#«���i relate to soul and heart the most!” *proceeds to project onto mind at every possible moment*»

[locked-into-eternity]

(…)

[…]

(…What was that book you were reading?)

[The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde.]

(…Can you tell me more about it?)

[Why?]

(It just feels awkward sitting here in silence.)

[…I’m only on chapter three so far, but it follows Mr. Utterson, who is an extremely boring lawyer.]

–Heart restrains himself from comparing the character to Mind.–

[His equally boring friend, Mr. Enfield, tells him about a man named Mr. Hyde, who trampled a girl, and then paid the witnesses off with a check written by respectable man, who Enfield refuses to name. Hyde is described as being short and ugly, although nobody can put their finger on what exactly is wrong with his appearance…]

–He goes on to summarize the entire story up to around halfway through chapter three, which is where he left off when reading it.–

–Heart understands none of it, but pretends to know what they’re talking about.–

[kenjinasagi-blog]

“Its the little things.” - A look into Final Fantasy through the eyes of a 13-Year WoW player.

Hello everyone, Often do I talk about why it is that I quit World of Warcraft after 13 years of nigh-uninterrupted subscription in favor of Final Fantasy XIV. Though with this post, I hope to set the record straight and give examples in one concise post that aim to explain it a bit more fluidly. This will mostly cover the visual aspects of the game, though if you don’t know the epic score that is expected with every Final Fantasy game I would suggest looking that up yourself.  As the title suggests, most of it is the little things. Details that WoW lacks. And while the argument can be made that “They’re two different games.” there are some parts in here that are so disappointing. Things that make Blizzard just look lazy in comparison.  I’ll be starting with some of the larger details and eventually move on from there to the nuts and bolts that really make this game stand out. I hope you enjoy the read, and consider joining up with us on the Mateus server. One of these spells is not like the other:

This is likely to be one of my favorite talking points. One of the greatest things about FFXIV is the casting animations. Not one class ability animation is shared between two classes. Red Mage abilities are cocky, confident and the Black Mage just seethes with raw power. Class fantasy is something oft talked about with Blizzard when these guys just nail it. Just look at how as I cast Fire IV, you see the sound barrier breaking as the energy leaves my hands to turn into the explosion that it is about to become:

And whats more? Most of the abilities even for the same class don’t share an animation either. While the Red Mage ability ‘Fleche’ has you bring your arms up to call upon swords of ice to pierce your target, ‘Contra Sixte’ has your character vaulting off of their own blade to get up into the air and send a blast of energy straight down at a target. Ninjas when they use their finishing abilities physically jump onto the shoulders of their enemy, no matter how large, just to jab their daggers into its throat. This isn’t even my final (fantasy) form!: I did say that I was starting big, didn’t I? In WoW, I have never in 13 years experienced a fight where I was awestruck at its magnitude. Every single one of them lacked impact, even as we faced down Argus’ world soul to free the Pantheon did it not feel truly breathtaking. This is where Final Fantasy shines. So many of its boss fights, especially in Heavensward and Stormblood are so ridiculously creative and unique. I’d like to present one of my favorite examples: Susano, Lord of the Revel. He is someone faced around level 63 as part of the leveling experience where you and 7 others need to best him in combat. After taking a bunch of damage, he disappears into the floor... only to emerge as a 10 story tall monolith made of water, to which he rips a massive sword out of the ground and proceeds to attack the tank with it.

Alright, sounds par the course. Tank takes damage, fight goes on. Right? Wrong! Your tank engages Susano in a clash of blades, parrying and holding back his massive sword with their own weapon while the raid destroys the sword. And after his second swing when the force of the shattered blade strikes the ground it leaves a broken tear through the middle of the ground for the rest of the fight. This was a leveling boss, and I was blown away by the sheer scope of the encounter throughout. 

Home is where SE’s heart is: We’ve wanted it. We’ve asked for it, and eventually we were answered with... Garrisons. While this is a feature that has only recently gotten a lot of love from the developers, the housing system in FFXIV is robust. The way that you design your apartment or house is limited only by your imagination (and a generous item count). You can create anything that you set your mind to, memorable places with character and many different themes from coastal shanties to Eastern diners. I won’t spend a lot of time on this part, its something that you need to see for yourself. And it won’t even cost you a raid tier. ;)

Hide Helm? No thanks: I’ll begin with one of the first things that I noticed when playing this game as it was one of my largest minor gripes about WoW because it, to me, is the penultimate sign of indefensible lazyness that has become Blizzard’s commonplace; Hats and helms. Have you ever put on a really cool looking hat in WoW only to find that your character suddenly has all of their hair chopped off? It ruins the look, and for me makes me almost never want to show helms because of how atrocious it can appear. Final Fantasy not only shows hair under their hats, but it does it differently for every single one of the massive amounts of hairstyles in the game. To where it looks natural, and like that particular hairstyle has been put under the hat.

And for my long-eared friends, such as the Elezen, Miqo’te and the horned Au Ra? Your ears don’t just clip through the armor that you’re wearing. Look closely below and you will see that extra stitching has been added on to make the ears coming through seem natural, like it is meant for that. And even those that don’t do this have armor that comes out over the ears and looks like it was bolted onto the original design, with rivets and all.

The Aesthetic: Yes, I know. The most pretentious and overused word of 2018. Though I would be doing this game a great disservice by not mentioning it. Look at how the rain falls in Kugane which is one of the main cities, the ground becomes slick and players’ cloth armor looks like has soaked through. Even going inside of a building can you hear the rain falling upon the roofs above.

Or how about when fog or a blizzard sweeps through Coerthas, reducing visibility and feeling so natural and real:

When your hair and robe billow in the wind, and outfits look natural and intricately designed. Chestpieces aren’t just either one solid mass, or a body-covering robe. You have jackets, and coats that aren’t just made for casters. And the robes don’t always cover the body, but they always compliment it. And what’s more? Your legs don’t even disappear when wearing them.

Again, Class Fantasy: Some of the issues that show WoW’s age are also related to how stiff and symmetrical everything feels. You run with a staff the same way you run with a sword, the same way you run with an axe. With FFXIV’s design, every animation is different. Here we see the Samurai sprinting animation which fits them, the blade out to the side while their other hand holds the sheath:

And if you don’t like the way your character poses in their idle stance?

Then just change it! All it takes is using /cpose and you can change everything from the way that you hold your weapon, to the style that your character sits in chairs with.

Once more, with feeling!: The game’s engine is extremely smart. Are you doing /hug to a female Au Ra, or Miqo’te as one of the towering male Au Ra? He will kneel down to bring his arms around her. Is she standing on a chair and closer to his height? He won’t kneel down, because he doesn’t need to. Your character will look toward their target, and even some of the emotes change based upon whether you’re targeting something/someone or not. You laugh differently when you’re sitting down than when you do standing up and if you don’t think that’s the tightest shit ever, get the hell out of my face.

At last, the end: In all, Final Fantasy XIV is a labor of love and every single bit of it shows so prominently in the details that they put into this game. From the moment that they decided to rebuilt the failed 1.0 game from the ground up and relaunch it, they have proven themselves over and over again that we, the players, are who they do it for. This is a game that is constantly evolving, growing even larger with every new patch, it has story moments that will make you cry (unless you’re a heartless monster and make it through The Vault’s ending cinematic) and deliver big budget film or novel quality writing. And just in case you haven’t been convinced that this is a project with heart and soul put into it; Here’s something from just last month where Naoki Yoshida, the director of the game and man responsible for rebuilding it dropped by on Mateus, the server that I play on, just to hang out on the E3 Stream and be bombarded by the love, respect and thanks that the players do not owe, but willingly give to him. Show me Chris Metzen walking around Stormwind and I’ll eat my keyboard. My name is Kenji Nasagi, and I’m a switcher.

[justlooking1995]

Hi there ! Could I please get a tarot reading on my general life in 2017? Thank you ^^

What main lessons will you be taught in 2017?

”Dirty Angel - Courtney Jenaé”

FIVE OF PENTACLES

In a world that equates success with financial security, the loss shown on the Five of Pentacles can be a humbling blow to one's self-esteem. This can be brought about in many ways, but even though an exterior event may seem to be the cause, this card often shows a loss that you bring upon yourself. Even though the Pentacles are a material suit, and Fives usually deal with real-world problems, the theme of poverty is not the true destitution shown on the Five of Pentacles. There is a spiritual loss that often precedes or accompanies loss of material wealth.

But since outer problems must often be resolved before inner conflict can be attended to, the outer meaning of the Five of Pentacles shall be explained first. This card shows the many faces of material misfortune and lack: loss of funds, general poverty, illness, unemployment, solitude. The card also tells you that many of these are caused by your emotions. Greed will lead to loss, anxiety will lead to error, possessiveness will lead to solitude. By focusing on the material, you lose sight of the spiritual development the Ace promised. You may be rich for a while, but all will be lost if you learn nothing.

This leads up to the more spiritual meaning of the Five of Pentacles. This card represents the dark night of the soul, when you must stumble around in the darkness because you can no longer see the light shining within you. Often, during times like this, salvation is not far away, but because you are so preoccupied with your material problems you cannot see it. The two people on the Rider-Waite card walk by a brightly lit church, unable to acknowledge how close a solution to their destitution is. The church is an apt symbol because it provides spiritual comfort while helping those who cannot help themselves.

When the Five of Pentacles appears it is almost always a warning that you are likely to experience some kind of loss, material or otherwise. If this loss has not yet happened you can prevent it or lessen the blow. Worrying about problems like this will do nothing but make them even worse, so stop worrying and start doing something! If you are in a situation where you have lost a great deal, know that you have the ability to get it back. There is always a solution, always a way out, always a church window just around the corner. So either open your eyes and go to it, or close your eyes and let the inner light guide you.

What should you avoid?

“Diamond On A Landmine - Billy Talent”

THE DEATH

The image of Death charging across a field on his spectral steed would strike fear into the heart of almost any man. The appearance of the Death card has a similar effect on most people, though it really should not. Whether you like it or not, Death is one of the most powerful cards in the Tarot. Humans naturally fear the unknown, and so Death is our greatest fear since it is the greatest unknown. The majority of us are unaware that our mind and spirit die all the time, constantly shedding old beliefs and acquiring new ones. It has been said many times by many readers: the Death card is not a card of death - it is a card of transformation.

In the Tarot, as in reality, Death is nothing more than a transition to the next level of life. Whether you believe that a soul goes to heaven or back to Earth to be reincarnated, the fact remains that the soul lives on. The candle is extinguished, but only because the day has come. The river shown on many versions of the Death card is a symbol, showing that life will go on, no matter what disastrous things happen. The river water will reach the sea, rise into the clouds, then rain onto the land to flow into the river again. Nothing is destroyed, because nothing can be destroyed - there can be only transformation.

The only real reason the transformation shown by Death is so catastrophic is because it is being held back, fought against by those too afraid to realize that change is beneficial. Every change happens for a reason, and Death is a force like Justice in that it is absolutely fair. It does not discriminate against one group and spare another - everyone is equal in the eyes of Death. So if big changes are happening in your life it is certainly plausible that you are the reason for them. There's no point fighting death, it only makes things worse. Like the Hanged Man, accept that change happens and let it do what it must.

Take a look at the Rider-Waite version of the Death card, and note the bishop on the right side of the image. He is actually welcoming Death, because he knows of the great spiritual transformation it brings. Almost all versions of the Death card show a symbol of resurrection or re-birth. This could be the rising sun, an egg, or a sapling sprouting from the body of a dead man. All these symbols show that to progress in life, our old form must die, just as a snake sheds its old skin to reveal a shiny new one. This is the message of the card: Death must be conquered by the regeneration of the soul, and he who knows this shall live forever.

When the Death card appears, big changes are heading your way. Usually this change refers to something in your lifestyle; an old attitude or perspective is no longer useful and you have to let go of it. While the Hanged Man was a card of voluntary sacrifice, the Death card is a forced sacrifice - but that does not mean that it is not for your own good. Sometimes you cannot see how your attitudes are hurting you, and when that is true, the Death card is your wake-up call. Death is not simply destruction; it is destruction followed by renewal. Even though one door may have closed, another is opening. Will you have the courage to step through?

If so, before you go forward, take a moment to look back. Is there anything that you are carrying with you that is no longer necessary? Let it go now, before you proceed. Are your old attitudes holding you back, or are high expectations constantly disappointing you? Cast them off, or let Death's watery energy wash them away from you. Open yourself and let it strip away all that you no longer need - fear, revenge, intolerance. Flowers cannot bloom if the land is full of weeds which choke the ground, and likewise, your spiritual enlightenment will be held back by doubt and fear. Let them go now or risk having them painfully ripped away when Death inevitably returns.

“Holes In Your Coffin - Phidel”

What events/activities/hobbies should you peruse? 

“Hate It When You See Me Cry - Halestorm”

KNIGHT OF PENTACLES

Though his visions may not be earth-shattering, and his methods are certainly not original, the Knight of Pentacles sees that everything he undertakes will meet with nothing but success. He is the least kinetic of the four Knights, probably the least ambitious, though he carries the burden of responsibility that the other Knights often throw away in their haste to find glory and excitement. His energy manifests in three ways: as an event that you will experience, a person whom you will meet, or a part of yourself that needs to be developed and expressed.

As an event, the Knight of Pentacles often shows a time when you will have to assume responsibility and take charge of a situation. You could be assigned a project or given a task to do, and you will have to devote some of your time to see that project end successfully. Perhaps the responsibility will not be due to a new project, but an old failure that you have to account for. In either case, stand tall and accept responsibility without any complaints or manipulations. The Knight of Pentacles has the strongest body of all the Knights, as well as the strongest character. In situations like the ones he represents, the latter is often more useful.

Where another man will charge in head-first, and end up doing little more than hurting himself, the person represented by the Knight of Pentacles will assess the situation. And then he will strike with the force of a hurricane, decisively and implacably. He is a dedicated worker and a loyal servant; when he says something will get done, it will. His persistence is virtually inexhaustible and he'll keep at a task until it's complete. His word is as strong as his hand, and he takes all of his promises seriously. The Knight of Pentacles likes doing things the old-fashioned way, and it could be said that his weakness is his lack of imagination. The old ways work fine for him, and he disklikes those who cannot keep their heads out of the clouds.

There are many reasons to be like the Knight of Pentacles. In times when few people honor promises and value responsibilities, his energy is a welcome breath of duty and loyalty. When his energy is strong within you, never back down from responsibility and hold true to your word. Others will respect you if you give them reason to, and once they are your friends, never let them down and they will stay at your side through anything. Hard work produces the results you desire, if you are realistic in the pursuit of your goals. Leave nothing to chance, make plans and outline objectives. You have great potential for success if you stay firmly grounded.

Overall

“Hot Show - Prozzak”

THE LOVERS

The Lovers card is not just about love and sexuality; it has several meanings which are all related to the duality expressed in the image of the card. The image of the two lovers holding hands or intertwined is a powerful symbol for the harmonious union of two beings, but it also stands for the necessity of proper choice, and some interesting concepts about the relationship of our conscious minds to whatever power brings these lovers together. It should be apparent that, in our culture which has so many words and definitions for the simple emotion of love, the image of love as expressed in the Tarot can have so many meanings.

The Lovers is predominantly a card of the emotions, and it often portrays love that is divinely blessed, either by Cupid, an angel, or by God Himself. This seems to imply that nothing but good can come of this union, though with such a dualistic card there is always the potential for a sad conclusion, despite the best of beginnings. After all, love is like a flame because it can ignite the blaze of passion, but also because it can consume and destroy if used carelessly. Love is a wonderful thing, but profane or unrequited love has the power to tear families and lives apart. The Lovers has within it the potential for such love and we must always be cautious of it.

Air is the element which rules the Lovers, and we should therefore expect the majority of its meanings to be associated with the spirit and the mind. The notion of choice between positive and negative is first depicted on this card with the old symbology of a man deciding between two lovers. Such a moral crossroads is often shown by the Lovers card, which now tells us to consider all consequences before acting. The situation could be as simple as a fork in the road with two paths to choose between, or a much more complicated decision by which all of our strongest beliefs and ideals will be tested. In times of such difficult choice we clearly need high guidance.

The final meaning of the Lovers is perhaps best illustrated by the image of the card in the Rider-Waite deck, and some of its variants. This image shows the man looking at the woman, who in turn looks at the divine figure above them both. The man cannot see the angel, and he must trust the woman to see it for him. Likewise, the conscious mind (the man) cannot directly access Higher Powers (the angel), whatever you believe those are. The unconscious (the woman) must be the bridge between the physical and spiritual planes. This symbology also shows the true power of love; as discussed on the Ten of Cups, through love we can get a glimpse of Heaven.

Often, the Lovers will refer to a relationship when it appears in a reading, and when it does, that relationship will be a perfect expression of the love between two people. This will almost always be a sexual relationship, though not necessarily. You must always keep in mind, though, the potential for conflict despite happy beginnings. Love is a flame that must not be left unattended; it must be fueled and allowed to burn for as long and as brightly as possible. If not a physical pairing of man and woman, the Lovers can also show the integration of two conflicting parts of yourself, the masculine and the feminine. Through the combination, greater wisdom is revealed.

Finally, this card carries the meaning of choice, usually on the moral or ethical plane. The most familiar instance of such a choice, sadly, is the choice between your spouse and someone else with whom you have fallen in love. Alternatively, it could be between two possible partners, both of whom you love, but only one of whom would be best for you. Look inside, and turn to your unconscious for inspiration. Through it you can access the wisdom needed to make this choice properly, and for the good of all involved. Trust the counsel of your Inner Voice, and once you have made your decision, do not rescind it no matter how much opposition you face.

“An Ending - Undertale OST” 

((   I hope you enjoyed your reading!! and that it made sense or, helped prepare you for what you might need to expect :)   ))

Forthose who don’t know, I’m doing Shufflemancy, Tarot, Pendulum, and ArchangelOracle card readings. I have the Michael and Gabriel Archangel cards, so if youhave any questions for them feel free to ask. Other rules and guidelines are HERE