Learning to draw cards: the Ship

Sur les flots azurés, un vaisseau se profile,
Ses voiles déployées, prêt à prendre le large.
Le vent murmure des secrets à ses ouïes,
Et chaque vague chante une mélodie ample.
Charles Baudelaire, "L'Invitation au voyage"

Dont' you know Charles Baudelaire ? Don't panic, here is a translate 😃

On the azure waves, a ship looms,
Sails unfurled, ready to set sail.
The wind whispers secrets to her ears,
And each wave sings an ample melody.
Charles Baudelaire, "Invitation to travel"

No matter which Lenormand deck you use, the Ship card is always present, depicting a magnificent ship with wide-open sails or a welcoming boat sailing in the middle of the immense ocean. This powerful image evokes journeys and adventures, ready to take you to distant horizons full of promise.

In the foreground, we see a ship. The term used on this card is "ship". A ship, in the context of the navy, refers to a large warship, usually equipped with numerous cannons and designed for fighting on the high seas. Historically, ships were the most powerful and best-armed vessels in fleets, often used as admiralships. They were characterized by their robustness, their ability to navigate over long distances and their central role in naval battles. Today, the term can also be used to designate large modern ships, whether military or civilian, with the emphasis on their size and importance.

It's striking to note that this is not just a boat or a ship, but a Vaisseau (a Vessel, yes captain !) as shown on French cards ! The term evokes power, majesty and adventure. A giant of the seas, ready to brave the waves and take you to far-off and mysterious destinations. With a ship, every voyage becomes an epic, every crossing an epic quest...

Let's put ourselves in a situation and let our imagination run wild: standing on the deck of an ancient galleon cutting through the waves at medium speed, on the open sea. The sails, puffed up by the wind, slap in a regular cadence, like a natural metronome. The ship's wood, worn by years and storms, shakes lightly beneath your feet, emitting a gentle rumble that sounds like a familiar melody.

Around you, the ocean stretches as far as the eye can see, a vast blue expanse that seems to merge with the sky. Salty spray lashes your face, leaving a taste of salt on your lips. Seagulls, faithful companions of sailors, circle overhead, their piercing cries mingling with the sound of waves breaking against the hull.

The Vessel, with her imposing masts and white sails, advances with quiet majesty, like a giant of the seas. Every creak of the wood, every snap of the sails, every wave breaking against the bow tells a story of adventure and discovery. You feel alive, connected to this marine universe where every moment holds the promise of new adventures and unexplored lands.

As the sun begins to decline, tinting the sky with shades of orange and pink, you take a deep breath, savoring this moment of peace and freedom. The Ship continues on its way, carried by the winds and currents, taking you towards distant and mysterious horizons.

As well as feeling the spray, you can also sense the time it will take to reach the destination on this journey. You've guessed it, it's obviously a long one, an aspect I'll come back to below, so stay tuned! For now, enjoy the salty wind whipping your face (ouch!), as you gaze at the horizon. Each wave brings you a little closer to your goal, but patience is the key. The journey, with its moments of calm and its challenges, is an adventure in itself.

Symbolic interpretations under full sail

The Vessel is a powerful symbol of travel and movement. This card evokes potential and opportunity. If you're hesitating to act on a project or situation, now is the time to hoist the sails and embrace change. The progress and transformation that will follow are there, ready to be seized.

Today, the Ship should be seen as a means of transport. Of course, it could be a boat, but ...