Need a Tarot Forecast for rural Mid - America

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 29 Mar 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Dark Inquisitor	29 Mar 2003
There is a good possibility that I will be moving to rural Mid America in the near future. ( In specific, dowstate Illinois.) From my past experiences, I have found the people in general to be friendly, generous, & kind. But, I also know that sometimes there can be a strong vein of Christianity beneath all that, possibly of the intolerant variety. So what I need is a kind of Tarot Forecast from people who have first hand experience - tell me what the metaphysical weather is like in rural Mid America ! Is it better to keep your spiritual studies to yourself? Can I hang my Stonehenge poster without fear of reprisal? When the new neighbors come to bring me welcome food, can I offer to read their cards in thanks without getting a brick thrown in my window? (Should I put a cross on my door to fake them out? ) Will I be regarded as a fearful city person of the devil? Will there be a small group of like-minded outcasts hiding underground waiting for reinforcements? Will my psychic congestion (negative overload) improve from moving to a sparsely populated area with lots of land around? Will I enjoy talking to corn? (What if it talks back?) Tarotphelia

RedWood	29 Mar 2003
Now..I dont live with lots of land (crying here) But..Moving with lots of land I imagine will be soo refreshing...You can let the earth take all the crap from you. The city for me..is very draining..teh constant..noise..trains..planes...trucks..cars...ahhhhhh...paint fumes..exhaust fumes....Oh give me land!!

zorya	29 Mar 2003
i'm in rural south central indiana, where it is wisest to keep your mouth shut. not going to church is enough to get you shunned by many. i would be especially careful where your child is concerned. i suspect rural illinois will be more progressive than indiana though. ... and if they don't know, they can be the kindest, most helpful folk you'll ever meet. i am sure that in time you will find like minded people, they are out there. others move out to rural areas for the same reasons you will. but i would strongly advise taking your time and testing the waters before you share your interests. yeah, bricks could get thrown through your window. more often, i have heard of peoples horses and other pets getting shot, stuff like that. i am also about an hour away from a college town. so like-minded others are not too far away. ... and crosses on the door aren't such a great idea. that will probably just make you look catholic to most which won't help you a whole lot either, lol. despite all the above, living with nature can change your life for the better. you will probably notice that you begin to follow natures cycles. your seasons will probably match natures. i mean that in spring you will be ready to get stuff done, and in winter you will be looking within. nature puts everything in perspective. just look at your new night sky! you will become more aware of the moon phases, because it will be your strongest night light or lack of. less light polution out here! nature soothes and calms, she also reminds us of our place and that she has the power. everything changes and no two days will look the same. ... and i do hope you start talking to corn! because she will talk back ;) hahahaha. (at least my trees sure do) :D i enjoy the city, but i wouldn't trade living in nature for it's advantages.

HudsonGray	29 Mar 2003
I agree with the rural IN assessment, and southern Illinois is pretty much the same way. In Wisconsin it's a lot more open, no problem with a Stonehenge poster or anything else. We're not as frequented by the Baptists or Born Agains as they are further south, and anywhere near a college area is pretty much 'do what you want' without getting any hassles. (Hey, we got GOTHS!). In fact, there's a huge pagan community north of our state capital - ever hear of Circle Sanctuary? They even have a newsletter that comes out quarterly. Depends on the area I suppose, but even the farmers are pretty much ok with things so long as you're not tramping over their land without permission & scaring their heifers. But don't do the cross on the door, you'll get the Jehova Witnesses twice a month that way. If you want to 'read' just about any coffee house will be glad to take you on, as will the spirit fairs (one was looking for a couple of new readers). There'll be a few who might be offended, but don't worry about them, no community gets up in arms about a little thing like tarot.

cricket	29 Mar 2003
Quote: Originally posted by HudsonGray I agree with the rural IN assessment, and southern Illinois is pretty much the same way. *snip* If you want to 'read' just about any coffee house will be glad to take you on, as will the spirit fairs (one was looking for a couple of new readers). There'll be a few who might be offended, but don't worry about them, no community gets up in arms about a little thing like tarot. Whoa there! I agree fully with that first little bit there, but completely disagree with that second part. I may live further south than all of you, but I know from personal experience that a community CAN and WILL get up in arms over something like tarot! After living in this area for almost three years a tarot deck was -gasp- seen in my possession! As a result there have been threats to break up my family, take away my children, burn down our house and everything in it, etc. This is a little extreme compared to what those farmers would probably do, but it's still a possibility. My advice: kick back, relax, and just don't be any more open about it than your sex life for the past few years to these people. It's just much safer that way. If people ask (which they eventually will in a roundabout way) just tell them the basics. If they keep asking, keep telling, unless you're uncomfortable with it. Then just hope for the best and expect the worst.

Dark Inquisitor	29 Mar 2003
Thanks for the replies !! My daughter is all grown up, so she won't be coming with me- one less thing to worry over I guess. The place I am considering is a college town, so that sounds like it will be a big plus. Can't deal with Jehovah's Witnesses at the door though-- right now I have a sign that forbids religious solicitations !! (I feel I am entitled to self-defense in this matter.) Even in the area I am in now, the crowded Chicago suburbs, one of the local metaphysical store owners told me her tale of people trying to run her out of business. Even getting hassled by city officials who didn't want any stores like that. Their theory was : First tarot, then tattoos, then massage parlors.( How flattering. ) Circle Sanctuary sounds fascinating!! Tarotphelia

cricket	29 Mar 2003
Just hearing you're going to a college town makes me (for one) feel much better. People tend to be much more open-minded. On that note: revisions to the original 2 cents worth. *ta-da* Don't be as stuffed-shirt as I first suggested, just don't push it on anybody. Sounds easier, huh? *laughs* Then again, I'm just a youngun that doesn't know much yet, so you probably shouldn't take my advice anyway. ;) Good luck and have fun with it.

Dark Inquisitor	29 Mar 2003
Aha! I am seeing 10 listings for Pagans, Witches, Wiccans, & Heathens at witchvox.com for the town I am considering -- maybe I can find out from one of them what the current situation is !! At least it feels good to know I won't be alone-- Tarotphelia

RedWood	29 Mar 2003
Woohoo tarotpheila....Good deal!

Dark Inquisitor	29 Mar 2003
Ok, I have emailed 3 women on the witchvox list, so I will post my findings when I get some replies ! Strange- the town I am presently in has no listings at all. Could be a move for the better. Tarotphelia

Dark Inquisitor	26 Apr 2003
At last- a reply ! The town forecast is small with a lot of close-minded people - no cool pagan stores or covens . Some pagans around, & some people with an interest in learning. Not exactly unexpected , I guess. I wasn't thinking there would be a Welcome Heathens banner ! I suppose if we look back through time, isn't this the way it has been for a couple thousand years in most places? Why should I hope for too much different now? Probably now is better than ever before to be embarking on such an endeavor. I can't afford to move to any famously pagan-friendly places. Meanwhile, I am missing my decks ! Most of them are packed away, obsessively put into plastic wrap & then bound with tape to keep them from warping out of shape. I sense their frustration & confusion !! (Could be mine, on the other hand..) Next : The House Hunt....(Will I be able to have a cool reading room? Will I paint it dark plum?) Tarotphelia

Indigo_lady	27 Apr 2003
I'm pretty pretty PRETTY = VERY far away from all these places you guys are mentioning but I'm just in shock to hear that people in the begining of the XXIst century and in the US (sorry but here the in the developing world they're still trying to sell us the whole perfect universe package) u have to deal with such intolerance ... I know that "middle of nowhere" anywhere tends to be backwards, but I'm pretty surprised that it's even part of the system I'm sorry it doesn't add much to the whole conversation, but I had to share it... In any case, Best of Luck ;)

Dark Inquisitor	27 Apr 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Indigo_lady but I'm just in shock to hear that people in the begining of the XXIst century and in the US (sorry but here the in the developing world they're still trying to sell us the whole perfect universe package) u have to deal with such intolerance ... I know that "middle of nowhere" anywhere tends to be backwards, but I'm pretty surprised that it's even part of the system This town really isn't that far gone into the middle of nowhere- it has a couple of colleges - one former student even referred to it as liberal . But I guess no one knows better than someone who has lived there themselves what the attitudes are. I think the problem is the rigid Christianity that is a holdover from when the towns were founded in the 1800's . (or before) It does shock me too that attitudes are still that intolerant , but it pays to be forewarned . Even where I live now, I have lost friends because of the tarot . People whom I would not categorize as religious , but still think the tarot is of the devil , etc. Or they think it is a symptom of serious mental illness that you would engage in such a pastime! If some of your best friends can be that way, why not total strangers in a small town? I wonder if the attitudes aren't the same, but just more concealed in my present location. Oh well- I can't change the world , only my own small corner of it. Thanks for the good wishes ! Tarotphelia

RedWood	27 Apr 2003
Ohhh Dark Plum for your reading room....very nice.

The Need a Tarot Forecast for rural Mid - America thread was originally posted on 29 Mar 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.