Who all charges here charges money for their readings?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 21 Jun 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

mondk	21 Jun 2002
I am just curious; I don't charge because I feel like my divination skill is a gift, and so I personally don't feel it is right for me to charge money. Thoughts, feelings? Anyone? Blessings, Michelle

Umbrae	21 Jun 2002
It depends on the sitter. We have the friends and family plan, they do not pay, they buy dinner. (lol) Referrals from friends and family pay. They will then refer others and so on and so forth. Next question…how much. Some folks cannot afford much, and 5 dollars is a lot. Some folks can afford a lot. Only take cash (reading should be a non-taxable event), credit cards and cheques may be pegged as taxable income. Money is not evil. Accepting money is not evil. It does not detract from your gift. I believe it helps ‘set’ or bind the reading to the sitter. They will listen more attentively and follow though with your advice much more readily if there was an exchange of value involved. Get that? An Exchange of Value.

Butterfly	21 Jun 2002
I must admit to being absolutely perplexed by the it's a gift, so I shouldn't charge money attitude. Why should these gifts be the only gifts that we are not allowed to charge for. A writer with the gift of words makes money, a gifted musician makes money. Money is not evil. Personally, having money enables me to focus on the things that I do consider important. When I am knee deep in money troubles, I've little time for the more spiritual side of life. I have to make money somewhere, where better than making such a difference in peoples lives. It's a truly abundant universe, where anything is available to us if we need it. Mind you, I would never charge more than a person could afford, I would accept other things in return (energy exchange) and I would certainly do free readings for those that I believed deserved it. So yes, I would chrge, but ethically.

Phoenix	21 Jun 2002
I might start charging for some of my friends.

Marion	21 Jun 2002
Nothing wrong with charging money for the use of your talents. We all make money one way or another because of our abilities. I would strongly suggest keeping track and paying the taxes though if seems to be totalling a significant amount.

Angel Star	21 Jun 2002
I charge money for my time. Sometimes it can take up to almost 2 hours for a readings and they can be exhausting. I don't think I even make enough to even be taxed for it though. A reading here and a reading there mostly for people I know and family. I see nothing wrong with charging for your time not the info that the tarot provides. I even use other divination cards for a tarot verification addition. Take care all.

Greenelin	21 Jun 2002
You BET I charge for readings, with the exception of my friend Lyn (because we've been friends for 18 years, and she put up with me when I wasn't a good reader). It's taken me a long time to gather the skills and information I use in a reading, and more important, it's taken me my whole life to prepare for the next reading I do. Sure, it's a gift - so is a good voice or the ability to act, and we don't have any problem with Tom Cruise's millions per movie, do we? Why wouldn't you ask compensation for the time you spend doing the reading itself, and the time you've spent learning how to read? You know, I see this as a self-worth issue. Invariably, a woman poses this question - it's a shame that, in our society we women aren't taught to value ourselves. If we were we might not have to ask this question. Yours in feminist rage, or at least feminist pissed-offness (but not at the person who posed the question - at the situation!),

jema	22 Jun 2002
i charge money too. my main reason however is not go earn money (i read far too little for that to make any difference) but i think it was Umbrae that put it so well on here - "to make it stick" it is a way of making the client value the reading and take active part of it. things we gain freely we don't value as much as those we had to put energy into and money is energy and doing a reading for money is an energy exchange and can give both me and the client a kick forward - some extra "go" and self-esteem. i do also read and barter. but i do very seldom read for free.

MystiqueMoonlight	22 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Greenelin You know, I see this as a self-worth issue. Invariably, a woman poses this question - it's a shame that, in our society we women aren't taught to value ourselves. If we were we might not have to ask this question. Yours in feminist rage, or at least feminist pissed-offness (but not at the person who posed the question - at the situation!), Personally I don't think any feminist issues are the concern here. I am a guy and we read the Tarot too. It is a gift which ALL sexes share and I believe is the right for ALL sexes to decide if they will charge for it or not. :) I only ask what the questioner can offer. If that comes in the form of a small amount of money or maybe dinner sometime or even the exchange of my services for theirs then that's fine with me. I don't believe the point of the question was primarily based on self worth more over than how this person feels personally at this time in their lives about charging for a reading. Things need not always be about "us" and "them", but just an innocent query of interest.

Diana	22 Jun 2002
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jema	22 Jun 2002
psst, barting is really half the fun! (no surprise since i love the trading forums on here so much) i did a reading last week and someone will send me the roots of asia deck, another reading for a friend and he will make me a nice dinner next time i see him. when i read on-line i always prefered pop-tarts to money:P

Jimilyn	22 Jun 2002
I believe that each person should do what he or she is led to do concerning charging for readings. If one is lead to chage or barter and doesn't...then that is wrong. If one is lead to not charge and does, then that is wrong. I believe that one's inner guidance, intuition, etc. will lead to the correct answer for that individual...and the answer may even change from reading to reading as some of you indicate. There is no right or wrong answer to this question and all should be respected and supported in whatever decision they make regarding it...just like we are all doing. :) That's what I love about Aeclectic...we don't all have to agree 100% about everything to love, respect, encourage, and support each other. Hugs, Jimilyn

Angel Star	22 Jun 2002
I just went and read thru some of th replies about charging and I agree with alot of post saying people seem to value readings more when they pay for them. I like to give a little bit of extra's sometimes and even if people don't like what they hear better forwarned. I do readings on myself and don't like some of the cards that come up and when I ignore them things get explosive when I pay attention things flow alot smoother. So this is tarot sometimes and I see nothing wrong with charging or getting someone to make you dinner or bartering for other things. Take care all!

mondk	23 Jun 2002
At least, I got to see both sides of the story. Greenelin: I see your point but just want you to know that I do value my self-worth highly. I am a nurse (occupation wise) and good one too from what I've been told and make a fair bit of money at it when I work. I suppose my decision to not charge is based mainly on how I see tarot readers in general. If we readers are indeed blessed with a gift, a possible gift of prophecy/divination as we know full well many of us are...then to me it is more like volunteer work...making a difference, helping others. I view my readings as humbling, for me while insightful for my querents. I am terribly afraid for myself that money involvement in my readings would tend to confuse things and that I would feel that I must "tell them what they want to hear so they will be getting their money's worth" if you know what I mean. I do indeed realize that others here that read are more advanced than I am at this point and that someday I may share your attitude, but for now, I have only been a reader since last Nov. and charging money (me, personally...my opinion only) just seems wrong. I am not criticizing those of you that do...no, not at all...I just wanted to see how many of you do charge and how much and your thoughts on this. Thank you all for your posts!!! Many blessings, Michelle

wavebreaker	23 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by mondk I do indeed realize that others here that read are more advanced than I am at this point and that someday I may share your attitude, but for now, I have only been a reader since last Nov. and charging money (me, personally...my opinion only) just seems wrong. I agree with you on that, mondk. I've got nothing against charging for a reading, after all, it takes time and effort to do a reading. Besides, it does seem that people take it more seriously when they pay for it and that way they won't take advantage of you, asking for free readings all the time (I learned my lesson as a translator: the hours I spent doing free translations for friends and colleagues and then they couldn't even be bothered to say thank you! :( ). But like you, I'm still very new to tarot, so for me at this time it doesn't feel right to charge for my readings. I'm just glad for every reading I get to do, because it gives me a bit of practice! ;) By the time I feel confident enough to call myself a "professional" reader, I probably will start charging.

Diana	23 Jun 2002
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Thirteen	23 Jun 2002
Diana makes a good point--not to repeat too much what others have said, but it depends on three things: 1) How much of your time do you put into doing readings? If you do it a lot--take time out of your busy schedule to provide people with this service--then you deserve some form of compensation for it. Also, how long is the reading? A quickie 3-card spread can be given "gratis" but if you're going to lay out a Celtic Cross or Past Life (Konraad's) spread, that's going to take time and energy. And compensation can rightfully be asked for that. And WHEN is it given? A light reading during a lull in the lunch break is one thing--but if you're called up at night to make an emergency read at someone's home, then, absolutely, you should get compensation--gas money and for time. 2) Why are you doing it? If it's to learn or just for fun, then no. Because the folk who are allowing you to read them are giving you as much as you're giving them. If, however, you're doing it because you feel it's one of your callings, and you're trying to help, then, as Diana points out, you're providing a service and deserve, again, some form of compensation. 3) How skilled are you? If, as been pointed out, you're still a beginner, then reading for others is an apprenticeship and you should only ask them to buy you a cup of coffee. But if you've been at it at least a year, you're probably at Journeyman level, at least, and you can rightfully ask for compensation. You're a professional, your knowledge and insights are valuable. Now the big question of course, I suppose, is do I charge? I find reading for people relaxing and social and I usually do it at parties or coffeehouses. It energizes me. So I rarely charge. I did have one woman insist that I take money, and so I did. But mostly I barter. A reading for a cup of coffee (hey, a large ice-blended mocha costs a lots these days! that's a valuable reading there), or, if very time consuming, they can buy me a meal--or do a favor for me (I've done readings for massage therapists who then gave me very nice back-rubs). There is a benefit to *not* charging--it's easier to say no, to cut the readings short. If the person hands you money up front, then you have to give them their money's worth no matter how you feel about doing a reading--or doing it for them. But if you're doing it free, you can say, "I can only give you a quick three-card spread." And they can hardly object or badger for more, can they? That's the other side of the coin. Also, on a final note, you do need to make sure you can do readings for money legally. Some cities don't allow it--and while I doubt the cops would take you away for it, you don't want to get into any sticky situations.

Umbrae	23 Jun 2002
Once again Thirteen, a worthy post. Readings for coffee should be used with caution. “Ice Mocha Shakes” make for shuffling difficulties, and accelerated speech may inhibit comprehension. Now readings for chocolate…

Angel Star	23 Jun 2002
Great post on this thread. I enjoyed everyones view on charging or not charging and when to charge or not charge. Take care all! :)

Dark Inquisitor	23 Jun 2002
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mondk	23 Jun 2002
Cyber-slap me if you think I'm just being completely over-nosy here!!! Also, tarotlady: did you mean Ozzy Osbourne? ( I have every single episode of The Osbournes on tape) I can't wait until they start their next season of it. Blessings to all, Michelle

Dark Inquisitor	23 Jun 2002
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catlin	24 Jun 2002
Ok, I charge money from ppl I do not know or who are mere aquaintancies. I only have 2 friends who get free readings in exchange for reading for me with playing cards. I have cut down free readings for friends as most of them did not want to intend to compensate me in another way and readings started to take up too much of my time. I think there should be balance in everything you do so why should I offer something without getting something else in return? Besides ppl take readings more seriously when they have to pay for them. They have to pay when they go to a psycologue so we do quite a similar job and should offer it for free?

jema	24 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by mondk Cyber-slap me if you think I'm just being completely over-nosy here!!! i charge about the value of a new tarot-deck:) or 200 swedish kronor. but then the client will have me until he/she is satisfied and that can be anything from 20 minutes to 2 hours. or i charge a pizza, or help with the window-cleaning etc. this week i will do a reading for a friend who will bring me some fabrics from turkey (if she remembers to come before she leaves on wednesday) i know i probably could charge a lot more. i have worked hard for my skills in reading. it is not just a gift that dropped down from the sky - it took years of hard work and patience and giving up and starting up again and lots of books, internet-browsing, some pretty awful reading experiences and so on.

MeeWah	24 Jun 2002
I do readings part-time only because my time & energy are limited; however, I am very serious about the service I provide so I expect compensation. Charging tends to eliminate the riff-raff or those who would waste my time. How much depends on the type & how long I expect it to take. The in-person usually runs from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Those done at a distance always entail transcription of the session. Depending on its complexity or length, it may total a few hours' work in the end.

Kiama	24 Jun 2002
I have never charged for readings before, except when I raisd some money for charity a couple of years back at a school fete, but that money went to the charity, not to me... However, this thread couldn't have come at a better time, as I am planning on going 'professional' in September when I begin University and have my own place... For my friends and family, the readings will still be free, cuz I love doing them, but for people other than them, they'll be paid for... I'm eager to know what prices others charge aswell... I'm not sure how much I should charge, but I guess the first step will be to check out the other Tarot readers (If there are any!) around the place.. (And eliminate the competition... Y'know,... A freak bus accident or something... ;) :P })) Kiama

The Who all charges here charges money for their readings? thread was originally posted on 21 Jun 2002 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.