Payment for Magical services/Divination etc?
By Galena
@Galena (9110)
April 17, 2007 11:45am CST
what's your take on it?
a lot of people do seem to disapprove, but personally I do take payment. unless it's for a friend or family member, I expect it.
the way I see it, these are my skills, and I don't draw the energy I use from my surroundings. to me that's something I only do as a last resort, because it's just a step away from psychic vampirism.
so I use my own skills, my own energy, my time, my effort.
after any spellworking, because I don't use borrowed energy, I am tired. when working for myself or for a friend, I see this as being my exchange with the universe. my payment for the outcome. you don't get something for nothing, and I do beleive the same goes for Witchcraft. in one way or another, you pay.
so when I'm working on behalf of another person, I feel it's necessary to pass that charge on to them, to make the transaction theirs. otherwise any outcome can only be mine and mine alone.
by the recipient making some form of payment, that makes the transaction between them and the universe, with me being the path that transaction takes, rather than it being my payment for their gain.
I think this is important, or they aren't participating. their participation is vital to the successful outcome.
so, I charge.
not necessarily in monetary terms, although that's fine. the money represents their own work, their own effort. it's a gesture showing that my work has a value to them, that they are giving the money as a sort of symbol that they've given the amount of work that money represents towards the outcome.
but better is some kind of barter. some work they do for me, or something they can give me. the stereotypical basket of eggs or brace of rabbits isn't so common, but vegetables and fruit are good. in rural areas, neighbours will often give excess eggs or veg or fruit to another neighbour, and it would be bad etiquette not to give something else back. anything like that is good, or some time helping out in the garden, or lending some useful tools, or anything.
basically, when I work for myself, I make the payment in my own energy. when I work for someone else, I beleive that there needs to be something from them to me, to make it theirs.
although I beleive in charging, I don't beleive in over-charging. it's not fair. fair payment for fair work. not undervaluing your skills, but not extortion. more than someone who needs it can comfortably give is too much.
9 people like this
23 responses
@arcadian (930)
• United States
17 Apr 07
Right there with you Galena, I charge for readings and will take a manicure or a hair cut or color-for example. I charge alot less than the other folks around here for readings, but I get what feels fair to me and I don't charge friends and family-although I dislike reading for people that close to me. There are readers who deride me for not charging more, and some who feel the need to put me down. But I planted silver at the base of the tree I cut my wand from-some would never cut a wand from a tree, but I did one one occassion quite rightly. I don't believe in trying to get any one to lower their price when I want a magickal item or service, and I don't have any problem with my way of being on this. Also because some people have a tendency to get addicted to readings, my clients are not allowed to see me less than six weeks for readings-unless there is a crucial and time sensitive issue-a woman escaping with her children from a dangerous and abusive man needed alot of reassurance and insight over the days and weeks of her journey and I was happy to be there for her. that sort of thing. I suspect you have a similar policy. Money is never just money-but payment gives ownership.
6 people like this
@sanell (2112)
• United States
18 Apr 07
If you have a gift like that in which people say that I have a gift, where I am extremely intuitive but I think that is just from my upbringing of always watching my back and also making sure that my sister was safe....then I think it is great, you deserve to get paid if someone is asking for help when they know that you have that incredible gift of seeing more than what they can see.
It works and I am all for it. I am into supernatural, I do believe in Angels, I do believe that people can be psychic, my mom thinks that i am psychic but I am not, I am just not, I would love to have that power, to have that power of that 6th sense would be AWESOME....
I would love to have a reading done for me but I get scared, I do not want to hear anything bad, I would rather just not get a reading if the outcome could be bad, because I woudl feel like I could not change the outcome. I like to be positive....PERIOD. But I agree that people should be paid for that gift when they are asked to help them harness something or whatever, it is a service,
4 people like this
@Yatayee (117)
• Australia
12 Jul 07
Well find the right reader. In terms of the tarot, they do not predict the future. Their job is to give you insight and guidance as to what you might wish to choose when it comes to your paths in life, your everyday choices. The future is what it will be, but you have a say in how it will come about. You, as the subject of the reading, might know what the tarot is pointing to, might realise what is going to happen. But the cards are for guidance, to help you, not to decide what lies ahead. If you work out the future based on the tarot it means that your subconscience already knew, and they have only helped with clarity.
A good and ethical spiritual psychic will not tell you, hey, your mother is going to die! There is benefit to you nor the medium to intentionally cause you pain. It is bad for all concerned. An empathetic reader will do what they can to help you prepare if they see bad things ahead, but I have only heard of the fake ones telling truly horrible things. There is no benefit to that and people choose to use their craft as their income when they love what they do, and truly feel what they do, inside them. But they work very hard and spend a lot of time on what they do. It is not simply a gift that is effortless and perfectly fun, it is tiring and they do deserve something in return, you are right. Many of them spend most of their waking hours learning all they can and practicing!
2 people like this
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
17 Apr 07
Since not alot are good at it, the taking of an offering is the mode best worked by. Donation for their readings etc is a common thing and to actually charge is not what I would look for in someone so gifted with the abilities. Just my thoughts, I am sure you do what works for you. Good luck with that.
4 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 Apr 07
I think you're right to expect some kind of payment..and as you said maybe not necessarily in monetary means and I wholeheartedly agree with the barter system.. Not to receive some kind of payment for any "service" rendered demeans the service and one's worth it's like broadcasting that my time and energy and effort isn't worth anything...how insulting---and as you say..spellcasting/magical services does take a lot of a person and I don't think many people are aware of this since you are using your physical body as a channel for that energy to manifest
5 people like this
@scammerwear (1433)
• Singapore
18 Apr 07
When I started out reading the tarot, I was unsure of my skills and very unwilling to charge for my services. Dishing out readings for free, I soon found my skills abused by others.
They would ask me for readings like I was a circus side show, listen, laugh and forget. In the end, they go back into their old routes, nothing changed.
One day, one of my professional friends gently advised me to charge, or at less settle for a free meal, for any readings. She told me that no one would take something free seriously. If I wanted to help, I had to put a price on it, before they would actually listen.
I'm a charging freelance tarot reader now, a lot happier, and a lot less 'I told you so' :)
@nancygibson (3736)
• France
18 Apr 07
Personally we never charge hard cash, the gift comes from the Universe and our personal feeling is that any payment should be made to the Universe in whatever form that manifests. If I did a healing for someone for example I ask them to do a good deed somewhere to 'replay' the effort. the only exception is if we officiate at a handfasting a long way away, in which case we might accept a contribution to travel expenses and accomodation if needed, if we were wealthier I wouldnt do that though
2 people like this
@ESKARENA1 (18261)
•
2 Jul 07
you make a very good case for charging a fee and I guess we all have to decide this for ourself. I personally feel it is not really mine to sell
just my feelings i guess
blessed be
1 person likes this
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
18 Apr 07
See now I'm on the fence wiht it....I would never charge someone myself for a few reasons #1 I usually only help out friends/family and charging them just wouldnt sit well with me and #2 coming from Niagara Falls the whole payment thing is very shady..alot of ppl in the tourist area of the city are scammers and I dont want to be lumped in with that crowd and #3 i like to help ppl and if my doing a reading, profile, dream analysis etc helps them then I'm more than happy to do it....
HOWEVER if one does readings for strangers then I guess a few bucks payment would be ok but its when ppl start charging $40-50-60 for a reading that I get all bent out of shape over it BUT I have no problem with ppl exchanging items or services for a reading etc....thats a little different...the whole money thing though, yea that is something I have an issue with...Like I said though, I'm from Niagara Falls (Canada) and have seen the scams many times over so I already have an uneasy opinion of it ya know....
3 people like this
@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
28 May 07
I personally don't have a problem with charging. However, I don't feel that payment always needs to be in terms of money. It could be in a number of forms such as a little help around the house on a Saturday afternoon or something else rather mundane to repay. Sometimes the smallest things can really help repay a person whenever they've done something magical for them. I also think that sharing food, or what not is also an excellent idea. I also think it says more than money because it's like a thank you for your work and time for helping them.
2 people like this
@Wingedman (238)
• United States
28 Jun 07
This is very interesting thread, especially for folks that like to use their gifts to help others. I've been told that my tarot readings are stunningly accurate. I don't know, I just read what I feel when the cards come up. It's just an intuition thing.
I have never charged for a reading, but have thought about it. Thought about having a booth at a ren psychic fair. I also looked into Tarot by phone as a job. Something that would allow me to work on my schedule would be great. Unfortunately, it is so unpredictable that I doubt I could make it work financially.
I've made candle spells and even a love potion for friends before, but it's always free. Just because they were in need. It is my feeling that to charge an amount that would cause other hardship on the seeker would be bad karmically. My gift exists to help people. To use it to extort money taints it in my opinion.
@Wingedman (238)
• United States
28 Jun 07
Exactly my point. There is a fair amount and then there is usery. Something reasonable as a token of appreciation would be appropriate.
2 people like this
@lillake (1630)
• United States
21 Apr 07
I've never expect payment, but I do take donations. Sometimes that is money, but I've been given books, food, etc... by others. However I only do the rare divination and never spells for others. If I were doing it on a more frequent basis or I was asked to do spellwork I would probably charge a modest fee of some sort to cover my time and energy used.
3 people like this
@ldybgsgma99 (798)
• United States
18 Apr 07
I think you have every right to charge for your gift. There are a lot of frauds out there that I am quite sure charge much more than you do. I may have to see what you charge. May need some help.
3 people like this
@littleowl (7157)
•
11 Feb 08
in 1994 i started doing tarot readings and found that just by using my intuition the readings started to be correct eventually i found that the cardsw were just a guide and spirit was coming through which made my readings even more accurate also a person gave me a photo and from that i was able to give her a reading which she was astounded by-my one problem though was charging for the readings-to me i felt i have been given a gift and it was to help others nowi do readings with psychometry as well as the rest-this i now 13yrs on-i am now developing my abilities as a medium and my guides help me with that too-sometimes it astounds me with some of the things i see hear and am told which no-one else knows by spirit to the recipient-yet still i have a problem in charging for this and if i do its a £10 yet have been told to charge more--you have been in the craft for years and use your ability yet in a fair way--could you advice me on this? littleowl
1 person likes this
@Galena (9110)
•
12 Feb 08
I don't often see servicevs offered for less than about £20. I think for most people, that's a fair amount. but there needs to be flexibility.
on the one hand, you offer a service that not everyone is able to provide. a skilled worker, in a sense.
I think it's about knowing what it's appropriate to ask of people, and knowing when to be flexible. take each person as they come.
can they comfortably give money, or do they have another skill they could offer you in exchange. maybe a spot of gardening, or maybe they make great cakes.
everyone has something to offer. often that's not financial.
financial exchange is just easier for some people.
I would say at £10 you are probably, on the whole, too cheap. not to say you couln't lower prices where it's needed, but I think people can value something less if it comes too easily. and on that kind of scale of financial exchange, the recipients are more likely to see it in the light of a parlour trick than the services of a skilled person.
I'd say have a higher base level of prices, but take each person that comes to you as an individual, and where your intuition tells you, ask if there is some other form of payment that may be more suitable, or even lower the price when necessary.
remember you are working with your intuition in the service you provide, so feel free to apply intuition to your customers.
the thing is, on the one hand, yes it's a gift. I think anyone can learn it, but some are more inclined than others. but on the other hand, you put time, effort, and energy into developing that skill enough to offer it to others. so it is as much yours as it is the Universes.
1 person likes this
@littleowl (7157)
•
14 Feb 08
thanks for your advice garlene it makes a lot of sense as i don't have any trouble when working with spirit and readings-yes it comes to me naturally so i find it easy-but i will follow your advice it is a fair way to ask for payment for the energy and intuition that spirit use and how you can feel tired after because of this-both my sisters are also psycic and aware of spirit so is my daughter who is gifted to see them,but they choose not to use it-i believe it comes from my mothers side-littleowl
1 person likes this
@cuttyrish (2667)
• United States
28 Mar 09
if i would avail some of your services, i would pay.. i think it is alright for you to charge, since you have done alot of work to do the readings, or the service, and having a gift like yours is rare, and its not easy to find one who does those services. nothing is free nowadays.. and most people who are good in magical and divination, often charges, so there is nothing wrong about it..its your right..
@sophie_dfuss (2365)
• Philippines
29 Mar 09
I also patronise services of divination or fortune-telling.
I think its fine to pay some fees or charges for the services being rendered to me by the other person since its should be two ways or give and take, as long its not too expensive thats fine but I don't like if they will overcharge me.
@saralee1 (1983)
• United States
30 Jun 07
I like using Tarot to read others cards. I think I do a pretty good job at it too. it is not my only form of divination, but one of the major ones. I have not made a job out of it, because I did that in school bartered for things I needed.Not once have I had any problems where I have felt cheated because karma rules. It may not be now, but later, it would be a bigger favor than I'd ever expect!
I didn't even realize I was that good at the cards, until I actually went to a couple of psychics. then, I realized I was better than I thought.(LOL)
I have realized though, that psychic ability is like flexing a muscle, so the more that you use it, the better you get. (at least for me).So, all those psychic readings I did in school, to make money for our field trips, and on the side to pay for extra items paid off.
I was ahead of the game, and the money that was made went to a specific purpose to create a goal I hadn't even thought was possible. And, we had a blast!
The way that I see it, is that I am doing a favor for karma. Sometimes karma needs to move someone. They always seek me out,I do not seek them out, unless I am moved to.
there is always an exchange of something while doing a reading.
and I say, reap the rewards.
1 person likes this
@Galena (9110)
•
15 Nov 08
usually charms. I'll make people a charm to help them find work (while also telling them it won't work if they don't put in an effort) charms for protection. and so on.
obviously the charms aren't just a sum of parts. they're the resulting effect of the mental work I've put into the goal, and something physical they can take with them, like a flag to the universe. that thing I worked at, this is where it needs to happen. sort of thing.
I don't tend to charge for divinations, because it's not really my knack. if I was any good at it I might.
the most recent success, although I didn't specifically charge this person, I gave her good advice, and helped out at the same time, was a new business, where among very many other things, they sell candles. another shop, selling Yankee Candles, tried to get a shopping centre not to let them a unit on the basis that it's competitions. now this other business had very different candles to Yankees. more gothic and magically based ones, and that's among a lot of other, non candle products.
and the end result is, this business found better premises, and the complaining shop, who we bound against setting her business back, lost their lease, as it came up for renewal, and the centre manager wouldn't renew it with them, as they didn't like their attitude towards other shops in the centre.
and she sent me a wonderful parcel of goodies to say thank you.
so a lot of small magics really. nothing grand and impressive, but things that help life move along smoothly.
I've also cleaned up bad patches in peoples homes for them.
but mostly charm making. a physical representation of the energy work I've done on their behalf.
@jshekhar (1562)
• India
28 Mar 09
Hello Galena,
I agree with you. If you are a professional then you are justified in charging. People want you to do something for them which they can't do themselves. Thus, you have every right to demand something in return, be it in monetary terms or otherwise. I see absolutely nothing wrong with it, until the charge does not go over the board and the people are not exploited or threatened time and again.
