AUTHOR MUSINGS
Some words of wisdom
A dragon’s intuition 12th Oct 2020
It was almost a year ago, when listening to podcasts for writers, that the use of Tarot cards was mentioned linked to getting past writer’s block, a plot issue or a decision about a character. I had never heard of it being used in this context before and my curiosity was piqued.
When one of the presenters mentioned a cat deck, I knew this was something to investigate for I have a character who needs a cat deck to fulfil her role in a fantasy novel I have brewing.
Research is a wonderful part of being a storyteller, whether it is finding out a small fact or diving deep into a subject, so it never takes much for me to start delving in.
My first step was to look online and peruse the sites for a basic understanding of these cards, then I bought a book – Basic Tarot for beginners and read it almost in one go.
Did you know the origins of Tarot are unknown? One thought is it started as a homemade card game in the mid- fifteenth century. The cards commissioned by someone rich with a love of the macabre perhaps? The four suits and royal cards do seem to support this idea.
Sadly, Tarot managed to get itself a bad name, many religions deemed the use of these cards as dangerous – especially the devil and death cards, which if you do not understand their symbolism can be quite frightening to turn up.
Today, many people use the cards as a visual way to tap into their subconscious or intuition so they can make decisions. Whether these decisions are about real life or a character’s it all works the same.
I looked at the decks available, and oh what a huge array of art and delight. Some are truly beautiful and others cartoonish, but they all work the same.
How on earth was I supposed to choose. I knew my character needed cats, but I don’t. I like cats, but it isn’t the deck for me.
When it arrived wrapped as a present for me I was happy. The pictures are beautiful and mystical.
There is still so much to learn and for now I only look at the major arcana cards to try and familiarise myself with their symbolism and meaning. I don’t look often enough, so am still a little lost, but today I have done a quick – one card reading.
I turned up The High Priestess
Simply put she symbolises intuition, mystery, sensuality, and common sense. When she turns up, I read, it means it is time to trust your intuition, instincts and gut feeling.
I was thinking about my writing when I shuffled the deck. Nothing specific but a general am I going the right way about being an author type of thought.
I am on a final edit of a story and I’ve been enjoying it but wondering if anyone else will like it.
My instinct is not to worry if other people will like my stories, but to write them for me and send them out into the world in the cleanest state I can, with a little help from editors and my cover designer.
So that is what I shall do.
Thank you, Dragons.
Copyright © 2020 Jenni Clarke Author. All Rights Reserved