The Hidden Motives Lenormand Spread

Pisces
Nov 6
2 min read

Sometimes a situation looks one way on the surface, but your gut tells you there’s more to the story. Someone’s energy feels off, a friend suddenly acts distant, or an offer just seems too good to be true.

That’s when it’s time to reach for The Hidden Motives Spread — a 5-card Lenormand layout that helps you uncover what’s really going on beneath the surface.

This spread isn’t about calling people out or feeding paranoia. It’s about clarity. It helps you see the full picture so you can make empowered, intuitive choices.

The Layout

The Situation – What’s really happening right now.
The Outer Layer – How things appear or what’s being shown to you.
The Inner Layer – What’s being hidden or left unsaid.
The True Motive – What’s driving the other person or situation.
Your Guidance – What you need to know or do next.

Lay your cards in a cross or fan shape so you can easily read the flow from “surface” to “soul.”

How to Read It

1. The Situation- Start here to ground the reading. This card gives you the context. For example, Garden could show something public or social, while Fox might indicate trickiness in a work setting.

2. The Outer Layer- This card shows what’s visible — the energy or story being presented. If you pull Bouquet, it could mean flattery or friendliness. But that doesn’t mean it’s the full truth.

3. The Inner Layer- Now we peek behind the curtain. This card shows the truth under the surface. For example, Snake here could reveal jealousy or manipulation hiding behind the smiles.

4. The True Motive- This is the heart of the matter. Why is this happening? What does the person or situation actually want?If Fish appears, money or resources could be the motive. If Ring shows up, it might relate to commitment, loyalty, or contracts.

5. Your Guidance- Finally, this card gives you the takeaway. What should you do with what you’ve learned?If Anchor appears, stay steady and grounded. If Scythe comes up, you may need to cut ties or take swift action.

Example Reading

Let’s say you pull this spread about a coworker whose energy feels off:

Situation – Fox
Outer Layer – Bouquet
Inner Layer – Snake
True Motive – Ship
Guidance – Key

This could tell a story like:Someone’s being charming and flattering (Bouquet), but it’s covering a competitive or deceptive streak (Snake). Their motive (Ship) might be to move forward or advance, possibly at your expense. The guidance (Key) suggests trusting your intuition and handling things with clear boundaries.

See? The spread doesn’t accuse. It simply clarifies.

When to Use The Hidden Motives Spread

You feel mixed signals from someone
A deal or opportunity feels “off”
You want to understand the energy behind a situation
You’re doing shadow work and want to see your own subconscious motives

Pro Tip: Use the Mirror Card Technique

After reading your five cards, look at the 1st and 5th together (Situation + Guidance) and then the 2nd and 4th (Outer + Motive). The mirrored pairs reveal deeper truths and repeating patterns.