Tarot for Creative Writing: Major Arcana with Portico Library

Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor
Photo by Sarah Chumacero from Pexels

20 January 2021 Tickets from £20 — Book now

The Tarot is often used in popular culture to symbolise associations with the occult or magic. However, this spiritual and folk based tradition has a much richer culture than would otherwise be suggested. Join poet and experienced tarot reader, Kym Deyn as they explain some of the real history behind these images, showing how writers of all types can harness the imagery of the tarot for creative writing.

learn about the rich folk tradition of the Marseilles Tarot

This workshop, focusing on the Major Arcana, is part of a pair, the second with a focus on the Minor Arcana. Each Arcana is a slightly different set of cards, the Major features famous cards such as ‘The High Priestess’, ‘The Moon’ and ‘The Hanged Man’. No prior knowledge of tarot or even writing is required, simply a curiosity to learn more.

Over the course of the session you’ll learn about the rich folk tradition of the Marseilles Tarot alongside images of historical decks from the Portico’s archive. The emphasis will be on reading the images with particular attention to how they can translate into writing across a range of styles and genres. It can be difficult to use tarot for creative writing because of the occult associations, however, understanding the real history rather than the popular myth is the way to escape this particular blockage.

Kym Deyn is a playwright, poet and fortune teller as well as studying for an MA in Creative Writing at Newcastle University. This year, they were one of the winners of the 2020 Outspoken Prize for Poetry and their work has previously been published in The Valley Press Anthropology of Prose Poetry as well as Neon.

20 January 2021 Tickets from £20 Book now

Where to go near Tarot for Creative Writing: Major Arcana with Portico Library

Symmetry Room
City Centre
Museum
Museum of Illusions

Museum of Illusions Manchester is part of the global Museum of Illusions Group, the largest and fastest-growing chain of private museums in the world.

Tropical World logo
Leeds
Tourist Attraction
Tropical World

At Tropical World, families can enjoy a fun-filled and educational day out. Start your epic journey in the Butterfly House, where exotic butterflies fly freely through our swampy mangrove, fluttering

Manchester
Restaurant
Soap Street Pizza

Based at Nordie in Levenshulme, Soap Street Pizza put out the perfect pie: crispy base and inspired toppings.

Wellington Place
Leeds
Event venue
Wellington Place

Wellington Place is a brand new business park in Leeds, with multi-use spaces and a varied programme of events from street food to art shows.

Carden Park
Cheshire
Hotel
Carden Park

Huge luxury estate, featuring high-end restaurant, beautiful rooms, a fully-packed spa and much more.

What's on: Activity

Rock and Goal
Until
ActivityManchester
Rock and Goal Tour

Join Joe Feeley a Mancunian through and through, who guides you into Manchester’s two pillars of cultural excellence with his Rock and Goal tour.

from £9.99
Craft Beer Tour Around Manchester
Until
ActivityManchester
Craft Beer Tour Manchester

Join Craft Beer Tour Manchester for a journey through some of the cities best local breweries and artisanal beer serving bars. Discover the personality of Manchester’s beer through a diverse range of pints.

from £35
Until
ActivityManchester
Floating Art Workshops

Join expert teacher Ula for relaxed painting workshops that will have you creating work you can be proud of, no matter your level of artistic experience.

from £24.30

Culture Guides

Sextile
Music in the North

Open air clubs, new festivals and long-awaited gigs. The North West's live music scene is heating up this spring. 

A woman sits in a car with hands holding the steering wheel.
Cinema in the North

Vintage Alfred Hitchcock and a family friendly film festival are amongst our highlights this May.

Laura Ellen Bacon, Into Being, 2025. Photo © India Hobson, courtesy Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Exhibitions in the North

Willow weaving, textile collages, digital arts and ecology - all this and more in our exhibition top picks this month

Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Tours and Activities in the North

We've got many a good time in store this month as we round up the best walking tours, cultural classes and makers markets in the land.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Dynamic dance, party-performance, high-energy stand-up and a site-specific show set in a pub. All this and more in our newest theatre guide.

Okechukwu Nzelu
Literature Events in the North

If it's inspiring, inclusive events and avant-garde, experimental afternoons you're after, look no further than live literature this spring – we've got you covered.