Wiccans: Please explain the difference between charging people to be in a trad/degree, and charging for classes on spiritual topics?

For me, as I was the subject of one questioner's misunderstanding of this, it's this:

I lead a coven and train people in my tradition of Wicca. All of those classes are completely free. The elevations are free, the circles are free, the social activities we offer are free unless it's something like apple picking in the fall, where there is admission, which folks pay themselves. But the training in the Tradition is completely free and is paid for by me and my husband because we are the coven leaders. We pay for the paper, the ink, the snacks, the circle supplies, the material for the cords we make for each person's elevations (3 cords in all, $37 approx for each one, for each person), etc.

I recently gave a class at a metaphysical store called "A Prerequisite to Wicca 101," that taught people definitions so they could move forward with their interests in Wicca and Paganism and BEGIN to seek training if they wished. The class also gave resources about where to find reputable groups, how the Gods are approached in Paganism, what is Wicca vs. what is a COROLLARY to Wicca (corollaries include herbalism, divination, spell craft, etc.). So the idea was that the class that I charged a super low fee for (I got $10 per 2 hour class per the 6 students) was INFORMATIONAL and not TRAINING in Wicca.

In my Tradition, our by-laws clearly spell out what constitutes "charging for Craft instruction" and what is OK to charge for. We can charge for divinations and psychic readings and for giving non-training information. Also, it isn't "charging for training" to ask students to do any of the following things: Contribute to space rental, bring food contributions, donate coven supplies (we encourage this but never require it), buy their own robes and tools, or contribute as initiates to the licensing fees for clergy in the group. We are members of Covenant of the Goddess and we pay $110 per year for that affiliation. That is divided between the initiates in the coven, but the non-initiated students don't contribute to that.

A "Wiccan" is a person who practices Wicca, the religion. An "authentic witch" is someone who practices witchcraft and can also practice any or no religion. "Authentic" is subjective though, in witchcraft. Authenticity when it concerns Wiccan teachers means that they have the elevations they claim to have and have the clergy credentials they claim to have, if they make such claims.

Thanks for choosing to ask this question so I can clarify this and so I can edit my work if I wish without fear of you using the blocking feature to silence me or to keep me from answering against unwarranted attacks. Those who choose to use those features in that way are not seeking real answers and are acting in a passive-aggressive manner. I really appreciate your choice to demonstrate responsible use of Yahoo Answers and also to ask a question that helps me clarify things I've tried to clarify elsewhere....Show more

In both cases supplies, rental of space, fuel to go to the space AND obtain supplies ALL cost money. You can't ask a person not to provide even a minimal payment in order to learn. Even teaching online costs money because you have to obtain a server (if you plan on doing it professionally, using a site such as "moodle"), internet usage, electricity, etc.

It's like asking school teachers to teach without being paid. Most teachers use their own funds to facilitate teaching materials (craft paper, scissors, crayons, etc). No teacher would teach unless they were being paid (I mean, look at the teacher strikes that happen every school year because teachers say they're not being paid enough).

If a teacher wants to teach and not be paid that's entirely up to them. But it's unrealistic for students to expect not to pay even a donation to the teacher for their time and necessities to teach them.

As for "Wiccan" and "Authentic Witch", one can be both. Witchcraft is essentially a generic practice that needs no Gods for use...much like any craft like artistry or carpentry. One may by all means worship a deity of their choice AND/OR incorporate their Witchcraft into their religious practices (like Wicca). It simply means that you call upon your deity of choice for aid, assistance, etc.

However, Wiccan does not equal Witch. There are thousands upon thousands of non-religious and non-Wiccan Witches in the world, each practicing different methods stemming from their study and/or upbringing. Witches say from New Guinea would undoubtedly practice their craft MUCH differently from Witches of Romania and North America.

As for what makes a person an "authentic" Witch, well, that would be study and education, and whether or not that education stemmed from reputable sources or new age fluff. New age fluff would determine that Witchcraft (and Wicca) is solely about getting what you want and making stuff up as you go along.

Both systems have a base of which they go by in order to achieve success in their endeavors. It's not simply put this in this pot and you're done. And by no means is that solely what Wiccans (not Witches) do.


And I'm glad it's you asking, so that I can answer a coherent question and be able to edit my answer and clarify any confusions. That's what people asking GENUINE, sincere questions do....Show more

I can somebody help me cast a spell?...Show more