What do we give up for tarot?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 29 Jan 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

dolphinprincess	29 Jan 2004
... I was looking in my closet tonight for something to wear to work tomorrow... and something hit me. While I do have a lot of clothes, not too much is "new"... Why?? bc I so rarely spend money on clothing anymore... this coming from a girl who could shop til she dropped!!!! I realized that most of my spending money goes to books, decks, etc... and things like clothing and shoes have suffered. I'm not 'complaining'... but I was wondering.. What do YOU give up for tarot?

celeste	29 Jan 2004
A normal life-lol.

Majecot	29 Jan 2004
celeste...lol What is normal anyway :) Definatley new clothes... and erm ... dining out.. can't seem to do that as frequently either. sleep, sometimes I stay up waaay to late surfing on AT!

ros	29 Jan 2004
socializing Many times I say no to going out. I find being alone studying the tarot etc. is more peaceful. Also I would rather spend money on a book I want before other things. Not always but a lot of the time!

miss_apples	29 Jan 2004
I dont have to give up anything. Im a stay at home mom and I dont drive so I have all the free time to do tarot in the world. Im not the type that needs to buy a ton of decks or books and what not...so I dont give up a lot of money. I think if anything I give up a little part of myself and energy with each reading

sagitarian	29 Jan 2004
it was more, I gave up my entire life to be a mom, and staying at home allowed me a lot of time to focus on my family, and my spirituality, including my studies in tarot, as well as wicca, faeries, and a beray of other subjects. It was to save my sanity (LOL). Like Miss Apples said, I don't know that I give up anything for tarot, based on my current life style, however, to have this lifestyle, at one point, I gave up the life I knew.

jog1118	29 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by ros Also I would rather spend money on a book I want before other things. Not always but a lot of the time! same here... :smoker:

ol_crazy_Legs	29 Jan 2004
An old way of thinking. Sence Tarot... I have a whole different out-look on life. But I must say I like this train of thought much better than my old materailistic way of thinking.

BlueLotus	29 Jan 2004
I must say that whatever I had to go without wasn't worth it to begin with. I can exist with/on my tarot decks and/or books that are related to tarot. Everything else can wait, or worse yet, can go. I still watch some movies/TV now and then, go to the mall , or go for my daily walks ( every other day , or two, or so lol ), and eat sometimes, but will not give up one single moment I spend with my deck(s), anytime....! I find that I can learn, and get new insights every time I 'consult' one of my tarot decks or go online looking for tarot sites, and here on AT . I never get bored. As for new clothes , and other books ( I used to be an astrology buff, and read my horoscope every single day, but now I barely read it at all ), these also had to go, and whatever experience I gained throughout the years from books, etc...., can be applied to tarot now.

Jewel-ry	30 Jan 2004
Time.... more than anything else. I spend most of my free time 'playing' with my cards, reading, and surfing on AT. I think this may have a knock on effect on things like, housework (yuk!), ironing (yuk!, yuk!,) talking to other members of the household :D, which they probably are grateful for!!! J :)

Indigo Rose	30 Jan 2004
I guess time is the most significant thing I give up. I try not to let my Tarot activities cut into my family time. I have had an incredible break from working since mid-December; first time in 12 years I have had this kind of break. When I get my families needs met, then I am off to Tarot land. I love studying, doing readings, checking out AT, and soaking up as much TAROT as I can. I budget my expenses pretty closely, so I try not to spend too much on Tarot. I mostly shop e-bay and amazon for discounts. However, besides family needs or household items Tarot stuff is my number ONE desire in terms of spending money. Really, in the scheme of things it is an inexpensive habit. March I go back to work, so I will have to budget my time even more carefully; but TAROT will always be given a place in my busy day. Blessings, Indigo Rose :)

Moonbow*	30 Jan 2004
TV. I can't remember when I last watched it! (that's probably a good thing.) and flexi time. At work I used to get in early and stay late to build up time for a day off but not now. Moonbow*

Aerten	30 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Moonbow* TV. I can't remember when I last watched it! (that's probably a good thing. Quite the same. I'm going to go with everyone else and say Time; like Ros, I've declined social invitations to spend a peaceful day at home with the cards, or at a bookstore reading more about them (I'm trying to become less materialistic and in the process have given up buying books and decks!).

Kiama	30 Jan 2004
Firstly, a word on the nature of 'giving things up'. What sprung to mind for me here was the Hanged Man card, and I remember something Crowley (I think) said about it and the true nature of sacrifice... It's more about cutting away what is no longer necessary or needed, and what can hold you back from moving forwards. So, with that in mind, I shall answer the question! What have I given up for Tarot? As was mentioned by a previous poster, old thought habits. But I feel these thought habits were limiting to me, and through the Tarot I have got rid of them and have moved onto something better for me. (Though no doubt I have only created yet another set of thought habits for myself that, whilst being better than the previous set, are not perfect. They never will be, but I guess I'll continue improving them somehow.) I have also given up the time I spent doing what I consider to be pointless things: watching rubbish television for instance. These days, I'd rather spend time on Aeclectic or creating new Tarot spreads than I would watching Eastenders or Neighbours (please permit me to say Yuck at these... })) I have 'given up' alot of money for Tarot, money that no doubt would otherwise have been spent on rubbish. (Or, new clothes, which I don't really need that much... I've stopped growing, that's for sure, and I'll remain a tiny 5'2" for the rest of my life, so I don't need many new clothes... And anyway, I usually get clothes in charity shops...) Admittedly, recently I've had to cut down on my Tarot-spending because I have more important things that come first (Yes, I really did say that!) Such as food, bills, heating, etc. Time though, that's the main thing. I never have a quiet, non-busy day anymore. I;m either doing Uni work, studying, reading books for Uni, organizing the Pagan Soc. or doing something on AT. And when I'm not doing all that important stuff (})) I'm doing readings for people, exploring Tarot in all sorts of ways... Oh, and spending time with my friends. Who are also very into Tarot, so I guess that's all the same anyway. }) (Every single person in my house, for instance, owns at least one Tarot deck... I live in Paradise. :D) Space aswell! I'm fast out-growing my home, because my bookshelves are too full of Tarot/Occult/Uni books and we've no more space for more shelves, and I have been desperately trying to find space to store my deck collection... Anyway, that's my ramble... Blessings, Kiama

Nycelle	30 Jan 2004
Nothing really - I allow Tarot to coexist with my life as much as possible. I have a lot of time to myself anyway, I just use more of it for Tarot now. My boyfriend has certain issues with it, though. I have given up talking to him about it because he is suspicious of anything occult. Sometimes I worry that I could end up sacrificing a relationship for it. . . but i hope that doesn't happen.

lark	30 Jan 2004
I feel like others that I've gained more than I've given. Clothes sure I have not much of those because I hardly ever shop for them. But a pair of jeans and a comfortable sweater is all I really like any way. I don't buy much else but tarot cards, books and I also love rocks and crystals and candles. That seems to be all I'm interested in. In Spring I buy plants for my garden so for a short time that is a bigger priority. I have given up something in the relationship area. I do not have an open relationship with my parents and most of my brothers and sisters because of tarot. It's because of their religous beliefs. Very very strict. And they think divination is of the devil. I have kept what I do to myself. And when something as important to me as this has to be kept a secret, well, I just never feel totally open when I'm around them. Because I feel their limited understanding is preventing me from being myself. My parents are elderly. So I don't rock the boat. Thank goodness my husband and kids are very supportive. But yes I have willingly distanced myself from those I know would throw a bucket of Holy Water on me if they knew that I read Tarot. And I have given up the feeling of fitting in with my siblings and parents. But I'm certainly not unhappy. In many ways it has actually given me more freedom to be and explore what I want. I no longer have to fit into the "family mold." I my mind I can never meet there expectations to "believe" as they do. So I'm free, to "believe " it in my own way. So tarot has given again instead of taken. Great question Dolphinprincess, thanks for asking it. :)

Strange2	30 Jan 2004
Excellent question! Like many of others who have responded, I have given up Time for Tarot. Better phrased, I make a conscious effort to focus the use of time to devote to Tarot studies / interaction / Work. This means making use of those "inbetween" times for Tarot, like reading or journaling when commuting on the train, eating at my desk at work and catching up on Aeclectic, reading Tarot books instead of mindlessly watching TV ads or shows, researching Tarot related topics on the web instead of surfing for "fluff", etc. I have given up some sleep, so that I can have some quiet meditation / study time in the morning. There's only so many hours in an lifetime, and although sleep (and dreams) are needed and valuable, so is my personal progression and interaction with Tarot, and the wonders of creation that Tarot reflects!

Melissa`	30 Jan 2004
Giving up time, like most everyone else, has been the number thing for me. Yes I will find myself giving up a new outfit to buy a new deck and books. I've learned, though, how to curve that and put my foot down. Its like an every other month thing. One month decks and books, next month clothes and other things. It sort of works itself out. I would also like to add that I don't feel as if I've really given up anything for tarot but that I have gained so much. Blessings, Amaya

Dark_angel	30 Jan 2004
I don't feel that I've given up anything for tarot; sure I spend a bit of time and money on it, but I'm the world's worst procrastinator (I still have last week's lecture notes to find, a lab to write up, etc. and no intention of doing so until I get really bored - kidney function is SO not my favourite thing), soI'd just spend it on rubbish. I've learned so much, even within such a short space of time, and I have got rid of some negative thought patterns - tarot has become the closest thing to a cure for depression for me, way ahead of pills and therapists. The only things I've given up because of tarot have been things that were bad for me, either physically or mentally, and I feel much better for it. :)

dolphinprincess	30 Jan 2004
This thread has gotten some great replies - and I've really enjoyed reading them... Thanks to everyone..!! ... just for the record, when I said "giving up" , I wasn't implying an actual "sacrifice"... I just know that pre-tarot, my money and time was directed in one place.. and post-tarot its been directed in different places... There is only so much money and time - so I figured what goes toward tarot had to come from somewhere... But, its been really cool to read about how much tarot has given to some of you.. ! I feel the same way.. In addition to clothes (which prompted this thread).. I sometimes find it hard to juggle all my interests.. I love to read .. i am learning to knit... etc.. and I find it hard at night to "do it all" and still have time to draw my cards and write in my journal... so, i guess i sometimes give up time for my other interests as well... Keep the posts coming.. :o)

Cerulean	30 Jan 2004
exploring various tarot aspects, including history and art... Oddly, though, tarot has encouraged me into more historical study and looking into different poets and aspects of humanties. I think that over time I gravitated to humanities and art topics that touch on tarot history because it satisfies my 'questing beast' of curiousity and it's a deep, interesting topic to explore... I think of it as a focus for many healthy and creative outlets... Mari H.

Major Tom	31 Jan 2004
It has taken me a long time to read this thread because I do not feel as if I've given anything up for tarot. I suppose the reason I've struggled is because I don't give up, I give gladly. I devote time and energy to tarot and tarot gives me so much back that I am happy to give. I have always considered the point of divination with tarot to get the information you need to produce the outcomes you want. There's so much more you can do with tarot.

snuffy	31 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Mari_Hoshizaki exploring various tarot aspects, including history and art... Oddly, though, tarot has encouraged me into more historical study.... i've often found myself playing around with tarot when i'm supposed to be doing schoolwork. i always tell myself that although i might not be reading my US history assignment, at least i'm reading something history-related instead of watching mindless television or sleeping :) but most definately, i've given up schoolwork, but in a good sense. instead of putting down two or three hours of straight studying, now i can take a break and focus my energies on something else (tarot), which in the long run, helps me more.

Orion	31 Jan 2004
Time is a biggie. I seem to spend all my free time logged onto AT! I have to give myself time with my cards. It is great for me... I find it very relaxing!

Bean Feasa	03 Feb 2004
posted by Feebie **I must say that whatever I had to go without wasn't worth it to begin with.** I couldn't agree more. Like most of you I'm giving more time to Tarot but don't feel that I'm actually losing out 'cos I wasn't doing anything too remarkable with the time in the first place - watching TV or yakking about nothing on the phone. Also the time I spend with Tarot seems to give me the serenity and energy to use the rest of my time well, I might be inspired to read or do a bit of writing, or even just to cook something nice, rather than whiling the evening away in front of the goggle-box. Tarot is definitely much more of an addition than a subtraction to my life. This is a really good thread, Dolphin Princess, thanks :) Kate

The What do we give up for tarot? thread was originally posted on 29 Jan 2004 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.