Sage Sips is Tarot for your day in the time it takes to sip your coffee
The Empress is the queen of nature, so when this card comes along take a minute to water your houseplants, look out the window, Google a waterfall – something nature related. There have been some studies hint that looking at pictures of natural scenes can have real world impacts lowering blood pressure and decreasing perceived psychological stress. (That’s where Tarot can help, by the way. It can help decrease psychological perceived stress. I’ve seen it happen.)
There is another aspect of touching grass. There is another nature that is important today. YOUR nature. The person you innately, naturally, easily already ARE – not who you want to be or who you think you SHOULD be. Be kind to the person you are right now. Do something that you enjoy right now, not because you should or because other people value it. Touch base with yourself. If yourself likes touching grass, do that. I your true self like a good book inside someplace with robust air conditioning – do that. Allow yourself a nap. Whatever harmless little thing that makes your strange little heart happy in the right here right now. It’s a you do you kind of day. Unabashedly. Be you with all the authority and confidence of an Empress.
Sage Sips is Tarot for your day in the time it takes to sip your coffee
“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin”
William Shakespeare
Yes, by all means, go touch grass this weekend. Or any time.
I forget the source, but somebody somewhere did a small study of the effects of looking at photos of natural settings on real time blood pressure. Just looking at nature in a photo will bring blood pressure down.
Imagine what a small barefoot walk in the grass can do.
I don’t know if anyone has gone full science on it, or followed up the long term effects of engaging with nature on one level or another, even a photographic one.
It seems to me that one touch of nature is a good thing for humans, both psychologically and physiologically. We are wired that way.
It also seems to me that human nature is part of the nature that Shakespeare mentions, even though I doubt he meant it that way as he lived and wrote centuries before the advent of modern psychology. The Taoists were down with the whole idea centuries before Shakespeare.
Feeling connected is a basic human need, for everyone everywhere, throughout time. This weekend touch grass. If not the literally, touch something that is part of your own nature to enjoy. Enjoy some small part of the environment you are in, including urban ones. When you enjoy any little anything, you are connected to not only that thing, but all of your fellow humans that enjoy that thing too.
An ice cream cone, a barefoot walk in the backyard, a bike ride, jog in the park, a little phone scroll, a cup of coffee and a good book, play your favorite song just a little bit louder than usual; whatever it is in your nature to enjoy, touch that. As long as it harms no one, do what you will to paraphrase a saying. Touch your happiness, and you can connect with the energy of all the others who have found a similar joy.
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Sage Sips is Tarot in the time it takes to sip your coffee. This longer read is a real world example of my new Taijitu Tarot layout.
This is a real life email Taijitu Tarot Reading that the client generously gave permission for me to share with you. This shows how the new layout works and what an email private reading with me is really like. You can order your own private reading anytime, 24/7, no appointment needed. Most of the time I can get the reading back to your email within 24 hours or so.
For added privacy, email readings have a photo or your individual real-world cards instead of a YouTube video. Videos are just for blog readings.
Q: Thanks for doing a reading for me. No problem. You can use the reading as an example on your website. I’ve seen you do these before and trust you to black out all the right stuff.
So much is going on I don’t even know where to start. Could you do an open reading?
A: Thanks ****** I appreciate it. I hope the reading helps you the most, but I also hope it helps other people who might stumble across it.
General Patterns
This layout reminds me a little bit of those lenormand “Action Decreases Anxiety” readings I was telling you about. We can do one of those for you someday if you want. The energy here is very straightforward and to the point the way those two-card Lenormand readings tend to be.
But I hear you about a lot going on. Two major arcana cards in one small three card layout is saying something.
I ‘hear’ (meaning the intuition comes as words, sounds or music instead of the usual mental images) “Liminal” while I get the impression of some sort of hallway. This high energy time is a transitional one from some phase or cycle or another. I hear “big moves” and “afoot” like when Sherlock Holmes says ‘the game is afoot” So you are right to think something is up, it’s just a matter of figuring out what, and and then figuring out what is the best thing to do about it.
Hallways are symbolic of transition and portal-like liminal spaces, so the hallway image makes sense. There is a sense of reassurance that even if there is chaos now, there is something waiting on the other side. It’s hard now, yes, but something is waiting on the other side. There is no guarantee that the other end of the hallway is euphoric dreamland – but by the same token there is a feeling of reassurance that it is all going to be OK sooner or later.
These cards are not at all tied to time, but are all about energy flow. It takes as long as it takes, but you’ll feel it when things shift. You’ll know when the energy changes. It’s not a past-present-future thing at all. It’s all about shift and flow. Here I see river rapids and a kayak, all rocks and white water and turbulence and noise, but ending in a wide, quiet, shallow, calm, sunny area with wide grassy banks.
I get the image of being caught in a rainstorm. It’s hard to say exactly how long any given rain will last, but you can often have a good sense whether it is a quick storm or settling in for a long, dreary day. The hallway is all shades of blue too, for whatever that is worth. If there is any crystal connection here, it feels like a reference to lapis lazuli which has a connection to intuition and the third eye. It might help support your own good intuition and help you navigate the next period of time, at the end of the hallway, whatever that turns out to be.
Yin: Judgement
Yin is energy you are drawing in toward you, which can be a very good thing. Yin is as powerful as yang, but in a different way. A strong magnet can pick up a car. This card can represent what you are manifesting, but can also point out weak spots that you can change for the better to help attract and manifest for the highest good..
Of the three cards, this one is really grabbing my attention. This feels like where majority of the energy is flowing for you right now.
The Judgement card is a two edged sword and it feels like you are getting both edges.
On one hand, there is jugdement in the sense judgementalism It feels like you have been misunderstood and misjudged harshly and unfairly to some extent, although you may have perceived this misjudgements as larger or harsher than it was intended at times. On this side of things you may come face to face with the idea of reputation. How much do you care about what other people think of you, and whose opinion really matters to you? By the same token, whose opinion is meaningless and irrelevant to you? Why should you care what distant acquaintances think of you?
The other side of the Judgement card is one of second chances. The phrase “to hell and back” comes to mind. I’m not sure where that comes from or exactly what it means in this context, but there it is. I’m also reminded of an old TV where one of the characters literally goes to hell and comes back. That character got a second chance in a big way and turns out to be the hero of the plotline.
I am also reminded of an internet meme that “religion is for people who want to stay out of hell. Spirituality is for people who have already been there.”
So for you…it’s a little both. You may be forced to come face to face with whether or not you care about what people think about you, and what you do when you are judged incorrectly or unfairly. But on the other hand, beyond this current turbulence you get a second chance at life in a larger sense. That doesn’t necessarily mean rekindling the relationship with ***** as much as part of you might wish for that. It means that you are going to be ok and have a second chance at inner peace whatever outer form that may or may not take.
Yang: Knight of Swords
Sometimes this card can represent something you need to push away, or release, to literally ‘blow off’ as the phrase goes. In your case I think this is something to embrace, lean into, and pump up the volume. In face I ‘hear’ the song “pump up the volume” by MARRS. Cool video, you might like it. I think it’s on YouTube.
Now the phrase “fake it until you make it” comes through – but not in the sense you might think. It’s not telling you to be fake – its saying to use both sides of the mind-body connection to your benefit. Just as reducing stress can improve physical health, physical environment can impact mental health.
This isn’t to say you have to an hour of cardio every day. This energy feels more like a recommendation to DO the things you know bring you joy. Double especially for those inexpensive, abundant “simple pleasures”. Have a favorite meal for no reason. Feng Shui the heck out of your living space. Light that jar candle that you enjoy, and get another if you need it. That sort of thing.
I’m also reminded of one of those inspirational saying things from somewhere “Don’t think yourself into a new way of doing, do yourself into a new way of thinking.” BE the change you want to see in the world. Imagine what life would be like if you already had a quality or condition that you want, and live that as if it were true for a day. Just a day. Try a mindset on for size, so to speak. Mat Auryn described it in Psychic Witch as if you want to be a powerful psychic, live for a day as if you already were. What’s different from the things you do now? If you like the feel of it, why not make the changes long term or permanent?
People see you as more confident and daring than you may feel. Be the badass you want to see in this world.
Harmony: Empress
I always know things are on the right track when I ‘hear’ the song “Bamako” by Youssou N’Dour which is the case here.
Rocks and trees and flowers and bees kind of nature is all well and good. In fact here I get the mental image of a wide, slow moving river with rocky banks. If you can get yourself into that natural environment, it can only be a good thing. Next best is forest, under shady, cool trees (here I see a local park with trees and a gazebo by a small creek.)
But the other kind of ‘nature’ is stepping forward more strongly for you. As in be true to your nature.
The way to move forward toward inner peace is to be authentic. You may have given away too much of yourself in service of others, to the extent there is nothing left for others to connect to. Moving forward with authenticity is the best path to that promised second chance. It is a way to call back the energy you have over-expended in order for it to enrich the connections you still have and to (re) build future connections.
Easier said than done, but simple and clear does not mean easy.
This is the point where the energy is short and to the point, like that Lenormand thing I mentioned earlier.
Summary
This is the part where I listen to pure intuition. The images might connect to the cards, or it might not. This is a chance for any other important messages to come through, especially in an open reading where there is no specific topic or question to guide the conversation.
Here I get blue lace agate to help calm stress and restore peace of mind.
I also get sage to release negativity BUT later changing to something sweet woody or resin-ish like sandalwood, amber, or copal as your confidence returns.
A flash of a teapot, which is sort of my universal symbol for hello from a grandmother or other crossed over loved one who was close to you.
Now I get the scent of pipe tobacco and a wood shop, which reminds me of my grandfather. That may be a cosmic hello too from someone who identified male when they were on earth.
Tea comes to mind. I don’t know if that is a literal ‘drink green tea’ thing or encouragement to find the Zen things in life that you enjoy, Zen in the spirit of mindfulness like a Japanese Tea Ceremony.
And there the energies step back.
I hope that helps in some way. As always, if you have any questions feel free to contact me here or DM on ko-fi. I have ko-fi DM set to open for all levels of supporters.
Thanks for watching! Likes, subs and shares are always appreciated. Private readings, memberships, and virtual coffee all help support the Sage Sips blog.
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 Empress reminds us to attune with nature. Find a way to enjoy the weather that is, not the weather you wish it to be. When is the weather is your favorite kind, enjoy it all the more. Email readings are OPEN and support this channel, the blog, and the podcast.
The moon has a dark side. That doesn’t make it any less beautiful.
It life as a human, just as it is life as a planet in a solar system. Not all is light. Not all is dark. Both are one. Even when the moon looks full to us, half of it faces away from the sun and is in shadow. Every day on earth has its night. And ever person has their shadow side too.
It takes a certain courage to acknowledge the dark side of the moon, the dark side of ourselves, and understand they are one. The shadow exists as certainly as the light. It is how you think about it, how you embrace the both-ness of our existence that matters.
Denying our shadow side, or striving to be “only the light” isn’t natural. Light and dark, yin and yang is our nature. Or to paraphrase the movie The Craft, Magick is both cruel and kind because nature is both. And such is human nature.
Some of the best of our nature is to fully acknowledge and accept our shadow side but still manage to shine.
The moon has a dark side, but that doesn’t make it any less beautiful. The whole of you is beautiful too. Go. Shine. You got this.
Welcome to TaoCraft Short Sip Tarot. I’m glad you are here. Take a sip of your favorite beverage and rest for a moment while we contemplate today’s Tarot card
Every Short Sip blog post has a video of the real world card draw for the day at the top. Cutting the deck before a Tarot reading is sort of traditional, so most days I’ll shuffle the deck three times then cut it randomly to get the card for these posts. Why three times? No reason. I’m just partial to 3 probably because of the School House Rock “Three is a Magic Number” back in the day. I don’t show the shuffle because YouTube shorts and Instagram reels are only a few seconds long. Plus shuffling off camera lets me film one handed which saves a ton of set up time. If you want polished professional media, I can’t help. If you want raw unedited real-world Tarot, then you are in the right place.
Today’s card is the Wheel of Fortune.
The Wheel card has two threads of meaning. It can point to the cycles of life, the normal ebbs and flows like the tide. Or it can speak to the utter randomness life can have, like the game show or the trial scene from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. The two can connect, as paradoxical as that seems.
This card … and sometimes the Tower card …. can point to perspective as an answer to a dilemma. What seems like a random bolt from the blue can start to make sense if you look at it with a larger perspective and as a piece of bigger puzzle.
Or in this case, the seemingly random things might be part of a much larger cycle. It’s akin to comets. They used to be seen as random harbingers of doom. But now we understand that they are ice chunks that are sometimes one time fly-bys, and sometimes have such large orbits that their cycles near the sun were beyond human notice.
Some things are just random. Cycles and patterns, when we can find them, are comforting. Maybe that is why our brains are hard wired to find them. Those tendencies are a part of us, so why not use them if it can help us learn, grow and cope? What patterns and cycles have you been seeing? If a seemingly random problem has crossed your path, maybe it would help solve it if you widen your perspective and look to larger, longer cycles in life.
Thank you so much for reading, listening and watching today. The “buy me a coffee” virtual tip jar, Tarot Table memberships on ko-fi and a portion of private readings purchased through this website all support the creation of this free-for-everyone Tarot content. I appreciate any support you can spare including likes, subs, and shares.
See you at the next sip!
Comments are open: Ask me anything! All (reasonable, non-spam) questions will be answered in the blog & podcast. Let me know what kind of Tarot/intuition/psychic behind-the-scenes/Reiki content you’d like to see, and we’ll create something for you.
TaoCraft Short Sip Tarot is an idea to ponder and guidance for your day in the time it takes to sip from your morning coffee
Thanks for watching, reading and listening to TaoCraft Short Sip Tarot where you get an idea to ponder and guidance for your day in the time it takes to sip from your morning coffee. Or Tea. Or whatever beverage starts your day.
Today’s card is Strength from the major arcana portion of the deck.
This card is vulnerable to cheer leading. It is easy for it to slip in platitudes about be strong, hang in there, find ways to be strong for others, and so on. It also goes with connotations of honesty, integrity and strength of character.
Not today.
Today the Strength card is a reminder that you are already strong. You got this.
No one is perfect. No one is perfectly imperfect. We all have strengths and weaknesses. We are all heros and cowards in one way or another, to one extent or another.
The classic Tao Te Ching is often translated as Integrity and the Way. The integrity part points to the same strength of character as today’s card. Take as a whole, the Tao Te Ching talks about being the best person you can be and living in harmony with the nature of things while you do. One spin on all of that is self improvement through being your most genuine self. Whenit talks about living in harmony with nature, it doesn’t totally mean the rocks and trees and flowers and leaves kind of nature. The idea of it includes working with your nature too. Use your naturally good parts to adapt the less fantastic parts. Self-improvement doesn’t have to be a war with yourself. It is a celebration of the good parts so loud that it drowns out the bad.
Thank you again for listening. All the follows, subscribes, likes and shares that you can spare is always appreciated. Your support through the virtual coffee mug and Reading Room membership support the production of the blog, podcast and card draw videos.
I’m taking my own advice. If you are listening to this on the podcast, your are in the right place. Clarivoyant Confessional is now TaoCraft Short Sip Tarot. The Confessional Episodes are still available and more will come as the inspiration arises. The majority of the content is changing to Tarot readings because that is my strong suit. Your questions are still very welcomed. Blog comments are open, as is the voice messaging on the podcast’s anchor.fm page.
Today’s Tarot: The Empress. Get some fresh air, or at least refresh the feed on a webcam
The Empress is a major arcana card, and in many ways the feminine counterpart to the Emperor card as you might expect. Minor arcana king cards are protective, outward, proactive leadership and queens are nurturing, care taking leadership. The Emperor and Empress are the same, but with the energy turned up to 11. They are the power couple of the major arcana.
Like many, if not most cards, there are multiple threads of meaning and energy. In addition to nurturing leadership and a sometimes association with growth and fertility, the Empress broadly represents nature. Nature in this case also has multiple connotations. It can talk about the literal, physical natural environment; the plants and birds and rocks and things we can directly experience. Nature includes the inner world, as in nature vs. nurture or being true to your nature.
When a card has multiple threads of meaning, I stop, listen for a minute and see if one thread seems to draw attention more than the others. Today, the part that catches my attention is the simplest and most pleasant: nature-nature. The rocks and trees one.
I vaguely remember a study about natural images. I don’t remember the source or details enough to even try and search for it. I have the impression it was a small study at a college (Emory springs to mind, though I have no logical justification for why) In any case, I can speak to study size or methodology, but the result was the same as the Empress’ advice. Humans benefit by interacting with nature. Naturally (ha!) actually being outside is best. Even a walk down the street or a few minutes on the porch is something. If that isn’t available, the study, if memory serves, suggested that substitute interactions can have a stress reduction benefit, even something as simple as looking at pictures of nature on a computer.
The advice from today’s card is just exactly that. In a world of social distancing and self quarantines, enjoy nature (six feet away from any other humans) or at least find small natural indulgences. A brief touch is better than none: water a houseplant, step out on a porch or fire escape, go to a park, find a live webcam of a zoo or aquarium (or a live volcano – why not?)
Sage Sips / TaoCraft Tarot 
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