#and the emotion is unique to the individual kind of??

[accio-victuuri]

xiao zhan - us/we album album description ♥️

The album "Us" contains a total of 10 songs, about me, about you, about him/her, about the emotions that everyone may encounter, or the relationship between people in this huge city.

Each song attempts to tell the "me" in different states, encountering or exploring various emotions and various insights. It may be imperceptible and often easily ignored, or it may be a mixture of feelings that are difficult to describe, but it just constitutes a three-dimensional, rich, and similar individual experience. Through the combination of songs, it will trigger familiar emotions and provide listeners with a space to freely experience the flow of emotions. You don't have to laugh when you are happy, you may not cry when you are sad, what else can you do besides being in a daze when you are lonely, and will you cheer when you feel happy. Allow and accept all these emotions such as joy, sadness, loneliness, despair, pain, confusion, etc. If you can't reconcile them in the individual, observe it, experience it, witness it, don't escape or hide, and face the real and complex self.

Perhaps each of us is an observer of this world, and each individual is also a unique experimenter in this world. As independent and overlapping individuals, how can we exist in this undefined and ever-changing space, and how can we blend in and remain unique? Most of us cannot avoid wandering in the space of reinforced concrete, meeting all kinds of people, and exploring in person. Time is hard to turn back. We meet, confront, and interact with different people "face to face", and then "back to back" with many people, and gradually go further and further away. Understanding, recognition, trust, choice and being chosen are always our happy expectations, but perhaps, in many cases, the results are often not satisfactory. Whether life unfolds as hoped, can we keep pace and continue to move forward according to the established goals, or constantly adjust ourselves and explore new paths.

Whether we can find a resonance among ourselves, you, him/her, the inner emotions of individuals and the connection with the world, and gain an extra balance point, so that "we" can be more stretched and relaxed, and have more self-consistency and reconciliation, is the emotional experience that the entire album hopes to reach.

[antianakin]

Literally why the fuck would a clone consider their helmet to be their "real face"?

They only JUST started being allowed to paint their helmets with individual designs after the war began, none of the clones who show up to Geonosis have anything that looks particularly unique (there's a few clones with different colored paint, presumably to denote rank of some sort, but the design is always the same even if the color isn't). So if they DID start thinking of the helmets as their "real face," it would be a pretty new thing for them and not one with a ton of history behind it.

And even after the war starts, it's ONLY once you leave Kamino that you get to have a helmet or armor with any kind of personalized design, the uniforms we see the Domino and Bravo squads wearing aren't personalized at all (again, there's color differences in order to denote which squad you're a part of, but nothing personalized to the actual clone themselves). So they wouldn't exactly have any sort of tradition of feeling like their helmet is their "real face" since most of the time, their helmets are intended to look just as identical as their regular faces.

Also, the clones would still primarily only have a "real face" later in life, so what does that say about how much time they spend without a helmet with a design? We know they take on their own NAMES before they leave Kamino, so it's not like they don't have identities, they just don't have a "face." They don't even get given a "real face" upon graduating and getting assigned somewhere, they have to wait until they're not "shinies" anymore before they get more personalized paint jobs. If the helmet were really their "face," it seems more likely that they'd want to let the new soldiers paint it as soon as possible instead of making them EARN the right to an identity. It just feels so nonsensical.

We also see the clones taking their helmets off pretty often, certainly any time they're not actively in danger or on a mission, and sometimes even then just to make communication with someone else easier (especially if that person ISN'T wearing armor, like the Jedi). Aside from one moment in the pilot episode with Yoda and the three clones with him (which would fall under the category of still being in danger and on a mission), we never see the clones reluctant to take off their helmets or having to be asked to take them off when interacting with others. That moment also emphasizes for the clones that their armor ISN'T who they are, and that their humanity is something inside of them, but that they shouldn't feel the need to hide their faces simply because they're identical to someone else's. And if we assume most Jedi probably had similar moments with their own battalions, a LOT of clones would likely end up actually learning NOT to associate their identity with their armor and be much more comfortable with their faces showing.

In fact, there's a whole DIFFERENT moment a few seasons later where Rex is speaking to Krell and he takes his helmet OFF to emphasize his point about the clones being men, indicating that the helmet actually makes them more FACELESS and therefore easier to see as closer to machines/droids than real people. It's the face UNDERNEATH the helmet that makes them human, not the helmet itself. They might all share the same face, but that face is the one that shows emotion, that can cry, that can smile, that can speak, that can connect with someone else. Regardless of how many other people share it, that's still their real face, not the cold emotionless helmet that too often gets used to pretend the clones aren't people at all.

[clown-eating-pig]

idk if this is controversial or not, but I HAAATE the season five statements 😭😭😭 they are too abstract for me or something. I need a plotline to follow.

[8housevenus]

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ placements that feel like a fairytale ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

🧚pisces venus - "i've walked with you once upon a dream," such an exceptional place for venus and a very good lover. thoughtful and remembers little things about somebody. gives even when they have nothing. venus is exalted here, which strengthens the power of venus. rosed-colored glasses, natural lovers. 🌷 ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀

🧚neptune in 1st/2nd/7th/9th - 1st/ dreamy appearance, "i wish i could look like you," "i don't know if i wanna be you or be with you," wins people over, sometimes unaware of their influence, stands out in a room full of people. 2nd/ "you sound so sweet," delicate voices, gives the best compliments or receives unique compliments, gets money for no reason or gives money for no reason, very questionable kind of person but it is a likable feature about them. 7th/ unpredictable in love, "tag you're it," loves the chase and the longevity of a new/fresh relationship. people wish they could be with you or have had dreams/thoughts of pursuing you. sometimes people might drop many hints but never say. 9th/ super underrated, people feel elevated in your energy, you bring out a new lens to others, your ability to change and only get better overtime seems super unreal. the type to go mia and then randomly appear in a fancy italian restaurant with 1 million dollars and a rich spouse. they think it and it is, very big planners and attractive to the outside. 🌷 ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀

🧚sun in 5th/7th - 5th/ their love is their passion, and their self-expression is one that is bold and unique. this is your "entertainer," placement, understands the role they play in this life. courageous in their love and give an experience that one will never have again. 7th/ people-person, revolves around being open-minded and naturally attracting friends, partners, and even some enemies. a very commendable individual. 🌷 ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀

🧚libra/taurus rising - the symbols of beauty and allurance. 🌷 ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀

🧚cancer sun - exudes a tender warmth to others. "wifey material, mom friend, therapist," has probably heard it all. cancer sun has seen the vulnerability of everybody they have met, there's a strong trust here and their strength is undeniable. think of fairy godmother. has an emotional depth that allows others to easily fall for them. double points if it is a man with a cancer sun; women will admire this difference about you from other men. 🌷 ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀

🧚libra moon - pretty when you cry, everyone stops to hear you talk, such a mediating and magnetic energy, wears their heart on their sleeve and can empathize very well with others they have nothing in common with. all about fairness and equity, wants to be the peacekeeper in most situations. 🌷 ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀

🧚venus in 11th/2nd/7th - 11h/ friends will admire you and pick up on your aesthetic and can even try to "become" the same way. you make people feel really good and you are inspiring. 2nd/ you are well kept and seem orderly. soft voice, soft appearance, and loves to smother themselves and others with little gestures. 7th/ ideal partner placement, looking for love in everything they do, has very good connections and dazzles their flirt onto everybody they meet. 🌷 ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀

🧚personal planets in 4, 7, 12, 16, 19, 24, 27 degrees - these are libra, cancer, and pisces degrees, can amplify these placements by sprinkling on some of these signs qualities. 🌷 ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀

🧚neptune conjunct/ trine sun - dreamy-esque, can't keep you off my mind, is it love is it lust? naturally charming and independent. knows how they make others feel, giving others a sense of hope that makes them cling on forever. usually, the favorite boy or girl for somebody. 🌷 ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀

🧚venus conjunct moon/neptune - awareness to what relationships might require, or what other people want out of you. knows how to express themselves properly, can be sweet/seductive one minute, then manipulative/moody the next. likes to change up their style for their partner; very intimate and puts their partner's needs first. will be super feminine for their loved one. 🌷 ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀

🧚midheaven conjunt/trine/sextile neptune or venus - enhanced beauty in the public eye. people want to be around you and there's maybe some type of distance between you and your lovers- which makes relationships so much more intriguing. "i've got my eye on you." these people love makeup, jewelry, skin care, anything to appear ideal. 🌷 ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀

🧚virgo midheaven - seen as a damsel in distress sometimes; but they are elegant and reserved. they are the ones that people usually rely on and open up to the fastest. their fairytale qualities come from how they act rather than how they speak. they will make sure you are covered and will attract you with their practicality and realness. 🌷 ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀

🧚virgo venus - has a purified perception of love, very service oriented and even shy. they are slow and steady in terms of love language, however a virgo venus will always make sure their partner only gets the best. they want to make everything perfect for their significant other, which makes the virgo venus placement seem so admirable. 🌷 ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀

🧚cancer venus - soft, sweet, and giving. full of the feminine and embodies the nurturer archetype. magnetic to the opposite sex; babe magnet, and usually wear pastel colors or colors that are bright. they don't like to make themselves unknown to the idea of love. 🌷 ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀

🧚moon/neptune in 5th - has such a childlike approach to the world, very full of nostalgia and is deep-rooted in being memorable for others. oftentimes moon in 5th has a dramatized identity about themselves, which gives the fairytale vibes because it can feel almost surreal. neptune can also have this affect, neptune 5th might always get "i wish you were here," or "where's so and so," very memorable and such sweet and delicate impressions to the public. 🌷 ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀

🧚sun in 9th - would take their partners through all kinds of experiences, the kind of people to take you higher and change your mind-set on various subjects. very underrated placement and i find it quite fairy-tale like due to the fact that there's always some form of expansion for these individuals and you can see and feel their inner glow when they are in new environments. usually, can have foreigners or various kinds of people fall for them, they quite literally shine in new horizons. 🌷 ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀

thank you for reading <3

[bi-panic-at-the-disco]

perhaps I shouldn’t deep dive into 2000s-2010s pov middle school videos

[harmoonix]

☾ Your Moon Phase ☾

☾ ~ In your Birth Chart ~ ☾

☾ • ☾ • ☾ ☾ • ☾ • ☾ ☾ • ☾ • ☾ ☾ • ☾ • ☾ ☾ • ☾ • ☾ ☾ • ☾

🌑 If you want to find your moon phase scroll down before you read so you'll know what you read about 🌑 ☾•☾•☾

☾ • ☾ • ☾

🌑 BORN ON THE NEW MOON 🌑

The native born during the new moon is meant to experience many vast, wild and beautiful experiences in this lifetime, since New Moon symbolize beginnings, your entire life is about yourself, to prioritize yourself, to prioritize your time. The new moon is also known as the "Dark Moon" is the phase where moon is the weakest, because is covered in full darkness. People born under the new moon love to try out new things, to start new journeys/ideas/ to extend their creativity, since Moon can be a bit more soft in this phase, the native has an unique sensitive nature, is very important to not lose your love for curiosity as you grow up, to always stay curious

🌑 BORN ON A WAXING CRESCENT MOON 🌑

The natives born under a waxing crescent are more to embrace their lives with more curiosity and joy than others, their energy can be from clingy - to an attachment style in a really fast way, above all they're are independent and love to do the things their own way, they also tend to prefer their comfort zone and security (feeling safe) over anything else. They may also love challenges, especially if there is a reward involved, (risk taking). Some of them can also be a bit timid/shy at first but kind and respectful! The native during this moon phase tends to attach themselves to the past which can be a bit bad for them because you cannot change the past, you may feel sorry or bad over your past but don't let it to ruin your whole life

🌑 BORN ON A FIRST QUARTER MOON 🌑

Where the moon firstly finds herself being half illuminated, half and half, 2 pieces combining eachother, darkness and light. This phase of moon indicates growth. Therefore the native can be really grounding, motivational, more calm/peaceful. You are the protagonist/main character with this moon phase in your own life. The native has a very excited nature, the more excited thet get the more things they create out of it. They may also have a sense of achieving things, to collect as many things as possible and to open new doors in life. The native is a strong individual, proactive, sometimes a bit passive aswell. Your strong personality can help you to reach your full potential. Is very important to know that you can't change some things and have to let them happen, sometimes waiting for the result of a problem can be a key solver

🌑 BORN ON A WAXING GIBBOUS 🌑

The native born during this moon phase is blessed with the gift of communication, while other moon phases search for an individual knowledge, this moon phase wants to share their knowledge with others. These natives can also identify as the "psychologist" or "therapist" of their group (friend group if is the case) because of their analytical mind, they often know how it is to go through from bad to good moods and vice versa, and they know how to deal with problems in their own ways. What's special about this moon phase is that you can be what you want to be, since the native can be a big believer of their dreams and desires, they will certainly achieve those. The native can easily be an influencer in the relationship, inspiring the other one and themselves in the same time.

🌑 BORN ON THE FULL MOON 🌑

The time where wolves are howling to the moon, is a very wild phase for the moon to be in, is known for this moon phase to drive people crazy. The native born during this moon phase is very transformative. The moon is tightly tied connected to the natives feelings/emotions, and sometimes can even have a control upon it. For example to feel more agitated or stressed. You as a child of the full moon, you can often find yourself being a little more sensbile than others, sensbile to others people's energy as well. Is a state where your conscious mind allows you to dreams,to visualize your life, something about these natives is that gives "off vibes" is when it comes to being an extrovert or introvert, since it can manifest differently. An romantic native with a heart full of desires

🌑 BORN ON A WANING GIBBOUS 🌑

The children of the waning gibbous moon are gifted with a mind of a creator, they often have a very good intuition or like a little "angel" beside their shoulder energy, the moon finds herself being more of a reserved nature, if I was to describe this moon phase it will be the sound ocean waves at night. They're often that wise yet creative person of the group, but in the same logical and open-minded. You can find yourself always looking for a part that is missing, the feeling that you're not complete. You're very conscious of yourself/your life/your ambitions. And something very admirable about them is their beliefs, a native born during this moon phase will never be let down by their higher selves/by the God/source/universe

🌑 BORN ON A LAST QUARTER 🌑

The natives born during the last quarter have a sense of nostalgia in them, you have a quality about you that seems frozen in time, you keep yourself unique while trying to help others to do the same as well. This moon phase is more attachable than others, so therefore the natives not only attaches to people but to places/animals/things in life very easily. They may also have a sense of finding their meaning in life, while being happy about it even about the smallest things, because they represent "virtue". The native is known for being kind/lovely/loyal and sensible and sometimes they tend to hide themselves in their inner world. Sometimes the past can blind you from the joy of the present & future. The present is just as deserving of your love and attention as your past

🌑 BORN ON A WANING CRESCENT MOON 🌑

Born during the very last moon phase, the native born during this moon phase is gifted with an immense spirituality and intuition, to describe them with one eye they see the physical world and with other eye they see the spiritual world, so in a way they're connected with each other, the native is very likely to daydream a lot, may receive lots of insights and visions in their dreams. They are gifted with an active imagination, to imagine and create. A glorious nature yet sensibile and affected by others energy. You know how to get deep and meaningful, and it's because at your core, you're a thinker. The thing with them is that they get more wise by their age, just like a flower ready to bloom and show her beauty

🌑🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖🌗🌘 • 🌑🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖🌗🌘

How to find your specific moon phase?

Try searching on google/internet your birthday and to add "moon phase" for example: 13.09.2020 moon phase!!

Another example is that astro seek (the site) wil show the moon phase right after you did your birth chart, scroll down to planets table and look right under the moon placement, for example like this:

The 3rd option will be to just search "moon phase calculator" on google but some of them can have wrong results. I suggest that the first and 2nd versions are wayy better!

This was an easy take, hope it helped you to find your moon phase!! Also what phase was the moon where you were born?🌗 Harmo☾nix 🌗

[astro-royale]

What may save you..according to your rising sign…

Disclaimer, my opinion

Gemini Rising: the right kind of information. Especially information about navigating relationships, or advice from people you’re close to. Also maintaining your own personality in relationships.

Cancer Rising: Developing resilience and creating healthy habits to cope with your emotions, also Discipline. And doing things you know you have to do without excuses. Also communicate your needs directly, no need to manipulate people to give you pity. Just ask them to hold a safe space and be compassionate to you in that moment.

Libra Rising: Being confident about confrontation or creating separation if it means protecting yourself. Being around people which soothe your nervous system. I’ve noticed Libra risings can have anger issues , or suppressed anger they need to learn how to communicate in a healthy way instead of just blowing up at people or saying things they don’t mean.

Aquarius Rising: Not seeing people as lesser than you because they don’t know about certain topics or because they don’t do the things you do. And actually you may learn a lot from people you might usually avoid “basic people”. Just as you are unique, so are others. And maybe this is why you dislike people because this kind of perspective is making it hard for you to want to connect to others and acknowledge them as valuable. Also just have fun and try to enjoy the presence of other people more. Actively find things you like to fixate on rather than dislike, this will give you more of a balanced perspective.

Leo Rising: if you want attention, cultivate uniqueness and don’t look to others for inspiration all the time. Many Leo risings put people on a pedastal I’ve noticed. Become a leader and focus on carving your own path and individuality rather than always looking for “inspo”. You already are it, but take time to explore what your “It” factor is and find your uniqueness.

Scorpio Rising: my love, don’t wait for your external reality to give you stability. Go within. You are the shaman, the warrior, the truth the world needs. Go within where all your answers are. Faith and inner stability is what will give you the strength you need. No one will save you except yourself. Radically accept that your external reality will have ups and downs, and cultivate stability within. Also, indulge in some “Light” things to keep you balanced.

Sagittarius Rising: Just be honest with people bro. But do it nicely, that way you’re always going to maintain connections authentically. Dont be afraid of telling the truth because it will cause you to move else where. You’re meant to be a seeker but also to connect with people, and maybe you have big crowds you want to reach , but start off with your community. Share and try to inspire your community first, and if you can’t do that, create a community and inspire them and yourself.

Taurus Rising: Connecting with people who have spiritual values rather than materialistic. Connecting to people who don’t have something tangible to offer or just have a “use”. Connect to people your heart and soul yearn for rather than what your ego yearns for. People who can’t give anything but their heart, soul, experiences.

Aries Rising: If you want to confront people just apply for a sport. Take your energy out physically. Boxing, judo, basketball. Just anything to help you let out some steam so you can have a clear head and judge people from a balanced point of view.

Virgo Rising: chill with some artists. Or if you’re the artist, create some art. Do something to let you unwind and feel free and where you won’t judge yourself. Visiting museums and places where art and information are combined may be useful. Learn to balance play and work. Writing will help you more than you realise. Unconditional love affirmations.

Capricorn Rising: Therapy. You need someone to help you understand your feelings. Even a life coach to help you balance out work and play. Similar advice to virgo rising. You guys unconsciously rant to people and then all your feelings come out, but you don’t realise it. So try to become conscious about your feelings and when you can and when you can’t communicate them.

Pisces Rising: Have people in your life you feel like you can always count to tell you the truth and to help you see objective reality. But also try to organise your information so you won’t feel overwhelmed by it. Deffo organising will help.

[wonnieaura]

THE IT GIRL MINDSET

The "it girl" mindset is all about embracing your individuality and exuding confidence and self-assuredness. Here are some steps in becoming the it girl you desire to be especially in 2024 🫶🏻

1. Embrace your individuality: Don't try to conform to societal beauty standards or compare yourself to others. Be true to who you are and celebrate your unique qualities.

2. Exude confidence and self-assuredness: Wear what you feel good in, speak with confidence, and hold your head up high. When you feel confident and assured, others will notice and respond in kind.

3. Focus on internal beauty: Take care of your mental and emotional well-being, and focus on being a good person. When you feel good on the inside, it shows on the outside.

4. Practice self-care: When you practice self-care and take care of yourself, you feel more comfortable in your own skin and exude confidence and self-assuredness.

5. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people: Seek out friends, family, and mentors who lift you up and celebrate your successes. Avoid negative and toxic people who bring you down.

6. Practice gratitude: Writing down and focusing on what you're grateful for can help shift your mindset and help you adopt an "it girl" mentality.

[fishnapple]

FUTURE SPOUSE : WHAT YOU LOVE ABOUT THEM

(can also apply to long-term committed partner)

This is a general reading meant for multiple people. Take only what resonates and leave out the rest.

Your feedback is much appreciated. If you find the reading resonated with you, leave a comment, I’d love to know 🎐

About me | Masterpost

Book a reading with me - KO-FI (→ personal reading)

1. Carnelian

The Carnelian stone, which represents this group, looks like a heart with The Moon stone right above it, open, its dark side is exposed, making the impression of a heart broadcasting something. I can see that this person has an open heart. They put their vulnerability on an open platter for you to see. They had been hurt in the past, their heart is full of scars, but they don't hide it. It takes great bravery to do that, and you will love them for it.

They know how to move on from past hurt, from pains, especially in relationships. They didn't become pessimistic because of it. They have learnt the lessons and are ready to do better in the future. You won't see bitterness in them, they're probably the kind that don't talk bad about their ex, even if that ex had hurt them badly. This trait will also be clearly felt when you two have arguments or in conflicts. They may be angry, you may shout at each other, but they will cool down and think rationally about the problem and ready to solve it together with you, no passive-aggressive actions. After that, they won't bring it up again in the future just to make you feel bad.

Part of the reason why they can bravely face the conflict and move on is because they can detach their mind from the conflict, able to see it from many viewpoints. They are fully aware of their emotions, but they don't let them run amok and cloud their mind. They give equal respect to both emotion and rationality. At times, they can even appear a little cold or detached, too logical, but you will still admire that about them or even find it attractive.

They could have a very unique beauty or what is considered classic beauty but put a creative spin to it. The kind that stands out, or at least in your eyes, you will always be able to find them in a crowd. Not exactly because it's so exceptional but because it shows individuality.

I don't think they are a conventional person, something about them is going against the grain of society. They are a free thinker, the way they think and speak is unique and beautiful. It's full of wisdom and maturity. You can learn a lot from them. Their advice is kind and considerate and you will feel their love through it.

Above all, you love their compassion for life. They are a humble person, despite their talents and wisdom, they don't go around lecturing and ordering people. They understand that everyone has their own problems and fears, so even in conflict, they won't go out of their way to demolish the other person. They have the mindset of 'Live and let live'.

Being with them will make you feel peaceful, understood, and free. At times, it will feel like a gentle breeze blowing through your hair in the middle of a field, at other times, it will feel like sinking yourself into the tub, warm water washing away all of your fatigue.

2. Tiger's eye

I get a feel that this person spoils you a lot. They would try to fulfil your every wish, as long as it's in their ability. It could be buying you gifts, cooking your favourite dishes, helping around the house etc. They just know how to make you feel safe and satisfied.

They are generous and dependable. A part of them is very adventurous while another part of them is more traditional and liking structure. This traditional part is likely shown only in close relationships. You can feel that they treat you more specially, more preciously, they put serious intention into the relationship with you.

They could be a little clingy? wanting to be with you at every moment, somehow the old song 'I don't want to miss a thing' by Aerosmith comes to mind. You may complain about it sometimes but I think secretly, you do enjoy that kind of behaviour. It shows loyalty.

They would like to take the more dominant role in the relationship, wanting to lead and plan ahead for both of you. If you are someone more on the passive side, this will make you more at ease. Beware of the tendency for 'laziness' and 'dependency' though, since they take on the more active role and like to do things more.

The way they talk, it's smooth and has a sway to it. They could give you lots of compliments, not the shallow, generic kind but the kind that unique only to you, makes you feel that they pay attention to every small detail about you. They sure know how to flatter your ego a bit and make you feel more confident in yourself.

Whatever darkness is hiding in your closet, they will pull it out for you, gently, persuasively, do a spring cleaning and give you a better perspective on those issues. You may feel resistant at first, but gradually, with time, you will come to appreciate their doing this for you. They could buy you a house but they'd rather help you build your own house.

Another thing you love about them is their passion, it's spontaneous and out of the blue, like electricity. Things are planned in such an unplanned way that you will be surprised every time. Being with them will feel safe but never boring.

You guys may also communicate a lot through dreams or other psychic means. The connection has a strong spiritual side to it. You and them both intuitively know what the other person is thinking without many words spoken. It's a silent understanding, a link between two spirits.

3. Aventurine

I get a sense of candidness from this person. They have a style of expression that is both soft, childlike yet wise and mature at the same time.

They have a dry or wacky sense of humour that you love. It touches other's insecurities in such an odd way that make others feel at ease and safe with them. For example, you guys have to go somewhere dark but you have a fear of the darkness, instead of making fun of you for it, they will act all scared and jumpy and insist on holding your hand to calm them down, even if they don't actually scare of the dark. They can make fun of themselves and bring themselves down a bit to elevate the other person. You would have your fears gradually banished by being with them. They help you to be more courageous.

Even though they act like that, they don't seem to be someone that people can mess with. Maybe they have a very intimidating air about them. The way they deliver the jokes could be very deadpan. But it will make you laugh and make you feel protected.

This person doesn't have a big ego. They're self confident, as in being sure of themselves and that's for them is enough, they don't feel the need to go around imposing their will on other people, advertising their brilliance to get praise. In fact, this person is very down-to-earth, praise actually come naturally to them. Because of their sureness in themselves, they know where they stand in a relationship, what they want from a relationship, where the relationship is going, so they are decisive. They will tell you straightforwardly how they feel and what they want for the relationship. If there's a problem in the relationship, they will address it clearly to you and expect both of you to solve it together. You will love them for their honesty and their way of approaching everything.

They could be the best hugger. You love being hugged by them. Something feels soft and warm, yet sturdy. They may not be a big person but their energy is big. Even if their physique is smaller than you, hugging them will feel like hugging a big tree or a big teddy bear.

They are also very giving. They will share their time, their resources with you without second thought, or for some hidden motives. There could be a boundary issue though, you may sometimes feel that you guys have fused with each other, the boundary of what is yours, and what is theirs will be blurred. Maybe you're someone who likes to be one with your partner, then you could find this to be of no issue.

4. Clear quartz

This person seems like someone who is very good with words. They could be in the publishing, writing, or journalism. Or singing.

They are like a magician, there's magic in their work. They have an expansive inner world. When you get closer to them and take a peek inside their world, you will see its marvels, like a large reservoir, an inner creative power generator. They can translate that power into their works, works that can move many people. It comes with rigorous hard work, though. They are dedicated to whatever they're doing. They want perfection, mastery over it, whatever hard work is needed, they don't mind putting all in. That attitude is what makes dreams come true. And I think you can't help but fall in love with that.

They could seduce you with just words or their voice. The way they talk or sing can speak deep into your soul, pull out your hidden feeling. They could have a healing effect on you that you love. It makes you feel like being cocooned in a velvet blanket.

This person has a sensitive and intense soul. They don't love lightly. Once they are committed to someone, they will be there with that person through thick and thin, always preparing to face the storm together. You will love being loved by them. It's not a common experience. Love is not a common experience, of course. But being in love with them will have a depth that is hard to find with other people. They could make your past relationships feel pale in comparison. This person could show their love for you through physical touch and intimacy. It's when their love will find its rawest expression.

You will love them for for being a humanitarian. They care about the world, society, and people. What they're doing is not just a form of self-expression but also directed towards a bigger goal. They want to contribute to the greater good, to make changes and make people's life better. It may sound like some kind of lofty ideals, but actually they do believe in it. And their faith will be their power. You have fallen in love with a magician, so expect magic and miracles coming out of their hat.

[esotericalchemist]

𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐲𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐚 - 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫

Masterlist - YouTube (subliminals)

In Vedic Astrology, Amatyakaraka is a significant planet that represents your career, ambitions, and professional path. It is determined by identifying the planet with the second-highest degree in your birth chart. This planet provides insights into your work, the kind of roles you are drawn to, and how you achieve success. Essentially, Amatyakaraka helps you understand your professional life, guiding you toward your ideal career and the path to fulfillment in your work and public life.

𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐎 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐃 𝐈𝐓?

Amatyakaraka is found by looking at the planet with the second highest degree in your birth chart. The planets that can be your Amatyakaraka are: The Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn. Rahu and Ketu are NOT considered.

Step 1: Convert the birth chart to Vedic/Sidereal.

Step 2: Find the planet with the second highest degree

Now that we have converted the birth chart to the sidereal system, we can identify the planet with the second highest degree. Remember, only the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are involved. In the birth chart above, the planet with the second highest degree is Mercury.

NOW THAT YOU HAVE FOUND YOUR AMATYAKARAKA, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE MEANING!

☉︎ - 𝐒𝐮𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐲𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐚 ⋆˙⊹

When the Sun is your Amatyakaraka, it indicates that your career is closely linked to leadership, authority, and personal expression. You’re likely drawn to roles where you can step into the spotlight, take charge, and make a significant impact. Whether it's through leadership positions, creative endeavors, or areas where recognition is key, your professional life is a stage for your unique talents and vision.

In your work, you naturally gravitate towards opportunities that allow you to lead and inspire. The Sun as your Amatyakaraka suggests that you thrive in environments where you can express your individuality and pursue goals that resonate with your sense of purpose. You’re driven by a need to make a meaningful contribution and to be recognized for your efforts.

Your path to success involves embracing roles that challenge your leadership abilities and allow you to shine. The energy of the Sun encourages you to approach your career with confidence and integrity, staying true to your personal values while taking on responsibilities that showcase your strengths.

Ultimately, with the Sun as your Amatyakaraka, your career isn't just about achieving success—it's about fulfilling your potential and making a lasting impact. Your work reflects your inner drive and desire to lead, guiding you toward roles where you can truly shine and inspire others along the way.

Possible careers/areas you would excel in: Leadership roles, politics, public speaking, entertainment (acting, directing), entrepreneurship, management, military officer, and diplomat.

☽︎ - 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐲𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐚 ⋆˙⊹

When the Moon is your Amatyakaraka, your career is deeply connected to your emotional sensitivity, intuition, and ability to care for others. This placement suggests that you are naturally drawn to professions where empathy, understanding, and emotional support are central. You may find yourself thriving in fields such as healthcare, counseling, education, or any role that allows you to nurture and connect with others on a deeper level.

In your professional life, you excel in environments where you can create a sense of security and comfort, whether through direct care, creative expression, or providing emotional guidance. The Moon as Amatyakaraka encourages you to follow a career path that resonates with your inner emotional world and allows you to bring a sense of harmony and compassion to your work.

Your journey toward success will likely involve roles that require emotional intelligence and the ability to adapt to the needs of those around you. This placement emphasizes the importance of listening to your intuition and finding a career that aligns with your emotional values. You may find fulfillment in jobs that allow you to care for others, express creativity, or create environments where people feel safe and understood.

Ultimately, having the Moon as your Amatyakaraka means that your professional life is not just about achieving goals but about creating meaningful connections and making a positive emotional impact. Your work becomes an extension of your natural ability to nurture, providing you with a sense of purpose and satisfaction as you support others in their journey.

Possible careers/areas you would excel in: Counseling and therapy, nursing, childcare, teaching (especially early education), hospitality, writing (especially emotional or creative writing), social work, and interior design.

☿ - 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐲𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐚 ⋆˙⊹

When Mercury is your Amatyakaraka, your career is strongly connected to communication, intellect, and adaptability. You're likely drawn to professions where quick thinking, problem-solving, and the exchange of ideas are essential. Whether it's through writing, teaching, technology, or any role that involves connecting with others through words and ideas, your professional life revolves around your mental agility.

In your work, you excel in environments that are dynamic and mentally stimulating. Mercury as your Amatyakaraka suggests that you thrive on variety and enjoy roles that require you to be flexible and resourceful. You’re driven by a curiosity to learn and a desire to share knowledge, making you a natural in fields that involve information, networking, or teaching.

Your path to success involves embracing opportunities that challenge your intellect and allow you to communicate effectively. The energy of Mercury encourages you to stay adaptable, to think on your feet, and to use your communication skills to navigate complex situations and connect with others.

Ultimately, with Mercury as your Amatyakaraka, your career is not just about what you do, but how you think and communicate. Your work reflects your intellectual curiosity and ability to adapt, guiding you toward roles where you can use your sharp mind and articulate ideas to make a meaningful impact.

Possible careers/areas you would excel in: Writing and journalism, teaching, communication specialist, marketing and advertising, public relations, editing and publishing, technology and software development, and sales.

♀ - 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐲𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐚 ⋆˙⊹

When Venus is your Amatyakaraka, your career is closely tied to beauty, relationships, and harmony. You’re naturally drawn to professions where aesthetics, creativity, and interpersonal connections play a significant role. Whether in the arts, fashion, design, or roles that involve diplomacy and relationship-building, your work reflects your love for balance and elegance.

In your professional life, you thrive in environments that allow you to express your creativity and cultivate beauty. Venus as your Amatyakaraka suggests that you excel in roles where you can create harmony, whether through artistic expression, fostering positive relationships, or enhancing the quality of life for others. You're driven by a desire to bring joy and pleasure into the world, often through your keen eye for aesthetics and your ability to connect with people.

Your journey to success involves embracing opportunities that allow you to showcase your creative talents and your ability to build meaningful relationships. The influence of Venus encourages you to pursue work that feels beautiful and fulfilling, where your contributions not only meet practical needs but also elevate the experience for others.

Ultimately, with Venus as your Amatyakaraka, your career is about more than just work—it's about creating beauty and harmony in everything you do. Your professional path reflects your deep appreciation for art, relationships, and the finer things in life, guiding you toward roles where you can make a positive impact through your unique sense of style and your ability to connect with others on a deeper level.

Possible careers/areas you would excel in: Art and design (fashion, interior, graphic), beauty industry (cosmetics, hairstyling), music and performance arts, event planning, relationship couseling, luxury goods sales, hospitality and tourism, and culinary arts (chef, sommelier).

♂ - 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐲𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐚 ⋆˙⊹

When Mars is your Amatyakaraka, your career is driven by action, ambition, and a desire to conquer challenges. You're naturally drawn to roles where your energy, determination, and courage can shine. Whether in fields like entrepreneurship, sports, the military, or any profession that requires assertiveness and decisive action, your work reflects your dynamic and competitive nature.

In your professional life, you excel in environments that demand initiative and resilience. Mars as your Amatyakaraka suggests that you thrive on challenges and are motivated by the opportunity to achieve and overcome obstacles. You’re driven by a strong sense of purpose and a need to see tangible results from your efforts, often gravitating toward roles that allow you to take charge and make an impact.

Your path to success involves embracing roles that require strength, leadership, and the ability to take decisive action. The energy of Mars encourages you to pursue your goals with intensity and focus, using your natural drive to push through difficulties and achieve your ambitions.

Ultimately, with Mars as your Amatyakaraka, your career is about harnessing your passion and energy to achieve success. Your professional journey is marked by your ability to take bold steps, confront challenges head-on, and lead with confidence. Through your work, you channel your inner warrior, making a significant impact and achieving your goals with determination and strength.

Possible careers/areas you would excel in: Military and defense, law enforcement, sports and athletics, surgery, engineering (especially mechanical), firefighting, entrepreneurship, construction and architecture.

♃ - 𝐉𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐲𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐚 ⋆˙⊹

When Jupiter is your Amatyakaraka, your career is deeply connected to wisdom, growth, and a sense of purpose. You’re naturally drawn to roles where teaching, guiding, or expanding knowledge plays a central role. Whether in education, law, spirituality, or any profession that involves mentoring and sharing wisdom, your work reflects your desire to inspire and uplift others.

In your professional life, you thrive in environments that allow you to explore big ideas and make a positive impact on the world. Jupiter as your Amatyakaraka suggests that you excel in roles where you can pursue truth, justice, and personal growth. You’re driven by a need to contribute to the greater good, often gravitating towards careers that involve helping others grow and expand their horizons.

Your path to success involves embracing opportunities that allow you to share your knowledge and inspire others. The influence of Jupiter encourages you to approach your career with optimism and a broad vision, always seeking to learn, teach, and contribute to the well-being of those around you.

Ultimately, with Jupiter as your Amatyakaraka, your career is not just about personal achievement but about making a meaningful contribution to society. Your professional journey is guided by your commitment to growth, both for yourself and for others, leading you toward roles where your wisdom and generosity can have a lasting impact.

Possible careers/areas you would excel in: Teaching and academia, law (judge, lawyer), religious or spiritual leadership, counseling and life coaching, writing (philosophy, self-help), foreign affairs and diplomacy, publishing, and humanitarian work.

♄ - 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐲𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐚 ⋆˙⊹

When Saturn is your Amatyakaraka, your career is deeply tied to discipline, responsibility, and long-term commitment. You’re naturally drawn to roles that require perseverance, structure, and a strong work ethic. Whether in fields like management, engineering, government, or any profession that involves building and maintaining systems, your work reflects your dedication to creating stability and enduring results.

In your professional life, you excel in environments that demand patience and attention to detail. Saturn as your Amatyakaraka suggests that you are likely to thrive in careers where hard work and consistency are rewarded. You’re driven by a sense of duty and a desire to achieve mastery in your field, often gravitating towards roles that require careful planning, persistence, and the ability to handle significant responsibilities.

Your path to success involves embracing roles that require structure, discipline, and the ability to work within established frameworks. The influence of Saturn encourages you to take a measured, steady approach to your career, recognizing that true success comes from sustained effort and the ability to overcome obstacles over time.

Ultimately, with Saturn as your Amatyakaraka, your career is about building something lasting and meaningful through dedication and hard work. Your professional journey is marked by your commitment to achieving long-term goals and your ability to create stability and order in whatever you undertake. Through your work, you bring a sense of reliability and structure, making a lasting impact through your perseverance and wisdom.

Possible careers/areas you would excel in: Engineering (especially civil or structural), government and public administration, accounting and finance, law (especially corporate law), project management, real estate, agriculture and farming, quality control and auditing.

[accio-victuuri]

xiao zhan - meaning of the background / interactive page when you play his music on QQ ( p1)

In the interactive page on the music platform, the design of the everlasting flower is based on reinforced concrete as the cornerstone of a stable reality and survival, while transparent buildings and wonderful creatures represent the future, conveying that the reality we are in now is actually a fantasy of the future in the past. The petals and numbers symbolize "us" - an undefinable collection, which is both individual and connected to each other.

Under the background of light and shadow, all kinds of complex and vague "emotions" such as "joy, sadness, loneliness, despair, pain, confusion" sprout. Zoom in and watch the branches and vines, which exist in a unique posture in the environment where reality and the future intersect, independent and inseparable. All elements together constitute a constantly changing world, without a fixed form, and cannot be defined in a single way.

They are intertwined and repeated, evolving and growing between reality and the future like life. This complex relationship is simulated through digital technology, and combined with the music album, this delicate and subtle emotion and experience is conveyed simultaneously from the auditory and visual aspects.

[astrocafecoffee]

•Alkeste (124) - goddess of love and beauty , in your Groom pc / Juno pc /Briede pc

❤️ FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY, ENJOY. ALL PHOTOS FROM PINTEREST ❤️

🥀 MASTERLIST

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

✨ Alkeste (124) asteroid's presence in birth chart can indicate a strong connection to beauty , charm , love and romance. It can tell us what is most noticeable in someone's beauty/ outer look. Here, I covered alkeste in signs in groom/ briede/ juno pc.

🧡 Alkeste in Aries :

Aries is known for its vibrant energy and assertiveness, which would manifest in the person’s look as bold and attention-grabbing. Your fs might possess striking features that command attention, such as a strong, defined face with prominent facial expressions that convey confidence and enthusiasm. Their overall style is likely to be daring and original. They might favor fashion that is edgy or unconventional, reflecting their need to stand out and make a statement. Their choices in clothing and accessories might be influenced by their desire for immediacy and directness, often opting for outfits that are both eye-catching and purposeful.they might have a distinctive and energetic charm. Their beauty could be characterized by a kind of raw and magnetic quality that draws others in with its authenticity and fervor. This can include anything from a striking eye color or unique hairstyle to a vibrant and radiant skin tone.

🧡 Alkeste in Taurus:

Taurus, ruled by Venus, emphasizes a strong connection to sensuality and physical beauty. Your fs might have a calm, grounded presence that exudes a sense of stability and grace. Their features might be well-defined and harmonious, with a natural allure that draws people in without needing to be overly flashy.Their style often leans toward classic and timeless fashion, favoring high-quality materials and earthy tones that enhance their sense of comfort and luxury. They might be known for their appreciation of textures and subtle details, reflecting a sophisticated taste. Additionally, their beauty is often complemented by a serene and nurturing demeanor, adding to their overall charm. Their look can be described as understated yet deeply attractive, radiating a steady and enduring magnetism.

🧡Alkeste in Gemini :

With Alkeste in Gemini in groom pc/ juno pc your future spouse's beauty and outer appearance often reflect a lively and versatile charm. Gemini's influence brings an air of curiosity and adaptability, which manifests in a dynamic and ever-changing style. Individuals with this placement are likely to have expressive and engaging features, such as bright, inquisitive eyes or a vibrant smile that captures attention.Their style is typically eclectic and playful, characterized by a mix of different trends and accessories. They enjoy experimenting with their look, frequently changing hairstyles or incorporating unique, attention-grabbing elements into their wardrobe. This adaptability makes their appearance fresh and interesting, showcasing a blend of creativity and wit.

🧡 Alkeste in Cancer:

With Alkeste in Cancer, your future spouse's beauty and outer appearance often embody a soft, nurturing, and comforting quality. Cancer’s influence imparts a gentle, empathetic charm, making their features appear warm and inviting. They might have a round, soft face with expressive eyes that convey depth and sensitivity.Their style typically leans towards classic and cozy, with a preference for soft fabrics and soothing colors that enhance their comforting presence. They may choose clothing that reflects their personal and emotional connection to their surroundings, often opting for pieces that evoke a sense of home and security.their beauty has a tender and caring essence, characterized by a natural grace and an ability to make others feel at ease.

🧡 Alkeste in Leo :

With Alkeste in Leo, your future spouse's beauty and outer appearance often exude a regal and charismatic flair. Leo's influence brings a sense of grandeur and confidence, making their features bold and striking. They might have a strong, well-defined jawline, bright, captivating eyes, and a radiant smile that draws attention effortlessly.Their style is typically dramatic and eye-catching, with a preference for high-quality, luxurious fabrics and vibrant colors. They may favor fashion that highlights their individuality and flair, often opting for pieces that make a statement and showcase their unique personality. Accessories might be bold and glamorous, such as statement jewelry or eye-catching hats, reflecting their desire to stand out and shine.

🧡 Alkeste in Virgo :

With Alkeste in Virgo, your future spouse's beauty and outer appearance often reflect a refined, meticulous, and understated elegance. Virgo’s influence brings a sense of precision and attention to detail, making their features appear harmonious and well-balanced. They might have a clear, fresh complexion and features that convey clarity and neatness.Their style is typically characterized by classic, clean lines and practical yet sophisticated clothing choices. They favor well-tailored, high-quality garments in neutral or muted colors that enhance their natural grace without being overly ostentatious. Their accessories are likely to be subtle and functional, focusing on quality and simplicity.

🧡 Alkeste in Libra :

With Alkeste in Libra, your future spouse's beauty and outer appearance often embody balance, harmony, and sophisticated grace. Libra’s influence lends a natural sense of symmetry and elegance to their features, which may include well-proportioned facial features and a refined, attractive appearance.Their style is typically characterized by a keen sense of aesthetics and a preference for harmonious, well-coordinated outfits. They often favor fashion that blends classic and modern elements, choosing pieces that are both stylish and timeless. Colors are usually soft and harmonious, reflecting their desire for beauty and balance. Accessories are likely to be tasteful and complement their overall look, often chosen for their elegance and ability to enhance their appearance without overwhelming it.

🧡 Alkeste in scorpio:

Your future spouse's beauty and outer appearance are often intensely magnetic and deeply transformative. Scorpio’s influence imbues their features with a compelling and mysterious allure, which may include striking, intense eyes that seem to reveal profound depth and an enigmatic aura.Their style tends to be bold and dramatic, with a preference for rich, dark colors and luxurious fabrics that enhance their powerful presence. They might favor clothing and accessories that reflect their complex personality, often choosing items that convey sophistication and a touch of mystery. Their wardrobe may include elements like deep reds, blacks, and metallics, adding to their intense and captivating image.their beauty exudes a potent and seductive charm, marked by a strong sense of individuality and a profound emotional resonance.

🧡Alkeste in Sagittarius:

Sagittarius' influence brings a sense of freedom and expansiveness to your future spouse's look, making their features appear vibrant and expressive. They might have an open, engaging smile and eyes that sparkle with enthusiasm and curiosity.Their style tends to be eclectic and influenced by their adventurous spirit. They often prefer clothing that is comfortable, practical, and suited for a range of activities. Bright colors, bold patterns, and global or bohemian-inspired pieces might feature prominently in their wardrobe, reflecting their love for exploration and diversity.Accessories are likely to be unique and meaningful, possibly including items from their travels or those that tell a story.

🧡 Alkeste in Capricorn:

With Alkeste in Capricorn, your future spouse's beauty and outer appearance often exude a classic, refined, and understated elegance. Capricorn’s influence imparts a sense of professionalism and poise, making their features appear strong and well-defined. They may have a composed and mature look, with an emphasis on practical, sophisticated aesthetics.Their style is typically characterized by timeless, high-quality pieces that reflect their appreciation for structure and formality. They often choose well-tailored, classic garments in neutral or muted tones, highlighting their preference for a polished, no-nonsense appearance. Accessories are likely to be minimal but elegant, focusing on durability and subtlety.

🧡 Alkeste in Aquarius:

With Alkeste in Aquarius, your future spouse often gravitate towards pieces that break away from mainstream trends, embracing a style that reflects their unique personality and forward-thinking nature.they might opt for garments with unusual cuts or asymmetrical designs, combining different textures and materials in unexpected ways. Their wardrobe could include elements such as oversized silhouettes, metallic fabrics, or geometric patterns that reflect a futuristic aesthetic. They have an eye for integrating bold colors or unconventional prints that challenge traditional fashion norms.Accessories play a significant role in their style, often serving as the focal point of their ensemble. They might choose statement pieces such as sculptural jewelry, unusual hats, or accessories that incorporate modern technology or artistic design.

🧡 Alkeste in Pisces:

With Alkeste in Pisces, your future spouse's beauty and outer appearance often exude a dreamy, ethereal quality. Their style is typically soft, romantic, and fluid, favoring flowing fabrics and delicate, pastel colors that enhance their gentle, mystical aura. They might choose clothing with whimsical or artistic details, such as intricate lace, soft drapes, or patterns that evoke a sense of fantasy and escape. Accessories tend to be subtle yet enchanting, such as delicate, nature-inspired jewelry or items that have a bohemian or vintage feel. Their overall look often conveys a sense of otherworldliness and sensitivity, combining elegance with a touch of mystery. This placement suggests a beauty that is not only visually appealing but also emotionally resonant, reflecting an inner depth and an intuitive sense of style.

Thanks for reading, my lovelies 💕

- PIKO 💖

[ancientgoddessofegypt]

Astro thoughts : short n sweet <3 moonshinin' <3

Moon in the first house - Very empathetic sweet creatures. Def could be used a lot by people that they love and trust because they can be very giving to their energy a little too much. Attractiveness is through the roof as their auras are usually more open. Very smooth, soft bodies and have an innocent energy around them majority of the time. Its hard to stay mad at them.

Moon in the second house - They need time alone so they can get their thoughts in check. This is a taurus ruled house, so sometimes their emotions can be thru the roof, but they can be extremely level-headed/grounded with the way they move through their circumstances. Money can flow to them smoothly if they keep their focus high on the prize. Other wise, they can be duped by peasants with their fortune if they are not careful.

Moon in the third house - Very practical, intelligent nature. Honest and self aware. Very deep and can bond with anyone if you let them. Truly can keep you on your toes with each convo they have. Can talk to much, or can be way too quiet No in between. Can make a friend outta anyone tbh.

Moon in the fourth house - Light hearted nature. Very sweet and kind to anyone they meet but they keep to themselves a lot. They do NOT like too many people in they're space and it is a treasure to meet them AND to have them around 24/7 because they do not like being around just anybody. You gotta be more complex to get to know them, they are truly a one of a kind. Mysterious nature.

Moon in the fifth house - Great actors. Have a lot of gifts in the arts and could soothe people's emotions with them if they allow their vulnerable side to show. Children LOVE them and are usually inspired by them. The personality of this individual is raw, gentle and nurturing and they must be protected.

Moon in the sixth house - Boundaries is a big thing for this group. Gotta keep their energy in check because they can almost be like in hermit mode. Needs friends that understand their nature to keep them balanced. Animals and plants are their best friend.

Moon in the seventh house - Can have issues with lovers do to their high intensity with their emotions. It's almost like people can't see them for who they are and theirs a lot of potential of a transformative love. With the moon shining its light here, they are almost capable of turning anyone into a special relationship if the chemistry permits.

Moon in the 8th house - Beautiful souls that have a gift in penetrating the minds, souls and bodies of the people they meet. They have internal woes that never seem to make it to the sky, but they know how to water them and make them grow in the ground. True balance is needed with them so they almost always are going thru dark nights of the soul just to get them their. They have a lot to learn, but also so much to show to themselves and others as the journey is a long beautiful one in the end.

Moon in the ninth house - Captivating souls who are needing to bond with people who can change the perception of their mind through the eyes of travel or simply growing in this lifes journey. They know a lot about their favorite topics and would love to share it with anyone who wants to listen to them. Calming auras who enlightens you with the way they think, and are meant to teach and inspire in some way, shape, or form.

Moon in the tenth house - The sweet talkers of the group. The audience just adores them. You really can't stay mad at them for to long. They have sensual energy and people feel this right away. Celebrity energy. Secretive by nature. Most don't know a lot about you, even if your emotional state is in full view to everyone. Masters of manipulation, don't say I didn't warn you ;)

Moon in the eleventh house - Can make friends as soon as they walk out of their house. Shy and reserved in new environments but tend to be a lot sweeter and open up when their comforted. Has a unique presence and a distinctive style. Could almost convince anyone of anything as their looks and attraction tends to make people look the other way.

Moon in the 12th house - Alluring. Majestic. Spontaneous & a wanderer. Protect these children at all cost. There is more than what meets the eye. They attract a lot of people like bees to honey. But flies like you too. Can't let everyone in, they don't know what to do with you. Gotta be more open with being yourself, no matter how mysterious you come off. Boundaries are needed for this group since they are more prone to evil eye as their secretive by nature. People are always trying to spy on them and see what they have that they don't.

[circesastro]

Circe's Note #3

Note: These are just my own observations, ideas, thoughts and theories. This is just for entertainment purposes. Also, please be respectful of my observations! It is perfectly understandable to not resonate with some of my personal observations but please do not leave any disrespectful comments! Lastly, please don’t plagiarize/copy/steal any of my works! Without further ado, enjoy!

**All photos are from Pinterest**

MASTERLIST

✿ Aries Mars tend to have a quick reaction or just move very fast

✿ Men with Sagittarius placements tend to have a very active lifestyle. Also they LOVE to spend time in nature/outdoors 😭. Most of their hobbies include skydiving, hiking, camping, etc.

✿ Individuals with Virgo placements hate having leftover food sit in their fridge…

✿ Also, individuals with Cancer suns always seems so calm? Whether it’s true or not is a whole other story but they always seem like the shy and quiet upon first impression…ex: Ateez’s San, Seventeen’s Wonwoo, NCT’s Taeyong, etc.

✿ Virgos tend to do a lot of editing/proofreading before submitting anything (if they could change it afterwards, they would too)

✿ Sagittarius Mars on the other hand are on a whole other level of competitiveness like they’re out for blood…there’s Yuqi from G-idle, Gunwook from ZB1 and even Li Chen…. if you can't tell just watch running man china and you'll know what I'm talking about 🤣

✿ Remember the time when Seok Matthew (Cancer Mars) won an arm wrestling match with Kim Donghyun (6th best UFC Wrestler who participated in Physical 100/ Virgo Mars) but lost to Gunwook (Sagittarius Mars)? Yeah, out for blood

✿ I noticed that in many idol groups, idols with libra placements tend to get popular and praised for the way they act/their mannerisms and charisma…there’s something fresh and unique that they bring to the table that the audience loves (Ex: BTS’s Jimin, Aespa’s Ningning, Gidle’s Yuqi, NMixx’s Lily, SKZ’s Bang Chan, Monsta X’s Joohoney, P1Harmony’s Keeho, Shinee’s Key, etc.)

✿ There’s two types of Scorpio mars— 1) Relies on their strength and drive to get through things (ex: BTS’s Jungkook, Ateez’s San & Seventeen’s Dino) and then there’s 2) One who relies on their mentality and emotional strength to get through things (ex: BTS’s Jimin and Seventeen’s Jeonghan)

✿ You know what is funny? Cancer mars won't get into a physical fight but they are strong??? Their strength is kind of unexpected because they don’t use it all that much.

✿ Aries placement tend to have the type of beauty that captures people’s attention first (ex: Hyunjin of SKZ have an Aries Mars, Karina of Aespa is an Aries Sun + Venus, Mingyu of SVT is an Aries Sun + Venus, Lisa of BlackPink is a Aries Stellium, Jackson Wang is an Aries Sun + Venus, Asa + Ahyeon of BabyMonster is an Aries Sun + Mercury, Cha Eunwoo is an Aries Stellium, Ryujin of ITZY is an Aries stellium, etc.)

✿ Leo placements and their hyperfocus on their hair is so real like my mom is a Leo sun and she always say to take care of your hair, my brother is a Leo Venus and he would always style his hair and use multiple different products before leaving the house and my friend is a Leo Venus and she would change hairstyle every other month….

✿ Pisces Mars women make excellent "gold diggers". I think its because they easily play into people's fantasies. (Ex. Sheraseven, Lauren Sanchez, and my aunt in law 💀.) Also they have this intuition to knowing what it is that the other desires so it may come easier for them to play into the "ideal woman" but before you know it you're trapped...point is I think they can easily bag up a provider.

✿ Pisces Mars women in general seems like the ideal fantasy women. I also notice that their "mask" slips easily but they make it up just as quick. They are the type of people to play a persona/character so well that they eventually end up embodying that energy. (Ex. Marilyn Monroe, Paris Hilton, Im Yoona) Not saying that they are fake, I am just saying that these people often make others fall in love with their personas.

✿ Adding on to the previous statement pisces mars can make great manifestors and I think they will benefit a lot from Law of Assumption. Congratulations 🥳🎉.

✿ This might as well become a pisces mars (both men and women) post but i think its a great deal of delusion + intuition + acting that pisces mars end up manifesting their dream life. (quite literally delulu until it becomes trululu...)

MASTERLIST

[topazadine]

Avoiding therapy speak in writing

I think we all know by now that therapy speak is irritating and unrealistic, especially if you are writing in a fantasy world that doesn't even have modern psychology.

Part of the reason that it is so annoying is that it is the definition of telling instead of showing: characters are just plainly informing us of their feelings rather than making us work for a better understanding. It's cheap and boring. Instead of making your characters seem like complex individuals with their own hangups and difficulties, they seem like plot points programmed to tell us things.

But obviously, you want to put these people in situations and have them talk about it! How do you do that without sounding maudlin? Here are some options.

Listen to real arguments/conversations

I cannot stress enough how important it is to listen to how actual real human beings talk to each other during heightened emotional states. They don't have to be nasty abusers, and they don't have to be perfect angels, just everyday people doing their normal thing.

Of course, I'd hope you're not seeing people argue all the time, but if you do happen to see it, listen carefully and notice how people actually address their problems. Think back to tough conversations that you have had, even if you wouldn't classify them as arguments. Consider how people acted and reacted to one another. Notice how normal humans talk about issues outside of therapy, even intelligent and emotionally evolved people.

I've had years of therapy, and even I do not talk in therapy ways about my issues when I'm talking to my family or friends. It just feels cheesy and fake outside of that particular setting - plus, it freaks other people out and can seem kind of manipulative. Try talking like that in a real conversation and see how uncomfortable it is. You'll understand why avoiding therapy speak is important.

Consider the character's own hangups

Just as everyone has their own unique speaking style and mindset, so do we all have our own argument styles. These are often informed by our pasts and upbringing; they are as varied as our own histories. However, there are a few different options.

Someone with a happy upbringing may be more assertive and willing to address their problems because they had that demonstrated to them as children.

A spoiled child will grow up to be a demanding adult who refuses to give any quarter.

Those who got yelled at a lot as children may shut down and fawn to avoid getting hurt.

Someone who grew up in a violent household may mimic that behavior and get incredibly aggressive when upset.

Individuals whose parents didn't teach them emotional regulation will lash out and get loud.

Manipulative people may stay very calm and gaslight the other person, or they may get hysterical to garner sympathy and make people focus on comforting them.

Someone who has gone to therapy may revert to their original argument style, or they may imperfectly apply what they have learned in a way that feels a bit unnatural. They may start out with rage, then force themselves to calm down through grounding techniques.

People who have been coached through previous emotional outbursts could demand a time out, then fail to actually calm themselves down.

Some may refuse to acknowledge they are upset and insist, in increasingly forceful terms, that they are fine.

Others may get quiet or crack a joke to ease the tension, but it doesn't really help.

Keep each confrontation short

IRL, emotional confrontations are generally not that long. They don't go on for hours and hours, though it can feel that way. No one is going on and on about their feelings and sharing every little detail of how they feel (at least not that I know of personally, maybe other people are different).

Even the worst arguments I have had, the real nexus of the argument was maybe an hour or two, though the fallout lasted much longer. I'd say there was an hour maximum of real, active confrontation, preceded or followed by hours/days/weeks of simmering frustration.

Why? Because arguments are exhausting. You don't have the energy for that in the heat of the moment. Yes, feuds and fights can last years, but each actual confrontation is short.

For longer, more serious issues, hash it out over a few sessions rather than all at once. It's rare to get everything out of the way immediately unless the characters already have a strong, loving relationship.

Show incongruencies

Especially for more reserved people, they will likely have their emotions leaking all over the place but won't actually say anything. As such, focus on body language while keeping the conversation more focused on the plot. For example, Character A might be crying but still trying to argue their point about whatever is going on.

Address physical complaints instead of emotional ones

In many cases, people will use "I'm tired" or "I didn't sleep well" or "I'm not feeling great" as shorthand for whatever is actually bothering them. It relieves pressure by not making them talk about upsetting matters while still addressing their discomfort in some form.

You should also consider the fact that some people can't connect physical sensations to feelings, so they may genuinely feel ill and not really understand why. This is especially common in people who can't emotionally regulate or have been through trauma.

For myself, I tend to somatize my feelings, so I might not feel upset, but I will feel physically sick. My stomach will hurt, my chest will get tight, or I'll get a headache, but my emotional state will seem calm. This isn't all that unusual, and many people experience this to different degrees.

As such, you can have your character say that their stomach hurts, or that they have a headache and can't discuss this anymore, or that they need to go lie down because they're dizzy. If we know they're relatively healthy, this can be a clue that they're getting overwhelmed but either cannot pinpoint their emotions or don't want to discuss them.

Let characters advance and retreat

A lot of the time, someone will address a scary emotion and then retreat again, sometimes over a period of hours, days, or even weeks. This is normal: most of us don't have the emotional fortitude to forge ahead through something difficult all in one go. Character A may say something vulnerable, then change the topic, laugh it off, say they're done discussing it, or even leave the situation.

Leave emotions partially unaddressed

Again, it's rare for someone to spill out everything they're feeling all in one go. As such, have Character A address the most important thing - or the least important, depending on their level of emotional maturity - and let it be done for then.

They might say their small piece, but when someone tries to probe deeper, they don't have an answer, or they get "stuck" on that one emotional level and cannot go further.

If Character B keeps pushing, then they may get incredibly upset and push back, or retreat.

Have Character B point out the feelings

Works especially well if the other character is a close companion or a parental figure. Often, people who know us really well will have better insight into our emotions than we do. Or, we might have good insight into our emotions but are still too afraid to open up. Having Character B point out the issue gives Character A grace to be more honest.

I can't tell you how many times I've been really upset, so I've distracted from the issue by getting angry about something completely different. Then, my mom will gently point out that I'm not actually crying about my new plastic cup being broken or whatever; I'm actually upset about XYZ. In that moment, I realize I've been caught out and admit that yes, that's what I'm really upset about.

Have Character A address it with a third character

Who among us hasn't gone to someone else to talk about our feelings? Having a third party serve as a sounding board is normal. Sometimes, Character A will feel such catharsis from this conversation that they don't address it as thoroughly with Character B.

Of course, you can use this to your advantage and create more tension if the third character gives bad advice or is biased.

Remember that just because the third party responded well does not mean that Character B does. You also have to avoid omniscience and remember that Character B wasn't privy to that conversation.

Have one confrontation be a stand-in for a larger one

I always think about the "The Iranian Yogurt Is Not the Issue" post when I think about this. Often times, things like not doing the dishes or whatever aren't actually the big deal: it's lack of boundaries, communication, or respect. A minor argument can be shorthand for a larger one that is too challenging for the characters to tackle.

This isn't just creating drama for the hell of it, though; it's about exploring the larger issues without making the characters lay it out on the table. A good reader will be able to see it's not about the Iranian Yogurt as long as you set up the relationship well.

Currently, I am writing a story where Uileac and his sister Cerie go to rescue Uileac's husband, Orrinir. On the way there, Uileac idly comments on how he wonders where a waterfall comes from because he's trying to distract himself from thinking about the fact that his husband is kidnapped and possibly dead.

Cerie, being pretty wound up too, starts arguing with him about it because she's like "why is this relevant? We're kind of too busy to think about geology right now!" Uileac gets annoyed at her for being so aggro, and she gets annoyed at him for being so irreverent. Both of them are upset about something completely different, but they're too scared and panicked to actually address that, so they release their frustrations by complaining about waterfalls.

Those bad vibes have to go somewhere, but neither of them are very good at talking about their feelings (though very good at stuffing them down). As such, they take the pressure off by sniping at one another. You've probably done this too, when you get into a dumb argument about something absolutely pointless because there's something you don't feel strong enough to discuss.

There's also the fact that if you're mad at someone about something but feel it's too stupid or petty to discuss, that frustration will leak out and everything else they do will annoy you, leading to a bunch of irrelevant arguments.

Use "reaffirmation" gestures

I talked about this in a different post, but after an argument, the "make up" stage doesn't always involve going "ohhh I forgive you" and big hugs and kisses, especially when the two characters aren't emotionally mature.

Instead, Character A makes gestures that reaffirm the relationship. This could be offering to do something Character B needs, making plans for later, or changing the topic to discuss something the other character cares about ("how are your cats doing?") etc.

Note that these "reaffirmation" gestures aren't the same as the cycle of abuse. This is more when two characters have had a difficult emotional conversation but aren't really sure how to continue being emotionally open, so they revert to something safer that still shows they care. They're not over-the-top gestures either, but more a special attention to something the other person loves. Knowing what the other person loves also demonstrates the depth of their relationship.

As always, I can't tell you what to do with your writing.

You are the crafter of your own story, and if you want people to talk like therapists for whatever reason, that's your choice. However, we want characters to feel like real people, and most real people don't lay it all out on the table every single time they're upset. If they do, they might be trauma vomiting, which is icky in and of itself.

Healthy communication isn't always perfect communication. People can have strong, loving relationships and still get things wrong - we're human. Having people calmly and rationally and easily talk about their feelings every single time is not only kind of boring, but it also feels weird, because unless we're primed to discuss those difficult topics and know we're perfectly safe, we're not going to do that.

People don't even do that in therapy, where they are paying for the service of talking about their feelings! Therapists also don't always do that IRL!

We're humans, and your characters need to feel like humans as well. That means letting them be imperfect communicators and using context clues rather than making them do all the work for the reader.

If you liked my advice, consider purchasing my book, 9 Years Yearning, for $3!

[irisbleufic]

REVIEW

Gatsby: An American Myth (Welch, Chavkin, Bartlett, Majok, & Tayeh; American Repertory Theater)

Something that most adaptations of Gatsby get wrong, whether film or stage, is the treatment of characters as archetypes rather than individuals. Symbolism drowns out most genuine attempts at capturing emotional connections and conflicts of personality. They forget that this story is not only a failure of the so-called American Dream; first and foremost, it’s a tragedy of failed roles and relationships. Almost every one of the players is attempting to be someone they are not, and even as they reach for what they believe they should want, they reveal with increasing fervor what they actually want. This is the heart of what makes Welch’s new adaptation so devastatingly, disarmingly unique, so true to its source.

The set design is literal wreckage. Crushed and warped automobile chassis scaffold the moving staircases, and concealed trap doors. The backdrop shows no clear incorporation of the infamous Eckleburg billboard; rather, it is made up of a dotted grid resembling headlights. These play out effects ranging from a downpour to camera flashes to, briefly and only once, a pair of eyes that make no effort to hide behind the owlish frames of glasses. The only thing infusing this jagged framework with meaning is the people who move through it.

The lighting design works with the set’s incongruences, deepening or excavating shadows as needed. The brightness, when it flares, is blinding. Jewel tones either enhance or diminish a costuming scheme that is composed of either very pale or very dark shades, no in between. And whether it’s the post-apocalyptic black and gray cabaret garb of the ensemble or the wealthy protagonists’ pale suits or the gunmetal and gray denizens of the wasteland, everyone’s trouser and skirt hems are conspicuously rimed with reddish dust. The visual effects are nearly impossible to describe without sounding like I had some kind of desperate fever dream.

So far, I realize that these descriptions of the set and lighting design sound like this production is about to fall into the trap of overplaying symbolism, but please bear with me. With all of that established, I can focus on what’s truly extraordinary here, what’s meant to and does shine unhindered. The acting, musicianship and vocals are all so precise that it was hard for me to believe this show is still in previews. It feels Broadway ready, West End ready, major international tours ready. If I was the production crew, I’d turn this loose on a massive scale from the get-go without a second thought.

Much like with Hadestown, the musicians are not down in an orchestra pit. They’re characters in their own right, present on the stage from start to finish on tiered risers that run up from the center on each side from one of the catwalks. I’m sure Chavkin’s involvement as director has everything to do with why this show feels so much like, moves so much like Hadestown. The company is on an equally small scale, about 23 - 25 people including the principals.

Costuming among the ensemble is delightfully gender agnostic. I mention a cabaret aesthetic earlier in this review, and I’m not kidding. If you had shown me the ensemble costume designs without showing me the principals’ designs, I would have assumed I was looking at a Cabaret revival. They’re the most talented dancers I’ve seen occupy one stage in more than a decade. The choreography relies on movements in eerie unison for a significant portion of the show, but not without allowance for individual flair within those constraints. The guy sitting next to me, when I spoke to him at the intermission, said he works as a choreographer in regional theater, and he’d never seen anything like this. I couldn’t agree more; the dancing is singular, and as impressive as the musicianship is, the dancing and unusual body movement are maybe the greatest achievements of this show on the living, breathing end of things. I could have watched the dancers for those three hours without any dialogue or vocal intervention and still understood the story. That takes so much fucking doing.

As for the principal cast, they’re constantly among the ensemble; when I say these are all triple threats in the purest sense of that terminology, I really mean it. You always expect a few of the principals to be less dance and movement focused, more polished on the acting and singing side, but this show gives you terrifying proficiency from every angle. Even the guy playing Meyer Wolfsheim is at the center of what I think is the most memorable dance number in the piece. I’ve just never seen such versatile principals all in one production. What’s even more extraordinary is that I had never heard of or previously seen any of them, and that takes some doing given how much live theater I’ve consumed in several decades of life.

Ironically, the musical composition is the one aspect of this production on which I’ll be spending the least time. I need not tell you why Welch and Bartlett were perfect for this job. They understood the assignment, and then some. There’s not a single weak number among the track listings, and I desperately hope they release a recording soon. The standout numbers all have something in common: they showcase Soleia Pfeiffer as Myrtle Wilson. You can tell that’s the role where Welch sank most of the sound that’s considered her signature style. I don’t even need to describe it; you already know what I’m talking about. What’s impressive otherwise is the restraint, the lack of over-reliance on that signature style.

The principals are fucking perfect. I’ve kept this review tautly professional without meaning to thus far, but from here on out is where I start bleeding feels all over the post. If you don’t already know who my blorbos are due to my writing history with a Gatsby-related novel (The Pursued and the Pursuing, 2021), you’re going to know by the time you’re done reading this. You’re going to know exactly who I love and why, who I hate and why, who I ship and why. But you’ll also know that I approach all three of those elements from a place of enjoying every moment of those characters, even the ones I hate. Nobody’s performance put me off or struck the wrong tone when taken in context of the novel and how the tragedy of how their relationships play out.

For a long time, I’ve been saying that there are certain support roles, certain sidekicks, that make or break the higher-profile person to whose side they’re stuck, ride or die, until the bitter end. Horatio is a great example that I’ve ranted about before; if your Hamlet production has a lackluster Horatio, then it doesn’t matter how good the Hamlet is. You have nothing if you don’t have the binary star system at the heart of that harrowing universe. I’ve seen other adaptations of Gatsby consistently fall apart because Nick Carraway is treated like the kind of voyeur who doesn’t matter, the kind of voyeur who serves as the audience’s eyes and ears, and nothing else. Anyway, this is all to say: Ben Levi Ross as Nick might be the most compelling argument I can make for the fact that the creative team behind this show understood the assignment. He’s awkward, warm, sincere, and reactive in all of the ways you need Nick to be. He’s not a passive observer; he’s in the middle of everything, and he knows it. There’s a self-deprecating response he makes when one character, Jordan if I’m not mistaken, quips that maybe he’s the reason for Gatsby’s parties for all he knows. “Maybe I am,” he says, and the tongue-in-cheekness belies a gutting meta-sincerity. We believe Daisy is the point, Gatsby believes Daisy is the point, but what’s borne out every breathtaking moment of this production is that Nick is the point. He always was. He’s also given his due as a gay man in context of the story for the first time ever. I might make some folks mad when I say Nick has always been gay; I’m going to point you to Myrtle’s apartment party and the hookup with Mr. McKee as textual evidence in the novel. The kiss with McKee, the hookup with McKee, is unapologetically here. His lack of belonging everywhere else he’s ever been, because he is gay, is unapologetically here. One of the most memorable numbers in the show hinges on the hope feels at being able to be himself in New York. Queer fans of Gatsby have been waiting a long time for this. Anyone who’s read the text closely and understood him has been waiting a long time for this. I’ve been waiting several decades as a reader, and I would’ve waited forever to have Nick so fully, lovingly realized.

One of the other things that Gatsby adaptations have persistently gotten wrong is the titular character himself. The invention of Jay Gatsby hides the underlying James Gatz, makes it feel as if that old self is truly subsumed, as if it never mattered. But Isaac Powell gives us a Jay who’s exactly as he should be, who can’t hide beneath his own attempt at artifice and reinvention worth a goddamn. He’s young (as young as Nick; they’re 32 and 30 respectively both in the novel and here), painfully earnest, and just barely keeping a handle on the criminal shit he’s had to do in order to get where he is. When he says old sport to Nick, it’s not an affectation; when he says it to Tom, it becomes a biting insult. This is a Jay who knows where and why he’s vulnerable; he latches onto Nick like a not because he sees a man close to Daisy that he can exploit, but because he sees another young man who’s equally vulnerable, equally an outsider, equally haunted by the things they had to do in the war. From the moment they meet, they are almost always touching—a hand on the shoulder, on the back, getting in social harm’s way for each other, eyes seeking each other without cease in the most crowded of settings. When Jay takes Nick to lunch to meet Wolfsheim (who has in this production taken on the function of Dan Cody as well), it’s not to have somebody else vouch for the artifice of who Jay Gatsby is. It’s taking Nick to meet his fucking father-figure, and all of the messy, sincere “if you hurt my boy, I’ll kill you” sentiment that Wolfsheim aims at Nick was the moment I knew just how much the Nick’s loss by the end was going to hurt. Jay’s love for Daisy is a ghost of itself, even if as painfully earnest as everything else about him. Meanwhile, his attachment to Nick is so disarmingly genuine from the start that you understand the true tragedy you’re about to watch untold: these men who need each other, maybe even were made for each other, each prove unable to step outside their parallel distractions from what they truly are to each other. Jay’s interactions with Daisy and Nick’s interactions with several male and/or gender ambiguous members of the ensemble have something in common, which is a shocking level of physicality. This show had an intimacy coordinator; that’s the level of no holds barred we’re talking about. When you look at Tom and Myrtle, you can see why that was merited, too.

Speaking of Tom (Cory Jeacoma), the treatment of him here is every bit as scary as it should be. There’s no attempt to make him palatable, unlike what I’ve seen done with him in other adaptations. He towers over everyone else in the cast, I mean everyone, to a physical degree that’s uncomfortable. The way his wife, lover, and friends all flinch when he gets too close to them speaks volumes to the fact that he’s an abuser in every sense of the term. Even Nick, the prodigal college friend from Yale, is on eggshells around him (which, by the hotel blowup at the end of the show, becomes a sneering, reckless contempt, one of the driving forces that drives Nick to put himself between Jay and Tom whenever real harm is on the table). At the same time, this is a Tom who sincerely loves his wife and was only ever using Myrtle as a fling. You can tell he never meant any of the promises he made Myrtle. When Daisy tells him she didn’t stop the car on purpose, it’s as if his wife’s unapologetic act of manslaughter (“It was her or me!”) is the thing that wins him back. They aren’t careless people; they are people who consciously choose, day in and day out, to use others until they’re bored or done with them. The ruthlessness of Tom and Daisy as a couple is impressive, played up to a level that I feel more adaptations should do without fear of exaggerating the text.

As mentioned above, Daisy (Charlotte MacInnes) is no delicate, nervous creature who can’t help her actions under duress. She knows what she’s doing every bit as much as Tom knows what he’s doing. They use people, hurt people because they get bored and restless and enjoy it. I respect a Daisy who’s in control of her actions every step of the way even if I don’t like her; it’s better than trying to depict her as weak and at the mercy of the men around her. She’s a pragmatist and a survivor. So many of her songs are about choices and being conscious of those choices. She is a person you should fear every bit as much as you fear her husband, and even Jordan knows she’s not safe in Daisy’s orbit.

As Jordan, Eleri Ward is one of the neatest personalities on stage. Like Tom, she’s noticeably taller than most, which gives her a commanding physical presence. She has no romantic interest in anyone; I fucking love that this production show her and Nick bonding on the basis of being queer and tired of everyone else’s shit. This is a more likable, relatable Jordan than I’ve seen in the past. This is a Jordan whose relationship to Gatsby is much more familiar and warm, much more akin to the friendship she forms with Nick. In fact, the queer-and-tired vibes that roll off several of the principals in this production are palpable.

Myrtle and Wilson (Matthew Amira) aren’t always played as effective foils for Daisy and Tom, but here? They unquestionably are. They do actually love each other in spite of the things they’ve done to hurt each other, and it’s a constant dance of daring each other, challenging each other. The most memorable duet in the entire show is between them, during Act II. The confrontation is positively electric. These are two people with deep, complicated history. Of all the couples in the show, they feel the most real, the most alive. It makes the loss of Myrtle so much more wrenching; she’s not just a plot device emblematic of the bad choices they’ve all been making. She’s not shallow or frivolous or anything like that. She’s a shrewd woman with complex motivations, and for the first time ever I find myself loving her and caring what happens to her. She’s thrust even further into the action in that one of her part time gigs is working as a maid at Gatsby’s parties, a conceit that works shockingly well and hastens the devastating consequences of her affair with Tom.

I’ve made mention of Meyer Wolfsheim’s (Adam Grupper) uniquely enhanced role previously, so I’d be remiss if I didn’t comment on him again. This is a man who does, in fact, seem to give a shit about Jay above and beyond using him as a tool in his criminal empire. It’s not necessarily a healthy father-son dynamic, but Wolfsheim is usually played as ruthless, opportunistic, inhumanly calculating. Here, he’s a charming, but unquestionably dangerous man moved by a young soldier’s plight. He seems conflicted between his love for Jay and his need to have Jay continue to hold the party line within their business relationship. Wolfsheim is deeply conflicted about Jay in a way that I haven’t seen any Wolfsheim be played previously. And, as I mentioned earlier, the actor has a showstopper of a song and dance number. That may be the #1 “I wasn’t expecting that, but I’ll take it!” moment for me in this show. And I say “may be” only because the moment that truly stopped my heart, will stay with me until everything else fades from memory, is perhaps only understandable in the context of my engagement with the text of Gatsby as a writer of transformative works.

Daisy’s and Tom’s daughter, Pam Buchanan doesn’t always appear in adaptations because she’s a toddler. Even in the novel, she a throwaway mention plus a single scene near the end where the nanny brings her out to meet Jay and Nick. She’s most often left as a throwaway mention without even grave of the scene where she appears. The scene in the novel, however brief, is memorable—and has been captured in all its fragile beauty for the first time in this adaptation. Jay and Nick both pay bewildered, wondering attention to this kid when she’s brought out. Jay drops to his knees and takes her hand when she greets him while Nick looks on in a moment of singular focus on both of them. The child who plays Pam here has a spark, an expressiveness that made me choke up even though she’s only on stage for a few minutes, if that. The tableau is one in which you can feel the shock of reality, however brief, touch on these men—Daisy’s and Tom’s reckless actions may yet do harm to someone who’s barely even begun to live her life, but who is just conscious enough to be a participant in it. They recognize that they, like this child, are probably in for a word of ruin—and that they have let it go on for so long that there’s now nothing they can do about it. For me, the deepest tragedy was watching Nick and Jay throw off that moment of heartbroken, horrified recognition prompted by Pam and return to the parts they’d decided to play out until the moment one of their hearts stopped.

Speaking of grief, of Nick’s grief since he’s the one who loses so much: there is only one person who loses more, and that’s Mr. Gatz, Jay’s father. They preserve his arrival at the house when Nick is the only person who stays around to carry out Jay’s funeral and burial. And when he arrives, the visceral shock of seeing his dark skin, braids, and beaded elements of Native regalia in juxtaposition with his otherwise period-typical Western garb underscore the tragedy of what young Jay was running away from, of what he never quite succeeded in erasing from himself. The burial scene shows Nick reverently bringing several of Jay’s folded shirts from the house and handing them down into the grave to Mr. Gatz, who places them reverently as possessions to accompany his son into thereafter. The cultural ramifications are all at once understated and devastating. Nick has moments with each of Jay’s father figures that are among the most complex and moving in the show. The program does not make clear the name of the ensemble member who takes on this most memorable of all Mr. Gatz appearances, and this erasure in and of itself is both unfortunate and telling. This is a world that never belonged to the majority of those who inhabit it, and Nick realizes it with heartbroken clarity after having this final interaction. Even though he’s an outsider, he’s part of a world that has erased and betrayed the man he loved so much at every turn.

The closing number, “We Beat On,” felt like it needed something more, but it utilized the final line of the novel to a deeply moving effect. The lights go down suddenly as the last word is sung; it feels like the song is half finished. When the lights came up, Nick and Jay were center stage in each other’s embrace, just withdrawing from each other as the entire company transitioned into final bows. That’s how I’ll remember them, always: touching even when they’ve already lost each other, borne ceaselessly back into each other’s arms. If Nick is Orpheus, then I have no doubt that he, too, will tell this story again and again until someday, somewhere, something gives.