AUTHOR’S NOTE: This is the fifth installment of the series in which I’m experimenting with informally linking the 36 Lenormand cards to the 12 signs and 36 decanates of the astrological zodiac. This time I’m looking at the sign of Taurus and its “native” 2nd House as indicators of personal resource management. I’m bringing in the Lenormand cards related to income or, more broadly, abundance (the Fish); investments and “high finance” (the Bear); and the routine daily work activities that generate both esteem and monetary rewards (the Moon). The tarot cards that relate to these decans are the 5, 6 and 7 of Pentacles.

Astrologically, the 2nd House is the domain of both personal resources and personal values, while Taurus has to do with physical security, financial or otherwise; in this study I’m limiting the focus to monetary considerations. In Lenormand there are several “money” cards; other than the Fish and the Bear, they are the Ship (which I’m placing in the 10th House with Capricorn as “enterprise”) and the House (which fits best in the 4th House with Cancer since the two express the domestic aspects of “home and family”).

The Fish is considered the principle card of disposable income, although it relates to all forms of abundance and is therefore a very favorable card. The Bear indicates funds that are tied up in long-term investments, property and other tangible assets, and also the power of money as a financial instrument. The Moon is primarily about reputation and recognition, and its relation to money comes from the fact that promotions at work arising from exemplary performance are almost always accompanied by raises.

Money/Income, Financial Power and Employment are all key “life-topic” hubs that are examined in almost every Grand Tableau where the querent is still part of the workforce. Obtaining personal resources in the form of abundance is primarily a function of the Lenormand “work” card, which in my personal system is the Moon, and in astrology the Moon is exalted in Taurus, making it particularly fortunate in that sign and doubly so in its middle decan and the 6 of Pentacles (Material Success). I’m tying the Fish to the first (Mercury) decan of Taurus and the 5 of Pentacles as an expression of the mercenary over-commitment (I’m thinking “wage-slavery”) that is often required just to stay employed, and the Bear to the last (Saturn) decan and the 7 of Pentacles due to the “power-brokering” focus of both the card and the planet.

I recognize that, except for the Moon and the 6 of Pentacles as “Success,” the images don’t correlate all that well. Seeing the Bear as “Failure” might be equated with its “distant” definition of opportunistic enemies who are working against success in the matter. The Fish as “Worry” could be related to the erratic, unpredictable movement of its namesake creatures and the fact that such fluidity can introduce uncertainty and anxiety in money matters that demand Promethean coping (although generally the Fish and the Bear are fortunate cards). The RWS images showing destitution (5 of Pentacles), shared wealth (6 of Pentacles) and forestalled success (7 of Pentacles) don’t fare any better. It’s best not to put too fine a point on these comparisons (but the array below does make for beautiful contrasts).