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. You need to conform to the already existing set of rules and situations which are fixed already.
2. Making small changes to your daily life or making huge changes that not only affect you but the people close to you
3. A chance to grow in terms of the goals that you have set for yourself. A successful future as long as you pursue your goals methodically, and strategically.
4. Someone willing to be by your side and stand up for you. For people who are searching for love, there is a possibility that you will find it soon
5. Be independent and wise, such that you are also able to raise others and make them responsible
6. Your resilience will greatly aid you, and your fearlessness means that you should have no issues speaking your mind.
7. Let go of what you have lost, and focus on the new path forward because that is where your life is meant to go.
8. You are experiencing a transition of some kind, but one that is not happy and filled with regret. Despite your sadness, you need to remember that moving on is the ideal option for your future.
9. Sharing your grief does at least provide an outlet for your pain and may release you from carrying this burden alone. Concentrate on the matters which you can control, and learn to ask for help.
10. You should face your trials with courage so that you may attain success
11. You are now experiencing a feeling of exhaustion - and are coming to a realization that you must step away from what is familiar. It is a choice, and a recognition that true happiness will not be found in what you have already created.
12. Besides your experience and education, you should be sharp and observant, to see deeply into problems that come your way.
13. Her appearance in a reading can signify that it is time for you to listen to your intuition rather than prioritizing your intellect and conscious mind
14. You are a dreamer who is both excited and afraid of the things that you see in your unconscious. Although it is good to have dreams and wishes, it is even better to take action attaining those dreams.
15. You should take the time to focus on your emotional health before trying to help others.

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.

14

Books to be completed from 01 October

The Hierophant – Tradition, religion, conformity

" This card is most commonly representative of institutions as well as their core values. This is a sign that shows that you need to conform to the already existing set of rules and situations which are fixed already."

1. Love: traditional partners, avoiding taboo
2. Career: success in work groups, teamwork
3. Finance: keeping your money safe, traditional financial institutions

Book: The Vile Village
Author: Lemony Snicket
Date read: 18 October 2024
How it fits: Finance: keeping your money safe, traditional financial institutions
－ one of the character works at a bank
Next number: 78

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: The Soulmate
Author: Sally Hepworth
Date read: 20 October 2024
How it fits: Love: renewal of love, making adjustments in relationship
－ the MC renew their love and adjust their relationship after the mistakes they've done
Next number: 63

The Emperor – Authority, power, structure

"To see him in a reading presents a chance to grow in terms of the goals that you have set for yourself. It presents a successful future as long as you pursue your goals similar to the fashion that the Emperor does, methodically, and strategically."

1. Love: use practicality in love, unexpressed emotions
2. Career: structure, discipline, routine
3. Finance: controlled, disciplined and responsible with money

Book: Mrs.McGinty's Dead - Mrs. McGinty Sudah Mati
Author: Agatha Christie
Date read: 23 October 2024
How it fits: Someone is wearing red on the cover

Next number: 77

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

Book: Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
Author: Jesse Q. Sutanto
Date read: 25 October 2024
How it fits: Career: determination and passion at work, inspiring or leading others
－ Vera is so passionate in her tea making and determine to solve the murder at her teahouse
Next number: 17

Queen of Pentacles – Practicality, nurturing, prosperity

" The Queen of Pentacles therefore represents a motherly figure who desires to help you maneuver your way and achieve your goals with a the helping of her common sense. She will not only show you love, but she will also show you the way forward whenever you seem to be stranded and confused. Because she is a self-made woman, she wants too for you to be independent and wise, such that you are also able to raise others and make them responsible. "

1. Love: stability, abundance, nurturing, kind partner, domestic comfort
2. Career: talented business person, mentor
3. Finance: financial security, responsible with finances, good deals

Book: The Borrowers Afield
Author: Mary Norton
Date read: 1 November 2024
How it fits: Love: stability, abundance, nurturing, kind partner, domestic comfort
－ Arriety's aunt house where she's going to live is comfortable. It full of furniture that makes it pleasant and convenient to live in
Next number: 43

Strength – Courage, strength, compassion

"You have inner strength and fortitude during moments of danger and distress. Your resilience will greatly aid you, and your fearlessness means that you should have no issues speaking your mind. This card also indicates this kind of compassion will always be rewarded with having a lot of stability in your life either presently on in the near future."

1. Love:strong caring relationship
2. Career: self mastery at work, bold career moves, taking big steps
3. Finance: large purchases

Book: The Bullet That Missed
Author: Richard Osman
Date read: 6 November 2024
How it fits: Love:strong caring relationship
－ the MCs are caring for their partners and friends
Next number: 55

Ten of Swords – Endings, failure, collapse

" The Ten of Swords indicate a major disaster of some sort. It shows that a certain force of extreme magnitude has come to hit you in your life - one that you may have not foreseen. There is a sense of betrayal that is indicated here, for the character is stabbed in the back. Let go of what you have lost, and focus on the new path forward because that is where your life is meant to go. "

1. Love: breakup, separation, sadness, grief, pain, infidelity
2. Career: loss of job, office politics, breakdown from stress, burnout
3. Finance: financial loss, failed investment

Book: The Secret Life of Carolyn Russell
Author: Gail Aldwin
Date read: 14 November 2024
How it fits: Career: loss of job, office politics, breakdown from stress, burnout
－ the MC was put out by redundancy
Next number: 28

Six of Swords – Transition, moving on, healing

"The meaning of the Six of Swords is that you are experiencing a transition of some kind, but one that is not happy and filled with regret. This transition will most likely be the result of decisions you made in the past, and now they are forcing you to leave something behind in order to move forward. Despite your sadness, you need to remember that moving on is the ideal option for your future.

1. Love: moving on from relationship, reconciling after fight
2. Career: leaving stressful workplace, moving to new role
3. Finance: finding material stability again, learned lessons

Book: Hunted
Author: Darcy Coates
Date read: 16 November 2024
How it fits: Career: leaving stressful workplace, moving to new role
－ the desk officers moved into the task force
Next number: 19

Nine of Swords – Anxiety, worry, nightmares

" The Nine of Swords is often associated with fear and anxiety, about all the things that worry you and keep you up at night. Sharing your grief does at least provide an outlet for your pain and may release you from carrying this burden alone. In cases where it is less about trauma and more about general anxiety, analyze yourself and think if this is a feeling that is within your control or if other factors contribute to your anxiety. Concentrate on the matters which you can control, and learn to ask for help. "

1. Love: not trusting partner, suspicious of partner, regret from past
2. Career: anxiety, paranoia, stress from work, no coping mechanisms
3. Finance:panic about finances, all-consuming worries, feeling deprived

Book: What You Wish For
Author: Katherine Center
Date read: 23 November 2024
How it fits: Love: not trusting partner, suspicious of partner, regret from past
－ the MC regretted the decision she made in the past
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

Book: The Woman in the Window
Author: A.J. Finn
Date read: 27 November 2024
How it fits: Love: love requiring hard work, self-improvement
－ the MC stopped doing bad habits and started to live healthier and did positive activities and fought her trauma for a better life
Next number: 1

Eight of Cups – Abandonment, withdrawal, moving on

" The Eight of Cups signifies time for change or transition, by means of walking away from something. You may have been exploring your options, flitting about from one choice to another, tasting the wine in each cup, as a means to sort out what it is that you really want with your life. You are now experiencing a feeling of exhaustion - and are coming to a realization that you must step away from what is familiar. It is a choice, and a recognition that true happiness will not be found in what you have already created. "

1. Love: leaving unhappy relationship, abandonment issues
2. Career: leaving unfulfilling job, taking vacation, escapism
3. Finance: choosing happiness over financial security

Book: Reckless Girls
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Date read: 6 December 2024
How it fits: Career: leaving unfulfilling job, taking vacation, escapism
－ the MCs took vacation in Meroe island, Hawaii
Next number: 13

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

Book: Bless Her Dead Little Heart
Author: Miranda James
How it fits: Finance: being disciplined with finances, acting logically
－ some characters were disciplined with their inheritance
Next number: 9

The High Priestess – Intuition, mystery, secrets

"Her appearance in a reading can signify that it is time for you to listen to your intuition rather than prioritizing your intellect and conscious mind"

1. Love: remain patient in love, calm exterior with inner passion, intimacy
2. Career: a period of education or higher learning, creative inspiration
3. Finance: use instincts

Book: A Tale for the Time Being
Author: Ruth Ozeki
Date read: 14 December 2024
How it fits: Career: a period of education or higher learning, creative inspiration
－ the MC was a middle schooler
Next number: 45

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

Book: Pet Sematary
Author: Stephen King
Date read: 19 December 2024
How it fits: Career: many career options, make a choice and stick to it
－ the MC made a choice and stick with it even though his friend told him not to
Next number: 4

Queen of Cups – Compassion, care, emotional balance

" The appearance of the Queen of Cups in a reading can be guiding you to find help from others. The Queen of Cups acts as a mirror and reflects the depths present in others, so they see themselves in a new light. Most times, the Queen of Cups can also represent the trusted inner voice you have within you. She seems to say that you should take the time to focus on your emotional health before trying to help others. "

1. Love: caring and supportive nature, deepening existing relationships
2. Career: taking the role of carer at work, seeking out support and compassion at work
3. Finance: using resources to care for others, giving, charity, generosity

This is your last draw

Book: Frost Hollow Hall
Author: Emma Carroll
Date read: 4 February 2025
How it fits: Career: taking the role of carer at work, seeking out support and compassion at work
－ a significant character is a housekeeper

Congrats, you finishing the challenge, that was the last draw! Thanks for playing