Tag Archives: painting

Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of Oct. 2, 2022

October 2, 2022 Nina

Welcome to October one of my favorite months, were I picked art that emphasizes a sense of otherness and therefore can create a feeling of eeriness. The artist this week is Yasuo Kuniyoshi, 1889-1953. Kuniyoshi was a painter, photographer, and printmaker. What makes his work interesting is his process of painting combining the Japanese art-think, painting from imagination and memory with ink, with a more Western style, painting from real life and using bolder colors in oil. His art is often categorized as social realism. This is a movement that is mostly related to the time between the two World Wars in response to social and political hardships. This movement focused in on “their subjects as heroic symbols of persistence and strength in the face of adversity.”

However, his choices of color palette, subject and technique take the viewer to a warped sense of reality and/or the vivid images of an anxiety dream. The dreams of an artist grappling with the duality of being praised for his work and being harassed for being Japanese in his daily life, for being Japanese and American. During the War he was classified as an enemy alien, his camera was taken, his bank account frozen and he needed to submit paperwork each time he traveled from NYC to his Woodstock studio. He persevered and in 1948 he became the first living artist to have a retrospective at the Whitney Museum. Even though he was winning awards with the likes of Hooper and O’Keeffe, his otherness and of being constantly vigilant is present in his work. And more importantly that we don’t know his name like the former two shows how his otherness still prevails.

Your pondering for the week: How does otherness show up in your life? How has it influenced how you see yourself or others?

Solar Systems Highlights

The Moon starts the week in Capricorn – helping us get the workweek moving. Then on Tuesday the moon moves into Aquarius – innovate and plan for future. On Thursday it goes into Pisces – daydreaming is the focus. Then for the weekend we have the active energy of Aries – so movement and action are on the menu. Mercury (communication and knowledge) is in Virgo where practical communication is key. And Mercury has left it retrograde period so we can start revving up our momentum.

Venus (beauty and harmony) has moved into Libra (relationships), so the focus is about tuning into our loved ones needs, working together, equity, and finding common ground. Mars (action) is in Gemini, where it will stay until March 25^th, 2023. This is a 7 month stay instead of it’s usually 1-2. Mars is pushing us to truthfully, talk our walk. The challenge with this time is your politeness filter has been switched off. So, it also has us working on how to be constructive with our voice – to promote action not reaction. Jupiter is in Aries; it influences action and expansion until October 28^th. And lastly, Saturn (structures) remains in Aquarius until the beginning of March 2023 – so innovating and modernizing your game is its focus.

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

*Hanged One – You may feel the release of the retrograde period like a rubber band stretched about to burst with all the potential energy that you have stored up. But the Muse of Inaction is asking you to slow your role for another week. This Muse will put blockades up if you don’t heed her warning. So, if you find yourself in a traffic jam, turn on the radio and enjoy the wait. If something is block, it is because you need to rethink, or the universe needs something to bake for a bit longer.

Taurus

*Moon – This week could stir your emotions and/or your subconscious into scenarios of serene healing. The Muse of Visions comes to help reveal aspects from the depths of the mind and history to heal. She reminds you when encountering these ancestral entities, to do so with a light touch. They are part of what made you into the unique person you are. Seeing them with haze of a Vaseline lens is appropriate to see their beauty and/or to lessen the dread of their reintroduction and release.

Gemini

Eight of Coins – This week you have the energy to get things done. The Muse of Work is here to help you glide through your projects. Her advice is to remember you have all the tools you need. This week is more about tweaking your talents to fit the task than learning a whole new skillset. Think mastery.

Cancerian

*Tower – This Muse of Disruption teaches us that we don’t have control over everything and that negatives are the aspects that give positives potential. This week can bring seismic shakes or tremors from outside sources that can tumble down your best laid plans. The key is that destruction has the potential of rebuilding better. This Muse challenges you to see the cracks in your paradigms and shift them to safer, steadier, and more positive concepts and structures. Your motto: deconstruction before reconstruction.

Leo

*Empress – The Muse of Creation is walking with you this week. She wants you to experience the sensual part of life which she hopes will add fodder to your creativity. She asks how can you express a smell through sight, touch through hearing or taste with your spirit? This is a great time to paint with your hands or create a meal without a recipe but only through sight.

Virgo

Page of Wands – Last week the Muse of Adventure was wanting you to do something out of the ordinary and explore all that the world offers. This week the Muse of Inspiration continues this theme of discovery, but she would like you to follow the spark of awe farther down its path. Instead of going on to the next encounter, explore this new phenomenon to its depths.

Libra

*Hanged One – The Muse of Suspension is your third energy to work with this year. This Muse teaches us three things. One, that an uncontrolled pause or halt is a time to rest and review your path. This is a time to recharge and stock up on your resources. Two, the Universe’s timing is not in sync with yours and you will have to wait until the light turns green again. This is not a year to push through plans but to take those pauses like a much-needed rest-stop on your life’s highway. Lastly, you may be called to go off your life path. She reminds you this is a choice. And though you may have to sacrifice you will also gain unexpected gifts along the way.

Scorpio

*Lovers – The Muse of Relationships comes into play with yours. This Muse can cause problems, but it does only to show you where to heal or rebalance emotional equity. She reminds you true intimacy comes as often with good sex as it does with good collaboration. You need teamwork in both instances to reap mutual benefits.

Sagittarius

Three of Swords – This week will have its ups and downs, but the Muse of Breakthroughs is here to help. She reminds you that we can learn as much from happiness as we can from sadness. The former tells us what to fortify and strive for us to obtain joy again and the latter tells us what to avoid or solutions, so it won’t happen again. Or when to just let go and heal.

Capricorn

Seven of Swords – The Muse of Stealth comes to help you either navigate what you need do to stand up for yourself or to walk away from a situation, that if you participated would take you out of character. She reminds you that genuineness is needed to navigate this week. You have nothing to hide from or for.

Aquarius

Four of Swords – The Muse of Rest comes when you are close to exhaustion but are not realizing it. She would like you to unplug from technology and society at least once this week. And then she suggests making good food and rest your highest priority. This week you need to replenish a near empty tank.

Pisces

Two of Coins – The Muse of Juggling is here this week to remind you that focus is key. This is not a week to multi-task but to take one task at a time. You can try to juggle two items but only if you are secure that you have the bandwidth to sustain both.

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Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of Sept. 18, 2022

September 18, 2022 Nina

Happy Birthday Month Libra!

The artist this week is Ernie Barnes. Barnes’ knowledge as an athlete was pivotal to his painting style. He understood the beauty of motion. Barnes played football in college while getting his art degree and was in the NFL in the sixties. One of his most famous pictures is Sugar Shack (above). It was featured in the popular show Good Times and on a Marvin Gaye album. Barnes’ style of painting elongates and exaggerates the form of his subjects. This choice emphasizes the beauty of movement and the human form. You can hear the music, the heat of the crowd, and see the sway of the dance. Barnes’ painting style is reminiscent of Mannerism from the late Renaissance. Mannerism is the “exaggeration of aspects of the human form, often resulting in compositions that are asymmetrical or unnaturally elegant.”

The other unique feature in many of his paintings is that his subjects’ eyes are closed. In a interview, Barnes commented, “It was in 1971 when I conceived the idea of “The Beauty of the Ghetto’” as an exhibition. And I showed it to some people who were Black to get a reaction. From one (person) it was very negative. And when I began to express my points of view (to this) professional man, he resisted the notion.

As a result of his comments and his attitude I began to see, observe, how blind we are to one another’s humanity. Blinded by a lot of things that have, perhaps, initiated feelings in that light. We don’t see into the depths of our interconnection. The gifts, the strength and potential within other human beings. We stop at color quite often. So, one of the things we have to be aware of is who we are in order to have the capacity to like others. But when you cannot visualize the offerings of another human being, you’re obviously not looking at the human being with open eyes. We look upon each other and decide immediately: This person is Black, so he must be… This person lives in poverty, so he must be…”

Your pondering for the week: Where are your eyes blind to another person’s humanity?

Solar Systems Highlights

The Moon starts the week in Cancer – self-care is the focus. Then on Tuesday it moves onto Leo – your time to shine. By Friday and through the weekend, it is in Virgo – great for organizing, and cleaning. Mercury (communication and knowledge) is in Libra where interactions in relationships are highlighted until Friday. Then it moves back into Virgo so back to practical communication is key. Also, Mercury and 6 other planets are still in retrograde. So, take time for revising, reviewing, and reassessment, and if you must start something new or travel just prepare for upsets or a slowing down of the progress.

Venus (beauty and harmony) is in Virgo all this month a perfect time to tidy up your house and bring practical aesthetics into your life. Mars (action) is now in Gemini, where it will stay until March 25^th, 2023. Yes, this is a 7 month stay instead of it’s usually 1-2. Mars is pushing us to truthfully, talk our walk. The challenge with this time is your politeness filter has been switched off. So, it also has us working on how to be constructive with our voice – to promote action not reaction. Jupiter is in Aries; it influences action and expansion until October 28^th. And lastly, Saturn (structures) remains in Aquarius until the beginning of March 2023 – so innovating and modernizing your game is its focus.

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

Nina

Aries

Ten of Swords – The Muse of Drama comes to help you navigate the energy this week. This energy’s lesson is about creating and honoring your boundaries and wrapping things up if something isn’t worth the drama. She reminds you that it is your choice when you let drama into your life. So, choose wisely what you engage with this week.

Taurus

Ace of Swords – New thoughts and knowledge are in the air this week for you. Keep your mind open for innovation and different ways to think about problems. New solutions and downloads are available if you give your mind time to decipher and integrate this wisdom.

Gemini

Eight of Coins – The Muse of Productivity is here to help you get things done. You have all the tools and skills you need this week. Your challenge is just tweaking them appropriately to each task you focus on. Your motto: I am a virtuoso of life.

Cancerian

*Hierophant – I hope last week you explored some, for this week the Muse of Structure has you back into work mode. This Muse reminds you that your structures in life, the where when and how parts, need to be tweaked and reinforced. This aligns perfectly with the retrograde season we are in. Reflect, Review and Redo.

Leo

*World – The Muse of Opportunities is opening a lot of doors for you this week. She reminds you that this is like window shopping for the future. You go in the “door” and experience it, but you do not need to commit just yet. You are just trying on things for size and feels.

Virgo

*Empress – The Muse of Creativity is here to help you grow something. She asks what would you like to create? The challenge with this energy is that it will take 9 to 10 months to mature properly. So, think carefully, what can you commit to tending for that period? If you do not have the focus for that, you can also spontaneously dabble in creativity. Think of it as fling out seeds into the wild and see what pops up. Not as much control in what comes up, but mystery is cool.

Libra

Three of Wands – The first Muse to work with this birth year is the Muse of Preparation. Prep work is needed to navigate your life with more ease. This Muse suggests ideas like: planning your meals a few days in advance so you will eat better, laying out your clothes before bed to give you more time in the morning to hang with your loved ones, pay your bills early so you can invest/save the extra, etc… The lesson is giving your future a bit of a cushion around your time, money, and energy.

Scorpio

Five of Wands – This week will be more chaotic than usual. However, the Muse of Chaos reminds you two things about this energy. One you are not obligated to interact. This is a game, and you do not have to play. And two if you decide to play there is information to be reaped. But it is up to you to change the rules, not making it a competition, but a place where everyone can win.

Sagittarius

Page of Wands – The Muse of Invention is asking you to innovate something in your life or workspace. That means to bring in a new idea, method, or product into your daily life that sparks others and/or brings in more ease. Time to put on your thinking caps and make the world a better place.

Capricorn

Four of Coins – This week your assets of time, space, and money, might be taxed. The Muse of Legacy comes to help you navigate their distributions more wisely. She asks you to make the concept of legacy be your touchstone. What do you want to stand/be known for? Are your resources supporting these goals? This is a great use of this retrograde’s power. Now is the time to reflect, review and redo the allocations of your resources, so they feed your future.

Aquarius

King of Coins – This week is perfect for getting your space, money, or resources in order. By focusing on the material plane, you get the grounding you need to navigate this week. Clean your space, organize a closet, build something, fix something that is broken, rebalance your finances, etc… The more your working space and resources are in order the easier it will be to implement your will.

Pisces

Nine of Cups – The Muse of Excellencism is here to help with your perfectionism. Excellence is to aim and strive toward high yet attainable standards in an effortful, engaged, and determined yet flexible manner. Where perfectionism is striving for flawlessness and is accompanied by critical self-evaluations and concerns regarding others’ evaluations. Excellence allows for growth, innovation, and ingenuity. Perfection is limiting, all or nothing thinking. This week change your mind set from 100% – right or wrong to 80-90% – good enough with room to grow.

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Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of May 8, 2022

May 8, 2022 Nina

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 12^th – 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 10^th so from then on review, reflect and revise until June 3^rd. 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 10^th. 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

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

*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

*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

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

*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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*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?

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Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of April 24, 2022

April 24, 2022 Nina

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 30^th 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 27^th – 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 10^th; 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.

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

Nina

Aries

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*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

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

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

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.

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Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of March 13, 2022

March 13, 2022 Nina

Continuing with artists who focus on light, this week’s artist is Elioth Gruner. Gruner is one of the most recognized Australian landscape painters. His painting style is en plein air, the technique of painting the entire piece outside at the site usually in one session. Gruner liked to get up in the early morning to catch the long shadows of the rising sun and the atmospheric quality of morning light. The exception is when he painted at the beach. There the light quality drifts from early morning to mid-day heat to the cooler late-afternoon. With his paintings we can sense aspects of the landscape by his use of light as if we were there, and how that light influences our mood and taps into our collective memories.

Spring and Fall, Dawn and Dusk these times of transitions are when the value of light becomes the most noticeable. Where we see and feel the cycle of life most clearly. This week’s pondering: find a spot in your house or surrounding environment and watch how the light and shadows move through it. Think about how light and darkness have moved though your life. How these times of change hold significance.

Solar System highlights

The Moon starts in Leo – time to shine. Then on Wednesday it moves into Virgo – good for cleaning and organizing. Then for the weekend the Moon is in Libra a perfect time to be with the beings you love. Mercury is in Pisces until March 27^th – great for talking 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). This is a period to experiment with innovations, but if you are trying to get something done fast, 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. Pisces this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year. And Virgo 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

Six of Swords – Finally the energy is calming down around you, but it is not finished pushing you forward. The past three weeks you have been working with change, growth, and the patience and perspective to do it right. And now the Muse of Transitions is here with her boat to help you move to the next phase. This is a perfect week for you to move something or yourself to the next level. The key is this transition should create more ease. If not, simplify your plans/steps more before moving forward.

Taurus

Seven of Cups – The Muse of Wishes is here to have you dream bigger. The hard part for your sign is at times you all can be too practical. This energy needs you to dream outside of your boundaries. This Muse reminds you that if the Universe can’t provide the exact thing it goes for the essence of your wish. So, what Seven things would you like to come into your life? Write them down then burn it or say them out loud so the universe can get the message.

Gemini

*Strength – The Muse of Inner Strength comes this week for you to strengthen your resolve physically or morally. This week is not a week to wavier or be indecisive. Now is the time to exercise your body and your will.

Cancerian

Two of Cups– This week find time to bond with those that are the nearest and dearest to your heart. The challenge with this Muse is that she reminds you that the equitable relationships are the ones that you learn the most from. That each person in the relationships finds not only joy and comfort, but that energy is mutual given and received.

Leo

*Moon – The Muse of Shadows and Mist is visiting you this week. This can make you feel lost or uncertainty, roaming the shadowy halls of the unconscious and reading between the lines of conscious thought and conversations. This Muse reminds you not to look outward for answers but to look inward. What you see on the outside are mere reflections on what you should be looking at inside. The world is your mirror.

Virgo

Ten of Swords – The Muse of Drama has come, and you do not have to answer the door. This week can bring up old triggers and trauma that you thought you have dealt with. Well, you have, so you do not need to respond to their call.

Libra

Seven of Coins – The last three weeks have been full of energy. You have had the Muse of Destiny bring in opportunities and challenges, the Muse of Perspective to help you see the big picture and the Muse of Stagnation stopping you to do some inner reflection. And this week the Muse of Reward has come at the very least for you to take a breather if not reap the rewards of your labors.

Scorpio

Ten of Coins – You have gone through a lot in the past three weeks – dealing with strengthening your emotional honesty, setting up structures that support you and moving forward with more gusto. This week you get to sit back a bit and reconnect with family and loved ones. By visiting your roots, you feed your growth.

Sagittarius

Four of Swords – The Muse of Tranquility reminds you that inertia can be as good for the body and soul as momentum. Find time this week to unplug from technology and society to charge your batteries. It is time to recline.

Capricorn

Page of Swords – The Muse of Inquiry comes with mind sharpening challenges. This week you need to use your Spidey senses when to ask questions and when to listen. Some bits of information are hidden, not on purpose, but you will still need your surgical sleuth skills honed to get to solutions and answers.

Aquarius

Three of Wands – The Muse of Enterprise comes with maps, a compass, telescope, and astrolabe to help you expand your horizons. This is a great week to think about your short- and long-term plans of your enterprises and how you want to live in the bigger schema of life. Vison board required.

Pisces

*Emperor – The Muse of Realization has come to help you build your empire. Think of various ways you can expand your realm of business: networking, project creation, building your portfolio or resume, etc… And then do them. Now is the time.

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of Jan 2, 2022

January 2, 2022 Nina

Happy 2022!

This week’s artist is Lucia Heffernan @luciaheffernan. Heffernan paints animals in human situations. This anthropomorphic view is often used in comics, cartoons, and children’s books. We are all familiar with Cassius M Coolidge’s Dog’s Playing Poker paintings to advertise cigars in the early 1900’s or Bugs Bunny. Often animals are used to characterize and/or make fun of human behaviors.

The difference with Heffernan’s work is the animal is represented first and then the human characteristics are layered on top. As she says, “This collision between animal and human sensibilities creates a whimsical, theatrical, and often humorous world that viewers can relate to on an emotional level.” Heffernan allows us to see that we are animals too and that we can discover our own humor and innocence in the reflection of our fellow earthly companions.

I picked her Yoga Chick series because it resonates with how we all like to make goals for the coming year. A friend of mine (thanks Lou and @cynyassy) sent me this cartoon that asked when goal setting- are you committing to the outcome or the process? By committing to the just the goal you may not get there and if you do what next? But if you commit to the process then you are learning along the way. So, no setbacks, no failure just expansion. Just like in yoga (or any spiritual practice), you don’t go in thinking I will downward dog four times. The goal with the practice is the practice. So, your pondering for the week – what process are you willing to commit to?

Solar System highlights: The Moon starts this week in Capricorn – great time to start a practice, business, or project. Then moves into Aquarius on the 3^rd – innovation is key. Then onto Pisces for the 5^th – a great time for dreaming. And moon ends in Aries – spend the weekend in motion. Mercury is in Aquarius – find new ways to communicate. Venus is in Capricorn – where beauty and harmony are achieved through practicality. Mars is in Sagittarius a lovely time to expand and explore not only your environment but your mind. Jupiter is in Pisces; this aspect is dreamy and holds opportunity and luck. And Saturn is still in Aquarius – so innovating and upping your game is its focus.

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

King of Cups – Your typical MO is action. “Let’s get things done”, but this week you will need to get in touch with your emotions. Instead of making a to-do list. Make a to-feel list. What do you want to feel in the coming year?

Taurus

*Tower – You need to start this year by doing a “building inspection” of your life. Something is making you off kilter, or there are cracks that need tending to before you start the year. Your foundations need stabilizing. So, start this year by doing some deconstruction before you start constructing.

Gemini

Four of Cups – Introspection is the name of the game this week. Yep, some deep belly-button gazing is required before you start this year. By doing this you will find 3 wonderful gems of insight. However, keep one ear/eye open for messages from outside sources that will help you with your last bit of info.

Cancerian

*Temperance – You will need to start your year in the slow lane. This week is about honing your skills in balance, patience, and moderation. By not rushing into the year, you can stabilize your energy, so you can better unite with the flow instead of swimming against it.

Leo

Ten of Coins – The start of this year is around wealth. The challenge is that your wealth does not come from one source. Yes, the material plane cannot be denied, but you need to reassess your place on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. By changing your perspective from lack to a desire for growth, you see that some of your needs are met and which ones need to be boosted.

Virgo

Four of Swords – The beginning of this year is centered around rest. Rest in its verb form is defined as cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength. Your challenge is to still yourself – mind, body and spirit, so you can recharge your batteries. Do things like unplug, sweat lodges, deep water massage, stare out your window for hours…

Libra

Two of Cups – Love is the energy that starts off your new year. Love is defined as feeling deep affection for _____. Spend this week filling in the blank as many times as you can.

Scorpio

Ace of Swords – Insight and clarity are the themes to the start of this year. Take this week to modernize an old inspiration, motto, truth into this new decade. You are rewiring your brain to update your prime directive, a past paradigm or thinking process.

Sagittarius

*High Priestess – Sacred knowledge is being delivered to you this week. Use your intuition or spiritual practice to tap into the flow of information masked in synchronicities, riddles, and Fae energy. Dance in the moonlight, follow willow wisps, do radio divination – find ways to tap into the source.

Capricorn

Knight of Cups – This year starts with the energy of the romance. For those that know you well, under your can-do practical personality lies a gushy romantic. It is time for you to turn on your charm and caring for ones closest to you. Connection and intimacy are key for the start of 2022.

Aquarius

Nine of Swords – As you start 2022 you need to deal with your pessimism. Yes, 2021 was harsh and frustrating for you, but it is also the beginning of a 20-year cycle where you are in your groove and the rest of us catches up with how you think, and problem solve. Let go of your worry and upgrade your natural gifts of flexibility and adaptability.

Pisces

*Strength – Last year you faced and subdued many of your demons. So, this year starts with acknowledging them and checking on their leashes. You start this year much stronger than at the beginning of 2021, so 2022 will be easier. But the challenge is believing that you have done the hard stuff, that you are smarter and stronger. That you have and will endure.

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of Oct. 10, 2021

October 10, 2021 Nina

First I want to thank all of you for reading my ponderings. I just finished my sixth year doing these tarotcasts and I am grateful to all of you. Well here we go for another round….

The artist this week is Fanny Sanin. Sanin explored many art forms, but eventually honed her eye to explore geometric abstraction. She focuses on color and form, but all within boundaries of straight lines and arcs. Her goal is for the viewer to perceive through symmetry and balance an almost “mystical experience.” A place where the composition does not jar or distracts us but narrows our perception. Her work eases the eye while heightening our natural intuition/response. When you go to her website her paintings are grouped by decades and we can see how she went from non-form abstraction, 1962-1968, to this geometric play for the next 50 years. (You can see partially the progress as you scroll down ). In her scope of work the viewer can see not only her journey with color and form but also that this play is endless. Where a lifetime of work does not complete this line of discovery.

Your pondering this week: is this true with all that we do? Are there endless combinations to work with for lifetimes? And if so, what are yours?

Solar System highlights: On Monday the Moon starts in Capricorn– a great time to get things done on the material plane. Then on Oct 13^th it goes into Aquarius – a time of invention and innovation. The Moon then finishes in Pisces – dreamy vibes for the weekend. Mercury is in its last week of retrograde in Libra– great for communication, creating networks and getting in touch with friends. Remember when Mercury is retro not a great time to start projects but perfect tie to Review, Reflect and Revise.

Venus is now in Sagittarius and asks are we feeding and nurturing our relationships enough to keep them growing? Mars is Libra – another planet sending energy into investigating relationships this is around the question are your actions following your words? This theme and work around your relationships is big until Mercury moves into Scorpio Nov. 7^th. And lastly, Jupiter and Saturn are in Aquarius – so innovating and upping your game is their focus for the rest of this year.

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

Nina

Aries

*Empress – The Muse of Creation has come to help you grow anything you put your mind to. Her challenge is this project may take up to 10 months of work to fully develop. If you can not commit to this, then creation is still available to you, but you will have to let go of expectations of the outcome. For example, you want to grow a zucchini then up to 10 months of focused attention will grow a bounty of zucchini. However, if you can’t spend the time and focus, something will grow in its place, but you will not know it’s form until the summer of 2022.

Taurus

Ten of Wands – The Muse of Burdens is here to help you in relieving some of yours. This week there is no way you are going to accomplish all that you need to do. So, this Muse suggest make a list of your todos, prioritize them two ways by ease and necessity, and see where those two lists overlap. Then only do, at most, the top eight. The rest put off until next week. The lesson with this card is not only to get things done but you may find that next week the leftovers might lose their significance.

Gemini

Ten of Cups – The Muse of Bliss Finding is here with brownies. This energy comes when an emotional restoration is needed. Find or create moments that create bliss each day. Ex: napping with your animal, sitting in a sunbeam, a beverage of choice while sitting still, read a book, stay in your PJs for a day etc….

Cancerian

*Justice – The Muse of Truth appears this week to help you make an important decision and/or search for your personal truth. She asks are you aligned with your higher self and your credos. Now this can go both ways, possibly you need to adjust your actions to align with beliefs or your beliefs need tweaking. This is not a week of right versus wrong. You need to see the grey behind the decisions and find a balanced compromise that does not dilute who you are.

Leo

*The Hanged Man– The last couple of weeks you have been working with lessons around fairness, decisions and how they affect your growth. This week you are in a holding pattern. This energy is aligned perfectly with the last week of Mercury’s retrograde. Whether you spend that time revisiting the last two week’s lesson or decide to tune out, both are beneficial. The challenge is around not being pushed forward when you know the timing, i.e. this week, is not right for moving forward.

Virgo

Ace of Coins – You have the energy this week to start new projects; however, with Mercury in retrograde you are making your life harder if you do. Yes, the early bird catches the worm. But if you go before dawn, the worms aren’t up yet because it is too cold. Therefore, this week instead of jumping into doing, prepare and organize, so you can be the first one out of the gate next week.

Libra

*Empress – The third energy to work with for this coming year is the Muse of Creation. This Muse is big karmic growth energy to work with however, it will take all year to see the fruits of your labors. This Muse wants to co-create abundance and beauty into your life. So first she asks to acknowledge the beauty that already surrounds you. These you want to continue growing. And then she has you ponder what is missing? This year she will help you fill in voids of your garden.

Scorpio

*Strength – The third big energy week for you. The past weeks had the Muse of Opportunity opening doors for you to dabble in new worlds. The Muse of Patience and Moderation advising you to reduce your speed and rebalance. And this week the Muse of Inner Strength has arrived to build your courage, determination, and compassion. So, it is interesting that you can work with all these big energies in the final weeks of your birth cycle, and that they coincide with Mercury retrograde. When this happens, the Muses are trying to get you to tie up loose ends and prep the ground for your coming year. They ask you what do you want to finish up/let go of before your birthday? By dealing with them now, you create space for creation in the coming year.

Sagittarius

Eight of Cups – The Muse of Release has come to help you clean out your closets or send something/person off. This can look like literally cleaning out your space or it can be releasing emotions, situations, persons that don’t jive with who you are. This energy usually shows up to create space for new things, people or situations that will be arriving soon.

Capricorn

Four of Cups – Last week the Muse of Composting came to help review and recycle what no longer serves, by taking the nutrients from the past to grow the future. The Muse of Contemplation continues this theme in the final week of Mercury’s retrograde. Take this week to do ¾ internal work and ¼ external. She advises that slowing down will speed up the process.

Aquarius

Six of Cups – The Muse of Remembering has come to swapp stories of youth and the past. This energy comes around when the past has information for your present. Pay special attention if you feel a Deja Vue or a familiarity. Sit with it, notice all that is happening around you for clues to your download.

Pisces

Seven of Wands – The Muse of Grit has come to help you make a stand or fortify your resolution. She helps by reminding you the why you are dealing with/through the challenges you have control over. Is it for more ease? Better Life? Sense of Security? If you can stand behind why you are fighting, then what seems like a war becomes a quest for your desires

Solar Systems Highlights

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancerian

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

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Solar Systems Highlights

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancerian

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

Share this:

Like this:

Solar System Highlights

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancerian

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

Share this:

Like this:

Solar System Highlights

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancerian

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

Share this:

Like this:

Solar System highlights

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancerian

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

Share this:

Like this:

Happy 2022!

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Leo