What is Lenormand: System of Cartomancy

Lenormand is a system of cartomancy very loosely based upon that developed by Marie Anne Lenormand during the Napoleonic era.

The cards are more properly called Madame Lenormand Fortune Telling Cards but are usually simply called Lenormand cards (or, affectionately Lennies) and the system referred to simply as Lenormand.

Lenormand decks

There are two types of Lenormand decks: the Petit Jeu Lenormand and the Grand Jeu Lenormand. The Petit Lenormand deck usually has 36 cards and is much simpler with regard to symbolism. There are no suits, but each card bears it own unique image with a definite meaning in relation to nearby cards.

Although there is some room for interpretation based upon the situation and a card’s place in the spread, practitioners of Lenormand often say that the meanings are much more specific than those of other cartomancy systems.

The Grand Lenormand has 54 cards with heavier, more mythical symbolism, based on Greek mythology. The Grand Jeu produces much more complicated readings than the Petit Lenormand.

Many scholars of these decks believe that the Grand Jeu Lenormand is closer to what Mme Lenormand herself would have devised (had she devised any deck at all) because it was well known that she was a scholar of Greek Mythology, Astrology, and Alchemy, all of which show heavy influence in the Grand Jeu Lenormand deck.

The difference between Lenormand decks and tarot

Lenormand cards have always been considered an alternative cartomancy system to tarot, which can be used in a complementary or autonomous way. Compared to tarot, however, sibyls have several differences. Here they are below.

1. Their reading is not intuitive

While tarot is rich in even complex symbolism, with references that embrace different systems, from archetypes to astrology, Lenormand sibyls are simpler and immediately, easier to read, even for the less experienced.

Each single card has a basic meaning, which creates a message, offers an answer or a solution that is enriched by the other cards in the spread.

Lenormand cards are read in a linear and semantic way, and not in an intuitive or spiritual way as happens with tarot.

Tarot and sibyls exploit different abilities and skills:

Lenormand cards draw messages from an external source, the linguistic area, and are based on the ability to form sentences and messages by putting together the various meanings,

Tarot cards draw messages from an internal source, our inspiration, and exploit our intuition and personal knowledge relating to the various systems.

In this way the message can be enriched concerning the initial meaning.

2. They are practical and less complex

Lenormand is a very practical deck, which focuses more on daily and pragmatic events and less on feelings, energies or blocks that can occur in relation to a situation. Tarot cards show possible developments and give advice, Lenormand cards show reality.

This deck provides very specific answers to the questions that the consultant asks, without having those spiritual, archetypal or even astrological implications that tarot cards are full of; their message goes straight to the point.

While Tarot cards have a very spiritual reading, Lenormand cards provide information that helps solve more concrete problems. In essence, while Tarot cards focus on the “why”, Lenormand cards focus on the “how”.

Deck of cards on a wooden table, next to a blue scarf and a candle holder with a lit candle inside.

3. Are they divided by suits, or not

You will know that Tarot cards are divided into Major and Minor Arcana and that the latter are in turn divided into four different suits (Cups, Swords, Wands and Coins) that resemble those of playing cards.

Even Lenormand cards had, since their appearance, correspondences with playing cards. In classic decks, you will notice that each card also has its corresponding suit:

• Flowers: they indicate action and movement, but also movement, progress and creativity;
• Hearts: they are linked to emotional issues, such as love, friendship, passion;
• Diamonds: linked to the world of work, career, business and more material;
• Spades: are linked to obstacles, delays, but also mental and emotional strength and courage.

The reading of the sibyls, however, can be completely independent and the message may not take into account the corresponding suit. Furthermore, the suits in the Lenormand do not correspond to those of the Minor Arcana of the Tarot.

Today, Lenormand decks can maintain the division of the suits of the playing cards, but you can also find decks without suits, only with the symbol of the sibyls.

4. They must be read in sequence

While the Tarot can be read upright and reversed (indicating in this case a block, a delay, or a negative aspect to take into account in dealing with the matter being investigated), the Lenormand does not have upright and reversed.

However, it is possible that they acquire a positive or negative meaning, based on the cards that follow. As seen, the sibyls are not read individually but in groups, so as to form a complex message.

For example: the Knight card indicates news or novelty. But also a visit or a trip. It is therefore positive in itself. However, if the Mice card appears next to it, it can mean that the visit will be delayed, the trip will not take place at all and that the news is not positive. Therefore, the message for us acquires a less positive value.

Conversely, if we have the Bear sibyl next to us, the news will be reassuring and the visit could be from someone who can give us a hand in resolving a situation.

Similarly, the Moon sibyl can be an indication of creativity, imagination and intuition. However, if it is accompanied by the Owls, it can indicate that there is emotional instability with an inability to regulate one’s emotions.

If the Dog is next to it, it can indicate, instead, a deep friendship with many affinities. In this way, the cards offer a much more complete, diversified, and detailed message and response.

More information online
http://learnlenormand.com/