The Scythe

Lenormand

General meaning

☀ Light

cutsudden breakdrastic decisiondangerharvestsurgeryclarity that cuts

🌑 Shadow: Abrupt cut, hasty decision, accident or scare, sudden separation, words that wound

Lenormand cards aren't read reversed: each card has a light side and a shadow side, and the shadow usually comes out depending on the cards around it.

By topic

Love: breakupcutting tiesa decisive callsudden separationcutting out what doesn't serve
Friendship: friendship breakupcutting contactdeciding to walk awayclearing out relationshipsbetrayal
Family: family riftbreakupseparationabrupt argumentdrastic decision
Career: sharp turndismissalradical change of directioncutbackbreak with a bossreaping achievements
Work: dismissalstaff cutsabrupt changecancellationdrastic decisionreaping results
Studies: dropping outabrupt change of degreefailingcutting subjectsend of the school year
Money: sudden losscutbackcutting expensescancellationbreach of contractharvesting gains
Pets: vetsurgery or neuteringaccidentcutsdrastic change
Health: surgeryprocedurecutaccidentremovalcare with wounds
Choices: decisive callcutting optionsriska decision with no turning backacting fast
Creative projects: cutting chapterscancellingharsh editingharvestdrastic change of approach
Creativity: cuttingruthless editingpruning what's extraradical cutclosing the edit

Classic combinations

The Scythe + The Ring: a sudden break-up
The Scythe + The Tree: an operation or medical procedure
The Scythe + The Rider: watch out for rushing and accidents
The Scythe + The Fish: an unexpected expense or a pay cut
The Scythe + The Garden: cutting off people or a group
The Scythe + The Heart: a suddenly broken heart

✨ 3 tips for combining it

It's a quick, sudden cut: look at where the blade points. Example: The Scythe + The Ring is a commitment cut off all at once.
It also warns of rushing and small accidents. Example: The Scythe + The Rider asks you to take care driving or when doing things in a hurry.
On the positive side it's harvest and clear-cut decisions that free you. Example: The Scythe + The Garden is cutting off people who don't add anything to your life.

🔮 Open it in the interactive glossary

Remember cards speak of energies and tendencies, not a fixed destiny 💕

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Images: Das Spiel der Hofnung (J. K. Hechtel, Nuremberg, 1799), the ancestor of the Petit Lenormand. Public domain (Wikimedia Commons, British Museum).