Not long before his death, writer/director/actor Dennis Hopper told Interview magazine how he got into the photojournalist character he played in Apocalypse Now. He related it to the Fool character in P. D. Ouspensky's tarot deck.
He said, "The fool is the one who knows all the secret wonders of the world but can't remember where they are or how to use them."
I think that's a great idea for developing or exploring characters. One fun way to do this is to go to www.facade.com/tarot/, type in your character's name, a question about them or their lives, and let the program select a deck and method for you. It will come up with an instant reading. Of course I don't think there's anything supernatural about this, but it's a good way to prompt your own imagination.
Here's an example: I am writing a Young Adult novel in which the teen protagonist realizes that his father is (inadvertantly) responsible for something terrible that's happening and he has to confront him and take matters into his own hands. I have the feeling that at the moment the teen character is a bit bland. I put in his name and the question "how should he handle this situation?" The first card's description is:
The card on the far right represents the object being viewed, be it an idea, relationship, or the self. Hastur, when reversed: Weakness in character leading to tyranny and abuse of worldly power. Loss of confidence and ambition, coupled with the cold execution of the unthinkable. The inability to carry out plans or command respect. Being unreasonable and prone to fits of rage. A deceiver or demagogue.
Great stuff! It gives me the idea that he should be tempted, if only for a moment, to go along with the things that are happening in exchange for being given power, and that it would make him more real if he had a temper and sometimes was unreasonable.
Give it a try!
