Tag Archives: sculpture

Artcast for Aug 16-29, 2026

August 15, 2026 Nina

Hi All,

The artist this week is En Iwamura @eniwamura. Iwamura’s medium is mostly sculptural and when showing his pieces the space itself and the spacing between the pieces are as important as the work itself. “When Iwamura describes the space and scale in his works, he references the Japanese philosophy of Ma. Ma implies meanings of distance, moment, space, relationship, and more. People constantly read and measure different Ma between themselves, and finding the proper or comfortable Ma between people or places can provide a specific relationship at a given moment”

Your pondering: Ma generally denotes a pause, gap, or negative space between things and people. Notice and appreciate the Ma in your life.

Solar System highlights for the next two weeks

We have a Full Moon in Piscis on August 28^th. Moor up it can be tidally turbulent around that time.

EXTRA

*If you want a more in-depth look into the planets and tarot elements and how they affect you, you can get those with the yearly AstroTarot reading or if you sign up for your personalized monthly New Moon readings. Leo/Virgo, this is a perfect time to get that Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year. And Aquarius/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.

**** I have a tip jar if you want to leave a gratuity.

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

Nina Fox-B

**Reading from The Faerie Oracle by Brain Froud and Jessica MacBeth

Aries

Page of Cups – The Muse of Joy comes when you have not connected to the enjoyment of life. A few ways to do so are join a little child in play, accomplish a small task, get and give hugs, cuddle with your pet, smile at a stranger, smell flowers, watch a snail very closely, stop and feel the sun on your face, swim… This muse reminds you that joy is found with more ease and more often in the small and quiet moments.

Taurus

Ace of Wands – All aces signify new beginnings. The Ace of Wands or Fire is about igniting something you are passionate about. The Muses declare that this is the time to start that pet project, satisfy that creative urge, and/or create awe.

Gemini

King of Wands – The Muse of Leadership comes when you need to take the forefront on a project or idea. She says you have the insight and broader perspective than those around you right now. The challenge is to do this through humble integrity. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

Cancerian

Moon – The Muse of Emotions is here to help you dive into the why behind your feelings. You crabs love a good moonlit stroll, but don’t get stuck in the melancholy memories of yesteryears. This muse is about understanding your emotions, so they become your passengers not your drivers. Love them for their info but don’t let them play with your radio station choices. Also pay attention to your dreams but remember they are metaphors not reality.

Leo

Ten of Wands – The Muse of Burdens comes when you are taking on too much. Yes, you have responsibilities, but you do not have to carry the entire burden. She suggests you scan your to-do list and prioritize them. Then circle the top five and only work on them. When you finish rest and/or give yourself a treat. Then if you still have time tackle the next and then the next. Often when you do this you find that some of those other priorities are picked up by others or no longer are as urgent as you thought.

Virgo

Emperor – The Muse of Action is here to help you build upon what already is in existence. She would like you to take a bit of time earlier in the week to survey and tweak your goals and then replenish the resources required to do them. This can look as easy as buying groceries for the next two weeks, so you can focus solely on work and rest, it could be signing up for an exercise class to help build up your endurance, or as complex as taking that next step in your career. Now is time for planned action.

Libra

Knight of Wands – The muses have blessed you for the coming weeks. This energy signifies that you will be in the right place at the right time. So, whether good, neutral or poor circumstances there is beneficial information and energy to pick up and use to create more ease in your life. This can look like finding parking spaces, overheard conversations that bring insight, money, or a smile from a stranger when you are feeling low.

Scorpio

Four of Wands – The Muse of Home arrives when you need to put some love and care into your home. Treat your home like a beloved. Bring it flowers or a plant, boil some cinnamon sticks in a pot, paint your front door a new color, make a wreath, fix that squeaky cabinet. And then thank it for caring for you.

Sagittarius

Seven of Pentacles – For the next two weeks it seems as if it is all work and no play. However, the Muse of Labor has come to remind you that yes it is time to put in some hard work to gain some momentum and push through, but she also reminds to hang your hat up when it is time to go home. This muse comes when you are not establishing good boundaries around your workload. So, focus on work at work and rest when you are home.

Capricorn

Five of Swords – The Muse of Ego is here to help you navigate the coming two weeks. Fives represent chaos and this chaos is around thoughts and ideas that often end up in clashes or misunderstandings. This muse suggests that the key is to check your ego when engaging and listen to what others are saying. This is not to change your mind or say that you are totally wrong, but that there is information to be had from the other side that will lead to less chaos if you attend to it.

Aquarius

Queen of Cups – The Muse of Laughter comes when you are taking life too seriously. Take time in the coming weeks to listen to comedians, watch comedy shows and tell Dad jokes. She is here not to help you run away from the serious part of life but to be more balanced in your approach.

Pisces

Hermit – The Muse of Perspective is your companion for the coming two weeks. This muse usually shows up when you need to unplug from society to gain a clearer and broader perspective of your life and goals. She suggests finding time to hole up, turn off your electronics and ponder on your purpose and goals and/or focus on that solo project that needs your total attention.

Tarotcast

Artcast for Aug 2-15, 2026

July 31, 2026 Nina

Hi All,

The artist this week is Debra Broz. Broz is a unique sculptor for she often uses secondhand ceramic knickknacks in her work. In her words: “My sculptures are a product of my continual desire to understand and change the meaning of objects, especially those that were once valued, then discarded. I search for and alter mass-produced secondhand ceramic figurines, stuffed toys and furniture to create sculptures that embrace the unique aspects of the original objects while pushing them into the space of the uncanny. Through my collecting, recycling and reconstruction I reinvent the world, and bring attention, interest and love back to unwanted things.”

Your pondering: A knickknack is defined as “a small, decorative object kept in a home for display, such as a tiny statue, trinket, or souvenir. These items typically have no practical use and low monetary value, though they may hold sentimental meaning.” I believe that emotional meaning holds way more value than its monetary value. One of my goals is to surround myself with people and things that have meaning. What items are in your environment hold your heart?

Solar System highlights for the next two weeks

We have a New Moon in Leo on August 12th. Ask the moon for help to add to your shine.

EXTRA

*If you want a more in-depth look into the planets and tarot elements and how they affect you, you can get those with the yearly AstroTarot reading or if you sign up for your personalized monthly New Moon readings. Leo, this is a perfect time to get that 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.

**** I have a tip jar if you want to leave a gratuity.

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

Nina Fox-B

**Reading from The Faerie Oracle by Brain Froud and Jessica MacBeth

Aries

Undressing of a Salad – Sudden changes of fortune good and bad are afoot, but they are in flux and can be rechanneled if necessary. The Faries would like you to keep a cool head and be ready to jump in whatever direction your logic dictates. And if you are having problems with connecting to your head, the Faries suggest use a spinning squash to pick for you.

Taurus

The Faery Godmother – When she arrives good things start to show up for you. Your work is rooting out where you don’t believe you deserve bounty. Keep an eye out for unexpected good fortune, especially when you think bad luck is heading your way. And as all fae you will need to show her gratitude; however, she requires it in the form of giving to others, especially when the recipient doesn’t know where the gift came from.

Gemini

Losgunna – She is the fairy of earth, water, and inner transformation that happens when you engage with the outer world. Losgunna tells you to pay attention to your dreams, to listen to the whispers in water, and to look for patterns in nature. She does her best work to help you ground your inner self when you visit bodies of water, hot tubs, mud baths or apply a mud mask while soaking in a tub. Then she suggests leaping into the outer world and experiencing something new to help in finalizing your transformation.

Cancerian

Nelys the Alchemyst – When this fae arrives get ready for changes inward and outward in the coming two weeks. The stuck becomes unstuck, the block begins to move. However, Nelys often brings surprises in the direction she takes you. You may find your desires, dreams and plans start to shift. The key with working with this fae is not getting in her way. Try out the new paths, ideas, patterns, habits that show up as she works her magic in helping you create the new.

Leo

Penelope Dreamweaver – This fae is here to help you find inspiration. Be aware they are often subtle and require close attention and usually come while doing the mundane, washing dishes, driving, shaving, etc… Pay attention to these unsought inspirations during the next two weeks. Each wonderful tidbit is like an amuse-bouche of insight, but it is up to you to taste them and then use them to create your own delightful entree.

Virgo

He of the Fiery Sword – This fae comes when there is need for clear and focused determination to carry a project or decision to its conclusion or next level. His presence indicates that you hold a great strength and will. It just needs to be utilized. This fae’s motto is “draw me not without cause, nor return me without honor”. So be clear of your purpose and make sure it aligns with your integrity.

Libra

She of the Cruach – This fae energy comes when something, someone, possibly you, needs to be nurtured and given time to develop. This is not a time for action, but a time for gathering, filling one’s cup, for germinating a seed of possibility. Use these two weeks to hold this thing, you or a person in loving, healing embrace. To use a gardening metaphor: Do not push, just shade and water.

Scorpio

Ffaff the Ffooter – This fae shows up when important intel is arriving. But you must stay grounded to receive it. If you feel yourself start to float in the coming two weeks, Breath, Ground and Center. Take off your shoes and reconnect with terra firma and receive your messages.

Sagittarius

Arval Parrot – This fae shows up when communication is at the forefront. For the coming two weeks, strive for verbal brilliance. Listen carefully, be articulate, calmly explore ideas with others. When you do find yourself at a loss for words pay attention to body language. Arval reminds not all communication is done with words.

Capricorn

Taitan the Sylph – Taitan comes to remind you that ideas need a time to be wild and free. Ideas and opinions abound in the coming weeks. A few are brilliant, a few mediocre and, some downright silly. So this fae counsels you, out of conflict and debate, resolved by goodwill and focused thinking, a new and better understanding may come.

Aquarius

Milke a Muckle – Milke comes when you need to lighten up and don’t complicate matters. He tells you to see things at face value. There is nothing hidden or subtle or behind the scenes. Even if there is, your focus on it will not help matters. For the next two weeks concentrate on what is in front of you, the obvious, the present.

Pisces

The Singer of Intuition – For the coming two weeks the fae would like you to focus on sharpening your intuition. This is not time to second guess yourself. However, the challenge is not seeing omens in everything. This fae reminds that fear and urgency distort intuition’s vibrations. To discern and hone your awareness spend time in meditation or stillness and listen to your inner voice’s song.

Tarotcast

Tarot and Artcast for Sept 14-27

September 12, 2025 Nina

The artist highlighted for this Artcast is Kirsty Elson @kirstyelson. Elson is a found object sculptor and specifically with driftwood artist. I picked her this week because I needed some whimsy and calm. She originally started making seaside townscapes and has now moved to more whimsical animals. As she says, “I’m thoroughly enjoying this new path, as I can be even more playful and inject some humor into my work which I think is a nice distraction in these troubled times.” I also highly recommend watching a beautiful documentary short, Seawood about her, the ocean and her work.

Your pondering: Her mother said, “she was a bit like a magpie, collecting things”. We all collect things around us. What do your collections say about your emotional needs? Calm? Whimsical? Colorful?

Solar System highlights

We start the week with the moon in Cancer – self-care is the focus. On Wednesday it shifts into Leo – and we shift from inner to outer shine. Saturday the moon is in Virgo and there is a new moon on Sunday – time to organize. Monday September 22^nd the moon moves into Libra – relationships are the focus. Then Wednesday September 24^th it shifts to Scorpio – put time into what makes you zing. Then we begin the weekend with the moon in Sagittarius – go exploring.

Mercury is in Virgo until September 19^th having us make our communication more efficient and clearer. Then it moves into Libra where this energy is best used to work on balancing equalizing listening and speaking.

Mars is Scorpio until November 4^th. This aspect is a perfect time to work on our passion projects. Venus is in Leo until September 19^th, 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. Then Venus moves into Virgo where working on making your environment welcoming becomes the focus.

Lastly, Saturn is back in Pisces 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/Libra this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year. And Piscis/Aries 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

*Star – Things have been a bit bumpy as you move out of the summer season. Luckily you have the Muse of Healing and Hope to inspire you. She suggests spending the next two weeks future-tripping around what you would like to heal in the coming months and with that healing what would change. This muse advises doing this through writing or any creative endeavor by expressing what it would feel and/or look like in this new paradigm shift. The more nuance the better.

Taurus

*Chariot – The Muse of Momentum is your co-pilot for the coming weeks. This muse gives you the gas and grease you need for any project you have in the works. However, she does require you to have a clear destination and route laid out. Otherwise, you will be doing donuts in the proverbial parking lot.

Gemini

Ace of Earth – All aces promote new beginnings. The Ace of Earth is energy to begin a project on the material plane. This is a great time to fix up your house, begin a business, invest money, move, or buy something you really need. The only caveats the muses warn you about are to be clear on the first steps and have all your materials in place.

Cancerian

Three of Air – The Muse of Healing is your companion for the coming weeks. This muse works with thought patterns that hurt your heart. These are usually old wounds from outside sources but that still need mending. And in the coming weeks these traumas may reappear. These are not reenactments but phantasms to clue you in on what still needs healing. Remember your brain has the capacity to rewire itself, but it takes time. So, use this energy to tend to these wounds daily until the road of joy is used more than the road of trauma.

Leo

*Chariot – The Muse of Momentum is lending her energy to you for the next couple of weeks. This is a great time to get projects off the back burner or to begin a project. She will grease the wheels of movement, but you must provide a clear direction to this kinetic time. If you find this hard to do, she suggests that you corral a companion to keep you on task and a good playlist to keep the energy up.

Virgo

*Fool – Okay so either you are not trusting the process of jumping into the unknown or you need more of this energy. Because the Muse of Spontaneity is your companion again. And possible a theme for your whole new birth year. So here we go again, 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. 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

*Moon – These next two weeks will be a deep dive into your emotional realm. The Muse of Reflection would like to work with your shadowy side. She reminds you that the shadow side is not something to fear or fix, but a place to dive into the why of the past and reflect on how your reactions helped you at that time. This process works with self-parenting “the you that was” when you did not have support or positive role models and then by caring for and forgiving “the you that was” with the amazing you that is now.

Scorpio

Heart of Fire – Hopefully you spent some time the past two weeks working with the Muse of Inertia rediscovering what is important in your life, creativity and innovations. Because the Muse of Spark would like you to play within your creativity. She suggests doodling or experimenting with your choice of inspiration without a goal, for this will reengage your spark and intuition. The key is playing and surfing your creative currents, so you can realign with your inner path.

Sagittarius

Three of Earth – The Muse of Collaboration comes when you are trying to do something on your own but you need outside help or perspective. These coming weeks get out your contact list and call on others to keep you aligned to your task, aid you with advice or physical person-power. It’s not that you can’t do it on your own, but collaboration will make the workload lighter and inspire you to broaden your imagination.

Capricorn

*Magician – The Muse of Manifestation is your co-conspirator these coming weeks. The key with working with this muse is to first connect with the why behind what you want to manifest. Is it aligned with divine inspiration/your soul? The second task is to allow for experimentation. Mistakes bring more success. And lastly to realize you have all the tools you need to do this task, no need to hit the books to learn something new. Utilize what you have around you.

Aquarius

*Hierophant – The Muse of Structures is perfectly aligned with the planetary energy of Mercury and then Venus in Virgo. This month’s energy will best be utilized by optimizing and streamlining your structures, schedules, resources, and environment, for potential growth and building. This muse advises to spend this time tweaking what needs enhancement for your serenity and ease as you moved into this fall season.

Pisces

Eight of Air – The Muse of Letting Go is your co-collaborator for the coming two weeks. She would like to work with you on letting go of old thought patterns that no longer serve you. These paradigms where helpful and protective at an earlier stage of your life, but now they bind you from stepping into your future. She advises writing down your negative self-talk and finding its origins and then comparing it to where you are now. If you find it no longer rings true to your present circumstances, then it is time to let it go. And if by chance it still rings true then update how you deal with it. Because either way the old recordings are no longer working.

Tarotcast

Tarot and Artcast for Aug 3-16

August 1, 2025 Nina

The artist highlighted is Ledelle Moe. Moe mostly works in sculpture and installations using dirt, concrete and steel. Her pieces seem to hold a presence. They ground us. Maybe it is the size for some pieces but also her choice of material and process is palpable. In her words: “I have been exploring notions of monumentality and the human form through a series of sculpted figures. Created with a process that begins with the digging and gathering of soil from various locales and progresses in the studio through such actions as welding, casting, modeling, and carving, I create these figures in order to open up narratives that speak through both image and materiality…. Also, in play are what have been recurring themes in my work. These are issues of permanence and impermanence, location and dislocation, and place and displacement.”

Your pondering: We are in the midst of summer. Somedays seem to lazily stretch on-and-on and others are a flash of sunlight and heat. Time has been on my mind a lot lately. So, this statement, by Moe about her installation Congregation (a series of small concrete heads where she collected sand, dirt and detritus from places she has visited- See Sagittarius below for pic), struck a chord with me and maybe you would like to ponder it too. “Time is a very interesting shape, it folds, and it weaves and it’s a wave. And sometimes a circle but its definitely not a line.”

Solar System highlights

We start the week with the moon in Sagittarius – take a wander. On Wednesday the moon moves into Capricorn – great for all things work related. On Friday the moon moves into Aquarius with a full moon on Saturday – ponder the stars. It then moves into Pisces on Sunday August 10^th – daydreaming is the vibe. Then Tuesday August 12^th the moon is in Aries – grab this energy to make things happen. And we finish the two weeks with the moon moving into Taurus on Friday August 15^th– rediscover your senses.

Mercury is in Leo until September 3^rd. Giving us an 11-week crash course in expressing ourselves with the caveat that we don’t shade others’ shine while we spread our own light. Mars is Libra having us work on collaborations and cooperation. Venus is in Cancer when cuddling and beauty rest become the precedent. And mark August 11^th for Venus sidles up to Jupiter this is the best configuration of the year. Make wishes. Bring in the abundance and changes for the good.

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. Saturn is in Aries until September 1^st for its first round of pumping up energy levels. This aspect is about calibrating how you burn your “candle”, so that you don’t burn out while everything is on the move around us.

Lastly, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are in their new signs for a tiny month-long peek into what the next social cycle, potential and places that need change will be highlighted. Saturn represents structures and institutions, and Aries is about new ways to do things. Uranus is the planet of revolution, freedom and innovation and Gemini is all things around the mind, information, and communication. Neptune represents our dreams and aspirations and in Aries how to make dreams real. For society and personally this is the time to investigate new ways of evolving. So, get out your sketch books and draw out a new future for us and the world.

EXTRA

*Signs with an * it is a big week for you. Leo this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year. And Sagittarius it is your halfway mark for your birth year, so if you need a Planetary Reading for a check in, now is the time.

**** 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 – The Muse of Slow and Steady will be your companion for the coming weeks. With Mercury in retrograde and Neptune (dreams) and Saturn (structures) in your sign. Use this time to slow down and do some daydreaming and castle on the hill planning. This muse reminds this energy isn’t about solely retreating or nose to the grindstone energy more about taking some time to get into the sandbox and play.

Taurus

*Star – The Muse of Hope is here to work with you for the coming weeks. She asks you to contemplate what happens after deconstruction or completion. Where, what and how do you want to rebuild. What do you hope for? What is your north star?

Gemini

*High Priestess – The Muse of a Higher Calling is walking with you for the coming weeks. She comes when you have strayed from the path. It can be as simple as you have deviated from what you want to do or as complex as you have lost your connection to yourself and thus have dimmed your purpose or intuition. She advises spending the next two weeks finding time to padiddle. Padiddling is the exercise of just sitting and listening. Your inner muse has messages though they may be hidden in synchronicities, whispers or the moon’s reflection in water.

Cancerian

Mind of Fire – The Muse of Sovereignty is your partner in the coming weeks. Sovereignty is defined as supreme power or authority. This muse comes because you have given your power away and it is time to wrest it back. One of the pillars in Stoic philosophy is that we can only control how we perceive and then respond. By allowing others to dictate your responses, time or energy you have released some of your power. Now is the time to get it back.

Leo

Mind of Earth – These next two weeks are awesome for building in your material plan. This Muse of Material comes when you need to focus on finances, your body and the physical work that needs to get done. This muse asks to create action steps to increase your wealth and health. And to check off your to-do list. By working on the physical plane, you create more self-authority in what you do with your time as well as creating a more materially abundant future.

Virgo

Three of Fire – For the next two weeks the muses would like to create and then act upon the steps for the future you are trying to materialize. The Muse of Waiting comes when bigger plans are in the works, and you do not have control over their timing. So, this muse asks, what do you need to do while you wait? What needs to be set up to receive the abundance that is coming.

Libra

*Emperor – The last two weeks the Muse of Creativity wanted you to stand in the flow of inspiration by scheduling more time to bask in creative energy. To be re-inspired- to plant what needs to grow. Hopefully you found time to do this because these next two weeks the Muse of Building would like to start bringing those inspirations into the material world. This muse challenges you to walk your talk. She asks you to look around, what needs to be done? Even the smallest tasks are steps in building a more bountiful future.

Scorpio

Ace of Wands – All aces signify new beginnings, and the ace of fire would this beginning to inspire you and possible the world. So hopefully you got to work with the Muse of Tomfoolery the past two weeks and gathered some fun ideas. If you did, then the muses are ready for you to begin bringing something new into your world. If you could not, then take these two weeks to ponder on what you would like to spring up in your life. And if that is even too hard, take some actual seeds and spread them around your neighborhood. And then pay attention to what the Universe puts in front of you.

Sagittarius

Four of Water – So it seems the muses would like you to continue your work on pondering what you are evolving. For the Muse of Belly-buttoning would like to work with you for the coming two weeks. Now remember the Muse of Evolution predicted this is a perfect time to begin transforming. See the last tarotcast if you are still feeling directionless or have trouble pinpointing where to start. This Muse would also like you to remember that 3/4 of the time you can do this inward search and work, but the other 1/4^th needs to be done in the world. You need to practice your inner work out in the real world and gain a broader perspective and/or new ideas how to tweak your evolution.

Capricorn

Mind of Fire – Hopefully you got to work with the Muse of Perspective the past two weeks to pull back and ponder the bigger picture. The broader your view the better the understanding of what is next. And now the Muse of Sovereignty is your dance partner. Sovereignty is defined as supreme power or authority. This muse comes because you have given your power away and it is time to wrest it back. One of the pillars in Stoic philosophy is that we can only control how we perceive and then respond. The mind is the only aspect of yourself that you have the ability to take control of. Time to burn the rest away and reclaim your core.

Aquarius

Seven of Air – The Muse of Simplicity comes when you need to streamline your life. She asks you to prioritize your needs and then to spend your mental energy working on them only. So, if you are fed, watered and done with work, do not add more to your to-do list. This muse reminds you that you just being – can be enough.

Pisces

*Justice – During these next two weeks things are not just yes/no or right/wrong. The Muse of Gray has come for you to do work on the whys behind things. This is a balancing act of making decisions and discernments but realizing that paradox and complexities still exist. She has you working on making the best decision with what is now at hand and not what was or what it could be. If you believe and trust in the why behind your decision, then it is the right one for now.

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art-cast for Dec 15-31, 2024

December 14, 2024 Nina

Happy Solstice to all of you. May the light shine on you, in you and with you.

The artist highlighted this tarotart-cast is Mila Zemliakova, @milazemlia. Mila’s anthropomorphic creations are pieced together from her and her family’s collection of textiles. The artist shares that she sees this menagerie as an expression of “the connection of Belarusians with their nature, as well as with their traditions, which are now in a dangerous position and under repression.” cite Colossal. This is one of the many things that artists and their art do for us viewers; they connect us to culture and perspectives that are not our own.

Your pondering: Mila often takes pictures of these soft sculptures outdoors in what could be called their natural setting. Often sitting in quiet repose, staring of in the distance or if we are lucky into the viewer’s eyes. Take time this season to sit in quiet contemplation (hopeful within the view of nature) and see what comes up. May this new year bring peace to you and to collective we call life.

Solar System highlights

We begin with a full moon in Gemini on Sunday night. Go out and howl at that beautiful, illuminated globe in the night sky. On Monday the moon moves to Cancer – find ways to nurture yourself. The on Wednesday the moon shifts into Leo – your time to shine. And then on Friday it moves into Virgo – great for prepping for your festivities. Solstice is that Saturday. Release the old and make wishes for the new.

On Monday December 23 the moon moves into Libra- great for hanging with friends and family. On December 25^th the moon is in Scorpio- it’s all about celebrating pleasure. And then on Saturday the moon is in Sagittarius – go exploring. And we end the year with a new moon in Capricorn on Monday December 30^th – a great time to think about what action steps you would like to take but see Mars below for the challenges.

Mercury is in Sagittarius until January 8^th, 2025, and is now out of retrograde. So, we can keep exploring big ideas, truth seeking and growth in communication. The challenge is still being blunt or soapboxing. Especially because Mars is retrograding in Leo until Jan 6^th, 2025.

This aspect is fiery when direct – great for getting things done but be careful around egotism in yourself and others. However, when in retrograde it is hard to keep momentum. Also, Mars stays in retrograde though it moves into Cancer until February 23^rd, 2025. Which if you remember action moves sideways not in a straight line. So, with all that New Moon in Capricorn energy for planning our moves forward, it will feel like a very slow start to 2025.

One of our brighter spots is Venus, which is in Aquarius until January 2^nd, 2025. This aspect is all about hope and love. So, shower the world with hope, harmony and love. Be the Change….

Our longer aspects: Jupiter, the planet of abundance and growth, is in Gemini until June of 2025. This placement is here to help us work with opportunities to grow and succeed through intellectual, verbal, and written pursuits. However, we must also watch its challenging aspects: not following through, gossip, too much information and fickleness. And Saturn is in Pisces until February 2026 teaching us how to be more fluid and inclusive in our structures. And lastly Pluto in Aquarius is still feeling very new. So is you are feeling wobbly, remember to take things slowly. We have lots of time with these aspects.

EXTRA

* I usually do a year looking back as my last tarotcast for a year. That is, I look at the statistics of the most pulled cards. I am doing this as a 10-year study on whether pulling cards had an even probability. Or does woo come into play. Well, my inquiry ends next year at the end of September. So, I decided this year that I will hold off at looking at the trends and do it as a bigger post in October 2025. Though if I have time, I might post an abbreviated version of this year’s trend on my Instagram @thefoxandthetarot. Will post around solstice.

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

*Hierophant – These final weeks of 2024 the Muse of Structures challenges you to ponder are the structures in your life supporting you. Now is the time to tweak or dump what isn’t working for you. This new year is asking you to innovate the structures in your daily life and for some of you investigate your belief systems. Are they giving you the support/foundation you need/want for the year ahead? Get out your pencil (and I do mean pencil because of the flexible criteria – you will need to erase and rework all next year) and start creating your stronger but more flexible foundations.

Taurus

Heart of Fire – The Muse of Spark is accompanying you through these final weeks of 2024. She challenges you to create more space for your passions, for the things that get you up and running, for art, and for more nature. She would like to see AWE in your everyday life. So, stay curious, discover and then support the things that make you go: Whoa! Wow! OOOOooo! Yum! Love it!

Gemini

Six of Earth – The Muse of Generosity is here to help you enter the new year with more ease. She challenges you to look at what you do, see if you can’t make it into a positive and then extend that positivity outward. Make it magical. Say you clean the counter – you imagine you are cleaning away old karma for yourself and/or anyone who needs it. Or you are feeding your family – see it as giving them energy to accomplish their dreams. Where washing your hair or brushing your teeth becomes a spell for self-care. And where smiling at a stranger creates a wave of goodwill spreading across the globe.

Cancerian

Three of Air – The Muse of Healing is you co-pilot into the new year. These coming weeks are meant for parenting that inner child and pampering the adult you have grown resiliently into. You might feel some barbs or twinges of past hurts. Take this time to see where your scabs are and make sure you have taken the time to properly attend to them.

Leo

Two of Water – The Muse of Love is hanging out with you for the final days of 2024. She challenges you to figure out what you need and need to heal to be truly in love with someone as well as yourself. This self-love is especially hard for you lions. You are all tough on the outside but a mushy kitten on the inside. Remember to tend to the kitten these coming days. So, lots of play, naps and cuddles.

Virgo

*Death – The Muse of Organic Change will be your guide these final weeks of 2024. She first asks you to excavate what no longer works for you. What purpose, project, person no longer is appropriate for the new you? Now is the time to compost these outdated aspects. By doing so you are creating more fertile ground and resources for growth in 2025. And then she challenges you to write out a baker’s dozen (13) of things you would like to grow in this coming year. Your motto: Out with the old and in with the new.

Libra

Four of Water – During these final days of 2024 the Muse of Contemplation hangs with you. She challenges you to do a deep dive into your emotional well. Is it full? Do you have some emotions you haven’t dealt with this year? What has your heart been saying that you haven’t had time to hear? But it is not all inner naval gazing part of these insights come from outside sources.

Scorpio

Nine of Air – The Muse of Worry is working with you these final days to slow your mind. She challenges you to spend these final days of 2024 to set aside any worries you have that you do not have a solution for. Spend the rest of 2024 creating or doing action steps to clear your plate of solvable scenarios. So, by the time Mars goes direct in February you are focused and have more time to work on new things.

Sagittarius

Five of Earth – During these final weeks of 2024 the Muse of Refuge is hanging with you. Refuge is defined “as a condition or something where you are safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble.” You are the explorers and wanders of the signs, but everyone needs a homebase, a place that grounds and protects you. She asks where is your refuge? So, she would like you to spend this time shoring up what, where and/or who of the that question.

Capricorn

Seven of Water – The Muse of Dreams would like you to spend the final days of 2024 daydreaming. 2025 will be full of opportunity. Now with Pluto off your proverbial back, you will feel freer than you have for the last 16 years. So, spend time cleaning your plate and dreaming bigger than the practical side of you usually allows.

Aquarius

*Devil – The Muse of Final Exams is here to help you finish out 2024. She asks what business is unfished? What would you like to wrap up so by the time your birthday comes you are ready to begin anew. As Pluto moves in with your Sun sign for the next 2 decades these will be very transformative years for all of you, water bearers. New careers, new lifestyles, new relationships are all on the horizon. So clean/finish up what you do not want to carry forward.

Pisces

*Wheel – For the final days of 2024 the Muse of Surprises comes to hang out with the fishes. She challenges you to go with the flow. Take opportunities as they show up. Work on being spontaneous. This is not a time to push things through or make things happen. The world has its own agenda and wants you to loosen up and roll with the surprises. If you do, you will end up in a better place then you started.

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art-Cast for week of Oct 1, 2023

September 30, 2023 Nina

It is my favorite month for spooky inspired artists. The artist this week is Cait McCormack, @mister_caitlin.

In their words: “My self-taught practice primarily involves meticulously crocheted cotton thread that is dredged in a mixture of non-toxic glues, natural dyes, and foraged pigments, and fashioned into sculptural forms. The string central to this process is typically sourced from estate and garage sales, as well as collections inherited from my deceased family members, who used it during the Great Depression to create delicate adornments for their homes and bodies. My grandmother taught me how to crochet when I was a kindergartener, and the practice is deeply entwined with my lifelong compulsion to produce hand-wrought objects in response to the world around me.”

I love that during this month the veil between life and death gets thinner. McCormack’s work reaches through this veil. She sources their material, skills, and subject matter from the past. And then their subject matter brings up these transgenerational questions of death, gender, sex, isolation, and ruination. And within this process they memorialize the trauma or triumph of living.

Your pondering for this week: How do you memorialize your traumas and triumphs?

Solar System highlights

The moon begins in Taurus – start this week by grounding yourself. On Tuesday it moves into Gemini – hone your communication skills. On Thursday, the moon moves into Cancer – self-care is needed. Then for the weekend the moon is in Leo – find a bit of sun and relax in it.

The planets are starting to move. First Mercury (communication and knowledge) is going into Libra on October 4th. We moved from lessons to being clear and concise when communicating to finding the balance of listening as well as communicating clearly. Mars (action) is also in Libra until Oct 12th. Having us purview that our actions justify our goals While Venus (beauty and harmony) is in Leo until October 8th. It is in its last week having us explore the question: Does your outward expression of yourself harmonize with who you are within?

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.  Libra, this is a perfect time to get a Astrological Tarot Reading  for your coming year.  And Aries, 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

Caitlin McCormack — McCormack Sweet-Dreams

*Temperance– Last week the Muse of Possibilities asked you to expand your horizons. This muse reminds you that experiencing “the new” not only expands your environmental space but also allows expansion in your mind and your soul. Now that you have created space, the Muse of Intention would like you to do a deep dive into the why behind what you intend do. Do your actions align with your intentions? And now with the background in exploration of what is possible, you have opened yourself to new intentions and/or the space to redesign the old ones.

Taurus

Queen of Water – Last week you had tea with your more sobering emotions getting to know them more intimately. This week the Muse of Fun would like you to reacquaint yourself with the sunnier side of your emotional spectrum. Time for playing in puddles, ridiculous dad jokes, and spreading random joy to others.

Gemini

Queen of Fire – The Muse of Spirit has come to inquire about yours. How is your passion level? Your spirit? How are you creating in your life? What is getting you up in the morning? If you cannot answer one or all these, this is the week to contemplate on finding those answers. And if you can, take this week to create space for your spirit to grow.

Cancerian

*Sun – The Muse of Radiance would like you to apply some shine to your life and grow. She reminds you, however, not to step into the full sun without some sort of metaphorical sunscreen. You need protection so that you do not spend your solar energy solely on others’ well-being or growth.

Leo

Four of Earth – The Muse of Savings would like you to not overspend in the areas of money, space, or time this week. She would like you to bank some of these material commodities, so you can spend them with more leisure later this month.

Virgo

Ace of Earth – Material new beginnings are blessed this week. The muses say that this energy is great for starting new projects on the material plane. Time to plant those bulbs in the fall so they can bloom in the spring

Libra

Eight of Fire – Messages and information surround you this week. So, the Muse of Messages advises you on how to sort through this pile of “paperwork” in two ways. One, you have a single focus and only access the messages through that lens. Or two, you can collect everything you hear and see without discernment. And then next week categorize and prioritize it. The key is that all this information is useful and if you miss some along the way it will come back around.

Scorpio

Three of Water – The Muse of Friendship comes when you need to hang with your BFF’s, for your emotional cups need filling. The interesting thing is that their cups need filling too. So don’t be shy or worried about interrupting, the hang is beneficial to all of you.

Sagittarius

Seven of Air – The Muse of Simplicity would like you to work smarter not harder this week. She advises working on only the things that are easy to deal with. You will have more success and gain more ground than you think you will if you do so.

Capricorn

Knight of Air – This week has the potential to be full throttle. So, the Muse of Rushing is advising you to slow down. Watch getting pulled into situations or conversations that have potential of requiring a heroine or hero. This week take the slow road and the metaphorical back seat. And if you have to take action, watch and listen before you leap.

Aquarius

Caitlin McCormack, Different On The Phone

*Hierophant – The Muse of Structure ask what are your foundational needs? She asks you to be specific like you need healthy snacks in the house, to wind down before bed by reading, more alone time or more time with friends. And then she advises to take one foundational need and implement it solidly into your schedule.

Pisces

King of Pentacles – Last week the Muse of Intention wanted you to dive into your intentions and make sure they align with your goals and vice versa. Now the Muse of Action would like you to start doing the action steps that are now more in line with your desires and therefore your destiny. Take the step.

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art-Cast for week of Sept. 17, 2023

September 16, 2023 Nina

The artist this week is Alissa Alfonso @alissaalfonso. Alfonso works with repurposed fiber, found metal objects and fused plastics. Her series Nature’s Medicine is focused on creating traditional medicinal plants and botanicals from these discarded items. Her work exemplifies seeing the beauty of nature alongside its disappearance. She also has a series of puffy landscapes that are beautiful. Part of the beauty of her art is that it is not only based on awareness, the fleeting beauty of nature, but also hope.

In her words: “I dream of puffy clouds, idyllic landscapes, and kaleidoscope skies super-enhanced with phytotherapy. I have always embraced a deep connection with the natural world through my art. That connection is rooted deep in my subconscious where my imagination refabricates nature into my artful practice. My creations are a complex mix of emotions, memories and passions that preserve the natural world the way I enjoy seeing it. They highlight the beauty we can find in nature, without downplaying the devastation that we have and are causing.”

Your pondering for this week: This is more of an exercise than a pondering. Record, either through a photo or writing, a moment in your day. It does not have to be exceptional, but I would like you to describe that moment to yourself or another with an essence of preciousness.

Solar System highlights

The moon begins in Scorpio focus your passions. On Wednesday it moves into Sagittarius – free up some time to wander. On Friday, the moon moves into Capricorn– focus on getting items off your to-do list.

Mercury (communication and knowledge) is now halfway through its 10 weeklong stay in Virgo (analyzation) and out of retrograde. So, lessons continue with getting to the point when communicating. Being clear and concise is the goal. Mars (action) moved into Libra (balance) until Oct 12th. Having 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?

The outer planets are still having us work on nurturing the pleasures in our lives, 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.  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

Ten of Earth- Last week the muse wanted you to push through projects. This is another week of hard work. But the Muse of Completion would like you to work on only projects that you can finish or getting a project to its next stage. This week the muses want you to see that your hard work has end points. So, at the weekend you are directed to relax and enjoy the break.

Taurus

*Emperor – The Muse of Manifestation wanted you to get a head start on manifesting last week and that even makes more sense now, for the Muse of Building has arrived. I hope you brainstormed last week what you wanted to bring into the world because this week the muses want you to start on it. Go on, stop reading and get on it.

Gemini

Eight of Earth – The Muse of Mastery reminds you that you have the skill set for whatever comes at you this week. This muse advises you to get on it and do it. So, if you had to focus on something focus more on the schedule of when to do it than the how.

Cancerian

Queen of Air – You are in a rut or not able to see the long-term or what is in store going forward. So, the Muse of Details has come advising to focus on the small and forget for this week about the big. Take this time to tidy up what’s right in front of you.

Leo

Seven of Water – The Muse of Daydreams comes when in some way you are letting the reality of now over-rule the hope of tomorrow. She reminds you that your life’s work is to feel comfortable in shining. So, get dressed up to get coffee, smile just cause, be overtly nice to the bus driver, and dare to hope for the best.

Virgo

*Devil – This week has every potential to be a bit of a roller coaster ride. The Muse of Distractions advises setting goals early in the week so you can have something to focus on if the tempest arises. Set your sights and hold the course. And do not let the metaphorical sirens call you off your path.

Libra

Six of Air – The Muse of Transitions comes when you are going through or need to go through a subtle change. She advises making just a few adjustments. These incremental maneuverings can not only change the landscape but even change the outcome. Steer with a light hand.

Scorpio

Queen of Water – Your second Queen. Queens rule creation. Last week the Muse of Senses wanted you to engage your senses to ground you in the abundance of life. This week the Muse of Fun would like you to create some light-heartedness to ground your heart in the abundance of positive emotions like laughter and love. So, watch comedies, tell dad jokes, pun, smile at strangers, hug your friends and just be silly.

Sagittarius

*Hierophant – The Muse of Structures would like you to examine your everyday schedules. How are they working out for you? If you need to, this is the week to adjust or redesign what is not working for you. Your structures should support you not the other way around.

Capricorn

Six of Earth – This week will have some twists and turns. So, the muses advise to watch your reactions. The Muse of Karma reminds that positivity creates positives and negativity creates negatives. The challenging aspect with this energy is that karma does not always follow a straight line.

Aquarius

Queen of Earth – The Muse of Luxury would like you to indulge in some. This muse advises the most memorable way is by using your senses. So, each day indulge at least one of your senses. Think scrumptious tastes, delectable smells, fuzzy feels, melodic sounds, and gorgeous sights.

Pisces

Nine of Fire – The Muse of Preparation advises you to spend this week restocking your physical, mental, and spiritual resources. Yes, winter is coming but not in the “John Snow” sense. It is just that a new season is coming and the more prepared you are the better you will fare through it.

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancerian

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

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Solar System highlights for the next two weeks

EXTRA

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancerian

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

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Solar System highlights

EXTRA

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancerian

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

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Like this:

Solar System highlights

EXTRA

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancerian

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

Share this:

Like this:

Solar System highlights

EXTRA

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancerian

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

Share this:

Like this:

Solar System highlights

Aries