Writing with the Tarot - Part 4

Writing with the Tarot  - Part 4

On my YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/tonispywriter) I did a three part series about how to use the Tarot to help you with crafting your creative writing and fictional stories. Today I am using the Hanson Roberts Tarot by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

Step one is to pick a deck. I use the Hanson Roberts because it is small and the images have a lot to use as far as symbolism.

Step two is to shuffle your cards as you ask your question. My question is usually "what direction do you see my story going in from the point where I left off." Or maybe your question could be "what is the storyline of the next upcoming scene?"

Then decide when you think it is shuffled enough and deal out your cards. I usually do three rows of four cards. 

I have done an example spread to show you how it is done.

My story is called The Legacy: Cloak & Dagger. It's a spy series that I have been writing on for a long time.

Card 1: 7 of Cups

The 7 of Cups is about how your character has many options. And it asks you to review the options you have. It also is about illusion. So maybe you have a character who is less then honest that is bringing a new choice to your character. There is a Merlin-like image on this card as well. So maybe the man behind the scenes is the one with all the choices and your character is just a pawn in his bigger game. One of the cups holds a castle. And that reminds me of the original homebase of the Legacy over on Smith Island. So, maybe my character needs to go there for some reason. Or maybe it just means Headquarters in general. There have been a few different headquarters locations in the years of me writing this series.

Card 2: 3 of Rods (Wands)

This is about how your character is waiting for something to come in. Could be a package, a message, money, etc. The blue shawl says to me that this thing that is coming in is concerning communication. Plus this card has the character facing left. Left is toward the past. So maybe this character is waiting for a message from an old friend they haven't seen in a long time. For my story this could mean that Ethan Fairchid, the main character, is awaiting a message from someone in the old Legacy compound. Many characters right now are inside the compound underneath the London streets. So this message could come from there.

Card 3: 2 of Rods (Wands)

This card is about partnering up. Or it could be making a decision about two things.

For my story this could mean the possibilities of two different people wanting to partner up with Ethan or it could mean two decisions he has to decide between. Then you ask yourself how does this relate to my own story. What possibilities does it bring up?

Card 4: The Hermit

This could be referring to a specific character who is very knowledgeable, and who hides away from the world. Could be an inventor, professor or super genius where your character can go to learn some important knowledge or intel. This knowledge keeper will shine a light on something your character didn't think was important before.

Card 5: Page of Cups

Pages bring messages. And Cups are about relationships or fulfillment in our lives. So this asks you what messages will come to your character about another character in your novel universe?

Card 6: 3 of Pentacles 

This card is about being recognized for something you're doing. And in the life of a spy being recognized is a bit of a no no. So maybe Ethan's cover is blown here. Uh oh! He will have to act fast and make new plans. Usually this is about being acknowledged for some good work you are doing. So how is your character being recognized for their contributions to some cause, the community or his/her job?

Card 7: The Devil

This card is about being controlled by something or addictions effecting your life. My character Ethan has nanites in his system, and has had them in him since 1998 when I started writing this story. Because of this fact, Ethan can be hacked and taken control of much like a computer. Maybe this happens again. It was suspected of happening earlier in the storyline so maybe it is resurfacing now.

Card 8: The Tower

This card is about shaking our foundations. Sudden enlightenment about something. It is usually a card where a lot of chaos happens. And it usually happens for a good reason and for your characters benefit.

Card 9: The Heirophant

This is about the normal trappings of religion, spiritual things and sometimes just about a spiritual teacher coming into our lives. The axiom used with this card is: when the student is ready, the teacher appears.

So, in the life of my spy guy, I think Dr. Myers might prove to be helpful to him since he is the one who knows all about Ethan's nanites and provides the ATP that can keep him alive. ATP is a made up thing that I created that keeps the nanites alive in Ethan's system so they won't feed off of his own life force.

Card 10: The Star

This is about guidance and hope. You are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel here.  Mission coming to completion.

Card 11: 7 of Rods (Wands)

What is a story without one final fight scene with the enemies. This is where you are in conflicts or competition with someone or usually a few someones.

Card 12: Ace of Pentacles

Ethan finds a gift concerning a family connection. Lilies means family or an uplifting  consequence. The gift could mean that a person thought dead is alive or something that is quite a surprise. This is always a good surprise.

Card 13: (Base of the Reading) What is this all about in the end?

10 of Cups

This is the happy family card, the happily ever after card where your family is together and your are content. This is what Ethan wants: his family safe, cared for and there for each other. The rainbow is the promise of fulfilling times ahead. And doesn't a spy really long for the day when he can take his spy shoes off and just be who he really is? This is Ethan's unspoken dream.

And that is it. 

You use the tarot to jump start your thinking and get your mind on aspects of your plot you may have forgotten or lost. I hope this helps you.

Let me know what you think.

Blessings.