Love this! I remember you mentioning this practice in How to Write an Autobiographical Novel and being intrigued.
For short readings for myself when I feel stuck in just my life, I like to draw one card for what *I think* an issue is “about” and then draw another card for what an issue is “really about.” Feels usable for something smaller for a character, too.
really resonate with the tarot cards revealing blindspots—they’ve brought so much to the surface for me. thank you so much for answering this question!! ❤️
Genius idea! This is the only plotting advice that has ever made any sense to me. The cards take it out of my head; I don't have to believe I can plot to do this. Thank you.
I often use two decks, an oracle deck and one abstract art one whose name and designer I can never remember, as writing prompts. Having stalled and sputtered quite frustratingly with my memoir as of late, I asked whoever-whatever-wherever-however is in charge of what cards come flipping out or sliding out the deck when I pull them for one card, one image to help me. I felt almost desperate at the request. This is the card I got.
Funny for me to stumble onto this tonight, as I just pulled cards to give me insight into characters in my work in progress (which I've been stalled on, for lack of plot). I didn't do a traditional reading, I just asked the cards two questions about three different characters: What do I need to know about this character that I don't already know? Where are they headed? I haven't done a Celtic Cross reading in years. Might have to throw one down now! I love your questions.
Thank YOU! It’s always nice to see other people accessing the creative process in some of the same weird ways that I do. It can make the lonely job of writing a little less lonely. Also, it makes me feel a little less weird. But only a little!
Thank you so much for this! It’s shifting my ideas about the Celtic cross spread. I always skip the “outcomes” card in the Celtic cross because it feels too fortune-telling-y. But I love what it can do for creative writing generation — for fictional or past selves whose futures you can actually know.
Oh wow, I didn’t know anyone else thought about the tarot this way! I’ve also been using the major arcana as a replacement for the typical story structure. My character begins as The Fool and walks through each card as if it were a stage in their life/the story.
A pleasure
Love this! I remember you mentioning this practice in How to Write an Autobiographical Novel and being intrigued.
For short readings for myself when I feel stuck in just my life, I like to draw one card for what *I think* an issue is “about” and then draw another card for what an issue is “really about.” Feels usable for something smaller for a character, too.
really resonate with the tarot cards revealing blindspots—they’ve brought so much to the surface for me. thank you so much for answering this question!! ❤️
Just stumbled on your newsletter and really love this first post I've read. What a great idea for fiction & nonfiction. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Anne, welcome to the site, I hope you’ll read more.
I definitely will. Looking forward to taking a deeper dive soon.
Same!
Genius idea! This is the only plotting advice that has ever made any sense to me. The cards take it out of my head; I don't have to believe I can plot to do this. Thank you.
Thanks Lucy, that was the idea. I think people get hung up on plots and this is a way to see it all differently.
I agree with this! It also feels like the story kind of writes itself this way.
I often use two decks, an oracle deck and one abstract art one whose name and designer I can never remember, as writing prompts. Having stalled and sputtered quite frustratingly with my memoir as of late, I asked whoever-whatever-wherever-however is in charge of what cards come flipping out or sliding out the deck when I pull them for one card, one image to help me. I felt almost desperate at the request. This is the card I got.
I keep it on my writing desk.
I loved reading this. I have heard that Lucia Berlin also used tarot cards and have always been curious about it.
Thank you for reminding me to read those stories
Funny for me to stumble onto this tonight, as I just pulled cards to give me insight into characters in my work in progress (which I've been stalled on, for lack of plot). I didn't do a traditional reading, I just asked the cards two questions about three different characters: What do I need to know about this character that I don't already know? Where are they headed? I haven't done a Celtic Cross reading in years. Might have to throw one down now! I love your questions.
This was definitely one of those posts where I thought this one will find those who need it. Thanks so much Linda!
Thank YOU! It’s always nice to see other people accessing the creative process in some of the same weird ways that I do. It can make the lonely job of writing a little less lonely. Also, it makes me feel a little less weird. But only a little!
Thank you so much for this! It’s shifting my ideas about the Celtic cross spread. I always skip the “outcomes” card in the Celtic cross because it feels too fortune-telling-y. But I love what it can do for creative writing generation — for fictional or past selves whose futures you can actually know.
Thank you, that makes me happy to hear.
This is an intriguing set of questions and framing, Alexander. Thank you! I'm saving it for future book writing and journaling prompts.
Oh wow, I didn’t know anyone else thought about the tarot this way! I’ve also been using the major arcana as a replacement for the typical story structure. My character begins as The Fool and walks through each card as if it were a stage in their life/the story.