Ebay Bans: spells; curses; hexing; conjuring; magic; magic potions; and more

This from Ebay's 2012 Fall Seller Update:

The following items are also being added to the prohibited items list: advice; spells; curses; hexing; conjuring; magic; prayers; blessing services; magic potions; healing sessions; ...

And the following categories are to be removed:

Discontinued categories:

• Metaphysical: Psychic, Paranormal; Readings
• Metaphysical: Psychic, Paranormal; Spells, Potions
• Metaphysical: Tarot Readings

I'm a little ambivalent about this.  It's not as though this is a direct attack on pagans or witches, as prayers are also included; however, it does seem to be targeting a certain set of beliefs and, rather interestingly, I could not find miracles listed among the banned items.

This ban may go some way to stopping the charlatans, but I am one of those people that feel if someone wants to spend $5,000 on a magic candle to cure their ills, then let them so do, because, generally, I am not very keen on the nanny state.   Technically speaking, a seller can still list a ring believed to have been owned by the Grand Magus, Quezacotl Doom Sayer, imbibed with his personal magic, because what they are really selling is the cheap, silver plated ring not the magic attached thereto.  So, these bans and removals Ebay is instigating may not be terribly effective at stopping fools from parting with their money.

Ebay is a business and, as such, reserves the right to refuse anyone from trading with them.  Still, the specific categories being removed, and the items being targeted - although intangibles - are related to a particular sector of society, which gives it a hint of a smell of - what's the right word here? - discrimination against occultists.

Ah well.  Does it really matter to me?  No.  This update will have no affect on me, nor my dealings with various auction/trading sites.   Real occultists are likely to remain unaffected, because, as occultists, everything is generally hidden and not displayed for sale, and the unscrupulous will always find a way to take advantage of the unwary.

Caveat Emptor!

A Wishlist

I have a wishlist of things I know I will never own, but still desire and I have to add this the list.  It's currently listed on ebay, but it is beyond my means.   It still doesn't stop me from wanting it though.

Description:

Culture:	Romano European
Date:	Late 1st Century BC
Size:	Diam @ 17mm
Description:	A rare ring which has survived in excellent condition with a small elegant band with oval bezel which describes a single sheath of wheat. For the assigned date for the ring it may have had associations with the Roman God of Crop Protection "Robigus". The patina is of blackened silver and has a gloss finish. Calcite deposits are seen within the inner band and behind the bezel which attest to the great age of the ring. In very Fine Condition - Ex French Private Collection.

Troublemaking

It seems I have caused rather a stir here at my workplace. So much so, I had a lovely chat this evening with a policeman, the building manager, the post room manager, and four security guards.

Apparently, it has become policy in this building to x-ray all parcels received into the building and, today, the post room got a bit of a shock when they found what appeared to be the butt of a rifle with a telescopic sight and a bow inside a box they received. The box had a label on it addressed to me, so I was summoned to be questioned by the police and the building management.

Of course, when I ordered the crossbow (as it turned out to be) from ebay in the U.S., I didn't think to notify security about the incoming item, because I had overlooked the fact that all my ebay parcels are automatically forwarded to my work address. It was utter stupidity on my part, really. Still, the youngish policeman was cute and, because of my oversight, he was able to brush up on his weapons law.

Still, the whole situation gave much amusement to my colleagues at work, who came up with some very imaginative ideas for the use of my crossbow.