Pagans and money
- Feb 23
- 1 min read
Updated: Feb 25
by Yvonne Aburrow
The discussion topic at Interfaith Grand River on 12 February was about Money and Faith, so here is a Pagan perspective on the topic.
Pagans are generally opposed to charging money for teaching Pagan traditions to other people, or for attending rituals. This is either because of a view that the knowledge we are passing on came to us from the gods, or because the people who taught the knowledge to us did not charge us money for it, or because it would be like charging your family money when they come to dinner at your house.
Most people find it acceptable to share the costs of candles, incense, flowers, venue hire, and photocopying. Shared meals after Pagan rituals are usually organised on a pot-luck basis, where everyone brings food to share. This is because one person should not be bearing the cost of all these items.
Most people find it acceptable to charge for one-off services like Pagan weddings (especially as this involves hiring a venue), divinatory readings (runes, Tarot, astrology), and classes where the presenter is not being paid in kind (by receiving another workshop or class in exchange). This is because there is no ongoing relationship when it is a one-off occasion.
Making money from writing books seems to be broadly acceptable; Pagan authors do not make a lot of money from writing books.
