The Origins of Lenormand Cards: A Journey Through History
Who Was Marie Lenormand?
Marie Lenormand, born in 1772 and passing away in 1843, stands as one of the most renowned fortune-tellers of the 19th century. Her fame was solidified through her predictions for prominent political figures and rulers of the time. Her career reached its zenith during Napoleon’s reign, with the Emperor himself seeking her insights about his future. These royal consultations propelled her into the limelight, spreading her name across Europe and sparking a fascination with fortune-telling.
Marie Lenormand’s Methods
Marie Lenormand was celebrated not only for her predictions but also for the unique methods she employed. She divined using playing cards, colors, drops of blood in water, numerology, crystal balls, and palmistry. Her diverse techniques set her apart and intrigued the European public, who were captivated by her ability to foretell the future.
Notable Predictions
Legend has it that Marie Lenormand made several strikingly accurate predictions:
• Marie-Antoinette’s Fate: Lenormand reportedly predicted to Marie-Antoinette, “You have a few years left to live, Your Majesty. The guillotine awaits you!” Four years later, the Queen’s head would indeed be separated from her body by the guillotine.
• Honoré de Balzac: In 1832, while visiting a distinguished client, Lenormand foretold that Honoré de Balzac would have a romance with a foreign woman followed by his death. Just five months after marrying Polish Countess Eveline Hanska, Balzac passed away.
• Predictions for Historical Figures: Lenormand’s foresight extended to various prominent figures, including Robespierre, Alexander I, Russian Decembrists Pestel and Muravyov-Apostol, composer Rossini, and French King Louis-Philippe, among many others.
The Birth of the Lenormand Deck
The first fortune-telling card deck named after Marie Lenormand appeared in Paris in 1835. Known as the Grand Jeu de Société de Melle Lenormand, it was created during her later years when she had retired to the countryside, but visitors continued to seek her wisdom.
Following Marie Lenormand’s death in 1843, a new wave of Lenormand decks emerged. The “Petit Lenormand” deck of 36 cards was developed from the “Game of Hope” (Das Spiel der Hofnung), a moralizing children’s game published in 1799-1800 by Johann Caspar Hechtel. This game, designed to teach moral lessons through symbols and signs typical of its time, featured images related to the city of Nuremberg, where it was created. Notably, three cards from the game—“House,” “Garden,” and “Tower”—were directly incorporated into the Lenormand deck, forming the foundation of the modern divination system.
The Positive Energy of Lenormand Cards
Today, Lenormand cards are known for their positive and illuminating energy, in contrast to some Tarot decks. Working with the Lenormand oracle is entirely safe for both the practitioner and the querent, providing a reliable tool for insightful and meaningful predictions.
Marie Lenormand’s legacy lives on through these cards, offering guidance and clarity to those who seek it. The Lenormand deck, emerging from a children’s game, has transformed into a revered tool for divination, reflecting the profound and enduring impact of its namesake.
