#and you can chart that journey as well as making it a bit of a love letter to the concept of batman and robin

[ghostlyferrettarot]

🦍Pick a picture: 🦍⭒˚｡⋆ Who Is Entering Your Life? ⋆⭒˚｡⋆🦍

❗️This is a collective reading, take what resonates and leave the rest❗️

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🦍Masterlist🦍 🦍Masterlist 2🦍

🦍Pile 1:

If you chose Pile 1, let me tell you that someone quite intriguing is coming, like their energy is so strange (in a good way). It won't be someone you expected, nor someone who will fit easily into your current routine. In fact, this new person in your life may seem a bit… strange at first. You might be drawn to them for reasons you don't quite understand. There's something that will make you wonder "Who is this person?" almost from the first moment you see them.

Perhaps this strange person doesn't fully reveal themselves from the start. Sometimes, they can come with a vibe of mystery that will make you want to know more. It won't be one of those relationships where everything is revealed quickly. It could be someone who has a completely different way of thinking than you, someone who makes you see the world from a perspective you've never considered. At first, it can be confusing, even bewildering, but that's what makes it so exciting.

The funny thing is that even though this person may seem like an enigma, you'll feel like there's something destined in all of this. As if, somehow, you've crossed paths with them at the exact moment you needed them, although you may not know it yet. This person isn't just here to be a spectator in your life; they're here to change something. I feel like will challenge you to look at things differently, to think in ways you hadn't even imagined before. This person could be someone with boundless creativity or even a spiritual vision that, while it may not fit into your life conventionally, will open you up to new possibilities.

The interesting thing about this energy is that, even though there's some mystery and not knowing what to expect, you'll feel good about it. It's not that it's uncomfortable, but it is a challenge. It's like when you meet someone so unique that they make you question your own limits or ideas. And the truth is, although it can be a little disconcerting at times, it will bring you a lot of personal growth. 🎸⋆⭒˚｡⋆🦍Extended on Patreon: How will this person change your life?

🦍Pile 2:

If you chose Pile 2, this person isn't someone who will cause a stir. I feel like their arrival will be more subtle, but they will be so warm and comforting that, when you meet them, you will realize there is something truly beautiful about their presence. This is the energy of someone who is deeply connected to you, and who has the ability to make you feel understood, supported, and accepted just as you are. They have been through their own battles, their own difficulties, and have learned to find peace amidst the chaos. In fact, their own personal journey has been one of healing, and now, they are here to share that wisdom with you. Whether it's a close friend, a mentor, or even someone who crosses your path unexpectedly, this person will bring a sense of calm, as if everything suddenly makes a little more sense.

Have you ever felt like the world is an overwhelming place and you need a break from all the noise? Well, this person is like a breath of fresh air in the middle of a storm. Their presence will be a relief. Perhaps they will help you see things from a broader perspective, showing you that despite everything you've been through, everything is okay and that things can heal.

The most fascinating thing about this person is that they don't just come to offer you pretty words or empty advice. No. They will be genuinely helpful! They will offer you more than a shoulder to lean on; they will give you tools, knowledge, and a deeper understanding of what you're going through. Maybe you'll be invited to activities that help you heal, like meditating, exercising, or even exploring creative outlets that help you unleash what's inside. The gift this person has is that they have a unique ability to help you find peace, both inside and out. Perhaps you've been carrying emotional weight, or you've been through a situation that left you feeling drained. This person will enter your life as a reminder that you are not alone. No matter what you've been through, you have the right to heal and move forward. <3 🎸⋆⭒˚｡⋆🦍Extended on Patreon: How will this person change your life?

🦍Pile 3:

If you chose Pile 3, this person isn't someone who stays in their comfort zone. In fact, i feel like one of the first thing you'll notice about them is how spontaneous they are, maybe they are a sagittarius. If you thought you were comfortable in your daily routine, believe me, this person has the ability to make you step out of your bubble so naturally that you won't even realize you did. And yes, they will make you question why you've been waiting so long to take the next step in your dreams.

They won't come into your life with the intention of being a constant source of wise advice or helping you solve your problems. No. What this person brings is more of a call to action. These are the types of people who live in the present, who don't get caught up in worrying about tomorrow, but are more interested in what they can do NOW, and they will most likely pull you into their world for a bit. But the best part is that they'll do it in such a fun way that you won't feel pressured or overwhelmed. It's not just because they're fun people, but because they have such a carefree and authentic way of living that, even if their plans are unpredictable, they make you feel free. And that freedom is something you sometimes need, even if you don't even know it. Maybe you've been feeling like everything has become too serious, and this person will be the reminder that it's okay to let go, laugh a little, and let yourself be in the moment.

What's fascinating about this kind of energy is that, although they are spontaneous, it's not just about doing things without thinking. No. These people have a deep sense of curiosity about the world, about life, and the experiences it offers. They will invite you to see the world with a fresh perspective. Maybe you make an unexpected decision, like a last-minute trip, or decide to try something that seemed completely out of reach. They'll show you that experiences are just as important as accomplishments, and that it's not so much the destination that matters, but the journey. 🎸⋆⭒˚｡⋆🦍Extended on Patreon: How will this person change your life?

🎸⋆⭒˚｡⋆🦍 Thank you for reading and let me know if it resonated!🎸⋆⭒˚｡⋆🦍

[atmymercy]

♡ message me for details/questions & to book a reading! ♡

all selections are open to extra cards and longer responses. i accept kofi, paypal & credit card check out. if you are looking for something particular, feel free to message me and we can discuss it!

all questions include a clarifying question afterward except for {minis}! it’s essentially a free mini included as a thank you from me! clarification questions need to be used within 48 hours! i won’t leave you high and dry after your reading! i get that sometimes you might want to get a little extra detail or understanding of some detail and i’ll be right here! this clarifying question must be related to your initial question or it becomes a whole new question! lol

in-depth option means you get a longer reading (the single question is 2-3 paragraphs & in-depth single is 3-5 paragraphs or more!) and numerology information directed toward your question! let’s get real in-depth here and even inspect the small details! lol

extensive option is at least a page-long reading (text size 10.5 normally). a question can be included!

minis are one-line readings. only the {mini reading & song vibe} going up to 5 lines.

add-ons are for adding to your existing reading! to make the reading you choose extra special or personalized to you!

.

tea tarot feedback && past free tea tarot readings to give you a taste before you book with me!🧡

compatibility reading - let’s see how compatible you and the person in question are! we will dive into physical, intellectual, spiritual, emotional & sexual compatibility! let’s see how well you two measure against each other in areas of journey alignment, humor and more!

crush tea - oh my! somebody has a crush. tell me more! tell me more! in this cup, we will explore how they currently feel about you and what guidance spirit has for you to feel/be closer to them!

spirit tea - interested in getting more in touch with your spirituality and spirit guides? let’s see what your spirit guides have to say and what guidance they wish to share with you!

journey tea - are you feeling a bit lost in your true potential? let me pour you a special cup and we can explore your path and talents together. there’s no reason for you to wander aimlessly!

intuition tea- you’re ready to explore your own intuition and your dark side of the moon, eh? okay! let’s do it! spirit and i don’t gatekeep but we can’t promise this will be an easy journey. or fast. dip your toes in and let me hold your hand as you close your eyes and open your third eye. ooh chills!

heart tea - bubbling for some heart tea, i see! sit! sit! let’s find out all about your significant other! this is all about your love life and how it heats you up! 2 clarifying questions are included afterward to get all the steamy details!

astrology chart - let’s explore your birth natal chart and discover how the energies of your rising, sun, moon & more affect you and your everyday life! what insights can we find here! i also include 3 questions that can be added before or after your main astrology chart reading!

♡ message me for details/questions & to book a reading! ♡

[astrolook]

👫💖🌈Kundli Matching: The Cosmic Tinder Swipe Right

Note: Just a heads-up, these are my personal observations and patterns over the years when it comes to kundli matching. It’s not always about perfect alignment, but more about understanding the deeper cosmic connections between two people. Everyone’s journey is unique, and while kundli matching can offer insights, it’s the personal effort and growth that truly shape relationships. 🌟

Kundli matching is like western astrology's version of synastry compatibility, focusing on how two people’s charts connect to see if the stars are aligned for a strong relationship.

Kundli Matching is used for marriage as it’s believed to bring harmony by ensuring that the couple’s energies align well.

What Can Be Seen in Kundli Matching?

Gunas (Points): These points assess mental, emotional, and overall compatibility. The more points, the better the match.

Doshas (Flaws): These highlight areas where there might be challenges in the relationship, like communication or temperament. If one has Saturn or Saturn Rx in the 7th, we look whether the other has either Mars or Sun in their 7th to neutralize the effect.

Planetary Positions: The way planets are placed in both charts shows how the couple’s traits and life paths might interact.

Nakshatras: These show emotional compatibility based on the moon’s placement in specific constellations.

For Gunas (Points),

Less than 18 – Not exactly a match made in the stars. Maybe rethink that marriage plan. 18 to 24 – It’s decent, might work, but keep the compromise button ready. 24 to 32 – Very good! You’re on your way to a successful, loving partnership. 32 to 36 – Now we’re talking! An excellent match with high cosmic compatibility.

In Kundli Matching, we use a 36-point system to measure compatibility, while synastry looks at aspects between planets.

It dives into spiritual and life purpose alignment, whereas synastry focuses more on personality traits.

For example, your Sun in 12th falling on their 10th house, let's say in Leo, you light up their career zone like a spotlight on stage, they see you. They might admire your confidence… or feel a tiny bit overshadowed. Basically, you're their motivational speaker and main character energy, all in one. ☀️👑

You, as the Sun person, you shine quietly (12th house style), but in their world, you're full-blown billboard energy (10th house Leo). They see you as someone who adds to their public image (also a victory on their side) even if you're not trying to be seen. Meanwhile, you’re just over here vibing in the background, wondering how you became their personal icon. 😎🌞

Another example, let's say you have you Sun in 1st falls on their 7th house Taurus, it’s giving “I could marry this person” vibes: stable, shiny, and grounded. You tick their relationship boxes without even trying (which makes it both dreamy and confusing). They're torn between framing you in gold or wondering if it's too good to be true. 💍🐂

You, as the Sun person, you're radiating main-character energy in their life. You feel confident, seen, and like you naturally hold space in their world. Lowkey wondering why they keep calling you their "ideal type" without blinking. 😎🌟

✨ Now, hold on as it's not all sunshine and sparkles. Just because your Sun falls in their 10th or 7th house doesn’t mean the script always stays romantic. Relationships evolve and in kundli, layers unfold over time.

In Vedic astrology, we go beyond overlays. Like I’ve mentioned before, planets aspect, and that changes the game. For example, if your Sun lands in their 10th house, it also aspects their 4th house, so while you might boost their career or public image, you could also unknowingly stir stuff at home (dominance, ego clashes, drama, or family tension).

Also, if your Sun’s in an air or fire sign, the debates can be fiery like passionate convos turning into full-blown “who’s right?” standoffs. 🔥💨

So yeah, while overlays can show attraction or significance, kundli matching considers multiple outcomes, including house lords, aspects, dignity of the planet, and overall chart context. One placement won’t tell the whole story, we read the whole vibe.

We also have to look at:

Where your DK (Darakaraka - the lowest degree in birth chart) falls in their chart shows how you relate to them in love, and what kind of partner you play in their life.

Where your AK (Atmakaraka - the highest degree in your birth chart) falls in their chart reveals your soul’s lessons and how they might trigger or support your personal growth.

....and vice versa.

Beyond romance, there are several other factors that shold be taken into account from both of your charts :

To predict children for you both, we have to combine both charts and check where your 5th house and its lord fall in each other’s charts. usually childbirth is seen from woman's chart. When combining partner's chart, it can tell us whether the partner is fertile or childbirth supports them. Putrakaraka (PK - 5th highest degree in your birth chart for childbirth) in both charts.

Your mother-in-law can be seen from your partner’s 4th house and its lord, and where that falls in your chart. In natal, we usually look at 10th lord but when combining a partner's chart, it can give a lot of details about how their mother play a role in your life depending on the house it falls and vice versa.

For in-laws in general, we check the 8th house and its lord in both charts as this shows in-law dynamics, family karma, and legacy themes.

Kundli matching is just like synastry, but with extra steps and a few more cosmic outcomes. Think of it as astrology’s deep dive into not just “who’s the one,” but why they’re the one beyond the surface level vibes. It’s not just about the attraction, it's about understanding the soul-deep connection, karmic lessons, and how your energies blend on a deeper level. After all, you don’t just want to know if you click. You want to know if you’re on the same page for the long haul, through thick and thin, with a little cosmic guidance along the way. 🌌💫

Wanna dive deeper into your chart's layers? ✨🔍 DM me for a full astrology reading, a 5 or 8-year marriage report, detailed synastry, or a kundli matching breakdown 🌙💬 Check out my pinned post for pricing and more info 💫💸

Let’s decode your cosmic chaos together ⭐💖

[suckerfordylansstuff]

Not a date - Steve Harrington

Pairing: Steve Harrington x Henderson!reader

Summary: Dustin is certain you're dating someone. You, on the other hand, are not so sure.

Word count: 2.5k

Notes: As you can see we're changing the style with this new post. You could consider this kind of a small prequel for "A date like no other", but mostly, I just wanted to write more of Dustin and Y/n's relationship (more will follow, inspiration has hit me). Plus, it was fun playing detective. Hope you enjoy! 💕

!This piece goes along my Steve Harrington series "New Journey", but can also be read as a standalone!

Timeline: After the winter dance, but before their first date.

“I have gathered you here today on an important issue.” Dustin was pacing around Mike's basement while all the rest of his friends followed him with their eyes “It is crucial that we take upon this matter with focus and determination. Not to mention stealthiness since a bit of spy work is going to occur.”

“Dustin, why are we here?” his dramatics had Max over the whole thing very quickly.

“It has come to my attention that my sister, my own blood, has been seeing someone behind my back and simultaneously lying to me about it.”

“And?” Lucas asked, not understanding his friend’s anger.

“What do you mean and? This is it!”

“You’re mad your sister has finally found someone?” Will was trying to understand Dustin’s motives.

“I’m mad she hasn’t told me about it. I mean, why would she do that? I certainly tell her everything.” his pacing hasn’t stopped from the moment he entered the basement.

“Maybe because she wants to focus on the new relationship and not on her little brother’s obnoxious opinions?” Max told him with a smile, making Dustin stop in his tracks.

“You’re new, you don’t get a say.” he pointed in her direction and continued his pattern on the floor.

“Dustin, what do you want us to do?” Mike sighed when he saw Dustin place large papers on top of a chair, opposite to them, a pen in his hand as he settled beside them. It reminded him of their teacher, and not in a good way.

“I want you to come with me and spy on her.” he removed his first blank paper, revealing a calendar with colorful dots on certain days “It all started a month ago. I realized she began going out a lot more than usual. I mean I love my sister, but let’s be honest, she doesn’t have many friends.” he pulled out another paper, this time a pie chart with all the colors they had previously seen on the calendar “So, I began tracking her behavior. When she would go out, when she would return, and try to figure out with whom. So far, I’ve noted 14 outings in the span of 29 days… She went out with Jonathan twice, once with Nancy, once with you, Max, and you, Eleven, for girl’s night. Three times with all of us and another three with me. That all makes 10. The other 4 are a mystery to me.” with each sentence, each ‘clue’, he was pointing the pen at every chart so the rest wouldn’t get lost

“When she hangs out with friends, I have noticed Y/n coming back at a decent hour, say around 10:30, at least 11:00. However, when she’s ‘on her own’ those hours defer.” the new paper showed the said hours with a big question mark at the end “I have caught her sneaking into the house well after 1:00 am! Clearly, she’s not out there on her own. But I haven’t been able to figure out with whom. I checked with both Nancy and Jonathan telling me that they had not seen her those specific days. She’s clearly with someone doing something, but when I ask her about what she did and where she went she outright lies to me, saying she was with Jonathan and/or Nancy.” he let the last paper fall flat on the chair, the pen rhythmically hitting his other palm “It is our mission to figure out who she is meeting on these days, so I can evaluate if I need to step in and help her.”

The kids all looked at one another, trying to see if they wanted in on this. His thinking could be correct, but the thought of him being wrong and giving them the chance to mess with him is what sealed the deal.

“Alright, we’re in.” Mike announced for all of them. Dustin’s face immediately lit up.

“But how do we know when their next meet-up is?” Lucas asked him.

“Already ahead of you my friend.” he began organizing the papers he had used, stacking them into his bag before putting it on “I overheard Y/n talk with my mother, saying she’s going out. Again, wouldn’t outright tell me with whom. So that’s why I came here, to find out if Nancy had any plans. As it turns out she did. But not with my sister, with Jonathan. Right?” his eyes fell on Will.

“Yeah, they are hanging out at ours.” Will confirmed Dustin’s words.

“Okay, so that excludes them from this ‘secret meet up’.” Max thought out loud.

“Precisely.” they were now getting out of the house from the basement’s door, making their way to their bikes.

“So… Where is she?” Eleven asked, her small voice was now loud enough for all to hear, turning their heads at once to look at Dustin.

Dustin wasn’t sure at the beginning where his sister would be. She had mentioned she would leave around 8:30. Now, he had left earlier to check on her small lie at the Wheeler’s, so their first stop was at his house to check if her car was still there. It was, which meant either of two things. She either walked to their meeting place (which was unlikely of her after everything that had happened to them, walking somewhere alone was a no-no for his sister). Or the person she was meeting picked her up. It left a lot of options open so he decided to head inside with the rest and look for more clues.

His mom greeted them, chatting a bit with the kids while Dustin looked around for any indication as to where she went. He noticed that her sneakers were missing, telling Dustin that they weren’t going somewhere fancy, so maybe their destination was the theater or maybe grabbing a bite somewhere.

“Hey, mom. I was thinking of eating the leftover pizza from last night after I come back. Y/n didn’t eat it, right?” he looked over at his mom, Tews on her lap as always.

“Oh, no, Dusty, she specifically said that she didn’t want to have anything since she’ll be going out to eat with her friends.”

Bingo.

Dustin excluded from the options list the diner where you used to work. Too many people knew you there and the secrecy wouldn’t last. So, they began roaming around the town trying to get a glimpse of you. They succeeded after a couple of tries. Lucas had caught a glimpse of your figure inside the burger place. You were sitting in a corner booth in the back of the store, your face bright, not only by the lights of the place but by your present company as well.

“Holy shit. Dustin was right.” Max climbed out of her bike, staring at the older sister of her new friend.

“Of course I was. Can you see who she is with?”

“No, his back is turned.” Lucas tried to wiggle around in an attempt to see who was with you.

We’re gonna have to get inside.” Mike noted and Dustin agreed.

“Not all of us, we’ll draw attention. Will, you’re coming with me.” the said boy wasted no time and followed his friend toward the entryway.

“Why him?” Mike called out, annoyed he wasn’t getting in on the action.

“Because he’ll be quiet, unlike you.” Dustin whisper-yelled.

They get inside and make their way to the end of the front counter. When they peaked at the back, they had a clearer shot at the two figures. Dustin could clearly see your big, bright smile, but the guy you were with was sitting opposite of you, meaning they could only see his back

“We still can’t see his face.”

“Wait… I know that hair.” Dustin’s eyes squinted as he focused on the person in question. The waiter had approached them, his lips moving, probably asking them if everything was okay. It was then when the mysterious guy turned his head, making him visible to him, a relieved sigh falling from his lips  “Oh, it’s just Steve.”

He and Will went outside without alerting you, joining the others once again.

“Okay, people, crisis averted. It was only Steve, just a friendly meet-up.” he announced to his friends before he grabbed his bike, ready to return home.

“Sure.” Max smirked his way, suddenly making a frown appear on Dustin’s face.

“Uh… Dustin? I don’t think this is very friend-like.” Mike was pointing to the restaurant. Dustin turned and met the horror. Steve had now switched his seat, joining you on your side. His arm was around your shoulders, your faces way too close for his liking. And then it happened. Steve kissed you.

Dustin was waiting for you to return back home. He was in the dark, his mother fast asleep, not realizing her own son was stewing hot. He was ready. Ready to tell you he knows your secret and ready to express his anger. He liked Steve, he didn’t like showing it, but he did. He was funny and honest with him, and a guy. He had a guy friend. Someone whom he could rely on when seeking advice. He knew he could come to you about everything, but sometimes he felt too embarrassed to say certain things. He was getting older, more ‘mature’ as his mother had said, and Steve had been through those things before, therefore could give him the advice he needed.

He liked Steve, but now he was afraid he was going to lose him… and you. You always wanted to be in a relationship and now that you were in one, you were going to spend all your time with each other, forgetting all about the party and mainly him. Or you would eventually break up and he would have to choose your side, his sister’s, and forcing him to say goodbye to his friend.

It all felt unacceptable to him, so he had to tell you about it.

Finally, he heard a car stop outside. After a couple of minutes, your keys were daggling as you opened the door. He watched you come inside, a lingering smile on your face as you took off your jacket and placed it on the hook beside the door. You were in the process of taking off your shoes when he decided to intervene.

“Hello, sister.”

He startled you, a small yelp coming from your lips as you squinted your eyes to see where your brother was hiding “Dustin? What are you doing in the dark? Do you know what time it is?”

“Do you?” he countered back, catching you by surprise.

“What?”

“How was your night?”

“Oh… It was really fun actually, thanks for asking. But this still doesn’t answer my question as to what you’re still doing up.” your arms were now folded in front of your chest, thinking you had the upper hand here.

“Oh, I just had a simple question really. Who were you with?”

It took you a second to form your question, confusion rising inside you “What?”

“I was over at Mike’s today and I stumbled upon Nancy.” Dustin stood up from the armchair and walked closer to you as he explained “I asked her if she was on her way to come get you, but she told me she wasn’t meeting with you. She was actually going to meet up with Jonathan for a date at his place.”

“Oh…” was all that came from your lips.

“I know who you met tonight. I followed you and found out you are secretly dating Steve.” his finger was accusingly pointing at your figure. He didn’t know what reaction he was really expecting from you but it certainly wasn’t what you said next.

“I’m not dating him, Dustin.”

“Wait, what?”

“We’re not dating.” you shrugged your shoulders and sat down on the couch.

“But he kissed you. I saw it!”

“I don’t know what to tell you, okay? It’s all very confusing.” your head your resting on top of your palms. You looked defeated, confused, sad, a whole different side of you than the one he had seen at the restaurant. He slowly approached you, sitting next to you. You looked up and saw him looking at you, a silent invitation to explain “It all started after we dropped you off at the ball. We happened to dance a little and it ended in a kiss. After that, we’ve been hanging out as much as we could and, yes, I admit, some kissing has gone down, but I don’t know what we are.”

Dustin noted that your voice was small but your feeling big “Do you like him?”

You looked up and locked eyes with your brother. You hadn’t been able to tell no one this, and you had no idea how much it was eating at you to get it out before this conversation “Very much.”

“Then I’m certain it will all work out.”

And just like that Dustin had forgotten all about his speech. He could still remember the way you smiled at him, thanking him with a big hug. It was the same smile when you picked up the phone, a couple of days later, Steve’s name falling from your lips. It was a soft one, your focus entirely on the voice coming from the phone, from his friend. When you finally hung up, a small shriek sounded all around the room. After just a moment he found out you were excited, beyond excited because he had asked you out on a date.

“Didn’t you go on one like yesterday?” he had asked.

“This is the first time he uses the word date, Dustin. The first time!”

He secretly smiled at your antics, even if in front of you he called it gross. When you returned home after that so-called ‘first date’, bliss was written all over your face. The next day, you all were meeting with the party for a campaign, the first time you would include Steve in your game. The first time he would see you two together officially for the first time. It was funny seeing him make all the wrong decisions and getting himself killed in the first thirty minutes. It was hilarious seeing you and him bicker about what you should do next. Steve making it his business to judge you all based on your actions. And it was certainly sweet when he would cheer with you after a successful roll. It didn’t seem all that different to him; your behavior.

It was after the campaign when Steve was talking his ear off on the way to their house about what movie you should see at the next movie night with the kids, that it truly hit him. Nothing would change. You would still be his sister and Steve would still be his friend. It couldn’t be that bad. Especially, if he saw his sister so happy every day.

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[etaleah]

Rating Shadow the Hedgehog’s Chest Fluff in (Almost) All of His Appearances: a Journey

One of my favorite parts of Shadow’s design is the white chest fluff, so I shall now set out to rate the appearance of it in every piece of media he’s appeared in. A few games are missing because I couldn’t find good photos that I could be sure were official, but I included as many as I could. Ratings shall be determined by size, shape, and fluffiness. Emphasis on fluffiness.

Here we go!

Sonic Adventure 2 (Battle)

Hmm, okay, not bad, but not as good as it would later be. You can tell this was Shadow’s first appearance because his stomach is giving off mpreg vibes with how round it is. This chest fluff is a lovely shape, but the edges look a bit sharp and it’s a little light on the fluffy side. But it’s the first one, so I’ll be lenient. Solid 8/10 for a first impression.

Sonic Heroes

This game was actually tough to rate because Shadow spends so much of it with his arms crossed. EXPOSE YOUR FLUFF, HEDGEHOG! *clears throat* Anyway, this one is still a nice shape but is even less fluffy and textured than SA2 was. It also looks sharp enough to cut your fingers off, which might be nice for Shadow but is certainly not to my taste. Downgrading to a 6/10 for no softness. At least he doesn’t look pregnant anymore.

Shadow the Hedgehog (2005)

WAY. TOO. POINTY. *shakes fist* That chest fluff looks hard, cold, and uninviting. It looks like a murder weapon. Maybe that’s what they were going for since Shadow dabbles in murder for this game, but I do not like it. 4/10 because at least the shape is nice and the size is about right.

HOWEVER, the fluff does improve dramatically in the more cinematic cutscenes. This here? 9/10 easy.

Sonic Battle

Well, the fluffiness has improved, but the size is wrong. It’s too big, covering almost his entire front rather than just his chest. The shape also isn’t quite as defined. 5/10 for lack of manscaping.

Sonic ‘06

*tries to ignore the just-finished-a-12-hour-shift-in-customer-service eyes and focus on the chest fluff* Okay, this is interesting. For the first (and so far, only) time, they’ve given Shadow’s fluff a different shape. It looks like a bird and that feels intentional. I dig it. Fluffiness is also sufficient. 8.5/10 for bird.

Sonic X

One thing that always bothered me about Shadow’s chest fluff in this is the placement. It’s so high up on his chest that it looks like it would tickle his chin. Any higher and it would basically be a beard. But what it lacks in sizing and proper placement it makes up for in fluff. That is one fluffy chest and I am here for it. 7/10 for chin-tickling fluff.

Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood

Same problem as Sonic X; the placement is too high. You can see in the top photo that Shadow’s chest fluff is almost in his teeth. This is not good. Just as there must be separation of church and state, there must also be separation of chin and fluff. Both of these concepts are equally important. Anyway. The shape is acceptable and the fluff passable, but as they say in real estate, it’s all about location. 4/10 for even less manscaping than before.

Archie Sonic

I...why is he like this. Why is it yellow. Why does it stretch across his arms. Kenneth Penderson what are you even doing here. -100000/10 for horrors.

Tracy Yardley's version of the chest fluff, however, is much better. The placement of said fluff on Shadow's body is off and it's shaped like an arrow that points toward his dick, but the fluffiness is off the charts. It looks like Shadow could hide things in there. 6/10 for storage fluff.

(Shadow was drawn differently by different artists across the Archie run, and it'd take too long to rate all of them. These are just a few samples.)

Sonic Boom

It's honestly really nice to see the fluff back in the right spot, and the shape is on point. There's also a lot of texture, though it quickly becomes too much of a good thing. Something about it looks dirty, like Shadow hasn't combed it. Gotta give a 7/10 for poor hygiene.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games

There is no chest fluff in Ba Sing Se this picture. As cool as Shadow looks in these outfits, they completely obscure his chest fluff, thus forcing me to rate it 0/10 for nothing.

Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric

Oh god why. This is an insult. The same problem of it looking dirty remains, only now it doesn't even have as good a shape as the cartoon did, and something about the proportions to the rest of Shadow's body doesn't feel right. 1/10 for unsettling nightmares.

Sonic Forces

Not rate-able, as every photo of Shadow in that game I could find showed him with his back turned. ☹️

IDW Comics

Again, I had to pick a few samples because various artists have worked on this. The one on the left is gloriously fluffy, which helps a lot, but it still feels a bit big and too high up. 8.5/10 for chest pillow.

The one on the right is nice and standard. 8/10 for normality.

Team Sonic Racing

Boo. Way too small AND it's still right up against his fucking chin. What part of separation of fluff and chin do these people not understand. This design feels like an afterthought. 3/10 because size does matter.

The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog

As you can see, most of the chest fluff is obscured by the apron, making it difficult to rate. From what little I can see, it appears to be a good shape and a tiny bit fluffy? 2/10 for apron.

Sonic Prime

LOOK AT IT! 😍 FLUFFY! THE RIGHT SIZE! PERFECTLY SCULPTED! I want to touch it. I want to run my fingers through it. I want to personally thank whatever artist or animator is responsible for this. Inject it into my veins. 1000000/10 for perfection. WildBrain understood the assignment.

Dark Beginnings

Sigh...and we're back to the same problem of no separation. Will they never learn? It also looks very flat. Not feeling it. 1.5/10 for flat-chested-ness.

Sonadow Sonic X Shadow Generations

*strokes chin* Yes, very nice. The texture and fluff are sufficient, the size is proportional, and the placement is suitable. There's even a nice bit of texture that makes it look a little messy but not too much. I approve. 9.5/10 for messy bitch.

Sonic 3 (movie)

Something about the shape is...off. It doesn't have as many edges as the other designs, and that makes it look like Shadow has underwear on his chest. Still, the placement is good and the fluff is there. 5/10 for underwear.

Sonic Rumble

Very nice! See, those edges are what make it, and this time they don't look sharp enough to kill a man. It's a good size, which is impressive since Shadow is more chibi here, and it still has the softness factor. Well done! 10/10 for meeting all of my needs.

[cardboardheartss]

NJZ Vedic Chart Analysis

NJZ have finally returned everyone!! I’m over the moon right now!! We finally get to see the girls again!! This is really only the beginning of an incredible journey we’re about to embark on and also what’s a journey without trials and tribulations?? We’ll still have those moments but those shall pass!!

Congrats on the redebut girls!!!🖇️🩶🌟

Also I have a quote I want to share and it resonates so well with NJZ redebut! :

“Whenever you find yourself doubting how far you can go, just remember how far you have come. Remember everything you have faced, all the battles you have won, and all the fears you have overcome.”

NJZ have a Purva Bhadra (Aquarius) ascendant and Saturn in their 1H. The NJZ redebut will be a complete rebrand, I suspect they’ll have a completely different image and concept going onwards??

I see this ruffling a few feathers mainly for those who are used to the cute and aesthetically appealing concepts like the Power Puff Girls and Super Shy.

Their Saturn aspects their 5H Punarvasu (Gemini) mars! These girls will continue setting trends and gaining recognition for their dance and new concepts.

Now for the 2H. NJZ have Rahu, Venus, Neptune in Uttara Bhadra (Pisces) and Chiron in Revati (Pisces). NJZ redebut will give them a few wins and unfortunately some losses/cons? The girls will gain more success and even more brand recognition and offers! Their music and artistry will surely bring them tons of success.

Looking at these placements we could get concepts that are more badass, like girl crush, super-hero or out of this world concepts. Since this planet is ruled by Saturn maybe a lot of music and lyrics about what they went through last year and how they’ll continue to evolve and so on so forth.

Now for the part of cons, the girls will unfortunately receive a lot of hate and major criticism for just breathing (*cough cough* mediaplay articles) and music critics will hop on the train and complain about the change of concept.

This will kind of make the girls lose a bit of confidence because they’re surely also tired of being beat down but I don’t see that stopping anytime soon…

3H Krittika (Aries) Uranus? Hmm… this aspect is another one that indicates more hate and calculated tactics to try bring the girls down and tarnish their reputation? Once again, the media play articles will be made and shared even more this time and we’ll see more exposè of HYBE trying to dig up problematic things the girls did or are doing.

4H Rohini (Taurus) Moon and Jupiter!! Remember when I said the girls will continue to succeed?? Well we will be witnessing that for their remaining years in the industry. The girls will still have tons of support and success in South Korea, even though there could be conflicts over the concept change, people’s love for the girls will never die down!

Expect more K-media presence from now on reality shows appearances entertainment shows. They want to make sure their presence is recognized!

I have already gone through this as it’s only two placements which is their Punarvasu (Gemini) Mars and Part of Fortune and this indicates that they’ll be actively noticed for their work and the girls themselves will put in a whole lot of effort in all their performances, producing, song writing and anything else behind the scenes that requires creativity.

8H Uttara Phalguni (Virgo) Ketu and Vertex. For these planets… it could indicate that this whole separation of the girls and HYBE was inevitable.

The girls were meant to be freed from that nonsensical company but unfortunately I see that the company will constantly try ruin or make the girls life a living hell once they continue succeeding in their rebrand.

Lastly, the 12H Dhanishtha (Capricorn) Sun, Shravana (Capricorn) Mercury and Uttara Ashadha (Capricorn) Pluto. So many different Capricorn nakshatras lol! All of these planets in the 12H could indicate that the girls won’t be as active on social media outside of promo schedules. Since the Capricorn ruler is in the 1H these placements indicate that the girls will still be vocal about their mistreatment whilst in HYBE. Overall these placements highlight a distance from social media, exposé moments, the girls new villain era lol and just a whole lot of transformation!

This is an AMAZING chart!! If people want a chart of someone who’s going to have an incredible transformation… this is the chart!!

The only thing that’s going to be an issue here is HYBE… unfortunately so… but anyway!! f*** them!!

Wishing Hanni, Hyein, Minji, Haerin, Modani, NJZ dance directors, music producers, and everyone else in their team well and hoping for more never-ending success. 🖇️🩶🌟

Oh! I also have songs that resonate with the chart!!!

[hillbillyoracle]

💰Coin Divination 2.0💰

I keep coming back to coin divination because I really like it's simplicity. It's a form of divination that's quite portable and effecient. I've been playing with it more to turn it into more of a fully fleshed out divination system, something that could speak to a wider array of topics. Previous posts I've written have talked about how to use it while fully contextualized by a question or series of questions but I wanted it to be capable of being used for general readings or in place of cards in spreads.

In the process, I wrote up a post that makes me sound a bit like the red string guy but I offer it here in case it makes sense to someone who isn't me, someone who can make use of it in their personal practice.

I've gotten several questions over the years from people living in conservative or fundamentalist Christian homes about how to learn divination and I think nothing beats coin divination. Coins are everywhere and no one would really think it's that weird if you have one in your pocket. Artisan coins are becoming a popular EDC item to carry. It's something easy to take with you if you have to leave or find once you get somewhere.

Yes playing card divination is another one of my favorites, but I know some homes are so strict in their rejection of gambling that they ban cards altogether and all the meanings can be tricky to memorize. With this version of coin divination I hoped to create something where the basic meanings could fit on an index card that could be hidden behind a phone or somewhere else fairly safe.

I didn't mix geomantic figures with this system as they didn't fit well with the other moving parts. I think the focus for geomancy is on the figures created rather than the meanings of the coin results itself. Given this it is possible to have two forms of divination - something I recommend every magically operant person know - in a single coin. One could use this coin divination system and geomancy separately (perhaps with a geomancy cheat sheet on the back of the index card.) Magical minimalism meets mass accessibility.

Basically, I think this has real potential, especially for folks who need to travel light or who are living in repressive circumstances.

The Subject Compass

A compass or 8 point figure seems like an obvious choice to divine on but as I looked for one that was rooted in western esoteric traditions, I struggled to find one that was semi-consistent and had areas that were helpful for divination. So I came up with a model loosely inspired by the 4 orienting points of an astrological chart - ASC, IC, DC, MC and combinations of meanings there of.

W - ASC - Self + Health

SW - Family + Resources + Spirituality

S - IC - Internal + Root/Past + Home

SE - Sex + Children + Pets

E - DC - Other + Partnerships

NE - Education + Community + Coworkers

N -MC - External + Aspirations + Journeys

NW - Reputation + Work

To decide the direction, establish some part of the coin as the point. For coins with human or animal faces, this can be the direction the eyes point. For other coins it could simply be the generally agreed upon top of the coin. If a face has none, it may be necessary to file a notch into the coin or mark it in some way permanently. Whichever direction the point most faces, that's the subject being discussed.

Using heads for positive/active and tails for negative/passive and the meanings of these areas, combinations cam point to specific areas. For instance a heads in the East could mean a new or generally positive relationship or friendship. A tails in the S could indicate a new challenge or difficulty at home. This can then steer the question phase or further clarify confusing answers received during it.

Yes/No Questions

The format I use to answer questions is to flip a coin 4 times and use the following results to determine an answer:

4 Heads - 0 Tails - Strong Yes

3 Heads - 1 Tails - Weak Yes

2 Heads - 2 Tails - Neutral/Ask Later

1 Heads - 3 Tails - Weak No

0 Heads - 4 Tails - Strong No

I think this format in particular is great for spirit work since it necessitates something conversational and quick. Cards can actually be a bit of a drag in these situations where quick to the point answers are needed. You can keep it to just this or you can layer in other meanings as you need for your purposes.

The main thing I'm adding here is this: extrapolating from aspects of geomancy, one could also read into the order in which you got your heads and tails for more meaning and specificity. Taking heads as generally positive/active and tails as generally negative/passive, you can see where a given result might be most relevant. This could also be used to further clarify a subject before asking questions.

First Position - Head - Fire/Plasma - Spiritual

Second Position - Neck/Chest/Arms - Air/Gas - Mental

Third Position - Core/Organs/Groin - Water/Fluid - Emotional

Fourth Position - Legs/Feet - Earth/Solid - Physical

Difference in Points

This is probably my most red string of all the meanings. Basically, when you start given reading you decide what point of the compass your reading most aligns to. We'll call this the heading. Then as you flip the coin, you count the difference between the heading and where the point landed for that toss to get a number. At the end, you add these numbers up to get a numerology number that can also be interpreted using those principles. I honestly find combing through the vast majority of numerology information on the internet a real drag so I just use the numbers from Tarot loosely as my basis:

Beginnings, seeds, new, solitary - start something new, reflect in isolation for a while

Balance, partnership, preparation - make needed preparations, balance or rebalance

Creation, community, education - create something new, learn from your community

Stability, stagnation, temporary - this too shall pass, loosen your grip, give back

Turning point, challenges, woe - be transformed, remember what is truly important

Follow through, past, go, do - take right action, right your prior wrongs, be fair and just

Pause, illusion, tend - wait it out, there's a lie or delusion in the mix, water the garden

Crossroads, journey, binds - Free yourself and journey onwards, make a decision and commit

Luck, manifestation, completion - put a bow on it, cause and effect, mourn it's end

General Reading

With these added layers of meaning, it opens up the possibility for a general reading. One could flip a coin 4 times and note the result and the direction of the point without any question at all. For example:

Heading - W

H - NE - 5

H - S - 2

T - S - 2

H - N - 6

5 + 2 + 2 + 6 = 15 = 1 + 5 = 6

Weak Positive - There's a balance of the external and the internal, there's a doubling of the south so home might be the main focus, maybe there's a weakly positive opportunity to learn at or about your home in a way the furthers your current aspirations in life, the only tail showed up in the third position so maybe what you're learning is has to do with a water problem in your home - either actual water/plumbing or GI related health issues or an emotional issue. Given that the education result is also in the fire or spiritual position, perhaps the subject is spiritually significant or is something you discussed or agreed on with a spirit. With 6 as the number for the reading, this would indicate a need to get started on this education right away.

Other Spreads

You could use this method on spreads designed for other divination systems. It certainly won't work as well as the systems they were originally designed for but it is still workable. 4 tosses per spot would be the most complete but it's also almost too much information to fit in the context of the spread.

I recommend 2 tosses per spot. With some tweaking you can condense some of the meanings I pointed to in the general reading. The first toss would be read on the subject compass. But the second would need to be read on a second compass to add back in the elemental and body readings. You can use the directions that make the most sense to you or use these:

Second Coin Compass

W - Water

S - Fire

E - Earth

N - Air

You could read into the mixed points (SW, SE, etc) if you wanted to add a layer of meaning, or you can just pick the main compass point it is closes to to keep it simple.

Example

Let's look at a simple Past - Present - Future - Advice spread.

Past - Heading: S - [T - NW] [H - E) - 5 + 2 = [7]

Neutral; Reputation + Work, Earth - Physical, Legs/Feet; Pause - Taking a break from work, putting your feet up

Present - Heading: W - [H - S] [H - W] - 2 + 8 = 10 = 1 + 0 = [1]

Positive; Home + Root, Water; New - A renewed connection with someone from the past

Future - Heading: N - [H - S] [T - NE] - 4 + 7 = 11 = 1+1 = [2]

Neutral; Home + Root, Air/Earth - Erosion; Partnership - This connection is likely to erode again for a while

Advice - Heading: NE - [T - SW] [T - W] - 4 + 3 = [7]

Negative; Family + Resources, Water; Wait - Refocus your efforts on your family, don't make any sudden decisions

Summary of the Reading

Overall Number - 7 + 1 + 2 + 7 = 17 = 1 + 7 = 8 - Crossroads, Journey, Binds

Querant's focus was on work but in learning to relax, they've reestablished a connection with someone from their past, perhaps from their hometown. They shouldn't necessarily dive right into it as it's likely to erode. They should protect their resources and not lose sight of their family. Wouldn't lend this new person any money. This friendship might force them to finally make a decision they've been putting off or put them in a bind of some kind.

Conclusion

I'm honestly worried this stuff won't make sense to anyone but me. Fingers crossed this is exactly what someone is looking for and now they don't have to put in the work or at least they've got a basis to build on.

[mariacallous]

The Joke I tell that no one laughs at goes like this: I picked a pretty rough time to actually want to be alive; in retrospect, back when I wanted to die, things were not actually all that bad. In the office of my therapist, this formulation elicits a heavy sigh. Among friends, it prompts a look of concern. I can’t locate the punch line, even as I type it out. The joke is that I was once heartbroken enough to invent my own apocalypse. The joke is that I stayed alive long enough to witness a few real ones. The joke—and this is why I suspect no one laughs—acknowledges that we are perhaps coming to a collective understanding that there is a door closing, more quickly for some than for others, and that most of us are on the wrong side of it.

I am part of a support group made up of people who’ve gone through periods of wanting to die and who, like me, are constantly working through how to actively engage with a world that can feel relentlessly untenable, like a shoddy amusement-park ride accelerating into the sky and attempting to eject us all from our flimsy seats. The group is informal but long-running. It existed well before a beloved elder hauled me to a session eight years ago. It is a place where we laugh at one another’s jokes about death which are actually jokes about living but are also, of course, jokes about how everything around us is crumbling. It is a place where, among other things, we can luxuriate in sometimes being wrong. The group members occasionally call me out for hyper-cynicism, and, because it’s them, I am eager to be corrected. Some of them have survived their internal battles for almost as long as I’ve been alive.

Each group session has an appointed leader. The privilege of leading depends on where you are in your journey—once it’s been five years since your last attempt on your life, you are added to the queue. I led my first meeting this winter, around Christmas, over Zoom. At the start of it, I made a joke, which is a variation on the other Joke: I guess you all get me tonight, because I’m not dead. The audio crackled with sparks of laughter, the sounds colliding until they sounded like a delightful bit of radio static. We’re all alive—what a trip.

We open each meeting by asking a simple question: What is keeping you alive today? This allows us to revel in the sometimes small motions that get us to the Next Thing. Yes, I did not want to get out of bed this morning, but there was one single long shard of sunlight that stumbled in through a tear in my curtains, and the warmth of it hitting my arm got me to that first hour of living. There was my dog, who, on the mornings I do not want to get out of bed, will rest silently at my feet and wait for me to slowly emerge from under the covers, and seeing her reminds me that I do, in fact, have only one lifetime in which I can love this animal. As far as I know, we will love each other only here, for a while, and that is worth seeing what I can make out of a few hours, even when I’m wrecked with despair.

I say despair in lieu of any other word because I like the weight of it, the way it both sounds and feels. Depression and anxiety are clinical terms, the terms doctors see when they search charts to learn about my afflictions. But despair feels like something one can sink into, even comfortably, to a degree; I can be consumed by it while still engaging in my quotidian activities. I bring up my little group, my small Island of Misfit Survivors, because it is one of the rare places where I feel secure in an abandonment of hope. Hope is something I get asked about more than I would like to. During stops on my recent book tour, people asked me what I’m hopeful about, and what words I can offer as a salve for the feelings of anxiety and uncertainty that many people have lately been immersed in. In interviews, my interlocutors sometimes lean in and say, “But it isn’t all bad. . . . Is it?” And I laugh a little bit and shrug. I’ve realized that most people believe in this strange mythology, which I may have had access to once but am not interested in locating anymore. The propulsive moments that some might consider signs of hope I have renamed necessity. Hope means both everything and nothing at all, and yet it is always purported to be within reach. Hope is the fluorescent bird. The bird makes no sound. It is in a cage. No one can find the key, and no one has seen the key in a very long time, and they aren’t sure that they’d even free the bird if they found the key. And yet, collectively, people must keep asking for it.

I often consider the flexibility of language, in a very literal, unpoetic sense. Its uses are pleasureful, treacherous, devastating. For example: I am writing about the beauty of sunlight and the sight of my beloved dog’s face in the same language that a Department of Homeland Security head uses to call for more rapid and “efficient” deportations, an “Amazon Prime for Human Beings.” When it comes to horrors given shape through the functions of language, even this does not haunt me as much as a press conference held by children in Gaza in 2023, during which they pleaded in English for the world to protect them, despite the world’s prolonged and ongoing failure to answer that call. Language fails at the feet of an empire’s violence; language fails to scale the ever-growing wall between who is and isn’t deemed worthy of a life. Yet I am trying to use this same failing machinery to communicate how, for the sake of my own fragile heart, and sometimes fragile brain, I remain more committed to honesty than I do to optimism.

The Joke that I tell works, in my head, because in my late teens and early twenties I felt, selfishly, that the worst parts of the world existed only in the small radius of my various heartbreaks. And, to the credit of those heartbreaks, some of them were worthy of that lie. What I love about the heart is that it’s capable of breaking in infinite ways; may we never live long enough to experience all of them, but may we live long enough to experience the ways the heart can repair itself for subsequent breakings. The cycle of rupture and repair is a requirement of living, a cost of surviving, something that goes hand in hand with another reality of survival: that, throughout your life, you may not only lose people but also gain them.

Eight years ago, when I first joined my group, I couldn’t stop orbiting my own pain. After three weeks, I was pulled aside by the elder who had brought me into the fold in the first place, and he told me something that has defined a not-insignificant part of my living ever since. He said, “Your pain is unique, because it’s yours. And you get to have that. But, when pressed up against all of the pain in the whole wide world, it isn’t special. It can be unique, but it can’t always be special.” I had to age into seeing past my own desire for an exit, which was fuelled by a wish to, quite simply, not feel the way that I felt anymore. I don’t mean that I adopted a basic “it could always be worse” mind-set. I mean that, through an endless cycle of breakage and repair, I’ve built up a renewed depth of feeling, and my world view, cynical as it might be at times, is informed by that accrual. I have lived long enough to operate almost in reverse, starting with the broadest scope. I can say that I have seen the state of the world and that I am not optimistic any population can return from some of the lines people have collectively crossed, either willingly or owing to the complicity of, say, paying taxes to a violent state. I do not think that there’s a newer and better world that can be built with the knowledge of a genocidal campaign being carried out on a live stream for a year and a half and counting. The world at large is seemingly fine with what we are witnessing, and I think that suggests the irreversible unwellness of a people, of a society.

I most commonly hear despair framed as an end point, a feeling that affixes itself to exhaustion, or to a level of despondency that cannot be overcome. But it doesn’t have to be so. I have Black elders in my life whom I love dearly. I am not related to them, and we don’t maintain the façade of age-based hierarchy that can come with blood ties. We’re part of a community of equals. We play cards. I listen to the good gossip from the nursing home. If time has its way, and it always does, many of them won’t live to see the world become significantly worse than it is now. They may witness the groundwork being laid for its worsening, but not the most damaging results. These are people who firmly understand that they are counting time in units of a few years, or a good handful of months, and yet they worry about the world. They ache for it, they are displeased by what they see, and still they organize, in the small ways they can—by donating clothes, or by ordering a bus to take them to go and vote. I won’t claim to know exactly how they would define their range of feelings. But my heart is broken and repaired by them, in equal measure. They are aware of the limited time they have left, and aware that their time on earth may stop while the time of their grandchildren, or children, or anyone younger than them whom they love, will continue on—and what a shame to see a world growing more undeserving of their beloveds each day—and so they spend at least some of whatever time they have left stitching together small pieces that, eventually, might make something big enough to be meaningful.

I think of those folks when I am working to shape my relationship with despair into something proactive. When I return to the Joke that no one laughs at, what I’m actually saying is, What a shit situation, that this is the world that I’ve got to try and stay alive in. The tonnage of our reality weighs on me now, but it doesn’t crush me entirely, and I believe that this is a question of my relationship to time. My past indifference to my own living has afforded me a kind of hard-earned inventiveness. I know how to get through a hard hour, a hard day, a hard week. I know how to pull myself from one minute to the next, in large part because I find that my depths of despair have afforded me a newfound curiosity. I am no longer wired to catalogue and sift through only my own internal horrors, and so, by the mercy of simply looking up and looking around, I can see that there are people willing to love me, and that I am willing to love them, and, yes, I cannot believe that this is the world we’ve got, but I am chasing the tail of the world’s end, imagining that if I catch it (by way of tidying up my own spirit, my own heart, and also my own material communities), there might be something better than the present.

I hold a monthly workshop for high-school writers, many of whom are preparing to go off to college. We have recently been talking about poems of joyful accumulation—poems that begin with some small affection, which leads to a sort of snowballing of pleasure, of happy revelation, even if the revelation begins with a slight ache, a memory of someone who is no longer here, or a place that is not what it once was. We are reading Ross Gay’s “To the Fig Tree on 9th and Christian,” which finds the poet strolling through Philadelphia. It is “a city, like most / which has murdered its own / people,” he writes, but the poem turns slightly when he describes grabbing some figs off a tree that has grown rich with the fruit. First, he grabs the fruit for himself, and then for others, who gather around to access the bounty. The process of accumulation is defined by the arrival of the people, with their own desires, and, finally, by those desires being met. We are also reading Aracelis Girmay’s “You Are Who I Love,” in which the speaker unfurls a list of people they love, people they want to see survive, people doing what those not committed to close and tender attention might call the daily tasks of living: a person stirring a pot of beans, a person selling roses out of a cart, a person crossing a border, a person carrying their brother home, a person singing Leonard Cohen to the snow. You, reader, do not personally know these people, but their motivations spark a familiar feeling—here is someone trying to survive in a world that can render a person unable to get out of bed. You, too, may love a person who cannot get out of bed, which is why you cherish the things that convey, I am trying to stitch together enough small moments to have a life for a little bit longer.

When my class read this poem aloud, I was relieved to realize that I was not the only person brought to tears—not because I harbor any self-consciousness about public weeping (lord knows, I am well versed) but because it helped me feel that we had achieved a collective understanding of a poem that says, My heart is connected to your hearts. I am reading poems of accumulating affections with brilliant young writers who are about to leave a city we all love, and go to various elsewheres, and I am doing so because I want them to consider the responsibilities of the heart, responsibilities that the world will attempt to detach them from in the name of individualism, or the ever-growing realities of isolationist attitudes and power’s contempt for community. I am asking them, as I am continually asking myself, to imagine a heart that feels a connection to the hearts of others, even others you do not know. I would like to think that this is what nudges me forward, more than some mythological concept of “hope.” In the silence of a room after the reading of a poem, when the only sounds are small gasps and sniffles, I can say to myself that we are all carrying a unique ache, or a unique memory, or a unique desire that the poem ignited. And I would like to know about it. I would like to know what few inches of the wretched world can be made into an adequate space for you to mourn, or to make a plate of food, or to dance in your living room, or to bury something you’ve finally decided to put down. ♦

If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 or chat at 988Lifeline.org.

[lunarlianna]

Planets in retrograde in natal chart

Planets in retrograde in natal chart and what they mean. Now you need to take into consideration and in which house this planet reside and also what aspects are being made. One thing I may need to clarify in astrology the Moon and the Sun never go into retrograde motion. Some of us have more planets retrograde, others a few and some none of them. When planets are in retrograde in the natal chart, they shouldn't be stigmatized but more to understand where we may face difficulties in some shape or form also, I’ll be talking a bit about karma and the retrogrades in the natal chart. Retrograde planets turn energies inward, leading to a slower external manifestation. Those with retrograde planets tend to deeply contemplate these energies, a trait associated with geniuses and leaders. I may make a different post on the big asteroid in retrograde as well, comment if you want to see that.

Mercury retrograde turns inward, urging revisits and intuitive learning. Born during this, you're bright and adaptive, excelling in communication. Relationships embrace diverse views, but overthinking occurs; seek enriching connections, travel. Those with Mercury retrograde unconsciously access collective wisdom, sometimes facing communication struggles. Finding solace in non-verbal forms like music and art resonates with Mercury retrogrades—imagine musical geniuses. Past-life whispers sway relationships, seeing others as echoes of bygone connections.

Venus retrograde suggests challenges in freely sharing affection due to a sense of emotional scarcity. Life events can be filtered through a longing for love, often internalizing and magnifying hurts in relationships. This may stem from past-life pain, leading to a fear of vulnerability and difficulty fully embracing love. This retrograde can manifest as shyness and fear of intimacy, needing trust, or even as self-centeredness, requiring self-love and healthy affection expression. You possess a passion for pleasure, creativity, and visual arts. Adept in hosting, fashion, decor, and cooking, making everything delightful.

Mars retrograde guides your energy inward, sparking introspection into past moments and affecting how you perceive current connections. Prioritizing spiritual desires may unintentionally overshadow physical well-being; focusing on your holistic growth is important. While intimate experiences might differ due to internalized energy, nurturing, deep bonds can bring forth a more natural expression. Mars retrograde karma hints at efforts to reenact moments from the past, attempting unspoken wishes and sometimes reacting strongly to unmet hopes. Embracing self-assertion and risk-taking, despite challenges, forms a vital part of your journey towards self-discovery and empowerment.

Jupiter retrograde directs expansion inward, fostering profound inner growth, often through spiritual studies. There's a tendency to over-plan, leading to inaction at times. Embracing a spiritual path offers fulfilment, but mundane pursuits might leave you unsatisfied. Deja-vu experiences are common, and you're drawn to guiding others through counselling, teaching, or the law. While generous and hopeful, avoid over-giving or idealizing situations. Late-life marriage or parenthood is possible; be cautious of seeking to "fix" partners.

Saturn acts as a guide through challenges and life lessons, ultimately granting wisdom and compassion. Saturn retrograde signals a chance to revisit life, feeling the weight of two lifetimes simultaneously. Doubts about self-worth and capabilities arise, but you've grown through past struggles. Embracing Saturn's discipline leads to tapping into vast wisdom. Born during this phase, you're diligent, precise, and skilled, yet remember not to be overly critical. In relationships, avoid co-dependency and prioritize healthy boundaries, understanding you're not accountable for others' actions.

Uranus retrograde can make it challenging to fully embrace and express your unique self, sometimes leading to a reconnection with ideas from the past. Feeling a strong responsibility for personal growth, you're a visionary deeply attuned to life's complexities. Your authenticity is precious; it urges you to explore the uncharted and share your ideas, even if they're not easily understood. Karmic ties to family and society can bring struggles, reshaping your unconscious. In relationships, your inner conflicts might create turbulence; focusing on intuitive wisdom over emotional turmoil can guide you. It can lead to a fear of change or a longing for the familiar. Remember, you're not alone in this journey.

With Neptune retrograde in your chart, your imagination is vibrant, leading you to seek solace in dreams. Deep spirituality resides within, though expressing it can be a journey. At times, these struggles could lead you towards challenging paths, such as wrestling with addiction or assuming the role of a martyr. On a brighter note, this retrograde might bestow upon you finely tuned psychic sensitivities, allowing you to glimpse beyond the veil. However, your heightened emotional sensitivity can render you vulnerable to negativity, emphasizing your need for regular solitary moments to rejuvenate and shield your emotional sanctuary.

For those with Pluto retrograde, its transformative force delves deeply within, illuminating your inner world ahead of its outer expression. Past-life psychic abilities are present, meant for positive impact. You sense humanity's struggles within, embracing responsibility for collective awakening. Karmically, you owe humanity from a particular era, repaid through selfless service, offering the chance for profound spiritual growth and liberation from rebirth. Pluto's inner battle involves suppressed anger and control issues, concealing a powerful potential for profound transformation and insight. Handle with care, as betrayals can ignite their intensity.

[elminx]

Energy Update: Mercury Retrograde, August 2024

Starting on August 5th, Mercury enters retrograde 3/4 of 2024. The retrograde runs from 04° Virgo to 21° Leo and makes thrice repeating trines with our Wounded Healer Chiron in Aries and squares to Uranus in Taurus. Retrograde Mercury will also conjunct the Sun and Venus once (as it does most retrograde cycles) and sextile Mars in Gemini once, as well.

The Basics

Mercury, our planet of communication, technology, and travel, is the fastest-moving planet in our solar system and retrogrades 3 to 4 times every year. This means that Mercury’s retrograde cycle is “business as usual” and isn’t something that should be feared but it is a change in the energy signature of one of our personal planets, so it’s worth paying attention and making adjustments where necessary.

Retrogrades don’t mean that the planet ACTUALLY is moving backward, of course. It is a perspective shift in our perception of the planetary movement through our skies. In this way, our perspectives and perceptions can get a bit twisted during these times and it is easy to miss key details or communicate ineffectively.

During Mercury’s retrograde, Mercury traces its path backward in our skies and it is considered better to go over your work rather than start something new. Mercury passes over these degrees in the sky thrice: the first time during its pre-retrograde shadow, the second time while it moves backward during its retrograde, and again a third time while it moves forward in its post-retrograde shadow. Because of this, we all get the cosmic opportunity to relearn and refocus on certain things that are going awry in our lives.

By looking at the degrees of Mercury’s retrograde and comparing it to your birth chart, you can understand how Mercury’s retrograde cycle might affect you. If you don’t want to do this yourself, you can always purchase a Mercury retrograde transit chart from me on Kofi.

Mercury retrogrades affect some people more than others. By order of significance, these people are most likely to be affected by a Mercury retrograde:

If you have Sun, Moon, Ascendant in Gemini and Virgo, or Mercury closely conjunct (within 2°) to your Sun, Moon, or Ascendant

If your natal Mercury was in retrograde or out of bounds

If the current retrograde crosses over your Sun, Moon, or Ascendant (in conjunction) or makes a square or opposition

If the current retrograde crosses over your Mercury, Venus, or Mars or makes a square or opposition with them

If the current retrograde makes a trine with one of your personal planets or a sextile to your Sun, Moon, or Ascendant

If you work in a job that involves technology, communication, or travel or are currently undergoing a task that involves one of these domains during this retrograde cycle

If you live with, are in a relationship with, or closely work with a person who meets the above criteria

One can assume that the more of these factors in play, the stronger you may experience the effects of a Mercury retrograde cycle. This isn’t to say that what you experience will be bad or wrong – some people experience a lot of freedom from Mercury’s journey. The more open you are willing to give up control and stay open to the ever-changing landscape of a Mercury cycle, the easier it will be.

The Nitty Gritty

Now that we’ve gone over the basics let’s take a look at the specifics of THIS Mercury retrograde cycle. Mercury will retrograde backward from 04° Virgo to 21° Leo. This puts the stressors of this retrograde on the early mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) and late fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius). The switchover from Fixed to Mutable signs can be viewed as the energy of relaxation, both of effort and intent. It’s important that we need both types of energy in our lives (both fixed/controlled and mutable/relaxed); this retrograde cycle is likely to bring up issues of imbalance between these two differing energy signatures. You may find yourself stuck on one side of this equation (all relaxed and unable to accomplish anything or all fixed and unable to stand down).

Mercury will interact with all of our other personal planets (the Sun, Moon, and Venus through conjunction and Mars in sextiles), which shows that this retrograde will take on a more personal nature. Although we experience Mercury’s retrogrades 3-4 times a year, not all of them pack as much punch as others. This Mercury cycle will be inside our homes and likely impact our daily lives and our interactions with our Others.

Additionally, Mercury will make three trines to Chiron in Aries (sitting on top of that touchy point from our total solar eclipse back in April) and three squares to Uranus in Taurus. Unlike our personal planet aspects, these don’t influence our personal lives as directly, but they will impact the general energy of the world at large, which sometimes can trickle into our personal lives. [Note here that if you have personal planets that interact in aspect with these Mercury-Uranus and Mercury-Chiron moments, this may impact you personally.]

Let’s start with Chiron because it’s the energy we’ve already stewed in. Chiron isn’t one of the planets but an asteroid that has caught the interest of many astrologers in recent years. Often called the Wounded Healer, it represents a pain point or an unhealed wound. Back in April, we experienced a Mercury retrograde that coincided with our eclipse season, and during the total solar eclipse, the Sun was conjunct with both Mercury and Chiron. This was a whopper of a day that many people are still reeling from. Although Chiron has kept moving, it is still only 4° from this fate-filled spot. That means that, to a greater or lesser degree, each connection between Mercury and Chiron is another chance for us to revisit this energy.

“Revisit,” being one of the big re’s, is one of the keywords to understanding Mercury retrograde lessons. We are being given a chance to revisit, revise, rework, and reimagine. With Chiron involved, it’s likely to hurt (at least at first). It may feel like too much. But its worth remembering that Chiron isn’t something that happens TO you, it is considered to be a force of strong healing energy working FOR you.

It’s also worth remembering that Mercury will pass over this point with Chiron three times: once in forward motion during its pre-retrograde shadow, a second while moving backward in retrograde, and a third time in forward motion during its post-retrograde shadow.

Newsflash: you don’t have to get it right the first time through.

A common metaphor for imagining retrograde cycles is as a lesson or “hole” in the ground with which we must fall in/pass over/encounter trice to gain the full experience of the situation.

The story unfolds something like this:

Oh, there’s a hole in the ground! I fell into it because I didn’t know that it was there. It’s not my fault. (pre-retrograde shadow phase)

Oh, there’s a hole in the ground. I fell into it again. I did know it was there…maybe I should learn to avoid this hole? (retrograde phase)

And, if all goes well: Oh hey, that’s a hole in the ground! It’s the same hole I fell into before. I know how to walk around this now. (post-retrograde phase)

If the solar eclipse in April passed by uneventfully, you may find that this Mercury-Chiron set of trines also does. If the eclipse was especially difficult, consider this a chance to gain better insight into what happened and why. We can re-frame these transits to be for our own good by being open to the experiences of Mercury’s underworld journeys.

Lastly, we should discuss Mercury square Uranus. Mercury and Uranus have a lot in common—they both involve and control our brain processes to a certain point. If Mercury is the thinking brain, Uranus can be viewed as pure inspiration. Mercury is quick-moving and changeable; Uranus is slow-moving but enacts drastic and lasting change. Many modern astrologers view Uranus as the higher octave of Mercurial energy; it is Mercury’s energy infused with the beyond.

For the most part, Uranus’s energy simply happens to us. It is the lightning bolt in the Tower card, the hurricane that washes away a whole floodplain, or the volcano that awakens to bring destruction and rebirth. What I mean by this is that it is so far beyond us that it can often feel catastrophic, but – like the eclipses – Uranus has a way of blowing open opportunities that we couldn’t even have imagined. We are all stuck little humans who don’t like to change our own lives and sometimes something beyond us seems to reach down and make that change FOR us so that we are forced to move.

We don’t get a choice in what happens to us in situations like this, but we do get a choice in how we respond.

Two out of these three Mercury square Uranus days are full moons, which puts extra emphasis on their energy signatures. On one of these two days (8/19), the Sun in Leo will be conjunct to Mercury and also square to Uranus in Taurus, making a fixed t-square in the sky. Of the three days, this is the one to watch out for and potentially lie low through. The other two dates are days to encourage divine inspiration if that is your thing.

Watch out for how you speak during these rough squares, as misunderstandings will run rampant, and tempers may be at an all-time low. Uranus is never a patient planet, but in Taurus, it can become a raging bull in about six seconds flat. Give yourself and your others as much grace as you can during this time. Shut your mouth entirely, perhaps, and work on listening (something Mercury in egoic Leo definitely can have a problem with at times).

Any time a retrograde bridges the cusp between signs, you can guess that we will need to dig deep into the differences between the two signs somehow. Virgo is our mutable earth sign, often concerned with work, perfectionism, and effort. Leo is our fixed fire sign, more likely to be the lazy lion basking in the sun while the gruntlings do the work. Remember here, there is no judgment on these energies: there is a time to do the work and a time to bask in the Sun. The problem comes into play when you only do one and not the other.

Standard Mercury retrograde warnings apply:

Technology tends to go a bit wonky, so save your work often and proofread twice before you hit send on an important document. Mercury retrograde is considered the ideal time to edit: reread, rewrite, rework. Travel will take twice as long and almost inevitably involve detours—pack your patience and determination to enjoy the ride. If a person from your past shows up again, look into the unfinished business, but don’t expect it to last past Mercury stations direct. Mercury is a trickster: if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

All that glitters is never gold during Mercury’s retrograde cycles, but Fool’s Gold can be its own reward.

The Details

7/16 – Mercury enters its pre-retrograde shadow 21° Leo 7/18 – Mercury in Leo trine Chiron in Aries 7/21 – Full Moon 29° Capricorn, Mercury in Aries square Uranus in Taurus 7/25 – Mercury enters Virgo 8/5 – Mercury retrogrades 04° Virgo 8/8 – Retrograde Mercury conjunct Venus 03° Virgo 8/14 – Mercury enters Leo 8/18 – Sun conjunct retrograde Mercury 26° Leo, Retrograde Mercury in Leo square Uranus in Taurus 8/19 – Full moon 27° Aquarius , Sun conjunct Mercury 27° Aquarius 8/22 – Sun enters Virgo 8/23 – Retrograde Mercury in Leo trine Chiron in Aries 8/24 – Retrograde Mercury in Leo sextile Mars in Gemini 8/28 – Mercury stations direct 21°Leo 9/2 – New moon 11° Virgo, Mercury in Leo trine Chiron in Aries 9/7 – Mercury in Leo square Uranus in Taurus 9/9 – Mercury enters Virgo 9/11 – Mercury exits its post-retrograde shadow 04° Virgo

Do you like my work? You can tip me over on Kofi, sign up to be a monthly supporter of my work or purchase an astrology commission. I have a limited number of spots open for personalized Mercury retrograde reports.

[angelicabr]

So, as someone who loves reading about star signs, I’ve done their astral charts a long time ago.

Decided to share now and analyze what I can (I’m no expert).

Paul’s astral chart:

Paul is

Gemini sun - his star signs, a very communicative sign and very binary as well. Gemini is an air sign, making them quick-thinking, social, and mentally active. They thrive on variety, new experiences, and stimulating conversations. They can be both serious and playful, deep and lighthearted - VERY BINARY.

Leo moon - a need to shine, a very confident person, who is very expressive through art and a bit sensitive to criticism. Paul is such a magnetic person, you can clearly see his Leo moon.

Virgo rising - a practical and analytical person, who is detail oriented and very much a perfectionist. You can see working Paul here. It’s never good enough, there’s always room for improvement.

Gemini Mercury - Gemini again, and it’s the planet of communication. Quick thinking, sharp wit, curious mind and EXCELLENT communication skills. The sign here is in its home.

Taurus Venus - Loves physical touch, cuddling, and all forms of sensual pleasure, even good food, beautiful scents, music, and luxury. Loves romance, but takes time to fall in love. A very lustful placement and a very strong sign to have as a Venus.

Leo mars - Leo again. Dramatic, courageous, and enthusiastic quality, making these people natural leaders with a strong will and an intense drive to make their mark. Determined and loves to win. Can be stubborn and persistent. I can also see Paul being VERY sarcastic, as a Leo myself - and mars is related to how you put energy, even anger. So you can imagine a kicking the door Paul.

Cancer Jupiter - Someone caring and nurturing, very protective and generous. Makes decisions based on gut feelings rather than just pure logic.

Gemini Saturn - Gemini again. A Gemini Saturn brings structure, discipline, and challenges to the realm of communication, learning, and mental processes. Saturn represents responsibility, limits, and long-term growth, while Gemini rules intellect, speech, adaptability, and curiosity. This combination creates someone who is highly intelligent but may struggle with self-expression, overthinking, or confidence in their ideas.

Gemini Uranus - Uranus represents rebellion, sudden change, originality, and futuristic thinking, while Gemini rules the intellect, speech, curiosity, and adaptability. This combination creates someone who is mentally sharp, eccentric, and full of unconventional ideas that can challenge or revolutionize traditional ways of thinking. Has a mind that operates in unpredictable, fast-paced ways, often seeing possibilities others miss. Loves learning new things but can struggle with focus, constantly jumping between interests.

Virgo Neptune - both highly idealistic and deeply critical, blending mystical sensitivity with a need for order and structure. Can pick up on details and subtle energies that others overlook. Has artistic or spiritual visions but struggles to feel they are ever “good enough.”

Leo Pluto - This placement creates someone who is magnetically powerful, fiercely individualistic, and destined for profound personal reinvention. Commands attention naturally, whether they try to or not. Their aura is intense, and they have a strong, charismatic energy. Needs to express themselves boldly—through creativity, leadership, or personal style.

Virgo True Node - They may struggle with being too critical of themselves or others and must learn that progress is better than perfection. Instead of waiting for things to “flow,” they need to take deliberate action to build a stable life.

Leo Chiron - Chiron in Leo suggests deep wounds related to self-expression, recognition, creativity, or personal identity. Chiron represents our deepest wound and healing journey, and in Leo, this often means struggles with self-worth, confidence, or the ability to shine authentically. There may be a deep-seated fear of not being special, talented, or worthy of attention. Even if they appear confident, they may doubt their own greatness, beauty, or uniqueness. May have a complicated relationship with power, leadership, or standing out in a crowd.

I’ll post the others’ as well.

I had some help analyzing it, as I said I’m no expert. I typed what I know and went through the internet for what I don’t.

Anyway 🥰

[atmymercy]

♡ message me for details/questions & to book a reading! ♡

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[yourdailykitsch]

Taylor Kitsch and Josh Brolin on Shamans, Sweat Lodges, and Self-Transformation

Taylor Kitsch, photographed by Luca Bertea.

First, Taylor Kitsch moved to Montana. Then came a New Year’s Eve spent with a shaman, and now, a television show at the top of Netflix’s charts. But let’s rewind a bit. For the past two years, the Friday Night Lights alum has been getting into character. He lost 25 pounds, tracked wolves, and visited the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, all of which helped him embody the role of Isaac Reed, a Shoshone-raised white man whose contested past seeps through the cracks of history in the gritty Netflix Western American Primeval, set during the 1857 Utah War. “Some of the best work of my life is on the floor of this, and I think that’s what I struggle with,” Kitsch told longtime friend Josh Brolin, who was on set for the making of the limited series. “You were such a fucking champion for me, man.” After the show’s release, Kitsch called Brolin for moral support, again. This time, they talked about sweat lodges, shamans, and giving yourself over to a role.—EMMA STOUT

JOSH BROLIN: Tell me about your sickness and then we’ll work our way up from there.

TAYLOR KITSCH: So New Year’s Eve, I had this Native sweat lodge planned and I was hosting three of my good buddies. Jake Picking came in.

BROLIN: Really? That’s great. He seems so open to doing anything and everything.

KITSCH: His first Native sweat, and he needed it, too. I think everyone did. I had terrible back pain and these crazy headaches, but I rebounded long enough to be able to drive to the sweat lodge. Then I got home and it absolutely nailed me.

BROLIN: Do you think it was like whatever toxin living inside you and the sweat brought it all out?

KITSCH: I think so. There’s some energy I wanted to get out, obviously. But the shaman was like, “We don’t really have to read into this one. Whatever’s happening right now, it’s—”

BROLIN: It’s coming out.

KITSCH: Yeah.

BROLIN: That energy… I assume I know what it is. And that’s the idea of doing this limited series.

KITSCH: Yeah, you were there for some of it. It’s been a tough one, man.

BROLIN: Tell me why.

KITSCH: Because I cared so much. Not that that’s a problem, but it’s hard to let go. You have these ideals—you’re serving the Shoshone community— and you put in all that work. But it did really help me, understanding that it was my journey and it wasn’t. I put a little more responsibility on other people to service the same thing. That released a lot of tension because I’ve been torn up by it. 

BROLIN: It’s a very different subject. You and I did Only the Brave together, which meant a lot to me because I was a volunteer firefighter. I took that script to my chief, who’s a firefighter in Tucson, Arizona, and I asked him, like you would a shaman, “Do you think I can do this?” And he said, “I think you’re the only person who can do this.” But the point is, I cared so much about it that I needed somebody who I respected in the nucleus of that world to tell me that I could represent it well. And nobody saw that movie, by the way. That’s one of those things where you go, “I still served and cared and gave myself 1000%.”

KITSCH: You really did.

BROLIN: That’s all you can do. I saw the first two episodes and it blew me the fuck away, which I’ll get into. You care, though. That’s the point. You’re purging now because you care so much. You seem to be one of the most empathetic people that I know, way more than me. 

KITSCH: I don’t know.

BROLIN: Well, I give a shit about the role and the story and morale on set. But I think you take it super fucking personally, especially representing Native Americans. I had a whole relationship in my 20s with a shaman in Tucson that I was spending a lot of time with. I was doing sweats all the time—

KITSCH: Amazing.

BROLIN: It was amazing. Now, seeing you go through that, you seem like the most unapologetically vulnerable person that I know. When I hear about you tracking wolves in Montana, it makes sense to me. I go, “Yeah, it’s Kitsch. Fucking out there, doing his thing with a camera.” You want to get as close to the experience as you can, and that’s who I know you to be.

KITSCH: Man, when they asked for this interview, I was like, “There’s only one person we can truly ask.” Obviously, you helped me a lot during the shoot and being there. But to represent this process, which was quite intense, it makes you go down that road again. You were such a fucking champion for me, man. I remember I was feeling pretty shitty, and you knocked on the door. I was like, “Who the fuck?” And it was you and the girls waiting to come in and hang out. How are they doing?

BROLIN: They’re amazing. They’re bigger personalities than I am. They’ve taken over the world.

KITSCH: That’s a big feat, but damn.

BROLIN: Yeah, I know it was a tough time for you. You lost a ton of weight for the role. It felt like, “I don’t want this to be just another role. I want this to mean something.” I just wrote a book, and it’s a very unconventional book. 

KITSCH: Fucking right. I remember you reading a passage on the patio.

BROLIN: If you’re spoon-feeding people what they’re looking for, you can sell a lot of books. But if you write like I do, or act like you do, you’re picking roles for reasons that are very personal. You want to bleed. You want to earn it. I know it’s a rarity, but without that, what do you have? So when I see you in that place, there’s a part of me that’s happy because it’s like, “This tortured motherfucker, he’s fucking downward spiraling. But thank god you exist.” Tell me what the experience was like for you, because I watched it and I thought you were great. And I’m pissed that I can’t see more yet. It’s chaotic, it’s visceral, it’s violent, it’s hard to watch.

KITSCH: I think it should be all those. Man, it was a fucking roller coaster. The Shoshone and learning a lot of that—

BROLIN: Learning the language.

KITSCH: Yeah, it changed my perspective a lot. Working with the advisors and the dialect coaches, getting an opportunity to do something so raw in a period where most fights ended hand to hand, I loved it. There’s no karate chopping, no spinning wheel kicks. 

BROLIN: That fight that you have with that guy is fucking amazing. You’re like, “Oh my god, somebody must have gotten hurt.” And you don’t get that a lot when you watch those movies.

KITSCH: No. I mean, when the Native jumps off that cliff, it’s so practical to just roll cameras. We padded—not literal pads—but just put more snow and cleared out the rocks in the little passage towards the river. He was like, “Make your way over to that riverbed.”

BROLIN: And that’s it?

KITSCH: Yeah. I mean, that guy was huge too. He probably had 80 pounds on me. Big boy.

BROLIN: You had lost how much weight? 

KITSCH: 25 [lbs]. I just wanted Isaac to outwill you. He wasn’t the biggest guy. He kind of wanted to die, but had to honorably go. So that’s why he fought the way he fought. It was more of his will than just his strength or knowing how to really fight. That was fun. Betty Gilpin is incredible, and Shea Whigham.

BROLIN: Shea is great. And who’s the main girl? I don’t know her very well, but I thought she was great.

KITSCH: Yeah, Betty Gilpin. A gamer who’s just uninhibited and really prepared.

BROLIN: Are you happy the way it turned out?

KITSCH: I mean—

BROLIN: Have you watched the whole thing?

KITSCH: Yeah.

BROLIN: You’re still in it, man. If you said you were happy the way it turned out, I would be suspect. There’s only one movie I’ve ever done that I’m happy it turned up.

KITSCH: Oh my god, really?

BROLIN: Yeah. And that was No Country [For Old Men]. I thought it was going to be a joke.

KITSCH: You know No Country is top three for me.

BROLIN: I didn’t know that. But I want to take this in another direction because I don’t know if people know what you do. You live in Montana, and you haven’t lived in Los Angeles for a long time. Why? 

KITSCH: I think it’s a little self-preservation. Knowing yourself well enough to know what you need. A lot of it actually goes back to what raised me, the things I know, with the ranch and everything. I was riding my moto through Yellowstone and I was like, “Oh, I love this place.” Next year, we put it on the trip again. I’m like, “Oh, man, Bozeman’s a fucking cool town.” Then all of a sudden you’re in Austin, Texas, in your dream home and you feel like you should be there now. You just answer to it.

BROLIN: That’s where you’re different—most people don’t answer to it. Most people go, “God, I went to Bozeman. That was really cool. I’d like to live there someday, but I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing because it’s comfortable.” Going back to the stoics, it’s like, “Comfort is your enemy.” You get complacent, you get lazy, and you start worrying about what the size of your trailer is. 

KITSCH: Truly.

BROLIN: How do you represent humanity if you’re doing that? Because that’s not humanity.

KITSCH: Especially with [American] Primeval, I met a guy who lost everything. His dad passed when I was playing a guy in mourning, which was kind of fucking crazy. But while I was prepping, it meant more. I was like, “This is all they had.” Family was their education, their language, their heritage.

BROLIN: And there’s no decision to even use that. 

KITSCH: Right. I didn’t need to. I had done all the work. I tell you, some of the best work of my life is on the floor of this, and I think that’s what I struggle with. But to that point I made earlier, just because the world won’t see it doesn’t mean you didn’t serve it. I think I told you this, but I cried more in that one scene than I did when I lost my fucking dad—

BROLIN: Yeah, you did.

KITSCH: The energy of the Shoshone and what they’ve gone through, I felt like they were with me. It was really a beautiful thing. But, I don’t know, I go back and forth. When you’re prepping, you see it in your head. You see the arc, and you see these moments. Of course, there’s going to be some beautiful ones that are unexpected. But when you feel your service didn’t go towards something, it feels like, “I just gave up two years of my life, got this fucking bone cut out of my foot, did all this crazy shit”—

BROLIN: And you go, “For what?” But there’s no version of this, I think, that ever would’ve gone, “Fuck, I’m psyched how it turned out. It’s perfect.” It just doesn’t work like that. I used to do this thing where people would say, “Hey, I saw you in this.” And I would just shit on their reaction. After 40 years, I don’t do that anymore. My business is to do what I do and care about it and give myself to it entirely. When it’s over, I’ve got to deal with my own demons. You don’t know how people are going to be affected by it. I was affected. My wife, by the way, saw it with me, and she was super into it.

KITSCH: Betty, she’s the audience.

BROLIN: What movies have you seen that you’ve liked lately?

KITSCH: Fuck, I’ve been watching a lot of these true-crime docs. It’s so hard not to get so invested in those. I just watched the Jude Law one with the white supremacist. He’s terrific in it.

BROLIN: Really?

KITSCH: I like to see him just unabashedly fucking gritty. The Order, it’s called.

BROLIN: I was way behind on movies, and I saw a movie called Sing Sing last night.

KITSCH: I know that movie.

BROLIN: It takes place at Sing Sing, which is one of the oldest prisons in the United States, and it’s based on this guy who was in prison for robbery for 17 years. He started a theater community in the prison, so he wrote it. He plays a supporting part, and I met him on Jimmy Kimmel. I was bawling.

KITSCH: No shit. So why are you in London?

BROLIN: I left my family. I am just tired of it. I just want to be alone. You know what I’m saying?

KITSCH: You’re just in a white-out hotel room in London.

BROLIN: It was funny because I came in here to get my key and the guy goes, “Can I tell you something? The room you’re in is Ridley Scott’s favorite room.” I go, “I don’t care, it’s my favorite room.” It was such a funny thing to impart. But I’m filming Running Man with Edgar Wright.

KITSCH: Fucking yeah.

BROLIN: It’s fun. I like him. He’s weird, and I like weird.

KITSCH: Unreal, man. Congrats. You’re there for a while then, huh?

BROLIN: I’m here for three weeks, and then I’m out.

KITSCH: I love it. They’re shooting you out.

BROLIN: They’re shooting me out, and I get back home.

KITSCH: You deserve that, by the way. Fucking right.

BROLIN: I got to get back to my motorcycles and my children. My children were going to be here and then at the last moment I was like, “For real I’m going to be working the whole time. It’s super cold right now. You’re going to be walking in the rain looking at parks and shit.”

KITSCH: Darkness. Are these sets just insane?

BROLIN: Insane. And I was just here doing Knives Out with Rian Johnson.

KITSCH: I met him a couple times now and I hear he’s fucking awesome.

BROLIN: He’s literally my new favorite person. The most unassuming guy who has total control over his set. He sits there smoking a cigar every morning. And I go, “Why don’t you wait until night?” He says, “I don’t know, I just like them in the morning.” He’s completely his own self. But yeah, I’ve been working in London a lot, and I like it here. I love the culture, and I love fucking with the people. It’s all good.

KITSCH: That Imperial War Museum is one of the best things I’ve ever done. It’s just incredible there.

BROLIN: Yeah, it’s really something. I love you, pal.

KITSCH: Love you, man. Thanks for doing this.

BROLIN: I think you did fucking phenomenal. You continue to be amazing, and you’re one of those people that gives themselves entirely. You’ll be all scraped up and scarred up by the time you get to the end of your life, and I’ll be there laughing.

KITSCH: That means a lot.

[trismon55555]

TADC Self-Insert/OC Chart: Trismon55555 Edition

I saw this Floating around and wanted to give it a shot. This would all be under the assumption my Self OC would be inserted at the Height and Well Girth Id imagine them to be. Which would be the 2nd Tallest, between Kinger and Jax, But the Widest stance wise. Caine: While the Adventure Drive and AI/Human Barrier is a challenge in itself to get through, I'd probably give the tooth man some slack as it's clear he is at least trying to make those stuck in the digital realm stay at least enjoyable. And he probably sees his guests as genuine buds. I'd prefer that then being trapped with a ring master that despises our mere existence. Plus who don't like the goofy tooth man?

Bubble: I don't think we truly know enough about bubble, outside of them being Caine's right hand Goober patrol. But I personally don't trust the thing. I'm Watchin you, ya lil Air ball.

Pomni: Id probably have some feelings for the Jester, but Id try to keep things as platonic as possible regardless. Pomni, despite the mental tightrope she seems to teeter on, does still seem the most down to earth and stable to me, so Id probably go to her for advice. And also would help her out if need be.

Ragatha: As mentioned by gangle, its hard at times to tell when Ragathas words are genuine or not. She comes off as wanting to be the caring mother figure. But as someone who spent part of their adult life around someone like that, It can get kind of annoying. Especially at times where it feels more condescending than genuinely supportive. That alone isn't enough to hate or fully dislike the poor doll, as it's clear it comes from a place of concern, but I wouldn't be afraid to call out or poke fun at the more down-taking remarks. Wouldn't go as far as Centipedes though.

Jax: I am not a man of senseless violence, but I am a man who does enjoy dishing comeuppance when the window opens. Jax is an ass to no ones surprise. Id imagine if my OC-Sona is as big as I envision them to be when teleported into the circus, then I would essentially become the "Spike" to Jax's "Tom". As in I'd probably lay some sort of smack down on the Bunny boy, but only if Mischief is afoot. I'd rather a peace keeper than another Jax.

Kinger: I do not think Kinger is capable of anything lower than genuine friendship. In both his mental processing, or reception. I would be a bit weary of his mental state, as you never know where a sudden burst expression could land you. But he's a chill dude, would catch bugs for.

Gangle: She might be intimidated by my size, but other than that I don't see why she and I wouldn't be friends. Id support her art and probably help her out during adventures when she'd need it. From the journey itself, or if Jax needs a smack or two from mask breaking. and probably watch her doodle if allowed.

Zooble: I'd Imagine The inverse sort of relationship would happen with Zooble as me to Ragatha. Id honestly probably bombard them with questions about how their body works, do they feel all their limbs, or the last ones that were attached, do you feel your body when your head isn't attached, those kinds and more. I'd probably back off if told to, but it probably leave some distant.

I'm not sure how 1:1 this all is, but it's the best I can think of while sick, and on various cough syrups,

[sinsinsininning]

A little bit Softer

Chapter 3.

Eustass Kid x crew mate!fem!reader

TW: Smut at the end (female masturbation and fantasizing), talks of weapons, no y/n use, talks of DV and murder ofc

~~~~~

It didn’t take much to convince Killer to reset a course for the West Blue, Kid just said he had a vendetta to settle and that was that. Killer put the puzzle pieces together after a minute.

“You think she’ll like you more after killing her ex?” He asked the captain as they poured over the maps, his head jerked up.

“THEY NEVER DATED!” His head dropped back to the maps before popping up again. “AND YES SHE WILL!”

“Really?”

“Of course! Chicks dig revenge and murder.” Kid said with a confident smile.

“Of course.” Killer adjusted the compass. “But perhaps you should also try… more traditional means of courting.” Kid’s face scrunched up so he amended. “Flirting?” Kid was still making a face but shrugged.

“You mean like flowers and shit. Where the fuck am I gonna get flowers?”

“Not flowers necessarily-“

“We’re in the middle of the fucking ocean!”

“No I meant-“

“You don’t even know if she likes flowers.”

“It doesn’t-“

“Or even the kind of flowers she’d -“

“Enough about goddamn flowers!!” Killer yelled, earning them a few looks from crew across the deck, Kid shouting was normal, Killer shouting was wild.

“Keep it down, will ya?” Kid was deadpan. “You’re the one who brought up flowers man.”

“I’m fucking done.” Killer shot off, leaving his dumbfounded captain behind.

“So dramatic.” He grouched. In his place Killer sent Wire to assist with navigations and planning where and when to stop for supplies.

“So why’re we veering so off course? This will add several weeks to our trip.”

Kid paused. Should he tell Wire this is to murder your ex captain and make you feel safe around him? Nah.

“There’s a captain I wanna take out. I don’t know much about him but he’s in the West Blue.” Kid said cautiously. “Wanna kill him before we get into the Grand Line.”

“Oh? Well you know our newest rookie? The sniper?” Wire lit up talking about you, Kid felt a small pit in his stomach. “She’s from the West Blue, I wonder if she could help chart our journey. I can run and find her.”

“NO!” Kid shouted, now some of the crew were looking again. A few even inched closer to eavesdrop. “I’m not having a rookie chart a map, you can do it yourself. Don’t be fucking lazy.” Wire shrugged good-naturedly and continued with his protractor.

“So why exactly do you want this guy dead?”

“You’ll find out when we get there.” Kid grumbled, Wire again shrugged and the pair worked in silence as the sun set.

The deck cleared slowly as night approached and Killer sent you to fetch the two men for dinner. Your steps were quiet as you approached, Kid wouldn’t have know you were there if it weren’t for the metal on your belt. He could feel your eyes on him, sharp in the dark, as you watched for a moment quietly. With his back mostly to you, he doubted you knew that he knew you were there.

The familiar desire to show off bubbled up in his chest, so he made a show of clapping Wire on the shoulder.

“That’s a good stopping point,” He said, tone much happier than normal. “After dinner help me finish this and we should be done in no time.” That was high praise from the hot headed captain and Wire’s face brighten considerably.

“Sure captain!” His smiled slipped only a little when he stood up straight and saw you on the stairs. The gears in his head turned and he grinned wider. It was cute seeing how the captain turned so mushy around you, if he didn’t value his life he may have pushed it.

But the moment passed as you finished ascending the stairs, steps heavy to announce your presence.

“Killer said dinners ready.” You said plainly, tone flat and face neutral. Kid deflated a little, but Wire was quick to step in.

“Thank you! Your timing is as wonderful as always.” Wire tried gently baiting you into some casual teasing, but since your last conversation with the captain you’d been very subdued around him. “Will you be joking me and Hip or are you planning to abandon us yet again?” The ‘for the captain’ was implied, but you and Kid still felt it, both faces blushing.

Kid busies himself with putting the navigation tools away, while you glare at Wire.

“I’m actually not eating dinner with anyone,” You said, voice strained. “Try not to cry yourself to sleep tonight.” Despite your awkwardness around the captain, you still had to get your dig in.

“What? Why not?” Kid asked before Wire could, whipping his head around to glare at your glare. You turn and started walking back down, Wire close behind you.

“I’m working on weapon repairs,” You offer, after a pause you continue. “The soldering iron smells awful. Makes me sick. So I’m not eating until I’m finished and don’t have to worry about throwing up.” Kid catches up with you, but it’s Wire that asks.

“Darling you shouldn’t skip meals. When was the last time you ate?” His voice is soft with concern.

“I had breakfast, it’s fine, I’m not even hungry. I’ll be finished before midnight.” At the door to the mess you pause to let Wire go through first. “Killer is gonna save me a plate.”

Kid felt dizzy with anger. He barely got to see you at all and the one time he can reliably count on being near you was gone? Yeah he complained about the force contact, but so what! And sure logically, he knows it’s only one night, but fuck off he doesn’t want to be logical.

He can’t be mad at you of course, you didn’t do anything wrong but still. He wanted to grab you by your shirt and sit you down beside him and make you eat. Since he couldn’t do that, he decided to skulk into the mess hall, snatch his plate and stomp back to the deck to eat by the maps. All eyes on him.

You watched his display, surprised by him, Wire gave you a dreary smile and sat down. Killer didn’t even turn his head from the stove, calling out to you.

“Make sure he doesn’t spill food on anything important.” He orders, you wish you could pretend you hadn’t heard but he’d just chase you down.

“Why me?” You shout, not moving from the open doors. “I got shit to finish.”

“Do it before I put you on barnacle duty.” He points behind him. You groan and stomp off to find your pissy captain who you were still scared of but now it was primarily anger. Worse yet, everyone was watching with big grins, you wanted to scream.

You make your steps quiet as you return to the deck, unsure of where exactly he went. His grumbling reaches your ears and you follow it up to the second tier. He was hunched over the desk, maps thankfully put aside, practically chewing his fork. His eyes glance at you then away then double take.

For the first time you’re able to see the shift in him that the crew keeps seeing. The harsh lines of his face smooth away as the anger shifts to surprise and wariness. His eyes stay on you, soft and alert, as you stand awkwardly by the mast. He watches you watch him, his face and body language so open compared to usual.

Finally the intensity becomes too much for you and you turn your head to look over the sea. From the corner of your eye you can see him still watch you, but his shoulders are stiff. You inhale deeply once, the salty air comforting.

“Killer said not to get food on anything important.” You say bluntly, shifting from one foot to another as you glance at him again. His face shifts to annoyance.

“Oh fuck him, it was one time!” He grumbles again and tucks back into his food.

You almost leave at that. You’d done what Killer had ordered. You can go now right?

Instead you lean against the railings, he’s watching you again. You contemplate what you’re about to do, his chewing slows down, taking his time with each bite.

“What did you get food on?” You ask and he nearly chokes on his fork. You never initiate conversations anymore, beyond the respectful ‘what do you need sir?’ He coughs once and you turn to watch him, a little concerned.

“It was nothing,” He finally chokes out. “Well I mean, it was our first bounty posters. Killer wanted to keep them, you know, for posterity or some shit. But I got marinara sauce on them and he got so pissy!” You laugh and he freezes mid story.

“Were you in the kitchen?” You ask through giggles.

“Nah, the medic room,” He smiled, face a little red again.

“Why the fuck were you eating marinara sauce in the medic room?”

“It wasn’t just a straight bowl of marinara sauce you freak! It was spaghetti, but I didn’t spill the pasta.” He huffed, but his grin told you he wasn’t actually mad. “Anyways I’d feel bad but he got a copy of those posters like the next day with the newspaper. He’s just a baby.”

“He’s sentimental, it’s sweet.” You laugh again at your own words. “He’s the-“ you pause to laugh harder at your next sentence. “He’s the Kill-“ You can barely breathe.

“Spit it out, freak!” He cackles at you. Finally you gather yourself enough to say.

“He’s the Killer with a heart of gold.” You burst out laughing, Kid stares at you for a moment before joining.

“That’s what you were dying to say?” His laughter finally putters out along with yours. “That’s the shiftiest joke I’ve ever heard. Fuck me that’s not even a joke.” You whip your head to face him, shock and hurt across your features, his breath catches in his throat. Your hand pressed to your chest in a pitiable display.

“You really know how to hurt a gal’s feelings.” Your grin is the only clue that you weren’t actually hurt. He glares at you again.

“Oh fuck you! Go finish your repairs before I make you hand scrape all the barnacles!”

You laugh as you make your way to the stairs, calling out behind you.

“Killer already threatened me with that.” You wave.

“Who the fuck does Killer think he is threatening you!” His breath catches again after his outburst. You just laugh again and walk down the steps.

You’re too busy chuckling to notice the doors to the inside shifted just as you reached the final step. As you pass the galley, you don’t peek your head in to acknowledge the crew. If you did, you’d notice not a single plate of food is finished. Everyone scarfing down their portions to make up for their eavesdropping.

You continue on to the crew workshop, smile on your face.

~~~~~~

It’s past midnight when you finally finished repairing all the weapons that were damaged over the last few weeks. Most were simple, clearing up gunpowder from barrels, realigning sights, sharpening blades. But some required actual welding and blacksmithing, a skill you had… exaggerated on your ‘resume.’

It wasn’t that you didn’t know how to do it. It’s just been so long since you did. On your old crew it wasn’t your job and you weren’t allowed to do it. So the last time you’d actually repaired weapons or did any blacksmithing was on your home island years ago.

So you’d let some weapons pile up as you relearned how to properly reshape a lock on a shotgun or how to file out the muzzle so the shots could be straight again. And as a result you’d had a lot of projects to catch up on, it didn’t help that you felt so frazzled by the size of the list that you took extra time to avoid fatal mistakes.

Now here you were, covered in grease, sweat, and oxidized iron. Despite your hunger, your nose was still too full of the foul scent to even think about eating. Normally you weren’t so sensitive but it was really affecting you tonight (day?). So you decided a shower is next on the list, glancing at the clock you almost wanted to just plop down in bed right now, dreading the early wake up time you had.

But you knew if you showed up for chores tomorrow stinking and your plate still in the galley, it’d be a day full of lectures from Killer, Wire, Hip, Reck, UK…. Basically everyone, including your captain based on his little fit when you skipped dinner. You were tempted to ask Killer about that, but figured it’d only encourage the blond in the end.

The showers on the ship were, much like the bunks, divided. There were two main bathrooms with multi shower units and one large bath tub in each one. Both Kid and Killer had private rooms and ensuites with single showers, so if they wanted a bath it’d have to be in the communal ones. The easiest way to divide it was by gender presentation, masculine people in the larger one and feminine people in the smaller one since there were fewer femmes on board.

The bunks were sorta divided by vibes, at the start you and the male rookie you’d started with shared a bunk with some senior members. Probably to sus out any bad habits or behavior early. Then Killer allowed you to either stay in the bunk with Reck, Wire, and Gig or ask around if another bunk would let you join. It was kinda fun, interviewing for different spots, ultimately you decided on Hip, Emma, Hop, and House. The group was the most calm comparatively, especially with Dive, Pomp, and Quincy sharing a room- the most energetic crew mates all in one space.

You kept most everything you need in the shower cubbies, including some spare PJs, to avoid waking your bunk mates up at night, so you didn’t have to take a detour to grab anything. You strip down and turn the water on, praying there’s at least a little hot water left. As you wait for it to, hopefully, heat up, you take some baby oil from the communal cubby and begin to apply it generously all over yourself.

Usually the oil was used after someone shaved or needed extra moisture, but you knew from experience that nothing got rid of grease and gunpowder like oil. As you rubbed to break up the caked on grime, your mind wandered a little, this was the first time you’d had alone in ages. Normally the showers had at least one other person, or someone right outside the door. It was rare to be alone anywhere on this ship for more than a few moments.

It was kinda thrilling, you thought, hands slowing down a little to really rub your muscles. You let out a small groan as you press on your shoulder, rotating your neck a slowly to really grind that muscle. The privacy was making you feel warm.

You checked the water and, miraculously, it was heating up. The water washed away most of the grime with little resistance, but a few spots you had to help along. You lather up your wash cloth with your favorite strawberry soap, normally reserved for special occasion, but you felt like tonight was special enough to warrant it. You took your time, resuming your massage from earlier, while your mind wandered.

At this point you’d already decided you’d masturbate, you deserved it obviously, but it’s been so long since you’d had the chance. You struggled to think of erotic scenarios to help you along, not able to rely on physical touch alone. You rinsed off the soap and remaining grime then quickly washed your face. Your hair was next and when you finally had it conditioned and pinned up to sit, you were still struggling. But the urge was so prominent you decided to start anyways and hope you mind could conjure something up.

Your hands were experts despite the long break, one hand grasping your own breast, the other rubbing along your outer lips. You pinched your nipple as you finally slid a finger over your clit, a gasp leaving your lips. With a shiver and more pressure you rubbed again, slick arousal spilling out.

Your mind couldn’t conjure anything, your last sexual encounter was before your first crew and you didn’t want to think about them. A blush spread across your face, embarrassed even in your own mind, that you were about to picture members of your own crew. It felt so forbidden, despite the lack of restrictions on relationships between crew, you’d never let the thought linger.

Now you tried to picture some members, it was hard though, even though you had some hot crew mates. It felt… awkward to imagine them like this. Still as your fingers kept pressing, moans leaving your mouth barely concealed, you scrolled through the list.

Wire and Heat were handsome, but not your kinda handsome, Hip was out despite her beauty as well as your other bunk mates, Quincy and Pomp were also a no, not your vibes. You paused on Killer, the mask helped evade the awkwardness, but after a moment picturing him you felt like he’d know what you’d done the second you saw him tomorrow.

You shivered and whined, frustrated that you had such a mental block. You tried again with some crew members you knew a little less, but still nothing.

‘Could try Kid.’ You nearly slapped yourself at the thought, you couldn’t help it.

At the start of your journey with the crew you admired him so much and maybe would’ve found him attractive…possibly. But now you were so nervous around him….. but he was acting different now, he wasn’t shouting or throwing things. He’d smelled like warm musk and metal when he’d crowded you the other day in the med bay, pleasant and masculine, surprisingly mellow.

Your fingers dipped into yourself, so you kept thinking of him. What his hair would feel like. What his back would look like with your scratch down it. What his dick would look-

Ok, too much, you gasped and whined again, curling your fingers. You panted as you increased the pace of your fingers and thoughts.

Would he eat you out?

Would he fuck you slow or fast?

What about positions? Doggy? Missionary? Would he let you ride him or would he never relinquish control?

You hunched over as you thought about his eyes when you’d spoke about you ex captain. Angry and possessive, why? You were new.

‘But you’re his, remember?’ You thought, head dizzy as you reached down with your other hand to rub your clit. ‘You’re his now and he takes care of his own.’ Your mind was depraved as you wondered if he was going out of his way to murder that man, to impress you.

Fuck, you were so close.

You pictured him and you fucking after a battle, he seemed like the type. He’d be covered in cuts and blood, mostly his enemies, huffing in your ear little praises. Maybe this was after he killed Badger, a little celebratory fuck before returning to the helm. A reward, for him or you, you’re unsure.

You picture him crushing you close to him, legs around his waist, hands in his hair. You picture him, still thrusting, leaning down to kiss you. The image of a gentle kiss during a rough fucking brings you over the edge.

Most of your moans were muffled as you bite your lip, rubbing yourself through your high, but you know if anyone was awake right now they’d know what you were doing. The thought makes your thighs clench and you finally rinse your hair, the water now cool against your heated skin.

You wrap your hair up and get dressed, skipping the lotions and skin care so you could hustle and grab your plate. As you make your way to the galley, you pass by Kid’ personal workshop, you can hear him working and moving things around. Your face heats up as you remember your shower thoughts, so you soften your steps and hurry by.

After scarfing down your meal, you pass his workshop again, it’s quiet now. Feeling dread that he may catch you up so late, you rushed back to your bunk. You were out the moment your eyes closed.

[myun-saidthoughts]

Please do 7th house synastry and 6th house please

6th House Synastry:

With this synastry, some themes that persist in this house are mundane affairs, work habits, routines, physical health, self-care/medicine. This house also represents animals, taking care of others, and perhaps in the best case scenario putting someone else's needs above their own, and in worst case scenario nit-picking or nagging on one another.

I feel like this synastry would create two individuals who would work well together in their everyday life, depending on what planets are sitting here would create a more specific theme, but perhaps you put your partner needs above your own, or (you or them) could think of the small little details that would make their day easier, such as them making your coffee everyday or picking up your favorite food on the way home from work, this house to me (when it comes to partnership) would amplify doing little acts of service for one another and heightens consideration on both ends (or could be one sided depending on each own natal chart). You guys can work together or have the same interests when it comes to hobbies or activities. Now if the planet(s) involved aren't making harsh aspects to your planets (or vice versa) then this energy could manifest pleasantly. Their considerate nature brings more ease into your life, rather than causes more unnecessary setbacks. In other sense, if someone is looking for more of a fun, passionate, type of love or adventure then this house could feel a bit boring. Not everyone will appreciate considerate acts as a whole when it comes to love, so it depends on how the person will receive this kind of energy.

Another sense of this is, I feel like this could make you or your partner overly aware of one another, meaning how they act, what they say, or even to what they wear might be under a microscope, malicious intent is not on purpose but this house's energy might unlock or uncover that type of detailed energy.

Balancing one another might come easy and you're able to add them in your everyday life, they might fit in like a puzzle piece with no blockages or resistance; but again depending on their own natal chart; they might view this as a gateway to a white picket fence and not everyone searches for that type of lifestyle.

7TH House Synastry

I have dealt with 7th house synastry before, I made a post about him a few months ago but relooking at our synastry the main feelings that persevered had to be his Pluto conjuncting my Venus and squaring my Mars. That was a whirlwind in itself and because of my Scorpio Moon/12H Venus & Pluto/Moon square Neptune I clung onto that peace he gave me for dear life. So, I'm not entirely sure if what I felt from him was either the 7th house energy, or his Pluto, or from a past life, but anyway going off from what I feel like this energy would bring:

With 7th house synastry, one common theme I hear about this house is it represents open enemies/your life partner. This house is directly opposite of your ascendant, therefore the qualities this house brings will either be qualities you wish you had or wish to develop, or qualities you find perhaps even annoying or "too much" to deal with; depending on what journey you're on when it comes with accepting your 7th house needs. A part of you might admire the traits of the person who falls in your 7th house because they might obtain qualities or attributes you're still trying to decipher within or unlock, or you might find it like I said (annoying) or just out of your comfort zone.

Depending on what planet that falls in the 7th house and it's aspects would create a better story but for the most part, I believe this would need other cute synastry aspects/desire for it to manifest in the upmost positive sense of them becoming your life long partner/lover; especially if you are like me who sort of need that passion and lust when it comes to romantic partners but to each their own.

Attraction and desire to continue the relationship I think is noteworthy; this may feel more true if you personally have active 1H/2H/12H natal placements, if you share more 5H/7H/8H natal placements then the energy the 7th house brings may feel more ideal. I personally have NO 7th house placements, and I immensely struggle with emotional vulnerability and acceptance of love so for me, I would struggle more with solely 7th house synastry then the next person)

In one short fling this boys Sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars fell in my 7th house and I was repulsed, like okay I was interested at first for whatever reason because I was drunk and he was in front of me; but he ignited uncomfortable feelings the following days after because he sat SO heavy on a house I have no business or care for (as of yet).

But going back to what I feel this would cause from my astrological guess is; if there is a connection forged then this would bring you two closer. You might take on their traits that they are able to master and they might take on yours; bringing in balance for you two and ease with where you guys want your connection to go. They can become the ying to your yang; when you're overly emotional they help you stand your ground with making sound decisions and with processing your emotions. They'll be able to comfort you in the way you always wished someone would. If you're suddenly overly cold or detached they can help show and ignite compassion and empathy within you, if you're an over thinker where you worry or have unnecessary thoughts they can come in and bring in light and hope when it feels hopeless. If you're overly impulsive or chaotic/dramatic they can come in and ease the intensity you might showcase in everyday small matters, bringing in light-heartedness and bring you to understand your emotions better.

Therefore they can help you process your 7th house needs better than someone else, igniting character development or openness in some areas of life. Comfort could also be forged I believe, you might feel understood with them; making it easy to connect with them on a more deeper level, causing more closeness between the two of you.

I believe the reason this house can showcase long term potential is because once you embrace and take on the qualities of your descendant, then the connection between the two of you will manifest deeply and partnership is increased.

Again the planets in question and natal placements would always paint a better picture about how someone would react to these houses being lit up.

In other words if you or your person have heavy Libra/Virgo traits, have an active Venus/Mercury where Venus or Mercury are your chart rulers/make many aspects to your inner planets or have 7H & 6H natal placements then these synastry overlays would cause harmony rather than disruption.