This post breaks the process of writing a tarotscope into four steps!

I’ve been writing a monthly tarotscope for almost a year now. At first, I posted a monthly tarotscope for a single sign. I liked doing those single-sign forecasts because it seemed each zodiac sign had a flavor, and it touched the experiences of the collective.

I had a basic understanding of astrology, but this had nothing to do with my perception of this “flavor.” For more information about my monthly tarotscopes, check out my ‘Scopes info page. Read on for how to write a tarotscope, a step by step guide to one of the ways that I’ve done tarotscopes in my monthly ‘Scopes.

I LOVE quality horoscopes and respect the astrologers who create them.

I’m always looking for more of them, and I collect my favorites. I love them because they are an artful exercise in intellectual synthesis. The astrologer is analyzing contexts within contexts. It’s a heady undertaking.

And then there is that certain extra sense that elevates a good horoscope, to a great one. With all that goes into a great horoscope, it might be tempting to hold it above other divinatory systems and our intuition and knowing. Resist this temptation.

These flavors exist, with or without astrological analysis. And there are multiple routes to raise awareness of these trends and patterns. Tarotscopes are a way to ask ourselves, and our transpersonal selves, about these celestial “flavors.”

[Tweet “Tarotscopes are a way to ask our transpersonal selves about celestial “flavors.” #radicaltarot #tarotscopes”]

I saw one of my first tarotscopes at Adrienne Abeyta’s site about two years ago.

I remember thinking “What is this??!! How does a person keep this up monthly??” I didn’t try it myself, at first, because I assumed there was a particular way to do it and that, since I didn’t know the right way, I would do it wrong. And the world would implode, obviously.

If there’s a rulebook out there about how to do tarotscopes, I’m curious to see it. Until I do, I do my tarotscopes like I do any other spread: according to my intuition.The thing to remember about tarotscopes is that they aren’t horoscopes. Unless you happen to be an astrologer doing a tarotscope (and plan to make a hybrid!!).

How-to: Write a Tarotscope

Step 1 – Intent

What is your intent?

A forecast can be for a day, a week, a month, a season, a year. Make sure you decide on one of those before you start. I’ve forgotten this before… o.O You may want to predict specific events or prefer general guidance and not care for prediction. Some folks prefer using cards to focus, reflect, or as guides for who and how to be. Decide before you start and it will help you decide how to proceed.

Remember who the reading is for.

Even within zodiac signs, there is a ton of variance between people’s lived experience and circumstances. Unlike a horoscope, based on a person’s time and location of birth, tarotscopes tend to be general readings. If the reading is for more than one person, keep in mind the inherent limitation of a general reading.

Step 2 – Spread/Card Position

What do you want to know?

To focus my intent for a reading, I prefer to start with a question. Once you’ve decided on the style of the tarotscope: predictive or not, the scope (pun not intended) of your tarotscope: day, week, month, and the deck or decks you will use, decide on the question or questions that you want to answer. Here’s what I often use in a two card tarotscope:

• What is the flavor, theme, or lesson in this upcoming zodiac season?
  (Pulled from *trumps.)
• How might this lesson manifest, day to day, in the lives of [insert zodiac sign]?
  (Pulled from *minors.)

*Trumps as in the Major Arcana cards, numbered 0-22 in the tarot.
*Minors as in the Minor Arcana cards, everything but the trumps.

Step 3 – Interpret

What does it mean?

Interpret the same way you would any other card pull or tarot spread. If you are new to reading tarot, remember your original intent from Step 1 and let that guide your interpretation. Experience the symbols and art. You don’t need to know what it all means to be open and present with yourself and the card images. The time will be well spent.

Step 4 – Layers

What can you add?

This is the place to address the limitation I mentioned above that comes when doing general readings. Offset this with relevant questions as prompts for your spread positions or focus on events that have meaning for many, such as season changes, holidays, planetary motion, and cultural shifts.

If you use other objects or modalities for divination, use them. A pair of dice, runes, charms? GO NUTS. I’ve asked myself the two questions from above with nothing, not even tarot cards, and card images have come to my mind’s eye.

[Tweet “You don’t need an extensive mystical background to have your own intuitive experience. #radicaltarot”]

Remember that you don’t need to use anything to explore your intuition. And if a song comes to mind, sing it. A scent? Consider, how did the scent make you feel? A color? A movement? Embody and explore whatever came up for you. Notice you don’t need a fancy magickal initiation or extensive mystical background to have your own intuitive experience.

That’s it! Give it a go!

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Featured Image:
Loon, J. van (Johannes), ca. 1611-1686. [PD], via Wikimedia Commons