Getting Inspiration when you feel burnt-out with Tarot? How do you deal with deck consumerism?

[Misterei]

Hello,

I realize I've not read personally for quite some time.

I'm beyond the phase of needing to do daily or weekly readings for learning and study ... I read professionally for clients fairly often.

Yet Tarot is part of my private spiritual practice and I've neglected it lately.

 

I realize part of it is some ambiguous feelings about deck consumerism.

Like I get inspiration from Tarot content on media or this forum ... but I also get a lot of temptation to buy new decks.

I feel my deck collection is a good size and I don't want the temptation toward consumerism.

 

So i've avoided Tarot content ... thus avoiding consumerism ... but also avoiding some inspiration, too.

 

Do YOU go through phases of burn-out or feeling jaded with Tarot?

If yes ... how do you snap out of it?

 

Are you able to watch or read tarot content and NOT feel tempted to buy decks all the time?

[Raggydoll]

I rarely buy decks anymore. This year I have bought one deck, a vintage one. And that’s it. The way that I stay inspired is that I work on private deck projects. I create my own decks which keeps the passion alive and it gives me a lot of new insights. I have made decks with hand drawn art, with digital art and with photographs. Since I have decided that it is just for me, it remains fun and I can go really deep into any area that I’m drawn to. I never have to worry wether anyone else will like it or understand it. If you aren’t into deck creations, then maybe another type of tarot related project would suit you? Like writing your own book or coming up with a new technique. As far as I’m concerned, creativity is the only thing that can trump consumerism. When I’m being creative, I don’t crave anything else. 

[zadey]

I can totally relate with the feeling specially when you've been into tarot for 3+ years! When I first started, I never thought that a simple act of reading (while sitting comfortably on a chair) using paper cards could be as tiring as a physical exercise! It feels as if my brain has joined a gym! It probably gained a muscle or two. Lol 

 

To me, tarot is also a hobby so it's always better to have other hobbies in hand when you're tired of one.

When I feel burnt out, I usually go after my other hobbies like I will watch a movie, read a book, make some jewellery, cooking/ baking or crochet during the resting period (and my pets are always there to help me whether I am tired or not lol). I tell myself that the deck also needs some rest as much as I do and attempting to read while my mind is tired won't be successful. Even spending time in nature or with plants helps. 

 

So, having other hobbies seems to be a solution for me during tarot burnouts. I think this is similar to art/creative block that an artist experiences, right?! 

[Guest]

When I feel burnt out or disconnected from the Tarot, I simply refrain from reading for a while. I don't try to snap out of it, I just let my it take its natural course. It might take weeks or even months, but the old hankering always comes back. 

[Chariot]

I don't read for other people at the moment, as there isn't anybody living near me who is interested in getting readings.  (All the people I knew who did, have moved away.) So I'm left reading for myself, and/or studying.  I'm not a big buyer of decks, as I'm extremely fussy about the decks I like.  So over-consumption isn't an issue for me.   I've only bought four new decks since the start of the year, and have already given one of those away, along with clearing out quite a few decks I no longer use or have really never used.  My current deck collection, excluding 5 decks that I keep only for aesthetic reasons and don't use, is only 25 decks, and two of these are mini-deck versions of full sized decks I own, plus three decks I have modified but still keep an original copy.

I find that readings aren't all that helpful unless I have a real issue to deal with.  Tarot in my hands has never been good at dealing with trivial stuff.  Sometimes I really want to do a reading, for learning purposes, but if I don't have a pressing question to ask, I just get diddly ho-hum. That is discouraging.

I don't have any remedy for this, and don't wish for stressful things to happen just so my cards will work!  So I guess I just look at my decks and do some reading on the general art of tarot, or insights, etc.  The last few times I've sat down to do readings for myself it has just been because I wanted to do a reading, not because I had some specific issue to address. The results I got didn't tell me anything.

Bummer.

[Misterei]

11 hours ago, Raggydoll said:

The way that I stay inspired is that I work on private deck projects. I create my own decks which keeps the passion alive and it gives me a lot of new insights. ... Since I have decided that it is just for me, it remains fun and I can go really deep into any area that I’m drawn to.

GREAT take on this.

I do have a deck project ... but I'm such a perfectionist and professional orientation ... I'm trying to make a professional product to sell ... yet my artistic skills aren't quite there ... so I'm stuck in that pefection/procrastination loop.

Wonder what it would feel like to just sketch cards with no "professional standard" ...?

Probably pretty good. THANKS!

 

@Raggydollquote

<<... Like writing your own book or coming up with a new technique.>>

 

LOL I wrote 2 books which are my Tarot Course levels 1 and 2.

Level 1 is in final edit. It's 300 pages and 5 years' work. At this point I need a break from it ... it's part of my "job" and doesn't count as fun inspo.

 

Raggy quote

<<... As far as I’m concerned, creativity is the only thing that can trump consumerism. When I’m being creative, I don’t crave anything else.>>

 

OK I will reflect on that one. Thanks for some good advice!

 

Edited August 29, 2023 by Misterei

[Misterei]

1 hour ago, Chariot said:

I find that readings aren't all that helpful unless I have a real issue to deal with.  ... if I don't have a pressing question to ask, I just get diddly ho-hum. That is discouraging.

This is true. But as a spiritual practice I can often ask Tarot about meditation focus and spiritual questions ... yet I haven't been motivated at all. Even if I had a good question.

 

@Chariot said

<< ... don't wish for stressful things to happen just so my cards will work! >>

 

Funny.

 

<<...I just look at my decks and do some reading on the general art of tarot, or insights, etc.>>

 

The strange thing is I got a lovely deck a few months ago [SKT] that I had waited 6+ months on the pre-order ... and didn't even feel motivated to study it. Normally I always feel motivated to study a deck. But ... I feel nothing right now.

 

And yes, I agree when I do a reading just for drill Tarot serves nonsense.

[Chariot]

@Misterei - Oh, well.  At least when I do need the tarot to help me with some issue, it always comes through.  It never lets me down. So maybe it's just one of those things that isn't always meant to be 'practised' 24/7.  

Do you do a 'daily' card or reading, Misterei?  I don't, but maybe I should.

Edited August 29, 2023 by Chariot

[Nemia]

There are many good tarot books that have nothing to do with consumerism, and that can always teach us something new. I find reading books, studying the cards, learning more about astrology or kabbalah, all keep me interested in the tarot. 

 

I did loads of readings for others for years, but lately, I don't have the time any more. I actually feel that these readings kept me closely involved with tarot, and I may try to re-start my practice. 

 

Some years ago, I had a burn-out and simply took time away from tarot. Then I had a deep personal crisis which the cards had actually predicted (but I had ignored the warnings). I kept on other tarot practices (tarot calendar, signposts of the year readings) and slowly started to make short readings for myself again. 

 

It's not too difficult to cut out the consumerism aspect. I had times when I bought lots of decks; when the numbers of new decks became overwhelming, I slowed down. Keeping a tarot journal is a good way to keep yourself interested if you like writing, and keeping track of your tarot-related spending can be part of the journal. 

 

I have a wishlist and try to buy only decks that have stayed on that list for a long time. 

 

Every living relationship goes through cycles. I think that's normal. You can always come back to tarot. Maybe you jumped in a bit too quickly into the deep waters of reading professionally...?  Just a thought (I know I did). 

[DanielJUK]

Avoiding consumerism, not just in tarot and divination is harder and harder! There is a publishing industry to sell books and decks and there is an industry to sell readings (I know that you are part of). This clashes with a spiritual purpose for it. It's very easy to get sucked into reading or seeing about the latest decks across the web or an interesting book. This was a period where I was buying a lot of decks and I would look forwards to them arriving but when they arrived, I would feel nothing. It was like the waiting was a dopamine hit! I would open them up and put them with the other decks. It is bad looking back on it because I wasn't using them or loving them. I am quite strict about my tarot consumerism now and very choosy. They are treats, rather than getting every latest popular deck going. It's working out so much better! I don't need them all. Also do need rests from it and to put it away for a while.

 

About getting spiritual inspiration, I think this changes with time or what we need. I think I always have something I am drawn to, I don't often fully complete but like a current tarot angle I am learning about. Some years ago I was really into psychology and Jungian associations of the cards, someone reminded me of this just recently, but I feel I have moved away from that now. My current inspiration is to use them in a very intuitive and flowing way. I am laying down as many cards I want and it's a very fluid flowing method to see what comes up. It's a connection and ignoring a lot of learnt stuff but it's sort of the place I am right now. It's almost like a channelled reading and it's breaking the quite structured and precise way my reading method had become.

 

Having a different angle or project defeats consumerism, it's forming a connection with a different aspect of tarot or a divination system 🙂. My direction changes and so something new to explore feels fresh. But I do need breaks from a doing a lot of readings, I get burn out! So I focus on different areas to explore and then move on to something else when I get bored of that path.

[Natural Mystic Guide]

5 hours ago, Nemia said:

I have a wishlist and try to buy only decks that have stayed on that list for a long time. 

I have a wishlist, too.  I also find that some decks come and then leave my wishlist which is an argument in favor of letting them sit for a while.  I have lost out on a few decks that I wanted and didn't jump on.  I'm sure that this is true for all of us.

 

A while ago, I finally admitted that I am a deck collector.  Fortunately I have a very supportive husband.  Whenever I ask him is I have a 'problem', he assures me that I do not.  He likes to look at the new decks and to receive readings.  He stole one of my new decks for himself.  (which actually was fine for me, because once I saw the entire deck, I realized that it did not really suit my purposes.  So the best of both worlds!)

[Raggydoll]

8 hours ago, Misterei said:

GREAT take on this.

I do have a deck project ... but I'm such a perfectionist and professional orientation ... I'm trying to make a professional product to sell ... yet my artistic skills aren't quite there ... so I'm stuck in that pefection/procrastination loop.

Wonder what it would feel like to just sketch cards with no "professional standard" ...?

Probably pretty good. THANKS!

I think it would feel liberating. You could set a timer and do a powerful, quick, intuitive piece. Like the creator of the 5 minute tarot. Lots of decks have more simplistic or expressive art and we don’t judge them for not being perfect, in fact - that’s often what we like about them. You could also do a collage, or a mix media piece, or take photos. If you are inspired to do so, I think it’s worth pushing forward. I’m a struggling perfectionist too, but someone once said to me that once we put the ego aside, our art is liberated and becomes even better. I think they were quite right, ego doesn’t help art, especially if it has a spiritual component! 
 

[Misterei]

On 8/29/2023 at 12:48 PM, Chariot said:

...  maybe it's just one of those things that isn't always meant to be 'practised' 24/7 ...
Do you do a 'daily' card or reading, Misterei?  I don't, but maybe I should.

@Chariot No. I never did daily reading ... as you say ... I don't see it as a daily practice. OTOH I do yoga and pranayam as a daily practice. I try to do japa as a daily practice ... hmmm.

But I would say I did tarot as a weekly or every 2 weeks practice. Sort of a "spiritual check-in" that helped support my daily practices if that makes sense. I miss that and feel a bit lazy or something.

[Misterei]

On 8/29/2023 at 1:26 PM, Nemia said:

There are many good tarot books that have nothing to do with consumerism, and that can always teach us something new. I find reading books, studying the cards, learning more about astrology or kabbalah, all keep me interested in the tarot. 

Oh Lord. I have books I've not finished reading ... so no more books for me. But reading also is different than my spritiual PRACTICE of reading cards for myself ... which is actually a sort of meditation or ritual. Books don't scratch that itch.

I did loads of readings for others for years, but lately, I don't have the time any more. I actually feel that these readings kept me closely involved with tarot, and I may try to re-start my practice. 

 

@Nemia

<<Some years ago, I had a burn-out and simply took time away from tarot. Then I had a deep personal crisis which the cards had actually predicted (but I had ignored the warnings). I kept on other tarot practices (tarot calendar, signposts of the year readings) and slowly started to make short readings for myself again. >>

 

Yeah. That's the worst, insn't it? Like the cards TOLD me ... and I ignored it ... and here I am ... totally f*cked. Been there. Ouch.

 

@Nemia

<<Every living relationship goes through cycles. I think that's normal. You can always come back to tarot. Maybe you jumped in a bit too quickly into the deep waters of reading professionally...?  Just a thought (I know I did). 

 

LOL no. I read for 15 years ONLY for myself before going pro. Then I didn't read pro for 20 years and only fell back into recently. I LOVE reading for other ppl.

 

But yes, there is some cycle here. I've not been doing daily japa which I normally do. And I've not been reading for myself. It's like spiritual laziness ... but maybe as you say ... just needed a break from those practices ... but I feel too guilty about it!

Edited August 31, 2023 by Misterei

[Misterei]

On 8/29/2023 at 4:57 PM, DanielJUK said:

Avoiding consumerism, not just in tarot and divination is harder and harder! There is a publishing industry to sell books and decks and there is an industry to sell readings (I know that you are part of). This clashes with a spiritual purpose for it.

  It's a bit different for me. I feel zero clash between my professional and spiritual life. My astro chart says I should be a teacher and spiritual guide  ... so I feel totally in tune with my dharma being a pro reader. Plus I never do hard sell. I turn ppl away more than go after clients.

 

@DanielJUK

<<It's very easy to get sucked into reading or seeing about the latest decks across the web or an interesting book.>>

 

This. I have no filters for online content. With Tarot content I watch a YT b/c I like the creator or I'm interested ... but then end up shopping the deck he used. I HATE this. I can't even say the creator was trying to sell the deck. Like maybe he was demonstrating a reading technique. It's my lack of filter, or curiosity, or ...?

 

@DanielJUK

<<About getting spiritual inspiration, I think this changes with time or what we need. I think I always have something I am drawn to, I don't often fully complete but like a current tarot angle I am learning about. Some years ago I was really into psychology and Jungian associations of the cards, someone reminded me of this just recently, but I feel I have moved away from that now. My current inspiration is to use them in a very intuitive and flowing way. I am laying down as many cards I want and it's a very fluid flowing method to see what comes up. It's a connection and ignoring a lot of learnt stuff but it's sort of the place I am right now. It's almost like a channelled reading and it's breaking the quite structured and precise way my reading method had become.>>

 

Interesting about your current channeling feeling. My personal practice often takes a meditative aspect. I think that's what I'm missing about it. LOL sometimes I have to stick to defined meanings ... because I know I'm being too subjective ... but that usually only happens when I have a definite question as opposed to the "spiritual check-in" type of reading.

 

 

@DanielJUK

<<But I do need breaks from a doing a lot of readings, I get burn out! So I focus on different areas to explore and then move on to something else when I get bored of that path.>>

 

One reason I limit my reading for clients. I have to be super careful about burn-out. I think this is more a matter of finding some new angle as you mention to give a fresh perspective? Not sure. I will reflect on this. Thanks!

[Misterei]

On 8/29/2023 at 8:14 PM, Raggydoll said:

I think it would feel liberating. You could set a timer and do a powerful, quick, intuitive piece. Like the creator of the 5 minute tarot. Lots of decks have more simplistic or expressive art and we don’t judge them for not being perfect, in fact - that’s often what we like about them. You could also do a collage, or a mix media piece, or take photos. If you are inspired to do so, I think it’s worth pushing forward. I’m a struggling perfectionist too, but someone once said to me that once we put the ego aside, our art is liberated and becomes even better. I think they were quite right, ego doesn’t help art, especially if it has a spiritual component!

I'm still trying to find my way with this. I literally got lost in Figure Drawing tutorials ... and actually DREW f*ck all. *sigh*

It's frustrating ... when it comes to writing ... I think a thing and I can get it down to words pretty well. It was the same with dance when I was younger. I could choreo what my mind saw (within certain limits).

 

Yet with visual art ... I think a thing ... and I CANT get it down to images. And I feel frustrated b/c the image doesn't match my thought.

 

Then again ... sounds like a bunch of ego attachment, doesn't it. *sigh* I spent hours doing dance moves wrong until I got them right and didn't cry around about it. I've re-written my book about 3 times and don't cry around about it.

 

My mom was an artist and I have a friend who's also crazy talented. I want to be them and am quite angry that I'm not. wtf????  THAT'S weird. I also have 2 dancer friends who went into visual art as they aged out of dance. Definitely a connection between staging dances and visual art. That part of my brain WANTS to activate ... but there's some stupid ego sh*t or mommy sh*t happening. Ugh!

 

LOL ... I think I just got an inspiration for a personal TAROT reading, tho.  Kisses @Raggydoll

[Jasmine]

@Misterei  It's 20 years since I first got into tarot and I've taken plenty of long breaks.   I really wanted to find a way to bring tarot into my spiritual practice.  My plan now is to set aside a couple of hours around the full moon time each moon to do readings for myself.   Then I can do some journaling and reflection on those readings over the following weeks. I will do readings more often if questions arise but at least once a month feels right for me and I enjoy this ritual.

 

I do feel tempted to buy new decks especially when looking at online tarot content or when visiting my local new age store.  When I feel drawn to a new deck I do some research - checking out the imagery on the cards, reading reviews and taking time to decide if I would get enough use out of this deck. In many cases I end up deciding not  to buy that particular deck. I'm open to buying a new deck occasionally but it's important to me that I would use it for readings. 

 

[Mister]

Hi there, @Misterei
Long story short: Get out of that slump already, you're kickin'!

Consumerism: Would you consider yourself a so-called "voracious learner"?
 For then, it may well be a case of instinctual behaviour, along the lines of "eat to integrate".
You can find it amongst people who have escaped poverty for good.

 

Meditation and practices and whatnot: One may practice whatever for however long one whishes, it will only yield that much for as long as you dawdle with accepting yourself in the sphere of inner silence and start to develop your practices from there, unique as they come, unaccepted as they are, and "spot on" as they feel - there can be no mental backup for that stuff, for it is what's coming from "there", through, by and for you.
Mind needs a value for comparision, alas, there will be none aside from a sense of "this is it".
Mind tends to ask: "Really?"

Just shut the fu*ker up. It is dealing with something it can not possibly comprehend, it's job in this case is simply "to follow along suit".

What's tricky here: The feeling of "this is it" is subtle, especially so while getting aquainted with it, while the minds insecurity (due to unknowable terrain) can be felt strongly.

Now enough, I'll go back to where I came from (i.e. "left field").

Anyway: Enjoy!

[Misterei]

11 hours ago, Jasmine said:

@Misterei  ...  My plan now is to set aside a couple of hours around the full moon time each moon to do readings for myself.   Then I can do some journaling and reflection on those readings over the following weeks. ... at least once a month feels right for me and I enjoy this ritual.

 

I do feel tempted to buy new decks especially when looking at online tarot content or when visiting my local new age store.  When I feel drawn to a new deck I do some research - checking out the imagery on the cards, reading reviews and taking time to decide if I would get enough use out of this deck. In many cases I end up deciding not  to buy that particular deck. I'm open to buying a new deck occasionally but it's important to me that I would use it for readings.

@Jasmine I like your idea of a semi structured practice. Like the full moon is enough of a structure to motivate you ... but not placing unrealistic demands either. I found I sort of fell into that last night. I got inspired from this forum and did the full moon reading };>

 

I agree with your approach to new decks. Intellectually my attitude is exactly the same ... but I lack filters ... I started to resent the STRUGGLE of getting interested in a deck and going through the process of talking myself out of it ... if that makes sense. It got me angry at tarot in general for wasting my time. Really I'm angry about my lack of filters. Still pondering how to deal with it.

Edited August 31, 2023 by Misterei

[Misterei]

7 hours ago, Mister said:

... Long story short: Get out of that slump already, you're kickin'!

It was a blessing how this thread and this forum helped me snap out of it.

Also, an accidental good karma. I had given a deck to a friend and just today she was texting me with thoughts and questions about the deck. So that felt inspiriting to just talk tarot with a friend and NO consumerist bs to tempt me.

 

@Mister

<<Consumerism: Would you consider yourself a so-called "voracious learner"?
 For then, it may well be a case of instinctual behaviour, along the lines of "eat to integrate".
You can find it amongst people who have escaped poverty for good.>>

 

My financial fortunes have risen and fallen like the tides. But yes, I came out from 7 years of extreme poverty to have money again ... which is the only reason I even HAVE a tarot collection. For 7 years consumerism was not an issue b/c I had no money. Now ... it's an emotional and spiritual struggle.

 

I'll be 60 next year and started Swedish Death Cleaning to prepare for year 60.

I feel I have too many things left over from younger life ... or just attached for no good reason. even tho compared to many ppl in USA I appear to have very little. One friend could not understand why I would do this. "Your house is already so clean! What are you on about?" *sigh*

I want to die unattached to all the toys and trinkets of material life. But I would prolly take my tarot cards with me if I could haha. And food.

 

cheers!

[Mister]

22 minutes ago, Misterei said:

Also, an accidental good karma. I had given a deck to a friend and just today she was texting me with thoughts and questions about the deck. So that felt inspiriting to just talk tarot with a friend and NO consumerist bs to tempt me.

🤣🤣🤣

Perfect!

 

...is it just me or do the new smileys feel somewhat lacking in Oomph? (One may dismiss this paragraph as a 5-word-count-filler)

 

eta: And Yes. Cheers!

Edited August 31, 2023 by Mister