I use the term "reading technique" to refer to the specific way the cards are approached in a reading. So this is not about the shape the cards are laid out in - that's a "spread" - but how you go about reading the cards within a certain spread. For example, the Grand Tableau is a spread. Interpreting what goes on in the Grand Tableau's Houses is one of several reading techniques you can apply to this spread. Now, different Lenormand readers may use very different basic and advanced techniques to interpret their Singles, Strings, and Tableaus. For my own preferred basic techniques for each spread look up this list. Advanced reading techniques I list here.
a) Basic reading techniques for SINGLES • identify the fitting keyword(s) • philosophise • take the advice and identify first steps >> detailed descriptions
b) Basic reading techniques for STRINGS • read the String as a timeline with several phases • read the String as an answer to a what/why/how question >> detailed descriptions
c) Basic reading techniques for SMALL TABLEAUS • read the Tableau as a situation analysis >> detailed descriptions
d) Basic reading techniques for GRAND TABLEAUS
Use the Houses • for a synopsis of your life • for input on several issues • for several facets of one issue >> detailed descriptions
a) "Affirmative" readings
For conventional readings, you pick random cards in order to find a message, an answer in them - an answer you hadn't yet found (or at least been unable to put into words) without the help of the cards.
For affirmative readings you deliberately pick those cards that affirm an answer you already have put into words, and know to be true, in order to visualise this already known answer through the cards. The benefit? Visualising that which you know to be true can do wonders if you have been having destructive self-doubts, or problems with taking the appropriate measures - e.g. because of a lack of courage, motivation, or energy. A longer explanation and an example reading you can find
>> here, on my blog!
b) How to make use of the rock in the Crossroads
I placed a rock in the center of my Crossroads as a symbol that being faced with alternatives is always something that makes us pause. Sometimes it makes us pause for a long and painful period of indecision, sometimes for a relaxing rest and a good think, and sometimes just for a short celebration of the fact that we're free to choose. In a reading about a decision, the rock can stand for something that prevents us from making a timely decision, or for something we need in order to make a good decision, or something that we need to be careful to consider before we make a decision. So if the Crossroads turn up in your reading representing a decision especially, you might want to make use of the rock for your interpretation. You could do that in at least two different ways. One involves discussing the rock with the querent, the other, picking another card to define the rock. A longer explanation and example readings you can find
>> here, on my blog!
Yes/no questions often appear in one of the following three forms:
• "Is X the case?" • "Will X happen?" • "Should I do X?"
And there are two radically different general ways a card reader could deal with such yes/no questions. They could:
• allow yes/no questions, and try to infer yes/no(/maybe) answers from the cards drawn, or • rephrase yes/no questions into different types of questions with more complex answers which empower the querent to figure out whether X is the case / how to discourage or encourage X / weigh important pros and cons regarding X.