The artist this week is Augusta Savage. Savage was a sculptor, teacher, and community organizer. Whether it is the crinkle of a shirt, the lines created by a body or the steady gaze of her piece John Henry, Savage’s sculptures are the essence of the sublime. She brings natural beauty and emotions to her portrait sculptures, with a simple curve of the mouth or how we can feel the cold water the boy is about to jump into (see below). This is the goal of portraits in all their forms, to not only portray a person but to engage us in our collective humanity.
Savage was a seminal artist. Though an artist since her youth, it wasn’t until she was 29 when she was awarded a scholarship to Cooper Union in 1921, before 142 men on the waiting list. Where she earned her 4-year degree in 3. Then in 1929 and 1931 she was granted two fellowships in Paris. In 1934 she became the first African American member of the National Association of Women Painters and Sculptors and opened her own studio becoming an influential teacher in Harlem.
In 1937, she was asked to be the first director of the Harlem Community Art Center. Also in 1937, Savage was one of four women and only two African Americans to receive a professional commission for her work to be included in the 1939 NY World’s Fair. She spent two years creating Lift Every Voice and Sing (see Aries below), an homage to the influence of Black music in American culture. But why do most of us not know her? And if we do only know her through these smaller pieces. What would not only Savage’s legacy, but our society be like if works like hers were not only in historical representation but also in the present public eye?
The above work is called Realization. Though stunning, Savage was never able to bring it into the world, due to the absence of consistent funding and support for women artists, which still rings true today. Realization is defined as an act of becoming fully aware of something as a fact. Only 11% of all acquisitions at 26 prominent US museums over the past decade were of work by women artists. When will we truly realize as a society that there is not equal representation of women? Not until we see fifty percent of what we support and see in any museums and public spaces are created by women, and not just in highlighted shows for Women’s month.
Your pondering for the week: How can you better experience and implement a truer representation of equal representation in your life?
Solar System highlights
This week the moon begins in Gemini – communication is key. On Tuesday night it moves into Cancer – watch that your emotions don’t block your drive. Then on Friday through the weekend the moon is in Leo, your time to play in the sun.
Mercury (communication and knowledge) is in Taurus(grounding) – this is a 7-week course on being calm and focused as you convey your thoughts and intentions. Mars (action), after its 7-month stay in Gemini, shifts our focus from creating action not reaction through communication, moves into Cancer. Now instead of our mouth running the show are hearts are. So, at its worst we can get very emotionally charged and overreact, and at its best we can consciously act on what our heart wants. Venus (beauty and harmony) is also in Taurus until April 3rd. This is where it loves to be. It wants us to indulge our senses especially with the natural world.
Jupiter (growth) is also in Aries until May 16, 2023 – great for manifestation, expansion, and action. And Saturn (structures) is in its two-year stint in Pisces. So now all that work you did with structures, building and innovating them the past 5 years, it is time to make sure they are elastic and responsive to change. The challenge is our boundaries can get too flexy or have gaps, so we need to work on being flexible but resilient, think like bamboo or jellyfish. And lastly Pluto (the hidden, death, wealth, and shadow) moves into Aquarius giving us a 3-month taste of what the next 20 years will bring. Pluto is considered a generational planet and takes its time doling out its challenges and treasures. Pluto is bouncing back and forth from capitalistic Capricorn to socialistic Aquarius, so politics, technology and societal whims should be interesting to watch during this time.
***Signs with an * it is a big week for you. Aries this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year. And Libra it is your halfway mark for your birth year, so if you need a Planetary Reading for a check in now is the time. and I have a new tip jar if you want to leave a gratuity for the weekly forecasts.
May light be on you, around you, and within you.
Nina
Aries
King of Water – The Muse of Emotions is challenging you to be the mature person in the room. You are being asked to circumnavigate and direct others’ emotions out of the more shadowy lands that are laid out for you and yours this week. That means you need to step up your compassion and speak from heartfelt empathy to gain any ground or consensus.
Taurus
Ten of Water – The Muse of Bliss is asking you to highlight what brings you joy this week. First, she reminds you that you are successful in more than a few aspects of your life, and you need to honor those accomplishments. Secondly, she asks you before you move to the new “next…”, take this week to have a bit of fun.
Gemini
Two of Fire – The Muse of Future is asking you to take a moment this week and do some pondering on what your plans and intentions are for 2025? She knows we are just ending month-three of 2023, but she asks – are you doing what needs to be done to get to where you want to be by the end of next year? This week is the perfect time to readjust if your actions and goals are not lined up, or you might find you need a whole new game plan.
Cancerian
King of Fire – The Muse of Leading is calling you to take the lead this week. She reminds you that being a leader does not mean having to do everything. Delegation, teamwork, and cheerleading are vital.
Leo
Nine of Air – Your second nine, so a little on that number. Nines are about preparation. Last week was about preparing your soul/fire to create a new spark. This week you are asked to prepare your mind. The Muse of Worry is here to help with your over-thinking. Science has proven that worry and hope ignite the same part of the brain, so they are linked. Why we worry is because we have an investment/hope for the future. However, where that goes haywire is when we continue to worry about possibilities that are beyond our control. So, this week, focus only on the things you have actual control over and leave the rest to hope.
Virgo
Five of Earth – Lat week had the potential for some storms and hopefully you were prepared for them. This week you are dealing with the aftermath. The Muse of Low Resources comes when your assets are at a low point. This can be your energy, time, space and/or money. She reminds you that you do not have to do this by yourself. It is okay to be not okay this week. You have friends and loved-ones that can give you a variety of resources, but it is up to you to ask for it. And then not to feel less than for the asking.
Libra
*Devil – This week can have a few deja’vu events for you. The Muse of Tests comes to see if you have learned your lessons. If you find yourself irritated, confused, lost, or tempted, she advises you to step back and think about the lesson behind the troubles. You have already learned the lesson. You are just being asked to respond correctly to what has challenge you in the past.
Scorpio
Eight of Air – The Muse of Bondage comes to release you from old thought patterns that no longer work for you. This can be as easy as an ah-moment or as complicated as feeling trapped. However, you should pay attention to both those feelings, for this energy is highlighting negative inputs from others that you are holding onto. And it will help you finally find your sovereignty from these thoughts and situations.
Sagittarius
Six of Earth – The Muse of Pay Back is asking you to pay forward this week. Whether that is paying for someone’s coffee or calling a friend or smiling at a stranger. This week she asks you to emote as many positive vibes as possible out into the world. For this muse will give you back positive energy three-fold. The challenge with this muse is that the path of return is never direct or straight so keep your eyes open for money at your feet and smiles in the streets.
Capricorn
*Tower and Seven of Water – The Muse of Destruction and the Muses of Dreams are working together this week. As a team they are asking you to lower your expectations of what you are dreaming. Outside forces are not willing or able to work for your usual perfectly controlled outcomes or goals this week. So, it is best to be as prepared as possible for twists and turns and then go with the flow.
Aquarius
Two of Water – So last week the Muse of Relations wanted you to focus on all your relationships. Well, the energy has not switched that much this week. The Muse of Love is now here and wanted you to invest some positive emotions into your closest relationships. By filling your loved one’s cup, they can also fill yours. And if it feels not equitable, now is the time to have a heart to heart around each other’s definitions of sharing and how you like affection to be given to you.
Pisces
Queen of Water – The Muse of Fun is asking you to have some. You are taking life too seriously and this muse is advising to find friends and loved ones to do something fun or silly with.
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