How Different Is A "Method Of Distance/Near/Far" Reading From A "Card Combinations" Reading?

The question of “But which is the CORRECT method to use?” is one which comes up with lots of card reading systems, but Lenormand is one where it really comes up a great deal, and you’ll probably see lots of spats online about it.

As we’ve already seen, there are potential “alternate” ways of reading the cards, those who take the so-called “Traditional” approach of the Method of Distance (although this is in itself problematic, given the Lenormand cards’ precursors had no such limitations) and those who take a more free-flowing approach to interpretations with Lenormand, usually using key or core meanings, card combinations, various layouts and a more storytelling angle.

So today is a (short) experiment to start taking a look at what the difference is. I am not going to use a Grand Tableau, but will be applying “Near and Far” meanings to a shorter reading: a standard 7-Card bridge spread.

In this spread, I’m going to use BOTH the “method of distance” from a significator and a more freeflowing “card combinations” reading, to see what, if any, differences there are. I know there can sometimes be conflicts between the two methods, so it’s a bit of an experiment really, just to see what comes out and how different (or not) the readings may be.

This reading is a random personal one using the Lady as significator and is about a particular friendship of mine, where the friend and I appear to have a fundamental disagreement about something. My question is, is this difference of opinion likely to affect the friendship in a serious way in future?

Here are the cards. The deck is the Rana George Lenormand.

Remember, to use the Method of Distance/Near and Far, you MUST have one of the significator cards. The whole point of the reading is the Method of Distance from that significator.

In this case, I’ve put the Lady at the centre of the spread. I am considering “Near” cards to be those that are touching her only (in this case, only three cards) and all the rest as “Far”.

Why not try the reading yourself first to see what you think it’s saying, and then look at my two interpretations below?

A reminder of “Near & Far” card meanings here.

And general “key” Lenormand card meanings here