Witchvox Article

Author: Solace StarChild
Posted: April 11th. 2010
Times Viewed: 1,956

You're eighteen. You just graduated high school and are about to embark on the journey of a lifetime. You are going to college to become what you have always wanted to be.

The last twelve years and the next four are going to determine the outcome of your career. By the time you are finished, you will have studied for sixteen years.

Fast-forward four years. You've graduated from college. While most of your education was free, the $50, 000 student loan that you owe for your college education is now due in large monthly installments and you get to work for the rest of your life to pay it back.

What about the sixteen years that you spent studying to get to this point? That's a lot of time and now, you expect to get paid, don't you? You land your dream job, you show up, you do the work all day, and every two weeks you bring home your pay for honest work.

Have you ever looked at your Craft in that way? I don't mean to offend, but, is it not the way of the world to get paid for applying knowledge and skill in such a way that helps others? Even working in a large corporation, you're there to do a job that benefits the company, right? Now, let's take this a step further.

Let's suppose that you spent the last 25 years studying Witchcraft. That's a long time! I don't know too many people that can say they've spent 25 years studying witchcraft. That is an accomplishment and I am in awe of people who stick with such a thing for that long - not because they have to - but because they want to.

Now, let's suppose that person also has 25 years of experience in practicing the craft. So, not only did they read it, but also they actually got up and did it. They applied the knowledge they gained along the way. What another wonderful accomplishment, worthy of acknowledgement! Not only is such a person knowledgeable in an "academic" way, they are "experienced", which means they've practiced, made mistakes, and perfected skills along the way. That's the type of teacher I would want to learn from.

It takes 18 years of schooling to get a Master's degree and 20 years to get a Doctorate in whatever field you decide to immerse yourself in. So, if that field is witchcraft and you have 25 years of study and experience, I think you are qualified to teach. It would more than suffice in the "real" world.

American Witches or Wiccans or Pagan teachers expect to be compensated for their time more often than not these days. Time is valuable and just because we ask for compensation for our time, does NOT mean that we are "illegitimate" teachers.

I want to respect the Ordains that were written of old. I know they say, "Do not take money for the art." So, I give my students a choice. I tell them that classes are a set price, but no serious seeker will be turned away for lack of funds. And, I don't always charge a lot, but, I've spent a lot of time putting together a full scale magickal curriculum for these students, complete with handouts, study materials, books, e-mails, etc. I tell students to pay what they are comfortable paying or to pay what they think the classes are worth.

I can honestly say that I've had wonderful responses from my students and that they have all been respectful of the time that I have put in to do the work of presenting the material and teaching them in an organized and professional manner. They like it, I like it and it benefits all of us.

It is clear that I am a legitimate teacher. I don't just pretend to know what I know - I live and breathe my art and I am here to serve them by helping them to find and move forward along their path. Pardon me for getting paid.

On the other hand, there ARE times when you should watch out for those who take money for the art. I'm not saying that there aren't people out there that will scam you and take your money. Definitely beware of anyone who "guarantees" the results of their spellcrafting. I'm good - it's one of my specialties, but, I won't guarantee it - it all lies in the framework of the mind and I ALWAYS make the person requesting it work with me or do it themselves. As much as I might try to prepare a person to do the magick, the outcome is really up to them and they probably haven't been doing this for 25 years.

What you really need to think about is that you need to feel good about the teacher that you have chosen, or, rather, that the universe has chosen for you. "When the Student is ready, the teacher appears." right? You should be thankful that you have a teacher and respect the amount of time and effort that your teacher has put into being there for your benefit.

It would be much more to the teacher's benefit to just keep studying and practicing. Teaching is not glamorous at all. It's hard work, phone calls with questions, countless e-mails, being supporting and motivating, inspiring, and challenging all at the same time.

You paid your college professors. Why not give something back to your witch teachers? Have they not earned their place amongst those who pass the torch?

Do they not ascend the witch's pyramid as they "Know" the mysteries and share them with you, "Will" to get up and take the responsibility for increasing your knowledge, "Dare" to do a thing that most would not, and "Keep Silent" while listening for your answers?

Think about it. That's all. Just, think about it.

ABOUT...

Solace StarChild

Location: Portland, Oregon

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