness, strength, using the key to unlock your success, joy, fun with the toy, wearing a mask (a different face) in the different roles you assume through your day. This card speaks of a grandfatherly figure (the teddy bear), an older person, ex-husband or lover, someone of influence in your life. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
16 Stars "Look to the stars! What do you see? Good fortune and
success Locked in astronomy? The stars hail success Intuition and spirituality Psychic powers are heightened In the light of astrology Stars bring luck Good fortune and bliss Look up to the stars To find your happiness!" In traditional decks, this card is called Stars. When we look to the heavens to view the wonders of the night sky, we're reminded of just how much we don't know and how small we are. I often wonder if the night sky is the microscope of a scientist who works within a dark room. He lights a multitude of lights and this reflects off the surface of our Spirit to give the illusion of billions of stars in the sky. And then, I wonder, who is watching that scientist under a microscope of illusion? This is a card of success and happiness. Luck is on your side. Trust your intuition, explore spirituality, psychic powers and astrology for a more complete understanding of yourself and your continued good fortune. If this card is surrounded by more negative cards, beware of harmful events or sequences of unfortunate coincidences. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
17 Change "Change is afoot It's time to move! A new beginning awaits For
you. Where will you go What will you do Adventure is knocking You need to get packing Change is afoot!" In traditional decks, this is known as the Stork.
This card depicts a moving van in front of a house. The ramp is extended, the sold sign is apparent and moving is happening. When this card is near your card, it tells you that change/a move is imminent. When it is far from your card, it tells you that change/a move is delayed or postponed. This card can also represent a kind, older woman. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it?
NOTES:
18 Friendship "Billy the goat and Tiger the cat And Floppy the bunny and me
Playing catch! Come join us and see How friendship can be! But beware what's around you Because it may surround you With false expectations And commiserations For friends once perceived Can often deceive." In traditional decks, this card is the Dog.
I enjoyed making this card. So often our pets are our friends and we find they bring us much joy! I chose the traditional dog to be the voice of this card but I didn't want to miss other nontraditional pets like the billy goat and the rabbit. Of course, a cat demanded to be part of this card as well. When this card appears in a reading, it is important to look at the cards that surround it and the position it is in for the reading. If it is away from your card and is surrounded by other negative cards, it can mean friends that will be deceitful or treacherous. If it is near your card, it can represent someone you rely on, a son, brother, young man or lover. If the Clouds card is next to it, be warned, that someone you rely on may not be so reliable. Treat this with caution and question their veracity and reliability. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
19 Time "Time has authority Over our lives It treats us each In isolation
And gives us ties To powerful dominion Of experience Of healing Of inspiration If we heed time." This card is usually the Tower card in traditional decks.
I've changed it to Time because when I think of authority, I think of large institutions and things that constrict and bind us. The largest thing I could think of was time. It is a completely man-made concept by natural observation of sun and moon and passing seasons. Ironically, time changes over time. Have you ever noticed that you need to set or reset your timepieces as time goes by. Daylight savings time, that not all places honor, changes our entire cycle of time twice a year. We use atomic clocks for keeping accurate time but, even then, we have to adjust for a few seconds of time lost over time. This card can represent the Querent living to an old age. However, if this card is surrounded by negative cards, it can mean disease, disability or a life cut short. This card can also represent someone who controls your time, someone in authority like your employer, banker, doctor, etc. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
20 Meeting Place "The Meeting Place is full of sun It dances brightly on the
flowers It showers those who visit here With love, with long spent hours Of holding hands, of stolen kisses Of good company and reminiscences Of friendships old and friendships new Of times past and time to come Come to the Meeting Place here in the sun." In traditional decks, this is the Park or Garden card. It is a meeting place where people go to gather, to connect, to transact business, to meet. It is a place of possibilities and opportunities. It is a place of friendship and love. If this card is near your card, you will be involved with many people. If it is far from your card, it tells of a group activity at sometime in the future. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
21 Blocks "Blocks have found you They hinder your way Take a close
look though To see what they say. If this card is imminent You'd better take cover If this card is far away Your misery will be over For friends will aid you And help you recover." In traditional decks, this card is The Mountain. This card indicates that there are blocks in your way. They aren't tiny, they are big and mighty ~ a powerful enemy? If you're going to surmount them, you'll need the aid of your friends. In a reading, if the card is near your card, you may be confronting someone who is bigger, meaner and just all-round nastier than you imagine. Perhaps the best thing to do is make the best of a bad situation. If this card is far away from your card, whatever block is in the way has yet to be realized but can be overcome with the help of your friends. Perhaps it is best to prepare for it now. Of course, things change over time. It might help you to consult the cards on a daily basis for awhile to discover anything else that may abate this or to find out if it has already past and left you unscathed, this time... maybe. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
22 Choices "There are Choices to make That will affect you forever Be
mindful of the path you take Don't think you are clever. If you deviate, you will take longer To arrive at your destination Alternatives appear to see your way clear But if clouds are near Beware! Choices will need to be made To keep you from danger." In traditional decks, this card is Paths or Roads. However, the main theme of this card is the need to make a choice, decide your way forward. How you navigate through the main is important. Do you believe it to be a simple matter, a matter of yes or no? Or do you see it as a more complex matter that may require help from friends to assist you? Regardless, the choice you make today will affect you forever... choose wisely. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
23 Loss "Loss is here In all its guises Sorrow, grief A few bad surprises
Disease, theft By man or by animal Can leave you bereft And be irretrievable All is not lost if near the Key Items may return remarkably." In traditional decks, this is the card of Mice.
I have included the three mice here. But the card didn't hold any relevance for me with mice as the theme. However, loss is a common theme for this card whether by theft or disease. Loss can affect any part of your life and be quite profound. If it's next to your card (the Key in the verse), there may be something bothering you. Of course, if the card of (8) Transformation is near this card, it could mean that there is indication of disease or illness. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
24 Heart "Be of good cheer The Heart card is here Joy and love is
abundant Kind-heartedness, romance Is now part of the dance All other things are redundant If clouds are near, have no fear A little lovesickness Will be all you bear." In traditional decks, this is also the Heart card. This card is all about good fortune, romance, love and overall contentment. I enjoyed making this card as I have found so many before it to have such harsh and negative connotations in the traditional aspects. I love that you can find in nature so many references to the heart. It is especially so in plants, not just those that reference the 'heart' in their names, like the bleeding hearts pictured but also in reference to those used medicinally for the heart, like foxglove and willow tree bark. There are many ways we can access the 'heart' in nature. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
25 Rings "Do you see the Rings On the table they bring A partnership of
body, spirit or mind. A marriage, a connection Bridges the perfection of agreement A better relationship you will not find. To the right of your card Blessed prosperity and happiness To the left of your card Discontentment lies lifeless As separation and trouble finds you." In traditional decks, this card is the Ring. It is true that a ring is a symbol of partnership, whether marriage or otherwise. We give rings to friends, there are signet rings, poison rings, anniversary and eternity rings, engagement rings and marriage rings. It isn't the only symbol of a partnership but it is one of the easiest to maintain that gives a tremendous significance to the wearer.
I've added red and white roses. The red roses for desire, the white rose for knowledge. If this is a union of emotion (desire), you can see that it overpowers your knowledge. Love is blind after all! Whatever card you designate for yourself, if the Rings are on the right of that card it is happy news; if it is on the left of that card, it is disappointing news. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
26 Book "The Book lies closed Its secrets untold If next to the sun or
key Its secrets will unfold Do you need to know What the Book has hidden? You might think twice Before you peek inside What you find may not be kind." What is it that a closed book contains? Until you open it and peruse its contents you will not know. This card cautions you to consider the secrets inside as they may not be what you want to read. If it is near the Key card (31) or the Sun card (33) the secret lies in the cards that lie near the book. But, go ahead. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Look at the cards that surround it as they will hold the key to whether the contents that you read are favorable or not. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
27 Message "A Message is on its way to you Check the fax, the post Your
text and email If cards around are favourably found Your news will be profoundly positive If cards around bad omens surround Your news will be negative, you see. Hail! the Message!" In traditional decks, this card is the Letter. This is fairly straightforward. If good cards surround this one, the message will be positive. If ominous cards surround this one, the message will be negative. Check for a message and heed what it says! What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it?
NOTES:
28 Gentleman "This is your card If you are a boy or young man This card
reaches far And makes you a Gentleman The qualities here sparkle and shine They encourage you to find The guise inside Of the Gentleman. The cars that surround you Will tell you the story Of good or bad omens or untold glory!" For all intents and purposes, this card is a placeholder card, a Significator or ‘Key’ card representing a male Querent. It can also represent a male relation, colleague, friend or suitor if the Querent is female. This could also represent the masculine energy of a female Querent. The cards around this card will tell the story of the card. Pay attention and understand how this card's place in the spread is significant. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
29 Woman "This is the card of the Woman From young girl to young lady
To matriarch to crone Where do you fit, have you found a place? Which Woman will you be? Perhaps one full of grace? From the cards around this You may find your bliss Or you may find doubt and sadness Take heart, dear one, don't come undone Your dismay will change with the rising sun." For all intents and purposes, this card is a placeholder card, a Significator or ‘Key’ card representing a female Querent. It can also represent a female relation, colleague, friend or suitor if the Querent is male. This could also represent the feminine energy of a male Querent. The cards around this card will tell the story of the card. Pay attention and understand how this card's place in the spread is significant. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
30 Hen and Chicks "The Hen and Chicks will show you Family, harmony and virtue
Their succulent leaves Help them to thrive As chicks bud and sprout nearby They survive rain and drought and sun And show us how to prepare Or come undone They are prolific, they are all one Found above your card Good fortune is here Found below your card, trouble is near."
This card is Lilies in traditional decks. When I think of lilies, I think of funerals. I was inspired to change this card to a plant that demonstrates abundance, prolific generations, durability and hardiness. This card is all about family. In all things, there is variety in Hen and Chicks and they are found nearly everywhere on the planet. It is a more fitting card for all things family. If this card is above your card, contentment and good fortune is all around you. If this card is below your card, domestic disagreements and troubles are around you. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
31 Sun "Immerse yourself in Sun See what it has to say If this card Is
near your card then Good fortune is on its way If it is far away From your card then Gloominess can be found Take heart and be of good cheer The Sun will come back around!" In traditional decks, this is also the Sun card. The sun tends to add cheer to any day. It is life changing and we set our body clocks and watches and our calendars with the help of the sun. It gives life to the planet and life to everything on the planet. It gives us light and heat and drives the engines that keep our planet spinning, cycles turning and plants propagating. Be of good cheer, this card is always a good, positive sign. Whether near or far away, the Sun always comes back around. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? There is somethin hidden in this Sun card. Can you tell what it is? I’ll give you a hint: it grows tall and has a beautiful sacred geometrical pattern on it that become the seeds we eat. It loves the sun. NOTES:
32 Moon "The Moon shows the way To fortune and fame You can feel
the pull in your soul Intuition, visions, recognition Speak your name As the Moon pulls the tides And sails through the sky If the Moon is near your card You will go far Get ready for success to find you If the Moon is away from your card Displeasure and grief may bind you." In traditional decks, this is the Moon card. Like the Sun, the Moon lights our way though it is less bright. The Moon reflects light and this reflection can be found in the way we find rest and sleep at night. We open ourselves to dreams and our intuition guides us along the pathways of moonlight. Visions become more real and imagination runs away with us in the dark of the moon. The moon affects the tides and the cycles of the sea and creatures. The moon is magical and the energy from it has been written about and interpreted for centuries. Rites and rituals make reference to the moon. Myths and fairy tales relate stories about the moon. We have magical creatures that roam by the light of the moon and only come to life during certain phases of the moon. It is our balance to the Sun. It is our pull into magic. It is fodder for poets and romantic writers. There are songs about the moon. This card when near you suggests promotion or acknowledgement. Success is not far away. It also suggests that a lot of this success is within you if you listen to your intuition and your soul. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? There is something hidden in this card. Can you tell what it is? I’ll give you a hint: the moon has a bearing on the time when millions of these come to the surface to reproduce. They can be translucent or brilliantly colored. They can be deadly or completely innocuous. They have survived for millions of years and are found in most of the oceans on the planet. NOTES:
33 Key "Step onto the bridge And take a Key You will succeed Unlock
the door of your destiny! Choose wisely my friend The Key that you take Will always succeed In showing your fate. Away from you the way grows dim Courage will be needed for you to win!" The card in traditional decks is also the Key. I've always thought of the Key card as being a card of awareness. I think of it in this way because the key to any venture, any choice, any life is in the awareness that you have, within you, everything you need to succeed. You don't start a successful business by randomly drawing one out of a hat. You don't have a successful life until you become aware that there is more to your life than just yourself. You can't make any successful choice until you become aware that success is predicated on your intuition and that all successful choices agree with your intuition. So, in this card, the Key that you choose will always be successful in highlighting for you what you need to unlock the door to your destiny. There are so many choices in life. Have courage, choose wisely and enjoy the destiny that is before you. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
34 Fish "The Fish are here to tell you Good fortune awaits Steer your
course true Do not hesitate! Seize the moment Take the day! Opportunity knocks But will go away If you do not act posthaste! Far away the card of the Fish New ventures are hard to accomplish." In traditional decks, this is the card of Fish. This is a card of success and good fortune if you take the opportunity presented. Many ventures will be successful and you will have good fortune. If this card is far away from your card, understand that the ventures you see on the horizon may be more difficult to accomplish. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? There is something hidden in this card. Do you see what is on the bed of the pool? My husband, laughingly, now calls these ‘coin’ fish instead of koi fish. NOTES:
35 Anchor "Anchor yourself To the work you do It will return wealth If it
helps to renew Your joy and your spirit If your give yourself to it Heart and soul. Take control Of the choices you make For integrity, for stability And for love's sake." This is the Anchor card in traditional decks. The idea behind this card is the work or job that you do, training for work and the stability of the work you have. It can also signify a faithful loving relationship. If you love the work that you do, you will put your heart and soul into it and find yourself rewarded and fulfilled. That is the point of this card. It doesn't matter so much if you are a white or blue collar worker. Do you love the work you do? Do you work in an environment that uplifts you, fulfills you and satisfies you? If not, perhaps this card can help you see something else... discover what you really love to do. Look at the cards around it for clues. If this card is far away, it signifies instability. Is your job safe? Is your health good? Is your relationship sound? What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
36 Cross "The Cross that you bear Is waiting for you To climb the hill of
guilt and shame Your karmic debt Demands that you Learn the lessons from the past And feel the pain When you reach the top You will see that the Cross Has disappeared from view Release yourself And enjoy life anew!" This is the Cross in traditional decks. In traditional decks, this card is seen as a very negative card. I don't see it that way. It has a definite heavy energy to it but it is only heavy as long as the Querent wishes it to remain so. Guilt is that which pricks our conscience, resides in our solar plexus as a lead weight and tears up our heart. Shame is that insidious burning pain that will give you ulcers and destroy you if you are unwilling to face it. Facing guilt or shame is fearful for most but it doesn't need to be. Face your karma, acknowledge your error, make amends and release yourself from the debt. It can be painful, it can be embarrassing... but it is temporary and healing begins immediately. It's like a bad tooth that you leave because you don't want to go to the dentist... after a while, it becomes inflamed and may abscess but, the minute it is extracted... relief is felt and healing begins immediately. Don't put off facing your karma, your guilt or your shame. Acknowledge it, make loving amends and release yourself. You will find immediate relief and healing. Karma happens. Shift happens. Healing happens. This is a card of temporary self-inflicted pain. The cards that surround this will help you see what the future holds if you choose it. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
SPREADS There are many ways in which you can use the Lenormand cards. Many people use them for themselves only. Many people read for others. Some do simple spreads while others enjoy the Grand Tableau. Please bear in mind that these are spreads that I use and the explanations are the way I understand to use them. There are as many spreads as there are readers and I’m sure you will make a few of your own. 3-CARD SPREAD
To use this spread for Morning, Afternoon and Evening, I do this in the evening of the day before. So, for tomorrow, I would do this spread in the evening today. Card 1 = morning message; Card 2 = afternoon message and Card 3 = evening message. To use this spread for lessons from Yesterday, for Today and for Tomorrow, this is used usually in the morning. I would draw 3 cards in the morning and look at them to see lessons I can learn. Card 1 = yesterday’s lesson; Card 2 = today’s lesson; Card 3 = tomorrow’s lesson. FOCUS FOR TODAY Personally, I like to draw a card in the morning to engage my focus for today. I draw a card and try to find everything I can in it and focus upon elements of it for my day. There is always a ray of hope even in negative message cards. GRAND TABLEAU The Grand Tableau is, for me, hard work. I use the Grand Tableau every six months to get a much fuller picture of what is in the past, in the present and in the future. It is not to be done quickly because there is always something more to get from it. I know some people who deal out the Grand Tableau and then photograph it to analyze over the next few days. This way, they take their time and are forensically thorough. Grab a notebook and a pen/pencil because you will want to take notes along the way. The Grand Tableau can be done in more than one way and, for most, it is a matter of personal preference. There is the 4x8 + 1x4 or there is the 4x9 spread. Before you begin either method, be sure you shuffle the cards sufficiently then separate them into 3 piles (face down). Now look at each pile, left to right, and note which card is on the bottom of each pile. You will use this information later. Now assemble the piles on top of each other as it was in the beginning. If you prefer the first (4x8 + 1x4), you pull cards from the bottom of the deck and lay the cards face down in 4 rows of 8, from left to right, and the remaining four cards are aligned below these four rows under the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th card of that row. The reason I say face down is because it is helpful for some to then turn over particular cards to begin with before they turn all of them over to do a full read.
Image 1: This is the layout of the cards 4x8 + 1/4
Image 2: This is the layout 4x9 Regardless of layout, card 1 usually represents what is currently on your mind or the theme of the reading. As you look at all of these cards, laying in front of you, start turning them over until you reach the card you have decided will be the card that represents YOU. Whether 28 ~ Gentleman if you are a boy or man or 29 ~ Woman if you are a girl or woman, or another card you have decided represents you better. When you find this card, turn it face up and turn the rest of the cards face down. I tell you this, especially if you are learning, to help you SEE what you need to in the surrounding cards. Now you can start to turn over the cards around your card. Look up the meanings as you go. The card directly above your card will represent what is currently in progress, what you are creating in your life. You must decide for yourself, before you continue and before you look, whether the cards to the left speak about the past or the future and whatever you decide, everything on the right will represent the opposite. If left is past, right is future. If left is future, right is past. I have left this to be a decision consciously made due to cultures and handedness. When you decide, you must use this and not deviate from it. The card directly below your card will represent your shadow side, something you’re not allowing others to see or allowing yourself to see about YOU. As you continue, you will explore the cards that radiate out from your card on the horizontal, vertical and diagonals. Vertical cards are present tense and what is now. All other cards will be dependent on your decision as to left or right, past or future.
Consider how close the card is to your card. Consider whether there are loads of positive or negative cards surrounding cards. The closer to your card, the more imminent this is, whether just finished in the past or now or anticipating the future. More positive cards give a more favorable reading and they can influence the outcomes of negative cards. The same can be said in reverse: more negative cards the more disappointing the reading and they can influence the outcomes of positive cards. Be sure to be kind to yourself. Negative doesn’t always mean wrong, bad, ominous, grievous, or disastrous. It can be a subtle shade of negative that simply lowers the tone on the positive cards. The same with positive. It isn’t always bubbly, gregarious, right, extraordinary, or special. It can be a brighter shade on a negative situation. Now look at the notes you made at the beginning. The three cards + the first card in the Grand Tableau and the cards around your card should give you a general theme for the reading. Does it represent what you’ve been seeing? Is it close? Remember to take your time and enjoy what you find. Nothing is set in stone and you have the capacity and the will to change the outcome for yourself. As you learn to read the Grand Tableau this will get easier and you will be able then to adopt more advanced techniques. I suggest you take a look around on the internet and search for ‘interpreting the Grand Tableau’ to see what you can find. Personally, I love going out to see how many different ways the Grand Tableau can be read. Whatever your journey with the Lenormand, I encourage you to make it FUN. No one is absolutely 100% correct. There are no absolutes in Lenormand. Everyone develops their own spreads. Everyone develops their own habits and techniques. Everyone explores different ways they can SEE what is in the cards. Some people mix Lenormand decks. Some people mix Lenormand with Tarot and Runes and Crystals and... the list is endless. That’s why it is so important to make it FUN, keep it inventive and make it your way. I wish you well on your journey. If you have a question or need to replace a card, please contact me at [email protected]. Or you can friend me on FaceBook. You can find me under Jean Hamilton-Fford. Love, light and blessings! ♥
ABOUT JEAN Jean is an author, a columnist, an international speaker, a life coach, an artist, a mother, sister, and wife... not necessarily in that order. Jean suffers from a rare genetic disease, Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1a, which will take away the use of her hands and lower legs/feet over time. She is determined to delay this and, because of this, she is an encourager, an eternal optimist, an out-of-the-box possibility thinker, a problem-solver, an overcomer, a creative resource finder and doer, a lovely light worker, incorrigible and full of fun. She has been called many things like inspirational, remarkable, superhuman, a pest, a star and loads of other nice things. But you won’t know what to call her until you engage with her. Go ahead, send an email or a friend request. ♥
Table of Contents Acknowledgements How to Care for Your Deck Introduction Using Your Deck 01 Messenger 02 Luck 03 Journey 04 Home 05 Tree 06 Clouds 07 Misfortune 08 Transformation 09 Gifts 10 Danger 11 Conflict 12 Anxiety 13 Child 14 Wrong 15 Golden Bear 16 Stars 17 Change 18 Friendship 19 Time 20 Meeting Place 21 Blocks 22 Choices 23 Loss 24 Heart 25 Rings 26 Book 27 Message 28 Gentleman 29 Woman 30 Hen and Chicks 31 Sun 32 Moon 33 Key 34 Fish 35 Anchor 36 Cross Spreads 3-Card Spreads Focus for Today Grand Tableau (GT) About Jean
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you for purchasing Freshly Squeezed Lenormand! I hope you enjoy the deck. This deck and the packaging was handcrafted and this was done to ensure quality and to pour as much love, light and blessings into the deck as I could before it reached you. I hope you are blessed by this deck. I have so many people to thank. I have had such support and encouragement while creating this deck, I have been truly blessed! Firstly, I need to let you know that this deck came about through inspiration from dreams that were given to me before the project and through the project. If I had difficulty understanding what I was to do, I would sleep on it or meditate and the solution would present itself to me. The verses flowed through my Spirit and hands, through the keyboard and onto the computer. So, I have to thank the Source of my inspiration, Divine Energy, God, the Universe. My husband, Jon, my co-creator as he helped me learn the software and helped me troubleshoot graphics issues and helped create images when none were to be found, is the love of my life, my help mate and he created the packaging and the graphics for it! My daughter, Kaelyn, who kept my spirits bolstered and kept me going through the creation of this deck, is truly a blessing in my life! My sisters who challenge me and keep me grounded... Lynn and Donna, love you both! Friends on FaceBook who I communicate with on an almost daily basis, Bonnie and Cat, were the first and most vociferous cheerleaders on the planet! These woman are my mentors, my sisters in Spirit and my guides on this journey. Thank you both for your tremendous support and love! Then there is Pearl Annie, who introduced me to Lenormand and who’s sense of humour and encouragement just when I needed it, kept me so connected with a lovely, light and buoyant energy... thank you! You are not only another sister in Spirit, you are an Angel. I don’t want to leave anyone out but there are so many others as well: those who gave me clarity, direction, a sense of community, cohesiveness, love and even helped me just by posting feelings and thoughts. This gave me a sense of continuity and an awareness the life keeps going whether I want to pay attention and be present or not. So, thank you to everyone... all of my FaceBook family and friends.
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR DECK We have used the very best of materials available to us. Because we are unable to accept tons of playing card stock, we have used the heaviest stock available to us while still being able to shuffle the cards and the best stock so the images will stay fresh and the ink will stay bright. There is no plastic or metal in these cards, they are heavy card stock. As such, they need a little extra attention. If you will keep them out of long periods of sunlight, keep them dry and clean and handle them with care, they will last for quite a long time. They are flammable so do not use them next to an open flame. If they get wet, they will bubble up like puff paint and you will no longer be able to use them. I wish you many hours of pleasure!
INTRODUCTION I have learned so much during this journey. Lenormand has come to life for me and I hope it takes you on a delightful journey as well. I have written this book in the hope that you will print it out, use it and truly explore and discover the depths of this deck. I find things everytime I look at the cards. There are hidden things, there are things that will touch you because of your culture and experience. There is only love in this deck and, should there be any offence, it is completely unintended. It is through love, through grace and through sharing that this deck will help you see things everytime you pick it up. Lenormand cards are an old divination credited to Mlle Marie-Anne Lenormand. She was born in 1772 and became famous for her divination and fortunetelling powers. She was consulted by famous individuals, including Napoleon and Josephine, and she died in Paris in 1843. She was hailed as the ‘Sibyl of Paris’ to honor her for her work. Freshly Squeezed Lenormand is a new take on this old divination. This is an updated version using images and tools that are more current with today. The verses have been channeled through me by Spirit. While immersing myself in Lenormand as a way to round out and question my Tarot studies, I found that there were so many cards that were full of heavy, negative and hopeless images and verses and wondered if, perhaps, it was simply because of the period of time in which they were written. Hopelessness still abounds today but I am a person of hope. My Spirit and my life are about hope and there is still hope to be found in this world. I understand why I was compelled to offer hope in these cards. It is needed and many have forgotten that hope is always present if you look for it. Dawn Alice, a FaceBook friend of mine, has called these cards ‘little boxes of hope.’ My wish is that they bring hope to you. I found also that the images may have meant what they were purported to mean but, I found no real relevance in some of the images that were coupled with the verses and was inspired to change and update them. My daughter, Kaelyn, was the one who helped me to see that each card, alone, was a ‘miniature work of art’ that would mean different things to different people but, along with the verse, would make current sense. So, I give you the Freshly Squeezed Lenormand. You may not agree entirely with the deck and that is true of all decks. You may find that you are drawn to and connected with certain cards in the deck or certain images or words and that is, again, true of all decks. I hope you will find enough to make this one of your favorite decks that you use for your pleasure and that you keep using for a long time. Thank you for giving opportunity to loving Spirit, hope and the miniature works of art found in the Freshly Squeezed Lenormand. Let’s get started...
USING YOUR DECK YOUR CARD Let’s talk about the card that will represent the Querent, the person consulting the cards for information. In traditional decks and booklets, this card is referenced as the Key card. However, if you are new to the Lenormand, this can be very confusing. The Lenormand has, literally, a Key Card... it is card number 33. In this deck, I reference this card as ‘your card’ in the hope of clarity. This way, any card can be used to represent the Querent, not just the Gentleman (28) or the Woman (29). MYSTERY CARDS I need to also address with you the 4 Mystery cards. You will find these cards at the end of the deck. I suggest you separate these cards from the main deck and use them only when needed. These cards are ‘YES,’ ‘NO,’ ‘NOW,’ and ‘LATER.’ When you use these cards in the deck, I suggest you randomly place them in the cards and shuffle them a few times before you continue. If you haven’t ascertained which card the Querent is using as ‘your card,’ you will need to do this before you proceed. Once that is established, start turning the cards over one at a time until you find the ‘your card’ of the Querent’s choice. Then continue turning the cards over one at a time until you come across one of the cards you have placed in the deck to answer the yes/no or now/later question. Note how many cards came between the ‘your card’ of the Querent and the yes/no/now or later card that answers their question. This will determine the certainty of the answer and if there is any ‘wiggle’ room regarding the strength of the answer. If there are a great number of cards between the ‘your card’ and the yes/no/now or later card, there is something not being revealed by the Querent that turns this into a ‘maybe’ card. It could be that the Querent has yet to acknowledge and identify what is blocking the strength of the answer... so, be gentle when asking about this... it could be a rather sensitive issue. It might be better to suggest to the Querent that they take time to reflect on how they feel, think or perhaps if they are ready to acknowledge how they feel or think about their yes/no/now/later question. It could also be that the Querent isn’t asking the right question. For instance, a Querent might want a yes/no to if they are going to move house. However, the real question might be “Will I lose my job?” or “Will I get the job I’m hoping to get?” and have to move house. You may have to gently prompt the Querent to make certain the real question is being asked. It could also be that there are circumstances or other people outside the Querent’s control that will decide the strength of the answer. Again, this could be a sensitive issue with the Querent or the Querent may not be acknowledging that the locus of control for deciding this rests outside the Querent’s control of the decision. Okay, let’s dive into the deck:
01 Messenger "The Messenger wings his way To you, Are you ready to
receive him? He brings news For you to use, It could be good or grim. How you apply it Depends on your state And where you are in this place. Look at the cards And they will tell you If you need to be on your guard." In traditional decks, this is the Cavalier or Horse Rider. I chose the owl as they are known to bring wisdom and insight and I thought it appropriate that the owl should be carrying "air mail" to bring you a message. Follow your intuition. If you receive a message, take time to think and reflect. You may also receive some mail (by post or internet), that makes you pause for thought. This card could be a message from a young man, gentleman or could be the young man or gentleman, himself. This card usually brings good news if it is close to your card. But, just as the sky is blue, it is also filled with clouds and the further this card is from your card, the more likely the news will be cloudy. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
02 Luck "The pig, the clover, The cock and the dragon Appear for you
here To bring luck and good fortune. Choose what you like But beware your wish, This card with others May see your plans go amiss." In traditional decks, this is the Luck card. This card is all about luck! The background is void of any interest. The interest is on the items in the foreground. What you see here are all symbols of luck. From the white elephant and dragon on the table as well as the Barcelos cock and a vase with a four-leaf clove in it and one laying on the table beside it, to the pink golden pig, the blue lotus, white anemone and pink camellia and the laughing buddha wearing a pink and purple and white lei. Don't miss the horseshoe supported on the table by the Barcelos cock. Which of these symbols speaks to you? Which of them would you choose? What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
03 Journey "However you may journey, However you may roam, Look to
the cards To show you, how far You will have to go. By ship, by plane, By foot, by train, By animal, bike or car, Wherever you go, There you are."
Most Lenormand decks call this one the Ship. But there are many ways to journey now and I have updated this card to include a train and a plane. I've also added a whale fluke because some of us journey by swimming and the land and air because some journey by flying long distances or covering ground by bicycle, motorcycle, car or other modes of transportation. What you need to remember is that this card is about travel or a journey. Look at the cards around this card. If this is near your card, the travel or journey is imminent. If it is far away, it has yet to manifest. This could also mean that someone or something is making its way to you imminently or in the future. I hope you enjoy this card as much as I enjoyed making it! What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
04 Home "Home is the place Where you hang your hat And embrace the
warmth and love. Home is the place Where you feel secure From the cares of the day. The cards around it will signify If you stay at home or if you fly."
In this card, we see a timber house, a healthy and strong tree, green grass and blue sky. This is the epitome of home. It is where we run too when we feel insecure or ill. It is where we gather family and friends. It is where we keep things of value to us, including our family. It is where we grow up, regardless of our age. It is where we grow together. This is where we celebrate our successes and milestones and where we begin families. This is our private space. Most decks call this card House. I couldn't bring myself to do that. House has no real meaning. It is an object, not a heart place. This card usually means favorable circumstances are ahead, if it is near your card. If it is away from your card, these favorable circumstances have yet to manifest. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
05 Tree "The yew tree stands in isolation. Near to you, you will rue As
this is the tree of death, rebirth and transformation. Far from you, the tree will fool you As it is also the tree of longevity. Look at the cards and you will see The health of life, The magic of the yew tree." I chose the yew tree as it signifies longevity, isolation and the mysteries of life and death. This is all about health and this tree is well-matched around those issues. The rabbits are here because they signify quick multiplication and amplification of the consequences of not controlling one's desires. The peonies are here because they not only represent riches and prosperity but they are represent a devil-may-care attitude and a disregard of consequences. All of these representations and significations can be seen in our health. If we disregard our health and take it for granted, it will soon fail us. If we are cognizant of our health and listen to our bodies, we will flourish. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
06 Clouds "Things may be cloudy But look around The cards will tell you
To which cloud you are bound. Which cloud are you near The dark or the light? This will tell you Of your demise or delight!"
In traditional decks, this is the Clouds card. This card is quite straightforward. Check the cards around this one to shed light on them. Of course, if you are checking for the future, remember this: clouds have a way of changing and blowing through quickly. As you approach the future event, check again! The clouds may have changed. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it?
NOTES:
07 Misfortune "The portents abound They lay all around you Nothing appears
as it seems. The ladder, the number 13, The snake, the broom, The magpie and black cat, The comet, the horseshoe, The mirror crack'd Misfortune comes your way! Look at the cards What do they say If this card is near you Luck is far away!" This card is traditionally know as the Snake. However, the snake, like most creatures worldwide, holds a very ambiguous meaning. I chose to use the symbols on this card because, together, they have the effect of bringing one's understanding to that of misfortune: insidious, innocuous-looking, unpredictable, etc. The black cat (under an unrestrained ladder) reaching up to disturb the magpie (1 for sorrow) and most likely disturbing the ladder that is leaning against the wall. The cracked mirror (7 years bad luck), the upside down horseshoe (emptying the luck it contained the other way around), the broom (fallen - something's up, pay attention, death) and the snake (cunning, devious, harm) crossing it (amplifying the meaning of the fallen broom). The comet (used to signify bad luck or death) and the number 13. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
08 Transformation "Transformation happens Through sickness, sorrow or death
You always begin again When things come to an end Rebirth happens upon your last breath. When this card is near you Take heart and do not fear When this card is far away Do your best to steer clear. Either way, know and be wise It is only the ending of a beginning Never your total demise." This card is usually the Coffin card in traditional decks. Let's look at this card a little more closely. In the background, there is a yew tree. This tree is associated with life and death and is found in many graveyards. While scientists are extracting goodness from its toxins to use in medicines, this tree is known for being very poisonous. It is what longbow makers have used, what wands are made from in some instances and anyone who works the wood, if they do not take care, will sicken and die. In front of the yew tree are peony bushes. The peony has more than 200 compounds that are used in medicine. It is known as the bashful flower because it doesn't root easily but, when it does take, it becomes a flower of longevity because it will bloom for decades. In front or beside the peonies is a sarcophagus and in front of that is a wooden coffin with an urn sitting on one end. The tombstone in front of that coffin shows a magpie (1 for sorrow) and a skull with flies munching away at some left over flesh and a rat (bringer of disease) by it. The message on the tombstone reads: "Here lies the endings of your new beginnings." Below the saying is a lemniscate indicating eternal energy. The sarcophagus, coffin are urn are three different ways people choose to finish their life and enter their afterlife. There are more as each culture has their own unique way of dealing with the dead. The flowers in front are the red roses (desire) and the white lilies (knowledge). This gives impetus to the notion of 'new' beginnings. Once you begin something, once you act upon it, the new beginning dies and is replaced by a work in progress. The 'new' beginnings are the thoughts, ideas, epiphanies from which we draw inspiration to apply to our lives. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
09 Gifts "Come to the table Choose your gifts Happiness awaits and
eternal Bliss. There is joy in receiving A proposal, contract or partnership. Whatever you desire, whatever you wish These gifts are always here Waiting for you to claim your happiness. Whether near or far away from you Take heart and do not fear These gifts are always favorable Your joy can be found here. In traditional decks, this card would be Flowers. Apple trees (prosperity, abundance, love) bloom in the background, red roses (desire) bloom around the table and a red (passion) carpet leads you to your gifts. Multicolored balloons add a festive flair. A bonsai tree (beautiful gift constrained in miniature) and a vase of sunflowers (attainment, flexibility, opportunity, happiness) lend vertical color. Wooden blocks form the word 'Love.' A ring box can be seen just in front of these blocks and various gifts and envelopes are seen strewn on the table top. A blue sky and green grass complete this favorable picture. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
10 Danger "Danger waits For your complacency Your tiredness and
distraction Danger lurks When you do not look When you do without thinking Or act in haste Danger Catches you unaware Suddenly and with great loss Life, limb, family, friends, Bankruptcy, injury, pain or grief Danger lies ahead." Traditional decks call this card the Scythe. They tell you to look at where the scythe points and that will identify the danger. There is a scythe on this card accompanied by the grim reaper. This is dead man's curve because if you are travelling too quickly or are distracted or tired, you may not take the curve at the appropriate speed or you may hit the potholes and react badly and go over the edge, straight at the reaper and your fate. It's a long drop! So this card tells us to be vigilant. Pay attention. Take precautions. Plan ahead. This card reminds us to take care of our bodies and our health so there is no distraction or impediment on which to focus. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
11 Conflict "Conflict has begun In quarrels that ensue In standing off your
opponent's move Conflict is here It is in the air Tensions rise and vaporise Agreements between pairs Ride out the storm Batten down the hatches Whether conflict appears Through fun or surival It will leave you battered Without means of retrieval." In traditional decks, this card is the Rod or Whip. What does this card signify? Conflict, disagreements, quarreling, failing marriages, etc.
I chose the birds because the conflict was evident as it becomes a matter of survival. I chose the chess game because there is conflict between you and your opponent, strategic conflict, to win the game by out-maneuvering and out-thinking your opponent. I chose the cat-o-nine tails to tie this back with the traditional cards. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
12 Anxiety "It's clear from your face Your manic pace Has left pencils
broken And a phone undone I can feel the anxiety In your sorrowful eyes And there is brevity In your whimpering cries This can be put right And I can put you at ease The problem is solved You are absolved And now we can Our travels plan." Traditionally, this card is known as the Birds/Owls (representative of two elderly women). There are so many culturally ambiguous meanings with those pictures, I felt compelled to update it. The wallpaper is so loud and so overwhelming. It signifies how anxiety can affect us. So, the writing is on the wall. We all get anxious when we perceive we have done something wrong. We don't look for the positive in our undoings and I would encourage you to see the positive side of those things that seem to go wrong. This card is visually nervous and suggests there was a moment of mad rushing due to the upset phone and broken pencils. Sorrow is expressed in the dog’s remorseful eyes. This card also represents telephone calls and, with the phone off the hook, suggests someone very talkative. Understand that this sorrow or anxiety is of short duration. Things can be solved. If this card is near your card, find the source of your anxiety. Once you identify that source, you can then find ways to deal with it. If this card is far away, this may mean that an unexpected trip may be needed. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
13 Child "Let the inner child within you Come out to play! It is time to
be carefree Time to dress colorfully Laugh and sing and dance The day away! Be silly, have fun Give your worries away! Let your inner child Come out to play!" In traditional decks, this is the Child card. After Danger, Conflict and Anxiety, this card is a breath of fresh air!! We have conquered our demons and can let loose and PLAY!!! Wherever this card appears, fun appears or a child or young woman is the focus of the reading. This card is all about freeing your inhibitions and enjoying life! It may be cold outside but it's warm and loving and full of good cheer whenever this card appears! Enjoy! This card is about new beginnings and how, when we begin new things, we are like children, naive and full of possibility, intrepid and fearless. We are confident and thoughtful and kind in our actions because new things are untested and untried. If this card is near your card, allow yourself to look at things in your current life with a new perspective. Understand that a new enterprise or creative project may be imminent. Approach it with the attitude of a child and have fun. If this card is far away from your card, there is time for fun and creativity in the future. New beginnings are on the horizon, new enterprises or creative projects are ahead. Allow yourself to eagerly anticipate what is before you and face them with confidence. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
14 Wrong "Not all that glitters is gold Have you not been told? There are
lies and deception In every direction And signs tell you 'Wrong!' To get your attention Heed the signs Beware the fox In collar and tie He'll lead you astray! It is all wrong You'll see come the dawn Of a new day." In traditional decks, this card is identified as the Fox.
The fox is known to be cunning and deceptive, sly and sneaky. They are masters at contortion and finding their way into any hen house, given the opportunity. They skulk and are curious about everything. The fox here is wearing a fancy collar and the tie of deception. The sign says 'Wrong!' to let you know to look at what surrounds this card and determine what is wrong in your life. Whatever card it is near will indicate that you need to raise a red flag and look at that area with discernment and objectivity. Lies are told. People are led astray and get hurt. This is a card of warning and you should heed its appearance. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
15 Golden Bear "Walk in the footsteps Of the Golden Bear He leaves behind
Golden sunshine As he walks the path Of becoming one with the Sun Put on the mask Take the key and the toy The path will lead you To wealth and happiness Put on the strength Feel the joy Of the Golden Bear!" In traditional decks, this card is the Bear. The verse should tell you what you need to know here. This card signifies good fortune, wealth, happiness, strength, using the key to unlock your success, joy, fun with the toy, wearing a mask (a different face) in the different roles you assume through your day. This card speaks of a grandfatherly figure (the teddy bear), an older person, ex-husband or lover, someone of influence in your life. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
16 Stars "Look to the stars! What do you see? Good fortune and
success Locked in astronomy? The stars hail success Intuition and spirituality Psychic powers are heightened In the light of astrology Stars bring luck Good fortune and bliss Look up to the stars To find your happiness!" In traditional decks, this card is called Stars. When we look to the heavens to view the wonders of the night sky, we're reminded of just how much we don't know and how small we are. I often wonder if the night sky is the microscope of a scientist who works within a dark room. He lights a multitude of lights and this reflects off the surface of our Spirit to give the illusion of billions of stars in the sky. And then, I wonder, who is watching that scientist under a microscope of illusion? This is a card of success and happiness. Luck is on your side. Trust your intuition, explore spirituality, psychic powers and astrology for a more complete understanding of yourself and your continued good fortune. If this card is surrounded by more negative cards, beware of harmful events or sequences of unfortunate coincidences. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
17 Change "Change is afoot It's time to move! A new beginning awaits For
you. Where will you go What will you do Adventure is knocking You need to get packing Change is afoot!" In traditional decks, this is known as the Stork.
This card depicts a moving van in front of a house. The ramp is extended, the sold sign is apparent and moving is happening. When this card is near your card, it tells you that change/a move is imminent. When it is far from your card, it tells you that change/a move is delayed or postponed. This card can also represent a kind, older woman. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it?
NOTES:
18 Friendship "Billy the goat and Tiger the cat And Floppy the bunny and me
Playing catch! Come join us and see How friendship can be! But beware what's around you Because it may surround you With false expectations And commiserations For friends once perceived Can often deceive." In traditional decks, this card is the Dog.
I enjoyed making this card. So often our pets are our friends and we find they bring us much joy! I chose the traditional dog to be the voice of this card but I didn't want to miss other nontraditional pets like the billy goat and the rabbit. Of course, a cat demanded to be part of this card as well. When this card appears in a reading, it is important to look at the cards that surround it and the position it is in for the reading. If it is away from your card and is surrounded by other negative cards, it can mean friends that will be deceitful or treacherous. If it is near your card, it can represent someone you rely on, a son, brother, young man or lover. If the Clouds card is next to it, be warned, that someone you rely on may not be so reliable. Treat this with caution and question their veracity and reliability. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
19 Time "Time has authority Over our lives It treats us each In isolation
And gives us ties To powerful dominion Of experience Of healing Of inspiration If we heed time." This card is usually the Tower card in traditional decks.
I've changed it to Time because when I think of authority, I think of large institutions and things that constrict and bind us. The largest thing I could think of was time. It is a completely man-made concept by natural observation of sun and moon and passing seasons. Ironically, time changes over time. Have you ever noticed that you need to set or reset your timepieces as time goes by. Daylight savings time, that not all places honor, changes our entire cycle of time twice a year. We use atomic clocks for keeping accurate time but, even then, we have to adjust for a few seconds of time lost over time. This card can represent the Querent living to an old age. However, if this card is surrounded by negative cards, it can mean disease, disability or a life cut short. This card can also represent someone who controls your time, someone in authority like your employer, banker, doctor, etc. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
20 Meeting Place "The Meeting Place is full of sun It dances brightly on the
flowers It showers those who visit here With love, with long spent hours Of holding hands, of stolen kisses Of good company and reminiscences Of friendships old and friendships new Of times past and time to come Come to the Meeting Place here in the sun." In traditional decks, this is the Park or Garden card. It is a meeting place where people go to gather, to connect, to transact business, to meet. It is a place of possibilities and opportunities. It is a place of friendship and love. If this card is near your card, you will be involved with many people. If it is far from your card, it tells of a group activity at sometime in the future. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
21 Blocks "Blocks have found you They hinder your way Take a close
look though To see what they say. If this card is imminent You'd better take cover If this card is far away Your misery will be over For friends will aid you And help you recover." In traditional decks, this card is The Mountain. This card indicates that there are blocks in your way. They aren't tiny, they are big and mighty ~ a powerful enemy? If you're going to surmount them, you'll need the aid of your friends. In a reading, if the card is near your card, you may be confronting someone who is bigger, meaner and just all-round nastier than you imagine. Perhaps the best thing to do is make the best of a bad situation. If this card is far away from your card, whatever block is in the way has yet to be realized but can be overcome with the help of your friends. Perhaps it is best to prepare for it now. Of course, things change over time. It might help you to consult the cards on a daily basis for awhile to discover anything else that may abate this or to find out if it has already past and left you unscathed, this time... maybe. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
22 Choices "There are Choices to make That will affect you forever Be
mindful of the path you take Don't think you are clever. If you deviate, you will take longer To arrive at your destination Alternatives appear to see your way clear But if clouds are near Beware! Choices will need to be made To keep you from danger." In traditional decks, this card is Paths or Roads. However, the main theme of this card is the need to make a choice, decide your way forward. How you navigate through the main is important. Do you believe it to be a simple matter, a matter of yes or no? Or do you see it as a more complex matter that may require help from friends to assist you? Regardless, the choice you make today will affect you forever... choose wisely. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
23 Loss "Loss is here In all its guises Sorrow, grief A few bad surprises
Disease, theft By man or by animal Can leave you bereft And be irretrievable All is not lost if near the Key Items may return remarkably." In traditional decks, this is the card of Mice.
I have included the three mice here. But the card didn't hold any relevance for me with mice as the theme. However, loss is a common theme for this card whether by theft or disease. Loss can affect any part of your life and be quite profound. If it's next to your card (the Key in the verse), there may be something bothering you. Of course, if the card of (8) Transformation is near this card, it could mean that there is indication of disease or illness. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
24 Heart "Be of good cheer The Heart card is here Joy and love is
abundant Kind-heartedness, romance Is now part of the dance All other things are redundant If clouds are near, have no fear A little lovesickness Will be all you bear." In traditional decks, this is also the Heart card. This card is all about good fortune, romance, love and overall contentment. I enjoyed making this card as I have found so many before it to have such harsh and negative connotations in the traditional aspects. I love that you can find in nature so many references to the heart. It is especially so in plants, not just those that reference the 'heart' in their names, like the bleeding hearts pictured but also in reference to those used medicinally for the heart, like foxglove and willow tree bark. There are many ways we can access the 'heart' in nature. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
25 Rings "Do you see the Rings On the table they bring A partnership of
body, spirit or mind. A marriage, a connection Bridges the perfection of agreement A better relationship you will not find. To the right of your card Blessed prosperity and happiness To the left of your card Discontentment lies lifeless As separation and trouble finds you." In traditional decks, this card is the Ring. It is true that a ring is a symbol of partnership, whether marriage or otherwise. We give rings to friends, there are signet rings, poison rings, anniversary and eternity rings, engagement rings and marriage rings. It isn't the only symbol of a partnership but it is one of the easiest to maintain that gives a tremendous significance to the wearer.
I've added red and white roses. The red roses for desire, the white rose for knowledge. If this is a union of emotion (desire), you can see that it overpowers your knowledge. Love is blind after all! Whatever card you designate for yourself, if the Rings are on the right of that card it is happy news; if it is on the left of that card, it is disappointing news. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
26 Book "The Book lies closed Its secrets untold If next to the sun or
key Its secrets will unfold Do you need to know What the Book has hidden? You might think twice Before you peek inside What you find may not be kind." What is it that a closed book contains? Until you open it and peruse its contents you will not know. This card cautions you to consider the secrets inside as they may not be what you want to read. If it is near the Key card (31) or the Sun card (33) the secret lies in the cards that lie near the book. But, go ahead. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Look at the cards that surround it as they will hold the key to whether the contents that you read are favorable or not. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
27 Message "A Message is on its way to you Check the fax, the post Your
text and email If cards around are favourably found Your news will be profoundly positive If cards around bad omens surround Your news will be negative, you see. Hail! the Message!" In traditional decks, this card is the Letter. This is fairly straightforward. If good cards surround this one, the message will be positive. If ominous cards surround this one, the message will be negative. Check for a message and heed what it says! What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it?
NOTES:
28 Gentleman "This is your card If you are a boy or young man This card
reaches far And makes you a Gentleman The qualities here sparkle and shine They encourage you to find The guise inside Of the Gentleman. The cars that surround you Will tell you the story Of good or bad omens or untold glory!" For all intents and purposes, this card is a placeholder card, a Significator or ‘Key’ card representing a male Querent. It can also represent a male relation, colleague, friend or suitor if the Querent is female. This could also represent the masculine energy of a female Querent. The cards around this card will tell the story of the card. Pay attention and understand how this card's place in the spread is significant. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
29 Woman "This is the card of the Woman From young girl to young lady
To matriarch to crone Where do you fit, have you found a place? Which Woman will you be? Perhaps one full of grace? From the cards around this You may find your bliss Or you may find doubt and sadness Take heart, dear one, don't come undone Your dismay will change with the rising sun." For all intents and purposes, this card is a placeholder card, a Significator or ‘Key’ card representing a female Querent. It can also represent a female relation, colleague, friend or suitor if the Querent is male. This could also represent the feminine energy of a male Querent. The cards around this card will tell the story of the card. Pay attention and understand how this card's place in the spread is significant. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
30 Hen and Chicks "The Hen and Chicks will show you Family, harmony and virtue
Their succulent leaves Help them to thrive As chicks bud and sprout nearby They survive rain and drought and sun And show us how to prepare Or come undone They are prolific, they are all one Found above your card Good fortune is here Found below your card, trouble is near."
This card is Lilies in traditional decks. When I think of lilies, I think of funerals. I was inspired to change this card to a plant that demonstrates abundance, prolific generations, durability and hardiness. This card is all about family. In all things, there is variety in Hen and Chicks and they are found nearly everywhere on the planet. It is a more fitting card for all things family. If this card is above your card, contentment and good fortune is all around you. If this card is below your card, domestic disagreements and troubles are around you. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
31 Sun "Immerse yourself in Sun See what it has to say If this card Is
near your card then Good fortune is on its way If it is far away From your card then Gloominess can be found Take heart and be of good cheer The Sun will come back around!" In traditional decks, this is also the Sun card. The sun tends to add cheer to any day. It is life changing and we set our body clocks and watches and our calendars with the help of the sun. It gives life to the planet and life to everything on the planet. It gives us light and heat and drives the engines that keep our planet spinning, cycles turning and plants propagating. Be of good cheer, this card is always a good, positive sign. Whether near or far away, the Sun always comes back around. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? There is somethin hidden in this Sun card. Can you tell what it is? I’ll give you a hint: it grows tall and has a beautiful sacred geometrical pattern on it that become the seeds we eat. It loves the sun. NOTES:
32 Moon "The Moon shows the way To fortune and fame You can feel
the pull in your soul Intuition, visions, recognition Speak your name As the Moon pulls the tides And sails through the sky If the Moon is near your card You will go far Get ready for success to find you If the Moon is away from your card Displeasure and grief may bind you." In traditional decks, this is the Moon card. Like the Sun, the Moon lights our way though it is less bright. The Moon reflects light and this reflection can be found in the way we find rest and sleep at night. We open ourselves to dreams and our intuition guides us along the pathways of moonlight. Visions become more real and imagination runs away with us in the dark of the moon. The moon affects the tides and the cycles of the sea and creatures. The moon is magical and the energy from it has been written about and interpreted for centuries. Rites and rituals make reference to the moon. Myths and fairy tales relate stories about the moon. We have magical creatures that roam by the light of the moon and only come to life during certain phases of the moon. It is our balance to the Sun. It is our pull into magic. It is fodder for poets and romantic writers. There are songs about the moon. This card when near you suggests promotion or acknowledgement. Success is not far away. It also suggests that a lot of this success is within you if you listen to your intuition and your soul. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? There is something hidden in this card. Can you tell what it is? I’ll give you a hint: the moon has a bearing on the time when millions of these come to the surface to reproduce. They can be translucent or brilliantly colored. They can be deadly or completely innocuous. They have survived for millions of years and are found in most of the oceans on the planet. NOTES:
33 Key "Step onto the bridge And take a Key You will succeed Unlock
the door of your destiny! Choose wisely my friend The Key that you take Will always succeed In showing your fate. Away from you the way grows dim Courage will be needed for you to win!" The card in traditional decks is also the Key. I've always thought of the Key card as being a card of awareness. I think of it in this way because the key to any venture, any choice, any life is in the awareness that you have, within you, everything you need to succeed. You don't start a successful business by randomly drawing one out of a hat. You don't have a successful life until you become aware that there is more to your life than just yourself. You can't make any successful choice until you become aware that success is predicated on your intuition and that all successful choices agree with your intuition. So, in this card, the Key that you choose will always be successful in highlighting for you what you need to unlock the door to your destiny. There are so many choices in life. Have courage, choose wisely and enjoy the destiny that is before you. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
34 Fish "The Fish are here to tell you Good fortune awaits Steer your
course true Do not hesitate! Seize the moment Take the day! Opportunity knocks But will go away If you do not act posthaste! Far away the card of the Fish New ventures are hard to accomplish." In traditional decks, this is the card of Fish. This is a card of success and good fortune if you take the opportunity presented. Many ventures will be successful and you will have good fortune. If this card is far away from your card, understand that the ventures you see on the horizon may be more difficult to accomplish. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? There is something hidden in this card. Do you see what is on the bed of the pool? My husband, laughingly, now calls these ‘coin’ fish instead of koi fish. NOTES:
35 Anchor "Anchor yourself To the work you do It will return wealth If it
helps to renew Your joy and your spirit If your give yourself to it Heart and soul. Take control Of the choices you make For integrity, for stability And for love's sake." This is the Anchor card in traditional decks. The idea behind this card is the work or job that you do, training for work and the stability of the work you have. It can also signify a faithful loving relationship. If you love the work that you do, you will put your heart and soul into it and find yourself rewarded and fulfilled. That is the point of this card. It doesn't matter so much if you are a white or blue collar worker. Do you love the work you do? Do you work in an environment that uplifts you, fulfills you and satisfies you? If not, perhaps this card can help you see something else... discover what you really love to do. Look at the cards around it for clues. If this card is far away, it signifies instability. Is your job safe? Is your health good? Is your relationship sound? What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
36 Cross "The Cross that you bear Is waiting for you To climb the hill of
guilt and shame Your karmic debt Demands that you Learn the lessons from the past And feel the pain When you reach the top You will see that the Cross Has disappeared from view Release yourself And enjoy life anew!" This is the Cross in traditional decks. In traditional decks, this card is seen as a very negative card. I don't see it that way. It has a definite heavy energy to it but it is only heavy as long as the Querent wishes it to remain so. Guilt is that which pricks our conscience, resides in our solar plexus as a lead weight and tears up our heart. Shame is that insidious burning pain that will give you ulcers and destroy you if you are unwilling to face it. Facing guilt or shame is fearful for most but it doesn't need to be. Face your karma, acknowledge your error, make amends and release yourself from the debt. It can be painful, it can be embarrassing... but it is temporary and healing begins immediately. It's like a bad tooth that you leave because you don't want to go to the dentist... after a while, it becomes inflamed and may abscess but, the minute it is extracted... relief is felt and healing begins immediately. Don't put off facing your karma, your guilt or your shame. Acknowledge it, make loving amends and release yourself. You will find immediate relief and healing. Karma happens. Shift happens. Healing happens. This is a card of temporary self-inflicted pain. The cards that surround this will help you see what the future holds if you choose it. What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it? NOTES:
SPREADS There are many ways in which you can use the Lenormand cards. Many people use them for themselves only. Many people read for others. Some do simple spreads while others enjoy the Grand Tableau. Please bear in mind that these are spreads that I use and the explanations are the way I understand to use them. There are as many spreads as there are readers and I’m sure you will make a few of your own. 3-CARD SPREAD
To use this spread for Morning, Afternoon and Evening, I do this in the evening of the day before. So, for tomorrow, I would do this spread in the evening today. Card 1 = morning message; Card 2 = afternoon message and Card 3 = evening message. To use this spread for lessons from Yesterday, for Today and for Tomorrow, this is used usually in the morning. I would draw 3 cards in the morning and look at them to see lessons I can learn. Card 1 = yesterday’s lesson; Card 2 = today’s lesson; Card 3 = tomorrow’s lesson. FOCUS FOR TODAY Personally, I like to draw a card in the morning to engage my focus for today. I draw a card and try to find everything I can in it and focus upon elements of it for my day. There is always a ray of hope even in negative message cards. GRAND TABLEAU The Grand Tableau is, for me, hard work. I use the Grand Tableau every six months to get a much fuller picture of what is in the past, in the present and in the future. It is not to be done quickly because there is always something more to get from it. I know some people who deal out the Grand Tableau and then photograph it to analyze over the next few days. This way, they take their time and are forensically thorough. Grab a notebook and a pen/pencil because you will want to take notes along the way. The Grand Tableau can be done in more than one way and, for most, it is a matter of personal preference. There is the 4x8 + 1x4 or there is the 4x9 spread. Before you begin either method, be sure you shuffle the cards sufficiently then separate them into 3 piles (face down). Now look at each pile, left to right, and note which card is on the bottom of each pile. You will use this information later. Now assemble the piles on top of each other as it was in the beginning. If you prefer the first (4x8 + 1x4), you pull cards from the bottom of the deck and lay the cards face down in 4 rows of 8, from left to right, and the remaining four cards are aligned below these four rows under the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th card of that row. The reason I say face down is because it is helpful for some to then turn over particular cards to begin with before they turn all of them over to do a full read.
Image 1: This is the layout of the cards 4x8 + 1/4
Image 2: This is the layout 4x9 Regardless of layout, card 1 usually represents what is currently on your mind or the theme of the reading. As you look at all of these cards, laying in front of you, start turning them over until you reach the card you have decided will be the card that represents YOU. Whether 28 ~ Gentleman if you are a boy or man or 29 ~ Woman if you are a girl or woman, or another card you have decided represents you better. When you find this card, turn it face up and turn the rest of the cards face down. I tell you this, especially if you are learning, to help you SEE what you need to in the surrounding cards. Now you can start to turn over the cards around your card. Look up the meanings as you go. The card directly above your card will represent what is currently in progress, what you are creating in your life. You must decide for yourself, before you continue and before you look, whether the cards to the left speak about the past or the future and whatever you decide, everything on the right will represent the opposite. If left is past, right is future. If left is future, right is past. I have left this to be a decision consciously made due to cultures and handedness. When you decide, you must use this and not deviate from it. The card directly below your card will represent your shadow side, something you’re not allowing others to see or allowing yourself to see about YOU. As you continue, you will explore the cards that radiate out from your card on the horizontal, vertical and diagonals. Vertical cards are present tense and what is now. All other cards will be dependent on your decision as to left or right, past or future.
Consider how close the card is to your card. Consider whether there are loads of positive or negative cards surrounding cards. The closer to your card, the more imminent this is, whether just finished in the past or now or anticipating the future. More positive cards give a more favorable reading and they can influence the outcomes of negative cards. The same can be said in reverse: more negative cards the more disappointing the reading and they can influence the outcomes of positive cards. Be sure to be kind to yourself. Negative doesn’t always mean wrong, bad, ominous, grievous, or disastrous. It can be a subtle shade of negative that simply lowers the tone on the positive cards. The same with positive. It isn’t always bubbly, gregarious, right, extraordinary, or special. It can be a brighter shade on a negative situation. Now look at the notes you made at the beginning. The three cards + the first card in the Grand Tableau and the cards around your card should give you a general theme for the reading. Does it represent what you’ve been seeing? Is it close? Remember to take your time and enjoy what you find. Nothing is set in stone and you have the capacity and the will to change the outcome for yourself. As you learn to read the Grand Tableau this will get easier and you will be able then to adopt more advanced techniques. I suggest you take a look around on the internet and search for ‘interpreting the Grand Tableau’ to see what you can find. Personally, I love going out to see how many different ways the Grand Tableau can be read. Whatever your journey with the Lenormand, I encourage you to make it FUN. No one is absolutely 100% correct. There are no absolutes in Lenormand. Everyone develops their own spreads. Everyone develops their own habits and techniques. Everyone explores different ways they can SEE what is in the cards. Some people mix Lenormand decks. Some people mix Lenormand with Tarot and Runes and Crystals and... the list is endless. That’s why it is so important to make it FUN, keep it inventive and make it your way. I wish you well on your journey. If you have a question or need to replace a card, please contact me at [email protected]. Or you can friend me on FaceBook. You can find me under Jean Hamilton-Fford. Love, light and blessings! ♥
ABOUT JEAN Jean is an author, a columnist, an international speaker, a life coach, an artist, a mother, sister, and wife... not necessarily in that order. Jean suffers from a rare genetic disease, Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1a, which will take away the use of her hands and lower legs/feet over time. She is determined to delay this and, because of this, she is an encourager, an eternal optimist, an out-of-the-box possibility thinker, a problem-solver, an overcomer, a creative resource finder and doer, a lovely light worker, incorrigible and full of fun. She has been called many things like inspirational, remarkable, superhuman, a pest, a star and loads of other nice things. But you won’t know what to call her until you engage with her. Go ahead, send an email or a friend request. ♥
