Most Pagan clergy do all of their work for free.

Too bold?  I take it back.  Let me try again:  “Probably all Pagan clergy do all of their work for free.”

Of course, the definition of “work” can be quite nebulous and is often debatable.  This is the same with the word “free.”  What’s “work”, if not something that takes up our time/energy/attention/resources that we do on behalf of others?  Does something count as “free” if we get immense emotional and spiritual satisfaction for all of our time/energy/attention/resources spent in service?

But when I mean work, I mean the stuff you do.  And when I saw free, I mean that we don’t get any money for what we do.  I know, I know.  So controversial!  Don’t forget - every few years there is a gigantic hubbub in the Pagan blog-o-sphere about the ethics of getting paid for work/services/goods/etc.  I’m not trying to resurrect old debates.  This post is just coming from a very personal place, and I know I’m not alone where I am.

I work two jobs.  Well, really, I have one part-time “real” job.  As in, the agency I work for gives me money for (some of) the work I do.  My full time, for realsies job, is the work I do as a clergy person, high priestess, pastoral counselor, and spiritual mentor.

Disclaimer - my intention with this article is not to say “oh, woe is me” or have a pity party about my life choices.  I just want to draw attention to the fact that your community leaders, your high priests and priestesses, your clergy people, are working their butts off for very little (or no) pay.  (And, I hate to admit it, but sometimes very little gratitude, recognition, or appreciation).  It’s important for us, as the community they serve, to recognize the fact that these kind and talented folks expend a huge amount of time/money/energy/resources doing the work they do, all in service of the community and the Gods.

Of course, our priests, priestesses, mentors, and clergy folks work so hard because they love us, they love our community, they love their land spirits and their gods, and because they have a calling, or a desire, or a need.  Folks like me (and probably you) - this is what we do.  We love it!  It’s wonderful and it’s exhausting.  And sometimes we get burned out and resentful, and those are really dark moments for us.  So thank you, friends, for your love, your patience, and your support.  Thank you for your donations of time, resources, or money.  Thank you for being patient when we are forgetful.  Thank you for helping out with setting up before rituals and cleaning up after.  Thanks for bringing real food to a potluck and not just a bag of chips or container of hummus.  Thanks for being mindful of your RSVP, so we know how many people to expect and aren’t scrambling for supplies or aren’t feeling duped for buying too many supplies (out of our own pockets) only to have no one show up.  Thanks for loving us and trusting us.  We’re just human, and humans make mistakes (and how!).  So thank you.

Thank goodness for my teachers, mentors, and magical and professional training over the years.  These folks are magical educators who have taught me about ritual, energy work, and divination.  This also includes my bishop who has taught me pastoral counseling and mentoring skills.  And I can’t forget my academic and professional professors, supervisors, and mentors who have taught me interviewing skills, counseling skills, and clinical mental health training.  My high priests and priestesses over the years have taught me about Gods, spirits, ancestors, energy work, and the fundamentals of quality ritual facilitation.  I also need to include a special shout-out to all of my witches, conjure friends, sorcerers, and others who have brainstormed with me and expanded my horizons.  All of these talented and patient folks have put me into the position of where I am today – a social worker, a therapist, a clergy person, a witch, a high priestess, a mentor, and community leader and resource.

I adore my life, and I’m proud of what I’ve built with the help of my community.  But I admit, sometimes I’m very tired (like now.)  Sometimes I’m burned out (and how!).  And sometimes I’m broke (who isn’t?).  Confession - I’ve been sitting on an incomplete draft of this post for about two months.  I’ve honestly just been too busy and stressed out to write and edit!  But also, I wasn’t sure how to put these thoughts into words.  And also, I think part of me didn’t want to face the reality of my situation.

I’m too busy.  But it’s hard to let go once a momentum is built up so much.  And also, I love what I do!  Which includes but is not limited to:

 

  • writing and officiating weddings
  • emailing other folks in regards to consultation for future wedding
  • reading and editing a chapter for a friend’s dissertation on Paganism
  • trying to dig through data for my own book (work-in-progress)
  • trying to update my personal blog
  • trying to keep my Pagan Square blog updated
  • brainstorming and outlining documents for future articles
  • writing in my book of shadows, journal, dream journal, gratitude journal, and spirit book
  • trying not to ignore my familiars, Gods, spirits, ancestors, guides, allies, etc.
  • studying tarot for tarot study group
  • reading tarot for friends in crisis
  • reading tarot for on-line clients
  • reading tarot for myself
  • thinking about ogham and the Greek Alphabet Oracle and how I’ll never have time to study these
  • trying not to forget the runes
  • rituals with my coven (full moon, new moon, high days, special events)
  • rituals with my Circle (full moon, new moon, high days, special events)
  • planning/writing/facilitating/organizing/promoting various other events for groups I’m involved with
  • witchcraft for friends who need spell-work done
  • witchcraft for myself
  • building altars
  • maintaining altars
  • cleaning altars
  • helping a friend grieve over the death of her mother
  • helping a friend grieve through their divorce
  • helping a friend process a sexual assault
  • helping a friend cope with unemployment
  • helping a friend cope with a mentally ill mother
  • helping a friend cope with psychosis
  • helping a friend fill out paperwork for disability insurance
  • helping a friend work through their questioning gender/sexual identity
  • helping a friend work through their Pagan/witchy identity
  • helping a friend process a negative experience they’ve had with another local Pagan group
  • helping a friend process a negative experience they’ve had with our Pagan group
  • helping a friend who is in love
  • helping a friend who is falling out of love
  • helping a friend who is having issues with spirits and ghosties
  • helping a friend who is having issues with immigration paperwork
  • helping a friend who is having issues with fairies
  • helping a friend manage their grandchild’s sever behavioral issues
  • helping a friend manage spirit gates and/or portals
  • helping a friend through the ethics of cursing
  • helping a friend through the ethics of cursing a rapist
  • helping a few (dozen) friends through the ethics of cursing Donald Trump…
  • attending local Pagan meet-and-greets and moots
  • attending other people’s events/rituals/gatherings/workshops
  • writing/facilitating my own events/rituals/gatherings/workshops
  • replying to emails from prospective Circle members
  • replying to emails regarding house cleansings and other spell-work
  • replying to emails regarding referrals to local witches, root-workers, priests or priestesses, tarot card readers, Pagan groups, or other talented professionals
  • and, my personal favorite - replying to 50000+ emails, texts, or messages sent to me regarding the recent global ritual to curse Donald Trump.  (Yes, I have heard of this ritual and yes, thank you for thinking of me when you saw the article about it.)

 

And that’s just the stuff I can remember right now!

Maybe this doesn’t seem like a lot.  I don’t know.  It’s hard for me to put into perspective.  But lately it’s been a bit overwhelming to me, especially because I sometimes feel like I’m always “on.”  I’m a social worker and therapist by profession, and a natural helper to my friends and community.  Friends and community members reach out to me at all hours of the day, for a mélange of reasons (good/bad/ugly/weird/fun).  And I love being there for them.  Sometimes I’m just tired, though.  I have a friend who is a non-Pagan, who doesn’t know anything about Paganism or what it is I do, and spending time with them recently has been amazing because I don’t have to be priestess/mentor/clergy/witch.  I’m just me, and that’s nice.  We talk about very boring things and sometimes it is such a relief.  But at the end of the day I can’t escape who I am – that archetype of priestess and advocate is just too strong in me.

So… what is keeping you busy these days?  How do you deal with burnout?  What services do you provide?  Do you charge for your services?  How do you maintain healthy boundaries while still making yourself available for your community?  How do you keep up with your Pagan community expenses?  Please comment in this article or feel free to contact me directly.  I’d love to start a dialogue with other community leaders, not only for my own sanity, but also to let folks likes me know they are not alone.

Calling all busy, overworked, and underpaid witches and Pagans!  How do you do it?  Please, tell me your rants, worries, and woes!  (As well as your secrets!)

(And in the meantime, this is your monthly reminder to make sure you engage in plenty of self-care!)