Category: Petit Lenormand

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The Great Game of Destiny

Fate has decreed for each person the immutable working out of events, reinforcing this decree with many opportunities for good or bad consequences…

– Vettius Valens, The Anthology (Riley Trans.)

Le grand jeu du Destin — the great game of destiny — piqued my interest from the right from the start. As a young cartomante, I used it extensively and still do. It has featured in my courses and blogs. The spread, however, never caught on among my English-readers. However, I find it the best alternative to the Grand Tableau to review someone’s life in general over the coming three or four months.

The Great Game of Destiny

In addition to asking for the name and sun sign of the Querent, Mary Marco recommends shuffling the cards seven times in honour of the seven lights (planets). I feel that this is a personal preference.

Once shuffled, the cards should be cut in two. The cartomantes reads the cut, which will offer some insight into the tone of the reading, reconstituting the cards.

The First Reading: The 21 Cards

1) In this draw, we use the playing cards to select our 21 cards. From the top of the deck, deal three cards.

a) Firstly, look and see if any of the three cards are from the same suit. For example, you deal the following three cards: the Boat (10 of Spades), the Cloverleaf (6 of Diamonds) and the Tree (7 of Hearts). All three are from different suits. For this reason, you put them aside.

b) Deal three more cards. This time you have the Letter (7 of Spades), the Moon (8 of Hearts) and the Anchor (9 of Spades). We have two spades. Of the two that originate from the same suit, we retain the card with the highest value. For us, the is the Anchor.

c) If you see three cards from the same suit (such as the Stars, the Stork, and the Cavalier which are all hearts), you retain all three cards.

d) Similarly, if you see three cards of the same value (the Serpent, the Flowers, the Path which are all queens), you retain all three.

2) You continue to deal cards by three, always looking for cards that carry the same suit and retaining the card with the highest value. Knaves, queens, kings and aces are considered to be 11, 12, 13 and 14, respectively.

Once you have exhausted your cards, you take the eliminated cards and shuffle them and begin to deal them in threes.

3) You continue this until you have 21 cards arranged in front of you. We are supposed to lay them in a line, as above. However I prefer a 3 x 7 (+ 2). Here is the reading:

4) Look at the 21 cards in front of you. Is the significator (the Child, the Lady or the Gentleman) present? If the Querent’s card is present, you may proceed to step 5.

If the significator not been selected during preliminary steps, you must shuffle the remaining fifteen cards, cut them and then deal them in twos.

Keep the pair that contains the significator and add them to the 21 cards.

5) The first reading is done using a count of five commencing from the significator.

For example, our Querent is signified by the Lady card. We count as follows:

The Lady (1), the Heart (2), the Book (3), the Cloverleaf (4) and the Birch Rod (5).

The Birch Road becomes card 1, and we count along to the next fifth card: the Paths.

You continue the count, threading together a story. The presence of the master cards can often guide the reading, and the shift from one to another, such as the House (homelife) to the Ring (relationships), might indicate a change in focus.

This is your first reading.

Below is the reading arranged according to the count. However, do not rearrange your cards! The cards need to be in the order that they were dealt for the Second Reading.

The First Reading: Elisabeth’s Reading

Currently, Elisabeth feels tired and quite battered and bruised by life, which could undermine her health (Birch Rod). Circumstances are set to force her into an important financial decision (Birch Rod — Path — Fishes). However, her options will seem unfair and limited (Birch Rod — Path), leaving her deeply nervous (Fishes — Birds). Nevertheless, resolving these financial worries (Fishes — Birds) will be crucial to improving her life (Key). Discussing her choices with an advisor (King of Diamonds/Fishes — Birds) will clarify her options and alleviate her worries (Birds — Key). Thus armed, she will have not just a better understanding but will find an opportune moment (Key — Cloverleaf) to turn her situation around (Stork), bringing in the sense of peace (Stork — Lilies) and renewed optimism for the future (Lilies — Child).

Elisabeth will find that her daughter* (Lilies — Child) thrives in the coming weeks (Child — Stars). In particular, she will find considerable success in her education (Child — Stars — Book), highlighting a natural gift or ability hitherto unrecognised (Stars — Book). It will be found that this increased recognition brings more educational options or avenues (Book — Flowers — Moon).

There are professional opportunities for Elisabeth, too. Her talents are set to be recognised in an interview (Flowers — Moon), leading to a job offer or promotion (Flowers —Moon — Ring). She will sign a contract (Ring — Letter), bringing her much satisfaction and joy (Heart — Sun).

Elisabeth is currently single, but a new relationship is both on the horizon and in her mind (Ring, crowning the Lady). There will be an exchange of messages and telephone calls of a romantic nature (Letter — Heart). Although not too serious at first (Letter), strong chemistry and sincerity give the relationship strong potential in the future (Heart – Sun). The man is older than Elisabeth, successful, and has a good temperament and nature (King of Hearts) with whom Elisabeth will have a strong rapport (Sun – House).

At home, Elisabeth is assured of support and affection (Sun – House). Her support network is solid and stable (Sun – House – Anchor), and she can rely on this continuing undisturbed (House – Anchor – Tree).

Elisabeth’s health will also improve going forward. The malaise triggered by the Birch Rod will pass, and her constitution will hold out (House – Anchor) will remain strong (Anchor –Tree).

Thus concludes the first reading of the 21 cards.

Second Reading: Pairing

Mary Marco refers to the second step as confirmation and proof by two. However, it is essentially pairing or mirroring, which was a common technique in classical cartomancy. When Mlle Le Normand refers to examining the “extremities”  she is discussing pairing. 

1) Read the first, and the last card dealt together, e.g. card 1 + card 21 (or card 1 + 23). In the reading below, that is the Anchor and the Fishes.

2) Now, you read the second card, the twentieth. In the reading below, that is the Ring and the Lilies cards.

3) You continue to pair the cards. You will find, with 21 cards, card 11 cannot be paired. It offers a conclusion and can help determine the condition of the fortune.

The Second Reading: Elisabeth’s Reading

We will now pair the 21 cards.

The cards as they fell:

Anchor – Fishes: Elisabeth will find her financial situation stabilises with a secure income to balance her outgoings.

Ring – Lilies: The situation is helped by a contract or agreement through an advocate or charity.

Child – Moon: Elisabeth will continue to be held in high esteem. Her daughter will also find it is her time to be in the spotlight.

Birds – House: There will be much excitement in the home about this latest development…

Tree – Path: …as it signals crucial decisions that need to be made about her daughter’s future.

Letter – Stork: All of which will be followed up in several telephone discussions and messages going back-and-forth with previous plans changed…

Stars – Flowers: …due to the arrival of a new offer. Elisabeth will also find that her skills are recognised with the benefit accorded to her as a result.

Key – Sun: Bringing her particular success and renewed energy.

Lady – Birch Rod: That will undoubtedly help alleviate a brief dip in her energy or health issue.

Heart – Cloverleaf: She might find that her lethargy is caused by anaemia. However, this will be rectified. Elisabeth will also welcome an opportune development in her love life.

Book: This will come as an unexpected and surprising development for Elisabeth. However, with her shrewd and measured approach, she will meet her challenges.

This concludes the second step of the reading.

Third Reading: The Four Stacks

The third and final stage of the reading is described as being confirmation and proof by four.

1) Gather the 21 (or 23) cards and shuffle and cut them. Then deal four cards face down in a row.

2) Deal four more cards on top of the first four. You continue to do this until all the cards are dealt.

If you were using 21 cards, you would find that you end up with six cards in the first column and five in the second, third and fourth packet.

3) The four packets provide the final confirmation and explanation of your reading.

  • The first packet relates to the client herself.
  • The second concerns the Querent’s home and family.
  • The third describes her hopes and desires.
  • The fourth set of cards is the surprise of destiny.

The Third Reading: Elisabeth’s Reading

Elisabeth’s cards were gathered, shuffled and cut before dealing them out into four stacks.

The cards as they fell:

Group 1:

The first packet refers to Elisabeth herself. Here we find: the Tree, the Birch Rod, the Lilies, the Book, the Key, and the House.

Elisabeth will find that her constitution (Tree) is tested (Birch Rod) for a time, leaving her lethargic and in some discomfort (Tree – Birch Rod). Easing this will involve consulting a professional (King of Spades) who will perform some investigations (Lilies – Book – Key). Once completed, a solution will be found (Key) that restores Elisabeth to her usual good health after rest (House).

Group 2:

The second packet refers to Elisabeth’s home. Here we find: the Birds, the Letter, the Child, the Path and the Cloverleaf.

There will be a brief period of stress and worry in the home, but it will pass (Birds). This stems from messages received (Birds – Letter). The packet confirms that there will be some news regarding Elisabeth’s daughters (Letter – Child). Her daughter will find this an uncertain time (Child – Path) as she considers what options confront her. However, with careful consideration, she will find the right one (Cloverleaf).

Group 3:

The third packet refers to Elisabeth’s hopes and wishes. Here we find the Lady, the Stork, the Ring, the Flowers and the Stars.

Elisabeth is hoping to see a change in her relationship status (Lady – Stork – Ring). She desires someone to date (Ring – Flowers) but who truly appreciates and respects her (Flowers – Stars).

Group 4:

The final packet is the surprise of fate. Here we dealt: the Sun, the Moon, the Heart, the Fishes and the Anchor.

To Elisabeth’s surprise, she will find herself successful in her career with opportunities (either a new job or promotion) that recognise her talents appearing (Sun – Moon). This will boost her confidence and sense of self-worth (Moon – Heart – Fishes). As a result, her financial situation improves (Fishes – Anchor). She will also find this helps realise her wish for a new relationship (Heart – Fishes – Anchor).

This concludes the reading. Often, if there is one or two follow-up questions, these can be answered with the French Cross or lines of three or five.

So, there you have, the Great Game of Destiny. Unlike the Grand Tableau or the Astrological Wheel, the Great Game does not offer us an overview of all areas of life. It focuses on two or three areas at the most. These are current strands of Fate intersecting in the Querent’s life at this time. However, the addition of the second and third steps mean these are explored in detail and the predictions refined or elaborated on.

Please give it a go. Once you’ve done it once or twice, you will find it is quite flowing and intuitive.

§

The Circlestead © abCartomancy 2010 – 2021

References:

Marco, M. and Goffinet, J., 1989. Petit Lenormand: Méthode de Cartomancie. Bruxelles: Servranx, pp. 35, 179 – 186

Illustrations:

Cards: The Wanderwust Lenormand © Wandering Oracle
Spread Illustration: Marco, M. and Goffinet, J., 1989. Petit Lenormand: Méthode de Cartomancie.
Featured Image: The Three Fates. Alexander Rothaug (Austria, 1870-1946), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Notes:

*Lilies — Child can be a younger family member, but Elisabeth has a daughter, and the Child is the natural Significator of one’s offspring.

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The Wheel

La cartomancy es tune profession au même titre que l’astrologie ou la radiesthésie. Il ne suffit pas d’avoir un don ! Ces techniques, comme pour tout, s’apprennent, se complètent, perfectionnent, avec patient et ténacité. (Cartomancy is a profession, just like astrology or dowsing. It’s not enough to have a gift! These techniques, as with everything, are learned, complemented, perfected, with patience and tenacity.)

Mary Marco & Jeanine Goffinet, Petit Lenormand: Méthode de Cartomancie

“But what other spreads are there other than GT or “box” spreads?”

It is a question that one often hears from curious cartomantes or existing students. After all, most examples of readings with the Petit Lenormand do centre on lines of varying sizes, the 3 x 3 or the GT. For some people, this rigidity can be off-putting.

Yet, there are indeed other spreads associated with the Petit Lenormand cards. It is quite a versatile deck.

So, I thought I would share some of my favourites. Some come from French literature, whereas others come from Basil Ivan Rakoczi (Coven of Thirteen) and Minetta (Star of Fortune).

We will start with a spread that I have not written about for some time. It is, however, a firm favourite of mine and one I discovered in the early 1990s: Mary Marco’s La Roue.

Mary di Marco is a Lenormand reader and psychic, based in Comines. In 1989, she published her Petit Lenormand Méthode de Cartomancie. It followed Erna Droesbeke’s 1987 Dutch text, which was translated into French, German and English. Sadly, Marco’s text has never been translated into English.

Marco, for me, has a significant impact. I did not adopt her meanings, but she offered me several methods of laying the cards. That is important. As students of divination, we must continue to challenge ourselves to further and deepen our relationship with the cards. Without this, we cannot hone, refine and better our skills. It is, for this reason, there are no experts. We are all students.

When I was first introduced to reading the Petit Lenormand, my Aunt knew only the “Grand Tableau.” That was never divided into the past, the present or the future. The full board referred only to the present and the future. From time to time, past events were described, but this was in the context of the evolution circumstances.

Erna Droesbeke described both the traditional “all future” convention and a method for examining the past, the present and the future (the cross and cross of destiny). However, I never added that method to my regular practice – especially after experimented with the Wheel Spread. I have genuinely found the Wheel Spread the best way for examining the evolution of a situation or client’s circumstances in detail.

However, it isn’t straightforward to explain the laying process! So, please, do bear with me.

Laying the Wheel:

1) Firstly, you remove the Significator and place it before you. If the Querent is under 21 or non-binary, you can use the Child card. For someone 21 years or over, use the Lady or the Gentleman according to their gender identity.  

Mary Marco recommends ascertaining the Querent’s name and Sun Sign to create a link between the Querent and the Cards.  

2) Shuffle the cards. Mary Marco recommends we shuffle seven times (in honour of the seven lights), but I recommend shuffling however you feel comfortable.  

 3) Once shuffled, cut the deck in two. The cut is the first indication of the reading, describing the atmosphere or tone in my experience.

4) Reconstitute the deck and deal from the top of the deck as follows:

  • the first card is dealt below the Significator;
  • the second is placed to the left of the Significator;
  • the third is goes above the Significator;
  • the fourth is set to the right of the Significator;
  • the fifth card is placed below the first card that was dealt.

The cards should be dealt face-down.  

5) Repeat this process twice. You will be left with five stacks of three cards around the Significator.

6) Now, deal five cards face down on top of each other. Put these aside along with the remaining deck.  

7) Turn your attention to the five stacks of three around the Significator. Flip each stack over so that the first card dealt in each position is on the right and the third card on the left.

8) Take the five cards you dealt on top of each other in step 6. Deal these cards (from the top) into the five positions (below the Significator, to the left of the Significator, and so on). These will become the fourth card in five packets of three.

9) Now, pick up the remaining cards. These are dealt from the top of the deck as follows: below the Significator, to the left of the Significator, and so on. Eventually, you will end up five lines of seven cards as below:

In the illustration above, I have numbered each card based on the order it is dealt. As you can see, the first three cards in each position end up being read in reverse order. Here, Marco follows several older cartomantic methods where one has to count out cards or rearrange them. So I would encourage you to follow the process.

Starting with the row of cards beneath the Significator, we move around clockwise.

The five rows of seven each have a specific context:

  • The cards immediately below the Significator refer to her present circumstances.
  • Those to the Significator’s left refer to the recent past.
  • Cards above the Significator refer to her thoughts.
  • The seven cards to the right of the Significator are the near future.
  • The final row of seven cards, dealt beneath the first row, is the more distant future.

Depending on preference, one can start with the past cards and then read the seven signifying the present. You can also note the cartes maîtresses and playing card values in each section.

Traveling the Wheel:  Dolores’ Reading

Dolores is a 33-year-old woman who came to me via a regular client. Due to Covid-19, the consultation was done via telephone.

After removing the Lady card, I shuffled, cut, and then laid out the Wheel Spread in the manner mentioned above.

The Cut:

.After riffling the cards, the deck was cut as below:

The Lilies – Ring refers not just to relationships characterised by mutual respect but also dealings with social security and other protective agencies.

The Wheel:

The cards as they fell:

The Present:

The present is made up of the Sun, the Clouds, the Tree, the Mice, the Cross, the Ship and the Letter.

Health worries dominate Dolores’s present circumstances. Not only is the Sun and Tree clouded, but we have three sevens (the Tree, the Mice and the Letter), which forecast illness. Not great.

Right now, Dolores’ energy levels are fluctuating with sudden drops (Sun — Clouds), meaning she is physically and mentally fatigued (Clouds — Tree). It is quite likely she has dizzy spells and visual disturbances. She cannot find the necessary respite, which is further undermining her constitution (Tree — Mice) and causing her physical pain (Mice — Cross).

With the Mice in such a prominent position, this could also be financial and I felt this was so. Dolores has experienced a significant loss of comfort (Tree — Mice —Cross), creating both physical and material hardships.

However, the Cross is the abcissor. Dolores is at her lowest point. The worst is done.

As we advance, the Ship— Letter indicate a communication from someone living at a distance which will necessitate (Cross — Ship) Dolores travelling.

The Past:

In the past, we have: the Mountain, the Coffin, the Cavalier, the Heart, the Park, the Child and the Birds.

Let us turn to Dolores’s past and see just what bought about the current situation.

Straight away, we find the Mountain – Coffin. Dolores has faced a number of significant problems which proved nigh impossible to overcome. Her life stagnated. Eventually, she was forced to walk away (Coffin – Cavalier) – incurring a loss (Coffin).

The Cavalier – Heart reveal that at this time, Dolores’ love life came to the fore with a new man appeared. It was not too serious (Park), but there were a number of dates (Heart – Park) and callings on her (Cavalier – Heart).

Considering the presence of the Cavalier – Heart, the Child – Birds is a clear indication Dolores fell pregnant in the last few months. This has caused her considerable worry (Birds) and could be the cause of her current health issues.

Interestingly, there are two present and touching in the past. Dolores will have received some money, possibly as a loan (two eight). Unfortunately, the two knaves do issue a warning that could have a negative consequence later on in Dolores’s affairs.

Dolores confirmed that she was pregnant and had been diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

Thoughts:

We find the Fishes, the Birch Rod, the House, the Ring, the Path, the Gentleman, and the Bear cards for Dolores’s thoughts.

Unsurprisingly, Dolores’s thoughts are preoccupied with her financial difficulties (Fishes – Birch Rod). These are the cause of several arguments with her nearest and dearest (Birch Rod – House).

The presence of the Ring alongside two kings (an agreement) indicate Dolores has been attempting to find a resolution to correct some error (two aces). Often two aces can indicate lies. However, if we remember the past, there were two knaves, eights and nines. The Birch Rod is a corrective tool. We can see a more nuanced picture. Dolores’s financial problems stem from some error that has a significant effect as it is rectified.

Dolores is also questioning the future of her relationship (Ring – Path). She is uncertain (Path) whether she and her partner (Gentleman) are heading in the same direction. The Gentleman – Bear show he is somewhat strong-minded and overbearing in her opinion. Consequently, she is unsure if this will be sustainable (Ring – Path – Gentleman – Bear).

Near Future:

We find the High Tower, the Moon, the Stork, the Hound, the Serpent, the Fox, and the Scythe in the near future area.

It seems Dolores will start her maternity leave soon (High Tower – Moon – Stork). Naturally, it will usher in long-term (High Tower) significant changes (Moon – Stork). She will miss her colleagues (Stork – Hound). She also seems to be worried that her job might not be safe (High Tower/Scythe & Moon/Fox).

Fortunately for Dolores, there appear to be new friends (Stork – Hound) on the horizon, too. The presence of the two queens confirms this. As the queen of clubs touches the Hound card, it would seem this friend is likely female.

Unfortunately, Dolores might soon be tempted (Serpent – Fox) to take advantage of a sudden (Fox – Scythe) offer of help (Hound – Serpent) that comes her way. Fox – Scythe can be a loan shark or an unregistered agency. She would be wise to resist as it will put her in severe difficulties and further losses (Fox – Scythe).

She just needs to hold in. Any help must come from the proper channels not the Fox — Scythe.

Distant Future:

For the more distant future, we see:  the Book, the Anchor, the Flowers, the Cloverleaf, the Stars, the Key and the Lilies. 

With time Dolores will find she has a better understanding of her circumstances (Book). She will access advice from either a charity or social care (Book/Lilies). This information will help her stabilise her situation and give her a firmer footing (Book – Anchor). That will allow her to arrangements which mean her life is easier and more comfortable (Flowers).

Dolores can expect a lot of merriment, gifts and a lot of short visits, which she will enjoy (Flowers – Cloverleaf). For the first time in a long time, her joy is unclouded (Cloverleaf – Stars).

In addition, Dolores will find she has a better sense of where she wants to go in (Stars – Key). This will likely lead to new projects or a focus on education (Key + Book/king of spades).

All of this will bring her a greater sense of peace and security (Key – Lilies).

Dolores inquired about how far in the future the reading covered.

The Lady card faces the High Tower. In the Petit Lenormand, spades or leaves are associated with autumn. The High Tower is the 6 of Spades, which means no further than the 3/4 October.

Dolores explained that she had started a new relationship and her partner had moved in. Unfortunately, she did not notify the appropriate authorities of this change in circumstances. She was overpaid in benefits and was now in financial difficulties. Her pregnancy was difficult, and she was not well.

Hopefully, as the cards show, she will find that once the baby is born and she can seek appropriate advice, her situation will improve.

§

References:

Droesbeke, E. 1987, 1989, & 1998. The Oracle of Mlle Lenormand. Königsfurt-Urania Verlag/David Westnedge Ltd.
Marco, M. and Goffinet, J., 1989. Petit Lenormand: Méthode de Cartomancie. Bruxelles: Servranx, pp. 35, 179 – 186

Illustrations:


Cards: The Wanderwust Lenormand © Wandering Oracle
Spread Illustration: Marco, M. and Goffinet, J., 1989. Petit Lenormand: Méthode de Cartomancie.
Featured Image: Wheel of Fortune: Ages of Man. William de Brailes, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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Your Lips Are Venomous Poison: The Serpent Card

Now the serpent was more subtle than any other wild creature that the Lord God had made.

Genesis 3: 1, Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

Snake, is a sign of misfortunes, which is gauged by the distance of the card to that of person, but always brings hypocrisy, betrayal and loss.

Philippe Lenormand Sheet

Card no. 7, the Queen of Clubs or the SERPENT card, has a notorious reputation. Is this picture the “big bad” of the deck? Perhaps she is a feminine woman, mother or a rival? Or could this card represent tutelary forces and mother wit?

The Essence and Function of the Serpent Card:

The essence and function of the Serpent card is venom and inducement, respectively. The Serpent is a warning card which indicates an area that must be approached with extreme care. Mishandled she will strike and envenomation occurs, giving a devastating blow. Carefully side-stepping this venomous viper will ensure your safety, but can result in delays and detours and also teach a valuable lesson.

A good understanding of the essence and function of the Serpent card is commensurate to a sound comprehension of the creature itself and folklore.

The traditional eikṓn for card no. 7 is that of a snake hiding either in a tree or grass. The former appears in the Das Spiel der Hoffnung, the Dondorf pattern, the Brepols & Dierckx, the C.L. Wüst and the so-called Leipzig Lenormand. The Blaue/Rote Eule favour the latter motif. You can see four examples below.

It is not uncommon to see words such as “constriction,” “strangle,” and “tie-up” used to describe the Queen of Clubs card. In the modern vernacular, the Serpent is perceived as a member of the Boidae family or other non-venomous snake that utilises constriction to kill its prey. But is this consistent with the deck’s origin? No.

Several snake species were to be found in eighteenth and nineteenth-century Europe, but no large boas. Of the snakes common to the region from where the cards emerged, there are non-venomous and venomous candidates. Considering the Serpent card’s nefarious associations, the latter is the likeliest inspiration.

The Vipera aspis or European viper (and its subspecies), is prevalent in various regions of Europe including the Petit Lenormand’s birthplace. It is venomous and its bite is noted to be painful. The venom is used for hunting and defence. Small in size it will bite prey, and wait for the venom to kill before pursuing.

Overtime, misidentification resulted in a myth of their aggressiveness.

Snake folklore is complex and rich — with reverence and fear often appearing side-by-side. As such, one finds much disagreement and contradictions from culture to culture. Consequently, it is best to focus on the folklore of the geographical origin of the cards.

Due to farming, agricultural communities were far likelier to encounter snakes. These communities noted some were venomous, and therefore, dangerous. Seeing the snakes shedding their skin and going underground only to re-emerge brought an association with the underworld. From this, the dark chthonic, tutelary, and primordial serpent emerged.

Unblinking, the snake was thought to be all-seeing and possessing powerful wisdom and discernment, which could be transferred as clairvoyance and clairaudience. That is preserved in the Grimm Brothers’ Die weiße Schlange (The White Snake). However, it must be remembered that the snake keeps her belly to the ground. As such, we can see that will use dirty tricks to get what she wants and never hesitate to stoop low.

Of course, the most significant folkloric influence for the Petit Lenormand would be the snake of the Garden of Eden. Christians specifically linked the snake with demonic powers. This interpretation associates this snake with temptation, incitement and sexuality. All three are to be found in the card (see Marco, &c).

However, I feel there is a better illustration of the Serpent card to be found in old folktales. One many of us will remember from childhood. Let us consider the Farmer and Viper.

In wintertime, a farmer spied a small snake unmoving in his frosty fields. He recognised the snake as one with potent venom. Nevertheless, he was kind-hearted and generous. He carefully picked up the snake and placed it in the breast pocket of his coat. As he went about his business, the snake began to revive and gain its strength. Once sufficiently recovered, the snake bit the farmer, delivering its potent venom. Sensing his demise, the farmer warned those around him to learn from his fate and not pity a scoundrel.

The tale is believed to be the origin of the phrase “nursing a snake at one’s bosom.” However good the farmer’s intentions, his actions were foolish; he nursed his own killer. He failed to keep a safe distance.

If one considers the common negative associations applied to the Serpent card – betrayal, spitefulness and treachery – they all infer a closeness.

To bite, the Serpent has to be close enough. Where she falls, is where you must exercise caution or run the risk of being close enough to be bitten. Her venom will result in some form of adversity, personal loss or complications. But only if she can strike. Remember that.

Coda

The Serpent is a warning card. Where she falls, marks an area that can become toxic. If engaged, she will strike . Her venom brings difficulties, toxic situations and betrayal. These will prove challenging and complicated to resolve.

Person and Description:

Card no. 7 is the Queen of Clubs and can therefore be read as a woman when paired with a social card (the House, the Park, and so on). Ordinarily, the Queen is a woman aged 35 + and is noted to be intelligent, serious-minded, and influencing the querent or their affairs.

If she falls next to the King of Clubs (the Clouds) or the Knave of Clubs (the Birch Rod), it tells the reader that a couple or mother and child have a bearing on the question, respectively. Rarely, all three will fall together. If you see this, it indicates a family unit.

Some cartomantes and authors (such as the French author, Marie Delclos) use the Queen of Clubs as the Significator for married brunettes.  Personally, I prefer the Child, the Gentleman the Lady cards for Significators.

It is not uncommon for cartomantes (see Moony, Stella Waldvogel, &c) to use the Queen of Clubs as the Significator for mothers. Depending on the reader, several explanations can be given, such as the umbilical cord being snake-like. However, most cite the Queen herself. Technically, the kreuz-dame was seen as an older woman but not kin without the presence of herzkarten (Kraheck-Liecke, 2008). Even then, it was not necessarily the mother. However, it is a valid association but not one to which I subscribe.

I use the Queen of Clubs as the Significator for the same-sex partner-card for lesbian and bisexual women. 

Mary Marco associated card no. 7 with sexuality and lovers, both male and female (Marco and Goffinet, 1989). I concur with Madame Marco. The Serpent card itself can indicate unfaithfulness and lovers of either gender.

If the Serpent pairs with a person card, it can be read as a description. It will describe both the appearance and psychological state or temperament of the person. This can be the Querent’s card or another figure in the game.

Physically, the Serpent describes someone with dark brown or black hair and green or hazel eyes. Often the person (male or female) wears it long. Traditionally, the person is attractive, and can be very feminine.

It is not uncommon for a person described by the Serpent to wear spectacles or corrective lenses. Over time I have also observed that the Serpent can indicate a lisp or breathy voice.

Serpent people are often erudite, well-spoken and multilingual. Often such people can possess knowledge or influence that is needed for the Querent’s cause. However, the Serpent-people are not altruistic and will not help someone if it brings them no benefit. More negatively, the Serpent indicates someone who is a toxic presence and a backstabber, or seditious and passive-aggressive.

It is worth noting where the Serpent falls in relation to the person-card. If it precedes the person-card, such as the Serpent + the Gentleman, then the individual receives the more destructive attributes of the Serpent card. Such a man will be charming, attractive and o-so-kind but should be avoided and treated with extreme caution. If engaged, you will be bitten. As snakes are good at camouflage, you will often be quite surprised that such people are such backstabbers.

If, however, the person-card comes first, such people take the more benign meanings of the Serpent.  The individual is intelligent, attractive but probably not the most friendly of people, but they pose no danger providing you do not rile them.

Special Features:

When the Serpent card falls near the Significator card, it is a warning. The Serpent’s poison can be delivered in several forms: betrayal, exploitation and, of course, two-facedness. Camouflaged, snakes are good at hiding. For this reason, when the Serpent strikes, we are often just as devastated by the perpetrator’s identity as much as their actions.

Far away, the Serpent cannot strike at the Querent directly. Like the Fox card, this does not so much neutralise the Serpent’s negative traits as much as creating a safe distance for one to overcome any challenges. It is thus a good indicator of overcoming difficulties.

As with the Fox and the Birch Rod, the Serpent cannot affect every card in the game. Her direct influence is on those cards she is near and encounters.

Of these, her venom is directed to those cards she dominates/overcomes: i.e. when she is card A in an A + B (+ C) formation.

I prefer Petit Lenormands that show a right-facing Serpent (Brepols & Dierckx, Wanderwust, &c). In such patterns, one can use the head of the snake as an aide-memoire.

A card overcome by the Serpent poses some problem or danger to the Querent. Unfortunately, the card often signifies something the Querent desires and will be tempted to pursue. However, if the Serpent is unheeded, the area will prove either damaging or cause a lot of problems that will be challenging to put right later on.

If this is one of the carte maîtresses, that area becomes a key concern and one which the Querent must proceed with caution.

One example I have seen over and over is the Serpent + the Moon near the Significator. All too often, a new job or promotion appears. It looks too good to be true; and it is. Either you are handed a poison chalice or working with toxic people. If you leave too soon, it does not look on your curriculum vitae.

Sadly, the Serpent can be hard to resist. But the topic affected by the Serpent is always best left for a time. Yes, it might delay you. But in the end it is for the best.

When the Serpent falls in a descriptive position (e.g. card B or C), she adds a complexity or roundabout/delayed quality.

For example, the Letter + the Serpent often indicates a telephone call that keeps your waiting, or a letter that is late in the post or delivered to your next-door neighbour by mistake.

Several of the Petit Lenormand cards can be seen as trump cards. That is having the ability to neutralise or overcome another card. The Serpent card is the Mice’s trump card.

The Stork trumps the Serpent card. If the Stork faces the Serpent, she can eat the Serpent. Many older patterns often illustrated the Stork eating either an amphibian or reptile. Storks are known to eat snakes. Remember nature is the oldest oracle!

The Serpent is the card of reptiles and amphibians. If paired with the Hound card, the Querent’s pets are likely to be snakes, tortoises, newts, frogs and so on.

On a mundane level, the Serpent can indicate cables and wires, ropes, piping, or something that can become tangled (laces, &c). Both with the Fishes and on its own, the Serpent can indicate brooks, rivers and streams. With the Road card, it can show winding pathways, country lanes and so on.

Some careers associated with the Serpent card indicate plumbers, cable laying technicians, gas maintenance, sewage workers, environmental science (toxic or dangerous substances), toxicologists, jobs involving the care of exotic animals (especially reptiles), and translators.

Well-Being:

Anatomically, the Serpent refers to organs used in the intestinal stage of digestion: starting with the duodenum and ending with the anus. In addition to the organs, the Serpent can refer to conditions such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis (with Birch Rod), irritable bowel syndrome (with the Mice), polyps (Flowers) as well as haemorrhoids and constipation (Mountain), and so on.

In addition to the above, the Serpent can also indicate all poisons, toxins and harmful substances. Consequently, we never like to see her near the Tree or the Coffin cards.

The Serpent + the Heart will appear when someone has septicaemia and sepsis occurs. Due to the association with poisons, the Key + the Serpent often appears when someone is undergoing chemotherapy.

Someone with a significant allergic reaction to makeup or beauty products might see the Serpent + the Flowers.

The Serpent in Action:

In August 2020, a female Querent asked about the money she was owed. The finances had been loaned to help someone who was struggling due to furlough. It was a significant amount of money.

The three cards that fell on the table were:

Fishes + Ring + Serpent

The Fishes card is the master card of money. Paired with the Ring card, we have a financial agreement or contract. Consequently, we know that both parties intended this to be a loan. There is every intention of the money being returned to the Querent, and the Ring itself confirms this.

However, the Ring is paired with the Serpent. So, the money will be returned late due to complications.

Consequently, we can say yes but not on time.

The Querent asked for a timescale. Looking through the deck, the Lady faced the Clouds card, which indicates March. That was seven months from the time of the reading, which the Serpent card echoes.

And so it was.

§

Images:

Cards: Jeu Lenormand © Cartamundi, WanderWüst © Jorge/Wandering Oracle, Cartes Lenormand © Dondorf (Author’s Collection) , Nr. 1941 Mlle Lenormand Wahrsagekarten © Piatnik, Petit Lenormand © Daveluy (Author’s Collection).

References:

Delclos, M., 2013. Le Livre du Petit Lenormand. 1st ed. Escalquens: Éd. Trajectoire.
George, R., 2014. Essential Lenormand. 1st ed. Llewellyn Publications, U.S.
Grimm, J., Grimm, W., Zipes, J. and Dezsö, A., n.d (2016). The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm. 1st ed. Princeton University Press.
Johnson, B., 1994. Lady of the Beasts. 1st ed. Rochester, Vt.: Inner Traditions International.
Kraheck-Liecke, B. (2008). Birgitt Kraheck-Liecke [online].
MacNamee, G., 2000. The Serpent’s Tale. 1st ed. Athens: University of Georgia Press.
Marco, M. and Goffinet, J., 1989. Petit Lenormand. Bruxelles: Servranx.
Meuris, B., 2018. Petit Lenormand Encyclopaedia: Volume 1 & 2. Create Space.
Phillips, L., 2021. Lozzy’s Complete Guide To Lenormand: Workbook Edition. 1st ed. Independent.
Silvestre, C., 2003. Le Petit Lenormand. [Montpellier]: Gange éd.