The Letter

Letter · No. 27 · Playing card ♠7 · Written communication, documents, news

The card

A letter lies open on the card. Unlike the Book, it can be read.

Traditional meaning

Traditionally the Letter is written news, documents and correspondence.

How to read it

The Letter is black and white: email, contract text, a notice, a certificate. Against the Rider’s spoken speed, the Letter is formal and on the record. It carries no fortune of its own — the neighbouring card supplies the content.

In context

Love

Expression in writing or online, messages going back and forth.

Work

Contracts, reports, an offer, official correspondence.

Timing

Within days, at the pace of correspondence.

Common combinations

The Letter + The Rider · News on its way to you
The Letter + The Ring · A written contract, marriage papers
The Letter + The Mice · A problem with the paperwork, or a shortfall in the accounts
The Letter + The Book · A document not yet public, or material to be studied
The Letter + The Fish · Bills, invoices, payment notices
The Letter + The Tower · Official documents, administrative notices
The Letter + The Heart · A love letter, or feeling expressed online
The Letter + The Fox · Application material, work email
The Letter + The Birds · Letters and messages going back and forth
The Letter + The Key · The document that matters

Lenormand meanings were first written down in the instruction sheet issued around 1846 by Philippe Lenormand, heir of Marie-Anne Lenormand, and that sheet has long been in the public domain. The "Traditional meaning" section here describes the classical reading handed down from that line, in our own words — it is not a verbatim quotation of the sheet. Card images are public-domain scans of Das Spiel der Hoffnung (1799).