“A few years ago when I still lived at home, my mom used to have these psychic parties where she would invite all her friends and they would invite their friends. They were big parties, and I was the entertainment. I always told myself that I didn’t mind doing it, but I did. People weren’t always nice, and I felt taken advantage of. It even affected my grades because I was exhausted for weeks. After I moved out, I stopped doing readings for a while but then started back up as a side thing to help pay for college. I charge a more than fair rate of $30 for a half hour and $50 for one hour, but I keep running into people who want free readings all the time. It’s not just friends and college students, either. I’ve met several groups of practitioners who all want to do trades, and I’ve done trades with several of them. The only thing is that I usually do a reading for them and receive nothing in return. I’m wondering if I have some negative karma or something, and I was hoping you might have some advice for me. Thank you.”
Dear Psychic in Distress,
Don’t distress! I’ve had a few people ask me questions similar to yours lately, and that’s why I’ve chosen your question to answer. Your energy is similar to my own as well. I’m sure you know a little bit at least about Numerology and that your Life Path number is an 11. This is the path of the light worker. You are meant to help others. One of the “challenges” of this energy is maintaining healthy boundaries as to not be taken advantage of. Which, as it sounds, is something you are struggling with. As an 11 life path myself, I know how difficult this can be.
First of all, your mother should never have put you in such a situation. I know you love your mom, and I’m not suggesting that you should be angry with her about those parties. However, if she had ever come to me and said what she was doing, I wouldn’t have thought twice about setting her straight. Let me say right now to all parents out there – Do Not Take Advantage of Your Children! In fact, they are not “your” children at all! “Your children” were given to you as gifts from Heaven. They are not yours to do with as you will, but it is your responsibility … No, it is your DIVINE DUTY to care for them and support them in any way you are able. It is never okay to put your child in a situation where they are taken advantage of in any way.
It might have been acceptable if you were volunteering at a charity event once in a while, but this was obviously not the case. Your energy was obviously not being protected, and you were obviously subjected to all sorts of people that may not have been in your best interest to work with. I’m not saying she should have hidden your ability from the world, but her actions are reprehensible. Even for me, it is difficult to handle the energy of groups like that, and you should never have been treated in such a way. Your gifts need to be treated with care and respect. Just as you don’t “belong” to your mother, your ability doesn’t “belong” to you. You are a gift, just as your ability is a gift. You must nurture that gift just as a mother should nurture a child. Don’t let others take advantage of that gift but use it in a healthy way.
It’s a great idea to offer your services for a fair rate to help pay for your college tuition. You are helping others and respecting yourself at the same time. This is a healthy way to use your gift. I would advise you not to offer free readings, though. As your experience has shown you, people don’t always value what they are given for free. Maybe you can offer a discounted rate to other students, if you wish. As for reading for friends, I would advise that you don’t read for them at all. As a reader, it is vital that you remain objective during a session in order to maintain clarity and accuracy. It is difficult to remain objective when reading for friends. You may find yourself seeing what you want to see for them rather than what is real.
Practitioners … <sigh>. Unfortunately, just because someone says they are spiritual doesn’t always mean they are beyond taking advantage of another. If a practitioner cannot afford to pay $50 for a one hour reading, there is probably a reason for that. Maybe that’s the wrong thing to say, but I think it’s important that I’m as honest as I possibly can be with you on this. I too have been taken advantage of by many people in this life, and other practitioners have done their fair share to add to that. I’ve heard the same story over and over again. You met a group of seemingly nice spiritually minded people who all happen to be practitioners in their own right. You provided a service in trade for this person or that, but the payment in trade has yet to be rendered. Yes, they probably are wonderful people and maybe even wonderful practitioners, but you should look more closely. Do they take advantage of other people in their lives? Do they have a constant energy of lack within their own lives? Be careful around this type of person, or you may find your own energy being sucked dry. Even spiritual practitioners can become psychic vampires; they take and take and never give back.
Once upon a time, I offered trades with other practitioners myself but no longer. After a while, I started receiving several requests a month. I just don’t need 4 Reiki treatments and 6 readings each and every month. I didn’t want to have to reject some while still accepting offers from others. That, combined with the fact that I had been burned more times than not, resulted in the end of my accepting trades. Some practitioners weren’t very nice about my decision but others understood. Instead, I have a discount policy that reaches across the board to practitioners and “regular people” alike. If a person cannot afford to pay full price for a session, they may request a discounted session. But, I also keep track of those discounts to ensure I’m not being taken advantage of in that way, either.
You have to keep in mind that you want to draw good people to you, and good people will not so blatantly take advantage of you. Charge your fair rate, and don’t give your services for free. If you want to host a special day where you give free 10 minute sessions, that could be a good idea. It helps people and lets people know what you do. Give out a business card. But, you’ll have to remember, those kind of events also draw people that intend to only take the free reading, and some of them may not have energy that’s good for you. Be sure to cleanse and balance your energy after an event like that – and all readings, actually. You can also put together a small event/party where you invite practitioners who want to trade with others. For a few hours, they can trade services, but payment is rendered at the party. If they don’t offer a service, they don’t receive a service.
I don’t see anything that makes me think you are experiencing the effects of negative karma. However, I do think you are being challenged by your energy. You need to create healthy boundaries. It’s okay to give, but it’s not okay to be taken advantage of. You’re not a martyr in this lifetime, and you don’t need to play that role. Stand up and be who you are meant to be – a light in this world. Share your gift, but accept in return. Remember, the universe likes give and take to be equal and balanced. People who take advantage of others often find themselves in a life filled with lack because the universe takes from them. The area of lack may not always be obvious, but it’s there. Balance is key. Work on your own energy, too. When you give your energy out to others, make sure you are taking care of yourself. Meditate. Do yoga. Exercise. Have fun! Remember who you are, and respect yourself and your gift.
I would also like to note that it is important to give back as a practitioner as well. Again, I am not saying to give your services out for free. However, you need to give back in some way as a thank you to Heaven for the gifts you are given. There are hundreds of ways to give, and I’m sure you have your own ideas. A couple of the ways I help are by volunteering at my son’s school and taking care of stray animals. Children and animals are both very close to my heart, and I can give to them freely. I find the innocent rarely find ways to take advantage. 
Blessings to you, my sister!
~ Sheri
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My daughter was entertained when reading this line on your post “… nice spiritually minded people who all happen to be practitioners in their own right.