Tag Archives: women artists

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.

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 during this time.

***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

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?

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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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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Tarot and Art-Cast for week of March 26, 2023

March 26, 2023 Nina

The artist this week is Augusta Savage. Savage was a sculptor, teacher, and community organizer. Whether it is the crinkle of a shirt, the lines created by a body or the steady gaze of her piece John Henry, Savage’s sculptures are the essence of the sublime. She brings natural beauty and emotions to her portrait sculptures, with a simple curve of the mouth or how we can feel the cold water the boy is about to jump into (see below). This is the goal of portraits in all their forms, to not only portray a person but to engage us in our collective humanity.

Savage was a seminal artist. Though an artist since her youth, it wasn’t until she was 29 when she was awarded a scholarship to Cooper Union in 1921, before 142 men on the waiting list. Where she earned her 4-year degree in 3. Then in 1929 and 1931 she was granted two fellowships in Paris. In 1934 she became the first African American member of the National Association of Women Painters and Sculptors and opened her own studio becoming an influential teacher in Harlem.

In 1937, she was asked to be the first director of the Harlem Community Art Center. Also in 1937, Savage was one of four women and only two African Americans to receive a professional commission for her work to be included in the 1939 NY World’s Fair. She spent two years creating Lift Every Voice and Sing (see Aries below), an homage to the influence of Black music in American culture. But why do most of us not know her? And if we do only know her through these smaller pieces. What would not only Savage’s legacy, but our society be like if works like hers were not only in historical representation but also in the present public eye?

The above work is called Realization. Though stunning, Savage was never able to bring it into the world, due to the absence of consistent funding and support for women artists, which still rings true today. Realization is defined as an act of becoming fully aware of something as a fact. Only 11% of all acquisitions at 26 prominent US museums over the past decade were of work by women artists. When will we truly realize as a society that there is not equal representation of women? Not until we see fifty percent of what we support and see in any museums and public spaces are created by women, and not just in highlighted shows for Women’s month.

Your pondering for the week: How can you better experience and implement a truer representation of equal representation in your life?

Solar System highlights

This week the moon begins in Gemini – communication is key. On Tuesday night it moves into Cancer – watch that your emotions don’t block your drive. Then on Friday through the weekend the moon is in Leo, your time to play in the sun.

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), after its 7-month stay in Gemini, shifts our focus from creating action not reaction through communication, moves into Cancer. Now instead of our mouth running the show are hearts are. 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 until April 3^rd. 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

King of Water – The Muse of Emotions is challenging you to be the mature person in the room. You are being asked to circumnavigate and direct others’ emotions out of the more shadowy lands that are laid out for you and yours this week. That means you need to step up your compassion and speak from heartfelt empathy to gain any ground or consensus.

Taurus

Ten of Water – The Muse of Bliss is asking you to highlight what brings you joy this week. First, she reminds you that you are successful in more than a few aspects of your life, and you need to honor those accomplishments. Secondly, she asks you before you move to the new “next…”, take this week to have a bit of fun.

Gemini

Two of Fire – The Muse of Future is asking you to take a moment this week and do some pondering on what your plans and intentions are for 2025? She knows we are just ending month-three of 2023, but she asks – are you doing what needs to be done to get to where you want to be by the end of next year? This week is the perfect time to readjust if your actions and goals are not lined up, or you might find you need a whole new game plan.

Cancerian

King of Fire – The Muse of Leading is calling you to take the lead this week. She reminds you that being a leader does not mean having to do everything. Delegation, teamwork, and cheerleading are vital.

Leo

Nine of Air – Your second nine, so a little on that number. Nines are about preparation. Last week was about preparing your soul/fire to create a new spark. This week you are asked to prepare your mind. The Muse of Worry is here to help with your over-thinking. Science has proven that worry and hope ignite the same part of the brain, so they are linked. Why we worry is because we have an investment/hope for the future. However, where that goes haywire is when we continue to worry about possibilities that are beyond our control. So, this week, focus only on the things you have actual control over and leave the rest to hope.

Virgo

Five of Earth – Lat week had the potential for some storms and hopefully you were prepared for them. This week you are dealing with the aftermath. The Muse of Low Resources comes when your assets are at a low point. This can be your energy, time, space and/or money. She reminds you that you do not have to do this by yourself. It is okay to be not okay this week. You have friends and loved-ones that can give you a variety of resources, but it is up to you to ask for it. And then not to feel less than for the asking.

Libra

*Devil – This week can have a few deja’vu events for you. The Muse of Tests comes to see if you have learned your lessons. If you find yourself irritated, confused, lost, or tempted, she advises you to step back and think about the lesson behind the troubles. You have already learned the lesson. You are just being asked to respond correctly to what has challenge you in the past.

Scorpio

Eight of Air – The Muse of Bondage comes to release you from old thought patterns that no longer work for you. This can be as easy as an ah-moment or as complicated as feeling trapped. However, you should pay attention to both those feelings, for this energy is highlighting negative inputs from others that you are holding onto. And it will help you finally find your sovereignty from these thoughts and situations.

Sagittarius

Six of Earth – The Muse of Pay Back is asking you to pay forward this week. Whether that is paying for someone’s coffee or calling a friend or smiling at a stranger. This week she asks you to emote as many positive vibes as possible out into the world. For this muse will give you back positive energy three-fold. The challenge with this muse is that the path of return is never direct or straight so keep your eyes open for money at your feet and smiles in the streets.

Capricorn

*Tower and Seven of Water – The Muse of Destruction and the Muses of Dreams are working together this week. As a team they are asking you to lower your expectations of what you are dreaming. Outside forces are not willing or able to work for your usual perfectly controlled outcomes or goals this week. So, it is best to be as prepared as possible for twists and turns and then go with the flow.

Aquarius

Two of Water – So last week the Muse of Relations wanted you to focus on all your relationships. Well, the energy has not switched that much this week. The Muse of Love is now here and wanted you to invest some positive emotions into your closest relationships. By filling your loved one’s cup, they can also fill yours. And if it feels not equitable, now is the time to have a heart to heart around each other’s definitions of sharing and how you like affection to be given to you.

Pisces

Queen of Water – The Muse of Fun is asking you to have some. You are taking life too seriously and this muse is advising to find friends and loved ones to do something fun or silly with.

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Tarot and Art-Cast for week of March 19, 2023

March 19, 2023 Nina

Happy Spring and Happy Birth-month to Aries

Louise Nevelson is the artist of the week as we leave winter and enter into spring. Nevelson tenacity helped her surmount the sexism and ageism of the art world that still reverberates today. At 42 she had her first solo-show, and her big break came when she was 60 when she was included in the “Sixteen Americans” at the MOMA in 1959. She is best known for her large monochromatic abstract assemblages made from street salvage remnants of urban life: baseball bats, milk crates, driftwood, picture frames, toolboxes, cardboard, toilet seats, newel posts and gingerbread carvings etc…. She also designed jewelry, painted, drew, and used textiles in lithography. Her themes are often around marriage, royalty, the cosmos, mortality, and displacement. But her most astonishing aspect of her work and her life is the ability create a new existence out of a death, much like what spring does every year.

Your pondering for the week: How does ageism effect your life? What can you bring to life that society has cast off?

Solar System highlights

This week the moon begins in Pisces – start your week intuitively. On Tuesday night there is a new moon in Aries – great time for new projects. Then on Friday thru the weekend the moon is in Taurus, plant your seeds, play outdoors, and make time for family outings.

Mercury (communication and knowledge) is in Aries – watch your tone when trying to push through a project or get your point across. Especially since Mars (action) is in its last week of a 7-month journey in Gemini (communication and knowledge). Mars is pushing us to truthfully talk and follow up with actions. The challenge with this time is your politeness filter has been switched off. So, it is having us double down on how to be constructive with our voice – to promote action not reaction. Venus (beauty and harmony) is in Taurus until April 3^rd. This is where it loves to be. It wants us to indulge our senses especially with the natural world.

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

Nina

Aries

Four of Air – The Muse of Refresh comes when you are not realizing how depleted you are. She advises to take time this week to unplug, slow down, and recharge your battery. She reminds you this is the beginning of your birth month and before you soar into your new year you need time to wind down, check your engines and refuel.

Taurus

Eight of Air – So last week was a bit of a bear and now you may feel a bit stuck. Aspects of your life and/or perspective might be holding you back. The Muse of Bondage comes to help you untie yourself from these limiting thoughts. She asks what can you do just this week to lighten the atmosphere? The way to get untangled is to untie one knot at a time.

Gemini

Seven of Air – The Muse of Hope has come to help you through the miasma of this week. She advises to break your tasks into small doable chunks. By focusing on the one step in front of you, you will gain more success than trying to navigate the broader fogger landscape.

Cancerian

King of Earth – The Muse of Grounding has come to help you get done whatever you focus on. She does require that you have a to-do list. Once you have a good plan the process will come with ease.

Leo

Nine of Fire – This week will require that you need to power through an aspect of your life or project that is just not flowing. The Muse of Perseverance invites you to understand and flex how resilient you are. All fire signs have this amazing ability to create energy from the smallest spark. Time to gather some tinder and create the fire within.

Virgo

*Tower – So, this week has some powerful forces that you have no control over. The Muse of Fortification is here to advise. She recommends first to survey your surroundings and see if you see any fault lines, underlying stress fractures or structures that need to be reinforced. Secondly, fix them. Then lastly if the storm becomes a tempest, batten down the hatches until it blows over and deal with the reconstruction after the storm.

Libra

An American Tribute to the British People 1960-4 Louise Nevelson 1899-1988 Presented by the artist 1965 http://www.tate.org.uk/art/work/T00796

*Star – After last week you all need this energy. The Muse of Healing has come to help heal and restore your body, mind, and spirit. This Muse will help illuminate the positive aspects of your surroundings and guide you to places of solace and joy. The only thing you need to do is accept it. She advises sitting on the couch and watch comedies interspersed with naps throughout your week. As an old Irish proverb says: A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book.

Scorpio

*Judgement – Hopefully the Muse of Destruction made last week a light rainstorm instead of a cyclone of trouble. Either way the Muse of Evolution is here to uplift you to the next transformation. Take this week to look what was torn down and how would you make it better. If last week was smooth sailing, then look to oiling what is creaking. The keys to this week are improving ease and evolving to the next phase.

Sagittarius

*Hierophant – The Muse of Tradition is here to point out that an aspect of your day-to-day structures has become antiquated. Now is the time to create a new tradition, ritual, or practice. Take advantage of this Aries new moon with Saturn in Pisces pushing flexibility and update your tenets to serve you better.

Capricorn

Eight of Earth – The Muse of Productivity is here to push yours. This is a great energy to use to strike off items on your to-do list or start new projects if you have extra time to kill. Your song: Super Model (You better Work) by RuPaul

Aquarius

*Lovers – The Muse of Relations is here to get you to focus on all your relationships. Take this week to get in touch with loved ones and deepen your connections. This is not always easy for air signs; you still need your space. And this Muse is not asking you to give it up totally but try to stay on the ground when you do interact. So, you can give your loves some focused attention.

Pisces

Seven of Waters – The Muse of Dreams is here to have you work with yours. For some of you, you need to dream wider and bigger. For others you need to turn down your expectations. And this muse has the same advice for both of you. Ground yourself and focus on the emotion you want to feel more than the object you want to obtain.

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Tarot and Art-Cast for week of March 12, 2023

March 12, 2023 Nina

Elizabeth Murray

This week’s artist is another Neo-expressionist, Elizabeth Murray. Murray’s work spans five decades from the 1960’s to 2000’s. Her art is big. She uses multiple canvases and constructs it like a puzzle; therefore, the paintings become more sculptural and emotive. As I explained last week, Expressionism “refers to art in which the image of reality is distorted in order to make it expressive of the artist’s inner feelings or ideas.” Where the artist disintegrates constructs to allow the viewer to plunge into a cleaner perspective of emotions and universal concepts. This is the mission of Murray and the sign of Pisces. How to express a purer integration of our reality, feelings, and big ideas.

If life is art, we are now working with the new and last Saturnian muse, Saturn in Pisces. With Saturn in Pisces, we are completing a natural thirty-year cycle, 1996 to 2026. Saturn has gone through all the zodiac signs but Pisces – developing, constructing, innovating the constructs of our daily lives – how we live. We will find in the next two years that we either love or hate how our structures are set up. If we love it, this muse will nurture what we have and promote its growth. For those of you who have planets in Cancer, Capricorn, Scorpio, and Taurus, you will find that Saturn in Pisces is very benevolent during this span. It will nurture and support the areas those planets rule.

But if you have any planets in Gemini, Pisces, Sagittarius, or Virgo it is a bit more challenging. These areas are where you will be pushed to examine your structures. We will see points in our constructs that don’t work, that constrict and bind us. Until we get to the point of wanting to trash the whole thing. But in the center of this disgust, we find inspiration and expansion. A natural flexibility, because we will have found the emotional freedom of “letting go” of the now useless patterns and ideas that we intellectually or passionately started with. Now we can truly integrate what feels right to us.

Lastly, for those of you with planets in Aries, Aquarius, Leo, and Libra those areas are off the hook. The Universe always gives us some place to rest our eye/soul.

Your pondering for the week: Spend time pondering how you would like your piece of art to be finished off in the next couple of years?

Solar System highlights

This week begins in Sagittarius on Monday – exploration is the name of the game. On Thursday it moves into Capricorn – great for getting things done before the weekend. Then on Saturday the moon is in Aquarius, try to find time to ponder big thoughts.

Mercury (communication and knowledge) is in Pisces – talk out your dreams with others. Mars (action) is still in Gemini (communication and knowledge), until March 25^th, 2023. This is a 7-month stopover instead of it’s usually 1-2. Mars is pushing us to truthfully talk and follow up with actions. The challenge with this time is your politeness filter has been switched off. So, it is having us double down on how to be constructive with our voice – to promote action not reaction. Venus (beauty and harmony) is in Aries, where it fires up our passion and pushes us to action. Jupiter (growth) is also in Aries until May 16, 2023 – great for manifestation, expansion, and action.

And the big deal is Saturn (structures) has started its two-year stint in Pisces. So now all that work you did with structures, building and innovating them, 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.

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

Queen of Earth – The Muse of Sensuality is here this week. If you are partnered, this is a great week for intimacy and passion. If you are not partnered, then this week is about grounding yourself in your body. This muse suggests the best way to do this is to indulge each sense. For instance, get good chocolate and spend time tasting its qualities or luxuriate in cashmere or a bubble bath. You have five senses to work with this week so spoil them.

Taurus

Three of Air – This week holds some aspects that can throw you off your game. The Muse of Deep Wounds comes when the littlest of things can trigger you. The challenge when working with this energy is understanding that this hurt is not wanting you to relive the wound or even react, but it is a spark for you to dive deeper and find its cause.

Gemini

*Lovers – So your soul card has come to visit. This is an energy you work with and refine as a Gemini your whole life. This energy works around the concept of partnership and relations with others. The Muse of Intimacy would like you to reignite your passion for people. And with Saturn moving into Pisces this is a time for you to rework how you work with your boundaries. She asks how can make your boundaries more flexible but keep your need for no nonsense intact.

Cancerian

Three of Earth – The Muse of Teamwork is here to remind you that you need help. Whether that is more hands or more brains you need outside perspectives and ingenuity to lift you to the next level or get a project moving.

Leo

Seven of Earth – The Muse of Satisfaction would like you to evaluate what would actually satisfy you? This energy often comes when our goals get muddy. Take this week to work with the concept of fulfillment and then do some planning on how to obtain the satisfaction you require.

Virgo

Four of Air – The Muse of Repose advises you to unplug from technology and take some time off. This energy usually comes when you are depleted and don’t realize it. Do as much restoring as you can this week, so you can stave off possible sickness or mental exhaustion.

Libra

Ten of Air – The Muse of Drama is visiting this week. This energy comes when the world and people around you are not at their best and you are matching that energy. She advises unless you can see a positive outcome in a difficult situation, do not participate. This is a week to consciously pick your battles and modulate your ego when you engage.

Scorpio

*Tower – I hope last week you received the message from the Muse of Sacred Mysteries. It will benefit you in navigating the tempest around you this week. However, if you didn’t receive it or understand last week’s message, this week might be troublesome. So, the Muse of Destruction is here to help. She advises if you start to see an aspect of your surroundings start to crumble, step back and let the dust fall before you go in. Or if you cannot see a collapsing, look for underlying stress fractures or structures that need to be reinforced if shit does hit the fan. This week, walk softly and consciously.

Sagittarius

*Sun – Another great energy week for you all. The Muse of Light is here to shine some on you. This week is great for radiating your positivity and sharing your superpowers with others. By doing so, you not only bring to light your amazingness, but you bring others into the light as well.

Capricorn

Seven of Fire – The Muse of Focus asks what exactly is your focus for this week? If you do not have a focus word, goal, or idea then this week might be very confusing and vague. You may find yourself forgetting what you were doing or why you are exerting all this energy. However, with a focus the energy this week can exhilarate you.

Aquarius

*World – This week holds many opportunities for expansion, integration, and completion. The challenge with this energy is feeling so overwhelmed with choices that you find you can’t move. As studies have proven, too many choices can make us not choose. So, the Muse of Oneness advises this week to ground yourself with an idea or feeling that you would like to experience. And as situations and choices come up if it doesn’t vibrate at the same frequency of your desire walk the other way.

Pisces

*Hanged One – This week might have a lot of starts and stops. The Muse of Inertia advises to use them wisely, especially the pauses. If you are halted this week, heed it, and stop. Either the timing isn’t right, or you need to rethink what you are doing. She reminds you that sometimes the Universe works with red lights instead of green ones.

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art-Cast for week of March 5, 2023

March 5, 2023 Nina

This week’s artist is Katharina Hafner @malereikatharina. I often rabbit hole on Instagram while I’m finding artist to highlight. And while doing so, I like to find artists that don’t have a big following on this platform, but still their images call to me, Hafner is one of those. They become like a treasure or a gift that keeps me on Instagram. (My relationship with social media can be rocky). What I did find is her website and from that a bit of her history. In her words, “My artistic roots come from the subculture of the eighties and nineties. I was largely inspired by German Expressionism and American Neo-Expressionism…. The themes of my pictures are nature experiences, whereby this nature is open to the fantastic and helps to shape the dreamlike and the unconscious.”

German expressionism was an early twentieth century German art movement that “highlighted the artist’s inner feelings or ideas over replicating reality, and was characterized by simplified shapes, bright colors and gestural marks or brushstrokes.” Fifty years later Neo-expressionism developed as a reaction against “conceptual art and minimal art of the 1970s. Neo-expressionists returned to portraying recognizable objects, such as the human body often in an abstract manner, in a rough and violently emotional way, often using vivid colors.” Both movements began when Saturn went into Pisces. When we are asked to dive into the depths of our psyche and examine our concepts of boundaries and norms, hopefully to rise with more flexible and elastic structures.

Your pondering for the week: Explore your boundaries where do you need to become more adaptable?

Solar System highlights

This week begins in Virgo on Monday – great for organizing and getting things done On Thursday it moves into Libra – go out with work buddies and hang out with friends over the weekend.

Mercury (communication and knowledge) is in Pisces – talk out your dreams with others. Mars (action) is still in Gemini (communication and knowledge), until March 25^th, 2023. This is a 7-month stopover instead of it’s usually 1-2. Mars is pushing us to truthfully talk and follow up with actions. The challenge with this time is your politeness filter has been switched off. So, it is having us double down on how to be constructive with our voice – to promote action not reaction. Venus (beauty and harmony) is in Aries fires up our passion and pushes us to action. Jupiter (growth) is in Aries until May 16, 2023 – great for manifestation, expansion, and action.

And the big deal is Saturn (structures) is starting its two-year stint in Pisces. So now all that work you did with structures, building and innovating them, it is time to make sure they are flexible and responsive to change. The challenge is our boundaries can get too flexy or have gaps, so we need to work on them being flexible but resilient, think like bamboo or jellyfish.

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. 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. Happy Solstice no tarotcast next week so I’ll “see” you all in 2023.

Nina

Aries

Two of Air – The Muse of Decisions comes when you need to feel your way to solutions more than using your logic. Using reasoning this week can make your decisions too didactic, linear, or just make you more indecisive. By following your heart or making decisions that promote how you want to feel will lead you to better goals and solutions for your future.

Taurus

*Emperor – The Muse of the Builder comes to help you construct and protect your “empire.” This Muse encourages that this work be about building upon what you already have in place. She asks you questions like how you can improve your way of working to bring in more profit, how can you utilize your time to be a better guardian, or what do you need to do to modernize your legacy? This can look like the problem solving bigger aspects like those above or it can be as simple as fixing that squeaky door, telling someone how important they are to you or hugging your kids for no reason at all.

Gemini

Hanged One – If you find yourself on hold this week take advantage of the downtime. But if you find that your life is one chore after another, find time this week to turn off everything and quiet your mind. The Muse of Inertia comes when you need time to tune out so you can tune back in with a clearer calmer and often newer perspective.

Cancerian

Ten of Fire – You may feel overwhelmed this week. The Muse of Burdens is here to help. First, she advises that you inventory all that is on your plate. Second, some of these are not your responsibility so give them back to their owner. Or they are yours, but you can delegate a piece to someone else. Then lastly with what is left, prioritize them, take off the lower 20% and put those off until next week. Now you have your core responsibilities. She advises taking them one at a time.

Leo

Knight of Fire – This week has a bit of luck for you, for the Muse of Perfect Timing is riding with you. The cool thing about this energy is that you find yourself in the right place at the right time. Even if you are waylaid there is a reason for it. And there are gifts along the way if you are cognizant of them. So, enjoy the ride.

Virgo

Two of Fire – The Muse of the Future Expansion is here to get you to do some daydreaming this week. She asks what new places do you want to discover? What would you like to learn to broaden your knowledge base? What would you like to create? If you are stuck for ideas she advises, go to a museum, library, or the woods to get some ideas.

Libra

*Strength – This week you need to keep a positive pose in various scenarios. Maybe your buttons are getting pushed or you have a strong opinion. The Muse of Inner Strength advises to make sure you are on solid moral footing before you dive into hostile or troublesome scenarios. Or possibly you are making a scenario a bigger problem because of your issues. Look inward, solidify your position and then, if needed, make a stance.

Scorpio

*High Priestess – The Muse of Sacred Mysteries has come this week to give you information; however, the message is shrouded. You will need to tune into your intuition and follow synchronicities to find its wisdom. This energy would like you to truly see that a winding path can hone your sixth sense and deepen your knowledge more than an easy solution.

Sagittarius

*Judgement –The Muse of Transformation is here this week help you make preparations to level up. Sometimes one needs to shed their skin to grow. She asks what needs to be left behind and what needs to grow so you can evolve to the next stage? This can be around a work issue or a personal one. Get ready because a form of freedom is on its way.

Capricorn

wild peace in the monkey moon Katharina Hafner

Nine of Fire – The Muse of Interludes comes when you need to take stock and restock your resources. She advises taking time to do an internal and external inventory so you can be prepared for the next couple of months. The challenge is you might have to do some boundary protection to find the space and time to do this.

Aquarius

Three of Air – The Muse of Deep Wounds comes when the littlest of things can trigger you. The challenge when working with this energy is understanding that this hurt is wanting you to relive the wound or even react, but it is a spark for you to dive deeper and find its cause.

Pisces

me the snow you the sand Katharina Hafner

Page of Fire – The Muse of Creativity is here for you to spark yours. She comes when your life has unknowingly become a bit humdrum. So, she advises listening to music, taking a walk in nature, or visiting a museum. Do something that ignites the passion in you.

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art-Cast for week of Feb 26, 2023

February 26, 2023 Nina

*Trigger warnings.

This week’s artist is Kara Walker @kara_walker_official. She is best known for her use of silhouettes in her art. However, Walker also uses drawing, painting, text, shadow puppetry, film, and sculpture to delve into history, slavery, sexuality, violence, subjugation, and the ongoing psychological injury caused be the legacy of slavery.

Her work leads us to think about our history often using dark humor and thus examining our contemporary racial and gender stereotypes. Her work is controversial with a wide variety of audiences. Many think her work demoralizes and betrays the history of slaves. However, this is her work as an artist. Artist work to comprehend their own experience and have a dialogue with their audience. Walker’s work does just that. In her exploration of self, she has made you think of yours.

Your pondering for the week: To expand your knowledge of Black History try these prompts created by @feministajones, it’s week long commemoration of the accomplishments and personhood of Black women held between February, Black History Month, and March, Women’s History Month. I shared mine to start you off.

The daily prompts are as follows:
DAY 1 February 25: A Black Woman You Admire – Deborah Phillips aka English – defense attorney- my friend and roommate from college. I admire her intellect, creativity, musicality, power, strength, as a mother and just her general badassness. Then in a more famous way, Michelle Obama pretty much for the same reason I admire Deborah.

DAY 2 February 26: A Moment in Black Women’s History – Katherine Johnson’s overall career as a mathematician for NASA. Since I grew up in the Cape Canaveral area in Florida during the 60’s and 70’s, space stuff was so interesting to all us kids and made me want to be in the sciences. But you rarely saw woman or people of color in these fields. So, seeing her get recognition by President Obama just felt like women in STEM and their contributions are finally getting seen.

DAY 3 February 27: A Black Woman from Another Country – Queen Nzinga Ana de Sousa Mbande of Ndongo and Matamba (1583-1663) modern day Angola.

DAY 4 February 28: A Black Woman Who Has Made Your Life Better- Dr. Patricia Bath invented Laserphaco Probe for cataracts removal. Every recent elder in my family has benefitted from this invention and seems I will be in the future too.

DAY 5 March 1: A Black Woman Artist – at this moment I’m in love with Kayla Mahaffey @kaylamay_art, but there are many like Kara Walker or Tawny Chatman @tawnychatmon above who’s art has moved me or has expanded my thought process profoundly.

DAY 6 March 2: A Powerful Quote from a Black Woman- “As a classroom community, our capacity to generate excitement is deeply affected by our interest in one another, in hearing one another’s voices, in recognizing one another’s presence – bell hooks. Her books where guides for me as an educator and as a person.

DAY 7 March 3: A Day of Self-Celebration for Black Women

Solar System highlights

This week begins with a new moon in Gemini on Monday – time for collaboration and sharing your feelings. On Wednesday it moves to Cancer – self-care is important. Then on Saturday the moon is in Leo – spend time in the sun.

Mercury (communication and knowledge) has now moved into Aquarius (innovation and society) – a great time to talk about personal and social change. Then on Thursday moves into Pisces – talk out your dreams with others. Mars (action) is still in Gemini (communication and knowledge), until March 25^th, 2023. This is a 7-month stopover instead of it’s usually 1-2. Mars is pushing us to truthfully talk and follow up with actions. The challenge with this time is your politeness filter has been switched off. So, it is having us double down on how to be constructive with our voice – to promote action not reaction.

Venus (beauty and harmony) is in Aries fires up our passion and pushes us to action. Jupiter (growth) is in Aries until May 16, 2023 – great for manifestation, expansion, and action. And lastly, Saturn (structures) spends its last week in Aquarius until March 7^th – so innovating and modernizing your everyday life is its intention.

PS. 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. 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. Happy Solstice no tarotcast next week so I’ll “see” you all in 2023.

Nina

Aries

Kara Walker Detail from Emancipation Approximation

*Sun – This week is your time to shine. The Muse of Radiance is here to highlight your good qualities and projects. So, focus on what is easily seen this week. You can even boast a little. The challenge is not to overshadow those around you. There is enough light for all.

Taurus

Queen of Earth – The Muse of the Grounding comes when you need to get your soles and soul re-connected with Mother Earth. Whether that is gardening, buying flowers, eating more veggies and fruit, or playing with our other sentient beings that cohabit our earth with us, it is important to use your senses while you are interacting with the bounty of nature.

Gemini

Nine of Air – Your mind is very active this week. The Muse of Worries and Fretting would like you to ignore the should, could and would sentences. She asks you to focus only on what you can truly control in the now. And let the rest of your thoughts go.

Cancerian

Kara Walker Gone An Historical Romance of a Civil War as it occurred b’tween the Dusky Thighs of One Young Negress and Her Heart

*Lovers – The Muse of Intimacy comes when you need to deepen your relationships. This week spend time in conversation with those closest to you. Share your secrets with others, especially the confidences that you hide from the world. This Muse reminds you that you will have more commonalities with others than you think. And don’t forget to listen to other’s secrets too. Sharing is caring.

Leo

Three of Air – You can be triggered this week. The Muse of Deep Wounds has come to help. She reminds you these triggers are places that are ready to heal. So, spend quality time with a friend, therapist or in meditation and go to the root of the wound and begin to heal. Big Hugs.

Virgo

*Temperance – Temperance is a life card for you all. You have life lessons around turning your volume knobs down to mid-range. The Muse of Patience and Middle Roads is your life companion for this work. This week will hold an aspect or two that can make your volume button either turn up to eleven or down to mute. If this happens ground yourself and then rebalance the intensity of your reaction. As they say: Keep calm and carry on.

Libra

Ace of Fire – This week is a perfect time to light a fire under a project that you have been holding off on. The Muse of Vitality is here to help spark what you put your focus on. The challenge is also exactly that being aware of where you spend your energy. So focus wisely and go for it.

Scorpio

Five of Water – This week will have its ups and downs. The Muse of the Half Full Cup advises that if you view situations as half full you are more likely to see there is enough and share. But if you view them half empty one often falls into a scarcity perspective and the feeling of isolation. This week is a test in optimism, finding the silver linings in rain clouds and accepting the umbrellas of friendship.

Sagittarius

Kara Walker Sermon the benefits of exile

*Hermit – Though you all are gregarious as a group, even you need time to pull back and think. This week the Muse of Perspective advises to spend some time in solitary reflection. There are aspects of your life that you need to see from heights to gain the larger picture. The only challenge is, if you do get time to walk away, telling others of this mini-sabbatical, so they don’t try to find you during your hermitage.

Capricorn

*Devil – Where last week was about control and getting things done, this week it is time to investigate the untamed. The Muse of the Wild is calling to you this week. This is life-long energy-work for you all. The challenge with this card is playing with the wild without getting swept away by it. You have good boundaries and are tethered, so allow yourself to step away from structures so you can relax into and play within the subconscious, rediscover nightlife, or even go out in the wooded wilds at dusk and dance or howl.

Aquarius

Kara Walker Cotton Hoards in Southern Swamp

Seven of Earth – This week is great for work. The Muse of Do is helping you find your flow and the satisfaction of getting things done. There is ease if you keep a steady momentum and have a good plan of what you need to do. By putting the work into this week’s projects, you will create more ease in the future and a better bounty too.

Pisces

Three of Fire – The Muse of Timing comes when you need to utilize this time of waiting wisely. Things are happening behind the scenes, and you should match that energy. This is a great time to revise projects, re-stock your resources, and brainstorm. Do what needs to be done to get ready for the future.

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

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