Yokoyama Taikan is a Japanese painter circa (1868-1958).  Above is his painting Mountain after a shower. Yokoyama helped in creating the Japanese painting technique of Nihonga. This style departed from more traditional line drawing by eliminating the strong lines in a painting and concentrating on soft, blurred polychromes.  Later in his career, he brought a modern eye to the more ancient Chinese art form of ink wash painting. This form of painting is extremely difficult though it looks simplistic.

The philosophy behind ink wash painting is for the painter to capture the essence or spirit of the object.  The technique itself takes years of practice of varying the ink load and pressure within a single brush stroke creating tonality from deep black to gray.  This technique and philosophy of painting heavily influenced the Western Impressionistic Art Movement.

P.S.  Remember signs with an * it a big week for you.  Gemini this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year.

Aries

Page of Cups – Last week, The Empress asked you to focus on nurturing, growing and or tending.  This week the Page of Cups still follows this theme of nurturing but advises you to first focus on tenderness to yourself and then it will flow naturally to others.

Taurus

Queen of Pentacles – Last week, Justice had you questioning what your truth is and having you make decision from that.   This week, the Queen of Pentacles continues this concept of truth but now wants you to put these truths into actions.  This week practice your skills in walking the talk.

Gemini

Knight of Wands – This week is an easier week then the last two.  The Knight of Wands has you working on bringing the energy and passion back into your flow.  The interesting thing with this card is that you have all that you need already around you for inspiration.  Though a small trip out to nature is always advised when this card shows up.

Cancer

King of Pentacles – The King of Pentacles is the card of construction.  This card tells you to build on what you already have.  Your foundations are good.  It is now time to build the “next story onto your house.”  The challenge is timing.  If it doesn’t work or isn’t coming up fast enough, don’t’ give up there is another avenue, the solution will show itself at the right time.

Leo

Two of Cups – Relationships are the priority this week.  These are relationships of your creation so that is either with your love partner or collaborating with someone in your soul group.  As Grace Jones sang,  “Love is the Drug” 

Virgo

*Moon – The Moon card comes when you need to shine light into the darkness of your subconscious.  The challenge is shining the soft ambient light of the moon and not the harsh light of a summer sun.  Your subconscious either has some healing, growing or disposing that needs to happen this week.  So, watch areas you are triggered.  These are places where fear has been embedded.  The more you try to pull it out the more it digs in its heels; however, if you coax it with food or love, you will not only tame the fear but also befriend it.  This week do activities that soothe your psyche.

Libra

Four of Cups – This week it is time to deal with your disenchantment of a situation or person in your life.  There are two ways this card advises you to deal with this.  One, your expectations were not appropriate – recalibrate.  Two, there is a solution, but you are not looking outward for it – look up and out for resolutions.

Scorpio

Nine of Pentacles – The last couple of weeks have been full of change and movement.  This week the Nine of Pentacles lets you sit back and absorb what has been and still needs to happen in your life.  Take this week making your workload more manageable.  Whether that is slowing your pace or holing yourself up for a couple of days to get things done, the goal is work smarter not harder.

Sagittarius

Seven of Pentacles – The Seven of Pentacles is very straightforward energy.  It signifies this is a great week to work.  The only challenge with this card is the work you do this week will not show up for harvesting until at least a month from now.

Capricorn

*Chariot – The Chariot is one of the three cards of change.  This change is defined by movement that is solely created by you.   This card has you practicing not only your balance but also your fortitude.  Therefore, this card’s challenge is know thyself.  You have all the control of the energy that is whipping up in you and around you.  You need to figure out what is the best way, time, space to harness it and figure out at what pace to set so your stamina increases.  Also, on a very practical side of this card – check your mode of transportation for possible issues ex: your tire pressure, that the shoes you are wearing are appropriate, your bus card is valid etc.…

Aquarius

Ten of Cups – The last two weeks, the Strength card came having you reinforce a resolve, be more resilient, and/or support your self-worth.  And then the Lovers brought relationships in challenging you to bring out the best in others which in turn brings out the best in you.  This week the Ten of Cups continues the theme of relationship building.  However, it now focuses on enjoying the love you have created not only for yourself but for others.  Drink it in.

Pisces

Page of Swords– Last week the Strength card advised you to see how resilient, confident and worthy you are. The Page of Sword continues this theme of seeing the truth of your strength and resilience.  This card is the card of information gathering and pondering the facts. Spend time this week seeing the facts and reasons you are so strong.  If you need help seeing your self as such, ask others. On a practical note information gathering is pertinent this week in all things.

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

Nina