Tarot obsession

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 25 Sep 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Moongold	25 Sep 2002
Last night I had a momentary feeling of discomfort at my self-centredness in using the Tarot. It's been a three month period of delight and fascination but I wondered this morning whether some more balance would be in order. I am on a three week break and thought I'd use the time to finish my shadow work, to learn my new deck and to do some more general reading. I guess some degree of 'obsession' is understandable when one discovers a new interest. This kind of energy has been really useful to me in the past when I've had new jobs, been studying or working on a particular project. I think the difference here is learning about oneself constantly with the use of the cards. It's a little like having a mirror always present. For a few minutes last night I didn't want to know anything more about myself just for a while. The shadow work has probabably brought this feeling of self-preoccupation to the fore. Most people probably go through phases like this. I'm probably not helped in this by a personality that can be a little driven at times! But today, I'm not using the cards.......going walking instead. Moongold

angela	25 Sep 2002
Hi Moongold, I can relate to what you are saying. I have Capricorn rising in my chart and tend to get very involved (some may say obsessed) with any new idea or thing that I take on. I seem to go, go, go in one direction until I can go no further, realise I'm tired of it and begin looking around for something new. I think learning about ourselves is such an amazing and meaningful exerience, but I also feel sure that you taking a day off to go walking is a great way of making sure you don't get lost in yourself...so to speak. I think shadow work and the tarot work really well together. Hope your ongoing 'studies' are fruitful. angela

Moongold	25 Sep 2002
Hello Angela, Another Aussie? That's great. I am a Saggitarian with Capricorn rising as well and I didn't know that was characteristic! 12th house too, which means I have a hunger for this kind of information and a great interest in spirituality at this time in life. The connections between Tarot, Astrology and Numerology are so apparent and just in the short time that I've been exposed to all of these areas I've learned such a lot. I think of climbing a mountain with many beautiful gardens of knowledge, and wanting to spend so many hours there that ordinary life may be forgotten! I long ago learned that grounding is really good for me and that I work best when firmly anchored in the present. However, now I know myself and can listen to those quiet voices that say "Hey! What are you doing??" Temperance is the card I meditated on today. Warm regards, Moongold

Alex	25 Sep 2002
because you also said that today you felt sick of your self-preocupation. We go through phases and sometimes stop here and there for a bit longer than we think we should. It is all OK. Real narcissistics don't stop to think "I'm too self-preocupated". Life is so hard and moments of pleasure and enjoyment so little. If it gives you pleasure to explore yourself, go for it. Use the measure of addiction for any addiction: if you need every time more and if it is ruining other aspects of your life, start worrying. If not... Temperance 4 the sake of Temperance is like Justice 4 the sake of justice: makes not sense.

angela	25 Sep 2002
Moongold, Would you believe I am a Sagittarius with Capricorn rising with my Sun just before the cusp of the 12th house too? Spooky! Also I have my moon and Venus in Capricorn in the 12th house, and Jupiter, Mercury and Neptune in Sag in the 11th. I find the process of self-discovery very comforting. Often it is just knowing WHY we are a certain way that makes life less difficult and more rewarding. regards angela

Moongold	25 Sep 2002
Hi Angela, I am new to astrology but got my chart done at www.astro.com on the weekend. Yesterday I bought a book by Gail Fairfield called 'Choice Centred Astrology' to help me understand it. A few others have helped very much with the interpretation as well. As far as I can see, I have Mercury and Jupiter in the 12th House and the Moon in Pisces and the 3rd House. Venus seems to be in Capricorn and the 1st House. This was all very revealing and quite startling in its relevance. Balder asked me on the weekend whether something had happened in a particular year and *WOW* I'd had a major career and psychological change. He could tell simply by looking at a chart. The process of self discovery IS comforting and I feel quite privileged to have come to these tools at this time in my life. Certainly they have provided insights into life experiences that I haven't been able to obtain in such richness any other way. I think you are possibly a little younger than me, but I haven't met anyone else so closely connected astrologically. Blessings, Moongold

Moongold	25 Sep 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Alex Life is so hard and moments of pleasure and enjoyment so little. If it gives you pleasure to explore yourself, go for it. Use the measure of addiction for any addiction: if you need every time more and if it is ruining other aspects of your life, start worrying. If not... Temperance 4 the sake of Temperance is like Justice 4 the sake of justice: makes not sense. Hi Alex, It's good to hear from you. Certainly self-discovery can give moments of joy. Aha......everything making sense. Temperance is a good friend to me now. Moongold

Alex	25 Sep 2002
I've reccomended ya to discuss a subject on this thread, please don't let me down. ;-)))))))))) http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&postid=84697#post84697

Keslynn	26 Sep 2002
Another thing to keep in mind is that fire signs - Sag, Leo and Aries - have a tendency to go into something full blown but to lose momentum fairly soon in the project. Even Leo, the fixed fire sign, has a tendency to lose steam when there are details involved. (Details are distinctly too common for Leos ;)) That might be another explanation to supplement your own. As for needing time away from tarot, at least as far as reading for yourself, I think everyone needs that. It can even be a good thing. Working with the bad things you might see in the mirror takes some time so use the "break" to enact some of the lessons you've learned from tarot in everyday life. Shadow work is a good way to do that, but I personally can only do a little at a time. It's emotionally wearing for me. Also, a lot of times, I don't even do readings anymore about issues that are close to me - such as how a date will go, etc. I often find that I just don't want to know. Hope my allergy-medicated ramble made some sort of sense. ;) :) Kes

Jewel	26 Sep 2002
Kesslyn I loved your post! ~giggles~. Your description of the Leo influence just cracked me up as I have a Leo moon which I believe has a strong influence on me. My sun sign is Pisces, my rising is on the the cusp of Aries and Taurus. Leo is in my 5th house I believe and pisces, venus and something else in my 12th. I do not have a single air sign in my entire chart *LOL*. The other 3 elements are well balanced thank Goddess (from what I have been told*LOL*). Too bad I don't understand astrology better as I am sure my quirky chart would be a real eye opener for me if I fully understood it *LOL*. Details are too common for me though ;) I also share your sentiment about shadow work. I need to work it a little at a time, because it is emotionally exhausting yet exhilirating at the same time. Moongold, don't worry about being obsessed. There are times we really need to spend on ourselves. It is too bad that society has taught us that dedicating time to ourselves is selfish. Think of it this way, the better you know and understand yourself the more you have to offer others :) ... enjoy your walk!

Laurel	26 Sep 2002
Feel better Moongold! Balance is a really good thing. Walks are particularly nice. Just don't be too hard on yourself for having a bout of tarot-obsessiveness; I think almost all of us have time periods like that. Some fresh air and focus elsewhere for a little while will probably make everything come together in a better harmony. Enjoy today! Laurel

The Tarot obsession thread was originally posted on 25 Sep 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.