Mabon Tarot Blog Hop: Constantly Learning

The topic for this round of the TarotBlogHop is “talk about a time when your understanding of the Tarot undergone such a quantum leap, talking about what brought about the change in your understanding of the Tarot (if you have been able to figure it out) and how you approach the Tarot differently than you did before the change.” For more information about the TarotBlogHop, see Donnaleigh’s great explanation at http://www.donnaleigh.com/tarotbloghop.htm.

Mabon: Constantly Learning

On the 3rd anniversary of the launch of my website, I thought participation in this Tarot Blog Hop was especially significant and important, especially with regard to the topic. In describing the topic for this month’s Tarot Blog Hop: “In the life of everyone who deals with Tarot, there comes those moments where your understanding of the Tarot undergoes a radical change, or when one’s skill with the Tarot takes a giant leap forward. Sometimes this is the result of learning a new technique, or acquiring a special deck, or because of an event in one’s life; other times, it is the result of nothing that you can pinpoint. Whatever the cause, the end result is that you approach the Tarot in different manner than you did before.”

It is fitting, because my approach to tarot truly underwent a major transformation the moment I launched my website on this day in 2011. I had been in business as a tarot reader since 2005, but I don’t think I took it seriously even when I started to charge for my readings. The day the shift really happened was when my website went live. There was no way to hide anymore. When you have a web presence (that you take the time to make sure is in line with who you actually are, rather than an image of who you want to portray yourself to be online: big difference!), there’s no way to really hide. You become a brand. A public persona. Even at 2 in the morning, someone can go online and find out about you and your business.

I never thought I was hiding prior to the launch of my website, but in hindsight, I absolutely was. I was afraid of what people might say about me or what they would think. I was terrified about stepping into the shoes of a businesswoman, because I never considered myself capable or worthy of being one. I simply didn’t see myself that way, thinking of businesswomen as women that acted like men to be heard and wore power-suits that covered their curves up. A less than enlightened generalization of a businesswoman stereotype, but I saw it as something I might have to become in order to “fit” the role, rather than realizing that I could set my own rules.

My change in attitude about tarot had very little to do with tarot itself. I had started to write the web copy for my website five months before my site went live, and as I put together the words bit by bit, I grew stronger in my business savvy. By the time the site went live in September, I was excited to launch.

In making the shift from “Can I do this?” to “I can do this,” I felt the stranglehold of doubt lifting little by little, and surprisingly my readings improved.

The launch of my website on September 23, 2011 was a deliberate decision to coincide with the energy of the Mabon sabbat. I’ve always seen Mabon as the “witches’ Thanksgiving”, and the fall as a time to go “back to school,” start fresh, and try new things. When I launched and began doing more readings over time, my skill level in tarot increased. Simply put, that silly adage/question “How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice!” turns out to be very true. You want to get better at something? You want to reach the next level? You put in the manpower, and soon enough you are looking back to see how far you’ve come.

Happy 3 years, tarotbyhilary.com, and a blessed Mabon/Autumn Equinox to you all. May you have many things to be thankful for, and the balance to enjoy it all!

Blessings,
~*~Hilary~*~
www.tarotbyhilary.com

Image courtesy of daniellelaporte.com

—Keep hoppin’… read all the wonderful posts by my fellow tarot bloggers, and stay tuned for the next round!—