The main symbol should be clearly visible in the card image.

As we’ve read earlier, in the Lenormand, the imagery doesn’t really add any value to the interpretation. Each card essentially contains a symbol which has several meanings (depending on the context of the question asked), and that’s about it. Therefore, it makes sense to get a deck where the imagery is clear and doesn’t contain excessive elements which may confuse the reader. If the images are too busy, you won’t be able to spot the main symbol as easily. 

This is the Heart card from the Celtic Lenormand. If you look at the image carefully, you will notice the heart-shaped leaf at the bottom of the image. But the image is quite dominated by the bright cloud-covered sun and the seashore. It takes a moment to spot the heart in there. And during a reading, this may cause a bit of confusion.

The card image should not cause confusion with other card images in the deck. 

If the image looks very much like another image in the same deck, it can really be a big source of confusion. Especially when you are doing the Grand Tableau reading, where you need to be able to quickly spot the image from among several in the spread, and keep going with the flow of the reading without having to double-check everything to do with the look of the card.

These are the Fox and Bear cards from the Middia Lenormand. The images of the fox and the bear in these cards look quite alike — especially if one is doing a quick reading. I’ve often ended up confusing one card for the other — only realizing my mistake when I’ve noticed the card numbers. Of course, those numbers aren’t the focal point of the card, so I don’t tend to notice them as swiftly. 

Infuse Tradition + Include Cartomancy: Lenormand Cards with Playing Cards insets

If you are looking to form a tradition-based connection with the cards, buy a deck that has images of the playing cards inset within the card image. Most Lenormand card meanings owe their origins to the original playing card meanings. If you are coming from a Cartomancy background, these image insets will give you a familiar feeling. 

Here you can see the Rider card from the French Cartomancy Lenormand Deck. We can see the Rider and also the playing card inset (9 of Hearts) quite clearly in there. In Cartomancy, the 9 of Hearts depicts the fulfillment of a wish. In the Lenormand, the Rider is a bringer of good news. The news could, therefore, be about a wish that was fulfilled. 

Add a People Layer with Court Cards

Another advantage of getting cards with playing card image insets is the presence of Court Card images. Traditional playing cards include the Court Cards of Jack, Queen, and King. In the Lenormand, seeing these can also remind you that these cards can also represent people, of course within the context of the question.

Here’s the Snake card from the French Cartomancy Lenormand Deck. The playing card inset shows us the Queen of Clubs. In a very simplistic way, the snake card represents betrayal. The presence of the Queen’s image in the card inset tells us that this card can also represent a woman who will be a betrayer. 

The French Cartomancy Lenormand Deck

The French Cartomancy Lenormand Deck has several historic connections, and it also fits well within the parameters listed above. I love this deck because of the simplicity of the card images.

The Rana George Lenormand Deck

Created by one of the most amazing Lenormand teachers, the Rana George Lenormand Deck is perfect for beginners and advanced students alike. It pairs well with the awesome book that Rana George wrote! It does have some extra cards in there, but their meanings (and their presence itself) is explained properly in the book that accompanies the deck.

Maybe Lenormand Deck

In my humble opinion, the Maybe Lenormand Deck is probably as perfect as you can get with a Lenormand Deck. The symbol / card image is clearly drawn and easily spotted. There are no additional distractions in terms of imagery. And it includes the playing card image inset as well. 

The deck does contain several extra cards — however, you can choose to not use them at all (which is what I do, as of now). And should you be interested, the book that accompanies the deck can tell you more about those extra cards as well. 

Blue Bird Lenormand Deck

The Blue Bird Lenormand Deck is also a good deck for beginners — especially the second edition of this deck! The card image / symbol is drawn to be clearly visible. The playing card inset is also included. Additionally, each card contains a poem that briefly tells us what the card is all about. What more could a beginner want? 

Pixie’s Astounding Lenormand Deck

The images of Pixie’s Astounding Lenormand Deck were drawn by none other than Pamela Coleman Smith, the illustrator of the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot Card Deck! Don’t they look mighty familiar?

Although Pixie never explicitly drew images for a Lenormand Deck, these were gathered from her various amazing illustrations and put together in this Lenormand Deck.

When you pair this deck with the Rider-Waite-Smith deck and do a reading, the images really go so well with each other! 

Dreaming Way Lenormand Deck

The Dreaming Way Lenormand Deck is illustrated by Kwon Shina, the same artist who also illustrated the Dreaming Way Tarot Deck. Just like the pairing above, the Dreaming Way Lenormand Deck can easily be paired with the Dreaming Way Tarot Deck to give you lovely, cohesive reading spreads that are a ‘dream’ to read! ☺️

Gilded Reverie Lenormand Deck

The Gilded Reverie Lenormand Deck is one of my personal favorites. It contains 44 cards — that is 8 extra cards, that add a ton of value to the reading, if you choose to include them in your reading. I like the clear imagery. The playing card connection is included, albeit in a corner in the bottom-right, and not very prominently. The deck also features extra Gentleman and Lady cards, which can be used to read for same-sex couples. 

Under the Roses Lenormand Deck

The Under the Roses Lenormand Deck also has very clear imagery, without any distracting background imagery. The cards feature the playing card connection in the bottom-right corner. The best part of this deck is that it includes 3 extra cards for the Gentleman, Lady, and Child, which make it easy to read for same-sex couples and clients who are not of Caucasian origin.