There are many hidden heroes in our history and lives. Nurses are one of them. Nurses are the backbone, heart and hands of medical institutions.

Mary Mahoney is one of the heroes hidden in history. She was born May 7, 1845, and in 1879 became the first African American to graduate from nursing. She was one of the first African American nurses accepted into the national nursing association in 1896; however, by the early 1900’s they had stopped admitting minorities. So Mary co-founded National Association of Colored Graduated Nurses, which accepted all nurses no matter skin tone into their ranks. She believed that in order to challenge discrimination against minorities one must be the best in their field. Mary became so respected in the white community that she had received private-duty nursing requests from patients all along the eastern coast. She not only raised awareness that healing can be given and received regardless of skin color, but she exalted the position of nurses in general.

I find that most nurses are amazingly caring people, in spite of having one of the hardest jobs. Nurses see just as many patients as doctors and see them more often while the patient is in care, are more hands-on than doctors, and bring daily comfort. One personal example: I was crying in a hallway after a doctor had just informed me that I might have ovarian cancer and I would have to wait days to get an ultrasound. The nurse hugged me, snuck me into her office and got me an ultrasound appointment that day. Seeing my anxiety she went the extra mile for me. I never saw again but she still will always have my gratitude.

May 12th is International Nursing Day. Acknowledge a nurse this week.

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

Aries – King of Swords – This week, the focus is still your mind. The past two weeks have been about changing your perspective/mind. This week the King of Swords advises that it is time to make decisions. The challenge with this card is now that you are more certain of your goals, you have to be vigilant about being too bossy to obtain them. Remember, you do know a lot – but you can always learn more.

Taurus – Six of Wands – There will be powerful insights, accomplishments, and good news this week. The Six of Wands challenges you to acknowledge your hard work. Just take a second and look at all you have accomplished so far. Pretty impressive, right? That contemplation should give you enough energy to continue for the next 4 months. Keep it up.

*Gemini – Star – Another big card this week, the Star. You have been working with your emotions for the past three weeks and the Star is here to lend you some of its healing power. This card asks you to soak yourself in things that heal you. Take an Epsom salt bath, get a massage, a walk near water or even go on a meditative retreat. The challenge is to turn off your mind and calm your heart, so you can soothe your soul.

Cancer – Seven of Pentacles – The Seven of Pentacles is the card of work. This card advises us to keep going even when it feels overwhelming or there is no end to our to-do lists. This card promises that if you steadily keep working through this week, you will finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Your challenge is to get the appropriate food and rest to keep up your stamina.

Leo – Eight of Wands – The Eight of Wands is giving you a heads up that there will be a lot of information heading at you this week. The challenge with this card is in learning how to sift, prioritize, and dump this information. As always with this card there will be some real beautiful gems in the mix, so keep your eyes and ears open for those divine communications.

Virgo – Nine of Wands – To continue the theme of follow through, you got the Nine of Wands this week. The Nine of Wands advice is about preparation. This week gather your resources, take stock and restock. This inventory should be in all areas of your life. Look at what you have and what you still need in four categories – material, emotional, mental, and spiritual. The challenge is to keep each list at nine items or less.

Libra – Seven of Pentacles – The Seven of Pentacles is about work, and this week will be busy. The Seven of Pentacles heralds – there is an end to this and you are doing a great job, but the end is not as near as you would like. This card’s advices to you for getting through this week is to drop your work off at your door when you get home and not pick it back up till you go to work again the next morning. Rest is as important as work is this week.

*Scorpio – Page of Wands – I hope you weathered the emotional storm last week. This week the Page of Wands brings with it a sense of adventure, freedom and creativity that the last couple of months have been lacking. Your challenge this week is to ignite your sense of imagination and free will. You could accomplish this by visiting a museum, doodling, imaginative play with your child, or getting in the car and just driving to see what you find. Face this week with arms open wide and fly.

*Sagittarius – Wheel and Nine of Pentacles – You all have a choice between two cards this week, the Wheel or the Nine of Pentacles. The Wheel challenges you to change your fortune. This week play lotto, send out your resume to that job you don’t think you’ll get, ask someone out on a date – challenge the area you most want to change in your life. Or you can choose the Nine of Pentacles. Sit back, be content with the bounty you have and partake in some of it. The big question you need to answer is why you chose either path.

Capricorn – Seven of Wands – Last week, the Tower created change to enlighten you or thump you out of stagnation. That disruption has made you feel a little wobbly, so the Seven of Wands has arrived to prompt you to maintain your focus on your goals. This card is a reminder that even though you know you can’t control everything, those bumps don’t have to take you off track.

Aquarius – Seven of Cups – Last week, Temperance brought on balance and an overall sense of ease into your life. This sense of ease continues with the Seven of Cups. This card advises you to daydream. As a matter of fact, it is the divine duty of Aquarians to daydream. You are societies’ inventors and forward thinkers. Your only challenge while dreaming is to remember to navigate around any of your no fly zones – places that are dangerous to your psyche or are flights of illusion.

*Pisces – Fool – The lesson of ego has had its ante upped with the Fool card. The Fool in its highest aspect is aware of ego and how it plays out in others and ourselves. This week, look at how your ego interacts with others. The Fool challenges you to look at both yourself and society with a bit of compassion and a sense of humor. The Fool reminds us that ego is of the mind, not the soul.

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

Nina