Sage Sips blog is Tarot in the time it takes to sip your coffee
I like value. It’s taken a long time, but I’ve learned that more “bang for your buck” is a good thing and that bang isn’t always volume. Sometimes the bang is quality.
Quality is a hard thing to define when it comes to spirituality and entertainment. For someone who resonates with this work it has value akin to art and therapy.
Sage Sips blog is Tarot in the time it takes to sip your coffee
“There is a difference between solitude and loneliness”
Maggie Smith
“There is a difference between solitude and loneliness” – Maggie Smith
The source wasn’t cited, but recently on social media someone posted a meme that said something along the lines of “Loneliness is the price you pay for personal growth.”
Yes and No.
On one hand, it is a very common thing that I’ve seen time and time and time again in Tarot clients – and have experienced myself…
When you heal or grow as a person, old connections often fall away. Sometimes you simply outgrow old friends or family members. Sometimes you all are growing in lovely, healthy, beautiful ways – but in entirely different directions. Whatever the reason, that change can feel very lonely.
Your path to wisdom, autonomy, and emotional maturity is uniquely your own so yes, your spiritual path is one you by definition must walk alone.
But no, it need not be lonely. Not at all.
“There is a difference between solitude and loneliness.” We walk our spiritual paths alone, but it can be a journey of peaceful solitude rather than painful loneliness.
As old friends fall away, we can hold space for new ones to come along. When we are true to ourselves and learn to make peace with our path, we often find ourselves in more company than we expected. “Your vibe calls your tribe” as the saying goes.
If our path is lonely rather than peaceful solitude, it begs the question of who are we lonely for? Are we lonely for other people or are we lonely for a happier version of ourselves? Being at peace with outer life can only begin with accepting and making friends with our inner selves. When the Hermit on the card holds his lantern up to a mirror, what does he see?
The beautiful part of walking a solitary path is that it is still progress. If you don’t like what you see in the Hermit’s mirror, change it. In the words of Alan Watts “You are under no obligation to be the same person you were five minutes ago.”
This kind of change is well within your power to do, but it has risk.
For good or for bad, other people might not like the changes you make. The change, like the Hermit’s lamp, brings the problems to light. Those who never respected you in the beginning, those who take advantage of you or project their issues on to you are probably the only ones falling away. The unhealthy relationships are the first to go. The people who need you to be at your worst are often the first to fade away when you are at your best.
Alone need not be lonely. Sometimes alone is freedom. Time alone often gives your spirit the space to heal. No one can do that for you. The key to transforming loneliness into peaceful solitude is not other people. It’s you, making peace with you.
Loneliness isn’t a call to fill an empty spot with another person. Loneliness is a call to fill the emptiness with the best version yourself.
Choose your card. Pause the video if you need more time to think. Restart for the reveal, then get your Tarot reading below.
High Priestess: Shadowy energies ahead can make clear understanding difficult. Don’t rush to judgement. Understand with heart, mind and spirit before cutting ties or burning bridges. Mysteries abound.
Strength: Life is often a circus. It takes great strength to know when it’s not your circus and not your monkeys and just sit back and enjoy the show. You don’t always have to be the strong man doing all of the heavy lifting.
Alleyman’s Tarot deck used with permission of Seven Dane Asmund and Publishing Goblin LLC
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
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!
It’s 9-9, September 9th. I read somewhere that 99 is a good fortune number in multiple different traditions. In numerology, someone wrote that it combines “inner wisdom and endings.” And naturally where there are endings, there are also beginnings. It would make sense that is why the Death card from the major arcana is actually symbolic of change.
Change is one thing you can count on.
Adaptability is a survival skill. Only dead things don’t change, which is kind of ironic given that the Death card from the major arcana is all about change.
The old you must cease to exist if the new you, your new life, can come into existence. Change is the only way anything can get better. Sure, it might get worse, too. That’s the chance you take with this crazy squirrel rave we call life.
Sometimes change means a heart rending good-bye to something you really, REALLY wanted. Other times, like this one, it means happily, gleefully, joyfully long-distance punting a stupid mistake into the stratosphere.
Sage Words Tarot was a relapse into masking and smoke-screening from the evangelicals and their ilk. No more. I won’t go back.
Returning to TaoCraft Tarot is an incantation, a spell to manifest a universe of safety where we can all be our authentic selves. I am reclaiming my time and my web name. My website is reverting to its original address and the Facebook page is set to change its name to reflect the blog “Sage Sips.” I’ve added a TaoCraft Tarot page back to Facebook too. That one might have a little bonus woo woo content on it.
Q: Will I be at same job and company I have now til I retire? At what age should I retire?
Hi ****
Thank you so much for your question. I hear you. Career and money is such a huge part of our lives. It occupies an enormous chunk of our time and mental bandwidth so I applaud you for giving it this kind of care and attention. Work and retirement are a big part of life as a whole. The happier you are as a whole person, the more present you can be in all the non-work aspects of life too. When work and career are in a good place, then we can turn our best attention to putting or keeping the other parts of life in a good place, too.
Unfortunately, the honest answer to your question is that Tarot can’t give you a fair answer to this at all.
“Will” is always a problematic way to think of things when it comes to psychic and Tarot readings because, as I’ve said a zillion times, Tarot can’t tell you what will happen in life, Tarot helps you figure out what to do when life happens.
It is all up to you. The answers to your questions are already in your hands and always have been.
Will you stay I this company? I dunno.
Are you planning to quit? Are you looking for other work? Have you done anything to get fired? Is there any risk of layoffs? Is the company solvent enough to last until you retire? Tarot can’t predict these things so Tarot can’t tell you if you will be at this job until you retire.
More importantly – do you WANT to stay at this company until you retire? If so, why? What about the job do you want to continue as part of your life? If this particular company or job goes away due to unforeseen circumstances beyond your control, what about this job would you want to replace? What about this job could you replace?
Now dig a little deeper. Why are you asking this question? Are you worried about the job’s stability? If it is unstable, do you need to make a backup plan instead of asking Tarot about it? Do you hate it and want to change? Worried about making enough income to live? How can you best meet this real, deep underlying need? Answer that and the need to know “if” or “will” this job last until retirement goes away and puts the power squarely in your hands. Think about why you want to know if the job will last to retirement, then you know what to DO. You can think about ways to keep the job if you like it and what you need to do to replace it if it goes away.
When you should retire is absolutely positively up to you, your individual situation, and your actual financial resources. Retirement timing is 1000% NOT a question for Tarot. That calls for real-world logic and financial know-how. If you don’t know what you need, then it is important to talk to a financial advisor, or someone knowledgeable about retirement planning. Assess your needs logically and crunch the numbers and get real, expert guidance if you need it. Asking me, an artist, what age you should retire is like asking a plumber about your coronary bypass.
All of that being said, let’s pull a card that should give you one of two things:
Either it will give you a place to start thinking about these work related things, OR it will nudge you to look at something outside of your career that needs your attention. If your career path is unclear right now, that might be a hint from the universe that something else needs your attention first, and getting that something in order might, in turn, make the job and retirement question come into better focus for you.
Your card today is JUSTICE
This is from the major arcana portion of the Tarot deck. Major arcana cards typically carry higher energy, a bigger emotional impact, big life lessons or an important turning point in life. Retirement decisions certainly qualify for that!
The old fashioned way of reading cards connects Justice with literal legal concerns. So be on your guard, get good advice, don’t fall for anything scammy or shady out of fear or concern for retirement. This is not a time to “call Saul” as the television series goes.
Justice also points to wisdom, integrity and balance.
This is another reminder that retirement planning is a ‘use your head’ logic and fact driven decision primarily but also a reminder to keep the big picture in mind. “Work-life balance” comes to mind. Don’t sacrifice quality of life NOW with regards to health, family, relationships, friendships and the like for the sake of some arbitrary point in the future. That isn’t to say go all YOLO and be reckless or selfish now, that is to say to be mindful, appreciative and get the most emotional and spiritual connection out of this present moment as you can while at the same time you make reasonable plans for the future.
In other words, don’t sacrifice current quality of life on the alter of some arbitrary future point. Be adaptable. Keep the big picture in mind, making sure the big picture contains both the present needs and reasonable, logical future planning.
I hope that helps a little bit.
Best Wishes to you!
Would you like a one card private Tarot reading by email similar to this public one for only $5? Order private email readings, no appointment needed HERE. Most readings come to your inbox within 24 hours.
Sage Sips blog is Tarot in the time it takes to sip your coffee.
Use the contact form on the ASK ME ANYTHING page to get a free one card Tarot reading in the form of a blog post. No personally identifying information will be used to answer your question.
Tarot readings cost more than money, even when they are free.
Nothing gets people’s underwear in a bunch quite like money. When you mix that up with America’s tendency toward, let’s say, theocracy – then you can get a radioactive conversation that is probably best left for another day.
Let’s just say this –
Tarot is an art form worthy of compensation the same as any other art form that speaks to our heart or lifts our emotions. Purchasing a Tarot reading is the same as buying a book, a concert ticket, or museum admission.
Tarot readers deserve compensation for their time and skill the same as anyone else. It’s the same as donating to a church or minister for spiritual guidance. Tarot readings can ease stress. I’ve seen it happen time and time and time again. At the end of a reading, a client’s shoulders often lower, their brows become less furrowed, they lean back in their chair or take a deep breath. It is arguably inexpensive folk therapy, just like the fiction trope of buying a drink and talking through a problem with your local bartender.
That’s just the money side of it. There is always the chance of running into a scam with no intention of artistry, creativity or offering help. Sure, there have always been people in the business of Tarot readings who are in it solely for quick and easy big money, ego props and fame. But there are other costs. Other risks, really.
If you get a Tarot reading, you just might get honesty in return.
And that is a HUGE risk if you get a reading with me. I’m simply a translator, not some spiritual voice from on high. I’m not here to tell you what the future holds or what you should do. Oh no, it is something much, much worse.
I translate spirit and energy into words honestly – I give you the mental images, mental words, ideas, concepts, impressions and food for thought as I get them.
Period.
I’m not here to blow smoke at you or make you feel good. I’m here to translate your message. And that is IT.
If the message is one you like, great. If it is what you expect or what you hope for, even better.
If it upsets you or makes you angry – that’s good too. Listen to those emotions. They are telling you something important, too. GET pissed at the reading. That will tell you where the problem is. That will lead you to your answers. Tarot is a living, healing thing. Tarot is often a process and part of a healing journey – not a pretty answer tied in a bow and handed to you on a silver platter.
Tarot is a tool – a tool for healing, growing, learning, and deepening the quality of life. Tools involve work. So does personal growth and problem solving.
Tarot’s qualities are inherent to the practice itself. Tarot’s validity, artistry, insight, wisdom, inspiration, comfort and humanity are all present in a reading, regardless of whether you pay for it with money or not.
The highest price of admission to a Tarot reading is knowing it might be honest with you. The real cost of a reading is understanding that your future is up to you. The real cost of a reading is accepting the risk that the reading will impact your thinking and decision making. The greatest risk of getting a Tarot reading is being told hard truths that you may not want to face.
A Tarot reading gives you insights and ideas. Your reaction to it is your own. The choices you make and the actions you take are in your hands alone.
Tarot isn’t about telling you what will happen in life. Tarot helps you figure out what to do when life happens.
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.
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.
Sage Sips / TaoCraft Tarot 
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