#natural adrenal care

[shamanichealingwithrose]

Adrenal Fatigue

In this post, I will explain how I recovered from severe adrenal fatigue due to low thyroid function using natural methods. Are you tired all the time? Do you struggle to get out of Bed? Do you automatically reach for a caffeine hit to get you through the day? Contrary to popular belief, drinking coffee, black tea, and cola drinks doesn’t give you energy; it simply appears to energise you by…

[homeofhousechickens]

Chickens likely domesticated themselves the same way wolves did which is basically by hanging around our settlements and eating our refuse.

Living with chickens in this sort of way was likely happening way before the estimated times of 8,000- 10,000 years ago. The relationship was likely already long established it was just during that time some chickens started developing smaller/weaker adrenal glands which caused them to become much easier to raise and handle which eventually lead to the domesticated chicken we know of today (and how that happened so suddenly is a completely different but very interesting topic)

Also due to this you could argue that there isn't any true wild red jungle fowl left untouched and uninfluenced by humans anymore. Not only due to constant cross breeding with domestic chickens but because red jungle fowl are still doing what their ancestors did in their current range, if there is a town or village nearby the bravest junglefowl will still choose to intermingle with the village and eat the refuse, agricultural byproducts, and waste. People will still catch and care for these "wild" birds like their ancestors did. This isn't to say we shouldn't try our best to preserve the wild red jungle fowls wild genetics, their should be populations left to be in their natural environment but it's likely they are not truly same wild birds they once were thousands of years ago and honestly that's OK because thats how its been for thousands of years.

[renphousa]

What is Foot Reflexology?

Foot reflexology is a popular alternative therapy that involves applying pressure to specific points on the feet, corresponding to different organs and systems in the body. This practice is based on the belief that these points, known as reflex points, can help relieve tension, improve circulation, and promote overall well-being. Reflexologists use their hands, fingers, and thumbs to stimulate these points, believed to release blockages and promote healing throughout the body. Many people turn to foot reflexology as a natural and holistic way to address various health concerns and to promote relaxation and stress relief.

Foot Reflexology for Stress and Anxiety

When it comes to relieving stress and anxiety, foot reflexology can be an effective way as it stimulates specific reflex points on the feet. Remember that there are some specific reflex points that can help in managing stress and anxiety, including the Diaphragm Reflex, Pituitary Reflex, Spinal Reflexes, and Adrenal Reflexes.

The potential benefits of massaging these specific reflex points include promoting relaxation and reducing muscle tension, improving circulation, and balancing hormone levels. By incorporating foot reflexology into a regular self-care routine, individuals may experience a reduction in overall stress and anxiety levels.

Does Foot Reflexology for Stress and Anxiety Work?

Foot reflexology can be effective in reducing stress and anxiety by targeting specific reflex points associated with the body's stress response.

Its application directly impacts the peripheral nervous system, crucial in the body's stress response. By targeting specific reflex points, foot reflexology can help to improve the flow of energy and promote a sense of balance and harmony within the body, leading to reduced stress and anxiety levels.

Beyond its effects on the nervous system, foot reflexology promotes relaxation by triggering the release of endorphins, which are natural "feel-good" chemicals in the brain. This can further contribute to stress reduction and overall well-being.

In essence, foot reflexology can be an effective stress management strategy, offering a holistic approach to addressing stress and anxiety by targeting specific reflex points and promoting relaxation within the body.

Effective Foot Massage Techniques to Reduce Stress and Anxiety

Effective foot massage techniques for reducing stress and anxiety include effleurage, a gentle stroking movement that helps to promote relaxation by increasing blood flow and releasing tension in the foot muscles. Thumb walking involves using the thumbs to apply pressure in a walking motion, which can help alleviate stress and reduce anxiety by targeting specific pressure points in the foot.

Another beneficial technique is kneading, which involves using the hands to gently knead and manipulate the foot muscles, helping to release built-up tension and promote a sense of calm and relaxation. Additionally, toe rotation can be effective in reducing stress as it targets the toes, promoting flexibility and relieving tension in the foot muscles.

Finally, ankle flex and stretch can help reduce stress and anxiety by promoting flexibility and relieving tightness in the ankles, ultimately leading to a more relaxed and tension-free state. Overall, these foot massage techniques effectively reduce stress and anxiety by promoting relaxation, increasing blood flow, and releasing tension in the foot muscles. Incorporating these techniques into a regular foot massage routine can provide significant relief from stress and anxiety.

[beatinginavoid]

The Mountain

Part 3 of 6. Part 1, Part 2

— — —

Don’t climb the mountain.

The townsfolk that lived at the foot of the mountain often made new signs and repainted old ones. All of the signs warned about the mountain, told people to beware, or blatantly said to turn around and go back.

There were rumours that the townsfolk were trying to protect Bigfoot or some other sasquatch-like being that lived up there somewhere.

This made the town an odd little hotspot for certain types of tourists, and even some film crews.

The latest traveller to the town, dressed in earthy tones, had also been drawn there to try and catch a glimpse of something legendary. The verbal warnings were brushed off. The signs were seen but ignored. Equipment was packed and ready.

“Nothing will stop me from taking this chance!” they resolutely declared.

So what happened when they climbed the mountain?

— — —

The trail up the mountain was very faint but still visible. It was obvious that at some point in the past it had been a well travelled track, worn into the mountain by innumerable feet. Then the mountain had been declared off limits, for safety reasons you had been told.

Safety reasons. Pfft. You don’t believe it, no matter how many times it was parroted to you.

It was just some local thing. It wasn’t actually illegal or anything, so here you were, trudging your way up on the track that nature had been doing its best to reclaim. Good thing your pants were sturdy, some of these plants had an attitude. You pick off a bit that got overly attached and flick it away.

There was something about hiking along a tough path or up a mountain that gave you this great sense of freedom and accomplishment. The air also seems sweeter in these places. It’s a freedom and sense of life that the big cities could never convey to you.

Leg muscles begin to burn at the steeper ascents, but you keep on. Your breathing is faster, heavier, and your heart picks up its pace, slowly getting more aggressive at banging on its cage bars. You push forward – there’s plenty of mountain left to climb and you haven’t even broken out any equipment yet.

About two-thirds of the way up was a cave. The entrance was something of an arch and didn’t face the sun whatsoever, so the whole thing was dark and covered in shadows. It offers a cool place to rest and you decide to take advantage, sitting down and breaking out a drink and snack.

Once you finish, you carefully wrap up and pack away the rubbish. No sense in spoiling the scenery, even if no one would trek up here and see it. Something echoes from deeper in the cave. Tiny little clicks and clacks of stone and the odd skittering noise of critters.

There are probably bats roosting in this cave that might have been disturbed by your pit stop. Once you leave they will settle back down. You stand up and dust off your clothes.

A low rumble echoes down from the dark depths. A cave-in? More clicks and clacks could be heard in slow intervals. They were getting progressively louder. Did you stumble onto the den of a bear?

You take a step back carefully, not wanting to trigger whatever animal is slowly stalking toward you. The darkness hiding the unknown creeps you out, and the scare factor activates your adrenal glands. The adrenaline floods your system. Your breathing gets faster and more shallow as your heart begins to race. Another careful step.

A loud growl reverberates off the cave walls. One more step back. Two brightly glowing yellow spots appear for a second before they rush at you. Something grasps your ankle and pulls hard, sending you crashing on your back to the ground. Your shirt rides up to your armpits and your back is scraped up as you’re dragged further into the cave.

Gurgles and growls echoed all around, and there is nothing you can do but go along, captive of this unknown beast. You close your eyes, not that it makes a lick of difference, and open them only when you come to a stop.

A faint light shines through your closed eyelids. All you can hear is your shaky breathing, the odd drip of water, your pounding heart thumping in your chest and head. Foetid air washes over your face and you open your eyes to see a creature you’ve only seen as stone statues perched atop churches and other grand buildings.

A gargoyle. A gargoyle?!

You can’t decide if this is better or worse than a sasquatch. You wonder if trying to reach for your camera is even remotely worth it. The grip disappears from your ankle and you instinctively scramble backwards, eager to put space between you and a creature that shouldn’t exist.

A stalagmite halts your escape. The gargoyle creeps forward slowly, and this time you can see it in all of its creepy glory. Two large fangs jutting skyward from its lower lip reach to slanted, predatory eyes. Small, ineffective wings twitch and flutter as a short tail with a whipcord tip lashes behind it.

A clawed hand reaches out, one sharp tip touching the sole of your shoe. Your foot starts to feel stiff and heavy and, to your horror, your whole foot and ankle appears to be stone. It scrapes across the cave floor horribly.

It pokes your other foot and it becomes dead weight as well, slowing you down as you try to get around the stalagmite. The gargoyle grins wickedly and easily catches up to you. It pounces and you flinch violently, throwing your arms up to cover your face. You feel a poke on a finger of each hand. You watch as your hands slowly petrify from your fingernails to your wrists.

Your hands and feet are now worse than shackles, the weight almost pinning you in place. The gargoyle appears in front of you again and slashes at your chest, rending your clothes into shreds and exposing the whole front of your torso. You gasp harshly.

The gargoyle pushes you flat on your back and your breath hitches. You look down, but you still see unmarked flesh, not a fleck of stone emanating from the clawed hand holding you down. The beast grins and gives a disturbing growly laugh.

Its hand moves up and down as your heart beats powerfully in fear. It moves the hand, tracing around the pumping muscle keeping you alive. The skin within the traced area turns hard and grey. You take in a sharp breath and there’s an odd feeling as that part of your chest doesn’t move with the rest.

Another tap of a claw and the stone portion of skin disintegrates, exposing muscles and bones. Your brain is screaming at you to move away however you can, but your body isn’t obeying, frozen in place. The claw traces the edges of the missing skin and the newly exposed part petrifies. Another poke and a good chunk of your sternum, part of your left ribs, and all of the muscles in between are suddenly gone. None of it hurt.

There, in plain view, is the sac that protects your heart, along with the edge of your left lung. Your heart is quickly pulsing and you can’t help but stare in fear and wonder. The tip of a claw pokes through the top of the sac and glides down. Both of its hands then ever so delicately peel away the sac, leaving your racing pump fully visible.

Each beat looks, and feels, very forceful. It squeezes, expands, and contracts as if it is trying to punch out an opponent, swiftly and aggressively dancing within your chest cavity. It’s amazing to think this one muscle is so vital to your life, and now you can see it working hard, completely vulnerable and at the mercy of your captor.

A slate grey hand reaches out, clawed digits delicately curling around your heart. The organ is lifted up, the apex now pointing to the ceiling. Your breathing is fast, shallow, and still shaky, your life literally in the monster’s hands.

Your heart pounds harder, faster, doing its best to work around the grip impairing it. It feels unlike any sensation you’ve ever felt before. You start feeling lightheaded as your pump fights against gravity and the blood wanting to follow it, the ventricles unable to fully fill.

A claw tip gives the apex the lightest touch. The pulsing tip of your heart takes on the now familiar grey and heaviness that means petrification. The apex is as still as stone while the rest of the muscle continues to move rhythmically.

The gargoyle gently places your heart back where it belongs and pokes the stony apex. The petrification spreads. So far it doesn’t seem to be impeding any function, but you know that won’t last. A forked tongue slithers from its maw and licks over the ventricles, atrium, and aorta.

It’s one of the strangest ticklish sensations you’ve ever felt.

The tongue wraps around your aorta and gently squeezes, just enough for you to feel it as the blood rushes by. Another tap, more growing stone, and this time you can feel the result. Your stone hands try and fail to reach up to your chest as it suddenly feels tight, a sharp ache zinging from the pump.

Another tap, more stone. Your ventricles bulge with every cardiac cycle as part of them are completely incapable of moving. The muscle is working harder to push out the blood, but you somehow know that it’s failing at the task.

A gleeful grin precedes another tap, another spike of pain. Almost half of the vulnerable organ is rock solid. Each beat causes the top half to violently flail with every distended thump, though the heavy part keeps it firmly in place.

The pace picks up even more, leaving you gasping for every breath as your heart strains under the load. Another tap makes you whimper, the pain increasing. The atrium and flesh halves of the ventricles balloon out with every fast contraction, straining to the maximum to get the job done.

It feels as if an elephant is sitting on your chest, crushing everything under an enormous weight.

Another tap, then another. You are beyond dizzy, your vision fading in and out of blurriness. Your chest is nothing but a sea of pain, poured into a bottle far too small to hold the volume of liquid. You gasp and wheeze, only one third of your heart functioning.

The part that is still flesh continues to pound erratically for several seconds until it stops, fluttering in place.

Your vision turns black and it feels like your throat has closed, no air getting through. Consciousness fades as your heart quivers in v-fib.

The gargoyle chuckles and petrifies the rest of the shuddering pump, releasing your aorta. It grips the statue that your heart has become, every blood vessel seemingly carved with the utmost care by a true professional, and rips it from your chest.

It carries its prize to a section of the cave where dozens of heart statues are displayed on a carved out shelf. It places the newest statue in line and grins proudly, forked tongue licking its lips.

Don’t climb the mountain. 

— — —

3 parts down, 3 to go. I'm having fun finding various supernatural ways for things to end. I hope any readers out there are having just as much fun reading about it!

[milkywayhou]

You've Got Email (König x OC: Medical Student!Snow) PART III

Summary: When the Colonel from some Private Military Corporation group accidentally send KorTac's secret file via email to a random civilian girl and now they develop some weird relationship.

or

Snow now overthinking about how fucked up her situation can be

TWs: Slow burn (not really), Implies stalking behavior. I just wrote this for fun.

Words Count: 1.9k (The email contain 1.3+ words while the rest was Snow's 4Chan post)

----

From: SnowFarron93@medschool.edu

To: Colonel_König@KorTac.mil

05/13/23 at 01:38 am

Subject: A late night conspiracy ramble…

Hey!

Once again it’s a late night and these weary med student brain cells are firing off all kinds of…interesting theories and connections, to say the least.

For example, okay hear me out, but what if Big Pharma is actually run by ancient shape-shifting lizard people from the center of the hollow earth who feed on human adrenal gland fluid harvested during rituals conducted at Bohemian Grove, and they started the pharmaceutical industry just to get us all addicted to medication so we’re docile little cash cows?!

I know, I know, it’s utterly ridiculous…buuuuut it would explain a few things haha! Anyways, somehow my winding thought process led me back to pondering your own doubtless intriguing backstory, oh mysterious Colonel.

You’ve given mysterious snippets here and there, but never a straight history lesson, you sly dog. Care to unravel some of those shadows for this thirsty student? Like how’d you get into this line of work anyway?

Maybe share something to take my mind off lizard people conspiracies before this insomnia kills me. You’ve got me curious now!

Conspiracizing but also bedridden,

Snow

----

From: Colonel_König@KorTac.mil

To: SnowFarron93@medschool.edu

05/13/23 at 02:01 am

Subject: RE: A late night conspiracy ramble…

You’ve a vivid imagination, to be sure. As for my own history…it’s nothing so fanciful, I’m afraid.

I grew up isolated, with only books as company. Social skills proved…challenging. The bullying was constant. All I wanted was to disappear into the quiet of nature, far from the incessant noise inside my head.

By 17 I was desperate to escape, and the military offered just that. I dreamed of being a sniper – controlling chaos from afar through calm precision. But my frame and restlessness didn’t suit remaining still for long. They saw potential elsewhere. They assigned as an insertion specialist instead. It was difficult, but taught discipline. In time I learned to turn noise into focus, chaos into strategy.

Now I protect others as I wished to be protected then. It brings…solace, of a kind. Purpose, where once was only turmoil.

Get some rest, Snow. Sweet dreams.

König

----

From: SnowFarron93@medschool.edu

To: Colonel_König@KorTac.mil

05/13/23 at 02:14 am

Subject: RE: RE: A late night conspiracy ramble…

I see.

Thank you for sharing that with me. I can’t imagine how difficult those experiences must have been, but I’m grateful you found your calling in spite of them. It takes real strength of character to turn trauma into purpose like that.

Also, I should say the bullying says far more about their weakness of spirit than anything about you. Their loss, as it brought you to where you’re meant to be – helping people in your own way. I can’t help but smile thinking of a tiny bookworm König dreaming of sniping lizards in the woods! Well, you may not be in the trees anymore but it seems your aim is truer than ever.

Thinking on childhoods, mine wasn’t all sunshine either as an awkward kid. Let’s just say blending in was…challenging, to put it lightly. Between moving a lot after my parents split and living with various relatives, school was an escape into study. Seemed the safest route to gain some footing and make the family proud, at least. Kept me busy avoiding the realities outside books for a while too, I suppose. Somehow I suspect lonely bookworm me and you may have gotten along splendidly if our paths crossed back then!

Anyways, not sure where I’m going with this aside from reflecting our younger selves may have found solace in one another, strange as that sounds now in these roles. At least we’ve come into our own in the end, in our own ways. Small favors and all that.

Just a light note before sleep – rest well, König!

Your friend,

Snow

----

From: SnowFarron93@medschool.edu

To: Colonel_König@KorTac.mil

05/28/23 at 08:27 pm

Subject: Essay Woes and Cadaver Flashbacks

Ugh,

My apologies for this incoherent word vomit you’re about to endure. I’m approximately 5-7 days into an all-nighter essay crunch and my last two brain cells are DANCING.

This final assignment is killing me dead but at least after it’s over I can finally be done with med school! *insert jubilant celebration emoji* Of course that’s if I don’t starve to death first living off instant ramen. I’m positively wasting away without a decent meal. At this rate they’ll be teaching anatomy lectures using my lifeless body.

Whoever invents a magic food delivery service that beams freshly cooked meals directly to overworked students is getting a freaking Nobel Prize. A girl can dream, right? At this point I’d kill a man for a good pizza. *hideshypotheticalmurderweaponbehindback*

Anyways, in my spiral of delirium my thoughts keep wandering back to that fateful day months ago when I randomly received your classified KorTac email out of nowhere. Still bewildered how you even had my address to begin with…were you watching me, Colonel? *pretends to be frightened but is secretlyflattered*

Getting that file was kinda scary at first, not gonna lie. Reminded me of the first time we received our cadavers – that creepy feeling of being watched even after leaving the lab. Is that what it’s like being you, always paranoid someone has intel on you? :)

Anyways, enough gibbering – just wanted to share my pain and also wonder again how our wacky email friendship began! Stay safe out there in whatever shady places your work takes you. And send help – I mean, good luck with all the classified stuff!

Tired and Hangry,

Snow

----

From: SnowFarron93@medschool.edu

To: Colonel_König@KorTac.mil

05/28/23 at 08:40 pm

Subject: WHAT DID YOU DO

KÖNIG I SWEAR TO GOD

I LITERALLY JUST GOT A DELIVERY AT MY DOOR. IT WAS PIZZA AND IT WAS ALREADY PAID FOR

DUDE TELL ME YOU DIDN’T HACK INTO MY LOCATION OR SOME SHIT. HOW DO YOU KNOW WHERE I LIVE??

I’M FREAKING OUT A LITTLE NOT GONNA LIE. I KNOW YOU HAVE ACCESS TO SHADY TECH BUT PLEASE TELL ME YOU DIDN’T TRACK ME DOWN

I was joking in my last email! Sort of! Please say this was all just a coincidence. I don’t need some extra secret stalker on top of everything else ;____;

Explain yourself soldier man!!! My paranoia can only be quelled with answers.

Sending mildly panicked regards,

Snow

----

From: Colonel_König@KorTac.mil

To: SnowFarron93@medschool.edu

05/28/23 at 09:12 pm

Subject: RE: WHAT DID YOU DO

Snow,

I assure you, any capabilities related to surveillance are reserved strictly for operations.

As for your delivery, consider it a small kindness from one overworked soul to another. Now eat, regain strength, and get back to that essay. You’ve proven quite resourceful in pulling secrets from shadows. But some mysteries deserve to remain.

Worry not and carry on with your studies.

König

----

From: SnowFarron93@medschool.edu

To: Colonel_König@KorTac.mil

05/28/23 at 09:25 pm

Subject: Spill. Everything. Now.

I appreciate the pizza bailout, don’t get me wrong. But my paranoia has now reached DEFCON 1 levels and it WILL NOT stand down until I get some answers. So spill. Just how much do you actually know about me? Do you have my address on file somewhere? Photos? Socials? Pet peeves? Middle name??

I understand need-to-know for operations, but this is need-to-know for my own peace of mind. Please assuage these frazzled med student nerves and assure me you’re not some mysterious stalker Colonel (unless that’s just part of your charm). I’ll even send new Luna's pics in return! Consider it a debriefing – you give, you get. Otherwise the wheels will keep spinning in my head…

Sincerely (and only mildly obsessively),

Snow

----------

>>Anonymous

05/29/23(Mon)22:37:10 No:132926391

Colonel Stalker Dude is freaking me out

Image: [Confused pepe scratching head.jpg 230kb, 400x400]

>Be me, a totally tired out and broke student

>Remember getting those shady files months ago

>Thought Colonel dude was cool and weird pen pal

>Even started to like him after long talks

>But NOW he knows my address???

>WTF how long has he been watching me

>On one hand it’s creepy AF but kinda flattering a high rank dude cares

>Other hand I don't want a secret stalker or to get disappeared

>Free food is nice but feeling stalked is not cash money

>Used to have bit of crush but now I'm skeeved TBH

>What do? Can't go to cops cuz questions. No close friends/fam

>Too broke to move or change info

>Maybe he’s just lonely but also maybe he climbs in my window ;____;

>What if he takes my organs in the night like some human harvester?!

>Only protection is my cat Luna and she's useless in a fight ;_;

>Try to be positive and asking him how much he know

>Currently waiting for his replied while I was writing this post

>Anons pls help, should I keep talking to possible stalker man?

Don’t want my organs harvested but also don’t wanna waste a free food connection

Very conflicted and slightly paranoid this girl is in DIRE need of advice

Anonymous 05/29/23(Mon)22:45:19 No:132926405: >>132926391(OP)#

Sounds like a thriller romance novel lol! He probs just cares in his own intense way. Keep talking but be safe, maybe feel him out more? Could be nnothing ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Anonymous 05/29/23(Mon)23:16:08 No:132926439: >>132926405#

IKR it does sound like a book! But what if it’s a prequel to a snuff film?! I’ll try to subtly find out wtf he knows without pissing him off…

Anonymous 05/29/23(Mon)23:37:12 No:132926502: >>132926391(OP)#

LOL girl chill no one climbin in ur windows. He prolly just admires ur spirit. Keep lines of comms open, set boundaries if needed but relax!

Anonymous 05/29/23(Mon)23:45:01 No:13292623: >>132926502#

You’re right, I do overthink! I’ll calm my farm. Thank u stranger, maybe he’s just a bored soldier man and not a psycho (´。＿。｀)

Anonymous 05/30/23(Tue)00:25:31 No:13292684: >>132926391(OP)#

Change ur info anyway, maybe he won’t go to ur new stuff. And get some locks/alarms jfc. Play it safe.

Anonymous 05/30/23(Tue)00:42:44 No:13292692: >>13292684#

Can’t change anything, I used my student email! And too broke for moves or upgrades, these loans gotta last :’( but self defense is a must, thanks!

Anonymous 05/30/23(Tue)01:28:19 No:132922735: >>132926391(OP)#

Send Luna pics. Also tell col u feel weird, set ground rules like no stalking. Maybe he just wants friendship. Be safe!

Anonymous 05/30/23(Tue)01:46:31 No:132922757: >>132922735#

[sleepy_Luna.jpg 1,3mb 1000x1000] You’re so right, communication is key. I’ll lay it all out clearly and see how it goes. Thx fren <3

Anonymous 05/30/23(Tue)01:59:36 No:132922805: >>132926391(OP)#

Maybe he liiiiikes you ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) whatever happens keep us posted! We’re invested now lol

Anonymous 05/30/23(Tue)02:08:55 No:132922822: >>132922805#

omggg don't say that!! Now I'll be paranoid AND flustered X_X But I definitely will update y'all, this is quite the melodrama unfolding

Anonymous 05/30/23(Tue)02:15:36 No:132922811: >>132926391(OP)#

Girlll tell that stalker if he wants a piece he gonna have to pay your tuition first! Then maybe you’ll reconsider the organ harvesting. Gotta respect your worth sis 💅

Anonymous 05/30/23(Tue)02:23:12 No:132922834: >>132922811#

Omg you genius!!! If he’s really interested he can sponsor my broke ass med student life lol. Alleviate my debt and he gets unlimited Luna pics, win-win!

Anonymous 05/30/23(Tue)03:01:46 No:132922839: >>132926391(OP)#

Lmao girl you been reading too many thrillers! Military guys have ways of finding people, changing email won’t do shit. Just ask him wtf is up like a normal person

Anonymous 05/30/23(Tue)03:39:44 No:132922926: >>132922839#

Ugh you make a good point, confronting is smarter than hiding. But what if he locks me in a dungeon for being nosy?! I have no one to turn to if I disappear ;-;

------

From: Colonel_König@KorTac.mil

To: SnowFarron93@medschool.edu

05/30/24 at 03:45am

Subject: RE: Spill. Everything. Now.

Snow,

Let’s just say I know more than you think. But rest assured, your privacy and safety remain my priority here.

As for debriefs, some questions are best left unanswered, even between…friends. Maintaining mystique has its place too, no?

Focus on your studies. I’ll focus on ensuring no more interruptions are needed.

Now get some rest. You’ve an early lab tomorrow if I’m not mistaken.

Sweet dreams.

König

----

From: SnowFarron93@medschool.edu

To: Colonel_König@KorTac.mil

05/30/23 at 03:47am

Subject: DUDE.

HOW.

----

This one was short because I've been busy with other stuff hahah. It sure took some twisted turn hmmM? or maybe poor Snow just over reacted ;)

Also love, comment and reblogged are really appreciate! 💖

[ascendingaeons]

Set As a Champion of Mental Wellness

One of Set’s most prominent domains is that of a Storm God. Ancient Egypt was the most far-reaching civilization known to history, to the point that less time has passed between the life of Cleopatra and the present day than the construction of the Great Pyramid. Ancient Egyptians had archaeologists and engineers to study and repair structures that were already millennia old. For much of its history, life along the Nile was homeostatic and predictable, so much so that Set came to embody all that was disorderly and unexpected.

Think about the scene in the Book of Coming Forth by Day where Set plunges His spear into the throat of Apep. Set is fighting for Ra when He is incapable of defending Himself. During a time of mental crisis, we are not unlike the linen-bound Sokar, our greatest nature suppressed during the nadir of drastic, catalytic transformation. And Who is there for us in our darkest hour but the very Eye of the Storm?

I recently drew a connection between storms and the release of stress hormones during traumatic moments. When we are in a dangerous or intense situation our adrenal glands release a chemical called cortisol which is essentially the “fight-or-flight” hormone. The release of cortisol is meant to ensure our survival until such time that the danger we’re facing passes, much like the role performed by Set on the Solar Barque.

Here’s the funny thing about that: danger always passes and, in that moment, a new kind of self-care is required. There comes a time when our bodies no longer need those stress hormones. Even though they once helped us survive during hardship they inevitably become armor that is otherwise detrimental and must be set aside. Consider that maybe the parts of you that are making life so hard are the remnants of those survival habits and that, even now, they are doing everything they can to keep you safe. They have no awareness that they’re making things worse. The key to healing, then, is loving the parts of you that are trying to kill you.

Set is a many-faced Netjer. The aspect of His nature I’m proposing is but one of many both within and beyond us. Set is simultaneously the tempest, the ship, and the very heart of the sailor. Were He much less than that He would not have been worshiped since before the dawn of the written word. That’s the funny thing about the perception of value: it is most prone to change depending on where we’re standing.

Mental illness is a multifaceted battle fought every single day. Some days offer ceasefires. On others, a violent storm can bring a reprieve. Many days can simply blend into one long continuum. Imagine this as a mountain, if you will, or the long hours of night mentioned in Ancient Egyptian papyri. Regardless of the imagery you choose, the implication remains the same.

This too shall pass.

I write this as I struggle with my own hours of night, from a place where it is easy to feel my prayers go unheard. Set is a bastion of the greatest form of strength – that which is self-begotten. Set is the one Netjer I do not have to pray to during hardship or crisis for one very simple reason: He is already and always there. It doesn’t matter whether you believe in the existence of Set or the Netjeru. What I offer you to take away from this is that no matter who you are or where you find yourself, you possess exactly what you require to take just one more step. That is what recovery and healing are, essentially, just taking one step at a time.

I offer you this lesson much as I offer my experience of it to Set. May it serve you well, my friends.

Dua Set!

Image is credited to Joan Lansberry.

[sidewalkchemistry]

simple skincare tips!

🌼eat the foods that love you back. your skin is a direct mirror of your internal situation. if your digestive system is being bombarded often by foods that create a lot of wastes and residues, that does more harm than good. and so, the struggle to eliminate them will be reflected in your skin. your diet constitutes the vast majority of your skin health. change your meals to be whole food plant based (still delicious, satisfying, and exciting) & watch your skin glow and your skincare routine simplify.

🌼be conscious of what's going on your skin. the skin layers can be over-cleansed, imbalanced, and aggravated when the skin microbiome and pH are disrupted. if you wipe out the beneficial bacterial populations with harshly formulated products, you may find that you break out (i.e. harmful bacterial populations begin to thrive). use gentle, simple skin formulas such as castile soaps, natural oils & butters (i recommend jojoba oil for mostly everyone), natural soap bars, and clays. most commercial skin care products disturb the skin cells (introduce too much foreign material to the body, unsuitable pH ranges, imbalance the microbiome, etc). they sell because it's convention to buy them, the brands are well-known, and their sales pitches are enticing. but really, no cream or serum will ever be the magic potion your skin was asking for. it will only be a band-aid, at best. truly healthy skin comes from diet, and the products are just for any other necessary maintenance. if you get a pimple, you should look first to why the pimple emerged, not what treatment will remove it.

🌼keep your lymph flowing. simple ways to do this are through good lifestyle habits. things like doing exercise & sports you find fun, breathwork, dry brushing, eating lots of fruit, avoiding wearing bras & other tight clothing items, lymphatic massage/gua sha can all be helpful.

🌼focus on hydration via fresh fruits and veggies. the water within plant foods is more useable to your cells, and your skin will cease being overly oily or dry overtime (especially if you reduce/eliminate your salt & oil intake). it will also help to encourage lymphatic flow, so you can see problems like blemishes, cellulite, old scars diminish after great consistency.

🌼allow your skin to breathe. this is especially good if you spend time in stuffy (poorly ventilated) indoor environments, like offices, hospitals, planes, etc. one great way is via herbal facial steaming (i recommend it 3x a week or so). make a hot infusion of an aromatic tea, cover it and allow it to cool a few minutes, and, with closed eyes, allow the pores to open and receive the herbal medicine (this is a great time to meditate, manifest, and just feel pampered). getting more fresh air, working up a sweat, and going to a sauna are also ways to allow your skin to breathe.

🌼avoid steroid prescriptions creams at all costs. they are very deleterious to health in the long term, and they can be very painful to come off of. it's not a real fix. it's not worth hurting your kidneys & adrenals for. evaluate your diet instead. do you eat dairy? choose plant-based dairy options instead (they're simple to make yourself too). do you eat a lot of fats? try oil-free cooking methods instead (opt for sautéing with a bit of water, baking, steaming, air frying, etc). avoiding eating out as much.

🌼be aware of what you're putting in your hair as well. your shampoos, conditioner, leave-ins, gels, moisturizers, oils, serums, etc all tend to touch your face too, when your hair touches your face. if they wouldn't be good enough to put on your face, don't put them in your hair. a lot of the best skin cleansers are also suitable as shampoos. a lot of oils and butters can be used for both. plant-based gels like aloe vera or flax seed are simple to DIY, and are dual-use once again. basically, this will simplify your life.

🌼understand the water that runs through your pipes. if your shower and tap water are like most people's around the world, they aren't optimal for our skin. for example, they contain added chemicals to sanitize the water but that can prevent the proper microbiomes from developing on your skin. a weak skin microbiome is prone to skin issues. so, try to use distilled water on your face (if you're not able to get a water filter, a gallon jug at a store is affordable. they're about $1.30 USD in my area).

[jubilationsart]

Your ferrets are so cuuute! My girlfriend and I were desperate to get ferrets (I've always wanted them) but then we heard they get sick a lot. Is that true? We could afford the vets bills but I'd just hate to see them suffering a lot.

yall fucked up asking me about ferrets. this is my tip of the iceberg thing i love. no one knows how actually crazy i am about ferrets i'm--

Soooo, yes. Pretty much all ferrets you find in north america are Marshall ferrets. They are mill ferrets and can be recognized by their dot tattoos in their ears. Over bred in facilities and sent out to either labs as test animals or petstores as pets. So they tend to come prone to illness. On top of that a lot of people feed them poor food-- stuff that has indigestible grains/veg/fruit and also don't understand their internal clock and natural light schedules that affect their body's hormones. They can't be in a lit room 24/7, they have to have light thats controlled to simulate day and night hours or covered enclosures during night hours. My partner and I have had a total of 4 Marshall ferrets in the last 13 years. They have all lived past the usual expectancy of 4-6 years. Lemon for example is going on 8 and JUST this year got diagnosed with the common Marshall disease; adrenal disease. Our 2 that passed away years ago lived to 7 but succumbed to cancer and adrenal disease. I do really think that we managed to have healthy lives for them for so long due to our daylight scheduling and raw meat diets for them. Because of that we decided to get ferrets from Europe as they are as far from the Marshal lines as you can get lmao. But on the Eastcoast of the US there are a lot of good ferret breeders with connections to European breeders. So they have healthy ferrets for just a tad more the $$ you'd get from petstores. We learned a lot from them and European breeders on best ways to care for them.

[justavulcan]

Backgrounds With Class: Simic Scientist

I'll be honest: Ravnica has always fascinated me. I was a high schooler when the first set came out, and I was immediately consumed creating characters for the setting. Now that we've actually received my long-awaited crossover, I thought it would be nice to write a love letter to the setting in the form of another Backgrounds with Class series. After all: some guilds have natural class choices tied in, from a conceptual standpoint. Boros and Fighter, Izzet and Wizard, Selesnya and Druid. But guilds aren’t class-restricted, and so I wonder what it would look like if you paired every class with every guild background, even the ones that seem at odds, like Izzet and Barbarian, or Gruul and Artificer.  So I thought about it, and this is what I came up with.  Some character concepts for each class, and each Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica background for each class.

The Simic Scientist Artificer was always a practical sort.  Enamored with the surgeon’s art from his youth and with a fast friend of decades working in the Izzet League, he’s found ways to adopt the other science guild’s technology for medical use on a number of occasions, particularly their chemistry.  The reverse is also true- unbeknownst to those around him, he’s been trading insider secrets for his colleague’s aid.  He doesn’t view this as a betrayal- to his mind, it’s a crime that there isn’t already an exchange of innovation in the regular course of things.  Surely their fields would advance much more quickly with the aid of other points of view.

The Simic Scientist Barbarian is an experimental direction for the Guardian Project, a soldier with adaptive talents flexible enough to change specialization on the fly or between engagements.  Trained with weapons and spliced with at least a little sluiceway scorpion, she believes wholeheartedly in the assurances of her experimental overseer that she will one day no longer need armaments of steel, as her hybrid traits and experimental mutagenic adrenal glands grow into full maturity.

The Simic Scientist Bard has a job as an educator, putting her keen understanding of biology and biomancy to work in the classroom imparting wisdom to her students.  Adept at teaching by multiple avenues to suit different learning styles, she is always conscientious to mix the practical and hands-on with deep concepts, and takes the careers of her students very seriously after graduation.  In her off hours, she works as a consultant for other matters, both in the lab and on the street, and has started to make a name for herself as one of the public faces of the Combine.

The Simic Scientist Cleric kneels at no altar that the people of Ravnica would know, but many of her peers would understand, if not condone.  The Simic Combine is not a religious organization, but surely they can see that knowledge itself is a thing divine no less than the Worldsong of the Conclave or the Orzhov’s Church of Deals.  While her colleagues view this eccentricity with bemusement and even occasional suspicion, she is more than welcome in the lab, as her work has an uncanny prescient feel to it, often making breakthroughs just when it would be useful.

The Simic Scientist Druid is an oddity even among Simic Biomancers.  Originally a Guardian Project volunteer, this druid is technically a krasis rather than a hybrid, as the ratio of hermit crab to vedalken is too high to qualify her as a simic hybrid.  Still loyal to the combine that reforged her into a clumsy new shell-bearing body, the druid serves the Hull Clade, her defensively-oriented mind an asset to guardian squads in the field and biomancers working with shell, carapace, and scale in the lab. 

The Simic Scientist Fighter is a typical product of the Guardian Project: a disciplined, careful, and tactically gifted elf with latent mollusc traits.  Trained for both long-range and short-range combat, he is being groomed for a position as a squadron leader to field both terrestrial and aquatic threats- a true amphibious soldier.  This flexibility is reflected in his mindset- despite his participation in the Guardian Project and aggressive skillset, he is a Holdfast advocate, claiming it’s far more important for the Combine to ground themselves than to expand aggressively; overreach is a mistake.

The Simic Scientist Monk is an experimental departure from tradition.  Raised deep underwater as a potential Deepsage, their tradition of unarmed combat has met with modern biomancy and medical knowledge to produce a warrior with a literal healer’s touch.  Mastering the flow of vital energies and fluids through their own body and those of others, they are as skilled a healer as a bodyguard, equally adept at setting bones and force-healing contusions as bringing death with a touch.

The Simic Scientist Paladin follows an uncommon tradition among elves, a holdover  from his time among the Selesnya growing up.  While he’s firmly an Upwelling adherent, confident that change is the way forward for the Combine, his own magical tradition is among the oldest on Ravnica, as he swore an oath to life itself to be a light in the world.  Many of his colleagues shake their heads at the juxtaposition, but he’s not dissuaded by their confusion- after all, Upwelling is a resurgence of old matters and ways, not an act of genesis.

The Simic Scientist Ranger is a field researcher, a lab assistant who, after his amphibian hybridization, seeks to assess the results of his guild’s work in the field.  From chill ocean below to lofty aeries above, he ranges to see that the Combine’s work finds its niche, and observe how the web of life on Ravnica changes to fit.  He’s also one of the hunters the Combine turns to when they have need of samples from exotic wildlife, or when a krasis proves disastrous for its environment and must be euthanized.

The Simic Scientist Rogue was part of the Combine’s covert troubleshooting force before the inception of the Guardian Project, and remains so to this day.  Usually dispatched as an investigator or recovery specialist, as the guild has ramped up its preparations for wartime she has found herself more and more involved in guerrilla action against threats preemptively.  Always a proponent of striking harder sooner, she is keen to do whatever she can to keep the Simic at its best.

The Simic Scientist Sorcerer, as a prospective member of Gyre Clade, often finds herself involved in the less physical of the guild’s pursuits.  Be it assessing the mana currents of the hidden oceans or seeking strange weather phenomena to observe the dispersal of energy, her apprenticeship has been anything but dull.  It’s helped to give focus to her talents, though, which run toward the stormy, and often leave her struggling to pay attention to things if she’s not confronted with novelty now and again.

The Simic Scientist Warlock came up from the zonots with the second generation of merfolk to grace the surface.  Having long ago made peace and pact with a great beast of the deep, she quickly found her talents for team support in high demand among Guardian Project strike teams and Crypsis Clade scouting missions.  She’s very protective of the fine abalone necklace she wears loose around her neck; it’s both a mark of her pact and the only thing she brought with her to remember her parents by.

The Simic Scientist Wizard is, by all accounts, brilliant- surgeon extraordinaire and transmuter-scientist of the Fin clade, it seems there is little he cannot do if he sets his mind and hands to it.  Of the two, the surgeon’s path is far more important to him, as he would rather save lives with tools and expertise than work at biomancy- so much so that he’s rejected or missed opportunities for more profitable apprenticeships in favor of earning his surgical license and trying for a private practice.  Unfortunately, the money’s run out, and he’s recently had to turn his mind from clean, sterile lab work to the rough conditions and uncertain developments of field work.

[insipid-drivel]

Hey, you. Yes, you. When was the last time you remembered to go pee? Now do me a favor on your way to the bathroom and stand on the very tips of your toes if you can, and then drop down with your full weight onto your heels.

Did it suddenly hurt somewhere in your back/abdomen on one or both sides? Congratulations! You may have a kidney infection! Get to urgent care/the ER ASAP because you need antibiotics before the infection spreads! It probably started out as a UTI or bladder infection you didn’t notice or that didn’t respond to medication the first time - superbugs are real, y’all.

No shame. Asymptomatic UTIs and bladder infections are surprisingly common and sometimes manifest with as little as an increased or decreased need to go to the bathroom. Some people get very ill with them because they have sensitivities to things like bath soap and are used to ignoring urinary pain. It happens all the time, is a major contributor to hospital/doctor bills, can be deadly, and about 40% of all AFAB people are destined to get a urinary infection of some kind in their lifetime. They’re less common in AMAB people (about 12% likelihood), but just as hazardous if left untreated. An untreated urinary infection can lead to Urosepsis, which isn’t nearly as fun as Eurovision. Urosepsis has a 30%-40% mortality rate.

For those interested, here’s how and why your piss pipes can turn dangerous: 

Kidney infections can be, and sometimes are, lethal. That UTI you had that resolved without antibiotics? Well, you got lucky, assuming you’re sure the initial infection cleared up on its own. Most kidney infections start out as urinary tract infections. It’s most usually caused by E. Coli, which is present on most surfaces, including other people’s skin. E. Coli is usually harmless unless it manages to infect, and if you notice that you get UTIs whenever you’re sexually active, a very common cause is a sensitivity to the bacteria natural to your partner’s body; you can reduce your chances of an infection by washing before sex and making sure you go pee as soon as you’re done to literally rinse out your urethra. Condoms and dental dams can also help depending upon your body chemistry, but not always. Properly using a bidet (they come in portable travel-size models now for like, $30, Americans) can also drastically help reduce your risk of an infection.

The problem is that the renal (pee) system is all connected by tubes and hoses that can be very easy for bacteria to climb. Here’s a very generic, non-gendered diagram:

(source)

Regardless of what you’ve got from a reproductive standpoint, that’s pretty much it! Same wiring and everything, save for that people who are AFAB aren’t typically born with prostates, which isn’t part of the renal system at all. People with short urethras (AFAB people, intersex, endocrine syndrome, etc) contract UTIS and bladder infections. AFAB or AFAB-similar people have a 40% likelihood of contracting a common UTI at least once in their lives. AMAB people only have about a 12% chance. The difference is so drastic because said AMAB people have pretty average external genitalia and therefore a much longer urethra than average for bacteria to try to survive colonizing. Drinking water and going to the bathroom regularly are highly effective at preventing a renal infection, because the bacteria literally has to climb its way from the urethra to the kidneys. Urinating helps to wash it out. Depending upon your immune system, it can take days or even weeks before the bacteria reaches your kidneys if that’s what’s going to happen.

Not only are kidney infections incredibly painful (There Will Be Blood), but those yellow nodules on top of the kidneys in that diagram I posted up there? Those are your adrenal glands. Where all of your adrenaline comes from. Those major veins and arteries also can give the bacteria unmitigated access to the bloodstream, which generally leads to sepsis, shock, and death. If your adrenal glands are infected, it can cause them to release dangerous amounts of adrenaline that can stress, damage, and even cause the heart to stop.

And no, cranberry juice and cranberry supplements will not cure you. If you have a full-blown infection, go to the doctor. You need a full course of antibiotics at the very least and probably urinary painkillers. AZO makes an over-the-counter brand in the US. It is non-addictive, temporarily stops the pain, but dyes your pee an electric orange color that will stain your underwear (fun fact: if you’re a swimmer or diver you can get a prescription for a version that turns your pee blue instead so nobody can see you pee in the water; my mom used it when she was a SCUBA diver). AZO is also responsible for making UTI home-test kits that you can buy on Amazon. The renal benefits of cranberries is largely a myth. The compound, which is good for a lot of other uses, is called D-Mannose, which kinda-sorta maybe can make it harder for bacteria to stick to the walls of your renal system and more easily flush out when you pee, but you do not want to play chicken with septic shock. It will kick your ass and you will die. If you’re experiencing urinary pain and/or a fever, get to the doctor.

[varshnarsh]

tips to get through something scary?

i’ve adopted a few different ways of thinking as of recently; they come in the form of one-liners: we have not got long to love so why wait + we must keep going and heal despite it all.

when people encounter something that frightens them, the hypothalamus in your brain reacts by releasing a series of chemicals to the sympathetic nervous system and the adrenal-cortical system. in the sympathetic nervous system, signals are sent out to release stress hormones. the adrenal-cortical system is also secreting hormones to other parts of the body, which instigates changes in your heart rate, immune + digestive system, etc. these send your body into high gear, activating your fight vs flight vs freeze. here, your nervous system can either shut down or you can regulate it and let it come back to equilibrium.

in november, i experienced the scariest thing that has ever happened to me. since then, i’ve been dealing face to face with fear in several instances (though nothing has been worse than that specific instance) and have come to the conclusion that you will never escape fear of any degree. it’s not something to be conquered. you’ll be afraid of one thing, get through it, move on, heal, and then you’ll get this pitted feeling in your stomach and realize you’re now afraid of something else. you will first have to accept that you are not against fear; fear is just trying to protect you and keep you safe from previously triggered feelings. moving against the current pushes you back with more force right? so move with it. a few practices that help me:

in therapy, i have brain-spotting (a form of therapy) sessions that actively focus on the fight vs flight process and works backwards to reframe how you process it in the present moment rather than afterwords. it helps with decreasing the chances of me intellectualizing the fear and actually facing it.

which leads to, if i am scared, whatever i am doing, i do it scared. whether it takes baby steps or leaps, i will be scared and open to every possible outcome, because 1. i have faced what i believed to be the scariest thing and i am okay now 2. we have not got long to love, so let me love myself and my fear and continue despite. if i am not okay afterwards, i will receive myself with grace and care. there will be things happening all the time, so we must keep going.

set aside 15 minutes of your day, put a timer on your phone, call it your worry/fear period. write down all your worries, scribble, journal, brain dump. cry about your fears, feel it HEAVILY, for those 15 minutes. put on a sad song, put on a song that makes you scared or feel a lot, and let yourself feel as uncomfortable as humanly possible. when the timer ends, take a few deep breaths. reset. you're okay. you felt it. you didn't think about anything else, you didn't try and find a solution, you just sat there and felt it. wholly.

if it's something you can manage, call up a friend or someone you love and talk it through with them. keep them on the phone while you do the said scary thing. you don't have to be alone. we are built for community. allow that love. the water from these interactions that will fall into your soil will help your trees grow.

sink into nature. this sounds odd, but it's something that's helped me before. i will take a walk with my dog or work out or meditate outside. body movement increases brain-derived neurotrophic factors known as BDNF which enhances cognition by boosting a neuron’s ability to communicate with other neurons. it also stimulates the production of brain chemicals norepinephrine and dopamine, which energize and elevate mood and can help bring clarity. this isn't a end-all, be all solution but a clearer mood can help stabilize the anxiety that derives from fear.

[random-thought-depository]

Re: this (@who-canceled-roger-rabbit, @transgenderer): I think more intense self-domestication is going to influence the history and present society of that species in a lot of subtle and not-so-subtle ways.

The silver fox domestication experiment:

"Belyaev was correct that selection on tameness alone leads to the emergence of traits in the domestication syndrome. ... Their stress hormone levels by generation 15 were about half the stress hormone (glucocorticoid) levels of wild foxes. Over generations, their adrenal gland became smaller and smaller. Serotonin levels also increased, producing “happier” animals."

In humans, self-domestication probably meant a dramatic increase in traits like altruism, agreeableness, impulse control, etc.. An even more intensely self-domesticated hominid species would probably have even more of those traits. This means a more intensely self-domesticated version of humans would probably have stronger social solidarity and less social friction. This would probably make their institutions work better than ours in subtle but cumulatively powerful ways. I think it'd probably also make their society more internally pleasant, again in often subtle but cumulatively powerful ways.

I think the effect would be weaker when you look at competition between groups; one of the benefits of high internal solidarity is that groups with high internal solidarity tend to kick the crap out of groups with low internal solidarity; self-domestication might strengthen in-group preference as easily as it might weaken it. So, I think these people would have a tendency toward in-group preference much like we do. I'm sure if you read their ancient annals you'd find plenty of wars, massacres, imperialism, etc.. But I think more natural cooperativeness might spill over to relations between groups too. Less fearfulness (because of lower adrenalin and stress hormones and more serotonin) might mean a weaker tendency toward xenophobia and a stronger tendency toward "Californian attitude" (thinking of David Brin saying if aliens landed in California one of the first things people would ask them is "do you have any interesting cuisine?"). Stronger impulse control would probably mean less "hot-headed" impulsive violence and hence easier peacemaking (I get the impression "hot-headed" spontaneous individual violence is often a huge obstacle to peacemaking in tribal conflicts; you do months of careful de-escalation and negotiation and then one person ruins it all with one impulsive punch).

The more "Californian" attitude to foreigners because less fearfulness thing would synergize nicely with their planet having a geography that encouraged a sea-centered and trade-centered society.

I said in my other post that I think this species has a bunch of factors going for them that I think might lead to them having faster progress than us in the pre-industrial era, and this is the biggest one.

[wizard-irl]

Birthstones: July🍦

July's birthstone is the ruby, the red variety of conundrum. Ruby's colour have led it to become a symbol of passion, love, and vitality. Let’s discuss its physical and metaphysical properties as we begin the month.

Ruby

Rubies are made from aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) and encompass the red varieties of corundum. All other colours of corundum are considered sapphires. The red colour is caused by chromium replacing some of the aluminum atoms, with stronger reds indicating a higher amount replaced. Also due to the chromium, rubies may fluoresce under under an ultraviolet light, leading them to appear even more red. Ruby often has inclusions, commonly needles of rutile, and are a sign that a ruby was formed naturally.

Ruby's metaphysical powers lie in the association people have with red, with it being believed to foster passion, motivation, and confidence, while also bringing joy, spontaneity, laughter, and courage. It may promote self-love and confidence, helping heal past wounds. Ruby is believed to enhance vitality, concentration, and self-assurance, and it is closely associated with passion, desire, and love. It is believed to repel danger, fear, and nightmares. Ruby is symbolically connected to the sun and represents attributes such as passion, protection, and prosperity. As for physcial effects, it is believed that it strengthensthe heart, muscles, and ventricles, improves circulation, sexual and reproductive health issues, combats tiredness, and stimulating organs like the adrenals, kidneys, reproductive organs, and spleen.

Corundum, in all its variations, boasts exceptional hardness, ranking just below diamond on the Mohs scale. Furthermore, its lack of cleavage grants it remarkable resistance to breakage. However, it should be noted that certain rubies may exhibit fracture filling, making them more ragile. When it comes to cleaning corundum, the best option is to use warm, soapy water.

Link to the masterpost. Sources below the cut. Masterpost archive is a WIP until the series is finished!

Sources

"July Birthstone", Gemological Institute of America.

"Ruby", MinDat.

"Ruby", GemDat.

"Ruby Formation & Origin | Ruby Education", With Clarity.

"Ruby Description", Gemological Institute of America.

"Ruby History and Lore", Gemological Institute of America.

"Ruby Care and Cleaning Guide", Gemological Institute of America.

"Ruby", Crystal Vaults.

"Ruby Meaning: Healing Properties, Uses, & Benefits", Tiny Rituals.

"Ruby Healing Properties", Charms of Light.

Image Source

[espectres]

@nulltune sent:

[ food ] sender brings receiver their favorite dish to cheer them up

CERAMIC PLATE HELD FIRMLY IN HIS GRIP, the lower surface still hot and seething against his freezing fingers, a strange comfort, but a welcomed one. The spoon in his grips clacks quietly, the savory smell wafting gracefully into his senses and bringing forth his long suppressed sense of hunger. He didn't know he was this hungry before his stomach would grumble and twist painfully, but Hakuno-san knew, apparently. And he certainly didn't know she could cook, skillfully at that, too, given the great aroma of spices and warm steam of rice from this serving of curry. 

Young eyes travel, slow and slightly disoriented glances. The meal on his lap carefully prepared for no one but himself. He still remembers their conversation, mundane useless banter about little important things, things that didn't really matter given the severity of the situation, of what they've been through, the tension in the air, the adrenal ready to viscerally spike into his blood at any given instance, always expectant of danger & threats that might befall him & his companion. 

But his opinion on such things was proved wrong with time, by his own considerations and the girl's memory, the simple choices she made to brighten the end of a long day. And he looks up and finds kind eyes offering him an encouraging look. She was hard to read, but honest and true, he liked being by her side, and it was quite fun at times, the way their mutual bluntness would often clash- he liked that, having someone to go back and forth with, someone who wouldn't take his openness for hostility- and that mattered too, despite trying to convince himself that he doesn't really care. 

His eyes sting dangerously, and warmth blossoms as he bites on a spoonful of deliciousness. He utters quick thanks, a vague sense of embarrassment painting his cheecks a stubborn bright red. He blames the sting in his eyes on the spice of his food, too scared to consider the emotions and dreaded nostalgia. 

" My pops would travel a lot ... "  He had told the little story earlier, something for the sake of lighting a mood, something to share a laugh. He'd told her how the staff in his home had no choice but to follow the words of a nine years old as they were told, and how he got to pick his single favorite dinner every night for a couple weeks. The same damn thing over and over just because he liked it, and his father wasn't around to say something about it. 

It was all good and dandy, until the child ended up in the hospital, quite comical, if you ask Shou.

His food goes finished in savory bites second servings. Warmed in his core and comfortable in his private space, Shou turns into another task, a paper in a sketchbook that has been hidden beneath his pillow, shy from the eyes of its rightful witness-  and colorful crayons from the depth of his backpack. He works on the piece quitely through the night, his sleeping schedule thrown to the back of his mind without care, it has never been a concern anyways. 

Besides, he doesn't have time, he reminds himself when getting the finer last details of colors and shades done. It's an experiment more than anything, not that he was unfamiliar with the delicate strokes of nature and the pastel colors of petals, but creating something for someone else was beyond unnerving. He can only hope she would like it, yet he can't find it in himself to stay and see her reaction. He wishes it was the nervousness alone, but he wasn't that much of a coward. 

Bad things seem to trail behind him like a stray dog which has gotten attached, how can he risk dragging anyone else into his never-ending problems ? Not now. Not yet. And his stubborn sense of independence takes over, he promises to take care of things, maybe then it would all be a lot more easier.

He leaves that night, a couple hours before dawn, not a trace behind but a piece of art, a bouquet of flowers traced by careful pencil lines and colored by soft crayons, wrapped up in too many ribbons, joyful pink tulips and elegant white roses and proud creamy angel's trumpets, surrounded by the smaller bunches of white yarrows and night scented phlox and forget-me-nots. Something for his friend, the best he can do.

He hurries along the empty streets towards a well known fate, ready to become lost and unknown and a simple stranger in the crowds, at least until he's found again by the eyes of his pursuers. The warmth of the encounter remains with him, helping him fight the relentless cold of both the weather and the empty house he'd be taken back to. 

A signature can be seen in the corner of the floral portrait, along a big text in the teens horrible handwriting. " Until next time. " It reads casually. 

" Until next time. " Shou hopes.

[mahadihasan155]

The Meaning of Jade Stone: A Symbol of Serenity, Strength, and Healing

Jade, a beautiful gemstone revered for centuries across various cultures, is much more than just a decorative stone. The meaning of jade stone is rich with symbolism, offering deep connections to emotional well-being, spiritual healing, and protection. From its calming energy to its ability to bring balance and harmony, jade has played an essential role in ancient practices and continues to be celebrated today for its profound benefits.

Spiritual Meaning of Jade Stone

The spiritual meaning of jade stone has long been associated with emotional healing and personal growth. Known as the "stone of serenity," jade is believed to possess qualities that promote peace, wisdom, and balance. It has been used by numerous civilizations, including the Chinese and Mesoamerican cultures, as a symbol of purity, immortality, and divine protection. People across the world have turned to jade for its remarkable spiritual properties, making it a powerful ally in the journey toward emotional and spiritual growth.

In metaphysical practices, jade is thought to align with the heart chakra (Anahata), which governs love, compassion, and emotional health. When the heart chakra is balanced and open, it is said to encourage healthy relationships, self-love, and the ability to give and receive love freely. The energy of jade is gentle yet powerful, helping to foster emotional stability and bring harmony into one’s life.

Jade also holds a special place in feng shui, where it is believed to attract positive energy, known as Qi. In this practice, jade is used to balance energies within the home or workplace, bringing peace and enhancing prosperity. By placing jade in the appropriate areas, it is said to invite good fortune, wealth, and protection.

The Healing Power of Jade Stone

Throughout history, jade has been associated with physical and emotional healing. It is believed that jade can help to release negative emotions, encouraging emotional balance and tranquility. In traditional Chinese medicine, jade was thought to have a soothing effect on the kidneys and adrenal glands, helping to detoxify and promote overall well-being.

For those seeking spiritual growth, jade is regarded as a stone that enhances clarity and intuition, allowing individuals to gain deeper insights into themselves and their life’s path. This gemstone’s healing properties are said to assist in self-reflection, guiding individuals toward personal growth and enlightenment.

Incorporating Jade into Your Life

Jade's significance extends beyond its spiritual and emotional properties; it also makes a stunning addition to jewelry and décor. Many people choose to wear jade as jewelry—bracelets, rings, earrings, and necklaces—as it serves as both a beautiful accessory and a talisman for protection and good fortune. Whether you wear it to enhance your energy or simply because you love its serene appearance, jade can be a meaningful addition to your daily life.

Aside from jewelry, jade is often incorporated into home décor, with jade sculptures, plant pots, and figurines believed to bring positive energy and good luck to the space. In feng shui, jade is commonly placed near entrances or windows to attract good fortune and create a peaceful environment.

Caring for Your Jade Jewelry

To preserve the beauty and energy of jade, it is essential to handle it with care. As a natural stone, jade can be delicate, so it is best to avoid dropping or hitting it against hard surfaces. When storing jade jewelry, keep it in a soft, protective box to prevent scratches or damage. Cleaning jade is simple; use mild soap and warm water to gently cleanse the stone, then rinse and dry it carefully.

Conclusion: The Timeless Significance of Jade

Jade stone continues to captivate and inspire people around the world with its timeless beauty and deep spiritual meaning. Whether you are drawn to its calming energy, its connection to the heart chakra, or its rich cultural significance, jade holds a profound place in history and continues to offer healing and protection today. By incorporating jade into your life, whether as jewelry or in your home, you embrace its enduring legacy and invite its powerful energies to enhance your well-being, prosperity, and spiritual growth.

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Understanding Stress: Causes, Effects, and Effective Coping Strategies

Stress is a natural response to challenges and demands in our daily lives. Whether it’s the pressure of meeting deadlines at work, handling family responsibilities, or dealing with financial issues, stress is a part of life. However, when stress becomes chronic or overwhelming, it can have a significant impact on both our mental and physical health. Understanding the causes of stress, recognizing its effects, and learning effective coping strategies are essential for maintaining our overall well-being. This article will explore the causes of stress, the short- and long-term effects it has on our body and mind, and practical strategies for managing stress effectively.

The Causes of Stress

Stress can arise from various sources, which can be broadly categorized into external and internal stressors.

External Stressors

External stressors are those factors in our environment or life situations that trigger stress responses. These include:

1. Work-Related Stress

Work is one of the most common sources of stress for many people. Deadlines, long hours, job insecurity, difficult coworkers, or the pressure to perform at high levels can all contribute to stress. In modern work culture, constant connectivity and the expectation to be "always on" can exacerbate the situation, leading to burnout.

2. Family and Social Stress 

Family dynamics, parenting responsibilities, care giving duties, and social obligations can all generate stress. Issues like marital conflict, caring for aging parents, or the demands of raising children often create emotional strain. Social expectations and pressures to maintain appearances or meet societal standards can also contribute to stress, especially for those who feel isolated or unsupported.

3. Financial Stress

Financial worries, such as debt, job loss, or the inability to meet basic needs, can cause significant stress. Economic uncertainty, rising living costs, or the need to manage financial obligations can leave individuals feeling overwhelmed and anxious.

4. Environmental Stressors 

External environmental factors, such as living in noisy, crowded areas, natural disasters, or the global challenges presented by events like pandemics or political instability, can trigger stress responses. These factors often create a sense of helplessness or insecurity, further compounding stress levels.

 Internal Stressors

While external factors can trigger stress, internal stressors—those that arise from within us—can be just as powerful:

1. Personality Traits

Some individuals are more prone to stress due to certain personality traits. For example, those with perfectionist tendencies may set unrealistically high standards for themselves, leading to constant pressure. Similarly, individuals with a type-A personality, characterized by competitiveness and impatience, may experience more stress in response to life's demands.

2. Negative Thought Patterns

People who tend to engage in negative thinking, such as catastrophizing or over thinking, may exacerbate their stress. Constantly worrying about potential worst-case scenarios or focusing on problems rather than solutions can amplify stress and make it harder to cope.

3. Unresolved Emotional Issues

 Past traumas, grief, or unresolved emotional conflicts can also contribute to chronic stress. Emotional baggage, whether from childhood experiences, personal loss, or unresolved interpersonal issues, can surface in times of difficulty, complicating the stress response.

4. Biological and Physiological Factors

Stress is also influenced by biological and physiological factors. Genetics and individual differences in brain chemistry may make certain people more susceptible to stress. Additionally, hormonal imbalances, such as those caused by thyroid issues or adrenal fatigue, can heighten stress levels.

The Effects of Stress

The impact of stress is far-reaching and can affect both our physical health and mental well-being. Understanding these effects can help highlight the importance of stress management.

Physical Effects

In response to stress, the body releases hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol as part of the "fight or flight" response. While this response is helpful in short bursts, prolonged activation of the stress response can have harmful consequences:

1. Short-Term Physical Reactions

Acute stress causes immediate physical symptoms like increased heart rate, shallow breathing, muscle tension, and digestive disturbances. These responses are typically temporary and subside once the stressor is removed. However, ongoing or repeated stress can leave the body in a constant state of heightened alertness.

2. Long-Term Health Implications

Chronic stress, if left unmanaged, can lead to serious health problems. Prolonged activation of the stress response can contribute to conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), heart disease, digestive issues (such as irritable bowel syndrome), sleep disturbances, and a weakened immune system. Additionally, chronic stress is associated with a higher risk of stroke, obesity, and diabetes.

Mental and Emotional Effects

Stress doesn't just affect our bodies; it has a profound impact on our mental health:

1. Anxiety and Depression

Chronic stress can trigger or exacerbate anxiety and depression. The constant pressure and overwhelming feelings that accompany stress can create a sense of hopelessness, leading to emotional exhaustion. In some cases, stress can also lead to panic attacks, which are characterized by sudden and intense feelings of fear or anxiety.

2. Cognitive Impairment

Stress can impair cognitive functions, making it difficult to concentrate, make decisions, or remember information. The constant worry and mental fatigue associated with stress can hinder performance at work or school and affect day-to-day functioning.

3. Emotional Regulation

Prolonged stress can interfere with the ability to regulate emotions effectively. Stress may lead to irritability, mood swings, or emotional outbursts, making it challenging to maintain healthy relationships with others. Over time, this emotional strain can contribute to social isolation.

Behavioral Effects

The impact of stress can also manifest in changes to behavior, which may further reinforce the cycle of stress:

1. Eating and Sleeping Habits

Many people turn to food or drink as a way of coping with stress, which can result in unhealthy eating habits. Stress eating, binge eating, or consuming comfort foods high in sugar and fat can lead to weight gain and other health problems. On the flip side, stress can also lead to a loss of appetite or difficulty maintaining a balanced diet. Similarly, stress can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to insomnia or excessive sleeping.

2. Substance Abuse

Some individuals may turn to alcohol, tobacco, or drugs as a means of coping with stress. While these substances may provide temporary relief, they can worsen stress in the long term, leading to addiction, health problems, and further emotional distress.

Effective Coping Strategies for Stress

While stress is an unavoidable part of life, there are many strategies available to manage it effectively. These strategies can help mitigate the effects of stress and promote mental and physical well-being.

 Psychological Strategies

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 

CBT is a highly effective therapeutic approach that helps individuals identify and reframe negative thought patterns that contribute to stress. By challenging irrational or unhelpful thoughts, individuals can reduce their stress levels and improve emotional regulation.

2. Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises, can help individuals remain present and reduce the impact of stress. These practices help lower cortisol levels, calm the mind, and promote relaxation.

3. Positive Self-Talk and Affirmations

Replacing negative self-talk with positive affirmations can help reduce stress. Encouraging oneself with supportive and compassionate language can foster a sense of control and reduce feelings of helplessness.

 Physical Stress Relief Techniques

1. Exercise

Regular physical activity is one of the most effective ways to combat stress. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosters, and helps regulate the body’s stress response. Whether it’s a daily walk, yoga, or more intense workouts, physical activity can provide significant relief from stress.

2. Breathing Exercises

Deep breathing exercises, such as diaphragmatic breathing, can help activate the body’s relaxation response, reducing the physical symptoms of stress. Techniques such as box breathing or progressive muscle relaxation can promote calm and reduce tension.

3. Sleep Hygiene

Maintaining a regular sleep schedule and creating a restful environment are essential for managing stress. Adequate sleep helps the body recover from stress and regulates mood and cognitive function.

Lifestyle Adjustments

1. Time Management: 

Effective time management can help reduce the pressure of looming deadlines and responsibilities. Prioritizing tasks, breaking large projects into smaller steps, and setting realistic goals can all reduce stress and improve productivity.

2. Social Support: 

Having a strong support network is crucial for managing stress. Talking to friends, family, or a counselor can provide emotional support and perspective, making it easier to navigate stressful situations.

3. Healthy Nutrition: 

A balanced diet can help manage stress by stabilizing blood sugar levels, reducing inflammation, and supporting overall health. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins can promote mental clarity and resilience.

Conclusion

Stress is a natural part of life, but when it becomes overwhelming, it can take a serious toll on our physical and mental health. By understanding the causes and effects of stress and implementing effective coping strategies, we can better manage stress and enhance our overall well-being. Stress management requires a combination of psychological techniques, physical stress relief, and lifestyle adjustments. By prioritizing self-care and seeking support when necessary, we can develop resilience to life’s challenges and improve our quality of life.