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Tarot and Art-Cast for week of June 11, 2023

June 11, 2023 Nina

The artist this week is Yayoi Kusama. Her art is both joyous and deep. She works in a variety of forms: painting, sculpture, performance and installations, and the thing most of them have in common is dots.

Her fascination with dots started with a hallucination as a child. In this vision she was in a vast field of talking flowers. Each flowerhead was a dot. As she looked out into this infinity field, she felt as if she was disappearing or as she says “self-obliterating” into the landscape. By adding these marks and dots, or putting us in multi mirrored installation, she makes herself and us, as viewers, melt into and become part of the work and in a deeper level part of the cosmos.

In her words: “Our Earth is only one polka dot among a million stars in the cosmos. Polka dots are a way to infinite. When we obliterate nature and our bodies with polka dots, we become part of the unity of our environment.”

Your pondering for the week: Be a polka dot.

******Just a heads up I am moving in this month, so I cannot guarantee what June will look like when it comes to the tarotcast. However, I will try to still put up some form of it, though it might be very abbreviated. Also, I am booked for readings until July 14^th. However, I will have my cards with me during the move for Quick Draws so you can text or email me. Though realize my response may take over 24 hours for me to get back to you. And thanks again for reading the tarotcast.

Solar System highlights

The moon begins in Aries – good for ideas and moving your body. On Wednesday it moves into Taurus – great for work and spending time in nature. Then on Friday through the weekend it is in Gemini – communication and relationships are the focus.

Mercury (communication and knowledge) is in Gemini it’s ruling planet so exchange of knowledge and how you do it is highlighted. Venus (beauty and harmony) moves into Leo (expressing who you are, light) until October 8th. This is a four-month exploration on the question: Does your outward expression of yourself harmonize with who you are within? Mars (action) is also in Leo, so find a few (2-3) tasks that you want to finish by July 10^th and put your focus solely on them. This combo guarantees success.

Jupiter (growth) is in Taurus, an aspect that nurtures expansion of pleasure in our lives. The challenge is dipping into overindulgence. So, we have until May 2024 to work on perfecting our balance between work and play. Then Saturn (structures) is in its two-year stint with Pisces so we can make our structures elastic and responsive to change. The challenge is our boundaries can get too bendy or have gaps, so we need to work on being flexible but resilient.

And lastly Pluto (the hidden, death, wealth, and shadow) in Capricorn (work, structure, business, and discipline) until January 2024. So, Pluto is back to playing in the world of business and capitalism. This cycle started in 2008, so whatever you started back then this is the time to tie up any lose ends especially around the house and planets in Capricorn in your natal chart.

***Signs with an * it is a big week for you. Gemini 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.

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

Nina

Aries

*Justice – The Muse of Fairness is asking you to defend yourself and/or someone else this week. Accountability is in question. But she asks is it fair to have only one person culpable or for one person to take all the credit for a success? As the say “there is no I in team”.

Taurus

Five of Fire – Chaos is in the air this week, so the Muse of Breath is wanting you to take one deep breath each time you encounter the “Mess.” She also reminds you that some of that chaos is caused by competition. So, watch for one-upmanship. And don’t get pulled into playing that game because someone will get hurt.

Gemini

Three of Fire – Last week the Muse of Motion reminded you that the world awaits your participation. This week the Muse of Venture continues the theme of momentum, but now asks what is next? Does what you do this week/month/year lead to what you want to do the next? At least a partial roadmap is needed.

Cancerian

*Judgement – The Muses of Evolution would like you to ponder what are you evolving in your life? For example: you want abundance in your life. What skills or mindset do you need to acquire it. Or do you want gentleness – what people are you attracting? How are you being gentle with yourself? So, start this process by discovering the word that you would like to become part of your evolution.

Leo

Nine of Pentacles – The Muse of Independence would like you to push the boundaries that limit you this week. She reminds you that this energy only comes when you are ready to venture out of your den. Your birthday is coming up and she would like you to test your wings.

Virgo

Yayoi Kusama, One with Eternity Hirshhorn until July 16 2023

Nine of Air – The weather patterns for past and future-tripping is stormy this week. So, the Muse of Worry is here to help you stop overthinking situations. She reminds you that “worry is like paying a debt you don’t owe.” So, your assignment is to stay in the here and now.

Libra

Yayoi Kusama, You Me and Balloons until Aug 2023 The Factory Manchester

Queen of Water – The Muse of Fluidity is recommending you go with the flow this week. Take things as they come, try not to make abrupt changes, and allow what cycles in, to cycle out on its own accord. If you find this challenging, she advises listening to calm ocean waves and sync your breathing with them.

Scorpio

Eight of Earth – The Muse of Craft is here to remind you that you are successful. She would like you to list all that you have mastered. This includes what might be considered mundane, like brushing your teeth daily, not yelling at someone, or paying your bills on time. She would like you to realize humaning is hard and even though you have had some challenges you have survived and thrived. So, keep on keeping on.

Sagittarius

Four of Fire – The Muse of Home would like you to spend time in yours. Not as a punishment but more like a staycation. Find ways to enjoy your abode. And if you are away from home, she would like you to buy something for it. Think – new pillow, a plant, a picture – what would make your home happy and feel appreciated.

Capricorn

*Hanged One – Last week the Muse of Spiritual Purpose wanted you to partake in sacred mysteries. And now the Muse of Suspension would like you to ponder what you found out. She suggests turning it inside out, looking at it upside down or the meanings in reverse. By circumnavigating around, over and under this knowledge, you get a fuller understanding and if you’re lucky an innovation/revelation/revolution.

Aquarius

*Star – The Muse of Inspiration is one of your life energies. She is helpful by encouraging you and leading you to new ideas. However, the challenge comes when you almost have too much inspiration/choices. So, she would like you to focus on one idea that you want to have happen and let that lead your actions for the week. Also, you get one free wish from the universe. What is it? Remember only one, so make it good.

Pisces

Eight of Air – The Muse of Bondage shows up when your thoughts are tying you down. She reminds you these negative thoughts were put there by others and you have adopted them. But she also prompts you that since you hold the chains you can let them go.

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art-Cast for week of June 6, 2023

June 4, 2023 Nina

The artist this week is Radim Schreiber. Schreiber is a photographer and videographer. His main subjects are insects but for the past 15 years it has been fireflies. It wasn’t until 2008 did the technology evolve so he could photographs his subjects. He now can use standard photography techniques and with no flash. Fireflies hold a special place in our hearts, and it is Schreiber’s vision in his words: “I believe that fireflies open doors to joy, magic, and deep connection with nature. It is my mission to use the latest technology to represent fireflies in the best light possible, understand and communicate their message to the world.”

The Lampyridae are a family with more than 2,000 species. They are soft-bodied beetles commonly called fireflies, lightning bugs, or glowworms for their conspicuous production of light, mainly during twilight, to attract mates. Fireflies are found in temperate and tropical climates, usually in areas that are damp or have a close water source. While all known fireflies’ glow as larvae, only some species produce light in their adult stage, and the location of the light organ varies among species and between sexes of the same species.

It is not just the magic of their glow heralding the beginning of summer, but also fireflies’ light-producing talent, luciferase, that has provided invaluable tools for improving public health, for facilitating innovative research, and for advancing medical knowledge. Beginning in the 1960’s it was used as detection of noxious bacteria in food. Then when the genetic blueprint for luciferase was decoded in the 1990s it has been used to detect cancer, genetic activation, and helps in deciphering when a drug is working on a disease.

Cite: ted talk

Your pondering for the week: If you can’t find fireflies in your area to go watch. Find something else magical or awe inspiring to help you light up the beginnings of summer.

Solar System highlights

The moon begins in Capricorn – great for starting full throttle into the work week. On Wednesday it moves into Aquarius – work on thinking outside the box. Then on Friday through the weekend it is in Pisces – do something that connects you to what you see as spirit.

Mercury (communication and knowledge) is in Taurus (grounding), so do your words follow with actions? Venus (beauty and harmony) moves into Leo (expressing who you are, light) until October 8th. This is a four-month exploration in the question: How you outwardly express yourself, does it harmonize with who you are within? Mars (action) is also in Leo, so find a few (2-3) tasks that you want to finish by July 10^th and put your focus solely on them. This combo guarantees success.

Jupiter (growth) in Taurus an aspect that nurtures expansion of pleasure in our lives. The challenge is dipping into overindulgence. So, we have until May 2024 to work on perfecting our balance between work and play. Then Saturn (structures) is in its two-year stint with Pisces so we can make our structures elastic and responsive to change. The challenge is our boundaries can get too bendy or have gaps, so we need to work on being flexible but resilient.

And lastly Pluto (the hidden, death, wealth, and shadow) is in Aquarius until June 11^th, giving us a taste of what the next 20 years will bring. Pluto is considered a generational planet and takes its time doling out its challenges and treasures. Pluto is bouncing back and forth from capitalistic Capricorn to socialistic Aquarius, so politics, technology and societal whims should be interesting to watch until November 19^th, 2024.

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

Nina

Aries

Queen of Wands – Last week the Muse of Sacred Wisdom guided you to important information. Now the Muse of Practice is asking you to put it into action. The challenge is if you missed the window of information gathering last week. So, this Muse gives you another chance, but she requires you to gift your guides while asking for their guidance. That can be simple acts of giving them a bit of your dinner or drink or just dusting off your altar.

Taurus

Queen of Earth – The Muse of the Sense would like you to engage with the abundance that surrounds you by engaging with your five senses. Work on giving yourself the time to linger and truly enjoy what you are tasting, seeing, hearing, smelling, and touching. The world is truly your oyster.

Gemini

*Chariot – The Muse of Motion has pulled up to your door and is beeping her horn for you to climb in and go. This can be as simple as having a joyride or two or as complex as making a bigger move like changing careers or locations. This Muse reminds you that the world awaits you, but you need to get out of the parking lot and press the petal to the metal.

Cancerian

*Star – The Muses of Hope comes to grant you a wish. However first you must ponder what is that one thing you really hope for? Then go out into the night and make a wish. As the cricket sings “when you wish upon a star your dreams come true.”

Leo

Ten of Air – All tens herald the ending of something. This Muse of Drama declares there is an ending of sorts in the areas of discourse or understanding. This muse observes that you have tried to get something across, and it is falling on immature (in like the not ready to hear it way), or noncompliant ears. And because it takes two to tango, how you are saying something isn’t working. So, you have two options: walk away or find another way to speak and listen.

Virgo

Page of Earth – The Muse of Learning comes when you have something to absorb to make a project easier in obtaining success. So hit the books, find a mentor or teacher, or dive into the internet. No matter who you pick to learn from, make sure they have mastered the skill or are knowledgeable in that area and then keep your own mind and ears open.

Libra

Five of Water – Last week the Muse of Structures wanted you to reevaluate yours. And now the Muse of Loss is here because something in your emotional plane is creating waves. This could be due to you not doing your homework last week. Or a sign that you have done it, but the process is not complete. This Muse challenges you that even though there is a loss, there is also a gain that you are not embracing. This week find the silver lining.

Scorpio

*Death – The Muse of Organic Change is one that Scorpios deal with your whole life. This is the process of dissolution, purification and then rebirth. This week you are in the process of that change. Figure out which part you are in and move to the next stage.

Sagittarius

Queen of Cups – The Muse of Fun is here and wants you to find ways to indulge her. Whether you play dress up, color outside the lines, watch comedy, climb something, play games, or hang with people that make you laugh, laughter and joy is what she would like you to focus on creating this week.

Capricorn

*High Priestess – The Muse of Spiritual Purpose would like you to spend time partaking in a form of scared mysteries. That could be ponder ancient manuscripts, hiking deep into nature, creating altars, or finding time for meditation. No matter the path you take she will impart some needed wisdom. The challenge with this Muse is that she hides this knowledge in synchronicities, faint but persistent whispers, and intricate thought exercises.

Aquarius

Ace of Water – All aces signify a new beginning. This Ace represents a new emotional start. The challenge is that you need to fill the cup before you take part in your journey. This week gather and list all that you love and brings you joy, so you can walk forward nourished with gratitude and delight.

Pisces

Two of Air – The Muse of Choices comes when you are ruminating or stalling on deciding. She reminds you that at least in this case it doesn’t matter if you go left or right, both will get you where you want to go. It is the movement more than the decision that holds importance.

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Tarot and Art-Cast for week of May 14, 2023

May 14, 2023 Nina

The artist this week is Camille Claudel. Claudel is a sculptor and is now recognized for her figurative works in bronze and marble. Claudel’s sensual sculptures are a testimony to her ability to convey an emotional narrative in metal and stone. Unlike her male contemporaries who stayed within the stoic realms of neoclassical and imperial styles. She addressed themes of love, passion, rejection, loneliness, the complexity of aging, and mental anguish with movement and emotionality.

By the end of the 1800’s her work was censored as overly sensual and inappropriate, especially from a female. Between that and the ending of her long-standing affair with a fellow sculptor, Claudel’s emotional state began unraveling. She experienced a psychological breakdown. As unsupported personally, as she had been professionally, her mother and brother placed her in an asylum. Where she stayed for 30 years until her death.

People with mental health issues in our society are sadly still seen as pariahs. So, what can we do to change the paradigm? First and foremost, “One of the best tools in your tool kit is empathy, advised Dawn Brown, national director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness HelpLine Services. If you work on extending empathy to others in your daily life, you’ll be more equipped to do so to a stranger.”

Your pondering for the week: How can you bring more empathy into your life?

Solar System highlights

The moon begins in Aries – action is the key to begin the week with. On Thursday it moves into Taurus – ground your emotions. Then for the weekend it moves into Gemini – great time to reconnect or make new friends.

Mercury (communication and knowledge) is now moving forward in Taurus (grounding), so we can now move onward with more confidence. Venus (beauty and harmony) is in Cancer (self-care) until June 6^th. Mars (action) is also in Cancer so until May 21^st, it is best to let your heart run the show. At our best we can consciously act on what our heart needs. But be aware that at our worst we can get emotionally charged and overreact during this time.

Jupiter (growth) has moved into Taurus – so we go from manifestation to expanding pleasure in our lives. The challenge is dipping into overindulgence. So, we have until May 2024 to work on perfecting our balance between work and play. Saturn (structures) is in its two-year stint with Pisces so we can make sure our structures are elastic and responsive to change. The challenge is our boundaries can get too bendy or have gaps, so we need to work on being flexible but resilient.

***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 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. and I have a new tip jar if you want to leave a gratuity for the weekly forecasts.

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

Nina

Aries

Three of Fire – The Muse of Enterprise advises contemplation on what you need to set into place for your next venture. This is a week for planning and preparation as you wait for pieces to fall into place or for the timing to be better for success. Preparation and patience are key this week.

Taurus

*Moon – This is a beneficial week to dive into your subconscious and the Muse of Visions is here to help in your enlightenment. Pay attention to your dreams for they have treasures to uncover. Not every part of your dreams is prophetic, but the ones that incite an emotional response have nuggets of truth to decipher.

Gemini

*Lovers – This Muse of Relationships is a lifelong company of yours. As a karmic mission, Geminis have the gift of gab and are on assignment to explore the ins and outs of relationships in all their forms. This week you will be working with this muse and looking at the levels of intimacy you have with various relationships. You will find yourself deepening some and distancing yourself from others. This muse would like you to look at them through the lens of commitment versus obligation.

Cancerian

Queen of Earth – Last week you were recommended to slow down or even stop and rest. This week the lights are green, but the Muse of Senses would like you to still take your time. She advises establishing strong boundaries around when you work and when you relax. She also recommends that you indulge in your five senses to keep yourself grounded in the present.

Leo

Four of Earth – The Muse of Hoarding is having you investigate why you are holding so tightly to an aspect in your life. A clue to this behavior is that it feels as if it stabilizes you. This could be true, or it could be based in fear. This is the week to discern which is the case. For if it is the former, then you are working against what innately is stabilizing in that aspect. By holding it so tightly, you are hindering its ability to create more abundance. She reminds you that faith in yourself is the key to stabilization.

Virgo

Eight of Earth – The Muse of Craft is recommending indulging in what skills you are good at. However, Virgo, you are very good at a variety of things. This week the muse challenges you to use your many talents or at least one in the world. Not only will this enhance your craft, but it will also lead to a turn into profit.

Libra

Knight of Air – This week if you find yourself in a rush or being pushed to decide – slow down. The Muse of Rushing arrives when things around you are too chaotic, and you need to slow down to think before you act. She advises while making any decisions you take your time and assess before committing. Especially when the situation is not a real emergency but is portrayed as one.

Scorpio

*Strength – The Muse of Inner Strength would like you to practice poise this week. Poise is defined as “a graceful and elegant bearing in a person”. So, this can be as simple as working on your posture or as intricate as defining what grace and elegance looks like for you (not society’s concept of it). She asks you what makes you proud of you?

Sagittarius

Nine of Air – The Muse of Overthinking comes when you are doing exactly that about something. She advises that you put this problem to bed for this week and let it simmer in the netherworld. You may find that it resolves itself, the solution sprouts from your subconscious or it never was a problem in the first place.

Capricorn

*Fool – This is a great week to clear part of your schedule, for the Muse of Spontaneity would like you to come out and play. She reminds you that play is as equally important to you goats’ mental health as hard labor. So go on a drive without a destination or at least take a different route. Or do something creative just for the sake of creation. By letting go of goal orientation for just a sec, you will find not only a sense of freedom but maybe a new path/adventure to propel you into the future.

Aquarius

Queen of Fire – The Muse of Spirituality wants you to engage with your spirit. And for you this is best done with art or in nature. By surrounding yourself with either, your mind can wander and be inspired. So, take time this week to dabble in your own art, go to a museum, go to the ocean or hike in a park.

Pisces

*Magician – The Muses of Manifestation is here to help you manifest something this week. It can be big or small… simple or complex. However, she asks three questions of your manifestation: Is it divinely inspired as opposed to be based solely in the material, emotional or intellectual plane? Does it require you to gain more skills? Does your manifestation bring good into the world? If the answers are No, Yes and No respectively then it is not the right manifestation back to the drawing board.

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Tarot and Art-Cast for week of May 7, 2023

May 7, 2023 Nina

The month of May is mental health awareness month. So, the artist this week is Anna Zemankova considered one of the prominent figures in Art Brut (outsider art). Early in her life she painted landscapes as a hobby but gave that up when she had her children. Pouring her creative spirit into their clothes, rooms, and conjuring fairy tales. But as her children aged and left home, she lost her sense of self and depression set in. So, she began drawing in her 50’s as a form of therapy. She followed a strict routine where she produced pieces evoking botanical forms and portraying them in delicate hues. Later she embellished her drawing with embroidery and beadwork. Zemankova leads us as the viewer and seemingly herself to calmer spaces where flow and nature reside. She worked at her art for the next 26 years, until her death in 1986.

Anxiety has been a been a visitor of mine since childhood. And when I had a health scare in my mid-thirties, well, it decided to rent a room in my mental space. It has taught me that I am an introvert trying to fit into an extrovert centric society, I need to create better boundaries and it brought art into my life. I had always wandered the edges of art by surrounding myself with artistic people, but I never really tried it.

Until I got sick and came very close to full blown agoraphobia. I started therapy and making sock monkeys. And then I learned how to sculpt from a friend and re-discovered my childhood love of dioramas. And then I took a class in scientific drawing and dabble in landscape paintings. Art now is an integral part of my mental health regime. It allows me to turn off anxiety’s soundtrack, reconnect with my flow, and do this blog. Thanks for reading it!

Your pondering for the week: How do you support your mental health?

Solar System highlights

The moon begins in Sagittarius – work on going with the flow. On Tuesday it moves into Capricorn – where you can finally get into the work week with more focus. Then on Thursday it goes into Aquarius – look for innovative ways or outside of the box thinking. Then for the weekend it moves into Pisces – time to daydream and play.

Mercury (communication and knowledge) is in Taurus (grounding) and in retrograde until May 14^th – this period is useful to reflect, review and redo especially within the aspects of how to be calm and focused as you convey your thoughts and intentions. Venus (beauty and harmony) is in Cancer (self-care) until June 6^th. Mars (action) is also in Cancer so especially until May 21^st, it is best to let your heart run the show. At its best we can consciously act on what our heart needs. But be aware that at its worst we can get emotionally charged and overreact.

Jupiter (growth) is in Aries until May 16^th – great for manifestation and expansion and during retrograde we can still get things done. Saturn (structures) is in its two-year stint in Pisces to make sure our structures are elastic and responsive to change. The challenge is our boundaries can get too bendy or have gaps, so we need to work on being flexible but resilient, think like bamboo or jellyfish.

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

Nina

Aries

Four of Fire – The Muse of Happy Home would like you to focus your attention on creating a more comfortable home. Whether that means doing spring cleaning, adding plants or a pop of color, or fixing that squeaky door, spend time this week making your physical home more comfortable and inviting.

Taurus

*Devil – This week has the potential to be something like Mister Toad’s wild ride with turns, mystery, adventure, surprises, and a bit of mayhem. Be aware that these detours are liable to distract you from your goals. So, the challenge becomes twofold. First have a clear focus of what you want to happen. And secondly if things de-rail, be flexible but have the resolve to get things back on track.

Gemini

Ten of Fire – The Muse of Burden comes when you are taking on too many responsibilities. Some of these things you carry are actually your responsibility and then some are not. So, she first advises you to put down what isn’t yours. Then with the rest she has you put them in order of urgency, take off the last two items, and only then can you successfully tackle the rest.

Cancerian

*Hanged One – If you are trying to get something done with a sense of urgency, this week’s energy will be like swimming upstream. However, the Muse of Suspension is the perfect energy for Mercury in retrograde vibe. Like last week this is a time to slow down review, revise, and redo. Now is not the time to move forward, but if you find the need to, carry flotation devices so you can take breaks from the opposing currents.

Leo

Seven of Air – The Muse of Stealth heralds that things are not as they seem. She says this is not a malevolent situation, but more likely it is surround by an air of ambivalence, wariness, or unsureness. So, she advises you to walk softly into situations this week until you can suss out the lay of the land.

Virgo

Five of Water – This week you will need to let some disappointment go to see the positive in a situation. The Muse of Partial Loss advises that though this week may have some burdens and frustrations there are at least two beautiful treasures within the situation. You just need to look around and see them.

Libra

Ace of Water – Last week the Muse of New wanted you to branch out and do something that you have never done before to expand your horizons. You get to continue this quest of “the new” with this week’s energy. The challenge is to find new ways that please your heart and deepen your emotional well.

Scorpio

Knight of Water – The Muse of Flirtation would like you to practice this skill this week. If you are partnered, time to reignite your relationship with flirtation and splashes of intimacy. If you are solo, flirt with others and light up their shine. Either way this muse challenges you all to flirt with yourself. For example, each time you pass a mirror give yourself a knowing wink.

Sagittarius

*High Priestess – The Muse of Sacred Knowledge is passing down some info for you. The challenge is that these messages are conveyed in paradoxes and synchronicities. So, take time this week to wander in the philosophical realms of the mind.

Capricorn

Six of Earth – The Muse of Karmic Reciprocity is playing with you this week. She reminds you that kindness begats kindness, but the opposite is also true. The challenge with this energy is that the path of reciprocity is never a straight one.

Aquarius

Nine of Water – The Muse of Contentment is wanting you to ponder what would make you content. She is challenging you to recalibrate your happiness meter. For you have either lowered your expectations too far or expect them to be an 11 on a 1 to 10 scale. What small change could you make or ask for that would give you pleasure of satisfaction? She advises to start there.

Pisces

Tower and Queen of Fire – The Muses of Fortification and Change would like you to stock up on resources and check your foundations. This can mean as simple as checking your plumbing for leaks, tires to see if they are worn, or restocking your pantry. Or it can be as complex as shoring up your mental health, getting your resume ready, or signing up for classes. Change is coming, are you ready for it?

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art-Cast for week of April 30, 2023

April 30, 2023 Nina

The artist this week is Kenojuak Ashevak. Ashevak’s creative focus was vast: sculpture, engraving, painting, drawing, beadwork, sewing and design. However, she is best known for her graphic prints where she joins her skills of carving, drawing, and printing. As Ashevak explains, “There is no word for art. We say it is to transfer something from the real to the unreal.” Ashevak pulls the images of animals, humans, and spirits from her living world and transfers them to a non-living phase. However, Ashevak’s work by her choice of color and flourish seems to bridge the concepts of real and unreal. We see life, movement, and vividness in her work.

In Innuit culture “art” was usually conjoined with function. However, Ashevak was an outlier. Even though she used her work to help her family finically that aligned with the functionality of art in her culture, she also promoted art for art’s sake.

“I just take these things out of my thoughts and out of my imagination, and I don’t really give any weight to the idea of its being an image of something…. I am just concentrating on placing it down on paper in a way that is pleasing to my own eye, whether it has anything to do with subjective reality or not. And that is how I have always tried to make my images, and that is still how I do it, and I haven’t really thought about it any other way than that. That is just my style and is the way I started and the way I am today.”

This concept of allowing ourselves to engage in non-judgmental, non-goal-oriented pleasure, i.e. play, is a skill a focus we all should incorporate into our lives at any age.

Your pondering for the week: Drop your self judgement and allow your imagination to just play. See what comes from it.

Solar System highlights

The moon begins in Virgo so a pleasant organize way to start the week. On Tuesday it moves into Libra – where harmony and relationships come to the forefront. Then on Friday through the weekend it is in Scorpio – play time with your passions.

Venus (beauty and harmony) is in Gemini. Last week to dive into gratitude and working with the positive nurturing aspects of all your relationships (this includes your relationships with all living things and your environment). Mars (action) is in Cancer. It is best to let your heart run the show until May 21^st. However, at its worst we can get emotionally charged and overreact, and at its best we can consciously act on what our heart needs.

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

Nina

Aries

Ten of Air – It seems the friend-connecting you did last week will be valuable, for you will need your friends in dealing with the potential dramas this week. Whether that is your tendency right now to engage with negative thoughts or if the world around you is throwing spears and curve balls, your friends will help you avoid the worst-case scenarios.

Taurus

*Empress –The Muse of Life is an energy that you all work with your entire lifetime. Also, it makes sense that it not only comes up during your birth month but also as we collectively experience an eclipse in the Scorpio/Taurus pairing, May 5^th and prepare for Jupiter’s move into Taurus on May 16^th. Life is defined by the capacity for growth, reaction to stimuli, metabolism, energy transformation, and reproduction. Your work for this week, maybe throughout this year, is to identify those capacities in yourself, and the how and why you walk on this earth while doing them. And then how you plan to nurture those qualities to further abundant growth in yourself and within your reach into the world.

Gemini

*Sun – The Muse of Optimism would like you to radiate some of this energy into the world. You all are one of the most charismatic signs in the zodiac and this muse would like you to use this superpower this week. Whether that is a smile or a compliment to a random people you encounter or a deep dive of support to someone close, this week is made for you to shine by illuminating the good in others.

Cancerian

Queen of Air – The Muse of Perceptivity comes to help you create ease in your plans and is perfectly aligned with Mercury in retrograde. She reminds you that details and cleverness are the focus this week. So, mottos like the “devil is in the details” and “work smarter not harder” should be in the forefront of your revisions in planning the future.

Leo

Nine of Air – Ok this week has a bump in the road potential stopping the past two weeks’ energy pushing Adventure. That bump is your worry and anxiety. The Muse of Unease advises to switch “I am worried about this negative outcome” to “I hope for this positive outcome.” When you think about it, useful worrying helps us prepare for bumps in the road by deconstruction, and beneficial hoping helps us prepare for bumps in the road but by construction. When done properly they both want the same thing, a positive outcome. So why not prepare this week through a hopeful outlook and lay down the swords of worry.

Virgo

Page of Earth – This week is abundant for learning opportunities. The Muse of Knowledge will point out areas of study for you. Whether that is a new skill set you need to integrate or an area of ignorance you find that needs updating, this week is meant for learning.

Libra

*Fool – The Muse of New is wanting you to branch out and do something that you have never done before. Whether to take an art or dance class, try a new restaurant or go on a spontaneous adventure, this muse wants you to expand your horizons.

Scorpio

*Hanged One – Last week the Muse of Momentum wanted you to spend this retrograde period in contemplation of what needs changing that only you can do and then make a road map to get there. Self-reliance, a destination, and ambition are the key elements that you need to muster. Now the Muse of Upside-down wants you to flip some of your ideas on their head to see them from an alternative perspective. She counsels by doing so you will get a more holistic picture. This week put things on hold or postponed until after May 16^th . So you can take the time you need to see things from “both sides of the coin”.

Sagittarius

Eight of Fire – This week is full of messages. Since Mercury is in retrograde, the challenge is they are not all for you. And the ones for you are also jumbled or missing content. So, the muses advise to take your time with sorting out the ones for you and hold on answering them. For as the week progresses more information can come in to change your perspective or perception.

Capricorn

Two of Water – The Muse of Love is here to get you to find time and slow down to hang with your significant other(s). When this muse comes, she does so because your intimacy cup needs sustenance. Reciprocity of emotions and daydreams need to be exchanged to integrate more love and hope into your future.

Aquarius

Six of Water – During this retrograde time of review and revise the Muse of Memories would like you to recollect what brought you joy and fulfillment from your past. Then she challenges you to make plans on how to create the same feelings without recreating those past events. So, this is an exercise in seeing the arc and maturation of your emotional fulfillment. And how to keep it evolving and growing.

Pisces

Three of Air – The Muse of Breakthroughs would like you to spend this retrograde week looking to heal, at most, three wounds from the past. She does this by setting up scenarios that trigger a heartache response. If you feel sad or angry, these are the areas she would like you to do a deep dive on. This is not to meant to have you relive it, but you do need to still work on healing it.

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art-Cast for week of April 23, 2023

April 23, 2023 Nina

Happy Birth-month Taurus.

The artist this week is Willard Wiggan, @willard_wiggan . He has a show at Wollaton Hall Nottingham, UK, which houses the Nottingham Natural History Museum from April to October 2023. Wiggan’s show “Disappearing World” is collection of sculptures that highlight endangered animals and the loss of biodiversity. All his sculptures are viewed through microscopes and many within the eye of a needle. For Wiggan is an artist of the small and minutia. He sculpts and paints the world’s smallest art pieces. He has been honored by the Guinness book of world records twice.

Wiggan’s show illuminates that not only every species matters but also if all of us do small acts of conservation we can make a difference. In his words, “My micro-sized sculptures convey a bigger message to humanity. An artful reminder that our world is disappearing, we need to act, and make changes. My tiny work engages a larger conversation, inviting visitors to consider a simple concept, small things matter.” E

Your pondering for the week: This month we celebrate Earth and highlight how we can create and maintain a healthier home for all living creatures. What is your contribution in maintaining a healthier coexistence on our Mother Earth?

Solar System highlights

The moon begins in Gemini, good for conversations and relationship work. Then on Tuesday it moves into Cancer – self-care becomes the focus. Then on Thursday through the weekend it is in Leo – time to shine.

Mercury (communication and knowledge) is in Taurus (grounding) and in retrograde – this period is useful to reflect, review and redo especially within the aspects of how to be calm and focused as you convey your thoughts and intentions. Venus (beauty and harmony) is in Gemini. So, a deep dive into gratitude and working with the positive and nurturing aspects of all your relationships (this includes your relationships with all living things and your environment). Mars (action) is in Cancer. It is best to let your heart run the show until May 21^st. However, at its worst we can get emotionally charged and overreact, and at its best we can consciously act on what our heart wants.

Jupiter (growth) is in Aries until May 16^th – great for manifestation, expansion, and action. And Saturn (structures) is in its two-year stint in Pisces to make sure our structures are elastic and responsive to change. The challenge is our boundaries can get too bendy or have gaps, so we need to work on being flexible but resilient, think like bamboo or jellyfish. And lastly Pluto (the hidden, death, wealth, and shadow) is in Aquarius until June 11^th, giving us a 3-month taste of what the next 20 years will bring. Pluto is considered a generational planet and takes its time doling out its challenges and treasures. Pluto is bouncing back and forth from capitalistic Capricorn to socialistic Aquarius, so politics, technology and societal whims should be interesting to watch during this time.

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

Nina

Aries

Three of Water – The Muse of Friendship is asking you to connect with your friends this week. It can be as simple as inviting them over for a potluck, a game night or as deep as having a heart to heart. Connection is key this week to not only fill your cup but others too.

Taurus

*Devil – This week can have aspects that feel overwhelming, unsettling, or challenging, so the Muse of Impulse has come to guide you through. She reminds you that when you feel the above you try to gain more control, and thus you can react impulsively. So, she asks you this week to work on your skills in “bull riding.” Bull riders do not try and subdue or control the bull. They just try to stay on, enjoy the challenge and get off without getting hurt.

Gemini

Two of Water – The Muse of Reciprocity would like you to engage in some love. Whether that is self-love, partnered love or any relationship love, this week is about giving as much as it is receiving.

Cancerian

Seven of Air – The Muse of Stealth is asking you to walk lightly into situations this week. There is more going on behind the scenes than you know. So, this Muse advises to hope for the best, but expect the worst. Your song for the week by Mel Brooks.

Leo

Willard Wiggan skateboarder on an eyelash

*Fool – Adventure time continues with the Muse of Spontaneity. This Muse would like you to turn left when you usually go right, try to find the end of a rainbow, say yes to a meandering walk or car ride. The key is to go through this week without expectations and along the way you will find inspiration, hidden treasures, and possibly the feeling of freedom one finds when we leave our expectations on the side of the road.

Virgo

*Strength – This week the Muse of Instinct is your guide. For the group of you in touch with following your gut, this should be an easy week. But for those that question and don’t believe in their inner voice or moral compass, well this week can be a bit of a challenge. No matter which group you are in, this muse would like you to flex your core muscle of self-confidence. As Ru-Paul said, “Chin-up, shoulders back, tits out.”

Libra

Four of Fire– The Muse of Home is asking you to invest in yours. Spend time and energy to beautify the place you live in. That can be a simple tidying up or jazzing up your digs with more plants, or a new color way.

Scorpio

*Chariot – The Muse of Momentum would like you to spend this retrograde period in contemplation of what needs changing that only you can do and then make a road map to get there. Self-reliance, a destination, and ambition are the key elements that you need to muster, so once this retrograde season is over (May 14) you are ready to roll.

Sagittarius

Seven of Fire – So hopefully last week you took note on the areas that your accolades were pointing you to. Because the Muse of Exertion is wanting you to use them to manifest or defend a stance. Your willpower is what will power the next steps to advancing your cause.

Capricorn

Five of Water – The Muse of Reflection is here to help you work with this retrograde period (now until May 14). Since your birthday you all have had a bit of a Mister Toad’s Wild Ride, ups, downs, and unexpected turns. She advises using these next couple of weeks to process what you have experienced. Letting go of what is lost or no longer useful and walking forward with what is rejuvenating and refreshing.

Aquarius

Four of Water – The Muse of Stillness is sitting and waiting for you to sit with her for part of this week. She advises you to split your time between introspection and interaction. Doing only one will lead you to imbalance or overindulgence. Where doing both, fairly evenly (remember there is no such thing as perfection), will bring contentment and stability.

Pisces

Willard Wiggan – Crown on a head of a pin

King of Air – The Muse of Far Perspective is here to remind you that this retrograde season instead of trying to manage with short term fixes, to turn your gaze and mind to long-terms solutions. So, think less like applying band-aids and more like enacting life-changing choices.

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art-Cast for week of April 2, 2023

April 2, 2023 Nina

Rain — Chushingara Series, Utagawa Kunisada

I don’t know about you but last week was hard for me to wrangle in my mind. On the positive side it has been great for my imagination though hard to focus on any one thing for long. So, this tarotcast is an eclectic look at rain. I have picked thirteen different visual artists’ interpretations of rain, 2 of my favorite poems about rain, my favorite song about rain, and of course a bit of science.

A Drop fell on the Apple Tree –
Another – on the Roof –
A Half a Dozen kissed the Eaves –
And made the Gables laugh –

A few went out to help the Brook,
That went to help the Sea –
Myself Conjectured were they Pearls –
What Necklaces could be …

Emily Dickinson

Some fun facts about this atmospheric phenomenon. After a storm, that rain smell is not the water but the molecule, geosmin, created by soil dwelling bacteria. When rain falls it creates air pockets in the soil, trapping, releasing, and dispersing the geosmin into the air. The name for this rain smell is petrichor.

The name raindrop is actually a misnomer. Raindrops are not tear shaped but spherical. As they fall and encounter air pressure it flattens or makes the bottom concave, they then take a hamburger bun or jellybean shape. The height and size of raindrops differ but “at an average speed of 14 mph and average cloud height of 2,500 feet, it would take two minutes for a raindrop to hit the floor.” Very small raindrops would take seven minutes to reach the ground and large raindrops can fall at speeds of 20mph.

So what if it drizzles
And dribbles and drips?
I’ll splash in the garden,
I’ll dance on the roof.
Let it rain on my skin,
It can’t get in—
I’m waterproof.

Shel Silverstein

Your pondering for the week: When was the last time you played in the rain?

Solar System highlights

This week the moon begins in Virgo. Making the start of your week very productive. On Wednesday it moves into Libra – where clear communication becomes important. Then on Friday through the weekend the moon is in Scorpio – perfect for having fun and focusing on your passions.

Mercury (communication and knowledge) is in Taurus (grounding) – this is a 7-week course on being calm and focused as you convey your thoughts and intentions. Mars (action) is in Cancer. It is best to let your heart run the show until May 21^st. So, at its worst we can get very emotionally charged and overreact, and at its best we can consciously act on what our heart wants. Venus (beauty and harmony) is also in Taurus. This is where it loves to be. It wants us to indulge our senses especially with the natural world.

Jupiter (growth) is also in Aries until May 16, 2023 – great for manifestation, expansion, and action. And Saturn (structures) is in its two-year stint in Pisces. So now all that work you did with structures, building and innovating them the past 5 years, it is time to make sure they are elastic and responsive to change. The challenge is our boundaries can get too flexy or have gaps, so we need to work on being flexible but resilient, think like bamboo or jellyfish.

And lastly Pluto (the hidden, death, wealth, and shadow) moves into Aquarius giving us a 3-month taste of what the next 20 years will bring. Pluto is considered a generational planet and takes its time doling out its challenges and treasures. Pluto is bouncing back and forth from capitalistic Capricorn to socialistic Aquarius, so politics, technology and societal whims should be interesting to watch during this time.

***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. and I have a new tip jar if you want to leave a gratuity for the weekly forecasts.

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

Nina

Aries

*Wheel – The Muse of Maybe visits you this week. This energy is tricky, sometimes it brings ups and sometimes downs, but it always leaves a gift or insight that will bring you fortune for the future. The key to working with this energy is to try on everything that comes your way. She reminds you do not have to commit but just dip your toes in with a maybe. I.e.: Test the water. If you do work with this energy you will realize, finding out you when you don’t like something is as important as finding out what you do like.

Taurus

Knight of Earth – This week slow and steady is the challenge. The Muse of Rock-steady comes to help you ground yourself and move forward with restrained but surer steps. She recommends taking off your shoes or sitting on nature’s ground and root yourself. Draw energy up from the Earth, find your focus and then walk with determined steps throughout the week.

Gemini

Queen of Air – Details are very important this week. The Muse of Minutia has come to help you focus on the “little things” with love, compassion, and curious awareness. This attention to the finer details will help you in all aspects of your life. Whether that showing love with a touch or intimate note, reading and bargaining about the fine print on a contract, or asking for more details in a plan, you will prosper or avoid unnecessary challenges with this microscopic optic. The challenge is tuning the focal point down too close where it can be felt like micromanaging.

Cancerian

Seven of Air – The Muse of Motivation comes when you need to be aware of the “why” behind what you do this week. For each task to make a difference, it must be done with a considered purpose. Otherwise, you will be motivated by outside sources instead of your own goals or ones that don’t align with your morals.

Leo

King of Water – The Muse of Emotions comes to help you navigate yours. This week has a lot of feelings and your lesson with this Muse is how to moderate and negotiate with yours. The challenge is not spilling them on others while you also bring them into the light to work with. This is not a week to ignore your feelings or shut them down but to transmute them to be more helpful. This week invite them in and discuss what your goals are and how they can help obtain them. This muse relays examples like worry can be transmuted to hope and anger to passion.

Virgo

Gustave Caillebotte, The Yerres Effect of Rain

Seven of Earth – This week is all about Work. The Muse of Labor comes when you need to focus on getting things off your to-do lists. This energy paves the way to get things done if you have a list. So put your work boots on and get to it.

Libra

Page of Fire – The Muse of Sparks would like you to bring some passion back into your life. She asks what truly, happily gets you going? What makes your life worth living for? This is the week to focus on what lights your fire.

Scorpio

Two of Air – Decision, decision, decisions. The Muse of Choice comes when you need to readjust your direction. She advises you to follow your intuition more than logic this week. This is less about the choice, left or right, and more about how you would feel on either path.

Sagittarius

Ace of Water – New beginnings are available to you this week. The Muse of the Heart would like you to call in your heart’s desire. The challenge is this desire must be fresh, and it requires you to go with the flow to obtain it. A great week for writing wishes and tossing them into a body of water.

Capricorn

Four of Earth – The Muse of Resources comes when you need to pay attention to yours. This muse governs the resources of time, money, and space. This is a great time to save or replenish these resources. The challenge is you can spend but be careful not to over-spend. Think quality over quantity.

Aquarius

Camille-Pissarro-Boulevard-Montmartre-Afternoon-in-the-Rain

Nine of Water – The Muse of Contentment is here to help you lower your expectations just a bit. Maybe you think something should be moving faster or that you are missing just one more thing to make everything perfect. The interesting thing is that you have it pretty good this week if you dial back your expectations. She would like you to realize “that you can’t always get what you want…but you might find you get what you need.”

Pisces

Eight of Earth – You got this week in the bag if you just focus on what you do best. The Muse of Mastery comes when you are required to use your superpowers. You might have to tweak them a bit to fit the situation, but you are ready for the challenge.

Solar System highlights

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancerian

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

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Solar System highlights

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancerian

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

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Solar System highlights

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancerian

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

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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