Over on Instagram, I have been putting up one tarot card per day in the month of October and relaying what that card may mean for you as a writer or editor of writing. The first ten days are below along with heading links to their corresponding cards—just click the date and it’ll take you to an image of that card. The purpose of this project is to learn more about the tarot and tarot reading. I pull one card per day and frame it in the context of writing and editing while keeping in mind the intent of the card. This month I am using the Star Spinner Tarot. If you would like to follow along in real time, please head over to my Instagram page and say hi!
October 1: Death, Reversed
Wow! What a way to kick off this project. Death reversed is telling you that you have been resisting change. Are you worried about letting go of your previous writing? If you have been mulling and writing and rewriting a story or poem, now is the time to let it go. You don’t have to remove the entire thing from your life, but you should take some time to assess the ways you have been approaching changes in your work so far. It’s okay to step into the unknown, even if you’re afraid. It’s even good to be afraid, but don’t let that stop you from moving forward in your progress. Put down your writing and let it lie fallow for a while.
October 2: Nine of Chalices, Reversed
Think more carefully about the things you really want from your writing. You’ve done a lot of work on it, and you may appear to be happy with it, but inside you know something is missing. In reverse, the Nine of Chalices can indicate that something you’ve dreamed of for a long time is quickly not turning out like you imagined it would. Do you lack confidence in your writing taking you where you want and need to go? From where does this stem? Focus on the quality of the writing over the quantity. Though writing 1000 words per day may be your regular goal, for example, you may need to switch it up and work to attain a single great line or paragraph.
October 3: Ten of Chalices
Well then, I suppose pulling the Ten right after the Nine is more than a coincidence! Though the Ten of Chalices is connected more to family than work, this card also brings harmony to your writing. Basically, it signifies comfort in your current writing routine and habits. You find that there is enough growth and creativity in your work that you do not need to worry about running out of ideas or writer’s block! If you have an editor working with you, you likely see eye to eye and work as a cohesive team, and you feel heard and supported by that person. Also, you have a good balance between your work (writing or editing) and your family; neither feels neglected and your family feels appreciated and loved.
October 4: The High Priestess, Reversed
Are you finding it difficult to listen to your intuition? The High Priestess reversal is telling you that it’s time for you to try a new approach because the rational approach won’t work at this moment. Do you usually write on a computer? Today, try writing by hand instead. Something has been telling you to follow your gut, but you have been ignoring the call. There is a lot of confusion surrounding your writing or editing, and your recent actions may feel contrary to what you know is right for you (and your writing!). Don’t be afraid to ask yourself questions that may bring forward a new path. If you are a writer working with an editor, make sure this person has your best interests at heart. If you are an editor working with a writer, make sure this person has the writing’s best interests at heart.
October 5: Queen of Chalices
Well, so far these pulls have been heavy on Chalices and major arcana! The Queen of Chalices is compassionate, caring, sensitive, and nurturing. She acts as a mirror and reflects the deepness inside others so that they see themselves in a new light. Additionally, this queen can also represent the trusted inner voice within yourself. Today you should focus on your emotional health before trying to help anyone else. You are the one constant throughout all your writing or editing, and today you should think with your heart instead of your mind. What does your writing need from you? Remember, what you do for work (and writing/editing is definitely work!) should help you feel fulfilled emotionally and not just financially. Keep a sharp eye out for a female mentor today as well, as the queen also hints that the guidance of a person with this nature in writing could benefit you.
October 6: Ten of Swords, Reversed
When we see the Ten of Swords in the reversed position, it’s telling us that we must acknowledge defeat, whether this means putting a poem aside and coming back to it later or altogether scrapping your favorite scene in your novel. You have hit rock bottom, and it’s not going to get better today. There’s nothing left for you to give your writing, and you must release your hold on it in order to begin the cycle again. It may feel like a tragedy—perhaps you have spent hours (even hundreds of hours!) on your project, but today you can feel okay letting it go. The winding path was long, and today has been a long time in coming, but at least you can breathe a sigh of relief that what is ahead will be easier. The worst of it is over. If you’ve had writers block for a while, try writing something short today and see if it gets you in the mood and sparks your creativity. Keep this in mind: is your mental health worth the suffering you’re going through to write something difficult?
October 7: Ace of Chalices
The Ace of Chalices indicates that now is the time to embark on new challenges and projects. You’ll feel a rush of inspiration, so cancel your other plans and sit down to write! This card doesn’t always signify a brand new project and can instead point toward an emotional awakening when it comes to how you perceive your work. If you’ve been afraid of starting a new piece, however, now is the time to push past that fear and begin. As with the other aces, the Ace of Chalices gives you a chance to start fresh—a new beginning. If you are thinking about working with a professional editor, this is your sign to take the plunge and contact that person. After the Ten of Swords (reversed) yesterday, there is now a chance to put your past behind you because this card heralds the turning over of a new leaf.
October 8: Six of Wands, Reversed
Have you been doubting yourself and your abilities recently? The Six of Wands reversal indicates that you’re not sure about your potential to achieve writing (or editing) success. You might feel particularly negative about yourself since you’ve failed others—you lack confidence and the drive you need to succeed. Maybe you’ve been getting a lot of rejections on your work after submitting to prestigious publications, and you’re finding that you need the recognition and support of third parties in order to provide yourself with much-needed strength. Maybe it’s not anything in particular but you’re just feeling down about “the whole writing thing.” This card is a sign of underachievement, but remember that it’s okay to doubt yourself and your work as long as you don’t give up completely. You have a story to tell the world that only you can tell! Keep writing, but don’t feel bad if it doesn’t seem to come together the way it normally does. Cut yourself some slack today and begin fresh tomorrow.
October 9: Page of Coins, Reversed
Do you feel distracted today? The Page of Coins reversal indicates that you need to give yourself a break to refresh your mind. You may be feeling overwhelmed, so remember that it is better to ask for assistance and finish the work than try to finish it alone but fail to do so. Sometimes you need to bounce your writing ideas off of someone else, and that’s okay! Even if you neglect actually writing or editing today, you’re still daydreaming about being successful, so take the talents of this page and come up with some ideas so that you can avoid writer’s block in the future. This card in reverse notes that we can often see the result but not the back-breaking
work it takes to get there. The sky is the limit in theory, but you should be realistic about what you want to achieve—and whether you’re willing to put in the work to get there. Take some time today to recalibrate your success-o-meter and remember that there is no such thing as an overnight sensation.
October 10: Six of Coins, Reversed
The Six of Coins reversal warns you to be careful of entering business endeavors because you could end up with a huge loss instead of getting the positive outcome you expect. If a “publisher” wants you to pay them for publishing your writing, for example, run the other way! A real publisher will pay you, I promise. Be wary of people who want to help you today because they may have a hidden agenda and you will “owe” them later on. Today is a day for writing, in other words, not trying to get your writing published. If you have an editor, don’t take advantage of this person. (If you are an editor, don’t let yourself be taken advantage of!) Focus on creating and the rest will come tomorrow.
