#it's REdefine your priorities

[faxxmodem]

my favorite thing about the saw vii3Dtfc dvd is the silly menu screen that flashes S.U.R.V.I.V.E. mantras on top of stills from the movie

my second favorite thing about the saw vii3Dtfc dvd is that it opens with an ad for saw blu-rays and digital downloads

[toytulini]

you know whats more annoying than dems calling vance and trump weird is all the condescending posts justifying it actually. like im a bit annoyed about "weird" being used this way but also like man if it fucking works i guess

but do i have to keep seeing daily posts exhaustively justifying how normie midwesterners use weird different or whatever the fuck man just shut up and call them weird then, stop justifying it to me

[asgardian--angels]

Planet's Fucked: What Can You Do To Help? (Long Post)

Since nobody is talking about the existential threat to the climate and the environment a second Trump term/Republican government control will cause, which to me supersedes literally every other issue, I wanted to just say my two cents, and some things you can do to help. I am a conservation biologist, whose field was hit substantially by the first Trump presidency. I study wild bees, birds, and plants.

In case anyone forgot what he did last time, he gagged scientists' ability to talk about climate change, he tried zeroing budgets for agencies like the NOAA, he attempted to gut protections in the Endangered Species Act (mainly by redefining 'take' in a way that would allow corporations to destroy habitat of imperiled species with no ramifications), he tried to do the same for the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (the law that offers official protection for native non-game birds), he sought to expand oil and coal extraction from federal protected lands, he shrunk the size of multiple national preserves, HE PULLED US OUT OF THE PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT, and more.

We are at a crucial tipping point in being able to slow the pace of climate change, where we decide what emissions scenario we will operate at, with existential consequences for both the environment and people. We are also in the middle of the Sixth Mass Extinction, with the rate of species extinctions far surpassing background rates due completely to human actions. What we do now will determine the fate of the environment for hundreds or thousands of years - from our ability to grow key food crops (goodbye corn belt! I hated you anyway but), to the pressure on coastal communities that will face the brunt of sea level rise and intensifying extreme weather events, to desertification, ocean acidification, wildfires, melting permafrost (yay, outbreaks of deadly frozen viruses!), and a breaking down of ecosystems and ecosystem services due to continued habitat loss and species declines, especially insect declines. The fact that the environment is clearly a low priority issue despite the very real existential threat to so many people, is beyond my ability to understand. I do partly blame the public education system for offering no mandatory environmental science curriculum or any at all in most places. What it means is that it will take the support of everyone who does care to make any amount of difference in this steeply uphill battle.

There are not enough environmental scientists to solve these issues, not if public support is not on our side and the majority of the general public is either uninformed or actively hostile towards climate science (or any conservation science).

So what can you, my fellow Americans, do to help mitigate and minimize the inevitable damage that lay ahead?

I'm not going to tell you to recycle more or take shorter showers. I'll be honest, that stuff is a drop in the bucket. What does matter on the individual level is restoring and protecting habitat, reducing threats to at-risk species, reducing pesticide use, improving agricultural practices, and pushing for policy changes. Restoring CONNECTIVITY to our landscape - corridors of contiguous habitat - will make all the difference for wildlife to be able to survive a changing climate and continued human population expansion.

**Caveat that I work in the northeast with pollinators and birds so I cannot provide specific organizations for some topics, including climate change focused NGOs. Scientists on tumblr who specialize in other fields, please add your own recommended resources. **

We need two things: FUNDING and MANPOWER.

You may surprised to find that an insane amount of conservation work is carried out by volunteers. We don't ever have the funds to pay most of the people who want to help. If you really really care, consider going into a conservation-related field as a career. It's rewarding, passionate work.

At the national level, please support:

The Nature Conservancy

Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation

Cornell Lab of Ornithology (including eBird)

National Audubon Society

Federal Duck Stamps (you don't need to be a hunter to buy one!)

These first four work to acquire and restore critical habitat, change environmental policy, and educate the public. There is almost certainly a Nature Conservancy-owned property within driving distance of you. Xerces plays a very large role in pollinator conservation, including sustainable agriculture, native bee monitoring programs, and the Bee City/Bee Campus USA programs. The Lab of O is one of the world's leaders in bird research and conservation. Audubon focuses on bird conservation. You can get annual memberships to these organizations and receive cool swag and/or a subscription to their publications which are well worth it. You can also volunteer your time; we need thousands of volunteers to do everything from conducting wildlife surveys, invasive species removal, providing outreach programming, managing habitat/clearing trails, planting trees, you name it. Federal Duck Stamps are the major revenue for wetland conservation; hunters need to buy them to hunt waterfowl but anyone can get them to collect!

THERE ARE DEFINITELY MORE, but these are a start.

Additionally, any federal or local organizations that seek to provide support and relief to those affected by hurricanes, sea level rise, any form of coastal climate change...

At the regional level:

These are a list of topics that affect major regions of the United States. Since I do not work in most of these areas I don't feel confident recommending specific organizations, but please seek resources relating to these as they are likely major conservation issues near you.

PRAIRIE CONSERVATION & PRAIRIE POTHOLE WETLANDS

DRYING OF THE COLORADO RIVER (good overview video linked)

PROTECTION OF ESTUARIES AND SALTMARSH, ESPECIALLY IN THE DELAWARE BAY AND LONG ISLAND (and mangroves further south, everglades etc; this includes restoring LIVING SHORELINES instead of concrete storm walls; also check out the likely-soon extinction of saltmarsh sparrows)

UNDAMMING MAJOR RIVERS (not just the Colorado; restoring salmon runs, restoring historic floodplains)

NATIVE POLLINATOR DECLINES (NOT honeybees. for fuck's sake. honeybees are non-native domesticated animals. don't you DARE get honeybee hives to 'save the bees')

WILDLIFE ALONG THE SOUTHERN BORDER (support the Mission Butterfly Center!)

INVASIVE PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES (this is everywhere but the specifics will differ regionally, dear lord please help Hawaii)

LOSS OF WETLANDS NATIONWIDE (some states have lost over 90% of their wetlands, I'm looking at you California, Ohio, Illinois)

INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURE, esp in the CORN BELT and CALIFORNIA - this is an issue much bigger than each of us, but we can work incrementally to promote sustainable practices and create habitat in farmland-dominated areas. Support small, local farms, especially those that use soil regenerative practices, no-till agriculture, no pesticides/Integrated Pest Management/no neonicotinoids/at least non-persistent pesticides. We need more farmers enrolling in NRCS programs to put farmland in temporary or permanent wetland easements, or to rent the land for a 30-year solar farm cycle. We've lost over 99% of our prairies to corn and soybeans. Let's not make it 100%.

INDIGENOUS LAND-BACK EFFORTS/INDIGENOUS LAND MANAGEMENT/TEK (adding this because there have been increasing efforts not just for reparations but to also allow indigenous communities to steward and manage lands either fully independently or alongside western science, and it would have great benefits for both people and the land; I know others on here could speak much more on this. Please platform indigenous voices)

HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS (get your neighbors to stop dumping fertilizers on their lawn next to lakes, reduce agricultural runoff)

OCEAN PLASTIC (it's not straws, it's mostly commercial fishing line/trawling equipment and microplastics)

A lot of these are interconnected. And of course not a complete list.

At the state and local level:

You probably have the most power to make change at the local level!

Support or volunteer at your local nature centers, local/state land conservancy non-profits (find out who owns&manages the preserves you like to hike at!), state fish & game dept/non-game program, local Audubon chapters (they do a LOT). Participate in a Christmas Bird Count!

Join local garden clubs, which install and maintain town plantings - encourage them to use NATIVE plants. Join a community garden!

Get your college campus or city/town certified in the Bee Campus USA/Bee City USA programs from the Xerces Society

Check out your state's official plant nursery, forest society, natural heritage program, anything that you could become a member of, get plants from, or volunteer at.

Volunteer to be part of your town's conservation commission, which makes decisions about land management and funding

Attend classes or volunteer with your land grant university's cooperative extension (including master gardener programs)

Literally any volunteer effort aimed at improving the local environment, whether that's picking up litter, pulling invasive plants, installing a local garden, planting trees in a city park, ANYTHING. make a positive change in your own sphere. learn the local issues affecting your nearby ecosystems. I guarantee some lake or river nearby is polluted

MAKE HABITAT IN YOUR COMMUNITY. Biggest thing you can do. Use plants native to your area in your yard or garden. Ditch your lawn. Don't use pesticides (including mosquito spraying, tick spraying, Roundup, etc). Don't use fertilizers that will run off into drinking water. Leave the leaves in your yard. Get your school/college to plant native gardens. Plant native trees (most trees planted in yards are not native). Remove invasive plants in your yard.

On this last point, HERE ARE EASY ONLINE RESOURCES TO FIND NATIVE PLANTS and LEARN ABOUT NATIVE GARDENING:

Xerces Society Pollinator Conservation Resource Center

Pollinator Pathway

Audubon Native Plant Finder

Homegrown National Park (and Doug Tallamy's other books)

National Wildlife Federation Native Plant Finder (clunky but somewhat helpful)

Heather Holm (for prairie/midwest/northeast)

MonarchGard w/ Benjamin Vogt (for prairie/midwest)

Native Plant Trust (northeast & mid-atlantic)

Grow Native Massachusetts (northeast)

Habitat Gardening in Central New York (northeast)

There are many more - I'm not familiar with resources for western states. Print books are your biggest friend. Happy to provide a list of those.

Lastly, you can help scientists monitor species using citizen science. Contribute to iNaturalist, eBird, Bumblebee Watch, or any number of more geographically or taxonomically targeted programs (for instance, our state has a butterfly census carried out by citizen volunteers).

In short? Get curious, get educated, get involved. Notice your local nature, find out how it's threatened, and find out who's working to protect it that you can help with. The health of the planet, including our resilience to climate change, is determined by small local efforts to maintain and restore habitat. That is how we survive this. When government funding won't come, when we're beat back at every turn trying to get policy changed, it comes down to each individual person creating a safe refuge for nature.

Thanks for reading this far. Please feel free to add your own credible resources and organizations.

[kleopatra45]

Could you talk about vertex in the houses on the solar return chart? 🫂

Vertex in Solar Return

1st House

When the Vertex is in the 1st house of your solar return chart, the year ahead will likely involve major personal growth and self-awareness. This placement suggests encounters with people or events that challenge you to redefine your identity, appearance, or how you present yourself to the world. You may be compelled to step out of your comfort zone, take on leadership roles, or embark on a journey of self-discovery. These experiences can be transformative, leading you to a deeper understanding of who you are and how you wish to be perceived by others. The individuals you meet may act as catalysts for this change, pushing you to embrace new aspects of yourself.

2nd House

With the Vertex in the 2nd house, the focus for the year shifts to your values, finances, and sense of self-worth. You may encounter situations or people that prompt you to reassess your relationship with money and material possessions. This could be a year of financial growth, or conversely, a time when you need to confront financial challenges. The Vertex here suggests that your self-esteem and what you value most will undergo significant changes. Relationships formed this year may influence your financial decisions or help you see your worth in a new light. This placement can also signal opportunities to gain materially, but these gains will likely be tied to lessons about your values and priorities.

3rd House

The Vertex in the 3rd house of your solar return chart highlights communication, learning, and your immediate environment. This year, you might find yourself having important conversations or meeting people who alter your thinking or provide new information that changes your perspective. There could be a focus on siblings, neighbors, or short trips that lead to significant encounters. This placement often brings fated connections through written or spoken word, so pay attention to the messages you receive and the people you interact with regularly. The Vertex here suggests that learning and mental stimulation will play a crucial role in your personal growth this year.

4th House

When the Vertex is in the 4th house, the emphasis is on home, family, and your emotional foundation. This year may bring fated events related to your domestic life, such as changes in your living situation, significant family developments, or deep emotional experiences that shape your sense of security. The Vertex here often signifies encounters with people who feel like family or situations that compel you to address unresolved issues from your past. This is a time for building or rebuilding your emotional base, and the relationships you form or focus on during this year will likely have a lasting impact on your sense of belonging and emotional well-being.

5th House

The Vertex in the 5th house suggests a year filled with creativity, romance, and self-expression. Fated encounters may occur in the realm of love, artistic endeavors, or activities that bring you joy. This placement often indicates a time when you are drawn to activities that allow you to express yourself fully, whether through art, hobbies, or romantic relationships. The people you meet this year may inspire you to embrace your creative side or take bold steps in your personal life. Children, both your own or others, may also play a significant role in your life during this time, bringing with them lessons and experiences that touch your heart.

6th House

With the Vertex in the 6th house, the focus is on health, work, and daily routines. This year, you may encounter people or situations that influence your approach to work, health, and how you manage your day-to-day responsibilities. This placement often brings fated events related to your job, co-workers, or health routines, pushing you to adopt healthier habits or improve your work environment. The Vertex here suggests that your well-being and sense of service to others will be central themes, with the potential for significant personal growth through these areas. It’s a time to pay attention to how you take care of yourself and the impact your work has on your life.

7th House

The Vertex in the 7th house of your solar return chart highlights partnerships and relationships. This year, you may experience fated encounters with individuals who play a significant role in your personal or professional life. The Vertex here often signals important developments in marriage, business partnerships, or close friendships. You might meet someone who becomes a key figure in your life, or existing relationships may undergo transformative changes. This placement suggests that your interactions with others will be a major focus, with the potential for forming deep, lasting connections that shape your future.

8th House

With the Vertex in the 8th house, the focus is on transformation, shared resources, and deep emotional experiences. This year may bring intense encounters that force you to confront issues related to intimacy, power, and financial matters. The Vertex here often indicates a time of profound personal change, where you may need to let go of old patterns or face fears related to loss or vulnerability. The people you meet this year may challenge you to explore the depths of your psyche and embrace the transformative power of change. This placement can also bring opportunities for financial growth through partnerships or inheritances, but these gains are often accompanied by significant emotional shifts.

9th House

When the Vertex is in the 9th house, the emphasis is on higher education, travel, and philosophical or spiritual growth. This year, you may encounter people or situations that expand your horizons and challenge your beliefs. The Vertex here suggests that you are likely to have experiences that broaden your understanding of the world, whether through formal education, long-distance travel, or exploring new philosophies or spiritual practices. These encounters may lead to significant personal growth and a deeper sense of purpose. This is a time to seek out new experiences that enrich your mind and soul, as they are likely to have a lasting impact on your life direction.

10th House

The Vertex in the 10th house of your solar return chart indicates a year of significant developments in your career and public life. You may encounter people or situations that influence your professional path, reputation, or status. This placement often brings opportunities for advancement, recognition, or a shift in your career direction. The Vertex here suggests that your ambitions and goals will be a major focus, and you may be pushed to take on greater responsibility or step into the spotlight. The people you meet this year could play a pivotal role in helping you achieve your career objectives or shape your public image.

11th House

With the Vertex in the 11th house, the focus is on friendships, social networks, and long-term goals. This year may bring fated encounters with people who share your ideals and aspirations. The Vertex here suggests that your social circle will play a significant role in your life, and you may be drawn to groups or causes that align with your values. The people you meet this year could help you achieve your dreams or inspire you to pursue new goals. This is a time to connect with like-minded individuals and focus on the bigger picture, as your interactions with others are likely to have a lasting impact on your future.

12th House

When the Vertex is in the 12th house, the emphasis is on introspection, spirituality, and healing. This year, you may experience fated encounters that lead to profound inner growth and a deeper understanding of your subconscious mind. The Vertex here suggests that you will be drawn to explore the hidden aspects of your psyche, and you may encounter people who help you heal past wounds or guide you on a spiritual journey. This placement often brings opportunities for solitude, reflection, and connecting with the divine. The people and experiences you encounter this year may lead to significant personal transformation and a greater sense of inner peace.

I hope this helps! ♥️

©️kleopatra45

[astrosouldivinity]

Pluto in Aquarius: ♒︎

☼ How the transit will affect the 12 Houses ☉

⟡ This transit will occur from 2024 to 2044.

⟡ 𝙰𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎? ♾️

1st House: Self & Identity

⟢ Pluto in the 1st house will bring transformation to your self-concept and overall sense of self. During this transit, you could find yourself shedding old identities and stepping into your authenticity and personal power. You might also cultivate a stronger presence and increased confidence, which will encourage you to assert your needs and desires more intentionally. This process can lead to a redefinition of your goals and a renewed sense of purpose in your life.

2nd House: Values & Finances

⟢ Pluto in the 2nd house will prompt a reevaluation of your core values and resources. This transit encourages you to confront issues related to materialism, stability, and self-worth. You may find that your priorities regarding financial security and personal values become a primary focus during this time. Additionally, this transit may inspire you to let go of outdated beliefs about money and possessions, empowering you to make more conscious choices that align with your true values and redefining what security means to you.

3rd House: Communication & Learning

⟢ Pluto in the 3rd house will intensify your communication style and stimulate transformative learning experiences. You may engage in more meaningful conversations, uncover hidden truths, or embrace new intellectual pursuits. For instance, you might explore new subjects that challenge your way of thinking, leading to a deeper understanding of both yourself and the world around you. This transit may also encourage you to express your thoughts with greater clarity and conviction, fostering deeper connections with others.

4th House: Home & Family

⟢ Pluto in the 4th house may bring turbulence or transformation to your home life and family dynamics. You might confront deep-seated issues from your past, working to heal generational trauma and break familial karmic cycles. This transit can also lead to significant changes in your living situation and overall independence. Furthermore, you may find yourself reevaluating your emotional foundations, fostering a deeper connection to your roots, and creating a more nurturing and empowering home environment.

5th House: Creativity & Romance

⟢ With Pluto in the 5th house, your creativity and passion will be unleashed and revitalized. You may explore new artistic endeavors, tap into your creative potential, experience intense romantic connections, or confront issues related to self-expression, playfulness, and overall personal fulfillment. Additionally, this transit encourages you to take risks in your creative projects or to pursue hobbies that bring you joy, leading to a greater sense of fulfillment, self-love, and authenticity in your life.

6th House: Work & Health

⟢ Pluto in the 6th house will encourage you to evaluate your current health habits and work environments. You may experience a transformation in your daily routines, resulting in improved health and a deeper understanding of your work-life balance. This transit may also prompt you to confront any underlying issues affecting your well-being, leading to more mindful choices about nutrition, exercise, and overall stress management.

7th House: Partnerships & Connections

⟢ With Pluto in the 7th house, expect transformative experiences to develop within your interpersonal relationships. Pluto will push you to address power dynamics, commitment issues, or deep-seated fears surrounding partnerships, potentially leading to stronger, healthier, and more authentic connections. This transit may also encourage you to reevaluate what you truly seek in relationships, helping you identify patterns that no longer serve you. You may be learning to set boundaries during this time as well.

8th House: Transformation & Shared Resources

⟢ Pluto in the 8th house feels at home here, intensifying themes of transformation, intimacy, and shared resources. You may experience significant changes in your financial partnerships or confront deep-seated issues around trust and vulnerability. This transit can also lead you to explore the deeper aspects of intimacy, pushing you to confront fears related to emotional closeness and dependency. Furthermore, these transformations can uncover hidden strengths and insights about yourself and your relationships, cultivating a greater understanding of what true intimacy and emotional safety means.

9th House: Philosophy & Travel

⟢ Pluto in the 9th house will encourage you to explore new philosophies, perspectives, and broaden your horizons. You may feel compelled to travel, seek higher education, or challenge your belief system, leading to significant transformations in your personal growth. This transit may also inspire you to question long-held perceptions, prompting a deeper examination of your values and worldview. Additionally, this period could lead to profound spiritual insights, helping you develop a more authentic understanding of your place in the universe.

10th House: Career & Public Image

⟢ Pluto in your 10th house will bring forth transformation in your career and public image. You may pursue ambitious goals, confront power struggles in the workplace, or redefine your professional path. This transit encourages you to examine your aspirations intentionally, allowing you to let go of any limiting beliefs that have held you back. You might find yourself stepping into leadership roles or taking bold risks that align with your true passions. Additionally, this transit may prompt you to reassess how you want to be perceived by others, leading to a more authentic expression of your professional identity.

11th House: Friendships & Community

⟢ With Pluto in the 11th house, your friendships, community, and social networks may undergo significant changes as Pluto reveals hidden dynamics. You may find yourself reassessing long-term goals and aspirations. This transformation could lead to new alliances or the release of toxic friendships that no longer serve your growth. This transit encourages you to seek out connections that resonate with your evolving values and support your personal journey. Additionally, you may find yourself drawn to groups or causes that inspire you to make a meaningful impact, embodying a sense of shared purpose.

12th House: Spirituality & Subconscious

⟢ Pluto in the 12th house encourages deep introspection and spiritual growth. During this transit, you may confront subconscious fears, heal past traumas, and explore various spiritual practices, leading to profound inner transformation. This period may also inspire you to embrace your creative expression and intuition, helping you access deeper layers of your psyche. As you navigate these transformative experiences, you could uncover hidden strengths and insights that empower you to release patterns that no longer serve you.

𝔁𝓸𝔁𝓸- 𝓚𝓲𝓴𝓲 ✨

𝙼𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚝 ♡ ♡ ♡

[prettieinpink]

MAKING FRIENDS ♡

Friends add so much value to your life. Especially ones that you like, and there is a positive healthy exchange of support and love in between. However, some of us do struggle to create meaningful friendships that last. To start this post, I will start by talking about how friendships are essential to becoming the best versions of ourselves. 

Friends help us in many ways, even if they don’t even do it directly. We discover new things about ourselves just by talking to them, we have a sense of belonging and build our self-esteem. It’s not impossible to have these things and be alone, though being alone for extended periods can fester feelings of social isolation & loneliness. 

As someone who’s experienced both, usually, these feelings can make us spiral deeper as it is just the tip of the iceberg. Humans need daily communication to feel sane, which has been proven again and again. 

If you decide to invest a lot more time, effort, and energy in friends, there’s bound to be an overflowing amount of rewards. Hanging around the right people can open up new opportunities for yourself drive you closer to achieving your goals and help advance your skills. 

This being said, if you invest in the wrong people or neglect your friends, the opposite will more than likely happen. Remember that the people you allow in your life can influence you, whether for better or worse. 

REDEFINING YOUR MINDSET TOWARDS MAKING FRIENDS 

Your mindset is so crucial to making friends. It can either help you or not. Another thing is that your mindset towards life, in general, can either repel or attract people to be around you. 

Firstly and importantly, do not get attached to people you barely know. Don’t overthink about them, change yourself for them or get anxious waiting for a reply. Seriously, detach. Little things like replies or if they’ll like you, should not bother you. The concept of it bothering you should not even exist in your mind. 

Secondly, do not think of humans as assets to support your growth. This is just so icky and once you get that materialistic perspective on friendships, it just becomes harder to create meaningful ones. While friends can help you grow and achieve your goals, they will drop you once they realise they’re being taken advantage of. 

Thirdly, stay true to yourself. A bit of common advice, yet not widely followed. Never, ever, make the effort to change yourself for someone to like you a bit better. If someone doesn’t like you for just who you are, they’re not meant to be in your life, forcing it causes unnecessary & avoidable circumstances.

Fourthly, quality over quantity always. When you get older especially, it shouldn’t be your priority to gain masses of friends. Most likely, not all of your friends like you because it’s harder to invest in all of them and causes you to neglect them. 

However, having quality friends who help you grow and succeed will never stop serving you in life even if that friendship falls out. Plus, you are too busy achieving your goals every day to entertain everyone you know. 

Lastly, do not allow disrespect just because you’re friends. They will test the waters to see how much you can tolerate, then you allow them to, they’re just going to get more extreme with it. Identify disrespect in ‘jokes’ or casual conservation and call it out. These people are praying for your downfall. 

That being said, just because it is not happening to you, don’t allow it. Once you establish yourself as only wanting respect, you’re going to get treated like it. 

DEFINING YOUR INNER AND OUTER CIRCLE 

Your inner circle consists of people whom you are close to, and have healthy and positive relations with them. These are the kind of people who you’d go to for emotional support or to celebrate great successes in your life. 

Then, you have your outer circle. These can be people who you’re close to, but they’re not the closest. It consists of people who you talk to regularly, but there’s still that distance. Distance is not a bad thing at all in friendships, not everyone is meant to be your closest friend.

Now those two terms are established, I want you to visualise how you want those two circles to look. These can be people who you want to be friends with, wanting to cut anyone off or just people who you hope to meet one day. 

Then define how you want to feel with those two circles, like a loving or caring circle, or a growth and learning circle. This is completely up to you, about how those circles feel and look like as it is for you. 

I recommend writing your visualisations down and putting them somewhere you can see regularly. This is just to help us get into the energy of making meaningful friendships every day.

STANDARDS + CRITERIA IN FRIENDS 

The heading is a little bit off-putting, I understand. However, it is essential to establish a set of standards once you start making friends. This is to make sure you’re making quality friendships, and not attaching to just anyone. 

This is a bit of individual advice, you have to curate your standards by yourself. A personal example is that I’m Christian myself, I believe in God and I’m devoted to him. 

So, in that case, I won’t allow other religions or non-religious people into my inner circle. While they can be in my outer circle, I would prefer having most of my friends believe in God and uphold his values. 

Standards and criteria in friends can either be a must quality (they must have this quality) or a preferred quality (I prefer if they did, don’t mind if they don’t). You decide which qualities are which, and if they apply to your inner or outer circle. 

Can’t say much, but to help you, I advise looking into yourself internally and once again, visualising what those friendships look like daily. To help, I’ve gathered a few journaling prompts!

 What do you think are the responsibilities of friendship?

What is the nicest thing a friend could ever do for you? 

What do you think friendship is?

How do you expect the aftermath to be after an argument with a friend?

How can someone become a part of your inner circle? 

What behaviour makes you want to cut someone off?

Who were your favourite friends in the past? What did they do to become your favourite?

How would you like to be shown appreciation daily? 

Do you like banter or prefer showering each other with compliments? 

Then, extract from your responses to these prompts, some characteristics or traits that you look for in friendships. 

BECOMING SOCIALLY ELOQUENT The first tip i’m going to give to you is to read. Not just in your head, but out loud reading. Read, and see if you’re going too fast or too slow, you’re pronouncing words clearly and know when to pause. Bonus points if you record yourself reading, then rewatch it to see your progress. 

Search up any words you don’t know and how to pronounce them, and to test yourself, think of a way to use those words in an everyday sentence. 

While this helps to expand your vocabulary as well, really keep in mind the setting of the conservation. If you’re at a science and math invention fair, more advanced language is suited. However, you wouldn’t use that same way of speaking casually at a party. 

The second tip is to get rid of all filler words in your vocabulary. 

Like

Um

Uh

so

Unnecessary when speaking and it can make you an unengaging conservationist. Just take a pause when thinking, and if you forget what you were talking about, tell your listener or just change the topic. Sometimes, these words are needed when speaking, but not all the time. 

The third tip is just to do everything slower, while speaking. Move your hands slower, don’t dart your eyes around and take deep breaths before speaking. If not, you seem anxious and jittery, in which your words will not be clear. 

The fourth tip is to pay attention to the listener. Make eye contact with them and ask questions about them too. This makes it a lot more engaging and therefore, easier for the listener to listen. 

My fifth tip, and the most important, is to practice speaking. Whether it is in front of a mirror or with a partner. Use notes as reminders while practising to help you remember what to do. There are even videos on YouTube where you can pretend you’re having a conversation with someone, or you could just make your own. 

However, practice yourself to speak without preparation. Like for example, you strike up a conservation with your classmate and apply the things you’ve learnt. 

Bear in mind, that the whole point of becoming socially eloquent isn’t to make people listen to you, but to make it easier for people to listen to you. 

MAKING FRIENDS + KEEPING THEM

Now everything else is out of the way, let’s talk about what you probably came here for. How to make friends and keep them. Better said than done. 

The settings where you meet someone are important. It allows you to easily connect with people who are similar to you in any way, without actually having to state it. Here are a few places to meet people.

Church/any religious site (same beliefs)

Sports club (like that sport/exercise) 

Any classes (people who like learning/that hobby) 

School or university (you’ve got something to connect over) 

These are just a few examples of where to meet people, however, you do not have to go somewhere else just to meet someone. Sometimes, I go to my nearest shopping mall or supermarket either after school or on the weekend and talk to any girls who look around my age, with whom I’ve gained so many friends. 

While going to a particular setting helps to find people with similarities, it’s not the essential piece to meet people. 

If you struggle to make friends just by striking up a conversation, just make yourself known to others first. Help them when needed, compliment them or greet them daily. They will most likely approach you first and talk to you first as you’ve deemed yourself approachable. Do not rely on this method though, not everyone is willing to approach you. 

Once you find a potential friend and you’re talking to them, make sure it’s an engaging conversation. First, ask open-ended questions. Open-ended questions are ones that someone can expand on, basically not yes or no answers. 

Do you own any cats? -> What’s your favourite cat breed? 

Do you enjoy *activity*? -> What’s your favourite thing to do after school? 

When can we hang out? -> Where’s your favourite place to hang out?

These are the kinds of questions that you get to know someone and are engaging. Remember, do not be overbearing with questions, it can come off as kinda odd. 

Secondly, find any similarities and talk about them. For example, a sport, a favourite book, a hobby, religion. It is so easy for people to connect over their favourite things. 

Thirdly, have open and friendly body language. Smile when they’re talking, maintain eye contact, avoid crossing your arms and legs, and lean in to show you’re listening. People love love, good listeners. 

My fourth point which refers back to being good listeners, is remembering what they say. If they said, oh I love going to the beach, maybe suggest going to the beach together. Or, they said, I hate studying, then the next time they have a test, help them study. 

Lastly, avoid small talk. It becomes awkward and the answers are always the same. If you must, ask them about things that happened in their life. Like, how’s that boy you’re talking to or did you do well on that test? 

Most people also hate small talk. So, if every single conservation is just small talk, they would not want to talk to you. 

These little things that you remember can make people like you and therefore, want to be your friend. I remember stuff about people by just writing it down and occasionally referring back to it. 

Now, let’s say you’ve got your friend now. However, you don’t have a way of talking to them every day. They don’t live close by nor do they attend your school/uni/any place. So, how do we keep them?

Easy, invest in those friendships. Talk to them via messages or phone, schedule days to hang out, check up on them to make sure they’re doing well, be honest with them, remember important dates of their lives etc. 

Keeping friends is just about being a good friend to them. Just think about how you would like to get treated by your friends and treat them like that. Even if they don’t reciprocate, putting out those positive actions, will come back to you one day. 

[sensualnoiree]

astro notes: scorpio new moon 11/1

This Scorpio New Moon illuminates the shadowed aspects of our lives, encouraging us to face hidden truths, resolve past burdens, and reconnect with supportive communities. The New Moon's Sabian symbol, “A fellowship supper reunites old comrades,” speaks to the power of shared experiences and communal bonds, suggesting that solace can be found in reconnecting with people who have walked similar paths. The Moon's trine with Saturn offers grounding energy, helping us simplify and stabilize our priorities, while the Mars-Pluto opposition challenges us to transform destructive impulses into positive action. This potent alignment opens a path for emotional release and constructive growth.

Rising Sign Delineations:

Aries Rising With the New Moon activating your 8th house, this is a time to face deep, transformative processes that could involve shared resources or intimate relationships. Reconnecting with trusted friends or mentors from the past could help you navigate unresolved fears. Saturn’s trine in your 12th house provides a stabilizing influence, encouraging solitude and internal reflection. As Mars in the 4th house opposes Pluto in your 10th, you may feel tension between personal life and career, but there's an opportunity to rebalance and redefine your goals.

Taurus Rising This New Moon in your 7th house brings focus to relationships and partnerships, encouraging you to explore any underlying issues or resentments. The supportive energy of Saturn in your 11th house suggests that reaching out to friends or joining a community can help you feel grounded. With Mars in your 3rd house opposing Pluto in your 9th, honest conversations may reveal new perspectives, fostering growth in both personal and intellectual areas.

Gemini Rising Activating your 6th house of health and daily routines, the New Moon encourages a fresh start in self-care or work-life balance. This is a perfect time to release unproductive habits. Saturn in the 10th house enhances your career stability, helping you focus on professional goals. The Mars-Pluto opposition from your 2nd to 8th house encourages a careful approach to financial matters, urging you to align your energy with long-term investments or shared resources.

Cancer Rising With the New Moon in your 5th house, this is a time to release creative blocks and reconnect with your inner joy. Saturn’s trine from your 9th house adds a steadying influence, helping you find meaning through philosophical exploration or a structured study. Mars, at the tail end of your 1st house, opposing Pluto in your 7th, highlights a balance between personal desires and relationship dynamics, calling for compromise and deeper understanding.

Leo Rising The New Moon in your 4th house encourages introspection around home and family matters, giving you an opportunity to let go of old family patterns or find peace in solitude. Saturn’s influence in your 8th house highlights stability in shared resources or emotional connections. The Mars-Pluto opposition between your 12th and 6th houses may reveal hidden stressors related to work, offering an opportunity to heal and transform daily routines.

Virgo Rising In your 3rd house of communication, the New Moon invites you to release outdated beliefs and foster more meaningful connections. Saturn’s trine from the 7th house stabilizes partnerships, encouraging you to find supportive friends or colleagues who share your values. The opposition of Mars and Pluto from your 11th to 5th house calls for balance between personal projects and collaborative efforts, emphasizing the importance of teamwork over control.

Libra Rising This New Moon in your 2nd house signals a time to reassess values and financial matters. Reconnecting with past mentors or communities might provide perspective. Saturn’s influence in your 6th house supports stability in your daily work and health routines, making this an ideal time to simplify. With Mars in your 10th house opposing Pluto in your 4th, you may experience tension between home and career, but clear boundaries and focused energy can bring harmony.

Scorpio Rising In your 1st house, this New Moon empowers you to release old self-concepts and embrace a renewed sense of self. Saturn’s trine from your 5th house encourages creative self-expression, helping you find grounding through art or other personal projects. Mars in your 9th house opposing Pluto in your 3rd urges you to confront limiting beliefs, fostering open-mindedness and deep introspection.

Sagittarius Rising This New Moon activates your 12th house, emphasizing healing and release from subconscious fears or unresolved issues. Saturn’s trine from the 4th house promotes grounding through family or home-related stability. The Mars-Pluto opposition from your 8th to 2nd house encourages balance between shared and personal resources, inviting you to work through complex emotional dynamics for greater security.

Capricorn Rising With the New Moon in your 11th house, this is a time to reconnect with social groups or allies who share your aspirations. Saturn’s trine from your 3rd house supports stability in communication and learning. The Mars-Pluto opposition between your 7th and 1st houses may highlight power dynamics in relationships, calling you to find common ground and communicate openly with loved ones.

Aquarius Rising The New Moon in your 10th house suggests a fresh approach to career goals and public roles, possibly through reconnecting with professional mentors. Saturn’s influence in your 2nd house encourages financial planning and resourcefulness. The Mars-Pluto opposition from your 6th to 12th house might reveal hidden stressors related to health or work; releasing old patterns will help create a more supportive daily structure.

Pisces Rising In your 9th house, the New Moon inspires you to expand your worldview and seek knowledge, perhaps by reconnecting with wise friends or mentors. Saturn in your 1st house lends a steady hand to your self-development journey, encouraging clarity and discipline. With Mars in your 5th house opposing Pluto in the 11th, finding a balance between individual creativity and group collaboration becomes essential for personal fulfillment.

follow for more astro insights like this and head on over to @quenysefields or my etsy --> sensualnoiree to grab my new astrology guidebook on reading your own natal chart :)

[chugging-antiseptic-dye]

"So, this is it? After everything we have been through, you won't even try to keep us together?"

Your voice cracked as you tried to hold it together. Tried to stop your body from shaking. Because you knew that if you didn't, if you had one less iota of control, you would start brawling. And that was not something you are willing to let this man witness. It's enough to make you lose your mind that he was sitting all casual on the sofa with a visage made out of stone.

It has been five years now. Five years of memories being flushed down the drain. Does he even give a single fuck? As this thought wedged itself into your brain, a bitter unnamed feeling lodged in your throat.

You watched with trembling lips as Jihoon finally stood up. Without breaking eye contact, he took small unsure steps towards you. He only stopped when he came close to you. Finally, he asked softly, "What else do you want me to say? I already told you I am sorry. You deserve someone better than me."

Those words were an instant punch to the gut. Bowlegged and stumbling, you put both hands on his shoulders and started shaking him like a maniac. You didn't even notice when tears started pouring from your eyes. You almost screamed out your next words,

" I-, I deserve better? I deserve b e t t e r ?! Then why wasn't I worth getting better for? Why can't you be better for me? Why won't you be better for me?" Feeling lighthearted and almost breathless, you took a step back and continued, "Our anniversary was two days ago, Jihoon. And you only came back today. You didn't even send a text."

With resignation felt in every bone in your body, you dealt the final blow, " Am I not worth a text?"

You heard him release a pained whimper at this. As if it physically hurt him. But you were beyond caring. You cared too much and that was the problem. Using both hands to wipe away your tears (You don't even have a boyfriend now that would do it), you picked up the suitcase and started walking.

It was then when you heard a mangled "I love you" come from Jihoon. Without turning back, you replied, "Do you? I haven't felt that for a long time. Even if I believe you, the problem is, I love me too. I never expected to be your main priority. But it turns out that I wasn't even a priority."

You opened the door and gently whispered your parting words into the wind, "It's not about you forgetting to send a happy anniversary text. It was never about it. I hope you know that. Yet it was my last straw. I love you, Jihoon. I don't know when I will stop loving you. But I just can't do this anymore."

In the sudden silence that followed, only the sound of a door clicking shut was heard. And in the next moment, Jihoon fell to his knees. It was as if someone cut all the strings holding him together. Unbiddenly, a tiny box fell out of his pocket. It was the sole thing keeping him company through the dead of the nights that followed.

a/n: it's woozi's birthday so i wanted to celebrate it in my own way. he is my bias wrecker and therefore i wrecked him in this fic. oops ( i am joking, hehe). but, on a serious note, he is the one who made me fall in love with seventeen's music. he is the one who redefined the meaning of friendship for me. his mindset inspires me everyday and i look up to him so much! so, happy birthday to our hardworking singer, producer, dancer, idol, and artist, mr lee jihoon. i hope you will always be happy and healthy <3

(also, this is the post that inspired this whole mess.)

[rottenshotgungames]

Alright, let’s start with discourse, shall we?

Gatekeeping Combat

Three days ago, the Gorgon Bones blog made this post about fighters in TTRPGs (particularly the OSR): https://gorgonbones.blogspot.com/2024/02/choosing-fighter-means-choosing-violence.html?m=1

I recommend reading the post, it’s fun (and the comments are hilarious). But, for those who don’t have the time or attention span (trust me, I’m lacking in spoons right now too), this is a relatively short joke that suggests protecting the Fighter class’ niche by making it the only class able to participate in combat. This, on its face, seems like an inherently silly idea—because it is—but people have been interacting with it as a serious suggestion. This comedic concept has spawned a legitimately interesting design discussion. So, let’s engage with it as a thought experiment. How would one make this function in a fun and reasonable way? The simple answer is that you have to start with conflict.

Conflict in RPGs, particularly in Dragon Game derivatives (such as the OSR), is often violent in nature. This presents the first hurdle: How do we centralize combat to 1 class when it’s a major source of conflict, conflict that people inherently want to engage in? As I see it, there are two approaches:

Decentralize Combat.

Redefine “Engaging in Combat.”

Decentralizing combat is kinda just what it says on the tin; make combat a less important source of conflict and means of resolving it. The two biggest examples of this—to me—are Investigative Horror Games and Stealth Games, both of which rely on central conceits that CAN involve violence but don’t necessarily rely upon it. A non-OSR example would be John Harper’s Blades in The Dark, in which combat is resolved the exact same way as every other conflict: through a series of dice rolls that result in ticking and unticking a clock (with possible complications).

Redefining what it means to “engage” requires a bit more definition than the prior approach. “Redefining” can be subcategorized into two somewhat disparate techniques: Redefining goals and redefining interactions.

In any TTRPG combat, the party tends to have a list of goals that exist in a hierarchy of priority. For example, in a traditional D&D or Lancer combat the hierarchy of party goals might look like this:

The Contest (express martial superiority, wipe out the opposition, or otherwise win the combat)

The End State (survive the combat and prevent as much harm to yourself or other party members as possible)

The Barrier (achieve the exploration or narrative goal that’s being hindered or prevented by the combat)

“Redefining” these goals is more accurately described as a re-ordering of their hierarchy based upon whether you are or aren’t the Fighter, usually through gameplay incentives. An incredible example exists in the form of Mike Pondsmith’s Cyberpunk 2020, in which the Solo role (through virtue of acting first and being generally able to specialize heavily into combat) can almost singlehandedly decide the outcome of any fight in which they are present. If there is one Solo on the field, their side is probably going to receive a swift victory; your job, as the non-Solo, is simply to not die and accomplish what you actually came here to do. If there are two Solos on opposing sides of the combat, their goals change to winning their private fight; your job, as the non-Solo, is to survive the surrounding combat until the Solo is free again (or to run if they lose). In almost every combat, the Solo will prioritize the Contest while the rest of the party will prioritize either the End State or the Barrier, something aided by Cyberpunk’s lethality and its nature as a heist game.

“Redefining combat interaction” is . . . actually found everywhere. This is your basic class differentiation taken to a greater extreme than you may find in most tactical RPGs. For example, let’s look at the Combat relevant difference between the Thief/Rogue/Mercenary and the Fighter in a majority of games that use such classes:

The Fighter - Deals a lot of damage with consistently accurate attacks (sometimes also makes multiple attacks on their turn). Has high health.

The Thief - Deals a lot of damage with one really powerful attack made from stealth, sneaky (sometimes good at dodging). Has low health.

The differentiation is there, but it’s not really significant (for the purposes of this thought experiment). Both classes focus on damage output, but one makes multiple attacks and one makes a strong attack that requires setup. Let’s try to take this difference and expand it (with a little help from our dear friend Tolkien), particularly by focusing on what makes the Thief unique in comparison to the Fighter:

The Fighter - Deals a lot of damage with consistently accurate attacks (sometimes also makes multiple attacks on their turn). Has high health.

The Thief - Subverts direct combat through the use of trickery and cunning, plays support for the Fighter (sometimes good at dodging). Has low health.

“Subversion,” in this context, simply means fighting dirty. The Thief shouldn’t be engaging in a head-on fight, they’re a Thief. Their interaction with hostile entities should always be tinged by deceit, their goal should always be to throw their enemy off balance, to create openings for others and themselves to use. If your Thief isn’t constantly throwing pocket sand and disarming opponents and knocking chandeliers on top of them and pulling cloaks over their eyes and poisoning them and . . . are they really living out the Thief fantasy? By strengthening the Thief’s core identity, leaning fully into the trickster aspect, we have redefined how both classes interact with Combat in such a way that has made direct, head-on-head violence the apparent specialty of the Fighter.

Conclusion

As much as the original Gorgon Bones blog post is a joke, Jenx does point out a real issue that’s plagued class-based games for a while: a weak niche makes a weak class. Not necessarily mechanically weak (although that can also happen, looking at you CP2020 Cop), but weak in the sense of fundamental design. Strong niches, even if every class has the ability to participate in combat, are born of purposefully and carefully built interactions with the conflicts presented by a game’s rules and environment. If combat is too great of a focus, everyone is going to want to be able to play the guy who’s good at combat; if winning combat is the sole goal of any given encounter, everyone’s going to play the guy that’s good at winning combats; if every class gets good tools for dealing damage . . . well, I don’t really have to spell that one out, do I?

If you’re designing a tactical, class based game: don’t make the Fighter the only class able to engage in combats. It’s lazy, it’s silly, and it won’t be fun for very long. You may notice that, while the two games mentioned here have classes that EXCEL at direct combat, neither of them fully limit it. Instead, the proper lesson of this thought experiment is a far more common one in our field: keep in mind the incentives you’re building into both your game and your classes, and be aware of how all these moving parts interact with and affect each other. After all, the Solo wouldn’t be nearly as good if Cyberpunk wasn’t so lethal, and the Cutter would be far more ubiquitous if Blades in The Dark had a dedicated combat chapter.

Self Promo

Hey! Thanks for reading. Sorry to leave ya with Baby’s First Game Design Lesson, but I hope ya enjoyed the journey there. If you’d like to see my recent attempt at a class based fantasy game, you can click here to check out Hollow Halls. Otherwise, I hope y’all have a great night and a great day!

[cowboycarters]

I do want to talk to you though a little bit about relationships and what you want from them now that you're coming out of this era. This SOS era where you've been so transparent and honest about accountability. Not just your own, but others, and then it's a two-way street. I sort of wonder, like, how high in that list of priorities for you is it now to kind of redefine your concept of what makes a healthy relationship actually work for you?

Behind SZA's 'SOS' Album & Tour | Apple Music Live

[nobigsecrets]

Feedback Fest 2024: H50 Fic Recs

for International Fanworks Day, February 15 (for more info see this post by @transformativeworks)

I haven't posted a rec list in a long while and I'm taking this opportunity: in alphabetical order here are ten of my favorite H50 fics (by far not all of them though):

1. Agitated States of Amazement by @emphasisonthehomo Rating: T, Words: 5,823 He meets Stef when he’s like 18, on a sub-reddit that doesn’t exist anymore. She’s kind of a huge fucking cunt. Danny’s kind of in love with her. OR: Sometimes the people you meet on the internet stick with you.

2. Anchored by lavvyan Rating: E, Words: 883 One of the things Steve takes pride in is that he knows and understands Danny better than anyone. Better than his parents, certainly better than Rachel, and probably even better than the brother whose name shall not be spoken. Pure, plotless smut.

3. the art of leaving and saying goodbye by verasteine Rating: E, Words: 115,812 2007 is the year Danny learns that choice can be the worst kind of heartbreak. AU.

4. The Bareknuckle Poet by pleasebekidding Rating: E, Words: 66,793 After a serious accident left Steve temporarily wheelchair-bound, working towards his recovery, he enrolled at Rutgers for a year. He met Danny Williams in his criminology course, wearing pride pins and chipped black nail polish, so sure of himself that Steve found it breathtaking. What happened next redefined Steve's sense of self, his ambitions, and many of his priorities.

5. Guided Missile by McParrot Rating: E, Words: 11,772 Steve is primed and targeted and he’s not stopping until he’s hit that target or crashed and burned.

6. Grand Theft Octo by Cattraine Rating: n/a, Words: 8,741 Danny is no cephalopod expert, but he’s pretty sure regular octopi don’t hang around the docks getting drunk from stolen beer.

7. I Know You're a Mistake I Won't Regret by LunaCanisLupus_22 Rating: E, Words: 40,958 “I don’t know how your omega at home lives with you,” Danny says, half serious, half mocking. It’s a throw away comment. Not meant for further thought but Steve stiffens considerably, hackles rising with the urge to attack and defend. Mostly because there is no omega waiting for him at home. And there’s no alpha Lieutenant Commander, Steve McGarrett, either.

8. Signals by Destina Rating: E, Words: 1,674 Steve knows how to read the signals.

9. Still The Rain by @thekristen999 Rating: M, Words: 21,720 Danny turned around until he faced Steve McGarrett, Danger Magnet. "Mountain cliffs; dinghies in the middle of the ocean; nightmare camping trips. You had to add a rainforest adventure during a monsoon to the list, didn't you?"

10. Up In The Air by JoJo Rating: G, Words: 1,261 Eight hours in a supply plane to think about how nothing was solved.

[elisabethbabarci]

DRAGONFLY

Every human being is a beacon of transcendence. We embrace transformation, restoration, rebirth, to elevate and cement our metamorphosis. Although the human spirit can never be replicated for each has their own unique blueprint and signature, our initiative to move beyond conformity, through the integration process of returning to our higher state of consciousness. When we redefine our vision, goals, expectations, we then give hope to manifest a greater tomorrow. Through gratitude, appreciation, and the realization of the gift we have been given , that is, to live, we embrace our faculty of wonder, engage our innovative minds, allow our imagination to soar, curiosity to reign, as we return to innocence. Every individual within the collective is a keystone at the apex of an arch as each bears the weight of change as we all are one. Through the sequences of our lives we are interconnected not only through experience but through our collective vision. Each individual embraces the duality of the interchange of happiness to sadness, polarity and disunification to unity consciousness, to embrace destruction of the mind, body, and soul to recognize healing, to recognize that growth and experience are the only road to evolution. When we recognize that peace is the most precious commodity, only then, do we truly appreciate the gifts that we are presented with in the present moment. When we stand with a curious inquisitive mind, we question, observe, while remaining on the parameters without absorbing the direct situation. To learn that stillness can exist within movement, as we learn that metaphysical healing can only transpire when we heal through incremental stages and processes. When we release control of the unknown, the uncertain, the moments that temporarily shaped us, we then are able to recognize that healing is dependant not on the external factors but our own internal dialogue and sequences within ourselves. No one can walk the path, only you have been chosen to do so, for your internal examination can only occur by learning and mastering the self. When we embrace empathy, respect, reciprocity, only then do we truly learn unconditional love, empathy, and patience. Learning true balance means to embrace the fall, only through experience do we learn wisdom, lessons, and guidance how to navigate life, and eventually we learn that we are complete, whole, one, everything that we need to be.

“Someone else is dreaming of the job you hate, the home you complain about, the smile you forget to wear, and the health you take for granted. Do not allow difficult times make you forget your blessings.” — Unknown. This is such a powerful quote about appreciation and gratitude. It illuminates the importance of presence in our every day life and to recognize the blessings we have been bestowed in our existence.

Why do we forget about those that demonstrated unconditional love? Those that nurtured us, confided in us, supported us, educated us, mentored us? Where are our priorities? Our family, our soul tribe, our friendships, is what constitutes our being. Do not take this gift of love and connection for granted for it is within our grasp for a finite amount of time. We are not promised the gift of tomorrow, and our sacred soul connections stand as pillars for our strength and moral foundation.

Why engage in self sabotage when you can embrace belief? Healing your core roots liberates and emancipates the soul. Never give up on the one constant element in your life which is you.

When did our lives become more valuable than an animals? Every sentient life is sacred, equal and deserves the inherent right to live in peace with honour and respect. We are not above one another.

Why do we feel no compassion for those that have lost everything? Do we take the time to learn their names? Do we take the time to ask if they are hungry? Do we take the time to ask if they are warm?

Why do we fill our lives with meaningless objects when we do not appreciate our health, shelter, family, friends, or those who quietly make our lives better?

Where did we become a society that has become disposable? Past generations demonstrated commitment and consistency, they did not discard another due to an argument, or an object because it was outdated or had flaws. Why do we discard one another when we feel a situation or experience is not perfect? There is beauty in imperfections, and there is beauty in used objects, that long to be loved again such as an antique. Imagine a child that dreams of a bicycle, whose only wish is to experience childhood, however, due to economic circumstances can not afford one, only to learn that some cultures dispose of their bicycles because they are out of season or the wrong colour. We have become wasteful, decadent, and lost mindfulness to what truly matters. You can not place a price on what truly matters, which is human connection.

How we treat ourselves is how we then treat others or allow others to ultimately respond to us. We set a precedence and a tone for what we accept and allow. If we do not respect and honour ourselves or recognize our worth or value we become pliable to be molded and shaped by someone with motives. The beauty in finding oneself is the most beautiful gift of our time here on earth. To truly learn, heal, and to comprehend what makes us unique is what gives us life and existence.

Why do we accept despondence?

Where did we learn that we are not good enough? Is it a learned patterned behaviour or is it our internal dialogue of what we accept about ourselves from our illusionary perception of failures?

When you engage in dynamism, you place energy and enthusiasm on your progress. Your strength is your force of power. To beam with new innovative ideas, imagination, curiosity and a mind that is unparalleled is to engage in the faculty of wonder. To see beyond, to go above expectations, and to experience life with an open mind and heart is to embrace the unknown, to place yourself out there, to engage in risks, to explore your creativity through independence as you set the tone to define your own life. Your life will be filled with educational experiences and you will encounter teachers, mentors and those that will illuminate your path to enable you to return to your spiritual truth. When you balance the oscillation of life by remaining centred, true to yourself, with a grateful appreciative heart, you will then feel true compassion. When we adapt and adjust to life we become stronger as we extract the paramount lessons. Only through our experiences, our failures, our hardships do we learn to sympathize with others by aiding them along their journey through assistance during their physical, emotional, mental or sensitive periods of time. The gift of time can not be measured for it represents the ability to understand that our empathy can alleviate pain and suffering in others time of need. To comprehend and understand through deep inner reflection that the world does not revolve around ourselves, to be one with all, you must practice compassion, which enables the heart to open to trust others and accept interconnectivity. Value the timeless moments, the serene moments, the chaotic moments, the revolutionary periods, which then leads to peaceful resolutions which foster change. When we become aware of others emotional experiences, we transcend our own existence, and are then offered another perspective and outlook on life, which then juxtaposes our own set beliefs, core values or traditions.

Cherishing innocence is paramount. This could come in the form of seeing your beloved pet experience the first snowfall, the moment of pure wonder and awe, the experience of happiness in its purest form is what we must return to. We often take moments for granted, by remaining present we then fully embrace what it means to feel. Just like snowflakes which form complicated designs which can not be replicated, a moment in time can not be mirrored at a later date in the same unique form or fashion. Allowing ourselves to value moments is pivotal in our transitional stages for those moments define our character, how we view the world, how others will perceive us, and the more you remain inquisitive and flow with ease and grace, you then accept universal timing and direction. Moments shape us, our discoveries allow us to see beyond the norm. There is purity in stillness. To remain silent and to reflect is to give yourself the precious gift of peace through silent reflection. Only through our inner awareness do we discover inner truths.

Cherish the moments of your youth, remember the feeling of the first time you fell in love with another. Think, act, and respond to situation with the intention to create peace rather than disharmony. Recognize that the world does not revolve around your existence and that only through human connection do we understand the value of unity and community. Value your health, for it is sacred, there is only one you. Be mindful of others that are suffering, for their internal composition could enhance with your encouragement and support. The gift of time you give to another sets a precedence of how they will treat others, always be mindful of your example through your actions, words, thoughts, and overall behaviour, you are hero to someone you might have overlooked. Cherish the moments with your family and friends, you never know how long you will be blessed with their presence. Fully embrace love, allow others to understand and comprehend how you truly feel, human connection unites souls and enables us to learn self compassion, patience, unconditional love, and the value of human embrace through touch, just like a plant we can only survive through kindness, as it enhances our growth mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally and environmentally. Take time to dance, move, find your rhythm without compromise, music enables us to transcend time, to awaken to our souls internal need to express ourselves through sound as sound reduces anxiety, alleviates pain, improves memory, motivates and enhances our wellbeing. When you foster and accept collaboration, personal expression, creativity, and allow your soul to emancipate, you begin to find yourself in the intricate moments. Recognize that you have been granted the sacred gift of self expression, endless possibilities, and the ability to foster true purpose with meaningful connections. Dare to explore and travel, learn from other cultures and communities, experiment, begin to reflect and think globally rather than locally. Through the healing power of intention, synchronization, and manifestation, set your visions and goals too create a brighter future. Remove the self inflicted boundaries and confines on your life, take flight, and have faith in your wings that they will enable you to soar to unprecedented heights. When you learned through your restoration period that you can heal your core wounds that chained you to your past lifetimes you reduce the cyclical nature of generational learned behaviour and paradigms. You then set the definition on your own terms to live with determination and purpose for a greater cause, as you are a sacred multidimensional being. To learn that there is moment in the stillness is to flow with ease and grace. Be the difference. Your actions contribute great transformations when you embrace catharsis. When we release our repressed emotions, our core roots, that has caused despondence or indifference, we then fully embrace every spectrum of emotion that makes life worth living. To become a catalyst of change, engage in the purification process of your internal being, for only then does your environment reflect your new frequency. From your lived life experiences, you then help another emancipate through altruism at its highest form. Only through deep appreciation and gratitude for all that we have, do we then recognize the precious gift of our existence. Our life is sacred, value and honour the process. There is only one you.

[thatgentlewife]

Living a Slow and Purposeful Life in a Busy World 🐚🍄‍🟫🌞✨

In a culture that celebrates busyness and productivity, it’s easy to feel like you’re always running out of time. Social media can make this worse by constantly showing us others’ achievements, travels, and seemingly perfect lives. But life doesn’t have to feel like a race. Choosing to slow down and live more intentionally can lead to greater fulfillment, deeper relationships, and a clearer sense of purpose.

(I wrote a similar post for Christian’s if you’re interest that as well)

Here’s how you can embrace a slower, more meaningful life:

1. Start Each Day with Intention

Instead of jumping into the day with your phone or to-do list, take a few minutes to reflect on what truly matters. Journaling, meditating, or simply sitting quietly can help you set the tone for the day.

Tip: Write down three things you’re grateful for each morning. Gratitude can shift your focus from what you need to do to what you already have.

2. Put People First

Rushing through life often means we miss out on meaningful connections. Prioritize quality time with friends and family, and be fully present when you’re with them. Listening, sharing, and laughing together can bring more joy than any achievement.

Tip: Schedule time for loved ones the way you would for important meetings or tasks.

3. Simplify Your Commitments

Overcommitting is a major source of stress and overwhelm. Take a closer look at your schedule and identify what truly adds value to your life. It’s okay to say no to things that don’t align with your priorities.

Tip: Ask yourself, Does this activity energize me or drain me? Let that guide your decisions.

4. Be Mindful of Social Media

Social media can make us feel like we’re not doing enough, as we compare ourselves to the highlight reels of others. Limiting your time online can free up mental space and help you focus on your own path.

Tip: Turn off notifications and set time limits for apps that cause stress or comparison. Consider unfollowing accounts that make you feel inadequate.

5. Embrace Rest and Leisure

Rest is essential, not a luxury. Taking breaks to relax, daydream, or engage in hobbies helps you recharge and approach life with more creativity and patience.

Tip: Plan downtime into your week, whether it’s reading a book, taking a walk, or simply doing nothing.

6. Practice Living in the Moment

It’s easy to get caught up in planning for the future or dwelling on the past. Slowing down means focusing on the present, whether you’re sharing a meal, working on a project, or simply breathing deeply.

Tip: Try mindfulness exercises like paying attention to your senses or taking a few deep breaths to anchor yourself in the here and now.

7. Redefine Success

Success doesn’t have to mean being the busiest or most accomplished. Consider what truly makes you happy and fulfilled. For many, success is about meaningful relationships, personal growth, and enjoying life—not checking off endless tasks.

Tip: Define your own version of success. What brings you joy and purpose? Focus on that instead of chasing society’s expectations.

8. Let Go of Perfectionism

Striving for perfection can leave you feeling burned out and anxious. Instead, embrace progress over perfection. Mistakes and imperfections are a natural part of life and often lead to growth.

Tip: Give yourself permission to do things “good enough” rather than aiming for an unattainable ideal.

9. Celebrate Small Wins

Slowing down doesn’t mean giving up on your goals—it means appreciating the journey. Take time to acknowledge your progress and celebrate small accomplishments along the way.

Tip: Keep a journal of your wins, no matter how small, to remind yourself of how far you’ve come.

Final Thought

Living a slower, more purposeful life is about finding balance and focusing on what truly matters. It’s not about doing less but about doing what adds value to your life and makes you feel connected to yourself and others. By stepping back from the rush, you can create space to breathe, grow, and enjoy the beauty of the present moment.

“Life isn’t about the number of breaths we take, but the moments that take our breath away.”

With love,

Thatgentlewife

[greater-than-the-sword]

Yes everyone on here is completely right that you should try to see yourself as God sees you and recognize your value in Him and also that since love is the 'steady wish for another's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained' there's nothing wrong with having that desire for yourself and ALSO that to love your neighbor as yourself (as well as 'look out not only for your own interests but also for the interests of others') implies that you must also apply this to yourself just as if you were a neighbor, without personal bias BUT also I'm allergic to the TERM "self love" because of secular self-love culture and also its historic use in Christian literature to describe selfishness, egoism, self-aggrandisement, self-infatuation, narcissism, pride, et al. which in my opinion should pre-empt for priority of the term, we are a little late to redefine the phrase "self-love" if you ask me much less in the midst of a culture that sees that very term as synonymous with prioritizing self-interest above all else

[pearlprincess02]

taylor swift and harry styles composite chart houses

1st house: the composite 1st house rules the relationship itself and your outward identity together. It shows how people view your relationship, and how you come across together.

scorpio 1st house : with the composite 1st house in scorpio, you may seem like an intense, strong pairing, more formidable together than apart (depending on natal placements). this can help keep you together, but can also lead to emotional intensity, rage, and hostility at times, and you have to avoid trying to control one another. passion can run high in personal relationships, and this can lead to all sorts of problems if not properly used. this can be a transformative relationship, but that can be for better or worse.

1st house ruler in 1st house: your health is usually excellent and this placement usually indicates a long life span. it also shows a very outspoken person with a noticeable personality since you have the most untainted energy of your ascendent. shows a supportive and happy home during childhood. 

pluto in 1st: with composite pluto in the 1st house, this may be a relationship where you’re constantly struggling over power and control. you have to show one another the respect to not try to dominate one another, but this can be difficult. this relationship can also serve to deeply transform you, and you can touch on issues that are deep inside of you and you'd normally avoid. the darker sides to each of you may come out together.

2nd house: the composite 2nd house can show what you value in the relationship, how you approach money together, and how secure you are in the relationship together.

sagittarius 2nd house : with the composite 2nd house in sagittarius, you can be very giving together, and you can take risks financially or to acquire more of value together than apart (depending on natal placements). this can lead to bigger windfalls, but it can also lead to bigger downfalls, so some caution and homework may be needed. you can factor in the big picture when it comes to financial plans, and you can be much more open-minded together with your values and ethics.

2nd house ruler in 10th house: this means a person will earn their wealth through their wealth. this wealth will earn them good reputation and status. possible careers and income sources include financial jobs, speaking, entertainment, sales, modeling (profession which uses their face), and constant studies (higher education). if ill-placed, indicates the fall of reputation through career, lots of career issues such as no promotions or enemies in work place, bad dental of facial health, loss of wealth and respect, and financial losses from working with big companies or the government. 

mars in 2nd house: with composite mars in the 2nd house, you can take your time with one another, and you may not feel the need to rush with each other. once you do something together, you can stick with it and have more staying power. this is the house of money, so this placement is good for a business relationship built around making money. you can earn more money together than apart, but you can also spend more money and use up more resources, so you need to exercise moderation.

uranus in 2nd house: with composite uranus in the 2nd house, there can be some instability when it comes to your finances and resources together. in a personal relationship, you need to make sure you’re saving and being responsible, otherwise you may find you’re not in a good position all of the time. in a business relationship, this can be an excellent position for a business partnership that makes money in bursts, by commission, or in a sporadic way, as well as one focused on technology or the internet.

north node in 2nd house: you help inspire each other to move beyond your preconceived ideas about what is valuable. you can both help each other redefine your priorities. the ways you make money or the resources you both have can shape your shared destiny, and you may both work together to help each other reclaim or redefine what you hold as important. you may easily attract the resources you need to help support each other as you follow your higher path. this relationship can also help you both support each other’s growth and development as you work toward your higher aspirations together.

3rd house: the composite 3rd house can show how you are together in your immediate environment and what you focus on together day-to-day. this is a house of communication, so it can also reflect how you communicate in the relationship, and what you can think about together.

capricorn 3rd house: with the composite 3rd house in capricorn, you may not be super open with one another, and prefer to communicate when you each have something important to say or contribute. there is likely little small talk between you, and you may not seem like you communicate all that much, but you do try to with the important stuff. you may have more responsibilities in your immediate environment. You may focus together on your goals and long-term plans.

3rd house ruler in the 3rd house: if the 3rd house ruler is placed in its own house, then it indicates a person who is very brave and courageous, and full of constant self-confidence. shows a person who earns through personal efforts and thus, works hard throughout their life. also, shows a fortunate and happy relationship with siblings and a helpful local community. 

sun in 3rd house: with the composite sun in the 3rd house, you can have open communication and feel that you connect through your minds. this position can give a good mental connection and mental understanding, but you need to work on having an emotional connection, otherwise it can struggle to go beyond a casual relationship. this can be a good placement for a friendship, where strings aren’t necessarily important, but in a romantic relationship, you have to open up about more than just your thoughts, but your feelings as well.

mercury in 3rd house: with composite mercury in the 3rd house, this is a house naturally ruled by mercury, so communication can be very easy between the two of you, and you can more comfortable express yourselves and feel you’re being understood. this can be a beneficial placement for any type of relationship. you can feel you’re understood by one another better than with other people, and it can be easier and more natural for you to talk things over and open up.

venus in 3rd house: with composite venus in the 3rd house, you can enjoy communicating openly with one another and expressing yourselves within the relationship. you may take a more analytical, logical approach to the relationship, which can be an issue in a romantic relationship if you’re not making sure you have an emotional connection. talking with one another about your relationship can be important, and you can find it easier to understand one another intellectually. you can appreciate variety within the relationship, and may be more sociable together.

saturn in 3rd house: with composite saturn in the 3rd house, communication can be difficult, and you may not feel like you can be completely open with one another or have difficulty understanding each other. you have to focus on opening the lines of communication, and allowing one another to express yourself fully. continually working on improving your communication may be required, and without it, you just can’t see eye-to-eye.

neptune in 3rd house: with composite neptune in the 3rd house, you can struggle to understand one another intellectually, and you seem to be in a fog when you try to communicate with one another. you may imagine you’re each saying things that you aren’t saying. You have to work hard to see the logic in the relationship. you can develop an unspoken understanding between the two of you, but you need to be gentle with your words with one another.

lilith in 3rd house: you are both likely to express your rebellious and unconventional nature when it comes to the ideas you share. you can easily stimulate each other’s minds and encourage each other to break with tradition. you can support each other’s creativity and encourage each other to write or express yourselves in some unique way. your communication style also reflects your deep desires and subconscious power, and you don’t try to limit or confine each other’s messages. you can help each other find the power of your voice. you encourage each other to speak your mind and be true to your inner vision.

eros in 3rd house: a turbulent and atmospheric energy colors this relationship-something boarding upon seductive wordplay and trancelike body movements. seduction in the form of literacy and temptation. there’s often teasing and lead up to the intimacy here in this relationship and often times there’s a seemingly cold air surrounding your sexual nature to others many don’t see it while behind the screens an almost childlike and youthful sexual playground is the reality.

4th house: the composite 4th house can show how we connect emotionally, what we build together from the ground up, and what the base of our connection is (since this is the bottom of the chart).

aquarius 4th house: with the composite 4th house in aquarius, if you live together, you likely don’t want a home life that is normal or conventional at all. in a romantic relationship, you may opt not to sleep in the same bedroom (or just not live together at all!), and it’s alright. if you’re family, you may have an unusual relationship. emotional connection may be difficult to come by, and that has to be worked on in personal relationships, though there can be a base of mutual respect.

4th house ruler in 2nd house: the native’s desire to earn money may have manifested in their early childhood or was influenced by their family members. the things they value in life are often shared by their parents or family. their mother may have instilled a lot of their values in them and the native may enjoy spending money on them. the person’s home is often very important to their sense of worth and security and they may enjoy decorating and personalizing the home.

pallas in 4th house: you both work together to easily solve problems related to home and family. you may share a passion for housing issues or stand out as advocates for women, children, and families. you can both find unique solutions to housing and family issues because you see patterns and connections that others miss. through this connection you are both able to help lead others who are working on setting a solid foundation. you may stand out as an advocate who helps others find security in the midst of family crises. you may help each other find unconventional solutions to problems related to home and family conflicts as well. this relationship can help you both become more confident in pursuing your ideals and mission related to home, stability and family connections.

vesta in 4th house: you are both likely to devote yourselves to serving others through routines and habits related to home and family. you may see it as your higher mission to open your home to others in need. you may also find it is important to devote yourselves to serving and helping family. as a couple, you may see parenthood or even adopting or fostering children in need as a path to fulfilling your higher spiritual mission. you may sacrifice some aspects of your own personal desires in order to follow your higher path and provide security and comfort to each other.

5th house: the composite 5th house can show how we express affection, what we love and take pleasure in together. this house can bring creative energy into our relationships and allow us to express creatively together. the 5th house also rules children, so they can be impacted by the composite 5th house with someone you have children with.

pisces 5th house: with the composite 5th house in pisces, you can enjoy creative ventures and the arts together. you may take pleasure in helping other people together as well. you may be more affectionate with one another in a personal relationship when you’re alone and no one is watching. you can be incredibly generous with each other, and make big sacrifices for the relationship, but may need to be careful of sacrificing too much. if you have children together, you can also be quite sacrificing for them.

5th house ruler in 3rd house: when it comes to communication and writing, the native may be inclined to write about romance or they may write in a manner that conveys a very dramatic energy. the native’s children may be of a gemini nature and enjoy reading or writing. there is an element of risk with the 5th House - in this 3rd House, this may be expressed as gossiping about one’s siblings or neighbors, or using short distance trips as a means to gamble.  

6th house: in the composite chart, the 6th house can show how you approach daily life and the mundane together, how you work together (whether professionally or personally), and the general health of the relationship

aries 6th house: with the composite 6th house in aries, you can put a lot of energy together into the little things, the day-to-day, and getting things done. you may need lots of activity together in your daily lives, otherwise you may have difficulty with one another and can snap more easily. when something comes up in the relationship, you can take initiative together to work on it and try to make improvements.

6th house ruler in 2nd house: the native’s sense of security and self-worth is often benefited by the native having a consistent daily routine in place. if the native’s routine is for some reason disrupted the native may not feel secure or comfortable in themselves. the main purpose of their everyday job or menial work is to make income but will also serve the native’s sense of self-worth - the native is often very hard working and the job they do may even be related to finances. their co-workers may influence their self-worth quite a lot and will impact how well they generate income. when it comes to pets the native may spend quite a lot of money on them but may also be able to use their pets as a means to bring money in - above all the native’s sense of self-worth is likely to benefit from having pets. the native may spend a lot of money on their health and fitness as well as possibly preventing or curing illness. the native’s values may be shaped by their experience with illness. 

celeb's masterlist / moodboard / 7H - 12H

crd:

1h + 1h ruler

2h + 2h ruler + composite north node in houses

3h + 3h ruler + composite lilith in houses + composite eros in houses

4h + 4h ruler + composite pallas in houses + composite vesta in houses

5h + 5h ruler

6h + 6h ruler

[gillyeowalters]

Intercoil

An intersex person who identifies with the sexlessness, complexity, and (perceived) patience of a machine.

"Don't lean on me like I am your lover. Lean on me like I am an oven. Same warmth, less romantic commitment. "

While I like and identify with the original design of the intersex flag, it always seemed too 'smooth' for myself; my wholeness and completeness were never 'round', they were a back and forth, confusion, complexity.

My body has been fetishized, but to me, it is sexless. It is a chassis, carrying me around. It still is deserving of care and to be protected from vandalism.

I am patient. I will not give up, and I won't let other's ignorance throw me off my path. The tasks I set myself will be done, even with resistance, be it from external sources or smaller internal defects. The removal of these smaller internal issues is acknowledged as a side priority to assure the longevity of the machine.

People will not automatically understand my inner workings. But I expect them to read at least the first page of the basic manual; ignorance gets the machine damaged and yourself hurt.

And, most importantly, you do not get to just try to alter the machine into something else that is more to your 'liking'. The machine is running, and it is the way it is for a reason. You do not get to redefine that. If you try, you deserve to have your hands crushed.

The machine's own diagnostic program knows when it is time to alter its components and what specialists to contact.

Also, the machine is a nice and warm place for a cat to rest.