The Celtic Lenormand Oracle

Last week, as it was just after Brigid's Day, I looked at how to read a spiritual message for that pagan festival (or any other) from a Grand Tableau thrown with all 45 of the Celtic Lenormand cards.

This week, let's get back to basics. When faced with a Grand Tableau, where to start? And does it make a difference if there are 45 cards, rather than 36?

An oft-used system, especially if there is no specific question for the throw, is to start by reading the theme from the four corner cards, to look at the message of the first three cards, and to take a look at the heart of the throw. The simplest way to do those with this 45 card GT are shown here in blue.

From there, many readers look to the people cards, the Man and Woman or Lord and Lady, to assess what is going on around them, and possibly the relationship between them. Having two people cards can complicate this, as you might ask which you should look to. The two easiest answers are: a) either pick the one that you feel most connected to, or b) look to each for different aspects of your life.

One approach is to see the cards above the "people" cards as representing their thoughts or what they are aware of, and the cards below them as either what they are unaware of, or what they are "on top of", in control of.

Some people seek out particular cards to assess where trouble may lie (cards such as the Snake, Fox, Mountain, Clouds and Cross).

Others look to "signpost" cards such as the Clover for what will happen shortly, the Scythe for what is sudden and unexpected, the Cross for the current life lesson, the Key for what is certain and the Mice for what will be lost/reduced.

Another approach is to look around specific cards representing areas in life of interest, such as the Anchor for work (or whatever you choose as your work card), the Tree for health, and so on.

Like last week's reading, you can read the cards that border the card you are focusing on, as you would with a nine square. You can also look at the diagonals leading to and from it, often considered causes and consequences (yellow arrows show the diagonals around the Man). You can look at the cards that mirror it (green circles for the mirrors to the Lady), and those connected by knighting (red circles from the Man).

Having extra cards in the deck does not affect any of these common techniques for reading a Grand Tableau. However, it will affect how you read Houses, and that will be the subject of next week's post...

Last week, I looked at some of the basics for reading a Grand Tableau. Today, I want to look at the question of Houses.

Houses are used to add additional information to your interpretations. They are also used to follow a thread around the spread, from one card to its House, and on. For either of these, you need to decide how you're going to define the Houses. My preferred method numbers the Houses as shown here.

Basically, the first four lines of nine follow the standard Grand Tableau numbering, making it easy to remember, and it's only the last nine cards that are different. These are numbered the same as the extra cards: 1, 5, 7, 12, 12, 13, 18, 28, 29.

That's all you need for reading Houses with this deck's extra cards!

However, if you're going to chain read Houses, then you also need to decide which cards are your basics, and which the extras. I've laid out my extras in a line here:

So, when you come to a card that has duplicates, you see if it is your "standard" card or a duplicate, so you know where on the GT to find its house: in the first four rows or in the last. For example, from the Woman card in position 2 on the GT, we go all the way down to the last card of the last row, as the Woman is my duplicate 29.

Now, you decide what subject you want to read about: I choose work, and started at the House of the Anchor, my go-to work card. Owl in the House of Anchor (35) led me to Mice in the House of Owl (12), and Paths in the House of Mice (23). As you can see from the crazy network of arrows, this turned out to be a very long thread, incorporating 42 cards!

Often in a 36 card GT you might get 4-6 threads, and in a 45 card GT it wouldn't be that unusual to get 5-7 threads, so having basically one thread is uncommon. I guess that just shows that at the moment my work is spreading into every area of my life!

I won't go through interpreting the whole thread, but just give a very, very brief example with the mini-thread that remains outside it.

Around the time I threw this GT, I also laid a smaller spread, which showed that there were some Mountains in my path. Here, the House of the Mountain contains the Shedding Snake, and the House of the Shedding Snake contains the Mountain.

This can be interpreted as transformative obstacles that emphasise mountain-sized boundaries. The obstacles I was coming across did lead to completely reconsidering a few things, and pointed up that a large part of the issue was my not creating strong enough boundaries.

After three weeks of looking at the full 45-card Grand Tableau (find that here, here and here), this week I wanted to focus on a different, smaller scale option offered by the Celtic Lenormand. Something particular to this deck, with its pagan theme.

While the two Tree cards and the three Birds cards are most specifically God and Goddess cards respectively, every card in the Celtic Lenormand has some suggestions for accompanying deities. There are several ways to make use of this pagan aspect to the cards. One way is to draw a card, choose one of the associated deities, and meditate on that card and deity's energy for the day.

Another way is to draw cards as you normally would, and then use one or more of the cards from your reading as a focus for spirit. I decided to use this method for today's post.

Drawing three cards gave me the following line:

Oak Tree, Fish, Chickens

At a mundane level, these cards speak to financial health (Oak Tree/Fish) through the flow of social communication (Fish/Chickens). Yeah, okay: I ought to do more social networking and marketing! I don't check in on Facebook every day, ignore my LinkedIn Profile, have most of my tweets automated, and only pin to Pinterest sporadically. Right, today I shall make this my focus...

At a more spiritual level, it's hilarious that one of the God and Goddess cards have come up to frame this reading! My intention writ large. And also a reminder to balance both aspects, honour both the male and female, in order to truly find abundance and flow in life.

So, I chose a male and female deity from the list associated with the Fish, as the central card, and the one framed by the God and Goddess in this reading. Lugh is an Irish God of Commerce, and Lakshmi a Hindu Goddess of Abundance. Good energies to call on when seeking financial health :D

Last week's post on using the deity attributions in the Celtic Lenormand leads on nicely to using affirmations. Affirmations help adapt your mindset to achieve what you want. Repeating a positive affirmation over the course of the day, or over a longer period, can influence your thought patterns.

There are some suggested affirmations for each card in the deck. It's also great to come up with your own. These will be better tailored to your specific situation and the way you think about the world.

One way of working with affirmations and these cards is to simply pick a card and use an affirmation that fits it. For example, the Tree might lend itself to something like: "I feel healthy and well." Or you might say "I communicate effectively and harmoniously," if you draw the Songbirds.

Another way of using this aspect of the deck is to throw a reading, and pick one or two cards that feel most relevant. Here, I threw a line of five:

Clover, Key, Hill Fort/Tower, Meadow/Garden, House.

These might be read as follows: problem-solving opportunities (Clover/Key) require the insight of isolation (Key/Tower). Community hierarchy (Tower/Meadow) can make for a secure group (Meadow/House).

I see this saying that although the comfort of being in a group with clear structures can be appealing, sometimes we need isolation if we're going to have an 'aha' moment of inspiration. With the Tower at the centre, and this reading, I might use the affirmation: "I gain perspective through time alone."

You can also create one or two affirmations from the reading itself. For instance, here I might say: "I take the opportunity to solve problems by myself." (Clover/Key/Tower) And: "I use these insights to feel more comfortable within group structures." (Key/Tower/Meadow/House)

You can stick to a simple one card draw and using an affirmation from the book, or create more personal affirmations for yourself from a reading. Either way, this practice can help strengthen your resolve and bring you greater clarity.

Starting top right with one card, then carrying on around

When writing about throwing a Grand Tableau a few weeks back, I wanted to demonstrate an interesting extra reading technique. The idea is that you follow the thread of cards from the House of a theme that particularly interests you, to gain more insight into it.

As the demonstration didn't work very clearly that time, I thought to try again with a different variation on this idea. Here, instead of throwing the whole GT from the start, you use a cloth or piece of paper marked with the names or numbers of the Houses. Then you pull a card to place on the House that interests you. In this case I chose the Letter.

Having drawn Flowers, the next card goes on the House of Flowers, and for that I pulled Meadow. Card number three then went on the House of Meadow, and it was the Letter. So, that completed this rather short thread.

As for reading the thread: the gift of writing (Flowers/Letter) in a creative group (Meadow/Flowers) makes tangible the sense of community (Letter/Meadow). Which reminds me to say that next week's post will be on Friday instead of Wednesday, as it forms part of the Tarot Blog Hop Spring Fling. I love being part of the community of bloggers writing about divination, and there's still time to sign up for this hop, if you'd like to be a part of it, too...

Previous blog/ Master list/ Next blog

The question for this round of the blog hop was how we would overhaul old oracle systems, if we could, or whether we'd leave them as is. My answer may well surprise people, given how many changes I apparently made to the Lenormand system with the Celtic Lenormand and its nine extra cards.

As I was thinking about how the Lenormand oracle could be brought into the modern era, the first idea that came to mind was to put a telephone in place of the Birds. Then I thought some more about that. Why in place of the Birds? While many readers see the Birds suggesting a phone conversation, the problem here lies not with the idea of a phone call, but with everything else that a phone can do, these days.

Will the real mobile phone please step forward?

Most of the news I get is online, be it from online papers, emails from friends, or comments on Facebook, all of which I read on my phone. That's the Rider. Even if you take his messages as being more personal and delivered, Messenger and email still fit the bill.

And what of the Letter, a very old-fashioned form of communication? Once again, email is on my phone, and I also get plenty of invoices, bills and receipts sent electronically.

Moving further afield, I read Books on my phone, as well as googling and otherwise searching for information. I do much of my work on my phone, voice calls, emails, I even wrote this blog post on my phone. That'd be the Anchor covered.

Thinking about buying, selling or renting a place to live? At least 17 apps available for my phone to do that in London! The House is covered, too.

And yes, I use an app for banking and shopping, so the Fish have splashed their way onto my phone.

An app for anything!

I often do a preliminary internet search on any health concern before ringing my doctor, two Tree activities. Though admittedly googling symptoms can net you some pretty worrying and unclear results. Clouds, anyone?

And how often have you had your phone die on you, Coffin-like? And which fashionista wouldn't coordinate her phone and her clothes (Bouquet), while a city executive wouldn't be seen dead with anything less than a Blackberry, as it would ruin his reputation (Moon).

Of course, I'm being more than a little facetious yet the point stands. Our phones do so much that they could represent almost anything in an oracle.

My choice, then, is to stick to the traditional Lenormand subjects. They are sufficiently archetypal to cover modern situations, yet also not overburdened with our own assumptions. Even when the Lenormand oracle originated, it would not have been an everyday occurence to see a Bear, and many people had few books, most did not even know how to write a letter. These objects which seem so mundane were not overused in a way that would overload them with meaning, making them meaningless. And while how we see them now may be somewhat different, they still speak to us in ways that are useful.

That's my take on the question of overhauling our divination systems, now let's go see what creative ideas other people have on the subject...

Previous blog/ Master list/ Next blog

Today, I wanted to address another question people often ask: how best to phrase a question to get a useful answer from a Lenormand reading.

Part of the answer is, it depends on what spread you plan to use. If you are asking about a complex situation involving a lot of people, it may be best to use a Grand Tableau. In that case, the exact phrasing of your question matters a bit less, and simply thinking about the situation is sufficient, as the cards will be able to look at lots of different aspects and people involved.

If you are looking for something quicker and simpler, though, phrasing becomes more relevant.

Personally, I prefer to avoid questions that focus more on other people, or which imply that I have no agency in a matter. While some things are unavoidable, and while we cannot control everything (or everyone), I choose to focus on what I can change or influence. So, a general rule of thumb for me is to avoid "shoulds" and third-party focused questions.

With that in mind, I tend to stick to empowering and clear questions, such as: what do I most need to know about this situation, what action will most help me?

Another thing to avoid is questions that are too convoluted or unclear. As the saying goes, Keep It Simple, Sista'!

For example, if you draw just one set of cards asking should I date person A or person B, how will you tell for sure which one is being indicated? There might be a clear answer (if one card specifically calls to mind one person), but there might not. Better to avoid the possibility of confusion before you start!

My suggestion would be to either use a spread specifically designed to help you choose (like the Choices spread in the Celtic Lenormand companion book, shown here), or else draw cards for each option. With the choices spread, you can draw as many cards for each option as you like, though I wouldn't go above five. I also find it helpful to draw cards for the wisdom you could use in making this decision, and also for a deciding factor, if two options both look good.

Another route is to simply draw cards for each option, in whichever format you feel comfortable with (a line or a nine square, for instance). Whatever you choose, make sure you have your question and your options clear before you start drawing cards.

Next week, I'll look at the topic of yes-no questions...

There are a couple of different ways to use Lenormand cards to answer yes-no questions. Both involve drawing an odd number of cards, say three or five.

The first way requires you to have a set of associations to which cards you consider positive, negative or neutral. This isn't necessarily how all schools approach the Lenormand cards, and my own way of seeing them suggests there can be an upside to any card, just as each can have a downside. For instance, a weakness can present a great opportunity, and a high point might suggest we have nowhere to go but down. Nevertheless, if you have clear associations, then three positives, or two positives and a neutral would be pretty much a yes, and so on. Of course, if you get three neutrals, or one of each type, then that would be a maybe or perhaps an 'ask again later'.

Somewhat clearer and simpler is an approach that uses the playing card associations. In this case, reds are taken as a yes, and blacks as a no. This system requires no memorising, as most decks include the playing card associations in some form. It also lends itself to clear answers, as whatever colour has the majority of cards in the throw gives you your answer.

Then, of course, there is the question of whether or not to interpret the cards beyond that yes or no answer. Personally, I would always interpret them. After all, more information is always useful!

For example, I asked: will it benefit me to perform task X this week? I drew Songbirds (Seven of Diamonds), Ring (Ace of Clubs), Paths (Queen of Diamonds). Overall, then, two red cards say yes. Further, the cards talk about committing to speaking about choices. Task X actually involves speaking about choices, and is something I've wanted to do for a while. Looks like this week is the perfect time for it!

Lily

Another question I've had posed is which card to use for certain things, when two or more are possible or used by different people. For example, some people see sex in the Whips, others in the Lily. And while some people use the Anchor for work, others use the Moon or the Fox.

The first answer to this is that you could just pick whichever makes most sense to you. For instance, most German authors treat the Anchor as a card of work, while the French more often use the Moon card.

Another answer is that you could see different aspects of these things in each card. The Anchor is traditionally about the hope of salvation through work (for the German protestants with their work ethic). It could also be seen as something that weighs you down, but where you have a choice to lift anchor and move on if you so choose. The Moon could be your reputation, which is certainly relevant to most people's job. And the Fox can be about skills you need for work, or about someone at work with independent skills, such as a contractor or entrepreneur.

However, in this instance someone raised the objection that they could see the sense in several options. They had decided to see how it came out in readings, but were finding it confusing, as it seemed to vary.

My personal take is that the cards are always multivalent: they can potentially indicate several things, and may be read differently when combined with different cards, or using a different technique within the same spread, such as knighting compared to reading diagonals.

While in tarot this multivalency is often connected with what you actually "see" in the image, a little detail perhaps jumping out at you, in Lenormand cards this is more about the spectrum of keywords associated with a card.

There are different levels of interpretation that can be applied to any card. Thus, the Lily can be an older man (connected to the King of Clubs playing card association), or it can signify harmony and peace, or elders, or sexuality and even purity (lilies used to be given at weddings), or some might say death (another situation where lilies are used).

While this may seem confusing, it's also true that life is rarely simple and clear-cut. For instance, a relationship could be quite tumultous, with lots of arguments (Whips/Birch Rods), yet also with lots of make-up sex (also Whips/Birch Rods).

Letter, Birch Rods, Lord

If, though, you want a clearer answer, what about asking the cards themselves? One problem with this is, of course, how to ask.

If you want to try for a simple answer, just look for one card either side of the card you're asking about, as I did here with the Birch Rods. A simple interpretation would be to journal (Letter) about the card and find the logical (Lord) pattern.

Other interpretations are possible, though. While journalling about the card (Letter) is one interpretation, another is that you can simply take the card at face value (Letter can be associated with superficiality), or look for tangible evidence one way or another, which would take you back to journalling your readings.

Looking to the Lord, he could say "Make a decision and stick to it, no matter what!" Another interpretation, though, might be to "look to the man". Both the Birch Rods and the Lily are associated with male playing cards: the Jack of Clubs and the King of Clubs. I would see the Jack as more youthful, sexual energy, and I tend to prefer interpreting Birch Rods for sex. However, if it was an affair with an older man...

As with the Anchor, Moon and Fox, some people see different aspects of sexuality in the Birch Rods and the Lily. Lily tends to be treated as more "vanilla", if that is relevant to your querent. And as I say, I'd see Birch Rods as "break-up" or "make-up" sex, while I'd associate the Lily with sacred sexuality.

The bottom line, for me, is that life is complex. So, while you can certainly choose an association and stick to it, you may well miss a lot of subtleties that way.

Recently, someone said to me that they wanted to be able to answer health questions. Whether or not you feel it is appropriate to look at health questions for other people will probably depend on who you are reading for, and whether you have training in any other healing modalities.

That being said, let's look at what aspects of health and the body each Lenormand card can represent. In this list, a few cards have some overlap. For example, different writers attribute the lungs to either the Tree (the world’s lungs) or to the Clouds (wind/breath). If a meaning makes sense to you for one card rather than another, I'd stick with it.

Rider
Body - foot and knee joints, the legs more generally.
Health - a new treatment, on your way to healing, someone who brings messages about your health.

Clover
Body - overall good health, possible wind/flatulence.
Health - a 24 hour bug, a lucky choice of doctor or medicine, a small miracle.

Ship
Body - liver, bladder, gall bladder, spleen, any organs that hold water.
Health - Water balance, possible psychosomatic causes (nostalgia).

House
Body - the whole body, the body seen holistically.
Health - being/putting yourself in the hands of the chief specialist.

Tree
Body - the air you breathe, the lungs, the chest.
Health - health per se, natural healing, walking in nature, inherited diseases (family tree).

Clouds
Body - the brain/mind, the lungs, the chest.
Health - hypochondria. Taking a turn for the worse.

Snake
Body - small and large intestines, umbilical cord.
Health - not recognising the cause of an illness.

Coffin
Body - spinal column.
Health - disease, burnout, psychic trauma, a disease that ends badly leaving traces.

Bouquet
Body - ulcers, growths, tumours.
Health - hayfever, flower remedies, homeopathy, a female healer.

Scythe
Body - teeth, jaw
Health - pain, operations, injuries, a clean break.

Whips
Body - tendons, sinews, tongue, musculature, nerves, sacrum
Health - self-harm, overconfidence leads to injury, abuse, addiction.

Birds
Body - nerves, veins, legs, arms, thyroid, throat/voice.
Health - sleep disturbances, lack of sleep, diabetes, organ instability, understanding the psychosomatic aspect of a disease.

Child
Body - growing pains, childhood illnesses.
Health - growth, need for patience

Fox
Body - sinuses, nose, throat, ears,
Health - possibly false treatment program.

Bear
Body - hair, fingernails, stomach.
Health - strong, sluggish, heavy, overweight.

Stars
Body - skin, immune system, rashes
Health - nighttime cures.

Stork
Body - legs
Health - a cure progresses well, prevention is better than cure, lying in/childbirth, pregnancy.

Dog
Body - mouth, tongue, vocal cords, voice, throat
Health - a successful treatment, carers.

Tower
Body - spine, intervertebral discs, throat
Health - hidden illness.

Garden
Body - ailments, handicaps, disablement.
Health - recuperation, healing environment, spa.

Mountain
Body - Head, bones, skull.
Health - hardening of the arteries, needing patience to overcome a disease.

Paths
Body - veins, arteries, neural pathways, lymphatic system, ligaments, tendons, sinews.
Health - the path to healing, alternative healing modalities, choosing a new doctor.

Mice
Body - stomach, digestive tract.
Health - digestion, excretion, passing urine, having your body reduced (eg. liposuction).

Heart
Body - heart, blood,
Health - blood circulation, the healing power of love.

Ring
Body - circulation, blood.
Health - committing to a new health regime, chronic (repetitive) diseases.

Book
Body - the unconscious, the appendix.
Health - diseases with no apparent cause.

Letter
Body - hands, short-lived fever, temporary irritation (skin), temporary nerve strain.
Health - a prescription.

Man
Body - male sex organs, right side of the body.
Health - yang energy, masculine energy.

Woman
Body - female reproductive organs, left side of the body.
Health - yin energy, feminine energy.

Lily
Body - sexual and reproductive organs, lower body, hormones.
Health - the healing power of meditation.

Sun
Body - eyes, eyesight, immune system.
Health - healing power of sunshine, vitamin D, healing, energy.

Moon
Body - brain, nerves.
Health - memory, soul, psychosomatic, female cycles, phantom illnesses.

Key
Body - collarbone, sphincters.
Health - trace minerals, vitamins, iron constitution.

Fish
Body - kidneys, liver, bladder, glands.
Health - drink more water, soul, water balance

Anchor
Body - hips, pelvis, coccyx.
Health - grounding exercises.

Cross
Body - intervertebral discs, lower back, back, arms,
Health - relapse.

Of course, many more nuances and subtleties can be found when you start combining the cards, and we'll look at some examples of that next week...

Last week, I shared a list of associations for each Lenormand card in questions of health and the body. As is always the case with Lenormand cards, combinations add nuances, layers and possibilities, so let's take a look at just a few of these.

While the Birch Rods can denote addictions and habits, there are many times when repetition is a positive for health. Most medicines require more than a single dose, and getting into the habit of eating well and exercising is a good thing in preventing ill-health. These suggestions might be found in combining the Birch Rods card with the Rider for exercise, the Bear for diet, the Letter and the Tree for a repeat prescription. Adding the Rider and Birch Rods to the querent's card (Man/Woman), might give us a personal trainer.

Another combination might be the Birch Rods and the Paths. The Paths can indicate neural pathways or meridian lines, and so the two together can be used to indicate EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), often called tapping. This technique uses repeated tapping on various points associated with meridian lines as a way of calming the body, and is used for healing anything from a headache or toothache, to dealing with addictions, to weight issues, and to childhood baggage.

Looking at another card that, on it's own, is often seen as somewhat negative, there are also healing aspects to the Scythe. It can indicate surgery, which can be a necessary solution to a problem. Pairing it with the heart gives heart surgery, pairing it with the Flowers would suggest cosmetic surgery.

The Scythe represents tools in general, too. In that case, it connects with the needles used in acupuncture when paired with Paths, for those meridian lines again.

There is also all kinds of energetic healing, such as Reiki. This might be seen in combining the Sun with the Tree, and perhaps the Ship if the Reiki is being done at a distance.

As you can see, there are all sorts of possibilities available. What you read in the cards will depend a lot on what you are open to in terms of healing modalities. So, I suggest you try to think of the remedies you are most likely to use, and how they might be represented in the cards...

P.S. Next week's post will go live on Friday instead of Wednesday, as it is part of the Beltane Tarot Blog Hop.

Previous Blog/ Master List/ Next Blog

In Lenormand, just as in Tarot, there are cards people would often prefer not to see in their reading, or at least not close to their significator. Which cards these are depends a little on which tradition they follow. In some, the Snake is seen as a negative card, while in the German tradition it generally just indicates a woman, without that being a bad thing.

Still, whichever system you follow, there are some cards that are not often welcomed in a reading. And yet, I believe every card holds the seed of an answer within it. In the Celtic Lenormand companion book, I tried to draw these out, finding the light and dark within each card.

For instance, many readers see the Fox as being duplicitous, and someone to watch for. Yet, it can also suggest trusting your intuition, in the sense of 'following your nose'. And it can point to street smarts or a useful skill set. These might be aspects that will help if there is someone treacherous about.

In a similar way, the Birch Rods can indicate arguments or even abuse. When raised in anger, they make a fearsome weapon. Equally, though, if they repeatedly strike a dirty carpet, or are wielded as a broom, they can clear away negativity. So, the seed of a solution to disagreements might be found in clearing the air. And if that doesn't work, perhaps a clean sweep is in order, removing that person from your life.

Another interesting aspect of the Lenormand system is that, since cards are read together, 'bad' cards can cancel one another out. The Mice might, for example, nibble away at the obstacles represented by the Mountain. Or the Scythe might cut restrictive bonds, ending an unwelcome contract, indicated by the Ring (not inherently a 'distasteful' card).

In these approaches, my intention isn't to deny that there are liars in the world, or obstacles or arguments. It's simply to suggest what we can do when confronted with these situations. And in my experience, the seed to the answer is so often in the issue itself...

Previous Blog/ Master List/ Next Blog

Last week, I wrote about how the seed to dealing with seemingly difficult or negative cards can be found in the card itself. Nevertheless, I must admit that, until now, the only positive I had seen in the Mice was their ability to eat away at things we don't like or want.

That changed with something I read this week. I've always loved the linguistic side of Lenormand, and the fact that it represents folk wisdom rather than esoteric wisdom. And it was in common idioms that I found the seeds of an answer to the depredations of the Mice.

If you are worried about the undermining aspect of this card, perhaps it would be good to keep 'as quiet as a mouse'. Not drawing attention to yourself could help keep people from thinking about stealing from you, be it ideas or something more tangible. If you go unnoticed, so does what you have of value.

Another idea is to act as though you were 'as poor as a church mouse'. One aspect of this is once again about not presenting yourself as a target. Another aspect is that the nibbling away aspect of the Mice can relate to how your money 'disappears' through lots of little things.

It could be the coffee you buy on the walk to work or the sandwich you get at lunch, every day. Or maybe it's the 'cheap' pair of earrings you find at a market stall or the little snacks, treats, magazines or toys placed by the checkout counter to tempt you into a last-minute purchase. These things add up. So, the church mouse analogy suggests living frugally, at least for a time.

When the Clover or the Sun come up, it will be time for a little splurge. Or maybe the Flowers will indicate a gift coming your way. While the Mice hold sway, though, try staying quiet and parsimonious.

I was asked recently about reading around career choices, and thought it worth a few specific posts. While some cards have very obvious messages around work, if that is the question, others may be more subtle or challenging. So, I'll go through all the cards with some suggestions on what careers they might point to, and what strengths they suggest in terms of job skills.

The Rider

As someone with the gift of the gab, I see the Rider as being a good card for any job that requires face-to-face people skills. That could cover anything from selling in a market to anchoring a TV show (perhaps paired with the Stars), certainly passing through any sales role (maybe paired with the Fish)! Journalism is also definitely in his purview, especially if paired with the Letter.

The Rider also speaks to movement, both in terms of location, and in terms of exercise. So, this could be a travelling sales rep (especially with the Ship), or a fitness coach or trainer. The Rider tends to be well-turned out, and skilled in the use of language/s, as well as quick off the mark. This is someone who sets things in motion, so could also be a motivational speaker, especially if paired with the Birds.

The Clover

As a card of luck, the Clover could suggest a career in gambling! Well, more in the line of croupier or betting shop assistant, rather than as a gambler ;) It indicates things that are quickly over, so could also point to working as a temp. As an indicator of something small, if paired with the Ship it might suggest a small business venture.

In terms of skills, the Clover suggests optimism, and someone who is able to seize opportunities when they present themselves. Another positive is the ability to pay attention to the fine detail, and to stay in the moment.

The Boat

The Ship points to all things foreign. This could be an international company, if paired with the Tower/Hill Fort, or a job as a foreign correspondent if paired with the Letter. Some readers see the Bear as laying down the law, so this pairing could suggest an international lawyer.

As a card that is used for any kind of motorised transport, the Ship could also point to careers in the travel or tourism industry, including taxi driver and pilot. Paired with the Flowers, it might be a model who travels for photo-shoots, or a world-renowned interior designer.

Skills here include tolerance and a broad perspective (unavoidable if you have contact with different cultures), as well as an ability to think globally. A willingness and enjoyment of travel would certainly make business trips more pleasant, for anyone in a business role that requires them. Perhaps, too, an ability to understand people's hopes and dreams...

The House

As a symbol of property, obvious choices here would include realtor, but also property manager. If paired with the Clover, you might find housesitting for brief stints to be an enjoyable and lucrative thing to do. Taking the literal image of the home, a job working from home might appeal. Using the internet to support that might be seen in a pairing with the Stars. If paired with the Garden, it may be that you could work in some kind of half-way housing, as a house mother or father. This card can also be seen as being in the building trade - a brickie, plumber (with the Snake), electrician (with the Stars), Architect (with the Letter).

It can also suggest hobby-jobs you do from home in your spare time, that may bring in some pocket money. In terms of career, it speaks of stability and happiness. In terms of skills, we see someone who is handy about the house, who is dependable, but who may be a little pedantic or narrow minded.

The Tree

The Tree is an indicator of health, and so depending on what it is combined with it suggests different healing modalities. For instance, with the Sun we have energetic healing, such as Reiki, or more traditionally perhaps an X-Ray technician. Likewise, with the Birds we might see an ultrasound technician, or someone using healing sounds such as Tibetan bowls. Seeing the Songbirds, associated with healing talk, we might also think about counseling, especially in a three with the Heart for emotion.

The Whips with the Tree could advise some kind of cleansing or detoxification process: someone who administers enemas? In terms of repetitive actions for health, this could also be a physiotherapist, or in a three with the House, perhaps an occupational therapist.

The Tree also speaks to ancestral or long lasting things, so it could be taken as carrying on the family business, especially if paired with the House or the Boat. Paired with the Tower, we might see an institutional 'job for life'. In terms of skills, the Tree points to perseverance.

The Clouds

The uncertainty and lack of clarity of the Clouds could suggest anything from a lighthouse keeper (perhaps paired with the Sun), to a weather forecaster. Paired with the Rider, we have uncertain messages, maybe a code breaker. Combined with the Clover and the Boat, small, insecure business ventures might suggest someone with a start-up in an uncertain market.

As for skills, being able to cope with ambiguity shouldn't be underestimated. Many people find it difficult to live with a lack of clarity, and may make precipitous decisions just to have certainty. However, with things like stock market investments and the currency markets, being able to tolerate the insecurity can be a big advantage

The Celtic Lenormand companion book was the first place to mention the idea of using Lenormand cards in spell work, something I have been doing for several years now. And while I will be running webinars and workshops on this subject later in the year, this weekend sees my first webinar on Tarot Magic. So, for this week, I thought I would share a little spell I designed. Next week will see part two of the series on career questions in the cards.

Choosing cards to represent your intention helps to keep your focus clear. And using images speaks to your subconscious. Lenormand cards have the added benefit of keywords, helping to create affirmations to strengthen that focus even more.

Rider + Stars: guiding messages/clear messages
Stars + Letter: written guidance
Letter + Flowers: creative writing
Rider + Flowers: messages of grace

At it's base, I am asking for guidance in creatively writing guidance for others for the webinar. Having promised an eBook to accompany the webinar, what it covers has grown due to some requests, and so it is not finished yet. Listening to spirit, to those messages of grace, will help me write what is necessary.

I receive guidance to help me write creatively and with clarity.

Welcome to the second part in this series looking at suggestions around work and career based on the Lenormand cards. This time, we'll look at cards 7 through 12 - the Snake to the Birds.

The Snake

One keyword for the Snake is boundaries: it lays down a line in the sand with its movement. Pairing it with the Tower might suggest some kind of border authority, or a career in dispute resolution. The windingness of the Snake has been likened to tubes used for plumbing, and to electrical cables. So, especially if paired with the Fox for an independent contractor, this could suggest a plumber or electrician.

Looking at the Shedding Snake's more transformative side, we might think of someone who helps people develop their personal boundaries, and helps them transform, such as an NLP practitioner of Life Coach.

When paired with the idea that the Snake often represents a woman, there is the suggestion of working with or for women. How that would manifest depends on the surrounding cards: the Whips or Rider for a female personal trainer; with the Tower it would be some kind of organisation dedicated to women's issues.

The Burial Mound/Coffin

Representing endings and sickness, this card could indicate working in a hospice, or for a bereavement service (especially if paired with the Birds for talking about death), as well as undertakers more generally. When paired with the Tower, there is the suggestion of working in a hospital, or other institutions connected with ill health.

In terms of a specific job, pairing the Ring with the Coffin would suggest the end of a contract. And thinking about strengths, someone who can handle endings can be a great asset in any business that requires a 'closer'.

The Flowers/Bouquet

This lovely card suggests beauty, creativity and charm. As such it can indicate an artist, someone in contact with the flow of inspiration. Paired with the House, we might think of interior design. Paired with the Fish, someone who sells beauty, such as a cosmetics salesperson.

The aspect of diplomacy and charm could be indicative of a diplomat, if combined with the Tower and the Ship, perhaps. Or, at a simpler level and paired with the Meadow/Garden/Park, with someone working in hospitality.

The Scythe

Associated with sudden shocks, sharp instruments, and the idea of harvest, this card offers a number of possibilities.

The sharp instruments might suggest a surgeon perhaps paired with the Tower. Or someone who makes knives, if paired with the Fish. Having recently read an article about a family who have made a business of pre-cut material for quilting, I thought of the combination of House, Scythe and Flowers, for a creative cottage industry based on cutting.

Turning to the idea of harvest, this could be a farmer. The corn on many of the traditional versions of this card have led some readers to call this the bread card. So, it could also suggest a baker.

Another interpretation combining the idea of suddenness and making the cut is that of passing a test. As a career, then, it could suggest someone who gives tests. Paired with the Rider, it could be a driving test adjudicator. Paired with the Whips, someone who tests something physical, or a judge for a dance competition.

The Birch Rods/Whips

The Whips' suggestion of repetition might be indicative of working on a production line. This card can also suggest addictions, so pairing it with the Birds would suggest an addictions counsellor.

Janitorial work is another possibility with the Whips card. Other jobs that focus on cleansing might be suggested by surrounding cards. For instance, with the Stars we see spiritual cleansing, with the Sun energetic cleansing.

The Birds

As already mentioned, the Birds is a card of talking, and can suggest any 'talking' professional. Counsellors, in particular, who help people deal with the anxiety which is the dark side of this card. A professional orator would also be indicated by this card.

The connection to telephone conversations is suggestive of someone working in a call centre. If paired with the Fish and the Book, it might suggest someone talking to uncover secrets for money, such as a market researcher.

What work do you do? And what card or combination do you feel best represents it?

Inspired by comments last week from Lisa Frideborg and Cathi Bew, I decided to create a spell for someone setting up a psychic phone line. However, it could also be used for setting up a spiritual business based on communicating messages in other ways.

One of the things I love about Lenormand spells is that the different techniques for reading each throw, combined with the various keywords for each card, lead to a number of interpretations that layer together to give the spell more depth and power.

The cards I chose are: Bard/Rider, Owls, Stars, Child, Boat, Tree, Songbirds, Book, Key.

If we read these cards in lines, with the centre cards as the themes, we get:

Phone calls about spiritual messages/wise spiritual messages shared.
A business that is just beginning and will be enduring.
Mysteries that are unlocked through talking (on the phone)/healing through esoteric insight.

Looking at the corners, we have Bard, Key, Songbirds, Stars:

Insightful messages unlock spiritual healing.

And reading the central cross - Owls, Child, Boat, Tree, Book - says:

Opening to wisdom is a journey that offers lasting knowledge/openly sharing wisdom creates a business that offers lasting knowledge.

Reading the columns suggests:

Trust in healing through messages delivered (over the phone).
A business focused on expressing esoteric knowledge through the wisdom of people conversing (over the phone).
Spiritual connection at every level is key.

There are other messages in there which I won't elucidate, as they are a little more personal and specific. Meditating on these cards, visualising them during a spell, and perhaps speaking some of these messages as affirmations, can be a powerful practice for anyone wanting to grow a business based on communicating spiritual messages.

In this third post looking at work questions, we'll take a look at cards 13 through 18, from the Child to the Dog.

The Child

The most obvious suggestion here is some kind of work involving children. Paired with the Tower, we might think of a school, or if we add the Tree, Children's Health Services. Adding the Birds to the Child and Tower could indicate a school psychologist, or adding the Rider (or Birch Rods depending on your 'sport' association) might give us an Occupational Therapist or gym teacher. The Child with the House could show childcare in the home, your own or that of the child.

Another keyword for the Child is 'new', so this could indicate a new job. In that case, surrounding cards would indicate the arena for this new career. The Child can also indicate someone who is open and honest, which are strengths in many fields of endeavour. However, they may not be recommended for lawyers, stock brokers or professional poker players ;)

The Fox

Many readers see the Fox as someone with street smarts, or who works independently. It could suggest a (sub)contractor. Paired with the Fish, this could be an accountant; paired with the Letter a freelance copywriter, or independent journalist.

In terms of strengths, as well as street smarts the Fox suggests someone who can sniff out a good deal (paired with the Fish again, perhaps), and who trusts their instincts.

The Bear

Knowing how to make best use of the resources to hand, this card indicates someone with managerial skills. How these are applied can be suggested by surrounding cards. With the House, it points to a person who is talented at managing all the chores of the home, reinforcing the "mother" connection. With the Tower, it is an organisation that is managed, with the Fish money management comes into play.

The Bear can also be about diet more specifically - managing what we eat. So, dieticians fit with this card, especially when paired with the Tree. Other forms of health management could also be indicated - adding the Rider or Birch Rods would be another possible grouping for someone helping with health through exercise.

With its meaning of strength, the Bear can suggest jobs where physical strength is needed - paired with the Storks, for instance, it could be working as a removals specialist. Teamed with the Coffin and the Tower, we might see someone who needs either strength or organisational skills to manage the heavy-lifting of dealing with people with disabilities in an institutional setting.

The Stars

This card points to different areas that help to clarify our understanding of the world. It highlights spiritual understanding, standing for psychic abilities, and can also indicate astrology. As suggested in last week's spell, when paired with the Birds it could be someone who provides spiritual help over the phone, or who passes along those messages to help with healing.

However, the Stars can also move into more scientific and technical arenas, not just astronomy, but map-making (with the Letter), computer programming (with the Man/Lord for the "rational" side), and scientific research (with the Book).

In terms of strengths, the Stars indicates someone who is clear sighted, and who can maintain a degree of detachment.

The Storks

As an indicator of migration, this card could suggest someone who facilitates house moves. With the Bear as strength, that could be a removal company. With the Tower, a company who helps with the paperwork and other practicalities and bureaucratic necessities for a big move.

In terms of strengths, the Storks point to someone who is willing and able to change, to progress. Quite a dynamic personality, yet also flexible.

The Dog

What comes up most easily with the Dog is the idea of someone trustworthy, loyal, a real "company asset" in human form. In terms of a job, this would be a "job for life", though those seem ever rarer in this day and age.

The Dog can also be "like a dog with a bone", someone who won't let go of something once they've got their teeth into it. As such, they would make a dedicated researcher (with the Book), an efficient editor (with the Letter), or a great guide (with the Paths).

What other careers do you see in these cards?

Previous Blog/ Master List/ Next Blog

Our blog hop wrangler, Alison, decided to do something totally new this round, which is always exciting. She asked each blogger to pick a card of the Major Arcana, and no-one could double up until all the cards had been taken. However, it did make things a bit tougher for me, as this is a Lenormand blog!

Still, it gave me the excuse to combine the DruidCraft Tarot (Connections, 2004) with the Celtic Lenormand (US Games, 2014), both with art by Will Worthington: I think they look great together!

I decided to use the cards to design a spell based around the Empress. Her energy is one of creativity and abundance, both of which are lovely for inviting a successful project or business adventure into your life. However, it's good to be a bit more focused, and what better than the practicality of the Lenormand cards for that?!

Fish - flow, money, finaces
Flowers - creativity, grace
Lady - a strong, entrepreneurial woman, female energy
Book - esoteric knowledge, a project
Sun - energy, success

Reading the line across from left to right, with the card to the right modifying the one before it, gives:
Creative flow through feminine grace leads an esoterically focused woman through a successful project.

Mirroring the cards:
Financial success of a creative project for a woman.

Affirmations that might come from this:
Through divine grace, I find my creative flow. My creativity leads me to financial success.

Hop on round the rest of the posts to find what I'm sure will be a huge variety of different thoughts and ideas about every Major in the deck!

Previous Blog/ Master List/ Next Blog

Continuing this series of posts looking at career questions through the lens of Lenormand cards and combinations, this week it's the turn of the Tower through the Heart.

The Tower

Associated with institutions and authority, this card suggests strong leadership qualities. It may also point to a career in an institutional setting, such as a hospital or hospice (with the Coffin). With the Book, a career as an academic is suggested, while adding in the Child we might have a schoolteacher, or headmaster/mistress. The Tower with the Child alone points more to children's services, while adding in the Coffin could suggest an orphanage or children's hospital.

In terms of services to corporations, rather than from them, the Tower with the Birds might be read as a work psychologist, while the Tower with the Fox would be more like a business coach. Combining the Tower, Meadow (Park) and Flowers, suggests a corporate events organiser or a career in corporate hospitality.

The Meadow (Garden/Park)

On its own, the Meadow suggests someone sociable or community-minded. Combined with the Flowers, we could have a social beauty, someone who makes a living from being in the public eye, like a D-list celebrity. On the other hand, the diplomatic aspect of the Flowers combined with the Meadow and the Ship could point to a position in the diplomatic services, or perhaps more prosaically hosting events for tourists.

The Meadow with the Tower returns us to institutions, in the form of social services. Adding in the Stars we might have someone who is the public face of a company on social media, as well as spreading the company message more generally.

Combining the Meadow with the Bear highlights the hospitality side of the card, as well as pointing to someone who manages community resources. It could also suggest someone who works for Weight Watchers or a similar public diet system (more so if combined with the Fox as someone independent or who has helpful skills to contribute).

The Mountain

In terms of job skills, a Mountain person is certainly determined and able to persevere, as well as standing firm in their position. Indomitable would be a good word for the attitude a Mountain person has. As a team player, though, others may see them as being the killjoy who always comes up with objections to any idea. However, solving these problems in the early stages of a project can be very valuable, and make it far better in the long run.

The Mountain with the Paths could suggest someone who comes up with different ways around problems, especially if combined with the Key. On a completely different tack, it could also point to a mountain walking guide!

The Mountain with the Scythe indicates someone who can cut through obstacles, anything from a sewage technician to a more general 'fixer' :)

The Paths

As a card of choices, and of following your life's path, this card indicates someone decisive, and/or who sees the options and opportunities in every situation. Especially with the Key it indicates problem-solving, and with the Flowers, doing so creatively.

At a simple level, this card can indicate going for a walk, and making choices, so it could be a walking guide. Combined with the Ship, it might be a tourist guide. At a more profound level, it suggests someone who helps others find options. Combined with the Birds, it would suggest a life coach, and adding in the Stars to the combination could represent a personal development coach.

Combined with the Fish, we see someone who makes or advises on financial decisions, such as a financial advisor. This would be highlighted with the Letter card for a financial accounts advisor, or with the Book for someone who is involved more with high level strategic financial decisions and information.

The Mice

Following the post about a month back that looked at some of the positives of "negative" cards, one thing that comes to mind here is working as a preacher or deacon - someone who chooses to be "poor as a church mouse" as part of their ministry. On the other hand, combined with the Meadow and the Fish, we might see a televangelist, the very opposite, but showing a "poor" face!

The Mice are often seen as thieves, and while not many people may admit to wanting to be a career criminal, they certainly exist. And other professions may have an edge of this energy, taking from Peter to give to Paul. Tax collectors (combined with the Fish and the Letter, perhaps) may not see themselves in this light, but others might...

The Heart

As a card of emotion, this is not one that straight away yells "work". However, in combination, there are many professions around relationships and sentiment. For example, a Hallmark card artist might be seen in the combination of the Heart and the Flowers. Or a relationship counsellor in the Heart with the Birds. Someone who manages an online dating site might be represented by the Heart with the Bear and the Stars, while the Stars, Heart and Letter could indicate a relationship horoscope writer.

In terms of strengths, this would indicate someone who is good at sensing the emotion within the workplace. If they have some managerial skills to add to this (the Bear), they would make a very sensitive boss who listens to what people really want, getting the best from their team.

Do you have any particular job associations to any of these cards, or any special combinations? I'd love to hear your take on them!

45 Card Grand Tableau - Part Two

45 Card Grand Tableau - Part Three

Calling On Deity

Using Affirmations

Following A Thread

Spring Fling Ring-A-Ding-Ding

FAQ: How to phrase questions

FAQ: Yes-No Questions

FAQ: Which Card Is...

FAQ: Health Questions (Part 1)

FAQ: Health Questions (Part 2)

What Seeds Do 'Negative' Cards Hold?

The Mice

Career Questions Part One

A Touch of Magic

Career Questions: Part Two

Spiritual Messages Business Spell

Career Questions: Part 3

Channelling the Empress

Career Questions: Part Four