#it has so much culture thanks to the 3 religions living together

[caracolcondiarrea]

I need to talk about puy du fou, In Toledo, Spain. bc i went this year with my school and i nearly cried bc of how amazing it is.

ok, firstly, its a theme park (kinda) but instead of attraction there all shows of Spanish history such as el cantar del Mio Cid (el ultimo. cantar)(personal fav) or lope de Vega scaping the law while baing with a lot of women (pluma y espada) and other shows with birds or one that shows how one town converted to Christianism. THEY ARE ALL AMAZING. THEY EACH ONE HAVE A THING THAT MAKE THEM AMAZING, FOR INSTANCE, IN EL ULTIMO CANTAR, THE SCENARIO IS A CIRCUMFERENCE AND THE SEATS ROTATE TO CHANGE THE SCENARIO.

There was also a walk-through of a recration of one of Columbus ship´s, at one moment, it all moved to simulate the waves and I just wanted to cry bc of how well made it was

but without a doubt, the best show of all was the nigth one (which you have to pay more for it but is completly woth it, 1OO%) It tells the Spanish history from the middle ages, to Spain currently. some things they tell are, but not limited to: columbo arriving in Spain after getting to "Las Indias" (America), the Spanish civil war... it was all amazing.

The only thing I can complain about is that the actors didnt actually spoke, they had pre-recorded audio, but it´s the least of your concerns there.

one of my friends (which I think I like) almost didn´t went bc she went in october, she finally go to go and she decided to look at my face at some times bc she already saw it and she knows i love theater. Man i wish i could´ve seen my faces when in el ultimo cantar the seats moved.

and also, that trip was just, amazing, one of the best trip´s i´ve ever done, and I think that it´s mainly bc i went with friends. before going to puy du fou, we were a few hours the day before at Toledo city and wow, TOLEDO IS BEAUTIFUL. I LOVED THE FEW THINGS WE SAW, IT WAS ALL AWASOME. ITS BEAUTIFUL.

(also that when we were leaving puy du fou, me and the girl that i think I like were just talking about space, and she said "the moon looks lovely tonight" (for those who dont know thats a way of saying to someone that you like them) AND I COULD´VE SWORN WE ACTUALLY HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW IN KNY SHINOBU SAID THAT TO TOMIOKA, I KNOW SHE KNOWS WHAT DOES IT MEAN, SHE KNOWS I KNOWS WHAT DOES IT MEAN. WHAT I DONT KNOW IS IF SHE ACTUALLY MEANT IT THAT WAY OR MEANT IT LITTERALLY, anyway i said to her "yes it does " (bc it´s the way of saying yes). She hasn´t said anything that migth suggest that we´re something, but AAAAAAAA how am i supposed to do? Bc i know some things that migth suggest it appart from that (ex: one time she came to my house for dinner and her sister and her were having a stupid figth, more of a game figth type, and her sister said that she has the hair dyed. a few days after that, she just said to me "btw, I don´t have my hair dyed" and I didn´t even remembered back then that, so it may suggest that she overthinks it¿

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasasssdaadasasasaddssfafsdafgsdafgsfafafafafagagagagagagagagagaagahahhghahghagagghagagzahghaghghgaaghg

[persephoneprice]

kyriaki dearborn! is she named after the saint? that would make sense with her family's private religious practices! (she is also giving martyr especially with her fate and the quote in the caption...)

also... potential lyssie romance 👀

I love her. I wonder how her family would react to her disappearance, especially since they have sway on what goes on in District 12... do they try and investigate? do they punish D12 in some way?

how young do they disappear?

do you have thoughts on juno and hilarius reaction?

I do love her family not being super wealthy but being tied up with the Heavensbees due to a long history...

ahh thank you for sending this and letting me ramble <3

so fun fact about the name kyriaki- i actually found it and loved it before i found out about the saint! but then researching saint kyriaki, it really fit perfectly (divine intervention?).

religion is something that’s deeply important in her family- but it’s something they have to hide from the other capitol citizens as it’s definitely looked down upon. she studies old world religion as a way to cover up her interest in christianity.

her and lysistrata really do fit so well together! kyriaki really falls in love with her after seeing how much compassion she has for jessup. not because she cares about the districts specifically- but because she loves the way lyssie was able to have such deep compassion for someone ‘lesser’ than her. she found that to be very noble and impressive.

she does care about the people of district 12 to a point and has a good understanding of the culture there because of her parents connections. it isn’t until after the hunger games that she truly becomes passionate about the citizens of 12 and their living conditions.

when she finds out about the rumors of lucy gray’s disappearance- she’s both horrified and angry. by this point, she has grown to have more compassion for the district citizens and she hates the idea that this girl suffered so much for something terrible to (seemingly) have happened to her.

it’s lyssie who comes up with the idea of the two of them investigating what happened to lucy gray. she believes that they can excuse them visiting district 12 by saying it’s business. of course, this gets back to president snow and he…makes sure they disappear as well. this happens around the 20th hunger games when snow has gained a substantial amount of power.

hilarius knows what lysistrata and kyriaki were doing and has good suspicion of what actually happened, but he’s smart enough to know not to make a big deal out of it because he can see how things are playing out politically. the heavensbee’s, while elite, don’t have quite the same power they used to have in the capitol. not under snow’s rule, anyway.

the dearborns don’t investigate because the mines are continuing to produce less and less money. they know from conversations with the heavensbee’s what the likely cause of the disappearances was, but like hilarius, they know that going up against snow would not be in their favor right now.

they still do punish the district in their own private way- by no longer encouraging or allowing the religion to be spread in the district.

[batmanlovesnirvana]

Hi! Me again.

First of all, I want to talk about the Grishas in the Ottoman Empire, of course there wouldn't be a definitive acceptance as you said. However, I think a distinction like the Muslim-non-Muslim distinction in the Ottoman Empire is possible. The Grishas are not completely equal, both in taxes and other issues, but they also have their own freedoms to a great extent. In this regard, we should also discuss which period of the Ottoman Empire we are witnessing. However, I think the most "Ottoman" period of the Ottoman Empire and the most interesting period to read was the period starting from Fatih Sultan Mehmet to Kanuni Sultan Süleyman, the 15th and 16th centuries. And as you said, these sultans wanted to conquer Ravka, because the Ottoman Empire had a "World State" policy.

While reading what you wrote about this, my mind went to Darkling and when I scrolled the page, I saw that you were talking about him :) As someone who has witnessed many eras, he would wonder how this state inspired by the Ottoman Empire could treat the Grishas like this. As you said, there would be a jealousy-imitation situation, but he is a man loyal to his state. If there was a war, he would undoubtedly be on Ravka's side. This raises the question in me, what if Darkling was a member of this state adapted from the Ottoman Empire? he is a very nationalist person, we Turks do not hesitate to give our lives for our flag and this is one of the reasons why I like Darkling. If we read that he was involved in this state and directed the complicated palace intrigues (because there are many events in the Ottoman Palace, such as harem fights and throne fights), I would be very affected by this. The story would also change completely ;)

On the other hand, it would be different to read a smart, ambitious and cunning Sultan in contrast to the stupidity of the King of Ravka. Also, the idea of ​​Nikolai growing up with princes in the Ottoman Palace is a colorful page.

Finally, if I you are writing a story about this, this would be one of the things I will enjoy reading the most, please never hesitate to research and if you want my help, I am here :)

����

@yikilmisbirisi Thank you so much for sending this my way—seriously, I really appreciate it !!! I love diving into different perspectives and opinions <3

History has always fascinated me, and the Ottoman Empire is particularly intriguing for me, especially because my home country was once part of it :) I grew up watching shows like Muhteşem Yüzyıl (The Magnificent Century) and Muhteşem Yüzyıl Kösem. I know, I know—they’re more romanticized than accurate, but I still find them enjoyable. There’s also other Turkish historical dramas I love, like Diriliş: Ertuğrul, which dives into the 13th-century warrior Ertuğrul, and Vatanım Sensin (Wounded Love), set during the final years of the Ottoman Empire. There’s also Çalıkuşu (Lovebird) and Rise of Empires: Ottoman—though I haven’t finished watching the latter yet.

My grandmother, on the other hand, is all about modern Turkish dramas. Whenever I visit her, it’s become a bit of a tradition for us to watch them together. She gets so into them, it’s so funny 😭 !! Shows like Kaderimin Yazıldığı Gün (lol) are more her speed, with their contemporary settings. My family also frequently travels to Turkey for vacations, and I’ve grown to love the culture. In many ways, I find it similar to my own ;)

First of all, I want to talk about the Grishas in the Ottoman Empire, of course there wouldn't be a definitive acceptance as you said. However, I think a distinction like the Muslim-non-Muslim distinction in the Ottoman Empire is possible. The Grishas are not completely equal, both in taxes and other issues, but they also have their own freedoms to a great extent.

Yep, I initially thought along those lines too, but then I reconsidered. I started thinking—what if the Grisha share the same religion as the majority in the O.I.C ? (Ottoman-inspired country—I'm abbreviating because, honestly, writing it out every time is exhausting). This religion would be similar to Islam, though there would also be smaller religious groups, like a Ravkan religion of the saints, for example.

However, the real issue here is the power the Grisha possess. In the Ottoman Empire, the millet system primarily addressed religious minorities, but magic introduces a whole new dimension.

Magic is generally met with suspicion, so the Grisha would likely be placed within a millet-like system, not because of their religion, but because of their unique powers. They’d definitely experience more tolerance in the O.I.C. compared to neighboring countries, but they’d still be viewed with caution due to their abilities. That said, as time goes on, they would gradually integrate into society more fully, which would help ease some of that initial tension.

In this regard, we should also discuss which period of the Ottoman Empire we are witnessing. However, I think the most "Ottoman" period of the Ottoman Empire and the most interesting period to read was the period starting from Fatih Sultan Mehmet to Kanuni Sultan Süleyman, the 15th and 16th centuries. And as you said, these sultans wanted to conquer Ravka, because the Ottoman Empire had a "World State" policy.

Oh, absolutely !!! Mehmet the Conqueror really set the stage for the empire’s grandeur, and Suleyman—if I’m remembering right—had the longest reign of them all. I definitely envision this O.I.C. during their peak, when they were at the height of their power and influence.

What’s also fascinating is how advanced they were compared to other nations in the Grishaverse, both militarily and socially. For instance, the role of women in the royal courts is a perfect example. Kösem Sultan was incredibly powerful during the period known as the Reign of Women (Kadinlar Saltanati). While Hürrem Sultan was the first to wield political influence from behind the scenes, Kösem Sultan actually ruled for 12 years until her son, Murad IV, was old enough to take the throne. There’s so much to explore here—it’s a really rich and intriguing period.

While reading what you wrote about this, my mind went to Darkling and when I scrolled the page, I saw that you were talking about him :) As someone who has witnessed many eras, he would wonder how this state inspired by the Ottoman Empire could treat the Grishas like this.

Absolutely, he'd definitely have mixed feelings. On one hand, he’d admire how the O.I.C. treats Grisha with a certain level of respect, despite the general unease about their powers. Unlike the Fjerdans, who are openly hostile, the O.I.C. is more understanding, even if they don’t fully accept or support the Grisha. It’s not perfect, but at least the Grisha aren’t being hunted down at every turn. His admiration would likely be tempered by skepticism—whether it’s his survival instincts kicking in or just his natural paranoia, he’d probably be constantly questioning how genuine that respect really is.

As you said, there would be a jealousy-imitation situation, but he is a man loyal to his state. If there was a war, he would undoubtedly be on Ravka's side. This raises the question in me, what if Darkling was a member of this state adapted from the Ottoman Empire? he is a very nationalist person, we Turks do not hesitate to give our lives for our flag and this is one of the reasons why I like Darkling. If we read that he was involved in this state and directed the complicated palace intrigues (because there are many events in the Ottoman Palace, such as harem fights and throne fights), I would be very affected by this. The story would also change completely ;)

If the Darkling were a member of this Ottoman-inspired state, the possibilities for his character development are endless. One intriguing angle is how he would interact with the mysticism and spiritual practices that were woven into the fabric of the Ottoman court.

Another fascinating idea is how he might leverage the empire’s vast network of spies and informants— I mean we already saw it in the canon book but in a different setting like this, it would be even more interesting. The Ottoman Empire was renowned for its intelligence network, and the Darkling, with his strategic mind, could take this to a whole new level. This network wouldn’t just serve the empire—it would be an extension of his own will (of course), allowing him to pull strings behind the scenes in ways that even the most powerful viziers might not realize.

His involvement in the harem would also take on a unique dimension. The harem wasn’t just a place of palace intrigue; it was also a center of cultural and intellectual life. The Darkling could forge alliances with powerful women within the harem, perhaps even mentoring a young sultana or concubine with latent Grisha abilities, guiding her rise to power in exchange for her loyalty. This could lead to a complex, almost symbiotic relationship, where the Darkling’s influence in the court is both overt and subtle, as he plays the long game of empire-building.

Finally, the idea of the Darkling exploring uncharted territories for the empire is worth considering. The Ottoman Empire was known for its expansionist policies, and the Darkling, with his ambitions and unique abilities, could lead expeditions into unknown lands, seeking out ancient magical artifacts or lost knowledge that could further elevate his status and the empire’s power. This would not only satisfy his thirst for power but also align with the empire’s goal of becoming a dominant world power, making him a pivotal figure in a much grander and more intricate narrative.

On the other hand, it would be different to read a smart, ambitious and cunning Sultan in contrast to the stupidity of the King of Ravka. Also, the idea of ​​Nikolai growing up with princes in the Ottoman Palace is a colorful page.

The idea of a shrewd, ambitious Sultan as a counterpoint to the ineptitude of the King of Ravka would be amazing. A Sultan or Sultana who matches the Darkling in intelligence and cunning would add a layer of complexity to the political landscape, creating a dynamic where the Darkling isn’t the only one pulling the strings. This Sultan or even Sultana could be a master of strategy, someone who not only sees the Darkling as a powerful ally but also as a potential rival. The relationship between the two could be a fascinating dance of mutual respect and subtle manipulation, with both trying to outmaneuver each other while maintaining a facade of loyalty and cooperation.

Now, the idea of Nikolai growing up alongside Ottoman princes brings a whole new dimension to his character. Imagine him navigating the vibrant, complex world of the Ottoman court, learning from the best minds in politics, military strategy, and diplomacy. This experience would shape him into an even more formidable leader, blending Ravkan charm with Ottoman sophistication and tactical brilliance. He could have forged close bonds with the princes, creating a network of alliances that could come into play later in his story. This background would not only make Nikolai a more well-rounded character but also add depth to his eventual rise to power in Ravka, where his knowledge of Ottoman strategies and court politics could give him a significant edge.

Moreover, Nikolai’s exposure to the diverse cultural and religious landscape of the Ottoman court would broaden his worldview, making him more open-minded and adaptable. This would contrast sharply with the narrow perspectives of his peers back in Ravka, setting him apart as a leader capable of uniting different factions and navigating complex political terrains. His experiences in the Ottoman palace could also fuel his ambitions to modernize Ravka, inspired by the advancements he witnessed during his time there. By the time he heads back to Ravka, he’s not just a prince with a sharp tongue and a knack for invention—he’s got a Rolodex of alliances, a mind like a steel trap, and a tactical playbook that could make even the most seasoned generals sweat. His time in the Ottoman court would add layers to his character, making his eventual rise to power in Ravka less of a climb and more of a well-choreographed dance.

And let’s not forget the cultural impact. While his Ravkan peers are busy arguing over who’s got the best fur hat, Nikolai’s off contemplating the merits of Ottoman architecture and maybe dabbling in some calligraphy. He’d return to Ravka with a broader worldview, which would be both his greatest asset and the thing that drives everyone else nuts. “Why can’t you just be like the other princes, Nikolai?” Because he’s seen the world, thank you very much, and he knows how to use it to his advantage. His exposure to Ottoman life would make him a more adaptable, open-minded leader, setting him apart in a court that’s mostly stuck in its ways.

Then there’s the really juicy stuff—Nikolai’s interactions with the Ottoman princes and, let’s not forget, the harem. A young Ravkan prince suddenly dropped into a world where palace intrigue is practically a national pastime. The Ottoman princes, each with their own flair for drama, are constantly trying to outshine each other, and naturally, Nikolai—never one to shy away from a challenge—dives headfirst into the chaos. For him, it’s less of a royal duty and more of an extreme sport, with higher stakes and better costumes.

But here’s where it gets interesting. What starts as a game of one-upmanship could turn into something more. Maybe some of these princes, after a few shared adventures (or misadventures), become genuine friends. Or perhaps they remain rivals, but with a grudging respect for each other’s talents, like frenemies who occasionally save each other’s necks. These bonds, whether friendly or competitive, would give Nikolai a more complex emotional landscape, making his eventual return to Ravka not just about reclaiming a throne, but also about navigating a web of loyalty and rivalry that spans borders.

And then there’s the harem—the ultimate playground of palace politics, where every smile hides a secret, and every glance could start a war (or at least a very dramatic argument). With his natural charm and knack for reading people, Nikolai could easily find himself right in the thick of it. Maybe he befriends a particularly sharp-witted concubine who teaches him the art of subtle manipulation, or perhaps he finds himself entangled in a romance with one of the women there, adding a whole new layer of intrigue to his time in the palace.

Now, as for the ever-pressing issue of finding a wife, the Ottoman palace might just have the perfect candidate. Imagine Nikolai forming a bond with a princess during his time there. What starts as a strategic alliance could slowly turn into something deeper, with both of them finding in each other what they’ve been searching for all along. Marrying her would be a smart political move.

Of course, this marriage wouldn’t be without its complications. Their relationship would come with its own set of challenges—navigating the expectations of two very different courts, both of them come from very different backgrounds—he’s grown up in royal courts, accustomed to power and privilege, while she’s from a humble family, eventually forced into the life of a concubine and also figuring out how to unite their worlds without losing themselves in the process. But it would also add a rich, emotional depth to Nikolai’s story, making his rise to power not just about strategy, but also about love, loyalty, and the delicate dance of royal life.

In this scenario, Nikolai’s time in the Ottoman court wouldn’t just make him a better leader—it would turn him into a master of the game, someone who’s seen every side of power and knows exactly how to wield it. And that, of course, makes for one hell of a story 😏

Finally, if I you are writing a story about this, this would be one of the things I will enjoy reading the most, please never hesitate to research and if you want my help, I am here :)

Thank you! I’m thrilled that you find the storyline intriguing—it really does have a lot of potential. If I ever decide to dive into writing it, I’ll definitely tag you and pick your brain for ideas!

[negative-speedforce]

You antisemitic asshole. I don’t support genocide just because I have a god damn Jewish flag in my bio. The fact you leapt to that conclusion without even bothering to TALK to me is disgustingly antisemitic.

Bruh....

I read through your blog. This has literally nothing to do with you being Jewish. Good for you! I'm glad you have pride in your faith and your culture.

I could care less if you were Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Catholic, whatever. My grandma's Jewish, I grew up going to synagogue and celebrating the high holidays with her. Jewish people are great.

Honestly, it has to do with the consistent demonization of Palestinian civilians on your blog, who are currently facing brutal treatment from the Israeli government. Hamas sucks, what happened on October 7th was absolutely abhorrent and should NOT have happened, and what the Israeli government is doing to the civilians in Gaza who had NOTHING to do with the attack is appalling and just plain wrong in so many ways.

I don't need to have a conversation with you to see what you support. You have it plastered on your blog for the world to see.

Civilians everywhere deserve to live, regardless of who they are or where they're from. I'm a staunch pacifist. I believe war is inherently bad, and that anyone who starts or supports a war has something seriously wrong with them. I believe in a future where all people, regardless of ethnicity, religion, whatever, can live together in peace and understanding.

Maybe I watched too much Star Trek as a kid, I don't know. All I know is that the future I dream of can't come if we're all bombing each other off the map.

I have nothing against Jews, Israelis, Muslims, Palestinans, Arabs, whatever. They're just... people. The governments and leaderships who commit these attrocities, on the other hand? I'd have a few good words for them.

Also- thanks for being my first anon hate! <3

[gatekeeper-watchman]

Voting, Truth, Unity, and the Future of the USA

Our Forefathers Started This Nation on Christian Values, Now We Must Keep Them

As Christians, we should care about the future of our nation.  We should care about who serves on the Supreme Court, social issues like abortion and traditional marriage, and also the social and cultural future of our nation. ­­­­We have the opportunity to vote for men and women who support our Christian values. Some people do not want to vote as they believe we are to separate church from state. However, the separation between church and state does not mean we are to be isolated from politics, but rather that we influence politics with Christian and biblical principles. The separation between church and state was meant to keep the government from overruling the church; as the new republic our forefathers founded, wanted to be free of the government telling the church what they could do. It was about freedom of religion so the government would not interfere with the freedom of God’s people.

We must have a president who will support religious freedom at all levels of government. I am thankful that our current President has taken a strong stand for religious freedom for Christians in this nation, as well as his strong stand against abortion.  Remember we are voting for more than just one leader, we will also be voting for either the Democratic Party Platform or the Republican Party Platform when we choose our president.  Read the platforms of both parties and inform yourself of the facts. The true issues alone should influence our Christian vote. There are many other issues that are opposed to Christian belief. Know what they are and putting all the issues together should tell us what party to vote for. 

Our current and future president will face enormous challenges and problems and he will need our support and prayers, not our criticism. We are admonished in the Word of God to pray for all leaders, as God wants us to have leaders that will make decisions that will allow us to live quiet and peaceable lives (not chaos) in an environment of godliness and honesty according to the scripture below:

1 Timothy 2:1-5:   1 I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

My Prayer for the Elections

We have diligently been praying about the upcoming elections, as so many other Christians are doing, as well.  Lord, I pray that we elect the right people who will hold the offices that will determine the future of the United States. Give Your people and others who don’t even know You, discernment and wisdom in the voting for the offices of president, senators, and representatives that will ultimately rule over us. Lord, there is much division in the body of Christ and our nation, may we hear Your voice and rally around You and Your Word, as we make any decisions. Lord, I come against the spirits of division and confusion that keep the church and the nation divided.  Lord, I stand against all the lies, confusion, and chaos that are bringing deception to Your people. Lord, reveal to us the truth as we vote for people and the issues on the ballots across the land. Lord, we know You look at things differently than we do, as You look at the hearts of people and You know the future, so we can trust You to show us Your choices.  Give us Your wisdom to vote properly. Deliver us from all deception and show us the truth and let us be led by Your Spirit, not just in voting, but in every area of our lives because we are surrounded by so many threats at this hour like Covid-19.  Protect us from this evil and bring an end to it.  We know if we seek You and repent You will forgive our sins and give us Your mercy and grace to overcome in these perilous times. Give us revelation of Your will and the grace to obey You in all things. Let there be a revival in the land. Lord, we know you are shaking all things and allowing sin and rebellion to be exposed. Expose the lies and the people who have been lying.  Lord, search our hearts and show us anything we have believed that is wrong and show us where we have been deceived so we can be set free. Let us hear from You about these elections.  Let Your anointing rest on the elections and may we vote, led by Your Spirit, and be guided in all of our ways.  Let us all hear Your voice and walk in Your ways. May we all surrender to Your will in all things and then Lord, we will know the truth, as that is the key to hearing Your voice.  In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

John 7:17  If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”

For Those Who Have Chosen Not to Vote at All

Many people do not even want to vote at all because they hate discord and disunity. That should not be our attitude, as not voting at all is still “a decision,” as we are allowing others to vote for us and passively accepting what they want. 

Also, we must be very careful, as believers, not to become cynical and critical of our leaders, as we are admonished to pray for them, not criticize them. We can speak up about things that are wrong, but not with the wrong attitude, as our critical attitude can be just as sinful as what they are doing in the eyes of God. Remember, we will be judged with the same judgment we speak about others.  This does not mean we cannot acknowledge anything that does not agree with the Word of God, as that is a discernment issue when we see things that do not line up with the Word of God.  However, when we start “bad-mouthing” people (both politicians and preachers) we are not pleasing to God. We can disagree if something does not line up with the Word of God, but we should not berate one another.  God tells us in the Bible how we are to deal with things of this nature so it would be good to pray and let Him show us what we need to do to correct wrongs. I would recommend a good Bible study on the subject of what we should do as Christians when we disagree. This will also help in marriage disagreements.   Remember one of the things that God hates is “discord among the brethren.”

My Prayer for Those in Disagreement

This is the prayer I ask people to pray with me when they disagree with me.  We should all be willing to change if we are wrong by submitting to God and one another in prayer so that we can come into His unity. Unity can only exist when we rally around the truth. We cannot allow pride to keep us apart. We must sincerely want to know God’s will and be willing to change once God shows us.

Dear Heavenly Father, you know that my brother (or sister) is in disagreement about this subject and we each believe that we are right, so I am humbly submitting my opinion and belief to You and asking You to show us which one is wrong.  Lord, if it is me, then I desire to change and receive the truth.  Lord, we cannot change strong-held opinions and sometimes even what we believe to be true without You giving us revelation and Your truth on the matter.  Because of this, show us which one of us is right and who has the truth, as I believe my brother (or sister) is seeking the truth, as I am. Give us both Your love and patience with one another to await Your revelation on this matter as You have called us to unity and love and it is only in You that we can receive it. Lord, help us not to react to one another in anger because we do not agree, but let us trust in You that You will speak to each of us in this matter. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

1 Corinthians 1:10  “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and the same judgment.”

Speaking Blessings Not Curses Will Make a Difference in the Course of History

One of these is to use our words and our vote to change the course of our nation.  The other mighty thing we can do is to pray for all people, both the ones we agree with and the ones we do not agree with.  There are enough people in the world who are cursing our leaders with their evil words.  They need to repent and start praying for our elected leaders in both parties, as critical people will reap what they sow.  If people are speaking death to others, then death will come back to them. We are either speaking life or death.  Speaking death is not just speaking that people will die, but we can invoke the “death principle,” as well, which is speaking about death to marriages, death to our finances, death to family relationships, death to our surroundings, etc.  We need to be very careful what we speak, as our words create good or evil. 

Proverbs 18:21  “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

Deuteronomy 30:19  “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before your life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:”

Voting is our Civic Duty

Please encourage others you know to sign up and vote, as well.  Share with friends and encourage them to vote.  I know some people just do not want to vote at all, as they are upset with both presidential nominees.  However, I remind people we are not just voting for a man, but for the platform issues of the party, for our Supreme Court judges, and for the society and culture that will rule based on the party platform that prevails.   If we vote for no other reason than to stop the evil abortions that are killing babies every day, the Lord will have His stamp of approval for that alone on our lives, even though many other anti-biblical issues are supported by deceived people, as well.  Read for yourself what the issues are that are supported by the Republicans and compare them with the Democrat platform issues and I believe any Christian can see clearly how to vote if he honestly wants to know the truth and is willing to humbly ask God to show them how to vote. We must vote for the people and the things that most closely line up with the Word of God remembering that no human is perfect.  Go to Billy Graham’s website to view these platforms and then ask God which of these pleases Him and then side with God with your vote. 

If you sincerely still do not know how to vote, I encourage you to pray in the spirit, as when we pray in tongues we are praying according to the will of God as outlined in scripture. When I watched the debates, I did not know how I was to pray so I prayed in tongues the entire hour and a half, as I knew those prayers were led by the Holy Spirit’s guidance and I would be praying for the will of God to be done in the midst of what was going on.  May we all humble ourselves and seek only the will of God in all we do at this hour, as God is the only One Who will be able to save us from the evil we see in the world. No man nor party can do that, but since God knows the future, we can rely on Him to show us how to vote and what to do in every circumstance. How can we vote and approve things that God hates? As long as the Democratic Party supports abortion and does not support the sanctity of life, we should not support those people.  If you read the party platform issues you will find the Democratic Party also supports many other anti-biblical ideas, as well.  Remember we are voting for more than one man; we are also voting for the platform issues of the party. I am praying for God to rule our nation through the servant-hearted people He raises so that we can all live in peace and harmony. I am praying for God to change men’s hearts and especially all of our leader’s hearts so that we will be that Christian nation that is a light on a hill for all the world to see.  Closing with this scripture once again:

1 Timothy 2:1-5 1 I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 

Reminder to Register to Vote

This is just a reminder to make sure everyone is registered to vote.  It is an extremely critical issue for Christians to vote. (Search online for your state’s deadline.) So, if you are not registered to vote, please for the sake of the nation, your home, and your state, you must register and vote. It is not only critical that we vote correctly, because it will help prevent more judgments from coming on our nation (like the Pandemic). Or, if we fail to take a stand for our nation’s future, it will speed them up, depending on what each of us does. Voting is just one of the civic responsibilities we should step up and do. We must repent for being apathetic, if we have failed to vote in the past, we must understand that it is our civic duty.  We each hold the key to our future when we determine to follow the Lord or go our own way.  We must do both – pray and vote.

From: Steven P. Miller @ParkermillerQ, Founder of Gatekeeper-Watchman International Groups Saturday, May 27, 2023, Jacksonville, Florida., Duval County, USA. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Sparkermiller.JAX.FL.USA, https://www.facebook.com/StevenParkerMillerQ Instagram: steven_parker_miller_1956, Twitter: @GatekeeperWatchman1, @ParkermillerQ, https://twitter.com/StevenPMiller6 Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/gatekeeperwatchman, https://www.tumblr.com/gatekeeper-watchman, https://www.pinterest.com/GatekeeperWatchman1/ #GWIG, #GWIN, #GWINGO, #Ephraim1, #IAM, #Sparkermiller, #Eldermiller1981

[mysticwarrior6]

This is the first in a series of posts I plan to write to explain the Way of the Norse Mandalorian or Modern Mandalorian.

To live the life of a Norse (Modern) Mandalorian, I have begun to piece together what The Way should be, at least for me. These are the concepts I have so far,

1. Follow the concepts of Manda

The manda was a spiritual and philosophical concept in the Mandalorian religion. Among the living, manda referred to a state of being, wherein a Mandalorian had achieved a philosophical unity of mind, body, and spirit. Additionally, the manda could refer to the collective soul of the Mandalorian people, with Mandalorians passing into the manda upon their death. Or the Collective Unconscious.

2. Wear the signs of the Way

A headcovering (I wear a cap, a billless cap, or a beanie). I get this from many religions in the world, plus it's hard to wear a helmet everywhere. Lol

A symbol of your clan or family,

My family's symbol is the Tree of Life and a raven

I also wear the mjolnir because I see the Norse Pagan religion as a close representation. I also use warrior cultures from around the world and throughout time as examples.

3. Honor the Gods

This could be the gods of Mandalore or like the Norse pantheon. I got these ideas from the Learn Religions website.

Open a bottle of ale or cider (non-alcoholic is fine), go to a place in nature (even just your backyard), take few breaths to focus, and say, “[Deity], I thank you for your many gifts.” Then pour out the liquid as an offering.

Light a candle and ask the gods to share their wisdom with you. Spend time quietly listening —you will often “hear” wisdom come to you from the still center of your heart.

4. Revere the ancestors

Ancestral reverence does not have to be complicated. Here are a few Norse pagan practices to help beginners connect with their ancestry: Research the members of your family line. Learn their names and stories, and share these names and stories with others. Make a cup of tea and silently ask your ancestors’ advice on a problem you’re facing. Keep photos and mementos of your family in a shared space (a bookshelf works well). Land Spirit Reverence Since being a Modern Mandalorian would be considered heathen. A heathen is a person who does not belong to a widely held religion (especially one who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim) as regarded by those who do.

Most heathens are animists, meaning that they believe everything has an inherent spirit. They even believe that the Earth itself is named: Jord, mother of Thor. (Once again from Norse Paganism) It is difficult to be disrespectful of nature when one is an animist, which is why so many heathens are environmentally conscious. Here are a few ways that beginners to Norse paganism can connect with the spirits of the land: Walk or stand barefoot outside. Feel the energy of the Earth beneath your feet. Leave a biodegradable offering at the foot of a tree along with a prayer of gratitude and connection. Silently thank Jord, the Earth, for her many gifts.

5. Ethics

Generally, heathens focus on the present moment and act to the best of their abilities in each situation without too much concern for what the afterlife may look like. Since we believe we become part of the collective consciousness, we strive to be honorable in all our actions as warriors are.

Among other ethics, heathens believe in reciprocity and building positive relationships over time with both the gods and people. Hospitality is vital to heathens as a way to give back to their community.

Norse pagan hosts may choose to offer:

Clean sheets or a clean towel for overnight guests.

Food and drinks for visitors.

Fresh toiletries in case a guest has forgotten something.

Warmth and friendship to all who enter their home.

6. Acceptance & Inclusivity

Being Heathen in a modern context means that you are accepting of others while striving to be the best person you can be. In general, Norse pagans and Mandalorians tend to be truthful, honorable, and strong-willed individuals who stand up for what they believe is right.

Heathens both then and now see all people as worthy of respect. They are accepting of all people, regardless of race, gender, and sexuality, and honor one’s chosen name and pronouns.

7. Culture & Community

Heathenry is a culture as much as it is a faith. Heathens feed their souls in many ways and enjoy pastimes both modern and ancient, often using traditional, pre-Christian Norse texts as inspiration.

Tell the stories

Storytellering recreates the work of the ancient Eddas and sagas. I read the Norse Mythology, the Eddas, Myths from the Star Wars universe, and the Christian Myths as well. I tell the stories to my children and grandchildren.

8. Keeping the Frith

Heathens believe in a concept called frith, or unbreakable peace. While heathens tend to love a hearty debate, they also agree to treat each other as they wish to be treated. People following modern heathenry find peaceful solutions to problems and work toward maintaining frith with others.

Heathens use the examples of ancient texts like the Eddas and sagas, stories from the Star Wars Universe, and even archeological evidence to strive to better themselves. These ancient texts and findings provide heathens with practical ways to honor the gods, their ancestors, and land spirits in their everyday lives. Though these practices are ancient, Norse paganism and Modern Mandalorians are open and welcoming to beginners of all backgrounds.

[cienie-isengardu]

Not only do I not regret asking you to "RELEASE THE RAMBLES!", I'm sending you requests for more. Below is a list of questions that I asked @bihansthot , and enjoyed their answers, but because you are so thorough, and answer in such depth, I'm re-asking them to you.

Brace yourself, it's a list. I didnt have time to sort thru them, I just copied and pasted, so if any are questions you already answered before, please feel free to include the links.

"LET US BEGIN!"

---------------------------------------------

In the spirit of potential future writing,  I'm trying to find a building that  would make a good substitution for Lin Kuei temple.

I've tried looking up ancient Chinese military barracks/forts, and have found some stuff,  but is all exterior.  Anyone know of any locations (or several I can cobble together) that would make good inspiration fodder?

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So, uhm, religion? What's the Lin Kuei's take on that one? I know they are aware of Gods, they team up with/ encounter Raiden all the time,  and have literally worked for/against Shinook, so I know they recognize higher powers... but I  guess the question is,  do they care?

Do they have a religion,  or spiritual practice that resembles religion? Or do they have a more practical approach "gods exist,  but we just consider them very strong people"?

Which segues into... do they recognize and participate in holidays, or things like birthdays? Or are all their celebrations work related (I.E. successful missions or levels of combat mastery)?

---------------------------------------------

Food.  What foods do they normally eat? What foods do they like?  What foods don't they like? What foods do they absolutely love so much they'll stop what they're doing to get it?

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If you had to match the Lin Kuei with a dynasty,  what one would it be? (I know the 2021 movie has the opening in the Ming dynasty, so the Lin Kuei is at least that old,  but given that movie Bi Han hasn't aged in 400 years, and was taken is a child,  its probably much older) (and also know the game probably cherry picked random Chinese things it liked).

What do you think the Lin Kuei's view on artistic culture (probably not the right word) is? I know they are heavily militaristic,  but in the game,  Kuai Liang offers Hanzo tea and he properly prepares it the Japanese way, that says they have something of an education other than just related to fighting?

Lastly,  in the movie,  everything Bi Han does is "for the Lin Kuei", but the Lin Kuei is on Earth (assumedly),  and he is working for a guy who wants to enslave Earth, so what do you think the deal is?

---------------------------------------------

Question about the Cryomancers. I know the game lore says that they are supposed to be rare, but I also know that the Lin Kuei have had at least 5 (grandpa, papa, older, and younger Sub Zero,  and Frost). 4 of which are part of 3 generations that inherited it even with mixed blood (I'm assuming Mama Sub Zero wasn't Cryomancer since they left her alone).

That's a lot of generations in a row for a rare trait... So do you think the Cryomancers as a group have figured out they're being hunted and have chosen to live in hiding?

---------------------------------------------

Lin Kuei society question? I like writing so I also like world building and I think about these things.

Is Lin Kuei society ever covered? I know there is a Grandmaster, a handful master assassins (Sub Zero's, Sektor, Cyrax, etc) and the  movies always have a bunch canon fodder lesser assassins.

And they live in the very isolated Lin Kuei Palace/Temple in Arktika (or wherever it used to be)

But is Lin Kuei (we'll call it "village") ever covered?   Do they have willing servants, kidnapped slaves, or a mix of both? Are there women (non fighter women,  I know there's Frost) or do they employ strictly male help? If there are women, what's their role, and are there children born there? What about Elderly? What about resources,  is everything (from food, clothes, weapons, and the raw materials to create them) grown or manufactured on sight by skilled laborers or do they import/interact with the outside world? How vicious or civil is this society, could you be killed for looking at Sektor wrong or do they value your services to a degree? What's the degree? This is obviously a combat culture,  but is everyone expected to know martial arts of some variety, is it optional, or do they prohibit it among the servants/slaves? How strict are they on things like clothing, food, alcohol,  drugs, "luxuries", or pleasures? Money? If they interact with the world do they recognize and use $$ currency, commodity currency, or a mixture? Internally are the Lin Kuei payed or just provided for? What about illness or injury,  if you're not a master and it a serious injury/illness are you taken care of or do they just give you a quick death?

Etc. That's all the questions I can think of,  but please feel free to answer questions I didn't ask,  if you think of anything else.

Thank you for this wonderful list to talk about! I’m gonna split the answer into smaller parts, for better focusing on each aspect but also so I don’t feel bad for keeping you waiting for ages, lol. For now let’s focus on asks about the religion!

So good questions! I do think they have some spiritual practice(s) because in martial arts the state of a mind is as important as the physical body and religion is one of many ways to shape someone’s mindset from a young age. I do, however, think that Lin Kuei does not worship the gods. They are aware that the gods exist (with Raiden as the thorn in the side) and may even respect their supernatural powers and battle skills but it never has stopped Lin Kuei from desecrating holy places, murdering people and stealing stuff for the best price. So, it seems to me that whatever religion the members of the clan follow, by nature it is rooted in nontheism.

Of course, there is also a chance that Lin Kuei worships some forgotten deity or deities (as a remnant of their ancient connections with Outworld / realms conquered and destroyed by Shao Kahn?) or may even practice ancestor worship which seems like a good way to uphold a widely understood tradition that plays an important role in the discussed community.

The closest thing to religious practice was seen in Mortal Kombat X, when Sub-Zero and his warriors seemed to pray together before statue of god / deity / ancestor / legendary warrior / personalized thing they value the most (sadly, my knowledge about Asian religious practices or faiths is very limited so I don’t have idea if the statue is supposed to represent any real god/religious symbol).

At the same time, it could be just a bluff since Grandmaster was aware of Cage’s team infiltrating the Lin Kuei territory and used this moment to lure them into a trap. Additionally, Mortal Kombat X comics presented once Kuai Liang sitting before the same statue albeit in a completely different (devoid of reverence?) position.

Of course, if we take into account Mortal Kombat Armageddon, the game states that Lin Kuei Temple placed in Arctika was actually once the Temple of Delia (the great sorceress & wife of god Argus) that at some point get abandoned and re-used by Sub-Zero’s clan.

(In the background, we can see a statue of Delia that Lin Kuei does not worship but did not remove for whatever reason. Mixing both old and new games, we can only wonder if MKX!statue is also the remnant of someone else's faith/religion?)

Beside that, Kuai Liang was pretty vocal about Lin Kuei not worshipping the Elder Gods, what was seen in MK11’s intro dialogue with Cetrion

Sub-Zero: The Lin Kuei do not worship the Elder Gods.

Cetrion: We seek gratitude, not worship.

Sub-Zero: I see no distinction.

and personally did not have any reason to pray to the goddess:

Sub-Zero: Why should I pray to you?

Cetrion: Why does a bird flap its wings?

Sub-Zero: I asked a simple question.

In all fairness, in MK11 Kuai Liang seems the most passive-aggressive toward the Elder God while Frost is focused on her ambitions and Noob!Bi-Han just wants to be left alone when bothered by Cetrion. Similar thing happens toward Raiden. Despite gratitude for saving him, Kuai Liang does not spare the god criticism (can’t serve both Elder Gods and Earthrealm, isn’t fit for his role of protector) and in MKX outright says he does not fear divine beings:

Raiden: Sub-Zero...

Sub-Zero: I fear no gods, Raiden.

Raiden': That's why you shall lose.

Surprisingly, Kuai Liang’s interaction with MK11!Fujin sounds less accusing than with Raiden and Cetrion and it is connected closely to their ties with Bi-Han. And maybe Kuai Liang did seek in the past Fujin and other elements to make a peace with them, like he planned to do so in Mortal Kombat 4 Limited comics?

"I came here to make peace with the gods of the elements that you fought [...]"

Anyway, the accusingly behaviour toward Raiden and Cetrion could be just Kuai Liang’s personal dislike for gods and serious authority issues, which makes sense considering how much he suffered because of their meddling and conflicts.

But honestly?

The available examples of Lin Kuei attitude toward gods, demigods and supernatural beings suggest how little the warriors - especially cryomancers - care for them.

Like, we have Bi-Han in Mythologies, who asked Quan Chi about details of mission:

Sub-Zero: If it's so precious, why don't you get it yourself?

Quan Chi: I cannot enter the temple until the four elements within its walls have been defeated. And I am not on the best of terms with the gods of your realm... especially your god of thunder.

Sub-Zero: Tell me about these elements.

Quan Chi outright said he and earthrealm gods weren’t friends and Bi-Han, reading between the lines, could get the idea that he may end on bad terms with Thunder God. Yet he was interested only in elements (lesser gods than protector of realm?) guarding the temple.

Then Bi-Han beat down four demigods and met a displeased Raiden after Quan Chi got the Shinnok Amulet. His reaction? No fear, like meeting an angry god was a normal occurrence.

Rayden: Do you realize what you've done??

Sub-Zero: I was just earning my living.

Rayden: Your clan's ignorance and greed will cost this entire realm. You must now set things straight.

Sub-Zero: Quan Chi could simply be a lunatic sorcerer. I've never heard of an elder god named Shinnok or of a place called the Netherrealm.

Rayden: Well, you'd better start believing in both, because you're going to the Netherrealm and you're going to bring the amulet back. We must act quickly. I have no dominion in the Netherrealm... You are reality's only hope.

Sub-Zero: I'll do it, Thunder God... but only because I have no choice.

And once he came back from Netherrealm, where he was fixing what he messed up in the first place on Raiden’s order, his abrasive attitude did not change much:

Sub-Zero: Here... the amulet.

Rayden: Impressive, Sub-Zero. Perhaps you will reconcile your reckless past after all.

Sub-Zero: That's it? Not even a thank you?

Of course, to some degree Raiden’s words did have an impact on Bi-Han but even the god’s warning about his soul tainted with evil did not stop him from coming back to Lin Kuei. Bi-Han’s attitude and/or approach to gods seems to change somehow once he was reborn as Noob, but that is a different matter for different times.

Anyway, Mythologies!Bi-Han and MK11!Noob act less aggressive toward gods than Kuai Liang. But then we have Sub-Zero from from the MK novel by Jeff Rovin, who not only is not afraid of gods but outright insult them:

“Wait! Be warned, Shang Tsung. He is cursed!”

“Cursed? By whom?”

Ruthay wailed, “By the immortal Yu.”

Shang Tsung felt cold spiders crawl up his spine. “The demigod Yu?”

“Yes… he who is said to dwell in the underground caverns of Horse Ear Mountain… which is sacred to the goddess Kuan Lin. He who protects the canals… and the tunnels… and looks after all who use them, human and animal.”

“What did our brash friend do to Yu?”

“He… killed a man,” said Ruthay.

“What man?”

“A toll-taker… one who had given up a life of crime… one who had been a partner of the man… you… seek.”

“And how did that crime come to the attention of the spirit of Yu?” Shang Tsung asked.

“The man was killed… slowly disemboweled with a sword… while accomplices forced his wife and his son to look on! After his murder… the man’s remains… were dumped into a canal!”

Shang Tsung raised an eyebrow. “Is that all? I was expecting something truly terrible!”

“It was!” Ruthay shrieked. “When he disposed of the body… in that way … he profaned one of the sacred waterways… of Yu!”

Shang Tsung smiled now. “Then he is definitely the man I want,” he said. “Anyone who is impudent enough to insult a demigod won’t be afraid to attack a member of the White Lotus Society, or the gods who watch after them. I will send Hamachi, Ruthay. When he nears his goal, see through his eyes and guide him!”

Book!Sub-Zero was impudent enough to insult a demigod which is why he was one of Shang Tsung’s favorites. And to be clear - book!Sub-Zero did not regret insulting the demigod at all. Even more! He found humor in it!:

He dwelt in a cave two hundred feet up the face of a cliff by the sea. The mouth of his home was barely wide enough to accommodate a slender adult, and was accessible only by climbing the sheer wall of rock, a feat that was impossible for most adults and daunting even to the few arachnids and marsupials that tried it.

Maybe some of them were even sent by Yu, he thought with a smirk, little assassins who would chastise me for having spilled blood in his precious canal.

The less abrasive attitude toward gods was shown by Cyrax, who talked a bit with Raiden over Bi-Han’s remains. He wasn’t outright antagonistic but wasn’t overall respectful either. He talked with Thunder God like he would talk with any other human being that wasn’t actually Scorpion. Frankly, from the named Lin Kuei only MK9!Smoke actually addressed Raiden in respectful manner, with proper bow and the name of lord

albeit did he do so because he respects the divine beings or just out of gratitude for saving him, hard to tell for sure.

So yeah, it seems like no matter what kind of timeline or age or medium of the story, Lin Kuei does not fear gods nor pray to them. And the clan has a long history of dealing with Raiden, so the Lin Kuei had first-hand experiences with supernatural beings. Somehow, cryomancers are the most impudent warriors when it comes to dealing with or criticizing the gods.

Interestingly, as much as Lin Kuei warriors don’t care for gods, most of the known to us named characters believe to have - and to care - for their own souls. Sektor and MK11!Frost embraced the Cyber Lin Kuei idea but Kuai Liang, Cyrax and Smoke were opposed to C.I. project out for concern for their souls among other things. Even Bi-Han, to some degree became concerned about his soul after trip to Netherrealm.

Believing in souls is usually a sign of belief in the afterlife, albeit after all of them went through (the change into cyborgs, death and change into Revenants) this is less a matter of faith (religion) and more first-hand experiences. And let's not forget that regularly dealing over the centuries with Shang Tsung who steals people's souls on a daily basis makes it really hard to not believe spirits are real.

Also, an interesting matter of Lin Kuei practices that could have a religious/spiritual ground and/or be an example of ancestor worship is the clan’s funeral rites. I don’t think we actually saw any Lin Kuei to bury their own (especially after warrior’s failure?) and for sure MK9!Cyrax and Sektor did not bother to take care of Bi-Han’s remains. However the sources provide examples of Lin Kuei keeping corpses, most likely of their own leaders or warriors.

And so, we could see human remains:

put in two coffins on each side of statue

hidden / kept in a block of ice(?) in chamber of Fallen Lin Kuei in which Frost’s frozen body was also laid, but on the altar

Cyrax’s cyber body was kept and guarded by Sub-Zero (and this is like the only thing that Kuai Liang and Cyber Sektor so far agreed on)

and even Cyber Sektor’s remains, even if just for pragmatic reasons, are kept in what seems to be respectful manner:

It could be just Kuai Liang’s good nature to honor fallen of his clan (I’m still not sure if Lin Kuei Palace is the new place for Sub-Zero’s clan or the ancient hideout) but even in MK Conquest TV series, after Grandmaster was killed by then-currently-Sub-Zero, there was the farewell ceremony with clothes on display (cause there was not much left of body after freezing and shattering) while new leader gave the speech promising to punish the guilty.

Which makes me think that Lin Kuei did honor their fallen warriors (especially those exceptional, deserving). Such custom and apparently common belief in soul could also support the ancestor worship - both as some ancient, mythical ancestor(s) connecting warriors into one clan (family) and tradition to follow in the footsteps of forefathers (Bi-Han taking place of his father [old timeline] or grandfather [current timeline] or Kuai Liang taking Bi-Han’s place as Sub-Zero).

My general conclusion about Lin Kuei is that its members believe in souls, have respect and use of spiritual matters (meditation?) and maybe ancestor worship. Whatever the religious / spiritual practices they have over the centuries, it is not something they will share, as the Lin Kuei by nature are secretive people who keep personal things mostly for themselves. The people that joined the clan (Cyrax and Smoke) maybe kept their old, eventual religious beliefs but overall, Lin Kuei warriors did not fear, care for nor pray to gods. They may respect god (Raiden, Fujin) as a person but not because of their divine nature. And even that would not stop them from criticizing said god. Which is pretty much how Kuai Liang and Raiden’s relationship looks like. Grandmaster is grateful to Thunder God for saving him but he won’t blindly follow his authority.

(Kuai Liang has serious authority issues, hasn't he?)

As for holidays, I can’t really see Lin Kuei to follow any specific religious (theistic) special day cause they don’t care much for gods in the first place. Unless they worked undercover and needed to act as normal human beings, religious holidays would mean nothing to them. The warriors may however celebrate their mission success, combat mastery or promotion between themselves or in secret, I think. Like, Lin Kuei did forbid friendship because it was considered warrior’s flaw yet we know some members either were blood-related (Kuai Liang, Bi-Han, previous Sub-Zero - father or grandfather, depending on which timeline is correct) or considered each other a family (Kuai Liang and Tomas Vrbada) and most named characters worked in duos so they have both opportunity and knowledge about each other to celebrate important matters. If they managed to remember anything from previous life, that is. Because from ancient to at least Great Kung Lao’s times most(?) adepts were kidnapped from biological families at a really young age (something around 6 years old). And Mythologies: Sub-Zero takes that even further:

Its warriors are chosen at birth to be raised apart from the workings of day to day civilization and are stripped of their former lives. Only the clan knows their existence. Each of them posses certain skills and abilities that set them apart from normal men. These abilities are passed on from generation to generation and honed throughout the experiences of life.

So, celebrating birthdays doesn’t sound like happening much, unless those with family around could allow themselves such luxury. The clan may however celebrate the day of becoming a fully trained and sworn warrior? Or the fallen warriors? Who knows.

Also, something worth thinking about: in Mortal Kombat Conquest TV series, when the Grandmaster presented newly appointed Sub-Zero to the rest of the clan, he “celebrated” the cryomancer's first official performance as the execution of two men who failed their mission. So, yeah, celebration of something special in (old) Lin Kuei does not necessarily mean anything nice.

(The next part of answer most likely will be focused either on food or architecture / origin of Lin Kuei. Let's hope I will get it written sooner than later)

<><> EDIT <><>

RELIGION <> ORIGINS / ARCHITECTURE <> FOOD <> FOR THE LIN KUEI <> ART <> CRYOMANCERS <> LIN KUEI SOCIETY <> MONEY & MATERIAL GOODS

[cutesilyo]

Notes and References for i know your eyes in the morning sun

Hi! These are notes and references for my IndoPhil fic i know your eyes in the morning sun, so please check it out before reading this!

Title: i know your eyes in the morning sun Summary: When a homesick Indonesia is unexpectedly taken out of his meeting for a day trip in Rome with Philippines, he isn't expecting much more than exhaustion ahead of him. Instead, what happens is a whirlwind of food, fun, and a surprising amount of reflection on their histories and differences as nations. And as he looks deeper and deeper in the other nation's bright eyes, he learns to come to terms with the feelings he's been ignoring for far, far too long. Alternatively: a nation who's too attached to the past goes on a date with a nation whose entire philosophy is built on trying to live in the moment. Yes, there is kissing involved. Read on: AO3 | FF.net

Scene 1: Pizza al taglio

As coincidence would have it, the G20 2021 Summit actually will be held in Rome, Italy. However, it’ll be on the end of October rather than the end of September like how its depicted in the fic. I’m also very much ignoring the COVID-19 pandemic. Pretend it never happened.

Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world, found in the island of Java, Indonesia. It was built way back in the 7th Century and it's probably Indonesia's top most visited site.

Terang bulan is basically like a really large, fluffy, folded pancake. It also has a variety of different names and is also eaten in Brunei, Malaysia, and Singapore.

If you could have a convenience store dedicated solely to pizza, that's what pizza al taglio establishments are like. Its literal translation is pizza by the cut, and since it's a lot more common to find in Rome than in other places in Italy, it's also called Roman-style pizza. The layout for the al taglio shop that Indonesia and Philippines go to is inspired from the shop that me and my family went to: a small family establishment just a short walk away from the Vatican.

You can actually find a recipe for Indonesia’s arugula and mozzarella pizza here: https://shared.publicmediaconnect.org/docs/atk/Pizza_Taglio_Cooks_Illustrated.pdf

Scene 2: Souvenir store + Bus stop

Indonesian rupiahs are notoriously hyperinflated, so the 15 euros that Philippines uses to buy the keychains convert to 250k+ rupiahs. That's around 50k short for actually being able to buy a local economy flight on Lion Air. For comparison, the same amount of euros convert to approximately 900 Philippine pesos. It’s also a few hundred pesos short of buying a local economy flight on Cebu Pacific.

There actually was a point when a G20 meeting was held in the Coliseum. It was the G20 culture ministers meeting just a few months ago, in July 2021.

Yes, on top of the thousands of festivals we already have, Filipinos also celebrate Oktoberfest! It's more of an excuse for local beer companies to shamelessly promote their product and encourage drinking fests on a massive scale, but a more legitimate Oktoberfest celebration is organized by the German Club in Manila. Lucky Philippines gets to celebrate it authentically in Munich with the German brothers, who historically aimed to conquer the Philippines before America managed to stake his claim. So if you sense that Germany is being oddly shy towards Philippines here, that's just Germany being embarrassed because of their history.

Italy's major international airport in Rome is Aeroporto Internazionale di Roma–Fiumicino "Leonardo da Vinci", so you generally just call it Fiumicino for short. A possible travel route for flying from the Philippines to Italy is Clark-Dubai-Rome, and another is Manila-Hong Kong-Rome.

Scene 3: Gianicolo

Bali, Boracay, and El Nido are beaches that serve as major tourist destinations.

Vietnam has already been mentioned to be a menace when she's drunk in her most recent character introduction. Laos is at the top of ASEAN when it comes to alcohol consumption, with the average Laotian drinking seven liters of pure alcohol every year.

Indonesia is sometimes known as the Invisible Nation. What this means to say is that there have not been many things that Indonesia has done that made massive waves on the global scale. From what I’ve read, this seems to have been an especially popular sentiment among Western analysts during the Cold War.

Australia's awkward attempt at an apology is a reference to when the Australian government had allegedly monitored and spied on the phone calls of several Indonesian officials. Indonesia and Australia have a history that goes far deeper than that though.

Monas is a common abbreviation for Indonesia's Monumen Nasional, proudly standing tall in the middle of Merdeka Square as a commemoration of the fight for Indonesian independence. Taman Surapati is a large, chill public park; it also has a monument dedicated to commemorating ASEAN there. Both are located in Jakarta, Indonesia's capital. Meanwhile, Philippines' mention of Luneta refers to Luneta Park. It's also known as Rizal Park, as it's the place where the national hero Jose Rizal was executed for the influence he had in encouraging the fight for Philippine independence.

In Rome, there are seven major hills: they formed the geographical heart of Ancient Rome, with Palatino and Campidoglio as the most significant given how connected they were to Rome's founding and Rome's religion. Gianicolo is outside the boundaries of Ancient Rome, and as such, it isn't counted among the seven hills. It is dedicated to the Roman god Janus and was a place for the augurs to divine the will of the gods — kind of like a prophecy, if a prophecy could be divined from bird entrails. Now it's a great spot for a scenic view of modern Rome which features, among other things, a large statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi. Garibaldi was a major figure in the Italian Reunification.

Nusantara means many different things, but in the era of the Majapahit empire, it referred to the vassal kingdoms in what is now modern-day Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Timor Leste, and the southern parts of modern-day Thailand and Philippines. Modern usage of the word in Indonesia generally refers to the Indonesian archipelago, but it can also be used to refer to the entirety of maritime Southeast Asia. Culturally and historically, Southeast Asia is divided into the mainland region (the countries connected to the Asian continent: Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar) and maritime (the countries that are islands and archipelagos: Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines).

Italy, together with the United Kingdom, is the largest European migration destination for Filipinos. The largest migration destination for Filipinos in general is America.

Shout-out to Ro-na for this wonderful headcanon of Philippines being sickly in his early days as a Spanish colony! The galleon ships used to facilitate trade between the Philippines and Mexico (perhaps the Philippines' most major contribution to the Spanish crown) would often be attacked by pirates or destroyed in typhoons, especially in the first few decades.

Majapahit and Srivijaya are only two of pre-colonial Indonesia's many powerful empires. A lot of the pre-colonial stuff has been simplified for brevity's sake, but a brief summary of it all basically goes like this: pre-colonial Indonesia was involved with everyone in maritime SEA, where everyone traded with each other; and mainland SEA was non-stop fighting where the major powers were the empires that would later become Vietnam and the Khmer empire that would influence everyone else in mainland SEA. You can find a more detailed look into mainland SEA history by Gemu in her posts here, who is my main influence for everything mainland SEA-related.

A young Brunei picking flowers for a young Philippines is a reference to all the marriages that had occurred between their nobility during the pre-colonial era.

Scene 4: Apartment

The turtle fountain in Rome is a real thing: Fontana delle Tartarughe was originally designed with dolphins in mind, but the dolphins were removed and replaced by turtles. In fandom, you usually see Philippines calling Indonesia kuya, which is Tagalog for older brother. In at least one Indonesian language (I can't remember which one at the moment, sorry!), kuya means turtle.

Tondo, Seludong, Butuan, Sulu, Sugbu, and Panay are all polities in pre-colonial Philippines, two for each of the main island groups in the country: Luzon in the north, Mindanao in the south, and Visayas in the middle. Unlike pre-colonial Indonesia, the societies in the Philippines were never united by a single kingdom or empire; the Philippine islands were only united through the efforts of Spanish and American colonization.

Filipinos tend to sing a lot. Many of us are really good at it. Karaoke is really popular here.

Philippines' PIN code of 8862 is a reference to when ASEAN was founded: August 8, 1962. The founding members were Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.

This might be as good of a time as ever for me to mention that I am depicting Philippines and Indonesia as Catholic and Muslim respectively. Filipinos are predominantly Catholic and the Philippines is the largest Catholic country in Asia, while Indonesia has a number of official religions and is the largest Muslim nation in the world.

Special thanks to Desa for helping me with Indonesia's prayer times! Normally, Muslims pray five times a day, but when travelling Muslims are allowed to pray only three times. This is called Qasr salah, or Qasr sholat in Indonesia. What is usually Fajr (called Subuh in Indonesia), Zuhr, Asr, Magrib, and Isha becomes only Fajr, Zuhr-Asr, and Mahgrib-Isha; essentially, without getting into the specifics of time, a prayer for sunrise, afternoon, and night. The mosques will remind everyone when it's prayer time with adhan (called adzan in Indonesia), but in non-Muslim countries abroad, many Muslims have to use websites and apps to keep track. Something I didn't mention in the fic is that Rome actually has the largest mosque in the Western world, Moschea di Roma, so Indonesia could have potentially prayed there. 

Scene 5: Apartment dinner table

Sholat wouldn’t take Indonesia more than a few minutes, so imagine that he did something else while waiting for Philippines to finish cooking.

Baked fish with sliced lemons is a meal that got served to me a lot in Italy. Chop suey is Chinese, but China has had a significant cultural influence for most of Southeast Asia throughout history; the Indonesian version is known as kap cay. Indomie Mi Goreng is a particularly tasty and famous kind of instant noodles from Indonesia. It's very popular in many Asian countries. Indonesia doesn’t drink, but Philippines is drinking white wine because that’s what you’re supposed to do when eating fish. Red wine goes with meat.

Admittedly, this is my own personal headcanon, but I like to think of Philippines living in Spain with the other Spanish colonies while everyone else in maritime SEA were left behind to live in their own countries. It's my own neat Hetalia universe explanation for how much Spanish influence there is in Filipino culture, and how isolated Filipinos can sometimes feel among their neighbors.

I do think that Philippines would have a Hispanic-sounding human name, but I've never really settled on what name actually would be: in fandom, Felipe, Lorenzo, and Jaime get thrown around a lot. In contrast, it seems like most people have settled on Dirga (short for Dirgantara) for Indonesia.

Philippines is sometimes called as la colonia abandonada in Spanish sources: the abandoned colony. Because the Philippines was so far away, Spain couldn't manage the colony directly and had to rely on Mexico/Nueva España to do the dirty work until Mexico became independent. This led to a more relaxed manner in how the country was managed for most of its Spanish colonial life; some scholars even go as far as saying that Spain's treatment of the Philippines was kinder than Spain's treatment of Latin America. I don't really agree — it was different, sure, but it wasn't kind in the least.

Contrast that with Indonesia as the largest and most important colony of the Dutch empire. Aside from all the money and economic prosperity that Indonesia gave to the empire, you'll also find many Dutch songs and hymns that are all praises to Indonesia. Much of the research in Indonesian history, ethnography, and archeology was made possible because of Dutch interest and support; until now, the Netherlands remains to be Europe's leader when it comes to Indonesian studies. This isn't to say that Netherlands treated Indonesia well, however.

After the Japanese occupation of Indonesia in WW2, Netherlands fought to keep power over the archipelago. Needless to say, the Netherlands failed. Indonesia was recognized as an independent country soon after.

Indië is the Dutch colonial name for Indonesia.

APEC is the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, of which Philippines and Indonesia (and Thailand!) are members.

Scene 6 + 7: Apartment bedroom

What was Philippines doing in the 1920s, you ask? Being an American colony and trying to lobby for laws that would hasten his independence. Indonesia was in the middle of what’s called the Indonesian National Awakening; all the different peoples under Indonesia were beginning to come together and unite to fight for a single independent nation.

As a tarsier, Pien is actually supposed to be nocturnal; he shouldn't be sleeping at night at all. Maybe he just got jet lagged? Who knows.

BL stands for the boy's love genre of TV series. For years, Thailand had been the lead when it came to BL production with shows like TharnType and SOTUS. Recently, the Philippines has also been developing BL series — Gameboys specifically had achieved worldwide acclaim and is distributed globally through Netflix.

Filipino languages tend to have more complex verb conjugation and sentence structure compared to Bahasa Melayu and Bahasa Indonesia. The linguistic explanation for this is that most of the Filipino languages are based on the older Proto-Malayo-Polynesian language while Bahasa Melayu and Bahasa Indonesia are based on the newer, more simplified descendants of Proto-Malayo-Polynesian.

Pramoedya Ananta Toer was an Indonesian author that focused a lot of his work on nationalistic sentiments. He has a quote on bravery that I really like: Dalam hidup kita, cuma satu yang kita punya, yaitu keberanian. Kalau tidak punya itu, lantas apa harga hidup kita ini? Loosely translated, this reads as: In our life, we only have one thing, which is bravery. If it’s not, what is the value of our life?

Indonesia, as a large archipelago in the Pacific Ring of Fire, has a lot of active volcanoes. In contrast, the Philippines is regularly hit by tens of typhoons annually.

There are an estimated 12 million Filipinos overseas, and this number consistently rises through the years. It's one of the largest diaspora populations: name a country, you'll probably find a Filipino working there somewhere. OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) account for 10% of the country's population and the remittances they send back to their families account for 10% of the country's GDP. Indonesia has a similar phenomenon with TKIs (Tenaga Kerja Indonesia), of which there are 4.5 million worldwide.

Post-independence, Indonesia was very paranoid over Western influence in Southeast Asia. In that same time period, Philippine delegates to international conferences would always speak of democracy and the looming threat of Communism; even though most of the Asian delegates would prefer to move past Western problems and disputes to focus on a united Asia.

Telenovelas are soap operas produced in Latin America. They became popular in Southeast Asia as they were distributed and remade here. The Indonesian equivalent is the sinetron, and the Filipino equivalent is the teleserye.

Additionally, I cannot stress enough how much this fic is built on the foundations laid by others. I’ve already mentioned how much I took inspiration from Gemu’s depiction of mainland SEA, but I also credit Indonesia’s thing for temples to Desa; the passive-aggressive energy between Thailand and Philippines to Hali; amnesiac Piri to Koko, Kopi, and Sopas (among the many). There are a dozen other things I can attribute to a huge assortment of writers and artists: that Singapore has trouble remembering his pre-colonial roots as well, that Piri might have had a good relationship with Romano, Piri’s general flirty and flighty attitude, Indonesia’s awkwardness and big brother aura, etcetera, etcetera. If you’re someone that has been contributing to the SEA fandom these past few months, thank you. Thank you so much. 

[uw-us-stuff]

Nishinoya Yuu headcanons

Here he is~! Official simp!

Warnings⚠️ - none

We can all agree that he's bisexual, right? And he simped for both Kiyoko and Asahi. (I also saw someone else say that when he discovered that he's bisexual, he got a little upset because it wasn't something he just created and that he was the only person on earth that was bi- sorry I can't find the original creator).

Just... so much energy. He wakes up really early- always. And he's really loud when he wakes up too. Clattering, loud yawning, groaning- all of that.

When he was still really little, he was scared of like... everything. His grandfather stepped in of course and now he's not really scared of new things or experiences. He'll try any new food, go on any roller-coaster- he's a fun guy to hang out with basically.

Use to be terrified of dogs.... until he realised that they're not actually that scary. He's had a dog ever since then. They go early morning runs together!

I actually feel like Nishinoya is a really quick learner. He's not... book smart per say but languages? Easy peasy. Since he basically just travels for a living, he likes to learn the languages spoken wherever he ends up travelling to.

Loves learning about other cultures and religions. He just thinks it's the coolest thing ever! He definitely scrapbooks everything he learns too.

Definitely the type that will just show up on your doorstep and stay with you for like 3 days. Everyone is just kind of use to it now. Not like they have a choice

He loves giving compliments. If he passes a stranger and he things their outfit looks cool, he's going to compliment them!

He gets hot really easily so the a/c is always on.

Since he travels so much, he'll usually make money doing some random job for a bit. Fishing, gardening, cleaning- a lot of different jobs.

Has definitely tried to get taller by doing stretches and exercises he found on the internet. He also tried wearing shoes with higher heels but Tanaka made fun of him for wearing "high heels" so he stopped.

If he's really tired, he'll just fall asleep wherever. He also curls up when he's asleep.

He burns really easily. And he forgets to wear sunscreen every - single - time

Definitely decided to dye his hair after seeing his sisters dye theirs. They were the ones who helped him dye his hair the first time.

This man can not sit still, please don't expect him to watch a movie with you. He's going to get up 5 times just to get snacks. Or he'll be on his phone and completely forget that he was supposed to be watching a movie.

Definitely tries to get on his teachers good sides before they have to write an exam. It has never/will never work but he doesn't give up that easily!

Sorry but... He eats with his mouth open...😔 It's only because he's trying to talk and the food just happens to be in his mouth too!

He likes chewing on things, so now he always carries gum with him.

Secretly loves being the little spoon!

Also, if you're dating him, please show him off. Tell everyone that he's your boyfriend because he's doing the exact same thing. He just want everyone to know how lucky he is for having an amazing partner like you in his life! You two are just the perfect couple and everyone needs to know that

Loves hand holding!

a/n - I hope you guys enjoyed! I'm going to try and write about all the players and then maybe write about something with the entire team. Anyway! Thank you all so much reading! 💖 <3!

[chaos-burst]

your homebrew is super impressive !! you also wrote at some point that your setting is completly homebrew is there anything you like to share about it? your campaign posts are very cool too ! reading makes me wanna play with my group too but covid : /

Hey there! Thank you for the kind message, I’m glad you enjoyed the small homebrew stuff :D My setting is completely homebrew, yeah, because I have no self restraint and I love worldbuilding. Bless my players’ patience with me and my endeavors.

Have a random bullet point list about things that shape my setting:

It all started because I wanted Sky Pirates. So I made some. They live on a flying island, they have flying ships and they are united under their leader, Queen Yezenia - a mystical and legendary figure that most people don’t even believe exists

Nature fights back in my setting. Druids are illegal because magic that taps into the forces of nature is deemed dangerous and unstable. Druids have banded together to help nature fight back under the banner of an organization called the Green Ward.

I splitted magic into three classifications for my setting: Arcane, Divine and Primal. Arcane is considered the highest form of magic. Divine magic is mostly considered meh. Primal magic is illegal and punishable by imprisonment or even death. (Since this system was made by people with high arcane affinity, aka Elves, it is flawed. Evocation Wizards or Nature Clerics would certainly be side eyed because they use nature based magic, even though they are neither Druids nor Sorcerers. The Elves don’t care much.)

My setting is a continent that used to be made up of many little provinces that existed side by side. All of that changed when, according to elvish historians, the first king of the empire united the provinces against an enemy invasion and founded the Empire of Enor. Elves are the ruling class (or race. you know) in this setting and they dictate laws, culture, religion etc.

My Dwarves used to have magnificent kingdoms under the mountains. Those kingdoms were lost by unknown means and Dwarves are now exclusively surface dwellers, because the depths under the mountains are inhabited by Duergar. Orcs live in the swamps in tree houses and are competent healers/midwives/pathfinders. My halflings are poly and adopt everyone who doesn’t have a home. My drow are desert nomads who worship their ancestors. There are no evil races in my setting because evil races suck. (I cannot say anything more about other races bc. Spoilers.)

My deities are divided into major and minor deities. They work pretty similar to Terry Pratchett’s gods - the more followers a deity has, the more power they get. Currently there are only seven major deities who reside in the Upper Planes. The others are minor deities who actually run around on the continent and do their own thing. Some of them are - you guessed it - illegal.

I love me some guilds and factions, so I made an assassins guild, a thieves guild that was founded by a minor goddess hundreds of years ago before she vanished. Mystery! I have a famous band of smugglers, an archeologists guild, a wandering black market and ten billion more.

My players have discovered that the world is out of balance! Oh No! Old Gods are dying! Some of them have been sleeping for hundreds of years and are now waking up! Ancient ruins of ancient civilizations have been uncovered! Dangerous diseases plague different parts of the Empire! Minor deities have told the players that the world was broken a thousand years ago! Drama! Primal magic is dying, and so are primal magic users! There is a lot of stuff going on. And can you believe that all of this was 70% inspired by The Last March Of The Ents from Lord of the Rings.

They just reached level 5, so there is a still tons to uncover and learn :D I’m sorry that you haven’t been able to play D: We usually play via discord, because we live far away from each other (and also Covid). Maybe that might work for your group too?

I’m glad you enjoy my ramblings about my campaign ^-^ It makes me happy. Both the campaign and that my players (and some other people) enjoy it <3

Thanks for asking!

[caracolcondiarrea]

Spain should have more representation in the media

And no, Spanish culture isn’t only Flamenco, bulls, paella and tortilla de patatas

Spanish has the 3rd best food in the world

Spain has traditions that most Americans WILL find offensive but are OLDER than the USA (semana santa)

not all Spanish culture is Andalusia, yes, it’s extremely rich in culture but the rest of Spain has also A LOT of culture. For instance, in Toledo (Castilla La Mancha) had for a long time 3 religions living together peacefully. Just Toledo has so much culture thanks to the 3 religions.

Not everything here is flamenco and bulls, in fact a lot of people are against bullfighting (I don’t have a really strong opinion on this bc they will be killed no matter what so we can eat them)

In Spain we don’t speak only one language, depending on where you are, the people speak Spanish and another language ex: in País vasco they speak Spanish and Euskera, which is older than the arrival of the Roman civilization

And some fun facts about Spain which I will be putting here whenever I think of one

In Almeria there is a rumor that Walt Disney himself was from here. There has been tons of books written about it and if you ask someone from Almeria they will probably tell you “that guy is from here”

The only desert in Europe is here in Spain, specifically in Almeria, Andalusia (there is another one but it doesn’t have the required things to be officially called a dessert

The first expedition that went around the world was Spanish

This should probably go unsaid but the American continent was discovered thanks to Spain bc Colombus wanted to go to India but needed the money and no king wanted to spend they’re money on him, but the catholic queen gave him the money and the rest is history (literally)

the Spanish anthem has no lyrics, but if you ask someone young they’ll probably sing you “Franco, Franco que tiene el culo blanco por que su mujer se lo Lava con Ariel” translation: “Franco, Franc that has the butt white bc his wife washes it with Ariel” (yes this is a real thing that probably Every Spanish person after the dictatorship has sang or at least heard once in their life)

there is a song called “aquí no hay playa” translation: “there is no beach here” that it’s about how our capital thinks they are the best in everything, that they are the capital of the world but when summer comes around, my, my, there is no beach here” and it’s the best thing to tell to someone from Madrid (but if you ask my mother who unfortunately is from Madrid she will tell you “Madrid has a beach called San Juan and it’s in Alicante”)

the oldest restaurant in the world is in Spain

You’ve probably heard about the tooth fairy, but here, we have the “ratoncito perez” which is the same as the tooth fairy except he’s a mouse.

there is a church called “la sagrada Familia” and it’s famous bc it isn’t finished yet, it started construction in 1882 and it isn’t finished bc Gaudi didn’t wrote or said how he wanted the cathedral to be, he had it in his head all. It’s said to be finished in 2026

Spain is such a wonderful country and It should have more representation

[libraryleopard]

December reads!

I read a lot more this month! (Thank god for Christmas break.)

Archivist Wasp by Nicole Kornher-Stace: A fantasy/dystopian story about a young priest-archivist who captures ghosts to study and destroy them–until she finds one who wants her help and they end up on a journey through the underworld together. The world-building in this had some really neat original mythology blending fantasy and sci-fi and I liked that it’s a novel about complex, intense platonic cross-gender friendships (it’s sooo rare to see male-female friendships given the same amount of depth as romance and this book was very refreshing on that front) and I’ll definitely be reading more from this author.

How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love With the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gillibrand: I really picked this up on a whim because the cover is really pretty and the main character is a twin–it’s about a girl who lives in the shadow of her famous social media influencer sister until she’s invited along on tour and begins to learn how to love herself. There’s some tinges of magical realism among the explorations of religious purity culture and body image and a very slow-burning romance.

Hellblazer vol. 2: The Devil You Know by Jamie Delano: Dude this was fucked up!

Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots: I finally read this on the recommendation of my sister and WOWWWWW it was intense! Follows Anna, a low-level employee of a supervillain who is horribly injured by a superhero and decides to calculate the cost of the accumulated damage superheroes inflict on the world. Super interesting exploration of collateral damage and good vs. evil

Boy in Bloom by Nina Powers: A young adult coming-of-age/gay romance about a boy who falls for his reckless roommate while dealing with the stress of senior year of high school and his strict principal father’s high expectations. This was written by a teenager and it shows–and I don’t mean that in a bad way, just that is really captured the stress and turmoil of trying to prepare for life after high school.

Marvel’s Voices: Identity # 1 (anthology so I’m not listing all the contributors): A collection of short comics about Asian American Marvel superheroes by Asian authors and artists. Quick but fun, made me want to catch up on Silk and Ms. Marvel comics.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson: Young adult thriller about a girl who decides to solve a mystery most people in her town dismissed as open and shut years ago. It was very engaging and I enjoyed the mixed-media format, but some of the twists and the fact that the main character didn’t face that any consequences for her crossing-the-line-in-the-name-of-justice actions felt a little unrealistic?

Eternals vol. 1 by Kieron Gillen: I literally no nothing about the Eternals and haven’t seen the movie, but I thought Kieron Gillen was a great fit for a comic about a bunch of dramatic immortal assholes trying to solve a murder mystery.

The Refrigerator Monologues by Catherynne M. Valente: Reread! A collection of stories commenting on the trend of dead and abused girlfriends of superheroes in comics. Valente’s writing is rage-fueled and great.

Hellions vol. 1 by Zeb Wells: Reread! Suicide Squad but make it X-Men.

Comfort Me With Apples by Catherynne M. Valente: Oh, this was great! Very eerie novella about a woman who has the perfect life and the perfect husband–or does she? I really don’t want to say too much about this because it’s a very speedy read and I really watching the heart of the story emerge.

Hellions vol. 2 by Zeb Wells: Okay, now I see why everyone likes this comic so much, I really enjoyed the chaos of this volume. Also Kwannon my beloved ≤3

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw: Hi yes mark the calendar Lulu enjoyed an adult literary fiction book about people having sex and figuring out relationships, this is incredibly rare. A collection of short stories focused on flawed, realistic Black women navigating sexuality and religion.

Being Seen: One Deafblind Woman’s Fight to End Ableism by Elsa Sjunneson: A memoir by a Deafblind woman. I picked this up on my sister’s recommendation and really liked it–very eye-opening, snarky, angry, and contains some interesting insights into portrayals of disability in media.

The Haunting of Tram Car 015 by P. Djéli Clark: Final read of the year! It’s a novella set in the same magical steampunk Cairo of A Dead Djinn in Cairo and I enjoyed it, the world-building is neat and it’s cool to see it get expanded on more and more. (I’m reading A Master of Djinn right now and also enjoying it.)

[batmanlovesnirvana]

First of all, greetings from Turkiye . I read your article about the Ottoman Empire influence in Grishaverse and wanted to share my thoughts as an Ottoman descendant :) I think this idea is great, and I also loved your comments. I just want to remind you that we are not Arabs in response to the "Ottoman or Arab" part, we just share a similar religion. Our cultures are quite different. Also, you can see some similarities in Shu Han, because we Turks used to live in Central Asia in ancient times and Mongols and China were our neighbors. So we exchanged cultures. I don't know what to think about the "enemy of my enemy is my friend" thing, even the people who lived peacefully among themselves for years could change depending on the circumstances when they betrayed the Ottomans and were mostly alone. Also, yes, we always had a turbulent relationship with the Russians, it would be interesting to read about that! Finally, the Ottoman Empire ruled over 3 continents and was an empire with many different cultures, so if there were Grishas in the Ottomans, I think they would be treated with tolerance and allowed to have their own neighborhoods/schools. If there was such a country, I would read it with admiration, because we really have a very colorful culture and I am proud of it!

🖤

First of all, greetings from the other side !!! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts as an Ottoman descendant! I truly appreciate your insights ;)

I completely understand the distinction between Turks and Arabs—my apologies for the mix-up; it was definitely an oversight to use ‘or’ instead of ‘and.’

As you pointed out, the Ottoman Empire was incredibly vast and encompassed a rich variety of cultures, including those from modern-day Arab countries like Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Algeria, Tunisia, and many more. This diversity is a crucial aspect of the empire’s history, and that’s what I aimed to convey when I mentioned the Arabs in the beginning :)

Also, you can see some similarities in Shu Han, because we Turks used to live in Central Asia in ancient times and Mongols and China were our neighbors. So we exchanged cultures.

Exactly!! That’s why I was pretty disappointed when I found out that Shu Han was solely based on only China and Mongolia. I really hoped there would be some Ottoman influence in the mix, especially considering the historical exchanges and cultural interactions. It feels like such a missed opportunity to showcase the rich tapestry of cultures that shaped that region.

I don't know what to think about the "enemy of my enemy is my friend" thing, even the people who lived peacefully among themselves for years could change depending on the circumstances when they betrayed the Ottomans and were mostly alone.

That’s a really interesting point! The ‘enemy of my enemy is my friend’ concept definitely has its complexities. Alliances can shift dramatically based on circumstances, and history shows that even long-standing relationships can fracture. It’s fascinating how people who once lived peacefully together can turn on each other when faced with pressure. The dynamics of power, betrayal, and survival really shape those interactions, especially in this context.

Also, yes, we always had a turbulent relationship with the Russians, it would be interesting to read about that!

Yesss, like Leigh really missed with that one; such a wasted opportunity!

The Ottoman Empire ruled over 3 continents and was an empire with many different cultures, so if there were Grishas in the Ottomans, I think they would be treated with tolerance and allowed to have their own neighborhoods/schools.

Yeah and I think I’ll need to do a whole separate post just to unpack all my thoughts on this! In my mind, an Ottoman-inspired nation in the Grishaverse would definitely be more tolerant toward Grishas compared to other countries. That’s why I mentioned the millet-like system. For example, the Jewish communities in the Ottoman Empire were able to establish their own schools and courts, aligning well with their traditions and allowing them to thrive. I could see something similar happening with the Grishas.

But here’s where it gets tricky—magic, or anything resembling it, has always been frowned upon in Abrahamic religions, including Islam. If we consider that the Ottoman-inspired nation might have a different religion (one that’s similar to Islam) than Ravka and the other nations, it could explain why they might be more tolerant yet still cautious. Even though Grishas aren’t exactly practicing witchcraft, the perception could complicate matters. So, while there might be greater tolerance in an Ottoman-inspired nation, it wouldn’t be all sunshine and roses. They likely wouldn’t face the same outright hatred they experience in Fjerda, but being fully accepted as equals might still be a stretch.

And wouldn’t it be fascinating to see the Darkling’s take on this country? He’s spent his entire life fighting for Grisha recognition, but he’s also deeply patriotic. I can imagine him feeling a mix of jealousy and frustration—like, 'Why can’t Ravka take notes from these guys?' But at the same time, he’d be wary, knowing that even in this more tolerant place, Grishas wouldn’t be seen as equals. And when push comes to shove, if Ravka were at war with them, his loyalty to his homeland would win out, no question (I think ?) It’s such a complex dynamic, and honestly, I’m a little sad we never got to see it play out in the books.

Finally, I completely agree with your thoughts about palace politics. The author could never explain it completely. The Ottoman Empire is a very complicated structure even within itself.

Yeppp, the Ottomans had so many different communities, and given the challenges Leigh Bardugo had with the ones she did write, it probably would’ve been a mess if she tried to tackle an Ottoman-inspired nation too, lol. But I’m seriously considering writing a fic where I dive into all of this. Maybe I’ll even create an OC from an Ottoman-like nation to explore those dynamics 😏

Anyway, thank you again for your insights on this topic! I really enjoyed reading your thoughts. If you have any further comments or reflections on what I just shared, please feel free to share them with me!

[lilydalexf]

Old School X is a project interviewing X-Files fanfic authors who were posting fic during the original run of the show. New interviews are posted every Tuesday.

Interview with Sarah Ellen Parsons

Sarah Ellen Parsons has 18 X-Files stories at Gossamer and 19 at AO3. If you want high quality fic with interesting characters, go read her stories. Some of my favorites of her fics are The Crouching Thing and My Constant Touchstone Who Makes Me A Whole Person (which are two very different stories!). Big thanks to Sarah Ellen for doing this interview.

Does it surprise you that people are still interested in reading your X-Files fanfics and others that were posted during the original run of the show (1993-2002)?

With today's binge-watching culture, I'm not at all surprised. You can watch a bunch of eps and then seek out fic that is where you are in the series.

What do you think of when you think about your X-Files fandom experience? What did you take away from it?

I took away a writer's group Yes, Virginia, that is still together.  Mostly as friends, but whenever I write something, or someone else writes something, it's the first place we all run for machete beta. I have betad SO MANY novels.

We have a number of folks who are published writers since then and our time in X-Files fic brought us lifelong friendships IRL and made us all better at our craft. The majority of those folks were better writers than I am. And I make my living as a writer in my day-job.

Social media didn't really exist during the show's original run. How were you most involved with the X-Files online (atxc, message board, email mailing list, etc.)?

I belonged to a couple of the largest lists and posted there and bitched about the show on usenet with everyone else.  We had our own Yahoo group for beta.  We all had crappy GeoCities websites that we programmed the HTML for ourselves and hooked through various fandom link circles to get traffic to our stories.  But the main method of distribution was the lists.

Fun fact, I found a free page counter thing that I used at work one time through fandom. So fandom pays off in skillz.

Even without social media, we managed to get our stories in front of readers who would enjoy them. Where there's a will, there's always someone ready to step up and find a way.

What did you take away from your experience with X-Files fic or with the fandom in general?

Again, I have lifelong friends IRL that I got solely from fanfiction. That's the best takeaway.

Fandom disappointed me because it, like everything else, is ruined by people's egos, backstabbing, and petty people who get in positions of power and then use those positions to punch down or dictate. I was young when I was writing X-Files and I still had hope that people would rise to their better natures, so I got involved in various futile efforts to try to make people behave the way I wanted them to behave, I guess. I did a lot of public bitching that didn't serve me or my friends well. I now put that effort into politics, where it does actual good.

What was it that got you hooked on the X-Files as a show?

X-files was made for me. It combined science fiction, mystery, horror.  I love all of those genres. Plus there was Scully. No matter how sexist that writer's room was, Scully was awesome. But you kept seeing bad writing. Even in the heyday seasons, like Season 3, there were really terrible eps that made you want to fix things.

I'm a lifelong speculative fiction fan and a published feminist science fiction author. I actually was published before I fell down the fic hole. I got involved in fanfic due to getting my fantasy novel turned down from every major publisher for being "too dark". And I needed to get readers to see my stuff to prove to myself that I wasn't terrible at writing. I got a ton of feedback and it was like market research to see what people wanted to read.

My time in fanfiction made me 100% a better writer than I was.

What got you involved with X-Files fanfic?

I went to the X-Files Expo to see if I could make contact with someone from Harper Collins because the tie-in novels sucked so hard.  I got rejected with my pitch as I didn't have a literary agent.

Around that time, a pal who I watched X-Files with IRL was looking for a free X-files wallpaper for her work computer when she found the website where fans in Pennsylvania had fic archived. She read some and wrote to me - "you need to see this, and you can do better."  So I started reading and was.... I probably CAN do better. So I wrote The Batman Plot. And made two friends I'm still friends with with that one story.

What is your relationship like now to X-Files fandom?

Nonexistent.  I couldn't even watch the latest season and I saw only 2 of season one of whatever that was before I gave up. I have never watched the second movie.

X-files is my first fandom bad ex-husband. I loved it SO MUCH, but it betrayed me.

Were you involved with any fandoms after the X-Files? If so, what was it like compared to X-Files?

I was deep into Harry Potter for a while, but I didn't end up publishing anything in it. All my stories were novel-length and I was writing so much for work, I never completed anything. I called Snape/Lily when Prisoner of Azkaban was published and got Jossed by Rowling in one of my big ideas. (This is bad fandom ex-husband 2. JKR will never get a dime of money from me again because of her hateful stance on transfolk. I have RL friends who are trans and NO.)

I wrote fic in Supernatural. It was the obvious next thing after X-Files. However, the misogyny and bringing in all the Angel/Devil Christofascist stuff lost me. The ep where they declared all other religions other than Christianity as invalid and killed a Hindu god made me stop watching for good. I know enough Christofascists IRL that I can't tolerate it in my fiction. (Bad fandom ex-husband 3)

Who are some of your favorite fictional characters? Why?

This list is far too long to actually make.  But characters I spent time writing about include: Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Co. (I wrote three unpublished Star Trek novels before I found online fandom). King Arthur and Morgan Le Fay, Sherlock Holmes (I wrote a Sherlock Holmes play after seeing "Crucifer of Blood" and entered it in a national competition, where I got very nice comments back.), Mulder, Scully and Krycek, Rowling's Hermione and Snape (like him or not, its masterful characterization), Dean and Sam Winchester, John Winchester and Bobby Singer.  I wrote one comedy story starring Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  A couple of Roswell stories under a different name. Catwoman and Batman. I have some unpublished Avengers fanfic lying around as I'm an OG Marvel fan with a massive comic collection.

Do you ever still watch The X-Files or think about Mulder and Scully?

I was on a business trip a few years ago and FX had a marathon and I watched part of it when I was in my hotel room. Early seasons are comforting, but I don't go back there now.

Do you ever still read X-Files fic? Fic in another fandom?

I don't read X-Files fic anymore. I read a tiny bit of Star Wars after the second movie because Rian Johnson had it right. Now I don't care. I love Mandalorian, but am content to watch.

Do you have any favorite X-Files fanfic stories or authors?

Too many to count.  All of YV. Which reminds me, I need to go update our entry at Fanlore. I promised Punk I'd do it a while back.  I need to at least get everyone linked.  Right now it's only Punk and Sab.

But it was a ton of us.  Marasmus, Maria Nicole, Cofax, CazQ, M. Sebasky, Livia Balaban, Kelly Keil, Wen, Ropobop, Jess Mabe, JET, fialka, and a bunch of others that I can't remember their fic names any more, just their real names because I know them all IRL. I need to go back and look up their fic names and link them up there.

In addition to my little group of pals, I loved reading Mustang Sally and Rivka T, Rachel Anton - I keep trying to find her to encourage her to write romance if she's not doing it already, but no dice, Dasha K., Anjou, there were so many great ones, but their names have slipped my mind in the past 20 years.

What is your favorite of your own fics, X-Files and/or otherwise?

I'm most known for Prone, and I'm proud of that story for all kinds of reasons, but I think my very best is The Crouching Thing.

I mostly didn't publish anything I didn't think was good and hadn't been machete betaed within an inch of its life, but I'm not sure much of the angsty romance stuff holds up as well. I think it worked when the show was still ON and we were all in that emotional headspace, but probably not now.

Do you think you'll ever write another X-Files story? Or dust off and post an oldie that for whatever reason never made it online?

Funny you ask. I am currently reworking a plot idea I had for an X-Files fic into a contemporary M/M novel, which I will publish under a different pen-name. The plot is the idea I had for X-Files, the characters are very, very different other than one is uptight and the other more easy-going. But no more Mulder and Scully.

Do you still write fic now? Or other creative work?

I have been making my living as a writer for 25 years. I write the word count equivalent of 5 Tolkein novels a year, just for my day-job.  I am turning back to original fiction, which is where I was before X-Files.  I'm working on the M/M thing, a high fantasy thing, a low fantasy historical thing and a bunch of M/F Regency romances as I get time and energy.  I publish Fantasy and SF under my real name. Romance has pen names as you don't want that getting back to your workplace, either.

SEP is fic only and here she will stay.

Where do you get ideas for stories?

I have too many ideas to count.  I try to write them down when they come, so I won't forget. At least the outline of the idea. Often a scene. I've been like this my entire life. I started writing novels seriously at 15. I wrote a 500 plus page one about Morgan Le Fay during breaks in high school because "Mists of Avalon" pissed me off so bad as I'd read the original source material and that was a Wicca recruitment polemic.

What's the story behind your pen name?

Sarah Ellen was my great-grandma, Parsons was her grandma's last name.

Do your friends and family know about your fic and, if so, what have been their reactions?

Half my friends ARE fic friends. Most of my friends know as does my brother, who thinks writing for free is dumb. This is universally agreed on by non-fic friends who know. My mother still doesn't know about the fic. Just the "real" writing.  I write under a pen name to keep it away from my job and my published work.

Is there a place online (tumblr, twitter, AO3, etc.) where people can find you and/or your stories now?

My X-files stuff is up on Gossamer mostly. I'm trying to get the stories all moved to AO3 for all the genres. I'm working on this now.  SEP is really not a living thing anymore, but there was a time when she was more me than me.

If you want to find my "real" non-fic writing, write to me at se_parsons at yahoo dot com and I will point you at it.

And PLEASE someone, hunt down Rachel Anton and get her writing something we all can BUY.  Where are my old Krycek bitches at?  Do any of you know where she is? [Lilydale note: I’ve tried contacting Rachel Anton for this Old School X project but have not had luck. I would love to find her too!]

Is there anything else you'd like to share with fans of X-Files fic?

The community I loved has mostly moved on, but I think we left a legacy of solid work crafted out of our love for the show.  Find a living community you love for a show you love.  There are great people out there creating and get involved.  It will be worth it.

(Posted by Lilydale on December 15, 2020)

[goddessdoeswitchery]

Hellenic Polytheism 101: Pillars of Hellenic Polytheism

What follow is a transcript of all 7 episodes of my podcast Hellenic Polytheism 101, where I discussed the pillars of Hellenic Polytheism. There are more episodes to follow, but I figured it would be nice to have a place where all 7 of the episodes discussing the pillars were together. The series started on August 23rd and ended on Nov 1st, released on a bi-weekly basis at 8 am every Sunday. In total, it’s 12 pages long, so I’m placing it under a Read More because it is very, very long. In each episode, there is a list of resources, and each one is linked for you in the original post (just click the tag transcripts under this post, and it’ll take you to the transcripts for every podcast episode) to do your own follow up research. I hope that people will find this useful.

Pillars of Hellenic Polytheism: Technically, the pillars were never actually a “thing”. Unlike then 10 commandments, the pillars were never taught as a set of rules that everyone knew by the name “Pillars of Hellenic Polytheism”, or any variation thereof. What modern day practitioners of Hellenic Polytheism call “The Pillars” were essentially religious and cultural practices that were taught by family and friends via every day practices. The pillars were an essential part of the culture of Ancient Greece, taught to them the same way customs like tipping, saying “bless you” at sneezing, and the now-common practice of wearing a mask everywhere are taught to us today. In recreating Hellenic Polytheism for the modern age, the Pillars grew out of a need for a set of guidelines to help us recreate a very old religion.

KHARIS

Welcome to today’s episode of Hellenic Polytheism 101, where we will be discussing the Pillar of Hellenic Polytheism, Kharis. Kharis is the reciprocity inherent in Hellenic Polytheism, a devotional act for the Theoi with hope a return favor in kind. It is also so much more than a transactional behavior. Its not bribery, its not a quid pro quo. At the same time, it is not the Christian act of praise worship.

One of the most common actions as a Hellenic polytheist is devotional acts. Whether it be offerings, prayers, hymns, or the increasingly common Devotional Actions (like beauty routines for Aphrodite, studying for Athena, singing for Apollo, housecleaning for Hestia, etc); we worship by engaging in acts of devotion. Oftentimes, that act of devotion is also accompanied by a request. This act of devotion is not a bribe. This is an offering, and a plea. The deity in question can respond or not, it won’t change the fact that we made the offering and it shouldn’t affect how we give in the future. We give without the expectation of getting something in return, as an act of worship and of thanks for everyday blessings. We give to just give, and a lot of the times, the deity or deities in question will respond. We then give in thanks, and then they give to us. We give in thanks, they give to us and so continues the circle of praise and of blessing. This circle of reciprocity is Kharis.

And yeah, I completely understand how confusing that would be, so let’s try using some more relatable examples. I know not everyone will be able to relate to these examples, so there will be a few of them, and hopefully one of them will resonate enough that the concept of Kharis will become less confusing.

The first example I will use is of a couple. Let’s call them Kate and Ashley. They are very much in love. Kate is out grocery shopping and next to the checkout line is a display of flower bouquets. One of them has roses and lilies, Ashley’s two favorite flowers. So Kate grabs that bouquet and places it in a vase on the table for Ashley to see when she gets home. Kate isn’t getting the flowers for a birthday, or anniversary, or holiday. These aren’t apology flowers. These aren’t get well soon flowers. They’re the best kind of flowers. These are “Just Because I Love You” flowers.  That night at dinner, Kate asks Ashley to take the trash can to the curb before bed and Ashley does so. The flowers weren’t payment for the favor of taking the trash to the curb. The flowers and the request may have come at the same time, but one wasn’t required for the other. The next morning, Kate makes Ashley breakfast in bed and Ashley starts Kate’s car so it’s warmed up and defrosted before Kate goes to work. Both are acts of love that aren’t reliant on each other. Now, say this cycle continues constantly. They do each other favors, they get each other small tokens, for the rest of their relationship. No one but the most cynical would say that they have a transactional relationship. Their tokens aren’t required for favors, and their favors aren’t required for tokens. Their actions are out of devotion to each other. That’s an example of how Kharis works.

Another example, this time between family members.  My sister, my mom, and I have lived together for a lot of our lives. As adults, we have lived together for the last 5 years. My mom has a tendency to not eat, and there have been times when I’ve sent her a pizza while she’s at work, because I know then that she will eat. The food is an act of love, a way to show I care. When she responds in kind by cooking dinner for the house the next day, it is not a payment for the pizza. It’s a continuation of the circle. When I was off work for 3 weeks, I cleaned the whole house, reorganized their closets to be easier to navigate, and cleaned out the cabinets and cupboards. Its another way I show I care. My sister usually watches the kids all summer long, and my mom and I will get her flowers, as a way to say thank you. Every day of our lives as a family, we show love by doing favors for each other and getting things for each other. The favors are not a payment for the things and the things are not a payment for the favors.

Hopefully that explains what Kharis is a little better, so we can go a little deeper into what it means as a worshipper, as someone who calls themselves a Hellenic Polytheist.

Now, remember how I said that the pillars weren’t exactly a thing, and instead were a modern invention to assist those who weren’t raised in Ancient Greece with learning the customs and cultural behaviors that were common knowledge in Ancient Greece? Let’s keep that in mind. On a historical note, Kharis required something real. Having faith and good thoughts was not a part of the reciprocal circle that is Kharis. It required something real, and in Ancient Greece that did not mean devotional acts like making playlists. It meant something solid, offerings, like libations, food, incense, coins, seashells, and other solid, real items. If you have an altar, think about what you leave on it. On mine, I’ve got an incense holder, coins left at the foot of the statue of Hermes, corn from the field next to us, a nature ball with acorns and leaves and flowers in it, devotional drawings, fortunes from fortune cookies also at the foot of Hermes’ statue, dried roses and lilies in an empty wine bottle, seashells, pins, a book of myths, and a plate and cup where bread, oil, seeds, fruit, wine, and other food offerings can be left. Some of these are permanent, some of them get removed as they go bad. When I light incense and pray, when I leave food, when I leave seashells or coins or fortunes, I’m engaging in my part of the reciprocal circle that is Kharis. That means, historically, offering something real that goes above and beyond simple faith.

Now, not everyone can do that. Not everyone has the ability to have an altar, and not everyone can afford to burn incense everyday, and not everyone has the time to bake bread everyday. Now, that doesn’t mean that someone who lacks those abilities, or doesn’t have that time can’t engage in the reciprocal relationship that is Kharis. Remember, a huge part of practicing Hellenic Polytheism is bringing ancient worship into the modern world. Devotional acts are something real. You can offer a devotional act to the Theoi as your part of the Kharis. I’ve seen some stunning works of art created in devotion to the Theoi. I’ve heard songs wrote in devotion. I’ve read some deeply moving poetry. And I’ve seen prayers, prayers written with such devotion and love that they could bring you tears. Those actions are fully capable of being classified as part of the circle that is Kharis.

Kharis is not just actions, its a relationship. Much like how Xenia was a way of life ingrained into the culture of Ancient Greece, so too was Kharis. All the rites and rituals, sacrifices, prayers, hymns, offerings, everything that was offered to the Theoi; it came from the understanding that a relationship had to be built and maintained. You couldn’t just say your prayers and call it a day, you lived with the Theoi, and dealt with them every single day. Everyday, you had the opportunity to build the relationship, and the expectation that you would was built into society. Indeed, the concept of Kharis was so built into society that offerings and sacrifices were a part of their stories. Examples can be seen in many myths, plays, and epic poems from them. The reciprocal nature of Kharis is shown in the Illiad, the Odyssey, and the writings of Aristotle.  

I’ve learned that Kharis can be hard to understand, especially when you’ve grown up in a society where the love of a deity is just…..constantly there. Kharis is the idea that the love of our deities is not unconditional, and our love for them need not be unconditional as well. We don’t have that relationship with our gods that is bondless. We build a relationship with them, and they build one back. That, to me, is one of the appeals of Hellenic Polytheism. The relationship is a reciprocal one built up over time, using something that is definable, real, an offering that you can hold and see. So, we give, they give, we give, they give, until you’ve built a solid foundation for a solid relationship. That relationship, built out of Kharis, is what makes the worship we engage in so beautiful.

Thanks for listening to today’s discussion of Kharis. For today’s episode, I relied on the Illiad, the Odyssey, Kharis: Hellenic Polytheism Explored by Sarah Kate Istra Winter, The emotions of the Ancient Greeks: Studies in Aristotle and Classical Literature by David Konstan, and the Center for Hellenic Studies. You can always find a transcript of this and other episodes on my tumblr blog at goddessdoeswitchery.tumblr.com, as well as a link to the sources I used. Feel free to ask any questions, and don’t forget to tune in on September 6th, when we will be discussing Arete.

ARETE

Welcome to today’s episode of Hellenic Polytheism 101, where I will be discussing the pillar of Hellenic polytheism, Arete. For first time listeners, I want to mention that technically, the pillars were never actually a “thing”. Unlike then 10 commandments, the pillars were never taught as a set of rules that everyone knew by the name “Pillars of Hellenic Polytheism”, or any variation thereof. What modern day practitioners of Hellenic Polytheism call “The Pillars” were essentially religious and cultural practices that were taught by family and friends via every day life. The pillars were an essential part of the culture of Ancient Greece, taught to them the same way customs like tipping, saying “bless you” at sneezing, and the now-common practice of wearing a mask everywhere are taught to us today. In recreating Hellenic Polytheism for the modern age, the Pillars grew out of a need for a set of guidelines to help us recreate a very old religion. Now, on to Arete.

Arete is excellence. It’s living up to your fullest potential. It’s being the best you. Arete means doing your best to become your best and to live your best life. Arete’s end goal is a life fulfilled, and happy. Arete in Homer’s works is usually associated with the person who uses everything at their disposal to do the best work, the person who is most effective at achieving what they set out to achieve. Homer applies arete to Penelope as she fulfills her role as wife. Odysseus has arete when he uses his intelligence. In the Illiad, Achilles has arete by being the best warrior. In the Tenets of Solon, Arete is achieved by being honorable, honest, intelligent, and humble. He advised the following: Consider your honor, as a gentleman, of more weight than an oath; never speak falsely; pay attention to matters of importance; be not hasty in making friends and do not cast off those whom you have made; rule, after you have first learnt to submit to rule; advise not what is most agreeable, but what is best; make reason your guide; do not associate with the wicked; honor the gods; and respect your parents.

Arete is simply being the best version of you. One of the hardest things about Hellenic polytheism is taking those ancient concepts and applying them to the world we have now, one that doesn’t call for heroes like Achilles, and one where we can’t always take the time to better ourselves because work and life can get in the way. It is important to understand that arete doesn’t always mean being number one and winning whatever contest is at hand. One thing that should be understood is that a person can be their best, give it everything they’ve got, and still lose. There will be people who are objectively better at doing what you do than you are. Someone will get a higher grade. Someone else will get the role or solo or part you’re trying out for sometimes. Someone else can have a better idea than you. Someone else will write better, or draw better, or be better than you in whatever you are trying to achieve.

The first step of applying the concept of arete to our everyday lives is to accept that your best and the best of someone else are very different things. You are you and you can only do your own best. Now that does mean that you have to apply yourself. Doing the barest minimum to get by is not a way to achieve arete. Arete means taking control of, and responsibility for, your own life. It means challenging yourself everyday to become better than you are.

Take a moment and think about things you’ve always wanted to do. A language you wanted to learn. A hobby you wanted to pick up. A project that you’ve put to the side. Something you’ve always wanted to learn about. Arete means taking the time to do that. If you have a goal, arete means doing the work to reach it. Then it means creating another goal. Plato said that arete is the ideal form of a thing, something that you are always trying to achieve. You achieve arete by always trying to reach for it, always trying to be better. This means that you won’t always be at the top of your game. You will stumble. You will fail. You will make mistakes. Arete doesn’t mean you will never be wrong, you will never fail, and you will always be perfect. It is not expected of us to be perfect all the time. What is expected is that we will try. When we fail, we learn from that failure and try again.

Now, if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably got a busy life. Between work and taking care of a household, I rarely get time to do anything for me. It is hard to take that time that I want to use to watch Netflix, or pop on a movie, or scroll online doing nothing of any real substance and put it towards something that is actual work. But I try. I read, every day. I do research for this podcast and my own growth. I do the laundry. I clean the house. I spend time with my kids, as a parent, teaching them and guiding them and playing with them. I write. I exercise. I plan and cook meals that are good for us and aren’t the easiest options. I pray. I always strive to be better at work. I’ve given my boss ideas that we’ve implemented nationwide that have made our division look good. I reach for arete every day, by understanding that it is something that I must always strive for. By always striving for it, I hope to achieve it.

One of the things that made this episode a little bit more difficult to write than the previous ones is that arete is subjective. Xenia is a set of rules. Kharis is a reciprocal circle. But arete isn’t something that can simply be memorized and put into practice as we come across situations that could use it, like xenia is. Arete is not something built into our everyday worship, the way Kharis is. Arete is something that has to be strived for every day. It is something that is work. It takes focus. It takes energy. It takes commitment. Only you can know if you’re doing your best and so no one else can come up to you and say “You haven’t achieved arete, you’ve broken the rules, you need to do better next time.” It is up to you and you alone to strive for arete. No one can coach you one it. No one can teach it to you. So, this episode will be a lot shorter than the others, because I can’t teach you arete. I can only explain what it is, explain how it has been seen historically, and let you do he work from there. Now it’s time for you to do the work. Good luck.

Thank you for listening to today’s episode of Hellenic Polytheism 101, where we discussed Arete, one of the pillars of Hellenic polytheism. Today, I relied on the Odyssey, the Illiad, the Center for Hellenic Studies, Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, Baring the Aegis, wikipedia’s page on Arete, and The Greek Way by Edith Hamilton. A transcript of this episode and all others can be found on my tumblr, goddessdoeswitchery.tumblr.com under the tag “transcripts”. There you will also find links to the sources used today to more research on your own. You can always ask me any questions there as well. Tune in on September 20th for the next episode, which will be about the next pillar of Hellenic polytheism, Sophia.

SOPHIA

Hello, and welcome to today’s episode of Hellenic Polytheism 101, where we will be discussing one of the pillars of Hellenic Polytheism: Sophia. Sophia is wisdom, cleverness, and skill. The concept has changed and has grown over time to be more applied to wisdom and the pursuit of wisdom, especially by Plato. It might be easier to recognize Sophia in the way it was applied to Socrates and Plato and Pythagoras, as part of the term “philosophia” or, philosophy, the love of wisdom. Now, remember how I’ve said in my other podcasts about the Pillars of Hellenic polytheism being more of a way of life than a literal set of rules? Here’s another part where that really comes through. In Greek culture, wisdom and the pursuit of it were incredibly important, so much so that it was the Ancient Greeks that were considered to be the founders of philosophy; and since Greek culture and Greek religion were so intertwined with each other, we are left asking, how can we, as modern day Hellenic polytheists, apply the concept of Sophia to our everyday lives?

One thing we can be sure of is that a person doesn’t need to be a world class philosopher like Plato to be a Hellenic polytheist. What we should be aiming for is the ever-present pursuit of wisdom. We should always be trying to learn, everyday. It doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking. Read a book. Watch a documentary. Read a scholarly article. Listen to a podcast. And if you come across something you don’t quite understand, research it. One of the best ways to pursue wisdom is to fight ignorance. There will be many times in your life when you are faced with something you don’t have any experience with, something you know nothing about. Living with the pillar Sophia means taking the time to learn and battling your own ignorance. In today’s world, I know how hard that can be. You can’t do a google search without their predictive algorithm doing some serious confirmation bias. Living with Sophia means taking the time, in pursuit of wisdom, to do it right.  

Now, I love learning. I’m one of those people who, if given an unlimited supply of money and an eternity, I would be a student forever. But Sophia doesn’t necessarily mean learning in a classroom environment. Think about your last week. Did you come across new information? Did you read an online article that broadened your world view? Did you learn something new? Did you gain a deeper understanding of something you thought you already understood? Did you discover something that mostly everyone you knew was aware of, even something as simple as the fact that if you roll up the deodorant, you can take the plastic cover off without having to struggle with it? If so, outstanding! You battled ignorance in some small way this week.

Battling ignorance and pursuing wisdom also means battling the ignorance of others. If you’re hearing and listening to this, or reading the transcript, then it means that you’ve entered the online world in some way. That means you’ve also come across ignorant people, who seemed perfectly gleeful to remain that way. It also means you’ve come across people who were ignorant, simply because they didn’t know any better, and they needed someone to point the way. Anecdotal story break time: I’ve got a cousin who is a senior in high school. She plays a lot of different instruments and she’s very, very good. She has practiced, a lot, and has put some serious work into it. I’ve also got an uncle who is on his 4th or 5th black belt. He has put some serious effort and a couple decades worth of time into varying forms of Martial Arts. My sister’s friend is an artist, and an incredible one. She has more followers on her Instagram and tumblr and devian art pages than I care to count, and she’s graduating college as a graphic designer with job offers from some very big names. All 3 of these people are outstanding in their field. Now, to get to the why I brought them up: All 3 of them have told me, in some way, that once they reached a certain point in their skill level, the best way to get better was to start teaching. As they taught others, their own skill increased. I believe the same applies to everyone. So, one of the ways you can apply Sophia to your life is to teach those who don’t know any better. You will come across people who are resistant to fixing their ignorance but more often than not, people are willing to learn. That means you can take the time to teach them.

Sophia also means cleverness and skill. In fact Homer applies to the term with the meaning “skillful in handicraft and in arts” towards both Athena and Hephaestus. Now, I would never suggest that we, as Hellenic polytheists, can be as skillful the Theoi in any way. We should all know why that’s a bad idea. However, we can become skilled in our own handicrafts and arts. That is another way to practice Sophia. Now, I know not all of us have something we can reasonably point to and say “That’s an art”. There are artists and musicians and weavers and seamstresses and poets among us, to be sure. But we also have writers. We have readers. We have spellcrafters. We have engineers. We have software coders. We have jewelers. We have homemakers. Sophia means cleverness and skill. That means there are many, many ways you can apply it to your daily life. Everyone has something they can do with skill. Sophia means practicing that skill and utilizing it.

To me, Sophia is one of the easiest pillars of Hellenic polytheism to bring into my every day life. Pursuing wisdom, battling ignorance, practicing a skill, these are all things that we are doing every day. And Sophia is as simple as that. Thank you for listening to today’s episode of Hellenic Polytheism, where we discussed the pillar Sophia. Today, I relied on the notes from one of my college courses, Intro to Philosophy, and the Homeric Hymns. As always, you can find links to the, well, one source that is linkable this time around, on my tumblr page at goddessdoeswitchery.tumblr.com, where I am also always free for discussions and questions. Coming on October 4th, the next pillar Sophrosune. I look forward to seeing you all then.

SOPHROSUNE

Hello and welcome to today’s episode of Hellenic Polytheism 101, where we will be moving onto to the next pillar of Hellenic Polytheism: Sophrosyne, which is, essentially, moderation, prudence, self-control, self-discipline, or temperance based upon thorough self-examination. Since we are coming up on a holiday season in the US, this seems like the perfect time to focus on Sophrosyne, and to remember it’s opposite, hubris, and how to avoid it. It is also important to remember that even in Ancient Greece, it was well understood that Sophrosyne could be taken too far, something we also understand still today.

“Earth shaker, you would not consider me sophrosyne if I were to fight with you for the sake of wretched mortals” Apollo says this to Poseidon in the Illiad, as Homer brings us a look at what Sophrosyne would mean to the same deity who brings us the Delphic Maxims, such as know know thyself, know by learning, exercise prudence, praise virtue, nothing in excess, know who is the judge, keep secret what should be kept secret, take sensible risks, be well behaved, be self disciplined, be sensible. This is not the only example in Homer’s work of Sophrosyne. In fact, there are a really a lot of them. I would definitely suggest you read both of them and look closely for examples of sophrosyne. Homer was very sensitive to the need for Sophrosyne in society and in an individual. On an individual level, sophrosyne prevented people form getting into serious trouble, both with themselves and on a religious level. After all, someone exercising sophrosyne would be very unlikely to become a spider after being cursed by Athena, right? On a modern level, someone exercising sophrosyne is less likely to face personal problems as well. You won’t wind up drinking to excess and getting into a car accident. You won’t find yourself challenging someone better than you to a fight. You won’t find yourself taking on more tasks than you can manage. You won’t find yourself spending more money than you can spare on things you don’t need. By exercising sophrosyne you can avoid a lot of trouble. On a societal level, we should try to exercise that same self control and temperance. After all, there is no reason for any country to spend more than 56 countries combined on defense spending. There is no reason for a city to cut taxes and not invest in repairing roads or assisting those who need it the most. There is no reason for a group of friends to go out in the middle of a pandemic to a bar just to have a good time. We can bring the ideals of sophrosyne to our own lives and encourage others to do the same, through voting and talking to others and being an example.

When we do not practice sophrosyne, we tend to fall victim to hubris. For someone who has spent any sort of time practicing Hellenic polytheism, we should all know exactly how bad hubris is. We’ve all probably seen it or heard it online. Recently, there was a lot of talk of witches online cursing the moon, specifically aimed at making Artemis or Apollo angry. Now, in the end, it was revealed to be some big hoax, a lie they told to make other witches start saying things about how they could tell someone had hexed the moon because their own spells weren’t as effective. Then the original hexers could say “Ha! We told you witch craft and the gods weren’t real, see? These guys said they noticed a change but we didn’t do anything, so clearly they must be faking!” The whole ordeal was a perfect example of what could happen if people fell victim to hubris, and many more sensible folks online pointed out that it was hubris, believing anyone could have an affect on a deity by cursing the moon. We’ve all seen other examples of hubris. Hellenic polytheists who say that Artemis would never let a man worship her, or a straight woman, or a woman who has had sex with a man. People who gatekeep, projecting their personal bigotry onto the Theoi. We’ve all come across. Hopefully, most have us have rolled our eyes and ignored it.

Even in mythology, hubris is painted to be among the worst things a person can be. Niobe lost her sons and daughters to Artemis and Apollo after she bragged to Leto that she was better than Leto for having more children. Arachne, turned into a spider for daring to compare herself to Athena. Antigone’s father, who lost his son and his wife for believing that his life was higher than the law of the gods. Oedipus refuses to accept his own fate and wound up falling victim to it because of his hubris. Ajax, believing he was entitled to the armor of Achilles and being driven mad and eventually killing himself. Icarus, flying to close to the sun, too prideful to listen to his father’s warnings. Orestes taking it upon himself to avenge his father by killing his mother and being driven mad.  Greek stories are teeming with examples of people who have fallen victim to hubris. In many of these stories, sophrosyne is pointed to as a virtue to aspire to strictly to avoid it’s opposite, hubris.

And yet, we can also take sophrosyne too far. For example, in the Bacchae, Pentheus holds himself as a champion of sophrosyne, as fails to understand that by being overly self-controlled and self-discplined and holding himself up as the model of sophrosyne, he ignores the moderation and temperance part. He tried to force everyone listen to him, to oppose the Bacchic rites, and, in the end, his obsession with only a part of sophrosyne causes his own death. The Ancient Greeks understood that there was such a thing as being too controlled. There was such a thing as a fatal exaggeration of one side of the many-sided virtue of sophrosyne. Thus one of the biggest keys to sophrosyne is moderation. Nothing in excess says one of the Delphic Maxims, not even self-control and self-discipline.

As we go through this holiday there a lot of ways you can apply sophrosyne to your life. One of the dangers of the holidays is becoming over-extended. For example, I have a large family. Like…..over 100 people kind of large. So large that we could probably fill a high school basketball stadium kind of large. It’s also got a lot of different branches. Mom’s side, which has dad and mom in separate houses. My ex-stepdad, whose family we still see. My dad and his family. My dad’s ex wife and her daughter and her kids, who I’m also close to. My girlfriend. My kids’ dad and his family. I always joke that we’ve got our own little 12 days of Christmas skit between grandpa jones, grandpa long, Uncle Cody, Uncle Andrew, my dad, his ex wife’s house, my girlfriend, the kids’ dad, his family, and we’ve still got to squeeze out time for our own holiday celebration too. Factor in the fact that, like most customer service based companies in the US, my job doesn’t allow us to take more than half of Christmas Eve and all of Christmas day off. Sure, we’ve got the Sunday before and after when I’m off as well, but that’s barely 3 days for 4 states and 10 places to visit. Factor in the budget for all those places and all those gifts, not to mention the drama that comes around when we decide where we’re having Thanksgiving at and you can understand why I bring up being overextended as a danger of the holiday season. Now, maybe that isn’t a problem for you. Maybe you become over extended by volunteering to work too many hours to help your more Christian friends have time off. Maybe you offer to do too much during Thanksgiving and wind up having to wake up at 5 am to get started on a meal that you can’t believe you promised to cook. Maybe during Halloween, you spend too much time focused on parties or trick-or-treating and realize that you would have had a much better time sitting at home, watching Halloweentown with a bowl of candy and some friends. Either way, we all tend to push ourselves too hard, especially once the holidays roll around and we start wanting to do everything so we can get every experience. We need to remember sophrosyne during this time. Exercise self-control and stay home when it’s something you want to do. Exercise self-discipline and avoid getting gifts when you can’t afford it, there is no shame in saying “Look, finances are strapped and I can’t manage more than X”. Exercise moderation and remember that you can’t actually do everything. Be prudent and accept the reality of whatever situation you are facing. Practice sophrosyne.

Thank you for listening to today’s episode of Hellenic Polytheism 101 where we discussed another one of the Pillars of Hellenic polytheism, Sophrosyne. Today, I relied on the Odyssey, The Illiad, Sophrosyne: Self Knowledge and Self-Restraint in Greek Literature by Helen North, A Period of Opposition to Sophrosyne In Greek Thought also by Helen North, Mythology of the Greeks by George Grote, and the Wikipedia entry for Sophrosyne. Remember, all links to the resources I used can be found on my tumblr at goddessdoeswitchery.tumblr.com, along with a transcript of today’s episode under the tag “Transcripts”. I look forward to speaking with you all again on October 18th, where we will be discussing Eusebia.

 EUSEBIA

Hello and welcome to today’s episode of Hellenic Polytheism 101, where we will be discussing, Eusebia, or reverence and duty towards the gods. Now, keep in mind that Eusebia was so revered, so vital to the worship and religion of the ancient greeks that she became a personified spirit, who was married to Nomos, the Law, and had a child, Dike. This already sets aside this particular pillar from the others. As a being, Eusebia was the personified spirit of piety, loyalty, duty and filial respect. However, we are not yet at the point for deities or personifications, so mostly all of today will be focused on talking about what Eusebia is as a concept and how we can practice it as a modern worshipper. Now, so far we’ve talked a lot about our relationships with the many deities we worship. We’ve talked about offerings and Kharis, we’ve talked about the humility we should approach them with, and we’ve talked about the respect we should bring with us whenever we approach them. All of that goes into Eusebia.

Eusebia is about reverence towards the Theoi. That reverence is where, I’ve noticed, a lot of modern worshippers tend to falter. There is nothing wrong with making a joke about some of the Theoi. I don’t know if all of you have heard the one about Hermes being the only god to pay his worshippers for their worship. It’s fun to joke about that. I always like using Hermes as an example of a deity that a lot of worshippers are fairly causal with. He is, in my experience, one of the most easy going deities. He’s the type of god that puts a train on every track between your home and work on the only morning you’re running late for the last 6 months, just to get a message to you. He’s a prankster, a jokester….and still deserves the same degree of reverence as every other deity. Just because you can laugh with him doesn’t mean he is not revered by you. After all, he is also the shepherd of the dead, the one who guides their souls. He is the god of travel, of languages, of luck, of communication, and like 1000 other things.

It is not reverent to attempt to speak for the Theoi. It is not reverent to make up bullshit facts about a specific goddess to say that she would be on your side of an online discourse. It is not reverent to leave a deity out of your worship because you don’t like how one interpretation of one of the myths portray the deity. It is not reverent to drag the Theoi down to the level of an online personality. They are gods and goddesses and they deserve to revered as such. By virtue of what they are, they deserve the worship, offerings, and the rituals that we engage in. Impiety was frowned upon by the ancient greeks and should continue to be frowned upon today. It has never been acceptable to treat the Theoi like accessories, to be tried on and discarded whenever you don’t have enough time to engage with them. You find time, you make time, in whatever you can. And it doesn’t have to be a big thing. A prayer. A lit candle. Some incense. A quick offering. The Theoi deserve worship.

But, just like with some of the other pillars, the people of ancient Greece knew that there was such a thing as being too pious. There were people who spent too much time praying, too much time fearing the Theoi, and were constantly sure they had something to offend the Theoi and so spent even more time praying and offering and attending to the temples. This excessive fear, or deisidaimonia, was a sign of taking Eusebia too far. It was understood that a person should be mindful of the Theoi, and take an appropriate amount of time and give the appropriate offerings. This also included attending and participating in the appropriate rituals and festivals.

Eusebia also means understanding why we do the things we do. Why do we give these particular offerings? Why are offerings for Chthonic and Ouranic deities different? What are the reasons behind certain rituals? What are the reasons behind traditional offerings? Eusebia means understanding these things, having the answers to these questions and not just blindly following a traditional path. It’s important to understand the reason why. And so, Eusebia means taking the time to research your beliefs. If you have questions, put in the work to answer them. This can also definitely include asking others. We are a community. So, if you have questions, reach out. Ask people, “Why are coins such a common offering to Hermes?” Find a book in the library about the life of people of ancient Greece. Put in the effort to research and create your own calendar with your own rituals and holidays. Take the time to understand why, to research your deities and understand what they might ask of you, and why they would ask it. All too often, I’ve seen popular bloggers and popular authors in the community asked the same question a 100 times because the idea of taking the time to do your own research is apparently distasteful to some people.

It is important to remember, as a part of Eusebia, that the Theoi are not room mates or friends or accessories. They are deities. They are gods and goddesses and titans and by virtue of what they are, they deserve our devotion. I’ve always seen Hellenic polytheism as a simpler path than Christianity. We do not have a single, omniscient, all powerful god that offers a set of rules that must be followed or else we will suffer for all eternity. That’s not how Hellenic polytheism works. We worship our gods in our own way, at our own pace. Hellenic polytheism is a very personable religion. Everything about it, from hymns to holidays to rituals to altars to offerings, everything is unique to each individual practitioner. But, on the flip side, that means that we don’t have a holy book to draw from. That means that we don’t have a set of authority figures we have to listen to. We are responsible for our own piety. We are responsible for our own worship. We are responsible for our own research. We are responsible for our own devoutness. We are responsible for ourselves.

And that’s what Eusebia is, that’s why it is gets set up as a pillar of Hellenic polytheism. It is a vital component of our religious practice, to take the time to not only worship, but to know how and why we worship the way we do. It is necessary to show the Theoi the respect they are due, by virtue of their very being. It is necessary to speak about them with reverence, to be loyal, to not use them as talking points or spell ingredients. It is necessary to take the time, to do the research, to understand the whys, to understand the rituals we take part in when we light incense and offer up a prayer and use an epithet and recite a Homeric hymn. This isn’t a religion where we can just go through the motions. We have to put the proper amount of reverence into our actions. We have to be devout, and loyal, and have a healthy amount of respect and fear towards these beings who we worship and who take the time to guide us on our way. It is necessary to be humble, to understand that what we are doing is worshipping the Theoi. I don’t know about anyone else, but when I pray, when I let incense or a candle or wrap my hands around a set of prayer beads, when I take that time…..I’ve never felt so at peace. That feeling, that love and devotion and serenity…..that’s the feeling of Eusebia. Next time you get to that point, when you feel that, take the time to focus on that feeling and harness it. Meditate on it. That’s what you should draw on when you think of Eusebia and how to interact with the Theoi, those beings that we worship as Hellenic polytheists.

Thank you for listening to today’s episode of Hellenic Polytheism 101, where we discussed Eusebia. For my sources today, I used the book Greek Religion by Walter Burkett, found on the Internet Archive. I also used The Greek Way by Edith Hamilton. I used Baring the Aegis’ and Elanion’s posting on Eusebia as well. Remember, you can find links to the sources, as well as a transcript of today’s episode, on my tumblr at goddessdoeswitchery.tumblr.com. You can also always reach me there as well with any questions. Don’t forget to tune in to the next episode, on November 1st, which will be the last one discussing the pillars the Hellenic polytheism. I will be discussing the final pillar, hagneia. I look forward to seeing you all then!

HAGNEIA

Hello and welcome to today’s episode of Hellenic polytheism 101 where we will be discussing the final pillar, Hangeia. Now, anyone who is able to look at this word might note it bears a striking similarity to the word “hygienic” and then, you would be on to something. Hagneia is more of a ritual purity, an avoidance of miasma and cleansing oneself before you go before the Theoi, before you engage in rituals. Now, does this mean you can’t shoot off a quick prayer before you wash your hands while gardening? No, of course not, thus the “ritual” part of the “ritual purity”. Now, there is actually a lot of disagreement regarding miasma and cleansing in the Hellenic polytheism community. There are those that claim that for the most part, the average person won’t be contaminated with miasma throughout the course of an average life. There are those that believe that we collect miasma throughout the course of our everyday life. There are those that believe that we must fully cleanse ourselves before an offering. There are those that believe that a simple washing of the hands will suffice. There are those that believe the cleansing must be done with khernips, or lustral water. There are those that believe the cleansing can be done with any clean water. And there are those believe any variation of those beliefs combined. Remember one of the best part of Hellenic polytheism is that it is so personable. Therefore, most of this is going to be looking at it from how I work. As always, I urge you to do your own research on the matter.

Now, the first thing to keep in mind is that Hagneia was used to mostly mean ritually pure, spiritually pure, and was understood to mean whether or not someone was fit to approach the gods. There were things you could come into contact with that would create a buildup of miasma and it was best to avoid those things when you could. However, you can’t always do so. Some of those things are death in the family, giving birth, illness (not chronic illness, but like the flu), are all examples of something that can be considered miasmic. The real question we face today is how to cleanse that miasma? Most of the time, the biggest cure for miasma was time. There was a period of time you had to wait to no longer be considered miasmic after having given birth, or after losing a loved one. You were supposed to wait until after an illness has passed. And, you were supposed to cleanse yourself. Mostly that meant washing up, getting physically clean. For today, that means wash your hands, wash your face, take a shower or a bath (especially if you’d been sick, take a shower and change into clean clothes). So that part is really simple.

Now, historically, there was also another thing that rendered you miasmic. It very likely won’t apply to anyone hearing this or reading the transcript, but it is an issue that is covered in pretty much every source I read regarding miasma and Hagneia so I am going to mention it as well. Murdering someone was very much a cause of miasma. There were very special midnight rituals one was supposed to engage in in order to cleanse oneself of the miasma caused by murder. I would say that in today’s society that if you commit murder, you’re likely to get caught and so won’t have much use of said ritual, but that’s statistically unlikely so I’m just gonna say, don’t commit murder and you won’t have to worry about what that midnight ritual is. Mostly I just figured the fact that it’s mentioned so often is an interesting historical side note.

Time to move on the things that are more likely to affect you, such as how to practice Hagneia as a modern worshipper. While I would love it if the average Hellenic polytheist could go to a temple and worship with others on a regular basis, the fact is that most of us worship and prayer and do rituals on our own, or with a very tight knit group in a personal, private space. I myself am mostly a solitary practitioner. Sure, I have my mom and my sister and my kids, and I have a community of people online; but in my daily practice, it’s me, by myself doing the offering and praying and general worshipping. That’s probably true of most of you all as well. So how does a mostly solitary practitioner who isn’t going attending a ritual hosted by or attended by a large amount of people deal with the community based concepts like miasma and Hagneia? Well, in my case it means that I tend to put holiday rituals and offerings on hold when I would be considered miasmic. It means that when a close family member died, I prayed at the funeral for her safe passage and otherwise avoided rituals for a month. It means that when I gave birth to my kids, rituals and offerings were on hold for 10 days, which was about how long it took for me to even be in the mindset to get back to daily worship and prayers. It means that when I am sick, I wait until I am recovered to engage in practice and worship. When I got the flu a few years back, (three times that year, which is what I get for not getting the flu shot, I’m telling you, I’ll never miss it again and if you haven’t yet gotten your flu shot this year, please do) I stayed in bed and rested until I was better. I may have said a few informal prayers, like something along the lines of “please let this stop, I feel like I’m dying here”, but I waited until I was well. I then cleaned my bed and my room and myself and my clothes and changed my toothbrush and brushed my teeth with the clean toothbrush and got clean again before I went back to a regular worship schedule. So, for about 5 weeks that winter, I didn’t do very much in the way or practicing. And that’s okay. That’s what practicing Hagneia and avoiding bringing miasma to the Theoi is.

So, as a modern worshipper, the best way to practice Hagneia is to stay clean. Cleanse yourself of miasma as you come across it, make sure that you are fit to approach the Theoi before you do so. It’s a very simple pillar to follow because for the most, most of us already do. The next time you feel guilty about not being able to worship because you’re sick, or have a death in the family, or a newborn at home, remember that the break you’re taking is required, and important. It’ll be okay. The Theoi will understand.

Thank you for listening to today’s episode of Hellenic Polytheism 101. This is the last one that will be spent discussing the Pillars of Hellenic Polytheism. Remember, you can always find a transcript of the podcast on my blog at goddessdoeswitchery.tumblr.com, as well as a link to the sources I used today, which were: Inner Purity and Pollution by Andrej Petrov; Shame and Purity in Euripides' Hippolytus by Charles Segal; Shame in Ancient Greece by David Konstan, The Pillars of Hellenismos and What is and Is Not Miasmic by BaringTheAegis; and finally, A Beginner’s Guide to Hellenismos by Timothy Jay Alexander. You can also always ask me any questions at any time there as well. Finally, I will also have on there a complete transcript of all 7 episodes about the Pillars in a single post as well. Right now, we’re looking at 12 pages, and 8637 words, so it’ll be a very long post, set under a read more. The post will contain links to all the sources used for these last 7 episodes as well, so please fell free to check it out and continue your own research. For the next episode, I’m going to be discussing the Delphic maxims. There are 147 of them, so don’t worry, I’m not about to go fully in depth with each one the way I did the pillars. It’ll be just a simple discussion on the maxims themselves. I look forward to seeing you all then on Nov 15th!

[bookish-fan-things]

The Captive Kingdom Launch Party HIGHLIGHTS

Jen has a dog that won't play fetch and a cat that hallucinates

The Kings English Bookstore is home to many authors in Utah and it has been hit hard by Covid-19. She asks for us to support them or your local indie bookstore!!!

November 14, there is going to be an author extravaganza to support TKE Bookstore

Shortly after the False Prince came out, she was still a very new author, she got a tweet from R.L. Stine, author of Goosebumps saying how much he loved TFP. She was so excited and she wanted to thank him personally but didn't know his name, and he had called her Jennifer so she didn't want to say Mr. Stine.So she ended up just saying, thanks!

Book 5 is due to her editor Monday (October 5, 2020) and she said she would be finishing this (the launch) then getting right back to it!

She showed her open project folders (there are a LOT)

Working on a World War 1 story and she showed history books she is reading such as History of the World War, A World Undone, and Weird War One.

One of her new works is about a kid with no memory, a magic sharpie, and a dice game called Boggle that sometimes talks to him and he sees a message in the dice: “they know ur here go”

Q&A!!!

Disney, book to movie adaptation possibilities? She'd be fine with it if they asked. She wants it to be made right. She wants someone who comes to at it with a fan’s perspective.

Paramount Pictures had optioned the rights to the False Prince, what happened? When you have a contract, every six months they have to decide whether to extend, cancel, or make the movie. As her six months was coming up, they fired their CEO, so everything evaporated.

How does it affect you emotionally when one of your characters goes through something traumatic or extremely challenging? She has a background in theatre and she comes to writing from a theatrical perspective. It plays out in her head like it's on stage so she becomes every character. She goes through everything with her characters, she feels it, she dreads it, she feels awful, but she's learned that “Most of us are in this stasis of being where we are just comfortable being exactly who we are and when something hard happens to us, even if we hate it, it forces us to grow. The hard thing creates heroes. So my characters start out believing they are just ordinary people, but when I do the hard things, my characters become very heroic characters. I do hard things to them because I love watching them grow.” I had to include this quote because it was so great

Favorite background character who you think gets overlooked a lot? Kerwyn, he is one of the very few stable things in the lives of the main characters, he is just good, strong, and loyal. Amarinda, she’s ok with being overlooked but she is so strong and intelligent.

Characters based on yourself? Not really, she doesn't think she is interesting enough to write about, but Sage, like her, is left handed, climbs, and has her sense of humor. She relates closely to the main character from the Scourge, Ani, and sees a lot of herself in her, but didn't base Ani on herself, they just have a lot in common.

Jen discussed how she plots out her books and how many drafts she goes through: she's got to know the twist so she can layout the hints. She shows an example of a chart of how much each character and what the reader knows. She rewrites a lot and feels it come together. First rewrite is fixing major plot issues. Second, logic. Dialogue. Description. Word choice. Could be 10-15 drafts before her editor sees it, who sees things Jen missed.

Have your characters ever taken you by surprise (with twists)? The ending of Mark of the Thief book one, she didn't expect, so she had to make some changes. Usually on top of it, and has something called the Rule of Five. Has a general idea, and makes herself come up with five possible ways the idea could play out. 1, usually pretty predictable. 5, usually really weird. 2, 3, and 4 she really gets creative. “Limitations are the mother of creativity.”

How she gets her character names: baby name books and websites (Imogen and Tobias). Symbolic, Sage (wise, a way for him to stick it to his dad and say he has wisdom), Connor (con man), Jaron (teenage boy she knew who was just a great person and outstanding kid, and if we had royalty in our country he would be a prince). Put sounds together, places, Amarinda, Mott, Roden, Kerwyn. (She also gave an example for writers to use: UTAH, UTAR, TUTAR, TOTAR, TOTARA, city of Totara!!)

She explained how she does her fantasy world building and it is mainly based on what she will need in the plot (ie Carthya is landlocked, mountains to the north, waterways that would be needed, it is resource wealthy making it desirable, etc)

Culture and religion in world building: how many gods or none? saints and devils! causing good and bad things in your life. Sage feels like he is constantly being harassed by the devils. It became a social thing in the world.

Would she want to live there [in Carthya]? Sometimes, but not in the last book that she is editing now!! *wink*

Where's fink's rat? Fink’s rat is on the castle grounds. She said this. It's canon. Fink’s. Rat. Is. In. The. Castle. (See @thedevilsofcarthya for full transcript of Jen discussing this)

TCK trailer: created by her family, particularly her son, Chase, and the voiceover was her son in law. Chase wanted to do something different and take a risk.

Your career as an author? When she started writing she knew nothing and nobody just had a manuscript that was ‘awful’ and will be buried with her. (I personally would read ANYTHING she wrote). She submitted her second one to “every agent with a pulse” and everyone said no. She wrote a new one, they said no. Fourth manuscript, she felt ready to break in, Apprentice to a Madman, she thought it was the best thing ever, submitted it and got a rejection scribble, not a letter, worked on it and kept getting rejected. One publisher had rep for taking everybody so she sent in hers. A couple months later, on her birthday, she got a call from a friend that they got an acceptance letter from the same publisher as she had submitted hers, got her own… rejected…She thought a lot about it and decided to erase everything she thought she knew about publishing and once she had a new idea, that manuscript got her agent and first publisher. That letter on her birthday was the last rejection letter she received. “Remember you can start from nowhere and find success.”

When asked for descriptions of the characters so an artist can draw them, she said, they look like how you envision them, there is no ‘right’. (Shows fanart from the competition that is on her blog!)

TCK art print was created by her niece, Ireland. It is her concept of the characters.

Writing during covid and quarantine? She's a strong believer that when God closes a door, he opens a window. She misses the opportunities to be in schools and bookshops. Just discovered a new WW2 true story she is researching. Various stories at different stages. Very excited for stories she has created because of Covid. “We will get through this, we will, and we're going to be stronger at the end because remember, when we go through hard things we get stronger."