Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Ciro Marchetti.
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LENORMAND
A NEW CHALLENGE
Creative Approach, Process & Production
In May of 2011, I attended the Readers Studio Tarot Conference
in New York. One morning I shared a breakfast table with the
renowned Tarot author and reader Mary Greer. During our
conversation she suggested that I should consider designing a
Lenormand deck. At the time I didn't give it too much thought as I
assumed it was a fringe sub-division of Tarot and one with an
appeal limited mainly to European readers. I was also at the time
concentrating my efforts on the re working of the Gilded Tarot into
its new "Royale" version. Nevertheless Mary's suggestion did peak
my curiosity and so in between commitments to other projects, I did
dabble with producing Lenormand related images, such as trees,
books, ships, etc. However, still not convinced about a full
commitment to the entire project, I used many of those elements in
other unrelated images instead. Nevertheless, one year later at the
following corresponding Readers Studio venue, I was finally
convinced. Having overheard Rana George explaining and
demonstrating the basics of the Lenormand system, I was intrigued
and certainly impressed by the reaction and response of the
audience who were enthusiastically following her every word. So
with that change of heart, I took another look at the various images I
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had previously produced, or had started but not finished. I also revisited even earlier projects, I soon realized that many of
them also contained elements that would lend themselves increasingly “influenced”. So its during this early period that
perfectly to a Lenormand project. Strangely it seemed that is one of prolific output, involving numerous sketches and
such a deck had been sitting there hidden from view with experimentation with variations on how to best portray core
images just waiting to be recognized for the Lenormand meaning, overall illustrative style, and conceptual themes.
cards they potentially could become. The challenge now The vast majority of these early drafts get trashed, while
would be to see if they could be resurrected with a purpose, others that seem promising I may post on say Facebook and
theme and common visual denominator into a collective other related on line forums, and take into consideration
body of work. whatever feedback they generate. Its frustrating that some
approaches seem to work so well for one card but simply
As with my tarot journey which had started 10 years
won't for others and have to be discarded in order to
earlier, I was (and still am) a complete novice compared to
maintain a visual cohesion throughout.
almost everyone who is likely to be reading this. So, I am
clearly not qualified to teach, explain or otherwise shed fresh The real challenge however, is one of balance, between
light on the Lenormand system. Instead, I can share some personal creative goals and the expectations and needs of the
background insight into how I approached the project, both audience that may use the deck. Early on it was pointed out
from a conceptual and production perspective. to me that the essence of the Lenormand is its simplicity, or
better put, its directness compared to Tarot. The cards and
Over the preceding few months I had dedicated time to
their images should be less ambiguous. A Freudian cigar is
learning the basic history, tradition and reading structure of
just a cigar, so to speak, or in a Lenormand context, a tree is
the Lenormand. I also regard these early less informed period
just a tree, a key is just a key. As such, I was advised, those
as useful ones, as they allow me to see things with a fresh
core elements should not be diluted with other imagery or
eye, less tainted by pre-concepts and biases of what any given
symbolism that might detract or distract from the basic
card should look like. This perspective is clearly a temporary
meaning. Therein lies a dilemma. First of all, taken to its
one that can only exists at the beginning. Eventually as one
conclusion such simplicity could be reduced to a boring
reads and hears more of other peoples opinions, and
blank card with a simple keyword or title printed on it. With
preferences, your own personal perspective become
minimal effort, I or anyone else searching on the internet,
could find free or relatively cheap clipart, and produce an
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acceptably deck in about a day. However such a process would have no appeal to me as a project, and I suspect little
appeal to my target audience. Despite the well intentioned Any modification or “tampering” with tradition can of
advice to "keep it simple" my personal experience and course be like walking on thin ice. Once again there is a
opinion is that the vast majority of the tarot community do dilemma and balance involved in providing the core imagery.
indeed prefer “more”. Entering into an image’s visual Ones that readers can still use as part of the reading structure
richness, no matter the style, is for many an integral part of they are already familiar with, but also fulfilling a designer’s
the reading experience both for reader and querent. A key wish to create something fresh. This challenge is particularly
may indeed be just a key, but this inert object can ironic in the case of Lenormand, where the tradition that is
nevertheless accurately portray vastly opposing concepts considered so integral to the whole process, is actually a
of either imprisonment or freedom. Most images, depending house of cards (excuse the pun), a fragile structure evolved
on the circumstances, may also convey a duality of meaning. over time more by whim and opportunistic marketing than
As such, scenes, elements and characters portrayed in a any genuine symbolic rational. Furthermore the evolution of
“richer” visual way might provide an environment that is Lenormand took different paths incorporating variations of
more conducive to the intuitive interpretation and symbolic meaning along the way reflecting cultural
divinatory process. The dilemma of course is that if a deviations. For example the Bear would be considered male
depicted scene is too specific then it can become less flexible in German and Spanish, but female in the French, Belgium,
and thus counterproductive. The reader may find their own Dutch and Russian traditions. Depending on the species and
imagination being restricted. Its for these reasons that I countries, lilies might be considered appropriate (or
attempt to depict people in as neutral a way as possible. inappropriate) for either a funeral or wedding. Clearly with
Facial expressions and poses, do not suggest any specific such variables, a one size fits all symbolic approach is not
emotion or mood. Clothing is either minimal or nondescript possible. Once I accepted that, I felt more comfortable
This avoids direct association with historical periods in time, straying from any of the norms as it were. Nevertheless I feel
or cultural, socio economic status. Unlike many Lenormand that despite the individual style and variations in this Gilded
decks of the past, I chose to depict a Man and Woman as Reverie, it is still a deck that I hope Lenormand readers,
opposed to a Gentleman and Lady. whether they be experienced or beginners, should be able to
use with comfort.
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HISTORY &
TRADITION
The Fox, The Moon and The Fish...
In the name of Lenormand
The Gilded Reverie Lenormand is a continuation of a card-
reading tradition dating back to the late 18th and into the 19th
century. The design of this deck is intended to respect the tradition
whilst providing a new vision for the future. We will see that the
tradition itself has been rooted in “borrowing” and “whim” since
its inception, with an ongoing history of change.
The story of this deck, for a story it is, begins with its
namesake, when in Alençon, Normandy, France, a baby
girl,
Marie-Anne Lenormand was born to Marie-Anne Gilbert and
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Jean-Louis Lenormand on the 27th of May 1772. Her father her lifetime that they were not about theories of Tarot or
died the following year, and by the time she was five years methods of Cartomancy, but about her own career and her
old she had lost both parents. Misfortune had taken grip of association with people of importance.” Therefore in reality
her life early on, this however would appear not to have held the only ‘Lenormand’ in existence at this time was the
her back. childless Mademoiselle herself, a walking and talking oracle
and business woman, whose name and reputation would be
A child of her time, she was a mere 17-years old at the
her one and only lasting legacy of her presence in this world.
start of the turbulent French Revolution, 1789 - 1799. These
were ruthless and uncertain times, but they were the Her death on the 25th June 1843 conjured interest in her
beginning of a society that recognized the fairness for the myth, and as ever, opportunists came out of the woodwork;
man or woman on the street to seize their rights and three biographies were written, the contents verging on the
opportunities. This uncertainty would no doubt have stoked “creative” side. One even claimed to contain prophecies that
an increase in oracular consultation. Indeed at this time Paris The Lenormand’ had divined before her death. There was
was full of fortunetellers, in spite of a law that was in place money to be made out of Mlle. Lenormand’s visions. It is
that prohibited divination. difficult to know what is truth and what is merely “spin”
with regard to Lenormand, as according to Decker, Depaulis
We might easily draw a parallel to the turbulent times of
and Dummet, the proliferation of Lenormand hot off-the-
today, with our own economic and political upheavals across
press type revelations in 1845 came straight out of a
Europe and America, when both times had their “Occupy”
“Lenormand Factory”.
movement whilst the cards were being introduced.
The irony is that as far as we know, Mlle. Lenormand
Mlle. Marie-Anne Lenormand was one of these Parisian
never used a 36-card deck as we commonly associate with as
fortunetellers, and she knew how to recognize an
“The Lenormand” today. This is almost of no question, as she
opportunity, selling certainty in a time of uncertainty. She did
herself wrote in 1817, in her book Les oracles sibyllins that
not just sell divination but she sold her very self - she was a
she used a “piquet pack”, a popular game-playing deck of
shameless self-promoter. The cartomantic historians Decker,
the time. Interestingly too, we have little written evidence of
Depaulis & Dummet, authors of A Wicked Pack of Cards
the meaning that Lenormand attributed to particular cards.
(1986) point out “that of the 14 books that she wrote during
Then
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there is a scant reference to tarot cards, with the oddly spelt appears to be heavily strewn with allusions to the patriotism
“tharots” and only three cards are mentioned in her writing of France. The Clover is depicted with two blue symbols to
at all: “Fol, Death, and Devil”. represent abundance; that of the cornucopia. Above the
cornucopia is the green three-leaf clover, and ladies fly above
How exciting it would be for Lenormand aficionados to
it, their hands linked in unity wearing gowns in the colors of
be able to read somewhere in primary reference material a
the French flag; Red, Blue and White, representing the
mention of ‘The Clover’, ‘The Whip’, ‘The Tree’, but sadly, it
Tripartite motto and patriotic colors of the French flag. You
will be unlikely ever to be so. Her cards may have been
can almost hear the cry of the tripartite motto ‘Liberty,
playing cards with her own handwritten astrological notes or
Equality, Fraternity’ in this card.
other symbols, and again, if they had survived and were
found, that would also be a wonderful discovery. The cards all have playing card inserts upon them,
allowing the purchaser to use them as a standard playing
I can only express in the Language of the Lenormand that
deck in addition to their fortunetelling use. This is a
there is a very strong theme of “The Fox + Moon + Fishes” =
wonderful reversal of how they originally came about, as we
“Trickery and a desire for Fame and Money” running
will see.
through the story of the incredible Mlle. Lenormand.
The next deck to follow this same format was the
So her death, as death often does, created a celebrity out
“Fortune Telling Cards of the Famous Mlle. Lenormand in
of the Fortuneteller, with the creation of an industry of
Paris”, printed in Germany in 1846 by J. B. Ruehe. Many
“Lenormand” decks using her name and notoriety. The name
others were to follow, although the tradition has lay
and brand of “Lenormand” which the Mademoiselle had so
somewhat dormant for many years until this recent revival in
creatively and shrewdly set up would be seized upon and
2012 where more decks are being produced each month than
spun into an entirely new method of Cartomancy.
previously for years.
We know that in 1845, only two years after her death, the
first known deck in the format of what is now known as
“the” Lenormand was created by an unknown publisher. Not
all the cards survive, and they are hand-colored. This deck
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was “borrowed” by publishers 45 years later when
capitalizing too on the death of Lenormand. If they were not
concerned about using the name of a dead woman, they were
probably not concerned about using the deck of a dead man.
However,ithasbeenknownsince1976thatthe
“original” deck of the exact symbols now used by
“Lenormand” decks existed 45 years prior to its re-purposing
as “the” Lenormand deck. It had nothing to do with Mlle.
Lenormand and was designed by a German brass-factory
owner named J. K. Hechtel, in 1800, shortly before his own
death. It was called “The Game of Hope” and was a typical
example of many such games of the time across Europe.
There are three extant copies in museums, including the
British Museum. www.originallenormand.com
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In the Reverie, we explain each card in its most generic
manner, allowing some play of meaning for you as a reader,
based on experience of a number of traditions and actual
practice. Where there are significant and useful differences,
the deck contains variant images, such as the Owl/Birds.
Tali Goodwin
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In the following pages, each card of the Gilded Reverie is
shown and accompanied by initial brief key points provided
by Rana George, www.ranageorge.com followed by
a d d i t i o n a l s u m m a r i e s fr om Tali G o o d w i n
www.tarotspeakeasy.com In some cases I edited the text to
better reflect a personal take on the image. Nevertheless these
descriptions are intended as generalizations. Variations on
these description will be influenced by cultural traditions and
symbolic associations along with the particular circumstances
of the querent and question of the reading. Intuition and
consideration based on adjacent and related cards, the
position of “Houses” beneath each card, etc., will add further
nuance. The combined variables from all these factors will, in
the hands of the reader, result in infinite possible meanings
for each card.
RIDER 14
I am always bringing news, look around me to see what
it includes. I might be coming to visit or bringing you
some changes. I am fast and always on the move. If you
see a negative card close by, you will probably not
enjoy the reply.
HOUSE I am your family and your base, your ground and your
home. I give you stability and comfort. I am your living
arrangement and environment. I am what surround you
and your estate. The cards around me will give you signs
on my present state, or what the future will dictate.
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TREE I am here to stay and grow. I am the health of your body,
mind and soul. Look for the cards next to me to find out
more about me. When negative cards are close, pack
some tissues for your nose.
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CLOUD I am dark on one side and light on the other. Conflicts
and doubts I am sure to bring. You will not be able to
see clearly, I will block your perception and let
confusion reign. One thing for sure I promise is that I
will pass because the sun always shines after the
thunder has elapsed.
A card symbolizing foreboding and change, the negative
or positive influence is expressed by the direction the dark
aspect of the cloud faces. In the Reverie we have the glorious
breakthrough of the sun and the ascending birds on the
right- hand side of the card. This promises liberation from
uncertainty. The card can also warn of the obscuring of a
truth; there is a lack of clarity with regards to a situation,
something needs to be revealed. A revelation may be in the
offing.
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SNAKE Watch out for me because I am always hiding, you can
never trust or believe me. I am cheating, deceiving,
and will betray you in a heartbeat. Be careful where
you are treading, my fangs will surely have you
dreading.
Our Snake here in the apple tree also alludes to the Garden
of Eden, the original breakup of the happy relationship we
saw in earlier cards, such as the House. The Lenormand
cards, like many others, including Tarot, are firmly rooted in
Christian tradition – such as the Cross (36), and even the
Garden (20) is seen in the original game as a biblical place.
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COFFIN I am the painful change and transition, you will feel me
through your body, your mind, and certainly your
wallet.
Depression, loss, and bankruptcy are my specialties. I
am sickness and bed rest. I am all endings and
sometimes death.
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BOUQUET Beauty and a happy face is what I bring. I am the gift
that warms your heart. I am your recovery and your well
being. No matter what card is before me, I will always
change it positively.
What is it like when someone gives you a gift? This card is
the fragrant smell of joy and happiness, a show of
appreciation that could be on its way. The image here of a
bouquet of pink Tulips speaks the “Language of Flowers”. In
the Victorian era, flowers were used as a medium of
communication; they became the code of lovers, a perfect
way to express love, passion and appreciation covertly.
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SKYTHE Be careful I am swift and sharp. I cut through with
precision with a strict and clear vision. I am an accident,
a sharp cut, a break, or sometimes a decision that needs
to be made. I can bring good harvest or danger. Look at
what I am cutting nearby, it just might be your wager.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
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WHIP BROOM Be warned of high temper, I bring conflict and strife. You
will find me in competitions because I work with
repetition. Arguments and quarrels are my patent, but I
am not always a villain. I can be found in the gym or in a
lusty bed on a whim.
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BIRDS A phone call, a text, or a date that is how I communicate.
I am in meetings, or interviews, and I like to negotiate. I
can be your sibling, lover, or mate. Couples is what I
indicate.
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CHILD I am young, I am new, I am playful and immature. I am
a baby, a kid, or a teenager. Small, short, or tiny are
other ways to describe me.
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FOX When I am not your job, I am you’re your red flag for
some deviousness going on. Look around your circle in
your hall, I might be planning your fall. I am master of
manipulation and I am going to fool you all. Craftiness is
my fame, and “sneaky sneaky” is my game.
The Fox here looks back upon his prey – perhaps the
cockerel thinks he is the only one awake so early. The Fox has
prepared his ruse though, and is sure to get his bird. At the
time of the conception of the Lenormand deck, a popular tale
was of “Reynard the Fox”. These collections of tales depicted
Reynard as a “false prophet”, and many traditional
interpretations of the Fox card still carry this sense of “false
gospel”. So beware of trickery and deception. The Fox in the
Lenormand symbolises these traits and more, beware of the
charmer who makes you smile, all is not as it seems. The Fox
next to the Bouquet (9) could warn of deception and flattery,
be even more wary if the Heart (24) and Scythe (10) cards
come into the equation. In our literal Lenormand way of
reading this is “deception and flattery leads to a cut-up
heart”. You have been warned!
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BEAR Power and strength, large and big, only but a few words
of how I am a bigwig. Your finance is my field, your food
is my intrigue. My bad side comes out when you see
negative cards around.
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STARS Shiny sparkles, guidance, and healing is what I promise
through a gentle feeling. I am reassurance, inspiration
and a new path for your exploration. Wish upon a star,
for I bring hope and light from afar.
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STORK With movements, upgrades and improvements, I bring
spring and the change of seasons. Sometimes my symbol
stands for a new family addition or simply a new state of
evolution. I can be your move, or your next promotion.
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DOG Loyalty and friendship is what I stand for. I am
protection and trust, support and reliance. When
negative cards are around, make sure to take a closer
look. I could be your counselor, your pet, or the lover in
your bed.
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TOWER Corporations, organizations, institutions and
governments come under my influence. I am boundaries
and restrictions, so be mindful of isolation. I describe
your ambitions as well as your expectations, and let’s not
forget your higher educations.
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GARDEN When you are going to a party, a concert, or a business
meeting, I am sure to show up in your reading. You will
find me in a reunion or a retreat, a riot or a picnic meet. I
like crowds and public events, so naturally I am good
with all your networking intents.
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MOUNTAIN I come to bring you challenges and obstacles with
blockages and resistance. I will make you late for your
date, and my coldness will take emotions out of the
plate.
Pay attention and beware I can be the enemy in your lair.
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CHOICE Decisions and choices is what I offer. Alternate directions
are what I augur. I speak in multiple and double, and
when I’m under a relationship I might be trouble.
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MICE You don’t want me in your house, you don’t want me in
your blouse. I bring loss, I bring theft with destruction
and decay. I am your stress and anxiety, I am the worry
in society. I am your nuisance, I am your pest, I bring
sickness in your nest.
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HEART The form of happiness and love is simply drawn in my
shape. I am your feelings and emotions. I am your
passions and devotions. Just make sure no bad cards are
around to spoil this fondness and affection.
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RING A precious item is what I am to bind in marriage and
commitment. I bring harmony in unions as long as
negative cards are afar. I am the contract and the
promise in partnerships and ventures. I am the symbol
for completion and the form of eternal devotion.
The Game of Hope tells us that “finding this ring will bring a
reward”. Here we see a ruby ring symbolising commitment.
In crystal lore, the Ruby is a guarantee of economic stability
– in some cultures it was buried in the foundations of
buildings to assure good fortune.
The Ring is a symbol of commitment, and can speak of a
contract being drawn up between two people or a business
contract. The ring is an object of value to those who wear it.
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BOOK The book of knowledge, the book of secrets, what I house
is educational and private. I may be your project or your
research, and sometimes your studies and journals.
Watch out for the cards around me, because with the
Sun you will see right through me. I am hidden, I am
unknown, but occasional knowledge I might learn.
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LETTER I am a document, I am a message, I am information, I
am a package. Sometimes I can be an invoice, a
certificate, or a test result. You can find me as your mail,
a newsletter, or an award. Look around me to find out
more of what I am leaning toward.
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MAN I I could be you the reader, or the male subject of your
reading or the male parter of the significator.
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WOMAN I I could be you the reader, or the female subject of your
reading or a female parter of the significator.
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LILIES Calm, peace, and serenity is what I preach. Your parents
and elders show up under my symbol. I bring wisdom
and experience. I happen to be a long time period.
Contentment and satisfaction is my angle.
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SUN I am success hear me roar! I control your ego and
charisma, I boost your confidence and courage. I bring
victory and glory, but be careful not to get to cocky or
you will be branded a haughty.
The light that shines from this Sun card is energising and
revitalizing in nature. It can also signify the confidence to
step out into the light by engaging with a project or taking a
new direction.
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MOON Love and romance, intuition and psychic abilities,
imagination and creativities are but a few of what I
stand for. I reach across the sky and influence the
waters, I am admired all around, I bring fame, I bring
honors.
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KEY Discoveries and solutions are my forte. You will find me
in synchronicities, signs and fate. When I land close to
you, know that you have the means, and the answers to
what is troubling you. Look to my right, I point to what is
highly important or what needs to be in the light.
This card can influence many things, next to the Heart (24),
it can unlock feelings and be ‘the key to your heart’, next to
the Book (26) it can ‘unlock knowledge’ and so on. It is a card
that offers many opportunities and new beginnings.
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FISH I bring plenty and abundance. I deal in commerce and
sales. I advocate independence and promote self-reliance
and trade. Water, expansion and flow is my department.
Be careful not to tip the scales between tipsy and loaded,
you don’t want to end up dizzy and bloated.
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ANCHOR With stability and security, I give a peace of mind. I push
you to persevere and help you reach your goal. Watch
out for negative cards, they might shackle and pull you
down a hole.
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CROSS I am the bringer of grief, sadness, burdens, and ordeals.
Pain, suffering and guilt is the area of my expertise. I
claim weeping, tears and lamentations, and ask for
prayers and supplications. When happy cards come at
my right, then you shouldn’t experience too much fright.
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ADDITIONAL CARDS
Over the years there have been multiple variations of the
Lenormand cards. Many reflecting individual preferences and
concepts of the artist or publisher. Others are more general sub
divisions that reflect different regions and cultures. Appealing
though it may have been to try and cover all variables and
attempt to appeal to everyone, this would clearly have been a
futile exercise. So for the most part I have focused on the core 36
cards of the European system commonly used today. However I
have provided a number of additional cards that can be included
along with the core 36, to provide additional nuance and
meaning to a spread. Nevertheless they are designed and
numbered so that should you choose not to use them, then the
basic traditional set of 36 cards are unaffected.
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BIRDS/OWL
In the Reverie, we have two alternate cards for the Birds,
as some prior decks have used the Owls, often as a pair, to
indicate the concept of “paired” within a reading.
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MAN II I could be you the reader, or the significant male
subject of your reading or a male parter.
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WOMAN II I could be you the reader, or the female subject of your
reading or a female parter.
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TIME My appearance brings “time” to the forefront
of importance. I may be approaching or
passing, so be attentive. Use me wisely to
provide perspective. Look around me to
better understand my involvement. Certain
cards may slow me down, but sometimes a
quick action will get you the crown.
The Clock in the Reverie is symbolic of the metering out of
time; the clock is ticking, and life is transitory in nature, so
each moment we should savour, and live to the full. It is a
reminder of our immortality, the hands of the clock will only
go forwards into time, and we must go on regardless. It is the
card of time management; it is an imperative to use it wisely.