Spreads & Techniques
Discover powerful spreads from simple 3-card readings to the comprehensive Grand Tableau. Master diverse reading methods.
Popular Spreads
Single Card
The simplest and fastest reading method for daily guidance
Single Card Draw
One card for direct, immediate answers and daily guidance
Layout:
One Card
Positions:
The Answer
Direct response to your question or situation
3-Card Spreads
Perfect for quick insights and daily guidance
3-Card: Yes or No
Direct answer to your yes or no question
Layout:
First Card → Center Card → Third Card
Positions:
First Card
The foundation of your question
Center Card
The central issue or influence
Third Card
The resolution or outcome
3-Card Sentence Reading
Three cards flowing as a narrative sentence - the core Lenormand method
Layout:
Card 1 → Card 2 → Card 3 (as flowing narrative)
Positions:
Card 1
First element in the narrative sentence (subject/context)
Card 2
Central element in the narrative (action/development)
Card 3
Final element in the narrative (object/outcome)
3-Card Past-Present-Future
Classic timeline spread for understanding progression
Layout:
Past → Present → Future
Positions:
Past
What has led to the current situation
Present
Current circumstances and energies
Future
Likely outcome or direction
3-Card: Situation-Challenge-Advice
Diagnostic spread for problem-solving
Layout:
Situation → Challenge → Advice
Positions:
Situation
What's currently happening
Challenge
What's blocking or opposing you
Advice
What to do about it
5-Card Spreads
Extended narrative for more context without complexity
5-Card Sentence Reading
Extended narrative read as a grammatical sentence flowing left to right
Layout:
Card 1 → Card 2 → Card 3 → Card 4 → Card 5
Positions:
Opening
The situation's beginning or foundation
Development
What unfolds or emerges
Focus
The central theme or key energy (pay special attention to this card)
Influence
External factors or approaching energies
Outcome
Where the situation leads
9-Card Spreads
Master spread for comprehensive life insights
9-Card Comprehensive Spread
Complete life reading using traditional 3x3 grid layout
Layout:
3x3 Grid: Recent Past → Present → Near Future (across rows) × Inner World → Direct Actions → External Influences (down columns)
Positions:
Recent Past - Inner World
Thoughts, feelings, and personal resources from your recent past that influence your current situation
Recent Past - Direct Actions
Actions you took recently that shaped your current circumstances
Recent Past - Outside World
External influences and events from your recent past
Present - Inner World
Your current thoughts, feelings, and internal state
Present - Direct Actions
Your current actions and the central issue you're facing
Present - Outside World
Current external influences, other people, and environmental factors
Near Future - Inner World
How your thoughts and feelings will evolve in the near future
Near Future - Direct Actions
Actions you'll need to take in the near future
Near Future - Outside World
External events and influences approaching in the near future
36-Card Master Reading
Complete deck reading for comprehensive guidance
Grand Tableau (36-Card Reading)
The most comprehensive Lenormand reading using all 36 cards
Layout:
4 rows of 9 cards (traditional French 'salon' method)
Positions:
Significator
The card representing you (usually Woman #29 or Man #28) - the center of the reading
Cross of the Moment
The 5-card cross formed by significator's row and column - reveals immediate situation
Four Corners
Cards 1, 6, 31, 36 - represent the fixed frame and foundation of the situation
Four Center Cards
Cards 13, 16, 12, 11 - reveal what's secretly driving the matter
Nine-Card Square
3x3 area around significator - shows immediate influences and personal sphere
Knight Moves
L-shaped patterns from significator - reveal underlying patterns and connections
Mirror Positions
Cards directly opposite significator - show balancing energies and lessons
House Meanings
Each position has traditional house associations that add symbolic meaning
Advanced Reading Techniques
Card Pairing
Reading cards in pairs to understand relationships
Directional Flow
Following the energy flow from left to right
Knights Move
Reading cards in an L-shaped pattern like a chess knight
Time Associations
Using cards to indicate timing of events
The Grand Tableau: Historical Salon Method (1809)
The Grand Tableau is Marie-Anne Lenormand's most powerful reading technique, using all 36 cards in a 4×9 layout (four rows of nine cards). This is the exact method documented in 1820s handbooks and by eyewitnesses who watched her read for Joséphine and Napoleon.
Historical Note: In Marie-Anne Lenormand's French tradition, the Man card represents the central focus (the questioner or primary subject), while the Woman card represents another key person or secondary influence.
The 4×9 Layout:
4 rows × 9 columns (historical "salon" formation)
The Cards of Fate (Destiny Zone)
In traditional Lenormand, four cards carry special weight as"Cards of Fate". When multiple appear together in a reading, they create a powerfuldestiny zone.
32. The Sun
Success, happiness, clarity, vitality
Role: Provides illumination, positive outcome
33. The Moon
Emotions, intuition, dreams, cycles
Role: Influences timing, adds emotional depth
33. The Key
Solutions, answers, unlocking, access
Role: Opens doors, provides answers
34. The Fish
Abundance, wealth, business, multiplication
Role: Financial matters, prosperity