Why this Witch offers a sliding scale pricing model

Part of what the witch stands for is universality and justice, a protecting of the common, the everyday people.

As such, I would like to take a moment to discuss sliding scales, and the purpose of offering them. Offering access while still caring for my life's needs is not a philosophical exercise, but a very real and complex one: to sit with the differing levels of pricing, not to mention the extra labour (and cost of plug-ins and coding) to mechanically make it possible on my website for my upcoming offering, Homing Coven. I do my best to be fair, considerate, and thorough in my work— referring to the content, the container it sits in, and how accessible the container is. Truthfully, a sliding scale pricing model is not something that any one-human business needs to offer, especially in the kind of capitalist economics that we live in. To offer a sliding scale is going against the grain on many, many levels. And yet, even while endeavouring to do my part in contributing to a fairer world, I have at times been criticized or misunderstood. This is normal, and expected, especially if we have not been shown any other way of engaging in reciprocity, are stuck in theory alone, or haven't had the chance to examine the deeper mechanics of social injustice. 

So if you're willing to bear with me, I wanted to share a few things about what sliding scale means to me:

By valuing my work in the way you can, we can step into reciprocity which empowers me to continue to offer myself and my work to you at my fullest. For a sliding scale to work, the model relies on the principles of truthfulness, respect for nuance, and self-accountability. I do not ask for proof of financial hardship; I trust my clients to be honest. The type of model can only succeed when trust, accountability and integrity are the central values. Folks deserve access, and I deserve to get paid fairly.  

Membership in HOMING COVEN is available in all three sliding scale contribution options (in theory, they are not really options, they are reflecting 3 economic realities):

• Earth Level Coven Membership
  This pricing level reflects my acknowledgement that paying the full cost could prevent some folks from being able to attend, but who do not find themselves reflected in the other two contribution types.
  

• Metal Level Coven Membership
  This pricing level reflects the true cost of this offering. It is the cost that I would charge in the absence of a sliding scale. For folks with financial security, own property or have personal/family savings, or who have other significant forms of privilege. This contribution type is also a way to actively and directly help with subsidising the costs related to the Wood-Level Coven Membership. It is also a way to make reparations.
  

• Wood Level Coven Membership
  Note this reduced pricing is not a 'sale' or 'discount' or simply available because you don't want to pay more or over-shopped with your Visa. This pricing level represents a deliberate opportunity made for folks who face limited or burdensome economic realities. For anyone struggling to maintain access to basic needs, I hope to surround you with a community that honours your contribution just as much as the person who can pay at the Metal Level. Even when this adjusted pricing is still prohibitive, I offer Partial Ceremonie Scholarships from time to time, based on overall enrolment levels and my personal capacity.
  

Anyway, I love what the witch stands for, and I trust that there are many, many of you who also do.

Mimi <3