Tarot cards are a perfect tool for brainstorming because they help us access our right brains and creative side. This is particularly helpful for people like me who tend to use their left brain and tend to think in very structured, linear, and literal ways.
Here are four ways to be inspired by the Tarot, the first three of which can be used by complete beginners:
- Symbology
Tarot cards in most decks are rich in symbolism. Everything from the colors to the landscapes, via the objects, animals, clothes, numbers, plants, and the weather – all of these things have been deliberately placed into the card by the artist.
To brainstorm using symbology, shuffle the deck and draw a card at random. Put aside any knowledge you have of the card’s traditional meaning. Look very closely at the card – what can you see? Write down every element of the picture, and next to that element, write down what the symbology means to you. Do you think of spring or out-of-control expansion if you see a rabbit? Do you think of misery and sadness if you see rain, or do you think of cleansing and refreshing? If there is a building, does it seem mystical, authoritarian, or welcoming?
If you want help with symbology, you could use a dictionary of symbols, but the most important thing is what each symbol means to you, not what it’s “supposed” to mean. Once you have your list of symbols and meanings, try to apply these to your problem or idea. Draw another couple of cards if necessary, and repeat.
- Storytelling
To use this method, draw three cards from your shuffled deck. Again, put aside any knowledge of their meanings. Look carefully at the first card. Who is this, or what is happening? What happened just before this point in time? What might happen next? Where is this person going, what are they thinking, what problems are they facing?
Look at the second card. Can you move the story of the first card on with the second one? Then, make a link between them, however tenuous, and repeat for the third card. In the end, you will have told a (possibly very weird) short story – however odd it might seem, can you use anything from this story to apply to your problem or idea?
- The Whole Deck
This is a fast and furious method for brainstorming, which can have surprisingly revealing results. Shuffle the entire deck. Now turn over one card at a time and immediately write down the first thought which comes to your head, whether or not connected to what the card is supposed to mean. This might be a phrase, a memory, or just an image. Do it quickly and then immediately move on to the next. When you have finished all of the cards, you’ll have 78 things on your list – can you see any patterns? Does anything jump out at you which you could apply to your current situation?
- Trusted Advisors
The final method is for those with some tarot experience, and it uses only the Major Arcana. Shuffle the cards, and draw six of them. Lay them out in front of you, and ask each one the same questions, such as “Where should I take my business in the next 6 months?” or “What can I do to make Mary’s birthday special?” Treat each of the cards as if they were your advisors. If the Wheel were a person, what would its answer be? What about Judgement? What about the Tower or the other cards you have drawn?
Write down the answers the cards give you. Does any of this make any sense, or switch on any light bulbs in your head?
All of these brainstorming methods work best with an unfamiliar deck, either a new one or one you don’t use too often – this allows you to see the cards with fresh eyes and removes the temptation to use the tarot knowledge you already have. It’s important not to self-censor – even silly thoughts or apparently random ones can have value.
Using the tarot to brainstorm can be a very enlightening experience. If you don’t find inspiration through one method, try another – the cards have so much to offer you, aside from their normal tarot reading role! Learn to brainstorm in this new way with your deck.
Employing Tarot cards as trusted advisors in the brainstorming process is a novel concept. It fosters a dialogue with the cards that can lead to unexpected insights. This method could be particularly useful for those with some experience in Tarot, as it combines their knowledge with innovative thinking.
The concept of using Tarot cards for brainstorming is quite intriguing. The methods outlined here seem to tap into the subconscious mind and encourage creative thinking. I am particularly fascinated by the symbology approach, as it allows for personal interpretation and can yield unique insights.
The idea of using the whole deck to brainstorm rapidly is quite compelling. It seems to be a method that can produce a considerable amount of raw material quickly. The emphasis on not self-censoring resonates with the philosophy of free association in psychology, which can be powerful for overcoming creative blocks.
Using Tarot cards to brainstorm is an interesting approach to problem-solving. The suggestion to use an unfamiliar deck to prevent falling back on known interpretations is wise, as it encourages a fresh perspective. Overall, this article opens up new avenues for creativity and introspection using a classical tool in a modern context.
This article provides a fresh perspective on utilizing Tarot cards beyond traditional readings. The storytelling method appears to be a useful tool for generating new ideas, especially for writers. It encourages an imaginative exploration of scenarios that can be applied to problem-solving.