The Mystical Lenormand…
16. Stars ~ Mystical Lenormand
As many of you may know, I am always on the look out for the rarest of the rare Lenormand Cards. Never have I seen a more provocative nor awe inspiring set of images as the original Lenormands! The original decks are as illusive as they are beautiful, however, and sometimes one must settle for more recent facsimiles or current editions of updates inspired by the originals. Such is the case with he newer Mystical Lenormand.
At first I was sceptical and wary of this newer deck, produced by Swiss artiste Urban Trosch in 2005 using a technique older than the original cards themselves, an egg tempera on wood with a chalk base. In doing so, Mr. Trosch has created a mystical deck whose images truly resemble the icons of yesteryear, as each image is framed by a “window” that really makes one feel as if they are looking though a portal and glimpsing an altogether different reality, a place of mystical wonders and other worldliness. Even the backs of the cards takes one away from the ordinary. Celestial angels encircle the earth and look down at the planet from the heavens, leaving one to feel as if they are going on a journey, far far away.
The deck is smaller of size, and I thought that would be a turn off, but quite to the contrary, it lends to the charm of the deck. When first opening the sturdy little box one is confronted with the LWB (little white book) which is really quite informative, with a brief history of Mlle. Lenormand’s life, her deck and how Urban Trosch came to make this new take on the French classic. There are spread suggestions and the original meanings for the cards as well. What really impressed me, however, was the way the instructions treated the art of reading the deck (or any deck, for that matter) for beginners. They really stress the personal experience and encourage the neophyte to branch out and feel the cards and use first impressions and personal deep seated meanings before ever looking at the black and white traditional meanings. Nothing cut in stone here! This is so refreshing to me. It does my heart good to see the art of reading decks go beyond the cookie cutter definitions and diving head long into how a card makes a person feel in their gut, where all good reading begins and ends, with the intuition and uncharted senses. Add to that the mentioning of how to treat a deck with awe and respect from the beginning, and you have a really good deck for the beginner that an experienced reader will also enjoy. This is how deck reading should be and this is how itis presented from the beginning, with honour and dignity and not a frivolous “game”. I know Mlle. Lenormand would agree with me on this. 
All in all, this deck is a very nice package, especially if one cannot get heir mitts on any sort of Lenormand deck. This demure replica is a good start and far from a mere copy, it can hold its own reading after reading, or simply as a tool for meditation and contemplation. I find the images compelling and possessing their own personalities apart from the original Lenormand – like a long lost cousin to the original, or even a sibling – they are very much alike, but different enough to be able to show unique traits original to each and the other.
I highly recommend this deck to anyone looking for a meaningful departure from the classic Waite-Smith fare. In a day and age when everyone and their brother are making and publishing their own decks, both oracles and tarots, it is a rare thing to find one or two that really stand out and stand up on their own merits, The Mystical Lenormand is one such deck. And especially in the case of the Lenormand decks, as they sort of fall somewhere between a tarot and an oracle style of deck. If one decides to add this deck to their collection of cards you ave my word that you will not be disappointed…
Until next time…
…Namaste!
The Lenormand Oracle…
It seems that the more decks I learn about, the more favourites that I collect – if not physically, then at least in my dreams…
There are a few decks out there that I just can’t seem to find or get my hands on. The Victorian Romantic Tarot is one, The Sola Busca is another, and Buckland’s Romani Tarot is yet another again. Either they are available from time to time, but they are up for grabs for a very steep price, or they just are not anywhere to be found. Recently I found on their home website the Victorian Romantic tarot for sale at reverse auction for well over $1000 for a few decks that they managed to squirrel away, but decided to sell them off as a “holiday treat”! Recently they took that auction down for whatever reason – lack of interest? – and just asked a flat $850.00. Gads…
Sola Busca peeks out of obscurity from time to time on eBay, but not touchable for less than $250.00, give or take. Much more reasonable but still a little too steep for my blood.
Buckland’s Romani is just no where to be found that I can tell from my periodic checking. It is a beautiful and unusual deck that I hope to someday own. At least for now I can dream…
It doesn’t help matters when another awesome and amazing deck comes to my attention, and that deck is really two flavours of the same theme: The Lenormand Blue Owl Deck and the White Owl Deck!
The Lenormand Oracle ~ Blue Owl
Oh! How I love these cards!
I did manage to get a copy of the Petite deck available from Amazon.com. And I have tracked down a web site that carries both the White, Red and Blue decks – Esoterikshopping.de – but, alas, they don’t ship to the United States. So, while the search goes on, I am finding out more and more about this fascinating group of cards and their enchanting creator.
There are three wonderful WordPress Blogs that features the Lenormand cards: The Lenormand Oracle and Lenormand Oracle Cards and Lenormand Cards with Elizabeth -all blogs are very wonderful, informative and thought-provoking! I suggest to anyone with a keen or even a passing interest in European cards to check these out!
One day I will have in my collection these beautiful decks. Until then I have the miracle of the InterWebz to sate my thirst for the French cards…
Au revoir!
