#culivation

[divinegastronomer]

Patience and Persistence

Jesus told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it but found none. He said to the man who looked after the vineyard, “Look here, for three years now I have been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and finding none. Cut it down: why should it be taking up the ground?” “Sir,” the man replied “leave it one more year and give me time to dig round it and manure it: it may bear fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down.”

*********

In culinary esoteric philosophy, this parable can be interpreted on multiple levels, reflecting both the nature of nourishment and the cultivation of potential, whether in the literal sense of gardening or in the metaphorical sense of human development and persistence.

1. **Patience and Nurturing**: The fig tree represents potential that has not yet borne fruit despite care and time. The caretaker’s request for one more year symbolizes the importance of patience and nurturing in the growth process.

In culinary art, just as ingredients require specific conditions to flourish, so do ideas and projects need time and proper care to develop fully.

2. **Balance of Resource Allocation**: The vineyard owner's desire to cut down the unfruitful tree highlights the practical decision-making involved in resource management.

In culinary terms, this can be likened to evaluating the viability of ingredients, techniques, or even culinary ventures that might not show immediate results.

3. **Potential for Transformation**: The caretaker's suggestion to dig around the tree and manure it signifies the idea of providing support and nourishment to realize potential.

In cooking, this can be interpreted as the need for experimentation, adjustment, and care in techniques, flavors, or concepts that may initially seem uninspired but can transform into something wonderful with the right attention.

4. **Hope and Second Chances**: The parable also encapsulates the theme of hope and the importance of giving second chances, relevant both in culinary practice and in life.

Just as the fig tree may still bear fruit, creative endeavors in the kitchen might yield unexpected results with perseverance.

In essence, this parable reminds us within the sphere of culinary arts (and beyond) to appreciate the process of growth, the importance of nurturing potential, and the value of patience in seeking fruitful outcomes.

[hotmessexpress2023]

Endless love is fueled by endless friendship, if you want to have the greatest romance ever, have the greatest friendship ever, cultivate it; do not let your friendship die.

Remember, it's not a lack of love that destroys relationships; it's usually a lack of friendship. -Steve Maraboli

[vncdraws]

Every time I remember these characters exits, my neurons just flare up.

[cloudstongue]

@cassylost-inspace @millyzasilly because yall have my spotify uhm. dont tell anyone. this can be a secret okay 😇😇😇

[plottwiststudios]

You gave us a game filled with some of the hottest characters I have ever seen, game them all emotional backstories and let us in-canon romance them.

I'm not surprised people voted for horny. I'm surprised it wasn't a higher margin.

Then Women of Xal II will be a treat for ya'll. Especially for the older fans that are around my age or more (33!). Thanks so much for your compliments! It's always nice to hear that people appreciate our characters! <3

[companionwolf]

me staring into my laptop's screen because my friend asked two basic crucial questions about my game and i dont have answers: why is there a sim, why is there backups. why cant they just be in cold storage.

brain: v -

me: virtual afterlife is not happening, next idea please

brain:

brain: its just ultimately soma again. thats all i got boss

me: GODFUCKINGDAMN IT

[lgbtlunaverse]

Considering wwx's canonical breeding kink and his general fondness for dubiously safe scientific experiments it is technically within the realm of possibility that a few years post-canon he just invents cultivation hrt and transition surgery by accident.

He just rocks up to a cultivation conference one day 5 months pregnant like "I turned my body into that of a woman! Yeah the boobs too we travel a lot and don't want a wetnurse. I'll reverse it in two years or so." And every single trans person and egg in the culivation world simultaneously sits up and goes "wait what?"

Imperical to understand that wwx still fully identifies as a cis man and does not know trans people exist. He did not know he was gay while actively being in gay love, this man is very smart but he doesn't know shit. Just a few weeks after the conference people start coming over like "hey... that thing you did... can you do that to me?" and he's like damn sure are a lot of dudes who wanna get pregnant. One day a "female" cultivator comes and is like "so you said you're going to reverse it... you think you can do that on a body that's already female? Turn my body into a man's body?" And he just goes well probably, let's find out!! It's so great all these people wanna help him perfect his techniques, isn't it lan zhan?

Years later they run into one of the trans women he first helped and doesn't even recognise her as she's thanking him and after the clarification just goes "wow! haha damn you're even wearing women's clothes! Should I start calling you guniang?" sort of as a joke but she's like yes please and he just says alright nice to see you again ma'am (still doesn't get it)

[katerinaaqu]

Hey katerinaaqu,

I was wondering if you might know something about apotheosis/deification of mortals in greek mythology. Specifically how it was decided what domain they would become a god of. From what I've gathered it seems like actions in their mortal lives tends to lead to what their domains in divinity is.

Thanks for any help/info you can provide!

Oh that is a very good question. I believe there are indeed plenty of examples in greek mythology of Apotheosis.

Arguably the first one is Dionysus himself. Given how Dionysus is born out of a mortal mother (Semele) and an Olympian god (Zeus). According to Orphic traditions, Dionysus was probably set for divinity since he was born once more as Zagreus before dying and being reincarnated through Semele. It seems like he would prbably be another demigod like Heracles if it weren't for Zeus to finish the pregnancy himself by sewing him into his hip so in a way he got extra divine essence from Zeus. After that he experienced the persecution of Hera and madness induced by her before earning his place as a god among the Olympians

Ever since Dionysus we do see other examples of humans turning into gods. There also seems to be a difference between an Apotheosis and a worship of a hero. For example Heracles was known to become a god after death but not others like Achilles at least in Homer it is not implied that Achilles becomes a god and yet along with Patroclus and Antilochus he is given offerings to his tomb, worshipped more as a hero rather than as a god.

So what is the factor that makes a mortal a god? Well there are many. It could be the mortal's connection to a god as a parent (see Dionysus, Heracles etc) or marriage (Ariadne and Dionysus) or other reations (Dionysus reviving Semele and giving her immortality). For others it seems like it has to do with their heroic deeds on earth. For example we have Heracles who arguably became the greatest hero of Greek mythology or Diomedes who spread Greek culture to Italy by founding plenty of cities. It could also be linked to a mortal have some sort of attribute that is considered sacred or divine in the first place. A good example is Ganymedes who was having the attribute of beauty and youth that are on their own divine properties, thus leading Zeus take interest in him and thus offering him immortality and making him his cup brearer.

Now when it comes to Dionysus for example yes his attributes seem to be reflecting his life. He was the god of rebirth and regeneration of nature (due to his Orphic tradition of dying as Zagreus and coming back to life) or god of madness since he was induced to madness himself. Now for the culivation of vine and winemaking of course depending on the myths involving him like the beautiful satyr, Ampelus could be an indicator. Also the vine is a plant that comes out during late summer and early autumn which again is linked to the regeneration of nature. Also the wine-making as coming from the crushing of grapes and passage of time for alcohol to froment also rings to me the bell of Dionysus's story of regeneration (almost the opposite of Persephone who comes out of the Underworld with Spring, Dionysus is celebrated a lot in winter (see his celebration of Dionysia in December), symbolizing the constant mystery of nature. With his connection to nature seems to be also reflecting his madness and his several roaming about the world in a mad and disoriented state thus he is also considered god of wilderness and several of his followers are satyrs and Maenades, reflecting his roaming and primitive state at that time. The induced madness and alcoholic beverange association and in his life also links to his attributes of divine ecstasy, disoriantation, confusion and daresay savagery. He was also linked to prophetic powers on occasion since he is also known for coming and going from the Hyperborean lands due to his trips in mythology and taking over from Apollo to the sanctuary of Delphi thus sharing the sanctuary. Consequently to that of course and with the above he is also linked to theater; while roaming in the wild he was not himself the same much as the sacred nature of theater is also linking him to rituals and offerings. A sample of theater is the full masks and costumes, which resembles a lot ancient rituals in which masks or even skulls are involved to cover one's face and linked to dancing, singing, unifying of masses etc. Arguably some of the dionysian celebrations of that kind are some of the most ancient known celebrations in Greece and certain festivals even nowadays are said to have the roots to them. All in all he is linked a lot to thinks that have to do with humanity and that is probably because he comes from it himself.

So, having in mind examples such as Dionysus whenever a mortal turns into a god might or might not get an attribute but I believe most of time their attribute or fields are determined by their life story or their mythology. They are also heavily inspired by local traditions in regards to the hero (for example if they are worshipped as city-protector, as protector of youths etc) so it depends on what kind of mythology they have behind. On the occasions we discover offerings or hymns attributed to the deified mortal we can also make assumption on their worship. Oftentimes a sanctuary is also linked to a hero's death or life stops. One example that comes to my mind is a series of mentions to the sanctuary of Protesilaus, the man that stepped first in Troy and losing his life first. The sanctuary is placed in several places according to the sources and they seem to memorize the hero's courage in battle.

So yes it seems that by n large their mortal lives or local myths do determine their domains and attributes. I hope the examples help a bit. I will be happy to dig deeper if you want.

[randomkposts]

A thing I think we should consider more about Makoto's character when writing her is that she knows Aikido and is not using it in the Metaverse.

Let me explain.

Martial arts come with a philosophy. They are a synthisis of a founders philosaphical and religious beliefs and their martial studies.

Aikido's founder was Morihei Ueshiba, and his goal was creating a fighting style that lets the user defend themselves, while also protecting the attacker from injury. Aikido can be translated as "the way of harmonious spirit", or "the way of unifying with life energy."

The goal is to avoid cultivating violence or aggressiveness. Its tecquniques include attack redirection, throws, pins, strikes, and joint locks. When using weapons, it uses staffs, knives, and wodden katanas.

Its fitness goals are less about strength training and more about flexibility, endurance, and controled relaxation.

All of the above, establishes that it is Not Aikido, Makoto is using in the Metaverse. She may have learned how to strike in Aikido class, but in the Metaverse she is going for all out attacking.

It could have been possible to tie in take down tactics to her and add ways to force shadow negotiation as her confidant incresed, but it doesn't. Instead its about analyzing the shadows.

She trains in a martial art whose goal is "to overcome ones self instead of culivating violence or agression", and when she comes face to face with an opponent in the metaverse she throws all that philosophy out the window in favor of agressive striking.

Her magic attack, is necular- an energy at which is produced by splitting the nuculus of atoms (particles) apart, or fuse them togther.

Her rebellion does not begin and end with her bike.

[nebby-the-protogen]

"...so basically it's like a wuxia culivation movie or a shonen anime but instead of power levels and stuff it's about how well you can pull of sick minecraft jump combos, it also has anticapitalist themes did i mention- hey are you still listening?"

[turtlesaus]

Big-Man Raphael Hamato - TurtleDuck AU

(Most of the design choices were inspired form Pinterest, IDK who drew them cause literally noone cited their sources x-x)

Wheeeeee;

Raphael Hamato

Nicknames: Raph, Raphala, Raphie Race/Species: Turtle Mutant/Yokai Age: XXX (Changes though time) Height: XXX (Same as age) Gender/Pronouns: He/Him Job: Tank/Brute FOrce/Cuddler

---

Personality

Raphael was not pressured into being the eldest child, and so he was able to age slowly, and was able to culivate his childhood much longer. Leo gives him eternal support to help him understand everything, and to keep him anxiety from giving him too much trouble.

On that note, because he wasn't given that stress-related emotional punch, Raph gets overwhelmed easily with big plans and his anxiety can make him spiral out sometimes.

Usually, however, he is a cuddly and fun younger brother.

---

Power(s)

Raph's Ninpo is called Energy Manipulation, and is more on bodily constructs. He is capable of manifesting a ninpo energy construct in the shape of his body.

He can alter the construct in its entirety to giant sizes and also independently alter the size of its appendages to take down physically large or exceptionally powerful opponents. He can add additional limbs to his construct as well, and form a more traditional energetic shield to block attacks.

On top of that, he uses Tonfa's and small knives.

---

Backstory

Raph grew up understanding that he considered his oldest brother his parent, not the rat in the bedroom. Everytime he had talked to the rat, he had been brutally reminded of htis, so the few time Splinter leaves his room, Raph is usually found hiding from him and avoiding him, and thus Splinter was banned from the kitchen, the living room, and the bedrooms.

After he met draxum, Raph found that he was overjoyed to have another 'parent', and was almost as attached as Mikey was.

With his new sibling, he adapted to their presence quickly and loves on them a lot. Even with his anxiety, he would rather die that abandon or betray his brothers.

---

Family Dynamics

Raph & Leo

Raph has some serious anxiety, and has trouble understanding big thought processes and plan, but Leo has always slowed down and simplified it for him. Because of the support he's gottne from Leo, Raph is very dependant on him to help him understand some things.

Raph & Donnie

With Raphael's anxiety, Don has learned to show his blueprint, albeit simplified, to him to help him clear his worries. When Raph gets overwhelmed Don will, without hesitation, lend him his headphones or sunglasses.

Raph & Mikey

Mikey and Raph alone together usually leads to absoloute chaos. One is flusted easily, the other is a complete ADHD attention span presentation. They love each other, and cuddle at the drop of a beat, but don't leave them alone with a lot of energy.

Raph & Casey

The two of them destroy shit together, and pretty much be jock bros with easch other.

Raph & April

Raph and his bog sister get along live a mother duck and her child. He follows her around, and she will slowly make sure that he understand everything before just leaving him. He really appriciates this.

(More Coming later)

[feral-nightingale]

What role in the tragic play are you?

Sami'a Nightingale: misunderstood villain

Prepare for an onslaught of both the most dehumanizing and hateful takes, and flood of thirst comments. You are chronically misunderstood. Whether or not you're actually evil is debatable. You may be acting out for revenge, to defend someone you love, or even just to protect yourself. You're a pretty jaded person. You don't trust or even really like most people. Maybe you did at one point. But that part of you is gone, and you don't go a single day without grieving it. You think a lot about what your life could have been. You're stuck in the past. You're angry and maybe you don't even want to be, but this is the only way you can see to survive. You're open, but less in a trusting way and more like a wound. You don't like to let people see you, but the hurt spills out of you before you can stop it. You're impulsive, even as you try hard to plan and prepare. Maybe someday your side of the story will finally be heard. Until then, you can convince yourself that being hated is safer anyway.

More thoughts below

But that part of you is gone, and you don't go a single day without grieving it. You think a lot about what your life could have been. You're stuck in the past. You're angry and maybe you don't even want to be, but this is the only way you can see to survive. You're open, but less in a trusting way and more like a wound.

Poor Nightingale, their innermost insecurity ripped open and put on display for all to see. The life they could have lived with their tribe is never far from their mind. A life where their conjury lead them to be the priestess for Menfina, healing the ails accrued by the tribes hunters. A life where they could fall in love, and know only the hardships of living. A life that was taken from them when their community turned their backs on them, labeling them a 'cursed child' and then exiled to starve alone in the Shroud. A life where they could have grown up surrounded by love, instead of being labeled a wild pest who's sole crime was wanting to survive another day on the outskirts of Gridania after their world ended.

Until then, you can convince yourself that being hated is safer anyway.

Sami'a "Green Eyes" Nightingale. The Alliance's pet demon. Menphina's loyal hound Dalamud incarnate. Or so they would have their enemies believe. During the Ala Mhigan and Doman Wars of Liberation, they realized that their legend among the Garlean rank and file preceded them, and some soldiers would sooner run for the hills than be forced to face them down. At the time it proved useful, and afterwards they took no small effort to culivate those rumors for future conflicts. Thing is, they were probably a little too successful. They see it in the people they meet and call allies: the small spark of fear buried deep within their eyes and the tenseness of shoulders as if they were a savage beast who could attack at any time. "Oh well," they reason for their own sanity. "At least I'm still (mostly) seen as a beacon of hope to the hopeless..."

Anonymity certainly has its perks. Though they may not command instant respect, at least they treated for who they are and not their legend.

This was fun to put together. Thanks so much for the tag @arinaxiv.

You can find the quiz here

I'm gonna tag the polycule next. Show me your blorbos @valentineemberly @seldemonnb @faerunes @hellstoupee

[qblester]

@botanical-feverdream

i Am stating this While normal speaking to you but you do Not have step in and defend me i Very much know what i am getting into here and i would Feel bad if there was splashback like Onto you for a situation i am starting and Culivating and such.

[chaoticgremlinwholikescheese]

For memorial day, I want to remember my veterans (the veterans I researched). I'm going to put their names and one fact that stuck with me below.

Arthur Clifford Kimber - He named all three of the planes he flew after his best friend Nick.

Hiram Baker Fisher J.r - He died two days before being comissioned.

Fritz Barkan J.r. - He left behind a wife named Elizabeth Reynolds.

William M. Bassett - He was a theater techie, and had a patent for a dolly system.

Howard D. Benson - He was an athlete and part of the student government.

Jack W. Bleasdale - He did theater in highschool. He died in a POW camp, leaving behind a wife named Ellaoise.

Russell V. Braga - The last news his family received was from his friend saying they had been separated during battle in Iwo Jima.

Julian G. Burnette J.r. - He was only 22 when he died.

Samuel L. Carson - He wrote home on the day he died that his orders to come home had finally come through.

Bernard J. Casaurang - He was president of the high school glee club and worked as an actor.

William A. Cashin - He died while in pilot training.

Harvey B. Clarke - He was a cheerleader, star athlete, and popular guy in highschool. He worked as a figher fighter.

Deane P. Clementson - His plane had been damaged on a past mission. Nevertheless he and his crew accepted another mission, which would be his last.

Frederick B. Cooley - He did boxing.

George B. Culiver - He was killed at Anzio. I don't have much information on him, which saddens me.

Norman B. Dahlin - He worked as a medical administrative corps officer before joining the airforce.

J.R. (Frank) Dally - He graduated in 1944. I don't have much information on him either.

Albert D. Davies - He fought in India and Africa. He was killed in a transport plane crash in the US after coming home.

Morian C. Deal - He worked as a butcher with his father at their family butchery.

Phillip S. Doty - He died of severe burns. He suffered for several months before dying.

Henry Howard Estes - He was listed as missing before being declared KIA

Glen D. Faris - He was part of the royal canadian air force. He was only 19 when he died.

James R. Field - He died as a POW of preventable illnesses.

John D. Fredericks III - He was a huge part of highschool student government. He was killed by machine gun fire.

George E. Fuchs - He was a star football player in high school. He had a really nice smile.

Thomas D. Gorman - Notice of his death arrived only a few days after both his brother and father were released from the military.

Robert W. Griggs J.r. - He was part of an acapella group and worked as an actor.

William R. Gunther - He was a star basketball player.

Alvin W. Harroun - He went to Stanford University and was part of Delta Upsilon fraternity.

Bryson R. Hills - His plane was called ‘The Flaming Mayme’.

Michael K. Hite - He was part of the marines. I know very little about him.

Robert C. Hoffman - I don't know anything about Robert besides his name. I wish I knew more.

Theodore B. Holmes - He had a daughter named Carolyn who was almost two when he died.

William H. Houston - He worked as a medic in the airforce.

Jack E. Howell - He wanted to be a pediatrician.

Paul H. Jungermann - He was a physical therapist and managed two floors of the hospital he worked in.

Donald A. Kelly - He worked with amphibious vehicles (ducks). He was killed in a car crash.

Lowell F. Kuehnle - He was listed as missing in action before being declared KIA.

Emil H. Kunz - He was an aviation teacher.

Wilbur C. Lauridsen - He was part of the Palo Alto amatauer radio association, and they still celebrate his life.

Adelbert (Jack) Lawrence - He played basketball and was in the glee club.

Norton Le Goullon - He had four siblings.

Sidney Levy Jr. - He was a Sea Scout and an air raid messenger.

Andrew E. Lincoln - He was a sea scout. He was only 18 when he died.

William L. Longmire - He was a POW and died of preventable illnesses.

Herbert C. Love - He was killed in Normandy after D-Day.

Louis M. Love - He was a thespian. He was ranked number one in an aviation class of 2500 cadets.

Wendell H. Marlowe - He was killed on Christmas.

Phil E. Mattingly - His family held out hope for years that he was still alive despite being MIA. He was declared dead in 1946.

Virginia Ruth Mayer - Her mother worked as a nurse during WWI, and Virginia followed in her footsteps.

Robert V. Mitchell - I don't know much about his life. In his photos, he looks kind.

William H. Moody - He went by Howie.

Eugene L. Morgan - He has the same birthday as me. He was born 7/17/1917

Hugh H. Morris - He was a swimmer.

Karl E. Miller - He died of dysentery as a POW.

William C. Muldoon - He was executed with his crew when they crashed in enemy territory.

Margaret N. Neubauer - She was born in Santiago, Chile

David J. Nolan - He worked as an actor.

Charles A. Norby - His plane was called ‘Shack Rat’. He was murdered in cold blood by a Nazi soldier after he became a German POW.

Frederick H. Palmer - His plane was named the ‘Wing Dinger’.

Harold H. Piggott - He was popular in highschool and had the affectionate nickname 'Piggy'.

Durham W. Porter Jr. - He was a boy scout.

Forrest Wayne Reeves Jr - He was a civilian construction worker on a military base when he was killed.

Robert H. Reeves - When he died, he left behind a 13 month old son.

Alfred J. Siverstein - He majored in art during college. He went by the nickname 'Bud'.

Robert E. Slater - He was on the USS Bonefish, a submarine which still has not been found.

Carl W. Stuke Jr. - He lived in Chile for a while.

Donald J. Stuke - He is buried next to his brother Carl.

Lyle A. Taggart - In high school, He was voted most popular guy in 1939, as well as best dancer (boy).

James F. Taylor - I know nothing about him besides his name. I hope his family remembers him.

Arthur D. Wagner - He was a mathematics major in college.

Andrew G. Webb - He was an actor and a star basketball player in high school.

Howard C. Weller - He was part of his high school choir, and came back to sing with them while he was on military leave.

John Austin Widsteen - His body was not identified and he was not formerly buried until six decades after his death.

Frederick M. Yamamoto - He was so loved and respected. He was smart, dedicated, and died fighting for a country that didn't fight for him.

Albert T. Lavers Jr. - When he died, he left behind a 3 year old daughter named Suzanne.

Marcus Paul Merner - He played guitar.

William Henry Suffern Jr. -  He graduated from Paly in 1947.

Brian Adam - He was an artist.

Billie M. Bedsworth - He lost his life saving his friend. The comments on his memorial page show that he was so loved.

Arthur F. Gleim Jr. - He was part of the sound crew, audio visual club, and audio visual crew in high school.

Roger C. Hallberg - His family is still looking for closure to this day. He was last seen wearing a wrist watch and his wedding ring.

Barry ‘Buck’ Dean Kingman - He was a stand up guy. Everyone I've spoken to about him adored him. He could have done so much if his life wasn't taken during a war he didn't believe him.

Richard Arlan Stone - He was killed when he stayed behind to protect wounded soldiers.

Thomas L. Vendelin - He wanted to be the greatest drummer the world had ever seen.

If you'd like to read more about any of these people, feel free to read the (unedited) book!

[oakthcrn]

" You know if you keep making that face, it'll stay stuck that way." Lark said without looking up from her book. She was meandering around Thorin's room. " It is only dinner, and it took me ages to get Thranduil to even come here. " She had been working hard being an envoy between distrungled peoples; she had culivated a private dinner in which she hoped that the bond between elvenkind and the dwarves would be strengthened. Though, she wouldn't be holding her breath if she were honest. At least she convinced blackmailed Thranduil to join them at Erebor for a private dinner. Perhaps there was hope of burying the hatchet between her people and her friends.

@orcristwielder

[plottwiststudios]

2024 Writing Goal: Make more characters that other writers can write for, in the event they want to, or I need them to in larger projects. I believe I achieved this!

Before Women of Xal, my stories suffered from characterizations and dialogue that only felt cohesive and in-character when I wrote for them. I found this to be a flaw and worked on it throughout Women of Xal's production.

It's not very perfect. Characters like Culiver and Artimis could be emulated with some studying. Xobi especially!

But then we get into Clanice...