HOW TO FORM A LOCAL TAROT NETWORK

by Lisa Rush and John Gilbert

Tarot can sometimes be a lonely vocation or hobby. We can't always talk about tarot with all the people in our lives. Some people don't understand or aren't interested and some may even be hostile toward tarot cards.

If this describes you, you may find a local tarot network can offer you solace, support and nurturing. It's not only fun to talk about tarot with other tarot enthusiasts, it's really important for our emotional and mental health. Studying and laughing together is a great tonic for a lot of what ails us today in modern society.

Here's how you can start a Tarot Network in your little corner of the world:

Before you even think about starting the first step you need to know what you really want to accomplish. Write it down. Decide if you want to exchange readings, share newsletters and journal articles, share reviews of tarot decks and books, show off special tarot decks, or have guest lectures. Know what you want to discuss or study with the group. Then plan.

The first step is to locate a place, or a number of places, where you can advertise the fact you want to start a tarot group for beginners and experts alike. Most New Age shops allow you to put up small notices and hand out announcement flyers. Most bookstores have a place where you can place a notice about meetings like this. Many coffee shops and meeting places also allow you to post small notices in their businesses. Find a place where you can do this.

The second step is to find a place where you can meet for about an hour about a month from now. The New Age shop you chose might have a small classroom or meeting room you can use. If not, a quiet coffee shop may work. Most public libraries have small classrooms available to the public upon request. Some shopping malls have classrooms available for public use upon request.

The third step is to set a time and place for your initial meeting. You can select any time frame you want but me experience is that three to four weeks into the future is probably a good choice.

The fourth step is to make up a small poster and a handful of flyers inviting tarot enthusiasts to the meeting you've scheduled. Take these to the shop or shops where you're going to market your meeting. Be sure you have at least three weeks for people to find out about your meeting.

Step five is to call or write all your local tarot friends and tell them what you want to do. Ask them to come and be part of the experience.

The sixth step is to monitor the flyers and notices you took to the shops. Replenish the stack and make certain your sign is still visible.

Step seven is to prepare for the meeting by gathering your materials together. Feel free to take along any tarot newsletters and copies of the tarot journals to share with the group. Many editors encourage you to share their materials. Check it out and ask if they mind if you don't know.

Step eight is to enjoy your meeting and let it flow, as it will. It doesn't pay to try to control the meeting. Just let it flow. But it doesn't hurt to get everyone's name and contact information and set a date for another meeting.

Step nine is to let your baby grow. You birthed it and gave it a life. Let it grow any way it wants. Let the group decide how it will function.

Step ten is to keep inviting others to join in the fun. If the group dies, start another group. Do what you need to do to enjoy other tarot readers and students in a local tarot network.

The biggest reason local tarot networks fail is because they lack leadership and a purpose. The second biggest reason is because one person tries to run the whole show. Giving your network a purpose and being a quiet leader is my personal suggestion of what you need to have a successful group. Be a leader and not a dictator. Let the members run it. In my experience, that seems to be the best way.

Most of all have fun!

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