A couple of years ago I told you all about the Library of Congress Jukebox, an amazing collection of old musical recordings.  Now I want to introduce you to its collection of Japanese woodblock prints and drawings.  Ukiyo-e, pictures of the floating world, arose in the city of Edo, now Tokyo, in the 1600s.  This art form showed mostly the leisure culture of Japan, though subjects from travel, myth, legend, literature, history, and daily life were also popular. This art form was little known for the 200 years because of national seclusion, a policy adopted by Tokugawa shongunate.

Though there are many genres and traditions in this collection, the art Yokohama-e is the most prolific.  This subset arose from two expeditions in 1852 and 1854 by American naval officer, Matthew Calbraith Perry.  He is considered instrumental in opening up Japan to the Western World.  Edo print publishers sent Ukiyo-e artist to the port city of Yokohama to sketch these foreigners. I love the intersection of cultures in this form.   Our paths so   frequently cross now that we, as global citizens, seem to forget that separate cultures still exist. We still need to be as fascinated and inquisitive with each other’s culture to realize diversity is the key to evolution as well as connection.

P.S. Please share.  The pictures below are from all time periods.  Also, I have put up another quote to download for your vision board.  Enjoy.

 

Aries – Queen of Cups

The Queen of Cups is the creator and nurturer of emotions.  The challenge with this card is knowing when your cup isn’t full enough to create or nurture emotions with a positive outcome.  This week self-care and compassion is due to you first before it is possible to give it to the world.

 

 

*Taurus – Star

The Star is the card of healing and hope.  With the Queen of Wands last week, this is another week of looking at your work and purpose and asking – is what I’m doing or saying inspiring hope and healing?  The challenge is realizing that we need to go to through the Tower (destruction) to get to the Star.  And in so doing, we should not hide the suffering and sorrow in the world but at the very least stand and say “you are not alone” or at the Star’s height to help find positive solutions.

*Gemini – Emperor

The Emperor ups the ante of last week’s determination.  Take this week to get things done.  The challenge is focusing on one project until completion or at least as far as you can get until move to the next task at hand. Also, with your determination be careful not to be a tyrant when working with others. Let your voice and hand guide not point or demand.

 

 

Cancer – Knight of Pentacles

 

Slow and steady is the theme for this week.  The Knight of Pentacles says you are on the right path so keep on keepin’ on.

 

Leo – Page of Wands

 

The intensity of the last two weeks mellows getting you ready for your birth-month. This Page however will challenge you to investigate what creates passion in your life.  That is the only flame you need to tend this week.

 

 

Virgo – Five of Wands

The Five of Wands is the card of chaos.  This chaos is always from outside sources.  The challenge is to choose to jump into the chaos or wait for the whirlwind to die down.  You can learn from both as long as you don’t go to deep in either.

 

 

Libra – Ten of Wands

Last week the Emperor challenged you to tame and then focus your energy into projects.  This theme continues with Ten of Wands, however, it will be harder to stay focus if you are doing more than one project at a time.  It is not that you can’t multi-task but this week it just isn’t healthy for you to do it. Hint- look for easier solutions, you are trying too hard.

 

 

Scorpio – King of Cups

The King of Cups is the ruler of emotions and family.  Your past is vital to how you deal with your emotions now, so this week your challenge is to recreate or create new situations that make people feel at home.

 

 

Sagittarius – Seven of Cups

This is your second seven in a row, so let’s look at sevens.  Sevens come up when you need to investigate expansion and contraction.  Last week the Swords wanted you to watch your communication’s ripple effect.  This week the Cup has you examine your hopes and dreams, and make sure they are expanding to reach your realistic horizons.

 

 

Capricorn – Three of Swords

 

Last week’s contemplation not only gave you more knowledge but also uncovered hidden hurts.  The lesson this week is, while healing, stop picking at the scabs.

 

*Aquarius – Temperance

Temperance is the card of moderation and harmony.  In a simple way this can play out with you balancing your diet or work with play.  In a more complex way you may need to ponder on where exactly you need more equilibrium in your life and take the first steps to making that happen.

 

*Pisces – Lovers

Last week, Justice challenged you to have faith that the long view will be fair.  This week you pulled another karmic card the Lovers.  The Lovers is now adding the concept of choice and how your priorities and values are aspects of creating those choices. Your challenge is to look at who you are partnering with whether that is work, play or even family.  For you to accomplish your heart desires you need to make sure your team is on your side.  Conversation is the key to collaboration.

 

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

Nina