How to read lenormand cards

The Graphite Moon Lenormand Card deck by Magenta

Photos by Magenta

Lenormand cards are a deck of 36 cards with simplistic pictures on them that represent a word. Each card, or word on the card, has some very specific, but super simple noun, verb or adjective associations. So reading lenormand cards is really about understanding nouns, verbs and adjectives and making little sentences. 

Read the cards like a sentence

As we’ve mentioned, lenormand cards are read together like a sentence. Who remembers underlining nouns, verbs and adjectives in sentences at school? Lenormand cards are read kinda like that. 

Two lenormand cards is usually the smallest reading that can be done. We have lenormand card combinations that illustrate how to read lenormand cards as a combination.  Just like sentences at school have to have nouns, adjectives and verbs so do lenormand card readings. One card should be read as a noun, the other card then adds more detail to the noun card by reading it as an adjective or a verb.

Read the cards in rows and columns

Lenormand cards are often read in rows and/or columns. Even if the row is only made up of two cards. The cards are read as either nouns, verbs or adjectives in the rows or columns. One method to read lenormand cards is following a  ‘comic book style’ by reading the cards from left to right in a straight line. This is easier with short readings of two, three or sometimes five cards. To do this the first card represents the theme, or focus, and is read as a noun card. The other cards can build on the meaning by being read as verbs or adjectives. 

Lenormands card readings of three or five cards can also be read in a row using a ‘flank’ style. This is when the middle card in the row of cards is the theme, or focus, and is read as a noun. The cards that flank either side of the middle one bring meaning to it by being read as either verbs or adjectives. 

Reading the cards to tell the time 

Each lenormand card has a time indicator associated with it. You could choose to read lenormand cards using only the timings, and nothing else. The cards are all numbered from 1 to 36 and the time indicator is often, though not always, associated with the card number. For example, card number 1 may have a time indicator of 1 day or 1 week and so on. 

This is one time when a reading of one card can be done, but it’s not really a reading. It’s just a quick look to tell the time. 

Use the cards for yes / no answers

Lenormand cards also have “positive” “negative” or “neutral” meanings. This means lenormand cards can be read when asking closed questions to get those ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers. 

This is another time when a reading of one card can be done. But again, like using lenormand cards to tell the time, this reading isn’t really a reading. It’s a quick yes or no answer to a very quick question.

Read lenormand cards in combination with tarot cards

Starting with a tarot card reading and adding lenormand cards is another way to read lenormand cards. This is done by laying out a tarot card spread in your usual way and when more clarity is required, a lenormand card is added to the reading. For example, to provide a time indication a lenormand card can be added to the tarot spread. 

We have more detail and examples of how to read lenormand cards in this previous post 

If you have questions about this just reach out and ask. We’re happy to assist!

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