The Snake is the 'Architect of Complication' in the Lenormand deck. It represents the detour, the hidden motive, and the strike that comes without warning. While the Scythe is a sudden cut, the Snake is a slow, rhythmic constriction. It is the symbol of temptation, jealousy, and the serpentine paths we must sometimes take to reach our goals.
Historically, the snake is dual-natured: it is both the poison and the cure. It represents the 'Backstabber' and the 'Wisedom Keeper'. However, in a practical reading, the Snake usually warns of a person or a situation that is 'Curved' rather than 'Straight'. It brings themes of betrayal, manipulation, and the toxic energy of envy that can poison a happy environment.
The Snake isn't always a person; it can be a 'Glitch' in the system. It is the wiring that fails, the plumbing that leaks, or the bureaucratic detour that keeps you from your destination. It is an obstacle that requires 'Subtlety' rather than 'Brute Force' to overcome. When the Snake appears, look for the 'Angle' - someone is likely playing a game you haven't seen yet.
lenormand.snake.core.p4
Incoming Themes
- A 'Detour' or a complication that changes your original plan
- The discovery of a hidden motive or a deception
- Dealing with a jealous rival or a toxic influence
- A technical failure requiring intricate repair
- A warning to be selective about what you reveal to others
- A period of transformation and 'Shedding of Old Skin'
- Attacks from an unexpected or hidden quarter
Professional Spheres
- Corporate sabotage and office politics
- Technical fields involving wiring, cables, and networks
- The fashion and beauty industry (seduction/allure)
- Lies, corruption, and unethical business practices
- A task that requires extreme precision and 'Sideways' thinking
Matters of the Heart
- Infidelity or the presence of a 'Third Party'
- A relationship built on a foundation of 'Half-Truths'
- Toxic jealousy and possessiveness
- Seduction purely for the sake of power
- The need for a 'Relationship Detox'
Material Wealth
- Small, nibbling losses that add up over time
- Predatory lending and financial traps
- Advice to withdraw from a suspicious investment
- Hidden costs in a contract or agreement
Temporal Markers
- Slow and calculating: occurring over 7 days, weeks, or months
- The 7th day of a month
- The month of July
- A situation that 'Uncoils' over a period of time
Body & Vitality
- The Digestive System: particularly the intestines and colon
- The Nervous System and spinal health (the 'Serpent' of the spine)
- Illnesses that are 'Tricky' to diagnose or linger in the system
- Detoxification and the need to 'Purge' toxins
Strategic Actions
- Use strategy and intelligence, not force
- Watch your back - don't share your plans too early
- Take the 'Long Way' round to avoid a confrontation
- Purge what matches the old version of you; renovate your space
Character Traits
- Seductive, alluring, and profoundly intelligent
- A master manipulator who understands human psychology
- Jealous and prone to envy; someone who 'Covets'
- Graceful, perhaps a dancer or an athlete (physical agility)
- Emotionally cold but socially 'Smooth'
- Unreliable; a fair-weather friend who strikes when you are down
Spiritual Dialogues
- Kundalini awakening and the rise of primal energy
- Working with the 'Shadow Self' to overcome envy
- The transmutation of 'Poison' into 'Medicine'
- Learning to 'Shed the Skin' of past traumas
Loci & Objects
- Plumbing, pipes, and complex drainage systems
- Wires, cables, ropes, and twisted paths
- Densely wooded areas or 'Serpentine' roads
- Hospitals (where medicine meets poison)
🐍Personal Chronicle of the Snake
I once read for a woman named Wanda whose cards were practically screaming: 'Betrayal!' Wanda was defiant. She insisted everyone in her life was a saint. I decided to pull one card for every person in her social circle. For one specific 'Friend,' the Snake appeared. Every single time.
Wanda got angry. She defended this man passionately, citing his professional help. I told her: 'The cards are not saying he is a bad person; they are saying he is a Snake in this specific situation. He will strike.' Wanda left in a huff.
A month later, she called me in tears. That 'saint' had used her as a scapegoat for a corporate failure, costing her her career while he took a promotion. The Snake's venom isn't always personal hate - sometimes it's just the cold, calculating nature of self-preservation at someone else's expense.
In daily readings, I've seen the Snake manifest as a literal plumbing leak (Snake + House) and as a massive traffic detour (Snake + Ship). It is the card that says: 'It's not as simple as it looks. Look for the curve.'
🏰The Snake in the Grand Shadow
In the Grand Tableau, the Snake is the 'Viper in the Garden.' If it is close to the significator, the danger is immediate. If it is high above them, it represents a jealous figure or a 'Cloud' of envy hanging over their reputation. Below the feet, it can indicate a health issue with the lower body or a 'Tripping Hazard' in their foundation.
I look at the 'Head' of the snake. What is it facing? If the Snake faces the Heart, love is the target of jealousy. If it faces the Fish, the money is being nibbled at. If it faces the Coffin, a period of toxic negativity is coming to a final end (which can be a blessing).
Always remind the querent: 'A snake can only bite you if you don't know it's there.' Recognition is the first step to immunity.
🔗Relational Harmonies
- Snake + Birds: Slander, gossip, and 'Toxic' chatter
- Snake + Lilies: An older woman with sharp motives; an affair
- Snake + Garden: A 'Fake' social circle; hidden enemies in a group
- Snake + Sun: Success achieved through manipulation or a 'Tricky' path
- Snake + Scythe: A sudden, painful betrayal or a surgical procedure
- Snake + Tree: Physical complications or 'Intestinal' issues; lineage secrets
💡 The 'Key' after the 'Snake' means you have found the antidote. The 'Snake' after the 'Key' means your solution is being sabotaged.