Hoodoo, Learn Witchcraft
How to Trust a Spell Caster: Drawing a contract for spellwork
Traditionally, agreements between Clients and Practitioners of divination and folk magic are made on sight or by a hand-shake; however, if pre-paying a significant sum of money to an unknown Practitioner at a distance from you via the internet is a cause for concern, you may request that the Practitioner agree to a simple Assurance of Performance contract before you send your money.
A Letter of Intent, setting forth simple agreements such as are found in the paragraphs below, is not intended as a replacement for a formal contract drafted by a lawyer, so what follows is not a sample contract, but rather a series of suggested paragraphs that can be used when assembling an individually crafted agreement between the Practitioner and the Client.
This page was written to help Readers and Rootworkers avoid disputes with Clients and vice versa.
STATE FULL COSTS AND DESCRIBE THE WORK TO BE PERFORMED
Agree to a price for the work
If possible, the Practitioner should state the full costs of the seership and/or work to be done in advance, listing everything that will be made, purchased, or performed. Such a list may include an initial reading or consultation, a certain number of follow-up progress report consultations, materials needed for spell-casting, trips made for disposal of ritual items, materials to be sent to the client to back up the work, cost of postage, etc.
Additionally, if the Client sends in personal concerns, such as photos or jewelry, the expected return (or non-return) of these items should be specified, with a charge for postage, if required.
The list need not be itemized, but it should cover the general scope of the work.
Making a list like this will not only help if and when a complaint arises, but it will also help everyone in the case of a Paypal or credit card dispute.
A sample of this portion of the contract might read:
This agreement covers the following rootwork to be performed [describe], making use of the following techniques [describe] and using spiritual supplies including the following [describe in general, such as candles, oils, and personal concerns, plus a follow-up candle report or a hand-made doll-baby, prepared and fixed, to be disposed of in a ritually appropriate manner at the conclusion of the work.]
SET A TIME LIMIT FOR THE DURATION OF THE WORK
Set a time limit for the work
Because clients naturally want to know when spell-work on their behalf will begin, it is a good idea, if possible, for the Practitioner to indicate how and when the work will commence, whether that is according to a calendar date, a timed astronomical event, the promptings of Spirit, or when specified materials are received for use. If Clients and Practitioners work together to reach a negotiated coordination of start-time for the work, both tend to remain in accord with one another.
If possible, the Practitioner should set time limits in advance for the duration of the work to be completed. Alternately, the Client can keep the Practitioner on a monthly retainer, if both agree to this method of working.
Setting clear time limits will not only help if and when a complaint arises, but it will also help everyone in the case of a Paypal or credit card dispute.
A sample of this portion of the contract might read:
This agreement covers the above-described rootwork, to be undertaken beginning on or approximately on [date] or when [described conditions are met], and to continue for a period of no less than [number of days] and no more than [number of days]. At the end of this period, the Client may negotiate further work, if a reading indicates that further work is a productive choice for both of us.
STATE HOW MANY PROGRESS REPORTS ARE INCLUDED
Pre-plan follow-up contact dates and times
The Practitioner should clearly state how many update consultations or progress reports on the work the Client is paying for, what these updates consist of, and what additional costs the Client can expect if he or she asks for additional contacts with the Practitioner during the time set for the work.
Setting a limit on the number of progress reports and providing costs for additional progress reports in advance will prevent frustration on the part of both the Practitioner and the Client. The Practitioner can, if desired, list contact days and times in writing in advance.
A sample of this portion of the contract might read:
This agreement includes the Client’s right to schedule one contact per week on the progress of the work, for the duration of the time during which the work is being performed. These weekly contacts will be scheduled in advance for a maximum time of 1/2 hour. Additional contacts, should the Client wish them, can be scheduled at the following rate [rate per 1/2 hour session].
A CLEAR REFUND POLICY STATEMENT HELPS BOTH PARTIES
Refund and rescheduling policies are clearly stated
Some Practitioners will allow Clients to reschedule missed appointments and some will offer refunds under certain circumstances. Other Practitioners do not allow refunds, but may allow rescheduling. Some do not allow either rescheduling or refunds.
Because this aspect of business varies with the individual Practitioner, each Practitioner should clearly state his or her rescheduling and refund policy for Clients who miss their appointments as well as refund policies covering other situations, such as the Client’s possible change of mind or the Practitioner’s failure to deliver promised goods or services in a timely manner.
A sample of this portion of the contract might read:
No refunds are given on reading or consultation appointments once they have been scheduled. However, [Client name] may reschedule an appointment [a number from one to three] time[s], with [24 / 48] hour notice. If [Client name] completely misses a scheduled appointment, no refund will be given for the missed appointment. No refunds are given on rootwork that has been contracted unless [Practitioner name] fails to deliver goods or services in a timely manner according to the time-frame described elsewhere in this contract.
AN ASSURANCE OF PERFORMANCE IS NOT A GUARANTEE OF SUCCESS
A guarantee of satisfaction is not a guarantee of success
The contract should clearly that the Practitioner does not provide a guarantee as to efficacy of results of prayer or of magic, but that the Practitioner does guarantee to perform the work agreed upon and described to the best of his or her ability.
Additionally, Clients should be aware that their results may vary from the results described in written testimonials posted on the Practitioner’s AIRR page or personal web site. Satisfaction of the Client through the Practitioners adherence to contracted policies is a reasonable performance guarantee; however, the outcome of the rootwork itself cannot be warranted.
A sample of this portion of the contract might read:
[Client name], having an informed belief in spiritual work and its traditional practices, wishes to engage the services of a rootworker to perform traditional hoodoo rootwork as part of an attempt to resolve certain life issues, and herewith acknowledges that, due to the nature of spiritual folk magic, although [name of Practitioner] does guarantee that the work will be performed as contracted for, [Client name’s] results may vary from the results described in written testimonials posted on the Practitioner’s AIRR page or personal web site, and [Practitioner name] makes no guarantees that the work will result in a successful outcome.
HOW TO USE PHOTOS AS PROOF OF THE WORK
Practitioners may send conjure photos to Clients
If it is technically possible, it is always a good idea for the Practitioner to send photos of the work to the Client. The time spent doing so will save both the Practitioner and the Client a great deal of discussion time. A picture paints a thousand words.
However, Clients should be cautious: While the Practitioners of AIRR abide by a strict Code of Ethics, not all internet spell-casters do, and a photo of altar work is not proof that the altar work was done on the Client’s behalf — or even that it was done by the person claiming to have performed it. We have evidence that at least one non-AIRR Practitioner has illegally and fraudulently made use of a photo of altar work copied from the AIRR site and sent it to a client as false “evidence” of completed work. To counteract this sort of fraud, the Client may request that the photo(s) made by the Practitioner include a “photo-badge” image such as the hand-written name of the Client, a photo of the Client or the person whom the Client is attempting to affect, and/or a camera date-stamp to identify the image as unique in time.
A sample of this portion of the contract might read:
This agreement includes [a number from one to three] [email and/or postal mail] photograph[s] of the work that is being done for you. These photos may, at the Client’s request or at the discretion of the Practitioner, contain an identifying “photo badge” image such as the hand-written name of the Client, a photo of the Client or the person whom the Client is attempting to affect, and/or a camera date-stamp to identify the image as unique in time.
Very useful information on contractual agreements with practitioners. I would like to add that I have thoroughly enjoyed all your classes. Thanks so very much!
You are welcome Micheal. I will be contacting you with in a few days to ask you a few questions, and prepare a Certificate for Course Completion.