Theresa Reed | Creating a Healthy Tarot Community

I am delighted to announce another guest post for TABI's blog! This time from Theresa Reed, aka @thetarotlady on Twitter.  As ever, your comments and thoughts are very welcome!  Sincere thanks to Theresa for taking the time to write this blog for us!

When TABI asked me to write a post, I mulled it over for a long time. I struggled to figure out what I could write that would be a positive contribution to the tarot community.  And that is when I started meditating on what “community” actually meant to me.


For myself, working in the tarot industry has been mostly a lonely journey.  Face it, it’s not a “normal” job that most people can relate to - and finding peers is very difficult unless you are lucky enough to live in an open minded area. Even then, you often find that the spiritual community is neither spiritual nor community.

I’ve been slowly finding earnest connections and developing relationships with new colleagues through channels such as the internet and events like the Reader’s Studio.  It’s been refreshing to meet with like minded souls and feel that sense of “belonging” to a community. That being said,  good relationships take time to nurture and not everybody is what they seem at first impression.  At times I have witnessed behavior, be it in groups or individuals, that made me stop and pause.

Do I  really want to be part of a group that sometimes acts in a negative or egocentric manner? How am I condoning or participating in such energy by my own actions - or lack thereof? If I am now actively engaged in a community of colleagues, how can I be sure to keep myself in check so that I contribute in a positive way?  What kind of conduct can ensure that the tarot community is not only healthy but thriving?

In my optimistic and perhaps utopian vision, the tarot community would be a place where integrity and common decency were the norm.  This would mean that we all operate from a place of mindfulness and compassion - not self importance.  A positive and healthy community would allow all tarot readers to be heard and respected - and would let the public view us not as charlatans but as the healers, helpers and spiritual guides that we all aspire to be.

Here are some ways that we can ensure our tarot community becomes stronger and healthier:

1.  Lose the titles and attitude.  Self importance blinds us and creates separation.  Do you really think that you are better than others just because you have a fancy title or a more “prestigious” career?  Seriously.  Get over yourself and develop some humility.

2.  Get rid of negative dialogue.  I’m a huge fan of “non-violent communication” which really is nothing more than applying mindfulness to your words.  How do you talk to your fellow readers? Do you belittle them or try to make them feel inferior?  What kind of tone are you bringing to the conversation?  If you temper your words with compassion and diplomacy, you create a sense of belonging - and this helps everyone to feel welcomed and respected.

3.  Support each other.  This can manifest in many ways - from emotional support to business advice.  If you feel that you can add something to help your tarot colleagues, then by all means, do it!

4.  Open your mouth. If you see someone being bullied or mistreated - or anything unethical going on - at times it may be appropriate to step up and say something.  This is not to say that you should be in a hurry to dive into everybody’s personal melodramas, but there are certain behaviors which are unacceptable in ANY community.  Many of us are afraid for our own reputations or for fear of retaliation so we hold back and allow bullies to intimidate and push others around - or do questionable things.  If you sit back - whether out of fear or any other motive - you are condoning this behavior.  Standing up for what is right takes courage.  Don’t give in to “herd mentality” or allow fear the power to silence your voice. On the other hand, if you do feel a need to call someone out on their actions, then you better be right!  Avoid making accusations unless you have solid facts and be respectful in your approach. A harsh and confrontational edge is not the best medicine for every situation.  See if things can be resolved peacefully and diplomatically.  That is the true essence of keeping order in any community.

5.  Mentor aspiring readers.  One of the greatest gifts you can give the tarot community is mentoring.  Use your knowledge to help those who are new to this field. This fosters good will and helps newer readers find their way through this often confusing and maddening work!

6.  Educate the public.  So many of us have had to deal with a lot of flak from people who view us as nothing more than charlatans or “devil worshippers”.  Find a way that you can shed light on the positive aspects of tarot. Whether that be through writing articles, doing public appearances or simply conducting yourself in a professional manner - you have the power to shift the public perspective from negative to positive.

7.  Apologize if wrong. If you have done something to hurt or offend someone, be quick to make amends.  This is not hard to do but so many of us would rather stick our heads in the sand and ignore those times when we have been in the wrong.  An important step towards an enlightened community is practicing humility.  Don’t be afraid to admit your wrongdoings and rectify them.

These are the values and virtues that I personally aspire to bring in my own interactions with my fellow tarot readers.  With that in mind, I’d like to finish this post with a quote that I feel perfectly sums up my vision of a true community:

“We must learn to live together as brothers or we are going to perish together as fools.” ~Martin Luther King Jr

Blessings!
Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com
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©The Tarot Lady | Theresa Reed