#Lighting Fixture Market Share | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

strjackst · 2 months ago

Text

Lighting Fixtures Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends By Forecast Period

The Lighting Fixtures Market Report for 2024 provides a comprehensive overview of the Lighting Fixtures market industry, presenting crucial data and insights into market dynamics, including growth drivers, challenges, and future potential. The report evaluates the Lighting Fixtures Components, focusing on significant opportunities and trends that could shape the industry's trajectory. Key stakeholders such as CEOs, global managers, traders, and analysts will find value in the SWOT analysis, which assesses the competitive strengths, vulnerabilities, opportunities, and threats impacting market players.

According to Straits Research, the global Lighting Fixtures Market size was valued at USD 132.07 billion in 2023. It is projected to reach from USD 137.74 billion in 2024 to USD 192.91 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period (2024–2032).

Get a Sample PDF/Excel of report starting from USD 995: https://straitsresearch.com/report/lighting-fixtures-market/request-sample

Top Key Players of Lighting Fixtures Market:

Koninklijke Philips N.V.

Cree, Inc.

Eaton Corporation

General Electric

Hubbell Incorporated

Everlight Electronics

NICHIA CORPORATION

OSRAM Licht AG

Acuity Brands

Panasonic Corporation

Regional Analysis for Lighting Fixtures Market:

The regional analysis section of the report offers a thorough examination of the global Lighting Fixtures market, detailing the sales growth of various regional and country-level markets. It includes precise volume analysis by country and market size analysis by region for both past and future periods. The report provides an in-depth evaluation of the growth trends and other factors impacting the Lighting Fixtures markets in key countries, such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia, Australia, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia. Moreover, it explores the progress of significant regional markets, including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and the Middle East & Africa.

Lighting Fixtures Market Segmentations:

By Source

Incandescent

Fluorescent

LED and OLED

By Product

Ceiling

Pendant and Chandeliers

Wall Mounted

Portable

Others

By Distribution Channel

Online

Offline

By Applications

Residential

Commercial

Get Detail Market Segmentation: https://straitsresearch.com/report/lighting-fixtures-market/segmentation

Top Reasons to Choose This Report

Access to Comprehensive Insights: Gain access to extensive analysis, research, and data that are often challenging to gather independently. This report provides valuable information, saving you significant time and effort.

Support for Informed Decisions: Enhance your decision-making process with in-depth insights into market trends, consumer behavior, and key industry factors. This report is essential for strategic planning, including investments, product development, and marketing strategies.

Gain a Competitive Edge: Stay competitive by understanding market dynamics and competitor strategies. The report provides detailed insights into competitor performance and market trends, helping you craft effective business strategies.

Cost-Effective Research Solution: Save on research costs by investing in this report, which offers a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the market. This cost-effective option eliminates the need for extensive independent research.

COVID-19 Aftermath and Geopolitical Influences: Russia-Ukraine Conflict and Middle East Crisis

The report explores the multifaceted impact of COVID-19 on the Lighting Fixtures market, covering both direct and indirect effects across global and local levels. It discusses market size, trends, and growth trajectories in the Lighting Fixtures, classified by type, application, and customer sector. Additionally, it provides a detailed evaluation of market development components before and after the pandemic, supported by a PESTEL analysis to assess key influencers and barriers to market entry. We offer the flexibility to customize the report based on specific regions, applications, or any other statistical details. Our goal is to align our analysis with your specific needs, ensuring a more complete market study. The final report will also examine the impact of the Russia-Ukraine War on the Lighting Fixtures market, assessing how these geopolitical events are influencing current market conditions and future opportunities.

This Report is available for purchase at: https://straitsresearch.com/buy-now/lighting-fixtures-market

About Us:

Straits Research is a leading research and intelligence organization, specializing in research, analytics, and advisory services along with providing business insights & research reports.

Email: [email protected]

Address: 825 3rd Avenue, New York, NY, USA, 10022

Tel: +1 646 905 0080 (U.S.) +91 8087085354 (India) +44 203 695 0070 (U.K.)

#Lighting Fixtures Market #Lighting Fixtures Market Share #Lighting Fixtures Market Size #Lighting Fixtures Market Research #Lighting Fixtures Industry

0 notes

researchrealmblog · 5 months ago

Text

Smart Light Fixture and Control Market Will Reach $152,029 Million by 2030

The smart light fixture and controlmarket was valued at $52,047 million in 2021, and it is set to reach $152,029 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 12.6% between 2021 and 2030, according to a research report by a market research company P&S Intelligence. This growth can be ascribed to the dropping of average retailing price of LED bulbs credited to the growing production efficiency and reduced material prices.

Furthermore, the emerging problem of the energy crisis is forcing governments and people to shift toward smart lights, which can reduce the consumption of electricity.

The smart lighting industry is already popular in developed countries and is projected to grow significantly in developing countries also in the years to come. As the government has taken several initiatives to encourage the use of smart lights to reduce energy consumption.

LED lights will dominate the smart light fixture market in the future. This can be credited to the several benefits of this technology, including its low costs and better illumination effectiveness than traditional lights.

The smart light control is a network of numerous lighting fixtures linked together to control smart systems. The industry is growing mainly because of the increased pace of technological enhancement and continuous development in smart controls.

With the usage of dependable procedures and distributed control systems, controllers provide significant lighting functionality and customer value, performance, and energy effectiveness.

In 2021, the offline channel category held the larger share, mainly because instructions for installations for light fixtures are offered in detail by the salesman, helps in choosing high-quality items.

APAC held the largest share of approximately 40% in the past. This can be ascribed to the increasing initiatives by the governments of developing economies to encourage the usage of energy-efficient lights.

In addition, to draw customers' attention, key players are spending heavily on advertising their products in hospitals, schools, malls, salons, and other public places, also the rising acceptance of smart cities is contributing to the growth of the demand for energy-saving products like LED lights.

Moreover, the per-capita income of people is on the rise, which encourages them to switch to high-tech systems, propelling the demand in the region.

North America held a significant revenue share in the past, in which the U.S. dominated the region, due to the growing requirement for wireless lighting fixtures. The major benefits of these products include programming flexibility, energy efficiency, extended lifespan, and long-distance control are motivating the leading companies in the region to produce wireless lighting fixtures.

The dropping average retailing price of LED bulbs and several government initiatives to encourage the use of these lights will drive the demand for smart light fixture and control systems.

Source: P&S Intelligence

#Smart Lighting Fixture and Control Market Share #Smart Lighting Fixture and Control Market Size #Smart Lighting Fixture and Control Market Growth #Smart Lighting Fixture and Control Market Applications #Smart Lighting Fixture and Control Market Trends

1 note · View note

simstorian-blog · 6 months ago

Text

New York City: ONE

(CC List + Links)

World Map: San Myshuno

Area: Spice Market – Old Salt House

Lot Size: 30 x 30

Capacity:

4 Apartments: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, washer/dryer per unit

1 Townhouse: 4 Bedroom Suites, 6 Baths, 2 Half Baths, A Sauna, Indoor Pool, Gym, Office Space, Entertainment/Hosting Floor

Shared Areas: Café, Game Room, Laundromat (non-functional), Press Conference Room, Security Booth

Gallery ID: Simstorian-ish

Packs Needed

Expansion Packs

City Living

Discover University

Eco Lifestyle

For Rent

Get Famous

Get Together

Get To Work

Growing Together

High School Years

Horse Ranch

Snowy Escape

Game Packs

Dine Out

Jungle Adventures

Spa Day

Strangerville

Vampires

Stuff Packs

Laundry Day

Kits

Cozy Bistro

Desert Luxe

Recommended Gameplay Mods

(Please read through what each mod has to offer before deciding if it fits your gameplay style or not.)

City Vibes Lot Traits

Lock/Unlock Doors for Any Lot

Use Residential Rentals shared areas as Community Lots

Build Mode

Felixandre

Berlin Pt. 2 (Doors, Ionic Column)

Chateau Pt. 2 (Marble Tiles, Stone Stairs)

Colonial Pt. 3 (Column 1, Fence 2, Railing 2, Spandrel 1)

Georgian (Arches, Doors)

Gothic Revival (Pilaster 4m, Socket, Trim 1)

Paris Pt. 2 (Bar, Bistro Table, Counter, Espresso Bar, Glass Display, Island, Paneling 3 Tiles, Stone Wall, Window Decal)

Soho Pt. 2

Soho Pt. 3

Soho Pt. 4

Versailles

Harlix

Kichen (Fresco Wall)

Tiny Twavellers (Trim Wall)

Harrie

Brownstone Pt. 2 (Traditional Items, Stone Wall)

Brownstone Pt. 3 (Wallpapers)

Klean Pt. 2

Klean Pt. 3 (Plaster Window Frame Large)

Hey Brine

Indonis Bathroom (Penny Floor & Wall Tiles)

Joyce

Summer Garden (Floor Tiles)

Lili’s Palace

Folklore (Smoky Kitchen Wall)

Intarsia (Polished Marble Floor + Florence Fresco Add-ons)

Lijoue

A Louer Collection (Apt Mailboxes, Door, Intercom, Iron Fence, Railing, Stone Stairs)

Peacemaker

Multi-Level Carpet

Pierisim

Combles (Module Medium 2, Paneling Middle)

Sooky88

Victorian Tiled Flooring

Syboubou

Industrial Elevators (This Mesh Needed)

Buy Mode

AroundTheSims4

Laundromat (Chariot, Folding Table - Metallic, Seating x3, Laundromat Sign, Soap Machine)

CharlyPancakes

Lavish (Wardrobe Pieces)

Lighthouse Collection (3-Seater Sofa)

Felixandre

Chateau Pt. 4 (Fridge, Cabinets, Counters, Sink)

Chateau Pt. 5 (Bookshelf V2 – Medium)

Grove Pt. 2 (Timber Shelves)

Flirtyghoul

Lavanderia (Note: Non-functional)

Harlix

Bafroom (All Wall Mirrors)

Baysic Bathroom (Shower Wall, Toilet Roll)

Orjanic Pt. 2 (Medium Curtain + Rod)

Harrie

Brutalist Bathroom

Coastal Pt. 3 (Marble Kitchen Sink)

Coastal Pt. 6 (Bathtub, Landscape Mirror, Shower, Toilet)

Spoons Pt. 2 (Cake Boards, Pastry Display Platter)

Meinkatz

Light Fixture (DL on Patreon)

Thermostat

Pierisim

Coldbrew Pt. 2 (Books, Menu, Napkins)

Coldbrew Pt. 3

Oak House Pt. 4 (Bathtub, Shower, Towel Holder, Wall Hanging Light)

Woodland Ranch (Dining Chair 1 + 2)

Ravasheen

Thermostat

Tuds

SHKR

DO NOT REUPLOAD MY LOTS.

DO NOT CLAIM THEM AS YOUR OWN.

DO NOT PLACE BEHIND A PAYWALL.

Tray Files: DOWNLOAD

#simstorian #the sims 4 #sims 4 #ts4 #cc #sims 4 build #build #san myshuno #new york city #new york #nyc #manhattan #sims 4 screenshots #sims 4 community

61 notes · View notes

dubairealestate24 · 6 months ago

Text

The Best Marketing Techniques to Sell Your House Fast

Effective marketing is crucial for selling your house quickly. This guide provides the best marketing techniques to attract potential buyers and achieve a fast sale.

1. Conducting a Market Analysis

Understanding the current real estate market is essential for creating an effective marketing strategy.

Market Trends: Analyze recent sales in your area and compare similar properties. Identify trends that could impact your sale and tailor your marketing efforts accordingly.

Seasonal Patterns: Real estate markets often have seasonal patterns, with spring and summer being peak times for buying and selling. Adjust your marketing strategy to align with these patterns.

For more insights on the real estate market, visit Dubai Real Estate.

2. Setting a Competitive Price

Pricing your home correctly is one of the most critical factors in achieving a quick sale. Overpricing can deter potential buyers, while underpricing can lead to a quick sale but at a financial loss.

Competitive Pricing: Set a competitive price based on your market analysis. Consider pricing slightly below market value to attract more buyers and create a bidding war.

Price Adjustments: Be prepared to adjust the price if you’re not receiving the desired interest. Regularly review the feedback from showings and adjust accordingly.

For assistance with pricing strategies, visit Buy Luxury Property in UAE.

3. Enhancing Curb Appeal

First impressions are vital in real estate. Enhancing your home’s curb appeal can attract more buyers and help you sell your house quickly.

Landscaping: Keep the lawn well-maintained, plant flowers, and trim bushes. A neat and attractive yard can significantly boost your home’s appeal.

Exterior Maintenance: Ensure the exterior of your house is clean and in good repair. Paint the front door, clean windows, and fix any broken fixtures to make your home more inviting.

For tips on enhancing curb appeal, visit Mortgage Brokers UAE.

4. High-Quality Photos and Virtual Tours

In today’s digital age, high-quality photos and virtual tours are essential for attracting buyers.

Professional Photography: Hire a professional photographer to take high-quality photos that showcase your home’s best features. Good lighting and angles can make a significant difference.

Virtual Tours: Offer virtual tours to give potential buyers a detailed view of your home. This can be especially useful for buyers who are unable to visit in person.

For marketing tips, visit Apartments For Rent in Dubai.

5. Staging Your Home

Staging your home can make it more appealing to potential buyers by highlighting its best features and creating an inviting atmosphere.

Decluttering: Remove personal items and excess furniture to create a clean and spacious look. Buyers should be able to envision themselves living in the space.

Neutral Decor: Use neutral colors and simple decor to appeal to a broader audience. Consider hiring a professional stager to enhance your home’s appeal.

For staging tips, visit sell house quickly.

6. Online Listings and Social Media

Online listings and social media are powerful tools for marketing your home to a wide audience.

Real Estate Websites: List your property on popular real estate websites with detailed descriptions and high-quality photos. Ensure your listing stands out with compelling headlines and accurate information.

Social Media Marketing: Use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to promote your listing. Share posts with attractive photos and virtual tours to generate interest.

For online marketing tips, visit Dubai Real Estate.

7. Hosting Open Houses

Open houses can attract multiple potential buyers and generate interest in your property.

Event Planning: Plan and promote your open house well in advance. Ensure your home is clean and well-staged for the event.

Engagement: Engage with visitors during the open house and provide detailed information about your home and the neighborhood. Collect contact information for follow-up.

For open house tips, visit Buy Luxury Property in UAE.

8. Leveraging Real Estate Agents

Working with a real estate agent can significantly enhance your marketing efforts.

Agent Network: Choose an agent with a strong network and a track record of successful sales. They can market your home to a wider audience and provide valuable insights.

Marketing Expertise: Real estate agents have access to marketing tools and platforms that can increase your property’s visibility. They can also help with pricing strategies and negotiations.

For agent recommendations, visit Mortgage Brokers UAE.

9. Utilizing Print Media

While digital marketing is crucial, print media can also play a role in attracting local buyers.

Flyers and Brochures: Create high-quality flyers and brochures with detailed information and attractive photos. Distribute them in your neighborhood and at local businesses.

Newspaper Ads: Consider placing ads in local newspapers to reach a broader audience. Highlight key features of your home and include contact information.

For print media tips, visit Apartments For Rent in Dubai.

10. Networking and Word of Mouth

Personal networks and word of mouth can be powerful tools in marketing your home.

Networking: Inform friends, family, and colleagues that your home is for sale. They might know potential buyers or spread the word within their networks.

Community Involvement: Participate in community events and engage with local groups. Building relationships can lead to valuable connections and potential buyers.

For networking tips, visit sell house quickly.

Conclusion

Effective marketing is essential for selling your house quickly. By combining digital and traditional marketing techniques, enhancing your home’s appeal, and leveraging professional expertise, you can attract more buyers and achieve a fast sale.For more information and assistance with selling your house in Dubai, visit Dubai Real Estate.

#dubairealestate

7 notes · View notes

wonderbreadwoman · 2 months ago

Text

youtube

Choose the Ideal Seagull Lighting Chandeliers for Home from Five Demanding Categories

Inclusion of perfect lighting fixtures has become an integral part of home interior in modern life. Keeping the right pace with consumers demand for innovative range of illuminating accessories, the emergence of Seagull lighting chandeliers and pendants has taken the global market by storm. The hanging lighting fixtures go far beyond visit site here classic floor lamps, ceiling illumination or contemporary range of illumination accessories.

No denying, the simplest way to rejuvenate your interior without much effort, investment, and major upgrades is providing them with a beauty touch with hottest range of lighting systems. Gone are the days, when people used to décor their home only during festive time, and factually, this has become a part of common home interior. Consider beautifying your rooms with Seagull lighting chandeliers that can fetch dramatic change by adding charm, majesty, and verve within the home ambiance. In the evolving industry, use of chandeliers is no more limiting to the lobby, reception hall, or porch but can be wonderfully cascaded over the dining table, bedroom, drawing room, or hall.

To sparkle with the most matching chandeliers, sharing six great ideas for your choice. Classic Candle Chandeliers For over the centuries, candle style Seagull lighting chandeliers have fascinated millions of hearts. Most possibility this is one of the top demanding piece of chandeliers in the industry which is born to boast their personality and elegance from hotel reception hall to commoner’s home. Available in diversity of sizes, shapes and prices, you can always reach traditional chandeliers and consider them for your dinning place, hall, or entryway.

Crystal Shimmer Amidst the trendy Seagull lighting chandeliers, crystal shimmer is likely to be the majesty of your entryway or dining room. The beams of crystal shines go far way in thousands of directions that look simply marvelous transforming the ambiance like a dream world. While the round shape is most trendy choice, you can get varieties in shapes, sizes, and types of crystals. Rustic Chandeliers With rustic Seagull lighting chandeliers, you can bring together tradition and trend in one platform. They are perfect choice for your country home ambiance, holiday cottage or beach log cabin. Rustic group of chandeliers are designed with varieties of natural elements, metal pieces and accessories and are accessible in range of designs, colors, illuminating tools, and features.

An ideal place to let them astound your guests is suspending them over the dining table. Industrial Chandeliers If you are one of them who look for something out of the box, consider preparing the space over the dining table, the entry way, porch with industrial Seagull lighting chandeliers. They are ideal to boast your personality and taste with a different viewpoint. Typically, some of the common elements that they embrace include exposed metallic finish, uncovered bulbs, ornamenting rods, and other fixtures.

#Youtube

2 notes · View notes

revlyncox · 1 year ago

Text

The Shepherd's Prayer 2023

Embracing the diversity of belief and the diversity of spiritual practice among Unitarian Universalists, we can still say that there is value in a deliberate and spiritually connective practice that reinforces positive intention. May we pray with courage. May we pray with love for the incarnate. May we pray with sincerity.

Today we’re talking about simplicity in spiritual practice, and how that simplicity can give us room for surprises, reversals, or respite. This time of year can be a wild ride, whether you are buffeted by the surprise deadlines and commitments that pop up between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, or by the whims of the market, or by official actions that target vulnerable people, or the stress of being human, or just by being present to the transformational power of the season. One of the ways to cope with all of that uncertainty is through spiritual practice, including but not limited to prayer. In some ways, spiritual practice puts us in a vulnerable position, one where we might need to acknowledge that we don’t control the universe, or one where we admit that we need help, or one where we dare to hope. That takes courage. When I was a teenager, there was an elder in my community who modeled this courage.

Fear Not

I settled into the folding chair, straining my eyes under the fluorescent lights in the church social hall. The accordion walls and room dividers crossed paths to form four classrooms. My brothers were doing arts and crafts in the religious education building. I had “graduated” from the children’s program, so I “got” to choose an adult class for the new Learning Community Hour. I looked around at the adults, all at least twice my fifteen years.

A woman I will call Florence led the class. She had been a fixture in the congregation for as long as I could remember. She invited us to open by repeating the Lord’s Prayer together. I sat right next to her, so I heard her clearly as she started to pray.

I never realized until that moment that Florence used INFLECTION as she prayed. I had learned this prayer by rote. I had always heard the line break in the middle: “Thy will be done/ On earth as it is in heaven,” but she went right on through, “Thy will be done on earth.”

Florence said the prayer like she meant it, not like she was reading words off a page. She sounded like she really thought the name was hallowed.

I cocked my head to look at Florence. I had always thought she was a calm, respectable person. I had never known her to erupt into fits of religious fervor. Could it be that this pillar of my mainline, liberal, Protestant church was a fanatic? My ears roared with fear of this small woman with a big prayer.

Luckily, I did not react out of my fear in that moment, but sat through my discomfort. And, in later years, I lived and learned about neighbors with all kinds of religious and spiritual traditions. I learned to appreciate it when someone shared a moment of prayer that gave comfort. I eventually tried it for myself. I learned to love the physicality of speaking words of prayer or meditation, and letting that sensation awaken my heart and soul.

It seems like every once in awhile those of us who find value in organized religion find it necessary to remember the value of disorganized religious experience. We gather in religious communities in order to be held accountable, lest our spiritual practices become stale and meaningless. In this morning’s story, the scholar is reminded by the shepherd that the prayer of the heart is the true prayer. It brings comfort and hope to all who hear it. The prayer completed without care is a word without wings.

At this point, I want to stop and do some translating. This is a pluralistic community. We have a lot of ways of expressing our Unitarian Universalism. Some practices are contemplative, like chanting or meditation. Service is very important in our tradition, and I know many here concentrate on service as their prayer. As I think about the UU’s I know, I can count the practitioners of at least a dozen embodied traditions: Tai Chi, Yoga, Aikido, sacred dancing, labyrinth walking, and others. Some of us pray to god or goddesses or a divine force, others don’t find ideas like god or divinity useful. For today, let’s try defining prayer as a deliberate practice that reconnects us with the source of blessing as we understand it and that reinforces positive intention. Whether it’s community service or Yoga or talking to god or chanting or any other practice, prayer is a deliberate and spiritually connective practice that reinforces positive intention.

Another way I’d like to make room in this discussion is by saying that, in prayer, it is often a good idea to let go of outcomes. In prayer or meditation or other kinds of spiritual practice, we can express a hope, but even the most faithful do not get exactly what they pray for every time. It’s a spiritual practice, not a vending machine. Prayer, for me, is a way of opening up awareness, holding people and the planet in love, and reconnecting with the understanding that I am held by the Source of Love. Whether or not you believe that God or the Universe makes changes in response to requests made in prayer, spiritual practice changes us, and changing us can help us get ready to change the world in positive ways. Prayer helps me to notice and act on opportunities to be better, to do better, and to organize with other people doing the work of justice and compassion.

Connection with transcendent mystery and wonder comes to us in many ways. Sometimes we cultivate it by a regular spiritual practice. Sometimes that connection comes to us spontaneously, such as in nature or while listening to sacred music. The prayer of the heart seeks out and draws from the source of blessing as we understand it to be.

Love the Incarnate

Did you hear a change recently in the ambient music all around you? Advent doesn’t officially start until next week, but the last gates of restraint on winter holiday music opened up on Friday. We’re going to hear about Christmas whether we like it or not. So you might have been reminded recently of another story of shepherds who were out in the fields, “keeping watch over their flock by night.”

In both the nativity story and with the folk from this morning’s wisdom tale, shepherds represent simplicity. They are people we can identify with: they have jobs, they don’t necessarily understand what’s going on most of the time, they feel vulnerable to the elements.

In the nativity story, the shepherds find transcendent wonder. They are both inspired and terrified by the angels. A sense of awe and wonder can spur us to action. In the cast of the shepherds, their course of action leads to a human baby in a trough usually used for animal feed. And this is the pinnacle of their religious experience.

This is what I mean by surprises and reversals. To be connected with a spiritual life is to be open to the possibility that we might be wrong, that we might have something left to learn, that the foundations of what we have assumed about the way the world works might be turned upside down. Those who are learned may be ignorant in some important ways. Those who are powerful may yet yield to a reconciliation with the people. The last shall be first. The physical world is not lower or less holy than the unseen world.

The incarnate world, the embodied world of babies and domestic animals and shepherds and fields, is divine. The shepherd in the folk story notices the divinity of wool, a grassy field, a clear stream, and the starry night. Direct experience with the physical world inspires the shepherds in both stories. When I remember to connect with the physical world, I am inspired to give thanks for that sense of wonder.

The prayer of the heart is a grounded prayer. It fosters a love affair with the physical world, a sense of transcendence rooted in immanence. The prayer of the heart teaches us to love the incarnate.

Pray like you Mean It

Flour and salt and water squish through our fingers, being transformed from pantry items into a craft project. My partner is telling me about the Sunday School curriculum she’s writing on prayer.

“There’s this idea in Judaism about kevah and kavanah. Kevah means the set text of a prayer, the words as they are written in the prayer book. But the words of the prayer, the mechanics, are only half of it. There’s also kavanah, the intention. You mean to do the practice, and you’re actively engaged in it. I’m going to have one bowl with crusty, dry salt dough. That dough has a lot of kevah. The salt and the flour represent structure. Another bowl with goopy, slimy salt dough has a lot of kavanah. The water represents a spiritual intention, lots of overflowing love. If you mix the two together, you get dough that’s not too dry and not too goopy.”

I had heard before of kevah and kavanah, and it hadn’t occurred to me that it was a useful concept for most people, including third-graders. But why not? The balance between structure and spirit is a dynamic that affects a lot of us.

Spiritual teachers like my family and other loved ones remind me to notice where I am on that balance. I look back on times in my life when I didn’t want to conform to a method or open myself up to a faith community, I just wanted to have my groovy personal experience with whatever spiritual experiment that was bringing me comfort or fun. I could have used more kevah in those moments to help me stay grounded in responsibility. I can look back at service projects, martial arts classes, and rituals when I just wanted to get the technique right or rush through the motions, not allowing the experience to settle into my heart and soul. I could have used more kavanah in those moments.

Some days I need one more than another. In meditation, in gardening, in expressions of gratitude around the dinner table, sometimes my spiritual practices are more focused on structure and sometimes my practices are more infused with intention. There are days when my heart is too heavy to be fully present. On those days, I hang on to the structure. Keeping up my practice on uninspired days opens the way for those other times, when the intention of the prayer affects my outlook on life and allows me to appreciate the interdependent web.

If I have too many days in a row of all kevah and not enough kavanah, I start to get cranky. I forget about cooperating with the natural flow of things. My back droops with the weight of resentment. My body tenses as I cling to ideas and goals that have outlived their usefulness. My throat closes up, guarding against the eruption of laughter.

When that happens, I might reconnect with kavanah again by remembering Florence and her heartfelt prayer. I learned from her that praying from the heart shines like a multitude of angels. And just when I’m sore afraid, I remember: Have courage. Love the incarnate. Pray like you mean it.

I spoke earlier about all of the ways Unitarian Universalists pray. If you walk a labyrinth, walk like you mean it. Be mindful of your intention to walk in the ways of the UU tradition. If you chant, remember that your voice is joined with others in this congregation. If service is your prayer, remember that service is your prayer, and that you have a faith community that backs you up. Whatever your practice, pray like you mean it. Let your prayer be simple and true. Let the words and actions bring comfort and hope to all who witness them. So be it. Blessed be. Amen.

#unitarian universalism

4 notes · View notes

electronicsnews · 2 years ago

Text

Bright Future: The Growing Market for Connected Streetlights

As cities across the world continue to grow, they are faced with new challenges in terms of managing infrastructure and ensuring the safety and security of their citizens. One area that has seen significant innovation in recent years is the realm of street lighting, which has undergone a transformation with the introduction of connected streetlights.

Connected streetlights are a type of smart streetlight system that utilizes internet of things (IoT) technology to create a network of intelligent and interconnected lighting fixtures. These streetlights are equipped with sensors, cameras, and other advanced technologies that allow them to monitor and respond to changes in their environment in real time.

Connected streetlights Market size was valued at $1.3 billion in 2020 and it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 14.82% during 2021-2026. The growth is mainly attributed to the high penetration of internet of things (IoT), constant innovation in mobile networks along with wireless technology, increasing demand for efficient advanced lighting solutions across industries and awareness regarding energy conservation.

One of the key benefits of connected streetlights is their ability to improve public safety. With sensors that can detect motion, sound, and other indicators of potentially dangerous situations, these streetlights can automatically adjust their lighting levels and even alert authorities if necessary. For example, if a group of people are loitering in a poorly lit area, the streetlights can increase their brightness to discourage criminal activity and notify law enforcement of the situation.

Key Takeaways

Hardware held the highest market share in 2020 and is anticipated to witness significant amount of growth, owing to increasing awareness regarding environmental issues and growing adoption of LED streetlights.

Public & Government sector is analysed to witness the fastest growth between 2021-2026. Rising requirement for cost effective, energy efficient lighting technology and smart city project initiatives are the key factors behind the growth.

North America held the major market share in 2020 and is anticipated to witness significant growth during forecast period, owing to the early adoption of this technology, rising investments in smart city projects and the presence of prominent market players.

Increasing smart city investment and penetration of wireless technology works as a growth driver for this market during 2021-2026.

Connected streetlights Market Landscape

Technology launches, Acquisitions,Collaboration, and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the connected streetlights Industry Outlook. Connected streetlights top 10 companies includes General Electric, Koninklijke Philips N.V, Telensa Holdings Ltd., Echelon Corporation, Osram Licht AG, Signify Holding B.V., Cisco Systems, Inc.,Trilliant holdings Inc., AxiomTek Co., Ltd., Cree Inc. and others.

#street lights #electronics #technology #smart city #internet of things

2 notes · View notes

masolight · 2 years ago

Text

Hey, dear all, enjoy happy weekend! Some vintage wooden design lighting fixtures for sharing. We have our own wood carving machine, one of the BIGGEST wooden fitting suppliers in Guzhen market. Welcome to contact us for super competitive price.

#wooden #design #lighting #vintage #decor #vintagedecor #vintagedesign #woodendecor #woodendesign

#lighting #home decor #interior design #decor #decorative #interior decorating #product design #lighting factory #chandelier #home design #woodendesign #wooden lamp #wooden design #vintage retro #vintage interior #vintage style

2 notes · View notes

sanjayforsales · 6 days ago

Text

How to Successfully Sell Real Estate

Selling real estate is both an art and a science. It involves understanding market trends, knowing how to present your property in the best light, and having a clear strategy for attracting potential buyers.

This blog will guide you through the process of selling a property step-by-step and include real-life examples to illustrate the journey.

Step 1: Preparing the Property for Sale

First impressions matter, and buyers are drawn to well-maintained properties. Before listing your property, ensure it’s in top condition.

Declutter and Depersonalize: Remove personal items like family photos or unique decorations. A neutral space allows potential buyers to envision themselves living in the property.

Repairs and Maintenance: Fix broken fixtures, paint walls, and address any structural or cosmetic issues.

Stage Your Home: Hire a professional stager or use online tools to arrange furniture and decor for maximum appeal.

Example: Sarah, a homeowner in Delhi, spent INR 50,000 staging her 3BHK flat. By highlighting its spacious layout and modern kitchen, she received an offer 15% higher than expected within three weeks.

Step 2: Setting the Right Price

Overpricing or underpricing your property can discourage potential buyers. Conduct thorough market research or hire a real estate agent to determine a fair price based on:

Location

Recent sales in the area

Unique features of your property

Example: Ravi, a property owner in Mumbai, initially listed his apartment at an inflated price. After no leads for two months, he adjusted the price based on market trends and closed the deal within a week.

Step 3: Marketing the Property

A well-marketed property attracts more buyers. Use a mix of traditional and digital strategies:

Online Listings: Platforms like 99acres, MagicBricks, and Zillow are popular for listing properties.

Social Media: Post professional photos and videos on Facebook and Instagram to reach a wider audience.

Open Houses: Organize virtual or in-person tours to showcase the property.

Professional Photography and Videography: High-quality visuals create a strong first impression.

Example: Anita, who was selling her villa in Bengaluru, hired a videographer to create a virtual tour. The video went viral on social media, and she received 12 offers within a month.

Step 4: Handling Inquiries and Showings

Respond promptly to inquiries and schedule property viewings at the buyer’s convenience. Be prepared to answer common questions about:

Property history

Neighborhood amenities

Proximity to schools, hospitals, and public transport

Client Question: “Why is this property priced higher than others in the area?”

Response: “This property includes premium features like a fully modular kitchen and a landscaped garden, which adds to its value.”

Step 5: Negotiation and Closing the Deal

Be prepared to negotiate. Understand your lowest acceptable price and stick to it while being flexible enough to accommodate a serious buyer’s concerns.

Discuss payment terms, loan approvals, and possession timelines.

Hire a legal expert to handle paperwork and ensure compliance with local regulations.

Example: Pooja, who was selling her commercial property in Pune, faced a tough negotiation.

The buyer wanted a price cut due to market conditions. By emphasizing the location’s future growth potential, she closed the deal at her desired price.

Step 6: After-Sale Services

After the sale, provide buyers with necessary documentation and utility transfer details. This adds a personal touch and builds trust.

Example: Suresh, who sold his home in Hyderabad, went the extra mile by sharing contacts for reliable local services like electricians and plumbers. This goodwill gesture earned him glowing reviews, which boosted his reputation as a seller.

Selling real estate doesn’t have to be stressful. With proper preparation, marketing, and negotiation skills, you can turn your property into a buyer’s dream home.

Remember, every home tells a story; let yours inspire the next chapter for someone else!

0 notes

market-trend · 14 days ago

Text

0 notes

prabhugikwad1987 · 16 days ago

Text

0 notes

outbursthubnj · 18 days ago

Text

The Best Bathroom Remodelers in Manasquan

Thinking about transforming your bathroom into a stunning and functional sanctuary? If you’re a homeowner in Manasquan, this guide will help you to find the Best bathroom remodelers in manasquan. Nestled along New Jersey’s picturesque coast, Manasquan is a town full of charm and character, home to many beautifully maintained residences.

From picking the best contractors to pro tips for a flawless renovation, this post sheds light on everything you need to know about bathroom remodeling in Manasquan.

Why Bathroom Remodeling Is Worth It

Is redoing your bathroom really worth the time and expense? Absolutely. Bathrooms are one of the most-used spaces in any home, and upgrading them can offer a high return on investment (ROI). Here’s why it’s a smart move.

Value to Your Home: Bathroom remodels are among the top home improvement projects that boost property value. A clean, stylish, and modern bathroom can be a strong selling point if you’re thinking about putting your home on the market.

Reflect the Latest Trends: Modern bathrooms are no longer just functional; they’re experiences. Whether it’s a walk-in rain shower, freestanding tubs, or smart fixtures, the possibilities are endless. Wallpapers, matte tiling, and eco-friendly fittings are just a few 2024 trends making waves.

Enhance Daily Living: A renovated bathroom isn’t just about looks; it can improve the overall layout, functionality, and even your daily routine. Think more efficient storage, natural lighting, and easy-to-clean surfaces. Why not make it the haven you deserve?

What to Look for When Selecting a Bathroom Remodeler

Getting the best remodeler in manasquan on board can make or break your project. But don’t worry! Here’s a checklist to ensure you pick a pro that fit for your needs.

Experience Matters: Look for contractors who specialize in bathroom renovations and have years of expertise. Experienced professionals will know how to handle challenges that come with plumbing, ventilation, and space optimization.

Impressive Portfolio: Ask for before-and-after photos from past projects. This gives you a clear idea of their capabilities and design style.

Local Reviews: Check online reviews, local forums, or even ask neighbors for recommendations. Trusted remodelers in Manasquan often have glowing testimonials from satisfied clients.

Transparency and Communication: A good contractor is upfront about costs, timelines, and expected outcomes. They should be easy to communicate with throughout the process.

Tips for a Smooth Bathroom Remodel

Whether you choose one of these top local bathroom remodelers or another local contractor, here are some tips to ensure your bathroom revamp goes off without a hitch.

1. Plan Every Detail: Start with a clear vision. Consider your layout, color scheme, fixtures, and must-haves. Create a mood board or collect inspiration photos to share with your remodeler.

2. Stick to a Budget: Have a realistic budget in mind, including a buffer for unexpected expenses. Discuss cost breakdowns with your contractor to avoid surprises later.

3. Communicate Clearly: Maintain open and constant communication with your remodeler. Regular updates, questions, and feedback ensure the project stays on track.

4. Minimize Disruptions: Bathrooms are essential spaces, so plan ahead for how you’ll manage while your bathroom is out of service. Do you have a second bathroom? Or a temporary workaround?

5. Think Long-Term: Invest in high-quality, durable materials. A bathroom is a long-term investment, so prioritize solutions that will last.

Make Your Bathroom Dreams a Reality

Bathroom remodeling in Manasquan is an exciting opportunity to elevate your home’s value, style, and functionality. By choosing the right local contractor in Manasquan and keeping your priorities clear, you can transform an ordinary space into an extraordinary retreat.

Think you’re ready to take the plunge? If you have questions or want further recommendations, feel free to reach out or share your remodeling experiences in the comments.

#Best Bathroom Remodelers in Manasquan #Bathroom Remodelers #bathroom remodeling #bathroom renovation in manasquan #leak detection

0 notes

dubairealestate24 · 6 months ago

Text

Secrets to Selling Your House Quickly in Any Market

Selling your house quickly requires strategic planning, effective marketing, and flexibility. This guide reveals the secrets to achieving a fast sale in any market.

1. Conducting a Market Analysis

Understanding the current real estate market is crucial for selling your house quickly. A thorough market analysis will help you set a competitive price and determine the best time to sell.

Market Trends: Analyze recent sales in your area and compare similar properties. Look at the average time houses stay on the market and identify trends that could impact your sale.

Seasonal Patterns: Real estate markets often have seasonal patterns, with spring and summer being peak times for buying and selling. Understanding these patterns can help you time your sale for maximum impact.

For more insights on the real estate market, visit home loan dubai.

2. Setting a Competitive Price

Pricing your house correctly is one of the most critical factors in achieving a quick sale. Overpricing can deter potential buyers, while underpricing can lead to a quick sale but at a financial loss.

Competitive Pricing: Set a competitive price based on your market analysis. Consider pricing slightly below market value to attract more buyers and create a bidding war.

Price Adjustments: Be prepared to adjust the price if you’re not receiving the desired interest. Regularly review the feedback from showings and adjust accordingly.

For assistance with pricing strategies, visit Buy Residential Properties in Dubai.

3. Enhancing Curb Appeal

First impressions are vital in real estate. Enhancing your home’s curb appeal can attract more buyers and help you sell your house quickly.

Landscaping: Keep the lawn well-maintained, plant flowers, and trim bushes. A neat and attractive yard can significantly boost your home’s appeal.

Exterior Maintenance: Ensure the exterior of your house is clean and in good repair. Paint the front door, clean windows, and fix any broken fixtures to make your home more inviting.

For tips on enhancing curb appeal, visit Dubai Property Mortgage.

4. High-Quality Photos and Virtual Tours

In today’s digital age, high-quality photos and virtual tours are essential for attracting buyers.

Professional Photography: Hire a professional photographer to take high-quality photos that showcase your home’s best features. Good lighting and angles can make a significant difference.

Virtual Tours: Offer virtual tours to give potential buyers a detailed view of your home. This can be especially useful for buyers who are unable to visit in person.

For marketing tips, visit Apartments For Rent in Dubai.

5. Staging Your Home

Staging your home can make it more appealing to potential buyers by highlighting its best features and creating an inviting atmosphere.

Decluttering: Remove personal items and excess furniture to create a clean and spacious look. Buyers should be able to envision themselves living in the space.

Neutral Decor: Use neutral colors and simple decor to appeal to a broader audience. Consider hiring a professional stager to enhance your home’s appeal.

For staging tips, visit Property For Sale in Dubai.

6. Online Listings and Social Media

Online listings and social media are powerful tools for marketing your home to a wide audience.

Social Media Marketing: Use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to promote your listing. Share posts with attractive photos and virtual tours to generate interest.

For online marketing tips, visit home loan dubai.

7. Hosting Open Houses

Open houses can attract multiple potential buyers and generate interest in your property.

Event Planning: Plan and promote your open house well in advance. Ensure your home is clean and well-staged for the event.

Engagement: Engage with visitors during the open house and provide detailed information about your home and the neighborhood. Collect contact information for follow-up.

For open house tips, visit Buy Residential Properties in Dubai.

8. Leveraging Real Estate Agents

Working with a real estate agent can significantly enhance your marketing efforts.

Agent Network: Choose an agent with a strong network and a track record of successful sales. They can market your home to a wider audience and provide valuable insights.

Marketing Expertise: Real estate agents have access to marketing tools and platforms that can increase your property’s visibility. They can also help with pricing strategies and negotiations.

For agent recommendations, visit Dubai Property Mortgage.

9. Utilizing Print Media

While digital marketing is crucial, print media can also play a role in attracting local buyers.

Flyers and Brochures: Create high-quality flyers and brochures with detailed information and attractive photos. Distribute them in your neighborhood and at local businesses.

Newspaper Ads: Consider placing ads in local newspapers to reach a broader audience. Highlight key features of your home and include contact information.

For print media tips, visit Apartments For Rent in Dubai.

10. Networking and Word of Mouth

Personal networks and word of mouth can be powerful tools in marketing your home.

Networking: Inform friends, family, and colleagues that your home is for sale. They might know potential buyers or spread the word within their networks.

Community Involvement: Participate in community events and engage with local groups. Building relationships can lead to valuable connections and potential buyers.

For networking tips, visit Property For Sale in Dubai.

Conclusion

For more information and assistance with selling your house in Dubai, visit home loan dubai.

#dubairealestate

3 notes · View notes

thecorpseswallower · 19 days ago

Text

V. Azar

Though Asgard was circular, its streets were anything but tidy and concentric. Instead they crawled up and around buildings, with pathways of laid brick that bled into rooftops, the strata connected by stairs made either of stone or debris so well-trod that they had become permanent fixtures.

The buildings— each a tower in its own respect— were all white underneath the burn scars. The material was the same as whatever coated the Alfarin armour before battle: a type of stone mined from the surrounding mountains that coated the lungs of their masons, but did not melt under flashfire. The shorter structures, less grandiose in their construction and occupancy, had beams and roofs of wood and clearly suffered heavier damages as a result. Lines of severe iron thorns crowned the highest points of every flat surface, leaving the dragons little space to land.

Then, of course, there were the ballistas. The hulking metal sculptures were still and silent with no one to man them, resting with their heads raised to the furtive sun.

Azar tried to focus on each new sight, sound and smell to distract him from the danger that followed in their wake. The gargantuan Knight’s presence felt more like that of a leashed bear than any Spoken, and their scent continued to vex him. His mother had told her children many stories— as was tradition for both genders at an early age, though his sisters would go on to receive a more thorough education. She had taught them of the great and regal Yaksha, the Hares of Mictlan, even of the nameless giants of lost Kha… But all her stories were learned in Shambhala. Whatever this being was, it matched nothing in their history.

The tour’s first destination was a marketplace. Hadrien steered them left of the lonely yellow tree and said, “There are many such markets around the city, but this is the largest. It’s also right on the edge of the Dregs, where sunlight seldom reaches. I would not advise that you wander down there alone, but if you get lost, it’s quite easy to find your way back towards the light.”

Azar doubted the truth of that. It became immediately clear to him that the signage in the city, even when legible, was almost useless. Arrows pointed in conflicting directions with little to indicate up from down. More than once, Azar had assumed that he was standing on solid ground only to look down and see lights shining up from the grates beneath his paws. With cellar doors that blended into roads, balconies that became streets and streets that became foyers, privacy seemed to be a privilege afforded only to those physically higher up than others.

More useful by far was the graffiti. From signalling alleys with colourful waymarks to advertising shops otherwise lost in the clutter, Azar quickly began to take notice of it, categorising the layout of the place solely by its scribbled landmarks. Of course, the denizens of Asgard would have little use for actual directions— It wasn’t as if they had anywhere else to venture.

Azar caught the scent of smoked meat and bread as they approached the markets. The warm brush of an open fire tempted him from somewhere unseen; above, jewellers displayed their wares from windows overlooking millers’ stalls while outfitters had strung garments overhead like a parade of flags. Glassmakers and grocers shared bench space, shielding their goods from a spray of ashes that rained down from the smithies on the higher levels.

There were a great many Alfar there, but any hopes of blending in were dashed immediately, of course. The foreigners and their multitude of species drew seemingly every eye towards themselves from the first step.

Lorna and Talfryn both looked ready to make some kind of declaration, but before they could speak, the huge Knight shambled forward. They did not say a word, only raised one massive hand to the crowd and the Alfar immediately parted before them. With the road clear, Azar noticed a mural laid in the brickwork: Another mosaic that stretched down the entirety of the market square, its grey, blue, and golden bricks painting fields of yellow trees and running, nameless animals.

The Commander did what he could to assuage the onlookers. “As you were. The Church seeks only to escort its visiting diplomats. We intend to show them the finest wares of Asgard, and where they may safely purchase whatever they have need of.”

His words seemed to rouse some motion in the crowd. A few sellers dusted the snow away from their goods; fires crackled as new kindling was added. Some Alfar leaned in to whisper to one another behind raised hands while merchants beckoned towards them with their wares, everything from weapons to trinkets, candles to vegetables.

In the short time Azar had spent travelling with the Scholars, he was coming to expect such responses to their presence. It was only a miracle that the energy underpinning their excitement was not openly hostile. Perhaps a bit predatory— new blood had just entered their economy for the first time in two centuries— but at least no one seemed to wish them harm.

Lorna had her attention stolen by some toys and picked up a vibrant wooden ibex to inspect its construction. Its little legs dangled on eye-hooks, swinging freely as she turned it this way and that. “What is the currency here?” She asked.

Lárus was the one to answer. “I believe you would call it hacksilver. House Gage oversees the monetary affairs of the See’s treasury and, by extension, that of Asgard’s citizens.” He produced a handful of silvery pebbles from a bag hidden beneath his cloak, then tipped them into Lorna’s palm. “Smaller shavings are cut from larger ingots, though you may pay in jewellery, foreign coinage, anything with a shine and some value. Merchants will weigh your offer all the same.

Adonia added, “As for your own finances, consider them taken care of. House Chèvrellier will receive a stipend, and it may be increased, if so needed. You may discuss the matter with me later— or with my father,” she added quickly, as if an afterthought.

Lárus plucked a small wooden figurine off the table. It showed a man in a feather cloak with an open ledger in one hand, the other raised with its palm outwards. It did not appear to be for sale, but the merchant spoke animatedly with Lárus in their native tongue, and whatever they said seemed to please the Commander. He set the figurine back down, letting his fingers linger on its unpainted head before moving on.

When Lorna attempted to give the silver pebbles to the merchant, the seller refused her. She offered the ibex instead, but that was rejected, too.

“Take,” said the merchant. “If it pleases you, take it. No payment.”

“But—”

“Next time, you pay. Not now. Take it.”

Lorna bowed her head with many thanks, handling the toy with a delicacy that Azar did not often see her employ outside the smithy— but the seller's actions seemed to inspire others to offer their own alms, and suddenly the Scholars had their arms piled high with gifts, some far more useful than others. The twins each found themselves in possession of a hat, while the others were handed parchment, bolts of wool, bowls and sheers.

Hadrien laughed at their plight as a baker shoved a loaf of round bread into Emil's arms. “You see? Our people welcome you.”

Whatever their intentions were, be they kind or not, all the renewed commotion only set Azar on-edge. In a crowd like this, who could tell when a purse was cut or a knife drawn? Besides, the Alfar seemed unfamiliar with Mau, and that never led to anything good. He felt someone brush a hand against his tail and bit back the urge to hiss.

He took a few steps away in the hopes that he might slip quietly out of notice, only to back directly into the big Knight. All the fur on his body rose at once. When the behemoth sighed, he felt the motion more than he heard it.

They stood at their full height, and the entire market fell silent.

“I’m sure the Scholars will have many chances to sample your wares… On their own time,” Lárus said with smooth diplomacy. Without a trace of fear, he came to stand at the side of his monster. “We still have much of the city to see. If you have any gifts, I’m certain that House Chèvrellier would happily receive them for you.”

That finally killed the commotion for good. The sellers shrunk back into their stalls or behind their tables. A few even took back their gifts, but they remained unassailed throughout the rest of the market, and not one offered their wares to the care of House Chèvrellier.

As the warmth faded and the mosaic came to an end, a new sound drifted towards them: a droning, low melody that came from somewhere in the tangled mess of buildings. The scent of acrid incense followed, which Azar recognised at once.

“That’s the same thing you burned at the Bifrost,” he said to Hadrien, using the guise of conversation to move even further away from the big Knight.

“It is. Come, we might catch the Attendants as they perform their rounds. Usually they do this before dawn, but they are a bit late today— Fortunately for us!”

The chant was in Common, but the words were sung so slowly that Azar could not understand them. When they did catch sight of the Attendants, it was from above: three Alfar clad in trailing white robes, all wearing heavy veils that left only their mouths showing. Two carried tall pikes: one tipped with a burning wick, and the other a pool of oil. The Attendant at the front held a thurible that dispensed a dense cloud of smoke with every swing. Periodically, the group would stop to raise the pikes and tip some of the burning oil into tall basins that lined the streets. Each fire they lit produced another wave of pungent fumes.

“Attendants have many roles,” Hadrien explained. “These poor fools are on lamplighting duty. Each morning they light the braziers, and each night they snuff out the embers. The smoke keeps the dragons at bay. Little ones suffocate if they breathe too much in, and the bigger ones dislike it.”

Azar doubted that a bit of smoke would be enough to deter the dragon in the fog, but maybe that’s what saved them from being crushed or ignited. Either way, the smell was equally as unpleasant to him. He raised a sleeve to his nose until the worst of it dissipated.

“You grow these herbs here?” Asked Lorna.

Lárus nodded. “We grow everything here, or in the surrounding cities. When the east fell to Níðhöggr we lost much of our viable farmland, but we have been managing.”

The Attendants and their song moved further into the darkness of the Dregs; Hadrien led the Scholars up another level.

Just as privacy increased at higher altitudes, so did the city’s opulence. Few stones were left without ornamentation, no matter how mundane their purpose. There were other Knights milling about, too— none so large or so armoured as the one in their company, but even in plain tunics, their status was evident by how they straightened their posture in the presence of their Commander.

“We will soon be at the barracks,” said Hadrien. “One of the roots of the Archbasilica. You can find Lárus here more often than not, and Svan, who I don’t think ever leaves.”

The behemoth snorted. Azar was sure to remember that name, as it would make it much easier to avoid them.

They came upon the building with little fanfare. Two tattered blue flags marked its entrance, which was given more breathing room than most as it rested on the edge of a circular commons. Its long body snaked backwards, travelling up the mountainside by hundreds of steps until it joined with that of Saint Ásmundr. Like a grafted scion, it did not match the architectural style of the grand archbasilica. The barracks were shorter, stockier, with no conical towers or grand windows; on either side of its body were rows of steeply angled buttress supports, lending it the appearance of a skeletal ribcage.

By Azar’s best guess, the commons in which they stood were meant to be a kind of garden. The grass in its planters was short and dead, and no flowers nor bushes had grown in to fill the space. Still, benches and tables were dotted around the outermost ring, and a halo of blue stone filled the interior. A fountain stood at the centre with a beautiful young woman as its focus. She wore plate in a similar fashion to the Knights, holding a spear aloft with one hand and dragging the branch of a yew tree behind her with the other.

“There is no reason to linger here,” Lárus said. “I will call upon you to visit soon enough. Hadrien has the right of it, though; should you have need of myself, Sigur, or Svanhild,” he patted the arm of the beast next to him, “We will be happy to receive you at any hour.”

Another climb loomed ahead of them. Hadrien hoisted his frail little brother atop his shoulders to bear him up the steps. Before they reached the mountain’s peak, several Scholars called for a pause to catch their breath.

Azar was not about to complain— his legs burning, he allowed himself a moment to admire the thorny spires from his seat upon the seemingly endless stairs. The sun had finally emerged from its bed of clouds and cast the city aglow, the brilliance of a thousand white buildings beaming back up at him like the reflection of the sky on an open sea.

The air was much thinner here, drier and colder than what he was accustomed to. Combined with all the exercise, and the adrenaline of the past few nights finally ebbing away, he felt almost as if he were floating… He had to stifle a laugh at the absurdity of it all.

From this high up, the world looked small. It had not seemed so minuscule when last he stood upon a precipice. He ran a paw against the chalky white bricks under him and wondered whether this ossuary in the clouds, its white bones on white snow under a white sky, would have had any kind of prophetic significance to his mother or his sisters. Lacking their tutelage in such matters, he had yet to determine for himself if he trusted this strange land— or if they had fled from war only to find shelter in a crypt.

But shelter is still shelter, no matter how cold. When the others called for him, he stood, swayed, and kept climbing.

In all his years, Azar had seen a great number of marvellous sights. The enormous warships of Cockaigne, the glittering wonders of the Elysian markets, the garden cities of wealthy Panchaia and all the cultures that mingled within— not to mention he was Mau, and so carried with him the legacy of Kha’s first and greatest civilizations, even without having seen them in the flesh.

Saint Ásmundr was unlike all of them. Enormous even at a distance, it could have been its own city in isolation. The courtyard welcomed them first with rows of golden and silver trees. The unmistakable sheen of metal on their foliage was no mere trick of the light, but neither were they sedentary statues; they swayed in the breeze, thousands of metal leaves clinking together like a sea of coins.

Talfryn picked up one of the fallen leaves at their feet. Its gold was tinged with red, and it conformed easily to whatever shape she twisted it into without breaking. Azar motioned for her to hand it over and bit into the metal. His teeth sank right through, leaving two perfect puncture holes.

“It's not true gold,” he said. “And it's not hard enough to be brass. Is this lead?”

Hadrien said, “No, it is the foliage of Glasislundr. These are the last trees to survive. The silver is not true silver, either, but comes from the saplings of the Læraðr. There were once forests of these trees before our war decimated the land. It is a good metal for hollow spears and ornaments, but terrible for anything else, really.”

Metallic trees were only a taste of the wealth that resided within the archbasilica. Azar knew his vision was less splendid than that of the Aos Si, but even to his eye, the cathedral’s interior glittered with a thousand colours. Its towering windows dyed the sunlight in vibrant, shifting hues, puddling colours onto the tree-like mosaics underfoot. Pillars of gold-veined stone supported walkways to either side of them, with bridges, stairwells and antechambers hidden amongst the ornate carvings that emerged from nearly every surface. Most depicted dragons. A fair few were speared by lances, their alabaster wings pinned to a backdrop of murals or arching overhead, chandeliers and thuribles dangling from their feathers. The ribs of the domed ceiling depicted Alfarin figures reaching towards the apex, some clad in flowing robes, others in nothing at all. Even the seemingly empty spaces were engraved with abstracted florals, a pattern that Azar nearly mistook for boteh.

The halls— roads, moreso— branched into labyrinthine directions. The one ahead of them eventually terminated in a gilded fence. Behind it, a grand and glittering altar stood too far back for his eyes to make out the details. Still, the incense burned within was warm, earthy and hot in a way Azar found familiar. There were Elysian scents in there… Shambhalan ones, too. The musk of animals Azar was born to hunt, flowers his people’s paws would have sown in some distant age.

He heard Medb ask, “Are you alright, Azar?”

“Hm?”

“Your eyes are like dinner plates,” she said, waving a hand in front of his face. “Are you feeling okay?”

“Yes,” he lied. The sheer scale of everything was making his head spin.

Their Alfarin hosts appeared unaffected by the grandeur. Having slowed to a stop in the middle of the broad walkway, they waited for the Scholars to finish their ogling with varying degrees of patience. Lárus seemed the most bemused of them all; something like pride glimmered in those pinprick pupils.

He said to them, once their attention had finally turned away from the grand architecture, “In truth, this is not only a tour of the city. I intend to introduce you to some of the Ravens while we are here.”

“Not the Pontiff?” Lorna asked.

“No.” That was fortunate. It would not do to meet any political leaders when they looked as bedraggled as the climb had left them, still holding onto the gifts they had been given in the markets. “The Pontiff’s time is highly valuable, and he spends much of it in communication with Our Lady. But rest assured, the Ravens are his eyes and ears. You should treat them as if you were speaking to the Pontiff himself. Perhaps once we are closer to achieving our goal, then you may be summoned… But until such a time, you are not likely to see him.”

Many hands make light work, and many voices strengthen the choir. “How many of these ‘Ravens’ are there?” Azar asked.

“One-hundred and forty-three, last I checked. You will know them when you see them. Maybe not by their faces, but by their black robes.”

“Like yours?”

“No,” he said. “The Ravens wear black to distinguish themselves from the rest of the ministry. We bastards are not permitted to wear lighter colours, even in battle.”

“Unless,” Adonia added, staring pointedly at Hadrien, “They were formally acknowledged.”

He shrugged. Ursus, still seated on his brother’s back, mutely hugged him tighter.

Lárus politely ignored the three of them. “Light reflects light. Our finer wools go towards protecting those of greater worth. Well, speak of the sun and it shines. Good morning Raven Suni, Raven Hróðgeirr.”

The two Ravens were old men of shorter stature. One had a lean and long face, while the other was knobbly, bearded, and holding a pile of scrolls under one arm. Their robes were less ornate than the Attendants, but each wore a stole of a different colour.

The lean-faced one nodded at the group. “Scholars. We must apologise for such a lacklustre welcome. Your arrival was sooner than we had expected.”

Lorna said, “We are most grateful for your hospitality, especially considering the… Circumstances.” She winced at herself and added, “Forgive me, we lost our orator not but a few nights ago.”

“So we have heard. Worry not, Lárus has kept us well abreast of the situation at hand. His Holiness has permitted your participation in our war, and so we are happy to assist you in any way we can.”

Lárus inclined his head towards the knobbly man and asked, “What scrolls are those, Your Eminence?”

The Raven moved as if to shield them from his eyes. “Upon your request, Commander, these are for your prisoner.”

“Has he made any progress on the matter?”

“If he has, he will not tell us.”

Lárus smiled. “Well, Sigur is not talkative at the best of times. I will visit him once I’m done here. Do not let us keep you from your business.”

The Ravens shuffled away; not quickly, but pointedly all the same. The Alfar appeared unperturbed by their brusqueness.

“That went better than I expected,” Hadrien remarked.

Lárus did not seem surprised. “I have been negotiating this since first receiving your letter. They have extended the Pontiff’s blessings towards you— that is good.” See that you do not lose it, seemed to be implied. Lárus closed his eyes for a moment, took a breath, then sighed in resolution. “I fear that this is where I must part with you. I should check in on how things are going at the barracks.”

When the large Knight in his company moved to follow, Azar felt a shiver of relief snake down his back. It was a pity to have lost the Commander’s enigmatic company, but if it meant getting that beast away from him…

Little Ursus fidgeted until Hadrien allowed him to climb down. “I want to go to the fountains,” he said, tugging on his brother’s wrist. “They’ll like it there.”

Hadrien was in no position to argue. “You know best, Lord Ursus! Come, all. Running water is miraculous enough in such weather, but have you ever seen a fountain that boils?”

Unable to explain his reasoning, Azar’s eye lingered on the Commander and his Knight until the two were out of sight.

-- Next ->

#ch 5

1 note · View note