There are a lot of ideas on how to do Lenormand timing spreads.
I'm going to show you how I do timing spreads with Lenormand. I have found this method to be extremely accurate.
It's slightly unconventional, but it works for me – pretty much every time.
Lenormand Timing Cards
It helps to have an understanding of Lenormand timing cards to do this spread, but it isn't essential.
I have written about Lenormand timing cards before so I won't go into detail here. You can find the article here: Lenormand Timing Cards
How I Do a Lenormand Timing Spread
1. Phrasing the Question
I always phrase the questions “When will X…?” For example, “When will I get a new job?” or “When will I meet my soulmate?” I like this form for the question because it's clear, precise, and to the point, leaving little chance for the cards to be ambiguous or off topic.
2. Laying the Cards
I always use 5 cards and lay them in a horizontal row. (Example: Card 1 – Card 2 – Card 3 – Card 4 – Card 5)
3. Reading the Spread
- Look at the individual cards for their timing meaning. For example, is the Sun there to indicate the Summer?
- Read the cards in a straight line (left to right) to determine the sequence of events that will take place when something happens. You can add in all the steps in a traditional 5 card reading if you like.
Tips for Reading Lenormand Timing Spreads
If you don't know the timing meaning for the cards (step 1 of reading the spread), it's okay. This part of the spread can be omitted. I use it because it helps me narrow down the time.
When I first started doing timing spreads, I had trouble knowing which cards to use for timing. Sometimes it would be easy, and my spreads would have only one timing card show up or all timing cards would have the same time (ex: Clover and Crossroads to represent 2 days/weeks/months). But then there would be other spreads where multiple timing cards would show up, and I'd get confused as to how to read the cards together or I'd become confused about the timing in general.
That's how I came up with reading the cards in a straight line for telling me timing. I noticed that every time I did a spread, the cards were also presenting a sequence of events – not just a date like February or the Summer.
Things always passed in the sequence of events that the cards predicted they would. I learned to look not just at the timing meaning of the cards, but to also read the cards in the spread. This is something that most Lenormand readers don't do. I'm not sure why.
But it makes timing spreads much more accurate. When you know the sequence of events that will happen, you can start to observe the patterns in your life, allowing you to know how and WHEN something will happen.
The timing meanings of the cards does help you to understand when things will occur in a calendar year, and it works extremely well. However, adding in a straight-line reading provides much more insight into when things will happen.
It also takes out any element of confusion or uncertainty when it comes to timing, making your timing spreads accurate pretty much every single time.
Example of a Lenormand Timing Spread
I selected this spread because it shows how complicated it can be to determine timing simply by looking at the individual timing meaning of the cards. It doesn't give too many details when reading the cards as a straight line. It's unusual in this respect. You'll find that most of your spreads will give you much more information.
Question: “When will M meet her soulmate?”

Whip – Woman – Heart – Stork – Star
1. Looking at the cards for their individual timing meaning:
- Whip indicates November.
- Woman is a card that isn't used for timing, but it does help us to know the cards are answering the question
- Heart can indicate Spring. It also helps us to know that the cards are answering the question.
- Stork can mean the Spring or a change of seasons.
- Star represents the nighttime.
- Summary: The cards indicate M will meet her soulmate at night, in the Spring or November, when the seasons are changing.
If you're new to timing spreads, this spread looks quite confusing. Is it Spring? Is it November? Which card do you know to throw out?
I wish I could tell you an easy way to know, but for me it's just something I've learned from experience. I trust my intuition as to how to interpret the spread. It never lets me down. It's only when I second guess myself that I pick the wrong card.
In this spread, I'd throw out the Heart because it's actually there to show the cards are on topic. I would combine the Star, Stork and Whip to show she's meeting her soulmate at night (Ring), around November (Whip), when the weather begins to change from Autumn to Winter (Stork).
But if you're feeling overwhelmed or want more details, that's where Step 2 comes in to help. It tells you about the events surrounding when she will meet her soulmate, helping you to identify timing.
2. Reading the cards in a straight line:
Following a difficult period (Whip), M (Woman) will find love (Heart). It's the change (Stork) she's been hoping for (Star).
If you put it all together, we know that M is going to experience strife, and may already be experiencing it (I'd do another spread to find out what the strife is because Lenormand cards only answer the question directly posed to them. Additional readings are needed for additional questions.). Her troubles will be behind her by the end of Autumn, at which time she will meet her soulmate.
I did this spread for M in April. Her life was fairly calm at the time. However, beginning at the end of May, there have been a lot of challenges in her life (everything from friendships to career). If the spread is accurate, things should resolve by the end of Autumn (if not sooner), with her then meeting her soulmate.
LOVE this site. So helpful for a beginner. Much gratitude!
When trying out your timing spread I got very confused as there were 4 different timing cards out if the 5.
Beat, letter, home, key, tree
In that order. How could you interpret this?
Rhonda – I’m glad my site has been so helpful for you! Information on interpretations is available here: http://www.cafelenormand.com/lenormand-reading/
Can someone please help me, Ive been doing a GT reading at the beginning of each month and I do a 3 card reading each morning, I have noticed for a while now I seem to be picking up peoples “stuff” around me…eg: the other morning showed ” end of relationship ” Im not in a relationship ?? Why is this happening ? and how do I stop it ? ( if at all possible ). And also is there a list somewhere on this site with timing for each card ?
PS: I just love this site :]
You might want to start with looking up other card meanings. For example, the Ring doesn’t mean just relationships. Since you aren’t in a relationship, it’s quite likely the cards are referring to something else.
The link to the article on the timings of each card is at the beginning of the above article on timing spreads. Here it is again: Lenormand Timing Cards
Hi, can you please help me with the timing of my cards? I asked when will he contact me. I pulled house (April) clouds (june) moon (a month) heart (spring ) stork (spring-change of seasons)..Does this mean any time between the months of March-june?
Hi Joy, I explain how to read timing spreads in the article above. Please follow the steps in it. If you need additional help, please look here for help with reading interpretations.
Wow! I just saw your response, thank you for your advice. He actually ended up contacting me in March! My cards were on point and accurate ? your website has helped me so much. Thank you!
Wonderful!
I’m just wondering if the prediction came true for your friend?
It did!
Interesting article. I still struggle with timing.
Quick question: Does your method also apply for “How long…?” questions? As in “How long will this situation last?”.
Thanks in advance.
Hi Rachel, It works for all timing questions, so you can also apply the method to “How long…” questions.
How would I read this 5 card for timing..
#28 gentleman
#25 ring
#27 letter
#31 sun
#4 house
Dear Lisa, You would read it using the techniques in the above article. If you need additional assistance with the reading, I do offer reading interpretations. You can read more about how they work here: Lenormand Readings & Interpretations
Thank you!
I really love this website and visit it multiple times a week, sometimes even every day! I did a 5 card timing spread as you explained above. My question was when will my two year old son start talking? I am really confused by the outcome, as I first got 3 fast acting cards and then two cards that usually mean delays? I got the stars (at night) – clover (unexpectedly or 2 months, 2 weeks, 2 days) – key (now/immediately) – anchor (a long time) – mountain (delay)
Should I interpret this as that he will be starting to talk very soon/within 2 months/NOW after a long delay?
I would like to contact you for a reading interpretation but it says on the page that this service was discontinued?
Hi Alina,
And when did your son start talking? It’s been a few months since you posted your question. Thanks for letting us know.
All the best,
Rachel