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Author Topic:   Should I give readings for free?
Deb
Knowflake

Posts: 5
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Registered: Dec 2006

posted December 11, 2006 03:39 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Deb     Edit/Delete Message
According to Linda's Star Signs book, you should never charge for giving any kind of astrological or psychic reading - and if you do, ill results are bound to follow. What does everyone think of this dictate? I don't make a living from readings, but I have been known to read here and there for a small fee. Is this wrong? I would feel sort of exploited for my time and intellectual capital, if I read for free. Would be curious to hear other people's responses.

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aquaspryt69
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Posts: 1432
From: Arizona
Registered: Feb 2004

posted December 11, 2006 04:41 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for aquaspryt69     Edit/Delete Message
Hi Deb and welcome!

Only offer free readings if that's what you really want to do. That way you won't feel exploited when hundreds of us take you up on your offer.


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virgotaurustaurus
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Posts: 2470
From: upstate NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2004

posted December 11, 2006 08:28 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for virgotaurustaurus     Edit/Delete Message
I'm with aquaspryt69, especially with everything that goes into doing a reading, I had an astro teacher who told me she takes about 2-3 days to do an in-depth reading and that made me appreciate more the work that goes into them and can see why people would charge.

If you're really stuck in between whether you should charge a small fee or have them be free, then maybe ask for small donations.

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The Virgin
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posted December 13, 2006 12:27 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for The Virgin     Edit/Delete Message
What kind of readings do you do?

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sue g
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Posts: 8591
From: former land of the leprechaun
Registered: Sep 2004

posted December 13, 2006 12:48 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for sue g     Edit/Delete Message
What about someone who has spent years studying and has laid out a fair amount of money to train.

What if its their only form of income...

I think you should charge....musicians charge, so do other artists...painters, sculpters etc.

Divination is an art....why do it for free..

The only thing I object to is when people overcharge....I think that is wrong.

Counsellors and therapisits charge a hefty fee, so why shouldnt psychics make a living too?

Some of my most well spent money has been given to psychics and healers....worth every cent!

Good luck!!

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Deb
Knowflake

Posts: 5
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Registered: Dec 2006

posted December 14, 2006 02:56 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Deb     Edit/Delete Message
I give intuitive/psychic readigs. I sort of shy away from the word psychic because of the negative connotations - and besides, I think everyone is psychic. I always say, I tell people what they already know, but don't want to know. Most of the people wanting readings are women, asking about -(what else?) men! And most of the time, they really know the truth of the situation, they just don't want to admit it to themselves.

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cynicalpsychic
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Posts: 40
From: osaka, japan
Registered: Sep 2004

posted December 25, 2006 08:57 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for cynicalpsychic     Edit/Delete Message
many years ago, i got a job as a telephone psychic. i only did the job for about 3 days and here's why:

i don't know if this is the way things still work, but we were required to try to keep people on the phone for at least 19 minutes. i wasn't very good at this.
but one day i had a lady that kept talking. i was so excited because *finally* i had a customer that i could keep on the line. this call to me cost her about $100. at last, i asked her if she had any other questions and she said "yes, just one more. will my housing assistance come through?"

this lady didn't have an extra $100 to spend talking to me. and i just couldn't feel right about it after that.

now, this is just me. i know plenty of other people make a decent living charging people for readings, but i just can't do it.

one possibility for you might be to set up a website where you can do readings for free, but make money through advertising or through affiliate programs (you recommend a product and get a percentage if the person buys). i know quite a bit about this, as i've been doing it for a few months (with my teaching website, in my signature). i'm not making a lot just yet, but as my traffic increases, so does my income. if you want to know more about this, please let me know...

love,
shannon

------------------
teaching english to little cuties

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Randall
Webmaster

Posts: 24541
From: Columbus, GA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted December 26, 2006 05:21 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Randall     Edit/Delete Message
Good advice.

------------------
"There is no use trying," said Alice; "one can't believe impossible things." "I dare say you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." Lewis Carroll

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tuxedo meow
Knowflake

Posts: 769
From: Texas Gulf Coast, USA
Registered: Jul 2005

posted February 20, 2007 11:51 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for tuxedo meow     Edit/Delete Message
also many people will drink in your energy and not take you seriously if you don't charge..also everybody will want to use your gift and misuse your energy-in the world (away fromLL) i think charging is ok..a little cash flow enables you to get "recharged"

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lotusheartone
unregistered
posted February 20, 2007 12:08 PM           Edit/Delete Message
I don't charge, But I have sign that says, gifts, tips appreciated, but not necessary..

for all are entittled to a reading!

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Philbird
Knowflake

Posts: 3396
From: Here, there and everywhere.
Registered: Jun 2004

posted February 21, 2007 09:28 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philbird     Edit/Delete Message
I agree with Sue G.
However, I wouldn't charge for missing children or matters the police may need help with.
How much do you think "The Pet Psychic" charges? You can't even prove her right or wrong! Hmmmmmmm, maybe a new career is in store for meeeeeeeee! MMMhhhhhhhwwwwwwwwhhhhhhhhaaaaaa! (I want to know what my fish are thinking "flush or no flush") I'm so naughty!

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pemy51283
Knowflake

Posts: 9
From: Maryland, USA
Registered: Feb 2007

posted March 13, 2007 10:05 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for pemy51283     Edit/Delete Message
could you give me a free reading??

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Heart--Shaped Cross
Knowflake

Posts: 5568
From: 11/6/78 11:38am Boston, MA
Registered: Aug 2004

posted March 15, 2007 09:42 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Heart--Shaped Cross     Edit/Delete Message
Think,
Is it better to accept payment for work that does not heal the soul,
and is worthless? -
Or for work that heals, and is priceless?

Linda wasn't right about everything.

Money is energy.
Pure and simple.
It is not inherently good or bad.

Charge what you honestly feel your service is worth,
and you will not suffer resentment or want.


"Work is love made visible.
And if you cannot work with love
but only with distaste,
it is better that you should leave your work
and sit at the gate of the temple
and take alms of those who work with joy.
For if you bake bread with indifference,
you bake a bitter bread that feeds but half man's hunger.
And if you grudge the crushing of the grapes,
your grudge distils a poison in the wine."

- Kahlil Gibran

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Randall
Webmaster

Posts: 24541
From: Columbus, GA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted March 16, 2007 04:07 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Randall     Edit/Delete Message
Linda said no money shall pass hands between Master and student of Spiritual teachings. This is a Uni-versal Truth. No true GURU would require payment. Churches long ago learned this (although its roots may have been lost in antiquity), which is why you never pay the minister or priest (they are supported by the church). Linda just considered Astrology to an esoteric Master/student relationship. Some may disagree that astrology readings and such are in that category.

------------------
"There is no use trying," said Alice; "one can't believe impossible things." "I dare say you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." Lewis Carroll

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Randall
Webmaster

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From: Columbus, GA USA
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posted March 16, 2007 04:12 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Randall     Edit/Delete Message
I truly DO believe that if money (instead of the desire to serve and to help) is your primary concern for doing readings (and you turn away those who cannot pay), you will lose your gift.

------------------
"There is no use trying," said Alice; "one can't believe impossible things." "I dare say you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." Lewis Carroll

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fayte.m
Knowflake

Posts: 9217
From: Still out looking for Schrödinger's cat. fayte1954@hotmail.com
Registered: Mar 2005

posted March 16, 2007 10:53 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for fayte.m     Edit/Delete Message
I am posting this in 4 parts.
It seems most folks quote Linda as saying never charge. That is not how I interpreted her words.
To quote her;
From STAR SIGNS
INTRODUCTION xxxiii
quote:
The problem of money and spirituality is not new. There is nothing wrong with earning large sums of money. What matters is how you earn it and what you do with it after you've received it. You need not apologize for earning your daily bread (even large bushels of it) for any sort of labor you do which contributes something to the world, on any level. To receive cash compensation, you must put back into the world something of value, whether it be paintings, specialized services, clothings, automobiles, refrigerators, music, or entertainment. As long as you cheerfully and willingly give away half of what you have to those less fortunate, you needn't be ashamed to be a millionaire-or even a billionaire-because you have let go of half, thereby allowing this "green energy" to circulate. (Also because you earned it by hard work.) Money is not evil. Only the use of it and the means of gaining it can cause it to be.

To quote Linda again:
quote:
As long as you cheerfully and willingly give away half of what you have....

So exactly what is half here? Before or after one has taken care of their own needs, taxes, car payment and other living expenses? Half the earned income of a minimum wage part time worker and a billionaire are not at all the same thing. A percentage would make more sense! A poor man's tithe is still a legitimate tithe...even though far far less than a billionaire's tithe. But a tithe is still a tithe. The poor man gives away 1/2 and remains poor. The billionaire barely notices by comparison. All his reasonable needs are met, unlike the poor man's. All above reasonable needs is pure indulgence!
The often quoted saying of hers is however:
INTRODUCTION xxxiii
quote:
Money must not change hands between esoteric teacher and student.

Esoteric TEACHER....not service provider...
and STUDENT.....not client/customer.
Of which an Astrologer doing a reading, ie; performing a service, is not, nor is the client/customer receiving said services from the Astrologer a student.
Whereupon she goes on to state more odd things I consider to be contradictions; which has caused much confusion of the advice she gave.
INTRODUCTION xxxiii
quote:
It is unfortunate, for example, that there are no "churches" to support astrologers. They must "earn their daily bread" in some other manner, and perform their astrological counseling during their precious free time. It's unfortunate, yes, but not as much so as when astrologers charge for their readings, since the ancient teachings say that the one who heeds not the warning forbidding the exchange of money between teacher and student will soon "lose the gift of perception," and consequently will no longer be sought by the "students."

Note: Some Spiritualist Churches and New Age Centers DO support their Astrologers and Readers in monetary ways.

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fayte.m
Knowflake

Posts: 9217
From: Still out looking for Schrödinger's cat. fayte1954@hotmail.com
Registered: Mar 2005

posted March 16, 2007 10:53 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for fayte.m     Edit/Delete Message
to continue:
she said:
quote:
To receive cash compensation, you must put back into the world something of value, whether it be paintings, specialized services, clothings, automobiles, refrigerators, music, or entertainment. As long as you cheerfully and willingly give away half of what you have to those less fortunate, you needn't be ashamed to be a millionaire-or even a billionaire-because you have let go of half, thereby allowing this "green energy" to circulate. (Also because you earned it by hard work.)

Astrologers doing readings are performing a "SERVICE".....as are any Readers or Councilors, or persons involved in a Provider of Service/Client arrangement. Such are NOT in an Esoteric Teacher/Student relationship! Why Linda chose to tie her own hands thusly, and to tell others this, eludes me. I see no Teacher/Student Relationship under those circumstances!
xxxiv INTRODUCTION
quote:
To write about esoteric subjects or personal paths of enlightenment in books is not against this law. Books by everyone from actress Shirley MacLaine to Ruth Montgomery and dozens of astrological and metaphysical writers spread enlightenment in the spiritually approved way. The money received by the authors is for their labors at the typewriter, the talent of stringing words together, earned over years of practice and hard work. To earn your bread by writing is the same as to earn your bread by being a craftsman in any endeavor.

I found that to be a rather disturbing and self serving viewpoint. And oddly are contradictory in nature to her previous statement of the Teacher/Student relationship, where no money must pass hands between them. So...unless a person writes a book...whereby they do indeed become the "TEACHER"and the purchaser "$" of said book does indeed become the "STUDENT"....it is ok then because the publisher and seller take care of the money exchange between teacher and student? Whether one writes a book or teaches in person orally....it is still a TEACHER/STUDENT relationship and masking that behind the selling of books is a contradiction. Both the writer teacher and the in person teacher are teachers! The only difference is one was lucky enough to get published!
I must respectfully disagree with Linda.
1.Astrologers are Not teaching when they provide readings or charts.
They are performing a valuable "SERVICE", as with anyone performing any type of "service".
2.Astrologers who teach, be it in person or through books....are still performing a valuable service, and deserve that "green energy"as compensation for their time and effort to serve the student/customer.
Would you expect to not pay for tutoring in any subject matter?
So colleges and or tech schools and Seminary schools should be free?
Your Karate instructor, your therapist, your mechanic, your meditation coach, etcetera, should not be paid?
Yeah...it would be great if everything was free! But in our society that is not logical nor practical and is highly disrespectful to expect "some" to just give their "services rendered" away for free.
These issues have been on my mind ever since I heard of them.
It's not my intention to offend or insult Linda's words. I simply see in some of them a few grave contradictions, and ask why?
And all I have heard back concerning the issue, was again, the often quoted phrase:
quote:
Money must not change hands between esoteric teacher and student.

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fayte.m
Knowflake

Posts: 9217
From: Still out looking for Schrödinger's cat. fayte1954@hotmail.com
Registered: Mar 2005

posted March 16, 2007 10:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for fayte.m     Edit/Delete Message
To continue with Linda's own words on the matter of "her personal rules and truths", which many have taken to heart as Linda's way is the only way!
That is NOT what Linda said!
xxxviii INTRODUCTION
quote:
Neither should you blindly accept, on your quest for truth, the validity of the star sign codes of the Universe I offer in this book-until you have practiced and carefully tested each one, so that you can decide for yourself rather than take my word for it.

To continue, in Linda's own words:
xl INTRODUCTION
quote:
However, I do not ask-nor do I even expect-any of you to regard my concepts as your truth, unless they should happen to agree with your own personal enlightenment and private convictions.

Concerning truth:
INTRODUCTION xli
quote:
But real Truth can be found in one place only-in every man's and woman's communion with an eternal Source of hidden Knowledge within-which each individual must seek and find for himself or herself.

I do not believe that Linda had intended for any of us to set her up high upon a pedestal and worship her blindly nor even agree with her or follow her way, her path.

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fayte.m
Knowflake

Posts: 9217
From: Still out looking for Schrödinger's cat. fayte1954@hotmail.com
Registered: Mar 2005

posted March 16, 2007 11:21 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for fayte.m     Edit/Delete Message
One should however when it comes to helping those who cannot afford to pay, or pay much, or who are truly suffering, to endeavor to still serve them...Freely at no cost to them.....but freely giving, altruistically, of our time and energy.
Additionally; if the sole purpose of any such rendering of service is totally motivated by the lure of the almighty dollars$ then one is doing it for the wrong reasons.

quote:
"Do Not Seek Wealth From The Suffering Or The Dire Needs Of Others"

Namaste`

___________________________________________
~Judgement Must Be Balanced With Compassion~
~Do Not Seek Wealth From The Suffering, Or The Dire Needs Of Others~
~Assumption Is The Bane Of Understanding~

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Randall
Webmaster

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From: Columbus, GA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted March 17, 2007 10:08 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Randall     Edit/Delete Message
I would add that this wasn't Linda's sole idea--that she learned about Astrologers not charging from her Rosicuciuan background. I think it may also be in The Secrets Of The Ages, which was her Bible, so to speak. Onre thing is certain, you have to admire her honesty (even when it tied her own hands).

------------------
"There is no use trying," said Alice; "one can't believe impossible things." "I dare say you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." Lewis Carroll

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fayte.m
Knowflake

Posts: 9217
From: Still out looking for Schrödinger's cat. fayte1954@hotmail.com
Registered: Mar 2005

posted March 17, 2007 11:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for fayte.m     Edit/Delete Message
Ahhhhhhh......that makes sense.
Thanks Randall!
Maybe you could also give me some feedback as to why Linda left the errors in her Lexigrams in her STAR SIGN book? Was it to test us? Or was it genuine overlooked errors?
I am not trying to point out any of her human flaws but trying to understand her reasons for doing some things. So much of what she wrote is absolutely wonderful!!!!! but I still have those nagging questions on some things she said or did.
Thanks again for the explanation.
___________________________________________
~Judgement Must Be Balanced With Compassion~
~Do Not Seek Wealth From The Suffering, Or The Dire Needs Of Others~
~Assumption Is The Bane Of Understanding~
}><}}}(*> <*){{{><{
~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~~~~~
~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~

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Heart--Shaped Cross
Knowflake

Posts: 5568
From: 11/6/78 11:38am Boston, MA
Registered: Aug 2004

posted March 18, 2007 08:33 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Heart--Shaped Cross     Edit/Delete Message
1.

Wasn't Linda an astrologer?
And aren't her books full of readings
for which she was handsomely paid?

Was she supported by a Church?
Did she earn her living by some other means,
than through the teaching of esoteric science?

2.

What is the difference between paying an organization, -
in this case, a Church, -
and paying an individual,
for carrying out the business of that organization?

If the Church is going to pay the individual anyway,
then, isn't it only serving as a superfluous middleman?

What is a "Church", anyway,
but a group of spiritually-minded individuals
with a common purpose?

3.

Everyone has to make a living.
Is there a more noble way to earn one's daily bread
than by ministering to others on matters of the utmost importance;
that being spiritual matters?

4.

Let's be realistic, shall we?

When a person earns minimum wage, and has children to support, they can barely survive on what they make. As it is, circumstances force them to consume cheap foods, loaded with toxins, which compromise their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Their salaries are determined by greedy corporate pigs and bureaucrats, not by a fair and impartial Lawgiver, who makes sure that everyone receives (material) compensation equal to the good they render, and at least twice as much money as they require to live peacefully on.

Jesus tells a story of an old peasant woman,
commended for her charity.
The wealthy people in the story gave much more (materially),
but retained a great deal more as well (materially).
The old woman gave what little she could,
and her charity was accounted far greater than that of the rich.
I believe this story illustrates that,
for a poor person to give half their pay,
and a rich person to give half their pay,
is far from equal in the eyes of God.

5.

I have looked in my heart and compassed my mind on this,
and I believe Linda, The Rosicrucians, and Manly P. Hall are mistaken.

I repeat,
Linda wasn't right about everything.

Show me one person who got fat on a diet of green vegetables,
or thin on a diet of red and yellow cookies.

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Randall
Webmaster

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From: Columbus, GA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted March 18, 2007 09:52 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Randall     Edit/Delete Message
Come on, the Rainbow Diet consisted of more than that. Linda refused any payment as an Astrologer once she began studying more esoteric subjects. She was paid as an author/writer. The idea is that to pay the minister directly corrupts the relationship.

------------------
"There is no use trying," said Alice; "one can't believe impossible things." "I dare say you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." Lewis Carroll

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Eleanore
Moderator

Posts: 2293
From: Japan
Registered: Aug 2003

posted March 18, 2007 10:33 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Eleanore     Edit/Delete Message
Personally, I wouldn't charge. Many people do. If you feel uncomfortable charging then don't do it. One of my main concerns with charging for something like this is making it into a business ... which in many cases becomes more about making a living than making a difference. It's rather a strong temptation to strive for more profit especially when your entire livehood depends on it. I'm not saying people can't be selfless and still charge money. I'm just saying it can be difficult.

Do what feels right for you and as long as you keep aware of yourself, you will learn along the way whether you were right or wrong, whether you can keep going as you are or whether change is appropriate, no matter what choice you make.

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lotusheartone
unregistered
posted March 19, 2007 10:12 PM           Edit/Delete Message
pemy51283...

I would love to do a reading for you...
if you would like it private..you can
email me at lotusheart10@yahoo.ca..

or, I can post it here?

Let me know. ...

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