Madame Lenormand Blue Bird

Madame Lenormand Blue Bird - classic symbols with verses and playing card insets

There are dozens of Lenormand decks, but few hold the balance between tradition and accessibility as well as this Blue Bird edition. The 36 cards show the classic Lenormand symbols in clear imagery, supported by poetic verses and small playing card insets.

The deck was compiled by Stuart R. Kaplan, known for his work at US Games Systems and his efforts to preserve historical card games. The verses on each card are his, and they add a layer of meaning without being intrusive.

What you see on the cards

Each symbol takes centre stage and is immediately recognisable: the rider, the ship, the snake, the anchor. The drawing style is clear and restrained, with no unnecessary detail. The colours are soft but not vague.

Below each symbol sits a short verse in English, often no more than two lines. It gives direction without locking down the meaning. In the corners of each card you find a traditional playing card symbol: six of hearts, jack of spades, ace of diamonds. That allows you to combine Lenormand with classic cartomancy if you choose.

The size is compact: 63 x 89 mm. That works well for the Grand Tableau, the large spread using all 36 cards. The cards have rounded corners and are printed on sturdy cardstock.

How you work with it

The 40-page guidebook describes each symbol and explains how to combine the cards. It includes an example of the Grand Tableau, but no elaborate instructions for other spreads. The focus lies on the meanings themselves.

The verses work well as memory aids. You read the symbol first with your eye, then with your feeling through the verse. That rhythm works better for many people than isolated keywords.

Pull a card and read only the image first. Then look at the verse. This helps you learn the symbols faster without becoming dependent on the text.

About Stuart R. Kaplan

Stuart R. Kaplan founded US Games Systems and was one of the key figures in making tarot and Lenormand accessible outside Europe. Between 1978 and 2011 he published a four-volume encyclopaedia on tarot and collected historical card decks.

With the Blue Bird edition he released a classic Lenormand deck that stays close to the original symbolism while remaining readable for a contemporary audience.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 36
• Card size: 63 x 89 mm
• Finish: sturdy cardstock, rounded corners, smooth finish
• Guidebook: 40 pages
• Language: English
• Publisher: US Games Systems
• Compiler: Stuart R. Kaplan

Questions we often get

Do I need the verses to read the cards?
No. The verses support, but the symbols speak without text as well. If you already know the Lenormand tradition, you can ignore the verses. For beginners they offer a helpful anchor.

What do the playing card insets add?
They allow you to combine classic cartomancy with Lenormand. Some readers use the playing card symbols for timing or extra nuance. It is an option, not a requirement.