History

The Tarot

The Tarot is one of the most ancient tools known for comprehending the processes of spiritual and psychological growth. Its archetypal images offer keys to understanding evolutionary change and emerging consciousness.

The language of the Tarot is one of symbols and images which are accessible to all people and across all cultures. Its images speak directly to the soul in the language of the spirit.

While the Tarot is often known as a divinatory tool (i.e. it may be used to "divine" the future), it also offers profound insight into our inner processes and reflects our view of reality.

The Tarot Guild of Australia

The Guild was formed in 1992 by a committed group of Tarot practitioners and educators including Anne Shotter and Evelynne Joffe. The primary aim of the Guild is to raise public interest and awareness of the Tarot, to promote the study of the Tarot, to maintain ethical standards in the practice of reading Tarot via professional certification and to provide a network for further education and sharing information amongst members.

In 1997 the Guild organised the first ever international Tarot conference in Melbourne. Guest presenters and workshop leaders included Rachel Pollack, Mary Greer, Ed Buryn and James Wanless from the United States, Caitlin Matthews from the UK, as well as local Taroistes, Anne Shotter, Evelynne Joffe, Matthew Favaloro and Paul Fenton-Smith. Recordings of sessions at that conference are available on CD from the Tarot Guild Shop.

In 2005 Charles Geering from Sydney joined the committee as the first member outside Victoria. In 2007 Nicolette Neish from Brisbane and Tania Yorgey from Tasmania became the next committee members to hail from outside Victoria. Tarot Guild activities are held regularly in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, with occasional workshops or seminars in other centres.

The Practice of Tarot

The Guild views the practice of Tarot as a non-exploitative activity. Guild members uphold basic values of integrity, impartiality and respect with regard to clients. The practitioner's role is to facilitate the client's journey in ways which respect the client's values, personal resources and capacity for self determination. The Guild believes that practitioners must take the same degree of care to work ethically whether their services are paid or voluntary.