Now that we’re past the first “How dare they!?” gut reactions, it’s time to take a long look at what, exactly, eBay is discontinuing. In its 2012 Fall Seller Update, eBay lists fourteen product categories that are being discontinued, including these three which have caused the uproar:

 Everything Else: Metaphysical: Psychic, Paranormal > Readings
Everything Else: Metaphysical: Psychic, Paranormal > Spells, Potions
Everything Else: Metaphysical: Tarot Readings

 The items that will be prohibited include:

 advice; spells; curses; hexing; conjuring; magic services; prayers; blessings; Psychic, Tarot, Reiki, and other metaphysical readings & services; magic potions; healing sessions; work from home businesses & information; wholesale lists, and drop ship lists.

 eBay’s reason for dropping these categories and items is that:

Transactions in these categories often result in issues between the buyer and seller that are difficult to resolve. To help build confidence in the marketplace for both buyers and sellers, eBay is discontinuing these categories and including the items on the list of prohibited items.

shell game (mixatal (Clive Power))

So take a deep breath, read back over those lists, and think just how easy it is to run a scam on people who are desperate, hopeless, in pain, lazy, gullible and a whole realm of other adjectives. While I have always considered any purchase from a seller rather than a company to be a case of “Let the buyer beware,” I’m apparently not in the majority. What eBay is banning are those services most vulnerable to scam artists. Yes, I am sure that there are honest, earnest sellers who will now have to find another way to reach potential clients… but I have to agree with eBay on this one. The non-metaphysical categories and items on the banned list are also scam-ridden. People, buyers, just do not approach buying “services” with the type of skepticism they should… and eBay has had to deal with the aftermath of both outright scams and unrealistic expectations.

They are not banning books, crystals, essential oils, rune stones, tarot decks, incense, walking staffs, athames, esoteric jewelry, robes, etc. I would imagine that if anyone tried to list magic wands ‘guaranteed to make your wildest dreams come true’, the listing will be rejected/removed as, well, improvable. Incense is incense. What you plan to do with it after you buy it is irrelevant; it is a “thing” that you won’t argue with the seller about, as long as it really is the dragonsblood incense you ordered.

Reiki treatment in progress.

While part of me feels a bit dicey about Reiki and healing work being included, I unfortunately know that there are some who claim to be Reiki and healing energy practitioners who, well, aren’t. They know some basic massage and use that, along with the right ambiance, to convince their clients that they are getting something more… and paying accordingly.

I’m a practicing witch, and there is no way that I would purchase any of what’s listed up there from a stranger. If I need healing work, I go to one of the legitimate energy workers I know. If I want a tarot reading, I know two readers I trust… and half a dozen I don’t. True magic is not something one should “buy” blind. If the magician/witch doesn’t know you, there’s damned little chance that whatever it is you’re buying is going to work.

Metaphysical and metapsychic services are incredibly personal… and obtaining them should be undertaken with great care. These are not things that should be bought from someone you have never met. There must be trust.

An original card from a classic “Marseilles” tarot deck. The deck dates from 1701-1715.

Better yet, if you really want a spell or hex or potion, learn how to do it for yourself. If you want a look at the possible futures you have to choose from, learn how to read the tarot or the runes for yourself. If you want to have a prayer heard, speak it in your own heart in your own words with your own passion. Just remember that the answer might still be “No”.

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