In 1964 the term action figure was coined by Hasbro because American boys refused to play with toys called “dolls.” However, dolls, toys made to mimic human form, have been played with for at least 5000 years by all genders. Though, most dolls from early history are found with the dead and it is theorized that they may not be toys at all but guides or helpers in the afterlife. They can also be used to guide and help us now.
Dolls are powerful tools helping children navigate and work on their social and emotional skills, and they have shaped all of us in some fashion. And we need to be aware that dolls push social ethics, morality and norms just by their appearance. That is why Calvin Ma’s art (above and below) is inspiring. He uses his action figures to “explore personal issues and struggles with social anxiety.” His figures covered in feathers, houses and black and white imagery represent our flight, fight or freeze instinct. Though it is designed to protect us from threat or danger, it can get hijacked into anxiety. His pieces give us a more positive and empowering version of our built-in defense system. They help guide us to use our fears to become our own personal superhero or at least a badass action figure.
Ma’s art work is at Sherrie Gallerie in Columbus, Ohio from July 28 to September 3, 2019, and at Antler Gallery in Portland, Oregon opening on November 28. Alongside these shows, Ma will also be sharing pieces in at SOFA Expo in Chicago and at Haven Gallery in Long Island, in late October and mid-December, respectively.
P.S. Remember signs with an * it a big week for you. Cancer this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year.
Aries
King of Pentacles – This week the King of Pentacles gives energy to all projects that have to do with the material plane and reputation. This is a great week to put your business hat on, build capital, create physical items or hands on projects, or your pump up your social status. It is time to become your self-made master of your fortune and destiny. Motto- Just do it.
Taurus
Two of Wands – The Two of Wands declares this week’s energy is best used in planning for the future. This card is about the near future but where do you want to be or what do you want to accomplish in 2025. The challenge with this card is keeping your feet on the ground while your head is in the clouds.
Gemini
Nine of Cups – The last two weeks the Hierophant challenged you to hone your teaching skills. And then the Lovers card continued focusing on working with people, but had you switch from teacher to co-creator. This week the Nine of Cups’ energy is about sitting back and integrating those last two weeks’ lessons. The stipulation is that you only assimilate what or who makes you comfortable.
Cancer
*Sun – Okay the Universe snuck in another Big card for your coming year the Sun. The first card was the High Priestess (which is associated with your ruling planet, the Moon). The High Priestess has you focusing on intuition, serenity, cycles, introspection and the big picture for the coming year. Then the Sun closes out your birth month with its energy of growth and increasing your person shine. So, starting this week Cancer it is balancing both your inner needs with your outer goals. This coming year is pushing you to shine a bit stronger than your typical moonlight.
Leo
*Hierophant – Here is your first card of your birth year. The Hierophant’s theme for 2019-2020, is organization and structure. This is the year to put into place boundaries, set up schedules, start diets or exercise regimes, rituals anything that helps you structure and direct your energies and days. This is a year where saying No or Let me think about it is advised. The challenge with this coming year is that these ethics/morals/structures must come from you not society. It is easy to place societies’ expectations on ourselves – it releases our responsibility of choice. So, start this week with something simple – organize your closet or your junk drawer. Just make sure you do it in a way that satisfies you, not the wills or ideas of others.
Virgo
Five of Pentacles – The Five of Pentacles is the card of physical loss. This can be your keys or cash. So be careful this week on what you spend your money and time on and where you physically lay down your possessions. The challenge is asking for help when you find yourself at a loss.
Libra
*Death – The Death card rules the energy of organic change. This week is a great time to start the ball rolling to create change in places that have bottom out, dead-ended or ran out of oomph. The goal is to weed out the dead growth so new things can grow in its stead. The challenge comes when you try to rush or control the growth. This card’s lesson is kin to tending to a garden you can’t control the weather but you can pick the seeds that will grow well in it.
Scorpio
Ace of Cups – Love is in the air. All Aces are new beginnings, and this card focuses on new stages or diving to new depths of the heart. This week is advantageous to new relationships and deepening old ones. Your goal is to find out something new about the people that surround you, new and old. The challenge is sharing something new about yourself too. It takes two to tango.
Sagittarius
Queen of Wands – The Queen of Wands advises you to go play with Mother Nature this week. You soul is craving some me-time, and for your half-horse personality- nature or the open road does that best. So, get out of the house this week – road trip, hike, swim in a river, bike. This week is about movement and experiencing what Gaia has to offer.
Capricorn
Three and Four of Wands – Last week, the World card had you aligning your energy with the lunar eclipse to create amazing transformative and healing mojo. Now, the Three and Four of Wands has you focusing on short term goals and create a comfy home environment, while you are waiting for your longer-term goals to mature and their timing to line up. This week is about comfort and patience.
Aquarius
Ten of Cups – Your second Ten, so let’s dive a bit into what Ten means. Tens are perfect for completing cycles and that you enjoy and bask in that completion before moving on. Last week the Ten of Pentacles advised you to finish up a physical project and then relax your body. This Week the Ten of Cups adds the emotional relaxation to the physical. This week your challenge is to indulge in things that make you happy. Your song for this week : My Favorite Things or Happy
Pisces
Two of Cups – Two of Cups is the card of relationships. This is a great week to deepen the relationships that you have chosen and want to grow in your life. The only challenge with this card is that the give and take of these relationships need to feel balanced to you. If they are not, then you need to reevaluate how much energy you put into them.
May light be on you, around you, and within you,
Nina
Nine of Cups – This is your second nine in a row, so let’s dive a bit deeper into Nines. Nine means you are near the end of a cycle or completion of something. You are on the last stretch. Last week the Wands had you preparing for this last bit, and this week the Nine of Cups is wanting you to be in the moment and experience it. You are so focused on the goal you are forgetting to be in the now. This week will only come once – feel it – be in it.
Ten of Cups – The Ten of Cups represents bliss and the completion of an emotional cycle. This week take notice of all those that love and support you. You have come through a lot of emotional trials and exaltations with this group of dear ones. Now is the time to rejoice in the joy, love and happiness.
*Lovers – Two big weeks for you. Last week the Hierophant challenged you to hone your skills on how you can teach and support others. This week the Lovers continues the focus of working with people. But where last week you were the teacher, this week you are the co-creator. This week it is vital you look at how you interact with those around you. Whether that is creating projects and/or generating atmospheres, you are co-creating all that surrounds you. The challenge is to design equality and balance – remember equal does not mean the same. Celebrate and support yours and others uniqueness. Your motto: Variety is the spice of life.
Seven of Cups – Last week the Five of Wands and the High Priestess, your major arcane card for Cancers’ new birth year, came to guide you not only through last week’s chaos, but throughout the coming year. The aspects that are resonating until next July are intuition, serenity, cycles, introspection and the big picture. This year is a spirit quest that will combine the past, present and future. It may not bring order to the chaos, but it will bring a sense of peace and acceptance of the natural flow. This week, the Seven of Cups joins to the Priestess’ message by advising you to dream bigger but stay realistic when waking. You need your dreams to help expand your horizons but you need the clarity of your conscious mind to obtain them.
Nine of Swords and Knight of Swords – These two cards are warning you to be careful as you are preparing for your next birth year. The Nine of Swords advise that over thinking has been giving you trouble, and it is time to put needless worries aside. And the Knight of Swords chimes in saying you are rushing through your life not really experiencing it and/or you have been prone to mishap due to rushing through things. They challenge you to spend this week letting go of your bad habits of worrying about the past – that you cannot change- and the future – which you cannot predict. This week you need to be conscious of how you are moving into your coming year.
Six of Pentacles – Last week Temperance the card of moderation, harmony and adaptability challenged you to balancing. Whether that is a simple as balancing your check book or diet, balancing work with play, or balancing your yin and yang of your spirit. Re-calibration for satiation and ease was your motto in all things. Well the theme of balancing continues with the Six of Pentacles. However, this card has you balancing karma and debts. Take this week to pay off your debts and fill it with good deeds. This positivism (or negativism if you choose) will come back to you threefold in the coming months.
Queen of Pentacles – The Queen of Pentacles comes when you need to enjoy the life you have worked so hard to get. This is a great time to take a vacation, have a spa day, go out to your favorite restaurant. Indulge this week, you not only need it – you deserve it.
Eight of Cups – Last week, the Emperor came reminding you that you have a good foundation, but you need to start building to the next level. This week the Eight of Cups continues this theme of building but it is challenging you to release a few things. You need the room to build more into your life. Whether that is cleaning out some closet space or cleaning out some heart space, you got to dump out some of the old to pour in some of the new.
Five of Wands – The Five of Wands is the card of chaos. This week you need to watch where you take things that can create disharmony. For example, instead of thinking that someone is arguing with you – think of it as creative differences or that you are able to see a perspective outside of your normal or societies thought patterns. Think of these chaotic moments as insights into the diversities of perspectives. In other words don’t take anything personal this week.
*World – The World is the card of completion of a cycle. This card is perfect timing with the lunar eclipse happening in Capricorn on Tuesday to Wednesday. This week you can create some pretty amazing transformations and healing mojo by attuning yourself to what needs to be released to ease into the next cycle. The challenge and paradox of this card asks you: If you could have it all what are you willing to let go to do it?
Ten of Pentacles – The Ten of Pentacles this week is a great time to finish up a project. Get one item/project off your to-do list. And before you start on something else, the true goal is to enjoy and bask in its completion. This week should ultimately be about relaxing and enjoying.
Six of Cups – Spend time in the past this week. It’s a great time to look at old pictures and reminisce with loved ones. This rumination has some emotional messages for you that will help you unravel the mysteries of the future.
*Empress – The Empress is the gardener card. When she arrives, she asks you to focus on what do you want to grow and or tend to. Nurturing is the skill most needed this week. But don’t forget as they say on airplanes you must put the mask on yourself first before you tend to others. The gardener tends the garden but who tends the gardener?
*Justice – Justice is the card of truths. This card has you questioning what is your truth? How do you show it in your daily life? Are you living your truth? Those are the big questions, but then Justice also plays out in practical matters. This is a card of decision making with cool intellect, only the facts, pro and cons list etc… Justice wants you to use your head this week and then act.
Ten of Swords – Last week you all got the Tower for your first power card for this birth year. The first lesson with this card is you need to do some major renovating in your life this year. If you don’t know what to start on or how to make the change happen, the Tower card comes to shake things up and makes it obvious what needs to be deconstructed and reconstructed. The theme this year is take control of the change yourself or the Universe will change it for you. Well this week will hold some clear clues on what needs changing with the Ten of Swords. This card is about people and situations that just are not good for you. This ten will help you see these items clearly and then it is up to you to rid yourself of them.
Five of Coins – The Five of Coins is about suffering and loss. This week holds clues as to what is not working in your life. The interesting thing with this card is that this suffering is easily remedy by you just by asking for help. You do not need to suffer alone this week. On a practical note this can just mean you might lose something like your keys or glasses – so ask for help to find them.
Six of Wands – The Six of Wands is the card of victory. This week is a good stopping point to take break, enjoy what you have accomplished and rest up. However, this card also says the work is not done. So keep in mind, there is more to do but this isn’t the week to do it. 
King of Cups – Last week the Star had you restoring your health both mental and physical. You get to continue that theme with the King of Cups this week. He would like you to focus on the restoration of your heart and emotions. This week is about lifting your spirits, and any form of water is helpful in this endeavor. However, the practical warning of this card is do not overindulge with liquid spirits.
*Death and Six of Cups – Okay another change card. Last week the Chariot challenged you to take the reins and create momentum in your life. Now change takes another form, Death. Death is the card of change that is partly in your control and partly in the spin of the Universe. So, the weight of responsibility of making change happen has been lifted somewhat. However, because of the Six of Cups joins in, you will need to make amends with the past to allow the Universe to lift some of that responsibility off your shoulders. This can look as simple as forgiving a past aggression or as complex as letting go of the incidences from the past that can no longer be resolved.
Knight of Cups – This week emotion is the key to movement. The best way to make this happen with ease is to be forthright with your emotions. This does not mean you have to wear your heart on your sleeve for all to see, but you must at least be honest with how you are feeling with those that are close to you. The challenge is remembering that what you are feeling is just that, a feeling – it does not always represent the absolute or whole truth.
Eight of Cups – Last week, the Emperor gave you his energy to materialize and do. But he also had you checking in with does your work fulfill you? If it doesn’t, then being honest with what this work is bringing you (like money or time), and if it is fulfilling then keep doing it with more gusto. This week, the Eight of Cups still has you working on the question what is fulfilling. Though this card’s exercise is to get rid of some excess emotions, ideas or items that no longer serve you. This can literally look like cleaning out your closets and drawers. Time to release.
*Lovers – last week, the Strength card came having you strengthen a resolve, be more resilient, and/or support your self-worth. And now that you are stronger in your self you can now pair up with others. This week will bring relationships in focus. Pay attention to how you interact with them. This card’s work is how to bring out the best in others which also as a bonus brings out the best in you.
*Strength– Strength is the card of resilience, confidence and self-worth. This week you need to boost these qualities in yourself. You are not seeing how far you have come or how you could have taken routes that would have sent you into shadier outcomes. So here is an exercise to see how strong you have become. Think of a decision you made recently and now think of at least 3 ways you could have chosen that would have create a more negative outcome. This could be as simple as you didn’t give someone the finger on the highway – it could have been worse if 1) you ran them off the road. 2) you shot them the bird and they ran you off the road 3) you held on to your anger until you yelled at your significant other, your boss or a cashier. See, you are making decision every day and most of them are smart and damn good for yourself and the rest of the world. Take this week confirming how you are a decent human being.
Eight of Swords – Last week the Chariot told you to take the reins. That the path that you are on is correct and you have the power to complete all that you need to do. This week the Eight of Swords can put a halt to your momentum. But just like the Chariot this stop is also in your hands. The challenge is not to be bound to the outcome of this week or the road to get to your destination. Flexibility is key.
Ace of Swords – Decisions and knowledge are on the forefront this week. The Ace of Swords advises a new way of thought is needed to overcome a problem or find a solution. Think outside the box this week.
*Tower – Ok Gemini, the Tower is your first birth year card. What a way to shake up the new year. The Tower is one of the three cards of change. This year the first lesson with this card is you need to do some major renovating in your life. If you don’t know what it is or how to make the change happen, the Tower card comes to shake things up and makes it obvious what needs to be deconstructed and reconstructed. Examples are moving out of a space, job or relationship that doesn’t work for you, or doing a major overhaul of your health regime. The theme this year is take control of the change yourself or the Universe will change it for you.
Page of Cups – The Page of Cups is the card of love and joy. This week find and do simple things that make you smile. Simple acts of kindness to yourself and others is just the cure for your heart and the world around you. Think like a puppy, kitten or 3-year old.
Ten of Pentacles – Last week it was all about beginnings. This week is all about wrapping things up on the material plane. The Ten of Pentacles advises that your prioritiey this week is to tie up loss ends at your work. And then when you get home luxuriate in that feeling of accomplishment. This has challenges around work/life balance. Your motto all work and no play makes Jill or Jack an unhappy person. 
*Star – Last week was hard with the Ten of Swords, but the Star has arrived advising you in a big way to rest and heal this week. The Star is the card of healing after the storm. It doesn’t come often so take advantage and do things that restore your health both mental and physical. Whether that is hermitizing with a book, fishing, taking a spa day, relaxing with friends over diner or anything that lets your nervous system rest. Take this week – relax and restore.
Queen of Wands – Intuition is the key this week. The Queen of Wands advises you to get in touch with your inner guide for you will need its guidance in the coming week. She advises that nature, the spirit or the arts will help you tap into your insight. Also be aware that with this card’s arrival solutions/avenues are found with non-linear thinking.
*Chariot – Change continues to be the theme this week with the Chariot. This card represents change that you have total control over. This is great for no outside source can ultimately stop you. However, it is also a challenge for you are the only one to make the momentum happen. This can look as simple as moving your office or living room around creating better flow, or as complex as moving yourself out of that job/space/relationship that you hate, or finally taking that step to be your own boss. Also, on the practical side of this card: Check your means of transport this week ie: check your tires, fluids, shoes, bus schedule… they can sometimes be wonky when this card shows up.
Nine of Swords – The Nine of Swords is the card of worry or overthinking. This week can bring on a variety of things to worry about. However, this card foretells that there will be only a few that you can fix. The first thing to do is discern which ones are fixable or completable and fix them. The rest write down and literally throw them away in the trash. Ultimately this is a lesson in – you don’t have control over everything nor are you responsible for it all either.
*Emperor – The Emperor is the card of doing. The biggest lesson with this card is that you have a good plan and good resources, and now is the time to manifest what you want to happen in your environment. He is the materializer. So, this week is all about the work. Your only challenge is that especially for you Capricorns does the work fulfill you? If not, then realize you are in it for the money and make the money. If it is then you are one happy camper waking up each morning doing what you have always want to do. This week MAKE.
*Strength – The Strength card comes when you need to strengthen a resolve, be more resilient, and/or support your self-worth. For some of you it can be as simple as sticking to your diet/exercise regime or for others it can be as complex as finally telling your side of the story. The paradox and complexity with this card are true strength comes form the combination of being rigorous but also with a soft application. As they say, you attract more flies with honey then vinegar, whether that is with yourself or declaring your boundaries.
Page of Wands – Last week, the Fool came advising either you will be given a choice and this choice will ripple through your future, or for others to take a leap of faith where there seems as if there is no choice. This theme of journeying and choice continues this week with the Page of Wands. This card ask you to focus on the question “what turns you on?” This journey that you are on must have components that ignite your passion. You need stimulus like a fish needs water. If you want to be productive you need to visit the waters of inspiration, and this is the week to do it.
Nine of Wands – The Nine of Wands is the card of preparation and perseverance. Take steps before you start each workday to prepare. You can’t plan for everything that is coming your way this week and that is where perseverance steps in. Put on your Wellies and slog on.
*Emperor – You are in the midst of building something pretty amazing and it is time to fully concentrate on it this week. The Emperor gives you the strength and the due diligence to get a big part of what you want done – done. Also, it is a great time to stand back and do some “city-planning.” This can look as simple as rearranging your priorities for this week to find time to do what you need to do. Or as complex as rearranging some gender roles in your life. Either way this week has all the materializing energy supporting you to make this a very productive time.
*Justice – The Justice card comes when, as much as we want decisions or ideas to be yes/no – good/bad, there is more to be considered. For true decision making you will need to see the background and context of each choice, and the answers maybe wrap in the complexity of paradox. Ultimately your decision(s) should be based in integrity and fairness. This is one week where intellect reigns over emotions.
Ten of Wands – The Ten of Wands is the card of over obligation or burdens. You have the tendency to take on too much this week. Take your to do list and move at least two things to next week. They will be there at the end of the week or their urgency or need will vaporize.
Page of Pentacles – The Page of Pentacles is the card of the student. Your assignment is to learn something new each day. It can be something little like having fun going down the google rabbit hole. There is a message or a skill to what you learn this week that you will need for the coming weeks.
*Hierophant – The Hierophant comes when you are having problems with structure in your life. Here is the key to this card: structure is supposed to be like the best house – making you feel safe, stronger and protected. It is not meant to make you feel frustrated, bound or obligated. So, this week examine your structures – morals, laws, schedules. Are they hindering you? – then break free and create new ones. If they are supporting you, build on them.
Page of Swords – Last week the Hermit and King of Pentacles advised, to get anything done and some perspective, you had to create some solo space and time. The Page of Swords wants you to continue in information gathering that perspectives buys you; however, you will have to be more devious about hiding or gaining physical space.
Two of Wands – Last week the Moon and Page of Cups suggested that you get in touch with your inner child by following the plot of Where the Wild Things Are. This week the Two of Wands still wants that inner child to play but the book changes to Harold and the Purple Crayon by expanding your horizons. Your inner child is craving for you to dream a bigger life for yourself.
Five of Cups – The last couple of weeks you have been dealing with some big energy. The High Priestess advised you to stop long enough to hone your intuition and listening to your inner voice. Then Justice had you focusing your mind’s eye to the concepts of integrity, fairness, and seeing other’s points of view. Now, you will need the last two weeks guides to help you through this Five of cups’ week. Five of Cups foretells that this week’s happenings get to you and can color it with melancholy. The challenge with this card is to see the silver lining. Think of this week as your cups/emotions that no longer work for you will be spilled, however, the ones left standing are far more refreshing and enlivening. Your motto this week: Don’t cry over spilt milk or wine, lol.
*Temperance – Wow three big cards for you in a row. The last couple of weeks the Ace of Cups and the Sun united their power helping you expand any area of your life you focus on. Then the Chariot rolled in saying this change is all under your control. And now Temperance the card of balance and moderation is chiming in. So, this coming year while you are growing and change it is important that you do this with an equilibrium that does not come naturally to you. You would rather attack life with a series of big pushes, then slow and steady, or you get so focused on one area of life you forget to pay attention to the rest. So, Temperance advises with your growth – moderation. This can look as simple as scheduling in play with your work, or as complex as growing the yang/male side of your personality while equally balancing the growth of your yin/feminine.
Sun – Well like Aries above this year is a Sun Year for you all, a time of growth and illumination. The great part of getting this card is what you focus your light on will grow and with that growth so do you. The challenges this year are twofold. When you are shining, you will illuminate the good, the bad and the ugly and how you focus your beam of light can either grow with a lite ambient focus or destroy/cut away like a laser. So, this year, while you shine, experiment with what kind of “watts” you need for maximum growth potential.
Eight and Four of Cups – Ok Twins this is a double week for you. The Eight of Cups is the Spring-cleaning card. Not only of your literal house but also of your emotional one. And with the Four of Cups telling you how and where to do this cleaning – three-quarters of introspection and the left over fourth you will find outside of yourself. The big lesson with this combo is get rid of what works and be grateful for what is left over.
Nine of Cups – The Nine of Cups challenges you to find the places of contentment in your life, feed them and not only enjoy them but also the process. As with all cups card and the combination of water signs, water helps if you are stuck.
Ten of Wands – The Ten of Wands means this week you will have to watch your people pleasing nature. If you continue to say yes, you will feel the burden of your obligations by the end of the week. You can fix this problem by either taking somethings off your present list, or just tell people you are swapped and not take on anything more. Either way this is about decreasing your load this week before you collapse from exhaustion.
The Ten of Swords – Last week the Universe offered you a time-out with the Hanged Man to practice the art of perception. Hopeful with the Hanged Man you practice the art of reverse-thinking, for you will need it this week with The Ten of Swords. The Ten of Swords is the card of troubles whether that is from your own negative thoughts or prompted by the outside world. Your challenge is to use the Hanged Man’s lesson of seeing the dark clouds as opportunities to “water your plants” or at the very least preparing you with an umbrella.
Queen of Wands – The Queen of Wands is the closest thing you get to the Mother Earth Energy in the lower cards. She advises you it is time to take a break and get into nature or doing something creative. She comes to remind you that your flame needs to be stoked, and that you are not attending to your inner cycles of growth, death and rebirth.
Nine of Pentacles – Last week the Wheel of Fortune had you looking for karmic intervention in your life or the sign posts of places that need changing. The trend continues this week but having you focus only on the areas of how you make your money. There are some places you need to tweak, and this is the week to do it. The only challenge is this is best done in private at first before you can invite people in on it.
Six of Pentacles – The Six of Pentacles is the mini-karma card. This week all the positive energy that you put into anything will come back three-fold, but this also includes the negative. The challenge with this card is that the return of good or bad does not typically take a straight path back to you.
Ace of Swords – The Empress’ growth period continues with the Ace of Swords. Last week the Empress wanted you to cultivate your life in a way that is more comforting and relaxing but knowing this will take some time. Now the Ace of Swords has you making your first step. Take this week to decide on the details of how, when and where this is going to happen. This is a week of planning and as they say the devil is in the details.
*High Priestess – The High Priestess you would think would be an easy card for you all, for she is the card of the philosopher and can easily fold into lotus position for hours. And you Aquarians are the astrological marathon thinkers and meditators. It just hard for you to get in that state because you all are easily distracted. This week this card wants you to try spending some quality time in the ethereal realm. Whether that is conversing with nature, mediating, or doing yoga every day at sunset. This week you need to tap into your intuited/woo self. The challenge this week will be honing and listening to your inner voice for long enough to get its message.
*Judgement – Judgement comes when it is time to shed your skin or evolve some aspect of your life. This can look as simple as trying on new styles of clothes, make-up, or changing your hair. It’s not that the outer layer matters it’s just practice for you to do some inner work. Here is the challenge – can you see and love the new parts of you that you are growing and leave self-judgment behind?
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