Tag: Sage Snow

Sit Still

Sage Sip meditation with the Ace of Cups

Private distance readings are my specialty. Email and video readings HERE, no appointment needed.

“If turbid waters are stilled, they will gradually become clear.”

Tao Te Ching, Victor Mair translator

It is hard to see the way forward when emotions are running high. The suit of cups, in addition to close romantic or family relationships, symbolizes emotions in general. Cups are connected to the element of water, so water analogies are common, especially here with the Ace. Ace cards carry the essence of the suit. Today, the energy is more akin to water-emotion energy than its water-intuition connotations. Water can be the depths of our human psyche but also deep emotion.

Churning water stirs up all sorts of dirt and debris from the bottom of a stream. Stormy waters are dark. Raging rapids and a broad ocean is far beyond our ability to still them. Sometimes, as with real storms, we have to metaphorically take shelter until the storm passes, and the waters become quiet.

Still waters run deep it is said. We have more emotional resilience and maturity after the reflex response has passed and we’ve calmed down. When churning water becomes still, all of the dirt, sand and silt can settle out of it. Emotions settle down, debris settles out of water, both become more clear.

Nothing about this energy is suggesting suppressing or artificially quieting emotions, any more than it suggests you could (or should) stop a hurricane. By the same token, it isn’t suggesting that we should let emotions rule and ride the pure impulse of the emotions roughshod over the whole situation, either.

There is a middle way.

Sit still. Feel the feels however painful and difficult they may be. Abide your time. Waves can’t stay high unless energy is added to them.

Don’t feed the upset.

Sit still.

Just as gravity and friction and time will eventually quiet a stirred up cup of water, as long as you don’t keep stirring the cup, emotions can naturally get quiet too.

Hurricanes are an apt analogy too. On the leading edge, winds are high. Things caught up in the storm and pushed by the wind cause damage. Go to shelter. From the quiet eye in the center of the storm you can see what you need to do next.

The song “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House comes to mind with the lyric “trying to catch the deluge in a paper cup.” Let the deluge pass, and your paper cup can be filled in a puddle instead of destroyed by a wave.

Or, in the words from The Crow starring Brandon Lee – “It can’t rain all the time.”

Sit still, abide. It’s hard – but this too will pass. Stillness results in the calm and clarity you are looking to find.

The Star That Guides You

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

The light that you shine is a reflection of the star that guides you.

I’m currently reading The Witches Coin by Christopher Penczak. In it he writes: 

“The way you look at the world is the way the world looks back.” and “how you see the world is how the world sees you.”

This reminds us of the two way flow, the interconnection between our inner intentions and the outer world. Affirmations, actions all conspire to co-create the world we desire. 

Like attracts like. Birds of a feather flock together. 

The Star is traditionally a card of hope and success. Today it feels like a promise. If you look for good, you’ll find it. If you look for connection, you’ll find it because if you make that the lense through which you see your world, that is how the world will see you, attracting like-minded people and like-energy circumstances to you.

Choose well the star that guides you because that is the light by which the world sees you – and the kind of world you will see. 

Sage Sips members get longer, detailed one card readings by email included in the membership along with discounts on larger layouts, special offers and exclusive content. Join HERE.

Anyone can order private Tarot readings by email or video 24/7 no appointment needed HERE.

Choose Your Card: 1 July 24

Focus on a question, or just the week ahead. Choose a card from the video below. Pause if you need more time. Restart to see the reveal.

Private readings are OPEN – no appointment needed

I’d originally intended to continue our series with the major arcana and the High Priestess where we would choose a card, and then connect it to the High Priestess to let it illuminate the chosen card and vice versa.

But staring at the cards before starting the video, it was clear that this is still all about summer season vibes and sure enough, cards are repeating the messages that have come through recently both in general audience readings and in private readings. A theme of “be patient with the pace, but start the journey” is emerging.

You know that adage about a journey of a thousand miles beginning with one step? It’s like that. It doesn’t matter how fast the journey goes as long as you are taking those steps. Now is a great time to take that first step, even if the next one is slower than expected.

Deck: Alleyman’s Tarot by Seven Dane Asmund, used with permission

I’m as curious as you are

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Deck citations: top row Alleyman’s Tarot by Seven Dane Asmund, used with permission. 2nd and 3rd rows Black Cats Tarot by Maria Kurara copyright 2013 all rights reserved, used with permissions granted on llwellynpublishing.com

Tarot readers are as bad as everyone else.

As deeply as we know that the future is fluid, subject to choice, controlled by simple cause and effect and not subject to exact Tarot predictions – we love a good game of magic 8 ball and will instinctively try to peek at the path ahead as much as anyone else.

Back when I used to work as a Tarot reader for parties and events, I would sit and do yes/no readings to amuse myself until the event opened or until guests wandered over to my table. Shuffling and turning the cards would also let people know exactly what was happening at a glance.

In any case, I’d do three card yes/no readings (exactly like the “zombie cat” yes/no readings available for the “summer shamble”) for silly, fun, trivial questions like “will it rain tomorrow” or more importantly (depending on who you talk to) “will the Penguins win the Stanley Cup next season?” or something like that.

The three card yes/no Tarot layout that I use deals three stacks of cards, stopping at thirteen cards or an ace card whichever comes first for that stack. no aces =no, but easily changed; one ace = flat no; two aces = flat yes; Three aces = yes, but easily changed.

For individual private readings, I’ll add any intuitive thoughts the individual card meanings prompt to fill out the total reading, including the usual psychic / intuitive summary paragraph.

The down side to this is that it doesn’t tell you squat for nothing about open ended questions like “who will win tonight’s presidential debate?” You have to break it down into multiple yes or no components to get any sort of insight at all.

In the photo above, the top row of three was the response to “will President Biden win tonight’s (27 June 2024) debate?

The second row is will (the fascist, racist, rapist, convicted felon whose name will never be mentioned) win tonight’s debate

Dealing and shuffling all of this was a little tedious to do much less video, so you are going to have to trust me that after shuffling 7 times each and dealing right to left to each stack these are the end results.

Will President Biden win? – flat yes

The ace of wands hints that the President will express his true self and true character. If he wins the election this would be his last term, he has nothing to lose by making an impassioned, authentic case. The knight of pentacles and ace of pentacles in the artwork used in this deck (a favorite for yes/no layouts) both hint at a journey in progress. Pentacles themselves hint at physical realm success and wealth – perhaps a bump in fundraising but both cards have an energy overall positive outcomes.

Will the fascist, racist, rapist, convicted felon win? – flat no

Interestingly, in spite of re-shuffling the cards seven times and re-dealing the stacks from scratch, both have the ace of wands in the same position. I think it holds the same meaning for both men, that they will show their true colors. How those colors are seen and received will, as always, depend on the lens through which the audience views them. But the Star card is interesting. I think it is directed more toward audience perceptions then evil orangefuhrers debate performance. The Star card is very much a ‘guiding light’ kind of star. Perhaps the debate will have a greater impact on voting decisions than originally thought. Maybe, must maybe, it will dawn on people who haven’t cared before or haven’t followed the news before what, exactly, is going on.

I have too much personal bias to fairly interpret the final card. In my eyes the Hierophant (Pope) card speaks to evangelical support for this candidate and their blind fanaticism for his candidacy, which mirrors their blind, dogmatic following of their religion so they will not be swayed. While not technically a ‘win’ overall or to 2/3 of the nation, his evangelical base will not be lost either.

But take all this with a giant grain of salt. I thought Bernie Sanders was going to win in 2016.

Let’s hope the timeline we land in tonight is a brighter one than we landed in back in November 2016.

Like with Tarot, your choice matters more than any thin attempt at “prediction” – political or personal.

James Carville’s famous quote applies just as much to Tarot and intuition as it does to politics: “…I’d rather not predict, I’d rather affect.”

Same.

I’d rather not predict. I’d rather give you the conceptual tools to make choices that will affect your future, to help you create the future you hope for.

See you at the next sip. Or rather large drink, depending on your political leanings.

Year ahead reading pop-down

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

Too much information? Maybe. But transparency leads to trust.
Public domain image of the RWS six of cups tarot card

Season of the Year readings are are off the menu, but look for them to pop up again around the Fall equinox.

You can order “seasonal” readings by special request at any time. Just contact me to order. Special request layouts are email only, billed by secure PayPal invoice.

  • Seasons of the Year- five cards ($25 members / $30 non-members)
  • Find the Flow – four cards ($20 members / $25 non-members)
  • Zombie Cat (currently available through September 20)
  • Modern Oracle seven cards ($35 members / $40 non-members)

The big 3 layouts are always available to order 24/7 no appointment needed

  • Sage’s Sip one card meditation (free for members / $5 non-members)
  • Eclipse three card life path ($10 members / $15 non-members
  • TaoCraft five card full reading ($25 members / $30 non-members)

Membership: $5 per month includes FREE one card PRIVATE Tarot readings by email (max 3 per calendar month) discounts on larger layouts, special offers and exclusive blog content. Join HERE

Summer’s K.I.S.S.

Happy Summer Solstice and the ten of wands.

KISS as in “keep it simple stupid.” I frequently have to remind myself of that timeless little piece of advice. This summer definitely has a “keep it simple” vibe so far.

Just like pulling weeds from a garden, things grow better when the weeds are out of the way. It’s a clarion call to clarity if you will. Open spaces and clean energy are a path to prosperity.

And apparently also alliteration.

When it’s brutally hot out, when it is summer solstice and maximum yang, that calls us to adapt and respond with maximum yin. Think watermelon at a summer picnic – a very yin food to nourish and comfort on a very yang day.

It feels like a season of relentless simplification and lightening our load. I’m thinking Ten of Wands energy: Put down the unnecessary and get out of your own way.

I’ve been given the advice to reintroduce myself and my work periodically. It’s a chance to welcome new followers and thank The old ones. The change of seasons seems to be the natural time to do that. Summer solstice is in two days, so this is as good of a time as any to say hello for the season.

This long post is everything all in one go. I know I’ve been harping on re-introductions, explanations and promotions a lot lately – but writing it all down has helped me to organize and, you know, simplify. Sometimes writing is as much a process of self-discovery as it is an act of self-expression. Thank you all for your patience with that process. There will be less promotion and more Tarot content moving forward I swear!

Here we go:

Meet Your Reader

I’m Sage and I’ve been reading cards since 1993, professionally since around 2003. I started with online work under my old internet handle “Baihu” on Keen, Advice Trader, and AllExperts. After that I worked independently with my old website modernoracletarot.com and its blog Tarotbytes. In 2018 there was transitional rebranding to TaoCraft Tarot. Since 2023 everything is under the name Sage Words Tarot on the website and socials. My current blogs are Sage Sips and Sage’s Other Words.

Free, Three, One

In addition to the free general audience Tarot readings on the blog and socials, I offer private distance readings in THREE layouts, THREE formats and THREE prices. No appointment is needed for distance readings.

I offer ONE live reading in ONE format at ONE price, by appointment only.

Distance Private Readings – Order HERE

Layouts

  • Sage’s Sip (one card meditation) for general advice, food for thought or a highly focused follow up to a recent larger reading with me – $5
  • Eclipse (three card pathway) shows fading energies, current message, and growing energies. Shows the path you are on – $15
  • TaoCraft (five card full layout) gives your energy path like the eclipse layout but adds pivot point (advice & choices) plus an alternate path cards – $30

Seasonal and Special Request

  • Available by special request or seasonal special offers.
  • Email format only
  • To request one of these when they are off season, please contact me
  • Modern Oracle – (seven cards) the same features as the TaoCraft layout plus additional “helping energies” and “potential challenges” cards – $40
  • Year Ahead (five cards) one theme card for each of the four seasons ahead and an advice card for the year as a whole – $25
  • Time Flow (four cards) designed to help us get organized: Let it rest, let it go, line it up, and let it flow.

Formats

  • Email: Pdf document sent to your email that includes a photo of your real world cards, a detailed explanation of the cards and a psychic summary with crystal energy and intuitive aromatherapy suggestions
  • Private share video: video reading files are too large to attach to an email. Pre-recorded video readings are privately shared with you through my YouTube channel and can only be accessed through the link that I will email ONLY to you.
  • InkMagick: pen and paper handwritten reading sent by USPS available to US residents only. Available in one and three card layouts. Members discounts are not available for InkMagick physical paper readings.

Live readings by phone

  • By appointment only
  • CONTACT ME by email to schedule
  • Schedules in advance – no same day appointments are available
  • Five Card format only – $30
  • Includes follow up email and photo of your real world layout

Membership

  • Sage Sips memberships are through my ko-fi page – join here
  • $5 per month
  • Members receive up to 3 FREE one card Sage’s Sip Tarot readings by email per calendar month, discounts on larger and seasonal layouts, random special offers, DM access and occasional exclusive content.
  • REMINDER: members please request your monthly free readings through ko-fi DM or by contacting me here (link above)

Ask Me Anything

Ask any question through the Ask Me Anything website page and get a FREE answer as a blog post (not a private response) Spam and inappropriate questions are deleted and blocked.

Party and in-person readings are currently closed.

All policies and disclaimers apply to all readings in all formats. You can read the details here, including appointment policies for the live readings.

In short, this is a customized, ephemeral folk art service. No refunds or exchanges are available. These readings are intended for personal enrichment, entertainment, general advice and as a spiritual practice. They do not predict the future. No medical, legal or third party questions please.

Accepted payment: PayPal via ko-fi checkout for distance readings. PayPal invoice for live readings.

Valid email required to participate.

There you have it. Welcome everyone. I appreciate all of you. Thank you so much for reading!

See you at the next sip!

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

The World You See

Private readings are open

I’ve heard different versions of this adage over the years. It’s been said that the greatest sage is like a mirror. I think it was Earnest Holmes, author of Science of Mind who said something on the order of “As a man thinketh so shall it be.”

“As above so below, as within so without” However you say it, the notion that our inner world has some effect on our outer world (or at least our perception of it) has been with us for a long time.

I like to think of this adage as being more about our lens of perception

As someone who is very nearsighted and has been wearing glasses for 50 years now – lenses make a difference.

Things can go from blurry to clear in a second. The world may not literally change when you put glasses on, but the way you interact with it and feel about it certainly does.

A shift in perception and paradigm can do the same.

Lucky in love? Lucky in money? Psychic? Magical? Loving? Loved?

Live a day as if you already are and see how the world shifts.

Choose Your Card 10 June 2024

Private Readings by email / recorded video are OPEN, no appointment needed.

Three of Swords: The first step in healing a broken heart is acknowledging it exists. It’s ok not to be ok. You don’t have to be ok. You only need to be. Moment by moment, day by day it slowly gets better. Dharma Drum Mountain gives the best advice I’ve ever seen for dealing with heartache and problems.

  • Face it
  • Accept it (accept it is real, not that it is right – more on that later)
  • Deal with it
  • Let it go

Nine of Pentacles: It’s a good place. It’s a good day. It’s OK to be OK. You don’t have to be broken. You don’t have to be overjoyed. You might be (or be on the road to being) one of the lucky ones. At the same time, you don’t have to be anyone else’s savior either. You only need to be. The good things around you will take care of the rest.

The Wheel of Fortune: Up or down, we are all riding the same wheel. As the wheel of life turns, your direction up or down depends on which way you look. Shift your perspective and you are suddenly moving toward instead of away from and vice versa.

Even with your choice, this is still a collective energy reading. You get to choose which card was for you, but the card’s message was still drawn from the larger, Zeitgeist, collective energy today.

Choosing to participate at all led you to the three descriptions together. If one of the other interpretations matches you better – that’s OK too!! The process still brought you to a message that resonates with you. That’s what really matters. Keep eyes and ears open and your right message will find you, one way or another.

Want a truly personalized, private, just-for-you reading? Email and recorded video readings are open now – no appointment needed, prices from $5 to $30 total cost, no hidden fees or per minute rates.

Email readings have a picture of your individual real-world card layout. Videos show your cards being drawn. No matter whether I type it or say it – you get the same reading and the same message. It makes no difference to the process if I say it to a mic, type it on a keyboard to tell you live on a phone call. The words are the same regardless of how the words get to you.

Want to give it a try? Order HERE

A Fresh Start is Just That Easy

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

Click HERE to order email or private share video Tarot readings. No appointment needed.

Most of these distance readings usually arrive in your inbox within 24 hours.

Sometimes there are delays if you order nights, weekends or holidays (USA eastern time) You’ll hear from me within 24 hours with an update, regardless of delivery time for the full write-up.

Live phone and online readings are by appointment only and schedule at least a week in advance.

Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Or download the FREE Tarot Portfolio booklet for all the behind the scenes details about my distance Tarot.