Tarot and Lenormand
Tarot
The Tarot comprises 78 cards and dates back to Renaissance Italy. It was originally used for card playing and gambling – and it’s still used as a card game in various parts of Europe. It only became associated with the occult in the latter half of the 18th century.
A Tarot deck is made up of two parts:
A Major Arcana, representing significant life events, choices and decisions
A Minor Arcana, which represents ‘everyday’ situations, as well as life’s minor decisions and challenges
The Tarot encourages self-reflection and personal development. It has often been called a mirror to the subconscious. It’s particularly good at answering ‘why’ and ‘how’ type questions. It’s also great for creative problem solving.
Grand Etteilla c. 1890
Lenormand
Lenormand is a system of cartomancy incorporating 36 cards which originated in Europe in the nineteenth century. It has no esoteric or occult history and instead finds its roots in fortune-telling.
Questions that require fast, clear, direct answers play more to Lenormand’s strengths. Lenormand is also effective at analysing complex dynamics in a situation or relationship.
Each card in Lenormand contains a symbol representing people, places, animals and objects. The images are more familiar than those found in Tarot, as in the picture here which shows the Key, Heart and Mice cards.
Schmid Lenormand c. 1950