This is just the basic 2-Card Writing Prompt today, using a starting situation for Card 1 and a problem, which is Card 2.
If you’re here for the first time, I usually do what is called the First Operation to determine the context or theme of the story prompt. There are 4 realms that it can fall under, each corresponding with one of the elements/suits in tarot. I do a bit of explanation of what the cards mean, but if you’d like to just skip to the writing prompt, it’s down at the bottom.
This week I picked the Wheel of Fortune as the signifier. This is actually a continuation of last weekend’s theme that wasn’t completed because I dropped the ball. But, that in itself is the nature of the Wheel of Fortune!
First Operation
When I do the First Operation, I shuffle the and divide them into four piles. I then look through each pile to determine where my signifier is. In this case, I found theWheel of Fortune in the fourth pile, the pile of Earth, which has to do with wealth and material matters. This will be the theme or realm in which the Writing Prompt takes place.
After finding the signifier, I put all the cards back together, shuffle them, then divide into four piles again, taking two cards from the fourth pile.
The Spread
- Card 1(Situation): 10 of Pentacles
- Card 2 (Problem): XVIII The Moon
Card 1: 10 of Pentacles
The 10 of Pentacles has to do with legacy, in a nutshell. It’s what we leave for the generations to follow. It is a 10, and with all 10’s there is the implication of a new beginning along with the closing of a chapter. The classic depiction of the 10 of Pentacles in the Rider-Waite deck shows a man in his home/castle, watching the descending generations. That he is in a castle and with other generations shows he is a part of this beginning/end cycle.
This is a card of achievement, of something that is worth being proud of and handing down, or passing along. Likewise, this is also a card of reflection upon what has been achieved, or perhaps inner reflection of what memories you are leaving behind. However, this is an Earth-based card, thus it will mostly deal with material matters rather than memories.
Card 2: XVIII The Moon
The Moon lights up the darkness of the night, but in doing so, makes the shadows darker. The light of the moon is a reflection of the sun, an indirect lighting, which means that things might be skewed, not quite what they seem. The Moon is a Water element, and thus, deals with intuition, emotion, and the subconscious. Likewise, it is associated with dreams, and the messages we receive through dreams.
The Moon shows us the dark sides that aren’t as easily seen, shows us what we need to break through in order to get to the daylight, what we need to deal with in our hidden self. It is the revealer of mysteries, though they are up to you to solve.
Numbers
10 of Pentacles = 10/1
The Moon = 18/9
10/1 Wheel of Fortune/Magician
Tens:
The tens are the level of completion, and can even be thought of as the graduation. They are the last stage that can be somewhat bittersweet. It’s the leaving behind of the old life having gained the lessons before it, and preparing to move on to the next set of lessons, in the never ending cycles we participate in. While this is a number of completion, it comes with the implication of something new. Be on the look out for that new while evaluating how you can apply what you’ve learned.
Wheel of Fortune
The Wheel of Fortune is a card of letting things go with the flow. The wheel always turns, the earth always orbits and rotates, and with it comes days and seasons. Things will go as they will go, and things can change just as easily. Sometimes we are at the top of the Wheel, sometimes we are at the bottom. However, both aspects remind us that as the Wheel turns, so does our luck. This card, when up-right can indicate good luck, while in reverse, can indicate a turn for the worse.
Ones
While the tens indicate the end of a cycle and a graduation, think of the ones as the first day of a new level. This number represents opportunity, new ideas, the start of something. As with the ten which has the implication of beginning, the ones have an implication of something ending. Thus, the phrase, ‘when one door closes, another opens,’ is quite applicable to the number one.
Magician
The Magician summarized into one word is ‘manifestation.’ This card represents the idea and the gathering of resources to bring that idea into the physical realm. He has before him the tools that the universe provides, and he has mastered them all. With these tools he can claim, ‘As above, so below,’ reflecting his knowledge of the way of the universe, and the infinite possibilities open as a result of this knowledge. This card indicates a time to put ideas into action, a time to start the project, bring forth the new, start writing the novel, start the business, just start.
18/9: The Moon/Hermit
Since the Moon is already one of the cards a part of the spread, and thus already defined, I’ll skip this card and move on to the Hermit.
Nines:
The nines are a number that have to do with the last test before the completion of a lesson. It is the last hurtle to see how much you’ve learned during this cycle, and to see whether or not you are worthy to go on to the next round of lessons. In the Cups, the test is whether or not one can discern between material love/contentment or contentment on an emotional level; in the Swords, a person is battling their inner most thinking; the Wands test relinquishing power over a project to let it grow on its own; and the Pentacles tests the willingness to share the fruits of harvest. This number represents goals, and the step just before completion.
The Hermit
The Hermit is the 9th card of the Major Arcana, coming just before the Wheel of Fortune. While the Wheel depicts a time of going with the flow, a change in tides, or simply moving forward and going with whatever is presented, the Hermit is inner reflection in order to prepare for the Wheel. It is reflection on the path so far, in the Fool’s journey, and discovering inner strengths and weaknesses that can be used, developed or shed for the next leg.
Further Numbers: 10/1 (10 + 18 = 28; 2 + 8 = 10; 1 + 0 = 1)
There seems to be a repeated theme with the 10’s and 1’s, which I think should be considered when using this writing prompt. Again, since the information regarding both the 10’s and 1’s, the Wheel of Fortune and the Magician, already appear in this post, I’ll try to avoid repeating myself. Try.
Writing Prompt
At her grandmother’s retirement party, Alison’s grandmother reveals that she’s leaving the family business to Alison. While she’s pleased, through conversations with various party-goers, Alison discovers a dark secret about the business.
- What’s the business?
- What does she find out?
- How does she respond?
