Avoid Scams

It is an unfortunate reality that diviners like tarot readers and astrologers are often perceived negatively among the general population. Much of the formation of that perception has to do with the predatory tactics used by some spiritualists to extort their clientele. For those who are new to an exploration of spiritual consultation services, some of those tactics may be difficult to identify. This page outlines several common red flags you can watch out for to determine if a spiritual service is one you might want to avoid.

Red Flag #1: The reader reaches out to you directly on social media to solicit you for your business.

It is extremely rare that a legitimate diviner will, unprompted, contact a potential client directly through private messages on social media. If you receive such a message, especially if it contains language suggesting that the reader was “called” to contact you, that you’re in danger, or that they were given a message only you were meant to hear, be very cautious.

Red Flag #2:The reader disempowers you.

This often involves making clients feel as though their future is unchangeable and/or knowable only with repeated readings. This is a strategy that some readers will unscrupulously use to keep clients “on the hook.” The reader might present information in a way that suggests imminent misfortune that can only be averted with more readings. Readings should empower clients, making them feel capable of handling the challenges of life; any reader who makes you feel helpless and reliant on them is conducting business unethically.

Red Flag #3: The reader is impersonating another reader or company.

This primarily occurs on social media platforms. A reader might choose a username and upload images meant to create the illusion that they are authentically the person or company they claim to be. Impersonators are common and should always be reported. In the case of The Doctor in Yellow, we operate on the following platforms under the following usernames/handles:

  • Instagram: @thedoctorinyellow

  • YouTube: @TheDoctorinYellow

  • Reddit: u/thedoctorinyellow

  • Facebook: The Doctor in Yellow

  • Ko-fi: thedoctorinyellow

  • LinkedIn: The Doctor in Yellow, LLC

Apart from LinkedIn, Keiraj Gillis does not use the platforms above in any personal capacity separate from The Doctor in Yellow. Therefore, any message received from an account not listed above that claims to represent The Doctor in Yellow or Keiraj Gillis himself is an impersonator.

Red Flag #4: The reader uses AI without disclosing it.

A reader who claims to provide human-generated content for readings but uses AI, or who uses AI for readings without disclosing that to clients, is engaged in an unethical practice. Transparency is key in any communication or service involving spiritual development. The Doctor in Yellow does not use AI in any part of its business, including the development and delivery of readings.

Red Flag #5: The reader asserts their interpretations as absolute truth.

Generally speaking, a reader is an interpreter of messages from the divine (often referred to by tarotists as Spirit or Source), the subconscious, ancestors, or energies ascribed to universal principles and human connectedness. These interpretations, however, can vary from reader to reader. Just as a doctor might encourage a patient to seek a second opinion from another doctor regarding a treatment path, a thoughtful reader will not assert that their interpretation is absolute truth in order to block clients from pursuing other opinions. Divination is an art that inherently contains subjective elements, so clients should be aware that they are always in control of what messages they choose to internalize.