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The Ethical "Caveat Emptor"
Periodically, in our local newspaper, an ad runs in the classified section, "Want to be a Witch?" No address is given, only the name of the historical mansion and a phone number. Calls to the number reveal that $50 is charged for the first session. The originator of these ads also purports to be a psychic investigator, having appeared on local news programs during the Samhain season, when a series on haunted houses was aired. She also offers Tarot readings, for a fee.
Now, one of the unwritten rules of Pagan traditions is that proselytizing is frowned upon. Pagans don't go around actively trying to convert members of other faith groups to this way of life. There is a trust element that, if a person is interested in learning more about Paganism, he or she will reach out and find someone to answer their questions (or books to read). And, when that happens, money does not change hands.
Indeed, for seekers into the Catholic faith, RCIA courses are offered without charge. There is a charge for "Sunday School" in Catholic churches, mostly to defray the cost of building upkeep. Other churches rely upon the donations from the congregation to support their teaching activities. There is never a sign at the door saying "You must cough up $50 to learn what we believe."
Charging to teach about one's faith falls into the category of being
unethical. "No one can teach others how to be a witch," said
Susan Bortell, owner of Faces in the Heart, LaPorte, Indiana. The
concept is "ludicrous by definition," she added. As a practitioner
for nearly 40 years, Susan sees the role of those with experience to
"help, give information, provide resources, and offer advice." The
individual must decide what path is best to follow, and read many,
many books on a variety of topics to better make an informed
decision. It is inadvisable, Susan warned, "to blindly give oneself
to someone one doesn't know or trust" as a teacher.
Another case in point: a fortune teller, in business for many years now, tends to tell clients they are "under a curse" or have had a spell cast upon them. To undo the situation, a sizeable amount of money is charged. Taking advantage of the gullible in this way is pathetic, and grossly unethical (as well as possibly being illegal in the realm of fraud).
Reading cards for others (or for oneself, for that matter) takes considerable time and training. Charging for this service is often necessary, mostly to cover "overhead", be it shop rental, utilities, etc. Also, since readings usually run 30 minutes or longer, the reader's time should be compensated accordingly. But that doesn't give a reader the right to deliberately overcharge in order to make a profit.
Susan received her training in reading cards at age 19. She emphasizes a key point to remember: the person doing the reading cannot guarantee the accuracy. Divination, in any form, is "fluid". The message bears greatly upon where the individual involved is at in his or her life at that precise moment. Any change in that person's actions or behavior, even the slightest alteration, can void the entire reading.
Those who make inaccurate claims or attempt to take advantage of vulnerable individuals seeking answers to troubling questions are "sharks who feed on the need," Susan stated. Deliberately misleading an individual carries with it horrendous implications, as well - Karma, the Three-Fold Law, or whatever you wish to call it. Taking money on such a pretense only adds to the backlash.
Individuals offering "past life regression" provide another tricky topic when it comes to ethics. Learning this technique takes many years. No one can simply set up shop and start taking appointments. Considerable damage can be done, if the regression is not handled properly, or the individual being regressed is not psychologically stable. Setting a time limit on such a session is practically impossible because, unless preliminary interviews are held and the situation well laid out for both parties involved, it might turn into a quest into the depths of darkness, which cannot be ended with a mere snap of the fingers. Anyone who believes it is possible to regress a person who walks in off the street in 20 minutes (for \$80) should be avoided at all costs.
When it comes to the practices of unethical Pagans offering their services for money, the old motto "Caveat Emptor" (let the buyer beware) applies. No one should be afraid to ask questions - about a person's training, experience or references. If a seeker is not comfortable with the answers, there is no harm in walking away. Fortunately, there is not an overwhelming number of charlatans in the Pagan community, but it seems these sorts get the negative publicity which makes all Pagans look bad.
The bottom line: if a person has the gift for helping others, it will be obvious to those seeking - like a beacon on a foggy night. "I was told," Susan recalled, "by the woman who trained me to read, that if I misused my gift, it will be gone." There is no need to run misleading ads, claim ridiculous "powers" or to offer "infallible" readings. Those who do the latter should be shunned like the plague.
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