Let’s speak openly about money. Money isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when people think of Thelema or their practice but maybe it should be, not in a greedy, grab-what-you-can way, but rather in a grounded, practical real-world way. We talk so much about True Will, about doing the Work, about becoming who we are. But what happens when that Will doesn’t fit neatly into a 9-to-5? What happens when your Will is your spiritual work and the only way to keep doing it is to get paid for it?
For a long time, I struggled with that. I had internalized this idea that charging for magickal work made it less “pure.” I thought I had to choose between being a serious practitioner and making a living. But Thelema taught me to see through that. Thelema isn’t about self-denial or hedonism. It’s about self-realization. It’s about living your True Will in the world.
If your Will leads you to create, teach, or guide others and you’re putting your time, your knowledge, and your soul into that work then why shouldn’t it support you in return? That’s not greed. That’s balance. That’s energy flowing equally in both directions.
Crowley didn’t shy away from money either. He sold books, took students, and charged for his time. He understood that spiritual work is work. Thelema isn’t about renouncing the world. It’s about engaging it fully including its systems and its material side.
That said, I’ve also seen the damage that can happen when people exploit others in the name of spiritual power. Thelema doesn’t give anyone a free pass to manipulate people or to charge them without providing tangible value. We are each responsible for our integrity but responsibility cuts both ways, and that includes the responsibility to care for ourselves while doing the Work.
There’s no honor in burnout. There’s no virtue in poverty. If you’re doing what you came here to do, if you’re truly living your Will, then it should sustain you and support you, not drain you. You shouldn’t feel guilty for charging, for succeeding, or for setting appropriate boundaries. You are allowed to embrace your existence completely, encompassing every dimension of your being: spirit, mind, and body.
So yes, as a Thelemite and magician, I accept money for my work. Not because I’m materialistic but because I’m a real person who has real-life concerns and necessities to address. I value what I do and Thelema has shown me the importance of embracing my True Will and living it unapologetically.
Supporting spiritual teachers and mentors financially honors the value of their time, study, and service. It recognizes that their work is real labor, often done outside of mainstream income systems. By offering payment, donations, or purchasing their offerings, we help to sustain their ability to teach, create, and guide others. It’s not about buying knowledge, it’s about respecting the cost of providing it to the community.
