5 Myths About Tarot That Storytellers Should Know

Photo by Edz Norton on Unsplash

Today’s post is excerpted from Tarot for Storytellers: A Modern Guide for Writers and Other Creatives by Kris Waldherr. Published by Muse Publications LLC.

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I’m a storyteller. Chances are you are too. In fact, I’ll go one step further and state that everyone is a storyteller, even if they’ve never picked up a pen, drawn a picture, or pulled a tarot card, though writers have a special calling as such.

Ultimately, it’s human nature to tell stories. We seek stories all the time to better understand the world around us. Stories help us make sense of our life, seek creative solutions, find connections, and to experience empathy for others. Stories transport us, so we can see the forest for the trees.

It’s the same way with the tarot. Whenever we read tarot cards, we’re seeking stories, especially if we’re writers. Tarot can help us shape characters, uncover plot arcs, and understand the core themes behind our words. The cards can also help us untangle writer’s block, cut past overthinking brains, and quicken inspiration. Tarot helps us unearth the magic we seek.

Though the tarot is a powerful tool for storytelling, it comes loaded with a lot of preconceptions. If you’re new to the tarot, you may have picked up this book with some existing beliefs yourself, and possibly a little trepidation. It’s hard to avoid, for it’s a rare person who hasn’t encountered a film or novel where a tarot card plays a dramatic role: The Lovers card indicating a soulmate, or the Death card predicting someone’s unexpected demise—for the record, neither card are traditionally interpreted this way. Let’s look at some of these myths.

Myth #1: The tarot has to do with the supernatural.

From personal experience, this is the belief that most intimidates those new to the tarot. For what it’s worth, the tarot is just a set of cards with pictures on them; they only reflect what we bring to them. Though some people use the cards for spellcasting and fortunetelling, you don’t need to dabble in the supernatural to use the tarot for writing or to heighten creativity.

Myth #2: The tarot predicts the future.

Tarot can be used for fortunetelling, but that’s not the focus of my book, Tarot for Storytellers. And as far as predictions go, I believe the future is never written in stone; the cards simply reflect what might happen, if things continue as they have been. Plus life is complicated—there are so many factors we have no control over. (Don’t like what the cards suggest? Take action to change it.)

Myth #3: Your first tarot deck must be given to you or it’s bad luck.

Definitely not bad luck. Anyway, it’s better if you choose your first deck. Think of choosing a tarot deck as akin to choosing a friend: Who do you want to spend time with? There are decks featuring every imaginable type of art and subject—only you know which deck is best for you.

Myth #4: It’s bad luck to let another person handle your deck.

Not true, though a tarot deck shouldn’t be bandied about like a toy. When not in use, I keep my decks stored in a special area of my studio. This is out of respect for the cards, not fear.

Myth #5: You have to be psychic to use the tarot.

No, though if you’re psychic, all the better! That said, the tarot helps us develop intuition, which can seem akin to precognition. I think of intuition as a magical superpower we all possess; it’s when we take in information so quickly that we can’t break it down into a conscious chain of thought. Bottom line: If you’ve ever known something you couldn’t explain using logic, most likely this was your intuition at work.

Plotters versus pantsers

Whenever I mention the tarot to writers, one question that arises is whether plotters and pantsers should use the tarot differently—it’s a valid consideration.

One isn’t better than the other, just different—it’s all about how our brains are wired for creativity. Plotters need to process their thinking ahead of time. Pantsers need to think on the page or they get bored; they trust their subconscious to come up with answers they require at the right time.

If you’re a plotter, most likely using the tarot as part of your writing process will be a natural fit. You’ll love having a shiny, new tool to incorporate into your pre-writing routine—after all, the more information you have before you start drafting, the better! Later, when you revise your manuscript, the tarot will come in handy as you deepen and clarify what’s already on the page.

If you’re a pantser, you might worry whether the tarot will stifle your creativity. After all, your muse thrives on unpredictability and eureka moments while you write. My take: if anything, the tarot will enhance your creative process. By adding an element of happenstance to coax inspiration from your sub-conscious, it’ll amplify what’s already there.

That said, unlike a plotter, chances are you’ll get more from the tarot by using it while you draft and after you finish, when you’re wrestling your Messy First Draft into shape. You’ll also find the tarot valuable for brainstorming, if you need new story ideas.

Uncertain which camp you fall into? From personal experience, I’ve found most writers are a mix, or “plantsers.” I know I am! I only begin writing my novels after much research and many notes about plot and character and theme. Even so, my draft usually hits a dead end when I’m about 20,000 words into a manuscript; the tarot helps me navigate my way out when it does.

Another consideration: When you think about it, it’s not only fiction writers who can be categorized as plotters or pantsers. It’s the same for nonfiction writers, screenwriters, and other creatives. For example, I know visual artists who meticulously plan ahead, and others who only discover what they’re making once they start painting. Same for musicians who prefer improvisation over sheet music, or clothing designers who intuitively drape and cut fabric instead of sketching first. To reiterate, the “plotters versus pantsers” debate comes down to how brains are wired. Again, one isn’t better than the other—and, in either case, the tarot can enhance your process.

If there’s one gift I hope tarot brings you, it’s the ability to trust your intuition. In today’s world, we’re continuously surrounded by messages that the only useful information is information that can be quantified with facts and figures. The tarot goes against this, for it urges us to look within our psyches, to trust that there’s more to life than what can be seen and measured. After all, like love and creativity, the best things in life are intangible. It’s the same with intuition, which the tarot helps us access and develop. When we write, our intuition tells us to honor our storytelling instinct, to know that the characters we create are worthy of empathy, that our tales offer catharsis, truth, and beauty. Our art holds value.