$ for reading tarot?
Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 08 Jun 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.
| BoomVoom |
08 Jun 2003 |
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hi!
i was just wondering what the general opinion was about asking for muney for reading cards.
i was toled that it was wrong to ask for anything! and that aparentaly "true" fortune tellers don't ask, they just say "give me what ever you want to give me. pay what you will."
is this true?
i've seen a great deal of fortune tellers who ask for pre determined prices rainging from 50€ to 100€ (a € is more or les the same as a $)
TALK TO ME PEOPLE!
;) :D
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| HudsonGray |
08 Jun 2003 |
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It's up to the tarot reader. But if you're providing a service that takes time and skill on your part, I see no reason not to charge money. A lot of people take the reading more seriously if they have to pay for it than if it's free.
If the reader was a beginner I'd say don't charge yet. Once you're not using the little white book anymore & can read pretty accurately (practice people are good, all you need in payment is 'feedback') then you can think about charging.
An artist isn't expected to draw pictures for someone for free, why would a person expect all tarot readers to read for free? Though I do know readers who don't charge, true. It comes back to the individual. If you feel funny about charging, then don't. If you don't mind it or want to make a living at it, then do.
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| allibee |
08 Jun 2003 |
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IMHO, the people who say don't charge for your 'gift', are the same people who honestly believe that you can feed 5000 with one rotten fish and a single crusty loaf of bread. Can't be done. :O) If God gives 'gifts' to use, he certainly wouldn't want anyone dying of hunger, would he?
I agree with Hudsongray totally, and would add that if you spend many years studying and practicing, as does any professional,: Doctor; Lawyer; Architect; you should do as the professionals do and charge accordingly... though probably not quite as much :O).
There have been threads in the past dealing with 'how much' to charge also.
A.
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| Ruby Red Slippers |
08 Jun 2003 |
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If you do not "Value" what you have neither will others.
I believe that a tarot reding involves an exchange of energy from the oracle Tarot through the reader to the questioner. Therefore, some form of "energy exchange" is required.
I believe this to be the law of the universe. Now no one ever said it had to be $$$. In fact when you are starting out the "practice questioner" is paying you by giving his time freely to you to practice. So it is a barter of sorts.
Bartering is also a good way to work, especially among other tarot readers or energy workers.
Money is only energy, nothing more or less......it is just easier for some to use this currency rather than time, or other services.
Just my take on it......
Ruby Red Slippers
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| Mimers |
08 Jun 2003 |
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It is very ok to ask for money for your services in my opinion. Especially when you are making a living this way. I do know one person who does. Some people also ask for an exchange of services. That is another way to do it.
Ultimately it is up to the reader.
Mimi
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| Blue Override |
08 Jun 2003 |
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I feel funny about taking money, but only because I'm not exactly a professional-caliber reader yet. I have no problem with that concept, having apprenticed to and worked with two of the most dynamic and insightful readers I've ever met. And they made BANK. And they deserved every penny!
I do, however, accept drinks and "party favors" in exchange for reads in social situations.
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| mags@Treadwells |
08 Jun 2003 |
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Originally posted by BoomVoom
hi!
i was just wondering what the general opinion was about asking for muney for reading cards.
i was toled that it was wrong to ask for anything! and that aparentaly "true" fortune tellers don't ask, they just say "give me what ever you want to give me. pay what you will."
is this true?
i've seen a great deal of fortune tellers who ask for pre determined prices rainging from 50€ to 100€ (a € is more or les the same as a $)
TALK TO ME PEOPLE!
;) :D
There is already q a long thread on this, in this forum. Will try and find it for you.
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| Sobeknofret |
08 Jun 2003 |
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Oddly enough, I find that when people pay for a reading that they tend to take it more seriously and to follow the advice that the cards give to them more often. I wouldn't hesitate to charge for a reading, but how much is up to you and how much you feel your skills are worth to them. Personally, I say no less than $5 for a quick reading (10-15 min.) $10-15 for a longer one. But usually I'll charge more for a longer reading, around $20-25. Sometimes it depends on my sense of what a client can actually afford too. I have been known to use the cheap short readings to hook them into the longer, more expensive ones :D
BTW, I have also been known to barter stuff for readings. I sometimes read at a local deli where there is a blues guitar player. I read for him, he plays my favorite songs, we both go away happy :)
--Sobe
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| jog1118 |
09 Jun 2003 |
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receiving money / barter is ok for me. a win-win situation is always good.
on the other hand, tarot readers like us should avoid the temptation to interpret (the better word is: fabricate) good readings in order for the client to pay more. in tarot the phrase "a happy client pays well" should not apply simply because readings can turn out bad
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| sagitarian |
09 Jun 2003 |
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I don't know, this has always been a hard decision for me to make. True, that if you have the talent, why not charge? However, MOST of the people I read for are friends and family, and I don't feel right charging them, as their friendship and love is payment enough. If I deserve more then I leave that up to the universe to decide. I used to tell people that I don't charge, but I accept tips, that way they gave me what they feel they got. Some nights I made bank, other nights, I got a ring and a necklace, and some nights, not anything at all. Again, I decided it was up to the karmic forces that be to "pay" me. If the universe pays me in the way of giving me my children, and helping them live long, safe, and filled with love lives, then I couldn't be any richer and that's more then enough. However, if I work for a metaphysical store, and they charge for the reading, and I get a percentage out of it, then that's great, that I have no problem with morally. I don't know these people, and feel comfortable with them being charged. (ok, that's it, if strangers come up and ask, I'll charge them). In any case, it's really up to you.
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| paradoxx |
09 Jun 2003 |
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In this topics spectrum, i am more concerned with if certification for this type of service is nessascary, i hope not, it may be the path to financial stability.
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| Umbrae |
10 Jun 2003 |
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I remember folks complaining that Sylvia Browne charges so much…
Yes, they can go to their priest, friends, relatives…
But they come to us…and have done so for years…why?
They paid at the Oracle of Delphi. They paid to have entrails read in Rome. The Celts paid to watch how the bodies of murdered slaves and criminals twitched.
Now they pay to have cards read.
.
…And we would need to eat…even the birds of the air and the beasts of the field need to eat. Without supporting the temple which houses our spirit – we could not provide guidance, help or serve others.
And yes we are about the spirit – and when someone comes to me, they expect to pay – and when I read for them, it is not about me or my spirit, it is about them and their spirit – and they expect to pay. Who am I to tell them they are wrong? Who am I to question them?
Why do you read?
Yes, they can go to their priest, friends, relatives…
But they come to us…and have done so for years…why?
To get what cannot be gotten from any other…
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| sagitarian |
11 Jun 2003 |
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So true Umbrae, so true! Haven't thought about it in that way, that people EXPECT to pay.
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| BoomVoom |
12 Jun 2003 |
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that is true Umbrae.
i just hope nobody misunderstude my post. i only put it here for the perpos of debate. a question which arose in my head when a friend of mine insisted that it was wrong to ask for pament.
i'm beguining to believe that this opinion must have its roots in old fashioned cristian belief. that since it is a sin to fortel the future, one can not expect to be payed for it.
but i'm glad to see that everybody thinks that's a load of rubbish, and that apparently it was always the practace, even before cristian times, to pay for this kinde of servis.
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| tarotpharot |
12 Jun 2003 |
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Originally posted by Umbrae
I remember folks complaining that Sylvia Browne charges so much…
They paid at the Oracle of Delphi. They paid to have entrails read in Rome. The Celts paid to watch how the bodies of murdered slaves and criminals twitched.
Now they pay to have cards read.
.
And yes we are about the spirit - and when someone comes to me, they expect to pay - and when I read for them, it is not about me or my spirit, it is about them and their spirit - and they expect to pay. Who am I to tell them they are wrong? Who am I to question them?
To get what cannot be gotten from any other…
I couldn't agree more, Umbrae. There always seem to be those "holier-than-thou" types who extoll one to be "virtue-less" if one charges for anything which can be related to spirituality. I can't begin to count over the years the debates involving paying or charging for various spiritual trainings.
When one solicited or was selected for "traning" in elder times, some sort of sacrifice was required. In many instances, the initiate might be required to perform a service either initially or in an ongoing capacity (how many cords of wood must I cut?!?) The initiate paid with their blood sweat and tears (so to speak) And in the case of the village wise man/woman, an offering of some sort was always made be it money or trade.
Today most people pay with money. That's their hard-earned blood, sweat and tears.
Livin' it, lovin it, laughin' it,
Brad })
TarotPharot
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| Chronata |
14 Jun 2003 |
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I can only speak for myself....
When I am actually hired by someone, then I charge money.
Sometimes a flat fee for a party situation....sometimes by the hour...and sometimes on a reading by reading basis.
In a social situation, or for friends or family, I rarely charge, but usually work on a favor trade.
There have been situations where I have been hired by an establishment (like a cofee house or tavern) where, even though I have a sign that states my price, I still occassionally do some free readings (if it looks and feels like someone *really*needs it!)
As an artist, I pretty much do the same with my artwork....on a case by case basis, some of it I get money for, and a lot of it goes to people who need it! ( for free!)
As far as certification goes, I was certified once...."For Entertainment Purposes Only"...
But since I wasn't fleecing anyone out of thier life savings, no one really cared if I was certified or not, and I just never renewed it when the paperwork was due!
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| Macavity |
14 Jun 2003 |
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From a purely hypothetical point of view, I did have the "bright" idea of imagining giving a first reading for free or at reduced rate. Then I thought: "When did YOU last pay for a shareware program?" :D As an aside, during my mini survey of the "going rate" for readings, I was surprised by the amount of negative publicity (re. other readers!) From a (very?) personal persepctive, I would be much more inclined to use a reader who concentrated on their own GOOD points, rather than the bad points of the opposition, but I suppose where money is concerned... })
Macavity
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The $ for reading tarot? thread was originally posted on 08 Jun 2003 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.
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