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.
I personally am spending a lot of time creating, and trying to get my ideas outside of my head. To me, this is what the 2 of Wands is about, and thus, I felt it to be appropriate for the Signifier today.
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 the 2 of Wands in the first pile, the pile of Fire, which has to do with action, career, passion, and drive. This will be the theme or realm in which the Writing Prompt takes place.
The Spread
After finding the signifier, I put all the cards back together, shuffle them, then divide into four piles again, taking two cards from the pile of Fire.
- Card 1(Situation): Strength
- Card 2 (Problem): Ace of Wands
- Bonus Card: A third card fell out, so I thought I would bring it into the reading to give some added umph. The Magician
Card 1 – Situation: Strength
The number 8 corresponds to Strength in the Major Arcana, which also features a figure eight-like shape above her head, which is actually the infinity symbol. She is depicted with a lion in most decks, which she calms not with force, but with compassion and empathy, bringing forth a different type of strength. It is the card which indicates inner motivation and peace that can bring fierceness to its knees. ‘Kill ‘em with kindness’ might be an applicable phrase here.
Card 2 – Problem: Ace of Wands
The Ace of Wands has to do with the spark of a new idea. The Wands are Fire, the internal flame that motivates us into action. It is a suit of action. Sometimes we can become too heated, and the action can turn from productive to damaging. However, the Ace of Wands is the first spark to get those passions going. This can be the inspiration toward creation.
Card 3 – Bonus Card: 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.
Numbers
Ace of Wands = 1
Strength = 8
Magician = 1
8: Strength
I’ve already defined Strength, so I’ll hold off on repeating myself. However, here is some information about the number corresponding.
Eights:
The number eight has to do with infinity, with a loop, as indicated by its shape. In the tarot, it corresponds to progression and transformation. This number shows the movement from the past to the future, the application of lessons learned to the preparation to move on to the next step. There is a message of success within the meaning of the number in Tarot, and can also represent abundance.
1: Magician
The 1’s correspond to the Magician. However, again, like Strength, I’ve already defined the Magician. So I’ll take this time just to focus on the Ones.
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.
Further Numbers: 10/1 (8 + 1 + 1 = 10; 1 + 0 = 1)
Since I’ve already defined the One’s and the corresponding Major Arcana, the Magician, I’ll skip to the 10’s and the Wheel of Fortune.
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.
Writing Prompt
The Accident left [Character] unable to pursue their passion that they had so lovingly built into a business. The stillness reverberating from the accident has set their mind a whirl—so many ideas to put into action, but how can they do it?
- What is their passion that they’ve built into a living?
- What was the accident?
- What are their ideas?
- How can they use their inner strength to bring their ideas into fruition?
