Nina Sasaki & Black Velvet: Our Japanese Stevie Nicks
Date: July 31st, 2026 Moon: Waning Gibbous Aquarius to Pisces
Introspection From Melinoe:
Welcome Ghouls, Demons, and Fellow Wyrd Ones!!! On this Bright, Beautiful & Bodacious Leo Sun Day I want to give a Loud and Proud shout out to One of my Favorite Leos. As well, I want to highlight another synchronicity of magick. Today, July 31st, 2026 we have two Solar Returns (Birthdays): Our GodFather of Rock, Jason- aka DJ Elvis, and my beloved Guardian Angel Nina Sasaki! It is amazing to me how this magickal day has granted me not one, but two Soul Familia members that have mentored me into depths of healing, self love, and divinity. I also LOVE the fact that Jason has a dawghter named “Stevie Licks” in correlation to Nina who is our Japanese Stevie Nicks! If it wasn’t for Nina and her performances with Black Velvet, I would not have been introduced to Fleetwood Mac, or Stevie Nicks in the way that I was at the ripe age of 20. The synchronizations are undeniable, and I do believe that would make Nina so, so proud to see just how much her wisdom has imprinted onto me. I will dive into the story down below. For now, let’s give a round of applause, and a warm birthday blessing to Jason and Nina. Their impact is not for the ordinary, nor is it for the weak. Their vibrant personalities and leadership is absolutely vital to this world, and I am so fucking fortunate to have crossed their paths. Writing about my feelings is the least I could do to honor them. Telling the story? A fraction of the magick they have bestowed upon me. I can only hope that one day I show them just how much they have meant to me. I do not believe any of my previous compliments, articles or any of the above could do them Justice. However, I will continue to show up each and every day with all the gratitude in my heart. These souls did not only show me genuine love, they Retrieved an aspect of my Soul, and brought me back to Life. To quote the Alien from Toy Story, “You Saved My Life. I am Eternally Grateful!”
Now, to take it all the way back to the beginning. I was an OTA student for San Juan Community College. I was working 3-5 jobs, house sitting, dog sitting, baby-sitting, and anything I could do to make a buck that fit my ethics. My life was pure chaos, and I was determined to make it out of my horrendous small town, free myself from the abusive chains of my blood family, and start a new life, with a name for myself. I had been selected for a rotation at the Behavioral Health Unit at San Juan Regional Hospital. That is where I met my beloved Nina. She was my OT mentor. I immediately thought she was stunning, fun, iconic and the likes of it all. I was intimidated by her. I wanted her to like me. I wanted her to teach me how to be like her. Not only was she an OT, she was a woman of the world. Her and I would get to talking, and time seemed to stop. Responsibilities were paused, and I felt SO seen. To this day Nina will tell people that I “could be President.” She has declared that I will always have her vote. For a little girl who never felt understood? Nina overwhelmed me with unconditional approval and adoration. She validated me in a way I never thought possible. So, when she began coordination with my Program Director and all the above to snag me as her personal assistant? I was in utter shock. “Why was I so special?!” “Does she really believe in me?” “Why would this phenomenal woman think so highly of me?!”
Needless to say all my insecurities came rising to the surface. I was faced with my first dose of Imposter Syndrome. I was young, unsure of myself, and being thrown into a new way of living, thinking and believing. With Nina’s extravagant job offer, I was able to quit my other jobs. Except the Law Firm. I ensured I continued with that internship as best as I could. A part of me reflects and wishes I would’ve taken the Law Firm and Nina’s Gig more seriously. I learned a significant amount with the effort I did put forth. However, I was hyperfixated on all the wrong priorities, I am simply grateful the Universe didn’t allow the opportunity to entirely pass me by! To be gracious to myself, I suppose when you are deep in the pits of “Survival Mode” it is difficult to see the blessings right in front of you. A harsh lesson of my 20’s. A beautiful, integrated token of wisdom I shall pay forward.
My time with Nina was priceless. It is a chapter of my life I wish didn’t have to end. And it most certainly hasn’t died. It has only transformed. I am no longer Nina’s personal assistant. I no longer walk Max (her German Shepherd Son, my beloved Cousin-puppy. Nina has always felt like an Auntie or Sister figure I could admire. In fact, she inspired my love for German Shepherds. So when I met my dearest Husband, it felt like fate when I learned he had a German named Sunna!) I also no longer manage Black Velvet’s Facebook page, and other minimal band management or content tasks. Interesting how life seemed to always have a plan for me. I didn’t realize just how valuable my experiences with Nina would evolve into. At the time in my twenty-something mind, they seemed like cool stories to share. Obviously, they are! It is quite humorous to me to realize that I have always been guided towards my purpose with every universal mentor that has appeared before my path. I may have lost myself. I may not have seen myself. But the Divine has always had my back. I have always been Blessed with the Bestest.
Nina did not only give me a job that gave financial security, and a decrease in my mental/physical work load. She didn’t simply plant seeds that would bloom into glorious trees. She introduced me to new philosophy and spirituality. If it wasn’t for Nina I wouldn’t squeal in giddy excitement over Angel Numbers, and I wouldn’t have been inspired to Feng Shui my home every New Moon. Nina has done more for me than she ever needed to do. She is more family than majority of my bloodline. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for Nina. She truly owns a piece of my heart. That love has transcended over various phases of self expression throughout this past decade. Now I am 30 and all grown up, which would make Nina also 30, and just as grown up as ever. She genuinely does not age! And continues to remind me how important it is to stay young forever through rituals of self care, self love, and belief in magick.
I have witnessed a whole season’s worth of performances from Nina and Black Velvet. They are a classic act. Inspiring everyone to hold on tightly to their passions and vision for their life. Nina taught me the value of self prioritization, and showing meaningless jobs that only provide a paycheck how insignificant they are in the grand scheme of things. While OT and the medical field are important, they deserve souls who are built for that Corporate Healthcare Life. Nina, and myself, we were never meant to be there. Our healing essence, and societal pressures corralled us into that medium modern shamanism. I do believe those moments in life served us both a purpose. However, I believe they allowed us to show the world that while we must make sacrifices for our survival? Nothing will dim our Shine. Nothing will Burst our Bubble. Or ruin our drive for our Dreams. I admired Nina’s stories of driving from one end of Colorado to the other. Constantly riding by the seat of her pants. I loved every bonding blip of time souvenired with a heartfelt laugh. Watching her elegance on stage reminded me of the first time I witnessed Britney Spears perform on TV. The little girl in me knew she could be a Star just like Britney… Just like Nina.
If you thoroughly enjoy Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks, The Eagles, Heart, and the likes of them? You will fucking adore Nina and all her glory. Now while Lindsay Buckingham and Larry Carver are talented musicians, and deserve their flowers in their own way. They can simply get them by Go(ing) Their Own Way. For it is Nina Sasaki, and Stevie Nicks, who are the true Stars of every Performance, every Gig, Social Gathering and more. They are the Light that embodies Beauty throughout each and every Musical Performance. They are the Hearts of the Bands. They are who the People Go to See.
Nina, and Black Velvet, have a series of gigs throughout the busy, warm seasons each year. Another lesson of hibernating for the Winter, and giving yourself space to breathe between creative expressions. Reminding us all that you must Work Hard, and Play even Harder!! Nina is worth every penny, every inconvenience, and every moment of your time. Take the trip to the Beautiful Colorado Mountains. Whether Durango, Vail, Denver, Telluride and More! You will want to Witness the Ever so Lovely, Nina Sasaki. Our Japanese Stevie Nicks, who deserves All the Flowers for being the Talented Goddess she is. Nina is one of the most impressive, legendary women I have ever met. I am honored to have been mentored by her. It is my privilege to carry the torch she passed on to me. It is my duty to pass it on to all of you!
Check out Black Velvet’s Facebook, where most of their updates, and tour schedule are available. Bask in the Glory of their Live performances. Be entranced by Nina’s Vocals, and sing along to the songs that inspired a generation, and lead a revolution.
Make Sure to Extend a Very Blessed Solar Return (Happy Birthday) to Nina, and our very own GodFather of Rock, Jason Shrum. The World Needs Diva’s like you to Inspire us into an Iconic World.
Live Deliciously. Love Authentically. And Always, Stay Wyrd!
-Melinoe Macaria Mourningstar
Rock Oracle YouTube: Rock Oracle & Melinoe Macaria Mourningstar YouTube
