The Scythe card of the Lenormand oracle generally refers to things and situations that can end suddenly and without warning. It is a card of rapid transition, and when it appears in a reading the querent may not have foreseen the situation and may not be ready for the changes ahead.
In the Lenormand oracle, the Scythe is a negative card because it tells us that the end of something is near. Even so, not all endings are bad: it can refer to cutting ties with conflict or with people who keep us from growing spiritually.
Sometimes the Scythe can speak of a person who uses knives or sharp tools, such as a butcher, a farmer, a surgeon or someone in a similar job.
Keywords: Cutting ties with something or someone, an ending, a tear, closing a cycle, scratching, finishing, nails, gathering, harvesting, completing, teeth, a dentist, surgery or a surgeon, a prick or a cut.
Meaning of the Scythe in the Lenormand oracle
The topic we ask the Lenormand oracle about is decisive when interpreting this card, as its meaning can vary. These are some of its possible meanings:
The Scythe in love
When the Scythe appears in a love reading, it usually means the relationship we are asking about is coming to an end. It is not a good card to see when the question is about a couple or a relationship.
The Scythe in money/work
If this card appears in a work reading, it points to losing a job, reduced working hours, being turned down for a job or simply a loss of income in any area of our professional activity.
The Scythe in health
In a health reading, the Scythe can indicate the need for urgent surgery or problems with the nails, teeth and mouth. It can also represent a professional such as a dentist or a surgeon.
The Scythe in family/friendships
This card can speak of family ties being cut, as in a divorce or through quarrels among family members. It can also speak of a friendship that breaks suddenly because of a dispute.
The Scythe for timing
The Scythe indicates a period of 10 days, 10 weeks or 10 months. Sometimes it can mean something immediate, between 10 hours and a few days.
Combinations with the Scythe card
The meaning of the Scythe can change a great deal depending on the cards next to it, so I have prepared a list of combinations as a basic guide for practising two-card readings:
Scythe + Rider: Sudden changes caused by others, a cancelled appointment, someone we are waiting for will abruptly change course.
Scythe + Clover: A stroke or run of luck cut short that ends suddenly, a lovely moment that ends abruptly and without warning.
Scythe + Ship: A cancelled trip, a break-up, drifting apart, the end of a business or the closure of a company.
Scythe + House: Sudden changes at home, unsustainable family relationships, coldness between members of a household.
Scythe + Tree: Someone's health is about to change for better or worse (see the surrounding cards), a necessary surgical operation.
Scythe + Clouds: A sudden change that brings worry and insecurity, the end of a situation over which we have no control.
Scythe + Snake: A relationship ends abruptly because of a third party, a hidden betrayal is discovered.
Scythe + Coffin: A serious accident, cuts, puncture wounds, stabbing, pain or death. It is a very bad combination, but it rarely appears.
Scythe + Bouquet: Sudden changes that bring a far more rewarding situation, positive changes, everything improves, reaping success, pruning, harvesting the fruits.
Scythe + Whip: Sudden fights or arguments, a break-up nobody saw coming, conflict that could turn into physical aggression, revenge.
Scythe + Birds: Talking or arguing about separation, putting a firm stop to gossip and/or rumours, people stop talking about something.
Scythe + Child: Something or someone new suddenly appears: a person, news, a situation or a completely new path.
Scythe + Fox: Walking away abruptly from a situation without considering everything left behind, running from responsibilities, dodging something, not facing up to things.
Scythe + Bear: A sudden change in finances, financial losses, something that hurts your power or strength, meeting your responsibilities.
Scythe + Stars: Progress after a disaster or a break, going all out for your dreams, a change in how you see things.
Scythe + Stork: A caesarean birth, a sudden change on the way, a surprise, risks in pregnancy.
Scythe + Dog: This combination usually foretells losing a friend through fights or disputes.
Scythe + Tower: Cutting the ties that bind us to the past, becoming independent, withdrawing from the world, a hermit.
Scythe + Garden: A cancelled date, changes that bring a certain rise in social status, an impromptu gathering, a last-minute decision.
Scythe + Mountain: Setbacks may be approaching that could thwart your goals or what you wish to achieve.
Scythe + Crossroads: A situation that ends or forces us to make a decision, changing the plans we had made.
Scythe + Mice: Putting an end to waste and overspending, paying off a loan, a refund, ending a small but annoying problem.
Scythe + Heart: A break-up, a past that still torments us, jealousy, a broken heart, the end of a love affair.
Scythe + Ring: A break-up, coldness and lack of interest ending in separation, betrayal in marriage.
Scythe + Book: A secret is discovered, something hidden comes to light, learning something, an accidental discovery.
Scythe + Letter: Break-up messages, divorce papers, drastic changes, confessions, unexpected news.
Scythe + Man: Cutting ties with a man, whether a husband, a boss, a relative or a friend.
Scythe + Woman: Cutting ties with a woman, whether a wife, a boss, a relative or a friend.
Scythe + Lilies: Vanity, exhibitionism, unbridled sexuality, sudden illness, cuts, breaks, getting hurt.
Scythe + Sun: A radical change that leads to a much better situation, coming out of depression.
Scythe + Moon: Putting an end to melancholy and sadness, broken dreams, the end of negative emotions.
Scythe + Key: Finding a way out of a problem, a change for the better, progress, sudden success.
Scythe + Fish: A halt to all financial and professional activity, a broken contract, a cut in income.
Scythe + Anchor: Changes in a situation we thought was secure, a change that has to happen, freeing ourselves from something that held us back.
Scythe + Cross: Renunciation, a break-up, a change of life, a major change in how we see things.