A common form of engagement with emerging esoteric groups and occult practitioners today has been the rise of subscription-based online communities. When it comes to these digital spaces, below are some red flags specific to a subscription-based model that are worth paying close attention to.
Subscription tiers are designed to segregate the community and create hierarchy among members, leading to those who feel ‘closer’ to the group leader/s;
Top tiers provide one-to-one access to the group leader/s in a way that encourages forms of emotional dependence and master/student relationships that feel intimate, but in reality are quite detached from a detailed understanding of individual’s lives;
Community channels (such as Discord) often erupt into interpersonal issues or forms of ‘shunning’ of individuals deemed outside the group norms (such as excessive banning).
Group identity is based on a specific person or ‘internet celebrity’ and becomes more of a fan club that encourages parasocial relationships to develop;
Members are heavily marketed to with products, books, workshops, healing sessions, magical spells, readings etc. and there is a constant focus on money-making activities.