PRESS RELEASE FROM CANADIAN TAROT NETWORK,

AN INTERNATIONAL TAROT MEMBERSHIP

Box 51175 Beddington RPO, Calgary, AB T3K 3V9 866.478.880

www.tarotcanada.com

With all respect to those board members of the pageant for the “Miss Toronto Tourism Pageant”, I am writing to share the feelings of CTN about the removal of a pageant judge because she reads Tarot. As reported by staff reporter Jim Byers with the Toronto Star, on January 28, 2008; Stephanie Conover, reigning Miss Canada Plus, was recently removed as a pageant judge because of information on her bio that her hobbies include Yoga, Reiki, and Tarot.

As the current President of the Canadian Tarot Network (Association), I wish to share with you CTN’s views about what Tarot is and what Tarot is not. We are an international association of Tarot enthusiasts, scholars, authors, therapists and entertainment readers, whose mission is to provide an open forum where Tarot information can be studied and shared in a climate that promotes ethics above all. Following is our vision statement:

 “The Canadian Tarot Network's vision is to bring an intimate connection between Canadians and all those interested in Tarot. We are organized for the purpose of bringing together qualified students, teachers and masters of the Tarot who are willing to subscribe to a high ethical standard and use the Tarot for the benefit of those for whom they read. We recognize Tarot as a useful tool for personal growth and spiritual development. “

 We neither support nor subscribe to the use of Tarot cards in a manner that suggests or predicts an unchangeable fate, or otherwise disempowers any person who has asked for a consultation involving the use of cards. Likewise, we discourage our members from providing third-party readings, which purport to offer insight into the lives of persons who are not physically present for the reading. We also adamantly oppose anyone without the appropriate professional qualifications giving advice in professional fields such as law, medicine or finance.

Tarot cards often have been described as an allegory for the human journey through the stages of life. A Tarot reading is intended t0 open up a dialogue between one’s conscious and subconscious at any one of these life stages. Each card can be described as a chapter in the human journey and each has the potential to illuminate the choices available at the time of the reading. For instance, the Tarot’s Devil card typically is about letting go of something that keeps one from moving forward, something that might be blocking one’s progress to a happier life. In other words, the cards are intended to be used for enlightenment not for the prediction of absolutes.

The pictures and symbols on Tarot cards challenge the thinking person to figure out what the next step in his or her journey could be. This process brings light into one’s consciousness, not darkness.

Ordinary card games such as Bridge also encourage players to consider possibilities and predict next steps. In fact, it comes to me that ordinary playing card decks are also used in a similar manner to Tarot cards by many people. So my first question would be if any pageant judges enjoy playing regular card games, would they also be deemed ineligible to be a pageant judge or would their ethics and intent be taken into consideration?

The CTN feels that if the intent is to mislead, manipulate or make money fraudulently, the use of any kind of card game is wrong. The decision regarding Ms. Conover’s removal as pageant judge is considered by us to be a missed opportunity. To decide against her, not for what use she makes of Tarot cards and her intent if she reads them for others, but for the sole fact alone that she likes to read them as honestly stated in her bio to express her diversities.

Sadly, we must acknowledge that in all professions some take the low road and seek a darker way. Tarot readers are no exception. That is why CTN stands unified against those who do not subscribe to a code of ethics that rules out chicanery and abuse of the free will of another person. We are in accord with our sister association, the American Tarot Association, and all who seek to discourage the phony fortune telling element from misusing Tarot cards. We support Tarot’s use as an enlightening and entertaining card game, or as a serious supportive tool for working out life challenges and aiming to achieve one’s highest good through ethical decision-making and actions.

I sincerely hope this press release helps educate those who do not know about Tarot, and that sincerely motivated Tarot adherents are neither a part of the “dark world” nor is there is anything “inherently evil” in a deck of cards. The good or evil associated with Tarot cards is entirely within the heart of the person using them. Even the Bible, which was quoted in the Toronto news article, has been misused and misquoted throughout history to control or mislead people or to obtain money from them for unscrupulous purposes. Yet I believe we will agree that most people who rely on the Bible or other religious holy books as their guide are well intended and use the teachings for good.

We hope with new knowledge of what Tarot is and is not, that future open dialogue in the spirit of friendship and reconciliation is considered as a necessary and important part any selection process.

Kristin Lee-Gray, CTI

Certified Tarot Master and Instructor

President, Canadian Tarot Network