The artist this week is Mabel Allington Royds. Royds is painter and printmaker. She began creating color woodcuts using the traditional Japanese ukiyo-e printmaking process. However, instead of a three-person collaboration on a print (artist, artisan, printer), she learned from Frank M. Fletcher how to do all three stages independently. Royds innovated the technique further by applying pigment to the woodcuts by paintbrush rather than using a roller. And instead of using more expensive cherrywood blocks she bought six-penny pastry boards from Woolworth’s. And as her technique evolved, in this multi-block process, she began omitting the key board (often the first step in the printing process that establishes and prints the outlines of the piece). This allowed for the colors to merge in a more painterly fashion. She preferred to produce prints as people wanted them, adding even more variation and uniqueness to each print.
The pondering for the week: If you outline every aspect of your life are you missing the possibilities of spontaneous or experimental creation? So practice coloring without lines.
Solar System Highlights
There is a solar eclipse on April 30th in Taurus. Things can slow down around this time lucky it’s on the weekend. The Moon starts this week in Pisces – daydreaming is easy but maybe not so great if you have a lot of work to get done. Then it moves into Aries on the 27th – great time to power through the work week and make up for lost time at the beginning. Then on Friday it moves into Taurus – great for family, gardening and getting out into nature. Mercury is in Taurus until the weekend, so it moves from getting to the root of conversation and grounding relationships through dialogue to a freer flowing conversation. Mars is in Pisces with Venus. So, these two are working with each other again. Mars by having you work with your intuition to create movement, and Venus wanting us to create more beauty and harmony in our environment and relationships. Jupiter is in Pisces until May 10th; this aspect is dreamy and holds opportunity and luck. And lastly, Saturn remains in Aquarius for all of 2022 – so innovating and upping your game is the focus again for another year.
P.S. Signs with an * it is a big week for you. Taurus this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year. And Scorpio it is your halfway mark for your birth year, so if you need a Planetary Reading for a check-in, now is the time.
May light be on you, around you, and within you,
Nina
Aries
King of Coins – The Muse of Domain is advising you this week to metaphorical walk your perimeters and survey your land. This week to create more ease you need to have a better understanding of what you have built so far and what your needs are to build going forward. Do you need more space, better equipment, help? And start working on checking off those action steps.
Taurus
Ace of Coins – Your second Muse to work with for the coming year is the Muse of Material Plane Beginnings. Whether that is a new house, space, or project. This year you are supported in creating new things on the material plane. Think money, space, resources, and time. Take this week to write lists of what you want to physically grow this year.
Gemini
Ten of Cups – Happiness is all around you this week. It is up to you to tap into it and enjoy those moments. These can be big causes for celebration like finishing a project or a gathering of friends and family. Or it can be in those little moments of watching flowers grow from your porch, sitting and having a beverage with a friend or having the time to finally take a nap. Enjoy these moments of bliss they don’t come often or as easily.
Cancerian
Six of Coins – The Muse of Mini Karma sits on your porch this week. This muse reminds you that acts of kindness not only improve the world but also improve your mood. But she also states to be aware that negativity spreads and rebounds just as easily.
Leo
Four of Cups– The Muse of Saturation has come to warn that you are internalizing thoughts, actions, and emotions. You have saturated yourself with too much news, tv, overthinking, comfort eating, etc… Being overwhelmed has led you to state of vibrating numbness. Time to get out of your bed, head, belly button, or emotions and go do something. Preferably something that involves nature, kittens/puppies, or small children.
Virgo
Eight of Swords – Circumstances this week trigger you to feel bound or stagnate. The Muse of Bondage has come with the keys to free you. The issue is you are holding onto the locks of thought or work patterns. Time to let go of old patterns put there by others and take your power back.
Libra
Queen of Swords – You are going to need your mind sharp this week, for the Muse of Details has arrived. This energy comes when you need to magnify the small stuff. It is important to deal with the specifics, for if that is sorted the larger picture falls into place more easily. If by chance this week you are dealing with contracts, the law, or signing deals make sure you read the fine print. It is not that it is essential bad, but it can be a place to negotiate aspects in your favor.
Scorpio
Queen of Cups – The Muse of Fun is here to liven up the party. She is nudging you go out have fun, laugh, and partake in the world. Sometimes you water signs soak in too much emotionality of others, so this week is about letting go of some steam. So, find a batting cage, break-room, dance floor, swimming hole or sweat lodge and transmute those hotheaded negative emotions of others into something more enjoyable.
Sagittarius
*Judgment – This week has an evolutionary vibe to it. You may be asked life changing questions, make decision that change your trajectory, or be challenged to evolve to the next level. Remember you have a choice to stay where you are at or move on. But no matter which choice you make this Muse advises the answer should liberate you in some way.
Capricorn
Two of Wands – The Muse of Future Casting calls for you to gaze out the window and imagine new plans and outcomes. This week carve out some time to plan your garden, next project, or go big your life’s hope and dreams. This Muse asks: What’s next?
Aquarius
Three of Coins – Last week you needed personal insight. This week is all about asking for advice and help from others. The Muse of Collaboration comes when getting other people’s help or opinions is vital in creating more ease in your work and life. You don’t need to know everything or do everything. At the very least, use those second set of eyes and ears to check your work.
Pisces
Two of Coins – The Muse of Equilibrium comes for two reasons. One you need to focus on one thing at a time this week. And something is off kilter that needs to be re-balanced. This could be work and play, work and sleep, nutrition, or literally your balance sucks. So, maintain a tight focus and practice standing on one foot.
Two of Coins – To finish out your themes for this birthday year, the Muse of Equilibrium joins the ranks. Your energies so far are around simplifying, letting go of thought patterns that no longer work for you, syncing with your natural flow/pace, and you seeing a profit in all that you do. So now this Muse comes in reminding you that though this is a work positive year, you still need to balance it out with playtime. All work and no play make Jack or Jill bored.
Eight of Coins – Your first Muse to work with for the coming year is the Muse of Skill. This year is about honing the skillset you already have. She reminds you that scheduled time to practice is key to up your game. So, take this month to examine your skills and then plan a way to take them from a 9 to a 10 or 11.
Page of Wands – The Muse of Inspiration is downloading ideas to you this week. However, this is not a time to start on these projects. Take notes as they come and then let them marinate in your creative juices. On a side note this muse does suggest you play with your wardrobe so that it shows more of your quirkier side.
Eight of Cups – The Muse of Simplification advises to slow down and streamline your life. It is a great time to clean out your closet, drawers, and heart with things and aspirations that no longer fit you or the lifestyle that you want. These actions create space to move into the next stage of your life.
King of Wands – The Muse of Superpowers is reminding you that you are a creative, intuitive, superhero. So, her exercise for you is to list your top four superpowers and then do something with them this week. Time to save and/or brighten the world, one metaphorical (or literally if you so desire) kitten at a time.
Nine of Coins – The Muse of Self Reliance has come to remind you that you are kicking booty, and by the weekend a little celebration is needed. She advises working solo this week or only asking people that are reliable to come into your sphere. Everyone else is just a distraction.
Queen of Coins – The Muse of Luxury is coaxing you to spend some of your hard-earned cash on you. She asks why you are working so hard if you are not enjoying some of the benefits? This week’s motto: quality over quantity in all that you do and all that you spend your time and money on.
Seven of Cups – The Muse of Illusions and Dreams is visiting you this week. Her purpose is twofold. One she asks you to daydream this week for the Universe is needing a clear picture of what you want to come into your life. But this energy also forewarns you will have a variety of choices being presented, and some of them are not realistic. Stay grounded and choose wisely.
Page of Coins – The Muse of Study comes when you will need to be in a learner mind-frame. She asks what skill do you need to add to your repertoire to up your game? How can you expand your knowledge and use your brain in a new way? Find a mentor, take a class, read a book outside of your regular genre, or play a game that works your brain.
*Magician – The Muse of Experimentation is here with her whole chemistry kit. This energy shows up to create, to play, to research, but also to tap into the celestial and pull something into reality. Whether that is an idea, a painting, a piece of writing or a project, the key is to materialize it and then experiment with it until you touch the divine.
High Priestess – Insight is key to navigating this week. Luckily the Muse of Intuition is here to set out Easter eggs, white rabbits, and synchronicities for you to follow. This energy often comes when the future seems hidden or obscured. Keep your mind and eyes open this week for the breadcrumbs and you will find your answers.
*Devil – This week brings you trials and tribulations, like gnats buzzing around you. This energy often comes to test your moral resolve, or do you walk your talk. Hence, the Muse of Shadows is here to help you navigate the dark side. She reminds you that you have gone through way worse and now is the time to show the world your best and more learned side. Your reminder in Yoda’s voice: “Anger, fear, aggression, the Dark Side of The Force are they. Easily they flow. Quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny.” 
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