Ethics: Public Readings for Celebrities

Facade.com offers readings -- accessible to the public -- ostensibly done "for" various celebrities, including Steve Jobs of Apple, Inc. Yesterday, a WIRED Magazine blog post on the launch of the iPhone even cited one of these readings:

Even Steve's Tarot of the Day backs him up. According to Facade.com, today he drew the Three Fates spread which "is an exceptionally popular way to gain insight into the emerging arc of the past, present, and future."

(The writer of the WIRED piece seems to confuse the site's random selection of a Tarot spread with the interpretation of that spread.)

Some questions, then, that I hope you'll discuss in the comments:

- To what extent does a reading done "for" a celebrity without that celebrity's involvement or consent have any validity?

- How ethical is it to publish the results of such a reading in a public venue?

Comments

[Evangelios]

I think it is fine. I have done a few readings that involve celebs and or pubic issues. It is a great way to pratice your reading skills when you do not have anyone else to read for. You can get feedback from the readings quick because celeb stories are all over the medai. Now posting these readings online to the public is ok in my book just as long as you are not harming anyone or putting anything negative about the person with out proof. Tarot readings are not proof, untill there is proof to validate the reading, untill then its speculation based on the reading.

[mimers]

I know some people that feel that because these people are famous, they forfeit their right to privacy. I don't agree with that. I believe they have as much a right to privacy as you or I and that includes with Tarot readings. I would not do nor post a reading for anyone without their consent.

[jeffred]

In the book 'Tarot Tells a Tale' there is a wonderful section that talks about Doing Reading's for other people. It makes some very valid points that when doing readings we should be empowering the person we are reading for, and not speculating about what other people are doing.

I do have a famous friend, and I have done a reading or two for him, but only with his permission and consent. I would never share that reading with anyone else.

[Patricia (a/k/a Roswila)]

I have very mixed feelings about reading for anyone -- famous or not -- who has not asked for or consented to the reading. At the very least, any reading we might feel inclined to do on a celebrity I tend to feel should remain private, ours alone, for our own edification (yes, I can imagine they might be a good learning tool).

Though I do feel comfortable reading on events and outcomes of public issues, like who will win an Oscar. I just feel acutely uncomfortable at the thought of doing a reading on a celebrity's personal life. Even if they are living that life (apparently, at least) very publicly. Maybe some are "asking for it" by living that way ... but I don't have to give it. :-D