[Suebh]

I do not understand why people get all so hot and bothered by those who get paid for their abilities. It is a 'gift', this I see and hear people saying and writing this all the time. Can you not see the paradox in your words? It is only mediums who cannot get paid for their gift!! but everyone else who uses their God given gifts and talents can?? I charge for my time and my hours, weeks, months and years of paying both in time, energy and financially to enhance my ability. I want to do justice to spirit, I want to do my best at all times, this does not mean me going hungry and without a home which is what would happen if i was to pander to the ideas of those who feel 'gifts' deserve no recompense. Tell that to the Pavarotti's, Robbie Williams's and David Beckham's of this world and see what they say back. Mediums are picked on because many do not understand who 'it' works and are also seen as easy targets. I agree with frowning upon unscrupulous individuals who take advantage but they are not truly serving spirit, they are self serving. Do not tar us all with the same brush, expand your ideas. I fully understand and agree with raised eyebrows over extorsionat fees, but I dont do that and anyone I know who is taking time to train properly work with their ability, one that is inherent is us all, but some of us choose to put time, energy, finances and discipline into their development. Please do not tell me that I cannot get paid for something which helps me live in this world for I would not be as condescending to do that to you.

Sue

[purplemoon]

Firatly I need to say that abilities are not a gift. I have studied tarot for 20 years and been studying mediumship for over 7 years. I devote my life to the study and devolopment of my abilities and do free readings online regularly. I am a single parent with 4 children and no family able to help me so I do private readings and I charge people. Even if I wasnt reading I am giving the sitter my time and energy, and wouldnt a person who put 20 years of hard work and development deserve to eat and feed her children ?? I think we are all entitled to our own oppinions but please think about what you say before you decide what is right and what is wromg here,
k off soapbox now

[Rosalie]

well this ones certainly aroused some strong feelings for a few. im a bit surprised as i cant see that anyone has been critical of those who accept payments, merely expressed an opinion which is what i also did, taking care not to be personal. im sure no-one meant to be offensive or cause upset ....interesting that you both reacted in a defensive way. :lol:

[Suebh]

How bout you go to you daily job and not accept payment? :shock: I get irritated by people such as yourself with your smug attitudes but nonsensical ideas. I am not being defensive I am stating it as it is.

[Rosalie]

wow i think i just need to clarify something here sue.

i havent suggested that its wrong to accept payment as, like netty, i believe its individual choice. for me, payment is not something i would consider for spirit readings or healing however for psychic readings it would be acceptable. that is my opinion that im sharing here with others.

i can honestly say that i have, and continue to spend time and money developing my psychic and spiritual aspects. sorry but im really not the 'smug' 'irritating' 'nonsensical' person you seem to think i am.

[allanis111]

hi,
this makes me think and ask those who say they would not charge and would not take payment for their spiritual, psychic or healing abilities, and i hope you ar never in this position, but if all you have is taken away your job , your house, your savings, you find yourself and your children hungry and cold and homeless :shock: ...would you not use your psychic ability and mediumistic or healing abilities to earn enough money to put a roof over your heads, would you then not want to feed yourself, cloth yourself and warm yourself :? . i wonder if those who choose not to or are against charging have enuf to be comfortable with in the first place. not everyone has that option, what use to spirit would these mediums healers etc.be cold, homeless and starving on the streets, i have heard people say spirit will provide, well surely spirit communication would cease if they strongly disaproved of people charging and surely they are providing a means to support yourself in your quest to work with spirit, i mean after all..mediums , well good ones anyway, they train, learn, keep learning, they have to pay for this some how, would you pay for the tools you use to work with and not charge people...
its not so black and white as ..i have enuf i wont charge and neither should you...., alot have no choice, most do actually give free readings on a regular basis during their own time, they work for spirit not because of money but because of the love of spirit, the need to help, the need to provide evidence the need to heal and so much more......but they still need to live in this material world, and as unforutunate as it is..money is a nessecery evil. would you try to live without it?? :shock:
allanisxxxx(joan

[Sibyl]

The question posed on this board asking whether mediums should be paid or not is totally irrelevant.

As far as I am concerned, it is not even open to discussion.

I am a medium and if I wish to charge for my time and my skill within the mediumistic development/teaching field that has nothing whatsoever to do with anyone. When everyone who is against such payment is working in the big wide world, at whatever they do, for no salary/recompense/payment - then you can discuss the type of work I do. Until then I will continue to make my own decisions

[Pigface]

This one always starts rows lol......

I would like to think that I will never charge for readings, I am not exactly against charging for readings, I think its an individual choice.
If I badly needed the money to continue or just to live, (and if i were good enough to charge in the first place..) then I expect I would charge what I consider to be a fair price,I would also try to vary the price to suit those who do not have much money.

I hope to one day be good enough to choose not to recieve money


I think that healing should under no circumstances be charged for, but then thats a different issue...and only my opinion

[Leslie]

I think this question and the ensuing debate will be one that rolls on and one... and on....

Many years ago, my Father was a practising healer, he was the first healer to demonstrate healing to British Medical Association, opening the doors, for so many of to days 'acceptance'. Harry Edwards, Gordon Higginson and many others of that era, were frequent visitors to our home - all of who had varying thoughts and ideas on the this very question....

Early, every Sunday, throughout my younger years, my Father accompanied by Mother drove many miles to a healing sanctuary, the use of which was given to them as a token gesture for his assistance and help. It was a small room in side a large mansion, located in a beautiful and ideal spot for healing. He would spend virtually all day. with his eyes closed helping others.... The remaining six days of the week, he worked from 6 in the morning till 6 in the evening undertaking am everyday job to sustain his family. More often than not, his evenings were occupied with visits to those in need of healing and could not for what ever reason, attend the healing sanctuary.

During all of this time, he never charged or openly asked for any payment. Many 'others' at the time advised him differently, including a great percentage of the visitors who he offered healing... But, like so many others, the thought of 'openly' asking for payment troubled him deeply. Later, at the sanctuary, there was a 'donations' plate placed, where those who wished to offer something could do so. The money received was then used to cover his out of pocket expenses such as petrol, and to help him visit others less fortunate and unable to attend the sanctuary it's self.

The truth of the story is... he (my Father) was 'out-of-pocket' constantly... this wasn't something that bothered him, as he gave freely. But, my question is "why should 'he' or any other person (healer, medium etc...) be expected to not only, offer help, guidance and support to others - but pay out of their own pocket to do so? It's a hard balance to maintain.....

Me? I believe we are only responsible for our own words deeds and actions - and not those of others. Therefore, if some one wished to charge a reasonable fee for the service they give - so be it. I see no harm on doing so. Should they decide, that they wish do so freely, again, that is there prerogative. They are responsible for their own words deeds and actions - not me... and who am I to judge?

My only 'personal' opinion is this... like the story relayed of my Father - whilst he at a later date excepted 'donations', and paid for the greater expense from his own pocket, what if he had been unable to do so? Should those in need have been expected to remain in suffering, because he was not fortunate enough to be employed and therefore able to finance his own out of pocket expenses? Some of the visitors to the sanctuary included many well know and popular celebrities of the time... People you might think could easily afford to 'pay' for such a service......

Providing the 'intent' is not to exploit others, then I see no harm in anyone charging for their 'services'. For those who wish to give so freely, then fine... But there should not be a line or divide between those who 'do' and those who 'dont'.... i.e. because you 'dont' charge, thinking that your reward in heaven will be greater, is as equal in my mind to those who 'do' - but are simply exploiting others.....

Thought provoking stuff eh ;) Sorry if It's a bit unclear, I'm not the best at explaining my thoughts.....

[jacquit]

Hi everyone, this is my first visit and not surprised to see what the topic is about. I have been reading for some time now and for a long while i wrestled with myself about charging a fee, so i didn't, but i soon found that people don't think you are "good" unless you charge. I have often given up time (that i really din't have), i have put off doing other things because someone was in such a turmile that they needed a reading "now", just to have them contact me a while later to say "I went to a proper psychic, and she told me the same as you ". So, although it is a "gift", and i could live without the money, i refuse to sell myself short, but if the occation arrises that i am speaking to someone and my "gift" can help them, of course i use it free of charge, as i'm sure most people do. Looking forward to getting to know you all... jacqui