What is the Lenormand Card System?

Find out what the Lenormand cards are, how they work and how they are different than Tarot.

1/4/20244 min read

What Is the Lenormand Card System?

If you’ve never heard of the Lenormand cards before, you’re not alone. Most people are more familiar with Tarot—but once someone is introduced to Lenormand, it often becomes their go-to tool for fast, accurate answers.

So, what is this system? Where did it come from? And how does it work?

Let me walk you through it.

A Little History (Don’t Worry, It’s Short)

The Lenormand card system is named after Marie Anne Lenormand, a famous French fortune-teller who read for people like Napoleon Bonaparte and Empress Josephine. She was well-known in her day, and some even believed she had true prophetic gifts.

Ironically, the deck we now call “Lenormand” wasn’t actually created by her—it came later. It was based on a card game called “The Game of Hope,” which was eventually repurposed for divination and named in her honor. Still, her reputation was so powerful that the name stuck.

Today, Lenormand is respected as a sharp, practical system of cartomancy, used by readers all over the world.

The Cards Themselves

A standard Lenormand deck has 36 cards, each showing a simple image: a Dog, a Key, a Letter, a House, a Tree, and so on. These are not mystical or symbolic in the way Tarot imagery tends to be. They’re everyday objects—and that’s the beauty of it. The meanings are direct, grounded, and easy to learn.

For example:

Ship: Travel, distance, or something arriving slowly.

Ring: A commitment, cycle, or agreement.

Clouds: Confusion, uncertainty, or a temporary fog.

Each card has a basic meaning, but the real magic of Lenormand comes from how the cards combine. In Lenormand, the cards speak to each other.

How a Reading Works

Lenormand isn’t a “one card at a time” kind of system. It’s all about combinations—strings of cards that build meaning together.

Let’s say you draw:

Ring + Clouds + Heart

That could suggest uncertainty in a relationship or a commitment that’s emotionally confusing.

Or:

Tree + Sun + Anchor

That might indicate long-term growth and stability that brings health, success, or a solid foundation in your life.

It’s kind of like reading a sentence. Each card is a word, but the meaning comes through context and flow. That’s what makes it so insightful and specific.

My Favorite Spreads

Lenormand shines brightest in structured spreads. Here are a few of the ones I use most often:

Line of Five: Just what it sounds like—five cards in a row. It’s fantastic for quick answers to specific questions.

3x3 Box: Nine cards laid out in a grid. Great for getting a multi-angle look at a situation.

Grand Tableau: The full deck—all 36 cards laid out to give an overview of your life. This is a deep dive and can reveal patterns, timing, relationships, and hidden influences across every area of your life.

How It’s Different from Tarot

A lot of people ask me, “Which is better—Tarot or Lenormand?” And honestly, it depends on what you need.

Here’s how I usually explain it:

Tarot is more introspective. It dives into emotions, inner growth, spiritual lessons, and deep patterns.

Lenormand is more predictive. It’s great for external events—what’s likely to happen, what’s coming, who’s involved, and how it will play out.

If Tarot is the poetry of the soul, Lenormand is the headline news.

In my practice, I often use both—because together, they tell a fuller story.

Why I Love This System

I’ve been working with Lenormand since 2014, and I still learn something new from it all the time. It’s a system that grows with you. The more fluent you become in its symbolic “language,” the more detailed and accurate the readings become.

Clients often tell me how “spot on” a Lenormand reading was—sometimes even saying it described events or people down to a tee. That’s because the system itself is clear, specific, and designed to deliver the truth.

And if you know me, you know that’s exactly what I aim to provide in every session—truth with compassion, guidance without sugarcoating, and insight that you can actually use.

Are you interested in learning the Lenormand card system or perfecting your Lenormand reading skills?

Check out my ebook, "The Language of Lenormand," a complete method for learning and reading Lenormand like a professional. A companion Lenormand practice journal is also available. as well as bundle of both book and journal, at a special price.