Bookish Challenges discussion

2024 October - Tarot Card Challenge



Are you ready to read by fate this October? This October, in the spirit of Halloween, let the cards guide your reading journey through the eerie and the unknown.


Only books completed from 1 October 2024 will be counted! You will get your first tasks before though to plan ahead


The Challenge

1. We will play a Bookish version of the Tarot Card Reading

2. You will be reading for 15 prompts from a total of 78 cards deck. I will shuffle a virtual tarot deck and you will choose a number. I will then reveal the card. It is all based on positive interpretations or constructive guidance!

Your 3 set of tasks will depend on what it symbolises in the aspect of love, career and finances.
You need to read for only one of those 3 tasks. Or you can read a book in which the cover connects to the card in some manner.

3. If you feel stuck, you have 1 skip available which you can use to read any book. For skipping more, please use 1 point to draw another card to get the tasks related to another card.

4. You will win 2 points per task and additional 5 points for completing all 15 tasks!

5. If you don't have a personal point account thread yet, request one here.

Sample game:
I shuffle the deck and you choose a number. The number gives you Magician card which symbolises the following:
1. Love: creating opportunities for love, being proactive in love
2. Career: harnessing career opportunities, determination and drive
3. Finance: pursuing financial opportunity, making use of skills
So you can read a book where a character is being quite proactive in love / character has a lot of drive / character is making use of all their skills to make money.


Or you can read do a cover based task: something magical on cover / a character with one hand risen in the cover / someone wearing red and white on cover / flower vines or cover

A little about Tarots

🔮 Tarot began in the 15th century in Europe as a card game called Tarocchi. It was originally used for playing, not for spiritual or fortune-telling purposes. In the 18th century, tarot started being used for divination and mystical purposes, especially in France and England.

🔮 Tarot card decks will always have 78 cards within it. You're going to have 22 major arcana cards or trump cards and then you'll have 56 minor arcana or minor trumps or pips.

🔮 While many people think of tarot as a way to predict the future, it's actually more about self-reflection and gaining insight into current situations or challenges. Think of it as a way to explore your thoughts and feelings.

🔮 Famous artists like Salvador Dalí and writers like Italo Calvino were inspired by tarot. Dalí even designed his own tarot deck with surrealist imagery.

How the Tarot Deck is Structured:

Major Arcana (22 cards):

These are the "big" cards that represent major life themes or lessons. Some well-known cards are The Fool, The Magician. They deal with big ideas like change, growth, love, and power.

Minor Arcana (56 cards):

These cards are more about everyday life. They're divided into four suits:
Cups (Emotions and relationships)
Pentacles (Work and money)
Swords (Challenges and intellect)
Wands (Creativity and action)
Each suit has cards numbered 1 to 10, plus four "court" cards: Page, Knight, Queen, and King.

Points: 35


Your Draws





Summarised Reading:
1. It's time to tap into your full potential without hesitation.
2. One wants to impress others with one’s knowledge and skill. The card also shows up when the person is planning to move to another place of residence. If you are starting a creative project, then you should do so with lots of energy and enthusiasm.
3. You are a slave to materialism and opulence and no matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem to shake off the feeling of wanting to indulge in luxurious living.
4. You now have a clearer idea of what you need to change and how you need to be true yourself and your needs.
5. For people who are searching for love, there is a possibility that you will find it soon or someone will stand by you.
6. Each little piece of suffering you encounter serves as a stepping stone to find a deeper meaning in this world. This card comes at a time when you need to prepare yourself for this next stage in life.
7. Sign of hope and encouragement that you should face your trials with courage so that you may attain success.
8. You need to gain strength and clarity in a quiet environment away from your current circumstances. It is time to re-evaluate, organize and understand your priorities.
9. Although it is good to have dreams and wishes, it is even better to take action attaining those dreams.
10. You enjoy working together as part of a team and in the initial success of this bigger project.
11. Stay in control of our energy and our resources in pursuit of a larger goal.
12. You are powerful figure that is full of life as well as energy. This needs to be balanced with a proper and actual realization of compassion and responsibility.
13. Moderate, prioritize and understand that they cannot solve everything, some things must be let go, given to others, the burden shared.
14. Deep loneliness, illness, poverty or loss.or can also be that of old debts, high credit card balances, or unpaid loans
15. . Besides your experience and education, you should be sharp and observant, to see deeply into problems that come your way

Completion Post:
Book & Author:
Date read:
How it fits:
Next number:

Choose a number from 1 to 78 to start. The cards are shuffled in each turn so you can choose the same number again.

You have 1 free skip available to read a book of your choice. For additional skips, please spend 1 point and choose another number to get another card.

3

The Magician – Skill, talent, manifestation

"When you get the Magician in your reading, it might mean that it's time to tap into your full potential without hesitation."

1. Love: creating opportunities for love, being proactive in love
2. Career: harnessing career opportunities, determination and drive
3. Finance: pursuing financial opportunity, making use of skills

Completion Post:
Book & Author: Nightingale Fiona McIntosh
Date read: 02/01/2025
How it fits: Career, MC is a nurse who makes an effort to forward her career
Next number: 7

Knight of Wands – Passion, impulsiveness, action

" When it appears, it means a great time to get away and travel. The person should feel charged up and full of life. One is also ready to get things done. When the Knight of Wands shows up in a reading it seems to suggest that the seeker wants to complete important tasks. One wants to impress others with one’s knowledge and skill. The card also shows up when the person is planning to move to another place of residence. If you are starting a creative project, then you should do so with lots of energy and enthusiasm.
"

1. Love: fearless, courageous lover
2. Career: passion and energy for work, brave decisions
3. Finance: sudden influx of money, using finances for travel, expanding horizons

Book & Author: Jail Break Ross Greenwood
Date read: 07/01/2025
How it fits: Career, MC is keen to start earning money towards a new life and bravely leaves her probation to escape a dodgy probation officer who is abusing her.
Next number: 16

The Devil – Bondage, materialism, temptation

"Getting the devil card in your reading shows that you have feelings of entrapment, emptiness and lack of fulfillment in your life. It might also mean that you are a slave to materialism and opulence and no matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem to shake off the feeling of wanting to indulge in luxurious living. "

1. Love: lust, obsession
2. Career: feeling trapped in job
3. Finance: bad financial habits

Book & Author: The Women Kristin Hannah
Date completed:
How it fits: MC has a romance while at war then finds out his not all he seems
Next number: 18

Judgement – Rebirth, judgement, absolution

"To see this card can indicate that you are in a period of awakening, brought on by the act of self-reflection. You now have a clearer idea of what you need to change and how you need to be true yourself and your needs. This can mean making small changes to your daily life or making huge changes that not only affect you but the people close to you."

1. Love: renewal of love, making adjustments in relationship
2. Career: finding career purpose, accountability at work
3. Finance: reflecting on financial habits, reflecting on your values

Book and Author: The Nurses of Eastby End Anna Jacobs
Date completed: 19/01/25
Task: 2
How it fits: Rape victim decides to move away from where she grew up to study nursing and specializes in district nursing.
Next number: 21

Queen of Wands – Confidence, creativity, leadership


" The Queen of Wands has a positive and an uplifting energy; they represent someone who is willing to be by your side and stand up for you. The Queen of Wands in questions of love also sends a positive energy. For people who are searching for love, there is a possibility that you will find it soon "

1. Love: independent, cheerful and confident lover, openness in relationship
2. Career: determination and passion at work, inspiring or leading others
3. Finance: strong financial decisions, confidence making financial decisions

Title: All the Birds, Singing
Author: Evie Wyld
Date completed: 20/01/25
Task: 2
How it fits: MC is passionate sheep owner/shearer
Next number: 30

Three of Swords – Heartbreak, grief, suffering

"The Three of Swords depicts the message of rejection, betrayal, hurt and discouragement. In moments like these, we are well served by the mind. If you can think logically about it and prepare for the experience, the impact of this pain may be minimized. Each little piece of suffering you encounter serves as a stepping stone to find a deeper meaning in this world. This card comes at a time when you need to prepare yourself for this next stage in life. "

1. Love: breakup, argument, conflict, separation
2. Career: conflicts at work, job loss, hurt feelings at work
3. Finance: loss of assets, division of assets after break up

Title: Throwback
Author: Maurene Goo
Date Completed: 23/01/25
Task: 1
How it fits: MC has a fight with her mother before going back in time separating her from her family. MC works out she has to mend a conflict to be able to get back to her own time.
Next number: 5

Nine of Wands – Resilience, persistence, boundaries


" . The Nine of Wands symbolizes one's life, which has undergone too many trials but through their determination and will, they were able to overcome them. The card is a sign of hope and encouragement that you should face your trials with courage so that you may attain success.

1. Love: love requiring hard work, self-improvement
2. Career: exhaustion from work, project nearly complete, feeling drained
3. Finance:financial pressure, economic duress, temporary pressure

Title: 16th Seduction
Author: James Patterson
Date completed: 24/01/25
Task: 2
How it fits: Lyndsay Boxer is totally running on fumes in this installment of the series with a little girl, full time police job with serial killer on the loose and a bomber, her husband gets caught in a blast and ends up in hospital. Then she gets sued,
Next number: 24

Four of Swords – Rest, recovery, contemplation

"The Four of Swords is a moment of rest. Whether this is from a choice to withdraw, or whether it is from pure exhaustion, it is not clear. You need to gain strength and clarity in a quiet environment away from your current circumstances. It is time to re-evaluate, organize and understand your priorities. This helps to rejuvenate one’s spirit, and you come out stronger than before.

1. Love: withdrawing from love life, alone time, taking a break
2. Career: taking a vacation, mental health day, rest, self-care
3. Finance: avoid overthinking about money

Title: Hades
Author: Candice Fox
Date completed: 30/01/25
Task: 1
How it fits: Frank the narrator of this book is avoiding romantic relationships as he has a bad record of hurting those he gets close to.
Next Number: 28

Seven of Cups – Illusion, choices, confusion

" In one sense, the Seven of Cups indicates that you are a dreamer who is both excited and afraid of the things that you see in your unconscious. In another, the Seven of Cups is a reminder that although it is good to have dreams and wishes, it is even better to take action attaining those dreams."

1. Love: choosing between lovers, be cautious about romantic decisions
2. Career: many career options, make a choice and stick to it
3. Finance: several financial opportunities, caution about financial choices

Title: Horse
Author: Geraldine Brooks
Date completed: 10/02/25
Task: 2
How it fits: Jaret is a black slave who is given choices regarding staying with the horse his raised or not and also when his sold new positions in his new household due to him deciding to learn his letters at his previous station.
Next number: 24

Three of Pentacles – Teamwork, collaboration

"Successful projects usually require different kinds of expertise, and at this moment, the Three of Pentacles means that all the skills required are coming together. In short, you are enjoying enjoying working together as part of a team, and also in the initial success of this bigger project. "

1. Love: doing projects with partner, feeling like a team
2. Career: working as team, collaborates with others, diverse skill sets and opinions
3. Finance: learning about finances, getting advice on creating budget

Title: Jack & Jill
Author: James Patterson
Date completed: 11/02/25
Task: 2
How it fits: Jack and Jill is the name of two serial killers working together
Next number: 17

King of Pentacles – Security, leadership, abundance

" Generally, this card reminds us to stay in control of our energy and our resources in pursuit of a larger goal. When it comes to work, the King of Pentacles may refer to a more established man who will pay a significant role in your career. He can be your biggest supporter, but be prepared to receive unsolicited and harsh criticism. In love, this can indicate that the person that you’ve been waiting for can come along and will love you for who you are. With regards to finances, the King of Pentacles is one of the best cards to receive. "

1. Love: generous provider, serious relationship, emotionally and financially secure
2. Career: success, encouraging mentor, referrals, good reputation
3. Finance: financial milestone, saving, investing, supporting loved ones, indulging

Title: How to Make the World Add Up: Ten Rules for Thinking Differently About Numbers
Author: Tim Harford
Date completed: 15/02/25
Task: 2
How it fits: Author explains how politicians use figures to work in their favour to make them look good or others bad.
Next Number: 6

Knight of Swords – Ambition, speed, action

" The Knight of Swords is a very powerful figure that is full of life as well as energy. This needs to be balanced with a proper and actual realization of compassion and responsibility.Once the knight sets forth towards his goals, there is absolutely no stopping him. He doesn’t see - and he doesn’t care - about any upcoming challenges. He is filled with sheer ambition, strength and determination to succeed with his quest no matter what."

1. Love: fears about intimacy, easily bored partner
2. Career: getting things done, focus on career, efficiency, making big moves
3. Finance: focus on financial goals, taking action on financial goals

Title: The Wolf Den
Author: Elodie Harper
Date completed: 16/02/25
Task: 3
How it fits: Amara is a slave trying to earn enough money for her freedom
Next number: 24

Ten of Wands – Burden, hard work, responsibility


" This card shows that you have already completed the circle of struggle. After spending too many resources and lots of energy looking for success, you have finally overcome the obstacles. The sweat off your brow was worth it - your efforts have finally been rewarded. You may find yourself living in a world of abundance where poverty and suffering have no chance to intervene. In the real world, this card expresses how people try to burden themselves with responsibilities after they attain initial success. The general lesson of the card is that people should be moderate, prioritize and understand that they cannot solve everything, some things must be let go, given to others, the burden shared. "

1. Love: heavy burden of love, love creates responsibility
2. Career: being overworked, work burdens being carried alone
3. Finance: financial burden, large unavoidable expenses

Title: The Atonement
Author: Kiersten Modglin
Date completed: 23/02/25
Task: 1
How it fits: serial killer husband cant let his wife leave, he dosent want to kill her but she wants to escape him
Next number: 12

Five of Pentacles – Poverty, isolation, worry

"Whenever the Five of Pentacles shows up in a reading, it suggests a time of hardship and insecurity. The meaning of this card can be deep loneliness, illness, poverty or loss. The Five of Pentacles symbolism can also be that of old debts, high credit card balances, or unpaid loans. "

1. Love: isolation, loneliness, feeling distant
2. Career: work hardships, isolation from colleagues, outcast
3. Finance: poverty, debt, bankruptcy, tight finances

Title: Cake and Punishment
Author: Maymee Bell
Date completed: 24/02/25
Task: 2
How it fits: Sophia a hard working baker, walked in at work in NYC to find her boyf and work colleague in a compromised position this makes her leave her job and move across the country.
Next number: 8

King of Swords – Authority, clarity, truth

" The King of Swords appearing in a reading suggests that you should remain objective in your current situation - you must establish truth by sticking to the facts. The King of Swords and his intellectual power implies that you will need to use your intellect to make your point known and attain your goals. Besides your experience and education, you should be sharp and observant, to see deeply into problems that come your way."

1. Love: high standards for love, controlled emotions
2. Career: stern but righteous mentor, challenged to do your best
3. Finance: being disciplined with finances, acting logically

Title: The Danish Way of Parenting: What the Happiest People in the World Know About Raising Confident, Capable Kids
Author: Jessica Joelle Alexander
Date completed: 25/02/25
Task: 2
How it fits: Parenting advice and suggestions to help you live your best life.

That was your last reading! Thanks for playing :)