November 2021: Tarot spread for the full moon in Taurus

Tarot spread for the November 2021 full moon in Taurus

The November 2021 full moon falls in the sign of Taurus. The Taurus archetype is grounded and steadfast, calm and composed, firm and also somewhat stubborn. This is a sign that is practical and earthy, and is associated with material pleasures, desires, luxuriousness, and abundance.

Spiritually, the Taurus archetype teaches the principle of belonging through presence…our presence as sacred human beings…honouring the body temple…honouring the flow of life. This can be difficult given the society we live in, which praises the hustle over reverence and treats time as money rather than a finite resource that should be used wisely in the pursuit of the things that give us meaning.

This month, we also have a lunar eclipse, which will be visible from the Americas, North Europe, eastern Asia, Australia, and the Pacific. Lunar eclipses typically help us to release things that no longer serve us. The seeds that you planted six months ago, at the solar eclipse, will also start to blossom around this time.

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On my art table: Urban jungle

An abstract urban landscape painting and a prose poem

What a miracle you are
sweet little pea
pushing your way resolutely up
through that sidewalk crack.

There’s no one quite like you
in close vicinity —
you look around you
at all the sidewalks
and all the sidewalk cracks
as far as your eye can see.

You realize that you’re all alone
oh no, not alone — unique
swaying with the slight breeze
that swirls around your tiny leaves
beaming up at the sun
as it kisses your tiny petals
at the dog who walks around you
wondering at this tiny, fragile thing
that stands there so sure
so delighted at the simple joy
of being here
of being alive
of just being

Follow my art on Instagram!

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November 2021: Tarot spread for the new moon in Scorpio

Plus some journaling questions, an astro-tarot forecast, exploration of the the Sabian symbol, and additional resources for the November 2021 new moon in Scorpio.

Tarot spread for the November 2021 new moon in Scorpio

The November 2021 new moon falls in the sign of Scorpio. The Scorpio archetype is known for its intense power and its ability to transform, much like the butterfly emerging from its cocoon, ready to fly. The Scorpio archetype isn’t afraid of the birth-death-rebirth cycle, for it is only when parts of us die and are reborn that we can fully transform.

So perhaps it’s not surprising that spiritually, the Scorpio archetype teaches us to surrender – to align our human will with divine will. It can teach us that sometimes our human trials can reveal a need for deep healing. This is not always easy to live with or to understand, especially when the need for healing arises from trauma, and yet on the other side of working with and healing trauma there can be deep and valuable transformation.

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The messy middle: dealing with an artist block

Peeling back the layers on my own creative block.

The messy middle: dealing with an artist's block. Creative block

On this episode of the Art with Soul podcast, we talk about how to deal with an artist’s block. As I record this episode, I’m firmly in the middle of a creative block. So I decided to peel back the layers and open up about why I think I am feeling blocked, and what I am doing during this fallow time. I hope it will prove to be of value, especially if you are in the middle of a creative block too. I see you!

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On my art table: Family lines

And the legend of The Red Thread

Intuitive figurative painting family lines

Color. All of my paintings start with an exploration of riotous color. And marks. And scratching into paint. Painty play.

From those initial layers, images emerge. With the stories that they want to tell.

My job is to find those images. To listen to the pieces of their story that they share with me as I paint.

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October 2021: Tarot spread for the full moon in Aries

Plus some journaling questions, an astro-tarot forecast, exploration of the the Sabian symbol, and additional resources for the October 2021 full moon in Aries.

Tarot spread for the October 2021 full moon in Aries

The October 2021 full moon falls in the sign of Aries. The Aries archetype is known for its bold – often rash – action, for going where angels fear to tread. As the first sign of the zodiac, it represents the active core of our spiritual journey on earth, and teaches us to act in accordance with our ideals. The Aries archetype teaches us to be unafraid to march to our own drumbeat, to assert our willpower towards the attainment of our desires, and to embrace beginner’s mind and the innate trust and explosive power {conviction + action} that is needed to start something new.

Spiritually, the Aries archetype teaches us about action. And as most of us know, it’s easier to talk about the things we want to do than to put in the work and actually do the thing! Aries teaches us that courage is the key to unlocking the full potential of this spiritual principle. And that comes from connecting your head to your heart, focusing your will, and taking consistent action towards your dreams.

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Choose your own creative journey – part 2

On this episode of the Art with Soul Podcast, we talk about how you can choose your own creative journey. In the second part of this 2-part episode, we talk about how to figure out if you want to make a living from your art, shipping creative work, and the many paths available to creatives.

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October 2021: Tarot spread for the new moon in Libra

Plus some journaling questions, an astro-tarot forecast, exploration of the the Sabian symbol, and additional resources for the October 2021 new moon in Libra.

Tarot spread for the October 2021 new moon in Libra

The October 2021 new moon falls in the sign of Libra. The Libra archetype is closely associated with justice and maintaining balance in social interactions and within the self. They are the true diplomats among the zodiac archetypes, and focus on fair dealings in all their relationships.

Spiritually, the Libra archetype teaches the principle of intimate balance, of the ability to remain centered and true to yourself no matter what may be going on around you. This is a skill that can be particularly helpful for those of us who turn up our noses at societal expectations as we dance to the tune of our own drum beat. Being able to remain centered is also an important skill to have if you’re surrounded by toxic people – and in these times, even toxic politics! One of the easiest ways to remain centered is through the breath, and by being able to distinguish between the things that are in your control, and those that aren’t.

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Choose your own creative journey – Part 1

It starts with figuring out what is really important to you.

On this episode of the Art with Soul Podcast, we talk about how you can choose your own creative journey. In the first part of this 2-part episode, we talk about the importance of knowing what you want, and the insidious ways in which the attention economy and clever marketing messages obscure our true desires.

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September 2021: Tarot spread for the full moon in Pisces

Plus some journaling questions, an astro-tarot forecast, exploration of the the Sabian symbol, and additional resources for the September 2021 full moon in Pisces.

Tarot spread for the September 2021 full moon in Pisces

The September 2021 full moon falls in the sign of Pisces. The Pisces archetype is highly intuitive and very open to the flow of creative imagination. This is the sign of creative dreamers and mystics and visionaries, which makes this new moon an excellent time to flex your intuitive and creative muscles.

Spiritually, the Pisces archetype teaches the principle of unity, of recognizing the divinity within you. One way to understand this principle is by looking at creation – the creator {God, Universe, Source, however you wish to name it} created this earth, the rivers and seas, the trees, birds, insects, animals, man. Similarly, man has the ability to create – and to create consciously. It is this ability that points to the spiritual truth of Pisces, that we are spiritual beings having a human experience {with the emphasis on our humanness in all its frailty and beauty}. It is by accepting responsibility for consciously creating – which isn’t always easy – that you connect most deeply with the creator. Needless to say, empathy and compassion are the cornerstones of the Pisces archetype.

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