#of all the facets of my own and the time i have and resources to make things happen i know in my heart of hearts really that i could do it

[minminambus]

Runs around!!! The pharmacy!!!!

[alphalesbian]

Youll just be minding your own business when all of a sudden the inherant intimacy of solo instrumental music is realized upon you. Like youre just supposed to proceed normally after

[coddda]

Light's relationship with his father is such a heartbreaking multi-faceted tragedy to me I hate it so so so much.

Soichiro loves his son so much, and while he's certainly not a perfect father I know that he cares deeply about Light. He wants to prove Light's innocence so badly but he can't let go of the underlying doubt that he might really be Kira and it gnaws at him. He does not know that from the very beginning he was being used by Light, whether it was to obtain information about the investigation, or to get to L, or to strengthen the foundations of his own lie that he wasn't Kira, this entire time he was simply another resource. He'll hang onto this doubt for years, even after L is dead, even if he doesn't express it in the latter half of the series, until he himself is on his deathbed, with what he believes to be undeniable proof that Light isn't Kira. (It's a lie, of course.) He dies happy, but it's on the foundations of blissful ignorance. His own son brought him here, brought him to the point where he had to sacrifice half of his own remaining life span, to his own death march, and was still trying to use him even now to kill someone else, but he doesn't know that. Soichiro said that what was evil was the power to kill others, and that whoever used it was cursed. Light was that cursed man, of course, and he tried to bring that curse onto Soichiro too by making him kill in his last moments. Soichiro was happy regardless, because he didn't know. He'll never know. (In the manga/anime at least. More on that later).

Light loves his father but it's not enough to turn him away from the terrible decisions he's made, if anything it only fuels them. His idea of "justice" is a twisted model of what he parroted from Soichiro, and he uses his father as another pawn (and a powerful one at that) in his plans. If he can prove that Kira is justice then perhaps his father will no longer call Kira, and therefore Light, evil, so he just needs to ensure that Kira becomes justice, right? It's Light's own actions that land his own father in the hospital for a stress-induced heart attack and yet he says only a few minutes later that he's the happiest he's ever been in his entire life. Even after Soichiro denounces Kira by calling him evil, even after he calls the Death Note's power evil, even after he unknowingly tells Light that he is cursed. When Soichiro dies Light is too deep in his own plans to actually properly process the fact that his own father is dying past what it means for his goals, but at the same time he still cares enough that after the fact he'll genuinely cry, only to brush it all away later. (Personally, I don't have a single doubt in my mind that Light's crying in that scene was genuine and I Will die on this hill). Soichiro had unknowingly denounced Light one last time just before his death, openly relieved that he "wasn't Kira after all", which also reveals that he has had doubts about Light this entire time, even after L died. By the time he's caught at the Yellow Box Warehouse Light will have denounced his father too, seeing him as someone who was made to be a fool, someone who was naive, even, too earnest for his own good. He won't realize that part of this description of his father might have applied to Light himself, back when this all started. Light takes after his father so much in so many ways already, so why not in this way too?

Ough. And honestly the other adaptations never miss out on this tragedy either, and I love them for that. (spoilers for the musical and 2006 live action movies I guess?)

In the musical we see Soichiro express his doubts and conflicts about who to believe, Light or L, if the son he raised really is a murderer, if everything he knows about him is just a lie. Like, there's an entire song about this, and you can tell how torn he is about it all, how badly he wants Light to be innocent but about how he also needs to face the truth no matter what it is, but at the end of it all he doesn't even get the answers he wants. At the end of the musical the only thing he finds is two corpses, Light's and L's, with no answers. No last words, no closure, only dead ends and a dead son and a grieving daughter. It's so awful I hate it here.

And the live action movie is fucking Insane. Like, wow. Okay. (Spoiler for the ending of Death Note The Last Name I guess) In the 2006 movies/novels Light writes Soichiro's name in the Death Note himself, and it's such an inconcievable move that it leaves even Misa shocked; Light tries to make Soichiro give him the Death Note for the last part of his plans, seeing his death as a "necessary sacrifice" (insert tangent essay about why I think 2006 live action movie Light is actually the most "coldhearted" Light Yagami, despite how infamous anime Light is). It doesn't work, and Soichiro does end up finding out that Light is Kira this time, and they have a confrontation, but he doesn't even sound truly hateful towards Light for it. He Never seems to outright hate Light for it, even after Light calls the whole confrontation a waste of time and instead tries to continue killing with the piece of the notebook in his watch, even after he tries to get Ryuk to kill everyone. When Ryuk inevitably writes Light's name and he collapses, Soichiro still reaches out for him and holds onto him as he's dying. Light literally dies in Soichiro's arms, still looking for the validation that he was right, that this wasn't all for nothing, that he was doing the good thing, trying to make Soichiro understand that he was trying to enact justice based on what he learned from him in the first place. Soichiro not only learns but sees for himself what his son has become, and Light dies in his arms leaving no closure for either of them. Soichiro will announce Light's death in L Change the WorLd on the news without saying his name, saying instead that it is only Kira who is dead, even though he and Light are one in the same. Sachiko and Sayu will never get to know the full truth about what happened to Light, instead Soichiro will lie and instead tell them: "Light was killed by Kira."

And then holy Shit the jdrama. If I write about it here this post is gonna literally double in length and also I don't really wanna spoil it but. Man. Man. If you watched it you know. Holy Shit dude I Cried.

It's the fact that, canonically, Soichiro will die oblivious to what Light has done, but even in the instances where he does find out, it doesn't make it any better, and it doesn't make him love Light any less, it just gives him more to grieve.

It's the fact that there isn't a single universe where Light doesn't use his father for his own gain, whether to gain information, or to try and control him with the Death Note, or make him write in the Death Note himself, and not a single time will he realize just how far he's strayed from Soichiro's ideals, and not a single time will he not forsake him for it by the end of the story.

It's the fact that, despite everything, Light will always refers to Soichiro as "dad/my dad" (informal) rather than "father/my father", even after he has been "denounced" (and this is true in every language that Death Note has been translated in, as far as I could find. Man, isn't that so cool! :) <- Through tears).

Anyways that's what I've been thinking of how's your guys' days going

[paper-mario-wiki]

you do such a good job passing! any tips?

thank you, i appreciate that! i dont have a ton of tips since ive only been at it for a little over half a year, and im kinda flying by the seat of my pants cuz i dont have a lot of people i talk to day-to-day about presentation. pretty much everything ive figured out by myself and with youtube tutorials. regardless, heres a few i can think of:

don't be afraid to go to a makeup store and ask for advice. i brought a picture of myself i put through faceapp to give me makeup, and i showed it to the ladies at sephora, who were able to get me exactly what i was looking for. theres a world of difference between a face full of makeup, and a face full of makeup that's slightly the wrong shade, and it's good to get the opinions of experts.

try to look at the other women in your family and see how they style themselves, or do their makeup, or even how they speak or carry themselves. finding a look that works isn't somethin that you can fall into super easily, you have to go searching for it. try to model yours after the people who literally share your genes and therefore your features. (note, the opposite is equally usable for transmascs, look at your brothers, fathers, and uncles)

spend time in the mirror seeing what looks right. comb your hair in different directions, part it in a different place, put a clip in, dye it a different color, etc. put on makeup and then take it all off, then put on way too much and only take half of it off. learn the muscle memory of holding a liquid eyeliner pen in your non dominant hand and tracing it across the eyelid on the opposite side of your face without twitching your eye. nobody will see you, you're in your own bathroom. with the resources you have, treat the Bathroom Fit Check like you're customizing a character in a videogame.

look for your angles! i wish i could look good at every angle, but i don't, and vanishingly few people actually do. i spent a lot of time looking at myself in my front-facing phone camera from different directions and thinking "fuck im never going to pass, i really dont look great. is this even worth it?" and no matter how much doubt i had, in the long run the answer ended up being yes, it is worth it. that's kinda how hard things are: they suck until they don't anymore.

this one is really simple and may not apply to you, but fix your posture. seriously. when i started standing up straight for a few weeks i noticed an change in how i looked and carried myself (and my back doesnt hurt as much now)

come to terms with the fact that a lot of women look like men, and a lot of men look like women. the idea that all men look one way and all women look the other is an propagandstic invention of the state that should not be taken seriously. (note: this tip works only inwardly as a facet of self actualization. no matter what, you will always run into people who buy into the propaganda. to the best of your ability, pay them no mind.)

im sorry i cant give you anything more, but thats kind of a big question to answer, so i hope this helps!

[oraclekleo]

[Pick-a-Pile] What major changes are coming your way + What do those changes possibly bring into your life

Hello and welcome to one more Pick-A-Pile tarot reading from your Kleo!

This time we shall see what kind of changes are awaiting you in the near future and what kind of an effect they could possibly have on you.

This is a general reading, which means that not all information has to resonate with you, some details are meant for somebody else.

Below, you will pick from three piles. If you are struggling with intuitively picking one, maybe this reading isn’t for you at all at this moment. Maybe major changes aren’t about to happen for you just yet. You can come back later to see whether you actually feel drawn to one of the piles, if that’s your case.

Please, be assured that tarot isn't an exact science. I can never ever guarantee anything that's said in my readings, their purpose is of a solely entertainment nature.

Please, do not base your life decisions on tarot readings, always use your common sense.

Even if your reading says something, it doesn’t mean it’s gonna happen. Once you received the reading, you were warned, you have your life in your hands and you can actively stir away from the events you deem unwanted. Tarot isn’t a dogma. You always have free will.

Also… This reading might be a bit triggering as changes aren’t always pleasant. You are not babies, if you feel uncomfortable reading the text below, just stop reading. Please, don’t come to me with petty complaints about how I should properly list trigger warnings. I’m not your mom and you’re not 5. 😂

With this out of the way, let’s dive into this, shall we?

What major changes are coming your way? + What do those changes possibly bring into your life?

Pile 1 -> Pile 2 -> Pile 3

Pick your pile, please!

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Pile 1 - What major changes are coming your way

Cards: Fehu (Runes Oracle), 37. Descendant - Invitation (Starcodes Astro Oracle), 7 of Pentacles, 7 of Wands, 2 of Pentacles, Page of Pentacles, Knight of Swords, 8 of Cups (The Light Seer’s Tarot)

Dear Pile 1, you are likely to face fast changes affecting all the facets of your life. You might need to let go of something, be it a belief, a person or a thing. It can’t stay a part of your life, it needs to free the space for a new energy approaching. Maybe you have been overly guarded, keeping others at distance, maybe you saw them as extension of yourself and instead of learning important skills from them, you used them to do the job for you. Now when they leave, there go your resources. It’s time to let the shield down a bit and instead of relying on others providing you with something, tend the seeds of skills and abilities within yourself. Don’t ask people to do something for you only because they have the skill. Learn the skills from them, harbour your curiosity and start building something solid that will serve you well in future.

The change coming your way, Pile 1, is an eye-opening one. You are likely to realise some of your limiting beliefs about yourself and your life. The clarity of mind comes fast, might be shocking and even a little painful but it’s gonna serve the purpose. You need this experience, you need this sense of shock running down your spine in order to move forward, to invite more powerful energy into your life. You can’t be dependent on others forever. You can’t rely on them always being there for you. You need to stand on your own feet, build your own confidence and self-esteem, you need to organise your life and make those first steps towards a brighter future. You need to walk your authentic path even if you are going to be the only one walking it.

Pile 1 - What do those changes possibly bring into your life

Cards: Gebo (Runes Oracle), 50. 12th House - Introspection (Starcodes Astro Oracle), 9 of Cups, XXI The World, Ace of Swords, XIX The Sun, King of Cups, King of Pentacles (The Light Seer’s Tarot)

The changes happening will bring more clarity into your life. You finally can see the truth about yourself, others, the world around you. You are no longer affected by other people’s perspectives, you are in a sense freedom. Gaining freedom and liberty through this kind of awakening is likely to bring more happiness, fulfilment and stability into your life. Once you realise that all those sometimes painful changes are actually blessings in disguise, your wishes are coming true for you, you are gaining that emotional balance and stability you always craved, you can feel both grounded and able to spread your wings and fly the direction you always wished to go. As much of a paradox, suddenly you are able to step outside of your comfort zones while remaining comfortable about it. You are experiencing happiness and a feeling of wholeness on your own. You don’t need anybody to complete you, you are the one and whole piece of amazing creature. And this allows you to actually attract the good people into your life. You are able to give freely without expecting anything in return which actually brings more abundance to your life. Suddenly you are giving so much but receiving even more. You feel genuine and mutually enriching connections with people in your life. And you are able to look within your soul without shame and identify whatever is still there that needs to be healed or worked on. It’s no longer a dreadful journey through a haunted house of your soul, it’s a walk through a garden that still needs to be nurtured and maintained but is blossoming.

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Pile 2 - What major changes are coming your way

Cards: Hagalaz (Runes Oracle), Success (Prism Oracle), 6 of Cups, 6 of Pentacles, 3 of Swords, Ace of Cups, 8 of Swords, 8 of Wands (Tarot of the Divine)

Dear Pile 2, the changes approaching you are likely to have quite a destructive nature. Good news is that what they destroy is something that was tormenting you and keeping you stuck. Something that used to cause you pain, harm you in some way, binding you and making you feel imprisoned, is about to be swiftly destroyed and banished from your life. You are likely to drop something truly toxic. Remember that the path towards freedom from this misery leads through compassion and emotional healing. Maybe you are not the only one suffering from this issue. Find your tribe, seek help from those who have experience and education. If you are suffering mentally or emotionally, consider therapy. If your burden is of physical nature, stop postponing the doctor appointment and gather the courage to face the true nature of your issues.

Always remember that you’re not alone! There are people who love you and will happily assist you on your path towards healing and moving away from the toxic past. Trust your close ones, people who were there for you through difficult times. You are not meant to do all the work on your own. Universe will send you guides and advisors to help you with the transition. Don’t push them away and welcome them with open arms and heart. You have the capacity to love. You will be rewarded with success and new self-esteem.

Pile 2 - What do those changes possibly bring into your life

Cards: Raido (Runes Oracle), Determination (Prism Oracle), XI Justice, Ace of Swords, Ace of Wands, 10 of Pentacles, 10 of Wands, 4 of Wands (Tarot of the Divine)

Once you undergo the necessary changes, you are likely to achieve more balance and sense of pride. Being proud of your own accomplishments isn’t a sin, especially when you have worked hard to reach that top of the mountain. Sometimes it might feel like you are never going to stand on the top of the hill but don’t lose hope. Life is never easy but that’s what makes it worth living. You learned through the changes, that you don’t have to do everything alone, that you can actually ask for help when you need it and avoid burnout. Your soul family will give you gentle push when you are tired climbing up, they will inspire you when encountering obstacles, they will brainstorm with you and help you reach mental clarity so you can just cut through some of the complex problems with one swift solution. Your journey doesn’t end once you undergo the changes, it starts there. It might be a real physical journey if you want to move or travel, or it can be a metaphorical journey of your spirit. Be authentic and carry only truth in your heart. Deception will only lead you astray. It’s better to be honest and sometimes make others uncomfortable than to tell white lies and potentially harvest bad karma. Your goals are within your reach but you will never get there cheating. You will only be able to celebrate your success if you remain true to your values and ideals.

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Pile 3 - What major changes are coming your way

Cards: Sowelo (Runes Oracle), 7. Message (Fin de Siècle Kipper), IX The Hermit, 0 The Fool, Knight of Cups, III The Empress, XVI The Tower, 2 of Cups (The Tarot of Vampyres)

Congratulations, dear Pile 3, you have chosen the scariest Tower card pile only to land on a reading that’s actually the most lovely one, quite literally! The period of hermiting is at its end, dear Pile 3 and I’m sorry to inform you that you are about to be rescued from your metaphorical tower, the walls you have build around your heart and soul are about to be torn down and you will have to accept a new faith, embark on a new exciting path full of meaningful connections. Those are not necessarily only romantic ones but there are both the Knight of Cups and 2 of Cups so the romance is strongly suggested for some of you. This might be both scary and exciting at first, maybe you are not used to being admired or in a way courted (yes, I know people don’t court each other anymore but I think it would be nice if we brought that back, at least to a certain degree). The changes happening are likely to start within yourself. You are likely to feel more yourself, more beautiful in your own eyes and this aura of inner beauty will radiate from every cell of your body and attract suitors like candle flame attracts moths. Make sure to treat them with respect and don’t burn them even when you’re not interested!

Pile 3, your transformation from a lone wolf into a loving, nurturing and welcoming person might come as a shock to many but don’t be afraid. It’s likely to be a pleasant surprise. You are likely to receive good news, maybe start a communication with someone you really vibe with, maybe you are already in contact with them and the change will lead towards deepening your relationship or its transformation from platonic into romantic relationship. You don’t need your knight to rescue you, you can do it on your own but shall you wish for it, you can find your knight once you are out of your metaphorical tower. Seize the day and when you are presented with an opportunity, take it! Be brave! Believe in yourself! You are blossoming into a beautiful creature through and through. Embrace the change, accept it with your whole heart. Be ready to be loved for the amazing person you are.

Pile 3 - What do those changes possibly bring into your life

Cards: Jera (Runes Oracle), 15. Lovers (Fin de Siècle Kipper), 10 of Cups, 4 of Swords, 10 of Swords, VI The Lovers, IV The Emperor, 6 of Swords (The Tarot of Vampyres)

The indication of a romantic relationship is even stronger now as you actually have two Lovers cards. You lucky Pile 3! Now when all your blossoming and escaping from the cold and lonely murals of your metaphorical tower happened, you shall enjoy the fruits of your efforts. It’s time for you to stop trying hard, go with the flow, enjoy the ride that is this lovely connection, be it harmonious union of friends or a match made in heaven. The pain of the past can be finally fully healed and forgotten. You are in charge of your life now. You are moving away from hurting and paining over the past and gaining power over your life. The wheel is turning and it’s showing you its bright and fortunate side. You can fully enjoy the bliss of emotional balance and happiness. Love is not happening for you, you are actively and consciously choosing it for yourself. Stepping out of the shadows, shining brightly, shading the old skin that has become uncomfortable for you. You are in love! With yourself, with your community, with the world around you!

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And this is the end! I hope you enjoyed the reading and I will be so grateful for any kind of a feedback! Especially for comments and messages in my inbox or DMs! I always love to hear from you, guys!

As usual for me, I have included the cards I pulled. Which card grasped your attention? You know it's also significant! Which card made you feel uneasy perhaps? Share your impressions!

Find more of my general readings here: Pick-A-Pile (PAC) Masterlist

Don't forget that my paid readings are open and you can always ask follow up questions to this reading! Paid Readings Special Offer

See you next time with one of my tiny games!

[inaconstantstateofchange]

Halsin and Silvanus

In the course of my recent research on Bane for a lore request fill, I found myself coming across a lot of very interesting information, previously unknown to me, about the other gods of the Forgotten Realms — in particular Silvanus. There was enough there that it inspired me to direct some extra research hours into this writeup, exploring all the reasons why Halsin is a quintessential Silvanite.

If you would like any more information on anything included here, please feel free to drop a comment or an ask, as there is truly so much that I just don’t have the space to include. (I usually end up with about 12-13 pages of source quotes before I begin one of these meta posts.)

My usual note that, as ever, these writeups will align with current 5e lore, and draw from 3.5e for additional supporting information. On rarer occasions – and always noted – I will reference 1e and 2e, but with the caveats that there is much more in those editions that is tonally dissonant with the modern conception of the Forgotten Realms, and thus generally less applicable.

Silvanus is easily one of the most misunderstood gods of the Faerûnian pantheon. This is even pointed out directly within his section of the 3.5e Faiths & Pantheons (an incredible resource if you are looking for more detailed information on the gods of the Forgotten Realms!): 

Nevertheless, most outsiders view the church of Chauntea, as patrons of agriculture, as being favorably inclined toward the expansion of civilization, while the church of Silvanus is the implacable foe of those who would settle new lands. Neither impression is correct, yet the church of the Oak Father is often perceived as little different from those faiths that venerate the Deities of Fury.¹ [emphasis added]

Silvanus is most often perceived as strictly and impassively neutral, and intrinsically opposed to civilization in all its forms. While the former is something close to true – he is a very neutral-aligned deity, albeit not necessarily in a way that matches the popular conception of the term – the latter is certainly not. Humanity (if you’ll forgive the use of the term to designate in broad strokes the non-animal denizens of the Material Plane) is another facet of nature, one given equal consideration to the rest – plant, animal, and other – by Silvanus.²

While as a whole followers of Silvanus have a preference for the wilds and the deep forests, this is by no means a concrete rule. In fact, Silvanite clergy – those known as druids – are not uncommonly found in enclaves in larger cities of the Sword Coast and beyond, including Waterdeep.² Typically these druids will “create gardenlike walled areas of wild forest within the city limits.”¹ Wherever they may find themselves, Silvanite druids work to maintain the Balance of nature around them, through education and direct action both. 

Silvanus’s dogma has much to tell us about his philosophy, and that of his followers. I’ll be splitting notable excerpts and their relation to Halsin into sections below. 

Hold your distance and take in the total situation, rather than latching on to the popular idea of what is best.¹ 

Halsin was, from the first moment I met him in-game, so notable for his calm self-possession, and the clear forethought he gave to his actions and those of others. He does not feel bound by the expectations or approval of others – as noted in the dialogue he shares with the player if they compliment his choice of successor – but instead makes his own path following the direction of Silvanus’s wisdom and will. 

Resort to violence and open confrontation only when pressured by time or hostile action.¹

This is showcased numerous times throughout the game, but perhaps best evidenced by an in-game note, from an unlikely source: the Priestess Gut. The note that you can find from her, regarding Halsin’s capture, notes the following: 

Said he thinks there's somethin' rotten inside us. Inside me. Reckons he can help get rid of the rot. I told him we don't need any help from nobody. Never did. And especially not now the Absolute's taken a shine to us.³

Despite the immediacy of his capture at their hands, and the preceding attack already lodged against himself and Nettie⁴, Halsin’s primary impulse is to attempt diplomacy, and render aid. This only changes when his length of captivity has made it clear that there will be no changing the minds of the cultists, and they must be dissuaded by stronger means.

Banish disease wherever you find it¹

The way Halsin is first introduced to the player is as a healer – and not just any healer, but a masterful one, known throughout the region, who has the best chance of being able to assist with any manner of strange ailment. It is clear in all ways, as well as in the scenario referenced in the preceding section, that this is an aspect of Silvanus that Halsin strives to embody at all times. 

Seek out, serve, and befriend the dryads and learn their names.¹

Particularly if we understand the reference to dryads here to extend to all fey spirits of nature, this gives new depth to Halsin’s friendship and devotion to the nature spirit Thaniel. Halsin, as a druid generally, and as an Archdruid in particular, would have a solemn and divinely-ordained responsibility to redress the upheaval of the Balance within the Shadowcursed lands. For that reason alone, it is no surprise that it was his primary motivation and consideration for nigh on a century. 

However, even above and beyond that, Halsin had an additional motivator. Even before he became a druid, potentially before he was exposed to the teachings of Silvanus in anything but the most vague and general of terms, he was living them out by befriending the local nature spirit, learning his name, and seeking to understand, serve, and protect him. 

Make others see the balance and work against those that would disturb it. Watch, anticipate, and quietly manipulate.¹

The primary source text I am using to draw this connection was written neither by nor about Halsin, yet I believe it still clearly reflects on him, for reasons that will become clear. This text is from a logbook recording activities of the Emerald Grove during the year 1371, 121 years prior to the start of the game’s storyline, and some years before the defining events in the soon-to-be Shadowcursed Lands. 

6 Uktar: Sent two druids, some of the newer recruits, up north. Village there has had two years of failed crops and are unlikely to survive the next winter. 9 Uktar: A group from Baldur's Gate arrived. They've set up camp on the edge of the forest. Two bears and a fox came by. Their territory has been burned out. Half the fox's cubs died. Paying this new group a visit tomorrow. 10 Uktar: Visit did not go well. After telling me where to shove it, they said they'd cut down half the forest and burn out any wildlife that dared to stick around. Claimed they were going to 'farm the land and make a new city of their own.' Time to get creative. 12 Uktar: Mudslide did the trick. Buried half their farming equipment and made the rest useless. They won't be back any time soon. Got reports of a Red Wizard in the village south of here. Sending three rangers to investigate. If they catch even a whiff of a red cloak, I'm contacting the House of Silvanus.⁵

Given the timeline, while this is unlikely to have been written by Halsin himself, it seems like a strong possibility that it was written by his master, the previous Archdruid of the Emerald Grove, who perished in the fight against Ketheric Thorm. This is supported by the clear evidence that the author was an individual in a position to give direction and command to those around them, and to make the call for how to deal with various situations. Given too what we know of the druidic leadership structure, Halsin would have been the previous Archdruid’s Second, as Kagha was his.⁶ 

This man, then, would have greatly influenced Halsin as a druid of Silvanus and as a leader both. We can presume that this watchful duty and deliberation was one that Halsin himself took over, charged with doing his part to maintain the Balance of the region around the grove.  This last point especially becomes even more significant in light of the following information, which comes not from Silvanus’s dogma, but rather from a description of his followers and traditions of worship: 

Members of the clergy work to redirect development and control populations through covert sponsorship of brigands, breeding and selective placing of predators, and other means. It is essential that such work be as secretive as possible, so that most folk view the servants of Silvanus as essentially benign lovers of trees. Wildlife breeding, nursing sick animals, and replanting trees and wild shrubs are all work that should be done as publicly as possible to support this perception – and as necessary work to redress the slipping Balance, of course.¹ [emphasis added]

It is clear from all preceding evidence, and this excerpt in particular, that the druids as a whole put far more thought and strategy into every aspect of their appearance and the perception of them than they would ever want outsiders to become aware of. Halsin himself corroborates this in-game, noting that, while druids might not like politicking, that certainly does not mean they haven’t the skill for it when called upon. 

For the sake of… well. (I have been advised by my legal counsel not to use “brevity” here.) Regardless! For the sake of my sanity and your time, I will refrain from going into further detail on specific instances that show this to be true of Halsin. I will merely encourage you, the reader, to consider the value this brings to his character and druids as a whole, and hope to encourage new appreciation for their refreshing complexity. 

In closing, I leave you with one final quote: 

Superior patience, natural knowledge, and anticipation are the hallmarks of a worthy servant of Silvanus.¹

¹ Faiths and Pantheons. 2002. p. 63.

² Dragon Magazine #412. June 2012. pp. 22-3.

³ Rancid Note. In-Game Text. 

⁴ Halsin’s Journal, Vol I. In-Game Text. 

⁵ Logbook XII: 1371. In-Game Text. 

⁶ Grove Annals. In-Game Text.

[juju-or-anya]

Every time someone says “Eloise isn’t a real feminist at least Penelope did something” I have to laugh. They are making her out to be Lois Lane when she runs a gossip column. Her feminist action is only for her. She found a way profit of the status quo thats it. Gossip isn’t feminist just because its associated with women. Gossip is how we enforce societal expectations by publicly shaming people and reminding others they can always be shamed. The idea that Penelope is a “better” feminist than Eloise is silly. Im not saying Eloise is a perfect feminist of course she isn’t she is sheltered and had to bribe a maid to learn about sex. No one that sheltered will have fully formed feminist theory or activism. But to say Penelope is a good feminist for her individualist actions is wild.

It's essential to recognize that no woman is a perfect feminist because there is no such thing as a perfect, uniform feminism. Feminism and deconstruction are personal and unique processes that each woman undergoes at her own pace, in her own way, with the information and resources available to her. Feminism is both a social and individual construct, with many facets and branches that reflect the cultural, social, and individual diversity of the women who embrace it.

For example, a high-class, white, Christian, English woman will have a different experience of feminism than a mixed-race, Latina, lower-middle-class woman in Argentina. Each positions herself on a branch of feminism that best represents her context and experiences.

With this framework in mind, my perception of Penelope as a feminist is deeply questionable. Despite founding a lucrative business without a man's help, Penelope did so at the expense of other women, which contradicts fundamental feminist principles. She does not practice sisterhood; she views other women as competitors or tools, as seen in her perception of Marina as a rival and Madame Delacroix as a means to an end. Simply being a woman and self-sustaining does not make her a feminist, as exemplified by Margaret Thatcher. Although Thatcher broke many gender barriers by becoming the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, her conservative policies and lack of support for other women in politics were criticized for not aligning with feminist ideals.

Penelope Featherington presents herself as a woman who has defied social expectations by creating Lady Whistledown, but her practice of undermining other women to elevate herself and profit from it is inconsistent with feminist principles. By using her platform to spread gossip and undermine other women's reputations, Penelope perpetuates a culture of competition and surveillance among women instead of promoting solidarity and mutual support. This behavior is the antithesis of feminism, which seeks to empower all women and fight against the structures of oppression that divide us.

In contrast, Eloise Bridgerton cannot be directly labeled as a feminist, especially considering the historical context of 1815 when feminism as we know it did not yet exist. The first wave of feminism in the United Kingdom began between 1830 and 1840. However, as early as 1792, women like Eloise were starting to question traditional gender roles, laying the groundwork for the future feminist movement.

Eloise represents those early women who, without calling themselves feminists, began to entertain feminist ideas. If we placed Eloise in 1830, we could consider her one of the first feminists, perhaps even actively participating in protests. Eloise seeks to break out of her privileged bubble, learn about the world's realities, and advocate for minority rights, despite the limitations imposed by her time and social position. She is a young woman from a prestigious family, close to royalty, and her quest for freedom is hindered by her family's and society's expectations. Deciding to be a spinster is a radical statement in her context, a direct rejection of social norms dictating that women must marry and be compliant.

Eloise demonstrates a critical attitude towards established norms and a genuine curiosity to understand and challenge the injustices faced by women and minorities. She does not just seek her own benefit but is interested in the well-being of other women and the fight for meaningful societal change. While she cannot be categorized as a feminist in the modern sense, her questioning spirit and desire to break with oppressive traditions align her more with feminist principles than Penelope's actions.

On the other hand, Penelope shows no interest in learning about or advocating for minorities. She wants to belong to and benefit from the privileged social circle, seeking validation and acceptance from high society. To achieve this, she created Lady Whistledown, using rumors and secrets about other women to gain control and monetary gains, demonstrating a competitive and utilitarian view of women. Instead of using her influence to promote equity and support among women, Penelope chooses to manipulate and exploit other women's vulnerabilities for her own benefit.

The lack of sisterhood and the exploitation of other women to gain power and personal profit is profoundly problematic and antithetical to feminism. In her quest for validation and status, Penelope perpetuates a culture of division and distrust among women, something that feminism works hard to dismantle.

For all these reasons, it is absurd and offensive to claim that Penelope is more feminist than Eloise. Eloise, with her desire to challenge norms and learn about injustices, embodies the spirit of feminism much more than Penelope, whose behavior undermines the movement's fundamental principles. The true essence of feminism lies in solidarity, mutual support, and the collective struggle for equity and justice for all women, not in personal gain at the expense of others.

Setting aside the beautiful and very professional text I wrote, Penelope epitomizes the white, privileged woman who plays the victim and believes that because she has suffered, she has the right to make others suffer. Instead of confronting those who truly harmed her, she targets those who have done nothing to her. Her envy of the Bridgertons is so deep that she wants to be like them but also wants to hurt them. This is evident from her comment, "You're just a pretty Bridgerton," and her other remark, "At least I did something; you just talk."

Excuse me, Penelope, but at least Eloise talks to minorities as equals, not as if they were her servants.

[that-foul-legacy-lover]

Late night angsty thoughts...hitting very hardd

So, I wonder if Ajax and Legacy weren't basically two parts of a whole and were instead each in their own body....

(This is assuming Ajax is your partner, and Legacy came after since, in my mind him and the reader are childhood friends. Also, I'm an Ajax kisser, I'm SORRY 😞)

Would Ajax still be ok with sharing his partner then? I mean, right now, it's not like he has any other choice but what if he did? Also, are legacy's feelings for the reader all his own or are they kind of influenced by Ajax in a way?

LIKE, right now, they're a part of one whole being but would they still be happy sharing reader if they could choose not to?

Might be angsty I'm very sorry to all my softhearted peers (it's me, I'm softhearted peers)

ANYWAY Sorry for the sads this might cause ily Wifi <3

*eats this in one bite* y'all know i love my angst ehe i love you too anon <3

Ajax's biggest fear used to be showing you Foul Legacy. how would you react? would you be scared? Tsaritsa's name, he hopes not- you've been friends almost all your life, he doesn't want to lose you. he faced that fear, once he was brave enough. showed you his Abyssal half and all the strength and destruction that came with it. to his relief, you adored Foul Legacy, and the monster loved you right back, a hidden softness slowly revealed in the light. you pet and praise and shower Legacy in affection, just as you do for Ajax, and he purrs and croons and snuggles right up to you just the same, and now Ajax fears, again. perhaps you love Foul Legacy more than you love him, even more so now that they have two different bodies. maybe all his efforts will go to waste

Foul Legacy and Ajax are facets, see. they're similar and different at the same time- Ajax is boisterous, charming, even a little bit smug. Legacy is sweet, clingy, extremely careful in his movements around you. they both can be vicious, but not to you. never to you. Ajax told Foul Legacy about you, during the months- or perhaps days, from what his parents say- he spent in the Abyss. the thought of you was one of the few things that kept him fighting and kept Legacy curious, eager to see this human his host had spoken so highly of. his monstrous heart melted when you fussed over Ajax upon his return, a rumbling purr kicking up in the ginger's head, only growing once he finally had his own form that he could stay in at all times

you love Ajax and Foul Legacy, and they love you. Legacy even cherishes Ajax, often pulling him into hugs or cuddles so you can squeeze the Harbinger tight. and he knows in those moments that you love him dearly, that your affection isn't a limited resource. he still gets moments with just you, when Legacy is tired or out hunting or you're going shopping for the week. you grip around his waist tightens, and Ajax softens and leans into your embrace, lacing his fingers with yours as Legacy purrs and pats your hair. there will never be a shortage of love to give, not from you, and maybe he's begun to appreciate his Abyssal counterpart more than just a weapon, too

[river-in-the-woods]

i have a similar situation - i'm struggling to make my own correspondences, and i'm trying to draw from my pagan practices as well as my ancestral asian practice. i'm having a bit of difficulty with systematically going through a small dictionary, but maybe this can provide some ideas (and of course, if you have any critiques, i'm totally open to that as well!)

I usually just pick up any reference book and choose whatever I like the sound of and can get my hands on. I have a copy of The Encyclopedia of Natural Magic by J.M. Greer which I use a lot because it has minimal tangential waffle and is neatly laid out. I like Llewellyn's Charms, Spells and Formulas for the same reason.

For culturally relevant things, I like chinasage which has a symbol index of various flora and fauna. I'm not aware of similar resources for other parts of East Asia, apologies.

While I do think that different materials are endowed with particular virtues, I also think this is another area of magic where people get a little obsessed with categorisation.

It's not like Pokemon where lavender has +10 sleep magic points and chamomile has +12, or roses are exclusively for love and attraction and black pepper is only for cursing and banishing, and so on... It's a little more like cooking where there are many possibilities of creating a satisfying meal and yet it still depends on the individual tastes of who's partaking in it.

Cypress, yew and asphodel are strongly associated with the underworld; mugwort and wormwood are associated with night-time and dreams, but these plants will still die without the light of day. Sunflowers and oranges are very solar, but they still have roots that reach into the earth to anchor them. Chilli peppers are incredibly fiery, but they still die without water. Yarrow is for youth, love and beauty, except when you're allergic to it.

Every herb is a herb for protection, and wealth, and attraction, and fertility, and banishing – and so on, because every plant has its own strategy to survive, thrive and proliferate.

(And that's just plants, not even touching on the properties of minerals, animals, elements, colours and so on.)

They do have their specialisations, yes, and I wouldn't use mint to call on the element of fire, nor would I use coffee beans in a sleep spell... What I'm trying to say is: they're all multi-faceted, so set aside the reference books now and then, and just observe and make connections intuitively.

Reference books might tell you that basil or cinnamon or citrus (or whatever) have wealth-drawing properties.

But grass, plain old common grass, completely dominates the greenery of the earth. Crops like rice, wheat, barley and corn are staple foods that support the world's population. And dandelions, with their solar and ouranic qualities and how quickly they proliferate across an open field, are oft overlooked.

These never get listed in books, yet their literal and symbolic powers are undeniable.

Put these – grass seeds, rice grains and dandelion seeds – into a wealth working with a simple prayer. "Bless me with as much wealth as there are blades of grass on this earth, as there are grains of rice that sustain humanity, as there are dandelion seeds that fill the air in spring."

Correspondences are only part of what makes magic work. There's also your own ability and experience, the spirits you call and the relationship you have with them... I strongly favour the relationship part because reference books become less and less important, when you can just ask and the spirits will tell you what to use. Or even better when you don't have to do a spell at all, because you have spirits to take care of it in exchange for some cake.

It took me a long time to open myself up to receiving that kind of inspiration, but... honestly, don't overthink it. You know a lot of correspondences already because you interact with the world every day.

Good luck 🌿

[frostfires-blog]

My Top 15 Favourite Anime (& Donghua) Female Characters 2024

[Before I get started, I'd like to point out that making this list was quite challenging considering I have watched quite a few anime. So please don't be too offended if any of your favourites aren't included; just because they aren't here doesn't automatically mean I dislike them. Feel free to leave your constructive thoughts and own lists in the comment section since I appreciate amicable discourse. Also, I decided to use the "keep reading" feature to make it easier to scroll through the long posts on my blog, so the official list is under the cut.]

-> Honourable Mentions:

-> My Top 15:

“If you’re helping someone and expecting something in return, you’re doing business not kindness.” Shirayuki is incredibly empathetic and emotionally aware as evidenced by her drive to ensure that the people around her feel cared for and supported. Even if it involves sacrificing her time and energy, she is always eager to help others. At times this is her greatest strength—as it enables her to build strong connections with others. However, on occasion, this trait makes it difficult for her to establish boundaries and prioritise her own needs.  This struggle is something I think we can all relate to.  I greatly admire her determination, optimism, compassion and resourcefulness. Her integrity, patience and consideration for others is something I aspire to emulate in daily life. Her passion for plants is something I have in common with her.

"I won't lose to myself!" Given that she has become somewhat of a meme in the fandom, I'm sure some of you may be surprised by this, but she was one of the first female anime characters I resonated with when I was young. Although she lacks presence in the overall series, her strong-willed and independent yet easy-going and relatable personality endeared her to me. Even in stressful situations, she is renowned for her diligence, discipline, practicality, and reliability. Her character serves as a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit as well as the value of perseverance and hard work. Her fear of failure sometimes causes her to doubt herself and her capabilities which highlights the struggle we all face with balancing our concerns and our obligations. Her fighting style and character design remain one of my absolute favourites, making me annoyed that Kishimoto didn’t do more with her character. Also, nejiten is my Roman Empire.

“This is a cruel world. And yet...so beautiful....” In all honesty, I'm still miffed by the ending of Attack on Titan, which had me contemplating whether to include her on this list, but I realised that would be petty and short-sighted. Mikasa was one of the first female characters I saw who not only stood with male characters on the battlefield but also outperformed them—which made me look up to her. Mikasa's greatest attributes are her inner strength and innate sense of responsibility to defend her loved ones and fight for justice, as well as her intense loyalty and devotion, especially to Eren. Aside from her strength and fortitude, she also possesses compassion and gentleness towards those she cares for—which I admire considering many female characters in shounen anime are pressured to sacrifice these qualities to be strong and respected.

“Why didn’t I try to get to know him better?” Since Frieren is the newest character on this list, I’m sure she’ll continue to grow on me in due time. As the protagonist of a show centred around the value of life, the importance of goodbyes and the passage of time; Frieren is an incredibly complex, multi-faceted character. Her journey to understand the depth of human relationships and emotions—after losing someone she failed to realise was important to her—is an incredibly touching and insightful one. Watching her experiences serves as an important lesson: to value every moment and to take the initiative to build connections with others—which is something I often struggle with. Frieren is best recognised for her composed demeanour. She demonstrates qualities such as an affinity for independence, a keen sense of introspection and a preference for logical reasoning—all of which allow her to serve as a voice of reason for their group. Her sharp mind and unrelenting curiosity propel her to continually expand the limits of her knowledge, enabling her to innovatively tackle challenges from a unique viewpoint—making her an engaging and dynamic character to watch.

“A-xian is my little brother…When others insult him it is no small matter to me.” While often overlooked due to her immense kindness and amiable personality—her determination, selflessness and fierce protectiveness of her loved ones are admirable. Although not a major character in MDZS, her influence over its more central characters is evident. Her lack of hesitance in sacrificing her life for her martial brother, Wei Wuxian—even though he unintentionally contributed to her husband’s death—endeared me to her. Her determination to rise above her difficult upbringing and grow into a caring, mature and reliable figure is praiseworthy along with her capacity to find common ground in seemingly immutable situations. Her character design ranks among my favourites as well and complements her personality well. She taught me that despite being in a society where one is harshly rebuked or pressurised it is important to stand firm in your beliefs and desires.

“If you must cling to something in order to yield, why not pick up that which you have tossed away and hold it in your hands anew?” While initially, she doesn't appear to be very noteworthy because of her limited role in the series, the brief time she gets presents her in a positive light and her backstory is notably well-developed even among more prominent side characters. Despite her reclusiveness; her compassion, forgiveness and humility are noteworthy—especially when contrasted with the majority of other Heavenly Officials. Given that characters like Xie Lian and Hua Cheng respect her, while Jun Wu and Pei Ming are cautious of her proves that her strength and significance should not be undervalued. Her ascension story—which earned her the moniker “The Princess Who Slit Her Throat”—is a prime example of her incredible selflessness as she willingly laid down her life to protect her family and country despite being ignored and mistreated for most of her life. She remains very grounded despite her status as the God of Rain and Agriculture and is always willing to help others, even if it means defying authority. She possesses no ill will towards those she has had disagreements with and doesn't hesitate to save them.

 "Even if it's a short life, burn hot and bright and overtake the moment. That's my way of life." Kagura is best known for her quick wit, tomboyish personality and fighting spirit which often manages to steal the spotlight in the Gintama series. She is an ardent and fierce fighter who doesn't hesitate to express her opinions. Beneath her brash exterior, she is compassionate and caring, frequently using her keen intuition and empathy when interacting with others. She often takes risks, facing challenges directly which can be seen as impulsive and abrasive—however, this behaviour stems from her need for control and security amidst a chaotic world. In a sense, we all struggle to assert ourselves in difficult situations and could benefit from approaching things with a little more of Kagura's zeal. Kagura also enjoys helping others and is incredibly devoted to the people she loves. She is also not afraid to voice her opinions or act when she sees someone in need. By virtue of her strength, humour, and charm, she has not only gained popularity among fans but also established herself as an iconic figure in the shounen genre.

"If you don't hold a rose carefully, you'll get pierced by its thorns." Tsukuyo is best known for her unique fighting style, sharp wit, caustic humour, and compelling backstory which has allowed her to become a fan favourite and a key part of many serious arcs in the series. In many respects, her design and backstory serve as a parallel to that of the protagonist—Gintoki—which adds to her depth. Furthermore, her name and personality are based on Tsukuyomi no Mikoto—the moon god in Shinto and Japanese mythology—accentuating the cool aesthetic of her design. Contrasting her rough exterior, Tsukuyo is shown to have a tender side, exhibiting an innate sense of empathy and sensitivity. Although her reserved attitude often conveys an impression of aloofness and distance, this is just how she processes things and expresses concern, which is something I can identify with.  Her most admirable quality is her strong sense of duty and loyalty towards her loved ones, as well as her inclination to prioritise the needs of others over her own. Although she struggles with insecurity and anxiety—leading her to hesitate and over-analyse—she is resolute in overcoming these issues when crucial matters are at stake, which is a valuable message.

“I once believed that the road of happiness continued forever and ever into the distance. When it was destroyed, I realized for the first time that it lies upon a thin sheet of glass. And just as we were saved, there were those whose happiness that haven't yet been destroyed. So, I wanted to get stronger and protect them.” Shinobu is a multifaceted and captivating character who stands out—even amongst Demon Slayer's eclectic cast—largely due to her distinct fighting style, striking design, tragic backstory as well as her nuanced personality and motivations. Shinobu's strongest assets are her insight, and compassion, which enable her to support those in need. She usually has a relaxed smile on her face and generally exhibits a bright, amiable, and joyful demeanour. However, it soon becomes apparent that this outward disposition is a façade masking her profound anger and relentless desire for vengeance. This dichotomy in her persona is foreshadowed by her conflicting roles in the series as a healer and a poisoner. Her desire to cater to those close to her is the primary motivation for her outward façade, which is primarily modelled after the mannerisms of her deceased older sister. Considering we all conceal certain parts of ourselves to appeal to others, this aspect of her character is very impactful and relatable. She also often struggles with feelings of inadequacy stemming from her physical limitations. However, she overcomes this obstacle by employing poison to kill demons, showcasing her resourcefulness, fortitude and tenacity. Although we all feel envious of the talents of others, Shinobu's character is a reminder that we all have our strengths and should face obstacles head-on never giving up on our objectives.

“Although our thoughts are changeable and difficult to understand, the actions we take don’t change, no matter how much time passes.” As a consequence of her seclusion in the Yamei Palace and her mystical abilities, Jusetsu is quite enigmatic and detached. While she is often perceived as haughty and aloof due to her bluntness, impatience and lack of social experience; she is shown to have a tender and vulnerable side. She possesses an inherent sense of justice and doesn't disregard those in need, even if they have offended her in the past, which is incredibly admirable. Although her position as the Raven Consort demands her to live alone, she quickly finds herself surrounded by people, leading her to feel guilty considering her deceased predecessor remained isolated. Her heart begins to soften as she lets others in, but she often struggles to comprehend others, causing her to inadvertently offend them—which is something that most of us can relate to. However, she is quick to mend things once she realises her misstep and comes to learn that it's necessary to confide in those who care about you. She frequently exhibits guilt about seeing her mother die, which leads her to feel that it's preferable to be by herself than to lose anyone else. Her struggles with guilt and constant introspection not only add to her complexity as a character but also make her very relatable. To a degree, we all worry that opening our hearts to others will result in us being irrevocably hurt but constantly have to take that risk to live a fulfilling life—thus making Jusetsu’s journey an incredibly empowering and compelling one.

“I'll definitely overtake you, and it'll be my turn to worry about you.” Misaki is best described as bright, diligent, pragmatic, and disciplined. As the student council president, she is committed to improving her school's reputation, even if it involves challenging the expectations of her male teachers and peers. Before Misaki's father abandoned their family, she was noticeably more tender-hearted and compassionate, but she subsequently developed a bias against males based on her conviction that they were inconsiderate and unreliable. She possesses a rigid sense of justice and sets high standards for herself and everyone around her. Consequently, she often struggles with her emotions, particularly when it comes to maintaining her composure when her private life is disrupted. Misaki is particularly embarrassed about her part-time position at a Maid Cafe, believing it contradicts her strong, uncompromising image, and consequently takes great effort to establish a rigid boundary between her public image and her private life by keeping this job hidden from others. Misaki's best quality is that she never veers off course and gives her all in everything she does, inspiring others in the process. Misaki exemplifies the value of resilience and diligence when it comes to achieving one's goals because, despite facing countless hurdles, she remains committed to her ideals. Conversely, she is overly self-sacrificing and frequently overworks herself due to her inability to trust others. Through the course of the series, she learns to accept her femininity and fragility while remaining assertive and self-sufficient. As she navigates her growing romantic feelings for Usui, she learns the value of having faith in others, as well as the significance of respect, communication, and acceptance in relationships. This process of self-discovery moulds Misaki into a multifaceted character who is exemplary and relatable.

“If history repeats itself, and moves in a circular path, then believing that whatever force is turning it is perfect, is all we can do as we move ahead. Pushed along by forces beyond our control, waiting, for the blade to be swung." Rukia’s best attributes are her altruism, modesty, strong moral compass and sense of duty. Her journey throughout the series centres around self-acceptance and belonging. Initially, she feels worthless and out of place yet longs to be recognised and accepted. Given that she finds it difficult to reach out to others, she never expresses these desires and lives a lonely life under continual strain. After meeting Ichigo and his friends, in the World of the Living, she begins to open up but quickly backtracks after she is taken back to the Soul Society to be executed. Despite enduring tremendous hardship, she never forsakes her ideals or blames anybody else—but instead faces and overcomes everything alone. This demonstrates her immense fortitude, resolve and integrity. Her strength lies in the fact that her heart never fluctuates. Upon the moment of her execution, she does not display fear or regret but is instead grateful for having lived an ample life. However, this is the turning point, as she is saved by Ichigo and is thereafter rewarded for her resolve and steadfast convictions. She finally alleviates herself of the guilt and grief she had been carrying by allowing herself to rely on others for emotional support. She can now confidently confront and overcome her greatest challenges because she is certain of who she is. In this way, Rukia's character serves as an example that no matter what you are faced with, your efforts will be recognised so long as you remain resolute and virtuous—which is incredibly commendable and compelling.

Her enduring and incomparable bond with the series’ protagonist, Ichigo is one of my favourite aspects of her character and the series as a whole. Throughout the story, she is a continual source of both physical and emotional strength for him. In several respects, Rukia's character is a parallel to his as she understands Ichigo's feelings better than anyone else considering she has gone through similar experiences. The quote "The rain drags the Black Sun down, but the rain is dried by the White Moon" perfectly encapsulates their dynamic—with Ichigo representing the former and Rukia representing the latter. Throughout the series, the rain is a potent metaphor for Ichigo's despair, while Rukia is constantly seen guiding and consoling him—effectively drying up “the rain”.  She acts as a "ray of light" for Ichigo—despite her problems—who in turn does the same for her. Rukia's symbolism as the "White Moon" also pertains to her technique—specifically her bankai, which transforms her into a veritable ice princess. This symbolism furthers her development, influence and prominence in the series.

"Before I question the gods, there are questions I should ask myself!" Yona's remarkable development from a pampered princess to a courageous warrior is precisely why she is one of the most recognised and respected shoujo heroines of all time. This development begins after her privileged and idyllic life in Hiryuu castle is upended when her beloved cousin, Soo-won, murders her father and seizes the throne. After witnessing this traumatising event, she is forced to flee the castle and is forced to adjust to a harsh and perilous life on the run. She is momentarily overcome with fear and denial thus depending entirely on her bodyguard and childhood friend Hak for protection and care. However, after recognising that the people who were sheltering her would suffer as a result of her incapacity, she began to pull herself together. Empowered by her newfound resolve, she and Hak journey across the kingdom in search of the legendary Dragon Warriors and through these fateful encounters, they cultivate a revitalized sense of purpose and camaraderie. It is on this journey that she begins to realise that her father’s pacifistic reign came at the cost of weakening their kingdom, leading to widespread strife and corruption. Her overwhelming guilt regarding her ignorance causes her to develop a genuine sense of responsibility towards her nation's people. With the support of her allies, she travels around the kingdom to improve the lives of the common people, having abandoned the prospect of revenge. Yona's fundamental strength is shown to derive from her emotional fortitude, compassion and capacity for forgiveness. Additionally, her adaptability, willingness to learn, and strong sense of conviction are all admirable. Although she continues to grow stronger throughout the series, she has always been incredibly kind and compassionate. She is inspiring because she demonstrates that true strength comes from within. It is her immense compassion that not only motivates her to protect her nation and change the lives of those around her but also draws people like Hak and the four dragon warriors to her. Her ability to forego her desire for vengeance in favour of forgiveness is not a show of weakness but is one of strength, selflessness and maturity. She realises that her desire for revenge is outweighed by the kingdom’s need for a radical and strong ruler like Soo-won —leading her to choose to work from the shadows to uplift the common people.

“It’s not always easy to see the good in people. In some people, you might even doubt that it’s there at all. But if you can somehow, find a way to believe…sometimes that’s all it takes to help someone, to give them the strength to find the good in themselves...” “No matter how cold it is now, spring will come again...” Tohru is best described as optimistic, hard-working, patient and open-minded. She is also modest, caring, and gentle-spirited. She constantly strives to seek out the good in everyone she encounters and is always willing to assist those in need—bearing no resentment against those who have harmed her. Her benevolent and amiable disposition effortlessly attracts people to her, making them feel accepted and valued, as demonstrated through her interactions with the zodiac members of the Sohma family. In comparison to the series' vast ensemble of colourful, quirky characters, Tohru is frequently perceived as being too perfectly kind and hence bland—nonetheless, this is completely misguided. In actuality, Tohru is equally as emotionally broken and thus the Sohma family heals her heart in the same way that she heals theirs. Her character is an exemplary subversion of the typical "kind-hearted" heroine given that she faces several genuine hardships that result from her gentle and charitable nature. She is not a perfect saint, but rather a girl who prioritises the struggles of others over her own as she attempts to find her place in the world. Her greatest strengths are her immense compassion, innate empathy and sincerity. Given that she expects nothing in exchange for helping others, her generosity does not originate from a position of entitlement, which is incredibly admirable. Tohru has a strong desire to be needed by others and thus often puts the needs of others before her own. She craves validation and assurance, hoping to be acknowledged as essential and irreplaceable to those around her. In response to the terrible treatment she received from her paternal relatives, Tohru has developed the notion that she might burden those around her, so she rarely expresses her desires. Consequently, she is inclined to internalise any unpleasant emotions and feelings rather than express them externally. However, as time passes, Tohru gradually learns to be more assertive and to accept help from others. Tohru's relationship with Kyo is another facet of her personality that I find endearing. Despite having similar backstories, they have developed divergent perspectives on life. Kyo finds it hard to recognise the positive in other people, while Tohru finds it hard to perceive anything negative in them. They strike a perfect equilibrium as he teaches her that being too unselfish and not sufficiently assertive is detrimental to her well-being, while she helps him realise that there is hope in trusting others. While Kyo is not the only one who sees through Tohru's façade, he is one of the only individuals who can help her face her issues as she becomes especially transparent around Kyo, confessing all her concerns and anxieties to him. Tohru demonstrates the power of forgiveness, love and friendship and exemplifies what it means to be a good person. Her journey towards overcoming her fears and attaining true happiness through strength and determination is heartwarming and inspiring. She embodies hope and compassion in a cruel and unfair world. Her growth demonstrates that being kind is not synonymous with being powerless or meek. She demonstrates that no one is completely perfect—that kindness is a choice rather than an innate gift, therefore we are all capable of making the effort to be kind and compassionate to others.

“If I should die, I'd want to die of poison.” Maomao's story is kickstarted when she is kidnapped and sent to the Imperial Palace as a maidservant. Maomao’s extensive knowledge of poisons and medicine, along with her aptitude for unravelling mysteries ensnare her into the intricate web of political intrigue despite her attempts to remain inconspicuous. She is mature, sharp-witted, composed, and pragmatic, in large part because she grasps her expendability in the Rear Palace. Being raised in the Red-Light District has shaped her into a resilient and adaptive person with a thorough awareness of society's complexities, which she uses to traverse the Rear Palace. Consequently, she has developed a highly practical and pessimistic mindset on life, centred around avoiding trouble and adjusting to her surroundings—which has enabled her to tolerate circumstances that many would deem traumatic or distressing.  Ironically, her insatiable curiosity, along with her strong sense of justice and empathy, frequently counterbalances her self-reservation; leading her to become involved in problems that affect others. Maomao is intrigued by poisons and medicinal plants, and she often investigates their effects on her own body. This passion is her primary motivation for her actions considering the mere prospect of savouring poison or studying a rare medicinal component kindles a fervent fire within her, resulting in a riveting shift in demeanour—which is naturally perceived as astonishing and insane by many characters, particularly the series' deuteragonist, Jinshi. Maomao’s name is derived from the onomatopoeia of a cat’s meow “貓” and fittingly she is often depicted with cat ears, which act as a visual metaphor for her ardent curiosity. This feline motif, combined with her proclivity for pushing herself into risky situations and her dangerous fascination with poisons, makes her the epitome of the phrase "curiosity killed the cat". Despite her exceptional competence and charisma, Maomao is not flawless; in fact, her flaws add to her appeal. Although Maomao's distrustful and inquisitive nature makes her an excellent detective, this same quality—coupled with her distorted yet starkly reliable perception of human connections—occasionally renders her socially inept. Maomao tends to shy away from forging strong, intimate bonds or attachments with other people, causing her to be wilfully oblivious of the obvious concern or affection others have for her, regardless of whether it is in a platonic, romantic, or professional capacity. Furthermore, she is sceptical about the notion of romance, feeling that it is more likely to cause ruination than to provide happiness. This scepticism and detachment are probably traumatic responses to being brought up in the red-light district, where someone's genuine affection alone does not guarantee that they will not discard you if needed.

Another aspect of Maomao’s character that I find intriguing is her dynamic with Jinshi which develops gradually and is multi-faceted due to their opposing traits, social statuses, and backgrounds. Despite her pretence of indifference, Maomao's actions—specifically her attentiveness and concern—gradually disclose her growing interest in him. Maomao's development demonstrates her progressively becoming less closed off emotionally as she processes the intricacies of her feelings. Similarly, Jinshi had no intention of growing attached to her—as he merely wanted to capitalise on her skill set and intellect. Nevertheless, he fell for her fairly quickly, with his feelings progressing from possessive attachment to ardent, selfless love. Their partnership is defined by mutual respect, trust, and their resolve to overcome obstacles of the aristocracy together. The series’ willingness to address feminist themes within a historically misogynistic setting adds another layer of complexity to Maomao’s character; since her intellect, competence, independence and boldness defy the gender expectations of the era. Even amidst the competitiveness of the Red-light district and the complex balance of power within the imperial harem— which were settings devised to pit women against one another—Maomao continues to advocate for camaraderie between women. As we continue to witness women supporting and empowering each other; their enduring strength and tenacity is exemplified. Maomao's journey is thus an embodiment of progressiveness reflecting a refreshing standpoint on female empowerment. Maomao's exceptional charm and vibrancy are profoundly compelling, instilling an enduring sense of inspiration and empowerment.

[Congratulations and thank you if you made it all the way to the end. I fear I rambled too much…. oh well… If anyone has any suggestions on what to do next, then let me know. Otherwise, I'm just going to be working on a few asks…]

[gatheredfates]

Greetings everyone! If you're thinking to yourself 'Wow, it's been a bit since Sea updated the Compendium', you'd be right! I've been (unfortunately) dealing with that demon we call burnout. However, I am determined not to let it win, even if it's capping my own creativity/drive at the moment, which is why I bring you an update to the Compendium. ✨

If you know of any communities I have missed, please reach out to me via my Discord or the Google Form.

However, as of 09/29, the following communities have been added to Sea's Community Compendium for XIV Creatives.

EVENT / COMMUNITY SPACES

The Cursed Carbuncle—The Cursed Carbuncle is a Cabinet of Curiosities & Oddities which sells alchemical reagents, curios, cursed items, intriguing artefacts, luxury objects, occult, rare books, taxidermy & unusual finds.

LORE

How Rare is that Job?—An Unofficial, Opinionated Look At Class/Job Rarity For FFXIV Roleplayers, created by Mis’to Raesthe on the Odin Server.

MISC

Leyla's Gposing Guide—This website is an ongoing comprehensive gpose guide that helps you every step of the way from the vanilla gpose menu to using shaders and posing tools/plugins, complete with screenshots and video guides, as well as pose/edit-along videos. It's also meant to allow many people to submit their own guides and tips.

So You Wanna Start Roleplaying in FFXIV—(Specifically, on Crystal Data Center). But It Sounds Really Scary And You're New And How Does This Even Work Anyway? A FAQ by By Nevivi Nevi/Lenneth Andrew of Balmung.

Have you thought about joining our Tumblr Community? You can find it here!

Want to submit? You can either fill out the google form here or send me an ask with the relevant information!

Is my space suitable for the Compendium? Most of the time, yes! Below the read more is some more information/stipulations. This is all publicly available on the document.

Below are the following things I do not accept on the Compendium:

Personal/Single-Character LFC ads. (Though these get posted to the SEAFLOOR Tumblr Community when I find them!)

Content intended for or can be used for bullying, harassment and OOC gossip. E.g. ‘Secrets’ blogs, receipts, callout posts, etc. This does not include IC tabloid blogs or other ventures used to generate roleplay.

Communities that do not have an RP/writing element (large-scale exempt).

Anything I find personally distasteful or goes against the spirit of this project.

Common-sense rule applies.

I want to put my community on the Compendium but we have an application process. Is this okay?

Yes! Just note somewhere in your application that's a requirement. The only thing that is mandatory for the Compendium is that you must be open to new members or have a public-facing/accessible facet. There's no point advertising a community if no one can join it in some way!

I want to put my Community on the compendium but I only have x number of members —

Also totally okay! People don't start with large communities. Activity is a must but, whether your server has two or two thousand members, if you're looking for new people to join, I'd love to help you find people.

I want to put my community/resource on the Compendium but I worry its too niche?

Okay, and? If your Eorzean Fishing Alliance has four members but you roleplay every second weekend, I still want to know about it. The same goes for resources; if it's relevant to the game, it'll be useful to someone.

How active does a community need to be?

If you find a community has not been active in about two/three months, send me a message and I'll take a look at it. Communities have ebbs and flows, especially event spaces that may take hiatuses depending on member interest/life events. I'm not strict in my implementation provided a space isn't dead. If a link or anything is broken, contact me asap!

I have [insert a question not stated here]?

No drama! Send me an ask or use the #Compendium channel in my Discord!

[corporalkiheart]

how do you feel about all the anti doctor rhetoric on tumblr and beyond? i feel like it comes from a place of misunderstanding and hurt over the failing healthcare system :/

I’m perhaps not the best person to answer this, because much of tumblr is American and I am not (I am from a country with fully public healthcare, and work as a doctor in Australia where there’s a mix of public/private care but I’ve only ever worked in the public system).

However, I think it’s multi factorial, with some causes being justified and others not so much.

A lot of anger towards the health system is very much justifiable - particularly in the US where health care is precarious and so expensive even if you have insurance coverage.

But that anger is wrongly directed at doctors, and generally the lowest paid doctors - family medicine, paediatrics, and emergency - because we’re one of the more visible facets of the system. People think we are very wealthy, but the bulk of the money seems to go to insurance companies and hospital admin, not to us. In fact, hospital admin in every country bend over backwards to avoid paying doctors for their actual labour.

(Once, in response to a patient’s parent asking me if they had to pay for their clinic appointment, i accidentally responded “I don’t know, I don’t think so. They don’t pay me for this.” by which i meant that i don’t get paid any extra for clinics but i did have to clarify that they were, like, paying me for the day overall. And also it was a public hospital so I was able to confirm after that no, they didn’t have to pay.)

Most people just don’t understand the way insurance works, or how little of that money goes to doctors. What I really wish I could broadcast to everyone is how little residents/registrars make. I made about 50k USD equivalent as an intern - which is nothing to sneeze at but I had just completed 8 years of university and was over $200,000 in debt from med school. A cop in my city makes about $75k USD, which is 25k USD (about 40k AUD) MORE per year than an intern doctor does.

Another reason for a lot of anti-doctor sentiment is that people really have been let down by the medical system. It can be complex, hard to navigate, and there are some legitimately bad doctors out there. There are also a lot of nurse practitioners replacing doctors in many roles, and while they’re a great resource, they just don’t get the same amount of training.

I believe that there are people who have been dismissed, particularly women, fat people, and trans people. By older doctors especially, and for women by male doctors, but also by younger and female doctors at times. This is mainly because as much as no one wishes to acknowledge it, doctors are human. And some humans suck ass. It takes effort to overcome one’s own biases but we are explicitly taught to work on that and to not let any biases we may hold impact our patients.

The common ideas and reasons given for hating doctors that “POTS isn’t taught in med school” or “med schools don’t teach about endometriosis” are completely untrue for most schools these days, though. I started med nearly a decade ago (yikes!) and we were taught about both these things! It’s not the 1980s anymore! “we never really researched the female body” WAS true but we are very much catching up on that now! There is some great work on endometriosis in particular being done in BC. However, trust in the medical system was justifiably lost (for these and many other reasons) and it will take a long time to gain that back.

There is a third factor, though, which i think is fully unjustified, and that’s the (often right wing led but adopted by the left as well) push to delegitimize academics. Covid really lit a fire under this one, and since then there’s been so much distrust towards science and scientists because we’re the “elite” in our “ivory towers” (so typed from my scrubby little city apartment). It’s often pushed by politicians who stand to gain votes, or influencers who want to sell you spirulina flakes or whatever the current trend is. There’s an intentional moving behind pushing this, but there are a few factors for people believing it.

It’s partially anti-intellectualism, because no one likes thinking that someone else might possibly be more educated on a subject. I do also think there is an element of sexism and racism - medicine and science are becoming lower paid and less trusted as more women and POC gain entry.

There’s also the fact that people don’t want to hear that sometimes things that are good for them aren’t fun. No one wants to get a vaccine because that hurts. Its much more pleasant to believe that getting a massage and drinking raw milk and rubbing lavender oil into everything is the TRUE cure, that doctors don’t want you to know about, because believing that lets you indulge in things that feel good while believing you’re doing good - which people love, even when it’s false.

This was much longer than I wanted it to be and doesn’t cover all the reasons! But this covers a few factors.

[sepublic]

So I remember reading this book about indigenous belief systems called The Spell of the Sensuous a while back, as part of a class assignment. At the start is an interesting anecdote by the author in which he recalls a visit to Bali, during which he resided at a local's house. He noticed his wife setting out platters of rice outside for the 'spirits', which disappeared. But then he realized, it wasn't 'spirits' taking the rice, but just ants!

At first he chuckles to himself, silly locals! But then he realizes; The ants ARE the spirits! Not in the sense that they're considered as these abstract, magical beings; But that to the locals, there was no distinction between spirits and all of the mundane animals and other facets of the ecosystem. There is no distinction between the ecosystem and humans either, humans are spirits too, etc.

The author realizes; There's a bunch of ant colonies around the house, but no ants inside the house, so how do the locals deal with them? Pesticide? No, they just set out rice platters, which are closer to the colonies than their homes; Thus, it's more convenient for the ants to take rice from the platters, than go inside the locals' homes.

And it's always enough rice to keep them sated, too; By providing routine offerings to the spirits, the humans have reached a mutual relationship with the ants (just as plants and animals do with one another all the time, we are a part of nature too), where the ants mind the humans' territory, in return for food. It was an enlightening revelation, and I myself wonder if this tactic is viable for my own home! It sounds a lot more sustainable than pesticide, and probably cheaper too.

If you're seeing this post in the tags, you're probably wondering what this has to do with Jojo's Bizarre Adventure. In the eighth arc Jojolion, there's a scene where a fruit farmer explains to the protagonists that rather than tainting his crops with pesticide to protect them from critters, he instead plants a second, sacrificial crop downhill; This crop, which he puts less effort in, is what the critters keep themselves sated on instead. One crop must die so the other may live... so humans could eat them instead.

Shintoism is a common belief system in Japan; Jojo's Bizarre Adventure is a Japanese manga, made by a Japanese mangaka, in Japan for a largely Japanese audience. Shintoism believes in the concept of Kami, which isn't comparable to Gods in say Greek myth; And from my understanding of it, it operates more akin to spirits, like what was mentioned in Bali, with even humans being capable of being considered Kami.

I find it interesting how both ideas are present in different parts of Asia (and probably more places), especially when you consider the Blessings of the Earth theme that Jojolion has. There's definitely an interest in a relationship with the land that's begun in the previous arc Steel Ball Run, which emphasizes land as a major resource; It's a motive for Native American racer Sandman, Dr. Ferdinand rants about paying respects to the land, the Holy Corpse warps the land, etc.

There's also a theme of indigeneity, which involves natives' relationship with the land. The following, ongoing arc is The Jojolands, which also seems concerned with indigeneity in its setting of Hawaii, the Lava Rocks, and the presence of a foreign company; Though I've been behind on a few chapters, so don't bring stuff up from there just yet!

Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan had an arc involving the 'Gods of the Mountain', so it's interesting to see how his own cultural background, obviously, influences his work. In particular, I wonder if the Mechanism that Jodio speaks of is related to the concept of everything being part of an interconnected system, hence things like Flow or Calamity, and the emphasis on Luck as an element.

Luck emphasizes a Cause-Effect system, which is an extension of everything being interconnected, which necessitates a cultivating relationship with the land; You put Good stuff in, you get Good stuff out, and the same goes for Bad things. Hence the concept of Karma, hence Stands like Ticket to Ride or Wonder of U. The Lava Rocks are part of the land and influence luck to bring blessings. I'm very curious to see where Araki is planning to go from here...

[ceph-the-ghost-writer]

Writeblr Summoning Circle Intro

Patreon (you can join for free btw)

Ao3

Taglist sign-up

Hello and welcome to my shrine place of power writing blog. I'm Ceph, they/them, and despite the ghostly username I am, in fact, a regular human adult with a job, college homework, skin, blood, etc. Video games, houseplants, and buying books faster than I read them are just a few of my hobbies.

I write different flavors of fantasy mostly, with sprinkles of horror and romance/spice thrown in for pizzazz. If you're interested in...

Vampires, werecreatures, necromancers, merfolk, and/or passive-aggressive poltergeists

Resourceful protagonists in terrible peril who sometimes make choices that change things forever, for better or worse

Lovers becoming enemies becoming forced allies and maybe more in some cases

Themes of solidarity, the myriad facets of love, and people fighting for a better future

Slow burns

Worldbuilding that I definitely don't make up on the fly

Mortals becoming deities and vice versa

Telepathic monsters that could devour your soul -OR- become your best friend

Liminal spaces like roadside diners at 3 a.m

...you might find my WIPs tolerable. Possibly even fun.

Follow my sideblogs @dysthanasia-series and/or @the-primrose-path-story to get notifications for new chapters and other neat story-related stuff. Check out @coven-archives to see what I'm reblogging from fellow writers. Or just ask to be put on a taglist for a WIP you're interested in.

I welcome asks, prompts, writblr events (Worldbuilding Wednesday, etc.), and any interactions that lead to transmutating Internet strangers into friends. Do tell me about your characters and lore. I want to devour know all of it. Yes, even the obscure facts that never really make it into the story despite hours of research poured into them. Especially those.

That's pretty much it. Feel free to reblog or like this post or invite me into an object you own at the stroke of midnight if you want me to give a follow.

Below the cut you'll find a list of WIPs and links to read them which will increase my power every time you click one. Content advisories are at the top of each work and chapter.

Apophenia

Genre(s): Urban/Paranormal fantasy, vampires, post-apocalyptic

Status: Redraft in progress

Mermaids don't exist. Every agent of the Coven, the organization that researches and governs the supernatural community, knows that. Accepting a classified assignment to investigate sightings along the Broken Coast is just an easy paycheck as far as Isaac Soto is concerned (not to mention another way to avoid dealing with his trauma and relationship issues).

A chance meeting with a charming stranger in a roadside diner changes not only the course of Isaac's assignment but the trajectory of his life. A life now in danger of being cut short unless he figures out how to escape the bloodborn who takes him hostage, a necromancer out to kill both of them, and the corruption at the heart of the organization he thought he believed in.

The Primrose Path

Genre(s): High fantasy, romance/erotica

Status: Rough draft in progress

When his village is taken captive by an enemy nation, Illuminator Ân's priority is to make sure his people survive to fight another day. Faced with everything he's stood against as a priest of Cyanos, god of light and life, Ân prays for the strength to overcome and do what he must. It's not long before he receives signs that his petitions have been heard. Just not by the deity he serves.

Beyond & Between

Genre(s): High fantasy, portal fantasy, whump

Status: Occasional, out-of-order updates

Sail beyond where the seas turn red, until the sky is filled with unfamiliar stars, to the lands between realities. Magic and the power to leave one's old life behind awaits for those brave enough to seek it.

Beyond & Between is a collection of stories set in the strange places settled by ancient people, deities, and creatures from Earth who fell through the cracks.

Whumptober 2022

Each prompt followed by the story series it's set in and the MC. Content guidelines at the start of each story.

[starlit-wanderer]

˚　　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　　　 　˚　　　　 . ★⋆

　　✦　　　.　　.　　　　˚ 　　　　 ˚　.˚　　　　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　 　　 　　　　★

Q: What is Charmcasting/ Charm Throwing?

A: It is a form of divination that uses any type of charm that you may find on a bracelet or another piece of jewelry-- such as earrings, or a necklace-- as well as any other small trinkets. These pieces of miniature odds and ends are collected and then used to perform fortune-telling or any other means of divination! You may draw them out of a bag, or throw them onto a mat! There are many different ways to cast and read charms, and it is all highly intuition-based and unique to each reader, as you are encouraged to build your own sets for casting!

⋆⁺₊⋆ Charmcasting as a divinatory art is: ⋆⁺₊⋆

☆ Versatile

☆ Extremely unique to each person

☆ Usually entirely custom-made

☆ Something that can be changed/added to/edited at ANY TIME

Each facet of this form of divination is wildly interchangeable and able to be reused in multiple different formats and setups with the same core pieces/charm set!!

What you need:

✦ Around a dozen or more charms and trinkets

✦ A place to throw them (or a bag/ box to draw from)

……..THAT'S IT!!

Star's Recommendations!:

♡ Interchangeable mats or cloths or bowls with different labeled sections or imagery on the mats that you also can assign meaning to.

♡ Dice (Different shapes, sizes, themes, and colors. Astrology dice!!)

♡ Runes or any other symbol sets

♡ Pieces of trinkets and charms that are extremely personal to you! This can be literally anything small- usually marble-sized, but can be anything from the size of a pea to the size of a small rubber bouncy ball!

So, what's in My charmcasting set? 🔮

♡ Side sets with a dozen or so of the same charm/object

🌟 I keep my multiple sets in drawstring pouches that I hold inside of a cylindrical wine carry-box that I used to keep my tall paintbrushes in! The rolled-up mats I have and plan on adding fit very well in there, wrapped around the bags in the center!

🌠 I cast my charms on lap trays with my mats or on a large flat surface like a table. If the space is smaller, I try to use spots with edges/walls so that my charms don't fall off and get lost! Dice Trays also work for this, and I'm planning on getting some for when I travel!

✨ I have Charm Sets for:

⚝ myself

⚝ others

⚝ spares

⚝ and a jumbo set im currently working on!

✨️ When casting, 10, 15, and 20 seem to be the numbers of charms i use per reading ✨️

⋆｡°✩ ⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊✩₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆ ✩°｡⋆.・゜゜・✩₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆・゜゜・．⋆｡°✩ ⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊✩‧

Additional Resources: (these are NOT cited sources, just articles I found and liked and decided to include for more reading material/ alternate means of explanation)

[nerdylizj]

Ms Stem anon here. I received my BS in Biology. As you can imagine the past couple of years have been… fun (is it really when people think you’re part of a big conspiracy, but jokes on them because have they EVER been part of a group project?) Now after working and volunteering for the past 3ish years I’m going back for, hopefully, family therapy. I like helping people face to face. And a lot of my volunteering involved pointing disenfranchised communities and those affected by C19 to resources and services they would otherwise be unaware of. The program I volunteered through also participated in fairs, provided vaccine clinics/gave vouchers, provided testing, amongst other services. My work with children involved a lot of guiding them on how to self regulate and validating their emotions/experiences while also helping them find ways to deal with them in a healthier manners. A big part of it is guiding them towards the safer choices but making sure they feel as if they came to that choice all on their own. It can be mentally taxing at times due to some having some bad home lives but it’s overall very satisfying.

Having a bio degree allows me to better advocate for myself and others medically as well as being able to better understand/scrutinize media reports on research. While I understand why there is a barrier to reading studies to avoid people without the background to misconstrue it, we also allow for misinformation to persist as there is significant scientific illiteracy going on. There should be a way to better communicate with those lacking the education and training we receive.

Spiel aside… the babies will continue to suffer and I support… it makes me a well rounded individual. I’m excited to see what will ultimately happen with them. There are a lot of implications for their, and kids, future. Not only did girly pop marry and procreate with the enemy, he is technically heir to the thrown as will be her children. But hey maybe one day they’ll have all their memories and remember that they were into each other pre-brainwashing. What with their awkward flirting and katara “keeping an eye on him.”

Ooh I did read the fic that inspired yours. Hopefully one day that one will be continued (i hope the author is doing, and does, well regardless of whether they do or don’t continue it).

omg you’ve done so much meaningful work <333 i don’t think the General Public really understands just how hard covid hit already-disenfranchised people/those who experience health disparities. and it still is hitting hard!!! btw one of my besties is a family therapist (liv, tell me i'm right..) and i always admire her tenacity to provide meaningful sessions to her clients even when she’s burnt out or compassion fatigued <3 it is not easy work

i’ll be honest i’m not a fan of (doing the) research but at least i can read and interpret it 😭💞 imho, it is a privilege to be health/scientific literate. i agree with you 100% about misinformation... health and scientific illiteracy is a hugely multi-faceted, societal problem that will take generations to truly change (and a lot of work). not to mention that there are valid concerns for some communities to distrust medicine/science

i think zk may need ur counseling services, a feelings wheel, and time/space to process... too bad there’s a war going on and they are both so dumb JKFEFVJKNMEO

i love catie_writes_things’ fic soo much. i hadn’t read a memory loss fic before so it haunted me many a nights after i first read it. then the zk ghoul took hold of me and here i am... like 220k+ later 😭😭😭😭

I love that you’re considering this career, i wish you all the best of luck in ur grad school apps 💗