It's not "just" a hobby!

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 23 Apr 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Rhiannon	23 Apr 2002
Funny story. Hubby is reading the computer over my shoulder the other day when I come across a posting in the "Your readings" section about the expandable love spread. I mention that this is a spread I came up with and posted here for everyone to use, and see what they think of it. He was taken aback! LOL I said this was the 3rd or 4th post in a week that I had glanced at that was using the expandable. He just kept saying "Wow" with a shocked look on his face. It was so funny I just kept laughing at him. I said "NOW do you take me seriously?" Tarotbear is right, validation is GOOD. Just had to share because I know there are a few others out there with loved ones like this. Rhiannon :)

All Is One	23 Apr 2002
I know how much we all want our friends and mates to "get it" but the fact is, I have no idea how to imprint the actual meaning of Tarot in their heads! I can explain it to a friend or family member over and over, but I don't really like to explain AGAIN an entire concept and a huge subject , about which I have extremely deep feelings. Usually their eyes glaze over and they are clearly trying to follow the idea, but not on the same page, or even close! Happy to hear that your hubby finally started to catch on! :) *LOL* :)

Bings	23 Apr 2002
My husband thinks tarot is just a hobby of mine. He knows I'm serious about it. I talk to him about it. He listens but doesn't reply much. I tell him about readings and different books. He even bought me 78 Degrees of Wisdom last week!!! But that doesn't change the fact that he believes it is a hobby. He loves me. So he doesn't critize things that interest me. Most of my friends love that I have taken up tarot as a "hobby". They all now get free readings whenever they want and I get lots of practice. It doesn't matter if they "get it" or not. What matters is that they except it as something important to me. Dianne

MystiqueMoonlight	23 Apr 2002
My story is similar, but with a twist.... When I took up study of the Traditional Path my partner was, well not skeptical, but perhaps a little ambiguos about the whole thing. He too listened with a kind ear, but I'm sure his logical mind was keeping his appreciation and understanding of the Craft at bay. However I have been reading hands (not palmistry) for many years and decided to take up the Tarot. This was his turning point. Whilst he watches and peers at the cards with great enthusiasm whenever I do a reading he sits proudly and announces how accurate my readings are. My cards have led me on a whole new path to discovery, discipline and understanding and I think it may be affecting him the same way too.... Blessed be...

truthsayer	23 Apr 2002
whenever i try to talk about tarot to my hubby, his eyes glaze over and he usually says,"you're getting too deep for me!" finally, i found a way to make an analogy that meant something to him. he's an agnostic but was brought up in the church so his thinking is oft influenced by the Bible. we were talking about spirituality one day and i told him that tarot was to me what the Bible was to him. i still haven't figured out how to explain how important it is to spend time studying tarot instead of doing housework or that personal growth is more important than clean dishes, etc. i know i'm not lazy b/c my mind is constantly active. i always have projects going on. lazy is spending 24/7 being a couch potato in front of the tv eating potato chips and cookies. it's difficult to explain how personal growth is my life not just a hobby. the house will always get dirty again but personal growth is here to stay. i wish i could engage him in some of the pathworking things i do w/ tarot. it leaves an empty place in our connection b/c i cannot share such a vital part of myself. i'd probably do more around the house if i had a concession from him that tarot is as important to me as a clean house is to him. it's hard not to be resentful sometimes. he does work and i should do things to make life easier for him while he works. i know when he can tell i've been active around the house he feels loved by me. how can i explain that it would make me feel more loved if he recognized the importance of tarot in my life. \o/

kayne	24 Apr 2002
The friends I do readings for get it when they see how clearly their lives are reflected in the cards... Not much more explanation about the 'how' and 'why' is needed. I have usually judged who I think will be open to tarot before I even let them know I have an interest in it. I recently discovered a friend of mine was really interested in tarot but neither of us had ever mentioned it. :P

All Is One	24 Apr 2002
Everything I've read on the various threads of this site has confirmed my choices and beliefs regarding who I am and what I have chosen to do with my life. . . . . I was pretty sure of my path when I dropped out of graduate school, but I was never able to discuss what I was really thinking, studying and pursuing as a whole, with anyone- I never imagined that there were other people in a similar "boat".... I never even considered that I might find any means of outside validation, and I accepted years and years ago that I could devote myself to writing and my tarot -related pursuits in solitary discipline, kind of a private nun's vows- w/out needing to see "Dr." in front of my name (my family affliction is pursuit of phd's at any cost.....) And when I first found this site I was SO cynical, I had tried entering the word tarot in a search for no other reason than hoping to fing interesting images, historical info, and I expected a bunch of the "free reading- click here" stuff. I have really been surprised at how much better I feel about myself to know that there are so many other's on the path, and that whether we see it as the same path or not (it's different for each, of course) the dedication to spiritual over mundane is what we all share. My partner can't even PRONOUNCE the word tarot correctly! *LOL* After 6 months of living together- w/books, decks, and other devotional items everywhere he turned, he still says the word as if it rhymes with "carrot" What can I say? I feel no need to educate him. . .And I don't ever use my cards when he's around, which may be a bigger factor than I'd thought in my decision to move back to my own apartment, last week. (ggreat thread, thanks Rhiannon!!!) :) :) :)

Tarotbear 2	24 Apr 2002
O.K. Who can use an old advertising line and insert 'Tarot' into it? " A day without Tarot is like a day without sunshine". (thank you, Rhiannon-- validation IS good!)

Zhritza	24 Apr 2002
"Oh, what a feeling - Tarot?" "Because Tarot is a terible thing to waste?"

All Is One	24 Apr 2002
Tarot and You : For all those Tarot Moments in your life- aren't you glad there's Tarot? "Be wonderful. Be exuberant, Be existential, (Be an ex- fashion- slave) Be a Tarot devotee: Just Be. . . . " -Calvin Klein (boy that ad series bugs me!) Tarot- Keeping people connected. . . Tarot Bars.... "What would YOU do for a Tarot deck?" (Klondike Bars) (Actually, we have this one as a huge and wild thread- hee hee) "Ay yay yay yay...I am the tarot card junkie~ (clap 3x) I love all the tarots, I love them, I do; I want all the decks but I'll save some for you!" (sing the above lines to the tune of the Mexican Hat Dance song, wearing a big black velvet sombrero, clutching your pink Frito Bandito eraser from 1969)

truthsayer	24 Apr 2002
what about this one-- nefertiti tarot $45. Tarot for yourself--$18.99. tarot bag and spread cloth $12. accurate tarot reading--priceless. you can't always see all the tarot crises ahead so for those unexpected tarot expenses there's always mastercard!

kayne	24 Apr 2002
LOLOLOL I hope you all know the twisties motto... "Life's pretty straight without tarot."

All Is One	24 Apr 2002
I'm way into this silliness, Tarotbear, how cool.... But my mind is stuck in a loop now, because the Australian product "twisties" is.....? Something like our cheetos snacks??? And: Tarot- Take me away! Tarot- Never leave home without it. Tarot- It's everywhere you want to be. Tarot- Dare to compare (?) Tarot- The other white meat (oops-couldn't stop myself) and Tarot. . . . Because You're Worth It Tarot- Keeping People Connected

Kiama	24 Apr 2002
My parents don't really 'get it' either.... My Mum is most confused with the deck collecting! As far as she's concerned, all decks are the same... And you only need one deck to read with! My boyf is a bit more supportive. He knows Tarot is a major part of my life, and he knows I love decks, (In fact, he's bought me about 8 so far!) I suppose its fair exchange for me trying to put up with his Tiberian Sun thing.... (Ugh...) I got him the Robin Wood deck for Christmas, but he hardly ever uses it. Kiama

catlin	24 Apr 2002
I have to admit that I still have to live in a non-tarot-accepting enivronment. Most of the folk around me see it as a mere deck of playing cards (although there are enough Germans who spent a fortune on collection Star Wars or D & D collecting cards) or as an eccentricy or as a Satanic tool or, or......all that lowbrow crap. There is an interest for Tarot in Germany but not on a superior level. Luckily, I found you to have a good discussion or to share common opinions.

Emily	24 Apr 2002
My husband is getting a little concerned about the amount of tarot decks, tarot books, I Ching coins, cards and books lol So I think I'm just going to have to get him involved, now let me think which deck would he like :D

Tarotbear 2	24 Apr 2002
"Tarot - what becomes a legend most?" "It isn't over 'til the Tarot reader reads"

Diana	24 Apr 2002
edited

kayne	24 Apr 2002
Yeah Diana! You are right! In Australian English you don't pronounce the 'T' at the end (and I believe it is the same for USA and UK...) Nothing bugs me more than when people think tarot rhymes with carrot! :P

Rhiannon	24 Apr 2002
Diana, that's the way I pronounce it too. Rhyming with "marrow". How's this one: I'm a tarologue He's a tarologue She's a tarologue We's a tarolouge Wouldn't you like to be a tarologue too? Rhiannon :)

Tarotbear 2	24 Apr 2002
"Tarot - takes a licking and comes back ticking" (that one may be too esoteric for you youngin's) "Tarot - breakfast of Champions"

All Is One	24 Apr 2002
I 'm sure someone can quote this in chapter and verse, but as far as I can remember, the word Tarot was in. . .well, another language, and the word IS (acc. to my books,) pronounced to rhyme w/marrow, and it was taro (for 100 corresponding reasons!) and taro means "the royal road" (as in 'path') And even non 'Tarrot' people usually pick up the way to say it after two consecutive days in my delightful presence (I babble and that word tends to come up.) And now a word from our sponsors: Oh I wish I was a brand new deck of Tarot . . . That is what I'd truly like to beeeeeee... Because if I was a lovely deck of Tarot. . . . . . Everyone would be in love with me! Well: it seems that Alison has been off on a few other site's and gotten quite goofy *out of the barn too long. . .* In other words- living back in my own apt, w/ all my animals actually perched (and pooping discretely) upon my back- and/or screaming like wild monkeys in the rainforest- (lovebirds can out decibel an Orangutang Ape- I'll bet you a nickel!) and I have plenty of higher pitched budgies, and my cockatiels are so handfed and spoiled senseless, they say things I can't tell. . . I've come round to myself again. No drama, no fuss, it is just time to be here and time to love the jungle I created - All Is One Queen of her Own Jungle (where did I put the ear plugs. . .?)

Mystick Dragon	24 Apr 2002
Obey no one Obey your thirst Tarot Kinda cheesey I know. Ah one ah two a one two three four Gimme a read, gimme a read Gimme a read of those Tarot cards! --Dragon

All Is One	24 Apr 2002
Let's see how cheesy a level I can bring this thread down to (lol) This is your brain.....:) This is your brain on Tarot. . . . ..}) ~~~~~~~~~~~~short break while I slop the hogs~~~~~~~ All You Need is just . . . . a tarot deck and a smile! You Know You're In Good Hands With. . . .Tarot. (Special one for the Authurian fans amongst us-) What becomes a Legend most. . . . .? Tarot! (hee hee- cheesy enough yet?) Maybe She's Born With It. . . .Maybe It's-----Tarot. (cheese level has clearly been raised several notches here, guys. . .)

Umbrae	25 Apr 2002
Tarot…when you positively, absolutely have to know…

Zhritza	25 Apr 2002
...When you want to feel REALLY fresh.... okay, okay, I'll stop there })

Tarotbear 2	25 Apr 2002
"And like a good neighbor - Tarot is there" " It's time to put on make-up- It's time to dress up right! Skip that lousy jamaican accent On the Tarot Show tonight!" "Promise her anything - but give her Tarot" " People, people who read Tarot- Are the luckiest people in the world!"

All Is One	25 Apr 2002
====Tarot---Builds Strong bodies 12 ways ++++Tarot. . .it's a rainbow of flavor ( for your soul ) ====Tarot. . .It Takes Strength to Look This Good (L.A.Looks gel) ++++Tarot. . . Isn't Life Juicy (Starburst) ~~~~~~~~~Here's one might actually work, on at least 2 levels~ GRAB LIFE BY THE HORNS......STUDY ~ TAROT~ Tarot excitement~~~~~PASS IT ON! This is kind of like one of those jingles -this whole idea of inserting Tarot into ad slogans- that sticks in ones head and refuses to be yanked out. (Wouldn't you like to be a reader too?) All Is Stuck in Madison Avenue Land

The It's not "just" a hobby! thread was originally posted on 23 Apr 2002 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.