Worried about reading for colleagues

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 25 Jan 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Aoife	25 Jan 2003
I only read for a few close personal friends and that's OK, I don't get unduly nervous about reading for them. Three of my closest and most trusted coworkers have long been aware of my interest but I have always declined to read for them - making excuses of insufficiently experienced, really only doing it for personal development, etc. But this site has inspired new confidence in me and yesterday I agreed to read for them [at a date to be arranged]. I'm now feeling anxious and trying to work out why. These are very perceptive people, well used to 'thinking outside of the box'. They're not the sort to just sit and listen, they'll want to develop ideas and explore feelings - and I'm entirely comfortable with that. But.... These are very good people, committed to the wellbeing of others, often at their own expense. They're completely burned out....yet endure. They're very strong.... yet very vulnerable. I feel tremendous responsibility.... Am I worried that 'it could catch on' and the repercussions with other close and respected colleagues who wouldn't approve? Any advice/comments would be much appreciated.

Mojo	25 Jan 2003
You're thinking too much. This isn't rocket science, it's Tarot. Do yourself a favor. Take two cards out of your deck and carry them around with you: the Ace of Swords and the 10 of Swords. Whenever you start worrying about this, take a look at them and ask yourself why you are thinking like the 10 of Swords when you should be thinking like the Ace.

Major Tom	25 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Aoife Am I worried that 'it could catch on' and the repercussions with other close and respected colleagues who wouldn't approve? My friend Mojo gives very good advice. :) What if it does catch on? What if some people don't approve? So what? }) Won't exactly be the end of the world as you know it... Concentrate on the positive that you alone can accomplish.

Umbrae	25 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Aoife I feel tremendous responsibility....Am I worried that 'it could catch on' and the repercussions with other close and respected colleagues who wouldn't approve? Reading for others is a huge responsibility and yes you do need to acknowledge and respect that responsibility. Then I lost your question. “it catch on” and repercussions…are you anticipating persecution? Why read at the worksite? Go out! Chances are they may want to chat about Tarot after work. I would love it if you could re-phrase your question.

Demonesse	25 Jan 2003
Mmmm. In my opinion, you shouldn't mix your professional and private life. But there should be no harm in reading for them for them someplace else if you are friends outside work as well as colleagues; no reading in the office during lunch break, though! There could well be repercussions, especially in the form of higher-level management, but you should feel confident in your own ability as a reader nevertheless. Ace of Swords it is.

tarotbear	25 Jan 2003
Catch 'what' on? - a little confused. Are you afraid that people will be forming a queue ouside your cubicle, or that the management will frown on your activites? I have ALWAYS talked Tarot at work, where I have been for over two years now. I mentioned it many, many times - no reactions. Last month I put up a notice that I was starting a class and suddenly people stop and ask me all sorts of questions- ! I am finding out that many people dabble in tarot and they come up to me and say 'I got the Knight of swords today, What does he mean?' and have to do these instant analyses! People are now starting to ask if I do parties. Although I have a deck in my car ( and I have told many people this) I would not bring them into work, even to read in the cafe. My only problem with reading for close colleagues is that we work in such close contact with each other ( Geez! I even know when it's getting close to 'that time' for most of the women I work with!) and that we know 'way too much information about each other's lives that if actuallly might be harder to read for them. My suggestion: read for them outside of work, not at work.

Aoife	25 Jan 2003
Thank you so much to all who've responded. You're absolutely right - I think too much.....I'm a bit of a control freak! But immersing myself in tarot and things esoteric is my attempt to let go of control because I know it's the only way I can return home to myself and grow. I'm sure my line of work is no more cut-throat than any other but those of you who work in human services will understand the pressure of being caught between people we're trying to help and a management driven by politics, image and statistics. The people with power over my livelihood are already afraid of me. I have knowledge and experience they don't possess. I use faculties which frighten them and which they suppress in themselves.... and so an uneasy truce exists whilst neither side strays into the other's territory. For it to become known of my involvement with tarot would compromise the image we are supposed to project - I would anticipate consequences. I have learned the value of discretion the hard way. My 'scapecoat' is richly embroidered with a thousand tiny wounds and a few bloody big ones, many of the worst acquired when I have let the mask slip. I'm not claiming any deeper wounds than anyone else - I've met small children with wounds deeper and more devastating than I'll ever know. But I can't face any more battles in the wider world - not until I feel stronger and wiser. The coworkers I speak of are just like me. We've actively sought out the toughest work. We've worked with people who have done monstrous things to others, we've met people with angelic demeanours and no souls [and i mean that literally] and we've tried to help both them and their victims. But my coworkers and I are like a bunch of 9 of wands. Tarot has been my way of starting to find my way home and each step has been magical. I'm starting to heal and I have hope.... for the first time in a long time. My coworkers sense the change in me; they're fascinated from an intellectual perspective but attracted by my increased spiritual energy. I don't proselytise but I suspect with an opportunity to enquire further they'll be hooked. Not necessarily by tarot but with things esoteric. This would potentially set up a division with other coworkers whose christian ethics underpin their work. I don't want to be a catalyst for division. I wouldn't dream of taking my cards into work. For one thing I don't want them affected by the powerful negative energies present. No, my intention was always that they would come to my home - as they have many times before. My fear?..... yes, the end of the world as I know it. As far as my inner world is concerned that prospect thrills me - I long to become wiser and I'm relishing the work it will require. As far as the outside world is concerned..... well, suffice to say I still have financial obligations best met by staying put in my work. Eve

The Worried about reading for colleagues thread was originally posted on 25 Jan 2003 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.