The artist this week is Lin Tianmiao.  Lin is best known for her installations using her technique of “thread winding”, completely wrapping thread, hair, felt or silk around everyday objects.  Her work often symbolizes the labor behind what is called women’s work.  How that work can silently bind a gender culturally.

Solar System highlights for the next two weeks

We have our first solar Eclipse in Aquarius on February 17^th. For those of you that have a sun or moon in Aquarius it would be good to lay low around that time if you can.  For those with nodes in Aquarius or Leo look for informational downloads around your future and letting go of what no longer works for you.

We also have our first retrograde of 2026 from February 26^th to March 20^th with Mercury in Pisces until April 14^th.  This lesson/exploration is around communicating our fantasies and dreams, non-linear thinking and a heightening of our Spidey sense.   The challenge is staying grounded when collecting information and giving it out.  Miscommunication is at its height during this time, so double check the “facts”.

Remember Saturn is back in Aries until April 2028.  Use this fiery energy to construct the systems you want to create and grow in.  The challenge is wanting change to happen faster then it can.  True change takes time and thoughtfulness.

 

EXTRA

*If you want a more in-depth look into the planets and how they affect you, you can get those with my yearly Astro reading or if you sign up for my monthly New Moon readings.  Aquarius/Pisces this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year.  And Leo/Virgo it is your halfway mark for your birth year, so if you need a Planetary Reading for a check in, now is the time.

**** I have a tip jar if you want to leave a gratuity for the tarot & art-casts.

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

Nina

 

**In honor of Chinese New Year, I am using The Chinese Five Elements Oracle cards.

Aries

Earth Snake – Gratitude leads to abundance this new year. This pillar brings messages to be bold and genuine with your heart.  This snake advises you for this year to search deeply for hidden treasure beneath the surface.  And to begin to activate more joy by bringing it into your environment for example:  the colors that invigorate you.

 

Taurus

Fire Tiger – Share your gifts this year.  Your creative force is emerging stronger than ever and now is the time to channel it into your larger community. Keep doing what stokes your internal fire, this will help cultivate not only your creative energy but also your inner joy which you can share.

 

Gemini

Earth Rabbit – Be in harmony with the season you are in during this coming year.  Slow down and tune into the pace of nature.  This energy is asking you to be resourceful and work with what is available at each moment.  You have what you need to begin any project, even if that means you need to simplify to get started.

 

Cancerian

Fire Snake – For this new year allow your heart to take center stage and follow its lead.  Do more activities that expand you than contract you.  Use these expanded joyful moments to push through fear or stagnation.  This is a time for joy and light.  Not only do you need it but so does the world.

 

Leo 

Earth Sheep – Take this year to return to your center.  To return to your body and treat it like it is your sanctuary.  Tune in to what your body needs:  rest, food, hugs…  And then take this year to cultivate and mindfully engage in these acts of restoration.

 

Virgo 

Metal Tiger – The tiger suggests it is okay to step back and take a break this year.  Take this time to notice what attachments and expectations you are holding on to.  Where are you judging yourself too punitively?   It is a year of releasing what holds you back, so you can leap into action when the time is right.

 

Libra  

Metal Snake – This energy is asking you to embrace transformation. Part of that process is seeing yourself as the precious jewel that you are.  Take this year to let go of any fear of the “new” for you will be pleasantly surprised of what emerges after your shedding.  Allow your inner light to shine through your bejeweled facets instead of waiting for an exterior light to bounce off them.

 

 

Scorpio

Water Pig – This year engage in the universal flow.  You naturally move through changes with ease as soon as you get past your internal barriers.  Look into the waters of your dream future, ask your reflection “what is holding me back from jumping in.”  It is time to release these watery illusions and trust your instincts so the universal flow can carry you forward.   Go for a swim, water pig.

 

Sagittarius

Fire Rabbit – Welcome the Muse is your motto for the new year.  The creative muses would like to work with you, but you will need to take pause and listen for them.  These flashes of inspiration come during acts of joy as much as quiet contemplation.  Joy begets more joy and beauty more beauty.  So, the more you seek through these means the more creative communication can happen.

 

Capricorn

Water Ox – You are more powerful then you think or let on.  However, this year neither aggressive nor forceful strength will solely aid you.  The Water Ox recommends relaxing into your strong core by expressing your power by mindfully and slowly moving, for example: weightlifting, yoga or walking mediation.  And then once you have connected to your inner power create a shrine to it externally. This can be a rock, picture or a color that calms and slows you.  Something to remind you of the powerful Yin energy strength that you are cloaked in that balances this Fire Horse year.

 

Aquarius 

Water Horse – This new year provides you with paths to more freedom.  And these paths are paved with a loving embrace.  Love over hate.  Love over fear.  The water horse is impelling you to let go of your fears or burdens, so you can gain momentum and joy like a horse running on a beach.

 

Pisces

Fire Monkey – This year asks you to commit to the decisions you have made and to be clearer about the ones you are making.  Realize when choosing that neither path is wrong.   But on one path you feel more liberated and the other asks you to give it your all assuring more rewards.  To make that decision you must rely on your heart and not your head.  Release your attachments of the past and welcome the future.