#Poison Apple wreath

[likivi-designs]

[selfaware-bungou-stray-dogs]

Spooktober. Candy.

Self-Aware! Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald x GN! Reader x Self-Aware!Saigiku Jouno

Description: You, Francis and Jouno make candies.

Warnings and tags: OOC. English is my second language. Fluff. Short

A/N: A short fic for a Spooktober.

_____

You have a feeling of déjà vu. The kitchen table, once again, was holding a mountain of ingredients. Near the window were stacked bags of sugar. Jam jars were next to bowls of fruits. Bottles of food coloring and small decorative wooden sticks were in a shadow of towering milk bottles.

And, once again, the perpetrator, Francis, stand in the middle of the kitchen. He clearly saw the expression on your face.

You weren't amused.

Trying to keep things cool, Fitzgerald lean on the table. For a moment, you thought, that you heard, how poor table creaked. Jouno hummed right above your ear.

"Believe me, [Y/N], it's not a hallucination."

Fitzgerald gave the hunting dog a nasty glare.

"And who asked for your input?"

Jouno ignored him. Instead, he turned his head towards you.

"Do you want to yell? Should I cover my ears?"

You elbowed him. Jouno hissed, not out of pain, but to slightly cheer you up. You were in a need of a good cheering.

"I don't want to yell, but I have questions. Francis, did you get carried away during sales again?"

Francis shook his head with a wide grin on his face.

"You can't be more wrong, My dear Treasure! This purchase was on purpose."

You looked at the table again. Despite the fact, that there is no such thing as "too much food" in a house, where 60+ people live, but in that case, there are too much food. There was no need for so much sugar, jam and milk. Only fruits will be eaten, before they become bad.

"Why." It wasn't even a question. You were tired, and you don't want to deal with whatever it was.

Francis looked proud of himself.

"Candy. We will make homemade candy for Halloween Season."

You slowly blinked. A random thought flashed in your mind, and, before you can think, you opened your mouth.

"Francis, if there is a problem with finances, and we need to start saving up... I have some spare money, so..."

"No!"

Jouno and Francis, somehow, covered your mouth at the same time. Both man looked worried.

"No." Francis repeated. "There's no need. Everything is fine with money. I just wanted to do something new."

Jouno huffed.

"He wanted to cook with you again, Firefly."

Francis glared at Jouno again. You carefully removed the hands from your mouth. You rubbed your temples.

"Just let me get an apron. Want to join us, Jouno?"

He shook his head.

"Why not.

_________

"Did we manage to do it?" asked Jouno, focusing on smells in the air. "Smells fine."

You bit your lip. Spiders from chocolate coated apple pieces looked like they wanted to be put out of their misery. Same for bat cookies... And for pan with dried sugar.

Francis coughed, but pick up one of the candies (that was supposed to be a skeleton, but instead resemble a Stay-Puft from Ghostbusters). Carefully, he ate it.

"Hmm... Not bad. Taste is fine, the looks are..." Francis waved his hand, trying to think of a right word.

"Questionable?" you took a spider apple, taking a generous bite. Yea, not a poison, you can eat.

Francis nodded.

"Yes, we will settle at questionable."

Jouno also taste one of the candies.

"Fine for the first time attempt." agreed he.

Now, you three really need to clean up the kitchen. Goncharov was very protective over the kitchen. Keep it clean, or you will face his wreath.

[bethestaryouareradio]

Nature's Yuletide Jewels

“Nature always wears the colors of the spirit.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Everywhere we go, lights are twinkling, Christmas trees are glistening in windows and parks, and gigantic shiny balls are hanging on front yard trees.

Holiday cheer permeates the air as we hum carols and children pine for the jolly white- bearded man in the red suit to land his flying reindeer on their rooftop soon.

The most miraculous part of this festive season is how the landscape lights up with lots of colorful berries, bushes, and cones that we can use to decorate naturally. For the first time in years, my Christmas cactus is blooming in December! In the past, it bloomed at very odd times. The cascading stems and beautiful blooms create cheerful table displays. The vibrant tubular flowers arrive in shades of red, pink, and white. I’m thrilled that my pink Christmas cactus finally is on schedule.

Pine, fir, redwood, spruce, and other conifers retain their needles throughout winter. I use this time of year to do my pruning so that the cut boughs may be added to my mantels, counters, and front porch as wreaths and garlands. A big bonus is that these evergreens add that nostalgic Christmas aroma throughout the house

I also collect pinecones and magnolia cones to incorporate into my displays. The red seeds of the magnolia cones add a touch of elegance to holiday decorations. All the cones can be left natural for a rustic and sophisticated look, or they can be spray painted to match any style.

Holly is a classic Christmas plant renowned for its sharp, pointed, glossy green leaves and vibrant red berries. Adorn with shimmering lights and the yuletide symphony begins!

What about mistletoe, you ask? Doesn’t everyone want to kiss under the mistletoe? Mistletoe is a parasitic plant with green leaves and white berries that are poisonous to humans and some animals. Globally, there are 1300 species spread by the sticky seed from the berry either attaching to a bird or other mammal or consumed by them. The Anglo-Saxons witnessed that mistletoe grew where birds left their droppings. In Anglo-Saxon, “mistel” means “dung” and “tan” means “twig”, thus the name mistletoe means “dung-on-a-twig.” Not as romantic as most of us thought! For several years baskets of mistletoe flourished on my beautiful cottonwood tree until these “witches’ brooms” killed my host tree and it had to be removed. From that day forward I kissed the mistletoe goodbye!

Pomegranates and persimmons offer a departure from traditional holiday decorating, infusing a touch of nature beauty and symbolism into arrangements. The deep red color of pomegranates is associated with the merry spirit of Christmas. In many cultures, pomegranates symbolize prosperity, fertility, and abundance. The distinctive round shape and shiny crown resemble a fancy ornament, and their jewel-like seeds are delicious and nutritious as edible décor.

The warm orange tones of persimmons may seem more appropriate for Thanksgiving, yet the sweet, chewy texture of Hachiya varieties is the perfect ingredient in a Christmas pudding while the crunchy, apple-like quality of a Fuyu is fabulous in a festive salad. A bowl of persimmons is elegant as a table centerpiece with its symbolism of good luck and joy.

When it comes to Christmas cherished memories, live trees offer the biggest bang of tradition and aesthetics. While artificial trees are practical and cost-effective, the joyous experience of choosing a living tree creates a connection to nature and environmental sustainability. Purchasing a live tree supports agricultural endeavors as Christmas tree farms replant and replace trees that are harvested. These farms contribute to increased green space. Live trees are biodegradable and can be recycled into mulch and compost. Be on the lookout for the days that your tree can be placed curbside for recycling. With a live tree, there is the opportunity to select a tree that fits your preferences of type and fragrance including fir, spruce, pine, cedar, or cypress. You can also purchase a container conifer which can be moved to a patio or balcony after the holidays and redecorated the following year. If you have room in your yard, it can be planted and decorated annually in celebration of Christmas.

Walk around your landscape to discover the yuletide jewels in your garden. Nature always wears the colors of the season and the spirit.

Don’t forget that it is the season of giving so consider a donation to your favorite charity.

May Santa Claus fill your stockings with peace, health, and prosperity. Wishing you a magical Christmas.

Happy Gardening. Happy Growing.

Garden “To-do” advice before the end of December:

1. Fertilize trees, shrubs, ground cover plants.

2. Apply snail bait around plants susceptible to snail and slug damage.

3. Lower the soil pH for better color and overall appearance on acid-loving plants by applying soil sulfur.

4. Shut off irrigation systems.

5. Monitor watering needs during extended dry periods.

6. Start to rest and relax. Winter is sleepy time. Read The Lamorinda Weekly.

For more gardening advice for all seasons, check out Growing with the Goddess Gardenerat https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/books. Raised in the vineyards of Napa County, Cynthia Brian is a New York Times best-selling author, actor, radio personality, speaker, media and writing coach as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3. Tune into Cynthia’s StarStyle® Radio Broadcast at www.StarStyleRadio.com. Her newest children’s picture book, Family Forever, from the series, Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures is available now at https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store. Hire Cynthia for writing projects, garden consults, and inspirational lectures. Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com  

Share StarStyle® Empowerment 

For photos vist: https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/p/botanical-brilliance?

[miniaturemoonheart]

Ahhhh, the beautiful mysterious, bewitching Apple 🍎! Apples have always been associated with witches and magick! It's because it's so versatile. We all know the tale of the evil wicked stepmother who gave Snow White a poisoned apple, but the apple is used in many spells, not just ones with evil intent!

For healing, seeds are taken from the apples and strung to give to those who are in need of health and wellness. The seeds are blessed as each hole is pierced within and takes a very long time to create. If you ever receive a necklace made of apple seeds from a witch- you should be truly thankful!

When we cut an apple in half it has the star or pentagram, a very witchy symbol. Apples have long been used in love spells. It is said that if you peel an apple with a knife and are able to have one long strand of skin from the Apple it will create the first letter of your true love. Maiden's would place an apple by their bed, cutting the Apple in half and putting the name of their prospective loved one within and tying it with a red ribbon to attract love or a proposal.

To bind an enemy again please the enemy's name within the Apple. Simply de-core the Apple so that the center is empty with a circle place the scroll of paper with the enemies name within and then bury it so that it rots in the ground.

For prosperity, take apple slices and dehydrate them to create an apple wreath that can be hung on the door or within the house. Not only does it make the house smell delicious, it lends to the magic.

The benefits of Apple are endless in regards to magic and spell work. Not only just for magic... but apple wine can be made, baking with apples with spiritual intent for health and prosperity, and increasing one's own magical abilities or psychic wellness; so many wonderful things!

After all an apple a day keeps the doctor away and that statement holds true.

***Please note that any spells that are listed herein that are used against the person who is sharing the information will backfire. As above So below! So mote it be.***

[full-of-mercy]

The same. The same and not. There seems to be something intrinsic etched into the soul-stuff that makes Vash the Stampede who he is. Etched with the pain of solitude, even if he is otherwise unmarked, he remains a wonder. Even with the weight of guilt and grief and more isolation than anyone deserves, he still lives. Penance. Self-flagellation. Determination. Maybe all of the above.

Even mountains wear. Even diamonds can fracture.

The cracks, though, let the light shine through. Love, warmth, ageless, undimmed through the end of his world, he persists. Somehow.

It isn't the elevation that burns at Wolfwood's eyes and at his lungs, and he cannot blame it on the familiar searing comfort of worm-spice and clove. His cigarettes are sweetened at the filter, honey-touched poison in every crackling breath, in every blue-tinged wreath of smoke.

It is an offer, an olive branch, a sacrifice, small and token but alive, against all odds. Votive incense to the ghosts of this place.

Memories, embers, connections.

Close enough to touch, close enough to smell. Vash looks and Nicholas wonders what he sees, even as he holds eye contact with a bob of Adam's apple. He is older than his counterparts present or otherwise. Salt and pepper have begun to peek at his temples, for all that he is in need of grooming. His hair is too long for his general taste, stubble thick at his jaw and his throat.

Not that he has ever had much luck shaving, and not that he is prone to buttoning his shirts. Neither have changed even years after he should have become as the cigarette cherry does.

Flaring bright.

Ash and dust suspended between Yesterdays and Tomorrows.

Worrywood.

Nicholas glides into effortless motion, swinging his hand up—only to bring it down atop Vash's head.

Gently.

His fist unfurls, melting in coal-dark hair to rest cupped over nape and collar. Something calcified in his heart cracks open. He cannot help but to scoff. Once. Twice. His snort breaks into a smoky chuckle, shoulders trembling, even with tears wet on tawny cheeks.

"You're a damned needle-headed menace, Vash Theophilus Stampede."

It aches. God, it aches.

But maybe they can breathe through it.

They have exchanged no more than a handful of words in the past thirty seconds and Vash can already feel his eyes burning. 

Does he gain or lose another year for accepting the cigarette? It depends, probably, on which way he’s counting. He’d weighted so many years against dropping the count to zero there had never been any accounting for the possibility that the number could go up. Incrementing means...giving his life for the next year, not the last.

It isn’t a trick, as much as Vash squints at the proffered cigarette like he’s staring down the barrel of a loaded gun.

Or maybe it is, bathed in good intentions and wrapped in worm spice and cloves.

Wolfwood is still there, hovering just in his periphery while Vash remains squatting next to his rucksack. Not a revenant. Better than a dream and more solid than any figment of his imagination. Alive as can be. Ignoring him won’t make him any less real. 

He’s close. Close enough to touch, and Vash’s fingers twitch with unbidden yearning even as he leans away from his bag to angle towards Wolfwood. He looks into the eyes of a man who he knows better than anyone he’s never met, whose eyes are still whiskey warm and so extraordinarily kind. The very same gaze he dreamt of so often, only now Vash is awake. 

Astonishingly, frightfully so. 

Vash loosely curls his fingers to cradle the gap of space between himself and the edge of Wolfwood’s outstretched hand before plucking the cigarette and tucking it between his lips.

 He closes his eyes and tips his head up while resting both elbows on the tops of his knees. If he looked up, he could pretend the stream of smoke drawn towards the stars was coming from someone beside him and not the cigarette hanging from his own mouth.

The corner of his lips curls upward in a vague smile. Vash opens his eyes again, forcing himself to look even as tears line the bottom of his eyelids.

“How could I ever forget? I wanted to spend my tomorrows with him.”

It never stops hurting, does it?  

“Worrywood,” Vash accuses, dropping his gaze and looking back out to the darkened waves of the dunes beyond.

[kalu-luwa]

ever in your favor pt. 4

a.k.a a continuation of this series, inspiration from @tunabesimpin‘s hunger games event,  featuring tsukiko (@oseathepebble’s oc)

special mentions go to laur dafin (@forgwater’s oc), logan richtline (@lizzileth’s oc), and muna (@twixxsted‘s oc, my condolences my homie ;O;)

i’m very sorry if i got their characters wrong or did them too dirty! please tell me so i can fix it ;;

also, please tell me if you don’t want to get tagged!

tw/cw: death (shown and implied), mentions of suicide, OOC for OCs and canon (sorry ;;), gore (mentions of blood and wounds), violence, swearing, mentions of starvation, i’ll add more as i go along

(under the cut for dash length)

Their innards sit heavy beneath their skin, squirming uneasily whenever they breathe.

They don’t know why they covered the poor girl’s mouth, muffling her screams and curses. They don’t know why they looted her stuff. They don’t know why they buried her in the dead of night, a wreath of flowers placed upon her grave.

They don’t know. They don’t remember.

-

There’s blood on their hands. They don’t remember how it got there. They can’t remember. They don’t want to remember.

Would it be better to die than to keep going?

-

Neph hasn’t eaten in hours. The last full meal they ate was with Cater, a simple dinner of rabbit stuffed with herbs. They remember sharing an apple with the two people last night, the ones who practically forced them into… well, an extreme version of aggravated assault. Laur and Logan, they called themselves. A fae and a human.

Laur was… an enigma, to say the least. Carefree and unnervingly nonchalant, he was the brawn of the group, skilled in magic and able to conjure objects out of thin air. He was the first voice that spoke to them. Logan was just as mysterious, if not more, than the aquatic faerie. The brains of the group, he was a tactician at his core, with nigh-impenetrable plans and a knack for machinery. He was the second voice.

The two were powerful in their own right, and it would’ve been a death sentence to cross those two.

But they’re gone now.

Their stomach snarls at them, desperate to be fed. But Neph’s too tired to move.

“Oh my, are you alright?” A new voice rounds the corner, bending down to speak to Neph face to face. “Can you stand up?”

Neph mumbled something, but neither they nor the mystery person could figure out what they said. “I’m sorry, you’ll have to speak up a little. What was that again?”

“I-” Whatever they were going to say died out on their tongue. Their brain was pushing against their cranium, fighting to be let out. “-sorry, tired.”

“You haven’t drank any water yet, have you?” The voice chides, placing a hand on Neph's forehead. "You're burning up as well. What have you been doing all this time?"

"... don't want to remember…" their voice cracks in many places, dry and sore.

"Here, drink," they hum, clasping their hands over a bottle, "It's not poisoned, if that's what you're worried about. I drank it too, so you'll be fine."

"Why are you helping me?" Too many people were coming up to them. Too many people who would eventually leave.

"Why can't I?" God, Neph hated those words. "I have no reason to hurt you."

They do. It's either their life, or Neph's. But perhaps this time, it'll be better. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," the mystery person sat down in front of them.

They hoped this encounter wouldn't be a repeat of last time.

"My name's Tsukiko, but you can call me Kou," so that's what their savior was called. A beautiful name, child of the moon. "What's your name?"

"Nephtali. It's nice to meet you, Mx. Kou."

"It's nice to meet you too. Do you mind if I stay with you for a while?"

-

"I don't think that mushroom is safe to eat," Kou mused, grabbing the fungus from the fisher's hand. "If Jade was here, he'd probably use it as biological warfare.”

Neph had no idea who Jade was, but guessing from Kou’s words, he was another tribute. “Jade? Who is he?”

“Floyd’s twin brother, but they’re in different districts for some reason,” they shrugged audibly, “It’s none of my business, though.”

Floyd… Floyd. Ah, that’s a familiar name. Sasha was talking about him once, but Neph wasn’t listening at the time. They really wished they did, for once. “Interesting…”

The pair kept trekking through the woods, scavenging for anything useful to them. Fruits, nuts, game, herbs, unusually sturdy sticks… anything that could be cooked or made into tools. Neph had caught a small catfish earlier, currently snacking on a grilled piece as they hiked through the thicket. Kou made a passing comment of ‘poor Tuna’ when they had pulled the creature out of the river.

“What else do you need?” They tilted their head, “We’ve already gotten a lot.”

“I’m looking for an herb or a plant that I can make into a poultice. One of my friends got hurt in a hunting accident and-”

A shrill scream pierced the air, startling the duo and sending a flock of birds darting past the trees. Nephtali flinched, instinctively crouching down and covering their ears. Kou did the same, blurting out a minced expletive and ducking behind a tree. Whatever made that noise, it meant trouble. Another scream, this time of a different voice. Sounds of struggling, of bushes swept aside and undergrowth trampled on, a final cry cut short, then silence.

Neither of them spoke for a minute, until Kou whispered uneasily, “What was that?”

“I-I don’t know, did someone die?”

“That sounded too close for comfort. We have to move. Now.” They didn’t have to say that twice.

-

“Holy fuck, that was nerve-wracking,” Neph heaved, legs aching from running too much, “Are you okay, Mx. Kou?”

“I’m alright. You?” Kou breathed, leaning against a tree for support. They don’t know where they ran, all they knew was that they got out of there fast.

“My chest hurts, but I’ll be fine.”

“Okay, good.” The two shared a small victory laugh, grateful that they’re alive.

-

“Neph, would you like to come with me and find Carol Ann?” Kou spoke up after a while, skimming stones across a pond as Neph took to sharpening a stick, “We’ll be happy to accommodate you, and I’m sure we’ll make a great team.”

A… a team?

No. No, they can’t. The first time they were on a team, it fell apart almost immediately. The next team they were on ended in horrible, horrible tragedy. And the last? God, an innocent died because of them. There was no guarantee that this one would end differently. And besides, who would want them? They’re not good for much, and it’s a miracle that they’re still standing.

The turmoil must’ve been clear on their face, because the sound of skipping stones had ceased. “Neph, I won’t force you into anything you’re not comfortable with, but if you wish to stay solo, that’s fine too.”

“I… I haven’t had the best track record with teams,” milky eyes swirl with unease and regret, “I don’t…” I don’t want to be left alone, I don’t want someone to die because of me, I don’t want you to leave me- “I don’t think I’m cut out for any of that.”

“Then, I suppose this is where we must part.” They sighed, kneeling in front of them. “I… really wish we could’ve gone together, but I’ll respect your wishes, Neph.”

“I’m sorry.” Truly, they were. They wanted nothing more than to have someone they could call a friend, but…

“No need, Neph,” They felt a light tap on their hair, like Kou was giving them a head pat, “I wish you all the best.”

“You too.” As Kou stood up, Neph swore their heart almost leapt out of their ribcage, reaching desperately towards them. Don’t go, don’t go, I don’t want to be lonely anymore.

“Take care of yourself, okay?”

“Yeah, I will.” No, they won’t.

-

What time was it? How long have they been there, nails scraping their arms and tears long-dried on their cheeks? Did anyone hear them cry into their shirt, pathetically muffling the screams ripped from their throat? Their head was throbbing, the back of their eyes burning uncomfortably. Everything was too much.

Too much all at once, not enough all the same.

How had they forgotten that this wasn’t something to be taken lightly? They were fighting to the death for fuck’s sake, there is no such thing as friendship when your life is on the line.

But why did it hurt when they left anyway?

First Sasha, then Cater, now Kou. They were getting too soft. Too vulnerable. That had to be fixed.

“Hey?” A hand on their shoulder startled them out of their mind. Fuck, someone found them!

Immediately, their hand went to grab the person’s arm, kicking their legs back and throwing the person over their shoulder. The intruder screeched as they collided with the solid ground, stunned for a brief moment. Running purely on fight-or-flight instincts, Neph grabbed the nearest thing and brought it down on them.

“No, wait, please!-”

The stake drove right through their flesh, impaling them fully. Blood splattered all over their hands, some droplets staining their clothes and landing on their face. They must’ve hit something big or high-pressured, like an artery, or…

The ichor felt slimy and warm, oozing past their fingertips and running down their trembling hands. The body in front of them was cooling rapidly, no longer breathing. Reaching blindly, they fumbled to feel where they had speared the poor soul, recognising the fine silk of a headscarf. Nephtali could feel their stomach acid roiling in their gut, bile forcing its way up their throat. Not again, not again, not again-

They turned away in time to hurl whatever they had eaten prior. All of it, until they were coughing up blood and crying their eyes red. This was the third time now, and this one they couldn’t forget.

They didn’t mean to, they promised, repenting to someone who could never hear them.

[your-lavender-dreams]

Declaration of War Love

Rivamika. Word count: 625

Sunset was exceptionally beautiful today, with wide coral and orange stripes slowly surrendering to darkness. The whole squad gathered outside. Boys were chatting and laughing over something, even Eren and Jean acted friendly.

Levi sat aside, nobody daring to violate his privacy. He was scrutinizing multicolored clouds, still able to notice something new. He’s got so many evenings under the open sky, but not nearly enough to compensate for all those years in the Underground.  

Erwin would be happy to see him like that, actually enjoying free time with his squad. A hint of a sad smile appeared on Levi’s face, his gaze lowering to the ground. He could worry that it still hurt to think about him, but Levi knew—it would always hurt, and time was powerless here.

He looked sideways as his ears caught the sound of a gentle giggle somewhere near the woods. Levi turned to watch as Mikasa and Sasha walked out of the forest, their hands full of some colorful stuff. Smiling, they ran to the boys, a mischievous look on their faces. 

A bunch of ripe red apples flew into Jean and Connie, the two boys failing to catch all of them with their hands. Eren chuckled, but was soon silenced with a dandelion wreath that Mikasa put on his head. Sasha did the same to Armin, keeping telling him how pretty he looked now.

“Eren, don’t go into town like this,” Jean started, fighting with a burst of laughter, “someone might confuse you for their wife. You know, it would be so embarrassing—”

“Oh, shut up,” Eren barked at him, getting angrier with every second. “Maybe you tell me who else likes apples? Hmm, I can help you, it has a long mane—”

Eren didn’t get to finish as Jean literally jumped on him, already clenching his fists. Sasha sat next to Connie, her big eyes ready to watch a fascinating scene. Too used to those two constantly fighting, none of the squad members even tried to separate them.

Levi watched as Mikasa shook her head in response to Sasha’s invitation to join her. He wanted to look away when suddenly she started walking towards him, something shining in between her strands.

She got a small object out of her hair that turned out to be a tiny flower of sky-blue color. Stopping before him, Mikasa stretched out a hand with the plant to Captain.

Levi frowned but took the flower. Narrowing his eyes, he studied the little thing, holding it close to his face.

“Relax, Captain,” she rolled her eyes, “it’s not poisonous.”

“I’ve read a story where a flower meant a declaration of war. The guy who accepted that flower… well, I wouldn’t want to be him.” Levi lifted up his eyes to Mikasa’s face, her figure seeming to be ethereal in the sunset light.

“It’s just a flower. It suits your eyes.”

He looked confused. Levi always thought his eyes were gray. Not that he cared about it at all.

“They’re not just gray,” she added, after a few seconds. Can she read my mind? 

“Thank you,” Levi nodded, his voice more insecure than he wanted. “Just don’t call me pretty.”

“Sorry for disturbing you, Captain,” she said quietly before smiling gently at him. 

He would think he’d gotten too much sun, but the weather had been cool the whole day. She really smiled at him. 

Mikasa walked away before his mind was able to process this thought. He sighed, wishing to see more of her ravishing beauty. He would do anything to make her smile again.

Levi held the flower gently in his hand, careful not to damage it. Captain wondered what price he would need to pay for having such a pleasant evening.

[masumihanako]

MUSE AS A DEITY.

RULES: think carefully about your character and their development through their journey within their story. REPOST, do not reblog!

TAGGED BY: myself, but stolen like a year or so ago from @ketsuekki 

DEITY OF: Euthanasia | Growth (especially relating to a flower budding / blooming or adolescence into adulthood) | Hanakotoba | Knowledge obtained through connections | Acupuncture | Apothecary | Tea |

Gods are personas of the great chaotic harmony; of what was, what is, and what will be. As the nature of everything, they’re ineffable, yet man struggles passionately to understand their complexity, despite appearing in much contradiction, created by imagined constriction. As such, life blooms in ends, peace kisses war. 

Like the eye of the storm, Masumi was born; wreathed in violence that spun divorced. Her hymnal are prayers, heart’s yearning of shinobi center stage in the theater of war. By curtain call their soul’s a roar, the fire that fuels her divine.

Crying out for an end to the suffering, for themselves and the war.

Crying out for their kin to live, to grow well into their old.

Crying out for the yearning of leaving a beautiful legacy, Shared over tea as the legends are, Their lessons taught to generations to come.

____________________________________________________

ARTISTIC DEPICTION [added by myself]: Her wild hair manifesting through the black clouds of the battlefield | Warmly embracing the dying or gently kissing their brow | Blooming from the chests of soldiers or from mass graves | Breathing petals and flowers | Expression of relief; accompanied by joyous tears | Sprouting from the earth | Halo made of golden needles | Pouring flower tea | Letters sealed with flower imagery |  

ASSOCIATED WITH: Fast Acting Poison | Sprouts/Buds/Shoots | Flowering Plants | Peaceful Death | Tea |  The Process of Maturity |

SACRED PLANTS: Wolf’s Bane |  Rosary Pea | Red Spider Lily | English Marigold | Passionflower | Mint | Ginger | Aloe Vera | Hemlock | SACRED STONES/GEMS: Clear Crystal | Blue Averturine | Hematite | Howlite | Ebony | Topaz | Ruby | Sapphire | Smokey Quartz | SACRED ANIMALS: Bees | Butterflies | Humming Birds

COLORS: Lush and Bright Greens | Earthy Tones | Orange | Sky Blue FOOD: Passionflower Tea | Aloe Vera Juice |  Nightshade Wine | Sunflower Seeds | Flower Salad | Candied Flower Petals | SCENTS: The Earth After a Storm | Old Books | Mint | Ginger | Fresh Aloe | 

WAYS TO HONOR: Nursing | Mercy Killing (may be translated through the death of an individual to protect others) | Studying Research | Keeping a Library | Practicing Ikebana | Serving Tea | Practicing Acupuncture | Celebrating Birthdays |

ACCEPTED OFFERINGS: Mint | Prayers | Ginger | Needles | Nightshade Wine | Pain Medication | Ikebana | Books | Letters | Tea adorned with flowers or petals | Apple Seeds | 

TAGGING: @super-kame-love @sharkfinx @shikkotsunin [or any of your RP blogs ^_^]  @masked-stitches @godofame [well I mean this might be TOO easy for you specifically LOL]

[abookishdreamer]

Character Intro: Hemera (Kingdom of Ichor)

Nicknames- Lil Lighty by Thanatos, Hypnos, and Charon

My Light by her parents

Sunshine Sparkle (sarcastically) by Nemesis

Age- 16 (immortal)

Location- The Underworld

Personality- Hemera has a very happy-go-lucky attitude. She tries to have a positive outlook on things and can be a bit naive at times. She's a lot more open to being sensitive when it comes to her emotions. She’s single.

She's the baby of the family- being the youngest of all her siblings Nosos (god of illness, plague, & disease), Apate (goddess of fraud & deception), Keres (goddess of violent death), Arae (goddess of curses & hexes), Charon (Ferryman of the Underworld), Thanatos (god of death), Hypnos (god of sleep), Nemesis (goddess of retribution), and Achlys (goddess of the death mist, poison, misery, & sadness). She has a twin brother, Aether (god of the upper atmosphere, celestial bodies, & heavenly light) who's a few minutes older than her. Hemera's relationship with Nemesis is currently strained, but she still yearns for the bond they used to have.

She splits her time between Olympius & the Underworld. During the day, she stays at her mansion in New Olympus (nicknamed Palace of the Sun) located in the Solar district & at night, she stays at her parents' palace (nicknamed Mansion of Night).

Hemera affectionately calls her freckles her "sunspots."

She has the standard abilities of a goddess except shapeshifting. As goddess of the day her other powers/abilities include pyrokinesis (her fire burns a bright white-yellow), being able to communicate with diurnal animals, photokinesis, light mimicry, and invisibility. She can also generate force-fields. Hemera gets significantly weaker at night.

She's good friends with most of the gods and is particularly close with Apollo (god of the sun, music, poetry, healing, medicine, archery, plague, light, & knowledge), Eupraxia (goddess of well-being & success), Chrysos (god of gold & riches), Artemis (goddess of the hunt & moon), The Muses, Phaenna (goddess of jewels), Hedylogos (god of sweet talk & flattery); thinks that he's the sweetest, Iris (goddess of the rainbow), Hygieia (goddess of hygiene & cleanliness), Himeros (god of impetuous love), Méli (goddess of bees & honey), Carpo (goddess of autumn & fruits), Panacea (goddess of universal remedy), Auxo (goddess of summer, vegetation, & plants), Thallo (goddess of spring & new growth), Tyche (goddess of luck), Nephele (goddess of clouds), The Hesperides, Pandaisia (goddess of banquets), Eos (Titaness of dawn); they're besties, Pasithea (goddess of hallucinations & relaxation), Zephyrus (god of the west wind), Notus (god of the south wind), Antheia (goddess of swamps, vegetation, floral wreaths), and Chloris (goddess of flowers).

Her official mentor was Alectrona (goddess of the sun & morning).

Hemera also admires Theia (Titaness of sight & heavenly light) and Eváeros (goddess of air & the zodiacs).

One of her favorite colors is rose gold. Hemera also likes yellow, orange, and gold!

Her favorite flowers are daylilies!

Hemera also used to have a crush Helios (Titan god of the sun).

For her long curly golden dark brown hair, she loves using the Glory's Crown ambrosia honey curling jelly and the sunflower oil gloss spray.

In New Olympus, Hemera enjoys sunbathing, tanning, hiking, parasailing, going to the park, bike riding, and cloud surfing (with Apollo). In the Underworld, she enjoys ice skating, hockey, & pomegranate picking.

She sometimes dog-sits Cerberus for Hades.

Go-to drinks for her include orange juice, lemonade, sweet tea, mango juice, and piña colada smoothies! She also likes sparkling apple cider and champagne. Her usual from The Roasted Bean is a large caramel latte.

Her favorite treat is a pineapple-mango sorbet. She also likes lemon pineapple ice cream!

Her favorite breakfast sandwich is the bacon, egg, & cheese. She gets it from The Bread Box.

She even has her own glamour doll collectible!

Hemera considers rain during a sunny day to be a sign of good luck!

She doesn't particularly have an affinity for cooking (despite watching her mother cook), so she opts for take-out, her go-to order being a large creamy chicken penne and a grilled cheese sandwich (made with six kinds of cheeses) from The Hearthside Diner. Hemera also likes her mom's oxtail stew, sweet plantains, & chicken patties.

Hemera has a successful makeup palette (Dayglow)- sold exclusively at Olmorfia and is also thinking about releasing her own jewelry line and signature fragrance. For other work, she writes for Vital Essence magazine & she also models for/endorses Persuasions, Momentum, Sunshine Radiance, and Bow + Arrow.

"Each day brings forth new possibilities!"

[absent-angel]

Once upon a time, Snow White believed in happily ever after.

She has her one true love; her handsome prince now crowned king. When she wakes, it is in a bed of silken sheets and the finest down, surrounded by high castle walls and ornate tapestries to ward off the chill of white winters. Each morning her reflection greets her with assurances that she is still beautiful and fair—still deserving of her name. She has everything she could want, everything she could possibly need, except for the happiness she was promised, and suddenly ever after strikes her as just another curse hiding in the shape of a gift.

The truth is she’s living in riches, when all she wants is a world of dreams. When she sleeps, she floats in rivers filled with stars and stares up at skies painted in an eternal sunset. She dreams of gnarled branches heavy with fresh, sweet smelling apples with candy red skin that whisper promises of perfection. Her fair hands pluck a specimen from its too green branches, fingertips caressing its smooth curves, admiring her pale, distorted reflection shining back at her, before bringing it to her lips. Teeth sink into its crisp flesh, juice dribbles down her chin, and she savors the taste of happiness as it slides down her throat.

Waking is painful. Her husband's lips taste sour when he kisses her, the pillows feel lumpy, and the castle feels cold. She thinks of the empty glass coffin in the woods, surrounded by the skeletal remains of flowered wreaths (her wreathes, her coffin) and tries not to think of the vastness of her dreams, or the disappointment she feels when her eyes flutter open. Poison, she reminds herself, it was poison. She repeats it silently, with a desperation that borders on a prayer, but even when she breaths the words to life—lets her red lips wrap around each one with the reverence they deserve—it falls flat. Hollow.

She tries to fill the void, satiate the itch, with everything that is red. She paints her lips with it, wraps her body in dyed silks and deep velvets. Around her neck she hangs strings of rubies so dark they look like drops blood against her ivory skin. When she looks at her reflection in the mirror she looks every bit a queen, but even with the garnet rings adorning her fingers her hands still look empty.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, what is missing for the fairest of all? The mirror gives no answer, but she doesn’t need one. Not really.

At morning mass, the priest preaches of the sins of Eve and of how her taste of the forbidden fruit damned humanity. Snow White listens, knuckles white and aching as they fist in her red velvet skirts. Her husband lays a hand, callused by the same sword that severed her stepmother’s head from her shoulders, over hers in what is supposed to be an act of comfort. He doesn’t understand.

She has tasted that fruit, rolled its flesh over her tongue and pressed it lovingly against the roof of her mouth so that she may savor its sweetness. She wonders if Eve also longed for another bite, even as her world was burning all around her.

She wonders if she was in love with her poison, the same way she is.

[witchinessstuff]

Herbs and flowers🌿🥀

(Use any of these at your own risk and do research to ensure what you're doing with them is safe! Some herbs/flowers are poisonous!!!)

*Acacia / Gum Arabic (Acacia senegal)// protection and psychic power. Can be mixed with others.

* Aloe Leaf Peel (Aloe vera)//healing, protection, grief, bitterness, affection

* Angelica Root (Angelica sinensis)//inspiration, magic

* Apple Blossoms (Malus pumila)// hope, love, unity, growth, vitality, connection.

*Azalea Petal (Rhododendron simsii)// beauty, abundance, passion.

* Beach Rose Buds (Rosa rugosa)// healing, divination, tranquility, harmony, psychic ability, spirituality, and protection.

* Beach Rose Petal (Rosa rugosa)//

healing, divination, tranquility, harmony, psychic ability, spirituality, and protection.

* Burdock Root (Arctium lappa)// to prevent workers from putting roots on you, meang curses. Can be spread around the home to ward off negative energie.

* Butterfly Pea Flower (Clitoria ternatea)// Butterfly pea flower has been used as a ‘smart drug’ (or nootropic) to enhance memory, cognition and intelligence; as a calmative / anxiolytic to reduce stress and anxiety; and also as an anti-depressant, anti-convulsant and anti-inflammatory. 

* Calendula Flower (Calendula officinalis)// sacred affection, joy, remembrance, grief

* Camphor Leaf (Cinnamomum camphora)// It is one of the most sacred substances to offer to the moon goddess on a new moon to thank her for her abundant blessings.

Camphor is also used in cleansing and purification rituals. Use it to get rid of unwanted passions or unwanted admirers....

* Carnation Petal (Dianthus caryophyllus)// Used to remove hexes and negative energy, the carnation is especially good for clearing out love problems.

* Catnip Leaf (Nepeta cataria)// Love, Luck, Lust, Aphrodisiac

* Chamomile Bud (Chamaemelum nobile)// energy in adversity, patience, long life, wisdom

* Chrysanthemum Flower (Chrysanthemum morifolium)// Chrysanthemum is masculine in nature and resonates with the energy of the Sun and the element of fire. Chrysanthemum has been used for burial rituals and is a suitable decoration for Samhain and for ancestral altars. The dried flower heads of chrysanthemum can be burned during house blessing ceremonies.

* Cinnamon Bark (Cinnamomum cassia)// Cinnamon is associated with the element of fire and the sun. It can be burned to sanctify an area or object, to increase the spiritual "mood", to aid in healing spells or in healing in general (this is appropriate for burning right in the sick room) and also to enhance the male libido.

*Clove Buds (Syzygium aromaticum)// clove buds in a tea to improve digestion, prevent and relieve flatulence and relieve nausea and diarrhea. It is also lovely steeped in milk, wine or juice with a cinnamon stick for these purposes. Cloves are masculine in nature and aligned with the planet Jupiter and the element of fire. Used in magick to attract good luck and prosperity, to keep good friends close, and to help stop malicious gossip. Burn to prevent people from spreading rumors about you or push the cloves into a red candle and burn that.

* Coltsfoot Buds (Tussilago farfara)// suitable for springtime rituals welcoming the return of the sun, such as Imbolc, Ostara and Beltane- depending on when they bloom that particular year! The long stems can be woven into wreaths. Coltsfoot has been used as in love, tranquility and money spells and burned during divination rites. It is also burned in divinatory and healing incense. Coltsfoot corresponds to the element of water and the planet Venus

* Costus Root (Saussurea costus)// love and elemental spells since it is good for clarity

* Dandelion Leaf (Taraxacum officinale)// faithfulness, happiness. The dandelion is masculine in action and associated with the planet Jupiter, the element of air and both Pisces and Sagittarius. It is also associated with any solar deity, Hecate, Brigid and Belenos.

* Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale)// pouring boiling water over a bowlful of roots will aid in calling spirits.

* Dragon's Blood Resin (Dracaena draco)// The resin burned as an incense can be used for cleansing and exorcism of a space, especially to rid a new space of the energies of the former occupants to make room for yours when you are preparing to move in(camphor increases its effectiveness here.). Dragon's blood can be burned during spells to increase courage and protect those going forth to meet danger (i.e. slay metaphorical dragons). Dragon's blood resin or incense may also be used in spells to encourage someone who has left to return.

* Echinacea Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)// Carrying Echinacea will provide inner strength during trying times. It can also be grown around the house or brought into a house and placed in a vase to draw prosperity into the home and protect the family from suffering from poverty. Echinacea is an appropriate flower for offerings, especially to place spirits and river God(dess)es. Including Echinacea in any spell or charm will increase its effectiveness.

* Egyptian Lotus Flower (Nymphaea caerulea)// resonates with the energy of the moon and the water element.

* Eucalyptus Leaf (Eucalyptus globulus)// Eucalyptus is used to bring fresh energy to a situation, to heal regrets and worries, and to relieve mental exhaustion. It is an excellent herb to use when someone or something is bothering you. It is often blended with other healing herbs to bring relief from physical or emotional concerns. Eucalyptus leaves may safely be burned, infused, sprinkled, or stuffed into mojo bags, pillows, and poppets. The protective magick of Eucalyptus is short-lived but very potent. It removes negative influences from the immediate surroundings. Unlike some other protective herbs, Eucalyptus gently creates a barrier without attacking or constraining others.

* Frankincense Resin (Boswellia carterii)// Burning frankincense is a suitable offering to any Sun God. It may have been used in the past as an offering to Ra and Bel. According to some translations of the Orphic Hymns, Frankincense is a suitable offering to Apollo, Ares, Artemis, Asklepios, Zeus, Boreas, Eos, Dike, The Erinyes, Hephaistos, Herakles, Hermes, Hygeia, The Kouretes, Korybas, Dionysos, Mnemosyne, Nike, The Muses, Notos, Ouranos, Palaimon, the Bacchai, Themis, The Titans, Tyche, Zephyros, Mercury, Diana, Jove, Daimones, Vulcan, Silenos, Satyros

Frankincense resin is useful for fumigating sacred space in preparation of any ritual as it burns away negativity and raises the energy of the space. Some believe this is the most powerful and useful incense for this purpose and it is used for exorcism as well.

* Ginger Root (Zingiber officinale)// adds power to any magical activity. It is used in spells to "speed things up" or to cause plans to come to fruition quickly. It can also be used in spells to add passion to an existing relationship.

* Ginkgo Leaf (Ginkgo biloba)// associated with fertility. Carry or use in amulets and charms as a healing herb. Useful in ritual healing. The dried nuts represent male fertility. Useful in all creative work. Immerse in water, then remove and keep in the bedroom to gain grace, love, and beauty.

* Globe Amaranth Flower (Gophrena globosa)// sacred to Huitzilopochtli, an Aztec Sun God and is a suitable offering to Artemis and Demeter. used to call forth the dead.

* Goji Berry (Lycium chinense)// goji berry can be made into an offertory item to attract friends, improve one's social life, and allow oneself to focus more intensely on one's ulterior goals. Eating goji berries prior to bedtime has also been reputed to give the consumer prophetic dreams or premonitions. mend the rift between two people.

* Guava Leaf (Psidium guajava)// health

* Hawthorn Dried Fruit (Crataegus pinnatifida)// love, marriage, health, fertility, chastity, protection and death.

* Honeysuckle Bud (Lonicera japonica)// Honeysuckle is associated by Culpeper with the planet Mercury and the sign Cancer. According to other sources it is associated with the planet Venusand the element of Earth. Honeysuckle flowers may be used in spells designed to determine the true worth of a person or thing. They may be burned in a censer or steep the flowers in wine, strain and drink. Honeysuckle brought into a home will help ensure a good marriage for the people who live there. Grow honeysuckle near your home to attract love, luck and wealth and to protect your garden from negative influences. The scent of honeysuckle is said to clear the mind, stimulate psychic powers, sharpen intuition, encourage psychic dreams, sweeten any mood and stimulate generosity. A flower rubbed on the forehead is said to increase psychic abilities.

* Jasmine Bud (Jasminum sambac)// Uses include snakebite and divination; good for charging quartz crystals. Use in sachets and spells to draw spiritual love and attract a soul mate. Carry or burn the flowers to draw wealth and money. Use in dream pillows to induce sleep or burn in the bedroom to bring prophetic dreams. Helps to promote new, innovative ideas.

* Jujube Slices (Ziziphus jujuba)// protection, health, autumn.

* Kiwi Dried Fruit (Actinidia chinensis)// love, romance.

* Lavender Bud (Lavandula angustifolia)// Magickal uses include love, protection, healing, sleep, purification, and peace. Promotes healing from depression. Great in sleep pillows and bath spells. Believed to preserve chastity when mixed with rosemary. Burn the flowers to induce sleep and rest, then scatter the ashes around the home to bring peace and harmony.

* Lemon Balm Leaf (Melissa officinalis)// Love, success, healing, and psychic/spiritual development. Use in love charms & spells to attract a partner. Use in healing spells & rituals for those suffering from mental or nervous disorders.

* Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)// Psychic cleansing and opening, lust potions.

* Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)// Love, lust, and fidelity. 

* Magnolia Flower (Magnolia denudata)// Magickal uses include health, beauty, love, loyalty, peace, calming anxieties, marital harmony, and overcoming addictions & obsessive behavior.

* Mandarin Orange Peel (Citrus reticulata)// love, fertility, divination, prosperity, friendship.

* Mango Dried Fruit (Mangifera indica)// prosperity and happiness.

* Mint Leaf (Mentha arvensis)// Promotes energy, communication and vitality. Draws customers to a business. Use dried leaves to stuff a green poppet for healing. Place in wallet or purse or rub on money to bring wealth and prosperity. Use on the altar to draw good spirits to assist in your magick. Place in the home for protection.

* Monkfruit Flower (Siraitia grosvenorii)// health

* Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)// bolstering ego, building confidence, success and counter magick. Keep in a jar by family pictures to keep the family safe.

* Mugwort Leaf (Artemisia argyi)// Carried to increase lust & fertility, prevent backache and cure disease & madness. Place around divination and scrying tools to increase their power or near the bed to enable astral travel. Use in sleep pillow or place in a sachet under your pillowcase to bring about prophetic dreams. Use an infusion of mugwort to clean crystal balls and magick mirrors.

* Mulberries (Morus nigra)// willpower, strength, healing, cosmic connection.

* Mulberry Leaf (Morus nigra)// protection

* Myrrh Resin (Commiphora myrrha)// Spiritual opening, meditation, and healing. This herb has high psychic vibrations that will enhance any magickal working. Burn as a potent incense to bring peace and for consecration, and blessing of talismans, charms, and magickal tools. Increases the power of any incense of which it is a part. Usually burned with Frankincense.

* Osmanthus Flower (Osmanthus fragrans)// Potency, fertility, healing, peace, protection, lust. Love & romance.

* Palo Santo Wood Chips (Bursera graveolens)// If you feel you have been cursed, rub this herb on your body and then bathe

* Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)// Used in spells, sachets, baths and mixtures for money & love. Put in the wallet or purse to draw money. Place in a charm or use in incense for fertility. Helps to ground you and bring your consciousness back to the physical level. Burn to bring business growth.

* Peach Blossom (Prunus persica)// fertility, love, wisdom.

* Peony Flower (Paeonia suffruticosa)//

Protection from hexes and jinxes. Good luck, good fortune, prosperity, and business success. Hang in the home or car for protection. Used to attract faeries. Use in rituals to cure or reduce lunacy. Also:Peony Root (Paeonia suffruticosa)

* Perilla Leaf (Perilla frutescens)// health

* Poke Root (Phytolacca acinosa)// Magickal uses include finding lost objects and breaking hexes and curses. Carry to increase courage. Add an infusion of poke root to bath water to break hexes.

* Pomegranate Peel (Punica granatum)// Divination, luck, wishes granted, wealth, fertility.

* Red Cockscomb Flower (Celosia cristata)// longevity, death.

* Red Sage Root (Salvia miltiorrhiza)// protection, purification, health.

* Roselle Hibiscus Flower (Hibiscus sabdariffa)// Averts negativity, especially in the form of gossip or false accusations

* Rosemary Leaf (Rosmarinus officinalis)// spells, worn to improve memory, used in dream pillows to prevent nightmares, burned as incense for purification and removing negativity. Wear or carry while reading or completing tasks to improve memory of the material and aid clear thinking (great for students!). Use an infusion of rosemary to wash hands before any healing magick. Use in bath magick for purification. Associated with faeries.

* White Sacred Sage (Salvia apiana)// purification, divination, protection

* Safflower Petals (Carthamus tinctorius)// destruction

* Sea Lavender Flower (Limonium sinuatum)// Soothes/ restores body and mind. Arouses sexual desire in men, loyalty, purification, protection, healing. Third eye chakra, spiritually uplifting.

* Skullcap Root (Scutellaria baicalensis)// ​Worn by women to keep their husbands faithful. Used in sleep pillows for relaxation & peace. Used to bind oaths and consecrate vows & commitments (handfasting, initiations, etc.) also for a relationship that will extend beyond this life. For this purpose SKullcap may be worn, burned as incense, or used as an oil. Used in bath magick to clam the aura of tensions and stress. Use in spells for relief from disharmony and disruptive situations. Place a pinch in a lover’s shoes to keep then from being affected by charms of others. Love, fidelity, peace of mind.

* St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)// Worn to prevent colds & fevers. Placed under pillow to induce prophetic, romantic dreams. Protects against all forms of black witchcraft. Place in a jar in a window or burn in a fireplace to protect from lightning, fire and evil spirits. Used for banishing, protection & blessing. Carry to strengthen courage and convictions or when confronting nasty situations. Burn to banish spirits and demons. Used in divination for the care of crystals. Note: Can be poisonous, use with caution. Protection, exorcism, strengthens the will, divination.

* Star Anise (Illicium verum)// Clairvoyance. Burned as incense to increase psychic awareness & abilities. Placed on the altar to increase the power generated. Carried to bring luck.

* Stevia Leaf (Stevia rebaudiana)// health

* Thorowax Root (Bupleurum chinense)// mental health, meditation

* Turmeric Root (Curcuma longa)// purification.

* Valerian Root (Valeriana officinalis)// Dream magick, reconciliation, love, and harmony. Placed in sachets for love & protection and used in sleep pillows. It is said that having Valerian Root nearby will settle an argument between a couple. Used to purify sacred space. Used as a substitution for graveyard dirt/dust in spells. Use in protection baths. Burn for reconciliation in ailing relationships, but only with the permission of all parties involved in the relationship. Wear to calm the emotions.

* Vervain Stems (Verbena officinalis)// Protection, purification, money, youth, peace, healing, and sleep. Bury in the yard or keep in the home to encourage wealth, protect from lightning & storms, and bring peace. Put under the pillow to prevent nightmares. Use as an incense to end unrequited love. Use in prosperity spells. Carry to prevent depression and/or bring creativity. Use in cleansing baths and rituals before working magick. Use in amulets, sachets, dream pillows, and baths for all-purpose protection of home sand people (especially children).

* Wintergreen Leaf (Gaultheria procumbens)// Protection, healing, hex breaking.

[camillamaecaulay]

10, 12, 18 !!

thank you for the ask angel!

10 – what would be your favorite place in your dream home? or in the home you live in now? i think my favourite place in my dream home would be some kind of library, although obviously every room would have books in it, or my garden! those are the two things i really need to be happy – books and plants. a little corner with books and a window would be perfect, or a beautiful wild garden. 

12 – if you were to grow a garden, what kinds of plants would you grow? what a coincidence to have this ask after the answer i gave to that first one! the short answer is: everything. the long answer is: i would want a lot of natural biodiversity on a lawn – i don’t believe in mowing – and then i would also grow medicinal and poisonous plants, as well as decorative plants for wreaths and flower crowns.

18 – what kind of candle scents do you like? i have a lot of very sweet-scented candles – toffee apples and pecan pie and caramel and other such sugary scents – but i have recently come to really crave ‘fresher’ smells, like raspberry, florals and ‘clean linen’ kind of stuff. however, my absolute favourite scented candle i own is called faery food, and it’s from folklore candles, although i don’t think they sell it anymore sadly. 

domestic asks

[traditional-with-a-twist]

xvi. Beauty and Her Beast

<<Previous || first arc || AO3 || Next>>

Prince Raj cried when he heard the news.

He received the letter in the midst of his afternoon tea, which he had taken early in revenge on Sakaki, who insisted on trying to interest him in affairs of state.

The steam, curling from the surface of apple blossom infused with cinnamon spice, softened his attendant’s disapproving look when Raj held the gold-rimmed cup level with his chin.

...

“How shall we answer the high court, your highness?”

Raj ignored him, inhaling a feather of hot air deep into his chest.

“Does the verdict meet your approval?” Sakaki pressed.

“Talk of criminals and prison sentences spoils my tea!” Raj snapped. He had never enjoyed the juridical element of royal authority under the best of circumstances, and these were not the best of circumstances. 

He was brooding on the cruelty of fate in denying him answers to the questions he had asked, and he preferred to brood in peace.

...

Sakaki made no effort to stifle his sigh. “The enemy of the public cannot be transferred to secure holdings without the royal seal of approval, your highness. She remains dangerous.”

“Oh, very well,” Raj groused, turning his face to the rain-spattered window panes. “Off with her head.”

“The court has sentenced her to life in prison.”

“Whatever!”

...

It was then that Sakaki produced the letter. 

Perhaps he had admitted defeat, bowing to the prince’s petulance and surrendering his hopes for a productive afternoon. When Raj had worked himself into self-pitying mood, it cost more labor than a nurse with a fussy toddler to work him back out of it again.

More likely, the letter was Sakaki’s final gambit to claim his charge’s attention. He may have even hoped that a tangible reminder of the circumstances that occasioned this criminal’s capture would spur Raj to action.

“From the lady Shirayuki,” he pronounced, presenting a tidy square addressed in a neat hand. It was unadorned, except for a star-shaped flower, stamped in blue wax.

Raj upset the tea in his haste to receive it. Blossoms and spices forgotten, he broke the seal with exaggerated care then rushed to the window to read it by the dim glow of cloudy afternoon light.

...

Sakaki permitted himself to speculate as to the contents of the letter. Had Shirayuki conceded anything to Raj’s proposal--an extended stay, perhaps, or even a visit? 

She was difficult to influence, determined to follow her chosen path, but the offer must have tempted her. 

Grieving hearts yearn for the comforts of home. There was good reason to hope, he reasoned.

...

Raj turned back from the window. Tears were streaming down his cheeks.

“We must send our congratulations,” he croaked, extending the letter like a mother offering up her dead infant.

Though accustomed by years of close-hand experience to the prince’s violently mercurial moods, Sakaki started forward in alarm. Crossing the room in two strides, he removed the paper from Raj’s grasp as he might have relieved him of a poisonous plant or smoking brand.

Retiring to a safe distance with the offending missive, he inspected it for hidden barbs.

...

Shirayuki wrote simply, as was her wont. 

She thanked her friend for his invitation. She hoped to visit Tanbarun soon, but not now. “Obi and I are busy planning the wedding,” she explained.

“These are tears of joy!” Raj howled, scrubbing his face with a gigantic lace handkerchief.

...

Sakaki was not listening. He saw at a glance that the letter contained no real threat to Raj’s wellbeing--not physically, at least--and now a more pressing question occupied him: 

“But who is the groom?” he wondered.

Mourning customs all but forbade a second arrangement with so little time elapsed since the previous engagement had ended in bereavement.

It wasn’t unheard of, especially among the royal classes where political prerogatives might demand a speedy resolution to an awkward or untenable situation, but even then propriety usually received the deference of an announcement delayed until the conclusion of the designated mourning period.

For Shirayuki to betray herself in a letter to the first prince of Tanbarun bordered on a diplomatic disaster. How had the Wisterias countenanced it?

...

Sakaki’s forehead creased as he reread the message.

Obi and I…

He cast his memory back through dozens of royal audiences, scores of faces, hundreds of names. His stock of Clarinese nobility turned up dry, but when he directed his thoughts to Shirayuki’s eventful visit, it came to him.

He knew the man: dark, impassive, hovering just in sight at Shirayuki’s elbow...then eyes like slits, bristling hair, and hands faster than a snake, smashing bones in the pirates’ lair.

...

Obi had acquitted himself well in Tanbarun, and Princess Rona continued to speak of him with the envious regard she reserved for rivals she had yet to vanquish.

He could not be qualified to assist in arranging a royal wedding, however. Unless…

Sakaki looked up in amazement. “Surely not...her guard?”

...

“Why are you just standing there, Sakaki?!” Raj bawled. “We have work to do!”

This demand made no impression on Sakaki. He returned to staring at the letter in consternation. “There must be some mistake...”

“She must have a gift! A cake, perhaps. Flowers, certainly. Or else--” Raj waved the handkerchief as he began to pace the rug, eyes wild with visions of the woman dearest to him at the altar.

Three tiers of different flavors--no, seven. Or wreaths of roses and peonies, wrapped in silk ribbons? Nothing seemed splendid enough.

Raj was picturing Shirayuki pink-cheeked with happiness, adorned in bridal garb, her eyes softening with gratitude for a moment or perhaps two, when she received his wondrously splendid present and remembered her friend in Tanbarun with pleasure.

Sakaki saw only a princess in disgrace.

...

A politically advantageous marriage might be allowable, even under these difficult circumstances, but to unite herself with a man like Obi?

He had no pedigree, promised no alliances, not even resources that might have advanced Clarines in the suddenly critical effort to secure itself against future attacks.

His past remained a virtual mystery. The little that could be known promised greater evils than what might have been supposed from ignorance.

No amount of personal bravery, no degree of selfless loyalty, could suffice to qualify him as a match for a woman lately on the brink of marrying the prince of Clarines.

...

Sakaki bore Obi no ill will. He harbored none of the prejudices of the upper class, judging no man less than himself simply for a difference in station.

To deny the political implications of Shirayuki’s choice would have bordered on insanity, however. In her position, she had not the luxury of trampling on tradition.

She made a habit of defying convention, it was true, but never to serve herself at the cost of her home and its people.

...

In accepting a title of nobility, Shirayuki had acquiesced to the responsibilities and expectations attending it.

In accepting a royal offer of marriage, she had multiplied those obligations.

Her actions would reflect on Raj’s judgment in elevating her. Her choices would color the people’s memory of Prince Zen.

She cast both into question by lowering herself to a hasty, spurious match.

...

It was worse than a wasted opportunity: It would shame the royal families of two kingdoms.

[naomimonalpha]

Happy Halloween!! 

We decided to do a combination Halloween/Xmas this year starting with Halloween and then transitioning into Halloween themed Xmas up to december. So we get months of decorations I can leave up and also new things to craft up.

So yeah I made a Fall/Halloween wreath by painting leaves and gluing them to a wire frame and then adding other embellishments I’d either made or found about.

Paintings are actually a grey bed sheet cut up and spread over canvases I’d already had and then painting onto the fabric with acrylics which gave a chalky look.

The cloth everything is sitting on is another bed sheet I’d painted occult-ish looking stuff on with gold paint.

The poison apples are just some foam apples I got from the craft shop and then used hot glue for the poison which I then painted green with glow in the dark glitter glue on top of that.

The string of lights are mini glass bottles from the craft shop. I coated the insides with some glitter nail polish and added extra glitter. Then I just got a string of those led lights on wire, put holes through the corks, stuck the lights in and used hot glue to keep them in there. Printed, cut out and glued on labels.

The potion bottles were all made by @ofcandk using a whole heap of different materials and methods so I’m not even going to go into that other than to say they are boss ass awesome.

[veronica-ag]

Home Fragrance Empties 2019

Candles - 27 - $531.44

Yankee Candle Vanilla Cupcake Small Tumbler - $17 Yankee Candle Vanilla Cupcake Small Tumbler - $17 Yankee Candle World Journeys New England Maple Cream - $10 Yankee Candle Margaritaville Lime & Sea Salt - $24.99 Yankee Candle Root Beer Float - $27.99 Yankee Candle Bourbon Infused Vanilla Sugar - $27.99 Yankee Candle Cream Colored Ponies - $27.99 Yankee Candle Fruity Scoop - $27.99 Yankee Candle Tutti-Frutti - $27.99 BBW Merry Cookie Mason Jar - $12.50 BBW Pineapple Mango - $12.50 BBW Watermelon Lemonade Mason Jar - $12.50 BBW Leaves - $22.50 BBW Brazil Rio Coconut & Teakwood - $22.50 BBW Sparkle Every Day Confetti Cupcake - $22.50 BBW Banana Nutmeg Bread Pudding - $22.50 BBW Harvest Gathering - $22.50 BBW Farmstand Apple - $22.50 BBW Welcome Autmn Spiced Wreath - $22.50 BBW Campfire Donut - $24.50 BBW Pumpkin Pecan Waffles - $24.50 BBW Happy Birthday - $24.50 BBW Girl Gang Pink Bubblegum - $24.50 Body Shop Vanilla Chai - $19 Strawberry Daiquiri - $3.50 Tropical Sunset - $3.50 Fiji Palm - $3.50

Wax Melts - 64 - $182.86

Scentsy Happy Birthday - $6 Scentsy Pear Blossom & Cucumber - $6 Supertarts Miracle On 34th Street Sample - $1.68 Supertarts Raphael Sample - $0.71 Supertarts Mr. Meyers - $2.37 Supertarts Hills Have Eyes - $2.37 Supertarts Grudge - $2.37 Supertarts Die Hard - $1.68 Supertarts Wonkavator - $2.87 Supertarts A Bit Of Magic - $2.43 Supertarts Insidious - $2.37 Supertarts Carrie - $2.37 Supertarts Annabelle - $2.37 Supertarts Finnick Mistletoe Mac Apple Mallow - $2.60 Supertarts Poltergeist - $2.37 Supertarts Blair Witch - $2.37 Supertarts Purge - $2.37 Supertarts Scrooged - $1.68 Supertarts Jack Frost - $1.68 Supertars Meet Me In St. Louis - $1.68 Supertarts Abominable - $1.68 Supertarts Merry Mouse - $1.68 Supertarts Grandma’s House - $1.68 Supertarts Always - $1.72 Supertarts Luna - $1.72 Supertarts Moody - $1.72 Supertarts Ron - $1.72 Supertarts Gryffindor - $1.72 Supertarts Mango Mama’s House - $0.71 Supertarts Misery - $2.37 Supertarts Leprechaun - $2.37 Supertarts 17 Cherry Tree Lane - $2.43 Supertarts I Love To Laugh - $2.43 Supertarts Fizzy Lifting Drink - $2.87 Supertarts Doopity Doo - $2.87 Supertarts I Want It Nowww - $2.87 Supertarts Mmmm Tomato Soup - $2.87 Supertarts Percy - $4.25 Supertarts Luna - $4.25 Supertarts Gryffindor - $4.25 Supertarts Umbridge - $4.25 Supertarts Euron - $4.25 Supertarts Tin Man - $4.25 Supertarts Zombie Brains - $4.25 Supertarts Medusa - $4.25 Supertarts Moody - $4.25 Colonial Candle Clementine Cupcake Simmer Snaps - $4 Colonial Candle Gingersnap Simmer Snaps - $4 Colonial Candle Frankincense & Fur Simmer Snaps - $4 Colonial Candle Vanilla Eggnog Simmer Snaps - $4 Colonial Candle Sweet Iced Tea Simmer Snaps - $4 Colonial Candle Fresh Strawberry Rhubarb Simmer Snaps - $4 BBW Vanilla Bean Marshmallow - $4.50 BBW Champagne Toast - $4.50 BBW Tiki Beach - $4.50 Goose Creek Sipping Tea - $4 Goose Creek Summer Slices - $4 Yankee Candle Jack Frost Tart - $2 Ava’s Country Cupboard Poison Pie Scent Shot - $2 Ava’s Country Cupboard Fluffy Elephant - $2.85 Ava’s Country Cupboard Caramel Pretzel Bar Sample - $.50 Scentsationals Rock Candy - $2 Better Homes & Gardens Habanero Mango Salsa - $2 Tuscany Candle Fragrance Melt Candy Corn Treat - $1.99

Wallflowers - 9 - $58.50

BBW Cinnamon & Clove Bud Wallflower - $6.50 BBW Cheers Mulled Wine Wallflower - $6.50 BBW Smile Pink Lemonade Punch Wallflower - $6.50 BBW Strawberry Vanilla Wallflower - $6.50  BBW Caribbean Escape Wallflower - $6.50 BBW Twisted Peppermint Wallflower - $6.50 BBW London Wallflower - $6.50 BBW Sparkling Pear Riesling Wallflower - $6.50 BBW Leaves Wallflower - $6.50

Mixology Trios - 30 - $60

Bakery Air - Cranberry Twist - Sugared Apple

French Vanilla - Milk & Cookies - Vanilla Cupcake

Balsam & Cedar - Holiday Sage - Magical Frosted Forest

Honey Lavender Gelato - Lavender - Lavender Vanilla

Happy Spring - Lucky Shamrock - Vanilla Cupcake

Bakery Air - Balsam & Cedar - Magical Frosted Forest

Christmas Cookies - Cinnamon Vanilla - Milk & Cookies

Bundle Up - Celebrate Christmas - North Pole

Cranberry Chutney - Eucalyptus - Magical Frosted Forest

Alpine Martini - Home For The Holidays - Sparkling Pine

Other - 14 - $95.53

Sure Scents Apple Cinnamon Scent Beads - $1 Yankee Candle Bayberry Taper Candle Set - $3 Yankee Candle Strawberry Lemon Ice Fragrance Spheres - $6 Yankee Candle Peeps Fragrance Spheres - $6 Yankee Candle Balsam & Cedar Fragrance Spheres - $6 Yankee Candle Forbidden Apple Tealights - $9.99 Yankee Candle Forbidden Apple Tealights - $9.99 Yankee Candle Sicilian Lemon Tealights - $9.99 Yankee Candle Mango Peach Salsa Tealights - $9.99 Yankee Candle Passion Fruit Martini Tealights - $9.99 Yankee Candle Apple & Candied Walnut Tealights - $9.99 Yankee Candle Jellybeans Car Freshener - $6 Sweet & Shimmer Peppermint Truffle Reed Diffuser - $4.99 Supertarts Buttermint Fresh Rosemary Room Spray - $2.60 Empties: 144 $ Value - $928.33

[everythinggoodintheworldblog]

The holly and the ivy: how pagan practices found their way into Christmas.

From:  All Pagan, Norse & Heathens

Every year, almost without thinking about it, we incorporate certain plant species into our Christmas celebrations. The most obvious is the Christmas tree, linked historically in England to Prince Albert – but its use in British homes goes back to at least 1761 when Charlotte wife of George III put up a tree at the royal court.

(It’s probably worth noting here that the first artificial-brush Christmas tree was produced using the same machinery that was originally designed to produce toilet brushes.)

Three other plants are intimately associated with Christmas: holly, ivy and mistletoe – and in all cases their ecology is closely linked to their cultural uses.

Of all the trees that are in the wood

Holly, like ivy and mistletoe, is wintergreen and the bringing of green vegetation into the home is closely linked to rebirth both of spring and of Christ. It is the holly that most closely bears the crown – its spiny leaves and red berries link to Jesus’ crown of thorns. But such a link does not explain why holly is linked to Christmas rather than Easter.

King’s College Choir: The Holly and the Ivy.

Holly was an important element in deer parks and old hunting estates – and the name holly still survives in modern place names such as Hollins, Holm Hodder, Hollyoaks, and Hollywood – and was important for winter food. In the New Forest, in southern England, holly is still cut down as browse for the ponies.

The spiny dense canopy of holly also meant that it was useful as protection. It was sometimes planted next to saplings of valuable tree species to provide some protection from grazing animals and it is not unusual to see holly growing next to oaks and other trees, either from deliberate planting or a result of seeds being deposited by birds roosting on the branches above.

Holly has also been thought to protect the home – the holly you put around the door acting as flypaper for fairies, trapping any evil spirits who try to enter.

Holly and Ivy are often linked together at Christmas; this goes back much further, to the idea of the holly (male) and ivy (female) being burnt together at the pagan festival of Beltane.

Ivy, like holly, is an important evergreen edible plant species in the UK woodland. One of only five woody climbers, like mistletoe it can form dense growths in canopies that can cause harm to the host. As with mistletoe, it is linked with both Christmas and romance. Ivy is unusual among these species in being also associated with death and melancholy as well as rebirth.

Mistletoe: fertility plant

European mistletoe Viscum album is a partial parasite; it draws some nutrition from the host tree but also makes its own energy through photosynthesis. It is unusual in being a parasitic species that was deliberately spread by humans as it was thought to encourage fruiting in orchard trees. Pliny believed that mistletoe seeds had to be eaten by birds to germinate, indeed the name mistletoe means dung on a stick.

Mistletoe is most often associated with love, romance, courtship and the snog at the Christmas party. Its early associations are rather more sexual and when you look at its distinctive shape it is fairly easy to see why. Mistletoe has pairs of woody short stems coming off at right angles with two or more whitish ball-like berries at the junction of the stems. The berries when squashed secrete a white sticky liquid.

Pucker up! Maksym Gorpenyuk

Most people associate mistletoe with orchards but can grow on a wider range of tree species provided they have a fairly soft bark. Apple is the most common host species, but it is also found on limes, hawthorn, and poplar. The 1970 and 1990 Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) indicate that the decline in the number of orchards and changes in management has had an impact on mistletoe abundance. More recent surveys indicate possible range expansion in the east of England. There is a need for more survey work and you can take part by submitting your records of mistletoe here.

Mistletoe grows in the canopy of trees, with no roots or link to the earth and it remains green in winter when the rest of the tree has died, With such unearthly vitality has easy to understand why mistletoe has been associated with magical properties. It is one of the few pre-Christian examples of plant magic to survive. Many believe mistletoe and poinsettias to be poisonous. Southern European varieties contain some toxins but UK varieties are less toxic and there are no known recent incidents of poisoning. It is strange that for a plant perceived to be toxic to have confectionary named after it. The Celts believed that mistletoe was an all-healing plant – and it has now been discovered to contain anti-tumor compounds.

So when you put up your wreaths of holly and ivy and take a kiss under the mistletoe remember you are taking part in some historic and less historic traditions and celebrate the natural history that is part of Christmas.