PALEKH ORACLE
Artist Aleksey Orleansky
The Russian Playing Card Society
Russcards
2019
The fortune-telling cards "Palekh Oracle" have been
put together following the system of Marie
Lenormand’s “Small deck” and are based on
miniatures by the artist Aleksey Orleansky.
The familiar Lenormand symbols were replaced
with images that were deemed identical in meaning
according to the interpretation of psychologist and
specialist in the history of cartomancy, Evgenia
Ustinova.
The oracle of Madame Lenormand has assumed
many forms since the popularity of this
fortunetelling system swept Europe in the 19th
century.
The symbolism of the cards has been changed more
than once, creating many new author's decks,
which include this publication.
The deck consists of 36 numbered miniatures with
their interpretations on additional cards.
1. Riders
News, moving forward towards a goal, achieving results.
Illustration for the tale “Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf”. 1999
2. Peasant woman
Simple pleasures, household chores and everyday activities, trips to
the countryside, routine work.
Miniature “Goose Herder”. 1997
3. Ship
Trips and travel, teamwork, the desire to go beyond and reach new
heights.
Illustration for the tale “Seven Simeons”. 1999
4. Evening tea
A homey atmosphere, family, traditional values, close friends, safety
and comfort.
Plate “Tea drinking in Zamoskvorechye”. 1992
5. Tree (Seashore)
Growth, personal growth, professional development, good health.
Plate “Lukomorye”. Fragment. 2001
6. Clouds
Troubles, difficulties, minor failures, in a bad mood and feelings.
Illustration for the fairy tale “The Flying Ship”. Fragment. 2000
7. Zmey Gorynych (Dragon)
Troubles, numerous problems, reassessment of one's strengths,
severe stress, struggle.
Illustration for the fairy tale “Nikita Kozhemyaka”. 1999
8. Baba Yaga
Despotism, control, quarrels, conflicts over work and personal
matters, overtime, discord and falling-outs.
Illustration for the fairy tale "Baba Yaga and the Geese-swans."
1999
9. Chest
Gifts, valuables, receiving rewards, chatting with friends, holiday.
"Princess in the Tower." Drawing for confectionery packaging.
1997
10. Reaper
Sudden changes, unexpected changes, edgy moments, dangers, a
warning.
Miniature "Mower". 1997
11. Tears
Tears, trials, unpleasant meetings, traumatic events, negative
consequences.
A fragment of the plate “Carrying the Cross”. 1994
12. Swans
Gossip, talk, empty thoughts and experiences, social events.
Illustration for the fairy tale “The Princess is a Frog”. Fragment.
1999
13. Masha and the Bear
A child, childish behavior, a new beginning, naivety, youth,
riskiness.
Illustration for the fairy tale “Masha and the Bear”. 1999
14. Lisa Patrikeevna (Fox)
Cunning, dexterity, theft, deceit, dishonest behavior, scams.
Illustration for the fairy tale “Cat, Fox and Rooster”. 1999
15. Bear
Leadership, power, hindsight, desire for quick results, unrealistic
tasks at times.
Illustration for the fairy tale “Tops and Roots”. 1999
16. Stars
Realization of goals and plans, rapid growth, new and revolutionary
ideas, new perspectives.
Illustration for the fairy tale “Wooden Eagle”. 1999
17. Emelya
A sudden positive change in the situation, a discovery, a change in
lifestyle or familiar environment, a happy accident.
Illustration for the fairy tale “Upon the Pike's Will”. 1999
18. Gray Wolf
Friendship, service, loyalty, support, humility, duty.
Illustrations for the tale “Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf”. 1999
19. The Women’s Quarters (Tower)
Work, immersion in business processes, avoiding entertainment in
some cases, self-isolation.
Miniature on the song “Between the Steep Banks”. Fragment. 1992
20. Festivity
Folk holiday, fun, friendly communication, cultural events, a visit to
the theater.
Plate "Balagan". Fragment. 1996
21. Father Frost
Temporary difficulties, difficult times, hardships, a halt in business,
you need to invest more effort and perseverance to achieve your
goal.
Illustration for the fairy tale “Father Frost”. 1999
22. Fortuneteller
Uncertainty, a choice, crossroads, the need for advice or help from a
wiser person.
Plate "Fortune Telling with Cards" 1995
23. The Bark-Eater
Danger, damage, minor damage, trouble, a difficult period will end
soon.
Illustration for the tale “Tereshechka”. 1999
24. The Flirt
Flirting, tenderness, love, romantic feelings or relationships.
Plate “Winter Troika”. Fragment. 1997
25. Wedding
Formal legal relations, agreements, joint movement forwards.
Miniature “Red Horses”. Fragment. 1996
26. Teaching
Education, new knowledge, admission to and study at an
educational institution, apprenticeship and mentoring.
Illustration for the tale "Sea King". 1999
27. Letter
Writing, communication, business or personal news, writing various
texts, working with papers.
Miniature "The Evangelist Matthew." 1994
28. Handsome Young Man
This card denotes a man.
Miniature “Shepherd”. Fragment. 1997
29. Beautiful Young Woman
This card denotes a woman.
Miniature "Shepherdess". Fragment. 1997
30. The Firebird
Great luck, high ideals, dreams, spirituality, improving social status,
spiritual growth, victory.
Plate “Ivan Tsarevich and the Firebird”. 1993
31. Sun
Glory, success, triumph, flowering, stability, inspiration, high
creative activity.
Illustration for the tale "Sea King". Fragment. 1999
32. Moon
Family happiness, domestic joys, a sense of unity with loved ones,
intuition, memories of the past.
Illustration for the tale "Sea King". Fragment. 1999
33. The Frog-Princess
Discoveries, finds, enlightenment, achieving what has long been
sought, a solution to a problem, a change in the current situation will
be accomplished.
Illustration for the fairy tale “The Frog-Princess”. 1999
34. Pike
Wealth, profit, material stability, a good catch, ample opportunities
for the fulfillment of desires.
Illustration for the fairy tale “Upon the Pike's Will.” 1999
35. Hope
The search for solutions, the path to the goal, reliability,
responsibility.
Illustration for the fairy tale “Sister Alyonushka and Brother
Ivanushka”. 1999
36. Cross
Testing, suffering, humility, accepting the inability to make a
difference.
Fragment of the miniature "Little Humpbacked Horse". 1998
On card №22 (The Fortune Teller) the women are bent over a card
layout, and we, too, will lay out the cards as they have:
4 1 7
1 - the main theme of the spread
2 - what is the querent thinking?
3 - what does the querent feel?
4, 5, 6 - show the past
7, 8, 9 - show the future
© Concept: The Russian Playing Cards Society, 2019
Compiled by Evgenia Ustinova
Translation by Garth L. Tardy
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