"Can You Pay My Bills?" The Downfall of the Spiritual "Side Hustle"

Folkloric spirituality finds itself in a state of commodification once again (as if there aren’t enough Hotei figurine + incense gift sets to go around)

I have a serious problem with the idea that divination can serve as a suitable “side hustle” in lieu of other marketable, mundane skills. It’s tossed around these days as though spiritual artistry a suitable replacement for actual work. I remember seeing it listed as a “quick and easy” way to make money. I was (and am) anything but thrilled.

As far back as the Oracle of Delphi, history shows us that diviners were considered treasured members of society. There was a reason for their exclusivity and placement in each cultural iteration. There was a reason as to why conjurers and pagans expressed the idea of being “gifted” or born with the sight”. These remarkably talented seers were and could be entrusted with secret information, often called upon my members from all walks of life as confidants.

As someone who’s been reading professionally for years, I’m often entrusted with very delicate and precious situations. At times my clients are in extreme state of crises, spiraling out, and sometimes are in danger either from themselves or by someone else.

My next statement isn’t to knock anyone who hasn’t worked in Corporate America, or anyone trying to make it as an entrepreneur in this field. But, if you’re going to work with people exclusively in this type of setting, you should first (at the very least) learn how.

My “real world” resumee spans 13+ years, with almost all my roles in high-end customer relations. I’ve since transitioned to full-time entrepreneurship, but the experience I garnered working with and for people from almost everywhere in the world has been invaluable to connecting and maintaining my client relationships.

I’ve also undergone an extremely traumatic upbringing (Looking at you, Pluto in the 4th), which allows me to easily understand where my clients are coming from. The combination of my extensive skill-set and deep psychological curiosity helps me to connect with just about anyone and perceive their vantage points from an authentic place.

So needless to say, I am beyond annoyed when figures in metaphysical/spiritual spaces purport narratives that imply intuition is interchangeable or synonymous with empathy and/or professionalism. This rubs me particularly raw when some in those spaces can’t be bothered to hone the latter because 1) they consciously/unconsciously perceive the emotional and mental integrity of their audience as inferior 2) no interest in their audiences’ human condition (aka “Hermit Syndrome” 3) can’t be bothered 4) doing so doesn’t immediately equate to profit.

If your reader spends more time in your session trying to convince you that racism is “something you’re just feeling because of what’s going on in the world”, how could they possibly offer advice in the realm of resolving your pain from that trauma? Do they even consider your pain to be valid?

#spiritualgaslighting is very much a thing, folks.

My point is, this art (specifically rootwork/hoodoo/conjure and working as a diviner from that framework) is not for everyone.It’s sacred and should be regarded as such. Some can divine, yes, but aren’t great with grasping the mechanics of spell or ritual. For others, it’s the total opposite. If you can do both to some modicum of success, GREAT! If you can do neither proficiently, seek someone who can.

If you don’t have experience or at least empathy for what it’s like to exist in a black/brown body, you probably can’t advise me on how to. It’s that simple.

Your range of profitable skills shouldn’t/doesn’t start or end with being a card reader, and it’s f*cked up to lead unsuspecting people who may be new to this to believe otherwise. These are people’s lives, spirits, and emotions you’re mucking around in. They are not your lab rats.

I know most would rather not hear this, because of course veryone is “special” and can do what they want. But just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

Anyone who picks up a deck of cards doesn’t instantaneously wield the emotional capacity to effectively help someone work their sh*t out. Honing that kind of fortitude, understanding and patience takes time and maturity, not divinatory proficiency. The former are innate qualities I’ve honed while cleaning up boutique fitting rooms and on phone calls with self-enthroned CEOs. They can find you while wranglng carts at your local grocer’s or in the backseat of your rideshare shift.

Where it finds you doesn’t matter, as long as it equips you with the tools, foresight and mindset to be of actual service to the people who may need you.

So many people want fame. but how many want to be good at what they do?

My aim with any of my stuff isn’t ever to judge, but I feel like it needs to be said. Spiritually active POCs can “uphold these truths” in the hopes of preserving a history that feels like it’s circling the void of virtual gentrification:

If your angle is to sell spirituality for the sake of pure profit, think about who you might be hurting in the long-run. Consider the emotionally and mentally fragile who might come to you in genuine earnest; the folks who are cracking under quarantine, who maybe just lost a child or loved one. They can AND might seek out your help, but will you be ready? Are you even in a state to handle and support them in the way they need most? Can you actually offer lucid and practical advise to help them at least make it to the next week?

If being able to help people from a genuine place of compassion stands between you and making rent, maybe it’s time to find a new hustle.