Marie Anne Adelaide Lenormand, an influential French fortune-teller in the 19th century, provided illegal cartomancy readings to important individuals. The hosts discuss her enigmatic life, early divination experiences, predictions on the downfall of the French monarchy and the French Revolution, her imprisonment, and the impact of her fortune-telling on the famous trial of 1800. They also follow Rose's journey from prison to power, explore Lenormand's claim to the Sterling peerage, and touch on her connection to Napoleon and the royalist cause.
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Quick takeaways
Marie Anne Le Normand accurately predicted significant events, including the downfall of the French monarchy and Napoleon's death.
Le Normand had a significant connection with Empress Josephine and accurately predicted her rise to power and Napoleon's divorce from her.
Deep dives
Predictions and clientele
Marie Anne Le Normand gained popularity for her accurate predictions during times of uncertainty, such as the French Revolution. She had powerful clients, including Marie Tres, Louise of Savoy, Princess de Lambal, and Josephine Bonaparte. Le Normand accurately predicted the downfall of the French monarchy, Napoleon's death, and other significant events.
Life and career of Le Normand
Born in Normandy, France in 1772, Marie Anne Le Normand started predicting the future while living in a Benedictine convent. She later moved to Paris, where she became known for her divination skills and fortune-telling abilities. Le Normand studied various forms of divination, developed her own methods, and gained a reputation as a skilled and intuitive fortune teller.
Connection to Empress Josephine
Le Normand had a significant connection with Empress Josephine, the wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. Le Normand accurately predicted Josephine's future, including her rise to power as Empress, Napoleon's divorce from her, and even the date of a significant event related to their separation. Her influence on Josephine contributed to Le Normand's fame and popularity during her lifetime.
Legacy and controversy
After her death, Le Normand's name became associated with divination cards, including the Le Grand Gé and the Petit Le Normand. These cards, along with her published works, continued to carry her name and influence. However, her reputation among other figures in France's occult revival was mixed, with some praising her accuracy and others criticizing her lack of knowledge in certain areas.
Lenormand was a fortune-teller in France in the 19th century. She was hugely influential, because despite her work being illegal, very important and powerful people consulted her for cartomancy readings.
Research:
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Le Normand, M. A. “The oracle of human destiny: or, the unerring foreteller of future events, and accurate interpreter of mystical signs and influences; through the medium of common cards.” London. C.S. Arnold. 1825. https://archive.org/details/b29337926/page/n24/mode/1up
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Sylverne, Stephanie. “Good Fortune: How Empress Bonaparte Popularized the Tarot Card Trend and Made Her Cartomancer a Household Name.” Mental Floss. 11/1/2017. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/509667/good-fortune-how-empress-bonaparte-popularized-tarot-card-trend-and-made-her-cartomancer-household
The National Magazine. “Mademoiselle le Normand.” 1853. https://archive.org/details/sim_national-magazine-devoted-to-literature-art-and-religion_1853-05_2_5