Category Archives: Tarotcast

Weekly Tarotcast

Tarotscope Week of October 14, 2018

Daniel Shipp Botanical Inquiry Grimoire

Daniel Shipp shot a photography series, Botanical Inquiry, by creating a analogue machine and technique that reminds me of Viewmaster 3-D .  These photographs are like dioramas.  The colors and beauty of the flowers become richer when juxtaposed to the urban and darker backgrounds.  It looks like a visual representation of an urban witch’s grimoire. A Grimoire is a book of knowledge and spells that each “witch” creates or can be passed down and added to.  It is just another form of a recipe book.  My grandmother passed down her The White House Cook book, 1887, which she wrote her changes and additions not only to the food recipes but also to the last 60 pages of medicinal teas and tinctures.

Grimoire, the word, is believed to be born from the Frankish word grima, mask or sorcerer, or come from the Italian word rimario, book of rhymes.  Either way or both it ended up morphing into the Old French word grammaire, which originally meant any book written in Latin.  This word sprouted from ancient Greece grammatikos meaning knowing how to read and write.  So like any good word the people took it and made it into  Grimoire, French  slang for any book that was hard to understand.

By the 1700’s it became associated with only books of magic.  It didn’t come in to the English language until the early 1800’s with the increasing interest in occultism  and the publishing of Frances Barrett’s The Magus. This was a popular book that complied magical lore from a variety of ancient books of magic.  Art, words, recipes, and Grimoires are all things made richer as they are passed down through  history and morphed with experimentation.

P.S. Remember signs with an * it’s a big week for you.  Halloween ia a great time for a reading.  Please share.

Aries – Three of Pentacles

Daniel ShippThe Three of Pentacles foretells you will need help from others if you want to accomplish what you need to do.  This week cooperation and collaboration are key.

 

*Taurus – Lovers

Daniel ShippLast week, the World wanted you to finish up old projects to create room for new projects. And now here comes the Lovers card wanting you to start creating, though this creation period is about working with others to create something new.  In its simplest form this can look like making dinner with your love ones.  In its more complex form this can be you sharing the creation process on a new project.  Either way this week you will need to cooperate and collaborate if you really want to create something out of the ordinary.
Continue reading Tarotscope Week of October 14, 2018

Tarotcast Week of October 7, 2018

Playground Deb Young and Francisco Diaz

Happy Birthday Month, Libra.

This week’s artists are Deb Young and Francisco Diaz or The International Collaboration Project. They create photo montages from random images.  Diaz in the US and the Young in New Zealand working remotely in real time on projects while viewing through the lens of each other’s cameras.  Their collaboration is based on gender equality to both redress the imbalance of woman in the art world and to infuse their narrative work with a masculine/feminine sensibility. This series of photo montage is called The Playground.

The playground is one of the first places where we learn how to cooperate, create friendships and use our imagination, but it is also a place where we first felt isolated and bullied.  As a child, it was where I first encountered gender inequality. The playground was where I learned there were boys that stood up for me so I could dig to China with them. Then there were others that didn’t because I was a girl, and they called me a confusing name for a 5-year-old, tomboy (if you want to read a great article about the history and complexity of this name click here).

I would like to give a nod to those boys and men that just see another kid/human wanting to play.  Thanks for standing up and supporting humans to gain equality, to being heard, and admitting that there is work that still needs to be done even within their own framework.  Also I ask a favor to all of us, like this photography team we need to collaborate to redress the imbalance in society in our art, government, and all other places where equality well, just isn’t actual equal. The only way we can do this is to see through the lens of another and collaborate to create the reality for us all.

P.S. Remember signs with an * it’s a big week for you.  Add Halloween readings to your trick or treat bags.  Please share.

Aries – Five of Wands

The Playground Deb Young and Francisco Diaz The Five of Wands is calling you to arms.  You will need to be valiant and noble, so you can bring a sense of light and passion not only into your work place but also into your life.  This week fight for something you believe in.

 

*Taurus – World

The Playground Deb Young and Francisco Diaz The World is the card of completion and opportunities.   In its simplest form it can look like finishing up old projects or finally crossing off your oldest to-do list items.  In its more complex form, this can be closing old doors, and throwing away old ideas or ideologies opening you to new opportunities and ways of “doing.”
Continue reading Tarotcast Week of October 7, 2018

Tarotcast for Week of September 30, 2018

Hi all, I just want to thank you for your support as I finish my third year of this tarotcast.  A few shouts outs: to D for cheering me on instead of me cooking or hanging with him on some nights when the writing muse has a hard time meeting with me.  For my Mom, coven of ladies and dude who are my life support system. To all of my subscribers thank you for reading, especially those that write back to me saying that one or another tarotcast has had some meaning in your life and those of you that have shared my blog with others.  You all have validated that this is an avenue that is part of my service to the soul.

The artist for this week is Taylor White.  She works in the streets as well as the studio.  Many of her pieces are inspired by dance, which she tries to capture, quite well in my opinion, the emotive essence of the human spirit.   When asked if her art had a specific meaning she answered:  I hope my work invites the viewer to connect with themselves in some deeper way, creating questions and answers in the way they respond to the piece – whether they’re drawn to it or turned off by it. My work is as much a celebration of you as it is of me; it’s a celebration of the spirit. I speak to an experience which is universal; we all occupy this coalescence of matter, roughly the same shape and configuration, and move through space by the same physical laws.

That is also the essences of why I write this blog.  The first half is to convey cool things I find interesting and their interconnectedness in art, history, and science.  A place for us to reflect, learn and see the commonalities of our existence.  The second part, the forecast, I hope helps you move through your life with a bit of reflection and guidance to ease your journey.  Thanks again for all of your support, and now on to another year.  Light and Love XO.

P.S. Please share.

Aries – Ace of Swords

Last week you were scavenging data from your dreams.  This week the Ace of Swords wants you to figure out how to use what you have gathered into your daily life. This week will inspire you to new thoughts and expand your mind.

 

Taurus – Queen of Cups

The Queen of Cups has asked you to have fun yet again.  Last week it was with a joy and sense of innocence of a child.  This week the Queen of Cups knows that emotions, good or bad can be triggered, but it is through the lens of the positive that you will ease not only your journey but also those you support.

 

*Gemini – Devil

The Devil comes when you are tested about your resolves.  This can look as simple as being tempted by pastry in your break room or can be as complicated as being beguiled by that person who has harmed you from the past.  Now is the time to harden your resolve.

 

 

Cancer – Ace of Swords

The Ace of Swords asks you to examine your logic and look for new ways of thought. This is a time were open-mindedness and new information will create more ease during your decision-making this week.

 

*Leo – World

Taylor WhiteThe World is the card of opportunities. This week many doors open for you.  Your only challenge is walking out your door so you can walk through new ones.  Enjoy the variety of life.

 

Virgo – Eight of Pentacles

Taylor WhiteThe Eight of Pentacles is the card of mastery.  The challenge this week is not to start anything new but to become better at what you are in the midst of doing right now.

 

Libra – Three of Wands

Taylor WhiteThis is your second three in a row so let’s look at 3s more closely.  Threes investigate the areas we need to stabilize.  Last week you were advice to hanging with good friends to stabilize your emotions.  This week the Three of Wands would like you to examine your foundation in how you interact with your life purpose. Are you hiding from your true purpose?  Or feel that your true purpose is out of your reach, or you are inadequate?  Even if you are feeling great with were you are at.  The answers to your success or failure lies in what are you calling in and who or what is influencing you.

 

Scorpio – Five of Cups

Taylor WhiteThis week has the potential of you feeling overwhelmed.  Your emotional waters are meant to be dealt with not to lie in.  There are at least two pretty fantastic joys for you this week.  You will see them if you let go of negative emotion that are drag you under the water.

 

*Sagittarius – High Priestess

Taylor WhiteInteresting the mate to the Moon is your card this week.  Last week, the Moon wanted you to understand that emotions feel as if they rule your life, but in actuality they are just signposts of where your life is at.  The High Priestess, the Queen of patterns, cycles and knowledge arrives to help you navigate not only your emotions of the past and your subconscious but to help you connect the dots so you can change karmic patterns. This in its simplest form can be lowering your carbon foot print or in its more complex form mean changing generational karmic patterns (think big patterns in your family or your generation) so not to pass it on to the next.

 

*Capricorn – Strength

Taylor WhiteThe Strength card would like you to strengthen your inner core.  This can look as simple as doing core stomach exercises to help your back, or as complex as creating mantras that keep the negative thought patterns at bay.  The challenge is seeing that inner strength is not as complicated as you think.

 

Aquarius – Ace of Pentacles

Taylor WhiteIt is time to take on a new project this week.  The Ace of Pentacles foretells this is an auspicious week to start something new, and if do it this week, it is more likely to come to fruition.  Also this will help you not feel as if you are in a rut or dull.

 

*Pisces – Chariot

Taylor WhiteThe Chariot continues the theme of the last two weeks – keep moving to create change.  This card is the karmic card of momentum and its challenge, it is all in your hands.  In its simple form it can look like you wanting to take a vacation – ask your boss for time off and then book it.  This card in a more complex form would be something like changing your location or job; you will have to go physically check out places whether that is a new house, a new city or a new place of employment to hand in your resume.  The challenge with this card is the Universe is not going to drop something in your lap. You will need to jump in your chariot and go look for or at it yourself.  You get this card when the Universe sees you are now ready and able to make this change happen for the positive.  It is saying:  I’m taking of the training wheels; you got this.

 

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

Nina

Tarotcast Week of September 23, 2018

Poultry Paintings

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

Poultry PaintingsThe 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

Poultry PaintingsLast 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.
Continue reading Tarotcast Week of September 23, 2018

Tarotcast for the Week of September 16, 2018

Fruit Dennis Wojtkiewicz

Categorizing fruits or vegetables can be a contentious debate among chefs, botanists and gardeners.  Botanically a fruit “is a seed-bearing structure that develops from the ovary of a flowering plant, whereas vegetables are all other plant parts, such as roots, leaves and stems.”  With this definition, squash and tomatoes hang with peaches in the fruit realm and beets, kale, and cauliflower grow with the vegetables.

However, this debate was taken to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1893, Nix. v. Hedden.   The court ruled unanimously that an imported tomato should be taxed as a vegetable, rather than as a (less taxed) fruit. The court recognized that a tomato is a botanical fruit, but sided with the “ordinary” definitions of fruit and vegetable which was defined by when we eat them.  So the savory tomato is considered a vegetable by are palate and by the court.

This week’s artist, Dennis Wojtkiewicz, takes painting fruit/vegetables (depending on who you side with above) to a new level. His distinctive large-scale fruit, vegetables and flowers are painted with a combination of realism and being heavenly lit to create a sense of religious ardor for yummy plant parts.

P.S. Please share.

Aries – Four of Cups

Dennis WojtkiewiczThe Four of Cups asks you not to spend too much time gazing at your belly button.   You do need to check in with your emotions all this week, but in doing so, don’t stay too long in your internal emotional landscape.  Look up and out or you will miss some good loving from the outside.

 

*Taurus – Emperor

The Emperor is the card of manifestation, so this is a pivotal week in your material plane.  This week work on projects that are already in play.  By working with what is instead of what could be will carry you farther in the following weeks.

 

Continue reading Tarotcast for the Week of September 16, 2018

Tarotcast Week of September 9, 2018

Franco FontanaWorkers are fixing a pothole outside my house and they had to stop multiple times because it began to rain.  A paradox of mine is I hate the smell of an asphalt roads being laid, but I am also fond of the smell of rain hitting asphalt. During my urban sojourns, it was a sign of a respite from the summer heat.  Both these experiences are unique to the modern world and drew me to the photography of Franco Fontana’s asfalti.   He is famously known for his abstract landscapes, and is considered the inventor the photographic line referred to as the concept of line.

His motto is the purpose of art is to make visible the invisible. I find that his body of work really exemplifies this. He is not condoning the natural world being slowly paved over, but that the lesson is to look for the hidden geometry that pulls our eyes and possible defines what we consider beautiful or not.

P.S. Please share.

Aries – Three of Swords

Franco FontanaThe Three of Swords continues the theme from the Moon card last week.  This week this card advises to continue working with only three of the hidden thoughts you have discovered.  This card also advises that these beliefs be not only removed but destroyed.  They are based in negative triggers placed in your thought patterns by others.

 

Taurus – Eight of Wands

Franco FontanaMessages are the theme for this week.   Keep your eyes and mind open.  There is a lot of important information coming at you that you will need in the near future.  Be the sponge.
Continue reading Tarotcast Week of September 9, 2018

Tarotcast Week of September 2, 2018

Ali Cavanaugh fresco

Fresco is the one of the oldest techniques of painting, dating back to 1600’s BC. This technique is believed to have been born in Minoan culture.  It is a method of mural painting where the artist paints either buon on freshly laid wet lime plaster or secco on dry plaster.  In the buon technique, water is the vehicle for the dry powder pigment to merge with the plaster.  The alchemy of the plaster and pigment becomes an integral part of the wall.  In secco the pigment lies on top of the plaster therefore is less durable.

Ali Cavanaugh has created a painting technique she calls modern frescoes. Above and below are pieces from her 2018 collection.  She paints with watercolor pigments on bright wet kaolin clay.  Her meticulous layer technique makes the portraits look back-lit and iridescent, or they dissolving into a nebulous watery form.   Her portraits sway from the hyper-real or conscious reality to the watery realm of the unconscious.

I love her explanation of her process:   I strive to paint not only the delicate features of the external person but to capture the tender unseen presence that transcends the understanding in the depth of a soul. In my experience in working with the people who I paint, I repeatedly discover the profound mystery of existence. This I believe is the one of the reason that artist do art and we as spectators view their pieces- to ponder why we are here.

P.S. Please share.

*Aries – Moon

This week it is time for you to do a deep dive into your unconscious and/or emotions.  The Moon card arrives when you need to rescue information that was in the dark.  To tap into this it could be as simple as sitting in the dark and wandering with your mind, or taking a more complex step into the wilderness to uncover your expansive unconscious under the stars.

Taurus – Queen of Wands

Ali CavanaughThe Queen of Wands wants you outside in nature.  The wilderness is calling you by name to come and play in the woods, park or garden.  Unleash your inner nymph or satyr.
Continue reading Tarotcast Week of September 2, 2018