Happy Birthday Aries!  And Happy Spring and Nowruz!

Nowruz (new day) is a Spring festival that dates to ancient Persia 3,000 years ago.  Nowruz is celebrated in a variety of countries that marks not only spring but also the beginning of the Iranian solar calendar.  Celebrations begin two to three weeks leading up and including the Vernal Equinox.  People preform ritual dances, fill vessels in the home with water to banish bad luck and set up tables covered with the seven symbolic items: seed sprouts – rebirth, senjed (Persian olive)- love, garlic – protection, apple – fertility, sumac – love, vinegar – patience, and samanu a pudding made from sprouted wheat = wealth.   And celebrators on the Wednesday night before the Equinox jump over fire to scare away a bad luck.

Therefore, to continue the use of light and in honor of Nowruz tradition of jumping over fire we focus on photographer Philippe Halsman and his Jumps series.  A Halsman portrait is easy to identify.  It has strong lightening, often a sense of the absurd and his unique stamp in the darkroom. As in his words: For me, lighting is what a brush is to a painter.  I want my light to give an awareness of the 3^rd dimension, that it shows volume and depth.  Above all I consider light as a means of characterization.” In the 1930’s he also designed his own camera with a quicker click speed and that had the photographer look through the lens, instead of standing beside the camera.  By doing this it made his sitter look into the camera and gave Halsman more control over what he could capture in the moment.

In the early 1950’s Halsman started asking famous people to jump and capture it using his distinctive lightening, sense of humor and his talent for bring out unique and often hidden aspects of his subjects.  “I was motivated by a genuine curiosity.  After all, life has taught us to control and disguise our facial expressions, but it has not taught us to control our jumps.  I wanted to see famous people reveal in a jump, their ambition or their lack of it, their self-importance or their insecurity, and many other traits.”  Your pondering for this week:  What characteristics come to play when you are asked to jump?

Solar System highlights:  The Moon starts in Scorpio – spring has sprung.  Then on Tuesday it moves into Sagittarius – get outside to take breaks from the grind. On Thursday it goes into Capricorn to help us finish up projects and our work week.  Then for the weekend the Moon is in Aquarius a perfect time to investigate the arts, read a book expand your mind. Mercury is in Pisces until March 27^th – talk 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). Time to experiment with innovations.  But if you are trying to get something done quickly, 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.  Aries this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year.  And Libra 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

Eight of Cups – Time to clean up and organize this week.  The Muse of Simplifying and Letting Go is knocking at your door. This Muse comes when your emotional or physical space is cluttered.  She asks what your priorities are and do you have the space and time for them?  If not time to clean house and make space for the new.

 

Taurus

Ten of Coins – This week is a great opportunity to finish up projects and dangling participials.  This is not a week to start something new.  Whatever unfinished business you have focus on those only.  And then by the weekend celebrate their completion with friends and family.

 

Gemini

Eight of Wands – Last week the Muse of Inner Strength wanted you to strengthen your resolve physically or morally.  If you did,  then this week you will be able to receive and deal with the massive download of information in the moment.  If not, then take good notes and prioritize the information on the weekend.

 

Cancerian

Knight of Cups– The Muse of Vulnerability has come to help you open your heart and deal with the emotional puddles within.  You can share with others as long as you watch comparisons and what ifs.

 

Leo

* Death – Last week the Muse of Shadows and Mist reminded you that what you saw on the outside was merely reflections on your inner work.  Hopefully you did this internal investigation for this week change is here.  However, to initiate this momentum you must release old baggage that no longer serves you.  There are things you are not letting go of.  This Muse pushes for change but it is up to you to let go of the past and self-doubt.

 

Virgo

Four of Pentacles – The Muse of Resources is giving you a piggy bank.  It is important this week to save your money, space, time, and energy.   Your resources are finite do not spend them on items, projects or people that do not serve or help you get things done.

 

Libra

Two of Wands – The Muse of Adventure has come to push you to broaden your horizons.  She suggests find new ways to get home, eat at new places, engage in conversations with strangers, get lost and meander through new avenues.  By expanding your outlook, you are activating new potentials.

 

Scorpio

Nine of Wands – The Muse of Preparation comes when there is a lot of energy around you and to tackle it you need to be ready.  She advises to make sure you have sustenance each day, gas in your tank, the right shoes for the job, etc.. Spend the beginning of your week prioritizing your jobs and then stick to your game plan.

 

Sagittarius

*Justice – The Muse of Truth and Fairness is the prominent player this week.  Her advice is: though aspects of life vary in shades of grey, to create forward motion this week it is vital that you choose a side.   This is a week to trust your logic over feelings. And if you need to advocate for a side be clear, concise and stick to the facts.

 

Capricorn

*Temperance – The Muse of Moderation and the Middle Path comes to help calm the waters both externally and internally.  She reminds you that we often do not have control of the external nor our inner emotions, but we can moderate or influence them.  Gentleness and grace are key this week.

 

Aquarius

Queen of Cups – This week the Muse of Fun has come to get you to reconnect with life’s beauty and abundance.  This is a week to walk on the beach, hang with friends, watch sunsets and spending time doing what you love to do.  You have a bevy of joy to encounter, now is the time to do so.   Stop and smell the roses, for they do not bloom all year long

 

Pisces

Four of Cups – Last week was all extroverted energy work with the Muse of Realization and building your empire.   This week the energy shifts to the internal.  During the week it is good to pull the shades and put your phone on silence so you can think things through and get things done.  However, by the weekend reenter into society, so you don’t get stuck in belly button gazing.