Quinn on Books: Pick a Card, Pick Any Card Review by Michael Quinn

If you value listening to your inner voice, you know there are many ways to access this wisdom. I’ve studied astrology since I was a teenager, meditate daily and keep a dream journal. Now, I’m exploring tarot—not for the first time.

Stepping into the unknown (The Fool)

I had a brief flirtation with tarot when I first moved to New York in the 1990s. During this goth phase, I wore all black and stomped around the East Village in flame-covered Creepers. Many of the “cool” people I knew used tarot, so I convinced a friend to buy me a deck—I heard it was bad luck to buy your own. I kept it wrapped in silk and slept with it under my pillow to “absorb my energy.” Beyond that, I couldn’t figure out what to do with it. Every book seemed too complicated. I liked the idea of tarot, but like the skull rings I wore, it was more about projecting an image.

Reigniting my creative spark (Ace of Wands)

A few months ago, my interest was again piqued after I read an article about using tarot to help with the writing process. The advice was simple, clear and actionable. When I learned it was excerpted from a forthcoming book, I had to track it down.

Shifting my perspective (The Hanged Man)

“Tarot for Creativity” showcases author Chelsey Pippin Mizzi’s belief that everyone is creative. That doesn’t mean we don’t feel stuck sometimes. She sees tarot as a tool for getting the creative juices flowing. Each card can be used as prompt, encouraging you to see challenges from a fresh angle.

Tapping into ancient wisdom (The Hierophant)

Most modern decks consist of 78 cards divided into two categories: the 22-card Major Arcana (significant life events on “The Fool’s Journey” from naivety to wisdom) and the 56-card Minor Arcana (the stuff of everyday life). The latter is divided into four suits: cups (emotions), swords (intellect), wands (creativity) and pentacles (material resources). It’s a rich visual language full of symbols. Look at each card. What stands out to you? Every picture holds a clue to a mystery your unconscious already knows.

Harnessing creative power (The Magician)

For a reading, you select cards at random (or is it?) and lay them out in a spread. Pippin Mizzi says, “Trust that whatever way the cards inspire you is the right way to work with them.” My old deck is long gone, so I visited the always-reliable Namaste Bookshop on 14th Street in Manhattan to get a new one. (Pippin Mizzi doesn’t believe in the superstition against buying your deck.) There were dozens to choose from, but only one called my name, so to speak.

Challenging old ways of working (The Page of Swords)

I decided to do a spread to help me write this review. I drew my cards, consulted Pippin Mizzi’s interpretations, and allowed my insights to rise to the surface. While working within the framework of tradition (book reviewing) or institutions (this paper), expressing something personal (my writing) is a powerful approach (The Hierophant). Including personal memories allows my individuality and authenticity to shine (Queen of Cups). Prioritizing joy and playfulness over self-criticism (Six of Cups) is a crucial investment in my creative independence (Nine of Pentacles). And I can break free of restraints by pushing my creative boundaries (Eight of Swords)—I took this to mean experimenting with form, such as using tarot to write about tarot. Talk about meta!

Finding guidance beyond fortune-telling (The Star)

This experience highlights how “Tarot for Creativity” goes beyond traditional interpretations. It’s not about fortune-telling (you’ll notice, for example, there was no mention of my winning the Pulitzer). From Pippin Mizzi’s perspective, the cards can help you tap into and amplify your inner voice, which is what creative expression is all about. Her straightforward and encouraging approach helps you understand the tarot is telling not just any story, but your story. With her guidance, I’ve discovered a practical way to incorporate tarot into my creative process, enriching my writing—and this very review. How can tarot help you?

Michael Quinn