#joyful beginnings

[harmonyhealinghub]

The Lunar New Year: A Celebration of Tradition and Renewal Shaina Tranquilino February 10, 2024

The start of a new year is always an exciting time. It brings with it a sense of hope, possibility, and the opportunity for a fresh start. For billions of people around the world, this renewal takes place during the Lunar New Year. Also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, the Lunar New Year is celebrated by various Asian communities worldwide. It follows the lunar calendar and typically falls between late January and mid-February. This vibrant festival lasts for 15 days and is marked by colourful decorations, delicious food, family gatherings, and age-old traditions.

One of the most iconic symbols associated with the Lunar New Year is the zodiac animal. Each year in the lunar cycle corresponds to one of twelve animals – rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep/goat/ram, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. These animals are believed to influence personality traits and predict fortunes for individuals born in their respective years. In 2024, we will bid farewell to the hopeful Year of the Rabbit and welcome the strong Year of the Dragon.

Preparations for Lunar New Year begin weeks in advance as families clean their homes from top to bottom to sweep away any misfortune from the previous year. This cleaning ritual symbolizes a fresh start and invites good luck into their lives. Decorations play a significant role too; red lanterns are hung outside houses to ward off evil spirits while paper cutouts featuring auspicious phrases adorn windows and doors.

Food plays an integral part in Lunar New Year celebrations. Families gather around tables filled with sumptuous dishes that hold both symbolic meaning and cultural significance. Some popular culinary delights include dumplings (symbolizing wealth), fish (representing abundance), rice cakes (for prosperity), and oranges (a symbol of good luck). The reunion dinner on Lunar New Year's Eve is a cherished tradition where family members come together to share a meal and exchange blessings for the upcoming year.

One of the highlights of Lunar New Year is undoubtedly the lion and dragon dances. Colourful lion costumes are donned, accompanied by the thundering beats of drums and cymbals, as performers mimic the movements of these mythical creatures. The dance is believed to bring good fortune and scare away evil spirits. Fireworks also illuminate the night sky during this festive period, symbolizing warding off bad luck and welcoming prosperity.

Another cherished tradition during Lunar New Year is giving red envelopes or "hongbao." These small, red packets contain money and are gifted to children, unmarried adults, and employees as a symbol of good luck and blessings for a prosperous year ahead. It's an act of generosity that fosters joy and excitement among recipients.

Beyond the festivities itself, Lunar New Year holds deep cultural significance. It serves as an occasion for families to honour their ancestors through prayers and offerings at ancestral altars. This reverence for one's heritage strengthens familial bonds, instills values, and preserves traditions across generations.

While celebrations may differ slightly from country to country or region to region, the spirit of unity, hopefulness, and renewal remains constant throughout Asia during this auspicious time. Regardless of nationality or ethnicity, Lunar New Year has become increasingly embraced globally as people recognize its universal appeal in bringing communities together.

Lunar New Year is a vibrant festival that encapsulates centuries-old traditions while embracing new beginnings. It is a time when families come together, wishes are made for prosperity and happiness abound. As we enter another lunar cycle with the arrival of the Year of the Dragon in 2024, let us celebrate diversity and cherish our shared humanity through this beautiful celebration that unites us all. Happy Lunar New Year!

[stormy-seasons]

fic snippet, mature labelled because. ahem. ZhongXiao having a good time in the egg fic verse [Joyful Beginnings]

In answer, Xiao lays back against the stone floor, opening their posture to emphasise their willingness and readiness. "Please, my lord, Morax, please –"

They come together eagerly, and Morax's warm weight over Xiao, within Xiao, is comfortably familiar, comfortably overwhelming. Without the urgency of breeding urges, Xiao is content to take their time, to let Morax have them as slowly and thoroughly as he pleases. 

"M... Morax," Xiao gasps out, as Morax's weight on them shifts just so to that perfectly lovely pressure – as he fills them with steady movements – "More, please... pl–"

Morax chuckles, a sound like the rumble of rolling stone, and nibbles so very gently on Xiao's neck, letting the sharp edge of his fangs press just so as a reminder, before murmuring, "More? More of what, Xiao?"

"Your cock!" Xiao blurts out, blushing hotly at the sheer frankness of their words. "Give it to me –"

"We already have a lovely little clutch, Xiao." Morax answers, his breath hot against Xiao's skin as he slows his motions even further. "Do you want me to put another into you?"

Another? No, no, one clutch at a time, but – they need, they yearn for the pleasure of Morax's touch, why would he not – "Give me!" Xiao cries out, frustrated. Close, they were so close – Morax moves into them at that perfect angle and pauses – the familiar, wonderful pleasure of Morax's pleasure in them – A warbling cry of fulfilment sings out from Xiao's throat as they tip over the edge into orgasm.

[buttercupart]

timeskip Molly concepts - probably when she's around 16-17 ish, maybe even early college? ( I'm not a big fan of the "ooh the bubbly character gets older and is now SUPER SAD" trope so this is more like... Molly is still Molly, she just gets older and faces more hardships/life stressors that come with age, and struggles to maintain the same high level of positivity/resiliency she used to have )

[gio-cosmo]

He has NO reason to be looking this joyful here 😭

[animalcollectiveporn]

Claus and Ninten as Snow Wood Boarding School students.

[darkshrimpemotions]

Guillermo having more in his life than just pursuing vampirism for the first time in season 4--spending time with his human family again, having a human boyfriend (rancid as he was), actually having an income (even if he did have to embezzle it), being on a more equal footing with Nandor, coparenting Colin with Laszlo, working at the club with Nadja--IS directly connected to him not asking Nandor about turning him ONCE for almost the entire season or even alluding to it or mentioning it until 4x10.

Like we get so many allusions to Guillermo being a weird, lonely kid who was bullied and not very happy with his life or himself, and clinging to vampirism as something that would give him power to avoid being bullied and confidence to avoid loneliness and find happiness. He explicitly links "becoming a vampire" to "being happy" in "The Wellness Center," even

But by the end of season 2, Guillermo already has power, which only grows through season 3. And for the majority of season 4, Guillermo is happy as well. He's really enjoying his human life for the first time. So he stops asking Nandor to end it and turn him into something else...until nearly everything that made him happy is ripped away within the span of a few days.

But if I think about it too much I'll expire.

[joyful-enchantress]

For those that care, more progress was made this weekend and today.

Firstly, Saturday June 22nd was the memorial / celebration of life for my dad. It was a beautiful gathering that honored him in a perfect way and I think he would have been so happy with it. It was held in the showroom of an antique car dealership, instead of a funeral home. And his Ford Galaxy was front and center of the showroom. We put the memorial flowers that people sent in the trunk, and we literally put my dad in the driver’s seat.

SO many people came by during the course of the gathering. Some that I wasn’t expecting at all, and some that travelled quite far to make an appearance. My mom and I felt so loved and supported ❤️

And I do think it has helped me close a chapter of sorts in my grief journey.

The next chapter is healing. And I started that one today. I found a therapist that specializes in trauma and grief and I had my first appointment with her today.

There is still sadness. There is still pain, both emotional and physical. But there is also progress and healing and joyful memories.

Onwards and upwards ❤️‍🩹

[lesbworth]

web weaving for the buddhist and taoist monks from dream of the red chamber by cao xueqin ✨

[ch1zzie]

Please list 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the askbox for the last 10 people who liked or reblogged something from you! Get to know your mutuals, followers and all the wonderful people on here! Hope you've been having a wonderful new year so far ^^

Ooo, 5 things that make me happy are

Welcome home

My friends

People who are nice to me

Fun colorful things

And other things that I like to watch/play/draw!

There's many things that make me happy...way to much to list, I'm usually happy a lot! But anyway, I hope your year is going wonderful as well!

Also

EEEEEEE YOUR ART IS SO AWESOME

AAAAA

Julies for u

[pb-s-corner]

Drawings I made in my class' whiteboard, Close ups under the cut.

Jax (pink doodle) was done by my friend Luna. Most of them are copies of pictures I found on Pinterest, but I tried to do them in my artstyle

[optimisticcheesecakecupcake]

[stormy-seasons]

SNIPPET TIME

Joyful Beginnings!

Morax is even more attentive after Fushe's visit, and Xiao watches him fuss over the nest with curiosity. They lean towards Retuo, also coiled around the nest, and ask, "Why is Morax fussing even more now?"

Retuo looks back at them as though Xiao should already understand why, and sighs. "Is it bothering you?"

Xiao twitches as Morax fusses over the perfectly fine arrangement of warming stones in the nest for the fifth time in the same hour. It is as though Morax cannot help himself. Yet, as endearing as the sight is... Xiao reluctantly admits, "It's beginning to bother me."

Retuo huffs another sigh. "Then if you want him to stop, you'll have to redirect him. You, not me, Xiao. You are the clutch-bearer – it's your... contentment that he's fixated on. Give Morax something to do or something else to fuss over."

That... slowly, Xiao asks, certain that their idea is not appropriate, "Should I take him to bed?"

Retuo laughs, sharp and abrupt. "That is one option, yes. Morax has missed the outward show of your affections, though cuddling is also very wonderful. You were... not very much in the mood for softness and cuddling, before the clutch was laid."

Xiao blinks. Tries to recall what Retuo was talking about, combs through the somewhat unclear recollections of that time. Blushes, slowly, as they realise what might be part of the cause of Morax's fussing. "I – But I – you, both of you just – just let me –"

Retuo laughs again, and this time the fondness is clear to hear. "You were in the grip of very powerful instincts for the first time. How would you know what to be ready for? How would you know to warn us? We take no offence, Xiao. But Morax especially would welcome reassurance. He took your... unexpected watchfulness and uncertain reactions rather hard."

[namitha]

Greet October with a warm embrace, acknowledging its meaning in your life and contemplating the emotions you desire to cultivate throughout this month. Take a moment to reflect on your goals and aspirations, and let this be a time for setting intentions and envisioning the experiences you hope to embrace. As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, let October inspire you to embark on fresh adventures, nurture existing relationships, and find joy in the small, everyday moments. This month is a blank canvas, awaiting your dreams and aspirations to fill its pages with colorful moments and memorable achievements.

.

[kvroii]

0 - The Fool

[gonnabeokaykid]

thoughts in the tags. genuine reflection of the season so far. not with any malice. more slightly sad resignation and a reminder to feel joy.

this is just a tv show after all <3

[st4rstudent]

So. I have a BURNING question.

Are Mac and Winn your ocs? I know theyre in the Canon Lore, but did you make them and put them there?? Is this a dumb question? You're like, the Mac and Winn Authority. It just always made sense to me that they'd be YOUR toons, but now that I think about it, I've never seen anything implicitly stating that you made them...

So, did you?? Make them?

(No matter if you made them or not, i LOVE the comics you make about these guys. Youve really endeared them to me.)

very sorry to disappoint, but they're not! I didn't have anything to do with their creation or writing, they're canonical ttcc toons! I'm just a big fan of them, although I have captured them in a giant net like this

net-capturing aside, im very happy to hear I've endeared you more towards them! I like them a lot . looks at you with giant sparkly eyes