Ethics of Tarot Reading

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 18 May 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

MsIsis	18 May 2003
Hi all. As you've probably seen in the last few days, I'm a new "invader" of your space to learn all I can about tarot. :) I have searched the forum and do not see the answer to this question anywhere. What are the ethics of reading Tarot? For instance, someone said not to read someone unless they gave their OK (i.e., I shouldn't just up and read someone without their permission just to practice,,, not that I would do that). There must be alot more to the ethics of this - and that's not something I've seen on here much - a little bit here and there, but not as a topic. While I may be opening a can of worms, I'm very interested to see what comes up with this conversation. After all, I'm here to learn, and one thing I do NOT want to do is something considered offensive to any person as I learn.

HudsonGray	18 May 2003
Oh, no can of worms. It's come up before. Everyone has to work out their own code, but it's usually along the same lines. You do have to stop and think about who you'll read for and when you will. Such as, would you give a child a reading without the parent's permission? Would you read for someone who's drunk? Would you hide something? Can you give a good reading for someone who comes to you asking if her boyfriend will stop beating her because you're her last hope of help..... it gets sticky. Do you do medical readings knowing the person won't see a doctor if they hear what they want from you? Can you keep someone from being freaked out after seeing the Death card and the Hanged Man for the first time? When should you NOT do readings? If you go to a search engine like www.google.com and type in the words 'tarot ethics' and you'll see a lot of different business statements, from the individual practitioner up to the tarot board in America. It's not an easy subject and a lot wider in coverage than you'd initially think.

jmd	19 May 2003
This is indeed a topic which raises its head from time to time, and always worth revisiting. A thread which discussed this and related issues (with links to yet earlier threads) is Ethics and Certification. Without re-iterating my views expressed on the second page of that thread, and though I see worth in articulating one's ethical understanding, I do not consider the codification of ethical consideration in any genuine way helpful - rather, it tends to take away from the more difficult tasks of sensing into the situation in order to understand what is to be done - in that specific instance - which may lead and be the healthiest. In that sense, HudsonGray's comment that each must develop their own ways I agree with. This does not imply, however (and nor do I think that HudsonGray's post imply, by the way), relativism with regards to ethical issues. Clearly certain acts in given circumstances are 'wrong', others 'right'... The gray areas would probably be clearer not by considering from whence the viewer comes, but through more penetrative understanding of the situation. Ethical considerations of Tarot usage are very much like the ethical dimensions of other world engagement - whether or not one reflects on those aspects. Codifying these is, to my mind, unhealthy - seeking for greater understanding, on the other hand, for the healthiest...

Alex	19 May 2003
because if you have the ability to think while you learn, you have the ability to question, to comment, to doubt_ and there are plenty of people who feel offended if you question anything they say. Some even feel offended when you try to agree with them, because they misinterpret what you write and think you are challenging their wisdom. It is imporssible to control other's reactions to what we say or do, the best we can do is to be well-intentioned when we share what we know. Or, in case we are eventually ill-intentioned, that we at least make ourselves aware of it. This subject has come up before and obviously there were heated debates on some things I consider unimportant. For example, whether we are allowed to lay cards for others in order to "spy" on them etc. I have no problems with that, as long as you keep your "knowledge" to yourself and use to in a constructive way. I consider important to be responsible while reading for others. Be positive and constructive in your comments. Be mindful of suggestion, mostly negative suggestion, and try to be accepting of that human being who might have different moral and religious standards than you do. I also have a problem when people come ask how can they control, defeat, or steal from others. I would never answer questions such as "does my husband have an affair?". Not even if I'd just seen her husband with another. Cheers Alex. Quote: Originally posted by MsIsis After all, I'm here to learn, and one thing I do NOT want to do is something considered offensive to any person as I learn.

DeLani	21 May 2003
Everything said is true. You must find your own moral code. But, since you are a beginner, and you seem like you are looking for advice, I'll share mine, and encourage others to share theirs. You can see for yourself what other readers do, and decide what you agree with or disagree with. First, I do not hold anything back. They came to me looking for answers, so I tell it like it is. However, I always try to find the positive, constructive side to everything. Like, "how can we avoid this?" or "why is this a problem?" etc. I want my client to feel empowered after a reading. I always stress that they have free will. I am not a fortune-teller; they have the power to decide their own outcomes and fate. I don't read someone unless they give me permission. This is different then doing a reading *about* someone. For example, if my roommate is doing something I don't feel comfortable with, I can do a reading on *how his actions affect me*. The knowledge I gain I can then use to confront him, or whatever is appropriate. The most important thing is to know why you do or don't do certain things. My most important reason is that I want to help people be more empowered to make better decisions. Anything that goes against that, I don't do. Good luck in your search. I look forward to hearing others' responses. DeLani

Silverlotus	21 May 2003
I just love synchronicity. I just got back from the library where I picked up a book on ethics called The Good, The Bad, & The Difference by Randy Cohen. Of course it doesn't deal with tarot ethics :), rather with ethics in general. The little bit I've read already has really got me thinking about my personal ethics. When it comes to tarot ethics, I think they should reflect your personal ethics. If you think it's wrong to talk about someone behind their back, then you would probably think it's wrong to do a reading for them without their permission. If you think it's wrong teach a young person something their parents wouldn't like (like a religion or something like that), then you would probably think it's wrong to do a tarot reading for them. It's just an extrapolation of your everyday ethics. Of course ethics are a delicate balance. Mr. Cohen suggests they are a combination of principles that are profoundly moral. These include honesty, kindness, compassion, generosity, and fairness (pg. 10). How would these tie in with tarot ethics? I guess that depends on how they tie in with your everyday ethics. Also, don't get ethics confused with superstitions! :)

MsIsis	21 May 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Silverlotus I just love synchronicity. I just got back from the library where I picked up a book on ethics called The Good, The Bad, & The Difference by Randy Cohen. ....... Also, don't get ethics confused with superstitions! :) Yeah, I know the feeling. :) I was actually talking about something that had J316 in it (you know, after the scriptural reference) and in the background I heard someone say into the phone "It's 3:16. That's right sir, the time is 3:16". LOL. I had everyone laughing trying to figure out why it was so important that I notice that reference at that time. As for that last comment, so true. But I really am referring to ethics themselves, but yes in this area, supersitions can be quite infiltrated into every conversation!

Shadow Wolf	02 Jun 2003
I do not think we should read for people without their premission. That being said, once everyone agrees that a reading should take place, then I think we are obligated to tell the querent everything the cards reveal. This would be based the traditional meanings of the cards as well as our own intuition. I usually let the person know what my "take" on the reading is. My gut feelings, what impressions I get from the layout, etc. Then leave it to them to take or leave it.

Two of Wands	02 Jun 2003
___________________________________________________ That being said, once everyone agrees that a reading should take place, then I think we are obligated to tell the querent everything the cards reveal. ___________________________________________________ I would agree with that, as long as it's not something that is going to frighten the querent or make them act upon something, or make a life decision about something, that really is none of the reader's business, or something they've felt they've seen in the cards without really knowing where it’s come from. I guess it depends upon how much the reader thinks they can learn of the querent from the cards. If the reader gains specifics, then I'd suggest that have a psychic ability which the cards help to concentrate. I think the reader must have a very clear view of exactly how far their intuition extends. This is a very crude breakdown, but I think there are ‘path readers’ and ‘psychic readers’. A path reader is someone who knows the cards and their meanings well, and may have good intuition. When reading the cards they will see possible paths, maybe even possible past influences and future outcomes. But they will not get specifics and will not truly learn enough about the querent’s life, to make any really definite valued judgment on it. A psychic reader, will actually get definite messages about the querent. And a true psychic, after exploring their powers over the years, will know in their heart of hearts what they should say, and what perhaps they should not say, either if they can’t really be sure, or if it would be of no help anyway. For what it's worth, I am definitely only a Path Reader, so I only make suggestions for the future, I certainly never claim that I can see anything definite upon the horizon, or make any firm statements for action to be taken on specifics. I envy those with psychic powers but I know that I do not currently possess them, and I think the important thing for any reader is to be honest with themselves about how much they can actually gain from the cards in a reading and be sure on.

The Ethics of Tarot Reading thread was originally posted on 18 May 2003 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.