Lenormand is a cartomancy system based on the one developed by Marie Anne Lenormand in the Napoleonic era.

The letters are called more properly Madame Lenormand Fortune Telling Cards, but they are usually called Lenormand letters (or affectionately Lennies) and the system is known simply as Lenormand.

Barajas Lenormand

There are two types of Lenormand Barajas: the petit Jeu Lenormand and the Grand Jeu Lenormand. The Petit Lenormand deck usually has 36 cards and is much simpler in terms of symbolism. There are no sticks, but each letter has its own unique image with a defined meaning in relation to nearby cards.

Although there is a certain margin of interpretation depending on the situation and the place occupied by a letter in the roll, Lenormand practitioners often say that the meanings are much more specific than those of other cardomancy systems.

The Grand Lenormand has 54 cards with a heavier and most 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 Mmemporend herself would have devised (if she had devised some deck) because it was well known that she was a student of Greek mythology, Astrology and Alquimiatodas they are very present in the Grand Baraja Jeu Lenormand.

The difference between Lenormand and Tarot decks

Lenormand letters have always been considered an alternative cardboard system to Tarot, which can be used in a complementary or autonomous way. However, compared to the Tarot, the sibilas have several differences. Here we present them below.

1. your reading is not intuitive

While the Tarot is rich in even complex symbolisms, with references that cover different systems, from archetypes to astrology, Lenormand sibilas are simpler and immediately, easier to read, even for the least experienced.

Each letter has a basic meaning, which creates a message, offers an answer or a solution that is enriched with the other cards of the roll.

Lenormand letters are read in a linear and semantic way, and not intuitively or spiritually as with the Tarot.

Tarot and Sibilas exploit different abilities and skills:

Lenormand letters extract messages from an external source, the linguistic area, and are based on the ability to form phrases and messages by joining the different meanings,

Tarot letters extract messages from an internal source, our inspiration, and exploit our intuition and personal knowledge related to the different systems.

In this way, the message can be enriched with respect to the initial meaning.

2. They are practical and less complex

Lenormand is a very practical deck, which focuses more on everyday and pragmatic events and less on feelings, energies or blockages that can occur in relation to a situation. Tarot letters show possible events and give advice, Lenormand’s letters show reality.

This deck offers very specific answers to the questions posed by the consultant, without having those spiritual, archetypal or even astrological implications of which the tarot cards are filled; Your message goes to the grain.

While Tarot letters have a very spiritual reading, Lenormand letters provide information that helps solve more concrete problems. In essence, while Tarot’s letters focus on «Why» Lenormand letters focus on the «how».

Baraja of cards on a wooden table, next to a blue handkerchief and a candlestick with a candle on inside.

3. They are divided by costumes, or not

You will know that the tarot cards are divided into major and smaller arcana and that the latter are divided into four different sticks (glasses, swords, basts and coins) that resemble those of the cards.

Even Lenormand letters had, since their appearance, correspondences with the cards. In the classic decks, you will observe that each letter also has its corresponding stick:

• Flores: 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;
• Picas: They are linked to obstacles, delays, but also to mental and emotional force and value.

However, reading the sibilas can be completely independent and the message may not take into account the corresponding stick. In addition, Lenormand sticks do not correspond to those of the minor arcana of the Tarot.

Nowadays, Lenormand decks can maintain the division of the cards of the cards, but you can also find decks without sticks, only with the symbol of the sibyls.

4. They must be read in sequence

While in the tarot you can read to the right and vice versa (indicating in this case a blockage, a delay or a negative aspect to take into account to deal with the matter investigated), in the Lenormand there is no right and the reverse.

However, they may acquire positive or negative meaning, depending on the follows. As seen, sibilas are not read individually, but in groups, to form a complex message.

For example: The Knight’s letter indicates news or novelties. But also a visit or a trip. Therefore, it is positive in itself. However, if the mouse letter appears next to it, it can mean that the visit will be delayed, that the trip will not be made and that the news is not positive. Therefore, the message for us acquires less positive value.

On the contrary, if we have the bear’s whey, the news will be reassuring and the visit could be someone who can lend us a hand to solve a situation.

Similarly, lunar sibyl can be an indication of creativity, imagination and intuition. However, if it is accompanied by the owls, you can indicate that there is emotional instability incapacity to regulate your own emotions.

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

More information
http://arnlenormand.com/