Donnaleigh's Tarot blog encourages you to connect with your deck and introduces you to Tarot insights and Lenormand techniques. From Speed Blogs to Vlogs to Tutorials & Techniques, we're your one-stop tarot & Lenormand time-out.
| Posted on April 17, 2013 at 7:20 AM |
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"We hear only those questions
for which we are in a position to find answers."
Friedrich Nietzsche
The cards shown in the image above are from The Lenormand Revolution
Note: This blog features information on asking questions of the Lenormand oracle. If you are interested instead in learning how to ask questions of tarot, please CLICK HERE for information on that.
Asking Questions of The Lenormand Oracle:
A reading is only as good as its question. Everything starts with the question. A question that is poorly phrased results in a wishy-washy reading. Lenormand readings are clearer with a crisp, well set-up question.
Many people find themselves confused with interpreting readings, and the reason often comes down to a muddled question, or answering something other than was asked. Often a reader (especially someone new to readings) will ask a question and then start answering something else once the cards are down. While a large spread like a Grand Tableau sometimes lets us get around this, the smaller spreads require more specifics with our question.
Lenormand is blunt and clear, but we can easily muddle up an answer by asking one question and then proceeding to answer something else with the cards that come down. Be clear with what you expect a spread to define for you and stay within its communication parameters.
Note: With Lenormand, it is perfectly okay to ask Yes/No Questions. Use the below formats to be sure you are setting the question up firmly, no matter what kind of question you use.
Here are 6 Tips for Creating Clearer Lenormand Questions:
1) Pay close attention to WHAT you're asking.
Are you asking what you think you're asking?
For example, when you ask, "Is this job right for me?" This does not mean "Will I get the job?" For accurate and clear readings, be sure you are answering what you asked. Be familiar with the question you asked. Write it down if you need to organize it or remember it clearly.
Asking "What does he look like" is not the same question as "what does he act like?" or "What is he thinking?" If you're asking about physical descriptions, keep the meanings tight and related to physical attributes. If you want to ask about personality traits, don't blend those in; instead, set up a separate spread for those.
2) Make sure you'll understand the answer.
Ask a question in such a way that you'll be clear about the cards that respond.
If you ask:
"Is she still agoraphobic," then would Coffin mean "boxed in?" Or would it mean "The agoraphobia is over now"?
Sometimes it helps (a LOT) to adjust the question so you will clearly understand the answer. In this topic of agoraphobia, I'd probably ask, "Is she able to leave the house now?" Then I'd know what Coffin meant (either trapped in a box, and ending a relationship with the outdoors). Garden would mean lots of people around outside, Bouquet would mean she went outside, etc. This makes it easier for you to communicate with the cards. You are not changing the subject about which you're asking, you're just shifting the way you word the question (be sure the question still clearly reflects what you want to know).
This is NOT the same as rewording a phrase in tarot to reflect the comfort of the reader. (i.e., The client asks, "Will he come back?" and the reader changes the question to, "What in you needs to be filled that causes you to hope for his return?"). Rather, in this case, we are just creating better communication with the cards, not changing the topic.
3) Avoid asking questions about negative topics in a negative way.
It's okay to ask questions about negative topics. Just be sure to phrase them so you can communicate clearly with the cards by shifting the question to create clarity in your answers. Twist the question to be phrased in a positive way for better clarity with your answer, even if you are seeking an answer about a negative topic.
For example, when asking something negative, it can make the answer card confusing (is a negative card a no? Or is it a double negative?). For example, "Will he get sick?" is a question about a negative circumstance. Does Coffin mean "yes, this is a card of illness," or does it mean "No, sickness is over, this is the card of something ending"? Instead, if you ask, "Will he be healthy?" or better yet, "Tell me about his health (and define a time frame)," this will bring better clarity.
Which brings us to....
4) Define the time frame clearly.
Are you asking about the present? If so, don't let your answer leak into the future. If you're asking, "How did he feel about her," then if the Ring comes up, he may have wanted a commitment ... back then. But this is not the same question as, "Will they become engaged this year?" Keep your time frames crisp and clear. Know exactly what you're asking. Don't start straying into a different time frame unless you specifically have cards down to define that time frame. If you are asking only about the past, don't let your answer creep into the present.
If you ask, "How is the relationship going?" this is a question that lives in the present tense and does not mean "Will this relationship succeed in the future?"
If you're asking about the future, you may not want to discuss his ex wife in the reading unless she will be there in the future again. The future is not the time to talk about his past. Keep your time periods clear.
There are many spreads that clearly define time parameters for you (past, present, future), and those are very helpful. But be sure you don't start switching the "now" and "then" when you do those readings. That middle card is often a clear line in the sand between timed events.
Sometimes people will start mirroring cards on both sides of a past/present/future spread, blending times. This is not necessarily wrong, but know ahead exactly what this defines. Is this the current struggle between past and future? Keep clear communication parameters with your cards.
5) Create a clarifying spread if necessary.
If you ask one question ("is the job right for me?") and realize after the fact that you really wanted to know if you'll GET the job...keep the second answer separate and ask that separately by clarifying it with a second spread.
If you ask the question "Is the job right for me?" and you get the Ring card, it is possible the cards may be hinting that you will get it, and the spread may be attempting to tell you this. But does it mean you will be committed to it or that it could be something you'd stay at a long time, as you asked if it would be right? Clarify in a second spread if you realize you asked something too vague or that the wrong question was asked. Always be sure you are answering what you think you are.
6) Create a clarifying CARD if necessary.
The last card in a Lenormand spread is critical to your answer. If you don't understand the last card because it seems vague or unrelated to your question, draw another card or two to define THAT CARD.
I prefer two additional cards, and they often will brighten the answer for you when it seemed unclear at first. So if the last card leaves you hanging, let those 2 additional cards tell you about that card that left you in limbo.
This does NOT mean pulling more cards because you don't like the answer. This is about creating clarity if the last card doesn't seem to apply to your question or is too vague to understand.
If a negative card appears at the end of your spread and you're not sure what it references, pull two additional cards to define it more clearly. But remember, the last card was negative. If two positive cards define the negative card, apply this to how this card is negative. What was the person expecting or what was the card denying?
To learn more about how to read the Lenormand,
visit donnaleigh.com/lenormandlessons.htm
Warmly,
Donnaleigh
Learn more about the secrets of reading tarot at our award-winning educational tarot podcast.
See a listing of all show topics HERE.
| Posted on April 14, 2013 at 12:25 AM |
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The Ghosts & Spirits Tarot Deck is used with permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT USA. Copyright 2012.
Further reproduction prohibited.
Enter the Ghosts & Spirits Tarot,
featuring ethereal ghosts emerging from legends and lore...
Title - Ghosts & Spirits Tarot
Artist - Lisa Hunt
The symbolism in this deck has a solid foundation. Lisa Hunt earned a Master of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Union Institute and University (Clarissa Pinkola Estes' alma mater) and Vermont College. Her Area of Concentration was The Exploration of Jungian and neo-Jungian ideas in the context of art and symbolism with an emphasis on animals and tarot imagery. Her background creates the perfect base for creating psychologically probing imagery and allowing us to find our shadow through symbols....and through tarot. We are in good hands with this artist, with more than just her artistic flair.
Publisher - U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
Style of Art - Intricately detailed water colors.
Card stock - Normal card stock, easy to shuffle, not too thin
Finish - Matte
Shuffles - Easily
Card size - Four and 3/4 inches by two 3/4 inches (4 3/4 x 2 3/4")
Size/readability - Rich with imagery in a standard card space. Be prepared to sit and peruse the imagery to find the depths of what truly awaits.
Font - Fine, italicized
Color - Overtones of blues to represent the dark nightly tones, along with vibrant rainbow splashes of color in clothing and landscapes
Backside -A swirl of 3 ghosts. While one can tell which way is reversed if one truly looks, overall it rather honors reversals.
Above, the card backs
Number of cards - 79 (22 Major Arcana, 56 Minor Arcana, and one extra bonus card)
Elements Represented by: Cups, Wands, Swords, Pentacles
Courts: King, Queen, Knight, Page
Strength/Justice = Strength is 8, Justice is 11
Major Arcana = Fool plus 21 cards, traditional titles/names based on RWS system, plus one additional card (untitled).
Aces - Whereas some decks separate the Aces with more simplistic imagery (hand coming out of a cloud, or just the suit), this deck treats the Aces (and Courts, Majors and Minors) with equal emphasis as the rest of the deck for on the picture and ghost story.
Instruction booklet - Standard Little White book. Sturdy meanings for each of the Majors and Minors. A suggested spread is included in the back. The LWB is necessary to fully understand the history of each legend.
Tarot Style (Marseille, RWS, Thoth): Rider-Waite-Smith themed meanings prevail through most of the cards; reading the LWB does help clarify how the stories apply.
Unique trait/s - Dark, often creepy, mystical, and other-worldly, these detailed images will give you the opportunity to enter dark forests, rain-soaked ponds, and mythical places. The lore of the ghosts provided is a unique learning experience in itself. As with Lisa's previous decks, if truly appreciated, there is a college education waiting in the imagery. Smart symbolism and hidden images tucked between the shadows have voices of their own. Lisa's decks are much anticipated each time a new one comes out.
Packaging - Light cardboard box. A protective container would help to keep this deck protected.
Price - Inexpensive. $15.17 at the time of this review.
Border: Subtle wheat/sepia-colored border that adds an aged look to the cards.
Awards - This remarkable deck was voted as one of the Top 10 Tarot Deck published in 2012 by AeclecticTarot Forum members. It also won the Reader's Choice 2013 Award by the About.com community.
Bonus Card: An untitled Bonus Card is included in the deck for added reflection.
This piece in particular has the 4 of Swords sentiment and was an actual contender for the 4 of Swords card.
Lisa reports:
"I actually created two paintings for 4 of Swords and had the public vote. The votes were so close and both paintings were so liked by USG that they decided to include the card as an extra. Factoid: Mary Greer had chosen this one!
"This painting was actually a premonition---painted one week before the Japanese earthquake/tsunami. I was very depressed when I painted it---as I felt something was off with the universe. I'm not saying I'm a prognosticator, but even this episode during my artistic voyage freaked me out a little. I was thinking devastation when I painted it. This is not the first time this has happened to me though of course, I'm a big believer in synchronicity too.
"I was also thinking flood waters, entrapment, hopelessness. If you look closesly, you can see tormented souls trapped in the waters below. The waters represent the unconscious (and from a Jungian perspective, the collective unconscious). All is quiet, ethereal, reflective after a period of turbulence, but the souls are trapped and aimless. The ghost in front and center carries the pain on the earthly plain, is the manifestation of misfortune."
Opinion of this deck - Some foods are meant to be devoured by the handful, and others are meant to be savored, with each delicious, precious bite washing over the palate in a slow, meditative dance of taste. So it is with the Ghosts and Spirits Tarot. Usually I throw droves of cards down in a reading, to get an overall feel for the message. With the Ghosts & Spirits deck, a single card will take me on a deep inner journey. A great amount of time can be enjoyed with just a single card pulling out meanings, allegories, and emotions. This deck would make an excellent journaling activity, letting the pen flow with metaphors between cards and our lives. The images are crisp, clean, intricately detailed. Many of the cards have a rather dark spirit vibe, perfect for Halloween and times when a spooky nuance is sought. Let these cards dance across your intuitive palate like the slow melting of a favorite candy. Don't rush these cards; let them speak to you in Spirit-time. With most decks I am a hard-core reversals card reader (reading upside-down tarot cards differently than upright ones); with the Ghosts & Spirits deck, appreciation of the cards in their upright position brings me to better clarity.
Wish list – I'd have loved the titles of the actual ghosts/spirits to be included somewhere on the card fronts as a reminder of their names.
My Favorite Cards: The Magician, below. The man in this image is called "Psychopomp." Psychopomps assist those transitioning between death and the afterlife and offer comfort to both the living and the dead. His shamanistic vibe, feathers, and connection with the spirit realm feel oh-so-very-sacred. Look within the tendrils of the card and the rays of the sun and you will find many hidden spirits. His kind eyes assure both us and the spirits that all will be well.
Lisa reports that it took about one week to create each of the paintings in this deck. But because of the detail in this Magician card, he took longer.
Experience the magic of him being painted here:
If you cannot see the above video, CLICK HERE.
I also love the Page of Pentacles card, which tells the story of Jack Frost, shown below. The Page of Pentacles here represents creativity and exploration of talents, with Jack etching his creative traces upon a window.
Sample Reading: I used a 2-card spread to see how these cards communicate, and I asked:
1) What dark shadow do I have difficulty facing?
2) How can I resolve this?
1) What dark shadow do I have difficulty facing? THE MOON
This is the card of the underworld, of both our greatest dreams and biggest fears. Intuition must be one's guide. I see this dangerous path of the unknown, and trepidation. I especially see a fear of heights here, as there is no guard rail so it looks very dangerous. Yes, fear of heights is one thing that keeps me out of planes more than it should. The road is not a safe-looking one; one must watch one's footing. I look like I'm grabbing onto the shirt of the man who walks before me, wary of the road ahead.
2) How can I resolve this? THREE OF WANDS
I see clear light, trust, and partnership in this image. A handshake, partnership, togetherness. There appears to be support from both the Divine and the Earthly world. This card is based on an Italian fairy tale where a grateful Spirit shows his true identity and rewards a man by extending unity and cooperation. The card symbolizes karmic reward. "Communication and cooperation with others may lead to new enterprises," the LWB says. "This can be a very productive time if you open yourself up to new ideas." So this seems to suggest that extending an open palm back to offers will result in productive outcomes. With many birds flying in this image, it suggests to me that the partnership may result in many flights, which are safe and surrounded by light. "Trust, cooperation, and safety" speak to me in this card.
The emotions conveyed by each card support the overall meaning and tone I found in them. Even if I had not known the particular ghost story, the moods of the cards are clear and intuitively charged.
Other decks by this artist: The Shapeshifter Tarot, Celtic Dragon Tarot (Llewellyn), Fantastical Creatures Tarot (US Games), Animals Divine Tarot, and The Fairy Tale Tarot (Llewellyn).
Summary: The Ghosts & Spirits Tarot deck is a unique, intricately painted collection of ghost folklore woven into the tapestry of tarot. An educational stroll through legends of Spirit folklore creates a shivery atmosphere of shadows and ethers. Allow yourself to truly enter each image to find the answers you seek. And be sure to look into every corner, nook, and cranny, as surprises await you behind the branches and under the water.
Bravo to Lisa for a successful deck, which is already well-loved and receiving recognition through the "Best of Tarot" awards. Be sure to bring this deck along for your next Halloween readings to really amp up the silvery moon sensation of ghostly psychic-seeing.
Find the deck creator:
Artist's Web Site: www.lisahuntart.com
Deck Web Site: www.ghostsandspiritstarot.com
Artist Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/lisahuntart
Deck Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/GhostsAndSpiritsTarot
Twitter: @LisaHuntArt
Warmly,
Donnaleigh
Learn more about the secrets of reading tarot at our award-winning educational tarot podcast.
See a listing of all show topics HERE.
| Posted on April 6, 2013 at 12:25 AM |
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Welcome to the fourth in a Little Lenormand Lesson series to teach
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS of people as read through the Lenormand cards.
This class works from cards 34 (Fish) through 36 (Cross),
and offers activities you can try at home to practice honing your skills.
How would the Lenormand cards describe YOUR personal look?
This class is led by Lenormand expert Rana George, who can be found at RanaGeorge.com.
Class length is 25 minutes.
This free class can also be found on iTunes in the Podcast section.
To learn more about how to read the Lenormand,
visit donnaleigh.com/lenormandlessons.htm
Warmly,
Donnaleigh
Learn more about the secrets of reading tarot at our award-winning educational tarot podcast.
See a listing of all show topics HERE.
| Posted on April 5, 2013 at 8:05 PM |
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Above, the Daveluy Lenormand
(reprinted by Caitlin Matthews)
Welcome to the third in a Little Lenormand Lesson series to teach
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS of people as read through the Lenormand cards.
This class works through cards 22 (Crossroad) through 33 (Key).
How would the Lenormand cards describe YOUR personal look?
This class is led by Lenormand expert Rana George, who can be found at RanaGeorge.com.
Class length is 25 minutes.
This free class can also be found on iTunes in the Podcast section.
To learn more about how to read the Lenormand,
visit donnaleigh.com/lenormandlessons.htm
Warmly,
Donnaleigh
Learn more about the secrets of reading tarot at our award-winning educational tarot podcast.
See a listing of all show topics HERE.
| Posted on April 1, 2013 at 10:45 PM |
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Welcome to the second in a Little Lenormand Lesson series to teach
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS of people as read through the Lenormand cards.
This episode completes card 11, The Whip, and teaches through Card 21, The Mountain.
How would the Lenormand cards describe YOUR personal look?
This class is led by Lenormand expert Rana George, who can be found at www.RanaGeorge.com.
Or click here.
This free class can also be found on iTunes in the Podcast section.
Class length is 27 minutes.
To learn more about how to read the Lenormand,
visit donnaleigh.com/lenormandlessons.htm
Warmly,
Donnaleigh
Learn more about the secrets of reading tarot at our award-winning educational tarot podcast.
See a listing of all show topics HERE.
| Posted on March 30, 2013 at 9:35 PM |
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Welcome to this Little Lenormand Lesson, the first in a series to teach
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS of people as read through the Lenormand cards.
This episode teaches cards 1-11, the Rider through the Whip.
How would the Lenormand cards describe YOUR personal look?
This class is led by Lenormand expert Rana George, who can be found at www.RanaGeorge.com.
Class length is 26 minutes.
To learn more about how to read the Lenormand,
visit donnaleigh.com/lenormandlessons.htm
Warmly,
Donnaleigh
Learn more about the secrets of reading tarot at our award-winning educational tarot podcast.
See a listing of all show topics HERE.
| Posted on March 29, 2013 at 11:35 AM |
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If you have been practicing your smaller card spreads,
and have mastered your 9-card spreads,
you may be ready to navigate your first Grand Tableau.
This video shows you how to get your reading started.
To view this video, click on the image above or CLICK HERE.
To learn more about how to read The Lenormand,
go to Donnaleigh.com/lenormandlessons.htm.
Warmly,
Donnaleigh
Learn more about the secrets of reading tarot at our award-winning educational tarot podcast.
See a listing of all show topics HERE.
| Posted on March 26, 2013 at 7:35 PM |
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This is a video tutorial of a spread I created that sees multiple facets of a situation.
To view this video, click on the image below:
Featured in this video is Ryder's Lenormand, a remarkable Lenormand Kit
created by Ryder George, son of Rana George.
To inquire about purchasing this kit, contact Rana at MysticalRana@gmail.com.
Ryder's Lenormand kit includes 2 decks:
a standard-sized deck (that you see in this video), and a tiny, mini version of the deck.
The cards feature a light canvas texture.
The deck also includes extra cards. There are two Rider cards, two each of the Man and Woman cards, and two Child cards (a male and a female child). Traditional card insets are used and the deck is uncluttered, clear, easy to read, and faithful to Lenormand tradition.
There are also bonus cards with meanings of the images, and a unique, hand-made fabric pouch (no two are like).
To learn more about how to read The Lenormand,
go to Donnaleigh.com/lenormandlessons.htm.
Warmly,
Donnaleigh
Learn more about the secrets of reading tarot at our award-winning educational tarot podcast.
See a listing of all show topics HERE.
| Posted on March 9, 2013 at 12:10 AM |
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"It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds."
Aesop (620 BC - 560 BC), The Jay and the Peacock
BLOOPER TIME!
My birdie buddy, Harley, wanted to be a part of my Lenormand video about the SNAKE card. Fitting, because the Snake card is about a trouble maker!
Ah, but unfortunately, the video didn't work out so well.
"Cockatiels and Cartomancy Gone Bad" in my little bit of bloopers...
CLICK HERE to watch, or click on the above video image.
Warmly,
Donnaleigh
Learn more about the secrets of reading tarot at our award-winning educational tarot podcast.
See a listing of all show topics HERE
| Posted on March 8, 2013 at 9:35 PM |
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“All his life he tried to be a good person. Many times, however, he failed.
For after all, he was only human. He wasn't a dog.”
― Charles M. Schulz
This video is a tutorial designed for people new to the Lenormand who are just learning how to create card combinations.This shows how to pair all the cards in the deck with one card: The Dog Card, to demonstrate how this loyal card can be modified by other cards.
To view this video tutorial, CLICK HERE or on the video image at the top of this page.
This video showcases Lo Scarabeo Lenormand Deck (borders trimmed).
To practice your own card combinations, THIS EXCERCISE can be helpful.
To learn more about how to read The Lenormand,
go to Donnaleigh.com/lenormandlessons.htm.
Warmly,
Donnaleigh
Learn more about the secrets of reading tarot at our award-winning educational tarot podcast.
See a listing of all show topics HERE.
| Posted on March 8, 2013 at 3:50 PM |
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"Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous."
Chanakya
This video is a tutorial designed for people new to the Lenormand
who are just learning how to create card combinations.
This shows how to pair all the cards in the deck with one card: The Snake Card, to demonstrate how the Snake card can be modified by other cards.
To view this video tutorial, CLICK HERE or on any of the video images on this page.
To learn more about how to read The Lenormand,
go to Donnaleigh.com/lenormandlessons.htm.
Warmly,
Donnaleigh
Learn more about the secrets of reading tarot at our award-winning educational tarot podcast.
See a listing of all show topics HERE.
| Posted on March 2, 2013 at 4:05 PM |
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Level of This Technique: Beginner to Intermediate
This is my 2nd video tutorial on how to do a yes/no spread with Lenormand. While this method shows a bit more sophisticated technique than the previous video demonstrates, the results provide more details, many which could be very important to your answer. A "yes" answer doesn't always mean you're getting what you think you want.
This tutorial shows a fast and easy way to do yes/no questions in Lenormand, but it also give you the additional details you'll want to consider or know. Multiple examples are provided. I also demonstrate how to craft a question so you understand your yes/no outcome, and how to break down the answer into further questions.
You can see the previous Beginner's Yes/No video HERE.
To view today's new video, either click on the video image above,
or CLICK HERE.
The beautiful deck used in this video is
The Vintage Lenormand by Jera-Babylon Rootweaver.
To learn more about how to read The Lenormand, CLICK HERE.
Warmly,
Donnaleigh
Learn more about the secrets of reading tarot at our award-winning educational tarot podcast.
See a listing of all show topics HERE.
| Posted on February 24, 2013 at 10:30 PM |
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Are you someone who enjoys tarot
yet you are feeling a bit curious about what the Lenormand cartomancy system is like?
Well, WELCOME!
We're happy to have you check it out!
The Lenormand is an antique card reading system that is a lot of fun to use and whoppingly precise. But it is important to understand its language. And it does speak a different language than tarot. This cartomancy system will use exciting, different parts of your brain. And once you get swinging, you'll be amazed at what it has to say. It's an exciting alternative to tarot with a lot of secrets to share. And despite being an old system, it has a lot of modern stuff to share. It even knows about the internet and modern issues.
Many tarot readers mistakenly start reading Lenormand bringing a tarot mindset, but it is a language all its own. I see a lot of tarotists reading Lenormand the same way they interpret tarot cards, and I mistakenly did the same when I started learning the system. But its language is unique. If you learn the language, the deck will tell you remarkable secrets.
This video helps separate some major differences between the two card systems:
Tarot and Lenormand.
To watch this video,
click on the image at the top of this page or
After watching this video, learn how to journal with a beginner Lenormand activity.
See my blog HERE.
For lessons and free podcasts on learning the Lenormand
go to Donnaleigh.com/lenormandlessons.htm
Warmly,
Donnaleigh
Learn more about the secrets of reading tarot at our award-winning educational tarot podcast.
See a listing of all show topics HERE.
| Posted on February 24, 2013 at 1:45 PM |
comments (0)
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For lessons and free podcasts on learning the Lenormand
go to Donnaleigh.com/lenormandlessons.htm
Warmly,
Donnaleigh
Learn more about the secrets of reading tarot at our award-winning educational tarot podcast.
See a listing of all show topics HERE.
| Posted on February 22, 2013 at 11:50 AM |
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The Lenormand Liars
The Lenormand has two prominent cards that suggest lying or hurtful people:
The Fox and the Snake.
So why are there two cards to demonstrate deceivers and how are they different?
This 9-minute tutorial will give you a personal tour through these two trouble-makers, using movies and stories to demonstrate the difference.
To watch this video, click on the image above, or CLICK HERE.
Your homework after watching this video:
Look carefully at the books you are reading, the movies you are watching, and the real-life experiences in which you are involved.
Then try and discern:
Are you experiencing a FOX in the antagonist? Or is it a SNAKE?
Or is it either? Maybe both?
Consider why you feel this way.
Let's hear your opinions.
Which charactes can you think of that embody the Fox? Which characters are Snakes?
How do you tell them apart?
My Lenormand Mentor, Rana George, adds:
"Love the Jack Sparrow example for the Fox. The Fox doesn't have to be a bad guy all the time. On the other hand, the Snake is a bad guy all the time."
Lastly, I happened to find this 1-minute video (below) on YouTube.
Do you feel this accurately represents the Snake and the Fox of Lenormand?
If you cannot see the above video, CLICK HERE.
For lessons and free podcasts on learning the Lenormand
go to Donnaleigh.com/lenormandlessons.htm
Warmly,
Donnaleigh
Learn more about the secrets of reading tarot at our award-winning educational tarot podcast.
See a listing of all show topics HERE.
| Posted on February 22, 2013 at 7:25 AM |
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“The most important thing is to enjoy your life
~ to be happy ~
it's all that matters.”
― Audrey Hepburn
You have the right to be happy.
But what are your rights to happiness?
Here are 26 "Happiness Rights" you may not even realize you own. Too often, we deny ourselves these basic rights. And when we do, we take our own happiness away (others are not doing it to us; we are doing it to ourselves).
If you think others are stealing your happiness, think again. You may be taking it from yourself by the choices you are making. Let's look at what your Rights to Happiness are:
I have the right to....
1.) .... trust my own intuition over anyone else's. My truth comes to me through my life experiences. It is there to protect me.
2.)....change my mind as I learn more about my truth.
3.) ...create loving boundaries in my life. Self-love and self-trust come first before I can feel safe, and self-respect keeps the thoughts in my head positive.
4.) ....disengage from negative people who might impact my happiness. While I may not have the right to tell others what to do and control their lives, I have the right to feel an ethics or personality mismatch, disengage, and control the direction of my own life.
5.) ....disagree with another's criticism that I know not to be true, even if it is about me.
6.) ...find like-minded people who support my path.
7.) ...help others believe in themselves and help them see how amazing they are.
9.) ...say no and not have to explain why. "No, thank you" is a complete sentence.
10.) ...do a dance that may be different from how others dance, and still be doing exactly the right thing (even if they don't yet understand the dance).
11.)....disagree without having to prove why.
12.) ...be respected by those who surround me.
13.)....be different than others expect of me if I know it is the right path.
14.) ...privacy when I need it. This includes scheduled or impromptu time by myself without feeling guilt for the down time.
15.) ...explore things that ignite my soul, even if they may not excite someone who loves me. My life is my path, theirs is theirs ~ there are parts of us that may not intersect and that is okay.
16.) ...have dreams, even if they represent a different place than I am now.
17.) ... have confidence in myself even if others express otherwise.
18.) ...not enter every argument I am invited to.
19.) ....release feeling responsible for others' bad behavior.
20.) ...be completely unique.I don't have to look or act or agree with the crowd. I am a complete, individual "ME."
21.) ...expect honesty from those I trust.
22.) ...let others make their own mistakes. I can offer help or advice, but I cannot control. Ultimately, everyone must come to their own truth (which may even change over time).
23.) ...love myself. Because until we truly understand how to love ourselves, we cannot fully love another. There will be a desperate need to "fill in" what we feel we lack, and we'll search for other people to fill a gap within ourselves to complete what we already inherently own. You will seek externally what you already have internal potential to find.
24.) ....fulfill myself without expecting (or waiting for) someone else to do it for me.
25.) ...create. Because creation is an outer expression and physical manifestation of the soul.
26) ...have the maturity to realize that one size does not fit all. This includes opinions, and this includes ME fitting the opinion of what other want or think I should be. There will always be people wo disagree with who I am or what I may be doing, or who may not like me, and that is okay and does not make me less than what I am supposed to be. It just makes me different from them. Nobody or no-thing satisfies everyone. Not even chocolate. The world is made of many colors, and I am made of many unique colors.
Let's Let The Lenormand Summarize:
"What is the path to happiness?"
Above, Berenika Lenormand Vintage Oracle (Lilac Twilight)
What do these cards say,
and how can we condense all 26 Happiness Rights down to one?
"Truth to the self is found by being loyal to one's own heart,"
or:
"To thine own heart be true."
There is something about honesty and innocence in the lilies that makes the decisions with purity and care.There is a softness to it, a quality of truth and sweetness, that the white lily brings, an essence of kindness or truth.
I love that the lily came up.
For lessons and free podcasts on learning the Lenormand
go to Donnaleigh.com/lenormandlessons.htm
Warmly,
Donnaleigh
Learn more about the secrets of reading tarot at our award-winning educational tarot podcast.
See a listing of all show topics HERE.
| Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:30 AM |
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The Dreaming Way Tarot Deck used with permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT USA. Copyright 2012.
Further reproduction prohibited.
Title - Dreaming Way Tarot
Artist - Rome Choi
Publisher - U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
Style of Art -Looks like a watercolor or mixed media, dreamy, reminiscent of sophisticated children's book illustrations. Whimsically-flaired images with neutral expressions. Lots of color and depth to these vibrant images.
Card stock - Normal to rugged. These are not thin cards. At first shuffle you may find them a bit stiff, but they loosen up with use. Nice quality card stock.
Finish - Matte with a slight sheen
Shuffles -A bit stiff right out of the box, but they loosen up with use. Can be riffle-shuffled.
Size/readability - 4 3/4" x 2 3/4" ; Images are easy to see.
Borders - Thin white borders
Color -Pretty watercolor with high contrast.
Backside -Vibrant green with strings of ovals...reminds me of a microscopic cross section of the cell structure of a plant. The backs of the cards are a surprise, as they seem a different mood than the fronts of the cards (see below). While the backsides can be told upright from reversed if you really stared hard at the card, in general I would say this deck generally honors reversals as the pattern of the card back is complex enough to look similar in either direction.
Packaging: Thin cardboard box. Will wear over time if not protected (see above).
Booklet: Little White Book, 39 pages, same size as cards. Each Major Arcana is given a short descriptive paragraph and then upright and reversed meanings are provided. Minor Arcana have upright and reversed meanings (see below). Elements and numbers are briefly described in a separate section.
The Dreaming Way Tarot Deck used with permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT USA. Copyright 2012.
Further reproduction prohibited.
Number of cards - 78
Elements: Pentacles, Wands, Cups, Swords
Strength/Justice = Strength is 8. Justice is 11.
Major Arcana = Fool plus 21 cards, traditional titles/names based on RWS system; no additional cards.
Theme - Rider-Waite-Smith based meanings, although some cards take some artistic license and deviate a bit.
The Dreaming Way Tarot Deck used with permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT USA. Copyright 2012.
Further reproduction prohibited.
Above, 3 of Pentacles strays from the traditional meaning of "teamwork." The LWB says of this 3 of Pentacles upright: "There are benefits now, but they are insubstantial and temporary, competent but not expert."
The 9 of Cups, typically a card of indulgence and a "wish come true," has a rather "4 of Cups" vibe of apathy. The LWB says of this card upright: "Pride in achievements, savoring the situation, satisfaction, smugness, sensual pleasure, coming true." So while it does seem to still indicate the wish coming true, the expression of the woman suggests perhaps less satisfaction than expected (if one reads by expressions).
The Dreaming Way Tarot Deck used with permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT USA. Copyright 2012.
Further reproduction prohibited.
More samples, above.
The 5 of Wands stays true to the argumentative crowd we are familiar seeing.
The 10 of Pentacles is more about financial success and removes from the family scene for more adult business-like interactions.
Strength shows a peaceful walk with her lion, rather than overcoming it (seems to indicate partnership rather than control). The LWB speaks of this card as representing love -- not of the romantic type -- but rather of "unconditional love that comes from compassion and complete acceptance."
The World card deviates from what we typically see. But this gentleman is resting because his projects are complete; his is a successful rest that brings harmony and fulfillment.
Courts: Labeled as Page, Knight Queen, King (samples below).
The Dreaming Way Tarot Deck used with permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT USA. Copyright 2012.
Further reproduction prohibited.
Aces - Reminiscent of the RWS "hand coming out of the sky," these Aces are just the element (no hand), without people or characters in the cards (samples below).
The Dreaming Way Tarot Deck used with permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT USA. Copyright 2012.
Further reproduction prohibited.
Unique trait/s - Some of the cards show genders that are difficult to discern (see the 2 of Cups, below, which may be two woman, or is one a man?). There is no nudity in this deck, so it would be appropriate for a younger audience. The expressions on the characters are rather neutral in most cards. This can be either an advantage or disadvantage, depending on your reading style. If you depend on card expressions to pull out emotions, this deck, may leave you feeling rather bland with outcomes. However, the neutrality allows you to attribute any emotion to any reading, despite the card, if you want more flexibility in your readings.
Some of the cards deviate a bit from the traditional imagery expected, but the clear card images lend themselves well to intuitive interpretation.
The Dreaming Way Tarot Deck used with permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT USA. Copyright 2012.
Further reproduction prohibited.
Price -At the time of this review, this deck was a mere $12.24 on Amazon.com, a very low price for a tarot deck.
Font size/style -Clear, medium-sized font at the bottom of the cards.
The Star and Temperance Cards have many similarities:
The Dreaming Way Tarot Deck used with permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT USA. Copyright 2012.
Further reproduction prohibited.
The "Difficult Cards" - Let's take a look at some of the "harsh" cards of traditional tarot and see their mood, below (Tower, Devil, Death, and 3 of Swords).
The Dreaming Way Tarot Deck used with permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT USA. Copyright 2012.
Further reproduction prohibited.
The neutral expressions of the characters seem to tone down the emotive shock of these cards.
It's as if they are saying, "It is what it is."
Opinion -This deck is has a fun, other-worldly, dreamy, fairy-tale like vibe. The evocative images do create clear readings, as you'll see in the sample reading below. The vibrant colors are fun to work with, and the images are easy to see. A few of the cards may take you out of your usual tarot definitions as the images deviate a bit from what you may be used to seeing, but most of the cards stay true to RWS tradition and will be recognizable immediately, even with the story-like flair. I've had great fun reading with these cards, and somehow I am brought back to my childhood with these storybook-like images that bring out the fairy tale world in my own life story. This is one of the few decks where I absolutely love the Death card; it is my favorite card in this deck. Because it lacks nudity, this would make a fabulous first tarot deck for youths interested in tarot. This enchanted deck did steal my heart.
Wish list/What I'd Change – I was surprised to see the bright green backs, especially since the deck has a dusty gray overtone to it with washes of color that are more subtle. It seems a strange marriage between the fronts and the backs. It would be nice to see more expressive figures, but I think the dreaminess of the cards might get lost in that change. These cards can be what you make them.
Sample Reading:
In this reading, my client asked, "Will I be able to travel overseas by March?"
The cards received for this sample reading are below, with the reading interpretation following the image:
The Dreaming Way Tarot Deck used with permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT USA. Copyright 2012.
Further reproduction prohibited.
SITUATION: The 5 of Swords as the situation suggests she is trying to take many of something, perhaps more than her share. Someone or something (bills?) are left with nothing. The LWB speaks of this card sometimes indicating "selfish actions," or "sacrificing integrity." This reminds me of the phrase "have your cake and eat it, too."
CHALLENGE: The challenge of the 7 of Pentacles here is obvious from the imagery. Too many shopping bags! Too much expense! However, you'll notice this is not the typical 7 of Pentacles, which shows someone resting on a garden hoe as a plant slowly ripens. Yet the imagery here is highly applicable to this reading. The LWB says of this card, "Taking the time to reflect on what you have and what you need, questioning your choices." This makes it very clear that her challenge will be finances and where she puts her pennies.
ADVICE: The advice: 6 of Pentacles, reversed. Upright, this would mean, "dole it out," "give it out," or "share." Here it reversed, so I see this meaning, "Keep something to yourself right now. The LWB agrees, and warns that this card reversed can mean, "Struggling to make ends meet." The advice: Hold onto your purse strings right now.
OUTCOME: The outcome if she goes abroad? 5 of Pentacles. This is the card of poverty, and this card imagery supports that meaning. Doing without, being in debt, this person is living in the cold. The LWB says, "Poor financial status, unhealthy, getting hurt, hardship, feeling left out in the cold." This is pretty clear: if she goes, she'll pay for it afterward by having to do without or having a string of debt follow."
So you can see the deck reads quite easily and though we had one image here (7 of Pentacles) that strayed from the image we might be used to seeing, the meaning fit right in like a comfy new pair of slippers that have a cozy fit at first try. This deck is a lot of fun to use, is kid-safe, and I've found it is also fun and evocative for using for personal journaling.
To purchase your very own copy of the Dreaming Way Tarot, CLICK HERE.
Warmly,
Donnaleigh
Learn more about the secrets of reading tarot at our award-winning educational tarot podcast.
See a listing of all show topics HERE.
| Posted on February 17, 2013 at 9:00 AM |
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Above, the Vintage Lenormand by Rootweaver
I've learned that whether we are reading Tarot or Lenormand, the cards we receive have LAYERS. There is the meaning we see "at first blush..." and for some readers that is where they fold the cards and move on.
But if you look closer, you'll see more than first meets the eye. You can use Angel Cards, Tarot, Lenormand, or any oracle of your choice. And this method can be used for more than predictions.
Try this journaling activity:
1) Take the cards in your two-, three-, or four-card spread (for tarot, even a 1-card reading will work well for this exercise). Write down the card/s you pulled and the deck they are from (or better yet, include a snapshot or a copy of the card image and put it in the journal). This will help you revisit the cards again later.
2) Create a column called "MEANINGS." Then write what you see. What do the cards mean? Then shift gears. Write another meaning. And another. And yet another. Push the cards as far as you can take them. How many meanings can you possibly derive from the cards? If you are predicting, give your prediction a timeline (i.e., in 6 months, this will happen: ______").
3) Then create another category off to the side in your journal, the "GET WEIRD" category. Get crazy with the cards now--take a risk! This is just between you and your journal. No one will criticize you; it's a safe place to take the plunge. Put the far-out meanings in this separate page or category and run with them.
4) Later, after time has passed and you know more about how your situation unfolded, return to your journal. Explore your meanings after the fact to see where they went in real life.What meanings applied? Which came closest? Which techniques worked best for you? Write these added meanings down in a "HINDSIGHT" category in your journal. Write down additional meanings or nuances or add notes to your previous readings. Since it is now after the fact, knowing how the situation unfolded, what else would you add now, seeing those cards, that you missed in the earlier round? What technique or method are you using to reveal this information from the cards? (Apply this to future readings). You may find yourself continuing to add meanings to this columnn for some time after the situation unfolds, as more things begin to happen and you see them in the cards as well. Take note of the timing and how this applies to how you adjust your future readings.
This is particularly useful when we ask a question about our situation that may be predictive in nature, as you can later go back to the multiple meanings and see how many of the interpretations were right on. It's a way of "measuring" your readings. You may find that some of the meanings you discovered later in the exercise, your more "far-out" interpretations, may actually be the most relevant. Or maybe not.
So your 3 journal meaing categories for this activity are:
Lenormand Tips
Here is a Lenormand activity from a previous video blog of mine that may help you stretch your meaning zones for the Lenormand cards, as they can be more challenging than Tarot to push yourself out of an interpretation lock-up:
or CLICK HERE if you cannot see the above video.
For Card Readings Other Than Predictions
If you are not into predictions, try this activity with your personal questions,whether psychological or practical. Where do the meanings take you? Do they all make sense and apply to your situation?
Shift your categories to:
Try it with a friend.
Ask a reading partner your question, receive their question, and try multiple layers of reading meanings on each other in writing. Have the other person peruse your mearnings and learn from them...which ones hit home most? Which were things you may not have considered? What do you see in the meanings that your friend gave you that you may not have found on your own?
With tarot you may be able to go a little deeper with this as you can use the imagery as a jumping off point to tell stories. There is a bit more freedom to interpretation.
For more lessons and free podcasts on learning tarot and the Lenormand
go to Donnaleigh.com.
Warmly,
Donnaleigh
Learn more about the secrets of reading tarot at our award-winning educational tarot podcast.
See a listing of all show topics HERE.
| Posted on February 16, 2013 at 9:45 AM |
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The charred log cabin of alleged cop killer Christopher Dorner has left a few questions. Did he start the fire? Or did the authorities?
Here is a recent news article on the current knowledge of the situation.
www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/14/christopher-dorner-fire-police
This article states:
Police have confirmed they started the blaze that engulfed Chris Dorner's cabin but said the use of pyrotechnic canisters had not been intended to cause a fire.
"It was not on purpose. We didn't intentionally burn down that cabin to get Mr Dorner out," John McMahon, a spokesperson for San Bernardino sheriff's department, told a news conference on Wednesday night
Swat teams lobbed traditional teargas canisters into the cabin but as Dorner kept firing they switched to pyrotechnic ones. "It does generate a lot of heat. We introduced those canisters into the residence and a fire erupted," said McMahon. Such devices were called burners, he said.
The spokesman's insistence that the blaze was not intentional appeared to be put in question by an exchange between deputies at the scene during the scene. The exchange was heard on a police scanner and published by the journalist Max Blumenthal.
So I asked the Lenormand whether Dorner started it or whether the authorities did.
When I did one row of 5 cards, the following cards emerged from the randomly drawn French Cartomancy Lenormand deck (borders removed).
These cards look quite innocent, and suggest the police are grounded (Tree) in protecting (bear) their friends (Dog), and that the secret (Book) to this is positive (Bouquet).
Let's add a second row and watch how the cards further interact and see whether there were any hidden agendas we might not find out happened.
Dog/Tower - friends within the police institution
Tree/Key - grounded, healthy, followed to the key
Bear/Man - Police authorities were protecting, bear indicates use of power and can even be how one manages, an authority.
Book/Ship- this is like the throwing in of the pyrotechnics....to move him out. It shows movement, secret tactics, but the Ship indicates this is not about death but of motion.
Bouquet/Broom-Whip - Putting a "gift" in, but a sharp one, in order to flush him out or sweep him out of the house. Because the Bouquet is shown here, it suggests good intentions. The book beside flowers seems to be showing following the tactics of the secret rules of the (Bear) authorities.
If we look at other cards that mirror or interact:
Key/Ship- the purpose was to move him out (no coffin here, so it wasn't intended to kill).
Tree/Book - longstanding secrets of the force (Tower and Bear)
Dog and Tower together suggesting the police force, along wtih the Bear, suggest that there was tremendous comradery, loyalty and teamwork here within the system.
The corner cards: Dog/Bouquet/Broom/Tower - Talented comrades flush him out in the way of the institution.
SUMMARY:
So the Lenormand does agree that this was well-intended, and it was supposed to flush Dorner out of the cabin and was not intended to burn/kill him. As we learned later, he did die of a self-inflicted gun shot to the head, so ultimately, the fire wasn't the means of his death. But this suggests the police started the fire but didn't intend a deadly fire, just a means of getting Dorner out of the cabin.
For more lessons and free podcasts on learning the Lenormand
go to Donnaleigh.com/lenormandlessons.htm
Warmly,
Donnaleigh
Learn more about the secrets of reading tarot at our award-winning educational tarot podcast.
See a listing of all show topics HERE.
| Posted on February 8, 2013 at 2:40 PM |
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Two-sided...one side of the spread cloth has organized houses written on it,
and the other side has pretty fabric for any possible arrangement.
On THIS BLOG I demonstrate how to make your own Lenormand Grand Tableau Spread Cloth. I've been toting that cloth around with a deck wrapped inside, and it has become a good friend. It's small enough that I can even use it on a restaurant table.
However, I wanted a bigger one for my larger sized cards. So during the snowstorm today I made one. It fits most of my decks; below I've show several of my decks arranged on it as a sample. Some decks are too large (the Lilac Twilight and Cherry Twilight are too big), but I feel like I have much more flexibility in deck choices with this one.
Decks pictured include The Lenormand Revolution, The Original Lenormand, The Victorian LeNormand, The French Cartomancy (de-bordered), The Off-Center Lenormand, Under The Roses Lenormand
Above, the Melissa Lenormand on the opposite side of the spread cloth.
Above, it wraps a deck within and is tied with a satin ribbon.
Would you like to make one of your own?
For more lessons and free podcasts on learning the Lenormand
go to Donnaleigh.com/lenormandlessons.htm
Warmly,
Donnaleigh
Learn more about the secrets of reading tarot at our award-winning educational tarot podcast.
See a listing of all show topics HERE.
