The Weekly Draw: June 10th thru 16th
Using the past/present/future spread for plot development
Hello dear ones, and welcome to this week’s edition of The Weekly Draw.
Last week, I played around with character development using the past/present/future tarot spread. This week, I’m using the same spread but this time, I’ll be playing with plot development. I am a plot potion master after all…
During my morning journaling, I came up with a variety of ways to use this spread beyond pulling one card each for the beginning, middle and end, which I’m not knocking because it can be very insightful and potent when brainstorming.
Understanding the core of your story and the central message you’re trying to convey to readers is something I’m always talking about. Helping my clients discover this is a major part of my coaching. So for this week, I’ll be using this simple spread (past/present/future) to brainstorm ideas for the central theme (or core message), the internal conflict and the external conflict.
Let’s begin, shall we?
Past (central theme/core message) - the tower
I love that a major arcana card came out first! My first thought when the spread came to me was to intentionally keep pulling until a major arcana card came out. The deck must have read my mind because the tower flew out and fell in my lap. The deck I’m using here is the Tarot of Dreams, and I immediately heard “dystopian” when placing the card on the table. The tower represents a sudden and dramatic upheaval that shatters the status quo. This could be a past event that is central to your story's world or the main character’s life.
Here are some ideas to explore:
A cataclysmic event: A magical catastrophe, alien invasion, technological singularity or natural disaster reshaped your world. Society is rebuilding, but the scars of the past linger.
A fallen civilization: The remnants of a once-great civilization are scattered throughout the world. The main character could be on a mission to uncover the secrets of its downfall or rebuild what was lost.
A loss of innocence: The main character experienced a traumatic event in the past that shattered their worldview. This could be the death of a loved one, the discovery of a dark secret or some kind of a betrayal.
Present (internal conflict) - ace of coins/pentacles
In this deck, the suit of pentacles is represented by coins. I like this and at the same time, I don’t. The suit of pentacles is often associated with our money. But I see pentacles as representing resources in general. Our time and energy are also important resources… along with our finances. The ace of coins signifies new beginnings, security and grounding. This card suggests that the main character is currently focused on building a foundation for themselves. However, it can also indicate a struggle between stability and a desire for something more.
Here are some internal conflicts to consider:
The safety of the ordinary vs. the call to adventure: The main character longs for a life beyond their current circumstances but fears taking risks. (Raise your hand if this sounds like you… mine is raised frantically like Hermione when she knows the answer to a question.)
Building a new life vs. the weight of the past: The main character is trying to move on from the past trauma caused by the tower event, but it continues to hold them back.
Material security vs. a higher purpose: The main character grapples with the question of whether to prioritize their own well-being or fight for a larger cause.
Future (external conflict) - 6 of wands
The 6 of wands represents victory, recognition and overcoming challenges. This card suggests that the main character will face external conflicts but ultimately achieve success.
Here are some possibilities for the external conflict:
A war for dominance: Different factions vie for control in the wake of the tower event. The main character must choose a side or forge their own path.
A dangerous journey: The main character sets out to find a solution to the problems caused by the tower. They will face many obstacles and dangers along the way.
Rebuilding society: The main character becomes a leader in the effort to rebuild society after the tower event. They must face challenges from those who resist change or seek to exploit the chaos.
Now that I’ve idea-vomited all over you, let’s combine the cards for additional plot ideas
The main character could be from a society that fell due to the tower event. They now live in a world struggling to rebuild, and their internal conflict is between creating a new life and uncovering the secrets of the past. Their external conflict could be a war for dominance or a dangerous journey to find a solution that will prevent a similar disaster from happening again.
The main character could be haunted by the trauma of the tower event. They are trying to build a secure life for themselves, but their past keeps pulling them back. Their external conflict could be forced to confront the lingering consequences of the tower or a new threat that emerges.
After sitting with the cards for a while, I still couldn’t get a read on what the core message could potentially be about, so I pulled a clarifying card… the queen of wands. You can’t tell me she doesn’t look like a bad ass. Now we have two wands on the table along with the tower and the ace. Lots of fire and some earth. Let’s dig further.
The queen of wands under the tower adds another layer of meaning to the core message of the story. Here are some possible interpretations based on the tower being rooted down by this fierce-looking queen:
Resilience and rebuilding: The queen of wands embodies strength, determination and leadership. Alongside with the tower, this suggests a story about overcoming a devastating event and rebuilding with courage and vision. Perhaps the core message is about the human spirit's ability to rise from the ashes and create something new and even better.
Taking charge after destruction: The queen of wands is a natural leader (in some cases a boss b*tch) who isn't afraid to take charge. This could be a story where the main character, perhaps inspired by a powerful female figure, steps up to lead the rebuilding efforts after the tower’s destruction. The core message could be about the importance of taking responsibility and creating positive change in the face of adversity.
Learning from the past to build a better future: The tower represents a shattering event, but the queen of wands suggests learning from those experiences. The core message could be about using the lessons of the past to avoid repeating mistakes and build a future that is stronger and more just.
Creativity after chaos: The queen of wands is also associated with creativity and innovation. The tower’s destruction could create an opportunity for new ideas and ways of doing things. The core message could be about embracing change and using creativity to solve problems and build a better world.
Inner strength in the face of trauma: The tower can represent personal trauma, and the queen of wands suggests the inner strength to overcome it. The core message could be about the importance of self-belief and finding the courage to rebuild your life after a devastating event. This is the queen the wands at her core.
Ultimately, the core message of your story will depend on the specific details you develop during the planning and drafting stage. However, by having the tower rooted down by the queen of wands, it creates a strong foundation for a story that explores themes of resilience, leadership, learning from the past and finding strength in the face of adversity.
Journal prompts for brainstorming your story
Based on the (past):
Describe the world before the Tower event in vivid detail. What was society like? What was the main character's life like?
What caused the Tower event? Was it a natural disaster, a war, or something more mysterious?
How did the Tower event affect the main character? Did they lose someone or something important? What lasting scars does it leave?
Based on the ace of coins (present):
Where is the main character now? What are they trying to build in their life?
What is the source of their insecurity? What are they afraid of losing?
What is the opportunity that the Ace of Pentacles represents for the main character?
Based on the 6 of wands (future):
Who are the different factions vying for power in the future? What are their goals?
What are the challenges the main character will face on their journey?
How will the main character achieve victory? What does their success look like?
Based on the queen of wands (clarification for the tower):
Describe a powerful female figure who inspires the main character. What qualities do they admire?
How does the main character embody the Queen of Wands' strength and leadership?
What creative solutions will the main character use to overcome challenges?
Here are some general prompts for automatic writing. Set a timer for 5-10 minutes and write continuously without stopping to edit yourself. Let your imagination flow freely and don't be afraid of illogical or fantastical ideas. After each prompt, take a few minutes to reflect and highlight or circle any interesting ideas that emerged.
Start with a sentence like "After the tower fell..." and let the story unfold naturally.
Focus on a specific image from the cards and describe it in detail.
Write a dialogue between the main character and another character about the tower event and its impact.
Describe a dream the main character has that foreshadows the future conflict.
Bonus Prompt:
Write a letter from the main character to their younger self before the tower event, reflecting on the lessons they've learned.
These prompts should help you explore the potential of your story and generate new ideas for plot, character development and themes.
Until next time, happy writing.
The Book Druid xo