#and Other Tea Rituals Lifestyle

[mickandmusings]

sincerity & sonnets

-

pairing: anthony bridgerton x f!reader

word count: 2.1k

summary: anthony bridgerton is blessed with many things-a warm, loving family, a well-funded lifestyle as a viscount, a beautiful wife. more notably, he is cursed with a short fuse and a sharp tongue, which might lead to his demise.

(based off of this request! to the anon who requested, I sort of wrote the argument as more of a sharp remark, but i hope it is still angsty enough for your liking! <3)

warnings: angsty->fluffy, no other warnings

-

As Anthony sat at his desk, scribbling away at his numerous piles of papers stacked in front of him, he noted the unusual quietness that had fallen on his study. He first thought that he had shut the door, but one quick look at the doorway contradicted his beliefs. Anthony's eyebrows furrowed in confusion-his home was never quiet.

Between his own family, and the families of his four sisters and three brothers, his home was full of life: laughter bounding off the walls, his wife and sisters' voices chatting over tea, the stampeding footfalls of his hoard of nieces and nephews assured his ears would never grow accustomed to utter silence. Even in the rare occurrence that the house was empty save for Anthony and his beloved wife, he'd often hear her humming to herself as she attended to her own business in their home, or she would join him in his study, writing her own correspondences at the smaller desk next to his own. Which is why, now, as he sat at his desk this afternoon, the silence stunned him. Anthony frowned, lifting his pocket watch to assure himself he was not entirely losing his mind. As the gold clock stared back at him, the small hand signaled it was midday.

He chuckled to himself, his wife must have chosen to sleep in entirely too long. Y/N was a chronic night owl, often keeping Anthony awake with her bedside chatter and comments on the appearance of the night sky through the window that faced their bed. Anthony would indulge her, but would still wake before the sun. His wife, however, would not budge for several more hours. He grinned and pocketed his watch, pushing himself up from his chair to wake his sleeping beauty of a wife.

Anthony bounded up the stairs two at a time, nodding curtly at any house staff before reaching their shared bedchambers. His dark eyes peer into the empty bedroom-his wife certainly was not here. He noted the dutifully made bed, the open curtains allowing the sunlight in, and, most importantly, his wife's absence. Anthony shook his head briefly before dashing back down the stairs, nearly stumbling into one of his wife's handmaidens.

"Pardon me," he addresses the woman with a sigh, a bit breathless from the unexpected goose chase his wife has taken him on. "Do you know the whereabouts of my wife?"

The younger maid looks at Anthony almost confused, but quickly takes on a professional tone:

"The Viscountess is reading in the garden, she's only just gotten back from tea with the Dowager Viscountess and the Duchess."

Anthony nodded in thanks, hastily departing for their expansive garden, his mind racing. Seeing his wife was an afternoon ritual-she would come bounding into his study after tea with his mother and respective sisters, spouting off all of the new ladies' gossip as he listened intently, all while pretending he was entirely disinterested. He enjoyed seeing her eyes grow wide with the shock of scandal, or her smile at a sweet interaction she witnessed at the park. If you were to ask Anthony Bridgerton, there was no sight more splendid than his wife in all of her extraordinary, everyday beauty. Not that he would admit that aloud, at least not to anyone but her.

Frankly, he was missing her presence today more than he cared to admit. He spotted Y/N almost instantly, her periwinkle gown shining in the sun. She sat in a chair politely under a shady tree, the book on her lap seemingly forgotten. Her expressive eyes locked onto the treeline in the distance, her face solemn. Anthony's heart seemed to fall in his chest, the sinking realization of why his home had been so soundless for the entirety of the day. His chest felt tight as he thought of his actions last night...

-

It had been a very, very long day for Anthony. With Francesca's upcoming debut to society, his mother had been harping on Anthony for nearly a fortnight about every minute detail. His patience for his mother was infinite, but sometimes she did manage to test its limits. Atop this hurdle was the never ending stacks of paperwork littering his desk, waiting to be looked over and signed off by his barely legible scrawl. He had neglected to write Colin back for weeks-his younger brother writing about his travels in Greece. The house staff had been in and out of his study all day, the incessant knocking severing his nerves. The heavy weight of life as a viscount was falling on Anthony, making him irritable and exhausted. His dear wife had settled his discomfort around lunch, bringing his nearly-cold meal into his study to make sure he ate. She had left him with a chaste kiss and a better mood, but Anthony had returned to her worse for wear.

Dinner in their large dining room had felt unnaturally dreary, only the sound of utensils clanking against china plates filling the air, only to be stifled by his wife's chatter. Normally, Anthony would've listened attentively, enjoying hearing about trips to the modiste or how Portia Featherington had driven his wife to near madness. Today, however, her voice had him pressing his nails into his palms to aid his irritation. He sipped his wine and shuffled his food on his plate to avoid making eye contact, he would not want her to see the frustration lingering in his eyes.

"Eloise was completely beside herself, I had never seen her so embarrassed! Madame Delacroix-"

"Must you talk so incessantly?!" Anthony's voice spat out in a low growl, dripping with fierce vexation.

Y/N's eyes grew wide, looking at her husband as if he had sprouted an extra arm and slapped her with it. She said nothing, only cowering in on herself, staring down at her lap as she fidgets with her hands. After several moments of Anthony's intense silence, she lifts a shaky hand and wipes the tears forming in her eyes as she hastily made her way out of the room, attempting to put as much distance between her and Anthony as possible.

Anthony followed suit moments later, feeling angry at himself as he slammed the door of his study shut, falling asleep at his desk hours later. Y/N had slept on her side of a bed far too large for one, her eyes tender and cheeks splotchy, her mind racing. Did she truly talk too much? Had he been annoyed by her daily talks for all these months? Her mind weaved small details into a full blown breakdown, and she quickly settled on being Anthony's perfect, quiet wife as she caved to her drowsiness.

-

The wind blew his wife's curls against her shoulder as Anthony approached her in the backyard, her back still facing him. He wasn't sure she had even heard him approach, her eyes still focused on the landscape sprawled before them. Anthony shuffles nervously, his hands behind him as he stands at her side, only the wind and birds chirping aiding the suffocating silence.

"Splendid weather we're having," Anthony's voice finally spoke, awkward and fumbling into casual conversation as he sank into the chair across from him. Y/N said nothing, only blinking in the same direction she had been staring at the entire time. Anthony nodded, mostly to himself, resigning himself to her silence, it was what he deserved at the moment.

After several moments of dead silence, Y/N turned her attention back to the book perched in her lap, and Anthony sat silently, wanting to spout out his apology in a hurried, bumbling manner, but he knew his wife, she would simply nod and continue reading, allowing herself to stew in prolonged silence.

He rose quietly, leaving with a small kiss landing atop her head-a touch that burned Y/N's skin. She watched Anthony leave out of the corner of her eye, sighing heavily as his presence was back inside their home. She was a myriad of feelings: angry at Anthony for being so blatantly cruel, his words had stung and left her reeling for hours. She was sad, as much as the words had fired her up, they had torn her heart, leaving her chest heavy with dejection. Y/N was nearly bursting at the seams to just apologize-even if it wasn't her who needed to apologize-just so the awkward encounters would come to an end. She wondered if Anthony even felt remorse at all.

In his study, Anthony ran his hands through his hair for the hundredth time, attempting to focus on the business papers in front of him. His efforts were fruitless-all he could think of was the empty look on Y/N's face. He had never seen her this lifeless, like her glow had been snuffed out, and it was entirely his fault. Anthony's mind raced with a million different scenarios of how he would make this up to her, ranging from flowers to begging on hands and knees, but despite his blunders, he knew his lady well. His Viscountess had never been one for showy things or frivolous purchases, she would only want his sincerest apologies. He would do it tonight, over dinner, he decided. He only hoped when the time came, she would at least spare him a glance.

-

Hours later, at the dining room table, Anthony found himself sitting in his chair at the head of the table completely alone. The kitchen staff came and left with plates and glasses, but his wife had yet to make an appearance. Anthony's foot tapped against the floor in anxiety, his eyes shooting up to the closest staff member, nearly shouting:

"Where is the Viscountess taking her dinner?"

The head of the kitchen staff looked at Anthony wide-eyed at his outburst, replying politely:

"Viscountess Bridgerton took her dinner in the library tonight."

Anthony said nothing, rising from his seat and walking down the hallway, coming to the door of the library and knocking lightly.

"Come in."

Anthony nearly burst into a fit of tears, happy to hear her voice.

He pushed the door open, Y/N's eyes meeting his before they dropped back down to the open book in her hands. Anthony felt guilt press heavy on his chest. He settled into the plush chair opposite her, separated only by a small end table. Anthony looked over at her, his brown eyes all but practically begging her to say something to him.

"Y/N..." Anthony's voice is small and timid, trying to coax her into at least hearing him out. Y/N's voice came out a whisper, cutting him off.

"I am sorry."

Anthony furrowed his brow, that was certainly not what he was expecting to hear. He looked over at her, her gaze locked on the moonlight coming through the window, her eyes glassy with tears.

"I am sorry I have become a burden, Anthony. I did not realize I irritated you with my ramblings. I thought you wanted to hear of my daily activities. I know my day as a woman is not nearly as riveting as yours as a Viscount, but-"

"My dear, your apologies are not necessary," Anthony's voice dripped with sincerity, his eyes warm as he looked at her, ready to grovel for forgiveness. He stuck his hand out for her to take, which she did. He pulled her towards him softly, his gentle touches coaxing her into his lap. Y/N's eyes grow soft under his gaze, her limbs melting in his strong hold. "I am the one who has been a fool. I look forward to your ramblings, no matter if they hold what you consider to be valuable or not, they brighten my day. I wait most ardently for news of trips to the modiste, or my mother's ramblings over tea-" He pauses, tucking a stray curl back behind her ear, his thumb wiping away the stray tears on her cheeks.

"I don't want you to be silent. Your voice is more pleasant than any other sound," Anthony cuts himself off, sighing, before starting again. "I should not have spoken to you in such a manner. I should not have raised my voice at you. You have my word that it will never happen again, I cannot go another day surrounded by your silence, it is torture."

Y/N smiles slightly at her husband's words, his transgressions forgiven with his sincere words. His face is close enough to hers to brush her nose against his, their lips close enough to meet.

"Are you certain you were not a poet before we met, Lord Bridgerton?" Y/N's voice is a whisper, the moment feeling far too intimate for anything else.

Anthony chuckles as his hand grasps the side of her face lightly, bringing her closer, speaking before he kisses her deeply:

"Only for you, my beloved...you inspire sonnets."

-

[astra-ravana]

Types Of Witchcraft

Note: These are general/basic explanations of different classes of magick/witchcraft. Practitioners can fall into multiple or none of these categories. Ultimately, only an individual can choose their labels.

Green: Utilizing greenery/plants/herbs/flowers in herbal/nature magick, such as creating blends of different plants or primarily using herbs in spellwork. May keep a garden and take great pride in their workings/connection to the earth and nature.

Hedge/Shamanic: A type of magick that's more oriented towards spirit work, Otherworld and astral travel, dream work, spiritual power and healing. May work with psychedelic/psychotropic/toxic plants and fungi as spiritual tools (ie: flying ointments/teas made from amanita muscaria or datura)

Sea: A type of magick derived from materials/abstract ideas involving the ocean world. Sea magick is worked using various items from as well as one's own connection to the sea and its creatures.

Storm: Magick that is worked by combining one's own energy with the energy of the weather, most commonly storms. Storm witches may have practices such as collecting storm water or snow, "whistling up" or manipulating winds, or performing rituals during severe weather.

Hearth/Kitchen: Magick performed through kitchen craft and/or mundane tasks/crafts around the home or for loved ones. Typically worked daily through food, herbal mixtures, crafting, decorating, and hobbies. May also work with the Fae/elements/nature.

Tea: Those who drink tea, make their own tea mixtures, or enjoy blending herbal remedies and often use reading tea leaves as their form of divination.

Urban: For those who live in or prefer an urban setting/lifestyle. Magick that is worked in densely populated areas and big cities, without some of the seemingly "traditional" aspects of witchcraft.

Tech: Magick that is skillfully worked through technology. A tech witch might cast spells/do divinatory readings on the internet, use magick based apps/programs, or keep a digital grimoire/library.

Elemental: Magick that is worked by honoring/acknowledging all 4/5 elements (Fire, Air, Water, Earth, and/or Spirit). Elementalists may dedicate part of their alter to each element and call upon them during rituals/spells. Conversely, they may choose to focus on only one element changing the designation to either fire, air, water or earth witchcraft.

Fae/Faerie: The magick of those who work and commune with the Fae. Faerie witches may do rituals/spells around the Fae, ask favors of them, have regular communication sessions, and leave them offerings. The Fae are very unpredictable and strong but, with time and respect, they share their magick with special individuals.

Infernal: A system of spirit work/magick that revolves around Infernal spirits/entities, such as demons, djinn, or other spirits of a chaotic alignment. This practice requires a surprising amount of shadow work and dismantling of oppressive religious systems. They may summon demons, perform rituals/spells with them, make deals, or take them up as magickal familiars.

Necromancy: The practice of seeking the assistance of, summoning, communication, and diving through the dead. Practitioners may frequent cemetaries/burial grounds/haunted locations and perform magick and spiritual/divinatory readings there. Often employ the use of pendulums, dowsing rods, talking boards, black mirrors, grave dirt, and bones.

Draconian: Draconian magick is a practice that involves engaging with dragons as powerful forces and allies in spiritual practice. It can include rituals, symbolism, and techniques to connect with dragons, and may be used for empowerment, healing, and spiritual growth.

Chaos: A type of magick utilizing new, non-traditional, and unorthodox methods. It is a highly individualistic practice that draws from many magickal disciplines (eclecticism).

Blood/Sanguine: A very potent class of magick that includes the use of one's own blood or that of another in powerful rituals/spells.

Sigil/Art: The use of sigils, symbols, glyphs, runes, or artwork infused with will and intention. This practice is vast, versatile, and diverse with each practioner producing truly unique results.

Lunar: Lunar magick is the practice of performing rituals during the different phases of the Moon to bring about physical or psychological change. They may honor/worship the Moon, do moonlight rituals, or make moon waters. Conversely, one could work with the Sun in much the same fashion.

Cosmic/Celestial: Magick that incorporates the stars and planets. Astrology is a dominant force in their lives and witchcraft and they consider the placement of celestial bodies before doing a working.

Crystal: Incorporation of crystals/stones in one's magickal practice. May make crystal grids, include them in their spells, use them in energy work, meditation, or for Reiki healing.

Glamour: Glamour magick is an enchantment type that adjusts or changes your outward appearance, or people's perception of your outward appearance and can include the enchanting of jewelry, clothing, and even makeup for magickal purposes.

Shadow: Magick with a focus on the elements of darkness and shadow. May practice umbrakinesis (shadow manipulation), magickal subterfuge and illusion, and feel at peace, and even practice, in pitch black darkness

Are there any you feel I should have included? Please let me know! I'd love to expand this list. :)

[brighteuphony]

On the way back from Tea Country with Chakra-poisoned Kakashi tryna "casually" fish for some info before Sakura comes in with the one-hit KO on accident.

So she's got some complicated feelings for Kakashi as well, though they're a lot milder than what she feels about Sasuke.

There's a moment in my AU where Sakura goes through a deep reflection ritual, in which she has to face Inner Sakura -who is representative of all the ugly truths her day-to-day self hasn't been able to face- and come to terms with who she is.

During that time, she's got to face the music.

The music:

Sasuke is the last prodigal son of a clan that was brutally butchered. He's a genius with one of the most powerful dojutsu out there (that he has no idea how to use) and is coming in hot with more baggage than an airport terminal.

Naruto is not normal. She doesn't know what he is (as in-canon, she finds out after the time-skip and the Sakura from above is right on the cusp of Shippuden), but there's nothing normal about a kid who can pull wild orange chakra and who can fight Gaara's tailed beast and come out on top. He's got the personal attention of the Hokage, but the entire village has banded against him for some reason. He's special.

Kakashi is a war veteran turned Jounin and an infamous ANBU captain (I headcanon that some ANBU names are leaked specifically to generate a healthy level of fear/caution among other villages- which is why we know of Itachi/Kakashi/Shisui very publically) and is ALSO the last prodigal son of an old noble clan.

(No way a bookworm like Sakura didn't consume every publically available scroll on Konoha clans).

It doesn't take the big brains to figure out that he got team 7 specifically to help deal with Sasuke's trauma/teach him about the Sharingan, and put a leash on Naruto (and in the future, when she finds out that Madara was able to control the Kyuubi with the Sharingan as well as the knowledge that Kakashi was Minato's student it becomes even clearer why he got the Sasuke/Naruto combo.)

And Sakura? Sakura is a civilian. No clan, no dojutsu, nothing to her name except great chakra control. She's the literal meat in the meat-grinder of the military machine of Konoha, the acceptable sacrifice in a group of otherwise invaluable shinobi. She's just a...girl. (And it doesn't help that she was obsessed with Sasuke instead of training, furthering the gulf between her and Kakashi.)

Kakashi was absolutely not built to handle her- in fact, Kakashi has NO idea how to relate who hasn't gone through a mountain's worth of trauma or someone who hasn't been ingrained in the shinobi-as-a-tool lifestyle, and even then, he's not fully equipped to handle people who have (lmao Sasuke). Not to mention the man is a prodigy- he has no idea how to teach people who have to work hard to get somewhere in life. How do you teach someone if you've never had to 'work hard' to get there yourself?

So, Sakura understands that Kakashi was put in one of the most ridiculous situations of his career- a situation he had NO idea how to handle. She can forgive him for that. BUT, she can't forgive him for not trying his best.

Sakura spent a lot of time coming to terms with the fact that she rushed into the Chidori/Rasengan combo without a single idea of what she would do, but...Kakashi was a big reason for that.

She was HIS responsibility, and he fumbled that bag. Whatever his reasoning, whether it was to 'protect' her, or whether he thought she was worthless, whatever: he should have TRIED.

Kakashi was an adult with resources aplenty. He recognized that she had stellar chakra control but never bothered to teach her genjutsu or direct her to teachers who could pick up the slack.

And after the accident, he abandoned her again. Being forgotten in lieu of Sasuke and Naruto hurt...but she could heal. Being abandoned as some kind of martyr to Kakashi's failures as a teacher? It's gonna take a while for Kakashi to make that up to her...if he can muster the courage to face her.

Sakura finally understands why he preferred the memorial stone to the living. He already failed the dead, and it's easier to wallow in self-flagellation than it is to try and step up for the living.

Sakura stopped being a coward some time ago, and when Kakashi finally does the same, she'll forgive him.

Thank you so much for sticking with this wall of text! And thank you so much anon for the question! Once again, I really appreciate all the kind words people have been throwing my way. <3 <3 <3

[rutlancecf]

Damian Wayne's letter to the Tooth Fairy (being read by his brothers)

"Respected Tooth Fairy:

I know that I haven't written to you before, and I had no idea of your existence either. I apologize for my ignorance. My older brothers have told me about you, and how you carry out your monetary transaction every time you find a tooth under a child's pillow. I know that many times I have declared to my elders and others that I'm not an infant, but in confidence, I never really became one because of the way my mother's family raised me. It was vitally important to them that I be a perfect being, without flaws or defects, so I became an adult instead of living the sweet childhood and innocence that little ones exude.

But it is not my first years of life that I would like to argue in this letter, no. According to my dear older siblings, whom I am sure you have visited countless times, (and look, it makes me a little jealous to know that you perceived them at such a tender age) I should perpetuate the ritual by which is based your existence.

But I don't want to, I don't want to, and that's why I've written you this letter to make you understand my reason.

Due to my position, and lifestyle, I do not require a stimulus or monetary compensation, I already have too much of that. So I ask you to give it to another little one who is in a precarious situation.

But if you can grant a wish, I ask with great fervor and sympathy for myself, that you help me influence a change in other people about the perception they have of me. I have done so many things and actions that perpetuate a place in Hell for me, I know, I have been there; that I need your help, not to free me from my destiny until the end of time, but so that in the time I have left to walk among the living, my peers can express a little love to me, a little empathy, a little pride towards my person. And let this be to endure my stay in Tartarus.

Please, please. Help me, help me so that the people I love open their eyes and see that I am here, so that they don't abandon me. My soul was already lost since I was born.

I know that I have requested something difficult, perhaps impossible, but I have a little faith, a little faith that someone will look at me without fear or hatred in the eyes and smile at me.

I am sorry, then, for having taken away some of your valuable time that you have taken to read this letter, which I hope you will receive and give me an answer if possible.

I say goodbye hoping to hear from you again, possible because I still have baby teeth. With sincere decorum, Ibn al Xu'ffasch Damian Thomas Wayne Al Ghul.

PS. Due to my recent knowledge of your work in the world, I have taken the liberty of choosing a box of ginger tea and making it available to you, to counteract the effects of fatigue.

Jason finished reading the letter and stared at his other two brothers, who looked away and stared at the floor, having mixed thoughts and feelings. He put the sheet back in the envelope and carefully tucked it back under Damian's pillow, who was still asleep under the residual effects of the anesthetic.

- Good night, little demon.- He gently caressed his hair and left the boy's room.

Tim approached the bed and leaning down, he kissed his younger brother on the forehead.

- Sweet dreams, gremlin.- He said quietly, going after Todd.

Left alone, Grayson sat on the edge of the bed, took out the envelope and the tooth to put them inside his pants, looked at the sleeping boy for a moment, and with a heavy heart, leaned against his side, hugging against him.

- We love you, Little D, and I am very proud to have you as my little brother.- He caressed his hair and kissed his forehead.- Whatever happens, we will always be with you, little bird. And I promise you that, no matter what, I will go to hell myself and pull you out of the depths of the abyss. Don't give up, Damian. Do not give up.-

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

Link:

[ominoose]

𝐎𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

Characters: Steven Grant, Cecil, Basil Stitt Summary: Oscar Characters dating a gn! reader that dabbles in witchcraft (written secularly) Warnings: None

☽ 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭

+ When Steven first finds out you dabble in witchcraft, he's intensely curious. His attitude is essentially "Wot's all this then?". At first, he relates it back to everything he knows on Egyptology, comparing any practices you do to that, "Oh! That's similar to what the Ancient Egyptian's did!" or "Hm, that's not how it would've went down back in Ancient Egypt...".

+ He ends up doing a ton of research, half of which isn't even applicable to you, but he likes knowing the ins and out of things, it's his love language. He wants to show genuine interest and care both because its his way of showing he places important on your lifestyle, and because he's genuinely curious.

+ Tries to be as respectful as possible. He knows from Marc being Jewish the amount of importance certain identities or practices can have to people, so with you he's doing anything he can to take it seriously, whether its not touching things or giving you silence to work. That said, he can be a bit teasing sometimes, especially when you give him things, "Hope you didn't put a little hex in my tea." or "What're you going to do, turn me into a frog?!".

+ If he finds out you've left a little sigil note in his work bag to ward off negativity (Donna) or you invite him to join you in making a nice, charged soup, he's ecstatic. Rambling and smiling like a sap, honoured you've involved him.

☽ 𝐂𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐥

+ "Are you... The Blair Witch?" No matter how many times you may tell him you're not the stereotypical, evil, hexing old witch that only brews evil potions in a cauldron, he doesn't fully believe you. Anytime you go outside and someone is rude to you, by cutting you off in traffic or saying a mean word, he's side eyeing you warily, mentally picturing you cackling as you put their hair into a bubbling green vial.

+ The above isn't to say he's scared of you, he's not. Cecil's quite laid back about the whole thing, it's just another facet of you to take in his stride. You're leaving water in jars outside to make moon water? Sure, cool. You need him to pick up certain herbs when he's getting shopping? No problem, (unless its anything other than rosemary and thyme, then he has no idea what the herb is). You want to weave him an intention bracelet? "Aw, babe, that's so romantic."

+ Doesn't understand how it works and perhaps never will. When he's watching sports and his favourite team loses, he'll be sighing and turning to you to ask if you can do something, "Can't you like, manifest them to be less shit? Use your moon water, the moons ball shaped, thats, like, symbolism, right?". No matter how much you try to explain the inner workings of your craft, he will not understand. In his mind, his partner does this weird stuff but it's cool and he will never get on the wrong side of them because he will end up going missing in the woods.

☽ 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐭

+ Basil is absolutely stoked to have a witch as a partner. He thinks it is the coolest thing ever and romanticises the whole thing a fair bit. All of what he knows about witchcraft comes from pop culture, his mind is full of cliches. When you're forced to tell him that you cannot summon lightening or banish thunder clouds, he's quite disappointed, but quickly bounced back, "It's fine, whatever! You can still hex monkeys, right?"

+ He will watch you in awe if you do anything, asking questions about what something does, why you're doing it, why you're using that, what does that thing mean. Eventually he'll learn and get used to your practices, and it becomes part of his routine with you, he looks forward to seeing you do any rituals.

+ When he's more used to your witchcraft and it does become routine, he might even ask to join some of it, "Can we make a spell jar together? Or will it blow up on me?". When he accepts his scar and mantel of 'Lightningface', completely letting go of his ego and outside perceptions of him, he's ready to delve in and explore new things which your witchcraft helps him do. It's another thing to help ground him, its not exactly common and if he'd spoke about any of it in his past peer groups he'd be ostracized, but now he finds strength in that.

[coven-of-genesis]

Spell to increase health

Creating a spell to increase health is a personal and spiritual practice that can vary depending on individual beliefs and practices.

Here is a general framework you can use as a starting point to create your own health-enhancing spell:

1. Set your intention: Clearly define your intention to improve health. Be specific about the aspects you want to enhance, such as physical well-being, mental clarity, emotional balance, or overall vitality.

2. Choose your method: Determine how you want to conduct your spell. It could involve a physical ritual, visualization, meditation, or any other method that resonates with you.

3. Gather materials: Select any materials that you feel represent health and healing to you. This could include candles (white or green are often associated with healing), crystals (such as amethyst or clear quartz), herbs (such as lavender or chamomile), or any other objects you associate with well-being.

4. Create a sacred space: Cleanse and prepare your space to create a focused and positive environment. You can burn incense, use essential oils, or play calming music to set the mood.

5. Cast a circle (optional): If you follow a tradition that involves casting a circle, you may choose to do so to create a sacred and protected space for your spell.

6. Visualisation on and affirmation: Close your eyes and visualize yourself in a state of vibrant health. Imagine energy flowing through your body, revitalizing and healing every cell. Repeat affirmations or mantras related to health and healing, such as "I am healthy and strong in mind, body, and spirit" or "Every day, I grow healthier and more vibrant."

7. Symbolic actions: Use your selected materials in a way that feels meaningful to you. For example, light a white or green candle to symbolize healing and well-being, hold a crystal in your hand while visualizing your body's vitality, or create a healing herbal bath or tea to consume.

8. Gratitude and release: Express gratitude for the health you currently enjoy and for the healing energies that surround you. Release any doubts or negative beliefs about your health. Trust that your body has the innate ability to heal and restore itself.

9. Closing the spell: Conclude your spellwork in a way that aligns with your beliefs. This could involve thanking any deities or spiritual entities you work with, closing the circle if you cast one, or simply expressing gratitude and sealing your intentions.

Remember, creating a spell is a personal practice, and it's important to trust your intuition and adapt these steps to suit your own beliefs and preferences.

Additionally, while spellwork can be a valuable tool for healing, it's important to take practical action in your daily life to support your well-being, such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle, seeking medical advice when needed, and nurturing positive habits.

[areyoudoingthis]

Some days he feels like he never woke up from the dream where magic was real and Stede was a mermaid. Not because this -their relationship, their life together- doesn't feel real, because it does, it feels real like the breeze on his face and the ground beneath his boots and the immensity of the sky above him, but because he never knew any of what he's experienced with Stede over the past few weeks was possible. In his wildest fantasies, maybe, he dreamed of sweet tea and fine fabrics, the warmth of good brandy sliding down his throat while the fire kept his feet cozy and Stede's voice spread like wildfire through his chest. But his imagination failed him so completely when it comes to Stede Bonnet. - Stede takes Ed dancing.

They're having dinner together at a lovely eatery Stede found during their most recent supply run, a place with some pretty decent seafood and a great atmosphere. It's date night again, a new tradition Stede introduced two days into their relationship. It never falls on the same day twice, not with their unpredictable lifestyle, but he's been committed to finding time for them to spend alone together doing something special at least once a week ever since they found each other again, and he's never missed a single one so far. It does something to Ed's insides to know Stede is so determined to spend time with him, romantic time, relationship building time. Candlelit dinners and picnics under the sky and dressing up for each other and all the pageantry they could want.

He thinks maybe he should have known their life together would be like this, full of warmth and good food and happiness. It was impossible to believe in at one point, even when he wanted it with every atom in his body. But of course Stede would want to come up with fancy elaborate ritual after fancy elaborate ritual for them to share, that's who he is. And Ed's discovering maybe that's who he is, too.

Some days he feels like he never woke up from the dream where magic was real and Stede was a mermaid. Not because this -their relationship, their life together- doesn't feel real, because it does, it feels real like the breeze on his face and the ground beneath his boots and the immensity of the sky above him, but because he never knew any of what he's experienced with Stede over the past few weeks was possible. In his wildest fantasies, maybe, he dreamed of sweet tea and fine fabrics, the warmth of good brandy sliding down his throat while the fire kept his feet cozy and Stede's voice spread like wildfire through his chest. But his imagination failed him so completely when it comes to Stede Bonnet.

Their days together go like this: they have breakfast together every morning (unless there's an emergency with the crew, and there's a fair bit if those aboard the Revenge), work on fixing what still needs repairing around the ship, go on raids that Ed mostly ignores, hang out with the crew, have story time where Stede does the voices again to everyone's delight. All of that is already entirely unfamiliar to him. Even during their first run on the Revenge, in what he thinks of as the Before Times, he wasn't allowed to take things slow, to sit out raids, to stay behind helping with meals or fishing or tending to things instead of being expected to destroy them.

There are also all the little glowing moments he and Stede spend together throughout their day. Lazy mornings in bed, meals just for the two of them, a few moments here and there to catch up with each other. The nights are his favorite, when he's tired from a job well done and sleepy and warm in their bed, still feeling a little vulnerable from everything he's been through and is still going through, and Stede makes them a cup of tea and then tucks him in safely, his warm and solid body wrapped around Ed like a blanket, making him feel like maybe nothing will ever hurt him again.

And in between all that they talk, and talk and talk. They learn each other's life stories. Ed finds out about Louis and Alma, about Mary's new husband and how good he is to them, how much Stede misses his kids but doesn't regret his decision, because this is the life he wants to live, the man he wants to be. And Ed offers the memory of his Mum in return, tells Stede about the one other person in his life who ever showed him how to be soft. Stede holds him while he cries and covers his skin in tender kisses until he feels okay, less like he's tied to a rock and drowning all over again.

He learns about Stede's favorite books (adventure novels most of them), his favorite color (purple), his music tastes (he needs to get out more), and when Stede brings him a whole entire harpsichord back from a raid to replace the organ that went overboard, Ed plays for him when he's in the mood, and Stede watches him with a besotted expression every time.

And then there are the dates. Sometimes they happen on the ship, in front of the fireplace in their cabin, on deck under the moonlight. But whenever they make landfall, Stede makes sure there's enough time left after the business of unloading loot and purchasing supplies to take Ed somewhere nice he sought out for that specific purpose and spoil him rotten. Beautiful sights, good food, great music, Stede pulls out all the stops.

Ed supposes, in a world where a man can turn into a seagull, magic might be a little real after all.

Tonight, a small band is playing, the patrons are clearly enjoying themselves, animated chatters fills the air around them and some people are dancing in a small cluster near the band. Ed's stomach is full of good food, Stede is regaling him with a story of his adventures on their most recent raid, and Ed's entire being feels at peace. This, also, is absolutely new. Sometimes he doesn't know what the fuck to do with this feeling, it turns sharp edged in his own mind, terrifying in its novelty. He thinks maybe he's not afraid of it, he's afraid that it won't last. Or maybe that it will, he doesn't fucking now.

But right now the fear can't reach him - Stede is the torch in the dark that keeps it at bay. He laughs when Stede describes in vivid detail the way he and Frenchie teamed up to send a couple of bratty merchants scattering in fear. He will never tire of the way Stede enjoys the world, finding adventure and daring wherever he goes. He has equal amounts of fun taking over ships as he does coming up with new voices for story time to entertain the crew. And Ed loves him, loves everything about him, too, loves being near him and breathing the same air and holding his hand and kissing him and he wants to spend the rest of his days doing this.

Stede finishes his story and smiles coyly at him, and Ed immediately knows he's going to say yes to whatever comes out of his mouth next, and he's going to love doing it.

"Would you like to dance, darling?"

Warmth sweeps through his body like a tidal wave, and he gets up and pushes his chair away from the table without hesitation. No one's ever asked him to dance before. He can't wait to be in Stede's arms again.

It turns out dancing is, in fact, a fucking wonderful excuse to be held closely. Stede places a hand securely on his waist, tangles the fingers of the other one with Ed's, pulls him tight against his body, and they sway in place among the other couples, just two men in love with each other enjoying their night out. Ed would crawl inside Stede's chest and make his home there if he could, safe and warm forever next to Stede's heart.

He wonders, as Stede guides their bodies together to the music, if he will ever get used to this, to Stede being a permanent presence in his life, to being someone who is cared about so thoroughly, cherished in countless, infinite ways from the second he opens his eyes and finds himself alive to enjoy another day to the moment he shuts them to go to sleep. Wonders if he will ever stop feeling like the world is spinning and spinning around him, like he's just a small sloop caught in a storm, like some day he'll be overcome by the vertigo and go overboard like a deckhand with three days experience on the job.

He feels oddly overwhelmed, like his own heart is a few sizes too big and is rapidly filling up with water, like every nerve ending is alive and on fire and the world is just too much -too loud, too bright, his own skin too tight.

Stede gives him a peck on the lips and Ed's knees go a little weak, his weight shifts more heavily onto Stede as his legs fail to hold him upright. Stede catches him without effort, the hand on his waist curling around his back to press him even closer. Ed feels like he can't breathe, like his entire body is overheating, like he's too full of sentiment and it's all gonna spill out of him any minute in some catastrophic way.

"Can we go back to the ship, babe?" he asks. Whatever's going on with him, he'd rather not do it in public. He feels scarily close to falling apart just from a little bit of dancing.

"Of course, love." Ed wonders if he will cry in front of all these strangers.

The trip back to the ship gives him time to settle down somewhat. Stede holds his hand all the way to the dinghy, and he only lets go so he can row them back to the Revenge. He chats the whole time as the strong muscles of his arms bring them home, and the constant sound of his voice mixed with the oars hitting the water grounds Ed back into his own body. He doesn't remember much of what Stede says afterwards, but he doesn't think Stede minds, gets the feeling that the talking was more for Ed's sake than his. He takes in deep lungfuls of ocean air once they're back on deck, the familiar salty smell cleansing his head and slowing down his heartbeat.

By the time they're back in their cabin he feels almost normal again. Almost. And then Stede cups his cheek in the palm of his hand, tangles his fingers through his hair, scratches his fingernails over his scalp, grips the back of his neck and strokes it with his thumb, and all the previous weakness rushes back into Ed's knees.

"Take me to bed, please?" he asks, voice small and coming out of him like his throat is full of glass. Are those tears running down his face? What the fuck is going on with him tonight.

Stede hugs him, just holds him tenderly in his arms for a few moments, and then he does as Ed asked and pulls him by their joined hands towards their bed.

Once he's lying down on the silky sheets, Ed feels a lot less worried about falling apart and a lot more concerned with getting his hands on Stede. He reaches for the waistband of his pants, untucks his shirt to touch hot skin, tugs on it a little impatiently and whines when it gets stuck on Stede's arms.

"Take this off." He's inordinately pissed at the fancy bit of fabric. Stede chuckles but does as he asks.

"Bit impatient today, are we?"

"Don't fucking trifle with me, Stede. I need to feel you. I'll fucking die if I don't."

"Now that would be a terrible tragedy, wouldn't it, darling? I would never deprive you like that." He just says shit like that all the time, like it's nothing, like it doesn't make Ed's brain feel like mush every time he hears it.

The sex isn't new, okay. He's had sex before in his life, as much of it as he could, actually. Sex is nice, it feels good, he likes that. But the hunger that eats at his bones every time he's near Stede like this is a complete fucking discovery. He doesn't understand exactly where it comes from, just that if he doesn't start touching him soon he will float away and disappear into the sky.

Stede discards his shirt on the floor and lifts Ed off the bed so he can take his off, as well. The leagues and leagues of their skin that are now in contact make him feel a bit less starved. He spreads his legs open to make space for Stede between them, drags his hands up and down Stede's strong back, digs his fingernails down in the way he knows Stede likes to hear him whimper.

"Hmm, always so lovely," is the response he gets. Again with the saying that shit like it's nothing.

Stede brushes his hair aside and kisses his neck, sucks tender skin between his lips and then soothes it with his tongue. Ed bites down on his shoulder with a gasp.

"You're a needy little thing tonight, aren't you?"

Ed almost cries. He wants to say yes, please, anything. He feels cracked open, made of want and need and desperate and absolutely not above begging.

"Please, please touch me, get your fucking hands on me, please."

Stede holds himself on his elbows above him, still so fucking calm and level-headed when Ed feels like his heart is a wild creature and his mind is about to run away from him, taking his sanity with it for good, bye bye.

"Anything you want, love. Especially when you ask so nicely." And there goes Ed's sanity after all.

He undoes the buttons of Ed's pants and pushes them down his hips, then sits up in bed to slide them all the way off. The drag of fabric against his skin feels so good, and his cock jumps when Stede's pants join his on the floor quickly afterwards and he's bare in front of him.

Ed's a little bit delirious by now, hard as a rock and leaking precome, and Stede's dick is so pretty, hanging heavy against his stomach, all pink and red and framed by all that curly blond hair that Ed wants to runs his hands through.

He blinks up at Stede from underneath his eyelashes, makes his eyes as wide as he can, and it works as it always does. Ed knows the power of that look, okay, and he's not ashamed to use it to his advantage. He's delighted by the results he gets when Stede braces himself above Ed and takes his cock in hand, tugs on it a couple of times, like he has all the time in the world.

"Was it the dancing, darling?" he asks. "If I'd know my skill as a dancer would work on you this well, I may have tried it sooner."

"Shut the fuck up." The absolute gall on that man. There's no bite to his words, though, even when his whole face and chest have turned red.

Stede laughs and kisses him, tightening the hand around his cock and moving it up and down in earnest now. He spreads the precome gathering on the tip over his shaft to smooth his movements, creates the most delicious friction. His hands are a blend of softness and hardening callouses, and Ed loves them so much, loves the way they feel on him and all the things they create.

He holds onto Stede like he's a life raft, hot breaths passing into his mouth and nails biting into his arms. The sensation of Stede's hand on his feverish skin is so much it's almost unbearable. He's dying for more.

He needs to touch him, needs to feel him pulse in his hand to know that this is real, that Stede is just as into this as he is, that he's not the only one who craves him so much every second of every day. So he reaches out for Stede's cock, and an odd calm settles over him when they're fully joined like this. Stede's hand on his dick, his tongue inside Ed's mouth, his cock heavy and lovely in Ed's palm. He's floating in calm waters again, safe and warm and loved.

"Hnng," is Stede's response.

Ed is infinitely pleased by the sound. He strokes him the way he knows Stede likes, fast and a little too tight, swipes his thumb over the head, fumbles for the oil on the windowsill with one hand and nearly spills the whole bottle on himself trying to open it without looking. Stede giggles and helps him pour some on their palms, and soon both of their hands are back on the other's cock, the slide smooth and absolutely divine now.

"Ah- darling, yes! Faster, please." This is what he wanted. He loves how loud Stede is during sex, how obviously and candidly into it he is. He makes love like he does everything else, all in without reservations.

And Ed knows he's not a whim to him, if he ever was. Not when Stede worships his body like this, takes care of his heart, tends to his soul. He feels dampness on his face and realizes he's still crying -Edward Teach crying during sex, what a fucking marvel. Stede kisses the tears from his cheeks, presses his lips delicately over his eyes, all while his hand is still making him see stars.

Ed rolls his hips up into Stede's fist, hooks a leg around his thigh, needy and unafraid to show it. He wants Stede to take him apart just like this, to brand his hands on Ed's skin so he knows where he belongs and he can never forget. He pulls Stede down to kiss him hungrily, all tongue and gasping breaths as he pours the desperation he feels into his mouth.

He feels his orgasm building from the roots of his hair, crashing over him like a wave in a storm. He will never drown while Stede is pressed against him like this, though, this is where he's safest. He buries a broken whine into Stede's skin as he comes, holds on for dear life as Stede keeps rocking into his hand, until he spills all over Ed's stomach with a moan of his name. Ed feels so lovely like this, covered in both of them, in the evidence of the joy and pleasure they bring each other. He wants to live in this moment forever.

Stede rests his weight more heavily onto him, and Ed feels so relaxed and secure he would never leave this bed and the embrace of Stede's arms if it was up to him.

He clings to Stede, winds every limb around him to keep him from getting up. He knows Stede will want to take care of him, clean up the sticky mess so they can get ready for sleep. "Don't go yet," he pleads.

"I'm not going anywhere, darling. Let me just-" he reaches down, plucks his shirt from the floor and wipes them both down with it as best he can. How he knew that if he went even an inch away from him Ed might shatter on the spot, he doesn't know. He understands him in ways Ed doesn't understand himself yet.

He lets Stede maneuver him around once he's thrown the shirt back onto the floor, settles contentedly on his chest and lets Stede wrap him in a soft blanket. He rests his head against Stede's heart, hair fanning all around him and tickling Stede's chin. Stede plants a kiss on his head, smooths down his hair and combs his fingers through it.

"I love you so much, Stede," he whispers it like a secret, just for Stede's ears.

"I love you, too, darling. To the moon and back."

Ed doesn't remember falling asleep.

[everywitchway]

Routines and Rituals

Though our routines are usually only jokingly referred to as "daily rituals", I see no reason we can't make the colloquialism a reality. Injecting a little magic into our consistent actions can bring a deeper connection to one's craft- and own body and lifestyle!- through mindful repetition... And possibly create other benefits through simple cause and effect... or via magical focus. Is this not using will to shape reality? ;)

Beverages and Hydration

Anything that can be safely imbibed orally can be considered a potion. Any tea? Potion. Apple Juice? Sure, it's a potion, too. A Sparkling Water Beverage? People before carbonation's invention wouldn't know what to call that but a potion of some sort. I almost tried to justify in my mind that water or juice couldn't be potions alone, but potion ingredients... But each ingredient generally does have its own property on its own, and can be used alone, can it not? Water seems, to me, to be the great carrier, and somewhat analogous to clear quartz in application.

Meals

"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day," as they say... especially if it's one of the ways you start off on a magically mindful foot.

Lunch is the mid day respite from- or peak of- our daily energy. A good energy for magical lunch is usually one of recooperation and regeneration. It may also be a time for socialization if you go to school or work, so creating communicative and relative energies may assist in comfortable interactions with others.

Snacks are little blessings to our bodies throughout the day, and can be celebrated as such with small ritual actions. From small mental notes to full gestures and prayer, quick acts of magic can boost the impact of your snacks and pick-me-ups

Dinner is (usually) the largest meal, and (usually) the time we re-center after a long day. Grounding to the home is important, and I can't think of anything better for that than a hearty meal. If living with others, this is a great time to reconnect with your housemate(s), partner(s), family member(s), pet(s) etc. Many connections have been formed around a dining table, and this has helped humanity share with and get to know each other for as long as it has been.

Dessert is a great magical option for celebration and for special occasions. It can also be a reward for oneself after accomplishing a goal, magical or otherwise. Perhaps it's an act of self care and self love, a treat to lift the spirit.

Self Care

Brushing our teeth and washing our faces are cleansing activities, I think we would all agree. Cleansing with a shower or a simple wash of the hands can be a magical action of its own when done mindfully. Hand sanitizers come in a wide variety of scents and varieties, and these can be used with common magical correspondences quickly, on the go... maybe even on a keychain or in a spray or foam form! Face washes come with different bases and organic/botanical additives, and in various strengths and applications. (Be mindful to care for your skin, and if anything feels or looks not okay, see a dermatologist.) Body washes, bubble baths, bath bombs, and more can be viewed through the lenses of correspondences, too... the applications and possibilities are endless!

Moisturizers and Lotions are great applications for spells as invisible sigils, while coming in a variety of bases and scents and sorts that can be viewed with correspondences. If you're cleansing your face, be sure to do something to moisturize it as well!

Perfumes or scented oils can be utilized magically via scent correspondences, and crystals or herbs can sometimes be inside the jar or bottle. Some are even roll-on, and can be used to draw sigils or choose specific points to apply to. Dab-on perfumes and oils and such can be used perfectly just as well.

Make up can be a perfect way to apply some variety of glamour spell, even if one does not do much. Color correspondences are great for this, and the same magical approach can be used when painting one's nails or dying one's hair. Especially effective with nails are mindful choices: shapes, sigils, patterns, accents, etc that mean something. Hair styling can also imply a lot, energetically, and impact us just as well; as a hair stylist myself, I have a lot I want to say on the subject... but this is not the time nor place. This post is already quite long.

Routine/Ritual

Anything you do regularly, big or small, can be made into a quick charm or spell with a bit of mindfulness. Walking a regular route daily can become a meditative experience with the right music and mindset... or perhaps a spell casting experience with the right incantation (internally or aloud) or charm. A regular drive can become a charging-up experience on your way to work or school with the right soundtrack and approach. Cleaning your room or taking out the trash is cleansing. You might wish to ground in the garden after dinner every night. You could do something less frequent, weekly visits to a nearby park to connect with nature... Something even less frequent, monthly outings with more purpose... Perhaps an annual big thing, if you like. The possibilities are endless.

The long and the short of it is: Anything can be made magical. Mindfulness can surround us with magic if we will it and live it. What do you already find yourself doing regularly? What don't do you do regularly that you should? Can a little magic help? If not, what blockages are you facing? It's okay to struggle, even when trying desperately to be mindful. The important thing is to start anew at every chance you can. The "I've blown it for the week/month" mindset that we(I?) get with planners or goal-work isn't an option; every day/moment is another chance to check in with ourselves, take a breath, forgive ourselves, and try again.

We all struggle, but I believe in you; thank you to anyone reading this who is still believing in me. I'm working every day to take a breath, do the same, and try again.

Love, Health, and Safety to Everyone!

EveryWitchWay (5Y2Y6Y)

[sidewalkchemistry]

💚🦋✨What You Really Need on Your Wellness Journey (Your Starter Kit for Holistic Leveling Up)✨🦋💚

see: How to Begin Your Holistic Leveling Up Journey?

herbal teas you enjoy for tea time rituals

a space outdoors to connect to the elements

a willingness to cultivate a pure heart

clean hygiene & beauty products (switch over to items with little to no synthetic ingredients to avoid compromising your health, eg. clay masks, organic tooth powders, organic body butters, high quality essential oils)

solid morning & nighttime practices focused on shielding and cleansing your energy

a desire for peace (not drama or turbulence)

a copy of The Mucusless Diet Healing System by Prof. Arnold Ehret (the edition annotated, revised, and edited by Prof. Spira is highly recommended. It will provide a good basis of understanding of your internal health. Just approach the book with an open mind)

a deeply curious mind

a kitchen continually filled with fresh fruits and veggies (they have a unique ability in keeping us connected with our higher self. get hold of the best quality you can. if that's organic homegrown heirloom produce, that's great. if you have to have some canned or jarred produce from time to time, that's miles better than junk food. try to find options with little to minimal preservatives)

a true friendship with yourself

a journal, colorful writing instruments, and other crafty tools (journaling is a means to connect to your higher self)

an absence of fake friends (it's an uphill struggle to learn to love yourself in the presence of people like this)

a playlist that genuinely recenters and uplifts you

flower essences, garden plants, indoor plants, or other means to connect to plants for assistance in clearing traumas

inner work practices (inner child work, shadow work, emotional healing, archetype work, dream work, etc) which resonate with you and catalyze your character growth

a lifestyle in harmony with the seasons

disconnection from the 'rat race' mindset for a fearless & heart-centered mindset

a desire to be no one but your true self...not someone you saw online. Your. True. Self. Otherwise, the whole world will miss out on whoever that is. And I promise you, that's a grand beauty the world will be lacking.

[ziggysarcana]

Walking through the picturesque streets of Cardinal Hill, you find Joel Cassius Durant, the 29 year old Bazaar Exchange pawn shop owner and shopkeeper originally from Cardinal Hill, Washington. Living alongside them in such a small town, you know that they're strategic, eccentric and self-sabotaging, but what you might not know is that they are a witch, and that they’re hiding something… ― LaKeith Stanfield, bisexual, gender fluid, and he/they.

Name: Joel "Cash" Cassius Durant (Joe-el)

Alias: Cash, Jo, El

Gender/Pronouns: Genderfluid , He/They

Age: 29

Birthdate: 07/20/1963

Big Three: Leo, Virgo, Libra

Occupation: Bazaar Exchange pawn shop owner and shopkeeper

Height: 6'0"

Hometown: Cardinal Hill, Washington

Family: Imani Durant (mother), Cassius Morrison (father), Micah Durant (brother), Goldie Green (maternal cousin)

Friends: Lorelei Bauer (ritualove)

Relationship Status: single

Sexuality: pansexual

Other Relationships:

Character Inspiration: Kendall Roy - Succession, Ambrose Spellman - Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Ryuk - Death Note, Jordan Belfort, Jack Kelly - Newsies, Data - Star Trek TNG

Joel Cassius Durant was born at the stroke of the afternoon, in the quiet town of Cardinal Hill, Washington. The circumstances were unconventional even from the start. His mother Imani and his father Cassius were never married. In fact, their relationship had resembled a lightbulb. One that grows bright and brighter until it quickly fizzles out. Imani, a witch with a deep rooted connection to the natural world and a long lineage of witches; was a free spirit who felt confined by society's expectations but did her best to raise Joel. Cassius was a wandering soul, searching for his place in a world where he felt that he had never belonged. Imani raised him on her own for the most part, save for the help she would receive from her mother, her sister and her brother in law. She is a fiercely independent woman who weaved her craft with a regular lifestyle, what she thought was best for her sons. She was often misunderstood by the humans around her. To everyone else, she was an eccentric recluse who dabbled in the occult. She could often be seen walking around with not so much as a sock covering her feet, having conversations with plants or sending her sons to school with strange smelling teas. To Joel, she was just mom. An enigmatic and powerful woman who instilled within him a deep respect for the world. She was also the owner of a cozy pawn shop on the edge of town -- selling, buying and trading all kinds of wares, magical and normal items alike.

He grew up feeling as if magic was as natural as taking a breath, or the way blood pumps without you having to will it to do so. But he leaned, with haste, that the world wasn't always as it seemed. His mother taught him from a young age to listen, carefully, to the indiscernible vibrations of this dimension and others. To decipher the signs it gave. Imani never hid her witchcraft from him. She had him around all the time so this meant he was able to watch in on rituals and spellwork. Joel particularly enjoyed watching her heal others. One thing she wanted her children to know, and they do; magic is not only a gift but it's a responsibility. Imani often said "what you take from the world, you must always give back". A philosophy that has stuck with him his entire life.

His father on the other hand, was a presence in his life but he learned that he wasn't a permanent one. He would drift in and out of Cardinal Hill, sometimes offering only brief moments. Despite all of this, Joel knew that his father loved him. He never doubted it. Some of his best memories happened during the stints that lasted months. He inherited from him a restless energy. One that had led him to dream of something more. Something more than a small town. Often times Joel would dream of joining his father on his travels, perhaps to a far away country. Somewhere new to feel the energy of, maybe bring back his mother some cool tchotchkes for the shop.

As a child, his parentage made the brothers stand out like a sore thumb. Joel was often bullied by his classmates for being an odd and quiet little boy. Kids would whisper, call him names or tease him. Especially when he tried to share with the other kids the things his mother had taught him. His brother Micah was always there for him, telling off the other kids if he ever saw this. But as he grew older, in his teen years; something shifted. Joel grew taller, more handsome and undeniably charming. People started to actually warm up to him and he wasn't just the weird kid anymore. He was just the guy with the sweet smile and the quick wit. He remained reserved though, skeptical of others. And Joel didn't really belong to anyone, not like everyone else seemed to. He was still, underneath it all, the kid who felt like he didn't fit the mold of society's expectations. People started liking him, sure -- but he never truly opened up to many. Stuck with the thought that no matter how accepted he was, no one would ever truly understand them.

By the time he had turned 18 he had such a desire to break free from Cardinal Hill and explore the world beyond. Joel had leaned everything his mother could ever teach about magic and about Washington, but he wanted to explore beyond that. He had a deep respect for everything she had given him, his skills and the shop but he could never really envision himself taking on the life that Imani wanted for him. Her world was one of isolation and intrsopection, but he didn't want that to be the all encompassing theme of his life. Spellwork and the shop. God! It made him sick to think about. He wanted, nay, needed to see the city lights and feel the pulse of the world under his fingertips. Where people chased their dreams and didn't give a damn what got in their way. He needed that. So when he was 19, he finally said goodbye and moved to the big city. New York City, of course. Where he arrived with a backpack and eyes full of wonder. Imani supported her son's dreams, as much as she could. She tried to see it as a pit stop in his bigger journey. A journey that would hopefully lead back home. Before Joel left, she gave him a warning: "If you give the city an inch, they will take a mile. Be careful what you trade for your dream."

Joel's life when he first arrived in New York was, for the lack of a better word, good. Better than someone would expect for coming to a big city with no job or somewhere to sleep. It was exhilarating but it was a hustle. He worked a number of odd job's in the beginning to get by. Delivery boy for a local florist, waitstaff for a catering company, and cleaning Wall Street toilets. They never quite settled into one thing, trying to do as much as he could and as efficiently as he could. Always moving, always doing better. There was no way he was going to let his mother and his brother down. And besides, this pace suited him. He reveled in everything about the city -- the nightlife, the food, the people! Joel wanted to devour this city, make it his own. It was during this time that a new friend had shown him the world of back door betting and card games. This was a world that dangled everything he ever wanted in front of his nose; it's saccharine scent lingering in his nostrils for too long for him to ignore. Wealth, freedom, power. Joel quickly moved into these circles -- his charismatic personality enabling him to gain this access.

Bets were made here by the flick of the wrist and games stretched late into the night. Reputations built and shattered simultaneously. With a single hand of cards. It didn't take long for him to become a regular. He gained a bit of a reputation for being an incredibly lucky high takes gambler; or perhaps, he just was that good. Charm, wit and his intuition helped push him to places he could only dream. He found himself rolling in cash. But the higher you climb, the higher the stakes. The line between reward and ruin was thinner than the threads of the universe itself. For a while, he was the man on top -- he had everything he ever wanted. But Joel learned the hard way that if you play with fire long enough, you'll eventually get burned.

When Joel was 27 he found himself at the proverbial rock bottom. His luck had ran dry. He found himself in a situation that gave him no way out. He made the hardest decision of his life and returned home to Cardinal Hill with his tail between his legs. Even though his relationship with his mother was complicated, she welcomed him back home with open arms. As all mothers do. Joel never spoke about what happened and she never pushed him to open up; afraid he might break. Imani offered him the old pawn shop, hoping it would give him a sense of purpose, and to be honest, she was getting too old to run it all by herself. It wasn't the life he had envisiioned for himself but it was a chance to rebuild his life. To gain some normalcy and security. Not wanting to be 'the guy who lives with his mom', he moved in with his brother for a year until he saved up enough to get a trailer in the local park. One he's very proud of.

Now at 29, he is proud to run the cozy and magical Bazaar Exchange. It has it's own peculiar mystique; a place where memories seemed to linger and lost things found their home.

He is more guarded than he used to be and much more introspective. More wise now than ambitious. Joel mostly keeps his personal life to himself, hiding his past with a wry smile. Cardinal Hill, a place where he used to feel trapped, has turned into somewhat of a refuge for him. Keeping the danger at more than an arms length. Though most don't know the full extent of his daunting past, it continues to haunt him. He's not just an eccentric shopkeeper or a talented witch -- he's a man who has seen the true underbelly of the world and felt the crushing weight of failure. Even crawled through that weight with his sanity mostly in tact. His magic remains quieter than his mothers, but all the resident's of Cardinal Hill know they can come to him for help with magic. Like a well of ancient knowledge.

Additional Information/Headcannons

His name is pronounced 'Joe-el', not 'Jol'. If you mispronounce it on accident he will politely correct you but if you think it's funny to do it on purpose, he won't even respond. He's known to say 'on Christmas, do you sing 'Nol! Nol! Nol!' no? it's Joel, like Noel, get it right!'

Joel is very superstitious. Especially when it comes to numbers. 7 is his lucky number, and he always looks for it in everything; even better if it's in a succession of 3.

He likes to convince people that he has a keen ability to find lost things, but really it's because he calls on Saint Anthony for help. The holy saint of all lost things.

Joel can't stand formalities or small talk. He's always been a rebel when it comes to societies expectations and rules.

Despite this, ironically, he is always on time. If he's late, then it's time to worry about where he is. It just drives him crazy to be late to anything, never wanting to run behind schedule.

He wears one of his father's old watches, at all times. Except for when he's in the shower.

Joel is obsessed with the moon and has an unexplainable connection to it. He has a large collection of moon themed trinkets; pendants, decor and sketches.

Wanted Connections:

ex lovers: someone from New York or Cardinal Hill, this can range from casual flings to high school sweethearts.

friends: drinking buddies, witchy friends, friends to play soccer with or parlay, or just regular pals

shop regulars and newcomers: customers who haggle successfully or unsuccessfully, fresh faces, anything in between.

spellwork clients: anyone struggling with spell casting or divination may come to him and ask for help. Joel is happy to give it.

feel free to approach me with any ideas you may have !

[themagikmirror]

Spirituality often over promotes 👑 the crown/third eye 👁️ spaces without talking about the importance of grounding & working with the lower chakras/the physical realm. Make sure you have BALANCE!

❗️All the answers are not in your head orrr on your phone❗️

Someone commented on TikTok asking me to list the first 3 Steps toward getting grounded. Here's a concept :

Reclaiming Reality

Many times we tap out of our center, disconnect from our roots and disassociate from reality without even knowing it. We lose ground, so we have to RECLAIM our REALITY. This is a practice that can be implemented to maintain an inner knowing of what's real and true, create a space for restoration, nourishment and balance no matter what's going on in the external. There are so many ways to do this, but the first 3 Steps to creating a grounding practice & reclaiming your reality I would recommend are :

GETTING OFF THAT FUCKING PHONE

lmaooooo I know we hate to see it but, its just what your ancestors have been trying to tell you for so long. It's what my ancestors tell me too. It's what our souls need.

"You don't need a timeline cleanse, you need to actually stop looking at your timeline. You don't need to go LIVE, you need to go live." - The Magik Mirror

By starring at screens all day, what we're actually doing is focusing on someone/something external that ultimately has little to do with our own reality. We give our energy, power & focus away for free when we could be doing much more intentional things. Yeah babe, I know you get inspired by what you see. I know you get motivated. I know you wanna see the latest tea. But getting off our phones and more importantly logging off social medias will solve about 50% of the lack of ground you may experience in this present day & age. Getting of your phone will also help you reclaim your reality because you will be focused on what/who is directly around you. The things that you're unsatisfied with you will begin to think about how to change it vs. living vicariously through influencers and people promoting whatever trendy lifestyle is viral across social media. You will experience a boost in creativity because you won't be hyper-focused on what people are promoting you to do/be/sell/buy. You will become more authentic. You will reclaim your imagination, your third eye, your crown, your headspace. You will hear your intuition more clearly. And soon your life will be filled with things that don't require you to really use your phone so much unless you choose to...

2. Schedule something(s) repetitive (daily/weekly/monthly)

One of the toughest things I've faced during and post pandemic (if we truly can even say we're post pandemic) is the challenges of being unemployed. The most valuable lesson I've learned from being unemployed for a collective period of 2 years : A routine or schedule is essential, but even more, having rituals that are unrelated to work or hardcore productivity is key! We don't just need a work schedule. We need a self care routine, creative routine, workout routine, spiritual routine, time cut out for loved ones and socializing. It's not about being a control freak and planning every moment of your days. In fact, you have the power to cancel your own plans and say "I'm not feeling that today", but at the least, having a schedule of events that produce joy and a multitude of other experiences can help with grounding and reclaiming your life and reality. When I didn't have a full time job taking a chunk of my day, I had no clue what to do with myself 10+ hours daily. This added to my growing anxiety, depression, grief and more. In the time I was unemployed I would drown myself in meditation, self improvement activities & spiritual work like journaling, reading, learning,etc. to help me control the spiral I was on, but I realized being in my head so much was actually contributing to my lack of ground. There's nothing wrong with meditation, self improvement activities & spiritual work. However, there should be proper time, space & balance as stated prior. Sometimes the meditation/self improvement/healing and spiritual gems are in the application or getting back out there. It's in that daily walk/run, cooking, spending time with people, visiting shops, treating yourself to cosmetics and grooming, seeing a movie, listening to music, challenging yourself to try new things on a regular basis, dedicating yourself to a schedule that helps you create a life you can enjoy RIGHT NOW! I challenge you to pencil activities you both NEED & WISH to do into your daily life and watch how the magic of scheduling and ritual creation changes your life, pumps power back into your being and helps you to be grounded & balanced.

3. Spending More Time Alone

Sometimes you're not grounded, your reality is warped & you've disassociated from your truth because you're no longer centered. You can't think of the last time you took a full day to yourself. You may always be surrounded by people from work, to family, friends & associates of these different communities. You also may share your living space. At times it can feel like it's impossible to be alone. That is until you start doing it. You don't have to take a 5 Star vacation to get the quality alone time you need. You just have to create space and set boundaries with yourself. What will that alone time look like, feel like, smell like, sound like, what will it be filled with? Is it simply uninterrupted rest? You will have to first carve out time to see what alone time calls from you. Sometimes alone time is at the gym. Sometimes its in a creative spell. When we are alone we can regulate, unclog, unstimulate, gain clarity and more. An overstimulated, busy body is not grounded. Find your center.

Follow me on TikTok + Facebook to see video content there first! 🪞✨Remember Spiritual sessions & courses are available for booking with me through facebook or dm

[mrzeecon]

My Hardcore Addiction to Chai

There’s a running joke among my friends and family that my blood is probably 50% chai by now. And honestly, they might not be wrong. My love affair with chai isn’t new, but ever since I embarked on my career as a marketer, it’s become a full-blown addiction. I’ve tried to cut back, really, I have. But let’s be real: when life gives you stress, deadlines, and back-to-back meetings, you make chai. Lots and lots of chai.

The Origins of My Chai Love Affair

Chai and I go way back. Growing up, the smell of freshly brewed tea leaves mixed with spices like cardamom, ginger, and cloves was a staple in my household. It was more than just a drink; it was a ritual. Mornings started with a cup of steaming hot chai, and evenings wound down with the same comforting brew. It was a family tradition, a sign of comfort and home.

But what was once a casual love affair has intensified into something more serious since I took up the fast-paced life of a marketer.

Marketing: A Career Fueled by Caffeine

Marketing isn’t just a job; it’s a lifestyle. The constant brainstorming sessions, the pressure of coming up with the next big idea, and the never-ending to-do lists can be exhausting. And what’s the one thing that seems to make everything better, clearer, and more manageable? You guessed it: chai.

For every campaign launch, there’s a cup of chai. For every client pitch, another one. Every time I need to focus on creating a new strategy or pulling off a successful social media plan, I find myself reaching for that comforting cup. It’s almost like my creativity flows better with every sip. Or at least that’s what I tell myself.

Attempts to Break Free

I know what you’re thinking: “Why not just cut back?” Trust me, I’ve tried. I’ve tried switching to green tea, convincing myself that it’s just as energizing (it’s not). I’ve tried drinking more water, hoping it would fill the chai-shaped void in my heart (it didn’t). I’ve even gone cold turkey, which resulted in a grumpy, caffeine-deprived version of myself that no one wanted to be around.

But here’s the thing: chai isn’t just about caffeine for me. It’s a moment of calm in the storm, a warm hug in a cup, a few minutes of peace amid the chaos of a busy day. It’s the one constant I can count on when everything else is swirling around me at a million miles an hour.

Embracing the Addiction

So, I’ve made peace with my chai addiction—for now. I figure if I’m going to be hooked on something, it might as well be something that brings me so much joy. Until I find a permanent solution (or until a miracle chai substitute is invented), I’m going to enjoy every single cup.

Maybe one day, I’ll find a way to cut back. Maybe I’ll discover some new miracle drink that gives me the same sense of comfort and clarity. But until then, you’ll find me with a cup of chai in my hand, ready to tackle whatever the marketing world throws at me next. And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

After all, life is too short to deny yourself the simple pleasures. And for me, that pleasure just happens to be a perfectly brewed cup of chai. So here’s to embracing our addictions—at least the harmless ones—and enjoying every moment of it.

Cheers to chai, the unsung hero of my marketing journey. 🫖

[fangirl-on-fire3]

My WIPS!

Taking my bestie @rattle-em-spooky-jones‘s idea and making a list of all my WIPs!

Feel free to send an ask if you’d like to know more about any of the fics ^.^

My Hero Academia:

1. Teeth

This fic is an accompaniment to one of my previous fics, ‘Lifeline’. It’s about Izuku and his deteriorating mental state after the war, as well as his extreme protectiveness over Katsuki because of what they went through together.

2. Love Mix-Up Gone Wrong (Not Clickbait!)

This is a Kieta Hatsukoi AU - essentially, Mina writes Katsuki’s name on Izuku’s eraser (considered a good luck charm to make your crush like you in Japan) and drops it in front of him, hoping Katsuki will realize Izuku has a crush on him. However, Shouto picks up the eraser and assumes Katsuki wants to fight him. Shenanigans ensue.

3. Steampunk [Not Titled]

A steampunk AU in which Izuku is a sheltered pianist and Katsuki is a mechanic, set to the backdrop of a war.

4. Assassination Classroom

Class 1A plays a game of Assassin, where they are given a ball with their victim’s name written on it and must ‘kill’ that person by hitting a receiver stuck to their body with the ball. The game lasts for more than a week and gets increasingly chaotic.

5. Hiking [Not Titled]

Izuku, Katsuki, Kirishima and Kaminari go hiking together. It’s a paraquel to ‘Assassination Classroom’ but works as a standalone.

6. Fantasy [Not Titled]

A fantasy AU in which Katsuki is the Dragon King and Izuku is an adventurer. They keep meeting over the years but never get together officially because they both care about their lifestyles too much to change.

7. Bakugo Dead [Not Titled]

Izuku starts hallucinating Katsuki’s presence after Katsuki has died during the war. Major angst.

8. Foundations of Decay

An intricate multi-chapter Bioshock AU. Shouto is going through the main storyline of Bioshock, with Dabi taking Atlas’ role, while Katsuki is scavenging for survival in the underwater city of Rapture. Izuku is a splicer, Eri is a Little Sister that Katsuki has unofficially adopted, Iida is the police chief, and Uraraka is the head of a crime smuggling ring.

Each character has an important role in the storyline and the chapters will be from different viewpoints.

9. Callsign Deku

A Top Gun AU, where Izuku works his way up through the Flight Academy U.A. to become the greatest pilot. He and Katsuki are rivals, and later friends with benefits. Of course, it gets complicated.

10. War of the Roses (Posted, completed)

Izuku and Katsuki are getting a divorce after over 15 years of marriage and two kids. They start acting extremely petty towards each other, escalating from social media feuds to prank wars.

11. Earth and Fire [Not Titled]

A sequel to my fic ‘Firelight’. In a fantasy setting where elemental magic exists, Izuku and Katsuki are courting each other. It follows them through different courtship rituals and traditions.

12. Break-up [Not Titled]

Izuku realizes that he and Katsuki will only hold each other back after graduation, so he suggests they break up. Katsuki counters him with a suggestion that they break up if they truly want to by then, so they proceed to attempt to annoy each other enough that they’ll break up with them.

13. Shipwrecked

Izuku, Katsuki, and Shouto end up shipwrecked on an island together.

14. midnight [Not Titled]

Katsuki starts feeling really anxious during the night, so Izuku makes him tea and comforts him.

15. turn back time (Posted, Completed)

Izuku gets hit by a quirk and swaps places with his future self, so Middle School Izuku is sent to the future to meet Pro Hero Katsuki.

16. Take a Break

A Hamilton AU where Izuku (taking Hamilton’s role) is married to Melissa, but he’s really in love with her brother, Katsuki.

17. How to Train Your Dragon [Not Titled]

A HTTYD AU with dragon racing instead of fighting. Izuku wants to become a dragon racer, but is so physically weak that he keeps losing on even the easier tracks. Eventually, he discovers a Night Fury (a dragon only All Might has been able to tame) and starts training to be strong enough to win races. Katsuki, who is essentially Astrid, resents him at first, but then agrees to helps him.

18. Hotel Transylvania [Not Titled]

A Hotel Transylvania AU where Izuku is Jonathan and Shouto is Mavis. Endeavor is Dracula and doesn’t want a human to date his son (though Shouto couldn’t care less about his father’s opinion) while Katsuki is a werewolf and absolutely done with everyone. Izuku and Shouto keep trying to date each other, but all their attempts to spend time alone are thwarted.

Welcome To Night Vale:

Sick [Not Titled]

Esteban has a fever. Cecil and Carlos take care of him.

2. Starfall

Stars start falling from the sky. Carlos investigates. Cecil reports. It’s interspersed with radio segments from Cecil’s show.

Attack on Titan:

where the spirit meets the bones

A The Summer Hikaru Died AU where Armin is Yoshiki and Eren is Hikaru, who disappeared to the mountains and came back looking the same but acting entirely different. Very surreal. Angst.

2. sepulcher [Not Titled]

So far this is a paragraph where Armin has a dream in which he’s locked in a sepulcher with Eren, ‘Annabel Lee’ style.

3. pomegranate [Not Titled]

Eren speculates upon his relationship with Armin and the effect that he has on his best friend. Focuses on the changes in their relationship after they discover Marley.

Miscellaneous:

fake dating [Not Titled]

A Daredevil/Marvel fic. Matt and Foggy send out fake wedding invitations to billionaires, hoping for free wedding gifts, but Tony declares that he wants to plan their wedding. They decide to go through with it to save face, but with everything from cake tasting to engagement parties, it’s a much more elaborate lie than they thought. Very chaotic.

2. tattoine [Not Titled]

Star Wars. Han and Luke are on a mission in Tatooine when they get caught in a sandstorm and have to take shelter in an old house. I went back and forth on including smut in this, but I do have an extract written where Han and Luke argue over who tops. Still, it’s yet to be decided.

3. Biohazards, Ballistics, and Global Political Tension: An investigation into the impact of bio-organic weapons on modern society (Posted, but still updating)

Collab with @rattle-em-spooky-jones ! A collection of accounts about different events in the Resident Evil universe in the format of a draft of a PhD report. 

4. Jujutsu Textin’ (Posted, but still updating)

Another collab with @rattle-em-spooky-jones featuring the characters of JJK as college students interacting on Twitter.

And I think that’s all of them for now! I will be updating this list as I come up with more :D

[blurbry]

Rambles

Rambling Day 1:    AO3 WARNING!!!! LONG POST AHEAD!            FIRST BULLET POINT!: I have a Pseud now. For when I have the feeling or need to write *EHEM* fics. However I Most likely won’t go into too much detail as said things actually make me flushed sometimes.(While I’m Not repulsed or uncomfortable talking about it or writing about it, I just thought I’d touch on the fact that I’m still experimenting with sexuality and am not too sure if I’m actually asexual or not.) A small warning, It may contain oc x character shippings, not just head-cannoned shippings.  I will most likely not post them Publicly as most of them would be physically for me to reread and improve my writing skills, rather than to cause discourse with one who may be Uncomfortably settled with such a subject.  Even if I do Post them Publicly on tumblr, They’ll be tagged Respectively and placed on a Main blog and art blog separate blog. still so the tag can be blocked and ignored. Tumblr added nsfw Content filters for the reasons sole for you to be able to browse your content without being hit in the face with a discomforting subject.   SECOND BULLET POINT!: I’m rewriting all my old fics.  Those of you who followed my AO3, whether you ended up there through lost in dysphoria, or perhaps you were there from my very first fic Broken Glass Shattered Spirits, You’ll notice they’ve all been deleted (except for the ones I’m particularly proud of.) This is because I’m freshly applying a new coat of paint!!  Rather than a baby tiny 1000 word fic, There will be more words, more filler text to make it more interesting. More Development in situations rather than a Rushed feeling of Needing to get this out. While doin so will take me a few months, due to having the most ADHD brain in my family, I assure you when a project has been begun it hasn’t been forgotten, it’s just been pressed aside for a later date. All I ask is Im not rushed or demanded to write faster, because that’s what leads to my sloppy 1000 word writing. Schedule for writings:    Begin Lost Family Au Writing and Master Explanation. Lost Family: An Au I Made which is a Link Separate Au. All the links have tragic Life stories about Siblings or parents or how their lifestyles effect them, Leading up to the events of the Four swords being pulled, and the four meeting each other. IN this AU, the swords are four elemental blades locked deep within Temple systems, that each of the four are called to pull when the time is right.  Begin Raptured Hyrule: Raptured Hyrule is another AU I began working on in 2021 with my friends, and finally decided to publicize in 2022. This AU is if darkness was never fended, and in a way, if Zelda was corrupted by dark cloud rather than killed. It’s very angsty........     Rewrite dancing in the starlight(bluexErune) so its less short and develops more to the relationships. Dancing Scene will still apply.     Rewrite Bluebird(Blue x Vio) Blue at war, Vio is a damsel in distress waiting for him to come home, only having letters and little embroideries and crochet projects to litter the house with.     Rewrite Broken Glass Shattered spirit.(Vidow) Vio is ignoring Shadow for deep studies, Shadow goes off to find something interesting to do and has a run in with a few threatening old friends. Rewrite Angels Flying High, Originally this fic was a RedxShadow Pure angst where Red Died, and Shadow destroyed the mirror a second time just so he could get that final ounce of happiness with him. However, I’m going to change its full aspect and Make it Angel!Red Au. It will still be Shadow x Red. Rewrite Sunsets and Lavender tea (Blue x Shadow) Poor Blue is suffering nightmarish trauma from being frozen alive and Shadow is there to help *cool~* his spirits (I’ll go back in the bad berry corner again) Rewrite Darkness Within: Green/Red Corruptive AU. At a last ditch effort to save the dying light that Red brought to the world, Green performs a dangerous and irrational ritual which results in Red becoming a creature of darkness. At first Red is weary, and its oh so torturous trying to tango with such a creature when He can only come out during the hours that one needs to sleep, but its so worth it when people suddenly become less afraid of Shadow because of Red’s doings. (Look lorulians can be nice people too, don’t fight me ) Rewrite: Everything is okay (Vidow Angst) Vio sustains injuries on the battle field by a mob of Moblins, Blue took his eyes of his back for only a second, only to turn and watch him be run through with a lizzal spear. Blue has a panic attack, He promised Shadow he’d make sure vio came home unharmed.. Vio almost dies, but miraculously was saved by a fairy and a very, Very upset travelling shadow.  These will not be redone in the exact ordering of this post.    

[hakodate-division]

"Peace of mind is the meaning of life."

Introduction

Kotan Anchikar is the leader of the Hakodate rap battle team, Kuma no ie. He is known by his MC name, Kamuy. The newly-appointed chieftain of the Ainu people after his father sadly passed, this young man has very large shoes to fill as he tries to lead his people the right way in a world that is ever-changing. With Chuohku exerting their influence over all parts of Japan, can he and his tribe continue to maintain their way of life in this constantly shifting landscape?

As a member of the Ainu people of Hokkaido, Kotan has sunbaked skin, which is ironic considering his people thrive in cold climates. He has black eyes that are very keen and perceptive. Underneath his eyes are red lines that symbolize his heritage. He has black hair that is tied in a short ponytail that goes down past his neck, stopping at the top of his back. He doesn't have noticeable muscles but is in shape due to his lifestyle.

He dresses rather formally, as depicted by his attire, which is due to his job as the chieftain of his tribe. He dresses in the Kinagashi style, wearing a light blue haori with an olive-colored nagagi underneath. His nagagi is fastened with two haori himo. He wears tabi socks and a pair of zōri over them. On the back of his haori, there is an imprint of a bear's face. Finally, he has a charm earring in his right ear.

Name Meaning

Kotan (古潭) - means 'owl god' and has the numerology number seven.

Anchikar (アンチカル) - means 'evening', is one of the famous last names used by the indigenous people in the Ainu culture.

Aliases

Chieftain

His father's son

Big Brother/Onii-Chan: His younger sisters

Biographical Info

Gender - Male

Age - 26

Birthday - November 27th

Ethnicity - Ainu

Hair Color - Jet Black

Eye Color - Black

Height - 178 cm/5'10"

Weight - 71 kg/156 lb.

Star Sign - Sagittarius

Piercings - Charm earring in his right ear

Markings - Two matching red lines under both his eyes. Plus, faded scars on his arms and legs.

Family

Mother (Deceased)

Father (Deceased)

Younger Sisters

Grandmother

Voiced By - OZworld (Rapping)

Fun Facts

MC Name - Kamuy

Occupation - Chieftain/Spokesperson of the Ainu People

Division - Hakodate

Team - Kuma no ie

Position - Leader

Favorite Food - Cep Ohaw

Least Favorite Food - Sea Lion

Likes - His heritage, his way of life, his younger sisters, bears, snow, his people, hot tea, hunting, mountains, skiing, rituals, festivals

Dislikes - Poachers, people who insult his way of life or heritage, people who insult or hurt bears, hot days, his sisters teasing him, people comparing him to his father

Hypnosis Microphone

Kotan's Microphone is a ribbon mic on a stand. Both the mic and the stand are made entirely out of wood. The stand is based off the inau sticks that the Ainu people use during rituals. The stand is also decorated with yellow feathers.

His Speaker takes the form of a spectral bear that stands up on its hind legs. In its paws, it is holding onto a speaker.

His rap ability, Blessings of Kim-un-kamuy, allows Kotan's speaker to fuse with him, drastically improving his attack, defense, and stamina. It also makes him immune to any negative effects the enemy may use on him. The downside is that he can only stay like this for up to three minutes. If he and his team haven't won the battle by then, he is automatically eliminated.

Kotan's rap themes are centered around the Ainu people and his way of life. He often raps about how the world is evolving or changing too quickly and that people need to slow down and enjoy life as it comes. He also raps about the struggles and rewards of responsibility, and about his love for his family and friends.

Personality

A humble and somewhat soft-spoken young man, Kotan is not exactly what one would expect as the chieftain of his tribe. He often appears to be meek, innocent, kind, moderate, and nice in contrast to many other people in Japan. A pacifist by nature, he dislikes violence and arguments, often seeking other methods of trying to resolve a conflict. His father, who was a skilled talker, always instructed him to never resort to violence, unless it is a last and final resort. And maybe not even then.

That's not to say that Kotan will not defend himself or his people if needed. Despite disliking violence or arguments, he will gladly fight to protect his home, his family, his tribe, and his way of life. He does not suffer insults or being mocked gladly, and won't stand by while someone degrades him or his people. He also will not tolerate poachers preying on the animals. If they are hunting for food, then that is one thing. But he won't tolerate or forgive people who kill animals for sport or, worse yet, for fun. However, he will not reciprocate and kill them as it is his principle to never take a human life.

As stated, Kotan deeply respects the Ainu culture. The Ainu revere nature and consider animals godlike beings kamuy, so he always honors his prey and everything he uses as gifts from the kamuy. Because of his love for people's way of life, he often struggles with new-world ideas or things that conflict with the Ainu way of life. However, he knows that the world is constantly changing and evolving, and he is not so foolish as to believe that he and his people will outlive the rest of the world. This makes sticking to his ways all the more difficult. He often wishes there was a way for him to preserve his people's independence and a way to ensure that the Ainu will never be forgotten or erased.

As the current chieftain of his tribe, Kotan often feels the pressures of his position. Though he is dedicated to leading his people, he often suffers from self-doubt and stress due to his bad habit of trying to handle everything by himself, or by trying to appear fine when he really isn't. He wants to be a great leader like his father and often finds himself comparing himself to the former chieftain, which only helps to stress him more. It often takes his grandmother lecturing and chastising him to bring him back to his senses. She frequently chides him to 'stop being someone that he is not, and just be himself.'

Though he often appears cold and withdrawn, around those he is comfortable with, Kotan is very jovial. He loves his younger sisters very much but wishes they wouldn't tease him so much. And he always looks to his grandmother for some sort of wisdom or guidance. He is good friends with his family friend, Ted Bridges, and has a good relationship with Kokomi, who taught him how to ski, which helps him with hunting. Though he is cautious around outsiders, after warming up to them, he is a good friend to have.

Background

*Coming soon*

Trivia

His sisters frequently tease him about the fact that he hasn't shown interest in a girl before.

When he is stressed, he'll often disappear from the village for a time to walk through the mountains and forests to calm himself.

He owns a wolf and a hawk, both of which help him to hunt.

The land that he and his people live on was given to them by the former Japanese government.

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10 Cultural Festivals to Experience near Lataguri

Lataguri is a small village located in the Jalpaiguri district of North Bengal. The region is known for its rich and diverse culture inhabited by many communities including Mech, Rava, Limbo, Raj Bangshi, Santhals etc. These influences are reflected in their daily lifestyle including folklore, festivals and cuisines. During the festive season, various cultural dances and tribal performances are organized as well.

For accommodation, you can book a resort in Lataguri. While staying at a resort you can communicate with the staff and know more about their festive season. By attending a cultural festival you can learn about their traditions, and religious beliefs and shop locally made handicraft items. So let’s discuss some of the festivals celebrated in the region.

10 cultural festivals of Lataguri:

Durga Puja:

The Durga Puja is one of the major festivals celebrated not only in Lataguri but all over the West Bengal region. Celebrated in October this festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga. As per Hindu mythology, this festival highlights the victory of good over evil. This festival symbolizes the strength, courage and power of women. In Lataguri, this festival is celebrated by organizing fairs, pandals, and cultural performances and the area is decorated with lights.  

Kali Puja:

Another festival celebrated in Lataguri is Kali Puja. The festival celebrated in the month of October-November is dedicated to Goddess Kali. In Lataguri this festival is celebrated with prayers, and offerings and people decorate their homes with beautiful lights, diyas candles and rangolis. According to the Hindu scriptures, this festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. Fireworks can be witnessed everywhere which adds to the beauty of the region.

Ganesh Puja:

Ganesh Chaturthi is a 10-day festival celebrated in the month of August in Lataguri. During this festival, people bring the idol of lord Ganesha to their homes and worship it by offering flowers and sweets. People seek blessing from lord Ganesha to achieve success, wisdom and togetherness. During this time you can also see various pandals with dance and other cultural performances.  

Tea garden festival:

The Lataguri region is known for its tea gardens. The tea garden festival is celebrated in the month of January. This festival highlights the region’s tea culture and provides a unique experience to the visitors. A goddess is worshipped during this festival and according to a folk legend she is the goddess of the tea tribes known for her sacrifice, love and kindness. To experience these festivals you can stay at the best resort in Lataguri.  

Makar Sankranti:

This festival is celebrated in January in the Lataguri region. According to the Hindu tradition, this is an auspicious time which marks the transition of the sun's journey from the southern to the northern hemisphere. According to Hindu mythology, this festival is dedicated to Hindu god Surya. This festival marks the end of the dry winter season and the beginning of the harvesting season. The festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and marks the end of negativity. The people celebrate this festival by taking a holy bath and offering water, sesame and prayer to the sun for prosperity. Also, there is a tradition of flying kites which inspires people to soar high in life despite negativity.     

Saraswati Puja:

Saraswati Puja is celebrated in the month of February marking the arrival of spring. This festival is celebrated to worship the Hindu goddess Saraswati, also known as the goddess of knowledge. In Hindu tradition, the devotees place books and musical instruments near the idol. The people also perform rituals, including lighting a diya, offering sweets, and flowers and organising cultural programs. This festival symbolizes seeking blessings from the goddess so they can achieve success in academics and music.     

Holi:

Holi is one of the most popular Hindu festivals which is celebrated not only in Lataguri but all over the Indian subcontinent. Celebrated in March this two-day festival marks the end of winter and the beginning of the summer season. According to Hindu mythology, a bonfire is lit on Holi Eve by burning Holika, a demon. This festival highlights the victory of good over evil and symbolizes the power of divine love. Also known as the festival of colours people celebrate this by throwing coloured powders and water.     

Rath Yatra:

Rath Yatra also known as the chariot festival is celebrated in June. This festival is devoted to Lord Jagannath, who is an avatar of Lord Vishnu. According to Hindu mythology, the Rath Yatra highlights the journey of Lord Jagannath and his siblings from Jagannath temple to Gundicha Temple. People celebrate this festival by pulling the chariots with ropes which symbolize their desire to be close with the deity. Also, various cultural programs including traditional music and dance performances were organized. This festival helps to break social barriers by encouraging people from diverse backgrounds to join, highlighting its cultural significance.  

Pohela Boishakh:

Pohela Boishakh also known as Bengali New Year is one of the major festivals celebrated within the Bengali community in the month of April. The origin of this festival is to be believed during medieval times when it was celebrated as a harvest festival. Fairs, jatra plays and various cultural performances were organized all over the Lataguri region. People worship God, greet each other, visit their relatives and eat traditional dishes.  

Local tribal festivals:

Lataguri region is inhabited by various indigenous tribes and celebrates various tribal festivals.

Sarhul: This is a spring festival which is celebrated by the Oraon, Munda and Ho tribes. This tribe worships nature and its elements by dancing and holding flowers from the Sal tree. Rituals were performed, and the people offer prasad and sal flowers to the deity.

Sohrai:  This is the main festival of the Santhal community. Also known as the harvest festival, this is celebrated in the month of January. The tribe performs various activities like fasting, painting their house, lighting, and performing tribal dance.

Mario Puja: This is one of the major festivals of the Rajbanshi community. During this time the people worship the snake goddess Manasa. Folk songs and traditional dance were performed and the main purpose of this festival was to protect themselves from snakebite and evil spirits.

Conclusion:

Here we discussed some of the festivals to experience near Lataguri. The region is inhabited by various Indigenous communities including Santhals, Mundas, Raj Bangshi etc. In order to witness these festivals you can stay at a resort in Lataguri.  The festivals are celebrated by worshipping the idols, organizing events including dance, and traditional songs and trying local cuisine.