ethics of practice
This document is my personal code of ethics as a spiritual practitioner..
It is something that has come together over the years that I have been "publicly" practicing and providing services to other people. Additions and amendments are often the result of discovering new boundaries with myself, my clients and my spirits.
This document is forever evolving, as new requirements and revisions are revealed. I'm not perfect, and a lot of these points came from mistakes made and lessons learned. This document is not fixed and perfect at is. It is not dogmatic. It is a guide and it is fluid.
This document can't possibly cover all of the unique nuances that I experience with each client, but I do my best to cover recurring issues and themes.
My intention in creating and practicing with this document is to have clear and healthy boundaries as a practitioner, to facilitate a space that is safe for both myself and my clients, and to have clear expectations of what is possible and probable in working with me.
My intention in sharing this document with the community is to provide an example of how one working witch is crafting a practice rooted in integrity and healthy, respectful client-practitioner relationships.
Ethics of Practice
A disciplined practice of maintaining good spiritual hygiene is essential to be of service to and hold space for others. A disciplined spiritual hygiene practice is self-care. Cleansing, grounding and protection. As a practitioner, I dedicate much of my attention and energy to maintaining strong spiritual boundaries, keeping a clear spiritual channel, and keeping grounded in my vessel and to this mother earth. What you receive in the readings is so much more than 60 minutes of channeling, it is a lifetime's work of daily preparations.
I am not merely a vessel for spirit to move through. I am receiving messages through my channel - from my spirits, from my client's spirits - which I then translate into words within the reach of my knowledge and experience.
My translations are imperfect because I am imperfect. My translations are imperfect because I am speaking only from my own personal understandings, knowledge, experience and wisdom, from my own personal connection to the collective consciousness.
These translations may also be affected by internalized white supremacy (racism, colorism, ableism, etc). It's important to be honest with myself about this, because I must acknowledge this truth to be able to identify it in myself when it happens, or receive and learn when I am called in or out.
As the client, you may take the messages I have translated for you and interpret them in different or more resonate ways later. I encourage the continued desire to unpack and decode the messages received in readings, which is why I encourage clients to bring a notebook and a something to write with to sessions.
Sometimes spirit(s) give me information that is just for me, the reader, to better understand the client or client’s situation. When spirit(s) specifically instruct me not to share information I have been given, I honor that.
Sometimes I channel news that is challenging or disappointing or less than pleasant in some way for our client. While it can be tempting to withhold that information or alter it to be more appealing, that is not my job. My job is to deliver the messages that spirit wants/needs my client to hear. My delivery can be kind and compassionate, but it cannot be dishonest.
Boundaries are important to maintaining the integrity of the services I offer to clients.
My boundaries as a practitioner include not responding to or conducting business via DM on any social media platform. Email is always best: support@motherofmystics.com. Please note that typical response time is 3-5 days from receipt, but can extend to 7 days.
As a general rule, I do not “follow” clients on their personal social media. I do not want clients to ever feel the need to question whether the guidance they receive in a session comes from their spirits or comes from their practitioner watching their IG stories.
When a client becomes too dependent on readings, to the point where the sessions are a crutch rather than guidance or empowerment, it’s time to break up and stop taking their money. I prefer to be honest with the client about why I can’t see them anymore, some readers may prefer to gently fade away. It’s up to the reader and how safe the reader feels.
I prefer to see regular clients no more than once every 3-6 months. If we receive too much information from spirit, it's impossible to be in relationship to all of it. I want to encourage clients to find relationship with the messages they receive in readings, to allow their understanding of these messages to develop and clarify.
If I have a migraine, am in a weird funk, having a bad day, or behind on my spiritual hygiene care, I will reschedule. I will not feel obligated to perform spiritual work when I am not feeling well enough to do so. Pushing myself beyond what I am able to safely give is when things tend to go wrong, channels are cloudy, or energies get weird and sticky in a bad way. I want to always provide the best experience possible for my clients.
I do not reach out to potential clients. No predatory DMs or emails.
I do not lie about what I am and am not capable of doing, what I am or am not capable of promising.
I make my booking, refund, payment policies and service terms clear. I post them on my website and booking applications so that clients cannot miss it.
I send a list of helpful tips and requirements for clients once their appointments are booked. I want them to invest in their time with me and prepare themselves for the best possible experience. I make it clear about how to get the most from their appointment so that there is no confusion when the appointment time comes.
I will not read for anyone that makes me feel uncomfortable or unsafe. It does not matter if a client is paying me an hourly rate for an event or if it is a private reading. I am not obligated to use my gifts with someone who makes me feel uncomfortable or unsafe. This is why I primarily read via facetime. I allow a few friends and family members and regular clients to come over, and that’s it.
Sessions with me are non-transferable. If a client books for themselves and shows up to a reading with a friend or lover who they want to transfer the reading to, the appointment is canceled, the deposit will not be refunded, and the remaining balance of the session is due.
I reserve the right to turn away clients for being too inebriated, dishonest, or for pressuring me to “prove” that I am psychic (ie "what are the winning lotto numbers?"). My spiritual practice supports me, but I must use my voice to advocate for myself in these situations. This can be scary but when I advocate for myself, I set a standard for other practitioners and readers to be treated with respect, too.
If I am reading at a party or event, I am clear on my terms with the client before the event. I put these agreements in writing and have them signed by the client. I keep record in my email of all negotiation.
If I have set a time limit for the reading, I honor it. I set a timer or use a small hourglass to keep time.
If a client has a question that I am not receiving an answer to, I let them know that rather than trying to reach for something that is not meant to come through.
When the spirits say a reading is done early or the clients spirits have left, I honor this and communicate it with the client.
Once the reading is complete and the client's spirits and energies have been returned, I cleanse myself, my space and my tools.
Depending on what the reading was about, I may give the client an additional energy clearing or cleansing, or assign them “homework.” These additions are not guaranteed and are case by case.
Going beyond my limits to please a client only leaves me feeling drained, sad and diminishes the quality of the reading. It's best for all parties involved to say no when necessary.