A Story In The Cards

Looking at many of the minor arcana cards in a tarot deck can reveal an entire story. Even something like the three of swords, which in the Rider-Waite deck is represented by three swords piercing a heart, that might seem to represent a single moment in time, could also detail a whole story, such as how someone gets to that situation, or how someone recovers. The Minor Arcana might be mis-named, because while they are the numbered cards and court cards of the tarot deck, they are not the “minor cards”. Sure, they might not deal with the big issues the way the Majors do, but they definitely can deal with big issues and themes.

It might be interesting to look at the Minor Arcana cards to see what stories are revealed. As writers, we can tell the stories in our heads, but I bet we can’t tell them without the images or themes shown in the tarot cards. Charity. Hard work. Betrayal. Pain. Regret. Wishes. Family. Just a few of the themes, and just a few of the cards, in the major Arcana.

There are several ways to use Minor Arcana cards in your story. First, you can look for how the themes appear in your story. Or maybe ways to deepen the themes in your story.

Second, you could use the cards to add drama or depth to your plot. Perhaps there needs to be something in the hero’s way, such as rejection or lack of charity which will then help the character become stronger. This will, in turn, make your story stronger.

Or, maybe your plot bunnies ran away and found free carrots elsewhere and you need an idea. Well, the Minor Arcana cards are there for that, too.

There are many ways to find stories in the tarot cards. I hope, with an exploration of the Minor Arcana cards you can find a story, too.

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