Fairy Tale Lenormand - fairy tales as memory aid for 36 symbols
The Star from the Lenormand becomes Cinderella on her way to the ball. The Snake is the Evil Queen's mirror. The Bear turns into the wolf dressed as grandmother. Each of the 36 Lenormand symbols gets a fairy tale or fable that reinforces the card's meaning.
Lisa Hunt drew the cards, Arwen Lynch wrote the guidebook. The deck contains 38 cards instead of 36: two extra person cards have been added so you have more choice in who represents the Man or the Woman.
What you see on the cards
The illustrations are detailed and colourful, with plenty of gold, blue and green. Each scene is recognizable: Rumpelstiltskin with the Child, the beanstalk with the Tower, the tin soldier with the Rider. At the bottom of each card you find the number, the Dutch name of the symbol, and the corresponding playing card symbol.
Some fairy tales recur. Little Red Riding Hood appears on multiple cards, depending on which symbol takes centre stage. This reinforces the storyline in a spread.
The size is compact: 57 x 89 mm. The cards shuffle well and take up little space on the table. They come in a tin box with a slightly curved lid, practical for transport.
How the guidebook works
Arwen Lynch describes for each card the chosen fairy tale, the traditional Lenormand meaning, and the way both reinforce each other. The booklet also contains four spreads, including a variation on the Grand Tableau.
The tone is accessible. Lynch explains why she chose a particular fairy tale and how you can use that image to remember the card. No esoteric depth, but practical help.
Draw one card daily and try to tell the fairy tale with it. This makes the symbol's meaning more concrete than an abstract keyword.
Who this deck is designed for
The images work well as memory aid for people learning the Lenormand. The fairy tales give you something to hold on to: you remember more easily that the Snake relates to jealousy when you see the Evil Queen before you.
Those already working with Lenormand can use this deck to gain a different angle on the symbols. The extra person cards make the deck suitable for readings in which multiple people appear.
About Lisa Hunt and Arwen Lynch
Lisa Hunt drew and painted for multiple tarot and oracle decks, including the Animals Divine Tarot and the Celtic Dragon Tarot. Her style is figurative and rich in detail.
Arwen Lynch reads Lenormand cards and wrote the guidebooks for several decks. In this booklet she emphasizes accessibility and clear explanation.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 38
- Language: English
- Card size: 57 x 89 mm
- Guidebook: 120 pages
- Packaging: tin box with lid
- Publisher: U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
- Artist: Lisa Hunt
- Guidebook author: Arwen Lynch
Questions we often get
Why 38 cards instead of 36?
Two extra person cards have been added: a second Man and a second Woman. This gives you more choice in who represents which person in a reading.
Are the fairy tales fully described in the guidebook?
No. Lynch provides a brief summary of the fairy tale for each card and explains how the symbol and the story connect. The fairy tales themselves are assumed to be known.