writing exercise with the tarot

Weekly Creativity Prompt – The Chariot

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Prompt: “Pull the card from your deck that matches [The Chariot from Tarot of the Hidden Realm]. Compare the imagery between the card provided and the card from your own deck(s). How would you read them differently and why?”

The Chariot - Tarot of the Hidden RealmTarot of the Hidden Realm – Here we see controlled abandon in the card.  In the expression on the Fae’s features is joyous celebration of that abandon, but also a thread of confidence that displays even as she enjoys the ride, she is the one in charge of not just the speed at which they move but the direction that they go in.  This sense of control is reinforced by the bridle that the unicorn wears. The imagery here tells us that control doesn’t always have to be joyless and stoic.  Sometimes it’s in savoring the ride as we ride the chaos… instead of the chaos riding us.

Icarus Tarot, Hydesville Tarot, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power Tarot

Icarus Tarot – Here in this card we have stagnancy in the sphinx that are attached to the chariot, and yet, there is absolutely no doubt that this figure is going to get where they’re going.  Fierce determination is in every cut and contour of the driver’s visage, control clear in the cut of the hands and curl of the fingers. This card displays savage determination and a will to come out on top, no matter the obstacles in their path.

Hydesville Tarot – Here we have the most “classic” of the images between the cards displayed with the military leader in full regalia, spear at the ready and in full control of the two horses (Pegasus in this case) that pull his chariot forward.  No reigns needed, for his control is complete and undeniable. The symmetry and balance present create a solid sense of stability. The expression on the driver’s face is one of studious determination.  They know where they’re going, have a plan, and they clearly have everything well in hand.

She-Ra And The Princesses of Power Tarot – Here in this card we have a lesson in extremes.  This card’s imagery is about losing control or taking on too much control.  When you lose control, others may step in and take the reigns, but are you sure that they can be trusted?  On the flip side, too much control leaves you like the figure in the background.  Alone and ignored, forgotten or feared.  This Chariot card is about finding balance between too much control… and not enough.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE HIDDEN REALM, ICARUS TAROT, HYDESVILLE TAROT, SHE-RA AND THE PRINCESSES OF POWER TAROT

Weekly Creativity Prompt – Spring Love

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Prompt: Draw up to three cards and use them to share with us a real or fictional  springtime walk outside. Feel free to daydream and go into detail!

Foresight Tarot

Fresh air whispers over bare skin as we walk hand in hand in the darkness of spring’s twilight. Fingers laced and palms pressed close and warm, one against the other as sweet scents of cooling asphalt blend with salty sea air and evergreen’s crisp bite in the nose.  (The Lovers)

Turned from their path your steps turn big body into smaller and crowd close. Feet stumble backward as hands reach to steady surprised clumsiness. Hands that touch cheeks and throat, shoulders and hips. Brick to back and tension high, kisses are taken instead of given, devoured in a moment of possession and gluttony.  (The Emperor)

A long fingered tug on belt loop. “Lets go home,” he says.  (The Devil)

DECK USED:  FORESIGHT TAROT

Weekly Creativity Prompt – Movies & Music

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Have you ever seen a movie that fit a specific tarot card perfectly, run across a movie quote that was the epitome of a certain tarot card, or even lyrics to a song that match a tarot card just right? This week’s creativity is all about themes in the tarot that translate onto the big screen and music!

Pick (or randomly draw) at least three cards. For each card pick, (or find) a movie, movie quote, or song lyrics that you feel fits that card perfectly.

Dark Mansion Tarot

Light Seer Tarot

Celtic Dragon Tarot

New Mythic Tarot

Phantom Rin Tarot

Ink Witch Tarot

DECKS USED:  DARK MANSION TAROT, LIGHT SEERS TAROT, CELTIC DRAGON TAROT, NEW MYTHIC TAROT, PHANTOM RIN TAROT, INK WITCH TAROT

Weekly Creativity Prompt – The Dollhouse

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Prompt: Pull (at least) three cards and use them to tell us about what it would be like to live in a dollhouse.

My Little Pony TaroracleAt first I thought this is a really good idea and I thought it would be a lot of fun (The Fool). I was really eager to hop right in and get going and have the time of my life with this new experience (The Sun).

I threw myself into moving into the dollhouse with a full bore attitude (The Chariot) and happily began plotting my future within this wonderful little nest (The Lovers).

Everything was cute and I loved it so much, but then some time passed.  I started to get comfortable and some of the excitement wore off (The Hanged man), and I came to realize something was horribly, outrageously WRONG! There’s no food!!! (The Tower)

DECK USED: MY LITTLE PONY TARORACLE

Weekly Creativity Prompt – The Fool

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Prompt: “Pull the card from your deck that matches [The Fool from Tarot of the Hidden Realm]. Compare the imagery between the card provided and the card from your own deck(s). How would you read them differently and why?”

The Fool - Tarot of the Hidden RealmTarot of the Hidden Realm – The Fool in the Tarot of the Hidden Realm is filled with joy and light that casts a bright golden glow over everything.  The Fae here speaks with a butterfly and the mind can easily imagine him dancing off into the green to follow the butterfly’s flight with laughter on his lips.  The image is filled with carefree joy and a sort of gentle lightheartedness fostered by the flower he holds.  The message here is “Ignorance is Bliss” and the joy that comes from being able to let yourself be consumed by heart filled and innocent pleasures.

The Fool - DNAXCAT Tarot, Kitchen Tarot, Botanical Grace Tarot

DNAXCAT Tarot – Vibrant splashes of color make this card loud in the funnest sense of the word, like a child taken to the playground and set free to have their fun races from the car to their friends and playground games with eager abandon.  Here in this card’s imagery, especially in the colors used, it is all about joyful abandon.  Here we see the classic cliff represented which also gives a word of caution in the card’s meaning, as it is easy to get so carried away with that joyful abandon that we forget to look out for the dangers that may surround us.

Kitchen Tarot – The Colander was a bit of a confusing one as the fool when you first come upon it until you see the words around the colander’s rim. “The colander lets everything wash over it, and remains the same. This is the innocent one, who helps us all to purify.”  Sometimes it is the innocent that remains stubbornly filled with faith that can refresh us all when we encounter them.  We see the potential of a world through their eyes, and with that potential realized, we are cleansed of negativity and given a brighter perspective.

Botanical Grace Tarot – Here we have an illustration of Codonopsis pilosula (Dang Shen), which is often used to treat ailments associated with weakness, fatigue, poor appetite, and anemia.  In this way, this herb connects to the energy of the Fool through embodiment.  it is the light shining forward to uplift and revitalize, and the colorful splash of hues in the background help reinforce the presence of this clean and vibrant energy.

DECK USED: DNAXCAT TAROT, KITCHEN TAROT, BOTANICAL GRACE TAROT, TAROT OF THE HIDDEN REALMS

Weekly Creativity Prompt – The Borrower – Part 1

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Prompt: Draw (at least) three cards. Use them to tell us a story about working in a magical library.

Fournier's Tarot Cats by Ana JuanHe took this job because he wants to be smart.  All the books and magic and amazing records.   It had to make him smart.  Of course it would make him smart!  It’s all he ever wanted in life, to be smart. (Ace of Swords)

Not that the wage was particularly good, but they’d said when he was hired that there was potential to move up in the ranks and make more later.  But then later came and went, or at least id did in his opinion. And here he is, still stuck in a starter wage, working in the library and not feeling any smarter. (Ace of Pentacles)

This is why he started to sneak out the books.  Not that he meant to.  He meant to just take the one home, and read it, and then bring it back!  But it was really confusing and so then he had to borrow an easier one to help him with the harder one.  And then the next thing he knew there were three books in his home.  And then four!  They’re breeding like rabbits! Except they aren’t breeding at all, he just can’t seem to stop taking them home… and he always forgets to bring them back. (Seven of Swords)

(To Be Continued)

DECK USED:  FOURNIER’S TAROT CATS BY ANA JUAN