Sine the thread is still running, and has had contributions from
other practitioners, here's my tuppence-worth:
My views on charging for magic - from a professional combat mage who
does charge for his services...
When I went into business a few years back, the hardest decision I
made was to charge at all... the second was to decide how much and
what for.
My eventual decision went thus;
I charge for *my time and expertise* - not for the magic. That is
always free. The rate I charge was decided upon by taking the average
per-hour price for Feng Shui consultation (which was big at the
time)... and halving it. I also set a day rate maximum if a case
looks to be lengthy or the client is enpoverished.
I also feel there is precedent in shamanic tribes, where a gift of
food or similar is made to the practitioner. In our world, money is
the accepted substitute for this - though I would always consider a
barter arrangement as payment!
As for charging for teaching - I'm not part of a coven so I don't
presume to speak to that. I do think a fair comparison would be to
the art world - art teachers are paid for passing on their experience
and skills, and this is rarely objected to. Of course, this assumes
the teacher has something worth paying for... a big 'but' in the case
of a lot of self-appointed gurus of all stripes!
My partner Malabar is currently in Peru, training as a curandera. She
paid for this service and considers it money fairly charged and well
spent.
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