u/Tarotismyjam

The Basenji one is pretty funny.

Hi. I use Tarot for my writing. I’ve also taught a workshop or two.

This is a spread to help with character development.

So, you are invited to the Tarot for Writers cocktail party. You need to bring a date!

Why don't you grab your hero or your heroine from your WIP?! But you are going to have to introduce them to everyone!

Not to worry! Cocktail introductions are short and to the point. Really, you only have time to get a few things across--their job, their family and maybe some little interesting tidbit about them.

But you don't KNOW these things about your character…or do you?

So, of course, I am going to have you do a spread for this.

The Cocktail Introduction Spread

1 ------ 2 ------ 3

1. Job: This is what they do. This may be why they are here (a thief at a party for instance) or they might be the wedding planner. Or maybe they are both.
2. Passion: This is what makes them tick. Their job is not always their passion.
3. Quirk: What makes them unusual. Something that could be a flaw or just a character thing.

Not only are these three questions we want to know about our characters, but they are also questions normally answered in the brief moments we know as "small talk".

This spread is designed to be that snapshot introduction to your characters.

Here are a few examples. See if you know who they are.

1. My friend works and lives in a humid area

(job)

1. . He loves living alone.

(Passion)

1. But he’s tolerant of a very obnoxious friend

(quirk)

1. .
2. She is an FBI agent who dresses in suits and wears f

lat

1. shoes

(job).

1. She will do what it takes to resolve crimes. Even pose as a very feminine female.

(

1. passion

)

1. . But she is very clumsy.

(quirk!

1. He’s a university professor

(job)

1. who loves finding archaeological treasures

(passions)

1. . But he’s afraid of snakes.

(quirk)

I love to create spreads. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Here's one from 2009. It's on my blog. I apologize for the external link. It's just a LOT to copy-paste.

The Eudaimonia Spread < Arwen, Professional Joy Seeker

^^^^This is a free post. I don't charge for reading my stuff. LOL

This is also an example of what I mean when I ask what space each card falls into. It gives me a frame to read the cards.

For instance, if you lay out five cards with no frame, you may target the card in the spread that validates the feeling you have about the question.

Example: Will I get the promotion.

Five cards.

5 of Sw Rx

10 of Sw

Page of Pentacles

Death

Sun

You may hope that the Sun is the outcome, right? But what if that is the challenge? Without frames, the cards are just higgledy-piggledy. 😃

If you try the spread, I would love to hear about it. If you want my opinion/interpretation, tag me. 😃 There are a few comments with folks reacting to this spread. They might help you.

Eudaimonia Spread by Arwen Lynch-Poe, 3/19/2009

If you have any interest in the U.S Civil War, I highly recommend Dr. David Prior.

He’s tough so don’t slack on reading and participating. He is ready to assist and is very accessible for questions.

I took three of his classes. Two were online. One was in person. He’s laidback but like I said, a tough grader.

Tough grader is French for “I turned in crappy work” lololol.