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Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of June 26, 2022

Anne Fusco Life is tough my darling
Anne Fusco Life is tough my darling

In general, my aim is to be uplifting and write about my ponderings around art, science, and tarot (spirituality) as differing conduits to try and explain our collective experience.  And I share it with you for with theses hopes:  That the tarot part will give you guides to create more ease in your life, and for you to find support and comfort with your intuition.  The science part is to share how amazing and awe-inspiring the universe is.  And lastly the art, which shows how amazing people’s imagination and spirit can be portrayed through visual means.  This week I struggled.

Three days ago, the Roe versus Wade a 50-year ruling was overturned and I am furious and unbelievably sad.  I have cried for 3 days straight.   So, I was having a hard time writing, my mind was swirling- everything felt contrite.  What is making me sad and angry about this decision isn’t totally about reproductive rights.  It is about people not believing that women are capable to choose their own destiny. That women don’t think about motherhood, a child’s safety, the environment or circumstances these potential souls might be brought into.  That a woman in 36 states, who possible like me 35 years ago when my birth control pills didn’t work and I got pregnant, may not have the privilege and rights I had and women before me fought for. So, I was struggling to find light and hope.

While scanning my inbox for support, I found one of my favorite voices Anna Fusco @lordccowboy.  Fusco’s art and writing gives me hope for the future of women, our resilience and humanity in general.  She opens herself up to her viewers through her musings by painting, line drawings and her words.  She lets us into the messy parts of living as much as its moments of awe-inspiring beauty.  And though one may not be able to relate to every aspect of her art (like I don’t surf), I do relate to her the process of her pondering.

Fusco guides us to reflect, to think, to imagine, to mull over, to hope…She shares how she experiences moments of life which in turn prompts us to live in our own.  She reminds us that humans are messy; we are the paradox and fulcrum of our shortcomings and excellence.  Her art and ponderings gives us hope to continue trying to be the best human we can be, even when we are struggling.

Your pondering for the week:  What is liberty? And would you let someone else define yours?

To support women’s choice support an organization like Sister Song, write or call your representatives, speak up, and vote!

 

Solar System Highlights

On Monday the moon is still in Gemini good for conversations. Then on Tuesday the moon goes into Cancer time for home life and self-care.  Mercury is in Gemini its home spot.  This eases conversations and inspires downloads of knowledge.  Venus (beauty and harmony) is in Gemini (communication and knowledge). Interesting that the divine feminine is getting talk about right now.  Ladies tell your stories.  Mars (action) is in Aries (action).  Good for getting things done.  Jupiter is in Aries until October 28th.  It influences action and expansion over the summer months.  And lastly, Saturn remains in Aquarius for all of 2022 – so innovating and upping your game is its focus.

P.S. Signs with an * it is a big week for you.  Cancer this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year.  And Capricorn 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
Anna Fusco Going Left
Anna Fusco Going Left

*Chariot – The Muse of Momentum brings you the fuel, but you will need to manifest the direction.  This energy helps you get unstuck, but the challenge is you need provide the focus and goals.  Or you will tend to run in circles.  So, she asks what do you want to accomplish this week?  Write a list and then go at them one by one.

Taurus
Anna Fusco Feelings are perfectly safe
Anna Fusco Feelings are perfectly safe

Two of Cups – This week the focus is on your love relationships.  Spend quality time with those you love, for your emotional cups need filling, as do theirs.

Gemini

King of Wands – Last week the Muse of Organic Change advises that now is the time to let go and create space for the new to grow. Now that you have created some space, the Muse of Innovation asks what you would like to grow in this empty space?  Spend this week pondering what can you implement to innovate a better life?

Cancerian
Anna Fusco The sea the sea!
Anna Fusco The sea the sea!

*Star– For your second energy to work with this year the Muse of Healing and Hope has “shone” up.  So, this week write down some aspects that you would like to heal, and some hopes you would like to cast.  You get a year to rest and gather your strength and make plans for a healthier future.

 

Leo
Anna Fusco Heaven
Anna Fusco Heaven

Seven of Cups – The Muse of Dreams asks you if you had seven wishes what would they be?  The challenge is being very precise and very realistic when making them.

Virgo
Anna Fusco I smile at others
Anna Fusco I smile at others

Page of Coins – The Muse of the Student comes when you need to learn something.  This week you will be missing some skill set.  Your challenge is to let your hubris go and crack open the books, internet or find a mentor.

 

Libra
Anna Fusco Whipped Cream

Page of Swords – The Muse of Investigation comes around when information is needed but it will be a challenge to get it.  Not that someone is purposely hiding the answers, but you will need to probe deeper then a casual “how are you or what do you mean?”

Scorpio
Anna Fusco Might as well
Anna Fusco Might as well

Ace of Swords – Hopefully you set your goals last week because this week you will need to be decisive and very focused.  If you have not, then do that on Monday before you start your work week.  And in general follow logic more than your heart this week.

Sagittarius
Anna Fusco There is enough if we share

Two of Wands – The Muse of Future Planning is here again.  Either you did not plan far enough into the future a couple of weeks ago, or you need to tweak some of your plans.  Hint: This Muse likes to have a few out of the box ideas so it can manifest more opportunities when possible.

Capricorn
Anna Fusco The Flowers I See Right Now

Seven of Swords – The Muse of Stealing comes when you are “robbing Peter to pay Paul.”  So, what resources/things are you moving around but not really dealing with the problem?  Time to fess up and work on the solutions.

 

Aquarius
Anna Fusco People come People go

*World – The Muse of Opportunities is here to open doors for you.  The challenge with this card is feeling that when you make a choice you must stick to it.  That is not the case right now.  Take each opportunity and try it on for size.  And then pick the best fit.

Pisces
Anna Fusco Good requires very little

Seven of Coins – Hopefully you pulled back from society last week to get perspective because this week is all about work.  Yep, it is time to pull up your trousers, roll up your sleeves and start checking off what needs to be done.  It may sound hard but once you start you will find your flow.

Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of June 19, 2022

Happy Birth-month Cancerians!

The artist this week is Shantell Martin @shantell_martin. (This blog is a hard medium to show her work for much of the impact comes with the immersion into it and many of her pieces are moving.  For example, just go to her website and run your cursor over the drawings around her image.  But I am going to try, and hopefully you will be more intrigued and click through to her sites.)

Martin makes “simple” ink line drawings and takes us on a journey possible into to her stream of conscious but definitely into our own self-discovery.  She is a renaissance philosopher artist.  Martin often collaborates and has vast interests in a variety of mediums, music, design, fonts, sculpture to name a few. Her works represented here are parts installations in public spaces.  There is a sense of fun of whimsy that we often need to remind ourselves of, even when we are thinking big thoughts.  That we can simultaneously follow a line of thought and wind it through a variety of emotions, but come out with a more optimistic and airy sense of space.

Martin has been fascinated and working with the concept of “line” since youth.  As she said in a Colossal Interview “With just a few simple strokes you can imagine something or bring it to life.  There’s something quite magical about that, and as an artist, I feel we all fundamental have our own line inside us. We have something we could extract…it would be unique and different for every single individual that created a line.”   So, your pondering for this week is Martin’s Art Manifesto.  Even if you are not an artist these aspects can be applied into your life.  For an exercise replaced the word “art/artist” and with “us/our” in the sheet below and find your line.

Shantell Martin
Shantell Martin Manifesto
Solar System Highlights

Just a heads-up Monday through Wednesday the Moon, Mars and Venus are all in placements that can ooze stubbornness and noncompliance.  Watch that you don’t get into any battles because nobody wins during this time.  Then on Thursday the Moon moves into Taurus giving us that slow and steady energy to finish out our work.  By Saturday it is in Gemini a great time for friends and lively conversations.  Mercury is in Gemini its home spot.  This eases conversations and inspires downloads of knowledge.  Venus (beauty and harmony) moves into Gemini (communication and knowledge) on the 22nd.  Finally, Venus can get some breathing room from Mars.  So, after Wednesday fences can be mended and people find places to compromise.  Jupiter is in Aries until October 28th.  It influences action and expansion over the summer months.  And lastly, Saturn remains in Aquarius for all of 2022 – so innovating and upping your game is its focus.

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

Shantell Martin
Shantell Martin

*Moon – The Muse of Shadows would like you to work with your more obscured attributes.  She would like you to reflect on your societal persona.  Has it masked some hidden talents?  Does it truly reflect your soul’s desires or your heart’s?  What abilities have you hidden because of should, could, would have statements? Time to walk at least one of these hidden abilities back out into the light.

Taurus
Shantell Martin
Shantell Martin

*Wheel – Last week, the Muse of Healing and Hope asked if you could heal one thing what would it be?  And if you had one truth to live by what would that be?  The Muse of Fortune often comes to unstick momentum, so she continues this line of questioning.  She asks what are you trying to control that cannot be controlled?  Where are you metaphorically trying to grasp water or manipulate an aspect of the Wheel of Life?   This Muse is reminding you the world turns without you.  She does not mean to lessen your power but to redirect it to the present.

Gemini
Shantell Martin
Shantell Martin Open Your Eyes

*Death – The Muse of Organic Change advises that now is the time to let go and create space for the new to grow.  This can look as simple as cleaning out your closets, old junk drawers or your garage.  Or as complex as letting go of old concepts or relationships that no longer feed you.  Think of it like tilling the soil of your life. You are preparing the ground for new things to grow.

Cancerian
Shantell Martin
Shantell Martin

Ten of Coins – The Muse of Abundance is your first energy to work with this birth year.  This Muse is asking you if you can celebrate your success and enjoy all that you have worked for?  This year is about enjoying the family you have created, the friends you have, and your material successes.

 

Leo
Shantell Martin
Shantell Martin

Ten of Wands – You will be asked to do a lot this week; however, the Muse of Obligation reminds you all the tasks are not your responsibility.  This week your challenge is to discern what is yours and then drop the rest.  By taken on other’s responsibilities you are creating unhealthy dependent relationships instead interdependent collaborations.

Virgo
Shantell Martin The May Room

Two of Coins – The Muse of Equilibrium comes when something is out of balance.   She asks what is making your life askew? Are you working too much?  Then Play more.  Or are you playing too much? Then realign with your ambitions.  Are you feeling tired or sick?  Look at adjusting your sleep habits or food intake.  The challenge with this exercise is believing you must take on all the imbalances at once.  Start small and pick one focus, like go to bed 15 minutes earlier, for you might find the others naturally readjusts with the smallest of calibrations.

 

Libra
Shantell Martin
Shantell Martin Open Your Eyes

*Strength – The Muse of Strength comes for two reasons, either you need to strength your core muscle, or you need to strengthen your convictions.  If its your core muscle be careful lifting things this week and do some strengthening exercises.  If it is your convictions, shore up your boundaries and realign yourself with your belief systems.  Often this Muse asks you to ponder what is the most important ethic that you hold and then apply the answer in all your challenges this week.

Scorpio
Shantell Martin The May Room

*Chariot – This week will have a lot of energy not only within you but also around you.  The Muse of Momentum has given you the impetus, but you must supply the objectives. So be careful starting off this week without a responsible agenda.  Without a plan this energy can combust or have you doing donuts in the parking lot.  However, if you have goals and actions steps you should find the road smoothly paved.

Sagittarius
Shantell Martin

Eight of Wands – The Muse of Messages shows up all this week downloading information.  The challenge is managing your inbox.  So, the key to ease this week is prioritize what you need to respond to and leave the rest.  Also, it is a great time to pick out a book or audio file and savor the glory of the written word.

Capricorn
Shantell Martin

Five of Coins – The Muse of Devotion is asking what or whom do you pray to?  This week will have its challenges, so where do you go for spiritual guidance?  This week reconnect to the divinity, person, place, or thing where you can find solace for your soul.

 

Aquarius
Shantell Martin

Nine of Wands – The Muse of Resilience is standing by you to help you make it through the challenges this week.  First, she reminds you that you have been through way worse and survived.  And secondly, she prompts that you do not have to take it all on at once.  You can methodically come at one challenge at a time and the rest will wait their turn, though they may grumble a bit.  You got this.

Pisces
Shantell Martin

*Hermit – The Muse of Solitude is inviting you to pull away and get some perspective.  Yep, you have the Muses’ permission to hide this week.  So, turn off your phone any time you can; however, this does not mean that you can sit in a haze.  The challenge this week is to stand back and look at your surroundings and make a game plan of how you are going to re-enter into society.

Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of June 12, 2022

Djakou Kassi Nathalie

The artist this week is Djakou Kassi Nathalie @djakoukassi.  Djakou works with clay like quilters work with fabric.  In many of her pieces she carves stylized masks, houses, mathematical equations, shapes, and lines in a crazy quilt like fashion.  Weaving together a tale with small treasures, like a person peeping out a window with 2020 carved beside it or a notched gear placed like the sun over a house.  Her work relates powerful stories against domestic violence, man’s volatile interactions with nature, survival, and the inspiration of divine womanhood.  These masks which adorn many of her large vessel, vases, plates, and stylized figures are as if our ancestors or ancients are looking at as, questioning our reasonings and telling us their knowledge. Are they and Djakou reminding us of cautions and insights from the past that reverberate into the now?  That our present-day life is interwoven with generational knowledge, our own past experiences, who we are now, and then questions our own legacy?  The beauty of how all our stories intertwine, connect and that ultimately together we build vessels for the next generations?

Your pondering:  As humans, we are a tapestry of our experiences interwoven and stitched to the past as much as the present. What will be your part in Earth’s weaving?

Solar System Highlights

The Moon starts this week in Sagittarius, so it might be hard to get into the groove of the work week and leave the weekend vibe.  But by Tuesday the moon is in Capricorn, and it becomes easier to focus on getting things done. By Thursday it shifts to Aquarius where it lifts energy towards innovation and the removal of grid locks.  Then on the weekend the moon moves into Pisces, great for all things involving water and nestling into home and family.  Though be aware you can get some celestial downloads too.

Mercury moves to Gemini on Monday its home spot.  This eases conversation which we will need with Venus and Mars’ lesson this week. Venus (beauty and harmony) is in Taurus one of its favorite places.  And Mars (action) is in Aries where it loves to hang to provide momentum.  However, when it comes to relationships these two put out a stubborn vibe.  Hence, we are back to challenges in our relationships, though this helps us learn the skill of compromise.  Jupiter is in Aries until October 28th.  It influences action and expansion over the summer months.  And lastly, Saturn remains in Aquarius for all of 2022 – so innovating and upping your game is its focus.

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

Two of Wands – The Muse of Future Adventures is nudging you to do some goal setting and to balance that with a vacation plan. What places would you like to explore next year and where do you see yourself in June of 2023?

 

Taurus
Djakou Kassi Nathalie
Teacher, Djakou Kassi Nathalie

*Star – The Muse of Healing and Hope wants you to realign with your north star. She asks if you could heal one thing what would it be?  And if you had one truth to live by what would that be?  This is the week to start that particular wound healing and calibrate yourself to that truth.

 

Gemini
Djakou Kassi Nathalie
Koki, Djakou Kassi Nathalie

Three of Cups – Your last Muse for the coming year is the Muse of Friendship.  First let’s review your other guides for your birth year.  The Muse of Collaboration came saying that people are vital to broadening your perspective and adding skill sets that you will need to create a better life. Then the Muse of Karmic Kindness forecasted that any good or bad deeds you do come back to you three-fold, however, the reciprocation is never linear. And then the Muse of Commitment has you working on why you are dedicating yourself to something more than looking at the “why not”.  And now the Muse of Friendship enters the chorus reminding you that friends are who you fill and empty your emotional cups with.  This year people are vital to your wellbeing and growth.  So, open up your contacts and start reconnecting.

 

Cancerian
Roots Djakou Kassi Nathalie

*Strength – Your third high energy week and your last week to wind up your birth year.  The last two weeks’ themes have been about creating, building, and nurturing.  And this week the Muse of Strength is wanting you to work on integrating and strengthening your habits to support these concepts.  So, this Muse is asking what do you need to maintain the space and time to play with creation, manifest it into being and then feed it so it can grow to the next level?  The challenge is starting small and slowly in taming your internal and external chaos.

 

Leo
Djakou Kassi Nathalie
Shape of Numbers Djakou Kassi Nathalie

Nine of Swords – The Muse of Worry comes when your mind is on “11”.  You are overthinking and this week’s energy is not going to help.  So, this muse shows up to remind you that “worrying is like paying a debt you don’t owe.”   You can plan until the cows come home and 999 out of 1000 times you will have worried for not.  So, what would happen if you focused that worry brain power somewhere else more pertinent like what is happening in the present.  One of your superpowers is dealing with problems in the moment.  So, if you stay present, you will more likely solve the potential worry if they actual occur or acknowledge that it will solve itself in time without you.

 

Virgo
Djakou Kassi Nathalie

*Death – The Muse of Organic change comes when you need to pull some weeds in your metaphorical (or literal garden with all you gardeners out there).  You need to create space in your life and your environment.  Take this week to clear some space.  This Muse is a harbinger that good things are coming but they need room to grow, so some clearing is necessary.

 

Libra
Strong connection Djakou Kassi Nathalie

Ten of Coins – The Muse of Prosperity comes when you are at a place to enjoy the hard work you have put in.  You have worked your butt off to get here.  And why did you work so hard if you don’t spend time enjoying it?  Take time this week to luxuriate  before you move on to the next project.

 

Scorpio
Stop Garbage, Djakou Kassi Nathalie

Five of Wands – The Muse of Chaos comes to shake things up.  She is not always helpful in how she does it though.  Often, she nudges your insecurities or rivalry to reveal your wants and needs.  First make sure you are not measuring your self-worth according to another person’s life or opinion.  Once you have done that, then tend to satisfying your wants or needs without comparisons.

 

Sagittarius
Eternity, Djakou Kassi Nathalie

Ace of Wands – The Muse of Inspirations is knocking on your door.  It is time to broaden your world and your goals.  Take time this week to visit new places and adventures.  If you do so, they will not only stimulate you but also inspires new experiences which then fertilize your own growth.

 

Capricorn
Djakou Kassi Nathalie
Djakou Kassi Nathalie

*Moon – The Muse of Visons is here all this week to bring forth dreams, apparitions, and emotional bubbles from the subconscious.  Do not see these sights as omens but more like dreamscapes to play with your imagination and glean insight from its shadows.  Use this spiritual fodder to nurture your artistic side.  And lastly go howl at the moon on the 14th or 15th when the moon is in your sign.

 

Aquarius
Speak Out, Djakou Kassi Nathalie

 

Two of Swords – “Decisions, decisions, decisions” seems to be your earworm this week. To make any decision this week you need to think about the journey more then its goal.  Because no matter which path you take you will get to the same end point; so, take the path that feels right to you.

 

Pisces
Djakou Kassi Nathalie
Heritage Djakou Kassi Nathalie

Three of Wands – The Muse of Venture comes when it is time for you to start on a project.  The important step for it to begin with ease is preparation while you are waiting for the right time or way to finance it.   This week is no time to stand idle.  Make the space and time for this new thing to come in.  Think of it like feathering one’s nest before your next golden egg is laid.

Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of May 8, 2022

Mary Cassatt
Mary Cassatt, Mother’s Kiss, 1890-1891; Drypoint and aquatint on paper, 13 3/4 x 9 in.; National Museum of Women in the Arts, Gift of John and Linda Comstock in loving memory of Abigail Pearson Van Vleck; Photo by Lee Stalsworth

This week I highlight the art of Mary Cassatt, painter and print maker.  She studied and showed her work in Europe in the late 1800’s.  And in 1877 was invited by Degas to join a group of independent artists, that became known as the Impressionists.  Cassatt was the only America to officially join the group.  During this time, she revised her technique, composition, and use of color.  She began to experiment with printmaking especially influenced by Japanese artisans.

Her subjects were taken from her life as a woman: her family, the theater and opera.  These were not the standard sitting portraits which she was also known for but showed her interest in figure compositions and movement.  However, her study of the relationship and everyday experiences of mother and child brought in an emotional quality to her paintings. She entices the viewer to reminisce our own experiences as a child and/or a caregiver.  A gentle touch, arms embracing you, sharing intimate moments of care.

 

Mother’s Day is not only a moment to honor our mothers, but also a day to honor nurturing.   Nurture is defined “as the process of caring for and encouraging the growth or development of someone or something.”  Whether you have children, are a mother, have a mother or none of the above, nurturing is a verb that needs strengthening in this world right now.

Your Pondering: How do you nurture for yourself and in your world?

 

Solar System Highlights

The Moon starts this week in Virgo – clean and organize your workspace to begin the week.  Then it moves into Libra on the 12th – relationships and balance are highlighted.  Then on Saturday it moves into Scorpio – great for imbibing in your passions.  Mercury is in Gemini it home sign, so conversations and knowledge are highlighted.  However, it turns retrograde on May 10th so from then on review, reflect and revise until June 3rd.  If you must start a project or have a deep conversation, remember patience is key during this time.  Venus (beauty and harmony) is in Aries (action and chaos).   So, Mars and Venus stop working with each other again until the end of month.  Mars (action) is still in Piscesian dream land while Venus wants to get going and see action steps.  Lesson in patience and compromise are still big this week.  Also, Jupiter moves into Aries on May 10th.  So, expansion and growth go from dreams to reality.   And lastly, Saturn remains in Aquarius for all of 2022 – so innovating and upping your game is the focus for this 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
Mary Cassatt
Mary Cassatt

Five of Coins – The Muse of Challenges is creating more chaos than ease this week.  Luckily you had the Muse of Core Strength last week reminding you that you are a powerhouse, a force to be reckon with.  And this week’s Muse to point out that you are not using your resources well or not asking for help.  So, call in the troops.

 

Taurus
Mary Cassatt
Mary Cassatt

*Magician – Your fourth and so far, most powerful Muse is the Muse of Conjuring.   While the other Muses are helping you finish and release, this Muse is making you a conduit to the divine.  You will be provided all the tools you need this year, but it is up to you to experiment with them and bring ideas to life.

 

Gemini
Mary Cassatt
Mary Cassatt

*Star – The Muse of Oneness had you connect with the world last week and now another powerful Muse steps in to illuminate you.  The Muse of Healing and Illumination comes to soothe and help you cure old wounds, and she does this with inspiration and hope.  Connection is still key for this week.  So, foster the good relationships with nurturing care and the bad, they are reminders how not to act.  Be grateful for both for the latter shows you your wounds and the former, heals them.

 

Cancerian
Mary Cassatt
Mary Cassatt

Eight of Swords – Boundaries and bindings abound this week.  This Muse of Captivity points out that you however hold the keys to your freedom.  You do not have to be bound to the social constructs around you.  You know that some of them are causing harm.  Take this week to unbind these negative thoughts that never served you.

 

Leo
Mary Cassatt
Mary Cassatt

*Tower – The Muse of Disruption is here again to point out what needs changing in your life.  You have two choices with this energy.  You can let her run havoc and tear down what isn’t working.  Or you can work with this kali like energy as motivation to make the changes yourself. The former can be easier but the later creates less dust and general mayhem.  And remember the choice is always yours.

 

 

Virgo
Mary Cassatt

Six of Swords – The Muse of Transitions is here to move you to the next phase.  This can be adding one serving of a fruit or veggie to your diet or rearranging your space to be more feng shui.  Or, reordering your schedule so you can get in some exercise.  Little shifts need to happen this week so you can create more flow and ease.

 

Libra
Mary Cassatt
Mary Cassatt

Ace of Wands – The Muse of Vitality is pushing you to play with your creativity and ignite your imagination.   So, start that project you been thinking about.  Connect with your artistic side and play with paints or play in your garden.  Her point is to experiment and activate your mind with color and creativity.

 

Scorpio
Mary Cassatt

Seven of Coins – Last week the Muse of Construction came to help you expand your empire and build it better.   This week the Muse of Labor picked up the torch and is giving you the energy to continue the work.  She reminds you that, if you put in the work this week, accolades will follow.

 

Sagittarius
Mary Cassatt
Mary Cassatt

Three of Wands – The Muse this week would like to help you lay the foundation to a project or relationship.  This is a great week to do research, check out sites and plans for viability.  Mercury going into retrograde will help this process.  As they say measure twice and cut once.

 

Capricorn
Mary Cassatt
Mary Cassatt

Seven of Wands – The Muse of Advantage is with you this week.  Though you may feel in the right or positioned to win, be careful how you play the scenario.  Winning is wonderful if it is done with humility and grace.

 

Aquarius
Mary Cassatt

Five of Cups – The Muse of Silver Linings has come to help you navigate this week’s chaos.  She comes when events do not always work in your favor.  But she points out that in all cases they are only partial losses.  The cup is half full, rain must happen for the rainbow etc.…

 

Pisces
Mary Cassatt

*Temperance – The Muse of Harmony is here to help you sort through this week.  Harmony is defined “as pleasing arrangement of parts.” This can be as simple as playing with new spices in your food, working with different color combinations with your wardrobe, or as complicated as rearranging the priorities in your life.   So, this week as you view your surroundings how can you combine and arrange them to be more pleasing to your eye as well as your soul?

 

 

 

Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of April 24, 2022

Mabel Allington Royds
Water Lilies Mabel Allington Royds

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
Mabel Allington Royds
Trees on a slope Mabel Allington Royds

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
Mabel Allington Royds
White Lilies Mabel Allington Royds

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
Grapes Mabel Allington Royds

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
Mabel Allington Royds
Magnolia Mabel Allington Royds

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
Mabel Allington Royds
Dandelions Mabel Allington Royds

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
Mabel Allington Royds
Honeysuckle Mabel Allington Royds

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
Mabel Allington Royds
Columbines Mabel Allington Royds

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
Tiger lilies Mabel Allington Royds

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
Foxglove Mabel Allington Royds

*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
Artichoke Mabel Allington Royds

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
Cyclamen Mabel Allington Royds

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
Cineraria Mabel Allington Royds

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.

 

 

 

Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of April 3, 2022

Hegel’s Holiday Rene Magritte

As the saying goes April showers bring May flowers so this week, I wanted to focus on the umbrella.  Historically the first umbrella was actually a parasol. By definition, parasols are used for sun protection and umbrellas for rain. The earliest known parasols were in Egypt (2450 BCE).  They were shaped like a fan on a long handle often attached to chariots or carried over a person of the Egyptian elite while walking.  Usually, they were made with feathers or palm leaves.  The first apparent collapsible parasol appears in archaeological record in Persia around 100 years later.  The parasol spread to ancient Greece then Rome as status symbol mostly used by woman but for the first time referenced in shielding one from sun and rain.  These semi-umbrellas were made of leather.

The prototype of the modern-day umbrella was invented in China in the 11th century BCE.  Where the first silk and waterproof umbrellas were used by the nobility. After the fall of Rome, the umbrella disappeared from European fashion, until the mid-17th century and was reintroduced into Europe from China where now it was used by a wide variety of the social classes.  But the umbrella didn’t gain popularity until 1710.  Where a Persian merchant, Jean Marius, created the first light-weight umbrella, and 40 years later a French scientist, Navarre, invented the automatic push button designed umbrella we still use today.

This week is a variety of artist that use the umbrella.  Your pondering for the week:  what is your metaphorical umbrella that protects you from the harsher aspects of life?

Solar System Highlights

The Moon starts this week in Gemini – conversations can run deep and healing if you spend the time.  Also, it is a great time for brainstorming.  Then it moves into Cancer on the 7th – in the workplace watch mood swings but by the time you are into the weekend things calm down.  Nestling at home, self-care and curling up with loved ones (movie night and a nice meal?) are recommended.  Mercury is in Aries until April 11th – great for hashing out ideas but watch bossy tones. Mars (action) is in Aquarius (innovation, perspective, and long-term thinking). This is a period to experiment with innovations, but if you are trying to get something done quickly, be aware that for the next couple of weeks there might be more talking then doing.

Venus moves into Pisces on Tuesday and for most of April.  So, we move from experimenting and long-term planning to dreaming and creating 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 from the 8th to the 18th (exactly on the 12th) Jupiter and Neptune are conjoined for the first time in 166 years. This a time for creativity, art, spirituality and hopefully will boost our collective spirit.  (Personally look at where Pisces is in your natal chart).  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.  Aries this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year.  And Libra 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
Umbrella
Relief of Xerxes Persepolis, Iran

Seven of Coins – This is your third boots on the ground energy for your coming year.  The Muse of Satisfaction has come to join the ranks.  This energy is about putting in the work, but its real benefit is the harvest you achieve in doing so.  So, this year will be busy, but you will see positive profit in all that you do.

 

 

 

Taurus
Umbrella
Utagawa-Hiroshige

*Tower and Eight of Swords – The Muses of Deconstruction and Bondage has come in during your last month of your birth cycle.  Together these muses focus on fixing places where you give others power over your life.  This is about how you are not aligned to your truths like: your negative though patterns reinforced by others for their benefit or not seeing your self-worth as important as others.  Take time these next weeks, get your power back and equalize your goals with others’ aspirations before your birthday.

 

Gemini
Umbrella
Angie’s Umbrella Pridgeon and Shaw

Five of Swords – This is your second five so a quick dive into this number.  Five represent disorder.  Last week it was the disorder of your emotions and this week it is chaos of the mind.  There is a situation in your environment this week that sends your mind and possible your voice spinning.  And this muse reminds you to remove your ego before you speak or act, for if you don’t you will add to the chaos.

 

Cancerian
Umbrella
Gustave Caillebotte Paris Street Rainy Day

Eight of Coins – The Muse of Craft comes when you need a reminder that you got this.  You have mastered an aspect of your life and this week is only about tweaking your skill set.  Her motto:  work smarter not harder.

 

Leo
Umbrella
Umbrella Project Cristo and Jeanne Claude

King of Swords – The Muse of Long-Term Planning comes with telescopes and star maps to help you plot your course.  Use this week’s energy by setting long-term goals (like next time this year and in 2025).  Engage with that Jupiter-Neptune energy and start planning for the next big thing.

 

Virgo
Utagawa_ToyokuniIi The poetess Ono-no Komachi in the rain

Four of Coins – This week can drain your resources.   The Muse of Saving advises to spend your time and/or money only on the important things this week.  Save your resources if you can and if you must spend, do so wisely.

 

 

 

 

Libra
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, The Umbrellas

Six of Cups – The past is important this week to help you create ease.  The Muse of Memories comes when the answers you seek lie in past experiences and lessons. As she loves to quote W. Wordsworth – Life is divided into three terms – that which was, which is, and which will be.  Let us learn from the past to profit by the present, and from the present, to live better in the future.

 

 

 

Scorpio
Emile Bernard Breton Woman with Umbrellas

Four of Swords – Take this week to relax and catch your breath.  As the world whirls around you find a spot to sit back and just watch.  The Muse of Restoration comes when your tanks are nearing empty, so find time to nap, turn off electronics, stick to an early bedtime and/or stare out the window.    Don’t forget to hydrate and eat well too.

 

Sagittarius
Georges Seurat woman with umbrella

King of Coins – All hands-on deck for the Muse of Building comes with her toolbox.  Use this energy to get things done on the material plane.  Whether that is actually building something or a project on your to-do list, this Muse helps you push it to the finish line.

 

 

 

 

Capricorn
Salvador Dali sewing machine with Umbrellas

Nine of Swords – The Muse of Worry visits when there is something niggling in the background of your mind.  She would like you to work it out in your conscious thoughts rather than it bubble in your sub-conscious. So, she suggests talking it through or writing copious stream of conscious notes until you no longer feel the itch.  In most cases you will find that the fuss was about paying a debt you never owed.

 

Aquarius
Bansky Grey Rain

Ten of Swords – This week will have its rough moments, but you will find that mostly it come from outside sources. So, your challenge is not to dive into the drama but skirt around it.  The bright side is that this cycle is coming to an end, healing and a new understanding is right around the corner.

 

Pisces
Jack Vettraino The Singing Butler

Ten of Cups – The Muse of Happiness has come with sunshine and rainbows.  Something in your life is ending and it is setting you up for a new beginning.  This Muse advises enjoying the moments here at the end of this chapter before you jump to the next book.

 

 

Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of March 20, 2022

Philippe Halsman
Philippe Halsman Audrey Hepburn

Happy Birthday Aries!  And Happy Spring and Nowruz!

Nowruz (new day) is a Spring festival that dates to ancient Persia 3,000 years ago.  Nowruz is celebrated in a variety of countries that marks not only spring but also the beginning of the Iranian solar calendar.  Celebrations begin two to three weeks leading up and including the Vernal Equinox.  People preform ritual dances, fill vessels in the home with water to banish bad luck and set up tables covered with the seven symbolic items: seed sprouts – rebirth, senjed (Persian olive)- love, garlic – protection, apple – fertility, sumac – love, vinegar – patience, and samanu a pudding made from sprouted wheat = wealth.   And celebrators on the Wednesday night before the Equinox jump over fire to scare away a bad luck.

Therefore, to continue the use of light and in honor of Nowruz tradition of jumping over fire we focus on photographer Philippe Halsman and his Jumps series.  A Halsman portrait is easy to identify.  It has strong lightening, often a sense of the absurd and his unique stamp in the darkroom. As in his words: For me, lighting is what a brush is to a painter.  I want my light to give an awareness of the 3rd dimension, that it shows volume and depth.  Above all I consider light as a means of characterization.” In the 1930’s he also designed his own camera with a quicker click speed and that had the photographer look through the lens, instead of standing beside the camera.  By doing this it made his sitter look into the camera and gave Halsman more control over what he could capture in the moment.

In the early 1950’s Halsman started asking famous people to jump and capture it using his distinctive lightening, sense of humor and his talent for bring out unique and often hidden aspects of his subjects.  “I was motivated by a genuine curiosity.  After all, life has taught us to control and disguise our facial expressions, but it has not taught us to control our jumps.  I wanted to see famous people reveal in a jump, their ambition or their lack of it, their self-importance or their insecurity, and many other traits.”  Your pondering for this week:  What characteristics come to play when you are asked to jump?

Solar System highlights:  The Moon starts in Scorpio – spring has sprung.  Then on Tuesday it moves into Sagittarius – get outside to take breaks from the grind. On Thursday it goes into Capricorn to help us finish up projects and our work week.  Then for the weekend the Moon is in Aquarius a perfect time to investigate the arts, read a book expand your mind. Mercury is in Pisces until March 27th – talk through dreams with friends but not so great if you are trying to pin down action plans or solutions.

Mars (action) is in Aquarius (innovation, perspective, and long-term thinking). Time to experiment with innovations.  But if you are trying to get something done quickly, be aware that for the next couple of weeks there might be more talking then doing.  Venus (beauty, relationships) is also in Aquarius this can be a great time to do long term planning with your significant others or dabble in creative endeavors with them.  But still remember not to push for solutions or set goals in stone – brainstorming is key.   Jupiter is in Pisces until May; 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.  Aries this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year.  And Libra 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
Philippe Halsman Duke and Duchess of Windsor

Eight of Cups – Time to clean up and organize this week.  The Muse of Simplifying and Letting Go is knocking at your door. This Muse comes when your emotional or physical space is cluttered.  She asks what your priorities are and do you have the space and time for them?  If not time to clean house and make space for the new.

 

Taurus
Philippe Halsman
Philippe Halsman Marilyn Monroe

Ten of Coins – This week is a great opportunity to finish up projects and dangling participials.  This is not a week to start something new.  Whatever unfinished business you have focus on those only.  And then by the weekend celebrate their completion with friends and family.

 

Gemini
Philippe Halsman
Philippe Halsman Dali

Eight of Wands – Last week the Muse of Inner Strength wanted you to strengthen your resolve physically or morally.  If you did,  then this week you will be able to receive and deal with the massive download of information in the moment.  If not, then take good notes and prioritize the information on the weekend.

 

Cancerian
Philippe Halsman
Philippe Halsman Eartha Kit

Knight of Cups– The Muse of Vulnerability has come to help you open your heart and deal with the emotional puddles within.  You can share with others as long as you watch comparisons and what ifs.

 

Leo
Philippe Halsman
Philippe Halsman
Robert Oppenheimer

* Death – Last week the Muse of Shadows and Mist reminded you that what you saw on the outside was merely reflections on your inner work.  Hopefully you did this internal investigation for this week change is here.  However, to initiate this momentum you must release old baggage that no longer serves you.  There are things you are not letting go of.  This Muse pushes for change but it is up to you to let go of the past and self-doubt.

 

Virgo
Philippe Halsman Muhammad Ali

Four of Pentacles – The Muse of Resources is giving you a piggy bank.  It is important this week to save your money, space, time, and energy.   Your resources are finite do not spend them on items, projects or people that do not serve or help you get things done.

 

Libra
Philippe Halsman Edward Steichen

Two of Wands – The Muse of Adventure has come to push you to broaden your horizons.  She suggests find new ways to get home, eat at new places, engage in conversations with strangers, get lost and meander through new avenues.  By expanding your outlook, you are activating new potentials.

 

Scorpio
Philippe Halsman Peter Ustinov

Nine of Wands – The Muse of Preparation comes when there is a lot of energy around you and to tackle it you need to be ready.  She advises to make sure you have sustenance each day, gas in your tank, the right shoes for the job, etc.. Spend the beginning of your week prioritizing your jobs and then stick to your game plan.

 

Sagittarius
Philippe Halsman Richard Nixon

*Justice – The Muse of Truth and Fairness is the prominent player this week.  Her advice is: though aspects of life vary in shades of grey, to create forward motion this week it is vital that you choose a side.   This is a week to trust your logic over feelings. And if you need to advocate for a side be clear, concise and stick to the facts.

 

Capricorn
Philippe Halsman
Philippe Halsman Grace Kelly

*Temperance – The Muse of Moderation and the Middle Path comes to help calm the waters both externally and internally.  She reminds you that we often do not have control of the external nor our inner emotions, but we can moderate or influence them.  Gentleness and grace are key this week.

 

Aquarius
Philippe Halsman Shirley MacLaine

Queen of Cups – This week the Muse of Fun has come to get you to reconnect with life’s beauty and abundance.  This is a week to walk on the beach, hang with friends, watch sunsets and spending time doing what you love to do.  You have a bevy of joy to encounter, now is the time to do so.   Stop and smell the roses, for they do not bloom all year long

 

Pisces
Philippe Halsman John Steinbeck

Four of Cups – Last week was all extroverted energy work with the Muse of Realization and building your empire.   This week the energy shifts to the internal.  During the week it is good to pull the shades and put your phone on silence so you can think things through and get things done.  However, by the weekend reenter into society, so you don’t get stuck in belly button gazing.