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Tarotcast

Tarot-cast for Week of June 24, 2018

FlapJack Octopus

Maybe because I was born by a beach or that I was born under the sign of Cancer, I have a fondness for sea creatures and the ocean.  I have previously shared about nudibranches, jellyfish, whales, and ship cats, and now I would like to introduce you to my new favorite octopus genus Opisthoteuthis, the FlapJack Octopus, above.  This particular species is found off the coast of Monterey CA, is the size of a baseball, and cute as all get out.

Here are some random and amazing facts about Octopuses or Octopodes

  • Two or more are called Octopuses or Octopodes because the word is derived from Greek not Latin (which would have made it Octopi).
  • They are smart. More brain cells reside in their arms than in their brain.  Researchers believe this complexity is due to them managing eight appendages.  They have been observed playing, navigate mazes, recognize human faces,  will take apart anything in their tanks, and are notorious for escaping their tanks.
  • They taste everything they touch.  Partially so they can tell if they are touch something new or their own arms.
  • They predate dinosaurs but since they do not have bones no one is sure how far back.
  • They are boneless.  The only hard part is their beak, so they can squeeze through anything if their beak can.
  • They are good Moms. They guard their eggs and do not eat until their eggs are hatched. The longest brooding period observed is 53 months, 4 and 1/2 years, by Graneledone boreopacificia.
  • They are great at camouflage. They have sacs of pigments in their skin controlled by their muscles, as well as skin cells that reflect and scatter light. The mimic octopus has gone farther by copying the motions of sea snakes and flounders.

P.S. Please share.  Below are a variety of species of octopodes for you to be amazed with.  Happy Birthday month Cancers.

Aries – Five of Cups

The Five of Cups ponders the idiom of perceiving your life or situations as a cup half full or empty. This card challenges you this week at the end of each day to quantify where your glass-line lies.

 

Taurus – Three of Pentacles

Larger Pacific Striped Octopus- Undescribed Species. Steinhart Aquarium. Animal Attraction exhibit

You continue in your pentacles (material plane) mode for another week.  The Three of Pentacles is the card of learning new skills or implementing what you have learned into action.  The challenge is being careful of judging either yourself or your source. Allow what you have learned to settle in before you judge it.

 

Gemini – King of Swords

The King of Swords is the decision man.  This week is a great week to make decisions, write, create proposals or bath in the literary world.  The challenge is to maintain your focus while you doing it.

 

Cancer – Ace of Pentacles

The “building” energy of the past three weeks continues with the Ace of Pentacles.  This is a great way to start off your birth year.  All aces are about beginnings.  This week is a great time to start new projects, experiment with old projects in new ways and explore new places.  The challenge is seeing everything with fresh eyes.

 

Leo – Ten of Cups

This week is the beginning of your month-long wind down to your birth day.  This card asks you to wrap up emotions that you have been dealing with the past year.  The challenge is how to see these emotions with rose-colored glasses.  I know that the blinding truth is your recent M.O. but just for this week look through the rosy-tinted optics as a fashion/lifestyle statement.

 

Virgo – Seven of Wands

The Seven of Wands is about your boundaries versus your walls.  The challenge this week is defining and then acting on those definitions.

 

 

Libra – Five of Wands

This is your second five in a row, so let’s look at fives for a second.  Five challenges or forewarns us about the chaos in our life.  Last week the chaos resided in your material plane, and this week it is with your interactions with your community.  The Five of Wands asks you to examine your line between play and competition.  The challenge is seeing to that line not getting stepped on by others or you.

 

*Scorpio – Hanged Man

The Hanged Man card foretells a week of delays and side roads.  The challenge is seeing that this detour is just that.  You will eventually end up where you were heading, so sit back and enjoy the slow lane.

 

*Sagittarius – Empress

The Empress is the card of growth and fertility.  Like last week this week  create new things on the material plane.  However, the Empress wants you to take the long view with what you are planting.  She is the supreme gardener.  The challenge is what to sow, where to sow it and then know that you will need to tend to it for the longer haul.

 

Capricorn – Page of Cups

The Page of Cups is the card of innocence and joy.  So here is your challenge:  Enjoy life like a child.  Laugh. Play. Sounds easy but really hard for you all to do for a whole week.

 

Aquarius – Knight of Swords

The Knight of Swords challenges you to slow down.  The main reason to be almost sloth-like is that you will need to notice something along that way that you would have missed at the pace you have been setting lately.  This is also an omen card and comes up when we are more accident prone.  You can avoid these missteps by keeping your feet on the ground, keep your eyes on whatever you are doing and slow your roll.

 

Pisces – Five of Swords

Five of Swords is the chaos card.  The way to deal with this is to realize that this chaos has really nothing to do with you unless you engage with it.  The challenge is imagine the chaos blowing over you like the wind.  It might leave some dirt or dust on your skin but you can wash it off.

 

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

Nina

 

Tarotcast

Tarot-cast for the Week of May 27, 2018

Night Rain on Oyama by Utagawa Toyokuni II
Night Rain on Oyama by Utagawa Toyokuni II

This tarotcast is an experiment with my casting for the week and art.  Usually I pull cards and then cast about for the art to go with the general energies of that week.  This week I am going in the opposite direction and letting the art take the lead.  I think the arts were born under the sign of Gemini.  Gemini is the first sign in which we work on how and why we communicate with the world.  Art is a place where we try to create, experiment and communicate with something outside ourselves to convey what is going on inside ourselves.

So this tarotcast I’m going to let the art solely express your goals, challenges, energies that surround you.  I will add a tidbit about the painting that I find relevant to the piece or energy of your cast.  This is exercise in mindfulness, of truly experiencing a piece of art. I challenge you to dive deep into each piece and ask how does this makes me feel and see what thoughts it brings to the surface.  Like the sign of the Gemini where the twins peer at each other, looking for similarities and differences, so does the exercise of experiencing art.  The artist is the twin to the piece and then the piece becomes the twin to the viewer.  Art challenges us to look in to it and truly see ourselves – our common humanity through time and space.

P.S. I have also put links for each piece if you want to dive deeper into the art or artist. Please share.

Aries- Ginervra de’ Benci by Leonardo da Vinci 1475

twin

On the back side of this portrait he painted VIRTVTEM FORMA DECORAT (“beauty adorns virtue”)

Taurus–  Portrait of Paolo Morgia by Fede Galizia, 1595

Fede was well-known as a portrait painter by the age of twelve. She was meticulous in her attention to detail look at the reflection of the glasses in his hand, they reflect a window not seen.

*Gemini – Portrait d’une negresse by Marie-Guillemine Benoist 1800

Six years previously slavery was abolished in France, though short-lived, so this image became the symbol for woman’s emancipation and black people’s right.

Cancer – Early Moonrise, Florida by George Inness 1893

Inness was known for interpreting rather than recording natures views, moving away from the Hudson River School artists’ transcriptions of nature.   According to Inness “you can suggest reality…you cannot paint reality.”

Leo – Stay High 149 aka Wayne Roberts 197?

He was a superstar in the underground up and coming graffiti scene of the 1970’s.  This piece is a parody on the British television show The Saint.

Virgo – Dulle Griet by Pieter Bruegal the Elder, 1565

Dulle Griet also known as Mad Meg, in Flemish folklore who leads an army of woman to pillage Hell.  Her mission refers to the proverb “She could plunder in front of hell and return unscathed.”

Libra – Le Pont del Europe by Gustave Caillebotte, 1881

The three prominent characters in this portrait are theorized as a  representation of the three classes of Parisians who normally not met in society but do on this bridge.

*Scorpio – Carousel in Santa Monica by David Michael Hinnebusch 2006

In 2006, a friend of the artist, who didn’t like Hinnebusch’s art on found materials, took him shopping at the art store. He bought $2,000 US worth of Golden Acrylics, brushes and 10 large canvases and this is one of the painting that came out of that excursion.

Sagittarius – Personnages aux Chevaux, Characters with Horses, by Marcelle Cahn  1935

Was one of the few female artist in 1930’s associated with the movement Abstraction-Creation, which was a counteract to the Surrealist movement.

Capricorn – Closed Gallery by Robert Barry 1969

Closed Gallery consisted of three invitations to gallery shows in Amsterdam, Turin, and Los Angeles printed on simple white cards. They informed the recipients that during the exhibition, the gallery would be closed. “It’s the purest form of this notion of what the physicality of art is and what art is really all about. One doesn’t need to even have the gallery space”, said David Platzker, who sent out numerous announcement cards worldwide, each saying simply “During the exhibition the gallery will be closed”.

 

Aquarius – La Rue du Soleil,  Port Vendres by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, 1926

Charles started his career as an architect and was influential in the Art Nouveau and Secessionism.  He abandoned it later and focused solely on painting watercolors later in life.  Though like the reflection of the buildings in the water you can still see buildings are still in his mind.

Pisces – Summon Up by Frederick Hammersley, 1958

He wrote that “hard-edge is often very hard to take, coming to the cold or even to the practiced eyed.”

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

Nina

 

Tarotcast

Tarotcast for Week of April 8, 2018

Takashi Murakami

Takashi Murakami is a Japanese contemporary artist, who works in both fine and commercial arts.  He is known for blurring the lines between “high” and “low” arts.  I am drawn to him today because of his use of smiling flowers and inquisitive mushrooms.  However, as you dive  into his work, like every artist there is a deeper meaning.

Art shows us the emotions behind our history.  As Takashi said in a recent interview, As an artist, all I can do is paint when history-making moments unfold, like Francisco de Goya did during the Spanish Civil War. All I can do is look at the situation, understand it and put it into my work so that hopefully it will remain a permanent part of our history.

P.S. Please share.  For more on Takashi click here.

*Aries  – Strength

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.

Taurus – Knight of Wands

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. Continue reading Tarotcast for Week of April 8, 2018 →

Tarotcast

Tarotcast for the Week of March 25, 2018

Common Moth

I think I fell in love with moths when I saw the Godzilla movie Mothra versus Godzilla.  Where a giant moth saves Tokyo from Godzilla.  Moths are a group of insects related to butterflies.  But where butterflies are considered beautiful and helpful, moths are generally considered ugly, eat our clothes and are not worthy of our attention.  I would like to change your opinion.

Moth are close relatives to butterflies but evolved millions of years before them.  There are over 160,000 species of moths.  the out number butterflies 10 to 1.    Most moths are nocturnal,  some species are seen at only twilight and dusk and a few hang out in the day.  Therefore all night-blooming plants rely on moths to pollinate them.  Moth can smell each other up to 7 miles away with their antennae.  They come in the same variety of colors as any butterfly,

Despite a few species being notorious for eating natural fabrics and fur, many adults moths do not eat at all or eat nectar.  Actually, several species of moth’s cocoons are used to make one of the yummiest fabrics, silk.  A moth species represents the largest living flying insect, as big as a songbird, which is an amazing aeronautical feet.  Now, do you agree that  these cute fuzzy insects are pretty amazing?

P.S. You can now reach me for quick questions on the Instantgo app.

Aries – Nine of Swords

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.

*Taurus – Sun

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.

 

*Gemini – Lovers

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.

 

Cancer – Queen of Swords

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.

 

Leo – Queen of Pentacles

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.

 

Virgo – Three of Pentacles

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.

 

Libra – King of Wands

The King of Wands is wanting you to up your game.  Your challenge this week  is to figure out how to play and work smarter not harder.

 

 

*Scorpio – Death

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.

 

Sagittarius – Queen of Cups

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.

 

Capricorn – Ten of Pentacles

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.

 

Aquarius – Ace of Pentacles

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..

 

*Pisces – Fool

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,

 

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

Nina

Tarotcast

Tarotcast for Week of March 18, 2018

Amanda Parer

Happy Spring Equinox

The art installation Intrude Bunnies by Amanda Parer is traveling all over the word inspiring spaces, thoughts and people. Amanda’s aspiration is “to raise questions about the nature of the world and our role in it.”  I find it so interesting when we play with scale how that enlightens us in such a unique way.  What is the sense in our evolutionary make-up when we feel physically smaller that the two emotions that come up are awe and/or fright?

This month Intrude Bunnies were part of the healing process of Parkland, Florida’s school shooting where they team up with STEM bunnies.  STEM bunnies is a non-for-profit started by Calb, a 13-year-old who takes real rabbits to negatively affected children to provide comfort and play.  Yes to bunnies, art and inspiring teens!

PS.  Below are more of Amanda’s creations. Remember you can now reach me for quick questions on the Instantgo app.

Aries – Four of Cups

Amanda ParerThe 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.

Taurus – King of Wands

Amanda Parer

The King of Wands shows up when you need to make life more Zen.  Your challenge week is to create without force but with The Force.  Tune into the flow.
Continue reading Tarotcast for Week of March 18, 2018 →

Tarotcast

Tarotcast for Week of March 4, 2018

John Bauer: Prinsessan och trollen.

John Bauer is an artist known for his illustrations for Among Gnomes and Trolls first published 1907.  He had a unique process when painting.  He would start with a small sketch about the size of a stamp with the basic shapes of the image.  Then he would slightly scale it up adding more detail. He would do this many times until he reached the size of a square piece of paper between 20-25 centimeters (8-9 inches).

Gnomes and trolls are associated with the earth but come from different origins.  Troll mythology comes from ancient Norse and Scandinavian oral history.  They said to be beings that are human-like, usually associated with nature or areas of landscape, and are not typically helpful to humans.  Gnomes, on the other hand, didn’t show up until the 16th century in writings by Paraceisus who classified them as earth elements.  He describes them as two spans high, living underground and not liking human interaction.

Paracelsus was a physician, alchemist and astrologer.  He is considered the “father of toxicology” and promoted chemistry as one of the corner stones in medicine.  Interestingly, he had a lot in common with gnomes and trolls.  He worked with minerals, was small in stature, and did not suffer fools gladly.

PS.  Don’t forget your Astrological Tarot Reading for this year.

Aries – King of Cups

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.

*Taurus – Hanged Man

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?
Continue reading Tarotcast for Week of March 4, 2018 →

Tarotcast

Tarotcast for Week of Feb. 25, 2018

image from The Hairpin

Joan Murrel Owens embodies the words of resilience and persistence.  At an early age she loved the ocean, but had four barriers to her dream of being a marine biologist.   She was a woman, black, had sickle-cell and was growing up in segregated Miami, Florida in the 1940s.   She studied hard and got partial scholarships  at Fisk University, but in landlocked Tennessee where there were no marine biology programs.   So she gained a degree in Art minoring in psychology.  However, science persisted to call her, and she continued her studies in psychology receiving a Master’s degree in guidance counseling with an emphasis on reading therapy.  For the next thirteen years she taught and designed programs for teaching English to educationally disadvantage students.

At 37, she heard the call of the ocean again.  Her barrier once more was no marine science program at George Washington University, so she majored in Geology with a minor in Zoology.  After graduating with her third degree, she is continued on to her doctorate.  This time her sickle-cell was the barrier, for she could not dive in the ocean.  Undeterred,  she did her graduate study in the labs of the Smithsonian working with coral specimens.   At 51, she earned her Doctorate in Marine Biology by studying the deep-sea species of button coral from an 1880’s science expedition.  Two years later she discovered 2 new species of button coral,  and at 61 she found discovered another  – never diving into the ocean.

P.S.  Look for me on Instagram @thefoxandthetarot.

Aries – Page of Cups

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.

 

*Taurus – Chariot

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.
Continue reading Tarotcast for Week of Feb. 25, 2018 →