Using the Tarot to break writer's block

I was surfing one day, checking out sites about writing advice and tips when I stumbled across "Using the Tarot to break writers block" by Melinda Rose Goodin ( http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/~mgoodin19/tarot.htm
).

Melinda is also a writer of non-fiction, who is trying to switch to writing fiction. She suggested that the Tarot can be used to help break that dreaded curse, commonly known as the Writer’s Block.

Melinda’s suggestions for analyzing the Writer’s Block using the Tarot are:

Draw one card to prompt you about the blockage or suggest story ideas
Do a standard reading to answer a question about your block or your manuscript
Draw a card per chapter to give you an idea of what's ahead.

Other ways to use the Tarot is to layout the Celtic Cross, which is probably the oldest and most popular pattern for reading the tarot. For more information on the Celtic Cross layout and other layouts that are available, see the links below.

How is the Tarot used? Well, just as a writer uses the dictionary and the thesaurus, so too the use of Astrology, Runes and the Tarot are tools that can assist the writer to discover more about their characters and where the plot is going or in some cases, not going – like that sagging middle that seems to haunt this writer.

The Tarot can be used as a writing exercise. By selecting a card, examining it carefully and noting the details, the writer can create a story about what is shown on the card. Of course, different Tarot decks may produce different stories even though the actual card name is the same. This is because, different artists interpret the card’s name position in the deck as they see it.

It can also be a fun way to take a break from writing.

Does it work? I’ve used it for two short stories I was writing, "The Singing Orbs" and "White Heather Mine". In "The Singing Orbs", the cards I selected helped me to see the sagging middle was due to the fact that I hadn’t really thought out what the main character was striving for and in the "White Heather Mine", the cards I selected showed me that the character I had chosen for the main character – the POV character – wasn’t the one who was telling the story.

Could I have analyzed the stories another way? Of course, but having used the other methods and not finding a solution, I decided to try Melinda’s suggestion. It worked and I plan to use it as needed when I encounter other problems with my characters or with the dreaded Writer’s Block.

To use the Tarot to discover what your character is facing or to find out more about your character:
Step into your character’s shoes.
Phrase the question as though the character was asking the question

You can also pose the question as the writer:
What is ??? facing?
What obstacles does ??? have to overcome?

Part of the process of using the Tarot actually teaches the writer how to ask questions, which should be general in nature but not too general and specific but not too specific. Another way to look at the questioning is to determine what is current situation, what is the ideal situation and what are the differences between the current and the ideal.

Using the Tarot can give the writer clues about where the character is going or not going; clues about why there is no forward movement; clues about what can be done to change the situation.

Which Tarot deck is right for you? That’s up to you. Visit one of the sites below and look at the various decks. I use The Medicine Woman’s Tarot Deck and the Native American Tarot Deck.

If you want to learn more about the Tarot, visit: Learning the Tarot - An On-Line Course
http://learntarot.org/ (Copyright © 1995-2000 by Joan Bunning). Joan has an excellent course on how to use the Tarot.

The use of Tarot Cards has become widespread. From its humble beginnings as a deck of playing cards for a gambling game in the 14th Century to its modern day uses for divination, meditation, and magical workings, the Tarot has taken on a life of its own. In fact, "The cards have been used by many organizations, including NASA, in strategy development and problem solving." (Source: US Games Systems, Inc. http://www.usgamesinc.com ). If NASA uses the cards to help solve their problems, why shouldn’t writers do the same?

Tarot Sites on the Web:
Learning the Tarot - An On-Line Course http://learntarot.org/
Purchasing a deck of Tarot Cards US Games Systems, Inc. http://www.usgamesinc.com/

Creative Aids from US Games Systems, Inc.:
AWH32 Ancient Whacks of Heraclitus Deck Looking for creative inspiration? Try consulting the world's first creativity teacher: Heraclitus--the most provocative of the ancient Greek Philosophers. Card deck contains 30 ancient whacks designed as individual creativity exercises to be solved. Taken as a whole, these jewels of insight provide us with a set of instructions on how to be more creative and productive. Includes booklet of instructions. $ 12.00

WH64 Creative Whack Pack(r) An illustrated deck of 64 creative thinking strategies that will whack you out of habitual thought patterns and enable you to look at your life and actions in a fresh way. Use the cards alone or with others to seek innovative solutions to issues. The cards have been used by many organizations, including NASA, in strategy development and problem solving. The creator, Roger von Oech, is an internationally recognized leader in stimulating creativity and innovative thinking and a best-selling author. Complete with detailed instructions. $ 15.00

Free Tarot Readings on the Web:
The Free Reading Network http://www.freereading.net/
Tarot Magic http://www.tarot.com/
Free Tarot http://www.free-tarot.com/
Annikin Divination Systems http://www.annikin.com/index.htm - This is one of the best sites with lots of different card spreads. There is also a page for beginners: http://www.annikin.com/Beginners.htm

Kathleen

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