Essential Lenormand by Rana George Study Group - 3. Ship

Lee

Welcome to the Essential Lenormand by Rana George Study Group!

Introduction: The purpose of this study group is to study Rana George's reading examples from her book, The Essential Lenormand. We'll examine, ask questions about, and comment on Rana's interpretations of her example readings, create our own alternative interpretations of those readings while using Rana's lists of meanings, and interpret new readings using Rana's meanings.

Rules: Participation is open to everyone who owns a copy of the book. Ownership of the book is necessary because in order to study Rana's interpretations, we need to operate from a common base, and for copyright reasons we can't simply post Rana's lists of meanings.

Participants aren't expected to have read the entire book or to be experts or highly proficient in reading Lenormand. Members at all levels of ability are welcome. Hopefully participants will have read the book's introductory material and understand basic Lenormand concepts such as how Lenormand reading is different than tarot reading and how multiple cards can be combined into sentences.

The presence of this group doesn't imply a position on my or the Forum's part that this book's meanings and methods should take precedence over any other meanings or methods. The reason for creating the group is my feeling that focusing on one particular author's meanings/methods would be helpful for learning. Participants are obviously free to use other meanings/methods outside of this group. Anyone is welcome to start other study groups studying different meanings/methods, just contact me and I'll help get it going.

While posting in this group, however, all participants must adhere to the meanings listed in the book. Meanings can be extrapolated, for example you could use "a bill" as a meaning for the Letter even though that specific word isn't listed in the book, because it's clear from the listed meanings that any kind of document can be included. But if you use a meaning which has no clear connection to one of Rana's meanings, I'll ask that you edit your post to change that meaning, otherwise the post will be deleted.

If you notice another participant using a non-Rana meaning, the proper action is to contact me, either by PM or by use of the Post Report button (the red-and-white triangle with exclamation point at the bottom left of every post), and I will make the determination. Participants are not allowed to post that other participants' interpretations are "wrong" or to criticize them. This is a zero tolerance policy and all such posts criticizing other posters will be deleted. Again, if you feel another participant isn't following the rules, the proper response is to contact me.

The Process: Each thread will cover a single reading example from a card chapter, and we'll work our way card-by-card, in order, through the book. In each thread I'll post three exercises. You don't have to do all three exercises. You can choose to do one, two, or all three, as you wish.

In Exercise A, I'll post from the book the question and Rana's cards. We'll look at and discuss Rana's interpretation, ask questions, make comments, point out interesting things.

In Exercise B, we'll take the same question and cards but formulate a different interpretation. As we all know, the same cards in any cartomantic system can always be interpreted differently by different people, yet still validly. The point here though is to limit the interpretive possibilities to Rana's own lists of meanings.

Exercise C would entail my posting a new combination of cards (including the card that's the focus of the thread) which we could all try our hand at interpreting, again using Rana's meanings to put together the interpretation.

Members can do any one of the three exercises, or all of them, whatever they like.

Combining Cards: Although restricted to Rana's meanings, members can combine the cards as they wish. However, for those members who are interested in exploring more structured ways of combining cards, please read the Guidelines for Combining Cards thread. Feel free to use those guidelines when doing these exercises, and, if you wish, point out in your post which you're using.

Don't forget to have fun! :)
 

Lee

Exercise A: Rana's Interpretation

Question: "How is my trip to the Bahamas going to turn out?"

7 Snake + 3 Ship + 35 Anchor

Rana's interpretation: Snake (trouble) + Ship (travel) + Anchor (reaching destination) = even though you are having small issues, you will make the trip.

My comment: This is basically a two-card reading with the third card acting as the final word (in her section on the "Answer Line" layout, Rana says the last card acts as the final word). The first two cards are a good example of why I don't think Rana means for left+right subject+modifier to apply too strictly, as in this case the subject seems to be the Ship (travel) and the modifier the Snake (trouble) - i.e. "troubled travel." One might fool around a bit and say that the Ship describes the Snake (travel-related trouble), but to my mind that's just another way of saying the same think and makes the whole distinction kind of meaningless.

This reading is a good example of Rana's meaning for Anchor (reaching goals). Also a good example of her feeling about the Snake that it represents a problem that can be dealt with, either by picking it up and removing it from one's path or by walking around it.

Note: To do Exercise A, simply post any thoughts, comments, or questions about Rana's interpretation.

Exercise B: Alternate Interpretation

(We're still using the original question.)

Question: "How is my trip to the Bahamas going to turn out?"

7 Snake + 3 Ship + 35 Anchor
Hidden (Snake) money (as in a savings account you've kept secret from your traveling companion) (Ship) will enable you to afford a longer (Anchor) trip.

Note: To do Exercise B, simply post a new interpretation of these cards. You can combine the cards any way you like, but you must use the meanings in the book.

Exercise C:

Let's try a new reading involving Ship:

Question: "I've been offered a job requiring travel - will it be a good fit for me?"

6 Clouds + 2 Clover + 25 Ring + 8 Coffin + 3 Ship

Note: To do Exercise C, simply post your reading of these cards. You can combine the cards any way you like, but you must use the meanings in the book.
 

Seraphina

Forward narration

Excersise C

Question.. I've been offered a job requiring travel, will it be a good fit for me?


Clouds + Clover + Ring + Coffin + Ship

Firstly looking at these cards I would say Yes, a good fit, as I see it

You are confused/unsure (Clouds) but luck is on your side now (Clover) this is a committed contract (Ring) and will end your old way of life (Coffin) to begin a new life full of travel (Ship)

I have looked at this spread in a positive light even though the Coffin follows the Clover and Ring.. and one of my reasons is the Ring itself, I've also used that as the focus card, to me that would be the contract/ commitment of the offer and it is a solid one, also the clover to the left shows me it will be successful, so the Coffin could also be the end of the doubts as seen with the Clouds and of course the Ship shows that travel (as the last word) is highlighted

This is the first time I have read more than 3 cards in a line, I've really enjoyed the challenge! :)
 

Rayo

Exercise A: Rana's Interpretation

Question: "How is my trip to the Bahamas going to turn out?"

7 Snake + 3 Ship + 35 Anchor

Rana's interpretation: Snake (trouble) + Ship (travel) + Anchor (reaching destination) = even though you are having small issues, you will make the trip.

There was a context to this reading, since the querent mentioned she was having trouble booking her trip. So the snake coming first makes sense (I love when that happens by the way, it's like the cards are saying "yes, I heard you"). And the ship was picked to represent the trip, she energized it and then read the cards that were near, so it's not really open for interpretation either. So in the end it was all a matter of reading the anchor, right?

And then it's funny because in the list of meanings for the anchor, the first one is "reaching the destination" (the one she picked). But the third one is "not going anywhere" which is the opposite!

I suppose the solution here is to think of the cards in a wider sense instead of just picking a meaning from the list. The anchor is related to strength, determination, "hand in there", "stay strong even as the waves hit you". While the snake, like you said, is a problem that can be overcome. So as a whole, I can see the interpretation Rana gave, but I must admit that at first I totally saw the anchor holding that ship in place! I guess I need more experience to get to know the cards...
 

Rayo

Exercise B:
"How is my trip to the Bahamas going to turn out?"

7 Snake + 3 Ship + 35 Anchor
You may have to change your plans, make a detour (snake), but in the end the trip (ship) will go smoothly (anchor).

Exercise C:
"I've been offered a job requiring travel - will it be a good fit for me?"

6 Clouds + 2 Clover + 25 Ring + 8 Coffin + 3 Ship
I found this one really difficult...
In a moment of uncertainty in your life (clouds), this is a good opportunity for stability and income (clover+ring), however this is also a dead end in terms of career progression (ring+coffin) and the constant travelling may be depressing (coffin+ship).
 

Lee

So as a whole, I can see the interpretation Rana gave, but I must admit that at first I totally saw the anchor holding that ship in place! I guess I need more experience to get to know the cards...
Later in the book she says that Anchor+Ship means the ship is pulling up anchor and leaving, and Ship+Anchor means the ship is arriving and putting down the anchor. So I think it's still consistent, she's saying the ship will arrive at its destination, i.e. the vacation will happen. Perhaps it would have meant that the ship would stay where it was if the Ship+Anchor were at the beginning of the line, but the fact that it's at the end suggests (at least to me) that the putting-down-anchor will occur in the future.
 

Teheuti

Exercise B: Alternate Interpretation

Question: "How is my trip to the Bahamas going to turn out?"

7 Snake + 3 Ship + 35 Anchor

Deceitful aspects of a journey will persist. or A deceitful person on the journey will stick around (fix themselves to you).

This is without knowing any other factors about the situation.
 

Rayo

Later in the book she says that Anchor+Ship means the ship is pulling up anchor and leaving, and Ship+Anchor means the ship is arriving and putting down the anchor. So I think it's still consistent, she's saying the ship will arrive at its destination, i.e. the vacation will happen. Perhaps it would have meant that the ship would stay where it was if the Ship+Anchor were at the beginning of the line, but the fact that it's at the end suggests (at least to me) that the putting-down-anchor will occur in the future.

In both interpretations the ship is going, the anchor is never something that stops it from moving. I guess I have to remember the anchor is positive, it's an accessory of the ship not a hindrance. The mountain would be something that stops the movement or delays it.
 

Teheuti

Exercise C:

Question: "I've been offered a job requiring travel - will it be a good fit for me?"

6 Clouds + 2 Clover + 25 Ring + 8 Coffin + 3 Ship

The contract is too good to be true (Clouds-Clover-Ring; Clover mirrors Coffin). Expect a breach-of-contract (Ring-Coffin), and if you do travel for them (Coffin-Ship), you could be left stranded (Clouds mirrors Ship).
 

Lil Red

Exercise B

Question: "How is my trip to the Bahamas going to turn out?"

7 Snake + 3 Ship + 35 Anchor
It's going to be delayed. It seems that there would be a few complication, but not much to to stress you out.

Exercise C:

Let's try a new reading involving Ship:

Question: "I've been offered a job requiring travel - will it be a good fit for me?"

6 Clouds + 2 Clover + 25 Ring + 8 Coffin + 3 Ship
This looks complicated. Right now the job seems promising but mudding. Compromising has to be made though the term would be a short term. In short, it would not be a good fit for you.