Category Archives: Tarotcast

Weekly Tarotcast

Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of Nov 27, 2022

November 27, 2022 Nina

Thanks all for your well wishes. I am still on the mend, so your tarotcast is a bit short, kind of a one liner as advice, mantra, or intention setter.

So, we continue with forgotten woman of the Bauhaus movement. The artist this week is Marianne Brandt. I think we often forget that every manufactured thing around us went through a design process. Function is a large part of design, but it is also, when done well, based on visual aesthetics and contains a lens/theory/perspective on how we live our life. We see this easily in the automobiles that attract us. For some it’s a sports car, others trucks, luxury cars or for the more quirky, VW bug or Thing. But do you see it with the lamp on your desk?

Many of you have had a lamp that has had the form above. This form was designed by Brandt in 1928. She was one of only two women in the Bauhaus metal workshop. Besides design she was a painter, sculptor, photographer, and metalsmith. Brandt took what is essential in a lamp – to illuminate. Then design a desk lamp simple in form but more efficient in its illumination and construction. The hood is long to protect the glare of the bulb. The pin attaches the hood to the arm so it can pivot and direct the light, and the wedge base provides ergonomic access to the on/off switch.

Brandt’s work exemplifies the key principles of Bauhaus design: rationalism, functionalism, formalism, and design for manufacture. Her industrial design is one of the most seminal works to come out of the Bauhaus movement, but it is the male painters’ names, like Klee and Kandinsky, that the public is familiar with. Her work in industrial design only spanned 6 years, 1928 to 1933, but some aspect of her model has resonated on all our desks for nearly 100 years.

Your pondering for the week: Consider the art of design on the manufactured items in your life. Do they exemplify a part of you?

Solar Systems Highlights

The Moon starts the week in Aquarius, time to innovate. On Tuesday it moves into Pisces, dream big but stay grounded. On Thursday the moon moves into Aries making the rest of the week and weekend all about action. Mercury (communication and knowledge) is in Sagittarius where conversation should lead to exploration of yourself, your journey and communication styles. Venus (beauty and harmony) is also in Sagittarius wanting you to step out into the world and discover its beauty.

Mars (action) is in Gemini (communication and knowledge), until March 25^th, 2023. This is a 7-month stopover instead of it’s usually 1-2. Mars is pushing us to truthfully, talk our walk. The challenge with this time is your politeness filter has been switched off. So, it is having us double down on how to be constructive with our voice – to promote action not reaction. Jupiter is in Pisces wanting us to dream big and explore what makes us zing for another 3 weeks. And lastly, Saturn (structures) remains in Aquarius until the beginning of March 2023 – so innovating and modernizing your everyday life is its intention.

P.S. Signs with an * it is a big week for you. Sagittarius this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year. And Gemini 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

Page of Swords – Aspects call for greater investigation, as you have only scratched the surface. “I explore.”

Taurus

Page of Wands – “I am investigating deeper into my purpose as I venture forth into the coming weeks.”

Gemini

Ace of Cups – “Love gives me hope. I shine it brightly into the world illuminating new possibilities available to me.”

Cancerian

*Sun – “This is a time of plenty. My growth is assured as long as I share this abundance with others.”

Leo

Five of Coins – What you seek will be found but in a different form than expected. “I can’t always get what I want but I get what I need.”

Virgo

Knight of Cups – “I see the best in myself shine in the best of others.”

Libra

Marianne Brandt Help Out The Liberated Woman

Queen of Coins – “I am practical, grounded, trustworthy and resourceful in all that I do this week.”

Scorpio

Eight of Cups – “I walk away from obligations and emotional illusions that hold me back from my highest potential.”

Sagittarius

*Moon – Situations are not necessarily a whole reflection of the truth, for opportunities are lying in the shadows awaiting the perfect moment in the cycle to be illuminated. “I am waiting for the right wave.”

Capricorn

*Fool – “I know that a spiritual approach rarely appears logical and sometimes impractical, but I can trust the unknown will be illuminated and enlightening with each step of faith.”

Aquarius

Queen of Swords – “By taking the time to explain the details and my intention, my conversations will give clarity to my purpose.”

Pisces

*High Priestess – “I trust that I have access to my higher wisdom at any time.”

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of Nov 13, 2022

November 13, 2022 Nina

The rest of November the focus will be on the forgotten women of the Bauhaus Movement. Bauhaus was an art movement that was an exploration and ideology of equalizing fine art and applies arts. It focused on experimentation and problem solving, reconceptualizing the artistic process analogous to research science. Where function and form could cohabitate. Bauhaus was the forebear of many modern art movements and modern design.

Your artist for this week is Anni Albers. Albers’ worked in textiles, printmaking, and design. In 1949 Albers became the first textile artist to exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art. When we view her work now, we can see how her aesthetic has paved the way for modern design in the field of today’s textiles. Remember before this movement US and European textiles design was based on flora, fauna or landscapes, and the weave was flat, only two dimensional. Albers and others changed that.

Theorist and designer R Buckminster Fuller stated this about Anni Albers, “more than any other weaver, (she) has succeeded in exciting mass realization of the complex structures of fabric.” Her theory behind her work in her own words was that “the functional aspect of the basic structure is moderated, aesthetic qualities frequently move to the forefront- in fact, they often are the reason for the structural change.” In essence, if you get to the basics of something you can more clearly see the splendor of it and then amplify that beauty.

Your pondering for the week: What could you strip down in your life to see and utilize its splendor?

Solar Systems Highlights

The Moon starts the week in Leo, time to shine. By Wednesday it moves into Virgo, organization should be the theme. On Saturday the moon moves into Libra making the weekend easier to focus on relationships and beautification. Mercury (communication and knowledge) is in Scorpio (passion), so conversations can be intriguing and/or impassioned. Then on Thursday it goes into Sagittarius where conversation should lead to exploration of yourself, your journey and communication styles. On Wednesday, Venus (beauty and harmony) also moves into Sagittarius wanting you to step out into the world and discover its wonders.

Mars (action) is in Gemini (communication and knowledge), until March 25^th, 2023. This is a 7-month stopover instead of it’s usually 1-2. Mars is pushing us to truthfully, talk our walk. The challenge with this time is your politeness filter has been switched off. So, it is having us double down on how to be constructive with our voice – to promote action not reaction. Jupiter is in Pisces wanting us to dream big and explore what makes us zing. And lastly, Saturn (structures) remains in Aquarius until the beginning of March 2023 – so innovating and modernizing your everyday life is its intention.

P.S. Signs with an * it is a big week for you. Scorpio this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year. And Taurus 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

*Fool – Last week had aspects that lead to distraction. This can happen again this week. However, this interruption is not from outside sources, but from within. You may feel the need to move on or have itchy feet for new experiences. And that feeling is right on, it is a great week to start new projects and investigate new places and people. However, it would be foolish to start something before at least some of your work is done. Work before play, this week.

Taurus

Knight of Coins – The Muse of Pace comes when you need to reset the pace of how you do tasks. This could look like you need to slow down for some of your duties and then pick up the pace for others. The important quality that this muse teaches is that not every part of your life should be all go, or all slow. She reminds you that when you are tired stop and when you have the energy, then tap the gas.

Gemini

*Tower – The Muse of Deconstruction is here to tear down what is not working. So, if something goes wrong this week, stop and take time to figure out the underlying fortification that is destabilizing. Take time to heal/fix some of the cracks that your environment is showing you. This can be as simple as getting the long overdue oil change in your car or as complicated as having a serious look at a relationship or job that is not working. Take this week to fix things if you can or this muse will help crumble it later.

Cancerian

King of Coins – Last week the muses asked you to explore and start new adventures. This week the Muse of Stability is asking you to put some time and effort into what needs to be stabilized in your life, especially in areas around work, money, or your physical space. Where do you feel they are inconsistent? How can they become more reliable? And she reminds you to also be aware and thankful for the areas of stability. They are the foundations for the work that stills needs to be done.

Leo

*Lovers – The Muse of Intimacy is asking you to open your heart a bit this week. Intimacy is defined as close familiarity or friendship, closeness. This muse asks: how can familiarize yourself with individuals and the world? How can you share a part of you with people. Is it being bolder with your clothes choices? Having a deep conversation? Sharing an intimate aspect of who you are with another? How do you share what you love and who you are to a broader audience?

Virgo

Six of Swords – The Muse of Transitions comes when something needs to shift. This muse is not about seismic swings but small tweaks that will bring more ease and movement into your life. She reminds you that simplicity and efficiency are the qualities that you are trying to incorporate more in your daily routines, work, and areas of communication. Also, she recommends a trip to a body of water to reset your brainwaves.

Libra

Seven of Swords – The Muse of Ethics shows us when circumstances this week could push you to react dishonestly. So, watch for white lies you tell yourself or others. Even if you feel it upsets the balance or harmony of a situation. Bring up the annoyances now before they become a larger issue.

Scorpio

Eight of Wands – Your fourth and final muse for the year is the Muse of Messages. But let’s review the other energies you can work with this year. First you are given two paths or muses to work with. One, the Muse of Self-propulsion will help with the energy for change to happen, but you must set the destination and plot the journey. Or two, you can go with the Muse of Inertia and stay where you are. But this path is a meditation, an internal transformation. You will dive deep into self-reflection and modify emotions and thoughts. So, it’s up to you, change the outside or change the inside. Once you have made that choice your second Muse for this year is the Muse of Creativity. She promotes adventuring into and experimenting with your creative life. Find a new outlet for your creative nature and your emotions. She suggests anything that makes you grow and open your heart to living and learning around the human experience. Next Muse is the Muse of Resources. This year you will need to attend to your resources: space, time energy and money. This Muse shows up to help you readjust and refocus on how and what you spend and save your resources on. This year is about increasing efficiency and banking assets for “rainy days.” And lastly the Muse of Messages will give you information and signposts with either the outer or inner journey you choose. So, if you are feeling unsure about where you are ask this Muse for a sign or information to confirm you are on the right path.

Sagittarius

Queen of Wands – The Muse of Practicality is asking you to be very grounded and practical this week. Especially after Wednesday when two planets move into your sign, you may feel antsy. But this week move or act on something only when necessity demands. For your instincts might be slightly off and have you jumping or engaging before it is necessary or appropriate.

Capricorn

Three of Cups – The Muse of Companionship comes when your cups are emptier than you realize and finding places of commonality with others will fill them. The interesting thing when working with this Muse is as your comrades fill your cups, you also fill theirs.

Aquarius

Five of Cups – The Muse of Silver-linings comes when times are tough but there are positive aspects you are not seeing. As the proverb says “it takes both rain and sunshine to make a rainbow.” So, look for the good in your life and it will help you make it through the harder parts this week.

Pisces

Seven of Cups – The Muse of Wishes has come to help you dream bigger but also be realistic about your intentions. Yes, she says this can feel like a paradox. But for example, don’t wish to travel to Tahiti if you hate to fly. This Muse wants you to be honest/realistic with what you actually want in your life. Your homework is to write down seven wishes and then some action steps you could do to help achieve them.

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of Nov 6, 2022

November 6, 2022 Nina

First, I wanted to thank you all for tuning in. I just finished my seventh year doing this blog, and I really am grateful for you joining me on this exploration of art, tarot, and science as differing conduits to deciphering our collective experience. I started this journey because I missed working with teachers and students, showing them fun ways of imparting and integrating science and social studies’ knowledge through the arts. My focus for these posts has become more dedicated to the under-represented artists that we don’t historically see or who have been forgotten. And then also my personal bias and love for art that combines science or has a social/cultural aspects. Art that is not only visually intriguing but also tries to teach or open us to another’s perspective. And then I throw in animals becasue you know they are cool. Again, I can’t thank you enough for being with me on this road.

And now your artist for this week is Elke Vogelsang @wieselblitz. She is a photographer of dogs, cats, and horses. I go to her page when I need to be uplifted. Vogelsang does capture their more regal and beautiful side, but she has an uncanny ability to also pulls out their goofy side. The side of our pets that makes us laugh when we want to cry. Science has proven that nature and animals lower our blood pressure, calm our nervous system, and increase our oxytocin. Her story on what brought her to this love of photography is worth the read.

Your pondering for the week: Would you want to return as a cat, a dog or a horse?

Solar Systems Highlights

The Moon starts the week in Taurus – ground yourself and dive into your workload. By Wednesday it moves into Gemini, great for conversation and knowledge gathering. On Friday the moon moves into Cancer so the weekend get homey and focus on self-care. No shifts from last week, so continue to focus on: Mercury (communication and knowledge) is in Scorpio (passion), so conversations can be intriguing and/or impassioned. If there is a crack or wound in your relationship it will show up during this time. This pairing brings aspects to work on out of the shadows and pushes us to heal them. Venus (beauty and harmony) is also in Scorpio counter balancing Mercury and Mars’ placement. It is highlighting your sex life and passion.

Mars (action) is in Gemini (communication and knowledge), until March 25^th, 2023. This is a 7-month stopover instead of it’s usually 1-2. Mars is pushing us to truthfully, talk our walk. The challenge with this time is your politeness filter has been switched off. So, it and Mercury are having us double down on how to be constructive with our voice – to promote action not reaction. Jupiter has moved into Pisces wanting us to dream big and explore what pleasantly gets us up in the morning. And lastly, Saturn (structures) remains in Aquarius until the beginning of March 2023 – so innovating and modernizing your everyday life is its intention.

May light be on you, around you, and within you,

Nina

Aries

*Devil – This week something will feel off. You know like when your neck hairs raise up or you get that feeling not to do something. Heed that instinct. The Muse of Mayhem is lurking in the shadows tempting you to doubt yourself. This muse does not want to damage you but to divert you from your path. So stay true to the best part of you and stay the course.

Taurus

Page of Coins – Take time this week to learn a new skill set. The Muse of Skill comes just before you need this new talent to upgrade your future. She advises to hit the books, do a workshop, learn something new that will improve your viability in the workforce and/or a survival skill while humaning. Your motto: I am a lifelong learner.

Gemini

Five of Wands – This week has aspects of chaos. The Muse of Ego intervenes by reminding you that this turmoil is based in gameplay, and it is your choice to accept or decline the challenge. You can easily walk away from the situation without obligation or karma. But if you decide to play, remember to keep your ego in check and play by the rules.

Cancerian

*Fool – The Muse of Beginnings is here to start you on a new adventure. The challenge is that it is a journey that you can not plan all the aspects for. It is a quest that encourages faith in yourself and the Universe. You have the knowledge and tools you need to start this endeavor, and you are clever enough to figure out the rest as it comes. So do not fear the unknown, take the first step into this new venture.

Leo

*Magician – The Muse of Manifestation is prompting you to conjure up something. However, she would like you to tap into the divine for inspiration. She encourages your imagination to make broad sweeping gestures, or in contrast manifest meaning in even the smallest of actions. She challenges you to bring the divine into the everyday and to remind your life can be magical. The wand is in your hand.

Virgo

*Moon – You may need to find some solitude to dive into your subconscious for insight this week. The emotions that are sparked have roots in the past. The Muse of Shadow Work would like you to explore the whys behind your feelings. She reminds you to do this work you will need to have self-compassion as your companion for this trip into the shadows. That mistakes and missteps are universal, and they are there to help us discover new paths that our ancestors/role models did not know how to navigate. So, tread lightly on your moonwalk.

Libra

*Sun – This is your week to shine Libra. This muse would like you to use your super-powers for the good of all. The challenge for you is to accept the accolades and gifts from using them. So, if someone says thank you, don’t bow in humility, say your welcome and walk with your head held high for being such a good human. This is a practice not only in good deeds but also modeling what healthy self-worth looks like.

Scorpio

Four of Coins – Your third Muse for this year is the Muse of Resources. This year you will need to attend to your resources: space, time energy and money. This can look like saving money, when spending buy with quality in mind, creating healthy boundaries around how and what you spend your time on, or even how you share physical space. This Muse shows up to help you readjust and refocus on how and what you spend and save your resources on. This year is about increasing efficiency and banking assets for “rainy days.”

Sagittarius

Five of Coins – The Muse of Hardship is visiting you this week. She does not bring the difficulty but comes to make sure you have a safety net when adversity comes around. She asks you what do you need to feel safe if calamity strikes? Things like: is your spare tire inflated? Do you have some cash on hand? Have you touched base with the person that is always there for you?

Capricorn

*Death – The Muse of Organic Change is here to help you let go and move forward. She reminds you that change happens whether we like it or not. Nature moves from season to season. The shedding and composting of Fall and Winter need to happen so Spring can flourish. You know this but your pragmatism can get in the way of the natural flow of a situation this week. Over analyzation will not help. This change is a process that takes time but like Spring will bring forth a new season of growth.

Aquarius

Three of Coins – The Muse of Teamwork comes when it is vital for you to work with others. Collaboration is key this week. As they say two heads are better than one. However, three heads and six hands are even better. Take the help when offered and ask for it when you need it.

Pisces

*High Priestess – The Muse of Sacred Mystery comes when you need to work on your intuition and purpose. She advises to pay attention to synchronicities. The challenge is the synchronicity is not the clue but what you were doing or feeling at the time. Think of them like signposts that say, “pay attention now”. When you hone this skill of following the signs and interrupting the clues you begin to see the path more clearly. So, look for trends this week and make sure you take time to contemplate the puzzles.

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of Oct. 30, 2022

October 30, 2022 Nina

Happy Halloween, Samhain, and Day of the Dead

Finishing off the theme of “eerie October” is the artist Jeff Wigman @jeffwigman. Wigman’s art exudes a sense of eeriness, but it also humorous or better yet satirical. The definition of satire is “trenchant wit, irony, or sarcasm used to expose and discredit vice or folly.” His work is a commentary and exploration of society, art, and the human psyche. Wigman mostly works with oils and seems to be exploring the oil painting techniques and well known imagery of the last 700 years. Many of his paintings have that darker quality and aspects of the Dutch masters like Rembrandt and Bosch, but also a nod to more current artists like Paul Cézanne or Edward Hopper.

For example, classical painters would paint a still life with the skull or skeleton to symbolize death or the unachievable nature of immortality. Wigman paints the classic skull imagery but with a twist, putting these symbols of death on playing puppies’ bodies, or skeletons walking down a lane. We smile or laugh at first but then the feeling of creepy or eeriness sets in. His paintings are visual examples of the beauty and veracity of satire. These paradoxical feelings take us into our own psyche.

Wigman make us think not only of the situation or concept but also of our perceptions of good and evil, virtue and vice, or laughter and despair. This duality is much like our celebrations around death and the turning of fall into winter. We confront our beliefs of mortality, hiding behind masks to fool or scare spirits or inviting the departed to food and festivities. Contemplating death can be scary and sacred. Humaning is complex, lets allow it to be so, and try to have fun doing it.

P.S. There are often hidden treasures in his paintings go to his Instagram or website and focus in.

Your pondering for the week: What costume would you wear to scare or appease the spirits of Halloween? I have added some examples that match with your tarot card.

Solar Systems Highlights

The Moon continues in Aquarius, so we start the week best if we think outside the box or even about the box. By Wednesday it moves into Pisces, making it easy to daydream but harder to focus on work. On Friday the moon moves into Aries enticing us not to relax but experience what life has to offer.

Mercury (communication and knowledge) is in Scorpio (passion), so conversations can be intriguing and/or impassioned. If there is a crack or wound in your relationship it will show up during this time. This pairing brings aspects to work on out of the shadows and pushes us to heal them. Venus (beauty and harmony) is also in Scorpio counter balancing Mercury and Mars’ placement. It is highlighting your sex life and all things that make you “shiver with anticipation.”

Mars (action) is in Gemini (communication and knowledge), until March 25^th, 2023. This is a 7-month stopover instead of it’s usually 1-2. Mars is pushing us to truthfully, talk our walk. The challenge with this time is your politeness filter has been switched off. So, it and Mercury are having us double down on how to be constructive with our voice – to promote action not reaction. Jupiter has moved into Pisces wanting us to dream big and explore what pleasantly gets us up in the morning. And lastly, Saturn (structures) remains in Aquarius until the beginning of March 2023 – so innovating and modernizing your everyday life is its intention.

May light be on you, around you, and within you,

Nina

Aries

Four of Coins – Resources are limited this week. The Muse of Savings is advising you to check your bank accounts, pantry, and schedule. Restock your pantry, rebalance your money and time. Make sure you are spending your resources on aspects that nourish you. Costume: Banker or Bank robber.

Taurus

Queen of Wands – The Muse of Passion is here nudging you to indulge in yours. She does suggest sharing them either with a co-collaborator, friends, or the world. Tuning into, enjoying and sharing your passions with the world not only re-energizes your inner fire but sparks others as well. Your song: Come on Baby Light my fire with Shirley Bassey. Costume: A Great Queen or Revolutionary.

Gemini

Two of Swords – You know as a sign it is hard for you all to decide. Well, this week is cooking up some doozies for you. The Muse of Decisions is advising you to take time and consider your options before making any of them. She reminds you the decision is less about the goal but how you want to get there or the factors surrounding it. Costume: A Coin or a Wand.

Cancerian

Ace of Cups – The Muse of Love ask you to make a wish that comes from the heart. If you had a seed based in love, what would it grow? Imbue that hope in water, an actual seed or paper and then gift it to a water source around you. Send this love-wish out into the world and see what comes of it in the months to come. Costume: Fairy godmother or Maleficent (or any other “evil” Disney/fairy tale character).

Leo

Ten of Cups – The Muse of Bliss would like you to notice and enjoy your abundance. You are at an end of a cycle. Take this week to gather all the positives that have happened in the past 10 months and review. By seeing what has been abundant in your life you can indulge in the serenity of a chapter ending, lessons learned and take only the cups that are full forward. Costume: Buddha or Kali.

Virgo

Seven of Coins – The Muse of Work comes to help you push projects into the next stages. She asks you first to step back and relook at the schema and see if anything needs tweaking. And if you find that you need to start over or ditch the plan, do not be afraid for this week is the time to do it. Costume: Chef or Butcher.

Libra

*Emperor- This week is great for expanding your empire. The Muse of Building has come with her T-square and level. She likes to help with hands-on projects, like fixing that squeaky door or building a birdhouse. It is all about making your space a better place for you and yours. Whether you are building on the physical plane or conceptually it is important that you build with durability and longevity in mind. Costume: Prince(ss) or Pauper.

Scorpio

Page of Wands – Your second Muse for this year is the Muse of Creativity. This year is all about adventuring into and experimenting with your creative life. This is a great year to learn something new that makes your heart zing. Find a new outlet for your creative nature and your emotions. She suggests the arts in some form but anything that makes you grow and open your heart to living and learning around the human experience is up for grabs. Costume: Artist from any genre.

Sagittarius

*Fool – The Muse of Foolishness comes when we take ourselves too seriously. This Muse wants you to loosen up and enjoy the adventure of being human. She agrees that at times we do need to plan but this week it is better to fly by the seat of your pants and enjoy the ride. She is having you exercise faith in yourself and the Universe. And to relearn to laugh at sageness as much as folly, for you will land on firm ground eventually 😉. Costume: Mad Hatter, Jester, or Politician.

Capricorn

Ace of Pentacles – This is an auspicious week to start a new project on the material plan. This Muse of New Beginnings is wanting you to algin yourself with growth and prosperity. You can actuate this energy by beginning a venture with your hands. Whether that is drawing out plans, a schema, a new schedule, learning to do a new skill or at the very least put your idea in a seed/bulb and plant it. This Muse asks what do you want to manifest on the physical plane? Costume: Farmer or Alchemist.

Aquarius

Eight of Swords – The Muse of Illusion comes when you have bound yourself to a thought pattern that no longer works for you. The challenge is you trying to decipher your thoughts around it instead of saying “no” letting go and walking away from this paradigm. You need a whole new pattern of thought around this issue, but you must release the old one without guilt, critique, or judgement first. Costume: Magician or Snake Oil Dealer.

Pisces

Seven of Wands – This week you need to stand your ground. The Muse of Nonconformity comes to help you push through obstacles. If they align with your true self, you will find it easier, and impossible if they do not. She reminds you it is not what others think that creates who you are. You create you. Be the Unicorn. Costume: Unicorn or Narwhale.

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of Oct. 25, 2022

October 23, 2022 Nina

Peter's dwarf epauletted fruit bat — Peter’s dwarf epauleted fruit bat (Micropteropus pusillus)

Continuing the theme of October and eeriness we turn from Art to the animal world, specifically, bats. There are over 1,400 bat species worldwide. You can find them everywhere but within the Artic and Antarctic circles. Bats’ order, Chiroptera, composes about 20% of all mammal species. They are classified into two groups, basically megabats and microbats. Megabats eat fruit, nectar or pollen and do not use echolocation. Where microbats do use echolocation and eat mostly insects but also fruit, nectar, pollen, fish, frogs, small mammals and 3 species eat blood. Making bats essential to ecology as pollinators and a natural from of insect management. Even though bats are vital in suppressing mosquito-borne diseases, they can carry rabies and other pathogens, so it is important not handle them in the wild. Bats can have a long life spanning up to 40 years. Most are nocturnal though they predominately hunt around dawn and dusk.

Depending on the culture bats are seen as protectors or associated with evil. For example, the Creek, Cherokee and Apache see them as a trickster. In the European culture they are associated with witchcraft, vampires, and death. Shakespeare has the Weird Sisters in Macbeth using fur of a bat in their brew. And of course, there is Bram Stroker’s Dracula. The bat is sacred in Tonga seen as a detached soul. In ancient Mesoamerica a bat god presided over fertility and corn. And in China five bats symbolize the five blessing: longevity, prosperity, health, love of virtue and a peaceful death. I personally find many bats cute, so above and below you will see my favorite flying fur balls.

Your pondering for the week: If you could be any animal what would you choose? Why?

Solar Systems Highlights

The Moon continues in Libra, so the focus is still on relationships. By Tuesday it moves into Scorpio, a new moon and a solar eclipse, so it is a perfect time to reignite your passions. On Thursday the moon moves into Sagittarius time to expand your boundaries, and then for the weekend it moves into Capricorn so try not to take your work home with you.

Mercury (communication and knowledge) is in Libra (relationships), to help you smooth some of the snafus that Mars is churning up. Venus (beauty and harmony) has moved into Scorpio highlighting your sex life and all things that make you “shiver with anticipation.” Mars (action) is in Gemini (communication and knowledge), until March 25^th, 2023. This is a 7-month stopover instead of it’s usually 1-2. Mars is pushing us to truthfully, talk our walk. The challenge with this time is your politeness filter has been switched off. So, it also has us working on how to be constructive with our voice – to promote action not reaction. Jupiter is in Aries; it supports activity and expansion until October 28^th. Then it moves into Pisces wanting us to dream big and explore. And lastly, Saturn (structures) remains in Aquarius until the beginning of March 2023 – so innovating and modernizing your game is its intention.

May light be on you, around you, and within you,

Nina

Aries

Bats — Eastern red bat (Lasiurus boralis)

Page of Wands – Last week you got the Muse of Manifestation gifting you divine inspiration, but the work was up to you to bring it to life. This week the Muse of Creativity would like to help continue your conjuring. However, she advices to push your creativity and experimentation farther. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Take the sage advice of Thomas Edison: I have not failed 10,000 times—I’ve successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work.

Taurus

Eight of Cups – Last week the Muse of Structure was advising that now is the time to tidy up your space, schedule and how you do things to make them more efficient. The Muse of Simplification continues this energy by asking you to streamline your daily activities and minimalize the stuff around you. This can look as simple as clean your desk or go through you junk drawer/closet and get rid of stuff. Clutter in any form is not your friend this week.

Gemini

King of Coins – The Muse of Finance is here pushing you to get your monies in order. Take this week to balance your checkbook, add to your savings account, pay off more on your credit cards. You need to gain a realistic perspective of your assets and your debts. So, you can responsibly finance your wants in the coming months.

Cancerian

Bumblebee bat – Craseonycteris thonglongyai – smallest bat

Page of Cups – The Muse of Playfulness comes when you need to be less goal oriented and bring more delight into your life. Now this muse emphasis that joy often comes with more socializing, curiosity, and openness to change perspective. It can be as simple as, if you find yourself on the couch, move to the floor, asking more why questions, or playing games with your loved ones. Let your inner child free-range this week.

Leo

Desert long eared bat Otonycteris_hemprichii

*Death – The Muse of Organic Change comes with her spade and sickle in hand. You are ready for change to happen but before it does you have to pull some weeds and ready the soil. Take time this week to get rid of emotions, thoughts or things that are no longer needed. And then clean the physical space, calm your mind, and/or do a simple detox for your body (Epsom salt bath or sauna).

Virgo

Queen of Coins – This week you need to pleasantly pamper yourself. The Muse of Pleasure asks you how you compensate yourself, when you work as hard as you do? When you indulge, do you feel good about it? Or if you don’t, why do you work so hard if you are not reaping some benefit? If you cannot give yourself some compensation for your hard work, then something is amiss with the work or your concept of deserving. You might have to start fixing that first if that is the case. Either way you still need to find a healthy way to treat yourself this week.

Libra

Four of Wands- The Muse of Happy Home is wanting you to make your home a bit more comfortable. Do you need to do a deep clean in your bedroom? Do you need to rearrange your furniture? Put up some photos of your family? Does your living room need a splash of color. Take this week before we hit holiday season and work on your living space.

Scorpio

*Chariot and Hanged One – Ok you have two Muses or paths for the start of your birth year. The first is one of Change. This Muse is about self-propulsion. If you want things to change it will be up to you to set the GPS. She will help with the energy, but you must set the destination and plot the journey. Or you can go with the second the Muse of Inertia and stay where you are. However, this path is a meditation, an internal transformation. You will dive deep into self-reflection and modify emotions and thoughts. So, it’s up to you, change the outside or change the inside. You’ll have most of this year to pick who you would like to work with.

Sagittarius

Page of Swords – You will need to gather intel this week. The Muse of Inquiry is here to help. She advises to not take the first answer to a question as absolute fact. There is more just under the surface. It is not that people are hiding things on purpose but more they have not realized the answer either. The challenge is not making the inquires feel like an inquisition.

Capricorn

Hammer Nosed Bat Hypsignathus_monstrosus

Six of Cups –The Muse of Recollection comes when the past holds information for the present. If something reminds you of childhood, dive deep into it this week. With this week’s Scorpio new moon and solar eclipse, you can do some pertinent shadow work and healing around the past.

Aquarius

Ten of Cups – The Muse of Happiness is shining on you this week. She reminds you that happiness is fleeting so really revel in the moments of joy when they come. She suggests by the end of the week writing down ten small moments of bliss. By doing so you will find that there are more than ten, or if you are having trouble then you need to see you are trying to idealize an innately hard situation.

Pisces

Ten of Coins – The Muse of Shortcuts is here to tell you this week there are none. Everything will work out if you take a longer view. You are on the right path, doing the right thing, now it will just take dedication and time to “bake the cake”.

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of Oct. 16, 2022

October 16, 2022 Nina

Continuing this month’s theme of eeriness, the artist this week is Mu Pan @mupan1911. Mu Pan’s paintings are like painted pyrotechnics and full of allegory. They are often depict epic life and death battles between humans, animals, and fantastical beasts. We can see his influences from manga, Chinese scroll paintings, Indian miniatures, and Japanese ukiyo-e prints. However instead of just a scene or moment in time, his paintings tell a story. He often using primates as a metaphor of the facets in human nature, he blends narrative and social critique with his brush. A tale that is a mixture of his perspective, history, and contemporary subjects. Pan focuses the viewer to the injustices of the world with satire and the macabre. Reminding us that the world is not always a place of beauty, like Halloween there are fairies and fiends.

If you are interested in his work, he has a show that started October 15^th on the lower East side of NYC at @hashimotocontemporary.

Your pondering for the week is from The Art of War by Sun Tzu: “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

Solar Systems Highlights

The Moon starts slowly this week in Cancer, so Monday’s vibe may make it harder to get out of bed. But by Tuesday the Moon gives us a shot of Leo sunshine motivating us and giving opportunities to shine. The Moon then moves into fastidious Virgo on Thursday to end your work week. And for the weekend it moves into Libra having us focus on our relationships, beauty and harmony.

Mercury (communication and knowledge) is in Libra (relationships), to help you smooth some of the snafus that Mars is churning up. Venus (beauty and harmony) is also in Libra asking us to tune into our loved ones needs, work together, equity, and finding common ground. Mars (action) is in Gemini (communication and knowledge), where it stays until March 25^th, 2023. This is a 7-month stopover instead of it’s usually 1-2. Mars is pushing us to truthfully, talk our walk. The challenge with this time is your politeness filter has been switched off. So, it also has us working on how to be constructive with our voice – to promote action not reaction. Jupiter is in Aries; it supports action and expansion until October 28^th. And lastly, Saturn (structures) remains in Aquarius until the beginning of March 2023 – so innovating and modernizing your game is its intention.

May light be on you, around you, and within you,

Nina

Aries

*Magician – The Muse of Manifestation has come with her wand in hand. Like a fairy godmother she asks what do you truly want to bring into the world? However, she only gifts you with divine inspiration; the work is up to you. Though be aware that you have all the tools and materials you will need to do this conjuring.

Taurus

*Hierophant – The Muse of Structure is advising you to tidy up your space, schedule and how you do things. This week requires efficiency and innovation in how you work. She advises you to look what tires and frustrates you. Those are the first areas to streamline. Then you can look at the broader structures and begin innovating what doesn’t support your work flow.

Gemini

Nine of Wands – Preparation is needed in all things this week. The Muse of Provisions has you looking into pantry/freezer and bank account to restock for rainy days. This is a great week to plan your meals and activities and not so great for spontaneity.

Cancerian

Queen of Swords – This week focusing on the details is essential. The Muse of Minutia advises reading the fine print, asking deeper questions, and working on smaller projects this week. You can gain more from a fine-tuned perspective then a world-wide view.

Leo

Four of Wands – The Muse of Home is here to help you focus on yours. Take time this week to deep clean your den, buy an item to brighten your décor, or fill your frig/pantry with foodstuff that makes you fill cozy. If your home feels good so will your heart.

Virgo

Six of Coins – The Muse of Ripples comes to school you about daily karma. She reminds you that small multiple kindnesses spread farther then one big wave. Take time this week to open doors, smile at strangers, and in general be more aware of acts of kindnesses. By focusing on daily compassion not only will you find a sense of grace and peace, but you may also reap material benefits. The challenge is seeing that the exchange is often not immediately reciprocal, but beware that reciprocation also works for negative energy.

Libra

Seven of Cups – As you transition into your new year the Muse of Wishes would like a list of what you would like to happen in 2023. The challenge is dreaming big enough to push boundaries but realistically enough to increase the probability that it will happen. Use wish bones for material wishes, blown on dandelions for knowledge or ease of communication, whispered into flowers that you release onto moving water for matters of the heart, or burn your passion wishes so they may spread into the ether. And be very clear what you wish for.

Scorpio

*Fool – The Muse of Possibilities is the energy that is transitioning you from last year into your new birth year. This week is a blank slate. So, this muse asks what are you going to write for this next chapter in your life? What will you break free off? What road will you take?

Sagittarius

Two of Coins – You might find yourself being a bit off balance this week. The Muse of Equilibrium has come to help you recenter yourself. Her advice is to take on only one or two items at a time. This is not a week to multitask. And on a practical side she suggests making sure you are shod appropriately.

Capricorn

Page of Wands – The Muse of Art and Inspiration is wanting you to tap into your artistic expression. Even if you are not a fine artist there is something you do that inspires you down to your soul. This Muse challenges you to play within that discipline this week. You need to tap into the creation of everyday experiences of wonderment.

Aquarius

*Moon – The Muse of the Subconscious has information for you this week. But you will have to discover and tend to it with a delicate touch. No thought is fleeting if it moves your heart. This Muse would like you to follow these tendrils of emotional thoughts to their source for you will find gifts, healing, and wisdom.

Pisces

Seven of Wands – It will be hard to focus with all the hubbub of this week. The challenge is that a lot of the noise is useless fodder. The Muse of Focus advise to tune out everything and look for the brightest thought, idea or emotion and s

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of Oct. 9, 2022

October 9, 2022 Nina

To continue this month’s theme of eeriness, the eye and mind moves to Surrealism. The artist this week is Leonora Carrington, 1917-2011. Carrington is a writer, painter, and sculptor. She was amongst the male surrealist of the time, but as were many of the woman in that circle was consider the muse more than the talent. Carrington was framed as femme enfant (woman child) by her male counterparts. But as Carrington once said, “I didn’t have time to be anyone’s muse…I was too busy rebelling against my family and learning to be an artist.” Living longer than any of the surrealist of that period, she painted 1,500-2,000 paintings, an array of sculptures, books (The Hearing Trumpet is consider a must read) and various short essays.

She creates as all surrealists from the flow between conscious and the unconscious. Carrington’s centers her work around the investigation of her personal mythos coming from Catholicism, Jewish mysticism, Jungian, tarot, and her Celtic roots. And her subjects are a blending of humanity, machine, and animal. Making them familiar yet at the same time fantastical and dream-like. She points the viewer to investigate how our own integration of “I” and our environment influence our psyche and our imagination. Carrington explored the enigma of being over her eighty-year career. Summing up her life and work she said, “The only thing I know, is that I don’t know.”

Your pondering for the week: How does your environment effect your imagination?

Solar Systems Highlights

The Moon starts this week in Taurus – great for grounding and starting with a steady flow for the work week. Then Thursday it goes into Gemini – conversations and exchanges of information become the focus. Then for the weekend we have the relaxing vibe of Cancer reminding us that self-care and nurturing is an important aspect of our home life.

Mercury (communication and knowledge) joins Venus in Libra to help you smooth some of the snafus that Mars is churning up. Venus (beauty and harmony) is in Libra (relationships), asking us to tune into our loved ones needs, working together, equity, and finding common ground. Mars (action) is in Gemini, where it stays until March 25^th, 2023. This is a 7-month stopover instead of it’s usually 1-2. Mars is pushing us to truthfully, talk our walk. The challenge with this time is your politeness filter has been switched off. So, it also has us working on how to be constructive with our voice – to promote action not reaction. Jupiter is in Aries; it supports action and expansion until October 28^th. And lastly, Saturn (structures) remains in Aquarius until the beginning of March 2023 – so innovating and modernizing your game is its intention.

P.S. Signs with an * it is a big week for you. Libra this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year. And Aries 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

Seven of Cups – Last week the Muse of Inaction asked you to slow your role for another week. Pointing out that blockades were times to rethink your plans, or the universe needed more time to get aspects in place. This week the Muse of Dreams continues the advice of holding off, but she is telling to use this time to contemplate your goals and dreams. Either you are not dreaming big enough or you are not being realistic. You need to adjust your dreams where they stretch your imagination without collapsing reality.

Taurus

Five of Swords – This week’s energy churns around dealing with aspects of conflict and injustices. The Muse of Ego aids you by asking you to better define who you are and what you stand for. Her lessons and teachings highlight how our ego plays into how we navigate through society for good or worse. Ultimately, she asks you to truthfully walk your talk but also do it with humility and grace.

Gemini

Four of Swords – The Muse of Restoration advices you to find swathes of time to unplug and rest. This muse shows up when we are near mental exhaustion but haven’t realized it yet. Take breaks this week and find activities that replenish your mental and physical reservoirs.

Cancerian

Eight of Swords – Last week the Muse of Disruption tried to teach you deconstruction before reconstruction. That lesson continues this week with the Muse of Bondage highlighting cracks in your foundation that need mending before you move on. This Muse points out that you have adopted thought patterns that are not your own. So, this week work with rooting out negative self-talk and generational negative paradigms. You do not need to process all of them. In fact, most only need to be let go off and walked away from.

Leo

Page of Cups – Last week the Muse of Creation wanted you to experience the sensual part of life which she hoped added fodder to your imagination. This week the Muse of Play continues the theme of activating your creativity. This energy wants you to play. Now play is defined as engaging in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose. So the challenge is no goals, no time limits, just play until you need a nap.

Virgo

Three of Cups – The Muse of Friendship comes when your emotional cups need filling. Find time this week to hang with your friends, in person if you can but virtual is better than nothing. The challenge is you not feeling like you are imposing. You need this energy exchange as much as they do.

Libra

*Tower – This birth year you have four Muses to work with. The two big energies are around Suspension (go back and read if you don’t remember), and this Muse of Deconstruction and Reconstruction. To find ease in this year, the muses would like you to utilize when times are slow or stagnate as a time to deconstruct what isn’t working, so you can reconstruct a better future. And your aides in this are the Muse of Preparation and the Muse of Good News. The former advises you to find ways to plan your life in smaller increments. Like planning your meals in advance so you will eat better, laying out your clothes before bed to give you more time in the morning to hang with your loved ones, pay your bills early so you can invest/save the extra, etc… The lesson is giving your future a bit of a cushion around time, money, and energy. Then the later Muse brings you success not only on things that you focus on but also spontaneous wins. This year is prime time to slow down, develop routines that allow you to have more time to engage in future plans, deconstruct what isn’t working, and to appreciate and celebrate small successes like they are as important as the big wins.

Scorpio

*Strength – The Muse of Fortitude comes when you need to strengthen your focus on your goals. You have the abilities already; you now just need to believe in yourself. Time to put your internal critic in the back seat so they can’t touch your mind’s radio. Take control of what and who you listen to. You got this.

Sagittarius

King of Wands – The Muse of Leadership is calling on you to use your charm to inspire and ignite passion in others. A good leader supports the talents of others to not only move their agenda forward but also to move the collective to a brighter future. Lead on.

Capricorn

Four of Cups – You are missing a piece of the puzzle this week. Most of the search is done within, but there is one missing piece that lies in your surroundings. This week look inward, outward and connect the two.

Aquarius

*Justice – The Muse of Justice shows up when something is off balance or there is an injustice. The interesting lesson around working with this muse is that coming to true justice is never an easy yes or no. You must take in consideration the back story before deciding with integrity. Be aware of the grey areas this week, they have more information than the verdict.

Pisces

Six of Swords – The Muse of Moving Forward comes when you should do just that. You will encounter a transition or decision about the future, now is a good time to make the shift.

Solar Systems Highlights

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancerian

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

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Solar Systems Highlights

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancerian

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

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Solar Systems Highlights

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancerian

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

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Solar Systems Highlights

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancerian

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

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Solar Systems Highlights

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancerian

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

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Solar Systems Highlights

Aries

Taurus

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