In a guest post on Jane Friedman’s blog, Margaret McNellis says reading the Tarot can help you tell your story. “I created a 9-card spread that weaves together character and story arc and allows me to use the imagery and symbolism in the tarot to understand story in another way, a visual way,” McNellis says.
McNellis reads Tarot intuitively, meaning she interprets the numbers, words, and images on the card without too much regard for their official “meaning”, which can change from practice to practice. “All you really need to do is follow your intuition,” she says. “You can’t really get cards “wrong” because the message they give you is the message you need to receive.”
McNellis walks through the meanings of the Major and Minor Arcana, the suits, numbers, and court cards. “As you get to know the cards more, they will take on deeper meanings,” she writes. “They may also take on more personal meanings. Trust that the meaning you derive is the right one.”
Next, McNellis discusses how to lay out a short “spread” – a handful of cards whose placement tells a story. How you shuffle or deal the cards isn’t as important as keeping an open mind. “If you are unwilling to trust the cards, they’re not likely to make sense,” McNellis says. “If you don’t believe in using them spiritually, that’s fine—think of them as a writing tool.”
As you lay out your spread of cards, think about your story and protagonist, focusing on character and plot development. With McNellis’ proposed three-card spread, the first card represents your protagonist and their deepest desire. The second card represents their major obstacle. The third card suggests the climactic moment, when your hero’s internal and external journeys shift. Numerous possibilities will reveal themselves in the meaning of the specific cards you draw. “I’m still learning about ways these cards can help with storytelling, both from a character and writer perspective, but have incorporated this practice into my writing and book coaching experiences,” McNellis concludes. “I’ve not only found it fulfilling and helpful, but also fun.”
