Reflection is an advanced Lenormand technique used when reading the Grand Tableau.
It's a really simple reading method where you make combinations from cards, making reflection one of the fastest Lenormand techniques to learn and master.
Reflection is a lot harder to explain than it is to to learn, so I'll also give you visual examples and explanations. But basically you create a combination using the card that is on the opposite side of the spread diagonally from the card you are reading.
That sounds pretty easy, doesn't it? That's because it is!
Examples of how to use reflection in a Grand Tableau
I'll use the same Grand Tableau spread I used when explaining how to use mirroring. I'll also build upon the meanings we gained from mirroring to show the additional insight reflection provides. If you haven't read the article on mirroring yet, you may want to begin there.
You can see that the Rider and the Bouquet (both in purple) reflect each other. If you're focusing on the Rider card, then the Bouquet tells you more about the Rider. If you're focusing on the Bouquet, the Rider gives you more information about the Bouquet.
Reading from the Rider, we see that the new man coming into the querent's life is quite charming and attractive. Reading from the Bouquet, it's clear that his arrival will make the querent quite happy.
Looking at the above spread again, you can see that the Man and Stars (both in pink) reflect each other. Reading from the Man, the Stars tell us that he may be famous or a bit of a dreamer. Reading from the Stars, we see that the Man could be someone the querent has been hoping to meet, maybe even the man of her dreams.
Let's try again…
How would you read this?
You can see that the Cross and the Dog (both in purple) reflect each other. Cross + Dog indicates a lot of grief and pain around the friendship. Dog + Cross shows how painful it is for the querent and her friend to continue as friends.
You also see that the Whip and the Child reflect each other. Whip + Child indicates that the arguments will lead to a new beginning. Child + Whip shows how difficult the new start will be.
A Chart to help you use reflection when reading the Lenormand Grand Tableau
Sometimes reflection can be confusing when first learning to read the Grand Tableau. It can be hard to remember which cards reflect one another.
I've created this chart to help you easily find reflecting cards. Find the card in the position below that corresponds with the card you're focusing on. Then look for the card with the same number. For example, if you're card falls in position 7, look for the other card that has number 7.
* Note: All Grand Tableau deck images are from the Blue Owl Lenormand deck, available at Amazon.
Thanks for your help!
You’re welcome!
Hi there
I have been dong tarot cards off and on for a while, but have now advanced a little more in the Lenormand style. I am part of a group that discusses/comments on the cards daily.
My question is what is a good deck to use for a Grand Tableau? One of the members posted a new deck that he had gotten and a few said that it was too busy to use for that, but much better to use for smaller spreads. What is your intake on this subject, as I have many different choices. Actually one of my favorite is a Madam Morrow deck from 1884.
Anyway, I would like to advance my readings and want a professional outlook on the matter.
Thank you for your time.
JM
Hi Janine,
I’ve written an article that discusses various Lenormand decks. The first 6 decks listed in it would be good decks to use for a Grand Tableau. The article is: 7 Best Lenormand Decks
How to know the person who brought lots of negative or do some negativity to somebody’s life or lives? Is it any specific spread or which cards show that?????
There isn’t a specific spread. Any spread can show it. You might want to start with card meanings, card combinations and how to read combinations.
Thank you for sharing this. How does reflection work in an 8X4 spread with the four cards at the bottom?
You have to mirror the bottom four cards in an 8×4.
Thank you Anne for the kind reply. Would the placements you have in the picture above still apply? For example, in an 8x4x4 would the card in the House of the Scythe be reflecting the card in the House of the Mice?
Reflection works the same way in an 8x4x4 as in a 9×4. In the chart above, the Scythe reflects the Fish, not the Mice. The Mice reflect the Clouds.
Thank you! I really appreciate your responses!