The Stork — Card No. 17: Change & New Beginnings
The Stork signals change, movement, pregnancy, and a fresh new cycle beginning in your life.
Professional fortune teller & spiritual advisor
KEY TAKEAWAY
The Stork is one of Lenormand's most positive cards, representing change, movement, and new beginnings — from pregnancy and childbirth to moving house or a career shift. Whatever question you ask, the Stork tells you that something in your life is about to transform for the better, and that you should welcome the change rather than resist it.
✦Introduction
Lenormand cards have become hugely popular in fortune-telling recently.
Compared to tarot cards, Lenormand cards have more concrete, easy-to-understand imagery — like the clover of good fortune, or the stork that signals rising luck. Because Lenormand cards are so easy to read, even beginners can get started with them right away.
There are more and more types of Lenormand decks these days, and simply looking at the different designs is enough to lift your spirits.
Why not take this opportunity to try Lenormand cards for yourself?
We'll take a close look at Card No. 17, the Stork, in detail.
☾Basic Card Information
Card Data
| Card Number | No. 17 |
| Card Name | Stork (Storch) |
| Playing Card | Queen of Hearts |
| Element | Water |
| Upright Keywords | Change / Moving house |
| Reversed Keywords | Unwanted relocation |
| Love | Progress in a relationship |
| Work | Transfer / Career change |
| Life | Childbirth / New environment |
✧What the Stork (Card No. 17) Means
The Stork is famously known for delivering babies. True to its image, it points to pregnancy and childbirth. Since the stork is also a migratory bird, it represents change and movement.
The Stork, which brings good fortune, is a positive card that signals rising luck.
The keywords for the Stork are: "pregnancy, childbirth, good fortune, movement, moving house, change, and the start of a new cycle."
The number 17 hints that the time it takes for your wish to come true may be 17 hours, 17 days, or 17 months.
The Stork also corresponds to the Queen of Hearts in playing cards, so it represents deep, loving bonds and connections.
The Ship card also represents movement, but while the Ship suggests a large-scale move affecting your surroundings, the Stork indicates change on a broader, more personal scale.
The Stork card evokes an image something like this.
Cherry blossoms scatter and flowers bloom one after another in a new spring, as the cry of a newborn baby is heard.
A move to a new place is decided, and dreams for a new land begin to grow.
A heart that had been sinking gradually shifts toward positivity, and a light of hope comes into view.
The Stork card conjures the image of "a new spring."
✦Card Combinations with the Stork
No. 17 Stork + No. 1 Rider
The Rider means "beginnings, change, news," so together they suggest: news of a move, a change, or a pregnancy.
No. 17 Stork + No. 2 Clover
The Clover means "small happiness, chance, good fortune," so together they suggest: a positive change, or a forward-looking opportunity that changes everything.
No. 17 Stork + No. 3 Ship
The Ship means "turning point, challenge, departure," so together they suggest: moving house, or a big, positive change.
No. 17 Stork + No. 4 House
The House means "security, stability, family, happiness," so together they suggest: moving, relocating, or changing residence.
No. 17 Stork + No. 5 Tree
The Tree means "health, growth, stability," so together they suggest: recovery, pregnancy, or improved health.
No. 17 Stork + No. 6 Clouds
The Clouds mean "anxiety, confusion, standstill," so together they suggest: uncertain change, confusion, or tension.
No. 17 Stork + No. 7 Snake
The Snake means "malice, betrayal, jealousy," so together they suggest: change that brings tension and jealousy, or a love triangle.
No. 17 Stork + No. 8 Coffin
The Coffin means "ending, rest, completion, inheritance," so together they suggest: dramatic upheaval, negative change, or someone leaving.
No. 17 Stork + No. 9 Bouquet
The Bouquet means "love, happiness, femininity, a wedding," so together they suggest: a promotion, pregnancy, or positive change.
No. 17 Stork + No. 10 Scythe
The Scythe means "trouble, conflict, an accident," so together they suggest: a breakup, or trouble accompanying change.
No. 17 Stork + No. 11 Whip
The Whip means "trouble, dependence, attack," so together they suggest: sudden change, or conflict.
No. 17 Stork + No. 12 Birds
The Birds mean "communication, movement, the internet," so together they suggest: news of a pregnancy, or a new theme emerging.
No. 17 Stork + No. 13 Child
The Child means "a child, purity, innocence, joy," so together they suggest: pregnancy, a new start, or joyful change.
No. 17 Stork + No. 14 Fox
The Fox means "cunning, deception, calculation," so together they suggest: a career change, a bittersweet change, or a promotion.
No. 17 Stork + No. 15 Bear
The Bear means "trust, power, mother, animal," so together they suggest: a change in finances, or a shift toward greater stability.
No. 17 Stork + No. 16 Star
The Star means "hope, inspiration, the future," so together they suggest: positive change, pregnancy, or relocation.
No. 17 Stork + No. 18 Dog
The Dog means "friends, support, a trusted relationship," so together they suggest: the arrival of a wonderful new friendship.
No. 17 Stork + No. 19 Tower
The Tower means "hard-won success, ambition, privilege," so together they suggest: great ambition, or a promotion.
No. 17 Stork + No. 20 Garden
The Garden means "a party, an event, networking," so together they suggest: a housewarming party, or a christening.
No. 17 Stork + No. 21 Mountain
The Mountain means "obstacles, hardship, challenges," so together they suggest: a delayed change, a stuck situation, or a feeling of being blocked.
No. 17 Stork + No. 22 Crossroads
The Crossroads means "a fork in the road, moving, a turning point," so together they suggest: a necessary change, two options, or the right decision.
No. 17 Stork + No. 23 Mice
The Mice mean "sorrow, stress, trouble," so together they suggest: a shift in stress levels, or a minor change.
No. 17 Stork + No. 24 Heart
The Heart means "romance, affection, fondness," so together they suggest: moving in together, or a happy change.
No. 17 Stork + No. 25 Ring
The Ring means "contract, promise, marriage," so together they suggest: cohabitation, or an anniversary or important date.
No. 17 Stork + No. 26 Book
The Book means "study, intellectual curiosity, law, a book," so together they suggest: an inner change, or a shift in studies.
No. 17 Stork + No. 27 Letter
The Letter means "message, news, a publication," so together they suggest: a pregnancy notice, or a lease/rental agreement.
No. 17 Stork + No. 28 Man
The Man means "a man, husband, father," so together they suggest: a new start, positive change, or a man who loves children.
No. 17 Stork + No. 29 Woman
The Woman means "a woman, wife, mother," so together they suggest: a new start, positive change, or a woman who loves children.
No. 17 Stork + No. 30 Lily
The Lily means "purity, peace, happiness, maturity," so together they suggest: a long-awaited change, a long-awaited pregnancy, or late-stage pregnancy.
No. 17 Stork + No. 31 Sun
The Sun means "good fortune, success, positivity, victory," so together they suggest: positive change, a positive pregnancy, or renewed energy.
No. 17 Stork + No. 32 Moon
The Moon means "dreams, romance, intuition," so together they suggest: confirmation of a pregnancy, positive change, or a successful move.
No. 17 Stork + No. 33 Key
The Key means "keyword, key person, trump card," so together they suggest: an important change, the key to a new home, or confirmation of a pregnancy.
No. 17 Stork + No. 34 Fish
The Fish means "abundance, the sea, money," so together they suggest: growth, a positive deal, or buying a house or apartment.
No. 17 Stork + No. 35 Anchor
The Anchor means "safety, security, a ferry," so together they suggest: a move becoming finalized, achieving a set goal, or a decisive change.
No. 17 Stork + No. 36 Cross
The Cross means "hardship, anxiety," so together they suggest: a difficult change, or slow progress.
♡The Stork in Love
When the Stork appears in a love reading, your romantic luck is rising.
Big, positive changes are also on the way — such as pregnancy or marriage.
A change of some kind, such as moving house, will bring a new encounter your way. You may also notice a positive shift in your own feelings, or in your partner's.
<Example reading>
Q: I haven't been meeting anyone new lately...
A: A big change is coming to your environment, and along with it, a new encounter awaits.
Q: We've been together for a few years now — where is our relationship headed?
A: Some kind of positive change is coming. There's a strong chance it will lead toward marriage.
♡The Stork — Their Feelings
When the Stork appears in a reading about someone's feelings, it means that person has warm feelings toward you.
Since the Stork corresponds to the Queen of Hearts, it hints that the person holds a maternal kind of affection for you.
The distance between the two of you will grow closer.
This applies not only to romance but to family bonds too, which will grow deeper as a result.
<Example reading>
Q: There's someone I'm interested in. How do they feel about me?
A: That person has feelings for you. A big change will act as the catalyst that brings you closer together.
Q: My wife has seemed distant lately...
A: Don't worry. Her heart is overflowing with love. Some kind of turning point will deepen your relationship with her.
♡The Stork in Marriage
When the Stork appears in a reading about marriage, it suggests that a major change will come over the two of you, potentially leading toward marriage.
For married couples, it hints at events such as pregnancy or childbirth, or a move that will strengthen the bond between husband and wife even further.
✦The Stork in Work
When the Stork appears in a reading about work, your career luck is on the rise.
In particular, it points to your relationships at work going smoothly. You'll also reach a major turning point, after which your work will start to flow more smoothly.
✦No. 17 Stork and No. 18 Dog
Card No. 18, the Dog, is the most positive card in the Lenormand deck.
The keywords for the Dog are "friendship, support, pets, trusted relationships."
The Dog card represents the interpersonal side of life. It hints at receiving supportive, affirming help from others.
The Stork is also a positive card, representing "change" in a good direction.
When the Dog and the Stork appear together, it hints at a wonderful new encounter, and that the bond with the person you meet will be a strong, trusting one.
In love, this points to a new, good encounter; in work, it means gaining the support of colleagues.
✦No. 17 Stork and No. 23 Mice
The Mice are a somewhat negative card, representing sorrow or minor misfortune. But the key is to think of it as "misfortune on the small scale of mice" — nothing too serious.
When paired with the Stork, it hints that this small misfortune will shift in a positive direction.
The minor stress or slight ill health represented by the Mice will also improve for the better.
✦Money Advice from the Stork
Change is coming to the flow of your money. You can expect an income boost from a career change, or the emergence of a new source of income. Expenses related to moving house will turn out to be a good investment.
Prepare for expenses that come with change. With careful planning, you can weather financial fluctuations. Keep your money management flexible.
✧When the Stork Appears as a One-Card Draw
Here's what it means when the Stork appears in a one-oracle (single card) draw.
If the Stork appears for a love question
It's a sign that a major change is coming to your love life. This could mean a new encounter, progress in a relationship, or even the possibility of pregnancy. Embrace the change with an open mind.
If the Stork appears for a work question
It signals a turning point in your career. A career change, transfer, or the start of a new project — a big change is coming. See it as an opportunity to grow.
If the Stork appears for a everyday-life question
Change is the theme of the day. Try something different from your usual routine. A change in environment will bring welcome stimulation. Staying flexible is key.
☀Summary
So, what did you think of this in-depth look at Card No. 17, the Stork, from the Lenormand deck?
To remember the meaning of the Stork, all you really need is: "change, positive."
The keyword "change" might not be immediately obvious just from the image itself.
When that's the case, it helps to picture the Stork — a migratory bird — flying around the world, delivering something new and welcome (change) wherever it goes.
Just like in the classic tale, the Stork is, even now, happily carrying "new changes" to those who need them.
Lenormand cards are full of romance.
Why not take this opportunity to try a Lenormand card reading for yourself?
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