Tag: coffee

Tarot Soup

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

Like books? Like to read? My email private Tarot is a reader’s reading. No appointment needed. Order HERE.

Good soup has layers of flavors. The best soups build over time. You start with root veg and aromatics. Then meats, spices, seasoning and garlic. Then broth. Save any added salt for later – you get the idea.

Tarot readings have layers too.

Just like a well stocked spice rack in your kitchen lets you create a delicious meal, having a variety of Tarot layouts at your disposal lets you create a satisfying reading perfect for the time and question at hand.

I like to combine traditional layouts with some that I’ve written to create my Tarot spice shelf, so to speak. Choosing the best layout for the question is the beginning. Looking at the pattern of the cards and the layout as a whole is the base. The individual position meanings within the layout is one layer of meaning. Each individual card’s meaning is another layer. The connection, the way a position can subtly direct our attention and modify the card meaning adds depth and complexity to the reading. Using pure intuition throughout the reading and to summarize at the end is like the pinch of salt that brings the whole soup together in the delicious end.

I had hoped to post a “you choose” video yesterday, but clearly I’m going to have to shift gears again and adapt a little bit. For the next two weeks, I’m going to focus on how-to and behind the scenes posts. THEN we’ll get back to general audience and interactive Tarot readings.

Please subscribe to this free blog, or follow me on ko-fi, Substack, Threads, Facebook or Instagram so you don’t miss anything. Please visit tomorrow and we’ll start taking a deeper look at all of the layouts and more. Stay tuned!

Private readings are OPEN. There might be a few delivery delays around the weekend of September 27-29

Sorry about the splash

The squirrels are raving! Everybody daaaance!

The squirrels are raving! Everybody daaaance!

Private email readings are OPEN but my have unexpected delivery delays – might take me a couple of days to get it to you instead of the usual less than 24. I’ll be in touch and give you updates and estimates as we go a long. If that is cool with you, you can order readings HERE. My prices are still flat rate for the whole reading, from $5 to $30 for email distance (my specialty)

I’m a writer-type of psychic, so if you like to read books, if you are busier than I am and need maximum convenience, if you need an affordable first reading, then these are the readings for you!!

The blog, however, is anybody’s guess. Posts will be erratic, but the rave should settle by October 7 or so. Part of it is private family stuff, with a busier than usual fall kick off at the non-Tarot day job.

IN THEORY will have a you choose card of the week on Monday. See you then!

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

Back Up and Start Over

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

You can do anything you want.

Sure, there are consequences to our decisions, but you can choose anything if you are willing to deal with the fallout.

Unless you are a physician, health care professional, public safety first responder, military commander or one of some very special people, we typically don’t make irrevocable life and death decisions in our daily life.

Some decisions change us forever. The old version of ourselves is forever changed; Birth, death, marriage and more

The simple passage of time changes everything. Every moment is new. Every moment is forever gone after its brief spark of existence.

And there are some decisions that just don’t matter all that much. Wear one shirt today, wear the other tomorrow. Have whatever for lunch, have the other thing tomorrow. The ability to adapt and change – including changing your mind about things – is an essential skill. Adaptability is a survival skill.

In the big picture of things, the name of a side-business is a trivial thing.

You all know me, my work. I want it to reach new people and thrive. Sage Words just isn’t getting the traction I’d hoped and honestly, I just like the name TaoCraft better.

I made a bad choice, so now I’m rolling it back. Sure, it isn’t the best idea from a marketing or business standpoint, but that isn’t why I do Tarot. I read because I enjoy it, I’m good at it, it’s fun to do something you’re good at doing. If Tarot is some measure of comfort or entertainment for other people – double bonus!

And yes, I want the money. I’m earning it honestly through the writing skill, high level of professionalism and Tarot reading experience that I bring to your readings. Plus, I like being able to buy food and stuff, so getting paid for my time and work comes in mighty darn handy. Especially when it’s that web hosting bill time of year.

As the frosting on top, I just plain like the TaoCraft Tarot name better. It makes me happy. I don’t care that it sounds odd, or that I have to spell it for people all of the time. Taoism and witchcraft have brought joy to me over the years. It’s not cultural appropriation to honor that, as this name is intended to do.

I’m rambling on and on about names again because over the next few weeks I’m reclaiming my favorite one.

The writing name and blog name is staying though. I like those.

Just wanted to let you know to expect a gradual un-rebranding over the next several weeks. If you want a reading, and a link is broken or you can’t find what you want, please don’t hesitate to email directly to TaoCraftTarot@gmail.com OR to SageWordsTarot@gmail.com (both will work for a long time moving forward)

It’s still me, it’s still all the same quality, the same policies, the same coffee-loving blog metaphor.

And Zombie Cat yes/no readings are still on the main reading menu until 9-21-24

See you at the next re-re-branded sip!

Weekend Oracle: The Ring

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

The Ring is actually from the Lenormand Tarot, in this case it is from the Magpie Lenormand by Grosjean Rozen via the Alleyway Oracle of Secrets, used here with permissions from the publisher, Publishing Goblin LLC.

Much like the Two of Cups in the RWS Tarot, the ring often has to do with romantic commitment, or long-term relationships between two people by any definition.

The energy is broader than that today. I ‘hear’ the word “posse” in the contemporary sense of a circle of close friends. (‘hear’ meaning the intuition comes as mental words, music or sounds rather than mental images)

It makes a lot of sense in the context of the long holiday weekend here in the U.S. It’s Labor day, which pretty much functions as summer’s closing night after-party. Holiday or not, the energy is right to connect with people. Touch base, check in, say hello in whatever capacity feels natural, whatever fits your groups particular flow. It’s about the heart to heart connection, not the outward form of communication.

Happy weekend everyone!

Private Tarot readings by email are OPEN all holiday weekend – order HERE 24/7 no appointment needed. Most orders arrive in your inbox within 24 hours.

Summer’s Zombie

I don’t like August weather with all of that sunshine and heat and humidity and whatnot.

Late August is summer’s zombie. School is back in session, trees are duller but few showing a tinge of yellow, goldenrod and ragweed are everywhere. My face itches just thinking about it. Summer is shambling and groaning along, well past its welcome. Those of us who prefer the Fall vibe are well and truly ready for it.

Speaking of summer shambles – Zombie Cat yes/no readings are still available by email until the Autumnal Equinox on September 20th. After that, it’s back to the usual three layouts on the Readings menu, with discounts for Sage Sip members.

My basic coping strategy this morning is to close the curtains, pour a cup of pumpkin spice coffee and think about a Fall schedule.

The operative word is THINK about it. We both know that in reality, it will all adapt and change and roll with the flow as the season goes on.

Tarot, intuition, spiritual guidance, personal growth…all that sort of thing …by definition follows the flow of energy. It follows the nature of things, not defines or controls the nature of things. Which is why the philosophy of Tarot and Taoism are so complimentary. And that is, once again, why I’m Taoist at heart.

But that is another story. For now, pull up a chair, pour yourself a cup of something cinnamon and I’ll show you what I’m aiming toward. It’s not so much making a plan as it is making the thing that will wiggle and dance when the squirrels of life start the rave.

Private Tarot readings:

Email readings are always open. Order HERE anytime, 24/7, no appointment needed. Most readings get to you within 24 hours. Live phone and in-person readings are by appointment only. Please contact me for details about those.

Sage Sips Blog:

Three ways to read!

  • on the main website
  • on Ko-fi
  • on Substack

Three days for regular (ish) posts

  • Monday – Choose Your Card (your individual intuition is part of the online reading!)
  • Wednesday – midweek musings / behind the scenes / Q&A
  • Friday – Weekend Oracle

Plans. Plans within plans.

Sage Sips membership on ko-fi is still $5 per month and INCLUDES free private one card Tarot readings by email on request, discounts on larger layouts, occasional special offers and exclusive content.

I have an idea for a new layout, inspired by David Skribbens’ mystery novel Eight of Swords. Look for a chance to get a free email private reading with this new layout. Instead of being a test-knitter for a new pattern, anyone interested in being a test-sitter for a new card layout?

It’s coming up on two years, and the whole cozy-comfy Sage words thing has not gotten the traction that TaoCraft Tarot had. Sure, “Sage Words” is easier to explain, pronounce and spell, but I miss the meaning that TaoCraft holds for me personally. The less I think about marketing, the better things seem to be. The more true to me I am, the BETTER the readings I can do for YOU.

I like “sage sips” for the blog, and I’m keeping the pen-name Sage, but am thinking about going back to TaoCraft for the website / private readings /social media name. What do you think? Constructive comments are welcome. You know my spam & troll policy, delete & block.

Turn Stuck Upside Down

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

Order Private Tarot readings by email, no appointment needed, $5 and up

This blog and its social media is NOT monetized. Please support these free public Tarot readings through your private Tarot reading purchases or buy me a virtual coffee. Sage Sip members get free private email readings on request, discounts and more.

From the Alleyway: Anger

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

Emotions are what they are. They are what they are for a reason, usually.

We aren’t robots. We aren’t Vulcans from Star Trek. Honest emotion is normal, natural, and they’re going to happen, even uncomfortable ones like sadness, fear, and anger.

Physical pain is the body’s way of telling us something is wrong. It might be something trivial like an ice cream headache or might be life threatening like a heart attack.

Anger is one of life’s way of telling us something is wrong. It might be as small flare of temper at a little inconvenience or it may be righteous anger at true injustice. Honest emotion is something to experience and deal with.

There is no harm in that.

But there is harm when anger is preserved and propagated. Anger on the offense is where bad things happen.

Feel angry? If it is a small ego bruise, in the words of Princess Elsa – let it go.

James Marcus Bach, author of Secrets of a Buccaneer Scholar once said on social media that “people get defensive because they have something to defend.” Anger can be defensive, too. Our righteous anger can show us where we are being harmed. It shows us where the problem exists so we can start solving it.

The Alleyway Oracle of Secrets by Seven Dane Asmund used with permission by Mr. Asmund and Publishing Goblin LLC.

This blog and the YouTube channel is not monetized. Private readings and virtual coffees helps to support this free Tarot content. Please visit the Sage Words Tarot ko-fi page to learn more

New Deck, Who Dis?

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

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New loot* from publishinggoblin.com and Seven Dane Asmund’s recent Kickstarters. With its consistent, stellar quality I recommend Seven Dane Asmund’s work. The story and lore he’s woven around the Alleyman / Alleyway card decks is almost burgeoning mythology. I’m looking forward to working with this new deck, just like the Alleyman’s Tarot has been a delight from the moment it arrived. It really is a masterful deck. It is the Stradivarius of Tarot decks. I suspect this is the equivalent in Oracle decks, or at least one of the best.

I suspect one of the things that raises it a notch above others is the way it lifts up and promotes the collective of artist who contribute to the deck. I see you, Seven. Bringing all of this together and giving the artists all due recognition, the storytelling of the Alleyman lore and podcast, the quality of the physical products…all of it together is genius. Respect.

Intuitively I feel pulled to do this a little differently. Instead of a methodical “learn with me” series like we did with the Publishing Goblin’s Oracle Dice. Let’s just jump in with both feet and USE this thing for daily meditation readings. I began reading cards with an Oracle deck (Medicine Cards by David Carson and Jamie Sams) There was nothing methodical there – just a Fool-like step off the cliff while still tethered to the guidebook. A sort of psychic bungee jump, it wasn’t until after I switched to the classic RWS that I began to really understand how card symbolism and pure intuition worked together. It might be fun to take the jump in and have at it approach but bring that hard-won understanding and years of experience along for the ride.

I hope you’ll join me. We’ll explore the deck together, but without a plan. You never know when or where you’ll meet the Alleyman.

*Not shown the other two death card enamel pins. They are already gifted to my son the scare actor. So proud. (shout out to Hundred Acres Manor – check them out if you are around Bethel Park PA this fall!)

Simple and Complex Together

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

The mysteries of any relationship, but most particularly a romantic one are both simple and complex together.

Ask.

Speak.

Listen.

Listen with your heart and the way will become clear.