Art and therapy are vital for my mental health. I first utilized them in college for my test anxiety and then for the last 20 years helping me work through a bout of medically induced agoraphobia that evolved into general anxiety. May is mental Health Awareness Month. So, this tarotcast I am highlighting art and mental health. Above is a jacket made by Agnus Richter. She was a seamstress and at 49 was arrested for disturbing the peace and trespassing. She was diagnosed for paranoia and admitted to Hubertusburg Asylum in 1895, where she remained for the last 26 years of her life. Throughout that time, she embroidered all her clothes with phrases. The only piece that has survived is the above coat she made from pieces of women’s institutional clothing. This and the pictures below are examples of Art Brut and housed in The Prinzhorn Collection Museum.
In the early 1900’s drawing, painting and clay-work had been used in psych-wards for years as an activity that calmed patients. Hans Prinzhorn and Walter Morgenthaler both psychiatrists at that time were interested in the bridge between mental health and creativity. Morgenthaler wrote a book on studying the art of schizophrenic, Adolf Wolfli, and a year later Prinzhorn published Artistry of the Mental Ill in 1922. Where he collected thousands of artworks from various asylums in and around Heidelberg, Germany. These books caused ripples positively in the art world attracting artist like Klee and Kandinsky, but it also was used more ominously during the rise of Nazism as evidence of the “degenerate”. However, Prinzhorn theorized through his work that image making is an innate desire to leave traces of our existence and gave a voice to the voiceless.
Your Pondering: to help all our general mental health, smile at a stranger. So, they can know that today at the very least they have been seen.
Solar System Highlights
The Moon starts this week in Gemini – the gift of gab shines on us. Then it moves into Cancer on the 4th – self-care in the middle of the work week makes the week go by with more ease. Then on Saturday it moves into Leo – get out in the sun and enjoy your people. Mercury has moved into Gemini it home sign, so conversations and knowledge are highlighted. However, get any projects started before Mercury turns retrograde on May 10th.
Venus (beauty and harmony) moves into Aries (action and chaos) on May 2nd. 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 big this week. Also, Jupiter is in Pisces until May 10th. It supports expanding opportunity, luck and to dream bigger. 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
*Strength – You are going to need your strength this week. The Muse of Core strength is here to help. She reminds you that are a powerhouse, a force to be reckon with. First, on a physical level add core strengthening exercise to your regime to strength your back. Then on an emotional level strengthening your boundaries and a spiritual level reconnect with your purpose and morals. By doing these exercises your mental health will be able to handle any chaos or crisis, big or small.
Taurus
Ten of Swords – Your third Muse to work with for the coming year is the Muse of Culmination. This year will be full of cycles ending. Do this by purging, project finishing, and releasing. However, you will have to navigate it with more intuition then with logic. So far, your Muses for the year are standing firmly in the present. Experience each day to its fullest and let this Muse help you let go of or finish off what you do not want to carry into the future.
Gemini
*World – The Muse of Oneness is visiting to help you connect. This Muse reminds you it is easy to connect to the woes of the world but harder the places to rejoice. This week call old friends, hang with your family, take a walk into nature, stare at ant hill, smell the roses, have tea watching the world go by. Connect into this amazing world you live in.
Cancerian
Page of Swords – Not everything this week is clear cut, so the Muse of Investigation has come to help. She reminds you to read between the lines, ask more questions and listen deeply. Knowledge not only brings more ease but is instructive and illuminating too.
Leo
Three of Wands – The Muse of Enterprise has come with the energy help you do what is needs to be done. But the plan needs to be plotted out first and only by you. Make your to-do list, plot out your actions steps and then start checking them off. The only challenge is you may not see the profit from your labors for weeks to come.
Virgo
*Lovers – People and relationships are highlighted this week. The challenge is that it will take work for things to run smoothly. So, the Muse of Intimacy reminds you to that being vulnerable, curious, and humble will help you solve communication and interaction challenges. I.e.: you catch more flies with honey then vinegar.
Libra
King of Cups – It seems like this week will be a roller-coaster of emotions around you and therefore can affect you. Luckily the Muse of Emotions comes with the reminder that these outbursts are fleeting. The challenge is that you will have to invite them in. They will lose their steam and putter out if listen to but not acted on.
Scorpio
*Emperor – This week you have the energy to build upon anything you put your focus on. The Muse of Construction has come with her T-square and power tools to help. Your challenge is having a clear idea about what you want to build. And for the extra points, does this formation improve upon what is already existing in your life? Your motto: Build better.
Sagittarius
*Star – Last week had an evolutionary vibe to it, where your choices need to be an upgrade but also liberate you. This evolution whether seen or under wraps has drained you. So whatever choices you made the Muse of Healing Illumination has come to restore your energy and download some information. Find time this week to do some deep relaxing. This is beverages by water sources, nesting in with a good fiction book, or just getting a good night’s sleep. You deserve some down time.
Capricorn
Four of Swords – The Muse of Rest comes when your batteries are low. She advises you to unplug, take a social break and relax. You need to realign with the serene. So, find time to turn off the chatter. Your motto: Peace and Quiet.
Aquarius
Six of Wands – This week take time to celebrate your accomplishments. No joke these past couple of years have been hard, but you have made it through. You have achieved so much. The Muse of Celebration reminds you to take the time to celebrate the small success as well as the bigger triumphs, before moving to the next set of challenges.
Pisces
Eight of Swords – The Muse of Bondage provides challenges this week for you to break from old thought patterns. If something feels or sounds like a “broken record”, time to change the tune, i.e., your thought pattern. Remember just like an “earworm” they are placed there by others, but you have made it one of your “top ten”. So, now is the time to replace it with your own hit single.
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