I grew up in the seventies when crafting was a big thing. Every summer we would pick a craft – macramé, leather work, making candles, making glasses out of wine bottles, or making pictures with things from the sea. My Mom’s big thing was ceramics and my Dad’s was making things out of leather. My grandmother did needle work but she gravitated more towards knitting. And as a kid I tried everything, but nothing really stuck until I got my first embroidery kit of a terrier’s face with one thread color and one stitch. I liked that embroidery added a silky texture and dimension to a picture. But what really amazed me was that something I used to fix the holes in my pants had the potential to become art.

Crafting in general has now had a resurgence with the DIY movement. And even though embroidery has had an high-art face since the seventies, it is now being recognized by museums and collectors as fine art instead of just arts and crafts. The images above and below represent artists of two generations, four countries and both sexes that use embroidery with photos in their art work. Maria Ikonomopoulou from the Netherlands, Julie Cockburn from the UK, Laura Mckellar from Australia, and Jose Romussi from Chile.

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

Aries – Ace of Pentacles – The Ace of Pentacles continues to call you to action. As with all Aces, this marks a new beginnings. This week this card is challenging you to begin manifesting something new into your life. This can be as simple as spending time in your garden planting flowers, herbs or veggies, or making something in your workshop.

Taurus – Seven of Pentacles – This week the Seven of Pentacles advises you to dig in and get some work done. However, the challenge is all work and no play makes Jack/Jill not happy. Spend this week honing your skill at focusing on what you are doing: when at work – work, and when at home – play.

*Gemini – The Star – The Star brings with it the gift of enlightenment and healing. This card challenges you to shine a light on areas in your life where you hold the most pain. Then spend this week gently caring for that hurt. You will find with a little self-care that this ache is actually from a very old wound that you can heal now.

Cancer – Eight of Wands and Two of Pentacles – The Eight of Wands brings with it good news and information, and the Two of Pentacles challenges you to hone your skills juggling. A couple of things to remember with this combo. First, not all the information you receive do you need to respond to. And secondly, but just as important, learn how to juggle two balls well before you add another.

Leo – Two of Swords – The Devil’s lesson around looking at things that take you off your divine path continues but with less urgency this week. The Two of Swords’ challenge around indecision or fear of making the wrong choice are the bumps in the road on your divine path this week. This card challenges you to make a decision. It is the decision making that is important not which way or choice you pick.

Virgo – Eight of Swords – Last week, the High Priestess’s lesson was around gaining hidden knowledge, but keeping your emotional distance. The Eight of Swords continues this message but with one precaution – self binding. Where last week you were advised to not let the new information manipulate your emotions, this week you need to make sure what you discover doesn’t lead you into self-doubt and loathing. Try to remember – stick and stones may hurt your bones but words will never break you – unless you make them your own.

Libra – Four of Wands – Having fun continues with the Four of Wands this week. This card reminds you to find comfort at home. Your only challenge is you control making your home a home. So if your home doesn’t feel good, you have the power to change that.   If it’s not cozy – buy pillows for the couch. Or it feels drab- paint a wall a lovely color. Or it feels lonely – have people over for a BBQ. It’s your heart that makes a home, so explore and open it up.

Scorpio – Nine of Wands – The last two weeks you have been gathering information. This week the Nine of Wands challenges you to look through that information and make a plan. So again, this week do not make any major decisions or actions. This is a week to plan and gather what is needed, so you are thoroughly prepared to make decisions or take action. If you have to move on something, just make sure you have your ducks in a row.

Sagittarius – Ten of Pentacles – The Ten of Pentacles is the card of abundance. This week your challenge is to take in, enjoy, and feel grateful for the abundance in your life. You typically live life to the fullest so this week should be a breeze for you. Your biggest test will be staying in the moment.

Capricorn – Four of Swords – The Four of Swords’ lesson are around rest and pacing yourself. This card is challenging you to slow down and take it easy. You have been running yourself at the typical rate for Capricorn – sixth gear. Take this week to down-shift into at least third. If you can’t stop your need for speed at least stay away from the race for a day or two, or you will find yourself towed into the pit-stop for major repairs.

Aquarius – King of Wands – The King of Wands’ quest is how to balance the act of being a Zen master and a Ruler. Your challenge this week is finding a way to increase your spiritual practice and rule your life with authority. So the question is how do you make things happen without using force?

Pisces – Nine of Swords – The Nine of Swords’ lesson is around over-thinking. The warning with this card is surmising an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure; therefore, a pound of cure is better. For in fact, an ounce of a medicine is a cure, but the whole bottle at once is poison.   So over-thinking, worrying, over-preparing will not help this week. Your challenge is to limit yourself to a health amount of thinking per subject. If you can’t find or figure out a solution within that time, have faith it will come but you might have to sleep on it.

 

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

Nina