#as long as it's relevant and constructive | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

grison-in-space · 3 months ago

Note

wondering about whether you could rec some "romance is a social construct" texts? ofc it is, but i like having books and articles to reference/learn specifics from/see how these ideas have developed.

Sure! Here's a quick reading list. Bear in mind that I am not a professional historian and my reading on this subject is a little diffuse. I'm not tackling the behavioral ecology stuff right now because a) I don't have a more direct book rec off the top of my head than Evolution's Rainbow, which is not technically focused on social monogamy, and also b) I approach that whole field with my eyes wide open for people letting their own perspectives and cultural views get in the way of their observations of animals, and I do not have the energy to go deal with it right now.

If you're going to read two books, read these two:

Stephanie Coontz, Marriage, A History: how love conquered marriage. 2006. All of Coontz' work, having to do with the social construction of the family, is relevant reading to this question (and I'd also recommend The Nostalgia Trap, because the historical context of how we conceptualize families is a major part of the construction of romantic love), but this one is most focused on the social construction of romantic love specifically and what it has replaced. Coontz is, I will disclose cheerfully, a major formative influence on my thinking.

Moira Wegel, Labor of Love: The Invention of Dating. 2016. Exactly what it says on the tin; focuses more closely on the modern invention of dating and romance.

Other useful readings to help inform your understanding of different ways that various people have conceptualized sex, sexuality, society and long-term connection include:

George Chauncey, Why Marriage? 2015. Chauncey is best known for Gay New York, which also offers a useful history of the way that relationship models and social constructs for understanding homosexuality changed among men having sex with men c. 1900 to 1950. This book, published just before Obergefell v. Hodges, is a discussion of why contemporary queer rights organizations focused on same-sex marriage as an activism plank in the wake of AIDS organizing. I find it really useful to read queer history when I'm thinking about how we understand and construct the concept of romantic relationships, because queers complicate the mainstream, heteronormative concepts of what marriage and romantic relationships actually are. More importantly, queer activist organizing around marriage has played a major role in shaping our collective understanding of romance and marriage in the past twenty years.

Elizabeth Abbott, A History of Celibacy, 2000. In order to understand how various cultures construct understandings of marriage and spousal relationships, it can be illustrative to consider what the people who are explicitly not participating in the institution are doing and why not. I found this an interesting pass over historical and social institutions that forbid (or forbade) marriage with a discussion about general trends driving these institutions, individuals, and movements towards celibacy.

Eleanor Janega, The Once and Future Sex, 2023. This is a very pointed historical look at gender roles, concepts of beauty, and concepts of sex, attraction, and marriage among medieval Europeans with an extended meditation on what ideas have and have not changed between that time and today. I include this work because I think a deep dive into medieval notions of courtly romance is useful, partly because it is an important origin of our modern notion of romantic love and partly because it is so usefully and starkly different from that modern notion! Sometimes the best way to understand the cultural construction of ideas in your own society is to go look at someone else's and see where things are the same versus different.

It's a mish-mash of recommendations, and I'm reaching more for books that have stuck with me over the years than a clean scholarly approach to the subject. I hope other folks will chime in for you with their own recommendations!

#reading #history #rec lists

447 notes · View notes

reachartwork · 1 year ago

Text

how to write fight scenes

many people have told me that Chum has good fight scenes. a small subset of those people have asked me on advice for how to write fight scenes. i am busy procrastinating, so i have distilled my general ethos on fight scenes into four important points. followed by a homework assignment.

Fight scenes take place on two axii - the physical and the intellectual. For the most interesting fight scenes, neither character should have a full inventory of the other's abilities, equipment, fighting style, etc. This gives you an opportunity to pull out surprises, but, more importantly, turns each fight into a jockeying of minds, as all characters involved have to puzzle out what's going on in real time. This is especially pertinent for settings with power systems. It feels more earned if the characters are trying to deduce the limitations and reach of the opponent's power rather than the opponent simply explaining it to them (like in Bleach. Don't do that). 1a. Have characters be incorrect in their assumptions sometimes, leading to them making mistakes that require them to correct their internal models of an opponent under extreme pressure. 1b. If you really have to have a character explain their powers to someone there should be a damn good reason for it. The best reason is "they are lying". The second best reason is "their power requires it for some reason".

Make sure your blows actually have weight. When characters are wailing at each other for paragraphs and paragraphs and nothing happens, it feels like watching rock 'em sock 'em robots. They beat each other up, and then the fight ends with a decisive blow. Not interesting! Each character has goals that will influence what their victory condition is, and each character has a physical body that takes damage over the course of a fight. If someone is punched in the gut and coughs up blood, that's an injury! It should have an impact on them not just for the fight but long term. Fights that go longer than "fist meets head, head meets floor" typically have a 'break-down' - each character getting sloppier and weaker as they bruise, batter, and break their opponent, until victory is achieved with the last person standing. this keeps things tense and interesting.

I like to actually plan out my fight scenes beat for beat and blow for blow, including a: the thought process of each character leading to that attempted action, b: what they are trying to do, and c: how it succeeds or fails. In fights with more than two people, I like to use graph paper (or an Excel spreadsheet with the rows turned into squares) to keep track of positions and facings over time.

Don't be afraid to give your characters limitations, because that means they can be discovered by the other character and preyed upon, which produces interesting ebbs and flows in the fight. A gunslinger is considerably less useful in a melee with their gun disarmed. A swordsman might not know how to box if their sword is destroyed. If they have powers, consider what they have to do to make them activate, if it exhausts them to use, how they can be turned off, if at all. Consider the practical applications. Example: In Chum, there are many individuals with pyrokinetic superpowers, and none of them have "think something on fire" superpowers. Small-time filler villain Aaron McKinley can ignite anything he's looking at, and suddenly the fight scenes begin constructing themselves, as Aaron's eyes and the direction of his gaze become an incredibly relevant factor.

if you have reached this far in this essay I am giving you homework. Go watch the hallway fight in Oldboy and then novelize it. Then, watch it again every week for the rest of your life, and you will become good at writing fight scenes.

as with all pieces of advice these are not hard and fast rules (except watching the oldboy hallway fight repeatedly) but general guidelines to be considered and then broken when it would produce an interesting outcome to do so.

okay have a good day. and go read chum.

#writing #creative writing #writing tip #writing prompt #pro tip!#long post

2K notes · View notes

aeth-eris · 1 month ago

Text

★ hypothetical death | 8th house ★

★ book a reading ★ ★ masterlist 1 ★ ★ masterlist 2 ★

★ aries in the 8th house ★

a fiery and sudden death—aries energy ensures the circumstances are quick, intense, and dramatic. scenarios might include head trauma from an accident during high-adrenaline activities like racing, extreme sports, or even combat. mars, as aries'�� ruler, adds themes of violence, heat, or machinery, suggesting deaths involving fire, burns, or weapon-related incidents. strokes or aneurysms due to elevated stress or blood pressure might also play a role. the impulsiveness of aries could contribute to risky behavior leading to fatal consequences, like a dare gone wrong or reacting without thinking in a dangerous situation. workplace accidents involving machinery or tools might also be significant. death could occur in a high-energy environment, like a gym, construction site, or battlefield. if mars is poorly aspected, anger or conflicts might escalate into physical violence, adding a combative edge to their passing. aries in the 8th suggests a death that is fast, passionate, and leaves an unmistakable impression, often tied to their drive for action and independence. their end might reflect a moment of courage, boldness, or impulsivity—whether in a fight, an accident, or a heroic act.

★ taurus in the 8th house ★

a slow, grounded death tied to the physical body or material comforts. taurus rules the throat and neck, so choking, strangulation, or complications with the thyroid could be relevant. overindulgence in food, drink, or a luxurious lifestyle might lead to long-term health issues, such as heart disease or diabetes. accidents involving possessions, like heavy objects falling, might also feature. venus, as taurus’ ruler, introduces themes of beauty and sensuality—perhaps death occurs in a peaceful or aesthetic setting, like a serene garden or during a relaxing spa treatment. there could also be a financial or material aspect tied to their passing, such as disputes over inheritance or wealth. deaths involving the earth or natural settings are possible—think landslides, farming accidents, or being buried under physical weight. if venus is poorly aspected, overindulgence or attachment to material comforts could play a detrimental role. taurus in the 8th suggests a passing that is steady, tactile, and tied to the physical world, reflecting themes of security, comfort, or even stubbornness in their final moments.

★ gemini in the 8th house ★

a curious and chaotic death tied to communication, movement, or duality. gemini’s connection to the lungs and nervous system suggests respiratory failure, accidents during travel (cars, planes, bikes), or even stress-induced neurological breakdowns. multitasking or miscommunication could play a significant role—imagine texting while driving or rushing to meet a deadline. gemini’s dual nature might manifest as two contrasting causes or settings tied to their death, like being in two places at once or dealing with conflicting scenarios. mercury, gemini’s ruler, adds themes of learning and intellect, so their passing might involve books, technology, or public speaking—perhaps a fatal incident during a lecture or broadcast. mental overstimulation, like overworking the brain or juggling too many responsibilities, could lead to burnout or exhaustion. gemini in the 8th often reflects a death tied to curiosity, adaptability, or rapid movement, with circumstances that are unpredictable or fast-paced. the end might occur while chasing knowledge, engaging in lively conversation, or simply moving too quickly in life.

★ cancer in the 8th house ★

an emotionally charged death tied to family, water, or the home. cancer’s rulership of the chest and stomach suggests causes like breast cancer, ulcers, or drowning. food poisoning or allergies from nurturing environments, like family meals, might also be involved. the moon’s influence brings cycles and tides into the equation, so lunar phases or emotional states might align with their passing. accidents in domestic spaces—like a fall in the bathtub, a kitchen mishap, or a structural collapse in their home—are possible. cancer in the 8th also suggests emotional wounding or heartbreak could contribute to their death, especially if family dynamics are strained. the circumstances might involve themes of care and protection, like passing while tending to loved ones or during a significant life transition, such as childbirth or becoming a parent. water-related scenarios are significant—drowning in a lake, slipping into a pool, or even being caught in a storm at sea. cancer in the 8th suggests a deeply personal, intuitive, and emotionally resonant passing, one tied to their roots, family, or internal world.

★ leo in the 8th house ★

a dramatic and highly visible death tied to their individuality or public presence. leo rules the heart, so heart attacks, cardiac arrest, or stress-related heart issues are common. their passing might occur during a moment of grandeur—perhaps on stage, at a public event, or while performing a leadership role. accidents involving fire, extreme heat, or light are also possible, such as dying in a blaze or due to sunstroke. leo’s need for recognition suggests their death might leave a lasting impression, either as a cautionary tale or a heroic act. venusian influences might add artistic or aesthetic themes, like passing away while creating something beautiful or during an extravagant celebration. if poorly aspected, pride or stubbornness could lead to risky behavior, like refusing medical advice or engaging in dangerous stunts. leo in the 8th house often reflects a passing that mirrors their vibrant life—bold, memorable, and tied to their creative or leadership pursuits. their death may carry a symbolic weight, marking the end of an era or leaving a dramatic legacy.

★ virgo in the 8th house ★

a precise and health-focused death tied to routine, work, or the body. virgo rules the digestive system, so deaths from intestinal issues, food poisoning, or chronic illnesses like stomach cancer might occur. virgo’s perfectionism suggests that their passing could involve medical errors or complications during surgery—perhaps due to misdiagnosis or overly meticulous procedures. stress from overwork or obsession with health could lead to burnout, strokes, or heart-related issues. their death might occur in a clinical or work environment, such as a hospital, lab, or office, especially if service to others was a big part of their life. virgo’s connection to habits may mean that small, unnoticed health problems build up over time, eventually leading to something fatal. mental health could also play a role, with overthinking or anxiety exacerbating physical conditions. if mercury, virgo’s ruler, is poorly aspected, miscommunication or lack of clarity might surround their death. virgo in the 8th suggests a passing that is methodical, reflective of their need for control and structure, and potentially tied to their dedication to service, health, or routines.

★ libra in the 8th house ★

a graceful, relational death tied to beauty, partnerships, or harmony. libra’s rulership by venus highlights love and aesthetics, so their death might involve themes of romance or occur in beautiful, peaceful settings. it’s possible they die alongside a partner or as a result of heartbreak, betrayal, or marital stress. accidents during social gatherings or public events, especially those focused on art or fashion, could also play a role. cosmetic surgeries gone wrong or beauty-related mishaps might feature as well. libra’s focus on fairness and balance might bring legal or contractual matters into their death, such as disputes over inheritance or assets. falls or accidents due to losing physical balance are also possibilities. if venus is poorly aspected, indulgence in luxury or unhealthy relationships might contribute to their death. libra in the 8th suggests a poetic, symbolic passing that reflects their desire for beauty, love, and peace, even if the circumstances are less than ideal. it carries relational and aesthetic significance, leaving a mark on those they leave behind.

★ scorpio in the 8th house ★

a deep, transformative death tied to mystery, power, or intensity. scorpio in the 8th house points to dramatic or taboo themes, such as deaths involving betrayal, violence, or even murder. illnesses tied to reproductive or elimination systems—like cancer or sexually transmitted diseases—are possible. scorpio’s association with secrecy suggests a death that could remain unsolved or involve hidden circumstances, like poisoning or mysterious disappearances. water-related deaths, such as drowning in dark or concealed places, are also possible. if pluto, scorpio’s ruler, is prominent, there may be power struggles, dangerous obsessions, or karmic ties involved. this placement also carries a potential for self-destructive tendencies or involvement in intense situations, like covert operations or high-stakes activities. scorpio in the 8th suggests a passing that is transformative, haunting, and impactful, often tied to cycles of life and death. it’s a symbolic end that might feel like the closing of a profound chapter, affecting not only the individual but those left behind.

★ sagittarius in the 8th house ★

a bold, adventurous death tied to travel, freedom, or philosophy. sagittarius’ love for exploration could lead to accidents during long journeys, such as plane crashes, hiking falls, or incidents in remote areas. their passing might occur abroad or while engaging in a daring adventure, like climbing a mountain or embarking on a spiritual pilgrimage. sagittarius’ connection to expansion suggests overindulgence in food, drink, or risky behavior, which could lead to health�� complications like liver disease or heart failure. their death might also carry a philosophical or spiritual undertone, such as passing away in pursuit of knowledge or while defending a cause they believe in. accidents during academic or educational pursuits, like during a lecture or research expedition, are possible. if jupiter, sagittarius’ ruler, is poorly aspected, reckless behavior or overconfidence might contribute to their death. sagittarius in the 8th suggests a passing that feels larger than life—adventurous, meaningful, and deeply tied to their pursuit of freedom and purpose.

★ capricorn in the 8th house ★

a structured and karmic death tied to responsibility, work, or aging. capricorn’s connection to discipline and time suggests a slow, steady decline, such as passing from old age, chronic illness, or the cumulative effects of stress. falls from heights, accidents involving structures (e.g., building collapses), or work-related mishaps might also play a role. capricorn’s association with authority and legacy suggests their death could involve their professional life or public image, such as dying during a high-profile negotiation or business endeavor. saturn’s influence introduces karmic themes, implying their passing might feel like a culmination of life’s lessons, responsibilities, or burdens. deaths tied to cold environments, such as mountains or icy conditions, are also possible. if saturn is poorly aspected, restrictive or oppressive circumstances might intensify, leading to feelings of exhaustion or burnout. capricorn in the 8th suggests a death that is practical, significant, and reflective of their long-term dedication to goals, responsibilities, and the structures they built in life.

★ aquarius in the 8th house ★

a sudden, unconventional death tied to technology, innovation, or groups. aquarius’ connection to electricity and progress suggests deaths involving electrical shocks, airplane crashes, or futuristic technology. their passing might occur during group activities or social causes, such as protests, conventions, or experimental events. aquarius rules the circulatory system, so heart issues or strokes could be relevant. uranus’ influence adds unpredictability, suggesting a sudden or shocking death, possibly during a groundbreaking moment in science or technology. if uranus is poorly aspected, rebellious or unconventional behavior might lead to dangerous situations, like defying safety norms or engaging in risky experiments. aquarius in the 8th suggests a passing that is innovative, impactful, and reflective of their individuality and connection to collective progress. their death might spark change or inspire others, leaving a legacy tied to the future they envisioned.

★ pisces in the 8th house ★

a mysterious and ethereal death tied to water, dreams, or spirituality. pisces’ connection to the subconscious suggests passing away in a dream-like state, such as during sleep, under anesthesia, or through drowning. deaths involving drugs, alcohol, or escapism might also occur, reflecting pisces’ tendency toward altered states. neptune’s influence adds an air of mystery, with deaths potentially surrounded by unclear circumstances or long-term illnesses that go undiagnosed. their passing might happen in a peaceful or spiritual setting, like during meditation, prayer, or while engaging in artistic creation. water-related incidents, like slipping into a river, being lost at sea, or even floods, are significant themes. if neptune is poorly aspected, confusion, deception, or self-destructive tendencies could play a role. pisces in the 8th suggests a death that is symbolic, intuitive, and tied to the unseen realms, leaving a sense of mystery and emotional depth for those left behind.

★ book a reading ★ ★ masterlist 1 ★ ★ masterlist 2 ★

#astrology #astrology observations #astrology aspects #astro observations #astrology 8th house #8th house

367 notes · View notes

keferon · 17 days ago

Note

Swindle would…could…should visit. It’s not like before, when Blurr had been injured or in hospital racing and they were separated by living their lives in very different circumstances. Before, when the best Swindle could do was find out on the news like everyone else and maybe send a card, because he needed to be where he was told to be in mecha. Or find out about minor incidents that never made news some indeterminate amount of time later when his and Blurr’s lives met at one of their rare intersections. But something still holds him back.

----------------------------------------

Swindle doesn’t go back to the hospital in the immediate aftermath of the mecha collapse. He tells himself that it’s because he’s busy. And he is busy.

There’s Shockwave looking to take advantage. Use the destruction to overwrite everything Swindle and Onslaught have been working towards with his own vision. Keeping him at bay is taking nearly all of Swindle’s resources on the public front and Onslaught’s time behind the scenes.

And then there’s the more mundane aspects of business that still need to be handled. Construction contracts for rebuilding. Recognition of emergency responders. Resources for impacted staff. Assisting the incident investigation. Redefining protocols for responding to attacks so that mecha can’t get caught by such a trap again. All that paperwork makes it’s way through Swindle – sooner or later – and he has to deal with it.

And finally there’s Blurr himself. Swindle is managing Blurr’s hospital bills. His publicity agents. The press conferences that were already scheduled. Advertising deals. The restoration of Blurr’s mech exterior. And all the while trying to downplay to everyone involved the severity of the incident.

So yes, Swindle’s busy. But even amidst his busy schedule, he’d found time when Blurr first called. Had found something in that brief conversation, in just knowing his friend was still alive – even as it was too short, as Blurr’s voice faded too quickly into exhaustion. He’s found time since – both to call Blurr about relevant decisions (even when it wasn’t strictly necessary) and to take Blurr’s calls. And he’s noticed how Blurr’s voice has gotten stronger, their conversations longer. The calls more frequent and now interspersed with hints at Blurr’s boredom.

This is different. He and Blurr are not just friends, but business partners now. Have been working in the same place, at the same job. There is nothing and no one physically stopping Swindle from seeing Blurr during his recovery.

No one but himself. A part of Swindle finds it easier to sell the lies he has to go out and tell – that Blurr’s condition is overexaggerated, that everything will be fine – when he hasn’t physically seen any of the evidence to the contrary. Even as his mind also knows this is not true.

Swindle was a pilot long enough to see the results of enough mech crashes, particularly under the old safety systems, where the pilot couldn’t or didn’t walk away. It was never fucking pretty. It was more than Swindle had ever wanted to see or know.

Swindle had thought they were changing all that. The new safety systems should have changed that. They were designed to prevent deaths and injuries. Like Orion’s, Shockwave’s, Vortex’s. Blurr’s.

And yet. Swindle glances again at the report on the top of the pile on his desk. The report that does credit the newer safety systems with saving lives – with saving Tailgate’s life.

Only…it wasn’t enough. The only reason there weren’t any confirmed casualties didn’t come down only to safety systems, but to no small amount luck. Because what happened to Blurr – trapped, half crushed, in a burning mech – is a nightmare that’s haunted Swindle since the old days, the days before he and Blurr had ever first met. And Swindle knows as bad as Blurr’s condition was when he was pulled from the building, it could have been worse – could have been much, much worse. (Could have been dead.)

So, Swindle isn’t sure he wants to see Blurr. Is afraid of what he might find if he actually looks too closely at his friend. Is perhaps more afraid that despite the frequent phone calls, despite what Blurr says, he doesn’t really want to see Swindle.

Because, having now worked closely with Blurr and observed his interactions, Swindle is more certain than ever that Blurr knows how to act – how to say the part that he’s expected to say, and keep close the full knowledge of whatever else it is he knows. And if that is to act the part of a continued friend to his boss, would that really be so different from every other act Swindle’s witnessed since Blurr joined mecha?

And Swindle isn’t even sure he could blame Blurr if it was. Because Blurr is only here – was only ever here – because of him. Which means what happened is because of him, doesn’t it? But what would have happened if Blurr hadn’t been there? How many lives would have been lost? How much blood spilled? Swindle’s own? When now there had been hardly any. Hardly any except for that of one of the only friends Swindle’s ever had. Was it worth it, in the end? What they’ve gained for mecha pilots compared to what might now be lost for Blurr?

That’s a thought Swindle tries very hard not to think about. Because he knows there’s no good answers. There never were. There never will be. So, he tries to push those thoughts to the back of his mind under the sea of other tasks that need handling. But they always floats back to the surface no matter how hard he tries to keep them at bay.

A knock at the door mercifully pulls Swindle from his thoughts.

“It’s late.”

Swindle looks up to see Onslaught standing in the doorway, the hallway behind him darkened. Reflexively, Swindle feels himself relax slightly and realizes his hand is loosening a grip on the edge of the report on the mecha collapse. He runs a hand over the edges, attempting to smooth out the crumpled paper while Onslaught watches.

“You going to go?” Onslaught asks the question in the same manner he’s always handled information regarding Swindle and Blurr’s friendship – without judgement or condemnation.

Only this time – this time the neutrality stings. Stings because Swindle feels guilty regardless, guilty for staying, guilty at the thought of going. And perhaps he wants someone else to recognize that guilt too. Wishes it could be as easy as someone else telling him what the right thing to do is, when it feels like everything he’s done and everything he’s thinking of doing is wrong.

“I—” Swindle begins.

“Don’t tell me you can’t,” Onslaught interrupts. “Or at least, don’t tell me it’s because you’re too busy.”

Because we both know it’s not true.

Swindle tags the words on to the end even though Onslaught doesn’t say them. And he realizes, looking at Ons, that he knows – at least something of what’s going through Swindle’s mind. Swindle wonders whether Ons, as the leader of their group, felt the same responsibility -- the same guilt – when one of them was injured, when Vortex was lost (when Vortex died), when Blast Off and Brawl were taken away.

“I don’t know,” Swindle says.

But that’s not entirely true either anymore. Because Swindle suspects he does know the answer. Has felt it in the hand on his shoulder, the weight settling on the end of his bed, that carefully neutral tone every time Swindle took a risk – even if he hadn’t ever realized at the time what it was.

Swindle grabs his coat from the hook in his office and makes for the door. Onslaughts hand rests briefly on his shoulder as he passes. And Swindle knows. When he reaches his car, it’s the hospital that he sets for the destination.

------

The few steps it takes to go from the hospital desk, where they’ve assured Swindle that yes Blurr’s awake and receiving visitors, down the hallway to the door of Blurr’s room feel like some of the longest Swindle’s ever taken. Swindle forces himself through the doorway before he can change his mind and – Blurr, the side of Blurr facing the hospital door…. If Swindle’s being honest with himself, much as he doesn’t want to recognize it – Blurr looks terrible, like he should be dead. Swindle’s worst fear, in the flesh.

But then Blurr turns. And he looks…alive. As alive as Swindle’s ever seen him. A light gleaming in his eye as he recognizes who it is that’s standing in the doorway.

“Swindle!” Blurr exclaims, pushing himself up so that he’s sitting more than lying against the pillows stacked behind him.

“Come in. It’s good to see you!” Blurr waves one hand enthusiastically towards the side of the bed. Maybe not as fast as the gesture once would have been, but still fast, still Blurr.

It’s been too long, Swindle thinks. As it always has been between their meetings. But maybe not too late, this time.

Swindle smiles as he pulls a chair up to the bedside. And as it always has been, Blurr's equally bright smile beams back at him.

AH FUCK THIS HURTS SO GOOD KFKFKFJNFHFHDGDGDOUFHF. I LOVE HOW MANY LAYERS THIS STORYLINE IS GETTING ITS LIKE A FUCKING ONION THAT WE ALL CAN COLLECTIVELY CUT AND THEN CRY

………..anon when I get you. When I geT YOU ANON

#maccadam #tf mecha universe #mecha writing #mecha cbc writing #mecha bs writing

230 notes · View notes

ceilidhtransing · 5 months ago

Text

Having spent pretty much the entire year immersed in studying Nazi Germany, the Holocaust, and genocide more broadly, my heart is bursting with the need to stress how much you should take Project 2025 seriously. This is a long post but please stick with me.

Don't take this post as an attempt to concretely predict anything. We can't ever fully know the future and I think it's silly to say with total certainty “if Trump wins then America will become just like Nazi Germany” - not only because the future isn't written yet, but also because Germany under the Nazis was a very specific regime with its own quirks and peculiarities and I don't think that even a worst-case-scenario Trump regime would look exactly like Hitler's Germany. No two regimes ever look exactly alike: it would use the same colour palette as all far-right dictatorships but be constructed from a different medium, like what a watercolour is to an oil painting.

But just because Trump is a very different person from Hitler, and a worst-case-scenario Trump dictatorship would not literally be “Nazi Germany all over again”, that doesn't mean that what happened in Germany isn't instructive here. Forget the specifics of whether or not Trump as a dictator would organise a state identically to how the Nazis organised Germany or whatever; on a far broader and more relevant level, there is a distressing number of similarities. And too many people are falling into the same thought traps as they did then.

Please don't assume that Trump is “way too incompetent” to achieve what's in Project 2025 or Agenda 47. They said the same thing about Hitler. They said that there was no way this showman could govern effectively - holding big rallies and making speeches that get people riled up isn't the same as being good at running a functioning state and achieving what you want. The New York Times even wrote after he became Chancellor of Germany that this would only “let him expose to the German public his own futility”. And in many ways Hitler was pretty incompetent. But that didn't end up mattering. The greatest crime of the Nazi regime, the Holocaust, was masterminded mostly by a whole load of people besides Hitler, who were delegated the nitty-gritty task of actually orchestrating it. Hitler's personal incompetence didn't prevent war or genocide.

Please don't assume that Trump is “just a wacky nutcase” who “can't possibly be a real risk”. They said the same thing about Hitler. The mainstream media gave constant coverage to all the crazy extreme things Hitler said as if he was merely a bit of a joke and not a massive threat. The Nazis were quite happy with this. To quote Goebbels repeatedly in his diary, “The main thing is they're talking about us.”

Please don't assume that being in power will “moderate” Trump and that “of course he won't be able to do all the crazy stuff once he actually has to govern”. They said the same thing about Hitler. It was a common sentiment in the early 1930s that all the sensible politicians around him would force him to moderate his stances. Fritz von Papen, the last Chancellor of Weimar Germany, persuaded President Hindenburg to make Hitler the Chancellor by assuring him, “In a few months, we will have pushed [Hitler] so far into the corner that he will squeak.” It turns out that power doesn't “moderate” people who are openly talking about a dictatorship.

Please don't assume that there's any truth to the whole “Trump has nothing to do with Project 2025 and trying to link it to him is just liberal hysteria” line. They said the same thing about Hitler. People repeatedly asserted that Nazi street violence wasn't really representative of the party leadership; it wasn't representative of Hitler. He was even subpoenaed by a very brave lawyer in 1931 in a bid to prove that recent violence by Nazi stormtroopers was committed with the knowledge and encouragement of the party leadership, with part of the prosecution's argument hanging on a pamphlet by Goebbels that promised a violent overthrow of the state if the Nazis couldn't come to power legitimately. Surely no legal political party could be publishing that. In a successful attempt to escape criminal charges, Hitler repeatedly lied that the pamphlet was not official Nazi Party material and that he didn't know anything about it. No Trump didn't write it, no it isn't an official GOP manifesto, but the links between Project 2025 and Trump, the previous Trump administration, and Trump allies are extremely well documented. Just the other day, Project 2025 co-author Russell Vought was caught calling Trump's disavowals of the document “graduate-level politics” and saying, “what he's doing is just very, very conscious distancing himself from a brand ... he's in fact not even opposing himself to a particular policy.”

Please don't assume that “there's no way something like that could happen here; we're way too educated and advanced”. They said the same thing about Hitler. The Germany of the 1920s and 1930s was one of the most educated and most scientifically and industrially advanced nations in the world, and its cities were some of the most progressive in the world. People were stunned and horrified that it was in Germany of all places - Germany, land of music and art and science and literature! - that fascism took root. Germany's economic and social advancement didn't stop about 40% of its voters choosing the Nazis. It didn't stop them taking power.

Please don't assume that Project 2025 is “just a wishlist” and “not actually a serious plan”. They said the same thing about Hitler. As is hopefully very clear by now, plenty of people did not think that the Nazis were capable of, or would dare to try, putting into actual practice the horrific ideas about race that undergirded so much of their ideology. “I like Hitler; he talks sense economically and I think all this stuff about Jews is just bluff and bluster.” “Every party has a loony wing, right? You have to understand they're not serious when they talk about this stuff; they're just telling their base what they want to hear.” “God have you heard this crazy race science shit about head shapes and stuff? It's hilarious! I'm sure none of them at the top really believe that; there's no way they'd be that nuts.” When a group of people like this tells you what they believe and tells you what they want to do with power, believe them. No matter how ridiculous they seem, they're not joking.

In the words of Hans Litten, the lawyer who subpoenaed and cross-examined Hitler in that court case in 1931, “Don't listen to him; he's telling the truth.” Litten was arrested on the night of the Reichstag fire in 1933 and spent the rest of his life being tortured in concentration camps before dying in Dachau in 1938 at the age of 34.

A tyrannical dictatorship can often be seen coming a mile away. I don't want to imply for a second that what the Nazis did came as a surprise to everyone and couldn't possibly have been predicted. There were people who saw this coming in the 1920s and 1930s and tried to sound the alarm while they still had a chance. But they were too often in the minority, taking the threat seriously while others had convinced themselves that there was no need for concern because the Nazis wouldn't really do all the things they repeatedly talked about wanting to do. Everyone should have seen this coming, but too many people wanted to believe it couldn't be true.

Don't let this scare you. Let it energise you. Talk to the people in your life about Project 2025 and Agenda 47. Push back against people who assert that “they'd never actually do all that stuff” or “Trump didn't even write Project 2025” or “it's not a real plan, just a list of crazy shit to get the base riled up”. Have conversations with folks you know who are on the fence about voting or about who to vote for and who seem persuadable. Make sure you're registered to vote, and keep making sure, especially if you live in a red state where people keep mysteriously dropping off voter rolls.

Now, again, please don't read this as some confident prediction that Trump will be a Hitler figure. I want to stress that is a worst-case scenario. If a Trump presidency is what happens, I would much prefer the best-case scenario: that he spends four years fumbling around and not really accomplishing anything and then gives up power at the end without much of a fight. But it would also be a folly to be smugly overconfident that the worst-case scenario “won't” or “can't” happen. It could. It has happened before. There is no reason it couldn't happen again.

398 notes · View notes

usoppshoneydew · 14 days ago

Text

Baker! Simon x General store owner! Reader

Baker!Simon first hears of you through the little old ladies that always frequent his bakery( honestly their gossip channel is his best source of intel outside of price and laswell). While he bags their focaccia bread and red velvet cake they tell him about the new store owner moving into the building that's being constructed across the street. They tell him that it'll be a small general goods store with an apartment built above it. He knows all this already of course. The moment he saw the construction crew he asked Price to set up a background check for everything relevant about the new tenant, and didn't receive anything concerning, so now he lets the elders tell him the little details, more for their happiness than his own.

Around recipe swapping he finds out that you're a young woman who received the space through your grandparents. Apparently your grandparents used to live here and they were the ones who told you about it. You'd be arriving in about a week or so, and (they mentioned this more than a few times) you're single and quite the beauty. That doesn't really peak Simon's interest, not being someone that pays a lot of attention to looks anyway. As long as you're not here as a cover for something shady, and you're not a pain in the ass for a neighbor, he's content with the new change. He knows why they keep mentioning those two things. Being tall, large, handsome, and single makes him the most eligible man in this small town, and they do a lot to set him up with anyone he hasn't rejected already. There's no point though, Simon isn't interested in being with someone. He just wants to take his retirement one day at a time.

And he's sure he'll always feel that way, even when your moving day arrives. It's hard to get a glimpse of you through all the movers and the truck parked out front, and any time he does glance through his shop window and see you, it's the back of your head, the patterned wrap you have swirled around it, or your legs sticking out of the truck when you sit to take a break. It doesn't matter to him though, with something new going on in town, everyone is finding a reason to go out, and that means a lot of people are stopping by for a sandwich( meat provided by the butchery Johnny works at) or a muffin. It's only when it's getting later in the afternoon, when things have slowed down, that he gets a proper glimpse of you for the first time. He's wiping down his counters when he hears the chime above his door and that's when he sees you.

He'll admit that you're good looking, pretty in a subtle way but that might just be because you're exhausted, anyone would be after moving to a new place. You don't even pay Simon much mind, using the base politeness to order a veggie sub, likely having not eaten all day, and leave after paying with a small thank you. To Simon it looks like the little old ladies have failed in setting him up once again.

Baker! Simon who's sweeping the front of his store when opening day finally arrives for you. He's seen how busy you've been up until today, setting up the interior and exterior of your store. He saw you place crates outside along with a few flower planters, glanced at you putting up what looked like a selfmade open sign, and even a little cloth canopy over your door during his smoke break, and observed you carrying in wooden planks for shelves while he was waiting for his cake to finish baking.

He takes time to glance over at your store every now and then, just being observant as always, and notices that you don't struggle with business on your first day. That's not surprising though considering how tight knit the community is here, and everyone has been talking about the new store since the construction started. Again the buzz around your business brings customers to his, and Simon can say that he appreciates that much.

You walk into Simon's store again that afternoon and order the same thing you did when you moved in, a veggie sub. You're still tired after a full day of work but there's significantly more energy in your demeanor this time. Instead of leaving after getting your food though, you lean against the counter and introduce yourself to him. Even if he doesn't really want to, he dusts the flour off on his apron and takes your hand in his when you offer it for a handshake. You tell him about how the little old ladies in town have been mentioning him to you a little more than necessary and when he told you he can relate, you laugh a little. He hadn't meant it to be joke but he can't help but smile a little too. Because of the elderly ladies of course, that's all. You don't stay long, letting him know that you've got to clean up for the day, but when you leave you let him know that you enjoyed the food and you'd like to come by for lunch more often, before stunning him with a sweet smile. Simon is embarrassed to say that he didn't get a chance to respond before you walked out and instead just stood there with his heart beating a little faster than usual.

Baker! Simon who doesn't approach you much on his own after that. His heart beating like that earlier had to have been a fluke. He's so confident that he purposely avoids interacting with you more than necessary, because he's so sure that he's not suddenly attracted to you after that small moment you had, after all it's not like he's an easy schoolboy whose opinion changes after some eye contact and palpations of the heart.

He might not be interacting with you but everyone else is. Johnny says he's already been over a few times to check out what you sell. He came across the street to show off the dumb little ghost keychain he bought, only to leave it behind on his counter. Apparently Kyle has interacted with you plenty of times by now. He helped install your shelves and even the little canopy over your entrance and the border of your store. Simon is really surprised when he finds out that you've already asked Price to start selling the apples from his farm in your store. Everyone in town has been in your store but him and Simon won't admit that he feels a way about that.

Baker! Simon who visits your shop for the first time one night after a mishap with a bread knife. Someone above must've had an agenda because Simon has never cut himself while cooking, ever. He's simply too skilled with a knife to ever make a mistake like that, but by some divine intervention he grazes his nail and when he went to look for a bandaid in his office drawer, he was all out. So as much as it embarrasses him to do so, after avoiding you for a week, he trudges across the street to your store.

The moment he walks inside, you look up from the notepad you're writing on and give him a once over, he can see the gears turning in your head, likely wondering if you should greet him or grab the broom in the corner to swing on him with. It's understandable, it's late at night now, he's a large man, and you don't know him all that well. A small part of him is actually relieved respects that you take care to look after yourself, must be nice for your loved ones to know that you don't walk around with your head in the clouds. He knows why you're weary so he's quick to make his intentions known.

“ ‘m just trying to buy some bandaids.” he lets you know and puts his hands up, unintentionally showing you the small cut on his thumb that's still bleeding lightly. You don't blush, well maybe you do but not in the way Simon does, not visibly, but you make a face like you're slightly embarrassed to be caught with your hackles up. Even though he didn't ask you to, you took it upon yourself to grab what he needed, throwing in some peroxide and cotton balls too. He's sure it's just because you don't want him to get blood on any of your merchandise. At least that's what he thought until you rejected his money and bagged up his things nicely. Of course he didn't want you to do that, tries to get you to take it but you tell him to just save you some leftovers, give you a free slice of cake or something. Simon thinks of something better, and offers to let you sell his bread in your store.

Baker! Simon who personally delivers the bread you ordered to your door. He could simply let his new intern carry it across the street, but he wants to make sure it gets to you properly, that's all. Sure, he'll ask how your day is if there aren't many people inside,maybe even do some odd jobs for you, move some crates and bags to the back of the shop, but that's all just being a gentleman really. Who cares if he does all this while you tell him about the series you dropped last night, explaining the entire flawed plot to him from the beginning because he has no idea what show you're talking about.

Baker! Simon who starts to spend more time with you after that. Stopping by your store before you close for a small drink, making you laugh when he goes for a strawberry milk, or you'll go to his bakery for lunch opting to lean against the counter with your food while you both talk about what your regulars have told you today. When you have to keep moving out of the way for customers, he eventually invites you behind the counter to eat, it's nothing but a simple stool to sit on but it's better than standing right? It gets to the point where Johnny jokes that the two of you spend more time at each other's shops than your own.

Baker! Simon who gets Kyle to install a small eating area in his bakery, just so you can sit and chat during your lunch break, thinking you'll be more comfortable with that, a new counter by the window with a couple of barstools lined up, only to feel a little lonely when you sit there instead of behind the counter with him like before. Little does he know, you liked sitting in the back with him more too. Fortunately for both of you, customers fill that area quickly and what do you know? The only place you can sit is behind the counter with Simon.

Baker! Simon who peeks at you through his shop window way more often than he used to,when you're sweeping the front of your store, or watering the plants you have outside. He looks over the most during Golden hour. It's like the sun loves your skin the most during the late afternoon and decides to make it shine. It's so captivating that if Simon isn't careful, you glance over at him and catch him looking at you, and all he can do is go back to his bread with a burning face and ears.

Baker! Simon who keeps his store open just a little longer so you don't close up your shop all alone, keeping close watch for any suspicious characters so that the mace he gave you a while ago will never have to be used.

Baker! Simon, who recommends a recipe for you to try at home and surprises himself with how smoothly he offers to show you how to make it first when you both have time off. You both set up a time before opening hours. You show up early even if you don't have to and it makes Simon's heart act up again. What can he say? He likes when people are punctual.

Baker! Simon who not so subtly asks if you want to start meeting up outside of business hours. Not at the general store and not at the bakery. He starts with group activities, like inviting you and your friends to the camping trip he's got coming up with his boys, or perhaps just dinner at John's house. Then he gets a little bolder and suggests one on one things,maybe a movie at the theater in town or lunch at the restaurant on the far side of town. When you ask him if he's asking you out on a date, he surprises himself again by saying yes, because that's exactly what he's doing. Maybe the old ladies succeeded in setting him up after all.

Taggies: @cookieswithay

#cod fluff #call of duty fluff #cod #call of duty #simon ghost riley #simon riley #ghost cod #cod 141 #simon riley x reader #simon riley x black reader #simon ghost riley x reader #simon ghost riley x black reader #ghost x reader #ghost x black reader #x black reader #black reader #small town au

160 notes · View notes

raining-anonymously · 3 months ago

Text

sure is convenient for the deetzes that code 699 - trespassing souls in the afterlife is on the same exact page as code 804 - soul suckers. who organized this book? also, the next page canonizes the grim reaper. okay.

i know this text is completely unreadable but i have painstakingly figured out what it says. my eyes hurt. check the alt text.

i’ve also got another screencap of the sandworm page but that’s over here.

implications under the cut:

contrary to several complains i’ve seen, astrid absolutely had time to find the relevant information in the book. it was never a mystery as to when she had time to read it; we SEE her reading the pages she references.

the reason the contract stopped working was not because it was made on illegal terms, but rather because a specific consequence for what betelgeuse did is voiding all marriages, apparently including engagements. *looks at delores* …this is probably good news for him in the long run.

betelgeuse is quite likely facing consequences for bringing lydia to the netherworld. this potentially includes community service clerical work. he’s gonna hate that.

the afterlife apparently functions on a system where each soul has a set amount of years before they’re allowed to take the train out of there, and more years can be added as punishment. we know thanks to delia and charles that this isn’t true for every ghost, and we know thanks to the maitlands that there’s a loophole (possibly completing unfinished business) that gets you out faster. i think it’s very likely that dying by suicide extends your sentence.

ghosts are usually allowed to haunt their prior residences.

delores can cross between worlds whenever she wants. this fills the “plot hole” of how she got to the church despite not having an official reason like wolf & co, a contract like betelgeuse, or a free ride like delia.

assuming her powers don’t diminish when she reforms, she could totally go to the living world to get revenge on lydia and astrid…

delores got stronger with every soul she consumed.

sandworms are soul suckers’ weakness? girl sandworms are EVERY ghost’s weakness.

soul suckers like causing havoc. this is probably why delores and betelgeuse got along so “well.”

delores. girl. you were not wronged. you murdered him so he murdered you back. you are not a righteous avenger here, i’m afraid.

adam was not joking about this book being poorly constructed. (kudos to the production team for keeping that detail!)

THE GRIM REAPER STROLLS AROUND THE NETHERWORLD AND OCCASIONALLY CUTS GHOSTS IN HALF.

#beetlejuice #beetlejuice beetlejuice #beetlejuice 2 #astrid deetz #delores laferve #delores beetlejuice #beetlejuice movie #betelgeuse #beetlejuice 2024 #the handbook for the recently deceased #beetlejuice film #beetlejuice delores #the netherworld #beetlejuice sequel

241 notes · View notes

anarchotolkienist · 6 months ago

Note

you’re attacking that neopagan kind of birthstone post about druid plants, but could you please elaborate or at least clarify the explicit trope that is being used that has been historically weaponized?

I used to spend about a good third of my time on this godforsaken website attacking that idea, but sure, I'll do it again. This will be a bit of an effortpost, so I'll stick it under the readmore

There is a notion of 'celts' or Gaels as being magicial and somehow deeply in touch with nature and connected to pre-Christian worldviews that the people who decided to make up the "Celtic tree astrology" used. This is also why Buffy used Irish Gaelic as the language of the demons, why Warhammer uses Gaelic as Elvish, why garbled Scottish Gaelic is used by Wiccans as the basis for their new religious construct, why people call themselves Druids to go an say chants in bad Welsh in Stonehenge, or Tursachan Chalanais, or wherever, etc etc. This stuff is everywhere in popular culture today, by far the dominant view of Celtic language speaking peoples. Made up neopagan nonsense is the only thing you find if you go looking for Gaelic folklore, unless you know where to look, and so on and so on. I could multiply examples Endless, and in fact have throughout the lifespan of this blog, and probably will continue to.

To make a long history extremely brief (you can ask me for sources on specifics, or ask me to expand if you're interested), this is directly rooted in a mediaeval legalistic discussion in Catholic justifications for the expansionist policies of the Normans, especially in Ireland, who against the vigourous protestation of the Church in Ireland claimed that the Gaelic Irish were practically Pagan in practice and that conquest against fellow Christians was justified to bring them in like with the Church. That this was nonsense I hope I don't need to state. Similar discourses about the Gaels in Scotland exist at the same time, as is clear from the earliest sources we have postdating the Gaelic kingdom of Alba becoming Scotland discussing the 'coastal Scots' - who speak Ynglis (early Scots) and are civilised - and the 'forest Scots' (who speak 'Scottis' (Middle Gaelic) and have all the hallmarks of barbarity. This discourse of Gaelic savagery remains in place fairly unchanged as the Scottish and then British crowns try various methods for integrating Gaeldom under the developing early state, provoking constant conflict and unrest, support certain clans and chiefs against others and generally massively upset and destabilise life among the Gaels both in Scotland and Ireland. This campaign, which is material in root but has a superstructure of Gaelic savagery and threat justifying it develops through attempts at assimilation, more or less failed colonial schemes in Leòdhas and Ìle, the splitting of the Gaelic Irish from the Gaelic Scots through legal means and the genocide of the Irish Gaels in Ulster, eventually culminates in the total ban on Gaelic culture, ethnic cleansing and permanent military occupation of large swathes of Northern Scotland, and the destruction of the clan system and therefore of Gaelic independence from the Scottish and British state, following the last rising in 1745-6.

What's relevant here is that the attitude of Gaelic barbarity, standing lower on the civilisational ladder than the Anglo Saxons of the Lowlands and of England, was continuously present as a justification for all these things. This package included associations with the natural world, with paganisms, with emotion, and etc. This set of things then become picked up on by the developing antiquarian movement and early national romantics of the 18th century, when the Gaels stop being a serious military threat to the comfortable lives of the Anglo nobility and developing bourgeoise who ran the state following the ethnic cleansing after Culloden and permanent occupation of the Highlands (again, ongoing to this day). They could then, as happened with other colonised peoples, be picked up on and romanticised instead, made into a noble savage, these perceived traits which before had made them undesirable now making them a sad but romantic relic of an inexorably disappearing past. It is no surprise that Sir Walter Scott (a curse upon him and all his kin) could make Gaels the romantic leads of his pseudohistorical epics at the exact same time that Gaels were being driven from their traditional lands in their millions and lost all traditional land rights. These moves are related. This tradition is what's picked up on by Gardner when he decides to use mangled versions of Gaelic Catholic practice (primarily) as collected by the Gaelic folklorist Alasdair MacIlleMhìcheil as the coating for Wicca, the most influential neo-pagan "religion" to claim a 'Celtic' root and the base of a lot of oncoming nonsense like that Celtic Tree Astrology horseshit that started this whole thing, and give it a pagan coat of paint while also adding some half-understood Dharmic concepts (three-fold law anyone?) and a spice of deeply racist Western Esotericism to the mix. That's why shit like that is directly harmful, not just historically but in the present total blotting out of actually existing culture of Celtic language speakers and their extremely precarious communities today.

If you want to read more, I especially recommend Dr. Silke Stroh's work Gaelic Scotland in the Colonial Imaginary, Dr. Aonghas MacCoinnich's book Plantation and Civility in the North-Atlantic World, the edited collection Mio-rún Mór nan Gall on Lowland-Highland divide, the Gaelic writer known in English as Ian Crichton Smith's essay A real people in a real place on these impacts on Gaelic speaking communities in the 20th century, Dr. Donnchadh Sneddons essay on Gaelic racial ideas present in Howard and Lovecrafts writings, and Dr. James Hunter's The Making of the Crofting Community for a focus on the clearings of Gaels after the land thefts of the late 18th and early 19th century.

@grimdr an do chaill mi dad cudromach, an canadh tu?

#gaelposting #hope this is even vaguely readable lol

283 notes · View notes

thecoiledserpent · 3 months ago

Text

↻ VARNA, GUNA, PURUSHARTH, NATURE, GANA & YONI IN VEDIC ASTROLOGY

basics of vedic astrology. ask box. masterlist.

important: this master post will consist of three major posts wherein i will be elaborating each of these six mentioned factors. understanding them is key to understanding the deeper nature of the nakshatras, and how compatibility works in vedic astrology. it is not possible to work on all of them in a single post. also, order is irrelevant here. although i usually let it slide, i would recommend reading even the theory and background part in these three posts because they are relevant to further understanding. without it, things may not make sense. i have touched on sensitive topics like varna with care so as to not hurt religious sentiments. but i would appreciate being called out if i have said anything that may spread hatred. it is never my intent to create discord. i would request others to be polite and respectful as well. these are all topics deeply entwined with ancient hindu culture. any disrespect, misinformation and hateful behaviour will have you kicked out of this space. long post ahead, i wish the readers best of luck.

◍ VARNA + GANA

i would like to start off by mentioning that varna and guna are used majorly for checking compatibility between two people or for suggesting appropriate career paths.

varna is for relating the native's attitude towards the world and their work / responsibilities. gana is for analysing the native's nature. so don't use these things in an all encompassing way, and it is better if these tools are used only on the things they are intended for.

VARNA

INTRODUCTION: varna, literally translates to 'caste'. it is noteworthy to mention that vedic astrology, one of the vedangas, was written by sages in antiquity. the caste system that came to ostracize the poor in the name of religion in the indian subcontinent by the 1900s is nothing like what the sages intended for varna to mean, due to which it has come to gain an inherently bad reputation. firstly, the caste system started out with a basic concept—how people brought money into their home. it had nothing to do with one's birth. this is not to be confused with gotra, which refers to bloodline. our bloodline remains the same, but based on what people did to gain money we classify society into 5 major categories, which will be elaborated below. secondly, the varna allotted to each nakshatra is based off the nakshatra's nature. i won't be delving too deep into this, but careful consideration leads one to realize that certain traits indicate saintly personas and others indicate an outlaw. of course, the interpretations aren't so extreme, and i will expand on them further.

brahmin—the caste that studied vedas, tended to the statues of hindu gods, assisted day-to-day prayers, rituals, festivals and rites. they were gurus, translating roughly to 'teacher'. nakshatras—krittika, purva phalguni, purva ashada, purva bhadrapada

kshatriyas—the caste that ruled lands, that is, kings and queens. nakshatras—pushya, uttara phalguni, uttara ashada, uttara bhadrapada

vaishyas—the caste that did trade and business. they brought money by selling their services. they are majorly divided into two parts; farmers and traders. artisans, dancers, musicians etc. were considered to be traders. nakshatras— merchants—ashwini, punarvasu, hasta farmers—mrigashira, chitra, jyeshtha, dhanishtha

shudras—the sweeper caste. these were the people who carried out menial tasks such as maids, sweepers, butchers, servants, constructions workers etc. again, they can be classified into two major parts; butchers and the servants. nakshatras— workers—rohini, magha, anuradha, revati butchers—ardra, swati, moola, shatabhisha

mleccha—the outcastes. these were people who committed heinous crimes and were a threat to society. even a brahmin who comitted the sin of raping another woman could become a mleccha. mleccha were not any 'caste', they were no caste at all and condemned until they died. we only include people here who committed wrongdoings under situations under their own control. a woman who aborted a child due to her own health issues, trans people etc are not to be included here, unless they commit another crime. nakshatras—ashlesha, bharani, vishakha, shravana.

now, let's come down to business. following are general guidelines required to use the varna system—

we only use the caste / varna of our moon sign. having a certain varna in many of your planets is not indicative of anything, only consider the varna of your moon sign.

varna is used for analysing many things, for starters. we use varna for figuring out the most appropriate life path for oneself, and also which kind of career the native would thrive in. one's moon sign's varna is indicative of how we interact with the world and what things we're good with.

note that we employ flexibility here. having a nakshtra in a brahmin varna does not make you 'superior', you simply have other strengths, is all. similarly, having a mleccha varna does not make you a bad person, or that you will commit crimes.

in friendships, marriages, and other unions varna represents how well the ideals of two people match. for eg, a brahmin will never get along with a shudra. nor will a kshatriya. vaishya will get along with shudra, and with brahmin, but not with kshatriya and so on.

tbh the complexity with mleccha is that it belongs nowhere so compatibility matching becomes tricky. an outcaste is not accepted by society, so discussing them becomes difficult. personally, i believe that mleccha varna people can only get along well with each other.

GENERAL VARNA OBSERVATIONS

kshatriya naks are usually stubborn and self-righteous. once they make up their mind about something, it's very hard to convince them otherwise, even if you're right. pushya people even end up losing their trust in those who question their judgement. they can be impulsive and have difficulty keeping their silence when they are hurt. genuinely flamboyant people smh you tell them to wear something casual and they'll bring out a met gala ass outfit. very beautiful people though, they entrance others easily with their charm and beauty, so they get away with it. kinda dramatic too lmao these people often have the jester's privilege 🤷‍♀️ i said what i said. there's a regal aura about them and they easily get away with things. it repeatedly reminds me of achilles, for some reason. bold, bright and attractive; and most of all, worthy of praise. their fame is well deserved, but restraint on the smug attitude is important to avoid making enemies. these people are prone to getting back stabbed. also likely to challenge the system. but not like a revolutionary radical way like mleccha naks do, but rather 'fy bitch, i'm gonna wear what i wanna and look how i naturally am. y'all ain't got shit on me.' if i'm being honest, it's actually pretty respectable.

mleccha nak people are most likely to question the working of things. and they are the type of people who research everything before they fight about it, to make sure they can't be proven wrong. bharani is pretty much the face of this aspect. they easily feel victimised and are sensitive to criticism. sensitive does not mean cry baby though, like bharani could probably punch your face in if it has had enough, sensitive is used in the context of reactive here. they are the people who are most likely to be abused or ignored. usually have trauma related to certain aspects of life. ashlesha have childhood trauma, bharani have trauma related to being restrained (emotional manipulation and being misguided by people they trusted) and so on... mleccha naks have a tendency of being air-headed when it comes to whoever is hurt by their words when they are certain they are speaking the truth. or when they decide they had enough shit and want to voice their feelings. they stop caring about societal restraints and could even spit at a king's face if it comes down to it. usually lonely people. if i'm being honest ashlesha manages to become an odd one out here too, since they don't really fit in much anywhere. they crave company but they are repeatedly betrayed. so it's like push and pull with them, and others don't want to be with such a person. ashlesha's biggest lesson is to see the truth for what it is.

brahmin nak people.. enjoy life, so to say. they can be kinda lazy or have tendencies to order people around. can be self-righteous and massive snobs when they are not self-conscious. other than that, they are pretty chill people. they go with the flow and hold on to the seaweeds when they sense the waters are getting too fast. they know to, and when not to exert themselves. morally good people though, usually have good childhoods. kind of reminds me of gryffindors, they want the best for everyone, but they are a bit rough around the edges and unintentionally hurt others. ngl most of them were very proud people, and others were sadistic. ig brahmin naks have an air of authority which they are more than aware of and it adds to their already inflated egos. it is necessary to remain humble, otherwise people will easily hate on these people. they are very talented, and so most people desire to bring them down as soon as they can. acting foolishly or with vanity is like their one-way ticket to downfall.

vaishya nak people are incredibly clever and quick witted. of course, since it's a wide range of naks i won't generalise, but remember that wit exists in various forms. such as ashwini is prodigal type of intelligence, whereas chitra is 'sell combs to a bald man' type of wit. the farmer category & the worker shudras are hard working naks. they are devoted to what they do and remain grounded, even after massive success. it is difficult for them to see past excessive fonts and twisted words. tbh it doesn't make much sense to them, they are the type to say stuff as it is. no buttering, no boot licking. they believe that if you want something, then you work for it; no excuses. revati is a bit of a nepo baby, but they definitely believe in hard work, as well. often worth their salt. can be delusional though, at least it keeps them happy. the merchant vaishyas are the clever ones. these are the type of people you want to associate with smart work. the farmers category was hard work, but here wit is a major theme. they also don't mind buttering as long as it gets work done. clever people. probably would use others for their own benefit. their usefulness gains them many friends and accomplishments in life. the butcher shudras are just as hardworking as the worker shudras, but they are classified as having a more 'it is what it is' type of mindset. they can hurt people at times, and have a harsh nature. they are the type of people who accept life for what it is and silently suck it up. not ones to complain, usually. when they they set their mind to completing something, they don't rest until they achieve it. they usually don't demand praise for their work, but definitely deserve it.

general compatibility—

✓ brahmins—brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya ✓ kshatriyas—brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya, mleccha ✓ vaishyas—brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya, shudra ✓ shudras—vaishya, shudra, mleccha ✓ mlecchas—kshatriya, shudra, mleccha

extreme incompatibility—

✗ brahmin—mleccha ✗ kshatriya—shudra ✗ vaishya— none ✗ shudra—kshatriya ✗ mleccha—brahmin

extreme compatibility—

✓ brahmins—brahmin ✓ kshatriyas—kshatriya ✓ mlecchas—mleccha

GANA

INTRODUCTION: there is no english equivalent for this word, the closest it can be translated to is 'behaviour'. gana is used to compare a native's energy and overall traits in a rough manner with the energies associated with 'swarga' / heaven, 'naraka' / hell and 'mrityu loka' / 'prithvi' / earth. hence, there are three ganas: 'deva' / godly, 'rakshasa' / demonly, 'manushya' / 'nara' / human, respectively. (ironic and funny sounding, but don't think of it from your, i.e a human's perspective. think of it from the view of the universe and you'll understand what it's supposed to mean.)

BASIC INFO: again, it is important to mention that flexibility is exercised in this matter. rakshasa gana naks are not actually demons, it's supposed to describe an energy. only the gana of the moon nak is to be taken in reference. although, yes, most planets' naks being in the same gana makes it the dominant one.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS OF THE GANAS

deva gana naks are of positive and bright energy. we associate them with the morning, and these people usually function best in the day. they are splendorous and usually strict about their principles or whatever their codes of conduct are. they are impatient, vain, and even selfish at times. intelligence, wit, fierceness, beauty (beauty is used in the context of abundance, not looks) and fine speech is associated with them. they are clean and usually enjoy fresh or healthy food. they can be immense people pleasers, and care a lot about their reputation. they prefer company over solitude.

rakshasa gana naks are abundant in energy and patience. they are deliberate and know where and how to invest their energy. they are associated with the night and have tendencies towards being night-owls. they are learnt in the sciences. they can be messy and unhygienic. they handle intensity, anger and violence from others well, because they know how to handle their own darkness. they can be harsh by nature and hurt others. they are familiar with solitude, and are at comfort with it. company can make them anxious.

manushya gana naks are in the middle of both extremes, embodying balance in their traits. they are usually humanitarian and adore animals. their traits are indefinite most of the times because they are flexible and get along with both deva gana and rakshasa gana people.

✗ deva and rakshasa gana people do not get along, especially if the charts are extremely polar about their nature as well.

✓ manushya gana people get along with all three ganas.

✓ deva and rakshasa gana are compatible with others of their own gana.

✓ two deva gana people are extremely compatible.

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय नमः

#astro notes #vedic astrology #astrology blog #astrology notes #astrology readings #astrology observations #astrology #astro observations #astro community #ashlesha #nakshatra #vedic astro notes #vedic astro observations #vedic chart

172 notes · View notes

circeyoru · 6 months ago

Text

Collection of Overlords _ Part 11 = Requested

[Alastor x Soul Owner of All Overlords!Reader]

Part 1 — Part 1.5 — Part 2 — Part 3 — Part 4 — Part 5 — Part 6 — Part 7 — Part 8 — Part 9 — Part 10 — Part 11 (here) — Part 12 — Part 13

Like dominos, one thing led to another as predicted

With Alastor motivated to do his absolute to please you, Husk’s hellish training and push to be a worthy Overlord reached its heights. Though, to not cause suspicion to the other residents of the hotel, namely Angel, Husk made appearances here and there just so no one would claim that Alastor was being unreasonable

As for Velvette, she was being mentored by Rosie and Carmilla. It started with just exploring her new title as a ‘Threater Demon’. Her eye in fashion, her want to command, and her presentation skills were strong. Her role in your collection was to project information and messages you want Hell to know about

Because with Hell’s win over Heaven, big changes were bound to come. Not to mention, Trick would be wanting some action on their side and not just to watch their realm fret over yours. You understand the sentiment, after all, you enacted the system for Overlords for that sole purpose in the first place

Now, it was a lucky thing that the Vees actually divided territories before Velvette went solo, because those served as her base of operations and her new home. With Carmilla’s help in construction, Velvette has her own building to call home and workplace. With Rosie’s pointers, Velvette was capable of recruiting talents of worth to her growth

As an Overlord should, Velvette gathered souls to her side through contracts and slowly started to build her own base and support. Just as Alastor was supporting Husk in such a task, albeit it was more complicated since Husk was still under Alastor’s leash at the moment

Her souls comprised of individuals from the fashion and entertainment industries, not too different from her former work associates, so she was able to handle things all on their own. However, there was one thing that she made clear to her people or demons, which is; she was no long part of the Vees and when they sign a contract with her, it’s only to her service

That was something you’re quite proud to hear her say. Even when she is technically starting from rock bottom, she is not using anyone’s name to give herself a boost to start strong and fast, she was using her own. Granted that you allowed Carmilla and Rosie to help, but they were only serving as guidance and giving her advice on what direction to go in. After all that, they took a backseat and watched

To see her rise from the ashes of her own burnt flame was a spectacle and what you have been aiming and doing with your Overlords since the beginning. It was what you have designed when you took initiative to lead a group of overpowered Sinners. They were more than souls doomed to suffer in Hell

In your dark and cruel eyes, they were so much more. While around the majority of the deceased are destined for Hell, their crimes when living define their powers in Hell and their authority in a sense. You being the puppeteer behind your Overlords shows their potential but also their limits because they can never amount to anywhere above Hellborns of great destruction

You have your Overlords their domain of special title. Zestial of Fear, Carmila of War, Rosie of Dismantlement, Zeezi of Violence, Alastor of Domination, and now Velvette has joined their ranks. Velvette of Recreation. So you never let anything destroy or interrupt Velvette’s growth

It’s funny to watch was Vox’s panic over Velvette’s absence and silence. You had given Alastor a power boost to interfere with Vox’s persistent surveillance. The last thing you wanted was for your two new rising stars to have a stalker that will ruin plans and hard work. So now all Vox could do was try to make more public appearances to hypnotize others into staying relevant

Though it wasn’t like you were going to do anything about it. You did, however, receive information from your other Overlords that Vox has been asking around as to where Velvette was. Well, you have to give him credit of being bold enough to ask others where his former associate was at, even though it showed his stupidity

“M’re tea, mine own Liege? (More tea, My Liege?)” Zestial offered with the hovering items.

“Zestial, this is a redemption lesson.” You politely and indirectly declined his offer.

“Th’re is barely anyone h’re. (There is barely anyone here)” Zestial laughed, still offering you your drink to which you accepted. “And I am listening to the princess’ lesson, m’rely… multitasking. (And I am listening to the princess’ lesson, merely… multitasking.)”

Currently, you were sitting in a lesson of the Princess in her endevours to make her hotel a success. While you admire her dedication, you can hardly see her plans succeeding and that’s what you show her despite knowing of Sir Pentious’ arrival to Heaven

As you were attending her class, it just so happened that Zestial was stopping by for tea with you and joined you when you said you were busy attending Charlie’s little class. Needless to say, Zestial saw no use in such efforts, labelling Charlie’s dream as ‘flight of fantasy’ rather than a goal to strive towards

Zestial taken great offence when Charlie was promoting her aim to him when he first passed through the doors of the hotel, claiming that he never wish or dreams of leaving Hell so long as you permitted him to stay by your side. He saw Charlie’s gracious offer to be good as an insult to him and his devotion to your services, going as far as to see it as a betrayal of your mercy had he paid half a mind to Charlie’s words

It was only because you’d be free after Charlie’s lesson does he stay at the hotel. As for why he was also attending the lesson? It was because it didn’t want to waste a second away from you when he can. Unlike the other Overlords, Zestial was the one to have known you the longest and that has given him some unique privileges

For example, he could contact you physically or mentally while others have to wait for you to contact them. That was why he suggested for Carmilla to contact you about the matter of the angel’s death instead of waiting for your summons

Another was his authority to stand in as you to a certain degree while you were absent among the gathering of Overlords, that’s why he had that level of say and respect from the others (apart from the Vees, it would seem)

“Hey, Princess!” Vox’s robotic voice boomed through the doors to the room’s doors behind they slammed open unceremoniously to reveal a frantic technology demon. “Princess! I know you’re a good and kind person, er, demon, so I want your help—”

“Help in what?” You questioned but your tone made it sound like a challenge in it of itself.

The moment Vox heard your voice within the room behind him, he froze and like the technology he is, he robotically turned around to meet your eyes. “Ma- I mean… You’re here…” His eyes looked away then back to you and away again, repeating this as though it was a shy schoolgirl with their crush in a love confession. “What a coincident… Haha…”

“Charlie dear.” You got up and Zestial follow suit, indirectly sending a chill down Vox and everyone else’s spine.

“Yes?” Charlie tried her best to keep an unaffected expression, but the way her body trembled and her hands gripped at her sheets of papers till they were all wrinkled up was evident that even she was shaken up.

You smiled back with a small tilt of your head, “I’ll be leaving my leave and bringing Vox along, do continue your lesson on boundaries.”

Zestial followed behind you, “I too shall beest taking mine own leaveth, has’t a pleasant day, princess. (I too will be taking my leave, have a pleasant day, Princess.)”

Vox grudgingly followed along behind the two of you with his head down.

While walking down the halls of the hotel, the mere appearance of Zestial made any demon near you fear for their lives and left with screams and shrieks. Some wondering why such a fearsome character was even in a hotel for redemption and some wondering if such an irredempable demon can be sent to Heaven with Charlie’s help

At those demon’s whispers, Zestial was quick to show why he was still feared even after the emergence of newer and powerful demons that joined the ranks of the Overlord. You reminded indifferent as you continued onwards to your room while Vox held himself back from flinching at Zestial’s more violent and unseen side

Your head turned to the side as you stole a glance at Vox. He was still straightened up, but that was all a facade to hide his fear and anxiety. You internally sighed while Zestial was quick to make work of the disgrace he faced from the shadows and joined her side once more

As clear as day, you recall when there was a time where Alastor spoke praise of Vox and his powers. How he captivated your interest with the potential growth and rise his powers could bring, the thrill you felt when Alastor listed out all the things that he saw Vox could do

The only reservations Alastor had with Vox was his dependence on Alastor as they were sharing a partnership. While Alastor took credit for what he has down, Vox was eager to share his achievements and accomplishments with Alastor’s name, advertising that he was nothing without the help of Alastor who was already an Overlord

Alastor did tell you that Vox wanted and aimed to be an Overlord, but it was to be on the same level as Alastor. As anyone could see, Vox was doing his all to be on Alastor’s equal and to you, that was disappointing. Here Alastor was, recommending Vox to be within your collection when all Vox wanted was to be by Alastor’s side

Oh how you wanted to crush Vox and stuff him into one of your Cages. But you held back, instead, it was more pleasing to see him suffer and rise from the ashes of pain and torture. You gave Alastor a simple suggestion

Break ties with Vox and let him tred his own path

Followed your indirect order Alastor did. Within the minute Alastor broken any and all relationship with Vox, a battle broke out. One where Alastor showcased his power and strength to be leagues above what Vox had in mind

You were perched atop your throne while your other Overlords watched Alastor’s victory and Vox’s defeat within the space you’ve created for them all. The smile you had on you was so wide that your cheeks hurt afterwards when Rosie pointed it out

Then it wasn’t long before Vox seemingly bounced back from his reality check and came back into the spotlight. To your disappointment, Vox used the media in a poor attempt to push Alastor out of power. The little cat and dog fight was entertaining for only a moment’s time as Vox was biting out more and more of Alastor’s time and attention from his rightful duties

The excuse for your intervention only came when Vox claimed to have an Overlord title. Immediately, you brought him into your domain for such a daring claim. Contrary to your expectations, he fell a few feet down, but out of your favouritism for Alastor and trusting in him, you gave Vox a chance. You did need someone to fill in Husk’s place after all

While his offer to share his Overlord status was a unique and intriguing one, his choices were poorer than a human’s foolishness. At the time, there was promise in Velvette, but Valentino was another matter entirely. Still they did work well together, you’ll give them that. So for the first time ever, there was a group of three sharing the title of Overlord

Now that you look back on it, it was a misjudgment on your place. Trusting in Alastor’s words when vouching for Vox was one thing, trusting in Vox’s choice of companionship was another. Still, you see the issue and that somethings could never be changed no matter what

You lost counts on the chances you gave the Vees. If they were any other Overlords in your collection, they’d be long disposed off, but you let them stay out of the goodness of your nonexistent heart

It was a lie

Within your collection, you needed someone at the bottom to be the receiving end of your fury and for someone to be an example to when things don’t go as you please. There needs to be a system of rewards and punishments and who better than the Vees? They have their uses and they wanted to stay. Whether or not they see through your intentions is another story, but you like that they were naive

Before the Vees was Husk who was royally kicked out and still suffering today. Of course he’s aiming to change now with the help of Alastor. Before Husk was a few others not even worthy of your memory. Though the first and successful one?

Zeezi, your perfect stress toy

It was through her that you realized the need for a bottom rank within your collection. What better to have something dull and trashy to better showcase your most prized ones? Just like now, Vox compared with Alastor. It’s obvious who’s better. The comparison and competition made you ever more pleased with your top favourites

So far, Velvette has been the only one that seeked help to break away from her consequence. You would bet Valentino still sees nothing wrong and would continue as he always had. The question remains… Will Vox change too?

In doing so, put Valentino up for elimination?

You chuckled darkly as you entered your room, taking a seat by the window. “Come on in.”

Vox followed in with a shiver while Zestial closed and locked the doors behind them. The room thrusted into darkness before their surroundings resembled the galaxy appeared before their eyes, something a Sinner can never witness again after their fall.

“Now,” You smirked, Zestial taking his place by your side and poured you a cup of tea he magically made appear. Your melodious voice played like a record but your words were sharp as knives. “Why did you seek out the dear Princess of Hell?” Vox gulped as much as he wanted to stare at anything by you, he knew it was a death sentence. “Instead of looking for my assistance?”

Note: Been a while since this series was updated. Not sure how many of you still read this. I thought of dropping this series a lot of times because of the writer's block, but here's the next part. I enjoy the asks, ideas, and trivia you guys sent me! What you think would happen now?

Hope you enjoyed this one~

Circe Y.

My Works: MASTERLIST

Taglist: (those that don't specify to being in all the works' taglist will automatically be assumed to be in whichever series they comment on)

@aconfusedwonderland @crowleysthings @donustellaron @mistpurpl3 @lucifers-silhouette @fluffy-koalala @snowy-violet @charlottesskiss @plutobots @ray-rook @thealienartist @serenity-songbird @galaxydreamer468 @raynerrold @wen01203 @hikari-michiko @colecreo @myromanempiree @xsamkuro @yourdoorisunlocked @clavelina @jono723 @cursedcattalastor @an-idyllic-novelist @flamiohotman2024 @rea-grace @myromanempiree @veroneverleft @lousypotatoes @crazysuityouth @jellyedkazoo @wat4r @kiraisastay @thealienartist @chefysawesomeideas @wtvbabes @patronizingbitch @koshi-kazu @craftyperfectiontragedy @scr4luv @chrollobb @mysterypotatoink @callmefe @dokukg69 @ratchetprime211 @freejayde @prettyprincess-ily @cgmajor @mook14 @ace-spades-1 @yuuandtheghost @abbiesxox @martinys-world @kiraisastay

185 notes · View notes