Standards of Conduct, Performance,
and Ethics for Professional Tarot Readers
It is important as a contemporary tarot card reader to have a solid code of standards. We have provided here a template for your consideration, one used by members of Tarot Professionals. It is based on professional codes from similar fields, geared towards tarot readers. It does not include terms and conditions of trading or local legislative requirements—these must be determined by your local conditions.
Tarot reading is a form of divination originating in fifteenth-century Europe. The tarot is a deck of cards in various forms which gained popularity in northern Italy and spread in usage, as a game, as an inspiration for poetry, and as a means of fortune-telling. Its usage for fortune-telling is documented from the late 1500s, though it was more popular from the late 1700s to the early 1800s.
The word tarot is French, and the earliest name for the cards was the Italian carte da trionfi, the “cards of the triumphs.”
The use of tarot as a means of self-development, fortune-telling, divination, and therapy has grown worldwide. There are now more than a thousand tarot decks available in print, and many more have been published in the last century, particularly in the last fifty years.
Tarot Professionals is a global organisation of professional tarot readers based in a UK-registered limited company. Our vision is to restore the spiritual dignity of tarot and offer authentic readings, study, and development of the cards, all with integrity and respect. Our mission statement is “tarot to engage life, not escape it.”
This Standards document is our statement of that vision in practice. If you are a member of Tarot Professionals, these standards are for your adoption. If you are a client of a member of Tarot Professionals and believe the member has not upheld these standards, you may make a complaint to the company’s directors. We take all such complaints seriously, and any member found in breach of these standards will be advised, warned, or have membership with Tarot Professionals removed as the situation dictates.
The people for whom we perform divination by tarot must be able to trust you with their well-being. To justify that trust, you must:
- Make the care and informing of your client your first concern, respecting their dignity and the dignity of the process of divination;
- Provide a high standard of practice in accordance with local legislation;
- Be open and honest, act with integrity, and uphold the reputation of your profession.
As a member of Tarot Professionals, you are personally accountable for actions and omissions in your practice and must always be able to justify your statements to the client.
You must always act lawfully, whether those laws relate to your professional practice or personal life. Failure to comply with this code may bring your practice into question and endanger your registration with Tarot Professionals.
This code should be considered with all other advertising, legal, and trading standards and regulations which apply to your personal circumstances, geography, or online presence. Tarot Professionals has appointed a “Legal Eagle” role to collate and provide material in this regard.
Though it was stated earlier, the following bears repeating: Make the care and informing of your client your first concern, respecting both their dignity and the dignity of the process of divination.
Treat People as Individuals
- You must not discriminate in any way against those for whom you read;
- You must treat people kindly and with consideration.
Respect Client Confidentiality
- You must ensure all information given is treated in confidence;
- If you record any information, the client must be made aware of this;
- You must keep any such information securely.
You must disclose information if you believe that somebody may be at risk of harm (or causing harm to themselves or others) in line with the law of the country/state in which you are practising.
Inform Your Client as to Your Practice
You must inform your client as to the nature of your practice. They must be well informed as to what to expect from their reading before it commences. This includes but is not limited to such practices as mediumship, aura reading, Guides, Channelling, Reiki, etc. It is recommended you inform the client about any combination of approaches you may use during the session.
You may wish to respond to client concerns (implicit or expressed) about the Death card or receiving “bad” cards, etc.
Welfare of Children and Young People
You must be aware and make response to local regulations with regard to the welfare of children and young people (aged up to 19 in the UK, 24 if they have disabilities). This is presently covered in the UK through the ECM (Every Child Matters) initiative and the Children Act of 2004. The website for this topic is http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk.
If the client lacks capacity to make informed decisions, such as being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or suffering severe mental distress, you should stop the reading and possibly refer the client to a mental health professional. You must ensure as best you are able there is informed consent for the divination.
It is recommended you maintain or have access to a contact list of organisations who can offer specialist support in alcohol dependency, gambling, and other issues that go beyond the divination process you are offering.
Maintain Clear Professional Boundaries
This means that you must:
- Refuse any gifts or favours that might be interpreted or used to imply fraudulent activity outside of the agreed contract;
- Not ask for loans or accept loans from clients;
- Establish and actively maintain clear physical and emotional boundaries at all times.
Provide a High Standard of Practice and Care. This means that you must:
- Ensure any advice you give is justifiable and within your professional capacity;
- Keep your skills and knowledge up to date;
- Keep clear and accurate records;
- If you maintain records of your readings, ensure they are clear and accurate reflections of the reading which has taken place.
You must be aware of the requirements of law with regard to information. In the UK and Europe, laws pertain to the recording and provision of information under both the Data Protection Act (1998) and the Freedom of Information Act (2005). You can get more information on these at the Information Commissioner’s Office http://www.ico.gov.uk/.(There is presently no single act in the US with regard to data protection.)
Be open and honest, act with integrity, and uphold the reputation of your profession.
Act with Integrity
- You must adhere to the laws of the country in which you are practising.
Deal with Problems
- You must offer a constructive and honest response to any criticism of your service.
- You must act immediately to address any complaint.
Uphold the Reputation of Your Profession
- You must cooperate with the media only when you can confidently ensure the reputation of divination and tarot is upheld. Tarot Professionals can put you in contact with others to advise on publicity.
Information about Insurance
Tarot Professionals Ltd. offers a UK-based insurance scheme providing public liability insurance. You should consult with your local business advisors, venue organisers, etc., as to insurance requirements for your services.
Establishing Terms and Conditions
As part of the performance of your services, you should establish terms and conditions according to local requirements.
These may include but are not limited to:
- Length of session;
- Payment terms;
- Refund policy;
- Cancellation policy;
- Follow-up sessions;
- Contact protocol (i.e., hours of business).