You’ve gotta love the internet and demographic marketing! And Google Ads! These can all be a great source of amusement when you’re browsing around a search engine or Facebook. A few days ago, twice while on Facebook, I had the pleasure of seeing full sidebar ads for a website called 7witches.com. I went to the site (not via the banner ad, but just through my browsers because I’m just like that with giving clicks to sites that look shady) and spent a little time perusing the services available on the site. I’ve always had a problem with websites that charge crazy money for spellwork. I’m not saying that it’s completely wrong; I know there are lots of people out there that feel that casting spells for other people, nevermind taking cash for the work done, is just a big no-no. I’m of a different viewpoint.
In times past, the local village Witch or Cunning Man or Woman, was not only the one that healed but also the one that worked charms and spells for those in need. While at that time it wasn’t so much cash that changed hands, but payment was made for the service, often in the way of food (meats, milk, grains, etc) and other essentials. But that was what was important at that time. Things are different now. Now money is seen as an energy exchange between a Witch and the person that comes to them for help. Much like with doing tarot, rune or psychic readings for someone, it’s an exchange of something that has meaning and energy behind it for one individual going to the other individual for their service. I personally don’t see a difference between the two. Someone needs help in a way that I can give, then I’m happy to give it with some sort or compensation for my time, energy and effort.
However, I do see a huge difference between charging someone to cover the cost of supplies for a spell or ritual and a little extra for their personal time and what seems to be the cast with many “we cast it for you” websites where charging hundreds or thousands of dollars for spells is more the norm. On one of the websites that I do readings for, LivePerson, I also have myself listed as a Spell Caster and I have worked spells for people several times through there with success. I spend time speaking with the person, getting a fell for their real needs and desires, getting to know them a little and seeing how I can best help them. Then I work up what I’ll need to do and figure what it would cost in supplies and then figure how much time it will take for me to do the spellwork. The most I have ever charged for a spell through there was $60 and it was a spell that I had to cast three times during the course of the month for the individual. I also provide the client with a PDF file with photos of my altar and the work in progress as well as some details about the spell and some ideas of things they can do to help the spell along on their own at home. But then I have seen people on there charge $500 for a single casting! That’s just insane and wrong, in my opinion.
This website, 7witches, offers to cast spells through the work of a group of seven practitioners that are part of a coven. This particular website has categories of spells that include Love, Luck & Money, Self-Improvement, Curses & Hexes, Authentic Vodou Spells and even “Vampyre Spells”. So let’s say you want to check out a Self-Improvement spell. Let’s say you find the idea of a Happiness Spell ideal for you. You read the info and decide that you would like their “Gifted Master Witches” to lend you a hand. Great!
The spell itself will run you $37. You can pick who you want to cast your spell. You have your pick of:
- A Warlock and Alchemist
- A Vodou Houngan
- A Scryer and Witch
- A Clairvoyant and Medium
- Someone versed in Dark Arts and the Left Hand Path
- Someone versed in Fairy and Animal Magic
- And, of course, the High Priestess
If you want the High Priestess to cast your spell that will cost you another $18. Now you decide the strength of the spell. If you want the spell cast once, that’s included (obviously). But if you want your spell cast within 36 hours of your order, that will be an additional $74. If you would like the spell cast three times for you that will be an extra $37. If you would like the whole coven to be involved in casting your spell, you’re going to need to toss in another $185. And then the next step is to pick what sort of Charm you want with your spell. It’s made pretty clear in the fine print on the site that charms are essential to the spell and if you choose NOT to have one done there will be extra charges in “shipping” because of the extra work that will need to be done. So there you have the option of an Imbued Charm for $7 or a Triple Imbued Charm for $17. So this spell could cost you $37 + extra fees in “shipping” (which aren’t listed) or it could cost upwards of $257. Different spells have different fees attached, some overall are less or more than others, but it looks like you could end up spending $300 and up on a single spell if you wanted to “works”. The thing is, this isn’t that bad in comparison.
Now, there are tons of these websites. Many aren’t out of control at all, many charging under $100 (most actually between $25 and $70). However there are some charging quite a bit more for all sorts of spells. One site that’s been around for a good handful of years run by a woman that goes by the name of Amita Dragonspell. She has spells on her site that range from $125 to $500 and custom spells from $100 – $750. She lists out her credential as being a Third Degree Gardnerian, ULC minister and as having a Doctorate in Metaphysics all with 25 years spellcasting experience.
But again, I stress the fact that I don’t have a problem with casting spells for money, but I wonder what exactly goes into a spell that’s going to cost $750 to cast.
So my questions here are how do you feel about spells cast for cash? What do you think of having someone you find on the internet cast your spells (as opposed to someone local or a friend who’s a practitioner)? And how much is too much?
Mood: cynical 
The only problem I have with charging money to cast spells for other people is that there is absolutely no gurantee that the spell will work. That’s a lot of money for somebody to spend for something that may not work. Also, I believe people should cast their own spells…they’ll work better. I know there are people who aren’t magickally inclined so paying someone to do it is the only option, but still it shouldn’t be that expensive.
I’m with you Willow on the idea that people should work their own spells. One thing that I’ve found with people I’ve worked magick for is that the ones that many of them are scared of doing it themselves but they believe completely in the work. I usually have my clients do very basic candle magick as part of their work to help the spell along. Most don’t balk at it but a few have because they know it’s magickal work and it makes them nervous.
I think you’ve really hit the nail on head though for me with the fact that there are no guarantees that the spells will work, just like when we cast out own spells, so why pay someone $500 for it? It is a little silly. But then I think that people figure if they pay more they’re getting better spells(?)…who knows.
As far as the issue of cost I believe you should get compensated for the time involved but with that said I doubt “Joe Wicca” or “Sally Scryer” are worth 500 bucks even for an hour!
I do find it silly that some would think that this is a get out of jail free type thing. Sending energy and participating in a reading one on one is legit but to think that someone can ask for a spell to say lose weight from a total stranger…get real. I can imagine the person scarfing down Twinkies and thinking hey its OK someone did a spell so this wont make me chubbier! Hell they can hire me and I will swat cookies out of their hands!
That’s part of where I think a lot of the online spell casting sites fall flat; they don’t do anything to help empower the client and help them see how spells work and what it will take to see the work done for them show results. Just because you give someone $500 to do a spell doesn’t mean that the spell is going to work…in fact for all you know there was no actual spell done.
I have no problem with payment in whatever form it comes. I use energy everyday in my work and my payment comes sometimes in my paycheck but mostly in what I get back personally from my patients. That said, spell work is a little tricker. Lots of variables and the timeline. I can think of lots more to do with $500 than a spell I can cast myself. But in the scheme of things as I was just writing that. Maybe if I was really putting forth the effort to do it myself I can see why it might be worth that much but in putting in the effort, time & energy myself the spell becomes more powerful and mine. Something someone else can’t do for me.