our code of ethics
Purpose
The purpose of this code is to establish and maintain standards for Tarot practitioners who are members of the Tarot Guild of Australia, and to inform and protect members of the Tarot Guild of Australia, and to inform and protect members of the public seeking and using their services.
Requirement
All members of this Guild are required to abide by this code. They thereby accept a common frame of reference within which to manage their responsibilities to clients, colleagues, members of this Guild, and the wider community. This code aims to provide a frame work for addressing ethical issues and to encourage optimum levels of practice.
The Nature of Tarot
The practice of Tarot is a non-exploitative activity. Its basic values are integrity, impartiality, and respect. The practitioner’s role is to facilitate the client’s journey in ways which respect the client’s values, personal resources, and capacity for self-determination. Practitioners should take the same degree of care to work ethically whether their services are paid or voluntary.
Professional Behaviour
Practitioners undertake the following:
To uphold the integrity of the Tarot as an enduring source of wise counsel, spiritual guidance, and as a pathway to self knowledge.
To remain open to the acquisition of new skill.
To take all reasonable steps to monitor and develop their own competence and to work within the limits of that competence. This includes having appropriate and ongoing supervision and/or consultative support for their work.
To pursue their own personal development.
To maintain their own effectiveness, resilience, and ability to help clients.
To monitor their own personal functioning and to seek help and/or withdraw from the practice of the Tarot, either temporarily or permanently, when their personal resources are sufficiently depleted to require this.
Colleagues
To conduct themselves in their Tarot-related activities in ways which elicit public confidence in their role as a practitioner and in the work of other practitioners. It is not appropriate to undermine the work of others.
To discuss problematic readings/clients, should the need arise, with a trusted colleague, adhering to the principle of client confidentiality.
Confidentiality
To treat confidentially all personal information about clients, whether obtained directly or indirectly by inference.
To ensure that discussions about particular consultations within supervision and teaching take place without revealing the client’s identity.
Public Statements
To adhere to the policy that all official or legal statements concerning the Tarot Guild of Australia must come from the President after s/he has consulted with the Committee of Management.
Practitioner/ Client Relations
Pre-Consultation Information
To be responsible for communicating accurately the terms on which their services are being offered (eg. availability, confidentiality, fees, cancellations, and any other significant matters) before the consultation takes place.
To inform the client of the interpretive nature of the Tarot and ensure that they understand the power of their own free choice.
Client protection
To have as first priority the well being of the client, to endeavour to enhance the client’s self understanding, and to inspire hope and courage.
To use the Tarot for the empowerment of others, i.e., to work in ways which promote the client’s control over his/her own life, and to respect the client’s ability to make decisions in the light of his/her own beliefs and values.
To refrain from imposing personal judgements and prejudices during consultations.
Referral
To recognise their inability of unwillingness to work with a client and make appropriate referrals.
Relations between Guild Members
To respect, support, and encourage fellow members in their pursuit of Tarot wisdom.
Hanged Man Clause
The Committee of Management reserves the right to assess the professional behaviour of members when called to question. A formal procedure has been developed. Members of the Tarot Guild of Australia accept and abide by these guiding principles. Professional Members are required to sign a statement indicating their willingness to do this when they acquire their Professional certification.