Tarot and Art-Cast for week of May 21, 2023

Filipina-A racial identity crisis_(1990) by Pacita Abad

Happy Birth month Gemini!

The artist this week is Pacita Abad.  Abad experimented by using her version of the “trapunto” technique (and Italian word used in sewing and stuffing material to give a 3-d aspect) with her paintings.  However, she also adds a myriad of objects such as buttons, mirrors, fabric, thread, beads, and mirrors to give it even further dimension.  Abad traveled extensively and we can see how each of these countries gave her ideas, techniques, and materials to experiment and expand her own art.

She experimented with traditional art practices like ink-brush painting in Korea, paint brushing the Dominican Republic, batik making in Indonesia, tie-dye in Africa, mirrors in India, shells in Papua New Guinea.  However, the continuity was the way she expressed her personal experiences through vibrant colors and the concept of the circle.  Abad’s “work brought together images and experiences across cultures, economies and histories and offered reflections on the global long before the discourses of globalization and transnationalism were felt in the art world.”

Your pondering for the week:  What do you do in your life that expands your cultural borders/experiences? And how can you be a better global citizen?

 

Solar System highlights

The moon begins in Cancer – start the week off with self-care.  On Thursday it moves into Leo – your time to shine.   Then for the weekend it moves into Virgo – spend time organizing your house and getting ready for summer or winter depending on your hemisphere.

Mercury (communication and knowledge) is in Taurus (grounding), so do your words follow with actions?  Venus (beauty and harmony) is in Cancer (self-care) until June 6th.  Time to do whatever your version of a spa-day looks like.  Mars (action) has moved into Leo (energizer) find a few (2-3) tasks that you want to finish by July 10th and begin putting your focus solely on them.  This combo guarantees success.

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

And lastly Pluto (the hidden, death, wealth, and shadow) is in Aquarius until June 11th, giving us a taste of what the next 20 years will bring.  Pluto is considered a generational planet and takes its time doling out its challenges and treasures.   Pluto is bouncing back and forth from capitalistic Capricorn to socialistic Aquarius, so politics, technology and societal whims should be interesting to watch during until November 19th, 2024.

 

***Signs with an * it is a big week for you.  Gemini 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. and I have a new 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
Pacita Abad
Pacita Abad, I Feel for You Too 2003

*Lovers – The Muse of Love has come to your house this week. She would like you to practice intimacy with those you care for.  Do they know your love language, and do you know theirs?  Favorite Food?  Hardest time in life?  What they are most proud of? If so great, and if not now is the time to have those talks.  However, no matter which, now is the time to engage with your people so they know that they are loved by you.

 

Taurus
Pacita Abad
Pacita Abad Rama 1982

*Magician – The Muses of Manifestation is here to help you manifest something this week.  It can be big or small… simple or complex.   However, she would like you think about these criteria while manifesting:  It works collectively in the material, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual plane.  You should already have all the tools and skills to pull it off.  And its effect should bring positivity into the world.

 

Gemini
Pacita Abad
Pacita Abad Marcos and His Cronies 1985

Three of Air – This Muse of Breakthroughs has come to help in healing deep wounds.  The challenge with this energy is it does it by triggering the sore spot.  So, it is important to not react to the infliction but to dive deep into why it hurts.  These are usually triggers that run deep in the past, getting activated in the present, so we can heal it now that we are in a safer space. On a totally physical level this can be a sore shoulder from a past injury that needs some care, or it can be a thought or emotional hurt that needs re-wiring or re-parenting.

 

Cancerian
Pacita Abad
Pacita Abad Rainbow Mirrows 2002

*High Priestess and Seven of Earth – The Muses of Synchronicities and Function are here to help this week.  These two muses would like you to look at how you tap into your divine power and knowledge.  What is your practice?  If you have one, then take this week to refine it.  If you don’t then it is time to get in touch with your guides, put up an altar, define your sacred space and/or wander in spiritual places.  Either way look for synchronicities to guide you to wisdom and new paths.

 

Leo
Pacita Abad

Eight of Earth – The Muse of Craft is recommending using your superpowers this week to make your world and the world at large a better place.  So, Leo one of your superpowers is enhancing “shine.”    This Muse asks not only can you help someone else shine, but can you also allow your luster to shine more?

 

Virgo
Pacita Abad
Pacita Abad Trumpo 1988

Four of Earth – The fours in the tarot help us ground and stabilize ourselves.  This week the Muse of Material Savings is advising you to invest in yours.  Now the material includes monetary aspects, but it also includes time and space.  Her advice is to invest into at least one of these areas so you can stabilize your prospects.  Examples are clean your house, put money into savings or invest, or dedicate time in activities that ground you.

 

Libra
Pacita Abad While Pushkar Slept 2000

Nine of Water – The Muse of Contentment would like you to focus on what you are grateful for.  Her assignment, if you are willing, is to acknowledge something you are thankful three times each day (each morning, then each afternoon then each night).  This activity will give you clarity in where you should invest your emotions in the coming month.

 

Scorpio
Pacita Abad Life in the margins 2002

*Sun – Last week the Muse of Inner Strength had you practice poise and answer what makes you proud of being you.  Well, its companion Muse of Shine has also showed up to not only have you continue that practice, but now would like you radiate this optimistic personal perspective to another.  Whether that is as simple as smiling to a stranger or helping one of your friends see the best side of themselves.  This week is about lifting-up, radiating positivity, and optimism.

 

Sagittarius
Pacita Abad
Pacita Abad L.A. Liberty 1992

Queen of Fire – The Muse of Mysticism wants you to engage with your spirit.  This is best done through interactions with art or nature.  By communing with either, your mind can ponder, discover, and be inspired.  So, take time this week to go to a museum, the ocean, hike in a park or dabble in your own art.  Allow non-goal-oriented experiencing into your week.

 

Capricorn
Pacita Abad Wheels of Fortune

Two of Fire – The Muse of Future-Tripping and Window Shopping would like you to spend time meandering through possibilities.  This muse often shows up when you are stuck or not thinking outside the box or even at times big enough.  She asks you what would you do if you had all the money, space, time, and energy you needed?  Ponder and explore if you have set up boundaries that either are illusionary or that may have a work around.

 

Aquarius
Pacita Abad One Night Stand 2002

Nine of Air – The Muse of Anticipation comes when you are fretting over something.  She reminds you that hope and worry are both about anticipating the future.  Worry has us trying to second guess outcomes.  Where hope has us build outcomes.  Both have their worth, but which one would serve you better with the thing you are fretting about?

 

Pisces
Pacita Abad
Pacita Abad, European Mask 1990

Three of Earth – Collaboration is key this week.  The Muse of Teamwork reminds you that two heads are better than one but three are even better.  But this muse also reminds you that when collaborating make sure that each person on your team brings different skills and perspectives.   Diversity is key.