Learn Lenormand™ Blog

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Petit Lenormand

Research by Detlef Hoffmann indicates that the Petit Lenormand can be clearly traced back to an oracle called ‘Das Spiel der Hofnung (sic) / Le jeu de l’espérance’ (The Game of Hope), published around 1800 by G.P.J. Bieling in Nuremberg, Germany. This suggests clearly that publishers of the time tried to capitalize on Mlle Lenormand’s good name, and re-branded the Game of Hope: ‘Le Petit Jeu Lenormand’ shortly after Mlle Lenormand’s death in 1843.

If the Petit Lenormand wasn’t Mlle Lenormand’s creation, then what did she use?

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Petit Etteilla

Would you like to make a deck that Mlle Lenormand herself might have used? If so, excellent!!

What follows is how to make your own Petit Etteilla deck, Mlle Lenormand’s very first divination deck!

Those that have looked into Mlle Lenormand’s life and read her books agree that she probably did not invent the Oracle cards that now bear her name. As a curious student of her arts, I will keep searching for answers, but one thing that has influenced her is another French Cartomancer that was also in Paris

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How to Read the Grand Jeu Lenormand

Before you start, if you don’t have your own copy of the Grand Jeu yet, Jeannette and Dan from tarotgarden.com have copies of the Astro Mythological Lenormand for sale. Given the Grand Jeu’s complexity, I also highly recommend you keep some notes! So, make sure you have your favorite diary or some pens and paper ready…!

Now, let’s get started on how to read the the Grand Jeu Lenormand!!

The first thing you need to know is…

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Lenormand Fish Card Combinations

These Lenormand Fish card combinations were created to help you learn to read Lenormand combinations. They aren’t designed to be memorized because, as you’ll soon learn, the actual number of possible card combinations is endless. Until then, let these Lenormand Fish card combinations guide you.

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Lenormand Key Card Combinations

These Lenormand Key card combinations are intended to help you learn how to read Lenormand combinations. These combinations aren’t meant for you to memorize because, as you’ll soon learn, the actual number of possible card combinations is endless. Until then, let these Lenormand Key card combinations guide you.