The artist highlighted for this Artcast is Jennifer Packer. On the surface one would say, Packer paints portraits and flowers, but how she portrays her images makes the viewer feel more by seeing less. This is embodied in one of her idioms: “I think about images that resist, that attempt to retain their secrets or maintain their composure, that put you to work…” What I love about Packer’s work is her ability to convey more with less. That her portrait can be almost monochromatic, but we walk away with a connection with the person being portrayed. Or perhaps it is the feeling of Packer’s perception about that person’s aura. Either way it is the connection that becomes the centerpieces of her work.
Your pondering: Packer said about her exhibition “Every Shut Eye Ain’t Asleep” at MOCA LA “I hope to make works that suggest how dynamic and complex our lives and relationships are.” On our path of learning how to human we must remember that most of our experiences with others are just glimpses into their life. That fellow commuter may be asleep or maybe just trying to keep the world out so they can keep their feelings in. Ultimately, we need to remember that all the people we meet have stories behind them, all unique but also all dealing with the same range of human emotions. We should never take for granted or overlook that that person across from us – you don’t know them intimately – what they have dealt with – but you have felt what they have felt at some point. One of the great human paradoxes is that we are all unique and the same.
Solar System highlights
We start the week with the moon in Sagittarius – great for exploring but hard to get work moving. On Tuesday the moon moves into Capricorn – now work week begin. Thursday it is in Aquarius– great for innovation and outside of the box thinking. And on Sunday September 7th we have a full moon in Pisces – this is a dreamy full moon good for creativity. Then Tuesday September 9th the moon is in Aries – great for getting those dreams out of the ether and into the material plane. On Thursday September 11th the moon is in Taurus – ground your emotions. Then we begin the weekend with the moon in Gemini – communication becomes the focus.
Mercury is still in Leo until September 3rd, finishing off our 11-week course in expressing ourselves with the caveat that we don’t shade others’ shine while we spread our own light. Then it moves into Virgo having us work on making our communication efficient and clear. Mars is Scorpio until November 4th. This aspect is a perfect time to work on our passion projects. Venus is in Leo until September 19th, amplifying all parts of Love in your life. Just watch that you don’t get too dramatic especially in your personal relationships. Bath in Love without the cling.
Jupiter, the planet of abundance and growth, is in Cancer until June 2026. This placement is exalted, because Cancer boosts Jupiter’s positive aspects and vice versa. Jupiter creates more ease in our emotional growth, intuition, feeling nurtured as well as giving it. However, the two-fold challenge is that growth needs time to cultivate and may bring growing pains. So be kind and patient with others and yourself as we grow into our abundance.
Lastly, Saturn is back in Piscis until February of 2026. So, we are back to our structures having trouble being…well… structured. And I am sending out extra feel-good vibes for you all with a Saturn in Aries or Pisces and are dealing with this erratic Saturn return.
EXTRA
*Signs with an * it is a big week for you. Virgo this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year. And Piscis it is your halfway mark for your birth year, so if you need a Planetary Reading for a check in, now is the time.
* I have a tip jar if you want to leave a gratuity for the tarot & art-casts.
May light be on you, around you, and within you.
Nina
Aries
Body of Earth – You continue working with your structures. The Muse of Slow and Steady rides with you for the next two weeks. This muse counsels you with idioms like “Rome wasn’t built in a day” or “Nature doesn’t hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” Now that Saturn is back in Pisces you can look at the answers to the last tarotcast’s questions of: are your structures laying a solid foundation to your desires and intentions? Are you well-resourced emotional, physically, mentally and spiritually? And begin slowly processing the solutions. This is not a time to fall into the rush of things. Begin the slow process of stocking up resources, fixing the cracks and/or doing a slow deconstruction of what isn’t working.
Taurus
Four of Swords – You continue with the energy of stillness. Where the last two weeks were about listening to your internal ponderings and looking at alternative and innovations. This next period the Muse of Rest is your companion. Where the Muse of Stillness wanted you to process this muse wants you to turn off your mind. She advises to disconnect from technology and information gathering in general. To let your body, mind and spirit take time to rest and restore.
Gemini
Heart of Water – The Muse of a Play is your companion for the coming weeks. This muse shows up when you are taking life too seriously. This energy is about being open to the wonder of a snail crossing the sidewalk, crickets’ songs at night, playing in puddles, doodling, finding animals in the clouds, playing with children and using your imagination. The key with this challenge is not to make everything you do have a goal.
Cancerian
*Fool – The Muse of Possibilities is hanging out with you as you step into September. This is big energy that promotes new beginnings and being open to new opportunities. This can be as simple as reading a book outside your favorite genre or eating at a new restaurant. Or it can be as complex as exploring a new passion, relationship or profession. The key to aligning with this energy is to be open to the new. You don’t have to commit and especially do not bind yourself. This energy is about freeing your spirit and being more curious about the world around you.
Leo
Eight of Earth – Now that your birth month is over it is time to get to work on your new year. The Muse of Mastery is hanging with you for the next two weeks. This Muse advises putting productivity into your daily/weekly practice. The key to working with this energy is seeing how accomplishing the small steps gets you farther then grasping for long term future goals. And seeing mistakes as learning tools to drive your outputs with more efficiency and ease. This muse advises putting gold stars on your calendar for any kind or size of headway you make.
Virgo
*Fool – The Muse of Spontaneity is your companion for the coming weeks. This Muse would like you to say yes to invites, strike up conversations with strangers, take new routes going home, or take a passion project off the back burner. Use this energy to be let go of perfectionism and goal orientation. This Muse would like you to open yourself to the unknown. And to have more faith in yourself when you step into the void, for you will find stable ground even if you can’t see it.
Libra
Eight of Fire – These next two weeks will be filled with information and messages. So much so that you may feel overloaded. The Muse of Messages advise navigating this onslaught by prioritizing the important subjects you need to focus on for just these next two weeks. The lovely thing about this energy is that even if you miss or can’t process the messages they will come around again.
Scorpio
*Hanged One – That past two weeks may have felt or been very tumultuous, luckily you have the Muse of Inertia as a companion for the next couple of weeks. This energy is about slowing down possible even to a standstill. This muse comes when you need to step out of the fray and take personal time to ponder your life. She challenges you not only to look at it logically but also to turn it on its head with what ifs, both positive and negative. Ultimately this contemplation is about rediscovering what is important in your life, creativity and innovations. This muse even suggests putting your head at the bottom of the bed and seeing what dreams are conjured up with this new position.
Sagittarius
Two of Fire – The Muse of In-between hangs with you for the coming weeks. She is the master of the present. By living in the moment with this muse you can gain more clarity on where it is you may like to wander to next. What will your next project, travel, relationship be? What do you want to experience next? Only by being ground in the present can you more confidently move into the future.
Capricorn
Four of Air – The Muse of Restoration is your companion for the next two weeks. You “go-go goats” often don’t get along with this muse, but she logically reminds you, you must be well resourced before you get onto the next project or phase. She recommends unplugging your phone and spending some time resting and restoring your mental, spiritual and physical coffers. Though body rest is important, she acknowledges movement can be restful for some of you. The key is decreasing your goal orientation for this small period so you can hear yourself think.
Aquarius
Six of Earth – The Muse of Mini-karma comes when you need to watch your p’s & q’s. You can easily step on toes while your head is in the clouds. This muse reminds you to stay present and pay attention to the vibe in the room. By being more present and vigilant you can dole out your natural kindness with more accuracy.
Pisces
*Lovers – The Muse of Relations is your companion for the coming two weeks. This muse usually shows up when it is important for you to put energy in the relationships you want to keep and release the ones you don’t. Love is the ultimate vibe with this muse, but if you are finding difficult to be around a friend, co-worker or companion now is the time to do a deep dive into the why behind it. It could be them, or it could be you.
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