Tarot Ethics

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 02 Aug 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Strega	02 Aug 2002
What are your own personal code of ethics? How do you use this code in working with clients?

jema	02 Aug 2002
my ethics are really simple and clear-cut. i do not read for: *persons under 18 years old *legal questions *medical questions *investment questions (all those are vital or someone could easily sue me) i also like to tell the client that the real work has to be done by them, the cards can only give hints on how to do it - a reading won't change things around for them all by itself. so i will not tell the client what to do. however the 18 year old limit is just a precaution. if a 14 year old comes to me i won't send them off but ask them if their parents know they are paying me for a reading and i might want to talk to the parents first to make sure it is ok. then there is the subset of personal rules i have: *not to do readings while drunk or for persons that are drunk. *i don't do "card tricks" (that is make several spreads for the same question just to see if the same cards come up again) *to tell what i see even if it is not always pleasant. *if the reading feels off - i won't charge *i have the right to NOT do a reading

Sorceress_Jade	02 Aug 2002
I'm actually having an issue with that right now. I've been reading for friends and family, but I don't think I want to do that anymore. I promised my cousin a reading, for which she was really excited about, but it look like a horrible thing to send her. I can't remember now if I got 'the feeling' from the throw that I should, or if I was using personal knowledge and opinion. If I wasn't reading them properly, using my own head instead, then this could be a devestating thing to give to her. And if I was... it still could. And now I'm in one of those positions that i can't seem to 'pick up the cards' to do another re-reading. Have that same problem for a co-worker. I'm thinking that means that I shoudn't be reading for them. :( but then if I don't read for friends and family... I have no one to read for. :( Ethics suck! ~sniff~

Laurel	02 Aug 2002
I'm establishing new tarot ethics for myself, part of my whole "life improvement" momentum. For the time being (and in no particular order) : 1. I'll only read tarot for people genuinely interested and willing to keep an open mind. 2. I prefer to read tarot for people who'll read tarot for me in return, exchanging energy and insight. 3. I'll only read for people I like, trust, and respect and who I believe like, trust and respect me. 4. I'll ask querents to discuss the reading with me, and what feels right or confusing and keep track of both the readings I give/receive and commentary in my journal for reference. 5. I'll make sure the querent knows ahead of time that I consider myself in a "re-learning" stage and may not have a satisfactory grasp of all 78 cards and relying heavily on inspiration and intuition in my readings right now. 6. I'll make sure the querent understands that I might discuss part of the reading including what they ask and later say with those I study tarot with (including this forum) before the reading begins. Laurel

truthsayer	02 Aug 2002
this is a topic we've just about beat to death over time so i'm certain there has to be an old thread alive on this somewhere. not sure where to look tho...moderator?

MeeWah	02 Aug 2002
Do a search on the topic "Tarot ethics" & tick off "partial name". You will get a list of threads with that subject & related topics.

divinerguy	02 Aug 2002
I'm pretty close to Jema. I never take money for readings, so I don't need to get into those types of issues.

Strega	03 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by truthsayer this is a topic we've just about beat to death over time so i'm certain there has to be an old thread alive on this somewhere. not sure where to look tho...moderator? I did search for threads before I posted this topic. :) However, most of the topics I found focus on a particular issue such as "accepting money" and "stock market readings". :D I posted this topic because I am evaluating my current code of ethics (having a few issues) and establishing new ones. I know very few people who read Tarot cards (IRL - that's why I joined this online community). I'm curious about other readers' personal code of ethics... to see interesting similarities and differences. :)

Strega	03 Aug 2002
Speaking of MY current personal code of ethics: I don't charge for a reading. If they wish to give me gifts (not required at all :D), that's fine, but I try not to accept cash. I reserve the right to refuse readings. Confidentiality of personal information or the reading itself. I don't read for family and friends without their permission. I don't read about my love life. I don't tell my clients what to do. I only offer advice and guidance. I always remind them that only they can make the final decision. They have free will and they are responsible for their own actions and behavior in life. There are certain issues that I am currently thinking over (not yet listed above). Perhaps, I'll post them later in another thread to ask for your opinion (if they haven't been discussed yet). :)

Minderwiz	03 Aug 2002
I'm a beginner and I am only just reaching the stage of reading for others in a serious way, though I'm keeping it to friends and relations. I do want to develop and be able to read for others in a serious way but I feel that I am not ready yet. However this thread has given me food for thought in terms of the ethics of a reading - I had not really thought this through, as at the moment I give a 'health warning' that my reading could be way off beam! However when I come to the stage of having confindence in my readings I can see that I will also need to consider these matters carefully. Thanks for the discussion - even if it has been done before there are still people like me who need to be aware of these issues. Minderwiz

LeoLady	03 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by divinerguy I'm pretty close to Jema. I never take money for readings, so I don't need to get into those types of issues. Not sure if I agree Diviner..if you are doing a reading for money or not, I feel there should still be some kind of code you live/read by or you may end up getting some nasty recriminations x

Minderwiz	03 Aug 2002
I tend to agree with the above. If you are not charging for your reading then the nasty recriminations will almost certainly be personal, rather than legal (unless it could be argued that you were either threatening your client or pestering him/her or at a civil level defaming them). However even personal 'recriminations' should be avoided. I think it is very important that the person you read for knows what to expect, what quailfications exist to your reading and that you follow a code of conduct. A number of bodies publish such codes - The British Clairvoyant Academy is one. If you don't take one off the shelf then draw one up and let your 'sitter' know what it is. It might not help the mood setting before but it could be very helpful afterwards. This would protect you from getting into akward situations with someone. Also if you have any doubts at all then don't do a reading for them. Minderwiz

truthsayer	03 Aug 2002
okay, my code of ethics. 1. i accept some kind of energy exchange whether money or a snack or whatever. i think an energy exchange is important b/c i have found that ppl are more demanding and tend to negate the validity of what you do more if you don't ask for the respect of an energy exchange. you also deserve something for expending your energy and this helps you from feeling taken advantage. 2. i don't do readings for ppl who only want a reading to prove i'm a hoax or some other personal agenda. 3. if i read for a party i must have a quiet private room. no groups standing over me. i find group energy very draining but i can handle one at a time pretty well. 4. i expect to have quiet so i can concentrate on what i see. when i'm finished it's okay to ask questions then. i lose my train of thought and where i'm going in a reading when i get interrupted a lot. it's a matter of respect for me so i can do my job. 5. understand that the future is not fixed. if you take a hint from the reading and go a different path then something may not happen. the cards do not compel certain behaviors. they pick up influences going on but they can't make you or stop you from whatever you plan to do. 6. i'll do readings for a child w/ parental permission and supervision. i'll get out one of my more playful decks just for the occasion. 7. if a Q becomes verbally abusive then the reading is terminated. 8. if a reading doesn't feel right to be done then i have the right to refuse reading for a Q. 9. i consider information i tell during a reading as confidential and i will not tell others private information. i used to work as a counselor and as far as i'm concerned the same ethical code i went by then applies to readings. 10. if a Q needs time to talk, i'll provide spiritual counseling if i have time. if i don't, i will see if there is another convenient time we can talk. 11. i won't do hours of readings for anyone even if payment were offered. i will read if time permits when i feel the question has been answered. 12. the Q may end the reading at any time. there's probably more but that's all i can think of right now.

LeoLady	04 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by truthsayer 5. understand that the future is not fixed. if you take a hint from the reading and go a different path then something may not happen. the cards do not compel certain behaviors. they pick up influences going on but they can't make you or stop you from whatever you plan to do. Hi Truth, Not that i'm an expert in any way or form, but if you get alot of majors in a spread, doesn't in mean that destiny is not in your hands and that what will happen..will happen whether you like it or not? Perhaps i'm taking the book i have too literally? Would appreciate your thoughts on this

truthsayer	04 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by LeoLady Hi Truth, Not that i'm an expert in any way or form, but if you get alot of majors in a spread, doesn't in mean that destiny is not in your hands and that what will happen..will happen whether you like it or not? Perhaps i'm taking the book i have too literally? Would appreciate your thoughts on this well, not necessarily. i mean it could mean that and it could not mean that. it's like "i" before "e" except after "c" except in certain cases where you throw the rule book out the window. and that's what i would suggest you do in this situation! ;) :D if you have any doubts about this, umbrae is far more verbose and elequent on expressing what he thinks of LWBs and tarot books than i am. just do a search for threads he started on this. there was an excellent one a few monthes ago... **********the most important rule to remember about tarot is there aren't any rules!!!!!(this fact is like"the wonderful thing about tiggers is I'M THE ONLY ONE!!!")*************personally, i obey my intuition. i like looking at tarot books to expand my knowledge and to give me new ideas to extend my data base. i've never heard that major arcana cards mean your destiny is fixed and unchangeable. i liken tarot to the astrology proverb: the stars impel. they do not compel. except i don't think tarot is as fixed as astrology except in the situations that rule doesn't apply at all! am i confusing you yet? good! that means you're making progess. ;) :) :D :*

LeoLady	04 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by truthsayer . am i confusing you yet? good! that means you're making progess. ;) :) :D :* Absolutely confused now!! Was going by the idiots guide to tarot and fortune-telling. It doesn't say that it's fixed and unchangeable, just that it's 'meant to be' and it's gonna happen in some way or form

truthsayer	04 Aug 2002
i was definitely in a bizarre mood last night. i think you're using a good book and i know it's necessary for a while to use a book as a guide while you are learning. you have to crawl before you walk. if the rule about major arcana works for you then use it. i make up the rules as i go but that's not for everyone.

Strega	04 Aug 2002
I agree with the post above. I feel the same way about books. I LOVE books, but I only apply what works for me. :)

Strega	04 Aug 2002
Thank you to everyone who replied to this thread. I learned a little from everyone's code of ethics. I'm considering changing a few of mine (that which doesn't work anymore) and applying a few of these (those that I agree with). :)

jmd	05 Aug 2002
I personally do not like the term 'code of ethics', as it implies that there are ethical considerations which can be codified, rather than appropriate moral responses to individual situations. Having said this, let me now list the two main guidelines which I tend to use: I tend to only read for adults, even if about their child (rather than reading directly for the child in question); and Even if charging, I will tend to only read if I am comfortable - and refund or not charge if this isn't the case. When reading, I will be: truthful; but also sensitive to the state of the person for whom the reading is, and sensitive to the consequences of the person having placed their trust in my 'advice'; and will be responsible.

catlin	05 Aug 2002
My ethics are similar to the ones stated by jema, truth and jmd. I have no problem charging for my reading because I have offered free readings for friends and aquaintances for ages and found out that this was behind limit. Another of my friends who reads with playing cards was asked for a reading against an invitation for dinner but she was never invited although she had done the reading so I make sure to get my cash in advance.

Strega	05 Aug 2002
Hmmm... I think I like truthsayer's point 1... accepting some kind of energy exchange... money or snack or something. I never thought of it that way before. I do believe (or realize now) that I deserve something for my energy... also to avoid feeling taken advantage of.

Kiama	06 Aug 2002
As of yet I do not charge for readings, although in September I may be... But I do have a code of ethics... Kinda... *Tell the truth *Make sure the querent knows that one the cards have told them what could happen, they act to make what they want happen. *Do not tell anybody else what happened in the reading: That is confidential, and between me and the querent. *Make sure the querent does not go home scared out of their wits. If there is a bad outcome, let them know that it can be changed. *Be a friend to the querent: If they wanna talk about something picked up on in the reading, then I let them. If they wanna stay and talk over a cup of coffee, they are welcome to. I would rather they become a friend, and I read for them again as such, than they don't become a friend. *Only do readings when I feel I can. If I am ill, or tired, I find it difficult. *Never bring somebody I don't know very well back to my house for a reading. That's all I can think of now. I really do these things automatically, as I am a fairly sensible and caring person anyway, so I don't actually think consciously, 'Right, I must be careful not to...' Kiama

The Tarot Ethics thread was originally posted on 02 Aug 2002 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.