Lenormand – practice, practice, practice!

This morning I figured it was about time I picked up my Lenormand cards again to practice my reading skills so when my copy of the Celtic Lenormand would arrive, I would be able to work with it. For this line of five I have chosen the Gilded Reverie by Ciro Marchetti. The question is: what advice can you give me on how to pursue my challenge of “Making room in 40 days”?

After shuffling the cards I searched for the ring as a symbol of my commitment to this challenge and picked the two cards on either side of the ring. Together they form a line of five with:

whip + cross + ring + heart + sun

Cross+ ring+  heart : it is important to devote yourself spiritually and emotionally to this commitment.

Whip + cross : establishing some repetitive spiritual practices can be very helpful

Sun +heart:  Give yourself permission to bask yourself in the light of self love

Whip + sun : although there will be difficulties, maybe self-doubt and other  and inner  struggles, this challenge will  strengthen your confidence and will give you  a lot of insight in yourself

These cards gave me lots of practical advice. Especially about  creating some daily rhythm, so there will be some flow during the day and I won’t be constantly aware of the things I cannot do but more focusing on what I can and want to do. Honestly it feels a bit like when I quit smoking but with the heart and the sun in view I am on my way again!

Chosing Joy, moment by moment...

How do you start to live fully again after having suffered a great loss? How do we pick up our daily chores and activities.  How do we start to feel joy without guilt and feeling like we do something wrong. As if laughter isn't allowed while grieving.

It has been a week since Tara died and we miss her every hour of the day but we are also trying to move forward. Yesterday we have buried her ashes but in the meantime we are also thinking about a new puppy. We've always had a dog and the emptiness is screaming to be filled by a furry little rascal to love, to cherish and to care for.

After a long time without playing with my cards, I've picked up the Mystical Lenormand and asked how to embrace joy:

And I pulled Whip + Sun + Roads

I see this line of three as a encouragement to consciously choose joy and happiness over repetitive regrets and guilt. Grieving is good but it is also okay to take you mind of the sadness and enjoy the little things which might make you happy. 

My first Square of Nine with the Lenormand about Creativity

Yesterday I've read my first square of nine with the Piatnik Lenormand. This little deck is my main practice deck. I like the pictures and it's classic look and  also because I have two copies of this deck so if I'll ruin it, I still have a spare one left. This little deck is living in my purse so I can practice my combinations where ever I go.

I've seen how Chloe from Inner whispers  has tackled her square and I thought her approach was clear and structured, which is wonderful way for a beginner to learn this spread :

To add something personal to the reading I decided to turn the center card first, in order to determine the topic of the reading: Moon - intuition , creativity. These keywords jumped out to me for this reading. 

Then I turned over the other cards....

First I've read the corners. 

Cross + Key + Heart: 

Open your heart to lighten you burden. The solution to your emotional setback is to be found in your heart.

Cross + Fish + Heart: 

Setbacks are asking for abundant love. An abundant rich spirituality is the solution to your problems

The Action Cross has the following cards:

Bouquet + Moon + Sun: talent and intuition will lead to success

Lily + Moon + Whip : Practice frequently until you  are satisfied  and content. Don’t beat yourself up but be gentle for yourself

I like it how the corners clearly state the problem en the action cross contains a practical advice: it is not only talent you need but also practice, practice, practice.  And not to forget a kind and gentle attitude towards your efforts. It is also good to notice the first card was the burden (Cross) and the last card is love (Heart).

 J

Combining Tarot and Lenormand in one reading (II)

Yesterday I liked doing this exercise so much, I thought let’s do this again. For today I've chosen the Original Rider Waite Tarot and the French Cathomancy cards. 

For the topic of the reading I pulled the Hermit. A card of seclusion and  meditation; of seeking inner wisdom and calm. The question this card seemed to ask me was; "How do I find the time for myself to meditate and reflect on a daily basis?". 

I often start out very enthusiastic with a new or rediscovered practice to forget all about it in a week or two, three. I've been meditating for some time now and I would love to maintain this practice for a bit longer than a few weeks.

And that’s when the Lenormand cards came into play and I drew a line of  three:

Bear + ring + whip

This immediately made sense to me (Yeah!!!)

For me these three card are telling me to develop my inner strength and resilience by committing myself over and over and over again.  When I've skipped my meditation yesterday, I can start again with my daily practice today. When I've skipped it for a week I can start with my daily practice today. Every day I can commit myself again to a daily practice. In this way there is no room for guilt and regret, only for the courage to start again!