Introduction

The Turning of the Ages Mystery School (TOTAMS) Code of Professional Conduct (hereinafter referred to as the Code) consists of an Introduction and Preamble, and the Code itself, containing specific ethical standards. These ethical standards set forth enforceable rules of conduct for Certified TOTAMS Astrologers (CTAs) and TOTAMS Council Members (TCMs). Portions of this code do not apply to TCMs if they are not Certified TOTAMS Astrologers.

These ethical standards do not cover every possibility. The fact that a given conduct is not specifically addressed by the Code does not mean that it is necessarily either ethical or unethical. This Ethics Code provides standards of professional conduct and does apply to all Level 1 and Level 2 Certified TOTAMS Astrologers and Council Members including all work-related professional activities such as TOTAMS sponsored courses, or any event where a person is representing the Turning of the Ages Mystery School, including individual or group work, mentoring, teaching, training, assisting, supervision, consulting, and organizing.

These work-related activities are distinguished from private conduct outside of TOTAMS related activities and therefore are NOT within the scope of this Code. The Ethics Code is intended to provide standards of professional conduct that can be applied to any TOTAMS related activities.

In the process of making decisions regarding professional behavior, Certified TOTAMS Astrologers, and TOTAMS Council Members must consider this Code. Here after the primary abbreviation used is CTAs, and also refers to TCMs.
The actions TOTAMS may take for violation of this Code of Conduct and Ethics include reprimand, censure, and termination of status.

Preamble

TOTAMS is a unique form of spiritual and practical education utilizing principles that support the integration of body, mind, and spirit in understanding and living one’s life purpose. CTAs may serve various roles such as counseling astrologer/coach, mentor, teacher, trainer, assistant, organizer, consultant, and supervisor when qualified to do so.

Regardless of the role, CTAs work with a common goal of providing transformational education and improving the quality of life for an individual and the world. The TOTAMS Code of Conduct and Ethics provides a common set of values that support a professional practice as well as defining values for TCMs as representatives of TOTAMS.

This code provides both the general principles and the rules covering most situations that may be encountered by CTAs and TCMs. The primary goal is to assure the welfare and protection of individuals and groups that CTAs and TCMs encounter within TOTAMS or a professional practice. It is the individual responsibility of each CTA and TCM to aspire to the highest possible standards of conduct.

This dynamic set of ethical standards for work-related conduct requires a personal commitment to lifelong ethical action; encouraging ethical behavior by students, teachers, council members, and colleagues. This also supports consulting with others as needed concerning ethical issues. Each CTA and TCM supplements, but does not violate, the Code’s values and rules on the basis of guidance drawn from personal values, culture, context, and experience.

Duties and Obligations of CTAs toward Students and Clients

1. CTAs are committed to act as professionals in attitude and conduct, and be responsible in relations with clients and students, as well as be reliable in agreements and timely in appointment schedules.

2. CTAs create a clean, clear, safe, and sacred space on all levels: including physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.

3. CTAs recognize the importance of consent and choice in initial and ongoing education with groups and individuals. CTAs will strive to provide a range of options that serves clients and students in furthering their education.

4. At no time shall a student be required or coerced to participate in any activity, event or exercise. In all activities CTAs shall include education about consent and choice and actively create learning environments where students are empowered to exercise these skills.

5. Regarding Personal Contact and/or Conduct with Students:

a. We acknowledge the importance of maintaining appropriate boundaries that support the feeling of safety within the group or in one-on-one settings.

b. It is essential to create a safe space for personal authentic sharing with clients or course participants when appropriate.

c. CTAs understand the inherent power we hold in our role as educator and will not use this power for any kind of exploitation with clients or course participants.

6. CTAs acknowledge the importance of physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. To protect the health of clients and event participants, CTAs recognize the need for risk-reduction and professional protocol in all individual and group education settings. CTAs take steps to minimize any physical or emotional harm, in active collaboration with all participants.

7. CTAs will refrain from providing personal sessions, training sessions and/or presenting any instructional material while either the CTA or the client/participant is under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, or are in any other way physically or mentally impaired.

8. A CTA will consider the limits of their skills and experience before accepting requests for, or providing, educational or instructional services. Further, a CTA will refuse to provide professional work that they are insufficiently prepared to offer.

9. CTAs will seek the advice of colleagues, mentors or teachers as a routine part of their practice or training. In consultations, confidential information that reasonably could lead to the identification of a student is not shared without prior consent of the student.

10. CTAs will terminate professional services to and relationships with clients or participants when such services are no longer required or no longer serve the needs and interests of those involved.

11. CTAs may unilaterally terminate services, on just and reasonable grounds, after careful consideration of all situational factors and any possible adverse effects. CTAs are responsible to make appropriate referrals and to provide support to clients during this transition.

12. CTAs will refrain from the exploitation of professional relationships with clients or course participants for personal gain, whether financial, professional, or for research purposes.

Duties and Obligations Regarding the Preservation of Confidentiality

13. CTAs will respect, defend, and preserve the privacy of all information gained during instructional sessions.

14. CTAs will release professional obligations for confidentiality only by written authorization, statutory requirement or court order. A general, nonspecific, or verbal authorization is not sufficient.

15. CTAs will preserve the anonymity of students when using information for purposes of teaching, research, and supervision.

16. CTAs will require all persons attending classes or private sessions reach written or spoken agreement that respects and maintains the confidentiality of information shared during such sessions.

17. CTAs will obtain informed, written permission from clients or participants before taping or filming-any session, explaining the intended use of the tape or video and the limits of confidentiality.

Duties and Obligations towards the Profession

18. CTAs are co-creating the profession of TOTAMS Astrology, helping to fill the public need for accurate information and embodied learning opportunities. Any public representation by a CTA or TCM shall be respectful, in integrity with this Code, and shall have the intention of furthering the profession.

19. CTAs will represent honestly and accurately the scope of their training, qualifications, and experience with TOTAMS in all spoken or written forms.

20. CTAs will monitor all oral and written statements used in the advertisement, description, or explanation of services and the principles of TOTAMS, determining that those statements will not:
a. create unjustified expectations regarding outcomes or benefits; 
b. make false claims about level of competence, training, or certification; 
c. state or imply superiority to other methods or educational opportunities; 
d. suggest that we diagnose, treat or prevent any medical or psychological condition.

21. CTAs must distinguish between TOTAMS Astrology and other types of astrology or professional services they may offer.

22. CTAs will understand and practice TOTAMS Astrology within the spirit of the principles and letter of this Code. CTAs further agree to request supervision and guidance when experiencing ambiguity or difficulty with interpretation of what constitutes ethical behavior.

23. CTAs may directly contact in a constructive and positive manner, any other CTA regarding ethical concerns they may have about that person. Alternately or additionally, CTAs may contact the TOTAMS council or staff regarding their concerns.

24. CTAs will aid TOTAMS in upholding this Code and cooperate fully with an investigation of possible violations.

Duties and Obligations to Colleagues

25. CTAs will refrain from solicitation of colleagues’ clients.

26. Should conflict arise amongst CTAs, TCMs or other TOTAMS colleagues, whether as part of a training session or within a personal context, the parties agree to seek resolution to their conflict, including but not limited to mediation, so that the conflict and the resolution thereof, does not adversely affect students or the educational setting.

Authority, Resolution and Mediating Issues and Questions regarding Code of Conduct

It will be the responsibility of the Turning of the Agesy Mystery School Steering Committee to maintain this document, resolve any issues, provide guidance and insight as to specific actions to support this behavior, provide mediation where requested and consider the needs of the organization in resolution of any issues or violations by individuals that may arise.