#but we have to convert it into strength

[ketchuppee]

During the 2008 recession, my aunt lost her job. Her, her partner, and my three cousins moved across the country to stay with us while they got back on their feet. My house turned from a family of four to a family of nine overnight, complete with three dogs and five cats between us.

It took a few years for them to get a place of their own, but after a few rentals and apartments, they now own a split level ranch in a town nearby. I’ve lost track of how many coworkers and friends have stayed with them when they were in a tight spot. A mother and son getting out of an abusive relationship, a divorcee trying to stay local for his kids while they work out a custody agreement, you name it. My aunt and uncle knew first hand what that kindness meant, and always find space for someone who needed it, the way my parents had for them.

That same aunt and uncle visited me in [redacted] city last year. They are prolific drinkers, so we spent most of the day bar hopping. As we wandered the city, any time we passed a homeless person, my uncle would pull out a fresh cigarette and ask them if they had a light. Regardless of if they had a lighter on hand or not, he offered them a few bucks in exchange, which he explained to me after was because he felt it would be easier for them to accept in exchange for a service, no matter how small.

I work for a company that produces a lot of fabric waste. Every few weeks, I bring two big black trash bags full of discarded material over to a woman who works down the hall. She distributes them to local churches, quilting clubs, and teachers who can use them for crafts. She’s currently in the process of working with our building to set up a recycling program for the smaller pieces of fabric that are harder to find use for.

One of my best friends gives monthly donations to four or five local organizations. She’s fortunate enough to have a tech job that gives her a good salary, and she knows that a recurring donation is more valuable to a non-profit because they can rely on that money month after month, and can plan ways to stretch that dollar for maximum impact. One of those organizations is a native plant trust, and once she’s out of her apartment complex and in a home with a yard, she has plans to convert it into a haven of local flora.

My partner works for a company that is working to help regulate crypto and hold the current bad actors in the space accountable for their actions. We unfortunately live in a time where technology develops far too fast for bureaucracy to keep up with, but just because people use a technology for ill gain doesn’t mean the technology itself is bad. The blockchain is something that she finds fascinating and powerful, and she is using her degree and her expertise to turn it into a tool for good.

I knew someone who always had a bag of treats in their purse, on the odd chance they came across a stray cat or dog, they had something to offer them.

I follow artists who post about every local election they know of, because they know their platform gives them more reach than the average person, and that they can leverage that platform to encourage people to vote in elections that get less attention, but in many ways have more impact on the direction our country is going to go.

All of this to say, there’s more than one way to do good in the world. Social media leads us to believe that the loudest, the most vocal, the most prolific poster is the most virtuous, but they are only a piece of the puzzle. (And if virtue for virtues sake is your end goal, you’ve already lost, but that’s a different post). Community is built of people leveraging their privileges to help those without them. We need people doing all of those things and more, because no individual can or should do all of it. You would be stretched too thin, your efforts valiant, but less effective in your ambition.

None of this is to encourage inaction. Identify your unique strengths, skills, and privileges, and put them to use. Determine what causes are important to you, and commit to doing what you can to help them. Collective action is how change is made, but don’t forget that we need diversity in actions taken.

[hardswae]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARDSWAE (Collection) ❀

Happy 3rd anniversary to my wonderful world of creativity, HARDSWAE✿!! I am grateful for another year of your unwavering support for me and my creations. Your support has been a source of strength for me through both the good and bad days, including my creative block periods. I deeply appreciate your understanding and encouragement during those times.

I also want to express my gratitude to those who provide constructive criticism, as it has played a crucial role in shaping my skills and growth as a 3D artist. To the amazing creators I collaborate with behind the scenes, thank you for your inspiration and guidance. Your input has been invaluable to me.

Special thanks to K's Kustomz for the beautiful custom blend scene that will be featured in upcoming ads it’s so pretty you guys ✿✿✿✿!!!

I am excited to share my new Discord server with you all, where we can connect on a more personal level and where you can request specific creations from me. This new era is all about better communication and skill improvement, and I look forward to sharing my work process through streaming and engaging with you all.

Thank you once again for your continued support. The 3 Years of SWAE Collection is out now, and REMINDER to join my Discord server for more updates and interactions. Let's continue to create and grow together ❀❀❀❀.

MY WEBSITE IS FULL UPDATED WITH EVERY FREE COLLECTION I HAVE EVER DROPPED FROM APRIL 2021 - MARCH 2024 ENJOY #ShopHARDSWAE 🌸

 *Credits to the Louis Vuitton & Lefleur Brand for the inspiration behind the beautiful pieces apart of this collection *

- SWAE'S T.O.U.  -

I OWN THE MESH 100%!!

I OWN THE TEXTURES 100%!!

DONT CLAIM AS YOUR OWN!!

FEEL FREE TO RECOLOR IF THE ITEMS ARE FREE ONLY!!

DO NOT PUT MY THINGS BEHIND A PAY WALL!!

DO NOT CONVERT MY THINGS TO OTHER GAMES WITHOUT ASKING ME!!

TAG ME IF YOU WEAR MY CONTENT I WANNA SEE >.<

SUPPORT  MY FUTURE BELOW ⬇

SUPPORT ME FOR - COLLEGE -

DO NOT TAKE MY FILES AND RELEASE THEM FOR FREE, OR IN ANY SERVERS YOU WILL RECEIVE A DMCA!!

DOWNLOAD✿.

[esotericalchemist]

Atmakaraka - Your Soul's Desire

Masterlist - YouTube (subliminals)

In Vedic Astrology, Atmakaraka is the planet that symbolises your soul's essence and the core of your identity. It's determined by the planet with the highest degree in your birth chart, offering deep insights into your true nature, life purpose, and the spiritual lessons you are here to learn. Atmakaraka helps you uncover the most fundamental aspects of who you are and the key challenges and growth opportunities in your life journey.

HOW TO FIND IT?

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

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

Step 2: Find the planet with the highest degree

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

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

☉︎ - Sun as Atmakaraka

When the Sun is your Atmakaraka, it signifies that your soul is deeply connected to themes of self-identity, purpose, and leadership. The Sun represents your core essence, the light that shines within you, driving you to seek recognition and authority in your life. This influence suggests that your journey involves understanding who you truly are and stepping into a role where you can express your individuality with confidence and clarity.

Your life path is likely centered around developing a strong sense of self and learning to shine your light in a way that benefits not just you, but those around you. The Sun Atmakaraka urges you to embrace leadership roles, where you can take charge and inspire others. It’s about finding your inner strength and using it to guide your actions, as well as illuminating the path for others to follow.

With the Sun as your Atmakaraka, there is a powerful focus on authenticity and integrity. You are challenged to align your actions with your true self and to lead by example. This path often involves overcoming ego-driven tendencies or the need for external validation, learning instead to find self-worth within. Your soul’s growth comes from embracing your unique purpose and understanding that your light is meant to be shared.

Ultimately, having the Sun as your Atmakaraka means your spiritual journey is about mastering the art of self-expression and leadership. Your soul’s mission is to cultivate a deep understanding of your true identity and to use that awareness to lead others with wisdom and integrity. By doing so, you fulfill your potential and allow your inner light to shine brightly, both for yourself and for those you influence.

☽︎ - Moon as Atmakaraka

When the Moon is your Atmakaraka, it indicates that your soul is deeply connected to emotions, intuition, and the inner world. The Moon represents your emotional core, reflecting a journey focused on understanding and nurturing your feelings and those of others. This influence suggests that your life’s path revolves around developing emotional intelligence and creating a sense of inner security and peace.

Your journey with the Moon as your Atmakaraka involves navigating the ebb and flow of emotions, learning to trust your intuition, and embracing your sensitive nature. You may find that your soul’s growth comes from experiences that require deep emotional engagement, whether in relationships, caregiving, or nurturing your own inner child. Your path is about finding balance between your emotional needs and the demands of the outer world.

With the Moon guiding your soul’s journey, there is a strong emphasis on creating a nurturing environment, both for yourself and others. You are likely drawn to roles where you can offer support, comfort, and understanding. The Moon Atmakaraka encourages you to embrace your empathetic side, to be in tune with the cycles of life, and to find strength in your vulnerability.

Ultimately, having the Moon as your Atmakaraka means your spiritual journey is about mastering the art of emotional connection and intuition. Your soul’s mission is to create and maintain emotional harmony, to care for others, and to cultivate a deep understanding of your own inner world. Through this, you fulfill your potential by becoming a source of comfort and guidance for yourself and those around you.

☿ - Mercury as Atmakaraka

When Mercury is your Atmakaraka, it signifies that your soul is deeply intertwined with communication, intellect, and adaptability. Mercury represents the mind’s agility and your ability to connect with others through words, ideas, and quick thinking. This influence suggests that your life’s journey is centered around learning, sharing knowledge, and honing your skills in communication and analysis.

Your path with Mercury as your Atmakaraka involves exploring a variety of perspectives, constantly seeking new information and experiences. You may find that your soul’s growth comes through intellectual pursuits, whether in writing, teaching, or any form of expression that allows you to convey ideas clearly and effectively. Your journey is about refining your mental abilities and using them to make meaningful connections.

With Mercury guiding your soul’s purpose, there is a strong emphasis on versatility and adaptability. You are likely drawn to environments where you can engage with others, exchange ideas, and solve problems creatively. Mercury Atmakaraka encourages you to embrace your curiosity, to remain open-minded, and to communicate with clarity and precision.

Ultimately, having Mercury as your Atmakaraka means your spiritual journey is about mastering the art of communication and intellectual exploration. Your soul’s mission is to use your mental agility and communication skills to navigate life’s complexities, to learn continuously, and to share your insights with the world. Through this, you fulfill your potential by becoming a bridge between ideas and people, facilitating understanding and growth.

♀ - Venus as Atmakaraka

When Venus is your Atmakaraka, it indicates that your soul is deeply aligned with love, beauty, and harmony. Venus represents your capacity for affection, your appreciation for the finer things in life, and your pursuit of balance and pleasure. This influence suggests that your life’s journey is centered around cultivating meaningful relationships, expressing creativity, and finding joy in both the material and spiritual aspects of life.

With Venus as your Atmakaraka, your path involves learning the true nature of love and connection. You may find that your soul’s growth comes through experiences that teach you about giving and receiving love, both in romantic relationships and in your interactions with others. There is a strong focus on the aesthetic and sensual aspects of life, encouraging you to seek beauty and harmony in everything you do.

Your journey is also about exploring your creative talents and expressing yourself through art, music, or any form of beauty that resonates with you. Venus Atmakaraka invites you to find joy in these pursuits and to share that joy with others. It encourages you to create environments where love and beauty can flourish, fostering relationships that are both fulfilling and harmonious.

Ultimately, having Venus as your Atmakaraka means your spiritual journey is about mastering the art of love and beauty. Your soul’s mission is to embrace the pleasures of life while maintaining balance and harmony, to build relationships that uplift and inspire, and to express your creativity in ways that bring joy to yourself and others. Through this, you fulfill your potential by becoming a beacon of love, beauty, and harmony in the world.

♂ - Mars as Atmakaraka

When Mars is your Atmakaraka, it signifies that your soul is deeply connected to action, courage, and determination. Mars represents your drive, your ability to take initiative, and your passion for pursuing goals. This influence suggests that your life’s journey is centered around developing strength, asserting your will, and overcoming challenges with bravery and perseverance.

With Mars as your Atmakaraka, your path involves learning to harness your inner warrior. You may find that your soul’s growth comes through experiences that test your courage and require you to stand up for yourself or others. Whether in conflict, competition, or the pursuit of your ambitions, you are driven to take decisive action and to assert your independence and power.

Your journey is also about channeling your energy in constructive ways, using your determination and resilience to achieve your goals. Mars Atmakaraka encourages you to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and to act with confidence and clarity in all aspects of your life. It invites you to cultivate discipline and focus, ensuring that your actions are aligned with your higher purpose.

Ultimately, having Mars as your Atmakaraka means your spiritual journey is about mastering the art of action and strength. Your soul’s mission is to cultivate courage, to take bold steps towards your goals, and to face life’s obstacles with determination and resolve. Through this, you fulfill your potential by becoming a powerful force for change and achievement, inspiring others with your passion and tenacity.

♃ - Jupiter as Atmakaraka

When Jupiter is your Atmakaraka, it indicates that your soul is deeply connected to wisdom, growth, and expansiveness. Jupiter represents your quest for knowledge, your sense of optimism, and your desire for spiritual and intellectual exploration. This influence suggests that your life’s journey is centered around seeking higher truths, embracing opportunities for growth, and sharing your wisdom with others.

With Jupiter as your Atmakaraka, your path involves learning to expand your horizons and to cultivate a deep understanding of the world around you. You may find that your soul’s growth comes through experiences that broaden your perspective, whether through travel, education, or spiritual practices. There is a strong focus on developing a sense of purpose and finding meaning in life’s experiences.

Your journey is also about generosity and abundance, both in material and spiritual terms. Jupiter Atmakaraka encourages you to share your knowledge and insights with others, to act as a guide or mentor, and to spread positivity and hope. It invites you to approach life with an open heart and mind, always ready to learn and grow, and to inspire others to do the same.

Ultimately, having Jupiter as your Atmakaraka means your spiritual journey is about mastering the art of wisdom and expansion. Your soul’s mission is to seek out and embrace opportunities for growth, to live with optimism and purpose, and to share your understanding and insights with the world. Through this, you fulfill your potential by becoming a source of wisdom and inspiration, helping others to grow and thrive alongside you.

♄ - Saturn as Atmakaraka

When Saturn is your Atmakaraka, it signifies that your soul is deeply connected to themes of discipline, responsibility, and endurance. Saturn represents structure, perseverance, and the wisdom that comes from facing life’s challenges. This influence suggests that your life’s journey is centered around mastering patience, accepting responsibility, and developing a strong sense of duty and resilience.

With Saturn as your Atmakaraka, your path involves learning to embrace the lessons that come with time and hardship. You may find that your soul’s growth is shaped by experiences that test your limits and require you to develop inner strength and fortitude. Saturn teaches you the value of hard work, persistence, and the importance of building a solid foundation for your life, even if it means taking the long and sometimes difficult road.

Your journey is also about cultivating a sense of responsibility and maturity. Saturn Atmakaraka encourages you to take on the roles of mentor, leader, or caretaker, where your wisdom and experience can guide others. It invites you to accept the challenges life presents, knowing that they are opportunities for growth and that the rewards come with patience and perseverance.

Ultimately, having Saturn as your Atmakaraka means your spiritual journey is about mastering the art of discipline and resilience. Your soul’s mission is to face life’s challenges with grace and determination, to build a legacy through consistent effort, and to find strength in the trials that shape you. Through this, you fulfill your potential by becoming a beacon of stability and wisdom, guiding others with your hard-earned experience and steady hand.

[prokopetz]

One of the more frequent anecdotes you'll hear from Dungeons & Dragons podcasters is that any time they switch to a system other than D&D, even for a one-off arc, they immediately experience a large drop in listenership – sometimes up to eighty percent! – only to see most of those listeners come back once they switch back to D&D.

What's interesting about this is that the greater part of D&D podcast listeners do not play Dungeons & Dragons. They might have a general idea of what the game's rules look like based on what they've been able to passively absorb from listening to the podcast, but they don't have regular groups, they don't own the rulebooks or maintain subscriptions to the e-book service, and many of them have never rolled a d20 in their lives.

How, then, do we account for that sudden drop in listenership? Why does which system a tabletop roleplaying podcast is using matter so much if most listeners neither know nor care about the rules?

The answer is, unfortunately, quite simple.

In many ways, advocacy for indie RPGs has never moved past Ron Edwards' infamous argument that playing Dungeons & Dragons causes actual, physical brain damage. Deep down, a lot of indie RPG advocacy seems to believe there's something sinister in the structure of D&D that's responsible for what they regard as its unaccountable popularity. You can see this in everything from the casual assumption that D&D players aren't "really" having fun (and all that's needed to convert them to other systems is to show them they've been tricked into falsely believing they're enjoying an objectively un-fun activity), to the rambling thinkpieces that talk about getting folks to try other games like they're liberating people from the fucking Matrix.

Yet we come back to the same problem: how can the mechanical structure of D&D be implicated for its culturally dominant position in the minds of those who've never picked up a twenty-sided die?

The truth is that Dungeons & Dragons enjoys cultural dominance, both within the hobby and elsewhere, because it's owned by the same multinational corporation that owns Monopoly and My Little Pony, and benefits from all the marketing strength its owner can bring to bear. The problem, in brief, is brand loyalty. The aforementioned podcasts lose listeners in droves whenever they give a non-D&D system a spin because all most of those departing listeners care about is whether the thing that they're listening to is called "Dungeons & Dragons". The structural particulars of the mechanics are irrelevant.

The bitter pill we've got to swallow as indie RPG authors is that we can't fix brand loyalty in tabletop RPGs by fucking around with the shape of the dice. There are lots of productive causes we can support to help address the problem, but they mostly have do to with intellectual property and antitrust regulations and such, which are areas where our finely honed ability to debate the correct way to pretend to be an elf is of very limited utility.

Like, I enjoy an abstruse argument about the ideology of dice-rolling as much as the next nerd, but let's not fool ourselves that we're speaking truth to power here. The gamer who just wants to roll dice to hit the dragon with their sword is not your enemy.

[sourb0i]

Hey shoutout to the Jewish converts/people who are re-embracing their heritage who are struggling with keeping tradition. Keeping kosher when you've grown up eating pork and meat+dairy is hard. Scheduling your week to keep Saturday clear is hard. Getting the High Holy Days off of work/school is hard. Not just externally, either; all these things require a ton internal discipline. And I just want to say, to everyone who's struggling rn: it's okay if you fall short. It's okay if you don't always have the mental/emotional strength to give up *every social norm you've grown up with* all at once. Heck, I still sometimes give into weakness and get a pepperoni pizza instead of the kosher options. And that's the thing: nobody's perfect. Shits hard. Everyone misses the mark sometimes. And that's ok. The important thing is that we try to do better tomorrow (and if we miss the mark tomorrow too, there's always another day).

[all-purpose-dish-soap]

50 / 820 words / for @keegansshark who converted me to the cult of Hesh <3

...

"Anyone sitting here?"

"Uh, no. Knock yourself out."

You sit down across from Hesh. The mess hall isn’t crowded yet. You have plenty of space. "So. About yesterday."

"Remind me,” he says. “It's been a long week."

You roll an orange in your palms. "I was just wondering. Do you want to?"

"Want to what?"

You stare at him, brows raised, curving your thumbnail into the rind until it dawns on him.

"Oh. That."

You've never seen him nervous, and most people wouldn't peg him as nervous right now. You can see it, though.

"I think so. Yeah. I mean, yeah." Hesh looks down at his tray. "I want to."

You begin peeling the skin off in one long strip. "Haven't had time?"

"I haven't, no. I've... you know... been focused on other things." Hesh takes a long swallow of water. “Military stuff."

"Dad stuff."

"Yeah. Dad stuff."

"You looking to change that?"

"Eventually."

"Hm." You dig your nail into a stubborn bit of orange skin. "But not yet?"

Hesh falters. His eyes flicker down to your hands. "The issue isn’t when I want to. It’s how.”

“Ah.”

“I've never actually dated. Or had a girlfriend. I don't know where to start."

"If you want to give it a shot, I can help you out."

Hesh blinks like he's not sure you meant what you just said. "You? Help me out with women?"

You snort. "Not with women. With sex."

Hesh's brow furrows. "What?"

"You said you’re interested in sex. I'll have sex with you if you want."

For several seconds, Hesh doesn't respond. Then he asks, "Why?"

You shrug and tilt your gaze to the side, glancing at the other soldiers in the cafeteria. They don't pay your conversation much attention. "Because this is No Man's Land. If you're waiting for a golden opportunity, you'll probably die before it comes along."

"No, I mean-- why not one of the other guys in our unit?"

"Pretty sure you could get one of them to do it for you if you prefer that. Keegan once told me about this one time when he--"

"No. No, I mean," Hesh says hastily, "why me? Why are you offering me, uh... what you're offering me?"

You peer at him. He doesn't look nervous, but the tips of his ears turn a darker shade of pink. You lean back and bite an orange slice in half. "Because you've never done it."

"Right. But, I mean, that's not a reason." Hesh pauses, searching for the right words. "You can't possibly be interested in me."

"We're friends, aren't we?"

Hesh glances away again. Friends is strong language for it. "Still."

"You want to know what's in it for me," you guess.

"Yes. I do." Hesh crosses his arms, waiting for you to speak. You pop an orange slice in your mouth and chew slowly. Then you peel away another two slices and begin stripping them of their stringy pulp. "Yeah, what is in it for you?"

"I mean, I’m no golden opportunity, but I’d feel sad if you died tomorrow never having known the touch of another person or whatever. Life sucks out here. We have to take small pleasures where we can get them." You pull a piece of rind out of your teeth and flick it into the pile of orange skins. "Something like that."

"So, out of pity."

At his deadpan look, a smirk spreads across your face. "If that's what you wanna call it. I don't make this offer to everyone, if that's what you're asking. It's Merrick's job to fuck the newbies, not mine."

Hesh's eyebrows shoot up.

"I'm kidding."

“Uh huh.” He's not sure how to feel. It's almost a relief that it's not about him, personally. It's not about him at all. Just No Man's Land. "Aren't there rules about that? Fraternizing, or... or whatever."

You tilt your head at him. It's a little funny to see him flustered. He has the whole act down, usually—refined, quiet, confident strength. Almost a perfect soldier. Lab-grown for the Ghosts.

“It's fine, Hesh, really. No big deal either way. You know where my bunk is if you change your mind.” You scoop orange peel scraps off the table. “You've got a night if you want it."

"Wait," Hesh says as you rise. "It's not that, it’s…”

As you walk away, Hesh barely quashes the sudden urge to stand up, back straight, like the goddamn president is leaving the mess hall. He's not even sure what he wants to say. There’s a strange desperation in his gut to keep the conversation from ending yet.

Instead, he watches you go and his stomach flips sideways.

You dump your orange peel into the compost and head for your bunk. Merrick sits at the fringe of the cafeteria. He looks at you, then at Hesh, and his brow creases in confusion. You shake your head as if to say nah, don't ask.

...

more call of duty: ghosts / masterlist tag

[jewishconvertthings]

To be a ger is to be always a foreigner everywhere you go.

"Ger" literally speaking, meant "foreigner" or "stranger" before it ever meant "convert," and in some texts still means that. Famously the Jewish people is described as being "gerim" in the land of Egypt. Does that mean we were converts in Egypt? No. We were foreigners - strangers whose rights were easily taken away and oppressed, and this is why we are commanded to be kind to foreigners. But there is the rabbinic double meaning of "convert," and the Jewish people is commanded to love converts as well.

But I would argue that there is an element of foreigness to our conversions as well. We are always in some ways immigrants to Am Yisrael. For some of us that may simply have been the experience of it being a paperwork issue, and culturally you have always been at home here.

But for many gerim, we come from outside. We come for any number of reasons, finding our way here through the intuition of our neshama, by chance or by luck, by family or friendship, by allyship, by exposure to Torah or exposure to the Shechinah - or any combination of the above and more.

But we come to the Jewish people asking for shelter and connection. Some of us come with a whole pedigree of Jewish studies and deep prior connections, and some of us come as refugees from other faiths and cultures, with nothing but the spiritual shirt on our backs and dreams of a better future.

And over time, we assimilate. We readily learn the culture and the language and the customs. We learn to cook the food and to follow the laws. We change our clothes to fit with our community and we move to the neighborhood where the other Jews live so we can walk to shul. We reshape ourselves into yiddishkeit and work hard to naturalize.

And eventually we do! We become part of the fabric of the Jewish people forever - having changed our whole lives and changing the shape of the Jewish people in turn. But our roots always lead back to this process. That's not a bad thing or a lack of authenticity - just take a look at the stories of naturalized citizens and you'll see the pride and strength they bring to their new nation. Even so, we are, and always will be, foreign immigrants to this community. Our Hebrew will always have an accent. Our background will lack many of the early milestones that other Jews experience. Our stories and relationships to our families will always be different. You will feel that sometimes. That's okay! That's normal, even years later.

What caught me a bit off-guard, though, is how much part of being a Jew in the diaspora is to always, in some way, be a foreigner also. It seems obvious enough, right? But I had never fully connected that feeling of foreigness from my conversion in to the perpetual foreigness of Jewishness that takes root from our conversion out.

Because once you leave, once you change your culture, you become an outsider and a foreigner to the dominant non-Jewish culture around you. You sound different. You dress different. People perceive you differently and you in turn react differently. You have changed your culture, and in so doing, become a cultural outsider.

There's a bit of ennui to it sometimes, I've found, of always being on the periphery. We are joining, have joined, a liminal people and yet are liminal people even within that people. This is nothing to do with active exclusion — many of us are lucky enough to have found ourselves ensconced in wonderfully welcoming communities that treat us as valued members of the tribe. Rather, it's much more just a practical reality of being a person who left behind one culture and assimilated into another. You can never fully sever your roots any more than you can rewrite the past, but you have also changed so deeply that to return would not be any more possible than returning to a past iteration of yourself. That person is gone, and you are new, and you have become something different, and you are from There and have come Here, and in so doing, a part of you will always be a ger, a traveler, a foreigner, a stranger, and the only thing you can do is embrace it.

What we mean by "home" is always so interesting, isn't it?

[aisquaredchoco]

🎶 On the third day of her 1k followers aisquared gave to meeee...

...conversions from TS2 to TS3!! 🎶

Really not much to be honest, but as we all know how TS2 meshes are hard to work on, I'm still glad to have converted these ones..

2to3 "Ad-a-Quaint Barstool"

Only came to me that this barstool wasn't in TS3, as it's dining chair counterpart was. Being a fan of matching furniture I did the work. It has three channels, priced §285, found in Comfort > Misc. Polycount: 1476 (hLOD)/1008 (mLOD).

2to3 "Luxiary 'Ample King' Dining Table"

This one looked exactly the same as the "Upscale Dining Table" in TS3, only that some details on the table legs were lost. I was like "WTF EA?" So instead of wholly converting the TS2 table, I added back the extra table leg details to the existing TS3 table, and there you have it.

Three CAStable channels, with a price of §850, found in Surfaces > Dining Tables. Also, this is now reduced to only four chair slots since it would look awkward if chairs are placed on the sides. Polycount: 938 (hLOD)/644 (mLOD).

2to3 Apartment Life "Stack of Books" and "Strength of Humanity Bookends"

Ah yes, these book clutter from TS2 that I missed the most. This also makes a good addition to your growing collection of office clutter. The "Stack of Books" is sadly not CAStable, since it just uses TS2 book textures, while The "Strength of Humanity Bookends" has only one channel. They have the price of §90 and §110 respectively, and both found in Decor > Sculptures/Misc.

Polycount info:

Stack of Books: 62 (hLOD/mLOD)

Strength of Humanity Bookends: 834 (hLOD)/500 (mLOD)

All items have the original catalog descriptions for nostalgia purposes.

DOWNLOAD: Simfileshare | Mediafire

[nonotnolan]

The Ends Justify The Means

As always, this February story is dedicated to my valentine, @mergeman

"Okay, but did we have to add him to the Hivemind?" Jordan said, looking at his unconscious boss with a look of resigned disappointment. "If I end up with an old man's vocabulary because of him, I'm gonna be so upset. This body looks too good to sound like a geezer." He tossed his shirt to the ground and gave me a flex. "See what I mean?"

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Some humans stress-tested my 40% Free Will rule, and Jordan was definitely one of them. "One, bringing him into the Collective is the only way to bend his authority to our will. Two, the symbiote doesn't change our speech, it just enhances our knowledge. And three, the eventual goal is to overtake most of humanity anyway. We were gonna have to add Shaun sooner or later."

Jordan nodded, though I doubted he was paying any attention me. He was one of the part-time workers I had converted within the past two hours, and so his symbiote half was still checking out his new body. I can't blame it, I suppose.

I wasn't sure this plan was even going to work, so I was glad we managed to succeed. Capturing the part-time college students who worked here had been easy-- a bit of flirting from a tempting body, a kiss to introduce the symbiote, rinse and repeat. Shaun had been much more difficult. We had to resort to ambushing him in the bathroom where there we no cameras. Jordan's strength held him in place while I pried open his jaw to insert the new symbiote. It was far from elegant-- Shaun was stronger than he looked-- but at least it worked.

Shaun finally opened his eyes, and looked at me with a wry grin. "Alright, sir. I know we have a lot to talk about, but let's retreat somewhere else, shall we? It's cramped in here, and I think Jordan is a few moments away from whipping his dick out."

"You're not wrong," I said, shaking my head. "We should probably leave him to it. If nothing else, it will be nice to talk things over someplace a bit... less pungent. I assume you know what is going to be expected of you?"

"I do," Shaun says, crossing his arms. "Although I was hoping to talk to you about that one. I scheduled Darren to work Valentine's Day because I haven't had that day off for the past three years. This body's wife is threatening to make life miserable if I still have to work the holiday despite my recent promotion. I have a proposal for you."

I smiled at the audacity of this symbiote. Clearly its host body had a lot of confidence.

"Darren will still get the day off, of course," Shaun said. "But instead of working the day myself, I'll just tell Jenn that she's going to have to handle the shift solo. We don't need two store managers tomorrow night-- no one goes furniture shopping on Valentine's."

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

"You'll never guess what happened today!" Darren said, greeting me when I arrived home. He and I had been dating for a few weeks now, ever since I was granted control over this host body. Unlike the symbiotes who were mostly extensions of my mind and my personality, I had full control and full autonomy over my decisions. Coming out of the closet was one of the first changes I made to this host's former life.

"Your store is actually closing for a holiday?" I guessed, walking up to him and hugging him from behind. I held him close, feeling the heat of his body against my borrowed chest. Humans were very big on physical contact, and it was a ritual I was more than happy to join.

Darren chuckled as he turned around for a quick kiss. "Okay, so it wasn't a miracle. But it was still pretty crazy! Shaun texted me, and approved my vacation time for tomorrow. Can you believe that? I've never known him to change his mind like that before."

I just smiled at him. "Maybe your District Manager yelled at him about it? You did submit that request a few months ago." As much as I hated feeding white lies and omitted facts to my boyfriend, I couldn't justify telling him my full truth this early in the relationship. Anyway, the only way I'd be filling him with a symbiote would be if we broke up and he posed a risk to my secret. I wanted a relationship with an equal, not a masturbatory fling with a clone of myself. Anyway, what was the phrase? The ends justify the means.

"Well, maybe." He paused a few minutes to consider this possibility before shrugging his shoulders. "I don't know, and I'm not going to question it. I'm just glad you kept those dinner reservations! I'm looking forward to tomorrow's date!" He smiled, and I could feel my heart melting. I would do anything in my power to make him happy.

[yoga-onion]

[Image above: Kyoto Sanzenin Temple, statue of Mahāsthāmaprāpta]

What is the 23 nights temple? [Part 1]

Thank you for your continued support of the ‘A Message from 23 Nights Temple’ blog. We have received quite a few questions from our readers about the ‘23 Nights Temple’, so we would like to answer them here in two parts.

23 nights is one of the folk rituals on the night of a specific moon phase, such as the 13th, 15th, 17th or 19th night, to wait for the moon to rise, make offerings, eat and drink together. Hundreds of years ago, halls where these events used to be held were scattered all over Japan, but unfortunately most of them have now been demolished and replaced by parking lots and modern ossuaries, especially in urban areas. The moon-waiting rituals of the Mid-Autumn Moon, 15 Nights (Full Moon), are still practised today. Although most modern Japanese are agnostics, some ritual events incorporating Buddhism and Shintoism remain.

The moon phase on the 23rd night is the ‘waning moon’, the half moon after the full moon, when the left half of the moon appears to be shining. The moon on the 23rd night is characterized by appearing late, around midnight, and in some mountainous areas surrounded by mountains, it can appear as late as 1 a.m.

In moon-waiting, the object of worship was determined by the time of the lunar phase at which the event was held. The object of worship on the 23rd night was Mahāsthāmaprāpta (bodhisattva mahāsattva), who was also said to be the incarnation of the moon. The light of wisdom possessed by Mahāsthāmaprāpta was thought to illuminate everything, freeing people from suffering and giving them strength.

In Shinto, Tsukuyomi-no-mikoto (Ref) is another name for Mahāsthāmaprāpta. He is also known as the god of agriculture and fishery, due to his characteristic control over the moon calendar.

The widespread ritual of waiting for the moon on the night of the 23rd lunar phase can be attributed to the worship of Mahastamaprapta, the savior of all things.

In “ A Message from 23 Nights Temple,” one of those shrines is featured. However, 2 years ago, the shrine, built over 1,000 years ago, was removed and converted into a commercial ossuary (August 2022), and the monk who left many of his messages died at the same time, but we continue to present the Zen words he left behind.

And personally, I am posting this not quite as a religion, but with the hope that as many people as possible will remember the philosophy of the prehistoric people, who lived with a sense of the cosmos, worshipping nature and enjoying the beauty of flowers, birds, wind and moon.

『二十三夜堂』とは何ですか？[その1]

日頃から『二十三夜堂からのメッセージ』ブログをご愛読いただきありがとうございます。読者のみなさんから『二十三夜堂』についてご質問が多々ありましたので、ここでお答えしようと思います。

二十三夜とは、十三夜、十五夜、十七夜、十九夜などの一つで、特定の月齢の夜に、人々が集まって月の出を待ち、供物を捧げ、飲食を共にする民俗儀式のこと。数百年前までは、こうした行事が行われるお堂が日本各地に点在していたが、残念ながら現在ではそのほとんどが取り壊され、特に都市部では駐車場や近代的な納骨堂に取って代わられている。中秋の名月、十五夜（満月）の月待ちの儀式は、今日でも行われている。現代の日本人の多くは無宗教だが、仏教や神道を取り入れた儀式行事も残っている。

二十三夜の月齢は、左側半分が輝いて見える「下弦の月」、満月の後の半月のこと。二十三夜の月は深夜0時ごろに現れるのが特徴で、山に囲まれた地域では深夜1時ごろに現れることもある。

月待ちでは、行事を行う月年齢の時期によって崇拝の対象が決まっていた���二十三夜で礼拝したのは、月の化身ともいわれた「勢至菩薩 (せいしぼさつ、梵: ﾏﾊｰｽﾀｰﾏﾌﾟﾗｰﾌﾟﾀ) 」である。勢至菩薩が持つ智慧の光は全てを照らし、人々を苦しみから解放して力を与えると考えられていた。その名は文字通り「大いなる力の到来」を意味する。

神道における「月読命（つくよみのみこと: 参照）」は、勢至菩薩の別名。暦を支配するという特徴から、農耕や漁業の神としても知られている。

二十三夜の月待ちが人々の間に広まった理由は、万物を救済する勢至菩薩を崇拝の対象にしていたからだといわれている。

『二十三夜堂からのメッセージ』では、それらの一つを取り上げています。しかし、2年前、1000年以上前に建てられた祠は取り払われ、商業的納骨堂へと改装され(2022年8月)、またメッセージの数々を残した僧侶も同時期に亡くなっていますが、彼の残した禅語を継続してご紹介しています。

そして個人的には、宗教というよりは、自然を崇拝し、花鳥風月を愛で、宇宙を感じて生きていた先史時代の人々の哲学を、一人でも多くの人に思い出してもらいたいという思いで投稿しています。

[anchoeritic]

stepdad jake who even though you have a boyfriend, makes you know that you’re his, hand on your throat as he fucks into you deep, asking you if your boyfriend were any better than him, does he please you as good as he does? we all know the answer to that, don’t we?

jake is a possessive man, no doubt about it. what he once claims as his, will forever stay to his name. when it comes to his girl, he doesn’t play around with it. your little boyfriend was nothing compared to him, they’re barely on the same level. you knew that, it’d be better for everyone if you kept your mouth shut, though. jake couldn’t shut his mouth, apparently.

“you think you’re cute bringing him around?” his hand is securely wrapped around your throat. “is he any better than me, sweetheart?” you’re pressed up against the bark of a hometree, his cock stretching your tight pussy out from below. “your lil boyfriend’s pathetic.”

“f-fuck, jake!” you’re clawing at jake’s arm, trying to get it off your throat but your strength is nothing compared to his. “s’good.. makin’ me feel s’good!” only moans could escape from your lips as he rutted his hips harder into you, fucking you mercilessly.

“you’re always gonna be fuckin’ mine.” too busy to realize what was happening around you, jake’s gaze converts behind to behind the tree. a smirk was plastered on his face as he watched your boyfriend’s jaw drop at the volume of your whines, hoping to never see him pop up in any of your lives ever again.

[howtofightwrite]

I know DnD is not about realism but how accurate is having, say, your heavy armor wearing paladin have 10 dex or even negative dex? Where medieval knights built like The Rock or like The mountain? I’ve seen youtubers saying that you needed a lot of strength to be able to fight like a knight so women and smaller people couldn’t do it.

I think I know which YouTuber you're talking about, and you can pretty safely ignore them. Their personal misogyny takes priority over their (alleged) expertise when they're forming their arguments.

There's two logistical problems with the idea that you need someone like Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson to make up the bulk of your elite forces. The first problem is that they need to consume a frightening amount of food. This isn't as much of a problem in the modern era, when we have the capacity for truly staggering amounts of agricultural production. But, in a medieval society, with serfs responsible for most of the agriculture, the prospect of feeding each of your elite troops 10,000 calories a day would economically destroy most kingdoms. (And, yes, that is what Björnsson reports to consume on a daily basis. Other estimates place his dietary intake somewhere between 3600 and 8000.) And, to be clear, that is an absolutely absurd amount of food. But, if you want to build that kind of mass, you need a lot of energy, which means, a lot of food.

The second logistical problem is, there's only one of him. Okay, that's not literally true, The Mountain was portrayed by three separate actors, Conan Stevens, a professional wrestler, and Ian Whyte, a stunt actor who had previous appeared as a White Walker in the first season. But, Hafthor Bjornsson took over the role in the fourth season, and is probably who you're thinking of when you name drop the character.

Bjornsson is a member of the 2000 pound club, which include power lifters who can lift over 2000lbs combined between bench press, dead lift, and squats. Not many people ever get that far, and Bjornsson is one of the few individuals who can get into the 1000 pound club from a single lift.

Here's a fun name to know, Becca Swanson is also in the 2000 pound club. She credibly claims that she is the first woman to have achieved that, and I'm not sure if there are any other women in the 2000lb club, but it is achievable.

Now, here's the fun thing about all of this, because you're asking about D&D, and D&D players need to know exactly how much their character can lift. The calculation is (STR*30)lbs. (In the Player's handbook p174.) This also means if you have a real person, and you know how much they can lift in the real world, you can reverse engineer what their strength score would be in D&D.

It's 37.

If you wanted to convert Hafthor Bjornsson into D&D, his strength score would be 37.

Dude can fucking arm wrestle the Terrasque and easily win.

Putting that in perspective, it's a little ludicrous to say that if you want a viable martial character (fighters, paladins, barbarians, etc.), they need a Strength score of 37, when it's not normally possible for player characters to exceed 20 base strength. (If you're wondering, Becca would work out to have ~29 Strength. So, on par with most ancient dragons, and a few gods.)

So, there you have a man and woman who are both superhumanly strong according to D&D.

D&D and math have always had issues like this, and it pops up in a few different places here.

The basic concept that your ability to hit, and the amount of damage you deal is based on strength comes from a very, “schoolyard,” understanding of violence. It's okay to step back and abstract it out, where “strength,” is some amalgam of melee combat aptitude in addition to actual strength, but the idea that being stronger means you can hit harder with a sword or dagger doesn't make a lot of sense. It doesn't even make much sense with axes and maces (the force applied has more to do with the mass and velocity of the weapon, rather than the strength of its wielder.)

A paladin with negative DEX is dead. I don't mean that figuratively, and I do understand what you meant to say, but this rule is a little obscure in 5e. If any of a character's physical attributes (STR, DEX, CON) are reduced to zero, the character immediately dies. Ability draining effects used to be far more common, so the rule existed by itself, though, now it mostly shows up when you're looking at a monster with a physical ability draining attack.

What you probably meant was a negative DEX modifier, meaning your paladin is unusually clumsy. Outside the context of D&D, that would be an incredibly bad thing for a front line combatant. In the specific context of D&D, if they're in heavy armor, it doesn't really matter, if they're in medium, then it reverts to being “a bad thing. Specifically, the rules is that light and medium armor add your DEX modifier to your armor class. Medium armor caps this at +2, but it can go negative with either armor type. However, heavy armor in 5e ignores your DEX modifier entirely.

Now, here's the thing about D&D, its concept of armor is spectacularly weird. Unlike RPGs where armor reduces damage taken, either by subtracting a fixed amount from incoming damage or by reducing damage via a percentage, D&D's system is that your armor class grants you a chance to avoid being hit at all. (5% chance per point of AC, if you're wondering.) Narratively, this is often framed as taking a hit, but your armor turned the blade or something similar. This is because sometimes the enemy attack straight up misses, and that's (usually) determined by your dexterity. This is important, because the game is trying to balance two different power fantasies against each other.

On one side you have the players who want to roll in heavy plate armor, and soak all the hits, and on the other you have players who want to go with light armor, and dodge around enemy attacks. Realistically, that's not an option, but D&D permits it, and again, that's fine. The fantasy of lightly armored fighters makes a lot of sense. I'd even go so far as to say that the barbarian's unarmed defense bonus (where they add CON modifier to their DEX modifier while unarmored) is a really good change in 5e even if it does make no sense objectively. It contributes to the fantasy of this brutal fighter who runs around without armor slapping people silly with their weapons, and shrugging off damage because they're too stubborn to die. In (nearly all cases) the ability to deliver the player fantasy of a class is more important than a strict adherence to reality, and that's fine, that's the point, but the realism of D&D doesn't translate off the page in any meaningful way.

If you wanted a more, “realistic,” (and, yeah, that's incredibly loaded in this context), approach to armor for D&D, I'd say gate access based on your Constitution (or Constitution modifier). Sort of like how your equip load in Dark Souls is based on your Endurance attribute. Give armor and weapons a burden value, and if the combined burden on a character exceeds their CON, the character risks taking levels of Fatigue when they're fighting in heavier gear than they're conditioned to deal with. Maybe add a Conditioning feat or skill if you want to add some other attribute modifiers to the mix should you end up with your heavy armor fighters being underequipped. (Then again, I am one of those psychopaths who really liked the D20 Star Wars' vitality system.) So, ultimately, tinker with the balance until you find something you, and the people at your table, are happy with. Roleplayers who have more meaningful build choices tend to be happier, so long as they don't feel like they're being punished for having a character fantasy.

One of the more amusing descriptions I've read of medieval knights is that they were built like methheads. I can't fully vouch for that, because I'm not an expert on the physical appearance of medieval knights, but it's certainly credible. These guys were eating pretty well for the era, and engaged in a lot of physical activity. Depending on what they were doing, that could easily result in some fairly bulky guys, but it could also result in some wiry looking guys who hide their muscles. Just, knowing what I do about the human body, the answer was probably both, depending on their metabolism and diet. But the image of Sir Methhead, Knight of the Realm, and his implausibly clean teeth, still amuses me.

It's worth remembering that a lot of the times I've seen someone say, “they were built like athletes,” they'll drop an image of a bodybuilder. No. That's not what you would get. Bodybuilding is designed to create its own physique, one that doesn't occur unless you're abusing your body in some very specific (and unhealthy) ways. It's probably better to think of someone like a high-school football player. Bulky, but without the carved physiques of a Boris Vallejo painting. (If you don't know who that is, look up his art. It is a bit dated, but it's gorgeous.)

Alternately, if you do want your characters to look like those paintings, it is your fantasy, have fun.

-Starke

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[esotericalchemist]

𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐲𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐚 - 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫

Masterlist - YouTube (subliminals)

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

𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐎 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐃 𝐈𝐓?

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

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

Step 2: Find the planet with the second highest degree

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

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

☉︎ - 𝐒𝐮𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐲𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐚 ⋆˙⊹

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

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

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

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

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

☽︎ - 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐲𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐚 ⋆˙⊹

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

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

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

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

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

☿ - 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐲𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐚 ⋆˙⊹

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

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

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

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

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

♀ - 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐲𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐚 ⋆˙⊹

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

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

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

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

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

♂ - 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐲𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐚 ⋆˙⊹

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

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

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

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

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

♃ - 𝐉𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐲𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐚 ⋆˙⊹

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

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

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

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

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

♄ - 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐲𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐚 ⋆˙⊹

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

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

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

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

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

[nolongeronlyhereforthewhispangle]

Here we are, folks. After 5 years, Madness Combat 12 is finally out. Now, let’s deconstruct it.

Spoilers for MadCom 12 below (duh)

The opening. Now, there are some things I would like to highlight.

ONE: Nevada is labelled as “The Occurant”. This will be important later.

TWO: The text on the side.

“THE PLACE THAT WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE” “THE INFINITE ENTROPY AT ALL BORDERS TAX THE HIGHER POWERS THAT GOVERN IT”

Entropy means “lack of order or predictability”. The sheer amount of chaos is literally tearing reality apart.

I just like this shot. The depth in it, vast, but empty. Eerily beautiful.

“TRACKER DATA ACTIVE” “HANK.” “DISSONANT;” “0.01%”

On Doc’s computer. Why is 2BDamned doing this? We’ll find out soon enough. It should be noted that the “Dissonance Triggers” almost look like X, Y, and Z coordinates.

“HANK’S CHARTER HAS BEEN REVOKED” “Fix Nevada.” “DO NOT WAIVER”

A charter is defined as “a written grant by a country's legislative or sovereign power, by which a body such as a company, college, or city is founded and its rights and privileges defined.”

Perhaps the “charter” here is Hank’s soul? His being? We don’t know for sure.

Waiver means “refrain from applying or enforcing”.

The Auditor, in this scene, is basically saying “Hank is not active, and I need to make sure it stays that way.”

This graffiti probably means nothing, but I think it might be describing Sanford. So far, he has not died once in the entire series.

Agony. The text to the right mentions the Auditor, “recovery”, and “suppliment”. I have no idea what this could mean, maybe our red-and-black boy is trying to copy what 2BD does, but in the opposite direction?

Auditor, but without the fiery parts.

Mind fuckery. Note that he tries a “CONVERT”, as well as doing multipe return commands. It also points out, again, how Sanford is NOT DEAD, NOR HAS HE DIED BEFORE.

No hope for those trapped, I suppose.

This looks like the tree from MadCom 1. Nice callback.

I’ll let this speak for itself (refer back to TRACKER DATA ACTIVE).

The text says:

“KILL THEM”

And this is where we see Sanford lose his eyes, although he can still apparently see somehow.

A better look at Sanford overall. He still has that iconic lip, but he is missing parts of his body and his eyes to a mysterious black spot that also functions like a hole in some cases.

This is one of the defining moments of the episode (to me, at least). Sanford, seemingly overtaken by rage, randomly gains the strength to tear a half-MAG agent’s head off their body.

This might be just there for the cool factor, or maybe some other power acted on Sanford in that moment. With the info we have, we can’t really tell.

Here we see an anchor, like the one used on Dedmos in the Dedmos mini-series.

“Employic”, according to my research, is not a word in the English language.

Substrata is “an underlying layer or substance, in particular a layer of rock or soil beneath the surface of the ground.”

This purgatory is apparently underground, which would make sense given that we only see passages to it connected to walls or floors.

The Auditor looking shocked as he is trapped in a capsule of rock. With context clues, we could make a conclusion that this is the same type of “purgatory rock” that now makes up Deimos’s lower jaw.

Hank is connected to a machine.

Sanford has somehow been resurrected, even though he still HAS NOT BEEN KILLED.

The Auditor specifically calls out 2BD. He’s onto Doc’s shit.

Another picture of the tablet screen, shortly after Deimos drops it. We can be certain that “AUD” is referring to the Auditor.

Love wins. What else can I really mention if even Krinkels said it himself.

Deimos was “compensated”. Surprised anything still even has value around Nevada anymore. Maybe bullets do, actually.

Sanford has to return as soon as possible for a “deathless resurrection evaluation”. Wonder what that would even look like.

Hank’s icon, showing up for quite a short period of time before the screen fills with “ERROR” messages. He looks distressed.

Whatever could “OCCURANT LINES ARE CONVERGING” mean?

Well, we know that Nevada was labelled as “The Occurant” earlier.

(You might not be able to read this text in this screenshot with Tumblr image compression, I don’t know.)

————————————————————————

Finally, I have some info that isn’t necessarily what happened in the animation, but could help with understanding it. As this is already getting long enough, I’ll leave it with a short blurb.

The definition of the title word.

The description of the episode on the Newgrounds site.

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Even without looking at it in-depth, Madness Combat: Contravention was a masterpiece of animation. It was fluid, the characters were expressive, and the visuals were stunning. Big props to Krinkels, Cheshyre, Cturix (did the sound effects), and Tarkade (made the backgrounds) for creating the most entertaining 8 minutes of my life.

————————————————————————

Thoughts? Theories? Something I missed? Share it in the reblogs! After all, what is this fandom without the community we’ve formed!

[wroteclassicaly]

Steve Harrington definitely has a daddy AND breeding kink

Man gave himself away when he hopped into that convertible and said fuck you to Toddfather. Wearing those tight little jeans and talking about wanting six babies, like… okay, let’s see your swimmers, bitch 😂

Warnings: Breeding kink, daddy kink, NSFW, smut, and language!

Steve is absolutely a man that is feral when it comes to all things Mother Nature. He’s not bothered by your period, simply remarks he could fix that for nine months if you’d let him, as he’s simultaneously waving your pads or tampons in your face. And during ovulation? He’s often coming up as you take your birth control, hand around the water, his large palm wraps around your own, other hand taking the small pill packet from you. He’s nosing his way into gaping the collar of your shirt, that hot mouth laying kisses across your flesh.

“Maybe don’t worry about it this month?”

“Steve…” you warn, already prepared to thwart those toe curling advances.

Because if there’s one thing Steve Harrington does, it’s completing his purpose with an intense vigor. And that includes sex—namely—your pleasure, your orgasms, and the idea of pumping you so full of his cum that you become pregnant with twins. After all, his mom said once that they might run in the family.

“C’mon, honey. Why not?”

You sign into his wet kisses, body ignited with a pressing electricity. “Because, babies aren’t glamorous, Steve. You like the idea of them, sure, but—“

He frowns, one of which you can feel against your neck. He pulls away with a look of sadness. “You think I don’t know we wouldn’t get any sleep, would probably be covered in baby shit and vomit? We’d argue, we would miss a lot of sex and date nights? That about cover it?” He finishes, taking in your shell-shocked expression.

He’s put a lot of thought into this.

“What’s wrong with cleaning up little baby puke, versus monster guts and blood? I can handle it, I know I can.” He’s firm, a soft strength you rarely hear from him. You’re on the cusp of full blown admiration. Ah, fuck it. You’re already there.

“Steve—“

“I know what I want and I want that with you. Didn’t you tell me that you’re the one who knows where to get a good deal on an RV, huh?”

The conversation of Steve’s six nuggets that he’d dreamt of having with you, life so short and precious after everything you’d all went through. And you’re always positive that your future belongs to Steve Harrington, and that his children are yours—together. The mere idea of creating a whole human being that belongs to you and him? He’s already Cheshire grinning, milky white teeth on display. “Tits full of milk to feed our child. Belly swollen. Fuck, honey. We’re gonna have to get you a real nice nightgown, yeah? Something you can slip off easily when you’re sore.”

Steve loves lingerie on your body? And pregnant, shrouded in various slivers of silk, satin, and lace?

~*~

His daddy kink can go both ways. Pregnant or not. When he’s taking you deeper and deeper, pressing your face into the bed with his large hand, cock catching on your sopping wet walls. Making you beg to take him down and gag.

“Who’s daddy’s good girl?”