courtkossai

[courtkossai]

Always remember to show patience and understanding to someone who's new to something.

When you're not new at something and have months or years of experience at it, it can be too easy to take for granted what experience has given you.

Which is why it can be, unfortunately, too easy to lose patience with the new person at work, or the person who's new to your sport or art or activity.

Try to remember what it was like when you were new. Not just what it was like trying to learn a new job or skill when you were new, but also the feelings of uncertainty and self consciousness that come with being a beginner.

Or maybe it was easier for you than it is for this person, but not everyone has the same life experiences as you. Maybe you were lucky enough to learn other relevant and helpful things before this job or sport or art or activity, but not everyone is so lucky. We all are, after all, just the sum of our experiences, which will be vastly different from person to person. Don't take for granted if you've been luckier with your experiences, and show patience to those not as lucky.

[courtkossai]

kossai do sometimes struggle to help folks who ask what physical nonhumanity is , how these experiences work , and whether fit definitions . really just , so many possible aspects and explanations , find hard to condense any of that in ways which might help anyone to figure out .

often come to understand simplest ideas of clinical zoanthropy , as in specifically delusion that one can transform . but honestly even in folks here who use that specific label , kossai see more variation in histories and experiences . this one simple idea already limit perspectives on what any physical nonhumanity can look like - that all physical nonhumans make specific claims to back-and-forth transformation . 

but there is far more !

delusions do not follow just one simple template . 

not all psychological explanation is necessarily delusion , either .

religion and spirituality can explain for some , and each one can offer completely different explanations .

experiences of disabilities can influence identity . 

history of family , culture , and tradition , can also bring to these conclusions . 

... and certainly more which do not jump to mind right now .

but no one from outside experiences , from outside brain and life , can really say anything for sure . in worst case scenarios , some of these answers could lead to hurt . contrary to what some folks think , physical nonhumanity is very often not without introspection , discernment , or risk assessment .

but most folks do not go into public deep dives of these details just to prove journeys happen . no one should have to post every hour to report on risk assessment capability , or to disclaim every post with this is delusion or unverifiable religion or anything of sort . 

all of this is why even compilation post mostly touch on things like fair treatment and respect , rather than what physical nonhumanity is , or how to figure out identity .

would say in some part , that also come down to fact that kossai have particular experiences and frameworks from specifically lifelong faerie-eclectic paganism . do not have answers that will fit other pagan frameworks necessarily , and especially not answers about frameworks like clinical zoanthropy .

have many thoughts on liberation , rights , and respect for all - but not in comfort of kossai to try and figure out which framework is right for someone else .

[courtkossai]

✂️✂️

[courtkossai]

I can’t draw very well and hated that I couldn’t draw my DnD character, a tabaxi cleric named Merry Thing, but then I remembered I’m pretty good with a needle and thread so I made her

All made by hand, hand embroidered details, and I even crocheted the lace trim on her shift!

[courtkossai]

first post, here's some art i made <3

[courtkossai]

[courtkossai]

( this is very lovely and well done , sincerely . <3 )

Coming back all of a sudden with an Oblivion fanart. Finished the main quest in first days of this year and still can't get over Martin. So there's some AU-imagine thing of Hero of Kvatch meeting Martin (or his spirit). Didn't give it much thought, just wanted to draw a reunion of good friends.

[courtkossai]

kossai dream journal set up :

year folder . month folder . each day get at least 1 page per dream , even very small and unremarkable snippets .

each page then follow template :

who was in front during this dream , if known ?

details of dream , with as much recollection as possible . kossai prefer bullet points , easier to segment and tangent .

any notes and thoughts after dream - possible recurrences from other dreams , random commentaries , any problems or interruptions that come up during sleep , etc .

sometimes dreams slip between fingers even with best efforts to remember , but get pretty good over years . :)

kossai use new program , planify , to help with organisation of dream journal , these days set up in obsidian ... honestly not sure why never think of this sooner . actually have clear lists of which pages need fix , and can even use obsidian split panels to make super easy !

yes , adulthood is fun . :P

[courtkossai]

kossai use new program , planify , to help with organisation of dream journal , these days set up in obsidian ... honestly not sure why never think of this sooner . actually have clear lists of which pages need fix , and can even use obsidian split panels to make super easy !

yes , adulthood is fun . :P

[courtkossai]

It's so frustrating that I'm only seeing more and more lobotomy jokes. Especially "live, laugh, lobotomy" merch.

You are making fun of the torture of disabled people. People with intellectual disability and severe mental illness brutally had parts of their brain severed or killed. Many people died from this. We can never know the true impact because the people who endured this were not the same after.

We shouldn't be bringing this up in any lighthearted way. This was a tragedy, and we should be showing basic human respect to the victims. I don't think anyone can "reclaim" it and no one should want to. Please treat it with the severity and respect you would to any other mass tragedy from history.

[courtkossai]

exactly , like ... no one can dissect brain to find visual representations of headmates or nonhuman identities . in some cases there might be some physical correlations in particular scans , but highly doubt any of that would be exclusive to any alterhumanity , just not how things work .

and for spiritual folk , well , can not just find and dissect soul either . that would require ability to find and measure soul , within bounds of what people deem as legitimate science . but even if soul was easy to find , physically tangible , and possible to dissect - who is to say there would be any visual representation even in that ?

when people test blood and skin of kossai , under methods for human bodies , results can and do come back - not as if invalid and untestable . but then , part of faerie existence is ability to blend in with humans , especially how kossai experience faeriehood : as if one take human blueprints , human body plans , but cover with faerie materials instead .

would there ever be way to scientifically verify this ? highly doubt . would have to first find scientific proof of faeries in first place , which faeries generally not keen on , and go through process to accept this as absolute scientific truth rather than write off as psychosis or tricks . then would have to develop equipments and standards to measure faeries . tall order - faeries have massive variation when compare to humans , and good luck in find test subjects . finally , would have to find ways to compare these results to human ones - yet results could be too different to meaningfully compare , or perhaps too eerily similar . then what ?

no , of course as is right now , medical sciences place kossai into categories of sick human . for every difference in how body of kossai operate , there is some human given name . have longer post on subject here , but in essence - none of these things have cure , and treatments can have side effects worse than problems , or just not functional for kossai . no reason to waste effort on things that do not help , just live life this way .

there is no difference in life and safety to embrace these things as signs of physical faeriehood , rather than sick humanity . medical sciences may never see kossai that way , but kossai do , and that is most important part .

realistically , none of this is about protection for physical nonhumans in any way - this is all about superiority , have to place self above weird folk , delusional folk , fringe folk . but that will earn no brownie points from anyone , least of all those who consider all of this impossible and worthy of hate . appeal to normality is less than worthless .

If you’re going to assert science in a community full of people discussing their scientifically unverifiable experiences I think you should consider what you’re really trying to say. If you’re not trying to call people liars then there’s probably a better way to go about making your point than enumerating the reasons why you think they’re lying.

[courtkossai]

some tiny mini books :)

kossai get small paper bags to divide items inside craft box , but bags end up too tall and have to cut off tops . from there , get stuck with all these paper bag tops , no idea what to do .

but , each of these tops really just 1 long strip . those strips would be nice to write on , maybe package in some glamourbombs . still , there was side caps to answer for - cut open ? there would be folds , after all , and ...

wait , folds ! perfect for little tiny books ! and best of all , even these could have glamourbomb potential . always have faith in crafts and fun ;D

method here is just small scale 3 hole pamphlet stitch , with thread double over .

[courtkossai]

In my folk art era ✨ Some last unicorn art ✨

[courtkossai]

priorities

not important :

whether experience is measurably real or not - virtually all alterhuman experiences will never be measurable enough to satisfy detractors , regardless of origins or expressions .

whether experience is possible to prove or not - some folks speak of experiences that do not line up with currently known advances , experiences that seem to break laws of physics , experiences with basis in religion and spirituality , or in general scientifically unverifiable . literally so what ?

these categories rigid , and do not address legitimate concerns . folks also take these categories as opportunity to argue - only X is measurably real , Y is not , only X is possible , Y is not - but that will not change individual experiences or worldviews .

while there can be legitimate reasons to talk about proven science and consensus reality , discussion of personal experience without any enforcement or danger on others is not reason .

these arguments only lead to animosity and frustration , and at time various armchair diagnoses even where actual medical criteria is not fit - which can hurt everyone .

actually important :

distress levels - is this experience stressful , and how much so ? what would help to address and treat this distress , if anything ? some folks will say medication . some folks will say therapy . some folks will say , simply , community acceptance .

comfort levels - how comfortable is this experience ? sometimes comfort can come hand in hand with distress , but which one is more abundant and why ? what would make experience more comfortable , if anything ?

risk levels - whether one might misjudge safety and try things that could be fatal , neglect ADLs like nutrition and hygiene , or otherwise follow impulses and poor judgment calls that might worsen life . what can one do to lessen these risks , if anything ?

autonomy and dignity of risk - ability to make any choices in these above categories , even if against long-term best interests . that is life sometimes . everyone deserve right to autonomy and choice - unfortunately , while some would benefit from support , many only have choice to be either totally dependent or totally independent . this must be fix at system level , not push individuals into total dependence and legal guardianship .

these categories able to change with time and mental state , address actual concerns of safety and happiness , and not exclusive to any framework of experience .

there should not be any stigma to admit that instincts high and might need someone to monitor safety for today , that animalistic language is more comfortable than human language , or to make choices against grain . this is personal safety and happiness .

should also be mindful not to dictate what anyone else experience , or to let others do this . this can include :

anyone who actively want to categorise all religious and spiritual explanation as delusion - even though this is not applicable framework , hurt folks who do fit and use this framework , and generally frustrate everyone .

anyone who actively want to categorise all psychological explanation as secretly religious or spiritual - this can trigger psychosis in vulnerable folks , and generally frustrate everyone .

anyone who promise to teach secrets under conditions of payment , secrecy , and/or isolation - demands for secrecy and especially isolation major red flags this arrangement is likely abusive .

anyone who , in general , regularly argue about what origins , expressions , and worldviews deserve respect , and which ones to treat as lesser or cast out .

understand what red flags of abusive behaviours and potential cults look like , and do not tolerate intentions to hurt or throw peers under bus . direct attention to individuals of concern , rather than sweep statements about entire worldviews and frameworks . this is community safety and happiness .

[courtkossai]

alterhuman minizine jam ✨

a zine jam for alterhumans. we’ll be making minizines inspired by the prompts below focusing on being alter/non human :)

rules:

must be a mini zine (learn how to fold one HERE!)

be alter/non human or adjacent

have fun!

ideally (but not required): post the scan/flat image of it so others can print & share it!

tag it with #alterhuman minizine jam !!

jam ends on: 7/3, the first friday of march

^ tho you can post em whenever, even after this date! have fun & be creative, this is just for those of us who enjoy a deadline

the prompts!

things that make you feel like yourself

what brings you joy as an alterhuman

fun facts about being alterhuman (kintypes, or just your experiences)

how you found out about being alterhuman

alternatively, make it about whatever you’d like!

thanks for reading & EXTRA thanks if you participate! im excited to see what gets made :D

edit to add: tag me in your creations & ill reblog them! ill also be keeping an eye on the tag, but just to make sure i grab everything, tag me!!

& if you are new to zines entirely, heres some useful links:

what is a zine?

a brief history of zines

ZCMAG (resources)

zinewiki

[courtkossai]

Give me household magic, give me spells crafted by grandmothers when they were learning how to live, passed down not from teaching but in that osmosis of children observing their mother everyday, give me simple charms made in the evenings and left on neighbours doors to keep gardens free of bugs and eaves from leaking, give me potions for cleaning or boiling or preserving, pantry potions every house has above the kitchen sink, give me words of power to call the cows down from the pastures and chase away foxes from the chickens and calm the horses when they frighten, give me household magic, small magic, family magic, it's not textbook, it's rough technique but it works and that's what matters

[courtkossai]

Heart of the Forest

Concept art for The Elder Scrolls: Online

Art by Michael Lacek