How to Read the Square of Nine Lenormand Spread

The Square of Nine Lenormand Spread, also known as the Portrait Spread, is one of the most used spreads in the Lenormand Community. But, as with all things, there are different approaches, alternate steps, and as always a different take on how to go about reading the cards.

Here's my version of the Square of Nine Lenormand Spread.

Note: the image is from February's Guidance Reading, in case you'd like to look over the steps and the reading at the same time.

Step One: Look at the central card. It represents the overall theme of the reading, answers the question directly, and/or shows what provoked the issue (why you asked the question). You can relate the card to multiple views, or just pick one and stick with it. It usually depends on the situation. As with the guidance for the month, I usually see this card as the overall theme.

Step Two: Read the corners to find the basic issue. (1+9+3+7)

Step Three: Read the diamond to find the hidden aspect of the issue. (2+4+6+8)

Step Four: Read the columns. Column 1 represents the past, Column 2 represents the present, and Column 3 represents the future.

You could stop here or take a few extra steps to gain more insight or to double check some of your information.

Optional Steps -

Step Five:  Read the rows. Row 1 shows what's on your mind, Row 2 shows the present situation, and Row 3 reveals what you already know about the situation.

Step Six: Read the diagonals to find possible influences and how things will pass. (1+5+9, 3+5+7)

Step Seven: Knighting a card can bring clarity to the card's meaning within the reading. The technique is based on the movements of a knight in a chess game. It is able to move to a square that is two squares away horizontally and one vertically, or two squares vertically and one horizontally. So, two cards up and one to the left or right, two cards down and one to the left or right, two cards to the left and one up or down, and two cards to the right and one up or down. You decide on the card you want to clarify and then pick the cards that knight it. These cards will reveal more detail about the card.

I hope this step by step guide helps in your next Reading of the Square of Nine Lenormand Spread.

Guidance for March - Burn the Bridge

I'll be using the Wisdom of the Oracle Deck by Colette Baron-Reid this month. This is one of my favorite oracle decks. It has been a while since I've used it. I'm looking forward to getting reacquainted with the cards.

I used a three card layout. The middle card is the main focus of the month. The first card shows what led to the main focus. The last card shows the likely outcome or result of the month.

I asked the usual question, "How should we approach the month? What can we expect?"

Main Focus
The main focus of the month will be the need to tie up those loose ends from February. You'll need to finish the project, find closure in a resolved relationship, and/or find a way to forgive any wrongs that may have occurred. We need to do this in order to move on to the next cycle.

What Led Us Here
We made choices in February that led to both rewards and consequences. We learned some valuable lessons and many things changed for us. Now, in order to move on, we have to close the door on what is done, so that we can open the door before us.

Notice the woman's arms are raised, forming a bridge from our choices to the loose ends that need to be tied up. If you're not sure what door needs to be closed, you should think over the month and the choices you made. Be honest with yourself and resolve what it is that may still remain even a little open, Burn the Bridge.

Outcome/Result
As a result of finding closure, we will step into alignment with our greatest good. We will be presented with opportunities that may have seemed out of our reach before the closure. Events will line up perfectly with what we want to achieve. This is the time to grab your dream and hold on tight. You are about to go for a Wonderful Ride. The sooner you tie up those loose ends, the sooner your new journey can begin.


"When one door closes another door opens, but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us." ~ Alexander Graham Bell

Guidance for February - Time to Make Your Choices Count

I'm very excited to be using the Tempus 85 this month. The deck has proven to be extremely accurate and easy to use. If you've read the deck review, you are aware of my excitement. If you haven't, be sure to go there after the reading.

I decided to use the Square of Nine Spread, also known as the Portrait Spread. It's a basic 3X3 layout. If you're familiar with Lenormand, you'll know the spread.

My steps through the spread are a mash up of the many suggested ways of other readers. In case you're interested, I'll post something later in the month to walk you through my steps. I'd rather not interrupt the reading post with technique details.

I asked the usual question, "How should we approach the month? What can we expect?"

Focus
Speed will be the main theme this month. Time is going to fly by and everything's going to shift quickly. I'm not sure about you, but that sounds fine to me. I'm tired of being stalled!

Basic Issue
The answer to finding your success will be in the choices you make publicly known. In other words, by declaring your goals and desires to another person, you make yourself accountable and this will help you find the success you seek.

Hidden Aspect
What you may not be aware of is that your desire to have something more, which has led to the departure of someone in your life, will bring some deeper issues to the surface that need to be dealt with. You thought that if you simply freed up your space and time, you would find the more you was looking for, but you'll need to go a little deeper. You need to ask yourself, what do you actually want more of? You already know the answers, but you may need to review a bit of your past, where you've been and what you've experienced up to this point, to find the clarity you need. It's time to do a little self-reflection work.

Past, Present, and Future
You've recently made it public, in some way that you are ready for something more. Someone is departing from your life, which will move quickly now, but has been a long time coming. Your choices will bring about the successful untangling of the issues you've faced.

Mind, Situation, Known
You are aware that you made the right choice in asking this person to leave. The issue of wanting more will quickly become untangled and clear to you. You're exposure of this deep longing will bring about your success.

Overview
The choice you made of separating from this person is going to bring your desires to you quickly. You should be prepared for the success you are about to experience.

Knighting the Oak
Slightly puzzled by the Oak, I decided to Knight it and get a clearer understanding of what it's referring to in the reading. Knighted by the Key and Crossroads, the Oak is pointing to the right choices being made. So, by making the right choices, the success we find will be more solid.

I hope YOU find this reading helpful. This reading touched very close to home for me and my own situation. I'm hoping it expands to the readers of the post, since that is actually the purpose here. But, if it doesn't, use the reading as an example reading for practice purposes.

Happy February, and Make those Choices Count.

Be sure to go read the deck review.