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What it is: Strength.
In this case, a test of your strength. Your patience and perseverance are being tested. Failure is always an option. It shows where to get help if you need it. It shows where you need rest and support. The test can show you weak spots before they break so damage can, hopefully, be avoided or lessened.
What to do: The World.
Finish. Complete the tasks at hand. Don’t change horses mid stream. Focus on the end goal and the big picture. There is a sense of reassurance. Success is possible if you see things through to the end. Think of an airplane. Things may be turbulent now, but focus on bringing this stressful time in for a safe landing. A pilot once told me that “any landing you walk away from is a good one.”
Deck:Alleyman’s Tarot by @publishinggoblin1072 used with permission
I feel like there are a thousand other things I should be doing, but if you can’t follow your instincts in a Tarot blog, where can you? There is no reason for this post other than to say hello and hopefully reconnect with the whole blog and newsletter thing. It’s been a weird winter for me and this newsletter hasn’t gotten the energy and attention it deserves. That whole “Sage Words Tarot” thing was a huge detour. TaoCraft is home and I’m back. I hope to hear from you moving forward. 2025 is still young and my website has an easy to use contact form for any questions or comments that you might have. That includes questions for a free Tarot reading of some sort in the public blog. It’s a fair trade, I think. You get a free sample-size reading and I get writing inspiration. Deal?
In the meantime…
There has been a weird, strange, surreal energy during the holidays right through until now that reminded me of 2020. Don’t get me wrong – I’m NOT predicting a pandemic an you should listen to science about all of the bird flu, flu-A, RSV and measles worries out there. Not to mention the slow moving juggernaut of an utter political catastrophe unfolding in America right now. Compound that with some epic personal stress, and the time since Thanksgiving has been, well – unproductive. High levels of BLAH mixed with high anxieties is the best way I can describe the feel of it.
Stepping out from the psychological fog leftover from this winter, I wanted to say hello and tell you how thankful I am to have you all as readers and Tarot clients. It is so very appreciated!
On the outside chance there is anyone new here, I’ll add a little to the hello so you can know who is behind this whole Sage Sips Substack.
Hello! My name is Sage, I read Tarot, write things and knit stuff.
Sage is a pen name to try to provide privacy for both of us. It is inspired the double meaning the word sage has in English. It can be a plant with remarkable aromatherapy properties; comforting, negativity clearing, uplifting and empowering. It also means wise advice or a person who is wise. I believe Tarot is all about exactly those things. Tarot can lead us to wise advice at the same time as it calms anxieties, inspires us, and empowers us. It’s always an honor to be part of that process for someone. But like I always say…
“Tarot isn’t about predicting what will happen in life. Tarot helps you figure out what to do when life happens.“
What I do –
Tarot readings by email (and phone by special arrangement – contact me for details and scheduling)
What I don’t do –
Predict the future.
How I do it –
Transparently, conveniently and privately. All of my policies are TaoCraftTarot.com for the world to see.
All of my prices are for the total reading – not per minute. Your reading gets all of my attention, however long it -no clock watching – which is one of the many advantages of working by email. There are no time constraints or appointment needed for email. No hidden fees. No spam.
If you want a reading, you have to let me know. I don’t have the time or energy to contact anyone individually and offer readings. If you get that, it ain’t me. Did I mention, no spam is tolerated here or on the website, incoming OR outgoing?
You can purchase an email reading from my ko-fi page, no appointment needed. There are several different layouts to choose from, which let’s YOU choose the layout (and price) that fits your question (and budget) the best. I use ko-fi because the check out is PayPal secured and lets you send me your topic or question for the reading all in one easy transaction…no more delays while I ask for your question / permission for an open reading.
Email readings are perfect for busy schedules –
You don’t have to set aside travel time – the reading comes to you. You don’t use one drop of expensive gasoline.
In addition to being super convenient, email readings are extra private. No one sees you going to a psychic. You open and read your email in a time and place that is right for you.
Phone readings work by contacting me. We will set up an appointment time. Then I’ll send you a secure PayPal invoice and you call the phone number provided at your appointment time. All the details about appointments are on the policy page.
What a reading looks like:
All of my readings follow the same basic format. It starts with a photo of your real world layout. Then there is a “general pattern” section where we talk about the layout as a whole. That’s followed by a card-by-card discussion. Then it all wraps up in a “psychic summary” that includes any other impressions. It might relate to the cards, or it might be pure intuition. This part often includes aromatherapy and crystal recommendations but this final summary is very attuned to your personal message and there is no guarantee what it will or won’t include.
Relationship readings:
I do lots of those, but mine are probably different from what you’ve had before.
My readings focus totally on you. I follow the same professional ethics as holistic health providers. I don’t read other people’s energies without their permission. That means relationship readings won’t predict who you will marry or if you’ll get back together with your ex or if your crush loves you back. Relationship readings are for any kind of relationship and simply give advice to help you give your best in your part in the relationship.
Wealth and money readings:
Wealth and money readings tend to focus on your career and what you can DO to find your best path forward in your career or in any part of the physical realm. I’m not a career counselor, or a financial advisor – and did I mention that Tarot can’t predict the future?
Medical, pregnancy and legal questions:
Nope.
I won’t answer those. Tarot is terrible with those kinds of questions. I’m not wasting my time or your money on a question that is best left to other professionals. We should spend our time on the things Tarot that does very well: Easing troubled emotions, finding inspiration, creative problem solving, stress reduction, diversion and entertainment.
Sage Sips is the name of my blog and Substack. I love coffee. I love pithy Tarot advice. Sage Sips is Tarot in the time it takes to sip your coffee.
TaoCraft Tarot is the name of my website and the book I plan to write about how to read Tarot. It is a reflection of the philosophy behind my 30 years of Tarot and intuition development.
And that is pretty much it in one big omnibus nutshell.
Your turn!
Feel free to say hi in the comments or in the contact form.
I’m also on Bluesky if you want to say hi there. It’s the one social platform where I’ll actually talk to people instead of just like and repost.
Sage Sips is Tarot in the time it takes to sip your coffee
Pause the video if you need time to think of your question or time to decide which card feels right for you. Restart to see the reveal.
Ten of Swords: Persistence comes from doing something, not from doing the same thing over and over. Taking a minute – or a month – or several – to collect yourself and process the big things that have happened is not a defeat. Healing IS doing something. Healing IS moving forward. Changing directions IS persisting.
Hierophant (Pope in some decks) NOW is the time for spirituality, not religion. Now is the time to follow your own inner wisdom and your personal connection to the universe or the devine, not what outside influences dictate. Follow your conscience to a path of compassion toward others AND toward yourself.
Affordable, convenient, cozy and kind: Email readings are my specialty and most arrive to your inbox within 24 hours. No appointment needed for email readings.
Live readings average 30-45 minutes but please allow up to 1 hour if needed
in-person: we meet in a quiet public place. I don’t keep a physical office and pass the savings on to you.
All Tarot readings are customized ephemeral folk art intended for entertainment, enrichment and spiritual expression. These advice style readings do not predict the future. No medical, legal, or third person questions
PRO TIP: scroll the entire readings list! I have lots of layout options to fit any question or any budget!Readings from $5 – $40total cost. Order yours HERE
It’s my specialty: My distance readings are equally as good & probably better than in-person sessions. You get the SAME reading as you would in person but at a fraction of the cost. Intensely private, distance readings engage your intuition, imagination and emotions in a way that live readings cannot. You can re-visit the document or video multiple times for greater understanding. Hectic schedule? First time for a Tarot reading and feeling uncertain? Just not feeling social? These readings are perfect for you.
Convenient: No appointment is needed for email or video readings. Order the reading whenever you want, 24/7. Open the email (or snail mail for the InkMagick pen & paper version) and experience your reading whenever you want, as often as you want. Live phone readings are almost as easy, but require an appointment.
Affordable: With email, I can offer smaller layouts that are not available in-person. E-mail readings start as low as $5. A one card reading by email is an affordable way to sample a reading and see if you think we are a good match to work together.
By working online (or by phone) I don’t maintain a physical office space and pass those savings on to you. On the phone or live online, my five card readings last on average 45 – 60 minutes. Other readings in this price range are usually limited to 15 – 30 minutes
Private: No one sees you go anywhere. It is entirely up to you when, where and how you experience the session. Read on the fly, or turn it into “me time.”
Eco-friendly: Neither of us travel anywhere. No is gasoline is burned, no paper is used, no trees are cut. I opted for a renewable electricity provider, so there is zero carbon footprint for a distance reading!
Q: How can you read me if we aren’t together?
A: The distance between us doesn’t matter because I’m not reading you, I’m reading energy or spirit to get guidance for you. Since that spirit energy comes from outside of physical space, our proximity within physical space doesn’t matter.
The words are the same whether I say them out loud, type them into an email or write them on paper. The only difference is the way in which you enjoy receiving your message, not in the message itself. Phone sessions tend to be social, light, chatty, friendly. Your questions are answered in the moment as we go along. Written or recorded readings are private, powerful and intense. Written words amplify the emotion and magick of the moment. All distance Tarot readings include a follow-up email to answer any questions you might have.
Want to sample a reading for free? The archives are free to explore with the search bar on the right of this page (scroll down on mobile) There are years of readings to browse. You might find your answer there, or at least you can see if we are a good match to work together on new, paid private reading for you.
”Only an empty cup can be filled” as the proverb goes.
Cups in Tarot has to do with emotions in general as well as emotionally close relationships; sometimes romance, sometimes family, sometimes found family – any relationship. Today, the energy is focused on the general side more than a specific relationship side of the card.
The Ace of Cups today is reversed. Different readers deal with reversals in different ways. I always start with an intuitive gut-check. Does it feel significant or is it just a coincidental by-product of shuffling and handling the card deck? If it feels coincidental, I just flip it upright and keep going with the reading. Today it feels meaningful, so it stays upside down.
In a larger card layout a reversed card can mean that whatever the layout position is about is blocked or turbulent or troubled somehow. In a one card reading, it isn’t that the card takes on an opposite meaning or is somehow bad or negative – it also points to a problem or blocked/turbulent energy flow. In a one card reading it might be a little harder to pinpoint the area of concern.
Of course, here, we are working with general collective energy. It’s a mood, not a crisis.
“Emotionally drained” comes to mind.
So does “catharsis”
The analogy between water in a cup and important emotions is a particularly apt one in this case.
Water left stagnant in a cup can become contaminated, dusty, undrinkable. Ignored emotions can also grow unhealthy. Pouring out, experiencing and coming to terms with emotions is difficult. It can make you feel exhausted and drained in its place. That is the benefit of a little harmless catharsis (have a good cry, vent into the void of a journal, play your favorite song just a little too loud, go for a run, take a long walk)
Emotionally drained is probably better than emotionally toxic.
Only the empty cup can be filled.
May your cup be filled with healing good things.
Next up: You choose card of the week for Feb. 19 (tomorrow)
Sage Sips is Tarot for your week in the time it takes to sip from your coffee
None of my online content is ad monetized – your message comes first, not an advertiser’s. Please remember me when you want an affordable, professional private Tarot reading. This free content is fueled by your reading purchases, memberships and coffee (both irl and virtually on ko-fi)Thanks for reading!
Today’s cards:
Fading Energy: Three of Swords
Current Energy: The Fool
Growing Energy:
I’ve been asked before why it is that different readers readers give different readings for the same card.
There are a variety of reasons, and any one or any combination of them could factor into it when you get very different readings about the same identical card.
First is the passage of time. As ancient Greek philosopher Hericlitus put it, a man can’t cross the same river twice because it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.
Time passes and your situation changes just like water flows through a river so it is different water each time you step in.
Past readings have an effect on you. Time passes and you grow and change. You are a different person than you were the last time that card was read for you.
Different time, different water, different person: you can’t cross the same Tarot card twice. If you do it is pretty astounding and you should definitely pay attention to what intuition / spirit is trying to tell you.
Three days ago we talked about the Page of Cups and last week’s end-of-week vibe. Things have shifted again already.
Sometimes the river current is faster than others.
Apparently it is flowing fairly quickly here. I expect this week will step through the three cards fairly quickly, too. It will be interesting to see if that proves true by the time we get to Friday’s “weekend update” post.
Because of that pace, I think the “fading energy” layout position of the three of swords is significant, to the point of giving a “don’t” or “kick this energy to the curb” sort of message.
The three of sword’s nature is cautioning anyway. Heads up, watch your back – don’t. I ‘hear’ “tiny heartbreak” When I put this card & energy into the context of the whole reading, I get “don’t make little disappointments into big heartbreaks.”
The Fool card is, of course, about beginnings.
In most RWS based Tarot decks, a human figure is shown posed between two poles, the two wands. This draws my attention to the “threshold” key word associated with the card. It looks like a doorway. This card hints at magickal, liminal space, a gateway to something important or a portal where we can draw in what is wanted and needed. Whatever your thoughts about attraction and manifestation, this card can be read as something new on the horizon.
The “new beginning” big major arcana energy from the Fool card combined with the liminal, doorway, portal, energy from the Two of Wands weights the whole layout on the side of forward thinking hopefullness.
Bring it all together and we get a week that starts off a little off kilter, on edge, on the lookout for who-knows-what kind of funky mojo, but rapidly moves to something new and more hopeful.
Today feels a little weird, but at the same time it feels like something brighter is on the horizon.
I’ve been told that my email readings but especially the handwritten, hand illustrated private Tarot readings appeal to book lovers.*
I’m a reader’s reader. My written content is my best work.
I know it. You know it.
Writing is my niche and my talent and my strength.
I’m not going to water that down just for the sake of having a podcast.
Some people learn better from listening. Some people just plain prefer audio.
I know it. You know it.
I just received word that Spotify for podcasters and WordPress are ending the text to speech integration.
Unless and until I find another text to speech option, it is with some regret that I am ending the Sage Sips podcast. I have too much respect for audio learners and audiophiles to give you a second rate Tarot product. I’m not going to half-ass a spoken word recording when I KNOW I can give you significantly better quality content with text-to-speech technology.
If I can find a workable text to speech option, I’ll resume the audio blog. Until then you can find my free week-ahead pathway readings on Mondays on the Sage Words Tarot dot com website, on the Sage Words Tarot blog on ko-fi dot com and on the Sage Sips newsletter on Substack.
All three of those platforms will continue to have a mix of free and premium subscriptioncontent, because none of this is advertising monetized. The blogs and Substack are all reader supported. With me, your Tarot message comes first, not an advertiser’s message. Premium content and private readings are what makes the free blog Tarot readings possible. Private readings are still always available in both email and live formats through the website. No appointments are needed for the email version, by the way.
I am always so grateful for your support. Your purchases help fund the practical part of creating all of this, but your time reading (or until now, listening) to the blog, your likes, your shares, your follows and free subscriptions are why ten or more years worth of Tarot inspiration exists in the world. All of you are why I do this in the first place. Together, we have created a giant pile of ideas, inspiration, art, entertainment and wisdom. Now let’s go create some more.
Podcast people, thank you for this opportunity. Thank you for listening in as the podcast changed from Clairvoyant Confessional to TaoCraft Tarot and most recently to Sage Sips. I hope audio will be back, but in the meantime please join us on the blogs for more Tarot readings, behind the scenes and ask me anything.
Blog people – I’ll see you at the next sip.
*I’ve read for other intuitives and professional Tarot readers before. It is always the biggest compliment to be trusted by a colleague like that. “Readings for readers” works for that kind of reader too.
Hello and welcome to Sage’s Short Sips: Tarot for your day in the time it takes to sip from your coffee. I’m Sage and I’m glad that you are here.
Sometimes, when things go a little wonky, you just pick up the pieces and go on without a second thought. It’s like the upside down or reversed cards we’ve talked about before. Sometimes it feels like nothing so I flip the card and keep going. Sometime the reversal feels significant so I read it as a caution that some aspect of the energy is blocked or turbulent.
The same process applies to making the youtube videos of the real world card draw that inspires all of the short sip posts and pods. Sometimes things get clumsy or stuck filming the card draw for the day. Most of the time I just scoop up the cards and re-do it so it fits into a 15 second tiktok or youtube short. Today I was the stuck one instead of the two cards that stuck together for this video. I thought about scooping up the cards and re-shooting, but I felt stuck on this and got a niggly little feeling that the other card…both cards together really… might be important.
Today we get the eight of swords PLUS the eight of cups.
The second card surprised me by being an eight card too. Getting two eight cards back to back feels significant. It might just be validation that the two cards are indeed connected and working in together for today’s message, but it feels bigger than that. Eight isn’t ringing any bells for me personally. What about you? Anybody with an August birthday? Anyone connecting to any August event: a birth, death, or any anything from any August in the past? Any connection with the eighth of any month? Any eight connection at all with the number 8 that lights up for you?
Is that vague and stage cold reading enough for you? Anybody and everybody can probably drum up some connection with either the number 8 or the month of August. All of these suggestions are the standard, banal, boilerplate interpretations of repeating numbers in a Tarot reading. I only mention it because it feels important to the collective energy part of this reading. Like everyone on the planet, I can think of a connection for me with August…so trust me. Your gut will undoubtedly know if your 8 or August connection is energetically significant or not. You’ll know if this is something meaningful that you should pay attention to, or if it is just coincidental B.S. that you can brush right off.
That, I suspect, is where all the scammy hype rip-off Tarot readers and psychics go off the rails by making some big, ego-inflating deal out of common coincidence rather than supporting your individual intuition.
Don’t listen to me, don’t listen to the cards. Listen to your own instincts. The cards, and my role as a reader is just to support your understanding with a few little nudges, creative prompts and lots of food for thought. In the end, your thinking matters more than any coincidences that might come along to fuel it.
Which brings us circling right back around to the the two-card message for today.
Swords have to do with mind, intellect and action. I’m reminded of a line from some 90s song “free your mind, and the rest will follow.” It was some pop song girl group, and I don’t remember a single thing else about it other than that one lyric, but that one line has always stuck. They don’t call it a hook for nothing. This is the message from the 8 of swords today. The card is talking about freeing your mind.
The figure on the card is surrounded by swords and blindfolded. One of the key ideas of this card is that freedom is still possible even when the odds seem stacked against you. The key is to use creative problem solving. In this Pamela Smith card image, the figure’s feet are bare but unbound, and there is a gap in the swords encircling the person. They’d have to be really, really REALLY careful but they could feel their way to freedom given enough time. There would be a price to pay in shallow cuts, but the freedom is possible with the right action.
The eight of cups is connected to emotions more than the cutting intellect and precise careful action suggested by the eight of swords. The eight of cups is about the bittersweet moving on from heartbreak into the future, from emotional devastation into emotional healing. Sure – there were good times. Sure – there were painful times. But sometimes the only way forward is through, and the only way through is to let the past go.
Now put both cards together – free your mind AND free your heart. For true freedom, both mind (attitude, understanding) and heart (feelings, intentions) have to change AND move on from the old ways. Both cards imply movement from a bad situation toward a better future.
Thank you all so much for reading and listening today. I hope everyone, including podcast listeners will follow the free blog, as I always have some blog only content in the works. You can opt in by putting your email in the box in the right hand column of the blog website (link is in the episode description for podcast folks). You can unsubscribe at any time, although obviously I hope you won’t. Instead of unsubscribing, send a blog comment. I use the feedback to improve things or get content ideas. So thanks in advance for any comments, questions, likes, subs, follows or shares that you can spare.
The blog, podcast and youtube channel are not monetized in any way and depend on audience support. Please visit the Ko-Fi page where your shop purchases, no appointment needed email tarot readings, memberships and virtual coffees all help me to bring you this free to access Tarot content.
Please feel free to browse the website. It is a treasure trove of Tarot readings, transparency and honesty all intended with kindness. Pardon the little sprinkles of sarcasm every now and then. It’s a package deal. Please feel free to look around. What you see is what you get.
Hi. This is just a quick follow up to yesterday’s late night post about the NEW CrystalCast reading. I only recently came up with the idea for this part crystal, part runestone, all scrying, pure intuition, just for fun, look at the week ahead reading. You can see the whole post and watch the video of the actual crystal cast HERE (there is a link in show description for podcast folks) I hope you’ll follow the blog come along as this new reading evolves.
If Short Sip Tarot posts are a contemplation for your day in the time it takes to sip from your coffee, Crystal Cast posts are a few brain waves for your week in the time it takes to sip from your tea. My intent is to post these either Sunday evenings or Monday morning. Maybe. More or less. Which brings me to the fall and winter schedule:
There is none.
I’m not going to try and fit into an announced schedule anymore. What you see is what you get or wizzy wig as the old school computer programmers used to say it. It is what it is and you see it all as it happens. Intuition, psychic readings and Tarot readings are all very much a product of their present moment. I want my cyberspace presence to authentically reflect that in-the-moment process. This is about quality, not quantity. Writing in the moment whenever that moment happens gives you the best of my intuition. Everything I do here is with the intent that it comes to you in the time and place and way that is highest and bestfor you. I don’t have to write on a set schedule or use a pre-set scheduler for the universe to bring you and your energy message together.
Which happens.
All of the time.
Most of the time, actually, The likes or comments for a post or podcast episode often trickle in long after it was first published. The internet is forever as they say. You never know when someone will stumble onto one of these collective energy readings. When I write in my moment, whenever that is, then you get the best message for you in your moment, whenever that turns out to be.
When I first rebranded from Modern Oracle to TaoCraft Tarot back in 2018, I blogged about the reasons for the name change. At its core, it was about authenticity. TaoCraft is a transparent, honest expression of what my Tarot work is really all about. It was about bringing the cyberspace aesthetics in alignment with the real me; a little witchy and heavily influenced by Taoist philosophy.
All along, under both names, I tried to follow all the good professional advice about best media and marketing practices.
It didn’t work.
Halloween is said to be the witches new year. Intuitively, autumn feels right for wrapping up some things and starting other things, like a new school year – or a new business attitude.
Owning my own business was never the goal. Don’t get me wrong – I need the money as much as the next person, but I’m not out to build a media company or be ridiculously famous. I’m here to communicate, to teach and above all, to inspire. I’m a Tarot reader, a Tarot writer, artist and intuitive. This is real, sincere and authentic Tarot. It’s not a side hustle. It’s not any kind of hustle. It’s artistry and craftsmanship. It is all about quality over quantity.
August and September were the hustle’s last gasp. Did you hear all of the sawing and air wrench sounds? I’ve tweeked a few things around here , but mostly I’m fully embracing the Adam Savage quote of “follow the process, not the plan.”
No more schedule for posts, podcasts or social media. Creativity happens when it happens. Spirit whispers as it does and energy moves as it moves. My job is to honor that process and that spirit and that energy. My job is to translate and communicate that spirit and energy…not bend it to an announced schedule. Serving authenticity in this way will elevate my experience of this work and in turn elevate the quality of the readings you receive, both public and private.
After three pandemic years of few to no party appearances, I’m closing that part of the business. I’m all about individual readings now, either privately in person, privately by email (still my specialty), or from me to you by way of the blog, pod and social media.
Starting in January all in-person appointments will be on Mondays, because of non-Tarot reasons. If you can’t meet on a Monday, we can work live online through a Zoom call at another time that works for both of us. Both online and in-person are by appointment anyway.
Purchases are all through my ko-fi page now. It is a MUCH easier checkout process, still secured by PayPal. You can check out and submit your question in one super-easy seamless process.
In person sessions can pay cash in exact change at the time of the reading (I don’t carry cash or make change) OR you can pre-pay through the ko-fi shop. When you pre-purchase the in-person session you get an instant download .pdf with general instructions a free sample chapter from one of my upcoming ebooks.
Email Tarot readings are still my specialty. I’m psychic, and I’m a writer. I’m a psychic writer, I suppose. But I’m not a marketer or media maven. I’m not a hustle. I’m not a clinical therapist. I’m not a healer. I’m a muse for your ideas and messenger for your spirit guides to help inspire personal growth and creative problem solving. Forget predicting the future. Claiming your personal power and growing as a human being is what this style of Tarot is about. If you want next-level inspiration, I’m here to help. If you want to predict the future, might I suggest one of those 8-ball toys? To be blunt, this is Tarot for grown-ups and for people who want to grow.
Grown-ups tend to be practical. We work smarter, not harder, so all of the practical advantages of email Tarot are HERE on the website.
In fact, the blog website has pretty much everything about TaoCraft Tarot. It is a treasure trove of Tarot readings, transparency and honesty all intended with kindness. Pardon the little sprinkles of sarcasm every now and then. It’s a package deal. Please feel free to look around. What you see is what you get.
Thanks for reading and listening. I appreciate any questions, comments, likes, follows or shares you can spare.
Sage Sips / TaoCraft Tarot 
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