#content notes

[velvet-cupcake-games]

Content Notes Available

As part of the run-up to the release of Will's route, I have developed a document consisting of extensive content notes. These are less warnings and more thoughts about how sensitive topics are approached and covered in the game. They are inspired in part by questions I have been asked on Tumblr over the years, so thanks to all!

Specific notes about topics found in the game's routes are found below the main content notes and use a spoiler reveal system (described in the document).

I will be linking the content notes more widely when Will's route releases. In the meantime, dear Tumblr fans, feel free to give it a read!

[play-safe-games]

That’s Not My Neighbor is a pretty interesting game — think Papers, Please but with doppelgangers.

Triggers are up on the site!

EDIT: We forgot to check trypophobia initially, but fixed that. (Thanks, @aho-bot!)

Please feel free to reach out if we ever forget a trigger like this! We're just a small group of volunteers, so we will miss things from time-to-time. But, when we do, we want to make sure we correct that ASAP so that people are able to avoid triggers or content that is harmful for them.

Thanks for being rad humans!

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Stuart Vyse

Published: Dec 25, 2023

Many social programs are implemented with the best of intentions and later discovered to be either ineffective or, in the worst cases, counterproductive. At the height of its popularity in the 1980s and ’90s, the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program was used in 75 percent of American schools at a taxpayer expense of an estimated $200 million, but subsequent evaluations revealed that it didn’t work. Drug abuse was just as high in schools that received the program as those that did not. To add insult to injury, in the 2010s, the iconic D.A.R.E. t-shirt was adopted as an ironic emblem by members of the drug subculture (Wright 2017).

Similarly, after a decade or more of use, there is growing evidence that trigger warnings in college classes do not work as intended, but, for reasons I will explain later, I don’t think they are going away soon.

The Basics of Triggers and Warnings

Trigger warnings, content warnings, or content notes are “alerts about upcoming content that may contain themes related to past negative experiences,” and they are designed to “protect individuals whose unique experiences have left them emotionally vulnerable to specific material” (Bridgland et al. 2023, 1). Supporters of the use of such warnings suggest they empower vulnerable students1 to prepare for or avoid altogether the negative material. Critics argue that trigger warnings violate free speech, promote weakness, and sustain mental health problems in a generation of young people who are suffering at alarming rates (Lukianoff and Haidt 2015). Interestingly, these are directly opposing views of the psychological effects of these warnings: both the proponents and critics suggest their views promote mental health.

[ Figure 1. A Google Trends graph of searches of the phrase “trigger warning” for the years 2004–2023 (obtained on December 12, 2023). Ignoring the two spikes in August 2016 and December 2018, interest in the phrase has been steady or slightly increasing over the past ten years. ]

Although they have received some backlash, particularly in the conservative media, trigger warnings seem to be as popular as ever. The Google Trend graph in Figure 1 shows a steady—perhaps slightly increasing—number of searches for the phrase “trigger warning” over the past ten years. The anecdotal observations of one Chapman University faculty member suggest that student concerns about triggering material increased during the pandemic with the shift to spending many hours online “where the use of Trigger Warnings (TWs) and Content Warnings (CWs) on social media, particularly on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, have made the conversation far more visible” (Read-Davidson 2023). In addition, many university documents about trigger warnings can be found online. Most of these make a nod to the professor’s academic freedom by not requiring the use of warnings, but these documents also give extensive guidance on how and when to employ trigger warnings and strongly suggest that instructors should use them. For example, this statement from the office of the provost at the University of Connecticut includes the following: “These resources are for faculty use if you deem their benefit appropriate to your learning objectives and the classroom culture you seek to establish. This language is in no way intended to impede academic freedom, but to offer another opportunity for you to support your student’s ability to learn and engage in your class.”

This passage is followed by several paragraphs of recommendations for “best practices” in the use of trigger warnings and examples of warnings for use on the course syllabus. After reading this statement, I know that if I were an untenured professor at the University of Connecticut, I would feel all but compelled to use trigger warnings for any course material that might conceivably upset a student in my class. More about this later.

But Do Trigger Warnings Work?

There has been some doubt about the effectiveness of trigger warnings almost from the start, but as more research has been conducted, the picture has become clearer. The most extensive study to date is a meta-analysis published in Clinical Psychological Science in August 2023 (Bridgland et al. 2023). The authors hoped to answer four questions:

Do trigger warnings change the emotional response to the material?

Do trigger warnings increase the avoidance of the warned-about material?

Do trigger warnings affect anticipatory emotions before the material arrives?

Do trigger warnings affect educational outcomes (e.g., comprehension)?

In a preregistered investigation, the authors searched for studies in which a trigger warning was given and one or more of the four effects described above was measured. In addition, the type of warning had to make it clear that the forthcoming material might trigger emotions about past experiences. As a result, more general notices, such as PG-13 ratings or “not safe for work” messages, were excluded. They found twelve studies that fit their inclusion criteria, and in the majority of these (ten out of twelve) some participants had previous traumatic experiences. One study was restricted to participants with a history of trauma.

The results did not support the psychological benefits of trigger warnings. Summing the studies together, the meta-analysis revealed a “negligible” effect of warnings on the experience of the material, when compared to that of participants who were not warned. Similarly, the use of trigger warnings had “trivial or null” effect on comprehension and a “negligible” effect on avoidance of the material, which was typically measured by allowing participants to choose between readings that did and did not contain warnings. One study found that the presence of a warning increased the likelihood of selecting a reading in a kind of “forbidden fruit” effect. The one reliable effect that emerged from the analysis was on anticipatory emotions experienced prior to exposure to the material, and unfortunately it was in the wrong direction. Participants were reliably more anxious in the period after the warning was given but before the material was presented.

I found a more recent study, published just five days ago as I write this, that looked at the reactions of students—a substantial proportion of whom had previously experienced sexual assault or unwanted sex—to a nonfiction account of a campus sexual assault drawn from Jon Krakauer’s 2016 book Missoula (Kimble et al. 2023). When warned about the content of the reading and offered an alternative passage without such material, fully 94 percent of participants still chose to read the potentially triggering passage. Furthermore, those who had a previous traumatic experience were no less likely to read the sexual assault passage than those who had not. As might be expected, sexual assault victims had a stronger reaction to the passage from the Krakauer book, but there was no measurable effect of providing a warning.

The stated purpose of trigger warnings in the classroom is to promote the psychological wellbeing of vulnerable students, but a growing body of evidence suggests they are ineffective at that goal and, in the case of anticipatory anxiety, do more harm than good. Given this track record, one might expect widespread calls to eliminate them from college campuses. Indeed, some people have made these calls. Writing in The Atlantic, Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt (2015) argued that “universities should also officially and strongly discourage trigger warnings.” In a statement against the use of warnings, the American Association of University Professors suggests “the presumption that students need to be protected rather than challenged in a classroom is at once infantilizing and anti-intellectual.” Nonetheless, as I suggested at the beginning of this article, there is little evidence that trigger warnings are going away soon, and their importance may actually be growing.

Follow the Power

I am speculating here, but I think the use of trigger warnings is supported, in part, by changes in the power structure on college campuses, and as a result their use is more about campus politics than it is about student mental health. Before going further, I should say that, in my view, some forms of warnings can communicate respect and good manners. For example, a simple statement on the first day of class that some of the material in the course will be potentially upsetting can communicate an appropriate concern for students without promoting a kind of victim status. Similarly, I have no objection to statements at the beginning of a radio news piece, such as “this story contains discussions of rape.” I can think of any number of reasons—other than having been raped in the past—that might make someone averse to hearing that story. Such warnings can be simply a matter of politeness and good taste. But the more elaborate use of trigger warnings is likely to continue despite the mounting evidence that they are ineffective.

Today college students have far more power on campus than they did in previous eras. In the distant past when I went to college, it seemed all but unthinkable to complain to the administration about something in my classes. The only time I can recall doing so was when a group of graduate school classmates approached the chair of the department because our professor was not addressing any of the topics listed on the syllabus. He would just come to class and ramble on about whatever was on his mind that day. Furthermore, as dramatic as that case seemed to us, the department chair brushed us off, saying there was nothing he could do, and that was the end of that. Of course, this was long before the age of the internet and social media.

Today, parents are paying enormous sums to send their children to college, and for all but the richly endowed elite schools, bad publicity can have serious financial consequences. The loss of just a few students at $70,000 per year quickly adds up. Furthermore, today’s institutions have made it exceedingly easy for students to complain. Many schools now have mechanisms for students to report “bias incidents” to the administration. These programs typically allow for the anonymous reporting of any member of the college community by any member of the college community. See, for example, this program designed to accept anonymous reports of any act or communication “that reasonably is understood to demean, degrade, threaten, or harass an individual or group based on an actual or perceived identity” whether the acts are intentional or unintentional. If you Google the phrase “report a bias incident,” you will find a long list of colleges and universities with similar programs.

In this environment, even the most truth-seeking professor who is fully aware of the research on trigger warnings is likely to feel a strong pull to use them nonetheless. Or to avoid any class material that might conceivably warrant their use. A recent study of criminal justice professors found that the majority used trigger warnings, and among those who did, the most popular reason was “to allow students to prepare for upcoming material.” However, 27 percent of those who used trigger warnings said they did so “to protect against student complaints” (Cares et al. 2022, 604). Furthermore, if you are an instructor in a vulnerable untenured position, even the full embrace of trigger warnings may not save you. A recent example of this was the Hamline University art history professor who gave extensive warnings before showing a fourteenth-century painting of the Prophet Muhammad and still lost her job when a student complained to the administration. So much for the free expression of ideas.

My hypothesis about the power structure in higher education is further supported by recent events in elementary and secondary education where the power is coming from the right rather than the left. In several red states, a new focus on parents’ rights has had a similarly chilling effect on instruction, but the protected group is primarily white students rather than minorities or trauma victims. According to the Washington Post, a parent in a North Carolina school objected to a reading about Christopher Columbus’s treatment of Native peoples because it would make her white son feel guilty. The parent contacted the school administration, and an administrator told the teacher to “stop pushing your agenda” (Natanson 2023). The same article reported on an Iowa law passed in 2021 that prohibited teaching “that the United States of America and the state of Iowa are fundamentally or systemically racist or sexist.” In light of this law, Greg Wickenkamp, an eighth-grade social studies teacher, asked his district’s superintendent: “Is it acceptable for me to teach students that slavery was wrong?” The superintendent was unable to say whether that statement was allowed or not under state law.

Of course, these are only the cases we hear about because the teachers involved were among the few to question authority or stick to their lesson plans. Undoubtedly many others quietly altered their lesson plans to avoid anything that might anger a conservative parent.

Out in the real world, we do things for a multitude of reasons. Today, a text or work of art that might make educational sense may not show up in the classroom for reasons that are more political than pedagogical. In the case of trigger warnings, they are likely to remain part of many college courses despite the evidence that they fail at their stated purpose. It is a traditional skeptic’s lament that evidence is often not enough to sway people toward reason, and I am sorry to say that this is one of those cases. Reason and evidence alone will not strengthen our educational system. The political winds need to change before that can happen.

Note

1. Although trigger warnings and similar kinds of notices are used in many other contexts, in this article, I am primarily concerned with their use in secondary schools and universities.

==

Trigger warnings are pseudoscience. They don't do what they claim to do, and what they claim to do isn't even a good idea in the first place.

[noodles-and-tea]

*slides over in an inconspicuous manner with my chin in my hands*

Thoughts on Absolute SuperBat?

I’d never read the comics, so I went to do some research and was totally blindsided by the height difference

[hinamie]

subject, specimen, spectacle;

should i say that you're dead?

[astrologydray]

Lilith Through The Houses

Lilith in astrology (often called Black Moon Lilith) represents your raw, unapologetic power — the parts of you that are wild, taboo, and untamed. She’s the dark feminine, the seductress, the exile, and the witch. She shows where you refuse to be controlled, where you hold deep rage, sacred sensuality, and radical autonomy.

Lilith in the 1st House:

You are the taboo. People project their shame and desire onto you. Walking into a room is an act of defiance.

Core vibe: “I scare people just by being real.”

Lilith in the 2nd House:

Your worth isn’t up for debate, but people keep trying. You own your sensuality and disrupt ideas of what’s ‘valuable.’

Core vibe: “I am the luxury you can’t afford.”

Lilith in the 3rd House:

Your words seduce, provoke, and expose. You speak the unspeakable and flirt like it’s warfare.

Core vibe: “My voice is a weapon and a prayer.”

Lilith in the 4th House:

Your roots are raw, sacred, and shadowy. You carry ancestral rage and transform it into inner power.

Core vibe: “I am the curse-breaker of my bloodline.”

Lilith in the 5th House:

You make creativity erotic and rebellion look like art. Unapologetically loud, unfiltered, and irresistible.

Core vibe: “Being seen is my revenge.”

Lilith in the 6th House:

You make the mundane sacred. Your rituals are sexy, your routines are spells. You reject servitude, even in love.

Core vibe: “I will not shrink myself to be digestible.”

Lilith in the 7th House:

You attract intense, karmic partnerships. People fall in lust with your shadow. You show them who they really are.

Core vibe: “I mirror what you hide.”

Lilith in the 8th House:

You are the storm and the stillness. Sex, power, death, and truth — all wrapped in mystery. People crave you, fear you, obsess over you.

Core vibe: “I seduce, destroy, and transform.”

Lilith in the 9th House:

You challenge belief systems and ignite spiritual rebellion. Sacred knowledge lives in your bones.

Core vibe: “My truth doesn’t ask for permission.”

Lilith in the 10th House:

You were born to be seen — even if it makes others uncomfortable. You own your power publicly, and they either worship or crucify you for it.

Core vibe: “My success is a threat and a prophecy.”

Lilith in the 11th House:

You can’t be boxed into any collective. You’re the rebel within the revolution — the one who changes the game by refusing to play it.

Core vibe: “I don’t fit in. I change the culture.”

Lilith in the 12th House:

You are the embodiment of secret power. Your shadow whispers in dreams and your energy lingers in silence.

Core vibe: “My power is hidden, but it moves mountains.”

[astrolook]

Some Astrology Behind Your Looks

Note: These are just my personal observations over the years, so let me know in the comments if anything hits home! Your Ascendant alone (or just its ruler or the planets sitting in your 1st house) isn’t enough to define your appearance. You gotta look at the aspects to the Ascendant, the planets in the 1st house, the chart ruler, and its aspects too.

The ascendant is like your default character design. Think of it as a "default skin" in a video game. The ASC ruler is like your stylist who works behind the scenes and the mastermind behind your look. The planets in your 1st house, the aspects to your ascendant and to the planets in 1st house is the DLC pack that really customizes your look.

Saturn in 1st/conjunct ASC - Stiff posture. Ages in reverse. Looks 30 at 20 but looks 40 at 60. Deep-set eyes. Wrinkles before 30. Knees, joints, or back always ache even if they are sitting doing nothing. Looks better with age. Ugly duckling as a kid/teen. Sharp defined bone structure as an adult.

Moon in 1st/conjunct ASC - BIG eyes. Puffy cheeks that people want to pinch even when they're grown adults. Pouty lips. Gets sweaty easily. Face constantly changes with emotions so lying here is impossible. Weight fluctuations. Baby face for way too long. Look cute even when crying. Wavy hair but changes with their emotions. Skin is super reactive like blushes easily, bruises easily, sensitive to everything. Round or Moon face.

Pluto in 1st/conjunct ASC - Either scary hot or hot scary. No in-between. A face that barely moves. Either angelic or villainous eyes. Hair is either jet black or deep red or whatever dark shade they wanna color their hair with. Born with a resting face. Unbothered style. Skin either pale as a ghost or deeply striking.

Neptune in 1st/conjunct ASC - Either dreamy or look like they haven't slept in days. Messy at home. Prone to get mysterious acne out of nowhere. Spaced-out eyes. Skin glows weirdly like sometimes as a built-in instagram filter sometimes greasy. Gliding instead of walking. People mistakes them for someone else sometimes.

Uranus in 1st/conjunct ASC - Hair does whatever it wants and never behaves. Either noticeably tall or noticeably short. No in-between. Posture that either as stiff as a board or slouches like a hacker. Randomly winks, raises brow, smirks or stares into nothing.

Sun in 1st/conjunct ASC - Hairline so perfect it looks like CGI. Looks expensive even when broke. Aging slows after 30. Laugh is as contagious as a virus. Neck slightly longer than average. Skin tans fast. Cheekbones pop when smiling. Looks like Greek statue in side angles.

Venus in 1st/conjunct ASC - Dimples, even in weird places. Hips curve like a renaissance painting. Balancing proportions. Gains weight only in right places. Natural symmetrical face. Baby hairs lay perfectly. Doesn't even need nail polish as they can rock without it. Shoulders have a graceful rounded slope. Weight gain makes them hotter. Wide hips, thick thighs and butt. THICC body.

Mars in 1st/conjunct ASC - Forehead vein pops when mad. Prone to random scrapes and scars. Operate at 1.5x speed. Dressing style depends on their mood. Formal when composed, bitchy when annoyed, angelic when warm and boyish when fun. Also hairstyles depend on their mood too. Struggles with hair fall in mid 20's.

Mercury in 1st/conjunct ASC - Mouth is slightly open even when they sleep. Snores. Blinks fast. talk with their hands. Looks younger than they are. Eyes move like they're reading subtitles in real life when talking. Fine or wavy hair sometimes its messy. Nails might be bitten, tapped, or fidgeted with constantly. Short eyelashes. Switchy emotions like smiles one second serious the next.

Jupiter in 1st/conjunct ASC - Gains weight faster than they lose. Rounded or slightly protruding belly if gained even a little weight. Laugh is impossible to ignore. Full wide cheeks like they store snacks there. Broad forehead. Big teeth or an over-exaggerated smile like they are in a tooth paste advertisement. plump lips. Gives "big presence" energy. Large hands and feet.

Sun square ascendant- Face would look slightly irritated even if they don't mean to. Sometimes force their smile or just look like that even when real.

Moon square ASC - Face bloats easily, especially under the eyes. eczema, redness, or dry patches are common. Cheeks puff up randomly.

Venus square ASC - Would think they are not good looking enough. Insecured about their looks. Weirdly pretty. Sometimes looks AI generated. You get me? Lips too big or nose too sharp. Beautiful but off.

Mars opposite ASC - Bad boy/girl vibes. Can look pissed off even when happy.

Sun opposite ASC - Silent but strong type. Can come off either intimidating or bossy.

Uranus square ASC - Unusual eye color, shape, or one bigger than the other. Can't really tell if they are attractive or really unique. It's like features are drawn by different artists.

Neptune square ASC - Can look slightly sleepy or like a fever dream. Soft features but slightly off focus. Look different everytime.

Moon opposite ASC - A living emoji. Puffy under-eyes are permanent.

If you’ve got multiple planets in your 1st house with a ton of aspects, you’re basically ramen noodles - complex, tangled, and impossible to replicate.

DM me for a complete astrology reading! ✨ Check out my pinned post for pricing. 💫

[graysongoal]

For the past couple of weeks, I've been working with game developers, accessibility workers, and mental health providers to help make it easier to know when a video game might have content that could trigger PTSD or another mental health issue.

Today, that went live with ~30 games.

Come check it out!

[laylatarot333]

Astrology Observations #1

☆ Aries Sun women are the baddest bitches of the zodiac. The definition of effortless aura ✨

☆ Cancer placements in Big 3 can be very passive aggressive when underdeveloped. They feel deeply but are not very good at dealing with or addressing those emotions with another person unless they work on their shadow

☆ Gemini risings are usually the life of the party, they can and will socialise with everyone and have something to talk about with everyone. This could be because they possess surface level knowledge on a variety of topics due to their curious, impatient nature

☆ Leo risings having unique/big hair is one of the truest astrology stereotypes. They also have very feline movements/ behaviour imo (for eg. nuzzle you to show affection)

☆ Mars in Sagittarius can be horse girls. Also have an explosive temper, but forgive as quickly as they get mad

☆ I’ve observed many advocates/lawyers tend to have Sun-mercury conjunction in their chart. No matter the placement, this makes them very good at speaking, debating, and expressing their personalities vivaciously. This is especially blessed when Sun and Mercury are conjunct in Aries, Libra, Capricorn or Leo

☆ Many doctors have Taurus placements in their Big 6. Taurus brings a healing and comforting presence, particularly moon and rising

☆ Taurus risings give off an extremely grounded vibe, like they know exactly who they are and are comfortable with it. They project an ease that can’t be faked, and that doesn’t threaten others. Leo risings on the other hand also project a confident aura, but it can be threatening to those who are uncomfortable their confidence

☆ Pisces moons are never fully grounded in the moment, some part of their mind is always daydreaming/zoned out

☆ 10H moons are open books, this makes them likeable people to the general public but their more reclusive/reserved nature can make them feel uncomfortable under the attention. 10H suns on the other hand may crave attention and recognition, particularly in work matters

[play-safe-games]

Major warnings for acrophobia, ammophobia, hemophobia, gore, megalophobia, nyctophobia, thalassophobia, and verzephobia

[sevastiel]

Sol’s wounds, Lua’s tears

Thinking about umbra drifting in the void post mid-new war-happenings with nothing but the corpse of another lost child.

[graysongoal]

100% agree. This game was so good, I played it straight through.

During Pride Month.

Also, if anyone is wondering about content, triggers, and phobias in this game, there are a lot - and the game is up on the @gctdb - link here.

Still Wakes the Deep is a masterpiece.

As beautiful as it is compellingly disgusting, it transcends its obvious Thingspiration with incredible writing, vocal performances, and imagery. To call this game gripping is to do an injustice to the stranglehold it kept on me throughout its runtime. 

Set on a North Shore oil rig that inevitably drills its way into a gory nightmare, the dialog and delivery stand out from the immediate get-go. Its Scottish cast puts everything it has into an impressively authentic script. From the lingo to the banter to the unabashed foul language, there’s a naturalness to the script that videogames almost never attempt, let alone excel at. 

[astrocafecoffee]

Mars observation ❤️‍🔥

* FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY, ENJOY*

( nevermind i am a TWD fan 💀)

🔥Mars in Capricorn tends to be so serious about their goals that they can come off as a little work-obsessed, but what most people don’t realize is that they have a soft spot for organizing little surprises for the people they care about. Whether it’s a secret birthday party or planning a perfectly timed gift, they’ll go to great lengths to ensure everything goes smoothly and they’ll do it with military-like precision. They love being the quiet mastermind behind the scenes, and the joy of seeing someone’s reaction is their reward.

🔥Instead of the traditional, action packed Mars energy, Mars in Pisces will often take a dream driven approach to goals. They might “daydream” their way through challenges, letting their imagination be the guide. They’ll spend a lot of time visualizing what they want, sometimes way too much and this often leads them to unexpected, highly creative solutions. If you're ever stuck on something, they’re probably the person who will suggest a completely off-the-wall idea that turns out to be genius in a roundabout way!

🔥Mars in Virgo’s love of efficiency and perfectionism can make them amazing cooks (even if they don't always admit it). They might not go for extravagant recipes, but give them a few ingredients, and they’ll whip up something incredibly delicious and perfectly balanced. They’ll even have a system for how to chop vegetables just right. It’s like a cooking ritual for them every step is part of the process. And they’ll never follow a recipe without tweaking it to make it just a little more efficient.

🔥Mars in Scorpio is famous for their ability to keep secrets not just their own, but others as well. They have a natural talent for holding on to information, and they’re not the type to spill the beans unless it serves a higher purpose. This ability to stay quiet even when they know things is both enchanting and slightly mysterious. But sometimes, they might hold on to information a bit too tightly, keeping their own emotions and thoughts hidden to the point where it can be a bit... overwhelming for others to navigate.

🔥Mars in Libra is gentle, polite, and often hesitant to create waves, but once they’ve decided to defend someone they care about, their protective side comes out in full force. They’ll step in without hesitation, but they’ll do it with such grace and subtlety that it won’t even look like they’re “defending” anyone at all. It’s like watching a charming diplomat put their foot down without ever raising their voice. You’ll only realize how strong their loyalty is when the situation is already over, and you’re left in awe of how they handled it.

🔥Mars in Aries has a strong sense of personal initiative, and they love jumping in to help other especially when they feel their “help” is needed. But,they often step in without being asked, sometimes even when it’s not necessary. They’ll see a person struggling with something and swoop in to save the day, even if that person had everything under control. It’s like the classic “I’ve got this” attitude...

🔥Mars in Taurus doesn’t like being pushed or rushed into making decisions or taking action. If you try to hurry them up, they will likely dig in their heels. But If someone tells them they can’t do something or that they’re taking too long, Mars in Taurus will often react by going into overdrive to prove the naysayer wrong. It’s like they didn’t want to be rushed, but now that you’ve challenged them, they’re going to do it perfectly and on their own time. It’s not about speed ,it’s about showing they can do it right.

🔥Mars in Leo is all about action, but sometimes beneath all that bold confidence is a soft, sentimental side. They may not always show it, but they do care deeply about the people and things they love. They’ll take pride in making memories, creating meaningful traditions, and doing grand gestures for those they care about. It might not always be obvious, but they have a way of expressing love through actions that can melt your heart.

🔥Mars in Gemini doesn’t usually want to feel too tied down or dependent, even in close relationships. While they enjoy companionship and conversations, they often need their independence and space to explore other ideas or activities. This doesn’t mean they aren’t invested, it just means their expression of affection may be more cerebral and less physical or emotional.

🔥People often misunderstand Mars in Cancer as fragile or overly sensitive, but in truth, their emotional depth gives them lasting resilience. They know how to protect themselves emotionally and are often much more psychologically tough than they appear. They may retreat into their shells to recharge, but they bounce back with an inner strength that is built on emotional wisdom and a deep understanding of what it means to nurture and care for others.

🔥Mars in Sagittarius has a natural skepticism about traditional authority and systems, and they may challenge ideas that feel too rigid or dogmatic. This can sometimes make them seem rebellious or contrary, as they want to explore ideas and beliefs outside the mainstream. While they are driven by a quest for truth, they can often appear dismissive of conventional wisdom, favoring instead a more personal, adventurous approach to discovering what works for them.

🔥Mars in Aquarius often comes across as cool, aloof, or even emotionally detached, but this doesn’t mean they lack deep feelings. Instead, their emotional depths are often hidden beneath their rational, progressive exterior. They feel deeply for social issues, injustices, and global problems, but they may not express these feelings in a conventional emotional way.

🔥 Mars in 1°/13°/ 25° people might find themselves competing with authority figures rather than working alongside them. They don’t like being told what to do and can have a hard time submitting to control.

🔥 Mars in 2°/ 14°/ 26° people might not make a lot of noise about their intentions, but their actions speak louder than words. They influence people not by being outspoken, but through their reliability, consistency, and practicality.

🔥 Mars in 3°/15°/ 27° people can be incredibly sharp-tongued or enjoy debating especially when they know they can outwit someone. They don’t need to raise their voice or make physical moves to assert dominance. Their words and ideas are their primary weapons, and they can often win a battle simply by being the most articulate or quick-witted in the room.

🔥 Mars in 4°/16°/28° people often avoids direct confrontation. They might be more comfortable retreating into their shell or expressing their frustrations through passive means rather than engaging in a full-blown argument.

🔥 Mars in 5°/17°/29° people often seek validation and admiration, they often push themselves to be the best at what they do, which can lead them to overwork or overexert themselves in their pursuits. If their output does not meet their high standards, they may feel disappointed or frustrated, even if others don’t see the imperfections.

🔥 Mars in 6°/ 18° people excels in roles that involve mentorship or coaching. Their ability to break down complex tasks into manageable steps and their focus on efficiency makes them great at guiding others toward success. They may not be the loudest voice in the room, but their leadership comes through their quiet, behind the scenes contributions that ensure everything runs smoothly.

🔥 Mars in 7°/19° people deep fear of disharmony or discord in relationships. This can sometimes lead them to avoid direct confrontation or suppress their own needs to keep the peace. Bro don't do it, just communicate otherwise you will feel burnt out at some point.

🔥 Mars in 8°/ 20° people may struggle with vulnerability. They are often fearful of exposing their true selves to others, and instead, they prefer to remain in a position of power and control. They only reveal certain parts of themselves to a select few.

🔥 Mars in 9°/21° people often has a constant feeling of restlessness, which can lead them to never feel truly satisfied with where they are. They are often driven by the idea that there is always more to discover, both in the world and in themselves. This can create a sense of unsettledness, even when things are going well in their lives, as they crave new experiences and growth opportunities.

🔥 Mars in 10°/ 22° people dislike waste, especially when it comes to their time and resources. Mars in Capricorn individuals are extremely efficient, preferring to channel their energy only into pursuits that have long-term value. This is why they are often great at building sustainable and lasting success.

🔥 Mars in 11°/23° people tends to reject routine, as their focus is always on new possibilities and big ideas. They can become irritated or disengaged by repetitive or mundane tasks. If they find themselves stuck in a routine, they may feel a lack of motivation or creativity, and may even sabotage their own efforts to avoid falling into boredom.

🔥when Mars in 12°/ 24° people feel emotionally invested in a cause or a person, they may find it hard to draw clear lines between their personal energy and the other person’s needs. This blurring of boundaries can lead to emotional overwhelm, especially if their drive and energy are used for causes that don’t allow for personal fulfillment or rest.

Thanks for reading.....

- PIKO 💖

[hinamie]

9 / 266

[almondcroissantsandink]

a soft rest

[astrologydray]

how each Moon sign really acts when they catch feelings

🔥 Fire Moons (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) – “Too Hot to Handle”

🔥 Aries Moon – Catches feelings like they’re catching a flight—immediate and full speed ahead. Will text first, show off, and initiate plans within five minutes of realizing they like you. If you play hard to get, they’ll get frustrated but secretly love the chase. Might accidentally scare you off by saying “I like you” too soon, then ghosting to regain their power.

🔥 Leo Moon – Starts acting like the main character whenever their crush is around. Will lowkey flex their achievements, dress their best, and drop hints about how many people want them (but they only have eyes for you). If you don’t gas them up, they’ll act so unbothered but will die inside waiting for your attention.

🔥 Sagittarius Moon – Pretends they don’t care, but you’ll catch them talking about you nonstop. Will flirt shamelessly, send unhinged memes, and suggest spontaneous trips or adventures (”We should totally get lost in another city together”). If they start overthinking or acting nervous, just know they’re down bad.

🌍 Earth Moons (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) – “Slow Burn or Nothing”

🌍 Taurus Moon – Acts normal on the outside but is already imagining cuddling with you in a cabin with scented candles and matching pajamas. Will observe you for weeks before making a move. Once they start cooking for you or sending “Did you eat?” texts, it’s over—you’re theirs.

🌍 Virgo Moon – Analyzes the hell out of their feelings and yours. Reads into every text like it’s a conspiracy theory. Will start fixing your life as an excuse to be around—helping you organize, sending you self-improvement tips, or reminding you to stay hydrated. If they start playfully judging your bad habits, just know they’re in love.

🌍 Capricorn Moon – Keeps their feelings under lock and key but will start showing up for you in practical ways. Will make sure you’re safe, send you career advice, and randomly buy you things you mentioned once (“I noticed you like this brand, so I got it for you”). If they let their guard down emotionally, you’ve unlocked a rare achievement.

💨 Air Moons (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) – “Flirting or Just Existing?”

💨 Gemini Moon – Spams your notifications with memes, random facts, and ”haha this reminded me of you” texts. Will find excuses to talk to you ALL DAY. If they suddenly go silent or act distant, they either like you a little too much and are freaking out or got distracted by another crush for five seconds.

💨 Libra Moon – Starts romanticizing your whole existence and lowkey stalking your socials to figure out your aesthetic. Will flirt with you subtly and test your interest before making a move. If you’re too slow, they’ll start acting uninterested just to regain the upper hand—but if you flirt back, they’ll MELT.

💨 Aquarius Moon – Gets weirder around you. If they start sending you deep philosophical thoughts at 2 AM or randomly trauma-dumping in a way that makes no sense—congrats, they like you. Will act detached, but inside they’re spiraling, wondering if you’re “The One.” If they start saying “You’re not like other people”, RUN—they’re already planning your future together.

🌊 Water Moons (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) – “Emotionally Unstable (In a Cute Way)”

🌊 Cancer Moon – Catches feelings like a 2000s rom-com protagonist—deeply, dramatically, and with a hint of delusion. Will make playlists about you, stare at your texts like they hold the secrets of the universe, and secretly get upset if you take too long to reply. If they start randomly bringing up childhood stories, they’re trying to bond with you for life.

🌊 Scorpio Moon – Acts completely normal on the surface but is secretly OBSESSED. Will watch you like a detective gathering evidence. Will test you by pulling back to see if you chase them (if you do, they’ll fall even harder). Once they’re in, they’re ALL in—ride or die, no in-between.

🌊 Pisces Moon – Catches feelings before anything even happens. Already daydreaming about holding hands in the rain before you’ve even had a real conversation. Will drop hints through music, poetry, or vague Instagram stories and hope you just know. If they start being extra shy or spacing out around you, they’re picturing your wedding.