Tarot Readings and UK Law: What You Need to Know Before Starting a Practice

Compared to the past, tarot cards have become significantly popular. A lot of people are looking for ways to boost careers, clarify relationships, make their personal lives less complicated, and have peace of mind (finally!) in the hectic routine. That’s when the symbolism and interpretation of cards come in handy.

In the United Kingdom, tarot reading is considered a spiritual practice. If you’re someone about to start a tarot reading business, it's crucial to find out more about different legal issues to make sure you don’t break the law. Below, we’ll take a look at some key points in UK law to consider before you start a tarot practice.

The Legal Status of Tarot Reading in the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, the law does not regulate tarot reading practices. Plus, no specific legislation exists to govern such services. Nonetheless, this sort of practice falls under a broader segment of services. The latter includes guidance or/and advice on spiritual/personal issues. Based on how you frame your activities, you (as a tarot reader) are considered to be someone offering spiritual, entertainment guidance, or some kind of counseling.

Please keep in mind that according to UK law, tarot practices are not considered psychological or medical treatment. Thus, tarot reading services are not governed by health authorities like the British Psychological Society or General Medical Council. Nonetheless, if you would like to do spreads on money making, mental health, and relationships (a broader category of services), make sure you are not going into a professional niche that you lack qualifications for.

Consumer Protection Laws

Just like in the case of any other business, tarot practitioners have to stick to the consumer protection laws of the United Kingdom. In other words, you have to make sure each client (querent) is aware of the nature of the services you offer. Plus, s/he should understand what s/he should expect from the tarot session.

Keep in mind the following:

Tarot practitioners should stay away from misrepresentation. If you claim that your reading sessions include predicting the future for people looking to clarify their diagnoses (mental or physical issues), you could be later accused of fraud or misleading based on the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. To cut a long story short – never (ever!) give false promises or exaggerate the effectiveness of your tarot readings.
Including clear terms and conditions is a must. Regardless of the type of tarot reading sessions that you offer, it is crucial to provide your clients with concise terms and conditions on the cancellation policies, prices, accuracy limitations, or interpretations that you provide. As a result, both sides (you and the querent) will be protected.
Complaints and potential money-back guarantee. Clients have the right to approach you for a refund if you fail to provide the services you claimed before. As a tarot reading practitioner, make sure to set a clear refund policy and deal with all complaints professionally. Thus, you’ll build trust with clients and stay away from all sorts of legal disputes. If you’re not really sure of how a refund policy should work, approach professionals at online reading platforms like TarotAtlas for more details.

Confidentiality and Data Protection

Tarot practitioners (especially those who work on the web) may ask clients to provide their personal information. The latter might include names, contact details, birth dates, etc. According to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the UK Data Protection Act 2018, tarot readers must protect this info and use it responsibly (without sharing it with third parties). The key issues to take into account to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation:

Make sure your clients consent to data collection. Before you do the reading session, inform your clients of the data you’re going to collect and the reasons you do it. You must obtain their consent before you ask them for any sort of personal data.
Ensure client’s data security. Tarot practitioners should inform clients that their data will be kept away from any third party.
Let them know they can access their data. Clients should be provided with the right to access all pieces of personal information that you store about them. Your task is to provide them with this data ASAP.
Keep client’s data for no longer than necessary. You know the purposes you collected their information, so make sure not to retain it for longer than you actually need it.

Stay Away from Fraud and Obtaining Services Dishonestly

While tarot practices are usually considered a sort of entertainment or spiritual séances, you have to keep in mind things like fraud and exploitation. According to the Fraud Act 2006 in the United Kingdom, intentionally deceiving clients for personal gain is an offense. This could also include you, as a tarot practitioner, claiming that you have supernatural powers or offering services fraudulently.

Always be transparent about the tarot reading sessions that you offer and their nature. Do your best to make sure that every querent understands what tarot readings are about. Plus, let them know that your services can’t be used instead of professional medical, financial, legal, or any other help. In the United Kingdom, tarot practitioners who benefit from a vulnerable category of the population (by providing misleading tarot services) are going to inevitably face criminal consequences.

Health & Safety Issues

If you choose to stay away from cyber practices and give preference to the tête-à-tête reading sessions, safety and health regulations may be applied (especially if your clients come to see you in a particular physical location). In other words, tarot practitioners must make sure that all the claims and promises that they make are easily accessible and 100% safe. Plus, they should meet all the existing regulations of the region regarding disability access, fire safety, and the rest of the concerns regarding safety and health.

Finally, just like any self-employed person in the United Kingdom, tarot reading practitioners must register with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in order to pay taxes. Keep detailed records of your earnings, expenses, and taxes in order to avoid any inaccuracies in tax reports.