Tarot-ku: The Fool

Sage Sips is Tarot for your Day in the time it takes to sip your coffee

Falling or freedom

A precipice is either

Do you choose to fly?

Sage Snow

Happy NaPoWriMo!

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New Week – New Layout

Introducing the NEW TaoCraft Taijitu layout for a collective look at the week ahead. “You Choose” readings return next week. Order your TaoCraft Taijitu Tarot reading HERE


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Taijitu is another name for the famous yin-yang symbol that inspired this layout.

The Yin card (right) shows the energies that you are pulling toward you (the dark part of the symbol) and energies that are growing in influence (the white dot in the black half)

The Yang card shows things you are resisting or need to push away and release (the white part of the symbol) These are energies that are diminishing in influence (the black dot in the white half)

The Harmony card suggests how to flow forward with these energies instead of fighting the currents. This card suggests a good next step in your journey.

These blog readings are just a glimpse of the general, collective energy. It might fit for you, or it might not. If it does, great! The ideas are yours to ponder and use as you see fit. If not, don’t worry. Feel free to use the search bar and browse the archives. Type in a Tarot card or topic and you might find something helpful in the post archives. I’ve been reading cards professionally for over 20 years, blogging for a lot of that, so there is plenty to read! Although I don’t do in person, party, online or phone readings now, I still have personalized readings by email (they are my best readings anyway) available to help support the cost of writing and hosting this website.

TaoCraft Taijitu Tarot for the week of 31 March 2025

Yin card: The Empress. The turn of seasons can help support your mood. It’s a good week to touch grass literally and figuratively.

Yang card: Five of Swords. Rise above the mischief. Find your inner bada$$ get over it. The storm is beginning to pass and there is recovery work to be done.

Harmony card: The Lovers Focus on what you really want, not one the means that you think will bring it. Look to the destination and the way will become clearer. (Inspired by The Witch’s Coin by Christopher Penczak)

Starting tomorrow, there is something special planned for NaPoWriMo in April. Stay tuned! See you at the next sip!

The Squirrel Rave This Week (30 March 25)

Hi everyone!

I don’t know what the squirrels have planned, but here is what I’m aiming for this week:

I’ve been putting off making an “introduction” video for my ko-fi page for ages. If all goes as planned, instead of the usual “choose your card” for the week ahead, I’d like to video and upload an intro video welcome message for the ko-fi page that ALSO introduces the new layout.

Inspired by the Taijitu (the name of the famous yin-yang symbol) I wrote the “TaoCraft Taijitu” layout to show three key things for the short term path ahead.

The first card is the Yin card, that symbolizes the energies that are growing in influence or are being drawn into your life. The manifesting / attracting energy is like the black part of the symbol. The growing influence part is like the white dot in the black side of the symbol.

The second card is the Yang card, showing the energies that are or need to be pushed away. That is outward pushing is like the white part of the symbol. The shrinking influence of this energy is like the black dot in the middle of the white field.

The third card puts it all together to show the movement. This card can show the best way to move forward in balance and harmony during the short-term path ahead.

Stay tuned this week to see a video of this new layout in action.

If all goes very well, I hope to post a Wednesday “action decreases anxiety” reading plus a Thursday or Friday “Weekend Oracle” if the squirrels behave.

Happy Sunday – see you at the next sip!

How Distance Tarot works

Sage Sips is Tarot for your day in the time it takes to sip your coffee. Today please enjoy this behind the scenes look at how I believe long distance Tarot actually works.

Q: The email readings sound interesting, but how can you read me if we aren’t together?

A: The distance between us doesn’t matter because I’m not reading you directly, I’m reading universal energy or spirit for you, on your behalf. This is the same kind of universal life energy that they talk about in Reiki, Tai Chi, qi gong, acupuncture, yoga, etc. This energy is everywhere, and if you are still alive you are connected to it and a part of it. You and I are within that energy field during your reading, no matter how physically separated we might seem or how long our conversation takes.

Star Wars wasn’t far off with “The Force”

Time and space are a connected thing. Modern physics has called it the space-time continuum. Time is as whole and connected as space. It doesn’t matter if our reading together unfolds in real time across a table or in a phone call or if the conversation unfolds slowly though emails or snail mail, the core ideas are the same. Distance Tarot works with the biggest of big pictures. We might be on opposite sides of the Earth and still be in the same energy together. We might write paper letters back and forth like they did a hundred years ago but the reading is still helpful even if takes months to unfold. It is all interconnected and valid.

The words and ideas of any reading are exactly the same regardless of whether I say them out loud, type them into an email or write them on paper.

There are a few differences between distance and in-person readings. The first is the way that you enjoy receiving your message, not in the message itself. It might depend on your mood or personality style. Phone or in-person sessions tend to be light, chatty, and friendly. They are great for when you are feeling outgoing and craving some social conversation.  Written readings are private and intense. Written words amplify the emotion and magic of the moment. They are a good match for book lovers and busy, stressed people who need a moment to relax or anyone who just wants a little ‘me time.’

All of my distance Tarot readings include a follow-up email to answer any questions you might have.

The best suggestion I have is to give it a try. My five card readings would last close to an hour in person, but only cost what most psychics charge for 15 to 30 minutes.


Starting January 2025, the business portion of TaoCraft Tarot that offered in-person, party, phone and live online Tarot readings has closed.

Email readings are still available at very affordable prices and no appointment needed. Private readings, ko-fi memberships and ko-fi virtual coffee all support this blog, this website and the Substack newsletter to keep these Tarot readings free for you to read without paywalls.

Weekend Oracle: Yin, Yang and Harmony

Sage Sips is Tarot in the time it takes to sip your coffee


Think of any question that is on your mind, or think of the weekend ahead. This “Weekend Oracle” is the premier of my newest layout, TaoCraft Taijitu.

Inspired by the famous yin yang symbol, this three card layout shows yin (energies you are pulling in) yang (energies you are pushing away) and harmony (a way to be at peace and flow with all of these energies)

As usual, I read the cards right to left. This disrupts the deeply ingrained, logic-driven pattern of reading English left to right. That small cognitive shift helps to improve intuition and keep thought-habits at bay.

Of course, if your native language is Arabic, Hebrew, Chinese or other language that reads right to left, then reading Tarot left to right would make more sense.

With today’s cards we get:

Yin, The World. The World from the major arcana is a very positive, hopeful energy. It points to the big picture, the Gestalt, the everything. This is the energy you are drawing in.

Yang, Seven of Swords. This is energy that is moving away from you, or better still, energy you have been empowered to release and push away. The Seven of Swords card is associated with mischief by others and self-serving deception. In the picture a man is stealing away with swords. I intuitively ‘hear’ the old song “Steal Away” – I forget the artist, it is so old.

But in any case, there is a validating energy. You have been taken, deceived or a general victim of our collective chaotic circumstances just as much as you thought.

Harmony, The Fool. Traditionally the very first card of a RWS Tarot deck, this symbolizes fresh starts and new beginnings.

Taken as a whole, the message seems to be very hopeful: Things have been as bad as you thought, but are getting better holistically even if the changes in any one area of life seem very small. To be at peace and to help this transition along, look for any opportunity to start new .

Thanks for reading! See you at the next sip!

Action Decreases Anxiety: Acknowledge

Sage Sips is Tarot for your day in the time it takes to sip your coffee

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Left (the current situation or energy) Four of Pentacles: Hoarding out of fear vs budgeting, taking care, setting boundaries. Does the real-world part of life triggering fear or does it need a little practical management right now? Diane Morgan read the four of pentacles as “secret treasure” Sometimes our greatest treasure is to ground ourselves, move past fear and work through the fear.

Right (what to do next, a good next step) Nine of Swords. Whenever the right card is a swords card, the reading is in the title. Swords symbolize action (among other things) Avoid toxic positivity. It is ok to not be ok. There will be dark times. Actively manage your stress. To manage stress or worry or anxiety or any problem, the first step is to acknowledge it exists. That acknowledgement may feel hopeless and overwhelming, but it is just the first step in solving the problem.

Here, my mind is drawn to some of the panic and anxiety management techniques I’ve seen on social media lately. Both cards point to that kind of energy and action today. If you are worried or anxious, ground yourself in the present moment and your environment. Send yourself a clear message that you aren’t in life or death danger in this specific present moment.

Dan Harris, one of the most practical, accessible, down-to-earth, meditation advocates I’ve ever read describes mindfulness as the capacity to notice. Those social media anti-anxiety techniques draw on exactly that. Use your ability to notice. Try naming five things that you can see. Try naming a pleasant sensation you can experience right now (a soft shirt, a cool breeze, the feel of your feet on the floor, the smell of your coffee…anything) Think of one thing that is going right that you can be thankful for (my coffee is still warm, a glimpse of blue sky, a song on the radio…anything) Think of someone, anyone, and mentally wish them well. Think of yourself and wish yourself peace and safety. Buddhist meditators call those last two Metta practice.

Noticing is an action, albeit a mental one. That still counts. Action decreases anxiety.

Thanks for reading. See you at the next sip!

Action Decreases Anxiety Tarot: Strength and Shade

Sage Sips it tarot for your day in the time it takes to sip your coffee


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The ADA (action Decreases Anxiety) layout shows

  • what it is / the current energy or situation
  • what to maybe do next because action Decreases anxiety

Today’s energy: The Tree – growth and stability. Your source of strength might not be obvious, but it there, underground, like roots to nourish you.

What to do next: The Cloud. Stay cool, enjoy the shade that cloudy days offer. Your social mask doesn’t have to high energy all of the time. Turn down that wattage and use some of that energy for your own recharge. Take a minute. Let the clouds clear and the muddy water settle…a pause can bring clarity. The better you understand, the less frightening it is to move forward. Knowledge is power, but make sure you see clearly.

Deck shown: Healing Light Lenormand by Christopher Butler all rights reserved, used with permissions via llwellyenpublishing.com

Week Ahead: Choose Your Card

Sage Sips is Tarot for your day in the time it takes to sip your coffee

Affordable private Tarot by email is available no appointment needed HERE.

Pause the video and think of your question or the week ahead. Choose your card, left or right. Restart the video to see the reveal and get your free tarot reading below.


7 of Cups: Choices are important and may feel stressful and overwhelming. Start with logic, but if all practical things seem equal, let your intuition and instincts lead the way. The up side of this is that multiple choices exist – at least you aren’t painted into a corner with few choices at all. When there are many options, especially when they all seem equal, it can all be very overwhelming. Sometimes being the one to have to make a hard choice alone is an overwhelming burdon, even when the choice seems clear. Choices and options can be intimidating in any combination of circumstances. If you are facing a big choice or have too many options, your head and heart have to work together. If logic fails, let your heart lead the way. In the end, clarity is crucial however your sort it out. Focus on the end. Choose your destination and the way to get there will become more clear.

King of Wands: Wands have to do with the fire element. King cards speak to leadership. Good leaders start with compassion and wisdom, but kings can’t rule without a kingdom. King cards often represent protecting and providing for the place where they rule. Wands can also symbolize your relationship with yourself. Remember your agency over your own life. Own it, mistakes and all. This is a good week to tap into as much main character energy as you can muster. Write your own story, lead your own inner kingdom. Combine wisdom and compassion with confidence and skill. Set boundaries and enforce them.

Thanks so much for reading! See you at the next sip!

A Muse Is Near: You Choose Weekend Oracle

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Pause the video if you need more time to choose. Restart to see the reveal.

Pause the video if you need more time to choose your card, then restart to see the reveal.

Cerridwen: The Welsh goddess of rebirth, transformation and inspiration. She is connected to the couldron as a symbol, “the couldron of inspiration” Use set apart times like weekends, evenings to make changes, to re-invent yourself if you feel called to do that. Classes apart from your main job or a side hustle feels energized.

Luna Moth: Spirit speaks in whispers but it is speaking to you. Pay attention to subtle clues. Keep a dream journal or do what you can to remember your night time dreams. Spirit guides at times speak through your sleeping dreams. If a dream or waking coincidence seems meaningful to you – it is.

Thanks for reading! See you at the next sip!

Deck: Oracle of Secrets by Seven Dane Asmund, used with permissions by Publishing Goblin LLC