![:)](./images/smilies/001.gif)
I just posted the link to this thread in the Golden Oldies for a few reasons:
- It is directly connected with the one Cass raised from the Psychic forum, only this is more centered on Tarot.
- This is a discussion that comes up over and over again, so important that it's covered on all 'Reading Forum Guidelines', and so polemic that some heated debates raise with it quite often.
- Some readers (me included, of course) get periodically startled by the moral implications of some of the questions asked, not to mention the seekers -apparent- age, maturity or background.
- Since I am giving up on newbies bothering to read the guidelines, I thought if we periodically discuss how much trouble some questions can be in a live thread, they have a better chance of reading about it (or maybe not? :smt012 ).
So, I thought the best way to resurrect this thread would be to copy and paste the main guidelines, both for seekers and readers, give my comments on each, and see where we go from there.
Seeker guidelines:
1. Please do not jump in and request a reading as your first post: Instead why not take time to wander around the boards and introduce yourself. Post a few things and get the feeling of the whole community. This way it is far easier to link into your energy and you give the board back something too. The community cannot survive on giving readings alone.
Now, how often do you see a seeker's request for a reading as a first post on the board? Sometimes it is the 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th, but if you bother looking at what the previous ones were, you may find they are all reading requests made in several different forums. In this last case, we really ought to be careful and check, since it is a source of confusion to get several readings at once, not to mention the fact that a single person may be monopolizing several readers, which isn't fair to other seekers with just one question.
2. Please post some feedback: Is it just me, or does it also make you feel sort of emptied when you spend time and effort on a reading (usually involving long written explanations) and never get so much as a simple 'thanks'? I'm not sure some seeker's understand there is a lot of effort involved, and that it is hard to make a reading and post it in less than one hour (at least it is for me). However, for those seeker's who come, ask, leave without feedback, then come back a month later with a new question, it might be good to know that they are wasting their chances at getting any future answers.
3. Please do not ask for multiple readings and please do not ask for readings too frequently, your posts will be locked and any more requests will be moved to the thread jail.
Did you remember about this? I didn't. Of course, it's not often that these posts get locked. We are usually more lenient. But it was considered grave enough to do it. And I think the reason may be one often pointed out by Rhuto: some people get too dependent on this sort of thing, even to the point of obsession (I have had friends going through these funny phases in which they laid the cards compulsively for themselves, then hardly slept for getting both automatic and phone readings nearly 24h a day). Of course we cannot fully protect them from these compulsive behavior, but we can at least not promote it, just by being careful to check when was the last reading given to that person, no matter what the forum. Remember this is not the only site they visit: you are probably the umptieth hit of the day!
5. When asking questions, please word your question carefully, think about the content and take responsibility for the question. Questions that are deemed to be offensive or unsuitable or life threatening will be removed. Please do not ask unsuitable questions about health, pregnancy etc as these will also be locked or removed. Only a qualified medical practitioner is able to diagnose or prescribe and for subjects such as these please refer to your own doctor.
Now, how often do we get medical questions? What's more, they are usually about a third person. Pregnancy is one of the faves. Well, in case anybody had a doubt, you can just flatly refuse to answer, maybe explaining why or directing them to the guidelines post. I suppose there isn't much discussion on this point: risking an answer can even get you a lawsuit in some places.
6. Please do not ask for readings for others or third party readings
This has already been covered. In any case, it's obvious why some people might object to some very personal matters being aired on a public board without their direct consent (even if the querent states that the consent was given). It's better to just refuse and explain or direct them to the guidelines, as above.
7. Please note that you must be over 18 to request a reading. Many of our readers will not legally be able to read for anyone under this age due to the laws in their country so please do not be offended by this.
This is a very interesting point and we get many borderline cases. A problem is that we can lie about our age: while it is expected of a lady (like me
![:smt050](./images/smilies/050.gif)
Before we go on to the 'Readers Guidelines', I would ask you all to take a look at the original post where I got the above 'Seekers Guidelines' and tell me if you see a need to change, eliminate, reword, add or rearrange any points in this thread, since I believe we now have a chance to update it so that it becomes as clear as possible for all newcomers. In case there are incompatible opinions regarding some point, we can take a vote through a poll or something, to see if it gets changed or not.
http://mysticboard.org/vi ... hp?t=26406
Come on, people, I need your feedbaaaack...! 'Poleeeeze' :smt003