I've got the Tarot blues

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 01 Jun 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

lawguy51	01 Jun 2003
I think I've hit a wall. I've been full speed taroting since last July, as many of you know, and it seems lately that I'm not on the forum as much, I'm not offering readings like I used to, I've pretty much stopped reading Tarot books and am doing very few readings for myself other than a daily 3 card draw which I do about 5 days out of 7. I come onto the forum and see how involved everyone is in various threads and I feel like I'm not as much a part of the forum as I used to be. Quick, call the wa-wa-wambulance. Boy, do I sound pathetic. Anyone else ever experience this? Is there a cure? I've got the Tarot blues, mama. Lawguy51

jog1118	01 Jun 2003
life is a series of ups and downs. now its down...just wait for your ups

Mimers	01 Jun 2003
(chuckle,chuckle) Don't cry Lawguy. I took a break for about 2 months right before I joined this site. It was taking a lot out of me and I needed a breather, that's all. When I got back to it, I came back better than before. Nice and refreshed. You see, I was suffering from Tarot overload! I was cramming my mind with words, and tapping my intuition for insight so much that they needed a little vacation! since then I have calmed down a little. I don't do a reading for myself every day, more like once a week. I will read one book on Tarot or some other spiritual interest, and then I will read novel, just for pleasure. I find that my readings and my learning capacity have improved just by slowing down. Enjoy your vacation! Mimi edited for spelling errors

Alex	01 Jun 2003
books, the forum, I have too turned my attention to other things recently. Not to lose the practice, map your relationship w/ the Tarot with cards. I'll try out mine: Beginning: A Wands Page Wands Magician 2 pentacles Middle: A Swords 3 Cups Hierophant 3 pentacles Now: 4 cups Hermit 4 swords Future: (Let me go draw the cards)

Woof	01 Jun 2003
I'm right there with you! I have only picked up a deck once in two months! In March I went to a friend's party and ended up reading for about 6 people. They were the first readings for others I've ever done. I got so burnt I'm still feeling it. Don't beat yourself up. What I'm doing is trying to recharge my batteries some other ways. Honestly, I'm just now beginning to feel the pull of the cards again but I still am too "psychic-ly tired" to deal with them just yet. Soon. Relax with yourself, give yourself a break. You'll hear the call when you're ready. Good luck to you! Woof

Umbrae	01 Jun 2003
I have the solution – or rather, it has always worked for me… Go to someplace (bar or coffeeshop), pull out your deck and begin to do a ‘Keltic Kross’ for yourself, take your time, wait… Sooner or later, you will get the opportunity… Read for strangers…face to face. That’s the rub my friend…

Ruby Red Slippers	01 Jun 2003
Or you could just expand your horizons and do some other form of divination or healing work. In re-focusing your energy the intuition opens and you may find new insights as tarot images and messages come through to you through other forms. just a thought...........:) Blessings, Ruby P.S. Hope you get your mojo back soon. :joke:

lunalafey	01 Jun 2003
Perhaps you got a little overloaded with info & now you just need to take a little break?

Cerulean	01 Jun 2003
I started a thread about asking people about their perfect tarot setting...well, deck and maybe fun appropriate setting...what decks do you have or want that might get you to take a fresh look? Maybe a fun book? Incidently, do you sometimes like the general guidance type readings at the appropriate season? I was looking at Christine Jette's Tarot for All Seasons again and did a May 6-card seasonal spread...of course it's almost summer, but I hadn't gotten to doing it. Sometimes I revisit old decks or compare cards for fun. Mari H.

Logiatrix	01 Jun 2003
Lawguy, I have experienced what you speak of...my remedy is something of a combination of ideas already presented here: --read or study something completely different. --take your deck(s) to coffee, or some other new setting. --delve into a new divination system for a while. --revisit your shelved decks. --look into a book or website with a new tarot approach. I have also found that it's good to keep a "light" deck available for just these times. It can be one of the more humorous tarots or a very uncomplicated divination deck--whatever you choose, the rule is "no thinking allowed." I purposefully chose a non-tarot card set to fulfill this role because I am still a beginner tarotist; my "light" deck is the "Tea Leaf Fortune Cards."

Astraea	02 Jun 2003
Lawguy, this seems to be a normal, predictable (albeit disturbing) part of the cyclical process of learning and reading the cards. I have experienced this disturbing "low" phase of the cycle several times, and can report that it does, indeed, pass -- you will rebound at some future point, in finer form than ever. Very wise advice is offered in all the previous posts. I think that turning to another form of divination might be especially helpful, as one hand informs the other. Have confidence -- you are in the phase of the learning cycle in which you integrate, assimilate and "metabolize" the enormous amount of material you have taken in (and shared so warmly with others, like a communal meal); this combined intake/output becomes part of your permanent body of knowledge, to which you will add incrementally on your journey. It's okay, it truly is.

alexis	02 Jun 2003
Quote: Originally posted by lawguy51 I think I've hit a wall. Anyone else ever experience this? Is there a cure? I've got the Tarot blues, mama. Lawguy51 hey, this may not be a solution to you but it could be something that may give u more insight on your current situation. check this link :) http://www.pooklaroux.com/imramtarot.html click on 'learning tarot" then 'development of tarot skills' think it will link u to the 5 stages all readers tend to go through. u could be in the critical stage... hope it helps!

wavebreaker	02 Jun 2003
I'm right there with you lawguy... ;) I've only done two or three readings in the past few months and haven't read anything on tarot. Don't know why exactly, it just doesn't appeal to me right now. I'm currently concentrating on reiki and taking that further. BTW: I checked alexis' link and I think I'm in the Removed phase right now... :D

Melissa`	02 Jun 2003
I'm with tarotlady in the removed section. I put the cards down for a while. Picked up Forrest of Souls. While I was reading, I noticed that whatever I read.. I couldn't remember it a paragraph later. At first, I thought it was that book. So I changed to 78DW, same thing happened there. My mind was refusing anything to do with tarot, no matter how hard I tried. Oh the other hand, I have two new decks waiting at the post office for me to pick up in 3 hours. Yes I'm counting the minutes because one of them is the Fey. I hope my excitement will help spark my tarot flame back up and I can continue my studies and readings. Oh! And I love the suggestion Umbrae gave. If there was a place where I knew it would be accepted around here, I would already be there doing it. :) Amaya

jema	02 Jun 2003
i know i said it before - we grow in the silent spaces, in the gaps. just as childrens bones grows at night when they sleep - so do our tarot-skills grow in the periods when we do other things, so put down the decks, focus on the here and now and do something else that makes your soul sing - whatever that may be. when you get back to the cards you will find that your understanding is deeper then ever before. i can't think of a single great reader that hasn't had a few breakes like these. some are even gone for years. some just for a few weeks or months.

Tor	02 Jun 2003
I hope you are doing well though your not into tarot these days! I've had been on and off several times, but as Jema points ut - I come back and do better readings each time. There is a time for everything, and changes is the only sure thing. So trust the process! :)

Sobeknofret	02 Jun 2003
I went three years with barely picking up a deck. Now I'm back and better than ever, baby! Sometimes your brain just needs the break and your readings will be better than ever when it comes back from vacation. I've also been reading for a lot of people recently which also helps get back into the groove of things. Good luck! --Sobe

Ruby7	02 Jun 2003
Quote: Originally posted by jema i know i said it before - we grow in the silent spaces, in the gaps. Hi Lawguy, you shouldn't worry about this. I agree with what Jema said and have experienced this many times with many different areas in life. I play a musical instrument and get frustrated sometimes if I have worked and worked a tune and just can't seem to get it right. The best solution? It's only natural to put the instrument aside for a few days and then when i pick it up again, it's like on some sub-conscious level I have been working the tune out and can play it better without the frustration. You need a little break, and it probably wont be as long as you think. Don't be hard on yourself, and don't worry. Ruby7

lawguy51	02 Jun 2003
All of your suggestions and encouragements are much appreciated. I know that a lot of my so-called malaise has to do with my pre-occupation with getting my new record label off the ground. When I do have spare time, I just don't feel like doing anything. But I have noticed that I have not been trusting my intuition or taking the time to really look at a reading, just jumping to my books to tell me what I really should be telling myself and really already know. Well, I think I'll pick up a deck and head off to Starbucks and pull that Celtic Spread and see what happens :D....thanks everybody. You all made me feel much better. Oh, and I'm definitely in the Removed phase as well. Lawguy51

RedEarth	02 Jun 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Umbrae I have the solution – or rather, it has always worked for me… Go to someplace (bar or coffeeshop), pull out your deck and begin to do a ‘Keltic Kross’ for yourself, take your time, wait… Sooner or later, you will get the opportunity… Read for strangers…face to face. That’s the rub my friend… I thought this was a great idea, and wondered if you can tell me abit more, how do people react, both the coffee shop/bar staff, and general public. Do you charge for the reading? How nervous were you the first time? As you can see, i really am intrigued but don't know if I have the confidence yet! Love to hear more about it, RedEarth

Celtic_Dragon	02 Jun 2003
OH NO!! not lawguy!! :D Not to sound self-absorbed but I too have had the slumps for a couple of days. And it seems like now is when I'm getting the most attention for readings. But my feelings are leaning towards just wanting something new and interesting, like a new deck! ;) but yea, just relax and do something else. Pretty soon you'll find yourself dealing out a new spread in no time!...I hope...for my sake as well.

Two of Wands	02 Jun 2003
I've been Tarot, Tarot, Tarot now for the last few months, but before then my decks had been stored away for at least a year. I definitely go through phases. Right now I get loads out of the cards and really enjoy them. But I'm sure they'll come a time again when I set out a deck and realise the cards are completely empty. That's when I'll know it's time to take another break. I have to say though, that time would have come already if it hadn't been for this forum. I've never had so much fun with Tarot before this. Learning, discussing, studying, and playing with the cards with others through this forum really brings Tarot to life for me, and it's made me more in tune with Tarot than I've ever been. I always felt there was something missing in Tarot before, and now I know what it was, it was sharing it with you guys!

azuremariposa	02 Jun 2003
yeah, i pretty much feel the same...other things are taking up my mental energy right now and i just don't have it in me to do readings like i used to...even one month ago!! :( but i'm hoping things turn around...i have two readings to do for clients and then i'm gonna take a mini-break...see what happens...best of luck to you, lawguy! let us know how things turn out for you!! :) many blessings, ~azure

Sobeknofret	02 Jun 2003
Quote: Originally posted by RedEarth I thought this was a great idea, and wondered if you can tell me abit more, how do people react, both the coffee shop/bar staff, and general public. Do you charge for the reading? How nervous were you the first time? I do it at the local deli or the coffee shop at the local bookstore. Nice liberal kinds of places :) The employees are always sympathetic and interested. I begin by reading for myself first, then, if they're interested, I read for an employee or two. I've never had anyone from the general public get bent out of shape; mostly the interested ones drift over and ask questions and eventually ask for readings. Hey, the more people I can expose to Tarot, I figure the better off the Tarot community at large is. I'll give them a brief reading for free, like 4 or 5 cards, and give them plenty of details. I'm really willing to expend the time even for a free reading to get the practice. I've also bartered stuff for larger readings-- lunch, one time a lovely pottery mug made by the artist I read for, a really nice pencil sketch one time, and for the guy who plays guitar on the patio at the deli, I trade a reading for a song :P If you're going to charge however, it's always good manners to ask the owner if you can do it there, and maybe even split the $$ with them; I think it's a little (ok, a LOT) rude to just go in and set up shop in someone else's business without their permission. Actually I don't think that I have ever charged anyone while doing this exercise though; made appointments for larger readings yes, but not charged.. But most owners/employees don't object to you giving free readings. And it is GREAT practice.

Major Tom	03 Jun 2003
I've managed to arrange with the manager of a local 16th Century Coaching inn to give lessons and readings in the bar and lobby - without paying a percentage. ;) Umbrae is absolutely right though - read for others - paid or not.

wavebreaker	03 Jun 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Major Tom Umbrae is absolutely right though - read for others - paid or not. Hm, it depends... Make sure you find people to read for that appreciate your readings. Because I found a lot of people to read for who didn't appreciate it, and that's one of the things that put me off tarot for a while...

Shadow Wolf	03 Jun 2003
Your deck(s) will let you know when it's time to pick them up again. Maybe it's their way of telling you to take a breather. And then when you return to them, you'll gain a fresh perspective in you readings.

Wildwood	04 Jun 2003
Actually, rather the opposite is going on for me at the moment...over the last year or so, I've really taken my tarot interest up a gear, and having lurked on the boards for quite a while, I got up steam and registered, all ready to join in, got lots of nice welcomes, raring to go.... and then....I've been so busy decorating my house, de-cluttering the place, run off my feet at work, making lots of weekend trips away to visit relatives etc etc that although I'm really keen to get back to the cards, I'm not getting there at all!! Or contributing much to the boards!! :( I feel a bit like Dracula in the old movies..."Ah, the children of the night, how beautifully they sing!!" :D I hear them calling but can't answer.... Also found out a few weeks ago, that I'm to become a dad again, 18 years after the last time!!! :) Great joy, but doesn't look like life is going to slow down for a bit, does it?? ;) Hey ho! Wildwood

Mimers	04 Jun 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Wildwood Also found out a few weeks ago, that I'm to become a dad again, 18 years after the last time!!! :) Great joy, but doesn't look like life is going to slow down for a bit, does it?? ;) Hey ho! Wildwood CONGRATULATIONS!!! That is such happy and inspiring news Wildwood! Take Care, Mimi

Wildwood	04 Jun 2003
Thanks Mimi - I must have been pretty inspired myself :D I'm really delighted about it, must admit. Just occurred to me that other than my close family, you're all the first people I've told....well, I'm sure my secret is safe with all you aeclecticians...;) Sorry if this is all off topic... Wildwood

Umbrae	04 Jun 2003
Finding a place is the tough part. The coffee-shop in a town of 500 Southern Baptists is not a good choice. I used to read a lot in bars…Not real high class joints, but not too lowbrow…middle of the road. Don’t ask permission, ask forgiveness. Don’t stick out a sign. Don’t pull out a deck and expect the world to come to you. Don’t pull out a deck and ask folks if they want a reading (ever – ever – ever). Order a beverage, sit down, pull out your cards and do a three card spread. Take out your journal and begin taking notes. Spend at least a half-hour to forty-five minutes writing on that spread (you wanna learn tarot…right?). Do this on a nightly basis, finding a new place each night. Find a place that you really like…and make it a nightly ritual. The public will find you. If you go where you won’t be found, you will never read. You have to find a place that allows you to be ‘accessible’. You don’t know where that is. You must find it. Being a regular helps (always tip generously)…the help will steer folks your way (always tip generously – coffee shop or bar). Learning to read in this type of atmosphere is a challenge, but fun and rewarding. It’s scary. Your first public reading for a complete stranger is terrifying…and a rush. Chances are, you are better than you think. The going rate for readings is $2.00-$3.00 a minute or $5.00± a card. If you find yourself in a bar situation, folks go there to drink…if you dip too far into their drinking funds, they will shun you (and send you packing). Don’t charge more than the price of a double. Bar readings are real fun… Keys…let the public come to you (or they will not be appreciative). In some public places, you will want to read with regular playing cards. Whenever I need re-charging, I go out and read…it’s a wonderful feeling… Oh – one last note – Smile, and laugh…

RedEarth	04 Jun 2003
Wow, Umbrae, that is brilliant! Thank you for sharing this with us, there is so much in what you have written :) I am not sure about the 'nightly' thing , as I have 2 small kids at home but I am thinking a mid-late afternoon thing in a coffee shop, for an hour or so? Better than nothing, and at least I get a drink of coffee ( or tea, after all , I am practically british!) My late night bar days are over :( RedEarth

wavebreaker	05 Jun 2003
...or do whatever feels right for you. We are all individuals, with different ways of doing things. There are no set rules. Listen to your inner self, that's the only one who knows what's best for you. Think for yourself, we don't need rules to live our own lives...

Maan	05 Jun 2003
Quote: Originally posted by tarotlady ...or do whatever feels right for you. We are all individuals, with different ways of doing things. There are no set rules. Listen to your inner self, that's the only one who knows what's best for you. Think for yourself, we don't need rules to live our own lives... Well said Tarotlady! I think all we can do here is tell our story and tell the ways that work for us. Eeverybody has to solve things there own way! Love Maan

Alex	05 Jun 2003
anyone was trying to set rules. Alex.

Maan	06 Jun 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Alex anyone was trying to set rules. Alex. Probebly not, it just sounded a little like that to me Blame my authority problems ;) Love Maan

Diana	06 Jun 2003
At my age, I don't sit in bars at night. But I'll join RedEarth in a coffee shop. No, I'll go into a tearoom. I'd love to read for the little old ladies.......... There's one just down the road with wonderful croissants. Doesn't matter if I get crumbs on my deck, does it? Actually, all this will have to remain in the dream-world. I don't have time to sit in tea-tooms, coffee shops or bars. Maybe one day......... Sigh.

Alex	06 Jun 2003
People don't have time to live anymore. Ain't got time to eat, Ain't got time to sleep, or to play with the kids, or to read a book... or to read the cards. What is life for, if we can't live it? Alex.

lawguy51	11 Jun 2003
Wow, I've been away from the board for a while and I see this thread has taken on a life of its own. I've been managing 3 card spreads a few days a week. But as for Umbrae's suggestion, I spend 4 or 5 nights a week in bars, looking at bands to sign. I wonder what they would think if I pulled out a deck? Gotta try that one night. Anyway, hello all, I have not gone away, just still really busy. Carry on... Lawguy51

The I've got the Tarot blues thread was originally posted on 01 Jun 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.