Story Spread...10 Cards

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 29 Apr 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Cerulean	29 Apr 2004
Tarot of the Hidden Folk Lo Scarabeo 2001 version (note, minors in this version have characters and the story was written with these depictions in mind) or La Alba Dorata (Incanti)/Golden Dawn (Enchanted) 1995 version - links are to this version La Force Tell me a story, said Pumpkin to Frog. Or I'll practice half nelsons on you. Frog croaked, "You are the last of my nymphets to nurse and the most troublesome.." http://www.gambler.ru/sukhty/decks05/d02382/d0238211.jpg 9-Bastoni Once upon a time, a giant gnome grouch, Flar le Flume declared all his dislikes were banned from his realm. He especially disliked the mischievous sprites and used a cat-o-nine-tails to drive them out. http://www.gambler.ru/sukhty/decks05/d02382/d02382c9.jpg 3-Bastoni Squash of the Hidden Folk was elected spokes-sprite and he warned Flar to not be so harsh--they were all protected by Our Lady Air of Waters. She was a soft-spoken elemental of the area, but once roused, would not hold back. Flar tossed his Cat-o-Nine at the sprite, who stuck out his tongue. Squash wrapped his legs around his ears and vanished. http://www.gambler.ru/sukhty/decks05/d02382/d02382c3.jpg 2-Cups Flar went on the next nine days beating out the Hidden Folk from his realm. It was a dreary Spring for all who had to move. First Naiad of the Sea swam to the Lady Air of Waters and then to Flar with a peaceful message. http://www.gambler.ru/sukhty/decks05/d02382/d02382h2.jpg Ace of Cups Naiad's soft-spoken message and gift of a cup filled with soft fruits tempted Flar, who upon receipt, dowsed his fiery Cat o Nine weapon, ate all the fruit and drank deep of the mixed juices of the delicious fruit at the bottom of the cup. Then he leered at Naiad with an obscene invitation and she swam off in disgust. http://www.gambler.ru/sukhty/decks05/d02382/d02382hA.jpg Ace of Bastoni Flar that night had a dream where got to choose: to invite Squash and his kind back with the same warmth and kindness the Lady Air of Waters had shown him or suffer the choices if illumination had no effect upon him. Flar laughed and said he would welcome them all back if Naiad would come back and be his slave. His wish was granted... http://www.gambler.ru/sukhty/decks05/d02382/d02382cA.jpg Judgment In the months that followed, Dawn walked each morning, her light mantle following her. Hidden Folk sleepily arose out of their holes, peaceful and never missing the strangely absent Flar. He became a boogie monster to scare naughty babes before bedtime prayers. http://www.gambler.ru/sukhty/decks05/d02382/d0238220.jpg La Luna Some hidden folk said from the direction that the boogie Flar had come once stormed from, they heard whip-cracks of Nine Tails sometimes heard and a lovely, unearthly siren voice sang before and after. Others said for many, many years, only at full moonlight did they see a huddled wreck of an old being try to emerge from the place that Flar was said to have dwelled. And always, the shape of a lovely sylph that would run after him, or sing in such a way, he was compelled to come back, dragging himself as if unwillingly. http://www.gambler.ru/sukhty/decks05/d02382/d0238218.jpg Queen of Swords But Our Lady Air of Waters, though of long memory, was also merciful. She had given the fruits and drink of the Eternal Cup and one of the Naiads who sang to Ulysses to Flar, but she would not give eternal damnation to anyone. Perhaps not long after he dreamed of death as a blissful release, she helped him. The Hidden Folk noticed one day how full and rich her Evensong chorus sounded and ran to look to see what was the difference. They noticed two additions: the loveliest voice of them all, singing behind the Lady Air of Waters, her chorus complete once more. Lady Air of Waters also had a look of wondrous beauty and joy as she looked at her Hidden Folk and she said, "Look, old Flar is grumpy no more." And this remarkable head became her favorite pillow at Evensong. http://www.gambler.ru/sukhty/decks05/d02382/d02382sQ.jpg The World Pumpkin shook his long locks. "I never!" he said. Frog gave a final croak and splashed down deep beneath the lotus pads. Frog never emerged again, so Pumpkin had hire a Carrier Pigeon to the Edge of the World. They flew over the Exercise Maze, toward where Evensong was sung. By the time the trip had ended, Carrier Pigeon and Pumpkin were fast friends and every evening, they were in front, pointing to Squash, First Naiad and the pillow-head of Flar on the lap of Lady Air of Waters. News of their whispered tales came to her ears and she allowed her favorite pillow to be exhibited the first Tuesday of every month on the Palace Tour. And because they told the tale best, Pumpkin and Carrier Pigeon were on permanent retainer to lead the tour and they retold the story to their hearts content to the end of their happy days. http://www.gambler.ru/sukhty/decks05/d02382/d0238221.jpg And Frog? By then, she had a new crop of Pumpkins to watch over and choke her for more stories of the Hidden Folk. The End! Hope you enjoyed it if you read this far...I'm enjoying working with this... Cerulean Mari

firemaiden	01 May 2004
Very charming Mari :) Thank you. Out of curiosity, did the story spread have positions?

Cerulean	01 May 2004
The Anthill Spread ***********4***5 *********3******6 ********2********7 ******1*****10*****8 ************ 9 ***** 1-Strength/La Force 2-9W-Bastoni 3-3 of Wands/Bastoni 4-2 of Cups/Chalices 5.-Ace of Cups/Chalices 6.-Ace of Wands/Bastoni 7.-Judgment/Le Jugement 8.-Moon/La Luna 9.-QS/Regina di Spades 10.-The World/Il Mondo I don't think I was too successful, I made a rough anthill shape as in the Tower. I thought of each card as a scene of pivotal action. if I could escalate the action and then de-escalate, or wind down to the conclusion, it might be a good 'short short'. The goal was practice. I was trying to create a story spread that somehow related to these delicious, creative cards and strong suggestive motifs... Thanks for your comments...I'm still figuring this out. Looks more like a beehive... Cerulean Mari

firemaiden	01 May 2004
Okay, I can see that the spread had a shape, I'm wondering if the positions had questions attached, or labels, like preamble, situation, complication, resolution, new complication, new solution, intervention, denouement, etc. bla bla...

Cerulean	01 May 2004
Firemaiden, I do have some short story stage diagrams somewhere, so I'll help by diagramming this by Monday. This is my second class focusing on short shorts style of fiction, so the outlines I do come out quickly in dialogue or stages, and then I analyze later...usually the stages and associated action pivots correspond to some stage, so it'll be easier when I check some sources. Thanks for letting me know--it's more helpful to map this out this way, as well. Cerulean

Cerulean	01 May 2004
I mixed two online sources with my story spread to explain what I did. Our online short story class reintegrates some classic concepts, so this is a part of the mix with my new studies. The simple story concept done in a concise six-card reading is inspired by Geraldine Amaral’s excellent summary and is a good source. I twisted some of the ideas around with another few sources and added my twists, as I did a ten card spread and story. A.Six card sample: http://groups.msn.com/StoryTarot/contructingatarotstory.msnw Constructing A “Tarot” Story by Geraldine Amaral B. Another Short Story Fictional Source The explanation of short story definitions is on Nada’s website. http://members.fortunecity.com/nadabs/literature-storystructure.html My short story and some creative tarot experiments mesh some of the other items above 1. The Past Influences or Introduction—to me it is setting the stage and should also contain an element that suggests the end or conclusion in a way that the story comes first circle. One or several threads should be tied up, as a short story to me is similar to a poem that comes back full circle with a learning or parable meaning—something needs to change. This is one corner of the bottom of the anthill and foundation. (Strength/La Force) 2. The Hero or anti-Hero or both are introduced for an immediate conflict. Short stories or poems should have quick changes in the beginning to keep interest level up. The path is upward. The first clash was the antihero and how his actions disturbed the peace of the Hidden Folk (9W-Bastoni) 3 The Escalation of Conflict or Challenge. The next stage up. The hero and anti-hero raise the stakes.. I introduced the first chance for change and a warning by an ally here, the agent of the Queen. The antihero refused to comply. (3 of Wands/Bastoni) 4 Climax part one. . The second clash presented by hero and anti-hero. Temporarily, the anti-hero should prevail to present the ‘problem’ in a more interesting manner, not something solved easily. I introduced a second, more powerful ally of the Queen here and the antihero refused to comply (2 of Cups/Chalices) 5 Climax part two. A seeming magic gift to appease the antihero or a peace offering indicates the Hero is retreating from the conflict and the Antihero will prevail. The Anti-hero’s seeming triumph. (Ace of Cups/Chalices) 6. Resolution. The Anti-hero is given the last choice and chooses to imprison the second powerful ally of the Queen, a ransom. (Ace of Wands/Bastoni) 7. Anti-climax/Stepping Down - a paradoxal or seemingly peaceful scene with the absence of the Antihero. (Judgment/Le Jugement) 8. Second Cornerstone for Final Outcome– The fate chosen by the Anti-hero is presented. It should also be a pivot point that works with 9 and 10 (Moon/La Luna). 9. Conclusion of conflict– The last part is revealed, with the final hero and anti-hero coming together, their fates interwined...it should also work with the corner stone and underline the future/final outcome. (Q.S./Regina di Spades) 10. Future/ final outcome--conclusion/closing sequence - the loose ends are tied up and the framing sequence in the introduction is returned to briefly--if possible, a cyclical tie in would help make the story complete. The framing sequence is similar to structure of the 1001 Nights story introducing the story and then finishing up in the conclusion. (The World/Le Monde) The Anthill Spread diagram follows: ***********4***5 *********3******6 ********2********7 ******1*****10*****8 ************ 9 ***** The structure of fairy tales doing three challenges is so built-in into my sensibilities, that I think it was an unconscious return to this pattern. The cyclical pattern and framing structures are both a poetic and Arabian Nights association, so again I was in this fairy tale style from recent influences. When I mixed up the deck and pulled got the tenth card, the story idea seemed 'finished'. I believe that I pulled two cards consciously--the Queen of Swords and three of Wands--but mixed up the deck and pulled the rest of the cards and then mixed them up again for a layout. The layout structure evolved from the sequence of the cards and how a story began shaping in my mind. I hope this helps and makes sense... Regards, Cerulean Mari

The Story Spread...10 Cards thread was originally posted on 29 Apr 2004 in the Tarot Games & Fun board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Games & Fun, or read more archived threads.