Policies for Shamanic and Divinatory Readings As a Northern Tradition shaman, I provide readings and spiritual counseling for people, under specific circumstances. I am an experienced diviner and priest with over a decade’s experience offering readings and spiritual counseling for folks from all manner of backgrounds, religions and lifestyles. (I especially prefer to read for folks who have unusual spiritual practices, involving Gods or spirits, or who do serious energy work, because this particular demographic tends to have difficulties finding competent and non-judgmental readers/counselors). That being said, there are specific parameters under which I work. Please read these guidelines before you decide to contact me to schedule a reading.
1) Readings take place in my home in New York City. I don't travel to you, unless there are really special circumstances. Occasionally, I do travel and I can sometimes schedule readings during my travels, however this is entirely contingent on my schedule and general availability. Generally I prefer that you come to my house. How you get here is your concern. Unfortunately, I cannot pick you up or find you a ride.
2) I do occasionally do readings over the phone or the Internet. I ONLY do basic divinatory readings in this manner. I will not do shamanic readings this way as it is much easier to access orlog and wyrd with a face to face connection.
3) I have the right to refuse anyone, for any reason. Of course, if the Gods and spirits tell me that I have to help you, I will. But if they don't, I have the right to say no to you, for any reason. I do this for religious reasons, not as a money-making thing. (See my fee arrangement below.) That being said, I rarely turn away someone who is genuinely looking for help.
4) I choose the method of divination. Unless you are coming to me for a soul map reading, I choose the method of divination. Under normal circumstances, I use runes to access wyrd. Sometimes, however, other systems of divination may feel more appropriate to the querent in question. I am trained in several different methods of divination including runes, ogham, tarot, lithomancy, and astrology. I reserve the right to choose.
5) I don't do this for entertainment purposes. I do this for religious purposes. Please do not contact me for parties or parlor tricks. This is a sacred duty for me, not a game.
6) Please arrive on time. Readings last as long as they need to last. This may be ten minutes or two hours. Please arrive on time. I generally need at least an hour of ritual preparation prior to a reading. If you need to call and reschedule, please give me at least two hours notice. My number is 831-383-8522. Write it down. Pushing the reading back an hour or two is generally but not always possible.
7) Fee issues: I am owned by Odin, however because of my relationship with Andvari, Who is a God of exchange, sacred reciprocity, value, and money, I have very binding taboos re. payment. I am required to take money or barter for any reading I do (unless the Gods tell me otherwise). Andvari is all about learning the value of one’s work and setting an appropriate price on it. It is one of the steps in learning to properly honor money and exchange, things He feels have been corrupted in our society.
I charge $75 per reading and the readings last as long as they last, be it ten minutes or two hours. Payment is expected prior to commencement of the reading. I accept paypal (Tamyris@earthlink.net), cash and money orders. If you are very poor and only have two bucks in your pocket, that's fine. I am meant to be accessible to people. We can work out barter (I actually prefer barter). This is my job. Here is a list of some of the items that I may accept in lieu of money:
1. Hand Crafted textile or wood items: as a shaman, I am always in need of unusual garb, pouches, altar cloths, boxes, and the like often well beyond my own very basic crafting capabilities. If you are skilled in sewing, knitting, weaving, wood carving, etc. we can definitely work out barter. I can also usually find use for fur pelts and pieces of leather.
2. Food: I have very binding food taboos. Any food brought as exchange must be organic. I am very allergic to cheese. Please do not bring any cheese products.
3. Stones, herbs, resins: I can always use these things in my work, particularly herbs. If you have an herb garden, we can work out barter. Please be advised that I use herbs medicinally so any herbs taken in barter need to be organically grown. I also use stones and resins in my work and these are always welcome.
4. Work barter. If you have no money at all or if you have a particularly useful skill to offer, it is perfectly acceptable to do a few hours work in exchange for a reading. If you have a particular talent, skill, craft or knowledge, I will be more than willing to work out a trade with you.
5. Donations to suggested causes: One of my taboos is that I must accept donations to specific causes as payment for a reading. I must have proof of donation (preferably a copy of a cashed check or letter from said organization confirming donation) prior to the reading. If an organization you care deeply about is not on the following list, please don’t hesitate to suggest it to me. I am open on this point:
A) Big Sur Land Trust www.bigsurlandtrust.org
B) heifer.org
C) kiva.org
D) First Kingdom Church of Asphodel http://www.cauldronfarm.com/asphodel/index.html
E) National Prison Kindred Alliance http://www.northernwayasatruministries.org/
To make an appointment please call me at 831-383-8255 or email me at urdabrunnr@yahoo.com or tamyris@earthlink.net. I prefer email.
CAVEAT:
The incontrovertible consequences of a reading
Readings can be difficult to hear and I must caution you that because of the way Odin has me wired, I am extremely detached during a reading. Essentially, I sacrifice my identity for the duration of the reading to make space for the voice of the wyrd coming through me. If you hear praise or condemnation it is not me doing the praising or the condemning. I am not really there. This can be difficult and even painful to experience. The intensity that rolls off me during a reading is the force of the wod pounding into and through me. It is not in any way personal. Remember I cannot be kind or cruel because while I read I am not there. I am required to enter into a totally objective headspace and that means giving up my identity and my humanity for the time the reading lasts.
Please consider before you come to me for a reading. You may be prepared to hear unpleasant information, but you may not be prepared for what often comes across as complete lack of compassion on the part of the human vessel. Please look deep within yourself and make certain, to the best degree that you can, that this will not be a problem for you afterwards.
Galina Krasskova
Urdabrunnr Kindred
(thanks to Raven Kaldera for his kind permission in allowing me to adapt some of his own guidelines to serve my required needs).