Ethical Tarot Reading
What a profound privilege it is to read Tarot for others, whether you’re being paid or not. And what an equally profound responsibility you take on when you do so.
For those who have even a little experience in reading Tarot for other people, what strikes you over and again is that people come for a reading when they are at a crossroads or in times of distress. They are after direction at big moments in their lives. How you read for them can have a huge impact on their next steps into the future.
Professional members of the Tarot Guild of Australia all agree to abide by The Tarot Guild of Australia Code of Ethics and Practice. Indeed, it is a requirement to obtaining Professional member status that you sign an acceptance of the Code of Ethics and Practice where you recognise the power of the symbols of the Tarot and the responsibility of your role as a Tarot practitioner. (This Code of Ethics can be found on the website, scroll to the very bottom of the screen to find it next to the contact details for committee members.)
Ethical readers set clear intentions at the beginning of each reading. Defining the purpose, time and cost of a reading to help to manage client expectations. A priority of an ethical reader is to enhance the client’s self-understanding and to inspire in them hope and courage. Empowering and supporting the client’s autonomy is our goal.
Ethical readers make sure that clients understand the interpretative nature of Tarot; that what the reader sees in the cards is in no way set in stone. I always reiterate to my clients that what I have seen in the cards is only a glimpse of ‘what could be’ if they continue without deviation of direction or intention in to their future. I remind them that just by having this reading they have already altered their course because they are stepping into their future with knowledge gained from The Tarot to freely take action to change direction to avoid a situation or take better steps toward attaining a goal. They are at all times, in control of shaping the direction of their life.
I’m sure we have all encountered readers who have said something scary or crushing to you in a reading; ‘Your mum is going to die!’ ‘I see a terrible accident!’ ‘I don’t see love on your horizon.’ Making definitive predictions is a big no-no for reading ethically. So is taking a reading in a profoundly negative direction. Ethical reading means reading in such a way that your clients leave you feeling better than they did when they arrived; more hopeful for their future; more in control of the direction of their lives and better able to make choices that positively impact where their life is headed. An ethical reader will never try to influence a clients’ decisions or outcomes or impose their own personal values into a reading.
Ethical readers respond appropriately to sensitive issues. Most of us are not trained psychologists, psychiatrists or counsellors. We need to recognise our limitations+ and refer clients to mental health professionals when they bring big issues to the table that they appear not to be coping with and which we, as readers, are not trained or equipped to handle. We can absolutely offer clients the wisdom of the Tarot, a listening ear and a sympathetic shoulder to cry on, but that is all. When a client needs more than that, reading ethically means directing them to a medical professional or a dedicated mental health service to (hopefully) get the help they require.
Ethical readers recognise other personal limitations, they don’t read when they are unwell, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or if they are experiencing a period of intense stress or emotional upheaval that they feel may affect their focus and/or judgement. They treat all information about clients confidentially but are willing to discuss problematic readings or clients with trusted colleagues for support, advice and guidance in a way that does not reveal the client’s identity.
There are, of course other aspects to reading ethically – committing to ongoing learning and professional development is one. Charging reasonably and not exorbitantly for services is another. Reading ethically upholds the integrity of the Tarot as a source of wise counsel, spiritual guidance and a pathway to self-knowledge. I urge you all to read through the Tarot Guild’s Code of Ethics and Practice and strive to incorporate the practices contained in them. When we act with integrity, we all rise.
by Pauline Bourke
A Professional Reader of the Tarot Guild of Australia.
