Build-Your-Own Lenormand: A game-changer

              

The Build-Your-Own Lenormand deck is every bit as much the creation of the wider Lenormand community as it is mine. It is as a result of specific challenges and questions that were raised within the community that these ideas (and solutions) began to form in my mind. In the anticipation of the BYO Lenormand I have said that this is a unique deck, a never-done-before concept in Lenormand, and I’d like to take this opportunity to explain what I meant by that.

1. For the first time in Lenormand history the standard 36-card deck now has 5 variations for each card from which to choose.
2. This is also the first time that buyers and readers can purchase cards individually rather than by the deck.
3. This deck features an African family as one of the 5 options to choose from in the Man, Woman and Child cards.
4. The BYO Lenormand caters equally for the needs of traditional readers as well as non-traditional readers.

I have listed some of the benefits of this particular deck and how it addresses many of the challenges experienced in the Lenormand community (from a reader’s point of view) with innovative solutions to these challenges.

Challenge:

What is the ‘perfect’ deck. There isn’t really such a thing, right? Because taste differs and we don’t all like the same thing. I’m sure I speak for many of us when I find myself falling in love with one or several cards in a deck, but not so much with other cards in the same deck. That’s human nature, it’s normal to have a preference for some cards and not others.

Solution:

The solution would be to have a deck with enough variations of each card so that readers and buyers can choose the cards that they really like, as opposed to being ‘stuck’ with some cards they can’t really relate to. The BYO Lenormand deck has five different variations for each of the standard 36 cards, increasing the chances that you’re going to find that one-in-five option in each of the 36 cards that appeals to you. The  result is a deck that comprises almost entirely of cards that you really like.

Challenge:

Wish you had a completely unique (but affordable) one-of-a-kind deck without having to resort to making your own single-copy deck? Especially if it’s a deck that your peers have too (albeit uniquely different) so that you can compare?

Solution:

With 180 cards to choose from there is almost no chance that you will end up with the same deck as anyone else! Do the math yourself to calculate what the odds are of any two people having the same BYO Lenormand deck; 36×5^36=[the odds] It is highly unlikely. I tried to calculate this on Google’s scientific calculator, but the number is so big that it gives an error message. Perhaps one of you have a large enough calculator to get the exact number. Or, perhaps I am miscalculating it entirely. Either way, there is almost no chance at all that any two readers will choose exactly the same cards from the wide selection available in this deck.

Challenge:

The dog ate your card. Or, you somehow lost a card from your favorite deck. Don’t you just hate that? Normally you would have to buy an entire new deck to replace a damaged or missing card. And, what do you do with those ‘extras’ lying around afterward?

Solution:

For the first time ever you can now buy individual Lenormand cards, from as few as 1 card to as many as 180 cards. To replace a missing or damaged card is easy with the BYO Lenormand, and best of all it is inexpensive at only $1.25 a card.

This puts the buyer/reader in control instead of the deck creator or publisher. If your deck needs a face-lift it is simple enough to buy a few extra cards to replace the ones you might be tired of. You can even rotate them regularly if that suit you.

Challenge:

The ‘people’ cards in our Lennie decks aren’t representative enough of other ethnic groups, and there aren’t enough people cards in the deck to act as significators.

Solution:

The BYO Lenormand includes an African family. An African Man, Woman and Child card to add a deeper dimension to your deck. Included too are two other little non-caucasean boys, one from the Middle East and one from South America. You are spoilt for choice which is exactly what I wanted for you. Complete flexibility in the hands of the reader becomes a new possibility in your Lenormand deck.

For readers who want to include cards to represent same-sex couples, sisters, brothers, ex-partners, extra children (one for each child in the family) etc. you can now do so with this deck. Readings can be done to include specific family members which will make your readings so much more direct to the situation at hand or the family dynamics of the person you’re reading for. The addition of extra cards to represent same-sex couples is a modern inclusion in many newer decks. However, never before have we had this many choices.

This idea can be extended even further and need not be limited to the people cards. You can (for example) choose a card with big Fish to represent big money (perhaps an inheritance), and smaller Fish to represent smaller money (perhaps a salary or bonus.) Why not have them both? Now you can, and one never knows it might just be that extra little ‘something’ that your clients enjoy about your readings or that sets you apart from other readers.

Challenge:

You are a new reader who is still learning the finer nuances in Lenormand, and while you like the more contemporary decks everyone advises you to start with a traditional deck first. Or, you are a traditionalist and you feel that many contemporary deck designers aren’t paying as much attention to the detail (eg. orientation) as a traditional deck does, it frustrates you that deck creators aren’t hearing you because orientation is an important consideration for you.

Solution:

Now you can have the best of both worlds in one deck! As your reading skills and knowledge of Lenormand develops and improves you can replace some cards with others in the deck that more accurately reflects the correct orientation. A strictly traditional reader will easily find variations in the BYO Deck of cards that do adhere to the correct orientation in order to compile a deck that is traditional. With this in mind your deck can grow with you as your knowledge in Lenormand grows.

Challenge:

You like the look of contemporary decks but they are too ‘busy’ in a Grand Tableau which makes it harder to quickly identify the cards in a reading.

Solution:

Amongst some of the variations available in the BYO Lenormand you’ll be able to select starker cards for easier GT readings. This way you can have a contemporary deck that isn’t too overwhelming with imagery.

In short, gone are the days of the Goldilocks effect where the deck is either too ‘this’, not enough ‘that’, and seldom ever ‘just right.’ It is now possible to compile the ‘perfect’ deck (if such a thing exists,) one that is at least ‘just right’ for you.

This deck can be purchased directly from www.rootweaver.com