This week’s artist is Bridget McCrum. Since childhood she was fascinated with ancient remains and natural stone landscapes, so she began painting her surroundings. Then by her forties she turned to sculpting it in stone. Her studies are often but not always abstract interpretations of the glacial movement of geography in contrast to the rapid flight of birds. In her words: “The landscape around my two homes has inevitably worked itself into my mind. The gentle curves of the hills of South Devon and the stark limestone cliffs carved by wind and sea on Gozo, have all subconsciously influenced my carving. Looking down on birds circling and gliding above their prey from my home high above the Dart estuary. They make marvelously abstracted subjects and I have carved them ever since I have been here.”
Her work is a study of stillness and movement. She creates this by juxtaposing squares and rectangles that seem to effortless hold up smoothly curved abstract avian forms. By working in stone and simplifying the line of birds in flight, McCrum enhances the elegant evolution of birds and their prowess in the air. This contrast also exemplifies the intersection of how birds use topography to enhance their flight ie: their use of thermals or dynamic soaring. This is where a bird catches a thermal to ride upward. Once they reach these higher altitudes where the wind moves faster, they shift to same direction as the wind to gain speed. Then they can glide relatively fast or slow while descending by shifting their wings or the angle of their body. McCrum’s work is an exquisite example of observational study and interpretation of the beauty of nature through art.
Your pondering for the week: Explore and utilize ways that you can use your environment to soar.
Solar System Highlights
The Moon starts in Cancer this week. This energy may feel like you do not want to leave your house, but if you must then make sure you balance it with quality self-care time. By Thursday it has moved into Leo – time to shine. Then for the weekend the moon moves into Virgo – great for cleaning and reducing clutter in your life. Mercury is in Leo – great for PR but watch that you are listening as much as you are sharing. Venus (beauty and harmony) is in Cancer – beautify your home, spend time with loved ones and focus on self-care. Mars (action) is in Taurus, so action steps are at a saner, slower, and steadier pace. Jupiter is in Aries until October 28th. It influences action and expansion over the summer months. And lastly, Saturn remains in Aquarius for all of 2022 – so innovating and upping your game is its focus.
P.S. Signs with an * it is a big week for you. Leo this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year. And Aquarius it is your halfway mark for your birth year, so if you need a Planetary Reading for a check-in, now is the time.
May light be on you, around you, and within you,
Nina
Aries
*Emperor – Hopefully last week you aligned you actions with your inner compass, because this week is all action. The Muse of Building is here to get any project you focus on moving if you have a well-thought-out plan. So, think like a city-planner this week. Have you thought about who you serve and are you building a self-propelling structure to maintain it? The challenge with this energy is not to build just to build, or act just to act but to thoughtfully create.
Taurus
Six of Coins – The Muse of Mini-Karma arrives when karma is about to re-balance. So, as you go about your daily life this muse reminds you that being nice begats positive benefits. However, this is also true for being unkind which will producing negatives. The other challenge with this energy is that it usually doesn’t reciprocate in a direct line. So, watch your p’s and q’s and be mindful of possible side swipes or unexpected gifts.
Gemini
Eight of Coins – Last week was about paying attention to downloads from your subconscious. This week is about refining your conscious and physical skillsets. The Muse of Mastery comes when your superpowers and expert skills are needed, so share your amazingness this week.
Cancerian
Five of Wands – This Muse of Drama comes when you need to sharpen your confidence on when to fight and when to walk away. You can engage in rivalry but if you do you cannot play victim. You have chosen to play the game. However, this muse reminds you that you can also just not participate and walk away. The choice is really yours.
Leo
Nine of Swords – Your first Muse to work with this birth year is the Muse of Overthinking. This year you are going to be challenged by getting out of your mind and acting on what you can. Now this Muse does give you some rules to live by for this year. 1) Worry only about what you actually can control in the present. 2) Do not use the phrase or concept of: would have, should have, and could have. And 3) You need to prioritize good sleeping habits.
Virgo
Two of Coins – The Muse of Balance comes when you are trying to do too much. She advises to do only one to two things at a time. This is not a week for multi-tasking.
Libra
*Fool – The Muse of Clean Slates and New Adventure has come to have you play around with a new avenue, study, or project. This, like last week, is a great period to start a project, plant a garden or continue a new venture. The challenge with this energy is she asks you to come at anything you do with fresh eyes or playfulness. If you are having trouble doing this, she suggests doing this exercise: When you go somewhere familiar take a new route or venture out without a purpose and see where you land. These activities will exercise your adventurous side.
Scorpio
Seven of Cups – The Muse of Dreams is here wanting you to play with your imagination. Find time to daydream. Play scenarios in your head where everything works out perfectly. The challenge is identifying these dream signs in your reality. If you don’t see the beginnings of this path, then it is time to dream a new scheme.
Sagittarius
Page of Coins – The Muse of Critical Thinking has come to guide your thoughts this week. Critical thinking is the analysis of available facts, evidence, observations, and arguments to form a judgement. However, the challenge is when the subject is complex and therefore several different definitions or arguments can exist. So, this week keep to the facts and put the speculation aside, and if you can not come to a verdict with what you know, wait for more evidence.
Capricorn
*Wheel– The Muse of Maybe comes when the energy for the week is unpredictable. Her advice is to be careful not to over-plan or tightly schedule this week. The more flexible you can be the more apt you will be to navigate the hits and misses of the week, and possibly find treasures on paths not planned.
Aquarius
*Magician – The Muse of Manifestation comes to help you conjure up whatever you like. Even though you have all the tools you need to do as you wish, the challenge is really thinking through the consequences of what you are bringing forth. Does it actually coincide with your purpose or plan?
Pisces
Ace of Cups – The Muse of Emotional Beginnings is here to make sure that your heart plane is nourished before you embark on this new phase of emotional growth. She reminds you that it is more beneficial and sustainable if you can fill your emotional cup then to rely on ours doing it for you. Self-Love first, fishy frien
Two of Coins – To finish out your themes for this birthday year, the Muse of Equilibrium joins the ranks. Your energies so far are around simplifying, letting go of thought patterns that no longer work for you, syncing with your natural flow/pace, and you seeing a profit in all that you do. So now this Muse comes in reminding you that though this is a work positive year, you still need to balance it out with playtime. All work and no play make Jack or Jill bored.
Eight of Coins – Your first Muse to work with for the coming year is the Muse of Skill. This year is about honing the skillset you already have. She reminds you that scheduled time to practice is key to up your game. So, take this month to examine your skills and then plan a way to take them from a 9 to a 10 or 11.
Page of Wands – The Muse of Inspiration is downloading ideas to you this week. However, this is not a time to start on these projects. Take notes as they come and then let them marinate in your creative juices. On a side note this muse does suggest you play with your wardrobe so that it shows more of your quirkier side.
Eight of Cups – The Muse of Simplification advises to slow down and streamline your life. It is a great time to clean out your closet, drawers, and heart with things and aspirations that no longer fit you or the lifestyle that you want. These actions create space to move into the next stage of your life.
King of Wands – The Muse of Superpowers is reminding you that you are a creative, intuitive, superhero. So, her exercise for you is to list your top four superpowers and then do something with them this week. Time to save and/or brighten the world, one metaphorical (or literally if you so desire) kitten at a time.
Nine of Coins – The Muse of Self Reliance has come to remind you that you are kicking booty, and by the weekend a little celebration is needed. She advises working solo this week or only asking people that are reliable to come into your sphere. Everyone else is just a distraction.
Queen of Coins – The Muse of Luxury is coaxing you to spend some of your hard-earned cash on you. She asks why you are working so hard if you are not enjoying some of the benefits? This week’s motto: quality over quantity in all that you do and all that you spend your time and money on.
Seven of Cups – The Muse of Illusions and Dreams is visiting you this week. Her purpose is twofold. One she asks you to daydream this week for the Universe is needing a clear picture of what you want to come into your life. But this energy also forewarns you will have a variety of choices being presented, and some of them are not realistic. Stay grounded and choose wisely.
Page of Coins – The Muse of Study comes when you will need to be in a learner mind-frame. She asks what skill do you need to add to your repertoire to up your game? How can you expand your knowledge and use your brain in a new way? Find a mentor, take a class, read a book outside of your regular genre, or play a game that works your brain.
*Magician – The Muse of Experimentation is here with her whole chemistry kit. This energy shows up to create, to play, to research, but also to tap into the celestial and pull something into reality. Whether that is an idea, a painting, a piece of writing or a project, the key is to materialize it and then experiment with it until you touch the divine.
High Priestess – Insight is key to navigating this week. Luckily the Muse of Intuition is here to set out Easter eggs, white rabbits, and synchronicities for you to follow. This energy often comes when the future seems hidden or obscured. Keep your mind and eyes open this week for the breadcrumbs and you will find your answers.
*Devil – This week brings you trials and tribulations, like gnats buzzing around you. This energy often comes to test your moral resolve, or do you walk your talk. Hence, the Muse of Shadows is here to help you navigate the dark side. She reminds you that you have gone through way worse and now is the time to show the world your best and more learned side. Your reminder in Yoda’s voice: “Anger, fear, aggression, the Dark Side of The Force are they. Easily they flow. Quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny.” 
This year you had the highest karmic cards in comparison to other signs. 2021 started slow but by the beginning of March you were dealing with 2-3 big energies every month. And they varied from building, growing, nurturing, emotions, metamorphosis, relationships, structures… And even though these energies were all over the place, they also had a general theme of expansion. Try to spend this last part of the year reflecting on all that you have done and take a break! Consolidation and focus maybe required for the beginning of 2022.
Seven of Cups – The Muse of Dreaming and Wishes suggests your mantra to be I seize the opportunity to dream. This week push the realms of practicality and dream outside your comfort zone.
Ace of Coins – You are surrounded by the energy of prosperity. This is a great week to start a new project, launch or relaunch a product/service, invest and plant seeds. What you plant/focus on now will grow. Your mantra this week is I create abundance with the resources I already have at my fingertips.
*Hermit – The Muse of Hermitage is directing you to pull away from society. Gaining perspective is needed this week. By retreating from civilization, you calm your mind and see your next steps to journey back into humanity with more mindfulness. The challenge is informing people of your boundaries while keeping your ringer on for emergencies. Your mantra this week: When I step back, I regroup and renew. 
*Devil – The Muse of Being Bound arrives continuing to help in the process of letting go of the material. The challenge is this week is also full of distractions and temptations to not deal with your emotional or obligational bindings. The key is to start small and work your way up or deeper depending on the case. Remember, the material plane is here to help you grow, not hold you to a past you no longer vibrate with. Your mantra: I let go of the old to welcome the new.
*Empress – If you didn’t do your vison board/lists for where you want to be in 2026 you have another week to start it. Remember you are supposed to tweak it for the rest of 2021. If you did, then you can jump right in and start creating. The Muse of Creation is here with ideas and supplies. However, she has a challenge about being honest with yourself about the choices in how you will tend to your future. Either you can commit to tending to your creativity for the next 10 months, or you can fling your seeds into the wind to see what grows 10 months from now. You have a choice whether to specifically grow what you want or forage what you need in the wild. So, pick your mantra: My life is rich and ripe with possibilities that I can manifest and create. Or My world has infinite possibilities that will manifest for the higher good. 
Three of Coins – Your first muse for the coming year is the Muse of Teamwork. The energy has come to advise you to ask for help and bounce your ideas off others. Whatever you are working on it is more fortuitous or more likely of having success with more sets of eyes, minds, and hands then just yours. Your mantra: Collaboration is key to learning and growing.
Queen of Cups – Last week the Muse of Relationships reminded you to treat people how you would like to be treated. The challenge was it is not always reciprocated. But she had you ponder does it matter to who you want to be in the world? Now the Muse of Fun is at your door with games and outings into nature. This is another week where relationships are important but where last week it could be draining this week it fills your cup. Your mantra: My relationship with others reflects that I am worthy of love and respect.
Eight of Cups – The Muse of Simplicity has come to help you clean out your physical and emotional closets. This energy wants you to discern your needs from your wants, and then make sure what surrounds you and resonates within you fulfill those needs. This focus guides you this week in all your decisions. Your mantra: I will no longer hold onto what isn’t right for me.
Hanged Man – The Muse of Inertia comes when you need to alter your perception of something in your life. This energy stops you from moving forward until you find a solution to a lingering problem. And her advise is to look at it from other angles. Like a painter does when they are stuck, they turn the canvas upside down to see what is needed to balance the composition. Your mantra: I let go of my attachment to how I think things should be so I can open my mind to what it can be.
Nine of Coins – The Muse of Success has come to help you build upon what you have successfully obtain thus far. This is not a time to add more to your plate, but to work on what you need to make the coming months move with more ease. Your mantra: I am solidifying my security in the world.
*High Priestess – The Muse of Intuition and Higher Purpose has come to fine tune your instincts. This Muse likes to play with metaphors, signs, and synchronicities. This energy reminds you that there is a plan though you may not see the whole picture, but by following your intuition you will end up in the right place at the right time. Your mantra: When I tune into and trust the vibes, I will obtain higher wisdom. 
Page of Cups – The Muse of Optimism has come to help you see that the world can have beautiful and joyous moments. She does this by reminding you to take the perspective of a child where everything is a wonder and new. By perceiving the cup half full, this week becomes easier and a bit more fun. Your mantra: I open my heart allowing wonder and virtue to lead me on my path. 
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