The artist this week is photographer Nina Leen. She was the first woman photographer hired by Life magazine. However, Life only hired her for freelance, even though she contributed to the magazine for 30 years with over 50 covers and countless reports and photo essays. Her photo style was unique for she took pictures of everyday events, but always with an added twist, a place of tension or surrealness.
This made her photograph not only stand out but had the viewer subtly expanding their perspective. For instance, she took the picture above the group of artists that led the 1950 fight against the exclusion of abstract expression from the Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibitions . Leen had the one woman Hedda Stern, at the shoot only 15 of the 28 signers showed up, stand above all the other men, making the subtle statement of the bias on women in the art scene and an ironic statement of exclusion.
Her subjects were often actress, fashion models, everyday women, teens and animals. She also co-wrote and did photography for 12 books on animals. Some say she liked animals more than people. The viewer can see this wry sense of humor. With her washed kitten (see Leo) titled wet by wiser or (see Libra) where actress Joan Roberts is walking her dog at intermission. Leen’s choice of showing the owner not in totally control of the scene lowers the glamour star status of Ms. Rivers but also makes her more relatable, more real. Leen’s photos are even today avant garde, female positive, intriguing, and wanting us to turn the page to see more.
P.S. Signs with an * it a big week for you. Leo this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year. And Aquarius 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
*Magician – The energy this week helps with manifesting anything creative. You are prompted to produce a plethora of beauty and ingenuity. You have all the tools you need to do this work. The challenge and key to creating with ease is allowing for experimentation. Make mistakes, color outside the lines, and let your imagination play.
Taurus
Page of Coins– This is a great week to plan, practice, learn, and discover. Think of yourself as a student of life. You do not have to master anything this week. The challenge is allowing yourself to play and explore without grading your work.
Gemini
*Wheel – The energy this week is about changing your fortune. No matter where the Wheel’s cycle lands, win or loss, it is the step of trying and accepting the ups and downs of life that are key this week. You are in the midst of an energy shift. The way to work with this energy is follow the breadcrumbs of synchronicities and serendipities. You cannot grab the brass ring without getting on the ride, but also the ride by itself can give you a new perspective.
Cancer
*Justice – Last week was about building your material plane and feeding your goals while lifting others; to be a steward of good. This good stewardship continues this week, but the energy is less active. Now is a time to reflect and revise where necessary. Look with long vision as well as with your everyday choices. The challenge is making plans and choices that are balanced in the mind and heart and actions ethical with your soul.
Leo
*Fool – So you started your birth month with some high personal karmic energy setting you up for big growth in the coming year. This had you tapping into your superpowers and your personal kryptonite preparing you for the future. At the same time reminding you that relaxation and expressing your emotions are vital in this coming journey. Now at the end your month you receive a call from the Fool, the blank rune. This energy asks you to jump into the unknown. This year is a place of new beginnings, to lean into trust, things are changing, and you are one of the signs heading into it first. The landscape is forming with each step. You get to paint on this new blank canvas as you go. The challenge is not singing the same song, repeating old patterns, and staying stagnate. Time to allow this metamorphosis to begin.
Virgo
Queen of Cups – Last week’s energy was around working with your monsters. You get to continue this work but funneling your focus to only the emotional realm. Specifically, to being more compassionate around your own emotions. Not to see them as monsters but as signposts or bridges to a deeper understanding of your wants and needs.
Libra
Seven of Cups –The energy this week is pushing you to dream bigger. Yes, you still need to be cautious about the parameters of reality or at least the parameters of 2020 where nothing is predictable. So, if nothing is predictable why not dream beyond your typical boundaries. The challenge is not hanging your heart on each wish coming true exactly how you planned.
Scorpio
Page of Wands – Inspiration is the energy to create ease this week. You are stuck in some rut and need to think outside the box. This energy advises you to find inspiration in things that make you go Ah or Oh or Oooooo. This can be nature, music, art, and/or spiritual. The challenge is submerging yourself enough in it that you lose your self to find yourself.
Sagittarius
*Devil – The energy this week is abundant with distractions and opportunities to tempt you away from path. The reason this energy shows up is because you have not given yourself the permission or time to have some fun for fun’s sake. The challenge however is this is not the week to let your “restraints” loose. So, schedule that fun-time in soon but just not this week.
Capricorn
Ace of Cups – Last week you all got the Tower, change that occurs outside of your control. Asking you to look at the “cracks” that 2020 has brought on in your life. To make sure that even though the structures you imagining and creating look different, you are not building on the same defective footing. The energy this week gives you more time in that creation of the new. This energy challenges you practical Capricorns not to forget that it is the feeling of your life that is more important then the structures. Or another way to look at this, do your new structures support the feeling you are going for?
Aquarius
Ace of Pentacles – Hmm another Ace, let us take a closer look at Ace energy. All Aces are new beginnings. Last week was to get inspired looking for something that has potential for new beginnings to sprout. Hopefully, you have found this new inspiration. Now, this Ace is about doing the steps to make that happen. This week pull together your materials and take that first step.
Pisces
*High Priestess – Last week’s energy was about taking a chance to move forward. This week is a 180 degree turn from extroverted jumping into the outside world to introverted knowledge gathering. This information comes from quiet contemplation and dreams. Whether you do this by howling with the full moon on Monday, going to the desert to commune with the Milky Way, putting on headphones and listening to your music collection of shuffle, or meditating, this Muse wants you to work closer with your intuition and the Universe. Your challenge is finding the time and keeping your mind open to see the connections and cycles.
Four of Wands – Home is where the flow is this week. Time to give your house some loving, and you will get it back four-fold. Things like deep clean that bathroom, lawn maintenance, adding plants, feng shui your house, decluttering your drawers or any activity to your home that creates more comfort and ease. This homey attention will make the rest of your life flow better. 
*Strength – Ok, time for some beast training this week. What are your monsters? This energy advises to tame these demons you must work with them. There is a mediation that embodies this practice : 
Ace of Wands – This week inspires passionate new beginnings, electrical ideas, and vibrant musings. This is a great week to explore your creativity and imagination. Experiment and playing with ideas is best.
Six of Pentacles – The key this week is about the energy exchange in giving and receiving. And the two are not so different except in your perception and feelings in either position. The challenge is trying to find more joy in receiving and gratitude with giving.
*Lovers – This energy is one of your life lessons. The Lovers card embodies the aspect of duality and choice. Now is the time to commit to a choice or two. The key to choosing is to let go of old panics and unhealthy decision of the past. They are lesson learned and you will not make those mistakes again. But to make these choices you must open your heart and trust in yourself that if needed you will see the red flags and pay heed to their warnings. This is a time to trust your gut and make some choices.
King of Cups – Last week was about letting go of the old and sloughing off the things that no longer work for you. This releasing is generating the fodder for new beginnings, and this week you have more time to process this primordial ooze lapping at your shores. Accepting all your emotions are key to this process of evolution. As Rumi suggests in 
Queen of Cups and Seven of Cups – So this week can go into the land of disillusionment or into self-acceptance and choice. You have one energy inviting you to self-discovery, compassion, and passion. Where your empathy gains strength without taking on other people’s baggage, and your actions align with your heart’s choice. The other vibe has the mind tricking the heart that there are more choices to think about. Now is the time to make a compassionate heart choice and see it through to action.
King of Wands – Visionary thinking will be needed to navigate this week’s energy. Though it has positive tones this energy can burn your edges or possible crisp you to your core. BUT you are supposed to emulate the phoenix and rise again inspired and enlightened. The key to this is you cannot do this alone. You need your people to guard your back and bring you sustenance during your rebirth. Your task is only to fall madly in love with your new goals and aspirations.
Six of Swords – The energy this week lends a helping hand with difficult transitions. The challenge is seeing and following the breadcrumbs of serendipity through the mist of uncertainty. You will find help from unexpected sources. Eyes, ears and mind open.
Two of Wands – This is a great week to make plans for the distant future. Where do you want to be a year from now? What new experiences do you want to manifest? By casting your line farther out in the future you will catch bigger and better fish.
Knight of Coins – The energy this week is slow and steady wins the race. This is a great week to create action and movement on any project you pick. Relax into the tasks you have there is no rush. The only challenge is being consistent and doing a bit every day. While balancing it with equal time and energy just kicking back and living life.
Seven of Wands – You deserve this success. This week do not let anyone dim your accomplishments. Defend this spark and push away any darkness inflicted by others or your doubting self. Fill your heart with joy of accomplishment.
Page of Wands – This week is full of inspirations, solutions, and potentials. The challenge is rooting them into your core truths then taking action to bring them into reality. The key is not getting over-whelmed so pick one or two to start with.
Five of Coins – Last week your task was to ground and deepen your connection to how strong you really are. Hopefully, you took the time to do that because this week’s energy wants you to tackle your relationship with money. That can look like putting money into savings, asking for help, seeing that you have been through worse or raising your prices. You can take positive actions this week to accept your worthiness and heal the rift between your wealth, self-worth and feeling financially secure.
Ten of Cups – Last week’s energy asked you is your life-path aligning with your integrity and your goals for the year 2021. That challenge is still on, but this week’s vibe wants you to add an extra ingredient: bliss. Somehow you have disconnected or become dysfunctional with pleasure. Pleasure is defined as a feeling of happy satisfaction and enjoyment. Your challenge is to adjust your plans, so they integrally aligned with you. The test is you find yourself enjoying the process, satiated by the outcome, and finding your bliss in the mix.
*Judgement – This week’s energy is about evolution and awakening to your divine nature. Time to allow self-compassion and forgiveness to leave the past in the past. The question to ponder this week is am I fulfilling my purpose or calling? If not, this is the time to start creating the parameters to allow your evolution. If you are, take it to the next level.
*Empress – The energy around you is dripping with creation. With the power of love anything can flourish: plants, children, creativity… You have the seeds in your hands. What will you plant? What will you nurture and grow? Your only challenge is not to control all the expansion. Just be in tune with your big bang heart and give to the energy of creation.
4 of Coins – Savings is in the air around you. What do you need to feel financial safe? What on the material plane do you need, to feel you have your own back? A new car? 6 months savings? Now is the time to make sure you know what you require and start to save for it. Your challenge is to remember though it is always nice to have and build more they are not the only essentials for joy.
*Hierophant – The outdated systems are crumbling around you. Hollow out by a loss of integrity or alignment to who you are now. What will be the systems you put into their cavities? What new structures need to be built to access this next part of your journey? New structures, boundaries and schedules need to be created.
5 of Cups – Emotions like grief, sadness and hurt are lingering around you, and this energy wants you to feel into the feelings. Dive deep with empathy and process them, and when you get to the bottom you will find a reservoir of love, laughter, and hopefulness. Your challenge is processing is a process.
Queen of Wands – This week’s energy invites you to engage with inspiration. Follow your internal compass, exploring places in nature or things that create awe. A Muse is waiting there to entice, support and sprout originality and creativity. The challenge is pushing your boundaries around concepts of self-acceptance, courage, and leadership. Color outside the lines.
Knight of Coins – The energy around you is about diligence and work. The challenge is relaxing into the tasks you love and find meaning in the tasks you do not. This is not a week to future trip or think of goals but to keep a steady pace forward.
Ace of Coins – The energy this week is expansion and growth on your material plane. Look in your environment for seeds to plant and what roots to grow. This is a time for new opportunities.
7 of Coins – This week’s energy could slow time for you. This plateau of pause if perfect for the 3 R’s: reflect, review, and reassess especially around work, projects, your physical environment, and anything on the material plane. Your harvest is around the corner take this time to prepare and tweak what is not just right.
Four of Cups – The energy this week has a tendency to be self-indulgent by being self-deflecting. The challenge is seeing your own self-worth. You are here for a reason yes, but literally part of that reason is you being you. Reflect on your unique qualities that you bring to the table and focus on strengthening them.
5 of Coins – The energies around you are working with you and your relationship to money and prestige. Who you are has little to do with what you own or your work that makes you money. You know that, but you are losing your concept of self-worth with only what you do on the material plane. Take this week to reflect on what people love you for.
6 of Wands – Last couple of weeks had you seeing the depth of your energy-well and how to manifest on the material, mental and people planes. This week the energy level dials back just a little. You are in the spotlight of success this week. Can you see it? Can you see how far you have come to creating the future you wanted? Take this week to sit in that dusting of confetti celebration. Be proud of all that you have done and take this week to prepare for the battles and victories yet to come.
Queen of Wands – This week the energy can invigorate anything you put your focus to. It also supplies you with the courage and fierceness to take charge of all that you survey. The challenge is doing it alone. It is not necessary, but you can if you must.
Eight of Swords – Self acceptance is key this week. You might be feeling entrapped, but this time is meant for healing. Sometimes the inertia of life has nothing to do with you as long as you don’t take it on as your story. Let go of the collective thought patterns. They are not part of your narrative.
Queen of Cups – Last week your brain was taxed. The energy takes a 180 degree turn to your heart this week. Compassion, calm and comfort are the keys to ease. Find time daily to invite in the 3 Cs. This is no time for martyrdom – take time off and have some fun.
en of Wands – Another week spending energy in completing old projects and cleaning your desk/mind/spirit. The challenge is being responsible for your obligations to those close to you but also to yourself. This week is setting you up for new beginnings once your plate is cleared from the old.
Four of Swords – This energy shows up when you need to recuperate and relax. You are being drained and are not aware of the source or how much it is taking out of you. The best way of finding the leaks is by walking away from all your responsibilities for a small amount of time. Then once you return the seepage will be more obvious and easier to fix.
*Temperance – The energy that surrounds you this week is excessive. This overload unbalances you, so emotional outburst may be necessary to vent and re-calibrate. However, be careful, impatience can trigger more negative and unworthy outpourings. The key is purposely vent before the pressure makes you burst.
*Sun – The sun will come out tomorrow and shine on you all week. So that is great if you are ready to play in the sunlight. However, there is a distinct possibility you may also want to hide in the shadows of pessimism. The challenge is that more you try to be happy the less you accomplish it. In other words, you are thinking to much. Sag your free spirit is needing airing, a drive in the car with windows down, a picnic in the woods, or anything outdoorsy without any goal setting is required. Try spotlighting your focus on things you want to do – not things you have to do.
*Justice – Last week organic change was asking you to not resist or fear transformation. Letting things end so others can begin. You are hopefully now moving with a more natural pace and to a more comfortable place. Luckily, you get another week to work on this shift by focusing on cause and effect. For each decision you are making imagine the possible or impossible outcomes. Why focus on the impossible? Because your mind wants to think of the what ifs and this is the week to let it. Those out-there worst-case scenarios need airing. Not to bring them in to being but to see the truth of their outlandishness.
*Chariot – Wow four weeks in a row with big energy. It started with summoning you to take a bit of control over your destiny by showing up. Then Temperance energy suggested creating your life like a refined meal that has many notes to balance in the creation of a delectable dining experience. Then Justice had you looking for the grey areas to find a true sense of fairness and harmony. Now self-determining change has arrived. This energy is giving you control. The good side is that you have more sway then you think. The bad side is it is all in your hands. This week if you want movement to happen you will need to take the reins. If you look at all of May/June’s forecast now is the time to be flexible and delicate when applying energy but continue moving forward.
Two of Wands – Discovery is the name of the game this week. The challenge is that you are still in a place that is neither the past nor the future; however, you are not inert. You are just taking a moment finding needed items and planning for the move forward. The only challenge is while you are doing this be mindful of the precious moments this pause has given you.
Eight of Coins– This week is all about work. You got skills and you need to use them. So, now is the time to get things done. The challenge is being humble enough to know you always have something more to learn
Two of Cups – It is all about partnerships this week. This time holds possibilities of unity and connection, but if emotions are not attended to, it can also hold tension and disharmony. Be aware it takes two to tango or waltz. One can lead but the other must agree to follow.
Ten of Cups – This week’s energy is around family bliss. Spend these coming days cultivating harmony and happiness. Find ways to enjoy the company of others, whether that is with a web wine meet up or a virtual game of cards. Companionship is key this week.
*Star – Last week’s energy is about bring the divine down into practical applications. Using your resourcefulness and skills to create action. Now the card of healing joins the mix. For last week’s energy was a mix bag of actions. This week you can step back and see why your creative fires did not light or burn as brightly as you intended. Do not be discouraged. This is part of the process of action you need to learn before your new birth year starts. Understanding and mending is needed as much as action to create a healthier future.
Eight of Swords – Ok week two of moody thoughts and feelings surrounding you. The key to this week’s feeling of being trapped is again around self-acceptance. You are allowed to have feelings, but overthinking those feelings is where the trap gets triggered. Take this time to discern and disengage from the entwinement of your heart and your mind.
*Empress – Creativity is calling to you. But something is holding you back. This week find out how to mother and not smother that creativity. It is natural for you to nurture others but when it comes to yourself you stop. Why? Let loose of the structure and cultivate organic expression.
Ace of Wands – Last week’s energy was about creating new beginnings if you are not reckless or naïve in its undertaking. The energy continues this week. However, so does the energy of distraction. Why are you hesitating on moving to the next level, beginning a new project, or just being creative without any goals? Again, the key and conundrum is around planning. You do have to plan the whole project. This energy is about taking one step at a time and enjoying the process hopefully as much as or more than the result.
Knight of Swords – You are unstoppable this week, and that has two potential outcomes. Either you can impulsively rush in without thinking and either bruise yourself or another. Or you can swoop in with heroic and selfless actions and save the day. The key is thinking before you act.
Four of Coins – Conservation is the energy you will need to work with this week. Your resources are limited, so use them wisely. This isn’t about being miserly but being frugal. Frugal in the sense of simplifying and focusing your energy, within the context of what you feed grows.
Ace of Swords – The energy this week is about breakthroughs. There is clarity in the air which brings new ideas and thoughts into your mix. The challenge is deciding either surfing the chaos like a Zen wave rider or diving into the depths letting the waves roll above the contemplative stillness you have found. The choice is yours.
*Temperance – Last week, it was time to take a bit of control over your destiny by just showing up. The high energy continues this week but with less of a roller coaster feel. This energy asks you what is your purpose? The keys to finding these answers is patience and balance. Your life is complex, so balancing out different aspects and aspirations is important to moving forward in the year to come. Think of your life like a refined meal that has many notes to balance its tastes into a delectable dining experience.
Two of Swords – Decision making time. There is a stalemate that is about to happen but just being decisive about what you want and how you want to feel will avoid later confusion. Do not avoid what you know needs to be done.
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