Seekers Beware

Seekers Beware

In this important blogpost, two professional tarot readers, Amie Mouser and I, share six red flags for metaphysical scams.

Any good-hearted, talented metaphysical practitioner will tell you that one of our biggest professional challenges is dealing with the harm caused by the many unscrupulous scam artists who intentionally blur the distinctions between what they do and what we do.

I recently had a conversation on an unrelated topic in a social media group. One of the participants in the conversation noticed that I am a professional tarotist and therefore decided that what I had to say had no merit because I was clearly morally deficient. A few others joined in with the same opinion. To them, tarot reader equals scam artist. Sadly, there is a real reason some people feel this way. There may be more metaphysical scam artists than there are competent, reliable professionals.

At around the same time, in the sort of synchronicity that gives meaning to things, Amie Mouser, my friend, colleague and student, reached out to tell me of a situation that had developed in her practice.

You see, we honest, well-intentioned practitioners often are the ones who have to clean up the messes and try to heal the damage done by scammers. Typically, we spend a lot of time, often at no charge, helping our clients understand that they have been scammed, and helping them discern the difference between healing metaphysical work and con jobs.

Amie handled her situation well and got her client on the right track.

In our conversation, it became clear that we both have a lot to say on this topic, and that we both have a lot of ire toward those who prey on vulnerable people who are simply seeking healing.

I asked Amie if she wanted to collaborate on a blog post about this topic. She quickly sent over a brilliant list of red flags to help spiritual seekers avoid getting scammed. I will share those next, and then add my comments at the end. Please note that arguably all metaphysical practitioners see people running these scams, and those hurt by them, virtually every day. Read, and beware!

Amie’s Scam Alert: The Top Five Red Flags

The Curse Remover

Most of us have heard of or encountered this tactic. If you’re new to all this, these are the people who tell you that a curse, hex, spell, bad energy, etc., has been placed on you, or your loved one. They then offer to remove said curse for a fee. Many times, the fees are exorbitant...like into the thousands. These kinds of scammers may even string victims along through repeated payments and sessions claiming that the curse is Herculean and difficult to battle.

The Trapped Soul Assistant

Can we connect with our loved ones across the veil? I believe we can. Are there reputable mediums and tarot readers who can help deliver messages from the departed which bring about a great deal of healing and peace? I believe so! I have a deep connection and communication with those who have died. I have experienced this first-hand and include connection with the departed in readings with clients.

That being said, if a reader suddenly “sees” your loved one suffering, stuck, or unable to find the light and offers to help them cross over for a juicy fee, that is a huge red flag!

The Metaphysical Prosperity Evangelist

This person is usually charismatic and wants you to get serious! Do you have a dream you want to manifest? Are you looking to achieve higher levels of activation? Do you want to finally heal? For thousands of dollars, they claim to do the work it will take to get you there. Here’s a quote from someone just this week.

“You can do all the free programs, read all the free books, but until you take responsibility for your own growth by buying my program...you will achieve nothing. You have to show the Universe that you are taking responsibility by taking the step and committing your money.”

This is just not how the Universe works, IMHO.

The Smarmy Salesperson

Respecting boundaries and priorities are a challenge for this type. When the sales pressure continues even after you have expressed disinterest, financial hardship, or reasons why now is not a good time to spend money, consider this a red flag.

No one reputable would suggest you prioritize high-dollar spiritual programs over a needed dental procedure or medical test.

I had a client who expressed the need to have expensive dental work done to a Smarmy Salesperson. Ol’ Smarmy insisted the treatment was not necessary and the client should seek a second opinion, and then continued with high pressure sales tactics. Gross!

Super Ridiculous

True story. Charging a client thousands of dollars for a spiritual program, and then reaching out with another charge to cover the 3.5% merchant services fee is absurd. This one totally blew my mind! News Flash: Business owners have the responsibility to pay for their own business expenses.  

Christiana here again. I’m so grateful for Amie’s clear, succinct and humorous list. The problem is, of course, that these scammers speak enough truth that it is easy for hurting, fearful clients to get sucked into their lies.

Many scammers are part of organized groups that help them orchestrate these scams.

It’s true that many cultures believe in curses and have a practice of offering magic-for-hire. More than two decades ago I thought it would be easy enough to just say that magic-for-hire is wrong, and curses are BS.

Now, I understand that there are revered and legitimate practitioners of particular cultural traditions who offer these services in ways that are uplifting and non-scammy.

How can you tell the difference?

Legitimate practitioners have set, reasonable prices for their services, are willing to explain their practices in practical terms, and don’t spread or capitalize on fear.

I’m glad Amie mentioned the prosperity scammers. Whether these people are misinterpreting the Law of Attraction or buying into the heinous “Prosperity Gospel”, this line of thinking is dangerous and morally bankrupt. Spiritualizing greed and teaching that it’s okay to turn our backs on folks in need is the exact opposite of good spiritual practice in any religion or culture. 

I have only one red flag to add to Amie’s list. Here it is.

The Over-Enthusiastic and Under-Experienced Tarot Business Coach

There are numerous tarot business coaches out there. Some of them are really great. Some of them, like me, have actually written books on how to become a tarot professional. However, some of them have achieved modest success in a very short period of time and chose to capitalize on their limited success by quickly becoming ‘tarot business coaches’ and offering very expensive programs for would-be readers.

The problems with this are three-fold. First, they promise unrealistic results.  Despite what they will tell you in order to sell their programs, here is the truth. It takes years to become a good tarot reader, not months. It is very hard to have an internet-only fulltime tarot career. A six-figure income is possible, but rare.

The second problem is that they, themselves, simply don’t have the experience to give good guidance.

The third problem is that very often, these ‘tarot business coaches’ offer advice on the legal aspects of tarot business, including local business licensing and tax advice. If you are serious about your tarot business, you will get your legal advice from town, county and state officials, attorneys and accountants. No one else is qualified to give such advice. To accept or request advice from anyone else is stupid and dangerous. To offer such advice as a ‘tarot business coach’ is nothing short of an egregious scam.

 Whether you are looking for a reading, a program, a course or a coach, there are plenty of good, reputable practitioners from which to choose. Just make sure you vet the professional you choose. If you see any of these red flags, please don’t allow yourself to be scared, bullied or tempted.

Just run.

 Want to work with Amie? Visit her current online home, and keep an eye out for her new website!

Want to work with me? Schedule your session here, or call or text 561-655-1160.

Five Tips for Marketing your Metaphysical Business that may Surprise You

There are so many talented healers, readers and coaches in business these days. Often, what separates the successful from the unsuccessful is not their skill in their field. The defining factor for most of us is how well we market.

That’s unfortunate because if we felt called to be marketers we would have studied marketing in college and be working in a marketing firm right now.

Perhaps there are a lucky few who can hire a marketing firm.  Most of us have to do it ourselves whether we like it or not.

If you have a metaphysical business and are in need of a marketing boost, consider these five surprising tips.

1. Write good copy. Okay, that’s not surprising. But here’s what is. Many metaphysical business owners don’t know what “copy” is, understand its importance or know how to write it well.

I have seen poor grammar and terrible spelling. I have seen copy that literally makes no sense. I have seen copy that uses so much flowery airy-fairy language that meaning gets lost. I have seen copy that looks like bragging, and I have seen the opposite, copy that is self-deprecating.

“Copy” is the writing you use to advertise yourself. It’s what you write for print ads, radio ads, your website, your business cards and your brochures.

One universal principle in advertising is “WIIFM.” That’s “What’s in it for me?” for the uninitiated. Your copy must reflect your mission and your credentials, but its primary focus must be to explain to your potential client what benefits they will receive from your services.

If writing isn’t your strong suit, get help with your copy. Many people want to make sure they come across as “just me” in their copy. Yes, it is good to be genuine and authentic. But why would someone pay a “just me” for a metaphysical service?

2. Avoid insider lingo. Never use insider industry lingo in your copy or in your conversation with clients. In fact, maybe don’t use it at all. Our clients don't understand our inside jokes and don't like feeling stupid.

An example is the word “muggle” from the Harry Potter series. In case you haven’t read the books, a muggle is a non-magical person. Recently those in the tarot industry have started using this word to describe their mainstream jobs, and to describe people who are not privy to our tarot wisdom.

Harry Potter is fiction. What we do is real. One of the biggest marketing problems we have is that people don’t always see that what we do is valid. Using fiction to describe our work isn’t helping. And, in the novels the term “muggle” is not complimentary. We don’t use the “R” word to describe those of limited intellect. We don’t use the “N” word to describe those of a particular heritage. Why would we use the "M" word to describe our target audience, even in jest?

Be conscious of the language you use. Make sure it is understandable and respectful to all. Insider lingo divides us from the people we are trying to reach.Insider lingo sets up a sense of “them and us” that keeps us from connecting with our clients.

3. Market to the mainstream. Unless you have a business that is specifically set up to only serve the metaphysical community, direct your marketing primarily to the mainstream. If you don’t believe the mainstream wants, needs or understands your product you need to change your thinking.

Often it seems that metaphysical people market solely to each other. It reminds me of the French Revolution scene in Mel Brooks’ “History of the World Part 1” where Cloris Leachman as Madame DeFarge says “Look at what we’ve become! Beggars begging from beggars!”

Yes, we use each other’s services. We are often each other’s favorite clients. But if we rely solely on each other we are failing to bring our services to the people who need us most. Worse, we are limiting our business to a very small community.

Be willing to be the only tarot reader at the Chamber of Commerce marketing event. Be willing to speak about Reiki at the Rotary luncheon. Be an interesting guest talking about angels on the local morning radio show. Will some people laugh at you? Of course. If you can’t take a little ridicule you are in the wrong industry. Some people will admire your moxy. Some people will call you for appointments. That’s all that matters.

When you tell the mainstream about your work you are truly in the position of being in service. These are the people who need us most. These are the people who can best afford us. These are people we can educate. And, most importantly, many people in the mainstream ARE metaphysical and are excited to meet us! We give them permission to be who they truly are.

4. Don’t focus on demography. This advice is counter to the marketing science that instructs us to identify our demo and market directly to them. In most business, demographics work. In metaphysics,demographics may be unnecessarily limiting.

Many of us can identify a favorite type of client. Many of us see more people of a specific gender or age group than any other. But unless you consciously want to limit yourself to just that type of client, don’t.

There are two reasons for this. First, at the end of the day we are all healers of one type or another. Is there some group of people who don’t need healing? If we relegate ourselves only to people we believe understand their need for healing or are drawn to what we do we are missing the clientele who can most benefit from our services.

Second, as healers we can understand the damage we do when we pigeon-hole people. How do you know the wealthy politician doesn’t want an astrology chart? How do you know the rapper doesn’t enjoy energy work? How do you know the retired army general doesn’t want to study tarot?

It is hard to encourage others to be open-minded if we ourselves are not.

5. Trust Spirit.  This one is simple. Believe in your calling. Ask your guides to help your clients find you. Use your metaphysical tools to help you strategize. So many metaphysical practitioners forget to use their primary skills and belief sets to their own business advantage!

If you truly believe in what you are doing, show your faith by using your prayers, meditation, magick and spiritual connection to grow your business!

If you know that Spirit has called you to your field, then you know that Spirit doesn’t want you to work in a vacuum. Use the same healing energy you use in your practice to help you create a thriving business.

Metaphysical marketing all comes down to three basic principles.Believe in what you do. Treat everyone with respect. Communicate effectively.

That doesn’t seem so hard, does it?