The artist this week is Shirin Neshat @shirin__neshat. Neshat is a photographer and filmmaker. She left Iran in 1974 as a teenager and return eleven years after Islamic Revolution in 1979. Her memory of cosmopolitan Tehranian women in miniskirts was replaced by formless black chadors. This visual and ideological change is one of the many ideas she expresses in her art. Her photographs and films are often in black and white. She uses this color contrast to explore the dichotomy in religion, politics, violence, and feminism. She explains aspects of this exploration about her video Turbulent, 1998. “Her music and her presence in this room represents something rebellious,” Neshat explains. “… This is indicative of how I feel about women in Iran. In the way that they are so far against the wall, but they are far more resilient and protesting and they’re much more of a fighter than the men because they have much more at stake.”
Twenty-four years later this is still true. On Tuesday, September 13th, Masha Amini was arrested for allegedly breaking hijab rules and suffered from multiple blows to the head before dying three days later in the hospital. Women throughout Iran are protesting cutting their hair and burning their head coverings in solidarity. This news resonates with reproductive rights issues in US, Muslims in France being able to wear a hijab, LGBTQ+ rights, racism, the Uyghur genocide in China, etc… These are all issues around the subjugation of choice and identity. Anytime someone is singled out or seen as other, we are not adhering to the creed of equality. It is vital for all of us to support woman’s choice, LGBTQ+ rights, and rally against, genderism, racism and extremism before more people die.
Your pondering for the week: How do you support freedom of choice and diversity in your own neighborhood as well as around the world? One way in the US is to vote.
Solar Systems Highlights
The Moon starts the week in Libra – relationships are the focus. Then on Tuesday it moves onto Scorpio – indulge in a passion. By Friday and through the weekend, it is in Sagittarius – go adventuring. Mercury (communication and knowledge) is in Virgo where 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 in Gemini, where it will stay until March 25th, 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 28th. 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
King of Pentacles – The energy this week is all about resource building. This Muse wants you to invest in what will make your present and future more stable. She asks you to find ways to increase your income, send out resumes and investigate other job opportunities. Not so much for you to make a switch, though you can, but to give you more information on how to improve your income like asking for a raise or working from home part time. Also, this is a great time to start or finish projects.
Taurus
Two of Swords – The Muse of Decision comes when you need to reconnect with how you feel about your choices more than focusing on the outcome. This week is about the journey not the destination.
Gemini
*Justice – The Muse of Equity comes to help you rebalance a situation, paradigm, or relationship. She asks what is setting you off balance this week and then how can the solution be more equitable for all involved? The challenge is if you are laying down the law that not only is it justifiable, but it must also be flexible.
Cancerian
Three of Wands – Last week the Muse of Structure asked you to reinforce and tweak the structures in your life, the where, when, and how parts. This week the Muse of Planning continues this theme, focusing on if your plans are sufficient and sustainable. Again, this energy is aligning perfectly with this retrograde season. Keep reflecting, reviewing and readjust when necessary.
Leo
Seven of Wands – The Muse of Boundaries comes when you will need to have strong boundaries and may have to strive to hold them in place. The challenge is you may feel judge this week. But this Muse reminds you that only you know your true mind, and what makes you happy. Your motto: Know thyself.
Virgo
*Fool – The Muse of Adventure is wanting you to expand your space. She asks you to do something out of the ordinary, find new places to discover, eat new things, explore all that the world is offering you right now. She also reminds you that spontaneity may be needed to get you out and about.
Libra
Six of Wands – The Muse of Good News is your second energy to work with this birth year. She brings you success not only on things that you focus on but also spontaneous wins. You will need to still work but overall, this year has lovely spots throughout to rest on your laurels and enjoy your wins. She reminds you this is where you will be challenged, so pause and celebrate your little and big wins this year before moving to your next quest.
Scorpio
Two of Pentacles – The Muse of Juggling is here to help you navigate this week. She advises this is not a week to multi-task but to take on one item at a time. You can juggle two things at most but no more, or you may have to clean up after or fix a variety of mishaps.
Sagittarius
Knight of Cups – The Muse of Charisma is advising you to turn yours on this week. The challenge is you will have to show a bit of vulnerability to be believed. Time to wear your heart on your sleeve.
Capricorn
Ten of Coins – The energy this week wants you to check off some items on your to do list. This is a week that finishing a project is well rewarded. The challenge is after you have completed a project to honor and enjoy the completion before moving on to the next task.
Aquarius
Queen of Coins – Where last week was work related, this week the Muse of Abundance wants you to enjoy your hard labor. She reminds you that you work hard so you can relax into the feeling of abundance and grace. So, enjoy the pleasures of a job well done.
Pisces
Seven of Cups – The Muse of Dreams comes when you need to cast some wishes out into the Universe. The challenge is they need to be realistic. This is less “dream big” and more “dream wisel
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