I look at the Grand Tableau as a “map” or “grid.” A map, if you will, will provide locations and roads. Follow those roads (columns, rows, and diagonal lines) and let them show you where you have been and where you are going. Each time you lay out a new GT it’s like looking at a new map. The reading method will be the same, but the destinations are different.
The Grand Tableau is typically read as an open reading, though it is likely the querent may have inquiries in mind beforehand. Naturally, they will also have questions during the reading.
As before, remember to set your intentions and determine your timeline before you shuffle. These simple decisions will prevent second-guessing later. If this isn’t done, the reading will likely be muddled. What period of time have you set for the columns? Which techniques will you be using? Then, select one of the layouts, shuffle, and lay out the cards in the spread you have chosen.
The first thing to do is to locate the Significator. If the querent identifies as a woman, then look for the Lady. If the querent identifies as a man, then look for the Gentleman.
If the Significator is in a borderline (the top row, the bottom row, the left column, or the right column), then the information you will get from the spread will be somewhat limited. You may want to reshuffle and lay out a new spread until the Significator falls inside the borderlines. Before you pick up the cards to restart the reading, there is a little bit of information that may help you understand why the Significator originally fell on a borderline.
The Significator in the top row indicates that the querent is focused on actual things that are happening in their life.
The Significator in the bottom row indicates that the querent is wrapped up in their thoughts and not in what is currently happening.
The Significator in the first column indicates the querent is looking to the future and not focused on the past.
The Significator in the last row indicates that the querent is absorbed in the past and not likely moving on from it; they may recreate the same or similar issues as a result.
If you have a second Lenormand deck, there is another way to deal with this problem. Leave the cards in the order you laid them out (unless the Significator is in a corner, then definitely pick it up). Shuffle a second deck and lay another row or column next to the borderline where the Significator is. In this way, there is a full 3x3 Grid to read around the Significator which is important in the GT.
Figure 8c
In all other spreads the central card is stationary. In the Grand Tableau, the Significator is the central card. Here is where that 3x3 Grid is really helpful. Imagine it is printed on transparent paper and that you can lay it on top of the tableau. The Significator will fill the space of the central card box. You already know how to read columns, rows, and diagonals. Now, extend the pair chains out from the Significator (Figure 8c) just as in the 9 Card Square or Petit Tableau.
When following the lines, evaluate the past cards before the future cards. This will confirm that the reading is on track and bring surety and clarity to the interpretation of the future cards.
As previously stated, you are using the time measurement you have selected for each column: weeks, two weeks, or a month. As you do more of these readings you will get more comfortable with how much time to allot to each column. If you are a novice, read the columns as weeks.
There is a variation for how time is used. Some people actually change the direction that time is read according to the direction the Significator faces. That means that if the Significator looks to the left then that is the direction of the future cards. The back of the Significator then faces the past to the right. I don’t recommend this approach. It’s better to have consistency in the spread, so that every time it is used it functions the same way.
Just like the 9 Card Square, the row the Significator is in represents the situations that are unfolding. Every row above that card will be about the querent’s thoughts. Every row below the Significator will represent things happening in the life of the querent. And again, like the 9 Card Square, every column to the left (or behind) the Significator is about the past and every column to their right (or in front) of the Significator is their future.
The horizontal and vertical lines leading away from the Significator create a separation of, what I call, “quadrants.” The cards in the space of the upper left quadrant represent past thoughts. The cards in the space of the upper right quadrant represent future thoughts. The cards in the space of the lower left quadrant represent previous events or things that have happened. The cards in the space of the lower right quadrant represent what is going to happen.
Though I do not endorse the following approaches, there are variations of how the rows are used. For instance, the rows above the Significator could represent things that are out of their control and the cards under the Significator would be things in their control. Or, the cards above the Significator could represent the conscious aspects of the querent, while the cards below the Significator would be the subconscious aspects of the querent. If you elect to use a method such as these, make sure that you are clear about what you will do before shuffling the cards.
Grid Shifting
After the Significator is thoroughly explored, it is also possible to explore other subjects by moving the 3x3 Grid over other cards. Say you want to know more about your employment. Find the Fox then follow the lines out from that card. Want to know more about your child? Follow the lines out from the Child. To reiterate, your starting point moves according to the card placement you are reading from, so make sure to start with the Significator and explore other cards after that.
Theme Cards
Many people start their Grand Tableau reading by interpreting the theme before they evaluate the Significator. Yet, this can be done at any point in the reading. There are two ways to read the theme cards in these large readings.
1) Just as in the Petit Tableau, combine and interpret the two sets of cornerstones and draw a conclusion about the theme of the reading. In the 8x4+4 GT (Figure 8a) the card combinations are 1+36 and 25+8. In the 9x4 GT (Figure 8b) the card combinations are 1+36 and 28+9.
2) Read the cards that fall in positions 1, 2, and 3 in order as a 3 Card Line.
Destiny Cards of the 8x4+4 GT
Most commonly, I see these cards read from left to right as pair chains. While it is definitely the easier technique, keep in mind that the position of the Significator is relevant. For example, in the 8x4+4 GT (Figure 8a), the Lady is positioned to the left of the destiny cards while the Gentleman is positioned to the right of the cards (though they are not in the same row). If reading the Lady as the Significator, then the above technique would stand true and the cards would be about her future because the cars are on her right. However, if the Gentleman is the Significator, then it doesn’t make sense to read the cards from that direction because the cards are on his left. Read the cards in the reverse direction. This would mean that they are about his destiny that has been or is being fulfilled. Should a Significator fall somewhere in the middle of the spread, judge the timeframe in the destiny cards accordingly.
Grand Tableau Advanced Techniques
Houses
Like in the Petit Tableau, the houses represent areas/aspects of life. They lay the groundwork for the cards on top of them. There are two ways to place the houses in the Grand Tableau.
1) The most common method uses the position number to determine the house. If you were to set out all of the cards in order according to the number that is on the card, then those cards would be the positions of the houses. For instance, position 1 will be the Rider because the card is numbered one. The second position will be the Clover because it is numbered two. And in like manner, the thirty-sixth position will be the Cross because that card is numbered 36. Because the house positions are set according to the card number, the spread doesn’t require an extra layer of cards. For your convenience, the position numbers are laid out under Figures 8a and 8b.
2)
Use two Lenormand decks. Shuffle and layout the first deck with the intention of the cards being used solely as houses. Then, shuffle and lay out the second deck to use as the reading.
There is a chance, with either method, that you will come across two of the same cards in one position; one as the reading card and the other as the house. This is not a problem because they both have separate functions. So, if the Heart is on top of the heart house, then the reading card is about being in love (or whatever your keywords suggest) and its meaning is altered by the top cards around it. The card in the house would be about the querent’s love life and is not altered by description. If you get confused, refer to your keywords list or house meanings list for clarification.
Figure 8d
Mirroring
The mirroring card reveals how the querent appears to others.
The mirroring card is always in the same row with the Significator. Both the Significator and mirroring card positions have the same count outward from the midline of the spread. If you were to fold the two sides of the spread together, the Significator and mirroring card would face each other. For example, if reading the 8x4+4 GT (Figure 8a) with the Gentleman as the Significator, he/it is located in the third row and the sixth column. The mirroring card is then in same row in the third column (the Stars). If reading the 9x4 GT (Figure 8d) with the Lady as the Significator, she/it is located in the second row and in the sixth column. The mirroring card, the Dog, is then in the same row and in the fourth column (highlighted green mirror frame in Figure 8d). In a 9x4 GT, there will not be a mirroring card if the Significator is in the fifth column because that is the middle of the spread.
Read the Significator and mirroring card in a 2 Card Combination with the Significator in position 1 and the mirroring card in position 2 (It is irrelevant if the mirroring card is on the left or right of the Significator card).
Knighting
Knighting is used to uncover situations or issues that are buried or hiding from the querent or reader. They may be oblivious to underlying circumstances. Sometimes the querent doesn’t want to admit things to the reader or even themselves. This is an opportunity to define or address these matters.
Knighting moves are similar to the moves of the knights on a chess board. Knighting can be done to the left, right, top, and bottom of the Significator, depending on where the Significator is located in the GT. There must be two rows or columns next to the Significator to knight in any given direction. Count two spaces away from the Significator (up, down, or to one side), then turn to the cards on either side of that spot (flanking cards or cards above and below). Those cards become a pair; that pairing becomes a 2 Card Combination. If they are vertically placed, use the top card in position 1 of a 2 Card Combination. If they are horizontally flanked, use the left card in position 1 of the 2 Card Combination.
Following is an example of knighting:
The Lady in the 9x4 GT (Figure 8d) is located in the second row and the sixth column.
Above: Because of the Significator’s location, there is not a second row above her. There will not be knighting above the Lady.
Beneath: To knight beneath the Lady, count downward two positions to the Snake. The knighting cards are flanking the Snake. They are the Mountain and the Birds (highlighted purple in Figure 8d). Read these knighting cards as a 2 Card Combination (21+12).
Left: To knight to the left of the Lady, count two positions to the left which is the Dog. The knighting cards on above and below the Dog are the Child and Clouds (highlighted pink in Figure 8d). Read those two cards as a 2 Card Combination (13+6).
Right: To knight to the right of the Lady count to the right two positions which is the Ship. The knighting cards above and below the Ship are the Lilies and the Rider (highlighted blue in Figure 8d). Read those two cards as a 2 Card Combination (30+1).
Examples for the above pairings might read in the following way:
Mountain and Birds: This 2 Card Combination is beneath the Lady and is about things that are actually happening in her life. This combination might represent serious blockages that are affected by communication or speech.
Child and Clouds: This 2 Card Combination timeframe is in the past. It might be about a chronically depressed child in the life of the querent.
The Lilies and the Rider: This 2 Card Combination is in the future. The querent could be receiving an acknowledgment they have been waiting for.
Nuances
There are several optional nuances that can add more meaning and layers to the Grand Tableau. However, these techniques are not built upon the card combinations that we have diligently and consistently used. Instead, we will be looking for clues or information the cards or card keywords may provide. Some of the more common nuances are listed below.
Cross Card
In the Grand Tableau, the Cross often represents a serious burden. It may be a place where the querent feels so stuck that their only option is to surrender a problem or situation to a higher power. Examine the flanking cards on either side of the Cross (without combining them as you usually do) to further understand where the querent is feeling stuck in their life. Those flanking cards may provide more insight into the proverbial “stuck between a rock and hard place” they may be experiencing.
Crossroads Card
In the Grand Tableau, the Crossroads (aka the Path) may provide extra insight into pressing decisions. It may reveal which directions the querent’s choices could lead. After locating the Crossroads in the GT, one of the following methods can be used:
The flanking cards on either side of the Crossroads are examined (without combining them) to see what kind of decision may be made. The querent’s choices may lead to the card on the left or the card on the right.
The two cards that are in the upper diagonal lines from the Crossroads, like a Y in the road, are examined (without combining them). Another way to find these cards is to go up to the card that is one row above the Crossroads and then use the cards on either side of that card.
The directions the roads lead on the face of the Crossroads card are examined. The roads usually lead two or three directions. Follow the direction of each road to determine where they lead and, as a result, where the querent’s decisions are leading.
Scythe Card
The Scythe is about something cut-off or ending. Therefore, it is relevant where the tip of the blade is pointing because it is showing what exactly is ending. For example, in the Lenormand Silhouettes deck, the Scythe is pointing to the left. Look at the card on its left to determine what is cut-off or ending. In the Under the Roses Lenormand deck, the Sickle is used in lieu of the Scythe. It points up. Look at the card placed above it to see what is being cut-off or ending.
Relationships in the Same Row
When the Lady and the Gentleman are in the same row certain techniques may be used to further understand their relationship. If the Lady is the Significator, then locate the Gentleman. Is he to the left or the right of her? If he is to the left of her he’s probably someone she knows because he’s in the past. Depending on the surrounding cards, it may show if he’s an ex. If the Gentleman is to the right of the Lady, then he may be a future relationship. The same would be true of the Lady if the Gentleman was the Significator. Note how far apart the cards are to determine the timing.
Pay attention to whether they are facing one another or have their backs to each other. If they are facing one another this may indicate that they are in agreement and if they face away from each other they may not be seeing eye-to-eye. The cards between their positions may show what is going on in an existing relationship.
Relationships Using Turning Points
If the Lady and Gentleman are not in the same vertical or horizontal line, there is an added technique called “turning points” that is helpful in understanding the foundation of a relationship. The turning points are paired in a 2 Card Combination to interpret the foundation of the relationship.
To use turning points, locate both the
Lady and Gentleman. In relation to each other, figure out where the lines would have to turn to reach the other card. There will be two directions this can occur. These turning junctions are the cards that are combined into a 2 Card Combination.
For this example, we will use the 9x4 GT (Figure 8d). The Lady is in the second row and sixth column, and the Gentleman is in the third row and second column. First, follow the second row from the Lady to the second column where you must turn down to reach the Gentleman. So, the card above the Gentleman, the Ring (highlighted orange in Figure 8d), is a turning point for the combination. The Ring then becomes the first card of the 2 Card Combination because it is on the left. After that, follow the row the Gentleman is in to the sixth column where you must turn up to the Lady, the Key (also highlighted orange in Figure 8d). This then becomes the second card in the 2 Card Combination because it is on the right. The turning point on the left will always be in position 1 with the card on the right in position 2 of the 2 Card Combination. The Ring and the Key creates the combination of the turning points and is then interpreted.
Proximities
This is my adaptation. Should you elect to read proximities, it is important that you are comfortable using the Grand Tableau and have a deep understanding of the deck. This will be a very individualized process.
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