#and there is simply an element of ego to it - to enjoying the idea that those I admire like what i say

[fellhellion]

🚬….

[writing-nothing-but-spilled-ink]

Books to read if you liked avatar the last Airbender

If you enjoyed elemental elements of avatar and how it was all about balance and strong independent female main characters with azulas intelligence might I suggest

1. The poppy wars trilogy written by R.F kuang (check trigger warnings for this series as it's an incredibly heavy book and not recommended for children)

If you enjoyed uncle irohs love of tea and wisdom and just genuinely enjoy stories revolving around healers and a unique magic system as well fighting a corrupt spirits might I suggest

2. A magic steeped in poison duology by Judy I Lin

If you enjoyed the more combative elements of avatar where it included the elements and bending with them and the martial arts portion and want a story more akin to zuko with his twin blades and his alter ego the blue spirit or the scenes with ba sing se where the earth king has no idea about the 100 year war and when he finds out his whole world is turned upside down might I suggest

3. The sword of kaigan by M.L Wang

Only in this one it doesn't center on adults but children of prominent powerful families..

..

Now if you simply want more stories within the world of avatar I suggest

4. The rise of kyoshi by F.C Yee

5. The shadow of kyoshi by F.C Yee

6. The dawn of yangchen by F.C Yee

7. The legacy of Yangchen by F.C Yee

[infantilebliss]

What is Treasured about Adult Infants

'ABDL' is a label that, although typically falls into a specific category of certain individuals that share a 'general interest' in something, that isn't entirely accurate either. ABDL as a whole often falls into a wide, wide amount of different 'spectrums of taste' and desires that not everyone that is ABDL shares. To say that one ABDL is the same as another in terms of what they 'like' about such is more than likely going to be incorrect, since many people are into the ABDL for a variety of reasons.

Some enjoy the ABDL because they want to relax and enjoy themselves, falling back into a more infantile mindset without any hardship pressing them down... others do it for the humiliation and degradation, enjoying being talked down to and being beet red on their face, the feeling of being dominated or to dominate. Some enjoy have the 'Adult' of Adult Baby being the primary aspect of their ABDL exploration, others enjoy being more then 'Baby', and others enjoy a near-balanced mixture of the two. Whether this AB balancing either has them be in a nursery filled with just 'baby things' scaled for their size, 'adult things' that have some elements such as the changing table and pacifier as they go about acting the 'adult', and others want the two hybridized, being treated as both the adult and the baby that they want to be. Others of the ABDL also have a mixture of other desires, other fetishes, other needs, and other tastes that often can blend into their ABDL aspect (or not)

For someone like me, the reason why I enjoy ABDLs, and more importantly why my tastes always fall into the 'maturity range' of those that act the infant or newborn, is the 'head' of these adult babies. I love the idea of an adult that wants to be so relaxed, so soft, so warm, that their entire being that has been strung up and tied in knots and a variety of walls and pillars in order to survive in a 'social environment' that requires the suppression of so many things be destroyed... the ideals of modesty, dignity, and social appearance being removed as the little ones are allowed to instead focus on themselves... to let their little greeds of feeling connection, of feeling touched, of having someone understand them to be there for them.

A little one that has their mind have their fears, anxieties, and complex emotions and thoughts be either broken down or outright suppressed with instead a permanent 'high', one where the little one feels so soft, secure, safe, happy, and loved that she can't help but let her little emotions burst out of their lips and through their wiggling limbs. One where they don't care if they make so many spit bubbles, adorable silly noises, awkwardly moving their toes or hands without direction or purpose... instead, knowing that everything is taken cared of... a settled, holding feeling where the little one has so much trust, that the little one feels both the lightest they have ever been in their pretty heads and heavy across the rest of their body. One where they don't worry about the destination of themselves as their future is secure in their hearts, being so relaxed that even crawling and feeding themselves is very difficult for them. One where they have an ever-swarming feeling of victory within their awareness, one where they have a connection so deep and a security so soft yet tight that they can simply relax and 'free themselves', being able to let go of so many complex and hard things and instead focus on what is important to them... whether those important things being their little super egos focusing looking towards their cognition and inspirations towards the 'arts' as they are either sitting down in their baby seat or on the floor colouring on their paper, writing whatever they desire, or typing and playing whatever they want on the keyboards and controllers as they let their imagination and immersion be able to go wild, one where their minds are able to be able to explore diverse worlds even within their own wonderlands with their stuffies as they no longer need to suppress such creativity and logic... or their little Id, being able to enjoy eating and sleeping, cuddling and playtime, and letting their infantile needs of listening to someone's heartbeat as they are swaddled tightly and fed their baba, being rocked back and forth as the little cutie feels so close and wanted that all of their urges that they have suppressed due to needing to meet social rulings of the societies that they are forced to walk in be able to not only be released but also fulfilled.

What I love about adult infants and newborns is to have their pretty heads be fully released and freed~ A feeling of all that was suppressed becomes raw and open, and all of the ego that was forced upon them in order to integrated to be forgotten. To allow the little ones be able to be themselves and not feel suppressed, whether it be by others and/or themselves as they attempt and to survive into the 'adult world', instead being able to reach a freedom that so many strive for but will never receive. An adult infant that, even with her much used pampers and her slobbered knuckles, has that intelligence in her eyes knowing and feeling everything that is and has happened, her future sight feeling a sense of ease as her thoughts are about security and love instead of feeling unsteady and alone. One where they are an absolute winner in their hearts and never want to grow out of their cribs ever again~ A feeling of acceptance as they are either treated the full infant or have those adult 'things' that they loved and desired to explore be integrated into their pampered lives. Giving them a freedom to their heads and hearts as they feel like their world has opened up and been released to them despite being in a position where being strapped onto their seats, carried around everywhere, or lying on their backies and tummies is the new norm for them now.

I hope that explains what I love, personally, the most about ABDL, and why the Newborn/Infant elements of it is so alluring to me~

[wrathofrats]

diswa back again with the brain

curious if you have any thoughts about the LA ghoulettes? i've been searching for content of them because... women...

I actually haven’t thought a ton about them since the concert so thank you for bringing them up! I immediately kind of imprinted on this post by @slippy-socks and so I’ll be using/referring to those names and designs and elements bc YEAHHHHHH GHOULETTES OF OTHER ELEMENTS FUCKING FINALLY

Anyways now that I have solid headcanons I can add them to every growing list of ways to make them weird bc oh I’ve been thinking as I’ve been writing this (puts on my t shirt that says ask me about the LA ghoulettes)

Headcanons under cut for length!

Calliope - vocals/ quintessence

I think Callie is more of a traditional quint personality wise. Very intellectual and likes structure. She’s just a more serious gal! Obviously gets along well with aether, they’re kinda book besties when she’s summoned, sharing different books on the stars and magic and other interesting things about the world. She thinks phantom is cute in that aspect. Helping him create maps of the stars in his room with stupid stickers he found. I think Callie’s quintessence revolves more around astral ideas as opposed to medical and body wise like aether and shadow wise like phantom.

She’s a very calm entity I think. She leans femme. Sweet and low energy but with a stoic commanding respect nature to her. She prefers to be alone or with another low energy individual such as aether or rain.

Eden- piano / earth

eden likes mischief. Can be a bit egotistical. Perfectionist and takes her instrument very seriously and can be annoyed when some of the other ghouls tend to mess around more.

She’s very honest, one to not beat around the bush. Gives amazing advice but won’t just tell you what you want to hear, will tell you what you need to hear.

Despite her more aloof side, she is very physical! She loves physical contact, and often has her arm around another ghoul or is on someone’s lap or is holding someone’s hand.

She enjoys hanging around dew, they feed off of each others more chaotic sides and get into friendly competitions that have the other swearing up and down the other is cheating

Loire- cello/ water

Another more introverted ghoulette. Shy and timid and tends to hang around Callie more as she feels she’s more safe and stable.

I don’t think she talks much, simply content on hanging around, partially mute, goes quiet when she gets overwhelmed. I think she has a lot of feelings and tends to shut down a bit, but she’s trying her best

Sweetheart when she’s comfortable with you. Very much is an acts of service gal. Getting another ghoul a drink or a snack or sewing up ripped clothes without asking, cleaning rooms when she sees they’re in a bit of disarray, she likes to stay busy by helping out her pack.

Tends to be seen more around Callie, cirrus and mountain as they feel the most grounded to her.

Soleil- cello/ fire

she’s a bimbo

You’ve seen ifrit the himbo? This is soleil the bimbo.

She’s sweet and strong and kinda stupid. Very extroverted. Loves her pack immensely.

Obviously can be a bit hot headed, her and Eden share an ego and are often together because of it, Eden being more competitive while sol is there to kinda have fun and see how far she can push Eden to be better.

She’s such a supporter, constantly cheering on the other ghouls, loves to compliment them and tell them how amazing they are (can be a bit aggressive but … she’s trying her best)

Like the other beloved himbos, is not allowed in the kitchen or the greenhouse because of multiple incidents (cough, dews a bad influence, cough)

Often seen around Swiss, Eden and cumulus because of their brighter personalities

[yamayuandadu]

Hisami and Zanmu. What drives their love for each other? Does Hisami just like egotistical oni? Do they go on dates? Do they ever cuddle? Would Hisami prefer if Zanmu kissed her or scolded her? Both, maybe?

A truly profound set of questions. Sorry it took me so long to answer them, I haven’t been on social media much lately. I didn’t lose enthusiasm for this pairing or anything - my general interest in Touhou might fluctuate, but I’m fairly sure that much like in the case of junheca my interest in Zanmu and Hisami is here to stay.

I won’t bring much new to the world of zanhisa discourse with this but like many people I like the idea that Zanmu enjoys the fact she can’t fully account for what Hisami does. This idea simply has a lot of comedic potential. Maybe she enjoys the element of uncertainty this introduces to her plans, specifically. Surely it can boost her ego if her plans work even if she is not in full control of some element. And there’s no way Hisami isn’t doing some sort of cartoon villain sidekick yes-man routine during the planning stages (which doubtlessly also provides the desired ego boosts). To put it sort of bluntly, I also think Zanmu is into Hisami on the level of physical attraction. She’s supposed to be a corrupt monk, her irl counterpart according to a legend associated with Ikkyu who famously wrote love poetry and had multiple relationships over the course of his life, there’s no way she doesn’t experience it on some level imo. On a relevant note, it would be cute if Hisami’s title was essentially her memorializing something Zanmu said about her early on after they met. On Hisami’s side, ever since I read about the riveting academic arguments over whether it’s defensible to call yomotsu-shikome forerunners of oni I’ve been thinking about how to adapt that with her character in mind. What I have to offer is that she originally developed feelings for Zanmu in no small part because they share the unusual “sort of kind of oni but you can poke holes in this claim” status (logically Zanmu should be a tengu, that’s the default path for corrupt monks, I would really love to see that referenced at some point). Otherwise she’s just been assigned henchman at birth, and Zanmu lets her truly utilize her talents to follow this calling. 

I like to interpret the game’s events as a pivotal point in their relationship so imo they WILL go on dates at some point at the very least - Hisami’s ending is essentially the first one as far as my headcanons are concerned. I do think they cuddle though. Perhaps more, even. Hisami occupies the position of a henchman with benefits.

Last but not least, clearly a combination of both is optimal. I have some more relevant thoughts pertaining to that that I will spare the readers from (for now).

[vanrwyngarden]

Relationship Happiness and The Four Freedoms

As you begin to explore your Four Freedoms, you might feel more comfortable with one or two and want to gloss over or ignore the others. The essence of freedom is choice. Embracing your Four Freedoms visit site here helps you become aware of choices available to you and gives you the strength to act on them.

Right this moment, just as you are, you have four unimaginably powerful resources at your command. With them you can accomplish miracles. They are your Four Freedoms of Body, Mind, Heart, and Soul.

Although you are already innately aware of these elemental forces—their strength, dynamism, and wonder—the wise inner voice of your higher self becomes overwhelmed in a world of speed, superficiality, and complexity. Reclaiming your Four Freedoms helps you to hear truth again, to remember who you are and why you are in a body, and to gain emotional stability and courage as well as mental clarity and focused attention. The Four Freedoms framework gives you a secure platform when your world begins to tremble and quake.

The essence of freedom is choice. Embracing your Four Freedoms helps you become aware of choices available to you and gives you the strength to act on them. If you fear that by diving headlong into freedom you will act selfishly or irresponsibly—considering only your ego’s wants—remember that such thoughts are part of the captive mentality that claims the nature of humanity is evil and therefore must be denied or contained. The truth is that you are intrinsically glorious and worthy, despite your flaws. You always have the choice of acting from your shortcomings or acting from your greatness. When you are really free, you will naturally act for the greatest good of yourself and others, because that is the true nature of your highest self.

As you begin to explore your Four Freedoms, you might feel more comfortable with one or two and want to gloss over or ignore the others. If you are intensely emotional, you might resist exercising your rationality. An overriding mental focus might block you from enjoying the pleasures of your body. A potent physicality might distract you from the realm of spirit. Or, preferring to seek peace in the inner realm of soul, you might shy away from the turbulence of emotion and the temptations of pleasure. However, you will not have the relationship you long for by suppressing or denying any of your Four Freedoms. You must embrace, explore, and balance all—Body, Mind, Heart, and Soul—no matter how irrelevant or frightening the components might seem.

Freedom is not just an intellectual or philosophical idea. You manifest freedom in your behavior. You choose and you act. Use the platform of the Four Freedoms to help you make your choices. They will let you know when there is something new to learn or something old to unlearn. Unfortunately, you cannot change merely by thinking about it. To both learn and unlearn effectively, you need to adjust your behavior. Behavioral changes help shift your thoughts and feelings about yourself by providing positive feedback when you act in new ways.

Behavioral changes are more effective than simply trying to alter thought patterns loaded with years of conditioned beliefs and assumptions. Some changes you’ll make on your own, others you’ll tackle together. The good news is that you don’t have to wait until you’re certain you can create an exceptional relationship before you enter into one. You really become fit for a relationship only by being in a relationship. You learn by doing, because your relationship is most definitely an experiential phenomenon. The ongoing practice of integrating your Four Freedoms enhances your relationship. In turn, your strengthened relationship amplifies your personal growth and quickens your spiritual progress. Your relationship and your spiritual journey are mutually supportive. Indeed, your relationship can become your spiritual practice.

The good news is that you don’t have to wait until you’re certain you can create an exceptional relationship before you enter into one. You really become fit for a relationship only by being in a relationship. You learn by doing, because your relationship is most definitely an experiential phenomenon. The ongoing practice of integrating your Four Freedoms enhances your relationship. In turn, your strengthened relationship amplifies your personal growth and quickens your spiritual progress. Your relationship and your spiritual journey are mutually supportive. Indeed, your relationship can become your spiritual practice.

[scytheknite]

Planet Earth

Life is... confusing, beautiful, destructive, plentiful, putrid, continuous, contemplative....

I've recently become aware of the waste we produce on a regular basis. Simple objects and desires create massive destruction to this planet we call home. It can be overwhelming to realize the means we use to create remedies that can have such simple resolution.

The idea "Earth will be here long after humans" comes to mind. In the past 24 hours alone, many negative man-made experiences have been brought to my attention. From animal abuse to satiate the wicked and deranged ego/mind to destruction of the earth for unnecessary gems... It seems the world can never have enough.

We live on this planet and have access to so many resources; it seems irresponsible to continue to live in a community that values vanity over preservation and genuine appreciation.

Why does the rat race force acceptance of a lesser awareness?

Is it so difficult to appreciate and value the things we have? For every negative we try to make a positive... Is that the goal in life? To progress every experience, element, drug, compound, into its ultimate form?

Can we not be happy with a simplistic life? Why do we need to have constant gratification? When did hand made goods and genuine experiences become a thing of the past?

This world we live in seems to be chasing its own tail. We have evolved; yes. But to what extent do we allow ourselves to be forced into unnecessary evolution?

Why does capital gain persist when life can be so simply enjoyed?

At what point do we look around and learn to love what we have? Where has community gone? Moderation, appreciation, shared knowledge?

Our young are groomed to become members of a society that values capital gain over love. They seem to be encouraged to compete or have the best material objects- implemented through social experience and online media. When do we encourage them to simply live? To find the foods, books, sounds, and experiences that will bring them emotional awareness and self-discovery?

How do we encourage the acceptance of a unified and loving society that can rely on each other? When is enough, enough?

Who woke up one day and decided that they needed more than someone else? Why is competition so important? How have we fallen so far down as a people that having more than someone else or taking what they have is preferred to lifting each other to our greatest selves?

One would think that it would be easier to participate in unity to develop our society than to abuse the resources (humans, goods, fuel, relationships) present. What is the purpose of progress if it is not accessible to our entire society? Only those that can afford it, deserve it? At this moment in time a 2-bedroom apartment is between $1200-$1500 in an average community. That doesn't include the overpriced groceries, gas, standard utilities, clothing, and occasional fun experience. The average pay is $15 an hour for a non-collegiate being- how are they supposed to provide a service to society and be able to find peace?

Without peace these beings are ultimately unable to achieve the desired outcome. They become exhausted, unfocused, and angry.

And why wouldn't they? Constant struggle of financial stability, a society constantly changing the social norms, lack of support medically and mentally... These people are Angry. Frustrated. As they should be.

The expectation that we can create beings prepared for the future in these circumstances is absurd.

There are many societal issues that need to be addressed in order to provide a positive environment for the beings of the future. Generational curses that need to be decimated, negative societal structures that need to be evaluated, political agendas that are simply unacceptable... How are we to provide a platform for the future when we are fighting nature on a regular basis?

The encouragement of confusion and scientific exploitation is also a major concern. There are resources available to those who can afford them and those who cannot end up suffering. How is it fair to provide medical services at a cost of close to nothing for disorders that are crafted by the imagination, and not to beings who cannot control their complexities?

As a whole society sits here and accepts what they are given. Will there be a change? Will distractions cease and motivation to create a better path break through? It will be interesting to see how the world around us changes. Hopefully for the positive future of our planet.

[w-ht-w]

Why are we (or some people) drawn to sad things? Especially INFx types?

I suspect b/c it feels familiar. Like solace.

1. We want to help people who are hurting. Empathy is one of the INFP’s greatest gifts. We tend to be very attentive to our own emotions, as well as those of others. ... Because of this, we can experience a lot of “secondhand sadness.” ... it can overwhelm us. The upside is it sharpens our emotional senses... My roommate makes fun of me for how I feel sorry for characters in movies or TV shows who are hurting. Sometimes I even empathize with the villain or a character who has just committed some horrible act. 2. We see life as one grand story with all its ups and downs. For INFPs, sadness is only part of the story — and usually the part that precedes the joyful resolution. Sadness means dreams, desires, and passions are present, even if they are momentarily going unfulfilled. Getting to the heart of these pursuits is the best way for an INFP to relate to someone else, even if the other person is in the midst of a sad time. In themselves, INFPs use times of sadness to bring themselves back to their core values and reinforce the morals and beliefs that make them unique and remarkable. 3. Sadness helps us know ourselves and others better. Sadness helps us learn more about ourselves and others, which is perhaps the biggest reason INFPs value sadness. Personal growth is very important to INFPs, and in times of sadness, we know that people return to their values and are forced to grow. For INFPs, walking with someone through pain and sadness can be one of the most fulfilling moments of a relationship. Hardly anything else fulfills an INFP more than knowing they played even a small part in helping someone grow in a meaningful way. Their emotional intensity often means that when INFPs get low, they sink very deep. They can do this because they believe that ultimately there is a path out. They can step down with a friend going through a hard time because they believe that someday both of them will return to the surface. (x)

“Most people try to hide their sad stories. But I want to hear, I want to know. There’s an element of truth that can only be found in a story that is full of heartbreak. I want to know about the struggles my parents have faced, my friends have faced. There’s a beauty embedded in those stories; a raw, humble, broken humanity in it. When we shed all our pretention and our egos and reveal our brokenness, that’s something I think is beautiful.” – Melissa, an INFP INFs like to empathize. They like to immerse themselves in emotions. Just as the SP feels good when they take an exciting new risk, or the SJ feels good when they put things in order, the NF enjoys feeling, empathizing, and understanding. Does this mean they constantly want to be inundated with negative emotions? No. While they are typically good listeners who enjoy being there for people, they also can become emotionally overwhelmed if they are constantly taking on other people’s emotions. They feel fulfilled when they can listen and connect with struggling people, but they have to do it in moderation. Sometimes they enjoy simply connecting with melancholy art forms or an idea that evokes strong emotions. (x)

I am an INFJ and longing for a deep and honest relationship but maybe I was seeking loneliness and sadness unconsciously. ... I love sad things. I loved characters in fiction books who needed to bury their true feelings and suffered a lot. This is what I have been doing in my whole life.  ... I always thought myself to be a bit odd, often going out of my way to feel sadness and pain, vicariously through my favorite TV series or films. As a kid, it was mainly through books. But once I learned to embrace that part of me, I was all the better for it. We INFJs are emotionally rich; it’s part of what allows us to deeply understand others ... I believe, the choosing of sadness via favorite TV series is a controlled and comforting way of processing my very colorful, and at times darker, emotions. Sometimes my favorite characters even feel like dear friends… of course, not in a out-of-touch way. Mostly, just in a therapeutic way. ... Surely it’s fairly simple – if you are aware that people will all die, that no one here now will be here in 200 years, that everything around you will disappear and be replaced, and that, in the end, everything is dust be blown around in different patterns …. well, that’s quite sad. That all human endeavour and achievement is so poignant, because it’s basically pointless – unless you help someone else, or make a connection, or something, and have some other momentary impact. But even that disappears.  If you are aware of that, then it is all sad. So sadness becomes more than just not-happiness, it’s more pervasive and, in a way, more real. More lasting. It becomes about what you pass on, and what you don’t pass on.  And not all types really connect with that. (x)

...

 being “intrigued” by dark painful things. This is something I’ve been curious about for awhile. I don’t think it’s a strange thing necessarily. I think that for same reasons that this article explains why some people are “drawn to sad things,” the same goes for sadness which is also painful, or feelings of anger, or just strong emotions. I think this may be because, human beings are not made to be happy all the time. Life is hard, we all know this. When you spend your time unable to be yourself and “feel” the way you want to, or the way you intuitively know you should be feeling, I think you begin to yearn for ways to express it/ feel it. I think desire to feel pain can come from wanting to understand it. Wanting to know how much people have suffered so that you may understand/relate to it. Or maybe because you’ve seen that the world is cruel, and begin to wonder, how on Earth could I possibly be feeling just happy, when the reality is showing me that life about so much more than that. Missing out on so many wonderful/terrible feelings, despite them maybe being painful etc etc. as strange as that may sound. We know they are a part of life, they are still- feelings that are “human” to us all. This could be a way of saying, something’s missing, the people around me are ignoring something that I think is very important…everyone seems afraid to be themselves, they’re in pain but they can’t express their pain, so instead they start drinking and taking drugs to let it out. I want to help them understand that it’s okay to cry or let it out. In a way, crying is beautiful, because it means the person has accepted their feelings. Maybe because you understand this, you want to help those who are in pain accept their feelings, and so you in turn through listening to what is causing pain, adopt pain in a way, so that you can guide them through accepting and make them feel as if they finally have someone to turn to, and in which you both feel a beautiful sense of sadness and understanding. I think, what drives a lot of artists is these kinds desires to feel or recognize these feelings.  (x)

[keshetchai]

I'm going to push back a little bit to this response, because I want to be clear about what I'm actually saying. I think we still agree about the issue of validating egos here, but I want to explain that my criticism of the ego and the psychoanalyzing here is less about evil-being worship and more about everything else. The motivations behind these choices, the impact they make — but specific to Lilith.

I, personally, do not actually care if someone worships Lucifer because that's "the devil," or "evil," or whatever. I don't believe in a "Lucifer", and it has no bearing on me, and you can hardly culturally appropriate an awkward mistranslation that got smashed up into the eschatology of a majority religion like Christianity. That alone isn't a material issue to me.

Just like any religious practice, the vast majority of those people aren't extremists who want to kill people or perpetuate evil on purpose. So frankly, on that level, I simply don't think it's my business. If someone wants to worship Humbaba or Pazuzu or whatever, that's not actually my problem. We'd all be liars if we acted like there's no way someone could psychoanalyze our own approaches to religion. It would be misguided of me to think I'm above getting my own human ego in the way of things, or that my ego never gets validated by things I do or believe, just because I'm not interested in demon worship or whatever. I'm human too. It happens.

If they want to work out their personal demons with some Mesopotamian demons, it's not for me, but it's also not like I don't use religion to wrestle with myself, my own identity and baggage, my feelings, how society exists, etc. It's a big part of any religion: dealing with the realities of being human, and working out how to live in the world and what it means to do so.

The issue I have here is moreso that when people spiritually colonize from living communities, it's harmful to both the people they thieve from, and to themselves, because it's dishonest and stolen.

And yes, things can be stolen. From an academic standpoint — hell, from a personal standpoint, I am all too aware that syncretism exists and can't be prevented. That's not how the world or people work. Judaism is full of syncretism. But syncretism happens from within the community in question, naturally and usually as a result of dominant cultural hegemony being synthesized by minorities and blended communities. Theft happens from without, and is constructed. That's why, to me, Kabbalah is a closed Jewish practice, and Christian or pagan cabala/qabbalah is theft. People who left Jewish life to convert to Christianity and then adapt Kabbalah for their new, Christian purposes — that's not syncretism to me, that is stealing. It came from someone who made themselves outsiders.

Judaism having strongly Hellenized elements that impacted our religion is syncretism (and sometimes assimilation) because those ancient pagan empires wanted to influence our culture and religion (cultural hegemony!), and because two communities living together like that will influence each other. It is organic, messy, and complex. It's still often the result of empire, but not always a result of majority culture inflicted on minority communities.

Neopagans adopting Lilith as a first women/mother of monsters are stealing because there is no flourishing pagan-jewish world where such a syncretism might've existed. Even the Babylonian Jewish world that saw incantation bowls — that heavily predates Lilith being associated with "first Eve." There's no place where the modern associations, ideas, and Lilith worship could have developed except out of being stolen.

My issue is pretty much not at all "they worship demons," because I don't understand why people do or enjoy or think a LOT of things in life, and I'm okay with just shrugging and moving on. I'm (personally) much more likely to be judgemental about the shoddy historical arguments people make in favor of whatever.

As long as they don't harm people. But stealing is harmful, and does hurt people.

And it's not terribly effective to work one's out frustrations with an imperial religion and its dominant influences on society by repeating all the harmful shit they do to someone else, often with zero real awareness. Having had experience with peak late 90's/00's neo-paganism/new age (some specifically Wicca, lots more generic pagan), it's a huge problem when that's what they end up doing.

Btw the reason gentile pagans are fixated with Lilith is because she is the parallel to their fixation with "Lucifer," or "Satan," as a means of deconstructing their fucked up relationship with Christianity and Christian theology, and the internalized terrible garbage they picked up from Christian normativity, even if they weren't previously practicing Christians.

Lucifer/Satan gets to replace Jesus/God (the representation of XYZ Christian theologies they have issues with) and Lilith gets to replace Eve (the representation of XYZ Christian theologies relating to women that they have issues with).

The replacements represent - to some extent - themselves. They choose means of interpreting these characters that specifically make them into people who were unfairly victimized (within Christian theology) and marginalized, and who were ultimately "right." Or more "powerful," or ultimately more sympathetic/human/compassionate.

It's a fantasy wherein they get to validate their own frustration/pain/feeling of exclusion or powerlessness/treatment of being seen as an "ungodly" or "bad" person, and then make that person who typifies those things in their mind as the real hero, regardless of how doing that affects other people, or even if it makes sense.

It's actually very transparent when you think about it. I can almost guarantee Lilith would hold almost no sway to any of them if she wasn't explicitly mentioned as a counterpoint to Eve.