Bruno Bieri- Cartes Divinatoires Tziganes Lenormand & Regula Elizabeth Fiechter- Mystical Lenormand
In these two decks the BOOK card is depicted with a book facing the same way -to the right. It is closed. The gypsy card even has a drape or cloth covering the opening.The mystical card has the Astrological glyph for Pisces in the upper right hand corner. I could never quite figure out if that is a ram sitting on top of the book, or some mystical creature.I get a completely different feeling from these 2 cards.
The Mystical Lenormand give me the impression of great knowledge and information that is being openly displayed, kinda like the Torah sitting on the High Priestess’s lap in the Rider-Tarot. The connection to Pisces is of mystery, the unknown and Pisces rules the 12th house. It’s almost a sacrificial image.
In the Gypsy Lenormand -is more to the point, suggesting the hidden, not exposed or revealed. The opening of the book is not shown. I get the feeling that with Bruno’s card, that I will have to uncover the book to find what is inside, which means researching a situation.
In the Mystical Lenormand -gives me the feeling that I can just walk up to the book and open it, even though there is a creature on it, but the book is bigger. The white candles indicate a ritual of protection.
If the SCYTHE is after the BOOK card- you will never find out the information in the book.If the SCYTHE is before the BOOK card- what you find out will startle or shock you.
I have the Mystical Lenormand. The image of the Book card, with the ram (I think) on top makes me feel that something is just beyond my reach – that I have to DO something or fulfill a requirement before being able to access it. Tantalizing….
That is a great way to interpret that card. I had the feeling of having to participate in a ritual of protection, kind of like passing some requirements too, as you thought.
I find the Mystical Lenormand a more profound deck in imagery.
I like your musings on these two Books, M. Seaqueen. It’s interesting to compare the art and how it makes us feel. I’d still read both the same way.
The Gypsy (Tzigane) deck is a neat one. I have it, although I never use it, partly because the cards are oversize. Although I’ve had the urge to pull it out for use recently! Some of the art is different enough to make me stop and think about what they are. Isn’t the Whip, for example, represented by a shiv? (I don’t wish to pull my deck out of storage just to verify this.) There were some other differences too. It’s definitely a darker deck in terms of art style, but still very much a Petit Lenormand.