Tag: TaoCraft tarot

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!