Recently, the noise around the controversial topic of “tarot certification” has gotten a bit louder and rather heated. I’ve written posts with my thoughts, and various Blog Talk Radio shows have addressed the subject as well. It was refreshing to hear and assess the many varied viewpoints and perspectives on the subject, and as positive open dialogue often does, the process has revealed a few new thoughts that have piqued my interest and raised new concerns.
Some of the people who were pro-certification were unable to articulate how certification would serve the tarot community. And then there were those who viewed certification as being “for the consumer” and a way to make the tarot reader “accountable”. Let’s pause and think about that for a minute. In my opinion, these statements present some serious questions that need to be answered.
First of all, words mean things. Words that are meant to sound nice and compelling on a brochure or one page web pitch for an organization are often glanced over without much critical attention paid to the actual practical implications, processes and actions they entail. From time to time, we all tend to get lost between glossy imagery, ad copy and our own fantasies of what a benign and wonderful organization might be like, but what is important is what those words actually mean for those who decide to actually sign on.
For instance, what exactly does “accountability” mean for tarot readers? When someone says that their organization will hold a reader “accountable” how exactly do they intend to do that? And for what? And with what financial backup? What authority do they have? Tarot Police? Why would a client need an organization to handle complaints when we already have a legal system in place and specific laws to handle consumer related issues? And more importantly, what is the certifying body’s business structure and how will that influence their criteria for “recourse”?
1. A certifying body needs to be clear about their business structure because there are different legal rules for each type of organization. A non-profit, for example, has very strict legal requirements whereas a private club can create any body of laws they want to as long as they are not illegal. The most likely model for a legitimate certifying body would be a non-profit because they don’t have any other business interests and would also have a board of directors, federal guidelines, mandatory meetings, as well as a democratic voting system which would insure that the community gets a voice in choosing leaders. This would also lessen the possibility of a few self appointed tarot dictators being able to maintain absolute power.
2. Some of these certifying bodies claim to be for the consumer. The idea here is that a potential client could feel “safe” going to a “certified” reader. (In all the years I have been reading, I have NEVER had a client ask to see my certification. Most people who seek a tarot reader find us through word of mouth, not through searching some internet data base list of “certified” readers.) These organizations also say that they will offer a “recourse” if the client is unsatisfied or if the tarot reader doesn’t abide by the board’s “code of ethics”. These organizations should be able to clearly spell out the process for filing a complaint and have rules in place to insure that this doesn’t become a convenient forum for any crackpot to file grievances just to get freebies – or worse yet settle scores with rivals or slander other members with malicious intent.
3. Recourse needs to be defined clearly. What kind of “recourse” can a certified tarot reader expect should a client file a complaint? Will they lose their certification? Or will the reader be forced to issue a refund? Or will nothing at all be done? This is troubling to me because I do not want anyone telling me how to run my business. I would never hand over that authority to anyone but myself. Do I really want to put my business in a position where there is even a tiny threat of outside interference in my own policies? If there is no clear idea of what this “recourse” could entail, then I encourage you to think long and hard before you put your name on the dotted line. Know what you are getting into and what your rights are should a problem ever arise.
4. If a tarot reader loses their certification, would this be done publicly? And if so, is there a policy in place to insure that the reader is not slandered by the certifying board? How can we be sure that privacy and dignity would be preserved even for people who get uncertified?
5. Who polices the police? How can one be sure that the members of the certifying body practice what they preach? In other words, if someone is going to try and monitor my business, what checks and balances are in place to make sure the powers that be also adhere to these standards? And if they don’t – what is the recourse for THEM? Would the tarot community be able to oust an unethical board member?
Although some of these certifying boards are quick to say that they don’t want to “police” the tarot community, aren’t they doing just that by creating arbitrary codes of ethics and then trying to enforce them amongst those who join up? Is that piece of paper really worth going after if it gives someone else a license to tell you how to run your business? Could there be legal implications and interference if the organization (either unwittingly or intentionally) steps into a situation that has real legal consequences?
I have seen all this and many more ugly things transpire first hand, over and over again in other supposedly “spiritual” oriented communities. Be it Tarot, Yoga, or just about any other community organization or “governing body” of any sort, the principle is simple, ancient and universal…power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. We all need to put on our thinking caps and pull out our best research skills and psychic guns when anyone is declaring to place some form of authority over another.
In a world that has become increasingly geared toward high speed internet instant gratification, we all need to hold back that urge to click and remember that words are not just set dressing for a sales pitch. Look at the fine print and read between the lines.
Blessings!
Theresa
image courtesy of taoxproductions (special thank you to taox for all the help! xxoo)
Brilliant, Theresa!
The whole certification thing puts me on edge. No matter what group I join I find there are always those who need to control, regiment and regulate. Frequently these folks are self-appointed and the end result is usually not in the best interest of the group. The tarot certification movement seems to me to be in this vein. You articulated this so very well. Thank you.
HI Ellen-Mary!
Thank you for stopping by and for your comment. I agree – it puts me on edge too. While there is some validity to certification and there are those who worked hard to get theirs, the recent vibe is not washing with me. I don’t accept anything blindly – especially anything that even has the faintest stench of regulation. It is up to us as a community to vigorously question the people who come up with these groups and organizations to make sure we are being served honestly, fairly and with integrity. I hope I inspire my fellow tarot peeps to do just that.
Blessings!
Theresa
I’m not a reader, but a client. I don’t understand the need for a governing board, and for that matter, certification. I’ve never thought of whether a reader I was going to was certified. A reading doesn’t come with a promise that something will or will not happen. It doesn’t seem the same as going to a business and purchasing something, like a household appliance, with the obvious expectation that it turns on and off, etc.
I see it like going to a restaurant that I haven’t been to before. If it sucks, I won’t go back. But more often than not, I’ll go somewhere that has been suggested by a friend. It’s disappointing to have a reading that wasn’t great, or to feel that you didn’t connect with the reader for any number of reasons, but someone being certified will never take out those unknow issues that you just can’t anticipate before a reading takes place.
Just my thoughts as a customer. I’m sure people who are in favor of certification have very valid reasons.
HI Melissa
Thank you for your interesting perspective – I LOVE hearing thoughts from a client’s viewpoint. Certification has its merits and many certified readers can elaborate on that. However, my fellow tarot peeps need to make sure they vigorously question those certifying bodies to be sure that they are getting their certification from a legitimate, structured entity with integrity – and one that will behave appropriately. The recent terms “accountability” and “recourse” made me really sit up and take notice! I hope everyone is paying attention. We can’t be asleep at the wheel when there is a potential governing body inching into our businesses.
Blessings!
Theresa
Theresa, absolutely well put. I just saw one “code of ethics” on an organisations site that was a virtual copy of another groups “code of ethics”, without much examination as to what really constitutes ethics and what comprises “trading terms and conditions”. Also no sense of actual legality or recourse, which would be impossible to apply anyway from town ordinance to town ordinance in the US, to cross-border issues with Europe, or say for example, a reader in that group who might be in Australia! It’s nonsense, useless and ridiculous, and you are right, words should mean something, and if they don’t – don’t buy them! Marcus.
Hi Marcus!
Thank you for dropping in and thank you for your comment. Ethics are a sticky wicket and what one person deems ethical may not sit well with someone else. Therefore, they are really hard to define – or to enforce! And you are right – how can any sort of recourse be applied in different countries, etc. (I never thought of that!)? So many more questions arise……and we need to keep asking them. It will help us all in the long run if we open up dialogues and debate kindly and vigorously!
Yes – words should absolutely mean something. I always want to know exactly what someone means when they say something.
Blessings!
Theresa
Hi Theresa,
Thoughtful post!
I think, overall, the type of people attracted to learning Tarot are usually … umm … outsiders, misfits and non-conformists
. Perhaps I’m just being romantic about it all but I doubt the Tarot Community, as a whole, would ever allow an organisation to possess so much power that they controlled the way Tarot is delivered.
Although there are always going to be people who are attracted to the safety that an organisation appears to provide, there are far to many outsiders in this game for them to ever develop a monopoly over Tarot.
I take heart at all the Tarot bloggers out there because, for all intents and purposes, we are the loose cannons that upset the well oiled machine of the corporate engine – while we exist, there plans can never be successful.
The Tarot is an individual expression. My Tarot can never be your Tarot can never be someone elses Tarot. It is unique to the person who has taken the time to work with it. That can never be policed, controlled or regulated because the human spirit, history has shown, cry rebellion when overt control is exercised.
Most of these organisations, I predict, will fade away under their own internal politics
Douglas Gibb recently posted..Is there a difference between Divination and Fortune Telling
Hi Douglas
Thank you for your comment. I, too, have a romantic notion of tarot.
I have found most of my tarot peeps tend to be very unique souls and i would never want any of them to conform – ever.
I really love this part that you wrote:
Beautifully put.
Blessings!
Theresa
In another point, what are these big problems clients are going to generally have? That they wasted the price of a reading on a read that didn’t satisfy them? Then they vote with their feet and wallet and never return. Who sits there and cries and wants to waste time and spin drama over less than a hundred bucks…The only other things I can think of are “curse” frauds who try and milk clients with superstitious drivel (and they are a matter for the law – if they are breaking it, and are not generally predisposed to making themselves a part of “official” tarot groups in the first place.), and most legitimitely perhaps, breach of client confidentiality which again, if it mattered enough would be a case for legal action, and only if there was a reasonable expectation or statement about it, and if harm could be proved. So again, this all starts to sound more like a superfluous and unnecessary nuisnce.
Hello TAOX
Thank you for your reply (and all your help and wisdom). You are bringing up really VALID points that I didn’t even think to include in this post. I hope everyone reads what you just wrote and consider the logic of what you are saying.
Blessings!
Theresa
I think certification for Tarot readers is a bad idea. A very bad idea. Any time a group of people form to decide who to include in their little group, and who they exclude simply because they decided not to jump through whatever hoops were set up, all it does is cause division. Before you know it, there will be all sorts of different groups granting certifications and the public at large will be confused.
Seriously? Certification? Are they planning to be like the AMA? Ridiculous!
Hi Trish
Thank you for your comment! Certification can be valid and there are people who feel that certification is a good thing (for example some readers find that this is a way to build confidence and prove to themselves that they have the skills to go pro). I won’t fault that – but we need to really look long and hard at the organizations that are creating these programs and listen carefully to what they say and how they behave.
Blessings!
Theresa
My deal on certification is this…I could care less if someone is certified or not, if they can use their knowledge to read, and be damn good at it, then that speaks for itself. I also have to agree, what about the people doing the certifying, what right do they have to tell others how well a reader can read, they may have specific knowledge of a set course, but at who’s standards? I would take a reading from someone who has many years experience and a proven record, or even a new reader who proves to have the art of reading down, any day over someone who is certified by a governing body who tells them they can or can’t give a reading without out specific experience.
To me the so called pro certifications are a joke, so you know the meanings of the cards and have taken some courses, can you read the cards?!? If a surgeon got his license in a few months, would you let that guy operate on you? Just my view of it. Teach what you know if you like, but don’t allow that to make you feel as though you have authority over those who have learned from you. You never know, the one’s you taught may be more intuitive and be a better reader than the certifying authority. I don’t like the restrictions, this goes back to a book I read many years ago, “The Celestine Prophesy,” in which the books is about how others fight for control instead of working together and allowing those who are gifted to flourish.
I have issues with Certification, it’s great that tarot is being taught, but we are each our own law makers, we each have our own standards, a pro or master is achieved through actual working knowledge. If a specific organization holds a high standard with proven track record of all it’s certifying members, then give someone a certification for passing your courses, Throw the ego out of wanting to be the law maker that tells people who “You” (Authority) think is worthy or not. Those who pass the courses can let it be known with a school certification, or a bumper sticker for their car for all I care, but don’t try to be the controlling authority…Everyone knows that those who have always went against the controlling figures are the ones who are innovative and achieve great things by following their own path, teach them, don’t control them and you will get a lot further. Just My opinion on the subject.
Hi Scott!
Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. There are many viewpoints on whether or not certification helps or harms – it is always interesting to me to hear all sides.
I’ve had great readings from certified readers and I’ve had great ones from newbies who have barely even begun to read. My issue is that I want to make sure that it is not going to be enforced and that tarot does not become regulated in any way. I also do not like the idea of anyone meddling in my business. Period. So when I hear words like “accountability” and “recourse” my antenna goes up immediately. I want to know what that means and how that may affect the future of my industry.
Knowledge is power!
Blessings!
Theresa
Certification is certainly a hot topic. It is also a broad topic.
I agree when you say, “First of all, words mean things.” For the sake of your article, it would help to start with a working definition of what is meant by “certification.” On the other hand, if this article is meant to pointed at specific organizations under the broad topic of certification, it would help to know who they are and what their guidelines or rules are for membership so we can narrow the focus of this exchange.
According to http://www.thefreedictionary.com/, here are four definitions of the Noun “Certification”:
1. the act of certifying or bestowing a franchise on enfranchisement ,empowerment, authorization – the act of conferring legality or sanction or formal warrant accreditation – the act of granting credit or recognition (especially with respect to educational institution that maintains suitable standards); “a commission is responsible for the accreditation of medical schools”
2. confirmation that some fact or statement is true through the use of documentary evidence corroboration, documentation confirmation – information that confirms or verifies
3. a document attesting to the truth of certain stated facts
certificate, credential, credentials document, papers, written document –
registration – a document certifying an act of registering teacher’s certificate, teaching certificate – a certificate saying that the holder is qualified to teach in the public schools, etc.
4. validating the authenticity of something or someone,
authentication validation, substantiation
Here are just a few examples of how these different aspects of the word “certification” appear in the world of Tarot and beyond.
1) If we look at Tarot Organizations from this point of view, some may be selling a “franchise” for which they expect a certain uniformity of performance in order to certify individual readers. For healing professionals, there are specific schools or teachers who will only certify practitioners who complete their program and pay to maintain a franchise in order to use the name of the school. Example, “The Reconnection” with Eric Pearl. If practitioners do not follow the rules of this franchise, they are at risk of losing their franchise status and all the benefits they may derive from its association.
2) A Tarot certification that “verifies” certain facts could be one that states the student entered and completed a unique program, without the need to maintain membership, or prove dedicated alignment with the training in order to practice Tarot. This is closer to the type of certification program I offer my students. Anyone can take the classes without committing to the entire program. Entering my program means students will receive personalize supervision and customized support to develop their own style of reading, but with the added benefit of my 22 years of counseling training and experience. (see Transformative Tarot Counseling™ Certification Program at http://TarotCounseling.org)
3) A document of certification may reflect that the student completed a course, training, or program of some sort. Here we find several levels of application. But the bottom line is it is a piece of paper, possibly associated with some initials after the name, to show the world that this level of certification has been achieved. Now, in the world, this certificate can open doors of opportunity in closed systems, such as the example of a teaching certificate in public or private school systems. A certificate of “Registration or Legal Certification” is issued by governments or their agents after set and objective requirements have been satisfied. Sometimes there are additional “ongoing education” requirements and annual fees in order to maintain one’s license, certification, registration.
4) “Validating” the authenticity of certification is satisfied by the issuing party.
I can relate to concerns about “policing” and invalid “authority” figures in the Tarot community. I also do not support the idea of uniformity or creating a set standard for all Tarot readers. As is my motto, in Tarot, there is something for everyone, vive la difference! I whole-heatedly see the need for these open forums where we learn from each other and collectively support the continued evolution of Tarot as a fine art.
In Spirit – Katrina
Hi Katrina
Thank you for stopping by and for your comment! I’m not attempting to define certification. Defining the certification terms and process is the responsibility of the organizations granting them. I am merely presenting some relevant questions that are worth pondering before entering into an agreement with any organization.
You are correct – open forums are the best way to begin an honest dialogue and find resolutions or common ground. Plus it’s a good way to keep it real!
Blessings!
Theresa
Very smart article to write and distribute into the tarot community Theresa. Ooohrah. It’s very important for those in the Tarot community to have all the facts first and upfront, before making any decision. Let’s hope that this intellectual information reaches many before they sign everything over on the dotted line. Thanks your voice and awesome write-up!
Hi Suzi,
Thank you for your comment – I’m glad you liked the post. I believe the most important thing for any community is to QUESTION deeply. The only way to make an educated decision that feels right for you is by asking as many pointed questions as possible. I never sign anything until I know exactly what I am getting and what my rights are.
Blessings!
Theresa
Thank you for your thoughts on this, Theresa. I personally think that tarot readers do not need any kind of certfiication. Personally, I think what matters in this “business” is experience, experience, experience… I’d rather go to somebody who’s been in business for very long than to somebody who has certification.
Hi Nortia
I agree with you – experience will always trump a piece of paper. I’ve met plenty of “educated” people who were quite ignorant and plenty of “uneducated” ones who were quite brilliant.
Blessings!
Theresa
Nortia, quite agree. If you read Douglas Gibb’s great “Taroteon” blog, or the source he quotes in Malcolm Gladwell’s book ‘Outliers’, Gladwell makes the point that for true excellence, such as Bill Gate’s programming, the Beatles playing, it takes roughly 10,000 hours practice. That seems to be a common human norm. I didn’t know the Beatles played Hamburg for 6-8 hour gigs in front of a striptease club for many months and in fact years before they became “well known”. The idea that talent “just comes out of nowhere” and success is guaranteed to the skilled is seen as a myth in Gladwell’s book. Over the last 30 years I’ve done easily over 10,000 face-to-face readings, so I’ve only just gone over the statistical “excellence” norm. But my next reading might be ghastly and no matter how much paper is on the wall or on the shelves, it’ll only be down to me and the cards on the table.
Marcus
So true Marcus – I’ve also done a lot of readings over the years but no guarantee that I won’t botch the next one. LOL
Blessings!
Theresa
Bleh. I hate paperwork.
Raven recently posted..Learning To See
LOL Raven – so do I!
Blessings!
Theresa
Theresa and others, you make interesting points.
It may be interesting to look at other metaphysical communities to see what they have done.
The acceptance of certification has gone further in the astrology community where there are several certifying organizations and you see many astrologers sport their certifications proudly. And many other very fine astrologers don’t.
Many similar arguments made their rounds there, too.
The impetus in the astrological community from what I could see is a desire to gain more legitimacy in the mainstream. Some astrologers have licenses as therapists or psychologists so the idea of certification is more easily accepted.
I think if some of these could have their druthers their certifications would be accepted by states as part of a licensing process, again like therapists and psychologists. To say that would open up a can of worms is an understatement–and that is highly controversial within the astrological community.
I think supporters also see certification as a way to counter archaic laws still on the books in a surprising amount of states and localities which ban ‘fortune telling.’
One positive aspect of certification is that you are required to pass certain tests. To do that you must have taken a core set of courses or show equivalent knowledge.
Nonetheless, I share your apprehension about those in positions of power in governing bodies. Politics isn’t limited to the Tarot world.
Ellen recently posted..A Meditation on the Shortening of Daylight
Hi Ellen
You also shared some very valid points – thank you. Ah, the apprehension I have won’t go away until I can see a certification program devoid of politics and ego. A gal can dream, right? LOL
Blessings!
Theresa
Fabulous, fabulous blog!!!!!
Katrina, your post is excellent. I’d like to speak briefly regarding #2 where you wrote:
“… A Tarot certification that “verifies” certain facts could be one that states the student entered and completed a unique program, without the need to maintain membership, or prove dedicated alignment with the training in order to practice Tarot.”
I’m not sure if this is the case outside of the USA, but in the US, a certification board cannot also (by law) provide the coursework for what they are certifying. They have to be 2 separate entities (coursework and certifiers) or it is considered a conflict of interest and illegal. This law led to the division of the American Tarot Association and what is now the separate Tarot Certification Board of America, so they are currently now two separate entities. A current certification today group claims to offer a certification level if you complete a certain course of theirs. So it cannot by law be a certification. It can be a degree or note of completion, but can’t be a certification.
Back to Theresa’s blog….
Sadly I’ve seen one group specialize in slander, and it has been absolutely devastating to me to hear their unprofessionalism. Unfortunately, that group won’t likely think twice about likewise slandering people who have paid for certification who might get a complaint from a reader who might have been upset she was told her love obsession isn’t invested in her. Nor will they likely think twice about slandering someone like me who disagrees with their hurtful activities. I would have hoped that people who claim to certify others for ethics would demonstrate behavior that has exceptional professionalism and are role models. I’m seeing otherwise and it is scary.
I mourn for our community when someone turns against those within the community, devastated more when they name-drop and are outright cruel to people who are contributing beautifully to our community (3 of Swords moment, here; truly, my heart is breaking).
There is a whole new brand of ethics violations being borne, and I am trying to remove myself as much as possible from the negative influences and keep our peeps bright and inspired. Some people thrive on what they perceive as power, and I’m watching people go rabid over control, taking other people’s material, name dropping for good (for their exposure) and for ill (pushing other people down) …I don’t know what is happening and I can’t quite see any other motivation other than self-glorification. Something is going horribly, horribly wrong.
I’ve come to accept that I am only responsible for my own behavior and can’t fix the world, but I can undo some nastiness others do with acts of kindness and I can choose very, very carefully where I put my time, attention, and money. Tarot is a small enough community that it is important that we continue to hold each other up and create a global community. My attention is focused on the bright and positive, and our community is just glistening with thousands of those gems.
It is hard for me to push “Send” for this comment…but here goes. It needs to be heard. I excitedly support those who continue to shine smiles and support in our community, and won’t let one bad set of apples take over my apple orchard of delicious apples. Insecticide on that one…and making apple pie with the good ones.
Whipped cream, anyone? ::: holds up the Redi-Whip ::::
Dear Donnaleigh and others,
I so completely align with your heart and priorities. Although the topic of this discourse is “certification” the essence of this issue may be scarcity consciousness and fear.
For me, fear excludes the awareness of love. As a Tarot reader, writer, teacher, and certifier, if love and compassion are not my foundation and transparent in my professional presence, I can’t be my best. In fact, in my world, it would be unethical of me.
Some readers, and, as you described, some organizations, seem to thrive on fear, control, consumption (of energy, money, power, etc.). I could write a huge book about this topic, but suffice it to say, this fear and scarcity-based way of life is not sustaining. It does have a niche though, to serve a community that shares its perceptions, values, and fears.
As I always say, there is something for everyone in Tarot and even fear-based services have their clientele.
I’m relieved and thrilled that there is a turning tide with more conscious and love-based spirits emerging and being more visible, especially in the Tarot world. I feel less alone in this cause. Thank you dear one.
In Light & Love,
Katrina
Katrina Wynne recently posted..SESSIONS ~ WORKSHOPS ~ ARTICLES
Hi Donnaleigh
Thanks for stopping by and thank you for insights on the laws re: US certification.
Regarding all the negativity, I think Martin Luther King Jr. sums it up best: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. ”
Blessings!
Theresa
PS I’d like that whipped cream, dear.
This is a wonderful blog. What irks me about tarot certification being required if it comes to that, is something I lift from my architectural perspective. Insurance. So, standard pro practice liability million dollar umbrella simple insurance policy (all those words together are about as simple as insurance gets) costs anywhere from $640 to $2000 per month. Hmmmm. Feels there is an exclusivity bent missing here that wholly and only simply deals with what WILL happen if certification is required. A Tarot Administration Board sounds strangely like Military Intelligence. I am ALL for education and continuing education. . .but no AMA or Bar Association for Tarot. I do not say AIA because they are not a regulatory association but rather a not-required-to-be-a-member professional organization. I can find other ways to get better car rental discounts, and not carry MORE insurance.
I LOVE this blog thread! SUCH a necessary discussion!
Hi Jordan!
Thank you for stopping by and for your comment. It is a good thing to create dialogues about “hot” topics so that we can discuss and understand. I never thought about an insurance angle. I hope it never comes to that! LOL
Blessings!
Theresa
There are so many wonderful points being made here!
Thanks, Teresa!
From my perspective the only way in this day and age “accountability” is enforced is that people sue each other meaning their insurance companies sue each other. I have been doing Expert Witness work for several years. Regardless of the profession, frankly, the only people who win are the attorneys. . .and well, me, because I get paid regardless. My point about insurance, though, is that with Tarot is can be pretty hardscrabble to make a living. Add insurance, and POOF. Hardscrabble becomes a 6′ deep hole for many peoples’ labor of love that is wonderfully and indivudually theirs and developed over long periods of time.
Maybe insurance is not a foregone conclusion, but as a former Chairman of Community Form & Identity for a municipality, our task force specifically did NOT require certification in a particular area because it would push out the little guys (specifically because being bonded or reputable from their references would not be enough) and create an atmosphere of tainted bidding in regards to city and county contract competition by potential contractors.
It feels that when I hear accountability, only 3 words come to mind. Well-respected OR Arbitration OR Litigation.
This is a vast topic, and I for one will work when necessary to pop some balloons when necessary.
All the Best,
Jordan
Hi Jordan
Good points and a lot for us to consider. In the yoga community, there was a big push for “certification” and “registration” which lead to “insurance”. (In a way, this is not “all bad” as there is the possibility of physical injury in yoga!). If this can happen to a spiritual practice such as yoga (many of us see it as primarily spiritual rather than physical), it CAN happen to tarot.
We all need to think about that long and hard. Any type of regulation in this industry could be harmful.
Blessings!
Theresa
Thanks, Theresa,
Agreed where there is physical injury insurance is not all bad. But, with Tarot and allied fields (metaphysical, spiritual, shamanic journeying, Reiki, etc.) it would seem that the complaint toward a lawsuit would begin at “My Tarot Reader hurt my brain” kind of thing. The tort law precedents on that would seem to far exceed the 30 million dollar McDonald’s coffee cup spill which was “injury.” The whole structure of a suit would seem to be nebulous and abstract and every case a precedent kind of situation.
“My Tarot Reader hurt my brain” sounds laughable, but then enter the neurologists, and I have to say it, right-wing psychologists and psychiatrists who begin to make cases that are NOT so abstract and nebulous and watch the dollars flow.
From my business operations perspective professional liability insurance = one part time employee to one full time employee per month that you pay for and work to never have to see. Most Tarot Readers are just that. One reader. 1 1/2 to 2 incomes required for one reader to operate is more than potentially deadly to a Tarot business.
As soon as “accountability” beyond the buinsess of voting with your wallet is transcended for regulatory bodies, there will be policy makers and policy. . .and that often leads to infinitive statements “to protect the public health, safety, and welfare” (Building Code example). . .and that = LAW. There would seem to be an impossibility of it going that far, but how does your garden grow?. . .look at all these weeds and vines trying to choke out my roses. Rip Rip Rip. Ahhh.
We DO need to think long and hard about any type of regulation in this industry,
Jupiter’s Blessings,
Jordan
Hi Jordan
Once again, you raise compelling points. Lots of food for thought.
Blessings!
Theresa
Hi, I love that there are so many different styles between tarot readers. I was, as I assume many were, drawn to the freedom and creativity in the art of tarot. Certification is not appealing to me.Thanks for posting your blog so we could share our thoughts too. Cheers and Blessings – Maggie
Hi Maggie!
Thanks for your comment. You are so right – so many variations. How can you guarantee that all methods can be represented? Can a certifying body really make that promise? And if so, wouldn’t they need people on the certifying board from ALL styles to insure that no one method will be superior to the other – or that those methods that are unusual won’t be disregarded or branded “uncertifiable”?
Blessings!
Theresa
One simple question I have is this…Just who are the people who are doing the Certifying? I personally have seen some with the certified Grand Masters (I find it amazingly hilarious how anyone with no real experience can even have the nerve to call themselves this…) in which the people doing the certifying themselves have never even done an actual live reading, lots of fictional readings, and their so called Grand Masters who began their study of tarot 6 months before being granted that title! Now, WTF! Yeah, may be a rude thing to say, but you all were thinking it! The internet is littered with free information and people who are more than willing to help other tarot readers…the point is to come together, not separate.
Moral of this story seems to be, check out who you are learning from! If they demand money and impose restrictions, talk trash about everyone else, even their own members, you may wanna rethink your membership…and that’s my personal, 2 more cents that I wanted to add to the topic (since I already posted some of my opinion earlier.)
Hey Scott
There are people who are “certified masters” who have never done a LIVE reading????? WTH? A master after 6 months of study? I am having a bit of trouble wrapping my head around this.
Interesting.
Theresa
LOL, Your hilarious Theresa, You know all about these places, I know you’ve done your homework
Tarot is an art form. The minute you start regulating and trying to control art or the way it is practiced, that art will die.
Reading the cards requires a great deal of creativity and empathy, as we all know. I personally can’t imagine using one person’s (certifying agencies’) “method” of tarot reading vs. what I have learned over the last 25 years of reading. Craziness.
Hi Natasha!
Thank you for your comment. I agree with you – tarot is an art form. You just can’t regulate art.
Blessings!
Theresa
Natasha,
Tarot reading is truly and art form. For many it is also a spiritual way of being.
I can not support or align with the idea of regulating or creating a religious dogma for Tarot.
In Spirit,
Katrina
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Your blog on Tarot Certification was well-thought out and well-worded. I am a reader and a Certified but not Licensed or practicing Massage Therapist, and the requirements of the state to be a Licensed Massage Therapist have caused me no end of trouble. I don’t mind agreeing to adhere to the laws or ethics, but the monetary cost of testing seems inflated, as does the required background check, and the required ongoing education. Put together it seems to me to be a monetary ‘filter’ to keep some people out of the profession. I cannot see Tarot Certification in any light except as a step in this same direction.
As enlightening as your article was, it seems to me that you may have overlooked a basic thing – - – most public places/ phone places that offer Tarot readings assert that they are ‘for entertainment purposes only’. I’m not sure how certification requirements would deal or interact with that. There’s a very good chance that, under such a system, a reader could lose her/ his certification if/ when her/ his reading was more accurate than entertaining. And if the Cert requirement went on to become a License requirement, it could be much worse, giving readings could become something illegal unless licensed, and if you lose your Certification, your License might lapse.
Being stuck in it by Massage, I certainly don’t want anyone involved in Tarot stuck the same way.
Hi Random,
Thank you for your comment and your perspective from the massage world. I don’t think it will get that far in the tarot world because tarot is (as Natasha said below) an art form, whereas massage is a physical/health related practice – therefore it is easier to find a reason to put some regulations/licenses/certifications in place.
That being said, those boards that offer licenses etc. for massage are LEGAL and must also have strict laws in place in order to operate. They are recognized in their states, etc. In the tarot world any old person could put up a website or a shingle and offer “certification” and create all kinds of compelling reasons why a tarot reader needs it. If a tarot reader really feels that they want/need this certification, then they need to do their homework and make sure the certifying body is LEGIT – they would have to have a legal business structure (preferably a non-profit) and the certifying board cannot offer classes (there is a law about that). If these “certifying boards” aren’t legal then the certification means NOTHNG. I hope my post leads to vigorous questioning for those who seek tarot certification.
Blessings,
Theresa
Dear Random and Theresa,
From the legal point of view, many laws are in place to “protect” the public from the risk of harm. In the laws eyes, the most obvious harm is physical: homicide, physical abuse, threat to do physical harm. Because of this concern, laws have been developed to protect physical bodies from harm, such as damage from medical malpractice. To physically touch another human being within a professional context has become highly regulated due to the parental role of the justice system to manage social issues.
There are also laws and regulations designed to address the risk of harm in financial, material possession, and other material concerns.
Mental health issues tend to be covered by declaration of rights and privileges, such as the right to privacy, the right not to be touched inappropriately. Violations of these rights are what send issues into the court system.
Tarot readers, just like any other individual in society, can be law-abiding folks, law breakers, healers, abusers. Since laws are already in place to protect clients from harm, I believe there is no need for special Tarot reading regulations.
We do not have legal declarations of Tarot client rights outside of the established licensing regulations for various titles (counselor, nurse, doctor, accountant, broker, etc.). This is an omission that troubles many folks, and thus we occasionally see public efforts to regulate readers. I hope we can find a healthy solution for this concern.
In Spirit,
Katrina
Far Out article! I would love to hear Jung’s thoughts on ‘Certification’!
Peace,
Debi
Hi Debi
Yes, I’d like to as well!
Blessings!
Theresa
Yes, I do believe — that the Tarot Police will try to come across as ” Take my advice, and you’ll be certified as ???” Somehow I feel as a Graphic Illustrator, I’ve never had to pay a red cent to an EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEAD to say it’s okay for me to draw “stick figures” on a piece of paper with a crayon.
Far as I know – The Storyteller and The Narrator controls and interprits the story.
Those that have a problem, I believe is the personality conflict they must have with the person INTERPRITING what was put on the table. “Did they feel that a Woman would give out BETTER or WORSE advice than a Man could ?”
The Swords Suit – warns us all, about Judgement and Biased thinking. Exactly what is it that the Knight is expected to defend in the first place ? Yet is it the job of the Wands to offer a way to put this in check ? Without language such as English… you wouldn’t have Shakespeare.
Hi Geargail
Thank you for stopping by and for your comment. I am very suspicious of anyone who wants to police anyone. Why the need for power? And why in tarot of all places?
Blessings!
Theresa
Another great article and wonderful comments.
This seems to be a hot subject right now.
I do have one question. If I wanted to get certified, for myself not the public, what would I need to do?
I researched it a couple of years ago and found some high prices and some that had courses and tests to pass. I didn’t do it then, because well I wasn’t sure who to trust or if I even needed to be certified.
Is there a credible website to get certified at?
Cher Green recently posted..Using Elemental Dignities In a Tarot Reading
Hi Cher!
Thank you for your comment. My advice on certification is to question yourself first – then do the homework to find a reputable organization. Ask them the right questions to make sure they are the right fit for you.
I am not sure if I can refer you to a site because I believe that each individual who wishes to get certified must find the right one for them – and my opinion may not work for all. And being that I am not pro-certification, I would probably be the wrong person to answer that question.
Blessings!
Theresa
Bravo Again Theresa!
As a matter of fact, the certification issue was something which stopped me over the years from joining any particular on-line Tarot Associations and Communities. I consider myself to be well certified, simply because I have 32 years of appointment books. My clients are my certification.
There will always be charlatans in every field from Medicine to (dare I say) Politics, but I’ve said that “cheaters Never Prosper” and they don’t –at least not for long.
Roughly 15 years ago, here in Cleveland when I was still doing House Parties for a while, there was a problem with unscrupulous readers. The situation came to my attention as the hostess was seating me. Although I had been recommended to the hostess by a long-time client, the hostess was unknown to me. Once I was comfortable and ready for the first guest, the hostess said, “Where are your disclaimers?” to which I replied, “Pardon me?” She then went on to explain that each of the last two readers she had seen required that she sign a disclaimer. stating that she understood that whatever they said was, “for entertainment purposes only” and that they were not liable for whatever might result from their reading.
Gee. This was news to me!
Speaking as gently as possible, I informed the hostess that I don’t provide disclaimers, had never heard of them, T.V. is for entertainment, and should the day ever come, where I needed to fear that someone would sue me over whatever I said during our session then it was time for me to quit.
She was surprised, we had a lovely evening and she is still a client of mine to this day. So yes, I agree with you, the Tarot Police, must be in our all of our heads.
However, that is not always the case when promoters are booking readers for Psychic Fairs (which I have not worked at for many,many years) Fortunately, a potential customer can always tell the best readers because they usually have the longest waiting line!
Speaking for myself, having begun working in the Tea Room where the proprietor monitored and/or regulated the readings was a very good experience though. Please don’t mistake me, no one was peering over my shoulder, but their vigilance did help me develop my own style of reading more quickly. Best of all I wasn’t hemmed in by the idea that each card had only ONE standard meaning–which was an accepted belief here in Cleveland years ago.
How nice to be in Agreement With You, Yet Again!
Smiles,
Anna
Hi Anna
That was a very interesting story about the disclaimers! Wow! I would have been taken aback by that!
Thank you so much for sharing that! I wonder if any other readers ever encountered that?
Blessings!
Theresa
I just wondered where you are writing from. I’ve never heard of certification in the UK. I went to have a reading done, back in May of this year, and I didn’t think to ask or look for a certificate, etc, as I believe the Reader has a gift that is instinctive and natural, something that cannot be governed or regulated. This gift has been given for centuries, in many varieties. Today, we live in a “someone has to be made responsible” blame/blame society where claims and the suing process is too excessive and extreme. I used to do readings myself at the back of my college canteen in my teens – nobody ever asked me! Ridiculous!
But after having my Reader’s advice, and I’m about to embark upon doing readings again myself, professionally, and at the same time, I want to protect myself asI don’t have years of experience to fall back on.
Hi Theresa,
Wonderful post about certification! I am a newcomer to the discussions about the issue of certification, but the very first thing that came to my mind was the underlying intent. I was immediately struck by the “fear” that I see among some tarot readers. . . the fear of “not enough to go around”. The desire by some to control the careers of others seems to me to be the underylying agenda to all of this. I have never had a client ask to see my credentials; they came to me by word of mouth, or had had a mini reading at an event I did, and the reading was their proof of whether I could likely help them or not.
I was a guest in a tarot discusison forum, and browsing around. . . came across a thread in which readers were asking the forum about ways to grow their business, get clients, etc. Very soon in that thread, someone tried to stop the discussion, saying that this should really be a separate thread, in a “Private” area of the foum — one in which members should have to pay to be a member of! He did not want the business tips to be discussed in the ‘free’ section, as he was afraid that other readers would “steal” the ideas and beat other to the punch in using them!! So they wanted to put up a financial barrier to acess of this information, creating an “US” and “THEM” mentality, and trying to create hoops that others must jump in order to be “Deserving” of obtaining this information! The notion of some readers stealing business ideas and “using them first” was hilarious, and then horrifying. The idea that there is a shortage of work to go around, not enough for all, secrecy about how we conduct our business, distrust and suspicion about our fellow Tarot family was shocking and sad.
This links to my thoughts about Tarot certification. My feeling is that this is coming from a place of fear and distrust and Ego. Just who “certified” the highest members on the Certification boards? Who did THEY subject themselves to being tested by, and who set the qualifications for them? It seems again like a case of “US” and “THEM”, with the whole setup being very self-serving. As other comments suggested, the progression then to requiring licensing and insurance would, in my mind, be a welcome outcome of this push to certify. As further costs of doing business increase, then it would stamp out a good percentage of would-be professional readers — to the benefit of those who created this. Eliminating a good chunk of the “competition”.
I don’t see this as having any value to the public or to the readers. It does not help readers to be required to have certification. I think it is an extremely slippery slope that is explained with words of honey and idealism, but in reality is a trap. . . and a trap that many will walk thru because they are too trusting.
nancy
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