#counseling goals and objectives

[astrolovecosmos]

How to Get in Touch with Your North Node

Aries NN: Play more games or join more competitions. Make a list of YOUR wants and needs. Go see a movie alone or do more errands alone to exercise independence. Allow yourself to experience anger and passion. Work on healthy anger management tools and skills. Embrace change and the new. Take action more. Don't be afraid to be a little more impulsive. Make a vision board. Focus on your interests from when you were much younger.

Taurus NN: Do some spring cleaning - and even more so, throwing away. Sit or lay on the ground more. How can you enjoy or incorporate nature into your life more? Forgive yourself from times you were tricked, betrayed, or made an ignorant decision. Practice routine. Take time to disconnect from social media. Address your insecurities in a direct or even tangible way. Remember to see the beauty and strengths in yourself. Lean into resourcefulness.

Gemini NN: Try journaling. Read - read - read. Appreciate or accept your inner child, your flaws, your insecurities. If you can't be honest with a friend, partner, or family member reconsider your boundaries with them. Speak your mind more often. Be open to changing your opinions. Take technology breaks. Yet a meditation or self-care app may be useful. Explore different methods of self-expression. Speak as much as you listen and vice versa. Try something new often.

Cancer NN: Take your mental health seriously. Self-care is worth it. Cook a new recipe or learn how to cook. Practice self-awareness/introspection more often. Consider therapy or self-help books and media. Appreciating and finding strength in your soft side will be a needed challenge. Taking care of something even if it is a plant or pet can be fulfilling. Listen to your intuition. Practicing gratitude and giving can be helpful. Go where you feel safe!

Leo NN: Always schedule time for enjoyment, pleasure, hobbies, indulgence. Hike. Spoil yourself but be sure to spoil others too. Go out to more parties and events. Channel your passion and anger into productivity. Stretch and practice yoga. Do breathing exercises. Get up early more often. Make art - create something. Be open minded to romance and/or affection. Take pride in yourself and life.

Virgo NN: Practice more realism and/or humility. Take part in puzzles, riddles, and anything that uses logic or critical thinking. Tap into your society's common sense and norms that can be most helpful to you. Volunteer or take part in charities. Be part of a team somehow. Reexamine your relationship with work. Surprise someone you care about with a gift, favor, trip, etc. Recognize your talents and skills. Learn a new skill or work on improving a craft. Practice healthy eating and exercise habits!

Libra NN: Be more mindful and selective of who you befriend and date. Practicing self-love is a must. Return favors often. Spend more quality time with that person you haven't seen lately. Be open to frequent date nights, couples counseling, couple events, and double dates if you have a partner. Balance alone time with social time. Get in touch with your romantic and artistic side. Practice objectivity when you can. Don't compare yourself to others. Embrace independence but don't forget to also embrace giving and receiving in relationships.

Scorpio NN: INTROSPECTION NEEDED. Distance yourself from media or people that cause anger, frustration, or heavy sadness or doubt. Self-control is important to practice. Don't lie to yourself! Journal, maybe try a dream journal. Don't underestimate your intuition. Go out in nature. Try something new based on your hunches. Examine yours and others intentions closely. Celebrate the small wins. Get out of your head and get out of your own way. Focus on your goals. Practice and enforce self-respect.

Sagittarius NN: Don't be afraid to explore beliefs and ideals that are very different from yours. Practice independence. Take a few more risks. Give yourself a pep talk. Try power poses. Stick to your morals and your gut. Be honest. Look at the big picture more often. Knowledge is power should be your motto. Learn something new. Speak confidently. Practice authenticity. Try to be present. Make a plan to accomplish small goals and eventually move onto larger goals.

Capricorn NN: Speak up more in meetings! Try going for that promotion or position. Understand the power and importance of money and materialism. Practice self-control and self-discipline. Be more patient. Study or look into history, economics, investments, politics, or business. Work on your boundaries actively. Practice decisiveness when you can. Put yourself first responsibly. Question authority often. Make moves that are more thoughtful or strategic. Pay attention to who supports you and who doesn't. Avoid rushing. Work on trusting yourself.

Aquarius NN: Understand and accept other's intentions. Let go of unhealthy attachments. Practice independence often. Explore themes of rebellion and empowerment. Practice cooperation. Don't resist change. Materialism is not your friend. Try to find what inspires you and be around it often. Cultivating healthy friendships is important. Explore unconventional ideas. Face the unknown when you can. Look at the big picture. Laugh when you can. Practice more tolerance.

Pisces NN: Tapping into your beliefs and exploring spirituality or religion is a major theme. Embrace sensitivity, empathy, and kindness. Give when you can. Don't just relate to others - see yourself in them. Find beauty in yours and others' flaws. Take the scenic route. Practice self-reflection. Practice flexibility and leave behind energy-draining goals or pursuits that don't offer personal fulfillment. Idealism and positive thinking can be helpful at times. Honestly... get lost in yourself or even another sometimes, just remember to come back up to the surface.

[stellarsecrets86]

Sun in Houses of Union(1585) Persona Chart

[In the chart of the asteroid Union (1585), the Sun represents the core of a person's union or partnership. It reflects how the person's individuality integrates into another's energy within the relationship. As far as a future spouse is considered, the Sun in the Union persona chart shows the circumstances or qualities of the spouse and how the person shines within the union.]

(For entertainment purpose only. Have fun❣️)

Sun in the 1st House

This is a partnership in which identity and self-expression are the pivot. They may meet their spouse through situations that put them in the spotlight or in which they were being very individual, like public speaking, performances, or any leadership role. The spouse would be charismatic and confident, and this relationship would enhance one's self-esteem and public image. Their marriage would be really vibrant and energized with mutual admiration and a shared sense of purpose.

Sun in the 2nd House

In the 2nd house, they focus on what is shared between them in values, possessions, and security. They may find their spouse through financial environments: working at a bank, an investment seminar, or while organizing and managing resources. The spouse will be down-to-earth, practical, and stabilizing-thereby adding to the person's sense of material and emotional security. They prosper through accumulating possessions, enjoying life's sensual pleasures, or simply accomplishing financial objectives.

Sun in the 3rd House

A communication, educational, or travel connection is made. They may find their mate in the classroom, a writing group, or taking local transportation. The relationship is fueled by ideas and mutual inquiry. Their mate may be particularly eloquent, witty, or be in media/teaching. They will appreciate deep discussions and may even create a partnership based on publishing or other ways of storytelling.

Sun in the 4th House

This placement accentuates emotional depth and family ties. They might find their partner through family networks, early childhood experiences, or around a place that has to do with their heritage, such as their hometown. The marriage will be very nourishing, with the emphasis on building a home together. The spouse may be that person who gives them a sense of emotional security and helps to heal past hurts.

Sun in the 5th House

Romance, creativity, and passion dominate this placement. They are likely to meet their spouse in a vibrant, creative setting like a theater, an art gallery, or during recreational activities. The relationship will feel playful and celebratory, full of joy and mutual inspiration. Their spouse may be artistically gifted or deeply passionate, bringing a sense of fun and adventure to the union.

Sun in the 6th House

The Sun in this house suggests meeting their spouse through daily routines, work, or health-related activities. They can find their partner in a workplace, at the gym, or volunteering. The spouse will be hardworking, responsible, and health-oriented, and the relationship might revolve around mutual service or shared work goals. Together, they will likely build a life with a focus on mutual support and practicality.

Sun in the 7th House

This is a classic placement for significant partnerships. They will meet their spouse in settings related to diplomacy, counseling, or even through a formal introduction. The spouse will embody the qualities of balance, charm, and fairness. This union feels destined, as it brings harmony and mutual understanding. It may also indicate that the relationship begins with a legal or contractual commitment.

Sun in the 8th House

This placement indicates an intense, profound, and life-changing relationship. They might meet their spouse under mysterious or extreme conditions, such as a research lab, during a crisis, or over shared finances or spirituality. The spouse will probably have a magnetic aura of mystery surrounding them, and the relationship will focus on intimacy, shared resources, and deep transformation. Trust and emotional vulnerability are a must.

Sun in the 9th House

This position gives much importance to traveling, education, or a philosophical approach. They may also find their spouse abroad, in a university, or in a shared interest in spirituality and travel. The spouse will likely be adventurous, optimistic, and open-minded. Together they go for new horizons, making an especial statement on mutual growth and learning.

Sun in the 10th House

With this placement, a spouse is met through career or public engagements. They could meet their future partner at a conference, while working on a professional project, or through a shared ambition. The spouse will be highly driven and probably well-recognized or respected in their field, and the union will raise each other's social status or professional success.

Sun in the 11th House

Friendship, community, or shared ideals are important. They might get introduced to their spouse by their friends, through community social gatherings, or while involved with some humanitarian project. It will feel like a friendship rooted in common goals and a vision about life. Their mate will likely be very friendly, creative, and future-focused.

Sun in the 12th House

This is a mystical and private placement. They may meet their spouse in secluded, spiritual, or healing environments-such as a retreat, hospital, or meditation center. The spouse will be deeply spiritual in nature, and the marriage will involve themes of sacrifice, forgiveness, and unconditional love. Together, they will delve into the unseen realms of the psyche and find strength in introspection.

{The exact nature of meeting their spouse depends on the interplay of aspects with other planets, particularly Venus, Mars, or Jupiter, and transits that activate the Union persona chart.}

[numinous-scribe]

DPxDC prompt

Sam mellows out as she hits college. Of course she is still heavily into activism, and you can find her in the thick of a rally or protest, but now she's not jumping the shit over every little thing and is really starting to analyze what it is she can and should do to be helpful. To everyone's surprise, Sam chooses to go into counseling for a career. Perhaps for young heroes, or just for troubled youths-- But mostly she wants to help those kids that struggled because they couldn't fit in, and even the kids that fit in perfectly but struggled in secret. Give them someone to stand in their corner in a way she felt she always needed when she was that age, help those angry kids find a healthy way to channel and redirect their emotions, show them how to make goals for themselves and find a purpose that lets them look forward to tomorrow.

It's April 23rd, nearing the middle of the night, when she gets phone call from one such kid: Jason Todd. At first it sounds like he's gotten into another argument with his guardian, Bruce. But the truth is a lot more complicated than that, and objectively so far above her pay grade, but like hell is Sam gonna let that keep her from trying to reach out and connect with this kid like he's so clearly crying out for. It turns out it might just save his life.

[shadowshrike]

The Curious Case of Halsin and Astarion's Ascension

For anyone who's occasionally poked around my stuff, you probably know that I found my Evil run of Baldur's Gate 3 (by which I mean my selfish run where I tried to gain as much power, wealth, and companion trust as I could) to be my most satisfying thus far. Part of that was the unique experience of having Halsin ask to join Tav and Astarion's relationship post-Ascension.

At the time, I said yes because it made sense for my character to "collect" an Archdruid. Out of character, I was tickled by the idea that Halsin confessed after Astarion became the new biggest bad in the land. Halsin was supposed to be a Good guy. Surely, either a possessive Astarion would be spitting mad about the arrangement, or Halsin would have second thoughts about Mr. Vampire Ascendent once he got a taste. I was ready for the drama.

It never came. In fact, the glimpses of their dynamic were so comfortable and playful that I was shocked.

Since then I've been doing a lot of thinking about Halsin and why he might act how he does throughout the Ascension storyline. I realize most of this can be handwaved with 'fanservicey romance writing.' That's true for parts of all romance paths, honestly, and I don't consider it a wholly bad thing given the game's goal to make you its center. However, I think being dismissive of the writing is not as much fun as building headcanons that work with any set of behaviors or lines you get.

So enjoy some theories pulled from datamined dialogue and my personal games. As always, this is completely hypothetical - I encourage everyone to write 'canon' in their personal playthroughs however they prefer.

Note: it's impossible to get all these lines in a single run due to some hinging on Astarion leaving and some may be bugged or near impossible to trigger. They're just being used to explore a character and dynamic that I don't see much of around fan spaces.

Halsin on the value of lives

To briefly set the stage, it's important to understand how Halsin views life and justice. He spells it out rather clearly if Kagha kills Arabella and her parents are also dead.

Halsin doesn't consider himself to be an arbiter of good and evil, only a steward of nature and its Balance. He highly values life. However, it's not him, the leader of the Grove, who is ultimately responsible for deciding Kagha's fate; it's the wronged parties or, barring that, nature itself who should decide her true punishment.

Halsin: As for the idol? It's nothing compared to a life. A mere object, next to one of nature's creations. I cannot absolve you, even if you are repentant. The girl's parents should have decided your fate, but they perished. Instead, nature will judge you. You are banished from this place - banished from everywhere the Oak Father's creations thrive.

But valuing the sanctity of life doesn't mean he doesn't also understand the importance of sacrifice. For example, if Wyll chooses his freedom over his father, Halsin counsels that it's a necessity to sacrifice to grow at times, no matter how unpleasant.

Halsin: You made a hard choice, Wyll. But not one that is unknown in nature. At times, a seedling must strangle the very tree that bore it, if it is to survive.

The price of 7000

So, Halsin's not a big fan of sacrificing life, yet understands that sometimes, people need to die for others to thrive.

But what about 7000 lives? A whole village worth?

That level of sacrifice sounds an awful lot like the day his life was destroyed by Ketheric and the Shadow Curse. A horrible event that haunted his every thought and deed for the next 100 years.

Within this context, it makes sense that all of his responses during the Ascension, whether Astarion does it or not, are focused on the price being paid. He usually emphasizes the sheer number of people affected and never discusses Astarion's potential evil (more on that later) or the undead nature of those lives.

Halsin: Stay your hand, Astarion. To sacrifice so many is a tyrant's ambition.

Halsin: All those lives snuffed out, just to grasp some power. That was craven - unnatural.

Halsin: Astarion resisted the allure of Cazador's would-be powers - and I am glad of it. Whatever he would have gained would have come at a great price.

The interesting part about this is, as an Archdruid of Silvanus, those undead lives should be considered an abomination. The Oath of Ancients oath break if you free the spawn reminds us of this. So Halsin's advice to save the spawn is not necessarily druidic advice - it is a personal opinion wrapped in flimsy druidic justifications.

He even recognizes undead as unnatural when you enter Cazador's home:

Halsin: A lair of undeath - most unnatural. We must tread carefully.

Yet about the spawn, who are undead and an intimate part of that unnaturalness, he says this about releasing them:

Halsin: Good - they deserve a chance at life. Nature will handle their fates from here.

Mercy for all monsters?

This is interesting to compare to another encounter with a smaller version of an eerily similar choice in Act III. The mindflayer in the Windmill - a person turned into a monster, much like a spawn. Allow it to live, and it may devour a family. In that case, Halsin says:

Halsin: We allowed this unnatural thing to live - now a whole family's worth of blood is on our hands.

He joins a host of other Good companions who curse themselves for showing mercy where it wasn't warranted. These are largely the same companions who would also save the spawn.

Karlach: This is our fault. These people died because of us. What were we thinking?

Wyll: Justice does not entail granting mercy to monsters. We should not have let this abomination go free.

Gale: A cruel conclusion to the mercy we showed, but hardly an unpredictable one. As long as it lives, so will its appetite.

The contradictory perspective taken during these two storylines shows the importance of emotional context in how we make decisions. For most, their traveling companion, who also has a tadpole, is the first vampire spawn they've ever met, while mindflayers have generally been the big evil this entire time. This could lead them to feel as though a horde of spawn may have enough humanity to need a chance, while a newborn Mindflayer should be exterminated on sight. Also, most of the other Good companions are relatively young and idealistic, so it makes sense that some may make foolhardy, heroic decisions.

But this encounter also begs the question: if these heroes are so distraught by having the blood of one family on their hands due to a single hungry mindflayer they saved, how could they justify letting 7000 starving monsters with unquenchable bloodlust free? Are they simply kind-hearted and short-sighted? Or maybe they're only optimistic about the hunger of vampire spawn, despite having personal examples of both a spawn and a mindflayer who manage their hunger equally ethically - by feeding on enemies and criminals.

Their naivety is driven home by Jaheira not being moved by the mindflayer or the spawn due to her extensive life experience. She believes in both cases that the greater mercy is to kill the creatures now.

(About the spawn) Jaheira: And what of the living they'll feast on, should they not prove as admirable as Astarion? They deserve a chance, too.

(About mindflayer) Jaheira: Look well. Our stupidity. Our price to pay.

Halsin is even older. He's a devout druid. He recognizes undead as unnatural. By all accounts, he should be on the same page as Jaheira to preserve the Balance. Yet in the face of that, he still advises to give the spawn a chance to live free, likely wreaking havoc wherever they need to feed.

I like to think this strange blind spot in his doctrine is due to a combination of Astarion's presence humanizing the unknown spawn, therefore making their unlives worthy of protection, and his own history as a genocide survivor creating an emotional reaction strong enough to override his usual wisdom. The price of a village is simply too devastating and personal for him to condone. No matter what letting 7000 ravenous undead free may mean.

Making the price worth it

Once you've ascended Astarion, you may be surprised that Halsin - generally a good man - is now steadfastly on Astarion's side. His reactions to the Gur conflict highlight this. If you side with Astarion against them, he's not happy, but resolute.

Halsin: An unfortunate battle... but I must stand by those I count as allies.

And if you decide Astarion is evil now and side with the Gur, Halsin doesn't seem to care about what Astarion has become, only that you allowed the sacrifice to happen and then let it go to waste:

Halsin: We allowed Astarion to sacrifice so many, only to just turn on him soon after? We should have stopped him sooner.

In contrast, many other companions call Ascended Astarion a monster, evil, or maniacal if you turn on him. They believe killing him at that point was the only right answer.

Karlach: It's done. It had to be done. Astarion was... out of control. Gods dammit. Look, he was an evil leech, but he was ours. I thought he'd changed. I was wrong. I always am these days.

Minsc: Do not mourn Astarion. The Gur are known to be a just and righteous people among the Rashemaar. They named Astarion monster, and so monster he was. Yes, Boo - even if he sometimes seemed a friend.

Gale: That's one scourge eliminated. A vampire with that much power would be a death sentence for this city. A pity Astarion didn't understand that. Or rather, didn't care.

Lae'zel: Astarion proved himself no less maniacal than his master. His death was a favour - to him, to us, and to the city.

Wyll: Hunt the monsters of the Sword Coast, protect the people - that was my promise. Killing Astarion was the right thing to do. I have to believe that. But I'm not proud of it. Not after... all this.

Ignoring Astarion's evil and telling you that you shouldn't have betrayed him may seem odd for a character who usually has a strong moral compass. Especially since Halsin doesn't tell you that you shouldn't have betrayed Shadowheart if you choose that path, though he's wary of that decision since you're handing her over to Sharrans. However, if Halsin's focus is on the 7000 lives and not on Astarion's personal kindness or cruelty, it makes more sense.

The people are gone. There is no taking back all those lost. So he's left with the need to make their sacrifice something other than a meaningless slaughter. The power for his companion must be worth it.

Halsin on Evil Astarion

You may be thinking, "Okay, but even if it's all about the mass sacrifice mimicking his own horrific past, shouldn't he still care about Astarion being Evil? He doesn't like evil acts at all!"

That's mostly true. Halsin certainly hates Shar for personal reasons and can get upset when you do cruel things. However, he's also potentially had a bit of a soft spot for Astarion since Act I, when you can decide the vampire spawn is evil and kill him or kick him out of camp.

His lines for this are actually shared with Karlach, Wyll, and Jaheira, according to the data. The uniqueness is primarily in his distraught line delivery.

If you kill Astarion, Halsin admits that he liked the guy even though he was a killer:

Halsin: Rest in peace, Astarion. You may have been a blood-thirsty murderer, but I liked you all the same.

And if you send him away, Halsin says this about Astarion being alone in the woods:

Halsin: He's someone else's problem now, anyway. Woods are full of boars. Maybe he'll learn his lesson and start hunting something that won't miss him when he goes.

His camp reactions immediately after Ascension mirror this attitude of concern rather than condemnation of evil. If Halsin speaks directly to Astarion, he sounds exasperated (the way Halsin says his name always makes me snicker) while Halsin once again brings up the idea of the price being paid.

Halsin: Astarion... you have ascended amongst the ranks of the undead. I can only hope that you do not come to regret the price that you paid.

However, the almost identical line if he's talking to another player character is delivered differently, particularly in how he says Astarion's name. It's more concerned than judgmental, implying that his frustration with Astarion is coming from a place of worry rather than pure anger.

Halsin: Astarion... he has ascended amongst the ranks of the undead. I can only hope that he does not come to regret the price that he paid.

This is particularly notable because it's in contrast to Shadowheart, who has a very similar line after her evil choice, but the emotion behind both sounds more similar to my ear.

After that initial comment, Halsin can banter with Ascended Astarion about how he's turned the player into a vampire spawn if there's a player romance. Unlike most of the other companions who can comment, such as Wyll and Gale, he expresses worry for both of them, not just the player. He also explicitly explains he has no intention of kink-shaming them, just warns about how dangerous having a master/thrall relationship can be if made real.

Halsin: To give oneself wholly, and to have a lover totally in your thrall...? A harmless game, until it becomes real. I worry for the two of you, Astarion. For your sake, I hope some of it is just a fantasy, deep in your heart.

But perhaps the most blatantly accepting we see him of Ascended Astarion is if they go to the Drow twins together. There are always some playful lines with one another if they're both present, but one is unique to Ascension if the player bites Halsin as a spawn during the scene. Halsin's response is light and delighted, acknowledging Astarion's role as not just a vampire, but the lead in your new relationship.

Halsin: Ha - tickles. See what a bad influence you are, Astarion?

Combine with Halsin's direct propositioning of Astarion if Astarion teases him about his night with the player, and there's a case for long-held attraction as well, regardless of alignment.

Astarion: I hear things got wild between you two. I hope no one was too badly mauled. Halsin: We're all in one piece. Perhaps you'll join us next time. Astarion: It's bad enough having one person with fangs trying to keep control of themselves. Two of us could be dangerous.

All these lines, taken together during times when others label Astarion a monster, suggest that Halsin accepts Astarion as a whole. He doesn't believe in trying to change people's nature, so maybe he sees any distasteful deeds as part of Astarion's, the same as an owlbear cub eating its mother might disgust some though it is completely natural.

It makes sense, then, that Halsin might be proud of Astarion for choosing morality or personal growth, but he isn't too bothered if that doesn't happen either. What line Astarion would have to cross to earn Halsin's true ire is unknown. The reverse is a much more complicated question (mostly because it's plausible that many of Astarion's lines are rooted in deception) that I may delve into another time.

Is this whole relationship a little ironic given that Halsin is The Selfless Good Druid and Astarion is The Selfish Evil Undead? Absolutely. But that's the fun of it, in my opinion. It adds depth to these characters in ways that rarely shine through during a singular playthrough, especially since very few will do the crazy thing I did with an Ascended Astarion + Halsin romance.

It sure makes for narrative fun, though.

[warrioreowynofrohan]

Mansfield Park - Henry Crawford and Fanny Price

I want to lay out how I see these characters and their relationship, because to me they seem to be set up as a deliberate contrast to Pride and Prejudice. At the tine of Henry’s first proposal, they are in a similar place to Elizabeth and Darcy at the time of Darcy’s first proposal, albeit with extremely different personalities than those characters: Fanny refuses him despite his wealth and her economic precarity because she cannot like or even respect him. However, Fanny, who is far shyer than Elizabeth, cannot lay out in direct and specific terms the foundation of her disapprobation of him.

From there, Henry sets out to win her regard in ways that very closely recall some of the events between Elizabeth and Darcy.

1) He does a great favour for a relative of hers. In his case, it is getting his uncle the admiral to have Fanny’s brother William promoted to lieutenant; in Darcy’s, it is saving the Bennets from disgrace by getting Wickham to marry Lydia. Darcy’s favour is far greater, and much more personally unpleasant for him, and he keeps it intentionally secret; he does it out of love of Elizabeth, but not to make her feel obligated. Henry’s takes only a few days of his time, its goal is get to Fanny to like him better, and he leverages it both at first and later to make her feel obliged to him.

2) He changes his manners to suit her. In Darcy’s case this means being polite rather than rude and haughty; in the case of Henry, who has always been charming and gregarious, it involves softening his manners to suit Fanny’s shy and quiet personality and engaging in more serious talk. In Darcy’s case this is a fundamental change in response to Elizabeth’s reproof; in Henry’s, it’s a simple adaptation to one person’s taste rather than another. He’s intelligent and able to engage in serious conversation when he wants to, but that’s not indicative of any fundamental change in his thinking.

3) He is polite to her family (the Prices, in Portsmouth) even when they are embarrassing.

4) He speaks with Fanny about reforms he is making on his estates to make sure his tenants are being treated fairly. These feels like a parallel to Elizabeth’s improved opinion of Darcy upon visiting Pemberley and hearing how well his servants speak of him. The difference is that Darcy has always been like that, whereas we are told early in Mansfield Park that Henry has been little on his estates during his adulthood: “To any thing like a permanence of abode, Henry Crawford had…a great dislike”. Darcy is acting in line with deep-seated principles; Henry is doing it as part of his courtship of Fanny, so he can bring it up to her and look good. He also tries to get her to counsel him to continue in this current vein, to engage her in a desire to fix/improve him, which Fanny shuts down laudably: “I advise! - you know very well what is right,” and when he reples that he always knows what is right when she tells him: “We all have a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person could be.” The weakness of Henry’s motivation is seen in the ending, where he puts off a visit to his estates to set matters right there in order to flirt with the now-married Maria Rushworth.

In short, Darcy is already good in many concrete ways, and sincerely improves in the ways where he is faulty, not in order to get Elizabeth to love him but because he thinks about her criticisms, agrees with them, and wants to be better for its own sake; and he helps her family solely out of love for her and deliberately hides it. Henry changes his manner and talk as part of his courtship, but his deeper values and attitudes do not change, and everything is directed at getting Fanny to fall for him.

The second area of contrast is in what the heroines object to. Elizabeth’s aspersions on Darcy’s character, regarding his interactions with Wickham, are found to be mistaken; her legitimate objections are to his attitude and arrogance, and he amends this. Henry’s manners are impeccable and his company charming; Fanny’s objections are to his character. She sees him deliberately flirt with both her cousins at once to a degree that implies an intent to propose, and play them off against one another; she sees him make some very deliberate and mutually-understood innuendo towards Maria, signifying that she should break off her engagement and be with him instead, all with zero intention of actually proposing if she did do so; she sees him use the theatricals to continue this pursuit of Maria. And this is very usual behaviour for Henry; his sister says he has broken many hearts, and when he starts courting Fanny his goal is to make her fall in love with him and then leave her “feeling she will never be happy again”.

This is what makes me judge Henry much more harshly than his sister Mary. Mary can be selfish, but she is not malicious or cruel, and she can be kind when it doesn’t inconvenience her (and one of her better traits is that even when she is unhappy or disappointed she never takes it out on other people). In contrast, Henry’s principal diversion and entertainment for years has been deliberately making young women miserable, leading them on, getting them to reject other suitors in hopes of him, and then departing without a care, to please his own vanity. He is, in truth, doing not once but habitually, what Willoughby did to Marianne: always implying enough to seem on the edge of an engagement but never following through, and then pretending it was all nothing. It’s a casual cruelty he finds amusing as a proof of his skills. In short, he’s a deceptive playboy. Even after Maria is married, he can’t resist flirting with her, which is what leads to her disgrace and social destruction.

Even though Austen lays out an alternative scenario where Henry might have married Fanny if not for that final flirtation with Maria Rushworth, all of the above does not lead me to believe she find that scenario desirable. She’s painstakingly laid out all the contrasts with her previous novel that make this scenario a very different one from Pride and Prejudice.

In addition to Henry’s serial seductions, one of the biggest red flags is his attempt to make Fanny responsible for his character, with an attitude of ‘you’re such an angel, you can make me do whatever you want’. This gives me Tenant of Wildfell Hall vibes, where Helen’s aunt tries to warn her off thinking that an older man of the world will let himself be guided and led by a younger woman who is in his power. Fanny rejects this idea: Henry knows what is right, can make his own choice to do it, and she will not let herself be appropriated as his conscience. Henry isn’t debauched like Huntington, but if Fanny married him the chances of him feeling bored after some years - when he no longer has the thrill of the pursuit to keep him interested - and pursuing other flirtations and affairs to Fanny’s misery, seems pretty high based on his character; and he’s skilled enough at skirting the line that he could easily brush away any objections from her as “oh, it’s nothing, just being sociable.”

On top of all the faults of character - even if Henry did reform, I have trouble seeing Fanny and Henry being happy together. At the core of his personality is a need for change, for stimulus, for challenge (the latter, rather than sexual desire, is the main thing driving his string of conquests), and for company. Fanny, in contrast, very much prefers quiet and the company of a few people she is close to, and I think this is her genuine personality, not something that needs to be overcome by “bringing her out of her shell”. Henry would be bored to misery living the kind of lifestyle that Fanny is comfortable with, and Fanny would be deeply unhappy living in the social whirl and flurry of activity that Henry prefers. In contrast, Fanny and Edmund are both “me after a quiet day in: time for a quiet night in” people.

So, with all this, why is Henry/Fanny a popular AU? Apart from fannish dislike of Edmund (which I don’t share), I think part of it is that we don’t get an open confrontation between Fanny and Henry, the way we do between Elizabeth and Darcy, where she lays out her objections to him: I saw you flirting with both my cousins at once, I saw you making them both unhappy for your own amusement, I saw you repeatedly tempting Maria to break her engagement with no intention of following through if she did, just because you liked the challenge of winning an engaged woman. And the lack of this naturally raises the question of: how would Henry react if this confrontation happened? Which provides fertile soil for AUs.

[macgyvermedical]

Inpatient Mental Healthcare

This was a request from someone (actually 2 someones) who requested not to be named.

What is it like when you go to a hospital for a psych problem?

In the emergency department:

The first place most people go for a psych problem is the emergency department. The only thing they determine here is whether or not you are a threat to yourself (actively or via an inability to take care of or protect yourself) or someone else. The person that makes this determination is a psychiatrist. Depending on when you come in and how many other people also need the psychiatrist, it may take a long time for them to come see you.

Until that time, the goal of the emergency department is to keep you safe. This usually looks like either putting you in a specific room that has no cords or sharp objects, or putting you in a room with a "patient companion" or "sitter".

A patient companion is usually a nursing assistant. They are not trained to counsel you or provide any psych care. They are simply there to make sure you do not hurt yourself (and provide nursing-assistant-level care if you need it. This is help cleaning yourself, going to the bathroom, or dressing yourself). From this point on, you will not be alone, even in the bathroom. This is to keep you safe, even if it is at the expense of some privacy.

From this point on, the hospital is also responsible for keeping you and everyone around you safe. If you threaten another person in the hospital, such as staff or visitors, the police or hospital security will be called. You will also be offered medication to help you calm down. If you do not take it, but continue to threaten, you will likely be given the medication involuntarily.

Once you see a psychiatrist and they determine you need inpatient care, they will ask you to sign a "voluntary form" (called different things at different places). This basically says you are voluntarily admitting yourself to a psych facility until a psychiatrist says you are fit to leave. Understand this. You cannot decide to leave tomorrow once you sign the form. You will have to wait for a psychiatrist to clear you to leave.

If you don't sign the form, but you have said you have a plan to die or hurt someone else, or are deemed incapable of taking care of or protecting yourself from harm, they can write an emergency order to admit you for 72 hours to further evaluate you and see if you need additional inpatient care.

In a standard hospital:

Once an admission order is in place (voluntary or not) If you have medical needs (say, you made an attempt on your life already and need medical care for any injuries, or if you just have a serious medical problem on top of your psych problem) you will go to a standard hospital floor with a patient companion. You may also be admitted to a standard hospital floor if there are no beds available in psych.

In this location, you will see a psychiatrist at least daily to work out which meds are best for your condition, and to re-evaluate your mental health status.

The unfortunate part about this is that you do not get the benefit of group therapy or educational activities directed at psych patients. You also do not get the perspectives of other psych patients that you would in a psych facility. This is usually just to keep you safe until you can go to a psych facility.

In a psych facility:

If you are medically cleared and okay to go to a psych facility, you will be transported there by ambulance (if it's in a different building). Yes, even if the building is across the street. You will be given a room or a bed (depending on how the facility is set up). You will be read the rules of the floor. Your belongings (including phones and wallets) will be locked so they cannot be stolen or used to hurt someone. You may have access to things like clothing or shampoo if you brought it, while other facilities may insist that you wear their clothing and use their toiletries.

A psych floor is usually set up as a relatively free space like a day room, a hall of rooms or dorms, then a couple meeting rooms for counseling, and classrooms. Furniture in psych facilities is either too heavy to pick up or else bolted to the floor. Doors that lead off the floor are locked in both directions.

Days are structured differently at different facilities. Usually this is something like breakfast at a set time, then time to clean yourself up for the day, then group therapy, then a break, then an educational session, then lunch, then free time, then a meeting with your psychiatrist, then a meeting with a counselor, then dinner, then free time. Generally, unit phones and TVs are turned off during activities like group time or educational sessions to encourage people to attend.

[askgildaseniors]

Miguel Ponce emphasizes the importance of commitment and discipline in fulfilling one's ambitions. Miguel emphasizes that these two elements—commitment and discipline—are essential for attaining any objective, no matter what it is. Miguel thinks that adopting discipline continuously will help you succeed, whether you are enthusiastic about soccer, athletics, or another activity. The counsel is realistic and direct, encouraging the listener to incorporate these ideals into their daily lives to achieve their goals.

Miguel emphasizes that discipline should not be reserved for certain hobbies or areas of interest but should be integrated into all aspects of life. He emphasizes the importance of remaining disciplined at passionate moments and when faced with adversities. People with a disciplined mentality can better stay on track and stick to their objectives, regardless of the challenges they confront. According to Miguel, persistence and attention are the keys to success.

Furthermore, Miguel emphasizes that this counsel is universal and applicable to anybody with desires and objectives, regardless of profession. Whether it's athletics, personal interests, or professional goals, the values of discipline and devotion propel people to success. Miguel's remarks are inspiring and practical, providing a road map for people looking to turn their dreams into reality.

Finally, Miguel Ponce provides a motivating message, highlighting the need for discipline and commitment for anybody who wants to succeed. He urges listeners to completely integrate these ideals into their lives, telling them that they can achieve their goals with discipline and determination.

[ceoofhelaegon]

Why Aegon won’t rape Alicent.

(because apparently that needs to be said.)

I’ve seen many people theorise that Aegon has some sort of Oedipus complex with Alicent (wrong brother but I digress.) but that is simply not true.

Aegon since episode 6 is shown to be extremely rebellious, he is less than thrilled with the idea of marrying Helaena, which is interesting.

He actively doesn’t seek Alicent’s approval in episode 9 is shown that she is frustrated with Aegon’s behaviour and wants him to do better, it’s clear that he doesn’t spend time with Alicent nor Helaena.

The Helaena aspect of it is interesting because Helaena is his wife, it could be rationalised that Alicent made Helaena to Aegon and that would make him absolutely obsessed with the fact that Helaena came from the object of his desire.

We don’t know much about Aegon’s desire, but in my interpretation is that he was abused in a way that deeply traumatised him, he was masturbating in front of a window with the high risk of falling, that is not normal behaviour especially for a fourteen year old.

In my opinion, Aegon’s desire became even darker as he grew. But he needed to find an outlet for that, which are alcoholism and frequenting the Street of Silk, and probably the main reason why he frequents the child fighting pits (why was that a plot line in the show? medieval society would’ve put those children to work, not kill each other, I digress.).

People theorise that the reason why he will attack Alicent is because he won’t have his outlets anymore but you fail to realise the ending of his coronation.

His main goal all of his life was to be accepted, he wants to be loved, to feel loved. The small folk are giving that to him, and in the teaser we saw him with friends.

Despite the many allegations, Aegon is not a psychopath. He is capable of awful things but that doesn't mean he has no feelings, despite being two very different Aegon's motivation is his family, before facing the small folk, he saw that his family respected him as King and then was able to see his subjects also approve of him.

In season 2, I think his arc will be about revenge and he will be focused on trying to prove himself. His family was attacked, and he won't take that lightly (yes, antis Aegon cares about his children and his wife, cry about it).

He is determined and he has a clear goal in mind now...something to live for, his dark desires will be the last thing on his mind. Judging by Larys' quote, he will be closer to Aegon than Alicent and I believe that Larys will distance Aegon and Alicent, he won't hear her or her counsel.

The irony is that he is doing everything to save his family but at the same time, he won't listen to any of them...i.e. Firing Otto, dismissing Alicent and even his brother.

This will be an interesting parallel, Aemond was the other that Alicent sought out the most, and she didn't seek out Aegon at all, she only had disapproval for Aegon, he will remember that, Alicent never showed any faith in Aegon. Now he has the approval of the small folk and his Lord friends, while Aemond will try to earn his mother's forgiveness after Luke's death.

TLDR; Aegon's arc will have him further away from Alicent, and he won't try to earn her approval because he doesn't need it anymore.

[talonabraxas]

The Gemini New Moon Is Here — Set Your Intentions & Manifest

The Gemini New Moon Is Here — Set Your Intentions & Manifest

Take note: The new moon in Gemini commences on June 6 at 8:37 a.m. ET. New moons mark the beginning of the lunar cycle and offer us a fresh start. Since this lunation falls in the air sign of Gemini, we are aiming to communicate our thoughts — even though some may call them pipe dreams and fantasies — in an effort to be seen, heard, and understood by others. In short: We aren’t holding back. In fact, we are making sure that we are expanding our desires and soaring to new heights.

The new moon links up with Venus in Gemini, Saturn in Pisces, and the nodes of destiny. With the BIG Gemini energy behind the lunation (there is a stellium of planets in the mix: the sun, the moon, Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter), we will buzz around, seeking information before diving into our plans. It’s best to ask those we trust for support and pointers on how to start. If we don’t utilize our resources and connections, we’ll figure things out through trial and error. However, we can avoid this step by seeking the opinion of someone with experience to get the feedback and motivation we need.

The centaur Chiron in Aries offers a healing hand, allowing us to communicate our innermost sentiments. Talking matters out will give us the chance to mend wounds and trauma. Beyond that, we’ll be able to empathize with the plight of others and want to offer advice (even though it may be given without solicitation). Additionally, the asteroid Juno, currently in Virgo, squares the lunation, urging us to seek justice and fairness regarding relationships. Staying in our lanes is vital because people may not be ready or willing to hear what we say, so tread lightly when imparting counsel to others. Be sure to listen to people’s words because they’re trying to grant us their wisdom.

Rigel, one of the brightest fixed stars in the sky, which is found in the constellation of Orion, connects with the new moon. The giant blue star aims to provide abundance and luck. We can expect our desires and intentions to come to fruition quickly, opening doors and bringing success.

According to the astrologer Arielle Guttman, two days before the new moon, the yearly alliance between the sun and Venus is known as Venus “cazimi” and Venus Star Point. This is a magical time to embrace our dreams. The energy is taking us back to 2020 since this is the second part of the vision the Venus Star Point began then. We are at the midpoint of the eight-year cycle of Venus, which means the universe is checking in to see if we are following through on the objectives we set out to attain in 2020. There could be changes to the concepts as we’ve grown. Embrace them! Gemini energy is mutable and fluid, always transcending and evolving.

Since Mercury, the planetary ruler of Gemini, becomes enlightened by Jupiter on the 4th, the celestial energy will inspire us to do amazing things — all of which will contribute to the new moon.

The new moon in Gemini is a marvelous time to set intentions and to manifest. Opportunities will feel limitless because we are more willing to experiment and switch paths to embrace a new game plan. Our minds will be open, and we will want to attain our desires. With the cosmos on our side, it’ll be easier to lean into our goals, and they will be more accessible than ever. The only caveat is that Saturn might pause our timeline and urge us to spend more fuel discussing our aspirations with others to ensure that we are on the right track; however, this won’t stand in the way of using our inventiveness and ideas to create greatness. The advice or opinions of others will benefit us since they’ll show us the right ways to move forward.

Demeter, Kore and Hekate, by Eduardo Chicharro Aguera

[buttered-water]

Student Profile: Scallop (may add more in the future)

Scallop, Prince

Tribe - Seawing

Winglet - Pearl

Colour - Deep Green

Relatives - Princess Tsunami (sister), Princess Anemone (sister), Prince Turtle (brother)

Clawmates - Ochre (Mudwing), Darkstalker (Nightwing)

Favourite subject - Scavengers 101

Least fav. subject - History. Specifically seawing history

Physical characteristics - large, wavey, luminous markings; royal wing markings; average size, slim, can usually be seen wearing jewellery in the shape of three moons on his neck, big scar in the shape of a dragon claw across his face and claw marks along his body caused by Coral

Other characteristics/personality - Straightforward, fidgety, trouble sitting still, loud about what he wants and how he feels (specifically his goal to challenge Queen Coral and take the throne) Can’t take no for an answer, quick to take charge—Doesnt like being told what to do. Has a collection of scavenger items and equipment (including weapons, trinkets and, mostly strange objects that make noise he says scavengers call “instruments''; he has been advised not to bring them to classes), asks lots of questions (not objectionable, however, he often talks over teachers and other students), agitated whenever someone shows support for Queen Coral (monitor in case it leads to aggression, suggest counselling), “According to Queen Coral, Scallop doesn't understand royal seawing succession. She mandates that he takes history classes specifically focused on seawings” - Webs; loves singing and making noise on his "instruments"; vocally talented; Rumours have started to spread that Scallop is a part of the terrorist organization H.A.T.D (Humans Against the Tyranny of Dragons. most likely fake but continue to monitor just in case), one bad event from completely breaking down

The next member of the Pearl Winglet is probably going to be Ochre (mostly cause I have so much I have to say about him)

[ladystarksneedle]

@hotd-bigbang Larys Strong

Prompt: "All my means are sane, my motive and my object mad."

"The Clubfoot was an enigmatic and cunning man. Although he could be convincing and amiable when needed, he kept his own counsel and was largely friendless.

Historians are still baffled as to exactly what his loyalties and goals were during the Dance of the Dragons"

-Fire and Blood

[suryablogs123]

Things You Should Know Before Consulting a Lawyer

Things You Should Know Before Consulting a Lawyer

Introduction

Before consulting a lawyer, First What does a law firm do? It’s really very important to be well-prepared to ensure you get the most out of the legal advice you need. Understanding the process, providing relevant documents, and knowing what questions can be asked will make your consultation more efficient and productive, which will attract valuable clients. This guide covers key elements to consider before meeting with a lawyer, helping you feel confident and informed about your legal journey and letting you know that you might search for the best lawyer in Chennai so we’ll go further.

Understanding Your Issue

You should know before consulting a lawyer, it is essential to understand your legal issue clearly. Get to know about the nature of your problem whether it's a business dispute, family matter, or criminal issue, etc., Do some basic research in order to familiarize yourself with relevant terms and concepts. Such preparation enables a client to engage their lawyer in a way that would help them get answers to the right questions as their lawyer will have all the information that is necessary for assessment of the case. The definition of your issue is crucial to reducing consultation, unnecessary negotiation, and delay in your matter.

Gathering Necessary Document

As may be expected, there is much that a man or woman can do beforehand, including collection of necessary documents before a meeting with the lawyer. It is good to have the paperwork in order to enable your lawyer to listen to you and give you proper legal counsel. Determine case related papers according to your issue family, such as marriage certificates or financial statements; business, such as contracts; criminal, such as police reports. The better your collection is, the more effective your lawyer will be in analyzing your case.

Ensure you arrange your documents systematically so that when need arises you go through them effectively. Duplicate some as it may be handy to have some extras to present to your lawyer when they require or when making filings. Upload any letter concerning your legal concern including emails/notes etc. This preparation will lead to a better discussion.

You may be confused on which documents to bring; you will be advised when you are setting the appointment with the lawyer’s office. Preparation is also time-efficient because it also lays a good groundwork for your defense hence preparing your attorney.

Clarify Your Need

In advance of meeting a lawyer, it is actually essential to clarify your goals regarding your legal issue. Consider what you want to achieve whether it's resolving a dispute, negotiating a settlement, or seeking representation in court. Be specific about your objectives, such as custody arrangements in a family law case or filing for divorce.

Clearly outlining your goals enables your lawyer to tailor their advice and strategies to meet your needs. Discussing your expectations fosters a more productive consultation and strengthens the lawyer-client relationship, ultimately leading to better outcomes for your situation.

Make Sure Lawyer’s Experience

In order to choose a proper lawyer the review of his experience is necessary so that he would be capable of solving the given problem. Always consider an attorney who has a specialist in the specialized area which is being considered such as family law, criminal law, corporate law among others. Experts are always known to have inside knowledge of their line of work and this highly comes in handy in most times especially during your case. Ask them the number of years they have practiced and the nature of such cases as they handled. An advocate who has handled similar cases and cases that arose with similar circumstances may be of great help.

Also, work with a lawyer comfortable with operating in the local environment and know the legal system since it can help them; besides it can benefit from the connections within the legal system that may favor a given case. Never shy away from demanding the client to connect you to his or her former clients so that they can provide feedback regarding the sector, professionalism, level of communication as well as efficiency of the consultant. In conclusion, selecting the right lawyer brings confidence in the experience of the lawyer who is hired to represent a client with an aim of solving a case.

Prepare What You Want to Ask

I know that Preparing a list of questions before your consultation with a lawyer is crucial for ensuring you get the information you need. Take the time to think about the importance of your case and what you want or hope to learn during the meeting. This preparation will help you make the most of your time valuable and ensure you don’t forget to address any important concerns.

Start by drafting questions related to your legal issue, such as inquiries about the lawyer's experience, their proposed strategy for your case, and potential outcomes. You might also want to ask about their fees, billing practices, and how often you can expect updates on your case. Additionally, consider asking about the timeline for resolving your issue and any steps you need to take on your end. Having these questions ready will facilitate a productive discussion, allowing you to gain valuable insights and make informed decisions about your legal representation.

Know about Confidentiality

Understanding confidentiality is essential when consulting with a lawyer. Attorney-client privilege is a legal principle that ensures any information you share with your lawyer remains private, creating an atmosphere of trust and open communication. This means you can freely discuss the details of your case without worrying that the information will be shared with others.

Before your consultation, it’s important to clarify how your lawyer handles confidential information. Ask about their policies regarding data protection and what steps they take to keep your information safe. Knowing these practices can help you feel more comfortable sharing sensitive details about your case. The more honest and open you are with your lawyer, the better they can advise you and create an effective legal strategy. Understanding confidentiality also emphasizes the importance of honesty in your conversations, as it is crucial for achieving the best possible outcome for your situation.

Legal Rights and Responsibilities

Thus, it is crucial to find out your legal position concerning the rights and obligations in connection with your case prior to the personal meeting with a lawyer. Understanding the rights you have allows you to defend yourself and make the right choices should you find yourself in the legal system. When it comes to what you are handling, be it a family related issue, a business issue or a criminal case, your rights vary. Please, take a while to search for laws that go to the case to find out a little about what you can claim.

Moreover, like any other person, you have certain responsibilities as will be explained below. This also encompasses any legal requirements that you have like when to file some papers or what step you are required to undertake in a particular legal proceeding. If you are aware of these responsibilities, it will be easier for you to avoid actions that may prejudice your case. This knowledge of rights and responsibilities will help you be an active participant with your attorney and ask the questions that will allow you to be involved in your case. The awareness possessed from reading this will aid to make the consultation go well, and increase the probability of a favorable response.

Consulting Fees

Consulting fees are among the things that potential clients need to know before they sit down with the lawyer. It used to be that lawyers charged fees in many ways and understanding how the fees are likely to be structured will matter a lot. Other payment structure categories include fixed charges for services to be provided, charges that are based on the time taken to complete a task as well as charges that are graduated in proportion to the monies that one might recover in a legal process. To find out the fees charged by the lawyer and what the charges will cover, you should talk to the lawyer before your scheduled meeting. This will assist you to avoid hitches when you are billed to pay for the products and also people used to ask What is the salary of the best law firm?

Further, you need to learn whether there are any other expenses you are to incur which include cost of having to go to the court, charges for filing various papers among others. Certainly, it is permissible to discuss with the lawyer how much money you are willing to spend. Most are willing to discuss with you and find a suitable payment plan that shall suit your Pocket. It is also important to know about consultant fees and other costs in order that you can make the right decision on the kind of legal services you need and at the same time not stress financially.

Conclusion

In conclusion, knowing what to expect before consulting a lawyer can make a significant difference in your legal experience. Understanding your issue, gathering necessary documents, clarifying your goals, and ensuring the lawyer's experience are all essential steps in preparing for your meeting. Additionally, being aware of confidentiality, understanding your legal rights and responsibilities, and discussing consulting fees will help you engage effectively with your lawyer.

By taking the time to prepare and being open about your needs and concerns, you can establish a productive working relationship that can lead to a positive outcome. Remember, a well-prepared consultation not only sets the foundation for your case but also empowers you to take control of your legal journey with confidence.

Reference

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You Can contact us through a Best Law firm in Chennai

[sororalice]

On The Blessedness Of The Sun And The Moon

A homily for the Summer and Winter Solstices and the Full Moon in Sagittarius on 6-20-24.

Dearly Beloved,

What a special configuration of astrological elements we have today! It is the solstice, both Summer in the Northern Hemisphere and Winter in the Southern Hemisphere, and it is also the Full Moon. Given this rare conjunction of events, I am moved to speak today of the spiritual marriage between the Sun and the Moon at the heart of so many magickal traditions. I am moved to speak of the Great Work.

I have been a mage for most of my life. My parents were witches, and my mother taught me my first spell (a healing spell for my already chronic headaches), took me to my first ritual (I was five…all I really remember was that the host had a secret room in his house and I thought it was very cool), and bought me my first book on magick for my twelfth birthday (“Modern Magick” by Donald Michael Kraig). It was in that book that I first ran across the idea of the Great Work and I can say that, more than any other single idea, it is the Great Work that has driven and governed my life. I am a 100% unashamed and unabashed True Believer in the Great Work, and I have made most of the major decisions of my adult life with the Great Work in mind.

But what is the Great Work?

Put simply, the Great Work is the unification of all spiritual opposites within the mage or mystic, with the ultimate goal of the unification of the individual mage with the Divine (however that Divine is conceived).

This unification with the Divine is conceptualized differently in different magickal and spiritual traditions based on their varying cosmologies and metaphysical systems, but it always comes down to this: it is the true solution to the problem of being a person. It is the secret of life, the Summum Bonum (“the highest good”), the Philosopher’s Stone, theosis, the reunification of subject and object in the Real, samādhi, kenshō, and dozens of other words and phrases that all boil down to one thing: it will repair that which is broken. It will remedy the problem of existence, at least for us as individuals. It will unite the Lover with the Beloved and, to paraphrase the words of St. Paul, we will “know fully” even as we are are “fully known”. This was what the alchemists of old sought.

Oh, for sure, some of our forebears were avaricious or ambitious. Some sought gold—actual metallic gold, not any metaphor for spiritual attainment—and whether because of a quirk of personality, actual greed, or out of dire need, it is not my place to judge them. As “Liber Librae” would counsel me, how do I know that in their place I could have resisted the temptation, and even if I could, why should I despise one who is weaker than myself?

But setting aside these few people who out of greed or need sought the Philosopher’s Stone because of the legends of miraculous wealth, the other alchemists and mages of the past, our beloved ancestors, mighty dead, and blessed saints, sought something greater. They sought the Divine, in a myriad of differing forms, names, mysteries, and sacraments, and their method was the same: the unification of opposites.

In “Western” magickal systems, we would speak first in terms of the elements. Water must join with Fire, Earth must join with Air, and each must join together, all in their proper relations, and all unified by Spirit. This is, of course, only one way of speaking of all of existence by breaking it up in certain parts and then talking about how those parts relate, and it only applies to our level of reality, the microcosm, symbolized by the pentagram. But we, as the clever children we are, have come up with other ways of talking about existence. There is also the macrocosm, symbolized by the hexagram, and on the macrocosmic level of reality, we may choose to speak in terms of planets and constellations.

Astrology is one of the oldest documented forms of magick, and it goes deep into the core of many of the various magickal systems that we have inherited in the 21st century. Astrology has a lot of complexity to it, and there are controversies within the field that I do not wish to address in this place. Instead I wish to talk about the importance of the Sun and Moon in their relation to us here on Earth.

As pagans, we believe in a naturalized theology. We look to nature for our knowledge of the supernatural and the physical for our knowledge of the metaphysical. And what within the natural world is more important to us than the Sun and the Moon? The light of the Sun provides the energy all life on Earth requires to exist, while in the pull of the tides and the rhythms of the changing Moon, all life on Earth waxes and wanes together. These two lamps light our way through our world, and their changes, during each day, week, month, and year, see us through our lives. These two beautiful, lumpy spheres are our parents, and they unite in their influences—both physical and magickal—to give rise to our world.

It is this marriage of opposites, of the light of the day and the light of the night, of the Sun and the Moon, that gives birth to the unity that is our lives. And thus it is in this marriage of Sun and Moon that the ancient alchemists symbolized the Great Work.

So as these two cycles intersect, as the Full Moon and the solstice comes together, consider the Great Work. Consider your own path, your own spiritual life, and where it is leading you. And most of all celebrate the life that these two glorious lights in our sky give us. Celebrate the beautiful world and the amazing people upon which they shed their light.

Happy Solstice and Full Moon.

In love,

Soror Alice

Art: “Figures representing the Sun, Moon, and stars consort with a being that is half human female and half reptile.”, From the alchemical manuscript “Clavis Artis”, (1738)

[cobbiest]

< Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 >

Aliquis AU, AKA Cramming the BNHA Beans Into My World, Part 2

Ochaco, Tsu, Tenya, and Shouto

Ochaco is a curltail gleekin, a small squirrel-like ancestry native to the forests of Hylira. She enrolled at UA in the hopes of making money for her family, though she also longs to see the world beyond her home forest, and make new friends along the way. Despite her diminutive size, she is one of the most competent fighters in the class. She uses her strong air affinity to glide great distances, take off from the ground, or manipulate the gravity of objects. At UA, she is one of the social centers of the class, her unbridled enthusiasm and cheerful attitude bringing them together.

Tsuyu is a Zauli, an ancestry descended from inhabitants of Thalassia, the plane of water. She has a small affinity for Earth alongside her innate affinity for water, making her most comfortable in muddy environments. One of dozens of children, she set out to the academy to better herself, with the end goal of becoming a traveling herbalist. She meets Ochaco early in her journey, and the two travel together, adding Tenya to their party along the way. Unflappable in the face of crises, she is often seen as a wise elder sister figure by her classmates. She relishes in her friends coming to her for guidance and counsel, since she was usually left to her own devices and responsible for her younger siblings at home.

Tenya is a centaur from the Kislead Kingdom, one in a long line of knights. He embodies the Kislean archetype of the modest honorable noble, aiming to uphold his family's legacy as Noble Knights. Traveling with Ochaco and Tsu for several weeks on the way to the academy helps him loosen up, though he still takes care to remain refined and dignified. He is, as usual, the class president. He works hard to offer aid to his classmates and ensure everything runs smoothly, organizing study groups and extra sparring practices. For some reason, no one will take him up on his offer to accompany him on his daily ten-mile morning runs...

Shouto is an anomaly: a cross between his Winter fae mother and his Fire Elemental father. Enji is a Rualim, an ancestry descended from the people of Incendia, the plane of fire. His father is a renowned knight revered throughout their home country of Kitsuki. He uses his power and influence to cover up his experiments on his children, attempting to combine the raw power of elemental magic, and the versatility of fae magic. Shouto was a successful combination of both, though he despises his father for it. This anger manifested itself in a self-inflicted curse that causes his fire side to crack and bleed lava when he is overcome with emotion. He is cold at first, but his classmates, especially Izuku and Ochaco, wear him down over time. During their first-year tourney, Izuku helps him break his curse, unlocking his fire side at great expense.

[askgildaseniors]

Leslie Martinez's inspirational message powerfully reminds us of the significance of perseverance in the face of adversity or feeling lost. She recommends not waiting for an arbitrary starting point, such as the start of a new week, month, or year. Instead, Leslie advocates taking immediate action, emphasizing the importance of starting activities now rather than later and finding inspiration in the current moment. This proactive strategy helps individuals overcome their procrastination tendencies and keeps them motivated and on track to achieve their goals.

Leslie emphasizes the importance of perseverance and resilience by telling her inspiring tale of overcoming challenges and failures. She accepts that setbacks and perceived failures are part of the path but argues that these obstacles should not lead to abandoning one's efforts. The crux of her counsel is to keep trying, pushing through hurdles, and believing in the process even when progress appears sluggish or unclear, relying on her personal experiences.

Leslie's message emphasizes the significance of discipline and hard effort. She ensures that these attributes will eventually lead to success and that the efforts made to establish a personal balance and routine are beneficial, offering encouragement to continue on course. Leslie emphasizes that the benefit comes from regular and focused labor, which is necessary for attaining long-term objectives, and that each tiny step forward is a motivating reminder of progress accomplished.

Leslie Martinez's message is a motivating call to action, encouraging people to take immediate control of their aspirations and destiny. She promotes rapid action, perseverance in the face of adversity, and the value of discipline in reaching achievement. However, she also admits that suffering is acceptable and that motivation can come from unexpected places. Individuals who embrace these concepts may carve a road to their objectives and feel the fulfillment of committed hard work, motivated by their perseverance and tenacity.

[buzzdixonwriter]

Get Thee Behind Me, Satan

Satan exists.

Not as you think Satan exists, but Satan exists.

Popular contemporary Christian folk-religion conflates the Biblical concepts of Eden’s serpent / Job’s Satan / Ba’al / Jesus’ Satan with non-Biblical concepts of Lucifer and Hades (the Greek god, not the post-mortem destination).*

First off, Satan isn’t an individual name, it’s a title.

Satan’s job in Job is as God’s tester.

He doubts God’s claim that Job is a righteous, devoted follower and basically places a bet with Him that Satan can get Job to curse God.

So God -- apparently not the omnipotent / omniscient deity of the Christian era -- takes the bet and allows Satan to slaughter Job’s family, wipe out his personal wealth and property, then cover him with painful boils.

This version of God is apparently not the all-loving God of the Christian era, either.

Jump ahead a few dozen centuries to the Current Era.  In the gospel stories Jesus, after his baptism, goes off into the wilderness to pray and meditate.  Once there he’s tempted three times by Satan, each time raising the stakes for Jesus to see if he’ll break and take the moral short cut.

So here’s the thing:  Stop thinking of Satan as some grand demonic entity of evil and instead recognize “him” as the anti-Jiminy Cricket.

You know Jiminy Cricket.  He’s the independent entity who serves as Pinocchio’s external conscience in the Disney version of the story.

He is, of course, a metaphor, a literary device, a fictional figure even in the context of the story.

Pinocchio is a hand carved AI-guided robot bereft of experience and knowledge.  Jiminy Cricket is assigned to guide him into making correct decisions.**

Pinocchio is a cautionary tale for young children, to teach by example.  It shows Pinocchio turning from wise counsel to the blandishments of immediate gratification.  The story teaches children to develop their own internal conscience. 

In the original novel Pinocchio kills the talking cricket that tries to advise him only to be sporadically haunted by its ghost throughout the rest of the book; in the Disney version Jiminy Cricket eludes grylluscide to remain Pinocchio’s traveling companion.

Satan as a character is no more real than either version of the talking cricket or of Jiminy Cricket.***

As a metaphor, just as real.

Back in the 1960s comedian Flip Wilson used the catchphrase:  “The devil made me do it.”

That’s a particular metaphor many people -- especially Christians! -- use to this day. 

It absolves us of ill-intent, placing the blame on an outside agency, in effect rendering us as much of a victim as those whom we harm.

Jesus’ temptations -- like our own -- did not come from some hostile exterior force.

Jesus’ temptations -- like our own -- came from his own wants and desires.

“Satan” represents nothing but the internal conflict within his own consciousness / mind / psyche / soul, a conflict of competing desires.

One set of desires being to achieve the end goal as expeditiously as possible, but at the cost of losing the war by winning the battle.

The other set quired Jesus to take the long, patient view, to work slowly and steadily toward his objective knowing whatever setbacks he might face, staying true to his principles would serve him best in the end.

To surround ourselves with demons and devils and literally “satanic” entities is to surrender the battle before it even starts.

To place the blame for our bad emotions and ideas and thoughts outside us instead of acknowledging they’re a part of who we are means we can avoid self-reflection and examination, avoid confronting and challenging and changing the things about us that we really don’t like yet feel so comfortable doing.

Couple that with a pop culture concept of a savior who will forgive us (but not you) just by saying, “Opps!  Sorry!” and you get the recipe for disaster we seen infecting all Christian institutions at one degree or another today.

To paraphrase Shakespeare, “The fault, dear friends, lays not in our Satans  but in ourselves.”

  © Buzz Dixon

  * It can be argued that the evangelical movement needs Satan far more than it needs Jesus.  Satan allows them to act swinishly with an easy out.  By threatening eternal torment at the devil’s hooves for anyone who dares break the slightest cultural norm of the movement, the evangelicals create a morbid fear that only they can alleviate through forgiveness-by-proxy.  As a bonus, one may indulge in all sorts of shenanigans as an evangelical and not need to do any real life atonement or repentance, just mealy mouthed lip service to the evangelical concept of Jesus, a quick prayer for forgiveness, then you’re off to sin again -- a sin not brought by your shortcomings but by an evil boogeyman lurking outside.

** Correct in the sense of cultural norms for that time and place.

*** Jiminy Cricket = J. C.  Subtle, Walt, really subtle…