If you like fun fantasy movies with your kung fu, I recommend Monkey King One and Two on Netflix. These movies are base on the Chinese classical novel The Journey to the West. Historians believe the Money King’s origins stem from the White Monkey legends from Chinese Chu kingdom (700-223 BC) and with the Hindu deity Hanuman. The Monkey King  stories are a fun filled journey of a monkey who becomes king, cause chaos in a variety of realms, and ultimately obtains enlightenment. These movies have sent my monkey mind a flutter.

A common phrase in meditation practice is mind monkey or monkey mind. It is a Buddhist term meaning “unsettled; restless; capricious; whimsical; fanciful; inconstant; confused; indecisive; uncontrollable.” It is intriguing to me that thousands of years before Darwin, ancient people have always seen the similarities of monkeys and apes to humans. Now we know that primates have a 1.6%-4% difference from our DNA, and this fact makes me wonder do monkeys, chimps and apes have a religion or a spiritual life? Do they have myths using humans as lessons on how not to act? How not to be one with nature? Maybe we are being a bit hard on our ancestor and are minds. Maybe we need to watch our monkey mind like a fantasy kung fu movie, take it as entertaining. As possibly the primates do with us, seeing us run around trying to control the uncontrollable.

P.S. Remember, signs with * it’s a big week for you.

*Aries – Lovers – Don’t be surprised if you are having a hard time deciding this week; however, it is a decision making time. The Lovers card asks What do you really desire? What, Who , Where contributes to your life? Take your time and be aware of what your creative self is saying to you this week. And remember two heads are better than one, bounce ideas off of your friends.

*Taurus – Strength – What makes you strong? This week is great time to work on enhancing your core strength. Is your inner strength your family? making food? art? alone time? doing for others? Find the things that ground you and gives you strength and imbibed on them this week.

Gemini – Ace of Pentacles – The Fool challenged you to find and shine joy through laughter and mindfulness last week. And now this brighter more positive you is ready to start a new project with the Ace of Pentacles. This Ace wants you to get your hands dirty this week.

Cancer – Page of Wands – So creativity continues this week with the Page of Wands. The Page challenges you to experiment with the tools you use for your creativity. If you paint add another medium, music add another instrument, food experiment with spices etc…

*Leo – Moon – The Moon card is here to give you room to explore your emotions. The more you work with your emotions the less your emotions will take you over. So create instances where you can bring up an emotion to play with. Listen to some comedy to make you laugh, watch to a sad movie to clear out your tear ducks, eat something gross and explore disgust, or watch scary movie to hang with fear. This week make friends with your emotions.

Virgo – Page of Cups – Last week The Hermit asked you practice pulling away from your life without stalling out or using your alone time positively. This week the Page of Cups challenges you to indulge in some self love. That means you can have that chocolate but make it the best truffle you can buy, or if you want to read a book actually schedule in two dedicated hours to reading. The main lesson is if you are going to indulge make it worth it.

Libra – Three of Cups – Libations and conversations this week. The Three of Cups challenges you to hang out with friends and have a good time. Be social – it will fill your cup.

 

Scorpio – Queen of Pentacles – Last week you had the double power of the sword of Justice and the Emperor, so hopefully you were a just ruler and not a tyrant. Learning how to rule the roast continues with the Queen of Pentacles. Out of all the court cards she feels the most comfortable asking for what she wants while making everyone comfortable at the same time. That is your challenge for this week.

Sagittarius – Knight of Swords – So the chaos continues this week but now it is more in your control then the last two weeks. The big challenge with the Knight of Swords is slowing your horse down and therefore the chaos. So take a moment and breath before starting in on a project, making a decision or a important conversation. Side-note: watch your road rage.

Capricorn – King of Swords – Making decisions continues this week but with the King you can up the ante. You will be continuing making little changes in your life but now framed within the big picture. This can look like you getting that couch now or new car. The challenge is to make sure that those decisions help your long term goals.

Aquarius – Ace of Cups – This week is all love. Your challenge is to get and give as much love as you can. This is actually a hard thing to do for Aquarians. You all are super nice and giving as a whole but physical expression of that is something you all need to work on. I personally challenge you to get/give 6-8 hugs a day.

Pisces – Five of Wands – Energy is high this week, so your challenge from the Five of Wands is to learn how ride the wave of chaos. Therefore,  your next Power Pisces skill is to practice dealing with waves – you can either dive under the wave to calmer water or ride the crest it’s up to you.

 

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

Nina