#aldebaran-13

[echosong971]

"Mutiny"

Another wip, but also doubles as an attack on my good friend @ramgodd! His boy is Aldebaran-13, the Exo warlock in this animatic :)

Mav ofc, belongs to me

Song: Mutiny - Epic: The Musical

[echosong971]

my boi can GET IT

everybody wants a piece of that white boy

@echosong971 —> maverick

@fluxphage —> gloria

@missmirakell —> riva

aldebaran and tennessee are mine

[alma-rita]

Re:Zero Arc 9 Chapter 13

Spoilers~ But I actually read this chapter on midnight when it came out. Just that this talk post is coming rather late~~

-> REINHARD HAS ARRIVED-- I REPEAT, HE HAS MADE A COMEBACK. (My beloved Rein--!) -> According to some tweets I saw in X, Al and Alcanica might end up going to the floating island where other dragons fled/went to.

-> Why the hell is it when Reinhard and Al were facing off, I was thinking of the Capitano vs. Mavuika in the Genshin 5.0 trailer-- Cause epic music, hehe (and the dialogue ain't too dissimilar, ish)

-> Special mention to Flam for being quite~ troublesome to Al~

-> We do need to prioritize stabilizing each other and letting Al go. This thing for sure lmao: the Watch Tower is now just a big bundle of bad experiences and memories to Subaru.

-> And for some odd reason... why do I want Reinhard to lose against Al??? It's just me thinking about some Ayamatsu/Kasaneru stuff and the effect Al had on Liep is very terrible....

Al will probably escape, this the most logical route.

Reinhard loses??? Some mind fuckery is going to happen, and oh boy I am not ready for that---

As always, there will be another Domain Expansion. Sheesh, Re:Zero truly being Jujutsu Kaisen now, ahahahaha~

-> I remember reading a theory saying that Garfiel's future trial is actually him needing to end Subaru cause he cannot die at some point(at that time, people thought it would be due to Capella's blood). So Subaru entrusts Garfiel to kill him so he can loop.

Looks like that theory might be coming true, but instead of dragon's blood it's because of the seal (but dragon's blood preventing RBD might still happen)

-> TAPPEI-- GIMME NEXT CHAPTER PLEASE--!

-> I seriously wonder what will happen next.... ughhh, I wanna know!

Some Theory Stuff:

-> Shadow has an interesting picture guessing that Heinkel could have also been pokeballed. Another person suggests that Al could even have sealed Yae Tenzen. I seriously don't know if Al did decide to seal Yae (I will be re reading that part.)

At first, I thought it would be crazy for Yae or even Heinkel to be sealed, cause they both DO NOT have Witch Factors (unless? but no) So I doubt they'll be even sealed in the first place. Both Yae and Hinkel are just... missing.

>> But if we push that Witch Factor aside, Al actually has very good reasons to seal both of them.

For Yae, seeing that she was sent by Chisha Gold so Priscilla can be tested, I do feel that Al might have figured that out and decided that it will be best to remove her (seal Yae).

For Heinkel, this means that in the time Al spent locked in his room, he was already set and planning to go against the world. Since he will be going against the world, Al decided to seal Heinkel and use him as hostage against Reinhard if he shows up.

-> For me... we'll see. But I seriously believe that they aren't sealed because the magic spell failed on Sphinx. Text out right said it was because Sphinx didn't have a Witch Factor, Al wasn't able to seal her.

Tappei pls gimme next chapter--

[aldebaran-13]

sketching some icons for my oc masterlist

[pubbamoon]

Nakshatras Observation

Hey! How you're doing? I'm doing good. You know I make posts everyday, but yesterday I needed to rest and to take a pause of writing and making observations a little bit. This post for today is going to be fully about Vedic astrology and theme of this post are fixed stars, constellations or the nakshatras. You can all it however you want to, but I mostly call it nakshatras, 'cause it's more common term. Anyway, let's just begin!

First of all, what are nakshatras? Nakshatras are the fixed stars from the Universe which are divided from each other by degrees of the zodiac signs. Every zodiac sign has three nakshatras in it and each nakshatra means something else. For example, two nakshatras in Cancer mean different things, so two Cancer Moon natives with two different nakshatras may be different from each other. I forgot to mention in my previous post about Vedic astrology that it can be named as 'Jyotish' astrology and it's from India, so keep that in mind.

But nonetheless, let's continue. Each nakshatra has its own planetary ruler and these planets can be the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu (North Node of The Moon) and Ketu (South Node of The Moon). Also, each nakshatra has its own deity, mythology, yoni (sexual animal), symbol and its association with each fixed star (Antares, Regulus, Aldebaran, Betelgeuse, Spica etc.). There's overall 27 nakshatras and in the next picture, you can see the name of nakshatras, their order, in which sign they start at, in which sign they end at, their planetary ruler (lord) and their ruling deity.

Each nakshatra lasts 13 degrees and 20 minutes in every sign. To make things clearer, I'm going to make the order of nakshatras by its planetary rulers (lords).

Ketu (South Node of The Moon):

Ashwini: 0° 00' Aries - 13°20' Aries

Magha: 0° 00' Leo - 13° 20' Leo

Mula: 0° 00' Sagittarius - 13° 20' Sagittarius

Ketu is a shadow planet which represents the past life, spirituality and seeking the truth. Its nakshatras are placed at the very beginning of the fire signs, because they represent the end of the karma from previous life (water signs) and the activation of karma from this lifetime (fire signs).

Venus:

Bharani: 13° 20' Aries - 26° 40' Aries

Purva Phalguni: 13° 20' Leo - 26° 40' Leo

Purva Ashadha: 13° 20' Sagittarius - 26° 40' Sagittarius

Venus does represent love, raw femininity, sensuality, romance and pleasures. Its nakshatras are located at the center of the fire signs, which represent individuality. We have to learn to love ourself first, because seeking the love to others isn't real love and is more likely people pleasing.

The Sun:

Krittika: 26° 40' Aries - 10° 00' Taurus

Uttara Phalguni: 26° 40' Leo - 10° 00' Virgo

Uttara Ashadha: 26° 40' Sagittarius - 10° 00' Capricorn

The Sun represents our vitality, father, king, royalty, refined masculinity, purpose, self-expression etc. Its nakshatras are placed between the fire signs and the earth sign, making a balance between individuality and confidence with practicality and being down to earth.

The Moon:

Rohini: 10° 00' Taurus - 23° 20' Taurus

Hasta: 10° 00' Virgo - 23° 20' Virgo

Shravana: 10° 00' Capricorn - 23° 20' Capricorn

The Moon represents home, public, mind, refined femininity, mother, emotions, nurturing, nostalgia etc. and its nakshatras are located completely in earth signs. In order to become emotionally secure, we need to build up the stability in our home environment.

Mars:

Mrigashira: 23° 20' Taurus - 6° 40' Gemini

Chitra: 23° 20' Virgo - 6° 40' Libra

Dhanishta: 23° 20' Capricorn - 6° 40' Aquarius

Mars represents raw masculinity, courage, strength, having a muscular body and sex. Its nakshatras are located between the earth signs and the air signs, making a balance between the hard-working energy (earth signs) with having a time for hanging out with other people (air signs). People with the prominent Mars-ruled nakshatras are prone to have a mental health issues.

Rahu (North Node of The Moon):

Ardra: 6° 40' Gemini - 20° 00' Gemini

Swati: 6° 40' Libra - 20° 00' Libra

Shatabhisha: 6° 40' Aquarius - 20° 00' Aquarius

Rahu is also a shadow planet as Ketu and it represents future, internet, social medias, illusions, obsessions and overnight success. Its nakshatras are placed completely in the air signs which represents collectivity and masses of people. You have to be relatable and likeable to others if you want to succeed on the internet.

Jupiter:

Punarvasu: 20° 00' Gemini - 3° 20' Cancer

Vishakha: 20° 00' Libra - 3° 20' Scorpio

Purva Bhadrapada: 20° 00' Aquarius - 3° 20' Pisces

Jupiter does represent expansion, higher education, luck, sharing knowledge to others and its nakshatras are placed in the air signs and at the beginning stage of the water signs. People with the prominent Jupiter-ruled nakshatras may likely spread their knowledge to the group of people (air signs) and show their genuine side (water signs).

Saturn:

Pushya: 3° 20' Cancer - 16° 40' Cancer

Anuradha: 3° 20' Scorpio - 16° 40' Scorpio

Uttara Bhadrapada: 3° 20' Pisces - 16° 40' Pisces

Saturn represents discipline, karma, struggles, restrictions, career, longevity, masses of people and its nakshatras are located completely in water signs. This planet teaches us to become emotionally stable and to control our emotions.

Mercury:

Ashlesha: 16° 40' Cancer - 0° 00' Leo

Jyeshta: 16° 40' Scorpio - 0° 00' Sagittarius

Revati - 16° 40 Pisces - 0° 00' Aries

Mercury does represent our communication style, writing style, mental stimulation etc. Its nakshatras begin at the center of the water signs and end at the very end of the water signs. This can mean that communication might be transformative, even manipulative. It can also show the death and the end of our karma from this current lifetime.

P.S. Pubba is an abbreviation of Purva Phalguni word. Since I have the Moon in Purva Phalguni nakshatra in Leo, I chose to call my username as @pubbamoon.

So, that could be everything for today. It was pretty interesting to make this kind of post, haha. Hope you enjoyed it and learned something new. See you!

Best regards,

Paky McGee

[apod]

2024 January 26

Epsilon Tauri: Star with Planet Image Credit & Copyright: Reg Pratt

Explanation: Epsilon Tauri lies 146 light-years away. A K-type red giant star, epsilon Tau is cooler than the Sun, but with about 13 times the solar radius it has nearly 100 times the solar luminosity. A member of the Hyades open star cluster the giant star is known by the proper name Ain, and along with brighter giant star Aldebaran, forms the eyes of Taurus the Bull. Surrounded by dusty, dark clouds in Taurus, epsilon Tau is also known to have a planet. Discovered by radial velocity measurements in 2006, Epsilon Tauri b is a gas giant planet larger than Jupiter with an orbital period of 1.6 years. And though the exoplanet can't be seen directly, on a dark night its parent star epsilon Tauri is easily visible to the unaided eye.

∞ Source: apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap240126.html

[houseoflibra]

Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas – Bangai-hen The Land of Wind (Part 1)

(This arc corresponds to chapters 7-9 of the first collected volume.)

Page 1

Sanctuary, 18th century

Trainees: - Hah! - Yah!

???: - You've done a good job teaching the trainees… - …Aldebaran.

Page 2

Sisyphus: - They've become strong.

Page 3

Aldebaran: - You're back, Sisyphus! - I heard you had a rough time with this latest mission.

Sisyphus: - Yeah. - Two bronze saints who were with me were injured.

Aldebaran: - Specters? - Not again?…

Sisyphus: - No doubt about it. - We were attacked by Specters we had already defeated. - Some of them had even inflicted damage on our forces before.

Page 4

Aldebaran: - Hmm… if they keep reviving no matter how many times we defeat them… - …the casualties on our side will only keep multiplying…

Sisyphus: - Yeah… - Including these hard-working trainees.

Aldebaran: - Sisyphus, how do we fight that? - I cannot accept my comrades having such pointless deaths!!

Sisyphus: - … - Pope Sage says that Virgo Asmita holds the key.

Page 5

Aldebaran: - Him?… - He failed to attend another meeting the other day because he claimed he was meditating!…

Sisyphus: - I get what you're saying. - But that's what Pope Sage said. - For the moment, he is the one closest to reaching the eighth consciousness. - It is a sense that goes beyond the ultimate cosmo of the seventh sense. - It's… - …the sense that my older brother Ilias, the former Leo Saint, once attained.

Page 6

House of Virgo

Sisyphus: - (Even though it's on Pope Sage's orders, this may be the first time I'm coming face to face with Virgo.) - (Regulus seems to have become somewhat attached to him, perhaps because they're neighbors…) - (But there are also many like Aldebaran who say they don't understand him.) - (Maybe they are alike after all...)

Page 7

Sisyphus: - (They probably perceive things on a different dimension than ordinary people.) - (I wonder…) - (…just how far into the world can they see?)

Page 8

-

Page 9

Asmita: - You've finally come... - ...Sisyphus.

Sisyphus: - I'm here on Pope Sage's orders. - There's only a limited number of people who know of this, but…

Asmita: - That's not what I'm referring to. - I've been wanting to meet you. - Back then, a connection was made. - And thus this meeting has come to be.

Sisyphus: - I see… - Then you know why I'm here?

Asmita: - Of course I do.

Page 10

Asmita: - You're looking for a way to seal the immortality of the Specters, right? - It is certainly a difficult problem for anyone who has not awakened the eighth consciousness.

Sisyphus: - Then…

Asmita: - But I am still one step away from reaching the realm of the eighth consciousness. - I am unable to meet the Pope's expectations as I am now. - So this is what I thought instead. - It's time for me to follow the bond to the previous Leo now.

Page 11

Asmita: - Ohm!

Sisyphus: - Ugh! - …!! - What are you doing, Asmita?!

Asmita: - Sisyphus… - You received the teachings of the previous Leo. - And as the younger brother of a hero, you struggled. - I heard that you discussed many things with him.

Pages 12 + 13

Asmita: - That is why I think… - …that a part of his principles must live on in you.

Sisyphus: - ?!

Asmita: - Allow me to show you. - Demon Pacifier!!!

Pages 14 + 15

Sisyphus: - No way… - Are you looking for a thousand-day war?!…

Asmita: - I wouldn't mind it. - If it leads to the path of the eighth consciousness… - …it would be no different from a long discussion. - All you need to do is think of your brother within you. - Because… - …he awakened to the eighth consciousness, so surely he lives on, despite having lost his physical body.

Sisyphus: - !! - (My brother is alive.)

Page 16

Sisyphus: - (You don't have to tell me that. I can feel it.) - (When we talk like this…) - (In Regulus, whom he left behind…) - (In the sense of loss around Sanctuary as the Holy War draws near…) - (But…) - (…he's talking about more than these sentimental things of mine…)

Page 17

Sisyphus: - (Is he... still here?) - (Even after losing his physical body?…) - (Brother!!…)

Asmita: - ! - (A gust of wind appeared!…) - (It's different from the wind that Sisyphus creates.) - (It belongs to a third party.)

Pages 18 + 19

Asmita: - Huff… - Huff…

Sisyphus: - Huff… - Just now… - Was that a burst from our clashing powers?… - Or…

Asmita: - It was the former Leo. - Just as I thought. His cosmo is outside reincarnation, and continues to live on blending into the world.

Pages 20

Asmita: - Sisyphus. - I heard that the former Leo suffered from tuberculosis and left Sanctuary to embark on a journey…

Sisyphus: - He did… - But, Asmita… That was…

Asmita: - The lion is calling from within the wind. - On a journey to the land he visited in his final moments.

To be continued...

[aldemuappreciationhub]

The Aldemu Community is HERE!

This is a community dedicated to anything and everything related to AldeMu!

Consider joining it!

-- Mod Kiki ♈♉

[awesomesauce2929]

time to spam u :3c

Ship meme: AldeMu

Here’s a little doodle of them I made because I wanted to draw something and there is a first time to everything. I wanted to do something special for them since they are your OTP so I will give it a shot why I love AldeMu with an attempted visual below

Squick / Just nope / A trainwreck you can’t look away from / Mehh but they are bloody everywhere / Not interested but no negative feelings / I need to see how I could make it work / BroTP / Cute / I love them / They rented a room in my mind and are here to stay

An attempt of an AldeMu essay :3

It is surprising, more ground breaking than when baby Athena arrived at Earth and the reaction to that was a battle and a goldie’s death, that a cute, actively supportive relationship of Mu and Aldebaran thrived and blossomed in spite of the tensions within the Sanctuary, Mu being a handsome traitor to the Sanctuary and a upcoming holy war, oh my. Their relation is down to earth, relatively chill and interestingly I say it is more rooted in reality compared to most ships. This is because of the Sanctuary being less as a factor, a component of their relationship, if the sanctuary was no more tomorrow, both can adapt quickly to the society and take less time to adjust. I would say that the Sanctuary during the 13 years in a way separated them because Mu was in Jamir in his isolation and Aldebaran could not freely visit him. Hence that could explain partly their detachment from the Sanctuary before Athena took over. I could imagine some sneak around and the rare times Mu visited the Sanctuary, both worked hard to nurture their relationship and it worked. 

Canonically, in every Sanctuary arc, Aldebaran trusted Mu’s judgement of the bronzes when they entered the Taurus temple that prompted Alde to see these bronzes had potential and he wanted to witness that considering the bronzes’ goal is to get through the twelve temples and their opponents are the gold saints who will stop the bronzes are crazy powerful. So Mu and Alde had a similar idea of prioritising and empathising the seventh sense to the bronzes that did help them winning the Sanctuary war and knocked a Pope down hahaha. 

(Mu: That’s karma, kill a Pope, you die as one.)

Something about AldeMu that make me root for them perhaps it’s the friends to lovers (which is not majority of my ships, but some are), it’s more like both compliment each other, why not see if they are awesome as lovers which is a cool exploration, both are chill even when exchanging banter together (most of the time, Mu still got his unhinged side and Alde is like “that’s cool, honey” and only really intervene if Mu was in actual danger).

When I was writing this answer, I got thinking, and I think too hard but for a good reason, as I thought something I never thought of before. One of the reasons I ship them, them being happy defies the expectations placed upon them in their world. I like a bit of defying/making your destiny/decision aspect (as there is a power of making decisions which both have done to be together and worked hard for it). Mu being away and isolated in a way mirrors Shion’s fate of being isolated and alone in the Sanctuary which is rough for both of them, especially for Shion because it is been centuries and he had to built an army and for Mu, after Shion dies when he was 7, an young age he isolate himself up to his late teenage years which affects and stays in his psyche. That impact is still there but Mu and to some extent to the people he cultivates his friendships and other relations, navigate around that, his closest relation who he has been on his side the most, literally and metaphorically is Aldebaran in the classics and spinoffs. 

Aldebaran in canon wise, being portrayed and in comparison to the rest of the goldies as not as visible considering he plays not a big role in the Sanctuary in the 13 years (mostly he wasn’t seen or even implied), was he involved in the Sanctuary politics or did he stay out by his choice or lack of opportunity. However his own self, I like to think is true, that is he is faithful to Athena and keeps his head down and get things working, I headcanon him being a steady pillar, especially if there are times of instability in the Sanctuary, Mu leaned on him and rely on him for information and Alde would make sure to keep Mu safe considering I think he knew death could be ordered like it was for Aioros. That makes him significant, his authenticity and his giving love and mercy, almost he is a model saint but on his own accord and stand. That is Mu slowly fell for him and chose him because of his soft power and restored his faith in humanity and tried to do some good before the holy war took him.

Hades' arc is so heartbreaking, especially Alde’s death and Mu grieving for him in tears. 

Ah I cannot forget the important part of this awesome ship, both AldeMu and Kiki form a family unit, stable, strong and loving and multilingual lmao. Mu and Alde’s nurturing side in raising Kiki really shines and makes his life happy unlike their own childhoods. I often deny canon that I don’t acknowledge Mu and Alde’s death, but they are still around in Saint Seiya Omega, them being grandfathers to Raki and giving Harbinger a hard time haha. 

I have to thank CGI KOTZ for AldeMu wedding imagery when they are standing in front of the structure that looks like a church that we didn’t expect but needed, then after they got married they did the funeral/burial of Shion’s body and their fallen comrades. I have to thank AldeMu server for enabling me as always xD I thank every AldeMu authors and artists for creating fanfics, fanarts, events, doujinshi and headcanons for existing, inspiring and giving love every way to this ship.

[black-grulla]

this is going to be an incredibly long post, so prepare your fine asses.

Éste va a ser un post increíblemente largo, así que preparen sus buenos ortos.

This post is going to reflect my first(? Impression about the Donquixote Family. But mostly is going to be them reminding me of other people/characters. // Éste post va a reflejar mi primera (? Impresion acerca de la Familia Donquixote. Pero más que nada va a ser ellos haciéndome recordar a otras personas/personajes.

Donquixote Doflamingo (the Joker).

Yup, that's it. Mostly because i knew Doffy like, a long time ago (2 years) and sincerely this is a popular neuron connection that i agree with.

2. Donquixote Rocinante/ Cora-san (Corazón)

Yup, BRO LITERALLY THEY PUT A COMPILATION OF CORAZÓN'S FALLS, and of course has to remind me of Condorito.

3. Diamante

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? THEY EVEN MADE HIM AN ENTRANCE IN HIS STYLE IN THE CORRIDA COLISEUM. (They are even on the same pose omg).

4. Pica.

The same as with the man from above; Taurus Aldebaran is in the same fucking pose. I actually was surprised, because i was kinda doubtful with this; then i'm watching and yup. I also laughed as a singer i am when Zoro called him "idiot with soprano voice"

5. Trebol.

Nothing to say, just, disgusting. Bring me someone who likes this man.

6. Giolla

Matilda's mom and Giolla has the same vibe, like, look at them; almost the same pallette.

7. Viola/Violet.

La Rosalia

8. Sugar

Honestly i couldn't find anyone that reminded me of Sugar, but @callmekui cooperated and told me that she reminds him of Qiqi. I don't know why tho.

9. Lao G

Seriously, that woman has a lot of strength.

10. Machvise

When i saw his tail i immediately thought in Mario with his leaf power up costume. Then the whole thing is a mexican fighter.

11. Señor Pink

Oda has a lot of mafia characters, there's even an episode of the straw hats being an italian mafia look a like. I was sure i saw another mafia guy who looked like Señor Pink..

12. The bitch- i mean Dellinger.

I saw another picture of a fish with lady legs, but Darwing fits perfectly. Kokichi was a character that @callmekui compared with. Is a mixture.

13. Buffalo.

Look at me in my eyes. I know what you are. ( Latins are going to laugh so hard at this.)

14. Baby 5.

Again, look at me in my eyes, and tell me they're not the same.

15. Gladius.

Bro. After this motherfucker appeared, i was happy with two Shinzos. The only difference is that this one has not telekinetic power (i think, I'm not sure anymore) and that's when Bakugou appears.

16. Monet.

Sorry, i didn't like her so much. I wanted to punch her in the face.

17. Vergo (first Corazon, wow)

Okay this is a funny one. The man is Bad Bunny, a Reggaeton singer. And it's mostly a Spanish joke; his name. Vergo, if we put the a in the end is verga, and verga in Spanish means cock. There you go english people. AND YOUNGER VERGO LOOKED LIKE A REGGAETONERO WITH THAT FUNGUS CUT LIKE, LOOK AT THIS;

FINALLY I FINISHED.

[kestrellady]

Book Riot's 2024 Read Harder Challenge

Ongoing 20/24 Challenge Link

6th year with this "get out of your comfort zone" reading challenge. Full list under the cut.

1. Read a cozy fantasy book. The House Witch by Delemhach This is a sweet, cozy read about a young witch finding his place and coming into his power. I can tell this comes out of the fanfic community, but it's really a plus for this book. This is the first of a series, which just has volume numbers.

2. Read a YA book by a trans author. The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas I loved Cemetery Boys so of course I had to pick this one up for this challenge. This is a lush fantasy with a dark side and a sarcastic lovable protagonist. I loved the modern Aztec/Maya inspired setting and I'm excited to pick up the next one!

3. Read a middle grade horror novel. Stories to Keep You Alive Despite Vampires by Ben Acker I loved this collection of interconnected short stories. Some are funny, some genuinely scary, and they kind of circle so characters and stories keep coming back in new ways.

4. Read a history book by a BIPOC author. The Ocean of Churn by Sanjeev Sanyal This was an incredibly readable history of the Indian Ocean trade and its place in world history. I sometimes got a little confused with the names of people and places, but the author was great about pulling out the main points.

5. Read a sci-fi novella. The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Ann Older It's so refreshing to read a take on Holmes and Watson that actually gets the dynamic right! I had a bit of a tone mismatch because I initially expected a space western (and there's a bit of that) rather than a Holmsian mystery.

6. Read a middle grade book with an LGBTQIA main character. Dear Mothman by Robin Gow This is a really sweet and soft book about dealing with grief, and friendship, and identity, all told in verse.

7. Read an indie published collection of poetry by a BIPOC or queer author. You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World, edited by Ada Limón This is actually a collection of poetry with each poem written by a different author, but almost all of them qualify for this prompt, so I think it works. The poems were all very different and there were at least a couple of them that really spoke to me, though I wish the author bios had included more than just where they went to school and the awards they'd won.

8. Read a book in translation from a country you’ve never visited. Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura This is a bit difficult, but ultimately kind and hopeful read about friendship and the effects of bullying. It reads more middle-grade than I had expected, but I can't tell if that's just the translation or not.

9. Read a book recommended by a librarian. Walking to Aldebaran by Adrian Tchaikovsky Recommended to me by the lovely @/elodieunderglass! This was, hoo boy. It was something. It's a horror novel! All of the signs were there for the twist! I was still surprised and horrified!

10. Read a historical fiction book by an Indigenous author.

11. Read a picture book published in the last five years.

12. Read a genre book (SFF, horror, mystery, romance) by a disabled author. Fourth Wing by Rebeca Yarros This was another one of those booktok books that I was a little hesitant to get into, but certainly sounded like it was made for me and hoo boy was it. The main protagonist has major weakness in her joints and bones, which was really well woven into the plot.

13. Read a comic that has been banned. The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman I have a really hard time with Holocaust literature, but this is one of the most accessible books I've read. Not necessarily because it's a comic, but because it's framed and paced so well that you can really feel for the people, but still get a chance to breathe and recover.

14. Read a book by an author with an upcoming event (virtual or in person) and then attend the event.

15. Read a YA nonfiction book. Photographic: The Life of Graciela Iturbide by Isabel Quintero and Zeke Peña I've been fascinated by Graciela Iturbide since I listened to a Duolingo Spanish podcast episode about her photographing Frida Kahlo's newly discovered bathroom. This was a very poetic, graphic novel overview of her life. It was told in first person and I wish it was a little more clear what was a quote and what wasn't.

16. Read a book based solely on the title. That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming This was a fun, raunchy, read with an interesting world and a very pragmatic heroine.

17. Read a book about media literacy. The Attention Merchants: The Epic Scramble to Get Inside Our Heads by Tim Wu This was a fascinating and infuriating read, about the century long quest for advertisers (and others) to profit off of people's attention. Published in 2016, so a little out of date now. I did a longer write up here.

18. Read a book about drag or queer artistry. Hi Honey, I'm Homo! by Matt Baume This was a relatively short, very readable tour through queer depictions on TV sitcomes and the way those depictions reflect and shape attitudes toward queer people in real life. (I'm not totally happy with this book for this prompt, so I might replace it if I read something else before the end of the year.)

19. Read a romance with neurodivergent characters. Viscount in Love by Eloisa James The heroine in this historical romance is dyslexic and deals with a lot of prejudice and self-doubt because of it. I love Eloisa's romances because the people act like real people.

20. Read a book about books (fiction or nonfiction). The Sinister Booksellers of Bath by Garth Nix This is a sequel to The Left-Handed Booksellers of London and takes place just a few months after that book. I love the way it delves into English folklore and the ways the characters grapple with being not quite human.

21. Read a book that went under the radar in 2023. The Hanging City by Charlie N. Holmberg This book had some really amazing worldbuilding that suffered a bit because the focus was so thoroughly on the narrator. I felt like most of the rest of the characters weren't really fleshed out, including the love interest. This was good, but I really expected to like it more than I did.

22. Read a manga or manhwa. In/Spectre Vol. 18 by Chashiba Katase This series is weird and I love it. It's largely mysteries where the protagonist already knows what happened and has to convince other people that it didn't happen the way it actually did. This volume wraps up a longer storyline and I loved the twists and turns and return of a side character.

23. Read a “howdunit” or “whydunit” mystery. Miraculous Mysteries edited by Martin Edwards I really enjoyed this collection of locked room murders and impossible crimes. Some of the stories definitely show their age, so be prepared for some casual racism and misogyny, but most of the stories were interesting and several were very surprising!

24. Pick a challenge from any of the previous years’ challenges to repeat!

[glassprism]

13 books!

I was tagged by @wheel-of-fish, thank you! I'm to answer these 13 (apparently 12) questions, tag 13 (or maybe 12) people and add a shelfie.

1) The last book I read:

Maim Your Characters: How Injuries Work in Fiction by Samantha Keel. (What can I say, I'm planning to horribly injure a character in a fic maybe hopefully.)

2) A book I recommend:

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, which I recommend so much that I'm trying to push my school's English department to make it one of required readings.

3) A book that I couldn’t put down:

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson.

4) A book I’ve read twice (or more):

I don't even know how many times I've reread The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel at this point.

5) A book on my TBR:

I really should get around to Bring Up the Bodies and The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel, even though I genuinely just... don't care about Thomas Cromwell or Mantel's interpretation of him.

6) A book I’ve put down:

Like did not finish? Lord Foul's Bane by Stephen R. Donaldson, multiple times.

7) A book on my wish list:

Well, I really want Volo's Guide to Monsters and Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes from the Dungeons & Dragons game, but since they are upwards of $80, that's probably not happening.

8) A favorite book from childhood:

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss. Somehow this completely unrealistic, ecologically and biologically inaccurate, and occasionally morally pedantic "stranded on a desert island" book lodged itself in my heart.

9) A book you would give to a friend:

I actually did give The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck to a friend. (And he lost it in a move. But bought me a new copy!)

10) There was no tenth question so I am making up my own; a fiction book you own:

The entire A Song of Ice and Fire series.

11) A nonfiction book you own:

Way too many, but uh... Stalking the Wild Asparagus by Euell Gibbons.

12) What are you currently reading:

Blood on the Page Volume One: A Writer's Compendium of Injuries by Samantha Keel and Tudor: The Family Story by Leanda de Lisle.

13) What are you planning on reading next?

You know, I kind of want to re-read The Hunger Games trilogy.

My shelfie:

This is one of my shelves.

Tagging: @meilas @from-aldebaran, @pureanonofficial, @nanasalt, @symphony-in-a, @box5intern, @emotionalmotionsicknessxx, @andrewlloydwebber, and my brain is friend and I can't think of others so whoever else wants to do it!

[pianomanblaine]

13 books

Thanks for tagging me @wheel-of-fish !

Answer these 13 questions, tag 13 people and, if desired, add a shelfie!

1) The last book I read:

I just finished rereading Phantom by Susan Kay. I got a physical copy from my brother at Christmas.

2) A book I recommend:

Circe by Madeline Miller. Everyone talks about The Song of Achilles, which is also a fantastic book, but if I had to choose between the two, I think I love Circe just that little bit more.

3) A book that I couldn’t put down:

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. I love historical fiction, especially if there's a bit of mystery involved.

4) A book I’ve read twice (or more):

I read books more than once quite often, so I'll just pick one: Jane Eyre.

5) A book on my TBR:

I'm about to start Alcestis by Katharine Beutner.

6) A book I’ve put down:

When I start a book, I almost always read it until the end. 50 Shades of Gray was an exception. In my defense, I only started reading it to see just how bad it was.

7) A book on my wish list:

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern. It's one of my favourites, but I don't own a copy yet.

8) A favorite book from childhood:

I remember a book I loved reading as a kid, which was called Een Beetje Indiaan by Anton van der Kolk.

9) A book you would give to a friend:

Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield. I strongly recommend it, if you haven't read it already.

[There is no No. 10 I guess?]

11) A nonfiction book you own:

I don't read a lot of nonfiction, but I still have some of my textbooks from college and high school if that counts?

12) What are you currently reading:

Nothing, since I've only just finished Phantom.

13) What are you planning on reading next?

I'll start Alcestis before I go to bed tonight.

And a shelfie!

I'm tagging @from-aldebaran @shinyfire-0 @keepcalmandbrewtea @flora-gray @nerdywriter36 @ashadeintheshade and anyone else who wants to!

[acharyaganesh123]

Rohini Nakshatra: The Celestial Jewel of Taurus

In the vast expanse of the night sky, where countless stars twinkle and constellations form their tapestries, the Rohini Nakshatra shines as one of the most beautiful and prominent stars. It is often referred to as the "Celestial Jewel of Taurus," and its significance in Vedic astrology and mythology is nothing short of fascinating.

Unveiling Rohini Nakshatra

The term "Nakshatra" is derived from Sanskrit and translates to "that which does not decay." It represents the 27 lunar mansions, each encompassing a 13°20' segment of the ecliptic. Rohini is the fourth Nakshatra, spanning from 10° to 23°20' in the constellation Taurus. This celestial region is associated with the star Aldebaran, also known as Alpha Tauri, and it has captivated sky gazers and astrologers for millennia.

Mythological Significance

The tale of Rohini Nakshatra finds its roots in Hindu mythology. It is often linked to the story of Lord Krishna, who, as a child, was known for his mischievous endeavors. One day, young Krishna complained to his mother, Yashoda, about the unfairness of having to wear an amulet on his leg while his beloved friend Radha was exempt from such a task.

Yashoda, responding to her son's complaints, playfully asked Krishna to show his leg. As he did, the twinkling of Rohini Nakshatra on his foot was revealed. This mythological connection between Krishna and Rohini Nakshatra has given it a special place in Hindu folklore and astrology.

Astrological Significance

From an astrological standpoint, Rohini Nakshatra is believed to be ruled by the moon, and it embodies the characteristics of Taurus, the bull. People born under this Nakshatra are often associated with qualities such as beauty, creativity, sensuality, and abundance. They are thought to be blessed with an attractive appearance, artistic talents, and a strong connection to the material world. Taurus, an earth sign, further accentuates these traits, as it is often linked with stability and practicality.

The Nakshatra of Beauty

Rohini Nakshatra is often celebrated for its connection to beauty and aesthetics. It's not just about physical beauty; it also encompasses the beauty of the arts, creativity, and an appreciation for the finer things in life. Those born under this Nakshatra are often drawn to creative fields such as art, music, fashion, and design.

People with prominent Rohini influence in their birth charts are known for their sensual and magnetic charm. They possess an innate ability to attract and captivate those around them. The Nakshatra's connection to the moon also imbues individuals with a deep emotional sensitivity, making them highly attuned to the feelings and needs of others.

Conclusion

Rohini Nakshatra, the Celestial Jewel of Taurus, is not just a point of light in the night sky; it holds profound significance in Hindu mythology and Vedic astrology. It represents the fusion of the earthy qualities of Taurus with the nurturing and emotional attributes of the moon. Those born under this Nakshatra are believed to be blessed with a unique blend of beauty, creativity, and sensuality, making them truly celestial jewels in the human constellation. As we gaze at the night sky, we are reminded of the timeless connection between the cosmos and our own lives, as embodied by Rohini Nakshatra.

[nordarknessdimsthesky]

Aaaand here’s the rest of Chapter 2 of In Favor with Their Stars by @mxmollusca as an audio drama adaptation! Run time is 2:13 -- highly recommend listening with headphones for the best experience.

Thank you to @spacecoffeeandcartoons for beta listening (and being my scene partner while recording)!

Transcript on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/43692465/chapters/110279028

Track image by Aldebaran S on Unsplash

[quartzaquatics]

Nome: Theodoro Pax Mors/Theo Noxmoth 'Angelus' Sanctus.

Idade: 24 anos

Pais: Agatha Mors e Fabiano Mors/ Lupos Sanctus.

Irmãos:  Ashton "Ash" Sanctus (1 ano mais novo) e Selene Sanctus (16 anos mais novo)/Estelle Mors (3 anos mais velha), Lucia Mors (1 ano mais velha), Lilian Mors (2 anos mais nova).

Poderes: Umbrocinese, Manipulação de Fantasmas, Intangibilidade, Invisibilidade, Levitação, Visão Noturna, Materialização e Telepatia.

Visão: Electro

Arma: Foice

Sexualidade: Gay

Marido: Luke Angelus

Filhos: Aldebaran Angelus Sanctus e Oberon Sanctus Angelus. (5 anos)

Altura: 1,83

História:

Nacido de um estupro e o único menino entre os filhos, Theo nunca teve o amor de seus pais biológicos e de suas 2 irmãs mais velhas, passando por varias torturas físicas e psicológicas, passando varios dias sem comer nada, dormindo no frio e sem roupas, entre outras coisas. Mais tudo isso durou até seus 7 anos, quando sua família o vendeu para criminosos para pagarem um divida, e lá, ele foi estuprado, amordaçado, acorrentado e torturado diversas vezes, mais, tudo acabou quando após 3 meses, Theo despertou uma visão Electro após orar aos Deuses para que o libertassem dali, criando uma explosão Elétrica, que destruiou a casa e as correntes dele e quase matou os criminosos, e com sua Visão e a liberdade, ele simplesmente correu do lugar, usando seus novos poderes para tentar correr mais rapido e chamar atenção, por sorte, as autoridades conseguiram chegar bem rápido e ajudar ele, após isso, Theo passou 1 ano se recuperando fisicamente e psicologicamente até finalmente se recuper, e com 8 anos, ele foi adotado por Lupos Sanctus, ironicamente, filho mais novo da família rival da sua familia biologica.

No início, Theo era bem quieto e Solitario, não conversando muito e um pouco assustado, mais depois de um tempo, ele finalmente se soltou mais, criando daí um Laço de Pai e filho praticamente perfeito, além disso, ele se aproximou muito de seus primos Marc GoldenStone, Dominic GoldenStone e Stella GoldenStone e um ano depois, Lupos adotou outro filho, Ashton Sanctus, com Theo o acolhendo imediatamente, com ele nem parecendo aquele menino assustado e traumatizado do passado.

Mesmo se recuperando fisicamente e psicologicamente dos seus traumas, ele se tornou frio e quieto para os outros, sendo bem sarcástico e Irônico muitas vezes, mais mesmo assim, quem o conhecia, sabia que ele extremamente protetor e Amigável. Aos 13 anos, Theo começou a treinar combate com seu tio, Leonard GoldenStone, treinando espadas, lanças, arco, adagas, clavas, mais principalmente foices.

Com 15 anos, ele conheceu aquele que no futuro seria seu marido: Luke Angelus, um garoto timido e gentil, e no futuro, em uma missão, eles encontram 2 garotos de 2 anos que tinham sido abandonados pelos seus pais, e com isso, os 2 adotoram eles e os o nomearam de Aldebaran e Oberon.

Aos 18 anos, Theo entrou para os Titánes, e aos 21 anos, ele se tornou oficial da Equipe de Busca doa Titánes, e aos 22 anos, ele encontrou seus futuros filhos.

Atualmente, ele mora com Luke e seus filhos além de 3 pets: Moon Blast, uma gata, Sun Burst, um cachorro e Eclipsed Star, um Lobo.

Curiosidades:

Seus principais hobbies são Meditar, Treinar e Passar o Tempo com sua familia. Mais as vezes quando ele está estressado ele fuma, mais é um pouco raro.

Ele tem uma pequena obsessão por lobos e bichos de pelúcia.

Ele tem um trauma gigantesco com Baratas, Aranhas e Ratos devido ter sido mantido em um cativeiro sujo e velho, coisa que atraia esses animais. Tendo um pavor tão grande que ele não consegue nem ver que ele fica paralizado vendo esses animais.

Qualquer duvida, pergunte