Using Oblique Strategies like a Tarot Deck: Lessons in Creative Intervention
Hot take: Maybe 2025 doesn’t need resolutions. Maybe it just needs better questions. P.S. I want to give you a reading!!
TikTok tarot readers have taken over our feeds—and for good reason. They tap into something primal: our desire for meaning, guidance, and connection in a world that feels increasingly chaotic. With lines like "If this video found you, no hashtags, this message is meant for you," they blend serendipity with algorithmic precision, making tarot feel deeply personal, even when it’s mass-produced for millions of viewers. As we brace for impending TikTok shutdowns, I’m out here claiming (hoarding) any and all 11:11s on my FYP.
But what’s really happening here? The rise of TikTok tarot is more than a trend; it’s a cultural phenomenon that reflects our collective hunger for self-reflection, answers, and hope in uncertain times.
Beneath the alluring ASMR card shuffles lies something profound: a tool that invites us to ask better questions. That’s the heart of tarot (and its modern, viral interpretations): not necessarily providing answers, but sparking inquiry, igniting self knowing. And it’s this spirit of inquiry that I’ve been experimenting with in my coaching practice.
Fusing Intuition and Inquiry
I love TikTok tarot readers—for their entertainment value and because sometimes I just need a stranger to tell me that my best friend wants to dissassociate with me at Chili’s while we wait for our Triple Dippers to come in (claiming!).
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Real talk: I really love my personal tarot practice.. Two decks always live on my coffee table: my Rachel Howe deck (my daily go-to) and the classic Rider-Waite deck.
Lately, I’ve been expanding how I use my readings, asking the cards more pointed questions about immediate next steps in my work. This shift reminded me of another deck gathering dust on my bookshelf: Oblique Strategies.
Enter Oblique Strategies
Originally designed by Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt to help artists break through creative blocks, Oblique Strategies is a deck of enigmatic prompts like “Do nothing for as long as possible” or “Water” Unlike tarot, these cards don’t rely on archetypes to evoke symbolic associations; instead, the poetic snippets serve to tickle thought patterns, offering a radical nudge to thinking differently.
A New Experimental Coaching Modality
What if, I wondered, I started turning to this deck for the same guidance I seek from tarot? What if this could be integrated in my coaching practice?
Inspired by tarot spreads, I started interpreting Oblique Strategies cards as multi-card layouts rather than standalone prompts. These spreads create a continuous narrative, layering insights to dimensionalize the experience. Adding intuition to the mix, really feeling into the cards—and considering a “reversed” card’s energy—deepens the process even further. This experiment merges intuition and inquiry, blending the serendipity of divination with the practical magic of non-directive coaching. It’s playful, surprising, and deeply resonant for dreamers, artists, and anyone curious about creatively unlocking new levels of thought.
Below are some layouts, personal questions, and interpretations I’ve recently explored.
1. Past, Present, Future (3 cards): Exploring an energetic check in on a particular topic.
In September I completed the executive coaching training intensive through Berkeley and have been working towards my certification by getting in all my hours and working on my final exams. It’s been challenging and incredibly rewarding work!
Where was I, where am I now, and where am I headed with my coaching practice?
Past
Card: “Be Dirty” (Reversed)
Reversed, this card suggests resistance in embracing imperfection. Right away I am reminded how I felt a bit insecure at the start of my journey, feeling the need to integrate all of my learnings from my training, present a polished or professional demeanor while being observed. Looking back, I can see how this limited my ability to lean into experimenting freely, and my authentic style. There were moments I held back, feeling like I needed more preparation or confidence before trying certain things, or waiting until I was officially certified.Present
Card: “Ask People to Work Against Their Better Judgment”
In the present, this upright card suggests I’m leaning into my role as a guide who challenges norms and helps clients break free from rigid patterns. I am actively encouraging my coachees to trust themselves and starting to explore unfamiliar, unconventional approaches. At the same time, I can also recognize how I myself am challenging my own internal boundaries, redefining my coaching style in new ways.Future
Card: “The Inconsistency Principle” (Reversed)
Reversed, I can feel this card cautions against resisting the natural ebb and flow of growth. I may feel tempted to seek more control or certainty in my coaching practice, especially as I approach certification, which could create tension. I also feel the reversed position of this card inviting me to redefine what "inconsistency" means—perhaps as an opportunity to be messy in my growth, or embrace experimentation— rather than something to fear or avoid.
TLDR; This spread emphasizes releasing perfectionism (past), embracing bold disruption and creative experimentation (present), and finding peace with non-linear growth (future). I’m feeling called to trust the messy, dynamic process of building my coaching practice, leaning into the curiosity and transformation that drives me in the work I do with others.
2. Asking for Advice (3 cards): Diving into a situation, challenge, or opportunity.
Those closest to me—and the ones catching my cryptic IG teases—know I’ve been pouring my heart into Skypunch, my passion project that centers on creating transformative experiences for creatives. After years of grinding in the corporate world I am feeling called to create containers of adventure and care for fellow creatives, one way being through designing immersive retreats. But when it comes to building a community around this vision, I’ll admit—I’m still figuring it out.
How can I build community?
What you need to know:
Card: "Give the Game Away"
I immediately think of generosity in transparency with this card. Sharing my knowledge, resources, process, insights without holding back (something I’m trying to do!)…could this foster trust and attract like-minded individuals? As someone who values collective growth, how can I encourage dialogue and collaboration as I build?A new perspective:
Card: “Use an Old Idea” (Reversed)
Reversed, this card suggests letting go of outdated frameworks or ideas, or what I think I “should” do. This feels like an invitation to reimagine and release to make room for innovation. There is no map to reference!Action to take:
Card: “Gardening, Not Architecture”
Nurturing and organic growth rather than rigidly designing and controlling. Building community is about planting seeds, cultivating relationships, and letting the connections flourish naturally over time. How can I focus on what I know and enjoy (building relationships, tending to individuals and their needs) as a means of planting seeds?
TLDR; Building community is an organic process. Be generous and transparent, let go of rigid or outdated frameworks, and focus on nurturing connections with patience and care.
3. Making a Decision (6 cards): A multi-faceted spread for clarity and confidence.
Skypunch is the culmination of my values and experience—everything I’ve leaned on to nurture my own inner creative—and I’m thrilled to finally share it with others. I’ve spent a lot of time clarifying my mission, and now I’m ready to take the exciting (and uncomfortable) step of putting it into action.
Thanks to some incredibly encouraging survey results (huge gratitude to everyone who participated!), I feel a strong pull to host my first IRL retreat in New Mexico this May. But I’ve been sitting with a question lately: is this premature, or is that doubt just fear talking? Maybe it’s both.
Should I move forward with hosting a retreat before establishing community?
Option 1 (Hosting the retreat):
Card: "Define an area as ‘safe’ and use it as an anchor" (Reversed)
Hosting the retreat now could feel unsteady, I might struggle to create the necessary sense of trust and cohesion among participants without a pre-built community. The reversal suggests potential challenges in making the space feel fully grounded or supportive. The reversal also suggests a ‘safe’ area as an anchor might not even exist.Option 2 (Waiting to build a community first):
Card: "Take a break" (Reversed)
Waiting to build a community might feel frustrating or counterintuitive, as if I’m stalling progress, or delaying action. The reversal points to resistance to pausing, even if it may ultimately offer a stronger foundation.Option 1 Energy (The energy surrounding hosting the retreat):
Card: "Use filters"
Hosting a retreat now requires careful curation. I’ll likely need to be selective about participants, the theme, and the structure to ensure it aligns with my vision, even without an established community. I should focus on quality and intention to make it work.Option 2 Energy (The energy surrounding waiting to build a community):
Card: "Breathe more deeply"
Waiting provides an opportunity for calm and alignment. This energy suggests that taking the time to build a community will allow me to approach future retreats with greater ease, intention, and confidence.Fears (Your fears surrounding change):
Card: "Not building a wall but making a brick"
I may fear that incremental progress feels insufficient or slow, worrying that small steps won't add up to the big vision. There’s anxiety about whether I am making meaningful progress or if I should take a more dramatic leap.Blessings (The blessings that come from making the decision):
Card: "When is it for?" (Reversed)
The reversed energy of this card suggests that the true blessing lies in releasing the pressure of perfect timing. Instead of waiting for the "perfect" moment or feeling like I’m rushing, this card feels like encouragement to embrace the now. Whether I host the retreat or wait, the timing will never feel perfect, or be perfect, and that’s okay. I can trust in my ability to make it work, regardless of when it happens, and learn as I go.
TLDR; The spread kinda leans toward the long-term benefits of building a community first, however, "When is it for?" reversed reminds me that there’s no such thing as perfect timing. If I feel called to act now, I should trust my ability to adapt and create something meaningful, even if the conditions aren’t ideal. Whether I choose to host now or wait, the key is to trust in the process and move forward intentionally.
Why This Works: Lessons from Brian Eno
Brian Eno’s philosophies have always fascinated me. His ideas on creativity—valuing theory over practice, serendipity over forethought, and texture over craft—resonate deeply with this experiment.
Theory Over Practice: Strong frameworks and ideas spark endless possibilities, while rigid execution often stifles innovation.
Serendipity Over Forethought: Randomness and happy accidents guide us to unexpected revelations.
Texture Over Craft: The feeling and atmosphere matter more than perfection; it’s about the richness of the process, not just the result.
In coaching, these principles shape how I approach transformation. Inquiry and empathy ground the work, but intuition and serendipity invite breakthroughs that logic alone might miss.
Try it yourself! Or try it with me!
I would love to hear if you try this on your own and what your experience is like.
If you are curious but would rather be guided throughout the process, I am offering free 1:1 readings.
While you won’t find me giving Oblique Strategies readings on TikTok, I will be offering these free 1:1 New Year’s Readings over Zoom in January. Together, we’ll explore a question of yours, pull a few cards, and explore how their provocations might guide you.
How It Works:
Who It’s For: Anyone looking for a creative approach to fresh perspectives for 2025.
What to Expect: A 60-minute session, part divination, part coaching.
Where: Virtual
These sessions will count towards the hours I need for my coaching certification (I’m tracking completion by March—so close!). If this Substack found you, then yes, this message is meant for you 😉
Thanks for reading! If you have or start a Substack, lmk 😎
xErica 🦋
If you like this Substack, feel free to share with those who you think may also like it 💌
I shared with a friend who just booked their reading <3