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The Essential Lenormand: Your Guide to Precise & Practical Fortunetelling
Master the keys of wisdom and insight Lenormand is a 36-card deck with simple, straightforward illustrations that provide direct answers for the reader. For over 150 years, the Lenormand deck has been a popular divination tool around the world, and it's rapidly becoming a phenomenon in the US. Providing step-by-step instructions and a guide to individual card meanings, leading expert Rana George shows how to use the Lenormand for predictions on any relationships, work, finances, family, and more. From simple inquiries to critical dilemmas, the Lenormand provides a glimpse of the future when you need it most. The Essential Lenormand includes traditional reading methods, Rana George's personal techniques, tips for working with multiple spreads, and ways to use the Lenormand with the tarot. Use the Lenormand to unlock the secrets of your destiny, and reveal the knowledge hidden within. "You won't find a better teacher than Rana George."―Mary K. Greer
408 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2014
176 people are currently reading
390 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
July 21, 2014
I've been trying to read Lenormand for seven years. Until recently there weren't many books available in English on how to read the cards. But after three long days of practice with Rana George's book I am reading short spreads and the Grand Tableau like a pro. She offers simple techniques that answer questions but also offer depth. Lenormand is a refreshing return to the predictive oracle tradition and I sincerely hope that the navel gazing Tarot community does not ruin it.
December 17, 2013
Disclaimer: I received an eARC from netgalley.com.
Lenormand is all the rage this year it seems. There have been many books published on the cartomancy technique this year, and I've read three of them. Rana George's book, The Essential Lenormand, is by far the easiest of the 3 to read and use for those beginning with the cards.
Rana George has used the cards all her life. She does not come from a tarot background as the other authors seem to come from. It's as if the cards are in her blood. She's been reading with them since she was a young girl in the Mediterranean area. And this book shows her passion, her wide range of knowledge and examples of the cards.
I loved this book. Her down to earth prose mirrors her speaking patterns (I happen to know her just a smidge). She uses real examples and tells you a single version (hers) of how to read the cards. The first section takes you through what each card means, how it can manifest in a wide variety of life-examples and she even shares stories of how the cards wove their magic in her life. The next part gives you exercises and ways for you to build your Lenormand muscles and reading formats. Then she goes into spreads and the Grand Tableau (the spread that uses all 36 cards), each with a real example and diagrams on how to read the many patterns with the cards. Finally, the book closes out with a series of Appendices that give history, quick reference sheets and more information about the Lenormand cards.
It's hard to find fault in this book. As it was an eARC from Llewellyn, there are some weird stuff going on but I can't wait for this to be released in 2014, for I will be buying a copy for my library.
Bottom Line: If you are a beginner and want a workbook to use with your Lenormand cards then get this book. It's that good. If you already know the cards but want to read real-life vignettes about other readers' experiences with the cards, then you'll also enjoy this book. Rana George is a great teacher and The Essential Lenormand is a fun read!
Lenormand is all the rage this year it seems. There have been many books published on the cartomancy technique this year, and I've read three of them. Rana George's book, The Essential Lenormand, is by far the easiest of the 3 to read and use for those beginning with the cards.
Rana George has used the cards all her life. She does not come from a tarot background as the other authors seem to come from. It's as if the cards are in her blood. She's been reading with them since she was a young girl in the Mediterranean area. And this book shows her passion, her wide range of knowledge and examples of the cards.
I loved this book. Her down to earth prose mirrors her speaking patterns (I happen to know her just a smidge). She uses real examples and tells you a single version (hers) of how to read the cards. The first section takes you through what each card means, how it can manifest in a wide variety of life-examples and she even shares stories of how the cards wove their magic in her life. The next part gives you exercises and ways for you to build your Lenormand muscles and reading formats. Then she goes into spreads and the Grand Tableau (the spread that uses all 36 cards), each with a real example and diagrams on how to read the many patterns with the cards. Finally, the book closes out with a series of Appendices that give history, quick reference sheets and more information about the Lenormand cards.
It's hard to find fault in this book. As it was an eARC from Llewellyn, there are some weird stuff going on but I can't wait for this to be released in 2014, for I will be buying a copy for my library.
Bottom Line: If you are a beginner and want a workbook to use with your Lenormand cards then get this book. It's that good. If you already know the cards but want to read real-life vignettes about other readers' experiences with the cards, then you'll also enjoy this book. Rana George is a great teacher and The Essential Lenormand is a fun read!
April 29, 2014
My interest in the Lenormand deck has grown over the past year or so, leading me to acquire several decks and books on the subject. The Essential Lenormand by Rana George is thorough, detailed, and jam-packed with fascinating and useful information. It’s exactly what I would expect from a woman who started working with the Lenormand deck when she was ten years old and continued through college, marriage, and children. Rana George leaves no card unturned, no nuance unnoticed, no aspect of the Lenormand unexplored. The tone of the writing is personal, and the reader is continually aware of what these cards have meant to George throughout her life. This combination of highly organized information and inspiring anecdotes feeds the mind, heart, and spirit in wonderful ways. Here we have both an exceptional reference book and a series of engaging narratives to be read and absorbed.
I found the section of the book covering Nuance Cards especially interesting. Rana George groups the cards into four different categories: action, portrait, mood, and time. Certain cards fall into more than one category. Using nuance cards works best with small spreads, adding power and subtlety to readings. I am also intrigued by her ideas on “charting” a pair of cards using columns with the following headings: A Person, Place, or Thing; Action; Description; Other. After filling in the columns, you combine what you have written for each card to get a sense of the many different interpretations that can be applied to those two cards.
If you want to immerse yourself in every angle and aspect of the Lenormand, you can’t go wrong with this book.
I found the section of the book covering Nuance Cards especially interesting. Rana George groups the cards into four different categories: action, portrait, mood, and time. Certain cards fall into more than one category. Using nuance cards works best with small spreads, adding power and subtlety to readings. I am also intrigued by her ideas on “charting” a pair of cards using columns with the following headings: A Person, Place, or Thing; Action; Description; Other. After filling in the columns, you combine what you have written for each card to get a sense of the many different interpretations that can be applied to those two cards.
If you want to immerse yourself in every angle and aspect of the Lenormand, you can’t go wrong with this book.
October 22, 2022
5/5 stars ~ An honest review from a pro Tarot reader for 18 years ~
TLDR: The most comprehensive Lenormand book I've read so far with in-depth interpretations and reading techniques.
My Lenormand Journey started with Cute Little Lenormand because it was a small and affordable set that included a guidebook and cards.
It was enough to get me started, but I was having trouble -- I couldn't understand half my 2- and 3-card Vignettes, and none of my predictions were accurate. It came down to three options:
1) this form of Cartomancy didn't work for me and I needed to stick with Tarot and Oracles,
2) this was somehow a form of Cartomancy I wasn't naturally good at and needed tons of practice, or
3) I needed another guide to expand on the meanings and techniques I'd learned from CLL so it'd finally "click" for me.
Just when I was feeling discouraged, a dear friend who'd started Lenormand after hearing me talk about CLL recommended this book to me. Then I saw that renowned Tarot scholar Mary K. Greer (literally the best Tarot author to learn from along with Rachel Pollack) recommended it too. Then another dear friend got it for me for my birthday! I was on my way to finally understanding Lennies!
Essential Lenormand by Rana George helped me build something beautiful on top of the foundation laid by CLL. The expanded interpretations of each card in so many different topics especially helped:
Future (prediction)
Nuance (action, portrait, mood, and time groups)
Woman or Man (personal descriptions)
Work
Love
Health, Body, and Spirit
Money
Time or Timing
Advice or Action
Orientation (positive, negative, neutral)
Objects and Areas
Personal Anecdote
Traditional Meanings
Sample Reading
Also included are hands-on exercises and a chronology of Marie Anne Adelaide Lenormand herself.
Not only was this an in-depth guide into the world of Lenormand, but Rana's personal stories helped me feel the mystique of Lennies for the first time. I'll never forget the instant Connection that happened when I did my first Tarot reading, and while I didn't initially get that with Lenormand, Rana did and I resonated with her experiences.
Highly recommended for beginner and experienced Lenny readers!
TLDR: The most comprehensive Lenormand book I've read so far with in-depth interpretations and reading techniques.
My Lenormand Journey started with Cute Little Lenormand because it was a small and affordable set that included a guidebook and cards.
It was enough to get me started, but I was having trouble -- I couldn't understand half my 2- and 3-card Vignettes, and none of my predictions were accurate. It came down to three options:
1) this form of Cartomancy didn't work for me and I needed to stick with Tarot and Oracles,
2) this was somehow a form of Cartomancy I wasn't naturally good at and needed tons of practice, or
3) I needed another guide to expand on the meanings and techniques I'd learned from CLL so it'd finally "click" for me.
Just when I was feeling discouraged, a dear friend who'd started Lenormand after hearing me talk about CLL recommended this book to me. Then I saw that renowned Tarot scholar Mary K. Greer (literally the best Tarot author to learn from along with Rachel Pollack) recommended it too. Then another dear friend got it for me for my birthday! I was on my way to finally understanding Lennies!
Essential Lenormand by Rana George helped me build something beautiful on top of the foundation laid by CLL. The expanded interpretations of each card in so many different topics especially helped:
Future (prediction)
Nuance (action, portrait, mood, and time groups)
Woman or Man (personal descriptions)
Work
Love
Health, Body, and Spirit
Money
Time or Timing
Advice or Action
Orientation (positive, negative, neutral)
Objects and Areas
Personal Anecdote
Traditional Meanings
Sample Reading
Also included are hands-on exercises and a chronology of Marie Anne Adelaide Lenormand herself.
Not only was this an in-depth guide into the world of Lenormand, but Rana's personal stories helped me feel the mystique of Lennies for the first time. I'll never forget the instant Connection that happened when I did my first Tarot reading, and while I didn't initially get that with Lenormand, Rana did and I resonated with her experiences.
Highly recommended for beginner and experienced Lenny readers!
August 18, 2021
A very informative read, filled with a lot of practical applications and exercises. What makes this book a standout for me are the anecdotes. I love anecdotes as lessons!
May 27, 2023
The Essential Lenormand by Rana George is an excellent book on how to do Lenormand readings. How to read, card meanings, various spreads, it is all there. Rana assigns 6 pages just on the meaning of each individual card as it relates to work, love, money and so forth with good real life example readings on top. Moreover Rana assigns 40 pages of the book on the Grand Tableau spread alone. The book also covers the story of Mademoiselle Lenormand. In addition there are several useful appendices in the back of the book covering: Focus cards, Quick interpretation, Positive/Negative cards, Houses and Court cards. Also included is a section on how to use Lenormand cards with Tarot cards. I suppose if you just buy one book on Lenormand, this is the one to buy. Highly recommended.
This book can be purchased on Amazon; https://amzn.to/43rhpFY
This book can be purchased on Amazon; https://amzn.to/43rhpFY
July 5, 2020
A good introduction to Lenormand. This book covers card meaning (with real life examples so you grasp the idea better) in many aspects and basic spreads which should cover the fundamental you need. Even though the book does not cover so many spreads or other elements combination like Lenormand Handbook—Caitlin Matthews, it still my recommendation to read if you want to get to know this cartomancy.
Drawback of this book is the hard copy is big and heavy. Not a proper choice to carry around.
Drawback of this book is the hard copy is big and heavy. Not a proper choice to carry around.
December 14, 2014
Absolute must-have if you want to learn to use Lenormand cards.
I'd been struggling with the cards for close to a decade, could never get my head around the Grand Tableau either. Rana explains step by step how to do readings, including how to tackle the Grand Tableau. Very in-depth explanations on each card and a number of combinations. There's info on work, love, advice, health etc. on each card.
It's a treasure!
I'd been struggling with the cards for close to a decade, could never get my head around the Grand Tableau either. Rana explains step by step how to do readings, including how to tackle the Grand Tableau. Very in-depth explanations on each card and a number of combinations. There's info on work, love, advice, health etc. on each card.
It's a treasure!
February 7, 2024
An absolute must-read / must-own for anyone learning Lenormand or needing a refresher. You get historic context. Tons of ways to better understand each card through personal stories, descriptions, key words by themes, example combinations and more. Spreads from simple drills to learn key words and hone intuition to the massive Grand Tableau spread. Not just the basics of how to approach reading it but also alternative ways to gain insights and expand and uplevel your reading. I loved all the examples from readings Rana did which brought everything to life even more.
The appendix is fantastic too with card and house overviews, more details on Mme Lenormand. This book is going to be referenced by me often as I practice and further fall in love with Lenormand!
The appendix is fantastic too with card and house overviews, more details on Mme Lenormand. This book is going to be referenced by me often as I practice and further fall in love with Lenormand!
July 13, 2017
A great book for beginners and experienced Lenormand readers alike!
Information about each card is presented in a very helpful tabular format. After that, Rana George goes into some amazing examples to show us real life applications of the readings.
So, along the way, we not only pick up the meanings of the cards, but also on the subtle techniques of the lenormand.
Brilliant!
A must-have for every person wanting to delve into this amazing system of divination and fortune telling.
Information about each card is presented in a very helpful tabular format. After that, Rana George goes into some amazing examples to show us real life applications of the readings.
So, along the way, we not only pick up the meanings of the cards, but also on the subtle techniques of the lenormand.
Brilliant!
A must-have for every person wanting to delve into this amazing system of divination and fortune telling.
December 16, 2024
This is a great guide to Lenormand divination made all the greater by the author's enthusiasm for the subject matter. Her relating her history and personal experience makes the text relatable, giving it a voice like that of a great in-person instructor.
Everything is so exhaustively researched and clearly explained, I do feel well-equipped use the Lenormand deck.
Everything is so exhaustively researched and clearly explained, I do feel well-equipped use the Lenormand deck.
June 19, 2023
A very systemic detailed practical yet artful approach to reading and teaching Lenormand. From basics to advanced topics (like houses, grand tableau, playing card correspondences, etc). Rana George is an excellent writer. She shares engaging stories from her life and reading practice that are beneficial and insightful. It is like several books in one. Exciting comprehensive guide, highly recommended.
January 11, 2024
Awesome information in this book
Wonderfully put together book. Rana George is definitely one of the best! The only thing I wish for is that she would give the same detailed information for the extra cards in her own deck in the format of this book.
Wonderfully put together book. Rana George is definitely one of the best! The only thing I wish for is that she would give the same detailed information for the extra cards in her own deck in the format of this book.
December 15, 2017
Wonderful book. It was a quick read, but, highly recommend to anyone looking into Lenormand.
January 16, 2018
This is a great beginner's guide to Lenormand. Additional information will be needed for more advanced learning. It's very well written and the information provided is organised.
July 19, 2018
Great detail and explanation of Lenormand. Enjoyed the real-life stories and how they relate to the cards. This book sold me on using this as a supplement to Tarot.
January 28, 2020
• Gelezen in het Engels.
• Fysiek boek.
• 4/5
/
• Fysiek boek.
• 4/5
/
July 6, 2020
Excellent resource on the Lenormand oracle deck.
February 4, 2021
A great introduction and guide to the Lenormand cards. I have learnt a lot!
July 12, 2021
Un super guide sur ce tarot, très complet (peut-être un peu trop), l'idée c'est d'arriver à se créer ses propres mots-clés et associations. Un gros travail sur plusieurs années en somme.
September 24, 2021
Amazing book. I can't stress enough how helpful this book is.
October 12, 2021
Love this book
August 16, 2022
This book is great! If you are new to Lenormand I would definitely recommend picking up this reference piece. It helps with adding depth to one's readings. Lots of fun!
June 12, 2023
Excellent, detailed introduction.
June 14, 2023
Great book for quickly learning how to read Lenormand and learning the card meanings right away :D I wish it were more in-depth, but it's a great starter book
December 26, 2023
Really enjoyed this as an intro to the system
February 19, 2024
you definitely need this book if you are learning to read lenormand
April 13, 2024
By far, the most potent deck of cards and instructions for reading tarot. The accuracy is uncanny!
June 24, 2025
The most comprehensive text on Lenormand!
April 18, 2020
Excellent—her card meanings are logical and useful, and her methods for the grand tableau are practical and simple.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews