Visions for Heart Oriented Tarot Readers that wish to read like the Oracle of Delphi.
When I bought my first Tarot cards 25 years ago, I had no idea I would become a professional Tarot reader. I’ve always been fascinated by the occult and the esoteric. I didn’t know the Tarot could be used for divination or to gather psychic insight.
I didn’t become a professional reader until I got married 15 years ago. In that time I’ve read for over 10,000 people. I’ve read for men, women, young and old. All kinds of people. Including heterosexuals, gays, non-binary people, and even people who have fallen through the cracks. There was a desire in everyone to know in what shape or form life will offer more happiness, less suffering, and more meaning. There’s something we all have in common. A desire to be happy. No matter what your age, gender, or social background is.
Many people have misconceptions about what Tarot readings are or what a Tarot reader can do. I am not adept at predicting the future. I cannot know what people are thinking. Psychic abilities do exist and I believe that some people are capable of doing this. My mind is clear in that I am a card seer. I can perceive plausible future events with the cards. I can read minds with the cards NOT! During your Tarot reading, I interpret the message presented by the cards.
“Tarot helps us look within ourselves to understand our emotions, the reasoning behind our words and conduct, and the source of our conflicts.”
― Benebell Wen
I do not have the technology of “Looking Glass”, and I do not have a crystal ball with which to see events in the future. A Tarot reading does not, in my opinion, involve predicting the future. In my belief, Tarot readings provide a chance to shed light on a situation in your life that you wish to no longer be in the dark about. It is important for the querent or the person receiving the Tarot reading to be engaged in the process. It is not my job as a Tarot reader or professional Cartomancer to spoon-feed you answers, but instead to act as a catalyst for you to look within and recognize, and rediscover the answers that are already within you. Tarot readings serve simply as a mirror, reflecting back to you what you already know.
Tarot readings can be a profound and magical experience when clients have this kind of understanding. That’s what happens when my clients don’t expect me to do a mind-reading, mumbo jumbo trick to show that I remember what they had for breakfast ten years ago. To connect with cosmic intelligence, you need openness, honesty, and humility.
Over the years, I’ve found it’s good to get things off your chest when you have something on your mind. It helps to talk to another human. To be accepted and heard without judgment. In being a professional Tarot reader, the hardest thing I’ve encountered is people expecting me to know what they’re thinking or what the future will hold.
“Some people believe tarot cards are a form of black magic or senseless new age mysticism but for me they are a practical way of talking directly to the universe.” Toyah Willcox
My superpower isn’t mind reading. What I’m good at is figuring out what your superpowers are, how you can get around obstacles, and how to suffer less. For me, the cards are tools to help people heal and transform.
I’d like to see Tarot readers recognized as healers or life coaches, rather than fortune tellers and psychic hoovers. That’s why I’m setting up a school where you can learn card divination and acknowledge your role as someone that can be a catalyst for transformation and healing.
Developing my divination skills wasn’t easy. Since I meditate every day, I’ve been able to enter deep states of consciousness to gain insights into how to read for others. When I started reading for people professionally, there wasn’t a manual on how to do it. A second problem I had was that almost all books on how to do card divination for others never talked about how to do it over the phone. I had to figure it out on my own. This is why I emphasize how to read people on the phone and how to read people face to face in my card divination tutorials.
“Tarot Reading is an art based on intuition, interpretation, and perception.”
― Nikita Dudani
Cartomancers, or Tarot readers, need a code of ethics. Or at least a vision of why they’re doing what they’re doing. I’m not a Cartomancer / Tarot reader because I want to have lots of money. Money is just exchanged so I and the querent can be equals. It’s just a way for them to show they value their time. You can tell what the querent values by what they give.
I’m open to receiving this energy exchange as a reflection that I value my time and myself. However, this isn’t the primary reason for offering a Tarot reading. I’m mostly interested in facilitating a space where healing and transformation can inspire beauty, joy, and abundance in people’s lives. I think card divination can do this. Watching this happen is amazing. Therefore, I feel very motivated to create a school that enables more professional card readers to get this experience.
Considering the Ethics of Tarot Reading
You’re not the only one who wonders if Tarot reading is ethical. It’s common for people to wonder if they can pay someone for a reading. Short answer: It depends on what the tarot reader wants for their services. You don’t have to feel awkward about reading with a friend or family member. Consider it an investment in your relationship instead of an exchange of goods. It might be time to rethink how much you charge if you want to take things up a notch and get paid directly for your readings.
How do ethical tarot readers work?
In order to support their ongoing studies and practice, some ethical tarot readers ask for donations instead of payment. This is a great option for people who want to pursue this career path.
Another option is for the reader to set a price that includes time spent reading, but not the materials used (card decks, etc.).
It’s important for ethical readers to understand what they’re doing and why they’re doing it.
Becoming an ethical tarot reader
Prior to anything else, consider how much time and effort you have put into your readings. If you’re reading for a living, then charging people for your services is likely to be ethical as your service is not much different from being a life coach or energy healer. However, if you are just reading casually or with friends and family, it’s completely up to you whether or not to charge money.
You’ll need to think about other things if you decide to charge for readings. Tarot cards come in three types: Major arcana cards (22), minor arcana cards (56), and tarot trumps (12). The major arcana cards have a lot more meaning than the minor arcana, obviously. The ethical thing to do if someone asks for a minor arcana reading is to charge them directly because they still need the reader’s help to provide a better understanding of the cards since they are not as experienced as the reader.
Stick to what you know
It’s important to ask yourself if you’re comfortable with what you’re doing. You have to put in some time, energy, and dedication to learn tarot reading. You might want to stick with something that you know more about or get a tarot reading yourself if you don’t have years of experience with tarot cards and divination tools. To get an idea of how Tarot readings are provided.
Once you’ve decided that a tarot reading experience is within your comfort zone, the next step is to ask yourself if anything about the tarot reader is unethical? When considering if other aspects of the tarot reader are unethical, consider using your intuition as well as looking at their social media accounts. If they have posted pictures of lavish vacations or expensive cars, then maybe it’s best not to engage them in a professional setting where they will likely ask for money. When someone uses these sorts of tactics, it often leaves people feeling deceived and taken advantage of.
Confidentiality is key
The reader is bound by confidentiality. They are not allowed to disclose any information about the client, their past, or their future without consent from the client. In the case of financial transactions, the client must consent to release personal information and cannot be coerced into completing a transaction. If you feel that confidentiality has been breached in any way, you have the right to take legal action against them.
Tell the truth with compassion and honesty
One of the biggest challenges with tarot reading is being able to differentiate between what’s within your client’s consciousness and what’s not. This can be difficult and requires great skill, discernment, and intuition. The first step in doing this is having a grounded sense of self. For example, when you get a reading about love, it would be wise not to break up with your partner right after you walk out the door. Instead, use the information given to help you understand where things might be going wrong and how you could best help your relationship flourish.
The second step is making sure that your clients feel comfortable while they are getting their readings done. The best way to do this is by sharing what you know from the cards. If something comes up that doesn’t seem like it pertains to them or the situation at hand, simply say “I don’t know for sure but this might be true for someone else who has dealt with that before.”
Let go of your judgments and opinions
One of the best ways to avoid judgment and opinions about tarot reading is to do a little research about what goes into good reading. You might be surprised that there are so many different types of readings out there. There are not just simple yes/no question readings, but readings based on numerology and astrology as well as court card-based oracle and pendulum readings. If you want to give someone reading, it’s important to know what their needs are before you even start looking at their cards.
Part of being ethical in your client interactions is understanding what your client is asking for and how they want it delivered. Will they want an in-depth analysis of the situation? Will they want an affirmation that everything will be okay? What type of questions do they have? Knowing this information will help you deliver the appropriate reading for them, which will make both parties happy because you can focus on the needs rather than trying to predict outcomes. Furthermore, if you take the time to understand your clients’ needs, then your readings will be much more effective.
Allow clients to follow their inner guidance
If you’re a tarot reader, it’s best to let your clients know if you charge for your readings. Doing so allows them to feel confident that they are getting the most out of your services and in turn will come back more often rather than just asking for a reading now and then. Clients should also be given the option to get the reading over text or email.
Upselling dubious products or services is not an option
It’s not ethical to charge for reading and try to upsell something questionable. If your tarot reader is pushing you toward a product or service that you have doubts about, it’s likely they will be undeserving of your trust. And if they are charging you for their services, don’t fall victim to the shady tactics and poorly done readings.
Tarot reading isn’t just about throwing cards at a wall until something sticks and magically reveals some deep meaning; it takes practice and intuition along with good ole common sense. Just because someone can pull random images out of the air doesn’t mean they should be charging people money for their reading skills. Here are some considerations when asking yourself if tarot reading is ethical…or not so much!
You should not instruct your clients on what to do
If you tell your client what to do with the tarot reading then you’re offering financial advice instead of a tarot reading. Tarot readings are meant to give insight into the future, not a step-by-step guide. You shouldn’t tell your client what they should do with their lives or how to solve a problem. You may offer words of wisdom and answers to specific questions, but if you tell them how to use that information then you’re not providing a reading at all.
The person who is taking your advice should be able to decide whether it is helpful and worth the cost. If they don’t want it, then you shouldn’t feel obligated to talk about it until they request it.
Create an ethics code
You can ask for money for reading if you have an ethics code. Your code can be as simple as this: I will strive to be a kind human being in my tarot reading services. I will request a fair exchange of energy for my services that reflects the positive outcome I can provide for my clients. I will develop my intuition and live the kind of lifestyle that supports me in developing my tarot reading abilities.
“The tarot is sacred.” Alejandro Jodorowsky
Who was the Ancient Greek Oracle of Delphi
The Oracle of Delphi is the name given to any of a variety of different oracles throughout the ancient Greek world that was, in essence, the same. Each oracle answered questions posed by visitors according to whatever rules, laws, and customs were relevant in that particular region. They were never all exactly the same but, rather than trying to emulate every one of them separately, we’ll list here as many as we can with just a brief introduction rather than a detailed description of each one. The most famous of these was probably the Pythia at the Oracles of Apollo at Mount Parnassus in Greece’s south-western Peloponnese peninsula. It was there that the Prophetess (or Pythia) sat in an underground chamber hidden from view except for her entrance which was on an elevated terrace above it. The Pythia was said to have been chosen for their superior mystical abilities and also because their hair had turned white at a young age before they should have done so meaning they would not grow old so easily again. Her wailing could be heard from various locations around the city but also up on Mount Parnassus where she would give prophecies by making noises with her mouth as well as through mystical means.
The Oracle of Delphi
There were several different oracles in the ancient Greek world, with the most famous one being that at Delphi. The Oracle of Delphi was in actuality called the Pythia and was a female prophet who would give prophecies to a wide variety of visitors. Some of the other oracles were located in Dodona, Ida, Ammon, Branchidae, and Abdera. The Oracle of Delphi — The Pythia also had her own temple which housed various religious relics including statues of Apollo and Artemis as well as various coins from around the time of King Croesus (also known as Cyrus II).
The Oracle of Dodona
The Oracle of Dodona was a major oracle in Ancient Greece, located on Mount Taÿgetus in Epirus. It was said to have been established by Zeus himself and still exists today. The site is famous for the doves that lived there, which fed on the mistletoe berries which grew on the oaks near the temple. This was an iconic site for ancient Greeks as it was where they gathered to worship and discuss issues important to them. The Oracle of Delphi and the Oracle of Dodona are not as different in function as some people might think. Both serve as a venue for questions and prophecies to be answered by an oracle who has no control over their own vision but is able to give answers according to whatever rules, laws, and customs are relevant. It is also worth noting that there were many other oracles dotted around various regions of Greece so it’s worth seeking out how each one works rather than assuming that just because one does not exist anymore then all do not work like this.
The Oracle of Troezen
The Oracle of Troezen was an oracle in the city of Troezen in ancient Greece. It is said to have been founded by Labdacus, the son of the famous king, Codrus. The oracle was originally known as Pytho which is from pyth- “to rot” and -Hoe meaning “a hole,” a reference to its original location on top of a mound that had served as a burial ground for ancient Greek soldiers. In later years it was moved to another location near the temple of Apollo and eventually built into a small temple with an open-air chamber on top. Despite its small size, the Oracle of Troezen was unique in that it was one of only three places where people would go to consult an oracle and where they were allowed to ask questions without first having their name inscribed upon a tablet connected to them by a thin chain so that they could answer future questions but not past ones.
The Oracle at the Lyceum
of Apollo at Delphi, The Oracle of the Lyceum of Apollo at Delphi is a lesser-known oracle in ancient Greece. It was located on the slopes of Mount Parnassus and upon entering this building, visitors would not know if they were going to be talking to a Pythia or an Eleusinian priestess. The site’s most famous occupant was probably Pythia II who gave prophecies between approximately 514 BC and 429 BC. This Oracle was particularly associated with the god Apollo as she served as his prophetess.
Other oracles in Greece
The oracle of Dodona in Epirus was known for being particularly accurate. The iamidoa (oracular priest) at Delphi also had the ability to give people answers that were apparently even more accurate than those given by a sacrifice at the Temple of Apollo. The Sibyls, who are often called prophetesses, were highly-revered women who were thought to have been born with supernatural abilities that allowed them to foretell events and answer questions about the future. Other famous oracles include the Pythia at Claros and the Sibyle at Pessinus.
Oracles in Ancient Rome: the Sibylline Books and the Vestals
The Vestals were priestesses of Vesta, the goddess of the hearth and home, who guarded the flame of Rome. They were said to have been the descendants of the Graiae or Graiai, three ancient sisters who were turned into trees on account of their wickedness. The sacred flame was kept in a shrine where it was tended by a virgin priestess with divine authority to expiate crimes and protect the city from fire. These women also interpreted dreams and advised people as to what they should do with their lives. The Sibylline Books were two sets of prophetic books written in Greek that were popular in various parts of the Roman Empire including Italy, Spain, and Gaul during the first century BC. They contained prophecies attributed to Libyan prophetesses who lived in North Africa before migrating to Greece during an observation that Jupiter had made a change in their country’s climate — it had become too hot for them so they moved elsewhere. Their prophecies about future events covered all areas from military victories to wars and natural disasters as well as matters concerning morality, religion, and philosophy.
Conclusion
The oracle had a long history in Ancient Greece with the Oracle of Dodona, the Oracle of Troezen, and the Oracle at the Lyceum. The oracle’s role in Ancient Greece was heavily political, economic, and religious. The oracle at the Lyceum was a shrine that was used by the Romans instead of Delphi. The Sibylline Books were a set of ancient books written by a seer and were consulted by the Romans to find out the will of the gods. The oracle is referenced in Greek literature and was used in Roman religion as well.
If you learning to read with Playing Cards, Tarot, or Lenormand Deck, but are stomped about how to interpret your reading, feel free to ask a question here: https://solomonphoenix.com/ask-a-question
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