I've come across a disturbing trend, one which has been out there for some time in the New Age portions of our world, and which is attempting to make some inroad into Wiccan and Pagan attitudes -- so far, without much success let me note. Fortunately. But I do see tendrils and shapings from this thought, and they do not make me comfortable.

The debate of whether or not one should (ethically) charge for Craft services is an ongoing one, and it is not the point of this article to be pro or con, or take another viewpoint entirely. The various sides to this issue raise valid concerns, and the debate will not be easily resolved; nor will it end up being the same resolution for everyone. That's fine. And indeed not all the possible situations can be distilled down into identical variants on the same theme. That's also fine.

I'm here, however, to take issue with one of the arguments proponents of charging for Craft services (or spiritual services) sometimes advance: That people do not value something and treat it with respect unless they pay for it. Hence, some will use this as an argument to support asking for fees (money or other objects) in exchange for providing spiritual services.

Okay, gut reaction: Who the HELL are you to decide this for me? (Actually, my gut reaction is stronger, but this is a "family" article...) What divinity came down and scrambled your synapses with sanctimonious self-righteousness? How the HELL do you know what people value; what each individual who shows up at your doorstep values? How Patronizing! How, um, Good of You!

The implication is that since money is somehow intrinsically nasty stuff, the emphasis can't always be towards the benefit of the provider of the spiritual service. Perhaps they themselves feel a bit guilty or something, and need to justify charging fees in their own minds. Voila, a ready-made (non-polytheistic) excuse!

I ask, though, do I value a sunset on a crisp night with the wafting clouds, russet hues, and deepening blue-black any the less because it is free? Is it better, perhaps, that I value things and intangibles and spirituality because I work at it, or live it, or explore? Would it not be sad indeed to consider the state of a person who truly DOES get the maximal benefit out of a spiritual exercise merely because they paid for it? Do not all of us have those possessions which have attached to their presence a sentimental value that no financial appraiser would ever be able to set value to? What IS value? Are we, sadly, becoming a society out of tune, confusing the monetary for the spiritual?

Granted, things that come easy to us are not always as valuable as things we have to work for. There is a bit of "suffering to learn" in life; but that's going to be more likely something intrinsic, rather than how much money or other tangible we shell out to some teacher or card reader or healer.

Oh, this is not to say that those who see a purpose in charging money for spiritual services are necessarily in error -- to conclude that from the above paragraphs is to fall into the same trap. Money ISN'T nasty; it isn't the root of all evil. But it is only one element of life, and the idea of giving up money to a teacher IN ORDER TO gain value for her or his teachings -- now, if true even once in a while, that's a grim indictment upon our society. (When the teacher talks about recouping for the time and effort, that's a whole 'nother ball of wax, a more complicated one, and not part of this particular discussion; and maybe someday this fool will walk in where naiads fear to tread.)

Some years ago, I was at a gathering where a couple of people were ripped off (probably by outsiders). I lent one fellow some money because nearly his entire merchanting stock had been taken. We worked out an agreement where I'd get paid back half in trade and half in money. I got some of the trade, and a scant amount of money in return. I tracked him down at a Sun Bear gathering (he'd gone more that route than Wiccan/Neopagan -- the cynic in me thinks it's cuz there's more money there). To me: "Oh, one should pass it on; money means nothing". And to others: "They don't value what I have to offer unless they pay for it." Caveat Emptor. (And no, I never got the rest of the money back, and it's been over seven years, so I guess he's home free and happy. I also know that NOW I'm not such a nice Witch.) Anyhow, this is a lesson I did pay for, and I got something valuable out of it. An exception that proves the rule, as it were.