
It’s finally here – the last day of this amazing challenge. It’s been a rough go at times for me, but I’m super excited at what came out in the end. I’m even planning on writing this particular story out for this years NaNoWriMo. Stay tuned, as I might post snippets throughout November.
I’ve also feel that this challenge has opened my mind to a few different outlining techniques, not just using Tarot Cards to help build out a story, but I’ve never dove into the Antagonist’s Displays of Power before, or the Demise of the Mentor and Sidekick. Sure, I’ve written about these before, but never knew they had a particular name to them. Just the basics of outlining Act 2 was extremely helpful as Act 2 is always my falling off point while writing. That’s all to say that I’m very thankful to KarmaStarTarot.com for putting all these tarot spreads together and breaking down parts of a story in new ways for me. I really want to do this again, but with a different Tarot Deck – I’ve started searching around at all the amazing artwork of Tarot that is out there and settled on at least 2 other decks I’d love to own one day. We’ll see what happens.
On to the last spread. We’re taking the cards from the 3 Act Life Spread back on Day 4 and grabbing the Act 3 cards we had pulled for Home, Work, Love and Finance. One by one, we’re going to fan out the remaining cards and pull two cards fore each to represent the External and Internal factors or events that lead to this outcome in the story.
HOME
Card 1 – Internal Event – 7 of Wands Reversed
Card 2 – External Event – King of Wands Reversed
Signifier – The Empress
REIVEW:
Starting with the Home Life of Amber, we know in Act 3 we end with the Empress. I am still thinking this has to do with reconciling with her mother/grandmother of the magical side of her family. There is nurturing and abundance at the end of the road in this part of her life for her. So, how we get there is through two reversed cards – which are both Wands.
We start with the 7 of Wands Reversed for the Internal factor/event. Amber could very well feel overwhelmed and exhausted from dealing with her father throughout the book, she has to be asking how he ended up with her, and if there is any family left for her to flee towards. She’s facing a lot of doubt about who she is, and what might have happened to her magical side of the family during these years of war.
Externally we have the King of Wands Reversed, referring to haste, impulsiveness, and high expectations. I think its very clear that Amber is being impulsive at times, and hasty in getting away from her past. She could even be aggressive and ignoring other’s opinions and advice during this period leading up to the ending. There is also a risk of unrealistic expectations, Amber might be assuming the best – or worst – of the situation and leading herself into failure or even a trap. Another worry is that in pursuit of finding her family, she could be getting wrapped up in other people’s business, getting distracted or lead away from her dream. Either way, she still ends up where she’s supposed to be at the end. She just might have taken the longer road.
WORK
Card 3 – Internal Event – The Priestess
Card 4 – External Event – Knight of Wands
Signifier – 10 of Cups
REIVEW
We are no focusing on Amber’s Work Life or possible Social Life – depending how you want to look at it In Act 3 we received the 10 of Cups to signify the ending of this part of her story. The 10 of Cups is a happy card, full of contentment and joy. So whatever happens, Amber’s supposed to wind up in a very positive position.
So, I already know there are going to be some ups and downs in this part of her life with the demise of the Mentor and Sidekick. And wouldn’t you know, the Knight of Wands showed up again here! But we should first focus on the Internal Event/factor to help lead us to this ending – the Priestess. Going to the basics, we hav intuition, sacred knowledge and the subconscious mind. The art on my card shows a woman with closed eyes, focusing on the internal energy, while being well grounded and spiritual. I like to link this to Amber’s growth in not only spiritual nature, but the manifestation of her magic as well. She’s gaining insights on the Universe and finding her true self. It’s like she’s becoming one with nature, and gaining deeper understandings of the world around her. Hopefully finding the answers necessary to end he war.
Externally, we have the Knight of Wands. This has typically represented the BFF in my story so far. Someone who was passionate, adventurous and impulsive. This could still represent this person, helping Amber through her trials and figuring out who she really is. It could also represent Amber’s boldness in following her dreams, literally and metaphorically. By leaving her home, venturing out into the unknown world she will end up finding harmony, relationships, and divine love.
LOVE
Card 5 – Internal Event – 6 of Cups
Card 6 – External Event – 9 of Wands Reversed
Signifier – Death
REVIEW:
Now, we get to the meaty and more dramatic part of the story. I’m not one to typically focus on romance, but boy do these cards tell a story! So, back on Day 4, I’ve settled that Amber and the Prince (Knight of Swords) are in some sort of romantic relationship – or partnership of some sort. But it’s mostly one sided, and in Act 3 this part of Amber’s life ends with the Death Card. But let’s see if we can figure out how it gets to that point.
Starting with the Internal factors, we get the 6 of Cups. This is like the nostalgic card, focusing on the innocence of childhood memories and the like. It is a happy and positive card, which would make sense if we see Amber recalling some of the more positive memories she has of the Prince. Sort of trying to talk herself into this love he’s proposing to her. But they are just memories, and tainted with nostalgia that are no longer true of his self in the present. I feel like I can use this as a clash for Amber to struggle to get over throughout the first half of the story.
External forces/events are represented by the 9 of Wands Reversed card. The interpretations are on the negative side. Overwhelmed, struggle, defensive, paranoia and inner resources. I feel that the Prince is overdoing things, again we had the Devil show up in his spread in the past, I think he can be controlling and he is showing that side of him to Amber making her overwhelmed and defensive towards him. The Prince could also be tying to sabotage and pull Amber away from her goals and dreams, another reason for her to cut things off and end their relationship before it goes too far. I’m also thinking as part of the ending of these two, there is a turn. Perhaps Amber is trying to negotiate for Peace, but because of her refusal of the Prince, he turns his back on her, he attacks her from behind, or that last threads of a friendship has finally snapped. At first I thought this meant the death of the Prince, but now I’m not so sure. It feels more like the death of their relationship and the turn of them into enemies by the end of the story.
MONEY/WEALTH
Card 7 – Internal Event – 9 of Cups
Card 8 – External Event – 5 of Cups Reversed
Signifier – Temperance
REVIEW:
Okay, I’ll be frank, I don’t like writing about finances, wealth and the like, but it is a part of life and will always seep in somewhere. This has also been one of the hardest parts of Amber’s life for me to wrap my head around. In any case, in the third act, we end up with Temperance to end the story. A balance Amber’s finally able to make between financial responsibility, and other wealthy based problems she might have come across during the story. Thankfully it’s a positive card – so I’m hoping I don’t have to focus too much of the story on this one issue.
But I do need to dive into the Internal events/factors and I puled the 9 of Cups. The wish card – as I’ve come to learn. It’s a positive card, full of contentment, satisfaction and gratitude. Wealth can relate to more than just money and finances. With the Cups card we’re getting an emotional or relationship wealth being shown here. Amber is fully content with her emotional relationships with others, and gratitude of support she receives from others. Again, we’re starting on a very positive note here.
External factors are represented by the 5 of Cups Reversed – personal setbacks. This can easily be caused by the downfall of her position in her home kingdom, or even her father’s refusal to get her out of trouble. Her position and wealth she once had is now taken away. There’s also the meaning of moving on and self-forgiveness. Some of which could take place in the second half of the story where Amber and her BFF have a falling out. Another idea is that it can be Amber recognizing her past mistakes, knowing she can’t face it and moving forward with her life to reach the Temperance position. This can be shown through confrontations with the BFF, her father and even the Prince near the end of the story.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Well… it looks like that is the end of the challenge, and end of the story too. Once again I am overwhelmed at the amount of ideas that are floating through my mind right now. I keep getting hints and flashes of amazing scenes and ways to tell the story – before they fade away quicker than I can write them down. But I have all these notes to help guide me forward. I’m so excited to outline this story, flesh out this magical world I created and start writing! I have a month before NaNoWriMo starts – so it is possible. I’ll be sure to keep you all informed of my progress and share tidbits as they come to me.
Before I end this challenge, I want to thank KarmaStarTarot.com once again for creating and reworking so many amazing Tarot Card Spreads to work with building a story. There are several I am sure to return to in the future whenever I get bogged down or stuck. I hope you all enjoyed my journey as well. Please let me know if you’d like me to try this again, and what genre would you suggest I try out next? (I’m thinking Sci-Fi, or Historical Fiction if I get the Jane Austin Tarot Cards!) I’m sure I’ll have a stack of different Tarot Cards in the near future!
Until then, have a great October, and all those participating in NaNoWriMo a good Preptober!
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