#Genesis 3 Female figure

[djarins-cyare]

✭ Series Masterlist ✭

Languishing in a dull and lonely existence on the forest moon of Endor after travelling there to help salvage Death Star wreckage, a nearly fatal encounter with a mysterious bounty hunter out in the forest heralds an opportunity to utilise long-forgotten skills and develop something more profound than you ever thought possible.

Second person POV, present tense. Set post-season 2, diverges from Canon events before TBoBF and season 3. This is a novel-length, exceptionally slow burn with an original plot, worldbuilding, and fully-developed characterisation. SWU concepts and lore are accurately researched.

WORDS: 406,690

PAIRING: Din Djarin x Female Reader/You

RATING: Explicit (18+)

CHARACTERS: Din Djarin, Reader/You/Female OC, Original Non-Human Character(s), Original Human Characters, Greef Karga, Cara Dune, Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker, Grogu, Peli Motto

TAGS: Slow Burn, Slow Build, Romance, Love, Sexual Tension, Eventual Smut, Smut, Sex, Sexual Content, Explicit Sexual Content, Fluff, Fluff and Smut, Fluff and Angst, Light Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Relationships, Healthy Relationships, Canon-Typical Violence, Blood and Injury, Dark Past, Additional Warnings In Author's Notes, Bounty Hunter Din Djarin, Soft Din Djarin, Touch-Starved Din Djarin, Din Djarin Needs a Hug, Smart Din Djarin, Soft Dominant Din Djarin, Ewok Species, Mandalorian Culture, Mando'a Language, New Razor Crest, Thoroughly Researched, Worldbuilding, No use of y/n.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This took me almost a year to write and four months to edit/proof. Each chapter is prefaced with specific tags and (where necessary) warnings, plus word counts. End notes contain translations and comments… this baby is thoroughly researched, so I’m sharing context where appropriate. I’ve also added definitions of in-universe terms so people less familiar with the franchise won’t be left wondering what the hell certain words or references mean. This is a slow burn (adult themes), and although the explicit content only occurs in the latter half, when it does, it warrants the ‘E’ rating. Basically, the first half is a love story, and the second half gets spicy. I hope you enjoy it!

READ THE COMPLETE STORY ON AO3:

(Chapters containing explicit content marked †)

Chapter 1: The Obstacle

Chapter 2: The Interrogation

Chapter 3: The Covenant

Chapter 4: The Snare

Chapter 5: The Strike

Chapter 6: The Groundwork

Chapter 7: The Genesis

Chapter 8: The Progression

Chapter 9: The Hide

Chapter 10: The Beast

Chapter 11: The Adjustment

Chapter 12: The Storm

Chapter 13: The Broadside

Chapter 14: The Intercourse

Chapter 15: The Village

Chapter 16: The Confession

Chapter 17: The Reprieve

Chapter 18: The Fortification

Chapter 19: The Ambush

Chapter 20: The Meridian

Chapter 21: The Homestretch

Chapter 22: The Union †

Chapter 23: The Overture

Chapter 24: The Crescendo

Chapter 25: The Harmony †

Chapter 26: The Cadence †

Chapter 27: The Ride †

Chapter 28: The Veneration †

Chapter 29: The Spree †

Chapter 30: The Tribute †

Chapter 31: The Courage

Chapter 32: The Feast

Chapter 33: The Exhibition †

Chapter 34: The Reward

Chapter 35: The Binding †

Chapter 36: The Synergy †

Chapter 37: The Match †

Chapter 38: The Flag †

Chapter 39: The Foundling †

Chapter 40: The Future †

✨Additional Media✨

@burntheedges has written a spectacular little drabble detailing what Din was up to during the paragraph break near the end of chapter 1 (*SPOILERS* you don’t find this out until chapter 27).

@roughdaysandart has sketched a fantastic study of chapter 33 and it’s absolutely perfect (*SPOILERS* cliffhanger ending for the chapter).

@djarin-desires has created some awesome AI images of a few scenes using Midjourney.

I spent a stupid amount of money on the Hot Toys official Din Djarin action figure, simply so I could photograph him in poses from my fic 🤷���‍♀️ This is just a taster of what’s to come, but here he is offering to help Reader climb onto the speeder in chapter 8.

🧡💚 Thank you for reading! 💚🧡

➤ MAIN MASTERLIST

Dividers by @samspenandsword

[apilgrimpassingby]

Demons of the Hebrew Bible

Since today is also the day for Lord of Spiritsposting, I've decided to make a post I considered yesterday - the demons of the Hebrew Bible. This will be a long post, so I'm inserting a "Keep Reading".

Azazel: Appears only once in Leviticus 16, as the being in the wilderness to whom the goat with the people's sins laid on it in the Day of Atonement ritual is given (this isn't sacrifice, because the animal isn't killed or offered on an altar, among other things). Becomes a Devil figure in some later Jewish literature like the Book of Enoch, and is associated with deserts, sin and goats - the name literally means "the goat that goes away" (an archaic translation gives us the word "scapegoat"), and the seemingly-random reference to goat demons in Leviticus 17:7 comes just after Azazel's appearance.

Deber: The most prominent of the gang, appearing (usually in conjunction with other figures on this list) in Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Amos, Habakkuk and the Pentateuch a total of 49 times, usually unleashed as punishment for some sin by Israel (compare "handing people over to Satan" in St. Paul's letters - 1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Timothy 1:20). A nocturnal demon of pestilence and destruction associated with the underworld in Canaanite mythology.

Hereb: Rendered as "the sword" in English; the next most prominent one, appearing 29 times and, like Deber, in conjunction with the others. A demon of violence and destruction associated with blood-drinking (Isaiah 34:5, Jeremiah 46:10) and flesh-eating (Deuteronomy 32:42, Jeremiah 12:12) and probably the rider on a red horse from Revelation 6:3-4.

Lilit: Appears just once, Isaiah 34:14, where she's dwelling in some ruins. Usually translated as "screech owl" or "night bird", but some use "Lilith". In Mesopotamian mythology, the lili are a class of nocturnal female demons associated who kill babies and are associated with owls, so the translation as "screech owl" is acceptable. The Songs of the Sage from the Dead Sea Scrolls refer to liliyot (feminine plural) as a class of demons: "And I, the Instructor, proclaim His glorious splendour so as to frighten and to te[rrify] all the spirits of the destroying angels, spirits of the bastards, demons, liliths, howlers...

Livyatan: Usually anglicised as Leviathan, and appears five times: Job 3:8 and chapter 41, Psalms 74:12-14 and 104:26 and Isaiah 27:1. Based on those appearances, he's a multi-headed fire-breathing sea serpent immune to weapons who battles with Yahweh and (of course) always loses. The myth of a god fighting a sea serpent is a staple of world mythology. Likely correlates to the beast from the sea of Revelation 13:1-10, since Leviathan is paired with a beast from the earth (Behemoth; Job 40:15-24) - also compare Revelation 13:4 ("Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”) to Job 41:33-34 ("On earth there is not his like, a creature without fear. He sees everything that is high; he is king over all the sons of pride").

Nephilim: Famously appear in Genesis 6:1-4 as the warriors born of the sons of God and the daughters of men, understood in Second Temple Jewish texts such as the Book of Enoch and the Septuagint to be giants born of fallen angels and human women. They appear by the name Anakim or Rephaim in Genesis 14:5, 15:20, Deuteronomy 1:28, 2:10-11, 2:20-21, 3:11, 3;13, 9:2 and Joshua 11:21-22, 12:4, 13:12, 14:12, 14:15 and 15:8 and war with giants appears in 2 Samuel 21:16-22, 1 Chronicles 20:4-8 and, of course, 1 Samuel 17 (the David and Goliath story).

Qeteb: Appears just 4 times (Deuteronomy 32:24; Psalm 91:6; Isaiah 28:2; Hosea 13:14), together with Deber in the Psalms and Hosea appearances and together with Resheph in Deuteronomy; if there's any lesson from this post so far, it's that plague demons hunt in packs. A diurnal plague demon whose name is rendered in English as "destruction"; nothing more to be said.

Ra'av: The third most prominent one, appearing 35 times; a famine demon whose name is rendered in English as "famine" or "hunger" who is unleashed on Israel as punishment together with (surprise!) Hereb and either Deber or Resheph. Probably the rider on a black horse from Revelation 6:5-6.

Rephaim: The spirits of dead kings who dwell in the underworld not doing much, translated in the ESV as shades and appearing in Isaiah 14:9 and 26:14; the same imagery and concept is being used by Ezekiel 32:20-30.

Resheph: A demon of plague and conquest worshipped as a god in Canaanite and Egyptian culture, depicted as a bearded archer on a white horse. Appears just 6 times in the Hebrew Bible (Deuteronomy 32:24; Habakkuk 3:5 Psalm 78:48; Job 5:7, Song of Songs 8:6); the name is rendered as "plague" or "pestilence" or occasionally "fire" or "sparks" because the name literally means "burning". Probably the rider on a white horse from Revelation 6:2.

Sources and Further Reading

"Before Him Went Pestilence (Hab. 3:5) - Biblical Lexis and Semantic Field of Epidemics" by Jozef Jankovic for The Old Testament Society of South Africa

"A Land of Giants" by Frs. Andrew Stephen Damick and Stephen DeYoung on The Lord of Spirits

"War, Famine, Disease, Death and Hades" by Fr. Stephen DeYoung on The Whole Counsel of God

"Who is Azazel?" by Fr. Stephen DeYoung on The Whole Counsel of God

Who is Lilith - Ancient Development and Origins of the Demon Queen by Dr. Justin Sledge on ESOTERICA

Or in short - stop making it all about Lilith. Use some other Hebrew Bible demons.

[nicosraf]

thank you for writing abm <3 are you writing lilith into a&m? i'm excited to see what you'll come up with

thank you for reading!! :) <3

No, Lilith isn't in A&M or in the trilogy at all. I'm sorry if that's disappointing but I have a few reasons:

Lilith is far more of a Jewish figure than a Christian one. I understand there's always an overlap, but in the case of Lilith, Lilith has never been a part of the Christian doctrine (as far as I know) and textual evidence for her is very small (the only line where "Lilith" appears in some translations doesn't make much sense and the Dead Sea Scrolls confirm that the line originally read "liliyyot"). Lilith only got adopted by Christians at around... the late 18th century? (for context, Paradise Lost was a century before that). Her initial conception and later development is very, very, tied to Jewish mythology.

One that note, the Christian Lilith is, often, an anti-Semitic caricature – her red hair, her association with blood-sucking and vampires and magic, her stealing babies, her trickery and vanity and greed. This is probably my biggest issue with writing her. I could change her appearance and personality but that still feels... icky to me. It's like reclaiming a character I am not the right person to reclaim.

Lilith creates 2 major theological issues – Issue 1: Why did God ask Lilith to be subservient to Adam? In the current Christian canon, God punishes Eve with subservience after the biting of the apple; this leads to all women suffering subservience; this, also, is part of the Christian doctrine of original sin yadda yadda. If God asked Lilith to be subservient to Adam (pre-fruit-eating).... then why did God do that? Why did God create inequality in the garden of paradise among the humans and based on what? Issue 2: Gender Issues. So one of the reasons Lilith has caught on is because God makes man and woman "twice" and people are looking for an answer for what that means. Basically, in Genesis, the first chapter reads: So God created mankind in his own image in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27) However, the next chapter details Eve being "created" later after she is pulled out of Adam, either his rib or his side. So, some Christians have decided that there was simply an early woman who ran off. But I'm really caught up with the phrase "in the image of God" and "male and female" and the act of pulling Eve from Adam, splitting him. To me, this answers the question – the original Adam was male and female, in God's image. This is my preferred interpretation of the line – I think it's meaningful both to understanding gender in the Bible and to the idea of being made whole with another person; in Genesis 2:24, it reads: That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. It's the reuniting to become one flesh concept that really interests me. Lilith throws a wrench into this idea and turns the story into: God hated women from their inception and all humans descend from the good, submissive woman.

And, finally, ABM is mostly a Christian canon story – the Bible has an unexplained Satan, so I told a story about Satan, the Bible makes an unexplained reference to "the sons of God" in Genesis 6 (and elsewhere), so I'm telling a story about the Watchers. I always wanted the trilogy to play with canon, rather than take a step too far into occult/mythology. It's the same reason I didn't get into the hierarchy of angels (it's not biblical!) :')

Sorry for the long answer idk what came over me.

[getvalentined]

A-Z ask game: O(tailored) bc I would like to slide you a song[String Theocracy, Library of Ruina], R, U please!

O - Choose a song at random. Which ship or character does it remind you of?

I looked up the song and I'm assuming it's this!

I was gonna say that I was getting huge A Turtle's Heart vibes off this, then I realized it was the same person so that explains it. I'm not a huge fan of the track itself* but those lyrics!

I'm going with Genesis, for sure, specifically Genesis to Zack.

Cut it off, cut down your loss All that stubborn loyalty is gonna get you killed In a world built on convenient theories For the puppets on TV There is comfort in the strings If you're gonna control me At least make it interesting theatrically [...] Cut it off, you've already lost All that precious bravery is gonna get you hurt In a world that feeds on the minority May that self-centered belief lead you to peace If you're gonna replace me At least have the audacity to kill me thoroughly

I'm not sure there's anything I could say to explain that interpretation that these lyrics don't already say loud and clear. Thank you for sharing it with me!

* I'm not generally a fan of jazz, and this song is really jazzy; also the way Mili mispronounces words to fit a rhythm that they could have fit anyway is pretty egregious in this track, and that's the thing that keeps me from listening to more of her music. The combination of the two makes me a bit "ehhhh," but that's just me! It's a really solid track, just not my vibe. THOSE LYRICS THOUGH, GODDAMN.

R - Which friendship/platonic relationship is your favorite in fandom?

Answered here! A little convoluted because for me, all ships are friendships regardless of whether there's a romantic context.

U - Three favorite characters from three different fandoms, and why they’re your favorites.

Oh this is a fun one!

1. Vincent Valentine (FFVII) is my favorite character in all of fiction and I've explained the why of that a couple times over the years, but suffice to say there is just nothing like finding a character with whom you resonate so intensely that you can love them even more after over a quarter century than you did when you first discovered them as a child.

2. Harle (Chrono Cross) is way up there! I love her entire character arc, starting as an agent of human destruction who falls in love with the very person she was created to kill, and holding that love so tightly that the horrifying superweapon she was fused into uses magic to sing him the song he needs to save the entity responsible for the destruction of her own people. Harle is my favorite female character ever, even moreso than Miyazaki's Nausicaä, which is saying a lot coming from me.

3. Turo (Pokemon Violet) will be my third. Not Professor Turo, mind you, the other Turo, the one who actually gave a shit about the safety of others, who loved the son that wasn't actually his so much that he gave everything to make sure the world he lived in would be safe. I have a soft spot for characters willing to give themselves up for love, and familial figures determined to set things right even if it means they won't get to live with the family they're saving will make me sob every single time. I'm not normally into mainline Pokemon titles (I like Arceus, Gale of Darkness, Snap, etc.) but Turo is literally what sold me on this one and it turned out to be one of the best story experiences I'd had in years (even outside his part).

I wanted to include a Zelda character, but I realized that's basically impossible because I love too many of them to choose one as a favorite. I managed to narrow it down in my head to Midna, King Rauru, or Nabooru, and then I thought of Mipha for .027 seconds and literally burst into tears because I love her so much and I can't not talk about her if I'm talking about favorite Zelda characters—and I decided I couldn't do that so I set that franchise down for this one.

[ for the A to Z ask game ]

[passionateseadruid]

Musical instruments part 2 of 2

Part 3 of my Hazbin rewrite

It was so hard to think of instruments for these characters!

Husker - Steel pan. If I'm being honest this one was personal preference. I like steel pans, I think their sound is beautiful and I like Husk. I was honestly thinking of giving him something similar to a trumpet like the cornet or just straight up giving him the but I decided that I wanted trumpets to specifically represent heaven.

Niffty - Otamatone. I’m kidding (though I kinda wish I wasn’t). Koto. The National instrument of Japan. Niffty is Japanese and thus I wanted to give her something reminiscent of her heritage since her design and personality don’t really give us any hints to that.

Pentious - Aquarion. Now before you get on me- I just want to say that yes this is partially just because I think it's pretty and it matches my vibe of pentious. But there is another reason! When you look up what the instrument represents you will get a number of answers but two I wanted to highlight on google were Yoga and  "a new era of holy genesis". The word Yoga literally means a "union with the divine". I mean COME ON! What am I supposed to do? Not choose something so perfect?!

Cherri Bomb - Drum set. I know this is kinda the obvious choice. It’s loud, she’s loud. It invokes imagery of crashes or explosions, and that’s Cherri’s whole thing. I couldn’t think of anything else.

Zestial - Lute. Listen if I wasn't gonna give Lute the lute I figured I'd have to give it to Zestial because that was basically THE main instrument from his time period.

Rosie - Brass Quintet. Consisting of a trumpet, a flugel horn, a French-horn, a trombone, and a tuba. I felt it fitting because in ready for this you can hear lots of horns in the parts the cannibals/Rosie are singing. While I would give her the a chorus I don't exactly see the cannibal colony coming back to play a bigger role in season 2 (technically what would be my season 3).

Baxter - Stylophone. It's literally tech sounding, and Baxter is literally a scientist. It feels like his whole vibe

Lilith - Flute. Look I saw Hell's Greatest Dad female parody/cover called Hells greatest mom (for obvious reasons) and she had a flute and I will never be able to associate her with anything else.

Check out my full Masterlist like my writing style? Check out some original work I make!

[antonella411]

Happy Halloween everyone!

I want to let you know that November 4th will be my birthday! 🥳

I want you to give me a gift: that is, create some fanarts with the ships that I follow with my newborn shipchildren!

This is how I want you to make fanarts:

Fanarts must include the ship mentioned among those with their newborn baby (i.e. my shipchild)

The baby must be in the arms of the parent who gave birth to it

The other parent must hold his or her spouse and their child close

For my male shipchildren they must be swaddled in a blue blanket, while my only female shipchild must be swaddled in a pink blanket

The parents were already married when they had the child

Now I give you some information about which ships you need to make fanarts and also about my shipchildren:

Soriku

Sora and Riku's son is named Roxas Sky (Roxas is the name taken from Sora's Nobody, while Sky is the surname I gave to Sora)

Roxas was born 3 years after the events of Kingdom Hearts IV

Roxas has the same face and brown hair as Sora and the same green eyes as Riku

Roxas was born to Riku, so in the fanarts he is holding him in his arms

At the time Roxas was born, Sora was nineteen, while Riku was twenty

Riku has long hair when Roxas was born

Clack/Zakkura

Zack and Cloud's son is named Angeal Fair (Angeal is the name taken from Zack's, and Cloud's in my version, mentor, while Fair is Zack's surname)

Angeal was born nine months after the events of Advent Children (in this case, Zack is alive)

Angeal has the same face as Cloud, the same black hair as Zack and the same blue eyes as both

Angeal was born to Cloud, so in the fanarts he is holding him in his arms

At the time Angeal was born, Zack was twenty-six, while Cloud was twenty-four

Akuroku

Roxas and Axel's son is named Isa Blond (Isa is the human name of Axel's childhood friend, while Blond is the surname I gave to Roxas)

Isa was born 5 years after the events of Kingdom Hearts IV (so 2 ​​years after Roxas Sky was born)

Isa has the same face and blonde hair as Roxas and the same green eyes as Axel

Isa was born to Axel, so in the fanarts he is holding him in his arms

At the time Isa was born, Roxas was twenty-one, while Axel was thirty-one

Promptis

Prompto and Noctis' son is named Regis Lucis Argentum (Regis is the name taken from his grandfather, Noctis' father, Lucis is Noctis' first surname, while Argentum is Prompto's surname)

Regis was born nine years before chapter 14 (my Final Fantasy XV ending is not the same, so Regis will not become an orphan of Noctis)

Regis is the exact copy of Noctis, in fact he has the same face, black hair and blue eyes

Regis was born to Noctis, so in the fanarts he is holding him in his arms

At the time Regis was born, Prompto and Noctis were twenty-one

Sephesis/Sephgen

Genesis and Sephiroth's son is named Angy Rhapsodos (Angy is the nickname of Angeal, name taken from Genesis and Sephiroth's best friend, while Rhapsodos is Genesis' surname)

Angy was born 3 years before the events of Crisis Core (so in Final Fantasy VII he is 10 years old, it was thought that he had become an orphan of both his fathers, but they are resurrected by Hojo)

Angy has the same face and silver hair as Sephiroth and the same blue eyes as Genesis

Angy was born to Sephiroth, so in the fanarts he is holding him in his arms

At the time Angy was born, Genesis was twenty-two, while Sephiroth was twenty

Secgreen

The Second Coming and Green's son is named Dranote (It is the union between the names Draw and Note)

It is not known exactly when Dranote was born

Dranote is a stick figure very similar to The Second Coming, his skin color is a mix between orange and green

Dranote was born to Green, so in the fanarts he is holding him in his arms

At the time Dranote was born, The Second Coming and Green were young adults

Jetra (Minecraft Story Mode)

The Jesse in this ship is the male one with brown hair and green eyes

Jesse and Petra's daughter is named Mineline Craft (this name sounds a bit Minecraft, Mineline is the union between the names Mine and Adeline, while Craft is the surname I gave to Jesse)

Mineline was born 2 years after the events of the second season of Minecraft Story Mode

Mineline has the same face and green eyes as Jesse and the same orange hair as Petra

Of course, Mineline was born to Petra, so in the fanarts she is holding her in her arms

At the time Mineline was born, Jesse and Petra were twenty-two

Lukesse (Minecraft Story Mode)

The Jesse in this ship is the female one with black hair and green eyes

Lukas and Jesse's son is named Reuben Ocelot (Reuben is the name taken from Jesse's pig, while Ocelot is the surname I gave to Lukas)

Like his "cousin" Mineline, Reuben was born 2 years after the events of the second season of Minecraft Story Mode

Reuben has the same face and green eyes as Jesse and the same blonde hair as Lukas

Of course, Reuben was born to Jesse, so in the fanarts she is holding him in her arms

At the time Reuben was born, Lukas and Jesse were twenty-two

In short: Jetra and Lukesse are the only straight ships I follow, so Mineline is the only female shipchild of the ships listed below

Plus, Soriku and Clack/Zakkura are my two favorite ships at all, so Roxas Sky and Angeal Fair are also my two favorite shipchildren at all, so make good fanarts about them!

When you post your fanarts write on the post "For @antonella411 for her birthday", so I will comment on your fanarts!

I can't wait to see your fanarts for me! 😉

[tamtam-go92]

Back in the roaring center of Emerald Height lives our next family - and it's a pretty big one!

King-Montes

Gabriela never expected to fall in love again after her first husband died. David asked Gabriela to marry him because he knew their families belonged together. If only Maribel and Raneka got along better... Will they be a happy family or will something break them apart? And when will Maribel reveal her family about the secret feelings she has for Holly?

David asked Gabriela to marry him because he knew their families belonged together. But it seems like he's been waiting forever to get married! At first, things were too busy at work, and then Litzy came, and now David is starting to wonder if he'll ever see Gabriela walk down the aisle.

David King: male, adult, Sim Family/Popularity (Have 6 Grandchildren) Aries (4/7/5/3/6) Unemployed, OTH: Music and Dance Traits: Natural Born Performer, Disciplined, Colorblind, Jealous, Dog Person

Raneka's sick of sharing space with that slob! Daddy hasn't paid her any attention since they moved into this big, red, chicken coop of a house. Mom wouldn't make her share a room, no way.

Raneka King: female, teenager, Sim Popularity (Become Celebrity Chef) Aries (8/9/3/3/2) Private School, OTH: Cuisine Traits: Social Butterfly, Neat, Vegetarian, Cat Person

When her first husband died, Gabriela brought her family to Emerald Heights for better educational opportunities and a fresh start. Now she's working at LaFontaine Memorial Hospital as an anesthesiologist. She never expected to fall in love again, but who wouldn't love David?

Gabriela Montes: female, adult, Sim Fortune/Popularity (Become Business Tycoon) Aries (4/8/5/1/7) Medicine Career, OTH: Music and Dance Traits: Childish, Self-Assured, Pianist, Workaholic, Equestian

Living with her sister's family suits Genesis just fine — you meet everyone, when you're just minutes from all the downtown hotspots! Someone's got to take Maribel in hand, though, or she'll never get out of the house. She could use a little spoiling from her favorite aunt!

Genesis Montes: female, adult, Sim Romance/Pleasure (Have 20 simultaneous Lovers) Capricorn (8/7/1/3/6) Culinary Career, OTH: Cuisine Traits: Loves the Cold, Proper, Glutton, Great Kisser, Party Animal

For a while now, this old house has felt too crowded to breathe. But being out with strangers is worse! Maribel is glad at least Tia Geni listens to her — she hasn't gotten up the courage to tell Mami about Holly, yet.

Maribel Montes: female, teenager, Sim Popularity (Have 20 simultaneous best friends) Aquarius (2/1/5/7/10) Private School, OTH: Tinkering Traits: Cheerful, Unlucky, Perfectionist, Dog Person

If Josue closes his eyes and remembers real hard, he can still smell Papi's cigarros and hear the coqui. He can't help feeling that if he could only just go back home — really home — Papi would still be there. It's better than trying to fit into this mixed-up city with his mixed-up family.

Josue Montes: male, child, Sim Grow up Scorpio (6/5/10/2/2) Private School, OTH: Sports Traits: Adventurous, Supernatural Skeptic, Match Enthusiast

Papi call Mami queen. Litzy pretty like Mami. Litzy queen too. Yay Queen Litzy!

Litzy Montes: female, toddler, Sim Grow up Leo (0/10/5/10/0) Traits: Outgoing, Clumsy

Challenges rolled for: - round: Local lottery winner: Your sims win a small prize on the lottery. Add d8* 100 to their family funds. - season: Private School: Invite the headmaster over and try to get the children into private school. - Business failure: Turns out your business wasn't as successful as you thought it was. Lay off all employees, close a business, and figure out what to do next. Not allowed to open a new business for two seasons but can continue with existing businesses. -> Once Litzy becomes a child, he parents will try to get her into private school too!

[spiritus-aberrare]

Naamah - Part 3

Powers and rulership: Love, sacred sexuality, lust and desire, comfort, healing, nurturing, safety, relationships, protection and wellness for animals and vegetation, comfort for the dying and departed souls, healing, introspection, reassurance, discernment, serenity, logically solving problems and dilemmas, soothing anxieties, self-confidence, willpower, altered states of consciousness, earth magick, geomancy, talismans, alchemy, physical strength, love magick, sex magick, knowledge of the afterlife, communication with the deceased, necromancy

Naamah or Na'amah (Hebrew: נעמה‎, meaning pleasant) is a figure in Jewish mysticism. She is a succubus and fallen angel and is generally regarded as an aspect or relation of Lilith. Naamah is said to have engaged, like Lilith, in intercourse with Adam. According to tradition, was created directly by God, as Eve or Lilith. Naamah and Lilith lived in the Red Sea coast where they were expelled by God. Naamah appearance is similar to Lilith, but Lilith being more sensual, young, and beautiful and as one that corrupted the fallen angels and their leader Semyaza. Mythology attributes the power of being guilty of causing epilepsy to children.

Naamah appears in the Zohar as one of the four angels of prostitution, the mates of the demon Samael, the mother of the demon Asmodai and one of the Queens of hell, she rules over the eastern quarter (Damascus). Her fellow succubi are Lilith, Eisheth Zenunim, and Agrat Bat Mahlat. She is generally identified with the daughter of Lamech. This Naamah is a counterpart to the one who appears in Genesis, and she is regarded, like her mortal counterpart, as a patron of divination and music.

In Gnostic Kabbalah, she is called Nahemah and is the Qliphoth corresponding to the sephirah Malkuth. The meaning of her name is argued among Hebrew scholars; it refers either to her virtuous nature ("pleasing" to God (YHVH)) or to a penchant for idolatry (singing "pleasant" songs to pagan idols). She is regarded as the inventor of divination.

The name Naamah must not to be confused with Lamech's daughter Naamah, sister of Tubal Cain, a descendant of Cain. (Genesis 4:22) She may or may not also be the wife of Noah or his son Ham.

Returning to the claim of Norea/Na’amah being the most remarkable feminine figure in all religions, one needs only to draw out her characteristics from her mythic narratives:

She is a savior figure.

She is a being of complete spirit dwelling in a dimension of matter, a perfect balance of virginal and material-seductive forces.

She has no male consort.

She is both an avatar and encompasses the supreme divine feminine.

She is the herald of light and the destroyer of spiritual wickedness.

When compared to other goddesses, mythological heroines, or even historical woman saints, Norea is arguably unparalleled.

Jewish and Christian polemics attempt to portray her as a wanton demigoddess defying established order; but these must be taken lightly, as they are the traditional calumny leveled against female luminaries (Lilith and Mary Magdalene are two prime examples). Norea only defies the unjust structure of the universe, as her tales indicate. Any passion she uses is for the awakening of humanity’s Divine Spark.

Na’amah is a spirit of women’s sexual autonomy and sacred erotic rites. Na’amah rules the ecstatic point where sex, spiritual ecstasy, and music intersect. Those who comprehend this point and seek to attain it are her constituency.

#goddess #naamah #sex #magick

[kafkaoftherubble]

破蛋日快乐！你的礼物是：为什么龙会戏���？//

Happy Hatching Anniversary! Your present is: why do Longs hold pearls?

@secondhanddragon So, you wanna know why?

To be honest, while I was trawling for information, I realized that not even that many Chinese sites talk about the pearls. Such might be the nature of folklore—everyone gives their own interpretations, which are then spread orally. Tough to find "academic sources." And of course, wonky citations with broken links and poor reference points are always a hindrance.

"神龙戏珠" (The Divine Dragon Playing with Its Pearl) is a motif that has a few variations. It could be a single dragon (单龙戏珠), two dragons (二龙戏珠), three dragons (三龙戏珠), and even multiple dragons chasing one single pearl (多龙戏珠) [1].

In this figure, you can see five dragons chasing a single pearl. [1]

-------

#1: The Pearl... Really Is a Pearl!

Pearls are formed by living shell mollusks—which are members of the "aquatic tribes" [2]. They are hard to come by, lustrous, pretty as fuck, and very beloved in Chinese culture.

Chinese dragons, unlike the Western ones, are associated with water, right? That's because Long is "the king of the ocean" and it "rules over all aquatic tribes" [2]. If your dime-a-dozen clam could produce something as precious as a pearl, why can't the King itself produce the most beautiful and precious pearl that triumphs them all, huh?

This appears to be the genesis of the concept of the "Pearl." But naturally, as time goes on, more and more meanings are embedded in it!

----------

#2: The Pearl as an Egg

Long is a chimera of sorts. It's an amalgamation of, inter alia, a fish, a crocodile, a snake, a boar, a horse, an ox, a lizard, and a deer [1] [2]. Fishes and the reptilian reps in this group lay eggs. The crocodile's egg is even kinda big—way larger than a pearl.

Do you see? The egg is seen as a pearl and vice versa [1] [2]. Eggs are the source of life for crocodiles and snakes, and therefore, egg-pearl represents life in dragon arts [2]. When the dragon is "playing with its pearl," it's actually playing with "life." This motif embodies the dragon's status as a protector and caretaker of life [2].

Almost like a parent would...

---------

#3: The Pearl as a Symbol of Love for the Dragons' Children

Now, some might think that all Longs are male, as the mythical creature symbolizing women is often the Fenghuang (and so one might think that all Fenghuangs are females). That's not true. Dragons and Fenghuang both have two, uh, sexes.

This figure shows two dragons "playing" with a pearl. [1]

The "Two Dragons Chasing a Pearl" motif is popular in classical Chinese artwork. One of the dragons is male, and the other is female. The Pearl symbolizes egg/life, as stated in #2, which means the Pearl also comes to symbolize "a child" [1] [2].

In other words, Papa Dragon and Mama Dragon are playing with—and stealthily protecting—Anya Pearl.

An important note that isn't stated in any of my citations, but is nonetheless relevant: Chinese people may call themselves 龙的传人, "The Dragon's Heir." It means—as mythical origin goes—the Chinese people identify as "the children of the Long." Now connect this to what you learned in #3.

-------

#4: The Pearl as the Sun

Sometimes the Pearl is ON FIRE!!!

This is especially predominant in the aforementioned "Two Dragons Chasing a Pearl" motif. The Pearl looks more like a fireball than an actual pearl. Below the Pearl, then, one may find a depiction of the sea.

"The Pearl leaps out from the ocean." What does that connotate? The rising sun [2]!

Now, what does it have to do with the dragon? Well, have a little detour.

The Four Symbols (四象)

You might have already heard of this, but in case you didn't: each cardinal direction has a "guardian."

东方青龙 // Azure Dragon of the East

西方白虎 // White Tiger of the West

南方朱雀 // Vermillion Bird of the South

北方玄武 // Black Warrior (or Black Tortoise) of the North

They represent more than just directions—they have their own traits, backstories, virtues, etc.

Who's the Guardian of the East? The Azure Dragon!

Now, drawing our discussion back to the Pearl, you can see why the dragon chases after it now, right? The Pearl is the Sun; it rises from the East. The Guardian of the East plays/chases after it as an emblem of ancient Chinese worship of the Sun [1] [2].

-------

#5: The Pearl and the Dragons Representing Chinese Aesthetics [1]

Chinese art loves "wholeness" and "pair."

You often find a pair of things in Chinese culture: a pair of Door God, a pair of Chinese duilian (poetry of sorts; used for blessings and wishes), the likes. Chinese culture also really loves things like the full moon, because "roundness" symbolizes the whole, unity, and consummation.

Two dragons form a pair. In front of them, an orb—a round, whole object. Hence, the motif is well-beloved as it features two of the Chinese culture's favorite aesthetics [1].

Kinda hard to tell, but two dragons are playing with the pearl here.

------------

And that concludes the answer to your hundred-year enigma, haha! To the best of my ability, anyway. I sure hope it's been a blast to read.

More importantly, happy birthday, @autistic-beanmonster2!

I have been saving this up for a ramble just for you, but I couldn't find the time to write it. I'm sorry; I really planned to show this to you the moment the time struck 12 am in your time zone through the power of "scheduled post," but... let's just say I've been hit by a hindrance. Oops!

Well, does it matter if I'm just a bit late?

Thank you for reading my ramble!

-------------------

Citations:

神龙戏珠，所戏珠子为何？("The Divine Dragon Plays with Its Pearl; What is that Pearl?") by 徐崇良工作室, essay on Sohu.com [in Chinese]

龙的嘴里为什么要含着珠子 (Why does the dragon have a pearl in its mouth") answered by an anonymous user on wenwen.sogou.com [in Chinese]

The question that produced this ramble is originally found here.

[sinfulpetgirlrd]

SFM to Daz3d

I’m a very happy cat I’ve figured out how to get SFM models into daz. It’s a bit of a process but of all 3d programs I prefer daz3d. IMO it’s streamlined posing and iray render ability trumps all Since I spent DAYS on this, I’ma share how to do it cause my memory I’ll forget(also others could probably use it. also gunna be long)

You need(not up for debate lol)

~  A SFM Model ~  Blender ~  Daz3d & Genesis 8( male or female which ever your SFM model is ~  This Blender plug in: (clicky me)  for those who don’t know how to dl from github. Download the top one, the SourceIO.zip its 10.1MB

~ art program to make the cut out textures(like hair, clothing hems etc) ~  Time, cause this takes a hot minuet.  **Set up** 1) In Daz open a new file, load a gen 8 figure(this works for all figures). Do not pose, do not change it’s shape nor add anything to it. Go to Parameters - General - Mesh Resolution. Change resolution lv to base, and shange subdivision vl and render subd level to 0 2) make sure whole figure is selected. Go file - export. Use the drop down; choose blender, change scale to 1%. Make sure your xyz is xyz, daz usualy has it xzy. If they are not checked, check “Ignore invisiable nodes” , “ Write UV ccordinates”, “ Write Normals/ faces/ polylines/ seperateobjects” , “ Write Groups” ,  and “write surfaces”.  3) DL the blender plug in(should have your SFM model as well) 4) In blender (i’m using the most recent version 3.5.0) Go edit - preferences - add ons. Install your add on. When it’s installed hit the check box to enable it.  **Getting the model ready** 1) Clear your blender scene. Import your exported Daz model. (make sure scale is 1, clamp bound is 0, forward axis is -z and up axis is y.) 

2) Import your SFM Model( thanks to the plug in there will be a new import option called Source Engine Assets. From there you want the very top option “Source Model(.mdl) 3) Pose/ rotate the SFM model to match the stance of the Gen 8 model. Get as close as you can. The most important things you need to line up are the feet/ the top lip/ the fingers.  4) apply the skeleton to the model. Select the model, go to Modifier properties - the skeleton and apply. (this applies the pose to the base mesh so you can edit the mesh)

5) hopefully your model has body gruops where nothing is really connected or this part will suck. In edit, you want to seperate by selection: the top teeth, the bottom teeth, the eyes( seperate a left and right. not together), the tongue, any dangaly bits like belt straps, eyelashes(trust me).  5) still in edit take the lips and manually seperate them a bit. If you don’t you wont be able to open the mouth in Daz. 

6) go back to object, select all(minus what you just seperated and the hair) and join it. Go back to edit. Select all, go to mesh - clean up - merge by distance. Now fine tune your mesh in edit and sculpt. Don’t be afrade to subadize, once or twice to get better fits. daz can handel it. You want to make sure the the SFM models top lip and eyes perfectly( or damn near close) match the height of the daz model. 

**Import into Daz**

1) make sure to save all textures as pngs(everything even the normals). 

2) export the model n bits as objs. Select a part to export, make sure “limited to selected only” is checked, scale is 1, forward axis is -z and up axis y. Also check “UV coordinates”, “Normals”, and Materials export.

3) go to Daz, load a gen 8 figure(same gender as what you exported). 

4) Import one of the body parts of your new obj(just do the main body for now). Settings you want are: scale 10,000/ x,y,z/ read uv/faces/polylines/groups/surafces and material libary.  5) in the viewport/scene tab, which ever. select the obj, go to edit - object - fransfer utality. Your source is Gen 8, the target is the obj. No templates or item shapes needed. 

**weight/mesh fixing**

1) hide the gen 8 figure. In the scene tab(has to be here as selecting the obj in the viewport will only select gen 8 not the obj, unless you want to go through the truble of making all parts of gen unslectable) start with the hands as figures with longer than avearge nails can pose issues. Lets do the left hand pinky 3(the tip of the finger). 

2) go to gemoetry editor(tool settins, might have to add the tab from window - panes). Left mb to select mesh, hold control to add, and alt to deslect. if any part of the objs left pinkey tip is connected to any other finger, select it. Set targt group to face: choose group “Lpinkey 3″ and hit assign to target group. Contraz you just changed which group that part of the mesh is grouped under. Do the rest of the model fixing what needs to be fixed. (a good way to see is to just hover over different parts in the viewport) 

3) now go to Node weight map brush. with that pinky tip still select, click general weights. Go over the pinky with the brush your mouse has turned into. Red means full follow, blue/purple/yellow means different degrees. since this is the pinky you want the tip to be fully red. Repeat for the rest of the hands/feet/face. Face will be a bitch. Best way to do this over all is to SLIGHTLY change the gen 8 pose so you can see if anything weirdly distors. face takes a lot of time espically the eyes and mouth corners. have fun lol.  4) import your other attachements(same import settings as the body part we just did). The eyes, the top/bottom teeth, hair/ one obj for each dangly bit. Parent them to the parts they go. (obj top teeth gets parented to gen 8 top teeth, and so on and so on. Also might need to move around a bit/scale up or down).       *Dangely bits, select each one, go to simuation settings - add dforce dyanic setting. With bit still select go to create and make a new dforce modifier weight node. Select the node, go back to node weight map brush. Add map “dforce simultation: influence weights. Use control to remove the weight paint from the portion of the bit that is touching the main obj model. This way you can use simulation to move the bits around after posing.  **Textures**

1) lets start with the main obj we imported. select it and go to surfaces(little drop down to see all the materials).  apply the corrosponding material and normal to the model, do turn off glossy layered weight, unless the piece is supposed to be metal/glass. 

2) cut. Any base materal with empty white space needs to have a cut out created. open the base materal in your art program of choice. (I’m using clip stuido but this can be done much easier in photoshop. Simply turn the white background black and the colored bits of the texture black. Save, and apply to the corrosponding cut out.  Your finally done. It’s a process, like I said but I do not have SFM or poser and I prefer Daz for all things rendering/posing. (don’t think i need to say it but do save as a scene because otherwise you’ll have to do all that work again) 

[automatismoateo]

Every Atheist should read the bible! via /r/atheism

Every Atheist should read the bible!

Let me explain that. As a child, luckily, I was given no religious instruction. And so when I figured out I’m gay, I wondered why I am an abomination. Being an avid reader this lead me to reading the bible.

After four years I got through that tome, it was a long hard slog. One of the worst written, poorly edited pieces of fiction I have ever read. But I’m very glad I did it.

Since, according to Pew Research 90% of all “christians” have never read the bible, I win every debate I enter about the bible. I will enumerate some of my favorite bits of biblical lore I use to horrify the true believers.

There are two conflicting creation stories in Genesis.

In Genesis 6:2 it is stated god has “sons”, meaning Jesus was not god’s “only begotten son” (1 John 4:9).

In the flood of Noah, god drowned all humans except Noah and a small handful of his relatives, included in the drowned was any number of infants, one and two year olds, and pregnant women.

In Exodus 4:21 god “hardens Pharoah’s heart” so Pharoah will not let the Jews leave Egypt, this is so god can bring plagues onto Egypt including the slaughter of all the first born, god’s second mass murder, (this includes the first-born cattle, Exodus 12:29)

A concubine is a sex slave. Exodus 21:7-10 gives detailed instructions on selling your daughter as a sex slave.

There are two sets of “The Ten Commandments” Exodus 20:3-17 and Exodus 34:14-28, these two differ greatly.

Leviticus 15:16-18 tells you what to do if a man’s “seed of copulation go out from him”. You never know when this will come in handy. Pun intended!

Leviticus 20:6 warns you not to go “a whoring” after wizards. Does this include Harry Potter?

Leviticus 19:20 states if a man rapes an engaged female slave, she shall be beaten.

Leviticus 25:44-46 give instructions on who you can own as a slave, and how to obtain said slave.

Leviticus 27:1-7 god puts monetary value on human life, fetuses and infants under one month old are worthless.

Leviticus 27:32 god claims 1/10 of your gross income.

Wasn’t that fun, and I barely scratched the surface of the first three books of the old testament, there are literally thousands of morally disgusting tidbits in the “Holy Book”, and the new testament isn’t any better.

If you can, I suggest every atheist read the bible, I would suggest reading a modern translation as opposed to the King James Version, the KJV was written about the time of Shakespeare and we know how easy his plays are to read.

Today there are numerous internet sites to help a person understand this foul book, one of my favorites is “The Skeptics Annotated Bible”. You can read this version online or buy a copy for yourself.

Submitted March 10, 2023 at 12:02AM by Wise-meaning-9070 (From Reddit https://ift.tt/gZpH5xG)

[the-iron-orchid]

what DAZ wants me to do with this: put it on a sexy lady

what i immediately thought of when seeing it: next year's xmas outfit for 3D lucio

sdjkhgA;WURHG;jlwhg I HAVE this asset lmaoooooo

(It's for the old Genesis figure from like 3 generations ago but that's what converters are for ahaha)

RANT TIME ACTUALLY - the Genesis figure was unisex, so you didn't run into the problems I get stuffing male-base figures into female-base clothing (mostly the underbust area and shoes get real fucky). They split this again for the next three generations, but the new generation base is unisex. This is literally the only thing worth upgrading for... but I can't transfer the HD stuff for my existing characters to it. (Textures yes, base-res morphs I could get by projecting in Zbrush... but DAZ stingily restricts access to the HD morphs to published artists, and none of them are gonna sit there and transfer all the old generation stuff over.)

Anyway I agree lol, Lucio needs this

[irunevenus]

The Origin of Woman: Myths, Religion, and Science

The origin of women is a topic shrouded in mystery, cultural narratives, and scientific advancements. From ancient civilizations to the modern era, women have been portrayed as creators, bearers of divine gifts, or the result of evolutionary processes. This complexity reflects not only the beliefs of different cultures but also humanity's challenges in understanding its own existence. This article explores the diverse perspectives on the creation of women, from ancient myths to modern science.

1. The Origin of Women in Ancient Myths

Pandora: The First Woman in Greek Mythology In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman, created at Zeus's command by Hephaestus from clay and endowed with gifts from the Olympian gods. Her name, meaning "bearer of all gifts," highlights her uniqueness. However, Pandora was sent to Earth with a jar (commonly called a "box") containing all the world's evils. When she opened it, she released suffering, death, and disease, leaving only hope inside.

This narrative reflects the Greek view of women as paradoxical figures: sources of beauty and grace but also bringers of inevitable challenges. Scholars interpret Pandora's story as an attempt to explain life's difficulties and the dynamics between men and women.

Creator Goddesses in Ancient Cultures Before Greek mythology, Mesopotamian and African cultures celebrated women as creators of the world. In Sumerian mythology, the goddess Ninmah shaped humanity from clay, emphasizing women's role as mediators between the divine and the earthly. In African Yoruba mythology, Oshun, a goddess, played a vital role in the world's creation, symbolizing fertility and abundance.

These stories reinforce the image of women as the source of life, contrasting with the more ambivalent Greek myths.

2. The Creation of Women in Judeo-Christian Religion

Eve: The First Woman in Genesis In Genesis, Eve is described as the first woman, created by God from Adam’s rib to be his companion. This narrative emphasizes interdependence between men and women but has been interpreted differently over centuries.

Genesis 1:27 states: "God created man in His image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them," suggesting equality in creation. However, Genesis 2:21-22 portrays Eve as derived from Adam, a detail historically used to justify female subordination.

Eve's role in "original sin" shaped views of women as sources of temptation and downfall, especially in medieval Christianity. Modern interpretations, however, see the story as a metaphor for free will and humanity's struggles.

3. The Scientific Perspective: The Evolution of Women

Evolution and Genetic Diversity Science explains women's origins through millions of years of evolution. Early hominins appeared around 7 million years ago, while Homo sapiens emerged approximately 300,000 years ago. Women evolved alongside men, adapting to environmental and social pressures that shaped human survival.

Female biology, including the ability to conceive and nurture, was crucial for the species' survival. Sexual reproduction ensured the genetic diversity needed for human evolution.

Mitochondrial Eve: The Mother of All Humans "Mitochondrial Eve" refers to a woman who lived in Africa between 100,000 and 200,000 years ago. By tracing mitochondrial DNA, which is inherited maternally, scientists identified this figure as the common ancestor of all living humans. Importantly, she was not the only woman alive at the time, but her descendants are the only ones surviving today.

This discovery underscores the interconnectedness of humanity and challenges narrow views of human origins.

4. Cultural Representations of Women in History

Women as Creators and Guardians Artifacts such as the Venus of Willendorf (dating back to 28,000 BCE) depict women as life-givers. These representations suggest that early human societies saw women as central to community survival, not necessarily subordinate to men.

Patriarchal Influence and Narratives About Women Over time, patriarchal power structures reinterpreted narratives about women's origins. Historical research reveals that matrifocal societies may have existed before the rise of agriculture, which shifted inheritance and property control to men.

Conclusion

The origin of women, viewed through myths, religion, or science, carries profound symbolism transcending eras. Women represent creation, continuity, and the challenges of human existence. These stories and their interpretations reveal much about the power structures and beliefs of different times.

Today, efforts in science and philosophy aim to deconstruct outdated ideas and celebrate women as equals in all dimensions, recognizing their role as essential agents of humanity.

[primordialruin]

The message of the Genesis creation account is largely revealed in the changing names/titles for adam.  When adam became sick (corrupt), the female was separated from the male to save her, as Yahweh said in Gen 2:18.  The male assumed the name adam after the separation, and the female’s name became ishshah.  Adam identified himself as a mighty one (ish) in Gen 2:23.  He was Assyria who had become ‘lofty, exalted’ (Strong’s 1361 gabahh גבהא that we see in Fact #120 figuratively means ‘toward a ditch’) as revealed in Ezek 31: 3 – 5. 

it's not like I won't interpret this in a variety of ways haha

[ourspiritanima]

What is the spiritual meaning of a white raven?

The raven is a bird that has held spiritual and symbolic significance across various cultures and belief systems. Known for its intelligence, mysterious behavior, and association with death, transformation, and omens, the raven has long captured human imagination. However, the concept of a white raven—a rare and unusual phenomenon—adds an entirely different layer of symbolism and spiritual meaning. While the traditional black raven is often associated with darker themes such as death, change, and the unknown, a white raven is seen in many spiritual and esoteric contexts as a symbol of purity, spiritual awakening, and divine messages.

In this article, we will explore the spiritual meaning of a white raven, examining its significance in different spiritual traditions, myths, and symbolism. We will also discuss the interpretation of this rare bird in modern spirituality, psychology, and the broader esoteric context.

The Raven in Mythology and Symbolism

Before delving into the spiritual meaning of a white raven specifically, it is helpful to first understand the traditional role of the raven in mythology and culture. Across many ancient civilizations, ravens have been seen as intermediaries between the physical world and the spirit world. In many cultures, they are considered messengers, tricksters, or even gods. The black color of the raven, often associated with mystery, death, and the unknown, contributes to its role as a symbol of transformation and change.

1. Ravens in Norse Mythology

In Norse mythology, ravens are closely linked to the god Odin, who was often depicted with two ravens—Huginn (thought) and Muninn (memory). These ravens would fly around the world and bring Odin information about events, acting as his eyes and ears. In this context, the raven symbolizes wisdom, knowledge, and the ability to see beyond the physical world.

Ravens in Norse culture also held associations with war and death. They were often seen as scavengers, feeding on the dead after battles, and were linked with the Valkyries, female figures who chose who would live and die in battle. In this way, the raven served as a mediator between life and death, symbolizing the cyclical nature of existence.

2. Ravens in Celtic Symbolism

In Celtic traditions, ravens were also associated with war, death, and the afterlife. The Morrígan, a goddess of fate and death, was often depicted as a raven, highlighting its connection to the spirit world. In Celtic spirituality, ravens were seen as both harbingers of doom and messengers of spiritual insight, reflecting their dual role as symbols of both the end of life and transformation into something new.

3. Ravens in Native American Beliefs

In many Native American cultures, the raven is considered a trickster spirit, similar to the role of the coyote or spider in other traditions. However, ravens were also revered for their ability to bring messages from the spirit world. In some Native American tribes, ravens were believed to have created the world and were associated with creation, change, and the mystery of the unknown. The raven’s deep connection to the unseen world made it an important figure in spiritual practices.

4. The Raven in Christianity

In Christian tradition, ravens are mentioned several times in the Bible. In the story of Noah’s Ark, the raven was sent out by Noah to test the floodwaters (Genesis 8:6-7), although it did not return like the dove. The raven's role in this story has often been interpreted as symbolic of the darker side of life, related to wandering and the unknown. The raven’s scavenger nature, feeding on carrion, also leads to its association with death.

However, in the Book of Job (38:41), God speaks of feeding the ravens, demonstrating a more nurturing role for the bird, indicating that ravens, despite their darker associations, are also part of God’s divine creation and plan.

The White Raven: A Rare and Mystical Symbol

The white raven is a rare and mystical variation of the raven, both in nature and symbolism. In some cultures, the sighting of a white raven is considered a rare omen, and the bird is viewed as a sign of spiritual awakening, divine messages, and a shift from the mundane to the sacred. But what does this rare bird symbolize in spiritual terms?

1. Purity and Spiritual Awakening

A white raven, because of its rarity and unique color, is often seen as a symbol of purity and spiritual enlightenment. White birds, in general, are commonly associated with divine purity, illumination, and higher consciousness in many cultures. The color white symbolizes the cleansing of the soul and a connection to higher realms of existence. Therefore, a white raven can be seen as a messenger of spiritual awakening, helping to guide individuals toward a higher understanding of themselves and the world around them.

This symbolism of purity does not necessarily imply innocence in the traditional sense; rather, it suggests a form of transformation—much like the alchemical idea of turning lead into gold. A white raven, in this sense, may signal a time in which one is being called to rise above the physical realm and to embrace a deeper spiritual truth.

2. Transformation and Renewal

Much like its black counterpart, the white raven can also represent transformation. In some spiritual circles, ravens are seen as shape-shifters or symbols of change. The white raven’s rare color adds an element of rarity and uniqueness to this transformation, suggesting that the changes one experiences will be profound, unique, and meaningful. In this context, the white raven might be a sign that the individual is undergoing—or about to undergo—a powerful transformation in their life, one that will lead to greater personal growth and enlightenment.

3. Divine Messages and Communication

In many cultures, ravens are considered messengers from the divine or the spirit world. When the raven appears in white, its message is thought to carry an even more powerful significance. Divine communication through a white raven may involve receiving messages from higher realms, guidance in times of uncertainty, or a connection to divine wisdom. This could manifest as an inner knowing, an epiphany, or a calling toward a higher purpose.

For example, in modern spiritual practices, the appearance of a white raven may be interpreted as an indication that the individual is in alignment with their higher self, or that the divine is attempting to communicate with them in a direct and clear way. The white raven, as a rare and sacred bird, acts as a powerful tool for spiritual insight and connection.

4. Balance Between Light and Dark

While ravens are traditionally associated with death and darkness, the appearance of a white raven balances these associations, creating a duality between light and dark. This balance can represent the integration of opposites—the blending of light and shadow, the union of conscious and unconscious, the earthly and the divine. The white raven is a symbol that there is no true separation between light and dark; they are two aspects of the same whole. This symbolic meaning encourages individuals to embrace the duality of existence, understanding that both light and dark are necessary for spiritual growth.

5. Omens of Change and New Beginnings

In some belief systems, the white raven is considered an omen of change, especially when it appears at a crossroads in life. It may signal that a new chapter is about to begin, and that change, though perhaps difficult or unsettling, is necessary for growth. The white raven’s appearance suggests that the individual is on the verge of an important shift in their life—whether it be in their career, relationships, or spiritual journey.

In this context, the white raven acts as a harbinger of new beginnings, encouraging the person to embrace the transformation ahead with openness and faith.

The White Raven in Modern Spirituality

In contemporary spiritual practices, particularly those influenced by New Age thought and shamanism, the appearance of a white raven is often regarded as a highly auspicious sign. People who practice mindfulness, meditation, and energy healing may interpret the white raven as a sign of a significant spiritual breakthrough or a calling to dive deeper into their personal transformation.

Some spiritual practitioners believe that the white raven's appearance signifies the need to pay closer attention to intuitive insights and dreams. The white raven, in this sense, can be seen as a messenger guiding individuals toward unlocking their fullest spiritual potential.

Conclusion

The spiritual meaning of a white raven is multifaceted, drawing on ancient symbolism while also offering fresh insights for modern spiritual seekers. While the traditional black raven carries associations with death, the unknown, and transformation, the white raven introduces themes of purity, spiritual awakening, and divine communication. As a rare and sacred bird, the white raven serves as a messenger from the divine, calling individuals to embrace change, transformation, and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world.

Whether viewed as a symbol of spiritual purity, transformation, or divine guidance, the white raven offers a powerful reminder that we are constantly being called to evolve, grow, and connect with the higher truths that exist within and around us.

[lightdancer1]

To end the focus on Israel and move into Greek culture, Havvah/Eve and Pandora:

In the mythical sense, as a segue into the Myceneans and the Ancient Greeks proper, there is the duality of Eve/Havvah and Pandora, and the intertwined means in which one of the few of the points Israel and Hellas agreed on was that the world was a dark and brooding and accursed place and it was the fault of women that it was so. There are, however, a couple of fundamental differences. The first is that in the Jewish narrative there is somewhat greater agency for women, as there is in both Tanach and Talmud in general. Jewish culture was no less a product of the cultural influences around it than anything else was, but it also allowed women greater ability to actually think and act.

And it is in this regard that the story of Eve and the Fall has a woman knowingly make a choice of her own will, deceived by a dragon (a talking reptile with legs is probably not really a 'snake' as we'd think of it, after all) into eating a magic fruit, and from that act of disobedience the whole long history of the struggles, in Jewish thought, of the good inclination and the evil inclination begin. That is how the work of the Talmud reads it, with the Jewish understanding of good and evil.

Christianity and Islam both took this much further and retroactively used it to create much uglier variants of misogyny that refused to accept the agency given in the Bible to women even when they made bad calls, and invoked Eve at times in the same ways as they did Jezebel.