writing exercise with the tarot

Weekly Creativity Prompt – The Chariot

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Prompt: “Pull the Death card from your deck(s). Compare the imagery between the card provided below and the card(s) from your own deck(s). How would you read them differently and why?“

Modern Love Tarot - The ChariotModern Love Tarot – Relaxed and confident, the figure walks down the street with her two pups, and makes it clear that no matter the hurdles she will find a way to make things work for her so she can do what she wants (after all, just look at that rig the little chihuahua is set up with).  This card is the epitome of “where there’s a will, there’s a way” mentality, and encourages us to think outside the box in order to adapt life to our needs rather than always adapting ourselves to the world around us.

The Chariot Card - Magic Planet Tarot, Mushroom Hunter's Tarot, Lonely Dreamer Tarot

Magic Planet Tarot – Look at the tip of the chin in the figure on this card.  There’s stubbornness there, and a hint of arrogance.  He knows where he’s going and exactly how he’s going to get there. Sometimes? Arrogance and stubbornness is what is needed to get you where you want to go. Be sure to apply as needed when reaching towards your goals.

Mushroom Hunter’s Tarot – The shaggy mane mushroom is a hardy one, able to push through even the hardest of barriers to find its way to freedom, including concrete.  This card and the mushroom chosen to be depicted upon it are a reminder that you have the willpower and determination to plow through the obstacles that try to get in your way.  You’re stronger than you think you are.

Lonely Dreamer Tarot – Those are some big ass horses, and a very small man in comparison, and yet the figure pulls the horses back from the ledge.  Autonomy is an important factor in this card.  No matter how strong the current that pulls you forward in life, if you’re not going in the direction you want to go, you need to remember that it is in your power to turn… pivot… and redirect yourself in another direction.  Don’t allow yourself to just go along for the ride.  Speak up.  Seize the reigns.  Take control and steer yourself away from that cliff’s edge you’re being pulled towards.

DECK USED: MODERN LOVE TAROT, MAGIC PLANET TAROT, MUSHROOM HUNTER’S TAROT, LONELY DREAMER TAROT

Weekly Creativity Prompt – Different Scenarios

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Prompt: “The purpose of this activity is to practice interpreting small spreads by combining card meanings, symbols and intuition. We will all interpret the same cards based on a few different (imaginary) situations. A 3 card spread will be posted together with 2 more specific scenarios. It’s your choice which scenario you’d prefer to use, or if you’d rather do a general reading of these cards as for an imaginary querent.”

Dark Mansion Tarot - Page of Swords, The Moon, Seven of Cups

Scenario 1 – It’s the new moon, and Raniah wants to figure out what to let go. She’s been going through a breakup and just got her first car.

The Moon in the center position indicates your feelings of uncertainty in this moment.  Leave behind your desire to learn and grow with this person you’ve been in a relationship with (Page of Swords). Instead, as you head into the future, focus your attention on making good choices moving forward.

Scenario 2 – Mary-Ann doesn’t know how to feel about their new step-dad. They want to know how to get to know him better.

You’re going to have to step up and take an active role in learning about your new step-dad.  Ask questions and engage him in conversation so that you can work past your uncertainty and fear concerning this new person and new situation in your life, and begin to explore the different facets of who the man is.

Scenario 3 – A general reading (feel free to add your own flair or a backstory).

Quit worrying so much (The Moon) about which direction to go in (Seven of Cups)… and just start already (Page of Swords).  Too much stewing is often caused by the emotions getting tangled up in your decision making process… instead, do the practical thing and just pick one small thing to do, then another. You will pick up momentum once you get the ball rolling.

DECK USED: THE DARK MANSION TAROT

Weekly Creativity Prompt – Autumn’s Approach

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Prompt: “Pull (at least) three cards and use them to describe how it feels for you as Autumn’s approach begins.”

The Literary Tarot - Three of Parchment, Seven of Quills, Justice

Three of Parchment – Learning the value of teamwork has been a major theme over the last few weeks of the summer, and it feels as we move into the fall that the efforts are starting to pay off and we are working more as a cohesive unit, the burden spread more evenly over multiple sets of shoulders instead of only on yours and yours alone.

Seven of Quills – Although you know exactly how you got into the situation you’re currently in, you’re feeling a bit deceived.  Not by the people in your life, but by fate and circumstance.  It’s time to turn that around and be clever in finding solutions, though.  Don’t allow yourself to be walled off when you have the cunning and strategies available to you to put things on the right track.

Justice – What goes around comes around, or so they say.  You get what you give.  Remember that this experience in healing someone else is also providing you with a healing experience of your own.  This is a theme that is starting to come to light now that you are at the end-game of this time together, and something you weren’t aware of going into this situation in the first place.

All together now…

So much  has come to pass over the past few months that approaching Autumn has a very exhausted feel to it this time around (Justice).  That weight is starting to lift, though, through the help of others in your life (Three of Parchment), which has allowed for more time to begin working out a way out of your current situation that is best for everyone involved.

Moral of the Story

Freedom’s promise lies on the horizon.  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, even if I can’t quite feel it on your face yet.

DECK USED: THE LITERARY TAROT

Weekly Creativity Prompt – The Devil

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Prompt: “Pull the Death card from your deck(s). Compare the imagery between the card provided below and the card(s) from your own deck(s). How would you read them differently and why?“

Modern Love Tarot - The Devil CardModern Love Tarot – Whips and chains and patent leather really leans into the sexual aspect of the Devil card, and I would normally interpret this card as being about those things you are curious about that might be considered risky or taboo.  Out of the four cards I’m interpreting in this exercise, it is the most likely card that I would interpret with sexual undertones, although not always… for it isn’t sex I think about when I look at this card, but the thrill of anticipation when trying something new and/or dangerous.

The Devil Card - Midnight Magic Tarot, Margarete Petersen Tarot, and The Mind's Eye Tarot

Midnight Magic Tarot – Hypomyces lactifluorum is a parasidic fungus that takes over the fruiting bodies of other nearby mushrooms.  In this card I see the potential for addiction. Not just in reference to drugs or alcohol, but to anything that can provide one the dopamine our brains crave.  Sugar, cookies, praise, kisses, driving too fast… the list is endless.  What in your life has the potential to take over if you don’t keep it in check?  What can you do to help keep these things in check so that they don’t take over and possibly change your life in negative ways?

Margarete Petersen Tarot – Eyes gaze upon  you through the sharp angles of judgement as open wounds fill the frame and chaos reigns.  In the grip of obsession and addiction, it doesn’t matter how deep the knife cuts… as long as you get what you crave.  The imagery in this card speaks to me of wounds, self judgements, and that savage need that grips one’s insides when addiction is upon us.  Where in life are you sacrificing pieces of yourself for something that’s slowly starting to take over or sabotage what you once held dear?

The Mind’s Eye Tarot – Again we see eyes watching on and a theme of red.  Red is the color of passion, anger, lust, and blood. It’s the color of obsession and the color of gaping wounds.  The figure in this card seems indifferent in both her posture and demeanor. Combined with the eyes and the overwhelming red of the card’s coloring, what I see her is a question about what you are ignoring.  What bad habits or shadow behavior needs dealt with instead of turning your back upon it and pretending it doesn’t exist?

DECK USED: MODERN LOVE TAROT, MIDNIGHT MAGIC TAROT, MARGARETE PETERSEN TAROT, AND THE MIND’S EYE TAROT

Weekly Creativity Prompt – Scavenger Hunt

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Prompt: “Draw three cards. Find something around your home (or where you’re currently staying) that you feel represents each of the cards. Draw, paint, artistically photograph, collage, or otherwise depict these items in some way. Then tell us about the connection you see between each item and the card you matched it with.”

Universal Fantasy Tarot - The High PriestessA crystal ball made of glass,
an orb in which to gaze and ponder,
where faces swim into view
and then slip away to wander.
Images whispered through the glass
speak of secret things
and words flow forth to offer up
warnings and hopes and dreams.

A crystal ball perched upon its tree stand and the High Priestess card. Secrets on a pedestal.

Universal Fantasy Tarot - Seven of CupsA pile of stones clustered close,
diversity offered freely.
To choose the one
that fits our needs
involves soul searching deeply.
Don’t get overwhelmed by choices
just reach for the one that sings most clearly.

A selenite bowl full of crystals, and the Seven of Cups. Choices can be overwhelming, but if you prioritize inner wisdom, the options laid out before you and which ones are suited to your needs become more clear.

Universal Fantasy Tarot - The EmpressAn idol carved and sanded smooth,
a reminder of sweeter things.
Of mothering touches and tender care
of support and mothering
Amalthea represented here
a goddess long forgotten
that visits my dreams happy warmth
and a wreath of flowers among her horns.

A carved wooden idol used as a representation of the Manoan goat goddess Amalthea in my practice, and the Empress card. Amalthea is the embodiment of gentle mothering, nurturing, and nourishment.

DECK USED:  UNIVERSAL FANTASY TAROT

Weekly Creativity Prompt – Summer Daydream

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Prompt: “Pull at least three cards and use them to describe a summer daydream that you’ve experienced recently.”

Guweiz Tarot

That the winds of fate will end up leaning into a positive result for her surgeries… which will lead to happiness, healing, and success for her as she moves forward into healing from her injuries. And, as a result, Ms B will return to Empress status in my life, as a warm and nurturing figure I’ve become accustomed to her being.

Things have been a bit rough this year with her breaking her shoulder in February, then needing gallbladder surgery and bile duct surgery in May… shoulder surgery in late June, then breaking her other arm last week.  I have become the supporter and nurse, providing and assisting and nurturing. I have daydreamed many times over the summer about things hopefully returning back to status quo at some point.

DECK USED: GUWEIZ TAROT