Amethyst Rose
April 19th, 2005, 04:53 PM
Tarot Ethics
Before we start working with tarot, we have to address what I concider to be the most important aspect of working with tarot: Ethics.
As tarot readers, it is important to establish what your morals are. What do you feel comfortable with? What questions do you feel it is okay for you to answer? What kind of person do you want to be seen as?
Think of any psychic you've seen advertized on the tv, or whatnot....like Miss Cleo. What does that make you feel about tarot readers, assuming you've never had any experience with tarot? What comes to my mind is that they're all frauds. This is also what has made "fortune telling", including tarot reading, illegal in many countries. It's important to have your own ethics, and follow them without question, so people know they can trust you.
For an example of what ethics include, here is my own code of ethics:
- I cannot fortell the future, because the future is not set, I can only predict what may happen based on your current situation. Any decision you make from now can change the future.
- I am not a doctor, lawyer, or financial consultant, therefore I cannot give you health, legal or financial advice.
- I do not do readings on/for third parties.
- I will always tell you the truth, I will never lie about what the cards have shown me.
- I will not read for anyone under the age of 18 without a parent/guardian's consent.
- I will remain objective and nonjudgmental
- All readings will be confidential.
- I will not read for the same person more than 2 times in one month.
- I will respect all of my clients, regardless of race, gender or handicap.
You will find, if you do any research on the subject, that my ethics are pretty standard. The only one I haven't seen elsewhere is to limit the amount of readings. Most people won't do this because they are making money with their practice, and don't want to restrict the cash flow. However, I feel that I have a moral obligation not to let tarot become a crutch for someone...at least, not with me.
Common Tarot Misconceptions
1. Tarot is a tool of the Devil. -- While we pagans may find this to be a misconception, many Christians do believe that only God has the power to divine the future, and that if a human does it, the Devil is giving them that power. I just wanted to point this out, because I don't want any pagans giving Christians any flack on what they are entitled to believe.
2. Tarot cards originated with the Gypsies in Egypt. -- We already know from the history lesson that this is (most likely) not true.
3. Tarot is a fortune telling device. -- Not true! The future is not set, and to fortell the future is to give away free will and our power over our futures. It can, however, be predicted based on the querant's current circumstances.
4. One must be a psychic to read the tarot. -- Not true! You don't need to be a psychic to read the tarot, although many psychics do start out that way.
5. Tarot cards are restricted to one faith system. -- Not True! There are Christian decks, Kabbala decks, Angel decks, Celtic Decks, etc. etc.
6. Never buy your own tarot deck, only use one that has been given to you. -- I really don't believe this one... the only deck I've ever been given didn't work for me at all. I think it's important for you to find your own deck...one that calls to you. Someone else can't do that for you. Vice versa, someone in the previous class pointed out that she had heard you should only use a deck you buy yourself. What it comes down to is what works for you. If you connect with your deck that's all that matters, not where you got it from.
7. Never let other's touch your deck. -- This is really a personal preference thing. I prefer people to ask before touching, but I don't have problems letting them touch them after they've asked. And I certianly have people shuffle their own cards. Do whatever you feel comfortable with.
8. Always keep your cards wrapped in silk. -- Again, this is personal preference...or your card's preference. My cards are currently wrapped in black velvet, in a oriental looking box.
9. Tarot cards predict death. -- Not true! The death card means radical transformation, and quite often, rebirth.
That's all I can think of right now, but I know there are more. List your misconception in the the thread and I'll add it to the list.
Purposes of Tarot
1. Divination. This is of course the most popular use of tarot. There are hundreds of tarot decks that can be used for divination, and, as you all know, all different skill levels of readers. Anyone can read the tarot though, it doesn't matter what age you are, what your beliefs are, if you're psychic or not. All that is required to read the tarot is the ability to listen to your first instinct - your intuition.
2. Past Life Readings. The opposite of divination, the cards can be used to determine aspects of a past life, most often: gender, age, place of residence, time period, life style and cause of death. There are many different spreads for past life readings, and even decks specifically for this purpose, such as the Past Life and Karmic Tarot (http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/book...e-karmic-tarot/).
3. Counciling. Quite often a tarot reader finds her/himself in the position of a councilor. In such a case it is important to be sympathetic to the querant and to help them through their problem without giving advice. Tell them what the cards say about the situation and try to help them in anyway that you can without breaking your ethics. Many tarot readers feel that a background or knowledge of counciling is helpful for tarot reading.
4. Meditation. Many people do this on a daily basis, and it's a really good way to learn your cards. Every morning after you wake up, shuffle your cards and select one card. That card will tell you about what you have to learn or deal with that day. Hold your card and meditate on the image and meaning of that card, and how you can apply it to your day. This is also helpful if you're going through a rough patch. Pick a card and meditate on it...it can help you find a solution to your problem. The Osho Zen Tarot is amazing for meditation and insight.
5. Entertainment. Tarot can be great for parties. I always bring my deck with me to gatherings to read for people. Past life readings are very popular amongst friends. When you're reading for parties, don't be all serious and solumn...have fun and laugh. It can be really challenging, however, to concentrate when some's laughing about your querant's question about romance.
6. Games. There are so many different games that you can play with your tarot cards! Contrary to popular believe, it is not disrespecful to play games with your tarot cards. It is what they were designed for! Also, they are also a great way to learn about your tarot cards. You can find a posts I've done on tarot games, here: http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=3528 .
7. Spell Work. It's really quite popular to use Tarot cards in spells...it's also really simple to do so. All you need is good knowledge of the meanings of your cards. Then, select the card that will be appropriate for the spell. For example, for a love spell you could use the Lovers. (Note: I do not support the use of love spells, as they violate free will). The tarot card is used as any other tool in the spell...to direct energy and intent. They can be really helpful with visualization as well. I find that developing my own spell sequence works the best, so I'll let you develop your own. However, if I was to do a tarot spell, I would perform all other steps of the spell first, and then mediate on the card, sending out all energy built during meditation at the completion of the spell.
8. Spirit cards, lesson cards, personal year cards. Aidron brough this use to my attention, and he got the information from "Everyday Tarot Magic" by Dorothy Morrison. Basically, through math you can use the cards to determine different things about your life, it's like combining tarot and numerology. I really suggest you pick up the book.
Okay, that's it for this lesson.
Before we start working with tarot, we have to address what I concider to be the most important aspect of working with tarot: Ethics.
As tarot readers, it is important to establish what your morals are. What do you feel comfortable with? What questions do you feel it is okay for you to answer? What kind of person do you want to be seen as?
Think of any psychic you've seen advertized on the tv, or whatnot....like Miss Cleo. What does that make you feel about tarot readers, assuming you've never had any experience with tarot? What comes to my mind is that they're all frauds. This is also what has made "fortune telling", including tarot reading, illegal in many countries. It's important to have your own ethics, and follow them without question, so people know they can trust you.
For an example of what ethics include, here is my own code of ethics:
- I cannot fortell the future, because the future is not set, I can only predict what may happen based on your current situation. Any decision you make from now can change the future.
- I am not a doctor, lawyer, or financial consultant, therefore I cannot give you health, legal or financial advice.
- I do not do readings on/for third parties.
- I will always tell you the truth, I will never lie about what the cards have shown me.
- I will not read for anyone under the age of 18 without a parent/guardian's consent.
- I will remain objective and nonjudgmental
- All readings will be confidential.
- I will not read for the same person more than 2 times in one month.
- I will respect all of my clients, regardless of race, gender or handicap.
You will find, if you do any research on the subject, that my ethics are pretty standard. The only one I haven't seen elsewhere is to limit the amount of readings. Most people won't do this because they are making money with their practice, and don't want to restrict the cash flow. However, I feel that I have a moral obligation not to let tarot become a crutch for someone...at least, not with me.
Common Tarot Misconceptions
1. Tarot is a tool of the Devil. -- While we pagans may find this to be a misconception, many Christians do believe that only God has the power to divine the future, and that if a human does it, the Devil is giving them that power. I just wanted to point this out, because I don't want any pagans giving Christians any flack on what they are entitled to believe.
2. Tarot cards originated with the Gypsies in Egypt. -- We already know from the history lesson that this is (most likely) not true.
3. Tarot is a fortune telling device. -- Not true! The future is not set, and to fortell the future is to give away free will and our power over our futures. It can, however, be predicted based on the querant's current circumstances.
4. One must be a psychic to read the tarot. -- Not true! You don't need to be a psychic to read the tarot, although many psychics do start out that way.
5. Tarot cards are restricted to one faith system. -- Not True! There are Christian decks, Kabbala decks, Angel decks, Celtic Decks, etc. etc.
6. Never buy your own tarot deck, only use one that has been given to you. -- I really don't believe this one... the only deck I've ever been given didn't work for me at all. I think it's important for you to find your own deck...one that calls to you. Someone else can't do that for you. Vice versa, someone in the previous class pointed out that she had heard you should only use a deck you buy yourself. What it comes down to is what works for you. If you connect with your deck that's all that matters, not where you got it from.
7. Never let other's touch your deck. -- This is really a personal preference thing. I prefer people to ask before touching, but I don't have problems letting them touch them after they've asked. And I certianly have people shuffle their own cards. Do whatever you feel comfortable with.
8. Always keep your cards wrapped in silk. -- Again, this is personal preference...or your card's preference. My cards are currently wrapped in black velvet, in a oriental looking box.
9. Tarot cards predict death. -- Not true! The death card means radical transformation, and quite often, rebirth.
That's all I can think of right now, but I know there are more. List your misconception in the the thread and I'll add it to the list.
Purposes of Tarot
1. Divination. This is of course the most popular use of tarot. There are hundreds of tarot decks that can be used for divination, and, as you all know, all different skill levels of readers. Anyone can read the tarot though, it doesn't matter what age you are, what your beliefs are, if you're psychic or not. All that is required to read the tarot is the ability to listen to your first instinct - your intuition.
2. Past Life Readings. The opposite of divination, the cards can be used to determine aspects of a past life, most often: gender, age, place of residence, time period, life style and cause of death. There are many different spreads for past life readings, and even decks specifically for this purpose, such as the Past Life and Karmic Tarot (http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/book...e-karmic-tarot/).
3. Counciling. Quite often a tarot reader finds her/himself in the position of a councilor. In such a case it is important to be sympathetic to the querant and to help them through their problem without giving advice. Tell them what the cards say about the situation and try to help them in anyway that you can without breaking your ethics. Many tarot readers feel that a background or knowledge of counciling is helpful for tarot reading.
4. Meditation. Many people do this on a daily basis, and it's a really good way to learn your cards. Every morning after you wake up, shuffle your cards and select one card. That card will tell you about what you have to learn or deal with that day. Hold your card and meditate on the image and meaning of that card, and how you can apply it to your day. This is also helpful if you're going through a rough patch. Pick a card and meditate on it...it can help you find a solution to your problem. The Osho Zen Tarot is amazing for meditation and insight.
5. Entertainment. Tarot can be great for parties. I always bring my deck with me to gatherings to read for people. Past life readings are very popular amongst friends. When you're reading for parties, don't be all serious and solumn...have fun and laugh. It can be really challenging, however, to concentrate when some's laughing about your querant's question about romance.
6. Games. There are so many different games that you can play with your tarot cards! Contrary to popular believe, it is not disrespecful to play games with your tarot cards. It is what they were designed for! Also, they are also a great way to learn about your tarot cards. You can find a posts I've done on tarot games, here: http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=3528 .
7. Spell Work. It's really quite popular to use Tarot cards in spells...it's also really simple to do so. All you need is good knowledge of the meanings of your cards. Then, select the card that will be appropriate for the spell. For example, for a love spell you could use the Lovers. (Note: I do not support the use of love spells, as they violate free will). The tarot card is used as any other tool in the spell...to direct energy and intent. They can be really helpful with visualization as well. I find that developing my own spell sequence works the best, so I'll let you develop your own. However, if I was to do a tarot spell, I would perform all other steps of the spell first, and then mediate on the card, sending out all energy built during meditation at the completion of the spell.
8. Spirit cards, lesson cards, personal year cards. Aidron brough this use to my attention, and he got the information from "Everyday Tarot Magic" by Dorothy Morrison. Basically, through math you can use the cards to determine different things about your life, it's like combining tarot and numerology. I really suggest you pick up the book.
Okay, that's it for this lesson.