Packaging
Name : | Clear The Deck Lenormand |
Author : | Anouck ZANA |
Publisher : | ClearTheDeck (self-publishing) |
Tradition : | Petit Lenormand |
Packaging : | Boîte carton dur / 9.5 x 7 x 2.8 cm / 3.54 x 2.7 x 0.78 in |
Deck : | 43 cards / matt, satin-finish / 8.9 cm / 3.14 in x 6.3 cm / 2.36 in |
Size : | Poker |
Handbook : | 140-page booklet in B&W |
Reverse side : | No, the backs of the cards are not reversible. |
Switch of 8/11 : | No |
Universe : | Piracy |
Use : | Personal development |
Right from opening the reinforced cardboard box, one discovers a rich and meticulous universe. Inside, 36 traditional cards are accompanied by 3 alternative cards: the candle replacing the coffin, the whale or the shark in place of the bear, and finally, the logbook, open or closed, taking the place of the book.
But Anouck ZANA doesn't stop there. He enriches the game with 4 additional cards: the plank (37), the cat (38), the kraken (39), and the cannon (40), thus adding an extra dimension to a non-predictive, more intuitive and narrative approach. A small booklet of keywords accompanies the set, offering an intuitive first approach to the symbols.
The game is completed by a 140-page book, a real treasure trove of information. The first part is dedicated to the presentation of the author and Mademoiselle Lenormand, followed by a brief history of the Petit Lenormand and piracy, the central theme of this edition. The description of the 36 cards and the four additional cards is rich in detail and symbolism.
The last section of the book is particularly valuable for practitioners, whether they are novices or experienced. It addresses the art of asking relevant questions, the importance of keeping a logbook to track one's evolution, and the different methods of drawing. Clear explanations on the significator card, the reading of individual cards and combinations enrich our understanding. Finally, a FAQ answers common questions, and examples of draws such as the cut, the charged card, the compass, the five-card draw, your personal legend, and the nine-card draw concretely illustrate the concepts discussed.
Please note: this review is based on material in French, but the author hopes to publish an English version of her deck. Support her by asking for the release date ! ^_^
Anouk Zana, also known as Clear-The-Deck, is an artist trained at the Estienne school of applied arts. Her encounter with the world of fortune-telling dates back to her teenage years, when she discovered tarot in her grandmother's "Femme Actuelle" magazine. But it was during the first lockdown in March 2020 that her passion for introspective and psychological tarot truly took flight. Guided by the works of Emmanuelle Iger, she finds a particular resonance with this approach that combines introspection and symbolism.
Clear The Deck was officially launched on December 31, 2020, on Instagram. Since then, Anouck regularly shares posts about her collection of games, creates thematic spreads. In March 2022, inspired by a wave of creativity, she gave birth to a new game: the Clear The Deck Lenormand.
In my exploration of Anouk Zana's Petit Lenormand, I appreciated the summary of the life of Mademoiselle Lenormand, this emblematic figure of cartomancy born in 1772. The history of the Petit Lenormand is equally fascinating, revealing that this game, contrary to popular belief, was not created by Mademoiselle Lenormand herself, but is actually of German origin. It was Philippe Lenormand who, in 1848, capitalized on the name of Marie-Anne Adélaïde Lenormand to promote the game of hope as a legacy of ancient cartomancy, thus contributing to its resounding success. An important reminder from the author.
The booklet also addresses piracy, demystifying certain prejudices and restoring truths about this revolutionary movement that shook the mentalities of the 18th century in Europe and beyond. This section is a timely reminder that cartomancy, like piracy, can be seen as a form of rebellion against established norms, a quest for freedom in understanding oneself and the world.
The structure of the booklet is meticulous, offering for each card two detailed pages that include keywords by category – nouns, verbs, adjectives – and the possibility of adding personal keywords to enrich the polarity of the card. The author then shares the story of each card, explaining his iconographic choices and replacing certain traditional symbols with analogies from the world of piracy to keep the universe coherent. She concludes each description with a nuanced interpretation that deviates from tradition to offer a richer and more diversified perspective.
Anouk Zana insists on the non-predictive nature of her game, positioning it rather as a psychological tool. She emphasizes the importance of remembering that the power is in the hands of the consultant, not in the cards. This approach is particularly relevant in the context of Lenormand, often perceived as a strictly predictive tool. The use of a logbook is encouraged to personalize the experience and progress in the practice of cartomancy.
She also shares details about her own practice, expressing a preference for jumping cards and various methods of revealing and interpreting the cards. She discusses the importance of the significator in Lenormand and the need to interpret the cards in association rather than in isolation, offering advice for mastering the art of card combination.
Finally, the booklet presents four methods of drawing:
This draw, the most original, is like a playful homage to the sailors and pirates of yore, who entertained themselves with dice and cards in the holds of ships, reminding us that cartomancy can also be a game, a personal adventure in self-discovery.
The current market is full of Lenormand games that respect the traditional structure of the 36 cards, often content to transpose the classic symbols into various thematic universes, such as those of unicorns or vampires. However, Anouk Zana's "Clear the Deck Lenormand" stands out clearly. This game is not limited to a simple graphic reinterpretation; it operates a true immersion into the world of 18th-century piracy, reassigning most of the traditional symbols to icons of piracy.
The coherence is palpable: the tavern replaces the house, the fort takes the place of the tower, and the knife succeeds the clover. Other cards retain their original essence, such as the whip, the star, the mouse, the clouds, the fish, and the anchor, which integrate with relevance and accuracy into the theme of piracy.
Learning and appropriating this game is both intuitive, as it is rooted in the Lenormand norm, and exhilarating, as it invites a new adventure. Although the general meaning of the cards remains faithful to the spirit of the original Lenormand system, the uniqueness and originality of the game require some acclimatization to fully grasp the nuances that differentiate it from the standard model. I must admit that a few draws were enough to familiarize myself with this captivating game.
Key words for the 36 cards of the Petit Lenormand, to slip into your favorite deck. Your leaflet always with you, at hand, to guide you in your readings. Thanks to it, your interpretations gain in richness and subtlety.
In the "Petit Lenormand Clear the Deck" game by Anouk Zana, several cards particularly struck me with their finesse and the richness they bring to the classic standard of the Petit Lenormand. I was touched by the author's effort to weave links between the cards, where certain details are found from one card to another, thus creating coherence and facilitating the association for interpreting combinations. For example, the hammocks from card 20 - Rum (Garden) are found in card 24 - Rigging (Heart), OR the coins from card 9 - Treasure (Bouquet) also appear in card 29 - Sea Wolf (Man), OR the Mice which have their own card, of course, but are also found on the bonus card of the Cat. These subtle connections are rare in Petit Lenormand games and add an additional dimension to the reading.
The Cabin Boy card deeply moves me. It reminds us that children aboard sailing ships did not have a carefree childhood but were instead plunged into a world of adults in conflict, performing thankless tasks such as cleaning the deck. This card offers a poignant perspective on the lives of children in a difficult historical context.
I must admit that there is no card that I do not appreciate in this game (a sign of the quality of the author's work, as I am rather picky). In reality, it is not the cards themselves that pose a problem for me, but sometimes certain interpretations and symbolisms seem common or redundant to each other.
So what follows is not so much a critique of the game, but more a discussion around the interpretation grid of these cards, with two objectives:
Take for example card 22, Compass, which replaces the Crossroads, card 17, Helm, which takes the place of the Stork, and card 16, the Star, which remains true to itself. These three cards ultimately seem to convey a similar idea: that of charting, following a path, and keeping a course. However, in the classic Lenormand system, these cards speak of distinct concepts: hope for the Star, novelty and migration for the Stork, and dilemma or choice for the Crossroads.
Similarly, cards 10, Hook, and 35, Anchor, could evoke a notion of attachment or persistence. However, the Hook card is perhaps too different from the traditional Faux, and doesn't incorporate this idea of rupture or the need to make a decision. Admittedly, Captain Hook can be perceived as a dangerous adversary (but then again, I'd have associated him more with card 11 - Whip, because in the end the children always come out on top against him). Perhaps the pirate's sword could have been added or used more, which would have been interesting to associate with the idea of the Hook, evoking loss or the severed hand.
I am constantly looking for games that renew the approach to cartomancy while remaining true to its roots. It is with this perspective that I approach the "Clear the Deck Lenormand" by Anouck Zana, a game that, in my opinion, breathes new life into the tradition of the Petit Lenormand.
This game is not simply a reinterpretation of the classic Lenormand cards; it transposes them into a universe of their own, creating a system that is both original and coherent. Although some may think my opinion is biased because my name appears in the acknowledgments of the book associated with the game, my participation in the crowdfunding does not influence my professional judgment. My fascination with the world of piracy, which could well stem from a past life as a privateer, only increases my appreciation for this game. Really, I am impartial! ^_^
When using the "Clear the Deck" instead of the standard Lenormand for professional readings, one discovers how wonderfully the world of piracy lends itself to it. The world of work is often compared to an ocean infested with sharks, where the law of the jungle reigns. Failures, successes, betrayals, alliances, and conflicts are all elements that make up our quest for professional treasure, symbolized by the Sun card.
Paradoxically, this universe is just as relevant for love readings. The quest for love is often likened to that of a hidden treasure, and the ocean of encounters can seem as vast and desolate as the seas traversed by pirates. Putting one's photo on Tinder is like throwing a bottle into the sea, hoping for a miraculous catch that would result in a lasting and fulfilling relationship.
The "Clear the Deck Petit Lenormand" immerses us in a world of dreams and brutality, disillusionment and success, reflecting the harshness of our current lives marked by individualism and selfishness, in a world plagued by global problems. At a time when Europe is struck by war (review written in June 2024), this game reminds us that our society can be as brutal, barbaric, and thirsty for freedom and revenge as the pirates of old.
If you are looking for a new experience with the Lenormand, I highly recommend this game. To get it, do not hesitate to contact Anouck directly via his Instagram page @clear_the_deck, as it is an independent creation, far from the mass distribution channels. Spoiler Alert : the English translation is in progress and Anouck hope to attempt a Kickstarter release in the fall 2024 !
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