What is Lenormand: My Favorite Cartomancy Deck By Psychic Arthur

As a clairvoyant, I’ve used both Tarot and Oracle cards to supplement readings, but the only deck that really “does it for me” is the Mlle Lenormand Blue Owl Deck. I was first introduced to these cards nearly 20 years ago and have been using them ever since. You may be wondering “What is Lenormand?” Let me introduce you to this fascinating system of divination.

What is a Lenormand Deck Used For?

The Lenormand cards, also known as the Lenormand oracle or Lenormand deck, are a powerful cartomancy tool that can provide insight into many areas of life. One of the primary uses of the Lenormand cards is for general fortune-telling about present situations, future outcomes, and gaining clarity on the root causes behind current circumstances.

The 36 cards in the Lenormand deck depict everyday objects, people, and symbols that allow for incredibly specific and grounded readings. Unlike Tarot which deals more with spiritual archetypes, the Lenormand cards focus on the practical aspects of the querent's life like work, relationships, finances, and decision-making.

The History of the Lenormand

Marie Anne Adelaide Lenormand (1772 - 1843) is perhaps the most celebrated French cartomancer and one of the few seers whose prophecies from her time were actually recorded. It’s said that she not only told Josephine de Beauharnais that she’d marry Napoleon, but later warned the Empress that her husband wanted to divorce her – before he’d even mentioned it to anyone.

Apparently, Napoleon was so furious, he had Mlle Lenormand thrown into jail, but she didn’t stay there too long. In 1814 she began writing her memoirs and started a second literary career, which resulted in over a dozen books being published.

A few years after her death, a deck of cards called “Le Grand Jeu de Mlle Lenormand” was published, followed by a small deck of 36 illustrated cards known as the “Petit Lenormand,” which today’s Blue Owl Deck is modeled after.

What I love about this 36-card deck is the artwork, which is reproduced from a deck originally published in the 1920’s. The images are classically beautiful and colorful, and feel familiar and old-fashioned. Each card is numbered, which I find useful when sorting out time frames. And while there’s a poem insert on each card, I ignore them. Best of all, this deck is about the size of an ordinary pack of playing cards, so I can easily slip it into my pocket!
 
What also appeals to me is that this deck is very versatile. It can be used for specific questions, in addition to understanding the past, present and future. Also, with the various meanings of the images, symbolism, card combinations, and numbers, a spread can be analyzed for hours at a time or things can be kept simple with a quick “yes” or “no” question/answer. Since there are literally thousands of meanings for all the combinations, just about anything can be explored.

Can You Read Lenormand Cards Like Tarot Cards?

Interestingly enough, Lenormand is a cartomancy method that should not be compared to or confused with Tarot, since they are two completely different systems. Tarot tends to be read as individual cards, by analyzing the symbolic meaning of each individual card. Lenormand cards are more like a language, where the process of reading the 36 cards becomes a flowing sentence. The cards create combinations with each other, so core meanings of two cards merge to become something new. The reader looks at groupings of 2-3 cards and how their core meanings merge together in new ways based on their positions and surrounding cards.
 

Are There Any Specific Spreads for Lenormand Readings?

There are many different spreads used in Lenormand cartomancy, ranging from simple 3-card draws to complex layouts with 15 or more cards. Some of the most popular Lenormand spreads include:

• The 3-Card Stretch: A quick past/present/future overview
• The Square of Nine: Analyzing influences across 9 key areas of life
• The Grand Tableau: An in-depth 36-card spread giving a holistic life reading
• The House Spread: Focused on home, family, and domestic matters
• The Comb Spread: Used for very specific yes/no questions

Experienced Lenormand readers often create customized spreads suited to the particular question or situation at hand. The truly beautiful thing about the Lenormand oracle is its versatility in providing answers that are at once strikingly insightful yet also rooted in the tangible realities of everyday life.

 

The Mlle Lenormand Blue Owl Deck, published by AGM and distributed by US Games Systems, Inc., is a top seller of the many Lenormand Cards/Decks available today. I highly recommend this deck for cartomancy beginners.
 
I find that Lenormand cards can help us see where we are going, understand why we are where we are, and/or what we may do in certain situations. All people have the ability to "know their future.” It’s simply a matter of tuning into the knowledge that’s inherently within us. With that in mind, I’m actually considering creating my own Lenormand Deck – hopefully it’s in the cards!