With All Triumphant Splendour: The Sun Card

There he has placed a tent for the sun; it comes forth like a bridegroom coming from his tent, rejoices like a champion to run its course.
Psalm 18:6, The Grail Translation

Sun, near, you are enlightened by its rays and happiness grows, but if it is far away, all cools with discouragement in all enterprises and prepares for calamities
Original Instructions

When one turns to card no. 31 — the Ace of Diamonds, or the Sun — it can, at first sight, appear somewhat one‑dimensional, even a little uninspiring. Is it not merely a symbol of success? How does it differ from the Cloverleaf? And can this eikōn truly disperse the Clouds?

The Essence and Function of the Sun

The essence of the Sun card is illumination, and its function is to energise. Illumination, in this context, must be understood in its fullest breadth: physical, intellectual, spiritual, and indeed metaphysical.

Across the principal patterns, the traditional eikōn of the Sun remains strikingly consistent. The examples referenced here are drawn from decks published by Carta Mundi, Piatnik, the Wandering Oracle, and Zao‑Gelli.

We behold the rising sun in splendour, its rays falling beneficently upon the landscape. Depending upon the artist’s preference, one may find bodies of water, rolling hills, or mountains. A particularly early and enduring detail is the presence of dispersing clouds — a feature to which we shall return in due course.

Interpretative Principles

The Sun is the brightest star and the gravitational centre of our solar system. It is indispensable for warmth, light, food energy, and the precipitation upon which all life depends. In the same way, the Sun card invigorates situations and provides the necessary conditions for success across every sphere of life, not merely the financial or professional.

The Sun photographed at 304 angstroms by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA 304) of NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). This is a false-color image of the Sun observed in the extreme ultraviolet region of the spectrum.

From the earliest civilisations, the sun has held a central place in myth and ritual. Agrarian cultures, acutely aware of their dependence upon its light and warmth, marked the solstices with solemn observances, recognising in them the turning points of the agricultural year. These ancient intuitions are not lost to us: the winter solstice is crowned by the Great Feast of Christmas, when the Light enters the world, and the summer solstice by the Nativity of St John the Baptist, whose mission was to herald that Light and then diminish before it. The cosmic symbolism of the sun, therefore, still finds relevance in modern European culture.

Although the ancients lacked terms such as “dwarf star” or “photosynthesis”, they understood perfectly our dependence upon the sun for survival — and the dangers inherent in its power. For this reason, as attested by the great astrologers, the sun was regarded as the supreme luminary. It is the giver of light, heat, and life, and symbolises our vital energy, spirit, and soul. Through its beneficence of light, it grants the enlightenment and perception required to apprehend revealed truth.

Page from Sphaerae coelestis et planetarum descriptio aka De Sphaerae (ca. 1470), an illuminated astrological manuscript from the Biblioteca Estense Universitaria (Inv. alpha.x.2.14).

All these qualities are encoded within the eikōn: the rising sun as giver of light; the rays as vital force; the dispersing clouds as the dawning of perception; and the landscape as the world quickened by its warmth. The Sun card, therefore, is not merely a cipher for success but the animating principle that renders success possible — the life‑giving radiance without which nothing can flourish.

Coda

Ultimately, the Sun brings not only illumination but its life‑giving heat. Just as the natural sun quickens the earth and drives away the shadows, so too does this card energise circumstances, dissolve impediments, and break through situations that have grown dark or stagnant. It imparts a vital force to the reading as a whole: a renewed impetus, a confident drive towards success, and a sense of bonheur that restores optimism and forward movement.

In relationships, the Sun denotes bonds marked by genuine warmth, openness, and a wholesome delight in the other. It speaks of affection that is steady, generous, and life‑affirming — a warmth that strengthens, encourages, and sustains. In this way, the Sun stands as the card that brings vitality, clarity, and the invigorating heat in which people, plans, and possibilities can truly flourish.

Person and Description

The Sun card, taken on its own, is not read as a person. It does not function as a significator in the way that the Lord, the Lady, Dog or Serpent cards do. However, when it appears in conjunction with a person card, it can offer a vivid and reliable description of both physical appearance and temperament. In this sense, the Sun acts as an enhancing influence, illuminating the qualities of the individual it accompanies.

Physical Description

Physically, the Sun card describes someone with a strong, well‑formed body and a healthy, ruddy complexion. The colouring indicated by the Sun ranges from olive to bronzed and, in some cases, distinctly dark. It is not uncommon for this card to point to striking or memorable eyes — whether notably large, or marked by a golden or amber hue. As ever, one should look for supporting testimony in neighbouring cards before drawing firm conclusions. The hair is often thick, sometimes luxuriant, and may have a warm or sun‑touched tone.

Temperament

In matters of temperament, the Sun card portrays an individual endowed with drive, determination, and a clear sense of purpose. This is someone who strives to see their vision realised and their aspirations fulfilled. They are frequently successful in their chosen field — and the surrounding cards will usually indicate the nature of that field with some precision. Such a person naturally gravitates towards leadership roles and tends to excel when placed at the forefront; they like to be at the top of their game and are seldom content with mediocrity.

Hans Adam Weissenkircher: Helios on His Chariot

Yet this ambition is not cold or self‑serving. The Sun confers warmth, generosity, and a buoyant sense of bonheur. In love readings, it adds a splash of passion and a wholehearted delight in the relationship. This is a temperament that uplifts others, radiates confidence, and brings a steady, invigorating positivity to all it touches.

Special Features

Proximity

In the Lenormand tradition, proximity is a principle of considerable importance, and the Sun card offers a particularly clear demonstration of its effects. When the Sun falls close to the significator, it acts as a direct source of strength and vitality for the querent. Its nearness energises them, providing the determination, stamina, and inner fortitude required to pursue their aspirations with confidence. The cards immediately surrounding the Sun will often reveal the nature of the endeavours being activated or supported, and may indicate where the querent’s efforts are most likely to bear fruit.

When the Sun lies far from the significator, its influence cools. Opportunities become fewer, and those that do arise tend to be more complex or demanding. The querent may find that progress requires sustained effort, and that obstacles must be met with considerable resolve. In many cases, the distance of the Sun can signify a loss of mettle — not necessarily failure, but a period in which the querent feels depleted, overburdened, or unable to maintain the momentum needed to overcome the trials before them.

The Sun and the Clouds

Light and Its Absence

In most strands of folklore, the absence of light has long been regarded as ominous. Light reveals, clarifies, and brings truth into view; darkness obscures, conceals, and unsettles. Eclipses, in particular, were traditionally interpreted as malefic portents — moments when the natural order appeared to falter and the heavens themselves seemed troubled. This symbolic contrast between light and darkness lies at the heart of the Clouds card, and we shall explore it more fully in the dedicated article on that subject.

The Clouds’ Ability to Eclipse the Sun

Because of this ancient association, the Clouds card does indeed possess the capacity to eclipse the Sun. When this occurs, it traditionally signifies a reversal of fortune. Opportunities diminish, dividends fail to materialise, and relationships may cool or become strained. Matters that once seemed straightforward turn into uphill struggles, and the querent may find themselves labouring against unfavourable conditions. The Sun’s usual clarity and vigour are overshadowed, and progress becomes markedly more difficult.

When the Sun Lessens the Clouds’ Influence

There are, however, circumstances in which the Sun appears to ameliorate or soften the malevolence of the Clouds. This typically occurs when the Sun crowns the Clouds card, or when both the Sun and the significator fall together on the light side of the Clouds (or the Sun above the Clouds). In such configurations, the Sun’s influence can mitigate the severity of the storm, offering moments of respite, insight, or renewed strength. The challenges remain, but they are less overwhelming, and the querent may find that clarity returns more swiftly than expected.

Not a True Neutralisation

It is important to stress that this is not analogous to the Serpent neutralising the Mice. The Clouds are not dispelled; they still bring turbulence, confusion, and delay. What the Sun can do, in favourable positions, is lessen the impact and shorten the duration of the storm. The querent may still face trials, but the Sun ensures that these trials are not wholly debilitating, and that a path forward remains visible, however faintly.

The Sun and the Cloverleaf

Among readers drawing upon the Germanic literature, it is common to encounter the Sun described as großes Glück — “great good fortune” — and to see it contrasted with the Cloverleaf, often styled as “small luck.” While this distinction is not entirely misguided, it is rather more nuanced than a simple matter of scale.

The beneficence of the Sun operates on a broader and more enduring plane. Its radiance creates the conditions for long‑term improvement, illuminating opportunities that can lead to substantial and lasting betterment in the quality of one’s life. The Sun’s influence is expansive: its rays can touch every sphere — professional, financial, relational, and personal — and provide the clarity, vigour, and momentum required for genuine advancement.

The Cloverleaf, by contrast, represents a fortunate turn — a brief boon from Fortuna. It is the card of the lucky break, the unexpected windfall, the small but cheering stroke of chance. When combined with the Fishes, for example, the Cloverleaf might suggest a modest win on a scratch card or a fleeting financial perk. The Sun with the Fishes, however, speaks of something altogether more substantial: the creation of a nest egg, the establishment of security, or the emergence of a meaningful opportunity for long‑term prosperity.

For this reason, it is unhelpful to view the two cards merely in terms of “big” and “small.” The more accurate distinction lies between chance and opportunity. The Cloverleaf offers chance — a momentary stroke of luck. The Sun offers opportunity — the conditions in which meaningful success can be pursued, achieved, and sustained.

Timing

Within the folklore of the cards, the Sun carries several well‑attested timing associations. In terms of season, it naturally signifies summer — the period of greatest light, warmth, and activity. When the question concerns short time frames, the Sun points to the morning, the time of day when energy rises and undertakings begin. Over longer spans, it can denote a solar year, marking the full cycle of the sun’s passage.

Some readers also make use of the card number. From the “31”, one may, in certain contexts, derive a period of thirty‑one days, particularly when the surrounding cards support a numerical interpretation.

Through experience, I have found that the Sun can signify Sunday in very short‑term readings, such as a week‑ahead draw or the tirage du chien de pique. This is not a traditional association, but it has proved reliable in practice and is worth noting when the question is tightly bound to the days of the week.

Health

In matters of health, the Sun’s principal meaning is energy and vitality. When this force is impaired, the querent may feel lethargic, depleted, or spent. The Sun can also indicate drying out — dehydration, for instance — and, when paired with the Stars, it may point to dry skin or issues arising from lack of moisture.

Within the body, the Sun corresponds to the central nervous system, the core network through which impulses, responses, and vital signals are transmitted. Very occasionally, when combined with the Birds or the Serpent, the Sun may draw attention to the eyes, particularly issues relating to brightness, strain, or sensitivity.

The Sun Card in Action

In early 2025, Charlene was referred to me by a long‑standing client. She is a successful solicitor in her mid‑thirties who had, for almost a year, been seeing a man eleven years her junior. The relationship was, by her account, affectionate and companionable; however, he was markedly reticent when the subject of long‑term plans arose. Charlene, by contrast, was keen to settle and wished to know whether he was genuinely invested in a future together.

The significators were the Lord (her partner) and the Lady (Charlene). The cards drawn were: the Birds, the Cloverleaf, the Roads, the Clouds, and the Sun.

Some cartomantes, seeing a line conclude with the Sun, would be inclined to answer in the affirmative. After all, the Sun is a positive card and, in many contexts, brings matters to a favourable close. In this instance, however, the answer was sadly no. His initial enthusiasm had waned.

Let us examine the line. The Birds, in themselves, often indicate minor irritations, agitation, or a flutter of nervous energy. Yet, when paired with the Cloverleaf, the emphasis shifts towards excitement — a lively spark, but one that is short‑lived. Both the Birds and the Cloverleaf are transient eikōns; their influence is brief, their effects fleeting.

The Roads mark a turning point: the moment when the flurry of excitement subsides and the ardour cools. There is nothing in the line to suggest that the Lord is a poor character or ill‑intentioned. Rather, it shows a divergence of aims. Charlene possessed the desire and drive to pursue a long‑term future; he did not.

The Clouds confirm the cooling of sentiment and the onset of uncertainty. The Sun at the end does not revive the relationship; instead, it clarifies the situation. It reveals the truth plainly: he was not prepared to commit his time and energy, he just didn’t feel it.

In due course, the relationship ended, not through acrimony but because he was simply not ready to settle at that time.

The next article in this series will turn to the Moon card, a natural companion to the Sun. The two are intimately connected, and once their relationship is properly understood, the workings of the Moon in practical readings become far easier to grasp. By considering them together, one gains a clearer sense of how these paired forces operate within the Lenormand system.

Images:

Cards: Jeu Lenormand © Cartamundi, WanderWüst © Jorge/Wandering Oracle, Nr. 1941 Mlle Lenormand Wahrsagekarten © Piatnik, Lenormand Fortune-Telling Cards © Zao-Gelli

Featured Image: God Creates the Sun and Planets, Michelangelo, Sistine Chapel via Wiki Common.

References:

Boroveshengra, A., 2013. Cartomantes’ Cabinet: The Petit Lenormand Course.
Boroveshengra, A., 2015. Lenormand Thirty Six cards. 2nd ed. Create Space.
Delclos, M., 2013. Le Livre du Petit Lenormand. 1st ed. Escalquens: Éd. Trajectoire.
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.
Ptolemaeus, C. and Robbins, F.E. (2001) Tetrabiblos. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Univ. Press.
Silvestre, C., 2003. Le Petit Lenormand. [Montpellier]: Gange éd.
Valens, V. and Riley, M.T. (2022) The Anthology. Denver, CO: Amor Fati Publications.

29 June, 202628 June, 2026

Fox Associations

In the sixteen years since I first began to write about the Petit Lenormand, requests for “combination lists” have been both frequent and persistent. They are, however, something I have consistently declined to produce. My view has always been that it is far better to learn how to combine cards properly before committing any fixed pairing to memory. Of course, certain traditional associations do exist, and many of them hold true. Even so, you will not require them every time those cards appear together in a reading.

Times also change. In the early 2000s, I was working in the healthcare sector and read for a great many doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and the like. At that time, the Letter–Birds combination appeared endlessly. Do you remember pagers? I cannot recall when that combination was last appropriate. What was once ubiquitous has now become an historical curiosity.

The other difficulty with combination lists is that they are entirely devoid of context. They must be written—and read—as though everything were equal, which is almost never the case in practice. Some might even describe them as a form of creative fiction: neat, tidy, and occasionally useful, but never a substitute for genuine interpretative skill.

Of all the cards I was asked for combinations list, six appear with striking regularity: the Clouds, the Scythe, the Fox, the Mice, the Key and the Cross. Five of the nine traditional negative cards, and one can understand why they provoke anxiety. I can also understand the Key, too. Yet the Fox is the card that tops the list, time and again. I eventually realised that this was often because the person asking used the Fox as a work card; when it appeared outside professional matters, they struggled to relate it to the rest of life.

It is profoundly unhelpful to think in such terms. No Lenormand card means work, finance or sex in and of itself. Some cards have an affinity with certain spheres of life, certainly, and when examining a particular topic in a reading—especially in the Grand Tableau—you may draw upon these affinities to build a fuller and more nuanced picture. But they are contributory functions, not categorical definitions. To treat any card as the exclusive representative of a core concept is to limit the system and, ultimately, to limit one’s own interpretative ability.

So, for what it may be worth, here are some Fox associations—again, all things being equal, and I genuinely would not attempt to memorise them.

14 – 01: An untrustworthy visitor or confidence trickster. Something is amiss with the car, motorcycle, bicycle or horse, and there may be cheating in sport.

14 – 02: A day of misfortune. A lie told off the cuff, and someone feigning happiness or “putting on a front.”

14 – 03: An unprofitable enterprise. A warning against travel, as any journey undertaken is likely to encounter difficulties.

14 – 04: Domestic discomfort and tension behind closed doors. Something is wrong with the property. As a person: an unreliable man.

14 – 05: Poor lifestyle choices causing long‑term issues. A possible misdiagnosis or need for a second opinion (contrast with 14 – 05). Entrapment in long‑standing lies.

14 – 06: Deceit comes to light, though matters remain less transparent than they appear. As a person: an untrustworthy and unpleasant (usually older) man.

14 – 07: Temptation, inducement and spite; lies, intrigue and hidden agendas. A caution against detours. As a person: an untrustworthy and unpleasant (often older) woman.

14 – 08: Wrong treatment or a poor reaction to it (compare with 14 – 05). Feigning illness or grief for advantage. Ignorance, or a secret taken to the grave.

14 – 09: A charm offensive or douceur with strings attached. Occasionally, difficulties involving a woman.

14 – 10: A sudden display of aggression or intimidation. Sabotage of your efforts, often in work. Sometimes, criminal fraud.

14 – 11: Wrong punishment. Arguments arising from deception, or pointless quarrelling. Writing something known to be untrue, even libel.

14 – 12: Baseless rumour or speculation, though often dismissed as unfounded worry. Rarely, slander or a false‑positive pregnancy test. As a person: an untrustworthy couple.

14 – 13: A deceitful or manipulative child, though often a “little white lie.” Vivid imagination. Very occasionally, questions of biological parentage.

14 – 15: An older person acting out of character, or a sign something is wrong with them. Rarely, controlling behaviour or extreme jealousy. Very rare: a wig or hairpiece.

14 – 16: Poor timing: the stars are not aligned. A warning against proceeding now. Sometimes, overconfidence in skill or ability.

14 – 17: Not the right moment for change. Frustration, false starts and matters failing to take off. As a person: unreliable, hyperactive.

14 – 18: Dishonesty from someone close, or a false friend. A dishonest employee or rivalry at work. Something amiss with a pet. Rarely, peer pressure.

14 – 19: A need for assistance, as your perspective lacks objectivity. General struggle with life. Rarely, passing off something as antique or lying about one’s age.

14 – 20: Propaganda, fake news and grooming. Social discomfort or being amongst people not to your taste/caution when going out. Rarely, internet or social‑media scammers.

14 – 21: Walking into a misjudged situation that will require effort to resolve. Occasionally, giving up prematurely or overstating a problem.

14 – 22: A wrong choice or misguided direction. Problems with a commute or planned route. Expect delays.

14 – 23: Safeguard against theft or vandalism. More often, an unwelcome truth about a person or situation comes to light.

14 – 24: Loving the wrong person and heading for heartache. A third party or love rival. Emotional manipulation used to exploit or control.

14 – 25: A contract with hidden obligations or unfair terms—check the small print. A relationship moving in the wrong direction. Repeating the same mistake.

14 – 26: Discovering the truth, or a warning of paperwork problems. Rarely, falsified documents or qualifications.

14 – 27: Post going astray, intercepted mail or deliberate tampering. Sometimes, a wrong number or telemarketing scam. Text to the wrong person!

14 – 28: An untrustworthy man. Occasionally, self‑delusion.

14 – 29: A dishonest woman. She may also be deluding herself.

14 – 30: Absence of a moral compass; infidelity. Abuse of position or power. Unhealthy family dynamics.

14 – 31: Success fails at the final hurdle. Matters will not go well—contingency planning is essential. Occasionally, heating problems.

14 – 32: Defamation or the deliberate falsification of credentials—lying on a CV or providing false references. Your performance is being watched closely, and any mistake will be used to someone’s advantage. Occasionally, an undeserved reputation.

14 – 33: You’re being lied to. Security is compromised—change passwords and locks. Occasionally, a lie uncovered but the realisation comes too late.

14 – 34: A fraudulent transaction or financial scam. Otherwise, a warning to budget as money will soon be tight. Moonshine.

14 – 35: No stability in relationships, work, finances or home life. Too much baggage; difficulty moving on. As a person: a fair‑weather friend.

14 – 36: The mask slips and truth emerges; trial by fire. Treachery is left behind and you are ready to move on. Occasionally, suffering caused by deceit.

Cards: WanderWüst © Jorge/Wandering Oracle

Featured Image: WanderWüst © Jorge/Wandering Oracle, Lenormand (Symbole): Die echten Altenburg-Spielkarten © Königsfurt-Urania,Jeu Lenormand © Cartamundi, Lenormand Fortune-Telling Cards © Zao-Gelli, Nr. 1941 Mlle Lenormand Wahrsagekarten © Piatnik, The Lenormand Oracle © Verlag für die Frau, Leipzig (1982).

26 June, 202627 June, 2026

A Lily Among the Thistles: The Lilies Card

I am the rose of Sharon, the lily of the valleys. As a lily among the thistles, so is my love among the maidens.

My Beloved is mine and I am his. He pastures his flock among the lilies.
The Song of Solomon 2:1-2, 16, The Jerusalem Bible (1966)

Lilies, announces a happy life unless surrounded by clouds where it indicates sorrows in the family. If this card is found above the person it indicates virtue, below, it cast doubts on their principles
Original Instructions

Like the Fox and Birch Rod, card No. 30 – the King of Spades – the Lilies is a card that divides opinion. Is it the notorious “sex card”? A symbol of purity? Or the Petit Lenormand’s eikōn of all things venerable and elderly?

The Essence and Function of the Lilies

The essence of the Lilies is serenity; its function is righteousness. One once proposed “ecstasy” as its essence, intending a profound emotional and spiritual union that brings tranquillity to the soul. Yet the term was too often misunderstood, and “serenity”—the harmony of mind, body, and spirit—is the more accurate expression of the card’s nature.

Traditionally, the Lilies depict a branch of white Easter or Madonna lilies, though some historical decks employ other varieties or colours, subtly altering the descriptive interpretation.

As with the Fox, folklore provides the key to the Lilies’ seemingly contradictory associations. These are ancient, varied, and deeply rooted in European tradition.

Hellenistic myth holds that the lily sprang from Hera’s breast milk, linking it with marriage, fertility and fidelity. The fleur‑de‑lis, meanwhile, has long symbolised kingship, chivalry, and protection. In the langage des fleurs, lilies convey meanings ranging from love and majesty to rebirth and passion. Though chrysanthemums are more commonly associated with death, lilies too may evoke grief and funerary rites for Anglos, adding a further note of solemnity to their symbolism.

Within the Judeo‑Christian European tradition—the one most relevant to Lenormand—the lily is intimately connected with both Our Lord and his Blessed Mother. The Madonna lily appears frequently in depictions of the Annunciation, where St Gabriel bears a spray of lilies. Though often said to signify virginity, its symbolism is richer: the three petals evoke the Holy Trinity and reflect Our Lady’s unique relationship to it—Daughter of the Father, Mother of the Son, and Spouse of the Holy Spirit.

*The Annunciation by Botticelli (*http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/459016)

A persistent misunderstanding must be addressed. The lily’s association with purity is frequently taken as a synonym for virginity and, by extension, celibacy. This conflation is misleading. In the Annunciation, the lily points not primarily to virginity in a narrow or physiological sense, but to the mystery of the Immaculate Conception: Our Lady’s own conception free from original sin—“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28, RSVCE). To reduce the symbol to celibacy alone is to flatten its theological and symbolic depth. The Immaculate Conception is not the Incarnation; St. Anna and St. Joachim conceived Our Lady in the normal manner. Her perpetual virginity forms part of this mystery, but it does not exhaust it.

Assumption of the Virgin by Francesco Botticini

The lily also appears in depictions of the Dormition and Assumption, reinforcing themes of incorruptibility and exalted grace. The assumption lily blooms around 15 August, aligning with the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos. The Easter lily, by contrast, signifies the Resurrection and the joy that follows Calvary. In the Song of Solomon, the bride is likened to a lily among brambles (or thistles)—an image of love, beauty, and delight.

The Resurrection by Carl Heinrich Bloch, 1881

These associations—grace, renewal, tenderness, and moral purity—form the interpretative field of the Lilies card.

Interpretative Principles

The Lilies is sometimes dismissed as a “catch‑all” card, and not without reason. More than almost any other eikōn, it demands context. It is rarely read as an event and only occasionally as a topic outside a Grand Tableau. Its primary role is atmospheric: in the absence of malefic influences, it brings fulfilment, harmony, and a sense of belonging. In relationships, it denotes tenderness, mutual respect, and genuine affection.

When read independently, the Lilies most often signifies a person or, in certain contexts, an institution charged with a duty of care. It is also associated with the family—though not the household, which belongs to the House card.

Functionally, the Lilies represents righteousness or moral excellence. It encourages the virtues that sustain harmony—integrity, charity, honesty, humility—and thus the attainment of one’s highest potential.

Coda

At heart, the Lilies is an atmospheric card, bringing contentment and tendresse to situations and relationships. Otherwise, it is most commonly read as a man or, thematically, as the family.

Person and Description

Person

Card no. 30 corresponds to the King of Spades. In playing‑card folklore, the King of Spades is associated with King David the Prophet; accordingly, when read as a person, the Lilies signifies a man. Following Etteilla, the suit of spades is associated with the female significator—the Lady (Ace of Spades). Accordingly, the King may also represent a maternal relative or, for a married man in a relationship reading, a relation by marriage.

Most court cards—such as the Fishes (King of Diamonds) or the Roads (Queen of Diamonds)—are read as persons only when paired with a social card. This is because their personal interpretation is a secondary function, activated only when the spread explicitly calls for it. The Lilies, however, like the Serpent, the Hound, and the Bear, is read as a person in the majority of draws.

Marco and Goffinet observe that this typically occurs when the Lilies is read in isolation. Experience confirms this, though what is “isolation”? The Lilies is best read as a person when it occupies a non‑descriptive position—when functioning as a trigger card, for example, or often as a focus card. In other instances, cultivated intuition guides the decision.

Consider Lilies + Ring. While it may indicate a close familial bond, outside a Grand Tableau it more commonly signifies an agreement involving a man. In the Game of Destiny example on this site, the Lilies is descriptive in the first stage but a person in the third. Positioned between the Birch Rod and the Book, it was more coherent to read it as a person: signs of illness (Tree + Birch Rod) required investigation (Book) by an individual (Lilies).

With practice, one becomes attuned to the language of the cards, and immediate cognition—true intuition—reveals when the Lilies denotes a person.

Though many sources describe the King of Spades as an older man, this should not be assumed. Court cards shed fixed attributes, and their physical and psychological qualities emerge through surrounding cards. Unless additional indicators—such as the Tower or Clouds—explicitly suggest “age”, the King will simply denote an adult male, often near the seeker’s own age. One should never presume advanced years without clear support.

Physical Description & Temperament

Like all cards, the Lilies may describe a person’s physical appearance when paired with a person card. Its aesthetic is one of refinement and striking presence. Whereas the Bouquet denotes classical beauty—soft, harmonious, and conventionally pleasing—the Lilies suggests a sharper, more sculpted elegance. It evokes the sort of individual whose features are arresting rather than merely pretty: poised, immaculate, and possessed of an almost austere allure. Think of the cool, chiselled glamour of Marlene Dietrich or the sleek, commanding presence of Buster Crabbe. Temperamentally, such a person is composed, dignified, and self‑possessed, with an air of quiet authority and a natural inclination towards restraint and decorum. They are loyal, tender, and notably discerning—a good judge of character. Experience shows that those signified by the Lilies will give everyone a fair chance; yet once their good opinion is lost, it is lost irrevocably.

A slight caution is necessary when describing colouring. The Lilies often indicates clear skin and fair hair, but this does not necessarily imply white hair; it may be ash, flaxen, or platinum. Grey hair belongs more properly to the Clouds card. Moreover, this colouring applies only when the deck depicts a white‑yellow lily. If the card shows lilies of another hue, that colour should be used instead. The ASS Lenormand, for example, has a distinct pink tint—an easy detail to overlook, as one client discovered when they met someone who matched every other aspect of the description but had, quite literally, pink hair. I had missed this.

Special Features

Above or Below

Traditionally, cartomancers paid close attention to whether the Lilies fell above or below the person card. The original instructions state: “If this card is found above the person it indicates virtue; below, it casts doubts on their principles.” This reflects a broader rule within Lenormand: a card influences the card beneath it. When such a card falls above a person card—“crowns” it, in divinatory parlance—it guides, elevates, or directs the individual. Consequently, several cards are markedly more auspicious when placed above the significator, such as the Stars, the Sun, the Moon, and the Key.

The Lilies follows this principle closely. When it falls above the significator, its qualities—serenity, righteousness, moral clarity—guide and shape the person’s conduct. When it falls below, those qualities are not held aloft; the individual’s own motivations, desires, and needs become the primary driving force. The Lilies still colours the interpretation, but it does not “crown” the querent.

It is worth reiterating that virtue, in this context, must not be confused with sexuality. Virtue is not chastity; it is an inner excellence, a disposition towards harmony, integrity, and a flourishing life. The Lilies speaks to moral character, not sexual behaviour.

Practically, this feature is especially useful when examining partnerships—romantic, familial, or professional. Noting whether the Lilies lies above or below a partner card offers nuance in judging the surrounding descriptive cards. Above, it suggests that the person is guided by the Lilies’ qualities; below, that those qualities are present but not determinative. This simple positional observation can provide a surprising degree of insight into the dynamics at play.

The Grand Tableau below illustrates this principle in practice. The Lilies appears in the first row, immediately to the right of the Lord card and above the Lady, who sits in the bottom row.

Epic Light Lenormand

The querent—the Lady—is a principled, well‑adjusted woman who dislikes conflict (Birch Rod crowning). The Lilies falling to the right of the Lord describes him as essentially decent: good‑natured, loyal, and fundamentally sound in character. Yet it does not fall above him. He is not self‑serving, but neither is he above exploiting grey areas when it suits him; the Lilies does not “crown” him, and thus its virtues do not guide his conduct in a decisive way.

The gentleman in question worked in finance and had been offered a secondment requiring twelve months in Hong Kong. He was keen to pursue the opportunity, even though it meant postponing a planned wedding (Stork, Ring, Birch Rod). The Lilies’ position—beside him but not above—captured this nuance perfectly: a fundamentally decent man, but one whose personal ambitions and practical considerations outweighed the guiding influence of serenity, loyalty, and moral restraint.

The Lord lies in the domicile of the Ship card, indicating a man keen to move forward and pursue opportunities for advancement. He also knights to both the Ring and the Heart, showing that he is in love with his fiancée and genuinely wishes to marry her; however, he sees this occurring after he has addressed his professional aspirations. Knighting, after all, reveals what lies “around the corner.” His focus is on building a better life rather than on the wedding day itself.

The querent was under pressure to end the relationship, yet the individual urging this course of action was neither neutral nor trustworthy, as shown by Hound–Serpent and Fox–Hound. Fortunately, the situation is not irreparable. Clarity can be restored by gaining a proper understanding of each other’s needs (Stars–Birch Rod) and by removing the poisonous words and influences that have clouded judgement (Stork–Serpent).

Sex and the Lilies

For some readers, the Lilies is the so‑called “sex card.” Others prefer the Birch Rod or the Serpent for such matters. In truth, no single Lenormand card pertains specifically to sex or sexuality. If the querent asks about sex, then all thirty‑six cards become “sex cards,” for the context of the question governs the interpretation. The cards speak to the subject placed before them.

In questions concerning romantic relationships, the Lilies contributes a quality of tendresse—a deep bond marked by affection, devotion, and emotional maturity. It signifies a relationship characterised by gentleness, mutual respect, and a serene, enduring love. When the question explicitly concerns sex, the Lilies describes the act not in crude or mechanical terms, but as unitive: an expression of love that joins two people physically (and spiritually). It speaks to intimacy as an extension of tenderness, not as an isolated or purely physical pursuit. Hence the often cited Lilies—Sun being “great sex” would be true, but only in a specific context.

Family and Relationships

When approached as a topic (usually in a Grand Tableau), the Lilies generally pertains to the family, though its emphasis lies more upon one’s relationship with them than upon specific events.

For example, the Tree and the Coffin falling with the Lilies may indeed indicate a significant illness or bereavement within the family. Yet in practice it is far more common for such combinations to speak of emotional distance, estrangement, or a sense of rejection within the family dynamic. Conversely, benefic cards around the Lilies describe closeness, support, and a deep sense of belonging.

Timing

Traditionally, the Lilies is associated with winter. When paired with the Clouds, it may denote snowfall or blizzards. In my own practice, it has also shown a consistent affinity with Wednesday, though this is a personal correspondence rather than a traditional one.

Health

In matters of health, the Lilies pertains to the hormonal system—the internal regulators of development, mood, metabolism, growth, and reproduction. With supportive cards, it may also indicate issues relating to sexual health. Its influence is subtle but significant, pointing to the underlying rhythms and balances that sustain the body’s well‑being.

The Lilies in Action

A woman consulted the cards, desperate to resolve an acrimonious dispute with her daughter‑in‑law. What, if anything, could she do to remedy the situation? The cards fell as shown below.

Of note, neither the querent’s nor her daughter‑in‑law’s significators—the Lady and the Serpent —appear. This indicates that the matter is not something the querent can resolve by her own efforts alone.

As the trigger card, the Lilies is best read here as a person. The querent should seek assistance from a man (Lilies) who possesses natural authority (Bear–Birch Rod) and who can, where necessary, take the parties involved to task (Birch Rod) and restore a sense of stability and clarity (Stars–Anchor).

As the reading is for a woman, the Lilies in this context would most likely represent a member of the querent’s own family (Spades). The Bear often denotes someone “senior”—a parent, grandparent, or aunt/uncle. In this instance, it transpired that the figure in question was the querent’s elder brother, who did indeed intervene.

The reading below was performed in August 2025 for a man struggling to decide between two options. No information was given regarding the specifics. What, then, could he do?

The Lord appears as the first card, indicating that no one can make the decision on his behalf. However, a female friend (Stork, supported by two Queens) can help him unravel the situation (Stork–Serpent) and arrive at an informed decision with clarity (Book) and peace of mind (Lilies). You’ll note, here, the Stork overcomes the Serpent taking the venom (danger) from the Book.

Images:

Cards: Jeu Lenormand © Cartamundi, WanderWüst © Jorge/Wandering Oracle, Nr. 1941 Mlle Lenormand Wahrsagekarten © Piatnik, Lenormand Fortune-Telling Cards © Zao-Gelli, Lenormand (Symbole): Die echten Altenburg-Spielkarten © Königsfurt-Urania, Jeu de 32 cartes à jouer belote © Fournier, Epic Light Lenormand © Kathleen Bergmann.

Featured Image: Cantique des Cantiques by Gustave Moreau via Wiki Common.

References:

Burke, L. (1867) Illustrated Language of Flowers. London ; New York : G. Routledge and Sons.
Delclos, M., 2013. Le Livre du Petit Lenormand. 1st ed. Escalquens: Éd. Trajectoire.
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Matthews, C. (2014) The Complete Lenormand Oracle Handbook: Reading the Language and Symbols of the Cards. Rochester, VT: Destiny Books.
Rublack, U. (2010) Gender in Early Modern German history. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
The RHS Lindley Library Vol. 10: The Victorian Language of Flowers, 2013.
Silvestre, C., 2003. Le Petit Lenormand. [Montpellier]: Gange éd.
Watson, C.B. (1961) Shakespeare and the Renaissance Concept of Honour.