Sage Sips is Tarot for your day in the time it takes to sip your coffee. Today’s sip: Page of Pentacles
It’s probably that Dan Harris book – or maybe a response to the national news over the past week or so – but stress management is stepping forward as a good idea of everyone.
Buddhist (in the philosophy, not the religious ritual sense) impermanence and detachment step forward.
In other words, this too will pass, so don’t get too wound up in thinking or worrying about it.
Pentacles are Earth, grounding, practicality. Pages are learning, maturing, graduating to the next level. It isn’t always easy, and it isn’t second nature to everyone to wait, watch, and learn before you act, but the wisdom of it is present in a whole list of adages and platitudes:
Keep your powder dry.
Hold your fire until you see the whites of their eyes.
Revenge is a dish best served cold.
Stay frosty.
Good things come to those who wait.
“Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen… Keep in the sunlight … He that can have patience can have what he will.”
Benjamin Franklin
Today the page reminds us to wait, watch, learn, then we can act and elevate our response to something extra beneficial.
With all the news lately, it seems important to look at things from more than one angle.
I’ve been talking about that since 2010 when I originally wrote “Parallax” the blog post. It literally, physiologically takes two eyes for us to see with depth. The same idea applies to your third eye: other points of view add depth.
It seems like everybody and their uncle is reading RWS on social media these days. I wanted to see what the general energies look like from the point of view of my Lenormand deck. If you would like to Learn a little more about this deck, please visit the “Learn with Me: Lenormand” series
Today’s cards are the book and the fish. The book has one of those relative position kind of meanings so common in Lenormand layouts. From experimenting with the deck for the Learn With Me series, I really got the most from the two card draws. It can draw in the relative position thing that is so crucial to the very large Tableaux readings, without being too fussy, overwhelming or contradictory the way very large layouts can be. In this case the book symbolizes secrets, and when it is on the left like this, it hints that the secret is out. In other words, a key thing is out in the open and a known entity.
The fish typically has to do with material wealth but today I get a stronger intuitive sense of prosperity writ large – all good things, not just money.
Together the cards give a sense of reassurance. We know what we need to know to make it work. Everything will work out OK.
Knowledge is key anytime money or any physical realm thing comes into play. Facts, logic – all of that is your friend when it comes to practical matters. But if logic and knowledge driven decisions are backed up with intuitive feeling as validation, that makes it easier. Much easier.
Knowledge backed up by intuition yields confidence.
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“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.
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.
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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
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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.
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 areSage 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.
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.
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)
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