My husband found an email in his mail box this morning telling him his actions were pure evil. He confessed. All the accusations were true. OMG – what to do. I’m married to an evil one. Probably worse than Lord Voldemort.
A woman had contacted him requesting some help in the magick department. And guess what that lowlife did?
He emailed her back and told her the hourly rate he charges.
This was a while back. I remember him reading it to me – it was polite, respectful and upfront. I don’t know exactly how long ago he replied to her but I’m guessing a good month. And today she finally vented her anger about being told his services weren’t free. It was disgusting how he could charge for his god given talents, she said, especially in the current economic situation.
And she signed it off by saying it was just pure evil.
I know there’s the eternal debate of whether healer, mystics, psychics and the such like should charge for their services. Hardcore advocates in both camps volley the arguments back and forth like watching the men’s finals at Wimbledon.
I provide a genuine service, one that’s needed in today’s mixed up spiritually devoid world. The day of having a Wise Woman or Man in the village is long gone – it was burnt away by religious fanatics. But the need of the services is still present. Probably needed even more than ever. But I need to eat, keep a roof over my head, provide for my children and develop my own skills and understanding. That’s why it’s necessary to charge for services.
Paul and I never stop learning, evolving and immersing ourselves in the world which entwines this reality. Just look at our bookshelves:
And down a bit further:
And then there’s the other bookshelf and the kitchen cupboard stuffed with reference books. Oh, and under our bed where we’ve run out of room downstairs. We’ve got Tarot decks, so many I can’t remember the exact number. I can’t really justify so many for professional reasons but the artwork inspires me and moves me to walk between the intuitive and mundane world. So that makes me a better reader. We have herbs, candles and all kinds of magickal tools all over the place. These are not always cheap or easy to come by.
I’m not telling you all this to justify what I do. My conscience is crystal clear. Being a weaver of worlds isn’t everyone’s calling – it’s a specialist job like a doctor or a plumber or a chef. Nobody questions paying for these services. I think the plumber I called out to fix my blocked drain would have had a Dutch fit if I told him he should do it for free. He has skills I don’t have (or don’t want to learn) so why should there not be a fair exchange?
Both of us work for free too. I cut my Tarot teeth on the TABI (Tarot Association of British Isles) and Free Tarot Networks. Paul still does free readings every Monday (if you request a reading and get Quicksilver he’s that man!). He also mentors other readers. I have a totally free beginner’s Tarot course. We’ve been writing our free newsletter for 2 years now (that actually costs us money). And there are clients we help because they need it and don’t have the means to pay us.
I’m sure we’re not alone in this approach. We charge for our services and we give back too.
What do you think? Should spiritual services and god given gifts be given freely? Is it pure evil to charge?
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There definitely should be an exchange of some type for the teacher/student, even for the advisor/seeker roles. Now monetary exchange is the modern day equivalent of bartering. Maybe a few generations ago it would have been acceptable to exchange food/produce/goods & services. Unfortunately, in our society today we gave up bartering for a money exchange. Now if the teacher/advisor makes it known that some sort of trading of services is acceptable that’s mighty nice of them. However, It should not be expected by seeker/student. Though a teacher/advisor should be willing to make available acceptable trade if they feel it’s appropriate. Though if you don’t know the person in actuality, you should be ready for a monetary transaction it’s only an acceptable matter of respect.
What a woman! She must be used to getting things she wants without effort. How nice for her. Your husband should charge, of course. Then she can decide if she wants to use her services or not. Or she can study and work and learn and practice and hone her own magical skills and do it herself. Oh- wait! that takes effort a bit of money too.
I do tarot readings and the occasional spell for friends and family, almost never for people outside of my inner circle. So I am just fine with a good meal, being driven somewhere, or money for payment of services. Unless I’m giving it as a gift, there should be some sort of exchange. If on the odd chance a stranger or someone I don’t know very well would ask for either a reading or a spell, I would charge a fee.
That woman sounds really disturbed…Sounds like she’s a victim and expects everything for free. I would have asked her, “what are you willing to barter than if I don’t charge with money?” and I bet she wouldn’t have anything to say. You’re absolutely right that once upon a time, there was a more equal way of gaining wisdom/advice/help from a wise-woman/man and I think that that woman forgot that because OF today’s economy nothing comes cheap or free that’s worth it. Good for Paul and you to charge what I just know is not nearly what the superficial, trendy witch’s charge!
I charge because I have to, it’s the only way to ‘survive’. I also do a lot of things for free. The Wise Woman or Man in the village also charged for their services.
Ditto what everyone else said. The abundance and gratitude issues are hers, not yours. Evil…. pfft! Don’t get me started on what’s evil in the world. Charging for your services isn’t evil–it’s right, fair, appropriate, and shows that you’re open to receiving money for being in alignment with your path.
I’ve had a similar situation! (well i cant say that i’ve been called pure-evil though!
) Usually I don’t charge anything but work on a barter system. I give small classes and mentor a few students but the materials used, books, research material etc do cost money! I don’t know if some people assume because your witchy your a “closet millionaire” and then feel it “pure-evil” to want to charge for your god given talent…I’m a chef, and a pretty good one at that, which is also a god-given talent but I’ve always been paid for my services. So why would I not be able to charge for any other god-given talents (especially magickal) I would want to share ie teaching, mentoring, readings etc!
Charming women!! I have always wondered why people have a problem with this. How else do they think people can pay for things!!!!! like a roof, food, and what if you are trying to start up a business in this area. Family and friends and possibly people that really need help I can understand. But emailing someone you do not know well and expecting it for free!
I NEVER charge for anything I do for another person!!!! How can you put a price on helping someone, and shoring up your Karma???? I am also ordained, and marry people for free also. Sorry to dissagree with you and your lovely one….. but you can’t put a price on helping someone. But, I do make it known, with weddings, that donations can and will be accepted for my services.
Putting a price on helping someone??…does a doctor or a nurse not HELP someone and give advice or comfort. Do they not get paid? Then how does one earn a living, through the skills they have learned, if not by payment of some sort. Isn’t this what most people do? Even with Reiki there must be an exchange, that was one of the first things I learned when I was taught. Lyn’s business will stand or fall according to her charges etc. and if that woman was expecting help for free, and then proclaims them ‘evil’ because she cannot get what she wants, then I fear she has little understanding of the World today. If I was a ‘kept’ woman then I would do everything for free but I have layed out money for books and tools also, so must redeem some money back from my services. Whether they are God-given gifts or whether I simply had leanings towards my craft, the same way as one would choose to become a motor mechanic…who knows..all I know is, with at least 15 courses, many, many books and tools, crystals, herbs, oils, colour lamps (I could go on here) I have put a huge amount of time, money and effort into being who am and doing what I do over the last 25 years and I too make charges, maybe not excessively but certainly enough to ensure I can live, and not once have I ever, EVER had anyone question or complain about charging for my services. Lyn is doing the best she can with children to bring up and a little one at home, and I applaud her totally -been there done that, only in my day I sold things I made, took in sewing, even had lodgers (which I disliked doing), and then eventually was able to follow my path of who I knew I really was. Lyn I recognise most of those book, a veritable library and great selection! Good Luck to you, may you have every success with what you are doing. x
Personally I feel that people appreciate things that they get for free less than if they have to work and/ or pay for them. I think that many people want instant satisfaction in the way of a sitcom, but real life just doesn’t work that way. Calling your husband “evil” is going a bit far under any circumstances, and it seems as if this poor woman has a lot of problems. Everyone needs to live and get by, and I’ve found that people who really, really want something can usually find a way to make it work.