I have often joked that I was somewhat uncomfortable in trusting channeled information in that you can’t exactly go back to a Spirit and ask for accountability. New Age has become big business—but not all Witches have a big budget to match. Thank-fully, in the Witch’s market, a big price tag isn’t always the key to a well-loved, powerful magickal implement.
Witchcraft is rarely listed in the phone book’s yellow-page directory, so many Witches still find themselves having to depend on gatherings, mail order, the Internet, and other means of purchasing, not all of which ensure our satisfaction or protec-tion from fraud. This has led me to developing a system that I’ve found quite helpful in weeding out some of the best choices for magickal goods and services.
I recommend asking yourself the following questions before making a purchase:
♦ Does the company make impossible claims, such as ensuring their spells work 100 percent of the time?
Such a claim should send up a red flag in your mind.
No responsible Witch would ever say that, knowing how personal magick can be.
♦ In catalogs or on Web sites, are pictures of the products unclear or distorted? If so, there may be a good reason in terms of quality, or the company may be attempting to misrepresent a product’s size.
♦ How is the product priced compared to similar products? It is one thing to feed your family and pay bills, but it’s another thing altogether to live the
“high-life” by marking prices up and thus preying on people’s desire for spiritual experiences.
♦ Does the merchant, serviceperson, or group offer sliding scale fees or barter for those with justifiable financial constraints? The Association for Research and Enlightenment offers reduced workshop rates when people prove their need. Similar practices speak volumes for the intentions of any business.
♦ What kind of philosophy does the company portray in advertising? Is it more hocus-pocus than real, modern magick? If so, you might want to look elsewhere. An excellent example of a company that operates with good advertising is Earth Care Paper Products. This company has a no-nonsense mailing that includes useful consumer information on Earth-friendly practices. This, to me, reflects the right focus for their business.
♦ What type of guarantee does the company/individual offer? Does it provide refunds or exchanges? If not, beware. Anyone who offers goods and services for a fee needs to be accountable for customer service too.
♦ Does the merchant answer your questions reasonably or do they shift into “salesperson” mode? You may quickly discover a treasure or a complete sham just by using your magickal skills.
♦ How knowledgeable do the company’s representatives seem? If I called a purportedly magickal store in search of items for moon magick, for example, I’d get nervous if the reply was, “What’s moon magick?”
♦ Has the company been recommended by anyone you know and trust? In the magickal community, word-of-mouth advertising is among the most reliable sources of information.
If, after reviewing these questions, you come up with two or more potential outlets for what you need, you can then return to your Witchery for aid:
♦ Put the names of the merchants/servicepeople in a pendulum circle drawn on paper and then divining for the best choice. For this, put your elbow down on the table’s surface in such a way so the pendulum point sits directly in the middle of the circle. Close your eyes and focus on the item/price range you need. When you feel the pendulum moving, see which of the stores it points out.
Alternatively, if you have business cards for the stores in question you can simply shuffle them upside down while keeping your goal in mind. Then, pick out one card as you might a daily tarot card. Start at that store first.
♦ Create an amulet for guidance and discernment. For example, hold a piece of coral or jade (for wisdom) and empower it, saying:
“INSIDE THIS STONE, MY MAGICK BIND,
HELP ME IN ___ TO FIND.” [fill in the blank with the name of the tool/item for which you’re looking].
Then, tuck this in your pocket and visit the store(s) you’ve chosen. Touch the stone, extend your psychic skills to the tool(s) in question. Which ones appeal to both your higher senses and your budget?
♦ If you find something you really want and that draws your spiritual senses strongly but you cannot afford, try this spell. Get a bunch of candied almonds (for prosperity) and fill them with magick using an incantation such as this:
“GOD/DESSSEEMY WISHAND BLESS, BRING TOME ABUNDANCE!
IFTHIS _____ ISTOBEMINE, FINDAWAYFORMY MAGICK
TO SHINE!”
Eat one or two of these candies regularly to internalize the energy necessary to generate either enough income to cover the object, have it go on sale, or come to you some other way (perhaps as a gift).
Because Wicca is becoming big business, remember that your merchants have a responsibility to you. They have to follow commonly accepted business practices just like any other business. Anyone you feel may be presenting fraudulent, misrep-resented, or otherwise improper goods should be confronted with your concerns. If you find those concerns are justified, do some-thing about it! Expose misdeeds through the Better Business Bureau or your local chamber of commerce, remembering that such individuals reflect badly on Witches as a whole and rob us of precious opportunities to re-educate the public about our faith.