Hello from the omnibus

Just checking in – how are you all doing?

I feel like there are a thousand other things I should be doing, but if you can’t follow your instincts in a Tarot blog, where can you? There is no reason for this post other than to say hello and hopefully reconnect with the whole blog and newsletter thing. It’s been a weird winter for me and this newsletter hasn’t gotten the energy and attention it deserves. That whole “Sage Words Tarot” thing was a huge detour. TaoCraft is home and I’m back. I hope to hear from you moving forward. 2025 is still young and my website has an easy to use contact form for any questions or comments that you might have. That includes questions for a free Tarot reading of some sort in the public blog. It’s a fair trade, I think. You get a free sample-size reading and I get writing inspiration. Deal?

In the meantime…

There has been a weird, strange, surreal energy during the holidays right through until now that reminded me of 2020. Don’t get me wrong – I’m NOT predicting a pandemic an you should listen to science about all of the bird flu, flu-A, RSV and measles worries out there. Not to mention the slow moving juggernaut of an utter political catastrophe unfolding in America right now. Compound that with some epic personal stress, and the time since Thanksgiving has been, well – unproductive. High levels of BLAH mixed with high anxieties is the best way I can describe the feel of it.

Stepping out from the psychological fog leftover from this winter, I wanted to say hello and tell you how thankful I am to have you all as readers and Tarot clients. It is so very appreciated!

On the outside chance there is anyone new here, I’ll add a little to the hello so you can know who is behind this whole Sage Sips Substack.

Hello! My name is Sage, I read Tarot, write things and knit stuff.

Sage is a pen name to try to provide privacy for both of us. It is inspired the double meaning the word sage has in English. It can be a plant with remarkable aromatherapy properties; comforting, negativity clearing, uplifting and empowering. It also means wise advice or a person who is wise. I believe Tarot is all about exactly those things. Tarot can lead us to wise advice at the same time as it calms anxieties, inspires us, and empowers us. It’s always an honor to be part of that process for someone. But like I always say…

Tarot isn’t about predicting what will happen in life. Tarot helps you figure out what to do when life happens.

What I do –

Tarot readings by email (and phone by special arrangement – contact me for details and scheduling)

What I don’t do –

Predict the future.

How I do it –

Transparently, conveniently and privately. All of my policies are TaoCraftTarot.com for the world to see.

All of my prices are for the total reading – not per minute. Your reading gets all of my attention, however long it -no clock watching – which is one of the many advantages of working by email. There are no time constraints or appointment needed for email. No hidden fees. No spam.

If you want a reading, you have to let me know. I don’t have the time or energy to contact anyone individually and offer readings. If you get that, it ain’t me. Did I mention, no spam is tolerated here or on the website, incoming OR outgoing?

Email readings are super convenient

You can purchase an email reading from my ko-fi page, no appointment needed. There are several different layouts to choose from, which let’s YOU choose the layout (and price) that fits your question (and budget) the best. I use ko-fi because the check out is PayPal secured and lets you send me your topic or question for the reading all in one easy transaction…no more delays while I ask for your question / permission for an open reading.

Email readings are perfect for busy schedules –

You don’t have to set aside travel time – the reading comes to you. You don’t use one drop of expensive gasoline.

In addition to being super convenient, email readings are extra private. No one sees you going to a psychic. You open and read your email in a time and place that is right for you.

Phone readings work by contacting me. We will set up an appointment time. Then I’ll send you a secure PayPal invoice and you call the phone number provided at your appointment time. All the details about appointments are on the policy page.

What a reading looks like:

All of my readings follow the same basic format. It starts with a photo of your real world layout. Then there is a “general pattern” section where we talk about the layout as a whole. That’s followed by a card-by-card discussion. Then it all wraps up in a “psychic summary” that includes any other impressions. It might relate to the cards, or it might be pure intuition. This part often includes aromatherapy and crystal recommendations but this final summary is very attuned to your personal message and there is no guarantee what it will or won’t include.

Relationship readings:

I do lots of those, but mine are probably different from what you’ve had before.

My readings focus totally on you. I follow the same professional ethics as holistic health providers. I don’t read other people’s energies without their permission. That means relationship readings won’t predict who you will marry or if you’ll get back together with your ex or if your crush loves you back. Relationship readings are for any kind of relationship and simply give advice to help you give your best in your part in the relationship.

Wealth and money readings:

Wealth and money readings tend to focus on your career and what you can DO to find your best path forward in your career or in any part of the physical realm. I’m not a career counselor, or a financial advisor – and did I mention that Tarot can’t predict the future?

Medical, pregnancy and legal questions:

Nope.

I won’t answer those. Tarot is terrible with those kinds of questions. I’m not wasting my time or your money on a question that is best left to other professionals. We should spend our time on the things Tarot that does very well: Easing troubled emotions, finding inspiration, creative problem solving, stress reduction, diversion and entertainment.

Sage Sips is the name of my blog and Substack. I love coffee. I love pithy Tarot advice. Sage Sips is Tarot in the time it takes to sip your coffee.

TaoCraft Tarot is the name of my website and the book I plan to write about how to read Tarot. It is a reflection of the philosophy behind my 30 years of Tarot and intuition development.

And that is pretty much it in one big omnibus nutshell.

Your turn!

Feel free to say hi in the comments or in the contact form.

I’m also on Bluesky if you want to say hi there. It’s the one social platform where I’ll actually talk to people instead of just like and repost.

Thank for reading! See you at the next sip!

My Tarot Valentine eBook

My Tarot ebooks are available in the Sage Sips / TaoCraft Tarot shop. Private readings are open, no appointment needed

Click HERE to purchase and download My Tarot Valentine


Email Tarot readings are my specialty. With 30 years of Tarot experience to each layout, I give you the exact same information as in a face to face reading. As a writer, I can give these readings vivid depth and detail. Excellent for book lovers or anyone wanting privacy and no appointment needed convenience.

Order private email readings here.

NEW! Automatic Discounts for Members!

Don’t forget!

As a member you never pay for one card Tarot readings by email. All you have do is DM me on ko-fi or email TaoCraftTarot@gmail.com to request your reading. Please don’t use the readings/commissions menu to order your one card readings, or it will charge. Non-member price is $5 per one card reading.

BUT as a member you ALSO get a discount on all larger readings. 

NEW: the discount applies to video and pen and ink readings too

ALSO NEW: A 30% discount is automatically applied to all readings for members! No code, no separate listing…just order and POOF members get 30% off of their order.

Sage Sip Members receive:

  • Free one card Tarot readings by email available upon request
  • 30% automatic discounts on all larger layouts available on the commissions / readings listing
  • Random other special offers
  • Exclusive content on the members-only blog on ko-fi.

Click HERE to join!

Special Offer for Members Only, 11 Jan 25

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

Sage Sips membership on ko-fi ($5 / month) includes:

  • Free 1-card “Sage’s Sip” Tarot readings by email up to three per calendar month
  • exclusive content on the ko-fi version of Sage Sips blog
  • random special offers
  • discounts on larger layouts in the readings commissions menu

Join HERE

Welcome Back 2025 (part 1)

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

Private readings by email are open to order 24/7, no appointment needed. Most arrive to your inbox within 24 hours of order confirmation. Get yours HERE.

Some years have a recycled, ‘lather, rinse, repeat’ feel about them just like 2021 & 2022 energy felt like a continuation of 2020. 2025 is not one of those kinds of years.

The advantage to reading for multiple other people, or a daily meditation practice for yourself is seeing larger patterns emerge over a period of time and across multiple readings. It is like a meta-reading that unfolds over the course of weeks instead of minutes.

One pattern I saw during the holiday into new year season was a message of progression through challenges and upheaval toward a “happy ending.” Almost all of the readings in the past few weeks have had a feeling of something good on the other side of whatever sh-tstorm comes our way in 2025. Intuitively, the energy came through as “happy endings,” the Avril Lavigne song “happy endings” and a sense of “2026.” In short, hang on, better things are on the other side.

Of course, things getting better means change. Change includes loss and grieving. Change includes letting go of bad things to make room for the good. Change includes the arrival of happy things, too.

2025 seems to be a year of change, and my goal for this year is to flow with that change as best as I can.

After all, that’s the Taoist approach. Time and time and time again, that philosophy has brought me enormous comfort in the most stressful times. I honor that. It’s right there in the name of this website, and hopefully, through the title of a book I hope to write: TaoCraft Tarot.

That’s the first change for 2025. This will be the first full year of TaoCraft 2.0, so to speak. “Sage Words Tarot” was heading toward all of the inauthentic ‘comply in advance’ fearfulness that led to adopting the TaoCraft name in place of “Modern Oracle” in the first darn place back in 2018.

Letting all the “Sage Words Tarot” stuff expire will save a little time and expense on my part, which in turn will help me keep prices steady for you.

The second change is that I’ll be focusing on email and pre-recorded video readings. If I’m honest with myself, that is the kind of reading that I do best. I write much more powerfully than I speak, and I speak with more impact when I can back up and edit. The end result is a superior quality reading for you, and a much more comfortable reading process for me. Steady prices, better process, best quality; it’s a win-win-win all around.

All of that being said, time flies when life is a squirrel rave.

They say re-introducing yourself and your services is a good idea, especially when you have a social media presence. Never did get all of the posts written that I wanted to do for a Fall refresh and re-introduction. Lesson learned. This is a once, at most twice per year thing.

This time around, I’ll condense it all into one post.

“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough”

Albert Einstein

2025 might be a whole new thing, but welcome back to TaoCraft Tarot.

Please subscribe to Sage Sips tarot blog here on TaoCraftTarot.com so you don’t miss any new posts. (Use the subscribe bar in the right column on laptop/PC, scroll WAAYYY down for mobile users) Buttons to all the usual socials are on the home page.

You can also follow Sage Sips tarot content on Ko-fi and Substack (yes, I know, Substack – all the posts are free this time around)

Ko-fi members get free one card tarot readings by email, exclusive content on the ko-fi blog, special offers and discounts on larger tarot reading layouts.

#kofigoalchallenge

No Reason Not To

New Years Private email Tarot readings are OPEN all week, no appointment needed.

“Good advice is always certain to be ignored, but that’s no reason not to give it”

Agatha Christie (probably my spirit guides too)

New Years readings (Seasons layout, look at the year ahead – $30) are OPEN all week, no appointment needed. Order yours HERE

Email and the holidays

Tarot open for the holidays, no appointment needed.

Add “open during the holidays” to the list of advantages

Why email Tarot?

  • As good as (probably better) than in person sessions: 100% of my intuition is focused on your message without distractions.
  • Convenient: order anytime, no appointment needed. Most readings arrive within 24 hours of receiving your order.
  • Private: engage with your Tarot message in a timely and place that is right for you
  • Comfortable: get your reading with all the comforts of home. No travel, no appointment, no stress
  • Great for first time readings: get an easy sip of Tarot to see if it is right for you
  • Affordable: no physical location means lower costs – I pass the savings on to you.
  • Best for book lovers: email Tarot is a reader’s reading.

Why Email Tarot?

It’s my specialty: My email readings are equally as good & probably better than live sessions. For me, typing or handwriting the reading is a relaxed mindset closer to channeling or automatic writing. I can fully engage with the intuition and energy without having to reserve bandwidth for spoken language or social interaction. The intuition is more intense and flowing on my end, giving you a richer, more expressive reading experience. At minimum, any distance format will give you the SAME reading as you would in person – but at a fraction of the cost.

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 on your behalf. Spirit energy is universal, it’s everywhere all at the same time, physical distance 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.


Free for you now: The archives are free to explore with the search bar on the right of this page (scroll down on mobile) There are years of general audience / collective energy Tarot readings to browse. Those might hold the answer you need. At the very least it will give you a sense if we are a good match to work together on a larger, personalized reading. “Ask Me Anything” using the contact form on the AMA page. That gets a FREE Tarot inspired answer in the blog, no promises about when it will post. It is a public post, but all identifying information is removed to protect your privacy as best as we can.

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!

The Layouts Explained

Tarot behind the scenes. Private readings are OPEN throughout the holiday season.

Order Private Tarot HERE

When we talk about the “layout” or “card spread” in Tarot, it literally means how the cards are placed on the table during a reading. The photo above shows a three card layout.

Anything beyond that becomes arbitrary, symbolic and part of the internal intuitive process of doing a reading. In this three card example, the cards could mean past, present and future. It could be read left to right or right to left. It could be a yes-or-no layout (a “no” in this case) Owl and Bones on Instagram once posted a layout where three cards like this could be read as “embrace, face, erase.” The possibilities are endless.

With layouts, the most important thing is the position meanings.

For the layout and reading to be helpful, it is important to have a clear, set idea about what each card position means. If we think of the cards in the picture as a past-present-future reading, before you even shuffle, know for sure which card will mean which thing. Are you reading right to left or left to right? Is the high priestess being read as past or future? Know before you go as they say.

You can write a layout to have as many cards with whatever card position meanings that you like. It is all perfectly fine, as long as you decide before you begin. That decision is a key thing that helps the right message and meaning to come through your reading.

Here are the layouts that I’ve written that I use for my private Tarot readings:

Seasons

  • five cards
  • layout intended to give advice about how to best navigate the energy environment for the upcoming year
  • four cards for each upcoming season, read left to right in calendar order beginning from the current season when the reading is ordered
  • One card above the others to summarize the year as a whole

TaoCraft Path

  • Five cards
  • intended for understanding the current situation and guidance navigating the near-future path at hand
  • read right to left: the past’s influence, the current energies, the best way to move forward, the ‘greater path’ (the direction things are headed, the most accessible path forward) and the lesser path (a path forward that is open to choose, but holds more challenges)

Yes / No

  • Three cards
  • elaborate shuffling and dealing method to reach the final three cards
  • uses all three showing cards to determine a simple yes or no answer
  • each of the three cards is then used to give a message relative to the question that was asked

Sage Sip

  • One card
  • general guidance, daily meditation, or focused follow-up to a larger reading
  • Ancient and ubiquitous, no one knows the origins of the one card layout.

Sage Sip members on ko-fi get free one card readings by email (at your request only) up to 3 per calendar month, discounts on the larger layouts, exclusive content and special offers. JOIN HERE.

Image credits: all photos by the author using public domain Waite Smith cards except “seasons” layout image, also photo by the author using Witches Tarot deck by Ellen Dugan and Mark Evans copyright 1996 used with permission Llewellyn publishing

Holiday Hours: Elfcon 2024 is cancelled

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

Due to a situation beyond my control (don’t ask) Elf-con is cancelled this year. This is going to be the lowest energy, lowest expectation holiday season I’ve ever experienced. Like Chinese take-out on Christmas day levels of non-celebration.

SO…

I have oodles of time to do readings. I’ll be open for readings throughout the holiday season.

Are you at Elfcon 1? Ready to take a moment for yourself? Ready to take a deep breath, relax and spend a few minutes with something that was created 100% just for you?

Order a reading HERE

Layouts and Prices updated

Affordable, convenient, cozy and kind: Email readings are my specialty and most arrive to your inbox within 24 hours. No appointment needed for email readings.

effective now:

  • “Seasons”: 5 cards to look at the energy year ahead – $30
  • TaoCraft Path“: 5 cards to guide decisions, open advice – $30
  • “Zombie Cat” Yes-or-No: 3 cards for a short, focused answer $15
  • Sage Sip One Card Meditation: specific clarity or open guidance – $5
  • Email Sage Sip readings are FREE for Sage Sip ko-fi members

  • Spoken word, pre-recorded reading
  • See your unique, real-world cards being drawn
  • private share video
  • Seven Cards – $40

  • Experience the ancient magick of real ink and paper
  • Includes hand drawn sigil representing your reading’s intent
  • Available to US Residents only
  • postage and handling included
  • 4 card TaoCraft Path $30
  • 1 card Sage Sip $6

Private In-person or live phone/online readings

  • by advance appointment only, limited availabilitycontact me to schedule
  • Phone: 5 cards – $30
  • In-person: 7 card – $40
  • Pre-pay with PayPal invoice
  • Live readings average 30-45 minutes but please allow up to 1 hour if needed
  • in-person: we meet in a quiet public place. I don’t keep a physical office and pass the savings on to you.

All Tarot readings are customized ephemeral folk art intended for entertainment, enrichment and spiritual expression. These advice style readings do not predict the future. No medical, legal, or third person questions

All policies apply.