Tarot and Artcast for July 20 – Aug 2

Joseph Stella
Dance of Spring, Joseph Stella

The artist highlighted is Joseph Stella. Stella was part of the Precisionist movement and is best known for his paintings of The Brooklyn Bridge.  Precisionism focuses on the themes of industrialization and modernization in the American landscape often using precise and sharply defined geometrical forms. However, as a counter point, he also casts his eye to nature where his paintings become highly detailed and joyfully colored.

 

Your pondering: Stella once said: To refresh and rebuild my chromatic vision I went to the flowers to learn the secret of the vibration of their colors. I often center this pondering around nature, especially for those that are in an urban setting.  Our human eyes need to rest on nature’s composition to rebalance ourselves from the simplistic but precise geometry of squares, corners, triangles of the human city.  So find time to be out in nature and recalibrate your vision.

Solar System highlights

We start the week with the moon in Gemini – exchange of information is highlighted.  On Wednesday the moon moves into Cancer – it’s all about self-care.  On Friday we have a new moon in Leo – put into motion a new way to shine.  It then moves into Virgo on Sunday July 27th – tidy up what needs tidying.  Then Tuesday July 29th the moon is in Libra – relationships take priority.  And we finish the two weeks with the moon moving into Scorpio on August 1st – explore your passions.

Mercury is in Leo until September 3rd.  Giving us an 11-week crash course in expressing ourselves with the caveat that we don’t shade others’ shine while we spread our own light.  Venus is in Gemini until July 29th and has us working on our sweet talk.   Then it moves into Cancer when cuddling and beauty rest become the precedent. Mars is Libra having us work on collaborations and cooperation.

Jupiter, the planet of abundance and growth, is in Cancer until June 2026.  This placement is exalted, because Cancer boosts Jupiter’s positive aspects and vice versa.  While Jupiter creates more ease in our emotional growth, intuition, feeling nurtured as well as giving it.  However, the two-fold challenge is that growth needs time to cultivate and may bring growing pains.  So be kind and patient with others and yourself as we grow into our abundance.   Saturn is in Aries until September 1st for its first round of pumping up energy levels. This aspect is about calibrating how you burn your “candle”, so that you don’t burn out while everything is on the move around us.

Lastly, Uranus is dipping its toe into Gemini until November 7th.  Uranus is the planet of revolution, freedom and innovation and Gemini is all things around the mind, information, and communication. The last time it was in this sign democracy was being reborn.  It will return to Taurus, which holds back Uranus’ tendance for uprisings until April 2026, so the old guard still has the reins.  But we get a taste of what our revolution needs to stand for in the coming months.

 

EXTRA

*Signs with an * it is a big week for you.   Cancer/Leo this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year.  And Capricorn/Sagittarius it is your halfway mark for your birth year, so if you need a Planetary Reading for a check in, now is the time.

**** I have a tip jar if you want to leave a gratuity for the tarot & art-casts.

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

Nina

 

 

Aries
Joseph Stella
Tree of my Life, Joseph Stella

*Magician – For the next two weeks the Muse of Manifestation will be inspiring you to experiment with what you would like to bring into the world.  The key to this kind of manifestation is to be solid on the reasons behind bringing it into existence.  How does it help you and others?  Does this manifestation represent who you are and what you want to put your name on?  Understand the purpose and uses of it in your life and then experiment a bit with the process of getting things started.  You have all the tools you need, just make sure the reason behind it sits well within you.

 

Taurus
Joseph Stella
The Ox Joseph Stella

Four of Water – The Muse of Reflection is with you for the next two weeks.   The reason behind this energy is that you need to do some belly button introspection. This mediation is needed for you to rebalance your emotions and ground/stabilize yourself.  However, for a fourth of this time you also need to look outside of yourself for guidance and inspiration.  You have 3/4th of the answers but the remaining part is out in the world.

 

Gemini
Joseph Stella
Flowers Italy, Joseph Stella

Nine of Water – The Muse of Satiation would like you to spend the next two weeks focusing on aspect of your life that satisfies you. She advises the exercise of making a list of activities that fill your cup.  They can be as simple as your favorite food, cuddling with a loved one, reading a book, walking in nature…   Not only does she advise categorizing these activities but to also prioritizing them. So, when the moment/day/week has been rough you can just grab an activity off the list to remind you that life is good.

 

Cancerian
Metropolitan Port, Joseph Stella

Six of Water – The Muse of Memories comes when the past has some information for you.  As a zodiac sign you all usually take the role of the keepers of memories, memorabilia, history… So, take time these next two weeks and rummage through the past.  Read old journals, look at photos, reconnect with family or old friends.  She asks you to mull over, what resonates for you now.  Does the past need cleansing, healing, or just a dusting off.  What do you want to carry into this coming birth year?

 

Leo
Brooklyn Bridge, Joseph Stella

Six of Earth – Happy Birth-month! The Muse of Giving is working with you for these next two weeks.  The muses do realize it is a time for you to receive, which you should do with open hearts and hands.  But they do want you to remember the law of karma – what goes around comes around.  They would like you to think about what you can give in this coming birth-year?  What would be a totally charitable act?  What are you willing to positively give to the world?  You all have big hearts and big imaginations – use it to make the world a better place.

 

Virgo
The Virgin, Joseph Stella

Body of Fire – For the next two weeks you are in the right place at the right time.  There is information, guidance and inspiration in each day.  The circumstances may feel like they align perfectly for the good but there will also be some information in the uncomfortable.  The muses remind you that this is just a transitory state to give you guidance, so don’t get caught up in the judgment.  Just process the data.

 

Libra
Apotheosis of the rose, Joseph Stella

*Empress – The Muse of Creativity would like to work with you in the coming weeks. For some of you, you will easily stand in the flow of inspiration and for the other half of the scales you can feel empty of ideas.  The former half your challenge is to balance your schedule so that you have more time to create.  For the latter, this is a time to play without goals and work with your senses.  This can look like trying a new recipe, planting seedlings, getting a new houseplant, going shopping for a new soap/perfume/cologne, and/or buying new music. Introducing your senses to new things get your creativity rolling.

Scorpio
Joseph Stella
Battle of Lights Coney Island Mardi_Gras, Joseph Stella

*Fool – The Muse of Tomfoolery would like you to play in the coming weeks.  Tomfoolery is defined “as foolish or silly behavior; it’s essentially playful lighthearted or nonsensical actions”. The challenging aspect with walking with this muse is the fine line of comedy.   The court jester is often the most perceptive player in the room, so when interacting you need to watch your tone and your goals.  Are you here to entertain or to school?  If it the later make sure you make them laugh with you.

 

Sagittarius
Spring The Procession, Joseph Stella

*Judgement – The Muse of Evolution comes when some aspect of your life needs to level up.  If you know what needs to happen then these two weeks are the perfect time to begin this transformation.  If you feel directionless or have trouble pinpointing where to start, this muse advises to make a list of all the things that are uncomfortable in your life and then order them from the easiest solution to the hardest.  And start solving the easiest first.  This will give you confidence and inspiration in where to evolve.

 

 

Capricorn
American Landscapes from Walker, Joseph Stella

*Hermit – The Muse of Perspective would like to find some time to pull back and ponder the bigger picture. The timing for this lines up well with this being halfway through your birth-year.  She asks you to consider what your goals are.  Where and how does meaning show up?  What are the advantages and challenges?  The test will be finding time to totally unplug so that the everyday noise is far enough away that you can gain a more personal and broader perspective. This contemplation may also include an aerial view of your past and future life trajectory.  The broader your view the better the understanding of what is next.

 

Aquarius
Factories, Joseph Stella

Five of Fire – The Muse of Mini-chaos shows up to help you navigate the projected whirlwinds of the coming weeks.  All five in tarot represent a form of chaos and the Five of Fire represents chaos that we often create ourselves by choosing to be chaotic.  Think of this energy like playing a game.  You have two choices: Play the game or not.    If it is the latter, this is not the only game in town but if you walk away be aware the players might be offended.  So, it is important to talk nicely and find a graceful way to back out.  If you do decide to play, you must accept the chaotic rules of the game and play along.  However, make sure you have a “game” plan on how or when to leave.

 

Pisces
Joseph Stella (1877-1946)
Red Flower
1929
Oil on canvas

Heart of Air – The Muse of Inquisitiveness comes when you need to dive deeper into conversations and situations around you.  Nothing is a simple yes or no during this time.  You will need to be curious and subtle when inquiring behind the scenes.  If you come at the situation or conversation with honest curiosity of what the other side is thinking it will feel less like integration, and you will suss out more and better intel.

Tarot and Art-cast for July 6-19, 2025

Kawase Hasui
Kawase Hasui

The artist highlighted is Kawase Hasui.  Kawase was famous for his landscape paintings and prints.  He was part of the Shin-hanga (new prints) art movement in early 20th century Japan. Shin-hanga artists incorporated the impression of light and the expression of individual moods. Kawase’s sunset landscapes and his choice of everyday scenes instead of famous landmarks show how he is capturing a mood more then highlighting the subject.  He moved away from ukiyo-e traditions of emulating hand-drawn brushstrokes, seeking instead to “create works replete with creativity and rich with artistic quality, by avoiding enslavement to hand-drawn painting or old models”

 

Your pondering: Two ponderings around this art.  Is your creativity or work stunted by an established norm?  How can you change or focus on how your environment influences your mood?

Solar System highlights

We start the week with the moon in Sagittarius – explore.  On Wednesday the moon moves into Capricorn – great for business or for working through projects.  On Saturday the moon is in Aquarius – spend some time pondering.  It moves into Pisces on Monday July 14th – daydreams and wishes are on the agenda.  Then Wednesday July 16th the moon is in Aries – now that you have had some time to think put things into action.  On Friday July 18th it is in Taurus – great for hanging with family and friends.

Mercury is in Leo.  Giving us an 11-week crash course in expressing ourselves with the caveat that we don’t step on other’s shine while we spread our own light.  Venus moves into Gemini work on your sweet talk.   Mars is Libra – work on collaborating and cooperating.

Jupiter, the planet of abundance and growth, is in Cancer until June 2026.  This placement is exalted, because Cancer boosts Jupiter’s positive aspects.  While Jupiter creates more ease in our emotional growth, intuition, feeling nurtured as well as giving it.  However, the two-fold challenge during this time is that growth needs time to cultivate and sometimes this growth brings growing pains.  So be kind and patient with others and yourself as we grow into our abundance.   Saturn is in Aries until September 1st for its first round of pumping up energy levels. This aspect is about calibrating how you burn your “candle”, so that you don’t burn out while everything is on the move around us.

 

And we have another shift in the social planets. Uranus is dipping its toe into Gemini until November 7th.  Uranus is the planet of revolution, freedom and innovation and Gemini is all things around the mind, information, and communication. The last time it was in this sign democracy was being reborn.  It will return to Taurus, which holds back Uranus tendance for uprisings until April 2026, so the old guard still has the reins.  But we get a taste of the what that revolution needs to stand for in the coming months.

 

EXTRA

*Signs with an * it is a big week for you.   Cancer this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year.  And Capricorn it is your halfway mark for your birth year, so if you need a Planetary Reading for a check in, now is the time. `

**** I have a tip jar if you want to leave a gratuity for the tarot & art-casts.

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

Nina

 

 

Aries

*Three of Air – The Muse of Emotional Healing comes when you need to spend the next two weeks focusing on healing old wounds. Often present situations trigger an old wound that you thought was healed.  The key is doing a deeper dive into where this scar originated.  She advises you to keep picking at it until you find it source and heal it from the past forward.

 

Taurus
Kawase Hasui
Kawase Hasui

*Chariot – The Muse of Self-Motivation comes when you need to stop and recheck if the road you are on is taking you to your desired destination.  This muse advises to spend these next two weeks revising your path and securing the resources you will need to move forward.  And then when you are reoriented begin your journey again.

 

Gemini
Kawase Hasui
Kawase Hasui

*Fool – Another big energy period for you. The last two weeks the Muse of Metamorphose ask you to look around and see what needs to evolve to the next level and transforming it into its higher form.  Now the Muse of Leaps would like you to make a blind or semi-blind leap of faith to further this evolution.  This can look like going out on a date, a new friend excursion, trying a new cuisine or art form or applying for a new job.  Tomorrow has the potential to hold a variety of “fill in the blanks”.  This muse asks, what will you write in them?

 

Cancerian
Kawase Hasui
Kawase Hasui

Ace of Earth – This is a lovely energy for your coming birth year.  All aces signify new beginnings, and the Ace of Earth signifies new beginnings on the material plane.  This is a great wishing card for manifesting.  The muses recommend a fun exercise of planting actually seeds or plants with an intention imbued in it. You can write your wish on paper and put it in the dirt with the seed/plant.  Or if you are not sure what to wish for, ask the Universe for blessings and throw the seeds into the wind.  PS. Happy Birthday.

 

Leo
Kawase Hasui
Kawase Hasui

*Death – Your third big energy.  So, the muses made you make sure you have a road map for the coming year and then had you unload something that you didn’t want to carry into your new year.  Now the Muse of Stillness is here for the last two weeks of your old birth-year to have you stop and contemplate.  This isn’t so much about rest, though it is a part of this energy, but it is about sitting still and listening to your inner voice.  To still your mind, get bored, stop being on the wheel and see what comes up for you.  This is not a time to judge anything but to let things rise from the void. The goal is to metaphorically let the cream rise to the top, and to do so you need to be still.

 

Virgo
Kawase Hasui

*Wheel – The next two weeks the Muse of Fortune would like you to take chances.  She reminds you that if you don’t spin the proverbial wheel, you never have the chance of winning.  For with this mercurial energy, you can win big right away, it can take a meandering path to get to you, or you cannot win.  (This is different than losing because you just didn’t get a prize, but you didn’t lose anything.)  And an interesting result with this exercise of trying is it always leads you to positive returns.

 

Libra
Kawase Hasui
Kawase Hasui

Nine of Air – The Muse of Worrying comes when you are fretting over something you have no control over.  Your thoughts are a whirlwind of apprehension and doubt.  The muse suggests this exercise when your thoughts begin taking over.  1) Write them all down. 2) Cross off the ones you have no control over their outcome.  3) Prioritize the rest.  Also, she reminds you not to chastise your mind for worrying.  Worries are helpful by preparing us for the future; however, once you have prepared for what you can accomplish that is all any human can do.

 

Scorpio
Kawase Hasui

Heart of Air – The Muse of Investigation comes when there is information that needs to be ferreted out. In most scenarios people are not trying to hide something or thwart you. They also may not have all the pieces to the puzzle or need help digging for the truth.  This is also true when those around you generalize their answer to your “how are you?”  They may need gentle coaxing to spill their proverbial beans.

 

Sagittarius
Kawase Hasui

*Emperor – The Muse of Building is here to help you build upon something that is already in progress or that you have put on the back burner for too long. This muse heralds this is the right time to invest in yourself and your projects.  This can be as simple as knocking of some of your “honey-to-do lists” or as complex as pulling down that idea of starting your own business and begin.  Now is the time to make things happen.

 

 

Capricorn
Kawase Hasui

Spirit of Fire – The Muse of Purpose asks you to spend these next two weeks pondering not only what do you want to create but why does it burn inside of you to do so.  She advises spending time in museums, music halls, art galleries, or nature.  To quiet your mind by observing what other masters of creativity and beauty inspire in you.   And thus, connecting you to your own creative fire.

 

Aquarius

Kawase HasuiSeven of Fire – The Muse of Standing your Ground comes when either you need to strengthen your boundaries or reevaluate them.  The latter is harder because maybe you are too dogmatic for the situation, compromising too much or giving up because you can’t see a solution.  For any of these, this muse suggest that you engage a friend or supporter for help with either redrawing your boundaries, seeing your needs and/or just having another person by your side.

 

Pisces
Kawase Hasui

Two of Fire – The Muse of Imagining comes when you need to do some planning and envisioning of your future.  You can do this with a vision board or just write down a futuristic July 1st, 2027, journal entry that sums up what you have accomplished and experienced.    She does advise that you get as detailed as possible as well as envisioning general feelings that your future self will be feeling.  By doing both you give the universe some concrete things to work on with you, as well as, giving the universe room to create what you can’t imagine for yourself.