sage sips blog – Page 11 – Sage Sips / TaoCraft Tarot

Page update: Why Distance Tarot?

PRO TIP: scroll the entire readings list! I have lots of layout options to fit any question or any budget! Readings from $5 – $40 total 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.

Want to learn more about my readings including advice on how to find a psychic you can trust? Get the FREE ebook Tarot Portfolio in the Sage Words Tarot ko-fi shop.

Ready for a reading just for you? Order HERE. I’m looking forward to working with you!

Ask Why – part 2

Distance Tarot is my specialty – order anytime, no appointment needed. I don’t celebrate Easter, so readings are OPEN this weekend.

The Allbright by Annalise Jensen from the Alleyman’s Tarot Deck used with permission

Before looking at specific behind-the-scenes topics, last week we started at the very beginning. Why do Tarot at all? What’s the use of it?

I’m biased, of course. I’m a professional Tarot reader which means that I’ve earned money in exchange for my art and expertise. (I would very much like to continue – so please buy my readings!)

All kidding aside, Tarot has a great deal of inherent value. I’ve experienced the benefits of Tarot for myself as a client which is why I continued to practice and study enough to become a professional. Tarot has something to offer everyone regardless of your seat at the table; reader, client or do-it-yourself-er.

Tarot can

Reduce stress and ease difficult emotions
Give insight into specific problems
Encourage personal growth in general
Serve as spiritual expression
Inspire decisions
Break old thought-habits and encourage creative problem solving
Validate your intuition and empower you and your choices
Entertain: humor and playfulness are valuable in their own right, beyond the ability to relieve stress and lift emotions.

Every yang has its yin and vice versa. You’ll notice none of these have anything to do with predicting the future, which brings us to the other half of “why ask why?”

No reason. No need to ask why do a Tarot reading. Not at all.

Here we get back to the foundation benefit of Tarot: Freethought. Tarot empowers your thoughts, your intuition, your power, your choices and your reasons – even when there are none

Ask why.

Question anything a Tarot reader says or does that isn’t clear or comfortable for you. If a reader can’t stand up to a simple “why” then maybe that reader isn’t a good match for you. A good reader will either have a reasonable explanation of the Tarot process or they will have the courage and honesty to say that they don’t know or that there is no particular reason why.

There doesn’t have to be a reason for every single little thing in life, especially where things like aesthetics, intuition or spirituality are concerned. With Tarot, if you enjoy something, there doesn’t have to be a reason why. You can believe what you believe without explaining it to anyone. You don’t have to justify following your intuition. No one is judging you. Get a reading or do a reading for any reason you like or no reason at all.

That is why I always give people the option of asking a specific question, choosing a general topic or just leaving the reading wide open.

If you have a specific ‘why’ you want to get a reading – that’s great! We’ll look at the energy through that lens.

If you don’t have a specific idea in mind – that’s great! We’ll just follow the energy and see where it goes.

Yes, absolutely ask why. Always.

In Tarot, “just because” or “I just want to” or “it’ll be fun” are perfectly good answers.

Next up: Look for some members’ exclusive content over the weekend. Your Choice Tarot is planned for Monday. I’m trying something a little different with the YouTube upload and automatic captions – so let me apologize now for any boneheaded technical mistakes I might make. See you at the next sip!

Gentle Integration

Private readings are open, no appointment needed!

Spiritual growth is not an exercise in mass consumerism.

It isn’t a contest to see who is the most woke, the most pious, the most serene, the most wise, the most anything.

It isn’t a sprint. It isn’t even a marathon. It is about the quality of this present moment. It is about you being happy with you – right here, right now.

The most important lessons in our personal growth and evolution and maturity and autonomy are often learned the hard way. They are often hard-won over significant amounts of time. So it is important not to diminish those lessons by moving on too soon.

The two of pentacles is about balance, but it is the quicker, dynamic equilibrium of a unicycle rider. Temperance is the balance of a glacier, it is the balance of Stonehenge.

Temperance is more than just balance, it is about integration.

Balance can be juggling two different things. Temperance’s type of balance is about integrating those two (or more) things into a stable, foundational new thing. The two of pentacles is a balls in the air, juggling kind of balance. Temperance is a low center of gravity, “weebles wobble but they don’t fall down” kind of balance. To borrow from Frank Herbert’s Dune, Temperance type of balance comes from Usul, the strength of the base of a pillar.

When a hungry person eats, they must then digest. The same is true of insights and epiphanies. The work of finding them is lost if we don’t integrate them.

We must change the big lessons and the big progress from a ball in the air that needs to be balanced into the integrated base of the pillar that imparts balance. This is why integration and transformation are integral parts of the Temperance card’s message of balance.

Live as your new self. Live your new truth. Make the new you an integral part of the old you. Then you can move forward again in certainty and – you guessed it – balance.

Next up: more “My Side of the Table” Tarot behind the scenes

See you at the next sip!

You Choose: Tarot Card of the Week 25 March 24

Sage Sips is Tarot in the time it takes to sip your coffee (or whatever you like to sip this time of day)

Seven of Pentacles: Wait. Give the seeds you planted time to grow. Don’t meddle…if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Just wait.

Seven of Swords: Mischief is afoot. Watch your stuff. Don’t fall for phishing. Be on the lookout for petty bs and swat it down if needed.

Nine of Pentacles: Enjoy what you’ve achieved. As one project wraps up, it’s good to take a minute to appreciate what you and your team have done before moving on to the next big thing.

Card doesn’t fit or feel right? Enter the card or any keyword in the search bar on the right side of the page (or scroll down on mobile) to browse the archives. Your message will find you – all you have to do is look and listen.

Yes, absolutely, ask why

A behind the scenes look at the how – and why – of reading Tarot

Before we get to the WHAT and the HOW of Tarot, let’s start with WHY Tarot.

Why get readings?

Why give readings?

Why do readings for yourself?

Why ask why? (as that old TV commercial said)

As I see it, it all comes down to one thing: freethinking.

Free your mind. Question everything. Ask why and draw your own conclusions. Tarot supports that. Tarot encourages that. Tarot enables that. If a Tarot reader wants you to do what they say without question – run.

image: ffrf.org Please support separation of church and state

Over the years I’ve learned, sometimes the hard way, to trust my intuition. But it is a big ask for you to trust my intuition too. I’m honored whenever anyone trusts me enough to get a reading. I will always treat that trust with the respect and dignity it deserves. That’s why I ask members to request readings each time even though the reading is included in their membership. Consent is an important part of respecting you and the Tarot process. That’s why I won’t read people other than the individual getting the reading. People outside of our conversation have not given consent to be a part of the reading and it is important for us to respect them as well.

The British Psychological Society defines autonomy as “feeling psychologically free and having the ability to control your life.” Psychologist Carl Jung said that “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” That’s another reason why I do Tarot readings the way I do.

No fortune telling.

No predicting the future.

My style of Tarot is all about empowering your choices. It’s about supporting your autonomy. It’s about personal growth and greater understanding. It’s about processing difficult emotions. It’s about breaking free from thought-habits that narrow our experience of life.

That’s why I offer professional readings. That’s why I teach people to read Tarot for themselves. That’s why I use Tarot for myself. This post is a case in point.

On the exact day I was originally planning to publish this post, there was a spate of famous Tarot authors saying exactly these kinds of things on social media. It hit me at a vulnerable moment and I was half a hair away from giving up. If the heavy hitters are suddenly saying the stuff I’ve already been blogging about since 2005 (ish) what’s the use?

I’d been planning this post for months but kept getting interrupted by life, the universe and everything it seemed. So now, why bother? Why should I add my voice to theirs when it seems no one has been listening to us (and maybe still aren’t?)

On the other hand, why shouldn’t I? My voice and intuition is just as valid as theirs (and so is yours, by the way.)

It was literally one of those six of one, half dozen of the other type of decisions. On one hand it would make no difference to the big picture if I trashed the post. On the other hand, adding my voice to theirs might just amplify what genuine Tarot can do.

I did exactly what I would advise a client to do – I drew a card for inspiration.

The Allbright, art by Annalise Jensen for Alleyman’s Tarot by Seven Dane Asmund. Deck used with permission

The Alleyman’s Tarot was close at hand and a quick shuffle and cut revealed the Allbright card from one of the expansion packs, not a typical card in the RWS Tarot card structure. I think it was made especially for this deck.

“The Allbright brings hope and illumination to knowledge of the past and to those undertaking difficult tasks. She is never far from those who are faithful, and those who have the courage to ask for aid.” – Annalise Jensen, artist.

I took that as a nudge toward writing and posting this. It is a little leap of faith to act on ideas like posting would be in service to aka “faithful to” the years I’ve put into Tarot work and to the art of Tarot writ large. It felt like a reassurance that the Zeitgeist energies would let me be heard by someone somewhere despite the many louder voices saying the same thing. I’m acting on the notion that the Allbright is a symbol of wisdom and will shine the light that draws in those that need this particular type of Tarot guidance.

The light shines brightest when we lift it up. The message sounds loudest and reaches the farthest when we all speak.

That’s why.

That’s why I’m posting this and is one example how Tarot can help us move from a silly little coin toss dilemma to greater insight.

Why use Tarot cards and Tarot readings? Not because they give us easy answers, but rather because they point to the right questions. These symbolic cards shine a light on the right path for our walking and working to begin.

Thank you so much for reading Sage Sips today. Next up: You Chose: Tarot Card of the Week. Fingers crossed for an upload tomorrow.

See you at the next sip!

You Choose Tarot: Card of the Week 3-18-24

The Hermit: Balanced light leads the way. Use discernment. Choose your influences and mentors wisely.

Seven of Swords: Short cuts can have long consequences. Make sure your short term gain doesn’t lead to long term pain.

High Priestess: The Cosmos is under no obligation to bend to your level. But if you reach up, it can lift you like a mother picks up her child.

(Cards are interpreted left to right, opposite of a pathway layout)

Hi Everyone!

Been a little off schedule taking care of some unexpected busy times at the day job and with the family schedule, but all in a good way. As always thank you all for your patience and understanding.

The squirrels have been raving hard the past couple of years, so the schedule around here is officially no schedule at all for 2024. I’m going to roll with the rave and see how that goes.

I aim to post M-W-F but no particular time of day. The idea is You Choose card of the week will post on Monday-ish, Learn With Me or some sort of BTS on Wednesday (give or take) and something pithy and potent on Fridays to guide us into the weekend. Not beating myself up if I miss the mark and I’m not promising to post any particular time of day, just grooving with the squirrel rave playlist as it comes up so to speak.

Which allows me to put my Tarot attention where I really want to put it and where it rightfully belongs – on member’s readings and private readings.

Don’t forget, members get up to three one card readings by email included in your membership each calendar month. Until the end of March, you can upgrade your membership readings to a three card yes/no at no additional charge.

I call them “Zombie Cat” readings because they flirt with predictions more than other layouts. Meet Zombie Cat (originally from my Tarotbytes blog in 2015 and inspired by Menage A Tarot podcast created by David S. Dear) is still one of my favorite rants about psychics who claim “100% accurate predictions” and predictions in general. I like using the Zombie Cat persona to tap into the lighthearted and playful side of Tarot. Yes/no readings are a good vehicle for a pure entertainment reading. I chose the yes/no method that I use because while you can stop at the silly, snarky, ‘magic 8 ball’ surface of the thing, it can still serve as a portal to more nuanced and serious insights too. Members: feel free to try one with some silly frivolous question just for fun if you want.

It reminds me of Spongebob’s magic conch shell. (Copyright Nickelodeon and all that jazz, please don’t sue me Viacom Paramount We *heart* Spongebob at my house, especially when my son was small)

Wishing you all a great week. See you at the next sip!

You Choose Card of the Week 3-11-24

Private readings by email or recorded video HERE (no appointment needed)

Three of swords : Trust must be earned, even when you want to give it easily

Eight of wands: Patience and time can work in your favor. Obstacles and challenges may be slowing you down enough to protect you from something you don’t see coming.

Five of pentacles: It’s not a good time for impulse buys. Wait, be sure first.

And there, the energy steps back. I guess we chalk this week up to a pithy and potent kind of card reading.

Next up is finally starting that behind the scenes series either Wednesday or Friday, depending on how much the squirrels rave this week. Either way, have a good week. See you at the next sip!

Deck: Alleyman’s Tarot by Seven Dane Asmund used with permission (publishinggoblin.com)

Squirrel image: unknown / public domain

The Deeper The Authenticity, The Better The Tarot

We are having a blissfully rainy day here in the ‘burgh. The energy this week has been kinda chaotic and funky. Weird even. The energy right now is the reset we need to shake off the funky mojo and get back to the normal squirrel rave of life.

If you are working this weekend – thank you. Stay chill, hang in there until your next time off. If you have this weekend off, stay chill, do what needs done and relax when you can.

I do weird things on the weekend like think about reverse engineering. Reverse engineering Tarot to be exact.

It is an interesting exercise at any skill level of Tarot reading to take an idea, anything, and try to find a Tarot card that best exemplifies that concept. Instead of going from a random card to its keywords, go from a random idea to its key card.

It doesn’t always work. Sometimes it takes a few cards to capture the essence of the idea, but I would guess that is why card layouts were invented. We’ll get back to talking about layouts another day. For today, I’ve been thinking about which one of the 78 cards best communicates the idea of authenticity.

Authenticity is a big, stage of life, personal growth, life-lesson kind of concept so my first instinct is to look toward the major arcana. Of those, my attention is drawn to the World card.

In my opinion, this card are best summed up by not just “the World” but by “Cosmos” and “Gestalt.” Together, it gives the feeling of the biggest of big pictures and everything in it.

Everything in the world includes the masks we wear AND the beauty behind them. Everything, the Gestalt, the cosmos includes truth, lies and everything in between. That includes the authentic self of each and every human being. Whoever you are, whoever you want to be, however you want to be perceived – every facet of your true self – is included, accepted and connected with the grand everything that The World card symbolizes.

Authenticity is a part of that everything.

Every part of you is a part of that everything.

That everything-ness of the World card in particular and of Tarot in general gets behind our social masks. It flows both ways. When you allow a reading to touch the real you and not all the “could” “should” and “will” you get a higher, more potent level of guidance and help.

Should you choose to work with a professional reader instead of taking the DIY approach, the reader’s level of authenticity also enhances the quality of your reading experience.

No two readers are alike. Some are con artists. Some are artist-artists. Some are voices from a higher realm. Some are practical, grounded, roots as deep as a tree. Some are therapists in artists clothing. Most of us are out here doing our thing just trying to make it through life ourselves and hopefully help some folks along the way.

You’ll know the difference when you see it. You’ll know when someone genuinely believes in what they are doing, or at least what they think they can do. The trick is finding someone whose authentic self vibes with your authentic self. Unfortunately there is no way for us readers to know when that is the case. It’s up to you to listen to your inside authentic self.

Thank you so much for reading today. Next up: You Choose interactive reading. See you at the next sip!

You Choose: Card of the week, March 5, 2024

Private readings by email or recorded video: order HERE, no appointment needed

Pick a card from the picture above. Watch the video to see the reveal. Get your reading below.

Magician: This is a card of manifestation and transformation. It is also a card of co-creating, in other words working with the universe to bring your intentions into reality. Often this kind of magickal working is heavy on the WORK. The magician must do their part.

King of Pentacles: Survey your kingdom. Focus on what you have. Don’t spend your energy wanting what you don’t have this week. Once you see what you have on hand, it becomes clearer what you truly want, what you need and how to get what is really missing. Wanting what you have is contentment.

Death: Change is inevitable. Seven Dane Asmund, creator of this Tarot Deck (Alleyman’s Tarot, used with permission) He calls this the “dancing death” of the several versions of the Death card in this deck. Dance with this moment. Embrace it. Fully be a part of it because, for better or for worse, this moment will change momentarily.

It’s Not Time Yet

I have plans. Plans within plans.

One of which is to (hopefully) go see Dune 2 this weekend.

Other than that, you would think I would have learned my lesson about the plan thing by now.

I HAD planned to do the first big, juicy behind the scenes post, but it just isn’t happening.

So for realz this time – no schedules, no plans. Intuition doesn’t flow that way. Once again for about the bazillionth time in this lifetime – Taoism proves its wisdom to me.

Here is our behind-the-scenes for today: If you are going to read the energy, you have to flow with the energy. You have to be in harmony with the nature of it – and in harmony with your own nature.

I’ve never surfed, but I imagine that Tarot is energy surfing – to read the waves, you have to ride the waves, flow with the waves, making millions of tiny adjustments to hold your balance along the way.

That.

Let’s do that and see where the waves take us.

Private readings HERE – no appointment needed.