Yokoyama Taikan is a Japanese painter circa (1868-1958). Above is his painting Mountain after a shower. Yokoyama helped in creating the Japanese painting technique of Nihonga. This style departed from more traditional line drawing by eliminating the strong lines in a painting and concentrating on soft, blurred polychromes. Later in his career, he brought a modern eye to the more ancient Chinese art form of ink wash painting. This form of painting is extremely difficult though it looks simplistic.
The philosophy behind ink wash painting is for the painter to capture the essence or spirit of the object. The technique itself takes years of practice of varying the ink load and pressure within a single brush stroke creating tonality from deep black to gray. This technique and philosophy of painting heavily influenced the Western Impressionistic Art Movement.
P.S. Remember signs with an * it a big week for you. Gemini this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year.
Aries
Page of Cups – Last week, The Empress asked you to focus on nurturing, growing and or tending. This week the Page of Cups still follows this theme of nurturing but advises you to first focus on tenderness to yourself and then it will flow naturally to others.
Taurus
Queen of Pentacles – Last week, Justice had you questioning what your truth is and having you make decision from that. This week, the Queen of Pentacles continues this concept of truth but now wants you to put these truths into actions. This week practice your skills in walking the talk.
Gemini
Knight of Wands – This week is an easier week then the last two. The Knight of Wands has you working on bringing the energy and passion back into your flow. The interesting thing with this card is that you have all that you need already around you for inspiration. Though a small trip out to nature is always advised when this card shows up.
Cancer
King of Pentacles – The King of Pentacles is the card of construction. This card tells you to build on what you already have. Your foundations are good. It is now time to build the “next story onto your house.” The challenge is timing. If it doesn’t work or isn’t coming up fast enough, don’t’ give up there is another avenue, the solution will show itself at the right time.
Leo
Two of Cups – Relationships are the priority this week. These are relationships of your creation so that is either with your love partner or collaborating with someone in your soul group. As Grace Jones sang, “Love is the Drug”
Virgo
*Moon – The Moon card comes when you need to shine light into the darkness of your subconscious. The challenge is shining the soft ambient light of the moon and not the harsh light of a summer sun. Your subconscious either has some healing, growing or disposing that needs to happen this week. So, watch areas you are triggered. These are places where fear has been embedded. The more you try to pull it out the more it digs in its heels; however, if you coax it with food or love, you will not only tame the fear but also befriend it. This week do activities that soothe your psyche.
Libra
Four of Cups – This week it is time to deal with your disenchantment of a situation or person in your life. There are two ways this card advises you to deal with this. One, your expectations were not appropriate – recalibrate. Two, there is a solution, but you are not looking outward for it – look up and out for resolutions.
Scorpio
Nine of Pentacles – The last couple of weeks have been full of change and movement. This week the Nine of Pentacles lets you sit back and absorb what has been and still needs to happen in your life. Take this week making your workload more manageable. Whether that is slowing your pace or holing yourself up for a couple of days to get things done, the goal is work smarter not harder.
Sagittarius
Seven of Pentacles – The Seven of Pentacles is very straightforward energy. It signifies this is a great week to work. The only challenge with this card is the work you do this week will not show up for harvesting until at least a month from now.
Capricorn
*Chariot – The Chariot is one of the three cards of change. This change is defined by movement that is solely created by you. This card has you practicing not only your balance but also your fortitude. Therefore, this card’s challenge is know thyself. You have all the control of the energy that is whipping up in you and around you. You need to figure out what is the best way, time, space to harness it and figure out at what pace to set so your stamina increases. Also, on a very practical side of this card – check your mode of transportation for possible issues ex: your tire pressure, that the shoes you are wearing are appropriate, your bus card is valid etc.…
Aquarius
T
en of Cups – The last two weeks, the Strength card came having you reinforce a resolve, be more resilient, and/or support your self-worth. And then the Lovers brought relationships in challenging you to bring out the best in others which in turn brings out the best in you. This week the Ten of Cups continues the theme of relationship building. However, it now focuses on enjoying the love you have created not only for yourself but for others. Drink it in.
Pisces
Page of Swords– Last week the Strength card advised you to see how resilient, confident and worthy you are. The Page of Sword continues this theme of seeing the truth of your strength and resilience. This card is the card of information gathering and pondering the facts. Spend time this week seeing the facts and reasons you are so strong. If you need help seeing your self as such, ask others. On a practical note information gathering is pertinent this week in all things.
May light be on you, around you, and within you,
Nina
*Empress – The Empress is the gardener card. When she arrives, she asks you to focus on what do you want to grow and or tend to. Nurturing is the skill most needed this week. But don’t forget as they say on airplanes you must put the mask on yourself first before you tend to others. The gardener tends the garden but who tends the gardener?
*Justice – Justice is the card of truths. This card has you questioning what is your truth? How do you show it in your daily life? Are you living your truth? Those are the big questions, but then Justice also plays out in practical matters. This is a card of decision making with cool intellect, only the facts, pro and cons list etc… Justice wants you to use your head this week and then act.
Ten of Swords – Last week you all got the Tower for your first power card for this birth year. The first lesson with this card is you need to do some major renovating in your life this year. If you don’t know what to start on or how to make the change happen, the Tower card comes to shake things up and makes it obvious what needs to be deconstructed and reconstructed. The theme this year is take control of the change yourself or the Universe will change it for you. Well this week will hold some clear clues on what needs changing with the Ten of Swords. This card is about people and situations that just are not good for you. This ten will help you see these items clearly and then it is up to you to rid yourself of them.
Five of Coins – The Five of Coins is about suffering and loss. This week holds clues as to what is not working in your life. The interesting thing with this card is that this suffering is easily remedy by you just by asking for help. You do not need to suffer alone this week. On a practical note this can just mean you might lose something like your keys or glasses – so ask for help to find them.
Six of Wands – The Six of Wands is the card of victory. This week is a good stopping point to take break, enjoy what you have accomplished and rest up. However, this card also says the work is not done. So keep in mind, there is more to do but this isn’t the week to do it. 
King of Cups – Last week the Star had you restoring your health both mental and physical. You get to continue that theme with the King of Cups this week. He would like you to focus on the restoration of your heart and emotions. This week is about lifting your spirits, and any form of water is helpful in this endeavor. However, the practical warning of this card is do not overindulge with liquid spirits.
*Death and Six of Cups – Okay another change card. Last week the Chariot challenged you to take the reins and create momentum in your life. Now change takes another form, Death. Death is the card of change that is partly in your control and partly in the spin of the Universe. So, the weight of responsibility of making change happen has been lifted somewhat. However, because of the Six of Cups joins in, you will need to make amends with the past to allow the Universe to lift some of that responsibility off your shoulders. This can look as simple as forgiving a past aggression or as complex as letting go of the incidences from the past that can no longer be resolved.
Knight of Cups – This week emotion is the key to movement. The best way to make this happen with ease is to be forthright with your emotions. This does not mean you have to wear your heart on your sleeve for all to see, but you must at least be honest with how you are feeling with those that are close to you. The challenge is remembering that what you are feeling is just that, a feeling – it does not always represent the absolute or whole truth.
Eight of Cups – Last week, the Emperor gave you his energy to materialize and do. But he also had you checking in with does your work fulfill you? If it doesn’t, then being honest with what this work is bringing you (like money or time), and if it is fulfilling then keep doing it with more gusto. This week, the Eight of Cups still has you working on the question what is fulfilling. Though this card’s exercise is to get rid of some excess emotions, ideas or items that no longer serve you. This can literally look like cleaning out your closets and drawers. Time to release.
*Lovers – last week, the Strength card came having you strengthen a resolve, be more resilient, and/or support your self-worth. And now that you are stronger in your self you can now pair up with others. This week will bring relationships in focus. Pay attention to how you interact with them. This card’s work is how to bring out the best in others which also as a bonus brings out the best in you.
*Strength– Strength is the card of resilience, confidence and self-worth. This week you need to boost these qualities in yourself. You are not seeing how far you have come or how you could have taken routes that would have sent you into shadier outcomes. So here is an exercise to see how strong you have become. Think of a decision you made recently and now think of at least 3 ways you could have chosen that would have create a more negative outcome. This could be as simple as you didn’t give someone the finger on the highway – it could have been worse if 1) you ran them off the road. 2) you shot them the bird and they ran you off the road 3) you held on to your anger until you yelled at your significant other, your boss or a cashier. See, you are making decision every day and most of them are smart and damn good for yourself and the rest of the world. Take this week confirming how you are a decent human being.
Eight of Swords – Last week the Chariot told you to take the reins. That the path that you are on is correct and you have the power to complete all that you need to do. This week the Eight of Swords can put a halt to your momentum. But just like the Chariot this stop is also in your hands. The challenge is not to be bound to the outcome of this week or the road to get to your destination. Flexibility is key.
Ace of Swords – Decisions and knowledge are on the forefront this week. The Ace of Swords advises a new way of thought is needed to overcome a problem or find a solution. Think outside the box this week.
*Tower – Ok Gemini, the Tower is your first birth year card. What a way to shake up the new year. The Tower is one of the three cards of change. This year the first lesson with this card is you need to do some major renovating in your life. If you don’t know what it is or how to make the change happen, the Tower card comes to shake things up and makes it obvious what needs to be deconstructed and reconstructed. Examples are moving out of a space, job or relationship that doesn’t work for you, or doing a major overhaul of your health regime. The theme this year is take control of the change yourself or the Universe will change it for you.
Page of Cups – The Page of Cups is the card of love and joy. This week find and do simple things that make you smile. Simple acts of kindness to yourself and others is just the cure for your heart and the world around you. Think like a puppy, kitten or 3-year old.
Ten of Pentacles – Last week it was all about beginnings. This week is all about wrapping things up on the material plane. The Ten of Pentacles advises that your prioritiey this week is to tie up loss ends at your work. And then when you get home luxuriate in that feeling of accomplishment. This has challenges around work/life balance. Your motto all work and no play makes Jill or Jack an unhappy person. 
*Star – Last week was hard with the Ten of Swords, but the Star has arrived advising you in a big way to rest and heal this week. The Star is the card of healing after the storm. It doesn’t come often so take advantage and do things that restore your health both mental and physical. Whether that is hermitizing with a book, fishing, taking a spa day, relaxing with friends over diner or anything that lets your nervous system rest. Take this week – relax and restore.
Queen of Wands – Intuition is the key this week. The Queen of Wands advises you to get in touch with your inner guide for you will need its guidance in the coming week. She advises that nature, the spirit or the arts will help you tap into your insight. Also be aware that with this card’s arrival solutions/avenues are found with non-linear thinking.
*Chariot – Change continues to be the theme this week with the Chariot. This card represents change that you have total control over. This is great for no outside source can ultimately stop you. However, it is also a challenge for you are the only one to make the momentum happen. This can look as simple as moving your office or living room around creating better flow, or as complex as moving yourself out of that job/space/relationship that you hate, or finally taking that step to be your own boss. Also, on the practical side of this card: Check your means of transport this week ie: check your tires, fluids, shoes, bus schedule… they can sometimes be wonky when this card shows up.
Nine of Swords – The Nine of Swords is the card of worry or overthinking. This week can bring on a variety of things to worry about. However, this card foretells that there will be only a few that you can fix. The first thing to do is discern which ones are fixable or completable and fix them. The rest write down and literally throw them away in the trash. Ultimately this is a lesson in – you don’t have control over everything nor are you responsible for it all either.
*Emperor – The Emperor is the card of doing. The biggest lesson with this card is that you have a good plan and good resources, and now is the time to manifest what you want to happen in your environment. He is the materializer. So, this week is all about the work. Your only challenge is that especially for you Capricorns does the work fulfill you? If not, then realize you are in it for the money and make the money. If it is then you are one happy camper waking up each morning doing what you have always want to do. This week MAKE.
*Strength – The Strength card comes when you need to strengthen a resolve, be more resilient, and/or support your self-worth. For some of you it can be as simple as sticking to your diet/exercise regime or for others it can be as complex as finally telling your side of the story. The paradox and complexity with this card are true strength comes form the combination of being rigorous but also with a soft application. As they say, you attract more flies with honey then vinegar, whether that is with yourself or declaring your boundaries.
Page of Wands – Last week, the Fool came advising either you will be given a choice and this choice will ripple through your future, or for others to take a leap of faith where there seems as if there is no choice. This theme of journeying and choice continues this week with the Page of Wands. This card ask you to focus on the question “what turns you on?” This journey that you are on must have components that ignite your passion. You need stimulus like a fish needs water. If you want to be productive you need to visit the waters of inspiration, and this is the week to do it.
*Chariot – The Chariot comes this week to tell you to take the reins and go. The path that you are on is correct and you have the power to complete all that you need to do. The only challenge with this card is that getting anything done is all in your hands. Therefore, your focus and a destination is essential. This mean you need to be simple and clear with yourself and others with what needs to be done this week. Thinking linearly will help. The practical side note is to literally check your tires on your vehicle and wear sensible shoes.
Eight of Cups and Five of Swords – Last week The Emperor (your birth year card) gave you a pat on the back that your project/business is going in a good direction, and is giving you the strength and the due diligence to get a big part of what you want done – done this year. The Eight of Cups and Five of Swords, however, are chiming in this week saying simplify and take your ego out of details, you are creating more chaos then required to complete your task.
Knight of Swords – Last week the Justice card reminded you that as much as you want decisions or ideas to be yes/no – good/bad, there is more to be considered. This week the Knight of Swords is fore-warning you to take heed to that and slow your roll in decision making. Haste is your enemy this week not only with conversations and ideas but also literally where you put your feet.
Ace of Cups – Ace of Cups is the card of new beginning when it comes to the heart and the spirit. Take this week to cleanse yourself and start anew. This can be a literally bath or aromatherapy shower, or a dip into the ocean or any other body of water. Your soul needs a reboot and water will help.
Ten of Swords – The Ten of Swords is a hard card no lie, however there are ways to ease the pain. One watch your mouth, conversations have a way of turn back on you no matter what your intention this week. Two, no self-sabotage. If you must, wear a rubber band on your wrist and snap it if you say anything mean to yourself. Final remember this too shall past. A cycle is ending – no need to carry anger, regret or any other negative emotions with you- let it go.
Four and Eight of Pentacles – Last week the Hierophant came asking you to examine and question your structures – morals, laws, schedules. Are they hindering you? – then break free and create new ones. If they are supporting you, build on them. This week the Four and Eight of Pentacles has you continuing your examinations; however, this week focusing the inquiry on the structures of how you make, spend and save your money. Somewhere fiscally you are not balanced, and this is the week to start fixing that.
Queen of Wands and Ace of Pentacles – The last couple of weeks the cards have advised you to pull back. Now the Queen of Wands and the Ace of Pentacles says this is an auspicious time to create some material change in your life. The combination of these cards is whispering – Now is the time to start creating what your heart and soul desire. 
Knight of Wands – All knights represent movement. This Knight wants you to create or expand on your passions. This is a great week to do creative things or be out in nature. He foretells you are on the right path; however, your one challenge this week is to watch your anger. There is more behind your ire than exasperation or frustration. And the solution is more creative or non-linear than practical and straightforward.
*Fool – The Fool is the card of the traveler and new beginnings. For some, you will be given a choice and this choice will ripple through your future. For others, you will need to take a leap of faith where there seems as there is no choice. For both, the key is to know that the journey is way more important then the destination. The first step to a new future starts this week. Stay true to what calls your spirit and makes you enjoy the journey.
Nine of Wands – The Nine of Wands is the card of preparation and perseverance. Take steps before you start each workday to prepare. You can’t plan for everything that is coming your way this week and that is where perseverance steps in. Put on your Wellies and slog on.
*Emperor – You are in the midst of building something pretty amazing and it is time to fully concentrate on it this week. The Emperor gives you the strength and the due diligence to get a big part of what you want done – done. Also, it is a great time to stand back and do some “city-planning.” This can look as simple as rearranging your priorities for this week to find time to do what you need to do. Or as complex as rearranging some gender roles in your life. Either way this week has all the materializing energy supporting you to make this a very productive time.
*Justice – The Justice card comes when, as much as we want decisions or ideas to be yes/no – good/bad, there is more to be considered. For true decision making you will need to see the background and context of each choice, and the answers maybe wrap in the complexity of paradox. Ultimately your decision(s) should be based in integrity and fairness. This is one week where intellect reigns over emotions.
Ten of Wands – The Ten of Wands is the card of over obligation or burdens. You have the tendency to take on too much this week. Take your to do list and move at least two things to next week. They will be there at the end of the week or their urgency or need will vaporize.
Page of Pentacles – The Page of Pentacles is the card of the student. Your assignment is to learn something new each day. It can be something little like having fun going down the google rabbit hole. There is a message or a skill to what you learn this week that you will need for the coming weeks.
*Hierophant – The Hierophant comes when you are having problems with structure in your life. Here is the key to this card: structure is supposed to be like the best house – making you feel safe, stronger and protected. It is not meant to make you feel frustrated, bound or obligated. So, this week examine your structures – morals, laws, schedules. Are they hindering you? – then break free and create new ones. If they are supporting you, build on them.
Page of Swords – Last week the Hermit and King of Pentacles advised, to get anything done and some perspective, you had to create some solo space and time. The Page of Swords wants you to continue in information gathering that perspectives buys you; however, you will have to be more devious about hiding or gaining physical space.
Two of Wands – Last week the Moon and Page of Cups suggested that you get in touch with your inner child by following the plot of Where the Wild Things Are. This week the Two of Wands still wants that inner child to play but the book changes to Harold and the Purple Crayon by expanding your horizons. Your inner child is craving for you to dream a bigger life for yourself.
Five of Cups – The last couple of weeks you have been dealing with some big energy. The High Priestess advised you to stop long enough to hone your intuition and listening to your inner voice. Then Justice had you focusing your mind’s eye to the concepts of integrity, fairness, and seeing other’s points of view. Now, you will need the last two weeks guides to help you through this Five of cups’ week. Five of Cups foretells that this week’s happenings get to you and can color it with melancholy. The challenge with this card is to see the silver lining. Think of this week as your cups/emotions that no longer work for you will be spilled, however, the ones left standing are far more refreshing and enlivening. Your motto this week: Don’t cry over spilt milk or wine, lol.
*Temperance – Wow three big cards for you in a row. The last couple of weeks the Ace of Cups and the Sun united their power helping you expand any area of your life you focus on. Then the Chariot rolled in saying this change is all under your control. And now Temperance the card of balance and moderation is chiming in. So, this coming year while you are growing and change it is important that you do this with an equilibrium that does not come naturally to you. You would rather attack life with a series of big pushes, then slow and steady, or you get so focused on one area of life you forget to pay attention to the rest. So, Temperance advises with your growth – moderation. This can look as simple as scheduling in play with your work, or as complex as growing the yang/male side of your personality while equally balancing the growth of your yin/feminine.
Sun – Well like Aries above this year is a Sun Year for you all, a time of growth and illumination. The great part of getting this card is what you focus your light on will grow and with that growth so do you. The challenges this year are twofold. When you are shining, you will illuminate the good, the bad and the ugly and how you focus your beam of light can either grow with a lite ambient focus or destroy/cut away like a laser. So, this year, while you shine, experiment with what kind of “watts” you need for maximum growth potential.
Eight and Four of Cups – Ok Twins this is a double week for you. The Eight of Cups is the Spring-cleaning card. Not only of your literal house but also of your emotional one. And with the Four of Cups telling you how and where to do this cleaning – three-quarters of introspection and the left over fourth you will find outside of yourself. The big lesson with this combo is get rid of what works and be grateful for what is left over.
Nine of Cups – The Nine of Cups challenges you to find the places of contentment in your life, feed them and not only enjoy them but also the process. As with all cups card and the combination of water signs, water helps if you are stuck.
Ten of Wands – The Ten of Wands means this week you will have to watch your people pleasing nature. If you continue to say yes, you will feel the burden of your obligations by the end of the week. You can fix this problem by either taking somethings off your present list, or just tell people you are swapped and not take on anything more. Either way this is about decreasing your load this week before you collapse from exhaustion.
The Ten of Swords – Last week the Universe offered you a time-out with the Hanged Man to practice the art of perception. Hopeful with the Hanged Man you practice the art of reverse-thinking, for you will need it this week with The Ten of Swords. The Ten of Swords is the card of troubles whether that is from your own negative thoughts or prompted by the outside world. Your challenge is to use the Hanged Man’s lesson of seeing the dark clouds as opportunities to “water your plants” or at the very least preparing you with an umbrella.
Queen of Wands – The Queen of Wands is the closest thing you get to the Mother Earth Energy in the lower cards. She advises you it is time to take a break and get into nature or doing something creative. She comes to remind you that your flame needs to be stoked, and that you are not attending to your inner cycles of growth, death and rebirth.
Nine of Pentacles – Last week the Wheel of Fortune had you looking for karmic intervention in your life or the sign posts of places that need changing. The trend continues this week but having you focus only on the areas of how you make your money. There are some places you need to tweak, and this is the week to do it. The only challenge is this is best done in private at first before you can invite people in on it.
Six of Pentacles – The Six of Pentacles is the mini-karma card. This week all the positive energy that you put into anything will come back three-fold, but this also includes the negative. The challenge with this card is that the return of good or bad does not typically take a straight path back to you.
Ace of Swords – The Empress’ growth period continues with the Ace of Swords. Last week the Empress wanted you to cultivate your life in a way that is more comforting and relaxing but knowing this will take some time. Now the Ace of Swords has you making your first step. Take this week to decide on the details of how, when and where this is going to happen. This is a week of planning and as they say the devil is in the details.
*High Priestess – The High Priestess you would think would be an easy card for you all, for she is the card of the philosopher and can easily fold into lotus position for hours. And you Aquarians are the astrological marathon thinkers and meditators. It just hard for you to get in that state because you all are easily distracted. This week this card wants you to try spending some quality time in the ethereal realm. Whether that is conversing with nature, mediating, or doing yoga every day at sunset. This week you need to tap into your intuited/woo self. The challenge this week will be honing and listening to your inner voice for long enough to get its message.
*Judgement – Judgement comes when it is time to shed your skin or evolve some aspect of your life. This can look as simple as trying on new styles of clothes, make-up, or changing your hair. It’s not that the outer layer matters it’s just practice for you to do some inner work. Here is the challenge – can you see and love the new parts of you that you are growing and leave self-judgment behind?
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