Key Differences Between Tarot Cards and Lenormand Cards

In recent years Lenormand Cards have been gaining huge popularity in the English-speaking world. Even a staggering amount of avid Tarot Card readers have been expanding their decks to include the 36 cards of Lenormand. If you are a part of the ever-growing cartomancy community you may now be asking yourself, how do these two decks compare? And what is all the fuss really about? Here are the four key differences between Lenormand and Tarot Cards. 

1. Tarot Cards Have Reversals - Lenormand Cards Do Not 

Each of the 36 cards of the Lenormand deck come with a general symbol and are always meant to be read right side up.  If one of the cards in a reading come up reversed in the draw, the reader may note this, then put it back in the spread right side up.  It was not negative because of the reversal.  With Tarot Cards the reversals usually represent negativity, blockages, or extremes in a reading. While Lenormand Cards are meant to hold both positive and negative connotations with a single symbol. 


An example of this is, the Anchor symbol which can indicate resilience and stability, while also indicating that one is stuck, unable to adapt, or holding on to something. 


2. Tarot Cards Have Suits (Or Arcana) - Lenormand Do Not


The history of Tarot Cards can be traced all the way back to the 15th century. This deck of cards is divided into the Major and Minor Arcana consisting of 22 symbolic images representing layers upon layers of meaning. 


A Lenormand deck is closer related to a deck of playing cards with four court cards and tens pip in each deck.  The Lenormand Cards are smaller in size.  The stunning imagery and extreme differences between decks make Lenormand cards  personal, visually exciting, and expressive. Over the past millennia since its creation, Lenormand Cards have gained countless interpretations and numerous connections to astrology, numerology, hermeticism teachings, Kabbalah and ceremonial magic. 


3. Tarot Has A Psychological (And Spiritual) Approach - The Lenormand Deck Has A Practical One 


Although originating as far back as the late 18th century, Lenormand Cards have retained their fortune-telling badge of honor. It has always been, and remains, straightforward, and an honest method to take a deeper glimpse into the world around you. In comparison to Tarot Cards, Lenormand Cards give specifics answers to questions. Tarot on the other hand, helps you up your spiritual ladder while Lenormand gives you information that you can use in the here and now to fix current issues. 
4. Tarot Cards Are Read More Intuitively - Lenormand Cards Are Read Syntactically 


Both Tarot and Lenormand Cards stimulate your intuition and innate psychic abilities, but they trigger them in distinctly different ways. Tarot is more visual and ideal for meditation, path-working, and self-understanding. These cards will guide you through the maps of your mind and the connection to the collective unconscious. Each card is read individually based on its defined positions in the spread and more often gives new perspectives instead of usable guidance. 


In contrast, Lenormand is semantic. It’s symbols are simple and carry with them keywords. The keywords are meant to be connected together like a chain to paint a picture as vivid as those of the Tarot. To achieve this, Lenormand triggers the language-center of your brain to bring about messages from a higher source. The messages of Lenormand Cards are straightforward, sometimes funny, and always spot-on accurate. 


The use of Tarot or Lenormand Cards comes down to personal preference. They both achieve the same overall goal just in uniquely different ways. Personally, Lenormand readings are my favorite method of cartomancy. Through the use of Lenormand Cards and spirit guides, I’m able to give guidance and wisdom about real life questions and current challenges.