Tarot for Writers

by Corrine Kenner

  Keywords

  Upright: Valor, courage, persistence, advantage, negotiation, bartering, competition, success, gain, profit, victory

  Reversed: Vulnerability, confusion, embarrassment, anxiety, indecision, hesitation, vacillation, strife

  Writing Prompts

  Write about:

  . encroachment

  . self-defense

  . a slippery slope

  . power mongers

  . hand-to-hand combat

  Eight of Wands

  THE EIGHT OF WANDS is a card of speed and communication. Historically, the Eight of Wands was associated with long-distance travel and messages from faraway placesand the card has kept up with the times. It's now associated with news and messages dispatched across long distances, electronically or by overnight express.

  Key Symbols

  Incoming messages. Eight leafy branches soar through the air like arrows, all flying parallel to each other at a 45degree angle. They normally symbolize messages and communication.

  Each wand could represent a separate message coming across the transom. Each one might also symbolize a separate mode of communication, such as phone calls, faxes, e-mail, text messages, conference calls, video conferences, radio and television broadcasts.

  Slings and Arrows. Sometimes the Eight of Wands is associated with the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. Some tarot readers view the eight wands as Cupid's arrows.

  Fighting Words. Historically, the Eight of Wands was said to predict domestic disputes for married couples.

  Moving Water. The river in the background symbolizes a flow of information or emotion; for centuries, river routes were a main avenue of travel and communication.

  Safe Haven. The castle in the distance represents watchfulness, refuge, royal sovereignty, and divine guidance.

  Landing Strip. In The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, Arthur Edward Waite said the wands are descending, not taking off. In other words, they'll land soon, and whatever they prophesize will soon manifest.

  Keywords

  Upright: Long-distance communication, instant messages, electronics, speed, swiftness, action

  Reversed: Miscommunication, misinterpretation, delays, disruptions

  Writing Prompts

  Write about:

  • a romance in the form of e-mail correspondence

  • a poem in the guise of a fax cover sheet

  • dialogue in the form of text messages

  . interaction via video conference

  • a new, yet-undiscovered technology

  Nine of Wands

  THE NINE OF WANDS is the card of the wounded warriorthe embattled hero who lives to fight another day. He is battle-hardened, wary, and on edge. His back is stooped and his posture guarded. His eyes are open and alert as though he is expecting-and dreading-his enemy's approach.

  Key Symbols

  Last Stand. A weary man stands with a row of eight wands behind him. Symbolically, his back is up against a wall.

  On Guard. He seems to stand defensively, as though he's anticipating another attack.

  A Pause in the Action. Despite the threat, he has found a place where he can fall back, regroup his thoughts, gather his strength, and prepare for whatever may come.

  Die Another Day. The Nine of Wands is also a card of some hope; despite his physical condition, the wounded warrior has lived to fight another day.

  Scenic Backdrop. Some tarot readers point out that the landscape in this card is flat and one-dimensional. It may be an illusionary device, like a scenic backdrop or curtain that hides the real action backstage.

  Keywords

  Upright: Resistance, courage, self-defense, discipline, willpower

  Reversed: Obstacles, adversity, calamity, weakness, character flaws, fearfulness

  Writing Prompts

  Write about:

  • a pause in the action

  • a battle cry

  • a security guard

  • a night watchman

  • an escape route

  Ten of Wands

  THE TEN OF WANDS is a card of oppression. An overburdened laborer struggles under the weight of a heavy load of timbers-the ten wands that give the card its name.

  Key Symbols

  Beast of Burden. The ten wands in the worker's arms are a heavy load.

  Disorganization. Not only are they a burden, but they're also an organizational nightmare. The wands are entangled, like good intentions gone awry. The general impression is one of inefficiency.

  Not My Department. The tangled wands might symbolize red tape and overgrown bureaucracy.

  Misalignment. The worker is stooped and unbalanced. The strain on his arms, back, neck and shoulders is probably excruciating. He seems almost certainly headed for a fall.

  Close to Home. The only consolation may be that his destination isn't far away.

  Keywords

  Upright: Oppression, burden, cruelty, malice, revenge, injustice, overbearing force, failure, opposition, ill will, slander, envy, obstinacy, generosity, self-sacrifice, fortune, gain, treachery, subterfuge, duplicity, treason, trickery, deception, cunning, disguise, hypocrisy, disloyalty, hindrance, inconvenience

  Reversed: Perseverance, dedication

  Writing Prompts

  Write about:

  • a laborer

  • a burden

  • a mission

  • a delivery

  • a stumble or a fall

  Page of Wands

  THE PAGE OF WANDS is a real fireball. In fact, according to tarot theory, he is fire-in human form. That's because all of the pages are said to physically embody the elements of their suit.

  The Page of Wands is daring and courageous, filled with energy, ambition, and drive. He is impulsive-quick to react to any stimulus or provocation and quick to jump to conclusions. He's quick to fall in love and equally quick to lash out in anger.

  Like fire itself, he can be warm and passionate. Without a safe place to bum, however, he can also rage out of controland he could become unstable, violent, and destructive.

  Key Symbols

  Youthful Outlook. Like all pages, the Page of Wands is youthful, with childlike enthusiasm and an unbounded capacity to learn.

  Messenger Service. During the Renaissance, pages were the youngest members of the royal court. It was their job to take news from one person to another. Because the suit of Wands is concerned with spiritual life, the fiery Page of Wands specializes in delivering spiritual messages.

  Student Worker. Pages were also students, learning their future roles through apprenticeships. The Page of Wands focuses on spiritual lessons.

  Confidence. The Page of Wands is confident and self-assured. Both of his feet are firmly planted on the ground, and he holds his wand with both hands.

  Dry Heat. He stands alone in an arid desert. Because he is the personification of fire, he is comfortable in the heat. His face is even turned to the sun; he bathes in its light.

  Keywords

  Upright: A youthful person-fiery, spirited, creative, and outspoken-or a messenger with news about your career

  Reversed: A rash, immature, thoughtless young person who speaks without thinking; a superficial, theatrical, cruel, and unstable young woman

  Writing Prompts

  Write about:

  • a fiery young person

  • a moment of passion

  • a burning desire

  • a spiritual message

  • a spiritual lesson

  Knight of Wands

  THE KNIGHT OF WANDS, LIKE all of the court cards in his suit, is fiery and energetic. He's the proverbial tall, dark stranger of tarot-witty, flirtatious, and romantic. He can also be fierce, short-tempered, impulsive, and impetuous. He is a spiritual wanderer, traveler, and adventurer.

  Key Symbols

  Pyramid Power. Like the great crusaders of old, the Knight of Wands is on a journey, skillfully riding a cantering horse. He's traveling past several pyramids, a si
gn that he's in the hot, arid desert that fiery personalities enjoy.

  A Knight's Quest. During medieval times, knights were adventurers and rescuers, sworn to defend the weak and helpless while they journeyed to fulfill a quest. Most stories about knights are actually stories about transformation. In most renditions, a knight is on a quest for a mystical object such as the Holy Grail. As he pursues his mission, he encounters-and overcomes-a series of obstacles, which have all been deliberately contrived to test and challenge him. By the end of his quest, the knight has learned that the mystical object he sought was never really the true goal of his adventure. Rather, the mission was one of self-transformation and change.

  Astrological Symbolism. Astrologically, the four knights of the tarot are associated with the four mutable signs of the zodiac. The Knight of Wands represents the mutable fire sign of Sagittarius, which makes him outgoing and adventurous.

  Elemental Symbolism. Elementally speaking, the four knights of the tarot are all fiery. They simply combine the element of fire with the element of their own suit. In this case, the Knight of Wands is a uniform blend of fire and fire.

  Historic Significance. Historically, the Knight of Wands was connected with departures, absences, long journeys, and even emigration to a foreign land. It was also believed to foretell a frustrating marriage for a woman.

  Keywords

  Upright: A dark young man; spiritual rescue or adventure; departure, absence, flight, emigration, a move to a new home

  Reversed: Rupture, division, interruption, discord, alienation, a break in a relationship

  Writing Prompts

  Write about:

  • an excitable young man

  • a pyromaniac

  • a mysterious tablet with hieroglyphic figures

  • a spiritual adventure

  • a spiritual rescue

  Queen of Wands

  THE QUEEN OF WANDS is a fiery redhead-and she's also one of the most charismatic figures in the tarot deck. She's the person every woman wants as a friend, and every man wants as a lover ... or at least as a dance partner.

  She's the life of the party, and she's used to being the center of attention. Friendly and outgoing, she's also a notorious flirt. Sometimes, those flirtations take her all the way into a one-night stand or an affair-even if she's married or in a committed relationship.

  Her passion and enthusiasm know no bounds. She's physically fit, energetic, and strong. She can run marathonsspiritually, emotionally, and physically. She's also a smart, savvy businesswoman who loves money and success.

  Key Symbols

  Queen of Fire. Like all of the tarot's queens, the Queen of Wands is a mature woman, gracious and wise in the ways of the world. Queens, of course, are rulers-but their rule is based on the feminine principles of safeguarding and nurturing their realms. The Queen of Wands is charged with safeguarding and nurturing the suit of Wands, which corresponds to the fiery world of spirit.

  Sunflowers. Almost every symbol in the card reinforces the Queen's connection with fire. The Queen of Wands is surrounded by sunflowers-symbols of fire and the heat of summer. They grow around her, and they're carved into the back of her throne. She even holds a sunflower in her left hand as a counterpart to the wand in her right hand.

  Regal Lions. The lions on her throne represent the astrological sign of Leo, which is ruled by the sun. The queen herself is a lionesque personality. Technically, of course, she's a lioness-smaller, lighter, and more agile than the male of her species. Lion society is matriarchal, and the females are in charge of the hunt, too.

  Black Cat. Her black cat, like a witch's familiar, sits knowingly at her feet.

  Astrological Symbolism. Astrologically, the four queens of the tarot are associated with the four cardinal signs of the zodiac. The Queen of Wands represents the cardinal fire sign of Aries, which makes her a natural leader.

  Elemental Symbolism. Elementally speaking, the four queens are all watery. Each one combines the element of water with the element of her suit. As a result, the queen of the fiery suit of wands embodies the steamy combination of water with fire.

  Keywords

  Upright: Fiery, energetic, passionate, powerful, dynamic, generous, willful, confident, friendly, kind, outgoing, dramatic, enthusiastic, optimistic

  Reversed: Fierce, domineering, jealous, deceitful, potentially unfaithful, disorganized

  Writing Prompts

  Write about:

  • a fiery redheaded woman

  • a not-so-innocent flirtation

  • a witch's familiar

  • a black cat

  • steam

  King of Wands

  THE KING OF WANDS is a visionary entrepreneur. He's a mentor, a businessman, and an enthusiastic captain of industry. He never rests-as you can tell by his inability to sit still, even in the card. He is honest, courageous, and strong. He's a tireless defender of the persecuted and oppressed. And he is generous, almost to a fault.

  The King of Wands is swift, strong, and impulsive. While he would normally be slow to form an opinion-and he's sometimes prone to indecision-he's also the type of person who likes to argue simply for argument's sake. Once he forms an opinion, he doesn't change it easily. He's fair, noble, just, courageous, and romantic. He also has a good sense of humor; he appreciates a well-executed practical joke.

  Key Symbols

  A Spiritual Leader. Kings are active rulers and protectors, willing to defend their realms and dispense justice on behalf of their countrymen. Wands cards all relate to spiritual and career issues. As a result, the King of Wands focuses his fiery energy on the spiritual realm.

  A Man of Action. The King of Wands leans forward, legs apart, as though he could leap to his feet at any moment.

  High IQ. Like all of the tarot's kings, he wears a ceremonial cap of maintenance beneath his crown. Head coverings symbolize intellect and thought.

  Creatures of Fire. A lion, his royal emblem, is carved into the back of his throne. A small salamander, the elemental creature of fire, scurries past his feet.

  Sorry, Girls, He's Taken. Historically, the King of Wands was thought to be a happily married man. It's interesting to note, however, that his wife-the Queen of Wands-is a notorious flirt.

  Astrological Symbolism. Astrologically, the four kings of the tarot are associated with the four fixed signs of the zodiac. The King of Wands represents the fixed fire sign of Leo, which makes him a confident, courageous monarch.

  Elemental Symbolism. Elementally, the four kings of the tarot are all airy intellectuals. They simply combine the element of air with the corresponding element of their own suit. In that regard, the King of Wands embodies the heady combination of air with fire.

  Keywords

  Upright: A strong, spiritual man; a business leader; a mentor; ambition, leadership ability, enthusiasm, optimism, entrepreneurial spirit, a self-made man

  Reversed: Selfishness, severity, austerity, hunger for power, impulsivity, impatience

  Writing Prompts

  Write about:

  • an entrepreneur

  • a charismatic leader

  • a revivalist

  • a power monger

  • a lion king

  THE ACE OF CUPS is the first card in the suit of cups, the suit that corresponds to the ancient element of water. It's the card of limitless emotion. It looks like a cup flowing over with happiness-but it could suggest a measure of tears, too.

  Key Symbols

  New Beginnings. All of the aces represent new beginnings; the Ace of Cups symbolizes a fresh start on an emotional level. The aces also symbolize gifts: in this case, love and friendship are yours for the taking.

  Hand of God. An open hand, larger than life, holds a golden chalice balanced on its outstretched palm-like a gift or an offering.

  My Cup Runneth Over. Cups correspond to the watery world of emotion, and in this case, there seems to be an abundance of emotion. In fact, the cup is overflowing.

 
Fountains of Desire. As the waters of love and friendship spill over the rim, they separate into clearly defined streams. Those streams, in turn, feed a tranquil body of water filled with lily pads-a symbol of fertility.

  Holy Spirit. The white dove above the cup symbolizes spirit, and the communion wafer in its beak represents matter. While the image reflects the Christian rite of the Eucharist, it also suggests an unborn soul entering into physical form.

  New Life. In fact, the Ace of Cups can sometimes indicate a pregnancy. The cup is a feminine symbol that represents the womb, while the dove and the host suggest the joining of a spirit and a physical body. Whether the pregnancy is literal or symbolic is a matter of interpretation: the Ace might refer to the birth of a new person or a creative pursuit.

  Astrological Symbolism. Astrologically, the Ace of Cups is associated with all of the powers of water-the element associated with Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.

  Keywords

  Upright: New relationships, overflowing emotions, fertility, creativity, joy, contentment, nourishment, abundance-and in the case of pregnancy, the birth of a girl

  Reversed: The end of a relationship, infidelity, selfishness, infertility, failed projects. Turned upside down, the Ace of Cups will soon be drained, nothing will be held in reserve.

  Writing Prompts

  Write about:

  • someone who has forgotten how to feel

  • the conception of a child

  • the elixir of life

  • a drink that would endow magical powers

  • a peace offering

  Two of Cups

  THE Two of Cues is a card of love and partnership. It normally describes a romantic relationship, but it can describe a platonic friendship, too. The card depicts the synergy and productivity that occur when two kindred spirits work together toward a shared goal, dream, or vision. Together, they become more than the sum of their parts.