The Birds
French card: 7 of Diamonds
Meaning
The Birds are card number 12 of the Petit Lenormand and represent communication in all its forms: conversations, phone calls, messages, meetings, negotiations, and every verbal exchange between people. But they also carry the shadow of nervousness — that anxiety fluttering in the mind like restless birds, the minor worries that will not let you rest, the words said in excess that you cannot take back.
In combinations, The Birds activate the communication of the neighboring card. Next to The Rider (1), news arrives through calls or direct conversations. With The Letter (27), communication is both verbal and written — messages, emails, documents requiring response. If The Birds accompany The Clouds (6), conversations generate more confusion than clarity and it is better to listen more and speak less.
The Birds' position reveals who speaks and about what. Close to the querent, you are the one who needs to communicate — there is something you must say or ask. Far away, others speak about you or communication comes from the environment.
With The Snake (7), conversations hide ulterior motives — gossip, lies, rumors. Next to The Heart (24), romantic communication flows with tenderness — declarations, intimate conversations, words of love. With The Ring (25), a negotiation or verbal agreement becomes formalized.
Card History
The Birds occupy position number 12 in the Petit Lenormand and correspond to the 7 of Diamonds in the French playing card deck. The seven of diamonds has been associated with minor news and everyday conversations, aligning with the communicative but sometimes superficial character of this card — many words, but how many truly matter?
In the "Game of Hope" of 1799, the birds represented sociability and social exchanges of bourgeois life. In 18th-century Europe, songbirds were a common domestic luxury — kept in cages in parlors as musical company — and their song represented the joy of civilized conversation. Marie Anne Lenormand, known for her eloquence and ability to seduce with words, understood that communication is both power and vulnerability.
For the Roma, birds were natural messengers. Their flight was observed to predict weather, seasons, and omens of the road. Two birds together — frequently depicted on this card — symbolized the couple, duality, and dialogue between two souls. This connection between birds and communication between partners survives in the Lenormand tradition, where this card frequently speaks of the relationship between two people who need to talk more, or better.
In Love
In love, The Birds are the card of romantic dialogue. They represent those conversations that define a relationship — declarations of love, sincere discussions, calls that last hours, messages that make you smile in the middle of the day. For couples, The Birds indicate that communication is the central theme now: there is something you need to talk about, resolve, or simply share.
For singles, The Birds announce that love may begin with a conversation — a casual chat that becomes something more, a call that changes everything, or a social encounter where words create a connection that glances alone had not achieved.
Combinations reveal the tone of romantic communication. With The Whip (11), conversations turn into repetitive arguments — you need a fresh approach to discuss the same topics. With The Bouquet (9), words are sweet and generous — compliments, flattery, declarations that beautify the relationship. But with The Clouds (6), what is said does not match what is felt, and verbal confusion hides emotions neither dares to name.
At Work
In the professional sphere, The Birds signal a period of intense communication. Meetings, negotiations, client calls, presentations, interviews — your week is full of verbal interactions that will define your career's direction. The key is to communicate with clarity and listen with attention.
With The Fish (34), commercial negotiations are active and money moves through conversations. Next to The Fox (14), be cautious with what you say at work — someone could use your words against you. With The Key (33), an important conversation opens the door to a solution or opportunity that was blocked.
The Birds at work also warn about communication excess: too many meetings that lead nowhere, endless emails consuming your time, hallway conversations that distract you from what matters. Sometimes the best act of communication is strategic silence — knowing when to be quiet is as valuable as knowing when to speak.
Advice
The Birds give you advice that seems simple but changes lives: speak. Say what you need to say. Ask the question that torments you. Call the person you need to call. Most human suffering is born from words left unsaid — those birds fluttering in your mind without finding an exit, generating anxiety and confusion.
But The Birds also warn you: mind your words. What you say cannot be unsaid. The gossip you share returns to you multiplied. The promises you make become debts. Speak with intention, with truth, with care. The tongue can be the most healing or the most destructive instrument you possess.
There is a saying among old Romani families: "The birds you release do not return to the cage." Think before you speak. But when you know you must speak, do so with an open heart and a firm voice. True words have wings that carry them exactly where they need to go.