Divinatory Ethics

[Rick]

Howdy, Ya'll (that's Old High Okie-ese for "How is everbody?")

I'd like to hear from everyone about ethics as regards divination. Is it ethical to divine for/about someone without their permission or knowledge? Ya know, like when you just want to know if that special someone likes you, so you do a casting, or a spread, & you find out things you probably shouldn't have? I'm sure there could be other circumstances, as well. Is this an invasion of privacy? What are the moral & ethical boundaries?

Have you ever had someone call you up & say "Hey, I just thought I'd throw out your cards on so-and-so issue, & guess what?", but you didn't ask them to? (Yes, this has happened to me. Don't worry, they managed to escape, so I didn't kill 'em.) Have you ever been this caller?

I'm not referencing the occasional "message" someone might get for you (a whole 'nother post).

So, sound off, already!

[Yvonne Belisle]

Excellent point I'm going to go ponder it.

[cydira]

Well, I usually don't throw spreads for people unless they ask me to. If I throw a spread to see something about some one, it is only some one that I'm very close to and if I am concerned for their health and well being. It's like asking the Lady and Lord if my loved ones are doing well because I haven't heard from them in a while and I am not in a position to at the time. <shrugs>

I've never thrown a spread to see if some one liked me. <shrugs> I just tend to be brassy enough to walk up to them and ask. :) I prefer to get shot down in person, not via another person or cards. Wouldn't it be humiliating to have the *cards* tell you their answer would be no thanks to that possible date on friday??:D

On a slightly different angle of it all... I try to do my readings in a manner where I don't upset the person I am reading for and be honest in what I see. I'm still learning to trust what I see, but how I view the whole situation is "how do I know that what I am seeing makes sense, I'm just getting told what to tell them." Do you really want the headache of being told that you did a reading improperly by softening a blow that they really could have taken, you just underestimated them? I know that I am one to want the person reading for me to be fairly blunt, but discreet.

I think there's a line between being honest, and being crass. As a tarot reader and some one that is learning how to scry, I'm pretty much bound to walk that line with grace and dignity. I'm like a councilor, you need to have a sense of professional limits, mine just happen to be along the lines of proper decorum and compassion. See.. my momma taught me well. :D 8O

[bluecat]

I have a simple rule.

No ask, no spread.

Blue

[Fawn]

Ok I am quilty of this--when Liking someone and needing an answer I have. BUT I did not tell the person(s) yes I have done it more than once. I like to wait and see if Fate is going to match up with what my reading said. :cool:


I know I know I'm bad but shoot, I'm good at it!!:p

[Vinga]

Good question! I must say I think it's a no-no. I don't think it would ever even cross my mind to do a reading for someone who hasn't requested one. I can do readings for myself concerning my relationship with another person, but that would be as far as I'd go.

Another ethical question; If the reading predicted something very bad, would/should you tell the person you're reading for? (By 'very bad' I mean things like the loss of a loved one or something similar that could seriously upset the person)

[folkwitch]

I don't do reading for others unless they ask me to - on the other hand, though, I'll do a reading for my own information on those around me. I've found that, in general, I don't recieve any information that's none of my business. I wouldn't share the info with them under any circumstances unless they ask. Still, a lot of my friends and aquaintances don't know that I do readings at all so it's not like they'd ask me anyway.

[Emerald Sky]

Nope, I wouldn't do a reading about someone else without their permission. Like Vinga said, if I feel I need to know something about someone I'd do a reading about my relationship with them.

Vinga, regarding your question - no, I don't think I would tell a person if I saw that something really terrible was going to happen. For one, what if circumstances changed and the event didn't end up happening? All that worry for nothing. But more importantly, I feel that those types of things have a profound effect on one's life and the path that they're on. If the person is supposed to know before hand that something is going to happen, the universe will make them find out some other way. Otherwise, I feel that there may be a lesson or a reason for the person to find out when it happens. KWIM?

[SahuaDjet]

Em Hotep,
I agree with Folkwitch, I will do a spread for someone that is very close and has a direct relationship with me but I will not tell that perosn unless they ask. I believe we shouldnt abuse the tarot some things just arent our business. I will not do a reading unless the person asks unless the person's action is going to effect my life.

Sahu DJet

[Rick]

You mean, like the Universe leading that person to you to get that information through the reading? :)

The way I see readings in general, the layout shows what will happen if no actions occur to change that. Since I don't see the future as "etched in stone", or written in some big book somewhere, I point out to the person I'm reading for that, good or bad, this is what's ahead, if you do nothing to change it. That could be changing something that's less than desirable for the better (ya know, forewarned is forearmed, etc), or messing up something good through not doing what they should.

There ways to cushion things people don't want to hear, but, if it's in the reading, I feel it could be doing a disservice if you don't tell them what you see (and, hopefully, you can offer some guidance to help change their situation).

[Emerald Sky]

Originally posted by Rick
You mean, like the Universe leading that person to you to get that information through the reading? :)

I just knew you were going to say that! :D

[Rick]

It was in the cards...

OK, OK, don't call Gunner, I won't do it again (soon). ;)

[Alphyna]

Hey, referring to ethics, what do you think of 1-800 Psychics? I did that a total of 4 times, and felt horrible! People were calling, asking what they should do to get out of debt because the repo man was coming, and I was supposed to keep them online for an hour?! A cost of 250-350$?!! Screw that. It was totally wrong, and I do not believe in it. And what about the cost of a psychic reading these days? Do you believe it should be 75-100+$? I don't. Not when I know that without the person asking the question there would be no answer. Barter, or 20-30 $. Starting out it should be by donation.
Ponder this and let me know how you feel.
Brightest Blessings, Alphyna

[bluecat]

Originally posted by Alphyna
Hey, referring to ethics, what do you think of 1-800 Psychics? I did that a total of 4 times, and felt horrible! People were calling, asking what they should do to get out of debt because the repo man was coming, and I was supposed to keep them online for an hour?! A cost of 250-350$?!! Screw that. It was totally wrong, and I do not believe in it. And what about the cost of a psychic reading these days? Do you believe it should be 75-100+$? I don't. Not when I know that without the person asking the question there would be no answer. Barter, or 20-30 $. Starting out it should be by donation.
Ponder this and let me know how you feel.
Brightest Blessings, Alphyna

If they are psychic, why use a phone? Oh, yeah, BILLING! :eek:

I get urgent e-mails all of the time from CLEO! ... :rolleyes:

It's such a hoot, I never respond though, btu tehy are fun to read and delete. :D

Blue

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

Bluecat,

Don't you just love those! I get a chuckle out of them. I keep thinking if the message was so urgent, she'd be calling me! :D

[bluecat]

Originally posted by Dagda Moon~Lily
Bluecat,

Don't you just love those! I get a chuckle out of them. I keep thinking if the message was so urgent, she'd be calling me! :D

Nah ... then she couldn't bill ya! ROFL!

:eek: :rolleyes: :eek: :rolleyes: :eek: :rolleyes: :D :cool: :p :o :crazy: :crazy:

[Rick]

Originally posted by Alphyna
Hey, referring to ethics, <SNIP> ... what about the cost of a psychic reading these days? Do you believe it should be 75-100+$? I don't. Not when I know that without the person asking the question there would be no answer. Barter, or 20-30 $. Starting out it should be by donation. Ponder this and let me know how you feel.


I read professionally, at "psychic fairs", "metaphycical expos", renaissance fairs, the local "New Age" store, etc. Left to my own devices, I'd charge $5 for a "mini" reading & $10 for a full reading. If I read at home, I do that. However, at these other venues, ya gotta make back your table fee (averages $50 per day at the "fairs", 35% off the top at the "New Age" store). So it usually boils down to charging for time (the going rate around here is $1/min. I still feel that's kinda extravagant. If someone offered me $30, I'd read 'til I was hoarse, or they were satisfied). My nickle's worth on that aspect of reading ethics (and yes, I gladly barter).

[EasternPriest]

If you intuit regarding someone without their permission or question expressed to you, you should not tell them. Depending on their path, they may be either amused or offended that you have done so. Either could be a valid response.

If you have a personal curiousity reagrding another, read for yourself in light of your dealings with that person, but never as a reading about or for them.

Blessings.

[Dria El]

Originally posted by bluecat
I have a simple rule.

No ask, no spread.

Blue

Agreed!

Though, I haven't actually started divining yet. I just can't seem to find a method that calls to me. A friend just gave me a Rider deck to play with to see if it 'does anything for me'. <shrugs> We'll see.

Dria El

[Semele]

Ok, Here's my opinion...and remember you did ask for it!! Like many others have mentioned I will do a reading for someone close to me just to get a feel for things....but mainly for my own benefit. Of course there is usually some reason why I decide I want to do a reading. Something that clues me in. The way they are acting or not acting, or maybe if I just haven't seen them in a while. But in my readings I am only seeking ways for me to help them or whatever they need from me. I may see that they are feeling lonely and need a friend to talk things out with so i will try to make myself availiable. Do I call them up and say,"Hey the cards said you need a friend" Absolutely not. That is the best way I know of to put someone on the defensive. I may mention to them after a little conversation that I just had a feeling they needed to talk.

Also I would never do a reading just to see the possible outcome of things that do not concern me directly. Like I would never do a relationship reading on a friend who I think is with the wrong person. 1. My already formed bias would greatly affect the reading. 2. None of my business unless they request and even then the bias may get in the way.

Anyway thats my take. Hope this answers your question sufficiently.

Semele

[Ellegon]

I never, ever read for anyone without them first requesting it or I have asked their permission to do so...I have done readings regarding others without their permission, but only if I am directly involved in that particualr issue. I don't feel personally that it is right in the scheme of things to mess with the 'powers that be' unless I have been involved directly or indirectly.

Karma is a terrible thing to waste...

And of course, as usual, this is just one lowly man's opinion...lol

Elle )0(

[Rick]

Le Bemp

[MistOfTheSea86]

I would have to say that I have read for someone without their permission, but it wasn't on their life, it was pretty much I fi would ever meet the person and such.

[flar7]

I generally agree with what EP said. If you do, its your choice, but
you should keep it to yourself. If the information you learn is bad
or bothers you and you feel you must act to help them, then do
so in a way that doesnt tell them you read for them.



and in the words of Forrest Gump, "Thats all I got to say about that."

[Laiste]

I have never felt the need to read for someone without them asking me to. I feel that it is unethical and creepy...kinda like spying on someone! There are some things that we should just not know about others. I have done some readings regarding others but only when there is a situation that directly affects me or my relationship with that person.

[Flar's Freyja]

*~*bump*~*

[flar7]

Originally posted by Freyja
*~*bump*~*

my little necromancer babe!

[Flar's Freyja]

Originally posted by flar7


my little necromancer babe!

:T

No more Strange Days for you.........:smooch:

[Rick]

bump

[~Elise~]

No, I wouldn't read without someone's permission. I may do like someone else suggested...what can I do to help this person type of reading.

Now--bad news--yes, I pass it on, but NOT as a dire prediction. "You need to get to a doctor. Have this looked into--I feel that could be important." or something along those lines
I did that for someone about a year during a healing session, actually--they came back and thanked me. Stomach problem was caught.

JMO and YMMV

Elise

[~Elise~]

:bumpsmili

[~Elise~]

bump for a class I'm in

[~Elise~]

Howdy, Ya'll (that's Old High Okie-ese for "How is everbody?")

I'd like to hear from everyone about ethics as regards divination. Is it ethical to divine for/about someone without their permission or knowledge? Ya know, like when you just want to know if that special someone likes you, so you do a casting, or a spread, & you find out things you probably shouldn't have? I'm sure there could be other circumstances, as well. Is this an invasion of privacy? What are the moral & ethical boundaries?

Have you ever had someone call you up & say "Hey, I just thought I'd throw out your cards on so-and-so issue, & guess what?", but you didn't ask them to? (Yes, this has happened to me. Don't worry, they managed to escape, so I didn't kill 'em.) Have you ever been this caller?

I'm not referencing the occasional "message" someone might get for you (a whole 'nother post).

So, sound off, already!

bumping for re-newed discussion

Elise