#creative planting solutions

[fashionbooksmilano]

The Seasonal Gardener

Creative Planting Combinations

Anna Pavord

Phaidon, London 2022, 208 pagine, 21,3 x 27,6 cm, ISBN 9781838663988

euro 35,00

email if you want to buy booksinprogressmilano@yahoo.it

First published in 2001, and now fully revised and updated, in this inspirational book, acclaimed bestselling author Anna Pavord selects 60 ‘star plants’ – from iris to hostas – and pairs each with two perfect partners: shrubs, herbaceous perennials, bulbs, and annuals that no garden should be without. This classic book reveals how best to group plants in a garden to create a year-long display. Ranging from hydrangeas, salvias and ferns to dahlias, tulips and snowdrops, each star plant is paired with two partners, offering gardeners creative planting solutions to achieve stunning results, season by season.

13/06/23

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[penig]

Trust your backbrain. It knows what it's doing.

[customgirls]

Transitional Landscape - Retaining Walls Photo of a large transitional partial sun backyard stone retaining wall landscape in summer.

[high-priestess-house]

𝕰𝖛𝖊𝖗𝖞𝖉𝖆𝖞 𝖂𝖎𝖙𝖈𝖍𝖈𝖗𝖆𝖋𝖙

ℌ𝔬𝔴 𝔱𝔬 𝔟𝔯𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔪𝔞𝔤𝔦𝔠 𝔦𝔫𝔱𝔬 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔶𝔡𝔞𝔶 𝔪𝔲𝔫𝔡𝔞𝔫𝔢

Daily Affirmations: Start your day with positive affirmations or spells to set your intention.

Morning Ritual: Incorporate meditation or a grounding exercise into your morning routine.

Herbal Tea: Brew herbal teas with magical correspondences for specific needs (e.g., chamomile for calm).

Crystal Carry: Keep a small crystal in your pocket or bag for daily energy boosts.

Incense and Smudging: Light incense or smudge your space to cleanse and energize it.

Moon Water: Use moon water (water charged under the moon) for washing, drinking, or watering plants.

Sigils: Draw or carry sigils for protection, luck, or other intentions.

Altar Space: Create a small altar or sacred space in your home.

Candles: Light candles with intention, choosing colors that correspond to your needs.

Tarot or Oracle Cards: Pull a daily card for guidance.

Journaling: Keep a magical journal for spells, dreams, and reflections.

Nature Walks: Spend time in nature, collecting items like stones, leaves, or feathers for your practice.

Kitchen Witchery: Infuse your cooking with intention and use magical herbs and spices.

Charmed Jewelry: Wear jewelry that has been enchanted or charged with specific intentions.

Lunar Phases: Plan activities and spells according to the lunar phases.

Weather Magic: Use the energy of different weather conditions in your spells and rituals.

Mindful Cleaning: Clean your space with intention, using magical cleaning solutions.

Bath Rituals: Take ritual baths with herbs, salts, and oils for cleansing and manifestation.

Gratitude Practice: End your day with a gratitude practice or prayer.

Sacred Music: Listen to music that uplifts your spirit or has magical significance.

Writing Spells: Incorporate spellwork into your daily writing, such as emails or notes.

Daily Offerings: Make small offerings to your deities or spirit guides.

Visualization: Use visualization techniques throughout the day to manifest your desires.

Plant Magic: Care for plants and infuse them with your magical intentions.

Energy Shielding: Practice energy shielding techniques to protect your aura.

Creative Art: Use art and creativity as a form of magic and expression.

Spiritual Reading: Read books, articles, or blogs on witchcraft to expand your knowledge.

Community Connection: Connect with other witches online or in-person for support and inspiration.

Crafting: Make your own magical tools, such as wands, sachets, or charms.

Ritual Dress: Wear clothing or accessories that have been enchanted for specific purposes.

Daily Devotions: Spend time each day in devotion or meditation with your chosen deities.

Intentional Breathing: Use breathing exercises to center and ground yourself.

Astrology: Incorporate astrology into your daily planning and decision-making.

Digital Magic: Use apps or digital tools designed for witches to keep track of moon phases, spells, and more.

Rune Work: Draw a daily rune for guidance and reflection.

Harmonize with Elements: Incorporate the four elements (earth, air, fire, water) into your daily life.

Affirmative Speaking: Speak with intention and awareness, using positive and empowering language.

Gardening: Create a magical garden with plants that have specific correspondences.

Mindful Eating: Bless and infuse your food with positive energy before eating.

Dream Work: Keep a dream journal and work with your dreams for insight and guidance.

[moonstruckme]

hello mae! you said that you’re tentatively thinking about doing poly! jily? how about them x shy!reader who is used to spending holidays alone but now that she’s in a relationship, James and Lily wanna give her experiences of like carving pumpkins, baking cookies, or something like that.

just cute and domestic fall activities!! I hope that’s enough.

Thank you for requesting lovely!

poly!Jily x shy!reader ♡ 845 words

You smile, and James plants his lips on your cheek just before the flash. 

“Perfect,” Lily says while the camera whirs. She takes the photo it spits out, going to stow it in a shady corner of the porch. 

“Now one with you,” James urges. 

“No.” Lily waves him off as you second James’ request. “How would we get all of us and our pumpkins in it?” 

“James has long arms,” you say.

"Yeah, Evans." James grabs you roughly around the shoulders, making your face heat even as you smile. "I have long arms. Give it here."

After some debate Lily hands over the camera. James holds it out as far as he can, waiting until you’re all holding up your jack-o-lanterns before pressing the button. 

It goes beside the other photo, waiting for the film to develop. You know as soon as it does, both photos will be clustered in with the others on James and Lily’s fridge, held up by magnets beginning to lose their strength under the weight of so many. Lily has always liked to take pictures, and ever since you got together she’s been cramming ones of you into every empty space. This relationship is relatively new for you, and most days you’re still trying to figure out where you fit, but Lily and James do everything to make you feel welcome. In a million tiny ways, they show you all the time that they care just as much for you as they do for each other. 

James looks between your pumpkins pridefully. “Whose do we think turned out the best?” 

“Lily’s,” you say at the same time as Lily says, “Mine.” 

James’ mouth falls open. “Mine was good too!”

“Sorry, Jamie.” You give his shoulder a consoling pat. “Hers is just better.” 

The fact of the matter is, your girlfriend was simply patient where you and James were not. She outlined her jack-o-lantern’s face beforehand in marker, used a small knife to achieve the curvatures of one heart-shaped eye and one winking one, and took the time to make the edges of her cuts look nice and clean. James and you, however, tried to freehand things with much larger knives; it had not gone quite so well. 

“I think there should be points for creativity,” says James, frowning at his botched pumpkin. He’d tried to give it round eyes, and in the process accidentally cut more than he meant to. The result is jagged and vaguely upsetting, so eventually he decided it was an ill pumpkin and trailed its entrails out of its mouth so it looks like it’s vomiting pumpkin guts. 

“It was a very creative solution,” Lily tells James. And to you, “You did really well for your first time, too, sweetheart.” 

You snort. Yours is nearly as bad as James’. Both of your partners had to show you how to saw through the pumpkin flesh more than once to keep you from yanking the knife out and stabbing yourself. After many tutorials, you’d managed two triangle-shaped eyes, but the teeth you’d tried to put in your jack-o-lantern’s mouth had fallen out, so now it just looks like a rather simplistic, very upbeat face. 

“You did,” Lily insists, but she’s repressing a laugh too as she looks down at your pumpkin. “It’s cute.” 

“It looks like something a five-year-old could have done,” you acknowledge. 

“You and a five-year-old have about the same amount of experience carving pumpkins, so that’s not really so bad,” says James. He reaches for the polaroids Lily took. “Let’s see how these turned out.” 

“James Potter,” Lily’s voice goes sharp, “don’t you dare touch those with your slimy hands.” 

“Okay, alright.” James holds his hands up in the air. He stands instead, backing away slowly like Lily has him at gunpoint. “C’mon, lovie, let’s go fish the seeds out in the sink.” 

“What for?” you ask, following him as he carries your large bowl of pumpkin entrails inside. 

“If you separate the seeds and roast them, you can eat them.” James raises his eyebrows at you. “Don’t tell me you’ve never had pumpkin seeds before.” 

“Nope.” 

“Ugh. You poor, deprived girl.” James takes your face in his hands, and you smile despite the slick feeling of his pumpkin-y fingers on your cheeks. His eyebrows scrunch pityingly as he kisses above your nose. “We’ll right that wrong today, sweetheart, don’t you worry.” 

“You haven’t been missing out on much,” Lily says, slipping past the two of you with your photos. She wedges them underneath a magnet on the fridge. “It’s a lot of effort for a snack.” 

“She only says that because she can’t stand the guts,” James tells you conspiratorially. 

“Really?” You mash your hands into the stringy pumpkin bits. “I kind of like them.” 

Lily makes a face. “They’re all slimy and weird. And sticky.” 

“Wimp,” James teases. 

“You’ve just called them guts, James. In what world does that sound appealing?” 

“Angel,” James says in a quiet voice, “you’ll protect me, won’t you?” 

You frown at him. “Why?” 

He picks up a small mass of pumpkin guts and lobs it at your girlfriend. 

“James!”

[rebeccathenaturalist]

So this is a really creative solution to a pernicious ecological problem! The short version is that arid ecosystems like deserts are quite fragile. For example, many have soil that is covered in a thin biocrust that can be damaged just by walking or driving on it. And because life needs water to grow and recover, these super-dry ecosystems may not be able to repair a footprint or tire track for over a century.

However, arid ecosystems are often some of the least understood because they can be difficult to access. And they suffer from P.R. issues because deserts are often seen as "bad" ecosystems full of death and nothingness, and because we do legitimately want to avoid the desertification of other native habitats.

In order to raise awareness and appreciation of these landscapes, biological surveys that tally the living beings found there help show how biodiverse they can be. And when we know more about how abundant or scarce a given species there is, it gives us more impetus to protect them, especially those that are at risk of extinction.

These paramotorists were able to fly across Peru's lomas (coastal fog deserts), which primarily receive scant amounts of moisture from mist. They collected plant samples to take back to scientists, carefully recording where they were found. And because they were able to fly long distances, they could minimize the amount of time their feet were on the ground and therefore minimize their impact on the local ecology.

At a time where it seems every interaction between motorized technology and nature is a negative one, this is a pleasant departure. yes, of course we wish we weren't in a place where we have to be worried about increasing extinction and other ecological woes. But let's take the wins where we can; the morale boost is crucial to being able to keep looking toward a better future.

[psuedofolio]

I've been continuing my quest to draw 100 different characters, once a day every weekday and a couple weeks ago was like... "Girls and Mecha" week. And I tried each time to have like... a different take on the theme but would still have certain similar aesthetics. With the exception of the "school girl" the other machines were inspired more with industrial or construction machines.

So like... here's a power loader type mech. And a power armor type design. Then there was like... a mecha pilot but all she got was a roomba. Then there was the "pilot" and there was the girl that is actually the mech for a tiny robot. Was fun!

I had this whole lore where it was some corporation fighting some future union rebels on some space planet. Maybe I'll expand more on that someday.

EDIT: It occurs to me I should probably include the flavor text from when I tweeted these out. I'll put them in the same order as the images here:

"You know Kimmie, from the loading docks? Yeah she took to the Pile Bunker like a champ. You should see her tear open the corpo APCs."

2. "The off world colony workers repurposed the excavator suits into mobile armor frames. Corporate needs you to shut this down, now."

3. "The workers at the BIG PLANT found a little creative solution for taking their work with them while moving through and monitoring the factory floor. They've taken to personalizing their "Desk-bas" thinking of them like their own little mecha."

4. "The Cortex Walker, inspired by some particularly cruel science fiction, was Corporate's latest attempt to demoralize the rebel factions. While impractical from a mechanical perspective, the psychological impact of firing on captured allies could not be understated."

5. "My Best Friend is An Alien (and Unfortunately That's my Type!)"

[calvalia]

🎐🫧🍂Goddess of Mania and Delusions🍂🫧 🎐

📜🎨Patron of Researchers and Obsessed Artists🎨📜

Boon:

“The winds that ring wind chimes and move fallen leaves.”

Not open for roleplay!

[Multi-fandom character]

👥Affiliations👥

Anemoi (brothers, family)

Aeolus (former boss)

Apollo (current boss)

Other Olympians (coworkers/bosses)

🏛️Domains🏛️

Wind

Remedies (health remedies [poisons and drugs], but also solutions and answers)

Mania and Delusions

Tact and Whimsy

Creative Thought and Expression

Cleanliness and Organization

Singing and Musical Harmony

🧺Epithets🧺

Bringer of autumn

Personal messenger, delegate, secretary, and singing partner of Apollo

False Muse

Bestower of fake scenarios one cries over while laying in bed

Constructor of vivid scenes in one’s mind while listening to music or reading a story

Causer of earworms

Provider of questionable creative solutions to obstacles or challenges.

Gifter of endless energy and focus when pursuing one’s interests and aspirations and hyperfixations

Bestower of frenzied desire and motivation to clean and organize one’s living or working space

Reliever of mental block

Suppressor of physical ailments while engaged in the creative or academic zone

Bestower of questionable unorthodox ideas and new perspectives

Infuser of fun into tedious tasks

Whisperer of impulsive thoughts

The Call of the Void

Propagator of shared psychosis

💮Symbols💮

Lily of the Valley (poisonous plant, but can also treat heart palpitations)

Wind Chimes (good luck, prosperity, ward off evil spirits and negative energy)

Autumn Leaves

🐙Sacred Animals🐦

Dumbo Octopus

Hummingbird

MYTHS & LORE

[sayhoneysiren]

WHAT THE MOON PHASE YOU WERE BORN ON SAYS ABOUT YOUR PERSONALITY

Being born on a New Moon phase, means you love new beginnings and activating your new ideas. Your perception on things is one that no one has ever thought of before and it makes you appear as very knowledgeable. You also love to get your rest and prioritize your self care. Keen intuition and creativity are a natural gift that you have. Being alone is easy for you, actually you prefer it that way so that you can let your mind wonder and create beautiful art and designs.

Being born on a Waxing Crescent moon phase, means that you are a child at heart. You don't take life or yourself too seriously. You don't mind being a beginner and trying something new, joining new clubs or new organizations. Like a turtle, you are slow but you get to your destination on your own time. You don't jump into things all at once and prefer to stick your toes in first. Many may be surprised that behind your carefree nature you like to plan and your plant seeds fort he future. You hold the power of healing and creativity within' you.

Being born on a 1st Quarter moon phase, means that you prefer being active in daily activities. You attract many opportunities to you because of your forward attitude and you easily bond amongst others. Your life's work and passion is a main focus in your life and you have the fresh energy to make it happen.

Being born on a Waxing Gibbous moon phase, means that you are a determined individual. You're not passionate about everything but once you have your eyes set on something you desire, you gather enough strength and manifest it. You are not afraid to start again if you fail and this makes you an unbreakable character with full confidence. You also enjoy meditating and resting here and there to recharge and reflect.

Being born on a Full Moon phase, means that you enjoy indulging in the excitement of life. You naturally have tons of energy and can motivate those around you with it. You have a high psychic ability and can read people very well. Manifesting your desires is effortless and your spoken affirmations are very powerful, so be mindful of what you speak.

Being born on a Waning Crescent moon phase, means that you like to go with the flow. Being present in the moment is very important to you and you have a good sense of humor. You don't usually entertain negativity but you will play Devil's Advocate sometimes just for the entertainment of it all. In a group setting, you like to keep in the background and observe other people's characters. You have a gift for banishing and removing negativity.

Being born on a 3rd Quarter moon phase, means that you have strong boundaries. You are extremely sensitive to energy and your surroundings. Your gift is knowing how to transmute this energy to benefit you. You are wary of people who drain your energy and prefer a calm people and a balanced environment. Because of this you keep your circle small.

Being born on a Waning Gibbous moon phase, means that you are very thoughtful and a deep thinker. You like to hear other people's side of the story to come up with solutions (You'd make an excellent counselor). You keep your feelings to yourself and healthily work through them. You have gratitude for the good and bad experiences in life. You project a sage-like character.

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[yan-lorkai]

((Idk why my device wearly doesn't let me add the coma thingy)) For the Halloween event could i request yandere ghost Jade who was once a very rich....duke- yeah totally noble and didn't do illegal things 👀...reader enters this abandoned and destroyed manor with a cat in hands reassuring them due to the storm outside...reader and their cat don't have a home in fact they also como from another world like Yuu the difference is that reader didn't have the luck to end up in a school and they got there with their cat which reader calls their daughter one thing leads to another and reader decides they could stay there after all no one was there just some creaky and weird sounds sometimes but nah must be their cat oh was that a scream? nyeh it probably was the cat or some hallucination for the lack of sleep besides their cat doesn't seem too bothered neither...reader cleans the house thoroughly and creatively fixes some things with their own hands maybe temporary solutions but they will do...they find wild plants and fungi they can eat and make some fires outside to cook them for them and their cat or eat the ones that you can eat raw raw, when they find a shiny or pretty thing they bring it back to the manor and put it somewhere on the house or on the main dorm where once seemed to inhabitate a man, reader find some of his clothes and a picture of him both seemingly wore down and from centuries ago nevertheless they clean the picture and hope them a good rest on heaven and also commenting out loud that they're sorry for invading this place but that it was the only safe place for them and their cat, they later get the dust off the clothes but don't wash them in a sign of respect since idk washing them = disrespecting the memory of their owner, they only get the dust off of them and the closet and put them in the sun for a bit so they don't get worse before returning them to the closet and checking on it once in a while to the misfortune or maybe fortune...? of reader these signs of respect (and airheadness) made a certain ghost very curious and amused... Too long i'm sorry i tend to ramble

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ Day twenty three: Ghost!Jade and darling living on his manor

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ A/n: Lowkey loved to write this ♡♡♡

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ Tagging: @kiraiyugen

The manor was a shadowy silhouette against the stormy sky, its once-grand architecture crumbling under the weight of centuries. Thick vines crawled up the walls, weaving through shattered windows, and the roof had long since lost its battle with time, leaving gaping holes that allowed the rain to pour in freely. The place felt like it had been forgotten by the world, abandoned and left to rot. But tonight, the manor had a visitor.

You stepped through the creaking, heavy doors, holding your cat close to your chest. Her little head poked out from your coat, ears twitching nervously at the sound of thunder rumbling in the distance. “It’s okay, sweetie,” you murmured softly, stroking her fur to calm her. “We’ll be safe in here until the storm passes.”

Your cat, whom you affectionately called your daughter, seemed to relax a little at your touch. You glanced around the dark, eerie foyer, noting the way the dim light filtered through the broken windows, casting long, jagged shadows across the dust-covered floor. The place was eerie, sure, but there was a strange kind of peace in it, like the remnants of a life that had once been.

It seemed to be calling you. Whispering your name, convincing you to enter it.

“Well… it’s not exactly a palace, but it’ll do,” you said, mostly to yourself, though your cat meowed in agreement.

The rain was pouring outside, the wind howling as it whipped through the trees. You shivered, but not just from the cold — there was something about the manor that felt off, like it was watching you, waiting.

You pushed the thought aside. “Better than being out in that storm, huh?”

You wandered further in, your shoes leaving faint prints in the dust as you explored. The place was massive, with winding hallways that seemed to stretch on forever, and rooms filled with decaying furniture that hinted at a past life of luxury. Every so often, a strange creak or groan would echo through the halls, making you jump.

'Must be the wind,' you reassured yourself whenever that happened, though you didn’t sound all that convincing.

At one point, you thought you heard a soft, distant scream, but when your cat didn’t react, you brushed it off as your imagination. “Maybe I’m just tired,” you said with a sigh. “Or hallucinating from the lack of sleep. We've been searching for a place to rest for a long time, havent we dear?”

It didn’t take long for you to decide that you could make this place a temporary home. You had nowhere else to go, and the manor, as eerie as it was, at least offered some shelter and warmth. So, over the next few days, you set to work cleaning it up.

You swept the dust from the floors, wiped down the windows, and even managed to fix some of the broken furniture with makeshift repairs. They were temporary solutions, but they would do for now. Your cat followed you around, sometimes hopping onto counters or curling up in old armchairs, watching as you brought a bit of life back to the place.

As you explored the grounds, you found wild fruits and fungi growing nearby, enough to cook a simple meal. You made small fires outside, cooking what you could, and even tried some of the edible ones raw. It wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing, and you made sure to share everything with your cat.

“We’re like a couple of foraging nomads,” you joked, scratching her head as she ate beside you.

One day, as you were cleaning one of the rooms that seemed to have once been a study, you found a small, ornate picture frame buried under a pile of dusty books. You carefully picked it up, brushing the dirt away to reveal a faded photograph of a man. His clothes were elegant, the kind you’d imagine a duke or some other noble would wear, and there was a certain grace in his posture. But the photo was worn, almost like it was a memory trying to fade away.

You looked at it for a long moment, feeling an odd sense of connection to the man in the picture, his beautifuleyes staring right back at you, almost as if he could see you now.

“I hope you found peace wherever you are,” you said quietly, placing the frame back on the desk. “And… sorry for invading your home like this. I promise I’ll take care of it.”

After that, you couldn’t help but feel a strange obligation to maintain the place, almost as if you were caring for the memory of the man whose portrait you had found. You even discovered some old clothes in a wardrobe, finely tailored but dusty, and decided to clean them off. You didn’t wash them, though — it felt like that would be crossing a line, disrespecting the memory of their owner. It was such a silly thought, really, but whenever you thought about it, you just simply couldn't.

Instead, you brushed off the dust and laid them out in the sun for a while, hoping to preserve them as best you could. Every now and then, you’d check on the clothes, making sure they were still neatly arranged in the wardrobe, as if their owner would return to wear them again in the near future.

Unbeknownst to you, your actions hadn’t gone unnoticed. The manor had its secrets, and one of them was the spirit of the very man whose belongings you were now caring for. Jade Leech had been many things in life — a duke, a man of wealth and influence, and yes, he had dabbled in some less-than-legal affairs, not that it matters.

But now, he was simply a ghost, bound to the manor that had once been his pride. Bound by a curse or so he'd tell you if you asked him; the truth was only for him to know.

Jade had seen many people come and go over the years, but none had stayed. Most would leave after hearing a whisper in the dark or seeing a shadow move where no shadow should be. But you… you were different. You didn’t run. Instead, you cleaned, you fixed things, and you spoke to him — even if you didn’t realize it. Every time you’d make a quiet comment about the manor or talk to your cat, Jade would listen, an amused smile playing on his lips.

It was your respect for his belongings that intrigued him the most. The way you had carefully cleaned the picture frame, or the gentle way you had treated his clothes, it made him feel… noticed. Remembered. And that was a feeling he hadn’t experienced in a very, very long time.

Jade began to watch you more closely, following you as you explored the manor, listening as you talked to your cat. He found your presence soothing, your airhead nature endearing. It was as if, after so many years of silence and solitude, life had returned to the manor — and he wasn’t sure he wanted it to leave.

His mother, his father, his brother... they all have left him.

And misses them.

He didn't want to get attached to someone, and then have you left him too.

One evening, after you had spent the day fixing a broken chair leg and foraging for more food, you were in the main hall, admiring how much you had managed to clean up. The fire in the hearth crackled softly, casting a warm light across the room, and your cat was curled up on your lap, purring contentedly.

“I think we’ve done a good job, don’t you?” you said, scratching behind your daughter's furry ears. “It almost feels… cozy.”

You didn’t notice the figure standing just a few feet away, a ghostly smile on his face. “Yes,” Jade said, his voice barely more than a whisper, yet clear enough to send a chill down your spine. “It does.”

Your heart skipped a beat, and you looked up, your eyes widening as you saw him. There, standing by the fireplace, was the man from the photograph, dressed in the same elegant clothes you had so carefully dusted off.

His pale face was framed by dark, wavy hair, and his eyes — sharp, intelligent, and heterochromatic — were fixed on you, shining with an otherworldly light. He didn't looked dead at all.

He looked very much alive.

For a moment, you thought you were dreaming; the absence of having another person to talk to catching up to you. But the smile on his lips was so real, so warm, it was hard to believe he was just a figment of your imagination.

“You… you’re…” you stammered, not sure how to finish the sentence.

Jade tilted his head slightly, his smile widening. “I am Jade Leech, the owner of this mansion. But you know that.” he said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “And I must say, I’ve been quite charmed by your company.”

You blinked, struggling to find your voice. “Y-you’ve been watching me?”

“For a while now, yes,” he admitted, taking a step closer. “You’ve done such a lovely job caring for my manor, and for that, I am grateful. It’s been… entertaining, to say the least. And you're quite skilled singing.”

You swallowed, your mind racing. You should have felt afraid, but there was something about the way he spoke, the way he looked at you, that made it hard to think straight. “I-I’m sorry if I disturbed you,” you said quickly. “I didn’t mean to—”

“Nonsense,” Jade interrupted, his tone smooth and reassuring. “If anything, I should be thanking you. You’ve brought life back to this place, and for that, I am in your debt.” He paused, his gaze softening. “But more than that… I find myself rather fond of you.”

Your breath hitched as his words sank in, and you felt a shiver run down your spine. “Fond…?”

“Yes,” he said, his voice dropping to a whisper as he leaned closer, his eyes locking onto yours. “And I think it’s only fair that I repay your kindness… by making sure you never have to leave this manor again.”

The realization hit you like a wave, and you felt your heart begin to race. “W-what do you mean?”

Jade’s smile widened, and there was a glint of something possessive in his eyes. “You will stay here, with me,” he said softly, his tone as gentle as it was final. “As my guest… and perhaps, something more. After all, you're mine now."

[khaire-traveler]

🔮 Subtle Circe Worship 🪄

Grow your own herbs, especially those you plan to use in magical workings (kitchen related magic may be the most discreet for this)

Take a walk on a sunny day; bask in sunlight

Wear/collect rings or hoop jewelry

Have a candle that reminds you of her (no altar needed)

Keep a picture of her in your wallet

Wear jewelry that reminds you of her

Go for a swim in the ocean; wash your hands in salt water

Visit the beach or the bank of a body of water

Have a pig, dragon, stag, or snake stuffed animal

Have imagery of rings, magic, the beach/islands, winged serpents, various beasts (I'd say whatever animals come to mind with "beats"), or the sun around

Volunteer at an animal shelter

Support environmental preservation, animal sanctuary, or humanitarian organizations

Cook a warm meal for someone in need

Learn to trust your own judgement; trust your instincts

Drink an herbal tea, using the herbs with intention; cook using herbs with intention

Read the Greek Magical Papyri or The Odyssey (you can usually find a PDF; check the Internet Archive)

Bake cakes and pastries, especially with honey; give them to loved ones

Take time to meditate in the sunlight; do this in nature if able

Go outside of your comfort zone; try new things, and take risks

Dedicate time to learning about a new subject or topic

Go out of your way to meet new people or engage with a community

Listen to music that empowers you or that you feel represents you; dance to it!

Play a TTRPG; play D&D (yes, really)

Start a garden; tend to plants

Connect with local nymphs or nature spirits

Stand up for others; stand up for yourself

Learn about the history of witchcraft, especially that of ancient Greece (this ties into the GMP)

Take a self-care bath or shower, especially with herbs

Go camping; take time to appreciate nature

Ground yourself often; practice healthy coping skills; practice emotional regulation skills

Clean your space; keep your environment feeling comfortable, and make it your own

Think outside the box for solutions to problems

Be creative; engage in activities that help you express your creativity

Press flowers; keep dried flowers (preferably for use in later magical workings)

Sit by a fireplace; light a bonfire; allow yourself to focus on the heat and comfort of the flames

Learn non-obvious forms of divination; pyromancy, cartomancy, shufflomancy, carromancy, etc.

Make a list of your personal strengths and pride; focus on how strong and resilient you are; know that you have power, you have strength

Create a sigil or symbol that represents/invokes you and your personal power

-

This is my list of discreet ways to worship Circe. I may add more later on! For now, I hope this was helpful. Thank you, and take care! 🩷

Link to Subtle Worship Master list

[violetwolfraven]

You know what maybe I’m just tired and feeling the existential dread of growing up, but actually my small, petty hill to die on is that I don’t think I will ever forgive Disney for abandoning the fairies franchise. I cannot even properly express what those movies were to me as a kid. They very well may have been my first hyperfixation. But come on beyond the sentimental value, those movies:

Encouraged kids to take an interest in nature and be nice to plants and animals.

Depicted a (mostly female) friend group that spent virtually every scene they had together onscreen building each other up and supporting each other.

Featured a female lead who is essentially a mechanical engineer, and is not treated as any less magical or important for it than her friends who can magically make flowers grow or bend light (except for the first movie wherein her feeling less magical and important is the central conflict).

Gave said female lead a “love interest,” I say in quotations because while they are definitely implied to have romantic feelings for each other, he is never called anything other than her best friend and the two of them ending up together is never treated as an urgent priority. Their friendship is incredibly important to both of them, but no one acts like it’s a problem that they’re just friends for now.

Redeemed the mean girl pretty damn successfully (in my opinion), Vidia never apologizes for most of her actions onscreen, but she does realize when she’s gone too far and makes an effort to fix her mistakes, and from that point on she is integrated into the friend group who, as I mentioned before, spend 90% of their screen time uplifting each other.

In The Lost Treasure, let Tink’s temper have consequences, a good lesson for kids in not taking their friends for granted and treating them kindly, but also teaching respect for boundaries and personal space through Terrence’s end.

In Secret of the Wings, demonstrated that sometimes rules are there for safety reasons, but you can try to think of a creative solution to do what you want while still keeping things safe for everyone.

In Legend of the Neverbeast (admittedly not the greatest movie in the series), depicted the fairies having to say goodbye to an animal companion permanently, something most kids will probably experience at some point.

Inspired a banger of an online game and several banger songs.

And what has Disney done with this franchise they spent 7 years on (longer if you count the books)?

Allowed a massive decline in quality on the last movie made (Legend of the Neverbeast) and then acted shocked when it didn’t do as well as the previous ones.

Cancelled all fairy projects after that.

Shut down the game in 2013.

Made a bunch of the songs from the soundtracks seemingly disappear off the face of the earth.

I know it doesn’t make the top 100 shitty things Disney has done, probably not even the top 1000, but I am still extremely salty about it, even though it’s been almost 10 years.

[the-mortuary-witch]

EVERYDAY WITCHCRAFT

DAILY AFFIRMATIONS: start your day with positive affirmations or spells to set your intention.

MORNING RITUAL: incorporate meditation or a grounding exercise into your morning routine.

HERBAL TEA: brew herbal teas with magical correspondences for specific needs (e.g. chamomile for calm).

CRYSTAL CARRY: keep a small crystal in your pocket or bag for daily energy boosts.

INCENSE AND SMUDGING: light incense or smudge your space to cleanse and energize it.

MOON WATER: use moon water for washing, drinking, or watering plants.

SIGILS: draw or carry sigils for protection, luck, or other intentions.

ALTAR SPACE: create a small altar or sacred space in your home.

CANDLES: light candles with intention, choosing colours that correspond to your needs.

TAROT OR ORACLE CARDS: pull a daily card for guidance.

JOURNALING: keep a magical journal for spells, dreams, and reflections.

NATURE WALKS: spend time in nature, collecting items like stones, leaves, or feathers for your practice.

KITCHEN WITCHERY: infuse your cooking with intention and use magical herbs and spices.

CHARMED JEWELRY: wear jewelry that has been enchanted or charged with specific intentions.

LUNAR PHASES: plan activities and spells according to the lunar phases.

WEATHER MAGIC: use the energy of different weather conditions in your spells and rituals.

MINDFUL CLEANING: clean your space with intention, using magical cleaning solutions.

BATH RITUALS: take ritual baths with herbs, salts, and oils for cleansing and manifestation.

GRATITUDE PRACTICE: end your day with a gratitude practice or prayer.

SACRED MUSIC: listen to music that uplifts your spirit or has magical significance.

WRITING SPELLS: incorporate spell work into your daily writing, such as emails or notes.

DAILY OFFERINGS: make small offerings to your deities or spirit guides.

VISUALIZATION: use visualization techniques throughout the day to manifest your desires.

PLANT MAGIC: care for plants and infuse them with your magical intentions.

ENGERY SHIELDING: practice energy shielding techniques to protect your aura.

CREATIVE ART: use art and creativity as a form of magic and expression.

SPIRITUAL READING: read books, articles, or blogs on witchcraft to expand your knowledge.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION: connect with other witches online or in-person for support and inspiration.

CRAFTING: make your own magical tools, such as wands, sachets, or charms.

RITUAL DRESS: wear clothing or accessories that have been enchanted for specific purposes.

DAILY DEVOTIONS: spend time each day in devotion or meditation with your chosen deities.

INTENTIONAL BREATHING: use breathing exercises to centre and ground yourself.

ASTROLOGY: incorporate astrology into your daily planning and decision-making.

DIGITAL MAGIC: use apps or digital tools designed for witches to keep track of moon phases, spells, and more.

RUNE WORK: draw a daily rune for guidance and reflection.

HARMONIZE WITH ELEMENTS: incorporate the four elements (earth, air, fire, water) into your daily life.

AFFIRMATIVE SPEAKING: speak with intention and awareness, using positive and empowering language.

GARDENING: create a magical garden with plants that have specific correspondences.

MINDFUL EATING: bless and infuse your food with positive energy before eating. 

DREAM WORK: keep a dream journal and work with your dreams for insight and guidance.

[tarotchariotpickyourcard]

PAC: Why you didn't get the job/placement

Wondering why you were turned away or didn't receive the call? It's natural to wonder, even if people tell you to just move on. Here is an attempt to understand.

Group 1 is a ring. Group 2 is a pink flower, Group 3 is a plant.

GROUP 1

THE EMPEROR -  TEMPERANCE - KING OF PENTACLES

Immediate impression is that the employer directly thought perhaps you as an applicant were not ready or prepared for the stress or situations that the placement might bring. They potentially would have wanted an applicant that was more ready to step quickly into the role, rather than someone they would have to spend more time/money training up or paying more attention to. This isn’t to say you’re not actually qualified, it’s more that this person just made their mind up and that was that. With king of pentacles this is more money oriented, more thinking on profit long term. They may have thought that you didn’t connect with them in terms of the long term impacts of the business/studies. If this was regarding specifically studies this could be that they saw it as a lack of foresight or big picture thinking. (Again, not saying this is actually true, if you feel that it’s an incorrect representation). 

I asked what the employer, or teacher or leader or whoever was in charge, was looking for that you may have missed in communicating or showing. The card is Drive. It says “No matter what my energy level is, today I’m lighting my motivational furnace and burning with drive. Starting now, I’m the reigning badass of productivity and I’m about to blaze through my entire to-do list and then some.” So if you were to apply again or with the same people, you may want to show examples of how you have been assertive, or a self teacher, or someone who has initiative in their work.

Now we have ‘Tijme to move on’ and ‘Stay optimistic’.It says “don’t quit right before the miracle occurs.” If this is something that crops up as a yearly opportunity or something to that effect, then stay optimistic that you can get a chance next time. If you are really interested in the role or type of opportunity, stay optimistic that you can get something similar in nature. 

If you are applying for roles or studies while you’re already in something, time to move on suggests letting go of where you are mentally and emotionally first. That will energetically open you up to more opportunities. Stay optimistic suggests holding on for a bit longer and trying to visualize positive outcomes that make you feel happy, like something has happened.

I drew a card as something that you can show off about yourself and it is imagination. It says “I treasure my imagination, and I can conjure it at any time. My imagination helps me dream up creative solutions to complex problems that I wouldn’t have thought of from inside this same-old box.” So you are someone who can think up some helpful solutions, even if they seem a bit different or strange. You can think differently and really add to research, work and teams.

I’m sorry that you were turned away, but it’s looking positive for you in the future so good luck.

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GROUP 2

So we have the 8 of swords and the king of swords. We also have time to move on and blessed change. This was not the job or placement for you anyway, I see really strongly it wouldn’t have been beneficial for you in the long run. There is something more unexpected for you down the line.

The reasoning seems more based on how you appeared as a person?  I feel like the ones who interviewed were people who saw themselves as logical, down to business and they may have seen you as an applicant who was more in their head in an inefficient way? I just don’t think you were a fit, on either side. So the course, or the workplace, or the environment, wouldn’t have really gelled. I’m sorry I can’t see any more than that to be honest. 10 of swords as an extra is hinting to me that maybe you said something that put them off and that was the nail in the coffin. I’m not saying you said anything drastic, it could have just been something that made them think attitudes were different, or values weren’t aligned. For example, I know someone who wasn’t taken on because they said they were a direct person in the workplace. Imagine not wanting someone who is direct. So please don’t take it personally, I just don’t think you were for each other.

I asked what they were looking for that you may have missed, or didn’t show. The card is prep work. “I make friends with the quiet loners, organization and planning. And I suddenly realize how cool they are! I start hanging out with them, and I bend to their influence. I even allow them to give my daily habits a makeover. Normally I wouldn’t succumb to peer pressure, but isn’t efficiency the best?”

Yeah, definitely seems like they were looking for someone like themselves (in their opinion). Now, let’s have a card showing what you can show off about yourself that you have. Self Reliance (ah, so you can be a one man band at times). It says: “I am a confident, capable, walking, talking, learning machine - and I practice total self reliance every chance I get. Even if something’s tough, I can probably do it. Even if something is new to me, I can probably figure it out. Or maybe just google it.” Whether you think you’re confident or not, you have a quiet type in work where you know you will manage things. This is a self starter energy that doesn’t run away. Do you know some people get afraid at the idea of working at a different branch or with a team that isn’t their usual? I feel like you would walk in there and introduce yourself and get on with it. You can walk into a job needing to learn on the go, and you wouldn’t bother colleagues as much as they think a new hire would.

Good luck, I see a positive unexpected opportunity that you will be able to go for because you’re still freed up. It’s going to make you grin.

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GROUP 3

10 of pentacles, The world. Empowerment, Wait, Let yourself receive.

There’s something here regarding timing or travel. Maybe they needed someone asap, but you had a 6 week wait to go. Timing could have just been off. Perhaps there was time between jobs or roles that they didn’t like. Maybe there was a need to travel when you were asking for remote work and they weren’t willing to give it. Another possibility is you didn’t seem enthusiastic about their desire to hop from site to site, or travel for a longer period of time for a project or course.

Empowerment makes me think you told them about a boundary or limit, but they weren’t willing to shift, compromise or allow. I get a very stubborn energy from the employer/interviewers side. If they were really immature, they could have noticed if you weren’t very early. Maybe you were right on time or a little bit late for the interview. I feel like you had a lot of good qualities that they were looking for, but it was more the practical aspects of things that got in the way.

I honestly don’t see anything too deep. I think you did a very good job in the interview or discussions you had. I think you’re able to stand up for yourself and refuse to give more than you can. I think you have a good head on your shoulders. You deserve a better role or placement that gives you more in return for what you do.

The cards that you have on your side to show next time in an opportunity are risks, and enthusiasm.

Risks says “ I take big risks and leap into the unknown with fearless abandon, knowing that the best surprises and richest experiences come from bold choices. Worst case scenario? The unknown is filled with spiders and they swarm me and eat me and decorate their spider cave with my bones. But what are the chances.”

Enthusiasm says “When I have to make a spreadsheet, sit in a long meeting with no coffee, or do anything else I don’t like, I dig deep and find a way to be enthusiastic about it. The difference between having to do something and getting to do something is all in my perspective.”

So the cards are overall saying bide your time for better results, the right place will accept what limits you genuinely have, and there can definitely be a fair give and take for you. There is patience needed though.

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Hope it made sense have a good one.

[scopophilic1997]

scopOphilic is proud to announce we have a piece (scopOphilic_micromessaging_675) in the A.I.R. Gallery opening tomorrow, Friday June 28th, 2024. Opening reception: Friday, June 28, from 5–7pm. The exhibit runs from June 28 – July 28, 2024. Please join us for the opening.

A.I.R. Gallery is pleased to present Wish You Were Here: The Second Best Time Is Now, the 2024 edition of its annual Postcard Show. Each year, hundreds of artists come together to support A.I.R. by donating a postcard-sized work in any medium. Each original work is sold for $45 and all proceeds go to benefit A.I.R. and its mission to advance the work of women and non-binary artists. This year’s exhibition theme focuses on the climate crisis. The exhibition borrows its title from a Chinese Proverb: “The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.”

Climate activists are pursuing transformational change with a clear and urgent message: act now to protect people and save our planet from the worst impacts of the climate crisis. Addressing the environmental crisis requires collaboration, creativity, and positive solutions on the part of citizens working in other fields, including artists.

Artists’ activism has taken many forms, from posters and demonstrations to radical actions and fundraising. Many of the postcards in the exhibition explore the intersection of gender and the environment. As Katherine Wilkinson writes in The New York Times, “Climate change is a collective problem but its burdens—displacement, homelessness, poverty, sexual violence, disease—weigh more heavily on women and girls.”

A.I.R. Gallery 155 Plymouth Street Brooklyn NY 11201

Wed–Sun, 12–6pm

[reachoutandtouchfaith-pccw]

Dutch van der Linde

Correspondences:

Story: Red Dead Redemption Series

Deity Of: Wealth, gold fever, mountains, cave systems, slow erosion, natural disasters

Symbols: Fehu Rune, Ehwaz Rune, Prosperity Knot, Solomon's Knot, Number 8, Awen

Colors: Black, red, white, gold, brown, gray

Planets: Mercury, Mars, Jupiter

Elements: Fire, air, water (at least in the beginning)

Tarot: Emperor

Favorite Season: Autumn

Zodiac: Taurus

Birthstone: Emerald

Holidays: National Day of the Cowboy, his birthday takes place on I Love Reese's Day

Herbs/Plants: Rose, dandelion, weeping willow, black nightshade (poisonous!), henbane (poisonous!), mandrake (poisonous!)

Crystals/Gemstones: Black agate, brown agate, bloodstone, jet, black onyx, brown zircon

Animals: Horses, snakes, coyotes, crows, bulls, lions and cats

Affirmation: "Have some goddamn faith."

Offerings: Cigars, coins and dollars (especially from that era), vial of blood, horseshoes, poetry and philosophy books, deck of cards

When To Work With: Days are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Times of day are twilight, dawn, and sunset.

Reasons To Invoke His Energy:

Manifestation and Opportunity. Spotting opportunities and angles, coming up with backup plans, finding unconventional solutions, manifesting money (though this comes with risks — he may ask for more in return!), and opening closed doors.

Empowerment and Leadership. Public speaking and persuasion, building loyalty in a group, finding followers for a cause, confidence in leadership positions, developing a commanding presence, and starting a movement or community.

Protection and Resistance. Breaking free from oppressive systems, protection while operating outside conventional rules, strength to resist authority, creating safe spaces for outcasts, and finding escape routes from bad situations.

Creativity and Vision. Inspiration for grand schemes, developing ambitious visions, having unwavering conviction and faith in those visions, inspiring others to see your vision, connecting seemingly unrelated elements, and seeing the bigger picture.

Survival and Adaptation. Navigating hostile environments, reading dangerous situations, finding resources in scarcity, building from nothing, adaptability in crisis, protection, and urban and wilderness survival skills.

Shadow Work. Processing betrayal trauma from rats, examining which parts of yourself you hide to appear "proper", studying yourself with the same intensity Dutch studied Evelyn Miller, and keeping a journal of your thoughts and philosophy.

Just remember, like invoking any other PCC energy, Dutch's energy comes with that warning label. Too much can be a bad thing. Use with proper respect and moderation. Also, friendly reminder that any and all PCCs are good for curses, hexes, and jinxes...

When you're going to invoke him, it's a good idea to look out for...

Signs:

Hear:

The whistle of a distant train

The clopping of horses' hooves

The creaking of wagon wheels

The rattling of a stagecoach

The clinking of coins dropping

The music of a harmonica

Smell:

The richness of cigar smoke

The sourness of gunpowder

The spiciness of sagebrush

The ruggedness of leather

The sweetness of sandalwood

The earthiness of whiskey

Feel:

The coldness of morning frost

The warmth of the rising sun

The heat of a campfire

The sting of rope burn on palms

The crispiness of cool air

The prickliness of cacti or paresthesia

See:

The transportation of a horse

The sparkliness of the horizon

The haziness of ubiquitous dust

The flashiness of spurs

The darkness of his silhouette

The brightness of a camping lantern

Taste:

The succulence of mangoes

The freshness of purified river water

The palatableness of root beer

The bitterness of birch beer

The rusticness of sarsaparilla

The creaminess of cream soda

These signs are to only be looked out for if you can’t visualize him in your mind's eye.

Clown-O-Meter:

Does He Do Any Pranks?: Yes, and his most notable one is the "Stick 'Em Up Cowboy" moment.

What Are His Emo Moments?: He broods on cliffsides and balconies, plus I'm pretty sure he's an insomniac.

Does He Have A Stage Presence?: Yes, he's very charismatic, he has theatrical speeches, he keeps saying "one more score" like a circus act that never ends, and his train heists look amazing.

Does He Have A Clown Cult?: Yes, he has what technically could be called a "clown cult" made of cowpokes.

Would He Be Part Of A Killer Clown Version of Rebel Clown Army?: Considering their main goal is anarchism, most definitely.

Did He Kill One Of His Family Members?: He paid Arthur Morgan $20 to kill his whole family for him.

What Is His Kill Count?: 625.

Overall (out of five): 🎈🎈🎈

Additional Notes:

Dutch van der Linde, to say the least, is one great big mystery. Based on what you've seen of him, you either love him, hate him, love to hate him, hate to love him, or — dare I say it — sympathize, truly dig into his background and theories until he is a tad bit crystal clearer so you can solve the mystery, and let him inspire you, which is what I found myself doing. Now, what I'm about to say may be something that you find yourself disagreeing with, but it's both my own personal UPG and theories that I agree with around Reddit. If you don't agree, please don't comment and just feel free to scroll over this Tumblr post.

Dutch is a victim of circumstance. Beyond his control, every plan he has made has failed. His luck ran out, starting with the Blackwater fiasco. Each subsequent stop — Valentine, Strawberry, Rhodes, and St. Denis — ended in disaster or tragedy. By Beaver Hollow, he was in freefall. His plans crumbled, his people died, and his leadership cracked under mounting pressure. Nothing seemed to go right for him anymore and we all know this. What was hidden in the background that many people didn't know, however, was that Dutch made a deal with the Strange Man.

According to Redditor u/kaellcb, he made this pact after he and Hosea were arrested so that they could escape their cell and live happy, fulfilling lives. But, in a move that is very reminiscent of Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean (cowboys are pretty much land pirates anyway), he did not want to live up to the end of his bargain and tried to do anything and everything in the realm of possibility to make sure that he never would. This led to his infamous bad luck. Read the full thread here for more information.

I also agree with Redditor u/Jamerson357, at least on the second half of his post. John Marston ended up becoming a rat, turning on his fellow outlaws, and that's something that Dutch doesn't tolerate with good reason. And, as far as Arthur goes, he only abandoned him after he gained tuberculosis, and rather letting him die from disease, he was trying to make him die in a blaze of glory, just as Jon Bon Jovi wrote about. Read the full thread here for more information.

Regardless if you find yourself agreeing with u/kaellcb, u/Jamerson357, or both, one thing is clear: Dutch is revealed to be a very misunderstood outlaw who, in fact, is both a Cinnamon Roll and BAMF, once you do some digging into his story. He did what he could to keep the gang together. He is a visionary and never a true antagonist. And with that, I leave these pieces of information here so you can do what you want with them: either work with his energy or not. The choice is yours.