Tarot reader is asked to leave (From Stroud News and Journal)

Tarot reader is asked to leave

CHURCH leaders have banned a tarot card reader from Stroud's Shambles market because they say her business is anti-Christian.

Judy Doyle-Lawson has been told to stop practising her readings at the indoor market, which is owned by nearby St Lawrence's Church.

Parish priest The Rev Canon Barry Coker claims tarot readings undermine Christian beliefs and says members of his congregation have complained about the stall.

But Mrs Doyle-Lawson - who has had a stall at the Shambles for nine-months - has hit back saying tarot is a valuable way of helping to overcome emotional problems.

And she is angry at the way she has been treated.

"The priest told me in very blunt way to stop my readings, which is hardly in the spirit of Christianity," said the 35-year-old full-time tarot reader, who charges £5 for a half-hour session.

"They just wouldn't discuss it or enter into a debate about it.

"It is not like in the films where they pull up the death card and everything is very dramatic.

"Tarot is about empowering people to overcome problems.

"It allows people to take time out of their lives and talk about their emotions."

She Claims TABI - the Taro Association of the British Isles - a group of tarot readers to which she belongs - contains several practising Christians.

Mrs Doyle-Lawson used to set up her stall on Fridays and Saturdays, and besides tarot readings she also sold crystals, incense, textiles, oils and spell-kits produced by a white witch.

The church has told her she can keep the stay but only if she stops her readings and stops selling the spell-kits.

"They have made my business untenable because I can't carry on without the tarot," she said.

Now Mrs Doyle-Lawson - who lives in Wotton-under-edge and also uses the name Jadeite - has managed to get an alternative stall at Eastgate market in Gloucester.

She also does readings at Cirencester market.

Mr Coker believes the practice - which uses 78 cards to predict the future - contradicts the fundamental Christian principle that God gave man freewill.

"There are beliefs and philosophies the church isn't happy with and one of them would certainly be tarot readings," he said.

"I would defend her right to believe what she believes but it was a question of what goes on in the church hall.

"Because of the situation I suggested we draw up a new arrangement with the market organiser.

"We have made it clear we would be happier if she wasn't there but that's not the same as throwing her out."