#Garnet Maple

[3416]

Leafs @ Flyers | 03.14.24

[garnetdawn]

Rosy maple bard design <3 (sold)

[greenwitchcrafts]

June 2024 witch guide

Full moon: June 21st

New moon: June 6th

Sabbats: Litha/Summer Solstice- June 20th

June Strawberry Moon

Known as: Aerra Litha, Birth Moon, Blooming Moon, Brachmanoth, Dyad Moon, Egg Laying Moon, Green Corn Moon, Hatching Moon, Hoer Moon, Honey Moon, Lovers Moon, Mead Moon, Moon of Horses, Moon of Making Fat, Partner Moon, Rose Moon & Strong Sun Moon

Element: Earth

Zodiac: Gemini & Cancer

Nature spirits: Sylphs & Zephyrs

Deities: Aine of Knockaine, Bendis, Cerridwen, Green Man, Ishtar, Isis, Neith & Persephone

Animals: Butterfly, frog, monkey & toad

Birds: Peacock & wren

Trees: Maple & Oak

Herbs: Dog grass, meadowsweet, moss, mugwort, parsley, skullcap & vervain

Flowers: Lavender, orchid, tansy & yarrow

Scents: Lavender & lily of the valley

Stones:  Agate, Alexandrite, cat's eye, chrysoberyl, emerald, fluorite, garnet, moonstone, ruby & topaz

Colors: Gold, green, orange & yellow

Energy:  Abundance, balance, change of residence, communication, decision making, education, family relations, full & restful energy, love, marriage, prosperity, positive transformation, prevention, protection, public relations, relationships, responsibility, strength, tides turning, travel & writing

While strawberries certainly are a reddish-pink color and are roundish in shape, the origin of the name “Strawberry Moon” has nothing to do with the Moon’s hue or appearance.

• June's full Moon is typically the last full moon of spring or the first of summer. The June Full Moon will be extraordinary. For the first time since 1985, Full Moon happens precisely on the summer solstice, when the Sun is highest up. Because the Full Moon is always opposite the Sun, this year, you will see that the Moon is 10 widths lower on the horizon than the Sun ever is. 

This “Strawberry Moon” name has been used by Native American Algonquian tribes that live in the northeastern United States as well as the Ojibwe, Dakota, and Lakota peoples to mark the ripening of “June-bearing” strawberries that are ready to be gathered. The Haida term Berries Ripen Moon reflects this as well. As flowers bloom and early fruit ripens, June is a time of great abundance for many.

Litha

Known as: Alban Heruin, Summer Solstice & Whit Sunday

Season: Summer

Element: Fire

Symbols: Besom, fairies, God's eyes, sunflowers & symbols of the sun

Colors: Blue, gold, green, orange, red, tan & yellow

Oils/Incense: Cinnamon, frankincense, heliotrope, lavender, lemon, lily of the valley, mint, musk, myrrh, orange, orange pine, pine, rose, saffron, sandalwood & wisteria

Animals: Cattle, crab, horse & octopus

Birds: Goldfinch, kingfisher, meadowlark, owl, robin & wren

Mythical: Fairies

Stones: Bloodstone, diamond, emerald, jade, lapis lazuli & tiger's eye

Food: Ale, bread, cheese, edible flowers, garden fresh vegetables & fruit, lemons, meade, milk, oranges, pumpernickel bread, summer squash & wine

Herbs/Plants: Anise, basil, betony, cinquefoil, copal, elder, fennel, fern, frankincense, galangal, hemp, ivy, larkspur, lemon, lemon balm, mistletoe, mugwort, mullien, nettle, orange, orpin, plantain, rue, saffron, sandalwood, St.John's wort, thyme, verbena, vervain, wild thyme & ylang-ylang

Flowers: Carnation, chamomile, daisy, heather, heliotrope, honeysuckle, lavender, lily, marigold, orchid, rose, wisteria & yarrow

Trees: Elder, holly, laurel, linden, oak & pine

Goddesses: Amaterasu, Aine, Anahita, Dea, Cerde, Dag, Dana, Eiru, Fenne, Gwydion, Kupala, Mabd, Phoebe, Skhmet & Sul

Gods: Apollo, Baal, Balder, Bel, The Dagda, Donnus, El, The Green Man, Helios, Huon, Jupiter, Llew, Loki, Lugh, Maui, Mithras, Oak/Holly King, Ogmios, Ra, Surya, Thor & Zeus

Issues, Intentions & Powers: Agriculture, changes, divination, ending, fertility, life, light, manifestation, power, purpose, strength, success & unity

Spellwork: Fire & water magick

Activities:

• Charge and cleanse your crystals in the solstice sun

• Make Sun water

• Create crafts with natural elements such as flowers

• Burn a paper with things that no longer serve you or that you are trying to let go

•  Invite friends & family over for a bonfire and/or feast

• Gather & dry herbs for the upcoming year

• Clean, decorate & cleanse your altar with summer symbols

• Brew some sun tea

• Take a ritual bath/shower with flowers

• Make your own sun dial

• Craft a door wreath out of flowers & herbs

• Enjoy some sunrise/sunset yoga

• Volunteer at a food kitchen or animal shelter

• Plant trees (especially ones that may provide fruit or berries to feed the wildlife)

• Watch the sunset & say a blessing to nature

• Make flower infused anointing/spell oils

• Eat fresh fruits & berries

• Participate in a handfasting

• Create shadow art

The history of Litha reveals its deep connections to ancient agricultural societies & their reliance on the sun's power. Celebrated as part of the Wheel of the Year, Litha symbolizes the balance between light & darkness. Throughout history  customs such as bonfires, herb gathering & the construction of sunwheels have marked this festival. Today, Litha continues to be celebrated by various communities, with gatherings at sacred sites & private rituals in natural settings. It serves as a reminder of our connection with nature and the cycles of life.

• The traditions of Litha appear to be borrowed from many cultures. Most ancient cultures celebrated the summer solstice in some way such as the Celts celebrated Litha with hilltop bonfires & dancing. Many people attempted to jump over or through the bonfires for good luck. Other European traditions included setting large wheels on fire & rolling them down a hill into a body of water.

Litha is often associated with Midsummer, a celebration that extends beyond the pagan and Wiccan traditions. Midsummer festivities are observed in many cultures around the world, including Scandinavian countries where it holds a prominent place in their cultural heritage. Midsummer dances, bonfires, & feasts are integral parts of these celebrations, often accompanied by folklore and traditional rituals that honor the sun's energy and the abundance of nature during this time.

The summer solstice is the longest day of the year & in some traditions, Litha is when The Sun(The God) is symbolically at it's peak time of power & the World will soon be ripe to harvest. It is also when The Goddess is pregnant with The God who is to be reborn at Yule.

• In the Northern Hemisphere the Summer Solstice occurs when the Sun reaches its highest and northernmost points in the sky. It marks the start of summer in the northern half of the globe. (In contrast, the June solstice in the Southern Hemisphere is when the Sun is at its lowest point in the sky, marking the start of winter.)

Some also believe the history & spirit of Litha revolve around two deities, The Oak King & The Holly King. In Wiccan and Neo-Pagan traditions, each King rules the Earth for half of the year. From Yule to Litha, the Oak King rules. On Litha, the two battled for the crown and it is then that the Holly King triumphs. The Holly King will rule through fall until Yule, and the cycle will begin again.

Related festivals:

• Vestalia- June 7th -15th

Was a Roman religious festival in honor of Vesta, the goddess of the hearth & the burning continuation of the sacred fire of Rome. It was held from 7–15 June & was reserved as a women's-only event. Domestic & family life in general were represented by the festival of the goddess of the house & of the spirits of the storechamber — Vesta & the Penates .

On the first day of festivities the penus Vestae (sanctum sanctorum of the temple of Vesta which was usually curtained off) was opened for the only time during the year, at which women offered sacrifices. As long as the curtain remained open, mothers could come, barefoot and disheveled, to leave offerings to the goddess in exchange for a blessing to them and their family.

For the last day, the penus Vestae was solemnly closed, the Flaminica Dialis observed mourning & the temple was subjected to a purification called stercoratio: the filth was swept from the temple and carried next by the route called clivus Capitolinus and then into the Tiber.

Sources:

Farmersalmanac .com

Llewellyn's Complete Book of Correspondences by Sandra Kines

Wikipedia

A Witch's Book of Correspondences by Viktorija Briggs

Encyclopedia britannica

Llewellyn 2024 magical almanac Practical magic for everyday living

[themodernwitchsguide]

altars for greek gods (pt.2)

this post includes zeus, hera, poseidon, hestia, hephaestus, dionysus, ares, demeter, and athena. for part 1 including hades, persephone, artemis, apollo, aphrodite, hermes, and hekate click here, for the titans and protogenoi click here.

keep in mind that this is largely UPG, new age stuff, and historically accurate offerings to the gods include meat, wine, grain (specifically barley), honey, and incense (myrrh and frankincense).

colors can be used for candles, banners, decor, whatever you want

ZEUS

Colors: white, blue, and grey for association with the heavens, yellow and black for association with storms. gold because he's the King of the Gods

Offerings: rain water, oak, olives/olive branches/olive leaves, vervain, cinnamon, laurel. images of himself or lightning bolts are particularly recommended for Zeus

Crystals: diamonds, gold (i think pyrite, aka fool's gold, would be offensive), turquoise, lapis lazuli, celestite, iron/steel, any quartz

Animals: eagle, bull

POSEIDON

Colors: blue and white for association with the seas, gray for association with storms, brown for association with the earth/earthquakes

Offerings: coffee, mint, ocean water, salt, seashells

Crystals: coral, petoskey stone, abalone, opal (especially water opal), blue calcite, aquamarine

Animals: horse, bull, dolphin, hippocampus

HERA

Colors: red, pink and white for association with love and marriage. gold because she's the Queen of the Gods.

Offerings: iris, rose, patchouli, coconut, cypress, maple, peacock feathers, pomegranate

Crystals: pearls, garnet, citrine, diamonds, lapis lazuli, topaz, opal, moonstone, rose quartz

Animals: peacock, cuckoo, cow

HESTIA

Colors: red, orange, and yellow for association with fire, brown or white for the hearth/home.

Offerings: tea/coffee (especially if you drink it with her), pine, bread, cider, apples, anything on fire, cinnamon

Crystals: amber, jade, garnet, ruby, carnelian, sunstone, amethyst, honey calcite

Animals: donkey, pig, crane

HEPHAESTUS

Colors: red, orange, and yellow for association with fire, metallics for association with metalworking.

Offerings: spicy things, hot beverages, handmade things, dragon's blood incense, seashells, anything on fire

Crystals: metals, fire opal, honey calcite, obsidian, hematite, carnelian

Animals: donkey, dog, crane

DIONYSUS

Colors: purple and green for association with grapes/wine, leopard/tiger print for his holy animals

Offerings: grapes (or any derivative), alcohol, cinnamon, ivy, pinecones. there's a particular emphasis on non-physical offerings with dionysus, like playing music, partying or sex/masturbation

Crystals: grape agate, leopard jasper, crazy lace agate, tiger's eye, garnet, rose or rutilated quartz, amethyst, jade

Animals: panther/leopard, tiger, bull, serpent, dolphin

ARES

Colors: red and purple for association with war

Offerings: spicy things, yarrow, chocolate, basil, cinnamon

Crystals: bloodstone, garnet, red jasper, smokey quartz, black tourmaline, hematite, metals, obsidian, carnelian

Animals: eagle owl, barn owl, poisonous snakes, boar, vulture

DEMETER

Colors: green, brown, and yellow for association with the earth/harvest. black for her ruthlessness

Offerings: oats and grain, anything baked, flowers, spices (like cinnamon or cloves, allspice is good too), leaves that have begun to change colors for fall, mint, poppy

Crystals: jade, tree/moss agate, carnelian, amber, aventurine, rutilated quartz

Animals: serpent, farm animals (especially pig), gecko, turtle-dove

ATHENA

Colors: white and grey/silver for association with wisdom. red for association with war

Offerings: anything handmade, olives/olive oil/olive branches/olive leaves, snake shed, cedar, cypress, cinnamon

Crystals: metals, celestite, fluorite, lapis lazuli, bloodstone, obsidian, iolite

Animals: snakes and owls

[thecupidwitch]

Planetary Magick🌙

Sun

Zodiac: Leo

Metal: Gold

Day: Sunday

Colors: organge, yellow, amber

Stones: Amber, topaz, ruby, diamond

Tarot: The Sun

Herbs: Angelica, poppy, sunflower, marigold, hibiscus, mistletoe

Symbols: lion, hexagram, sparrow hawk, dragon, head, heart, swan

Influences: renown, potency, fortune, tyranny, pride, ambition, masculinity, arrogance, bigotry, vitality, health

Moon

Zodiac: cancer

Metal: sliver

Day: Monday

Colors: blue, sliver

Stones: moonstone, pearl

Tarot: The High Priestess, The Chariot

Herbs: eucalyptus, coconut, jasmine, lotus, myrrh, sandalwood

Symbols: bow and arrow, crab, cat, turtle, Sphinx, owl

Influences: gradtitufe, friendliness, safe, travel, physical health, wealth, protection for enemies, deception, illusion, women, emotions, healing, dreams

Mercury

Zodiac: Virgo, Gemini

Metal: aluminum, Mercury

Day: Wednesday

Colors: violet, gray, purple, indigo, yellow

Stones: opal agate

Tarot: The Lovers

Herbs: hyssop, juniper, betony, carrot, chickweed

Symbols: wand, octagram, the mind

Influences: good fortune, gratitude, gain, memory, understanding, divination, dreams, forgetfulness, communication, business, cleverness, creativity, information, intellect, memory, perception, science, wisdom, gambling, writing, root of dishonesty, deception

Venus

Zodiac: taurus, libra

Metal: copper

Day: Friday

Colors: green, pink

Stones: turquoise, emerald, sapphire, jade

Tarot: The Empress

Herbs: jimsonweed, violet, rose, alder, apple, angelica, olive, sesame

Symbols: sparrow, dove, swan, pentagram

Influences: peace, agreements, cooperation, fertility, joy, love, good fortune, jealousy, strife, promiscuity

Mars

Zodiac: aries, scorpio

Metal: iron, red brass, steel

Day: Tuesday

Color: Red

Stones: ruby, garnet, bloodstone, diamond

Tarot: The Tower

Herbs: ginger, mustard

Symbols: sword, pentagram, horse, bear, wolf, vulture

Influences: war, victory, judgements, submission of enemies, bleeding, stripping one of rank, harness, discord, conflict, aggression, lust, power, courage, goals, protection, motivation, ambition, strength

Jupiter

Zodiac: pisces, sagittarius

Metal: tin

Day: Thursday 

Colors: blue

Stone: sapphire

Tarot: The Wheel of Fortune

Herbs: balm, hyssop, maple leaf and bark, oak, sage, dandelion root

Symbols: eagle, dolphin

Influences: gains, riches, favor, peace, cooperation, appeasing enemies, dissolving

Saturn

Zodiac: capricorn

Metal: lead

Day: Saturday

Color: black

Stone: onyx

Taror: The World

Herbs: alder, apple, ash, asparagus, baneberry, belladonna, distort, hellebore, blackthorn, corm, cypress

Symbols: cuttlefish, mole

Influences: safety, power, success, positive response to requests, intellect, causes discord, strips honor, melancholy

Uranus

Zodiac: aquarius

Day: Thursday

Colors: blue-green, electric blue

Stones: quartz, labradorite, blue topaz, amber, amethyst, garnet, diamond

Tarot: The Fool

Herbs: clover, pokeweed, snowdrop, foxglove, love, rosemary, trees of heaven, hellebore, morning glory, sage, wintergreen, orchids, sweet woodruff

Symbols: dragonfly, butterfly

Influences: breaking connection, sudden and unexpected change, freedom, originality, radical and revolutionary ideas, enlightenment, equality, individuality, rebellion, instability, loneliness, boredom, mistrust of self

Neptune

Zodiac: pisces

Minerals: coral, aquamarine, platinum, neptunium

Colors: green, blue, lavender

Tarot: The Hanged Man

Herbs: morning glory, night-blooming jasmine, pine, water lily

Symbols: the sea, Trident, the spine

Influences: dissolving boundaries, expanding upon ideas, changing established rules, intuition, idealism, sacrifice, glamour, illusion, evolution, decay, visions, art, healing, inspiration, dreams, creativity, compassion, drifting from reality, carelessness, stubbornness, absent mind

Pluto

Zodiac: scorpio

Metal: plutonium, tin chrome, steel

Day: Tuesday

Colors: maroon, dark red, purple, white, black

Stones: snowflake obsidian, clack tourmaline

Tarot: Judgement

Herbs: pomegranate, rosemary, vanilla, basil, poppies, belladonna, foxglove

Symbols: Phoenix, snake, scorpion, fox, eagle

Influences; destruction making way for renewal, rebirth, knowledge, spirituality, transformation, destiny, the subconscious, desire, arrogance, death, obsession, destruction

[petaltexturedskies]

After the keen still days of September, the October sun filled the world with mellow warmth...the maple tree in front of the doorstep burned like a gigantic red torch. the oaks along the roadway glowed yellow and bronze. the fields stretched like a carpet of jewels, emerald and topaz and garnet. Everywhere she walked the color shouted and sang around her...in October any wonderful unexpected thing might be possible.

Elizabeth George Speare, The Witch of Blackbird Pond

[pupsmailbox]

MINECRAFT ID PACK

NAMES︰ alex. amber. amethyst. ash. azalea. blaze. block. briar. brick. brielle. brier. brook. carver. celeste. clay. cobble. cree. crystal. daisy. dawn. dusty. ember. end. eve. flint. flora. forge. garnet. gemma. granite. grayson. harper. hazel. hero. holly. hopper. iris. ivy. jade. jett. juniper. lapis. laurel. lilac. lily. magnolia. maple. marigold. mason. meadow. miner. mira. moss. nova. oak. onyx. opal. pearl. pebble. poppy. prairie. pyre. quill. red. reed. river. rocky. rose. rowan. ruby. sable. sage. sapphire. selene. shale. sky. skye. skylar. slate. smith. spruce. steele. stella. stephen. stone. sunny. terra. thalia. timber. torch. violet. wade. willow.

PRONOUNS︰ a/axe. adventurer/adventurer. allay/allay. ar/armour. ax/axe. bam/bamboo. bat/bat. bee/bee. biome/biome. birch/birch. bla/blaze. blaz/blaze. blaze/blaze. blo/block. block/block. build/build. bun/bun. cake/cake. chest/chest. clay/clay. cob/cobble. copper/cooper. cow/cow. cra/craft. craf/craft. craft/craft. cre/creative. creep/creeper. creeper/creeper. dark/dark. deep/deepslate. deep/slate. dig/dig. disc/disc. drown/drown. ely/elytra. elytra/elytra. en/end. end/end. end/eye. ender/ender. ender/enderman. enderman/endermen. explorer/explorer. fight/fight. flint/flint. for/forge. fox/fox. ghast/ghast. glow/stone. goat/goat. grav/gravel. heal/heal. hive/hive. hun/hunger. husk/husk. hx/hxm. hy/hym. ice/ice. kaboom/kaboom. kelp/kelp. lav/lava. love/love. magma/magma. mi/mine. mine/mine. mob/mob. mod/mod. moosh/mooshroom. mooshroom/mooshroom. musicnote/musicnote. nether/nether. nostalgia/nostalgia. nostalgic/nostalgic. oak/oak. ocean/ocean. ore/ore. over/overworld. over/world. pearl/pearl. phantom/phantom. pi/pick. pig/pig. pig/pigstep. pig/step. play/player. ram/ram. red/stone. sap/sapling. scream/scream. sculk/sculk. sea/sea. shea/shear. sheep/sheep. sho/shovel. shulk/shulker. shx/hxr. shy/hyr. skele/skeleton. skeleton/skeleton. skulk/skulk. slime/slime. sme/smelt. smp/smp. snow/snow. spawner/spawner. spec/spectator. speed/speedrun. spider/spider. spruce/spruce. sta/stack. sto/stone. strider/strider. surv/survival. survivor/survivor. swo/sword. tele/teleport. terra/terracotta. thxy/thxm. thy/thym. tnt/tnt. tor/torch. tree/tree. ve/vex. vwoop/vwoop. warden/warden. warp/warped. warrior/warrior. wat/water. wit/wither. wither/wither. wo/wood. wolf/wolf. xp/xp. zomb/zombie. zombie/zombie.

[acronym-chaos]

Minecraft Inspired ID Pack

[PT: Minecraft Inspired ID Pack].

[ID: A purple thin line divider shaded at the bottom. End ID].

Names

[PT: Names].

Alex, Amber, Amethyst, Ash, Azalea, Blaze, Block, Brick, Briar, Brielle, Brook, Carver, Celeste, Clay, Cobble, Cree, Crystal, Daisy, Dawn, Dusty, Ember, End, Eve, Flora, Flint, Forge, Garnet, Gemma, Granite, Grayson, Harper, Hazel, Holly, Hopper, Iris, Ivy, Jade, Jett, Juniper, Lapis, Laurel, Lilac, Lily, Maple, Marigold, Mason, Meadow, Miner, Mira, Moss, Nova, Oak, Onyx, Opal, Pearl, Pebble, Poppy, Pyre, Quill, Reed, Red, River, Rocky, Rose, Rowan, Ruby, Sage, Sable, Sapphire, Selene, Shale, Sky, Skylar, Slate, Smith, Spruce, Steele, Stella, Stone, Sunny, Terra, Thalia, Timber, Torch, Violet, Wade, Willow

Pronouns

[PT: Pronouns].

A / Ax / Axe; Bla / Blaz / Blaze; Blo / Block / Blocks; Build / Build / Builds; Cob / Cobble / Cobbles; Cra / Craf / Craft; Cra / Craf / Craft; Cree / Creep / Creeper; Dig / Dig / Digs; E / En / End; Flint / Flint / Flints; Fo / For / Forge; Mi / Mine / Mines; Pi / Pick / Picks [Pickaxe]; Red / Stone / Redstones; Sap / Sapling / Saplings; Shea / Shear / Shears; Sho / Shovel / Shovels; Sme / Smelt / Smelts; Sta / Stack / Stacks; Sto / Stone / Stones; Tor / Torch / Torches; Wo / Wood / Woods

Titles

[PT: Titles].

Builder of Worlds; Crafter of Blocks; Master of the Mines; The Blocksmith; The Brave Explorer; The Collector of Resources; The Creator of Realms; The Defender of the Village; The Ender of Mobs; The Master of the Redstone; The Master Miner; The Pixel Pioneer; The Resource Gatherer; The Survival Expert; [Pronoun] Who Crafts with Precision; [Pronoun] Who Delves Deep; [Pronoun] Who Faces the Nether; [Pronoun] Who Mines and Builds; [Pronoun] Who Shapes the World

[ID: A purple thin line divider shaded at the bottom, end ID].

Requested by @rwuffles on Discord!

Also tagging: @pronoun-arc @id-pack-archive

[stalkerofthegods]

Lady hera deep dive.

Lady Hera is the queen of the gods and goddesses and the shared ruler of the skies, she deserves respect, and I adore her, as a researcher, and as a person in the community, I do not worship her, but she is welcoming, she is a wonderful goddess and kind, and as a mother and a ruler, she is amazing.

Herbs • lilies, poppies, irises, white roses, waterlilies, Golden roses and white roses, Vitex agnus-castus, poppies, stephanotis, cypress, coconut, maple trees, all white flowers, Marigold, Patchouli, Sage, Rosemary, Frankincense, oak, asterion flower, hyacinths (from when Zeus swept her up in a cloud in Bed of hyacinths in the Iliad 14.340-50)

Animals•peacock, the crow, the cuckoo, carrion-crow, Cow, snake, dragon, crab, snail, and other shelled creatures, eagle, young cow or lion, Wide-winged hawk, Cranes, heifer, goat

Zodiac • Cancer 

Colors •White, royal blue, purple, dark green, grey, and silver, yellow, gold, red,  blue, purple, rose.

Crystal• pearls, garnets, citrine, amber, diamonds, star sapphires, platinum, Morganite, Rose quartz, Lapis lazuli, Peacock ore, herkimer diamond, iris agate, apophyllite, morganite, turquoise. 

Symbols• the crow, the cuckoo, the peacock and the pomegranate, Milky Way, the cow, the seasons of the year, Lotus-staff, the scepter.

Jewelry you can wear in their honor rings• wedding veils, and veiling in her honor. 

Diety of • marriage, women, childbirth, and family, she also used to be an earth goddess, Matriarchy, fertility

Patron of • married women, presiding over weddings and blessing marital unions, bringing a woman fertility, protecting her children, helping a woman find financial security, overseeing both private and public affairs, and protecting women in labor. She also has domains in life, death, and the rebirth cycle. And is the patron of earth and cows before marrying Zeus, the Air, Clear skies, Rain, Storms, the Constellations, Maidens of marriageable age, Maiden virginity, Betrothals, Bride-price (dowry), Widows, Menstruation, Heirs, Dynasties, Fidelity (legitimate heir & not the product of adultery), Inheritance, sanctity of the home, kings, empires, heaven, showers, and breezes, prosperity, progeny and military victory, luck in battle, heroes 

Alter ideas• She likes big alters, and I would put them near a lake, she was raised near a lake, and she likes extravagant things. 

Offerings• Honey, Breads, grains, homemade sweets, Pomegranates, Fruits, Milk, Wine, Pure water, Peacock paintings, peacock statues, peacock patterns, Cow paintings, cow statues, cow print patterns, Cuckoo bird art, cuckoo bird statues, Cuckoo clocks, Diadem (crowns), Throne imagery, Framed family photos, Chocolate, Pomegranate seeds, Peacock feathers, Peacock jewelry, Cuckoo feathers, Snail and hermit crab shells, Cow jewelry, Toy peacocks or cows, Perfumes, Silver and gold jjewelry (especially rings), White or gold rose petals, Golden roses, Art that you’ve created (especially if it is an art of Her), Poems are written for Her, Any crafts you’ve made, Stories that you’ve written, Photos of your S.O. and children, goat meat, goat cheese, the asterion flower, Nemean lion imagery, shields/shield imagery, wedding related (ex- rings, veil, garter, copy of vows), she likes sweet things, snail shells, any shelled animal leftover shell

Devotional• Donate your time or money to charities that help women and children, find a fallen branch and burn a small part of it as an offering to Hera (based on the festival Daedala), don’t cheat, don’t make others cheat (don’t be a side chick), tame your jealousy, Read the story of Zeus and the Daidale (“wooden bride”), As you make your bed ask Hera to bless it and Bring romance to your marriage bed, Take a day to indulge in love, keep your home clean, be kind to children, do house chores, take care of your physical health, take care of your mental health, speak your mind, donate to and support domestic abuse victims, write her poems, donate old maternity clothes and baby clothes, Campaigning for women’s rights and equal marriage, gardening, painting, making music, do colour magick, Celebrate solstice and changing seasons, Setting a boundary in life (especially in love).

Ephithets•  Cow-Eyed, White-Armed, The Virgin, Queen of the Gods, Protectress, Queen of Heaven, Protector of Women, Hera Alexandros (Protector of Men), Lady of the Beasts, Of The Golden Sandals,   Ἀλέξανδρος (Alexandros) - Protector of Men, Αἰγοφάγος (Aigophágos) - Goat-Eater, Ἀκραῖα (Akráia)- She of the Heights, Ἀμμωνία (Ammonia), Ἄνθεια (Antheia) -  flowery Ἀργεία (Argéia)- She of Argos, Βασίλεια (Basíleia)- Queen', Βουναία (Bounáia)- She of the Mound, Βοῶπις (Boṓpis) - Cow-Eyed or Cow-Faced, Λευκώλενος (Leukṓlenos)- White-Armed,  Παῖς (Pais)- Child (in her role as virgin), Παρθένος (Parthénos)- Virgin, Τελεία (Teléia)- as goddess of marriage, Χήρη (Chḗrē) - Widowed, Τελχινία (Telchinia) - She was named like that because according to a legend, that the Telchines were the first in the island and also the first who created statues of gods, Ζυγία (Zygia) - as the presider over marriage, Hera Nympheuomene - Hera the betrothed bride, Hera Pais - Hera the girl, Hera Parthenia - Hera the maiden

Equivalents (not the same but alike)• Hathor (Egyptian), Juno (Roman), Frigg (Norse), Isis (Egyptian)

Aspects• Khaos-Aer (the Air), Hemera (Day), Nyx (Night), Titanis Rheia (Flow), Selene (the Moon), Eos (Dawn), Mother of Typhon (Typhoon, Smoke)

Attendees• Eleithyia (Goddess of Childbirth), Hebes (Goddess of Youth), Iris (Goddess of the Rainbow), The Horai (Goddesses of the Seasons & Heavenly Law and Order), Okeanides (Cloud-Nymphai)

Signs they are reaching out• Sudden imagery of peacocks and her animals, sudden mentions of what she is the goddess of, feeling an intense pull to her 

Morals• Morally grey 

Courting• Zues

Personality• Hera has a fast temper and is quick to administer justice

Mortal or immortal • immortal 

Fact• Hera’s temples may have been the first to be roofed, her temples were some of the largest ever built (she is very big on big alters and on temples) 

Blessings• Good betrothal, Marital harmony, Successful birth, Heirs, Dynasties, Birth of a male heir, good luck in battle, successful birth

Curse: Marital discord, Punishment of adulterers, death in birth, Protracted labor

Roots• her origin could’ve been as a Pelasgian goddess, she was nursed as an infant by the three daughters of the river Asterion: Euboia, Prosymna, and Akraia. But in the Iliad, Hera states she was given by her mother to Tethys to be raised, aspected to be raised in Argos in Argolis Greece and her birthplace being Samos on a Greek island. She also claims to be the oldest, but so does Hestia.

Parentage• Kronos and Rhea

Siblings• Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hestia, and Demeter, half-siblings with Chiron 

Pet• peacocks (peacocks pull her chariot)

Children • Angelos, Ares, Eileithyia, Enyo, Eris, Hebe, Hephaestus, and the Kharites, many say she adopted Heracles, (he built a temple for her and etc)

Appearance in astral or gen• in Greek and Roman art as a large woman, fully clad, wearing a diadem radiantly beautiful woman, shining like the sun, however, she is also a shape-shifter with many forms and is usually wearing a veil. She also has 3 aspects, the Maiden, Mother, and Crone aspects, She comes with the scent of flowers, and the earth blooms at her every step.

Festivals • Daedala, Heraia, and Anthesphoria were also common in the Peloponnese (where it was celebrated in honor of  Hera Antheia at Argos, and of Aphrodite Antheia at Cnossus.)

Month• June 

Sacred places• Heraeum at Nemea in the Argolid, the great temple on the island of Samos, and the temple at Olympia. A sanctuary at Argos, a seventh-century BCE temple built over an earlier shrine, is among the oldest Greek temples, Argos (Samos).

Status• Queen of the gods, and a major deity before and after marriage. 

What angers her • Cheating, the Trojans. 

Music she likes• wedding music. 

What she likes in people• Women, heroes, moms.

Planet•  Venus, and the full moon 

Her Tarot cards• The empress, the world. 

Scents/Inscene • rose, iris, myrrh, civet, jasmine, and patchouli, Rose, stephanotis

Prayers• 

Hera, queen of Olympos, the bride of thundering Zeus, protector of marriage, of the joining of hearts and the creation of bonds, of the building of home and the finding of family. Great Hera, whose presence honors any wedding day, whose favor graces any marriage, I pray to you, O goddess, grant to me a joyous union, a love to last, a harmonious home. I ask your blessing on my household, O Hera–may it be a place of happiness and affection. I ask your blessing on my marriage bed–may it be a place of joy and pleasure. May my mate and I share our lives; may we grow old together, merry and content; may our words be honey-sweet, and may our love be ever strong. Shining Hera, I ask your blessing.

“O Hera, Queen of Gods, divine protector of marriage, From your throne above, look upon us with favor. Majestic and exalted, cloaked in unyielding loyalty, Bless the bonds we forge, and the promises we make. Grant us the strength to uphold love’s sacred vow, To support and cherish, through trials and time. May our hearts reflect your undying commitment, As we seek harmony, guided by your wisdom. Hail Hera, the eternal matriarch, in reverence we call, With offerings of peacock plumes and lilies white. Embrace us in your grace, bestow upon us unity, As we honor you, now and in all our days.”

I praise you bright and noble Hera, great lady of Olympos, gracious queen of the deathless gods, dark-eyed goddess, fairest of the children of Rhea, graceful and comely, cloaked in the starry skies, garlanded in poppies fragrant and blood-red, crowned in brightest gold, the lotus wand in your hand, your form ever draped in the finest of silks, majestic one whose blessing is sought by all, whose gifts are treasured, whose favor is a surety of good fortune. Hera, champion of great cities, gurardian of ancient Argos and the pretty isle of Samos, warder of the bounds of marriage, protector of women in the old world and the new, unparalleled goddess, white armed one, sovereign of the high-reaching heavens, I honor your might. 

Deep-eyed Hera, beloved bride of mighty Zeus, mighty goddess, fair of face and silent of step, noble your manner, stately and poised your form, a queenly presence is ever yours, godly in glory, womanly in grace and beauty. Beloved Hera, patroness of kings and princes, friend of women, of mothers, upholder of marriage, of the right of lovers to join hearts and hands; lavish your gifts, liberal your hand, limitless the blessings you bestow on those you favor. Hera, the broad sky is yours, and the sweet air we breathe; to you we turn to for harmony and wedded bliss; to you we turn to for strength in the passion and turmoil and hard work of marriage; to you we offer our thanks for a life of love. Well-crowned Hera, beautiful one, revered one, greatest of goddesses, I praise and honor you.

Hera of the deep heart, the beautiful goddess whose true radiance would blind mortal eyes, whose steps fall softly in the golden halls of storied Olympos. In silks your fair form is draped, O Hera, heavy with jewels is your crown, the sweetest of perfumes surround you; in ancient times you received the highest honors, the finest of offerings were ever yours, your shining temples stood across the land. Hera, defender of cities, protector of marriage, champion of the love that upholds a family, that cherishes a child, you are the friend of those who hold the household dear. Queen of the heavens, holder of the lotus staff, the poppy and the pomegranate have you in hand. Hera, supreme in dignity and grace, unsurpassed in goodness and kindness, I praise you.

credits • https://spells8.com/lessons/goddess-hera-queen-of-the-gods-symbols/https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/classics/intranets/students/modules/greekreligion/database/clunas/https://www.learnreligions.com/hera-greek-goddess-of-marriage-2561992https://www.tumblr.com/septemberfaerie/649491140077338624/simple-offerings-for-hera-honey-pomegranate https://www.learnreligions.com/hera-greek-goddess-of-marriage-2561992https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herahttps://www.reddit.com/r/Hellenism/comments/htocze/a_general_guide_to_crystals_and_which/https://vocal.media/futurism/ways-of-worship-hera https://vocal.media/futurism/ways-of-worship-hera https://screeching-0wl.tumblr.com/post/667043639626743808/a-guide-to-worship-of-hera-cheat-sheets/amphttps://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/649676050026086400/anthesphoriahttps://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/640526545372479488/daedala-festival-of-hera-zeushttps://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/640096332349079552/hera-epithets-of-life-stages-hera-ataurote-hera https://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/640148785696276481/hera-aegophagos-goat-eater-i-was-so-curious-about https://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/686092860730327040/hera-and-the-river-gods-of-argos-i-go-now-to-thehttps://thegodsaremyhome.tumblr.com/post/690029452553601024/hera/amphttps://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/650505716453474304/heras-asterionhttps://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/644802181317427200/in-olympia-the-women-celebrate-their-hera-festival https://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/655772113984159744/heraia-games-festival-sanctuary-of-hera-argos https://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/640021251498377216/i-am-a-fan-of-the-uncommon-belief-that-herakleshttps://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/642832991542984704/ive-just-been-called-to-hellenistic-paganism-i https://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/649311039464325120/in-truth-three-cities-are-dearest-to-me-by-far https://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/657033826078425088/months-before-each-games-the-olympic-flame-is-lithttps://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/646526356035862528/the-nemean-lionhttps://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/639110878639407104/notes-from-understanding-greek-religion-by https://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/645426513103208448/hi-violet-what-kind-of-offerings-does-hera-love https://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/648506401237385216/hi-violet-ive-been-curious-about-something-and-ihttps://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/687644696777031680/socrates-swore-by-herahttps://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/643457315969908736/zeus-and-heras-marriage-zeus-and-hera-are-the https://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/638657086154309633/zeus-heraios-i-got-too-far-down-a-tumblr-rabbit https://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/646775981494992896/the-myth-of-the-daedala-the-separation-of-zeushttps://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/646580512604995584/hera-and-the-cuckoohttps://pieandhotdogs.tumblr.com/post/86517296169/hey-can-you-tell-me-things-about-hera-anything https://natural-magics.tumblr.com/post/79253398032/i-think-hera-has-been-trying-to-contact-me https://www.theoi.com/https://www.theoi.com/greek-mythology/olympian-gods.htmlhttps://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Hera.html https://www.theoi.com/Summary/Hera.htmlhttps://www.reddit.com/r/Hellenism/comments/m00r3t/looking_for_hera_upg/https://athenaswisdom22.wordpress.com/list-of-prayers-to-the-gods/hera/#:~:text=I%20praise%20you%20bright%20and,your%20hand%2C%20your%20form%20everhttps://www.tumblr.com/tarotbee

I use resources, I do not own the info, and most deep dives have UPG (that I use in my work.) And I only take some information from sources. I am 14, this is my hobby, I am learning but I spent many hours and days on this, and I am always open to criticism. I have been doing worship for 5 years. Please know you can use the info, I do not sue, but I will take action if this work is used without permission and not put as a resource if used in any work. without permisson and not put as a resource if used in any work, for the public.

[cryptidclaw]

Cryptidclaw's WC Prefixes List!

Yall said you were interested in seeing it so here it is! 

This is a collection of mostly Flora, Fauna, Rocks, and other such things that can be found in Britain since that’s where the books take place! 

I also have other Prefixes that have to do with pelt colors and patterns as well!

Here’s a link to the doc if you dont want to expand a 650 word list on your Tumblr feed lol! the doc is also in my drive linked in my pined post!

below is the actual list! If there are any names you think I should add plz tell me!

EDIT: I will update the doc with new names as I come up with them or have them suggested to me, but I wont update the list on this post! Plz visit my doc for a more updated version!

Animals

Mammal

Badger

Bat

Bear

Beaver

Bison

Boar

Buck

Calf

Cow

Deer

Elk

Fawn

Ferret

Fox

Goat

Hare

Horse

Lamb

Lynx

Marten

Mole

Mouse

Otter

Rabbit

Rat

Seal

Sheep

Shrew

Squirrel

Stoat

Vole

Weasel

Wolf

Wolverine

Amphibians

Frog

Newt

Toad

Reptiles

Scale

Adder

Lizard

Snake

Turtle

Shell

Birds

Bird

Down

Feather

Albatross

Bittern

Buzzard

Chaffinch

Chick

Chicken

Coot

Cormorant

Corvid

Crane

Crow

Curlew

Dove

Duck

Dunlin

Eagle

Egret

Falcon

Finch

Gannet

Goose

Grouse

Gull

Hawk

Hen

Heron

Ibis

Jackdaw

Jay

Kestrel

Kite

Lark

Magpie

Mallard

Merlin

Mockingbird

Murrelet

Nightingale

Osprey

Owl

Partridge

Pelican

Peregrine

Petrel

Pheasant

Pigeon

Plover

Puffin

Quail

Raven

Robin

Rook

Rooster

Ruff

Shrike

Snipe

Sparrow

Starling

Stork

Swallow

Swan

Swift

Tern

Thrasher

Thrush

Vulture

Warbler

Whimbrel

Wren

Freshwater Fish 

Fish

Bass

Bream 

Carp

Dace

Eel

Lamprey

Loach

Minnow

Perch

Pike

Rudd

Salmon

Sterlet

Tench

Trout

Roach

Saltwater fish and other Sea creatures (would cats be able to find some of these? Probably not, I don't care tho)

Alge

Barnacle

Bass (Saltwater version)

Bream (Saltwater version)

Brill

Clam

Cod

Crab

Dolphin

Eel (Saltwater version)

Flounder

Garfish

Halibut

Kelp

Lobster

Mackerel

Mollusk

Orca

Prawn

Ray

Seal

Shark

Shrimp

Starfish

Sting

Urchin

Whale

Insects and Arachnids

Honey

Insect

Web

Ant

Bee

Beetle

Bug

Butterfly

Caterpillar

Cricket

Damselfly

Dragonfly

Fly

Grasshopper

Grub

Hornet

Maggot

Moth

Spider

Wasp

Worm

Trees

Acorn

Bark

Branch

Forest

Hollow

Log

Root

Stump

Timber

Tree

Twig

Wood

Alder

Apple

Ash

Aspen

Beech

Birch

Cedar

Cherry

Chestnut

Cypress

Elm

Fir

Hawthorn

Hazel

Hemlock

Linden

Maple

Oak

Pear

Poplar

Rowan

Redwood

Spruce

Willow

Yew

Flowers, Shrubs and Other plants

Berry

Blossom

Briar

Field

Flower

Leaf

Meadow

Needle

Petal

Shrub

Stem

Thicket

Thorn

Vine

Anemone 

Apricot

Barley 

Bellflower

Bluebell

Borage

Bracken

Bramble

Briar

Burnet

Buttercup

Campion

Chamomile

Chanterelle

Chicory

Clover

Cornflower

Daffodil

Daisy

Dandelion

Dogwood

Fallow

Fennel

Fern

Flax

Foxglove

Furze

Garlic

Ginger

Gorse

Grass

Hay

Heather

Holly

Honeysuckle

Hop

Hyacinth

Iris

Ivy

Juniper

Lavender

Lichen

Lilac

Lilly

Mallow

Marigold

Mint

Mistletoe

Moss

Moss

Mushroom

Nettle

Nightshade

Oat

Olive

Orchid

Parsley

Periwinkle

Pine

Poppy

Primrose

Privet

Raspberry

Reed

Reedmace

Rose

Rush

Rye

Saffron

Sage

Sedge

Seed

Snowdrop

Spindle

Strawberry

Tangerine

Tansy

Teasel

Thistle

Thrift

Thyme

Violet

Weed

Wheat

Woodruff

Yarrow

Rocks and earth

Agate

Amber

Amethyst

Arch

Basalt

Bounder

Cave

Chalk

Coal

Copper

Dirt

Dust

Flint

Garnet

Gold

Granite

Hill

Iron

Jagged

Jet

Mountain

Mud

Peak

Pebble

Pinnacle

Pit

Quartz

Ridge

Rock

Rubble

Ruby

Rust(y)

Sand

Sapphire

Sediment

Silt

Silver

Slate

Soil

Spire

Stone

Trench

Zircon

Water Formations

Bay

Cove

Creek

Delta

Lake

Marsh

Ocean

Pool

Puddle

River

Sea

Water

Weather and such

Autumn

Avalanche

Balmy

Blaze

Blizzard

Breeze

Burnt

Chill

Cinder

Cloud

Cold

Dew

Drift

Drizzle

Drought

Dry

Ember

Fall

Fire

Flame

Flood

Fog

Freeze

Frost

Frozen

Gale

Gust

Hail

Ice

Icicle

Lightening

Mist

Muggy

Rain 

Scorch

Singe

Sky

Sleet

Sloe

Smoke

Snow

Snowflake

Soot

Sorrel

Spark

Spring

Steam

Storm

Summer

Sun

Thunder

Water

Wave

Wet

Wind

Winter

Celestial??

Comet

Dawn

Dusk

Evening 

Midnight

Moon

Morning

Night

Noon

Twilight

Cat Features, Traits, and Misc. 

Azure

Beige

Big

Black

Blonde

Blotch(ed)

Blue

Bounce

Bright 

Brindle

Broken

Bronze

Brown

Bumble

Burgundy

Call

Carmine

Claw

Cobalt

Cream

Crimson

Cry

Curl(y)

Dapple

Dark

Dot(ted)

Dusky

Ebony

Echo

Fallen

Fleck(ed)

Fluffy

Freckle

Ginger

Golden

Gray

Green

Heavy

Kink

Knot(ted)

Light

Little

Lost

Loud

Marbled

Mew

Milk

Mottle

Mumble

Ochre

Odd

One

Orange

Pale

Patch(ed)

Pounce 

Prickle

Ragged

Red

Ripple

Rough

Rugged

Russet

Scarlet

Shade

Shaggy

Sharp

Shimmer

Shining

Small

Smudge

Soft

Song

Speckle

Spike

Splash

Spot(ted)

Streak

Stripe(d)

Strong

Stump(y)

Sweet

Tall

Talon

Tangle

Tatter(ed)

Tawny

Tiny

Tough

Tumble

Twist

Violet

Whisker

Whisper

White

Wild

Wooly

Yellow

[a-court-of-fics-and-errors]

A Court of Fire and Masks

Eris Vanserra x OC

Chapter 1

Hi friends, I'm going to try and force myself back into long form writing by doing another multi-part fic. This time focused on Eris and an OC to hopefully help me feel a little less stuck following the SJM narrative and allow me to explore the world for myself. I'm going to try my best to stick with storylines and plot points that make sense for the pre-ACOTAR world, but I most definitely will fumble it at some point so please be gentle with me!

Chapter Synopsis:

Penelope enters the glamorous yet treacherous world of Autumn Court life, where appearances are everything, and even the slightest misstep could ruin her families reputation. As the youngest daughter of a noble family, she's expected to smile, nod, and blend in - just like her older sister. But when Penelope's curiosity about inter-court politics leads to a forbidden mention of unrest, she quickly realizes she may not have the weaponry for the brutal battle of social court, especially when she runs up against heir to the court, Eris Vanserra.

Content Warnings:

Emotional manipulation

Verbal and emotional abuse

Power imbalances

Anxiety and panic

Mentions of sexism & misogyny

Dark themes of cruelty

Word Count: 7,992

The Great Hall of the Autumn Court was a breathtaking blend of wild, untamed beauty and regal opulence. Towering columns carved from ancient, flame-colored wood supported the vaulted ceiling that arched high above, its beams draped in shimmering golden fabrics that reflected the flickering faelight. The rich scents of woodsmoke, cinnamon, and ripe apples from orchards beyond the terrace doors were carried in on a cool breeze, mingling with the fresh tang of autumn leaves.

High above, chandeliers woven from oak and maple branches stretched across the ceiling, their limbs heavy with clusters of enchanted leaves that glimmered like gemstones - topaz, citrine, amber, and garnet - casting a soft, ethereal glow over the dance floor. Between the branches, flickering lanterns filled with faelight bobbed gently, their flames crackling with hints of green and blue, illuminating the hall in shifting, magical light.

At the far end of the hall, a grand hearth dominated the space, flames roaring within its stone embrace. Crackling logs sent bursts of embers spiraling towards the ceiling before fading into the night air. Above the hearth, a majestic mosaic depicted the Autumn Court’s symbol - a crowned stage wreathed in vines, the gold and green threads catching firelight, making the creature seem almost alive.

Penelope had never witnessed such grandeur before. She had never even stepped foot inside the Autumn Court Manor, only ever glimpsing at its towering presence from the rolling orchards near her family’s estate. But now, as she crossed the threshold of the great oak doors, her breath hitched in awe. Flanked on her left by her sister, with her father leading the group and her mother on his arm, Penelope did her best to not pause and gape at the scene before her.

Persimmon glanced at Penelope from the corner of her eye, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. Leaning closer, she whispered, “Close your mouth, you look like a fool.”

Penelope blinked, shaking herself from her trance before narrowing her eyes and shooting her older sister a look of mock disdain. While this was Penelope’s first time stepping inside the Autumn Court Manor, her older sister had been accompanying their parents to court events for the past three years. Persimmon, five years her senior, was the mirror image of their mother. Her mahogany hair was loosely braided into a bun, with delicate tendrils framing her angular face. The golden glow of the faelight caught in her eyes making them shimmer, and a light dusting of freckles danced across her nose and cheeks, giving her a youthful air, despite her maturity.

Persimmon had always been the beauty of the family, and everyone knew it. Penelope had no illusions about that. Their mother, after giving her husband eight daughters with not a single son among them, had devoted herself to raising her girls as the epitome of elegance. Everyone one of them from twenty-seven-year-old Persimmon down to little three-year-old Pansy, was well versed in the arts, music, and literature, as polished in conversation as they were in courtly etiquette. Yet for all their mother’s efforts, the sisters remained just that - sisters. They bickered, needled one another over insecurities, stole clothes and toys, and picked fights over the smallest slights. Beneath the grace and refinement, they we still bound by the chaos of sibling rivalry.

But something had shifted in Persimmon when she turned twenty-two. She had brown into the kind of young lady their mother had always dreamed of - polished, graceful, stunning. And now, as Penelope trailed behind her sister into the ballroom, she couldn’t help but wonder how Persimmon had not yet been propositioned for marriage.

Males on either side of the ballroom couldn’t seem to take their eyes off her. Penelope followed their gazes, watching as they traced the smooth line of her sister’s freckled shoulders, down the subtle curve of her spine, to the daring cut of her maroon, velvet gown. Persimmon was radiant, magnetic. She commanded attention without effort, her every movement poised, every smile calculated.

And Penelope - while beautiful in her own right - knew she could never quite compare. Where Persimmon glowed with an effortless charm, Penelope felt like a shadow, always one step behind her sister’s brilliance.

Her mother and father glided through the crowed with the effortless grace of seasoned courtiers, making their way toward the hearth where the High Lord and his wife sat perched upon dark wooden thrones. The remaining Vanserra brothers flanked them, standing like sentinels on either side. Penelope had heard the rumors - the whispered tales of the slaughter of the two heirs in the Spring Court and Lucien’s swift and disgraceful banishment. The murmurs of treason had spread like wildfire through the nobility, and despite the High Lord’s attempts to project control, the cracks in his family were all too visible.

As they neared, Penelope’s father knelt before the High Lord, bowing low with the kind of practiced deference that only years at court could teach. Her mother followed with an elegant curtsy, her movements precise, every gestured perfectly measured. Behind them, Persimmon stood poised, ready to follow their lead.

“My Lord,” her father began, his tone smooth and professional. “May I present my daughters.” He turned, extending a hand toward them. “Persimmon and Penelope.”

Penelope noticed the sharp, disapproving look her mother shot her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Persimmon already lowering herself into a graceful curtsy, and Penelope hurried to follow suit. Her mother gave her a tight-lipped smile, the kind that barely concealed the reprimand behind it. Penelope’s heart beat a little faster, fearing her misstep, but if she had made an error, the High Family seemed not to notice.

In fact, it seemed the High Lord was barely paying attention at all. His eyes, cold and distant, scanned the crowd with thinly veiled boredom, as though the string of introductions were beneath his notice. The Lady of Autumn sat beside him, her beauty hollowed out by something Penelope couldn’t quite place - her gaze vacant, as though the light behind her eyes had long since dimmed.

Persimmon rose gracefully, offering a polite smile before stepping aside to follow their mother and father to the edge of the room. The next group of guests had already begun their own introductions, descending into bows and curtsies as Penelope and her sister moved aside.

Just a few steps from the long auburn carpet that led to the hearth, Penelope’s mother slipped from her father’s arm and moved swiftly to her side. Without warning, her mother’s hand clamped down on Penelope’s elbow, crimson-painted nails digging into the soft flesh with a precision that felt deliberate. She leaned in close, her voice a low, venomous hiss.

“Do not let me catch you making that same mistake again. Do you understand?”

Penelope bit down a soft groan, her teeth clenched as the sharp nails pierced deeper. Her arm throbbed under the pressure, but she managed to keep her voice steady. “What did I do?” she asked, fighting the wince that threatened to break through.

Persimmon, just ahead, turned slightly, lips parted as she caught sight of the hushed reprimand.

“You will follow your sister’s actions,” her mother hissed, her breath hot against Penelope’s ear. “She she curtsies, you curtsy. You do not speak unless spoken to, and you certainly do not gawk like some common girl seeing court for the first time. Do I make myself clear?”

Penelope tried to pull her arm free, but her mother’s grip was unyielding, nails pressing deeper into her skin like claws. “Yes Mother,” she whispered, the words forced through a clenched jaw.

Her mother gave her no reprieve, turning her sharply to face her head on. Their eyes locked - her mother’s golden-flecked gaze hard and unrelenting, while Penelope’s emerald eyes flashed with a simmering frustration beneath the surface. “Do not embarrass this family, Penelope,” her mother warned, her voice laced with quiet fury.

Only then did her mother release her, pulling her nails from Penelope’s arm with a slow, deliberate motion. She returned to her father’s side, slipping her arm back through as if nothing had happened, her face the perfect picture of poise as he engaged in idle conversation with a passing lord who looked as interchangeable as the rest.

Penelope exhaled slowly, pulling her arm back and straightening the deep velvet blue of her gown. A casual glance down revealed what she had expected - crescent-shaped nail marks glowing red against her skin, though thankfully no blood. There was no evidence of the reprimand beyond the stinging reminder etched into her arm. Though all of the sisters had received similar corrections and her mother’s nail marks were normally present on at least one of the girls at all times.

Persimmon dropped back, stepping in line beside Penelope as their mother and father laughed about something a courtier had said, the sound hollow and devoid of any genuine mirth. “Don’t worry about her,” Persimmon whispered.

Penelope didn’t dare turn her head, keeping her eyes fixed on the conversation unfolding before them - a conversation she had chosen to ignore. But Persimmon continued, her tone laced with quiet reassurance. “She’s always on edge at the start of these things. Just keep your head down and wait until she’s had a few drinks. She’ll ease up.”

A chuckle slipped from Penelope’s lips. “A few, as in one?” she joked under her breath.

It wasn’t uncommon for their mother to have a glass of wine with dinner and appear thoroughly intoxicated before dessert was even on the table. The older sisters had long made light of their mother’s low tolerance for alcohol and her increasing fondness for harder spirits as the evening wore on.

“I don’t even know what I did,” Penelope murmured.

Persimmon shrugged lightly. “Perhaps you breathed wrong. Or maybe the High Lord sniffled and she assumed it was some unspoken displeasure,” she said with a faint smirk. “Don’t think too much about it. It’s not worth your time.”

Penelope’s smile widened, but the humor did little to completely dispel the tension in her chest or ease the continued throbbing on her arm. She glanced at her sister from the corner of her eye, wondering just how many similar lashings she had endured in silence over the years, standing alone with their mother in rooms like this.

Persimmon rarely spoke of the time she spent at court events, even with her sister’s constant prodding. Despite having accompanied their parents for years, she never offered details, never revealed the consistent weight of their mother’s impossible expectations or private humiliations extended into court events.

But now, as they stood side by side, Penelope could sense it - the quiet steel beneath her sister’s polished exterior. Persimmon, for all her grace and poise, had learned long ago how to navigate their mother’s wrath, event if it meant standing in the line of fire.

“Just breathe,” Persimmon added. “By the time the wine hits her, she’ll forget all about it.”

As if on cue, a servant passed by with a tray of sparkling amber wine, and their mother, eyes widening with delight, swiftly plucked a flute for herself. She brought it to her lips immediately, sipping it as though it were a lifeline.

Persimmon, ever observant, snagged two additional flutes and handed one to Penelope. The moment the glass touched her hand, Penelope’s stomach dropped. She watched as Persimmon took a casual sip, unaware of her sister’s growing anxiety, until she turned to see Penelope’s pale face and furrowed her brow.

“What?” Persimmon asked.

Penelope glanced down at the flute, then back up at her sister. Her eyes flicked nervously to their mother, who stood a few feet away, her head thrown back in humorless laughter. “I can’t drink this,” she whispered.

Persimmon raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”

“Mother doesn’t let us drink,” Penelope muttered, her voice barely audible as she watched their mother revel in conversation.

Realization dawned on Persimmon’s face, her concern melting into something closer to amusement. “It’s Court, Pen. It’s expected.” She lifted her glass with a small smile, clinking it gently against her sister’s. “If anything, Mother would be more offended if you didn’t drink the champagne the High Lord has provided.”

Penelope’s heart still thundered in her chest, but she couldn’t help letting out a small, breathy laugh. With hesitation, she tapped the flute against Persimmon’s. Her sister gave her a knowing wink before tipping the glass back, drinking smoothly. Penelope followed, though far less gracefully.

The cool liquid passed over her lips and immediately burned as it slid down her throat. The taste was strange - sharp and biting - though beneath it, she could detect the tartness of apples mingling with something fruitier. But any subtleties in the flavor were lost as her lips curled back involuntarily in a disgusted sneer. She raised her hand to cover her expression, but it was too late.

Persimmon, watching her discomfort, chuckled softly. “You’ll get used to the taste once you’re older,” she teased.

Penelope, still grimacing, muttered, “That’s awful. Like, actually foul.”

Persimmon’s laugh grew a little louder, catching a few passing glances from nearby courtiers. “Stop being a baby and drink it.”

Shaking her head, Penelope tried to will away the lingering fire in her throat before attempting another tiny sip. She choked it back, her face contorting once more, and Persimmon’s laughter only grew.

A soft chime, like the sound of a bell, rang through the ballroom, drawing heads toward the hearth. Persimmon, mid-sip, turned her gaze forward and placed a guiding hand on Penelope’s shoulder, subtly urging her to do the same. The idle chatter faded as the music that had been drifting through the room quieted, leaving only the crackle of the fire in its wake.

The High Lord of Autumn rose from his dark wooden throne with deliberate slowness, his tall frame draped in rich auburn robes embroidered with golden vines that caught the light of the roaring flames behind him. He raised a hand, and the final murmurs died away, the ballroom falling into expectant silence.

“Friends,” Beron Vanserra’s voice rang out, smooth and commanding, almost warm, though the sharp edge of condescension lurked beneath. His amber eyes swept the room, but even as he smiled, there was a cold detachment to his gaze. “Tonight, we gather to celebrate the bounty of this year’s harvest—the fruit of our labor, the strength of our court, and the prosperity of our people under my reign.”

His words echoed through the hall, each syllable dripping with self-assurance. Penelope couldn’t help but notice how deliberately he emphasized “my reign,” a reminder to all present of where the power truly lay. Her eyes flicked to the Lady of Autumn, seated beside him, her expression blank, eyes vacant. Penelope’s mother had once referred to her as the “whore of Autumn,” after rumors of her infidelity had spread like wildfire through the court. But looking at her now—her gaunt frame hollowed by some invisible burden, the joy long drained from her sunken eyes—Penelope struggled to imagine any female bearing the weight of such a life, bound to a male like Beron.

And if the rumors had been true, Penelope shuddered to think what consequences the Lady had faced.

Whatever she had expected of the Lady of Autumn, it wasn’t this lifeless shell of a female before her.

“The orchards have been abundant, the forests generous,” Beron continued, his voice lifting with an artificial warmth. “We stand at the cusp of another prosperous year, and it is thanks to you, my lords and ladies, for your loyalty and devotion. It is your commitment to this Court that ensures our continued strength.”

Nods rippled through the room, nobles murmuring their approval. Penelope glanced around, her gaze wandering across the hearth where the Vanserra sons stood, arms clasped behind their backs, each wearing shades of red and gold like their father. Her eyes caught on Eris, positioned to the right of his mother, his posture stiff and unreadable. His golden eyes flicked toward her, as if sensing her stare. For a heartbeat, their gazes locked before Penelope quickly turned her attention back to the High Lord, her heart racing.

Beron raised his goblet, his eyes gleaming with pride. “To the Autumn Court. May we continue to prosper in the seasons ahead.”

The room echoed with the chorus of “To the Autumn Court,” as nobles lifted their glasses in unison. Penelope hesitated, her fingers tightening around the cool stem of her flute. Persimmon, without missing a beat, raised her glass smoothly beside her. Following suit, Penelope lifted hers, though her arm felt weighted with the gesture.

The High Lord took a long, deliberate sip from his goblet, and the room remained frozen in silence until he lowered it once more. “Let the festivities begin.”

With those words, the tension in the air began to shift, replaced by a low hum of excitement. The music resumed, soft at first, but quickly swelling into a lively melody that filled the hall. Nobles drifted toward the center of the room, forming circles of conversation and slipping into the rhythms of court life. Laughter and murmurs once again buzzed around Penelope, mingling with the clink of glasses and the rustle of silks.

She took a tentative sip of her wine—less hesitant than before—and winced at the biting flavor. Though she tried to suppress her reaction, the liquid still burned, bitter and unfamiliar as it slid down her throat. To her, it tasted like poison.

The court seemed to shift around her, the mood lightening with every sip, every note of music. Servants wove through the crowd with trays of delicacies, while groups of courtiers formed, moving in their own carefully rehearsed circles of influence. Penelope watched as the High Family remained near the hearth, their postures slightly more relaxed, though not a word passed between them. They were poised, as always—each one a reflection of the court and its strength.

As the music swelled, Penelope turned her attention back to her sister Persimmon and at the same moment, a group of courtiers drifted towards them. Penelope recognized them from court gossip that had wandered into their own home: well-dressed, elegantly poised, but with a certain lifelessness that seemed to hover just beneath their curated appearances. Their smiles were sharp, their laughter soft, but lacking any real warmth, and their eyes darted about the room as if constantly calculating who was watching.

One of them, a tall, slender female with cascading golden curls, caught Persimmon’s eye and approached with an almost predatory grace. “Persimmon,” she drawled, her voice syrupy and slow, “it’s been far too long.” She extended a hand, and Persimmon, without missing a beat, accepted it with a smile that mirrors the other female’s in its empty brightness.

“It has, hasn’t it, Leda?” Persimmon replied smoothly, slipping into the conversation as though no time had passed between them. “Though I see you haven’t changed much since I was last here.”

“Nor have you,” Leda said, her eyes narrowing as she looked Persimmon up and down. “Still the picture of elegance, as always.”

The others - two young males and another female - sidled up beside Leda, all sporting the same polished, practiced expressions. Their clothes shimmered in the faelight, meticulously styled and without a threat out of place. Their nodded their agreement, like a well-practiced dance.

“And who’s this?” Leda’s attention shifted to Penelope, her smile as sharp as glass and colder than ice.

Persimmon turned, placing a delicate hand on Penelope’s arm. “This is my younger sister, Penelope,” she said with a smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes, “It’s her first time attending Court.”

Penelope felt her stomach tighten. The way Persimmon’s voice shifted - subtly distant, as though she were presenting an object rather than a person - made her feel oddly exposed. But she forced a polite smile nonetheless.

“Ah,” Ledo cooed, her eyes raking over Penelope as she blinked slowly, “a fresh face in Court. How charming.” Though there was more annoyance in her voice than sincerity.

Penelope nodded slightly, unsure of what to say. The group’s eyes lingered on her for a moment too long, their interest as shallow as their smiles. They didn’t seem to care about who she was, only that she was new, someone to briefly size up before moving on.

“Well,” one of the males said, stepping forwards. He had an easy grace about him, though there was something disingenuous about his smile. “We’ll have to show you the ropes. Court can be… overwhelming at first.” His eyes flickered briefly to Persimmon before returning to Penelope. “But I’m sure you’ll learn quickly, especially with someone as well versed as Persimmon to guide you.”

"Yes.” Persimmon replied, her voice hardened and defensive. “Penelope will do just fine.”

The conversation flowed on, effortlessly shallow. Leda and the others, whom introduced themselves but seemed altogether unimportant with Leda around prattled on about the latest court fashions and the influx of imported silks from the Summer Court, their words bright and airy, but devoid of real substance. Persimmon engaged easily, her laugh light and perfectly timed, her expression serene. She slid into this façade that Penelope didn’t recognize with easy, becoming just like them - empty, elegant, untouchable.

Penelope, on the other hand, could feel herself slipping further out of place with every passing second. The laughter that danced around her felt distant, detached, and she struggled to find a foothold in the conversation, unsure whether to nod along or just excuse herself.

It was as though she was on the stage, in a performance she hadn’t rehearsed for.

Leda’s laughter rang out again, bright and hollow, as the group prattled on, dissecting the gown of a noble lady just out of earshot, their voices dripping with bored amusement.

"I mean, really," Leda sighed, waving a dismissive hand in the female's direction, "you’d think she’d know by now that red is a terrible color on her. Not everyone can pull off Autumn Court elegance."

The others chuckled in agreement, their eyes alight with thinly veiled judgment. At Penelope’s side, Persimmon nodded smoothly, slipping into the flow of the conversation with practiced ease. "It’s all about understanding what works for you," she agreed. "Some people just don’t… quite grasp that."

Penelope forced a faint smile, trying to follow along, but the triviality of the conversation left her feeling out of place. Everything they discussed felt so… empty.

Marion, one of the young men, chimed in next. "Speaking of poor decisions," he said with a knowing smirk, "I heard Lady Ilara has been betrothed to some lord from the Spring Court. Can you imagine?"

Leda’s face fell into a mock expression of sadness. "Oh, I know," she drawled, "the poor thing."

Another female in the group added, "I heard she has to go live there. I think I’d rather throw myself off a cliff than live in such a foul place."

Penelope, feeling a stir of interest, finally found her voice. "Have you all heard of the unrest in the Spring Court?" she asked, hoping to steer the conversation toward something real.

The group stilled, the gossipy lightness vanishing as their expressions dimmed. Leda’s gaze flicked toward Penelope, her smile faltering as if she hadn’t quite heard her correctly.

"Unrest?" she repeated, her voice cooling as though she were testing the word. "I’m not sure what you mean."

Penelope’s heart thudded in her chest, but her curiosity urged her on. "I’ve heard there have been problems… discontent among the citizens, and of course the issue with—" she hesitated, not wanting to overstep, but the name slipped out anyway, "Lucien. It seems like there’s some serious trouble brewing."

A brief silence fell over the group, one that felt unnervingly pointed. The easy chatter had evaporated, leaving only the awkward quiet that followed Penelope’s remark.

Leda exchanged a glance with Marion, her painted lips curving into a tight smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "Oh, darling," she said, her tone dripping with condescending sweetness, "I wouldn’t worry yourself with matters like that. The Spring Court has always been… unpredictable."

"Messy," Marion added with a quiet chuckle. "A place where people don’t know how to control themselves."

Leda’s eyes gleamed with something darker. "Exactly. Whatever trouble Lucien or anyone else there is facing, it has little to do with us. The Spring Court always finds a way to drag itself down."

Their dismissive laughter returned, though this time it felt like a wall, closing Penelope off from the group. It was clear they had no interest in discussing anything deeper—anything that hinted at real tension or court politics. The conversation was already slipping back into its shallow rhythm, as if Penelope’s attempt to engage had never happened. Still, Leda’s gaze lingered on her, sharp and predatory, as though she were sizing Penelope up in a way that made her feel exposed.

Before Penelope could say more, she felt Persimmon’s hand gently press against her arm, her fingers tightening in a subtle warning—a far gentler reminder than the ones from their mother. "Penelope," Persimmon said quietly, her voice smooth and controlled, "why don’t we get some fresh air?"

Penelope blinked, surprised, but the hint of urgency in her sister’s eyes kept her from protesting. Persimmon smiled at the group, offering a graceful nod. "Excuse us for a moment," she said with practiced elegance, her words smoothing over any remaining tension. "I’m feeling a bit warm."

Without waiting for a response, Persimmon guided her sister away from the group, her smile unwavering as they moved toward the open terrace doors.

Once on the terrace, out of earshot of the fae mingling outside, Persimmon finally released Penelope’s arm. The cool night air wrapped around them, and Penelope immediately burst into a flurry of apologies. Persimmon said nothing at first, her hands resting lightly on the stone balcony as she gazed out over the orchards. The sky was a deep, fading purple, the last threads of sunlight stretching over the trees, casting long shadows on the ground. Penelope could feel her heart pounding in her chest, her words tumbling out in a nervous rush.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—” Penelope started, barely pausing to breathe between her apologies. “I thought since we were at court—”

Persimmon sighed softly, her eyes still fixed on the horizon. As Penelope’s voice wavered with another round of “I’m sorry’s,” Persimmon finally turned and raised a hand to silence her.

"I know," Persimmon murmured, her voice low and calm. "It’s okay."

Penelope’s heart was still beating hard, her throat tight with the fear of having let her older sister down. "I just— I thought since we were at court, we could talk about—"

"Pen," Persimmon cut her off gently, shaking her head as she turned her gaze back to the darkening sky. "Court isn’t real."

Her words hung in the air for a moment, and Penelope blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Persimmon’s eyes met hers, and for the first time that evening, Penelope saw a weariness in her sister’s gaze. "Court isn’t the place to talk about things that matter. It’s not a place for honesty. It’s a stage. A place to advertise yourself, to build respect and allies—not to actually be yourself."

Penelope shifted uncomfortably, biting the inside of her cheek. "I know that, but—"

"Do you?" Persimmon interrupted, her voice soft but firm. She took a step toward her, her heels clicking lightly against the stone floor. Persimmon reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from Penelope’s face with the kind of gentle affection only an older sister could have. "Look, Pen, our job here isn’t to be ourselves or to care about what’s happening in the other courts. Our job is to make father look respectable. To show off the hard work mother put in training us to be good wives to nobles."

Penelope flinched at the word “wives.” She was only twenty-two, much too young to be thinking about marriage. And besides, Persimmon had been coming to court for years and hadn’t been betrothed yet. A thought nagged at her: If this is what we’re meant to do, then why hasn’t Persimmon found a match? What has she been doing all this time?

Persimmon seemed to read her mind. "We’re here to smile, laugh, look pretty—nothing more. Court is not a place for deep discussions or opinions. We’re not meant to stand out, Pen. Especially not by talking about politics."

Persimmon stepped closer, placing her hands gently on either side of Penelope’s arms, giving her a reassuring but sad smile. "The other fae our age? They don’t care about the world outside this court. All they care about is fashion, gossip, and anything that doesn’t make them uncomfortable. If you bring up real things—like the unrest in the Spring Court or Lucien’s exile—it reminds them that there’s a world beyond their control. And trust me, they don’t want to be reminded of that."

Penelope swallowed hard, feeling the weight of her mistake sinking in. She had wanted to make a meaningful contribution, to engage in a real conversation, but instead she’d alienated herself. "I didn’t mean to make it awkward, I just—"

"I know you didn’t," Persimmon said softly, her hands sliding up to Penelope’s shoulders. "But you have to be careful. You’re new to this. You’re a shiny new toy to them, something to scrutinize, pick apart. You don’t know all the rules yet, and if you make the wrong move, they’ll eat you alive." She squeezed Penelope’s shoulders gently. "Right now, the less you say, the better."

Penelope nodded slowly, though disappointment still lingered in her chest. She had imagined court would be a place where she could contribute, where she could make a difference. But now it felt like all her ideas, all her thoughts, had to be locked away, hidden behind a smile.

Persimmon tilted her head, offering a small, tired smile. "You’ll learn, Pen. Just follow my lead for now, alright?"

Penelope chewed her lower lip, forcing herself to nod, though her heart ached with frustration. Persimmon had spent years learning how to blend into this world, and now Penelope was expected to do the same. But something about it felt wrong—empty, as if they were all performing roles in a play that never ended.

Persimmon glanced back toward the ballroom, where the music and laughter still floated out onto the terrace. Then she looked back at her sister, her expression softening. "Do you want to take a minute? Regroup, then come find me later?"

Penelope bit the inside of her cheek again, feeling the sting of hot tears rising in her eyes. She blinked them back, refusing to let them fall in front of her sister. She wanted to say something—anything—that would make Persimmon understand how out of place she felt, how wrong it all seemed. But instead, she just nodded.

"Alright," Persimmon said gently, giving her sister’s arm a final squeeze before stepping back. "I’ll be inside. Don’t take too long, okay?"

As Persimmon turned and walked back into the ballroom, Penelope stood alone on the terrace, the weight of the evening pressing down on her. The air was cool, and the sky had darkened to a deep violet, the orchards below cast in shadow. She exhaled slowly, gripping the stone of the balcony until her knuckles turned white.

She had always thought court would be different—that it would be an opportunity to prove herself, to engage with others in ways that mattered. But now, standing here under the vast purple sky, she felt smaller than ever, like a piece on a board she didn’t know how to play.

The cool breeze brushed against Penelope’s exposed skin as she stood on the terrace, gripping the stone railing as though the solidness of it might ground her swirling thoughts. The purple sky deepened into indigo, stars just beginning to blink into view over the orchards, but Penelope found no peace in the tranquility. Persimmon’s words still echoed in her mind. Smile. Laugh. Look pretty. Blend in.

A voice broke the silence.

“Tired of playing the game already?”

Penelope stiffened, her pulse quickening at the sound of the voice behind her. Slowly, she turned, finding Eris Vanserra leaning casually against the archway. The firelight from the ballroom flickered across his sharp features, casting long shadows over his amber eyes, which gleamed with cold amusement. There was a lazy smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth, but unlike the courtiers inside, there was nothing playful about it. His smile was a weapon, something meant to unnerve.

"Lord Eris," Penelope greeted, her tone polite, though she could hear the slight tremor in her voice. She straightened her posture, forcing herself to stand tall despite the unease crawling up her spine. Keep your composure. Be like Persimmon. The thought was a lifeline.

Eris took a slow step forward, his movements deliberate, as if savoring the space between them. "You’re Persimmon’s sister, aren’t you?" His voice was smooth, almost lazy, yet there was a razor’s edge beneath it. "So well-behaved. So careful." He smirked wider. "It must be exhausting, living in that elegant shadow.”

Penelope swallowed, a forced smile pulling at her lips. "I’m not sure what you mean, my lord."

Oh, I think you do." He closed the distance between them, stopping just a few steps away. His presence was overwhelming, his gaze pinning her in place as though he could see right through her. "I watched that little performance you gave inside," he continued, his voice light but laced with mockery. "You’re trying so hard to blend in. But here’s a little secret for you—" his eyes glinted as he leaned in slightly, "you don’t. You’re not like them."

Penelope’s breath hitched, and her fingers dug into the stone railing. "I really don’t know what you’re talking about," she replied, her voice tighter than before.

Eris chuckled softly, the sound dripping with condescension. "Come now, don’t insult me." He took another step forward, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off him, his words wrapping around her like a vice. "I’ve seen it in your eyes all night—the frustration, the disgust. You think you’re better than them. Better than all of this."

Penelope’s pulse quickened, her stomach twisting. She fought to keep her expression neutral, her face a mask of calm, but Eris’s words were crawling under her skin, pulling at the fragile control she’d been clinging to since she arrived. "That’s not true," she said, her voice wavering slightly.

Eris tilted his head, his gaze never leaving hers. "No?" His smile widened as he leaned in closer. "So you enjoy their little games, their gossip? The way they all pretend like they care about anything other than themselves?" His voice dropped lower, becoming almost a whisper. "You don’t think they’ve already labeled you? They’re watching you, waiting for you to slip. And when you do, they’ll tear you apart."

Her chest tightened as his words hit home, poking at her insecurities. She had been trying so hard not to slip, to follow Persimmon’s lead, to be the version of herself that court expected. But Eris was pulling at the cracks, daring her to fall apart.

"I don’t think that," she lied, though her voice was quieter now.

Eris raised a brow, his eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. "Then why do you look like you’re about to run?" He took another step closer, his voice soft and taunting. "You can barely stand to be in that room with them, can you? You’re already so tired of pretending, of holding your tongue. And it’s only been an hour." His voice lowered, becoming almost a whisper. “I wonder how much longer you’ll last before you break.”

Her chest tightened as Eris’s words crawled under her skin, picking at the fragile control she’d been clinging to, and had decidedly attempted to continue to cling to all evening. With every word, Eris seemed to pull at the threads of the facade she barely had time to consider, daring her to unravel.

“Why are you doing this?” Penelope asked, her voice cracking just slightly. “What do you want?”

Eris’s smirk widened, and he leaned in so close now that she could feel his breath against her skin. "I’m bored," he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "I want to see what happens when someone like you finally breaks. When you stop pretending."

Penelope felt the heat rising in her chest, her pulse pounding in her ears. She was trying so hard to keep herself in check, follow Persimmon’s lead to be proper. But now, with Eris needling her, his smug smile pushing at her insecurity, the Penelope from home was working her way back out. And the Penelope behind closed doors didn’t let people step on her.

“I’m not pretending,” she said through clenched teeth.

Eris’s eyes gleamed, his smile sharp and predatory. "Oh, but you are." He took another step, his voice low and taunting. "You’re pretending you belong here. Pretending you’re just like them. But deep down, you know you’re different. That’s why you brought up the Spring Court, isn’t it? You couldn’t help yourself. You wanted to see if they’d care." His smirk widened, his voice a cruel whisper. "Spoiler: they don’t."

Penelope’s chest heaved as anger bubbled up inside of her. “At least I care about something,” she spat, her voice louder now, more raw. “Unlike you. You’re the one who hides behind this mask of royalty. You think if you mock everyone, if you tear them down it makes you stronger? It doesn’t.” She took a step towards the heir to the Autumn Court. “I’ve heard all about you Eris. How you so enjoy tearing females apart piece by piece. Taking them back to your bed so you can have you way with them and then dump them on the lawn like trash. You think that makes you look stronger?” She laughed lightly, “It just makes you look pathetic.”

Eris stilled for a moment, his eyes narrowing, but Penelope had opened the floodgates and she couldn’t stop now.

“You walk around like you own everyone, like you’re one step ahead of all of us, but you’re not,” she continued, her voice trembling with rage. “You’re just as trapped as they are, hiding behind your cruelty because you’re too scared to be anything real.”

Eris’s jaw tightened, the amusement in his eyes darkening to something colder. He stepped event closer, and Penelope could feel the heat radiating off of him, like fire threatening to consume her.

“And what do you think you know about me?” He asked softly, his voice dangerously low. “You think you’ve got it figured out? You think you’ve got me figured out, little girl? You don’t know anything.”

Penelope’s breath caught, but she didn’t back down. “I know enough. Enough to see that you’re just like them, and why wouldn’t you be? When you’re setting the example for everyone else. You act like you’re above it all, but you’re just playing the same game. You’re scared - scared they’ll turn on you like they do with everyone else. The only difference is, if they turn on you, you’ll have no court left to rule.”

For a moment, there was only silence between them, the tension crackling in the air like static. Eris’s amber eyes bored into her emerald, his face inches from hers now, and Penelope’s heart pounded so loudly in her chest she thought it might burst.

Then, slowly, a smile curled on his lips again - colder, sharper than before. “Maybe I am playing the same game,” he murmured, his voice low. “But at least I know the rules.”

Penelope’s breath hitched again, the anger still simmering under her skin. “Then you’re worse than they are.”

Eris let out a soft laugh, stepping back, his gaze never leaving hers. “You’ve got a fire in you. I’ll give you that.” His smile lingered, but there was something more dangerous behind it - something almost hungry. “But be careful, Penelope. That fire will burn you out if you’re not careful.”

She stood there, her chest heaving with the effort of holding herself together. Eris gave her one last look, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement, before turning away and disappearing into the crowded ballroom.

The door to the terrace had barely swung shut behind Eris when Penelope felt the weight of what had just happened crash over her. Her chest heaved with the remnants of her anger, her pulse still racing from the confrontation, but now something far colder began creeping into her veins—panic.

What did I just do?

Her hands trembled as she gripped the stone railing again, her knuckles turning white. The chill of the night air that had felt so liberating moments ago now seemed to pierce through her skin, a sharp reminder of the gravity of what had just occurred.

She had spoken to Eris Vanserra, heir to the Autumn Court, like that. She had stood there, inches from him, and told him he was pathetic, trapped, a coward. Her words echoed in her head, each one louder than the last.

What was I thinking?

She had been caught up in the moment, the heat of his taunts, the way he had pushed her, needled her, dared her to break. And she had broken. She had snapped, spilling all the anger and frustration she had been holding back all evening. But it wasn’t just some courtiers she had lashed out at. It was Eris—the cruel, calculating Eris, who was known for his manipulation, his sharp tongue, his utter lack of mercy.

Penelope swallowed hard, her throat tight as the reality of what she had done settled in. Eris wasn’t just another noble; he was the High Lord’s eldest son, the heir to the Autumn Court. The power he wielded was immense. And she had gone toe to toe with him, throwing insults at him like they were equals—like there wouldn’t be consequences.

There will be consequences.

The thought sent a shudder through her, and she pressed a hand to her mouth, stifling the rising panic that threatened to overwhelm her. What would happen now? What would Eris do to her? To her family? Her parents had worked so hard to maintain their status, to build alliances and keep favor with the court. And now, with a few careless words, she had jeopardized all of it.

Her mind raced, cycling through every possible scenario. Eris wouldn’t let this go. He wasn’t the type to brush off an insult, especially not one hurled at him in such a public way. She could still feel the heat of his gaze, the dangerous glint in his eyes as he had watched her unravel. He had seemed amused by it, almost entertained—but there was something darker behind his smile. He hadn’t lashed out at her then, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t later.

Penelope’s breath hitched, her hands trembling more violently now as she stepped back from the railing. Eris was cruel. He could ruin her—ruin her entire family—with a single word. He didn’t even need to lift a finger. One whisper from him in the right ear, and they’d be cast out of court, disgraced, forgotten.

Father. Mother. Persimmon. What have I done?

Tears pricked at her eyes, hot and unwelcome. She had been so foolish. She should have kept her mouth shut. She should have followed Persimmon’s advice—smile, laugh, blend in. But instead, she had let Eris get under her skin, and now she had crossed a line that she couldn’t uncross.

What if he tells the High Lord? Beron Vanserra was infamous for his temper, his lack of compassion. If Eris decided to use this to his advantage, to twist it into something worse than it was, her family would be at the mercy of his father’s wrath. Penelope’s stomach churned at the thought. Her father, already cautious and wary of court politics, would be devastated. Persimmon—her perfect, polished sister who had worked so hard to maintain their family’s reputation— and her mother — oh gods. Her mother.

Penelope’s breathing grew ragged, her thoughts spiraling as the full weight of her actions hit her. She pressed her hands to her temples, trying to calm herself, but the panic only intensified. She had stood there, challenging Eris Vanserra, speaking to him like she wasn’t afraid, like she had nothing to lose. But she did. She had everything to lose.

Her head spun with the possibilities, each one worse than the last. What if Eris decided to ruin them out of sheer boredom? What if he spread rumors, twisted the truth, made her out to be some insolent, disrespectful girl who thought she was better than the heir to the Autumn Court? It wouldn’t take much. The court was full of whispers, always hungry for scandal.

Her legs wobbled, and she sank onto the stone bench, her heart pounding in her ears. She had just insulted one of the most dangerous males in the Autumn Court. And the worst part was, she didn’t know what kind of person Eris really was beneath his cruelty. She didn’t know if he would take this as a game, a momentary amusement, or if he would use it as an opportunity to destroy her.

What if this was all a game to him? What if he wanted me to snap? The thought sent another wave of nausea rolling through her. She had walked right into his trap, hadn’t she? He had wanted to see how far he could push her, how long it would take for her to stop pretending, and she had given him exactly what he wanted.

Penelope swallowed, her throat dry. She could still feel the fire of her anger, the way it had erupted out of her, but now all she felt was dread. She had challenged Eris—called him pathetic, weak, a coward. She had seen the way his jaw had tightened, the flash of something dark and dangerous in his eyes when she had said it. And yet he had smiled.

That smile haunted her. What did it mean? Was he impressed? Amused? Or was he simply toying with her before he decided how to retaliate?

She buried her face in her hands, willing herself to breathe. "Stupid," she whispered to herself. "So stupid."

She hadn’t meant to go this far. She hadn’t meant to let her anger take over. But Eris had pushed her, cornered her with his words, and she had reacted. She had wanted to stand up for herself, to prove that she wasn’t just another weak-willed court girl. But now, all she had done was paint a target on her back—and worse, on her family’s.

Penelope wiped her eyes hastily, though her heart continued to pound. She needed to fix this. But how? How did you apologize to someone like Eris? How did you undo the damage when the heir to the Autumn Court could decide your fate with a single word?

A soft breeze swept over the terrace, and Penelope felt the weight of it, the night pressing down on her. There was no taking it back now. She had crossed a line, and Eris was the type of male who didn’t forget.

Master List: A Court of Fire and Masks Master List

[the-mortuary-witch]

PLANETARY MAGICK

SUN

Zodiac: Leo

Metal: gold

Day: Sunday

Colours: orange, yellow, and amber

Stones: amber, topaz, ruby, and diamond

Tarot: The Sun 

Herbs: angelica, poppy, sunflower, marigold, hibiscus, and mistletoe

Symbols: lion, hexagram, sparrow hawk, dragon, head, heart, and swan

Influences: renown, potency, fortune, tyranny, pride, ambition, masculinity, arrogance, bigotry, vitality, and health

MOON

Zodiac: Cancer

Metal: sliver

Day: Monday

Colours: blue and sliver

Stones: moonstone and pearl

Tarot: The High Priestess and The Chariot

Herbs: eucalyptus, coconut, jasmine, lotus, myrrh, and sandalwood

Symbols: bow and arrow, crab, cat, turtle, Sphinx, and owl

Influences: gratitude, friendliness, safe, travel, physical health, wealth, protection for enemies, deception, illusion, women, emotions, healing, and dreams. 

MERCURY

Zodiacs: Virgo and Gemini

Metal: aluminum and mercury

Day: Wednesday

Colours: violet, grey, purple, indigo, and yellow

Stones: opal and agate

Tarot: The Lovers 

Herbs: hyssop, juniper, betony, carrot, and chickweed

Symbols: wand, octagram, and the mind

Influences: good fortune, gratitude, gain, memory, understanding, divination, dreams, forgetfulness, communication, business, cleverness, creativity, information, intellect, memory, perception, science, wisdom, gambling, writing, root of dishonesty, and deception

VENUS

Zodiacs: Taurus and Libra

Metal: copper

Day: Friday

Colours: green and pink

Stones: turquoise, emerald, sapphire, and jade

Tarot: The Empress 

Herbs: jimsonweed, violet, rose, alder, apple, angelica, olive, and sesame

Symbols: sparrow, dove, swan, and pentagram

Influences: peace, agreements, cooperation, fertility, joy, love, good fortune, jealousy, strife, and promiscuity

MARS

Zodiacs: Aries and Scorpio

Metal: iron, red brass, and steel

Day: Tuesday

Colour: red

Stones: ruby, garnet, bloodstone, and diamond

Tarot: The Tower 

Herbs: ginger and mustard

Symbols: sword, pentagram, horse, bear, wolf, and vulture

Influences: war, victory, judgements, submission of enemies, bleeding, stripping one of rank, harness, discord, conflict, aggression, lust, power, courage, goals, protection, motivation, ambition, and strength

JUPITER

Zodiacs: Pisces and Sagittarius

Metal: tin

Day: Thursday 

Colour: blue

Stone: sapphire

Tarot: The Wheel of Fortune 

Herbs: balm, hyssop, maple leaf and bark, oak, sage, and dandelion root

Symbols: eagle and dolphin

Influences: gains, riches, favour, peace, cooperation, appeasing enemies, and dissolving

SATURN

Zodiac: Capricorn

Metal: lead

Day: Saturday

Colour: black

Stone: onyx

Tarot: The World

Herbs: alder, apple, ash, asparagus, baneberry, belladonna, distort, hellebore, blackthorn, corm, and cypress

Symbols: cuttlefish and mole

Influences: safety, power, success, positive response to requests, intellect, causes discord, strips honour, and melancholy

URANUS

Zodiac: Aquarius

Day: Thursday

Colours: blue-green and electric blue

Stones: quartz, labradorite, blue topaz, amber, amethyst, garnet, and diamond

Tarot: The Fool

Herbs: clover, pokeweed, snowdrop, foxglove, love, rosemary, trees of heaven, hellebore, morning glory, sage, wintergreen, orchids, and sweet woodruff

Symbols: dragonfly and butterfly

Influences: breaking connection, sudden and unexpected change, freedom, originality, radical and revolutionary ideas, enlightenment, equality, individuality, rebellion, instability, loneliness, boredom, and mistrust of self

NEPTUNE

Zodiac: Pisces

Day: Friday

Minerals: coral, aquamarine, platinum, and neptunium

Colours: green, blue, and lavender

Tarot: The Hanged Man 

Herbs: morning glory, night-blooming jasmine, pine, and water lily

Symbols: the sea, trident, and the spine

Influences: dissolving boundaries, expanding upon ideas, changing established rules, intuition, idealism, sacrifice, glamour, illusion, evolution, decay, visions, art, healing, inspiration, dreams, creativity, compassion, drifting from reality, carelessness, stubbornness, and absent mind

PLUTO

Zodiac: Scorpio

Metal: plutonium, tin chrome, and steel

Day: Tuesday

Colours: maroon, dark red, purple, white, and black

Stones: snowflake obsidian and clack tourmaline

Tarot: Judgement

Herbs: pomegranate, rosemary, vanilla, basil, poppies, belladonna, and foxglove

Symbols: phoenix, snake, scorpion, fox, and eagle

Influences: destruction making way for renewal, rebirth, knowledge, spirituality, transformation, destiny, the subconscious, desire, arrogance, death, obsession, and destruction

[mothumn]

After the keen still days of September, the October sun filled the world with mellow warmth...The maple tree in front of the doorstep burned like a gigantic red torch. The oaks along the roadway glowed yellow and bronze. The fields stretched like a carpet of jewels, emerald and topaz and garnet. Everywhere she walked the color shouted and sang around her...In October any wonderful unexpected thing might be possible.

Elizabeth George Speare, The Witch of Blackbird Pond

[dionysianivy]

𐙚𓏲⋆Virgo Season⋆ᡣ𐭩

August 23 - September 22 🪷

⊹ ࣪ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖

Symbol: ♍︎

Solar System: Earth, Mercury

Season: Summer

Day: Wednesday

Element: Earth

Energy: Yin

Chakras: Sacral, Solar Plexus, Throat

Numbers: 6, 9

Colors: Black, Navy Blue, Dark Brown, Gold, Dark Gray, Green, Pink, Purple, Violet, White, Yellow

Tarot: The Hermit, The Magician

Trees: Beech, Chestnut, Cypress, Hazel, Horse Chestnut, Maple, Mimosa, Oak, Walnut

Herbs (Garden): Aster, Bergamot, Dill, Fennel, Honeysuckle, Hyacinth, Lavender, Lily, Lily of the Valley, Marjoram, Peppermint, Rosemary, Valerian, Violet

Miscellaneous Plants: Eyebright, Horehound, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Skullcap

Gemstones: Agate, Amazonite, Amethyst, Andalusite, Apatite, Aquamarine, Aventurine, Carnelian, Chrysocolla, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Jade, Pink Jasper, Lapis Lazuli, Lodestone, Moss Agate, Opal, Peridot, Sapphire, Sardonyx, Sugilite, Watermelon Tourmaline, Tsavorite, Turquoise, Red Zircon

Metal: Mercury

Gods: Odin, Hermes

Goddesses: Astraea, Anat, Artemis, Demeter, Diana, Hestia, Inanna, Iris, Ishtar, Isis, Kore, Nanna, Persephone, Vesta

Bird: Sparrow

Angel: Auriel

Animals: Brown Bear, Cat, Pig (Sow), Squirrel

Magical Powers: Abundance, Beginnings, Consciousness, Cycles, Destiny, Emotions, Endings, Grounding, Independence, Intuition, Love, Analytical Mind, Nurture, Order/Organization, Purification, Sexuality, Shyness, Business Success, Well-being.

source: Llewellyn's Complete Book of Correspondences: A Comprehensive & Cross-Referenced Resource for Pagans & Wiccans by Sandra Kynes

tips♡

[moregraceful]

okay but HOW do we consolidate the NHL what frankenteam would amuse you most

i just took the world's least advisable nap and i'm ready to party. if you ever think hmm should i take a four hour nap at 7pm i'm here to tell you NO

to answer your question i've decided for the sake of simplicity that all teams within a conference that start with the same letter have to combine. therefore we have:

EASTERN: carolumbus blue canes, tri-state island devils, pennsylvania birdfriends, washington capitals, new england bison bears, detroit red wings, florida panthers, montreal canadiens, ottawa senators, tampa bay maple bolts

it's more manageable. might make the sunshine state leafs a little bit of a powerhouse but at least auston matthews et all is getting past the first round. i think hedman would be a GREAT captain for marner.

Western: anaheim ducks, calgary avalanche (chicago just gets folded in), dallas stars, edmonton oilers, minnesota wild, nashville predators, st. san jose kraken, utah hockey club, vancouver golden nucks, winnipeg jets

we have a nice even split!! though this does have worrying implications for how overused connor mcdavid might be..

to counteract this, i've also decided that we're expanding nhl rosters to 55 rostered + 16 practice squad like the nfl. this will not prevent overuse but it will reunite nazem kadri and tyson barrie with the avs and give georgie some really solid back ups. and ovi we r getting you that record with your 55 man roster!! unfortunately if all this means sidney crosby's playing time is reduced so garnet hathaway can play more minutes than that's just how it is on this bitch of an earth.

thank you for asking 😌 stay tuned for my next column: with a 55 man roster, should nhl games be extended to six periods?

[tarotbee]

Hi! I’m not sure if you are still doing your ways to worship certain deities posts but if you are do you think you could do one about Lady Hera?

Ways of Honouring and Worshipping Queen Hera

To note Hera is the Wife of Zeus and the Queen of the Gods. She is also the Goddess of marriage and childbirth and the protectress of women. She also bore the epithet Eileithyia at Árgos and Athens and was the Patron of those cities, giving her correspondence with Athena.

Learn her Epithets: Eileithyia, Gamêlia, Zugia and Teleia

Imagery of Cows, Cuckoo's, Peacocks, Panthers, Lions, Eagles and shelled animals

Peacock feathers, ethically sourced or faux cow leather, cow horns, snail shells etc

Research the celebrated "The Shield" that was held in her honour at Sámos

Research the Heraia

Self care days - baths with Epsom salts, bath bombs, face maks

Glamour magic

Colour magic! (Pinks/rose, purples, white and royal colours such as rich blues and greens)

Celebrate the solstices and the changing of the seasons

Any royal imagery such as thrones, crowns, scepter etc

Plants and Scents: lily, lotus, poppy, waterlily, maple, coconut, iris, rose, cyprus

Wear jewelerry made of rich gems and jewels like silver, garnets, diamond, sapphire and citrine

Apples and pomegranates

Statues and painting were common traditional offerings to Hera

Learning marriage customs

Have sex! (But don't cheat, iykyk)

Learn the Homeric hymns written for her

Set boundaries for yourself, especially in romance

Take care of your home physically and energetically

Most importantly take care of yourself

A prayer to Hera

(Linked)