Today is Mother’s Day. By taking the gender out of the day, this is about recognizing the nurturers in our lives.  Nurturing is the process of caring for and encouraging the growth or development of someone or something.  They can be your mother, a nurse, a partner, teacher, Mother Earth, a friend, a gardener, or your child… to name a few.   

This week’s artist is Uemura Shoen (Uemura Tsune).  She is considered a major innovator in the bijin-ga style.  Shoen grew up in a time when women were admired for painting but only behind closed doors.  Her mother, a widow, nurtured Shoen’s desire to become a painter by defying cultural norms. She let her paint in the corner of her tea shop, were Uemura soon became recognized for her painting skills. At age 12, Shoen’s mother sent her to study under Suzuki Shonen a famous Chinese landscape artist. By 15, Uemura became famous for the purchasing of her painting The Beauty of Four Seasons by the son of Queen Victoria.

Shoen was drawn to the bijin-ga style of painting. Bijin-ga, beautiful woman pictures, were produced from the 17^th century to the 19^th century and were exceedingly popular with the middle class. They traditionally depicted courtesans or “women” Noh performer (all the woman roles were played by men).  However, Shoen chose celebrating ordinary woman and often portraying them doing domestic chores or dressing up in their finery.  This elevated the women cultural, from lower-class citizens to beautiful and unique. Shoen paid forward the nurturing of her mother to all women.   

Thank you, nurturers for giving us space to grow!

P.S. Signs with an * it a big week for you.  Taurus 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.   

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

Nina

Aries

Four of Cups – This is your second four, so let us dive just a bit into fours.  Four is the number of stability.  Last week you needed to relax to increase your stability.  This week is you need to withdraw.  A retreat is needed.  A time for reworking what is necessary to maintain your strength in the coming months.  With that idea in hand you will feel less apathetic and more apt to action.

Taurus

Five of Coins – Some weeks are harder than others, so do not be shock if this week comes at you relentlessly.  The best way to work with this energy is to ask for help.  Assistance is there though you will need to exchange coinage in some form.  This can be as easy as baking cookies for your helper or picking up milk for them when you run to the store. 

Gemini

Two of Swords – This week’s energy is full of crossroads decisions, which you cannot avoid.  If you come to an impasse, remember make the decision based on how you would feel once you have started on this path.  Or another way to see this, the decision is more about the journey than the destination.   

Cancer

*Magician – This week’s energy is about bring the divine down into practical applications.  Use your resourcefulness and skills to create action.  Now is a great time to conjure up next steps.  The challenge is that the product needs to not only benefit you but has components that benefit others. 

Leo

King of Cups – Careful this is a moody week for you.  The energy around you can set you off easily and you may come across as uncaring.  So, the challenge is finding balance by being compassionate with yourself.  This is not time apologizing for your behavior, but it is a perfect time being vulnerable and tell people how you are feeling.  And if they can’t take f@$% them.  Figuratively or literally. 

Virgo

Two of Coins – It is a balancing act this week.    It is essential that you figure out your priorities and then cut that list in half.  The key to this week’s energy is flexibility and avoiding overwhelming yourself.  This is not a week to multitask or jump from one project to the next. 

Libra

*Fool – This week has the energy creating new beginnings if you are not reckless or naïve in its undertaking.  If you feel you do not have all that you need to begin a project, now is not the time to rely on seat of the pants logic or free-spirited spontaneity.  This week needs planning and preparation before embarking on a new project or direction.     

Scorpio

Page of Cups – The energy this week is full of possibilities if you can only be vulnerable and follow your heart.  Pull out your rose-colored glass and look for the good.  The more positive and open hearted you are the easier solutions will be found.  Open heart – Open mind. 

Sagittarius

Nine of Swords – Last week you were dealing with the card of change and awakenings.  It wanted you to find your fissures, fix what is fixable, and if too broken then it is time for a significant change.  Luckily, you have another week to work on this.  The energy this week of letting go helps you cope with the strains and fractures of your structures. Worry only about the things you have control to change. 

Capricorn

Six of Coins – The energy this week is about investing and receiving.  Share and you receive in return, but be warned that goes for good and bad energy.  The challenge with this exchange is that it takes a serpentine and circuitous route coming back.  So, receiving the gold or the coal can be from surprise sources.

Aquarius

*Wheel of Fortune – It is time to take a bit of control over your destiny by just showing up.  Yes karma, fate and luck all come into play this week and nothing is a guarantee.  But just indicating your wants will give you that bit of control you need and even the odds more in your favor.

Pisces

Page of Swords – A piece to the puzzle is hidden that you will need to solve a conundrum(s). Using your charm will get you the needed information.  Be aware this hiding is not to undermine you. It is done out of ignorance.  Also be warned, your intuition is likely to miss some of the facts.  This week intellect is your ally.