The tortoise. A creature often overlooked, dismissed as slow, plodding. But in the quietude of its pace lies a wisdom profound, a rhythm attuned to the Earth’s ancient heartbeat. In the Steampunk Oracle, it is a symbol of wisdom beyond experience or time, foundational dreams and an innate understanding. A creature of deep and lasting connections, it invites us into a world of intimate stories, challenge, heartache and triumph.
And what is a writer, if not a tortoise of the mind? We carry our shells of words, our homes of imagination. We move slowly, deliberately, crafting sentence by sentence, paragraph by paragraph, a world entire. Like the tortoise, we are often misunderstood, our pace seen as lethargy rather than considered contemplation.
The tortoise carries its home on its back. It is self-sufficient, carrying its world with it wherever it goes. A writer, too, carries a world within, a universe of characters, plots and emotions. We build our worlds from the inside out, brick by brick, word by word. Like the tortoise, we are home wherever we go.
The tortoise is a creature of deep intuition. It knows when to move, when to rest. It senses the subtle shifts of the earth, the rhythms of nature. A writer, too, must develop a deep intuition for their craft. We must learn to listen to the quiet voice within, to trust our gut when it comes to character development, plot twists and the rhythm of our prose.
The tortoise is a symbol of longevity. It endures, weathering storms, adapting to change. A writer must also cultivate endurance. The writing life is not always glamorous. There will be rejections, setbacks and periods of doubt. But like the tortoise, we must persist, drawing strength from our inner core.
There is a spiritual dimension to the tortoise. In many cultures, it is seen as a symbol of grounding, stability and connection to the earth. It represents the wisdom of the ancients, the knowledge that comes from deep within. For a writer, connecting to this deeper wisdom is essential. It is from this place of groundedness that our most authentic stories emerge.
To write is to set out on a journey. Like the tortoise, we move forward at our own pace, steady and determined. We carry our world with us, building it brick by brick. We trust our intuition, our endurance and our connection to something deeper. In the end, it is not about speed, but about depth. It is about the journey, not the destination. It is about becoming the tortoise of the mind, slow, steady and wise.
The tortoise and the writer tarot spread
This spread is designed to help you explore the depths of your writing process and discover your inner tortoise.
Card 1: Your foundation: Represents your core values, beliefs and the foundation upon which your writing is built.Â
Card 2: Your pace: Reflects your current pace in your writing journey. Are you moving too fast or too slow? Shadow alchemy: By whose standards are you basing your reflections? (Pull another card here if you need to.)
Card 3: Your shell: Symbolizes your protective mechanisms, your comfort zone and what you hold onto in your writing.Â
Card 4: Your journey: Reveals the path you're currently on and the challenges or opportunities ahead.Â
Card 5: Your wisdom: Represents the innate knowledge and understanding that guides your writing.Â
Card 6: Your goal: Indicates the ultimate aim or purpose of your writing.
This spread can be adapted to focus on a specific writing project or your overall writing practice.
A visualization exercise to help you connect with your inner tortoise:
Find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed. Sit or lie down comfortably, and close your eyes.
Take a few deep breaths, in and out, and allow your body to relax.
Imagine yourself as a tortoise. Feel the weight of your shell, the slow, steady rhythm of your heartbeat.
See yourself walking through a lush forest. The air is filled with the scent of pine needles and damp earth. The sunlight filters through the leaves, dappling the ground with patches of light.
As you walk, you come across a small clearing. In the center of the clearing is a large, ancient oak tree. You sit down at the base of the tree and take a deep breath.
Feel the warmth of the sun on your face, the coolness of the earth beneath you. Listen to the sounds of the forest: the rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds, the distant trickle of a stream.
Now, imagine that your shell is filled with all of your creative ideas, your dreams, your hopes and your fears.
Take a moment to explore your shell. What do you see? What do you feel?
Now, imagine that you open your shell and share one of your creative ideas with the world.
Feel the joy and satisfaction of sharing your work.
Take a few deep breaths, and then open your eyes.
Repeat this visualization exercise as often as you like. It can be a helpful tool for connecting with your inner tortoise and accessing your creativity.