Temple of Athena the Savior

I was going to include these in my next Round-Up of Interesting Links, but I decided that TP Ward’s posts on the theme of Pagans and money deserves its own entire intro. It deserves to be considered on its own.

Pagans have an interesting, complicated relationship with money. I’ve seen Pagans drop hundreds of dollars on crystals and such, but those same Pagans turn around and expect readings for free, or for a teacher to share their knowledge and time for next to nothing. Is this because we in our materialistic culture value things more than knowledge? Those crystals, statues, and ritual tools are tangible items after all.

I’ve heard people say that it isn’t right to charge money for readings or spiritual work. This is a very un-ancient, un-Pagan idea, and I disagree vehemently. I think there is an idea rooted in many Pagans’ minds that money is somehow spiritually polluted, a thing of “this world”, and I think it comes from outside our traditions. Catholic monks take a vow of poverty after all, and certain segments of Christianity see the poor as somehow more virtuous than the rich. My mother used to say that money is the root of all evil, and I know many Christians who say this. But its actually a misquoted Bible verse: the love of money is the root of all evil, not the money itself. When you place the pursuit of wealth above your health, the well being of others, your Gods, THAT’S when it becomes a problem. Money itself is just a tool.

As an animist, I believe everything has a spirit or a moving life-force. This includes money or prosperity. Many Pagans would agree in theory, but not stop to think about what that actually MEANS.  How can you build a prosperous life if you have an unhealthy relationship with the very idea of wealth, if you are convinced on some level that having money makings you a bad person?

I have issues surrounding the idea of money that I am working to heal. I am aware of this. Even more than money I have issues with social class and feelings of inadequacy, as someone who is working class and has suffered poverty all my life. I am aware of this as well. But I am working VERY HARD to better myself and my life, and healing my relationship with money and class is part of that.

You can’t manifest abundance while also believing that abundance is bad.

Money: Walking the Walk

https://truepaganwarrior.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/money-walking-the-walk/

Rich is not a Four Letter Word

https://truepaganwarrior.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/rich-not-a-four-letter-word/

Real Money Magic: Respect

https://truepaganwarrior.wordpress.com/2018/02/11/real-money-magic-respect/

Hymn to Ploutos

https://truepaganwarrior.wordpress.com/2016/05/12/hymn-to-ploutos/

Fear of Money

https://truepaganwarrior.wordpress.com/2009/02/26/fear-of-money/

When Money is Worthless, What Next?

https://truepaganwarrior.wordpress.com/2009/03/15/when-money-is-worthless-what-next/

Curse of Cash Review

https://truepaganwarrior.wordpress.com/2017/10/03/curse-of-cash-review/