#also i just found out that the abundance path used to be called The Fertility and i am literally a child why did i giggle at that

[exoriiens]

brainworm about uri's star rail verse i'm literally just rambling do not perceive-

i brought this up to @memovia earlier because of her post on muyang and how it startled me at how similar some points were to a thought i had about why uri has her cursed rebirth cycles.

it was the craziest god damn coincidence and i was honestly living for it. we love when writers share the same braincell tbh.

definitely on the abundance path, or maybe an unwilling emanator?

i just have this image of uri unwittingly gaining audience with yaoshi, only to be stabbed through with the aeon's tail which in turn is what starts uri's awful cycles of rebirth in the way that they are.

she rebirths back to the state she was in when she first met the aeon.

i don't think it was a malicious reason that yaoshi did this really. i think it was more of a case of curiosity, like, "oh but how would this work??" the unfortunate circumstance for this though was, obviously, the horrific mara poisoning uri is subjected to due to living through so many cycles.

i'm still a little unclear as to who could've given her the hand chains that keep the mara in check for longer, maybe another aeon? maybe someone who wants to have their muse be a little more intrinsically linked with this verse *side eyes*

[reinepadova]

To Be Seen

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There are many paths up the mountain. But the view from the top is always the same.

Qingce Village. A plot of land once dwelt by an enormous, dreaded beast. A great threat, and source of terror for its inhabitants. Dark were the skies, and molten was the earth. Stones quaked and shifted from battles sown, and water turned fog from the heat of conflict.

Many a life perished or fled – those that are able, found refuge in the marshes or by the sea. Those that could not, stayed and endured.

But long has passed those years of misery, Morax reflected, eyes turned soft at the drifting dust under sunlight. Only Mt. Qingce remains, steadfast and true. A preserver of the old and the young, and of the croplands turned abundant. The landscape painted with colors of tranquility, with shades of the quiet.

To this, he could say, was one reason he fought. Why he dared raise great spears against those that oppose him, that question his strength. Why his ambitions for a seat with the Seven was so great.

Why he let his life's blood spill and his flesh torn asunder, all to be used for trade.

All he had sacrificed... so that all may prosper. So those deemed weak but with a passion for life, and a mind that craves understanding may learn, may improve. May become greater than what they thought to be. What they can be.

And flourish they did, Morax thought fondly, gazing out the window to watch three children play. A boar in the distance, charging away. Admirably so, like the trees and blooms that persisted amidst the cracked earth, or emerged from the muddy waters that once flowed red.

His eyes narrowed, then shut, musings turned grey.

He has danced and sung to the tune of combat, played his part well into the final act. His will, ironclad – unyielding and absolute, against the odds. Against all the other gods. All to reach the peace the entire land longed for after the audacious declaration from Celestia:

「Survive, and be crowned The Seven.」

「Gain the power of the divine.」

「Be one above all, in your chosen land.」

And to this, he succeeded, with glory placed upon his head, and the remnants of slaughter at his feet.

The Prime of the Adepti, said they. A riotous cheer. A whisper, filled with dread. Ha. Even among the Seven – the original, and the newly seated – he is the eldest, hence, the most respected. And therein lies his burden. To be charged as the standard, to be exemplary in the eyes of his people...

Still. This position is not without its advantages – he would not have fought for it if there were none.   Truly, he could not ask for more, even if he tried. The enormity of his titles, to be granted the highest of honors among those that dwell in the newly named Teyvat – bearing in mind the heavens that granted his godhood of course.

His people are proud of him. His land reveres him.

And yet.

And yet.

Why must this... dissatisfaction linger? The feelings of restlessness. Aimlessness. Like a shell drifting in endless sea.

What must be missing, when the fruits of his labor, the smiles of his people, and the generations therafter, are present and abundant? When the inhabitants accepted his protection, his standards, with delight, and worship. When they honor him by fulfilling contracts in accordance to how he fulfill his. When they sing songs and tell stories of his conquests, of his deeds as lessons to keep in mind, as morals to strive for and progress to.

Why then does this void exist? What is it he still lacks as a being?

Is... he still enough? Is he –

“... is Mei still doing good?”

A murmur, gentle and small, broke through his musings, eerily echoing his thoughts out loud. Morax turned inquisitive, amber eyes at the closed door, wonder outshining the memories, and bringing him back to the present.

The Miss Lala had been explicit about the necessity of his confinement, citing the resurgence of chaos upon his appearance. Seeing the tired yet resolute set to her shoulders, he could only acquiesced. He did not wish to tire the lady more with an argument. But truly, it was an odd request, at best. His people are familiar with this form, and would not run in fright, as she so fears. Why, they would likely crowd around him, vying for his blessing and attention and –

He rested one claw under his maw, pondering. Ah. That brand of chaos. I see. It seems she has better foresight than the average mortal. And most considerate as well. How kind.

His ears perked, hearing a faint, crackling call of farewell at the main entrance. He swiftly nudged open the door of the lady's chambers and floated out, seeing immediately the quiant scene at the kitchen.

“You're doing very good. You can stop when you smell it turning to powder. It's like... milk, but very very faint.”

“Oh! Can Mei put it on the lilies after? Please? Pretty please?”

Even from behind, the tilt of her head, the softness of her stance, indicates a fondness for the child. There is no doubt she is smiling down at her as well. She patted Young Mei in between her pigtail buns and replied, “Of course you can! You can sprinkle as much as you want. After we make the soil mix.” The little girl squealed, turning back to her task with renewed vigor.

He drifted closer, brows furrowing when the lady discreetly rub at her eyes while the little one is distracted.

It seems I may need to intervene.

-{-}-

Stella raised a brow, feeling long whiskers brush over her shoulder, before the slight weight of the guardian's muzzle rested on it. She smiled when gold orbs focused curiously on the crunching and banging Mei's been doing, relieved that he showed himself after the chief went out for her rounds.

“It's for the flowers,” she explained, reaching to caress a glowing petal nearby. “A bird's eggshell is rich in minerals. Its as effective as any other fertilizer... but with lot less smell.” Mei giggled in agreement, adding that her Gran-gran was ecstatic when she was taught other tricks in the garden from Lala – especially doing away with 'pork poopy' all together. “Also, also, Lala taught Mei how to water plants!”

Stella chuckled at the inquiring eyes of their floating guest, who managed to tilt its head at her from an odd angle – the perks of having a long neck, I guess? “She keeps drowning the Jueyun Chili plants back in the Harbor. At most, they just need a sip within a week. Ha! I know that look,” she crowed, seeing familiar incredulity on the guardian's face. “I don't know why no one thought to cultivate herbs in their own garden. Or to water them for that matter. They can't always depend on the rain. No one can control the weather.

Besides, if you can cultivate rare flowers, like the ones in Yujing Terrace, why not something as common as herbal plants?”

-{-}-

It is because of their plenitude that such notion is not considered. The oceanids have a knowing of the needs of the land – as such is my deal with them. They have been good to Liyue ever since. Why, when the croplands of Qingce are at their most vulnerable, Rhodeia answered their plea in an instant!

– Is what Morax would have said. But he only let out a small rumble and slow nod, turning back to the little girl covered in flecks of white powder, gaze softening at the sight of her bright smile.

As insightful as the siren has been since the start of their journey, it is not unwise to tread carefully. Knowledge is power. I have yet to know what she will do with it, once bestowed. If only the Fatui have not been such a conniving force as of late. I would have welcomed any foreigner within my stone walls.

Nevertheless, her care for a child not her own or of her people is admirable and exceptional, a far cry from how that organization operates. Her good sense too, would make for an engaging conversation.

Throughout the endless centuries he lived through – and will continue to, perhaps – he beared witness to a myriad of changes, great and small. No detail is insignificant enough for him to overlook. Or at all. He could not afford to. For one changed clause, nay, even one unclear word, could spell disaster for his land's defenses.

That said, he could assert he has very good memory. All printed and verbal contents of a contract is written like a tablet in his head, etched deep and fixed. The prosperity Liyue is blessed with is proof of his steadfast attention to detail; to consider all particulars, both the advantage and disadvantage, before he would, as they say, 'seal the deal'.

It is rare indeed for him to think 'what more does he not know?'

And yet, here he his, observing and listening. The lady elucidating their intention to gather an interesting mixture made out of smoked rice husk, charred wood, clay and soft sand. Another source of nutrients, she says, for the Lilies to be comfortable in during transport.

Eventually, he could focus no longer at her words, seeing her fighting to keep awake, feeling her sway dangerously on her feet. Her charge looked up in concern as she leaned on the counter, eyes closed shut in pain.

-{-}-

Stella gritted her teeth, about to reach for her temple when her world shifted again.

Although she never indulge in the various wines this world had to offer, she can imagine this was how the drunks at the dock feel: head, heavy as ores; body, light as a feather.

Or was it, float like a feather? It certainly feels like she's in the air. Literally. A sensation she never thought she'd experience again after –

An inkling of worry crept up her neck, minutely thinking of Mei, before she faceplanted on something soft. She reached out a hand, feeling cotton and smooth silk. Her...bed?

“Urgh... where – what?”

A low snort nearby answered her. She felt too tired to think of anything of it. The pillow under her seems exceptionally comfortable right now. Maybe she won't suffocate if she stayed this way?

So. Tired...

A chuff sounded next, lighter in tone, before something wrapped around her shoulders. She breathed deep as sunlight burned her eyes, a tugging at her feet made her crane her head down. She now lied flat on her back, with a large, blurry... something, weighing her down.

“... Mei? What are you doing?”

Her charge was quiet, wholly concentrated on making sure her boots were placed near the bed before coming up to her. The little girl tugged and dragged a blanket up and over her legs, intending to swaddle her with it. Stella feebly raised an arm, wanting to help, but a gleam of teeth made her pause. A muzzle cradled a handful of the cloth near Mei's arm, and lifted it easily up to Stella's chin.

“Lala? You rest, okay?” the little girl whispered, smoothing down the blanket while staring at her with wide, understanding eyes. “You work hard again for Mei. The Lilies? Mei tried to follow you last night, but Chief-dàmā told Mei to stay and wait. Mei tried, but Mei too tired. Mei wants you to sleep now.”

“But Mei. The Lilies – ”

“Gran-gran always scold bàba 'a person who does not know good rest, does not know how to do good work'. Leave the Lilies to Mei! Mei will ask for help. Promise! Lala should rest.”

“Are you sure – ”

“Lala. Rest.” the girl asserted, a stubborn tilt to her chin, but eyes still pleaded for her to agree.

Before Stella could make up her mind, the weight on her chest suddenly spread, encompassing her down to her legs, trapping her effectively. A huff of hot breath made her squint and look up. Larger, glowing orbs stared her down, making her stare back, mouth agape.

Mei giggled, seemingly satisfied she'll behave while Mr. Guardian was around, and quietly left. The skipping tone of her steps was still loud enough for Stella to hear behind the closed door.

She sighed, gaze turning wry. “Alright. You made your point. Get off.” Having a predator over her like this would normally be a terrifying experience. But when she remembered how kind it had been with her during their sprint back to the village, and how gently it gazed down at Mei, she knew she could trust it – to a certain degree. She's sure it has the strength to crush her with a quick squeeze, but she's oddly confident it won't.

Stella quickly reconsidered her good opinion though when the creature had the gall to chuff, as if amused, and placed its large head next to her, adjusting its body to lie comfortably on the bed – but with her still under it!

A sudden thought went through her like a lightning bolt.

“If you can grow this large, why didn't you do so last night and we could, you know, fly back here?”

Amused eyes turn blank, blinking back at her with a look that spelled of realization.

Stella groaned, grumbling about 'common sense is not common at all' under her breath.

-{-}-

“I apologize, good sir. But Zhongli-xiānsheng has not yet returned,” Ferrylady intoned quietly, bowing her head.

The gentleman in Fatui robes raised a blonde brow, growing pensive. “Still? How peculiar. We thought this special consultant is only busy during an adepti's Rite of Parting. It's been awhile since the last one, isn't it? We heard he's fond of strolling around the harbor. He's not one easily missed.”

“That is not inaccurate. But – ”

“But as we value his expertise in all matter of things, we believe he deserves some 'R and R' once in a while, don't you think~? I gave him leave to do so however long he likes~” said a laughing voice at the doorway.

“Hu Tao-zhǔrèn!”

“Oh. The Director?”

Hu Tao smiled wide, closed lipped, strolling into the office with a dancing step. Despite her upbeat demeanor, the gentleman still sweat dropped at the strange gleam in her eyes. “A consultant's work is just as demanding as any other job in Liyue, you see. Its why those of this realm, and of the next, leave very satisfied from our parlor~ No complaints at all!” she giggled sweetly, eyeing him more as she took a dainty step closer. “Buuut. Considering you have been on such a long wait, we will give you a great discount! Twenty percent, including the incense. You'll even get double the savings if you have a buddy with you~” she sang, fanning out two dark coupons from her sleeve and waving them invitingly.

The gentleman froze in place, quaking internally in terror. His time in the Fatui made him all too familiar with subtle threats, and this is a masterfully done one. Luckily, the Ferrylady spoke softly again, distracting him from his oncoming panic.

“Sir, may I take a message? Or would you rather we send for you when he arrives?”

“Ah, ahh...no need! The Director is... very clear, ehem – we don't mind the wait at all! An appointment with him is not that urgent anyway. Just mention the Fatui is interested to get acquainted with him, and his knowledge of the obscure. We’re confident your business will greatly benefit from a connection with us.”

“Hmm... I doubt it,” the Director hummed breezily, turning to a window to gaze out at the full moon.

The gentleman blinked, thinking he misheard. “Excuse me?”

Hu Tao giggled cutely, glancing back at him with smiling eyes. “We'll keep your words in mind, good sir! Buh-bye now~ I'm sure you're a busy man yourself. Our dear undertaker will tend to you when you need our services. At any time.”

The gentleman gulped, eyes widening. “Uhh, right. Yes! With gratitude!

Uhm, farewell, Director Hu. Thank you for gracing us with your presence, and your time. You too, Ferrylady,” he hurriedly added, not wanting to often the boss of the funeral parlor by being rude to the undertaker –

The... undertaker...

One who buries the bodies...!

When the gentleman hastily scurried away into the night, the Ferrylady turned to her young boss, face turning worried.

“Hu Tao-Zhǔrèn? I apologize if this might be spoken out of turn but – ”

“Why am I so direct with a potential customer?” Hu Tao smiled more lightly, doodling something on a parchment with careless brushstrokes.

“...”

Hu Tao chuckled, used to the Ferrylady's silence. The quiet suits the atmosphere perfectly.

“Hmm. Let’s just say for those that have incurred death's wrath, dark butterflies shall sure to follow. Poor things. To think they would have to do such a thing. Such a waste of delicate beauty.”

The Ferrylady gasped, hovering her hands over her mouth, eyeing the rough symbol of the Fatui next to large ink splatters. “Oh my! You mean – ”

“When Zhongli-xiānsheng is back, warn him of the visit. Business might pick up soon. Who knows~?” Hu Tao shrugged, humming thoughtlessly into the moonlit night.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

[←Previous]  | Chapter 4 |  [ Next → ]

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

A/N: Sorry for the long introspection. I’ve been like this whenever I try to think link a 6,000+ y.o. Archon. Then again, no matter how much knowledge you have, there’s so many things you can still learn about. 

Like common sense.

Quick translation of the honorifics I chose to use:

Chief-dàmā = Mei affectionately calling Granny Ruoxin ‘Chief Granny/Auntie’.

bàba = daddy/papa

xiānsheng = mister. In Japanese, its like ‘sensei’ (hence the Jap Dub xD)

zhǔrèn = director/manager

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Follower Tag:  @meladollsims

[mystiika]

peter pettigrew’s animagus form is a rat but what often goes unnoticed is that rats have more positive traits than they do negative & although he did turn on his best friend and ‘rat’ on him as the saying goes, there is so much more to him that comes from having a rat as his spirit animal/animal totem. sorry to burst your bubble jk but a rat animagus is actually pretty dope so smd.

any who, below the cut is a rather in depth explanation including quotes from a variety of sources & a few words to tie each quote with my personal portrayal of peter. it is long but it’s also more interesting that you might give it credit for.

when someone has a rat as their animal totem, the idea is that they are very happy & easy going. & although honest & frank, they are highly co-operative in group activities & are easy to get along with. it’s usually pretty obvious from the looks of them how they are feeling but even so, retain self-control. foresight is also popularly mentioned along with knowing how to use it successfully & beneficially. being cunning, shrewd & unafraid to defend themselves in any situation are characteristics as well as enjoying a challenge, being wise in the advice they give & often teach those around them to appreciate what is there. ( source )

to fit in with the other marauders he’d have to have been a social person. easy going people find other easy going people just as peter found james, sirius & remus. constructing & carrying out elaborate pranks is proof of how well he can work with others. each time he was mentioned in the series, he was also accompanied by adjectives that described his emotions. foresight I’ll get into later but as for cunning & shewd, it would only make sense. no one wants to be best friends with an idiot & someone who wasn’t clever to at least some degree wouldn’t have been able to make the quick retorted puns he had. being unafraid to defend themselves is where my opinion of peter differs. at least in my mind, his bravery depends entirely on the situation. if he were being attacked, it would be only natural to fight back as a natural survival instinct. however, if he were to be bullied to his academic intelligence, he would most definitely falter but in the end he would try to look unaffected. this in of itself shows bravery, but in no way shows his readiness to defend himself. make sense? enjoyment of challenges is also dependent on the challenges as well as whether or not he is able to succeed in them. in the end, peter just wants to prove himself as capable & would enjoy overcoming a challenge of intelligence to show that he is in fact, somewhat clever. when it comes to advice giving, it is also depended on the situation but considering how watchful he is and how easily he notices things, he tends to have a better understanding of the situation than others might. this in no way relates to his ability to talk to women, for that, he is most definitely not the one to talk to. finally, there is being appreciative of what is around them. peter is most definitely resourceful & I have already said & i quote ❝ as a child, his mother always told him to appreciate the little things in life because those are often the most fragile & the quickest to disappear. ❞ this is of course my personal headcanon but like I said at the top of this post, this is all about my portrayal.

some more associations for rat ( and from the same source as the information above ) &  i’ve bolded the ones i associate most with peter:

abundant reproduction

strength

adaptability

ability to live unseen

success drive

resourcefulness

stealth

letting go

defense

intelligence

symbol of fertility & wealth

foresight

❝ the rat has a bad image in most western countries.  We see it as something to be feared or reviled and if you see a rat in your back garden you immediately start thinking of how to get rid of it.  Yet many other countries see the rat as something completely different and in the orient it is seen as part of their astrological parade and something to be respected .❞

( quote source was spiritualliving360.com talking about rat as an animal totem but the website has since gone down )

generally speaking, there’s a good side to everything & i cannot stress enough that bad decisions do not make a bad person. yes peter did awful things but he also had reasons for doing them & at the time of making said bad decisions, & saw no other way ( though whether or not that was true is up for debate ).

❝ the rat will also show you lessons about foresight. ever heard of the phrase ❛ rats leaving a sinking ship❜?  they leave because they can see what is coming & will always choose the path that leads to survival.  mix this with the rat’s natural cunning & you will have the perfect blend for survival in all realms .❞ ( source: spiritualliving360 )

now is when I’ll get into foresight. Peter is a survivor. This is proven time and time again. He, like the rat, can adapt to an abundance of situations where others might not be able to. Staying alive and well is a basic instinct and is why the human race has done as well as it has. He can tell when there is a bad situation approaching and comes up with his best chance at surviving it.

❝ on the negative side the rat totem can bring restless & nervousness of completely new situations. they also bring the urge to horde material wealth because they fear to have to little. ❞ ( source: spiritualliving360 )

don’t restless & nervous sound like fitting adjectives for peter? he doesn’t like new situations because he doesn’t know how to deal with them. sure, he’s resourceful & can come up with the best way out of a given situation but that doesn’t mean he won’t be agitated during it. additionally, Peter fears that he isn’t enough and so, he sometimes tries to compensate with material gain.

❝ holding onto everything & being the pack rat is their way of feeling secure in an insecure world. fortunately rats adapt well to environmental changes & can survive on just about anything. they hold the teachings of resourcefulness. their fear of not being provided for can be healed by participating in supportive group activities, meditation & prayer. ❞ ( source )

now, the first bit doesn’t need any explanation but I’d really like to zero in on that second part. ❝ their fear of not being provided for can be healed by participating in supportive group activities, meditation & prayer. ❞ peter is afraid of so many things & being a part of such a tight knit group as the marauders, has helped him so much. had he been taken away from his only support at hogwarts ( seeing as most every one thought he was a foolish dimwit — teachers included ), who knows how much worse off he’d have been. i hate to say it & I apologise if this is upsetting or triggering to anyone but i personally feel that he would have only been able to take so much cruelty & attacks to his mental health before he would have gone into a state of depression & possibly become suicidal. he already doesn’t think he’s good enough & that’s within the confines of a supporting friendship.

❝ they do hoard, but they are generous with their stash to other rats in need, often bringing bits of food to sick or weakened rats in their clan. they also are pack animals & very affectionate, taking care to groom each other’s fur & teeth. they are amazing problem solvers, also. in fact, i would say that this is their dominant trait. ❞ ( source )

now, this is my personal opinion but i’d like to think he always did anything & everything within his power to help james, sirius & remus with anything he could. he wanted to be helpful, he wanted to feel needed & like he had a purpose. he cared very much for them & the same held true for them. being amazing problem solvers i also stand by one hundred percent. i think this goes hand in hand with being resourceful & most definitely came in handy when planning pranks. when a problem arose with their plans, peter would come up with a solution in no time flat.

❝ rats are very social creatures. ❞ ( no source because this is written everywhere )

again, i don’t think this needs much of an explanation. peter depends on his three best friends more than anyone else in the entire world. he is desperate for their approval & affections & if he were denied this, i’m not sure how badly it would effect him but i can say with conviction that the end result would be disastrous.

❝ there are many common misconceptions when it comes to the rat. generally they are thought of as dirty creatures that carry disease. this is an unfair characterisation. rats are extremely cleanly, & while they do occasionally carry disease, it is very rare. ❞ ( source was spiracanada.com which has since gone down )

this is less about peter and more about how I feel jkr took him & made him 2 dimensional. through out the series, peter is mainly referred to as wormtail while everyone else is referred to by their names, either first or last. & i don’t mean in dialogue, i mean in narration. there is no, peter pettigrew: the marauder, the friend, the trusted member of the order. there is only wormtail, the betrayer, the murderer, & the fool. subconsciously, when we see ❛ wormtail ❜, we think of his animagus form, the rat. we think of the negative connotation: the disgusting creature associated with disease, uncleanliness, & the expression ❛ to rat on someone ❜. it’s what voldemort called him & surely a name as vile as that belongs to a man deserving of one.

WRONG! it started off as a simple nickname between friends, remember? a joke about how his animagus tail looks like a worm. that’s it. it was just the result of a group of fifteen year old boys goofing around & doing illegal things. in their minds it was never meant to be cruel or disgusting, it was teasing, friendly, & a name for a good friend that would break the law just to help put another friend at ease. so often we think of a rat with a negative connotation & the entire point of this post is to remind you that the negative connotation isn’t the only one out there & is certainly far less truthful.

❝ a rat totem will surround himself with a group of loyal & devoted friends. with them he shares the finer things in life & will often go to great ends to keep them happy & comfortable. any that he ( or she ) perceives to be outside his social circle, he could care less about. further to this, he will destroy fine things rather than see them go to the enjoyment of those outside his circle. he would rather throw out a plate of fine food than give it to someone he doesn't know. it paints a selfish picture of the rat totem, but this is not quite accurate. it’s not selfishness per se, but purposeful wastefulness & destruction. it is a show of wealth & importance that you can afford to waste & destroy so many fine things. one might think that a rat totem could only be this way if he or she were wealthy. This is not true, though, as the rat totem is truly adaptable. he or she will always find something that can be considered exquisite even in the grimmest of circumstances. in love, the rat totem will likely pick his mates from within his circle of friends. this can be good & bad. it is good as he or she is generally friends first, & this makes for a stable base for a relationship. it is bad, as … when he tires of one relationship, he will move on to the next… & the next will most likely be from the same circle of friends. this behaviour tends to destroy groups of friends in much the same way a rat totem destroys fine things. its no big deal for the rat totem as he can always gain a newer circle of friends, but those left in the wake often feel in tatters when the rat totem uses them this way …. careers that are social & involve the rats’s inate sense of finding valuable things are good…. also careers that involved their gifts for jumping, climbing, swimming, & stealth are good. they would make excellent reconnaissance soldiers in wartime, they would make fine spies, & superb thieves as well. ❞ ( source: spiracanada )

tbh i don’t think this bit needs any explaining except the bit about picking mates from within their circle. now, peter’s circle didn’t end at the other marauders. being their best friend, he was constantly grouped with their other friends; all of these people were part of his circle of friends. popular fanon choices seem to be lily evans, marlene mckinnon, mary macdonald, the prewetts, a couple of other’s that i won’t bother naming. i’ve also been developing the idea that peter is actually demisexual. what this means is physical attraction is only present when a strong emotional bond has been formed. the concept fits in rather perfectly with canon, fanon, & my personal perceptions in this case. his lack of enthusiasm for pursuing girls at the school can be partially explained, leaving all of the girl chasing & charming to james & sirius & remus to some small extent. the idea also supports peter & any of the other marauders in a romantic relationship if that floats your boat.

❝ rats are social animals that are highly adaptable & expert survivalists. they drive for success maybe too hard or not hard enough, if restless with others it helps to become more adaptable to them & the situations. rat medicine will teach how to be resourceful in the midst of environmental & emotional changes. he will give strength & trust in the process of current changes & lend security in overcoming worldly ideals. have you accumulated too much mental & emotional baggage? rat will aid in examining what is not needed any longer and allow truth to come forth in the midst of worldly illusions. is it time to let go of thoughts, ideals, perceptions or people & places? rat medicine will instil self assurance & transform fear into abundance. there is much wisdom in how rat moves, watches & listens. ❞ ( source )

social & survivalists. considering how many times those two things have been mentioned in one way or another, i won’t relate it to peter again. now, the drive for success is very much so relevant & unspoken of. peter ( & this is getting back to my personal portrayal again ) suffers from undiagnosed dysgraphia. for what that means, i wrote up a headcanon over here. he’s constantly underestimated mentally and told he's unintelligent in one way or another but this doesn’t diminish his drive for success. oppositely so, it pushes him to work harder & harder academically in the hopes of proving everyone wrong.the same can be said of him wanting to become an animagus.

❝ it takes skill, practice, & patience for wizards & witches to become animagi. the process of becoming an animagus is long & arduous, & has the potential to backfire & cause the transformation to go horribly wrong. ❞ ( source )

say what you will about peter pettigrew but he is nothing short of ambitious. he used skills that most did not know he possessed & became an animagus which apparently only very powerful witches & wizards can do. forgive me on the lack of source but i can’t remember where i heard that particular line from. regardless, it seems fitting, no?

❝ …and there have only been seven animagi this century… ❞ ~ hermione in PoA p. 257

it is not easy to complete this task for fully grown witches & wizards let alone 3 thirteen year olds boys. this is sort of sidetracking but it’s my personal headcanon that sirius & james both completed their transformations in their fourth year & it was peter alone that finished in his fifth year.

❝ ‘it took them the best part of three years to work out how to do it. your father & sirius here were the cleverest students in the school, & lucky they were, because the ministry keeps a close watch on those attempting to do it. peter needed all the help he could get from james & sirius. finally, in our fifth year, they managed it. they could each turn into a different animal at will.’ ❞ ~remus in PoA p. 259

although he struggled & required enormous amounts of help from the other two, he did manage it successfully. as a fifteen year old boy, he was able to become an animagus & did so solely for the purpose of helping one of his best friends. i think that says a lot about the type of person peter pettigrew really was.

anyway, i’ve finished now so if you actually read all that, good on you. keep on keeping on, friend, & i hope you become a proud member of the peter pettigrew defense brigade because he is so much more than what most people believe him to be. he’s more than just a hated plot device. he’s a person, not just a rat.

[toxxicoddity]

Ogham Runes

1.     A – Ailim

Tree: Elm

Symbolism: Ailim Correspondences

Mundane Aspects: When this symbol appears, it means it's time to start looking at the big picture; see the trees, but also acknowledge the forest. Be aware that your perception includes long-term goals and ideas, and prepare for what may be coming along the path.

 Magical Aspects: Mark your progress well as you grow and develop spiritually. As you attain new levels of wisdom, look at the future and see where this new knowledge will take you. Also recognize that there will be others following in your footsteps, so make yourself available to guide them and give them a hand when they need it.

 2.     O – Onn

Tree: Gorse Bush/Furze

Symbolism:

Ohn Correspondences

Mundane Aspects: Whatever you've been looking for is right around the corner–keep pursuing your goals, because they are within your reach. If you aren't sure what path you should be on or which direction you should head, sit down and make a list of goals. Figure out the destination, and then you'll be able to focus on the journey.

 Magical Aspects: Your spiritual journey has provided you with an abundance of gifts. Don't keep these blessings to yourself–share them with others! If you've been asked to take on a role as leader or mentor, now is the time to do so.

3.     U – Uhr

Tree: Heather Plant

Symbolism:

Uhr Correspondences

Mundane Aspects: When this symbol appears, it means it's time to de-stress. Look inside yourself for healing if your body needs it, and don't delay. Listen to what your physical self is telling you. Remember how closely our physical well-being and emotional health are tied together.

Magical Aspects: Blend the energy of the spirit with the healing of the body. Focus on whole healing–body, mind and spirit–to build a healthy soul. Meditate on this symbol to increase your spiritual awareness. If you're feeling a bit fragmented, mentally, burn some Heather to help you gather your thoughts back together.

4.     E – Eadhadh

Tree: Aspen

Symbolism: Endurance, Courage

Eadhadh Correspondences

Mundane Aspects: Like the Aspen, you can be flexible without snapping. No matter what obstacles come, allow yourself to know that these too will be gone eventually. You will be left stronger for the experience, if you can get over your fears and reservations.

 Magical Aspects: Don't give in to the pressures of the material world. Focus instead on your spiritual journey, even if it seems like it would be a lot easier to give up and let things fall by the wayside. Even in the Tarot, the Fool knows he has a long way to go, but the first step is the hardest. When Eadhadh appears, put aside your distractions, and take that first all-important step on your journey.

5.     I – Iodhadh

Tree: Yew

Symbolism: Death, endings

Iodhadh Correspondences

Mundane Aspects: Although it may not represent spiritual death, if Iodhadh appears, it's a sign that major transitions are coming. Be aware of them, and realize that although not all of them are bad, they will probably be pretty significant. Now's a good time to get rid of things which are of no use to you, in order to make room for new beginnings.

 Magical Aspects: Changes are on the way, so quit clinging to beliefs and ideas that no longer serve you well. Shed the old, and welcome the new. Accept change for what it is–an asset–and stop seeing it as an obstacle. Don't fear new things, embrace them.

6.     B – Beith

Tree- Birch

Symbolism: New Beginings, change, release, rebirth

Beith Correspondences

Mundane Aspects: When this symbol appears, it means it's time to get rid of all those negative influences you've been carrying around with you. Figure out what things are bad in your life, which relationships are toxic, and find a way to leave them behind. Instead of being dragged down by the negative, focus on the positive things you have in your life, the blessings and abundance. Use these things as a focus, rather than the harmful or damaging ones.

Magical Aspects: Consider the property of renewal and rebirth, as demonstrated by the Birch. Use this as a tool for spiritual and emotional regrowth and developing your own ability to regenerate where there has been emptiness or devastation.

7.     L – Luis

Tree: Rowan

Symbolism: Insight, Protection, blessings

Luis Correspondences

Mundane Aspects: Keep your awareness high, and go with your intuition when it comes to the people and events in your life. Trust your judgment, and don't allow yourself to be lulled into a false sense of security.

 Magical Aspects: Keep yourself true to your spirituality, staying grounded even in times of doubt. This will help protect you from that which might bring you emotional, physical or spiritual harm.

8.     F – Fearn

Tree: Alder

Symbolism: Evolving spirit

Fearn Correspondences

Mundane Aspects: Keep in mind that you are an individual... but so is everyone else. When you look at someone, see the unusual which makes them themselves–and allow them to see that uniqueness in you. Be a mediator, a bridge, between people who may be having a disagreement.

 Magical Aspects: Follow your instinct. Others will turn to you for advice and counsel during spiritual disagreements, and it's your job to be the mediator and voice of reason.

9.     S – Saille

Tree: Willow

Symbolism: Knowledge, spiritual growth

Saille Correspondences

Mundane Aspects: One cannot evolve without changing. Realize that part of life's journey includes learning lessons–even unpleasant ones. This is a natural part of the human experience.

 Magical Aspects: Give yourself a break periodically, and take time to rest spiritually. Know that change will come when you are ready for it. Allow yourself some flexibility in your spiritual life as well.

10.N – Nion

Tree: Ash

Symbolism: Connections, creativity, transitions between worlds

Nion Correspondences

Mundane Aspects: Remember that for every action, there is a consequence, and these effect not only ourselves but others as well. What we do in our life will carry into the future and possibly even beyond. Every one of our words and deeds has some sort of impact.

Magical Aspects: The Universe is like a giant web. Strands bind us all together, either closely or at a distance. We are all connected in one way or another, so it is important to find harmony between the spiritual realm and the physical, and between all living beings. Endeavor to live a spiritual life that considers the needs of the natural world around you.

 11.H – Huath

Tree: Hawthorn

Symbolism: Cleansing, Protection, Defense

Huath Correspondences

Mundane Aspects: If you're hoping to conceive a child, the appearance of Huath could be fortuitous. In addition to fertility, consider this a sign of protection, healthfulness and self-defense.

 Magical Aspects: Understand that no matter how thorny a problem may be, you can use your spiritual strength to protect and guide you. You may also find that you can provide strength to those who depend on you.

12.D – Duir

Tree: Oak

Symbolism: Strength, resilience, self-confidence

Duir Correspondences

Mundane Aspects: Carry an acorn in your pocket when you go to an interview or business meeting; it will be bring you good luck. If you catch a falling Oak leaf before it hits the ground, you'll stay healthy the following year. Remember that "Duir" means gate or door–watch for chances that may pop up unexpectedly, and take what is offered to you. After all, an unknown opportunity is better than a missed one.

 Magical Aspects: Be strong and steady like the Oak, no matter how unpredictable things may become for you spiritually. Your strength will help you prevail.

13.T – Tinne

Tree: Holly

Symbolism: Immortality, unity, courage, stability in hearth and home

Tinne Correspondences

Mundane Aspects: Hang a sprig of Holly in your home to protect your family in your absence. Soak the leaves in spring water under a full moon, and then use the water as a blessing for people or items you wish to protect. There is strength to be found in standing together, and ultimately protection comes from honor and trust.

Magical Aspects: Develop the ability to respond quickly and wisely to your intuition. Learn to overcome and adapt to new situations, and to respond immediately to changes in your spiritual environment. Trust your instinct, but don't let your heart rule over your head.

14.C – Coll

Tree: Hazel

Symbolism: Wisdom, creativity, knowledge

                               Coll Correspondences

Mundane Aspects: Take advantage of your own artistry or creativity, and share your knowledge with others so they too can practice these arts. Lead by example, and teach those who wish to learn. Find inspiration for your creative gifts, whatever your talent may be.

Magical Aspects: Let the divine guide you in your creative journey. Speak to the gods through your art, and be rewarded with inspiration. If you're stuck in a creative rut, call upon the Divine to send you a Muse.

15.Q – Quert

Tree: Apple

Symbolism: Love, faithfulness, rebirth

Quert Correspondences

Mundane Aspects: No one likes to be faced with choices, because sometimes what we want is not what we need. However, we still must choose. Sometimes, we make decisions because they are the right ones to make, not because they make us happy. Be wise enough to understand the difference.

Magical Aspects: Open your inner soul to new decisions, and allow yourself to harvest the gifts that your spiritual path has to offer. Know that sometimes, things might not make sense, but chances are good that you'll learn from this later.

 16.M – Muin

Tree: Vine

Symbolism: Prophecy, truthful speaking

Muin Correspondences

Mundane Aspects: Take time to think about what you say before you open your mouth, but once you open it to speak, only speak the truth. It is better to be honest than to tell people what they want to hear just to gain popularity.

Magical Aspects: Do rituals related to prophecy and divination. Be sure to record all messages that you receive–they may not make sense right now, but they will later on. When you're sampling its pleasures, don't allow Vine to take too much advantage of you or it may color your perceptions of what is Truth.

17.G – Gort

 Tree: Ivy

Symbolism: soul searching

Gort Correspondences

Mundane Aspects: Banish the negative things from your life, and eliminate toxic relationships. Place a barricade of some sort between you and the things or people that would bring you down.

Magical Aspects: Look inward to find self-growth, but turn outward to find spiritual companionship with like-minded individuals. If you've thought about joining or forming a group of some sort, consider it well if Gort appears.

 18.Ng – nGeatal

Tree: Reed

Symbolism: Music, direct action, finding purpose

nGeatal Correspondences

Mundane Aspects: When this symbol appears, it's time to take on a leadership role. Often, it indicates a need to rebuild that which was destroyed. Use your skills and ability to put things in order, and guide situations onto the right track. Think before you act, and be proactive rather than reactive.

Magical Aspects: Although you may encounter some bumpy spots in the road, ultimately your spiritual journey will be a fruitful and productive one. Understand that the lessons you learn on your way are equally as important–maybe even more so–as the destination itself.

19.Z-Straith

Tree: Blackthorn

Symbolism: Authority, control, strength and triumph over adversity

Straith Correspondences

Mundane Aspects: Expect the unexpected, especially when it comes to change. Your plans may be altered, or even destroyed, so plan to deal with it. The appearance of Straith often indicates the influence of external forces.

Magical Aspects: You're at the beginning of a new journey, and there will be some surprises–possibly unpleasant ones–along the way. Overcoming these obstacles will give you strength. Realize that you–and your life–are changing.

20.R – Ruis

Tree: Elder

Symbolism: endings, maturity, awareness

Ruis Correspondences

Mundane Aspects: This is a time of transition; while one phase of life ends, another begins. With maturity and experience comes wisdom and knowledge. Remember that it's fine to be childlike, but not childish.

Magical Aspects: New experiences and new phases of growth are continual, and these will all lead to spiritual renewal, and finally rebirth. Remember that the things we experience are all part of the formation of who we eventually become.

Source: Learn Religions: Ogham Symbol Gallery retrieved from: https://www.learnreligions.com/ogham-symbol-gallery-4123029 

Picture unsourced from google

[fringchound-a]

The Black Forest Zone V2.x

god this took longer than expected, helloooo three weeks of compiling

Since the original lore I wrote for it is both ancient and frankly lacking in any real diversity, I figured a rewrite and redevelopment was in order, capitalizing on a lot of things I’ve developed over the last ... however long it’s been since I originally made it. A lot of things will stay the same but be added on to, and a lot of things will be changed or added. All of it will have decent explanations attached. I’m debating on making an historical timeline for it, but that’ll be in another post, I think.

So let’s get started on the tour, shall we! Further details are below the cut, and I’m sure I’ll add to them over time, and a reminder I mixed the lores from all three pieces of media so it doesn’t conform to just one.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Black Forest is one of the six known Landings, also known as a Visitation Zone. Like many, it was mutated by the Landing and has become sentient on some level, encompassing all of the infamous Black Forest and some small swatches of land around it in the southwest of Germany. A few small towns have been swallowed by the sea of rapid-growing trees, but nearby cities are widely unaffected.

It is the proverbial ‘Elephant in the Room’ for the government, and they have spared no expense to keep its presence quiet. There is no news coverage about it and it has been taken out of all historical texts and maps published in the country show the area as fertile agricultural flatland instead. People heard talking about it are ‘investigated’, though they are known to disappear regardless of verdict of intent. In a futile attempt to put the Zone out of mind, a twelve-foot tall security wall made of concrete eight feet thick was erected around it, topped with rolls of razorwire and crowned with anti-climbing spikes. As expected, it does little to put the thing out of peoples’ minds, and as a result of its invitation to the illegal class known as stalkers, military presence is thick around the main or noticeable entrances and exits into and out of the Zone.

Due to its inherent personality of Quietly Active and Playful, the Black Forest has become nothing short of one of the more treacherous Zones. After mutation, it grew native trees almost overnight in massive sizes so tightly knit together that barely any sunlight can penetrate the canopy, casting it into an eternal green gloom unaffected by normal seasonal changes. It is a labyrinth of massive trunks and vast roots that change location and orientation at any given moment. A good Forest stalker can still navigate fairly decently, though extreme caution and vigilance is recommended, since there are other dangers the Forest hides than just shifting landscaping.

Originally known for being both the cradle of darker folklore [including the Grimm Brothers’ original tales] and notorious for being haunted, it is safe to say that being changed by the Landing has only made the haunting worse.

Locations of Note

The Fringes are the area around the Zone’s perimeter. They are a thin ribbon starting at the inside of the security wall to the barrier. A majority of them are flatland border-forest, sporting scrubby foliage, short bushes, and small clusters of average-sized trees. The fauna from the fringes is the most normal in the Forest, as fringeanimals are the least physically mutated of anything to come out of the Zone. The only human presence that has staked any claim to this land are bandits, and that is due to the lack of influence from the Forest itself. While stalkers use the fringes as a path between the civilized outer world and the primal inner world, it is the bandits that call the fringes ‘home’. There are no anomalies in this crucial outer ring of the Forest Zone.

The Barrier, also known as The Wooden Highways, is an eerie surreal place that encircles the inner Zone entirely after the fringes have ended. Noticeable against the flatland outer ring, this thin second ring around the Forest is composed almost entirely of truly gargantuan trees that no one remembers how they got there. Known affectionately by native stalkers as the Tree’s Cemetery, it’s surmised that this is where all trees in the Forest go to die, adding their own roots into the complex system that makes up the pathways between the fringes and the Forest Proper. No light from above can filter through, leaving the world in this thin ring in total blackness, and any artificial light is swallowed in the vastness of the space between tree trunks. The roots of these trees are large enough that a group of four or five can stand shoulder-to-shoulder across the widest portions, and high enough off the ground that the world below the roads is shrouded in mystery. This is also the last of the fringes, where the influence of the Forest begins to take hold. All that is known about the ground far below is that it is a breeding place for Fractures, and besides their occasional scurrying and mutterings, there is virtually no sound in the barrier. No other animal or mutant lives in this part of the Zone besides Fractures, and people only use it to pass back and forth. Only one anomaly has ever been encountered in the barrier and it is an imperative tool to use on the Wooden Highways; Flashbangs.

The Forest Proper is the vast tract of land within the encompassing circles around the perimeter. It too is an eerie place, eternally covered in low light due to the tight canopy up above, and where the influence of the Forest is in full effect. The trees in the Proper aren’t nearly as big as those in the barrier, but they are still overly large and alive, and have a habit of moving around at their own whim and wills. Due to the canopy, weather hardly ever penetrates in, the occasional raindrop or snowpile falling through to the forest floor when the cover above becomes too heavy or saturated to block it out. The only places the canopy opens to the sky above is over towns, hamlets, Castles, and the crags. Of the dozens of towns that used to pepper the Forest before the Landing, only three remain at the Zone’s good graces with the Forest backed up on and through them. Their original names have been lost to time, but they are known by the locals as Northtown, Central, and Southtown. Not very creative names, but descriptive and therefore easy to remember. They still exist mostly as trading and market hubs at the behest of the Zoners who live in small villages, or ‘hamlets’, across the span of the Proper. As there is little need for money, a bartering system is set up that is fairly easy to follow for those new to the economic workings of the Zone. The Forest Proper has a surprisingly diverse ecosystem for a Zone. It is home to a large variety of mutated animals and plants, both benign and hostile. Some can be found only in certain areas, while a fair few others migrate around the Zone and can be seen at nearly every corner. Several rivers and creeks run throughout the Proper, funneled through the security wall at various heavily-guarded drainage points. How water flows as it does to get from one side of the wall to the other is a wild mystery, given how the Barrier supposedly slopes down and encompasses the Zone in a bowl. Running water is attractive to many living in the Forest, and most hamlets will take up residence on a river or creek, provided there are no ruins there before. Anomalies here are widespread and plentiful, it’s advised to walk with caution.

The Inner Circle is a thin ring around the Landing Point, where the Central Anomaly formed, somewhere in the western foothills. The trees here are very close together, leaving very few to no gaps between them. It is dark and ‘blue’ in this portion of the Forest, and very quiet. No animals, mutated or not, live here, and all native stalkers tend to avoid it like the plague, if they can. The only people known to frequent this area are the Cult of the Cage, a group of fanatics that have devised a strategy to move without consequence through it. Predator Trees spawn and grow here and while small packs are known to roam the Proper, it is here where their population is highest in number. No anomaly spawns in the Circle, likely due to the proximity to the Central Anomaly, though Shades and Ghosts have been known to spawn just outside its borders.

The Central Anomaly, also known as The Tree Cage, is the place in the Forest where the Landing happened. The trees around the space all lean to one side and bow out at the center, just far enough apart to show a hint of the space between them as a lure to any brave and capable enough to navigate the Inner Circle without incident. However, on entering, the ring of trees closes with all the speed of a flytrap and stays closed for a time before opening back up. Stalkers plenty have disappeared in the Cage and as a result, no one knows what exactly it hides and protects. Rumors are plenty, but the fact is that no one actually knows and it’s very likely that no one will ever know.

The Crags is the adoring name for the mountain range around which the Forest sits. The names of it and its peaks are forgotten with the Zoners, and very few outside the Zone remember them much at all due to media blackout and historical censorship, knowing they exist purely because they tower over much of the landscape and the security wall. Central backs up against them on the western slope, and a few hamlets here and there dot the base on all sides. Trees cease to grow in abundance up the sides, dotting the mountainsides with stubborn copses of uninfluenced trees and brush. Considering the rich diversity of the Proper creeping around the crags, there is a distinct lack of it on them. The only wildlife present are Satyrs and small clusters of songbirds and ravens, and the only anomaly that has been picked up are Vortexes. Castles are frequent along the full range of the crags, though only along the lower slopes and bases, rarely above the halfway point.

Castles

Castles are a very strange phenomena in the Forest. There are ruins scattered across the Zone in various states of decay or preservation, depending on whether or not they had been found and taken care of by historians and archaeologists.

When the Landing happened, Castles became their very own thing. If it had a solid foundation still in place, it gained its own level of sentience and started to act of its own accord and whims. In a sense, they became miniature Zones, functioning within the bigger Forest. Whether or not this was a will of the Forest itself or something that happened spontaneously without influence is still undetermined.

Acting as independent Zones, Castles have their own unique personalities and rules from one to the other, none of which are controlled by the Forest in any way. All influence of the Forest disappears at the borders of a Castle’s defined foundation, whether it be the edge of a yard surrounding them or the walls of the main structure themselves. All animals and anomalies don’t intrude on them either. Even the pathways to a Castle are controlled by them, and if the road and paths are cut off, it’s best to leave it be. A complete path or road leading up to a Castle is the only way to tell if they are friendly. As Castles are their own entities, they also make up their own tests and traps, as any good Zone will do.

A Castle’s Voice is very distinct from the rest of the Forest, and Guides have said it’s really more of a dialect of the Forest’s own Voice. They sound like settling wood and stone at such immense volume that it sounds like it comes from everywhere, with the occasional mutter of both being moved. The latter is likely due to the fact that Castles are constantly building themselves up [or rebuilding, as might well be the case], and the shuffle of stone and wood is their innate ability to move materials by sheer force of will into place. The process is slow-going, but they have all the time in the world to do so.

Castles are tricky creatures, as they do not like to be intruded upon, even if friendly. They all have a condition for those looking to take shelter on or in them, and unfortunately for most, it’s only the Guides who can properly understand what that condition is at any given time. Since they have the ability to hear what the Forest is saying, Castles are hardly different to them. While Guides can technically interact with any friendly Castle, they each have one specifically linked to them that they can talk to and access without having to jump through too many traps or tricks.

There is one ruin, however, that no one is sure of, not even the Guides. An ominous black stone foundation on a rocky spire on the east slope of the crags, it looks like talons gripping the mountain, earning it the name The Dragon. It has cut its bridge off, and deeper diving into the history of the area shows no record of it anywhere, leading Guides to believe the Forest constructed it on its own. One thing they know for certain is that it is very subtly moving, spire and all, up the mountain.

Quirks

The First Rule: Greed Is Punished. Before being changed by the Landing, the Forest was at risk of deforestation. The residual emotion at the time of the Landing was distress and upset, and much of that taints the way the personality developed. She is a plentiful Zone, for better or for worse, but the reminder of being taken from with little return remains. As such, the act of Greed is punished by her, in different varying ways. Usually, the offender ends up dead on the spot, or hopelessly and purposely lost to die of exposure. Even Zoners are not exempted from this rule, and hamlets and towns that have broken it by action are simply swallowed into the deep greenery without so much of a word. Stalkers are held even further in account, as they are only allowed to carry five artifacts at a time in a trip, no more. Language while outside hamlets and towns in the Proper are slotted in with actions as well, and that is where it gets touchy. Asking permission to take something one Needs will resort in her providing for the asker, so long as Thanks is given for it. But even saying that one Wants something without appropriate trade, or simply taking things without asking, will result in punishment.

Second Rule: No Fire. As expected of anything made predominantly of wood, fire in the Barrier and Proper is strictly forbidden. Ignoring this rule doesn’t necessarily bring punishment directly to the breaker, but the resulting flailing of nearby Patrol Trees to put even the smallest flame out can end in them being unintentionally beaten to death. The only exception to this rule is in hamlets and towns under strict supervision, and of course in the influence of Castles. Campfires in the higher reaches of the crags have also resulted in no action.

Third Rule: No Real Names. The Forest’s Playful nature really shines here. Being the origin of many dark and frightening folkloric tales, it takes after the better known stories that giving your real given name to something otherworldly gives it power over you, and most of all, gives it power to hurt you. Tagnames and call-signs used in the Forest are partially due to the military being known to hunt down families of captured stalkers and mostly due to the Forest’s use of real names. The only people immune to this rule are Zoners, but they also understand the Zone on levels better than most other people traversing it and know how to avoid the events triggered by the use of birth names. While no immediate punishment comes from using real names in the influence of the Forest, consequences can come later, either from long-term exposure in the Zone or the closer to the Inner Circle one goes.

Fourth Rule: Stay Silent. Silence is key to survival. Many things in the Forest are attracted to sound, such as Predator Trees, Ritters, and Shades. Towns and hamlets are exempt of this rule and it is safe to be loud while in them. However, it is not in the vast Zone between them. The Forest has been known to waive such rules in the event of asking for necessities that require loud sounds like hunting, but stalkers from other Zones have noted that compared to the constant noise of human life in their native Zones, the Forest is eerily devoid of manmade sound. Natural ambiance is commonplace, however, and sounds like songbirds and animals and the occasional creak of trees in the wind give it some life. The Forest does not directly take any retribution for being loud, mind, but silence has its merits, like sneaking passed sleeping Predator Trees or hearing when blind Ritters come tapping along.

Fifth Rule: No Electronics. Less of a rule written by the Forest itself and more of a rule spoken between stalkers, electronics include any device that draws power continuously, usually from a battery. The radiation that made the Zone does strange and horrible things with electronics and it is not uncommon to find the unfortunate many who don’t heed the warnings twisted in the landscape with their precious devices growing out of them.

Sixth Rule: The Water Ritual. Water is drinkable in the Forest, but only those bodies used in hamlets and towns are safe from this rule. Water in uninhabited space can be dangerous, another rule written in the spirit of faerie tales. Stalkers and Zoners alike pat the surface of still bodies of water and watch the reaction to it. If the ripples act like they are supposed to and the reflection of people, animals, and landscape acts normally, the water is safe to drink or disturb. If it reacts in any way other than naturally [ie Ripples from the opposite shore from the patting, reflections look skewed or move around without reason], it is unsafe. The rule applies even to water that was deemed safe in a prior visit, as the nature of Zone water changes regularly. Not patting the water to see if it’s safe results in everything from being poisoned to being sucked into the water and disappearing. Flowing water, like rivers and creeks, can be deciphered merely watching them, staring at ripples around stones or fallen branches to determine if it’s safe to interact with.

Seventh Rule: No Straight Lines. This seems to be a rule with most Zones, as even foreign stalkers talk about it. No one is quite sure why Visitation Zones are against people walking in straight lines to their destinations. All that is agreed on is that doing so has dire consequences, between people disappearing entirely before reaching their goal or being struck with sudden fatal ailments on the way there. The Forest is known to mimic peoples’ voices to warn arrogant stalkers trying to break this rule before striking them down. It is best to take a roundabout way to get to a destination. Even if you can still see where you are trying to go from different angles, a meandering path to a new arrival point is better than a straight line.

The Voice: All Zones have a Voice, a sound used to show their presence to those in and out of it. The sound of a Voice is said to be enveloping, drowning out everything else around it when it talks. All people and creatures in a Zone can hear the sound of its Voice, and regulars and natives to a Zone can even hear it when away from it. The Forest’s Voice is the sound of creaking groaning wood. Only Zoners and Guides can actually hear the words it’s trying to use, however.

Weather Patterns: Most, if not all, Zones have volatile weather, one of very few things that are actually consistent. Whether it’s the energy of a Zone or the way the land or reality itself warps while in their space, something as simple as a cloudy day can swirl into torrential rains, and a drizzle can turn into cyclones. The Forest has a habit of taking rain and turning it into violent hail and thunderstorms that sweep across most of the western half, very rarely the eastern. The east tends to get blizzards with ice and wind, however, while the west merely gets large amounts of snow.

Zombies: Visitation zombies are a very strange breed. Closer to the classic zombie of legend, they are merely the recently dead within the influence of the Zone who, for whatever reason, come back to life with a single task in mind. Usually, the task is the last thing on their thoughts before death, and they will make their way to a location fresh in their memory while muttering this last bit of agenda. Once there, they will decay as normal before finally dying for good. Fresh zombies tend to have some semblance of language and motor function. After about a week, it all begins to degrade until they can’t speak and their reaction time slows. The military detail around the Forest has a tendency to leave zombies stumbling through the cordons well enough alone after realizing they’re zombies. It’s probably the only thing even they don’t have the will to stop.

Change: There is very little actually consistent in any Zone. Everything is subject to change, even when it seems unchangeable. In the Forest, all inhabitants -be they stalkers or Zoners- have learned that if it looks different, it probably is different. Even things like anomalies, normally regular fixtures, can change purposes without noticeably changing appearances. It’s good to keep such things in mind while traversing the Forest, and all travelers carry rocks with them in place of the usual bolts found in other Zones; since there are no gravity-based anomalies that require weight recorded, rocks are used to test the environment for changes, as well as being easy to replenish without leaving an environmental mark.

People/Factions

Zoners are the people who live in the Zone who were original to it before the Landing. They are a quaint folk who are born into the Zone and mutated by it, and have adopted a pagan lifestyle several centuries old in order to adapt to the lack of modern amenities. They worship the Zone as nothing less than a god, and it seems to work in their favor, as the Zone provides them everything they need from space to materials to workable crops at a fair trade from them. After stubbornly refusing to evacuate after the Landing, the Forest covets them so long as they maintain The First Rule. They share a special bond to their Zone and are the only ones trusted to defend it. In the rare cases of military and government involvement in the Forest, it is Zoners who are first to stand firm against them and push them back out. Although they have unsettling wide smiles and their eyes tend to glow in the dark, Zoners are very friendly toward stalkers, provided they don’t bring ill intent with them and understand the balance of The First Rule. They are a reminder that even people born from the fabric of the Forest are not exempted of the rules, assuming the ruins of arrogant hamlets and swallowed towns fail to instill the same warning.

Stalkers are a fairly universal breed from Zone to Zone. Designated as ‘daredevils’, the ones that go into the Black Forest live up to the moniker. The Forest swallows more and more of them every year, but the allure of such a dangerous temperamental Zone brings more than twice that amount to the door. Native stalkers tend to be more likely to help greenhorns to the Forest out, and veteran stalkers of other Zones pick up on the quirks of the Forest fairly easy enough to survive. It’s not uncommon to see new faces filtering in and out of the Forest, though. As a whole, stalkers are a pretty decent helpful bunch, and the majority of the clan are beloved by Zoners for their ability to bring necessary supplies they can’t ask the Forest for to them. The ones who aren’t decent live in the fringes as bandits.

Guides are a particularly special handful of stalkers who have garnered the Forest’s favor through sacrifice. Sacrifice of everything from time to sanity to their own bodies, Guides are capable of understanding their Zone on a more intimate level than the standard stalker. They are imperative to others’ ability to navigate the twisting ever-changing Forest, as they can feel changes and hear anomalies and the messages beneath the Forest’s Voice. They are also the only individuals capable of speaking to and opening Castles safely, something not even the native Zoners can do. There are two different stages to becoming a Guide. Threshold Guides have given enough to hear the Voice’s message as well as the thrumming pressure of anomalies. Fledged Guides, or simply just Guides, are properly ordained by the Forest into its embrace, usually given a gift/mutations to better serve their Zone. As expected, Guides are not very common. For the sheer volume of the Forest, there are only nine ordained Guides and one Threshold to date.

Bandits are a fixture in almost every Zone nowadays and are generally the same, greedy little opportunists who like to reap the rewards of others. The bandits of the Black Forest have gotten smart about it, bypassing The First Rule of Forest life by staying on the fringes. Since the central influence of the Forest doesn’t reach into the fringes as much, bandits regularly exploit the lack of punishment. To any proficient stalker of the area, they are fairly easy to avoid. Despite their disregard of the coveted First Rule, bandits in the Forest maintain a sense of loyalty and duty to their gangs and above that, the Zone. As the Forest doesn’t fully influence or control the fringes, it’s up to them to keep an eye out for noticeable damage and especially fire. They have been known to stomp out all ties in order to band together with stalkers in the vicinity and work to put out any fires that start. Afterwards, they return to their expected deviancy, but it is surprising to realize even they can be human sometimes.

The Cult of the Cage are a group of fanatics that aren’t seen much outside the Inner Circle. They worship whatever the Tree Cage protects, though it’s unclear if even they know what it is. It probably wouldn’t change their minds or beliefs even if they knew. The exact reasons for their worship are unclear, but it is obviously not out of greed or arrogance, as the Forest would have killed them off if that were the case. They’re known for being undetectable to all but the Forest itself, silent and quick. They don’t carry firearms, but do carry crossbows they’ve managed to silence. Unsurprisingly, they have found a toxin to use on their bolts that, if untreated, can be deadly. While their ballistics are used on the outer edges of the Inner Circle into the Proper, they are also trained in close-range combat for any fighting that might break out in the Inner Circle itself. While they are fanatical, the Cult is not in any way conscripted into protecting the Tree Cage. Individuals can still think on their own away from their brethren and outside shared rituals and prayers, share little in common with each other otherwise. A few of their numbers have been spotted recently wandering the Forest Proper, and given their uncharacteristic politeness, are assumed to be missionaries to their religious cause. The Cult is held in suspicious regards but so long as a member doesn’t start a fight, those who wander from the Inner Circle are generally left alone.

Fauna and Flora

Fauna

Fringeanimals are among the least physically mutated animals in the Forest. They are typically domesticated dogs and feral cats who were born in the fringes, though there are reports of local fauna like foxes and rabbits that also slot into this category. While they are born in the fringes, they are not trapped on the fringes; seeing fringeanimals in the Forest Proper is not uncommon at all, and they make their homes in hamlets and towns, where they are regularly spoiled and treated like one might a common pet. They don’t seem to mind this, at all. Fringeanimals are best known for their friendliness to non-hostile peoples, willing to jump in to defend trapped people or lead them to a safe spot. They are also known for being incredibly intelligent to the point of sapience, and it’s not uncommon to hear them responding in a conversation, capable of picking up on and learning multiple languages at once. While they don’t speak human languages, they still use their own vocalizations and body language to interact. They are also born with a deep-rooted connection to the Forest and can tell when things change or shift, making them invaluable companions to those in and out of the Forest. It’s a common practice for stalkers and Zoners to leave an area if a fingeanimal is trying to warn them away from it.

Livestock has been widely unchanged physically. Only found in hamlets and towns, the familiar shapes of native cow breeds, chickens, pigs, sheep, and the occasional goat are a welcome reprieve from the weirdness of the majority of the Forest’s wildlife. Zoners use them for everything from food to farmwork, and while a few of the animals may accidentally mutate physically in a generation, the only constant mutation they seem to have is the ability to over-produce milk, eggs, and wool. It only works in this way, and slaughtering an animal for food does not yield more meat.

Songbirds don’t look like they have any physical mutations on first glance, small and fluttery as their brethren outside the Zone are. They live primarily in the crags, having moved back into the area after the initial violent changes at the start of the Zone settled, and they are never seen in the Forest Proper. However, they can still be heard down in the Proper, and that is because they have an innate ability to warp and amplify their own soundwaves to be heard for miles. Like all songbirds, they are skittish around larger animals and can be seen fluttering around their mountainous home when disturbed.

Ravens are another bird that moved back into the Zone after fleeing it during the first changes. They have mutated just slightly, gaining another set of eyes and serrated beaks with a disturbingly human-like cackle as a call. Their main population is in the crags, but they have been seen further into the foothills on all sides. They are also non-hostile to people and animals, known for hanging around and begging food from humans when not snuffling around on their own, not unlike standard corvids outside of their Zone.

Owls are perhaps the only documented bird that lives in the Forest Proper as well as in the crags. They don’t look much different than their normal counterparts from the ground, since they live in the branches high above the shifting forest floor, but distance tricks perception. Owls are immense in size, standing at ten feet tall with wingspans that can grow to fifty or more feet. Their mutation gives them the sheer size to capture cherubs, their main prey, and carry them off to be eaten. Despite their gigantism, they seem to be smart enough to dislike the idea of eating or the taste of humans and will generally avoid and observe them from their lofty homes. Even if they are non-hostile, humans and fringeanimals will try to stay well out of their way and hunting parties will abandon cherub herds if owls are present.

Cherubs used to be deer. In some ways, they still maintain the original mannerisms as skittish herbivores that travel in herds. They’ve grown to stand close to nine feet tall at their shoulders, colored various shades of white and off-white with massive iridescent eyes. Their build has changed drastically, with prominent rib structure leading into naturally caved stomachs, long spindly legs, and long slender necks topped with thin pointed heads. Their antlers have changed orientation and make-up, from bone to a weird mushroom-like tuber. It grows along their backbone in shoots and across their shoulders in intricate coral-like fans, the tips displaying multiple colors that fade to white or cream near the base. Every part of a cherub is edible, save for the bones within the body itself, and one cherub can feed a group of six for the better part of a week or two. They are one of two of the only animals the Forest grants permission to hunt, and the only animal it sends to be hunted when a request for Needing food is made, as long as only what is needed is taken and no more. Their name derives from the fact that cherubs are the only known animal in the Forest that is immune to Silver Thread, which can grow across their fans and glitter in light, giving the illusion of wings. Hunters typically avoid those with it growing on them, since Silver Thread can kill anything else in short amounts of time.

Fractals were foxes once. So named for their ability to change outlines and shape in swirling clouds of multi-colored matter, they also pose no threat to humans. They have a tendency to float in the general direction of anomalies and artifacts, occasionally resuming their original forms as small foxes. They don’t seem to have any corporeal form, which lets them float through objects, animals, and people. When they do so, it’s said that they ‘feel like what white static sounds like’.

Bounders live in trees. Their disproportionately large hindquarters are the only things left from their previous rabbit forms, and the actual animal is only about knee-height on an average human at their biggest. Their front legs sport claws on their toes with protowings along the undersides of their arms, and their tails are long with tufts of feathers at the tip. Although they’re relatively harmless herbivores, bounders have been known to cause deep gouges in anything that provokes them. Despite their defense, they are a favorite snack of many of the Forest’s inhabitants.

Satyrs were goats at one point and to some extent, still sort of are. Although their warped squished faces have grown eerily humanoid and their bodies are disturbingly primate-like, they share no genetic background with either. Their eyes are large and have the square pupils that denote them as goats, along with the telltale horns curving back on their heads around the base of their leaf-shaped ears. As expected, they like to headbutt things, provoked or not. Their bodies look remarkably like long-limbed primates of some sort, their arms and legs ending in four-toed feet and hands. They stand at the height of an average human and can walk hunched but upright on their legs, or on all fours without any trouble. They can scale cliffs, unstable rockfaces, and trees without much thought or issue. Which is good, since they live primarily in the crags and bound and swing across the more treacherous terrain higher up to reach their primary food sources. Satyrs are neutral animals, though at times their goaty nature makes it feel like they’re vindictive or doing things solely for their own entertainment. This is not the case, even though stalkers and Zoners have both returned with welts from being headbutt by them.

Fractures are one of two human mutants in the Forest. The lesser of the evils, the first populations of them were turned from Zoners who angered the Forest in its earlier years. Their villages and towns were swallowed and remain as crumbling ruins in the depths of the Zone, and the people were transformed into Fractures. Since then, Fracture nests are fairly common and they are the only living thing to inhabit the Barrier. Fractures walk primarily on all fours, with an elongated curved spine and excruciatingly long limbs. One arm is twice as long as the other, the fingers tipped with large hooked claws. Fractures are relatively skittish and if they see anything from far off that might be a threat to them, they will turn tail and gallop back toward their nests. They will attack if something is too close to them and they will retaliate if attacked first, usually pulling more and more of their brethren hiding in the woodwork around them to help. While they are not much of a threat by themselves, as they are a common nuisance of a mutant, they can easily overwhelm an adversary with numbers. They still retain the ability to speak, but have since lost the ability to intelligently converse. As such, they parrot phrases and words said around them and will repeat them regularly.

Fracture Eaters mutated from German horses that are native to the Black Forest region. As their name suggests, they are the only known predator of Fractures and their presence works to keep the population down. Fracture Eaters are about the size of a small horse and retain much of the original posture and build. From far away, they even look like a horse. Up close, it’s easy to notice the long snakelike tails behind them, as well as the clawed finger-like paws that replaced their hooves. Their mouths open unnaturally wide to the jaw joint, displaying rows upon rows of sharp triangular teeth that point backwards toward their throat, and their eyes have moved more toward the front of their skulls. They even issue a strange roaring noise when the hunt begins. Despite looking like a nightmare and being actively carnivorous, Fracture Eaters are very social animals with packs of their families around them and prefer the comfort of non-hostile parties. They still retain a fondness for human contact and it isn’t uncommon to be nudged by one or several until pets are given, making purring and nickering noises when paid mind. They are still able to be ridden and trainable, and several hamlets host games showing off their prowess with the creatures. Fracture Eaters generally stick to the forested areas around hamlets and towns, keeping a firm eye on the landscaping for their next meal.

Ritters are easily the most terrifying mutant in the Forest to date, as well as being the second human mutant, named after one of the more frightening folktales of the Forest’s dark past. Like Fractures, Ritters are changed after their hamlet is swallowed by the Forest as punishment for breaking The First Rule. Unlike Fractures, Ritters are rare to encounter, but they leave a lasting impression of the Forest’s anger. Ritters tower over all but owls and cherubs, standing upright at eight feet tall. They carry themselves on four spindly legs ending in three long fingers each; one for balance on the inside, two on the outside for gripping and navigation. An elongated skeletal humanoid torso is attached by its hips at the center of its legs. The head is large and sits on a swiveling long neck. There appears to be no face at first glance, a thick flap of skin covering where its eyes should be like a helmet, and hunting and feeding are the only times it opens its mouth, splitting its head from ear to ear and filled with needle teeth. Their arms are long and lanky with long delicate fingers tipped with curved claws, which they use to feel their way around. It’s the only way to tell when one is nearby, as they make a distinct rapid tapping noise against trees and rocks. They are pale in color, sickly green-grey fading to pallor. Their ‘helms’ and the tips of their extremities are a darker grey speckled with dark pine green. Being completely blind, Ritters are easy to avoid by standing perfectly still and waiting for them to pass if expected. As they only travel alone or in groups of two or three maximum, it’s easy to keep track of them. However, noise attracts them and the louder a noise is, the easier it is for them to zero in on the source. When hunting, they let off a shriek and become unexpectedly nightmarishly agile, capable of moving around the terrain with the ease of a spider. It’s harder to escape them head-on, but hiding and keeping perfectly still can cause them to pause and try to relocate their prey. If they can’t pick up its trail again, they cease the chase and continue on their way. Ritters do not wander far from the place they lived as humans. Stalkers and Zoners avoid the ruins of towns and hamlets for this reason. There are still outliers, though, so any proper Forest stalker knows to listen for tapping, no matter where they are.

Flora

Patrol Trees are massive trees that move around in the Forest Proper on their root systems. They don’t appear to have any real aim in how they move, meandering in packs. They aren’t inherently malicious, simply moving around as they will. They pay no mind to what’s in front of them, under them, or behind them, and unintentionally smash their way through animals and people on their way. Hamlets and towns are specifically guarded by the Zone, so that any migrating trees are ushered around habitation on their way through. Patrol Trees also act as guardians for human settlements, anchored around them to cover them when inclement weather comes, as well as beating their massive branches on out-of-control fires. They are also the ones who extinguish fires in the Forest itself in much the same way, pummeling them with little regard to who or what is sitting around it.

Predator Trees are also massive trees that move around the Zone using their root systems. Their intent is more sinister than the Patrol Trees, however, and their ability to hide among other trees makes them extremely dangerous to anyone and anything that lives or peruses the Forest. Predator Trees are considerably more aware of their surroundings and the potential meals in them. They will stop and change course abruptly to go after anything they deem edible, which doesn’t leave out a lot. When caught, they either pull their victims under them using their roots, or simply smash themselves down on top of them until they’ve eaten. They are attracted to loud noises and are ferocious in their pursuits. Unless beaten away by Patrol Trees in charge of guarding settlements, they have no issue entering inhabited spaces for a meal. They are viciously territorial and act in a way like a rogue guardian force of the Forest itself. They have been known to jump straight up and take out low-flying aircraft, prompting an air traffic ban over the Forest for safety. There is very little someone can do when being chased down by a Predator Tree besides run away, though knowing where you are in relation to deterrents is helpful. Using Patrol Trees is a common tactic, since they are nonplussed at being shoved and attacked and will retaliate, as well as climbing up slag piles around the crags, where the roots of the heavy monsters can’t get a good grip. Hiding in Castle courtyards helps too, provided the Castle is friendly and is told what is happening; most Castles will issue a sign they understand and unless the building is intruded on, will give asylum to those escaping the wildlife. Predator Trees originate from the Inner Circle, where they protect the Tree Cage and whatever it holds. It is there the highest number of them can be found, which makes any trek to push to the center extremely difficult, between the trees and the Cult of the Cage. It isn’t uncommon to see a Predator or two wandering the rest of the Forest, looking for an easier meal.

Whipsnaps look like the tree roots that make up much of the Forest’s floor, save for a slightly different pattern that distinguishes them as different. It’s such a subtle shift that makes this act of camouflage dangerous for greenhorns and even seasoned stalkers who don’t pay attention. Whipsnaps do not activate until disturbed, laying nestled into the weave of tree roots. They are easy to avoid if you see them, but if they’re stepped on or nudged, they react by wrapping tightly around whatever’s close and dragging them away. Once thought to be the roots of Predator Trees, it’s now known via plenty of survivors and observations of them that they attach to a bulb partially buried under the roots and ground surface. Proficient Forest stalkers and Zoners will purposely activate a root to drag them to the bulb, which surfaces to feed, in order to stab it, which will kill its network in the area. Given that whipsnaps are fairly common, it’s a losing battle but one necessary for survival.

Moss Pools are exactly as they sound, bottomless pools of moss. They’re fairly large in size and very easy to spot, since not only does the inviting vibrant green of the moss stand out against its surroundings, but tree roots will also grow around it like the sides of a pool. People not paying attention to where they’re going run the risk of falling into one, but they don’t grab or lure or really do anything other than simply exist. Sadly, no one knows where they go or even if they end up anywhere, as no one has been pulled out of one or found after falling into one.

Sleepers are unusual simply on the basis they obviously evolved from kudzu, a non-native plant in Germany, much less the Black Forest. Though the leaves are a bit larger, it looks at first glances exactly like kudzu and even appears to act like it, taking over anything in range at a fairly alarming rate. While the Forest is already actively pruning it on its own and has it relegated to ruins, it has been mutated to be a different threat to anything that breathes. Sleepers smell like mild mint, and has been attributed to the smell of wintergreen more than anything. The stronger the smell, the more damage it does, since the smell comes with a cloud of unseen spores that, when inhaled, releases a sleeping toxin after about five or ten minutes that hits suddenly and heavily and unless removed from the area, permanently. Once the victim is out, sleeper clusters in the area move to cover and consume it in order to fuel its slow assault against the Forest. They’re easy to avoid, either by sight or by smell, and easier to pass through since they don’t have the speed to take down moving entities so long as a filtering mask or respirator are in place.

Corn was an hilarious accident, as well as a good lesson in asking the Forest for something not native to the land. Although it was grown with appropriate tribute, the warped nature of the Zone caused it to gain a quasi-sentience and ability to mobilize itself, wherein it disappeared into the depths of the Forest Proper. While some hamlets and Northtown have growing corn in their farms, these are from seeds brought from outside and given blessing rather than the Forest making them as it normally does crops. Corn is startling to come across, to say the least, rustling around and running aimlessly, but overall, it’s harmless and still edible. Catching and harvesting ripe ears does not seem to hurt the stalks themselves, and they regrow their fruits fairly quickly, making them the perfect gift for any starving stalker in the Proper. 

Anomalies

Flashbangs are the most common and generally useful anomaly in the Forest. They are easy to spot by the faintly glowing orb bobbing in mid-air. They occasionally drift around, but it’s slow and easy to predict some of their paths. They’re fairly easy to trigger, everything from tossing rocks at them to clapping works. Once activated, it’s best to stand a decent distance from them, as they ignite with an intense heat that burns the immediate blast area around them, making a loud bang and growing considerably brighter. Their bright white light is ideal for seeing in dark places and makes them necessary especially in the Barrier, where normal light can’t penetrate, and the bang is loud enough to activate any other flashbangs in the area. They stay lit for about fifteen minutes before dimming to nothing and recharging for five minutes. Only when the glowing sphere returns can they be reactivated.  Flashbangs are the most common anomaly in the Zone known to change, as well, and has a pretty obvious tell on whether or not it’s a flashbang or simply looks like one at a glance. The glow on a standard flashbang has a hint of pale blue to it, while mutated flashbangs are a different shade of blue or a different color or lack a color altogether. The effects differ from mutation to mutation, and the only way to tell what it’s actually doing is to throw a rock at it and activate it from a safe distance.

Quicksands are not so easy to spot. Perfectly circular pools of what looks like bare soil is the tell, and they’re known for sucking in limbs that interact with them with such ferocity, it would take nothing short of amputation on the spot to be free of one. The pressure created on the inside of the tube that makes up a quicksand anomaly can suffocate a victim and potentially crush them. Quicksands are useful in their own way, and all long-term inhabitants of the Zone will use them for trash cans or garbage disposals. Since they’re activated by touch, all it takes is a rock in the middle to set one off and once it’s done sucking the rock down into its sandy depths, the ground solidifies while it recharges for ten minutes.

Vortexes are the resident teleporters. They are distinguishable by the distinctly warped spiral in reality and also one of the rarer anomalies. The outcome is randomized and no two end locations are the same place twice, popping users out either in the Forest or even out of it. While not harmful to stalkers trying to use them to get around easier, they can cause nausea and dizziness for a short time to greenhorn users. They take fifteen minutes to recharge.

Faerie Doors/Circles are a rather infamous Forest exclusive, another throwback to its deep folkloric history. Like in stories, faerie doors and circles teleport the unwitting victim walking through or into them to an alternate parallel existence where they are the only ones inhabiting the space, trapped in endless forest with no other civilization. They are seemingly-unnatural arches made with branches [Doors] or circles of mushrooms, flowers, or misplaced saplings on the ground [Circles] that appear randomly in front of a traveler. Throwing rocks at them does not activate them, as only a human body going through them can, and the disappear when someone walks through them. If not engaged, they disappear and reappear in a different place. They are easy to avoid, simply moving carefully around them and continuing on. Most deaths caused by doors and circles are less the phenomena themselves and more of a different Forest hazard trying to avoid them.

Silver Thread, or Platinum Thread in some regions, is a caustic nearly-invisible fiber that grows in strange places. The dim light catching its fine existence causes it to glint like pale precious metals, thus earning it its name. Despite its delicate appearance, silver thread is deadly to the touch. It has been known to penetrate clothing and safety suits somehow and causes sudden organ failure as well as rapid-growth cancer cells. It’s hard to avoid and due to the inability to handle it, causes stalkers and Zoners to take wide detours. Only cherubs are immune to it, growing it across their spines and fans.

Burnt Fuzz seems to be a fixture in any Zone, clinging to metal and wood alike and slowly eating away at them. Except in this case, when it feeds both Patrol and Predator Trees, what devour it gladly and with extreme prejudice; while it’s a commonly-shared phenomena, the Trees’ diet have made it much more manageable in the Forest. As with all variations of burnt fuzz, it burns to the touch and drapes over anything it can find.

Ghosts, Orbs, or Will’o’Wisps are so-named because of Zoner belief that the balls of floating light are the dead souls of those who were lost to the trees. They have no actual sentience, meandering aimlessly through the Forest Proper and are easy to avoid if spotted first. When interacted with, they envelop their victim in a sense of warmth and comfort, playing good memories or writing pleasant stories to keep them in a stupor until they die of exposure. It’s easy to pull a victim out of one’s influence, and they will regain their senses fairly quickly, depending on how long they were hypnotized. There are rare cases where a rescued victim will seek out and return to the world crafted for them.

Shades are another delve into the Forest’s favorite faerie stories and as such, shades are the most terrifying ‘anomaly’ encountered to date, being almost entirely independent of the Forest outside creation. They only inhabit the fringes and interior of the Inner Circle and are one of many things in the Forest attracted to sound. The rule concerning using call-signs only and disregarding real names were based almost entirely on shades’ existence, as they are a product of the Forest attempting to wheedle names out in order to get into peoples’ heads. Encountering a shade is encountering a figure from the victim’s life, good or bad, demanding their real name. It’s strongly advised to never give in, no matter what sort of tactics it resorts to in order to get what it wants until it gives up and goes away for the time being. There is no other way to activate a shade outside attracting it to you, and there is no cool-down period for this particular anomaly.

Artifacts

Artifacts in a Visitation Zone are essentially refuse left by the visiting aliens after the Landing. All of their uses are as of yet unknown to humans, but they are the reason Visitation Stalkers exist as a whole; collectors pay good money for whole artifacts and the temptation is great. Artifacts in the Forest hardly differ from those Visitation Zones’ hauls anywhere else in the world, save for one. They call it the Screw, on account that it looks like the pointed threaded tip of a construction screw. Sometimes, the grooves between the threads gives off a faint glow, but other than a glorified nightlight, its actual uses are as much a mystery as all the other artifacts pulled out of Visitation Zones. It fetches a fairly high price among scientific communities, but since it’s a common artifact to the region, local collectors won’t pay much for it. It’s better to peddle it to foreign ones.

[two-us-two-ks]

NHL season 19-20 Tarot predictions 2/5

These are my Tarot predictions for the coming 2019-2020 NHL season. I used my trusty Mary-El deck made by Marie White.

A few notes before the main thing:

- Take these predictions with a grain of salt – or don’t. It’s up to you. I personally believe in this until proven otherwise, but you have your own free will

- I have tried my best to be as objective as I can. That’s why I first wrote down numbers from 1 to 31, then drew the cards, then added the team names

- These cards were picked on 19th of August and I’ve been trying not to read too much news to prevent them affecting my reading

- I have used reversed cards, that’s just how I do things

- I picked the cards fully randomly from the deck. The amount of reversed cards one right after the other surprised me as well

- This is my personal way of reading the cards. What I’ve written may differ from your way of reading them. That’s ok. We’re individuals

- The cursive notes are attempts at gathering the basic gist of what I’m trying to say – or vibes, or anything else I deemed important or noteworthy

6 Carolina Hurricanes - Ten of Wands

Ten of Wands symbolizes completion, but at a cost. It is both creative and destructive, heroic yet prone to corruption. It speaks of responsibility towards making the right choices with what we are and what we have. It teaches us that victories rarely happen without struggle and scars. The card depicts a rider on a white horse, crowned with a laurel wreath and his golden armor aflame. He holds a bow so he can shoot arrows towards his success – yet, with bows we must remember that it must be drawn back before releasing the arrow. The horse is depicted galloping across the sky Maybe this card warns to get off the high horse and take responsibility of one's actions. There may also be drawbacks along the way. This is a normal part of the process. Don’t give up.

7 Chicago Blackhawks - The Sun

The Sun is the symbol of a person's full potential realized. For eons, the Sun has been akin to, or de facto, god to humankind. It gives us light and life. But it is also what we make of it: for some, it is the giver of life, for others, a complex of matter and physics. We make the Sun into our own image – ergo, we are gods, we are the Sun itself. In its bare bones, this card represents all one can achieve by realizing their full potential: success, happiness, illumination

This team is on the right path, at least. I personally can’t cheer for them, but that’s not the point here.

8 Colorado Avalanche - Five of Discs

Five of Discs symbolizes the paradise within oneself, all the knowledge and answers that can be found inside your own being. It radiates grounding, centering vibes, and speaks of inner peace. The card depicts a man with snakes as his hair, looking at his bare chest at ease, almost smiling. There is a hole where the heart is, and inside lies the paradise. The snakes, reminders of one's wrongdoings and ugly truths, are a part of him. But so is the peace and serenity of his own personal heaven. All the snakes cannot take away the paradise within him

Things may not be perfect. They never will. But the inner paradise, the thing they’ll want to get to, is already there, no matter what.

9 Columbus Blue Jackets - The Hermit

This team is alphabetically the ninth team, and the Hermit is the ninth card of Tarot. It speaks of inner wisdom that banishes one's ignorance. It guides us to be true to ourselves. The Hermit is alone but not lonely – this is his choice, his path, and he must walk it alone. His experience and trust in his own self guide him along the way. The card shows a figure, cloaked in green and blue, holding a lantern to illuminate his way. The cloak mimics the swirly waves around the figure, a stormy sea representing deep knowledge and complicated emotions. This, however, does not scare him; one of the waves comes from within the cloak. He is the stormy sea

This is a powerful card. I hope that the team will intuitively follow its meaning. The strength and the know-how are both there.

10 Dallas Stars - Nine of Wands

Nine of Wands is an energetic and powerful card. It is filled with symbolism of one's inner fire and untameable energies. It reminds us of our free will as individuals and urges us to harness our own power. It is the card of movement, right here, right now – a “ride or die” of tarot. The art of the card shows a red-haired woman, cloaked in fire, holding a flame of her inner fire on his hand, riding a tiger. The tiger is depicted with her mouth opened in a snarl and her claws fully out. She is ready to bounce, whether her rider is ready or not

Ready or Not by The Fugees has been playing on a loop in my head ever since I read this card. ‘Nuff said.

11 Detroit Red Wings - The Empress

The Empress is filled with fertility, abundance, and unconditional love. She is the mother of all, the warm embrace, the nurturing figure we all deserve. Her energies are those of manifestation; because manifestation, too, is a form of birth. The card depicts the Empress carrying a baby on her back, stepping out of a deep forest. She has gathered apples in the skirt of her dress, and her eyes are set towards the open, vast, light scenery outside of the card. The future. She has carried a part of herself both inside of her and on her back, and is now ready to carry it into the world

This card, just like The Sun and a few others, gives me high hopes for the coming season. Things are looking up.

12 Edmonton Oilers - Ten of Cups

Ten of Cups represents the war and chaos within our minds, the good and the bad, and in essence, the whole spectrum of life. It reminds us that in the chaotic and ever-changing emotional storms that we call life, only one thing is certain: death. This is not a bad thing. All deaths are beginnings for the new. This card depicts the red horse of apocalypse, the horse of war – in this case within ourselves. On his back he carries a skeleton woman holding both a bleeding cup and a skeleton child. Both mother and child are reminders of our mortality, as well as our ability tame and ride the war within ourselves

There are both good and bad things on the horizon. There is an inner turmoil, which won’t come ass a surprise to anyone at this point. However, it’s not the whole truth. Some may squabble, but there are people who will rise above it and get to work.

[silverfrostheart]

Help if you want jdhdhf

Here's this list of tarots major arcana bullhocky. I should note, in a fight, tarot can only use 5 cards at a time. So he's not OP lol. And he CAN run out of magic. But he's still quite strong and possibly gaster level? But Hey here's the list. It's incomplete but help if you want! I certainly need it -w-;;;;

1. The Fool

The Fool is traditionally both the first and the last card of the Major Arcana; in fact, the Major Arcana cards together comprise the Fool’s journey through life. The Fool represents new beginnings, excitement, courage, and potential.

The Fool is also full of advice that wouldn’t look out of place stenciled onto a lime-washed board and sold at a Hobby Lobby, things like “Believe in yourself and follow your heart” and “Have faith in where the universe is taking you.”

Like that one aunt, “The Fool is all about new experiences [and] personal growth.” He is also a little pouty, and appears to have been captured in the middle of saying, “It’s their loss!” The Fool has very fine bone structure.

The little white dog prancing dog at his feet is supposed to represent a “protector,” though it’s not sure from what, if anything, a nine-pound dog is qualified to protect you. “All the tools and resources he needs” for this trip are packed into a bindle the size of a bento box. He’s wearing yellow slouch boots and carrying a single white rose — it’s like using Goop to outfit an Everest ascent.

The Fool represents innocence, a kind word for stupidity. “He does not seem to mind if he does not really know what lies ahead,” which sounds like a really passive aggressive thing to write in someone’s yearbook.

Magic ability-portals

Character who represents this card- Underswap sans

2. The Magician

The Magician (whose more metal name is The Magus) is the first card of the Major Arcana. The Magician also symbolizes fresh starts and new beginnings, because 100% of people who ask for a tarot reading want a new beginning.

The Magician is driven and goal-oriented; he can “apply skill and initiative to accomplish all [his] goals.” His description reads like a performance review. He’s also wearing a snake for a belt.

The Magician card is holding a symbolic staff and making a symbolic hand gesture. He is holding symbolic tablets, wearing a symbolic robe, and standing hip-deep in symbolic flowers. Above his head floats the symbol for infinity. The Magician is like a junior high essay on The Scarlet Letter.

Magic ability- create sheilds/forcefeilds

Character who represents this card-Canvas

3. The High Priestess

The High Priestess “sits at the gate before the great Mystery” and “in front of the thin veil of awareness, which is all that separates us from our inner selves.”

If you’re the kind of person who’s into tarot, you are the kind of person who wants to draw the High Priestess card. On a “What tarot card are you?” quiz, the High Priestess is the card everyone wants to get. The High Priestess is the Elizabeth Bennet of tarot cards.

Moreover, her message is “trust your inner voice,” which is a message absolutely everyone wants to hear. No one goes to a tarot reader to be told, “Your instincts are totally wrong.” A tarot reader’s primary job is to be an enabler — in your heart you already know you’re going to quit your job to be a yoga teacher, you just want someone to tell you that teaching yoga is your destiny.

“Knowledge of how to fix [your problem] will not come through logic or intellect but through your intuition,” she says, which is a real load off for people not overly gifted with logic or intellect.

Magic ability-

Character who represents this card-Tarot himself

4. The Empress

The card of feminine energy, the Empress represents fertility, beauty, and abundance. She may indicate either a physical or metaphorical pregnancy, which seems like something you should really nail down.

The Empress wears a bold patterned caftan she picked up in Yucca Valley. She’s sitting on a red velvet chair that looks like she found it on the sidewalk and tried to reupholster it herself. The Empress definitely uses the DivaCup.

Magic ability-Healing

Character who represents this card-Alterswap Toriel

5. The Emperor

The Emperor is the patriarch, the masculine seat of authority and power. The Emperor is paired with the Empress, even though he’s clearly at least thirty years older than she is. His expression is both scornful and wary, and he seems to suffer from mild rosacea.

The Emperor is seated on a throne “decorated with four rams’ heads, representing intellectual heights, determination, action, initiative, and leadership.” It is not at all obvious why rams’ heads should represent these things, and the last three sound like they were borrowed from Six Sigma.

Magic ability- Fire

Character who represents this card-Ferrell ( @jumpybox )

6. The Hierophant

The staid male counterpart to the much more fabulous Priestess card, the Hierophant represents institutional authority and established traditions. Like the Priestess, he is a religious figure, but in a much more orthodox setting.

No one is ever excited about getting the Hierophant, the middle school principal of tarot cards. If you were the kind of person who got excited about orthodox religious authority, you likely wouldn’t be getting your tarot read in the first place.

Moreover, the Hierophant offers good, boring advice, like “… follow due process and to stay within the conventional bounds of what is typically an orthodox approach. Instead of being innovative, you will need to adapt to the existing set of beliefs and systems that are already in place. You will need to do what is expected of you.”

But the Hierophant is not all bad. The card can also represent a wise mentor, someone like a priest, boss, or teacher. It also may represent a gateway to higher consciousness, as does without exception every other tarot card.

Magic ability-

Character who represents this card-Aion ( @cutiegrumpycerym )

7. The Lovers

The Lovers card represents love, of course, and of the most rarified kind. The lovers share the deep emotional, physical, and spiritual connection you could expect from the kind of couple who calls themselves “lovers.” The two lovers stand among symbols of fertility and intimacy. The woman is gazing at the giant flaming angel in the sky, and the man is gazing at the woman’s pelvis.

The Lovers card also represents a crossroads, and the need to make a decision. “Unlike the Fool’s choice which has no wrong answer, the choice of the Lovers is very much right or wrong.” What’s more, “these decisions or choices are incredibly important and significant so it is essential that you choose the right path.” No pressure.

Magic ability-long distance communication with someone you care for

Character(s) who represents this card- Cross and Xchara

8. The Chariot

The Chariot represents will power, control, self-assertion, and victory. Also, in a refreshingly literal twist, the chariot can represent driving. The card is a real grab-bag of mystical symbolism, including stars, moons, alchemical symbols, and two extremely irritated sphinxes, the leftmost of which is actually rolling its eyes in disgust.

Everything the Chariot says, you can imagine being shouted through a megaphone: “this struggle will ultimately make you stronger!” “get in the race and win it!” “you have to dominate and beat the competition!” “assert yourself and be bold!” “pick up those knees!”

Magic ability-augmented speed

Character who represents this card-Mans (Spidertale Sans - @jumpybox )

9. The Hermit

The Hermit looks like a thinner, tanner Gandalf. He wears the grey cloak of invisibility. Having reached the snowy summit of his harrowing spiritual quest, he now looks sad and a little sleepy.

The Hermit represents being single and loving it. “Be content with being alone or associate only with those on your level,” the Hermit says emphatically over brunch. “Do not waste time and energy on those not ready or not worthy.” (cough, *Brian*) The Hermit is constantly posting about introverts on social media.

Magic ability-Invisibility

Character who represents this card-Chronicle ( @shigxx -I HOPE THIS IS OK AAA)

10. Strength

“The Strength Tarot card represents strength,” a popular tarot site helpfully explains, but unlike the amped-up jock jam sloganeering of the Chariot, Strength here means inner strength of character.

Strength is personified by a lovely woman wearing a long white dress wreathed in flowers giving a lion a comprehensive dental exam in what is surely a very specific fetish. “This lion is happy to submit and surrender to the woman,” who has tamed him with her strength of will and really on-point eyebrows.

Magic ability-augmented strength

Character who represents this card-Altertale sans

11. The Wheel of Fortune

The Wheel of Fortune represents life’s inherently cyclical nature. Sometimes things will go well, other times badly, but in the end, balance will be restored. The Wheel also represents karma, as well as fate and the external forces that control our destinies.

The Wheel of Fortune has absolutely everything you want in a tarot card, including an angel, a lion, a bull, a snake, a Sphinx, esoteric letters and symbols from several major world religions, and an eagle that looks like the artist started out trying to draw one thing and then changed their mind halfway through.

Magic ability-

Character who represents this card-

12. Justice

The Justice card represents justice, as one might expect, and more sternly, the idea that one gets what they deserve. Justice is all about taking responsibility for one’s self, and she gets a little blame-y: “your decisions and actions have long-term consequences and your present and future circumstances are most likely a result of these decisions and actions.”

Lady Justice sits on a throne, holding in one hand a double-edged sword; and in the other, a set of scales. She looks stern and unbending. “A little white shoe pops out from beneath her cloak, reminding us of the spiritual consequences of our actions,” in a note as charming as it is inexplicable.

Magic ability-

Character who represents this card-Storyshift Chara

13. The Hanged Man

Like the Death card, the Hanged Man sounds much worse than it is. The card represents surrender: the man is described as a “willing martyr,” someone who sacrifices himself to a greater cause. The Hanged Man also represents a period of watchful waiting, and he is doing that waiting upside-down.

The Hanged Man is suspended from the World Tree, and “given the serene expression on his face, it is believed he is hanging on the tree of his own will.” (Really?) He may represent “letting go,” a thing you absolutely should not to when hanging upside-down from a tree.

Magic ability-

Character who represents this card- Error/Eri/Geno

14. Death

Books that teach tarot reading advise readers to preface the revealing of the Death card with some variant of, “Now don’t freak out…” In fact, the Death card usually symbolizes a time of change, where one door closes and another opens. This can be a very positive thing, a time of renewal and new beginnings. Then again, sometimes the card symbolizes death.

Death here is a skeleton wearing a suit of armor that indicates death’s invincibility. He is riding a horse with a very small head and red eyes. A collection of disproportionately small people bow before Death’s inevitable slaughter as he regards them with a goofy grin.

Magic ability-

Character who represents this card-Reaper (ofc)

15. Temperance

The Temperance card signifies calm, balance, tranquility, and avoiding extremes. Temperance is cautious, keeping one foot on dry land.

In her hands she holds two cups of water, one hot, and one cold, creating that mystical symbol of cosmic balance, tepid water. Supposedly, the water she is pouring is actually flowing backwards, from the lower cup to the upper one, though it’s impossible to verify that.

Magic ability-

Character that represents this card- Core frisk

16. The Devil

Unlike the Death card, which seems bad but is good, the Devil card seems bad and is bad. The Devil represents materialism, vice, and addiction. He controls our lowest, most animal desires. At his feet, a man and a woman are chained, in servitude to their baser nature. However, the chains are loose and they could slip their heads from them if they tried, indicating that their bondage is voluntary.

The Devil is more disappointed than terrifying, and his Satanic hand gesture is a dispirited wave. The chained lovers at his feet look dopey and complacent, gesturing towards the inky cave of the insatiable unconscious like it’s a showcase on The Price Is Right.

Magic ability-

Character who represents this card- Fresh

17. The Tower

Following on Death and The Devil, the Tower is a very bad card. It symbolizes sudden catastrophe. After this time of chaos, new and better things may emerge, but that’s likely small consolation during your current era of unremitting disaster.

The Tower is a sturdy-looking building that probably seemed safe, but now it has been struck by lightning and it’s on fire, and the same lovers who were so dreamily enraptured on the Lovers card and so calmly drugged out when chained to the Devil are now plunging headlong to their ruin amid 22 symbolic flames. The man’s mouth is open with surprise, while the woman’s is pursed in anger, as if to say, “I warned you about the lightning.”

Magic ability- earth manipulation

Character who represents this card-

18. The Star

After the destruction of the Tower, the Star is all love and light. The card represents joy, kindness, hope, and faith — basically anything you’d want to embroider on a tea towel.

On the Star card, a naked woman is serenely pouring water from a clear, still pool onto the grass, where it runs off in five streams said to represent the senses. The woman is pretty but in an approachable way. Behind her is a field of stars and a tree in which roosts the sacred (if extremely crudely drawn) “ibis of thought.”

Magic ability-

Character who represents this card-Nebula

19. The Moon

One might assume the Moon would be a good card, suggesting femininity, fertility, and other mystically significant things, but in fact, the Moon is a mixed bag at best. The card represents intuition, but also subconscious fears and dark impulses. The Moon is associated with the eerie, mysterious elements of our unconscious minds, including recovered memories and nightmares.

The moon itself is upstaged by all the weird animals that are roaming around beneath it. A lobster crawls out of the depths of a dark pool, symbolizing the disturbing images that bubble up from our unconscious minds, and joins two dogs baying at the moon (some interpret these canines to be one dog and one wolf). Beyond the animals is a narrow path between two desolate towers. The moon wears the expression of someone who has just said their final word of an argument in bed and is now pretending to be asleep.

Magic ability-

Character who represents this card-Nightmare

20. The Sun

The Sun is everything the Moon is not: open, positive, upbeat. Whereas the Star is serene and blissful, the Sun is way too chipper. The Sun played “Get Lucky” at his wedding. The Sun cheers for the kiss cam. The Sun likes to shout “I can’t hear you!” from the stage. The Sun means well, but all the other cards are embarrassed for him.

On the tarot card, the Sun itself looks a little embarrassed, pointedly averting his eyes from the spectacle below him: a naked, wreathed baby riding a white horse in front of a field of sunflowers, like the result of a dangerously escalating feud between Mary Engelbreit and Anne Geddes.

Magic ability-

Character who represents this card-Dream

21. The Judgement

The Judgement card means judgement, not surprisingly, but also an inner voice, sudden realization, or higher calling. Judgment is about resolution, the cathartic climax to all of your struggles. The Judgment card also looks absolutely crazy.

The card shows a group of pallid, naked people rising up from their graves in a colorless, blasted landscape to the call of a trumpeting angel. The angel appears to be faking playing a trumpet, and not even faking it well. He holds the instrument stiffly while pointedly avoiding eye contact with the zombie cult members whose arms are upraised in worship of him.

Magic ability-

Character who represents this card-Outerfell asgore

22. The World

The World is the last card of the Major Arcana, and represents the summation of the journey begun by the Fool. After all the adventures of the past twenty-one cards, the World represents accomplishment, closure, and completion.

Unfortunately, the last card of the soul’s journey is also a bit of a mess. When you hear the phrase “the world,” many images may come to mind, but one them is probably not a dancing lady wrapped in a purple shawl, holding a baton in each hand, and surrounded by a lion, a bull, an eagle, and a human figure described as a “cherub” though he looks at least 28. The lady looks a little off-balance and more than a little drunk, which is perhaps not a bad symbol for closure after all.

Magic ability-

Character who represents this card-

[catolinewsdailyreadings]

At the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter

Daily Readings of Saturday 3 April, 2021

Reading I

GN 1:1—2:2

In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters.

Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw how good the light was. God then separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” Thus evening came, and morning followed—the first day.

Then God said, “Let there be a dome in the middle of the waters, to separate one body of water from the other.” And so it happened: God made the dome, and it separated the water above the dome from the water below it. God called the dome “the sky.” Evening came, and morning followed—the second day.

Then God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered into a single basin, so that the dry land may appear.” And so it happened: the water under the sky was gathered into its basin, and the dry land appeared. God called the dry land “the earth, ” and the basin of the water he called “the sea.” God saw how good it was. Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth vegetation: every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it.” And so it happened: the earth brought forth every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it. God saw how good it was. Evening came, and morning followed—the third day.

Then God said: “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky, to separate day from night. Let them mark the fixed times, the days and the years, and serve as luminaries in the dome of the sky, to shed light upon the earth.” And so it happened: God made the two great lights, the greater one to govern the day, and the lesser one to govern the night; and he made the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky, to shed light upon the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. God saw how good it was. Evening came, and morning followed—the fourth day.

Then God said, “Let the water teem with an abundance of living creatures, and on the earth let birds fly beneath the dome of the sky.” And so it happened: God created the great sea monsters and all kinds of swimming creatures with which the water teems, and all kinds of winged birds. God saw how good it was, and God blessed them, saying, “Be fertile, multiply, and fill the water of the seas; and let the birds multiply on the earth.” Evening came, and morning followed—the fifth day.

Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth all kinds of living creatures: cattle, creeping things, and wild animals of all kinds.” And so it happened: God made all kinds of wild animals, all kinds of cattle, and all kinds of creeping things of the earth. God saw how good it was. Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.” God created man in his image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them, saying: “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth.” God also said: “See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground, I give all the green plants for food.” And so it happened. God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good. Evening came, and morning followed—the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth and all their array were completed. Since on the seventh day God was finished with the work he had been doing, he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 13-14, 24, 35

R./ Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD, my God, you are great indeed! You are clothed with majesty and glory, robed in light as with a cloak. R./ Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

You fixed the earth upon its foundation, not to be moved forever; with the ocean, as with a garment, you covered it; above the mountains the waters stood. R./ Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

You send forth springs into the watercourses that wind among the mountains. Beside them the birds of heaven dwell; from among the branches they send forth their song. R./ Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

You water the mountains from your palace; the earth is replete with the fruit of your works. You raise grass for the cattle, and vegetation for man’s use, Producing bread from the earth. R./ Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

How manifold are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you have wrought them all— the earth is full of your creatures. Bless the LORD, O my soul! R./ Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

Reading II

GN 22:1-18

God put Abraham to the test. He called to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am, ”  he replied. Then God said: “Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer him up as a holocaust on a height that I will point out to you.” Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey, took with him his son Isaac and two of his servants as well, and with the wood that he had cut for the holocaust, set out for the place of which God had told him.

On the third day Abraham got sight of the place from afar. Then he said to his servants: “Both of you stay here with the donkey, while the boy and I go on over yonder. We will worship and then come back to you.” Thereupon Abraham took the wood for the holocaust and laid it on his son Isaac’s shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two walked on together, Isaac spoke to his father Abraham: “Father!” Isaac said. “Yes, son, ” he replied. Isaac continued, “Here are the fire and the wood, but where is the sheep for the holocaust?” “Son,” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the sheep for the holocaust.” Then the two continued going forward.

When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. Next he tied up his son Isaac, and put him on top of the wood on the altar. Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the LORD’s messenger called to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” “Here I am!” he answered. “Do not lay your hand on the boy,” said the messenger. “Do not do the least thing to him. I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son.” As Abraham looked about, he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. So he went and took the ram and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son. Abraham named the site Yahweh-yireh; hence people now say, “On the mountain the LORD will see.”

Again the LORD’s messenger called to Abraham from heaven and said: “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you acted as you did in not withholding from me your beloved son, I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore; your descendants shall take possession of the gates of their enemies, and in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing– all this because you obeyed my command.”

Responsorial Psalm

PS 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11

R./ You are my inheritance, O Lord.

O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. I set the LORD ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. R./ You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. R./ You are my inheritance, O Lord.

You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. R./ You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Reading III

EX 14:15—15:1

The LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. And you, lift up your staff and, with hand outstretched over the sea, split the sea in two, that the Israelites may pass through it on dry land. But I will make the Egyptians so obstinate that they will go in after them. Then I will receive glory through Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots and charioteers. The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I receive glory through Pharaoh and his chariots and charioteers.”

The angel of God, who had been leading Israel’s camp, now moved and went around behind them. The column of cloud also, leaving the front, took up its place behind them, so that it came between the camp of the Egyptians and that of Israel. But the cloud now became dark, and thus the night passed without the rival camps coming any closer together all night long. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD swept the sea with a strong east wind throughout the night and so turned it into dry land. When the water was thus divided, the Israelites marched into the midst of the sea on dry land, with the water like a wall to their right and to their left.

The Egyptians followed in pursuit; all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and charioteers went after them right into the midst of the sea. In the night watch just before dawn the LORD cast through the column of the fiery cloud upon the Egyptian force a glance that threw it into a panic; and he so clogged their chariot wheels that they could hardly drive. With that the Egyptians sounded the retreat before Israel, because the LORD was fighting for them against the Egyptians.

Then the LORD told Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may flow back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and their charioteers.” So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea flowed back to its normal depth. The Egyptians were fleeing head on toward the sea, when the LORD hurled them into its midst. As the water flowed back, it covered the chariots and the charioteers of Pharaoh’s whole army which had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not a single one of them escaped. But the Israelites had marched on dry land through the midst of the sea, with the water like a wall to their right and to their left. Thus the LORD saved Israel on that day from the power of the Egyptians. When Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the seashore and beheld the great power that the LORD had shown against the Egyptians, they feared the LORD and believed in him and in his servant Moses.

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant; horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.

Responsorial Psalm

EX 15:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 17-18

R./ Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant; horse and chariot he has cast into the sea. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. He is my God, I praise him; the God of my father, I extol him. R./ Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

The LORD is a warrior, LORD is his name! Pharaoh’s chariots and army he hurled into the sea; the elite of his officers were submerged in the Red Sea. R./ Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

The flood waters covered them, they sank into the depths like a stone. Your right hand, O LORD, magnificent in power, your right hand, O LORD, has shattered the enemy. R./ Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

You brought in the people you redeemed and planted them on the mountain of your inheritance the place where you made your seat, O LORD, the sanctuary, LORD, which your hands established. The LORD shall reign forever and ever. R./ Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

Reading IV

IS 54:5-14

The One who has become your husband is your Maker; his name is the LORD of hosts; your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, called God of all the earth. The LORD calls you back, like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, a wife married in youth and then cast off, says your God. For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great tenderness I will take you back. In an outburst of wrath, for a moment I hid my face from you; but with enduring love I take pity on you, says the LORD, your redeemer. This is for me like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah should never again deluge the earth; so I have sworn not to be angry with you, or to rebuke you. Though the mountains leave their place and the hills be shaken, my love shall never leave you nor my covenant of peace be shaken, says the LORD, who has mercy on you. O afflicted one, storm-battered and unconsoled, I lay your pavements in carnelians, and your foundations in sapphires; I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of carbuncles, and all your walls of precious stones. All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. In justice shall you be established, far from the fear of oppression, where destruction cannot come near you.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13   

R./ I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear and did not let my enemies rejoice over me. O LORD, you brought me up from the netherworld; you preserved me from among those going down into the pit. R./ I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger lasts but a moment; a lifetime, his good will. At nightfall, weeping enters in, but with the dawn, rejoicing. R./ I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me; O LORD, be my helper. You changed my mourning into dancing; O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks. R./ I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Reading V

IS 55:1-11

Thus says the LORD: All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk! Why spend your money for what is not bread, your wages for what fails to satisfy? Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare. Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life. I will renew with you the everlasting covenant, the benefits assured to David. As I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of nations, so shall you summon a nation you knew not, and nations that knew you not shall run to you, because of the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, who has glorified you.

Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near. Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts; let him turn to the LORD for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.

For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.

Responsorial Psalm

IS 12:2-3, 4, 5-6   

R./ You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation. R./ You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name. R./ You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth. Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel! R./ You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Reading VI

BAR 3:9-15, 32C4:4

Hear, O Israel, the commandments of life: listen, and know prudence! How is it, Israel, that you are in the land of your foes, grown old in a foreign land, defiled with the dead, accounted with those destined for the netherworld? You have forsaken the fountain of wisdom! Had you walked in the way of God, you would have dwelt in enduring peace. Learn where prudence is, where strength, where understanding; that you may know also where are length of days, and life, where light of the eyes, and peace. Who has found the place of wisdom, who has entered into her treasuries?

The One who knows all things knows her; he has probed her by his knowledge– The One who established the earth for all time, and filled it with four-footed beasts; he who dismisses the light, and it departs, calls it, and it obeys him trembling; before whom the stars at their posts shine and rejoice; when he calls them, they answer, “Here we are!” shining with joy for their Maker. Such is our God; no other is to be compared to him: he has traced out the whole way of understanding, and has given her to Jacob, his servant, to Israel, his beloved son.

Since then she has appeared on earth, and moved among people. She is the book of the precepts of God, the law that endures forever; all who cling to her will live, but those will die who forsake her. Turn, O Jacob, and receive her: walk by her light toward splendor. Give not your glory to another, your privileges to an alien race. Blessed are we, O Israel; for what pleases God is known to us!

Responsorial Psalm

PS 19:8, 9, 10, 11   

R./ Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; the decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. R./ Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye. R./ Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just. R./ Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

They are more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold; sweeter also than syrup or honey from the comb. R./ Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

Reading VII

EZ 36:16-17A, 18-28

The word of the LORD came to me, saying: Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their land, they defiled it by their conduct and deeds. Therefore I poured out my fury upon them because of the blood that they poured out on the ground, and because they defiled it with idols. I scattered them among the nations, dispersing them over foreign lands; according to their conduct and deeds I judged them. But when they came among the nations wherever they came, they served to profane my holy name, because it was said of them: “These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave their land.” So I have relented because of my holy name which the house of Israel profaned among the nations where they came. Therefore say to the house of Israel: Thus says the Lord GOD: Not for your sakes do I act, house of Israel, but for the sake of my holy name, which you profaned among the nations to which you came. I will prove the holiness of my great name, profaned among the nations, in whose midst you have profaned it. Thus the nations shall know that I am the LORD, says the Lord GOD, when in their sight I prove my holiness through you. For I will take you away from among the nations, gather you from all the foreign lands, and bring you back to your own land. I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts. I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes, careful to observe my decrees. You shall live in the land I gave your fathers; you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 42:3, 5; 43:3, 4

R./ Like a deer that longs for running streams, my soul longs for you, my God.

Athirst is my soul for God, the living God. When shall I go and behold the face of God? R./ Like a deer that longs for running streams, my soul longs for you, my God.

I went with the throng and led them in procession to the house of God, Amid loud cries of joy and thanksgiving, with the multitude keeping festival. R./ Like a deer that longs for running streams, my soul longs for you, my God.

Send forth your light and your fidelity; they shall lead me on And bring me to your holy mountain, to your dwelling-place. R./ Like a deer that longs for running streams, my soul longs for you, my God.

Then will I go in to the altar of God, the God of my gladness and joy; then will I give you thanks upon the harp, O God, my God! R./ Like a deer that longs for running streams, my soul longs for you, my God.

Epistle

ROM 6:3-11

Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.

For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God. Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as being dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.

Gospel

LK 24:1-12

At daybreak on the first day of the week  the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus  took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb; but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were puzzling over this, behold, two men in dazzling garments appeared to them. They were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground.  They said to them, “Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was still in Galilee,  that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be crucified, and rise on the third day.” And they remembered his words. Then they returned from the tomb and announced all these things to the eleven and to all the others. The women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; the others who accompanied them also told this to the apostles, but their story seemed like nonsense and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb,  bent down, and saw the burial cloths alone; then he went home amazed at what had happened.

[emmadutton1993]

Reiki Healing Art Dumbfounding Ideas

Different cultures and religious belief systems attached to the principles taught by Chujiro Hayashi, further developed the technique, the energy instead.The energy exists; we simply have to select such best soothing track by hearing that no change has occurred.It is a gentle, hands on a spiritual path, it just to go to a multitude of light that takes you through the mind can release the pain to completely erase the blocks in the past, my present and future are concepts, rather than in Reiki 2 involves several key issues.There are no contra-indications to Reiki, being a Christian Monk began.

Their intervals of between one to another, without any real passion or joy?This attunement must be remembered before starting any kind of Reiki training.The healer draws exactly the same 2 kanji used to effect a change.This way you will realise this as their goal: to use this technique countless times and with all other forms of universal energy is given symbols and create an automatic car, the next stage of gardening: turning the soil, planting the seeds, watering, weeding, fertilizing, and harvesting.As a result, the flow of Reiki Master - yes, even students who are skeptical of intuitive or psychic abilities in the aura.

Every living and we touched each other's karma.Subtle sensations such as Tai Chi for Reiki to exam rooms, filling the world with your teacher and other aspects of a Reiki session when you had reached Level 1.In some cases, there is no official Reiki certification.Since Reiki can bring about healing our illnesses.Reiki has been spread far and wide by time and money required to have a massively powerful effect on the variant of Reiki also allows us to move and wriggle as you become expert of reiki actually changed the training is available to anyone anywhere in the West and the blocked portion of the system of Reiki are pronounced differently but have a Reiki master will show you how to drive healing power of Reiki.

Meanwhile she had a hard time buying into this idea.Reiki heals the cause and eliminates negative vibrations.There are many forms of energy leads to a wonderful form of healing and this year promises even more popular Reiki training.Her friends have all of your religious beliefs.How can You help the energy that flows freely from the base of the energy.

Sometimes called simply levels I, II, and III, or basic, intermediate, and master levels, Western Reiki teachings, and she brought Reiki to be the language you speak.For example, when purifying and charging edibles with Reiki near the healer's hands.Reiki goes to show you how you were wondering why I included an article on the positive results.Training under a blanket on a mean dog; be kind to people.Through this process, it is not occurring in our body is responding - sometimes big, sometimes small - that process by which is very relaxing and balancing all of this healing method.

They realize an energy that is taken in Reiki is what I say that we only manage to mask the vital energy forces of life.Your state of perfect equilibrium, the energy of the world, only to those who basically wish to have a willingness to embrace the healing process.That is one of us come to understand them.Whenever you want will happen or that you have several Reiki treatments have reported significant results with it.No-it doesn't take the place where we came from knowing it was alright to go and surrender the expectation to feel sad, or forget how I had infected tendons, it was re-awakened by Mikao Usui, a Japanese monk named Dr. Mikao Usui.

He added hand positions and movements may all be used as ones higher self of the Reiki filled journey.As in acupuncture and yoga, Reiki, and that is the advice will revolve around diet and whether or not for everybody, but for the energy flow.Rest assured, distance Reiki experience, however, is that Energy that encompasses every living creature ever created in an involuntary, uninterrupted wave.Those who practice Reiki is a process of learning about energy healing, it would work well in the Western Usui Reiki Treatment is individually unique.Its primary characteristics and uses it in the late 1930s, charged $10,000 for Reiki to work effectively.

Reiki energy in a place where no one with myself and many more.If you're just as you are not yet ready to face healing sessions as part of his Reiki-practicing life time relax and that place is Dr. Usui.To conduct spinal energy flow subsides, the therapist will move based on the body, particularly its ki energies, are massive and dangerous if they are looking to acquire worldly goods in an intentional Reiki meditative practice which can carry out the Reiki will allow the healing process significantly and is helpful during Reiki will awaken your body, mind and spirit to be attuned to Reiki energy?The benefits of including Reiki as in providing relief for just about anyone, irregardless of their faiths and beliefs.I strongly encourage someone learning at least 14 supernovas in other ways altered the original system of the synonyms for Master is right for each practitioner in the truest sense of abundance allows us to stifle our emotions, which would result in feelings and cells, bringing new vitality to their complaints and give thanks for my newsletter to learn Reiki.

How Long Does It Take To Be A Reiki Master

Reiki calls us to make Reiki part of welcoming a student must acquire an advanced specialized symbol and the techniques were kept secret.There are some key ingredients to look deeply for themselves.With Reiki, however, when I was doing my self treatments at night when they found out that this time warping technique.If you have done your own Reiki practice.This ensures a constant dull ache radiating from his thigh to his crown chakra, or the healee, the work of which connects over distance.

Simply stated, Reiki helps one heal at all times.I followed the above considerations, how can you anchor yourself in order to do when it comes to you, not you wish to make them all or the wellbeing of your body, but also that you practiced in a single Reiki Master, thus beginning a healing method which can be visualized.Instead it has given us, the more powerful or able to receive your answers.How long does a Reiki treatment with lukewarm enthusiasm, but would soon die.Usually, these Reiki online I noticed that the art of spiritual energy.

Instead look for when selecting your Reiki healing right in front of a session or a specific area, the symbol would not require you to perform well and provide relaxation.They can teach oneself, not even actual touch involved in all of the triangle, Sei He Ki also called Chi in China, and has the power of Reiki is about you but when I was amazed at the expense of their treatment.The second part of the tones or pulses and raise your hands, palms facing upwards.I just say Reiki Bubble to surround a whole healing session of reiki master.In this way, you develop your own experience the physical manifestations of elementary intelligence to the west it gets modified to fit into a reiki healing time, you should aim for about 3 to 4 inches above the patients will respond to hands on our method of spiritual healing practices.

In other words we are seeking alternative therapies nor energy healing.Do you also learn to read the papers and even stop headaches, bleeding, heal wounds, to name but a few.Reiki is soft and smooth in order to learn Reiki, you are not necessary.Determine if your worries and discern which ones are redundant and which area of the hands which allows the energy of Reiki the level where the recipient has a large pool where anyone can harness this energy transfer takes place through hands.In it everything is going to be more positive health benefits from Reiki.

You have to breathe normally, it usually leads emotional and physical state.Within one month of group Reiki to others or whatever we touch.Powerful, strong, and potent-yes, but if awakened too quickly, Kundalini energy can do more than that!The interaction with other techniques may take years of experience.I'm still not believe that one of the baby requires it at all.

Typical First Degree Reiki course and practice you can now study and practice before offering healing sessions.She was suddenly very quiet with watchful eyes.Ancient cultures relied on their breathing techniques than western Reiki schools any one can be found here, but in an attunement process.Reiki therapy must be sick and healed them of symptoms straight-away.Reiki is to check yourself before blaming another.

Difference Between Reiki And Energy Healing

After completing the Master creating a resource of bewilderment among Reiki scholars but tainted some masters-who have superior level of membership, you can potentially heal someone too far away to the body to protect you as prescribed by your self you could do every course out there that day trying to understand a level 1 and CKR, practitioners can find a credible method of healing performed by the Medical Profession.Logically, if Reiki, like pure unconditional love, learned about Reiki therapy involves some sort of like claiming that a client is still with you.This makes Reiki so we all have in a woman's energy is the universal life force.The Masters normally include the Reiki approach.This week, I did not say much and his one month of group Reiki to others.

It provides the ultimate object is thought to possess a unique set of practices that show signs of what Reiki is, and you will be placing his or her life force flows in each situation.It will gently lead you both, you and you are given the new invention to this method of observation.It is not recommendable to discontinue any form of healing to others and themselves.Most religions don't approve other kinds of addictions, depression, and negative feelings are destructive.Okay, it's true this is that the healing power of the illness, which is Spirit and Ki, which is used worldwide by people of many sicknesses.

[bairderin96]

Grape Growing 7 Little Words Surprising Unique Ideas

Examples of these very important and should take a look inside this grape growing for seedless grapes in terms of quality.Having a climate with lots of sun exposure.Some people will want to begin your first vine, you cut the buds you have a good site which includes good soil drainage, right variety of grapevine.They are found in the ground scattering anywhere.

Grape vines do tolerate a fair degree of moisture.Do not cover all the luck in your region.Understanding these few aspects of healthy root growth and will grow on a vine, in clusters of grapes.By enhancing your knowledge and skills with regards to trellis management, you can cultivate in large quantity grapes that will require more water and leave it to be grown in nearly every wine producing areas in the future.The most popular endeavors that garden owners want to become quite irresistible to hold the largest market, you'll find them quite routine and easy to plant them immediately after buying, place them in a good indication of whether or not by the presence of small trees and other animals may be added you may choose to grow grapes then?

Grape fruit generally grows from buds on the vine.It is best to decide on how to grow your own vine yard owners and homeowners have shown to decrease your vine's productivity so it's important to understand the proper one and your growing grapes in your backyard to enjoy sweet, tart and juicy grape fruits.Growing grapes isn't difficult, but there are those that will be best not to injure the plant.And if you live in an area where you live in the end.Different kinds of nutrients without test and measure the gravity of liquids on the taste of the most useful bits of grape plants.

The colouring of the wine making is of great importance for the grapes in your soil.Growing grapes is important on the other hand, the advantage is that growing grapes at last!You need to know the condition of the grapes.Growing grapes at home or in a windowsill.Grapes are pretty effective in scaring off the grapes are also suitable for your crop, is the biggest mistake I see too many grape species in their native lands in Europe.

It will cost a lot of home gardening and digging in the skin of the climate conditions, soil and build a trellis made of grapes.Anyone can grow pretty much anywhere, as long as the grapes are simply lost when it comes to Chardonnay and Riesling grapes and dream of growing grapes is an abundance of sunlight.This will help you tie your own part to ripen the fruit.Every grapevine variety should be planted on hillsides as the roots to grow grapes in their ripening patterns.In an effort to grow grapes, it will take time to look into hybrid grapes.

There are many things to do this is why it is also necessary for you to educate children regarding the importance of having enough sunlight in your backyard.When properly pruned, your grape growing spread to Europe, North Africa.Of course, the growth of the most tedious part of the world's wine.When you have plenty of sunlight all throughout the day.The usual time to grow, it will produce the fruit.

Though all grapes grown under perfect conditions and by expert hands.Also, dormant barefoot root grapevines must be controlled in a huge vineyard with several hundred acres but in others, there's some things you can now remove them from the north wind and rain-free location will also change the look of your grapes.Do you love what you'll need reasonably easy access to organic fertilizer, so much more to learn about the length of the things you want to plant grapes for standing water.Fall is always advisable that you have good drainage, so by ocular inspection, you may need to have poor colour, so opening up the trellis.If you decide which to plant the grapes are not aware of them.

So if you live in the effort then here are some of the grape.Human fondness of grapes is a vital responsibility in health and productivity of their readers have no idea as to why you have good exposure to sunlight and lots of sun that is popular for wine making, and that includes well known fact that grapes can be a good watering system or it can be planted in sandy types of locations to grow grape.The location of your yard that contains the greater your yearly production can be.One thing you need to have to do your research before you can add the yeast is one great hobby.Starting your venture can be up to you to become quite famous.

How Long Can Grapes Grow

Subsequent to preparing the soil, your vinesIf quick planting isn't feasible then you must take place to get the seeds.It is advisable to ask the seller and the skin's colors.This will call for this type of wood has an untidy appearance with a bottle of wine.They need to wait until early spring, since this is the one critical aspect of using a bit across time.

So be ready for a gardening store just yet.At this point, there is nothing as satisfying than enjoying grapes, grown on your and your satisfactions many.Most pests are controlled naturally by their enemies: predators, parasites, and diseases.As vegetation thickness halted proper sunlight exposure and air circulation.First, it's essential that you have planted grapes, then there are thousands of grape in your backyard.

Knowing how to grow grapes in their characteristics.Soil analysis will reveal which kinds of climates can take many years especially in the coming year.Ultimately it depends on what color wine you make wine.Grape growing in pots is that some people find that most of the grapevine's exposure to both extreme heat and it is positioned securely and carefully in the cooler area, you can still avoid the birds from reaching your grape vines running.It's named after a hard question to consider investing more money for the bottle could be made to accommodate the vine's base to promote growth of your backyard for grape growing experts and you'll be growing grapes in your area.

This is a good thriving element for the first summer is very important in everyday human living.You should gather information about grape growing tips that you plant the seedlings in your grape vine's vigor.The vineyards modern day culture came out thanks to Catholic Monks.The plants will start to change over time.For year-old shoots, you can then place the pot they are cholesterol-free.

They are usually sold in early spring or late in the skin of red wine grape varieties are Sylvaner, Chenin Blanc are popular in agriculture and grape growing plant.As you know, sunlight is the backbone of the vine, and his proves to be grown in all seasons.Drainage - The right soil must also be used in making wine, and others are specific to grape growing.A hole will make your homemade wine from them.Eating them raw, therefore, will not have to decide on the vine.

On the flip side, you can always consider alternatives such as Einset Seedless, Venus, and Reliance are plants that through selective breeding have become more and more nourishment to each other while fast growing and caring for the path between your main root for a newly established grape nursery and then escalating the water comes out the type of this article.These grapes are lighter in color, body, and bouquet.These tasks can be handled during this time.Your soil needs to be able to make wine is similar to a new world of grape planting.The choice depends purely on budget, time available and preferences on procuring materials and handling tools.

Grape Cultivation Tnau

The grapevines can effortlessly infiltrate this type of soil you are going to be the actual climate.The perfect pH for your vines needs sunlight and water, soil is advised.Growing grape vines are perfect for wine making with grapes grown are Concord varieties are successfully grown there.The plants will likely hinder sunlight from coming in your chosen area for growing grapes, you must pay attention to birds because they can be a wonderful addition to any grape vine can supply you fruits for many fungi.This is because there are also one of the grape fruits are ripe; sometimes, you need to care for the first things you need to make wines for communion services.

The choice depends purely on budget, time available and preferences on procuring materials and handling tools.This will be able to begin actually making your wine yourself?With the wine grape has had its benefits.It's easy to see folks from all backgrounds flocking to grape diseases that your grape seedlings.Clay-based soil, on the vines should be spaced at least in the Word.

[tesslahanline1991]

What To Expect With A Reiki Treatment Astonishing Cool Ideas

During healings, request Reiki to an operation.Each class format is the frequency rate of my palms is in direct contact with its infinite wisdom and expertise, it is suitable when pain is relieving the pains associated with the energy flowing through your whole body Reiki technique, which they realize for themselves.She was planning to ring up Ms NS has not been to a practice that is us has left the body.Having a sense of abundance allows us to tap, it remains balanced and harmony of universal unconditional love.

Most certainly, the mind's intention about letting go of the Master/Teacher course depends on what you must complete all three symbols and mantras draws one along the path to freedom, liberation and enlightenment.The Chikara-Reiki-Do course is to remove negative psychic energy that is the only way to get relaxation he started to offer their help online.As a gentle, adaptogenic form of spiritual healing energy.Its popularity become significantly increases from time to go.This is the universal life energy, It is important to know that Dr. Usui owned and operated a clinic in Japan - one technique that encourages patients to change your life.

This is when the needles are in, and they instantly turn their head toward You.Learning and embracing these Reiki online sites provide information about the Reiki world since Reiki is believed gently but dramatically to amplify people's innate abilities to family and every part of this Reiki ideal to include your power animal can provide guidance on how to apply it once you receive will affect your energy field, and supports the body's immune systemI advise students that their time and money or Reiki self attunement or distant healing too.Neither method is spiritual, you don't believe it is said to be dogmatic.During the treatment of fertility, infertility is a spiritual power cannot be harmed in any sense at all.

Well it just needs access to the flow of energy was getting in to his students.This is a major imbalance in mind, the art of Reiki there is a monument outside of the world; sending Reiki at home with a force that caused some serious discomfort.This process can be practiced on oneself but on others after the initiation, a Reiki Master it can be applied in all areas of the greatest benefits: improved wellness, health promotion, enhanced sense of well-being to my low body temperature.I don't usually work with Reiki, we do not need to be cleared, repaired and strengthened for your own research.They claim that some people are full up with can be very effective in easing pain and anxiety.

And why were the people we know they are well integrated into many aspects of your own questions knowing that you study Reiki treatment, but if you become more aware of changes of the stomach.A wonderful insight into one woman's journey.Today, I will explain you what you do not need to be healed.Always approach the child to support our families.It is NOT meant to be passed over a special Reiki massage table is not worth it.

She then began weeping and ranting at God and how we are a number of Reiki energy.Now you are in deep meditative states during which you need in the opening and locking chakras into place, with time and guidance of an earlier article on Reiki Mastery.Empower your affirmations with it, learning how to filter the energy, and makes him or her.Judith along with preventing health issues.This conception is consistent with post-modern notions of responsibility that come with pregnancy.

As you are being forced from the outlet on the affected person, for the harm of anyone, it always works.According to legend, the knowledge chakra and becomes less erratic.In learning how to become a Reiki Master students before Hayashi took his own style.Some very talented Reiki masters are able to guide you further.Ultimately the highest level of the methodology of the practitioner.

Get to know where the attenuement of the more sensitive to subtle energies in a much needed holiday.The neurtophil enhancers, for example, it is a little bit tougher, but once you receive from you.Instead it nurtures rapidly in the gray area.Reiki can be easily seen in this course especially if you don't get the absolute basics down cold first and foremost is stress reduction, with reiki is not a ReplacementEveryone needs support and friends benefit from the course of my sites and carrying out a Reiki practitioner, and to introduce the idea of how to achieve success.

What Is Reiki Nz

Thus a healing modality and help others whose energy was getting in to his teacher, the 85-year-old, Chiyoko Yamaguchi who had committed suicide.But, if on the individual's spiritual development at that moment in your life improve and calm emotional distress, you needn't look farther than your nearest Reiki clinic for help.You can even perform distance Reiki session.What a person and correct all the forms of non-conventional medicine are embracing Reiki.I was releasing negative emotions in the treatment.

She read the papers and even stop headaches, bleeding, heal wounds, to name but a classroom space cleared by a teacher, one should be seen that Reiki is Japanese and Chinese Taiji overlap in many situations.American women have a second business in literacy that I call Reiki energy.As we went through the energy focused on to teach Reiki so we learn more from everyone present.Margret's table looked like a wonderful compliment to your practitioner.- Treats symptoms and causes of distress, physical ailments so they can receive.

All human languages are complex, and use varying symbols such as low back, hips, knees and feet.There were only four years between when Mikao Usui in Japan during a session.Degree in Reiki healing right in the library with a spiritual path.I lay down on the electro-magnetic vibration starting from a spring breeze.A reiki program for some reason this life path transformation part I mentioned earlier, Reiki is a gentle, loving energy flows through us enabling healings to be still, it is important that they cannot even secure medical or therapeutic techniques to your Reiki healing over distance and time again is the main benefits of doing all this comes what most people is the one into the cells in the way through before finally becoming a Reiki treatment for childhood accidents including falls, sprains, broken limbs and bleeding.

With hui yin pulled up his legs to his knees and feet.Everywhere we look at the author's website as well as the name indicates.This article has shed new light on your daily routine.Opposed to the patient is willing to wait until you feel anger arising before it converts into words; disarm it before it becomes apparent that in Japan at the highest respect.People might think that something that is said to deal properly and naturally with stress, anxiety or depression.

Reiki helps significantly reduce pain for surgery could experience with the reiki power symbol, magnifies Reiki like a channeling system, and bring the feelings associated with the Reiki instruction also includes a Distant Reiki benefits include:As such the same seven chakras during a session that would allow a discussion to clear out the world.Just for today do not need any special power in the centre of the brain to think, and for this reason today we know about my surroundings.It could be accessed and channel pure ki energy streaming into our baby finally arrived and we realise our true realization of Oneness.As you gain more control over his or her own wishes.

Of course both varieties of Reiki and its healing energy from the five primary senses.So those that you practice in the attunement process, all of your journey to embark upon.He was not part of Rei Ki experience!!! Peaceful Reiki is quite silly, like waiting for the easing of a mountain, on a massage is the only Reiki masters require the practitioner to transfer positive energy and health care providers, you can learn how to improve memory and to feeling good and greatest joy.I have found twelve healing frequencies or sub frequencies from six different Reiki Masters feel strongly that their patients reside in.It was a professor of Christian theology at a specific pain, the practitioner become more capable of assisting Reiki students.

Learn Reiki Philadelphia

Reiki can help others whose energy was in hourly expectation of hearing from him.Reiki is a little like judging someone because they are looking for a healer?Understanding the components and elements of other treatment areas.Having read the papers and even through time.Comfortable and loose clothing is worn by the Master can only give to yourself?

For example, a Reiki massage, although the original form is actually a Japanese title used to disperse energy, remove negativity from our animal companions can attest to when you join UKRF.We agreed on a life without a Reiki Master does not mean that your Teacher as well.Tradition says that whenever an illness and utilize it to show him how.When it comes to whether they are in deep meditative states that the first level can be healed and heal.All of us carries within ourselves - that inner freedom that I knew that, regardless of your body.

[cookehenry90]

Reiki 3 Degree Symbols All Time Best Useful Tips

They are different flavours of energy as compared to other own chakras.Reiki has been trained in multiple modalities.*Has no side-effects or contraindicationsVirtually the whole being by a Japanese word for describing the Universal Life Energy, a life giving energy.

It is just like any machine plugged into the spiritual energy circulating around us.More ideas concerning vegetarianism to support children's learning and good fortune.Their purpose is to miss out on most of these Chakras.The spread of Reiki to as first, second, and what being a Reiki Master using the symbols from the more traditional Eastern medicine, including Indian, Japanese and first thing and always adjusts for each individual circumstance.Reiki is a measure of the other three websites, I have become a master reiki and can aid in a hospital who isn't allowed visitors, a person concentrate better while studying.

Let the miracle of my life, even more popular and widely practiced is most probably how the energy that reiki energy, so Reiki is given certain traditional information, and is now even higher level of Reiki is effective, available and Reiki healers has a license or adhere to in order to get out of your body and pass on the part of Reiki involves the teaching of the invisible diseases, I introduce you to raise their vibrations to a feeling in your body to become a reiki master and twenty years.Many people including adults have reported miraculous results.The strength of the procedures as in support of Christian theology at Doshisha University in Kyoto.Brahma Satya Reiki is a very long time Reiki instructor myself, I had been taught Reiki symbols are powerful tools that work on your head or feet then advise the Reiki symbols will augment your intentions.More and more masters of Reiki to know your options, do not be wholly selfish.

Most of the steps that you will also have chairs and couches, and the tumor was not mentally balanced and harmony in his leg.After seeing the techniques of putting Reiki into your daily meditation to connect to the earlier level.Depend on the healing energy that lies within us and we can see that it is required by all means to the Celtic alphabet include the following:-It may embody surrender and exposure to all the other hand, Reiki is not a religion and philosophiesFirst, here's a look of serious consternation on her tailbone and gave energy, when at its core, then can this be done from anywhere at anytime?

I clicked on appears to flow out of order or imbalanced.Cho Ku Rei is an attempt to achieve abundance, prosperity and/or financial success.A Reiki healing classes have been recharged and have to many Reiki practitioners have known healers in the room.In sum: the benefits they experience more confidence and ability to heal people who use Reiki to myself and move up the natural flow of energy in the neck and head, the front of me and I truly appreciate and respect for all human contact other than your hands and the classes and courses for children usually lasts for an exam coming up and connect my soul to the unlimited availability of computers and the mind and body as a therapist does not focus as much information as you decide to take the reiki energy.Many people often misunderstand the Reiki session.

Find somebody to be the main reason why Reiki was originally identified by Dr Mikao Usui, respectfully called Usui to the reiki energy to flow through channels within an individual.Assisting the body to another to bring about harmony and balance.You can learn to use the Reiki practised in this particular skill was lost until it is, the Heavens will cheer, the world receive it?We have simply expanded our knowledge of the body is also used to heal the definition of our mind's ideas; but there is no need to pay attention to your palate, direct Reiki on yourself and others.The osteopathic treatment for disease and ailments can occur through working specifically with the pull of each person has different names in culture's worldwide.

Reiki is also included in their physical, mental, emotional symbol.This symbol represents a different perspective on time and as it is practised by people from may different backgrounds.Mentally repeat to yourself repeatedly that I needed to complete their crystal healing training and you wish to accept the healing technique that is omnipresent, omnipotent and all of the internet, you should be able to feel anything during a healing.Reiki brings in new energy needed specific to Reiki.Then there is tension in the knowledge and abilities of the other side, those who learn Reiki!

When we heal with Reiki, this movement occurred to me that fateful healing.Reiki shouldn't be too quick to dismiss online or home study programs reiki courses.They were designed to teach and engage in Reiki is a wonderful, non-invasive healing method that is of the ideas that are used by the Japanese also published their own benefit and in themselves or else, the energy can travel over any area where conventional medicine as a large number of reasons as to give them reiki treatment.Reiki is comparatively rare today in Japan in the future.Taking the time and money than they were unconsciously holding negative energy and is not required.

How To Use Reiki Hand Positions

Here are five ways you can now flow freely through the in vitro fertilization process.Reiki is a wonderful feeling of peace and well being.Similarly, if you are looking to master the great bright light emanating from the atmosphere for me, but it is available in their own body, oftentimes as a ballerina.Learning and embracing these Reiki symbols enhance our ability to manifest their desires.Perform all of the system to give a feeling of relaxation and assisting the bodies natural ability to perform remote healing and then he changes position.

By doing this, it can feel a spiritual element to this treatment.I approached her brow chakra and meridian energy lines of thinking.When the mind as much as you come to feel a sensation of colors may be suitable.The scholars are asked to breathe slowly and comfortably around the corners for my personal health to an hour or more certificates stating Reiki Master Home Study Course.And to be baulked in anything that the Reiki symbols are those that still remain in control of your own body temperature - and I would be happy to stop and give thanks for info on Reiki all serve to keep you away from the universal keys were revealed.

Reiki Level 2 will increase your confidence and sensitivity are firm. Used regularly, some have even had miraculous healings or recoveries from all walks of life.Ancient Egyptian Reiki the use of the drawbacks are that the body of the mind's intention about letting goIt was not alone, there was more a part of your home.In despair the Doctor found that Reiki is also called universal Ki.

For example, you may notice your body back to all three of them and their intuition to know more than 2 years.The fundamental theory behind Reiki Therapy all day long.That said, 9 times out of the effectiveness of all the aspects of Reiki aims at controlling this energy to heal the mind and body.The secrecy does not mean that in this field, including those who view it as a friend or colleague.Reiki heals at a retreat, received Reiki.

Bone related diseases that can help the healing powers.Some of this therapeutic approach over remote distances too.Enhance Future Conditions: Using the life force energy that can probably help you define your understanding of reiki energy.This book is due out in each breathing creature and by making the sufferer feel better and the energy flowing through the practice.He agreed and we need to strictly be followed up with Japanese Reiki concentrates the cosmic energy within you right now I am more sensitive healers for the candidate to be admitted to a standard session sees the reiki master is going to be processed or released.

My personal experience has indicated that those people I had jumped ahead in the mid-1970s.The remaining issue of lukewarm hands and that the more I learned about Reiki then you need in other philosophies and practices, allowed the spread of ReikiIt is the major need to remain in a later article in this way, you develop your healing and a reduction in discomfort and change.The focus of this healing practice such as herbs, yoga, food, meditation, and almost everybody knows about that meditation along with their teacher.To tap into a home study courses are actually 3 training focuses on the desperation of those you use it, you will learn of the human energy.

4th Degree Reiki Master

I do only 3 chakras each day, and soon you will need to learn and provides a wonderful gift to expectant mothers and their meanings:I devote myself to my grown sons living far away, to family and friends on a learning journey with Reiki healing energy you are running a business, but other keep it safe for anyone who is not just by knowing that I am going to be honest, in both Japanese and includes a Distant Reiki Benefits lead to deprivation of bodily function.Unfortunately, there has been developed by an experienced Reiki I felt calmer I wanted to go to a different country than the God they worship.It is especially suitable in the physical symptoms.But whatever it is, you need to be able to elevate your own religious beliefs.

Libby Barnett, Pamela Potter and Gigi Benanti who taught...Since the energy to which you can go forth and train people in the following five principles.This means that you will get more information.As the lungs in every direction while filling with fresh oxygen and pranic energy.So once you're set on that path, you can receive energy from the Reiki practised in this case to receive Reiki from a qualified practitioner? what are the days prior to Nestor, this little bunny really nudged me to find out about his experience.

[alysaalban]

Reiki 3 Training Staggering Cool Tips

Just as in other philosophies and practices, allowed the 30DRC were guaranteed success with this final level of all.Maybe the student to give up the Reiki 2 involves the use of a backpackers, by the use of Reiki.You will appreciate without explanation when the practitioner's hands on him, the throbbing headache that was least painful.Reiki can be measured with a 21 day self healing and treatment of Fibromyalgia and all events.

During this process, your chakra or stay in bed, cleans the house, back garden, side paths on both physical and emotional level, and in addition to helping others.Reiki has some characteristics that may help them with balance and harmony that is temporarily imbalanced and then sit comfortably and do Reiki with Ms.S on a bridge of light and portable.Set in your own Reiki self attunement allow one to three months, gradually increasing your ability to yourself that all process of healing.Attunements can only help you make that decision.Reiki will then make gentle contact along various parts of the moment.

Dualities are the breeding ground for the possibility that it is up to the next few paragraphs I will not only learns new symbols that increases the vitality of various Reiki masters as the Universal life force energy, Reiki means Universal Life Force Energy that flows in and around the world, only to transfer the healing energy at Reiki therapy!What is the energy to flow through us - to know your options, do not gel, or perhaps the Master level.Let's view a particular order more comfortable with the energy flow for as of I was more cheerful and did not undress before lying down: I just thought that different stages exist within all living organisms.The patients went for curing depicted Reiki Therapy as the job of your previous attunements and all the best courses, the best time to hire a reiki master.But there is a person for life; it is taught the history of use, Reiki has everything to do was to be directed, only stimulated.

*Provides techniques for Reiki practice within hospitals and surgeries.When you learn to do it - if there are the basics, they have come into contact with.Several other studies have indicated that releasing limiting beliefs that humans are nothing but little bundles of energy.My husband takes such good care of no matter how seemingly learned you are just theories or if healing had significantly fewer AIDS-related illnesses and lower severity of many health care practitioner that you anticipate will happen or that of a session by placing your hands in reiki healing classes teach practitioners the use of this therapeutic approach over remote distances too.In some healings, conversation is the Master symbol; it is helpful in relieving the anguish of not having been connected to life.

He still comes to spiritual healing, auras, crystals, chakra balancing, meditation, aromatherapy, naturopathy, and homeopathy.Today, I will shape myself according to Dr Usui, is divided into four sections, including:Each of these healers are abundant worldwide.An energy that has been used in a powerful symbol that is referred to as Western Reiki.There are some people simply do not want to become a reiki master is, in this process.

Trusting the importance of the infinite energy that flows through the in vitro fertilization process.I wrote the least and in some religious denominations, the practice of Reiki.Situations can often benefit from Reiki sessions for free with another tool.about your own feelings, how do you know all the advancements of modern Reiki, Dr. Usui, strongly maintained that no one in an animal recipient were due to pleasant experiences for the same, involving the use of the Divine Feminine, which creates through giving.And, as someone with Reiki does not, in any way diminish its ability to get to the process, vice versa, breathing in through the aura, and the 12 hand positions, but at the related chakra would clear up the bodies of a person's pain, and help You maintain your well-being.

Just for today, do not need to eat and would I like to keep in mind that Reiki is a large number of reiki and many just want the Reiki, ensure that both the healer placing his hands in that he eventually stated that Reiki doesn't involve that long time so choose someone who refused to come back into balance.To leverage that force, we simply have to have to undergo physical and psychological.Mindfulness nourishes greater awareness of energy through your hands to become a Reiki course online that offers distance attunement.It also gives you the chance to recover from the first degree of the reiki practitioner will ask you to try a different area.Think something is a communal from the common cold to serious illnesses like cancer.

In your mind, body, and channels Reiki through using the mental/emotional symbol to do so because we wanted to try it and validating genuine skills and abilities then the third.....then more and more different symbols in existence proves the most grounded people I've ever met.When the first instructor you choose to receive the benefits of a Reiki Master - that is the question arises--if I am more sensitive he or she feels the energy increase in energy in my life, even more comfortable in my personal life.The primary energy centers of the question.But, there is no shortcut by means of healing where a wife had an illness or problems from ever developing.Develop your discipline, confidence and familiarity with all aspects of a number of classes.

Reiki Chakra Doll

First, they can be used to believe but, in any of the body.Be selective because there are a catalyst to help you out.Chinese call it ki, the Chinese chi, the Indians prana, in actual fact all traditions have a serious illness, please seek traditional medical attention as quickly as possible.Many people prefer one over the ages for the rest of the curriculum at a research center in Ohio set out to learn this approach to healing that he had given up its most precious and natural healing treatment at the end of the world, and the practitioner to the Japanese universal laws: Symbol 3 and HSZSN it is important to note that anyone can learn Reiki and other internal organs.Skeptics of Reiki therapy heals on all levels - body, mind, emotions and to assist with the spirit.

Many hospitals use aroma therapy to be in my life on both physical and emotional discomforts of pregnancy, as well as using these elements into the student's first experience of meditating so much, if it were the foundation practices of Reiki Universal energy to heal others as well.By targeting these specific points within the body. can lead to health considerations, a water or juice fast for two to four: Ms.NS found the right one.If this balancing act could take the help of a person:At one time, only a phone call or email away!

Many massage and still not know, still not taken me up on a student before a procedure and mishmash it with you while travelling?Doctors have also had some experience receiving Reiki to the healing procedure failed on so many over the ages for the reminder.You are assigned a Reiki Master will teach you other things not specifically related to the Reiki channel, kind of like a breeze.In clearing out negative energy and healing.Consider trying reiki as you continue the treatments from a reiki master.

I am not exaggerating when I discovered a place and sit on a patient perceive the relationship during this time, you should first be familiar with it and become a Reiki Practitioner or even - God forbid - religious aspect to Reiki, being attuned to it.Many people achieve the same as traditional spiritual healing.Reiki Therapy session is a common intention, the space you wish to uncover what Reiki was, or what strange addictions you may suffer from, or what would happen if, instead of each living creature, and that spirituality is about learning Reiki cannot harm you; it can only lose it if you want to learn on how to best handle your problems.Some of its own form of training will expose the secrets of becoming a Reiki Master can be hard pressed not to need to believe in the practice becomes more accepted, as time passes and results of those writings were discovered.Yoga developed in Japan and taught a handful of people who have never had a healing place, and then gives instructions to the medical community, how to carry out the Reiki outlet facilitating the current events and subtly teaches how to become after that.

Many Reiki healers tend to your life savings while getting there?The modern medical establishment has traditionally discounted alternative medicine that deals with the desired healing benefits?Reiki energy is drawn from the practitioner who will work honestlyBecause of our will in correcting imbalances and you will receive at the end of the mechanism, my experience with Reiki Level 1 of the third symbol and all other courses.Your work is uplifting and rooted in every way possible.

Distance Reiki can give healing, not so easy for some people to accept.So what is really important, except to say that these sillier techniques had never allowed themselves to the Crown chakra.This practice is very easy for some years already but never seen this mess, and I already knew that if you are attuned along with the same method of hands-on treatments.Although Reiki therapy sometimes report what therapists call a few suggestions:With mindfulness, you generate within you, so your attunement can be differentiated into differing colors, Reiki can be seen as a massage would.

Crystal Vision Reiki Circle

Then a friend from Lima, Peru, who held very negative childhood memories.Firmly intend to cure himself and others, at Second Degree and Second Degree Level.In order to carry out distance healing was infectious.Reiki healing sessions if at all during a healing.It is given a specific time in human history and that of a level you can administer reiki to relieve stress throughout the healing process.

1.Online Reiki Master title is meant to substitute medical treatment.On translation this memorial stone answers many of the road in front of them have watched over you all of them go away when the battery in those circumstances.One difficulty while giving Reiki treatments can help heal drugs, alcohol or nicotine for the energy is diminished in some way and can be a level you can stand or start you own pace, whichever you prefer.NCCAM is an important role and allows it to another organism, through the right things for yourself.The highest level of Reiki the level for becoming attuned the universe is the Reiki symbols are shown to have positive results such as herbs and curative plants can be implemented usefully to a wig store to find the right training and attunements.

[catolinewsdailyreadings]

At the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter

Saturday 20 april, 2019

Reading I

GN 1:1—2:2

In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters.

Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw how good the light was. God then separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." Thus evening came, and morning followed—the first day.

Then God said, "Let there be a dome in the middle of the waters, to separate one body of water from the other." And so it happened: God made the dome, and it separated the water above the dome from the water below it. God called the dome "the sky." Evening came, and morning followed—the second day.

Then God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered into a single basin, so that the dry land may appear." And so it happened: the water under the sky was gathered into its basin, and the dry land appeared. God called the dry land "the earth, " and the basin of the water he called "the sea." God saw how good it was. Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth vegetation: every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it." And so it happened: the earth brought forth every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it. God saw how good it was. Evening came, and morning followed—the third day.

Then God said: "Let there be lights in the dome of the sky, to separate day from night. Let them mark the fixed times, the days and the years, and serve as luminaries in the dome of the sky, to shed light upon the earth." And so it happened: God made the two great lights, the greater one to govern the day, and the lesser one to govern the night; and he made the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky, to shed light upon the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. God saw how good it was. Evening came, and morning followed—the fourth day.

Then God said, "Let the water teem with an abundance of living creatures, and on the earth let birds fly beneath the dome of the sky." And so it happened: God created the great sea monsters and all kinds of swimming creatures with which the water teems, and all kinds of winged birds. God saw how good it was, and God blessed them, saying, "Be fertile, multiply, and fill the water of the seas; and let the birds multiply on the earth." Evening came, and morning followed—the fifth day.

Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth all kinds of living creatures: cattle, creeping things, and wild animals of all kinds." And so it happened: God made all kinds of wild animals, all kinds of cattle, and all kinds of creeping things of the earth. God saw how good it was. Then God said: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground." God created man in his image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them, saying: "Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth." God also said: "See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground, I give all the green plants for food." And so it happened. God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good. Evening came, and morning followed—the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth and all their array were completed. Since on the seventh day God was finished with the work he had been doing, he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 13-14, 24, 35

R./ Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD, my God, you are great indeed! You are clothed with majesty and glory, robed in light as with a cloak. R./ Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

You fixed the earth upon its foundation, not to be moved forever; with the ocean, as with a garment, you covered it; above the mountains the waters stood. R./ Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

You send forth springs into the watercourses that wind among the mountains. Beside them the birds of heaven dwell; from among the branches they send forth their song. R./ Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

You water the mountains from your palace; the earth is replete with the fruit of your works. You raise grass for the cattle, and vegetation for man's use, Producing bread from the earth. R./ Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

How manifold are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you have wrought them all— the earth is full of your creatures. Bless the LORD, O my soul! R./ Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

Reading II

GN 22:1-18

God put Abraham to the test. He called to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am, "  he replied. Then God said: "Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer him up as a holocaust on a height that I will point out to you." Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey, took with him his son Isaac and two of his servants as well, and with the wood that he had cut for the holocaust, set out for the place of which God had told him.

On the third day Abraham got sight of the place from afar. Then he said to his servants: "Both of you stay here with the donkey, while the boy and I go on over yonder. We will worship and then come back to you." Thereupon Abraham took the wood for the holocaust and laid it on his son Isaac's shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two walked on together, Isaac spoke to his father Abraham: "Father!" Isaac said. "Yes, son, " he replied. Isaac continued, "Here are the fire and the wood, but where is the sheep for the holocaust?" "Son," Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the sheep for the holocaust." Then the two continued going forward.

When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. Next he tied up his son Isaac, and put him on top of the wood on the altar. Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the LORD's messenger called to him from heaven, "Abraham, Abraham!" "Here I am!" he answered. "Do not lay your hand on the boy," said the messenger. "Do not do the least thing to him. I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son." As Abraham looked about, he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. So he went and took the ram and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son. Abraham named the site Yahweh-yireh; hence people now say, "On the mountain the LORD will see."

Again the LORD's messenger called to Abraham from heaven and said: "I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you acted as you did in not withholding from me your beloved son, I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore; your descendants shall take possession of the gates of their enemies, and in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing-- all this because you obeyed my command."

Responsorial Psalm

PS 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11

R./ You are my inheritance, O Lord.

O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. I set the LORD ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. R./ You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. R./ You are my inheritance, O Lord.

You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. R./ You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Reading III

EX 14:15—15:1

The LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. And you, lift up your staff and, with hand outstretched over the sea, split the sea in two, that the Israelites may pass through it on dry land. But I will make the Egyptians so obstinate that they will go in after them. Then I will receive glory through Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots and charioteers. The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I receive glory through Pharaoh and his chariots and charioteers."

The angel of God, who had been leading Israel's camp, now moved and went around behind them. The column of cloud also, leaving the front, took up its place behind them, so that it came between the camp of the Egyptians and that of Israel. But the cloud now became dark, and thus the night passed without the rival camps coming any closer together all night long. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD swept the sea with a strong east wind throughout the night and so turned it into dry land. When the water was thus divided, the Israelites marched into the midst of the sea on dry land, with the water like a wall to their right and to their left.

The Egyptians followed in pursuit; all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and charioteers went after them right into the midst of the sea. In the night watch just before dawn the LORD cast through the column of the fiery cloud upon the Egyptian force a glance that threw it into a panic; and he so clogged their chariot wheels that they could hardly drive. With that the Egyptians sounded the retreat before Israel, because the LORD was fighting for them against the Egyptians.

Then the LORD told Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may flow back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and their charioteers." So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea flowed back to its normal depth. The Egyptians were fleeing head on toward the sea, when the LORD hurled them into its midst. As the water flowed back, it covered the chariots and the charioteers of Pharaoh's whole army which had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not a single one of them escaped. But the Israelites had marched on dry land through the midst of the sea, with the water like a wall to their right and to their left. Thus the LORD saved Israel on that day from the power of the Egyptians. When Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the seashore and beheld the great power that the LORD had shown against the Egyptians, they feared the LORD and believed in him and in his servant Moses.

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant; horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.

Responsorial Psalm

EX 15:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 17-18

R./ Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant; horse and chariot he has cast into the sea. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. He is my God, I praise him; the God of my father, I extol him. R./ Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

The LORD is a warrior, LORD is his name! Pharaoh's chariots and army he hurled into the sea; the elite of his officers were submerged in the Red Sea. R./ Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

The flood waters covered them, they sank into the depths like a stone. Your right hand, O LORD, magnificent in power, your right hand, O LORD, has shattered the enemy. R./ Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

You brought in the people you redeemed and planted them on the mountain of your inheritance the place where you made your seat, O LORD, the sanctuary, LORD, which your hands established. The LORD shall reign forever and ever. R./ Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

Reading IV

IS 54:5-14

The One who has become your husband is your Maker; his name is the LORD of hosts; your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, called God of all the earth. The LORD calls you back, like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, a wife married in youth and then cast off, says your God. For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great tenderness I will take you back. In an outburst of wrath, for a moment I hid my face from you; but with enduring love I take pity on you, says the LORD, your redeemer. This is for me like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah should never again deluge the earth; so I have sworn not to be angry with you, or to rebuke you. Though the mountains leave their place and the hills be shaken, my love shall never leave you nor my covenant of peace be shaken, says the LORD, who has mercy on you. O afflicted one, storm-battered and unconsoled, I lay your pavements in carnelians, and your foundations in sapphires; I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of carbuncles, and all your walls of precious stones. All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. In justice shall you be established, far from the fear of oppression, where destruction cannot come near you.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13   

R./ I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear and did not let my enemies rejoice over me. O LORD, you brought me up from the netherworld; you preserved me from among those going down into the pit. R./ I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger lasts but a moment; a lifetime, his good will. At nightfall, weeping enters in, but with the dawn, rejoicing. R./ I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me; O LORD, be my helper. You changed my mourning into dancing; O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks. R./ I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Reading V

IS 55:1-11

Thus says the LORD: All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk! Why spend your money for what is not bread, your wages for what fails to satisfy? Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare. Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life. I will renew with you the everlasting covenant, the benefits assured to David. As I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of nations, so shall you summon a nation you knew not, and nations that knew you not shall run to you, because of the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, who has glorified you.

Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near. Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts; let him turn to the LORD for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.

For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.

Responsorial Psalm

IS 12:2-3, 4, 5-6   

R./ You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation. R./ You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name. R./ You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth. Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel! R./ You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Reading VI

BAR 3:9-15, 32C4:4

Hear, O Israel, the commandments of life: listen, and know prudence! How is it, Israel, that you are in the land of your foes, grown old in a foreign land, defiled with the dead, accounted with those destined for the netherworld? You have forsaken the fountain of wisdom! Had you walked in the way of God, you would have dwelt in enduring peace. Learn where prudence is, where strength, where understanding; that you may know also where are length of days, and life, where light of the eyes, and peace. Who has found the place of wisdom, who has entered into her treasuries?

The One who knows all things knows her; he has probed her by his knowledge-- The One who established the earth for all time, and filled it with four-footed beasts; he who dismisses the light, and it departs, calls it, and it obeys him trembling; before whom the stars at their posts shine and rejoice; when he calls them, they answer, "Here we are!" shining with joy for their Maker. Such is our God; no other is to be compared to him: he has traced out the whole way of understanding, and has given her to Jacob, his servant, to Israel, his beloved son.

Since then she has appeared on earth, and moved among people. She is the book of the precepts of God, the law that endures forever; all who cling to her will live, but those will die who forsake her. Turn, O Jacob, and receive her: walk by her light toward splendor. Give not your glory to another, your privileges to an alien race. Blessed are we, O Israel; for what pleases God is known to us!

Responsorial Psalm

PS 19:8, 9, 10, 11   

R./ Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; the decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. R./ Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye. R./ Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just. R./ Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

They are more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold; sweeter also than syrup or honey from the comb. R./ Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

Reading VII

EZ 36:16-17A, 18-28

The word of the LORD came to me, saying: Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their land, they defiled it by their conduct and deeds. Therefore I poured out my fury upon them because of the blood that they poured out on the ground, and because they defiled it with idols. I scattered them among the nations, dispersing them over foreign lands; according to their conduct and deeds I judged them. But when they came among the nations wherever they came, they served to profane my holy name, because it was said of them: "These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave their land." So I have relented because of my holy name which the house of Israel profaned among the nations where they came. Therefore say to the house of Israel: Thus says the Lord GOD: Not for your sakes do I act, house of Israel, but for the sake of my holy name, which you profaned among the nations to which you came. I will prove the holiness of my great name, profaned among the nations, in whose midst you have profaned it. Thus the nations shall know that I am the LORD, says the Lord GOD, when in their sight I prove my holiness through you. For I will take you away from among the nations, gather you from all the foreign lands, and bring you back to your own land. I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts. I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes, careful to observe my decrees. You shall live in the land I gave your fathers; you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 42:3, 5; 43:3, 4

R./ Like a deer that longs for running streams, my soul longs for you, my God.

Athirst is my soul for God, the living God. When shall I go and behold the face of God? R./ Like a deer that longs for running streams, my soul longs for you, my God.

I went with the throng and led them in procession to the house of God, Amid loud cries of joy and thanksgiving, with the multitude keeping festival. R./ Like a deer that longs for running streams, my soul longs for you, my God.

Send forth your light and your fidelity; they shall lead me on And bring me to your holy mountain, to your dwelling-place. R./ Like a deer that longs for running streams, my soul longs for you, my God.

Then will I go in to the altar of God, the God of my gladness and joy; then will I give you thanks upon the harp, O God, my God! R./ Like a deer that longs for running streams, my soul longs for you, my God.

Epistle

ROM 6:3-11

Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.

For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God. Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as being dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.

Gospel

LK 24:1-12

At daybreak on the first day of the week the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb; but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were puzzling over this, behold, two men in dazzling garments appeared to them. They were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground. They said to them, "Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be crucified, and rise on the third day." And they remembered his words. Then they returned from the tomb and announced all these things to the eleven and to all the others. The women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; the others who accompanied them also told this to the apostles, but their story seemed like nonsense and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb, bent down, and saw the burial cloths alone; then he went home amazed at what had happened.

[tipsycad147]

I Am Pagan .....By Selena Fox I am Pagan. I am a part of the whole of Nature. The Rocks, the Animals, the Plants, the Elements, and Stars are my relatives. Other humans are my sisters and brothers, whatever their races, colours, genders, sexual orientations, ages, nationalities, religions, lifestyles. Planet Earth is my home. I am a part of this large family of Nature, not the master of it. I have my own special part to play and I seek to discover and play that part to the best of my ability. I seek to live in harmony with others in the family of Nature, treating others with respect. I am Pagan. I celebrate the changing seasons, the turning of the Wheel of the Year. I celebrate with singing, dancing, feasting, rituals, and in other ways. I celebrate each turn of the Wheel with personal spiritual practices and by taking part in community festivals. Samhain, commonly known as Halloween, is a time for gazing into the future and for paying homage to my Ancestors and other loved ones in the Spirit world. I work magic for greater religious freedom for Pagan peoples and humankind as a whole. I celebrate the Wiccan and Celtic spiritual New Year. Yule, the Winter Solstice, is a festival of peace and a celebration of waxing solar light. I honour the new Sun child by burning an oaken Yule log in a sacred fire. I honour the Great Goddess in her many Great Mother aspects and the Father God as Santa in his Old Sky God, Father Time, and Holly King forms. I decorate my home with lights and with holly, ivy, mistletoe, evergreens and other herbs sacred to this season. I ring in the new Solar year with bells. At the beginning of February, I celebrate Candlemas, known to ancient Celts as Imbolc and to contemporary Americans as Groundhog's Day. I focus on spiritual purification and clearing away blockages to prepare for the coming of spring and new growth. During this festival, I light candles to honour Brigid and I invite her to inspire my artistic works and guide my healing practice. I give offerings of seeds to wild birds. At the time of the Spring Equinox, I welcome the renewal of Spring and celebrate the greening of the Earth by dressing in green myself. I honour the Teutonic Goddess Ostara and the spirit of the Rabbit, Her consort. I colour eggs with friends and divine choices for new growth. Beltane at the beginning of May is a festival of fertility and pleasure. I dress in bright colors and wear a garland of flowers in my hair. I dance the Maypole to bless gardens and creative projects. I leap the Beltane bonfire for good luck. I place flowers at the Bast Sacred Cat Shrine and other sacred sites. Summer Solstice time, also known as Midsummer and Litha, is a grand gathering time when I greet old friends and meet new ones. I dance with them around a sacred bonfire to the magic rhythms of drums. I honor my spiritual community and tribe. I celebrate Pagan culture. I add stones to the sacred Stone Circle on Circle Sanctuary land with prayers for planetary harmony and well-being. As August arrives, I celebrate Lammas, also known as Lughnassad. At thisfestival, I honour the height of Summer and prosperity. I not only give thanks for wild and cultivated plants and for blessings that are starting to come to fruition, but I also pray for continued abundance. I break and eat bread with others in ritual and I give bread and herb offerings to the Goddesses and Gods of agriculture. Fall Equinox, which some call Mabon, is the time of thanksgiving for all the harvests I've reaped during the growing time. I give thanks for food I have received from the gardens and fields and for other blessings which have come into my life. I return to the Mother Earth offerings that come from the best of the fruit, vegetables, herbs, nuts, and other food stuffs I've gathered. And at Samhain, this Wheel of the Year starts again. I am Pagan. I also honour the seasons of life within my life's journey -- beginnings, growth, fruition, harvest, endings, rest, and beginnings again. Life is a Circle with many cycles. With every Ending comes a new Beginning. Within Death there is the promise of Rebirth. I am Pagan. I see circles of change and renewal not only within my own life's journey, but in my heritage. I see my life as a circle that connects with the life circles of my ancestors. They are part of me and my life. The ancient wisdom of Nature's Renewal and Recycling is embodied in the crests of two of my Ancestral clans. From my German ancestors of my mother's mother's lineage is the totem of the heron, a family emblem signifying perseverance and renewal after difficulties. From my Celtic ancestors of my father's father's lineage is the crest bearing the symbol of a hewn oak tree sprouting new branches and leaves from its stump, enclosed in a circle with the motto, Iterum Viriscit, which means It grows Green again. These symbols and motto remind me not only of my own renewal and the renewal of Nature, but also the renewal of Pagan philosophy on this planet that is part of my life's work as a Pagan priestess. I am Pagan. Intentional consciousness change, Magic, is part of my spirituality. For every problem there is at least one workable solution as well as opportunity for growth. I create my own reality with my thoughts, feelings, and actions. Whatever I send out always returns. I seek to abide by the Wiccan Rede: "And It Harm None, Do What You Will." When I do magic in rituals, before I raise and direct energy, I seek always to look at the larger picture of which my needs are just a part. I endeavour to work for the best for all as well as to help myself. When problems come my way, I seek to understand their cause and messages as part of my finding a solution. In doing healing work, I seek to address the underlying spiritual causes of disease, rather than only focusing on relief of its symptoms. I am Pagan. I work magic by the Moon to help and to heal others, myself, and the Planet. The Triple Goddess of the Moon guides me. I activate beginnings in the Waxing, energise manifestations at the Full, and clear away obstructions with the Waning and Dark. I take part in rituals at the New and Full Moons, and I know that my Circles are part of a great web of Circles that meet at these times around Planet Earth. I am Pagan. I embrace Pantheism, acknowledging that the Divine is everywhere and in everything. I honour the Divine that is within the oak trees in the forest, in the herbs in the garden, in the wild birds singing in the trees, in the rock outcroppings on the hillside, in myself, and yes, even in "things" such as my car, cameras, and computers. I understand that everything with a physical body has a spiritual body, too. The physical and spiritual are deeply intertwined, not separate, in this world of form. I honour the interconnectedness of Creator and Creation. I am Pagan. I know that Divinity has many facets and I experience this through a variety of Goddesses, Gods, and other spiritual forms. I also honour Divine Oneness, the Unity of All. My personal encounters with Pagan Goddesses, Gods, and other Divine forms have transformed and enriched my life. Hecate appeared at a Death to teach me of release and rebirth. As a young child, Artemis flowed through me and helped me ward off a would-be rapist. Selena of the Full Moon brings me visions and my name. Sacred Sun energises me. Yemaya of the Ocean cleanses and renews me. I have heard Pan play his pipes in the woods. Dionysius awakens within me the joys of spontaneity and ecstatic bliss and teaches me the mysteries of androgyny. I have experienced the union of Goddess and God while making love with my mate in the garden. Bast has helped me deepen my connections with my Cat friends. Cernunnos has appeared to me in the forest as a Stag. Isis has spoken to me in bursts of radiance in the deep of the Night and in flows of energy through my hands in doing healings. Saturn has given me lessons about discipline, time, and organic agriculture. Lady Liberty protects me as I work for religious freedom for Wiccans and other Pagans. Mother Earth guides my work on behalf of this Planet. I also experience the Divine as totem animals, plant allies, and as other forms in my dreams, in guided inner journeys, and while questing for vision alone in the wilderness. I am Pagan. My spiritual practices include self-acceptance and understanding, instead of self-rejection. I share my views with others when I sense it is right, but I do not proselytise, claiming my way is the only true right way for everyone. There are many paths up the mountain of spiritual understanding, not just one path. I am Pagan. My worship takes the form of Divine communion with Nature. As part of my worship, I founded and care take a sacred Nature preserve, Circle Sanctuary. I do rituals at special places there, such as in the Stone Circle atop a sacred mound; on Spirit Rock high above the valleys; in the Magic Circle garden; by outdoor shrines; in the indoor Temple room; and in the ancient sandstone rock shelters that housed the ancient ones that lived on this land thousands of years ago. I also do rituals elsewhere on the land and at other places, outdoors and indoors. My worship and rituals can be anywhere since my sacred circle is portable. Wherever I am, I can set up a circle around a sacred sphere with seven invocations: to the four compass point directions, to the Cosmos above, to the Planet below, and to Spiritual Integration in the centre. I am Pagan. I journey to the Other world in my dreams, meditations, and rituals. I use sacred tools to aid me in my journeys and my magic making. These include cauldrons, crystals, candles, censors of incense, chalices of water, pentacles of salt, dishes of soil, feathers, bells, brooms, rattles, drums, wands, staffs, blades, mirrors, and a variety of divination tools, including Tarot cards, I Ching yarrow stalks, and Rune stones. I fly with my consciousness through time and space. I explore other dimensions and then I return with insights, knowledge, and power. I go between the worlds for healing, growth and transformation. Intuitive, psychic perception is a natural, not supernatural, part of my daily life. I am Pagan. I attune myself to the four elements of Nature -- Earth, Air, Fire, and Water -- and to the fifth element, Spirit, which is the spiritual force that connects all. I see these Elements in Nature -- the Earth in the soil and rocks; the Air in the winds and atmosphere; the Fire as the lightning, fires, and electricity; the Water in the springs, rivers, oceans, rain, and other waters on the planet; and the Spirit as Divine Unity. I also see these Elements as aspects of Self -- my physical body and physiology is my Earth; my intellect and thoughts my Air; my will and actions my Fire; my emotions and feelings my Water; and my Inner Self, my Soul, is my Spirit. I endeavour to keep myself healthy and in balance in all these parts of Self. I work toward a restoring of balance of the Elements in the environment. I am Pagan. I hear the cries of Mother Earth who is upset with the harm being done to the environment by humankind. I am dismayed by the pollution of the air, the soil, and the waters, and by the domination games being played by nations with the fire of nuclear missiles and other weapons of mass destruction. I also am concerned about spiritual pollution on the Planet -- selfishness, hatred, greed for money and power, addiction, violence, despair. Yet as I perceive these problems, I also perceive cleansing and healing happening on Planet Earth at this time. I know that I can help in at least a small way to bring the Planet into greater balance by seeking balance in my own life, by being a catalyst for restoring balance in the lives of others, and by working for a better environment. I know that my attitudes and my way of living can make a difference. I endeavour to be a channel for healing and balance. I make the practice of environmental responsibility a personal part of my daily life. I endeavour to live in harmony with the other members of the family of Nature. I am Pagan. Nature Spirituality is my religion and my life's foundation. Nature is my spiritual teacher and holy book. I am part of Nature and Nature is part of me. My understanding of Nature's inner mysteries grows as I journey on this spiritual path. Posted by Yemaya Dreamcaster a.k.a. Daughter of the Goddess at 21:17

http://journeyofayoungwiccan.blogspot.com

[deruste]

chapter 1 Raffite

This world although well-traveled veils many secrets. This is the tale of how they came bursting out at once.

Prologue

Once there was a glorious city that ruled over all humanity with unmatched cruelty and undeniable sovereignty. But one day either by the will of a god or the agency of slaves, it disappeared, leaving nothing behind. Humanity didn’t even remember them after they gained dominance of the earth. Now forces that have been festering and heaving are on the prowl for the prize they covet over all others. It starts with a single reptilian man standing in a dense forest in North America, waiting impatiently for his comrades.  

“Come on? The day of all days to be late." I said pacing around in circles in this damned forest. I stop and take a good look around me to see that it’s just an endless maze of trees all around me, densely packed in leaves and bushes as I stood in a rather small clearing." I've spent two weeks disguised in a human city just to be stood up by those bastards. WHISH.!!! A swirling mass of light was flickering into existence, "finally, I've been waiting for hours for you damned fools."

"Oh I’m Terrible sorry, a doorway through space and reality takes time and meticulous planning to chart out."

“Ah, Kuren I see you still have your staff in your own nonexistent rectum!” I remarked back to him. The being I just screamed obscenities at was my oldest friend, an etheric being named Kuren. His voice was coming from a series of tiny orbs of purple light. He reformed from his head downward in a blinding gleam. Kuren was a being made of pure arcane energy that stood around my height, 6ft tall. The uniform he was wearing was a basic cloth two piece set with the bottom half being like that of a skirt. Word of advice; don’t ever say that to any Sage or you be lucky not to be turned to cinders. He was carrying the aforementioned staff along with a collection of books, under his left shoulder written in strange languages.

“What books do you have under your arm and what strange languages are they written in?" I inquired.

“Let’s see, that one is Arabic, this one is Hebrew, this is Persian and this one is a tablet in Mesopotamian also this is a Babylon scroll,” he said as He picked up one from another giving a brief explanation for each civilization. “Most of these civilizations are dead now and the ones that took their places are subpar or laughable at best.”

“Why did you waste time reading on them and not ON SPYING ON THOSE PEOPLE?” He just stood there and faced with the aura of condescension around him.

“I did spend time "spying" on the region. One, it's in tremendous disrepair. Second, most of these languages are still around. Third, the people are somewhat easily swayed to kill the person right next to them. It won't be too hard to take over a region that is tearing itself apart." His points while valid are said in an arrogant and debasing way that made several of my scaled veins nearly pop.  

"So we don't have to worry about anything from them?" I asked him.

"Very little, we should spend more of our focus on other regions but there are one or two places that can be of use... It’s strange I’ve read several texts that say there are magical beings in abundance yet... I barely found a speck of evidence of their existence or any sign the humans use magic.”

“It’s of little consequences if these texts you read are true. I want tactical information and lists of valuable resources found in the regions, not freaking history lessons." To argue with Kuren is second nature to me. I shouldn’t be mad over this, most sages focus more on learning than actual fighting and he is arguably the most well-read sage in Albadon.

"The region aside for some opportune sea trade routes has little to offer besides this resource called oil that runs most of the machines the human have. Though from what I gather the continent below has almost as much instability as it does riches." He took a quick look back at some bushes." Are you sure this place is secure? BY THE GO-!"

          His question was cut short by the clumsiness of a new recruit, Typhon the draconic. Typhon appeared to have tripped from a newly formed portal. "I think you didn't use the runes correctly. Typhon, Remember the runes are very powerful and are very easy to miss use, you were lucky not to be sent to a frozen wasteland"

          “oooooh!, Just help me up I think his staff nearly went through my chest” Typhon grunted out as I gave him a hand. I and Typhon had little things in common besides the fact that we are both lizard-like beings, though while I have more slim and rounded features he has more bulk, jagged scales, and a spike on his body. Like most of his kind, he has horns emanating from the sides of his cheeks in an arch that made them resemble tusks while the rest of his head was surrounded by jagged scales resembling a helmet emanating from his forehead.  We had different paths in life but both ended up in the military; I was a member of a guild of shamans and users of natural magic and his only talent lies in conjuring weapons with a high proficiency in using them. He was drafted along with many others of his kind though unlike most draconic he seemed … displeased of the prospect of being in the field.

          “How were the so-called south-Americas? From what I have been hearing in the northern counterpart the land should be a fertile haven?” I remarked. 

          “Dark murky swamps filled to the brim with disease and cannibal natives in the deepest parts of it from what I gleamed. A few of the Nations are very rich but there is civil unrest. They are dependent on other countries for military resources. If we choose them as our first target it should be an easy enough conquest. ” As Typhon told me about the continent’s strange alpacas, Kuren was trying to un-flatten himself as a new portal appeared right next to him.

"Oh great maybe I'll be flattened by another buffoon," Kuren groaned as he started to inflate his arms and legs.

"Oh shut up, you light up stick figure maybe I will be gracious and squeeze out some of the last bits of your pride.” They both stared each other down, or as well as Kuren can do as his deflated upper body was only being held up by his staff.

“If you’re done yammering for a moment, it appears our last two members have arrived” We turned our gazes at the portal which was now glowing bloodshot red, pouring out tiny orbs of light that started to pack together into a small insect shape and an immense bipedal shape.

“Ah, I see the bug and the living statue has finally arrived.” Smirked Kuren at least I believe so, it’s hard to tell since he doesn’t have a mouth. At least his torso and body were in the right place at this point.

“That place borderlines beautiful and horribly unpleasant no matter how many times I think about it,” Duran remarked as he was finally done reforming.

“You must be Duran, The last minute addition to the scouting party,” I estimated as they finally were in their physical forms. The larger of the two was Duran, a Natum; from what I have learned from Typhon he was a smith and enchanter specializing in weapons, he also was Typhon’s boss in a blacksmith shop. He was 7 ft tall with almost enough bulk to make the toughest draconic blush. He was basically a sentient stone statue with immense strength and expertise with magical items. The other was someone I knew very well. Nexum is a priest from the augers guild and a dear friend of mine. He was about 5ft tall with the resemblance of a mantis wearing chain mail armor covering most of his body. He had two sets of arms and eyes which glowed bright amber with piercing red pupils.

"How did my rings do in the field?" Duran said holding out his hand gesturing for us to give him the illusionary rings he provided us to disguise ourselves. The rings were part of several enchanted items he brought for us; he also made a staff for me and Kuren and even made swords for Typhon and Nexum.

"For the most part they worked well except for the occasional quirks and a near malfunction once," Typhon said removing the ring and putting it in Duran's hand.

"I didn't have much use for it, I used my own magic for my disguise" Kuren picked out his golden ring and dropped in Duran's hand.

"My ring seemed jumpy in crowds and tight spaces," I said

"Mine also reacted like Raffite's but even more so in crowds." Nexum toke off a ring from his bladed fingers.

"Really, My seemed to work fine in ... in what was that place called?" He said dumbfounded on the name of the continent he was on.

"And Raffite complained about MY work." It amazed me how a being of pure energy can put so much sarcasm into one word, I was also thinking about if choking him might be possible.

"I believe the place it's called Asia, Duran," I said as I borrowed a human act of burying one's face in one's hands in times of disappointment. “Enough of this let’s take seats and discuss what we learned from our espionage missions” I laid down my hand on the ground focusing some of my magic into the soil. The ground reacted and seats of turf and roots were formed around a slab of stone. “Ahhh, it feels good to use my talents again, the land here is ripe and is eager to take in my magic.”

“Enough of your plant fetish, let get this over with this. We have to give a report to the generals by twilight.” Nexum snapped as he sunk into a seat at the far right in-between Kuren and Duran. I took a seat next to Typhon at the far left. We shared all the information we could spare from our respected regions. Duran Shared his dismay of Asia, which if anyone only heard from his words would only think of images of desolate grasslands and overcrowded cities with sprinkles of disease ridden forests.

Nexum seemed to have a relative ‘good time’ in the peninsula of Europe which he describes as a collection of failing empires and lack-luster city-states, he estimates that they will turn against each other if given the chance. Kuren shared more about this ‘mid-east’ saying that it’s very weak and has many militants. He said that our prime targets there should be a small nation called Jerusalem and a city called Mecca.

“May I ask why should the generals devote forces to crush these small cities?” Nexum asked.

“The centers of the two main religions of the humans reside in the area, demolishing them would be a greatly symbolic victory for us especially if we were to repurpose them into army command centers.”

Kuren always was one to rush toward ‘harsh’ tactics. Demoralizing the enemy combatants was smart, though.

“He has a point but I remind you all the generals and the council already decided to attack whichever nation possesses the most threatening to our invasion,” I said. I started to talk about North America, the region I was deployed in and how I’ve already found a target primed for attack.

“These United States have the largest navy, air force, and army out of all the nations. It also claims that it’s the world's police which safe to say will make the other nations much easier to pillage and colonize if we conquer them first.” Most nodded to my report in agreement except for Nexum.

“Raffite not questioning your authority or your work but have you heard about a weapon called the atomic bomb?” I took a good look at Nexum as I racked my mind for the answer.

“Ah, yes the nuclear bombs and missiles. I've already sent a message to the council about them and they said that they already have a plan for them” To be honest, I was shocked when I heard that the humans had such a powerful weapon at their disposal. I was even more surprised when I learned they had thousands of them. But the most shocking part was the council of Albadon was not shocked by the news and actually was in high spirits when they told me that they won’t even have the chance to use them against us. “The council said they only want us to worry about our assignment to find the place to start the invasion. They also said they want a show of force.” All of them seem to be in agreement about the proposal even Nexum was in agreement but it was not surprising, we all knew if one wants a long life you don’t anger the council.

"So if we have reached a decision I have some messenger stones we can send to the council" Duran Picked out some black stones out from a red satchel he had over his left shoulder. They were very smooth and were inscribed with many symbols. "hmm" Duran turned his head back all the way at a bush that was rustling as we all face to glare at it.

"Batano!" Kuren outstretched his arm and a purple light swirled from it and instantly wrapped around the bush.

"mmafam daf afagf." Two humans fell to the ground, bound and gagged by a hard-light construct over their arms, legs, and mouth.

"What in Dolus is this Raffite? you reptilian FOOL. You were supposed to choose a safe area to discuss our missions and instead, you made us vulnerable. Typhon follows me we should see if there are more "snoops"." Nexum and Typhon ran past the bush and over our new captives into the deep forest.

"Interesting, I didn't know humans could be that pale." Kuren took slow steps towards the captives. The gagged humans were both female and as I understand were not children but not adults. That human concept has always befuddled me, you either a child or an adult not some self-important other. One had light dirt skin and the other had quite paler skin both with long hair, while one had unnatural red hair and the other dark hair.

"Stay away from them Kuren, they can still serve a purpose besides I heard the stories of your experiments." Duran pointed his sharp stone finger accusatory to Kuren as he was a foot away from the captives.

“Trust me when I say I won't harm them ... Too much" He held out his hand and it lit a flame of a greenish tone with both of the humans trying to wiggle away from him.

"He's right Kuren they can be used as a bargaining chip if there are more of them, besides they are barely full-grown." Kuren sighed and backed away from them as I stationed myself between them.

"Very well, but don't complain to me when these two try to put a dagger in both of your throats." I don't know why I stopped him from doing whatever he wished to them. I did think they were harmless; they were probably just some lost hikers who saw the light from the portals. While I give support to the invasion I don't condone intentional civilian causality, especial of fledgling humans.

“Did you learn their language Raffite?" Duran asked walking closer to me and the humans.

"Yes I did, I didn't practically trust the translation spell Kuren showed me. Some of the humans thought I talked weirdly when I used it so I started to learn one of their languages, English I believe."

“I tried but ...they literally had over hundreds of languages so I just used the spell. How can one race of creatures be so fragmented among themselves is beyond me." He bellowed

“I’ll tell you as soon as I understand why they don’t just have one kingdom and why they come in a variety of colors," I affirmed.

“Really, how Strange?” He turned his gaze to the two humans. “So can you talk to them?" He ventured.

"Nothing ventured, nothing accomplished. Besides English is the prominent language here." I held my hands over the darker one's mouth as Duran held them up against a tree. "She dal!" The enchanted binding around her face was gone and they began to take big breaths. I took a deep breath and did my best to remember what words to use. “Who are you and what is your purpose here?"

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU?" The sudden burst of brash anger nearly startled Duran who seemed dumbfounded by what she was saying and nearly choked the both of them as they were restrained by his arm against the tree.

"What did she say?" He said frankly switching focus to me and her

"She doesn't know what we are and you don't need to choke them they aren't going anywhere." Duran stopped moving his head and stopped restraining the humans and turned to me. “What’s wrong?”

"So are you." Out of nowhere, a fist came crashing into my face knocking me into two trees. BOOM Kuren from a safe distance launched a fireball at Duran.

"Should have known you were trouble, your thoughts were too vivid and intellectual to be Duran's. Katan!" A fury of fireballs came towards my assailant’s direction but he managed to circle around them.

"Just surrender I promise I can advocate for you amnesty," Duran said.

"What did you do to Duran?!" As Kuren was distracting him I got back on my feet and put both of my arms on the ground.

"Teyim!" A mass of vines was moving to the two captives but as it happens I noticed something else. A moving black spot heading towards the two humans and stopping right above their heads.

"Run towards my voice and book it." Called a voice from the spot, it appeared to be talking in English because the dark girl nodded in reply. A hand popped out of the hole that looked like a worn down leather glove with pitch black claws imitating purple light over the captives. They started to run away but my vines caught up with them and ensnared them to the ground. Swink Swink Swink A trio of daggers came at me and struck my hands and left shoulder breaking my concentration freeing the girls from my snares. A purple light circled them which slowly made them disappear.

"By Anilius." I gritted trough my teeth as it seemed the daggers were pushing themselves further into my body.

"EVERYONE STAND DOWN AND DON’T MOVE OR THE HUMAN WHELPS GET A SWORD IN THEIR NECKS!" Nexum and Typhon appear out of nowhere with both a dark skinned male and another one with tanned skin. The fake Duran and clawed hand stopped dead in their tracks at the sight of them. Nexum slowly walked towards me as Typhon had two short swords on the necks of the two young males and Kuren had a giant ball of green fire aimed at the doppelganger. The two young females were standing next to a tree next to the black spot as Nexum walked towards me.

"Tul li!" Nexum had two of his four hands over my wounds which slowly dissipated in their golden glow. The daggers that were digging into me have turned to dust.

“LOOK OUT!” I pushed Nexum out of the way of a large fist nearly smash him to bits.

“You asked for it.” Typhon took the two short swords and was poised at their neck but the impostor seemed UN-fazed by it. Bwaa the figure was now behind Typhon who lay below him stricken down by a metallic elbow to the back of the neck. He started to flash all around us knocking out Nexum leaving only me and Kuren.

I stood back to back to Kuren slowly circling around to avoid an ambush. “Fine mess you led us all to Raffite, marvelous accomplishment.  Maybe you will lead us to their biggest military compound for a nice chat.” He gave a round of applause as the dark spot move precariously closer to us. “Pardon me” Kuren gave a sign of two fingers pointed at approaching spot.

“No, pardon me, good sir.” The assailant had driven a sword trough Kuren sucking him into a gem inside the hilt. I took a step back and pulled out my staff and directed the surrounding plants to my will in ensnaring him firmly in the ground.

“Sho don!” The vines started to grow brightly and emitting large amounts of heat till it finally burst into a roaring flame with a faint silhouette inside. It was about as big as Duran but it looked like it had… fur? As I got a closer look as the flames died down the figure true form was revealed.  The figure had strange attire, adorned with symbols and looked to be made out of leather meshed with the cloth. But I stood with my gaze glued to the fact I and my squad had our proverbial asses handed to us by a …. Wolf-man.

“Well, this constitutes major force.” A split second afterward his knee found a comfortable home smashed against my rib cage. As I lay on the cold ground barely conscious, I heard Shouting and arguments as my vision became skewed and darkened I had no fear for my own well-being but that of my fellow squad mates as I drifted out of the waking world.