Ethics on Where to Read Cards

Welf

gregory:
Whichever it was, nisaba was being respectful of another person's discomfort. Being what my friend called "the nicer person" I mentioned further up.
The main point here being though, that it didn't seem that the objection was to the use of the actual Tarot cards, but more of an objection to the images on the cards themselves...... almost like two different mind sets in play here? Tarot cards or not, I'd be surprised if most people objected to being asked to put any 'porno' type images away... I think there are laws in place they can use against someone for displaying such material publically... ? Dunno really...

Now.... taking this into a step in some other direction..... I'm wondering here, out of interest, to how aware in general non Tarot people really are of Tarot cards and their images...

If someone created their own Tarot deck, had no images, just blank cards and had only written in small writing the title of the card on each card... and they were to have them out on the table like some people do when reading a book or shuffling papers around on a table while eating and drinking at a coffee shop.... if people not versed in Tarot, would even see them as being Tarot cards in the first place?

Welf
 

gregory

Welf said:
If someone created their own Tarot deck, had no images, just blank cards and had only written in small writing the title of the card on each card... and they were to have them out on the table like some people do when reading a book or shuffling papers around on a table while eating and drinking at a coffee shop.... if people not versed in Tarot, would even see them as being Tarot cards in the first place?

Welf
I would have thought that would be a case where people simply wouldn't notice. I think the images are often well enough known (which is in itself an indicator that tarot is moving into the mainstream, in a way) that they draw attention.
 

nisaba

Certainly the RW are.

I have a habit of having a few of my collection on display with the same Major card showing when I'm reading professionally, and letting the querent pick the deck whose artwork appeals to them. With any other deck I use what they've chosen without comment, but when they choose the RW, I've learnt always to ask why they chose it (in a friendly, curious, non-confrontational way).

In only *one* case did a girl pick it for its own sake, because it visually appealed to her most of the selection available. I went on with the reading using her choice of deck without further comment.

The standard reply is along the lines of either "The others aren't *proper* Tarot, are they" or a variant "This is the oldest/most authentic one". I don't always have my RW with me, but when I do, I am starting to always have my gold-stamped Visconti-Sforza with me also. I'll say something like "The deck you chose is about ninety-five years old, whilst this one (pointing) is around five hundred and eighty years old. I have used some of these other newer decks for upwards of fifteen years and they work fine. Which one were you really drawn to?"

And as I said, in all the time and the hundreds of reading I've been doing this, only one person has actually preferred the RW for its own sake. Sad, really, considering what a boost to Tarot popularity and understanding that deck made.
 

Welf

This is sort of weird in a weird way and does my head in some...

Like, take for example, a person who objects to, and is offended by Tarot cards because they think Tarot is evil and the work of the devil... and that same person made it a habit to make complaints to management if they ever did see anyone in a Coffee Shop or a Hotel Lobby use such cards...

Then if they were to see someone at the table next to them use a set of Tarot cards which they didn't know were Tarot cards, then they wouldn't be offended or complaining to management about what 'that person at the table next to them' is doing would they? Instead, they would more than likely be sitting there happily at their table drinking their coffee...

I'm still trying to get my head around that one... but it does put meaning to what you don't know, doesn't hurt or that there really are times when ignorance is bliss?

I'm so glad I don't have that worry about finding a place to read the Tarot for someone other than either my own home or theirs... It's all sounding way way too complicated for me...

Welf
 

gregory

Welf said:
Then if they were to see someone at the table next to them use a set of Tarot cards which they didn't know were Tarot cards, then they wouldn't be offended or complaining to management about what 'that person at the table next to them' is doing would they? Instead, they would more than likely be sitting there happily at their table drinking their coffee...
As I likely would if a "bible basher" (or indeed someone uttering foul imprecations against everything I hold dear !) was doing their thing in Finnish. It would go right over my head ! If you can't see germs, you don't go out of your way to avoid them.... ;)

Welf said:
I'm still trying to get my head around that one... but it does put meaning to what you don't know, doesn't hurt or that there really are times when ignorance is bliss?
Indeed there is ! My head is wrapped firmly around this !!!! I get it BIG TIME !
 

214red

Grizabella said:
I just got up. (That should speak volumes to those who have seen me "open mouth before brain is in motion" ) and for some reason, that phrase in quote up there just struck my funny bone. Here's a person who is ready to stage a sit-in to revolutionize Seafra's hotel lobby but she'd mind if her shuffling sent cards to form an arrow at a guy's feet. :p Go figure! ((((214red :heart: ))))
lol

I wouldnt stage a sit in, sadly i am not that brave, and i was very embarrassed not because of the cards but because i had to scramble on the floor to pick them up (knocking my head on the table too as i am a clutz)...
I dont shuffling in quiet places because anything loud is annoying when things are peaceful, and i also dont want to end up yet again on my knees picking up my cards whilst looking like a fool...(although it was less embarressing then the lasttime my bag exploded and a cute guy handed back my tampax that fell out)

what is misrepresented about me, is i am generally quiet and not here to disturb the peace, just read..
 

Gypsyspell

Hi, I also think this is hilarious LOL, Im so knackered i probably should'nt post anything but i just had a look through this thread - I don't get it , why would you want to read in a hotel lobby? I mean it cant be that urgent can it?
There are better places that are pleasant ,comfortable, private like the park etc?
Now breast feeding a baby that could be urgent -Ive been on long flights when a baby screamed and screamed and all the passengers were so relieved when the mother decided to feed the baby!
 

Nevada

214red said:
what is misrepresented about me, is i am generally quiet and not here to disturb the peace, just read..
People are just expressing our feelings and thoughts -- as we've come to feel safe doing at AT. I don't see anything here as an attack on one person and her place of employment, or on private property rights. We have strong feelings about Tarot -- I'm sure we all do, or we wouldn't be here. Just because it bothers me that one hotel doesn't want Tarot cards in their lobby, doesn't mean I'm going to go there and stage a demonstration. It's just one more place where Tarot isn't welcome, and I regret that. I'll always regret things like that. So sue me.

I also think private property rights are important -- at least in the cultures most of us come from, they are. I own property (well, the bank and I do), and I don't want anyone messing with it or doing something I don't approve of. Religious canvassers still come to my door. I tell them politely that I'm not interested, and they go away. I'm sure that bothers them, and I don't mind at all if they rant and rave about it on a religious forum somewhere. As long as they don't do it on my front doorstep.

Maybe I should invite them in for a Tarot reading. })
 

Shade

Nevada said:
Maybe I should invite them in for a Tarot reading. })

You most definitely should! The real question would be if you should then light novenas and read for them with the Tarot of the Saints and play the Mormon Tabernacle choir in the background or instead light a few black taper candles and deal out the Necronomicon tarot to an early Marilyn Manson album.

Or warmly start with "I am so glad you could make it; my friends and I were just discussing the pillars of the Temple of Solomon." You never know they might decide to start with common ground.
 

Nevada

Shade said:
You most definitely should! The real question would be if you should then light novenas and read for them with the Tarot of the Saints and play the Mormon Tabernacle choir in the background or instead light a few black taper candles and deal out the Necronomicon tarot to an early Marilyn Manson album.

Or warmly start with "I am so glad you could make it; my friends and I were just discussing the pillars of the Temple of Solomon." You never know they might decide to start with common ground.
Good ideas. Or, considering my more timid nature, and that I don't want anyone to have a heart attack on my doorstep, I might try le fey's tactic she wrote about using with her boss in the other thread, and offer to let them pull an "inspirational card for the day" from my Osho Zen.