An essential work before us as we reimagine and remake our worlds, relationships, and selves into the their most beautiful, thriving, just, and powerful possibilities is that of healing our cultural and personal histories, stories, systems, and theories of money and the human economy, so that the strangleholds of materialism and market capitalism no longer keep us stuck and powerless.
This means actively trying out alternatives to the conventional models of money and economics, based on assumptions and values different from the ones that perpetuate our belief in the objective truth—or expediency—of inequity, exploitation, and separation of self from other/nature.
One such model is that of the sliding scale. By taking into account the differential distribution of wealth and income, it makes room for empathy and responsiveness towards the needs of others in the community—it acknowledges that there is a community on whose well-being the well-being of the practitioner depends. It also acknowledges that people have different capacities to give, and is aligned with the conviction that each of us has gifts to give, and the gifts we have to give cannot always be mediated through money.
One such model is that of the sliding scale. By taking into account the differential distribution of wealth and income, it makes room for empathy and responsiveness towards the needs of others in the community—it acknowledges that there is a community on whose well-being the well-being of the practitioner depends. It also acknowledges that people have different capacities to give, and is aligned with the conviction that each of us has gifts to give, and the gifts we have to give cannot always be mediated through money.
Photo by Marcus Spiske
It further recognizes that in the current system, the practitioner will have needs that need money to be met.
I've decided to offer my divinations and ritual facilitation services on a sliding scale. Coming to this decision was not easy since it brought me face to face with my own insecurities and unhealed stories of money and security, and yet I know this is the next step for me to take if I am to play my part in co-creating an emergent paradigm that values and builds relationships, trust, and intimacy--
if I am to play my part in fostering social justice, fairness, and equity--and create access to the gifts I have to offer--
I've decided to offer my divinations and ritual facilitation services on a sliding scale. Coming to this decision was not easy since it brought me face to face with my own insecurities and unhealed stories of money and security, and yet I know this is the next step for me to take if I am to play my part in co-creating an emergent paradigm that values and builds relationships, trust, and intimacy--
if I am to play my part in fostering social justice, fairness, and equity--and create access to the gifts I have to offer--
"Secret Garden" - Telamadera Fusion by Alma de la Melena Cox
so that they may be received.
Offering 2-3 sliding scale spots every month to in-need people of color was how I had initially tried to address access and equity, but this solution increasingly felt inadequate in light of the intersectional experience of class and the complex ways in which it interacts with systems such as race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, and ability around which privilege or oppression are experienced. It did not go far enough in meeting the imperatives of equity and inclusion, and remained complicit in the core assumptions of materialist, consumerist market capitalism instead of working towards dismantling them.
While conceiving the new, income-based sliding scale fee structure, I have been inspired by organizations and initiatives such as the East Bay Meditation Center, East Point Peace Academy, and Spirit in Action that have been experimenting with financial models that are transparent and invite transparency and trust, so that the needs of everyone involved may be met, and sustainability for everyone involved may be secured.
Offering 2-3 sliding scale spots every month to in-need people of color was how I had initially tried to address access and equity, but this solution increasingly felt inadequate in light of the intersectional experience of class and the complex ways in which it interacts with systems such as race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, and ability around which privilege or oppression are experienced. It did not go far enough in meeting the imperatives of equity and inclusion, and remained complicit in the core assumptions of materialist, consumerist market capitalism instead of working towards dismantling them.
While conceiving the new, income-based sliding scale fee structure, I have been inspired by organizations and initiatives such as the East Bay Meditation Center, East Point Peace Academy, and Spirit in Action that have been experimenting with financial models that are transparent and invite transparency and trust, so that the needs of everyone involved may be met, and sustainability for everyone involved may be secured.
This is a small step.
Here is the scale I've envisaged. When booking a divination with me, I invite you to determine where you fall on the sliding scale, and contribute in proportion to your capacity.
- If your annual income is $50,000 or higher: please contribute $140
- If your annual income falls between $40,000-$50,000: please contribute $120
- If your annual income falls between $30,000-$40,000: please contribute $100
- If your annual income is below $30,000: please contribute $80
- Generosity tier (give a little more in support of me gifting my time to make the divinations accessible!): $160-$180
Or I would also love to work with your communities. To explore this option, write to me!
I am also opening myself up to the barter model. Contact me mentioning what you'd like to offer to see if it is something that could meet a need I have. A couple of specific needs I have:
If you have any financial concerns or questions, please email me. It is my vision and intention to support you as fully as I can in your journey of healing and transformation in my role as a diviner, just as over the years I have been supported, over and over again, by many, many gifted and generous individuals and communities.
I am also opening myself up to the barter model. Contact me mentioning what you'd like to offer to see if it is something that could meet a need I have. A couple of specific needs I have:
- Massages
- Redesign of my poetry/writing website
If you have any financial concerns or questions, please email me. It is my vision and intention to support you as fully as I can in your journey of healing and transformation in my role as a diviner, just as over the years I have been supported, over and over again, by many, many gifted and generous individuals and communities.
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