Reading for money

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 04 Mar 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Osher	04 Mar 2004
I've heard so many different views on this, and no threads on it either, I'd like to know opinion. Is reading for money acceptable? Yes, no, enough to cover costs only?

ros	04 Mar 2004
Yes - I read for money as a business. No- If someone needs a reading & doesn't have the money, I read for free. Some people need uplifting in their turmoil. I voted other.

Osher	04 Mar 2004
So basically, it's a yes, but with another option.

Centaur	04 Mar 2004
I voted yes. I think that if a reader decides to ask for a contribution then that is well within his or her right to do so. I do think that one has to be careful though when shopping for readers though... I guess it would be possible for anyone to purchase a pack of cards and advertise themselves in the local newspaper, or in a market-place. I personally have only on a few occasions (for instance as a struggling student!) charged for readings. C

Ranger757	04 Mar 2004
other...barter, trade, service for service...

Kath	04 Mar 2004
I think it’s ok to charge for a reading. I have heard tarot readers often explain it as an exchange. You are giving something of yourself (your time, knowledge and abilities), so the querent should give something of themselves (like money, or a service, or something in trade). When reading for friends I don’t charge them money, but they usually do something for me in exchange, like invite me over for dinner or something. When you really think about it, you are providing a service. Your accountant charges you for preparing your tax return, you tip your waiters, you pay counsellors and doctors, so why shouldn’t a tarot reader get paid for their services? And when you consider the cost of books, decks, seminars, courses, tarot association/organisation fees and so on, it all adds up.

mota	04 Mar 2004
You not only should charge for readings, you do the sitter a bad turn by not. Free readings are given exactly that value...zero. You will receive positive feedback but they will just go to the next free reading and not act on what you have read. If someone pays me $100 for a one hour reading they will listen to what I have to say. If you were to barter, that would be fine also. The sitter must have some emotional investment. Also, when you charge for readings you find out quickly if you do read well by how many repeat readings and referrals you get. People will let you give them freebies forever, but when they part with money you know how they really feel. If you don't think your readings are worth cash you may want to think about your confidence in your reading ability. I have done free readings,but rarely. In my opinion they are wrong for both the reader and sitter. Free readings are psychic welfare and work about as well.

Star Spirit	04 Mar 2004
At first I didn't think I could (and haven't really, yet) but now it's something I'd like to do. Tarot can be draining at times...especially if one were to read time and time again (ie. parties, etc.) so I think it's only fair to charge a little. It's nice to make a little extra money from it, too. I mean if you're good at something, and people are willing to pay for your services, why not? I give so many free readings on the boards and it's great, but in time I'll read for money. That's why I set up my readings website (no luck there yet, but I knew it was a slow business :)).

lunalafey	05 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by mota You not only should charge for readings, you do the sitter a bad turn by not. Free readings are given exactly that value...zero. In my opinion they are wrong for both the reader and sitter. Free readings are psychic welfare and work about as well. I disagree. I don't feel there should be a price tag on all readings. And I don't think they do any-one any bad. I have given plenty of free and rewarding readings- I feel that all the giving of myself- without expecting anything in return is more rewarding later on down the road. It has been my experience- that when I started reading for more people- here at AT. More positive wonderful things have occured in my life. In using the word psyhic- there is an element of responsibility that goes with the gift. If one is getting a message to read for some-one else, or sense that they are in pain, or delema, or danger, then they need to be approached, it is why the message is being sent. If I got a flash of some child being bit by a dog and did not do something, I would be really worried about my own karma. I realize my example is not tarot realted & extream, I feel it's parallel.

jmd	05 Mar 2004
In his opening post, Happiness asks 'Is reading for money acceptable?' To that, I would answer clearly 'yes'. The 'yes' in the poll, however, seems to suggest a less than clear 'yes'... I was thus hesitant to click on that option. Just because people are willing to pay for a service doesn't make the 'service' acceptable (which is somehow implied in one loose reading of the 'yes' option). Rather, accepting money for Tarot readings is acceptable, in my view at least, whether or not anyone is actually willing to pay.

LadyMedusa	05 Mar 2004
I think it's perfectly acceptable to mix money and Tarot. AND I also think it's perfectly acceptable to gift someone with a free reading. If someone read for chooses to follow another path than one suggested in the reading freely gifted or otherwise, oh well that's their choice, it's their choice to make. The universe knows I have enough of my own issues to fret over. As for the quality of my readings, if someone feels the need to LIE when giving me feedback then that's their problem for not participating enough in the process to begin with. LadyMedusa

Diana	05 Mar 2004
The question here is: What is wrong with money? Is money bad? If someone thinks it's bad, or that it has negative energy, I would suggest that they have been brainwashed somewhere in their youth. Money is the equivalent of fruit on a tree. It nourishes us and provides us with shelter and all sorts of other wonderful things. Damn right I read for money. I love money. And I love Tarot. The two fit beautifully together.

wavebreaker	05 Mar 2004
Why is the combination of money and tarot (or other spiritual services) always a subject of discussion whereas no one will discuss whether it's ok for a hairdresser or a mechanic or a psychiatrist to charge for their services? ;) Giving a tarot reading is a service, just like a hairdresser doing your hair or a mechanic fixing your car or an appointment with a psychiatrist. The tarot reader puts time and effort into the reading, the tarot reader has their bills to pay like everyone else, so it's only logical that s/he should charge for the service. I don't think there is anyhing wrong with providing free readings if the tarot reader chooses to do so, but that's up to his/her own discretion. But I don't think anyone has to offer their services for free. I don't expect my hairdresser to cut my hair for free either. ;) Of course, whether the service provided is worth the money is an entirely different matter. But then, as with any other service, one should shop around first and ask other people's experiences to find the right tarot reader.

Centaur	05 Mar 2004
Hi Diana, I don't think that money in itself is bad or wrong as it were. I think that what can be wrong is the motivations and behaviour surrounding it. For instance, if someone had never picked up a deck of cards or had no knowledge whatsoever of tarot-symbology, then one day had the idea to make some quick cash by stating that they were a professional 'reader', when they really were nothing of the sort, then I would consider that motivation and the act connected with it to be, in my opinion, wrong. Ofcourse, as with any other service, I feel that if the reader wishes to charge a contribution, then that should be so. I guess there are always going to be bad-eggs in any profession... bad doctors, bad hair-stylists, and bad-actors, etc. People who are just not 'worth' the money. C

firemaiden	05 Mar 2004
I'd love to earn money in a tarot related way, but I am so new and my methods are so experimental, and the point of it is so much more about having fun, that I coudn't conceive of taking money for readings at this point. The skeptic in me still does not believe in taking money for conversations with a theoretical invisible. However, I could conceive of taking money for writing a hilarious article for a magazine. I say these things but it is all totally new to me. Perhaps one day, I will be able to command psychic insights under pressure and then I might think it is a commodity to sell. However, until I can conceivably fill my cart with bananas on command, I am not going to set up shop selling bananas. Even if the transaction of invoking the banana and describing it is "work" for me, and entertaining for my client, until there actually *are* bananas in my cart, I wouldn't feel comfortable selling them. Every opportunity I have to read has taught me so goddamn much, and the people who bravely put themselves in my hands are giving me something of themselves, their souls laid open bare, whether they quite realise it or not.... Personally, I would prefer to earn money some other way, and read for selfish reasons. However the beautifully articulate posts which have gone before have had some effect in making me wonder if I should see it differently.

Centaur	05 Mar 2004
I find that in the past I have not charged for the majority of readings. Infact, I love reading for friends, and the like. It is a joy and a pleasure. When I have taken money for reasons, it has been with 'strangers' and at times when I have struggled for cash, and the opportunity has arisen. As I mentioned, I did quite a bit of reading for cash when I was a student. During that time, I did have some doubts as to whether or not I should be accepting money. It even got to the stage where I would tell the reader that if the reading made no sense to him or her, then he or she could get his money back. Perhaps this was not such a good business practise!? Now, I am off to eat a banana. C

Major Tom	05 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by firemaiden and the point of it is so much more about having fun, that I coudn't conceive of taking money for readings at this point. Why do I hear this song, I think it was by Ry Cooder, might have been Leo Kotke called, "Think of all the money spent trying to have fun"? Rather jazzy tune. :) :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Find a coffeeship that'll let you charge for readings and you'll earn enough to pay the rent. ;)

TemperanceAngel	05 Mar 2004
I voted other because it's my profession and I do get paid for my work, but didn't really like how the yes answer was phrased, ie: why not? I also read for no money at home and charge as well, it's at my discretion. Where I work I don't charge, the shop does and it's great that the price is set, not negotiable and not up to me to make the decision about cost :) It would be great if Tarot could always be for free, but that's how I earn my living and I work very hard too! Imagine saying that for example, everyone said we need Police, but they shouldn't get paid, it should be for free :laugh: Or for any other job in the world.... XTAX

contrascarpe	05 Mar 2004
I, too, have no problem with the notion of reading for money. When I have taken my SO to a professional reader in the past, I never had any trouble forking over the cash. They are performing a service and should be compensated. That said, I am not quite confident enough in my abilities to charge people for a reading. So all my readings are currently free (plus I get the experience of performing a reading for my trouble). When I get to the point where I feel my readings have value, I will probably charge. I don't believe this diminishes my love or respect for tarot, but as one poster stated, it can be draining. I did five online readings the other night - the first time I have done more than just a couple of readings. I found the experience tiring and exhilarating at the same time. Money may be the root of all evil but it is a necessity in this day and age. To be compensated for doing something I love would be wonderful - plus it would allow me to buy even more decks! Dan

bec	06 Mar 2004
I do charge for readings, when people call my clinic and scedule an appointment for it. In the spur of the moment, I read for anyone having the guts to ask for it :P I don't actually see it as my clients paying for the reading as much as they are paying for my time to do it - a full reading for me takes at least 2 hours with chitchat, coffee and reading - it is my profession, so of course they need to pay for it - otherwise I would change profession and get a boring 9-5 job.

Agathe	06 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by ros Yes - I read for money as a business. No- If someone needs a reading & doesn't have the money, I read for free. Some people need uplifting in their turmoil. I agree with ros. I don't give reading for money yet, but if I'm ever there, of course I'll charge for doing that. I don't see anything wrong in it. Also, if there was anyone that needed a reading and was penniless, I don't see why I would't do a reading for free. Agata

Lady Eclipse	07 Mar 2004
Hi, Great question. I voted yes. I used to read professionally for many years. However, I know there are some people out there that are what I would call greedy and charge far too much for a reading. I don't think it's right to charge someone what they'd pay for a month's mortgage for a 30 minute reading and there are some people out there that do this. Joy to you, Maralee

DeLani	07 Mar 2004
I also charge for readings most of the time. It's a service, I deserve to be compensated, and I have bills too. But most of my readings are done for friends who I would never charge for a reading. They are good friends who truly respect me as a reader. If they didn't, I wouldn't read for them even for money. But you do things for your friends, and they do for you. That's what friends are for! :)

purple_scorp	07 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by lunalafey It has been my experience- that when I started reading for more people- here at AT. More positive wonderful things have occured in my life. Hi Lunalafey, I found your comment very interesting. What goes around comes around, hey? Cheers purple_scorp

The Reading for money thread was originally posted on 04 Mar 2004 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.