So as I was going through blogs today, I saw Merilee Faber talking about using tarot to generate plot ideas. (Feel better M!) This is something that I’ve never thought about. I don’t know why exactly. I find tarot fascinating. I just don’t know all that much about it. Anyway, she gave a link to this Quick Question Tarot reading.
I figured I’d use it to decide who’s perspective to write this next scene from. I already did a poll on Twitter and was leaning toward Derek (he’s the omega wolf of the pack and is being blackmailed into kidnapping the heroine).
So I plug in “Should this scene be in Derek’s head?” It comes back with the Wheel of Fortune
Yes/No answer: Yes.
Destiny, fortune, success, elevation, luck, felicity.
Reversed: Increase, abundance, superfluity.
Just for the heck of it, to see if the thing gave consistent responses I asked “Would it be more interesting in Marley’s POV?” Then it gave me The Moon
Yes/No answer: No.
Hidden enemies, danger, calumny, darkness, terror, deception, occult forces, error.
Reversed: Instability, inconstancy, silence, lesser degrees of deception and error
Okay Derek it is.
Just for the hell of it, I asked “Will our first child be a boy?” Not that we’re trying or planning on kids any time soon. The answer: The Sun
Yes/No answer: Yes.
Material happiness, fortunate marriage, contentment.
Reversed: The same, but lesser.
Oh, well good. Because we totally can’t agree on girl names and we want boys anyway.
I think this is a fun, Magic 8 Ballish but more interesting way to narrow the path or generate new ideas. I’ll have to give it a try when I’m working on a new plot sometimes.
4 thoughts on “Time Out For Tarot”
Never thought about using it to determine plot, but I have used it to determine standard character characteristics. I give them two cards to represent them and their personalities, along with astrological signs. It helps me keep them in tune before they’ve really jelled.
Tarot is one of those things that I find really interesting, and I keep meaning to learn more about it, but I just never have.
Like this one, perhaps 😉
http://www.amazon.com/The-Wolf-Pack-Tarot-Deck/dp/0967565006
Thanks Kait, I am feeling better 🙂
I have a couple of tarot decks, or you can use angel decks or whatever. I just love using them as brain prompts; asking a question, drawing a card and then letting the meaning seep through. It helps me stretch my brain around things, take the ideas in new and different directions and avoid cliches.
Pick up a pretty deck that appeals to you and mess around. They’re fun.