They say when life gives you lemons make lemonade.  But what if the lemons are bad?  The artist this week is painter Deborah Passmore.  Above and below are her watercolors of fruits and nuts when she worked for the US Department of Agriculture in Pomology. Her collection and others are stored in the national Agricultural Library in Beltsville, Maryland or online in the USDA Pomological Watercolor collection.

Pomology is the science of growing fruit.  And at the turn of the 1900’s US agriculture was making its mark in the newer domestic and international market of fruits and nuts.   So, the USDA hired over 50 artists from 1886 to 1942 to document and help standardize the variety of fruits and nuts growing in the US.  The USDA did not only want examples of the perfect fruit but also needed farmers to see mis-shaped, or rotten fruit from being mishandle, stored or shipped incorrectly.

Passmore quickly went up the ranks at the beginning of this endeavor became the head of the art staff in the Division of Pomology and was the most prolific illustrator.  She was known to do as many as 100 washes to get the right texture of the specimen.  Her watercolors are now seen as a national treasure and history of the variety of fruits grown in the early 1900’s.

All images are from “U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705”

PS. Remember signs with an * it a big week for you.  Leo this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year.

Aries

Seven of Cups – The Seven of Cups is the card of dreams and illusions.  My dear ram this week you need to be really grounded about where you go and/or what you have planned to do this week.  The paradox with this card is you are not dreaming big enough but at the same time some of your hopes and dreams are not based in reality  This week if you are more flexible with your outcomes, things will proceed with more ease and you will gain more than you are expecting.

Taurus

Two of Pentacles – Last week, the Chariot, card of change, proclaimed that it was time to make transformations happen around areas that you want to alter, but you had sole responsibility in powering that change.  This week the Two of Pentacles continues that thread but cautions you that you need the modification to have more balance.  So, rest with work, veggies with your proteins, equal left and right brain time, etc…

Gemini

Three of Pentacles – The Three of Pentacles card foretells that this week collaboration is the key to success.  This should be easy for you if you turn on your Gemini charm.  And my dear twins, you all are fully aware that two minds are better than one.

Cancer

King of Pentacles – Last week the Empress asked you to plant the seeds that would gestate in 10 months’ time. And had you ask yourself:  What do you want to grow?  How will you sustain that growth for the next 10 months? Does this growth have an aspect to help others?  And if this growth doesn’t happen what is your plan B.   The King of Pentacles allows you another week of planting, but he also challenges you to fertilize the growth of at least one seed.

Leo

Two of Swords – The Two of Swords comes when you are at a fork in the road but feel as if you can’t make a decsion.  This card reminds you that it is not actually the decision of left or right but of which journey would you like to take.  Begin taking the perspective of it is more about the journey than the destination.  (Even though this is a lower arcane card I think it is important for your birthday month/year, so when making decision this week think more about how you want the year going forward to be than a weeklong outlook.)

Virgo

Page of Wands – The Page of Wands comes to you when you are needing to light up your passion.  This week this Page advises you to take time out to do something that ignites you.  And wand cards always suggest that either that is communing with nature or some art form.  This week go dancing, to a concert, a museum, or state park your soul needs expanding and inspiration.

Libra

Four of Swords – The Four of Swords is the card of rest and relaxation.  This week it is vital that you relax.  Whether that is 15 minutes- twice a day you lock yourself away to breath or if possible, a whole day where you stay in your PJs or swimsuit.  It is important that you rest.  Because, whether you admit it or not, your immune system is taxed, and you need to replenish your body and mind before you get seriously tap out your internal resources.

Scorpio

*The Hanged Man – The Hanged Man is the card of stagnation and inertia.  This week will be hard completing or even progressing any project.  However, when you go with the inertia and take time out this week, you will find this can be helpful and enlightening.  In its simplest form this can look like being stuck in traffic. So the Hanged Man’s solution would be taking an alternative route that takes you out of the way, but you find a great place to eat or see a beautiful rainbow.  Or in a more complex form, you might just lay down your tasks for the week, sit in silence, and listen to your inner voice for some enlightened contemplations.

Sagittarius

Five of Cups – The Five of Cups is the card regret or seeing the cup as half empty.  This week can be triggering you to be regretful, sorry, bummed, or more negative than your usual self.  The interesting thing with this card is that is telling you to acknowledge the spilled milk in your life.  But it is also requesting you acknowledge that you have pretty amazing things in your life.  This card comes to remind you that your outlook can be more positive by feeding the emotions/ideas/projects/people that are working and stop feeding the things that are not.

Capricorn

*The Empress – Ok, last week I hope you got to rest because this week you need your energy.  The Empress declares now is time to start planting seeds for projects/relationships you want to produce in 10 months. In its simplest form it can be planting a tree that you can harvest fruit in late spring or working on redoing your garden so in late spring you can plant the best garden ever.  In its more complex form this can be a great time to get pregnant or start a new project that you can harvest from in 2020.  The challenge with this card is committing to the growth for the next 10 months to see substantial and well-formed outcome and it must have a component of helping others.

Aquarius

Two of Wands – The Two of Wands is the card of planning for the near future.  This card challenges you to daydream about where you want to go, do or be within the next 5 months until 1/11/ 2020.  Take this week to architect and plan what needs to happen for you to feel balanced and ready for 2020.

Pisces

Three of Cups – The Three of Cups comes when you need a little support from your friends.  You might be feeling lonely or melancholy.  There is no need. You have a good support system around you.  You just need to call them up and enjoy their company.  PS.  This week is also a great time for making new friends.  All you must do is smile and use that award-winning charm/sarcasm of yours.

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

Nina