Tag Archives: art

Tarotcast

Tarotcast for Week of Feb. 18, 2018

Dean Mitchell is a painter that uses many mediums equally well, but his watercolors are especially evocative.  We normal associate watercolor painting with portraits, landscapes, or cityscapes in the rain.  Dean Mitchell does those classic scenes but he also has an eye for portraying the desolate lots of urban living. The images he paints have a sense of scarcity, much like the water he uses.

Even though since 2000 in the US we have steadily declined our water use, water is still scarce in certain parts of the US and the World.  We get the majority of our water from surface water sources, and that water can be easily contaminated.   Since 1990, 2.6 billion people have gained access to an “improved” drinking water sources, one that is designed to protect against contamination. But by data taken in 2015, 663 million people – one in 10 – still drank water from contaminated sources. Huge inequalities persist between and within countries: 8 in 10 live in rural areas, and there are large gaps between the richest and the poorest.  In 41 countries, a fifth of people drink water from a source that is not protected from contamination.

Ways to help – there are many but here are three.

  • lifestraws.  These are cool.  This is a personal filtration system that can last for about a year at full use.  It doesn’t filter viruses or some chemical containment but it gets most.  This is great idea for schools to sponsor get a pile of these and send to a school in the sub-Saharan or any place in need of clean water like areas recently struck by hurricanes.  This organization also work within a community to make their water supply sustainability better.
  • The Water Project worldwide organization which also sets up reliable water sources.
  • Call your federal and state representatives and governor and get on them to spend your tax dollars to upgrade the infrastructure of your state’s water supply. Depending on what chemical you are looking for every state has an issue.
Aries – Ace of Cups

Dean MitchellThe Ace of Cups is all about cleaning off your emotional slate and creating something new.  For you single people out there ask someone out on a date.  For those in relationships go enjoy the company of your special someone.  And for single people who are taking a break from the relationship scene,  treat yourself like you would want your lover to. For all you Aries this week is about healing and feeling the love.

Taurus – King of Cups

Dean MitchellLast week, the Chariot advised you to correct the imbalances in your life so that the change that is happening would be smooth sailing.   The King of Cups continues this theme with a focus your over-indulgences.  At times we over-indulge and use it as a crutch for not healing the hurt.  The balance you need to find is when to lay down your crutches.  They are important when you are healing, however, once you have healed you need to let them go.

Gemini – Three of Pentacles

Dean MitchellThe Devil last week foretold that you would be tested on your resolves.  This theme continues this week but the focus shifts to the Three of Pentacles.   This is the card of cooperation and asking for help.  The Devil is not testing you to see if you can do it alone.  One of his tests is seeing if you can work with others to accomplish what you want to do.  This is a week were 2 or 3 heads are better than one.

*Cancer – Sun

Dean MitchellThe Sun says you can overcome any obstacle or fear that your subconscious mind brings up.  Cancers feel uncomfortable at times when the Sun shows up.  It just can be too bright.  But remember Moon child the Sun is how you gain your light.  You need joy and success to shine it back on others.  So take this week to bask in your successes, see the beauty of what you have, and see that the road you are creating is lining up many of the things you have wanted.

Leo – Ace of Wands

Dean MitchellLast week the Sun challenged you to bask in the good things life has to offer.  This week the Ace of Wands wants you to continue to do just that.  The only challenge this Ace brings is asking you how will you will continue creating good vibe opportunities in the coming weeks.

 

Virgo – Queen of Cups

Dean MitchellThe Queen of Cups advise this week to speak softly, kindly, and with truth.   Her challenge to you is to learn how to do that without spilling your emotions all you, others, and the table.

 

Libra – Queen of Swords

Dean MitchellQueen of Swords is the strategist card.  You have to look at this week like a scientist.  You need a hypothesis/goal, make sure you have your materials, plan out your work, do the actual work, and then look over the results and tweak your procedures where needed or start over with a new hypothesis.

*Scorpio – Empress

Dean MitchellThe last two weeks have been heavy with change.  With Death two weeks ago wanting you to clear your emotions for the change that is coming , and the Hermit giving you time to contemplate the change you want to happen and how to get there.  Now, the Empress has arrived to start the process.  The Empress is giving you about nine months to create the change you want to happen.  Your only challenge is that with this pregnancy you are pretty much guaranteed a period of morning sickness.  Realize whats make you sick for now should be avoided.

Sagittarius – Page of Swords

Dean MitchellMore intel gathering this week.  Where last week the information came to you, this week be more like a spy. Be subtly to find out what is going on behind scenes.  These two weeks are not decision-making weeks. There is obviously information you need before moving ahead.

Capricorn – Two of Wands

Dean MitchellThe Two of Wands advises you to have a broader perspective in all that you do.  This card’s challenges you to see if what you are doing or have in planning actually fits into the world view you are trying to create.

 

Aquarius – King of Wands

Dean MitchellThe King of Wands asks you what kind of ruler are you.  Are you kind but a bit of a push over, orderly but a bit of tyrant, or intellectual but not compassionate enough.  This week look at how you rule your work place, your family and yourself and find ways to improve it.  The King of Wands challenges you to be a better more balanced ruler while keeping in mind this is a year to heal and create a new order.

Pisces – Three of Swords

Dean MitchellLast week, Judgment and the Four of Swords reconfirmed that you are on a journey to rebirth and reminded you that you need to take care of yourself along the way.  Well, guess that advice was hard to swallow, because you got the Three of Swords this week.  This card says that you are holding on to three concepts that are holding you back. I bet one of those is that anytime life hurts you somehow you are responsible for it.  This card challenges you that you can’t control the getting hurt but you can control the healing.

 

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

 

Nina

Tarotcast

Tarotcast for The Week of Feb. 4, 2018

Riitta Ikonen, Karoline Hjorth

This portrait is part of the ongoing series Eyes as Big as Plates a collaborative project between Riitta Ikonen, Karoline Hjorth and their models.   It started off as an exploration of Nordic folktales and ended up becoming a collaboration with farmers, fisherman, zoologists, plumbers, opera singers, housewives, academics to name a few from all over the world.  The models and artistic duo co-create the sculptures they wear.  The elements of the sculptures are collected from the landscapes of the photographs.

It is interesting that these artists collecting their models by just thinking of the most interesting people they knew.  And of course, they were led to picked people who have lived for a while on this Earth.  Who have a story to tell.  Who by just looking into their eyes or their stance you can see that they have the wisdom of living.

PS.  Happy birthday Aquarius.  Don’t forget it is a great time for you to get my  Astro Reading.

*Aries – Empress

Last week, the Emperor told you to build, create, and conquer.   Now the feminine version of that creative energy, the Empress, appears this week.  The Empress’s energy  is less of the hustle and bustle of Emperor last week energy and more about tending, grooming, and coaxing along your work.  The challenge with the Empress is being open to a more organic approach then sticking to plans.

Taurus – Ten of Pentacles

Riitta Ikonen, Karoline Hjorth The Ten of Pentacles brings prosperity to those that finish their work.  This card is about finishing up projects.  Your challenge is to work on the projects that are close to finish first, before starting anything new. You will find the more you can check off your list the more new prosperity will begin to grow.
Continue reading Tarotcast for The Week of Feb. 4, 2018 →

Tarotcast

Tarotcast for Week of Jan. 28, 2018

Joan Mitchell

Above and below are the paintings by Joan Mitchell an abstract expressionist painter and print maker. She is one of the few female painters of her era to gain critical claim.  This post World War II art movement was the first time America, specifically New York, was put as the center of the western art world instead of Paris. Abstract expressionist art tries to articulate the complexity of our heart and mind clashing, melding, bleeding into each other.  The internal human experience without the defined image.

PS. Don’t forget the signs with an * it is a big week for you.

*Aries – Emperor

The Emperor tells us to stop procrastinating.  This is a week to build new bridges, create new civilizations, to conquer your fear and just do it.  The challenge is believing you can and asking for help when you can’t.

 

Taurus – King of Swords

The King of Swords says now is the time. Your challenge this week is to walk your talk, so be careful what you promise. Your words are now as loud and important  as your actions.
Continue reading Tarotcast for Week of Jan. 28, 2018 →

Tarotcast

Tarotcast for Week of Jan. 21, 2018

path of lord of the rings Andrew DeGraff

Saturn has just entered Capricorn. For many astrologers, this planet is one of the big markers in our lives.   Saturn changes signs around two and half years, and it takes it a full 29.5 years to get through all of the zodiac.  So in an average life span we get two or three tries with the lessons Saturn is trying to teach us.  Saturn hasn’t been in Capricorn since 1989, and this made me think about the path of our lives.  How we twist and turn, visit new places, and revisit old ones. How our course can traverse the world or encompass a street.

Andrew DeGraff‘s art work reflects my pondering of paths. Above and below are some of his pieces where he maps out the path(s) of one or several characters in a variety of movies.   He  is a freelance illustrator and artist living and working in Maine. He recently published his second book, Cinemaps: An Atlas of 35 Great Movies.  What details of your path would be on your art piece?

Can you guess which movie corresponds with your picture?

To find out the answer just click on the picture and open it in its own window .

Aries – Ten of Cups

path of back to the future

Last week, the Judgment card pointed out the new steps to take in your life.  This week the Ten of Cups wants you to add the concept of joy into your new life’s structure.  Your challenge is to be mindful of what makes you smile and do more of it.

 

 

Taurus – Three of Wands

path of ghostbusters

 

The Three of Wands is about action and planning.  Your challenge this week is getting things in place.  Big things are on the horizon are you ready for them?

 

 

 

Continue reading Tarotcast for Week of Jan. 21, 2018 →

Tarotcast

Tarotcast for Week of January 7, 2018

This time of year in the northern hemisphere objects cast long shadows.  The piece above is by Lordes Castro who worked with variations of shadow representation for the next 3 decades.  She started off as a painter, but in the early 1960’s she joined up with a group called the Nouveaux Realistes.  Then began to work with shadows.  She used light sensitive silk screen to capture people, worked with layering acrylic cutouts of shadows to make the shadow 3-d, and light sensitive prints of plants shadows to represent our memories, and also shadow theater.

Shadows have always fascinated us.  As a kid we investigate our shadow by playing with it, trying to run away from it, waving at it, and like the above photo trying to separate ourselves from it.  As adults we do all these things still though metaphorically or through psycho-chat of working with the shadow self.  We continue to run from it, play with it and try to disconnect from it.  When our “shadow” is part of us too intertwined to be seen as something so two dimension as what is cast upon the ground.

PS.  Remember those signs with an *, it is a big week for you.  Also  this is a perfect time of the year for your Astrological Tarot Reading.

Aries – King of Cups

They say that boys don’t cry, but this card wants you to get in touch and express your emotions this week.  You might think being a King means to rule over your emotions with a tight fist.  However, this King says you find more strength and courage by being friends with your feelings.

*Taurus – Empress

The Empress is the card of Gaia, the supreme mother and creation.  I know we are in the middle of winter in the northern hemisphere and creation seems buried in the snow, but in the southern hemisphere it is in the middle of fertile season.  The Empress embodies this flow where there is death she balances it with life.  The Empress’ challenge is to look at this week’s events and see the death in life and the life in death.  It takes both to create growth.

Gemini – Page of Swords

The Page of Swords advises you do more investigating before making any decisions this week.  The Page of Swords challenges you to dig deeper, for the solution of the problem is out there.  It is just hidden and not in the obvious places.

 

Cancer – Five of Pentacles

The Five of Pentacles challenges us when times are rough to ask for help.  This week help is just around the corner.  You  just need to walk a few more steps to see it.

Leo – Eight of Swords

The Eight of Swords challenge is what binds you.  Last week the tarotcast asked you to leave behind your obstacles.  Thinking that you have to settle for “what is” is part of your challenge. Remember change can as easily begin with a thought as an action..

Virgo – Page of Pentacles

Page of Pentacles is the card of the student.  This week you need to put on your observation goggles and hearing aids to aid you in finding what is lacking or needed.   There are new skills for you to learn so you can solve a question or two with more ease.

Libra – Six of Wands

If it hasn’t recently happened already, you will win a victory this week., so take time to rest on your laurels at the beginning of the week.  Then by the end, your challenge will be to take stock of what you have and restock if necessary, for there is another skirmish around the corner.

Scorpio – King of Wands

This week take control of your surroundings.  King of Wands challenges you to rule your environment and deal with the people with justice and integrity.  This is a test whether you are ready to handle more power.

Sagittarius – Eight of Wands

Lots of information coming at you this week.  Your challenge is to sift through it and pick out the bits that are useful.  An exercise to make this easier is set an intention and use only the information that pertains to it.  Motto: One intention at a time.

Capricorn – Four of Wands

Time to work on or in your home.  The challenge this week is to stoke the fires of your hearth and heart.  Your goal is to daydream, create and get comfy in your home. If you can’t to make your home a place where you can reconnect to yourself with ease, then find a substitute structure whether that is your car, a cafe or the park.

*Aquarius – Strength

The Strength card advises you to look within, see your strength then strengthen your sense of self.  This challenge can look as simple as doing a contemplative exercise like yoga that also works your core, or as complex as writing a list of your accomplishments.  As the film director and producer Billy Wilder said “You are as good as the best thing you have done.”

Pisces – Five of Swords

There will be chaos this week that will be hard to avoid.  The Five of Swords advises the best thing is to stay out of it as long as you can, realize most of it is due to outside influences, and observe before stepping into it.  This is like playing Double Dutch with five jump-ropes instead of two.

 

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

Nina

Tarotcast

Tarotcast for Week of December 10, 2017

Crows in park

My fascinations with crows started in San Francisco. A friend of mine used them as an omen to keep her eyes and ears open for messages from the Universe. As soon as she said it, I started seeing crows in city. When I moved to Troy NY, I was introduced to the phenomena of crow migration in the winter.  Crows are typically solitary birds. However, in the winter at night they come from their various regular digs to the riverfront and one of those places was a park right across the street from me. The above picture is a murder (a group of crows) of crows in NYC, because lol all my pictures are too dark. To me, they look like beautiful black flowers on the blooming on leafless trees, and I loved walking in the park when they were there, though carefully. It felt magically.

The other time that crows come together is when another crow dies. They hold what looks like a crow’s “funeral” Researchers at the Avian Conservation Lab found that if a crow sees one of its brethren dead it will call out and other crows will come. The researchers also found that crows have amazing human facial recognition (See article on how they used caveman masks), so they have theorized that this behavior has come about for crows to communicate about threats in their territory. This discovery gives a twist as to  why a group of crows is called a murder.

P.S. Remember, signs with * it’s a big week for you. Need a great socking stuffer get the Pull the Trigger reading for only $5. For any gift reading I can email you a printable gift certificate.

Aries – Three of Wands

You can take a break in manifesting with the Three of Wands. This card advise you to tie up loose ends and work on making sure everything is prepared for the near future. This is a perfect challenge for you this week to do more oiling the wheels before you continue to move forward.

Taurus – Page of Swords

Last week Judgment wanted you to take the more enlightened path without saying I told you so. The Page of Swords continues these theme, for your challenge is to find out more about a situation before you decide to enter into discourse. This is an eyes and ears open – mouth shut kinda week.
Continue reading Tarotcast for Week of December 10, 2017 →

Tarotcast

Tarotcast for Week of December 3, 2017

Vik Muniz

We are official in the Holiday Season. The season of gift giving. The word gift has three definitions. One being a thing given willingly to someone without payment. The second also a noun is a natural ability or talent. And the third gift in its verb form is give something as a gift as a donation or bequest.

In a scientific study published earlier this year a geologist, Jan Zalasiewicz, has found that the human made “technosphere” or manufactured goods has now surpasses the natural biosphere (nature that includes us) in mass and variety. There is approximately 506 million metric tons of all living humans but the stuff we have made weighs 60,000 times more than we do.

How can you lighten your contribution to the technoshpere’s mass and still give gifts? The clue is in the second and third definitions of gift. You can take your gift and share it with another. If you are amazing singer, go out caroling to an old folks home, or say you are great with numbers give someone’s child free tutoring lessons. Have your kids donate one of their gifts to some child in need, or add to the biomass instead by giving a tree, a plant, seeds, food. Is it so hard to take just one thing off your gift list and give yourself instead? The ultimate point is The Gift that means the most this seasons Is You.

P.S. The art work is done by Vik Muniz. He repurposes everyday objects to create his art pieces.  These are not photo-shopped in but the actual objects

P.P.S. Remember, signs with * it’s a big week for you. If you need a gift for someone think about giving them a one of my Readings by phone, or as a great socking stuffer the Pull the Trigger reading for only $5. For any gift reading I can email you a printable gift certificate.

Vik MunozAries – Seven of Wands

Last week, the Emperor paved the way for manifestation to come with ease. The Seven of Wands continues this theme but highlights areas in your life that divide you and/or your attention. This week work on your personal integrity, and keep out of the chaos and competition laid out by others.

 

Vik Muniz*Taurus – Judgment

Judgment foretells you will have many opportunities this week to prove you have grown into a more enlightened and compassionate person. Your challenge is to take the high road without saying I told you so.

Vik Muniz*Gemini – Emperor

Two weeks ago your fortune changed for the better, and last week you had to gather new information to help formulate your new strategy/path. This week the Emperor has show up to say The time for action is now. Your goal is to Just do it. Take out your lists and stat checking things off. The Emperor challenges you with your motto for the week: No time like the present. (LOL He loves a good motto or slogan.)

Vik MunizCancer – Three of Cups

The Three of Cups is all about friendship. Your cup needs to be filled and the Three of Cups advise the best place to do that is with your close friends.

Vik MunizLeo – Eight of Wands

The last two weeks the Empress and High Priestess had you emulate, contemplate and integrate the best nurturers you know. This week, the Eight of Wands is saying you need more time to do just that. Your challenge is to be receptive to the messages about nurturing from the past and future. This is hard subject for Leo’s because your potential for needing nurturing and giving nurturing can push the boundaries of infinity, and even you with all your energy there is a limit.

Vik MunizVirgo – Ace of Pentacles

The Ace of Pentacles foretells this is a get week to start new projects, new habits, go shopping, redecorate. Get your hands dirty. Discover new places. There are deals and new opportunities out there for you just need to hunt for them in new places. This Ace’s challenge is to start creating before the New Year starts.

Vik MunizLibra – King of Cups

Last week the Sun wanted you to pick one area of growth and put all your energy into that. The King of Cups continues this theme except this time you need to get your heart in on the act. If you are not loving what you are doing then you are focusing on the wrong things.

 

Vik MunizScorpio – King of Swords and Nine of Wands

There is a bit more preparation this week with the Nine of Wands. Only after you feel that you are fully prepared then you can take the stance of the King of Swords and make a decision. The challenge is to hold off from making a choice until you are 95% sure of the outcome.

Vik Muniz*Sagittarius – Wheel

Second big card for you all for your new birth year. Last week the Fool challenged you this coming year to grow, experience life, keep your mind, eyes, and opinions open. And now the Wheel joins the party saying your choice of action or inaction in the coming year’s will affect you for years to come. This coming year if you want to create a new you it is the year to do it. Your actions in the coming year will change your fortune for the better and continue rippling for years to come. Your challenge is to create good karma in 2018.

Vik MunizCapricorn – Page of Cups

Last week the Judgment card challenge you to start the process of fulfilling your higher calling so you move closer to the You that you really are. This week the Page of Cups helps by having you incorporate what made you play as a child. Your challenge is making sure your higher calling has an aspect of play in it, or it won’t have the purity you are striving for.

Vik MunizAquarius – Knight of Wands

All the Knights are about moving forward. The Knight of Wands is about conscience movement. As Martha Graham said All that is important is this one moment in movement. Make the moment important, vital, and worth living. Do not let it slip away unnoticed and unused.

Vik MunizPisces – Queen of Swords

The Queen of Swords is the information gatherer and assimilator of that knowledge. This week she advise you put your ear to the ground and listen to the humming undercurrent of situations. There is more information for you, but you will need your intuition and understanding of the human mind to interpret what is actually being said.

 

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

Nina