When I lived in San Francisco, my friends and I would often eat at our favorite neighborhood sushi restaurant. It had the comfort and coziness of Mom and Pop joint but each meal had the quality of an all-sensing experience: the cyclical cadence of conversation, the warm sake, the coolness of the fish, the smell of the soy sauce, the spice of the wasabi, the beauty and simplicity of how the sushi was plated on a variety of shaped white dishes …
At the end of our meals, my friends and I would take the left over bits of wasabi, rice, and pickled ginger and create small landscapes on our plates. We did these as small offerings to our sushi chef and his wife for the lovely meal they had created for us. It felt more personal than just the ten dollars we slid under the plate.
In Japan tipping is not customary and can be considered rude. So it was interesting that I came across this waiter who collected what he has now coined as the Japanese tip. In his words: ” …I thought that it was a “thank you” sign from the customer. Before it was just trash for me, but it changed to become a TIP from the customer. Since than, cleaning the tables became much more fun. I want to see more shapes. And I want to share this feeling with many people. So I started this project.” Even in a country that doesn’t tip, this waiter still wanted to feel recognized for his service. My challenge for you all is to not only monetarily tip your waiter (in the countries where it is appropriate) but also give them the gift of recognition in another form: a smile, a thank you, draw something on a napkin, etc…
P.S. Please share.
Aries- King of Pentacles
The Strength card last week seems to be your birth year card, so throughout the year you will be tested or learn ways to strengthen all aspects of your life. The Strength card energy this week is with the King of Pentacles. This card wants you to strengthen the activities that ground you. This King asks you if you don’t believe in what you do for money than why are you doing it? And if you do than be proud of the path you have chosen.
Taurus- Queen of Pentacles
The Queen of Pentacles is all about healthy indulgences and creating spaces of comfort. Do things that pamper you this week. The more you do for yourself the more you will be ready to be there for others.
Gemini – Four of Wands
The Sun continues to shine this week for you with the focus on home life. The Four of Wands challenges you to make your home a place where people and things can grow. This is a great week to Spring Clean or bring nature into your abode. Throw open your windows no matter the temperature you need to let some fresh air into your life.
*Cancer – Sun
This is the second time the Sun has “shone” up for you this year. Look back and see what you started around February 18th that needs tending again. The Sun foretells that you will find success in what you have started. If things aren’t growing or moving, this means you are missing only the last piece to the puzzle and with the light of your conscious mind you will find it.
Leo – Page of Pentacles
The Page of Pentacles declares that this week you should spend your time hitting the books. The challenge is to be open to learn something new. You will find that you will need that knowledge in your near future.
Virgo – Three of Cups
The Three of Cups challenges you to go get your friends and hang out this week. Yep that is right your challenge is to enjoy this week. Since this card has shown up twice this year, seems you need to hang out with friends more constantly.
Libra – Ten of Wands
You are carrying too much again Libra. Time to let go of some of your duties and obligations. The Ten of Wands warns that you have chosen to take on more burden then is necessary or healthy. Lighten your load this week. Even letting go of one thing will make you feel better.
*Scorpio – Devil
This is the fourth pivotal week in your life. Last week Death returned to push you to learn how to work with the environment to make change that sticks. Now the Devil is here in all his glory trying to divert you from that path. This week people, events, environment, and even that little voice in your head will try to sidetrack you. Keep strong. Keep to your integrity. And Keep moving forward.
*Sagittarius – Justice
Justice is the card of fair play. Here is the interesting thing with Sagittarius and the Justice card, you both believe in fairness and equality and are willing to fight for it. But Sagittarius, like their forebears the centaurs, you have a bit of a wild streak. When you think you are right, well, you all can get a bit fiery about it. Where Justice card many times teaches us to let karma take its natural course. So your challenge this week is to see how to champion justice with the mind and spirit and not with the heart and sword.
*Capricorn – Sun
Success is on the horizon for you. The Sun is here to help you grow anything you put your focus on. The question is where do you want to direct your gaze first? This is a big karma card so take your time but don’t let your dreams wither away with indecision.
Aquarius – Queen of Cups
The Queen of Cups is all about the 3 Cs: calm, compassion, and comfort. The challenge is to make sure you have at least two out of the three first then you can spread it around.
Pisces – Ace of Cups
The Ace of Cups of cups heralds the beginnings of emotional fulfillment. The challenge with this card this week is seeing that no matter how full the cup that it is “good to the last drop.”
May light be on you, around you, and within you,
Nina
This week will be easier if you fortify your inner strength. Now I’m not suggestion drinking for courage especially for anyone with an addictive personality. You should work on having habits in place that ground you and give you courage in more positive ways. But if a glass of wine, chocolate, or binge watching BadLands grounds you can do it without guilt, but only this week.
Since mid-March you all have actually been in a good place. The Knight of Wands is confirming that even the hardships you have gone through are starting to make sense and you are seeing the purpose behind the movement. Your challenge is to keep moving and know you are on the right path. 
The Nine of Swords comes around when we need to put our worries aside. Worries are helpful to make us plan and think things through, but if you find yourself ruminating, you need to balance your worries with more optimistic outcomes.
The Sun is peeking out this week. Things are coming into the light. You are starting to plan for your next birth year. The Sun card challenges you to say yes more than no this week. No need to say yes to everything, but if your interest is peaked, try to find the time to add the idea, project or person on your list of to-dos.
Big three weeks for you all. The last two weeks the Fool and the Hierophant have been demanding that you need a more carefree lifestyle. The Lovers, which is your sign’s karma card, arrives with the key to making your life have more flow. The Lovers’ key is to create something more than you. For example that could be art, a business or children. The challenge is you do better if you have a partner or someone who can cheer you on, so find someone who can help you joyfully stay on task.
The Queen of Swords is a card of strategy and planning. Take this week to step back and make sure you are still heading on the path you wish to take. Take this week to re-alter your course if needed and make sure you have what you need for the next leg of your journey.
Last week, the Moon challenged you to shine light on things that are hidden. This week is more grounded, less emotional and heady. The Queen of Pentacles is challenge you to take baths, eat good food, and wear clothes that make you feel good. After last week you need to pamper yourself.
This week pay attention to the masters, gurus, or people you look up to. They have useful knowledge that you will utilize. The challenge is if you don’t have any mentor figures go out and get some.
The Death card sounds scary, but it is one of the cards of change. Change needs to happen this week and it happens when you learn to work with your environment. This card represents change that comes about through your abilities to work with your environment. I like to think of it as a garden. Your part is to plant, weed and work with what the environment doles out to grow something to harvest. Your challenge is have a goal but be flexible with how it comes about.
The Queen of Cups is about spreading joy and play. She challenges you to flirt, make people laugh, and give small gifts of gratitude or affection. This week the motto you catch more flies with honey than vinegar works in your favor.
The Ten of Pentacles wants you to finish up loses ends with work or business. Because, the challenge this week is after you have done what you needed to do this card wants you to fully relax and enjoy the good life.
New beginnings this week. You get this week to start a new project or get a fresh start at work and in your environment. The challenge with this Ace is to focus on one item and get it firmly planted before moving to the next..
The Fool is Mister Clean Slate, Mister Blank Canvas. His challenge is pick a direction and go, learn something new or take an adventure, You goal is anything you want it to be as long as it is new and fresh,
The Four of Cups wants you to center your emotions without diving too deep. The challenge is gaining enough space from your emotions to contemplate your high and lows. If you find yourself uselessly ruminating, then look up, get outside and experience the positive in your life.
The love continues this week with the King of Cups. This King reminds you that your emotions are one of big principles of human life. Your challenge this week is to be in your emotions. The more you deal with your emotions now, the less you will see them as a burdens in the future.
Last week, the Chariot arrived the second time this year, challenging you to deal with balance issues while making a change in your life. This week is still big work, but where last week was about movement, this week is about stillness. The Hanged Man is time to sit in the sacred and reflect. This can be as simple as sitting on your porch and just reflecting on day, or as complex as mediating on big questions like Who am I, What is my purpose, and/or Why am I here?
The love continues this week with the Page of Cups. This Page wants you to practice looking through rose-colored glass. This card’s challenge is to see instead of an experiment in naiveté, you actually perceive with a cleaner perspective.
Wow the Chariot again, guess you all are dealing with balance issues while making a change in your life. The Chariot at its best is movement in equilibrium. You must also remember that the Chariot is change that you have total control over. You create the pace. Your challenge is to check and make sure you have all you need while embarking on this time of change. The question is what you choose to carry? In its simplest form this can be traveling light but with all you need. Remember, no need to carry something that you can get along the way.
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