Hello, Good-bye and Hello again

Special welcome back to TaoCraft Tarot offer.

The tiny little sliver of my brain that tries to understand business and marketing and convince people to get their Tarot readings with me thinks that the name changes and re-branding and re-re-branding is…what’s that technical term? Bonkers. It’s bonkers.

Tarot is not a normal business and the best I can do is let you know I do affordable readings, email is my specialty, and I have very affordable prices. Especially for the no appointment needed email readings that are the best thing I do.

It’s true.

The more comfortable a psychic is as they work, the better psychic reading you get. When we are in a comfy happy place we can put all of our bandwidth on the reading and not have to worry about other details, like uncomfortable social silences while we listen to intuition / spirit, for example.

I don’t know what possessed me to make the switch to Sage Words Tarot except as a smoke screen to soften my political rhetoric (Christian nationalism is dangerous, vote for Harris/Walz on November 5) and maybe protect our privacy from said Christian evangelical white nationalists.

Vote as is your life and our democracy depends on it, because it does. That’s fact, not Tarot, not intuition.

Long story short – welcome back to TaoCraft.

One more change before we can settle in and get to some serious coffee sipping:

I’m retiring the old “Modern Oracle ” five card layout and replacing it with the five card “TaoCraft Path” It’s similar, at the same price, but as a welcome home to TaoCraft for you and hearty sendoff into retirement for this workhorse of a layout – the old layout is available for only $10 for the next 10 days

Halloween 2024, like Halloween 2018, is the grand re-opening of our cozy little reading room.

Follow the blog for an extra special 24 hour welcome home on the 31st.

See you at the next sip!


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

Back Up and Start Over

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

You can do anything you want.

Sure, there are consequences to our decisions, but you can choose anything if you are willing to deal with the fallout.

Unless you are a physician, health care professional, public safety first responder, military commander or one of some very special people, we typically don’t make irrevocable life and death decisions in our daily life.

Some decisions change us forever. The old version of ourselves is forever changed; Birth, death, marriage and more

The simple passage of time changes everything. Every moment is new. Every moment is forever gone after its brief spark of existence.

And there are some decisions that just don’t matter all that much. Wear one shirt today, wear the other tomorrow. Have whatever for lunch, have the other thing tomorrow. The ability to adapt and change – including changing your mind about things – is an essential skill. Adaptability is a survival skill.

In the big picture of things, the name of a side-business is a trivial thing.

You all know me, my work. I want it to reach new people and thrive. Sage Words just isn’t getting the traction I’d hoped and honestly, I just like the name TaoCraft better.

I made a bad choice, so now I’m rolling it back. Sure, it isn’t the best idea from a marketing or business standpoint, but that isn’t why I do Tarot. I read because I enjoy it, I’m good at it, it’s fun to do something you’re good at doing. If Tarot is some measure of comfort or entertainment for other people – double bonus!

And yes, I want the money. I’m earning it honestly through the writing skill, high level of professionalism and Tarot reading experience that I bring to your readings. Plus, I like being able to buy food and stuff, so getting paid for my time and work comes in mighty darn handy. Especially when it’s that web hosting bill time of year.

As the frosting on top, I just plain like the TaoCraft Tarot name better. It makes me happy. I don’t care that it sounds odd, or that I have to spell it for people all of the time. Taoism and witchcraft have brought joy to me over the years. It’s not cultural appropriation to honor that, as this name is intended to do.

I’m rambling on and on about names again because over the next few weeks I’m reclaiming my favorite one.

The writing name and blog name is staying though. I like those.

Just wanted to let you know to expect a gradual un-rebranding over the next several weeks. If you want a reading, and a link is broken or you can’t find what you want, please don’t hesitate to email directly to TaoCraftTarot@gmail.com OR to SageWordsTarot@gmail.com (both will work for a long time moving forward)

It’s still me, it’s still all the same quality, the same policies, the same coffee-loving blog metaphor.

And Zombie Cat yes/no readings are still on the main reading menu until 9-21-24

See you at the next re-re-branded sip!

Q&A: Work & Retirement

Visit the “Ask Me Anything” page to get a free Tarot answer as a blog post like this one

Related posts:

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.

The Hidden Costs of Tarot Readings

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.

Thanks for reading!


Would you like a detailed PRIVATE Tarot reading by email? Order HERE any time 24/7 no appointment needed. Most readings arrive to your inbox within 24, with some delays if you order nights, weekends or holidays (USA Eastern Time, UTC -5)

Weekend Oracle: The Ring

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

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.

Summer’s Zombie

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.

Choose Your Card: Two paths, same mountain.

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

Sage Sips free Tarot blog and social media is supported through private readings, memberships and virtual coffee on ko-fi. Thanks for reading!

Queen of Pentacles: Walk your talk. Show who you are through what you do. Make your actions your love language. LIVE what you have learned before moving on to new lessons. Integrate the emotional and spiritual into your physical realm existence. Not a week to walk around living inside your own head.

High Priestess: Think first. This is not a week to phone it in. Listen to your heart. Use your head. Understand deeply. Act thoughtfully. Know why you are doing what you are doing. Choose well the spiritual engine that motivates you actions.

Although both paths are different, both can lead to a place of balance and compassion. Both are good, so choose your path fearlessly!

Turn Stuck Upside Down

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

Order Private Tarot readings by email, no appointment needed, $5 and up

This blog and its social media is NOT monetized. Please support these free public Tarot readings through your private Tarot reading purchases or buy me a virtual coffee. Sage Sip members get free private email readings on request, discounts and more.

Ask Me Anything Q&A: Sing

M**** asks:

Should I become a singer? Would people listen to my music?

Hi M___

Thank you so much for your question.

Before we start, I want to let you know that I personally know nothing about music. Everything in this reading is 100% pure intuition. So if I say anything that feels prickly, or makes you feel defensive, or feels just wrong from a musician’s point of view, please pay attention to that. Those feelings are telling and can guide you as much as what the cards say.

I do have several semi-pro musicians & amateur singers in my family. Knowing how important music and performing can be to a person, I could never tell you NOT to sing. But that is the real crux of all of this. Do you want to sing, or do you want to be a singer?

But that being said, let’s look at the second part of your question first, then we can draw cards and get to the real root of this message for you.

Would people listen to my music? – I don’t know. No one knows. Tarot and psychics do not predict the future, or read people’s minds. If I knew what people were going to like and do, I wouldn’t be on social media trying to showcase my readings and entice people to buy them.

It’s like the “choose your card” post that included the “Lightning in a Bottle” card from the Alleyman’s Tarot deck: “If you want to catch lightning in a bottle you have to stand out in a lot of rainstorms.”

The only way to know if people will listen to you is to sing. Even if you find out the hard thing the hard way, you’ll know. If people listen, you’ll know it was the right choice. If they don’t, you’ll know if being a singer is worth trying and trying and trying again until they do – or not. Is singing worth it if nobody listens but you? Is the music and singing your passion? Is singing its own reward? Or is the people listening to you the real reward and it doesn’t matter if you get their attention through singing, or dancing, or acting, or writing, or some other form of artistic expression?

The first part of your question, “should I become a singer” is perfect for for a “zombie cat yes/no” layout. I explain how those are done in the post from back in February “The Way of Zombie Cat

Your three cards were: Ace of Wands, 8 of Swords, and The Lovers

One ace among three cards is a NO.

If that answer disappoints you, then that is your real answer.

If you were hoping for a ‘yes’ then let’s keep reading with the other cards and see how to change the ‘no’ into a ‘yes.’

Are you willing to be a singer even if no one listens?

Let’s look at this card by card.

Ace cards are the essence of the suit. Wands have to do with your relationship with yourself, your inner world of philosophy and spirit. Wands are associated with the element fire symbolizing passions. This is the ‘yes’ energy of the reading, even if it is outnumbered by the other card energies.

My hunch this means that the ‘no’ is more of ‘not right now’ than a flat ‘never.’

Something inside needs to change before being a singer is the right thing to do. You need to know how important it is to you. You need to understand the reasons why you want to be a singer and decide if it is worth it, even if it is hard, even if it doesn’t work out the way you want it to work out. Does your fire burn bright enough to endure if endurance is needed?

Eight of Swords: something is holding you back. It’s like that old saying “if you have to ask you can’t afford it.” If you have to ask if you should become a singer, then something is holding you back. What is causing your uncertainty?

By the same token, never wait for perfection. If you wait for the perfect time, the right time will never come. Waiting for the right time can be smart, but it can also be a prison. If you want to be a singer, why not? If no one listens, so what? The experience will always be a part of your story. In the long run what will you regret more – trying and failing or never trying and never knowing if you could do it?

Whatever the mental trap is, this card also means it is escapable. Whatever problems can be solved, but you have to think outside the box. Creative problem solving is key.

The Lovers is a major arcana card, and as such can carry two messages sometimes. That is the case here.

The Lover’s isn’t about romantic relationships as much as people like to think. It is about deep desire for anything, regardless of what that may be. When it comes to being a singer, think about what it is you really want. Is your heart’s desire to be involved with music? Or is performance? Or is it communication? Or self-expression? What is it you really want from being a singer. Focus on that – and the path to and through singer-hood will be easier to find.

The second message this card carries is a nod to the popular reputation that the Lovers card has. It is just a reminder to think about how being a singer will fit into the big picture of your life. What effect will being a singer have on your family relationships, your work relationships, friendships, and yes, any romance that may be in your life.

So, will anyone listen to your music. There is no way to know except to perform or have your music performed and see.

Should you be a singer? If you are asking the question, the answer is probably no. BUT after you look inside, after you become clear about your motivations and desires and true goals, then you’ll know the answer for yourself, no tarot cards required.

That’s when the answer could easily turn into a YES. One you know in your heart if you should be a singer, then nothing can stop you from finding your path.

Good Luck!


Would you like a question answered for free in the blog, possibly with a full free Tarot reading like this one? Click the “ask me anything” tab in the menu at the top of the page. Take a chance. All “Ask Me Anything” questions are answered for free with a blog post.

If you would like a private yes/no reading like this, you can order it HERE. Zombie Cat will be on the order page until the autumn equinox for $15 ($10 for members) After that, they return to ‘special request only’ status.

drawing of a white zombie cat holding a tarot card.