Creativity with a T: Brainstorming with Tarot

OWFI Virtual Workshop Transcript
July 25, 2019

Julia Mozingo

Julia Mozingo 6:55 PM
I'm here. Hi, Connor and Sue!

Aleasha Shelnutt:fox_face: 6:55 PM
Hi all!

Shelley Pagach 6:55 PM
Aloha!
Shizellye

Julia Mozingo 6:56 PM
Hi, Aleasha and Shelley!

Connor Orion 6:56 PM

  • @julia.moz is going to give the presentation. We will all be respectfully quiet. Any chatter should take place in #general or #random.

  • When Julia opens the floor for questions, type "??".

  • Wait for me to call on you. I'll try to do it by tagging it.

  • Have your question typed out and ready to go so we can keep the presentation moving. Text is a slower medium than speech and we all want to get as much as we can out of this.

  • Don't speak out of turn, please.

  • If I miss your question, just type "??" again. Or DM me. I'll be keeping track, but things happen and I'm a human.

  • Late-comers! Scroll up to see what you've missed. It's all there, I promise. Make sure you're not about to ask something that we've already covered.

Julia Mozingo 6:56 PM
Shelley, don't tell me you're in Hawaii?

Connor Orion 6:57 PM
Oops. Didn't mean to post that yet.

Shelley Pagach 6:57 PM
No! :slightly_smiling_face: But Aleasha wouldn't let me say what I wanted to :wink:

Aleasha Shelnutt:fox_face: 6:57 PM
LOL
I wish we were in Hawaii. Panera in Moore is nice, too.

Anna Keesey 6:58 PM
Good evening, all! o/

Julia Mozingo 6:58 PM
Welcome, Anna!

Connor Orion 6:58 PM
Hi there, Anna!
Welcome to our July Virtual Workshop. We're here with Julia Mozingo for Brainstorming with a T: Brainstorming with Tarot.
For tonight, here are the rules, Which I already posted by accident, but I'll do again on purpose now.

Cary Herwig 7:00 PM
Good evening, all.

Connor Orion 7:00 PM

  • @julia.moz is going to give the presentation. We will all be respectfully quiet. Any chatter should take place in #general or #random.

  • When Julia opens the floor for questions, type "??".

  • Wait for me to call on you. I'll try to do it by tagging it.

  • Have your question typed out and ready to go so we can keep the presentation moving. Text is a slower medium than speech and we all want to get as much as we can out of this.

  • Don't speak out of turn, please.

  • If I miss your question, just type "??" again. Or DM me. I'll be keeping track, but things happen and I'm a human.

  • Late-comers! Scroll up to see what you've missed. It's all there, I promise. Make sure you're not about to ask something that we've already covered.

Welcom, Cary!

Julia Mozingo 7:02 PM
Connor, let me know when you're ready for me to begin.

Connor Orion 7:02 PM
Take it away, Julia! :smile:

Julia Mozingo 7:02 PM
Thank you, Connor. Welcome, everyone. Glad you're here.

1. Introduction

To begin, Tarot is pronounced "tare-ro." However, Okies have been known to say "tare-ut" more often. Me especially. <VBG> With that clarified, let’s begin.
In "Creativity with a T: Brainstorming with Tarot," I hope to show you that the answers you seek are already inside you, deep within your subconscious.
Remember the Key: Answers are already inside you.
Brainstorming with Tarot will be your get-out-of-jail free card, a way to release your muse from writer's block prison.
Using Tarot cards to brainstorm will expand your creativity and allow you to delve into your subconscious, the keeper of all creative ideas, and open your brain to infinite possibilities.
You will learn to mine the jewels, the diamonds hidden in your mind, your brain.
So, I invite you to bring an open mind, a willingness to learn, and stretch your writing muscles by climbing out of your rut, your dungeon, where your inner critic has held you and your muse prisoner. Step out of your comfort zone tonight and step on to the writer's path to adventure, the writer's yellow brick road.
Tonight you'll learn to recognize connections between ideas, words, phrases, and pictures to come up with something new. The more you practice, the more creative you will become. I encourage you to build your knowledge base, continue making new connections, and stay curious.

2. Creativity, Brainstorming, and Left Brain / Right Brain

~ Creativity definition
Create means to bring into existence. To produce or bring about by a course of action or behavior. To produce through imaginative skill. To bring into existence something new.
Creative is having the quality of something created rather than imitated.
Creativity is the ability to create.

~ Brainstorming
Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines brainstorming as a group problem-solving technique that involves the spontaneous contribution of ideas from all members of the group.
A sudden idea, which could be a bright or a harebrained (flighty or foolish) idea.

~ Left brain / right brain
Brainstorming with Tarot allows both sides of the brain to work together.
Left brain is logical, and includes such tasks as proofreading, syntax (word order), semantics (word meanings), math, and – Yes! – is the residence of the internal critic
Right brain is creative, the home of inspiration, creativity, pictures, images, single words, or phrases, and – Yes! – the home of the muse.
The two sides don't usually play well together for the writer. They're like two children squabbling. “It's my turn.” “No, it's my turn.” “That's stupid.” “Boring!” “Cliché!” “That one's not any good either.” “If you can't do any better than that, you'll never be a writer.” “Might as well quit now.”
“Enough!” “Hush!” “You're lying.” “That's not the truth.”
“Well, what is the truth?” you might ask.
In my opinion, it's time that we as working writers merged the two sides of the brain and worked with a whole brain, both sides working together in harmony. Teamwork!
Brainstorming with Tarot allows you to do this, allows you to combine the Muse and the Critic to compose a writer's masterpiece, writer's music. Mus(e) + (Crit)ic = Music. The method brings out the best traits of both sides of the brain by working in conjunction with each other using one powerful technique.
The right side of the brain uses images, pictures, single words, and phrases tossing them out for the left brain to catch, to rearrange, to make sense of, and to form connections in new ways using different perspectives. Yes! Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! The Muse and The Critic become best friends for life, forever. BFF’s

3. Debunk Tarot Misconceptions

As we begin, let's debunk a few Tarot superstitions, expose false notions, misleading notions, erroneous beliefs, myths, untruths, etc.. Whatever you want to call it. Tarot cards have been considered taboo for the most part in modern times because of their association with divination and fortune-telling. However, Tarot cards are simply pictures on cardboard. Nothing more. Nothing less.
A small amount of history from Wikipedia about the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, the one we will use tonight. The Christian Imagery has been toned down. What was the Pope is now called the Hierophant, and what was the Papess (a female pope) is now the High Priestess. However, card meanings are somewhat arbitrary. Although Tarot decks are basically structured the same, some are portrayed with a different focus by the author's emphasis or lesser emphasis. Some examples: fairies, mermaids, angels, etc.
Definitely symbolism still shows in Rider Waite Tarot cards. At one time religious freedom was restricted, so one school of thought says the clergy incorporated religious teachings as secret messages in to the cards for the common people. Another source says Tarot cards were a card game for the affluent and that common people could be imprisoned if caught with them.
But enough history. I'm not an historian. You can investigate more on your own if you want or need more information.

4. Where to Begin – Cards with Pictures

If you're hesitant or reluctant to use Tarot cards, you can use a collection of personal photos, book jackets, vacation brochures, CDs, or random images generated by a Google image search instead of Tarot cards.
If you're on a tight budget and would prefer to make, rather than buy, cards, I have a list of free resources at the end. No need to purchase cards. As a former elementary teacher, I often joked that my college degrees were in cut, color, paste, and lamination <LOL> to have manipulatives for children to use while learning - the kinesthetic method - using as many modalities and senses as possible.
If you want to create and print your own tarot cards using your own selection of pictures, I’ve found a free contemporary set of cards to download with information on how to create your own deck. The URL will be in the resources list at the end of the presentation.
But since this workshop is about Brainstorming with Tarot, on we go!

5. Get Acquainted with the Cards

Here’s a term we’ll use tonight - "arcana." Arcanum is singular. Arcana is plural. The word refers to secret or mysterious or hidden information for uninformed persons. The information will no longer be secret or hidden once you learn the meanings and / or symbolism.
Do this below on your own. At another time.
If you haven't already, the first thing you might do is get acquainted with your cards. Start with an overview. Try combining the cards into various groups - Major Arcana, Minor Arcana, Suits, Numbers, Action Cards, Setting Cards, People Cards - aristocrats or commoners, animals, birds, clouds, women, men, etc. However you wish to group them. You're just looking and noting similarities between the cards.

6. But what are Tarot Cards? How can I be creative if I don't know anything about Tarot?

Let's overview Tarot together - what are Tarot cards, then I’ll show you how you can use them for brainstorming your writing, your stories, your novels, etc. For simplicity, I’ll stick with the Rider Waite Deck, also known as the Rider Waite Smith Deck (RWS). This is the most popular deck, and you’ll find loads of information is written using the RWS as the foundation for learning.

~ Break down of the deck – Major Arcana, Minor Arcana, Court Cards
A Tarot deck consists of 78 cards.
Major Arcana (Arcana means hidden or secret information) - numbered 0-21, a total of 22 cards. These cards represent life-altering, grand-scale events, major events, turning points in life. Examples: marriage, pregnancy, relationship, career change, overcoming personal challenges, etc. Major Arcana cards can also represent different phases from childhood to old age. They can also be considered archetypal images and characters.
Minor Arcana - 56 cards - 4 sets (Pentacles, Wands, Swords, and Cups). There are fourteen cards in each suit - 10 numbered 2 - 10, plus an Ace that = 1. Each suit also has 4 court cards or face cards – Page, Knight, Queen, King.
The Minor Arcana represents everyday personality types and situations. They represent the different aspects of the human life.
More specifically --
Numbered cards represent everyday situations, situation cards, day-to-day aspects of life. They’re also called Pip cards. Pips from Wikipedia - Pips are small but easily countable items, such as the dots on dominoes and dice, or the symbols on a playing card that denote its suit and value.
Court Cards are the King, Queen, Knight, and Page, sometimes called prince and princess instead of Knight and Page. The Court Cards are also known as Character Cards, which show both positive and negative traits, physical description and personality type. They represent a person or a situation. In story brainstorming, the gender on the card is unimportant. It’s up to the writer to decide the gender for the story.

~ Card meanings - upright and reversed, cheat sheets
Each card has multiple meanings. Using the picture, the writer decides what it says about the story. If using book meanings (the Little White Book accompanying the deck, also referred to as LWB), the writer can pick and choose which term is appropriate for the story being told.
Regarding Card Reversals, upside down cards, the position can mean the trait is blocked or can mean the opposite. The reversal can also be considered as too much or too little. However, it’s not necessary to consider reversals. The writer considers the best meaning to be used in terms of creating or enhancing story conflict, internal or external conflict.

~ Suit Associations
The four suits are synonymous with the four elements.
Wands = fire
Pentacles/coins = earth
Cups/chalices = water
Swords = air
The four suits are also each associated with class and faculty (an inherent capability, power, or function). A chart found on Wikipedia illustrates this for easier understanding.

05-SuitAssociations-Wikipedia.jpg

~ Number Associations
Numbers are associated with meanings.
~ Ace - New beginnings, opportunity, potential, spark decision, ideas, gifts, inspiration
~ Two - Balance, partnership, duality, flow, duplicity, reflection, sometimes opposites, choices, imbalance,
~ Three - creativity, groups, growth, change, choices, co-operation, friendship, birth, synergy, chaos
~ Four - structure, stability, manifestation, standstill, foundation, inward focus, organization, power, rest
~ Five - change, instability, conflict, damages, loss, the unknown, challenges, forced growth, adaptability, competition
~ Six - communication, cooperation, harmony, memories, past, precariousness, excitement, success, reciprocated feelings, advancement, beauty, transit,
~ Seven - reflection assessment, knowledge, completion, solutions, ideals, discipline, work ethic, changing course, struggle, planning, cunning strategy, victory
~ Eight - mastery, action, accomplishment, change, movement, re-evaluation, evolution, movement from one phase to the next, strength, control, release
~ Nine - fruition, attainment, fulfillment, wholeness, accomplishment, profusion, luck, fate, achieving a goal, contentment, contemplation, (re-)evaluation
~ Ten - completion, end of a cycle, renewal, endings, closure, exits, cycles, karma, taking responsibility, germination, pinnacle, satiety, fulfillment
Did you notice the same word was used for more than one number? The reason is because I copied these keywords from a variety of sources. Each author has their own interpretation. You should too. Select the keywords that resonate best with you or your particular story, then be consistent with that number's term or terms throughout the story.
This is the same for card meanings. You will find differences among different sources. There is no set way for reading Tarot. Each reader and each author puts their own spin on it. That's why you will find so many differences among the various sources. As a writer, you are in charge of your story. Pick and choose what is best for that particular work.

~ Tarot and Timing
Wands = days or Spring
Swords = weeks or Autumn / Fall
Cups = months or Summer
Pentacles = Years or Winter
Pips plus the suit = days or season
In respect to Court cards and timing, the timing of an event may depend on another person. Then use the suit for the approximate time / season. If you want to get into detail, you can combine Tarot suits and associated astrological signs.
Are you OCD (lean toward Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)? Are you a Perfectionist? Do you need or want an exact timing to a particular day? If so, check “Tarot Astrology Correspondences Wheel” to days in "The Qabalistic Tarot" book. This shows the representation of each card to a particular day or days.

7. Start with some creativity exercises with your cards.

Insist on finding many possible answers. Avoid thinking there is only one right answer. Problems can have many solutions. Questions can have many answers. Try generating a certain number of answers. Ten possible solutions oftentimes works well for writers. Or even twenty-five.
You might even try generating ideas using a timer – five, ten, fifteen, or twenty minutes. This forces your brain to focus and to work within a deadline. See how many ideas you can come up with in the designated time.

8. How can you be creative with Tarot cards?

Mark McElroy offers several ideas. The link is at the end in the resources list. You might want to check it out later. I’ll give two of his examples here.

~ Exercise and Demo using one card, pictures only - Mark McElroy suggests to brainstorm 10 possible scenarios
Try coming up with ten possible solutions using the one card. Remember, there is no one right answer.
Chat Monitors, may we lay aside the Question Mark protocol and experience a bit of controlled chaos, by allowing participants to post spontaneous answers for the exercise I post – let’s say 30-45 seconds? Please call “time” when the time is up.

Connor Orion 7:33 PM
Yes. Break the rules. But only for a minute! :smile:

Julia Mozingo 7:33 PM
Activity: I’ll post the picture of a card. I want the participants to post one or more story ideas for the card. The monitor will let us know when time’s up.

07-10ofSwords-336-cropped.jpg

Connor Orion 7:34 PM
Story ideas, go!

Sue McMurphy 7:35 PM
Military hero returning at the end of his active duty.

Julia Mozingo 7:35 PM
Yea, Sue!

Cary Herwig 7:35 PM
In the middle of autumn a woman goes in search of her missing husband. He's been gone for 10 days leaving no sign. She fears he is dead, can't help wondering if an old betrayal has come back to haunt them.

Julia Mozingo 7:35 PM
Yea, Cary!

Connor Orion 7:35 PM
Time

Julia Mozingo 7:35 PM
Great ideas! Thank you, Connor, for timing.
My attempt at using Mark McElroy's one card with ten scenarios idea. In fact, I actually came up with fifteen, because once I started, I found it hard to stop. My brain continued sending ideas later in the evening, so I wrote them down.

Card: 10 of Swords
(1) The character's dead. Story over.
(2) Perhaps a physical death, but the soul still lives. Possibly a ghost story or a guide story, one who guides souls to Heaven or the next realm.
(3) It was all a dream.
(4) I dreamed my death.
(5) Phenomenology (describe an abstract concept), the grief cycle, the death of a relationship, an old habit dying and a new one starting, old ways of doing things dies as the character learns to do them in a more successful way.
(6) Mystery, who done it, who killed ...., possibly more than one, group killing, serial killer, cereal killer <VBG> Sorry, I couldn't resist.
(7) back-stabbing people, betrayal - people he thought were friends back-stabbed him
(8) ambushed
(9) dead-end job
(10) forced to rest, to prostrate oneself before a ruler, royalty
(11) dead tired
(12) motivation is dead
(13) stopped dead in his tracks
(14) at the end of the road
(15) didn't mean to kill, learn to turn back time, do-over

~ Here's another of Mark McElroy’s ideas. He suggests deliberately adopting viewpoints other than your own. Ask three questions:
(1) What's the worst possible outcome? How can this be even worse? This helps you show the character's fears and insecurities.
(2) What's the best possible outcome? This shows infinite optimism, how the character's desires and ego can influence decisions.
(3) What outcome lies between these two extremes? This is a more moderate perspective, perhaps more in line with reality and truth. This shows less drama, but perhaps an alternate decision path when the other ways fail to achieve the desired result.

9. Types of questions to ask

The procedure to actually use the Tarot cards with your writing. Begin by thinking of a question about your story you want to answer and write down the question.
Open-ended questions are best.
~ Questions that start with what or how work well. “Why” questions help with character motivation.
~ Example questions to ask regarding a story in progress. This technique works great for pantsers, the writers who prefer not to plot before they begin a story, but who would rather just start writing and see where the story takes them. This technique works exceptionally well when your story gets stuck or stalled. You can pull or draw one card to help brainstorm where to go from this point.
Some example questions might be --

  • What's the character's next step?

  • What does the character most need to know right now?

  • What does the character need to know about .... right now?

  • What does the character most need to know right now in order to obtain ...? in order to succeed? In order to get one step closer to the goal?

  • What are the character's options here?

  • How can the character make the best decision?

  • What might the character's experience be if he does X ... Y ... or Z? (Choose one.)

  • What does the character need to know about this situation?

  • How can the character achieve the desired outcome?

Plotters can also use Brainstorming with Tarot to plot a story before they begin writing.

~ Questions -- Sample Tarot questions regarding Story Brainstorming

  • What is my story about?

  • Who is my story about?

  • What is the story problem?

  • What is the beginning, the middle, and the end?

  • What needs to happen before this event takes place / occurs?

  • What needs to happen before the character recognizes ...?

  • What needs to happen before the character accepts ...?

  • What needs to happen before the character acknowledges ...?

  • What needs to happen before the character does ...?

~ Example questions using 3 cards at a time. Lay three cards side by side 1, 2, 3. Read from left to right.

  • (1) What past action put my character here?

  • (2) What's the situation now?

  • (3) What's the next step?

--

  • (1) Where is the character now, the situation?

  • (2) What is the next step?

  • (3) What is the possible outcome?

When using three cards at a time, you are now using what is called a spread, a group of cards with significance attached to each card's placement, the order the cards are placed and what each place indicates.

10. ~ Various spreads

When you decide to start using spreads, you can use them for character development, scene development, story development, and also integrate them with plotting paradigms to help in story development. This would include Aristotle's story framework (beginning, middle, end), Syd Fields' Three-Act Structure (Act I - Inciting Incident, Turning Point 1, Act II, Pinch Point 1, Midpoint, Pinch Point 2, Turning Point 2, Act III - Climax, Dénouement), Four-Act Structure, Christopher Vogler's The Hero's Journey (12 steps), etc.
Lots of paradigms are available for you to choose from.
If you're interested, at the end I've listed a link of a pdf download called "7 Paradigms Compared" for more information. The seven paradigms include - Syd Field (Three-Act Structure), Michael Hauge, Robert McKee, Linda Seger, John Truby, Christopher Vogler (The Writer's Journey / The Hero's Journey). You can use them to develop paradigm spreads.
Develop a character – past, present, strength, flaw, etc.
Layout a scene and sequel ala Dwight Swain and Jack Bickham. Scene = goal, conflict, disaster; Sequel = reaction, dilemma, decision.
Create a plot, include subplots if you choose. They can be simple or complex. Choose your own direction. Choose your own path and spread for story and character development
In fact, I've searched, found, and saved numerous Tarot spreads related to writing on Pinterest. If you're interested, just go to my folder and save them to your Pinterest account. You can then print them. Two folders have Tarot information and spreads related to "Creativity with a T: Brainstorming with Tarot" - Tarot and Writing, Tarot. Here's the URL for my Pinterest account -- https://www.pinterest.com/juliamozingo/

~ Make your own spreads / card layouts - designate a function for each card position
There are tons of Tarot spreads on the Internet you can easily find by searching. In fact, I have an entire three-ring binder filled with printouts of spreads I've printed and placed in page protectors. This gives me lots of resources to choose from when I want to start a new writing project.

11. Procedure and Examples

Procedure -- After determining your question, questions, or spread, shuffle the cards. Do this each time before selecting or drawing a card or cards. Shuffle, reshuffle, and shuffle again. This keeps the cards in random order. You can even "cut" the deck before selecting a card or cards to use. Cutting the deck simply means, after the cards are thoroughly shuffled, split the deck into two or three stacks, then restack them in a different order. Take the first card from the top of the deck and the following cards, if using more than one card. And begin brainstorming answers.
I have prepared three story examples -- (1) theme and character, (2) beginning, middle, end, and (3) GMC (goal, motivation, conflict). But think we might pause for questions here, and skip the examples, so everyone has a chance to ask questions.
If there are no questions, should I post an example? Which example do you prefer?

Cary Herwig 7:49 PM
??

Connor Orion 7:50 PM
@iroshi Go!

Cary Herwig 7:50 PM
Julia, have you ever used other types of cards?

Julia Mozingo 7:50 PM
Cary, yes. I like the Angel cards. But I find I'm able to do more brainstorming with the Rider Waite.

Cary Herwig 7:51 PM
Thanks.

Sue McMurphy 7:51 PM
??

Connor Orion 7:51 PM
@Sue Go!

Sue McMurphy 7:52 PM
This is not a question. But, if you do an example, will you please show us GMC?

Julia Mozingo 7:52 PM
Sure. I'll post it. Now.

~ Story Example 3 -- GMC
Here's a story I brainstormed using three cards and GMC. The keywords I used are from "Learning the Tarot" by Joan Bunning
Question: What is the GMC (goal, motivation, conflict) of my story?
Cards -- RWS
1) Goal - 8 of Cups
2) Motivation - 8 of Swords
3) Conflict - 10 of Pentacles

11Ex3-GMC.jpg

Goal -- 8 of Cups - Man has wandered far into the mountains and oceans and has found 8 cups. He found his fortune, what he wanted.
Keywords - deeper meaning, moving on, weariness
Motivation -- 8 of Swords - A woman is bound and blindfolded, fenced in with 8 swords. Is she held hostage?
Keywords - restriction, confusion, powerlessness
Conflict -- 10 of Pentacles - Man and woman want to be together, but the old man won't allow it.
Keywords - affluence, permanence, convention
2 Jumper Cards --
1) VII. The Chariot
2) 7 of Cups

11Ex3-Jumpers1and2.jpg

Jumper 1 - VII. The Chariot - Father wants her to marry a wealthy man from another kingdom.
Keywords - victory, will, self-assertion, hard control
7 of Cups - Father wants her not to marry a man who is a dreamer, one who dreams of being wealthy someday.
A bird in the hand (Rich Man) is better than / worth more than two in the bush (the man whose riches are not a sure thing.
Jumper 2 - 7 of Cups - wishful thinking, options, dissipation
Storyline: A man and woman are in love, but her father refuses to let her marry a man who he thinks cannot support her. He wants her to marry a rich man through an arranged marriage. The man she loves leaves home to seek his fortune and finds it. He returns home to propose marriage. Will he return in time to make her his wife before she is forced into an arranged marriage?
Oops! I forgot to mention. I had a Jumper card when I was shuffling. A jumper card is a card that jumps from the deck while you're shuffling. This could also be due to careless shuffling. If that happens, set the jumper card aside. It can be considered a Significator card, a card with some extra importance for the story, one with additional information you might use.

12. Closing

~ Practice being creative.
~ Access information stored in your brain and neural network.
~ Keep trying new things, new challenges. Keep learning. Keep putting new things in your head.
~ Ramp up your creativity. Be creative on demand.
~ And above all else. Have fun!
I hope you've had fun tonight!

Connor Orion 7:59 PM
Yay! That was awesome! I really liked the stuff about spreads.

Julia Mozingo 7:59 PM

13. Resources / URLs – Here is a list of resources and free downloads.

Writetodone.com – The Tarot as a tool for writing
“Are You Using This Amazing Tool to Write”
FREE Printable Tarot Card Keywords At-A-Glance
https://www.biddytarot.com/tarot-card-keywords-printable/
Website requests you leave your name and email address to download.
Upright and reversed keywords.
Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Tarot – Mark McElroy (Out of Print, but available through his website as Public Domain as two free downloads, under new names.)
http://tarottools.com/category/bookstore/
~ A Guide to Tarot Card Reading
~ A Guide to Tarot Card Meanings
Mark McElroy's site - lots of brainstorming and writing help
http://tarottools.com/
Mark McElroy, Better Tarot Readings through Brainstorming
https://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/580
Learning the Tarot by Joan Bunning
http://www.learntarot.com/ (complete online course / book; can also order at your favorite bookseller) Lots of good information and information on card keyword variations.
Download the complete course / complete book to your computer. Three zip files – 1 file of tarot text and 2 files of images.
http://www.learntarot.com/download.htm
A bit cumbersome and rudimentary.
Download Printable Tarot Meaning Cheat Sheets
https://labyrinthos.co/blogs/learn-tarot-with-labyrinthos-academy/tarot-meaning-cheat-sheets-infographics-plus-free-printable-resource
Must give email address to download.
Tarot Cards: Cheat-sheet (upright and reversed)
http://bobdeveau.com/tarot/quickrefprint.html
No name or email required. Simply print.
Print your own tarot cards (create your own with your own or collected pictures)
www.tarotonlinereading.com
Pictorial Key to Tarot by Arthur Edward Waite, online Free (PDF, epub, or Kindle)
https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/pictorial-key-to-the-tarot-ebook.html
Seven paradigms -
http://dramatica.com/resources/assets/Dramatica_paradigms-0707.pdf
Wikipedia chart for suit associations -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minor_Arcana
Julia Mozingo - URL for folders which have Tarot information and spreads related to "Creativity with a T: Brainstorming with Tarot" - Tarot and Writing, Tarot --
https://www.pinterest.com/juliamozingo/

Connor Orion 7:59 PM
Do we have time for questions? If anyone has any?

Julia Mozingo 7:59 PM
It's okay with me.

Sue McMurphy 7:59 PM
Thank you! Wonderful information, Julia!

Cary Herwig 7:59 PM
Love the ideas and a way to brainstorm, esp when we writers work alone so much.

Connor Orion 7:59 PM
Fantastic. Questions anyone?

Julia Mozingo 8:00 PM
In fact, I didn't want to end on number 13. So number 14 is questions.

Sue McMurphy 8:00 PM
??

Connor Orion 8:01 PM
Go @Sue!

Sue McMurphy 8:01 PM
This seems like a technique that might take some time to develop fully. But also, it seems like you could use it on a shallow level and still find it useful.

Julia Mozingo 8:02 PM
Sue, most definitely. Start small and go deeper as you progress.

Sue McMurphy 8:02 PM
Did it take you some time to utilize the technique?

Julia Mozingo 8:03 PM
I'm brand new at doing this. I prepared all of this for this workshop, even doing the brainstorming and preparing examples. I was amazed at how ideas were easy to find. I'm anxious to use it with my wips and the stuck spots.

Sue McMurphy 8:04 PM
Wow, I figured you'd been using it for ages.

Connor Orion 8:04 PM
Same

Cary Herwig 8:04 PM
Same

Julia Mozingo 8:04 PM
No, Sue. It's all new to me. I've just resisted Tarot cards because of all the stigmatism attached. But I'm using them now!
I stick to the cheat sheets mostly for now.

Sue McMurphy 8:05 PM
Amazing!

Cary Herwig 8:05 PM
??

Connor Orion 8:05 PM
I grew up with tarot cards, Julia. You sounded very knowledgeable.
Go, @iroshi!

Julia Mozingo 8:06 PM
The Biddy Tarot cheat sheets are my favorite. No woo-woo stuff. LOL
Oh, Connor, I do want to learn from you when next I see you!

Cary Herwig 8:06 PM
A comment - I'm, a writer who wants to control the story. This should help me let my imagination wander much more.

Julia Mozingo 8:07 PM
Most definitely, Cary.
The illustrations and ideas will expand your thinking more.

Cary Herwig 8:07 PM
:heart:

Connor Orion 8:08 PM
Any more questions?
Or comments?

Sue McMurphy 8:08 PM
Just to say this was a wonderful presentation.

Cary Herwig 8:08 PM
Agree.

Julia Mozingo 8:09 PM
Thank you, Sue and Cary.

Shelley Pagach 8:09 PM
Agreed!

Connor Orion 8:09 PM
Also agree. That was awesome.

Julia Mozingo 8:09 PM
Thanks, Shelley and Connor.

Staci Mauney 8:09 PM
Thanks for this excellent information, Julia. I've resisted using Tarot cards for the same reasons you mentioned. I'm intrigued by this and anxious to try it!

Julia Mozingo 8:09 PM
Staci, I hope you do.

Shelley Pagach 8:09 PM
Me too! :slightly_smiling_face:

Julia Mozingo 8:10 PM
Yea, Shelley!