#firegaze

[pythonclan-gen]

NewLeaf 0 (Art below)

Bright sun twinkled like stars between the leaves of the trees as the three cats passed underneath, unbothered by the last of the winter chill left their forest home. Duststar couldn’t believe how much time passed when she became leader. It was bittersweet knowing this is what she was meant for but losing her leader in order to get here. She felt guilt in these feelings, but it was what Starclan wanted, right?

Shaking the doubt out of her fur, she bounded forward to mark the border and watch for any dangers as the rest of her patrol marched after her. It was an easy winter and newleaf was giving a promising start. The trees were past budding and leaves threatened to burst into full, beautiful wings of green any day now. Warmth of sunlight pierced her fur and she couldn’t help but breathe in and let it out in a heavy relaxed sign.

“Anything to report, Duststar?” Firegaze asked, bringing Duststar back to her patrol. They caught up to her and her loyal deputy and friend was watching her with a fierce passion. She knew the lengths Firegaze would go for her.

“Not currently, Firegaze. But we still have a lot of border to check.” Duststar mewed happily. She pointed forward, where the trees thinned to bushes. “We should make sure the WhimsyClan border is also properly marked as well.”

Charfeather snorted. “I guess. Not like they’d care if we just strayed a bit here and there.”

Duststar hissed in disappointment. “You may be young, Charfeather, but I know you’re not stupid enough to do that. We’ll respect the borders as always, understood?”

Charfeather rolled his eyes but flattened his ears when Firegaze growled at him. “I understand. No need to get all haughty with me.” He trudged forward, keeping to the PythonClan side and marking occasionally.

Duststar sighed. Firegaze shook her head. “Don’t pay attention to that cotton-brained tom. He’s got adventure on his mind and there’s nothing to curb that.”

Duststar nodded, a little glum. “I….suppose.” She shook her head to clear her thoughts. “No matter! We have a task to do! Let’s get this done before dark. Let’s hope Piperstripe and Ghostpaw manage to find some Newleaf prey by the time we get back.” She bounded forward before Firegaze could say anything.

As the sun rose higher and higher and the chill became a comforting warmth surrounding them, the patrol relaxed more and became more lax in the border marking. They were just here to make sure there was no danger after all. Firegaze and Charfeather started a conversation about badgers and how to find a set while Duststar pulled forward to sniff around.

Duststar opened her mouth to call the others when a rancid hot stench wafted over her tongue making her nose wrinkle. Charfeather and Firegaze must’ve scented it as well as they both fluffed up their pelts in alarm. “Dog?” Duststar said, worry edging her voice. “It’s too cold for Twolegs to be patrolling with them yet.”

“Maybe it escaped?” Charfeather suggested. Immediately the three shuddered. A dog with a Twoleg is alright, the tall creature will usually just call them back if they dared venture too far. However, an escaped or wild dog is unpredictable.

“We can’t let it just wander in our territory, “ Duststar mewed. She turned to Firegaze. “Let’s follow the scent and make sure it leaves. Whether it goes home or to another clan’s territory, it’s far too early for us to be dealing with a dog this season.”

Firegaze nodded dutifully and started following the scent. Duststar and Charfeather followed closely behind, letting the capable tracker do her work. The scent was so strong, they must be right on it’s tail, but they didn’t dare get any closer than they needed. It veered into their territory to the border and then back within the territory. This dog seemed to just be wandering and Duststar took note of the lack of Twoleg smell.

The thing must be escaped, Duststar thought grimly. This could turn dangerous really quickly if the wind ever changed or if it somehow finds them stalking it.

They walked in silence for so long, passing over rocky terrain where few trees grew to under the Thunderpath where unknown lands sprawled out like a wide green sea. Duststar didn’t realize her paws hurt until Firegaze flicked her tail, signaling to stop. Duststar and Charfeather looked at her then followed to where her intense orange gaze was pointed at. There! A large yet wiry brown creature loped over the valley, sticking its nose into holes and bounding through the grass, so carefree like a kit on its first day out of a nursery.

“It’s far enough away it shouldn’t be a bother now,” Firegaze stated. She looked back at Duststar, pride in her eyes. “Hopefully if it knows what’s good, it won’t come back.”

“Hopefully.” Duststar murmured. A pit in her stomach grew. “It’s only been a few weeks and this is what my leadership is offered? I’m concerned this might be an ill warning.”

“Don’t think too much of it, Dusty.” Charfeather gave her a friendly nudge. “All clans deal with dogs. They’re not a big deal.” He stretched his back legs, his chest fur puffing out more than usual. “Ah, my paws are killing me! Let’s head home before Skyspore sends a patrol of kits and apprentices to find our bodies!”

Firegaze purred in tense amusement. Duststar chuckled, still feeling that pit, but decided Charfeather was right. All clans deal with dogs. Together the three cats raced home. Their paws may be tired, but their legs certainly needed a stretch.

By the time they reached camp, the sky was a violet hue and stars were blinking into existence. Duststar could see Ghostpaw and Piperstripe hauling a large amount of prey to the pile and Cloverkit and Wolfkit excitedly bouncing up and down as they watched.

Skyspore was dutifully keeping guard on a tall rock and sat up when the three cats entered camp. He lept down to meet them and touched noses with Duststar. “Took you long enough,” he drawled. “Came down with an issue, Dust?” There was a tang of disrespect there, making Duststar want to wrinkle her nose.

“No issues, Skyspore,” Duststar said with a forced purr to sound friendly. The older warrior narrowed his eyes slightly and she hurriedly continued. “Just a dog. We scented it along the border and decided to shadow it out of our territory. We should be safe for a while until the weather warms up more.”

“Very well. If you say so.” The white tom didn’t sound too thrilled. He started to walk past her but stopped to look back. He looked a little more concerned now. “Be careful out there. We don’t need any more leaders dying on us.”

Duststar nodded, proud to have been chosen to lead this clan. She can't wait for what the future holds.

[tmarshconnors]

Sitting by the fire.

I won’t lie I do enjoy blogging but every now and then I don’t know what to blog about however here’s a thought there's something enchanting about the dance of flames in a crackling fire. It's not just the warmth it provides, but also the way it seems to draw out our innermost musings, inviting us into a realm of introspection. As I sit by the fire, engulfed in its comforting glow, my mind wanders into the labyrinth of deep thoughts.

The crackling of the firewood serves as a soothing soundtrack to my contemplations, a rhythm that guides my wandering mind. With each flicker of the flame, a new thought is born, weaving its way through the maze of my consciousness.

At times, my thoughts drift to the past, reminiscing about cherished memories and pondering the lessons learned from past experiences. The fire becomes a mirror, reflecting upon the moments that have shaped me, illuminating both the triumphs and the tribulations that have sculpted my journey in this thing called life.

Other times, my mind ventures into the realm of the future, envisioning possibilities yet to unfold. In the flickering flames, I catch glimpses of dreams waiting to be realised and aspirations yearning to take flight. The fire becomes a catalyst for imagination, igniting the spark of creativity within me.

Yet in sating all that I find solace in the simplicity of just being, embracing the warmth of the fire and the stillness of the night. It's in these moments of quietude that I discover a profound sense of peace, a respite from the chaos of everyday life.

As the fire dwindles and the embers fade into the night, I find myself reluctantly returning from the depths of my contemplations. But the echoes of those fleeting thoughts linger, leaving behind a sense of clarity and renewal. For in the embrace of the fire, I have found not only warmth for my body but also nourishment for my soul.

So, the next time you find yourself sitting by a fire, allow yourself to surrender to the enchantment of the flames. Let your mind wander freely, and immerse yourself in the symphony of crackling wood and flickering light. For in those moments of being lost in deep thoughts, you may just find yourself discovering a little piece of magic within.

[sonichedgeblog]

Card #15 - Christmas Amy, of the 'Sonic Adventure' Japanese trading cards. Original scans by FireGazer R. Support us on Patreon

[thewitcheslibrary]

Grounding 101

Grounding and centering are two of the most important things a witch should know, especially because they often work with energy. The purpose of grounding and centering is to stabilise your energy, draw energy from the Earth, and produce a positive state of being.

Your energy reflects your emotions. It's your "vibe", where your mind has strayed, when you get goosebumps, frightened sweats, or happy tears.

I am sure you can feel your vitality if you concentrate hard enough. Unground energy might feel "fluttery": a racing heart, butterflies in the stomach, and stray thoughts. Noticing your energy is the first step towards grounding, and the more you practise it, the better you will get at tuning in.

Your energy is the first line of protection for how you move through the world: do you recall the proverb "sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me"? Words have the potential to injure or heal, depending on your energy level. Have you ever felt that someone's words punched you in the gut? They basically pummelling your energies (particularly your solar plexus). Sometimes the punch continues to strike even after the person who delivered it has left. Anyone who follows the news knows this for certain! But it's not only about the "bad" stuff; when we're very excited about something, it may be tough to stay in the moment as we wait.

Even if you don't receive one of those gut-punches, you might sometimes lose your energy. Have you ever felt like you arrived home but your thoughts was still in the grocery store? Grounding your energy in your area can help you set clear limits for who gets your energy and when. It might make you feel comfortable and supported rather than unbound. Grounding may help those who don't have a secure physical spot to call home, as well as anybody dealing through trauma and facing triggers, discover a safe place within themselves while they manage the issue.

How to ground yourself-

Take a deep, deep inhalation through your nostrils and hold for a second. Exhale through your mouth until all of your breath is out. Repeat as many times as necessary to feel present.

Position both feet or hands firmly on the ground and concentrate on the four corners of your palms or soles in succession. Focus on your base to feel as stable as possible.

Take a bath or shower and cleanse yourself from the top down. Focus on sending unnecessary or unbalanced energy down with the water.

Take a few deep breaths while picturing a ball of light at the base of your spine. Use your mental skills to imagine it spinning and spinning, catching any loose energy (like spinning cotton candy into a bundle), and then pushing it down into the earth. For a more in-depth ritual, repeat this process for each of your energy centres, beginning at the top and working your way down.

To anchor yourself in your environment, sprinkle salt on the floor and spend a few seconds visualising it shining with rainbow light, connecting with your own light and bringing down any unwanted energy. Then sweep up the salt and discard it.

Make any activity that needs your focus into a grounding ritual: making coffee, combing your hair, writing, gardening, cooking, or anything else that speaks to your spirit and keeps you in the present now.

Light a candle and focus your attention on the flame. Firegazing has been psychologically proved to help focus your mind and relax your energies. If you're using a scented candle, take deep breathes and enjoy the aroma and warmth.

Hold a grounding crystal or use a grounding essence during any of these tasks to summon extra help. Darker-colored stones tend to be the most grounding, although even rock from outside works (and may even work best).

[westcalibur]

Chapter IV - Firegazing

Update: December 23, 2023

Read on AO3

Rating: Mature

Genre: Western, Mythology, Drama

Categories: M/M, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Slow Burn

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Chapter Summary: The outlaw and the man of ash ponder the ghosts of their past

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[heythereitshickory]

Firegazing is good for your soul... Not so much your knees though

[warriors-cat-names-for-your-use]

Firegaze

[everybody-loves-purdy]

What if Princess joined Thunderclan instead of Rusty? (And what do you think Princesses Warrior name would be.)

That’s a really good question

I think she would probably connect to Ravenpaw the most tbh out of the apprentices rather than Graypaw. And I honestly think she might choose the path of a medicine cat rather than a warrior, training under Spottedleaf and then Yellowfang. If she did become a medicine cat then her “saving the clan” would come from her connection to StarClan. I think she would do all the investigative stuff into Redtail’s death and it would probably be fairly easy for her given her medicine cat status as she can cross borders with less question. And I think she would probably find Yellowfang like Firepaw did while our getting some herbs. I don’t think she would go to help WindClan or find out about Silverstream until her death. I think she would attack Tigerclaw to protect Bluestar during his assassination attempt and probably get a lot more injured than Fireheart did but with Bluestar’s (eventual) help succeed in overpowering him, before calling for reinforcements. Once Tigerclaw gets banished I think Whitestorm would be made deputy in the absence of Fireheart. Swiftpaw and Brightpaw might not get attacked by dogs in the absence of Cloudtail’s warrior ceremony driving them to do so, but maybe Brightpaw’s littermates (Cinder and Bracken) being warriors for ages while she’s told she’s got to wait would motivate the two of them to go after the dogs anyway. If Cinder does still get hit by a car in this I think Princess would put her foot down and insist Cinder still be at least given the chance to try and resume warrior duties. If Whitestorm becomes Whitestar I think he might choose Brackenfur as his deputy. Princess would receive the LionClan symbol and despite being a medicine cat would be the uniting force between ThunderClan and WindClan, and I think the way she would eventually “save the clan” would be by confronting Scourge herself, knowing that if he goes everything will end, talking to him would fail but in her self defence after he attacks her I think her defending herself would result in Scourge’s collar being his downfall somehow in some poetic callback to Longtail fighting Princess and pulling her collar off when she initially joins the clan (and trains as a warrior for a short while before becoming a medicine cat)

I think if the fire prophecy still applies her name would probably be related to it? Since her eyes are amber maybe her name could be Firegaze, Firewish or something like that.

And even though the Erins would never do this it wouldn’t surprise me if she and Sandstorm had a secret thing going on

After first arc territory I’m not sure how things might play out since Squirrel and Leaf wouldn’t exist, and presumably Princess wouldn’t have children unless she has them illegally

[reneehutchins]

#WordOfTheDay “fire” = “fuego” A little full moon fire gazing is good for the soul. #fire #fuego #firegazing #moon #fullmoon #WOTD #Spanish #inglés #palabradeldía #español #English #scorpionfullmoon https://www.instagram.com/p/BxoU_MhBq33/?igshid=1vavpm17faza

[bloodinkworlds]

Goblin Week 2020 Day 2 (Late)

DaContinuing this year’s trend of Goblin themed Tabletop Homebrew and Worldbuilding, let’s look at a pair of Goblin themed magic items! 1. Byeshk Thorn Armor: Our first item is from the fantastic Eberron setting in D&D, typically used in crafting by the goblinoid Dhakaani Empire. Byeshk is a purple metal found in Eberron, largely used for jewelry in modern times, but during the Daelkyr War, the goblins of the Dhakaani Empire found that Byeshk, while heavy and difficult to work with, was VERY effective against the Daelkyr and their aberrant creations. 

Typically Byeshk was used to forge weapons, but the Dhakaani were an incredibly pragmatic society, and a few sets of Byeshk Thorn Armor were crafted with shards and castoff pieces of Byeshk unsuited for use in arrows or daggers. This armor is studded with slivers of pointed Byeshk along its outer edges

Byeshk Thorn Armor

Medium Armor AC 14+Dex Rarity: Rare Resistance to Bludgeoning Damage by Non-Weapon Attacks from Aberrations Note: When an attacker makes a Non-Weapon attack against you, you may make a melee weapon attack against them with this armor, if it hits it deals 1d6 piercing damage to the attacker. This damage is doubled against aberrations.

2. Ravenous Firegaze Staff:  This item is part of the equipment held by my OC goblin Nogrin in this old bit of art by the talented @ya-iz-kgb

When I first saw the work I was immediately in love with the work they’d done, but this will be the first time I’ve thought about what they’d look like mechanically.

Ravenous Firegaze Staff

Melee weapon (simple staff), legendary (requires attunement by a creature with neutral OR good alignment) Rarity: Legendary Damage: 2d6 or 2d8 Damage Type: Bludgeoning OR Slashing (You choose when making the attack) Properties: Versatile, +2 Damage and Attack Rolls

As an action you may make the staff appear as an ordinary wooden quarterstaff with a wooden knot atop it, or allow the staff to function as a familiar (if you have another familiar present, it is dismissed at this time and cannot return until the staff returns to its immobile form), or restore it to its true form as a large red and brown staff with eyes, a red gem, and teeth atop it.

In its true form the staff grants advantage on all spell attack rolls, and increases the attack and damage rolls of fire spells by 3. It also grants advantage on perception checks, and True-Seeing in a 60ft radius around you. By feeding an eye to the staff as a material component, you may use the staff to cast any Divination spell of 5th level or lower, the spell is always cast as if you used a 5th level spell slot.

[pythonclan-gen]

Duststar has received her 9 lives and made Firegaze her loyal deputy!

Here begins the start of a new generation of PythonClan!

[axelotl12]

This is FireGaze who’s design was inspired by a warrior made by Benniwolf on YouTube (can’t post the link for some reason).

I had come up with some crazy idea inspired by that one badger that showed up near the beginning of the second arch.

Basically, there are cats out there who have a strong connection with StarClan— or all ancestors, regardless of clan. StarClan uses them to deliver messages or such if the Medicine Cats or con members just aren’t getting it. They just travel the world as loners, following StarClan’s orders.

FireGaze is one of those cats and here is his story:

He was born without a name. His mother was a rogue who lost her voice due to an injury, so he never got a spoken name. When he was much older, he had been kicked down a flight of stairs and was supposed to die. Instead, he gained a few moments with the ancestors before rejoining his body. They healed his broken body and gave him an extra life. That short interaction left a footprint on his psyche that allowed him such a strong connection. Since then, he had started traveling and working for StarClan. It wasn’t until seasons later when he earned his name, FireGaze.

Even with a nobel task, FireGaze is still incredibly cautious of others and has a short temper. He had grown up on the streets, so most cats had an alternative motive. Those who took too long to listen usually wound up screwing him over by forcing him into dangerous situations or died. Because of that, he often gets angry if cats refuse to believe him, sometimes thinking they might be trouble. Despite that, he still listens to StarClan and never speaks his opinions on such matters unless he is certain.

[sonichedgeblog]

Card #16 - Sonic, of the 'Sonic Adventure' Japanese trading cards. Original scans by FireGazer R. Support us on Patreon

[thetrailthestarsblaze]

Birdbelly and flaregaze being trans:🤝

I make so many cats transgender and being transgender myself it makes me feel all fuzzy. Firegaze and Birdbelly are gonna grow up surrounded by trans elders to look up to!

[jemcphillips]

Firegazing... (at Logan Square) https://www.instagram.com/p/CO5sOG1nZLS/?igshid=19pgyod8i7h23

[heythereitshickory]

I dozed off again, and now it's back to just plain old nightmares. Fighting the Wolf with nothing but flowers, in the smoldering ruins of the blackthorn grove.

It didn't even cut off when the Wolf bit me this time. I felt its jaws, felt the pain, and the dream ended in a bloody mess.

I think I need to firegaze for a while and settle down.