And God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so

Genesis 1:14-15 (RSV CE)

We had found the stars, you and I. And this is given once only.

André Aciman, Call Me By Your Name

Star, confirms good luck in all your enterprises, but if it surrounded by clouds, it indicates a long period of misfortune

Original Instructions

Card No. 16 in the Petit Lenormand, the Stars, is represented by the Six of Hearts. It is often regarded as one of the deck’s most fortunate cards, associated with wishes, destiny, inspiration, and guidance. Whilst these meanings are not without merit, they are secondary to a far more fundamental principle: the Stars provides clarity.

The Essence and Function of the Stars

The traditional eikōn exists in two principal forms. Simpler decks depict a single star as a grapheme or glyph. More elaborate patterns show a night sky illuminated by numerous stars above a body of water or distant landscape. Despite these artistic variations, the symbolism remains essentially the same. The heavens stand above the world, providing orientation and direction to those below.

The essence of the Stars is clarity and its function is to guide.

For millennia, mankind has looked to the stars for guidance. Long before maps, satellites, and compasses became commonplace, travellers navigated by the heavens. Sailors crossed oceans using the stars to establish their position and direction. The North Star, Polaris, became especially important because its apparent fixity allowed travellers to orient themselves even in darkness.

The stars were not merely guides through space, but through time as well. The ancient Egyptians used groups of stars known as decans to divide the night and structure their calendar. Later, during the Hellenistic period, the observation of the heavens gave rise to horoscopic astrology, a sophisticated system that sought to understand time, fate, and human experience through the movements of celestial bodies. In both cases, the stars were valued because they revealed patterns and provided orientation. They allowed people to understand where they were and, equally importantly, where they were going.

I adjure you, my most precious brother, and you, initiates into this mystic art, by the starry vault of heaven and by the twelve-fold circle, by the Sun, the Moon, and the five wandering stars by whom all of life is guided, and by Providence itself and Holy Fate, to preserve these matters in secret and not to share them with the vulgar, but only with those worthy of them and able to preserve and requite them as they deserve

Vettius Valens, Anthology (Riley, trans)

This connection between divine guidance and celestial light also permeates the religious traditions familiar to the creators of the Petit Lenormand. On the fourth day of Creation, God placed the heavenly lights in the firmament to serve as signs, seasons, days, and years. The stars were intended to mark time and provide order to the world.

Likewise, God’s promise to Abraham invoked the stars of heaven as an image of destiny and fulfilment beyond immediate comprehension.

Perhaps the most striking example is found in the Gospel account of the Magi. Guided by a star, they travelled from afar to adore the Christ Child. In Christian tradition, this event came to be understood as the first revelation of Christ to the nations. The star did not grant the Magi their wish. Rather, it showed them where they needed to go. It provided direction, certainty, and illumination.

This distinction is vital when reading the card.

Many modern authors describe the Stars as a wish card. In practice, I have never found this particularly accurate. The Stars does not grant wishes. It does not simply bestow success, happiness, or fulfilment. Rather, it provides the clarity necessary to realise those aspirations. It reveals where our attention should be focused and what path should be followed. The card joined to the Stars often describes precisely the area of life requiring deeper exploration and more serious consideration.

Vocation and Fulfilment

The Stars is especially important in questions concerning vocation and personal fulfilment.

Many readers confuse the Stars with the Sun or Moon. Whilst these cards may overlap, they describe very different phenomena. The Sun brings success, vitality, and visibility. The Moon brings recognition, reputation, and public esteem. The Stars, however, concerns direction and calling. It reveals what genuinely fulfils the individual and where their talents and interests can best be developed.

For this reason, the Stars often identifies a person’s niche. It points towards the area in which they should specialise, deepen their knowledge, or concentrate their efforts. The card does not merely show what one can do successfully, but what one feels called to pursue. In career readings, it frequently indicates the subject, profession, or field that gives meaning and purpose to one’s work.

A person may enjoy financial success under the Sun or public recognition under the Moon, yet still feel dissatisfied and adrift. The Stars seeks to remedy this by providing direction. It helps us discover not merely what we are capable of doing, but what we ought to be doing.

Love and Relationships

In matters of love, the Stars often describes a relationship that expands one’s horizons and encourages personal growth. The connection may be regarded as a true love, soulmate, kindred spirit, twin flame, or any of the other labels people use to describe relationships of unusual depth and significance.

What matters is not the terminology, but the experience itself. A Stars relationship broadens the perspective of those involved. It encourages learning, exploration, and development. The individuals help one another become more fully themselves.

The card’s guiding function is particularly evident here. The relationship often provides a sense of direction and purpose, helping both parties understand themselves more clearly and identify what they genuinely want from life.

When difficulties have arisen, the Stars can also be an encouraging sign. Because its nature is to guide, it frequently indicates that a relationship can be brought back onto the correct course. Misunderstandings may be clarified, goals re-aligned, and a shared sense of direction restored. The card does not promise that every relationship will survive, but it does suggest that clarity and honest reflection can illuminate the path forward.

For this reason, the Stars frequently indicates a period of study, reflection, planning, or specialisation. The card encourages a deep dive into the matter it touches. One moves beyond superficial understanding and begins to perceive the underlying patterns and connections that were previously overlooked.

In many respects, the Stars functions as a celestial astrolabe. It provides orientation and situates the seeker within a larger framework. Acting through the primum mobile, it reveals not merely where we are, but where we ought to be heading. The card therefore possesses a strongly chronocratic quality, helping us understand the proper timing, direction, and development of events.

This also explains the card’s longstanding interaction with the Clouds.

Traditionally, the combination of the Clouds and Stars has often been regarded as unfortunate. Whilst experience supports the difficulty implied by this pairing, the reason is frequently misunderstood. The misfortune does not arise because the stars themselves have become malevolent. Rather, the Clouds obscures them.

Without the stars, we lose our bearings. The path becomes uncertain. We struggle to understand what we truly want, where we should be directing our efforts, and what steps need to be taken next. Navigation becomes difficult because clarity has been removed. The resulting confusion, hesitation, and misdirection are the true hardship indicated by the combination.

The Clouds does not destroy the guidance offered by the Stars. It merely hides it from view.

Coda

At its heart, the Stars is a card of clarity, guidance, and orientation. It illuminates the path ahead, reveals underlying patterns, and helps the seeker understand where their efforts should be directed. Unlike the Key, which grants access, or the Ship, which provides movement, the Stars tells us where we ought to be going and how we might best arrive there.

Person and Description

Person

The Stars is not, in itself, a person card and is therefore not ordinarily used as a significator. When appearing alongside a person card, however, it can provide valuable information concerning both physical appearance and temperament.

Physical Description

The Stars often describes an individual who possesses a certain sparkle or luminosity that is difficult to define precisely. There is frequently something appealing, engaging, or memorable about them that cannot be adequately explained by conventional measures of attractiveness. Others simply seem to notice them.

The card also suggests a good sense of style. Such individuals are often well-presented and may have an appreciation for jewellery, decorative accessories, or clothing that catches the light. Depending upon the person, this can range from understated elegance to a fondness for more sparkly or eye-catching attire.

Free from adverse cards, the Stars frequently indicates clear skin and an attractive complexion. The appearance is often healthy, bright, and unblemished. Negative cards may modify this. The Mice can point towards acne, blemishes, or scarring, whilst the Coffin may suggest dryness, dullness, or skin conditions that diminish the card’s natural radiance.

In terms of stature, the Stars usually describes someone of average height and build. Rather than determining size, the card contributes an overall sense of refinement, brightness, and attractiveness.

Temperament

The Stars is one of the most intellectual cards in the Petit Lenormand. It frequently describes individuals with a keen mind, broad knowledge, and a genuine desire to understand the world around them.

These people are often drawn towards specialised interests and may devote considerable time and energy to mastering a particular subject. The topic itself matters far less than the depth of commitment. One person may become an authority on astronomy, another on railway history, vintage watches, philately, or Star Wars memorabilia. Stars people rarely dabble; they study.

The card’s connection with navigation, astronomy, and the heavens also creates a natural affinity for science, technology, and analytical thinking. Scientists, engineers, programmers, physicists, researchers, and academics frequently appear under the Stars. It may also indicate an interest in astrology, divination, and esoteric subjects, although this should not be overstated merely because one is conducting a card reading.

Perhaps the most distinctive quality of the Stars person is their sense of direction. Unlike many who drift through life uncertain of what they want, Stars people often possess clear goals and a strong understanding of how to achieve them. They are guided by ideals, ambitions, and long-term aspirations.

There is also an expansive quality about them. Their curiosity continually draws them towards new ideas, deeper understanding, and broader horizons. Consequently, they can sometimes be difficult to tie down. Like the stars themselves, they are oriented towards what lies beyond the horizon and are seldom content to remain confined for long.

Above all, the Stars describes a person seeking clarity, knowledge, and purpose. Whether through study, discovery, science, technology, or spiritual inquiry, they are driven by a desire to understand both where they are and where they are going.

Special Features

 Grand Tableau

Traditionally, the Stars augurs good fortune in one’s affairs because it provides clarity and direction. When we know where we are going and how to get there, success becomes considerably more likely.

When the Stars encounter the Clouds, however, their light is obscured. We no longer possess the information, understanding, or perspective required to navigate the situation effectively. The resulting disarray has traditionally been interpreted as misfortune, but the reality is rather more nuanced. The problem is not that the Stars has become malevolent; it is that its guidance can no longer be clearly seen.

When this occurs, it is often best to wait. It does not mean the goal must be abandoned. Rather, it suggests that the seeker is navigating without sufficient information and would be wise to postpone action until conditions become clearer.

Ideally, the Stars should fall both close to and above the significator. This suggests a particularly favourable position, as understanding, resources, and timing all align. The farther away the Stars lies, the less clear the direction becomes and the longer matters may take to achieve.

Direction

For millennia, travellers navigated by the stars. Chief among these was Polaris, the North Star, whose position in the constellation of Ursa Minor allowed sailors and travellers to establish true north even in darkness.

Consequently, it is only natural that the Stars can signify north, much as the Sun often signifies south.

This is not a signification the cartomante will make use of every day, but from time to time it can prove surprisingly helpful. Thus, Ship–Stars might indicate a journey to the north or travel in a northerly direction. Likewise, House–Stork–Stars may show relocation north of one’s present residence. Both combinations have appeared in readings over the years.

More broadly, direction should not be understood solely in geographical terms. Just as sailors once used the stars to establish their position, the Stars often indicates the direction in which one’s attention, effort, or movement ought to be directed.

The Mental Plane

The Stars can also provide valuable insight into the seeker’s state of mind and approach to life. The card often reveals what currently occupies their attention and where their mental energy is being directed.

Thus, Stars–Birds may describe someone who is excitable, mentally overstimulated, or easily distracted, whereas Stars–Sun often indicates optimism, confidence, and an ambitious outlook.

This principle can be applied practically. Stars–House suggests that domestic concerns, family life, or property matters require attention. Stars–Ship may indicate a need to broaden one’s horizons, take a journey, or simply step away from the familiar in order to regain perspective. Stars–Book often encourages study, research, or specialised learning.

In this respect, the Stars differs markedly from the Key. The Key provides access and answers. The Stars does not necessarily unlock anything. Rather, it points towards the area demanding our attention and encourages a deeper understanding of it.

The Deep Dive

One of the Stars’ most characteristic qualities is its tendency towards specialisation.

When the Stars falls with another card, it frequently invites the seeker to develop expertise in that area. The card encourages study, mastery, and a deeper understanding of the subject concerned.

Thus, Stars–Book may indicate advanced study or scholarship. Stars–Ship can point towards expertise in travel, foreign cultures, or international affairs. Stars–Fishes may suggest specialised financial knowledge or investment expertise. Stars–Bouquet often appears in connection with artistic development or refined creative skills.

The Stars rarely encourages superficial engagement. It asks us to look deeper, understand more fully, and develop genuine mastery.

Expand

Like the Fishes and the Park, the Stars possesses a quantitative quality.

The distinction is important. The Park multiplies. The Fishes deepens. The Stars expands.

One need only imagine a clear night sky, stars spreading across the horizon in every direction. The card therefore signifies growth, extension, dissemination, and expansion.

This quality can prove beneficial or troublesome depending upon the circumstances. Several years ago, I read for a client whose first three cards in a Grand Tableau were House–Coffin–Stars. Black mould (Coffin) had spread (Stars) throughout the client’s flat (House).

More positively, Fishes–Stars has appeared in connection with investments yielding substantial returns. One client more than doubled their original stake.

The important point is that the Stars itself is neutral. Clarity is neither inherently good nor bad. The card illuminates and expands whatever it touches, whether beneficial or harmful.

Timing

In matters of timing, the Stars is a relatively swift card and frequently accelerates events or reinforces the timing of neighbouring cards.

Under the auspices of the Stars, one should proceed with clarity but without unnecessary delay. Once the correct course of action has been identified, hesitation rarely proves beneficial.

Traditionally, the Stars signifies night, in contrast to the Moon’s association with evening. Thus, Cavalier–Stars may indicate a visitor arriving at night, a late-night journey, or news received after dark. These interpretations are most commonly employed in short-term readings, though they can occasionally prove relevant in larger spreads such as the Grand Tableau, particularly when appearing amongst the opening cards.

Over the years, I have also observed a recurring association between the Stars and the Feast of the Epiphany, traditionally celebrated on 6 January. This is not a traditional attribution, but one that has appeared with sufficient regularity in my own practice to merit mention. In most cases, the manifestation occurs around the date itself, extending from a few days before to roughly a week afterwards.

Health

Within the body, the Stars is associated with the skin. Free from adverse influences, it often signifies healthy, clear skin and good complexion. Other cards refine the picture. The Sun may point towards dryness or sensitivity, whilst the Mice can indicate parasites, repetitive tics, blemishes, or conditions that gradually diminish the skin’s appearance.

More commonly, however, the Stars appears in connection with sleep, cognition, concentration, and mental clarity. Just as the stars help travellers orient themselves physically, the Stars governs our ability to orient ourselves mentally.

When well-placed, the card supports clear thinking, good concentration, and healthy sleep patterns. When afflicted, difficulties may arise. Stars–Mountain, for example, can indicate insomnia, disrupted sleep, mental fatigue, or difficulty functioning effectively due to exhaustion.

On rarer occasions, the Stars can indicate an illness spreading or progressing. This is seldom an unexpected development, particularly where chronic or serious conditions are concerned, but it remains an important consideration. Here, the card reflects its expansive quality, showing a condition extending beyond its previous boundaries. As always, the surrounding cards will clarify whether such progression is significant, manageable, or merely part of an already recognised medical situation.

 The Stars in Action

As the name suggests, the Astrological Wheel, sometimes called the Horoscope Spread, has its origins in astrological practice, specifically the twelve mundane houses. It remains one of the most popular layouts amongst cartomantes. As someone with a long-standing interest in astrology, it is a spread for which I have a particular affinity and one that I frequently employed when reading with the Tarot and Oracle Belline. 

One of its principal strengths is that it covers the major areas of life: relationships, family, career, finances, education, health, and wellbeing. As one becomes more comfortable with the layout, it is also possible to obtain increasingly detailed information by examining the relationships between houses and, when appropriate, employing techniques such as derived houses. 

The Astrological Wheel

The spread contains twelve positions whose meanings derive from the core significations of the astrological houses. 

I emphasise core significations because each house possesses multiple layers of meaning, some of which are specific to specialised branches of astrology such as mundane astrology (the study of nations and political events) or decumbiture charts (cast when a person takes to their bed through illness). That the Fifth House can signify ambassadors is of little practical importance to the average client. 

The basic significations are as follows: 

• First House: The querent’s mental state, health, and constitution. 
• Second House: The querent’s income, finances, and possessions.
• Third House: Communications, siblings, and neighbours. 
• Fourth House: Home, domestic life, and parents. 
• Fifth House: Children and hobbies. 
• Sixth House: Pets, employees, illness, and difficulties. 
• Seventh House: Partners and committed relationships. 
• Eighth House: Outgoings, debts, losses, and endings. 
• Ninth House: Education, travel, religion, and spiritual life. 
• Tenth House: Career, public life, and major projects. 
• Eleventh House: Friends, hopes, wishes, and good fortune. 
• Twelfth House: Problems, challenges, and misfortune.

Some of these significations may surprise modern readers. My own approach follows earlier Hellenistic, Perso-Arabic, and Medieval and Renaissance astrologers. Consequently, I regard the First House as the principal house of health and vitality, whilst the Sixth pertains to illness, servants, employees, and difficulties. Likewise, I consider the Tenth House rather than the Sixth to be the primary house of career and public activity. 

For our purposes, however, we are concerned only with the basic significations of the houses. This is a card spread rather than a natal and solar return chart. 

Even so, it is easy to see how the houses relate to one another. The First and Sixth Houses, for example, describe health and ill-health respectively. Examining both positions allows us to compare a person’s strengths and vulnerabilities. 

Justine’s Reading

Justine was studying the Petit Lenormand and specifically requested that we use the Astrological Wheel. 

Whilst I frequently employ this spread with the Tarot and Oracle Belline, it is not one I utilise often with the Petit Lenormand. This is simply because I generally prefer the Grand Tableau or the Great Wheel. Nevertheless, the Astrological Wheel is perfectly suited to the Lenormand and was included by both Mary Marco and Jeanine Goffinet in their influential work on the cards. 

The spread may be performed using twelve, twenty-four, or all thirty-six cards. The deck is shuffled and cut before dealing one card into each house and, if desired, covering each position once or twice to create greater depth. 

In this example, we shall focus solely upon the Second and Eighth Houses, as these govern Justine’s finances. 

Second House: Bear – Key – Mice 

Eighth House: Child – Cloverleaf – Stars 

The Second House immediately revealed a mixed picture. 

The Bear confirmed that Justine possessed resources and ordinarily enjoyed a stable income. There was no indication of poverty or a complete lack of financial security. 

The Key, however, occupied a pivotal position between the Bear and the Mice. As discussed earlier in this series, the Key opens what precedes it and secures what follows. 

Thus, the Key is opening the Bear, granting access to its resources. At the same time, it is securing the Mice. This is an important distinction. The loss indicated by the Mice is no longer merely a possibility. It becomes something certain. 

Fortunately, the Mice remains the Mice. The loss is real, but relatively small. We are dealing with leakage, erosion, and gradual reduction rather than catastrophe. 

The sequence therefore suggested that Justine’s income would diminish for a period of time, forcing her to make use of savings or existing resources in order to compensate for the shortfall. 

The Eighth House explained why caution was required. 

At first glance, the presence of the Cloverleaf and Stars appears encouraging because both are traditionally regarded as fortunate cards. Yet context is everything. This is the Eighth House, which governs debts, losses, financial obligations, and endings. 

The Child here does not signify something new. Rather, it describes something small, immature, and underdeveloped. A minor debt, modest financial obligation, or relatively insignificant liability is being shown. 

The Cloverleaf initially appears reassuring. It suggests something temporary and manageable, perhaps an instalment plan, short-term payment arrangement, credit agreement, or other obligation expected to resolve itself quickly. 

The critical card, however, is the Stars. 

As discussed throughout this article, the Stars expands whatever it touches. It does not merely increase; it spreads outward and extends itself. Here the Stars follows both the Child and the Cloverleaf, showing that a small and initially manageable obligation is beginning to grow beyond its original limits. 

Taken together, the two houses described opposing movements. 

Resources were being reduced whilst obligations were expanding.

I therefore advised Justine that her income would likely be reduced for a period of time. If she had any existing credit-card balances, instalment plans, or buy-now-pay-later arrangements, she would be wise to address them sooner rather than later. There would be a temptation to rely upon such facilities to bridge the gap, but the expanding nature of the Stars suggested that interest charges and repayment obligations could become increasingly burdensome if left unchecked. 

The outcome reflected the cards closely. 

Shortly after the reading, Justine experienced a quiet period at the salon where she worked as a hairdresser. The resulting reduction in income made it difficult for her to maintain certain credit payments. Concerned about mounting interest, she negotiated a payment plan and adjusted her spending accordingly. 

The cards had not predicted financial ruin. Rather, they accurately identified a temporary reduction in income and highlighted how a modest financial obligation could expand into a more significant concern if left unmanaged. In this respect, the Stars performed exactly as expected: it showed a small problem spreading gradually beyond its original boundaries.

§

Images:

Featured Image: NASA, ESA, A. Aloisi (STScI/ESA), and The Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Cards:

Lenormand Cards: Jeu Lenormand © Cartamundi, WanderWüst © Jorge/Wandering Oracle, Lenormand Fortune-Telling Cards © Zao-Gelli, The Lenormand Oracle © Verlag für die Frau, Leipzig, Nieuwe Lenormand © Amber Studio/Erna Droesbeke, Lenormand 36 Orakelspielkarten © Königsfurt-Urania,

References:

Boroveshengra, A., 2013. Cartomantes’ Cabinet: The Petit Lenormand Course.
Boroveshengra, A., 2015. Lenormand Thirty Six cards. 2nd ed. Create Space.
Ignatius Press (2005) Holy Bible RSVCE Compact Zipper. Ignatius Press.
Marco, M. and Goffinet, J., 1989. Petit Lenormand. Bruxelles: Servranx.
Matthews, C. 2014 The Complete Lenormand Oracle Handbook: Reading the Language and Symbols of the Cards. Rochester, VT: Destiny Books.
Meuris, B., 2018. Petit Lenormand Encyclopaedia: Volume 1. Create Space.
Silvestre, C., 2003. Le Petit Lenormand. [Montpellier]: Gange éd.

Lassie was so well known in the village. It was because, as the women said, “You can set your clock by her.”

Eric Knight, Lassie Come-Home

Moreover, when our hearts are authentically open to universal communion, this sense of fraternity excludes nothing and no one. It follows that our indifference or cruelty towards fellow creatures of this world sooner or later affects the treatment we mete out to other human beings.

Pope Francis, Laudato Si’

Dog, very close, it is an assurance of fidelity and friendship; very far it indicates betrayal, and if surrounded by clouds it warns not to rely on those who call themselves friends.

Original Instructions

Card No. 18 in the Petit Lenormand, the Hound, is represented by the Ten of Hearts. Few cards in the deck are as readily associated with friendship and loyalty. Yet reducing the card to friendship alone overlooks much of its symbolism and practical application.

The Essence and Function of the Hound

The traditional eikōn depicts a medium- to large-sized working dog, often resembling a setter, spaniel, or similar breed. The animal is frequently shown within its master’s garden, beside its kennel, and many decks depict the hound with ears raised attentively as though it has heard or seen something of interest. This attentive posture is itself revealing, for the hound is neither idle nor decorative. It has a role to fulfil.

The essence of the Hound is association and its function is to support and assist.

Dogs possess one of the oldest relationships between mankind and the animal kingdom. Long before they became household pets, dogs served as hunting companions, guardians of hearth and home, herders of livestock, protectors of property, and assistants in countless daily tasks. Even today, many working breeds continue to perform duties that require intelligence, attentiveness, and co-operation with human beings.

For this reason, I prefer the designation Hound rather than the more common Dog. The modern word dog readily evokes the image of a pet and encourages a somewhat sentimental interpretation centred upon affection and loyalty. Whilst loyalty certainly forms part of the card’s symbolism, it is only one aspect of a broader picture. The hound is not merely loved; it is useful. It accompanies, assists, guards, and works alongside its master.

When the Hound appears near the significator, traditional interpretations emphasise faithful friendships, loyalty, and support. This is not incorrect. However, it should not be accepted uncritically. The surrounding cards must always be consulted. The Hound accompanied by the Fox, Serpent, or Birch Rod may indicate false friends, betrayal, manipulation, or unhealthy social dynamics. A person may call themselves a friend whilst behaving in a manner that is anything but friendly.

For this reason, the Hound should be regarded as a neutral card. It identifies members of the seeker’s social circle and support network, but does not automatically guarantee their goodwill. The neighbouring cards reveal whether the relationships are beneficial or harmful.

In practice, the Hound is first and foremost the card of the seeker’s entourage. When it falls nearby, one can be reasonably certain that the seeker is not acting alone. There are people around them whose lives and interests intersect with their own. Free from warning cards or malefics, one may conclude that the pack is close-knit and supportive. The card thus speaks less of the solitary devotion embodied by Lassie or Greyfriars Bobby than it does of mutual co-operation within a pack.

Unlike the Bear, which stands above us through authority and influence, the Hound stands beside us. The card describes peers, companions, associates, and those with whom we share common interests, responsibilities, or objectives. It is fundamentally a card of horizontal rather than hierarchical relationships.

An often-overlooked aspect of the card arises from the traditional image itself. The hound is typically shown outdoors beside its kennel, guarding the grounds of its master’s property. Consequently, the card frequently signifies individuals who work alongside us or provide services on our behalf. Employees, assistants, gardeners, maintenance workers, and others who contribute to the smooth running of daily life may all be represented by the Hound. In this sense, the card encompasses anyone whose role involves practical support.

The kennel itself offers another useful clue. Situated within the grounds of the home whilst remaining a separate dwelling, it naturally suggests those who live nearby. For this reason, the Hound may also signify neighbours, particularly those with whom we interact regularly.

The card possesses a strong connection to professional life. For those who supervise staff, the Hound frequently represents employees. Otherwise, it often signifies colleagues and co-workers. Certain combinations may add further specificity. With the Birch Rod, the card may indicate a trade-union representative or workplace advocate. With the House, it can point towards human resources or another department concerned with the welfare and administration of employees.

As the card of association, the Hound can also function as a useful third-party significator. Relationships create bonds that often persist long after the romance itself has ended. For this reason, it is not uncommon to find the Hound representing an ex-partner or former companion whose life remains connected to that of the seeker. Likewise, some readers employ the Hound as an alternative significator in questions concerning same-sex relationships, particularly where the Lord and Lady are unsuitable.

Of course, the Hound may also signify actual pets. This aspect of the card remains entirely valid and will be discussed in greater detail later.

Coda

At its heart, the Hound is the card of those who accompany us through life. It signifies our entourage: friends, colleagues, neighbours, assistants, employees, allies, and sometimes even our rivals. Whether these associations prove supportive or harmful depends upon the surrounding cards, but the Hound invariably reminds us that no one truly acts in isolation.

Person and Description

Person

The Hound is one of a small number of Petit Lenormand cards that regularly signifies a person despite not being a court card. Indeed, much like the Bear, the Hound is more commonly encountered as a person—or group of people—than as an abstract topic. This should not surprise us. As the card of association and support, the Hound naturally manifests through the individuals who accompany, assist, or work alongside the seeker.

When signifying a person, the Hound may represent a friend, associate, colleague, employee, business partner, neighbour, or other member of the seeker’s entourage. The card itself is gender-neutral and may represent either a man or a woman according to the circumstances of the reading.

In matters of romance, I have found that the Hound will often represent a man when reading for a woman. Nevertheless, this is not a fixed rule. In readings for lesbian or bisexual women, I have frequently observed the card signifying a female partner or romantic interest. As with the Bear, function and context are more important than rigid gender assignments.

The Hound also acquires specialised meanings in particular contexts. Thus, in legal matters, the card frequently signifies a solicitor, barrister, or other legal representative. Such individuals are employed to advise, assist, and act in support of the client’s interests, making them a natural expression of the card’s symbolism.

Physical Description

When paired with a person card, the Hound often contributes a distinctly canine quality to the individual’s appearance. There is frequently something familiar, approachable, or immediately recognisable about their expression.

The smile is often broad and engaging, whilst the eyes may appear somewhat doleful, gentle, or attentive. Prominent teeth are not uncommon and, in some cases, a noticeable gap between the front teeth (diastema) may be present.

Hair colour depends largely upon the breed depicted in the deck itself. Unlike the Cross or the Scythe, however, the Hound seldom describes baldness. Hair is usually thick, abundant, and occasionally shaggy in appearance.

One curious observation repeatedly borne out in practice is that Hound people often possess a familiar name. It is not uncommon for their name to be shared with a friend, sibling, colleague, relative, or even the querent themselves. Whether this arises from association or coincidence I cannot say, but the pattern appears often enough to merit mention.

Temperament

The Hound corresponds most closely to a blend of the sanguine and phlegmatic temperaments. Such individuals are sociable, approachable, and easy to get along with, whilst also being dependable, patient, and supportive.

At heart, Hound people wish to belong. They thrive in groups, partnerships, teams, and social networks. Unlike the Bear, which stands apart through authority, or the Fox, which often acts independently, the Hound is most comfortable as part of a pack. Consequently, these individuals are frequently natural team players who enjoy working alongside others towards a common goal.

They are often accommodating and eager to please. Many dislike prolonged isolation and derive considerable satisfaction from companionship and co-operation. At their best, they are loyal, reliable, supportive, and willing to assist those they regard as part of their circle.

When poorly aspected, however, the desire for acceptance can become a weakness. The Hound may become overly dependent upon the approval of others, excessively eager to please, or reluctant to challenge unhealthy group dynamics. In such cases, association gives way to conformity and genuine friendship is replaced by the desire simply to belong.

Above all, the Hound describes a person who lives through their connections with others. Whether friend, colleague, neighbour, employee, adviser, or companion, they are rarely solitary figures. Their greatest strengths—and occasionally their greatest weaknesses—arise from the relationships they form and maintain with those around them.

Special Features

Pets

Naturally, the Hound signifies pets and companion animals. In most readings, the Hound alone will adequately represent whatever animal companions the seeker may possess. Nevertheless, the surrounding cards can often provide greater specificity.
The following correspondences arise from a combination of traditional associations and long-standing observation in practice:

• Cavalier — horses, ponies, donkeys, and other riding animals.
• Serpent — snakes, lizards, and reptiles generally.
• Bouquet — bees, butterflies, spiders, insects, and other small invertebrates.
• Birds — birds of all kinds, from domestic poultry through to owls.
• Fox — cats, foxes, badgers, other small mammals.
• Bear — large animals, working animals, livestock, and wild beasts.
• Stork — birds of prey, waterfowl, amphibians, and migratory species.
• Mice — mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, hedgehogs, and other small mammals.
• Fishes — fish, aquatic creatures, and marine mammals.

As always, context should guide interpretation. These combinations are descriptive rather than absolute and are intended to refine the Hound rather than replace it.

The Familiar

Most readers will be familiar with the observation from Arthur Conan Doyle’s Silver Blaze concerning the dog that did not bark. The significance lay in the fact that the dog recognised the intruder and therefore raised no alarm. In other words, the person was familiar.

A similar principle may be observed in the Petit Lenormand. The Hound frequently indicates that a person is already known to the seeker in some capacity. However, this requires a degree of nuance.

The Hound does not necessarily indicate a close relationship, nor does it imply friendship. Rather, it points towards someone who already occupies the seeker’s sphere of association. One may know who they are without knowing them particularly well.

I remember a reading several years ago in which the combination Ship – Park – Hound appeared. That very day I travelled to London to visit a friend and attend a concert. During the train journey, I encountered an individual who worked for the same organisation as myself. We had never spoken, yet we had seen one another repeatedly in corridors, training sessions, and the staff canteen. The person was not a stranger, but neither were they a friend. They were simply familiar.

This is often how the Hound operates. The individual may be someone from work, a neighbour, a regular customer, a fellow commuter, a former classmate, or even someone with whom the seeker has merely exchanged e-mails. The connection already exists, however slight it may be. What the Hound frequently suggests is that this existing association will become more established, bringing the person more fully into the seeker’s life and awareness.

Familiarity and Routine

An often-overlooked quality of the Hound is its preference for the familiar. Dogs are creatures of habit. They thrive upon routine, recognise established territory, and generally take comfort in what is known rather than what is novel. This characteristic can often be observed in the card’s divinatory meanings.

When the Hound describes a situation, it frequently indicates something familiar, established, or recurring. The people, places, or circumstances involved are rarely entirely new. Instead, they are things with which the seeker already has some degree of experience or prior acquaintance.

For this reason, the Hound can occasionally suggest an aversion to change. The card often favours continuity over novelty and may indicate a preference for established routines, trusted methods, and familiar surroundings. Whilst this can provide stability and reassurance, it can also lead to complacency or resistance to new opportunities.

A simple example would be Ship–Hound. Rather than showing an adventurous journey into unknown territory, the combination often indicates travelling somewhere one has visited before. The seeker may habitually holiday in the same destination, stay in the same hotel, or return repeatedly to a favourite location. The Ship provides the movement; the Hound makes that movement familiar and well-trodden.

The same principle applies elsewhere. Park–Hound may indicate a familiar venue or favourite restaurant, House–Hound long-established domestic routines, and Ring–Hound repetitive behaviour or a longstanding contact or agreement. In each instance, the Hound adds a quality of familiarity, consistency, and reliability.

Like a faithful working dog returning to the same path day after day, the Hound often reminds us that there is value in what is known, trusted, and proven. The challenge lies in recognising when familiarity provides stability and when it merely prevents us from exploring new possibilities.

Timing

In matters of timing, the Hound is generally a slow-moving card. Unlike the Cavalier, which brings speed and immediacy, the Hound proceeds cautiously and deliberately. Like a working dog following a scent, it pauses, investigates, and checks its surroundings before moving forward.

For this reason, the Hound often advises patience. Matters represented by the card tend to develop gradually as trust, familiarity, and co-operation are established. Progress is achieved through consistency rather than haste.

As a practical guide, the Hound frequently indicates a period of between four and eighteen months, particularly in matters concerning relationships, friendships, careers, and collaborative ventures.

Over the years, I have also observed an occasional association between the Hound and the period from 25 July to 16 August, encompassing the feast days of St Christopher and St Roch, both saints traditionally associated with dogs. This is not a traditional attribution, but one that has appeared with sufficient regularity in my own practice to merit mention.

Health

Traditionally, the Hound is often taken to signify the doctor. This can certainly occur in practice. Over recent years, however, I have found that the Bear more frequently represents the physician, particularly a senior doctor, consultant, or other clinician charged with responsibility for the seeker’s treatment and care.

In healthcare matters, the Bear often directs treatment; the Hound helps us through it.

The Hound more naturally describes those healthcare professionals whose role centres upon practical support, assistance, and day-to-day care. Thus, it frequently signifies nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, counsellors, carers, and others who work directly alongside the patient throughout their recovery or rehabilitation. As with the card generally, the emphasis falls upon support rather than authority.

The Hound can also indicate illnesses that must be managed rather than cured outright. Such conditions become part of the seeker’s daily life and require ongoing treatment, monitoring, or adjustment. Eczema, hepatitis B, and similar chronic conditions may occasionally be represented by the card when supported by the surrounding combinations. Here, the symbolism is particularly apt. Like a faithful hound, the condition remains with the individual. Whilst undesirable, it can often be managed successfully through treatment, adaptation, and ongoing care.

Anatomically, the Hound is associated with the nose and mouth, including the teeth and tongue. Consequently, the card governs smell, taste, speech, oral health, and conditions affecting the upper respiratory passages.

Above all, the Hound reminds us that recovery is rarely a solitary endeavour. Whether through nurses, therapists, carers, family members, friends, or support groups, healing often depends upon the assistance and companionship of others. As elsewhere in the deck, the Hound reveals those who stand beside us when help is most needed.

The Hound in Action

Two of the most practical applications of fortune-telling and divination are helping us make better decisions and preparing us for challenges whilst maximising opportunities. We shall examine the former here.

Questions involving a choice between two alternatives are amongst the most common consultations a cartomante will encounter. Consequently, most readers eventually develop a preferred method for approaching them.

Over the years, I have experimented with several techniques. Ultimately, however, I found that simplicity produces the clearest results. For each option, I deal between three and five cards whilst asking what the outcome of choosing that particular course of action would be. It is a straightforward approach, but a highly effective one. I generally favour either the Petit Lenormand or L’Oracle Belline for such questions, although the Tarot, playing cards, and Oracle de la Triade all perform admirably.

Where my method differs from that of some cartomantes is that I read each option separately. Whatever deck I am using, I want both choices to have access to the entire deck. Otherwise, the second option is no longer being judged on equal terms.

In April 2025, it became apparent that my home required a complete rewire. After checking credentials, references, and quotations, I had narrowed the choice down to two firms. The question remained: which one should I employ?

I therefore consulted the cards, performing a separate reading for each company.

First Company

The cards drawn were:

Park – Hound – Fishes – Roads – Birch Rod

At first glance, the combination appeared promising, but certain practical concerns quickly became apparent.

The Park preceding the Hound suggests a company operating on a broader scale. The business enjoys a significant public presence and serves a large customer base. The Hound here does not primarily describe friendship or loyalty, but personnel and service.

Taken together, Park–Hound often describes a dog with many masters. The company is attempting to satisfy numerous clients simultaneously and must constantly divide its attention between competing demands. The addition of the Fishes reinforces this interpretation, indicating a substantial flow of work, customers, and income.

The consequence is revealed by the Roads and Birch Rod. Because the company accepts work regardless of current staffing pressures, resources must frequently be reallocated. Electricians are moved between jobs, schedules altered, and plans adjusted in order to meet demand. The Roads shows the continual decisions required to allocate personnel, whilst the Birch Rod acts as a card of correction and rescheduling rather than conflict.

The company was not necessarily unreliable; it was simply stretched across too many commitments at once.

Taken together, the cards described a busy and successful firm, but one where dates and arrangements were unlikely to remain fixed. If I went with them, I’d have to be prepared to change schedules.

Second Company

Having returned the cards to the deck, I shuffled and cut before performing the second reading.

The cards drawn were:

House – Bear – Lilies – Key – Hound

The contrast was striking.

The House immediately suggested a smaller, more localised operation. Unlike the first company, there was less emphasis upon scale and market reach. Instead, the focus fell upon stability, reliability, and established working practices.

The combination of Bear–Lilies was particularly encouraging. The Bear provides strength, resources, and experience, whilst the Lilies adds professionalism, honouring commitments and high standards. Together, the cards described a company that knew its trade thoroughly and approached its work with care.

The Key reinforced this favourable impression. Not only did it indicate competence, but it also suggested that the company possessed the necessary expertise to handle the work correctly. The Key facilitates access to solutions and, in this instance, pointed towards a business capable of delivering a high standard of workmanship (Lilies).

Finally, the Hound appeared again, though in a very different context. Here it described dependable tradesmen who took pride in their work and honoured their commitments. The emphasis was not upon numbers, but upon reliability and service.

Outcome

Comparing the two readings, the distinction became clear.

What ultimately separated the two companies was not competence, but reliability. Both appeared capable of completing the work. The first company’s scale created scheduling pressures and a need for constant adjustment. The second company’s smaller size allowed it to offer a more personal, consistent, and dependable service.

I therefore chose the second company.

The outcome justified the decision. The work was completed on schedule, professionally executed, and to an excellent standard. More importantly for our purposes, the reading neatly illustrates one of the Hound’s less-discussed functions. Whilst often associated with friendship, the Hound is equally a card of dependable service, practical assistance, employees, and professional support.

The appearance of the Hound in both readings is particularly instructive. In the first, it described a larger workforce whose members were continually being reassigned to meet demand. In the second, it described reliable individuals who could be trusted to fulfil their obligations. The card did not merely show people; it revealed the quality of the support they would provide.

This distinction proved decisive in selecting the better option – and also why I like to use a whole deck for each possibility. The same cards can appear telling important but different information.

§

Images:

Featured Image:

Rough Collie from 1915, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Cards:

Lenormand Cards: Jeu Lenormand © Cartamundi, WanderWüst © Jorge/Wandering Oracle, Lenormand Fortune-Telling Cards © Zao-Gelli, The Lenormand Oracle © Verlag für die Frau, Leipzig, Nieuwe Lenormand © Amber Studio/Erna Droesbeke, Lenormand 36 Orakelspielkarten © Königsfurt-Urania,

References:

Boroveshengra, A., 2013. Cartomantes’ Cabinet: The Petit Lenormand Course.
Boroveshengra, A., 2015. Lenormand Thirty Six cards. 2nd ed. Create Space.
George, R. 2014 The Essential Lenormand: Your Guide to Precise & Practical Fortunetelling. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Publications.
Marco, M. and Goffinet, J., 1989. Petit Lenormand. Bruxelles: Servranx.
Silvestre, C., 2003. Le Petit Lenormand. [Montpellier]: Gange éd.