Why does this happen and what can I do about it?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 07 Apr 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Phoenyx*	07 Apr 2004
I was going along sooooo well! And suddenly boom! I hit a road block. Suddenly, I've got no energy for Tarot. :( My decks are up on my shelf begging to come down. I got three new decks and have barely even thumbed through them, and I don't know how to get out of this slump.... ~T~

Star Spirit	07 Apr 2004
Don't worry, you'll come around. I did :D I quit for over a year and then BOOM! Like you said. Only in a good way :) I think usually when people lose their lust for tarot it's due to a problem in another area of their life, or something that is keeping them from being inspired or enthusiastic about it. Once that problem is solved, you'll have the desire to read again. Maybe try playing with your cards, making up stories and the like. It might rekindle your interest/enthusiasm.

contrascarpe	07 Apr 2004
Sometimes you need to have a break and "recharge". I was into it full steam between October and December and then suddenly felt like I hit a wall between the holidays and didn't pick up a deck for a good 2-3 weeks. When I got back, I was even stronger in my desire. Now I probably feel really enthusiastic about it 5-6 days but need a day or two a week away just to let my mind rest. Thinking Tarot CAN be tiring at times and like anything else, you need some time away. When it is time, it will call you again.

ros	07 Apr 2004
Sometimes I think this happens because we get information overload. We need a break away from this type of learning just like any other kind. This break will let all our thoughts process internally & then when that energy is restored we are ready to go on. What we learn with Tarot sometimes is indepth, so I think it has to settle with ourselves so we can understand at a higher level. Just an idea.

Nevada	07 Apr 2004
Triquetra, Don't worry. I think we all go through cycles. You just need a break. You'll know when it's over. ;) Nevada

Phoenyx*	07 Apr 2004
Okay good, so I don't feel so bad about suddenly fizzling out. :/

tmgrl2	07 Apr 2004
Totally agree with everyone so far...I have jumped into Tarot full-force...one weekend, after three big readings, I felt drained...I had to recharge...I am new at it....but knowing my nature I know I will hit these times...actually, when they come to me...I just heed them...in relation to anything...I just take a break and all of a sudden, one day, I am drifting back...it's like getting a battery recharge.... terri

amyel	07 Apr 2004
Hey, I went through a 5 year dry spell once. It happens. Don't worry...

Khatruman	07 Apr 2004
Like any creative process, one goes through these burned out phases. I am, hopefully, coming out of one. I remember firemaiden going through her crisis of faith. I am sure I have seen others go through it also. Best to think of it as a natural part of the process, one that is solved through time and patience. You are still here, so that means you will get through it...:D I say through it rather than over it because I think it is something that facilitates your becoming a better reader in the end. Be excited that you are entering a new, higher phase!

Ravenswing	07 Apr 2004
hmmm... We all get this kind of thing every so often. I think that the burn out or lost feelings are a bit more intense when you're dealing with the spirit... dawn comes fly well raven

DarkElectric	07 Apr 2004
This has happened to me more than once. When it does, I don't try to force myself. I just leave my cards alone for a while. I always get the fire for it again. Sometimes it takes longer than other times, but it always comes back. It seems as if I just need a break for a little while, and I notice that when I come back to reading regularly, I have some fresh perspective, or something is clear which was muddled before. I just chill for a while, and all of a sudden I notice that I'm getting a mad urge to read again, and my old cards seem new to me. Especially decks I had just purchased before taking time off. This feels as if you've just bought a whole bunch of new decks, without spending a cent! (Works for me :) )

smokey	08 Apr 2004
Ya' know, Triquetra... I am OH- SO glad to see that you posted this thread cuz I've been trying to figure out HOW to form the words right without stumbling all 'oer myself. Ironically, I too am going thru this dry spell at this moment. SO much so, that my last Tarot deck ordered by mail arrived yesterday, & I only GLANCED at a couple of cards! For me, that is scarey!!! My S/O and I even went as far as going out last week-end and re-placing a coupla' my long lost faves and even adding a new one I had'nt had B-4. Feeling those new (old) cards in my hands was indeed like greeting a long- lost pal, but didn't perk me up enough to do any actual readings. Unfortunately,though these droughts by far are no stranger to me, it IS odd that I didn't not only cleanse my new deck yesterday; I didn't even LOOK @ it!!! Least we know we're not alone in this MESS at this time! I just hope your spells don't last as long as some of mine have been in the past; I just never know...One moment I come to, and POOF!; tis all gone... All I do during my burn-outs, is stay away from my studies and all WITH the exception being seeking some type of quick "self-help" spread outa' Nina Braden's "Tarot for Self Discovery". I play with the crystals/stones that have been in the bags exposed to the cards hoping to re-connect with the bond,this too shall pass LOL...(OH!&I focus on Spiral's: 8C/HP/MOON/6OFSW/ &STAR...)

Sulis	08 Apr 2004
I do this every couple of months. I just go with it and accept that I'm having a fallow time as far as tarot is concerned. I've just been through a spell of a couple of months when I hardly picked up a deck but I'm back into it now. Love and light Sulis xx

SongDeva	08 Apr 2004
Quote: Originally posted by ros Sometimes I think this happens because we get information overload. We need a break away from this type of learning just like any other kind. This break will let all our thoughts process internally & then when that energy is restored we are ready to go on. What we learn with Tarot sometimes is indepth, so I think it has to settle with ourselves so we can understand at a higher level. Just an idea. So right ros! I kept getting msgs to relax and not work so hard, so I took time off work and relaxed every day and it didn't get better. Finally a reading clued me in that the advice was for this spiritual work. So I relaxed. I meditated with no focus...really just sort of sat there being quiet. Gradually the flow started to pick up again.

diane drizzy	09 Apr 2004
Hi Triquetra! Sometimes I find just "visiting" with my cards helps. Sort of just shuffling them and looking at the pictures with no expectations.You may also want to journal your present experience and then look back on it,if this should ever happen again.

The Why does this happen and what can I do about it? thread was originally posted on 07 Apr 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.