The artist this week is Baya.  In 1947 at the age of 16 she had her first major art show.  What makes her work so amazing besides her vibrant color choice is that she painted women and nature that exudes a sense of joy.

As I researched her work there are conflicting views on not only her life but why she painted the way she did.  Just a bit of history Algeria was taken over by the French from 1830-1962.   And during this colonization, native Arabic/North African culture and language was wiped away or hidden in the “craft” world.   The only reason I highlight this is that often when describing art, especially from non-European cultures, it is lumped into Euro-centric criteria.  cite

This is especially true with Baya’s work.  She is often categorized as a surrealist or Brute(naïve).  Even though she has said she is not to be categorized as a surrealist and did take art classes while working for a French women art collector in her youth.  Also, she is cited in a variety of sources, that while she worked alongside Matisse and Picasso, Baya  influenced their work.  Which is a whole other discourse of who influenced who, why we make that so important and often through a Euro-centric lens.

My point is that art stands on its own.  It is a conversation between the artist and the viewer.  One of my goals doing Tarot and Art Cast is just to highlight the beauty of art or at least art that I find intriguing.  And in so doing,  I am beginning to write less and less about what is said about the artist and using their own words more.  So, for the some of you that have noticed, that is why I am exploring and writing  in a “shorter” format.

Your pondering for the week:   Baya once said: “When I paint, I am happy and I am in another world.” What thing in your life brings happiness or transports you to another world? Are you able to invest time into these things?

 

 

Solar System highlights

The moon begins in Taurus to help us ground ourselves.   On Tuesday it moves into Gemini – where communication becomes the focal point.  On Friday, the moon moves into Cancer – focus on self-care for the weekend.

Mercury (communication and knowledge) is now halfway through its 10 weeklong stay in Virgo (analyzation).  So, lessons continue with getting to the point when communicating.  Being clear and concise is the goal.  Mercury is in retrograde through Sept 13^th.   Use this time as a pitstop to Reflect, Review and Redo.   Mars (action) moved into Libra (balance) until Oct 12th. Have us purview that our actions justify our goals    While Venus (beauty and harmony) is in Leo until October 8th.  This is a four-month exploration on the question: Does your outward expression of yourself harmonize with who you are within?

Jupiter (growth) is in Taurus until May 2024, an aspect that nurtures the expansion of pleasure in our lives.  The challenge is dipping into overindulgence while investigating this aspect.  Saturn (structures) is in Pisces (flow) until 2026.  Wanting us to 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 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.  Virgo this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading  for your coming year.  And Pisces 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

Two of Water – Relationships are the theme this week.  The Muse of Love would like you to acknowledge the loves in your life.  Whether that is bringing your pet a treat, or buying your loved one flowers or calling a good friend just to tell them how spectacular they are.  This week is about sharing your love for another.

 

Taurus

Two of Earth – The Muse of Juggling is here to help with Balance in your life.  This could mean working on your physical balance –can you stand on one foot while raising the other leg?  Or investigating the balance between your spending and saving habitats.  Or it can be looking at your work-life balance.  This muse advises to look where you feel overwhelmed or off kilter and start rebalancing there.

 

Gemini

Knight of Air – So this theme of starting and stopping has been a theme for the past 3 weeks.  And once again the Muse of Slowing Down is asking you to do just that.  Usually, this Muse shows up when you are being asked to do more than your share, you need more mental space, or you are feeling rushed to make a decision or deadline.  You do not need to be the heroine/hero/fixer this week.

 

Cancerian

*Strength – The Muse of Inner Strength would like you to remind you that you have super-powers and aspects of your character that are unique.  Your uniqueness is part of your strength.  This week define and refine them, for you will need them in the coming weeks.

 

 

Leo

*Devil – The Muse of Wild is knocking at the door.  Now for some of you (with air or fire signs as your moon sign) the wild is a distraction taking you off your path. For the rest of you (with water or earth signs as your moon sign) you all may need to answer the call so you can expand your boundaries.

 

Virgo

*Lovers – Wow another high energy Muse to work with this coming year.  The last three weeks you have worked with the muses reflecting backwards and figuring out what you would like to carry forward especially around the aspect of daily life.  And then you were asked to make a road map for the coming year.  And now the Muse of Relationships is asking you to review who do you want in your proverbial car for this part of the journey.  With this many high-power muses visiting, this year holds great opportunities so plan well.

 

Libra

*Magician – The Muse of Manifestation would like you to start picturing what you want to manifest in your coming birth year.  You fall babies usually like to shed or release things first to make room.  But this Muse would like you to think about what you want to bring in.  So when you begin releasing you will know how much room you actually need.

 

Scorpio

*Moon – Continuing the retrograde vibe the Muse of the Subconscious would like you to turn your gaze inward and listen to any information you might receive.  Make note of your dreams or emotional hits this week. Though this Muse reminds you not to interpret these signs literally – this energy works with metaphors.

 

Sagittarius

*Hanged One – The Muse of Stillness has put you on hold.  This week is about finding answers and inspirations in the quiet.  You all as a sign like to move, but this week the muses would like you to slow down or take advantage of the breaks.  Whether that is at a stop light, a lunch break, or waking up a half-hour before anyone else.  Find the space between the moments, for there is information waiting for you in the silence.

 

Capricorn

Nine of Air – The Muse of Over-Thought comes when your mind is doing overtime. This is when your thoughts are running over your thinking.  So, it is time to use all the tricks you have learned about focus and letting go of control and put them to good use.  This muse reminds you that you are smart and maybe too smart for your own good.  She advises you to “play dumb” just for this week, so you can give your thinking some space.

 

Aquarius

Ace of Fire– this is your second Ace, so a quick dive into that energy.  Ace are always new beginnings.  Last week was about making plans and gathering intel for a new endeavor.  This week is about experimenting with your idea/project. This week can be about creative brainstorming with the new info you obtained last week.  Think tinkering/experimenting – not doing.

 

Pisces

Queen of Air – The Muse of Details reminds you that though the details are important if they are seen as just separate items not part of the whole then you lose the actual picture.  Your are dealing with a situation(s) that is like a pointillistic picture.  Each dot is important, but you need to step back to see the whole image.