#Beginning of Winter

[raffaellopalandri]

Happy Samhain

Samhain (pronounced sow-win or sow-ween) is one of the most ancient and revered festivals on the Celtic wheel of the year, celebrated from October 31 through November 1. Image taken on Internet Known as the Celtic New Year, Samhain marks the final harvest and the descent into winter. It signifies the end of the lighter half of the year and the beginning of the darker half, symbolizing death,…

[warmcupoflemontea]

[rabbitcruiser]

Winter/December Solstice

December Solstice is the longest night and shortest day of the year, which usually occurs during December. This year it is celebrated on December 21. What is it about the winter solstice that inspires such myth and magic? The earliest people on Earth were fascinated by it. It’s safe to say we’re still smitten even today. The solstice marks the disappearance and return of the sun. And thus, celebrations can be both literal and metaphorical. No matter where you live, the solstice happens for everyone at the same time. That’s pretty magical and a reason to celebrate.

History of December Solstice

December Solstice or the Winter Solstice has always inspired mythical celebrations. The earliest humans learned to observe the sun’s path and the length of daylight. They noticed patterns of shifting sunrises and sunsets throughout the year.

To better understand the phenomenon, many ancient cultures dedicated monuments to charting the sun’s movement. Some historians believe that ‘Macchu Picchu’ in Peru and ‘Stonehenge’ in England followed the sun’s progress throughout the year. Today, we know a solstice is an ‘astronomical event’. The earth orbits around the sun at a tilt, not upright. What this means is the Northern and Southern Hemispheres take turns receiving the sun’s light directly. Thus, the earth’s tilt creates the onset of summer and winter, not our distance from the sun.

On the December Solstice, the Northern Hemisphere is at the farthest away from the sun. It’s why the days become shorter and the nights become longer during this time. December Solstice marks the official beginning of winter. The solstice takes place at the same time everywhere on earth. You would need to research the exact time of the solstice per C.S.T. or U.S.T. time and calculate the difference per your time zone.

December Solstice has deep spiritual connotations too. When daylight increasingly retreats, it symbolizes a period of going within. For many cultures, this is a time of rest and introspection. At the same time, it’s also a celebration of light and the anticipation of spring. Solstice festivities differ widely across countries. It’s incredible how this astronomical phenomenon binds so many cultures. Each one has a different interpretation of this most special time of the year. No matter where you are in the world, the occurrence deserves celebration.

December Solstice timeline

3000 B.C. — 1520 B.C.

Earliest Signs Of Tracking The Sun

The mysterious Stonehenge in England stands tall to track the sun’s yearly progress.

784 A.D.

Japan’s Toji Tradition

People in Japan take hot baths with yuzu citrus fruits and toss the fruits in hot spring waters for capybaras to enjoy.  

901 A.D.

Shab-e Yalda in Iran

People in Iran celebrate the winter solstice by lighting fires all night, meeting family, feasting, and reading poetry.

1420-1530 A.D.

The Hitching Post of the Sun

Machu Picchu’s ‘Intihuatana Stone’ points directly at the sun during the winter solstice, reportedly tethering the sun in its annual path across the sky. 

December Solstice FAQs

What happens on the December solstice?

December Solstice or the Winter Solstice is the longest night and shortest day of the year. It occurs when the Earth’s axis tilts furthest away from the sun. All places north of the equator receive less than 12 hours of daylight during this time. 

Why is the winter solstice so important?

Most cultures view the winter solstice as the symbolic death and rebirth of the sun. It marks a significant change in season and the official start of winter. 

What is the spiritual meaning of the winter solstice?

Winter solstice or December solstice is a time of reflection and rest. Both metaphorically and literally, it’s a period where we build up slowly towards sunnier days. 

December Solstice Activities

Decorate a yule tree: Many Christmas traditions borrow from pagan solstice rituals. So, the chances are you’re already celebrating the December Solstice without realizing it. Decorating Christmas trees is remarkably similar to adorning traditional solstice yule trees. In ancient times, people decorated solstice trees with lights and ornaments too.

Make solstice lanterns: Make a yule lantern as a symbol of light that emanates from the fellowship of the community. It means our light can shine bright until sunlight enters our lives again.  

Invite the kids for yule-inspired crafting: Make sun-shaped crafts and ornaments at home. Invite the family over and have them hang up their DIY ornaments on the Christmas tree. 

5 Facts About December That Will Blow Your Mind

It was originally the tenth month: “December” is Latin for the ‘tenth month’ — which it was until Julius Caesar added two new months at the beginning of the Roman Calendar year.

A different Anglo-Saxon name: The Anglo-Saxons called December ‘Ærra Geola’ or ‘Before Yule.’

A month with the year’s unluckiest day: People consider December 28 unlucky since it coincides with when King Herod put first-born baby boys to death in an attempt to kill Jesus Christ.

What a snowy Christmas could bring: Almanac predictions say that if there’s snowfall on Christmas day, the following Easter will be sunny and warm. 

Why you must propose in December: According to records, most marriage proposals happen in December, and successfully so! 

Why We Love December Solstice

In anticipation of brighter days: Most winter solstice celebrations aim to release darkness in favor of light. It’s a fitting way to end the year and make way for new beginnings.

Connecting us to the universe: We love how the winter solstice means something special to people and cultures everywhere. It’s a reminder of how we’re all children of the same universe.

A time for introspection: December solstice is the ideal time to think back on the year past. Symbolically, looking inward. The sun’s absence seems to work in sync.

Source

[sanfangzhu]

📑The games appearing inside (in clockwise order)📑

▸the kid at the back ▸Mushroom Oasis ▸文字化化 ▸14 Days With You ▸A DOUBLE SIDED MIRROR ▸Our Life Beginnings & Always ▸Where Winter Crows Go ▸Duality ▸Error143 ▸A Date with Death ▸MonsterxMediator

Thank you very much for the existence of these games; they have healed my soul (´-ωก`)

[lungthief]

listen. i know it's not 2014 anymore and i know it's just a throwaway line and that the russo brothers didnt intend for marvel action blockbuster captain america the winter soldier to become the tragic gay love story that never was but man. having steve say "it's kind of hard to find someone with shared life experience" in a conversation about romantic relationships right before the bucky reveal is so cruel. it's not just about steve and bucky obviously having the shared experience of being "out of time," it's the fact that they've both been stripped of their humanity in opposite directions. steve is a legend, he is an american hero and a national icon before he is a human being the same way that bucky is a weapon and a killing machine before he is a human being. steve knows that anyone who falls in love with him in the 21st century fell in love with captain america first, and that's just not him. but then the one person who knew him first and knew him best and loved him (not captain america, that little guy from brooklyn) so much he died for it is alive, impossibly. and it's a miracle because he's back and it's horrific because he's back under the worst possible circumstances. but to steve, the winter soldier is worth tearing the world apart for because he's always been bucky first. they find each other and suddenly they're human again. and maybe, despite it all, being "out of time" becomes a blessing, because in this century they'd finally be allowed to love each other the way they've always wanted to. like real people do.

like. no. the captain america trilogy isn't about two queer men traumatized and alienated by war and modern life rediscovering and reclaiming their humanity through their love for each other. but. i mean. it couldve been

[cappycodeart]

"The dead one! Yeah I haven't thought about her in a long time!"

A little theory I've had about Winter King's original motives based on his heartless comment about Betty and Ice King's original motives for kidnapping princesses in the first place...... clearly she gave off Bad Ex Vibes…

[kyurochurro]

and now i bring to you my concept art for my imaginary tos episode: the crew go to the beach planet (the beach episode) 🏝️

[mysensibleheart]

I WANT HIM 🚩

[junkfoodcinemas]

Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning (1985) dir. Danny Steinmann

[teaformoony]

bucky watched the interview they did with john walker and the entire time he looks completely outraged. pissed. walker was a decorated hero. had 3 medals of honor. the government studied him and his skills. and all this before he was chosen to be captain america. steve didn’t choose. he didn’t get to. and america certainly wouldn’t have chosen him, not before the serum. he wasn’t publicly recognized and no one saw how good he was. no one except bucky. he never wanted to be america’s plaything.

walker also states that, despite never meeting steve, the man “feels like a brother.” but bucky knows. if walker had met the steve before the serum, he probably would’ve been one of the bullies that steve was fighting.

later on, when bucky asks if walker ever jumped on a grenade, walker confirms he had, but then went on to explain about his “reinforced helmet,” etc. but steve never had that. steve was a bag made of skin and bones, wearing clothes and a helmet that practically drowned him. steve would’ve gotten blown to bits, and despite that, didn’t even hesitate. john walker could never fill the shoes that steve left behind. not even close.

[hypewinter]

Green green green. Nothing but an endless sea of green. No haunts, no islands, no portals. Nothing except for the lonely ghost boy filled with regret. Not from what he did. Danny had no choice but to destroy the portal. And even if he had known the shock wave would blast him to this unknown part of the zone, he'd still do it. No, this regret was from so much more. It was from not saying 'I love you' one last time. It was from not savoring his youth. It was from fixing that stupid portal. So, so much regret. And an eternity of green to stew in it.

...

........

Wait. What's that? Is that... a portal?

Yes! It is!

A natural portal spawning before his very eyes only a few feet away. Danny would have wept if he hadn't exhausted his tear ducts long ago. Instead he drifts over to the portal, stopping just before he enters it. He's filled with hesitation. Natural portals are unpredictable. It could spit him out into an acid pit or in the middle of a war. There wasn't even a guarantee he would land in his own dimension. But... wasn't it better than here? Wasn't whatever was through this portal better than the green infinity he was currently trapped in, no matter how unpredictable?

Danny took a deep breath. And then another. Screw it. He plunged himself into the portal, embracing whatever chaos that would receive him from this unending sea of green.

[buzzcutlip]

For @tyferbebe who requested "You know you didn't have to get me anything" & Touch starved from my Winter prompts list <3 I changed the sentence a little bit

Not Monday Carmen Berzatto x Fem!Reader Rated E (oral sex) 2170 words

You have a massive, ginormous crush on your neighbour, Carmen Berzatto. You find him extremely good-looking—even though he might not be the typical hot guy type—and the fact that he’s a successful chef takes things to an even higher level. The fact that he’s been capable of running some of the best restaurants in the world definitely impresses you, and, frankly, turns you on in all sorts of ways.

Hi, are you at home?

Mind if I pop in for a sec?

The two messages from Carmy show up on the screen of your phone, and you simultaneously panic and get excited. You’ve just returned from the Christmas family visit late last night, and now you’re in the middle of unpacking, sorting out dirty laundry, and eating leftovers. The urge to put on at least a bit of makeup and change out of your old sweatpants is strong, but on the other hand, you’re worried that Carmen’s plan might change if you don’t respond immediately.

Sure, come over!

The next second, you hear the door opposite yours open and shut, followed by a quick rap on your entrance door. When you open it, you’re still clutching your phone in one hand.

“Wow, you’re quick,” you blurt out with a laugh. Carmy smiles back, his dimples appearing, and your heart swells. Your eyes quickly roam over his form and face, hoping that he won’t notice your obvious gluttonous interest.

“I’m returning the screwdriver,” Carmen says, handing you the tool he borrowed at the beginning of December.

“Oh, thank you.” This has become a game you two play. Not so innocent on your side, as you would often come up with silly reasons, but hopefully convincing ones, to either visit Carmy or invite him over to your place—to borrow a cup of flour, ask him to change a bulb, or help you move the sofa. On the other hand, Carmen’s been over to yours for small favors like shirt ironing, sewing a button on his chef whites, or suggestions for Natalie’s birthday present.

“Sorry about the mess,” you say quickly, clutching the screwdriver like it’s a precious artifact. “I just got back last night and haven’t really… sorted everything out yet.”

Carmen shrugs, a little smile playing at his lips. “Looks fine to me.” His eyes linger for a moment on the half-open suitcase spilling clothes onto the floor before they return to you. There’s something about the way he looks at you—like he’s caught between being bashful and wanting to stay longer.

“So, uh, how was your trip?” he asks, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his jeans. You know that despite The Bear being closed for the Christmas holidays, Carmen was probably busy coming up with new dishes and similar things. No rest for the wicked.

You’re a little surprised by the question—he doesn’t usually linger after these quick exchanges. “Good. A little chaotic, but that’s family for you.” Carmen knows about your mother and three siblings—each of you with a different father—and how intense she gets.

Carmen chuckles, the sound low and warm, and you wonder if it’s possible to bottle it. You’d play it on repeat whenever you needed cheering up. “I can imagine.”

“Oh—wait! I’ve got something for you,” you suddenly remember and reach into your suitcase to fish out a small package adorned with a green ribbon.

Carmen’s eyes widen, flicking between you and the package as you hand it to him. “It’s Belgian chocolate. Milk with roasted almonds and sea salt,” you quickly explain. “One of my older brother’s father is Belgian. He always sends a lot of chocolates. I think he doesn’t remember how old we are anymore,” you shrug. “This is my favorite.”

Carmen’s face softens as he looks at the package in your hand, and he hesitates for just a moment before taking it. His fingers brush yours, and you don’t miss the way he notices it too—his eyes darting to yours for a fraction of a second.

“You didn’t have to do that,” he says, his voice quieter, almost shy. “It’s nothing,” you reply, brushing it off. “I mean, you’ve helped me out so many times. And besides…” You trail off, shrugging again as you feel a little self-conscious. “I thought you might like it.”

Carmen studies the package for a moment before meeting your eyes again. There’s something so earnest about the way he looks at you, it makes your chest ache in the best way.

“Thanks…Uhm—I didn’t get you anything.”

You wave your hand dismissively, shaking your head as you try to mask the pang of disappointment you feel, even though you honestly hadn’t expected a present from Carmy. “Don’t be silly. It’s not like that.”

Carmen’s shoulders relax slightly, though his brows remain knitted together like he’s still mulling it over. “Still… I feel bad now,” he mutters.

“You really don’t have to,” you insist, a small laugh escaping you. “I mean, unless you wanna give me the New Year’s kiss I didn’t get.”

When you blurt out the last sentence, your eyes widen as you realize what you just said. You quickly laugh again, only this time it sounds a bit forced. “I guess I take that from my mom—finding the right guy who would stick around is not my strength,” you ramble on uncomfortably, trying your best to get out of the situation with as much dignity as possible.

Carmen looks genuinely caught off guard, like he’s not sure if you’re joking or not. You can feel the heat rising in your cheeks, spreading all the way to your ears. “You serious, or…?”

Your heart skips—no, jumps—at his words. The laugh that escapes you now is soft, nervous, and entirely unplanned. “I mean… maybe?” you reply, your voice barely above a whisper.

Carmen’s eyes flicker to yours as he steps just a little closer, the tension between you so thick you can almost touch it. “You tell me,” he says conspiratorially, his voice even softer now.

You don’t even realize you’re holding your breath until he leans in, his movements careful, like he’s giving you all the time in the world to pull away. But you don’t. Instead, you tilt your head, your lips brushing his just barely, soft and tentative.

It’s you who leans back first, afraid of him ending the kiss. Only now do you realize you’re wearing old sweatpants and a stretched-out t-shirt, your face completely makeup-free. Carmen’s seen you at The Bear, when you went there for dinner with a friend—all dressed up in fancy clothes and carefully styled hair. “I’m a mess,” you state, still vibrating from the little kiss.

“You always look pretty,” Carmy says quietly with a small smile, sounding genuine. You want nothing more than to kiss him some more, so you ask: “Was that just a one-time—” but before you have a chance to finish your question, or even your thought, Carmy’s lips are on yours again, and your brain short-circuits.

Your bed is hiding behind an old antique paravent you bought in Boston when you first moved here. The bed itself is large, just how you like it, with a solid wood-carved headboard. That’s where you end up together.

The touch of your tongue against Carm’s is intoxicating; the taste of his kiss is absolutely addictive. You moan into the kiss needily, the sound catching in the back of your throat, and blush furiously at your own reaction.

Despite how much you hate admitting it, it’s been years since you kissed someone like this—since a guy has touched you like Carmen is now. His hands roam up and down your sides under your jumper, squeezing the meat of your thighs, enveloping you heavily, wholly.

Carmy’s solid weight above you is grounding and electrifying all at once. Your hands find their way under his hoodie, fingers brushing against his warm skin, the wiry strength of muscle a reminder of how physical his life is. He lets out a quiet, almost shy groan when your nails graze his back, and you feel the sound in your chest as much as you hear it.

“Is this okay?” he asks between kisses, his voice husky, his breath warm against your neck. The care in his tone makes your stomach flip. “Yes,” you whisper, arching into him.

That seems to give him permission, and his touch grows bolder. He pushes your shirt up, his fingers brushing against the bare skin of your waist, sending shivers up your spine. His lips trail from your mouth to your jaw, to your neck, each kiss deliberate. You’re finding it harder and harder to keep still under his attention, your head tilting restlessly, your teeth sinking into your lip to stifle the embarrassing noises spilling from you.

When Carmen leans away and up, you almost protest. He sits back on his haunches between your spread legs, all flushed cheeks and messy hair. He looks adorable and also devastatingly hot. Before you can say anything, he swiftly takes off his t-shirt and jumper in one go, and you finally have the opportunity to admire his bare torso.

The second you want to get up to explore his torso properly with your hands—and maybe your mouth—he stops you.

“Lie back,” Carmy gently nudges you into position, and you obey willingly, watching him curiously.

Carmen’s gaze is heavy, filled with an intensity that sends a fresh wave of heat coursing through you. His chest rises and falls with uneven breaths as he studies you quietly. All you can do is watch as he reaches down for the waist of your sweatpants.

“Can I…” he trails off, leaning down to kiss the sliver of bare skin peeking between the waistband and the jumper. Immediately, you nod, letting him know he has your consent. You even help him push the garment down your legs and off. His calloused fingers are warm, rough in a way that contrasts beautifully with how gently he’s touching you. You feel like you’re about to melt into the bed.

A sudden stillness forces you to open your eyes to check on Carmy. He’s staring down, right between your legs.

“It’s not Monday,” he says, sensing your eyes on him.

“Whaat?”

He touches his thumb to your pelvis bone. “Here. It says ‘Monday.’”

Confused, you look down. It takes you only about two seconds to understand that he’s referring to the word on your panties, just above a picture of daisies.

“Shut up,” you nudge him with your knee, laughing.

He chuckles low, his breath fanning against your skin as he presses a kiss just below your navel. “I’m just observant,” he murmurs, his lips brushing your skin between words, sending a violent shiver up your spine with the tender contact.

“And for the record, these”—he hooks a finger under the elastic, tugging gently—“are cute as hell.”

Then, instead of taking your underwear off as you expect, he takes your hand in his and pulls it down to your crotch—a silent invitation to touch yourself. You do, feeling your heart in your throat, turned on and shy in equal measures. Carmen watches as you stroke yourself through your panties, hesitantly at first. You’ve been wet since the moment you two started kissing, the damp patch on the pale blue fabric drawing Carmy’s eyes.

He lowers himself, planting open-mouthed kisses on your inner thighs and moving higher, closer to your core. He kisses your hand too, mouthing at it with his tongue as if it were your mouth—or your pussy. You can’t believe something so innocent can feel so sexual, and you let out a stream of soft moans. With every passing second, you’re closer and closer to voicing out loud that it’s time for the main act.

Carmen seems to sense it—your need, your desperation. His gaze flickers up to your face, heavy-lidded, and he murmurs, “Don’t rush. Let me take care of you.” His voice is a low rasp, full of tenderness and heat.

The way he’s looking at you sends another ripple of arousal straight through you, and your breath catches when he pulls the soaked crotch of your panties aside, kissing your pussy for the first time.

“Fuck. Carmy,” you whisper, your voice shaky.

He hums against you, not letting up, giving you a hard lick—one that ends right at your sensitive clit. Your hands find his hair, threading through the soft strands as his lips and tongue explore you. You can feel his breath against your skin, the way it hitches every time you squirm or let out a sound. All the sensations are new, overwhelming, and intense in the best possible way.

Carmen doesn’t stop, doesn’t hesitate. His mouth is warm, deliberate, and unrelenting. The rough drag of his tongue paired with the softness of his lips makes your head spin. Each stroke feels like he’s memorizing you, mapping out what makes you gasp and moan with the precision of someone determined to get it right.

[mallorylambart]

last art of 2024 (that i technically started a few months ago)

2024 really was the year of "collecting fictional men like pokemon cards", i played SO many good games with fictional men this year. this isn't even all of em, this is just where i wanted to be done with this lmfao

here's to more hyperfixations in 2025 i spose

[rabbitcruiser]

Winter Solstice

The winter solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It occurs annually between December 20 and December 23.

The winter solstice is marked by the point at which the North Pole is at its farthest from the sun during its yearly orbit around the sun. It will be approximately 23 degrees away from the sun.  Despite the temperature outside, the winter solstice is considered the astronomical beginning of winter.  Meteorological winter begins December 1 and lasts until the end of February and is marked by the coldest average temperatures during the year.

Depending on how far north a person is in the Northern Hemisphere during the winter solstice, their day can range from 9.5 hours to absolutely no sunrise at all.  On the bright side, the days will gradually become longer in the Northern Hemisphere until the summer solstice in June.  In the Southern Hemisphere, this same day marks the summer solstice and the Southern Hemisphere’s longest day of the year.

The vernal equinox and the autumnal equinox conventionally mark the beginning of spring and fall respectively and occur when night and day are approximately equal in length.

Around the world since ancient times to modern day, celebrations, festivals, rituals and holidays recognizing the winter solstice have varied from culture to culture.

HISTORY

Since the marking of time and the earliest calendars, this day marked the hardest time of the year for early people.  Survival was paramount when food and heat are not reliable.  In all corners of the Earth, there are ancient remains that seem to have been built around marking the winter solstice.

Probably the most famous of these is Stonehenge, England. Every year when the sun sets on the winter solstice, the sun’s rays align with two of the giant stones known as the central Altar and the Slaughter stone.

As the sun rises the day of the winter solstice, its rays illuminate the main chambers of the monument dating back to 3200 B.C. at Newgrange, Ireland.

In Tulum, Mexico an ancient Mayan city stands deserted. At the top of one of these buildings, a small hole casts a starburst when the sun rises on the winter and summer solstices.

Source

[widowshill]

[trans-bucky-barnes]

Endless gifs of Bucky Barnes [16/∞]