tarocchi
Lenormand
The Lenormand deck is a nineteenth-century cartomancy system made up of 36 very concrete cards, each with a precise subject (the letter, the heart, the key, the ship, the garden). It takes its name from Marie Anne Lenormand (1772-1843), a Parisian cartomancer famous in the Napoleonic age.
Composition
Thirty-six cards numbered from 1 to 36, each with a subject: rider, clover, ship, house, tree, clouds, snake, coffin, flowers, scythe, whip, birds, child, fox, bear, stars, stork, dog, tower, garden, mountain, path, mice, heart, ring, book, letter, man, woman, lilies, sun, moon, key, fish, anchor, cross.
Reading style
The Lenormand is read above all in combinations: each card taken on its own is descriptive (letter = message, ship = journey) but the real meaning is formed in the pairings of two, three or nine cards. The largest spread is the Grand Tableau, which puts all 36 cards on the table in an 8x4+4 grid.
FAQ
How many cards does it have?
Thirty-six in the "Petit Lenormand" version. Historically, decks of 54 cards (Grand Lenormand) exist but are much rarer.
Did Marie Anne Lenormand create the deck?
No, the deck was published after her death, drawing on her fame. It is based on a German parlour game from 1799 called "Spiel der Hoffnung".
Difference with tarot?
Tarot has 78 cards (22 Major Arcana + 56 Minor) and speaks through archetypes. The Lenormand has 36 concrete cards and speaks through everyday subjects.