The artist this week is Artemisia Gentileschi. She lived in the 17th century mostly in Italy. Gentileschi was one of the few woman painters of that time and was well known enough that she made a living with selling her paintings to nobles and royals like Charles I of England. She is also known for being the daughter of Baroque painter Orazio Gentileschi and being raped and winning her case against her rapist when she was 17.
When men write about her, they note the power of her brushstroke likening it to men of her time, or her boldness of portraying strong women characters, unlike the men of her time. Feminists write about her through a lens of a survivor and a woman who made her way in the patriarchal system. When female art historians write about her, they see her in a broader context with a variety of aspects that contributed to what she painted and why.
As a viewer we do look through our personal lens. Asking questions like did this feminine perspective become her selling point? Or was it the subjects she chooses? her “fame” of the rape? Or did she exemplify Baroque art with its drama, rich and deep color and intense light and dark shadows?
All of these are pertinent questions, but also, maybe we just like her work, amazed at how she can capture candlelight. As we view and relate to art or our lives, one must remember that a point in time resonates throughout our lifetime, but it does not solely define us or our actions. We are a sum of all the things that makes us. And at the same time, we are beautiful, amazing, and valid for just being alive as any other thing in nature.
Solar System highlights: The Moon starts in Capricorn – focus on getting things done on material plan. Then on Tuesday it moves into Aquarius – use your intellect and thinking outside the box is needed. The Moon then finishes in Pisces for the weekend – follow your dreams and soul’s desires. Mercury is in Scorpio – the focus is passion and letting go of forms of communication that no longer work for you. Venus is in Capricorn – where beauty and harmony are achieved with practicality. Mars is in Scorpio – desire is in the air, as well as, it is a great time to finish up projects. And lastly, Jupiter and Saturn are in Aquarius – so innovating and upping your game is their focus until end of December.
P.S. Signs with an * it is a big week for you. Scorpio this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year. And Taurus 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
Three of Swords – The Muse of Heartbreak has come to help you heal from a hurt you have been holding on too. This hurt usually shows up as self-criticism. These are deep wounds that keep cyclically happen in your life. So, fill in the thought “I’m not lovable because….” And heal that wound so you can accept the love that is already in your life or coming around the corner.
Taurus
Eight of Swords – The Muse of Self-binding Thoughts has come to trigger beliefs that no longer serve you. Your challenge is to release yourself from these mind ghosts. The keys to these emotional handcuffs are the upsets/traumas happened in the past, were put there by others, and you have made them your own. Release and free yourself.
Gemini
*High Priestess – Last week the Muse of Fortune calibrated your karma, good or bad, a debt has now been paid. Now, the Muse of Higher Purpose has come to realign you with your path. You are here for a variety of reasons: being a parent, sibling, work, your passion, etc.… If you listen to your inner voice or external synchronicities, this Muse will guide you to resources that help you gain traction on your path.
Cancerian
*Empress – Your third big energy week. So, you may be feeling a bit tired, stressed, and/or overwhelmed. Because you had the Muse of Destruction dismantling some aspect of your life that needed fixing. Then the Muse of Stabilization shored you back up. Now it’s time to create with the Muse of Creation. Ugh but your tired. Breath. This energy would like you to focus on a project that will take you through the New Year. She asks, what will you birth into 2022? Grow it slowly, and nurture yourself as you nurture it.
Leo
Five of Cups – The Muse of Spilled Milk is here to remind you that every mess you encounter this week is not your responsibility. Yes, you have things that need cleaning, but this Muse reminds you that some problems are meant for others to deal with. So, your challenge is to see why you are doing it. Are you avoiding your own messes? Do you like the attention even though it is co-dependent? Or is it if not you then who? Focus on your mess only this week.
Virgo
Two of Swords – The Muse of Decisions is here to help you make more aligned choices. We all are making choices every day, but are they aligned with how we want to feel as we make them? This muse suggests this week pick a feeling or word that you want to live by and then make choices from that feeling or word.
Libra
Ace of Cups – The Muse of Love has come to fill your emotional cup. She suggests noting all the loving things that happen in this week. Your pet greeting you, your kid’s hug, someone opening a door for you, or a smile. But here is how she challenges you. When someone does a wrong, mentally thank them for the reminder of how you don’t want to be or show them some compassion. They may be having a shitty day. You see, kindness fills the cup coming and going.
Scorpio
Two of Cups – Next energy up for your new year is the Muse of Relationships. This year highlights relationships. The challenge with this energy is by 2023 all your relationships should all be built on equality. They fill your cup as you fill theirs. Start this week cleaning out the emotional vampires.
Sagittarius
Seven of Coins – The Muse of Work has come to help you further a project on the material plane. This energy is like those people that give out water during marathons. Look for moments to re-energize yourself, take small breaks like a walk if you are stuck, drink tea, or tiny 10-minute desk naps; and keep going.
Capricorn
Page of Coins – The Muse of Learning has come with books in tow. This week is great for acquiring a new skill or useful bit of information. You might have to hit the books, watch documentaries or informational podcasts. Knowledge is power.
Aquarius
Eight of Coins – The Muse of Mastery comes when you need to focus on a project and move it to completion or tweak it to a more valuable form. Art is taking the everyday and lifting to a place where we can see its beauty. This week take something to the next level.
Pisces
Three of Wands – The Muse of the Productive Waiting has arrived reminding you to use this time and space to prepare for what is about to happen. For example, if you were going on vacation in 2 weeks, pack now and you might find that you need a new bathing suit. Something needs to be done while you are waiting for the next thing to happen.
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. 
Ace of Cups – The Muse of Abundance is here to make your cup runneth over. Yep your are surrounded by bounty of love, friendship, and stuff that brings you joy. Get off your work horse and enjoy.
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