Giving Something Back

 It's that time of year when we express thanks and show our gratitude for blessings received.  I wish to also do that now with all of you and offer you your choice between:

A free 3 to 5 card tarot reading; or,

a free single votive candle enchantment.

Just comment here to enter by November 30th.  Two winnders will be chosen December 1st, but please read below so you can see what I'm grateful for.

For those of you who follow me on Facebook and those of you who receive my newsletter from my website, Magickal-Musings.com,  you will know that my husband recently freaked out over a slow period with my business.  He's a banker & he's accustomed to be able to create a monthly budget and stick to it.  He has never fully understood the nature of my business.

Unlike other commodoties, people usually do not order a spiritual service from me unless they have an actual spiritual need for that service.  Getting a reading or undergoing a reiki attunement is not like running out to buy a new pair of shoes.  My income has enjoyed some great peaks, but it's also gone through some long, dark valleys, as well over the decade I've been in business.  Such is the nature of the beast and it's never bothered either one of us until recently.

Long story short - Stuart told me on a Thursday that I had until Monday to bring in another $500 through my business, otherwise he expected me to start pounding the pavement look for a new job.  I was understandably upset and totally besides myself.  I quickly drafted a newsletter and mailed it to all my clients, plus I posted an announcement on Facebook about the situation asking that if anyone was thinking of placing an order, to please do so ASAP because if I didn't have $500 by Monday I would not be able to maintain my business because I'd have to get a regular 9-to-5 job.  I was in serious jeopardy of not only losing my business, but of losing my dream.

I just want to say that I was extremely touched by the response I received.  Many of you wrote emails of support and made supportive comments on my Facebook page.  I saved all those emails and plan to look at them whenever things aren't going well.  They totally boosted my spirits and I wish to thank every single one of you who took the time to write and give me your beautiful words of support and encouragment.  

As it turned out, eleven people placed orders with me over that weekend so that by Sunday at noon, not only did I have the $500 Stuart required of me in order to keep my business, but I had surpassed that goal!  

I have a VERY firm commitment to client/practitioner confidentiality.  I never discuss any of my cases with Stuart.  He has no idea what goes on with my business, really.  All he knows is people pay me to read their cards and light candles for them.  He also doesn't believe in anything that I do, nor does he in any way, shape, or form take it seriously except that it generates an income for me that has allowed me the blessing of staying home to raise our daughter, who is now a very well-adjusted 12-year-old.  Just something else I am grateful for and without my clients it would not have been possible.  

When those supportive emails came in saying things like: 

"Nefer, if it hadn't been for the Lovers Reunite you performed for my husband and me, I know he would have gone through with the divorce.  He totally changed 2 days after you did that spell for me and I have you to thank for my happiness and the happiness of my children," (J. T. in Janesville, Wisconsin, quoted with permission); or,

"Nefer, please don't go!  Don't stop what you're doing!  You are of great spiritual value to us all and I for one would be lost without your readings!  PLEASE, do whatever you can to stay in business!  I'll order as soon as I can!  Love you bunches!!!!  (P. B., Evanston, IL., quoted with permission); or,

"Nefer, you have given everyone so much of yourself over the years.  I've been with you for 9 of those years & must say you have never once disappointed me.  Your readings are the most accurate I have ever received & I for one do not want to see you put an end to the great good you do for all of us.  I'm praying for you and here's my order (R. T., Hermosa Beach, CA., quoted with persmission).

They continue on.  Well, since none of these shared any personal information I decided to break my cardinal rule.  I showed them all to Stuart.  All 114 supportive emails.  I then let him read the comments on my Facebook page.  He had NO idea, NO clue.  By the time he was halfway done with the emails he had tears in his eyes and he kept saying, "I had no idea," over and over again.  

It has always been my purpose to be of service to others.  I was told this when I was standing on the stage of an auditorium upon being "hooded" by the Dean upon receiving my doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin.  A chorus of voices said all at once, "At last!  She's ours!"  Less than a year later my life took a totally different turn.  I ended up getting a job not as a university lecturer, which had been my plan, but as an assistant manager in a new age shop.  From that point I began reading tarot for customers, I received my reiki training, and eventually I left that shop to open my own business out of my home and over the internet.  

It has never been my intention to make tons of money, although it would be great, I won't lie to you.  However, it has always been my intention to be of service and once I created my business to keep my prices as affordable as possible.  If you look around on the internet you'll see I'm among the lowest priced across the board for all my services.  This is how I want to keep it because I know full well many of us aren't flowing in money, myself included.  It is my hope that when a need arises that it's not too difficult for someone to put the funds together in order to place an order.  For higher priced items, such as my soul portraits, I've even been open to clients arranging to pay on an installment plan.  If you ever need to do that, please feel free to email me and we'll work something out - for any of my services, not just the higher priced ones.  

I am grateful for each and every one of my clients and all of my like-minded friends I've "met" through Facebook and other internet venues over the  years.  Everyone who has ordered from my site at any time has made the following possible for me:

* I"ve been able to stay home and raise our daughter who has never spent a day in daycare,

* I clean and cook for my family everyday (maybe not cook every single day, but you know what I mean),

* I am here for my child everyday when she comes home from school to welcome her & help her with her homework and to just show her that Mommy is here for her all the time & without fail,

* I've been able to run a successful internet-based business for over 10 years now, thanks to all of you & many more who probably don't read this blog,

* By creating a career through which I offer spiritual services I have been able to nurture and expand upon my own spirituality, which in turn has influenced my daughter along similar lines - she now has told me she wants to grow up to do exactly what I do and when I retire she plans to take over my business.  You have no idea how proud that made me, but she can do whatever it is she's meant to do, it may not necessarily be what I do.

* By staying home I've been able to give voice to my creativity and am able to create artwork as my work and family obligations permit.

* Lastly, but most importantly, having my business has allowed me to fulfill my soul's purpose.

So, I give thanks for all of the above, and more.  I give thanks for each of you and I pray that your hearts and minds are filled with gratitude for all the blessings that the Universe/God/Goddess has bestowed upon you this past year and beyond.  May we all rejoice in what we have received, which will then open our hearts to receive even more in the coming years.

Many Blessings!

Nefer Khepri