#blue pimpernel

[blogbirdfeather]

Blue Pimpernel - Morrião-grande (Anagallis monelli)

Cascais/Portugal (5/04/2024)

[Nikon D850; ∑150mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO Macro with Circular Flash Nissin  MF 18; 1/250s; F22; 400 ISO]

[mothmiso]

Zypern (2) (3) (4) (5) by tombomba2

[bookshelf-in-progress]

Me, trying to write a sanguine: What would Chester Arthur do?

[vandaliatraveler]

This past January, I made a resolution to get my garden beds to 70 - 75% native plants. My, oh my, that was an ambitious goal. I probably need another year or two to reach that level of coverage. On the other hand, the native wildflower seeds I purchased in January have germinated and produced healthy, vigorous shoots (above). Today, I planted the spreading Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium reptans) in four different beds. I have spots prepared for the rest also, including hairy beardtongue (Penstemon hirsutus), blue-stemmed goldenrod (Solidago caesia), yellow pimpernel (Taenidia integerrima), and wild geranium (Geranium maculatum). The project is at least moving ahead; this coming September, I’ll buy or collect more seeds to plant before the first frost.

[fuckyeahsnackables]

Finally figured out who Henry reminds me of. Can someone write a gay Scarlet Pimpernel based on the 1980s BBC movie and cast Nicholas Galitzine as the lead? I'm thinking his love interest this time is Armand Saint-Juste, played by Taylor Zakhar Perez.

[cuteloot]

Pimpernel collection

My highest level Pimp of each element.

The Pimpernel is a unique blue-rarity Maliwan sniper. Its red text effect is both exceptionally powerful and exceptionally unique. Undoubtedly one of the best weapons in Borderlands history.

[dimsilver]

🌸

[dansnaturepictures]

Five of my favourite flora and fauna photos I took in May 2024, five of my favourite landscape photos I took in May 2024 and month summary

The photos are of; Red Grouse at Lochindorb, Red Squirrel at Dell Woods, Marsh Fritillary at Magdalen Hill, Azure Damselfly and sorrel at Lakeside Country Park, views at Strathdearn and Cairn Gorm, sunset at home and views at Magdalen Hill and Pig Bush in the New Forest.

May was another epic, packed and brilliant wildlife watching and photo month for me. Beginning in the midst of our sensational Scotland adventure many of the bird highlights of the holiday were about to unfold in May's early days seeing Black Grouse, precious Dipper, wonderful Golden Eagle, exquisite summer plumage Slavonian Grebe and Ring Ouzel with stars of the trip first seen inside April on the trip and before that enjoyed again such as White-tailed Eagle, Osprey, smashing views of stunning summer plumage Black-throated Diver, Pink-footed Geese, Red Grouse, Common Sandpiper, Goldeneye, Redstart and Willow Warbler. It was very busy for birds when we returned home to Hampshire this month with Swifts at a few locations, Garganey, Reed Warbler, Whimbrel, Garden Warbler, Hobby, Spotted Flycatcher, Tree Pipit, Roseate Tern and valuable chances to see Stone Curlew again on a guided walk added to my year list mixing migratory species I needed to see and stardust birds; another epitomising this the amazing times I saw Cuckoos this month in Hampshire a bird I heard so much throughout the Scotland trip it's always a privilege to see them and I had some breathtaking experiences with them. Whitethroat, Yellowhammer, Sedge Warbler, Great Crested Grebes, Moorhen including chicks seen well with Greylag and Canada Goose goslings enjoyed a lot on patch at Lakeside Country Park and Red Kite were other stars across the month in what was a fantastic month of birds.

May is one of my busiest months of the year as I've still got plenty of bird species to look for and the butterfly season really gets going. It was an incredible butterfly month for me with dynamic and colourful species seen including Large White, Dingy Skipper, Duke of Burgundy, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Grizzled Skipper, Painted Lady, Small Heath, Brown Argus, Green Hairstreak, Marsh Fritillary, Small Blue, Common Blue, Adonis Blue, quite early Meadow Brown, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Peacock, Orange Tip and Speckled Wood getting my butterfly year into a great place. It was a great moth month too with loads of species seen including The Streamer, Garden Carpet, Mint moth, Burnet Companion, Brown Silver-line, Common Heath, Common Carpet, Pale Prominent, Yellow Shells, Hook-streaked Grass-Veneer, elegant Mother Shiptons, Speckled Yellow, Silver Y and Five-spot Burnet seen.

It was a top dragonfly and damselfly month with some super species seen to get me started including Common Blue Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Large Red Damselfly, Banded Demoiselle, Beautiful Demoiselle, Hairy Dragonfly and Broad-bodied Chaser and thrilling moments seeing my first ever Downy Emerald at Bentley Wood. It was a real awakening of beetles for me this month with Violet Oil beetle, Green Tiger beetle and Dor beetle seen in Scotland and at Bentley Wood for the green tiger and many Swollen-thighed beetles and Red-headed Cardinal beetles, Oedemera lurida, Cantharis rustica, Cryptocephalus aureolus, Common Malachite, Woodland Dor beetle, Black-striped Longhorn beetle and Garden Chafer enjoyed once home. It was a really good mammal month with Red Squirrel, Red Deer, Brown Hare (seen in Hampshire too) and Stoat seen in Scotland, Roe Deers seen nicely across the month, Fallow Deer and New Forest Pony foals and cattle at Lakeside charming seasonal sights.

It was a wonderful month of plants again with special flower species seen as they took over meadows and other areas including wood sorrel, coltsfoot, oxeye daisies, yellow rattle, buttercups, greater celandine, spurge, early purple orchid, common twayblade, white helloborine, common spotted orchid, burnt-tip orchids, speedwell, forget-me-not, yellow iris, eyebright, lousewort, wood avens, meadow crane's-bill, grass vetchling, foxgloves, crimson clover, red clover, white clover, black and spotted medick, comfrey, cuckooflower, tormentil, bugle, yellow pimpernel, silverweed cinquefoil, sainfoin, fox-and-cubs, mignonette, common rock-rose, hemlock water-dropwort and bird's-foot trefoil. I took in some mesmerising views and sky scenes this month. Have a good June all.

[princekirijo]

I'm like "oh I love character design character design is my passion!!!" until I have to choose colors

[blue124th]

So somehow I went from ratty old men to French Revolution. More accurate to the Scarlet Pimpernel Musical. For some reason my ass took one look at the Broadway 2.0 Cast and decided I wanted Chauvelin….I haven’t decided wether carnally or just to give him a hug has to be decided yet

[blogbirdfeather]

Blue Pimpernel - Morrião-grande (Anagallis monelli)

Serra da Arrábida/Portugal (12/03/2024)

[Nikon D850; AF 105mm Micro-Nikkor F2,8 with Circular Flash Nissin  MF 18; 1/250s; F22; 400 ISO]

[evadingreallife]

Me feeling very 1800s adjusting my shorts+long tshirt+skirt-with-in-built-underskirt situation so i could "stay lighter" cause its hot outside

[ladykailitha]

Never Hold Back Your Step... Part 13

This really is getting down to the end here. I'm already at the Mind Flayer in the spot where I'm at in the story so...yeah. Then it would just one chapter after that. Maybe. I don't know. But it's sad to see this one go, too.

Of course as with "Can Anybody See Me?" once this is done, I will begin work on the final story which will take us all the way to the end of the fourth season. Which I hope to get done before season 5. Ideally.

It will have a line from a song in a musical just like the last two (1776 and The Scarlet Pimpernel respectively) so you have any songs you think will fit the theme of the third book (which will be Steve and Eddie clashing over nerds vs sports until that fateful day in March) let me know in the comments or tags or even a DM or ask. It took me months to come up with the title for this one, so any help would be great.

Here we have the dipshit detectives trying to figure out the message and the "secret tunnel".

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12

~

Once they explained everything to Robin, she told them about what the message said. And no given the context of the message coming from the mall it suddenly made too sense.

“The clock tower, the shoe shop and the Chinese place,” she crowed. “It’s got to be.”

“You sure you translated it correctly?” Steve asked. “Because what the fuck does blue meeting yellow have anything to do with the clock tower?”

Robin rolled her eyes and huffed out a deep sigh. “The hour and minute hands are blue and yellow and meeting in the west would be 9:45!”

Eddie tilted his head to the side. “AM or PM?”

Robin stared at him for a moment in shock. “Oh. I don’t know. Could be either I guess.”

Eddie looked at his watch and cursed. “As thrilling as all this has been, I have to get to band practice.” He gave Steve’s shoulder a squeeze. “Be careful, Stevie. Okay?”

Steve nodded and squeezed Eddie’s shoulder back. God, he just want to kiss him goodbye, because it might be his last opportunity to do so. But Dustin and Robin were watching and probably half of the mall too. “As careful as I can be.”

“How can you be so super chill about this?” Robin asked after he left. “Like Russians are running around our mall and Eddie acts like this is a normal Tuesday for you?”

Dustin and Steve shared a glance.

But Steve just scoffed and rolled his eyes. “Like I’ve had the worst year. My girlfriend broke up with me, I got my head bashed in by Hargrove, I got harassed by the basketball team, I nearly got water dumped on my head because I won the part fair and square, then the same asshole tried to scramble my brains further, I didn’t get into the right colleges and was forced to work here instead of the rec center pool like have for the last three years, and a fuck ton of other things. Now Russians have set up shop in my home town? This is just the cherry on top of a very shit filled cake.”

Robin and Dustin winced. Dustin knew that Steve’s year was actually way worse than the truncated version he gave Robin, but they couldn’t tell her about the tunnels, El, monsters, and secret labs. Hence, fuck ton of things.

“Okay,” Robin conceded, “it does sound like your average Tuesday.” She looked up at the clock. “You’re supposed to be off, anyway. So shoo and take the genius child with you.”

Dustin beamed up Steve smugly, but Steve just knocked his hat off on his way to clock out.

“Hey!” Dustin shouted after him. He turned to Robin. “Can you believe this guy?”

Robin just shrugged. “You’re the one who’s friends with him, not me.”

Steve walked out moments later, twirling the hat on his finger. He walked past Dustin to the mall food court. He stopped and turned around.

“Are you coming or are you going to keep harassing workers?” he huffed, putting a hand on his hip.

Robin burst out laughing as Dustin hurried to catch up, scooping his hat off the floor in haste.

Steve shook his head as they walked through the mall. “Hey if we grab my binoculars, I bet we could stake out the mall and look for Russians.”

Steve looked at his watch and sighed. Eddie wouldn’t get done with band practice until much later tonight and he didn’t want to go back to his large empty house, because of course his parents fucked off to the Caribbean for the summer. His father had forced him to give up a job he loved for the most humiliating retail job imaginable and then fucked off to some place pleasant, leaving him to rot.

“Yeah, okay.”

Dustin let out a whoop and jumped up and down. “You won’t regret this!”

Steve buried his head in his hands. “I already do.”

~

Steve and Dustin were hiding behind a large potted plant with Dustin’s binoculars watching people go by.

“What are we supposed to looking for, anyway?” Steve asked, scanning the crowds.

“Russians.”

Steve tore himself away from the binoculars to glare at him. “Thank you for that unhelpful assessment. I know I’m supposed to be looking for Russians, but what do Russians look like?”

“I don’t know,” Dustin huffed. “Tall, blond, scary looking dudes, I guess.”

Steve rolled his eyes and kept looking. He spotted Anna Jacobi flirting with Mark Lewinsky and huffed out a a noise of disgust.

“You have got to be kidding me,” he said with a sigh. “Anna can do way better than swamp ass Lewinsky.”

Dustin smacked his shoulder. “Can you please take this seriously? You’re supposed to be looking for Russians, not your next date. Besides you already have the perfect girl right there!”

Steve rolled his eyes and went back to looking through the binoculars. “Don’t say Robin.”

“Robin.” Was the immediate response.

“No, man,” Steve said as Dustin grabbed the binoculars from him, “she’s not my type. She’s not even in the ballpark of my type.” Considering that she had boobies and not a dick, pretty much sealed the box on any chances of that romantic relationship going anywhere.

Dustin looked over at him and sneered. “And what’s your type again? Not awesome?”

Fuck you. But Steve sneered and stuck his tongue out. “Thank you.”

Dustin grinned back at him with a little hum.

“Look,” Steve said, “for your information, she’s still in school. And she’s weird. But not like Eddie weird. Weird, weird. And she’s hyper. Like worse than Eddie. At least if you put a book in his hand, he’ll settle down. She’ll tap her fingers and twirl her gum. She was also one of those kids in drama who didn’t think I deserved the role of Thomson. That’s a bad look. And she’s in band? But not a rock band like Eddie, a fucking trumpet.” He twisted his lips in disgust. “No.”

Dustin turned to face him. “Now that you’re out of school, that means you’re an adult. And don’t you think you should move past primitive social constructs like popularity?”

Steve looked at him as if he was joking. “Popularity? Are you fucking with me right now? Did you forget I wasn’t popular for the last four months of high school? Primitive constructs, I tell you. Where the hell did you learn that shit? Camp Know Nothing?”

“Camp Know Where, actually,” Dustin huffed, “And no, it’s shit I learned from life. Instead of dating someone you think will make you cool again, why not date someone you enjoy being around for a change? Like me and Suzie.” He smiled broadly. He turned back to watching the through the binoculars.

Steve was soo close to just telling the little shit that he was dating someone he enjoyed being around, someone who did make him look cooler, someone who loved him for him and not in spite of him. But instead he took a deep breath and said, “Oh Suzie. Yeah, you mean hotter than Phoebe Cates. That Suzie. And let’s think about how exactly you scored a girlfriend?”

He scratched his head, appearing to think about it, then he snapped his fingers. “Oh yeah, with my advice. Because that’s how this works, Henderson. I give the advice and you follow through. Not the other way around, all right?”

Dustin sighed. “I just think you could really benefit from being with someone like her, you know?”

Steve rubbed the top of the kid’s head. “I’m doing better than you think I am. Better then everyone thinks I am.”

Dustin stared at him skeptically, but left it alone. Steve knew that there was no way he was going to leave it alone. He just knew that it was going to come back and bite him in the ass in the worst way and at the worst time. He could feel it.

~

“There is a secret room under the mall,” Steve said slowly, not quite wanting to believe this. “And we can get there through the air vents in the break room?”

Robin nodded emphatically. “Yeah, isn’t that cool?”

He had no idea how to tell her how uncool that actually was, because Jesus fuck, the deeper they got into this, the more over his head he felt.

“Let’s go see your secret tunnel,” he said with a sigh, rubbing his face, just suddenly exhausted by the whole thing.

He followed them to the back and looked up at the vent in utter despair. Sighing, he got a ladder and set it up, then hunted around for a screwdriver. Once he found one, he tucked it between his teeth and started climbing. He reached the vent and unscrewed the screws holding the vent in place.

“Oi!” he called out to Dustin. “Hold these!” He held out the screws for him to take. “Don’t lose them, otherwise people are going to ask why there is a great big gaping hole in the wall.”

Dustin rolled his eyes, but did as he was told. Steve put the screwdriver back between his teeth and took off the vent cover.

“It’s a tight space,” he murmured. “Hey, Robin you think you could fit? You’re pretty thin.”

Robin put her hands on her hips and glared up at him. “While I appreciate you thinking I’m skinny enough to fit, I question your sanity if you think I’m going down the creepy tunnel.”

“Vent!” Dustin huffed. “You’ve both called it a tunnel. It’s not a tunnel, it’s a vent. And none of us are small enough to fit.”

DING! DING! “Hey!” someone called out from the front of the store. “Is anyone here?”

Steve who had been climbing down the ladder, stopped and shared a look with Dustin. A slow smile took over their faces.

“Erica!” they said together with glee.

They ran out to the front with Robin fast on their heels. They skidded to a stop and their smiles grew to actual grins when they saw that she was alone and not with her many friends.

“Erica...hey,” Steve said smoothly, leaning against the counter. “What can I get you?”

She narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously. “Why are you suddenly being so nice?”

Just then Dustin and Robin burst out of the back room and stumbled into front and Erica was even more suspicious than she was before.

So Steve bundled her over to one of the booths and tried plying her with all the ice cream a little girl could conceivably eat, while Dustin filled both Robin and Erica about the messages and all their clues and how they put it all together. It was a hard but impressive sell.

“So will you do it for America?” Dustin asked.

“Well, you can’t spell America without Erica,” she said smugly. “A life time supply of Scoops Ice Cream and you’ve got a deal.”

Robin and Steve shared a glance. Then Steve reached across the table to shake Erica’s hand.

“Deal.”

~

Part 14 Part 15 Part 16

And if you remember something else there from WIP Wednesday... yeah. It wasn't fitting with the rest of the story and had to be cut. Sadness.

Tag List: FIVE SLOTS REMAINING

1- @mira-jadeamethyst @rozzieroos @itsall-taken @redfreckledwolf @zerokrox-blog

2- @gregre369 ​@a-little-unsteddie @chaosgremlinmunson @messrs-weasley @kultiras

3- @maya-custodios-dionach @goodolefashionedloverboi @val-from-lawrence @carlyv @wonderland-girl143-blog

4- @justforthedead89 @irregular-child @bookbinderbitch @bookworm0690 @blondie1006

5- @anne-bennett-cosplayer @yikes-a-bee @awkwardgravity1 @littlewildflowerkitten @genderless-spoon

6- @dragonmama76 @ellietheasexylibrarian @thedragonsaunt @useless-nb-bisexual @angels-of-hades

7- @mugloversonly @y4r3luv @greeniebean911 @birbsauce @acingthecounts

8- @cryptid-system @counting-dollars-counting-stars @ravenfrog @dreamercec @sadisticaltarts

9- @clockworkballerina @bluelightsinthevoid @blcksh33p1987 @i-go-pink-in-the-night @mamafaithful

[ribbonsaikeaux]

The Doll, The Moth, and The Mirror

Brilliant amber wings flutter about the lush green garden. Eight eyes adorn them, a deterant for would be predators. Drifting on the breeze, the moth comes to a rest on the white petals of a frisia. It gently beats its wings as it clings to the plant; its yellow wings refecting the sun and making its faux eyes much more striking.

The brilliant sun kissed wings catch the eye of a nearby doll. Apparently, the moth had found itself in a witchs garden. This doll gasped in excitement, quickly scurrying over to the lounging moth with a happy "awawa;" the hem of its baby blue sundress flowing about its knees. It leaned down, its gardening hat shading the moth from the sun as it got a closer look.

The moth, its peace disturbed, once again to took the air with its wings beating furiously. It started to fly back to the forest it had come from, only this time the doll followed it. Poor thing far too enamored by the moths beauty to remember its tasks, it passed through the garden gate and giggles; its hands outstretched attempting to capture the moth.

The sun was starting to set as the pair arrived at the edge of the forest, a landscape of orange and blues painted over the horizon. Little sun passed through the branches of the pine trees as the moth danced between them, leading the doll further and further into the forest. For its part, the dolls simple mind, while aware of its changing surroundings, was singularly focused on the moth whirling above its head.

The sun had set now, the forest dark except for the weak light of the waning moon. The doll, having lost sight of the moth, grew scares and trembled. Looking around in a panic, it found it had no clue where it was. Rubbing its hands together nervously, it looked around the inky blackness covering the forest and attempted to get its bearings. There, some distance of, it spotted a feignt glow. Having finally found a dirwction to travel in, it wiggled excitedly and moved as fast as it could toward the light. Unfortunately, its path was not clear, so with an "oof!" and an "ouchie!" and an "awawawa!", it bumped into a number of trees before reaching a clearing which contained the shimmering light.

The source of the illumination was there before it. It tilted its head, confused. Its guiding light had been emanating from a mirror. A large mirror at that, standing roughly half the height of the surrounding trees. Its frame was comprised of roots and vines with scarlet pimpernel blooming inexplicably from the wood. Moss had crept over the edges of its reflective surface, obsuring only its outer most edges.

The doll, scared as it was and realizing it had no other options at present, approached the mirror. As it took its first tentative steps towards it, the doll realized the moth it had been chasing was perched at the very top. Seeing this, it rushed closer, jumping up excitedly. It had found its friend! Only, the doll realized - having caught a quick glimpse of the mirror, its reflection didnt mirror her movements.

It stopped, backing a few steps away from the mirror nervously. Its reflection simply gave a reassuring smile and waved. This seemed to calm the doll and it smiled and waved back. Its clockwork brain not being very precise, it was easily disarmed by the appearance of kindness.

The dolls reflection giggled and stepped forward, sending a ripple of vibrant colors through the surface as it stepped through.

"Hi!" The doppleganger exlaimed an excited greeting.

"Hi this one!" The doll giggled at its own joke.

"Are you lost?" The other doll inquired, elliciting a pout from the original.

"Yeah... it was following this really pretty moth that had been its witchs garden! But then the sun went down and it got dark and this one didnt know where it was!" It frowns. "And it still doesnt!"

"Aw! Poor thing! The forest does get very dark and scary at night." The copy nodded and stepped close to the doll, patting its back. "But i have good news! I can help you get out of here and find your way back home!"

The dolls eyes brightened. "Really?!" It exclaimed exuberantly"

"Yes really! You just have to do everything i tell you and ill get you home. Deal?" The clone asked, the doll not noticing the mischievous undertones.

"Deal!" Came the elated response.

The faux doll grinned a wicked grin.

"Good doll. Now, give me your name.

"Sure! Its -" the doll grew confused when nothing came out. Thinking as hard as it could, it just couldnt remember what it was called.

"Shear! Oh what a lovely name." The newly dubbed Shears grin grew wider. "Now, give me your memories"

The nameless doll simply nodded and said "okay." Every memory ir had vanishing. It looked around, confused. "Wh-where is this one? Who-who are you?"

The new Shear simply smiled and patted the dolls head. "Dont you worry about that dear."

The doll found its confusion and concern lifting. Wasnt it very worried a moment ago?

"Okay, be a good doll and wait over by that mirror for me till i come to get you."

The doll nodded and walked over by the mirror, leaning against its wooden frame.

"Dont worry, ill get you home!" Shear smiled evily, adding softly "eventually"

Shear did indeed find its way home by morning. All of its fellow dolls overjoyed to see it, each hugging it in turn. Expressing how much they were worried.

The witch stepped down the stairs into the garden, a sren but relieved look on her face. She calmly walked over and gave Shear a gentle hug.

"You stupid horrible thing! Dont you ever frighten me like that again! What happened to you?" She asked in a mix of anger and jubilance.

"This one saw a moth and it was so pretty so it followed it and ended up in a spooky forest and it was lost and scared cause it was dark and this one couldnt see andand and..." the doll started sobbing and gripped its witchs grimson dress, pressing its tear stained face into it. "Its so sorry it made everyone worry Miss!"

The witch looked down, stroking its head, smiling lovingly. "Its okay sweetie. Just dont ever do that again, okay?"

"Yes, Miss!"

"Good. Okay, now that Shear has returned and all the excitement is over, its time all of you returned to your duties. Come now, dont dawdle!"

All of the dolls giggled and dispersed to resume their chores. The witch returned to her studies. Unseen by any of them was the wicked look on Shears face as it plotted to grow its doll collection.

[the-mortuary-witch]

FREYJA

WHO IS SHE?

Freyja is the goddess of love, beauty, fertility, and war in Norse mythology. She is often portrayed as a beautiful and powerful goddess who rides a chariot pulled by cats. She is known for her immense love, warmth, and affection, especially towards her close friends and loved ones. She is also known for her fierce and protective nature, which she uses to defend her loved ones and those who are innocent and vulnerable. She is one of the main goddesses, and is associated with several domains of life, and also plays a role in war and wisdom.

BASIC INFO:

Appearance: Freyja is described as a beautiful and ethereal goddess, with blonde hair and a slender body. She is often portrayed as a symbol of fertility and femininity, and she is often depicted as wearing a thin scarf or veil called a völva cloak. Sometimes she is described as having red hair and a bright, youthful face. In other depictions, she is described as having long, wavy hair and a delicate, feminine physique.

Personality: she is described as being a very loving, kind, and caring figure, who is associated with fertility and femininity. She is seen as a deity of love and passion, and is often likened to a mother figure. She is also seen as being a very compassionate and generous goddess, who is willing to help and support others.

Symbols: her chariot pulled by cats, brisingamen necklace, the boar Hildisvíni, and cloak of feathers

Goddess of: love, beauty, fertility, sex, war, battle, gold, and sorcery

Culture: Norse

Plants and trees: daisy, linden, snowdrops, lily of the valley, cowslip, columbine, pimpernel, strawberries, elderflower, thyme, and zinnias

Crystals: amethyst, amazonite, lavender quartz, rose quartz, moonstone, and clear quartz

Animals: horse, cat, falcon, hawk, rabbit, oxen, ladybug, swallow, and boar

Incense: dragons blood, frankincense, lavender, rose, jasmine, and other sweet and/or floral-scents

Colours: gold, yellow, white, green, red, pink, and light blue

Numbers: 9 and 12

Zodiac: Taurus

Tarot: The High Priestess, The Empress, The Lovers, The Chariot, Death, and Suit of Swords

Planets: Venus and Mars

Days: Friday, Tuesday, Lupercalia, full moon, new moon, Ostara, Litha, and Beltane

Parents: Njörðr and unnamed mother

Siblings: Freyr

Partner: Odin

Children: Hnoss and Gersemi

MISC:

• The moon is a symbol of Freyja's divinity.

• The Vanir Queen is a common title given to Freya.

• The völva cloak is a symbol of Freyja's power and authority.

• Heifer's milk was traditionally offered to Freyja during rituals or spells.

• Freyja was associated with the day of Friday.

• Many people have the belief that Freyja is a Goddess of nature, but this is not necessarily accurate in Norse mythology.

FACTS ABOUT FREYJA:

• In some sources, she is known as the leader of the völva, which are the female seers and mystics of Norse mythology.

• Freyja is said to be the creator of the Vanir tribe of gods.

• She has given the gift of fertility to the Vanir.

• In Norse mythology, it is said that Freyja received the golden ring Brisingamen from the Dwarves in exchange for her favor, which leads to the story of her affair with Odin.

• Freyja is said to have gifted Skádi a necklace called Érfárátr which gives eternal youthful beauty.

• She had a magical feathered cloak which she could use to transform into a falcon. The cape made it possible for her to astral travel, to see beyond the limits of the physical world. She loaned it to Loki at some point.

HOW TO INVOKE FREYJA:

Working with of Freyja involves taking time to set up a sacred space, cleaning and dedicating this space, offering prayers of reverence and gratitude, showing care and thought with offerings, asking for guidance and wisdom with your prayers, being open to messages she may send, and being mindful and attentive throughout the devotion.

PRAYER FOR FREYJA:

"Mother Freyja, Queen of the Vanir and holder of golden Brisingamen, I come to you seeking your guidance and protection.

I respectfully ask for your blessing and your help in whatever I undertake. I offer you our prayers and our devotion, with respect and reverence. Please look upon us with your gentle mercy and your grace. I give myself to you, for I trust you will use me as you see fit. I ask this in your name and I pay this tribute in your honour.”

"Thank you, Mother Freyja, for your wisdom and generosity. I have received your blessings and your guidance, and I ask for your continued protection and support. As you see fit, I humbly beg your favor and your grace. I give ourselves to you, and I worship you with devotion and respect. So be it. Hail Mother Freyja.”

SIGNS THAT FREYJA IS CALLING YOU:

• Finding yourself drawn to her energy and feeling a strong connection.

• You feel a strong sense of devotion and reverence towards her.

• You experience synchronicity or signs that seem to indicate her presence.

• You have an urge to work with her, and you feel an overwhelming need to reach out to her.

• Freyja comes to you in a dream

• She comes to you in meditation or journeying

• Cats follow you or seem to be everywhere you go

• A ladybug lands on you

• You see ladybugs or cats constantly – on TV, online, etc.

• You hear her name in random conversations or on the radio

• Open a book and her name pops up

• Another witch or psychic tells you Freyja is calling you

• She sends you these 3 runes repetitively: Fehu, Berkano, and Sowilo

OFFERINGS:

• Foods and drinks: ale, apples, barley, honey, mead, pork, chocolate, and sweet liquors

• Lavish jewelry

• Perfume

• Feeding stray cats

• Amber

• Roses

• Cinnamon

• Flowers: primrose, mugwort, bird berry, bedstraw, and flax

• Love songs

• Dancing

• Cat whiskers (please don’t cut a kitty’s precious whiskers, wait for them to shed naturally - look for them mostly during Summer and on the places your cats spend most of their time)

• Divination

•Weaponry

DEVOTIONAL ACTS:

• Pray or meditate in her name on a daily basis.

• Keep a journal, record your thoughts and feelings about her.

• Create an altar or sacred space for her.

• Do not declaw her for being a Goddess of love and beauty. Recognize her for the god of war that she is, Queen of the Valkyries, and god of the Vanir.

• Decorate your home or altar with cats, honey combs, horns, or bones.

• Practice self love in it’s totally, look at where you need to grow but recognize and appreciate your strengths.

• Carry the crystals (or keep in your home): amber, rose quartz, snow quartz, gold sheen obsidian, labradorite, orange calcite, tangerine quartz, and peridot.

• Dedicate a piece of jewelry to her in honour of her Brisingamen.

• Drink floral teas like lavender, chamomile, rose, or jasmine with honey.

• Read the stories that mention her: Völuspá, Lokasenna, Oddrúnargrátr, Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Egils saga, Njáls saga, Hyndluljóð, Hálfs saga ok Hálfsrekka, Grímnismál, Sörla þáttr, and Þrymskviða.

• Use the runes Fehu, Kaunaz, Jera, and Uruz in your craft or altar.

• Plant alder, apple, birch, bramble, elder, vervain, rose, tansy, lavender, yarrow, or belladona.

• Dedicate a leg shaking orgasm to her.

• Take a bath in salts, roses, and lavender. Decorate accordingly.

• Enchant your make up to make you feel beautiful, confident, and strong.

• Learn self defense or kick boxing; or just do something to help you stay active and strong in her honour.

• Light incense or candles of rose, honey, jasmine, amber, strawberry, dragon’s blood, or musk.

• Learn about or listen to kulning and Norwegian throat-singing.

• Pray to her for your loved ones in battles whether it’s oversees, a disease, or an abusive relationship.

• Leave her offerings of mead, weed, wine, red velvet, roasted nuts, honey, pork, bread, or chocolate.

• Explore yourself and your body.

• Watch movies/tv shows with strong female leads (preferably with none problematic actors) like Wonder Woman, How To Get Away With Murder, Mowana, Queen of Katwe, etc.

• Spend time in nature, as she is often associated with the natural world.

• Talk to her openly and honestly about your thoughts, feelings, and concerns.

• Read or study books on Norse mythology and the Goddess, Freyja.

• Consider growing some of Freyja’s holy plants: primrose, mugwort, holly, hemp, or flax

• By adopting a cat (if you don’t already have one), you uplift Freyja’s sacred animal. And if you can’t adopt a cat, consider donating cat food, toys, etc. to a local rescue or shelter. OR volunteer. Doing these things in Freya’s name brings her great joy.

[vandaliatraveler]

Update on the native wildflower shade garden . . .

Since my last post about the sharp-lobed hepatica several weeks ago, the wildflowers in the shade garden have made a significant push. All of the live plants I put in the ground last fall have made it through the winter, and many of the seeds I planted have germinated and sprouted. Quick survey:

Top: the spreading Jacob's ladder (Polemonium reptans) is mounding beautifully and positively dripping with violet-blue, bell-shaped flowers. The plant lures many pollinators, including bees, flies, butterflies, moths, and beetles. And that foliage is so lush and green . . .

Next one: woodland stonecrop (Sedum ternatum) has established itself in the nooks and crannies of one of my rock features and is getting ready to bloom.

Next two: although the sharp-lobed hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba) has nearly finished blooming, the real joy starts for me when the leathery, thrice-lobed leaves with their often deeply-variegated patterns begin to unfold. This is flat-out one of the most unique and gorgeous wildflowers of North America.

Next one: creeping woodland phlox (Phlox stolonifera) makes for an enchanting ground cover and will spread quite rapidly in the right conditions. I have strong feelings for all the native phlox species, but this one has stolen my heart. It's native to a narrow strip of the Appalachian Mountains from Georgia to Pennsylvania. In the spring around here, it absolutely lights up streambanks with its dainty pink to rose-colored flowers.

Next one: dwarf-crested iris (Iris cristata) is another lovely groundcover but beware - it spreads like wildfire. The lavender and yellow to orange-crested flowers are a treasure to behold from late April to early May. And its arrow-like foliage provides much-needed contrast in the garden.

Next: among the seeds I planted, the yellow pimpernel (Taenidia integerrima) is making the strongest push. The plant produces yellow-flowered umbels similar to golden Alexanders and is a high-value nectar source for many pollinators. It's also the host plant for the black swallowtail and Ozark swallowtail butterflies.

Next two: anyone who visits this Tumblr regularly needs no introduction to heartleaf foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia), my unofficial poster child for Appalachian spring. I simply would not have a native wildflower garden without it. One of my foamflowers is a hybrid (sugar and spice) cultivated for its deeply dissected leaves and intense variegation.

Last (but not least): my eastern red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) pretty much takes cares of itself - it's one of the best starter wildflowers for beginner gardeners, hardy and undemanding. But man, does it produce loads of beautiful red and yellow, bell-shaped flowers.