Thursday, April 12, 2012

Three Tarot Cards Define Scorpio


For my ongoing series of creating characters by use of astrological signs and their corresponding Tarot cards, I'm choosing Scorpio this week. When I wrote my first novel and was working on character, I thought of using astrology to define my protagonist. I wanted the attributes to be  accurate to her personality. What sign would provide me with those traits of a woman who would have nightmares of another life time, uncover a psychic side and be plunged into darkness to find her truth? Scorpio.

The sign of Scorpio is the scorpion—a stinging arachnid associated with death, destruction, rebirth and transformation; exactly what my novel (publication date yet to be determined) is about.

Scorpio, in a nutshell, is an intense sign. Scorpios can be very energetic people—determined and hardworking but also jealous, obsessive and secretive, even to holding grudges. Intelligent and attractive, with a tendency toward the romantic, being they have passionate and emotional natures, they thrive in long relationships. But, they can also be self-centered.

Using Scorpio for the parameters of my protagonist’s personality was ideal. I later found out that there were three Tarot cards associated with Scorpio, which provided me confirmation that I had chosen correctly.

As expected, the Death card is one of the Tarot cards associated with Scorpio. My character had to re-enter her past-life death through her nightmares. 


The Tower card, another symbol of destruction (a bolt of lightning—like the sting of the scorpion—sudden and painful), was indicative of her death in that past life.


The third card is Judgment. Most religious and mythological traditions speak of undergoing a judgment as one passes from this life to the next. The Judgment card signifies the radical transformation or transition from one phase of existence to another, literally or symbolically.

(To read more about the Greek and Roman mythology of these cards, see Star IQ  from which I drew information for this post.)

My protagonist’s violent death in a previous life had to be transformed so she could overcome the trauma of that past life. She needed to release the outworn and useless patterns that hampered full expression in her present life. Unable to let go of that past effecting her in this life, enter the Tower.

The Tower card warns that if we do not make necessary changes in our lives, then outside forces will make them for us. So began the journey of my protagonist, forced to find her truth and achieve freedom from her past. Joseph Campbell describes the hero's journey as a stage of "leaving the known" which defines my character's journey into the depths of the Yucatan jungle.

I hope this example of how I used astrology and the Tarot for charting a character and his/her development gives you ideas of how to develop your own characters.



Do you know any Scorpios that fit this persona? Are you one? Share.



27 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a great concept for developing characters! I never considered it, but ... duh. From personal experience I've seen how people have the tendencies of their zodiac sign. And linking the zodiac sign to Tarot cards is brilliant! I can't wait to read your book when it comes out.

Sharon Clare said...

Very cool, Cora. I've used astrological characteristics to define my characters as well. I also have my hero and heroine defined by their past life experience together,so we have lots in common! Definitely keep us posted on your publication date.

Oddly enough, I don't know any Scorpios, at least none come to mind. I must know someone!

Cora said...

Thanks Elizabeth. I can't wait for my book to come out either (smile). Hope the info helps.

Cora said...

How neat, we share the same past life concepts for story. Please share your website and/or book. Thanks for commenting.

Mike Schulenberg said...

I've never looked much into astrology or Tarot cards, but I'm thinking maybe I should. So far my fiction has been delving a lot into myths and the supernatural, so I might be able to borrow stuff from these sources. Thanks, Cora.

Tami Clayton said...

A good friend of mine is a Scorpio and much of what you said above is true about her, though she's not one to harbor grudges, be obsessive or be secretive. Maybe that's because she's a therapist and works on those things within herself in order to do what she does for a living.

P.S. Are you planning to do a post on the sign, Cancer? Just wondering... :)

Ginger Calem said...

Oooh, so fun! I love this sort of thing. Have you done Gemini yet? I'll search your blog for it, just in case.

Cora said...

You might start with the Tarot cards which illustrate archetypal ideas that go back a long way. Astrology will give you better understanding of motivations.

Cora said...

How interesting that your Scorpio friend is a therapist since Scorpio delves into the hidden, deep in the subconscious. I imagine she is good at what she does.

Yes, Cancer is coming--I'm skipping around the zodiac hitting earth, air, fire and water signs and since Scorpio is a water sign, I have to do earth, air and fire first. Should have it by beginning of May.

Cora said...

Not yet. Probably this month. Thanks for your enthusiasm, Ginger. It eggs me on.:)

Marianne said...

I've wanted to get my palm read for a while now, but I'm afraid what it might say. I think I'll wait until after a manicure...

William Doonan said...

Interesting post, Cora. I've never thought to develop characters that way. But as a fellow new member of Sunny Frazier's poss, welcome the club!

William Doonan
www.themummiesofblogspace9.com

Cora said...

No need to wait, get your chart done--astrology doesn't involve hands.

Melanie Jackson, author, editor, piano student said...

Welcome to the Posse, Cora, and congrats on your forthcoming book! As it happens, I'm a Scorpio and I'd say your reading of the stinging sign is pretty accurate, in both the positive and negative attributes. Now to go obsess about this ...

Marja said...

What an interesting way to develop characters. I never would have thught of it. Welcome to the Posse.

Anonymous said...

Welcome to Oak Tree Press! They published my book, too, and it's a great press. I'm a Sagittarius myself, so I'm eager to see what you say about my sign. Best wishes with your new book!
Sally Carpenter

Cora said...

Thanks for your welcome and for checking out my blog. I caught you on Jim's last post but didn't leave a comment--very busy day, just went back and did so.:)

Cora said...

Oh please don't obsess about it. You know what they say, the stars indicate but don't dictate. Thanks for visiting and the welcome.

Cora said...

Thanks for your welcome. That's why I write about this stuff, it's intriguing.

Cora said...

Thanks for visiting. I see you write YA novels. You might want to hook up with bookblogs as most of the members are YA authors.

Patricia Gligor's Writers Forum said...

Welcome to the Posse, Cora! I see you share Sunny's passion for Astrology, an interesting subject. I'm a Capricorn and I'll admit that most of the qualities attributed to my sign do describe me.

Cora said...

Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Yes, I've always had an ear to astrology. A Capricorn, eh? I bet you have a strong sense of order. A very good Capricorn friend of mine was always trying to get me to follow the rules/stay within the boundaries--I'm afraid I'm a rule breaker. Can you tell by my by line?

marta chausée said...

You know your stuff. I am currently allowing the stinger of a passionate, yet supremely self-centered, Scorpio toss my heart around-- ouch! Where is that romantic side, I'd like to know? Yet, he is energetic, hard-working and determined, just as you say. Keep drinking that eclectic cool-aid. It makes you very perceptive.

Astrology said...

My GF is Scorp. Thanks for the information.

psychic readings said...

I am a Scorpio! Thanks for sharing. Always love reviews and articles on tarot. Love that there are so many to choose from as well, they all speak in their own language.

Tarot Card Readings said...

I found your blog on Google and find it very useful. I find your writing and way of looking at the world inspirational. I’ll be sure to come back again for more!

Anonymous said...

This is a really good article about scorpio related to the tarot cards. You have explained the topic well. I feel the cards help one become more psychic. What do you think?