5 Unexpected Ways to Use Tarot in Your Creative Practice
There are plenty of ways to use Tarot if you are a writer or artist, and the most common have to do with things like creating characters, figuring out plot, learning more about how you feel about a subject, and so on. These are all wonderful ways to work with Tarot, and there’s no shortage of resources online or in print for creative Tarot.
But if you’re looking for creative ways to put your Tarot deck to work in your writing or creating, here are five additional methods you can try.
1. Find Your Own Correspondences
This exercise is especially useful if you are learning Tarot, but no matter where you are in your journey, finding things that align with each card is fun and informative. For instance, you might make a playlist and find a song that feels like each card. Similarly, finding works of art that speak to interpretations of each card is a unique way to tap into creative energy. Jessa Crispin does this in her book, The Creative Tarot, where each card’s entry includes a few “recommended materials” that feature pieces of visual art, films, songs, and literature that speak to the card’s meaning.
2. Creative Intention Setting
While not exactly a novel idea, it’s worth talking about here. Plenty of creatives turn to Tarot when setting intentions, and getting into the practice of doing this each time you sit down to create can be an excellent ritual. Pull a card, meditate or write about it, then come up with an intention that draws from your feelings about the card’s interpretation and your goals for the day. Or, set an intention first, then choose or draw a card to act as your anchor. Lindsay Mack describes Tarot anchoring as building a supportive bond with a card, allowing you to draw from its lessons and messages whenever you need that medicine. Incorporating this practice can deepen your creative process and keep you aligned with your artistic goals.
3. Write Your Own Interpretation
There are so many different ways to interpret Tarot cards. Many readers base their interpretations on the imagery of the card; plenty of others rely on a deck’s guidebook, online resources, books, or podcasts. There’s really no wrong way, and in fact, you can even make up your own interpretation. Whether you base your description on the visuals, pull from your teachers, or rely entirely on your intuition, this can be a generative way to get to know the cards and use them for creativity.
4. Create Resources for Future-You
One of the most important aspects of building a creative practice is setting yourself up for success. There will come a day when you are creatively blocked, uninspired, or overwhelmed. On a good day, set up resources for future-you by selecting a spread or choosing a few anchor cards you can come back to. For example, if you find/create a spread that is helpful when you want to generate new material, keep that spread handy. If there are particular cards whose energy feels creatively resonate, keep them in mind and return to those cards when you need their energy. Or, use them on a creative altar—set the card(s) up alongside any other crystals, plants, items, and candles that correspond with or remind you of creativity. Visit your altar before you start working and begin building a deeper connection with the cards.
5. Repurpose the Cards
If you have a deck that you don’t use, why not use the cards for some visual art? I’ve used old, rarely-used decks to give single cards away, keep particular cards on display, and paste into art journals. I’ve been feeling inspired by Maya Land’s (@articsticsideoflife_ on IG) collage-making using the Tarot—she uses a Rider-Waite deck to cut out the inside (visual) part of the cards and then creates a collaged image to represent it in her own way. Someday I will definitely follow her footsteps and make my own deck in this way. I’m not much of a visual art kind of person, so there are undoubtedly tons of other ways you can use your deck in arts and crafts beyond what I’ve mentioned here.
I hope you’ll join us next Saturday, June 29th for Witching Your Creative Practice! We’ll dive into even more Tarot tips, with practical application for your creative practice—whatever that looks like.
The event is totally FREE, and everyone who shows up for the live call will be entered to win a one of our comprehensive, creativity-focused Tarot readings ($60 value).
More Tarot Resources
We covered our favorite books, decks, teachers, and more for our Tarot Resources Guide.
See all our Tarot book picks on Bookshop.org.
Alexander Chee’s newsletter talking about Tarot and writing came as I was thinking about this newsletter earlier this week—I love the list of questions he shares.
I recently discovered @pipcardstarot on IG and have been enjoying her prompts, spreads, and messages.
I don’t use premade spreads much anymore, but here are a few interesting ones I found for anyone who wants guidance:
Creative Inspiration Spread (scroll down a bit to find it)
And finally, in case you missed it, here are the prompts for the spread I shared in the Witching Your Creative Practice ebook:
Your current creative energy
Your blocks
A source of inspiration
How best to express your creativity
What to work toward