Deck shown is The Primal Lenormand by Alexander Gluck published by U.S Games
We often use Tarot and Lenormand cards in a therapeutic sense, rather than a fortune telling sense, for personal development, spiritual growth and to help guide people through difficulties. This means that the cards are interpreted as a reflection of the intuition, the inner knowing, rather than interpreted as a sign of what has not yet come to pass. By reading cards in this way we allow ourselves the opportunity to create choice, to be inspired by our options rather than boxed into a fate we have no control over.
This week we will demonstrate an example 5 card lenormand reading for a question of “Why am I finding this work situation so difficult?” to illustrate how Lenormand cards can be excellent tools for reflecting back our inner guidance.
What are 5 Card Lenormand readings?
A 5 Card Lenormand reading is a type of card reading that uses 5 cards from the Lenormand system of cartomancy.
The 5 card reading builds on the simplistic 2 and 3 card readings, but with the addition of these extra cards. This means a 5 card reading can give the reader a more rounded idea of the situation at hand, when compared to 2 card combinations or 3 card readings, but is less overwhelming when compared to something like the Grand Tableau.
The 5 card layout is generally approached in a few different ways, but for this example reading we will demonstrate a comic book style 5 Card. It is a great approach for a question that might need a bit of background or context such as ours.
The spread
The comic book 5 card layout is generally read as a combination of all 5 cards. When it comes to combining the cards comic book style there isn’t one definitive right way.
The method of combining the cards we’ll use today, is the method of reading the cards from left to right, in a continuous line. We are going to use a Signifier to symbolise the theme for the reading, and we shall place this card at the front of our line.
How to read this 5 card spread
Remember, we already have our first card picked out in advance. The spread is then read horizontally from left to right.
Cards number 1 – This is our Signifier, and represents the situation.
Cards numbered 2 and 3 – These cards are combined to give context to the Signifier.
Cards numbered 4 and 5 – These cards are combined to give context to the Signifier and cards 2 and 3.
It can be relevant to look at the general vibe of all 5 cards. For example, are they mostly positive cards or negative cards? And what, if it is relevant, there is anything to understand about the timing, when looking at the cards as a whole.
Our 5 card lenormand reading
Our question to answer for this example 5 card lenormand reading is “Why am I finding this work situation so difficult?”
We have pulled Anchor and Coffin in combination with the Signifier (Bear, representing work). It would appear that there is an ending here with Work, and in particular the stability and security associated with work. Is there some difficulty in letting go of feeling secure in regular employment? Perhaps it is a feeling of sadness that comes with work, no matter how secure and stable it is. Has work become a bit mundane, that it brings feelings of sadness? If we turn over card number 3 (Scythe, in our example), we can see another reference to endings.
So we look to card 4 to show us what our inner wisdom knows about this period of stable work that is ending. In our example reading we have the Tower. This means we have a kind of institutionalised end, so in the context of the other cards we may start to see why this work situation may be feeling difficult. For example, we may want to recognise that a period of stable work, even a feeling of institutionalisation brought about by the same work, is coming to an end. The time paradox of this ending feeling both slow, long overdue perhaps, and quick is possibly leading to some unexpected feelings. Is this a long career that is ending? Is this a long project that is ending? When things end, it throws up all sorts of weird feelings that are worth exploring in order to let this situation go.
Lenormand Cards for asking “Why?”
This was just an example of a very quick 5 card lenormand reading, where instead of predicting a future it instead reflects intuition back. When using Lenormand in this way, the Reader and the Querent will be engaging in a two way conversation about the cards in order to find the challenges together. The Reader does this by checking in the Querent, finding what resonates and encouraging them to discover their own answers from within.
Whether you are facing challenges, seeking direction, or simply looking to deepen your understanding of yourself, a Lenormand card reading can be a valuable and enlightening experience. So discover for yourself the limitless potential these amazing cards hold for our personal growth.
Resources
Credit where credit is due, we aim to cite our outside resources because we value content that honours where our resources have come from. 1 resource was used in order for us to write this, but you are encouraged to follow all our internal links as well.
1) The Primal Lenormand by Alexander Gluck. Published by U.S Games
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