Guided Journey is your step-by-step companion to reading the Lenormand deck with clarity, confidence, and real-world insight.
Forget vague meanings and generic interpretations. This book gives you practical tools and proven techniques for understanding every card—and every combination—with precision.
What you'll learn • How to read card combinations like full sentences • Modern and traditional meanings, explained clearly • How to use the Grand Tableau with confidence • Symbol stories that deepen your connection to the cards • Examples from real readings to guide your own practice
Whether you're new to Lenormand or refining your skills, this book will support your journey every step of the way.
This is the book I wish I had when I started reading Lenormand.
This is an excellent book. Different yes, but definitely excellent. For tarot lovers this presents a different approach from the standard decks. There will be some learning, some listening to the cards but this is a solid guide.
Cartomancy is not a new concept for me, I've been a tarot card user for over thirty years, and even now still struggle with it, and interpreting cards correctly/following my gut on what I'm seeing. Lots of second guessing, and getting things utterly wrong. Perhaps that's because tarot was not meant for me.
Oracle cards have been far more "forgiving" towards me compared to tarot, and yet Lenormand has blown even the ease I've had with oracle cards out of the water!
My first look through the book was to get the basics down and understand what was being explained to me. After purchasing cards I read through again to better familiarize myself with everything as I was seeing and reading it.
Then came my first reading, and I picked it up so easily. My first three cards were Tree > Woman > House
And the way I interpreted this was 'This is a mature tree...so stability, life, probably something to do with health, family...putting down roots. I'm a woman...and home and family mean a lot to me...so I think this is going to be about my family, and our stability.' Here's what the cards mean according to the info I was using:
(Detailed explanations of each of my cards below the spoiler!)
I was amazed at how close my initial interpretations of the cards were against what they actually mean! I've only done a single card pull since, and I forgot to note what it was/my gut reaction to it all but I recall being pleasantly surprised I was once again pretty spot on.
So as far as cartomancy goes I suggest Lenormand, it's very intuitive, and as far as books go explaining and teaching it go, I highly recommend this one! Its very easy to follow along with, she gives card examples and meanings in the book which is great.
Plus it's explained when you pull certain cards together, because they interact with one another! So there's plenty to read and learn even beyond just the single cards within a layout. There's also a bunch of layouts in the book and how to interpret them, plus more advanced information beyond just simple spreads and readings.
Truly there's something for every level in this book and as you get more confident, I suggest moving on a little and learning more.
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.
This is not a book you can finish quickly. I'm still working through the detailed meditations for each card (which are great if you're a visual learner), and I have a solid understanding of the about half of the cards and a basic grasp of the rest of them. I've used tarot and oracle cards over the years, and I really like the simplicity of the Lenormand deck. I also like that it focuses on concrete "what to be aware of" and I find its insights helpful.
This book is a great introduction to a new method of cartomancy, and I valued the insights provided. I'm still at the simple "sentence" stage, as this is not something you can pick up in a week or two, but instead requires regular practice and study of the cards, their meanings and combinations. Another thing you'll need is a deck of Lenormand cards, because you can't really do much without a deck. I am nowhere near tackling the Grand Tableau or even the 3x3 layouts, and I will stick with simple 3- or 5-card layouts for now.
Given the importance of combining meanings, I would have liked more information on the combinations, instead of just the few examples given with each card, and more examples and explanations of simple layouts that I can use in my daily practice, as I simply don't have the time to commit to practising the larger layouts. A great introduction to the deck, with good explanations from many different angles that I will be referring to every time I practice, until I fully grasp the subtleties of each card through personal experience.
UPDATE: Nov 2025 I purchased myself a really nice deck of cards, and have been reading for myself almost every day. Every time I read, I am referring to this book - it has become my bible of Lenormand card meanings. And the more I read, the easier it gets to make "sentences" that I can understand. I remember the basic meanings of almost all the cards now, and the other day, I graduated to a 3x3 layout, which has become my favourite format. I'm very grateful to this book for introducing me to the joys of Lenormand cards - I love how practical and everyday they are, and I've learned a lot from using them.
As someone with prior experience in tarot and oracle cards, I approached Lenormand: Guided Journey with curiosity and a completely fresh perspective on the Lenormand system. I knew virtually nothing about these cards, and I was genuinely pleased by how much I was able to learn through Florence Levine’s thoughtful and accessible guidance.
One of the highlights of the book is the historical introduction, which provides a well-researched and engaging foundation. It not only situates the Lenormand deck within a broader historical context but also deepens appreciation for its unique symbolism and purpose. The descriptions of each individual card are equally well considered. I especially valued the meditations and visualizations that accompany them—these helped me form a more intuitive and personal connection with the cards and were excellent tools for memory retention.
What stood out most to me, however, were the practical insights Levine offers for reading the cards in combination. Her guidance on how to “bridge” the cards and form interpretive sentences or conversations adds a dynamic and interactive dimension to card reading. It’s a skill that, like with tarot, becomes more fluid and natural with regular practice.
Levine’s clarity in explaining Lenormand techniques makes this book an excellent resource for beginners. While it’s possible to read through it quickly, I would advise readers to take their time with it—linger on each card, try out the techniques, and gradually build confidence in forming combinations and storytelling with the cards.
Overall, Lenormand: Guided Journey is an insightful and approachable introduction for anyone seeking to explore the practical and symbolic richness of Lenormand cards.
I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Florence Levine's "Lenormand: A Step-by-Step Guide to Reading the 36 Cards with Confidence" is one of the best books I've ever read about using cards for divination. Levine's writing is clear, the examples relatable, and the progression from the history of the cards to simple introductory practices, and then to more complex spreads, is brisk and logical.
I've studied and read Tarot and Oracle cards for many years; I had heard about Lenormand cards but hadn't worked with them. This book inspired me to buy my first deck, the Blue Owl Lenormand, and dive in. I love the pragmatic nature of the cards and the creativity involved in connecting the images to form meanings. (The cards feel very different to me from Tarot -- more direct and clear. I'm learning when to use each depending on what I want to explore on a given day).
I received an advance review copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily. I am so excited to keep exploring Lenormand thanks to Florence Levine's clear, methodical guidance that makes it easy and inspiring to continue my journey!
I found Lenormand Guided Journey to be very useful in my own “journey” in learning Lenormand. I took a lot of notes from the book, and found it to be an easy read.