Tarot Ethics - 13 Prompts to Consider for Your Practice
Preface: We wrote this article back in 2022, but the world has changed much since then, and we think it’s a good time to come back to this piece and include some points around AI and LLMs. Please enjoy the revamped and updated version of this post!
Whether for business or pleasure, we think it’s important to consider how personal values and ethics play a role in your tarot practice. The point of this isn’t to provide a set of standards that we expect others to uphold, but rather to provide you some ideas to consider. It’s up to us individually to decide what values apply and which do not, and how those values will be incorporated.
Before we get to our list of 13 considerations, here is why we think building an ethical practice matters.
Boundaries: Boundaries (a list of things we will or won’t do) not only keep us safe, but keep the people we serve safe too.
Responsibility: Reading tarot for others can be a lot of fun, but it’s also a responsibility. We hear secrets, hold space, provide guidance and most of all, we’re given people’s trust.
An Absence of Oversight: There is currently no overseeing body making sure any of us are doing any of this “right”. Standards and accountability are up to the practitioner to define and uphold. I’m not saying I’m for an overseeing body, but in the absence of one, we need to be our own.
Reputation: While we can’t control how others conduct their practice, we can set ourselves apart and contribute positively to the reputation of the work we do.
Preparation: One thing I can guarantee you, is that if you consider these prompts, you will save yourself from some potentially awkward/uncomfortable conversations. Knowing ahead of time how you will respond to a variety of situations, will make you more confident to tackle challenges as they arise reading for others, and they will…I assure you.
As you’re reading through the headings below, take a moment to consider how (or if) each plays a role in your practice. The most important thing is not that you arrive at the same conclusion as other practitioners, but that you have reached your own conclusions by thinking through exactly what you feel and believe to be true for you.
Remember also that within and around all of these general principles is something called nuance. That's why we wouldn’t advise you to take an ethical stance at face value, without thinking about it further. You need to really look into these things and decide for yourself if they fit into your practice and if so, where and how.
1. Am I Qualified To Answer This Question?
We know in this line of work we’re asked questions that cover just about every area of life. And I don’t necessarily think you need to have an arsenal of accreditations to provide insight from a spiritual perspective. However, as a practitioner dealing with the general public, it is important to have a sense of what you’re comfortable to read on and what you’re not - what you’re qualified to read on and why.
Part of what might inform your decision making here are the risks involved. For example, does answering the question pose any potential risk or liability to yourself or the person you're reading for?
Another thing to consider is how you’re approaching the inquiry. Are you claiming to have more experience or expertise than you do? Have you clearly stated appropriate disclaimers? Do you feel comfortable and confident to say “I don’t know” or “I’m not the best person to provide this type of advice”?
For example, I am not a healthcare worker, I am not a lawyer and I am not therapist. And even if I did have some credentials in these fields, I’m not bringing them to my spiritual practice and acting as someone’s doctor, lawyer or therapist - I am a tarot reader when I am showing up here.
We don’t know what we don’t know. Working with tarot or Spirit doesn’t usually make us open to suddenly receive information that would ordinarily be out of scope. In other words, I’m not going to flip over a card and see a medical condition in my third eye that I’ve never even heard of before (I mean, anything is possible…but is it likely…?)
Ask Yourself:
What types of questions am I qualified/comfortable to answer?
Do I properly disclaim this and set clear expectations with the people I work with?
Do I understand the risks (legally or reputationally) involved?
2. Should I Read About Someone Who Isn’t Present?
Third party readings have always been a hot topic. It’s generally accepted that reading on a person who isn’t present is not best practice. With that being said, it may also depend on how the question is posed. Take this example: “What do I need to know about having a better relationship with my mother?” Yes, this inquiry involves a third party, but the focus isn’t necessarily on what that other party is thinking or feeling. If, however, the question involved digging through the heart or mind of another, we may be getting into trickier territory.
Something else to consider when it comes to third parties, is that information can be shared. Would you be comfortable if what you said about someone who wasn’t present got into the hands of that person or was used as a bargaining tool i.e. “see, look, my psychic says you still have feelings for me!” Maybe this wouldn’t be an issue for you, but it’s worth considering the impact or possibilities if you are averse to getting in the middle of interpersonal dynamics that aren’t your own!
Ask Yourself:
How much am I willing to say on a person who isn’t present and isn’t aware of the reading?
Would I be happy to discover that someone went to a reader about me and the reader obliged?
3. What Measures Do I Take To Protect People’s Privacy?
Confidentiality means protecting our people’s information and the personal and sensitive things they share with us. Most practitioners regard this as an obvious component to any good practice, but even so, is there more that we can do? Consider where and how you uphold confidentiality in the context of the services you provide. On the surface, confidentiality speaks to keeping information private, but it may also include ensuring cyber/system security, and being mindful of the experiences shared publicly about the people we serve (even when names are omitted).
I see a shocking number of practitioners publicly sharing very specific details about their clients. Sure, they don’t include names, but if that person were to stumble across the post, they would surely know it was about them.
Ask Yourself:
What measures do I take to ensure confidentiality for the people I read for?
How would I feel if my tarot reader publicly shared something about my story or reading with their audience, even if my name was omitted?
4. Am I Transparent About My Services/Abilities?
What kind of information do you share with the public about your services, style and philosophies? Before someone books a session with you, would they have a good sense of what they’re getting into and what they can expect as an outcome? What we do may be obvious to us, but that doesn’t mean it’s clear to others. Consider what might be helpful to state upfront, and what “goes without saying”.
Some believe it it is the job of the reader or practitioner to lay the foundation of their services and set the proper expectations. Some may believe that the onus is on the seeker to ask the right questions and do their own research. We believe it’s a bit of both. But, we can probably all agree that no practitioner wants to end a session and hear something to the effect of, “well, that’s not at all what I was thinking this was going to be…”.
Ask Yourself:
Am I finding myself frustrated by people who just “don’t get” what I have to offer?
Have I outlined my services and philosophies in a way that clearly expresses what a session with me looks like?
5. Is There A Conflict Of Interest?
At some point when you’re reading for another, it’s quite possible they will bring a situation to you that presses a button, touches a nerve or full on triggers you. We are all human beings with out own opinions, preferences and leanings. Many times in readings we can (and should) separate our personal tastes so that we can provide objective and unfiltered insights. However, if a topic so strong comes up that you cannot separate yourself from it, you should consider how you will proceed.
Will you forge forward and if so, will you still be able to act as a clear channel? Are you confident that your feelings will not get in the way of the messages that are trying to come through? The last thing a seeker wants to experience when working with a reader, is a sense that this is now about them (the reader) and something they’re working through. It is totally natural to have reactions to things that others bring to us. But, what we do with those reactions and how we proceed is our responsibility to manage.
Ask Yourself:
Am I able to assess when an inquiry becomes a conflict of interest?
How can I protect the people I read for from my personal bias’?
What will I do if I do not believe I can separate myself from the topic at hand?
6. How Much Influence Should I Have?
Providing tarot readings can often put us readers in the position of giving advice. We are, in many ways, advice givers by the very nature of the roles we occupy. Often, the messages and insights that come forward have a splash of “try this” or “refrain from that”. But, there is a big difference between providing suggestions and insisting you know what’s best for the person “sitting across from you”. It’s possible that you’ve developed a very close relationship with a person you read for, and feel very strongly that what they’re embarking on, for example, isn’t good for them. You might even be right. However, we need to also consider how much influence we should have and if we’re trying to have more, we should ask ourselves - why is that?
When someone comes in for a reading, does this immediately put the reader in a position of power or authority? I think the answer to that is probably (hopefully) "no”. So, if we can assume the people we read for are the experts on their own lives, we need to also consider what our role actually is. In other words, are we there to steer the car or are we there to be a guide?
Ask Yourself:
How much influence do I want to have over the people I work with?
How can I provide advice, while still honouring the autonomy and expertise of others?
7. What Are My Boundaries?
Just because you have a gift or a skill doesn’t mean it’s helpful to use it anytime, anywhere on anyone. In the context of this work, it is important for us to protect our boundaries as well as the people we serve. Protecting our own boundaries could look like any of the following:
Setting clear operating hours and not answering emails or texts after a certain time.
Not reading on certain topics or answering questions that are uncomfortable or out of scope.
Having the right to refuse service when not comfortable to proceed.
Saying “no” when it’s appropriate.
Ask Yourself:
What are my boundaries as a tarot reader?
How can I acknowledge and protect the boundaries of the people I read for?
8. How Can I Align My Communication Style With My Values?
We all have different personalities, communication styles and ways of being in this world. Some of us like to deliver the news straight up, no sugar. Some of us feel the need to saturate our insights with lots of positive messaging. There is no right or wrong here, only things to consider.
As a tarot reader, communication is crucial. If nothing else, you need to be able to distill insights in a way that can be understood by the person on the receiving end of those insights. For this reason, it may be helpful to evaluate the attributes you appreciate in others as well as yourself. For example, what place do the following traits have in your practice?: Kindness, empathy, compassion, patience, the ability to give and receive space, acceptance, honesty, clarity, respect for cultural/spiritual/religious differences and honoring the unique identities of those you serve. When we can define the characteristics we value, we can then work to cultivate them within ourselves and the services we provide.
Ask Yourself:
Do I communicate in a way that honours both myself and the people I serve?
Do I know how to navigate the difficult emotions and experiences of others?
9. Is This Even Helpful?
Many of us have people we read for on a regular basis. This is a normal part of practice and it’s not usually an issue. However, every once in awhile we encounter a situation where we get the sense that the work we’re doing is no longer helpful. Some indicators of this may be someone returning often and quickly, not allowing time to pass between sessions. Or, someone asking the same question(s) over and over again. If we feel taking time/money from another, but not providing anything in addition to what’s already been done, this may be something to take note of. When this happens, we have some choices. We can continue to work with the person assuming they know what’s best or, we can suggest to them that we don’t think another session would be helpful or we think they should wait for more time to pass.
I can see this one from multiple angles myself. On one hand, I don’t want to tell someone what they do or don’t need. On the other, I don’t want to feel like I’m charging someone and not providing any value. It can be a really tough situation to be in and one that requires delicate hands. At the very least we should explore those gut feelings we’re getting and then take a moment to consider how it would be best to proceed.
Ask Yourself:
What are some indications that a service I’m offering to someone is no longer helpful?
How might I proceed if that is the case?
10. Does Age Matter?
When providing readings, you need to determine if there is an age of consent that would be appropriate to adhere to. You will also want to make yourself familiar with any applicable laws to help inform those decisions. Personally, I state in my disclaimers that readings are for individuals 18 and older. I have read for minors, but that was with parental consent and even in some cases, parental presence.
Ask Yourself:
Am I aware of my region’s laws?
Am I comfortable reading for minor’s without their parent’s consent and if so, why?
11. Does AI Have A Place In My Practice?
I admit, this one is difficult for me to write. Not only do I have my own strong feelings about the use of AI in the field of tarot, I also don’t think I know enough yet to form a fully coherent reflection. This is an emerging consideration. I’ve read many opposing perspectives, and considered it from varying angles myself. Here’s where I am with it…
I can see why others would turn to AI to both “learn” and give readings with tarot. It's simple and fast.
But…does that make it good, or right, or helpful?
Let’s put it in perspective. If you’re using Chat to do readings for others, why couldn’t that person just use Chat themselves? Why would they need you at all? What value are you bringing? Anyone can type prompts into an LLM and copy and paste the response. Ok ok…you changed a couple things. But, did any of this truly come from you…your intuition? Would it be ethical to charge for a reading and then ask another reader what the cards meant before delivering it to your client? If the answer to that is “no”, then why would it be ok to use AI to interpret a reading?
Now, for those using AI to learn tarot, you must also consider if this is in alignment with your principles. Are you ok with the fact that you’re engaging with a tool that’s using the works of others who did not consent to that? How will you properly credit and source the information you obtain? Are you ok with the environmental impact of the tool?
I’m not telling you what’s right or wrong. I’m asking you to pose these questions to yourself and be accountable to your own value system.
Aside from this, tarot is a complicated system with rich history and complex symbolism. This is not something you will accurately learn through AI and in that case, are you comfortable with the fact that you may be getting and using information that is, on many occasions, wrong? And moreover, how will you know the difference?
Ask Yourself:
If I ordered a reading from someone, would I be happy to know they used ChatGPT to formulate the response?
Does AI have a place in my practice, given my current value system?
12. How Will I Market My Services?
This one may only be relevant to those taking their practice into the world of business. It’s not my favourite thing in the world, but advertising, promoting and marketing are necessary components to running a tarot business. So, knowing this, how can we approach these avenues in a mindful way that still complies with our moral compass and personal values? One way to figure out how to forge forward is to observe how other businesses market their services and ask yourself - “does this appeal to me?” “Does it feel authentic or sleazy?” “Do I feel like I’m being manipulated or spoken down to?” Personally, I have an averse reaction to tactics that attempt to elicit strong emotions, tap into scarcity, play on fear or a sense of exclusivity. Here are some taglines I often see that personally put me off:
“Time is running out - buy now!” (playing to urgency)
“Only a handful of people will be selected” (suggestive of exclusivity and prestige)
“Mary P. just put this in their cart!” (appealing to desirability)
Of course, if you’re cool with all this, that’s fine. But, if something about the way you’re marking your services gives you pause, then that could be an invitation to reflect and possibly make some changes. It can be difficult to come up with effective copy that clarifies what we do, while drawing interest, without playing with emotions. I think maybe we’ve come to believe that we need to employ some of these tactics to make a sale. And, if we don’t, we’re somehow missing out? Isn’t that funny? The same strategies that rely on scarcity and play on fear tend to elicit those same feelings in us when we opt not to use them.
Ask Yourself:
What types of marketing strategies turn me off as a consumer?
How do I market myself and my services currently?
Do these tactics align with my value system?
13. How Will I Ensure My Skills Stay Fresh?
With all roles we adopt in life, there is always the opportunity to continue to develop and refine ourselves. This may look like taking complementary courses to increase your skillset, working with a counsellor or mentor, reading and studying areas of interest or just cultivating a practice of ongoing reflection and self-inquiry. In your tarot practice, the idea is no different. How are you growing and adapting, and then applying that learning to the work you do?
Ask Yourself:
How important is ongoing development in my work?
What am I currently doing to enhance or refine my skills?
There you have it! 13 ethical prompts to consider if you have a tarot practice! If you made it this far, my hat’s off to you, because it is clear you take the matter of values seriously and likely want to do the best by the folks you read for.
And while this list isn’t conclusive, it’s a start! In this field, there isn’t some grand association watching what you do, holding you accountable and enforcing a certain set of credentials. In many ways, this is a positive thing, but it also means we are solely responsible for ensuring our work at least meets our own standards of practice. Applying an ethical framework allows one to ensure they are doing the best by themselves, the people they read for, and the reputation of this work as a whole.
And again, the point of all of this isn’t to tell anyone else how to run their practice. It’s to provide some things to consider so that however you choose to proceed, you have a clear idea as to why you’ve chosen that.