#fairy gerald

[sarahvilelaheart]

This is an art of Princess Sarah (as a fairy), along with her fairy friends Crystalline, Brilliantine, Brian, Amalia and Gerald, celebrating this year's International Fairy Day. So... Happy International Fairy Day 2024! ���‍♀️🧚‍♂️ And enjoy this special drawing! 🙂

[thevixenwitch]

Cernunnos - A Confusion of Aspects

Introduction

This was supposed to be a simple bit of research that I was going to do as a devotional act to Cernunnos, but over the course of the night I kept encountering the same dead ends that pointed to the same singular source of misinformation. So do not expect this to be entirely objective.

Let's begin with a simple question: Who is Cernunnos?

A Gallic deity, with difficult to trace roots. Depicted sparingly, there is debate on whether or not various depictions can actually be attributed to him. Particularly, one of the most famous supposed depictions – the Gundestrup Cauldron – has been theorized by Celtic scholar John Matthews to depict a Shaman and not the god himself, according to his book The Celtic Shaman. Depiction variation and debate is not uncommon in discussion of older religions and cultures, particularly when Romanization and Christian censorship were at play. Not to mention Wiccan appropriation and repurposing of beliefs without regard for earlier context.

Others have made fantastic deep dives into potential depictions and discussed them at length, and I am no historical scholar, so I have little to add in this case. I highly recommend the essay The gods of Gaul: Cernunnos by @mask131 [1] for a piece regarding depictions through history.

Upon reading the previous essay, I was inspired to dig deeper into Cernunnos, from historical contexts to meditating on my own UPG via my connection with him. My own connection with him was something that happened casually over time, ranging from dreamlike interactions to conversing directly through divination. I am an incarnate Fae, and worship him as the King of the Fae, in addition to other aspects and epithets such as:

Cernunnos

King of the Fae

Master of the Sacrificial Hunt, The Horned God, and other Wiccan Concepts

Master of the Wild Hunt

Pan

The Green Man

Herne the Hunter

This list is influenced by a resource post of druidry.org[2], but I will be researching each of these titles for further insights into their sources and how they do or do not connect to my own practice ahead.

[1] mask131, Tumblr

[2] https://druidry.org/resources/cernnunos - this is not a reliable resource

^ Cernunnos depiction on the Gundestrup Cauldron

Cernunnos

As learned in the previously linked essay, the name “Cernunnos” originates from the “Pillar of the Nautes” or the “Pillar of the Boatmen”, where the name is placed directly above a depiction of an antlered figure on the Block of Four Divinities[3] alongside the deity Smertrios. Many Gaul artifacts can be found in French museums. The Pillar of the Boatmen is attributed as a Roman-era inscription[4], so that gives us only enough information to hypothesize.

My takeaway from this is that the name Cernunnos is a modern approximation because of lacking, provable historical records, but rather serves a purpose as a modern placeholder. I came across information claiming that worship of Cernunnos as a deity was brought into modern belief by neo-pagans and popularized by Wiccans, particularly through Margaret Murray’s writings. During her studies of folklore in the early 20th century she put together a Witch-cult hypothesis that stated how a variety of horned deities were aspects of a “proto-horned god”[5]. In addition, this belief was adopted by Gerald Gardner and formed the basis of the concept of the Horned God within Wicca.[6]

“Sometimes also known as Carnonos, his name has firm Proto-Indo-European origins. It stems from the PIE word *k̑r̥no-, and is thus cognate to Germanic *hurnaz and Latin cornu, all meaning “horn”. In the Celtic Gaulish language, this word was karnon, and the connection with the name of Cernunnos is clear - it reflects the deity’s stag antlers, growing from his head. Thus, Cernunnos literally means “the horned one”.”[7]

Gallic history is sparse and difficult to pin down due to a lack of written records or literature. Multitudes of visual depictions dating from the Roman era have been attributed to Cernunnos by Archaeologists, having been retrieved from northern Gaul. These depictions are hypothesized to be this deity or others of similar archetypes. In addition, sites tend to use the words “Gallic” and “Gaelic” semi-interchangeably, despite the regional difference. Gael meaning a Celtic tribe from modern Ireland-Scotland, and Gaul meaning a tribe located in modern France. There is speculation that Cernunnos was a proto-Celtic deity, and could have had roots in any or all Celtic practices and beyond, but that is speculation because there is a lack of evidence to support the theory in any substantial direction.

[3] Name sourced from Athena Review, Vol. 4, No. 2, which also sources Huchard, V. (ed) Archéologica. 2003. “Le Pilier des Nautes Retrouvé. Histoire d’une Métamorphose.” Dijon, France. Éditions Faton S.A

[4] An observation attributed to Hatt, Jean-Jacques who recorded that the artifact was originally erected in 1st century AD.

[5] Margaret Murray, The God of the Witches

[6] Kathleen Sheppard Forced into the Fringes: Margaret Murray’s Witch-cult Hypothesis 21 April 2017

[7] According to Aleksa Vučković via ancient-origins.net

^Cernunnos's face as depicted of the Pillar of the Boatmen

King of the Fae - UPG

This title is predominantly UPG and relates to my own existence as an incarnate fae.

I find him similar but above other more location-based wild gods, beings like boar lords, and other guardians and rulers of nature. There is a loose hierarchy within fae politics, for lack of a better word, that is predominantly power based. Not as in subjugation over other beings, but rather quantified by expanse of control or domains. Finding the words for this section proves difficult, but he is simply above all of us, with a connection to all Fae. Cernunnos does not view himself as better than any of his subjects, he is not preoccupied with anything like that.

Does this title equate him with the concept of Oberon? No, I don’t believe so. He also exists outside of the seasonal courts, as he goes through a physical shift with the seasons instead of remaining in one form.

Master of the Sacrificial Hunt & The Horned God

Many modern depictions and associations with Cernunnos took their form via Wicca, as previously mentioned. The now heavily discounted Witch-cult hypothesis led to the adopting of the name as a common main aspect of Wicca’s concept of the Divine Masculine or the Horned God that absorbed many horned deities into one being, losing their individual status and becoming “aspects” of a central pillar. This is a theme often seen within Wicca and expands to their depiction of a central Divine Feminine deity as well, the pair often referred to as The Lord and The Lady. This is a simplification that I do not agree with. The epithet “Master of the Sacrificial Hunt” is unable to be sourced beyond the previous essay on Druidry.com and a repost of the same write-up on witchesofthecraft.com, so this title isn’t possible to verify. Although, mentions of Cernunnos identify him as a being that has a seasonal cycle of death and rebirth, which this epithet may be indicating. This belief appears to also have its basis within Wicca and lacks historical evidence. To quote from Wikipedia, “Within the Wiccan tradition, the Horned God reflects the seasons of the year in an annual cycle of life, death and rebirth

and his imagery is a blend of the Gaulish god Cernunnos, the Greek god Pan, The Green Man motif, and various other horned spirit imagery.”[8][9]

While I am large proponent of UPG, I do not abide by stating such concepts as strict facts. I will explore this further in future sections.

[8] Farrar, Stewart & Janet Eight Sabbats for Witches

[9] Doreen Valiente The Rebirth of Witchcraft pg 52-53

^The plaque I'm sure we've all seen in our local metaphysical store

Master of the Wild Hunt

The Wild Hunt is a concept that permeates the history of many European cultures, including the Celts.[10] Myths of Wild Hunts would most often include a central figure flanked by hunters all in pursuit of some kind of special quarry. Within Germanic legend, the mythical figure is often Odin, but there were many other figures that have been featured across cultures and belief systems, sometimes historical and other times religious. The hunters were often depicted as fairies, the souls of the dead, or otherwise inhuman participants. Witnessing the spectacle as a mortal was thought to bring calamity[11], death, or abduction to magical realms.  The concept and term were popularized by German author Jacob Grimm, originally as Wilde Jagd.[12]

This mythological concept existed in various aspects of Germanic and European folklore, across multiple cultures. Despite this, the lack of Gallic literature means that we are unable to directly connect Cernunnos to any historical uses. The prevalence of this type of myth, though, presents the obvious opportunity to incorporate our modern understanding of him into the framework to explore our own UPG. This is a topic I may meditate on further if I do further research into the concept of the Wild Hunt.

My own personal experiences with the concept are much more play oriented. If you’ve ever been to a Beltane festival, you probably know the heady feeling of being chased through the woods before being caught and celebrating the season. This interactive ritual-made-game is a fun staple you may find on the schedule of any fertility event these days meant to drive up sexually charged, excited energy. It’s a simple enough concept to incorporate into any individual practitioner’s holiday plan, if it suits your preference. Especially as a Fae, I find the concept of the Wild Hunt to be something fun to engage in with a special partner or community, and find no harm in inserting anyone into the role of Master of the Wild Hunt, as the prevalence of the format leaving the form of individual story to expand into a genre.

[10] Stith Thompson (1977) The Folktale University of California Press pg 257

[11] See, for example, Chambers's Encyclopaedia, 1901, s.v. "Wild Hunt": "[Gabriel's Hounds] ... portend death or calamity to the house over which they hang"; "the cry of the Seven Whistlers ... a death omen".

[12] Deutsche Mythologie (1835)

^Johann Wilhelm Cordes: Die Wilde Jagd (The Wild Hunt)1856/57

Pan

The conflation of Pan with Cernunnos appears to be predominantly based in the view of all male horned deities being simple aspects of a larger presence – the Wiccan Horned God. As previously stated, I do not support that concept and will use this section to study Pan as a separate entity and cover where in my UPG they overlap.

Pan is the Greek god of the wilds, music, and a guardian of shepherds and their flocks. He also was usually in the presence of nymphs.[13] Unlike the Stag depictions and associations of Cernunnos, Pan sported the legs and horns of a goat and appeared similar to a Satyr. His domain expanded to agricultural and wooded areas, as well as the realms of sex and fertility. The sum of those parts was to present him as a god of the season of Spring. He had a Roman equivalent in the god Faunus, and was also conflated with another known as Silvanus at times. Pan became a popular god during the 20th century neopagan revival[14].

Even before that, worship of him was brought back by a festival originating in Painswick, Gloucestershire by Benjamin Hyett, who also constructed various holy places in the god’s name.[15] Other popular occultists of the early 1900’s such as Aleister Crowley also crossed paths with Pan, as he built an altar to the god and wrote a ritual play about him.[16] After that point, his image and general description was absorbed into the Wiccan Horned God concept after Margaret Murray’s The God of the Witches posed the idea that he was simply one part of an overarching whole.

But who was Pan outside of this, particularly who was he before the Witch-god hypothesis altered how future generations would see him?

Pan is considered by some scholars to be a reconstruction of a Proto-Indo-European pastoral deity[17], as well as Pushan, a god originating from Rigvedic that also shared goat traits.[18]

Beyond these source hypotheses, there is evidence that Pan was first worshipped in the mountainous, isolated area of Arcadia. In that area, if a hunt wasn’t satisfactory, disgruntled hunters would scourge, or whip, the statue of Pan.[19] At this time, there were no formal temples to Pan, and worship was instead pursued in woodlands and other natural spaces. While exemptions from this rule did exist, they were few and far between.[20] He predates the Olympians, like many Grecian nature spirits. I won’t go too in depth regarding direct mythology, as its difficult to do that with the Greek pantheon without tangents.

Pan was viewed as a height of sexual prowess, and agricultural success. He had a history of dalliances with Nymphs, to put it lightly, often depicted as being controlled by his lust and anger. Such as in the myth of the Nymph Echo, whom he ordered killed when she denied any man. In some versions, the pair even have two children, or perhaps chose Narcissus over him, no matter the variation he is usually painted as rash and jealous. I’m sure we’ve all seen that statue of Pan and the goat that resides in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

The word “panic” can trace its sources back to him, but I was surprised to find that “pandemonium” does not.[21]

In my personal view, Cernunnos ages with the seasons, being at his most virile in the Spring, then maturing into his form as a guardian of the dead come winter, appearing dead himself. This is relevant in that I find the depictions of the lustful, energetic Pan to be inspiring of how I see that Spring form. Beyond that, the agricultural and animal connections are similar, but seem to take very different forms upon closer inspection.

Within actual historical context, there doesn’t seem to be anything connecting Cernunnos and Pan in any way beyond neo-pagan labelling.

[13] Edwin L. Brown, "The Lycidas of Theocritus Idyll 7", Harvard Studies in Classical Philology, 1981:59–100.

[14] The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft, Hutton, Ronald, chapter 3

[15] Hutton, Ronald. The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft pp 161–162.

[16] Soar, Katy (2020). "The Great Pan in Albion". Hellebore. 2 (The Wild Gods Issue): 14–27.

[17] Mallory, J. P.; Adams, D. Q. (2006). The Oxford Introduction to Proto-Indo-European and the Proto-Indo-European World. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. p. 434

[18] H. Collitz, "Wodan, Hermes und Pushan," Festskrift tillägnad Hugo Pipping pȧ hans sextioȧrsdag den 5 November 1924 1924, pp 574–587.

[19] Theocritus. vii. 107

[20] Horbury, William (1992). Jewish Inscriptions of Graeco-Roman Egypt. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. p. 208.

[21] Coined by John Milton in his poem “Paradise Lost” coming from the Greek pan- “all” and daemonium “evil spirit”

^Mask of the god Pan, detail from a bronze stamnoid situla, 340–320 BC, part of the Vassil Bojkov Collection, Sofia, Bulgaria (It is shockingly difficult to find art of Pan where he's not rock hard.)

The Green Man

Viewed as more of a motif or concept than a deity, the Green Man originated in England and was usually depicted as covered in leaves and sometimes armed with a club. One might encounter these visuals in parades, festivals, or painted on the signs of many pubs come the 17th century. This changed with the introduction of Julia Somerset, who claimed in the Folklore journal that the design often seen on church walls actually had pagan origins as some kind of fertility deity.[22] There is no evidence to support this claim, and it has been contested by many folklorists.[23] This assertion by Somerset was then absorbed into the Wiccan Horned God despite being described as distinctly “20th Century Folklore”.[24]

That’s pretty much the extent of this one and was honestly one of the most shocking to read about. The Green Man was at best a regional icon used in local festivities but was never any kind of deity. That title was misrepresented and incorporated without research.

My personal association would be the visuals of Winter, but Cernunnos’ Winter form appears very differently to me. More skeletal stag, less old man with a holly beard.

[22]  Centerwall, Brandon S. (January 1997). "The Name of the Green Man". Folklore. 108 (1–2): 25–33.

[23] Livingstone, Josephine (2016-03-07). "The Remarkable Persistence of the Green Man". The New Yorker.

[24] Olmstead, Molly (2023-04-08). "Is the Green Man British Enough for the Royal Coronation?". Slate.

^A sign for the John Barras Pub Company

Herne the Hunter

After the last section, it is a relief to move on to something that has always been presented to me with its original fictional context intact. Herne the Hunter was a character originally depicted in The Merry Wive of Windsor written by Shakespeare in approximately 1597. Supposedly, Herne the Hunter is an antlered spirit that occupies the Royal Forest in England, occupying himself with tormenting cattle and rattling chains. While the character may have been based on local legends to some degree, it is unknown just how much verifiable connection has ever existed. Attempts to connection him to other deities or legends were made often after he was written.

There is an old tale goes, that Herne the Hunter (sometime a keeper here in Windsor Forest) Doth all the winter-time, at still midnight Walk round about an oak, with great ragg'd horns; And there he blasts the tree, and takes the cattle, And makes milch-kine yield blood, and shakes a chain In a most hideous and dreadful manner. You have heard of such a spirit, and well you know The superstitious idle-headed eld Receiv'd, and did deliver to our age This tale of Herne the Hunter for a truth.

— William Shakespeare, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Act 4, scene 4

Despite Herne being a location-based character appearing only in the areas Windsor Forest occupied, certain books published in 1929 and 1933[25] attempted to identify him with Cernunnos and other horned deities. This is again the connection through which Wiccans incorporated Herne into the Horned God.[26]

[25] The History of the Devil – The Horned God of the West by R. Lowe Thompson; The God of the Witches by Margaret Murray

[26]  'Simple Wicca: A simple wisdom book' by Michele Morgan, Conari, 2000

^Illustration of Herne the Hunter by George Cruikshank (1840s)

Romanizations

There are theories mentioned in mask131’s essay regarding attempts at identifying what Roman deity or deities was meant to be the equivalent of Cernunnos, but there is sadly only speculation on that front. Opinions vary from person to person, but parallels are often drawn to Dis Pater and Mercury for shared traits. I did find instances such as the Lyon Cup and an altar from Reims that feature Mercury and Cernunnos depicted side by side, so I believe it is safe to say that they were at least at some point considered fully separate beings.

^1st-century CE altar from Reims with Cernunnos, accompanied by Apollo and Mercury. Mercury has a cornucopia, while Cernunnos spills grain.

Aside – Misinformation is Rampant

This one book, this one fucking “hypothesis”, changed the entire face of what would eventually become modern neopaganism. The damage of the Witch-cult hypothesis is far reaching and permeates every resource I could find while writing this piece aside from the explicitly scholarly. It is extremely discouraging how quickly you can trace something that feels off back to this one woman’s massively disproven theory that was adopted by a man that wanted to make a religion based on occult foundations because he admired ceremonial magic. The frustration I feel as someone trying to do research now after this misinformation and pseudohistory has seeped into every aspect of the path has me constantly on edge and second guessing everything I read until I can find a source.

Stating UPG as undeniable fact that others must agree with isn’t great at the best of times, but the sheer level of ignorance to historical record seems to be running rampant within the modern Pagan community. I’m all for believing something unverifiable, something that’s only true for you, or for the world from your perspective, but there is and must be a difference between that and presenting easily disproven statements as unbreakable law, especially with they come hand in hand with any dressings like, “this is actually true because I was told so by this person, who learned from this other person.” And the process is traceable to the source they borrowed from and how it was completely disproven.

We must think critically within paganism, research beyond the books with flashy covers in Barnes & Noble and question the things we are told by others are just the way things are.

Your relationship with the gods is yours alone and can take any form you want it to. Don’t let yourself be trapped by ignorance. Learn about historical contexts, question sources, seeking mentoring from those who revel in your questions and help you find the answers.

Conclusion

Cernunnos is a deity that is beyond valuable to communicate with directly due to the lack of concrete historical and folkloric information, and the prevalence of blatant misinformation that uses his name. Context is important, and even if you choose to exist outside of it, which is a perfectly valid choice, it should be a conscious one.

In addition, while attempting to research this, I actually stumbled upon sites not just with AI generated cover images, but what fully appeared to be AI generated writing. Be vigilant against information that looks like someone just skimmed the surface and made an assumption, this page had a lot of almost correct or just flat out made up information that contradicts historical fact. Especially in this modern era where people use automatic programs to make summaries of summaries for a game of unverifiable internet telephone, be aware. No matter what your personal stance on AI is, I'm sure we can all stand against information atrophy.

To me, Cernunnos is a supportive, ever-present god that helps me through things in his own way, meaning that its usually something intense and then coming out the other side putting out a fire on the back of my head. He's hands-off, and wants me to admire the turning of the seasons from new angles. He's opened my eyes to a deeper respect for other belief systems, and encouraged me to do this research so that I could better understand him as well as our own connection. He wants me to be observant and always keep learning and questioning and growing in my faith, in my magic, in my role as a faery.

When it comes to the belief systems that you rely on in life, ignorance is not bliss. Seek knowledge deep in the forest and on the frozen boundaries of a lake or standing barefoot in a grassy meadow, but also in historical records. Anyone who wants the best for you will want you to research and learn more.

Genuinely as I was finishing this up last night, adding this section to the post version the next morning, I considered becoming a YouTube essay person. Maybe someday! Perhaps an actual blog. Researching and writing this kind of thing was actually very fun. I never even did something like this while I was in school, so maybe I'm just not traumatized by the concept. Anyways, I hope this was informative and you enjoyed a peek into the journey I took while putting this together.

Now I'm gonna go light up some green in dedication to Cernunnos ✌︎︎♡⃛

^The Lyon Cup, sometimes identified as Cernunnos

[diana-andraste]

Red Riding Hood from Fable series, Gerald Slota, 2003

[a-sunset-outside-my-window]

fic rec friday

The Adventures of Gerald White

by ThePuppeteer28 on Ao3

Gerald White is definately NOT Sirius Black in disguise. Snape is not taking this well.or; Haters (Snape) can't stand to see a bad bitch (Gerald White) winning (living life).

Grimsfall

by pixelated(prettyremus) on Ao3

There is a legend in the old city of Grimsfall that a large, black creature used to emerge from the forest at night, and anyone who met its gaze would be driven to madness before the thing dragged them into the depths of hell.

Felt like either one of those was a bit short for a fic rec friday so you get both ^^ The Adventures of Gerald White are just a sweet little crack fic and you basically get exactly what it says on the tin!

Grimfall is a kind of spooky os with some fairytale elements and is pretty smutty in comparison to what I usually rec, so be warned!

don't think my favourite tropes make sense for this one since the fics are very different from each other ^^'

As always leave lots of love and kudos to the author and have an amazing rest of the week <3

[the-chill-remains]

Titania by Brom

[ignis-venenatus]

"Well, actually mochi can be sweet or savory so it can be eaten as a dessert or a snack. There are some people who might also eat it as a part of a meal,"

Natsu would smile as he talked about food with Gerald. He'd only heard bits and pieces about how much the younger male loved food before actually meeting him like this. Ink must have mentioned his cooking at some point and Gerald overheard her. Not that it bothered the Fire Dragon. He positively loved to cook and he loved when people enjoyed his cooking as well.

"Dango is typically a snack, but it can also be sweet or savory. Flavor can be added to the rice flour before it's steamed to give it a bit of oomph. Most people tend to just make it lightly sweetened by adding some sort of sugar to the dipping sauce though."

Dango was a treat that most people didn't often get to enjoy which was one of the reasons that the Fire Dragon would make it so often. He'd typically take a few dozen dango sticks to the guild hall and pass them out to those who enjoyed them. He wasn't the type of person to force someone to try them if they didn't want to, either. After hearing that Jaron liked lasagna or sea food, the fire user would grin once more.

"Sea food huh? What about a sea food stew or soup? You think he'd like something like that? I can always whip up both and some lasagna if you think it'd be better that way. I don't mind!"

@demon-blood-youths (moved from here to the beta editor)

[leafatlaw]

oh god their finally all back together !!!! But also I was screaming at my phone for that entire epsiode for ally to insight check the fucking goose

[autisticexpression2]

Titania by Gerald Brom.

[thecrackshipawards]

Here are our contenders for The Crackship Awards 2024!

Bracket 1:

Shadow Kirby x Prince Fluff vs Randy Cunningham x Ruby Gillman

Roronoa Zoro x Sasuke Uchiha vs Elizabeth Afton x Charlie Emily

June Eggbert x Chiaki Naname vs Vriska Serket x Hatsune Miku

Mari from Omori x Sayori from Doki Doki Literature Club vs Bee x Fionna

Wonder Woman x Talia al Ghu vs Posiedon x Incitatus

Firestar x Waffles vs Graystripe x Waffles

Kestrel x Coral vs Hatake Sakumo x Ootsutsuki Kaguya

Zhongli × Yip Tak vs Elsa x Jack Frost

Bracket 2:

Bowser x Luigi vs Shrek x Donkey

Samurai Jack x Johnny Bravo vs Scourge x Ashfur

Tigerstar x Arctic vs Gerald Robotnik x Black Doom

Catra & Ashfur vs Lucifer x Adam

Hawkfrost x Leafpool vs Twilight x Mordecai

Vaggie x Ragatha vs Rainbow Dash x Dirk Strider

Jayfeather x His stick vs Gwenpool x Garlic bread

James x Professor Oak vs Needletail x Icicle

Bracket 3:

Jessie x Delia Ketchum vs Sees All Colors x Runs In Circles

Leafpool x Pringles chips vs Bumblestripe x A log

Asexuals x Cake vs Tigerstar x Brokenstar

Roger Raincomprix x Xavier Ramier vs Elias Bouchard x Jane Prentiss

Cookie Monster x Chocolate chip cookies vs Chameleon x Webs

Isako Toriumi x Sadayo Kawakami vs Elias Bouchard x Peter Lukas

Dr Doofenshmirtz x Perry the Platypus vs The Onceler x The Warden

Hooty x Duo vs Jiang Cheng x Liu Qingge

Bracket 4:

Sans x Nagito Komaeda vs TS Woodrow x Phantom of the Bwahpera

The fairy who knocks x The walrus who knocks vs Sofanthiel x Blue Lizard

Manticore x Sphinx vs Barney x Hunter

Norma x Willow vs Pugsley x Swift Wind

Eggdog x Strawberries vs Krestel x Tundra

Blaze x Fruit bat vs Doctors x Apples

Miette x Jorts vs Artificer x Maple Shade

Reigen Arataka x Nagito Komaeda vs Guy Montag x Wilson Smith

[princesssarisa]

The Top 40 Most Popular Operas, Part 1 (#1 through #10)

A quick guide for newcomers to the genre, with links to online video recordings of complete performances with English subtitles.

Mozart's Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)

The most frequently performed opera worldwide: Mozart's fascinating, philosophical fairy tale opera, which appeals to both children and adults.

San Francisco Opera, 2010 (Piotr Beczala, Dina Kuznetsoca, Christopher Maltman, Erika Miklosa, Georg Zeppenfeld; conducted by Donald Runnicles)

Verdi's La Traviata

Tragic romance with social commentary, based on Alexandre Dumas fils' novel The Lady of the Camellias, which was also the basis for the classic 1936 Greta Garbo film Camille.

Los Angeles Opera, 2006 (Renée Fleming, Rolando Villazon, Renato Bruson; conducted by James Conlon)

Bizet's Carmen

The fiery tragedy of a seductive, free-spirited Spanish Romani woman and her loves, with some of opera's most iconic music.

Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 2006 (Anna Caterina Antonacci, Jonas Kaufmann, Ildebrando d'Arcancelo, Norah Ansellem; conducted by Antonio Pappano)

Puccini's La Bohéme

Relatable slice-of-life romance that blends comedy and tragedy. The inspiration for the popular musical RENT.

Studio film, 1965 (Mirella Freni, Gianni Raimondi, Rolando Panerai, Adriana Martino; conducted by Herbert von Karajan)

Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)

The best loved of Mozart's Italian operas, a great comedy of class conflict and sexual intrigue.

Glyndebourne Festival Opera, 1994 (Gerald Finley, Alison Hagley, Renée Fleming, Andreas Schmidt, Marie-Ange Todorovich; conducted by Bernard Haitink)

Puccini's Tosca

Political intrigue, lust, and bloodshed amid the splendor of Rome – some call it a "shabby little shocker," others call it thrilling.

Vienna State Opera, 2019 (Sondra Radvanovsky, Piotr Beczala, Thomas Hampson; conducted by Marco Armiliato)

Mozart's Don Giovanni

Arguably the greatest retelling of the legend of Don Juan, with comedy, drama, and Mozart's glorious music.

Salzburg Festival, 1954 (Cesare Siepi, Otto Edelmann, Elisabeth Grümmer, Anton Dermota, Lisa della Casa, Erna Berger, Walter Berry Deszö Ernster; conducted by Wilhelm Furtwängler)

Puccini's Madama Butterfly

Puccini's iconic "Japanese tragedy." Controversial from a racial standpoint, but a tearjerker nonetheless, and the inspiration for the musical Miss Saigon.

Feature film, 1995 (Ying Huang, Richard Troxell, Ning Liang, Richard Cowan; conducted by James Conlon)

Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville)

The lighter and more madcap prequel to The Marriage of Figaro, known as the quintessential comic opera.

Vienna State Opera, 2019 (Rafael Fingerlos, Juan Diego Flórez, Margarita Gritskova, Paolo Rumetz, Sorin Coliban; conducted by Evelino Pidò)

Verdi's Rigoletto

A richly melodic tragedy of a hunchbacked jester, his daughter, a lecherous duke, and a self-fulfilling curse.

Studio film, 1982 (Ingvar Wixell, Luciano Pavarotti, Edita Gruberova; conducted by Riccardo Chailly)

[lamamasjamas]

Pixie Dust

Summary: Early morning greetings and first meetings. Miguel finds his very own little guide after encountering problems with a warlock.

A/n: I changed a few thangs from my original concepts because I wanted Miguel to be sexier. I’m feeling rather horny and size kink is godly. Could be considered fetishy, idk. 🗣️

Based on these two posts: 1 2

Warnings: Hunter!/Cursed Monster!Miguel, Fairy!Reader, dub-con (sex pollen) smut (Giantism? Don't know what's it's called but Reader is the size of his palm and he fucks her with his tongue), there’s a rabid squirrel tryna eat her in the beginning, some angst and tw for the use of a hunting rifle…

It was disagreeable to the eyes. The sounds it made were akin to those of a brawling cat. He was clearly not friendly, at least not anymore.

The sickness had spread, coming from the nearby kingdoms, mostly because of the dogs and various other rodents that plagued the cities and towns around it.

Poor Gerald, his eyes were usually soft, his chitters inviting and playful. But now he chases you, mouth gaping and teeth gnashing with yellowish tinted foam, trying to get a bite of your flesh.

It was a pleasant morning, you were lazing by the stream, waiting for the clothing you had made with the scraps found in the outer villages of the kingdom nearby to dry.

Then you heard them, at first you had mistaken it for playing but then you heard a sharp cry emanating from the bushel behind you. A deep and hurting cry.

You saw the squirrel, Gerald, before he saw you. You stood frozen in a mix of fear, anxiety, and sadness. How did the disease get this far into the woods? There must have been others…

Because of the initial shock, your bodies refusal to move and run away as Gerald bit into a companion's neck in repetition, he found a new target.

Just weeks before, you had gotten stuck in branches of a pine, it’s bristles so rough and thick that your left wing had bent and twisted.

Everyone, including yourself had wept that day.

They were wrapped in layered leaves, covered in ointment which was pasted onto the damaged delicate chitin in order to help it heal.

You could barely flutter and once you had been cornered by the base of a tree, hardly fitting into a small crevice so that Gerald couldn’t claw or snap at you, you shook in fear.

The bark around you was starting to chip, the only barrier between you both starting to dwindle along with your hope that he would leave you alone.

…

Miguel heard you before he saw you. His senses had been heightened, to an alarming and annoying degree.

It had made him lock himself inside his small isolated cottage for a week because of it. It was overwhelming. Your screams and cries for help were overwhelming too.

It was hard to spot you, hidden in a small nook against the tree trunk, pressing yourself as far in as possible to avoid the screeching squirrel in front of you.

It had almost made him chuckle, he thought you might have just been a rider, unable to tame your pet. But then he saw it. The pure black eyes, dilated to expand over the whiteness.

It was feral, its fur matted with its own blood and the mud from the soil of the nearby stream. He aimed right behind its shoulder, directly at its chest.

The shot startled you, it created a harsh wind to breeze by you, your ears ringing from its chaotic energy.

You were cowered into the trunk, hands over your pointed twitching ears and eyes tightly shut.

You were about the height of a robin, no larger than his ring finger, a couple of your heads longer than his thumb.

You weren’t supposed to be here, he realized, your wing had dried herbs and leaves, stiff enough to keep your wing upright, but making it utterly useless because of the added weight.

He lowered to his knees, you peaked from behind the bark and your eyes sharpened harshly. He watches as realization washes over you, eyes widening and brows furrowing in confusion.

"What are you...?" you whisper softly, eyes trailing over his piercing red eyes, the fangs peaking over his bottom lip.

He doesn't quite know himself, but he does know he's not entirely human either and judging by the way your nose twitches and your nostrils flare, you could tell as well.

Still, you keep your displeasure at seeing a type of human well known. You don't even say thank you as you make your way to the body of Gerald, reaching out to at least pat one of his ears.

He takes a moment to look closely at your wing, the patterns similar to a Monarch Butterfly. You were supposed to migrate south for the fall, along with the rest of your group, your family.

It was well known that your kind traveled yearly, your instincts similar to those of your ancestral cousins, the milkweeds. You might freeze to death from the cold this winter. His palm blocked you before you could reach the creature who attacked you minutes before.

The pity he felt for you was wavered at your glare and scowl.

"It's sick. If you want to start foaming at the mouth, go ahead, fairy."

Your scowl turned to a pout, then a reluctant sigh escaped between your lips. You sit, staring at the ground beside Gerald, only able to see some of the tufts of his hair from your peripheral.

You imagine his chest rising and falling, as if he were just sleeping.

Miguel didn't know if it was the pity of the loss of a creature you clearly had some connection to, or your injury. It might have been because he knew you were alone and that you might not survive the winter.

He sat nearby on a log by the stream, making a fire to start cooking some rabbit. He skins it and briefly thinks of keeping the fur so that Lyla, a sprite who usually helps him in his hunts, could make a coat.

His slight chuckle to himself makes you turn your head, you eye the fur he places in the cold water of the stream to clean off, along with the meat.

A few minutes later it smells like cooked meat, the sun was starting to set, and your clothes were dry. You could have left; he could have left too but you both stayed.

You shiver, body going rigged with cold. You got closer to the fire, he watches as you flutter your wings, keeping them from spreading with tingles of the deadened nerves.

It's like they dance with the fire, making shapes with the shadows on the ground next to you.

He might have also stayed close because you smell so sweet. Like the candy they would sell at the markets. Pure sugar, warm and sweet enough to numb his tongue.

You were intrigued on what he was. He smelled too much like human to be considered much else, but you knew humans didn't have the aroma of the wild in their scent.

He smelled dangerous, strong, protective. You felt as if you owed him something, which wasn't something you wanted to feel, not to anyone, much less a human. It was instinctive, it was a form of... courting to your people.

A strong partner that is able to protect and provide was encouraged and the acts of services were held sacred. You scowl when he nudged a piece of meat towards you, holding it towards you with the tip of his knife.

Your face heated seconds after, realizing he wasn’t going to leave you alone until you took the offering.

You took it too quickly. The rest of the village took most of the stored food in order to consume it for their travels south. You were left with nothing.

You remember the face of your mother, attempting to leave as much as possible, stating she didn't need as much for the journey this year. You knew she was lying, you returned most of what she left back into her pouch the night before their leaving; without her knowledge.

You shiver, chewing slowly despite wanting to stuff your face and lick your fingers clean from the heartiest meal you've had in two weeks. You remined him of Lyla in size, he glances at the fur, he imagines asking her to make you a coat, similar to ones she wears. There was enough for at least two.

He can't help but want to take care of you. You were a beautiful little thing, headstrong and strong-willed judging by the way you reapplied ointment and cut gauze from fabric for your still healing wing.

You weren't afraid of him as you sit near the fire, now sat up on a makeshift bed made of petals and grass.

It reminded you of a mutualistic relationship. Like a crocodile and its little bird pecking at its teeth. An apex predator and a meek prey, living communally.

Therefore, you wonder what he wanted from you…

"Where's the sinkhole?"

His voice did startle you, from its roughness and boom amidst the chirping of crickets and the churning of the water in the stream, despite your glowing confidence

But you could laugh. There it was, the self centeredness, the reason he didn’t let you get mauled by an animal.

The sinkhole is where the wishes from the upper layer have sunken down into. The myth was that wishes had become so heavy, so much so that they created a giant gaping hole into the ground.

This resulted in the creation of the cave lakes, its pools and its magical properties. Along with the upper layer destruction came the destruction of one’s otherworldly abilities to fulfill one’s dreams, aspirations and ambitions.

The only way to have a wish granted is to get deep into the sinkhole. No human has been able to get past the forest. The thick of it at least.

You look up at him and glance at his body. A human attempting to traverse the forest where creatures larger and more dangerous than himself habituated?

You giggle. His head tilts and his eyes narrow, his eyes were consumed in red. You stare back, hiding your teasing and spiteful grin behind your hand, your eyes squinted from the smile in your cheeks.

You spit your words slowly, mockingly.

"What will you wish for, human?"

...

He promised you protection, shelter and a free trip south, where the weather was warmer; where your wings wouldn't freeze and snap off. Coincidentally, the sinkhole was further south, which seemed like a perfect opportunity for both of you.

He’d be given passage and guidance through lands no human was allowed solely because you were with him as an escort, and you’d get to live another year.

You slept peacefully that night, dreaming of seeing your family soon.

He was awake before you, you stretched as you sat up. His body, hunched over feet away, next to Gerald, now covered in flowers and leaves, turns at the sound of your yawn.

His eyes were the color of drying blood, almost brown but in the light burning a deep maroon. His fangs were longer than the night before, or maybe you didn't notice how sharp and long they were in the dark.

He looked like a demon. He turned his head at your stare, standing to his feet, allowing you to then see the flowers surrounding Gerald. You smiled.

...

You sat atop his head. He feared he would accidentally crush you in his hands or cut you with his claws. He felt as if his pocket could suffocate you. You'd slip off his shoulders and since of you couldn't flitter down softly, you'd splat on the ground floor.

So, you sat on his head, playing with the long tufts of his soft hair and slapping his forehead lightly when wanting his attention.

He'd grit his teeth with every question, answering despite knowing you just wanted to annoy him.

"So... you wronged a warlock you used to work for, and you're slowly turning into a spider monster?"

"..."

His cheeks turn a deep shade of red and he glances up at you as your head peaks down at him in genuine curiosity.

"I... I did this. He poisoned me and I attempted to find a cure, by myself..."

You burst out laughing.

"So you cursed yourself?"

He stays silent and rolls his eyes as you continue to giggle, even falling to your side and ruffling his hair in the process. Once you calm you sigh and sit up. You pat his forehead in a sweet and pitiful gesture, making him scowl slightly.

His heart flutters as you lean down to his ear.

"You humans are so silly."

To fight through his embarrassment he swats at you, effectively. You yelp as you fall, sliding down the side of head, fingers barely skimming the strap of his bag on his shoulder as you descend on bunches of wildflowers.

He's momentarily stunned, before he kneels down and searches for you amidst the bush, unknowingly opening up flower buds and shaking their stalks.

"Wait- stop!"

It was too late, you cover your head as pollen falls over you, sprinkling you in golden dust. You cough and gag at the sweetness of it, the taste burning your tongue and making your skin tingle. You collapse on the grass, attempting to clean your hands on the blades covered in the morning's precipitation.

He watches in concern, picking you up gently and making you groan in frustration.

"Put me down!"

He doesn't, instead he attempts to wipe the dust off of your body, but as a result he just spreads it deeper into your clothes and skin. You whine at his ignorance, your fists pounding against his pointer finger as if it were a person standing in front of you.

Miguel watches as you resign yourself, spewing curses at him in a language he did not understand. He continues to 'flick' off the pollen from your body, until you let out a moan and your hands clutched his finger still.

Now you had no way of cleaning yourself and you felt your body heating up quickly, too quickly than what is considered normal. The flowers would be collected by many types of fairies in the region, for recreational purposes and to enhance the 'breeding' experience.

Every touch, every sound and every vibration felt around you was amplified, all sensations directing themselves to your pussy. You pushed yourself up against his fingertip, breasts plush against the pad.

Your nipples pebbled and you closed your eyes at the intense feeling of them being rubbed against the ridges of his fingerprint.

Usually, the village would collect around three flowers a year, enough to harvest pollen for those who needed it. You think Miguel had indirectly shaken three flowers on top of you, a whole year's supply of the aphrodisiac.

He shakes you off his finger delicately, confused at your sudden affectionate behavior and making you fall onto his palm, unable to sit back up.

The amount of pollen that had fallen over you was overtaking your body; your eyes start to roll back as your hips twitched. He holds you gently, lifting your trembling body to his face to inspect you.

He blows on you, holding his breath as some of the remaining uningested and uninhaled dust flies away from you.

Your mouth opens to let out a throaty moan as your body convulses at the feeling. He feels wetness pool on his palm, and he inhales sharply, in turn taking in the hint of the heavy arousal in the air.

“What’s happening to you?”

You writhe at his voice as it sends pleasant vibrations over your body. Your attempts to stand were unsuccessful as your thighs squeezed together to tighten your core.

You suddenly press your face into his skin, kissing as if you were with a lover. The tiny pecks leave him speechless, his heart racing as you lathe your tongue over the lines of his palm.

“Miguel…” you moan, voice higher than usual, breathy and seductive.

“I need to release. Or else I’ll die…”

Miguel can clearly tell your mind was clouded, you lifted your skirt up, pressing your face down and lifting your ass up as if he could penetrate you.

You wanted cock, deep down you wanted Miguel’s cock. But it was physically impossible. For some reason, in your hazed brain, you imagined him thrusting into you, breeding you till you screamed.

The words startled him, but he could feel his dick rise with every wiggle of your hips and the way your hand spread your ass cheeks and presented your slick hole.

“You’ll die?”

“Yes. I will,” you whine.

You wouldn’t. It just felt like you would. He moves his face closer as if he were going to inspect you. His nose twitches and his mouth salivates. His lips seemed to part on their own.

His tongue slithers up your thigh and spreads them as it explores. You feel his tastebuds, the warm wetness of the muscle twitch against your skin. Your wings flutter like lashes in time with your heartbeat, you turn your head to the side and desperate tears glide down your cheeks.

"Please..."

The tip of his tongue meets your cunt, encompassing over your clit and slit, spreading your lips apart and splaying them flat. He tastes you, sweet and tangy, and he hums.

For a moment he pulls back, watching as you cover your heated face with one hand and grip his thumb with the other. You were shaking, your pussy pulsing and your clit peaking between your folds, aching to be licked and grinded on.

He glances to the stalk of the flower, briefly imagining breaking it in half and pushing it into your hole, fucking you while allowing you to move your hips against his tongue.

He wants to hear the squelch of your tiny tight pussy, stuff you full until you couldn't breathe. But he needed to help you release now.

Your squeals and moans echo in the forest, the tip of his tongue was stretching you, barely skimming inside your hole and hitting your g-spot consistently.

Miguel flexes his tongue, attempting to angle it downward. His bottom lip presses against your clit and mound, the lower half of his face spreading your legs.

Your arousal and his saliva was dripping onto his palm, as if he were sucking on a candy with little to no restraint. You were so impossibly sweet, especially with each orgasm he brings you.

Miguel had heard rumors before, of changling faes who would transform into human women for a night for fun. How they could seduce easily and their cunts would taste like sugar cane.

He believes it now, especially when you gasp out a heady moan and squirt on his tongue; the eight orgasm so far.

He groans into you, your hand tightens over his thumb and index finger tightly as you ride out your orgasm. Your arms give out from under you and his tongue pops out of your cunt with a squelch as you buckle forward.

He licks you clean the second you collapse, your wings folding protectively as you weakly turn on your back in short breathed pants.

He presses a kiss, aiming for your swollen cunt. His lips rub over your lower half and suction for a second. Enough to pull out a groan from your lips and shudder a sigh as you close your eyes.

He sets up camp for the night, fixing you a bed from a spare shirt he had and petals, not from the wildflowers of course.

He was gentle to clean you up with a rag with the tip of his finger, ensuring that the pollen was off of your skin for good. He delicately pried the ointment for your wings out of your small pouch, later wrapping said wing gently like you did every couple of hours.

You were out cold, but breathing and healthy by the way your skin was still warm and your chest still lifted and fell with your breaths.

He checks the backs of your thighs and calves, he sighs in relief at not seeing any pricks from his now growing in fangs.

He sleeps nearby, sat up with his arms crossed, ready to defend from any hostile creatures nearby.

A/n: Bim Bam! I’m taking requests again, officially! For this ‘series’ or anything else… 😈 Comments and reblogs are very much appreciated and help authors/artists create more so please 🙏

[galacticnikki]

A Baby Witch's First Grimoire

Grimoire Entry 6 - 15 Tools and Their Uses in Witchcraft!

1. Athame

An athame is a ceremonial knife used in various forms of witchcraft. It typically consists of a double edged blade and a black handle. The athame is not typically used for actual cutting; it instead, is used for directing energy and symbolizing intent during rituals and ceremonies. Knives like the athame were used historically in rituals in cultures such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. The modern concept of the athame was popularized by Gerald Garden. He incorporated the athame into Wiccan practice by drawing inspiration from ceremonial magic traditions. In these traditions the athame was used to draw protective circles and direct energy. Now in our modern day we use the athame for many purposes including circle casting, directing energy, invocation and evocation, and symbolism of the elements air, fire, masculine energy, and the power of the mind and will.

2. Wand

A wand is a slender, hand held tool used in witchcraft for directing energy, casting spells, and invoking spirits of deities. Wands are commonly made from wood but can also be crafted from metals, crystals, or various other materials. It is traditionally considered sacred and powerful when used as a tool. Like the athame the wand also has historical ties to the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. In these cultures, wands were symbols of authority and power. They were used by priests, magicians, and oracles to channel divine energy and perform rituals. The want is also a common staple of folklore and mythology as they often are depicted as a tool wielded by witches, wizards, and fairies. This tool, again like the athame, was popularized in Wicca by Gerald Gardner. He drew inspiration from ceremonial magic and folklore. It's uses are for directing energy, casting circles, invocation and evocation, healing, channeling intent, and symbolizes air, fire, and the power of the mind.

3. Chalice

The chalice is a cup used in various religious practices involving witchcraft. It's typically made from metals, glasses, ceramic, or wood. The chalice represents the element of water and is a symbol of the Goddess, the feminine aspect of divinity, and the womb. The chalice has been used historically in rituals dating back to ancient times. In many cultures, the chalice has been a symbol of abundance, fertility, and the divine feminine. The chalice is often used to hold offerings and ritual drinks. It's so commonly used that even Christianity uses it to represent the blood of Christ. Today the chalice is often used for ritual beverages, such as water, wine, or juices, offerings, blessings, invocation, and symbolizes water, femininity, the womb, fertility, abundance, and the divine feminine.

4. Pentacle

Not to be confused with the sigil of Baphomet, the pentacle is a disk or flat object inscribed with a pentagram, which is a five pointed star pointing upright, enclosed within a circle. In witchcraft the pentacle is a powerful symbol that represents the elements. The pentacle has ancient roots, with the pentagram symbol being used in various different cultures and religions for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations, such as ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, among others, used the pentagram for its protective and symbolic properties. In the context of western religious and ceremonial magic, the pentacle boomed in popularity and became a prominent tool and symbol. This happened especially during the renaissance and the development of modern occult traditions thereafter. Today the pentacle is used as an altar tool as a focal point representing the element of earth and the foundation of magical practice. It's also used for protection, consecration, invocation and evocation, spell work, and symbolizes the elements of earth, air, fire, water, and spirit. It is the interconnectedness of all things and a very powerful tool because of it.

5. Cauldron

A cauldron is a large pot, typically made of cast iron, used in cooking and rituals. It's a versatile tool associated with transformation, rebirth, and the element of water. The cauldron can also symbolize the womb of the goddess, representing fertility. The cauldron has ancient roots and has been used across various cultures for cooking, brewing, and other various rituals. In Celtic mythology, the cauldron is a powerful symbol of abundance, knowledge, and transformation. For example, the Cauldron of Dagda in Irish mythology was said to provide endless nourishment. The Cauldron of Cerridwen in Welsh mythology, was a source of wisdom and rebirth. In medieval Europe, the cauldron became associated with witches and magic. It was often depicted in folklore and literature as a vessel for brewing potions and casting spells. This association has continued into the modern day and the cauldron remains a symbol of witchcraft. It's used for scrying, burning rituals, cooking, transformation rituals, and symbolizes the womb of the goddess, water, and the cycles of birth, death, and rebirth.

6. Broom

The broom, also commonly referred to as a besom in witchcraft, is a traditional tool used for sweeping and cleansing. It serves as a functional and symbolic object and is usually made from natural materials, such as wooden handles and twigs or straw for the bristles. Historically it was used by woman when cleaning homes. In medieval Europe woman were often practitioners of folk magic. The image of witches flying on broomsticks became popular in European folklore and later in literature and art. This is theorized to have origins in shamanic practices, where tools like brooms were used symbolically in rituals involving altered states of mind. Today it's used for cleansing and purification, ritual preparation, protection, fertility rituals, and symbolizes air, magical cleaning, and the union of masculine and feminine energies.

7. Book of Shadows

A Book of Shadows (BoS), also known as a grimoire, is a collection of magical knowledge, experiences, rituals, spells, and other relevant information stored in a book, journal, blog, or other means. While the term is usually interchangeable, some traditions distinguish between the two. These traditions usually consider a grimoire as more of a spellbook or manual while a Book of Shadows (BoS) is considered a personal diary of magical practice. The concept of recording magical knowledge dates back to ancient times. Grimoires have been found throughout history in various cultures, containing information on magical practices, spells, rituals, and divination. In medieval Europe, grimoires were often handwritten manuscripts passed down through generations or kept secret to protect the knowledge within. Today the Book of Shadows (BoS) is used to record spells and rituals, track progress of the practitioners growth, contains notes from research and study, shares personal reflections of experiences, dreams, and insights gained through magical practice, preserve tradition, and is a method of creative expression.

8. Candles

In witchcraft and other magical practices, candles are used for their symbolic and practical properties. The color, size, and type of candle can influence its effectiveness and purpose in rituals and spells. The use of candles dates back thousands of years. Ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Romans, and Chinese used candles made from beeswax, tallow (animal fat), or plant based waxes. Early candles were primarily used for illumination and were often crafted in a labor intensive process. In magical and religious contexts, candles have been used for centuries as symbols of light, purification, and spiritual illumination. In many traditions, candles have been incorporated into rituals and spellwork due to their symbolic representation of the element of fire and the energy of transformation. Today's uses of candles include focus and intention, color correspondences, ritual and spellwork, meditation and contemplation, celebrations and ceremonies, and symbolize fire, transformation, energy, and purification.

9. Incense

Incense is a substance that releases fragrant smoke when burned. It's typically made from a blend of aromatic plant materials, resins, oils, and sometimes other stuff. Incense comes in various forms, including sticks, cones, powders, and coins. In witchcraft and other spiritual practices, incense is used for its aromatic properties and its association with purification, ritual and energy work. Incense has been used for thousands of years across various cultures for religious, spiritual, and therapeutic purposes. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Chinese all utilized incense in their rituals and ceremonies. In many cultures, burning incense was, and still is, believed to bring people closer to the divine, purify spaces, and ward of negative energies. In ancient Egypt, incense was used in temple offerings and daily rituals. The Greeks and Romans used it in their religious practices and medicinal treatments. In India and China, incense has been integral to spiritual and meditative practices for centuries. The use of incense in these traditions often involved complex blends of resins, herbs, and oils tailored to specific purposes. Today's uses for incense include purification, rituals and ceremonies, meditation and contemplation, invocation, spellwork, and energy work.

10. Deity Statues

Deity statues are sculptural representations of divine beings or spirits used in various religious practices. These statues can be made from various materials, such as wood, stone, metal, or clay, and they often depict gods, goddesses, or other significant figures from mythology or religious traditions. In witchcraft, deity statues are used to represent and connect with specific deities or spiritual entities. They have been used across a variety of cultures for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations, including but not limited to, the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Hindus, and Buddhists, created statues to honor and invoke their deities. These statues served as focal points for worship, rituals, and offerings. In ancient Egypt, statues of gods and goddesses were placed in temples and homes, and offerings were made to them as part of daily religious practices. In Greece and Rome, statues of gods were central to worship in temples and public spaces. Similarly, in Hinduism and Buddhism, deities are often depicted in elaborate statues that play a significant role in devotional practices. In modern witchcraft, deity statues are used to honor and work with specific deities, align with spiritual practice with divine energies, and create sacred spaces. They are used for representation, invocation, meditation, altar decoration, used for offerings and devotion, and symbolic connection.

11. Crystals

Crystals come in various types, including quartz, amethyst, rose quartz, and many others. In spiritual and magical practices, crystals are valued for their alleged energetic properties and their ability to influence or enhance various aspects of life and magic. The use of crystals dates back to ancient civilizations. Many cultures have used crystals for their perceived magical and healing properties. In Ancient Egypt, crystals such as lapis, turquoise, and carnelian were used in amulets, jewelry, and burial artifacts. They were believed to offer protection and bring about divine favor. Ancient Greece and Rome used various crystals in jewelry and talismans. They believed that crystals had healing and protective qualities. Ancient China used crystals as medicine to balance energy and treat various ailments. Historically Crystals were used in Hinduism and Buddhism to enhance energy and focus. In today's modern age, crystals have gained popularity in various new aged practices where they are used for their healing properties and their role in energy work. Some of the modern uses include healing, energy work, protection, manifestation, cleansing, purification, and divination.

12. Herbs

In witchcraft, herbs are valued for their specific energies and attributes, which are believed to enhance rituals, spells, and healing practices. Herbs can be used in various forms, including fresh, dried, powdered, or in essential oil form. Historically herbs were used for various purposes for various cultures. Ancient Egypt used herbs in medicine, rituals, and embalming practices. Plants like frankincense and myrrh were highly prized for their spiritual and healing properties. Ancient Greece and Rome used herbs in both medical and magical practices. Greek physicians like Hippocrates and Galen wrote extensively on the use of herbs for health. In ancient China herbs were used in medicine for thousands of years to balance the body's energy and treat ailments. A variety of indigenous cultures around the world have also used herbs for healing practices, rituals, and daily life, often incorporating them into traditional medicine and ceremonies. Today we use them for many reasons including holistic medicine, culinary arts, and witchcraft. In witchcraft they are used for spells, rituals, herbal baths, incense and smudging, healing, amulets and charms, meditation, and dream work.

13. Bells

Bells have a long history across many cultures and have been used for various purposes. Bells have been found in ancient civilizations, such as in China and Mesopotamia, where they were used in rituals, ceremonies, and as signaling devices. In Buddhism, bells are used in temples and monasteries to signal meditation times and to aid in ritual practices. In Christianity, church bells have historically called people to worship and marked hours of the day. In European folk traditions, bells were often used in rituals to ward off evil spirits and protect against evil forces. They were also used in celebrations and seasonal festivals. In modern times bells are used for cleansing, purification, marking rituals and spells, energy clearing, focus, intention, invoking or honoring deities, and divination.

14. Altar Cloth

Altar clothes are pieces of fabric used to cover and decorate altars. It can be made from various materials including silk, cotton, velvet, or other fabrics and often features symbolic designs, colors, or patterns relevant to the practitioners beliefs or the specific ritual. The use of altar cloths dates back to ancient religious and spiritual practices among a variety of cultures. In many ancient religious traditions altars were often covered with cloths as a sign of respect and to beautify the sacred space. This practice can be seen in ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman temples. In Christian traditions, altar cloths are used to cover the altar in churches. These cloths often feature religious symbols and are used to make religious occasions. In various pagan and folk traditions, altar cloths have been used to signify the altar's sacred nature and to protect it from mundane influences. Today altar clothes are used for both practical and symbolic reasons. These range from creating a sacred space, use for protection, focus, intention, organization, and symbolize different meanings dependent on the color. For example a green cloth may be used during prosperity spells, while a black cloth might be used for protection or banishing.

15. Mortar and Pestle

Mortar and pestles are tools used to crush, grind, and mix substances. The mortar is a bowl, typically made of stone, ceramic, or wood, and the pestle is a heavy, club shaped object used to grind and crush the materials inside the mortar. This tool is widely used in cooking, pharmacies, and various craft and medicinal practices. The mortar and pestle have a long history and has been used across many cultures. Early examples of mortar and pestles have been found in the archaeological remains of the Indus Valley, Egypt, and Mesopotamia. In ancient Greece and Rome the mortar and pestle was an essential tool for pharmacists and used to prepare medicines. Today mortar and pestles are valued for their ability to transform raw ingredients into fine powders and mixes, making it an essential tool for preparing herbal blends, incense, and other magical concoctions. They are used for symbolic acts, herbal preparations, incense making, to prepare spell ingredients, and in making anointing oils.

Feel free to check out my master post for more information!

[copperbadge]

Hey Sam, I have a weird question for you! So Michaelis adopted Noah, and then Gregory and Eddie, excuse me, Theophile adopted Joan. The whole family adopted Caleb and Buck... So when are Gerald and Alanna going to find some random person to adopt? Will it be a kid at the Maritime Academy making the adults around them crazy in their own, wildly neurotypical way? A young adult disaster doing the best they can until Gregory says "wait a minute kid, have you been tested for ADHD? No? let me get you a referral." Maybe its just some nerdy preteen who writes to Gerald in his capacity as Grand (Evil) Vizier with questions/comments on some aspect of governance that he's involved in. I have my headcanon that it's the third option, which morphs into the first when Gerald gets all Fairy Godfather about them.

"Look Greg, I'm just saying, Uncle Mike has his Minion, you have a minion, and I don't have one yet. I'm going to have to get one just for self defense. And fairness!" Greg looks wearily at Alanna who just says "I'm ok with it as long as some one else provides the adult supervision here."

Anyhoo, love the Shivadh verse, thanks for writing it!

Oh, I think Gerald went pretty hardcore on adopting Caleb. Friend To Drag Royalty and ADHD-haver Duke Gerald saw Caleb onstage at the National Final and went "Oh, neurodivergent genderfucker? Same hat. That one's mine," and immediately began Brothering at him. The whole family did take Caleb in, to an extent, and certainly Michaelis also added Caleb (and Buck) to his collection of Tavats, but it's Gerald's job to make sure he's looked after. Caleb's a full adult but he's also still quite young to be as famous as he is, so someone's got to make sure nobody tramples him. And Al is there to make sure Gerald doesn't exuberantly also trample Caleb by accident. :D

Although this is an interesting thought you've put before me, because in the football novel, presumably the next in the series (I'm doing some date-juggling) Gerald is a more present force than the rest of the royals -- he's the main character's friend from their party days, and tends to be the link between the football program and the palace. He's also the one who brings Caleb in for a cameo, to mentor a young trans man in the program.

Now, possibly not in the football novel since there's no real narrative space for it there, but possibly in a future novel, it would absolutely be in line with Gerald and Alanna's arc to semi-adopt a kid or kids from the football program. Gerald's starting to open up more publicly about his ADHD, and I can see one of the kids sidling up to him to ask about it; I can see there being a significant number of kids with ADHD in the program, since it's a lot of running around and yelling. Also the program's academic side is pretty lenient with the kids, making it a more welcoming space for a child who can't learn traditionally (a lot of the more intensive program kids do half-day study at Maritime, too). I'm making a note, that's a fun idea.

[ignis-venenatus]

"Natsu! Is it true? Can you bake pie?" Gerald asked. Since Jaron is running errands, Gerald has been hungry for pie and heard that Natsu can bake. After all, Gerald has a soft spot for pies.

Random Shit | Always Accepting

Natsu would look up from where he was kneeling in his garden to Gerald before he'd grin. The Fire Dragon COULD indeed bake pies, he had a couple that were cooling in his kitchen, actually.

"What kind of pie are you wanting? I've got a blueberry and an apple-blueberry in the kitchen. I can bake you something specific if you want though,"

He loved to bake, which was something that hardly anyone really knew about him. He would be happy to bake something for Gerald or just let the other eat the two pies in the kitchen if that was what he wanted. He had some raspberries and other fruits soaking to create pie fillings in containers on his counter.

"I was going to make a chocolate silk pie, if you'd want some of that too. You're free to eat whatever pie you want and ask me to make more even. I have way too much stuff left from the holidays."

[still-a-morosexual-help]

Interlude

summary: They try to suppress it. The ever looming shadow of their homesickness. His presence helps.

Also there's a spider.

[Fic on AO3]

Whining, they shift closer, still clinging on to sleep as their heat source moves. Away? Away. It's trying to get away.

With a grumble, they raise a leg and drape it over their squirming, bony, warm pillow. It grunts and goes still as they use their arms to clutch it to their chest and bury their nose in something soft and feathery and familiar.

It's silent for a while, and they drift back into sleep before their pillow makes another valiant attempt at escape, hissing as it tries to free itself from their grasp. They groan when it finally breaks free and, when it seems as if their heat source is gone for good, they turn. Flopping onto the other side of the bed, they burrow deeper into blankets that should be softer. Thicker. Into a pillow that smells like detergent but should in all rights smell like a fresh meadow. They frown. And burrow even deeper, chasing their sleep before one of the brothers wakes up and decides he needs their attentio-

"G'AAAAAAAHHHHHH,"

They're up like a shot. Jumping out of bed and tangling in their blankets, they fall face first to the ground with their own yelp.

With a pained groan, they roll on to their back, kicking their legs to free themself from the confines of their blankets. Their room is too small. Cramped and dark without the fairy light like little lanterns that hung around it.

With another groan, they rub at their aching nose and try to focus.

Right.

They weren't home.

Or rather, they were home. Their human home.

Hissing, they sit up just as a familiar voice shrieked their name from within the apartment's bathroom.

Right.

Heaving themself off the floor, they rush towards the bathroom, stopping only to grab a baseball bat on the way. Pulling open the door with their bat raised high, they peek into the lit room. Spotting no one but Mammon plastered onto the wall next to them, their bat is slowly lowered, and then, when no further threat makes itself known, tossed back out the door.

They blink and rub the sleep from their eyes. "What?"

"Whadya' mean what! What the fuck's that!" Mammon point's a shaky finger towards their toilet.

They blink and rub at their eyes again. "It's a toilet," they reply through a yawn.

"Not that!" He snaps, swatting at the back of their head, "That."

They squint. Inching towards the toilet and peaking around at the wall behind it.

"Oh. You mean Gerald?" They yawn again.

"Who the hell's Gerald!? I meant that creature!"

"That is Gerald, and should you really be using hom - your home as a swear?"

"The fuck is Gerald?" He snarls, ignoring their rather obvious slip up. Whether for his sake or their own they weren't sure.

"He's a spider, Mammon. You've seen spiders. The Devildom has spiders."

"Not like that! Ours are large and they glow, nothin' like these small little suckers that could crawl into your hair and-" he cuts himself off with a shudder, floofing up his already dishevelled hair, "an' besides who names a spider Gerald!"

"He looked like a Gerald," they say with a shrug. "I can take him away if you're scared..."

"Don't be ridiculous! I'm a demon, I ain't scared of some puny human spider!"

With another shrug and a yawn, they turn to walk back out of the small space when Mammon catches them by the arm. His head is resolutely turned away, but they can tell he's pouting.

"Jus' take it away, will ya."

With no attempt at hiding their own grin, they walk back towards the toilet and carefully shepherd Gerald into their open palm, using their other hand to gently cup over him. Small, he may seem compared with a norma- with a Devildom spider, but he's a good enough size for an Earth one, taking up almost their whole palm.

Turning around, they walk past Mammon, who instinctively flinches back with flushed cheeks and a grumble, and back to their room. Manoeuvring open the window they place Gerald on the sill and nudge at him till he scuttles away.

No doubt he'll find his way back to his usual spot in the bathroom by the next morning.

They take a second to look out their window, taking in the rooftops of the surrounding buildings, the soft lights and noises that break through the night. They shut the window with a jarring crack when it gets too much, and the wave of homesickness threatens to strangle them. It's something they try not to think about too often.

Crawling back into bed, they settle into covers that just aren't right.

The brothers had taken turns visiting. Their neighbours who didn't think they were dating seven models were convinced they'd joined a cult. Which. And in spite of this. In spite of this, they had yet to quell the suffocating flash of intense longing they felt each time one of them turned to head back to the Devildom. Back home.

They curled up tighter. Clinging to the sheets.

It was silly. They were being silly. They'd been there for just a year.

Yet they missed it like one would their childhood home.

They felt a telltale lump form in their throat just as the bed dipped and Mammon slid back underneath the covers.

Instantly, they were on him. Winding their arms around his torso and clutching desperately at his back. Burying their burning face in his warm neck.

"OI. What the-"

"I missed you."

It was barely a whisper but hard to miss as their lips brushed against his neck, forming the words once again, "I missed you."

"What are you talkin' 'bout," his arm wound around their waist pulling them in closer, "ya dumb human," his other hand trembled as it carded through their hair, "I'm right here," his voice cracked.

"I ain't leaving ya."

That's a lie. He'll have to go back home. To his brothers. To his- their family.

But for now.

For now as their tears threatened to spill, and their heart longed for their own bed.

"I missed ya too, Dummy."

For now, this, here was enough.

With his lips pressed to their forehead and theirs to his pulse, they clutched at each other in something like desperation. Their last words whispered into the night as they drifted off.

"Get rid of that spider."

"Fuck off."

->

[Fic on AO3]

[First posted: 6th August 2020]

[godzilla-reads]

10 Most-Read Authors

Thanks for the tag @fluencylevelfrench and @the-forest-library

what are your ten most most read authors? and how many books have you read by them? also tag someone who you would like to do this!

instructions: scroll to the bottom of your goodreads shelves and most read authors is listed underneath.

I couldn’t figure out the Goodreads thing but here’s my list by approximation!

Neil Gaiman (23)

I have read A LOT of Neil Gaiman books because I’m trying to read everything he’s ever published and there’s a lot.

Holly Black (15)

My partner got me into Holly Black’s writing and I’ve read almost all her fairy books, minus The Stolen Heir duology.

Darren Shan (12)

I read the whole Cirque du Freak series in like 2 months while I was in high school- I was OBSESSED.

Gerald Durrell (7)

My high school biology teacher recommended “My Family and Other Animals” to me and then I was hooked.

Seanan McGuire (6)

Such an amazing author- I’ve been gradually reading their books and loving them.

Rick Riordan (6)

Percy Jackson, need I say more?

Kate DiCamillo (5)

One of my childhood favorite authors right here!

Tillie Walden (4)

A lovely bookseller, when I asked for gay graphic novels, promptly handed me a bunch of Tillie Walden books and I love them for that.

R.D. Henham (4)

A pen name covering the Dragon Codecies series which I’m still reading and enjoy a lot!

T. Kingfisher (3)

I’m getting there, y’all!

Tagging: @balaenabooks @princess-peregrine @introvertedbookworm24 @tea-intheworld @stefito0o @storytime-reviews