Ethics
Tarot and Reiki Codes of Ethics
In addition to having written my own code of ethics, which has been approved by the Tarot Certification Board of America (TCBA), I follow the American Tarot Association Code of Ethics, the TCBA Client Bill of Rights (reproduced below), the Shibumi International Reiki Association Code of Ethics and the Shibumi Code of Practice.
My Code of Ethics
- I believe that you are the only one qualified to make decisions about your life.
- I believe that you are the only one who can pursue your life’s goals, and I will encourage you to follow your dreams.
- I will try to inspire you to express your highest, truest nature in all things.
- I will strive to communicate the reading to you as effectively as possible and will set an intention at the beginning of the reading to that effect.
- I will respect you; I will not judge you; I will honor your privacy.
- I will be honest with you and I will speak plainly of what I see in the cards, and I will be constructive in my comments.
- I will only perform readings about you, not about others. Although other people may be indicated in your reading, I will focus my comments on you. If you ask about another person I will rephrase the question; if during the course of the reading I discover you have asked about someone else, I will throw a new spread that focuses on your role in the situation. My personal experience is that questions about another person tend to cause confused, convoluted, unhelpful and inaccurate readings.
- I will respect your right to refuse or terminate your reading at any time, and if I feel that you are becoming uncomfortable, I will remind you that you are not obligated to finish the reading.
- This reading is not meant to take the place of professional medical, legal, or financial advice.
- I will not discriminate against any client based on age, color, creed, disability, gender identity and expression, national origin, political affiliations, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
- I will keep your reading confidential and will not discuss it with anyone unless you request me to, unless required by a court of law, or unless I seriously believe you to be a danger to yourself or others.
- I will be honest about my qualifications, including experience, educational credentials, and levels of certification.
My Statement to You Based on my Ethics
Many people believe that the tarot can provide insight into their personal growth and suggest guidance with life’s decisions. This reading is not meant to take the place of professional medical, legal or financial advice. You are the only one qualified to make the decisions about your life, and you are the only one who can pursue your life’s goals. I strive to help you be an active and informed participant in your life.
The ATA Code of Ethics
As a member of the American Tarot Association, I also subscribe to the ATA Code of Ethics.
- I will serve the best interests of my clients, conducting my professional activities without causing or intending to cause harm.
- I will treat all my clients with equal respect, regardless of their origin, race, religion, gender, age, or sexual preference.
- I will represent honestly my Tarot qualifications, including educational credentials, levels of certification and experience.
- I will keep confidential the names of clients and all information shared or discussed during readings, unless otherwise requested by the client or required by a court of law.
- I will recommend clients consult a licensed professional for advice of a legal, financial, medical, or psychological nature that I am not qualified to provide. If trained in one of these areas, I will clearly differentiate between the tarot reading and any professional advice additionally provided.
- I will respect my clients’ right to refuse or terminate their reading at any time, regardless of prior consent.
- I recognize that all ATA members have the same rights and obligations, and I will always respect and honor my co-members.
This full text, and more information about Professional Tarot Ethics, can be found at the American Tarot Association.
The TCBA Client Bill of Rights
I have been certified by the Tarot Certification Board of America (now defunct), and I subscribe to the TCBA Bill of Rights.
- You always have the right to exercise your own free will and to make your own choices.
- You alone have the right to decide if and when you want a tarot reading.
- You have the right to a useful and supportive tarot reading experience.
- You are entitled to the full attention of your reader.
- You are entitled to ask questions during the reading to gain further clarification.
- You are entitled to full and complete answers to the questions covered in your reading.
- Your tarot reading is private and confidential.
- Your reading is a complete service in itself.
- You are not required to purchase anything else.
- Tarot readers are not qualified to give medical advice unless they are physicians.
- Tarot readers are not qualified to give financial advice unless they are qualified financial advisors.
- Tarot readers are not qualified to give legal advice unless they are attorneys.
- Tarot readers are not qualified to predict the future.
- Tarot readers are not qualified to make your decisions for you.
Disclaimer Required for Legal Purposes
For entertainment purposes only.