7-Card and 9-Card Spreads of the Petit Lenormand: Practical Guide for Beginners

This method relies on fixed positions that are easy to interpret while introducing associative reading, a characteristic of the Petit Lenormand. This spread is ideal for exploring a personal development question or general concerns.

The spread is structured in three rows (past, present, future) and focuses on three main aspects: events, personal growth, and the querent's needs and desires.

I. Dynamics of Events and Ongoing Actions

This spread highlights past actions, the present moment, and future perspectives.

• Cards 1, 3, and 6: The Past

  These positions reveal past influences. They help to understand what led to the current situation. These cards may represent actions taken, significant decisions, or obstacles encountered. This row provides a clear context for placing the querent in their journey.

• Card 4: The Present

  This card is the heart of the spread. It describes the querent's current state, concerns, or main energies. It helps clarify the here and now, a central element for any personal reflection.

• Cards 2, 5, and 7: The Future

  These positions explore the next steps, possible actions, or expected outcomes. They allow you to glimpse the evolution of the situation, whether short- or long-term. The future is presented in an accessible way, with multiple options, encouraging reflection on upcoming choices.

This 7-card spread dedicated to professional situations is a concise and practical method to explore your aspirations, your relationships with your employer or the job market, and your deep needs. This spread is ideal for answering questions like: "Am I aligned with my current job?" or "How can I progress in my career?"

1st Row – Desires: Your expectations and the market's

• Card 1: Your professional desires . The card reflects your goals or professional dreams (security, creativity, independence, etc.).
• Card 2: The expectations or needs of your employer/the job market. It illustrates what the professional environment or market considers a priority (skills, flexibility, innovation).

Cards 1 and 2 explore what you expect from your career and what the employer or market expects in return. This row highlights the aspirations motivating each side. This comparison shows whether your expectations are realistic and aligned with current opportunities.

2nd Row – Compromise and alignment: The current dynamic

• Card 3: What you bring to this professional relationship (skills, dedication, creativity).
• Card 4: The nature of the contract or job (its essence and potential). This card reveals challenges, opportunities, or limitations of the role.
• Card 5: What the employer or market gives you in return (salary, recognition, prospects).

Positions 3, 4, and 5 describe how your talents and actions align with the needs of your job or professional market. The central card (4) symbolizes the role you occupy: it may represent a contract, a position, or a current assignment. Evaluate whether your efforts are fairly rewarded and whether the professional relationship is balanced.

3rd Row – Needs: Essentials for progress

• Card 6: Your personal needs to thrive professionally (e.g., flexibility, autonomy, growth).
• Card 7: What your environment or market needs to prosper, which may represent an opportunity or challenge for you.

Positions 6 and 7 explore fundamental needs for a fulfilling career. This includes your personal expectations and the requirements of the market or employer. Identify necessary adjustments to better meet your needs while staying relevant in the market.

Why use this spread?

• Clarity and structure: By dividing the cards between your personal perspectives and those of your employer or the market, this spread offers a balanced view.
• Balance between parties: It helps detect imbalances, such as if you are giving more than you receive.
• Uncovering hidden needs: By exploring fundamental needs, it becomes easier to identify what is missing to progress professionally.
• Practicality: This spread is suitable for everyone, whether employed, job-hunting, or considering a career change.

Sample questions to ask before the spread

• Does my current job meet my aspirations?
• How can I grow in my current position?
• What adjustments should I make to align better with the market?
• Is this professional opportunity right for me?

For a more nuanced reading of the 9-card square, we will explore the use of two Significators based on the question asked. In this method, the spread is tailored for a specific domain (love or work) by placing the Significators in strategic positions to highlight the interactions between the querent and their goal.

Note that this remains in a “square” format where the elements already mentioned in the classic interpretation above still apply, meaning all the associations from the classic interpretation remain possible with the spreads below.

We often request a love reading because the relationship is not smooth. Indeed, one partner tends to want to move forward in the relationship, while the other is more distant or avoiding. Each partner is represented by a specific Significator:

• Card 7: Designates the partner who is open to the relationship and seeks to give it meaning. They are predisposed to exchange and compromise.
• Card 3: Designates the partner who is withdrawn, more cautious, or even avoiding. They are more reserved or protective.

The querent is not automatically in position 7. They may be in position 3 because, for example, they wish to end the relationship but don’t know how to, or they are simply wondering if they should continue the relationship, while their partner isn’t (yet) questioning it.

By positioning the Significators this way, we achieve a more dynamic interpretation, revealing how each partner influences the relationship and what blocks or opportunities surround them. This spread helps you understand intentions, hopes, and obstacles in your relationship while uncovering paths for better balance. The positions and their interactions shed light on both the strengths and challenges of the couple, with an approach that is both analytical and intuitive.

I. Understanding the open partner: cards 7, 4, and 8

This part of the spread is dedicated to exploring the actions, desires, and sacrifices of the partner who is more open in the relationship. These three positions reveal not only their intentions but also what they are ready to put into the relationship.

• Card 7: What they are really doing

  This card illustrates the concrete actions and current behaviors of the open partner. It highlights their way of acting in the relationship, beyond promises or verbal intentions. This position helps differentiate actions from words, which is essential to evaluate genuine commitment.

• Card 4: What they desire or hope for

  Here, the card reveals the dreams or expectations of the open partner. This may include aspirations shared with you or more personal wishes. This position helps identify if their goals in the relationship align with those of the closed partner.

• Card 8: What they are ready to sacrifice

  This position shows what this partner is willing to give up to maintain balance or strengthen the relationship. It may include habits, compromises, or secondary needs. Interpreting this card helps measure how important the relationship is to the partner.

II. Understanding the closed partner: cards 3, 2, and 6

The closed partner is often harder to read, and these cards help better understand their motivations, emotional baggage, and what they avoid.

• Card 3: What they take

  This card describes what this partner gets or gains from the relationship. This can include emotional or material benefits, or a sense of security. This position highlights what they value, sometimes unconsciously, in the relationship.

• Card 2: What they inherit (their past)

  This position reflects the past influences on their current behavior, such as old wounds or inherited beliefs. Understanding their emotional baggage helps avoid hasty judgments.

• Card 6: What they avoid

  This card reveals fears or aspects of the relationship that this partner prefers to avoid or ignore. Identifying what they avoid helps better understand the obstacles to overcome.

III. Sharing and exchange: cards 7, 5, and 3

This line explores what both partners are willing to share and trade in their relationship.

• Card 7: The compromise the open partner accepts

  This card shows how far the open partner is willing to go to maintain harmony.

• Card 5: The real relationship

  Placed at the center of the spread, this card is crucial. It describes the true nature of your relationship, beyond appearances or expectations. It acts as a mirror, showing the relationship as it truly is.

• Card 3: What the closed partner trades

  Here, the card shows the concessions or compromises this partner is willing to consider.

IV. Blockages and conflict: cards 1, 5, and 9

The last line highlights the major obstacles and tensions in the relationship.

• Card 1: What the closed partner refuses

  This position identifies the explicit or implicit barriers or refusals of the closed partner.

• Card 5: The real relationship

  Repeated here, this position highlights the central tension, which can be both a strength and a weakness.

• Card 9: What the open partner will never have

  This card shows an insurmountable limit or an unachievable desire for the open partner. This position helps accept the natural limits of the relationship.

Why is this spread effective for beginners?

• A clear structure: This spread divides the relationship into distinct themes (open partner, closed partner, sharing, blockage), making analysis easier.
• Gradual learning: By interpreting each line, you gain insight into the sometimes complex dynamics of a Lenormand reading without feeling overwhelmed.
• Actionable insights: This spread doesn’t just describe the situation; it offers keys to better understanding and potentially rebalancing the relationship.

The Ikigai Spread in 9 cards is inspired by the Japanese concept of Ikigai, which can be translated as "reason for being." Ikigai lies at the intersection of what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. It is a powerful tool to reflect on your personal and professional alignment.

The Benefits of Creating an Ikigai

Creating your Ikigai helps find a balance between what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. This process offers several benefits:

• Clarity and Direction: Ikigai helps you better understand your aspirations and talents, while identifying practical ways to put them into action.
• Personal and Professional Alignment: It fosters harmony between your passions and life goals, reducing stress and increasing satisfaction.
• Discovery of New Opportunities: By exploring your strengths and the world’s needs, you can find innovative ideas for growth or reinvention.
• Sustainable Fulfillment: Ikigai guides you toward a life aligned with your values, combining pleasure, purpose, and success.

It is a powerful tool to build a more meaningful and fulfilling life. To learn more about Ikigai, visit the Wikipedia page on Ikigai or search for "ikigai" in your favorite search engine ^_^

This spread uses a layout of nine cards representing the different pillars of Ikigai:

1st Row – What You Love (Personal Aspects)

• Card 1: I Love

  Identifies your passions, interests, or what intrinsically motivates you. What would you do if you had no constraints?

• Card 2: Passion

  Represents what sparks your creativity and fuels your enthusiasm. This card connects your joys with your abilities.

• Card 3: Mission

  Shows how your passions can positively impact the world or others.

2nd Row – What the World Needs and What You Are Good At

• Card 4: I Have Talent For

  Reflects your skills, strengths, and natural abilities. This may include both professional talents and personal qualities.

• Card 5: Ikigai

  The central card synthesizing all others: it represents the balance point where your passions, talents, the world’s needs, and financial remuneration converge.

• Card 6: The World Needs

  Indicates the needs or issues you could help address. It’s a bridge between you and your environment.

3rd Row – What You Can Be Paid For (Professional Aspects)

• Card 7: Profession

  Illustrates a career path that uses your talents while addressing a concrete need.

• Card 8: Vocation

  Represents a career or activity aligning your passions with your personal mission.

• Card 9: I Am Paid For

  Describes real or potential opportunities to monetize your skills and ensure financial independence.

Why Do This Spread?

• 1. Clarify Your Personal and Professional Aspirations

  This spread helps identify areas where your passions, talents, and the world’s needs intersect. It is especially helpful if:

  * You are looking to thrive in a career aligned with your values.
  * You need a better understanding of how your talents can serve others while being valued.
  

• 2. Explore Your Untapped Potential

  The cards highlight connections or opportunities you may not have considered, inviting you to look beyond current blocks.

• 3. Find Balance Between Passion and Reality

  The Ikigai spread balances personal introspection (what you love) with practical aspects (what you are paid for), enabling you to build a sustainable professional project.

  * Start with the first row of cards (1, 2, 3) to identify your personal passions and aspirations. Take time to reflect on what inspires you.
  * Then explore the second row of cards (4, 5, 6) to connect your talents to a concrete need. The card in position 5 (Ikigai) is particularly important: it synthesizes the spread and points to your ideal path.
  * Finish with the third row (7, 8, 9) to evaluate how your aspirations can turn into tangible professional opportunities. These cards show paths to put your Ikigai into practice.
  * Analyze the connections: a strong card in position 1 (passion) combined with a card in position 6 (world need) could indicate an aligned vocation.
  

Examples of Questions to Ask

• What career or professional activity will help me thrive?
• How can I use my talents to meet a concrete need?
• What steps should I take to turn my passion into a source of income?