Tag Archives: painting

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art-Cast for April 7-20, 2024

 

Sasha Gordon

The artist this week is Sasha Gordon.  Gordon is a portrait artist that directs the viewer to the study of self.  That we all change our perceptions of self, depending on mood as well as our surroundings.  In her words: “At first I said ‘Oh they’re not me. They’re just variations of myself.’ While I still think that’s true, they’re definitely all me. I don’t see myself as one person. I change depending on who I’m with or what the situation is or my mood and all these other aspects. Growing up, I guess I had a hard time seeing myself as a person. Painting myself so solidly is a way of making myself feel more permanent and present.”

Your pondering for this week:  We are humans, multi-faceted.  And if we acknowledge this, we can see that in others.  Hopefully brings us to a state of less judgment, more acceptance and ultimately the beauty of our chameleon-like moods and the complexity of humaning.  Where do you judge yourself and others? And what do you do to feel more permanent and present in yourself?

 

Solar System highlights

The moon begins in Aries – great time to start on a project or an idea you have left dormant. On Tuesday the moon moves into Taurus, you have the energy to make things grow.  Then on Friday the moon is in Gemini – time for hanging out with friends for the weekend.    Then Sunday, the 17th, the moon moves into Cancer- self-care is your top priority.  On Tuesday the 18th it moves into Leo – time to shine.  And on Friday April 19th the moon moves into Virgo, a great time for spring cleaning or working outdoors.

There is a solar eclipse on April 8th that can be seen across the US.  For all you Aries and Libra with sun signs and natal nodes watch/listen for downloads of information for the next couple of days.

Mercury is in Aries until May 15th giving us a crash course in learning to say what we need in a non-reactive way and working on making sure our actions follow our words.  Venus joins Mercury during this teachable moment giving us more grace when we are attempting to better our communication skills.

Mars is still in Pisces with Saturn.   And they are prompting us to act on being adaptable, especially in our day-to-day life.  This theme of adaptable action, beauty, and harmony lasts until the end of April.

 

EXTRA

*** 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 tip jar if you want to leave a gratuity for the weekly forecasts.

****And I am experimenting again.   I had switched from using the older suits name (pentacles, cups, swords, and wands) to a more elemental way of reading them which is earth, water, air, and fire.  Now I would like to leave the binary and feudal system of the RWS’s court cards.  So, the RWS old version is Page, Knight, Queen, and King is changing to Heart (pure embodiment of element), Body (moving the element), Spirit (living the element) and Mind (taking care of the element).

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

Nina

 

Aries
Sasha Gordon, Static

*Hermit – Where the last two weeks have been about Momentum this next two are about standing back and getting perspective. The muses had you set goals and maintain focus.  Now it is time to step back from your projects and your life a bit and see what is or is not working.  This energy aligns perfectly with Mercury being in retrograde. A time of reflect, reassess, and redo.   Take these next two weeks to tweak what needs to be modified.   This Muse of Perspective also suggests finding space in your schedule to just ponder and let ideas bubble up.

 

Taurus
Sasha Gordon, Drive Through

Seven of Fire – The Muse of Will is with you these next two weeks to help you establish and protect your boundaries and ideas.  The challenge with this energy is choosing when the fight is just, is it producing more harm than good, and/or understanding your alliances and antagonists so that you are expending energy efficiently.  She asks is this a fight or just a boundary dispute? While reminding that you can have boundaries without engaging in a full war; for some fights are not worth the effort and wars are too big to take on alone.

Gemini
Sasha Gordon, Campfire

Heart of Earth – The Muse of Experiencing comes when you need to gain new knowledge or skills.  The next two weeks work on filling the gaps in your knowledge or skill sets.  However, she prompts you to look outside your normal sphere of stimuli and do some critical thinking in a new environment or experience.  Whether that is finding a new space to do your work or reading a book outside your regular genera, she prods you to make new connections to old experiences.

 

Cancer
Sasha Gordon, Concert Mistress

*Emperor – The Muse of Building would like your next two weeks to focus on building something that already is in play in your life.  Use this retrograde period to reflect, reassess and redo especially in the considerations of the concept of durability as well as adaptability. She asks does this job, portfolio, or project have the components to last/work for the coming months or years?  Is it flexible to evolve with you? Are you building for a brighter future or just building to keep busy?

 

Leo
Sasha Gordon, Garden Troll

*Fool – The Muse of Spontaneity has arrived to shake up some of your restrictions and self-afflicted boundaries.  She is promoting you that for the next two weeks fill them with new tastes, thoughts, and experiences, which ultimately shake up your emotions.  You all as sign dive deep into experience, but like any cat that will jump an expanse without a thought and then be frightened by the watery aspects of life.  This Muse is asking you to just be in the new without judging it or comparing it to the old.  Clean slates my friends.

Virgo
Sasha Gordon, Echo

Seven of Water – The Muse of Dreams would like you to use this retrograde period to ponder, daydream and use your imagination.  This is an exercise of letting go of limits and letting your imagination run wild.  Yes, this is a hard assignment because this is an exploration of possibilities without the constructs of perfection, reality, boundaries, and structures you all like.  She reminds you that fantasy is a way to explore the unknown without leaving the house.  And maybe you can come home with a unicorn or dragon.

 

Libra
Sasha Gordon, In My Dreams I Dance For You

Heart of Air – The Muse of Lift would like you to focus on what lifts you and how you lift others?  For the next two weeks use this retrograde period to tweak the aspects that give you air to breath and energy to fly on.  These can be spending time with those that lift you spirits or going on solo flights of fancy.  Your goal, support and strengthen the areas of that are your “air beneath your wings.”

 

Scorpio
Sasha Gordon, Surrogate Self

*High Priestess – So these past weeks have had you step away and gain perspective on what system you need to refine and then come down from the proverbial mountain and put them in place.  Now the Muse of Meaning would like you to spend the next two weeks using your intuition making sure those systems align with your principles and support what brings meaning to your life.  If lost or unsure of where to start ask the muses for information, but remember they work in signs and synchronicities so eyes, ears, and mind open.

 

Sagittarius
Sasha Gordon, Muse

Ten of Air – These next two weeks the muses would like you to work on finalizing areas of your life that are like a burr under your saddle.  This can be a simple as oiling a squeaky door or as complex as letting a bad habit go.  The key is picking the things you know that you can accomplish solo.  For the coming weeks, people will try to force their agendas onto yours. Retrogrades with an eclipse is going to put some people in a spin and best you avoid the spin as much as possible.

 

Capricorn
Sasha Gordon, Hugger

*Empress – The Muse of Nurturing would like you to spend these next two weeks cultivating this practice into your daily life.  She asks how do you nurture yourself?  What project(s) would you like to develop in 10 months’ time?  Who requires your nurturing?  And then this muse reminds you not to rush answering these questions or the nurturing itself.  The practice of nurturing is also a practice of patience and subtlety.

 

Aquarius
Sasha Gordon, Mirror

*Star – Okay I don’t know what you guys have been doing but for the last 4 weeks you all got the card of rest and restoration, and this card is the Big Momma of the 4 of Air.  So maybe you didn’t really relax the last four weeks. Or maybe you just need more rest.  So, a stronger message from the Muse of Healing is asking you to sit your butt down.  This is a muse you work with your whole life.  Her areas are healing and hope in all its forms and challenges.  So hopefully these next two weeks you will do some things that rejuvenate your inner flame.  These can be as simple as getting massage and a salt scrub, planning a much-needed vacation, having a designated daily unplug time, or putting in time with activities that light you up without tiring you out.

 

Pisces
Sasha Gordon, Trimmings

Eight of Stone – The last two weeks the Muse of Building wanted you to focus on building something that already is in play in your life.  Now the Muse of Labor is telling you to focus on the steps to make that happen.  Remember this is a retrograde time so this is not a time for new projects but a time to get projects that are already in the works.  And remember this is a time when adaptability is vital to all that you build.  So, this retrograde period might be used for tweaking and incorporating the flexibility in said work.

 

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art-Cast for week of March 24, 2024

Marie Bracquemond
Marie Bracquemond

Happy Spring.  Even though there is snow on the ground, the beginning shoots of bulbs are popping out.  There is more sunlight and colors are beginning to return to the landscape.  This season always makes me think about the Impressionists and their pursuit of an art of form that conveyed spontaneity, sunlight, and color.  The use of short, thick strokes of paint to capture the essence of the subject, rather than its details. “In paintings made en plein air (outdoors), shadows are boldly painted with the blue of the sky as it is reflected onto surfaces, giving a sense of freshness previously not represented in painting. (Blue shadows on snow inspired the technique.)”

The artist this week is Marie Bracquemond.  Bracquemond was a French impressionist and one of only four women that were recognized during the Impressionist movement.  She once said, “Impressionism has produced … not only a new, but a very useful way of looking at things. It is as though all at once a window opens and the sun and air enter your house in torrents.”

 

Your pondering for this week:  What could you do to bring a freshness into your life?  Open your literal and metaphorical windows and let in the sun and the air.

 

Solar System highlights

The moon begins in Libra – harmony and balance are key. On Wednesday the moon moves into Scorpio – follow your passion.  Then on Saturday it moves into Sagittarius – find ways to explore during the weekend.    On Monday April 1st the moon moves into Capricorn – time to get to work, though it is April’s Fools so find some time to be silly.  On Wednesday April 3rd it moves into Aquarius helping us think outside the box.  And we finish the two weeks with the moon in Pisces starting on Friday – wanting us to go with the flow.

There is a lunar eclipse on March 25th and a solar eclipse on April 4th that can be seen across the US.  For all you Aries and Libra with sun signs and natal nodes watch/listen for downloads of information around these days.

Mercury is in Aries for its 8 weeklong crash course in learning to say what we need in a non-reactive way and work on if our action matches our words.  It’s a mini course in Non-Violet Communication.

Mars moved into Pisces to join Saturn and Venus.   And they are done asking “how to” and are prompting us to act on being adaptable and bring more beauty and harmony into our sphere. This theme of adaptable action, beauty, and harmony lasts until the end of April.

NEWS

*** 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 tip jar if you want to leave a gratuity for the weekly forecasts.

****And I am experimenting again.   I had switched from using the older suits name (pentacles, cups, swords, and wands) to a more elemental way of reading them which is earth, water, air, and fire.  Now I would like to leave the binary and feudal system of the RWS’s court cards.  So, the RWS old version is Page, Knight, Queen, and King is changing to Heart (pure embodiment of element), Body (moving the element), Spirit (living the element) and Mind (taking care of the element).

 

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

Nina

 

Aries
Marie Bracquemond, Self Portrait

*Chariot – The Muse of Momentum has pulled up to your door ready to get things rolling for the coming two weeks.  This Muse will supply the gas, but you must supply the vehicle and set the course. It is imperative that you have goals from the start, and it is up to you to stay focused. This doesn’t mean you can’t alter course when necessary while you roll through the next two weeks.    But again, she reminds you she is only supplying energy.  So, if you don’t have a destination you will end up doing donuts in the parking lot.

 

Taurus
Marie Bracquemond, Landscape in Wintertime

Five of Earth – For the next two weeks your labor is around trying to work within chaos without driving head long into fear of not enough. The Muse of Poverty Mindset reminds you that there is enough for all of us if we share.  This includes sharing your sorrow, your workload, and your abundance.  She challenges you to think about what you have plenty of and share that.  Also, she reminds you that poverty mindset is not just about worrying solely about finances.  It is any place you feel you have not or are not enough. To combat scarcity, she advises you to focus on what you do have.  And with what you don’t, ask for help.

 

Gemini
Marie Bracquemond, Portrait of Mademoiselle Charlotte Du Val d Ognes

Ten of Air – The Muse of Culmination comes when you need to finish a project, a relationship, or your own personal drama.  This thing is something that has been nagging at you for some time, but you have not the energy to finish it.  She prompts you to just get it done, so it will stop draining your energy.  She also reminds you that it might even be possible for you just to cross it off your list because it might just be your ego holding on to it.

 

Cancer
Marie Bracquemond, Three Ladies with Parasols

*Star– The Muse of Hope has come to help you replenish your spirit.  Optimism is the key and the challenge in the coming weeks.  She advises expanding your vision to the greater arc of life and history.  Yes, the world has its atrocities, but the world is a better place now then it was 200 years ago.  Less people go hungry, there is less war, overall, there is better healthcare, etc…  And then take this longer more positive arc and turn it inward to your own life.  You are an amazing person who has done wonderful things and changed more lives for the better, for just existing.  She asks you to see your worth and keep on shining.

 

Leo
Marie Bracquemond
Marie Bracquemond, Lady in White

*Empress – The Muse of Nurturing would like you to spend these next two weeks cultivating this practice into your daily life.  She asks how do you nurture yourself?  What project would you like to develop in the future?  Who requires your nurturing?  And then this muse reminds you not to rush answering these questions or the nurturing itself.  The practice of nurturing is also a practice of patience and subtlety.

 

 

Virgo
Marie Bracquemond, Pots de Fleurs Vres

Two of Air – Decisions, decisions, decisions surround you these coming weeks. And this is no time to ruminate endlessly.  Luckily the Muse of Decisions is here to help.  So, if the old standby pros and cons list is not helping, this muse advises you to go with your gut.  She tells you to put yourself in each scenario and choose the one that feels right.

 

Libra
Marie Bracquemond, Melancholy

Five of Water – The Muse of Optimism would like you to work on improving your “cup half-full” mentality. The challenge is acknowledging that emotions can be tough but ultimately seeing their importance and lessons.  She asks, do you want grief to define your life or the positive teachings of that grief?  We grieve because we love, and we are disappointed because we hope. Let love and hope be the full cups you continue to bring on your journey.

 

Scorpio
Marie Bracquemond, The Backgammon Game

*Hierophant – The last two weeks the Muse of Perspective advises you to pull away from life and gain some distance.  Now that you have gained perspective of the situation, the Muse of Structures is here to help you build the support system and the system itself in a more refined and useful way.  This muse advises you to start simple and build to necessity not to opulence or overindulgence. And remember the planets are still pushing the concept of being more adaptable and flexible.  Your motto: More bamboo, less brick.

 

Sagittarius
Marie Bracquemond, Woman in the Garden

Five of Fire – To navigate the next two weeks the Muse of Chaos has decided to join you.  She advises you to be ultra-aware of what you say yes to.  First, she reminds you that you do not need to be part of every conversation or discussion.  This is a week to pick your battles.  Secondly, if you do decide to jump in, make sure you are willing to totally commit to what you have jumped into and keep your wits while you are in it. This period is not a time to be half-ass about anything. If unsure it would be better to wait on the sidelines until the whirlwind has calmed.

 

Capricorn
Marie Bracquemond, Under the Lamp

Spirit of Air – The Muse of Cleverness is daring you to be more perceptive.  To exercise your mind with tenacity.  Yes, these next two weeks you have the muses’ full approval to go down rabbit holes.  The reason for this mind hunt – they would like you to let your mind play with details and tangents.  To press the boundaries of your imagination while synthesizing and theorizing the interconnectedness and/or clashing against conundrums and paradoxes.  So, the challenge is this is play not purpose. Your thoughts are like a kite in the winds of intellect.

 

Aquarius
Marie Bracquemond, Afternoon Tea

Four of Air – Holy Moly you got the same card again.  So maybe you didn’t really relax the last two weeks. Or maybe you just need more rest.  So here you go…. The Muse of Restoration advises rest and restoration.  She suggests finding times in your schedule where you can tune out.  The challenge is this includes technology or mental output/input.  For the biggest part of your body that needs rest right now is your mind.   So, sleep is important but also staring out the window with no goals or puttering is too.

 

Pisces
Marie Bracquemond, Pierre Bracquemond as a Child

*Emperor – The Muse of Building would like your next two weeks to focus on building on something that already is in play in your life.  This energy is not only about formation but also durability.  She asks does this job, portfolio, or project have the components to last/work for the coming months or years?  Are you building for a brighter future or just building to keep busy?  Make sure it’s the former not the latter.

 

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art-Cast for week of Feb 25, 2024

Emma Amos
Emma Amos, Head First

The artist this week is Emma Amos. Amos is a painter, printmaker, and textile artist.  Her work often confronted and destabilized the norm of Big A art.  She embraced complex issues of being looked over, not seen, erased from history because of color, gender and even choice of art materials.  She looked at her inner conflict of loving artistic styles of Gauguin or Picasso, the celebrated echelon of white Eurocentric art and her own identity as an artist. In her words: “Every time I think about color it’s a political statement.  It would be a luxury to be white and never have to think about it.”

Your pondering :  How has your race, gender or sexual orientation benefitted and/or hindered your life?

 

Solar System highlights

The moon begins in Virgo – keeping you organized and focused.   On Tuesday it moves into Libra – harmony and balance are key. On Thursday thru the weekend the moon moves into Scorpio – follow your passion.  Then on Sunday it moves into Sagittarius – find ways to explore.    Then Tuesday, March 5th the moon moves into Capricorn – time to get to work.  On Thursday it moves into Aquarius helping us think outside the box.  And we finish the two weeks on Saturday with the moon in Pisces wanting us to go with the flow.

Venus and Mars are still hanging with Pluto in the water-bearer’s sign.  Aquarius is the sign of social consciousness.  It pushes us to innovate and think about how our actions affect not only our own future but the future of the world.  So, the areas these planets are having us look within the context of making personal and social change is Venus (can I create beauty and harmony not only for myself but for all around me?), Mars (do my actions benefit more than me?) and Pluto (how can I share my power and wealth to the collective?).  So, I suggest pondering at least one of these planets’ questions in the coming weeks.

And then the twist comes with the Sun and Mercury moving into Pisces joining Saturn.  They are asking us how we can be adaptable in how we shine and how we communicate.  This is still a lesson about our influence and place in society.  Just these two are asking us to be more flexible and respondent to the situation and how we react to it.

 

EXTRA

*** Signs with an * it is a big week for you.  Pisces this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year.  And Virgo 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 tip jar if you want to leave a gratuity for the weekly forecasts.

****And I am experimenting again.   I had switched from using the older suits name (pentacles, cups, swords, and wands) to a more elemental way of reading them which is earth, water, air, and fire.  Now I would like to leave the binary and feudal system of the RWS’s court cards.  So, the RWS old version is Page, Knight, Queen, and King is changing to Heart (pure embodiment of element), Body (moving the element), Spirit (living the element) and Mind (taking care of the element).

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

Nina

 

Aries
Emma Amos
Black Dog Blues, Emma Amos

Seven of Water – The Muse of Dreams would like you to find time in the comings weeks to daydream.  And this muse says to dream big.  It is not a guarantee that it will come true in its entirety, but it will lead you to what you need.  As the Stones say:  You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find you get what you need.”

 

Taurus
Emma Amos
Streaks, Emma Amos

Body of Earth – The Last two weeks the Muses had you working on building up something in your life.  Now they are giving you the stamina and more time to continue that work.  This Muse reminds you that your pace is an important factor to this process.  This is a lesson on slow and steady wins the race.

 

Gemini
Emma Amos
Coloring Lesson, Emma Amos

*Judgement – The last two weeks the Muse of Forms wanted you to focus on how to innovate your day-to-day structures to give you a strong base. And now with those strong foundations in place you can jump with the Muse of Liberation into a future that is more uplifting and transformative.  Here’s the challenge; if those foundations are clipping your wings, then you need to tweak them until you can soar.  An easy example: less caffeine and more B-vitamins.  And the muses remind you to use the planets’ energy of social consciousness and adaptability to help you in your liberation.

 

Cancer
Emma Amos
Baby, Emma Amos

Nine of Air – So you have been doing a lot of thinking…. maybe too much.  The Muse of Worry advises the next two weeks to be a crash course on what you can and cannot control and to work on being present.  This muse reminds you that worrying is a useful skill if it actually solves a problem, but many aspects of life are not pre-solvable.  What can make you prepared is to work on making your mind more resilient and flexible.  And realizing that if you’re reading this you already are intelligent and strong-willed enough to survive, so give yourself some credit.

 

 

Leo
Flower Sniffer, Emma Amos

Ten of Water – The Muse of Happiness would like you to indulge in some joy these coming weeks.  Yes, there is work to be done and yes tomorrow is looming.  But also look around, you are surrounded by good things and now is the time to feed those aspects.  Pay attention to the beauty of living.  Enjoy the sun coming through the window, running in the rain, hugging your family and friends, laughter, good food, music…

 

Virgo
Tightrope, Emma Amos

Eight of Earth – The Muse of Craft is working with you these coming two weeks to elevate your work practices.  This could be working on your organization skills, taking a class, or practicing scales in music.   They key is you have superpowers now is the time to super charge them.

 

Libra
Seated Figure and Nude, Emma Amos

Ten of Earth – The Muse of Family asks you to reconnect with yours in the coming weeks.  This does not have to be your blood relatives, but people that make you feel grounded and supported.  The muses are asking you to deepen the roots with those people in your life.  This is a great time to reminisce and acknowledge yourself and each other how far you all have come.

 

Scorpio
All I Know of Wonder, Emma Amos

*Emperor – The Muse of Realization prompts you to build something.  The key is this work needs to be done on something already in process or something that was put on the back burner.  Now is the time to dust it off and get it to the next level. And remember to use those planet energies of how does it benefit not only you but others and/or has does it improve adaptability or is it adaptable to more than one scenario?

 

Sagittarius

*Tower – The Muse of Deconstruction is here to have you acknowledge what isn’t working for you and correct it; before an outside force deconstructs it for you.  Now the planets are throwing in a challenge and hints to these re-designs.  Making it so it helps you but also lifts others and/or it utilizes the concept of adaptability. This Muse suggests studying and incorporating the properties of bamboo: durability, flexibility, strength, and versatility.

 

Capricorn
Two Standing Women, Emma Amos

Three of Earth – For the next two weeks the muses would like you to reflect on the concept of collaboration.  Collaboration is when two or more things work to obtain the same goal.   This is not just human focused but also looking at how trees collaborate with their environment, how your pet collaborates with you or how bees collaborate in a hive. The planets are helping by adding how does what you do resonate with society as a whole and how does collaboration increase adaptability?

 

Aquarius
Targets, Emma Amos

*Chariot – The Muse of Momentum comes to help an aspect of your life along.  For the next two weeks, she will help you with the proverbial gas and vehicle, but you will have to work on the roadmap. So, she asks you what is your goal?  What is the timeline?  What provisions do you need for an ease passage?  Now you have two weeks to work on this “map” but the sooner you get things prepped the sooner you can hit the gas and go.   On a very practical side check your tires, and make sure you wear the right kind of footwear for each occasion.

 

Pisces
Worksuit, Emma Amos

Seven of Earth – The next two weeks will require some head-down hard work.  The beauty of this is if you do the work now in two weeks you will be able to relax a bit and enjoy the harvest.  The Muse of Work advises navigating this period with more ease by having a designated stop time each day and like last weeks’ muse advice, preparation is key.  So, this means strict boundaries around your work time as well as rest time.  You need to focus fully on both, and you have a finite amount of energy and time each day.  So, this Muse also suggests turning away from social media, news, and mind-numbing activities during this time.

 

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art-Cast for week of Nov. 26, 2023

Bill Traylor
Bill Traylor

The artist this week is Bill Traylor. Traylor started painting at 86 years old and continued to the end of his life, 1939-1949.  His canvases were the discarded pieces of paperboard he found around his neighborhood.  Through flat images he tells the story of the complex time between slavery and civil rights in Jim Crow South.  For African Americans in the south literacy, personal agency, and personal expression were dangerous. Traylor’s body of work “is artistically unique, but its historical position is singular as well. When he started drawing it was a radical act.”

 

Traylor would be classified under outsider art.  Outsider art is considered art made by someone not formally trained.  But here is crux – though some artists are all about the technical aspects of a form of art.  Most artists I know use art to express their creative voice.  I do believe that we all can be in some form creative.  But not so sure we can call everyone an artist.  I also ponder around, as many art associated people do, what makes art so selective, categorically art? Is it like what Traylor did, expressing a viewpoint through satirical whimsy of what was happening around him without the technical prowess of say DaVinci?  Or the intellectualism of Dadaism of making art that is anti- art? Or Abstract art expressing a feeling instead of the technicality of Realism? Is art just a form of expressing self, perspective, a radical act or possible all three?  Then maybe we can all be artists in some way?

 

Your pondering for this week: What is your definition of art? 

 

Solar System highlights

The moon begins the week in Gemini where exchange of knowledge is key   On Wednesday it moves to Cancer highlighting self-care.  On Friday it moves into Leo – get outside into the sun if you can, if not bask in your own light.

Mercury (communication and knowledge) is in Sagittarius (exploration) until Dec 1st, where we can experiment with our communication style. Don’t worry if you don’t get it Mercury rolls back for a replay at the end of December.  Mars (action) is in Sagittarius (exploration) until the end of the year wanting us to investigate and expand our horizons.  While Venus (beauty and harmony) is in her home sign Libra (relationships and harmony) until December 4th, so finding and creating harmony plays a big role in the next couple of weeks.

The outer planets until the end of the year and into next are having us work on nurturing the pleasures in our lives, be aware of dipping into overindulgence, making our structures elastic and responsive to change, and lastly looking back to 2008 to see if any lose ends need to be tied up especially around the house and planets that sit in your natal Capricorn.

 

***Signs with an * it is a big week for you.  Sagittarius, this is a perfect time to get a Astrological Tarot Reading  for your coming year.  And Gemini, 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 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
Bill Traylor

Seven of Water – The Muse of Dreams is challenging you to dream bigger.  She is not asking you to unrealistically dream but just to expand the boundaries of your imagination.  So, explore questions like – what would I do if I didn’t have to worry about money?  Or what would I do if there were 3 more hours in a day?

 

Taurus

Bill Traylor*Judgement – The Muse of Transformations challenges you to start evolving a part of your life this week.  She is asking you to get a head start on what might be your intentions for the coming year.  This exercise is meant to liberate you from only making resolutions on big occasions.  She is asking you to start your evolution in small doable steps.

 

Gemini
Bill Traylor
Bill Traylor

Eight of Water – The Muse of Closet Cleaning comes when you need to make some physical space to allow new things to come in or to give your eyes a space to rest on.  She reminds you that you may need to walk away from old thought patterns to free up some space in your environment.  An example: is holding on to clothes that no longer physically or mentally fit who you are today.

 

Cancerian
Bill Traylor
Bill Traylor

Three of Earth – The Muse of Collaboration comes when you need to ask for help from those around you.  This help can take any form.  Physically needing more hands, mentally needing different perspectives, or emotionally some cheerleading and hugs.  You are not in this alone.

 

Leo
Bill Traylor

*Tower – The Muse of Disruption is challenging you to shake things up.  She reminds you that as a fire sign sometimes you need upheaval to gain revelation.  But she would like you to control the commotion and not have it come from an outside source. If you don’t know where to start, look for an irritation.  Like a chair you bump into all the time this muse advises rearrange your space, so nothing interferes with your dancing.

 

Virgo
Bill Traylor

*Sun – The Muse of Radiance would like you to turn up your shine.  She would like you this week to focus your energy on things you do best and do more of that.  Also if you can get some actual sun this too may give you more energy and ideas on what to focus on.

 

Libra
Bill Traylor
Bill Traylor

*Chariot – The Muse of Momentum would like you to move a project or idea to the next phase.  The issue is that the energy to ignite this entropy needs to come from you.  Do not rely on others this week to get things done.  It doesn’t mean you have to do everything, for it is also up to you to prioritize needs over wants.

 

Scorpio
Bill Traylor
Bill Traylor

Five of Air – The Muse of Ego comes when egos get in the way of creating balance. So, this week watch getting into discussions of who’s right.  It is best when dealing with another’s ego-distortion to not confront it at all.  If you do engage then you chance your ego getting bruised and fighting back.

 

Sagittarius
Bill Traylor

*Death – The Muse of Purification would like you to incorporate a monthly ritual of purification for your coming birth year.  By literally or metaphorically sloughing off your old skin, you allow space and air for your new dermis to not only glow, but it will also be able to better protect you.

 

Capricorn
Bill Traylor

Ace of Fire – The Muse of Genesis would like you to list the things you would like to grow in your coming birth year.  And then categorize them into needs and wants.  The needs list this muse suggest start growing now, so you can propagate the wants in fertile soil.

 

Aquarius
Bill Traylor

King of Water – The Muse of Emotions is challenging you to get in touch with yours.  You may think that because you have been distancing yourself from them or handling them alone that you have not been emotional.  This muse reminds you that emotions are hard to damn up forever.  The dam will break, so a little venting goes a long way this week.

 

Pisces
Bill Traylor

Eight of Earth – The Muse of Mastery comes when you need to hone your strengths instead of focusing on your weakness.  She reminds you that you have learned some handy and unique skills, so use them.

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art-Cast for week of Sept. 10, 2023

Bradley Kickett
Bradley Kickett A Coming Together

The artist this week is Bradley Kickett, a contemporary Noongar Artist from Perth Western Australia. Bradley’s work is influenced by experiencing Noongar country from the air.  He portrays the flow of the landscape from rivers to the ocean, the wildflowers growth across the land and the shape and flow of the land itself.  Kickett takes these birds eye views and interweaves them with “the history and the stories that are shared and passed down to him from his family and elders.”   

Your pondering for the week: Notice how your landscape weaves into your stories.  How does the setting influence your daily life and perspective? 

Solar System highlights 

The moon begins in Leo time to show your shine.   On Wednesday it moves into Virgo – get organized.  On Friday, the moon moves into Libra – focus on your relationships.   

Mercury (communication and knowledge) is now halfway through its 10 weeklong stay in Virgo (analyzation).  So, lessons continue with getting to the point when communicating.  Being clear and concise is the goal.  Mercury is in retrograde through Sept 13th.   Use this time as a pitstop to Reflect, Review and Redo.   Mars (action) moved into Libra (balance) until Oct 12th. Have us purview that our actions justify our goals    While Venus (beauty and harmony) is in Leo until October 8th.  This is a four-month exploration on the question: Does your outward expression of yourself harmonize with who you are within?  

Jupiter (growth) is in Taurus until May 2024, an aspect that nurtures the expansion of pleasure in our lives.  The challenge is dipping into overindulgence while investigating this aspect.  Saturn (structures) is in Pisces (flow) until 2026.  Wanting us to make our structures elastic and responsive to change.  The challenge is our boundaries can get too bendy or have gaps, so we need to work on being flexible but resilient.   

And lastly Pluto (the hidden, death, wealth, and shadow) is in Capricorn (work, structure, business, and discipline) until January 2024.  So, Pluto is back to playing in the world of business and capitalism. This cycle started in 2008, so whatever you started back then this is the time to tie up any loose ends especially around the house and planets in Capricorn in your natal chart.  

 

***Signs with an * it is a big week for you.  Virgo, this is a perfect time to get a Astrological Tarot Reading  for your coming year.  And Pisces, 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 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  
Bradley Kickett
Bradley Kickett

Seven of Earth – This week you will need to push through your projects.  So, the Muse of Work has arrived to help.  She advises that you get your to-do list organized and sharpen your metaphorical pencils so you can focus on the top seven tasks.  Try to keep your head down so you will not get caught up in distractions.  Focus is key this week. 

 

Taurus  
Bradley Kickett
Bradley Kickett

*Magician – Even though we are still in retrograde season the Muse of Manifestation has come to get you a head start.  So, when Mercury turns direct on the 15th you are fully prepared, rested, and ready to manifest what you want to do.  This is a wonderful week to prioritize lists, tweak plans and do prep.   

 

Gemini  
Bradley Kickett
Bradley Kickett

Six of Water – The Muse of Childhood comes when you should look to the past for answers in the present.  She reminds you this is less about circling back to the past and more like a spiral up towards the future.  You are passing by what feels familiar, but you have grown up a level since the last time you visited this curve.  

 

Cancerian 
Bradley Kickett
Bradley Kickett

Three of Fire – The Muse of Looking Forward would like you to spend this last week of this retrograde making plans for the next couple of seasons.  This is not about looking at the goals but more about figuring out and refining the steps that get you to them. 

        

Leo  
Bradley Kickett
Bradley Kickett

*Sun – The Muse of Shine is a muse you work with your whole life.  This work is about genuinely believing and seeing your unique shine and then sharing it with the world.  This can look as simple as putting some flourish to your look or putting your work out to a broader public.   

 

Virgo  
Bradley Kickett

Five of Earth – Finally you have a more mundane week.  Though this week you are working Muse of Hardship. This muse reminds you that you have the help you need but you need to ask for it.  You do not need to do all this alone or feel as if you deserve less.  This energy would like you to see the light of abundance even when it feels like the dark is closing in. This week is about working smarter not harder. 

 

Libra  
Bradley Kickett

Eight of Earth – Last week the Muse of Manifestation wanted you to start picturing what you want to manifest in your coming birth year.  And now the Muse of Mastery wants you to gather your tools and see what else you might need to obtain your goals.  This Muse reminds you that you have the skill set, so focus more on the schedule when to do manifest things than the how this week. 

 

Scorpio  
Bradley Kickett

Queen of Earth – The Muse of Senses would like you to indulge in yours this week.  She reminds you that you have worked hard and need to take time to pamper yourself.  By focusing this pampering through your senses, you also ground yourself into your life and its abundance 

 

Sagittarius  
Bradley Kickett

*Star – Last week the Muse of Stillness had put you on hold to work with the space between the moments, for there was information waiting for you in the silence. This week’s energy is still asking you to take it slow.  The Muse of Healing would like you to spend your extra time doing things that heal your body, mind, and soul. 

    

Capricorn  
Bradley Kickett

Queen of Fire – The Muse of Inter-connectiveness is accompanying you this week.  She would like you to see the wonder and awe of how things interweave in your life.  This can come in the form of déjà vu, chance meetings, feeling moved, or even your own ponderings on the nuances.  

 

Aquarius  
Bradley Kickett

Seven of Fire– The Muse of Standing your Ground comes when you need to take a side.  Whether that is for a cause, someone else or even for yourself. This is not a week to compromise or go with the flow.  This muse reminds you that at least for this week you hold more insight than others.   

 

Pisces  
Bradley Kickett

Two of Air – The Muse of Decisions would like you to ruminate this week before making decisions.  Things are not as right or wrong as they seem.  You need more information, so take your time.  And she reminds you it is okay to ask people for more information or use them as bouncing boards as you sort through your feelings and your thoughts.  

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art-Cast for week of Sept. 3, 2023

Baya

The artist this week is Baya.  In 1947 at the age of 16 she had her first major art show.  What makes her work so amazing besides her vibrant color choice is that she painted women and nature that exudes a sense of joy.

As I researched her work there are conflicting views on not only her life but why she painted the way she did.  Just a bit of history Algeria was taken over by the French from 1830-1962.   And during this colonization, native Arabic/North African culture and language was wiped away or hidden in the “craft” world.   The only reason I highlight this is that often when describing art, especially from non-European cultures, it is lumped into Euro-centric criteria.  cite

This is especially true with Baya’s work.  She is often categorized as a surrealist or Brute(naïve).  Even though she has said she is not to be categorized as a surrealist and did take art classes while working for a French women art collector in her youth.  Also, she is cited in a variety of sources, that while she worked alongside Matisse and Picasso, Baya  influenced their work.  Which is a whole other discourse of who influenced who, why we make that so important and often through a Euro-centric lens.

My point is that art stands on its own.  It is a conversation between the artist and the viewer.  One of my goals doing Tarot and Art Cast is just to highlight the beauty of art or at least art that I find intriguing.  And in so doing,  I am beginning to write less and less about what is said about the artist and using their own words more.  So, for the some of you that have noticed, that is why I am exploring and writing  in a “shorter” format.

Your pondering for the week:   Baya once said: “When I paint, I am happy and I am in another world.” What thing in your life brings happiness or transports you to another world? Are you able to invest time into these things?

 

 

Solar System highlights

The moon begins in Taurus to help us ground ourselves.   On Tuesday it moves into Gemini – where communication becomes the focal point.  On Friday, the moon moves into Cancer – focus on self-care for the weekend.

Mercury (communication and knowledge) is now halfway through its 10 weeklong stay in Virgo (analyzation).  So, lessons continue with getting to the point when communicating.  Being clear and concise is the goal.  Mercury is in retrograde through Sept 13th.   Use this time as a pitstop to Reflect, Review and Redo.   Mars (action) moved into Libra (balance) until Oct 12th. Have us purview that our actions justify our goals    While Venus (beauty and harmony) is in Leo until October 8th.  This is a four-month exploration on the question: Does your outward expression of yourself harmonize with who you are within?

Jupiter (growth) is in Taurus until May 2024, an aspect that nurtures the expansion of pleasure in our lives.  The challenge is dipping into overindulgence while investigating this aspect.  Saturn (structures) is in Pisces (flow) until 2026.  Wanting us to make our structures elastic and responsive to change.  The challenge is our boundaries can get too bendy or have gaps, so we need to work on being flexible but resilient.

And lastly Pluto (the hidden, death, wealth, and shadow) is in Capricorn (work, structure, business, and discipline) until January 2024.  So, Pluto is back to playing in the world of business and capitalism. This cycle started in 2008, so whatever you started back then this is the time to tie up any lose ends especially around the house and planets in Capricorn in your natal chart.

 

***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 Pisces 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 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
Baya

Two of Water – Relationships are the theme this week.  The Muse of Love would like you to acknowledge the loves in your life.  Whether that is bringing your pet a treat, or buying your loved one flowers or calling a good friend just to tell them how spectacular they are.  This week is about sharing your love for another.

 

Taurus
Baya
Baya

Two of Earth – The Muse of Juggling is here to help with Balance in your life.  This could mean working on your physical balance –can you stand on one foot while raising the other leg?  Or investigating the balance between your spending and saving habitats.  Or it can be looking at your work-life balance.  This muse advises to look where you feel overwhelmed or off kilter and start rebalancing there.

 

Gemini
Baya
Baya

Knight of Air – So this theme of starting and stopping has been a theme for the past 3 weeks.  And once again the Muse of Slowing Down is asking you to do just that.  Usually, this Muse shows up when you are being asked to do more than your share, you need more mental space, or you are feeling rushed to make a decision or deadline.  You do not need to be the heroine/hero/fixer this week.

 

Cancerian
Baya
Baya

*Strength – The Muse of Inner Strength would like you to remind you that you have super-powers and aspects of your character that are unique.  Your uniqueness is part of your strength.  This week define and refine them, for you will need them in the coming weeks.

 

 

Leo
Baya
Baya

*Devil – The Muse of Wild is knocking at the door.  Now for some of you (with air or fire signs as your moon sign) the wild is a distraction taking you off your path. For the rest of you (with water or earth signs as your moon sign) you all may need to answer the call so you can expand your boundaries.

 

Virgo
Baya

*Lovers – Wow another high energy Muse to work with this coming year.  The last three weeks you have worked with the muses reflecting backwards and figuring out what you would like to carry forward especially around the aspect of daily life.  And then you were asked to make a road map for the coming year.  And now the Muse of Relationships is asking you to review who do you want in your proverbial car for this part of the journey.  With this many high-power muses visiting, this year holds great opportunities so plan well.

 

Libra
Baya

*Magician – The Muse of Manifestation would like you to start picturing what you want to manifest in your coming birth year.  You fall babies usually like to shed or release things first to make room.  But this Muse would like you to think about what you want to bring in.  So when you begin releasing you will know how much room you actually need.

 

Scorpio
Baya

*Moon – Continuing the retrograde vibe the Muse of the Subconscious would like you to turn your gaze inward and listen to any information you might receive.  Make note of your dreams or emotional hits this week. Though this Muse reminds you not to interpret these signs literally – this energy works with metaphors.

 

Sagittarius
Baya

*Hanged One – The Muse of Stillness has put you on hold.  This week is about finding answers and inspirations in the quiet.  You all as a sign like to move, but this week the muses would like you to slow down or take advantage of the breaks.  Whether that is at a stop light, a lunch break, or waking up a half-hour before anyone else.  Find the space between the moments, for there is information waiting for you in the silence.

 

Capricorn
Baya
Baya

Nine of Air – The Muse of Over-Thought comes when your mind is doing overtime. This is when your thoughts are running over your thinking.  So, it is time to use all the tricks you have learned about focus and letting go of control and put them to good use.  This muse reminds you that you are smart and maybe too smart for your own good.  She advises you to “play dumb” just for this week, so you can give your thinking some space.

 

Aquarius
Baya

Ace of Fire– this is your second Ace, so a quick dive into that energy.  Ace are always new beginnings.  Last week was about making plans and gathering intel for a new endeavor.  This week is about experimenting with your idea/project. This week can be about creative brainstorming with the new info you obtained last week.  Think tinkering/experimenting – not doing.

 

Pisces
Baya

Queen of Air – The Muse of Details reminds you that though the details are important if they are seen as just separate items not part of the whole then you lose the actual picture.  Your are dealing with a situation(s) that is like a pointillistic picture.  Each dot is important, but you need to step back to see the whole image.

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art-Cast for week of August 20, 2023

Agnus Martin Untitled

Happy Birth month Virgo!

The artist this week is Agnus Martin.  Martin’s art is another form of contemplation.  While most abstract expressionist artists were doing Action art or Color Field.  Martin took a more spiritual approach to her art.  For her painting was like “going into a field of vision as you would cross an empty beach to look at the ocean.” Her work did not exclude nature or landscape but as she explained: “Nature is like parting a curtain, you go into it. I want to draw a …that quality of response from people when they leave themselves behind, often experienced in nature, an experience of simple joy … My paintings are about merging, about formlessness … A world without objects, without interruption.”

Your pondering for the week:  To Martin even formlessness did not mean sameness.  If you are feeling that life is mundane or ruttish ponder this:  When Martin was asked about the process of the slightly varied forms in some of her series of paintings, she recalled studying clouds.  “I paid close attention for a month to see if they ever repeated. They don’t repeat.”  And neither do your days, there is always a variation, a distinction, that makes that day different than the rest.  Try to see the passing of time through the lens of nuance.

 

Solar System highlights

The moon begins in Libra – start the week with harmony and balance.  On Tuesday it moves into Scorpio – where the focus is on your passion.   Then on Thursday, the moon moves into Sagittarius – go on adventure this weekend.

The planets are doing the same thing as last week.  Mercury (communication and knowledge) is in Virgo (analyzation) for a 10 weeklong stay.  So, this is around lessons with getting to the point when communicating.  Being clear and concise is the goal.  Mercury also turns retrograde on the 23rd through Sept 13th.   This is a great time to Reflect, Review and Redo.   Mars (action) is joins Mercury in Virgo until August 27th.  This combo makes getting things check off your to-do list easier.   While Venus (beauty and harmony) is in Leo until October 8th.  This is a four-month exploration on the question: Does your outward expression of yourself harmonize with who you are within?

Jupiter (growth) is in Taurus, an aspect that nurtures expansion of pleasure in our lives.  The challenge is dipping into overindulgence while investigating this aspect.  So, we have until May 2024 to work on perfecting our balance between work and play.  Then Saturn (structures) is in its two-year stint with Pisces so we can make our structures elastic and responsive to change.  The challenge is our boundaries can get too bendy or have gaps, so we need to work on being flexible but resilient.

And lastly Pluto (the hidden, death, wealth, and shadow) is in Capricorn (work, structure, business, and discipline) until January 2024.  So, Pluto is back to playing in the world of business and capitalism. This cycle started in 2008, so whatever you started back then this is the time to tie up any lose ends especially around the house and planets in Capricorn in your natal chart.

 

***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 Pisces 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 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
Agnus Martin The sea

Three of Swords – The Muse of Deep Wounds comes this week to help you in areas where you are triggered.  If you find yourself reacting to something, do a deep dive into the why behind it.  If you find that your shoulder hurts, is it due to being tense or a deadline? Use this energy to heal the root of the problem instead of soothing the symptom.

 

Taurus
Agnus Martin Starlight

Four of Water – The Muse of Contemplation would like you to pull back and do some belly button gazing.  She would like you to ponder some internal questions.  Simple questions like why did I say yes to this event or harder ones like who am I?  The challenge is that a fourth of this contemplation is done with eyes looking out.

 

Gemini
Agnus Martin The Tree

*Hanged One – Where last week the Muse of Chance advised you to participate in it all, the Muse of Stops is telling you to slow down.  This makes sense since your planet is going retrograde on Wednesday.  So, for you all it is important not to start any projects during this time.  Think of retrogrades as the Rest Stops of Life.  A place to refuel, rest and recheck if you are heading in the right direction.

 

 

Cancerian
Agnus Martin Gratitude

*Justice– The Muse of Equity would like you to consider how you share responsibilities this week.  Maybe you take on too much, maybe not enough.  But she says something is off kilter and needs to be readjusted.  She reminds you that equity is not always physically equal shares, but feelings have something to do with the weight of imbalance too.

 

 

Leo
Agnus Martin The Rain

Two of Water – The Muse of Romance would like you to court something you love.  It can be a person, a plant, a passion, animal, or yourself.  Romance is defined as a feeling of excitement and mystery associated with love.  So, spend some energy to relight that excitement and invite spontaneity in for some mystery.

 

Virgo

*Hierophant – You ended your last birth year with the Muse of Integration.  She asked you to ponder what were your success last year?  What have you learned?  What needs to be left behind?  And what are you going to carry forward?  Now the Muse of Structure, who you work with your whole life, comes this week to start off your new year.  Hopefully you did last week’s exercise, for if you did, this week of structuring a new year should be a breeze.  If you didn’t then those questions are a good place to start.

 

Libra
Agnus Martin
Agnus Martin

Four of Earth – The Muse of Conservation visits this week.  She has you assess your resources on the physical plane:  time, money, and space.  During this retrograde work on making these areas feel like places of abundance rather than impoverished.

 

Scorpio
Agnus Martin
Agnus Martin

*Emperor – Now that you have done your considering and weighing last week with the Muse of Accountability.  The Muse of Formation would like you to start building it.  Now this week is the beginning of the retrograde period.  So, if you are going to start something, do it before Wednesday.  But if that is impossible, then the projects you do start may need more planning and restructuring than you thought.  Overall, it is important that you take your time with what you are doing for the next couple of weeks.  Think like the Tortoise not the Hare.

 

Sagittarius
Agnus Martin
Agnus Martin

Seven of Fire – The Muse of Defense calls you to stand your ground on some matter.  You all are usually great at finding ways for everyone to win, but this week you may need to pick a side.  If so make sure the defense come with a strong argument and even stronger boundaries.

 

Capricorn
Agnus Martin I Love Life

Two of Fire – The Muse of Inbetween teaches you lessons of being present in the moment.  Yes, while most of us are reviewing and reassessing, you all should just be. She advises to stay away from learning from the past and planning for the future.  But to stay in the moment to see the lessons of the now.

 

Aquarius
Agnus Martin
Agnus Martin Milk River

Seven of Water– The Muse of Daydreaming has come to help you do some reimagining.  This is a good energy to have during the retrograde period.  Something is not quite right in your sphere of existence.  And this muse would like you to work with your superpowers of imagination and thinking outside the box to reharmonize the situation(s).

 

Pisces
Agnus Martin
Agnus Martin

Ace of Earth – Interesting this energy is about new beginnings, but it is also a retrograde period.  So, the Muse of Grounding would like you to find ways to pull your energy downward instead of going with the flow.  This could look like exercising, digging into some dirt, working with clay, walking barefoot on grass, hugging trees, or even getting a massage.  She would like you in your body this week.