#nature，health，earthing，grounding，life，fitness

[steveyockey]

I paid $5 to access séamus malekafzali’s latest substack on palestine, here’s the full text,

It is easy to be lulled into a state of complacency, even with military occupation.

Israel’s occupation of Palestine has gone on longer than many of us on Earth have been alive, now going on 75 years. The levels of that deplacement, blockading, and violence have ebbed and flowed over years and decades, but that hand around the neck has always remained, even if how much it constricts has a tendency to loosen and tighten. Over 200 Palestinians have been killed by Israel this year in its occupation. News bulletins of them dying, oftentimes teenagers, come up through the headlines of Palestinian newspapers and channels as often as the weather. These deaths at the hands of Israeli security personnel are not isolated incidents, with soldiers materializing on roadsides and at checkpoints as unfortunate coincidence. They are constant spikes in the waveform of an incessant low-grade hum of humiliation, imprisonment, and destruction that has made daily life a forced agreement to constantly exist on the precipice of death.

This framing is not meant to be a tired retread of the conflict between Israel and Palestine or the nature of the Israeli occupation. This is meant to be a bulwark against the inevitable framing of this latest battle unfolding around Gaza, as it will appear in the Western media in the days to come.

There is a tendency, a deep-set one, to report Israel and Palestine as two countries that are on roughly the same playing field internationally, as you might report on a war that might involve Israel battling against a place like Jordan or Egypt. This kind of coverage obscures how deeply interlocked Israel’s military operations are with the fabric of the Palestinian society.

In the West Bank, settlements and checkpoints have made Palestinian land into a kind of comical archipelago, where in addition to being separated from Gaza by a huge land border, they are also separated from traveling to communities only a stone’s throw away from them without going through significant anguish. In Gaza, while no Israeli soldiers walk the streets, all their land borders are essentially sealed, their ports almost completely blockaded. Israel’s continued occupation has been so pinpoint and precise that its planes have gone as far as bombing bookstores, and its restrictions did not let up even when the COVID-19 pandemic reduced one health organization to carrying only as many tests of the deadly disease as could fit in a car.

This is not a matter of moral justification; one does not need to constantly busy themselves with having to make a full ideological conversion before understanding this. This is a matter of cause and effect.

What is the logical expectation, regardless of politics, ideology, culture, and creed, when a population of people is thrust into conditions that can only be described as an open-air prison, where every individual is a criminal in the eyes of the military occupying power regardless if they pick up a rifle or not, because there is supposedly always the threat that they will one day?

These are the basic conditions that have preceded the initiation of Operation al-Aqsa Storm this morning. As dawn broke on the morning of October 7, only one day after the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, Hamas’ military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, launched a military operation of unprecedented scope in its history. Hamas fighters would not only attempt to enter Israeli territory proper with ground troops, already in of itself an intensely bold action (though not without precedent in the past decade). This operation would be a combined incursion into Israel by both land, sea, and even air. Ground forces would cut the border fence into settlements surrounding Gaza, speedboats would make landings in southern Israel, and fighters from a newly-inaugurated paraglider division would fly over the border fortifications and then further inland.

Threats of an invasion of Israeli territory proper have been a staple of speeches from Hamas and Hezbollah and groups like it for years. There was a long-standing perception by outside observers that it was fanciful. An intentionally lofty piece of propaganda that fires up supporters while the real military wheeling and dealing is done under far more subtle and controlled terms, as with most militant organizations. After all, no Israeli-administered town, the ones occupied in Palestine during the initial 1948 war, had ever been taken in any war against the Jewish state since its creation, even by a combined force of multiple Arab national militaries.

That notion now can no longer exist.

At sunrise, Hamas fired a gigantic barrage of rockets into Israeli territory, a staggering 5,000 in the first wave alone. As Israeli military and police forces were distracted by fires and rocket destruction in residential areas of the country, Palestinian forces in Gaza proceeded to make their primary move.

After the sun rose, Hamas cut through the border fence surrounding Israel and sent both fighters on foot and on motorcycles into Israel. Images released by the group seem to tell a story in frozen figures. Israeli soldiers, strewn dead, caught by surprise, one having even rushed out so quickly that he put on his military gear but no other clothes except his underwear. An even grimmer story could be found in one of the IDF military dormitories, where an entire room full of soldiers had been massacred, only having perhaps seconds earlier gotten the alarm that Hamas had breached the perimeter, many of them seemingly mid-way through getting out of bed.

From there, Hamas made unprecedented move after unprecedented move. Hamas fighters moved as far north into Zikim, built on the former Palestinian village of Hiribya, and moved as far east as Ofakim, built on the former hamlet of Khirbat Futais. The Erez Crossing, for years the only legal border crossing that Israel operated with the Gaza Strip, came under full Palestinian control. Sderot, a city where Israelis had once gathered on couches dragged to high peaks to watch the bombardment of Palestinians, now found themselves facing down Palestinian fighters in their own streets.

An additional shock would come in Israel’s initial response. Amidst cataclysmic scenes like hundreds of ravers in the desert near Gaza fleeing on foot, neither the Israeli president nor the prime minister spoke in those early hours in the morning.

The Israeli high command, despite the continuous insistence of Palestinian factions that they would one day attempt to take the fight into Israel itself, had become complacent. They, like many observers of Israel-Palestine, believed the occupation they had constructed could go on forever, unburdened by the need to adapt. Israeli soldiers after all were now more used to sniping reporters and unarmed protesters than engaging in military conflict. Entropy was what was propelling the military occupation complex of the Jewish state, not a wholly active effort.

Despite an ungodly amount of Western military equipment, highly advanced anti-aircraft systems programmed to shoot down thousands of rockets, an international reputation for tenacity and strategic knowhow, and multiple victories against Arab nations again and again and again, all of it ended up being useless against a Hamas fighter flying in on a box fan and a parachute.

This failure is two-fold, and both are closely related. One is the expectation that things could go on as before without addressing the root of the issue (that being a military occupation of an entire state), and the other in expectation that those being occupied had no capacity to learn from experience how Israel’s military strategy operates, people who could then going on to capitalize on that knowledge.

There is a fundamental flaw in the perception of Western powers toward the Middle East in general and Arabs in particular that because the groups fighting with Israel or the United States are irregular, bereft of highly professional uniforms and dedicated gigantic military headquarters, that they do not have the same ability to strategize and to confront the forces that are occupying their countries. Flashes of how faulty this thinking is rear their head again and again, from Iraq to Afghanistan and everywhere in-between and around, but still the idea, unspoken as it may be, remains that they are fundamentally unequipped compared to the might they are fighting against. But Hamas has military strategists of its own, ones that understand the asymmetric situation they are dealing with, and ones that understand what the actual capabilities of Israel are, versus what their perception is.

The perception of Israel’s invulnerability versus what has actually been displayed today could not have been more different. Instead of being forced to immediately pull back, in essence making today a raid, Hamas has instead actually contested several Israeli settlements, which are still being fought over at time of this writing many hours after the initial incursion from Gaza began. A single Israeli soldier captured and held in Gaza used to capture the Israeli imagination for years; now there are believed to be not only tens of soldiers captured by Hamas, but tens of Israeli civilians as well, all now being held within the Strip. Hamas has also brought Israeli military vehicles back into the Strip, the novelty of working IDF equipment now under Palestinian control a source of celebration within the territory. Over 100 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the first day of Hamas’ attack, and nearly 1000 injured, a shocking early casualty count in an ongoing conflict where casualties on the Palestinians’ side are usually far more lopsided.

Israel’s response so far to Hamas’ operation has been to escalate rhetorically, with Netanyahu now calling this a war, and escalating its usual military strategy with Gaza, with carpet bombing now on an intense, concentrated scale. At the time of this writing, almost 200 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in only a few hours, with that number expected to rise significantly in the days to come. Already, news has come in of Israeli planes having leveled Gaza’s second-largest building, the Palestine Tower, which housed a plethora of media offices, in scenes reminiscent of Israel’s bombing of another tower block of media offices in 2021 that infamously took out the local bureau of the Associated Press.

As fighting continues into the night in ways never seen before since 1948, the question remains: after all these decades, why now?

The ostensible justifications of what the clincher was that sparked this operation are innumerable, but two appear to be most clearly illuminated: the recent increased activity of far-right Zionists at the al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem (hence the name of the operation itself), but just as well the indications that the Saudi Arabia and Israel may be close to a normalization deal, which would be the largest such development in the Abraham Accords yet. Hezbollah mentioned this operation as being a “message” and a “decisive response” to Arab nations pursuing the idea of normalization with Israel. Still, it is important to recognize that pinning the undertaking of a completely gigantic operation of this scale as just a simple message to Saudi Arabia would be reductive. As the Los Angeles Times’ international correspondent Nabih Bulos says of the matter:

“To pretend that Hamas did this to be a spoiler of KSA-Israel normalization is just downright epic in its navel-gazing nonsense.”

What is important to always return to is that eternally governing line above everything: the low hum of constant occupation, and who has been causing its spikes. Israel’s government, its most far-right in its history, has been on the warpath almost immediately from its inauguration, with figures like Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, now thrust to the forefront, doing everything large and small to provoke a Palestinian response. The hope is that the inevitable Palestinian response can mobilize the Israeli society, that it can be swiftly defeated by the Israeli military, and that the Israeli state can use such an opportunity to impose its sovereignty over what little of Palestine governed by Palestinians remains, and perhaps even what lies beyond it.

But that formula relies on the Palestinian side only accepting being provoked, themselves having no strategy of their own outside of firing rockets and yelling on television. Military occupation breeds a feeling of annihilation, but that annihilation is enclosed with it inevitable feelings of rabid and desperate hope, inspiring within irregular groups desires to try things never tried before. These are not always guaranteed to be successful: one may look at Aleppo when rebel groups managed to come together and break the siege on the city in the final stages of the battle, only for it to fall in the months to come anyway. Nevertheless, there is a real perception within Israel, communicated out to the world by its media and by its intelligentsia, that it is a nation on the verge of internal collapse, brought to the precipice by far-right forces it has let fester for decades without envisioning its eventual conclusion.

What does looking at how Israel is faring now communicate to Palestinian factions in Gaza? What do young people in Gaza, who make up 47% of the Strip’s population, imagine might lie ahead for them as they see these events unfold? What does a Hamas fighter imagine might be possible when, as the writer Josef Burton says, he exits a 25 by 7-mile space he’s never left in his entire life?

[ihavenothingtodo10220]

Hi, I was wondering if u could do Felix (skz) ideal type 🫶🏻 ty

Of course!

Quick disclaimer: His exact birth time is entirely unknown, so I calculated his natal chart with that in consideration. As such, this is not going to be as accurate as it could be, but as accurate as it can be with what I have to work with. This is all for fun, and not confirmed. I can be entirely off, as astrology isn't...An exact art when it comes to these things, but this is just based on astrology. This is not meant to be malicious, and take this with a grain of salt. With all that out of the way, please enjoy! Also i'm so sorry for how long this took it took me forever to start this then I had to rewrite it in my new format so...yeah.

Placements

First off, with his Virgo Sun. A Virgo Sun looks for a partner who possesses a strong sense of responsibility and reliability. They are attracted to people who can match their level of commitment and dedication. Someone with a well-organized life and a structured approach to their goals and aspirations will catch their attention. He appreciates a partner who can handle their own affairs with efficiency and precision. Intelligence and intellectual compatibility are highly valued by him. He wants a partner who can engage him in deep and meaningful conversations, stimulating his mind and inspiring his analytical thinking. Wit, a thirst for knowledge, and a rational mindset will captivate Felix's heart. He can appreciate a partner who can challenge their intellect and offer new perspectives.

In matters of emotions, Felix looks for someone who can provide stability and emotional security. He is drawn to individuals who are emotionally mature, grounded, and have a good handle on their feelings. A partner who can navigate through life's challenges with a level-headed approach and a calm demeanor will be deeply appreciated by the Virgo Sun.

Attention to health and well-being is paramount to him, and he seeks a partner who shares this value. A physically fit and health-conscious individual will be highly attractive to him. He appreciates someone who takes care of their body and mind, and who understands the importance of a balanced lifestyle. Felix also values humility and a certain level of modesty. He is not fond of big displays of ego or arrogance. Instead, he is drawn to people who have quiet confidence, understated achievements, and genuine humility. A partner who can appreciate the little things in life and find joy in simplicity will resonate with Lixie's practical and down-to-earth nature. He seeks a partner who shares his desire for personal growth and self-improvement. He is attracted to individuals who are constantly striving to better themselves, both intellectually and emotionally. A partner who is open to self-reflection, willing to work on their flaws, and constantly evolving.

Now with his Aries Moon, he wants a partner who exudes confidence and assertiveness. He is attracted to individuals who are not afraid to take charge and pursue their desires with unwavering determination. Someone who can stand their ground and meet their passionate energy head-on will definitely win his heart. Independence and a strong sense of individuality are highly valued by Felix. He wants a partner who can maintain their own identity and pursue their own interests, while still being able to come together and create a dynamic and exciting partnership. Freedom and autonomy are important to him, and he appreciates a partner who can respect and support his need for personal space and self-expression.

In matters of emotions, Felix looks for someone who can match his intensity and enthusiasm. He craves a partner who can keep up with his emotions and engage in passionate exchanges. An adventurous and spontaneous spirit will bring out that fire in him, and someone who can meet his emotional needs with equal fervor will earn his admiration. Felix is drawn to individuals who embrace challenges and are not afraid to take risks. He looks for a partner who can share his thirst for excitement and novelty. Someone who can push his boundaries, encourage him to step out of his comfort zone, and embark on thrilling adventures will win the Aries Moon's heart.

Honesty and directness are highly valued by the Aries Moon. He appreciates a partner who can communicate openly and transparently, without beating around the bush. He wants someone who can match his straightforward approach to life and relationships, as he has no patience for hidden agendas or manipulative behavior. Felix also values loyalty and commitment. He wants a partner who can be his rock, someone he can rely on through thick and thin. A steadfast and devoted person who is willing to stand by his side and support his ambitions will earn his respect and admiration.

Furthermore, Felix is attracted to individuals who possess a strong sense of self-belief and are not easily swayed by others' opinions. He wants a partner who can inspire and challenge him, someone who can match his fierce determination and encourage him to reach for the stars. He looks for a partner who can handle his occasional bursts of anger or impatience with grace and understanding. He appreciates someone who can diffuse tense situations and help him find balance when his emotions run high. A partner who can provide a calming influence and support his emotional growth will be deeply cherished by him.

With his Libra Mercury, he is attracted to individuals who possess beauty, charm, and can have intellectual conversations. His ideal type would be someone who is not only physically attractive but also intellectually stimulating. He wants a partner who can engage in deep and meaningful conversations since communication is very important to him.

In terms of personality, Felix is drawn to individuals who are diplomatic, fair-minded, and cooperative. He wants someone who values harmony and believes in compromise rather than conflicts. He is attracted to someone who can bring balance and stability to his life.

Felix also values partnership and seeks a relationship that is built on equality and mutual respect. He desires a partner who understands his need for balance and supports his quest for harmony in all aspects of life.

In men, their Venus can show what they're attracted to. With his Libra Venus, Felix wants a partner who embodies beauty, grace, and elegance. Physical attractiveness plays a large role in catching his eye, as he appreciates refined aesthetics.

However, it's not just about appearances for him. He wants a partner who has inner beauty as well. Kindness, compassion, and a gentle nature are traits that he values deeply. He wants someone who can bring balance and harmony to his life, someone who can be his equal and complement his own harmonious nature.

Intellectual compatibility is also important to Felix. He is attracted to individuals who can engage him in stimulating conversations, and who have intelligence and wit. A partner who can challenge him intellectually and share his love for art, culture, and beauty will surely capture his heart.

In relationships, Felix looks for fairness, compromise, and mutual respect. He values a harmonious partnership where both partners have the freedom to express themselves and make decisions together. He wants a relationship where both parties feel heard and understood, and where conflicts can be resolved through open and honest communication.

Now with his Leo Mars, Leo Mars men are known for their fiery and confident nature. He wants a partner who can match his enthusiasm and share his zest for life. He wants someone who can ignite his passion and keep up with his energetic spirit.

Physical attractiveness plays a significant role in catching the attention of a Leo Mars man too. He is drawn to individuals who exude confidence, radiance, and a strong presence. A partner who can command attention and carry themselves with grace and style is likely to capture his attention.

Beyond physical appearance, Felix values a partner with a magnetic personality. He wants someone confident, charismatic, and has a strong sense of self. A partner who can stand beside him as an equal, supporting his ambitions and encouraging his creative pursuits, will truly win his heart.

In relationships, he wants loyalty, adoration, and unwavering support. He wants a partner who can appreciate his need for attention and admiration, someone who can shower him with praise and affection. However, it's important to note that he also values reciprocity and expects his partner to have their own passions and ambitions.

Intimacy is an important thing for him, both emotionally and physically. He wants a partner who can match his intensity in the bedroom, someone who is open-minded and willing to explore new experiences. Emotional connection and passion go hand in hand for a Leo Mars man.

Aspects

With Mercury sextile Chiron, Felix has a keen intellect that is both insightful and sensitive. He is drawn to deep conversations that touches the soul and wants a partner who can provide emotional support and understanding.

The Jupiter opposition Pluto aspect indicates a powerful magnetism to him. Felix is attracted to intensity and transformative experiences. He wants a partner who can match his passion, someone who is not afraid to explore the depths of their own desires and ambitions.

The Mercury sextile Pluto aspect further enhances his allure, as he has a magnetic charm and persuasive communication style. He is attracted to people who possess depth and a mysterious aura, someone who can engage him in stimulating intellectual exchanges.

The Sun sextile North Node aspect suggests a sense of purpose and destiny in his relationships. He is drawn to partners who inspire growth and help him fulfill his potential. A supportive and encouraging partner who shares his aspirations would be his ideal type.

The Mars trine Ascendant aspect gives him confidence and assertiveness. He is attracted to individuals who exude strength and independence. A partner who can stand alongside him as an equal, supporting his ambitions while pursuing their own, would be highly appealing to him.

The Venus trine Uranus aspect adds a touch of excitement and unpredictability to his love life. He is attracted to unique and unconventional people who challenge societal norms. A partner who embraces their individuality and is open to exploring new experiences would captivate his heart.

With the Moon sextile Neptune aspect, he has a sensitive and empathetic nature. He is drawn to partners who are emotionally attuned and can create a deep emotional connection. A compassionate and nurturing soul would be his ideal match.

[maghamoon]

Reading a Birth Chart 101: The Complete Guide,

Part 2: Every House Has its Own Smell

glossary: the planets, planet rulership over the signs, elements (water, fire, earth, air signs), modes (cardinal, fixed, mutable signs), the houses and interpretation basics

last time, we spoke about the sun, moon and rising in all the different signs. through this, we slowly started to build an understanding of the 12 zodiac signs and planets.

today, we will learn about all the planets you can encounter in a chart.

they are:

sun- father, ego, self

moon- mother, internal reactions to external events, emotions, processing

mercury- intellect, communication, verbal expression, outward expression

venus- love, beauty, art, pleasantries, attraction

mars- passion, drive, movement, anger

jupiter- expansion, growth, generosity, the good natured father

saturn- difficulties, perseverance, hard work, the disciplining father

uranus- sudden changes, reform, activism

neptune- collective consciousness, dreams, spirituality

pluto- transformation, rebirth, power

the 12 astrological signs are ruled by these planets:

aries, ruled by mars

tarus, ruled by venus

gemini, ruled by mercury

cancer, ruled by moon

leo, ruled by sun

virgo, ruled by mercury

libra, ruled by venus

scorpio, ruled by pluto/mars

sagittarius, ruled by jupiter

capricorn, ruled by saturn

aquarius, ruled by uranus

pisces, ruled by neptune

aside from being ruled by planets, the signs can be divided into elements and modes

elements of signs:

think of what you imagine when you hear fire, water, earth or air.

fire is warm, it can be a spark or a flame, it can burn houses down or light them up.

water is fluid, it flows or bends to fit in any container, it cleanses you but also rains on you.

earth is solid, you sow seeds into it and with time it gives you results, it gives you ground to walk on.

air is everywhere, sometimes it’s the wind that blows heavily or the slight breeze that cools you down, it comes and goes.

fire signs: aries, leo, sagittarius

earth signs: taurus, virgo, capricorn

air signs: gemini, libra, aquarius

water signs: cancer, scorpio, pisces

modes of signs:

cardinal- leadership, initiative, charge

fixed- routines, stable, stubborn

mutable- adaptive, curious, dual

cardinal signs: aries, cancer, libra, capricorn

fixed signs: taurus, leo, scorpio, aquarius

mutable signs: gemini, virgo, sagittarius, pisces

The Houses: Part 1- Angular Houses:

(a/n- there are different house systems in astrology (whole sign, placidus, etc. we will get into those later). currently we will be talking about the significance of houses and the energies the planets dispose to them)

for these next examples i will be using whole sign:

remember when we talked about the rising sign or the ascendant? in astrology that will be your first house- AC, the sign opposite to it will be your 7th house or your descendant- DC, the 4th house is your imum coeli and the 10th house is your medium coeli/midheaven

imagine that the house system is a story unfolding within yourself, coming into full circle, this is how it starts:

1st house- your disposition, how you are seen, the start of your being, appearance

2nd house- your face, self esteem, your possessions, your hidden talents

3rd house- your siblings, communication, learning styles, short term travel or short distance travel

4th house- the deepest part of your chart, your home life, sensitivities, what is familiar to you, nurture and mother

5th house- your childhood, creativity, inner child, playfulness, ego, self, romance

6th house- your routines, work environment, work ethic, surroundings, cleanliness, health

7th house- shadow self, how you are when you get comfortable with people, what you seek and how you behave with partners/ people.

8th house- deeper levels of intimacy, your secrets and desires, the transformations you go through in life, shared wealth

9th house- seeking higher knowledge, higher education, spirituality, philosophy, government, law, travel

10th house- career, public image, professional environment, fame, the highest point of ur chart

11th house- working together, collective revolution, social organizations, friendships

12th house- subconscious pain, esoteric experiences, spirituality, sleep, dreams, escapism

Putting it All Together:

what happens when you first enter someone’s home? it’s different. not what you are used to. sometimes it can seem familiar.

that’s how the planets work in the different houses.

reader, you have an understand of the 12 zodiac signs, the planets and the 12 houses. now it’s time to put it all together.

here is an exercise for you.

take any planet- for example, mars. think of what it stands for.

now think of all the twelve zodiac signs, imagine how they would act according to the action of the planet. how would the dreamy pisces behave in mars? or the balanced libra? it must be easy for the fiery aries, right?

now, imagine those planets in the houses. the fiery aries mars but it’s in the homely 4th house, the compromising libra mars but she is careful with her public image, since she resides in the 10th house

what about the emotional cancer? how does she love? and if her love is in the 9th house is it emotional bonding through spiritual healing?

congrats, you have learnt the first few steps of intuitively reading a chart. you will get the hang of it!

i suggest reading blogs and posts like “venus in the houses” “pluto in the signs” or even the astro notes/observations here in the community. now that you have a basic understanding, you can further extend your knowledge!

good luck on ur reader journey, see u soon! 🤍

[official-ilvermorny]

Tarot and the Ilvermorny Houses

In recent years, I have learned more about Divination, the art of looking into hidden parts of the past, present, and future using one’s own inner eye guided by certain magical tools. Throughout my studies, I have come to realize that there are certain parallels that can be drawn between the suits of the minor arcana in Tarot and the houses at Ilvermorny. Each of the suits – Coins, Swords, Cups, and Wands – is often associated with a different area of life, much like the four individual “parts” of a magic user often associated with each Ilvermorny House. It is from this approach that this essay will attempt to further explore the nuances of the Ilvermorny Houses and their admittees.

Wampus — Coins

Wampus is known as the House of the Body, and the tarot suit of Coins is associated with the physical realm. The Coins deal primarily with finances, work, physical health, and anything that may belong to the realm of the five senses – what we can touch and hold. Thus, if this exploration holds any merit, we may see Wampuses grounded in the physical world, concerned primarily with what is happening in real time, what they can control or influence with their direct action.

The House of the Warrior may at first glance seem tied to the classical element of fire, but instead, think of the Tarot’s way of aligning Coins with elemental Earth. After all, a warrior is perhaps the most likely to be grounded in the physical realm as one who enacts changes in their world through their physical actions. In addition, much of the imagery in the Coins represents the agricultural cycle – planting, tending, and harvesting one’s crops. Similarly, Wampuses may view the world as a fertile landscape from which abundance may spring forth with the right tools and their own hard work. This suit also contains a warning not to get too caught up in what you can perceive with your bodily senses that you fail to remember that there are things beyond that which you can see.

With this interpretation, Wampus may lend itself to literal fighting and farming, but also to nature, activism, business, public safety, law, skilled crafts, athletics — fields where people understand the value of getting their hands dirty when necessary.

Horned Serpent — Swords

It is said that Horned Serpent is the House of Scholars and the Mind, and Swords are no different — this suit represents thoughts, ideals, and rationality. Its imagery represents a mind constantly at work, healthiest when it allows itself time for rest but prone to overactivity which may lead to restlessness and anxiety. So too may Horned Serpents find themselves capable of great feats of the mind, so long as they care for themselves by allowing themselves time for recovery and rejuvenation.

Swords also represent the element of Air. This may seem counterintuitive considering the Horned Serpent is a water-dwelling creature; however, may it be remembered that Air represents not only thought but (perhaps more importantly) communication, the air that passes out of our lungs to give us voice. What drew Isolt Sayre most to the Horned Serpent was its ability to communicate with her. So too we may find those sorted into Horned Serpent House to be interested in communication, the conveyance of one’s ideas and thoughts to others through verbal, written, or visual means.

As such, we will find Horned Serpents among top academics, including theorists, historians, and other scientists, not to mention those among the greatest of communicators, such as writers, orators, politicians, linguists, and actors.

Pukwudgie — Cups

The suit of emotions and intuition seems quite fitting for the House of the Heart. Emotions are our inner reactions to what may be happening in the outer world; they are a bridge between the two realms. This is also represented in the Cups’ relation to intuition — humanity’s innate ability to understand the world around us to some level without the need for conscious thought. The Cups’ imagery is at times the most fantastical of the suits, and the subjects are sometimes depicted doing something seemingly illogical, taking a leap of faith in hopes for better things to come. Pukwudgie is also the House of Healers, which makes great sense when one considers that all wellbeing is deeply connected; when one’s emotional health is poor, their physical health will be adversely affected, and vice versa.

The Cups also represent relationships and interconnectedness of every kind through their connection to the element of Water (after all, Water is necessary for every form of life on earth, and touches sea, earth, and sky in its ever-turning cycle, bridging the gap between the three worlds). The imagery of the Cups represents how our innermost feelings and intuition may affect our bonds with those around us — romance, friendships, family, and other partnerships. This also expands beyond inter-human relationships to our bond with the Earth itself.

It should be no surprise, then, to see Pukwudgies in every area focused on relationships, intuition, and mending broken things — healthcare, psychology, counseling, environmentalism, spirituality, hospitality, and diplomacy.

Thunderbird — Wands

The suit of Wands is the suit of passion and creativity, perfect for the House of Adventurers and the Soul. One may notice that much of its imagery revolves around merchants and fighters, which could be seen as the purview of Wampus; however, one must also remember that Thunderbirds above all else are those who take risks and set off to new places in search of excitement and adventure. Thunderbirds often feel a strong need for novelty, movement, progress, and expansion.

Wands also represent the element of Fire — interesting, perhaps, for a house whose mascot spends so much of its time in the air; on the other hand, what is lightning if not fire flashing in a storm? The Soul is complex and individualistic, and it desires to be known and to make itself known; there is a flame inside that demands to be let out so that it may shine. Thunderbirds often cannot help but try to make their mark on the world, whether for good or ill. The imagery of Wands is a reminder that fire can bring warmth and safety as well as chaos and pain. Strike a match and guide it to where it should go, and you bring light and life to even the most desperate; lose control, and you and those you love will get burned.

So, Thunderbirds may find themselves leaning towards fields in which they can best make a difference, make their mark, or find the necessary dynamism: the arts, teaching, activism, philosophy, entrepreneurship, innovation, and exploration.

Final Thoughts

As the reader may have noticed, there is overlap and nuance in what I have just described, as humans cannot be divided into neat boxes. Any vocation will find a strong foothold in any house. For example, a politician should be a scholar of philosophy and history, but they should also desire to heal people through the policies they write and support. A dancer certainly has great passion and creativity, but they are also grounded in their own body and the physical world around them.

There is something to be said too, about the interconnectedness of the Houses, the Tarot, and the wholeness of a human. Just as every House has overlap with all the others, every suit of the Tarot will bleed into the other suits, and every person has a body, mind, heart, and soul. We may tend to gravitate towards one part of ourselves, but we should not do so at the expense of the others.

Above all, remember the motto of Ilvermorny School: “As a family, united we stand.” Each member of the family is unique, and together we are stronger than we could ever be apart. Grow into who you are, and find the people who will support and uplift you and have strengths where you may not, and work together to make the world a better place.

———

~ Selwyn

[lady0ctavia]

As We Ponder Belief

(2p!Prussia x Reader) - Chapter 20

Note: This story is based vaguely during the mid 1200s in Eastern Europe where the Teutonic Knights fought the Northern Crusades to try and convert the native pagan population to Christianity. As a result, this story will have heavy religious themes all throughout. It should also be noted that, while referencing real-life events and locations, I am not striving for full historical accuracy. This is for the sake of the story I am telling.

Once again, this series will have heavy religious themes throughout, including discussions of bible stories, doctrine, and scripture verses, as well as critical analysis of Christian doctrine and beliefs. So, if you don't like that, you will want to skip out on this.

Also, note that we are now going into a pagan village. I wasn't able to find much good information on how they function and are laid out, so much of this is going to be derived from what little information I could find combined with my own ideas.

(y/n) didn't know how long she was crying, nor did she care. The only thing consuming her was that Adeline, her dearest friend, was alive. At the moment she lay curled up in the woman's lap as she weakly clung to her waist, sobbing into her skirt as Adeline knelt on the ground. (y/n) could feel Adeline's fingers gently combing through her hair, softly undoing whatever matted tangles she encountered. Months of stress, worry, and mourning poured from her eyes as she cried. Even Adeline was in tears, sobbing as she held her dear, albeit traumatized friend close to her, attempting to to reassure (y/n) that everything would be alright.

Adeline's torch now sat to the side, having completely burned out. But the two women managed to see fine without it as their eyes adjusted to the darkness.

"I thought you had perished!" (y/n) cried as she tried to steady her breathing and get herself together.

"And I, you," Adeline admitted. "But, (y/n)," The blonde gently took her friend's face in her hands, prompting her to look upward through her now messy, unkempt hair. "Where have you been? How did you survive?"

Sniffling, (y/n) rose to her knees, now kneeling before Adeline. After rubbing some of the dirt from her face, she answered.

"It's... Honestly quite the story, really. During the attack on our village, I was indeed injured and eventually passed out. I woke up with a stab wound to the abdomen and a broken ankle. Thankfully, I was rescued by the Teutonic Knights currently manning Malbork Fortress. There, they had a doctor who nursed me back to health. I was actually beginning an apprenticeship there as a nurse myself until the captain saw fit for me to go live elsewhere. It was on our way to another village that we were attacked and I was brought here."

As she spoke, the memories of the past few months flew by in her mind. The attack, waking up in the fortress, meeting Captain Nikolaus and the Belischmidt twins, befriending Gilbert and, of course, Gillen. The very thought of him caused her cheeks to blush a rosy pink, and (y/n) found herself thanking the Lord that it was too dark in this tiny room to tell.

"Goodness, that is quite the story," Adeline sounded breathless as if she were still processing the fact that (y/n) was indeed alive. "And, if I may ask, what of your traveling companions? You were the only captive the warriors returned with, so I assume they all...?" She trailed off, wary of setting off any unwanted memories.

"All but one were slain," (y/n) sighed, remembering the swift and brutal nature of the ambush. "The one that survived told me he would be back before retreating. Though if I am honest, I have no idea how he'll know where to look for me."

"Well, here's hoping," Adeline sighed in response.

"But that's enough about me," (y/n) shook her head before looking Adeline dead in the eye. "How on God's green earth did you end up here?"

"Well, that is quite the story as well. When the-"

The two young women were interrupted by someone entering the small hut. Still on edge, (y/n) almost immediately began to cower. But this reaction was nullified by Adeline resting a hand on hers. A figure stood at the cell and unlocked the wooden door before stepping in. (y/n) couldn't make out any features, other than the fact that they seemed to be a man of about average height. She was then shocked to hear Adeline and this man conversing with each other calmly in another language. A language she assumed to be that of the tribe. She was flabbergasted.

How can she be so calm? (y/n) thought to herself. When did she learn their language? Who is this man? Is he a guard? Or someone else?

Through her confusion, she barely noticed Adeline getting up and holding her hand out to (y/n). After getting her bearings, (y/n) took her hand and stood up, albeit cautiously, being quite wary of the unknown man in her presence.

"You can stay with me in my home for the time being. But first things first, let us get you cleaned up," Adeline gave her a reassuring smile.

"H-Home?" (y/n) didn't even try to hide the confusion in her voice. How could this place be home?!

Adeline gave a small, amused chuckle. "As I said, it is quite the story," She then grabbed (y/n)'s hand with both of hers. "And I promise you, I will tell you everything as we get you washed up," It was then that Adeline turned to the man and, once again, spoke to him in the pagan language.

The man responded by speaking a few words to Adeline in the same tongue. And, much to (y/n)'s shock and astonishment, he ended the response by giving Adeline a brief and chaste kiss on the lips. One she seemed to reciprocate.

(y/n) was floored. What is going on here?! As the man left the room, (y/n) focused all of her attention on Adeline.

"Uhh, A-Adeline? What was that?" (y/n) stumbled and fumbled all over her words, unable to process what she just witnessed.

Adeline responded with giggles. As if the kiss itself lifted her spirits straight to heaven above. "Like, I said I'll tell you everything. Now let's get you a bath. My husband said that he is already preparing one. Though it was initially for me," She gave (y/n) a smirk, one that (y/n) couldn't help but return with a smile. That is, before the reality of her friend's words hit her like a brick.

"Wait a second, husband?" (y/n)'s jaw just about hit the floor. Meanwhile, Adeline gave her a cheeky grin. "Alright, you know what? Take me to the bath right now so you can tell me everything, because I am so confused my head is about to split!"

Laughing, Adeline pulled her along. After exiting the hut, (y/n) looked around to see that it was still hardly morning. A very dim, grayish-blue filled the sky. While sunrise was certainly on the way, the sun had yet to crest over the mountainside. All around (y/n) was vibrant green grass and tall trees, with a thin, dirt trail bordered by wooden logs leading towards a clearing. Looking to the sides, (y/n) saw guards standing at either side of the entrance. Adeline continued to pull her along.

"Don't worry about them," She reassured. "They're just doing their job."

"Mhm," (y/n) only hummed, thinking about the harsh treatment she received before. Some job.

The two young women made it to a clearing surrounded by multiple homes. Large huts constructed out of wood. In the center of the clearing appeared to be a massive, unlit firepit. As she was pulled along, Adeline wove in and out between different huts, walking along wider, hardened dirt paths. The huts began to looks smaller, some even appeared like tends. The two women arrived at a small, admittedly cute, hut. One with wildflowers gathered around the front. It was there that a man was seen tending to the blooms.

He looked up at Adeline and, just like before, spoke to her in the pagan language. She spoke back, to which he nodded in response and gave (y/n) a kindly, welcoming grin.

His skin was pale, like Adeline's. But unlike Adeline, his eyes were bright, emerald green, and his shoulder-length hair a soft brown. He seemed very demure, certainly not one of the brutes who attacked her the day before. (y/n) offered a small smile in return, unsure of what to say or what to do.

"(y/n), this man is my husband, Tolys," Adeline informed, smiling upon saying her beloved's name.

(y/n) nodded, offering a small wave to the man, who waved back. Tolys stepped forward to open the door, allowing Adeline to lead (y/n) the home before closing the door behind them.

Previous Chapter - Next Chapter

Yeah Adeline, what the heck is going on? As always, let me know your thoughts!

[wet-paws]

----------------🌿Self Worth🌿--------------

When we have a knack to hold experience after experience that every time we're shown kindness, given attention, shown a feigned sense of empathy, handed flowers and it burns to the ground,. We come to one of two conclusions. It was our fault, or it was theirs., and after a point, whichever or both, you grow a lack of trust. In your judgment, in your willingness to try again and experience that familiar hurt. That sting. That Stab.

Wanna know why it hurts? You wouldn't have done it to them like that, or not as knowingly without change.

Pain is pain. To love is to be vulnerable. You can not have it genuine without both those and this truth. Even the right fit will make mistakes.

The point is, we are all ALWAYS learning. Always. No matter whether we wait for the right algorithm in a pause as the world continues around us or we go with a pace to maintain as the blood flows. Don't let what happened at that time and that time and that time stop you from experiencing today how you want, need, and deserve. Today isn't that time. You never ever ever have to go back to that time or that time..

Today is your time, and you Can discover new times with someone you deserve. Someone who is patient with your heart. Someone who doesn't see the big picture after it's gone because they're celebrating all of it in the very real excitement and sometimes struggle to balance that within the Now. With you in the Now.

There is so much beauty in the world.

Like Beaches? Humans go there.

Like Nature and Parks? Humans go there.

Like Bookstores and Libraries? Humans go there.

Sure, youll have your crabgrass laden field time and again,. Don't give up chasing those wildflower hills. The open skies. The laughter. The whimsy. The love of love.

Don't give up on your heart because someone else couldn't hold it right. Take the time you need to evaluate how you want it held now, and take the time you need with someone to discover their intentions and efforts to match. If they can't wait, if they can't do the time to LEARN and find the things about you that make you brilliant in YOUR eyes., if they can't take the time to appreciate what makes you you, or for you to have time seeing them for who they are, Really Who they are.. Let them go have less somewhere else. They aren't ready for you. Not the other way around. Small morals don't lead big dreams. Small excuses will never set sail to the ocean of big possibilities.

Your Pace Is Your Own, but Set One.

Even if that means you're not into dating again, even if that means you're not into Boys™️ again.

Even if you decide to wait x time before you feel you've allowed yourself adequate time to be okay for you and prioritize you and get back to you, before even considering another Dip into that big ocean.. just do what makes you feel Happy. You deserve that. At the end of every day. With or without someone.

You deserve to be Happy. Because you Do.

No excuses about back when, not deserving..this and that..no.

Today is today, and you are still Living Organic Matter. That deserves peace, sunlight, hydration, a chance to journal to the moon in night,. The right PH in the soil of your planted surroundings.

You deserve that, because painful as summer was, then,. In scortching your earth and wilting your leaves.. fall is upon you,. A chance to shake off and drop all the weight of those things,. Let them fall as leaves do to the ground and fertilize the life again after frost has thawed and melted in. Give the warmth a chance to hold your shimmer a while., to see it feed your roots.

Breathe. Today, you're here for you. 🌿

___________________________________

[Friendly reminder that this tag 📖 in my tags list will ALWAYS lead you to Positivity. Self Health, Internal Growth And Development, Truthful Reassurance, Tools to learn HOW to Fish and not just more fish in the now.. it is not monitored who shares or uses these posts. These ones I write myself just for all of you. It's for all of us. Share it. Use it. Recycle it. Chew it like ginger gum. For an intrinsic boost of wellness.]

[apollos-boyfriend]

new life smp: second origins

scott: fungal mage

fwhip: hare

gem: blazeborn

joey: TBA

katherine: TBA

lizzie: TBA

sausage: phoenix

seapeekay: beach crab

shubble: TBA

joel: dullahan

jimmy: monkey

stacy: TBA

strawburry: TBA

oli: TBA

owen: copper golem

scar: human

pearl: star

pix: TBA

martyn: TBA

full origins descriptors under the cut!

scott: fungal mage [impact - •••]

an explorer keen on knowledge and adventure, fit to travel the under and overworlds.

fungal hop [+] *

you can summon clouds below you and hop on them. cost: 10 fungus mana

dash [+] **

you can enter a veil of magic, throwing you forwards and making you invulnerable, invisible, and unable to activate plates. cost: 10 fungus mana

sporous relocation [+]

you can channel and condense warped spored into a magical laser, infusing them with magic. you will be teleported where they land, or where the laser stops. cost: 10 fungus mana

fungus mana [+]

the mystic aura that all fungi contain. you can harness it and use it as magic energy, but without it, you are powerless. gain fungus mana by standing on mycelium, warped nylium, or crimson nylium.

detrimental [-]

the combination of your fungus mana and your body makes food mostly useless to you. while you can still reap the benefits of shimmering foods, your hunger bar has no effect on your health. you must instead rely on your fungus mana to heal you.

magical essence [+]

you are naturally protected from fire and poison, as long as you have fungus mana.

shroom stature [-]

you have only 8 hearts, because you care little for your physical form. you will be reduced to 6 when without fungus mana. berry bushes will not puncture your fungal skin.

bioluminescence [+]

you glow to other players when in a light level of 0.

gaia's frequency [+]

you have mastered way of the earth, allowing you to mine red and brown mushroom blocks when sneaking as if you had silk touch.

bookworm [+]

you can craft mushroom blocks and bundles, ride mooshrooms, and you can brew up a killer mushroom stew.

fungal infusion [+]

you can fuse the magi mushroom with certain item, granting them power. create the magi mushroom by right clicking blaze powder atop red mushrooms in your inventory.

* you can use similar magic to boost yourself while gliding with an elytra, and use fireworks to assist flight. cost: 20 fungus mana

* you can also stop yourself mid flight, by crouching and pressing- cost: 5 fungus mana

** you become immune to fall damage if falling from a height of 5 blocks or more. however, you must have fungus mana.

fwhip: hare [impact - •••]

a race of burrow dwelling rabbits that had attained a level of awareness akin to humans. they inherited their proficient mobility.

bunny hop [+]

you build up momentum while in the air which is added to your movement speed. you keep built up momentum momentarily while on the ground. you may also gain momentum with your active ability.

photophobia [+]

note: fwhip didn’t show all the descriptors for his origin. he has more abilities, but these are the only ones with the official description shown.

gem: blazeborn [impact - •••]

late descendants of the blaze, the blazeborn are naturally immune to the perils of the nether.

fire immunity [+]

you are immune to all types of fire damage.

nether inhabitant [-]

your natural spawn will be in the nether.

burning wrath [+]

when on fire, you deal additional damage with your attacks.

hotblooded [+]

due to your hot body, venoms burn up, making you immune to poison and hunger status effects.

hydrophobia [-]

you receive damage over time while in contact with water.

sausage: phoenix [impact - •••]

flying from the pages of mythology, the phoenix is a legendary firebird that can never truly die.

rebirth [+]

in your normal form, you have more health and can use flight and ascent. if you lose your health, you shrink to your rebirth form. this form is 1 block tall, can use glide, and has low health. you return to normal form upon rejuvenation or death.

rejuvenation [+]

if you were in your reborn form, you will slowly return to normal form provided you are directly under the sun. standing in teh rain or in water will reduce progress towards rejuvenating.

roost [+]

while sneaking and not moving, you will gain progress towards rejuvenating in reborn form, regardless of there being sunlight or not.

radiant call [+]

full heals every player and mob within a 12 block radius. triggers automatically every 2 minutes. if you are in reborn form, regain some progress towards rejuvenation when this triggers.

helios' blessing [+]

when under direct sunlight, you receive a speed boost on land and in the air.

flight [+]

you have wings. only available in normal form.

ascent [+]

you are able to launch yourself into the air. only available in normal form.

fireball [+]

launch a fireball that deals damage and ignites the first entity it hits.

gliding [+]

you gain slow falling and jump boost. only available in reborn form.

fiery death [-]

your body sets the ground on fire when you die.

golden diet [-]

all foods restore very little hunger and saturation, except for golden foods, which function like normal.

water weakness [-]

you have decreased speed in water.

brittle bones [-]

you take more damage from falling and flying into blocks.

fire immunity [+]

you are immune to all types of fire damage.

seapeekay: beach crab [impact - •••]

crustaceans who like to rave, preferably on beaches.

home! [-][+]

beach biomes provide you with immense strength and fortification. you feel weaker outside of beach biomes if you stay in them for over 15 minutes.

rave! [+]

play the song of your people, and rave for your valor!

krusty [-]

you are a bit shorter and much wider than a human. your arms are 35% shorter than a human.

legs n' chelipeds [+]

your legs move much faster when in water, and you deal additional damage when wet.

crawler [+]

you descend down to the water until you stand on and walk on its floor, but move quite fast while walking. you can occasionally muster the strength to swim for a brief period of time.

pincers [-]

melee weaopns are half as effective because of your pincers. you deal more damage with your pincers.

shell [+]

you have a natural layer of armor.

crustacean gills [+][-]

you have a much higher oxygen capacity, but you require moisture to breathe. you lose your breath in very hot climates, including the nether. four levels of fire protection will allow you to remain cool and maintain moisture.

kelpomaniac [+]

you can eat kelp, which empowers your underwater vision, and oxygen capacity.

aqua affinity [+]

you may break blocks underwater as others do on land.

unwieldy [-]

the way your hands are formed provide no way of holding a shield upright.

joel: dullahan [impact - •••]

an accursed headless horseman, who uses their nightmarish powers to trap the souls of their prey in lanterns.

binding chain [+]

you can impale a target with a barbed chain, immobilising them and inflicting wither.

behold a pale horse [+] *

conjure a speedy nightmare steed that will remain for 2 minutes in the mortal world. this has a 5 minute cooldown.

spectre’s dismay [+]

shoot an explosive wither skull projectile at your prey.

cower, run [+] *

even your presence is scary, making enemies blinded with fear.

death’s tools [+] *

you always carry items with you gathered on your journeys as a horsemen.

the pact [+][-]

your contract to hunt souls empowers you under the light of the moon, but during the day you are weskened, making your thirst for souls insatiable.

soul devourer [-] *

food does not satiate your wretched form. as a horsemen, you can't eat anything - only being able to absorb the souls in soul lanterns to give you nutrients.

boned [+] *

when hit, you have a chance of dropping bones.

cursed [-] *

any items imbued with a curse can seal you inside the weapon and kill you.

note: joel didn’t show all the descriptors for his origin. the rest were taken from the wiki here, although the wording of the descriptions he did show differ from the wiki. they're all the same core abilities, just with different wordings, although it's possible there could've been some tweaks done as well. wiki-based descriptors are labeled with a *.

jimmy: monkey [impact - •••]

rulers of the jungle and cousins of the humans, these mammals have a great mobility but not a big brain.

vine hook [+]

you can throw a vine to move around the trees.

master climber [+]

you can climb everywhere by shifting at the cost of stamina. you can also hang up from ceilings

small but agile [+]

you are 1 block and a half tall in order to move swiftly through the jungle.

tailwind [+]

you are a little bit quicker on foot than others.

stamina [-]

you have a stamina bar that runs down whenever you are climbing.

strong body [+]

you take 80% less velocity based damage.

not a good swimmer [-]

no monkey has ever been able to swim.

monkey jump [+]

you can lunge at the cost of stamina.

monkey brain [-]

you are unable to use either a bow, crossbow, or shield.

owen: copper golem [impact - •••]

the copper golems are a curious automaton, designed to improve the lives of others. since they were initially prototyped, they have gained a greater knowledge of redstone components and ways to utilise them.

repairs available [-]

your body cannot be naturally or magically mended. you instead repair by consuming copper ingots.

oxidation [-]

your copper body makes you susceptible to the elements, oxidising you over time. oxidation can be removed with an axe.

galvanise [+]

honeycombs allow you to wax yourself, staving off the effects of oxidation for several minutes.

lightning rod [+]

while in thunderstorms, you’re much more likely to get struck by lightning. you are immune to lighting, and de-oxidize when struck.

copper plating [+]

your chassis is made out of copper. as a result, you passively have resistance.

local area networking* [+]

you have modified an antenna to fit to your head permanently to recieve radio signals.

micro machine [-]

you are only one block tall, and your maximum health is reduced.

automaton [+][-]

your body doesn’t experience hunger, and you don’t benefit from natural regeneration.

button masher [+]

your programming gives you an overwhelming urge to press buttons. every time you press a button, redstone dust will drop.

tinkerer [+]

you can quickly convert a redstone component into its similar counterpart.

transmute [+]

you are able to transmute copper into other metals, allowing you to craft more metal items.

toolsmith [+]

you can also use this skill to create various metal tools.

circuit corrosion [-]

being submerged in water will damage your internal circuitry. your plating will protect you from rain, however.

heavy metal [+][-]

you don’t need to breathe underwater, but your dense body holds you down.

* active ability. when standing within 5 blocks of unwaxed copper, emerald, or diamond ore and blocks, you will beep. you oxidise faster while this is active.

scar: human [impact - •••]

a regular human. your ordinary minecraft experience awaits.

pearl: star [impact - •••]

you are absolutely glowing!

luminant glide [+]

you are able to launch up into the air, and will slowly glide until you reach the ground.

luminant [+]

you light up the area around you.

starlight [-][+]

you’re smaller during the day, but larger at night.

gravitation [+]

the gravity of the earth is less taxing upon you at night.

immaterial [-]

you have 2 less hearts.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Man’s Own Character No Ground of Peace

by Horatius Bonar

If God testify against us, who can testify for us? If God’s opinion of man’s sinfulness, his judgment of man’s guilt, and his declaration of sin’s evil be so very decided, there can be no hope of acquittal for us on the ground of personal character of goodness, either of heart or life. That which God sees in us furnishes only matter for condemnation, not for pardon.

It is vain to struggle or murmur against God’s judgment. He is the Judge of all the earth; and he is right as well as sovereign in his judgment. He must be obeyed; his law in inexorable; it cannot be broken without making the breaker of it (even in one jot or tittle) worthy of death.

When the Holy Spirit opens the eyes of the soul it sees this. Conviction of sin is just the sinner seeing himself as he is, and as God has all along seen him. Then every fond idea of self-goodness, either in whole or in part, vanishes away. The things in him that once seemed good appear so bad, and the bad things so very bad, that every self-prop falls from beneath him, and all hope of being saved, in consequence of something in his own character, is then taken away. He sees that he cannot save himself; nor help God to save him. He is lost, and he is helpless. Doings, feelings, strivings, prayings, givings, abstainings, and the life, are found to be no relief from a sense of guilt, and, therefore, no resting-place for a troubled heart. If sin were but a disease or a misfortune, these apparent good things might relieve him, as being favorable symptoms of returning health; but when sin is guilt even more than disease; and when the sinner is not merely sick, but condemned by the righteous Judge; then none of these goodnesses in himself can reach his case, for they cannot assure him of a complete and righteous pardon, and, therefore, cannot pacify his roused and wounded conscience.

He sees God’s unchangeable hatred of sin, and the coming revelation of his wrath against the sinner; and he cannot but tremble. An old writer thus describes his own case; “I had a deep impression of the things of God; a natural condition and sin appeared worse than hell itself; the world and vanities thereof terrible and exceeding dangerous; it was fearful to have ado with it, or to be rich; I saw its day coming; Scripture expressions were weighty; a Saviour was a big thing in mine eyes; Christ’s agonies were earnest with me; I thought that all my days I was in a dream till now, or like a child in jest; and I thought the world was sleeping.”

The question, “Wherewith shall I come before the Lord?” is not one which can be decided by an appeal to personal character, or goodness of life, or prayers, or performances of religion. The way of approach is not for us to settle. God has settled it; and it only remains for us to avail ourselves of it. He has fixed it on grounds altogether irrespective of our character; or rather on grounds which take for granted simply that we are sinners, and that therefore the element of goodness in us, as a title, or warrant, or recommendation, is altogether inadmissible, either in whole or in part.

To say, as some inquiring ones do at the outset of their anxiety, I will set myself to pray, and after I have prayed a sufficient length of time, and with tolerable earnestness, I may approach and count upon acceptance, is not only to build upon the quality and quantity of our prayers, but is to overlook the real question before the sinner, “How am I to approach God in order to pray?” All prayers are approaches to God, and the sinner’s anxious question is, “How may I approach God?” God’s explicit testimony to man is, “You are unfit to approach me;” and it is a denial of the testimony to say, “I will pray myself out of this unfitness into fitness; I will work myself into a right state of mind and character for drawing near to God.” Anxious spirit! Were you from this moment to cease from sin, and do nothing but good all the rest of your life, it would not do. Were you to begin praying now, and do nothing else but pray all your days, it would not do! Your own character cannot be your way of approach, nor your ground of confidence toward God. No amount of praying, or working, or feeling, can satisfy the righteous law, or pacify a guilty conscience, or quench the flaming sword that guards the access into the presence of the infinitely Holy One.

That which makes it safe for you to draw near to God, and right for God to receive you, must be something altogether away from and independent of yourself; for, yourself and everything pertaining to yourself God has already condemned; and no condemned thing can give you any warrant for going to him, or hoping for acceptance. Your liberty of entrance must come from something which he has accepted; not from something which he has condemned.

I knew an awakened soul who, in the bitterness of his spirit, thus set himself to work and pray in order to get peace. He doubled the amount of his devotions, saying to himself, “Surely God will give me peace.” But the peace did not come. He set up family worship, saying, “Surely God will give me peace.” But the peace came not. At last he bethought himself of having a prayer meeting in his house as a certain remedy. He fixed the night; called his neighbors; and prepared himself for conducting the meeting, by writing a prayer and learning it by heart. As he finished the operation of learning it, preparatory to the meeting, he threw it down on the table saying, “Surely that will do, God will give me peace now.” In that moment, a still small voice seemed to speak in his ear, saying, “No, that will not do; but Christ will do.” Straightway the scales fell from his eyes, and the burden from his shoulders. Peace poured in like a river. “Christ will do,” was his watchword for life.

Very clear is God’s testimony against man, and man’s doings, in this great matter of approach and acceptance. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done,” says Paul in one place (Titus iii.5), and “to him that worketh not,” says he in a second (Rom. iv.4); “not justified by the works of the law,” say he in a third (Gal. ii.16).

The sinner’s peace with God is not to come from his own character. No grounds of peace or elements of reconciliation can be extracted from himself, either directly or indirectly. His one qualification for peace is, that he needs it. It is not what he has, but what he lacks of good that draws him to God; and it is the conscienceness of his lack that bids him look elsewhere, for something both to invite and embolden him to approach. It is our sickness, not our health, that fits us for the physician, and casts us upon his skill.

No guilty conscience can be pacified with anything short of that which will make pardon a present, a sure, and a righteous thing. Can our best doings, our best feelings, our best prayers, our best sacrifices, bring this about? Nay; having accumulated these to the utmost, does not the sinner feel that pardon is just as far off and uncertain as before? and that all his earnestness cannot persuade God to admit him to favor, or bride his own conscience into true quiet even for an hour?

In all false religion, the worshipper rests his hope of divine favor upon something in his own character, or life, or religious duties. The Pharisee did this when he came into the temple, “thanking God that he was not as other men” (Luke xviii.11). So do those in our day who think to get peace by doing, feeling, and praying more than others, or than they themselves have done in time past; and who refuse to take the peace of the free gospel till they have amassed such an amount of this doing and feeling as will ease their consciences, and make them conclude that it would not be fair in God to reject the application of men so earnest and devout as they. The Galatians did this also when they insisted on adding the law of Moses to the gospel of Christ as the ground of confidence toward God. Thus do many act among ourselves. They will not take confidence from God’s character or Christ’s work, but from their own character and work; though in reference to all this it is written, “The Lord hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them” (Jer. ii.37). They object to a present confidence, for that assumes that a sinner’s resting place is wholly out of himself, - ready-made, as it were, by God. They would have this confidence to be a very gradual thing, in order that they may gain time, and, by a little diligence in religious observances, may so add to their stock of duties, prayers, experiences, devotions, that they may, with some humble hope, as they call it, claim acceptance from God. By this course of devout living they think they have made themselves more acceptable to God than they were before they began this religious process, and much more entitled to expect the divine favor than those who have not so qualified themselves. In all this the attempted resting-place is self, - that self which God has condemned. They would not rest upon unpraying, or unworking, or undevout self; but they think it right and safe to rest upon praying, and working, and devout self, and they call this humility! The happy confidence of the simple believer who takes God’s word at once, and rests on it, they call presumption or fanaticism; their own miserable uncertainty, extracted from the doings of self, they speak of as a humble hope.

The sinner’s own character, in any form, and under any process of improvement, cannot furnish reasons for trusting God. However amended, it cannot speak peace to his conscience, nor afford him any warrant for reckoning on God’s favor; nor can it help to heal the breach between him and God. For God can accept nothing but perfection in such a case, and the sinner has nothing but imperfection to present. Imperfect duties and devotions cannot persuade God to forgive. Besides, be it remembered that the person of the worshipper must be accepted before his services can be acceptable; so that nothing can be of any use to the sinner save that which provides for personal acceptance completely, and at the outset. The sinner must go to God as he is, or not at all. To try to pray himself into something better than a condemned sinner, in order to win God’s favor, is to make prayer an instrument of self-righteousness; so that, instead of its being the act of an accepted man, it is the purchase of acceptance, - the price which we pay to God for favoring us, and the bribe with which we persuade conscience no longer to trouble us with its terrors. No knowledge of self, nor consciousness of improvement of self, can soothe the alarms of an awakened conscience, or be any ground for expecting the friendship of God. To take comfort from our good doings, or good feelings, or good plans, or good prayers, or good experiences, is to delude ourselves, and to say peace when there is no peace. No man can quench his thirst with sand, or with water from the Dead Sea; so no man can find rest from his own character however good, or from his own acts however religious. Even were he perfect, what enjoyment could there be in thinking about his own perfection? What profit, then, can there be in thinking about his own imperfection?

Even were there many good things about him, they could not speak peace: for the good things which might speak peace, could not make up for the evil things which speak trouble; and what a poor, self-made peace would that be which arose from his thinking as much good and as little evil of himself as possible. And what a temptation, besides, would this furnish, to extenuate the evil and exaggerate the good about ourselves, - in other words, to deceive our own hearts. Self-deception must always, more or less, be the result of such estimates of our own experiences. Laid open, as we are, in such a case, to all manner of self-blinding influences, it is impossible that we can be impartial judges, or that we can be “without guile” (Psa. xxxii.2), as in the case of those who are freely and at once forgiven.

One man might say, “My sins are not very great or many; surely I may take peace.” Another might say, “I have made up for my sins by my good deeds; I may have peace.” Another might say, “I have a very deep sense of sin; I may have peace.” Another might say, “I have repented of my sin; I may have peace.” Another might say, “I pray much, I work much, I love much, I give much; I may have peace.” What temptation in all this to take the most favorable view of self and its doings! But, after all, it would be vain. There could be no real peace; for its foundation would be sand, not rock. The peace or confidence which comes from summing up the good points of our character, and thinking of our good feelings and doings, or about our faith, and love, and repentance, must be made up of pride. Its basis is self-righteousness, or at least self-approbation.

It does not mend the matter to say that we look at these good feelings in us, as the Spirit’s work, not our own. In one aspect this takes away boasting, but in another it does not. It still makes our peace to turn upon what is in ourselves, and not on what is in God. Nay, it makes use of the Holy Spirit for purposes of self-righteousness. It says that the Spirit works the change in us, in order that he may thereby furnish us with a ground of peace within ourselves.

No doubt the Spirit’s work in us must be accompanied with peace; but not because he has given us something in ourselves to draw our peace from. It is that kind of peace which arises unconsciously from the restoration of spiritual health; but not that which Scripture calls “peace with God.” It does not arise from thinking about the change wrought in us, but unconsciously and involuntarily from the change itself. If a broken limb be made whole, we get relief straightway; not by “thinking about the healed member, but simply in the bodily case and comfort which the cure has given. So there is a peace arising out of the change of nature and character wrought by the Spirit; but this is not reconciliation with God. This is not the peace which the knowledge of forgiveness brings. It accompanies it, and flows from it, but the two kinds of peace are quite distinct from each other. Nor does even the peace which attends restoration of spiritual health come at second hand, from thinking about our change; but directly from the change itself. That change is the soul’s new health, and this health is in itself a continual gladness.

Still it remains true, that in ourselves we have no resting place. “No confidence in the flesh” must be our motto, as it is the foundation of God’s gospel.

[messinwitheddie]

Sorry to bombard you with asks but I just had an epipany that your drawings of Miyuki (and honestly Dava as well) remind me of Charlotte from the 1973 Charlotte's web movie. I just got a tiktok of a clip from the movie and that thought just got into my head lol

That version of Charlotte was one of my first cartoon hyperfixations! I thought she was so pretty. As an adult I realize she looks more like a fuzzy ant than a spider, but I still think she's neat.

Maybe subconsciously Charlotte creeps into my drawings of Miyuki and Dava. Neither really resemble Charlotte personality wise.

Both Miyuki and Dava were formidable soldiers before they were tallests. Both were successful and ruthless conquerors.

Miyuki was famous for her charm and social grace. She maintained a high-class persona even towards the rend of her reign when she really started to get power drunk.

Dava was the opposite. Much of her history is watered down to mentioning little other than her 3 successful births, but she was a mighty tallest in her own right. Dava had once aspired to be a frylord, but was measured tallest before completing her culinary ops training. She spent many stressful battles fighting on Irks surface in between shifts cooking in the mess hall. She worked and fought alongside the tiniest drones. She kept her hive's army fed. She stayed very grounded even after she was measured because of that.

Fellow tallests considered Dava to be "trashy" and disgraceful. Dava made little effort to learn or practice tallest etiquette. She usually showed to formal events in functional armor and war paint. She engaged in conversation with shorter drones, especially scientists, doctors and techs, much more often and openly than other tallests. She made her demands heard. Naturally this is covered very little in holo training texts.

The one oc I have that strongly resembles Charlotte's design is Dow, the Colossus's adopted coddle drone.

Long post is long already, but I must include this, because it was a perfect excuse to use this dialogue. I love the book/ movie, but I think the story of Charlotte's Web may be a little more distressing to Irkens.

Ms. Bitters "Zim! You're up. Present to the class your oral report on...oooh."

Dib "Ow!! Damn it, Zim!"

Ms. Bitters "Dib, don't curse. Zim! Don't throw the books. There's nothing in the budget to replace them. The board used it all on new baseball uniforms."

Zim "What was the point of that stupid book?!!"

Ms. Bitters "It's YOUR oral report, Zim. You tell me and I'll tell you if you're right or wrong according to the curriculum."

Zim "Charlotte DIES ALONE in a fairground? She sacrifices all of her time, energy, silk and health and she doesn't even live to see her smee-er- babies leave to spin their own webs?! Why?! To save a stupid pig?! The humans are just going to eat him next Christmas, Charlotte, you shmizz!!

Do we really need reminders that life is short and death is inevitable?!

That our efforts will have little impact on the universe?! That our hard work will most likely go unrewarded?! DO WE?!

Rot, E.B. White!! If you're going to make shit up, make it uplifting! Come on!!

Zita "But the book also reminds us that the friendships we make along the way make life worth living and the acts of kindness we do for each other gives us hope that the future may be a little brighter for future generations-"

Zim "You rot too, ZI-TA! You WOULD side with that dumb pig!! Typical!!"

Zita "Ms. Bitters!!"

Ms. Bitters. "ZIM, as much as I agree with your assessment, Zita's fits closer to the curriculum. You get a D. Sit down and be quiet for the rest of the day."

Zim "Sure! Who cares?! Earth fiction is STUPID! I'm never reading fictional earth literature EVER AGAIN!"

Ms. Bitters *sigh*

[ayurspatci]

How Can Ayurveda at Our Center Improve Your Health Naturally?

Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine that originated in India over 5,000 years ago, is based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body, and spirit. The core principle of Ayurveda is harmony—between the individual and their environment. Unlike modern medicine, which often targets symptoms, Ayurveda looks at the root cause of imbalances and aims to restore the body’s natural state of equilibrium. At our Ayurveda wellness center, we are dedicated to helping you achieve and maintain optimal health through natural, personalized treatments rooted in Ayurvedic wisdom.

The Principles of Ayurveda

Ayurveda is built on the concept of the five elements—earth, water, fire, air, and ether—which combine to form three primary life forces or "doshas": Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These doshas govern different functions in the body, and each person has a unique combination of them, known as their "prakriti" or constitution.

Vata represents air and ether, and it governs movement, including breathing and circulation. People with a Vata imbalance may experience anxiety, dryness, and irregular digestion.

Pitta represents fire and water and governs metabolism and digestion. Pitta imbalances often manifest as inflammation, irritability, and digestive issues.

Kapha represents earth and water, governing stability, growth, and immunity. When Kapha is out of balance, individuals may feel lethargic, gain weight, or experience congestion.

At our Mobile spa service, we focus on identifying your unique dosha balance and using Ayurvedic principles to bring your body back into harmony, promoting natural healing and long-term wellness.

Personalized Wellness Plans

The key to Ayurvedic healing lies in its personalized approach. When you visit our center, you’ll undergo a detailed consultation with an Ayurvedic practitioner who will assess your dosha type, lifestyle, and any current health concerns. Based on this assessment, we develop a tailored wellness plan designed specifically for your needs.

This personalized plan may include a combination of dietary recommendations, herbal remedies, lifestyle changes, and treatments aimed at balancing your doshas and restoring health. Unlike one-size-fits-all treatments, Ayurveda offers a holistic and individualized approach to wellness.

Ayurvedic Treatments for Natural Healing

Our center offers a wide range of Ayurvedic therapies that support natural healing. These therapies are aimed at detoxifying the body, rejuvenating the tissues, and balancing the doshas. Some of the key treatments we offer include:

Panchakarma Detoxification

Panchakarma is one of the most well-known and comprehensive detoxification therapies in Ayurveda. It involves a series of treatments designed to cleanse the body of toxins, or "ama," which accumulate over time due to poor diet, stress, and environmental factors. Panchakarma includes therapies such as oil massages (Abhyanga), herbal steam treatments (Swedana), and other cleansing techniques like Virechana (purgation) and Basti (enema).

By eliminating toxins and balancing the doshas, Panchakarma can help reset your body and mind, allowing for a fresh start. People often report feeling lighter, more energized, and mentally clear after undergoing Panchakarma.

Abhyanga (Ayurvedic Oil Massage)

Abhyanga is a traditional full-body oil massage that uses warm herbal oils tailored to your dosha type. This therapy helps nourish the skin, improve circulation, and relax the muscles. It is also known to support detoxification, reduce stress, and improve sleep quality.

The therapeutic oils used in Abhyanga penetrate deep into the tissues, helping to dislodge toxins and promote healing. Regular Abhyanga treatments can help improve overall health, particularly for those with Vata imbalances, as it provides grounding and warmth.

Shirodhara (Third-Eye Oil Therapy)

Shirodhara is a deeply relaxing treatment where a steady stream of warm, herbal oil is poured over the forehead, specifically the third-eye chakra. This therapy is incredibly calming and is used to alleviate stress, anxiety, and insomnia.

By soothing the nervous system, Shirodhara promotes mental clarity and relaxation. It is especially beneficial for individuals with high Vata and Pitta imbalances, as it helps calm the mind and reduce excessive mental activity.

Nasya (Nasal Therapy)

Nasya is an Ayurvedic therapy with Spa focused on clearing the nasal passages and supporting respiratory health. It involves the administration of herbal oils or powders through the nostrils, which helps clear congestion, alleviate headaches, and improve breathing. Nasya is particularly beneficial for those with Kapha imbalances, as it addresses conditions related to mucus buildup, such as sinusitis and allergies.

Herbal Remedies

Herbal medicine is a cornerstone of Ayurvedic treatment. At our center, we use a variety of Ayurvedic herbs to support your body’s natural healing processes. These herbs are selected based on your individual dosha and health needs. Common Ayurvedic herbs include Ashwagandha (known for its stress-relieving properties), Triphala (a digestive aid), and Turmeric (an anti-inflammatory agent).

Our practitioners ensure that each herbal remedy is tailored to your constitution and health goals, promoting healing from the inside out.

Ayurvedic Diet for Optimal Health

In Ayurveda, diet is considered one of the most powerful tools for maintaining health and preventing disease. Your personalized wellness plan will include dietary recommendations based on your dosha type and current health condition. These dietary guidelines are designed to help you maintain balance in your body and mind.

For instance, individuals with a Vata imbalance may be advised to eat warm, grounding foods such as soups, stews, and whole grains, while those with Pitta imbalances may benefit from cooling foods like salads and cucumbers. Kapha individuals are often encouraged to consume lighter, spicier foods to stimulate digestion and reduce excess heaviness.

By following an Ayurvedic diet tailored to your needs, you can improve digestion, boost energy, and enhance overall well-being.

Lifestyle Practices for Long-Term Wellness

Ayurveda is not just about treatments; it’s a way of life. At our center, we emphasize the importance of adopting daily routines that align with Ayurvedic principles. This might include practices like:

Yoga and Meditation: Regular practice of yoga and meditation can help calm the mind, improve flexibility, and enhance overall mental clarity.

Pranayama (Breathing Exercises): Controlled breathing exercises help balance the doshas and promote mental and physical relaxation.

Daily Self-Care Rituals: Simple practices like oil pulling, dry brushing, and daily self-massage can help detoxify and rejuvenate the body.

Conclusion

At our Ayurveda wellness center, we believe in the power of natural healing through ancient wisdom. Our personalized approach to health, rooted in Ayurvedic principles, is designed to restore balance, prevent disease, and promote long-term wellness. Whether you're seeking relief from a specific health issue or looking to enhance your overall well-being, our center offers a holistic, natural approach to achieving your health goals.

Read Also: Looking for the Best Massage Spa Near You? Here's How!

[akastrologyzone]

Saturn Transit In Pisces Aquarius Report

Astrological Insights: Jupiter and Saturn Transits in 2024

Astrology enthusiasts and seekers of cosmic guidance are in for a significant year in 2024. The movements of Jupiter and Saturn bring about transformative energy that can impact various aspects of life. In this blog, we’ll delve into the astrological effects of Jupiter's transit in Aries and Taurus and saturn transit in pisces report . Each of these shifts brings unique influences to the cosmic landscape, shaping the year in fascinating ways.

Jupiter Transit in Aries 2024: Bold Beginnings and Expansion

Jupiter, the planet of growth, wisdom, and expansion, entered Aries in early 2024, sparking a wave of energy that encourages bold action, leadership, and a pioneering spirit. Aries, being a fire sign, represents courage, initiative, and a go-getter attitude. When Jupiter transits this sign, it amplifies these traits, urging individuals to take risks, embrace their independence, and chase their dreams.

Key Themes of Jupiter in Aries:

Personal Growth: This is a period of self-discovery. People will feel compelled to step into their power, pursue new goals, and break free from limitations.

Innovation: The transit encourages innovation, making it a great time for entrepreneurs and creatives to launch new projects.

Physical Vitality: Aries rules the head and is associated with action. Individuals may feel more physically energized and motivated to start fitness routines or improve their health.

This transit offers a time to focus on individual achievement and to push past barriers. Those with Aries placements in their charts, particularly their Sun or Ascendant, will feel these energies most intensely.

Jupiter Transit in Taurus 2024: Stability and Material Growth

Following its journey through Aries, Jupiter moves into Taurus later in 2024. Taurus is an earth sign, known for its stability, sensuality, and connection to material abundance. Jupiter’s expansive nature blends harmoniously with Taurus' desire for security and comfort, resulting in opportunities for financial growth and grounded progress.

Key Themes of Jupiter in Taurus:

Financial Abundance: This is a favorable period for investments, business expansions, and accumulating wealth. Jupiter in Taurus emphasizes tangible rewards and building long-term stability.

Sensuality and Pleasure: Taurus is ruled by Venus, the planet of love and pleasure. Expect to see an increased focus on enjoying life’s comforts, whether through food, art, or relationships.

Patience and Perseverance: Unlike the fast-paced energy of Aries, saturn transit in aquarius report Taurus takes a more methodical approach. Patience and persistence will be rewarded during this transit.

Those with Taurus placements will feel this energy as a period of steady growth and deepening their connection with the physical world. It’s a good time to focus on long-term goals and build something lasting.

[remingtonsiennabogdanovich]

Dynamic Harmony: Uniting Fitness, Nature, and Mindfulness for a Balanced Life

In the modern quest for holistic well-being, the convergence of fitness, nature, and mindfulness has emerged as a powerful catalyst for transformation. Dynamic Harmony is not just a concept; it's a way of life that celebrates the symbiotic relationship between physical activity, outdoor exploration, and inner peace. This exploration explores how integrating fitness, nature, and mindfulness can lead to a more balanced and fulfilling existence.

The Call of the Great Outdoors

Nature can profoundly rejuvenate the body, mind, and spirit. From the majestic peaks of mountains to the tranquil shores of lakes, the natural world offers a sanctuary of serenity and beauty. Outdoor activities such as hiking, trail running, and cycling provide an opportunity to immerse oneself in the splendor of nature while engaging in stimulating physical activity. The rhythmic cadence of footsteps on a forest trail or the exhilarating rush of wind while biking through open fields connects us to the primal rhythms of the Earth, grounding us in the present moment and igniting a sense of wonder and awe.

Fitness Beyond the Gym

Fitness is not confined to the walls of a gym; it is a dynamic and ever-evolving journey that unfolds amidst the vast expanse of the great outdoors. Outdoor fitness activities offer a unique blend of cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and natural movement patterns that challenge the body in new and exciting ways. Whether conquering a mountain summit, navigating a rocky trail, or paddling through a serene lake, outdoor fitness adventures provide a holistic workout experience that engages the body, mind, and spirit. By embracing the natural world as our gym, we can unlock our full potential and discover the joy of movement in its purest form.

Mindfulness in Nature

Nature has a way of captivating our senses and drawing us into the present moment with effortless grace. The natural world's sights, sounds, and sensations anchor mindfulness practice, inviting us to cultivate open-hearted awareness and presence. Mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing, sensory awareness, and nature meditation help us to quiet the mind, reduce stress, and awaken our innate sense of interconnectedness with all living beings. Whether basking in the sun's warmth on a rocky cliff or listening to the gentle rustle of leaves in a forest grove, nature provides a fertile ground for cultivating mindfulness and deepening our connection to the world.

The Harmony of Fitness, Nature, and Mindfulness

Fitness, nature, and mindfulness offer unique pathways to well-being individually. However, their integration—the Harmony of these three elements—creates a synergistic approach to holistic health and wellness.

Physical Vitality

Outdoor fitness activities such as hiking, trail running, and cycling offer a dynamic and exhilarating workout experience that challenges the body and invigorates the spirit. By engaging in natural movement patterns and exploring the diverse terrain of the great outdoors, individuals can improve cardiovascular health, build strength and endurance, and enhance overall physical fitness. Moreover, the therapeutic benefits of nature – from the fresh Air and sunshine to the natural beauty and tranquility – provide a rejuvenating backdrop for fitness activities, promoting a sense of vitality and well-being.

Mental Clarity

Practicing mindfulness in nature cultivates a state of calm, clarity, and inner peace that is conducive to mental well-being. By immersing oneself in the present moment and attuning to the sights, sounds, and sensations of the natural world, individuals can quiet the mind's chatter, reduce stress, and cultivate a sense of inner Harmony. Moreover, outdoor fitness activities serve as a form of moving meditation, allowing individuals to experience a state of flow and presence that transcends the limitations of thought and ego. Integrating mindfulness into outdoor fitness adventures will enable individuals to tap into a more bottomless reservoir of mental clarity, creativity, and resilience.

Spiritual Connection

The synergy of fitness, nature, and mindfulness fosters a deep spiritual connection and reverence for the natural world. By immersing oneself in the awe-inspiring beauty of nature and cultivating a mindful awareness of the interconnectedness of all life, individuals can experience a profound sense of unity, purpose, and belonging. Outdoor fitness activities provide an opportunity to commune with the elements, to feel the Earth beneath our feet, and to connect with the rhythms of the natural world. In doing so, we awaken to the sacredness of life and the inherent wisdom of the Earth, fostering a sense of reverence and gratitude that transcends the boundaries of the self.

Dynamic Harmony offers a pathway to wholeness, balance, and vitality in a fragmented and disconnected world. By integrating fitness, nature, and mindfulness into our lives, we can cultivate a more profound connection to ourselves, each other, and the natural world. Whether hiking through majestic mountains, cycling along scenic trails, or meditating beneath the canopy of a forest, the path to holistic well-being is as diverse as it is transformative. So, let us embrace the call of the wild and embark on a journey of discovery, renewal, and inner exploration.

[lele-o-north]

World Bee Day

Each year, on the 20th of May, it is celebrated the #WorldBeeDay! 🐝

Bees, and other pollinating insects, play an essential role in supporting global agriculture and food supply, as well as being extremely cute 😍 The video below shows an Apis mellifera L. in action at the #OuseburnFarm in Newcastle upon Tyne ✨

Why are bees so important? 🤔

According to Khalifa et al. (2021) [i] “Western honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) is the main species responsible for bee pollination worldwide and meets, for instance, 34% of pollination service demands in the United Kingdom”. To put this into more financial terms, the UK Government (2020) estimated that the economic value of pollinator services to crop production amounts to £600m every year [ii]. It is easily understandable at this point that if bee species would disappear from the Earth, the consequences to food production, security and national economy would be significant 😰

Why are they declining? 😞

The top 3 main factors contributing to bee species decline are:

1.        Habitat loss and fragmentation - Destruction of natural habitats, such as wildflower meadows and hedgerows, reduces the availability of food and nesting sites for bees;

2.        Pesticides - The use of harmful pesticides, particularly neonicotinoids, have detrimental effects on bee populations by impacting their health and ability to forage.

3.        Climate change - Changes in climate patterns, such as extreme weather events and changings in flowering seasons, can disrupt the life-cycle of pollinators as well as impacting their food sources.

What can be done to support them? 🧐

The World Wildlife Fund (aka WWF) [iii], condensed what we can do to help bees in simple 4 points:

1.        Bees are attracted to classic cottage garden blooms and indigenous wildflowers, such as primroses, buddleias, and marigolds. Consider having these in your garden;

2.        When you see a bee laying on the ground, help her with water & white sugar mix (no honey!);

3.        Help tracking populations via bee identification keys and other useful tools (such as the FIT Count);

4.        Reduce honey consumption, and make sure that what you still eat comes from local and sustainable beekeepers.

Remember, every small action counts in safeguarding the well-being of bees and the ecosystems they support 💪

References:

i. Khalifa et al. (2021) - Overview of Bee Pollination and Its Economic Value for Crop Production - PMC (nih.gov);

ii. UK Government (2020) - Defra launches the Healthy Bees Plan 2030 to help protect honey bees - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk);

iii. WWF - Our tips on how to bee friendly | WWF

#Bees #Pollinators #Environment #Pollination

[groundluxe]

Top Grounding Products for Pets: Tips for Optimal Health & Safety

As a long-time pet lover and an avid follower of the latest in pet care innovations, I've stumbled upon something that's not only fascinating but also immensely beneficial for our furry friends. Grounding products for pets, a concept that might sound new to many, are gaining traction for their health benefits. Grounding, or earthing as it's sometimes called, involves creating a direct connection between the electrical frequencies of the earth and the body. It's a practice that's been around in human wellness circles for a while, but it's now making its way into pet care.

I've delved into the world of grounding products for pets to uncover how they can improve our pets' health and wellbeing. From grounding mats to beds, these products promise to offer a natural way to reduce stress, improve sleep, and enhance overall health. It's a topic that's not only intriguing but also holds the potential to revolutionize how we care for our pets.

Understanding Grounding Products for Pets

Grounding products for pets harness the concept of connecting animals directly to the earth’s beneficial electrical charges. These innovative products, ranging from mats to beds, work by creating an electrical connectivity that mirrors the natural process of walking barefoot on the ground. In my exploration of these products, I've discovered their profound impact on pet health, encompassing stress reduction, enhanced sleep, and overall wellbeing improvements.

Grounding mats, for instance, are designed with conductive materials that replicate the earth’s electrical field. When pets lie or stand on these mats, the direct connection helps neutralize free radicals, potentially leading to reduced inflammation and pain relief. Notably, various grounding mats are tailored to fit different living spaces and pet sizes, offering versatility and ease of use.

Another groundbreaking invention is the grounding pet bed. Constructed with similar principles in mind, these beds aim to provide a more comfortable sleeping experience. The embedded conductive fibers in the fabric connect to a grounding wire, which is then linked to the earth’s surface. This connection ensures that pets can enjoy the grounding benefits even while asleep, promoting deeper rest and rejuvenation.

Furthermore, the utility of these products extends beyond just physical health. Emotional and behavioral benefits, such as reduced anxiety and improved calmness, have been observed. Pets, like humans, are susceptible to environmental stressors, and grounding products serve as a natural aid to mitigate these effects.

In sum, grounding products for pets offer a unique and natural approach to improving pet health. By emulating the electrical connection to the earth, these products may enhance the quality of life for pets in numerous ways. As awareness grows, I anticipate seeing more pet owners incorporating grounding products into their pet care routines, potentially revolutionizing the way we approach pet wellness.

Types of Grounding Products for Pets

Exploring the various types of grounding products available for pets is crucial for pet owners looking to enhance their pet's well-being through earth connection. Each type serves a different purpose, catering to the specific needs of pets, from stress reduction to improved sleep. I'll break down the most popular grounding products, ensuring you make an informed decision on the best option for your furry friend.

Grounding Mats

Grounding mats rank among the most versatile grounding products. Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, these mats connect to the earth's electrical frequencies, offering pets a safe space to rest and recharge. Perfect for pets who spend most of their time indoors, grounding mats can reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and promote calmness by neutralizing free radicals.

Grounding Beds

For pet owners seeking to maximize comfort, grounding beds present an excellent option. Combining the benefits of a conventional pet bed with grounding technology, these beds ensure pets enjoy deeper, more restorative sleep. They're particularly beneficial for older pets or those with chronic pain, providing both physical comfort and the healing benefits of grounding.

Grounding Collars

Grounding collars introduce a portable grounding solution for pets on the move. By wearing these collars, pets maintain a constant connection to earth's healing frequencies, regardless of their location. This continuous exposure can significantly improve a pet's mood and mobility, making it a great choice for active or anxious pets.

Grounding Blankets

Grounding blankets offer a flexible, comforting option for pets who enjoy snuggling. Crafted with conductive materials, these blankets can be used on pet beds, couches, or anywhere your pet likes to relax. They're ideal for providing warmth and the therapeutic effects of grounding, helping to calm anxious pets and promote restful sleep.

In choosing the right grounding product for your pet, consider their individual needs and lifestyle. Whether it's a mat for a mostly indoor cat, a bed for an aging dog, or a collar for an adventurous pup, there's a grounding solution that can contribute significantly to their health and happiness. Keeping pets grounded ensures they enjoy the countless benefits of connecting with the earth, fostering a healthier, more balanced life.

Benefits of Grounding Products for Pets

Grounding products for pets bring forth a myriad of health benefits, tapping into the earth's natural electrical frequencies to promote well-being. I've observed these advantages firsthand and, based on reputable veterinary insights, can affirm their positive impact on pets’ health.

Reducing Stress and Anxiety

Pets, much like humans, experience stress and anxiety which can manifest in various behavioral issues. Grounding products have a calming effect, reducing stress levels significantly. Mats and blankets, in particular, offer a sense of security and comfort, emitting subtle electrical signals that mimic the Earth's surface, thus soothing the pets' nervous system.

Enhancing Sleep Quality

Another notable benefit I've seen is the improvement in sleep quality. Grounded beds encourage deeper, more restful sleep by stabilizing the pets' internal bio-rhythms. Pets that struggle with sleep disturbances often show marked improvement, waking up more refreshed and alert.

Pain Relief and Inflammation Reduction

For pets suffering from chronic pain or recovering from injuries, grounding products can serve as a safe, non-pharmacological intervention. By discharging excess electrical charges from the body, these products help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation, making them particularly beneficial for older pets or those with conditions like arthritis.

Supporting Cardiovascular and Immune System Health

Grounding also positively affects pets' cardiovascular and immune systems. Continuous use of grounding products can normalize blood flow and improve circulation, leading to better oxygenation of the tissues. This, in turn, supports the immune system, helping the body to fight off infections and heal more efficiently.

By incorporating grounding products into pets' lives, owners can significantly enhance their furry companions' overall health and well-being. The positive effects of connecting pets directly with the Earth's healing frequencies are both profound and far-reaching, offering a natural and holistic approach to pet care. I've witnessed remarkable transformations in pets' health, underscoring the substantial benefits these products provide in fostering a happier, healthier life for our animal companions.

How to Choose the Right Grounding Product

Choosing the right grounding product for my pet involves considering several factors to ensure it meets my pet's specific needs. Given the array of options, from mats and beds to collars and blankets, I focus on certain criteria to make an informed decision.

Firstly, I assess the type of grounding product that would best suit my pet's lifestyle. For indoor pets, grounding mats or beds offer a convenient way to incorporate grounding into their daily routine. Outdoor pets might benefit more from wearable items like grounding collars.

Secondly, I consider the size and material of the grounding product. It's crucial that the product is the right fit for my pet, especially for items like collars or beds. The material should also be durable and easy to clean, ensuring longevity and hygiene.

Thirdly, the ease of use plays a significant role in my decision-making process. Products that can easily integrate into my pet's environment, requiring minimal effort to set up, tend to be my preference. I also look for grounding products that offer clear instructions for optimal use.

Fourthly, safety concerns direct my choices. I ensure the grounding product is free from harmful chemicals and made from non-toxic materials. The product's safety features, particularly for electrical components, are paramount.

Lastly, I seek out reviews and testimonials from other pet owners. Their experiences often shed light on the product's effectiveness and overall quality, guiding me toward the best options.

By carefully considering these factors, I can choose a grounding product that not only aligns with my pet's needs but also contributes to their health and well-being in a meaningful way. This approach ensures my pet benefits from the natural healing properties of grounding, as highlighted by the positive impact on stress reduction, improved sleep, and enhanced cardiovascular and immune system health.

Using Grounding Products Safely

After understanding the remarkable benefits of grounding products for pets and how to select the right ones, it's essential to focus on using them safely. I've gathered insights and best practices to ensure your furry friends gain the most without any adverse effects.

Start Slowly: Introduce grounding products gradually to your pet. If using a grounding mat or bed, encourage them to sit or lie on it for short periods initially, gradually increasing the time as they get comfortable.

Monitor Reactions: Pay close attention to how your pet reacts to the grounding product. It's rare, but some pets might not take well to the new addition. Signs of discomfort or agitation mean it's time to reassess.

Keep it Clean: Ensure the grounding product is always clean. Dirt and bacteria can affect its functionality and reliability. Most products come with cleaning instructions, so follow them carefully to maintain efficacy.

Check for Damage Regularly: Inspect the grounding products frequently for any signs of wear or damage. Compromised materials may not only reduce the grounding effect but could also pose safety risks to your pet.

Avoid Wet Conditions: If the grounding product is electrically connected for enhanced effectiveness, keep it away from water to prevent electrical hazards. It's crucial for products like electrically charged grounding beds or mats.

Consult with a Vet: Before integrating grounding products into your pet’s routine, especially if they have existing health issues, discuss it with your veterinarian. They can provide personalized advice based on your pet's health history.

By adhering to these safety guidelines, you'll maximize the health benefits of grounding products while keeping your pets safe. Remember, the key is to monitor your pet's response and make adjustments as needed, ensuring a positive and healthful experience with these natural healing tools.

Conclusion

Grounding products offer a natural way to enhance your pet's well-being, addressing common issues like stress and discomfort with ease. As we've explored, selecting and using these products properly is key to unlocking their full potential. Remember, the right choice depends on understanding your pet's needs and lifestyle. By introducing grounding products carefully and keeping an eye on your furry friend's reaction, you're taking a significant step towards a happier, healthier companion. Always prioritize safety and consult with your vet to ensure the best outcomes. Embracing grounding products can be a game-changer in your pet's life, fostering a serene and balanced environment for them to thrive in.

[thetorturedmusesdept]

Vanessa's Pinterest

DESCRIBE YOUR CHARACTER’S AESTHETIC IN FIVE WORDS OR LESS Glitchy tvs and text. Bunnies. Missing Posters. Knives. Vanessa's aesthetic is a mind that is clearly fragmented, with a past haunted by trauma. WHAT FLOWER WOULD YOU CONNECT TO YOUR CHARACTER? WHY? Tansy flowers. Tansy represents resistance, and good health. Both things that Vanessa needs. She needs to resist her father's control, and she craves being in good mental and physical health again. PICK A CRYSTAL THAT YOU FEEL FITS YOUR MUSE BEST AND EXPLAIN THE CONNECTION Black Obsidian. Black Obsidian represents purification, protection, and grounding. "Black Obsidian protects and cleanses your energetic field of any disharmony, emotions or negative attachments." Vanessa could really use a stone like this, as she needs help purifying her mind and life of negativity and instability. OUT OF WATER, FIRE, EARTH, AND AIR, WHICH ELEMENT DO YOU THINK REPRESENTS YOUR CHARACTER BEST? As a Cancer, Vanessa's element is Water. "They are penetrating, critical and scrutinizing, seeking knowledge and understanding." As a Water element, Vanessa is very much a logical thinker which makes her a good detective. She's always seeking understanding of things, which can sometimes take a toll on her emotionally. WHAT COLOR DO YOU MOST STRONGLY ASSOCIATE WITH YOUR MUSE? Light blue mostly, it's the color of her police uniform but it's also the color that most closely aims for trustworthiness. Although Vanessa might not seem trustworthy at first, she ends up being trustworthy in the end by going against her father and fighting for the safety of innocents. IS THERE AN ANIMAL YOU FEEL FITS YOUR MUSE’S PERSONALITY BEST? I would say definitely a bunny, if only because of her Alter Ego, Vanny, who likes to wear a creepy bunny costume and mask. Bunnies typically tend to be pretty cute and harmless looking usually, and Vanessa is for the most part. Vanny? Not so much. ARE THERE ANY CHOICES YOUR CHARACTER MAKES SOLELY BECAUSE IT FITS THEIR AESTHETIC? Not much, to be honest. Her home definitely has a cozy sort of natural vibe and she tries to curate it that way, but that's about it. PICK ONE QUOTE THAT YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU THINK OF YOUR CHARACTER AND SHARE IT WITH US "I try to do what I was supposed to./I was supposed to be a good girl..." from her taped therapy sessions. It really speaks to her character, how she tried so hard to listen to her father and be good for him. But being good for him meant being an awful person, and eventually she had to fight back and say she wouldn't do it any longer.LIST OFF THE TOP THREE KINDS OF IMAGERY THAT COME TO MIND WHEN YOU THINK OF YOUR MUSE Bunnies, glitchy tvs and text, and Missing Posters. DESCRIBE YOUR MUSE USING ONLY AO3 TAGS

PICK YOUR TOP THREE FAVORITE MEMES FROM YOUR CHARACTER’S PINBOARD AND SHARE THEM WITH US

[forsakenmother]

┃┃➛ With every scar, I will avow

to shake the earth! ❞

DETAILED LORE INFO & TRIVIA

Diana's exact birthplace was unknown, however, it was highly speculated that she was born in the far East.

She lived a wonderful life as a child, and her family would travel to Lordran. Her father having been a wealthy merchant, they would live without a thought of what suffering was.

Then, that changed. One night, a group of hollows had went rampant in the area after following their step mother home while she was unaware. The mother had hid both daughters in a secret closet, and told them to attack anything that got too close without announcing themselves first. She told them that she and their father would take care of the situation.

What felt like hours had been thirty minutes at most, and noises were audible outside of the door. The door would slowly open, and Diana would panic, slicing without realization as to who had been turning it.

Her own father. He had killed the hollows that were a threat to them. As the human man laid in a pool of his own blood, realizing his fatal mistake of not letting the girls know that it was just him, he praised Diana for trying to protect herself and her sibling.

" You ... you did amazing, my child. I'm so proud of you, my sweet Diana. I need you to be strong for me, for your sister. Protect her. "

After the loss of their father, Diana's sister, Areum, grew a distaste for Diana. She blamed Diana for his death and grew to resent her, lashing out at her at any given opportunity.

Despite the callous treatment given to her, Diana would still protect Areum with her very life.

As teenagers, Areum would get herself involved with sketchy people. She yearned to dabble in the occult, however, instead of being smart about it, had joined some certainly sketchy people.

Diana, however, would have an interest in healing. She attempted being a cleric, however, it wasn't something that she could click with due to her faltering faith.

However, she grew an interest in medicine. She wanted to study Estus, to study the various herbs and items that could restore one's health, and eventually create her own.

Despite her pursuit, Diana found herself having to slaughter others for the sake of Areum due to the trouble she found herself in. Anything to keep her sister out of danger. When Areum realized the lengths that Diana would go to keep her promise to her father, she began to abuse it - having Diana do her dirty work for her. The magic that she was dabbling with, and her personal vendetta, had been driving her mad.

Diana was not proud of what she was doing for her.

How could she save lives, when she was growing desensitized to taking them?

It was then she met her sweetheart. An unknown man from Catarina. She fell hard for his bubbly nature, despite how hard she tried to keep distance. Once married, she admitted the murders she had been committing.

And he would suggest that they run away together to start fresh. She could escape the painful memories of her father and put her sin behind her, she could be forgiven and seek a better life. However, Areum would overhear this.

The fate the Catarina knight suffered had been a cruel one, at the hands of Areum. She couldn't have anyone taking Diana from her - she was far too skilled with a blade.

When Diana learned of what happened, she snapped. She attacked Areum, and the two had an intense battle. Resulting in a deep gash in Diana's cheek, and a nearly deadly scar on her neck. She would put an end to Areum, and burn everything to the ground in a fit of rage and grief.

On the verge of hollowing, alone and scared, she learned of the child she would soon have.

She would name her son Zachariah in honor of her late lover, and she would do anything in her power to protect him. As a young boy, he expressed interest in sorcery, and so, she would send him to one of the best academies she could find. However, her father's wealth would only support them so far.

Already desensitized to death, she became a merchant, and eventually would encounter Shiva of the East.

She would join the forest hunter covenant, and quickly became a respected member in said covenant.

After returning home to find out about the mysterious disappearance of her only son, she would forsake everything in search of him. Some of the forest hunters would aid her in her search, and she would take off to unknown lands.

Admiring Ciaran's fighting style, she would often use poison and bleed weapons both from inspiration and as her personal way of honoring her.

┃┃➛ it's better when you're with me,

but that's better left unsaid. ❞

Trivia 🗡

Her mother was born and raised in the east. However, her father had been a traveler from a kingdom known as Drangleic.

Diana had been named after her great grandmother on her father's side. Her sister, named after her grandma on her mother's side. Hence the drastic difference in their names.

Due to usually wearing black clothing, her love for poison, and how fatal she could be in a battle, she had earned herself the title of " The Black Widow of the East. "

Diana is a comedically bad cook.

In modern verses, she has snakebite lip piercings and standard ear piercings.

Because of her being in search for her child, she is extremely verse flexible. After all, there's many worlds in the soulsborne universe, and she isn't exclusive to just them.