Tarot & Income Inequality

[@grannyweatherwax8005]

Thank you so much for making this! Boy do I have a lot to say (as usual)! So much food for thought and great points. Same for other commenters here. First off, I find this community can be difficult because at times it can seem to be so strongly based around “look what I just bought”, and then “look what I am getting rid of”, and often little else. It can seem at times that much less value is put on the knowledge that went into creating a deck and how it works. Instead the main focus **for some** is on the card stock, gilding, full color hard back books, fancy boxes, etc. Like if the card stock isn’t perfect, the deck is trash. Of course they can be nice luxuries, but i’m usually looking for people who have more to say, which is why I’m pretty picky who I follow. I do feel like if you aren’t watching endless tours of people’s collections because you don’t want the temptation or you want some variety, then you’re pretty much not part of the community. I can see that being very alienating to people with less disposable income. I get that it’s a catch 22 because someone who pumps out multiple videos a week will often get more followers and get promoted by the algorithm. So then of course they can’t devote much time, if any, to actually studying each new deck because they need more and more content. And I do watch walk throughs myself when I am deciding on buying something. They do have value. I realize it’s a complex issue. The issue behind costs and commercialism has definitely turned me off some content creators, just in general, not specifically tarot tubers. Fessing up about how they get items is super important to me. If they are gifts for a review, say it. Be honest because you can’t fool people for long. Don’t pretend you thrift when you obviously don’t. Tell people if you are friends with the creators or work for the same publisher. Don’t say you love everything just to keep getting free stuff. You can be honest in a review without being mean. I’ve actually seen people say they won’t get views for being negative so they only say positive things sometimes just to get likes. People do catch on though. Don’t lie that you’ve read the book & studied the deck when you haven’t. You will slip eventually and get major details wrong. All these things have led to me unfollowing. Definitely don’t act superior for having mainly indie decks like that makes you a more ethical and elite person. I’m beyond tired of all the negative comments about mass market companies just because they aren’t somehow more exclusive. Speaking of prices, I have noticed how mass market decks have all suddenly raised their prices. I don’t necessarily believe it is due to costs or that they are paying creators more. I think they’ve seen how much people will pay for indie decks and they want some of that. But already I’ve decided against certain new decks because of this. Like I might have paid the old $25 cost but when I saw almost $40? No way. They’re going to sell less. I think the industry in general is about to see the market shrink. There’s just way too many new decks with higher and higher prices. Demand isn’t infinite.

[@LouValcourt]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. These are all good points. You’re right that it’s such a complex issue. Walkthroughs are great for seeing if a deck is something you want to purchase but can also be really tempting for some people too. And yes the price going up on mass market decks makes me pause on buying them. Here it’s become $50 - $60 Cdn for a Llewelyn deck which is a bit steep with everything else going up to.

[@Tarotjackpot]

Wow your comment is gold. I fell into the trap of watching videos showing off decks but then realised that some don’t even know how to read 😂😂😂😂 so how could they really dive deep into a deck ❤❤

[@angeltheitinerantlibrarian]

I did pause to read Wen's blog post. Started watching one of the other videos, I just could not stay with it. Your point about folks, to paraphrase a bit, with "day jobs" and thus no time nor budget for high tech to make videos is one that not many others out there mentioned. For me, on a librarian salary and full time job, making a simple bare bones video is a lot of work. Now I do it mostly to experiment, people see it nice, but viewer numbers are not something I fuss about. Similar to my blogging, I got my "four readers" (I think I gained one recently LOL), and it's mostly for me and them. Blogging by the way for me is a lot easier. Having said that, when I watch some folks I do wonder, "where do they find the time?" Better tech just tells me they got a good budget, so no biggie, but time to me is the more valuable resource, so I wonder now and then. I also think disclosure is important. If you got something sent for free, say it. If you bought it, say it (I think saying cost is OK, but up to the person but do say if you bought it). That is how I do my book reviews on the blog. I disclose: was it bought? (on the blog if I say I own it means I bought it, often 2nd hand, but I disgress), was it borrowed? (from a library. I have access to 3 of them: my workplace, my town's public, and city next door public, thank you reciprocal agreements), was it "sent"? (NetGalley, Edelweiss Plus, from publisher, editor, author). Transparency I think is important, but as others say YMMV. I hear you; I could not the "Ten Indie Decks" thing either; not in the budget. On things I'd like to see, and I am thinking about trying it on my channel (If I ever get time LOL), are somewhat more substantial deck reviews. For me, I would do a "I used this deck for some time, this is how it worked for me, a bit of reviewing it, and what you may need to know if you are considering it." Nothing fancy. Other educational content I am always interested in to help my learning journey. I did enjoy listening to this. It was simple, sincere, showed empathy. I appreciate that, thank you for sharing. And this comment came out longer than I intended because I listened, heard good point, had to pause to comment, then hit play again. Thanks. Paz y amor.

[@LouValcourt]

Thank you Angel, I always appreciate your thoughts. I agree that disclosure about where one got a deck is important. And by the way I love libraries! They are such and amazing resource and one I think we often forget about for books. Also yes more substantial deck reviews are really helpful. Ones where the person has worked with the deck for a while and can share their experiences with the viewer.

[@fourofcats5803]

This is my first time watching you and I enjoyed it and loved your perspective- I really appreciated the thought about how tech for making videos (which as another commenter pointed out) then turns into potentially getting free decks which people with no videos or fewer viewers aren’t likely to get really affects things. I appreciated your ability to make clear what your opinion was while leaving space for different opinions. Really loved it I’m poor and it is hard to be told it’s just a matter of saving up- that’s not always feasible. And this idea that we are worth less as people if we don’t have as much money (less beauty, less joy, less comfort, less medical care, less legal representation, less education, and on and on) is a pervasive and degrading idea. I realize there’s no easy cut and dry answer here but I so appreciate listening to you and feeling like my perspective (as someone who is poor and loves tarot) was laid out so well. Thank you for the time you took!

[@LouValcourt]

Thank you! And Yes to all of the things you said about people thinking because you have less money you somehow deserve less as a person. It’s very dehumanizing. I think everyone has a right to the basics of life and to things like healthcare and education. I also think we all deserve to have joy in our lives. And yes to when you have limited spending money it isn’t always realistic to save up for an expensive indie deck.

[@simpleastrology2]

Great addition to the conversation. 🙏🏽❤️ Also, I think it is worthwhile to consider the transportation (pollution), paper used, landfills, etc. involved in this whole process.

[@LouValcourt]

Yes - great point. We often forget the environmental impact.

[@darklight4251]

Technology is the worst for environmental impact. It uses more energy then the old ways as hard to believe as it seems. We should think twice when we download a movie. A dvd uses less energy even when everything is taken into account (manufacruring, transportation, packaging...).

[@MixtressRae]

🖤🙏thanks for weighing in on this topic, Lou! Always love your thoughts.

[@LouValcourt]

Thank you! And thanks for sharing yours in your video. ❤️

[@Asoka_79]

I agree 💯! You pretty much touched on everything. I know when you are new to a community and what to be part of it, it can feel like peer pressure when watching videos and seeing all the cool stuff and wanting it. My rule is, if you have money after bills, then treat yourself if you can afford it. If not, save for the next month. It was hard for me when I had to make that rule, but it has helped. Also, people need to get over FOMO. I always say, if I am meant to have it, it will wait for me. If not, it wasn't meant to be. Anyways, I could go on, lol. But things do need to change in the world when it comes to pay and living. They definitely are nowhere to being equal.

[@LouValcourt]

Yes! I had to make the same rule too when it comes to buying decks. I also believe that if something is yours it will come to You. Thanks for sharing.

[@darklight4251]

Enjoyed your video a lot. I agree about Goth being a music thing at the beginning and "diy" creative clothes. What you describe is so sad. It has been ruined. It happens for anything people collect. I collect dolls and "dolltube" has become a disaster. Most of it is about consumerism and dolls war (yes, dolls war, how crazy is that! 😶🤭🤣). Of course, we can't totally escape the consumerist world we are living in but social networks are destroying everything. It reduces the joy of collecting or reading cards to consumerism and end up being another marketing tool. It should not be like this. People say social networks are about "sharing" but most of the time it is just about "showing off". It is quite sad. Not all content, luckiky, but far too many.

[@LouValcourt]

I do agree with all of this! And yes I miss when goth was music based and more DIY

[@darklight4251]

I just discovered your channel with this video and the bands one. Very enjoyable. I used to read tarots years ago and I stopped. It did not fit my life circumstances. I decided to go back into it recently slowly and started to watch these tarot videos. It has been a bit of a shock! I could not believe all these unboxing videos and the profusion of decks. I had no idea what an indie deck was before watching these videos (yes, I must have been living like a recluse or something!). I couldn't believe that many tarot videos are the same as most of the dolls videos, buying the new releases and making unboxing videos. Very unexpected. I will not look at the Goths videos you described. It will be a disappointment. Of course money does not make somebody being "more" than somebody else. Money is not a value. Obviously, it is very useful in the world we live in and we all need the basics in life but to buy things constantly does not equal happiness. To come back to tarots, I prefer a good basic Fournier type deck. I can use it without worrying damaging it. Actually they stand the test of time. My first deck was a Marseille Fournier. I still have it and in good shape. I kept all my decks despite not using them anymore. My mum and her grand mother used to read cards with a set of game cards. I was always asking her for readings when I was a teenager. Any deck will do the job!

[@SalemElectro7]

I just discovered you and I’m so glad I did. I love your genuine nature and loving approach to a very prickly topic. I def agree with a lot of what you said. I think there’s so many overarching issues that contribute and intertwine with other issues that cause and exaggerate the poverty issue. The US is in a bad way and over 2/3 of the country is at or below the poverty line, living paycheck to paycheck and many other issues. We also live in a late stage capitalistic dystopian nightmare so I think there’s a lot of pressure on ppl to buy this and like you said, is tied to your worth. Our tarot community has grown so much over the last few years that I think it’s where sincere woo/spiritual/divinitory type stuff has head on collided with capitalism. No shade if ppl do have money, it’s yours and you should do what you want with it. But it doesn’t exalt you. It just makes you a person living a diff experience than someone who doesn’t, that’s all. There can be fomo but I think a lot of times it’s fleeting when you really have a chance to sit with it. We just need to quit judging others so harshly and making ppl feel bad if they aren’t one thing or another or have or don’t have something. We’re all ppl just trying to do the best we can out here. Everyone deserves dignity and respect. Thank you for this lovely video and I’m stoked I ran across you 😊

[@LouValcourt]

Thank you so much. Yes to everything you said! We are living in late stage capitalism and it’s affecting people here in Canada too. I’ve noticed in the last few years a significant rise in the amount of homelessness in my city sadly. It’s become difficult for lots of people. And you are so right about consumerism colliding with spirituality. There’s pressure to purchase the latest thing, but does that really add anything to our spirituality? Not that I begrudge anyone spending their money as they like either. It’s a balance and a complex issue. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts. ❤️

[@fernandamccormack]

I don't own any indie decks. My decks are mostly ebay second hand mass market and I don't think my readings are bad because of that. The fact is if it is overpriced don't buy it and learn that you are not missing it because most people with loads of decks don't use them😂! And yes here in UK mass market decks went up a lot!

[@LouValcourt]

I’m glad to hear it’s not just me that doesn’t have a bunch of indie decks. Not that I begrudge those with them either if that’s how they choose to spend their money. But mass market decks don’t make our readings any less value able or impactful. I try to make sure that I’m using all my decks and if I’m not pass them along. Thanks for sharing.

[@simonfernandes6809]

Tarot over commercialisation has been a problem for quite a few years now and the Tarot Tube community has a habit of challenging anyone who protests. Frankly, it's repulsive. I believe in tarot as a means to obtain knowledge from the collective consciousness and from your own subconscious. So, the ego stroking of some tarot channels just taints this with good old flexing. I stopped buying decks two years ago. And I don't miss that.

[@teslagoth9401]

It’s a problem only if you make it one. You always have a choice.

[@LouValcourt]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I think over commercialization can be a problem. And not just in tarot but in lots of things. I think everyone has different approaches to tarot. For some it’s a spiritual tool and some like collecting because of the art and there’s everything in between. I think whenever people make things about ego then we get in to problems. What is your favourite deck to work with?

[@simonfernandes6809]

@@teslagoth9401 Actually, if you have an addictive personality, OTHER people can make it a problem. For you. Why do you think the gambling industry has heavy regulation? As an individual you may not have a choice if people keep presenting the latest tarot deck as a must have.

[@the_hermits_cave]

As always, Lou. This was very measured! It’s one of the things I greatly admire about you. Wealth is often assumed, none of us know what anyone else can afford, nor is it our place to judge those who can’t, or those who can. As somebody who has a lot of tarot decks, there is often an assumption that I have lots of money. Whilst I don’t have any dependents, or habits, such as drinking, smoking, a lot of socialising etc. the cost of living crisis is affecting most of us right now. However, I am in a very fortunate position where creators will send me decks for the purpose of review, and I never take that for granted. The majority of the comments I receive on my walk-through videos are thanking me for providing a service, be that with a decision to buy, not to buy, or just for the pure enjoyment of looking at the cards. I’m mindful of what people can afford, and never use words like ‘you have to buy this deck’ I share my thoughts only. I have seen tonnes of walkthrough videos where it has made up my mind not to buy a deck, and I’m so grateful for it. Thank you so much for sharing your views, Lou, it’s the best one I have seen on this subject and the only one that I’ve commented on. 🙏🏻❤️

[@LouValcourt]

Thank you so much Simon! I love your walkthroughs and you are always very clear about where the deck came from, if you were sent it or purchased it. Is it strange that I find your walkthroughs very calming? Your comments are very thoughtful and you strike a great balance I think of being honest about your impressions while never cutting down an artist. You always come across as being really grateful for the decks you receive. And yes your videos help me to decide if I want a deck or not. A lot of indie decks I can’t afford but I love seeing the artwork. I especially find it fascinating the endless interpretations artists can bring to the tarot. Thanks for everything you do. ❤️

[@the_hermits_cave]

@@LouValcourt 🙏🏻❤️

[@rachel2880]

Excellent video, so many great points. Thank you for sharing! ♥️

[@LouValcourt]

Thanks for watching!

[@SpiritofAvalon]

Thank you for doing this video, it was so good and you really put this over so well 🥰 Megadeth! I remember them from the 80’s, I still love a lot of the metal bands from that era 😍

[@LouValcourt]

Thank you! I’m always glad to meet another metal fan 🤘

[@SpiritofAvalon]

@@LouValcourt I have loved metal since I was 13, I am 51 now 😆💖

[@Manicmommafiberartist]

You just got another new sub. You and the ladies below said it all. Nothing more this poor old lady has to add. 💜

[@LouValcourt]

Thank you 💜

[@maplegrove7]

My video I did I went on a small little tid bit about Decks prices and only thing I went a bit more on is how ridiculous prices jump as soon as a deck goes out of print!!! It's disgusting!! Yes The Goth is about the music and the esthetic came afterwards. I have a small collection and am happy with it, and am planning on 2 or three Decks rhat I'm planning on repurchasing in the fall to next year. Thank you for talking about this and was curious on your own take as well as IF you were going to put a take on this.

[@LouValcourt]

Thank you! Of course I’m going to wade in with my opinion. I’m a Leo how could I not? 😉 And yes to the point about OOP decks skyrocketing! It makes it really hard to get a hold of these decks.

[@crossroadstoryteller]

I so appreciate you defending artists and their work as worthy and valuable. I do my best to save my tarot purchases for indie creators so that I can put money in artists hands and it feels good to me paying a higher price bc I would want to be paid the higher price if I were the artist too (especially when it is obvious someone put their heart and soul and experience into their deck). Of course I have nothing against prioritizing one’s tarot purchases around different priorities. Thank you for weighing in. ❤

[@LouValcourt]

Thank you for sharing this. It’s nice to see that there are people who appreciate artists and indie creators. Most of the decks are out of my budget, but there have been times where I’ve seen something special and have been able to put money aside for it.

[@vkestrel3519]

Fabulous insights. I really appreciated the points you made about income and how we relate it to worthiness…it’s a real thing! 🙏🏻

[@LouValcourt]

Thank you!

[@starandflurry]

Your perspectives on all of this is a great addition to the discussion. Thanks for sharing them! Couldn’t agree with you more regarding the value of artist’s work and the time it takes to actually bring it to fruition, be it a deck or as you spoke of, a show.

[@LouValcourt]

Thank you! ❤️

[@OracleChloe]

You really said it all 🪄🩷🙏

[@mermaidrisingtarot]

I do enjoy seeing new decks & walk throughs it does help me be mindful in deciding what i would like to buy. I love art in general so its really cool to see all the cards. I've been gifted very few decks & always state that. I own very few indie decks. Things are getting pricier across the board. I appreciate Artists & support their work i just can't afford all the pretty things nor do i have space to have a huge colection. I know some can get jealous or envious of what they see what others have lets not think we are less because we dont have this or that. We all have a love for tarot. I enjoy seeing others happy when they open their new decks. Even more so because they had to save & work hard to get it as a gift for themselves.

[@LouValcourt]

I love seeing the new decks too even if I can’t afford to buy. When it comes to the mass market ones if I really want it I put it on a list because at least I know with mass market that I can get it later. It also stops me from impulse buying. And yes I love seeing people be happy so I don’t begrudge them if they can afford more decks than me.

[@kashikitsune8724]

I freaking love you. I dont mean that in a creepy "hey im a stranger and you dont know me but i love you" kind of way. I just mean i love your channel and when you speak your mind . Because i always find that i agree with what you say. I had a way more profound response to these topics but its early and i need coffee so ill leave it at this😅 Thanks for posting ❤

[@LouValcourt]

Thank you! And lol to the creepy stranger comment. 😂 Hope you had a lovely coffee. ❤️

[@kashikitsune8724]

Indeed I did. I look forward to your next video