The artist this week is Hiba Schahbaz @hibaschahbaz. Schahbaz is a painter who works in miniature using black tea and water-based pigments to large scale oil on linen. Her content are portraits and more often women’s bodies especially her own. Her paintings are meant to establish a safe space for herself and women to “tell their stories and reclaim their history.”
Circles are important in Shahbaz’s work. In her words: “I’ve always been drawn to the magic of circles and incorporated them in different ways in my paintings. I’ve noticed them through my spiritual studies, appearing in old Hindu diagrams about time, ancient Egyptian zodiacs, The Dharmachakra in Buddhism, the shape of the sun and the moon which have been revered since the beginning of time. The circle brings me a feeling of continuity, peace, and connection.”
Your pondering
The circle is defined as “a round plane figure whose boundary consists of points equidistant from a fixed point, a group of people with shared professions, interests, or acquaintances. Or as a verb move all the way around (someone or something), especially more than once.” I’ve been pondering a lot about circles lately. The circle of Life, time, the seasons, my circle of friends. They all hold paradoxes. Life, time, and the seasons are simultaneously circular and linear. Where my circle of friends expands and contracts. But the beauty of using circle as verb is something I have been drawn to most of my life. To know something more deeply and intimately I move around it “especially more than once.” What do you circle?
Solar System highlights
The moon begins in Aries – perfect for starting a project or an idea you have left dormant. On Tuesday the moon moves into Taurus, you have the energy to make things grow. Then on Thursday the moon is in Gemini – a great time to correspond and/or learn something new. Saturday, the 11th, the moon moves into Cancer- self-care is your top priority for the weekend. On Monday the 13th it moves into Leo – your time to shine. Then on Thursday May 16th the moon moves into Virgo, a good time to finish up projects or clean up dangling participles. And then it moves into Libra on Saturday the 18th – spending time with friends and family.
Mercury is in Aries until May 15th giving us a crash course in learning to communicate in a non-reactive way. Mars has joined Mercury pushing us into action around how we communicate. However, until May 15th this push can be dangerous. We need to be careful that our actions follow our words. And that we curb being judgmental and harsh in our communication. In our words watch your tongue. And then Mercury moves into Taurus to hang with Venus so hopefully communication will be smoother. Venus in Taurus is in its home sign – prompting us to focus on grounding and how we love.
EXTRA
*** 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. And I have a tip jar if you want to leave a gratuity for the weekly forecasts.
**** I am experimenting. I have switched from using the older suits name (pentacles, cups, swords, and wands) to a more elemental way of reading them which is earth, water, air, and fire. Also, I would like to leave the binary and feudal system of the RWS’s court cards. So, the RWS old version is Page, Knight, Queen, and King is changing to Heart (pure embodiment of element), Body (moving the element), Spirit (living the element) and Mind (taking care of the element).
May light be on you, around you, and within you.
Nina
Aries
Two of Air – Decisions, decisions decisions, are in the air for the new two weeks. We make decisions all the time, but the Muse of Choices comes when we need to follow our intuition instead of logic while making them. The crux of this period is when you find yourself having a hard time choosing. That indecisiveness is not about the choices but in believing you know what’s best. So, take off the proverbial blindfold and follow your gut.
Taurus
Ace of Air – All aces represent new beginnings, and this energy is about new ways of thought. The muses advise to use this energy for the next two weeks, or for many of you, this is a yearlong work assignment. They want you to work on learning new ideas while also questioning and revamping old constructs. So, in essence the muses are asking you to lean into your superpower of patience instead of willfulness.
Gemini
Five of Water – The Muse of Optimism would like you for the next two weeks to see the metaphorical glass half full. Yes, there is disappointment, suffering and sorrow in the world, especially now. However, hope, gratitude and simply pleasures also exist alongside them. The latter have the potential to carry us farther forward than anger and grief. So, find the positive, what resonates, or what is workable, and leave the negativity and rubbish behind.
Cancerian
Eight of Water – The Muse of Letting Go is with you for the next two weeks. She often comes when you are hanging on to things that no longer serve you. This Muse advises you to investigate your emotions and your emotional connections. When you are feeling unconnected or feel drained when dealing, it is a sign for something to shift. This can be as simple as cleaning out your closet with clothes that no longer express who you are. Or as complex as walking away from a relationship or emotional habits that you have used to deal in the past. This period is like a reboot of the heart.
Leo
Two of Fire – The Muse of Future is hanging with you these next two weeks to chat about expanding your horizons. She advises to push out your boundaries just a bit – get a bit uncomfortable. Whether that is going to a party alone, reading a book outside your preferred genre, applying for that dream job, taking a class in something you are interested in but haven’t given yourself the time. The muses would like you to expand.
Virgo
*Strength – The Muse of Taming wants you to work with your inner chaos just a bit these next two weeks. Now this can look as simple as cleaning out your junk drawer or cleaning out your inbox. Or as complex as taking steps to eat healthier, take an exercise class to work on your core muscles/lower back, going to therapy. You all are known as the organizers of the zodiac but there is always a little of a mess in some corner of your life. Now is the time to clean it up.
Libra
Eight of Fire – The Muse of Messages is visiting these next two weeks. She comes to herald that you will be bombarded with news and information. The key is deciphering what is important and then to act on it. The advice is to look for outlier information or signs/themes that keep repeating. Eyes and ears open.
Scorpio
Mind of Fire – The Muse of Vibrance is with you for the next two weeks to encourage you to increase your shine. She wants you to get to know your superpowers and then to use them for good. Time to warm up “the masses” with your fire. Save the day with your smile. Bend a loving ear to a stranger. You know, be that amazing being that you are.
Sagittarius
Six of Water – The Muse of History comes when something in your past becomes useful for your future. Maybe you pull out old photos and reconnect with a friend, go into the attic to find your next art project, or get one of your parents or siblings to reminisce and use the story for your next novel. Or possibly an experience now resonates with an event that happened back in the day, but now you can brush off the trauma and deal.
Capricorn
*Empress – The Muse of Creativity is hanging with you for the next two weeks. She would like you to use your senses in creating something. Maybe you create a lavish dinner for friends, learn how to sculpt, plant a garden, make music, or redecorate a part of your home that makes it cozy or more sensual. This is a great energy to work with for the Taurus season. She does remind your creative process should also have an element of personal satisfaction and enjoyment. The maker makes for others or their needs – a creator creates for joy.
Aquarius
*Emperor – Whoop finally you are on the move. The Muse of Building has come to help you build part of your life bigger and bolder. These next two weeks use this energy to work on projects already in play. This push is here to help you focus and take a project to the next level. Now the challenge part for airy signs is focusing on one thing. So, the muses concede that you can hone down your list to 2-3 items and you bounce back and forth with them.
Pisces
Heart of Earth – The Muse of Learning advises to spend these next two weeks learning or honing a new skill. This Muse shows up when upping your game and adding to your skill set will be required soon. This education doesn’t have to be just about work. You can learn to fix something around the house or take a class in a subject you have been interested in. She does however remind you that following your heart is as important as following the green.
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