Tag Archives: women artists

Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of May 1, 2022

therapy and art
Agnus Richter

Art and therapy are vital for my mental health.  I first utilized them  in college for my test anxiety and then for the last 20 years helping me work through a bout of medically induced agoraphobia that evolved into general anxiety.  May is mental Health Awareness Month.  So, this tarotcast I am highlighting art and mental health.  Above is a jacket made by Agnus Richter.  She was a seamstress and at 49 was arrested for disturbing the peace and trespassing.  She was diagnosed for paranoia and admitted to Hubertusburg Asylum in 1895, where she remained for the last 26 years of her life. Throughout that time, she embroidered all her clothes with phrases.  The only piece that has survived is the above coat she made from pieces of women’s institutional clothing.  This and the pictures below are examples of Art Brut and housed in The Prinzhorn Collection Museum.

In the early 1900’s drawing, painting and clay-work had been used in psych-wards for years as an activity that calmed patients.  Hans Prinzhorn and Walter Morgenthaler both psychiatrists at that time were interested in the bridge between mental health and creativity.  Morgenthaler wrote a book on studying the art of schizophrenic, Adolf Wolfli, and a year later Prinzhorn published Artistry of the Mental Ill in 1922.  Where he collected thousands of artworks from various asylums in and around Heidelberg, Germany. These books caused ripples positively in the art world attracting artist like Klee and Kandinsky, but it also was used more ominously during the rise of Nazism as evidence of the “degenerate”.  However, Prinzhorn theorized through his work that image making is an innate desire to leave traces of our existence and gave a voice to the voiceless.

Your Pondering: to help all our general mental health, smile at a stranger.  So, they can know that today at the very least they have been seen.

Solar System Highlights

The Moon starts this week in Gemini – the gift of gab shines on us.  Then it moves into Cancer on the 4th – self-care in the middle of the work week makes the week go by with more ease.  Then on Saturday it moves into Leo – get out in the sun and enjoy your people.  Mercury has moved into Gemini it home sign, so conversations and knowledge are highlighted.  However, get any projects started before Mercury turns retrograde on May 10th.

Venus (beauty and harmony) moves into Aries (action and chaos) on May 2nd.   So, Mars and Venus stop working with each other again until the end of month.  Mars (action) is still in Piscesian dream land while Venus wants to get going and see action steps.  Lesson in patience and compromise are big this week.  Also, Jupiter is in Pisces until May 10th.  It supports expanding opportunity, luck and to dream bigger.  And lastly, Saturn remains in Aquarius for all of 2022 – so innovating and upping your game is the focus for this year.

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

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

Nina

Aries
art and therapy
Josef Forster

*Strength – You are going to need your strength this week.  The Muse of Core strength is here to help.  She reminds you that are a powerhouse, a force to be reckon with.  First, on a physical level add core strengthening exercise to your regime to strength your back.  Then on an emotional level strengthening your boundaries and a spiritual level reconnect with your purpose and morals.  By doing these exercises your mental health will be able to handle any chaos or crisis, big or small.

Taurus
art and therapy
Emma Hauck

Ten of Swords – Your third Muse to work with for the coming year is the Muse of Culmination.  This year will be full of cycles ending.  Do this by purging, project finishing, and releasing.  However, you will have to navigate it with more intuition then with logic.  So far, your Muses for the year are standing firmly in the present.  Experience each day to its fullest and let this Muse help you let go of or finish off what you do not want to carry into the future.

Gemini

therapy and art*World – The Muse of Oneness is visiting to help you connect.  This Muse reminds you it is easy to connect to the woes of the world but harder the places to rejoice.  This week call old friends, hang with your family, take a walk into nature, stare at ant hill, smell the roses, have tea watching the world go by.  Connect into this amazing world you live in.

Cancerian
Karl Gustav Slevers

Page of Swords – Not everything this week is clear cut, so the Muse of Investigation has come to help.   She reminds you to read between the lines, ask more questions and listen deeply.  Knowledge not only brings more ease but is instructive and illuminating too.

Leo
art and therapy
Anonymous

Three of Wands – The Muse of Enterprise has come with the energy help you do what is needs to be done.  But the plan needs to be plotted out first and only by you.  Make your to-do list, plot out your actions steps and then start checking them off. The only challenge is you may not see the profit from your labors for weeks to come.

Virgo
August Nater

*Lovers – People and relationships are highlighted this week.   The challenge is that it will take work for things to run smoothly.  So, the Muse of Intimacy reminds you to that being vulnerable, curious, and humble will help you solve communication and interaction challenges.   I.e.: you catch more flies with honey then vinegar.

 

Libra
Peter Moog

King of Cups – It seems like this week will be a roller-coaster of emotions around you and therefore can affect you.  Luckily the Muse of Emotions comes with the reminder that these outbursts are fleeting.  The challenge is that you will have to invite them in.  They will lose their steam and putter out if listen to but not acted on.

Scorpio
art and therapy
Anonymous

*Emperor – This week you have the energy to build upon anything you put your focus on.  The Muse of Construction has come with her T-square and power tools to help.  Your challenge is having a clear idea about what you want to build.  And for the extra points, does this formation improve upon what is already existing in your life?  Your motto:  Build better.

Sagittarius
Johann Knopf

*Star – Last week had an evolutionary vibe to it, where your choices need to be an upgrade but also liberate you.  This evolution whether seen or under wraps has drained you.  So whatever choices you made the Muse of Healing Illumination has come to restore your energy and download some information.  Find time this week to do some deep relaxing.  This is beverages by water sources, nesting in with a good fiction book, or just getting a good night’s sleep.  You deserve some down time.

Capricorn
Paul Goesch

Four of Swords – The Muse of Rest comes when your batteries are low.  She advises you to unplug, take a social break and relax.  You need to realign with the serene.  So, find time to turn off the chatter.  Your motto:  Peace and Quiet.

 

Aquarius
art and therapy
Anonymous

Six of Wands – This week take time to celebrate your accomplishments.  No joke these past couple of years have been hard, but you have made it through.  You have achieved so much.  The Muse of Celebration reminds you to take the time to celebrate the small success as well as the bigger triumphs, before moving to the next set of challenges.

Pisces
art and therapy
Jacob Mohr

Eight of Swords – The Muse of Bondage provides challenges this week for you to break from old thought patterns.  If something feels or sounds like a “broken record”, time to change the tune, i.e., your thought pattern.  Remember just like an “earworm” they are placed there by others, but you have made it one of your “top ten”.   So, now is the time to replace it with your own hit single.

Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of April 24, 2022

Mabel Allington Royds
Water Lilies Mabel Allington Royds

The artist this week is Mabel Allington Royds.  Royds is painter and printmaker.  She began creating color woodcuts using the traditional Japanese ukiyo-e printmaking process.  However, instead of a three-person collaboration on a print (artist, artisan, printer), she learned from Frank M. Fletcher how to do all three stages independently.  Royds innovated the technique further by applying pigment to the woodcuts by paintbrush rather than using a roller. And instead of using more expensive cherrywood blocks she bought six-penny pastry boards from Woolworth’s.  And as her technique evolved, in this multi-block process, she began omitting the key board (often the first step in the printing process that establishes and prints the outlines of the piece).  This allowed for the colors to merge in a more painterly fashion.  She preferred to produce prints as people wanted them, adding even more variation and uniqueness to each print.

The pondering for the week:  If you outline every aspect of your life are you missing the possibilities of spontaneous or experimental creation? So practice coloring without lines.

 

Solar System Highlights

There is a solar eclipse on April 30th in Taurus. Things can slow down around this time lucky it’s on the weekend.  The Moon starts this week in Pisces – daydreaming is easy but maybe not so great if you have a lot of work to get done.  Then it moves into Aries on the 27th – great time to power through the work week and make up for lost time at the beginning.  Then on Friday it moves into Taurus – great for family, gardening and getting out into nature.  Mercury is in Taurus until the weekend, so it moves from getting to the root of conversation and grounding relationships through dialogue to a freer flowing conversation.   Mars is in Pisces with Venus.  So, these two are working with each other again.  Mars by having you work with your intuition to create movement, and Venus wanting us to create more beauty and harmony in our environment and relationships.  Jupiter is in Pisces until May 10th; this aspect is dreamy and holds opportunity and luck.  And lastly, Saturn remains in Aquarius for all of 2022 – so innovating and upping your game is the focus again for another year.

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

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

Nina

 

 

Aries
Mabel Allington Royds
Trees on a slope Mabel Allington Royds

King of Coins – The Muse of Domain is advising you this week to metaphorical walk your perimeters and survey your land.   This week to create more ease you need to have a better understanding of what you have built so far and what your needs are to build going forward.  Do you need more space, better equipment, help?  And start working on checking off those action steps.

 

Taurus
Mabel Allington Royds
White Lilies Mabel Allington Royds

Ace of Coins – Your second Muse to work with for the coming year is the Muse of Material Plane Beginnings.  Whether that is a new house, space, or project.  This year you are supported in creating new things on the material plane.  Think money, space, resources, and time.  Take this week to write lists of what you want to physically grow this year.

 

Gemini
Grapes Mabel Allington Royds

Ten of Cups – Happiness is all around you this week.  It is up to you to tap into it and enjoy those moments.  These can be big causes for celebration like finishing a project or a gathering of friends and family.  Or it can be in those little moments of watching flowers grow from your porch, sitting and having a beverage with a friend or having the time to finally take a nap.  Enjoy these moments of bliss they don’t come often or as easily.

 

Cancerian
Mabel Allington Royds
Magnolia Mabel Allington Royds

Six of Coins – The Muse of Mini Karma sits on your porch this week. This muse reminds you that acts of kindness not only improve the world but also improve your mood.  But she also states to be aware that negativity spreads and rebounds just as easily.

 

Leo
Mabel Allington Royds
Dandelions Mabel Allington Royds

Four of Cups– The Muse of Saturation has come to warn that you are internalizing thoughts, actions, and emotions.   You have saturated yourself with too much news, tv, overthinking, comfort eating, etc…  Being overwhelmed has led you to state of vibrating numbness.  Time to get out of your bed, head, belly button, or emotions and go do something.  Preferably something that involves nature, kittens/puppies, or small children.

 

Virgo
Mabel Allington Royds
Honeysuckle Mabel Allington Royds

Eight of Swords – Circumstances this week trigger you to feel bound or stagnate.  The Muse of Bondage has come with the keys to free you.  The issue is you are holding onto the locks of thought or work patterns.  Time to let go of old patterns put there by others and take your power back.

 

Libra
Mabel Allington Royds
Columbines Mabel Allington Royds

Queen of Swords – You are going to need your mind sharp this week, for the Muse of Details has arrived.  This energy comes when you need to magnify the small stuff.  It is important to deal with the specifics, for if that is sorted the larger picture falls into place more easily.  If by chance this week you are dealing with contracts, the law, or signing deals make sure you read the fine print.  It is not that it is essential bad, but it can be a place to negotiate aspects in your favor.

 

Scorpio
Tiger lilies Mabel Allington Royds

Queen of Cups – The Muse of Fun is here to liven up the party.  She is nudging you go out have fun, laugh, and partake in the world.  Sometimes you water signs soak in too much emotionality of others, so this week is about letting go of some steam.  So, find a batting cage, break-room, dance floor, swimming hole or sweat lodge and transmute those hotheaded negative emotions of others into something more enjoyable.

 

Sagittarius
Foxglove Mabel Allington Royds

*Judgment – This week has an evolutionary vibe to it.  You may be asked life changing questions, make decision that change your trajectory, or be challenged to evolve to the next level.  Remember you have a choice to stay where you are at or move on.  But no matter which choice you make this Muse advises the answer should liberate you in some way.

 

Capricorn
Artichoke Mabel Allington Royds

Two of Wands – The Muse of Future Casting calls for you to gaze out the window and imagine new plans and outcomes.  This week carve out some time to plan your garden, next project, or go big your life’s hope and dreams.  This Muse asks: What’s next?

 

Aquarius
Cyclamen Mabel Allington Royds

Three of Coins – Last week you needed personal insight.  This week is all about asking for advice and help from others.  The Muse of Collaboration comes when getting other people’s help or opinions is vital in creating more ease in your work and life.  You don’t need to know everything or do everything.  At the very least, use those second set of eyes and ears to check your work.

 

Pisces
Cineraria Mabel Allington Royds

Two of Coins – The Muse of Equilibrium comes for two reasons.  One you need to focus on one thing at a time this week.  And something is off kilter that needs to be re-balanced.  This could be work and play, work and sleep, nutrition, or literally your balance sucks.  So, maintain a tight focus and practice standing on one foot.

 

 

 

Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of Feb. 6, 2022

Ava Roth

One of February’s vibrations is about collaboration.  How can we work and create together?  This week’s artist is Ava Roth. She has found a unique and interesting partnership.  This series is called the Honeycomb Collection.  Roth calls this an inter-species collaboration with local honeybees.  She first creates an encaustic collage (painting with or uses hot beeswax) inside embroidery hopes or frames. Roth combines elements of nature with embroidery.  Then the hoops are fixed to hive frames and placed inside honeybee hives.  The bees then build their comb around her art and sometimes on it.  Roth’s work has us ponder our interactions with nature.  Can we interact instead of colliding? And can this interaction create something even more beautiful?

Ava Roth
Ava Roth

Solar System highlights:  The Moon starts this week in Taurus – a nice shot of energy to start the work week.  Then it moves into Gemini on the 9th – great for working on your communication style.  Onto Cancer for the weekend – perfect for relaxing and nesting at home.  We have 3 planets in Capricorn until February 14th.  Mercury who works on our communication techniques especially in the workplace.  Venus is in Capricorn – where beauty and harmony are achieved through practicality.  And Mars – where it provides momentum in our workplaces.  So, this is the week to get tasks done.   Jupiter is in Pisces until May; this aspect is dreamy and holds opportunity and luck.  And lastly, Saturn remains in Aquarius – so innovating and upping your game is the focus again for 2022.

 

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

 

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

Nina

 

Aries
Ava Roth
Ava Roth

*Chariot – The Muse of Momentum has given you the reins to move towards your goals with more ease this week.  However, though the Universe has given you the vehicle and gassed it up, it is up to you alone to focus this energy into a direction.  Or you will end up spending this week going in circles.

 

Taurus
Ava Roth
Ava Roth

*Hanged One – The Muse of Inertia has come to slow things down. When everyone else is getting pushed to get things done by the planets, you may be blocked.  Instead of being frustrated see that your work is to reflect and ponder possibilities.  For this muse only shows up when something needs to be look at before acting.  This slower movement is a blessing providing you time to think and readjust before moving forward.

 

Gemini
Ava Roth
Ava Roth

Seven of Cups – The Muse of Daydreams is inviting you to play in your imagination.  Your work is to dream bigger.  This muse gently prompts you to look at the how and why you stop yourself from imagining a bigger brighter future.  Focus on changing your “it’s impossible” to “it is possible.”

 

Cancerian
Ava Roth
Ava Roth

Four of Swords – When the planets are pushing most people forward you need the opposite.  Rest is required this week.  This Muse shows up when you do not realize how depleted you are.  Turn off technology and take some time in stillness and seclusion. You are still work just internally.

 

Leo
Ava Roth
Ava Roth

*Hermit – Last week the Muse of Organic change challenged you to let go of the old to fertilize the new.  Now the Muse of Hermitage adds to that energy with perspective and asks you to pull back from the everyday.  You need to work with the big picture.  It can be as simple as stepping back from a project to see which steps need to be tweak.  Or as complex as thinking about deeper concepts like why I am here at this place and this time, and what can I do to better my world and the world of others.

 

Virgo
Ava Roth

Page of Cups – The Muse of Joy has come to help you through an emotional time.   This energy reminds you that life though complex and at times hard also has moments of sweetness.  Your work is to see the joy.  Think of ice cream on a hot day, sun showers, fireflies, a child’s giggle, or a cat’s purr.  It’s being present to these small moments of joy that reminds us that life is good.

 

Libra
Ava Roth
Ava Roth

King of Wands – Last week the Muse of Metamorphosis wanted you to up your game by running your goals through the 4 components of evolution: Potential, can it be done?  Variation, are there multiple avenues to get there?  Competition, do you have to vie for resources?  And proliferation, can it be done more than once?  The Muse of Vibrance lets you spend another week on this process and cheers you on with shouts of “You got this!”

 

Scorpio
Ava Roth
Ava Roth

Five of Cups – This week can have its disappointment and missteps.  But the Muse of Silver Linings reminds you that with each challenge there are positive aspects that you can only find by going through this process.  Your work is to find those positive aspects that are left after the proverbial milk has been spilled.

 

Sagittarius
Ava Roth

Seven of Wands – Last week Kali came to help you find cracks in some aspect of your life.  Something you have been ignoring needs fixing.  Now the Muse of Effort is pushing you to mend those cracks.  Luckily you have another week to work on creating solutions, so “chalk on.”

 

Capricorn
Ava Roth
Ava Roth

Eight of Coins – The Muse of Productivity brings her energy so you can get things accomplished this week.  This is so aligned with three planets also in Capricorn to help you get things moving.  So, make your to-do lists and start checking them off.   The challenge is not to take on unneeded pressure.  You have mastery now its just working with it in the everyday.

 

Aquarius
Ava Roth

Queen of Cups – This Muse of Pleasure has come to remind you that this week you need to be entertained and pampered.  Yes, you will still be called to be productive, but you must balance it with laughter and love.  So, find your joy people.

 

Pisces
Ava Roth

*Lovers – The Muse of Relationships wants you to reconnect with the ones you love.  Your work is to spend quality time with your “peeps” and fine tune your people skills.  She reminds you this quality time promotes intimacy.   So don’t try to fit everyone in this week.  Maybe just home in on the one you haven’t connected with in a while.

Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of Jan 16, 2022

Betye Saar House of Tarot

This week’s artist is Betye Saar. Saar is an assemblage artist and print maker.  As she says:  I’m a person who walks looking down, because you can find lots of great things on the ground.  I’m basically a recycler… I find other people’s stuff and junk and recycle it into my stuff and junk.’  But how she puts them together creates deeper more complex meaning, a story.  Saar believes that that an object carries its past.  Not only it’s physical past of where it has been and who held it, but also it mystical past why did someone make, buy, and then discard the object.

Saar by assembling these disparate items, they become reborn with a new voice.  Her visual storytelling ranges from political like The Liberation of Aunt Jemima (1972) or delves into mysticism like Legends in Blue (2020).  It her unique ability to combine items from society that can disparage and reimagining them to tell stories of freedom and spirit that makes her a remarkable artist.

We all create our own assemblages in our homes, souvenirs, knickknacks, photos, etc… Your pondering for the week:  Look around your space and what things have you put together?  What personal altars have you consciously or subconsciously created?  What do these altars represent?

Solar System highlights:  The Moon starts this week in Leo –time to shine into the world.  Then moves into Virgo on the 20th  – organize and clean.  Onto Libra for the weekend- perfect timing for bonding with partners and friends.  No major planetary changes from last week. Except Mercury is retrograde in Aquarius – not a great time for action but a great time for your mind: Review, Reflect, and Reassess.  Venus is in Capricorn – where beauty and harmony are achieved through practicality.  Mars is in Sagittarius a lovely time to expand and explore not only your environment but your mind.  Jupiter is in Pisces; this aspect is dreamy and holds opportunity and luck.  And Saturn is still in Aquarius – so innovating and upping your game is its focus for another year.

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

 

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

Nina

 

 

Aries
Betye Saar
Betye Saar

*Chariot – The Muse of Self Propulsion is handing you the keys to your future this week.  However, the challenge is you need a direction/focus to apply this energy towards.  If you do not, you will drive in circles.  If you do then everything is within your reach.  So ready, steady, go.

 

Taurus
Betye Saar
Betye Saar

*World – The Muse of Endings and Beginnings is here to help you tie up loose ends and clean your plate, so you may start anew.   Take this week to tidy your desk, inbox, entry ways, etc.… Literally or metaphorically you need to clean your portals so “the new” can walk in unimpeded.

 

Gemini
Betye Saar
Betye Saar The Liberation of Aunt Jemima

*Strength – To get through the next couple of months with more ease you need to strengthen your core.  This can be as simple as starting an exercise regime to work on your abdominals.  Or it can be as complicated as re-working your life’s mission statement and/or goals.  These exercises in inner strength will lead you to more ease not only this week but also well into your birth month.

 

Cancerian
Betye Saar
Betye Saar The Phrenologer’s Window

King of Coins – The Muse of Fiscal Abundance has come to help you set goals for your finances.  They ask what do you need to make yourself feel financial safe?  It could be getting your taxes ready early, paying off your debt, having a larger savings goal, or buying a house.  Take this week to review, reflect and reassess your finances.

 

Leo
Betye Saar
Vanity Betye Saar

Six of Cups – This is your second six so a quick dive into six.  Sixes in tarot represent the give and take that happens in the world. Last week it was about the balance of the cost and profit of success.  This week it is about the balance of the past and future.  The past has valid information for your future, but the lesson is not caring the pain or expecting repeated patterns.  You bring the lesson and tools forward to use, so you do not have to relive past experiences.

 

Virgo
Betye Saar
Betye Saar Imitation of Life

Four of Swords – The Muse of Rest is here again after also coming two weeks ago.  This is a divine week for you to pull back and work with the Mercurian energy of Review, Reflect, and Reassess.  Pull in and ponder to your hearts content.  Healthy food, plenty of rest and a comfy couch or chair are your friends this week.     

 

Libra
Betye Saar
Betye Saar Window of Sirens

Six of Swords – The Muse of Mini-Transitions has come to get you out of a rut.  This week make little changes that will affect your life in big ways.  Releasing the past and finding new paths are key.  This can be done by rearranging your furniture, finding a new places to hang, and/or releasing things that no longer work for you.

 

Scorpio
Betye Saar
Betye Saar, The Long Memory

King of Cups – The past two weeks had you update your prime directive, a past paradigm or thinking process.  And gave you clues either through dreams or synchronicities.  Well, that theme continues this week with the Muse of Emotions.  This energy asks you to make friends with your emotions because each of them that arise this week do so with a message.  And as always with this muse Rumi’s poem Guest House is a reminder of how to do this.

 

Sagittarius
Betye Saar Black Girl’s window

*Fool– Ok so third big energy week.  The past two weeks the muses asked you to use your intuition or spiritual practice to tap into the flow of information masked in synchronicities, riddles, and Fae energy.  Then the Muse of Mixology had you honing the skill of spontaneity with knowledge by experimenting and combing different aspects of your life (ex: shadow/light, rest/action). And now with these skills and information the Muse of New Adventure is pushing you out the door to find new experiences. This can be as simple as finding new routes home or as complex as making a leap into a new job field or lifestyle.

 

Capricorn
Betye Saar Blackbird

Two of Swords – This week with each of your decisions you need to get in touch with how that decision feels with all your senses.  This muse reminds you that it is not the goal but the journey that is important.

 

Aquarius
Betye Saar The Palmist Window

*Hierophant and Page of Swords – The muses this week want you to investigate your structures.  This can look as simple as looking through Zillow for new places to live, finding a new way to organize your life (did someone say bullet journal), or health blogs for new workouts.  Or it can look as complex as doing some research into how you prioritize the structures of your life.  For example, you say family is important but spend most of your time at work?

 

Pisces
Beyte Saar Legends in Blue

*Magician – The Muse of Manifestation is here to help you bring the divine into existence in your life.  Even though Mercury is in retrograde you all can begin manifesting.  The challenge is that with each item, wish, manifestation you conjure it must also have a broader divine aspect to it.  That can be as simple as you want a raise, but you also give more to charity this year.  Or as complex that your new path has a higher purpose then survival.

Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of Jan 2, 2022

Lucia Heffernan
Lucia Heffernan
Happy 2022!

This week’s artist is Lucia Heffernan @luciaheffernan.  Heffernan paints animals in human situations. This anthropomorphic view is often used in comics, cartoons, and children’s books.  We are all familiar with Cassius M Coolidge’s Dog’s Playing Poker paintings to advertise cigars in the early 1900’s or Bugs Bunny.  Often animals are used to characterize and/or make fun of human behaviors.

The difference with Heffernan’s work is the animal is represented first and then the human characteristics are layered on top.  As she says, “This collision between animal and human sensibilities creates a whimsical, theatrical, and often humorous world that viewers can relate to on an emotional level.” Heffernan allows us to see that we are animals too and that we can discover our own humor and innocence in the reflection of our fellow earthly companions.

I picked her Yoga Chick series because it resonates with how we all like to make goals for the coming year.  A friend of mine (thanks Lou and @cynyassy) sent me this cartoon that asked when goal setting- are you committing to the outcome or the process?  By committing to the just the goal you may not get there and if you do what next?  But if you commit to the process then you are learning along the way.  So, no setbacks, no failure just expansion.  Just like in yoga (or any spiritual practice), you don’t go in thinking I will downward dog four times.  The goal with the practice is the practice.  So, your pondering for the week – what process are you willing to commit to?

Solar System highlights:  The Moon starts this week in Capricorn – great time to start a practice, business, or project.  Then moves into Aquarius on the 3rd  – innovation is key.  Then onto Pisces for the 5th – a great time for dreaming.  And moon ends in Aries – spend the weekend in motion.  Mercury is in Aquarius – find new ways to communicate.  Venus is in Capricorn – where beauty and harmony are achieved through practicality.  Mars is in Sagittarius a lovely time to expand and explore not only your environment but your mind.  Jupiter is in Pisces; this aspect is dreamy and holds opportunity and luck.  And Saturn is still in Aquarius – so innovating and upping your game is its focus.

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

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

Nina

 

 

Aries
Lucia Heffernan
Lucia Heffernan

King of Cups – Your typical MO is action.  “Let’s get things done”, but this week you will need to get in touch with your emotions.  Instead of making a to-do list.  Make a to-feel list.  What do you want to feel in the coming year?

 

Taurus
Lucia Heffernan
Lucia Heffernan

*Tower – You need to start this year by doing a “building inspection” of your life.  Something is making you off kilter, or there are cracks that need tending to before you start the year.  Your foundations need stabilizing.  So, start this year by doing some deconstruction before you start constructing.

 

Gemini
Lucia Heffernan
Lucia Heffernan

Four of Cups – Introspection is the name of the game this week.  Yep, some deep belly-button gazing is required before you start this year.  By doing this you will find 3 wonderful gems of insight.  However, keep one ear/eye open for messages from outside sources that will help you with your last bit of info.

 

Cancerian

Lucia Heffernan
Lucia Heffernan

*Temperance – You will need to start your year in the slow lane.  This week is about honing your skills in balance, patience, and moderation.  By not rushing into the year, you can stabilize your energy, so you can better unite with the flow instead of swimming against it.

 

Leo
Lucia Heffernan

Ten of Coins – The start of this year is around wealth.  The challenge is that your wealth does not come from one source.  Yes, the material plane cannot be denied, but you need to reassess your place on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.  By changing your perspective from lack to a desire for growth, you see that some of your needs are met and which ones need to be boosted.

 

Virgo
Lucia Heffernan

Four of Swords – The beginning of this year is centered around rest.   Rest in its verb form is defined as cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength. Your challenge is to still yourself – mind, body and spirit, so you can recharge your batteries.  Do things like unplug, sweat lodges, deep water massage, stare out your window for hours…    

 

Libra
Lucia Heffernan

Two of Cups – Love is the energy that starts off your new year.  Love is defined as feeling deep affection for _____. Spend this week filling in the blank as many times as you can.  

Scorpio
Lucia Heffernan

Ace of Swords – Insight and clarity are the themes to the start of this year. Take this week to modernize an old inspiration, motto, truth into this new decade.  You are rewiring your brain to update your prime directive, a past paradigm or thinking process.

 

Sagittarius
Lucia Heffernan

*High Priestess – Sacred knowledge is being delivered to you this week.  Use your intuition or spiritual practice to tap into the flow of information masked in synchronicities, riddles, and Fae energy.  Dance in the moonlight, follow willow wisps, do radio divination – find ways to tap into the source.

 

Capricorn
Lucia Heffernan

Knight of Cups – This year starts with the energy of the romance.  For those that know you well, under your can-do practical personality lies a gushy romantic.  It is time for you to turn on your charm and caring for ones closest to you.  Connection and intimacy are key for the start of 2022.

 

Aquarius
Lucia Heffernan
Lucia Heffernan

Nine of Swords – As you start 2022 you need to deal with your pessimism.  Yes, 2021 was harsh and frustrating for you, but it is also the beginning of a 20-year cycle where you are in your groove and the rest of us catches up with how you think, and problem solve.  Let go of your worry and upgrade your natural gifts of flexibility and adaptability.

 

Pisces
Lucia Heffernan

*Strength – Last year you faced and subdued many of your demons.  So, this year starts with acknowledging them and checking on their leashes.  You start this year much stronger than at the beginning of 2021, so 2022 will be easier.   But the challenge is believing that you have done the hard stuff, that you are smarter and stronger.  That you have and will endure.

Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of Nov. 7, 2021

Artemisia Gentileschi
Artemisia Gentileschi

The artist this week is Artemisia Gentileschi.  She lived in the 17th century mostly in Italy.  Gentileschi was one of the few woman painters of that time and was well known enough that she made a living with selling her paintings to nobles and royals like Charles I of England.  She is also known for being the daughter of Baroque painter Orazio Gentileschi and being raped and winning her case against her rapist when she was 17.

When men write about her, they note the power of her brushstroke likening it to men of her time, or her boldness of portraying strong women characters, unlike the men of her time.  Feminists write about her through a lens of a survivor and a woman who made her way in the patriarchal system.  When female art historians write about her, they see her in a broader context with a variety of aspects that contributed to what she painted and why.

As a viewer we do look through our personal lens.  Asking questions like did this feminine perspective become her selling point?  Or was it the subjects she chooses?  her “fame” of the rape?  Or did she exemplify Baroque art with its drama, rich and deep color and intense light and dark shadows?

All of these are pertinent questions, but also, maybe we just like her work, amazed at how she can capture candlelight.  As we view and relate to art or our lives, one must remember that a point in time resonates throughout our lifetime, but it does not solely define us or our actions.  We are a sum of all the things that makes us.  And at the same time, we are beautiful, amazing, and valid for just being alive as any other thing in nature.

Solar System highlights:  The Moon starts in Capricorn – focus on getting things done on material plan. Then on Tuesday it moves into Aquarius – use your intellect and thinking outside the box is needed.  The Moon then finishes in Pisces for the weekend – follow your dreams and soul’s desires. Mercury is in Scorpio – the focus is passion and letting go of forms of communication that no longer work for you.  Venus is in Capricorn – where beauty and harmony are achieved with practicality.  Mars is in Scorpio – desire is in the air, as well as, it is a great time to finish up projects.  And lastly, Jupiter and Saturn are in Aquarius – so innovating and upping your game is their focus until end of December.

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

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

Nina

 

 

Aries
Artemisia Gentileschi
Artemisia Gentileschi

Three of Swords – The Muse of Heartbreak has come to help you heal from a hurt you have been holding on too.  This hurt usually shows up as self-criticism.  These are deep wounds that keep cyclically happen in your life.  So, fill in the thought “I’m not lovable because….”  And heal that wound so you can accept the love that is already in your life or coming around the corner.

 

Taurus
Artemisia Gentileschi
Artemisia Gentileschi

Eight of Swords – The Muse of Self-binding Thoughts has come to trigger beliefs that no longer serve you.  Your challenge is to release yourself from these mind ghosts.  The keys to these emotional handcuffs are the upsets/traumas happened in the past, were put there by others, and you have made them your own.  Release and free yourself.

 

Gemini
Artemisia Gentileschi
Artemisia Gentileschi

*High Priestess – Last week the Muse of Fortune calibrated your karma, good or bad, a debt has now been paid.  Now, the Muse of Higher Purpose has come to realign you with your path.  You are here for a variety of reasons: being a parent, sibling, work, your passion, etc.… If you listen to your inner voice or external synchronicities, this Muse will guide you to resources that help you gain traction on your path.

 

Cancerian
Artemisia Gentileschi
Artemisia Gentileschi

*Empress – Your third big energy week.  So, you may be feeling a bit tired, stressed, and/or overwhelmed.  Because you had the Muse of Destruction dismantling some aspect of your life that needed fixing. Then the Muse of Stabilization shored you back up.  Now it’s time to create with the Muse of Creation.  Ugh but your tired.  Breath.  This energy would like you to focus on a project that will take you through the New Year.  She asks, what will you birth into 2022?  Grow it slowly, and nurture yourself as you nurture it.

 

Leo
Artemisia Gentileschi
Artemisia Gentileschi

Five of Cups – The Muse of Spilled Milk is here to remind you that every mess you encounter this week is not your responsibility.  Yes, you have things that need cleaning, but this Muse reminds you that some problems are meant for others to deal with.  So, your challenge is to see why you are doing it.  Are you avoiding your own messes?  Do you like the attention even though it is co-dependent?  Or is it if not you then who?  Focus on your mess only this week.

 

Virgo
Artemisia Gentileschi

Two of Swords – The Muse of Decisions is here to help you make more aligned choices. We all are making choices every day, but are they aligned with how we want to feel as we make them?  This muse suggests this week pick a feeling or word that you want to live by and then make choices from that feeling or word.

 

Libra
Artemisia Gentileschi
Artemisia Gentileschi

Ace of Cups – The Muse of Love has come to fill your emotional cup.  She suggests noting all the loving things that happen in this week.  Your pet greeting you, your kid’s hug, someone opening a door for you, or a smile.  But here is how she challenges you.  When someone does a wrong, mentally thank them for the reminder of how you don’t want to be or show them some compassion.  They may be having a shitty day.  You see, kindness fills the cup coming and going.

 

Scorpio
Artemisia Gentileschi

Two of Cups – Next energy up for your new year is the Muse of Relationships.  This year highlights relationships.  The challenge with this energy is by 2023 all your relationships should all be built on equality.  They fill your cup as you fill theirs.  Start this week cleaning out the emotional vampires.

 

Sagittarius
Artemisia Gentileschi

Seven of Coins – The Muse of Work has come to help you further a project on the material plane.  This energy is like those people that give out water during marathons.  Look for moments to re-energize yourself, take small breaks like a walk if you are stuck, drink tea, or tiny 10-minute desk naps; and keep going.

 

Capricorn
Artemisia Gentileschi

Page of Coins – The Muse of Learning has come with books in tow.  This week is great for acquiring a new skill or useful bit of information.  You might have to hit the books, watch documentaries or informational podcasts.  Knowledge is power.

 

Aquarius
Artemisia Gentileschi

Eight of Coins – The Muse of Mastery comes when you need to focus on a project and move it to completion or tweak it to a more valuable form.  Art is taking the everyday and lifting to a place where we can see its beauty.  This week take something to the next level.

 

Pisces
Artemisia Gentileschi

Three of Wands – The Muse of the Productive Waiting has arrived reminding you to use this time and space to prepare for what is about to happen.  For example, if you were going on vacation in 2 weeks, pack now and you might find that you need a new bathing suit.  Something needs to be done while you are waiting for the next thing to happen.

Tarot and Art Forecast for Week of Oct. 31, 2021

Georgiana Houghton
Georgiana Houghton

Happy Halloween. Blessed Samhain to all my Gaelic folk. And blessed Day of the Dead to my Mesoamericans.

The artist this week is Georgiana Houghton @georgianhoughton.  Houghton was a spiritualist medium in the 1860’s and 70s. She used watercolors to create vivid and complex abstract paintings.  Houghton declared that she was guided by various spirits including family members, Renaissance artists and angelic beings to create these works.  She used a color scheme to express characteristics of people and conditions. There is a list of what each color means at her website.

Houghton predates, by 50 years, the “declared” founder of Wassily Kandinsky who started dabbling in abstract painting in 1911, and Hilda Klimt who was painting abstractly five years before Kandinsky. Klimt also declared herself a spiritualist.  Does art history need a re-write?  Kandinsky even proclaimed in the essay “On the Spiritual in Art”, (paraphrased) that all forms of art can reach a level of spirituality.  He often argued that color could be used to paint something autonomous like music.  So why can’t the two women before him be seen as artist who paint the soul, the ultimate of abstraction?

Your pondering: As the veil thins tonight – what spirit would you call in to inspire you?

Solar System highlights:  On Monday the Moon starts in Libra – relationships and beauty are the focus. Then it moves into Scorpio on Nov 3rd focusing on passion and letting go.  The Moon then finishes in Sagittarius – go outside and enjoy the weekend. Mercury is in Libra until the 5th– great for communication, creating networks and getting in touch with friends.  Then it moves into Scorpio switching the focus to passion and letting go of forms of communication that no longer work for you.  Venus is in Sagittarius also until the 5th then moves Capricorn where beauty goes from free spiritedness to practicality.  Mars is in Scorpio – desire is in the air as well as a great time to finish up projects.  And lastly, Jupiter and Saturn are in Aquarius – so innovating and upping your game is their focus until end of December.

 

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

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

Nina

 

Aries
Georgiana Houghton
Georgiana Houghton

Five of Cups – The Muse of Optimism has come to help you see that your cup is half full.  Yeah, there are some not so great things this week, but overall, you have a lot to be content about.  People around you might also need this insight.

 

Taurus
Georgiana Houghton
Georgiana Houghton

Nine of Cups – Last week, the Muse of Structures arrived to check the constructs that support you in life, and something was off kilter.  If you fixed it awesome you have a week off.  Find your comfy spots and dig in.  If you didn’t, use this week to realign but take the weekend off.

 

Gemini
Georgiana Houghton
Georgiana Houghton

*Wheel of Fortune – The Muse of Fortune has come to calibrate your karma.  This week can either go good or bad.  But no matter where your wheel lands by the end of the week your karmic bank will be more balanced.   Have faith in the Universe everything is happening as it should.

 

Cancerian
Georgiana Houghton
Georgiana Houghton

*Temperance – Last week the Muse of Destruction came to dismantle some aspect of your life that needed fixing. Your job was to fix the cracks to lessen or avoid the blow.  This week the Muse of Stabilization has come to shore you back up.  This energy is best in building back a more balanced world around you, so you can let your life force flow without resistance.  Moderation is key.

 

Leo
Georgiana Houghton
Georgiana Houghton

Queen of Coins – Final a week to settle in with the Muse of Luxury.  The last 3 weeks have been full of energy surrounding and demanding a lot out of you.  But this week there should be a balance of work and play.  The Muse of Luxury reminds you that for every bit of energy discharged there should be an equal amount of energy taken in.  So, for every minute you work your behind off, there should be an equal amount of time you spend luxuriating.  She challenges you with this pondering – why and what are you working so hard for if you are not also enjoying the process or the harvest?

 

Virgo
Georgiana Houghton

Six of Coins – Last week the Muse of the Unconscious had you conversing with the darker hidden aspects of what you fear and seeing that they don’t have to protect you.  Now the Muse of Cause and Effect comes to ground you back into reality and your impact on it.  This week notice how your actions and words effect those around you.  This Muse reminds you “what goes around comes around.”  So, practice what you preach.

 

Libra
Georgiana Houghton

King of Coins – The Muse of Ambition has come to help you turn your visions into reality.  If you know what to do this is the week to get it rolling.  The only challenge is if you don’t know where to go next.  If you are floundering, start fixing the small things around you that are not working.  This will give you ideas or at least a cleaner platform to begin from.

 

Scorpio
Georgiana Houghton

Ten of Coins – Next energy up for your new year, you will be working with the Muse of Financial Security.  This year will be a bumper crop on your career front.  This is a year to accumulate wealth.  The challenge is what do you need that will sustain you and help you build into your future.  This can be as easy as creating a savings account and as hard as keeping it full.

 

Sagittarius
Georgiana Houghton

Page of Cups – The Muse of Play has come to lighten up your week.  Her goal is to remind you to play each day.  Whether that means cards or crayons, play is best done with people you love.

 

Capricorn
Georgiana Houghton

Knight of Wands – The energy this week leads you to the right place at the right time.  No matter good or bad you are synced with the Universe, and it has gifts waiting around each corner.  This is not a week to be idle in mind, spirit and/or body. The challenge is moving patiently forward so you can receive your gifts and insights.

 

Aquarius
Georgiana Houghton

*Death – The Muse of Letting Go prompts you to do some recycling in your life.  She asks you what is no longer serving you?  What are you carrying that is holding you back?  Your challenge is to use the past like compost for the future.  Bury it, burn it and/or free it, so that something new can grow in your life.

 

Pisces
Georgiana Houghton

Two of Wands – The Muse of the Present has come to firmly remind you that each day is important and to live in it to the fullest.  We average 31,755 days or 762,120 hours in a lifetime.  And only 508,080 hours of that are we awake.  For every year that you are alive subtract 5,800 hours.  So, if you are in your 20’s you have around 400,000 hours; if you’re in your 40’s that s 254,000 hours. Yes, she says, life is short and precious; use it wisely.