So, earlier I posted an ‘unpopular opinions’ discussion thread on this sub. I expressed that I believe that tarot readers should refrain from diving too deeply into the feelings and thoughts of people that are not part of the reading. My ass got downvoted. Downvoted real bad. So I took some time to express why I feel this so strongly. I know that there many people who agree with me, but I’m genuinely interested in all of your thoughts.
I believe the practice of tarot reading requires ethical considerations, especially when it involves the private lives and thoughts of others. I am often asked to explore the mutual energy or potential between two individuals or to conduct compatibility spreads. While I am OK with doing these readings, I always encourage clients to reflect on their own desires and needs. This approach helps maintain a balance between gaining insight and fostering personal growth. Navigating these ethical waters can be tricky, and I have to admit that sometimes I've bent my own rules, adjusting my approach based on the specifics of each situation.
As a general rule, I refrain from reading the private thoughts and feelings of people who have not given their consent.
Firstly, I believe that tarot is a tool meant to inspire growth and expansion, rather than to provide definitive answers about an unknowable universe. Offering clear-cut answers, which I fundamentally do not believe in, deprives my clients of the chance to discover their destiny for themselves. This self-discovery process is, in my view, the most powerful form of manifestation. By handing out direct answers, I risk misguiding the client or undermining the transformative journey that tarot can facilitate.
Secondly, questions about another person’s thoughts and feelings often stem from an understandable desire to avoid the pain of rejection, the necessity of open communication, and the vulnerability that comes with expressing one's emotions. These experiences—rejection, communication, and vulnerability—are crucial for spiritual growth, I think. When I provide answers that circumvent these experiences, I feel am inadvertently postponing and limiting my client's spiritual development.
Thirdly, many clients (not all!) who are fixated on another person’s feelings tend to struggle with anxiety. Whether the answers provided are positive or negative, they can reinforce negative attachments and anxieties. By offering such readings, I might inadvertently feed into these unhealthy patterns, which is something I want to avoid. I want to support my clients in finding peace and clarity, not to exacerbate their worries.
Fourthly, consent is a universally accepted ethical standard that should apply to tarot readings as well. If someone hasn’t consented to having their most private feelings read, that boundary should be respected. I am keenly aware that I am not always invited or welcome to probe into every aspect of a person's life.
I know that there are other ways of looking at this dilemma, and I welcome other insights!
TLDR: the ethics of tarot reading demand a delicate balance between providing insight and maintaining respect for personal boundaries. I think that focusing on self-reflection and growth, avoiding the temptation to offer definitive answers, respecting consent, and being mindful of the potential for reinforcing negative patterns, is the best way to uphold the integrity of tarot. And the best way to support the client’s spiritual journey in a meaningful and ethical manner.