One of the more interesting writing classes I’ve taken over the years was one that taught storytelling with Tarot. Before that, I didn’t know Tarot had anything to do with stories, or that you could use Tarot as a tool for plot, character, and more. Even if you don’t have access to a live class on the topic, there are excellent resources online for learning card meanings and basic spreads.
The Tarot deck tells the story of the Fool’s Journey through life, which translates to the hero’s journey in fiction. But wait, there’s more. Each card in the deck tells a story in itself. Beyond that, some cards represent character archetypes while others represent plot turning points. And each card tells its story in symbols and images, the language of the right brain, making the cards a great tool for bypassing the left-brained critic and accessing your creative side.
All of this makes a Tarot deck a great writer’s tool. Even choosing a deck is a creative adventure; I recommend looking at several to see which artwork appeals. I bought a deck intended for children that depicts fairytale characters and scenes on each card. Each deck’s visual interpretation of the cards will vary and one will suit your storytelling style better than another so it’s good to compare.
Once you have a deck, you can use it for multiple creative exercises. You can simply draw a card at a time, and see what story the image sparks. What story would you tell yourself based on what you see? Do a timed writing and tell the story in 5-15 minutes. Lay out a series of cards and see what characters and events jump out at you as you connect the cards into a single story. Then write a brief story summary.
If you are stuck on your story at any stage, go through the deck looking at individual cards to see what images jump out at you. Your non-verbal right brain can use the visual tool to point out what you’re missing; a type of character, a twist, a dramatic event or choice. Or you can pull out a handful of cards that appeal to you and play “what if”. What if I add this kind of character to this scene or story? What if I move the scene to a setting like this? What if I add an element from this image? What if I do a combination?
There are so many ways to use Tarot as a tool to jumpstart creativity and access your right-brained insights for story solutions that I could never list them all. But the next time you find yourself stuck or if you just want a new tool in your box, try Tarot.
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My cousin teaches tarot classes. Now that I’m home, and once my life has something resembling a schedule again, I’m going to take classes from her.
It’s going to double as character research and plotting help for me, as the protagonist of the novel I’m about to revise does tarot readings as a way to focus his gift.
After the class, I’m going to seriously consider whether I want to work up a set of ‘tarot’ cards for said character, just because I’ve got so many ideas for that.
I also really like the idea of doing tarot readings for your characters. The way I see it, it’s a way of exploring options for them when you are stuck that has very little sunk cost and very little commitment, unlike just writing and writing and hoping you’ll somehow get there. You spend, say, half an hour doing a reading, and if you don’t like it or doesn’t inspire you at all? Do another one, or try something else.
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Emily, if you have a cousin who teaches classes, what a great opportunity to learn! And yes, doing tarot readings for your characters is a great way to get new insights.
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Yup! I plan to make full use of this opportunity.
The late Virginia Ellis, I was told, used to do that for her characters, which is where I got the idea.
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I love tarot readings. I use to do it to myself and to friends. Mine always read that i will achieve. Never thought about doing that in a book, I might have to give that a try.
To all of the readers that think it is hard, it’s not. it is very easy to read the cards. Usually the deck of cards has instructions.
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Andrew, since you’re already familiar with the cards and comfortable with readings you should find it really easy to start using Tarot to help you with writing. You’ve got a great starting point! And yes, cards do come with a basic interpretation of meanings but the resources I linked to get into a lot more depth and detail.
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I think i will try it sometime, maybe for the next WIP. I am editting right now, so I don’t think reading cards would help in the editting process.
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What a cool idea. I’ve never had my cards read or even picked up a Tarot deck, but you’ve certainly shown how it could provide inspiration. Thanks! Loved this.
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Dawn, if you’ve never given it a try, your local new age bookstore should have both decks and somebody who does readings. Check it out! I especially recommend comparing several decks before you buy one because the artwork is so different. The Rider-Waite deck is traditional but to me it’s very ugly so I would never want to use it for a creative tool.
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If you’d rather purchase your deck in a less unorthodox environment, Borders Books usually has a cabinet full of different Tarot and divination decks (and some on the shelves). And, of course, you can order Tarot decks online.
For those unfamiliar: there are various kinds of Tarot decks. The “Marseille” style decks typically have illustrations only on the suit of Trumps (Major Arcana), with the other four suits just having pips like in a normal deck of playing cards. These probably won’t be much help. Some decks are Major Arcana-only, with just 22 cards, and also probably won’t be much help.
Choosing a Tarot deck is an interesting process. It’s also a very personal process, so it’s difficult to provide any guidance. There are sites on the Web that review Tarot decks. Some sites have a bias toward either esoteric or exoteric decks, but for inspirational purposes there’s no direct difference. Esoteric decks often have less evocative drawings, though.
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Tarot is a fascinating subject and there is such a wide range of decks available. Using them as a writing tool is a wonderful idea.
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NJ, it’s very versatile!
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I used to have a couple of decks, once upon a time. Maybe I should invest in another set. The cards always intrigued me. (Hugs)Indigo
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Indigo, I really should get another set. The one I have is fun but I think more options would trigger more ideas/connections.
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After having my cards once in college, I HAD to have a deck and learn the craft. Five deckds (a medieval Scapini, a Native American, science, new age) and many attempts to learn the cards, it wasn’t until I participated in one of Lynn Viehl’s LB&LI event, when I won a free reading for a character in my story, that I even thought to use it for my writing. Of course, I let life get in the way again and haven’t touched a deck in about six months.
Thanks for the reminder to pick it up again. You’ve reignited my interest in the cards. Again.
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Anne, hope it springboards some creative solutions for you!
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Great tip! I particularly like the idea of choosing cards with unusual artwork, to give a new creative twist. I don’t know much about Tarot in its traditional sense but I can see that laying out a grid encourages you to tell the story that is there.
At the more minimal end of the spectrum, have you heard of Brian Eno’s creative cards?
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I haven’t tried those, and they might be good for writing prompts when you’re not specifically trying to use wordless approaches.
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I’ve been working with tarot for over thirty years. They are AWESOME for inspiring stories, clearing up blocks, giving you that little nudge of an idea to get a scene/conflict going, or for building a character.
If I ever (insert much cussing here) manage to get a new host and my site actually running I’ll be writing a lot about that.