#of course people can have different interpretations or be uncomfortable with the subject (which is why i warned about it)

[dragonagefanevents]

Starting a Theme/Appreciation Event

A theme week (aka “appreciation week”) invites fans to celebrate a specific topic over a dedicated period of time, which may or may not be a week. Fandom creatives will either highlight existing works that fit the theme of the event or make new art and fic for this purpose. Read more about themed events here.

Themed events are usually run through a dedicated tumblr sideblog. The organizer may come up with prompts for each day of the event and release them ahead of time, but the prompts are usually optional. The organizer commits to monitoring either the event hashtag, or the blog mentions, and reblogging works that are posted by other tumblr users related to the theme.

The organizer must plan the event in advance and make sure there is widespread awareness among their target pool of participants. This usually requires posting prompts early, making a simple graphic or banner, and advertising the upcoming event through friends and fandom groups.

Here is a framework to help build a new Themed Event!

1. Choose your Theme

Theme weeks come in a wide variety of subjects! They may be focused on a single character or relationship, or they may celebrate a broad topic, trope, or franchise entry.

Examples of subjects include:

A specific character ("Dorian" "Cullen" "Morrigan")

An interpretation of a character's sexuality ("Ace Cole" "Sub Solas" "WLW Cassandra")

A type of player character ("Mahariel" "Mage Hawke" "Templar Inquisitor")

A genre ("Romance" "Whump" "Fluff")

A culture or background ("Dalish" "City Elf" "Circle Mage" "Antivan" "Elvhenan" "Templar" "Tranquil")

A ship ("Zevwarden" "Solavellan" "Handers")

❓❓What if the subject already has an event that surrounds it❓❓

Whether there is already a Solavellan-centric exchange, or a Dorian Appreciation Month, we encourage fans to make more. It is nice to try to schedule around other events and avoid overlap, but sometimes this can't be helped. We here at @dragonagefanevents say the more fan events, the merrier! We aren’t in competition with each other: we are catering to our niche interests, schedules, and communities within this fandom. How you portray your advertising and comport yourself may invite criticism, but as always, how you comport yourself is up to you.

2. Choose your Timeline

The majority of theme weeks take place over the course of a week, or a month. Things to consider as you choose your timeline:

How long will you commit to monitoring & reblogging submissions?

How many prompts will you come up with?

How active is the targeted niche of fandom?

How much hype can you build beforehand?

How long are you capable of maintaining the hype?

You may wish to make a poll to figure out what timeline works best for your target participant pool!

3. Choose your Prompts

Most themed weeks/months put out prompts. These are short and vague, to allow the most interpretation and inspiration, and sometimes they are one word.

While prompts are optional, it is recommended that you do have prompts available. Many people will want to create something new for your event and appreciate guidelines or touchstones. It is really fun to see what so many different people will make based on the same prompt.

Appreciation weeks/months without prompts often see lower participation. People often feel uncomfortable promoting old work for a new, current fandom event, and there is an expectation that these events are for prompts! People want to make new things. Many events also do not promote old works! Therefore it can be difficult to advertise your event without prompts to go off of.

Consider: there is a whole genre of tumblr blogs out there (fyeah blogs, or characterappreciation blogs) dedicated to simply reblogging any content about that theme/character/ship/etc. What separates those blogs from a themed event is the prompts and the act of new creation.

Here are some example prompt lists:

▸ Sera Week 2024 ▸ 14 Days of DA Lovers ▸ Dalish Week 2022 ▸ 30 Days of Dorian

4. Put together a Brand

A brand is something that is easily recognized and quickly conveys a concept. Artistic, colorful, labor-intensive? Not necessarily.

Some easy ways to build a brand:

a consistent name that's easy to remember

a hashtag that is logically connected to the name

a consistent visual scheme that can be quickly associated with your name

▸ A Good Name

A good name is short, to the point, and says what you are: "30DaysofDorian" "SubSolasWeek" "SeraAppreciationWeek" - these all do the trick.

If you plan on running your event repeatedly, these kinds of names are enough. If it's just a one-off, consider adding the year to your name, such as "RylenAppreciationWeek2024." Think about it. If you are looking to organize an event these days, chances are fandom in 2015 ran one with that name once and there's a blog camping out on that name forevermore, inactive and dead. Do your fellow fans a favor and make it clear what year you are running the event so that if it's ever abandoned, they can pick up the torch with clarity.

▸ Graphics

1-3 colors; choose 1-2 fonts, in bold and normal font weight; choose, at most, 1 detailed image/screencap/motif. If you go overboard visually, it is easy to become cluttered.

It's nice to make a banner, either for your own blog header, or to also be used by people posting their works. Keep in mind the basic principles of graphic design, which you can always look up; the most basic rules related to typography are summarized in the image below (source).

In your banner it should be clear: The Theme and The Timeframe

Your prompts should be available as plaintext in a post, but in order to actually catch people's attention as they scroll, it is best practice to make a simple graphic that contains your prompts. If you have a week of prompts, 7 prompts can easily fit on one graphic. If you have a whole month, it's recommended to split into more than one. The concern is that cramming 30 prompts into one graphic on tumblr will render them very small to people just scrolling by; if you break them up into two or three images, then (depending on some savvy organization in the post body itself) the prompts will all be visible at once at a good size.

Make sure your font is legible! It may be tempting to use a fancy swirly archaic font, but your goal is swift legibility for people scrolling by, and these decorative fonts never succeed.

If you are laying text over an image, it's a good idea to fade the background image out a bit. This can be done by changing the opacity, or by laying a semitransparent layer of color (or black or white) on top of the image, below your text. Contrast between your font and the background is important for legibility.

5. Begin Advertising

With your blog, name, hashtag, prompts, timeline, and graphics ready to go, it is time to start building hype. While it's fun for some people to make things on the fly in response to those prompts during that timeframe, you will get the best participation if you give people a chance to start creating things ahead of time. For a theme week, at least a month head start is usually adequate for interested parties. For a theme month with 30 days of prompts, at least two months leeway (minimum) will make sure you get participation. More time of course lets people make more, and more involved, work for your appreciation event.

▸ Make your blog known.

Start reblogging fan content related to your theme! For example, a Dorian theme event might go through and reblog fanart, gif sets, fanfiction and fan meta about Dorian. As you reblog from people in fandom, they will see your blog name and come take a look.

▸ Share the date and prompts.

Make a post with a clear title stating what the event is, your eye-catching but clean graphic, and the written version of those prompts + a description of the event. You may want to paraphrase an explanation from this post to educate new fans who may not know about theme weeks/months and creation events.

When you tag your posts, make sure you use very relevant tags. Tag spamming is frowned upon (tagging every single dragon age character, for example, when your event is focused on vivienne only, is annoying when you pop up in the main tag for those other characters). Only the first handful of tags on your post will catalogue it in the main tag on tumblr for discovery. Choose wisely! #dragon age #dragon age (origins, 2, or inquisition) #character name are always good places to start, as well as #dragon age fanfiction #dragon age fanart

Reblog your posts often! Self-reblogs are encouraged and widely tolerated in order to get word out there. Everyone understands. If you post once and never reblog it, you are failing to put your information in front of the eyes who may not have been awake when you posted it, or those who have a particularly cluttered dashboard. Self-reblog!! It's allowed!

▸ Make your rules clear.

You may want to combine this with your prompt post, or you may wish to keep them separate. Either way, be very clear about what content warnings you require (some events will not reblog NSFW, some will as long as it's tagged), whether you allow old works to be -re-advertised or not, and any other restrictions or requirements you fancy. Make sure that you are clear about what period of time you will be monitoring mentions/tags for new works to reblog, and when you will stop.

6. Run your Event

When the day arrives, make a kickoff post! What you include in this post is up to you. Generally hosts will reiterate the directions of how to mention/tag the works in order to catch your attention, and either link to or include the prompts themselves.

From then on, for the duration of the event, make sure to check the blog mentions, as well as the general tumblr tag you encouraged people to use for the event. Reblog the new works as consistently as you can.

7. Wrap Up

Congratulations! The final day has ended and your event is complete. You will want to thank participants. You will want to link to easy ways to peruse the new works - usually something like "check out https://myappreciationblog.tumblr.com/tagged/appreciationweek2024 " or something similar. If you opened an AO3 collection for themed works, make sure to link that. Basically, if anyone is late to the party, make it easier for them to enjoy the buffet you helped organize.

Pat yourself on the back for an event well-run. You may choose to run more in the future, keep the blog as a simple appreciation space, or retire from running events for a while. Whether your event was exploding with new works or resulted in only a handful, it doesn't matter. You made a little space on tumblr to appreciate this theme, and it didn't exist before. :) And that's what this is all about.

[dreamypisces888]

Part of Fortune Overlays in Synastry: Ways You Can Bless Each Other's Lives !

Part Of Fortune in Astrology indicates areas of good luck.  Or let us say the potential areas where someone has the higher chance to be successful. It is calculated based on the position of the Sun, Moon and Ascendant. It is believed to indicate areas of prosperity, blessings and ease .  

Well of course nothing happens without hard work, but we have to admit that sometimes in some areas or some situations we feel naturally blessed so yes!

In synastry when two charts overlay, part of fortune indicates how and where people bring luck and blessings in each other’s lives.

The other day I posted about 1st and 7 house part of fortune overlay. Today I would like to cover some other positions.

Part of fortune overlay in 2nd and 8th house well, this is a placement where the partners bring each other luck and blessing on the area of finances.

 I tend to also interpret the second house as the house of self-worth and procession not only financially speaking but also on a more emotional level, it is an earthy house the energy there is grounded and solid no matter which planet governs it , so the overlay of part of fortune might give the partner a sense of belonging and the we belong together type of energy . Of course, this is one of many interpretations but personally the overlay of the part of fortune in the 2nd house gives a financial blessing and/or a feeling of security within the relationship.

Of course many other elements in synastry may deny or confirm that but still.

Regarding the 8th house the story is a bit different, the 8th house is more about shared money but also about transformation ,death and rebirth.

So having an overlay there means that one of the partners is participating in a positive way in the transformation or the development of the other partner either financially speaking or on a spiritual level. This also can be true for both partners.

The 8th house has a heavy and serious energy. Having someone putting his or her part of fortune there or vice versa might mean that you both bring ease in the most uncomfortable departments of life .

 It can also indicate that after this union one of the partner may receive an inheritance and that eventually might transform the couple’s life, this is also a way of interpreting this overlay .

I would like to mention that this overlay can be romantic or non-romantic father/child , husband/wife, mother/child etc. This is valid for many types of connections between 2 people

I would like to underline that this is my personal take on the subject please feel free to tell me what you think in the comments below . I will get back to you regarding the other placements !

[crusty-chronicles]

Mildly interesting to me that (from what of yours I've seen) there hasn't been much touching on the subject of Kite's gender. Idk I just think it'd be interesting given his status as (ft)mtftm.

The who what when where and why?????

I'm going to do my best to answer this, but I warn you I'm not all that familiar with the acronyms so forgive me for that.

If you're implying that Kite was trans before he got reincarnated, I've got no clue. Togashi wrote him as male, from my understanding, and he's addressed as so. There's not really an indication he's not, so I write him as male.

If you're implying about after he becomes the redheaded girl, then yes. I haven't written about that or really addressed it in my stories. Why, you may ask. It's not something I really plan to make a plot point. In other words, it's something I change in my stories. Whether it be the 'Kite Lives, or Chimera Ant AU'

Why change it?

Well, it's not because he turned into a girl. I love women. Supporter of women's rights and women's wrongs. It's because he turns into a child. It's just uncomfortable for me to write about romance between kids, if that makes sense. Like in MaS, our reader is twenty. Ain't no way I'm having a twenty year old romance a kid, even if it is Kite in there. It's just icky. Which is where the Chimera Ant AU comes in. I get to write a resolution that feels right and guarantees a happy ending.

If it's to do with a circulating theory, like why every other ant was reborn the same gender except Kite, then I've got nothing. Personally, I think it was just a way for Togashi to throw us off for the reveal that Kite was still alive. But people interpret characters and stories differently. We all have our own Headcannons we feel fit with them. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. It gives readers and writers alike more diversity.

Now, why don't I touch up on Kite's gender?

Because it's not something I worry about when I write. My stories can give insight on other characters or help my readers see the characters the way I do. What I focus on is the reader insert themselves. The actions they do and how it affects the relationships around them. The only gender I really focus on is the readers because I like to make sure my Headcannons and stories are accessible for most people to enjoy. Smut is another thing entirely I won't get into. Regardless, the way a character is presented is the way I write them.

Alluka? A girl.

Pitou? Them-because they're an ant.

Kite? A man.

I don't write with the intent to educate or rant. I write for fun. Something for entertainment, and something not to overanalyze or think too hard about. Gender isn't really a plot point of any of my stories, so of course I'm not gonna focus on it. I just don't really see the point to when there's more going on within the story

Again, smut is a little different. Those are thirsting hours and written with less thought, if that makes sense.

I just try to have a good time and hope my readers do as well.

[laurenpomfrett-ardn632-2024]

Week 5 - Contextual Document

I took notes and quotes of the key topics and readings from over the course that I knew I wanted to expand upon in my contextual document. I was most inspired and learned the most from the readings and compositing tutorials and wanted to focus my attention to those activities from the course:

Image seeing and thinking "The photograph always lies"

Lauren Pomfrett

Throughout the course, Image seeing and thinking “The Photograph always lies”, I have developed my understanding of the context of photographic manipulation. During the video, “How Photographs Can Tell Lies”, I discovered that photographers have a subjective perspective, where context is based on what is considered as important. Furthermore, a photograph only shows one moment and all that surrounds the frame is lost, as described by Henri Cartier Bresson. By changing the context, its message and interpretation are altered. In 1951, Ruth Orkin documented a young woman travelling alone in Italy titled, ‘Don’t be afraid to travel alone’, to share her positive experience. Despite this, the photograph was interpreted as illustrating harassment against women. This story interested me, as it shows that an intended and interpreted message can be read differently, depending on the narrative the context aims to suit. 

Context can be manipulated in post-production and has been practised since the invention of photography in 1839. A notable example that intrigued me, was spirit photography practised by William H. Mumler. He used a double exposure technique to create the appearance of a ‘spirit’, misleading people to believe they were reconnecting with deceased loved ones. Mumler took advantage of a lack of knowledge of photographic techniques and vulnerability whilst grieving. This act goes against my moral values and I am uncomfortable with knowing that he made a profit from exploiting people. 

Thankfully, not all photographic manipulation is morally wrong, with examples such as Lisa Reihana’s ‘Digital Marae’. This installation used manipulation as a take-back initiative to redefine Māori culture, past stereotypical and misrepresentation by European colonisers. Her work featured a deep connection to Māori culture, to redirect our perception. This manipulation enhanced its context and allowed her inner truth to be told through a creative art form. 

I was attracted to Rafy Alfarzi’s compositions which imagined workers and their lives within a scene. My interpretation follows a construction worker viewing the graffiti damage to a countryside slaughterhouse. To make my composition believable, I learned useful tools during the compositing tutorials such as the gradient mapping and selection brush tool. I discovered that their range and control made compositing efficient and limitless. With a tight parameter of limited photographs, these tools expanded the possibilities of what I could create.

The slaughterhouse is significant to Kaukapakapa, for its long-standing history, but is gradually falling apart from neglect and abandonment. Now, the site looks as if it could collapse at any moment. This commonality of ‘turning a blind eye’, made me question; If a drastic event occurred, would people finally take notice? This sparked the concept of graffiti damage, with its bold colours and graphic symbols that grab our attention. Relating to the idea that “as humans, our brains are persuaded by visual evidence”, from ‘How Photographs Can Tell Lies’, it is clear that people need to see jarring clues to notice a change. With this, I hope to bring attention to the disaster waiting to happen.

References:

A Brief History of Photography and Truth | PHOTO 2024. (2024). PHOTO 2024. https://photo.org.au/channel/a-brief-history-of-photography-and-truth-2/

Barnett, C. (2024). What you see you don’t see: Lisa Reihana’s Digital Marae. World Art, 1(1), 9–36.    https://www.academia.edu/3831215/What_You_See_You_Don_t_See_Lisa_Reihana_s_Digital_MaraeCounty, G. (2021). How Photographs Can Tell Lies [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj0AhfAf_Fs

[afamstudies112b]

Blog Post 5

In this blog posting, I would like to go over Professor Due’s ideas more in-depth regarding AI. This blog post is related to the lecture in week 8 of this course. Professor Due stated that AI is not so bad to use to gain ideas and different types of topics for an assignment. Artificial intelligence has the potential to provide fresh ideas and viewpoints that might encourage students to think outside the box. By utilizing AI, students may examine a variety of sources, extract pertinent data, and get insights that they might have otherwise missed. This has the potential to greatly improve their research and deepen their comprehension of many subjects. Professor Due's examples helped to make this clear, and she even suggested that her students might use AI for some of the course assignments. Depending on AI to replicate information verbatim does not support a true learning environment or academic integrity. The practice of plagiarism, which involves claiming someone else's work as one's own, is a significant ethical transgression that compromises the values of education. From the word going around about students using AI at the UCLA institution, I have noticed that students are denied the chance to practice critical thinking, express their ideas clearly, and interact with the material. The development of creativity, innovation, and personal growth is hampered when information is copied verbatim from AI-generated sources. Furthermore, replicating AI-generated text verbatim prevents the development of critical abilities like writing, analysis, and interpretation. The goal of education is to develop students' capacity for independent thought, argumentation, and information. The opportunity for students to develop their writing style and intellectual independence is lost when they only use AI-generated material. Even though AI has the potential to be a useful tool for producing original concepts and advancing knowledge, students must utilize it ethically and responsibly. Accepting AI's aid for inspiration and advice while maintaining uniqueness in one's work fosters true learning, intellectual development, and personal progress. Students come to such a prestigious university and then think they are doing themselves a favor by not doing their own work and cheating themselves. To move forward and go deeper into Professor Due’s lecture, we talked about a really interestingly created film by the name of “District 9”. To my understanding, this film was made inappropriately due to the message it was trying to strongly portray. Intense violence, frequently involving battles between humans and aliens, is depicted in "District 9." Some viewers may find the film's depiction of graphic visuals and explicit material upsetting, especially those who are sensitive to violence or who prefer a more restrained narrative. The heavy use of violence can obscure the movie's main point and possibly turn off some viewers who find such material uncomfortable or unneeded. Something else that got me feeling weird about the film was the representation of Nigerians in "District 9” as corrupt and criminal characters, which is a noteworthy area of criticism. By linking Nigerian characters with criminal activity, black market transactions, and witchcraft, the film reinforces unfavorable preconceptions. This representation has drawn criticism for maintaining unfavorable stereotypes about a particular ethnic community, perhaps strengthening prejudices, and fostering unfavorable attitudes. To me, this was not appropriate in any way, and I am glad we had the chance to discuss this in the class time we had. It is essential for stereotypes like this to slowly vanish as well as for new ideas and ways to treat mental health disabilities of that sort in responsible ways to create a very healthy society for all kinds of people, races, and genders to live in.

[sealer-of-wenkamui]

Warning- discussion of sexual assault

I personally believe its implied that Mohg raped Miquella in addition to warping his body through the formless mother, and not only that, I believe it makes sense with his character, and is thematically appropriate, and not just “shock value” or something shallow or slapped on.

I’ve talked about this part before, but the fact that he was an unloved, unwanted child likely led to him desiring love, much like his brother, but the ways they go about obtaining that love are opposite to each other, since they serve as foils. Morgott trying to work hard to earn the love, Mohg seeing no other way but to take it for himself by force. So already, the idea of forcing himself on Miquella goes along with that idea of taking the love he desires for himself.

And furthermore, he is incredibly deluded. I think this is part of what makes him so terrifying. You have this man who never knew love as the head of a love-obsessed cult, and showering Miquella in his love. I get the impression that from his perspective, he would think Miquella would be grateful for it, after all, he’s giving him his undivided attention and love, something he never got. He is “blessing” him with the sacred blood of the formless mother. He is treating him like a lover, showing physical affection like one would expect of a married couple in their “bedchamber”. I don’t think he would even recognize it as rape.To him, it truly is a combination of the blessings of his god and a physical expression of his love.

And Miquella being a sleeping victim makes it all the easier to perpetuate those delusions. He thinks Miquella will return his love after all the effort he’s put in. He’s constantly by his side, showering him in the sacred gift of blood and pleasuring him. Miquella is not awake to voice any protest, so he can fool himself into thinking if he keeps it up, his advances will be returned and he will wake up and be his consort. (And personally I’m of the belief Miquella is choosing to stay asleep in defiance, to prevent that).

He has a blood form too, to fully be one with Miquella, and I absolutely think this could and would be used for sexual purposes. It feels like an especially intimate way to be with someone, so why wouldn’t someone who craves his love so badly use it that way? After all, in his mind, it is an expression of love, even if in truth, all he’s doing is violating him in every way possible.

[flickeringart]

Minor aspects

While the nature of the major aspects in astrology is quite straightforward and has been covered more than sufficiently, there’s still a lot of fog surrounding the nature of the minor ones. There are a lot of minor aspects that can be taken into consideration when interpreting a chart… however, since they are labeled minor they won’t be as obvious and much more difficult to spot in one’s own life. Note that this doesn't mean that they aren't impactful. There’s a lot of speculation and vague terms used when describing them. It seems that every minor aspect is said to have a “spiritual/creative dimension” as if that is supposed to clear up any of the mystery surrounding them. Perhaps, on one level, we don’t want to pin them down too much because certainty is the enemy of exploration. Or perhaps it’s the case that the aspects themselves don’t want to be pinned down? There’s an appeal in keeping certain things mysterious in our lives, to avoid defining and putting rigid labels on phenomena. It makes life alive and beautiful. Many people dismiss astrology is because they are afraid that they’re going to be reduced to a set of characteristics and have their personality mapped up to the point of being able to predict and foresee patterns of behavior and fated themes. The fear of knowledge is not irrational; it is probably healthy to an extent. Knowing too much can be dangerous and rob life of its magic. “Curiosity killed the cat”, as the saying goes. However, this is not the whole truth because curiosity also leads to expansion and better understanding, so let’s not be afraid to concretize these aspects, it's not the same as "killing" their potential. Life is never completely in our hands anyway, there's no risk of knowing it all.

Quintile (72°)/Bi-quintile (144°)

These aspects are said to have something to do with individual style and quality of creative work. It is suggested that these aspects say something about a mental-creative process of imposing one’s mind on a particular subject. It is also linked to talent and gifts the individual would possess that have not been actively learned. Basically, it seems to be indicative of the particular way a person would approach a subject. For example, the quintile would not describe the activity itself - the activity could be painting, knitting, running, cleaning or whatever – the quintile/bi-quintile would point to the way the person approaches the activity.

For example, Ted Bundy (whose chart I’ve explored a bit here), has Neptune bi-quintile the MC. Neptune, being the planet of illusion hints to Bundy’s quality of being a chameleon, deceiving the public as part of his personal style.

Prince Harry, (whose chart I’ve touched upon before), has his Moon bi-quintile Neptune. The Moon can be indicative of the mother figure, and his mother Princess Diana certainly had an elusive style and charm that was a bit deceptive and seductive. Of course, he would have the same thing going in his own life but it would perhaps be difficult for us to spot. He also has Moon quintile Venus and he definitely has a style/quality of emotional-physical comfort. He has Pluto quintile the AC, which would point to a style of showing up in the world that is powerful and intense. He has a tendency to come off as destructive and chaotic at times. There’s also a quintile aspect forming between Mercury in the 8th house and the MC which would hint to a public image that is colored by the “taboo” things he has said about his family in the recent present, but also in the past. He’s a public image that is aligning with the style of the playful amoral trickster.

As I’m going with charts I’ve already explored, let’s look at the quintiles in Meghan Markle’s chart. Her Venus is quintile Uranus and it perfectly describes her style of “wokeism”, that is, appearing to be objective and intelligent about feelings and affective values. She has a style of being “the loving humanitarian”. Whether she is this way in an actual sense is debatable. The quintile aspect is describing the quality and style not the actuality. But, it is disturbingly close to reality that it somehow becomes reality. It’s like the actor who adopts another energy signature in order to portray a different person. It doesn’t really matter if a person is rotten at the core - if he has a loving way of being, what difference does it make? The style is real enough to not reflect and give the impression of love.

Semi-square (45°) / Sesquiquadrate (135°)

These aspects are said to precipitate events. The nature of these two aspects is more immediate than the square aspect (which causes tension and doubt and needs constant navigation). The conflict represented is usually unconscious and is therefore not easy to identify. However, as these conflicts tend to manifest quite abruptly, we can take a look at the concrete problems the person faces. The planets connected by a semi-square/sesquiquadrate aspect will be in conflict but force some kind of release (that may result in an accident because of it’s autonomous/unconscious function).

I have Saturn sesquiquadrate my Moon. Since I tend to unconsciously block my emotional responses, the pressure builds and I am “forced” to get out of a situation, “forced to listen to my emotions”. I have encountered the theory that the sesquiquadrate in particular is manifesting as something that is looked down upon societally. This would make sense considering the aspect forces a breakout of one of the planets and nothing that is immediate and abrupt is ever favorably looked upon when it comes to social-societal structure and predictability. I have been meaning to take on commitments that would further my status in society in terms of formal education (Saturn in the 9th conjunct the MC) but I have not been able to do it without considerable decline in my emotional well-being. So, I have been “thrown out” by unconscious forces every time I’ve tried.

My sister has her Venus sesquiquadrate Saturn. She’s known for her deliberate and strategic way of dressing. She plans her outfits carefully, there’s nothing haphazard about the way she presents herself. However, she has Lilith conjunct Venus so she can push the limits and simply do what she pleases sometimes as well when the pressure of Saturn becomes too much. But, this often causes external judgment. A relative of mine has her Sun semi-square Venus. I can tell that she’s highly aware of her appearance. She is very pretty but there’s always something that is a bit off between what she wears and her self-expression. It’s like it doesn’t quite fit and it’s irritating.

To get back to the celebrities, Meghan Markle has Neptune sesquiquadrate Mercury. Is it possible that this forces distortion and vagueness in opinion and communication? It would certainly fit the bill. She also has Uranus sesquiquadrate Mars. She simply has to “break out of her confining situations”, cut people out of her life and move on in her own way. Uranus is also sesquiquadrate her MC, which seems to point to her unconscious pull to “do what she wants to do” at the detriment of her public image and reputation. Notably, Uranus sits in her 5th house of personal enjoyment and creation.

Prince Harry has a semi-square between Mars and Pluto. When he is angry it blossoms into rage and he can’t see straight. It has gotten him into quite a lot of trouble and societal-social disapproval. It seems that this is a common theme with the sesquiquadrate and semi-square. He also has his Moon sesquiquadrate Jupiter. Isn’t it the case that he tends to indulge in a way that makes him look bad in society?

Quincunx (150°)

This aspect is typically found between planets incompatible by element and mode. Basically, they have nothing in common and have a hard time cooperating, which will cause minor stress in the individual because of necessity to work around the incompatibilities. The planets are not in direct conflict but they are uncomfortable with each other.

For example, I have my Moon quincunx Mercury. Every time I sit down to write I’m mildly disturbed by little things like an aching back, a headache, restless legs or whatever. It’s not very comfortable for me but I can still keep with it, however it might take a toll on me health wise. The quincunx has been related to health issues because of the mild stress that it causes. It is manageable and one is usually able to cope with the stress, but it’s not very pleasant. Because it is not as demanding as more disturbing conflicts in one’s life, it’s in the background causing irritation.

Meghan Markle’s Venus makes a quincunx aspect to her MC. This suggests that she has a hard time reflecting her value on a public level, it’s as if how she’s perceived publicly disturbs her sense of ease and comfort. She has an Aries MC with a Virgo Venus and she’s continuously depicted as a bully these days, as some kind a selfish and aggressive bitch (the more negative attributes of Aries). This must be undermining her self-worth immensely, however, it’s perhaps too minor of a problem to do anything about. It is still there nonetheless, harping on in the background, breaking her down and causing slow disintegration…

Semi-sextile (30°)

Planets forming semi-sextile aspects are said to be able to aid each other, to have a better connection than if they had no link at all. Usually one planet is in the sign that comes before the sign of the other; in other words, a semi-sextile might be forming between Mars in Aries and Venus in Taurus. The semi-sextile usually connects consecutive sign like this, but planets could be in semi-sextile in the same sign, like Mars in 0° Taurus semi-sextile Venus in 30° Taurus. In any case, the planet placed at an earlier degree or in the earlier sign can draw on qualities of the planet in the later degree or the later sign and vice versa. For example, Prince Harry’s Venus in Libra is semi-sextile his MC. He can draw on his sense of harmony a diplomacy to benefit his public image. His Mars in Sagittarius is also semi-sextile his MC, which makes it so that he can draw from his Martial qualities of energy and action to influence his career and success.

Parallel/Contra-parallel

These are called aspects in declination because they are measured by latitude and not by longitude. This essentially means that two planetary bodies can aspect each other in a certain way measuring the distance between them north-south of the celestial equator. Two planets at the same degree north and south of the equator form a parallel aspect and can be interpreted the same as a conjunction (some say that it's more obscure like a quincunx/semi-square). Two planets opposite each other north and south form a contra-parallel aspect and can be interpreted as an opposition (some say that it's basically the same as the parallel though).

I have found, looking at my own chart that these aspects only confirms already existing aspects measured by longitude or it confirms the sign that a specific angle is in. For example, my MC is in Aries and it is also parallel Mars. Mars is the ruler of Aries so it emphasizes my already martial MC. My Sun is conjunct Saturn and it’s also parallel Saturn. My sister has a Scorpio MC and it’s also parallel Pluto, the natural ruler of Scorpio. For example, my sister has a wide Moon-Mars conjunction (6°) but they are also in contra-parallel. How is this supposed to be interpreted? I would simply see it as Moon-Mars is connected strongly despite the orb being a little wide with the conjunction.

However, it’s not always the case that parallel and contra-parallel aspects only confirms already existing influences. They can also add themes and connections. My sister doesn’t have any longitude aspects between Saturn and Uranus but they are contra-parallel to each other.

Septile (51.43° - a 1/7 of the 360°)

It is said to indicate a hidden flow of energy between the planets involved, an inner sensitivity to the spiritual dimension of the planets. Another description I have come across is that the planets “darkly interact” and there’s an occult theme surrounding the connection.

I have Venus septile Jupiter in my own chart. Going by the said method of interpretation, it would mean that I have sensitivity to the hidden wealth and underlying beauty and abundance in life. I think it is quite accurate.

Novile (40° - 1/9 of the 360°)

Is said to be describing a contact of perfection/idealization. It also seems to have something to do with spiritual awakening and growth, lack of fear and freedom.

Having Sun novile Saturn for example could be interpreted as a feeling of communion with the world and life itself through responsibility and the control one can exercise through self-expression.

----

There are of course other minor aspects to explore, but I'll stop here for now.

[yurtletheturtlehenderson]

COSMIC - S1:E5; Chapter Five, The Flea and The Acrobat - [Pt. 2]

A Will Byers x Male!Reader Series

𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘣 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘴 𝘔𝘳. 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯.

|| 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕 ||

"Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you."

'I can't believe I'm at Will's funeral.'

"Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." The pastor continued.

I spared a glance at the people around me.

I looked to Jonathan, his head bowed, and poor Joyce who was sitting nearby.

I can't imagine what they must be going through.

Joyce was like a second mother to me, and she has always treated as if I was one of her own. I'll always be grateful for that. I lay a hand on her shoulder.

She looks up to me confused like I had pulled her deep out of her thought, upon seeing it was me she smiles thankfully. She put her hand over mine and gave it a few gentle pats and then a small stroke with her thumb to say thank you.

I smiled solemnly at her and let go, listening to the rest of the service.

"It's times like these that our faith is challenged. How, if he is truly benevolent... could God take us from someone so young, so innocent?"

I looked down at my feet.

"It would be easy to turn away from God... but we must remember that nothing, not even tragedy, can separate us from His love."

I felt a nudge on my shoulder and turned to look at Dustin. He wore a sly smirk as he looked to his right, past me and Mike.

Frowning in confusion, I turned my head to see what he was smirking about.

"Just wait till we tell Will that Jennifer Hayes was crying at his funeral." Dustin said cheekily.

I scoffed under my breath, rolling my eyes.

"Since when has she cared about Will? She couldn't even get his name right, remember that week she called him Bill?" I huffed, crossing my arms in distaste.

The boys smirked at me.

"What?" I asked.

"Somebody jealous?" Lucas smirked.

"No-! Not ev- Shut up!" I scowl.

The boys giggle earning more than a few concerned and offended glances making me smile to myself. Mrs. Wheeler leaned down and shushed the boys making me smirk more.

'Serves them right.'

Soon enough, the casket had been lowered into the growd and roses had been thrown on top. I made my way to the very side of the grave, looking down.

"I know you're not dead. But I swear to God, if you don't come back I'm gonna kill you." I muttered to the casket in the ground.

As people began to filter out, we watched as Mike's mom said her condolences to Will's parents.

"I'm so, so sorry."

"Oh, thank you so much for coming." Will's dad said.

I never liked him.

Joyce was just standing by herself quietly, her arms crossed looking down at the grave.

"Yeah, if there's anything we can do..." Mr. Wheeler offered, shaking the man's hand.

"I appreciate it. Thank you so much."

I said goodbye to Lucas who had to follow his parents out, even though we would be seeing him later at the wake. I did the same with Mike, and soon enough Mom was waiting for us so we could get to the car.

"Mom, will you give me a minute?"

"Of course, Pumpkin," She smiled at me with sympathy.

I turned around wove through the crowd that had separated me from Joyce. I tapped her on the shoulder, seeming to jostle her from her thoughts a second time.

Upon seeing it was me, she smiled.

"Hi, Ms. Byers."

"Oh, hi Y/n. Thank you, for coming, sweetheart," She smiled.

I captured her in a bear hug and she gladly reciprocated, giving my several comforting strokes.

"Of course. I'm so, so sorry for your loss." I said, letting her go.

"Oh, thank you, honey. T-Tell me, how have you been holding up?" She asked gently.

My eyes welled up.

"I'm not gonna lie, it's- it's been really hard. I just, I just miss him so much. Your son was such a good person. Always a gentleman." I knew what I was saying.

Even if he is alive for sure, everything I said was true. He always has been nothing but kind to me.

Not to mention, I owe him for so much.

She seemed extremely thankful for hearing that and I was glad I could make her genuinely smile on this sad day.

"Really? Oh sweetie, thank you. That means, just so much to me."

I look back to my mom and brother waiting for me by the car, and I return my gaze back to Ms. Byers.

"Um, I better go. My mom is waiting for me. I guess I'll be seeing you at the wake. Goodbye, Ms. Byers."

"Thank you again, Y/n. I'll see you later, okay?" Her face slightly fell and she smiled at me.

I nod and begin walking backward sending a small wave her way before turning around a breaking out into a small jog to catch up to my mom.

⊹ ⊹ ⊹

Being at the funeral of your best friend is daunting and quite surreal.

Being at the funeral of your best friend who is quite possibly alive in another dimension and you and only four other people know this is a completely different ballpark.

We had all met up at the wake and regrouped.

The plan was to ask Mr. Clarke if there was anything he could tell us about the theories regarding alternate dimensions. I'm just praying that we don't arouse suspicion given the setting.

"Mr. Clarke?" The tall man turned his attention away from the buffet to look at us.

Mr. Clarke smiled sympathetically. "Oh, hey, there."

The somber look came easily to my face as I looked to Mr. Clarke, Mike, and Lucas on either side of me while Dustin was digging into the buffet.

"How are you kids holding up?"

Lucas speaks up for us, slightly distracted by Dustin's blatant chewing. "We're... in... mourning."

"Man, these aren't real Nilla Wafers," Dustin sighed, shaking his head.

My eyes widen softly, and I look to Mr. Clarke trying to cover for him.

"You'll have to excuse my brother, Mr. Clarke, he's-" I stop midsentence to see him happily munching on more snacks, and look back to Mr. Clarke. "well, he mourns in his own... special way."

"We were wondering if you had time to talk?" Mike asked, wanting to move things along as quickly as possible.

"We have some questions," Lucas added.

I shook my head in agreement. "A lot of questions, actually,"

Mr. Clarke complied and the four of us found ourselves at the nearest table, asking our teacher about other dimensions at our "dead" friends' wake. Not something I ever could have imagined doing.

"So, you know how in Cosmos, Carl Segan talks about other dimensions? Like, beyond our world?"

"Yeah, sure. Theoretically." Mr. Clarke replies, noticeably confused at the subject of our questions.

"Right, theoretically,"

"So, theoretically, how do we travel there?" Lucas asked.

"You guys have been thinking about Hugh Everett's Many-World's Interpretation, haven't you?" A ghost of a smile on our teacher's face.

"Yeah," I chuckled, nodding my head in response.

The boys looked at me, wondering why I had said that.

I gave them a look that said, 'I don't know, just go with it.'

"Well, basically, there are parallel universes. Just like our world, but just infinite variations of it. Which means there's a world out there where none of this tragic stuff ever happened," I found myself nodding along, not for the sake of being believable, but actually lost in the idea.

"Yeah, that's not what we're talking about," Lucas sighed, leaning back.

"Oh."

"We were thinking of more of an evil dimension, like the Vale of Shadows. You know the Vale of Shadows?" Dustin asked, taking another loud bite of his off brand Nilla Wafers.

Not thinking that our science teacher would know anything about Dungeons and Dragons, I was completely taken aback by his next words.

"An echo of the Material Plane, where necrotic and shadow magic–"

"Yeah, exactly." Mike said cutting him off.

I shift uncomfortably in my seat.

"If that did exist - a place like the Vale of Shadows - how would we travel there?"

"Theoretically, of course." I add.

"Well..."

Mr. Clarke grabbed an empty paper plate and pulled out a pen from his jacket pocket. He then drew a straight line across the paper plate as he spoke, creating a visual for us.

"Picture... an acrobat..." He drew a small stick figure on top of the lines. "standing on a tightrope. Now, the tightrope is our dimension. And our dimension has rules."

He began drawing arrows on either side of the acrobat.

"You can move forwards, or backwards. But, what if..." He drew a very small creature under one of the arrows. "right next to our acrobat, there is a flea? Now, the flea can also travel back and forth, just like the acrobat. Right?"

"Right." We all agreed.

"Here's where things get really interesting. The flea can also travel this way... along the side of the rope." He drew arrows indicating the flea's direction around and under the rope, causing me to furrow my brows. "He can even go underneath the rope."

The boys and I all shared the same look before returning our gaze to Mr. Clarke. "Upside Down."

"Exactly."

Mike spoke up. "But we're not the flea, we're the acrobat."

"In this metaphor, yes, we're the acrobat."

"So we can't go upside down?" Lucas asked warily.

"No."

"Well, is there any way for the acrobat to get to the Upside Down?"

"Well," Our teacher furrowed his brows, a thoughtful look coming upon his face. "you'd have to create a massive amount of energy. More than humans are currently capable of creating, mind you, to open up some kind of tear in time and space, and then..."

He folded the paper plate in half, creasing it shut before shoving his pen directly through both sides of the paper plate. "you create a doorway."

"Like a gate?" My brother asked eagerly.

"Sure. Like a gate. But again, this is all–"

"Theoretical." I smile, nodding my head.

"But... but what if this gate already existed?" Mike asked, timidly.

"Well, if it did, I... I think we'd know. It would disrupt gravity, the magnetic field, our environment. Heck, it might even swallow us up whole."

Mike seems to gauge our reactions, and I'm the only one who met his eye with an equally uncertain gaze.

"Science is neat." Mr. Clarke continued. "But I'm afraid it's not very forgiving."

We all lean back, digesting the information.

[justifiedsurrender]

A proposed classification scheme for sexual vs non-sexual kink

I posted this on fet a while ago and got a bunch of interesting comments and I thought about making revisions based on them, and then it became clear I was never getting around to that, so I’ll re-post it as is. (This is also the one where someone complained because I didn’t use the word “erotic.” So, you know, stick that in wherever you think it’s appropriate. I trust your judgement.)

I have a pet peeve about people oversimplifying sexual vs non-sexual kink, because there's actually so many interesting possibilities. For example, a negotiation class I attended once where the presenter was big into breaking things down into yes or no questions (for some reason) and one of the first examples was like, "do you want the play to be sexual or not?" And I was thinking, what, no! Of all the things to collapse into two options, that's a terrible example! There's so much more going on there. This false dichotomy thinking also shows up in the thing I occasionally see where people are looking for non-sexual kink (which is legitimate and deserves more respect!) but then some of them make snide comments about how they actually fully care about [whatever kink we're talking about] instead of wanting "just rough sex." The problem with this is that it equates the presence of a sexual aspect with sex being the priority, and that's really not the same thing.

For me, I always experience kink as sexual, but "just rough sex" is also something I specifically don't want. I avoid it because I won't ever get into it the way the other person wants me to and it's uncomfortable for everyone involved. I like to feel like whatever kink stuff we're doing is the priority and the sex (if it happens) follows from that, but the distinction is tricky.

Clearly there's more going on here than the dichotomy can capture, so here I am to impose order on the chaos by inventing a brand new unnecessary classification system:

Level 0: No one is turned on, you're getting something different out of it. Any touching doesn't have a sexual intention. Level 1: One or more people are turned on, but it's not acknowledged or brought up, no genital contact or touch that's interpreted as directly sexual. Level 2: One or more people is turned on and it's acknowledged verbally ("this is getting you wet, isn't it?", "oh it's so hot seeing you like this" etc.) but still without sexual touching. Level 3: People are turned on and do something about it at some point during the scene. Can include "real sex" or just stuff that's considered "foreplay," or decline to make a distinction between them. Level 4: The encounter is mostly about having sex and the kink stuff is an add-on.

(On this scale, most of what I like is Level 3, but I've also enjoyed Level 2 and Level 1, particularly when playing with someone for the first time.)

Defining Level 4 is tricky because of my personal baggage. I have a hard time describing Level 4 neutrally, so what I wrote might sound judgmental. I really don't think there's anything wrong with wanting that. I'm also not saying that wanting that means your kink is not "real" or "deep" enough, and I know plenty of people will want that thing sometimes and do play focused on other stuff at other times. I just want to counter the implication that valuing some sexual aspect as part of a scene must mean you want Level 4.

Of course, the distinction between Level 4 and Level 3 is pretty fuzzy and subjective, as are the rest of the levels. Particularly "what counts as sexual touch?" is very open to interpretation and personal preference. Level 3 is also a very very wide category encompassing a range of how much sexy touch is happening vs other things, and how much focus is put on it. Is it still Level 3 if someone's bits are getting touched but only in a painful way?

Now you may also ask why does Level 2 even count as its own category? Thank you for asking! The answer is that it's hot to me, personally. I just particularly like the idea. Probably because I'm a humiliation slut and having someone point out that I'm turned on (with or without explicit shaming) is basically catnip, so why take that off the table? But also I like knowing I'm getting someone else hot, even if we've decided (for whatever reason) not to do sex that day. Framing this as its own category also raises some interesting questions. Is Level 2 "more sexual" if the lack of getting touched is framed as a denial thing instead of for other reasons? Does it still count as Level 2 if it includes specific fantasies about what someone might like to do to the person even if they're not doing it today? What about if it includes sexual threats that you know won't be followed through (at least not today...)? So many nice questions. And that's why Level 2 gets to be Level 2.

Why do people think? Useful? Not useful? Did I split the hairs in the wrong places? Let me know.

[northerngoshawk]

I appreciate you answering my ask. There's not room enough to say what I want to say but I'll say this. Pakku/Kanna is very much keeping in white a white-focused fantasy ideal. As a south Asian whose culture embraces arranged marriages even to this day where there are many "Pakkus," I have a different viewpoint that is not white-focused. The originator of this argument is white, which I didn't know or I wouldn't have bothered in the first place. Thanks anyway for answering my ask.

I also feel like white people attempting to impose their western ideals on Asian characters really has messed up this fandom. I understand that the people who created this show are white which itself is a problem. Guru Pathik was a racist slap against my culture and beliefs but any talk about that gets shouted at by whites. The popularity of Zutara is another way that white fandom has disengaged with and distorted Asian and indigenous characters by imposing their white ideals on it.

Hi again, anon! And though I won't say I'll always answer asks (lol), my inbox is always open for respectful discussion!

Now, first of all, I'd like to reiterate that, again, I'm not a Pakku/Kanna shipper, plus I'm not white (double lol), so I can't really see the "white-focused fantasy ideal" you speak of. Again, don't really care about this ship, but if it makes you uncomfortable, then you are absolutely valid feeling that way and you don't have to engage with the ship at all!

Also want to note that I am not familiar with the culture Guru Pathik comes from, so I am admittedly out of my depth with this.

As for the white fans, I definitely agree with you that there are fans who've engaged with an Eastern show through a Western lens, which really does mess up interpretations and fanon and leads to takes like how Aang's character arc was "boring" and so forth. There are fans like that out there!

However, there's something I would like to (respectfully) disagree with you, and that is the following:

I understand that the people who created this show are white which itself is a problem.

Are the creators white? Yes. Does that mean that there are some things about others' cultures that they may not understand? Of course.

But just because they are white doesn't mean they can't write stories about other cultures.

Research exists for a reason, and though the creators may not have understood the cultures they wanted to write about at the beginning, they were willing to learn. They did their research, and they did it with love and passion.

Now, did they make mistakes? Of course. But every creator is bound to make mistakes, whether they be white, black, Asian, indigenous, and so forth. Every creator is subject to their own biases through the lenses they write, including POC.

But if we are willing to listen to the audience, we can learn and grow and not make those mistakes again.

To me, great representation is not whether the creator is white or a person a color - great representation is whether the creator puts in time and effort to learn even if they aren’t a part of the culture itself, and it shows.

And for ATLA, which was released during an age when the “model minority” myth ran rampant, when Asian women were fetishized in mainstream media, where there wasn’t any representation for Asians being complex, three-dimensional people in America, the creators absolutely delivered proper representation for its time.

I hope you don’t take this as an attack on your feelings, anon. You are absolutely valid for feeling the way you do. But maybe we should all remember that every mistake made in media that is called out is another step towards proper representation.

And as for everyone else, white or otherwise:

Listen.

Learn.

Whoever you are, anon, I hope you’re doing well. I would like to request not to engage in any more Kanna/Pakku discourse, but I just hope that this helped.

[donutloverxo]

Nude

Run through - Steve wants to try new things so he takes a painting class with a nude painting subject. Only the woman he has to paint are you, Peppers assistant and his crush.

Pairing - Steve Rogers x reader

Word count - 2k

Masterlist is linked in the bio!

Steve Rogers was many things. He was an artist, an amateur cook (who really does try), a loyal friend, a good citizen, a soldier. Yet when people looked at him, they only ever saw the captain. His friends called him cap. He'd go weeks without hearing his own name. Sometimes he felt the lines were blurred. When did Steve Rogers end and Captain America begin?

He had a big wake up call when he confronted Tony, saying he wasn’t iron man, it was an alter ego. To which Tony said that Steve was basically captain America. And Steve couldn’t argue or disagree, because it was true. He didn’t want to lose himself in his work anymore than he already had. His therapist told him to make healthy boundaries, which is what he’s going to do.

So he ordered some colors and pencils online and got to work on his art, for the first time in a long time. It was exhilarating and freeing. He could lose himself in it, go on for hours without thinking and seeing anything but the colors and his canvas. Which was extremely rare for him. He could rarely ever shut his brain off or run from his traumatic memories.

Everyone could see the visible change in him. How he seemed happier. Clint even joked about it saying

“Cap must be getting some”

To which Steve only snorted. There was no room for anything as complicated as a relationship or sex in his life, not right now.

But wouldn’t it be nice? To have a woman to hold and to paint. To love and care for. He didn’t let himself delve too much into that fantasy. Because even if it was a nice escape once in a while, he knew that while Steve Rogers might make a good partner, Captain America would certainly not. He would never subject any woman to deal with either of them.

With some encouragement from Sam and his old friends he started attending painting classes at his alma mater, the Brooklyn College, every Saturday evening. It helped him make some friends. He didn’t know if he could call them friends. Most of them were too different from him. They seemed like different types of 'tortured artists'

When he heard that there would be a nude subject to paint the next class, he was a little bit hesitant. Such a thing would’ve been scandalous in the 40s. But he was trying to open himself up and that meant pushing his comfort zone, even just a little bit.

When he set up his canvas, oil colors and brushes that Saturday he expected male subject. He didn’t however expect to hear a woman’s voice. He was too focused on his set up to look up, whatever. He didn’t care if it was a man or a woman. There wouldn't be anything erotic about it. This was strictly professional and educational.

He looked up to take a good look at his subject, when he felt as if his soul was knocked out of him. There you stood, his crush, Pepper Potts' assistant, and the woman who turned him down.

“You know back in my day they used to play elevator music” He said to drown out the awkward silence. Even after all this time, he still didn’t know how to talk to women. He had had a crush on you since the moment he laid eyes on you. You were always so funny and sweet. Asking him and everyone about their day, if they were doing well. Always willing to help others.

When he let it slip that he likes banana bread, you baked him a whole loaf of it, which chocolate chips so ‘so you think of me when you have them. They’re my signature of sorts' you had said proudly. Of course he’d be thinking of you when he ate it. Overthinking actually. Wondering If you like him as he likes you, or if you’re just being your sweet self.

“Oh we still have that!” You chirped “but not in um professional or business buildings like these”

He just nodded. Tapping his foot impatiently. You would get off in just six floors it was now or never. “Hey uh – what are you doing this Friday?” he asked shyly.

“Oh just watching some Gordon Ramsay with my dog probably. I have no life” you laughed at your own self depreciating joke “Why?” you tilted your head.

“I was thinking, maybe we could get dinner? Only if you uh – you wanted to, you're free to say no” he promised. Maybe he should’ve asked you to ‘hang out' or 'for a coffee' like most people these days. But he felt that was no way to treat a lady, especially one like you.

“Oh Steve” he was already disappointed upon hearing your tone “I would’ve loved to. But even though we don’t work together, it wouldn’t look good you know? I mean I don’t care much for 'my image'” You said making air quotes “But I don’t, it’ll be complicated” You looked completely defeated. As if it hurt you to say no more than it hurt him to hear it.

“I completely understand” He nodded “no hard feelings” he gave you a smile as he watched you walk away. It did break his heart a bit, but he’d respect your feelings.

He looked at you taking off your satin robe revealing your bare body to the class of twenty or so artists. His breathe hitched. Your hair flowing down your back and covering a bit of your left breast, your soft stomach and thighs, the patch of soft curls at your core, your nipples hard against the chilly air, and how your stomach rolled a bit as you sat uncomfortably on the stool. You were beautiful. A work of art even. There was absolutely no way he could do you justice. He started drawing an outline on his canvas. You would very well be his best subject.

You looked around a bit, your fingers holding onto the stool for dear life so you could stave off the anxiety and feeling of being so exposed. Then your eyes landed on him. You thought you were dreaming, maybe you didn’t see properly, so you did a double take. Then you were frozen on the spot. There he was, Captain Rogers, the first Avenger, the man you often dreamt about, sitting right in front of you while you were naked as the day you were born.

You had no idea what you should do. This was literally like a nightmare come true. If you flee it would look bad, if you didn’t it might look worse. You decided you’d follow his lead. So you peeked a glance at him from the corner of your eyes and saw him, sketching you? Holy shit Steve Rogers was drawing a nude portrait of you. What has your life become?

You had always been insecure about your body. You knew magazines, porn and movies were meant to feed people lies to get them to buy more things. That didn’t make you feel any less bad about not looking anything like the women in them. You tried to remind yourself that you have many things going for you. Like your supporting family, your loving friends, your cute labrador, your amazing job.

Speaking of your job, exactly why you turned Steve freaking Rogers down! A man that looks like him asking you out and you say no. Your friends flat out laughed in your face at your unfortunate predicament, where the cake is right there but you can't eat it. Now that you thought about it, it was funny.

Your co-workers weren’t kind to you. Even on your best day you didn’t look anything like the women you worked with, who would stab you in the back the first chance the get. You were kind to everyone, but you knew by now not to expect the same treatment back. Which was why you had to say no to the beefy blonde. You didn’t want to be branded as the ‘office slut’.

Which now you were sure you would be. You didn’t know Steve enough to know he’d be willing to keep this a secret. He didn’t seem like someone who would do that to you. But you still couldn’t help but think the worst.

You squirmed and shivered in the chair for a good part of the next two hours. By the end your back was sore and you did everything you could to avoid looking at Steve, only sneaking glances here and there, while he seemed too engrossed in his work.

You had done this a couple of times before, to accept your body for what it is and get comfortable with it. If you weren’t going to love it no one would do it for you. Finally the time was up and the artists were asked to pack up for the day.

You quickly got up from your stool putting the robe back on. You turned your back to Steve, stretching your muscles. You couldn’t wait to lay down on your comfy bed and just get out of here. But you knew you needed to have that inevitable conversation. You probably would never be able to look Steve in the eye after this.

You walked towards him as he was cleaning up his work station. “Fancy seeing you here” You cringed at your embarrassing attempt at a British accent.

“Hey there” He gave you a bashful smile scratching the back of his head “I didn’t expect to see you here”

“Right back at ya” you returned his smile, no longer feeling on edge. It was strange how his presence served to comfort you.

“You do this often” he asked casually. You couldn’t really hear any judgement in his tone, not what you would expect from a hundred year old.

“No not really. It just uh – I’m trying to love myself. Which I already do! Of course” you let out a nervous chuckle “just trying new things and stepping out of my comfort zone”

“That makes two of us” he said as he was done packing his bag, which he was deliberately doing at a slow pace. He didn’t want to leave. Not yet.

“Can I... Look at your painting?” You asked nervously. You didn’t know if you wanted to see his interpretation of your naked body, what if it was bad? But what if it was good? What if he was impressed by you...

“Uh it’s not done yet. And frankly I’m not that good”

“I seriously doubt that. I’ve seen the sketches in your office” You caught your slip of tongue. You couldn’t let him know about your borderline unhealthy obsession with him.

“Well, have a look then” he relented showing you his canvas.

You let out a breathe you didn’t even know you were holding at the painting. It was breath-taking. The woman looked like you, but why was she so beautiful and graceful? In the painting she was sitting on a stool, like you, in front of a tree admiring a rose in her hand. She was naked as well. It reminded you of classic Greek paintings where women weren’t perfect, but were celebrated for their imperfections.

“It’s amazing Steve. I – do I look like that?” You stammered not being able to tear your eyes off the painting.

He shook his head at your shock “On the contrary you look much better I’m glad you like it”

“You’re a great artist” you gushed

“I don’t know about that. I’ve seen much better” he said humbly.

You would argue with him. But you knew it would be of no use. Looking at the beautiful woman in the painting gave you the surge of confidence you needed “Steve, does the offer for that dinner still stand?” You straightened your back looking up to lock eyes with him.

“Yes” He blurted without even thinking “how about tomorrow evening?” He asked.

“Yes that will be awesome! You can pick me up at seven. I’ll text you the address“ you said making an mental note to do so.

You could hardly wait for your date. You didn’t really care about what your co-workers would think of you. As long as you were happy their opinions didn’t matter.

Tags will be in the reblog! If you want in on the taglist click the link in the bio or send me an ask!

Please do not steal or repost my works. Reblogs are welcome.

This was actually a request. But I can't fir the life of me find the person who requested it. I hope you see it babes❤

[hajime-isayama-official]

One main arguments I’ve seen from non Jewish and poc snk Stan’s and that will have that one token Jewish person or friend who says they are not offended and snk isn’t anti Semitic or Nazi propaganda. Or say well isayama isn’t a anti Korean racist or Japanese imperialist that’s all been proven fake blah blah blah. Even if it’s fake the series is still problematic stop using that one Jewish person who isn’t offended they don’t speak for all Jewish people obviously-part 1

Part 2 he also named miksasa after a imperial Japanese battle ship and dot pixels is based off of a Nazi Japanese imperialist I think? Same for Erwin I might be wrong that’s what I looked up. I’m personally not comfortable supporting the series anymore for valid reasons but it’s honestly so hard to find blogs like you who criticize the series and author I’ve only found a small amount of blogs who acknowledge the problematic aspects in both manga and anime unfortunately :(

Oh Anon, you get me going here.

Yes, Mikasa is named after a very successful battleship (it’s supposedly certain success if your manga has a character named after a battleship). 

Pixis was inspired by a Japanese imperial general. He died before WW2 tho. Anyway that sparked huge controversy with the Japanese fans, leading to hate messages towards Yams for years. 

German SNK Wiki claims Erwin was inspired by Erwin Rommel, a general in WW1 and WW2 who later turned against Hitler (it’s fine cause he wasn’t REALLY a Nazi, right? no.). Erwin’s Birthday is the death day of Erwin Rommel. However, since I can’t find a source I’d take that one with a grain of salt. The main Inspiration for Erwin as a character is Ozymandias from Watchmen. So only fictional mass murder for Erwin here lol

These points are already kinda icky, but can be ignored I guess. Of course SNK searches inspiration in military. It’s a series about literal Child Soldiers (which somehow is never a critic point on any anime/manga?!). However it’s also full of dogwhistles and even more uncomfortable references. 

My main points are the portrayal of grey-morality on the case of genocide and the way Isayama clearly draws inspiration from Nazi Germany when he portrays Marley. The latter is not per say problematic. Fullmetal Alchemist is also inspired by The Third Reich and carries a strong anti-imperalist and anti-nazi message. SNK however falls short on that till now. I am not Jewish myself, so I can obviously not determine what is antisemitic and only point out the obvious. Plus my knowledge of things is obviously limited so feel free to correct or join in. 

Isayama pretty much paints the Eldians as the Jews of this “mirror world” World War we witness since the time skip. This is clear by the imagery of the Ghettos he shows, the armbands the Eldians have to wear and much more (Short images search should do the job here). The coding of the Eldians as Jewish equivalent is complete with the Marleyan myth of Eldians ruling the world if no one does anything to hold them in control (aka every antisemitic conspiracy ever). But it doesn’t end there. We know from the manga that Paradis island is basically Madagaskar. 

The Nazis planned to deport about 4 million Polish Jews to Madagaskar in the 1940′s. That plan was shortlived and obviously never put into action for various reasons. So in SNK we have the scenario that the Eldians fled to Paradis in order to get an advantage over the Marleyans. The Eldians who are not on Paradis live in Ghettos on the mainland. That’s a weird coincidence, considering how many islands our big blue planet has. 

What I think is pretty bizarre is that Isayama distorts this by pairing this imo pretty obvious real live inspiration with references to Norse mythology. This is fucked up in so far that Norse mythology is so heavily appropriated by the Nazis that many runes are outlawed in Germany till today and showing interest in Norse mythology is still often associated with white supremacy (have a look at Neo-Nazi signs and see the pattern). Like, this combination of Norse and early 20th century German imagery isn’t even a dogwhistle anymore, it’s yelling “I SUCK NAZI DICK AND I LIKE IT”.  The references he uses are  especially Ymir and the paths, that can then be seen as the world tree Yggdrasil:

The tree connects the Eldians and the nine titans which share their number with the nine realms that Yggdrasil holds. There’s some more, tiny stuff, like Erwin being easily interpreted as a reference to the God Tyr (God of battle, who loses his right arm in the mouth of a beast) and Hanji to the God Odin (Losing an eye in a well in the pursuit of gaining knowledge and wisdom). Both of these Gods are probably the most appropriated by white supremacists. When Ymir first turns into a titan it is at castle Utgard. In Norse mythology Utgard is a place in Jotunheim, the realm of the Jotun who the giant Ymir is the first ancestor of.

In general the pairing of clear WW2 imagery and references to Norse mythology is a mixture that is VERY sketchy and should always make you suspicious. Especially since these two are not going together (as in Marley using references to Norse mythology), but against each other. So we have both sides (Marley and Eldia) associated with white supremacy. Another thing that I will never be over is that Zeke and Eren are obviously named in reference to the German words Sieg und Ehre (Victory and Honor) referencing white supremacist buzzwords. 

Then we have the issue that the main conflict is not with the Marley people, who are basically our mirrorworld Nazis. The conflict is AMONG the Eldians. Liberating the Eldians form the Marleyans is not even a thing, because we’re busy keeping two Eldians from practicing genocide/euthanasia on their own kind. So in this aspect Eldians are painted basically just as bad as Marleyans (and we have that “everyone is wrong in a war” Issue again). 

I think in the end Eren’s will to kill everyone will lead to Eldians and Marley people accepting their differences or whatever and leading to unision in the shared enemy (kind of already happens in the manga) and while I think that’s a possibly interesting way to go it’s imo not when one of those parties has been subjected to centuries of genocide by the other. Assistant says a good closure to the Norse Mythology theme would be the manga going for Ragnarök, so everyone, Marleyan and Eldian, dies, except for two people who start the world anew. After all anisemitism or in this case anti-eldian sentiment doesn’t just stop after a world war. I don’t really fuck with this bullshit we got in one of the recent chapters where this one Marley general was like “Oh no, they were only people after all”. Bro, your whole society is built on them not being people and all of that is gone in one day of crisis? *doubt.png* 

There’s obviously more to it than that and especially my understanding of the manga might be a bit off, since I don’t read it as attentively as I used to anymore. At this point I’m so fucking suspicious of this manga tbh. I doubt that we can come out of this with an anti-imperialist or anti-fascist message. 

This does of course not mean no one should read or watch the manga or anime. I read/watch it too as you see. But it’s always good to be critical of the media you consume and take concerns from others serious, when it comes to stuff like this. 

[heraldofzaun]

what are your thoughts on viktor and being neurodivergent? though like, obligatory disclaimer that if riot ever did come out and say that "hey! viktor is canonically [something]" that would be catastrophic but i think it is a little bit of fun for consideration

Oh! Well I like to think he's autistic, which is partially because I am too. (Of course in canon it would be catastrophic because haha, oh man, look at how they've treated Blitzcrank's biographies ever since they gave him an updated one. There's some coding in there, alright, and I am... not a fan...)

I’ve posted a lot of long posts recently (this is no exception) and this is also on a kind of tricky subject, so I’m readmore’ing it.

So anyways, while I have to admit that some of the reason why (my) Viktor is autistic is because I am - I think that you can make a general semi-convincing argument. Or I'm so wrapped up in my own interpretations that I can, at the least. Anyways, from here on out when I say Viktor I mean my personal take. Your mileage may vary on applying this to other interpretations.

(Also, thoughts on new lore Jayce's being kind of coded to be like, a stereotypical autistic dude? (If you have any I mean.) I don't like that Riot is doing it, of course, but I've seen a few good rehabilitative takes on it in fandom. @hamartio's Jayce springs to mind, because their Jayce has been developed over the years and also written by someone who like. Cares. Anyways, I have my own personal Jayce ideas that rely on his old lore so he's not really an asshole there, at least in those regards, so I don't really have many thoughts on new Jayce. I think new Viktor is... pretty coded as well, but it’s also insanely stereotypical. The whole “always working, always wants certainty, gets into automation not because he (primarily) wants to help those injured by catastrophes in Zaun but because the catastrophes interrupt his work” thing makes me uncomfortable. Maybe I’ll write sometime on why the rewrite of his lore fails, in my opinion, to hit upon the same themes of his first - would that be of interest to folks? Anyways, this parenthetical is too long.)

I think that autistic Viktor is cool and makes sense, somewhat because of the fact that the ways he goes about solving his problems are, er, unorthodox. (Of course I am not saying that the GE is because he’s autistic, because that’s stupid. This is why I’m kind of squirrely about talking so openly about what I think Viktor’s got going on, and why I don’t really trust if a non-autistic person headcanons him as autistic. There’s a lot of room for that headcanon to just reinforce the “autistic people are supergeniuses with no emotions that work based off of Facts and Logic” trope, and I hate that.) Since a lot of autism is about feeling adrift from/at odds with neurotypical society, I think that Viktor’s general solutions and also his idealistic leanings in the face of everything Zaun is tracks for that. Roboticization makes sense as a way to stop suffering and death, because it’s more achievable than individual feats of immortality through magic or whatever. Viktor doesn’t really get why people would be so opposed to it - he’s made it clear that while he dislikes his own emotions and wants them gone, he doesn’t expect others to cast off theirs. (Maybe he expected that when he was in the thick of his emotional pain, mostly because he couldn’t imagine others choosing differently than he at the time, but not in the current day.)

Of course, externally, when the scary cyborg man who admits to cutting off his own limbs says “no, being a robot is cool, you can keep your emotions even”, any Zaunite (or any person) is going to interpret that as “he is definitely lying”. Viktor doesn’t quite make that leap. (I have thoughts on the whole Theory of Mind concept and I don’t mean to say that Viktor can’t empathize - he does, and does too much - with others, but I think that in this instance he just can’t quite understand sometimes why people don’t believe him.) He also doesn’t quite get why people would be so attached to the bodies that they’re currently in, especially if he can make a mechanical replica. Or why people might want to die and pass into non-existence after a life well lived. (To him, personally, there’s always more to do. Also he’s terrified of death but that’s another topic.)

I also think that Viktor’s empathy is of the hyper- rather than hypo- kind, partially because I feel like outside of self-advocacy groups the mere concept of autistic hyperempathy is seen as like... impossible? It’s also because he generally seems to be kind of an emotional guy in canon before Stanwick, what with the lore saying that “almost no trace of the original man remained” in reference to Viktor reemerging as someone without emotions. That, combined with the fact that he was described as having a “hope to better society” before everything went down, kind of makes me believe that he was a naive idealist type. (Again, not that autism makes you naive, but...) But yes, hyperempathy. Hence "no pain, no wars, no suffering, no death” being part of his ideology for the Glorious Evolution. He gets pretty ripped up about people being hurt, and it’s really only gotten worse over the years as he’s grasped the full scope of pain in the world.

Personally, I write pre-Stanwick-incident Viktor as someone who is still somewhat awkward with expressing emotion, but it’s not due to him not having them. It’s due to the fact that the ways in which he naturally expressed them and in which he interacted with the world were just... seen as odd/different/etc. (I don’t think Runeterra has an autism diagnosis or particularly excellent psychology, even in Piltover and Zaun, so he just gets the “you’re a weird dude” treatment for his entire life.) Stimming or smiling a certain way or talking a lot about his interests or, you know, the general autistic existence is weird to most people around him, as it unfortunately is in real life. So he’s more reserved until you actually know him, because he’s just masking all the time. (Fun fact about my Viktor: he’s pretty expressive under that actual mask of his. It helps to not have to micromanage expressions all the time when he isn’t experiencing a bout of flat affect due to [gestures vaguely at everything else going on with his mental state], although he sometimes feels poorly about not being able to manage himself. But that’s his issues, and I think it’s good for him to show emotion.)

Side note - Stanwick was able to do such a number on Viktor due to: a) Stanwick being very charismatic and manipulative, on top of being an actually smart man and scientist - he’s really a great example of a “good Zaunite”, in the sense of being good at being what the culture rewards, b) Viktor actively dealing with the death of his parents and Stanwick being an older adult who’d treated him kindly and had never seemed put-off by Viktor’s oddities, and c) Viktor not realizing that he’d get backstabbed, because yes he knows that that happens in academia but Stanwick’s nice. Whether or not the outcomes would have been the same if Viktor were more competent at being “a good Zaunite”... well, probably not. Viktor ended up where he did because of who he is.

(Secondary side note: Viktor has a very strong and very black-and-white sense of what’s right and wrong, as well as general black-and-white thinking. You can see how that would have... not helped in the situations he was put through.)

This is getting kind of rambling, but I guess the point of this is that Viktor’s wanting to remove his emotions may be cloaked in the language of them being “inefficient” or “unhelpful”, which would feed into autistic stereotypes, but it’s really more of a matter of them being too painful and raw for him to process. He feels too much and hurts too much, and no amount of positive emotions in the world will (in his mind) make up for the pain he’s felt and will feel. So it’s better to not feel anything at all, isn’t it? At least then you aren’t overwhelmed by it all.

Viktor just hasn’t fit in with Zaun for all his life, really. Not as an odd child who can tell you all about science-fiction and techmaturgy, not as an odd and reserved teenager/young adult, not as a bright young doctoral student still dealing with grief but trying to make the best of it, and... not as the Machine Herald. But now he’s given up on trying to fit in, for better or for worse.

(Other miscellaneous and less serious autistic thoughts on him: generally a pretty fixed diet, partially due to being autistic but also due to what’s easily available in Zaun + what agrees with his stomach. A fan of weight and pressure - I like to think that the reason his outfit is like that is that he finds it comforting, and also that he has a weighted blanket or two around. Special interests of general techmaturgy, robotics, and science-fiction. He can talk for hours about any of those, and has. Both his parents were mildly spectrum-y, his mother a little bit moreso, so they just kinda assumed that him being him was out-of-the-ordinary and a bit strange but not something “horribly wrong”. Oh! And his third arm, which is under a little less conscious control than the rest of him, still stims sometimes when he’s working or otherwise not paying attention to it.)

This was very long and jumped around a lot, because I find it hard to give a convincing paragraph-by-paragraph argument about exactly why I think that Viktor is autistic, or rather why I headcanon him as such. But hopefully it was interesting! I just have a lot of thoughts on him, as well as the general state of autistic-coded or perceived-as-autistic-by-individuals (both allistic and autistic) characters in media and so it’s very hard to do anything concise without branching out into discussing other topics.

[rainingpouringetc]

Hi! So, I’ve been wondering what the problem with Anna Lightwood is, because my brain saw that she was bending gender norms and hit love. But, now that I’m on tumblr, people are saying that she is problematic?

hi! i’ll try my best to explain, idk if i’ll hit everything but i hope this helps. and i’m sorry it took me a while, i wanted to do it justice so i tried to cover my bases and do my research.

basically, anna has said and done things that came across to many as ignorant, racist, and even misogynistic. 

first, let’s look at “every exquisite thing” from ghosts of the shadowhunter market. 

“If I were to tell my parents the truth about myself, if I were to reveal who I really am, they would despise me. I would be friendless, cast out, alone.”

Anna shook her head.

“They would not,” she said. “They would love you. You are their daughter.”

Ariadne drew her hand back from Anna’s. “I am adopted, Anna. My father is the Inquisitor. I do not have parents who are as understanding as yours must be.”

“But love is what matters,” said Anna.

this is from when ariadne was trying to explain why she would be getting engaged to charles. anna is very lucky: her family loves and accepts her and she’s able to live her life as she wishes, which we see her doing in chain of gold. ariadne, however, is not as lucky, and she has to take into consideration the conditions of her parents’ love. anna apparently struggles to understand this, ignoring ariadne’s valid concerns and telling her that it doesn’t matter because “love is what matters,” as if it makes everything perfect.

this is where anna’s ignorance begins to show through. ariadne is: (a) a woman in the late 1800s/early 1900s (i don’t remember for sure what year this story took place but i’d assume 1900s), (b) indian at a time when india is under british rule, (c) adopted, and (d) a lesbian shadowhunter. we know enough about how intolerant people have been about homosexuality, but shadowhunters are a whole other story. put all of this together and you have someone who is terrified of letting down her family and being shunned by society more than she already has been. in ariadne’s mind, she has no choice but to hide who she is.

 anna ignores this. entirely. she doesn’t take the time to talk to ariadne about her concerns, but rather skirts around them and insists that what she wants is what’s more important. this is highly indicative of her privilege and how she puts herself before others and others’ feelings.

now let’s look at chain of gold. there are two scenes in particular that i want to look at, but there are more.

“I quite like your mother. She reminds me of a queen out of a fairy tale, or a peri from Lalla Rookh. You’re half-Persian, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” Cordelia said, a little warily.

“Then why is your brother so blond?” Anna asked. “And you so redheaded--I thought Persians were darker-haired.”

Cordelia set her cup down. “There are all sorts of Persians, and we all look different,” she said. “You wouldn’t expect everyone in England to look alike, would you? Why should it be different for us? My father is British and very fair, and my mother’s hair was red when she was a little girl. Then it darkened, and as for Alastair--he dyes his hair.”

“He does?” Anna’s eyebrows, graceful swooping curves, went up. “Why?”

“Because he hates that his hair and skin and eyes are dark,” said Cordelia. “He always has. We have a country house in Devon, and people used to stare when we went into the village.”

Anna’s eyebrows had ceased swooping and taken on a decidedly menacing look. “People are--” She broke off with a sigh and a word Cordelia didn’t know. “Now I rather feel sympathy toward your brother, and that was the last thing I wanted. Quick, as me a question.”

this scene is from cordelia’s tea with anna. i won’t touch so much on the “peri from lalla rookh” comment so much as i’m afraid i don’t feel well enough qualified or researched to adequately represent people’s concerns about this statement, but i do know that there were several posts going around about people discussing how it rubbed them the wrong way, so i thought i would include it as well.

the rest, though, is a bit more obvious. one of the things about books is that it can be more difficult to interpret someone’s words and their meaning because we don’t have things like tone or facial expressions or any of that unless the author explicitly includes it. however, we can draw on the way other characters react to certain comments. cordelia goes on the defense, answering anna’s question “a little warily,” setting aside her tea and explaining rather bluntly that not all persians look the same. it’s pretty easy to infer from her reaction that she’s uncomfortable from anna’s words. now, is that to say anna was intentionally being racist toward cordelia and her family? absolutely not. this is where microaggressions come into play. we see them with anna and also with matthew and even jessamine (though we see hers in the infernal devices rather than the last hours). microaggressions, while often unintentional, are still a form of racism. given the times these characters have grown up in, it’s not necessarily a surprise, but that certainly doesn’t excuse her behavior.

there is, however, a more intentional party to this scene that really rubbed me the wrong way. it’s her discussion of alastair. cordelia has just explained that alastair dyes his hair to stop people from staring at him when he’s walking down the street, and anna replies that she feels sympathy for him and that is “the last thing” she wanted. i understand that she has her own feelings about alastair, likely from listening to the merry thieves’ depiction of him, but that doesn’t excuse her. she even starts to say something about it, likely drawing on her own experiences of wearing menswear at a time when fashion was much more strictly regulated in society than it is today. but she stops herself and instead goes on to reemphasize her dislike for cordelia’s brother and changes the subject.

She held up a small black-bound memorandum book... “This,” she announced, “will hold answers to all our questions.”

...

Matthew looked up, his eyes fever-bright. “Is this your list of conquests?”

“Of course not,” Anna declared. “It’s a memorandum book... about my conquests. That is an important but meaningful distinction.”

...

Anna flipped through the book. There were many pages, and many names written in a bold, sprawling hand.

“Hmm, let me see. Katherine, Alicia, Virginia--a very promising writer, you should look out for her work, James--Mariane, Virna, Eugenia--”

“Not my sister Eugenia?” Thomas nearly upended his cake.

“Oh, probably not,” Anna said. “Laura, Lily... ah, Hypatia. Well, it was a brief encounter, and I suppose you might say she seduced me...”

i hope i don’t have to explain this one too much. there’s just something... unsettling about the fact that anna is held up as this feminist icon and yet she keeps a book with the names of and her encounters with all the women she’s slept with... and then reads those names aloud to everyone. it’s a bit much, don’t you think? and all of this is even without touching the leak we got about her and ariadne, which i’d rather not speculate on too much but is also quite damning. 

all in all, i’d like to believe anna is really a good person who’s just misguided and confused, much because i love the idea of a genderqueer character, especially one in an era before stonewall, but her actions and behaviors have led me to believe that she has a long road ahead of her. as i said earlier this week:

let me get something clear: i would die for fanon anna but canon anna needs to get her shit together before i’ll willingly breathe in her direction

i really hope this was helpful... i did my best lol. if anyone else has more to add, please feel free.

[makingspiritualityreal]

Hi! I'm very very new to vedic astrology, but I was drawn to it by the interpretations of the nakshatras. In western astrology I'm a Cancer sun/moon and Libra rising and in vedic a Gemini sun/moon and Virgo rising. For years I didn't dig deep into vedic because at a glimpse I thought this logical mercurial energy couldn't explain my irrational emotional nature, and I was still missing that edge even in western astrology. After reading about my Ardra sun/moon (in the 10th house) and Chitra rising it all made sense lol. I am now much more comfortable with being assertive and I don't lash out as much as I used to. I'm still on a healing journey and I wanted to ask your opinion on these nakshatras/positions because I read everything I could find on google but I'm missing an intuitive human angle without the mythology which I feel like I could recite at this point :') Thank you very much in advance and if you are busy please just ignore this! Oh and my mercury is in the 10th too in Punarvasu (Gemini).

I'm guessing you already read my post on the Punarvasu Nakshatra, since you mentioned my work. Thank you so much for giving me your time ;)

I also encourage you to read this post to understand, why every Nakshatra/zodiac sign is equally emotional, just in their own way. Being blocked from one's emotional side is a sign of low evolution or trauma that caused internal blockages. It doesn't help, that in nowadays society we are bombarded by negative messages on the subject, because there are powerful entities that benefit from people locking themselves away and not realising the immense power that lies in being in touch with themselves. Still, every lock has the right key to it, even if you have heavy Mercurial energies you are still passionate in your own way. Astrology helps you find that way.

I totally relate to your journey with Vedic, it took me years to take it seriously because of how people approach it...honestly, it was disappointing, entering a new astrology community and seeing people follow a different set of guidelines but still have the same level lacking in spiritual perception...of course it's not everybody, but sadly it's way too common. This is what happens, when society doesn't receive the proper spiritual education and keeps looking for quick fixes in everything. Sigh.

However, I promise you there is deep truth in Vedic astrology, that you find nowhere else. I can still do Western of course, having years of practice with it, but I honestly can't relate to my Western placements the way I used to, because the Vedic ones are so much more accurate. I encourage you to read on for further explanation.

The reason you had problems controlling your temper is that Chitra Lagna is Mars-ruled. I love Chitra Nakshatra, it's one of my all time favorites. The point of Chitra is provoking the other party in a humoristic, confrontational, playful style to reveal their true colors and challenge the status quo in a not-so-obvious way. These people are desperately needed nowadays, because our society is so full of s***...your life purpose is more of a divine mission than ever, I s2g. However, responses that you get from people will vary. Mars-ruled Lagna is about following the path you know is right with determination, regardless of what anyone might say or think of you. Mars needs discipline, so instead of lashing out uncontrollably in all directions, keep pushing towards a goal that you know is right for you.

It's good for a person with such a heavy Mercury energy to have Mercury in Punarvasu, because you will bounce back from every setback, every criticism that you might receive on the way. And you will receive it, because many people hate being confronted with controversy, they're close minded and they throw the ball back, because they don't want to admit what is uncomfortable for them. Just realise, that these people are simply shooting the messenger and keep being yourself. You said you were on a healing journey, that's good, keep growing!

The other reason why you might have felt the torment in your life is Ardra Nakshatra being so prominent. Ardra is very tumultuous, it's a constant "reality check" and a point, where we realise how our mind can be our prison, our jailor and our torturer. This is the moment, where we learn how we create our mental world. It's a wakeup call, that shows us the brutality of life, but also shows us the way out to the rejuvenation we experience in Punarvasu. Still, this is a testing moment, and you might experience this in life...feeling tested over and over, being confused to the point you don't know what to chose and what is real. Rahu ruled Nakshatras are hard, because the mental confusion can get intense. Being trapped inside your own head can be a problem, but Mercury in Punarvasu should help, yet again.

Also, you have a 10th house stellium, and stelliums are never easy. I have a 10th house Moon myself, so high five. Such a stellium puts a high pressure on your aspirations and daily routine. You might feel motivated, but also pushed to always have a full day, do a lot, and when that is not possible, you are frustrated. If you don't produce a certain level of energy on the daily, it can make you feel deficient. 10th house makes a person have high expectations of themselves, and these expectations, often coming from the family environment, are mostly about what one has to offer to the world, which may take its time being recognised, so initially a lot of it can feel like thankless labor. Still, it is ultimately worth it. Just make sure, that what you’re working towards is in line with your personal truth, not a projection of other people’s expectations. Remember to make time for self care (4th house) and try not to be too harsh with yourself.

[fromtheplanethexagon]

the robot problem: a critical look at tobecky, 5 years late

hello wordgirl fandom i am back :) and i have a lot of thoughts that i never got around to expressing before i moved on from the show. so be aware that everything i'm saying is based on my experiences during the 2012-2016 era of the fandom & state of tumblr in general, and i am not familiar with more recent fan content.

it's been over five years since the show ended, and @ifbrd​ reminded me (along with some great analysis) that while tobecky was super popular since before the show technically started (thanks to the play date shorts), it's pretty unhealthy in a lot of ways that tend to be excused or flat out ignored in fanworks. i'd like to reflect on that a bit (a lot); specifically, how both the show and the fandom approached this enemies-to-lovers ship, and how easily this ship can slip into uncomfortable territory if we're careless about how we interpret the ship and create fan content of it.

i will admit, i'm mostly writing this as a response to past me and my old creations - though i moved on from the show as a whole years ago, i do like taking the time to reflect on old interests once in a while, and reevaluating my thoughts on them. and this ship is probably the biggest one that still lurks in the corners of my mind once in a while, so let's go.

cherish is the word: a short positive note before a much longer negative one

i wanted to start this essay off with some positivity, because i am going to be very negative after this. tobecky was, in some ways, cute. it's obvious from the very beginning that these two characters are on pretty equal ground, even if one of them isn't aware of it. and that's part of the fun - the irony of how unaware tobey is that his nemesis/crush/person that pretty much always wins against him is someone that he completely dismisses as incompetent. i want to point this out because honestly, in general i don't like enemies-to-lovers because a lot of them use a power imbalance within the dynamic, and i hate power imbalances, especially when it comes to actual life-or-death scenarios (at least, as much as cartoons can do that). in most episodes, becky is never actually forced to go along with his wishes. she's not held in a 'date' against her will, nor is she ever really outwitted by him. i bring this up because there is one huge, uncomfortable exception, which i will get to later.

another big plus to the ship is the fact that they just... get along? even when fighting? of course we get brief moments where they just hang out and talk about paintings or whatever, but i'm talking about how much they get each other, even if they don't realize it. like the word banter, for example. been there since day one. becky loves words, and while most other people in her life don't really care (ranging from 'eh, that's cool i guess' to her brother calling it annoying), tobey gives her a chance to show off and thus treats her as a worthy adversary as herself, not because of her more generic superpowers - something that we've seen in canon that she feels self-conscious about (see: her motivation in patch game). one of the less noticed examples, to me, is "it's your party and i'll cry if I want to", because it's just - okay. they both are excluded from a social event, and while it's obvious that tobey deals with it by destroying the city, it's also pretty obvious that becky also deals with her frustration by fighting in that battle. like, yes, realistically it's just objectively bad that he's destroying buildings. but they're also providing each other with a way to work through their frustrations, first by fighting and then by talking things out, and finally by hanging out together instead of dwelling on being excluded from the party.

so it makes a lot of sense to me that many tobecky fans gravitated towards writing far-in-the-future fic, usually by implying that some growth had taken place before starting to write the ship. (there are, as far as i'm aware, 2... maybe 3 exceptions, that take the time to attempt a real redemption for him, at least when i left the fandom.) because if you take away his worst moments, either by reasoning out that he was 10 years old and a mess, or that he was a cartoon character in a cartoon world where everyone's actions are over-the-top, or by just flat-out pretending that certain episodes never happened, there's some pretty solid ground to start a ship on.

go gadget go: we all do not see it, we simply close our eyes (review of canon)

when the show began, i was the same age as the characters. a lot of other people were, too - at least in my cohort of the fandom. i think it's pretty safe to say that many of us have fond memories of the show's earlier seasons, and held on to that interest as we got older, for whatever reasons. so like, not to be all 'as an OG fan...', but i remember seeing the shorts air for the first time in 2006. i have a diary entry in july of 2009 about how i, a 12yo with no concept of the idea of 'shipping', was disappointed in the new tobey episode because i wanted more tobecky interactions. (that was robo-camping, btw, lol.) and so i remember how exciting their rivalry felt, watching them as someone literally their exact same age, and then watching that again as a nostalgic 17yo, and then uh... growing up, to put it frankly, and realizing just how unhealthy most of their interactions were.

okay what i meant to say was, this section is an overview of the relationship's canon portrayal throughout the years.

first, we have early tobecky: this includes the shorts and the first few seasons. this is their classic relationship: he likes her and takes robots on rampages to get her attention, she majorly disapproves and has fun taking him down. we've all seen the show, you know what i'm talking about. his backhanded ways of trying to find out her identity often feature prominently in the episodes, which - sigh, i've mentioned this whole issue before, but it's kind of a grey area in the whole uncomfortable-factor thing, because while trying to find out her identity is VERY invasive, it's something that like... everyone in the show tries to do, even her canon crush (scoops). on the one hand, it's really not a great look, but on the other hand, this is a cartoon meant to parody a genre in which this trope is extremely common. so i just wanna say that i have Issues and Thoughts on this aspect of their relationship, but there are other things i find more important to discuss here.

second, we have late tobecky: this is seasons 7-8. this is... a very strange and huge shift from the previous dynamic, though it's not necessarily obvious. what i mean by that is that for some reason, the show writers made it so that half of tobey’s rampages have nothing to do with his crush on wordgirl, even though that used to be the sole reason for his villainy. seriously. we have the birthday episode, where he's upset because he feels left out; wg vs tobey vs the dentist, where he's mad that he has a cavity; and trustworthy tobey, where his robot goes on a rampage... after becky accidentally makes it malfunction. the two outliers are ‘guess who’s coming to thanksgiving dinner’ and ‘patch game’, but they still differ from previous seasons because 1) his destruction is isolated to a forest far away from the city, and 2) his motive is still to impress wordgirl, but his methods are relatively tame. also he completely gives up on the secret identity thing??? i may have missed some things but i think he straight up tells her 'yeah there's no way you're wordgirl, lol' and the subject is just dropped for the rest of the show.

i also want to include 'the robot problem' here, because it's one of two season 6 tobey episodes, and follows the 'doesn't destroy buildings to get her attention' pattern: in fact, he teams up with her to try and stop someone else from going on a rampage (even if his reasons are selfish, lol).

and finally. the other season 6 episode. we have go gadget go, the bane of my time spent in the fandom. because GGG is the single episode where tobey truly manages to take away her autonomy, and proceeds to abuse that power for an extended period of time, for his own amusement. it's bad. it's Very Bad. put in the context that it's a white boy doing this to an (ambiguously) brown girl, it's REALLY REALLY BAD. and the more i look back on it, tbh, the more weirded out i am that the show not only made it seem like she wasn't affected at all within the episode, it just... forgot about it (which is not unusual for shows and especially children’s shows, but WG does make some efforts to either retain continuity or create canon reasons for why things are forgotten about). it's the kind of thing that you can't excuse and honestly you can't redeem (like at this point, you gotta ask yourself why you're spending so much effort trying to redeem this guy when becky has several other possible ships that are nowhere near this unhealthy - violet, scoops, honestly even victoria if you want another hero/villain ship, my absolute fave rarepair rose, etc).

so if you want to still ship it you have to just pretend that it never happened. (i remember trying for weeks to write something exploring the aftermath of this episode, to try and make myself feel better about it, but the more i wrote the more i realized just how traumatic this event should've been, so i eventually just dropped it.) and i brought up my own timeline of experiences earlier to point out that this episode aired eight whole years after the show started. which means that when i saw it, even though i was a huge stickler for canon at the time, i'd built up my own idea of the show and characters strongly enough to go 'yeah, no, this episode sucks and i am going to pretend that it doesn't exist'. and i think a lot of other people did too, because i really saw like... no one mention it, ever, except for some rogue fanfics over on ff dot net that already liked dynamics like that.

because here's the thing, and i don't know if people nowadays are aware of it? but i'm 80% sure (cannot find a source, so the other 20% is that it was just a rumor) that the show was originally supposed to end after season 6. and even if it's a rumor, it makes a ton of sense, because we get 1) an 'ending' to tobecky, which is a bad one, 2) a permanent wordgirl identity reveal that significantly changes one of the major dynamics in the show, 3) an episode where TJ gets to work with wordgirl and get a nice potential ending for their sibling dynamic, 4) an episode where we see Two-Brains explore life without his henchmen... the list goes on, and idk how many of these are just major stretches. but the point is. if the show had ended there, that would've been a pretty solid ending for many things, including their relationship: aka, it would prove that it was only ever heading somewhere bad, and when tobey finally has his moment of triumph, he is truly evil about it. and this provides us fans who HATE go gadget go with an easy reason to dismiss it - we can say that it was an attempt to conclude things in a way that wouldn't have happened if the writers had known they'd get more time. but despite that... it is still a canon episode.

it is odd to me how dramatically the dynamic shifts after that, though, because we seriously go from 'worst case ever, tobecky is toxic, your ship is dead' to 'no actually they get along and hang out and get ice cream together and tobey isn't even pressuring her into it, she's happy to go along with it :)' like, immediately. i never knew much about the show writers, so i don't know if the writers changed in between these seasons, but i would absolutely not be surprised if they did.

the earlier episodes are definitely problematic as well (though they pale in comparison to GGG) but i think everyone who ships it is aware considering that tobey is, yknow, a villain. from memory, he destroys buildings to get her attention, lies to her about the level of danger that people are in to trick her into spending more time with him, blackmails her into reading his poetry, and he creates a robot based on her that’s supposed to be devoted to him (but of course, all of these things backfire). not great stuff of course, but like... he’s a villain, that’s the point of his character. and considering that he’s a child these are things that can be redeemed, if done thoughtfully.

anyway, to sum up this section, the show starts off with a pretty standard 'enemies with an unrequited crush' setup, takes a really dark turn for a single episode, and then for the rest of the show takes their dynamic in a direction that makes it much, much easier to ship. as long as you ignore a lot of previous content.

wordbot: where's becky's autonomy in all of this? (misogyny)

we've finally gotten to the fandom. i recognize that a lot of this is going to come across as hypocritical considering how active i used to be re: this ship, but like... i'm a very different person now. anyway. disclaimer i guess - i don't write this to accuse all tobecky shippers of being like this - i know a lot of us aren't/weren't! but boy do i have things to point out, so without further ado:

it is very hard to ship this without allowing some bit of misogyny to slip into it. very, very hard. the entire premise of the ship involves a girl falling in love with a boy that repeatedly pressures her to date him via threats to the safety of herself and people she cares about, which... it's 2020, i shouldn't have to explain why that's terrible & a terrible example to set for children (which is why i am glad they never made it canon, tbh). best-case fan content has tobey stop pressuring her and start working to redeem himself out of an actual change of heart, which leads to becky seeing him in a new light. worst-case fan content treats his incessant pressuring and sometimes outright threats as something romantic - and even worse, romantic to the point where he deserves her attention and love as a reward for not giving up or whatever. i did see this pretty frequently for a while, especially in the earlier 2010s (didn't read much, Not My Thing At All), but i don't feel like going into detail here because of how obviously problematic it is. one medium (but still bad) case is where the fan content makes him start his redemption, but treats her liking him back as a reward for not knocking buildings over anymore. another not great case is where she tries to fix him with her love, which is a very common and very dangerous romantic trope. both are just... so incredibly unfair to her.

in content where she tries to 'fix him'... yeah i feel like it's really obvious how misogynistic that is. girls and women should not feel responsible for the evil actions of men, plain and simple. idk what else to say here i just really hate that trope and hated it back then and it just sucks! so can we not do that anymore, thanks.

in content that treats her like a reward for good behavior, there really isn't much of an explanation for what she sees in him. if she just goes 'oh wow, you're good now, i am going to fall in love with you for it' the whole thing falls flat because it makes NO sense whatsoever. we get to hear so much about tobey and his feelings and why he likes her and how he feels about it, but where is that energy for becky? why does she choose to trust him, to spend time around him, what does she enjoy about his presence? where is her getting over scoops in the process of falling for tobey? where is her telling her friends about this, confiding in them, asking them for advice? where is her choice in the matter?

win a day with wordgirl: do you guys even like becky or do you just like the idea of her (misogyny... 2!)

it was pretty standard for all fandoms the early-mid 2010s, but that's still not a good excuse for why so many tobecky fanfictions centered specifically around tobey's feelings while refusing to give becky the same level of empathy and nuance. it is true that to ship them comfortably you have to redeem him to some degree, which means spending time figuring him out and trying to find ways to pull him to the light without feeling super OOC. but ships take two people??? and there was so much potential for fanfics to explore becky's complex feelings on the matter - because she is! complex! she's heroic and kind but she's petty and has a competitive streak, she easily befriends villains but also doesn't trust them and doesn't believe they can ever really change, she's the savior of an entire planet but has feelings of inadequacy as her civilian identity and struggles with feeling like she can be successful without superpowers, she's great at the straightforward meanings and uses of words and loves reading but struggles to write passages that aren't dry as hell, it can be easily headcannoned that she's neurodivergent (special interests, issues with fitting in with her peers, taking things very literally, etc)... seriously there is SO MUCH to explore about her character, and a lot of it comes into play when you add tobey into the mix (literally ALL of the things i mentioned are explored at some point using tobey as a parallel or foil), but i rarely saw fanfiction that explored her thoughts on things further than 'he's evil but... maybe good?' or 'he's evil but... i kind of like him anyway?'.

if you want her to fall for him while being a villain, explore it!! why does she go against her morals? does she lie to herself about it to feel better? does she feel like she has to 'fix him' as part of her superhero duties to the city, and if so, how does that affect her as she tries and fails to help him? does she fall for him when she believes that he's turning good, only to feel betrayed when he starts acting worse because he feels like he can get away with it? it's such a shame that fanworks spend so little time even considering these questions, and it is absolutely a product of how deeply misogyny is/was baked into how we approach media (especially back then).

tobey goes good: but wait, i thought this show was progressive (a conclusion, i guess)

ifbrd wrote a great meta recently about how the show is a bit misogynist, despite being progressive in several ways. honestly i don't have much to add, but i'd really recommend reading through this; it makes a lot of great observations about the ways that male and female characters are presented differently through the show

i have little to add, so i'd just like to conclude with a reflection on the ship from my current viewpoint. i do think part of the reason so many of us latched onto the ship, despite how obviously problematic it was, is that the show treats a lot of things that would be serious in real life as normal or even comedic - which is fine lol, i'm not going to pretend that it's not a show for little kids, so they have to keep the tone light.

but if we, as teens/adults, decide to engage with this content in a more realistic manner, we have to be prepared to confront how messed up so many of the things going on really are. and if you still want to ship it, there's nothing inherently wrong with that! there's a lot of interesting things to explore in this ship, no matter what stage of enemies-to-friends-to-lovers you write them at, and it can be really helpful to have a space where you can explore a dynamic such as this in fiction. (speaking from experience here tbh, writing some fic for them helped me deal with complicated feelings about some ex-longtime friends.)

so to write this ship at all means that there are canon issues that you need to deal with if you want to have them end up in a healthy relationship in any manner that makes sense (unless you create an AU where none of that is applicable, which, power to you then). and i’m not saying ‘write them with a healthy endgame or you’re Bad’, not at all lol. but at least please, please take a step back once in a while to examine the dynamic that you’re writing, and please be careful about whether you mean to be romanticizing whatever behaviors you end up portraying as good.