How does your boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse/partner view Tarot?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 26 Dec 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Demonesse	26 Dec 2002
I've always wondered, after reading all the threads that deal with families having taboos against tarot (and the recent one citing a positive view), what's your boyfriend/girlfriend/intended/spouse/partner's take on it? I'm asking because this is the special person that's supposed to be one's soulmate; yet seldom have I heard of any throughly supporting the often expensive and often viewed as "eccentric" tarot hobby...

Fuzzmello	26 Dec 2002
I have a lot of friends who are interested and share my love of Tarot and astrology. I see one gal who's interested but a little cautious due to her Christian upbringing. I see another who's just as Christian, but looks forward to her readings. My son is twelve and really likes to look at the cards but is extremely sceptical of any meanings assigned to them. He is interested though, and I think in time he might come around to asking me to teach him the cards. Lots of people know I read. I got some flak about it years ago, but now I think those who don't like it or can't accept it have come to accept me. I never have and never will argue with them or try to convince someone who doesn't believe that divination is real. I firmly believe it's more important that I present myself as just another guy who just happens to use universal systems in his everyday life. By the way, I don't believe in the market index as a means of predicting growth or loss of real capitol. That's some real wacko occult stuff! Fuzz

mrsjvan	26 Dec 2002
my hubby is very excepting and supportive. He has his own hobbies that cost money too and he likes to have me do readings for him. So, another positive from my family :)

Marie	26 Dec 2002
Hi, My SO Michael doesn't have a problem with it at all. When we met one of the things that drew us together was our similarity in spiritual thinking so thats always been an area we are very close on. Tarot, though, I tend to focus on as a tool to explore my spirituality while he doesn't, he is more of a left brainer. He really likes that I am making a deck though and he is not shy about it! In fact, one of the reasons I am so open about it is because I can't get him to keep it to himself. He shows my deck to the neighbors, people he works with, both his and my families, pretty much everyone. He is so open and enthusisastic about it that I have yet to see a negative reaction, even from those you would most expect it from. Sometimes its embarassing, I tend to be a little more private about it. Anyway,I consider myself very lucky:)

Scorpion	26 Dec 2002
Well Demonesse, my partner started by reacting pretty much as if he'd seen a vampire and practically crossing himself whenever he came across a deck lying round the house due to a very strict Protestant upbringing. Now he almost hardly bats an eyelid and has even asked for a reading or two, though he still doesn't believe in it and makes fun of what I say! Still, it's better than before and who knows - maybe one day he'll have a go himself!

RedWood	26 Dec 2002
The man I am with..Is the one who bought me my first tarot deck! He currently does not use tarot himself (working 60 hours a week kinda makes time limited).. We have such similiar views on spirituality..that there are NO problems...Because when he met me..i was not into the "spiritual" stuff..LOL..I converted..he is pretty happy about..As for everyone else..I personally dont care if they like it or not..Sure it is nice if they do..But as long as I dont hear lectures about how evil etc it is..We are good!

Faerie Lin	26 Dec 2002
My hubby Brian thinks its cool I collect Tarot decks. He is the main person who buys me decks. I've gotten him a couple of decks also. Like Mrsjvan's hubby, Brian has a hobby that costs, so he can't complain about my decks taking money even if he wanted to, he collects comicbooks. I've never had any problems with family members concerning doing the Tarot. Before Brian and I had gotten serious, I told him about my love for Tarot and my pagan ways and spells... He had no problem with it, thought it was cool... I wouldn't have gotten serious with him if he would have had a problem with it, I never EVER want to put myself in a relationship where my soul doesn't feel free to do the things that I love.

zorya	26 Dec 2002
when we first met, i think my husband thought it was exotic and part of my interesting eccentric character, lol. although he claimed to be agnostic, years later he started viewing it as wrong and something i should not be exposing to our children. these were very, very hard years. very recently he has had a major personal transformation and not only accepts who i am but bought me four decks and four tarot books for solstice! my son was strongly influenced by the 'bad' years, and scoffs at my interests. my daughter is fascinated by the tarot, and has a very spiritual nature. my husbands family are fundamentalist christians. they are praying for my and my children's souls, to put it nicely.

Woof	26 Dec 2002
My husband is not supportive, not intolerant, just a little condescending. He's not from the religious mindset, just the opposite: he thinks it's all trash and indicitive some kind of a psychological weakness. He's very much the athiest. Once I explained the archetypal value and the tarot's use as a prism of archetypes through which you can gain a differet perspective on your situation he's become more tolerant. He even bought me a Tarot for Your Self by Mary Greer for christmas. I try to keep my tarot expeditures to a minimum as I have a ton of hobbies that cost a bunch and I am currently an at home mom. He has no hobbies and doesn't understand them. Woof

Teal	26 Dec 2002
As I've posted in other places here, my oldest son was one of my "hurdles" with tarot, but thanks to my daughter-in-law (his wife) buying me a deck, at least I'm out of the closet with all the kids and my oldest son didn't give me trouble. Then I mentioned to my companion John, who I'll soon be travelling with, that I had gotten a deck for Christmas. ( I haven't mentioned I have umpteen other decks and books. LOL ) He was brought up Mormon, so I thought he might not like it, but he didn't say anything much. That means that for Christmas, I actually got the greatest gift of all and that's the gift of being able to openly study and use tarot. As for my other kids, my second son isn't judgmental about that kind of thing because he isn't of fundamentalist bent. I thought his wife might object, but she actually had me read for her! My oldest daughter loves tarot herself and my youngest daughter believes in it. My two grandchildren that I'm raising have their own decks. Neither of them uses them, though. They mostly just look through them and keep them put away. People who are afraid of or judgmental of tarot are just uninformed is all. They've never investigated it for themselves because they've been taught a judgmental, conditionally loving God that they fear. They take someone else's word for their spiritual "shoulds and oughts" and are afraid to experiment for themselves to find their own path. Even as a small child, I've always believed in finding things out for myself instead of taking someone else's word for anything, but even so, it took me till my advanced age to investigate tarot for myself because of the fearful things I was taught about it. That brings me to something-------the word "occult" simply means secret things not known or understood by everyone. Fundamentalists have given the word "occult" a meaning equivalent with the devil and the furies of hell unfortunately, which just shows ignorance of the true meaning of the word. By the dictionary definition of the word, Christian people could be also said to be "occult" in their beliefs. Right? Right! I don't mean to throw stones at Christians, because I also could be called a Christian, but my beliefs are aligned more with Christian mysticism. I'm not a fundamentalist, although I was raised that way. And by the way, the word "mysticism" has also been given a fundamentalist meaning that isn't accurate---even though some of the most revered of the saints were Christian mystics. I won't get onto religion again. I don't really believe in bringing religion into question here.

Summerdream	26 Dec 2002
Although my husband doesn't actually put any faith in tarot he has been most supportive and has bought me most of my decks. He sees it as a hobby I enjoy and which brings me pleasure. I've tried offering him readings before but he won't let me. On a few occasions I have got him to actually pick a daily draw card though and have told him the meanings. In a way, I think he is almost proud of my tarot studies and tells his co-workers, etc. what I do (that's brave of him since most think it's evil!). When I get a new deck he always enjoys looking at the cards with me. Maybe deep down he believes more than he's willing to admit. I'm very glad that he is so supportive and buys me decks. My 3 daughters are very interested in tarot and like doing daily draws on occasion. I have the Whimsical deck I use with them. So even though my husband might not share all the same views as I do, he loves me enough to accept and let me continue in my own beliefs.

zander770	26 Dec 2002
e gad, man . . . it "all began sometime somewhere in a place called gallalaaaaaa..." the "mother of my son," when we met, "said, acted as if, played at, wanted to be, was 'too tired to,' liked the b.o.t.a. parties, but didn't enjoy the b.o.t.a. study groups, i 'scared' her off into disbelief," whatever (you "know the type"; they receive their "daily horoscope" from kelli fox, or whomever, don't know/cannot remember their MOON sign, have a ryder-waite deck (missing several cards and don't even care, at all), has a few zodiac stickers, buttons, a t-shirt, mayhap a torn poster, or two, likes a LOT of candels and incense and smoke and mirrors durring sex," much akin to something like that! i've been w/another, now for two and 1/2 years and she's...what, exactly? she's really NOT interested, at all (save for "not being around" when me and/or me and other's are doing rites! she knows the times of my l.b.r.p.'s, et cetera), and that "works," in a somewhat strange way (and, i HAVE "thought about it" and have attempted to include/interest her). i have read for her, tho (but, i never, ever read tarot for anyone until they ASK me), apx half-a-dozen times, purhaps!. interesting thread... ~z~770 :smoker:

cjtarot	26 Dec 2002
Woof, "My husband is not supportive, not intolerant, just a little condescending. He's not from the religious mindset, just the opposite: he thinks it's all trash and indicitive some kind of a psychological weakness. He's very much the athiest." Boy yours and mine should get together for a drink sometime...maybe my hubby will start to sort of support me. Unfortunately, he sees it more as a waste of my time, "I should be doing other things" and money. I could say the same about his passion - fishing - but I wont. The way it works now is if he doesnt have to trip on the decks as he walks in the room he keeps his mouth shut and I "cringe" but bite my tounge when he shows off his Rainbow something or other fish that was mounted and hanging in the back room. Blessings, Cj

Diana	26 Dec 2002
My husband and I are happy to let each other live our lives as we deem fit, as long as it doesn't mess up our family life. But we are always very careful about that, because we have very different interests in life, and so we have to pay great attention that we are not losing sight of each other (after more than 20 years, we've learned to recognise the danger signs). He always listens when I need to talk about Tarot, especially the historical side, which interests him a lot, as he's very much into historical things himself and is always correcting me when I start messing up with dates and historical facts. What he actually thinks of Tarot itself, I'm not quite sure. But if I do a reading for him, he listens politely and then goes off promptly to do whatever he had planned to do in the first place! :laugh:

allibee	26 Dec 2002
My last significant other would pat me on the head and smile benevolently at my eccentricities. As long as I didn't want to read the cards instead of having sex with him, then everything and anything I did was ok. I never offered to read for him because of this and he - THE epitome of the King Pentacles and a Leo to boot - never asked....until one time when he was desperate and grasping for straws of his own. He didn't believe what I showed him, but it all came to pass. Now my children, they are GREAT! Matt has taken over my Tarot of the Gnomes, and is making a Harry Potter tarot based on the first book, not the movie, all hand rendered. Number two son, Nick, he keeps my decks orderly, and Cally, my daughter, puts the internet on and plugs me in to Aeclectic, makes me a large mug of tea, gets my cigarettes, lighter and ashtray for me and settles me in front of the monitor. And they are all hurrying me to get my pro site finished! allibee

Liliana	26 Dec 2002
My husband is responsible for much of who i am It all started way back when, almost 8 years ago, at a role playing convention and mhim doing a reading with what I know know was a large Thoth, and girls are always attracted to men with big decks ;) Before that year was over we were married hehe, its all because of him that my theology is so eclectic, I was raised Christian and had cnverted to Wicca a couple years before and was finally coming to terms with it when he started teaching me how it was possible to have both, with a bit of a few others too hehe. Hes supportive, and used to read himself but hasnt for awhile.He can argue Tarot for Christians to anyone he needs to, good thing since he is thinking of entering seminary next year :) I show him my decks, he says if he likes them, and I bought him a few of his own that he expressed interest in. My Mom converted to Wiccan this year, and has a few decks herself. Her front room has more candle lit at night than a Catholic church, and she has a small altar in her back bathroom thats actually nicer than mine (bathrooms the only place a she'll ever get any privacy with 2 kids and a husband in the huse she says lol) so she supports me and even bought me a couple. All my sisters and brothers are used to her so they dont care. I dont think my grandparents or anyone on my husbands side really knows about my interest, except my husbands mom, who got online readings at a site sometimes so she doesnt care. Even my pastor knows, all she said was as long as I dont use them for divination, which in my mind I do not, not the the way the Bible prohibits anyway. In fact the only people I worry about are the apartment managers, sometimes they have to come in and I worry about them saying something lol :THP

JC	26 Dec 2002
I don't have a significant other. My relatives don't judge me, they just say they don't relate to the cards. Those are my Protestant rellies, though. The Catholics still don't know.

jmd	26 Dec 2002
I don't think I would do justice to my wife if I attempted to describe how she views Tarot - but she has her own independent decks, books, and views... and is also one of the organisers for the 2005 International Tarot Conference in Melbourne. ... & she supports my interest in the field - she has even made me a number of bags for some of my decks, and given me a number of decks over the years (we each had Tarot - and other esoteric - interests before we met).

MeeWah	27 Dec 2002
I am blessed with a highly supportive family, none of whom understand my fascination for Tarot but respect my interest--after all, they have their near-fanatical proclivities for such things as football & car racing! I am especially appreciative of my patient & understanding hubby. He willingly runs interference when I am Tarot-occupied. Other than ye all, there are no real life friends readily at hand who share my interest.

Kissa	27 Dec 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Diana My husband and I are happy to let each other live our lives as we deem fit, as long as it doesn't mess up our family life. (...)What he actually thinks of Tarot itself, I'm not quite sure. But if I do a reading for him, he listens politely and then goes off promptly to do whatever he had planned to do in the first place! :laugh: Sounds very much like my hubby too ;-) Just a week ago, he quietly sat by my side as I was rambling about Tarot de Marseille and gently asked "what is it you do anyway with Tarot ? I mean, what is the purpose ?" Oh ! But my DH also got in a lot of trouble to buy me new decks (even OOP) when he was on a long business trip in the States, cruising in Manhattan in the search of "witches' shops" with suspicious/worried/non-initiated colleagues probably wondering what kind of a scary wife he has back there ... And he also sews my tarot bags as I am hopeless with a Singer, learning though ;-) (guess who's teaching ...) So really, I cannot imagine a more supportive partner. The rest of my family doesn't know except for my younger sister. I'm still in the closet. Kissa

Teal	27 Dec 2002
I just this Christmas fell out of the tarot closet I was in. Let's all start a tarot revolution! We'll educate the world about tarot and dispel all the horrendous myths and taboos! I absolutely love the tarot and would never give it up. In fact, if it were to come down to having a choice between tarot and other more human relationships, tarot would win. I refuse to be linked to people who wouldn't allow me perfect freedom for my tarot use and studies.

Kiama	27 Dec 2002
My boyfriend supports my love of Tarot. The first date I had with him nearly two years ago involved a Tarot reading which came true very quickly. He knows I love Tarot more than any other thing I have studied in my life, and even supports the expensive hobby of deck collecting by buying me decks! A very lage part of me is 'Tarot Reader/Student/Teacher', so I guess any relationship I had with somebody would HAVE to be one in which they accepted my love of Tarot. Kiama

Alex	27 Dec 2002
My friend doesn't oppose to the Tarot, neither does he take a lot of interest in it. My ex-husband and I shared lots of interests and that didn't work out. We didn't have independent lives/interests to speak of and were always into each other's businesses. So I think in a way it's bettter to keep separate universes we can go to every once in a while; and the Tarot is part of mine. Alex.

Red Emma	27 Dec 2002
My husband and I also have quite different interests, and as Diane said, we have to pay close attention that we don't drift apart because of it. He's a lot more conventional than I am, but makes a point of being accepting of me and my strange ways. I took up tarot about three years ago, and while I suspect that he believes it a waste of time, never bugs me about it. I guess the key word is tolerance. Oddly enough, lately, I've begun to feel that he gives it at least soupcon of credibility. Especially after the reading that Allibee did about the relationship between my sister and myself...he mentioned how well that reading described her. I can but hope! One of my grown sons is even more conventional than his dad, but the younger one is fascinated by all things occult. He's had a few visions, himself, and discusses with me all the ramifications of Paganism. Two of his (the younger son) children are interested in Tarot and Paganism. I've bought decks for them, as well as books on witchcraft -- Silver Ravenwolf's stuff, etc. I have no friends who disdain the occult. I guess we became friends because of our similar outlooks, and enjoy dabbling in new stuff together.

VGimlet	27 Dec 2002
Ken is agnostic, and tends to only believe in the concrete however, he is willing to discuss other possibilities. He knew I was into Tarot right from the start, and thought it was cool, and he's stayed that way. I would never have married him if he was close-minded about things he wasn't necessarily interested in, let alone stayed married to him for so long. :) I have read for him, and he knows the difference between the RWS, the Thoth, and Marseille-type decks. (Just like I know the difference between F1, Champ, and IRL, LOL) He views the tarot as a psychological tool rather than a spiritual one. edited to add, the two guys I went out with right before I met him (years ago) thought the tarot was either stupid or evil, and I found their lack of tolerance extended to other ideas as well.

tarotbrat	28 Dec 2002
well from two psychic readers, they told me that my boyfriend is my soul mate. but i will say that when i told him that i was learning the tarot off and on, he was "freaked" thinking that I was a witch, like the ones in cartoons. he was just stuck on what people had told him about how bad tarot was, that was all he knew and he never questioned it. but time passed (6 years!) and when i seriously started to study the tarot, buying more books and more cards, he saw that i was not hurting anyone with the tarot and he became more open to what i had to share about what i was learning. he started to learn himself that it was not a bad thing once he learned about the tarot and all it has to offer. just recently he worked up the nerve to ask for a couple of readings and he took the time to ask what each card means to me and my birthay was last month and he bought be a deck/book set of "the legend". since he see's my love for tarot (how could he not with the amount of books, decks the time i spend on the computer studying about it and the classes i have been taking at the local bookstore lol!) he is very curious and at the same time amazed at tarot. all in all he is very encouraging and supportive.

Jeanette	28 Dec 2002
My hubby is OK with my involvement with tarot, but he has no interest in it himself. Just like my sewing/embroidery, which he also has no interest in. Both are expensive interests, too! But, just recently, he (and coincidentally, my mom and sister) have been giving me gifts with a decidedly "witchy" flavor! (Crystal ball type things, celestial-themed items, etc.) My son (15) is skeptical, but offers to all his friends that I can read for them! He always wants to be present, so I guess he has some belief in my ability. Everybody knows about my interest, and they are all OK with it, some showing more interest than others!

Bings	28 Dec 2002
My husband and I have many interests in common. Archery, hunting, computers. We also have many interests that the other does not share. His remote controll cars and planes I find so boring. He doesn't care what I sew as long as I do sew something once in a while on the machine he paid a fortune for!!! My crotheting he completely ignores. My tarot cards usually get the "rolled eyes and a shake of the head" response from him. He doesn't understand them, he doesn't believe in them, but they make me happy. He came home for lunch a few weeks ago and I was reading cards for a friend at the kitchen table. We got the typical rolled eyes from him which made us both laugh. My son also rolls his eyes over my cards, but I think there is some hope for him!!! LOL One daughter loves my cards and we use them together. The other daughter is just 8 and would rather go hunting with her father than read cards with me. Dianne

tarotbear	28 Dec 2002
My boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse/partner always viewed tarot from across the table...... No one ever questioned what I was doing - ever! Once, after it was very 'obvious' that I was very involved with Tarot, my mother did ask me 'Do you run your life with this STUFF?' Other than that, no one raised an eyebrow when I announced that I was going to teach classes in it (and did) or that I was going to try to write a book (still unpublished) and have. Even when a local paper gave me crap about wanting to teach an Adult Ed class in a high school (they were afraid I was going to bite heads off live chickens or something), no one ever questioned just what I was doing or why I have such a dedicated interest in Tarot.

anjocoxo	28 Dec 2002
My boyfriend is more tolerant than what I had expected. He thinks it's funny but rarely asks for readings; on the other hand he keeps anouncing to other people (friends) that I read cards and encourages me to read for other people... I guess he is more proud of me than what he shows (but he is like that with everything, actually). He only thinks I'm crazy for spending 50 euros on the sacred circle tarot this christmas, but he understood it when I pointed out that he has spent 350 euros for a playstation 2.... so, who's obsessed with hobbies, now? :P Anjo

Alissa	28 Dec 2002
I think my husband plays a large part in my Tarot reading. He has a difficult time accepting it, as he was raised Baptist and taught, like opthers, that to love his God unconditionally meant accepting that all other paths were "evil." I have shared a reading I did with him, and he asked for me to draw an outcome card to the situation I was addressing to the deck. The entire exchange was lengthy, but floored him in results. Now, he has opened himself even more to the possibilities that exist around him. We accept that we have separate interests that can be mutally supported without being problematic. Hey He even bought me a tarot deck for Christmas (LOTR), so how about that? :D But he could drink a beer with Kissa and Diana's "old men" I tell ya that ;)

zander770	28 Dec 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Demonesse I've always wondered, after reading all the threads that deal with families having taboos against tarot (and the recent one citing a positive view), what's your boyfriend/girlfriend/intended/spouse/partner's take on it? and.......what say YOU demonesse, hmm??? ~Z~

firemaiden	28 Dec 2002
I had no idea so many other people were "in the closet" with this. My boyfriend is pretty straight catholic, and thinks the cards are from the devil, but he was kind enough to accompany me to the tarot store in NYC. (Well, if you must...) He got freaked out when he saw some pentagrams hanging in the store, which he associates devil worship. He doesn't say much when I take out my cards in front of him, he just looks at me like he is scared I am going to turn into a witch. So I just try to keep it all hidden. On the other side, my own family is all aetheist, so they will be horrified by my doing anything that smacks of superstition and anti-intellectual behaviour. So between these two extremes, plus the fact that I am spending all kinds of money that neither group would approve of on this fatal addiction, I keep my cards in a secret box, far far away from them, (an entire continent away, as you see I am in Europe by myself and they are in US...)

Demonesse	28 Dec 2002
and.......what say YOU demonesse, hmm??? ---zander770. It's a big, big secret. :P No, actually I was curious because in my situation no one even bothers. The strongest reaction I ever got from my partner was "Hmm. Ooh, nice pictures." Hehe. Probably it's because unlike many of you dedicated Taroticians, I just dabble a bit here and there ;)

Silverlotus	28 Dec 2002
My boyfriend doesn't "believe in Tarot" he says. But he is supportive of my interest. It's a case of "whatever makes you happy, dear." :) I think he does understand why I study the cards. I explained it to him as using them to bring into focus certain aspects of situations in my life, ones that I may otherwise miss or ignore. He can relate to that even though he isn't much of an introspective person. Honestly, I don't think I know anyone more mellow or in touch with themselves then him. *sigh* I'm a wee bit envious.

kabuki	29 Dec 2002
I've found this thread really interesting as I just recently split up with my boyfriend (3 months ago) and one of the key issues in the split was my spirituality and love of tarot cards. Even though we loved each other, and still do (in a sort of way) the increasing focus and priority I was placing on what he considered a 'trivial' hobby and a 'waste of time' or 'escapism' caused concern for him ... he seemed to feel that I was somehow changing as a person and that I did not share the same priorities as him, ie, I was being irresponsible and not taking life seriously. After all - how can someone base their life on a pack of cards ? At the same time, from my point of view, the love and stability I derived from him were providing me with the exact circumstances for me to explore my sprituality further ... so, in a funny sort of way, through loving me, he gave me the conditions to expand spiritually in a way that he doesn't understand and appreciate. I'm now living by myself and am able to focus on what I want without having to justify and explain. Luckily, I am still very good friends with my ex partner, although when we meet I don't mention anything 'wierd' - so we get along fine as friends. In the future I hope to meet someone, to share my life with who understands the importance my sprituality has for me ... even if we follow different paths.

Sulis	29 Dec 2002
My husband loves the fact that I read tarot but he seems to have this unfounded fear of the cards. He somehow thinks that to read the cards is to `tempt fate`. I have read for him a couple of times and have been very accurate; the readings have given us both useful insights into difficult situations but he`s still vaguely afraid of negative cards. Earlier this year I asked him to choose a daily card and he pulled 3 swords and then proceeded to have an awful day - Need I say more? Love and light Crystalmynx xx

bec	29 Dec 2002
hubs stays neutral, its my "thing" as his is computers and tecnique. we sort of got a "no bother" agreement :D

lawguy51	29 Dec 2002
My wife bought me for Christmas (some of the following with my nudging!): 1. Morgan-Greer deck 2. Wooden hinged box for said Morgan-Greer deck 3. Pollock's two books on the Haindl deck which my friend gave me for Christmas 4. Tarot Shadow Work book. 5. Velvet bag made by CJ Tarot (I highly recommend you contact her and order one for yourselves!) ...plus...we bought our 8 and 11 year old boys the Lord of The Rings decks. So, as you can surmise, Tarot is accepted and encouraged in my home environment. :) Lawguy51

allibee	29 Dec 2002
Isn't it so cool when our children have unfettered access to these things that may help them develop and grow as more rounded and 'aware' human beans <--- BFG, LOL. They may take it up, they may not, but at least they've been introduced. allibee

temperlyne	30 Dec 2002
MY family thought I was strange anyway so never really cared about me using the cards. They support me in their own way even though they do not understand. They buy me books or decks because they know I like that but thats as far as it goes. As for the men in my life.... I always seemed to end up with guys who dispise everythinh spiritual. They just never wanted anything to do with the cards, not even as just a bunch of lovely pictures. Ahh well, that might explain the fact that I'm single again.. I don't need my family or friends to be completely into the tarot. All I ask of them is that they respect my interest in it and try to see all sides of it. I think that is a fair thing to ask since I show the same respect for their religions and interests.

Jeanette	30 Dec 2002
I couldn't agree with you more, allibee! It is so important (and difficult) not to want our opinions and views to become our children's. Naturally, I'm pleased when my son feels the same way I do about a situation, but if he feels differently we can have a conversation about it. He feels very differently than I do about stem cell transplants, and I respect that and am happy he has a brain of his own and can make a decision!

zander770	30 Dec 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Demonesse and.......what say YOU demonesse, hmm??? ---zander770. It's a big, big secret. :P No, actually I was curious because in my situation no one even bothers. The strongest reaction I ever got from my partner was "Hmm. Ooh, nice pictures." Hehe. Probably it's because unlike many of you dedicated Taroticians, I just dabble a bit here and there ;) Ha! that's the way . . . (i thought it only "fair" since you DID begin this "mamooth thread"!) know what i say? nora joyce didn't read one LICK of _finnegans wake_, either! not ONE lick . . . still, i'd never ever be with someone (anyone! not even a "friend") who'd attempt to . . . well? you know! sera'! ~Z~770

lawguy51	30 Dec 2002
Quote: Originally posted by allibee Isn't it so cool when our children have unfettered access to these things that may help them develop and grow as more rounded and 'aware' human beans allibee My sentiments exactly. I don't want my kids growing up with the kind of prejudices that are so naturally infused into our culture. I don't mind skepticism as long as it's based upon informed decision-making. Saying you don't believe in something, which is the standard line you get from people who knoow nothing about Tarot, just tells me they haven't done their homework. As I've said before in this forum, I don't require someone else's belief to validate my own. And that's why I expose my children to Tarot, because it is an interest of mine, because I believe it is valuable, because it is a bit taboo and I want them to realize this, that the world can be intolerant but that doesn't mean you have to change how you believe or feel, and because it's fun.

Demonesse	01 Jan 2003
Hmm. For those of you who are more or less content with spousal reactions to your love of Tarot, I wonder: if they suddenly started treating it like it was an outbreak of the bubonic plague, would you just put your decks away in an effort to keep the peace (assuming reasoning with them doesn't work) or refuse to compromise, whatever the cost?

firemaiden	01 Jan 2003
Quote: ... if they suddenly started treating it like it was an outbreak of the bubonic plague,... BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA HA HA HA HA!! That is exactly how they treat it!!! Like an attack of the bubonic plague!!! That is really funny. Now I know why I keep my decks hidden!!

firemaiden	01 Jan 2003
Demonesse, I love the poetry by your avatar and signature. Where can I find more of this?

Demonesse	01 Jan 2003
Firemaiden: They're mine :) Parts of my poems. And thank you for the kind compliment.

Jeanette	01 Jan 2003
I guess if someone was strongly frightened by something, I would try to not do it in their presence, as I would hope they would do for me. I know I have some unreasonable demands from time to time but I still feel a certain way (like if you want to eat something I find disgusting and repulsive, don't do it in front of me, please). But I don't think I would HIDE something, I would just save it for when it wouldn't upset anyone. But if this reaction to tarot just started suddenly, with no prior warning, I would want to investigate and find out the source first before I did anything.

Emily	01 Jan 2003
My family are ok with my tarot hobby. My husband on the other hand doesn't like them at all. I do use my decks around him but all he wants to know is why I keep buying decks and wasting money - He has no interest at all in my hobby and has no idea of how many decks or tarot books I have. He won't even let me read his cards for him. When I have bought new decks sometimes I show him but he won't even touch them. I have no idea how he got so narrow minded but really it doesn't bother me, he's had expensive hobbies that have come and gone but tarot is my only real hobby and its very rewarding. Anyway I have one supporter in my household, my nearly 6 year old son - he's always been very interested in my cards, I show him the new decks that are suitable, he loves the Hanson Roberts and Robin Wood :)

Jewel	02 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Demonesse I'm asking because this is the special person that's supposed to be one's soulmate; yet seldom have I heard of any throughly supporting the often expensive and often viewed as "eccentric" tarot hobby... My husband does not believe in the tarot, but he understands that it means something to me and that is good enough for him. He even told me he would help me out doing my card for the SACT if I wanted him too (he can draw). He does not make fun of me, and he buys me decks and books because he knows I love them. My wedding gift was the Tarot Ambre (expensive OOP deck). The one thing he does complain about is that I have 3 book cases (the 2 largest are all tarot decks and books) and am running out of space *LOL*. I feel very lucky, I don't think it would work out to well if he did not just accept that tarot is part of me. He loves his PS2 games and I encourage him there too (every game is worth 2 deck/book sets *LOL*). I wrote this before reading anyone elses posts, and have found the discussion interesting. Demonesse, to answer your second question, what would I do if all of a sudden he developed a fobia of my tarot decks and habits ... part with my dekcs? I don't think so! ;) I would remind him that he knew of my love for tarot 5 years prior to marrying me, and even bought me decks and books so it is a bit late to complain about tarot! *LOL* ... I would respect him enough to not bring my offensive cards into his prescense though ... he would have to agree to stay out of my home office which is where my decks and books are housed. Compromise would be the name of the game.

Shadow Wolf	02 Jan 2003
My husband rolls his eyes at me whenever I mention tarot. If someone tells him that I just did an incredibly accurate reading he starts singing the twilight zone music. He's very much a show me and I'll believe kind of guy. He doesn't try to stop me or tell me I'm wrong, he just doesn't believe in it, and that's fine. I love him all the more for allowing me to be who I am, I know some S/O's get all uptight and upset. I guess he knows it's futile to try to get me to stop, so acceptance is the logical road to take.

firemaiden	03 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Shadow Wolf If someone tells him that I just did an incredibly accurate reading he starts singing the twilight zone music. That's hilarious! What a goof!

cyan	05 Jan 2003
My husband is not too interested in my tarot studies. He buys my books and decks without complaint and comments that this is the first time i have stuck with anything. But then he braggs about my readings when he thinks i am not listening so its ok. My brother and his wife are afraid of tarot because they believe it will tell them something dreadful about their future. but they let me teach their kids about it and have even let me do a three card reading for each of them. Now that is open minded.

truthsayer	05 Jan 2003
my husband is pretty accepting. i even confronted him once and asked him if he thought what i was doing was wrong. he was brought up a pentacostal holiness and that worried me. he told me he saw no problem with it at all and he was glad that it made me happy. he knows he has hobbies that i don't understand that he invests money into. i think we have agreed as long as the bills are paid and we have all the requirements for survival, putting money into our hobbies is okay. i did a reading for him once but i could tell he didn't take me seriously. i don't think i could do an accurate one on him anyhow since we're so close. our main tarot achievement was when i bought the 2 decks on baseball for him. he could almost read the cards by his knowledge of baseball. it was amazing! he's a cappy with moon in aquarius so i think he secretly loves having a wife who might be seen as a tad on the eccentric side. he told me once he needed somebody like me to keep his life from being boring. i haven't let him down! LOL }) i think he would be more concerned if he knew about the extent of my deck collecting habit...but that's why we tarot holics are anonymous! we encourage each other to buy decks anonymously!!

Mystica	05 Jan 2003
It may be slightly off topic, but I have to say I can relate to Truthsayer, re: I can't read well for my husband because we are so close. That seems to hold true for several of the people that I am very close to...I feel I read better for people I don't know. As for how these people view my passion for Tarot, they all seem to completely support my interest on the surface...but still their doubts and fears show up when I least expect it. Somehow that is more disturbing than if they were just open about it.

sagitarian	06 Jan 2003
well, its b/c of my willingness to read to the public (at a denny's) is how my husband and I met. He came up and asked for a reading, I said yes and we fell in love instantly. He doesn't read, but he respects that I do.

purplelady	06 Jan 2003
My older son is pretty open minded. I've done a couple of readings for him , one with the Sacred Circle tarot. He seemed to get something out of it and understand where it was coming from. He also really liked Daughter's of the moon tarot and did some self readings. He didn't seem to notice or be offended by the extreme feminist slant if it , I think he only noticed the naked females! My younger son is at that "delicate age" , unfortunately he spotted me using the Cosmic Tribe deck , back when I was doing daily draws from that, and he ran away in utter horror and embarrasment! Now he refuses to even look at a tarot deck! My S/O doesn't have much interest in tarot. Though he has tried it. One day he decided that my new "Celtic Tarot" by Helena Paterson is His deck ( along with a really nice crushed green velvet bag I made for it) . And he did 3 card readings for awhile. But he insisted on using only the book that came with the deck, which I found rather negative ( It actually states that the Death card signifies actual death , for instance , and has very negative meanings for some of the other cards). I couldn't get him to go beyond any of that, or read any other books on tarot. After awhile , he lost interest, though the deck still sits in his drawer! He won't give it back to me either! He doesn't understand why I would sit for hours reading and typing to a tarot message board! He tolerates my tarot collection and tarot buying, indulging me during good times , and getting totally peeved during times when money has been scarce! Eccentric is the word for me! But then , I am more of a "things " person. I have various hobbies that I get very absorbed in , and one big part is usually buying and collecting more Things than I can possibly really use in regard to that hobby! I guess it's the thrill of learning of , finding , and purchasing that new tarot deck or book! Whereas he just isn't interested and doesn't buy "things". He is more apt to spend his money on something like a lavish meal, or entertainment, with no collection of Things to show for it!

reds97	07 Jan 2003
I started another thread of this kind before i found this one... I was wondering what everyone else partners do. And how long i would have to put up with the eye rolling and the pats on the head... but from some of the answers i am to assume that it will be years if not decades. I have not told my parents, his parents, his siblings, nor any of the relatives. I have told a few of my close friends and they are supportive, and my sister knows and is wanting a reading when i can. (She is making the bags for my tarot.. or will be when it arrives.) And i thank everyone who mentioned the hobbies of they S/O's... that is a good thing cause i have rolled my eyes at his hobby for years now.. so i guess i will put up with it for a while! *L*

Karenwhe	07 Jan 2003
I come from a family of psychics that use all sorts of deviation tools. Though I am the first one to use Tarot. So, acceptance is not even a question, joining is a must, I was practically grew up in this stuff. My mom tought me to read regular cards when I was 16. From my grandmother I learnt how to read in coffee and tea leaves.... so on and so forth.... My husband bought me the first Tarot Deck when I was 20 (in the same year we got married). He joked for years that he was married to a “witch” (in the nice form of the joke). He liked it in the overall. We are soul mates but are very different on the professional level, he is 101% a techie I am only 50% a techie - so we have technology in common as well. Lately he is more interested in the details (even asks for a reading once in a while), before he was just proud to be married to a "witch". I personally never understood that I am also not a "witch". When it comes to phychic predictions / visions in our lives, he never doubted me even if it was about his own life, and I was never wrong - maybe that has something to do with him not doubting me.

Alex	12 Jan 2003
you made a good choice of wife! Quote: Originally posted by lawguy51 My wife bought me for Christmas (some of the following with my nudging!): 1. Morgan-Greer deck 2. Wooden hinged box for said Morgan-Greer deck 3. Pollock's two books on the Haindl deck which my friend gave me for Christmas 4. Tarot Shadow Work book. 5. Velvet bag made by CJ Tarot (I highly recommend you contact her and order one for yourselves!) ...plus...we bought our 8 and 11 year old boys the Lord of The Rings decks. So, as you can surmise, Tarot is accepted and encouraged in my home environment. :) Lawguy51

zander770	13 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by cyan My husband is not too interested in my tarot studies. He buys my books and decks without complaint and comments that this is the first time i have stuck with anything. But then he braggs about my readings when he thinks i am not listening so its ok. My brother and his wife are afraid of tarot because they believe it will tell them something dreadful about their future. but they let me teach their kids about it and have even let me do a three card reading for each of them. Now that is open minded. you sound so "balanced" you must be #17/the star! just reading your words make me "smile," and (almost) wanna "sit-up!" yes, i agree: pretty "open-minded" for your brother and sister to let the children see . . . but, that, to me, applies to playboy and/or "michalob light," to children, as it does to the tarot; leat, ~Z~770 :TSTAR

Trogon	13 Jan 2003
I finally got around to reading this thread! It certainly is one of the interesting ones! I'm one of the lucky ones. My wife is at the very least tolerant of my interest in the Tarot and has asked for a couple of readings. She also got her friend to come over for a reading a couple of times. She's not too crazy about my spending money on it... but that's mostly because then she doesn't have as much to spend on gemstones and $1.00/gram fancy beads.... ;) She bought me the Victoria Regina Tarot for Christmas, so I guess it's okay. :D My family is okay with it... in fact my mother gave me her old Albano-Waite deck a while back because she wasn't using it any more. My sister wants a reading, but we haven't had a good opportunity. Several of my coworkers are also interested and have asked either for readings, or at least asked questions about the Tarot. As to the second question... if my wife took a sudden dislike to it all... I suppose I would try to compromise. If some friend or coworker had a sudden attack of Tarotphobia, I'd probably tell them to take a long walk off a short pier... })

Teal	13 Jan 2003
Well, folks------here's progress! I covered my first deck and book in black buckskin so nobody would know they said "tarot" and practically did my readings under a blanket with a flashlight for awhile, even though I'm a widow. That was just a few short months ago. Now my sister is buying my house from me and is moving in before I'm ready to start off on my travels. She's been raised Pentecostal and it stuck on her, where it didn't on me. But I'm NOT going to hide my tarot from her. Soooooo------will keep you all posted what happens. So far, I've left books, decks and intriguing velvet tarot bags out in the open and she hasn't noticed, I guess. I thought she'd at least notice the bags and ask about them. We shall see what we shall see------hopefully she won't organize a family exorcism intervention before I go. I'm tellin' ya-----if they do that, I'll READ for them ALL while they exorcize me!!! That'll fix'em! Anyway, I told my travelling companion I was reading tarot and he didn't seem to care. I didn't tell him how many decks are going with us, but I'll throw the pretty tarot bags into my clothing bin and he'll probably think they're something to do with Victoria's secret.

angelwhispers	13 Jan 2003
I'm very lucky in the fact that my husband is very supportive of my tarot reading. He has even asked me to do a couple readings for him. When I felt ready to start practicing on others besides family, he was more than happy to send people my way. He thinks I should start charging for my readings but I try to explain to him that I don't feel ready to do that (I haven't even done readings in person yet except for him of course but he didn't mind when I got stuck on a card and had to refer to my notes or book). The tarot scares my mother to death so she told me not to read anything on her but she supports me anyway. As far as friend's go, I don't really have any that share the same interest in tarot and only my one close friend knows I read. As for the others its never mentioned, I don't think they would understand.

Demonesse	06 Mar 2003
Bumping this up to see what responses newer members will give :)

Celtic_Dragon	06 Mar 2003
Unfortunatly I'm not as lucky as many on this post. My fiance' doesn't like it and rolls his eyes everytime I pull out my deck. But I understand because his previous girlfriend was into black magic and she had tarot cards (I think). And so he's a little cautious about making sure I don't head in the same direction. As for everyone else, I have two friends who know and enjoy the reading process, while my parents still don't know. I'm not sure how my future in-laws feel.

Moongold	06 Mar 2003
I didn't see this thread initially. My partner has let me do a reading for her but sat curiously still and silent throughout. She is a Scorpio, steady and deep, and a highly regarded health professional. There is another side to the coin and I think she will be really open to Tarot and other eroterica (is that a real word?) but this is the first time she has been exposed to it. My own interest in Tarot is relatively new (8 months) and it was followed a few months later by a fascination with astrology. J. is watching this from the sidelines with an increasingly quizzical perspective. I think she was intrigued by the accuracy of some of the astrological interpretations. After the first tarot reading for J. it seemed better for me to wait until I got a little more confident as Tarot deserved that - a more competent exponent! One day soon, I'll have another go! Moongold

Icestorm	07 Mar 2003
.........it must be good to have a partner who is supportive of our whims. unfortunately I dont actually have a partner or even a girlfriend, so until then Ill just haunt this thread and mope around, growing increasingly sick and vengeful as I see more replies about how positively supportive someone's significant other is! LoL j/k :-] On a serious note, I think its fantastic that so many people are now so open-minded about what is still construed as a part of 'paganistic witchcraft'. Say you practice tarot in the 1930's and I think the only place you wont be shunned is at the Golden Dawn society!

firemaiden	07 Mar 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Moongold Tarot and other eroterica (is that a real word?) My dear Moongold, are you trying to mix the world of sensuality with the world of spirit?

Moongold	07 Mar 2003
.......I meant esoterica. At least I think I meant that. Is that a word? What is the noun for esoteric? That is what I meant anyway. Oh dear..... We are both very open to everything, anyway. Moongold

Red Emma	07 Mar 2003
Tell you the truth, I kind of like "erotica." It and spirituality should make a splendiferous mix! Red Emma, always the searcher!

Demonesse	07 Mar 2003
Tell you the truth, I kind of like "erotica." It and spirituality should make a splendiferous mix! ---Red Emma Don't you mean "eroterica"? :D

Moongold	07 Mar 2003
Quote: Originally posted by firemaiden My dear Moongold, are you trying to mix the world of sensuality with the world of spirit? On second thoughts, why not? They are so close. And this was a profoundly meaningful Freudian slip. No escaping! Moongold

cyan	08 Mar 2003
here's a good word i got from Sarah Ban Breathnach's books, "Essensual."

CompassRose	26 May 2003
Wow. Not to gloat, but I am constantly reminded on fora (is that a word?) of how consummately fortunate I am in my partner A. 'Course he supports my use of Tarot. He learned to use the cards himself in his teens from a brilliant intuitive reader and elder (now deceased). In fact, if I am confronted with a jam of some kind, he will be the first person to ask "have you done a reading on that?" And he is spot-on with insights and connections I've missed, if a spread happens to remain obscure to me and I ask him about it. The only thing he's not wholly supportive of is my slightly over-the-top spending on new decks, because I also love the cards as art. He is subject to the lure of that temptation too, but is far more discriminating than I; if he happens to buy a deck "just for the pretty pictures," it's usually one of the REALLY wild artsy-artsy ones. Mind, since those are generally the very special collectors' items, it does mean that in the end we probably spend about the same...

DarkElectric	26 May 2003
I don't have a SO yet :(, but my Mom and Dad are really supportive. My mom asks me to read for her, and my Dad brags about me, and my great gramma, who could read tea leaves, and just about anything else. Actually, acceptance of my spiritual pursuits is something I'm looking for in any candidate for prospective "Someone". I've met a lot of guys who smirk, mock, and dismiss my beliefs as girly silliness. These closed minded, egotistic, self centered buffoons are not the sort of man I could ever be interested in. The funniest thing is that they can't understand why I don't want to date them. They think they're so great, that going out with them would be some kind of privilege, or something. (Yuck!) I need a sweet man who's into tarot, metaphysics, mixing that up with sensuality, (I am a Scorpio, after all...) having lots of fun, music and other interesting things. If somebody won't accept my spirituality, they won't be able to accept one of the basic things which defines who I am. And I like who I am. Therefore, I'm holding out for somebody who also likes who I am, shares my interests, and isn't averse to turning a few cards himself.

Sobeknofret	26 May 2003
My husband knew I was into tarot early into our relationship, so he can't complain (not like he ever does). I even bought him a RWS deck as a Christmas present one year, even though said deck is now in my possession, because he never connected with it. He's currently experiencing a renaissance as far as decks are concerned. He's drooling over the new Leonardo da Vinci deck that's coming out next month, and a few weeks ago, I bought him the Durer deck, because I thought he'd like the artwork on it. He keeps it on his nightstand now, though a couple of times he's asked me if the deck wouldn't be more comfortable "living" with all the other decks in my office. It surprised the heck out of me when he handed me the deck the other night and asked me to read for him with it. He rarely asks me to read for him, but when he does, I can tell he's serious about it. He doesn't want to read himself, but he likes having readings done for him occasionally. He even has been known to support my tarot card habit. He's on a weekend trip to Denver, and he called me yesterday from the Tattered Cover Bookstore to ask me what decks I wanted, as they had a huge selection. He bought me the Cosmic Tarot and one other deck that's a surprise (I loooooove surprises lol! :D). My mother gave me my first deck, so I know she's ok with it. She also very recently gave me the Goddess Tarot and the Manara Erotic deck, so she knows that I read frequently. She has asked me to read for her for awhile now, but I'm too afraid to do it. I keep trying to hook her up with readers I know, and we even went to a psychic fair once to find a good reader for her, but she gets panicky and refuses to let them read for her. She thinks they're all too "weird." :confused: Dad was afraid of my deck at first, and got really freaked out whenever I used it. He's really antsy about the occult or things that might be percieved as being occult, although I don't know why. However, I discovered that my aunt was doing readings for him when he was living in California this past winter! He even knew what deck she was using (the big Thoth) and described the spread and the cards to me!

dadsnook2000	26 May 2003
My wife says one thing, does another. She is interested in Tarot but dismisses it in conversation. However, when someone has a problem she is the first to urge them to have me do a reading. She pays close attention to what I say, seems to derive satisfaction from me being insightful and on target. But, I think, she is afraid of having a reading for her. So I don't push readings on here or on anyone. Dave.

azuremariposa	26 May 2003
my hubby had a Pentacostal upbringing, so at first he was extremely leery of the cards and me reading them...but he was curious and wanted to know more, so i explained why i think it works, how i do my readings and he kinda left it at that... once in a while he would ask for a reading on something...or ask if i'd done any readings... time went on and he found my readings to be accurate...he became more interested...he's often looking over my shoulder as i browse different decks...AND he thought i was nuts when i started experimenting w/new & different spreads (thinking, "why are you going to do that when what you already do works so well?")... NOW, he has an interest in learning, but has little free time, so that's on hold...i actually got my Victoria Regina deck for him to learn on, but as i said, he doesn't have much time, so i use it now and again...he's very "gifted" and i think he would be a great reader, though i don't think he'd really need the cards to do so (like me), but they would provide validation to the "querent" and therefore prove useful...:D ~azure

DarkElectric	26 May 2003
Wow, Sobe! Your mom sounds really cool! Mine supports my tarot, and would even buy me a deck as a present, but if erotic anything were even vaguely suggested~ Uh uh. I'll never let her see my Rohrig, and it's the Puritan version. My mom is soooooooo stuffy about that!

Sobeknofret	26 May 2003
My parents are both the ultimate in cool-- my father surfs and windsurfs for hobbies, and my mother rock climbs, hikes and mountain bikes for fun. When I was in high school my friends hung out at my house exclusively. Because they liked me? Nooooo! They thought my parents were ultra cool! They liked my parents better than they did me, lol! I guess that's what comes of having Berkeley ex-hippies as parents though. They're pretty relaxed about almost everything, including tarot. Although my mother is still pretty ticked about my refusal to read for her. I just think that I'd see stuff I probably just don't want to know, or shouldn't know. :) --Sobe

Alex	26 May 2003
Arghhhh... Just my type LOL Dark, sounds like the best candidates for your next date will be among your sitters... Alex. Quote: Originally posted by DarkElectric They think they're so great, that going out with them would be some kind of privilege, or something. (Yuck!)

DarkElectric	26 May 2003
Quote: [i] Dark, sounds like the best candidates for your next date will be among your sitters... Alex. [/b] Kinda looks that way...it's not exactly "Standing room only" in the lobby lately :joke: Oh, there must be somebody out there for me, I just hope I realise that they're attracted to me...I never do, you know, until it's too late. This has happened more often than not. It's as if somebody has to wear a big, red sign that says "I LIKE YOU AS A GIRL~ NOT A BUD" and boom on a bass drum, really loud in order for me to notice. An absent minded professor, is Dr Dark, I guess.

Alex	26 May 2003
He, he, I'll share this little secret w/ya, Dark. I've only learned that after I turned 30 so you might benefit from a shortcut. Some of the sweetest guys are as affraid of rejection as you are, so they keep a distance, don't approach us... waiting for a sign. We don't know they're waiting, we don't know what sign they're waiting for... then Ms Fisherwoman comes along and ... crawl... when you see it, he's risen to someone else's bait ... gone forever. My current boyfriend and I, it took us 8 months until I walked up to him and asked his name. I'd given it up on him at that point, after months waiting for him to come introduce himself and invite me out... so I had nothing to lose. Surprise! He even forgott his own name for a moment. After months we're going out together, I asked "why did you never approach me?" and he answerd "I was about to ask you the same question". Read for him "there's this girl who's crazy for you just waiting for a dinner invitation... in which case she'll waive the reading fee, provided he pays for dinner..." Or something less wild but at least... you get a chance if you try. I know plenty of guys who're pretty nice (OK, they don't look like Brad Pitt but they are very nice men) and who would die before approaching a girl, even more if she's attractive. Alex. Alex.

punkangelgcm437	26 May 2003
Hmmm.... Guys being just as scared of rejection as me?? I guess I never really, well *really* tried to think of it that way. Now altho I'm only 15, and havent had near as much boy expirence as yall have, I can see why younger guys would be just as, if not more, scared of rejection as older guys. Hmm...I must remind myself that not all guys are like Chris ::drills fake scapple into my head:: Not all guys are like Chris, they arent Sarah, they promise! They promise! Evil Chris Evil Chris!! Have yall ever noticed how so many people have had an evil ex-boyfriend Chris in their lives?? I feel better now. And I hope I made yall laugh...even if it's just cuz you're reading the word 'yall'. ~~Now as for the thread title...might-as-well adress it too~~ Well..imma single girl, and the boyfriends I've had dont really care...to them it just makes me even more unique (they know coming into it that Imma weird girl so..lol) Mom & Dad dont really mind, since mom actually bought my 1st deck for me (and only, yes, I know, thats odd too..I told yuh so). I dont think she cares. I think she thinks I'm alil obsessed and tonight asked when this "phase" was gonna be over, but I just think she doesnt quite get it. And my friends think it's cool so...look like I'm in a good boat. :)

DarkElectric	27 May 2003
OMG! I have been attempting to repair the damage done by an Eivil Chris for over a year now! And he was EEEEEEEEEEEEEEvil. This is another reason I'm shy. I would be in jail for murder if another man did to me the kind of things Evil Chris did. (And you're so right, SO many girls I know have an ex Evil Chris... I thought it was a private joke, but it's becoming the rule not the exception...)

Alex	27 May 2003
but I have an ex-husband called Mentally-ill Chris. Alex. Quote: Originally posted by DarkElectric OMG! I have been attempting to repair the damage done by an Eivil Chris for over a year now! And he was EEEEEEEEEEEEEEvil. This is another reason I'm shy. I would be in jail for murder if another man did to me the kind of things Evil Chris did. (And you're so right, SO many girls I know have an ex Evil Chris... I thought it was a private joke, but it's becoming the rule not the exception...)

Sobeknofret	27 May 2003
I also have an ex-Evil Chris unfortunately. His name really was Chris and last I heard he's married and living in Switzerland. What the heck is it with some guys named Chris, for heaven's sake?! --Sobe

Aerin	28 May 2003
I had an evil ex-boyfriend named Terry. No Chris anywhere near! Unless he took a pseudonym of course. My husband views my Tarot with amusement, he understands how it can be useful as a mirror for my unconscious mind and he has never seen a need to use it (just as I have never seen a need to persuade him). I take the view that he is happy with what I do, and if he ever wants to be involved than he will ask. When I was learning about NLP we were advised to take a similar approach i.e. not to try and force it down someone's neck. With that, after 3 years of my biting my tongue he started reading my books (and I still bit my tongue) and then we were able to talk about it. Now he is very interested. He says that if I had tried to 'sell' it to him he would have been put off, so I am glad that I curbed my enthusiasm. Some day he may get more interested in Tarot. If it does, fine; if it doesn't then also fine. I am very lucky that he supports me, my mother is interested too. My sister-in-law, different matter: she came across some stupid person who wittered on about 'there is eeevil in the caaaards' and talked about how facing them NE was unlucky and putting evil spells on people and predicting death and etc. Sounds like a prime case of someone trying to bolster their self esteem and put other people off discovering anything about Tarot to me. Anyway, it worked in my sister-in-law's case. Aerin

DarkElectric	28 May 2003
Nothing like a dose of unfounded superstition to send some folks off shrieking into the night. Maybe your sister in law will see your good example of what it's really about, and won't let her mind be polluted by such utter rubbish anymore.

Aerin	29 May 2003
Quote: Originally posted by DarkElectric Nothing like a dose of unfounded superstition to send some folks off shrieking into the night. Maybe your sister in law will see your good example of what it's really about, and won't let her mind be polluted by such utter rubbish anymore. I can only hope. I think her mother has similar views. All I really need is a Catholic priest who doesn't, and then I could set him on them. Aerin

Kiama	29 May 2003
Just thought I'd add to this thread, since I discovered something cool which I didn't put in my original post in this thread. In that original post, I think I wrote something along the lines of my boyfriend understanding my love/obsession with Tarot, etc, and always encouraging my collecting habits. I might also have written that I got him a deck so that maybe he'd get into Tarot to... But no such luck. But then the other day, I got home and found that he had been using his deck... He had got out all the Major Arcana, and had organised them into groups of three, as he felt they fitted together, with the World in a group on its own. Ahhhh... So my plan had worked! I thought... Then I took a closer look at the Temperence card, and realised the blonde angel-man was now sporting a rather dashing purple goatee. So, maybe I have planted the seed of 'Tarotness' in my boyfriend... Certainly he's seen me do enough readings and he's been to enough of my talks and workshops to be able to give a decent reading to somebody. But I don't think he will ever be as 'obssessed' with Tarot as me. But then again, my obsession makes up for the two of us! Kiama

DarkElectric	29 May 2003
Gee, Kiama, I don't know... It sounds as if he's creating his own deck!

krysia322	01 Jun 2003
My parents... pretty much neutral on the whole thing, when I was first started learning about the tarot. Probably figured better tarot than lord knows what else a teenager could get into in New York City. LOL! My in-laws... My mom-in-law is a Cancer. She doesn't study it herself, but she's always watched with a sort of amused interest whenever I've brought them over when visiting. And she'll ask me what certain cards mean while I do a spread, or make other tarot-related inquiries. My step-dad-in-law, when we first met, was a pure skeptic. He eyed the cards with a raised right eyebrow whenever I laid them out, and basically roll his eyes. Then, one visit, I guess it became to much for him, and he challenged me to do a reading for him (for the pure intent of proving me wrong). That day I was working with the MotherPeace deck, and I handed it to him to shuffle. I did my "Canfield" spread... (keep in mind that we'd only just met. I knew nothing about him other than that he was a Capricorn)... And read the cards when finished. As expected, he scoffed, and said, yeah, right. Ain't gonna happen. That's all finished for me this summer (I'd read something about how he would be dealing with fire shortly, traveling, blah blah blah, but that he'd be okay in he face of all this disaster; he wouldn't get hurt and he'd be home safe, sound, and in one piece). I asked him what he was talking about. He told me that he worked for the Forest Service and was a fire fighter and former smoke-jumper. And that his fire season was over; he'd just returned from a fire. I shrugged and said, just told ya like I see 'em. Later that same afternoon, he got a phone call. He spoke with him for a short while, then turned around and looked at me. I blinked. What? LOL... He hung up the phone and said, How in the hell did you do that? I said, Do what? Apparently, his boss called to inform him that there was a huge, raging fire burning down a large chunk of Montana and they needed his help STAT. Despite the fact that his season was done. They were pulling him back in to help with consultation, planning, strategy, etc... And he'd have to travel and leave tonight to get down there... Basically, confirmed everything I had just told him. I LMAOed for about an hour at the look on his face. I still LMAO whenever I remember it. His wife LHAOed at the look on his face. He is no longer a skeptic. And that was probably one of the most dead-on readings I'd ever given in my life. Ah... My husband. My soul-mate. My one true love. He can't stand to look at the cards. Doesn't like to be in the same room as the cards when I lay them out. Doesn't want me to do a reading for him. They spook him, doesn't matter which deck. Things he doesn't understand, especially in this arena, he doesn't want to know about and wants to just leave alone. But he's getting better now. In fact, the other day he actually came and sat with me while I did a self-reading. When I was done, I asked him if he'd let me read for him, as I need the practice. Uh. No. LOL. He's not there yet. :) But perhaps someday... :) As for the expense... He's a musician. Instruments aren't the cheapest toys to be playing with. He doesn't squawk about the cost. LOL... It's a good thing that spouses, soul-mates, and one-true-loves can have separate interests, LOL! ;) My daughters are both fascinated by the cards. But neither one is old enough. I do let them check them out though, under supervision. What's really funny, is that my cat, Nichimus (Lakota for "sweetheart"), is enthralled by the cards. Whenever I lay out a spread, she's there on the bed with me, curled up next to me, her eyes fixed on the cards. I think she's decided she's my "familiar", LOL! It's interesting b/c she's really respectful of them when they're laid out. Walks around the spread, through it like my other cat sometimes does. Who knows... perhaps she is my "familiar". :D I have a question: My family, we're not Christian (though my father is Irish Catholic and my mother Jewish and I was baptized Episcopalian -sp?-). The beliefs my husband and I do share, lie within the Sweat Lodge, et al. I've seen and read threads on this board regarding Christianity and the tarot, and I guess I just don't see (understand) how working with tarot decides one's religion. Religion/religious beliefs and the tarot are separate entities, IMO. I see the tarot as a tool that can be used by All, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, and other what-have-you backgrounds, and I figure most people who work with the tarot share a similar view...

Logiatrix	03 Jun 2003
Good question... It has been a couple of months now since I've begun dating my guy, but we've known each other for about two years. He has known all along that I read tarot cards, but somehow he thinks that since he is now my boyfriend, his opinion against the cards actually matters! :D :D :D Okay, well maybe his opinion sort of matters...so far, he has only made brief comments hinting at some vague presence of evil, but other than that, there is no riff between us. I think it's much too soon to tell if this will be a serious issue between us. Just wait 'till he finds out that I SLEEP with my decks... ;)

LadyMedusa	03 Jun 2003
My SO has no problem with my tarot studies. I think he to involved with his own NASCAR addiction to really notice. The only issue we have faced is the intense competition for the computer. I spend my time reading here, and checking out decks. While he freverently searches ebay daily for additions to his ever growing collection. He will remind me that a deck I put on the ebay watch list will be ending soon. He politely looks thru my new decks when they arrive and even aknowledges the cards that he finds interesting. Just as I have a look at his new items. The one time $ was mentioned, he asked how much a set cost that I had purchased. When he found out it was less than one of his bigger die-cast cars cost, he looked over at his shelves then looked at my shelf and never has said a word about it since. He has around 1 car to every 1 card yes I mean card and not deck. He had no objection when his daughter wanted a deck of her own. She is presently reading the stories the cards are taken from. We picked out the Whimsical for her. He does ask the occasional question when I have cards spread out studying.He has never asked for a reading but I think that if/when someone designs a deck with a NASCAR theme he would just to check out "this tarot thing" of mine. My oldest son shares his fathers views that divination of any sort is forbidden by the bible. We have agreed to disagree. We don't discuss it. My younger son has asked the occasional question but has very little interest, and doesn't really have an opinion on the matter. My cats seem to be more concerned with the idea of there is a lap available to occupy as long as you don't mess with Moms cards, and the beasset hound well... those who read the post know she is partial to my first Legend Arthurian deck. As far as what would happen if D. took an unfavorable view to my tarot... }) There would be alot of bargins on Ebays nascar collectibles section. LadyMedusa

sirona86	07 Jun 2003
thankfully enough, both my parents are supportive of my interest in tarot. my mother is particularly fascinated by it, and has been asking me to do readings for her regarding a prospective job. i have also asked my sister, who's studying in france right now and will be coming back during the summer break in late june, to buy me a deck of tarot cards( hopefully shell come back with a deck they dont sell here), and she too seems perfectly alright with it!

Tor	08 Jun 2003
I'm single and my teddybear thinks it's allright! :D

coldsuns	08 Jun 2003
re:Baldar My teddy bears think is alright too! ^_^' But my teachers do not allow me to do so. But..i choose to believe in what i believe. Anyway..i have already stop touching Tarot Cards for..2 months. ~>,<~

Trogon	08 Jun 2003
Quote: Originally posted by coldsuns My teddy bears think is alright too! ^_^' But my teachers do not allow me to do so. But..i choose to believe in what i believe. Anyway..i have already stop touching Tarot Cards for..2 months. ~>,<~ I'm curious coldsuns... why have you stopped touching your Tarot Cards? Is this because of the attitude of, or (dare I say it?) the persecution by those teachers of yours?

G.I.R.	09 Jun 2003
I think my girlfriend absolutely hates tarot. :( The day before yesterday, we were at a party and I gave readings to some friends. Well as I started the first reading, she left the room. :( I think it has something to do with her last reading, but she didn't tell me why. The sad part is that I was at her last reading (one of my friends used my cards) and I don't remember a single bit of it. It's really sad. :( :( :(

tarotpharot	10 Jun 2003
My wife views Tarot exactly as I do. With both eyes fixed upon cards layed out in a spread. Couldn't resist! }) Brad

Artemis Sans	02 Aug 2003
Not to be melodramatic here, but my life is a constant lecture on the ways of evil. Those of you who grew up/are growing up in the infamous American Bible-Belt know what I'm talking about. For those of you not aware, the Bible Belt is a prominent section of America composed mainly of ultra-conservative Protestants and the rare conservative Catholic. "listen, stay away from Tarot, it's letting Satan in." "but before I got into Tarot, I was an Atheist. Now I'm closer to God than ever." "Tarot doesn't have anything to do with God." et cetera, et cetera. It always ends the same way, "well, I'd like it a lot if God talked to me like you think he does to you. but God doesn't work like that." (turn around and walk off.) Luckily, in relationship spread I just did, the 2 of Cups came up as the outcome. Pretty sure that's a good sign... Still haven't told her about the Tarot yet... wish me luck... Artemis

G.I.R.	02 Aug 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Artemis Sans wish me luck... Artemis Good Luck

Trogon	02 Aug 2003
Definitely! Good Luck Artemis! Who knows, maybe she's a closet Tarotholic... :D

The How does your boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse/partner view Tarot? thread was originally posted on 26 Dec 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.