spirituality – Page 10 – 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!

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.

Choose your card interactive Tarot (26 Feb 24)

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

No appointment needed for recorded video or email private readings – order HERE

The Boogeyman: Calculate your risk. Are your fears truly possible or just imagined?

Lightning in a bottle: Sudden success is never sudden. It builds up over time like a static charge. To catch lightning in a bottle, you have to stand out in a lot of storms

Paimon: What do you control in this situation? Is it time to subjugate or surrender?

Now that you’ve chosen your individual card. Let me take a look at all three together for a collective energy reading for the week ahead.

Although it is in the “fading energy”spot for a pathway reading, Paimon is anything but fading. If anything it is shifting from “go with the flow” to “rise and shine motherf*ckers! It is a week to reclaim power and apply it in as calculated, precise way as possible. “Controlled fury” comes to mind HEAVY on the controlled part.

Now for the parts we can’t control….

Static electricity builds, then zaps. The electrons have to accumulate in one place before the lightning can happen. The charge is building. Persist. Good advice for anyone.

The Boogeyman card reminds me of that Mark Twain quote “I’ve had a lot worries in my life, most of which never happened.” Be in the moment, see things as they are. Don’t build fears up with imagination. If you are brave enough to look under the bed, you’ll see there are no monsters.

Today’s deck is the Alleyman’s Tarot by Seven Dane Asmund of publishinggoblin.com used with permission

Choose Your Card: Week of 19 Feb 24

Distance Tarot is my specialty – Private readings are always open. Order HERE

Two of Wands: Prepare. Plan. Get ready. Change or travel may come soon.

Nine of Wands: Live your enlightenment. Live the hard-won lessons you’ve learned. May them your own before you press on

Hierophant: Know what you don’t know. Don’t guess or feel your way through this time. If you don’t know, get help. Go find the knowledge you don’t have right now.

Looking at all three cards, there is a sense of “on the precipice” but in varying degrees. There is a feeling of something about to happen – soonest for those who chose the two of wands, slightly less soon for those who chose the hierophant, longest for those who chose the nine of wands. For all three cards, moving forward depends on you. Either there is some piece of knowledge or information you need to find in order to move forward well, or there is some bit of preparation you need to do for a good outcome, or it just plain isn’t time to move. Go for quality, not quantity in all three cases.

It’s President’s day here in the U.S. so the fam is home for the day – That’s where my energy is at the moment.

If you have any questions or comments, leave ’em below. I’m happy to answer any questions you have here in the blog. Next time: Learn With Me: BTS

I’ve made minor attempts at this since New Years Day, but this time I’m going to back up and do a proper run at some introductory material and give you a real behind the scenes look at how my particular style of Tarot really works. No nonsense, lots of transparency and plenty of shameless self promotion.

See you at the next sip!

The Way of Zombie Cat

Zombie Cat’s unique way of yes/no Tarot readings. Order your private yes/no with Zombie Cat, no appointment needed

There are lots of ways to do a yes or no reading.

In my experience, the most essential thing is to have a question in mind and keep it mind throughout whatever process you use. It’s the same intention-setting process that Tarot readers use to write a layout. Throwing cards willy-nilly isn’t as helpful as having a clear layout and layout meanings clearly in mind before turning the cards.

For yes/no readings, there are lists of cards that are yes or no, and you do a single card draw for a succinct answer. Some of the lists I’ve seen don’t have much rhyme or reason for the yes or no connotations assigned to each card. I’ve seen some methods that say swords and wands mean no while cups and coins mean yes, which leaves a much shorter list of yes/no associations for the major cards.

Years ago in an intuition development class led by Joy Star, I learned a more complex, interesting and (in my experience) helpful three card method:

Deal the cards into three stacks. Stop dealing to a stack when it gets an ace or 13 cards, whichever comes first.

Three aces means yes

Two aces means maybe, leaning yes

One ace means maybe, leaning no

No aces means no.

Of all the possible yes/no methods, this was my favorite. It’s the only yes/no method I use, but with a couple of minor twists.

Most of the time, once you’ve determined the yes or no, the reading ends there, kind of like one of those Magic 8 ball toys. I add an extra layer of depth to take this reading over and above a simple yes, no, or maybe. I look at the three cards that are showing, whatever the yes/no answer turns out to be. That extra layer of meaning can either help you to support the answer if you are happy with it or give clues on how to change it if you aren’t.

Just like with the five card layout that I wrote in 2003, I want these readings to empower your choices and empower your control over your future through basic cause and effect. I changed the number of aces meaning to align with a three coin toss from Chinese I Ching divination.

The I Ching (Book of Changes) is rooted in Taoist philosophy, and the principle of yin and yang. In the taijitu, the familiar yin-yang symbol, the opposite color dots remind us that anything in its extreme holds the seed of its opposite. In I Ching, three coins are used to determine if any given line is yin, yang, yin “changing” or Yang “changing.” A changing line is one believed to be so strongly yin or strongly yang that it is in the process of changing into its opposite. We can do a “learn with me” later to describe the rest of the I Ching divination process, but the changing line is the only part we need for now.

To bring the changing line concept into Tarot yes/no, I adapted the meanings connected to the number of aces that wind up showing at the end of the three-stack dealing process. If the pattern is akin to a changING line in I Ching, I read it as a changABLE result in the yes/no Tarot layout. A yes-but-changable or no-but-changable answer puts the ball most strongly in your court so to speak. The time and place and energy is extra amenable to you making a real impact on the outcome.

So Zombie Cat does a yes/no Tarot reading this way:

The cards are shuffled holding the question clearly in mind

The cards are dealt into three piles, stopping when there are 13 cards in the stack or an ace appears, whichever comes first.

One ace is a hard no, it may be very difficult to change course

Zero aces is no, but things are easier to change

Two aces is a hard yes, this is the way things are likely to go if you do nothing

Three aces means yes, but can change if you act.

I write these under my Zombie Cat persona, which means the reading takes a more lighthearted, playful tone with plenty of cringe attempts at humor.

Zombie Cat is going to be the member’s special for March. Between now and March 31, 2024 Sage Sip members can get an upgrade to Zombie Cat readings as a substitute for any of the one card Sage Sip readings that are included in the monthly membership.

Non-members can order a zombie cat yes/no readings anytime HERE, no appointment needed. Scroll down through the menu list of readings to find the Zombie Cat layout.

Have a good weekend everyone! See you at the next Sip!

Sage

Zombie Cat doodle – by the author

Cat image from the public domain, modified by the author

You Choose Card of the Week 12 Feb 24

PAUSE the video
PICK your card
RESTART to see the reveal
READ about your card below the video

The Fool: A week full of opportunity and new beginnings
Ace of Pentacles: The more grounded and balanced you can be, the more you efforts pay off
The Devil: Don’t panic. Use calm, common sense to stay on the safe side. Not the time for unnecessary risk

If you picked one of the two major arcana cards, that may hint at a high energy time near by. Both cards have a “shields up” cautioning energy. The Fool may be stressful in a good way. A lot of opportunity and business on your plate is still a lot on your plate, so take care to manage your stress even if the pressure is on because of very good things happening.

The difference between the two majors is The Fool feels an “it might be stressful and busy but worth it” feel. The Devil on the other hand is a “pull back” “be cautious” sort of energy. If you chose this card, take it extra easy this week.

The Ace of Pentacles is an all-good energy. Prosperous, but low-key. Not really any cautions to take it easy. I ‘hear’ “Things unfold but gently.”

When I say ‘hear’ in a reading, that’s shorthand for clairaudient intuition. It means the intuitive message takes the form of words, sound or music. Instead of a mental image, it’s mental words or sounds. I’m not hallucinating, honest. Intuition if often much like imagination with a purpose. Remember your favorite song – that memory gives you a sense of what clairaudient intuition is like.

Thanks for taking a look.

What do you think about this format? Comments are open and I’m on Instagram and Threads every day. (@sagewordstarot for both)

Wednesday I’ll post a collective energy example reading using the new “My Tarot Valentine” layout. I’d really like your feedback about that too. If you like it, it can stand as a regular “love and romance” themed reading. If no one voices and opinion, I’ll make it a seasonal thing. What say you?

Talk to you Wednesday. See you at the next sip!

Learn With Me: Collective Nope

When you listen to spirit or read the universal life energy or whatever words you like to hang on this psychic intuition thing, sometimes you have to take it at its word. Even when that word is nope.

Listening to spirit/energy is the same basic process regardless of whether you are reading for one specific person or for a general, collective audience. Either way, you are basically just translating spirit-speak into people-words that your client can actually ponder and use.

When you are reading for an individual, and something feels off the mark, you can just say that. When you are working with just one person, you can start a conversation that will eventually sort out the right message. Even working by email where the conversation unfolds over time, you can suss things out sooner or later.

Working with a collective audience is a little trickier. When you get the sense that something is wrong that figure-things-out conversation isn’t available to you. Sometimes it’s a wonder if anyone leaves a comment or feedback when you ASK for it.

When you are writing for a wide audience, it takes greater faith in your own instincts than when reading for a single person. No matter what you say, no matter what message you get/give, in a large audience there will always be a subset of people who need the opposite. There will always be some people where your message is batted away with a big old NOPE. No matter what message you give there will be someone who needs to hear the opposite.

And that’s ok.

Psychics and Tarot bloggers can’t be all things to everyone. The only thing we can be is true to our own intuition.

My Tarot Valentine is a good example. Relationship advice through a card by card reading of the Wands suit isn’t a bad idea. No doubt somebody somewhere is interested in that kind of relationship advice.

Luckily, if you need love and soulmate advice, there are LOTS of Tarot readers in the world and somebody is out there giving just the message you need to hear. I have 1000% confidence that the right message will find you.

I am also confident that this isn’t my year to give it.

A larger part of the collective spirit / energy is connecting me to a different message. There are people out there who need other things just now.

I need to bail out of the Valentine’s Day thing at the collective level.

I feel pulled toward the one to one private side.

I’ve written a new love and romance layout inspired by the poetry collection Triquetra: The Dance of Worlds

card 1 – “inner world” – what self love do you need right now?

card 2 – “outer world” – what is your relationship with life as a whole right now?

card 3 – “dance of worlds” – how can you nurture a close relationship?

This new love and romance layout is available to order any time, no appointment needed, if you feel drawn to the love and romance side of February. The “My Tarot Valentine” layout is available at a special reduced price for a limited time. If you are feeling the valentine vibe, let’s look at this one to one.

If you are no feeling the Valentine vibe, hang tight with the blog and we’ll read the cards for other stuff.

Stay tuned for a new “Learn With Me” series coming soon. Until then we will be doing more “meet your reader” “you choose” style posts.

See you at the next sip!

February Updates

image: public domain via wikimedia commons

Ever want you own private tarot reader? click HERE

Hi Everyone!

The main blog and website had its yearly refresh last month, so feel free to browse the pages and blog archives. Use the search bar (right side of the page on PC, scroll down on mobile) to look for specific Tarot cards and topics.

I’m doing this month’s #KofiChallenge for a chance to win a small prize. I’d put it toward the next round of web hosting costs. If you could save or share any posts on the blog or socials that you like I’d appreciate it.

The “challenge” was to update the Sage Words Tarot Ko-Fi page. Here is what’s NEW as of February 6, 2024

TRIPLE the free readings for Sage Sip members. Get free Sage Sip one card readings per month instead of one. This is a permanent change. Other benefits include discounts on larger layouts, early access to upcoming “Big Read” blog posts, and Ask Me Anything DM access. The free readings are on demand, not automatic. Your request helps me to connect to your energy message
Zombie Cat has his own membership tier! The cat is going with his undead strength – 3 card yes/no readings. Get a FREE reading every month included with your $7 membership (regular reading price is $15) Members also get discounts on larger layouts in the “Readings” commissions menu (except physical media pen & ink readings) early access to upcoming “big read” blog posts and ASK ANYTHING DM access. Zombie Cat’s readings are on demand, and require that you request each one individually, too.
New ebook titles coming to the SHOP during 2024. The FREE Portfolio download is still available.
No appointment needed for any email readings. Send your membership reading requests by DM or email. Non-members order anytime in the Reading commissions menu.

The Free Tarot Reading Not-So-Fine Print

ALL of my readings are essentially a customized folk art intended for personal enrichment, encouragement, spiritual contemplation, creative problem solving and a little contemplation for your next cup of coffee. They do not predict the future.
These are highly customized and ephemeral, so no refunds or exchanges are available.
I shouldn’t have to say this but – nothing offered here can diagnose, treat, or prevent any illness and they cannot take the place of medical or mental health care. No medical, pregnancy or legal questions will be accepted. No liability is accepted, use at your own risk – you know the drill.

Next up: behind the scenes “When the Weather Says Nope”

See you at the next sip!