The artist this week is Elizabeth Catlett.  Catlett is often known for her sculpture, but with this series we focus on her lithographs and linoleum cuts.  It is interesting that these processes have aspects of sculpting.  The lithography uses stone to make a printing surface, and linoleum cuts are a bit like a relief sculpture.   There is an essence with all these forms of pulling up or out an image.

Like many artists Catlett drew subjects from her surroundings and experiences.  She was the granddaughter to slaves and heard stories from her grandfather of Africa and plantation life and lived in the US dealing with racism and sexism of the time.  But in 1946, she won a fellowship and moved to Mexico.  Immediately, Catlett found her place and started to work with “Taller de Grafica Popular” and teaching at Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas . TGP was a workshop collective that devoted their printmaking to themes of social justice and activism.   This gave her art a focus.  As she said, “I don’t think art can change things, I think writing can do more. But art can prepare people for change, it can be educational and persuasive in people’s thinking.”

In Catlett’s art you see the influence of African and Mexican art traditions.  Her subjects often in profile with strong facial contours. The cheek of the person in the forefront giving the viewer the perspective of strength and resilience and resonating her own power and spirit as a person and a black woman artist.  Showing us that even if knocked down, we have the strength to get up again.

Your pondering:  Note times that your strength and resilience were called upon, within them lie your super-powers.

Solar System Highlights

The Moon starts this week in Virgo, so organizing and prioritizing before getting into the swing of things.  Wednesday it switches to Libra – harmonizing and balancing eases the end of the workweek.  And then for the weekend the moon is in Scorpio – time to get your party on but be careful not to overindulge.  Mercury is now moving forward in Taurus and so can you, a great time to start projects especially around work and home.

Venus (beauty and harmony) is in Taurus one of its favorite places. And Mars (action) is in Aries where it loves to hang to provide momentum.  However, when it comes to relationships these two put out a stubborn vibe.  Hence, we are back to challenges in our relationships, though this helps us learn the skill of compromise.  Jupiter is in Aries until October 28^th.  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.  Gemini this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year.  And 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.

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

Nina

 

 

Aries

Eight of Coins – You will be called on to mentor someone with your skill set or to use your unique expertise to help a project along.  The Muse of Mastery reminds you that you already have what it takes.  Time to believe in what you are capable of.

 

Taurus

Six of Coins – This week you will be called on to help.  The Muse of Giving reminds you that for each positive disbursement you will see a return.  The challenge with this energy is that it is not linearly reciprocal.  For example, if you open a door for a person on Monday, it may be next Wednesday someone else returns what you thought had been lost. Alas this process works for negative energy too, so be nice.

 

Gemini

*Lovers – Your third Muse of the year is also an energy you work with throughout your lifetime, the Muse of Commitment.  It is not that you have trouble with the concept of commitment, it is just that you all as a sign see a variety of perspectives as well as having an adventurous palate to try different things.  The issue really comes down to why you are committing to something more than answering “why not”.  So, this year pay attention to the why behind your choices before you make the choice.

 

Cancerian

*Empress – Where last week the Muse of Formation focused on building a better kingdom for yourself and the ones you love.  This week the Muse of Creation focuses you on how to nurture it to grow.  Where the Emperor lays out the city the Empress makes sure it has the structures to feed its inhabitants.  These last few weeks of this birth year is asking you to make sure your plans and resources are upgraded for your next year’s creation and materialization.

 

Leo

*Temperance – The Muse of Mixology comes to help you mix elements to make a strong or more palatable potion.  The challenge with this energy is having the patience to try different concoctions.  This can look as simple as fusing elements from varying cuisines or as hard as doing it with culture elements that doesn’t feel like appropriation.    She reminds you that this amalgamation expands and strengths who you are, so “mix on.”

 

Virgo

Ten of Coins – This week pick a project and finish it.  The Muse of Successful Completion gives you the energy to get a project into its final phase.  This muse is pushy because she also wants you to hang with loved ones on the weekend without something hanging over your head.

 

Libra

Knight of Wands – The Muse of Action comes when you are in an auspicious week. Everything you do is perfectly synced with what the universe is wanting you to interact with.  The challenge is not doubting yourself.  Find your center and let it be your guide.

 

Scorpio

Five of Cups – This week has a feel of melancholy to it.  And the Muse of Partial Loss has come to help you wade through these watery conditions. She reminds you that you are not responsible for all the ill in the world or in a situation.  You do have some responsibility in cleaning up the mess, but the challenge is letting others do their share.  They need to learn responsibility as much as you need to learn to try to not control everything.

 

Sagittarius

*Moon – Last week the Muse of Higher Calling parted the veil to your spiritual purpose with synchronies and things that inspire you.  Her sister, Muse of Reflection continues with that theme but asks you to dig deeper into the meaning of why you want to do what you do.  How does your purpose not only help the outside world but how does it heal you?

 

Capricorn

Five of Swords – Last week the Muse of the Untamed challenged you with distractions and misdirection, testing you to stand up for yourself and your principles in a whirlwind of the wild.  Well, her little Sister, Muse of Ego is working with you to not let you distract yourself from what you need to do.  Watch those stray thoughts that come in pushing for perfection or goal setting with unrealistic timelines.  If you need help focusing, go to the qualified outside sources you have to keep your ego in check.

 

Aquarius

Hanged One – This week has a plethora of pauses that will happen.  These moments of stagnation maybe frustrating but they are necessary.  The Muse of Surrender reminds you that timing is the essence of grace. So, if you are halted, step back and take the pause.  You will find these breaks allow you to create space for thoughtfulness and align your steps with your destiny with more accuracy.

 

Pisces

Seven of Cups – The Muse of Wishes wants you to put out in the universe seven wishes.  This muse comes when the Universe is in a conundrum of what you actually want.  So, this week jot down seven wishes and toss them in a water source or burn them.  Be clear, precise, and sensible in your wish making.