Fall is highlighted by County Fairs. As a kid I loved them especially the farm animal exhibits, so much so, I begged my parents to let me have chickens.  I eventually showed my own Bantam hen and Plymouth Rock Rooster at that fair.  She won first place and he third.  Elkanah Watson earned the title of the “Father of US agricultural fairs.”  He organized the first US fair in Pittsfield MA in September of 1811.  It still is held and now known as the Berkshire Fair.  Not only was it a place to show and share advances in agriculture but he held the first competition for $70 for the best exhibit of oxen, cattle, swine and sheep.  These fairs promoted and spread the love for breeding in the US.

 

We all know the wildlife painter John James Audubon.  At some point I will highlight his work, for I consider him one of the top ten technical painters in the world.  But today I’m going to highlight the amazing paintings of A. O. Shilling and L. Stahmer.  They painted breeds of fowl livestock, especially chickens to help standardize the look of the breeds.  These oil paintings were commissioned in the mid 1920’s by WATT publishing company (now WATT Global Media) for their Poultry Tribune.  There are now 13 recognized breeds of the American Chicken.

P.S. Please share. The pictures above are a variety of breeds of Chickens from around the world painted by AO shilling and L. Stahmer.

 

Aries – Seven of Cups

The Seven of Cups is the card of dreams.  This week spend some time day dreaming and imagining.  There are some fantastic ideas up at the castle in the sky.  The challenge with this card is finding the ones you can bring back and materialize.

 

Taurus – Page of Cups

Last week, the Emperor card of manifestation, wanted you to work on the what is instead of what could be.  This week the Page of Cups wants you to add in some play with the work.  Remember all work and no play makes Jill/Jack a not so well rounded individual.

 

Gemini – Ten of Cups

The Ten of Cups means the end of an emotional cycle.  Whether this is a high or a low part in your emotional phase or more likely both, emotions are the key to our humanity.  Sit in them and soak in the beauty of your heart.

 

Cancer – Eight of Cups

The Eight of Cups challenges you to dump some of your emotional baggage that is no longer working for you. By the end of this week you should feel lighter.  A great metaphorical exercise is to clean out a junk drawer.

 

Leo – Queen of Cups

The Queen of Cups challenges you to change something up in your life.  This can be a new hairstyle or color, grow a mustache, wear more colored clothes or all black. This exercise is about playing with your outer-self to help lighten your inner-self.

 

Virgo – Four of Pentacles

Last week you all got the Tower and Knight of Wands foretelling that this coming year is all about getting awe into your life.  That means more nature, more art, and more spirit in the coming year.  This week the Four of Pentacles wants you to think more on this quest without equating it with finances.  Also keep your ideas close; this is not a week to use others as bouncing boards.

 

Libra – Three of Cups

The Three of Cups challenges you to hang out with friends.  You need your emotional cup filled, and unconditional non-judgmental friendship can fill it to the brim.

 

Scorpio – Eight of Swords

The Eight of Swords is the card of self-binding thoughts.  This week you will need to untie your thoughts from your actions. The challenge is letting go of just some of the control.

 

*Sagittarius – Moon

The Moon wants you to work with your subconscious, cycles and hidden emotions.  This can be a simple as getting real about your natural sleep cycle, or as complex as getting real about what you are resenting in your life.  The lesson with the Moon card is understanding that emotions feel as if they rule your life, but in actuality they are just signposts of where your life is at.

 

Capricorn – Ten of Pentacles

The Ten of Pentacles is one of the best cards in the deck.  This card challenges you to see all the amazing things you have brought and built into your world.  Your theme song this week is Louis Armstrong “It’s a Wonderful World” or “My favorite things” by Julie Andrews.

 

Aquarius – Knight of Pentacles

Last week, The Hanged Man asks you to spend some time in contemplation to pull away from your life and get in touch with you.  The Knight of Pentacles does a 180 and has you back in the saddle again.  The challenge is can you keep in touch with yourself while you are in action.  This is taking your mediation practice on the road (ie: walking mediation).

 

Pisces – Seven of Wands

Last week, the World card challenged you to walk in as many doors as possible and remember that just because a door opens doesn’t mean you can’t walk right back out.  The Seven of Wands continues this theme with a twist.  The twist lies in the balance of action and non-action.  Continue to walk into doors but you need to stop and really feel and imagine what each “room” could hold for you in a year from now.

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

Nina