To charge or not to charge, is the always the question for some I suppose. In many ways, I feel that it depends on whether you are doing reading tarot for a living or not.

If you are making your living reading, then by all means charge. There's nothing that says a witch cannot make money using their gifts and talents.

My readings are done for mostly friends and for practice. I don't charge for them. I still use a book, from time to time, and interpret from there. My pagan friends will usually make dinner or whatnot. Generally, my readings are done in the spirit. The practice I get is payment in itself.
strongotter@mindspring.com

i believe it is fair to ask for ' love donations', but i know a witch who charges $45 for a two hour life reading then $35 an hour after that. i'm not sure of the monetary situations of others, but to me, that is extremely steep.
Meleaha@aol.com

Personally, I do not ask or require that someone pay for a reading. I do however have a small bowl sitting near the door to my reading room....Sort of a "tip jar". If they choose to leave a small "payment" or "donation" they may, and I am sure to thank them.
Tuatha369@aol.com

I think no one should charge for it , because it should be out of love and kindness. blessed be.
Lenora

I have gypsy blood in me. For a Gypsy to charge a fee would cause them to lose the gift they were given. A Gypsy would ask for a donation of anything. It could be herbs, food, money, thoughts, or even just the knowledge that they helped someone out. But to have a set rate would be abuse of a gift, and that gift would be taken as easily as it was given.
joker442@erinet.com

My answer is divided on this. On the professional level, I say yes. I do readings as a part-time living, and the people that come to me know up front the price they will be paying for their reading. On the flip side, I have friends and family members who I would never charge for a reading, and if I know a person who needs advice and cannot pay, I will also do a free reading. I never charge for spell-work or healing, as I believe that would be crossing the line to being a rip-off. There are too many cons out there who claim to be able to do anything for the right price, and I find that terrible. If you can indeed perform spells and healing, then share this gift with others, and let Karma repay you for your efforts.
Lady Alexcia, HPs

I don't think you should charge for a skills that was meant to aid someone, however, I also do not feel that "those people" not of Wicca should have the right to ask for a skills that they will not completely surrender their belief to.
Craftmage

i personaly dont charge because i dont feel proficient enough although people have offered.. i see nothing wrong for some sort of payment exchange.
Medtaz165@aol.com

Merry meet,

I am an Aussie witch and I have been reading the tarot's for about six years now. I have only been wiccan for 2.5 years. Never in all the time I have been reading the tarot have I ever charged for it.

On New Year's Eve I walked around doing readings at a park where we were watching fire works. If people wanted to give me money they did so. I never asked and a lot of them couldn't believe it when I said it was for free. It's a shame that we live in a world where you are under suspicion for being generous. But I would never charge for a reading.
Blessed be
Moonshae

To charge anything for something that is part of ones religion...is Wrong. It's as wrong as a priest charging for confessions. It is hypocritical in the extreme. Wicca and it's neighboring religions are based around the ideals of helping people, of creating harmony...NOT commerce. To accept offerings in thanks, or recompense for expensive materials is acceptable, but nothing else.
-Bastian Aslan

I myself feel that a fee is in order only if the reader really needs it. I have a lot of friends in my area who are professional readers/deviners. All of them charge for their services. Not all of them need to. My own current partner is a native trained shaman who does charge for her readings. This i can understand. One she's very low income, and 2 it was tradtion for shaman to exchage either money or items for their services. The tribe took care of their wisemen.

I myself have never charged for a reading. True I am new to it but I feel if I can help someone with a goddess/god given gift, who am i to charge someone when I'm actually only telling them what the devine is relating to me as vision. To me for myself to charge is like the christian church tithing their people. I don't charge to have god answer..
Blessed be..
Bran sunwolf

I agree. A person should not be charged for a reading but they should be willing to make a small donation. There shouldn't be a set price. If a person can only afford to make a donation of a few cents, then let them make the donation for a few cents.
frybear@hotmail.com

I dont think people chould charge for giving you a reading. I mean you can read tarrot cards at home. I bought myself a deck and it came with a book telling you how to use the cards and what to do. So know instead of paying for someone else to read you futer I can do it myself.(and I got pretty good at it too.)
Kiss

I don't think that people should charge for readings. Their knowledge was inhanced by other peoples' knowledge so why should they charge? Besides some people are too poor to afford the reading.
Coreyw@aol.com

I have yet to meet with anyone who does not charge for a tarot, palm or physic reading. Maybe I haven't met anyone who considers themself part of the wicca. Maybe it's because the only ones I've met are those at fairs and the people at a certain tea house outside of Boston whose business is physic readings. I don't know. I have never charged for a tarot reading because:

1. I do not feel I have the experience or knowlege to give a good reading.

2. I do it mostly for fun, curiosity and self exploration

3. I am also skeptical of its accuracy. Frequently the readings I get are confused and vague, open to many interpretations.
karina@ecentral.com

I do not believe that there should be a fee for a tarot reading; however, I think that a love offering would be more acceptable but not required. --svulcan@aol.com

I have mixed feelings about charging for tarot readings. in someways i feel that it's an exploitation on a free gift. in other ways, i think it's ok to make money using your skills. I feel that many people charge way too much for their services. But then again, it will come back to them so, I'm not so worried about that. It just annoys me that it's only accessible to people w/ gobs of extra money. -- MeccaStar@aol.com

Hello! I have only recently begun exploring Wicca (although I had learned some things about it from a Witch friend), but I've read Tarot for several years, so my answer is as a Tarot card reader not as a Witch (I haven't decided on a path yet). Well, here's my answer:

I feel that this is really an individual decision. I could never charge for readings, simply because that wouldn't feel right to me. I've had people offer me money, and if they insist I'll thank them and take it. But I always decline first and tell them it's not necessary. But this is just my own personal feelings...I can't judge anyone else. ^_^ -- Mace N.

I think that charging for reads should not be done. Money was a great idea, but is and evil tool. If the person that has a read done wants to give the card reader money then I think it is fine. What people should do is like the Native Ameracians have done make trades of ideas, or perhaps kinda like furs for food type of trading. Good day, and safe travels -- RobotHuman@aol.com

I've been reading tarot cards for years and I have never charged. I don't think I ever would. I do readings as a gift to whoever wants a reading. When I give a birthday present to someone, I don't expect them to fork over $20. I agree that anyone can do it, but when you get really good at it, you start to feel like it is special. Anyone can do it, but not everyone can be good at it. People come to me with problems and I don't feel like I should prophet from their problems. -- TarotStar@aol.com

I feel that no one should have to pay to know their faits and if anyone asks me i will spread the deck for them but telling them a prediction is but a fait witch may be avoided. not a certain joy or doom. -- lone_lemming2@email.msn.com

I believe that Goddess gives us certian responsibilities in our magik to help others and teach them all that we can. If we are charging for this knowledge then it is misusing the gift that Goddess has given us, And makeing it avialible only to those who can afford to, or are willing to pay. I know many sceptical poeple, because Psychics charge so much, They will not look into it. It is cutting people off to these wonderful gifts.
-Blessed Be -Jaden@AOL.Com

I must address this first since everyone went on so about it- EVERYTHING that is part of you is a gift. Your looks, your intelligence and ANY skills that you have. It is no more wrong to charge for a reading than it is to accept money for selling a painting, or a cloak, or jewelry. What IS wrong whether you are pagan or not is to soak people. I have charged for readings at a psychic fair (all money was donated) and the rates were $5 for a ten-twenty minute readings. All parties involved felt that this was very reasonable- and if someone had come in wanting a reading but they were broke, they would have gotten a reading. -- magickal@hotmail.com

My Mother and Grandmother taught me "What God gives, is given freely". However that was another time when people were greatfull for help. When I read for Mexican American's or Native Americans I let the client give what they choose. When I read for Crystal Heads I charge. I don't think any form of healing should be denied humans or animals just because they don't have enough money. -- twomoons@flash.net

math teachers get paid for service not for the gift so as a reader you should get paid for the service not the gift. if you abuse the gift you will loose it. so don`t get greedy and help others to see the light. -- killick@cgo.wave.ca

I have to agree with many of the respondents that I don not charge for readings. It is because I have been admonished to use the gift for the benefit of others, and because the doors that are open if I don't charge get locked if I do. In other words, the talent stops working and being as accurate if I charge people for it. However, I have been allowed to accept gifts as was also mentioned above, but they are gifts made by the hands of the people for who I'm doing a reading (the last "client" gave me some muffins she had made), not expensive presents. Furthermore, I've found when I teach another to work with Tarot, I need to gift them with a deck of their own when they are ready to work/practice on their own. Just my $.02 :^)
Lady Grey

Greetings!

I find this topic fascinating. I've noticed that the individuals who are opposed to charging for readings do not do them as profession or on a full time basis. In other words, although they portray their motivation as being altruistic, they have an alternate means of income which allows them to do readings as a means of volunteer work. I've yet to see a homeless reader who refuses financial compensation and declares, "No, no, do not pay me. this is a gift from God!"

Speaking of the word "gift" that has always bothered me as well. EVERYTHING we do is a gift from higher source: from oil painting, to fixing cars, to readings (and everything in between). Sorry, but I don't feel the ability to do readings is special or makes a person more spiritual, therefore I do not feel it's something sacred and one would be belittling this talent by charging for their time and expertise. In fact, I am amazed by the gift of healing that doctors possess but I've noticed some people feel it's okay for doctors to charge for their services but are offended when a psychic healer does. What's the difference? On the other hand, psychics like Sylvia Brown who charge up to $200 per reading are greedy and should be ashamed of abusing their abilities. Thank you!

morgana7@geocities.com

My mother has the ability to read Tarot cards (but she can also make predictions by touching someone), and I tend to believe as she does, that she should not accept money for her gift. She believes that she has been blessed with this gift to help guide people on to a correct path for themselves. Since this gift is the way God has given her to help people she believes it must only be used out of sincere concern for someone else. She also feels in her heart that taking money for helping someone would be wrong and might corrupt the gift, or worse she might loose the gift for mis-using it.
GrdnSt8Hny@aol.com

I don't think it is right to charge for any of the talents given to a person by our Goddess. She blessed us to help Her children and our brothers and sisters.
Arani Silverfalcon

I think that some people are less likely to believe the reading if they are NOT charged... and yet, there are sceptics who will assume that if someone charges they are merely doing it for money. There's little I can do for sceptics except suggest a little serious soul searching... and it's hard to judge with each person whether or not it would be good or bad to charge someone. Best to try and make this judgement, but some small charge or gift would certainly be in order if the reading was to a stranger.
Farewell.
-David

I have never changed others for the readings. I have never see the need for the changing of this service.
(Victoria) Silver Raven Moon

I usually consider the money I give as a donation. After all, for a reader to devote their enegies to me, I should devote some of mine to them. Otherwise, there exists a state of imbalance (wherein the possiblity of a vacuum arises - karmic or otherwise). It's only fair the mind, spirit and body of the reader get something in return: money (easy, convenient), dinner, stock purchases free of charge, whatever enables the state of balance between the reader and the readee.
;'-{)
A I R

this is wrong,you can not recive money for the use of a gift!!! any whom do can not be called a witch or a reader.
comp1@tricon.net

I notice that many people keep saying that it isn't right to charge when using a *gift* that the God/Goddess has given freely. I guess I have trouble with that because I was also given intelligence by them, should I not take a position that requires intelligence if they will pay me? Of course not!

Should people who went to college on their parent's dime not get paid for the career they choose that uses thie education that was given freely to them?

I think a reasonable charge is fair for a person's time and talent. My biggest peeve is less the *over chargers* out there, but instead the con-artists that bilk the naive of their hard earned money. The con-artists give true tarot readers a bad name, and personally, I feel that this is much worse than asking for a couple bucks for a reading.

I just visited a psychic this last weekend and then a tarot reader. I have never had this done before. The psychic charged $25 for an hour and the the tarot reader charged $35 for unlimited time. I noticed that both women didn't ask for payment until the reading was done. (I did know in advance what the charges were going to be.) I felt that I had the option to refuse payment if I was unhappy with the reading. Within my tarot reading, I was told that my life's work was to be helping people. After the reading I told her that I used to work as a manager for first, a homeless shelter and then a domestic violence shelter but I had since left that kind of work. As it turned out, the reader had recently left an abusive marriage and was very concerned about the well being of her child and custody issues. I found myself putting on my old work hat and assisting her with some of the resources I knew of. When I left, I was overwhelmed with the good feeling I felt from helping someone. It had been years since I felt that within my work. (The absence of this feeling was one of the main reason why I left the work to begin with.) I believe that I felt good because I helped someone on my own free will and it wasn't expected of me in return for payment. I plan to learn how to read tarot and look forward to helping others through the readings. All the money in the world could never replace the feeling I will have from helping others; I will never charge for my readings.
Dana

I do not feel that we should charge to read tarot..I have give myself the name of panthereyes because I have a gift of seeing into the furture and I do read tarot cards (the witchess tarot and the rider tarot). I feel that my gift was given to me to help others and for that no price can cover..
Brightest Blessings,
Sherri, panthereyes

do what thou wilst but harm none. if it would hurt an individual to charge them, then don't do it. that is my promise to the goddess and my self. i have never charged for any of my gifts. my life has been devoted to helping people and to give away something that i recieved for free follows suit. i have never paid for anothers gift as well. but i was not put here to judge my fellow beings. every one should walk their own path.
thostar

Myself I do not put a charge on any reading or advice I give to someone. I do however ask for a small donation , I have recieved many type of thanks, as low as a dish of food , to a fifty dollar dress , and simply sometimes I just get a thank you and that makes me just as happy as money does .
GypsiJewel

I'm a full-time professional Psychic and I do charge for my time. It is very reasonable and if someone cannot afford it, it's free. I feel this is a personal decision and if you do this for a living you cannot very well work for nothing and survive!
BlueRaven

We must remember that the country witch was a valuable resource to her village and was compensated according to the villages traditions via foods, information,and general help when needed. I see no reason that this does not carry over into our day, however in keeping with that tradition the cost should be within reach for the seeker i.e. foods, help around the homestead or to often in modern times money. I personally do not charge for readings as my needs are met and to share the gift with another is payment enough.
Palemoon

I don't see anything wrong with doing readings and charging for them. I do, but I don't charge my friends. I think that in this respect you are providing a service and should have the right to charge for that service.
Athena

I think that a service rendered deserves compensation. However, I have a sliding scale which is dependent upon the level of appreciation that I feel from the client. If you are a professional reader, you should charge according to what you give. But, as always, it is a matter of personal opinion and whatever feels right to you is what you should do.
Durite11@aol.com

I have taught Tarot reading for over forty years, I neither charge for readings nor teaching. I tell my students that they cannot charge for (gifts) however everyone's time is valuable, and most of my students do take donations, for their time. I don't but I don't forbid them either. My only advice is follow the guidance of the Goddess Within. Blessed Be!
Jim (Talon)

I have been in this dilemma quite often myself. I have also done readings for festivals and corporate exhibitions of "healthy living" but most commonly the readings I do are for friends. I find that with friends, because they offer so much in return in terms of friendship it is ludicrous to charge them. However in situations where the general public are involved they seem to involuntarily "suck" energy from you by expecting so much from the reading. In this case I do not hesitate to charge. Some people take the reading and give you nothing.

There is, of course the matter of *how much* to charge.. I have seen people charge $60.00 for a 1 hour tarot reading which I think is ridiculous. $10.00 for a half our is adequate to compensate for energy given - and enough to buy something to eat and some juice or something. Any more than about $30.00, however, I see as just a cash-in.
Wendy Softwing

Generally, I do not believe in asking for compensation for the priveledge of helping others if I can enrich their lives with any knowledge that I may channel their way. However if one is asked repeatedly or wishes to provide a service ; then as this is the manifest within this world ,monetary survival (for most) is mandate of time spent, so compensation is just , just not to some of the extremes that I have seen quoted. Generally, DO as your heart moves you toward, and be aware of that you will sow as you will. For what its worth dept.
PEACE , LOVE and LIGHT
ALEUS (F.T.)

I generally don't charge for magickal services unless the elements needed are expensive and the client will not take any substitutions (I'm talking mostly of things like sachets, talismans, and incense) If this is the case, I usually ask that they pay the cost of the ingredient. Some people don't feel right accepting my help without some sort of payment so I ask for a batch of cookies or a recipe or veggies out of their garden. I never take money unless they are insistent about it.
May you Dance in Light and Shadow,
Allegra Brillante, Daughter to the Rainbow

Witches shouldn't charge money for their Tarot Readings because it is wrong to flaunt your talents and make money off of your knowledge!
djohnson@interwebb.com

I too, read tarot (and use a few other "forms" of divination) and like you, I do not charge..ever. I feel that it is improper to ask people to pay for the use of my "gifts". It seems no different than prostitution to me. But, all too often I hear; "What ..you're not good enough to charge???"
Merlin

When i first started reading Tarot cards, I wanted to charge for the reading. But then realized that reading the tarot is a gift, and a wise person would share their gift as much as possible....
Lostsolz@aol.com

no i don't think we should charge for a talent we should just share.. one should not profit to help another in need of guidence
Blessed Be
Allison A.

I personally think that the person giving the reading, as well as the one recieving the reading, should be comfortable with paying or not paying for the reading. I do not ever charge a person for a reading. I believe that if I can help a person with a reading, then that is all the payment I need. As far as for others that charge or do not charge for a reading, I can only say, " Please remember, 'An it harm NONE, do what thou wilt'!!!"
vivid2@goodnet.com

Count me as yet another reader who doesn't care to charge. I thought that perhaps I was along in my beliefs and I'm glad to find that I'm not. I, too, believe that it was a gift that I have received and that I wish to share it with others as such. To me, the thought of receiving coin for the reading would lessen the spirituality of it.
Marc

I think that charging for a reading is a good idea if that is what you do for a living, but if you only do the tarot cards as a past time hobby, then you shouldn't charge them. It is up to you and the person wishes for their furture to be read.
graham.hogg@virgin.net

I follow the rule that money can take over a person...no matter how strong that person is. I give readings to friedns and family and do not advertisement. I'm not out to make money off of my religion. I had a friend who went to Salem, MA and paid $39 for a five-ten minute reading. I laughed and told her she could have come to me. She is more than a little upset now!

In my opinion a witch shouldn't charge people because she shouldn't be making her living this way. Reading Tarot is, to me, one of the easiest forms of divination and I wouldn't charge anyone for that reason, also. If anyone strongly disagrees with me I would love for that person to email me. For now...
Love and Laughter,
Morrigan Cate

I donīt believe you should charge for them as well this gift---a talent. As a matter a fact I would like to learn how to do this. If you can help me out please e-mail me.
thanx,
Jessica

Tarot readings done as a service to someone in the craft especially should be free--all in Craft should be able to read basic Tarot--and readings done for counsling purposes shoud be with no charge.

Readings done outside the Craft could be charged for--as long as the reading is an honest one and the person knows ahead of time that there willl be a charge -- there is no stricture that I know of that prevents anyone from making a living by using their skills--and some people would not pay attention to what is said if their was no charge.
Garnet Silverfox

I have been doing readings for eight years now and not once have I ever asked for payment in return. I feel that is taking advantage of a gift not all are blessed with. If you can help ease anothers pain or relenquish the pondering mind on a question that is troubling them, the fact that you have helped should be payment enough. If you were broke down on the side of the street and you called a friend to pick you up, your friend would not ask for money. Out of the kindness of your heart you may/or may not offer this person gas money, but that is a decision to be made by yourself. You help others and in turn, they will help you.
Ada

I think it is up to the person doing the reading. I think it is extremely generous not to. But it is expected for them to.
Blessed Be
Rainglitter

I myself do not charge for readings, the reason being that I feel that we all have the gift of knowlidge,some however more than others. if this knowlidge is put to good use and to help others I feel that your reward will come in some other form, wether it be to see the querent leave in a satisfied and/or relieved manner, or financial. however for someone to charge, and needs the funds and has no other way to finance their standard of living, so be it, providing that they do not take advantige of a querent.
Blessings
Spiritwalker

I've been taught that our arts (tarot, runes, clairvoyance, astrology, or whatever skills you possess) are not actually part of the Craft, and therefore there is no problem with charging someone for them. Tarot cards can be read by witches and non-witches alike, it's not exclusively Craft. OTOH, if someone were to request you cast a spell for them, THAT would be exclusively Craft, and it would not be right to charge for that.

Greywitch

I personally have no problem paying to have my tarot read, as it is a skill not EVERYONE possesses. Reading the cards is simple enough, but to read the PERSON using the cards as tools is a different thing altogether, and I can say I could in conscience charge someone. Now, mind you, $100 is a bit ridiculous unless it is a terribly in depth reading. But, then, people CHOOSE to have their tarot read, and it is for some people a way to make a living.
-lilith

I have been reading tarot for others for a few years now. I never ask for payment for reading the cards. Instead, I tell them that the reading is absolutely free. However, if they are impressed or helped by my reading, then they may stop back by and donate a couple of dollars for books, new cards, and such. Reading is a service, but helping others should be reward enough.
Silver Wolf

I agree with Silver Wolf the gift of reading cards was given to you, you should give the gift in return. To say it is free and if they feel like it they can give a donation sounds right.
Hawthorne6

I have not in the past, but I feel that if I need the money I would do it. I have a naturel ability, that everyone has btw, and God and Goddess would not mind my profiting from it. I would not charge someone who needed the money, but I ahve had people try to take advantage of my Free service, yet able to afford it. nancygirl@geocities.com

I agree with Silver Wolf..there is gypsy in me blood, and it was traditional to cross the palm with silver..but I think of it more as part of getting into the right mindset.

If the person is helped, and if they feel a need to give me more than a token piece of silver (sigh..quarters don't really have any silver in them anymore), then I usually will accept. I prefer bartering, if possible. If the person requesting a reading has expertise in an area i do not, I suggest a trade :) damalas

Once, I went to an arts and crafts show to read tarot...I charged a very small amount and put up a sign telling that it was for "entertainment only". (My mother wanted me to do this...She's not a witch, just to make it clear..) But I had a few people who believed and I beileve the people who came to me were people who believed in it...I read the tarot ffor them, and I charged a dollar for tarot reading and 50 cents for palm reading. (I'm 16). However, I mostly read palms and tarot for my friends and I haven't charged for the service since.
PhoeniX

My personal idea is that one should not charge for a service that benifets someone.
Malkav@rtilink.com

No, don't charge for them! If they like them, they'll pay! It's fair because you'll know what people think.
raptor@earthlink.net