Charging Money for Spells?

[MystyPines]

I would like to know what my fellow Pagans think about Pagans (or nonPagans) "making money" from selling Spells, Doing Spells for others, or selling Spell Kits? And, what about Pagans charging newcomers to Paganism to teach them the Craft? I have seen on the internet "for 39.95 I will cast a love spell for you." What is everyone's thoughts?

Bright Blessings!!!!

[Earth Walker]

Personally, I think it is wrong! :mad:

Helping others to learn the Craft, etc., should be done
without charge of any kind. IMHO. :)


To believe what you see is to be deceived.
**********************************
Reject all illusions of social harmony.

[Revelation]

Bad.

[Semele]

Well, obviously it is the opinion of this site that asking for monies in turn for teaching is not a practice we will embrace...but to each his own. I do thoroughly question the effectiveness of a love spell from someone with greed in mind, don't you?

[Jarred]

I have no problem with charging, and here is why:

You are providing another person with a service (namely your magical skill). That take time effort, and energy on your part. As such, you are entitled to some form of compensation.

We would not expect doctors to render their services without compensation. Why do we expect it of witches?

Of course, I also think said compensation should be reasonable.

Having said that, I personally have never charged. Then again, I rarely offer my services to another.

[MystyPines]

Well, what I have seen on certain pagan auctions and elsewhere on the internet is people selling spells, and I mean selling a spell on a piece of paper and that's it and charging $20.00 or more dollars for it. They are not selling "components" or "items" gathered together as in a Spell Kit which you are paying for cost of candles, oils, stones, etc. Also, I have seen actual websites that charge outrageous amounts of money for "their spellcasting" for a person. How do you know if these people on their end of things, are truly casting a spell or just collecting the money? And, what about those teachers out there passing their knowlege onto people interested in the Craft, should they be charging their dedicants? I could see collecting money for costs of candles, tools, journal to takes notes from their mentor, but not sure about the cost of their hourly rate........

[bluecat]

I have had people offer me money for helping. I tell them to give it to a charity, but that since they offered it in the first place they should give it anyway, because of the karma of what could be seen as a broken vow or promise.

I do not and will not charge or accept.

Blue

[Jarred]

"Well, what I have seen on certain pagan auctions and elsewhere on the internet is people selling spells, and I mean selling a spell on a piece of paper and that's it and charging $20.00 or more dollars for it."

Well, the best way to keep this from happening is to convince everyone NOT TO BUY IT. But good luck on that one. ;)

"How do you know if these people on their end of things, are truly casting a spell or just collecting the money?"

Well, one would presume that you'd do a little digging before you hand over your hard-earned money. After all, what other services would you pay for without checking out the credentials of the person rendering them?

"And, what about those teachers out there passing their knowlege onto people interested in the Craft, should they be charging their dedicants?"

Actually, I have taken classes from people who charge. I had no problems with it. They put a lot of time preparing for the class, gave me valuable information (and usually printed it out as a resource for me to keep), and otherwise made the event well worth what little they charged.

Not everyone who charges money is out to rob you blind.

[Semele]

I see no problem if someone wants to charge for their services. However I tend to think that those offering love spells and the works are sending out numerous copies of the exact same "spell" to anyone who will buy it. Using your talents to make money is fine. Just make it individualised at least. I doubt that one blanket spell will be effective for everyone, but then I have other issues with "love" spells anyway. I do ont think you should tamper with certain things. Also that reeks of buying someones love to me. Even if you do not purchase it from them per say!!

[Revelation]

On the other hand, I do not think that charging for classes is bad.

the whole issue is kind of non-sensical, and I dont mean that in a bad way. What I mean is, the "Generally Accepted Pagan Attitude", which I shall now call GAPA, because that's very amusing, is that charging money for spells is bad. However, the GAPA towards charging for classes held by an organization such as the Reclaiming Collective is ok. GAPA is also that charging money for books is ok.

So, where's the logic? I can't find it, maybe someone else can. For some things, there isn't logic, just what feels right.

[Jarred]

"However I tend to think that those offering love spells and the works are sending out numerous copies of the exact same "spell" to anyone who will buy it."

If you were talking about doing a spell for someone, I'd agree with you. When you're doing the magic yourself, you should always individualize and tailor your working to the specific instance. With spell kits, it's a little different. You're offering the buyer specific tools and a basic template. You expect them to do the individualization. (Of course, I tend not to like spell kits for myself).

"but then I have other issues with "love" spells anyway. I do ont think you should tamper with certain things."

I have no problems with love spells, but only because of the way I view them and work with them. (And I've done a few rather effective ones.) But I think that should be a separate topic, if you're interested. ;)

[Semele]

Jarred,
I would love to hear more about your love spells...I find it interesting. Shall we start a thread in a more appropriate area?

[mol]

The best spells are the ones you create yourself. And those cannot be bought in a spiritual supermarket.

[Semele]

Originally posted by mol
The best spells are the ones you create yourself. And those cannot be bought in a spiritual supermarket.

I am sure he meant to add in his opinion!!!

Right hun?!?!?!

:p

[Rick]

OK, then why pay authors for their books of spells & information? Isn' t that much the same?

I guess I have to say "caveat emptor" (Gods, I HOPE I just said "let the buyer beware", & not "flossing stops cavities"!) when it comes to buying ANYTHING over the internet. Most information is out there, for free, just for the looking. I guess these folks are making money selling whatever they are offering, but someone must be buying it, else they'd go out of business.

On a personal level, I have no qualms about charging for my time & knowledge, but it's always reasonable (and usually free).

[Rævyn Cigány]

Uh-oh, dissention in the magickal ranks....lets try and keep a little perspective here ladies and gentlemen....*shakes a Mom finger at you two*...play nice children ;) Remember Mol, I'm older than you (by exactly four years hehehe), I can STILL turn you over my knee...8O ...what am I saying?! You'd probably enjoy that :eek: ;)

Blessings and luv!

Rae )0(

[Earth Walker]

I don't see anything wrong with charging for lessons, etc., if
everything is legitimate; but I have no use for fly-by-night
charlatans who really have no idea of what they are doing,
or the damage they cause......for greed! :mad:


To believe what you see is to be deceived.
**********************************
Reject all illusions of social harmony.

[Semele]

Originally posted by Rævyn Cigány
Uh-oh, dissention in the magickal ranks....lets try and keep a little perspective here ladies and gentlemen....*shakes a Mom finger at you two*...play nice children ;) Remember Mol, I'm older than you (by exactly four years hehehe), I can STILL turn you over my knee...8O ...what am I saying?! You'd probably enjoy that :eek: ;)

Blessings and luv!

Rae )0(

Don't get him all worked up now!!!

[Semele]

Originally posted by Mystique
I don't see anything wrong with charging for lessons, etc., if
everything is legitimate; but I have no use for fly-by-night
charlatans who really have no idea of what they are doing,
or the damage they cause......for greed! :mad:


To believe what you see is to be deceived.
**********************************
Reject all illusions of social harmony.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Of course there are legitamate folks out there but it is so hard to tell. I think Rick said it best with buyer beware...sorry I don't know any other fancy languages to use!! 8O

[Earth Walker]

Originally posted by Rævyn Cigány
Uh-oh, dissention in the magickal ranks....lets try and keep a little perspective here ladies and gentlemen....*shakes a Mom finger at you two*...play nice children ;) Remember Mol, I'm older than you (by exactly four years hehehe), I can STILL turn you over my knee...8O ...what am I saying?! You'd probably enjoy that :eek: ;)

Blessings and luv!

Rae )0(

He would?
The Dark Dominatrix Goddess is available. ;) 8O 8O


To believe what you see is to be deceived.
**********************************
Reject all illusions of social harmony.

[Jarred]

Semele: Feel free to start it. Just let me know where. ;)

[mol]

Originally posted by Semele


I am sure he meant to add in his opinion!!!

Right hun?!?!?!

:p


Oh...most definately.

My original post is in my opinion of course..

[Semele]

Originally posted by Jarred
Semele: Feel free to start it. Just let me know where. ;)


Ok...in the magic forum

[mol]

Originally posted by Rick
OK, then why pay authors for their books of spells & information? Isn' t that much the same?

I guess I have to say "caveat emptor" (Gods, I HOPE I just said "let the buyer beware", & not "flossing stops cavities"!) when it comes to buying ANYTHING over the internet. Most information is out there, for free, just for the looking. I guess these folks are making money selling whatever they are offering, but someone must be buying it, else they'd go out of business.

On a personal level, I have no qualms about charging for my time & knowledge, but it's always reasonable (and usually free).

<mols opinions>

I dont consider books the same. Here is why: the original question struck me as someone selling A spell. Just a spell. Nothnig else. Magickal services, etc. I consider a book a teaching device and if someone wants to spend money on that i dont see it as wrong.

Now, of course, if someone wants to buy a spell or pay for a service then that is their right!

I just dont see it as good practice myself.

</mols opinions>

[eaglewolf]

Being extremely traditional, I cannot personally condone the selling of spells, lessons, or any service related to my religion... then again, I am not the type to even give out this information for free, let alone sell it.

However, I think to each their own, and if it works for them, well, whatever...

Many I have noticed are not Wiccan, and their ideals are not remotely similar to my own. It is not my place to dictate what they should do with their life, even if they are Wiccan.

My personal and traditional views apply only to me and those within my tradition. I am not a solitary, as there are many within my tradition working closely. I am what many would consider the "Elder HP" of my tradition, as well as the founder of it's namesake, and keeper of the family Tome...

Though I recieved this "position" through birth right, I am highly respected within my tradition, as I have earned this respect. These ideals have been passed down through many years of tradition and will remain so out of respect for those who came before me.

Our religion will never become a business venture, but that is just our way (within our tradition)...

~ew

[mol]

Originally posted by Mystique


He would?
The Dark Dominatrix Goddess is available. ;) 8O 8O


To believe what you see is to be deceived.
**********************************
Reject all illusions of social harmony.

:p *sweating*

Uh...lets keep this on topic please...before I faint. LOL.

[Revelation]

Our religion will never become a business venture, but that is just our way...

Sadly, I think for several, it already has. (Unless you're talking specifically about your own tradition in which case I retract this statement)

[eaglewolf]

Yes, I was... and I have added that in to the original post.

;)

Thanks Revelation!

~ew

[Lavender]

Originally posted by eaglewolf
Being extremely traditional, I cannot personally condone the selling of spells, lessons, or any service related to my religion... then again, I am not the type to even give out this information for free, let alone sell it.

:p Not me...I'm a real blabbermouth! :p I tell all!

I don't like charging people to help them but sometimes people give me stuff...I have a freezerful of banana bread! Sometimes I get cookies, & recently someone gave me a couple of nice staves of hazelwood. That's different, though. I've seen the types of spell-in-a-box stuff. It's really silly (to me). I think of it as a cutesy type thing...sort of like the pet rock fad.

[Emy]

I don't like to charge the people who comes to me for help, however if say I needed to buy some expensive herbs or something like that in order to help I would provide my help at cost. I am only a poor student, and even if I would want to help for free, I couldn't because I would go bankrupt. However trading services is also fine, and I do accept gifts for thanks for my help, but I don't usually ask for money... (unless it is for mentioned reasons above). Tarot readings for my friends , advice on magickal workings, spells etc I wouldn't charge for at all, that would, to me, feel very wrong.

Blessed be

[Earth Walker]

I do not charge people for teaching them the Craft, but I
use the same criteria applied to Martial Arts....it helps me
to weed out those who want to learn for all of the wrong
reasons.


To believe what you see is to be deceived.
**********************************
Reject all illusions of social harmony.