I love to use tarot cards to brainstorm ideas for my novel. I can use tarot to assist in developing themes, characters, and story structure.
Before using cards, I think it is helpful first to define my novel's core elements such as genre, tone, themes, protagonist, and antagonist. But tarot cards can be used to help develop those elements as well!
For a detailed example on how to use tarot cards to shape the plot of your novel, watch the video below the following tarot spreads.
The Three-Act Structure Spread
Card 1: Beginning (Setup) – Introduces the protagonist, setting, and inciting incident.
Card 2: Middle (Conflict & Growth) – What major obstacles or transformations occur?
Card 3: End (Resolution & Climax) – How does the story conclude?
The Protagonist's Journey Spread (For Character Growth)
Card 1: The Call to Adventure – What propels the protagonist forward?
Card 2: The Mentor or Guide – Who teaches or helps the protagonist?
Card 3: Fate - What drives the protagonist? their core motivation.
Card 4: The Challenge – Their deepest fear or struggle. Internal challenge
Card 5: The Opposition - External or environmental challenges. What or who do they
need to face?
Card 6: The Lesson – What do they learn?
Card 7: The Transformation – What changes do they make?
You can draw cards for ideas for unexpected events, challenges, subplots, twists, foreshadowing, hidden truths, and so much more!
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