For the past 20 years, Barbara Moore has been immersed
in tarot in many ways. Through the process of reading
and writing about tarot, Barbara has emerged as a
prominent figure who continues to heighten our
awareness of tarot and what we love about tarot cards.
In both her writing and on the social networks, Barbara
exhibits an air of practicality, sincerity, and dedication to
the tarot community.
Through her work with Llewellyn, Barbara has done a lot
for the modern tarot writer. She is a familiar face at
tarot events like The Readers Studio, and we are especially
excited to have her presenting a Master Class this year.
We wanted to get a few words from Barbara on publishing
and her views on tarot and she gave us so much more!
Here is what she shared with us:
TT (Tarot Tips): What keeps you interested in tarot?
Barbara Moore: When I first discover tarot, I reveled
in the way it wove together so many of my existing
interests: art, history, philosophy, mysticism, religion,
spirituality, psychology, mythology. Exploring any
one of those areas would take a lifetime. So tie them
all together in a beautiful package and I'll be content
for years.
But it doesn't end there...because there are so many
decks, one more beautiful than the next, or more
intriguing and compelling or more challenging. It is a
world steeped in fascinating topics and a community
of the most creative and brightest people I've ever known.
The world of tarot has become the world in which I
live my life. I think tarot. I create tarot. I shuffle tarot
and create my life. What keeps me interested in tarot?
Life. Everything. I cannot imagine not being interested.
It would be like saying "I'm bored." I cannot imagine
being bored.
TT: What surprises you about tarot?
Barbara Moore: After 20 years, very little about tarot
surprises me. I guess I'm more surprised by us, the
users of tarot. I'm always surprised when someone
comes up with a new technique or pairing for tarot. Or
a new type of deck...like Emily Carding's Transparent
Tarot. I was surprised by how I fell in love with the
Anna K Tarot--a very simple and astonishingly
evocative deck.
I am surprised by how everyone's journey with tarot
is different and yet how we can all relate to each
other.
I am surprised that, after all these years, I love
shuffling the cards so much. It feels so good and
always makes me think of its endless possibilities and
combinations and permutations.
TT: Do you have a favorite tarot experience?
Barbara Moore: Honestly, I cannot pick out one favorite
tarot experience. I know as soon as I send this to you,
I'll think of three at least!
TT: What are the advantages of attending The Readers
Studio?
Barbara Moore: For me, the best thing about attending
The Readers Studio is that it feels like a family reunion.
No. More than that. A gathering of the tribe, as some of us
like to say. Think of the most amazing, wise, kind,
compassionate, witty, intelligent, practical people you can.
Imagine over 200 of them. Put them in a room. Amp up
the good vibes. Add a bunch of astonishing decks and
other very cool items. That is The Readers Studio.
There is no doubt that it is tarot that brings us
together and tarot that gives us our common language.
But the tarot comes to life in the hands, mouths and
minds of those who shuffle it. Being with those people
brings out the best in us all. I go for that. I want to
hug and talk to everybody. I get so happy just standing
there looking at them all that I almost cry.
There are other reasons. The learning and practicing
opportunities are second only to the people. What is
best about these workshops is they are not merely (or
not even mostly) lecture or a conveying of knowledge.
We can get that from books. What cannot be reproduced
is being able to practice with others. So being taught
a technique and then let loose to practice with others
is the best. This is true of the main stage workshops
as well as the evening study sessions.
For me, another reason is the shopping. I know it is
not for everyone, but I do love shopping at The Readers
Studio.
First-timers or those who think "Oh, I'm not famous,
I cannot go up to so-and-so"--please do go up to
so-and-so. Introduce yourself. Ask a question.
Ask to practice a technique. If you see a group of
people (even if you think of them as "celebs"), butt in.
Start chatting. You will be welcomed. And if you don't,
you'll kick yourself later. If you are shy around the biggies
(and you know who they are!), come up to me and I'll
introduce you.