2012/01/21

Tarot Monopoly®

Certain individuals within the tarot community have started monopolising global tarot events by trademarking them. To me, this is a bit like trademarking Imbolc or Ostara. Why would you?


Do people choose to exclude and monopolise events this way because they don't trust the tarot community to rally around an event unless it is ruled with an iron fist?

Is it all about the money and the prestige?

Is protecting interests and excluding people more important than collaborating and creating good will?

Is there really any need for hardnosed business tactics like these in a soft industry like tarot?

Ugh. Just ugh.

And here's my message to those who seek to monopolise tarot community events: You may seek global dominion... but I will never be your minion!

Brightest Blessings, Lisa


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15 comments:

Katrina Wynne said...

I hear your "ugh" and can relate to your concerns about monopolizing Tarot events.

Branding, such as "Tarotize," is a powerful marketing tool and has several purposes, such as describing the creator's unique offering, establishing an easier means for locating and networking with like spirits, and possibly setting a standard of definition or excellence, certainly creating a potent vortex for the identified focus.

It is a valid question to ask what is the line between personal expression, branding, and monopolizing. Perhaps it is in the heart or mind of the creator.

So, if the phrase "World Tarot Week" fits your interest, but you want to use it on your own terms, you may wish to tweak it a little, such as "Tarot World Week", etc. Then you can put your energy and resources into creating your ideal event.

Lisa Frideborg Lloyd said...

Thanks, Katrina, but I have no interested in creating my own community event - only adding my two cents to why I don't think community events should be monopolised. Branding your own business and marketing as such is a separate matter.

Lisa Frideborg Lloyd said...

It is quite possible to create a community event without trademarking it and turning it into yet another tool for self-promotion.

Lisa Frideborg Lloyd said...

Btw, the term Tarotize has NOT been trademarked by me. It's the name of my blog. That's all. I trade in my own name.

Inner Whispers said...

I so agree with you, Lisa! This is exactly what first gave me the push to start blogging - if you're interested, look at my first post ever: http://innerwhisperscouk.blogspot.com/2010/05/world-tarot-day.html

Ultimately, I don't think such attempts at world (tarot) domination can ever work, but I really object to the attempt.

Sharyn Mallow Woerz said...

Thanks for you insight Lisa. I pop around on a few blogs and read AT each day, beyond that never seem to know the world you dabble in. In truth it's the same as any other isn't it?

Those who seek fame and fortune, those who have it thrust upon them, and those who would have it under no circumstances.

Perhaps our sour apples are more noticeable because our world is pretty small and we notice the spoilage a little sooner...
Sharyn

Lisa Frideborg Lloyd said...

Nice post, Chloe... and great that you linked to the debate elsewhere. Will try to check the links out too when I have a minute to spare. I agree - I don't think it can work either, btw. :)

Sharyn - yes, it's a small world. Self-promoters become visible very quickly.

Nicole said...

You forgot the tm at the end LOL !!!
Seriously the snake oil hucksterism makes the hairs stand up on my arm!

rock on :)

Lisa Frideborg Lloyd said...

lol Nicole! :)

Michael Denholm said...

Hi Lisa,

This is a subject I feel very strongly about and I applaud you for blogging about it.

I hope you don't mind, but I have posted the first paragraph of your post on my blog as a taster, with a link to here to read more.

Michael x

Ania said...

I find it jaw-droppingly astonishing that people who claim to be "restoring the spiritual dignity of tarot" go to such lengths to destroy it through actions of egotism and self-aggrandisement. It leaves a very nasty taste.
I am encouraged, however, that more people are seeing through the flim-flam, standing up to the bullying and resisting such nefarious attempts at world domination in our small pond.

Lisa Frideborg Lloyd said...

Thank you, Michael! I don't mind at all :)

Lisa Frideborg Lloyd said...

Ania, good word of the use nefarious! love it! :)

Rev. Lynn said...

One of the things that has distressed me in the spiritual community is that there is jealousy and competitiveness and there is absolutely no need for it.

So I say Amen to your post.

Lisa Frideborg Lloyd said...

Cheers, Lynn. Many of us feel this way. There is strength in numbers :)