Part 1: Beginning with Lenormand

The Essential Lenormand begins with a basic overview of the Lenormand deck and the fundamentals that will steer you toward mastery of its system.

It includes:

- a brief guide to choosing a workhorse deck for the exercises and lessons that follow

- a look at questions and how phrasing can help make your readings more powerful, practical, and predictive

- a brief testament to the virtues of picking and sticking with one Lenormand system as you begin your journey

- a guide to journaling your exercises and readings as a cartomantic foundation

- a look at the simple potency of focus cards and significators in eliciting specific answers from a spread

a short history of my own first encounter with the Lenormand in a war-torn country

Part 2: A Closer Look at the Thirty-Six Cards

This section provides an in-depth look at Lenormand and an analysis of every card. First I will provide an overview of the Lenormand system and its origin. Then we will explore the different meanings and layers of every card in several contexts.

You will find:

- a description of the illustration and details of every card

- a list of the card's contextual meanings for several common topics: prediction, work, love, health, money, timing, advice, and specific objects/areas of inquiry

- a personal story for every card

- how every card can be viewed in the Grand Tableau

- the orientation of each card—whether it is positive, negative, or neutral

- the nuances of every card—whether it is an action card, a mood card, a time card, or a portrait card (all cards acquire these nuances at one time or another, but these will be their most common connotations) There are no concrete positive and negative symbols. The relative character fluctuates depending on the surrounding cards and per- sonal situations. A negative card can be looked at in a positive light and vice versa. You will find that there are cards with no time reference.

Timing is malleable, and not every card has a time association. Every reader will build his or her own timing method from trial and error. In this book I will describe the system that has worked for me in different situations.

Part 3: Reading Techniques and Spreads

Here we will learn how to interpret card combinations by using simple techniques and exercises to learn the cards and blend their symbols. We will tackle small spreads and move on to more intricate and elaborate layouts until we get to the Grand Tableau.

Note: Throughout this book, I will be using the terms client and querent interchangeably. At the end of the book, we will examine the life of Mademoiselle Lenormand in a chronological format. In another appendix, I have also included an overview on how every card can be activated as a significator or a focus card. And for a quick reference I've included an interpretation key; a list of the positive, negative, and neutral cards; a quick look at the house attributes; the court cards; and a method of combining Lenormand with Tarot. Lastly, the glossary will explain unfamiliar terms and concepts.

Through The Essential Lenormand I aim to give you the full experience of all of Lenormand's aspects, characteristics, and facets. This book will help you answer the many questions that crop up in day-to-day life and nurture a fortunetelling practice that works for you. My guidance will help you shed light on what is hidden through the beautiful and clear images of the Lenormand cards.

I feel a tremendous joy and satisfaction when I see people picking up cards or any other tools of divination to benefit themselves and others. Believe in yourself and in the cards; have the confidence to predict and divine. I hope that you will enjoy playing with your deck and discov- ering the facets of Lenormand. Life is like a deck of cards: you have to deal with it.

Relax, keep it simple, and—most importantly—have fun!