JbR’s Lenormand Journal: Card Keywords

When I started learning Lenormand the first thing I was taught was that I would need to decide on the keywords (card meanings) for each of the 36 cards in the deck. As someone relatively new to this journey I have settled on a few basic keywords from which I can begin.

My keywords are derived from traditional meanings, and in some cases I have opted to go with the ‘French tradition’ rather than the German (eg: I use Fox to mean employment and Whip to mean sex.) My list is very minimalistic, but for now this is all I will need to begin reading Lenormand. (I suggest you decide on your own meanings for the cards.)

Updated: I will keep adding keywords to the list so that it becomes a valuable resource for anyone learning Lenormand. (Source: Lenormand Cards Study Group on Facebook)

Keywords

1. Rider – Messenger, News, Visitor, Speed, A mode of transport, Physically fit, Athletic, Forward motion (moving forward), Delivery

2. Clover – Luck, Small, Quick, Optimistic, Easy going, Carefree, A risk taker, willing to take a Gamble, Herbs, Grass, Serendipity

3. Ship – Travel, Adventure, International, Long-distance, Foreign, mode of Transportation, Movement, Transition, Transfer, Distant

4. House – Home, People in immediate environment, Security, Possessions, Comfort, Property, Real estate, Small building, Environment, Householder, Landlord/Realtor, Ownership

5. Tree – Health, Ancestry, Grounding, Enduring, Boredom

6. Clouds – Uncertainty, Doubt, Troubles, Ambiguity, Ex-partner, Confusion, Negativity, Bad Weather, Depression,

7. Snake – Deception, Libido, Betrayal, Duplicity, Spiteful, Treachery, A rival, Twisted roads and paths, Detours, a River, a Woman, sometimes an Older Woman, Plot, hidden Poison, Venomous, Hypocrisy, Lesbian partner, Complications, Wise Woman

8. Coffin – Death, Confinement, Box, Endings, Sickness, Bankruptcy, a bad Scare, Grief, Transformations and new beginnings, Black

9. Bouquet – Gift, Appreciation, Beauty, Charm, Pleasant, A nice surprise, A likeable woman, Female relatives esp. beautiful, gracious, artistic women. Invitation, Pleasure

10. Scythe – Sharp, Cutting, Sudden, Danger, Aggression, Cruelty, Pain, Sharp objects, Accidents, Surgery, Division, Accelerating, Hostile, Harvest (away from the blade), Big Peril, Sudden decisions, Severance, Unpleasant surprise, Critical

11. Whip – ‘Athletic’ Sex, Repetition, Quarrel, Strife, Decision, Speech and language, Controversy, Heated discussions, Arguments, Separation, The number 2 – or 2 of something, Chronics pains, Threats, Abuse, Sports, Physical attraction, Addiction, Passion, Competition, Stimulated, Agitated, Disrupted, Activities, Discord, Any repetitive action e.g: Dance, Exercise, Handwriting

12. Birds – Conversation, A couple, Phone calls, Communication, Gossip, Stress, Nerves, Anxiety, Worries, Annoyance, 2 of something, Siblings, Sales, Negotiation, Interview, date, Wifi, Therapy,  Counselling, Buzz

13. Child – Innocence, Beginning, Trust, Friendliness, A little bit of something, a Child, Immature, Small

14. Fox – Employment, Shrewd, Clever, Wrong, Deceitful, Treachery (often in the workplace,) Fraud (or theft,) Quickness, Quick witted, Dishonest, Intelligent, Smart, Red, Strawberry blonde, Slippery, Slick, Trickery, Mask, Undercover, Sly, Fast-thinking, Camouflaged, Trouble-maker, Employee, A detective, A spy, A con artist, Witty, Street smart, (could be a) Police station, Cunning, Sexy (foxy), Resourceful, Hunt, False

15. Bear – Boss, Maternal, Weighty, Power, Strength, Force, An official (judge, customs officer, police officer, boss, etc.) Management, Nutrition & diet, Protection, Salary, Large, Parental, Envious, Jealous, Overbearing

16. Stars – Internet, Wishes/Desires, Spirituality, Navigation, Reach-for-the-skies, Clarity, Astuteness, Hopes, (can sometimes refer to) Psychic talents, Night, Cold places, North, A new path, GPS system, Guiding, Healing, Cosmic, Intuition

17. Stork – Delivery, Change, Pregnancy/Birth (Midwife,) Relocation, Movement, Moving house, A nice woman (with a child), Renovation, Delivery of something concrete (as a opposed to a message or news), Return, Improvement, Promotion, Tall & thin

18. Dog – Loyal, Friend, Companion, Friendship, Trust, (usually, but not always) a Man, a Dog or other pet, Devotion, Acceptance, Playfulness, Unconditional, Fidelity, Lover/Soulmate

19. Tower – Authority, Rules, Bureaucracy, Dogma, Official, Limitations, Borders, Loneliness, Arrogance, A tall building, A tall person, Separation and divorce, Independence, Ambition, Government, The civil service, A large corporation, Isolation, Ego, Confinement, Imprisonment, Guidance, Protection, Schools, Law, Higher education, High self esteem, Conglomeration, Chain stores, Franchises

20. Garden – Public, Gathering, Networking, Public places, Society, Entertainment, Meetings, Parties, Outdoors, Facebook(ing), Marketing, Public Relations, Audience, Publicity, the Masses

21. Mountain – Obstacle, Enemy, Challenge, Delays, Barriers, Blockages, Coldness A formidable enemy, (can refer to) actual Mountains and mountainous terrain, Resistance, Loneliness, Restriction, Procrastination, Slow, Stubborn, Stagnant, Far and remote

22. Crossroad – Choice, Decision, Two-faced, Split, Forked, Dual, Alternatives, 2 of something,  (sometimes a) Female rival/friend, Dual personality, (leading a) Double life, Infidelity, Back-and-forth, Quandary, Multiple, Escape

23. Mice – Vermin, Loss, Theft, Waste, Erosion, Parasites, Infectious illnesses, Worry, Stress, (sometimes) Teamwork (or working in a systematic product line i.e: the treadmill), Gnawing, (can be) Chemo in cases of illness (i.e: Mice + Tree)

24. Heart – Love, Passion, Courage, Love affairs, Affection, Relationships, Feelings/Emotions, (sometimes) Flirtation, Joy, Attraction

25. Ring – Commitment, Eternal, Cyclical, Contract, Promise, Relationships, Connections, Partnerships, Business contracts, Marriage, Engagement (or other partnership of long duration,) A never-ending situation, (an actual) Ring or other jewellery

26. Book – Knowledge, Study, Secrets, Education, (an actual) Book, Documents & paperwork, Writing and publishing, a Project, Research, Investigation, Esoteric mysteries

27. Letter – Written communication, Record, Messages, Documents, Certificate, Report card, Medical results (esp with Tree), a Cheque (esp with Fish), a Bill or an invoice, a Menu (esp with Fish or Clover)

28. Man – Male querent, Spouse, Masculinity, Analytical

29. Woman – Female querent, Spouse, Femininity

30. Lily – Maturity, Purity, Ageing, Quiet, Sexuality, Harmony, the Family, A man – often older & of stable temperament, The Father, (sometimes a) Patron, Doctor, Relative, Support, Socialism and social welfare, (an older) Lover, Snow, Frost, Winter, White, Peace, Wisdom, Grandparents, Aunts or uncles, Salt-and-pepper hair, (something that takes a) Long time, Gestation period, Investment, Contentment, Retirement, Morality, Making love (familiar, every-day sex), Serenity

31. Sun – Success, Illuminating, Exposure, Luck, Good fortune, Warmth, Confidence, Brilliance, Energy, Security, Light, Electricity, Heat (and hot places,) South

32. Moon – Fame, Recognition, Dreams, Reflective, Emotions, Creativity, Fame, Honour, (sometimes) talent in Esoteric fields, Evening, Dark places, Romance, Intimate situations, Psychic ability, Advertising, the Reproductive system, the Womb, Intuition, Reputation

33. Key – Solution, Yes, Access, Security, Mastery, Certainty, Great talent

34. Fish – Money, Flow, Resources, Prosperity, Abundance, Financial matters, a Businessman, Water, Alcohol (and other liquid substances,) (sometimes actual) Fish, and those who work on or near the sea, Food, ‘Liquid’ assets, Self-employed, Entrepreneur, Fertility, Addiction

35. Anchor – Stability, Grounded, Fixed, Commitment, (can be) Work/Career, the Seaside, reaching your Destination, reaching your Goal, Persistence, Reliable, Strong support, Beach, Port

36. Cross – End, Sorrow, Karma, Religion, Burden, Hardship, Suffering, Grief, Pain, a Test or Challenge, Destiny, (can be a) Religious person (esp if before Man/Woman card)

Follow my adventures as I journal about the process of learning Lenormand. A system of fortune-telling that has confused me for long enough. I am determined to consolidate what I have learnt and to push the boundaries further in this new series on Tarot Taxi, JbR’s Lenormand Journal.

Let’s learn together, I welcome your comments, questions and experience.

Onward and upward! JbR xxx