Above is a photo of the blue-jeans poisonous dart frog. It is considered one of the ten most poisonous frogs in the world. Poison frogs hold some of the most potent neurotoxins on earth, yet how do they not poison themselves? Scientists are getting closer to the answer. Normally a neurotoxin binds itself to receptors in an animal’s receptors nervous system. This can cause hypertension, seizures and even death. However, scientists have found that the same genetic mutation, in three evolutionarily different frog groups, prevents the toxins from acting on the frogs’ nerve receptors and still allowing regular nerve function. The study of these frogs are helping scientist design drugs that mimic this selective nerve blocker to block pain in humans without blocking other nerve impulses.

I also find them cute and amazingly beautiful. They are tiny mobile abstract paintings of the rainforest.

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

Aries – Knight of Cups – The Knight of Cups’ lesson is about wearing your heart on your sleeve. Though it is great that you are showing more emotion this week, please be careful to whom you are showing it to. The best way to gauge this is to engage only with the people who you can trust.

Taurus – Four of Pentacles – I’m Late, I’m Late for a very important date, is your theme this week if you are not prepared. The Four of Pentacles is about saving time, money, or resources. However, this card represents the dark side of saving. By trying to save time you end up using more resources. By trying to save money you end up using more time. Or, by trying to save resources you end up using more money. This week, don’t cut corners in the long run you will save the outcome of your projects.

*Gemini – The Moon – Another big week for you. Last week, the High Priestess wanted you to gain a deeper perspective on what is going on in your life or a current project. The Moon is continuing that theme this week. The Moon is the companion card to the High Priestess. When they come together there are big changes on the horizon, but first you must change your internal landscape to change your external landscape. Take time out for reflection. Your challenge is to reflect on the images you see on the surface of the watery realm of your emotions and subconscious – not to jump in.

Cancer – Ten of Wands – The Ten of Wands means you have the potential to put too much on your plate this week. So your challenge is to put one to do aside. If it needs to be picked back up, it will still be there next week.

*Leo – High Priest – The High Priest is challenging you to pick one thing to be more efficient at and work on making it so, all week-long. I hope you noticed that I bolded one. This is short and sweet, because this is harder than you think.

 

Virgo – Queen of Cups – Whew, the past couple of weeks have had some strong winds blowing through your life. Which makes sense since it was your birthday month. This week, you finally get to relax and celebrate with the Queen of Cups. Her challenge to you is to bring some levity to yourself and others. Your assignment is to put on your red nose or fake mustache and make’em laugh.

*Libra – Knight of Swords and The Magician- The Magician is the first big card to show up for your coming birth year, but with it comes the advice of the Knight of Swords. This year the Magician’s lessons are to pull together your energy and focus it on creating what you want. You do not need to collect anymore tools or do more big research. You have all that you need. The big challenge with this card combination is you have lots of energy, but you must not rush things. Take time to experiment. Learn things through trial and error. Remember you have a whole year to create and perfect what you want.

*Scorpio – Sun – The Sun asks you to focus your energy on what you want to grow in your life. The Sun is wanting you to expand and grow . Your challenge is to pick which area of your life needs to grow. As an exercise, write down the thing you want to see grow on a sticky-note.  Put it on your bathroom mirror. Then look for the synchronicities throughout the week and water those seeds.

Sagittarius – Three of Cups – The Three of Cups lesson is to enjoy your friendships and family. This card challenge is to hang out with the people you love to hang out with. When you get this card it means your soul needs to reconnect and replenish with the joy of living. Laugh, drink and be merry.

*Capricorn – Chariot – The Chariot’s lesson is practicing balance while moving think Tai Chi or Yoga. Your challenge this week is to learn how to eat healthy while on the go, exercise while traveling, meditating while commuting on the bus or balancing work and play in each day. The question this card helps you answer is how to maintain a healthy mind, body, and soul while still make the cash flow in.

*Aquarius – The Magician – The Magician has been moving around the signs for the past couple of weeks and it’s your turn Aquarian. Last week, the Devil challenged you to see that you are not chained to some choice-less fate – you hold the keys of choice which also unlock you believing in yourself and your decisions. This week the Magician’s is asking – what do you want to create this week? It can look as simple as trying out a class in that hobby you never have time for or moving on to that new project at work. The big challenge is let go of expectations and have fun experimenting.

*Pisces – Emperor – You move from the Magician last week to the Emperor. Last week, the Magician challenged you to focus on a project and stay focus until you could take it to completion or as far as you can. This week is more of the same with the Emperor.   Though with this card you will find the going a bit easier. Where last week it felt you had a lot of starting, stopping and restarting, this week if you stay focused you can keep a steadier pace.

 

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

Nina