A guide to using the Tarot as a tool in crafting characters, plots, and settings. Included are various spreads and interpretations I've come up with over the years, for use in my own projects. Any deck can be used, though I highly suggest the Rider...
A 16 card layout to help define the details of important story settings. These positions can be adapted for any locale, whether it's a single room or an entire universe.
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1: Mood/Atmosphere: The overall mood the setting portrays. A guiding element for descriptions and imagery.
2: Climate: Warm, cold, rainy, or temperate? The suit, number, imagery, and astrological element can help determine it. Otherwise, just go with your gut feeling on this one.
3: Natural Geography: Attributes of the landscape. Forest, desert, seaside, mountain, important landmarks, etc.
4: Man-made Geography: Attributes of buildings, monuments, roads, bridges, etc.
5: History: Any relevant or momentous events in the setting's past which have shaped its present.
6: Important Events: Festivals, holidays, conferences, dedications, any local event of significance to plot and character.
7: Political Environment: What sort of government rules in this location, or what is the overall authority in charge. Can also be which character/s are in control, if any.
8: Social/Cultural Environment: Attributes of the population. Are they liberated, downtrodden, festive, prejudiced, family-centered, etc.?
9: Sights: The primary visual elements of the setting.
10: Sounds: The nature of things you'd hear.
11: Smells: What sort of odors waft about the area?
12: Tastes: More abstract, but can also give ideas for local cuisine.
13: Touch: Things which your character might notice when they lay hands on things around them.
14: Unique Attributes/Quirks: The surprising and different characteristics of the setting. What makes it stand out? Great for creating unique descriptions.
15: Role In The Story: What is this location's important role in the story? Can also allude to important plot points which will take place.
16: Protagonist's Relationship To The Locale: What is the main character's attitude toward this locale? How has it affected them in the past and present, and what might it become in their future?
