Charging for Readings?

When I was first getting into Magick and Tarot, I was taught that a reader gives their time and energy to do a reading, so they should be compensated. My teacher generally worked on a barter system - reading for reading or reading for favors (or cat food, LOL). But sometimes she took cash, also. I have been doing readings for a few clients for years now and they mostly pay me in cash because it's just simpler than trying to figure out how to barter.

I have been continually shocked to find that many of the people I talk to who are part of the Magick/Pagan "scene" were offended (and a few actually got angry) that I took any kind of compensation for my readings. Can some one please explain to me where the idea that a reader doesn't deserve to be paid for their time and effort came from? I have found a few blogs, articles and such that talk about it but mostly they just say don't do it without any kind of actual explanation.

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I personal I do nto see the issue. I come from heritage of Romani.. And they use such trading it is come ideals. I know people have issue perhaps due to scams. And if it is some way to make a living it useful as well.

I think you should be paid, you are doing a job for someone, a builder wouldnt come out to your house and do work for free would he, just because psychic or spellcasting isnt pysical it is still a job, everyone on this site says you shouldnt pay anyway but nothing is free i am afraid x

I think this started when a lot of people started running scams in which they would say the reading would be 100% accurate,or people doing spells for other people for money. People on here tend to think why pay someone else for what you can learn to do yourself. don't be too offended it is just people trying to protect themselves or others from scamers.

I can understand being paid because it is your job but at the same time I see why people dislike the idea of paying. For one as mentioned above there are many scammers in the world and as some rare people offer free readings the main advice against running into scammers I've seen is pretty much a stereotypical statement that anyone who asks to be paid is a scam artist. I understand also that it takes time and effort but if you think about it from the point of view of a possibly ignorant client they know you use a talent, ability, etc... and a deck of tarot cards unlike say spells which might require ingredients leaving them to believe it doesn't cost you money so why pay you. Technically unless your buying a new deck tarot readings don't cost the reader money but they do take time and energy.

The general idea is that you don't demand or force people to pay, but they give a donation. People don't go to a church and are forced to give to the church in order to recieve that days lecture, etc. They give willingly. The point is, the person having the reading done has to willingly give something in compensation rather than be forced to. This gives a way better spiritual bond with the reading and the reader, and it does not sever the tie that your higher self merged with dietie(s) needs to have with the reader.

Divination is a spiritual matter, not a business matter. And many people see it as such.

well i sell books and i also write them and i charge. I don't see what the problem is, how are you supposed to live if you don't charge. Also people will respect you more, if you didn't charge then you'd never get any peace as people would hound you day and night to give them free readings. Yes there are a lot of charlatins out there but there are those type of people in every profession.

Thank you everyone for your thoughtful and mature replies! I really appreciate that you took time out to answer me.