#or rather that magic isn't mystical

[lith-myathar]

.

[neechees]

That's actually really common with Native characters, whether they're racebends or not, but there's always this need of people wanting to connect any fantasy elements of the characters, to Native American spirituality or culture, even when the same isn't done for other characters with the same fantasy elements as them.

Like we can't just have a Native American vampire, they feel the need to make this vampire turn into a Native deity. We can't just have a Native werewolf, their lycanthropy HAS to be linked to Native shape-shifting for some reason (& I'll admit this one has the most potential, but every attempt I've seen has STILL been butchered & racist). We can't just have a Native American who is also a wizard, their magic is somehow always linked to them being a "Shaman". There can't just be like a Native version of Superman or other superheroes, their superhero powers always somehow come from or are contact with Native deities.

I think people think theyre being inclusive & clever when they do this, and sometimes it IS out of a genuine desire to acknowledge the characters' culture rather than to just ignore it, but most of the time the cultural & spiritual aspects are butchered & bastardized anyways, so it still misses the mark & hits straight into The Magical Indian trope & Native mysticism. At this point its a pleasant surprise & subversive when their fantasy elements AREN'T linked to Native culture/spirituality somehow. There's ways to include Native characters' cultures into their backstories without stereotyping them & I wish this was understood & that creators strived for it more

[ohnoitstbskyen]

What’s the difference between Ascended, Aspects, Freljordian demigods, Aurelian Sol, and whatever Soraka’s got going on? Are they all just different varieties of League gods?

Hoo boy, okay, so. First of all, Riot have been pretty adamant that there are no gods in Runeterra, every god-like being that exists in that universe is actually a spirit or just a very powerful being of some kind, but definitely no real gods, no matter how much it seems like they are definitely writing these characters to be actual literal gods.

I don't 100% know why they are so insistent on this, but I imagine it has something to do with censorship and ratings agencies, or maybe they just don't want to have to establish any actual theology on Runeterra. Volibear isn't the god of storms for real, he's just a super powerful spirit that can create storms in the Freljord, but not all of them, so please don't ask us whether every single thunderstorm in the Freljord was something he did deliberately. That sort of vibe.

To go through them point by point:

Celestials & Aspects

The Celestials are beings like Aurelion Sol and Bard, which exist as cosmic entities operating on levels of power and motivation beyond human understanding. They came into existence with the universe itself, and tend to busy themselves governing various parts of its operation. They are, again not gods (Riot is very insistent on this), but Aurelion Sol literally made every star in the galaxy, he's functionally the progenitor god of Creation.

Some of them, though, like to interfere in the mortal world of Runetera in various ways, and they tend to use mortal vessels to do it. That's where we get Aspects: Aspects are mortals who are chosen by the Celestials that live on Mount Targon to contain their power and be their avatars in the mortal world.

Leona is the Aspect of a Sun celestial, Diana of the Moon celestial, Pantheon is the Aspect of War (or he was, until Aatrox killed it, but he retains access to many of its powers), and Zoe is the Aspect of Twilight, and so on.

Soraka is another Celestial in mortal form, but she is NOT an Ascended. Rather than possess a mortal, she created a mortal body for herself and poured the whole of her being into it, which is causing her body to permanently burn up from the inside while she regenerates it with her magic. She lives on Runeterra and acts as a mysterious mystical wise guide and mentor to mortals who need it.

Ascended & Darkin

Ascended are somewhat similar in kind to the Aspects, but usually lesser in power. The Ascended are also human beings infused with Celestial magic and power, specifically with the power of the Sun, although as far as I know, that power is drawn not from the Celestial of the Sun who empowers Leona, but directly from the physical Sun itself. This means the Ascended aren't possessed by Celestials and retain full free will, at the cost (or let's be real: benefit) of being transformed into furries, which extremely coincidentally just so happen to closely resemble the gods of the Egyptian pantheon. but again, they are definitely not gods, please don't put it in the newspaper that they are gods.

I don't know exactly how canon Riot considers this anymore, but the lore was that the Aspects of Mount Targon gifted the power of Ascension to Shurima in order to produce Ascended that could serve as shock-troops in the war against the Void, which is a swarm of extradimensional horrors that are constantly trying to eat the world. Whatever the case, the Ascended DID fight the Void, and it traumatized and corrupted them so badly that they degenerated into body-horror blood monsters called the Darkin.

The Darkin fell into civil war and it got so bad that The Aspect of Twilight (not Zoe but her predecessor in the role) decided to use some magical trickery to imprison them all in their weapons, which is where they've stayed for a few thousand years, getting even more traumatized and mentally destabilized by the total sensory deprivation and solitary confinement. If any mortal touches a Darkin weapon, it immediately assimilates them and uses their flesh as a new host, and then goes on a killing rampage about it. That's where you get your Aatrox, your Varus and (eventually, once he devours Kayn) your Rhaast.

Gods, Spirits & Demons

This is the category for Ornn, Anivia, Volibear, The Seal Sister and so on. The Freljordian people worship them as gods, but they are, technically, only extremely powerful nature spirits, manifestations of the nature of the Freljord itself, which draw power from the land and to a lesser extent from their worshipers. There are many, many lesser nature spirits, which might be worshiped as gods by particular tribes or hold power over particular areas, but Ornn, Anivia, Volibear, The Seal Sister and the Iron Boar are the most powerful and most widely revered.

On a similar note, Ionia is absolutely choked to the gills with spirits, because those lands are soaked in magic. They are usually not worshiped as gods specifically, but take the shape of everything from dragons to living trees to sprites and will-o-wisps and which roam fairly freely in Ionia. This includes characters like Lillia, who is the daughter of a magical tree of dreams on whose branches the dreams of mortals grow and mature, and it includes Ivern, who is an extremely powerful and ancient nature spirit formed from the soul of a magical tree.

Demons are distinct from spirits, in that rather than drawing on the power of the land or fountains of magic, they draw on the emotions of living things for their powers. The most powerful demons are known as The Ten, who get their power from the most primal emotions that living things feel. Fiddlesticks is the demon of Fear, and Nilah somehow draws her strength from Ashlesh, the Demon of Joy, whom her order has imprisoned. We don't know who the rest of the Ten are yet, but Riot seems to have that worked out somewhere in their internal deep lore.

Swain has a lesser (but still powerful) demon of secrets called Raum bound in his arm through some sort of deal, Evelynn is a demon of anguish and pain, Tahm Kench is a demon of addiction, and Nocturne is a demon of nightmares.

Besides those, there are an untold number of lesser demons, who feed on more and more specific feelings, and thus are less and less powerful because there's simply less of that stuff around to feed on. They are often called Azakana, and may be demons that feed on feelings as niche as, like, noblemen's fear of their extramarital affairs with handsome commoners being discovered. Yone hunts the Azakana and collects their mask, although even he doesn't know quite what for.

Death

This is where we place the Kindred. Technically they are merely Spirits of Death, but more than perhaps any other category of creature, Riot keeps writing them as Literal Gods of death and I don't think it makes sense to think of them any other way.

The Kindred take on many different shapes all across Runeterra, seemingly influenced in large part by the expectations of the people or creatures who are dying, but their most popular visage is that of a Lamb and a Wolf, hunting together. Lamb's merciful arrow ends your life if you accept that your time is up and go gently into that good night, but Wolf hunts you down and rips you to shreds if you resist and fight to your last breath, destiny be damned.

The Kindred are there for every death on Runeterra, they are the mediators (as far as we know) of all forms of death everywhere, and by far the most classically "anthropomorphic embodiment of universal existence" style god in the lore that we know of. Where a god like Anivia only really has power in the Freljord, the Kindred have power everywhere there is life. Only the undead escape them, and even then, only temporarily.

In Conclusion

YES Runeterra has tons of gods, it obviously has gods, you can't walk five feet in that universe without tripping on a god, but they tend to be gods with hard limitations on their power and influence, and rarely have powers on the level of bending reality itself.

Even Aurelion Sol, who literally makes stars, can't snap his fingers and undo causality, for example, or suspend the laws of physics wholesale.

Riot's weird insistence on "no gods in Runeterra" is more of an affectation, a bit of a put-on, than an actual narrative principle, and most of the gods of Runeterra can be understood very comfortably through the lens of various non-Christian religions like Norse or Greek mythology, or the hero/god characters of something like Polynesian myth.

[eye-may]

Any tuggoffelees headcanons perhaps? 😸

Also, I love the way you write things, it's pretty addictive to read.

tuggoffelees occupies at least fifty per cent of my mind palace at any given time so yes I definitely have hcs that Id love to share lmao. in all likelihood I could rave and gush until the end of time but I'll valiantly contain myself within the bounds of tumblrs character limit lmao

also thank you!!! ;w;

Tugger Is A Selective Ass Listener

Mistoffelees is really the only cat that Tugger unhesitatingly listens to. the latter has a notorious predisposition for disobedience and contrarianism, even, sometimes, towards Old Deutoronomy. it's more common though to witness Munkustrap telling him to do something or other, only to have to face down Tugger's bottomless pugnacity. (and that's his brother...if it's Skimble or Asparagus or Jelly or any of the elders...let alone a peer like Bombalurina...forget it lmao. they hardly even try after a certain point). however...if Mistoffelees echoes the command or chastises Tugger for not listening, or encourages him to obey...nothing gets Tugger to pipe down and comply faster. it's a mystical phenomenon that is known to many cats in the junkyard. a few of the kittens might even speculate that it can be attributed to Mistoffelees's magic, like he's using hypnosis...but the truth is, of course, that Tugger is just very, very whipped.

Vitriolic Best Frienditude

I see their relationship as embodying the "vitriolic best friends" trope in the most wholesome sense i.e., there's plenty of ribbing, teasing, good-natured spats, comedic disagreements, scathing nicknames. it's just one layer of their unique dynamic that contains multitudes lmao. in plenty of other instances, they coexist in companionable silence, especially since Mistoffelees is characteristically on the quieter side (and sometimes seemingly hesitates to talk at all). but the two of them read each other's signals so well --- the silences are never awkward, the vitriol is never genuinely hurtful.

Tashing

Tugger, contrary to his reputation, is not a "touchy-feely" cat. in fact, if you could see past the veneer of prurient mischief, you'd see a cat that's actually rather aloof...a little cagey, even. so unless the context is ✨romantical✨, he's not as likely to seek out tactile affection and cuddles per the average Jellicle. also sometimes nuzzling messes up his mane!! there is, of course, one (1) cat that can impulsively nuzzle/hug/cuddle the Tugger, even foregoing permission, and that's Mistoffelees. granted, Mistoffelees rarely seeks out those kinds of interactions (unless he's cold lmao) but there's an unspoken understanding that a physical display of affection from Mistoffelees is something that is very soothing to Tugger. there have been enough instances where Tugger gets riled up about something, only to be calmed by Mistoffelees materializing behind him, wrapping his arms around his neck, nuzzling him, purring. (incidentally, when he does this...his feet don't reach the ground lmao so he's kind of just planted on Tugger's back like a spider or a koala or smth).

on the other end, Mistoffelees isn't as guarded when it comes to tactile mores of the felinological sort. but Tugger takes certain extraneous liberties lol such as using Mistoffelees's head as an elbow rest, randomly lifting him, ruffling his head fur, etc.

They Will Do Crimes For Each Other (deadass)

they are protective of each other in different ways. Tugger's protective streak is more archetypal, more obvious. loud and conspicuous. a threat toward Mistoffelees, verbal or otherwise, is tantamount to a declaration of war. Tugger is slower to resort to offensive combat than Munkustrap or Alonzo...but if Mistoffelees is in the picture, it's on sight!! meanwhile, Mistoffelees is more of the 'quiet and dangerous' ilk of protector. he keeps more levelheaded, which in a way...makes him more of a terror. severe slights against Tugger may result in Mistoffelees wielding his magic in ways that he never does otherwise. and I don't mean in an explosive, violent way...I mean like, he'll turn up his beguiling tactics to the utmost degree. he'll play psychological games. he'll unleash his 'eccentric confusions' in a ruthless fashion. it's...about as close as he ever comes to using his magic in a way that's comparable to Macavity's tactics.

The Incomprehensibly Fateful Initial Meeting (or: Tugger acquires a new accessory)

Mistoffelees's arrival to the junkyard constituted a formative turning point for Tugger while he had been struggling with ingratiating with the Jellicles after the difficult process of detaching himself from Macavity. their initial introduction was very emblematic of who they are as cats; Tugger, in a bad mood after he lost something as seemingly superficial as his bandana down a storm drain and being touchy/irate as a result...and Mistoffelees, that eccentric new kitten, mystifying the younger cats with his little magic tricks. Tugger was encouraged to go say hi to him, be friendly, help welcome him...and Tugger probably would have shirked such pleasantries with some hot shot kid who's got the leading members of HIS fan club in a tizzy. but the Rum Tum Tugger IS a curious cat...and he'd have been remiss to admit that he wasn't dying to know what the big deal about this new arrival was.

he approaches the group of cats and kittens who are crowded around the tux in time to see him complete a sleight of hand card trick. the small audience erupts in cheers and claps. one of the kittens, noticing Tugger's arrival, encourages him to let Mistoffelees perform one of his tricks for him (he'll be amazed!). Tugger, of course, being too cool for school, is like mmm nahhh...but the kittens BEG him to give it a shot, and Tugger, used to appeasing his fans, concedes. Mistoffelees smiles ambiguously at him, and Tugger kneels down to his height, waiting for whatever ostensibly amazing feat of trickery is coming. Mistoffelees doesn't say a word to him; in fact, Tugger hadn't heard him talk at all up to that point. instead, the tux soundlessly reaches for somewhere in the vicinity of Tugger's ear, which causes the latter to reel back instinctively. he plays off his dramatic reaction a bit with an unsettled smile, but then declares that he doesn't allow for touching of his glorious mane. Mistoffelees is visibly taken aback; he recoiled when Tugger did.

of course, the kittens come in clutch again. Etcetera most likely is particularly insistent ("aw come on Tugger, just let him!!!") and, once again, Tugger's arm is proverbially twisted into resignation. he tentatively resituates himself in such a way that allows the quiet illusionist to conduct the trick. Mistoffelees reaches, combs his paw into Tugger's hair and seems to just play with it for a minute. Meanwhile Tugger is just sitting there like O_o. but then, Mistoffelees draws back, withdrawing his paw...and, with it, comes a long beautiful strip of fabric with leopard spots that match Tugger's own fur pattern around his chest and arms and feet. the kittens, of course, are rapt...and, admittedly, so is Tugger. his disposition flips like a coin. he's smiling (a genuine smile!), impressed, his previous reservations forgotten. when Mistoffelees hands him the bandana, Tugger examines it, and even extends verbal kudos to the magician. he can't figure out how it was done!

He goes to hand the bandana back, thinking it belongs to Mistoffelees, that it's something he typically uses for such tricks. but Mistoffelees, still wordlessly, nudges it back towards him. Tugger is confused for a second, but quickly realizes that Mistoffelees means for him to keep it. he's almost sort of touched...he had JUST lost his bandana, and as if coming in clutch, this random cat he doesn't know gifts him a new, honestly cooler one...but there's no way Mistoffelees could have known that...right...?

Suffice to say, although neither of them knew...that was the beginning of a beautiful friendship lmao. I could wax poetical for paragraphs and paragraphs about why the two of them work so well together, but that first meeting was a solid representation of the essence of their dynamic. Mistoffelees is a consunmate showman, as is Tugger, but there was never an air of competition or of insecurity or jealousy or any such unpleasantries. Mistoffelees, as far as Tugger was concerned, was the only cat he had ever met up to then that had no expectations of him; no ogling admirations, no prejudicial judgments. that didn't see him as a conquest, or a celebrity, or a henchman, or a project. and Mistoffelees, meanwhile, notices the evident sincerity of Tugger's attachments towards him. he's intuitive enough to glean quickly that most of Tugger's affections are, apparently, superficial and angled...and yet, despite Mistoffelees not partaking in the fandom, Tugger seeks him of all cats out, encourages his talents, praises him even when nobody else is around...so none of it, for once, is a performance. the two can just be so organic and raw with each other Im asfafoihgope

their idiosyncrasies are also fun to compare and contrast, like...both are showmen who enjoy being the center of attention when it's controlled. both know and understand what it feels like to be used. both grapple with prejudice, with the presuppositions about their propensity for evilness (because Tugger was raised by Macavity and Mistoffelees is magical, which, in my CATS universe, has negative connotations in certain religious groupings amid pious denominations of the cat world). however, Tugger is loquacious, extroverted, gregarious...while Mistoffelees is quiet, observant, cryptic. they balance each other out aaaa it's cute idk.

A Comprehensive Guide To Dealing With the Unique Situation Of Having A Superpowered Boyfriend? Best Friend

I just like to think that Tugger is more privy than perhaps anybody else about the multitude of nuances that come along with Mistoffelees's magical powers. it's not as simple as catapulting force lightning at every wayward piece of furniture on a whim! I think Tugger was the first to know of the extent of Mistoffelees's abilities (as described before, others in the yard knew that he could perform magic, but at first he kept it to seemingly explicable illusions --- sleight of hand things that are cool, but not actually preternatural) and has learned so extensively about them from a combination of tenure and fascination. he keyed in early on to the possibility of Magic Exhaustion (tm), and to the way Mistoffelees's power levels correlate with the moon phases, and how soporific a New Moon is to the Conjuring Cat. he knows to an extent better than most others, what exactly Mistoffelees 'can and can't' do, what sorts of magic he struggles with versus what he excels at, etc. like he might know these little details like, conjuring requires more energy than vanishment. he knows that if Mistoffelees tries to transmute anything without a Full Moon, he'll probably exert himself beyond his means and pass out. he knows when Mistoffelees is 'sensing' something, like an unseen entity or if he's having a moment of prescience. he knows that Mistoffelees struggles the most with sionic/psychic magic and that he dislikes even trying it (and that every time he does he gets a splitting headache).

for the most part, Tugger is infinitely impressed by the Conjuring Cat. this is known. as an unappeasable, unsatisfiable itinerant in almost all regards, it's nigh impossible to impress and excite him --- but Mistoffelees manages to do it all the time! that being said, there are truthfully a handful of downsides. Tugger's great at putting on an easygoing veneer, so all might not be privy to the moments when he's feeling pretty anxious about his friend...like when Mistoffelees overexerts and then goes comatose. when he's unrousable for longer than Tugger expects. when Macavity and all and sundry catch wind of him and he becomes a target. when he jumps into the line of fire, aggrandized into a save-the-day sort of role by virtue of being a literal sorcerer.

Tugger, on one paw, wants to show Mistoffelees off to everyone. he wants the world to know how uncredible this cat is, wants to bask in the glory of having the rare privilege of knowing him. but sometimes, on the other paw (indecisive as ever)...he wishes he could just have Mistoffelees to himself, where he's safe and where neither of them have to worry about the supposed ramifications of being able to shoot lightning out of your hands and suchlike.

despite those feelings, I don't personally see either Tugger or Mistoffelees as codependent of possessive of the other. their relationship is so organic and natural, bereft of miscommunication or distrust or overcompensation or jealousy or any such shortcomings. Tugger is protective without being patronizing. Mistoffelees is watchful without being hypervigilant. and so on and so forth.

fellas is it queer if your relationship with your bro is so profound that it actually transcends spacetime and subversely defies the cultural paremeters of any label available in any language, thus making this question unanswerable?

idk if this is an hc at this point. now I'm just babbling. but for what it's worth I'm a SAP...a SUCKER...a slut, even....for the type of relationship between two dudes that is nebulous and layered beyond the realm of conventional categorization. the kind of thing where it's like, they'd do anything for each other. they are soothed and balanced by each other's presence. one cannot imagine a world without the other. they are both 100% of themselves and their connection does not detract from either, nor does either need the other to complete their picture. they do, of course, love each other, yes. is it friendship? romance? sexual or sensual? familial? a partnership? a domestic union? none of the above! it's somehow something else entirely! it is more than all of that, and yet the most lightweight and simplest alternative.

is it ridiculous for me to wax and wane hither and thither so philosophically over two campy fictional dancing and singing anthropomorphic cats who technically only directly interact for a net total of like ten minutes??? yes, it is! but there are worse things

I just like to think that that's the kind of relationship they have. you can't stick a neat and tidy label on it. I think in their materially planar bubbles in which they are beholden to cultural mores, there's potential for spindles made out of the What Are We? sort of threads. but like I often indulge in the imagery of it being like a sam/frodo thing where we just don't even know what to call it lmao.

all that is to say. knowing how prevalent the idea of reincarnation is in the world of CATS, I do like to think of Tuggoffelees as something of a cosmic fixture in the grand scheme of the universe. in my personal CATS canon [[I need to think of a damn title for this thing]] there comes a time when Mistoffelees has to come to terms with the fact that he's going to outlive all of his loved ones. when Tugger becomes privy to this, and to Mistoffelees's apprehensions about it, he promises (with some levity because this IS Tugger we're talking about) that he'll always find Mistoffelees in every subsequent Jellicle Life. he'll always come back to get on his nerves. Mistoffelees is incredulous; it's not like Tugger's future incarnations will remember his past lives and have the wherewithal to do any such thing. But Tugger insists that he'll always be Looking, even if his future incarnations don't necessarily know what specifically FOR, because he'll always be a restless soul (that can only be truly settled by one vital connection, as we have already seen). he assure Mistoffelees that the latter will know when future Tuggers have found him; and Mistoffelees chuckles and says he's sure that he will.

both of them know that neither of them REALLY believe that. but it's a comforting thought.

recently I've been juggling with the idea that after escorting Old Tugger to the Heaviside Layer, Mistoffelees casts a spell for which he sacrifices his voice to make it so that he can always identify Tugger's soul, and only that soul will be able to hear him speak. subsequent generations of cats will come to know the legendary Mistoffelees as entirely mute, although none will know the reason why. that's a whole other thing tho asdflkapsofi

[hd-tarot]

🔮✨ HD Tarot Fest Anonymous Masterlist ✨🔮

Below is a collection of all the incredible fic and art created under the mystical influence of the Major and Minor Arcana cards.

Creators will be revealed on Saturday, November 30th at 1pm GMT/8am EST!

· ⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Fic ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆ ·

🔮 Because This River Is Wild (T, 14k words) 🃏 Six of Pentacles, upright: generosity, community, help, support, sharing, gratitude Six of Pentacles, reversed: inequality, taking advantage, strings attached, extortion, unfair power dynamics Consider this, though: how do you know you’re looking at the card the intended way? Or, Harry and Draco struggle with the explosive nature of passion without trust. Card(s): Six of Pentacles

🔮 Twilight Eternal (M, 23.9k words) 🃏 Wherever Draco is, the sun sits eternally on the precipice of setting. His father feeds his peacocks on the manor grounds. Harry is the only one who can communicate with Draco. A malevolent force haunts the house, nipping at Draco’s heels. Draco intended for himself to come to this place. He only wishes he could remember why. Card(s): Five of Cups

🔮 all i need (G, 3.9k words) 🃏 What would have happened if Draco Malfoy went down to the cellar again after Wormtail seemingly disappeared? Card(s): Six of Swords

🔮 I Watch Your Light (E, 9k words) 🃏 Harry spends his nights out pretending that he isn't sitting across from Draco Malfoy. This is rather difficult to do since Malfoy won't stop staring at him. Why, oh why, did his boyfriend have to be friends with the blond wanker? Card(s): Six of Cups, King of Cups (reversed), Four of Cups (reversed)

🔮 Little Black Dress (E, 4.9k words) 🃏 Returning for a mandatory eighth year and secretly dating Harry Potter, Draco is a bit of a mess. Harry wants to go public with their relationship, but the last thing Draco needs is another reason for people to hate him. As they work on their Tarot assignment for Advanced Divination, could a change of heart be in the cards? Card(s): Eight of Pentacles, Queen of Wands, Queen of Cups (reversed)

🔮 Abstract From a Moment (E, 19.1k words) 🃏 What Draco thinks will be a promotion in the Department of Mysteries turns out to be a strange, morbid assignment. He can handle the macabre task and the slightly frightening interactions with his odd superior, especially if it means career success. Trust Harry Potter to ruin everything. Card(s): Ten of Wands (reversed)

🔮 psychopomp (E, 15.3k words) 🃏 “Do you think I deserve to live?” The words spilt from his mouth, unbidden. Potter fixed him with a penetrating look. Draco recalled the expression he’d worn when he wrenched the wands from Draco’s grip at the Manor; thought this could be the same one. You can’t hide from me, it said. I know everything about you. “I think dying is the easy way out.” Card(s): The High Priestess

🔮 A wolf at the door (T, 13.5k words) 🃏 When Harry decided to do his internship with an international Auror, he was seeking an escape from many things. He certainly hadn’t anticipated ending up questioning his sexuality, magically trapped in a Spanish house with Draco Malfoy. Card(s): The World

🔮 hugged and tugged down through this tiger’s masque (M, 11k words) 🃏 A glimpse into a period of alteration, change, and transformation. Card(s): Death

🔮 Rusty Cage (E, 20.5k words) 🃏 Harry Potter is not okay. Someone else who’s not okay? Draco Malfoy, but he's doing time in Azkaban for his heinous crimes. But what if Draco isn't as guilty as he's been made out to be? Everyone knows that Harry is a sucker for righting injustice, including Hermione, who is more than prepared to meddle in order to help her best friend. Or, when Harry visits Draco in prison and things don't go quite as expected. Card(s): Eight of Swords

🔮 Towers of glory and the hands that felled them (G, 15.8k words) 🃏 It’s been 10 years since the war and Draco Malfoy is yet to leave his tower. The Tower: a symbol for ambition that is constructed on faulty premises. The destruction of the tower must happen in order to clear out the old ways and welcome something new. Its revelations can come in a flash of truth or inspiration. Card(s): The Tower

🔮 Mirror, Me (E, 18.3k words) 🃏 Harry’s current predicament is, he can admit, rather dire. Being caught stalking aside, he thinks his nose might be broken. Humiliation licks up his rigid spine, but along with it is a prickle of ill-advised anticipation, a foolish thrill at what Malfoy might do. Harry is a little lost. His house is rejecting him and his friends and family are busy and moving on. To cope, he turns to what’s tried and true; following Draco Malfoy. The first time was an accident. Sort of. Card(s): Four of Wands

🔮 Beyond the Veil (M, 9.9k words) 🃏 Embracing his new role as the Master of Death, Harry finds harmony in the natural order of things, but can he find a balance with the new Master of Life, Draco Malfoy? Card(s): Temperance

🔮 Minor Fall, Major Lift (E, 10.9k words) 🃏 Harry Potter is telling people’s fortunes in a tent in the Atrium at the Ministry Christmas party. Draco thinks Divination is a load of rubbish. But the cards never lie… Card(s): Ten of Pentacles (reversed), The Moon, Three of Cups

🔮 The Superfluous Man (E, 24.1k words) 🃏 A child for Harry Potter is a miracle of magic. And it's the second act of Draco Malfoy's sorry little life. Card(s): The Wheel of Fortune

🔮 Care for a Walk? (G, 2k words) 🃏 “Draco,” Harry beams confidently as the gates swing open, “Care for a walk?” Card(s): Six of Cups

🔮 Skipping Stones (M, 34.7k words) 🃏 Draco receives his very own prophecy. If Harry Potter could leave him alone, he might be able to figure out what it means. Card: Queen of Swords

· ⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Art ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆ ·

🔮 Death (G) 🃏 Card: Death

🔮 The Strength (G) 🃏 Card: Strength

🔮 A New Light. (G) 🃏 The choices that changed us. Card: The Tower

🔮 The Moon (G) 🃏 Card: The Moon

🔮 Surrender (M) 🃏 Draco repents. Card: The Hanged Man

🔮 nine of cups (G) 🃏 Harry happy in the upright card position, Draco suffering in the reverse. Card: Nine of Cups

🔮 The Sun (G) 🃏 In the cosmos of his heart, Harry blooms not but for one sun. Card: The Sun

🔮 Crepusculum (G) 🃏 A guardian in his tower, whimsical and secretive. A corruptor in the marble manor, with mirrored flesh and soul. Two souls at the foot of a castle seeking the sky just out of reach. Held down by twisted word and lies. Card: The Emperor

🔮 Ace of Cups (G) 🃏 Sipping from the same cup. Card: Ace of Cups

🔮 Ten of Cups (G) 🃏 ten of cups joy, gratitude, unconditional love, belonging, emotional fulfillment Card: Ten of Cups

🔮 XXI. THE WORLD (G) 🃏 XXI. The World, but make it drarry. Card: The World

[dreamlovetarot]

☁️「𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑑𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑」🏹

left to right: pile 1, pile 2, pile 3

Welcome, 𝑓𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝐷𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟,

as we embark upon a journey through the veils of time. In this celestial reading, we shall unveil the whispers of what your destined beloved shall hold most dear in you. Embrace this ethereal dance with an open heart, and may the stars above sprinkle their magic upon your path.

𝐼𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚𝑠, 𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠,

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒚 ⁓

Enchanting Disclaimer: Let it be known that Tarot's realm, found within these pages, is one of whimsical entertainment. What transpires is my personal interpretation, a delicate thread weaving through the cards' tapestry. Each portrayal, though bathed in speculation, seeks to capture your imagination. As you tread the starlit path of this reading, the harmony between your heart's song and its melodies shall guide you. Tarot's allure, an ethereal waltz, rests upon the tendrils of choice, where your intuition casts its own spell.

꒰ 🪼 ꒱ؘ ࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ𝑃𝑖𝑙𝑒 01

The cards of your destiny: 7 of cups, child: orphan, the sentinel, the twins

Within the realm of your being, an enchanting tapestry unfolds. Your future spouse is drawn to the radiance of your imaginative spirit, finding allure in the way you perceive the world. Your ability to discern opportunity in even the most intricate patterns of life, and your unwavering understanding of choice, create a symphony of admiration.

Your essence weaves dreams into reality, infusing purpose into each step you take. There's a delicate magic in your willingness to dream without restraint, to paint your life with the hues of possibility. This mystical aura you carry isn't tinged with negativity, but rather a sparkling optimism that kindles fascination.

Yet, beyond the ephemeral, your independence shines like a distant star, guiding you to gather knowledge on your own terms. You're a self-sufficient learner, a wanderer across the cosmos of wisdom, and your partner cherishes this self-reliance.

In your stride, your beloved sees a warrior spirit. Your unwavering faith in yourself and your capacity to conquer any challenge bestows you with an aura of courage and resolve. This inner certainty sets you on a path of endless possibilities, a journey your partner deeply admires.

The Twins card whispers of your multi-dimensional nature. You're a puzzle with pieces that delightfully don't always fit together. Your unpredictability paints your journey with intrigue, offering a constant sense of discovery to your partner's heart.

This fusion of dreaminess and autonomy creates a unique alchemy. You master the art of emotional balance, a dance between grounding and flight. Your independence is the armor that shields you, and your dreams are the wings that let you soar.

In this cosmic dance, you embody a spectrum of hues, and your beloved admires everything about your essence, encompassing green, beige, and even the occasional red flag. You are an enigma with layers that continue to captivate. As you navigate your journey, remember the charm that emanates from your fusion of dreams and self-reliance, as it is casting a spell that keeps your partner forever captivated.

꒰ 🪼 ꒱ؘ ࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ𝑃𝑖𝑙𝑒 02

The cards of your destiny: the moon, angel, the aspirant, the runaway

In the tapestry of your future, your beloved finds fascination in your intuitive nature and your profound self-awareness. Your thoughts, akin to twinkling stars, intrigue their curiosity. They are drawn to your emotional transparency, where you fearlessly share your worries and anxieties, offering a glimpse into the depths of your soul.

What truly enchants your future partner is your selflessness, a trait that shines with a brilliance of its own. Your willingness to extend your help without seeking anything in return casts a radiant glow upon your being. You embody a magical essence that radiates empathy and compassion, pulling them into your orbit.

But you're more than an angelic presence; you're a dreamer with aspirations that stretch toward the cosmos. Your ambition and tenacity in pursuing your dreams are evident. Even in the face of challenges, you approach them with open dialogue and a spirit that marches forward undeterred.

The Runaway card, cloaked in mystery, adds a layer of intrigue to your essence. While you're resolute in facing difficulties, there's also a yearning for personal freedom. Your desire to keep certain parts of yourself hidden imparts an air of enigma. This doesn't hinder your ability to connect; rather, it adds a layer of complexity that draws others in.

In your journey, you may momentarily retreat from challenges, but your determination never wavers. Your reliability shines through, especially in supporting others through their tribulations. Your partner is captivated by the unique harmony you embody, a symphony of strength, compassion, and an alluring aura that casts a spell upon their heart

꒰ 🪼 ꒱ؘ ࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ𝑃𝑖𝑙𝑒 03

The cards of your destiny: ace of wands, warrior, the heir, the enchanter

Within the enchanting dance of your destined union, your future partner is captivated by the radiant bloom of your creativity. You are a wellspring of inspiration, a vessel brimming with untold possibilities. Like a star yearning to blaze brighter, you embrace growth and new horizons, ensuring that every moment shared is a tapestry of exploration.

In your presence, the strength of galaxies twinkles. Your spouse admires your unwavering fortitude and adeptness, where discipline and unyielding determination harmonize effortlessly. An aura of power surrounds you, untainted by the trappings of ego, allowing you to navigate both your internal landscape and external connections with an elegant grace.

Your self-awareness casts a gentle glow, illuminating both your strengths and vulnerabilities. The Heir card alludes to concealed potential, a treasure trove of abilities awaiting discovery even by you. This interplay between modesty and untapped gifts weaves an enchanting allure that draws your partner closer.

Occasionally, hesitation may cast its delicate shadow upon you. Doubts may cloud your perception of your talents, questioning whether you truly measure up or possess the necessary capability. This humility, coupled with a touch of uncertainty, forms an irresistible magnetism that pulls your partner into your orbit.

In your essence resides the art of transformation, a symphony of alchemy. Your mastery lies in transmuting the mundane into the extraordinary, crafting new dimensions from the threads of everyday life. This isn't manipulation in the conventional sense, but a kind of enchantment that breathes fresh life into situations, relationships, and your artistic pursuits.

Be it as a designer, an artist, or a weaver of light, your innate talent to manipulate and shape scenes entrances your future partner. They're captivated by your ability to reshape perspectives, inviting others to see the world anew through your unique vision.

In their eyes, you shine like constellations in the velvet sky, a mosaic of brilliance. Your creativity, your potential, and your artistic flair are celebrated and cherished. They stand as your most ardent supporter, unwavering in their belief in you. In their gaze, your essence swirls like stardust, a mesmerizing fusion of potential and artistic magic.

© dreamlovetarot 2023 — where every right is held in delicate embrace 🤍 I kindly ask you not to appropriate, replicate, alter, or disseminate my ethereal content.

[a34trgv2]

Top 10 Cartoons I Hate But Many Others Like

#10. The Amazing Digital Circus: Yes, I'm aware only 2 episodes have been made of this cartoon. I'm also aware that both episodes have been praised by viewers and critics alike. As much as I would love to join in on the fun, I cannot ignore how badly structured it is. From the unlikable characters, the poor world building, the unfocused narrative to the lackluster jokes, poor handling of themes and lack of stakes, this it the kind of unmitigated mess that more infamously bad cartoons are ripped to shreds over. I will say that the animation and voice acting is well done so it's not all bad.

#9. The Owl House: Many people were disappointed by my disappointment with this disappointing cartoon. But no one was more disappointed that I was left cold by the show than me. I love fantasy, magic, mystical creatures and enchanting worlds. The Owl House should've been up my ally, yet in practice I wouldn't even spit in it's direction. With an irritating cast of characters, bad world building, formulaic plots, the writing was already on the wall. Then Amity showed up and it made the show unbearable to sit through. I'm all for LGBTQ rep, but I draw the line at a bully and their victim becoming and item. I'm sure Amity has some sappy sob story about how her parents pressured her into being an entitled brat, but she's still and entitled brat that shouldn't even have friends, nevermind a girlfriend, because her attitude STINKS!

#8. The Loud House: I've made it no secret that despite the warm reception and continued popularity of The Loud House, I was never a fan. I never found it funny, well written, or relatable. All I got from The Loud House was this is one of the most annoying dysfunctional families I've ever seen. I do think it's well animated and I commend the crew for moving forward with the show despite the disgraced creator's termination.

#7. Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur: I consider myself a big Marvel fan thanks to the MCU and Spider-Man franchises. I never heard of Moon Girl or Devil Dinosaur before this show was announced, so I was genuinely curious to see how this would play out. Needless to say, I was not impressed. Despite having dazzling visuals and really good voice acting, the show is just badly made with terrible writing, unfunny jokes, dull characters, and repetitive action scenes. This show clearly has its fans, but unfortunately I'm not one of them.

#6. Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous: Those who know me know I love dinosaurs and am a huge Jurassic Park fan. You'd think a cartoon based on the series would be as exciting and interesting as the movies. Well like so many of the dinosaurs victims, you'd be DEAD WRONG! This show shoots itself in the foot by having 6 unlikable and annoying characters, and not one gets eaten by a dinosaur. Not to mention it's sluggishly paced, the animation is stiff, and the score only reminds me of the movies I'd rather be watching. Clearly I'm in the minority here as I had a blast watching ALL the Jurassic Park movies, even the ones critics didn't like at all, over this.

#5. We Bare Bears: I like bears as much as the next guy, with my favorite cartoon bear of all time being Winnie The Pooh. Despite my fascination with this big, furry creatures, We Bare Bears never made me like the main trio, much less love them. They're all varying degrees of unlikable and the show isn't funny or well written to keep me engaged. They also did San Francisco dirty by making the people so unlikable. The one element that I think would've made for a much more interesting show is Chloe Park. Her character was utterly wasted on this stupid show as she's a kid with a high IQ and is in college but still wants to be a kid. She deserves better.

#4. The Mitchells vs The Machines: As much as I like Sony pushing for more expiremental animated films lately, this expirement didn't succeed in my book. Sure, the animation is amazing and the voice acting's mostly good, but tells such a generic story, has such incompetent and unlikable characters, and I will never get over the fact that Aaron Mitchell sounds like a middle-aged man and not, you know, A CHILD! The worst part about this film is despite it's best efforts, it is just NOT funny. It relies so much on cringy, outdated memes, weak slapstick, and dull visual gags and I never once found it funny.

#3. El Deafo: I was confused as to what this show was supposed to be based on the trailer. Watching it for myself, I found that it was more frustrating than anything. Don't get me wrong, I commend author Cece Bell for turning her personal struggles with impaired hearing into a comic turned cartoon and I fully understand wanting to tell a story from a deaf person's perspective. That said, though, I just despised the execution from the awful writing, the unlikable characters to the terrible sound mixing. As pure as the intentions were, they were sorely lost in the execution in my opinion.

#2. Frog and Toad: When I was a kid, I loved reading the Frog and Toad books. They were simple, yes, but the characters were so interesting and the illustrations were well crafted. This show should've been exactly what I was looking for in an adaptation of the books. What I got instead was a prime example of how NOT to adapt a beloved children's series. Despite having spot on voice acting, the abysmal writing, the incompetent characters, and the lackluster animation really soured the experience. I know the author's children were involved in this, but I don't think they did the books justice. The show didn't take full advantage of the medium and played more like mediocre live reading of the books.

#1. Summer Camp Island: I clearly struck a nerve with fans of the show when I said I hated it. Well, y'all will be please to know that your efforts to change my mind were all in vain. I just couldn't get passed how badly written it was, how hatable the characters were, how grossly unfunny it was. The worst part is that this is a world where anthropomorphic animals and mystical creatures exist, yet they can't tell anyone about the magic on the island. To this very day, I CALL BOLONGA!

Conclusion: I'm not saying y'all are wrong for liking these show and you definitely won't see me call them "overrated." I just wanna offer a different perspective on these popular and well liked cartoons. Some honorable mentions include Miraculous Ladybug (many people love it, I can't stand it), The Ghost and Molly McGee (you all know how I feel about that chatterbox), and the "adult" cartoons that received critical acclaim such as Rick & Morty, Smiling Friends, Bob's Burgers and The Simpsons. Agree? Disagree? Let me know in the comments and I'll see you next time.

[tizeline]

The thing I probably love about your Tiz Sep Au is that Mikey is this powerful young mystic apprentice (or whatever his actual title is xD) and he genuinely doesn‘t like humans?? Like?? In every other au, Mikey is usually the one to be curious about human nature/culture, which is absolutely fine dont get me wrong, all those aus are so fun to read!! But in yours he doesn‘t and that‘s so fun to see!! He genuinely believes all humans are evil and deserve to be eradicated and he‘ll happily do so

Lmao yeah I felt like it would be a really fun diversion from the norm to have Mikey of all people be the most enthusiastic about the evil plan. At the same time, I think it makes sense in the context of the AU for Mikey to be the way that he is?

Mikey has a very strong moral compass and wants to do good, it's just not always easy to know that IS good and what isn't. In TSAU Mikey was told his entire life that yōkai are good and humans are evil. And like, he's still very young, he still has a rather naive and simplistic world view, a world view where humans are evil simply because they want to, and Mikey and his family are good guys because they have good intentions and that's all it takes to be a good guy!

Also, whenever Mikey has been shown in the AU so far, he's usually acting hostile towards humanity or something similar, and because of that he can come across as rather hateful, I guess? And I wanna emphasize that Mikey isn't a hateful person. Or- Well- maybe a little bit lol, he hates humans, but his hate towards humanity very much comes from his love towards yōkai-kind. Because whenever he's interacting with yōkai, Mikey is a LOT more similar to his canon counterpart, he's very kind and caring towards yōkai. He hates humanity because he's convinced that they're gonna eradicate his people, the people that he loves, really Mikey just wants to protect them.

And I'm not quite sure what exactly Mikey's title would be? He's definitely strong enough to be called a mystic warrior, but Draxum might still insist that Mikey remain in the apprentice-role for now. Mikey's powers are definitely a double-edged sword, he's a bit too powerful for his own good and as such risk hurting himself if he can't keep control of his magic. Because of that, Draxum would probably not let Mikey graduate from his apprentice-position until he's absolutely sure that Mikey can use his mystic abilities without turning himself into glitter confetti lol

[vyriadurav]

(Edit: using this as a pinned post about all my books for now in lieu of another one. This was formerly for International Lesbian Day but now is a one stop shop for all my books) For starters, consider checking out

Catnip Amazon | Itch.io | Alternative Ebook Sellers | Audiobook For all his life, Sol has believed he's only worthy of affection as long as he's useful--and he intends to prove his ultimate use by restoring a colony on Venus as a new home for his friends and lovers. But upon arriving, he realizes there's more here than he bargained for. For one, the resident artificial intelligence wants to make friends with him. For another, the nanites want to completely change his body... and in the process reveal her true self. Stuck (or perhaps blessed?) with a new form, she must find out what it means to live, to be loved for who she is rather than her work. Catnip is a cozy space exploration novel about a trans woman's journey to find herself and what it means to be loved for who she is, with the help of her polycule and a lesbian AI. If Sci-fi isn't quite your speed, you can also check out

The Hatchling Amazon | Itch.io | Alternative Ebook Sellers

Sarric dreamed of dragons all his life; such flights of fancy captured his imagination at a young age and sustained him through the cruelty of the hunters that ruled the isolated mountain town of Rivermist. One day, a real dragon appears before him, dazzling him with her beauty and an answer to the unease that's afflicted him for as long as he remembers. He's eager to take what she offers--but the greedy hunters, driven by tales of treasure hoards, will do everything in their power to destroy her. The Hatchling is a fantasy about a trans woman's journey of accepting her identity and her new found family.

If you want something a little spicier, consider reading Wyrmheart Itch.io exclusive

A mage without home or family seeks to establish a legacy for herself so that her name might ring out through the ages.

An assassin is charged with striking at the heart of a draconic cult that surely hides some greater evil.

Wyrmheart is a story set in Maria Ying's Those Who Break Chains universe and tells the story of trans women making their way through life in this fantastical world.

You can also take a look at my Patreon where I am currently writing several things, but primarily

Forged in the Light of New Stars

Forged is a t4t lesbian isekai story about a closeted trans woman and a repressed, rotten egg (in the trans sense) who find themselves transported to a vibrant, magical world filled with advanced technology, mysteries to discover, and most importantly: a place where they can their truest selves. Follow Gwen as she strives to take control of her life, to be the woman she's always known she could be, and find true happiness.

Follow Brian as he struggles to cast off the chains that his family has bound him in, to undo the bigoted messages they poured into him constantly, and find out, deep down, who she truly is.

Watch them fall in love with each other and with the mystical world of Tellara and all the new friends they make along the way. See them uncover secrets about the connection between Earth and Tellara and their purpose as travelers between worlds. Magic, alchemy, and queerness collide in this otherworldly journey.

[phantoms-world-and-more]

Danny and Dr.fate

So when Dr.fate's helmet isn't in use rather than being trapped in an endless void like the people whos body he uses his consciousness gets transported to a artefact in the ghost kings haunt

He knew that pharia dark was locked away and no one would dare enter his haunt so he mostly sleeps when not being used

He was startled out of his sleep by the unmistakable feeling of a new king...but

It's not a coronation that feels different, and most of the non-mystic members of the JLD members felt it (meaning anyone who knowes magic but isent a magic creature like Dr.fate, a demon ect)

Which ment that a contender has defeated pharia dark in conbat and stripped him of his tital as king but hasent...taken the role as king...

So Dr.fate told the JL and JLD that he was looking into a personal mission of his

He used the magical artefact in the new kings-to-be's haunt to get a feel for the new king and he was surprised

The library wa still the same but it had much more books and looked much more comfortable, the wepons rather than being on display were moved into rooms organised and cleaned, there was a space auditorium, constilations on the roof with stars and different man made space equipment painted in the walls

There was also more rooms that varied, some looked like a school, others looked like the best training rooms in existence, and others contained more childish things

Dr.fate couldn't get a proper read, a ghosts haunt relfected their true nature, and the new ghost kings changed from, orginised to messy to childish to studying to who knowes next

Dr.fate was considering leaving and coming back another time to meet the king-to-be when he saw...a boy

He bad black hair, blue eyes that had bags under them, he was holding a book in one hand and a thermos in the other with a back pack resting on one shoulder

"What are you doing in my new haunt bucket head"

[stellae-de-baphometis]

Using Latin Chants To Summon Daemons: A Daemonolatry Info Post

This is something I've been wanting to make a post about for a while, but I completely forgot to write about it lol. It's been sitting in my drafts for forever now, thanks to my clusterfuck of an AuDHD brain. 🤪 I FINALLY got it finished though, so here it is!

Okay so I've been summoning daemons using Latin for quite a while now, and I thought I'd write about it because I figured other practitioners might like to try this out too!

Full post under the cut. ↓

~ What's The Deal With Latin?

Daemons have long been stereotypically associated with the Latin language. But why is this? Well, I speculate that it's partially because of the fact that many historical books on demonology and witchcraft were written in Latin (e.g. grimoires such as the Ars Goetia and Liber Officiorum Spirituum).

However, the link between daemons and Latin goes back further than this. It's most likely and primarily due to the fact that the Roman Catholic Church retained Latin as its liturgical language. Many of their scripture and rites (including the ones regarding exorcisms of mainly "demonic spirits") remained written in Latin. And so, daemons starting being conflated with the Latin language as a whole.

~ Why Summon Daemons In Latin?

Nowadays, Latin is a rather obsolete language and isn't largely spoken in most parts of the world anymore. As a result, some people may find that it adds an extra layer of mysticism between the practitioner and their magical workings. Given how ancient the language is (as well as its associations with daemons and The Devil in the modern day), this can give it more subconscious power when used in your craft.

I've personally found it helpful to evoke/invoke daemons in Latin, and I find that it helps me connect with them better.

~ Why Not Just Use Enns?

Personally, I don't like to use the well-known enns to conjure daemons. From what I know, the demonic enns seem to originate from the works of S. Connolly, and I'm not a huge fan of her books in general... Personally I feel that a lot of the information in her books is poorly researched, and that the Dukante stuff and demonic enns are likely fabricated, and I find that she's just a highly problematic and culturally-appropriative person in general, which tends to show within her books (in my personal opinion; don't sue me ffs). So I try to stay away from her stuff, as I'm paranoid that it might potentially negatively effect my craft.

This is one of the reasons why I actually came up with Latin chants to conjure daemons in the first place; I like the idea of demonic enns, but I personally just don't want to associate with any of Connolly's stuff whatsoever. But that's just me though. If you like using the enns and it works for you, that's okay! It's just not personally my thing.

~ How To Summon Daemons Using Latin

I came up with a specific type of Latin chant that can be used to summon daemons; It's called a vocatum.

The word "vocatum" literally means "called", "invoked", or "having been summoned" in Latin. A vocatum can be iterated as a chant in order to invite or request the daemon's presence, as well as to help you get into a meditative state so you can communicate with the daemon better. You could also just say the vocatum once, if that personally suffices for you.

Here are some daemonic vocatums I have personally come up with and used in my own practice:

~ Simplified Vocatum ~

✧ Vocatum: "Ave [Daemon's Name], vos invoco/evoco." ✧ Translation: "Hail [Daemon's Name], I invoke/evoke you."

✰ Example: "Ave Satanas, vos invoco."

~ Complex Vocatum ~

✧ Vocatum: "Salve, [Daemon's Name]. Magnus [Rank], reverenter vos invoco/evoco." ✧ Translation: "Greetings, [Daemon's Name]. Great [Rank], I reverently invoke/evoke you."

✰ Example: "Salve, Glasya-Labolas. Magnus Comes, reverenter vos evoco."

🌟 Note: Use "invoco" for invocations and "evoco" for evocations.

Here is a short list of the Latin translations for the daemons' ranks (mostly from the Ars Goetia):

King/Queen - Rex/Regina

Duke/Duchess - Dux/Ducissa

Prince/Princess - Princeps/Principissa

Marquis/Marchioness - Marchio/Marchionissa

Earl/Count/Countess - Comes/Comitessa

President - Praeses

Knight/Sir/Dame - Miles/Dominus/Domina

~ Difference Between Invoking And Evoking

Many people may consider evocation and invocation to be the same thing, but personally I differentiate the two. Here is my personal gnosis on the differences between them:

☆ Evocation is when you call upon a deity or spirit and ask them to preside during rituals or magical workings; You're basically asking them to come and hang out with you in your space.

☆ Invocation is more so a form of voluntary possession. You're inviting them into yourself, and they are (partially) merging their being with your own; They are manifesting within you, instead of manifesting alongside you.

If you're a beginner practitioner, I would personally hold off on invoking daemons before getting to know them better through evocation first; But that's just me. Some daemons' energies can be very intense and quite overwhelming, especially if you haven't met the daemon before.

E.g. Upon making first contact with Quing Paimon, I invoked them instead of evoking them, and their energies were quite heavy and overwhelming when they partially merged their soul with mine; I ended up feeling a little dizzy, became mentally exhausted rather quickly, and also got a mild headache (but maybe the headache was just from the incense I was burning LOL). I've had similar experiences with Count Glasya-Labolas too.

But once you get to know a daemon and adjust to their energies overtime, you should be fine. Please don't let my personal experiences discourage you from pursuing a relationship with the daemons you feel most drawn to!

Welp, that's pretty much all I had to write about regarding this topic. I hope you found this post helpful! And, as always... May you be blessed by whoever it is that you venerate, and I wish you all the best on your spiritual path. <3

~ ~ Ave Satanas ~

+ . . . Divider Credit . . . +

[thescarletnargacuga]

THIS IS PROBABLY VERY SELFISH OF ME...

BUT I WANNA SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO

ARE YOU ABLE TO WRITE A LITTLE FIC OF MY KINGDOM AU SHOWTIME? MAYBE LIKE A CONFESSION?

IF YOU DON'T WANNA THAT'S OK 🩷

A/N: I like writing the characters in different universes and environments. It keeps things fresh :3

THE ROYAL GALA

A KINGDOM AU ONESHOT

AU credit: @allisonraeyt @tadk-ask-blog

WARNING: none

~~~

The Royal Gala is a formal annual event hosted by the different royal families around the world. This year was Prince Caine's turn to host. The castle was cleaned extra spotless and decorated to the nines to impress the visiting royals.

The Gala would be a night of music, dancing and live entertainment. All Royals were expected to attend and dance. This was a gesture of good faith and communion between the kingdoms.

The grand ballroom was vibrantly polished. The marble floor reflected the painted ceiling. Banners displayed the royal seals of every kingdom, but the main color scheme was that of Caine's royal colors. Thousands of mystical lights softly lit the room.

As evening fell over the castle, dozens of carriages filed through the castle gates. Prince Caine was ready to welcome his guests, dressed in his full formal Prince attire. He was rather dashing, if he said so himself. As each guest was announced and welcomed, he couldn't help but look to the grand staircase. Princess Pomni should be down any moment. He couldn't miss her arrival.

~

Pomni was still in her room getting ready with the help of her handmaidens, Gangle and Ragatha. Pomni fussed with her dress as Gangle secured a tiara to Pomni's hair. Ragatha finished Pomni's makeup, "There! You look amazing." Ragatha smiled at Pomni in the mirror.

Pomni smiled back. "Thanks. You did such a good job." Pomni moved her head side to side to inspect how well the makeup was done.

Gangle sis her best to move with Pomni but was having a hard time finishing securing the tiara. "Um...Princess-"

Pomni stood, excited to get downstairs. "Thank you so much! I can't wait to show Caine!" She picked up the front of her dress and quickly went out the door.

Gangle frowned. "...I couldn't finish putting the tiara in place."

"I'm sure it'll be fine. Royal ballroom dancing isn't that strenuous." Ragatha reassured.

~

"Announcing Kinger and Queenie of the Chess Kingdom!" The Royal barker proclaimed, standing at attention.

Kinger and Queenie followed the red carpet to Prince Caine, who welcomed them with a respectful bow. "Good to see you, Kinger. Lovely as always, Queenie." Prince Caine kissed Queenie's hand.

"Charmed, my liege." Queenie graciously accepted Caine's gesture. "You've outdone yourself. The castle looks stunning."

"The staff worked tirelessly to bring out it's beauty. I'm glad it paid off to impress you." Caine chuckled.

"Announcing Princess Pomni of the Digital Kingdom!"

Caine almost cracked his neck turning so fast. His heart skipped a beat. His eyes dilated to the size of dinner plates. There at the top of the stairs in a beautiful pastel pink dress was Pomni. He didn't take his eyes off of her as he walked towards the stairs, shouldering several people that didn't get out of his way.

He met her half way on the stairs, offering her his arm. All eyes were on them, so he kept his voice low. "You're so beautiful."

Pomni took his arm and went the rest of the way down the stairs with him. She blushes lightly from his comment. "Thank you, you look amazing too."

The dancefloor was alive with music and patrons waltzing around the room. Caine escorted Pomni through the crowd to the very center. To prevent dancing from being an awkward experience due to their significant height difference, Caine used his magic to make Pomni float. Pink sparkles fluttered under her feet and dress as she flew at eye height.

Pomni hadn't been expecting it and held tight to Caine's hand. "Woah!" She giggled. "This is cool! I'm not going to get tired anytime soon if I don't actually have to dance."

"And I won't have to break my back bending over." Caine held Pomni's waist and pulled her close, but kept a socially acceptable distance between them. He smiled, his heart overflowing with soft feelings for her. "Guess that means we can dance the night away."

Pomni held his shoulder, so tempted to touch his face. "Yeah....we could." Caine was incredibly handsome on any given day, but under the mood lighting and music, he was striking. She was transfixed as Caine led her in a waltz in time with the other dancers.

Caine moved a bit stiffly at first, finding it hard to focus on getting the timing right as he was distracted by the gorgeous woman in his arms, but relaxed as the song went on. Soon, he didn't pay any mind to the others. He swung and twirled Pomni around just to make her smile and laugh. It didn't matter to him if it matched the music at all.

At the end of a song, Caine leaned Pomni back in a shallow dip. His heart raced, not just from the exercise, but how close he had to hold her. His throat felt dry when he tried to speak. "Princess-" His voice cracked and he cleared his throat. "Pomni, would you....uh, that is....could I-"

He couldn't get his sentence out fast enough. A new song started and they were separated by new dance partners. He watched Pomni get swept away in the crowd of dancers. While he danced politely with his new partner, he kept his head on a swivel for Pomni.

The spell Caine cast on Pomni kept her afloat as she moved with her new partner. He was some Duke from somewhere she didn't care about. She made eyes with Caine from across the room. She knew she had to do this, but she desperately wanted to get back to Caine.

Caine strategically moved his partner so they wouldn't notice him moving his finger, pointing it at Pomni's partner. The man's shoe came undone and he tripped. Unfortunately, before Caine could dance his way to her, she was taken by a new partner. He huffed with frustration.

Pomni's second partner was less cordial. He danced way too close, making eyes at her that made her uncomfortable. They danced along the outer edge of the dancefloor, and she saw Bubble floating by. "Pixie stick!" She said out loud and Bubble went berserk.

"WHERE!?"

Pomni nodded her head to her dance partner and Bubble swooped in for a bite. The man ran off with Bubble chasing him for a taste. Pomni tries to move on her own, swimming awkwardly through the air in her poofy dress. She got another new partner, but this one she recognized.

Kinger took Pomni's hand with an amused look in his eyes. "Now isn't this convenient. It's not everyday I see you at eye level."

Pomni's small 4'8 stature compared to Kinger's towering 6'10 often made it hard for them to even have a conversation. "Heh, yeah. Are you enjoying yourself?"

"Absolutely. Prince Caine knows how to host a proper gala." Kinger danced with Pomni through the remainder of the song. He bowed to her when it was over. "Thank you for the dance, Princess."

Pomni curtsied. "Thank you, your highness." She looked around, but didn't see Caine in the crowd. She didn't want to be taken away by another partner. "Would you help me get a drink? I'm rather parched and it turns out moving around while under a hover spell is rather challenging." She laughed awkwardly.

Kinger held Pomni's hand and guided her to the refreshment table, happy to help. He stayed to have a drink with her and keep anyone from taking her away.

Caine frantically searched for Pomni from the dancefloor, all but ignoring his current dance partner. He spun around quickly, his partner getting terribly dizzy but too polite to say anything. He stopped when he saw Pomni having a drink and smiling with Kinger. It was bad enough that Pomni kept getting taken away by other dance partners but now she's off with KINGER!?

Another dancing couple crashed into Caine and his partner, toppling them to the floor. The other dancing couples went around, trying to ignore the fiasco but many people saw.

Embarrassed, Caine stood quickly and straightened his uniform. The other couple that crashed into him was helping his partner off the floor so he walked away from the situation as quickly as possible. Reputation be damned, he was tired of sharing Pomni all evening.

Pomni laughed at one of Kinger's stories and was about to sip her drink when the magic holding her alot shifted her backwards. "Woah!" She hit Caine back first with a thump. She felt his arm hold around her waist. "Caine??" Her tiara fell forward and she tried to hold it in place.

Caine held eyes with Kinger. "So sorry to interrupt, but Pomni and I have business elsewhere. Good evening." He turned sharply, swinging Pomni around with him and briskly making for a door out on to the veranda.

The outside air was cool and crisp. The veranda overlooked a large lake that reflected the pale moonlight. Cricket and frogs filled the night air with song. Fireflies and moths danced around the mystic lights. No one was outside but Caine and Pomni.

Caine took a deep breath of fresh air. "It's nice to escape the hustle and bustle of society. No drama. No judgement. Just quiet." He didn't let go of Pomni but his grip on her waist relaxed.

"And you dragged me with you because...?" She looked at him with a shy smirk. She could guess, but she wanted to hear him say it.

Caine cleared his voice, knowing he'd been caught. "I apologize for assuming, Princess. I only wished to share the same peace with you. These events can be overwhelming."

"Indeed." Pomni paused for a moment to listen to the night and tried to replace her tiara again. Darn thing kept sliding.

"Allow me." Caine gently took her tiara and placed it on her head, sliding the ends into her hair where it would hold. His hands lingered, brushing down her hair and caressing her cheeks as he slowly pulled away. "There..."

Pomni was flustered by the Prince's attention. "Th-thank...you." she said quietly.

"A princess shouldn't be without her tiara." He stumbled through his sentence, entranced by Pomni's eyes.

"...or her Prince." She said without thinking. "EEP!" She squeaked and tried to hide behind her hands. "I'm SO sorry, I don't know what came over me! I- uh! Um!"

Caine blushed but smiled. He took her hands from her face. "I agree." He said lowly. "Would you honor me with another dance, Princess Pomni?"

Pomni's heart was going mad. She could feel her heartbeat in her ears. "Yes..."

They held close, chests touching as they placed their hands in position to dance Caine led her in a slow and steady waltz across the veranda. Fireflies flew around them as their movements disturbed the insects. They moved to their own music, smiling and giggling as the dance gradually crescendoed.

The dance ended with Caine twirling Pomni out away from him and pulling her back in the closest she's ever been. Both of his arms around her middle, her arms around his neck. Their faces were inches apart, both breathing heavily and flushed from their fun.

The hearts in Caine's eyes told all. He couldn't keep it a secret from her anymore. "Princess-....Pomni. There is something I must confess..."

Pomni's heart leapt. "Yes, Caine?"

"Your beauty and grace has captured my heart and refuses to let it go. I find myself drawn to your presence like a moth to a flame, and you are a blaze I could never control. The day you fell from the sky was the first day of the rest of my life. You are truly a gift from the heavens." Caine poured out his heart and bared his soul. Once it was all out in the open, he subtly held his breath awaiting her response.

Pomni's eyes grew wide and teared a little finally hearing the confession she had hoped for for so long. "Caine, you have no idea how happy you've made me. I've been charmed by you since day one. I could only ever hope to one day have your attention the way you've taken mine."

Caine brushed a loose strand of hair out of Pomni's face and tucked it behind her ear. "You have my full and rapt attention. I wish to court you, Pomni. That perhaps one day...we can rule together."

Pomni smile widened. "I would be honored, but I'm afraid you're already ahead of the curve."

Caine arched a brow. "Oh? How so?"

"I'm already compelled to kiss you. No courting necessary."

Caine's heart skipped a beat. His eyes drifted to her lips, but came back to meet her gaze. He smirked. "Far be it from me to deny a Princess what she desires."

They pulled in together, closing eyes and locking lips to teeth. A sliver of pink magic came from Caine's chest, swirled around the two of them and flew off over the lake to explode into a finale of fireworks.

[ladyrijus]

Lately, I have been thinking about Kotake and Koume, and, out of interest, have read through a lot of interesting takes on their involvement in Ganondorf's upbringing during Ocarina of Time. However, I've noticed that some of these discussions tend to depict them as emotionally distant, exploitative, manipulative, and even borderline cruel.

Which, granted, isn't entirely out of line for their characters. What other personality traits could we expect out of witches who brainwashed their people into doing the bidding of their king, who were born nearly 400 years before the events of Ocarina of Time and therefore hold a vastly different worldview than the rest of their tribe?

But as always, I like to carry a bit of sensible skepticism when it comes to the narrative that is being pushed in the game. And I find it almost imperative to do so for Ocarina of Time, given that it is played through the eyes of Link, a child soldier who fails to question the orders that he believes he is meant to follow, and the kingdom of Hyrule, which had recently come out as the victor and dominant power after a "civil" war.

The question still remains, however. What, in Ocarina of Time, would "redeem" Twinrova? Where can we see evidence of their "goodness"?

In my opinion? Their powers.

Their powers, I argue, were not chosen randomly by the creators of Ocarina of Time. It was absolutely intentional to show their association with the Gerudo Tribe and more importantly, the Gerudo Valley/Desert. Just think about it, the climate there is scorching hot during the day, yet biting cold during the night.

Wouldn't you, with powers of ice, try to cool down your people after they return from a tiring yet successful hunt?

Wouldn't you, with powers of fire, try to warm your people up when there is not enough hides and furs to pass around?

And given that no one (aside from maybe Ganondorf) has these powers, it is safe to assume that the Gerudo regarded Twinrova as blessed beings; divine guardians sent by the Goddess of the Sands as a reward for their endurance in such harsh climates.

Again, this isn't to condone their actions that take place during the game. We see they are more than happy to kill in the name of their king, willing to coerce others into killing by ways of dark magic.

However, we should also acknowledge the fact that we're encouraged to see just that: two antagonistic witches who revel in brainwashing, killing, cheating death, and being unapologetically evil.

Boring. If we wanted absolutely evil, death seeking creatures, we can look to literally any other magical creature in Ocarina of Time.

Rather, it's important that Twinrova are humans (or humanoid, though either way their sentience still stands), as it forces players to 1) look at the bigger picture and question why the twins behave the way they do and 2) recognize that they have motives that go beyond simply helping a king assert control over an entire world.

Perhaps, Twinrova might have been prolonging their lives to look out for their people, as they had no one with magical affinity to mentor until Ganondorf had demonstrated his own prowess in the mystical arts.

Perhaps, over the centuries, they realized the chiefs and chieftesses before Ganondorf were not cutthroat enough like their Hylian counterparts to fend off territorial expansion/colonization.

Perhaps, after seeing their era of prosperity being snatched away from them, they grew hateful of the kingdom that lives in splendor, and wanted to see it burn and freeze the way they do.

Perhaps, after seeing the complacency of the new generation, how some of their best warriors seek out lovers in that damned Castle Town, they realized this boy was their only hope of restoring their honor and dignity.

[gffa]

Ive been thinking about the anakin world between worlds sequence and I really hope and think that it was really anakin. Since I first got into star wars i thought at the end of jedi he became anakin again and completely shed vader but I realised him coming to be both vader and anakin like that is really cool and narratively really nice. Because the force is all about balance that there are equal amounts of good and evil. And this being represented in anakin the forces special little guy. Who brought balance to the force twice just makes sence.

Here's the thing for me: The Force isn't just an unspecified magic field, that whatever mysticism remains about it (and I love that aspect!! it is fundamentally impossible to completely wholly perceive it!!!) it still operates on some foundational thematic rules. And people are fully free to disagree or whatever, my speaking in a confident voice is only about me being confident in my views, not a condemnation of anyone else. But I do think those foundational thematic rules are central to understanding Star Wars. The Force is about your mindset, your emotions, that what you bring to the Force is what you get back out of it, that the dark side isn't just randomly evil, it's about embracing fear, anger, and hate. You don't just go to the dark side because you're born a bad person, it's about the choices you make along the way, it's about the mindset you have, it's about how you think of things. Lucas' themes for Star Wars are centered on how letting go of the bad shit in your head, on how not clinging to others out of fear of living without them, of how you need to think of others selflessly rather than what's more comfortable for you personally, those are central to what the Force is, because the Force is the unifying aspect of all of his Star Wars. So, what does that mean for becoming a Force Ghost? If Anakin holds onto Darth Vader, if he doesn't let go of the anger and hate and fear that make up Darth Vader, I think that goes against everything the Force is, everything about what Star Wars is trying to tell us. To become a Force Ghost, you have to let go. To become a Force Ghost, you have to be completely in tune with the Force, which means letting go of the hate and fear and anger. Lucas says that a Sith/dark sider cannot become a Force Ghost, they cannot achieve immortality. Only through the light side can this be achieved. Which means I don't think Anakin can hold onto Vader and have become a Force Ghost, I think worldbuilding necessitates that he's shed that part of himself.

So how does that square with what we see in Ahsoka? Letting go of the fear, the anger, the hate doesn't mean that you don't acknowledge that you held those things in your heart, that you didn't do those things, that you weren't responsible for them. Anakin is acknowledging that, yes, he was lost in the dark, those things dug claws into his heart. But his appearance there wasn't for his own sake, we're not seeing Anakin there to learn a lesson--he's there for Ahsoka's sake. And what does Ahsoka need from him? Ahsoka needs him to say that he's more than just Vader so that she can still care about him without feeling guilty, she needs him to point out that, if he can rise above Vader, she can rise above being the student of the man who became Vader. He shrouds himself in Vader's appearance for her sake, to force her to confront her feelings about how she has to keep fighting to live, to let go of her fear about him. I think all of that was a play designed specifically for Ahsoka's sake, because he doesn't really go full Vader until he says she's not listening to what he's saying, she's not getting it, so he has to change tactics. It isn't because Vader is still part of him, but because she is still holding onto Vader and he needs to show her how to let go. Balance isn't equal light and equal dark, Star Wars is pretty against that message. That's neutrality and neutrality in the face of evil is letting evil flourish. Look at Bendu--he's the one in the middle and, ultimately, he's a coward who refuses to help save anyone's life because he's equally light and dark. Balance is stability, balance is moving with the currents and changes of life, moving with the Force that resides in all life forms--balance is exactly what the Jedi teach and practice. Balance is the light side.

And I think to become a Force Ghost, one of the ultimate expressions of the Force, one of the most important thematic examples of What Star Wars Is About, has to be aligned with Letting Go and finding selfless peace. That's why Anakin wears white Jedi robes at the end, rather than his usual dark tabards--because during Attack of the Clones and the Clone Wars, he was equal parts light and dark and that wasn't stable at all. But once he let go, he became stabilized, he became a Force Ghost, he became a Jedi of the Jedi Order, he became balanced.

[monsterblogging]

Fuck JKR: How To Create A Harry Potter-Esque Aesthetic Without Any Harry Potter In It

So I saw a few posts from people mentioning that a reason people might be into Harry Potter is because of the aesthetic or atmosphere, and ya know what? I can't even argue that, because if there's one thing about HP, it's that it Sure Does Have Aesthetic And Atmosphere.

So! I'm gonna tell you how to STEAL ITS LOOK! Because:

JK Rowling considers ANY support of her work to be support of her politics.

Fan content/fan merch is still free advertisement for Rowling's work. YOU might not choose to give her money, but you can't be sure you won't pull people into the fandom who will.

Everyone should create more things that aren't tied to corporate-owned IP, period.

So. Most things in these films have an aged, antique look. You'll see a lot of brown hues, both on sets and on people's clothes. There's a lot of near-blacks (especially charcoals and walnuts) and lighter grays on the sets, especially from the third film onwards. (Wood is more often than not stained dark, while lighter hues are often provided by bricks or plaster.) The last two films use a lot of stormy blues and grays. Prisoner of Azkaban also emphasizes contrast between tones, which heightens a sense of texture. True black also appears throughout the films, such as on students' uniforms and many Death Eaters' outfits, and on the chairs in Malfoy Manor. White appears occasionally, especially on Hedwig, students' shirts, or during winter scenes, but pure white isn't otherwise really common. Paper or parchment is usually warm beige. There's also a lot of silver, gold, and brass, often appearing on things like dishware, tools, trinkets, Christmas baubles, and so forth. Bronze also comes up occasionally.

Reds, yellows, blues, and greens are pretty common throughout the films, even outside of Hogwarts, though you'll see just about every color somewhere. For example, orange is often found around the Weasleys, and orange, maroon, and purple feature in the divination classroom. Teal features prominently in Grimmauld Place (contrasted with saffron yellows).

Most colors aren't really super bright; a lot of the time they look a little faded, or like they're colored with natural dyes. If you use medieval illustrations to source your colors, or aim for earth tones and jewel tones, you'll be about right for a lot of what you see in the films. Bright colors are pretty rare; some of the brights we do see are in Honeydukes, Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes, and certain magical effects, such as Floo fire.

A lot of light is provided by candles, torches, or fireplaces, which cast a warm yellow/orange light. Moonlight is represented by blue light in the first and second films. Blue light is also used for the Goblet of Fire and the penseive.

Another thing you gotta have in there is clutter. It should look kinda antique and give off a kind of magical or mystical atmosphere. Think books, storage jars, orreries, crystal balls, old lamps, antique clocks, vintage glassware, antique mirrors, old teapots, and little metal trinkets. (If you're trying to decorate a physical room, your stuff doesn't have to actually be antique, of course; antique-styled is fine.)

Texture is also very important, which can be represented with full or top grain leather book covers, stone walls, dents and scratches, cracks, embellishments, and embossing. Additionally, all damage and wear gives a sense of oldness to things. Stains and variegated colors also add interest. (If you're decorating a physical space, you might look into aging/distressing/antiquing techniques.)

If you want a space to look cozy, you don't really want bare or blank walls. Shelves, paintings, tapestries, and wallpaper can all help with that. Again, use brown, rather than black. Warm, yellow lighting will also help. If you lean toward blacks and cool lighting, you're going to have a colder-looking space.

Fashion in the wizarding world is extremely all over the place, ranging from stereotypical fantasy witch and wizard clothing, to pretty normal vintage clothing, to some wacky vintage-inspired looks, to the kind of fashion that would be put under the cozycore umbrella, to ordinary modern clothing. One thing that's absent is subculture fashion as we know it. (Bellatrix Lestrange does look kinda goth, but it's less a subculture thing, and more a "yeah we're putting our bad guys in fancy black stuff" thing.)

If you're trying to lean into the whole quirky/eccentric/old-fashioned kinda thing, you'll want to pass over the more modern and obviously synthetic type stuff. Also, patterns, textured fabrics, knits, mixed colors, lace, and other embellishments can add interest to outfits.

Architecture is also all over the place. Hogwarts is pretty medieval, while places like Diagon Alley give more Victorian vibe. The main thing is looking old fashioned and quaint.

To try and summarize all of that:

Browns. Lots and lots and lots of browns. Blacks and grays, too. Contrast between light and dark browns and blacks/grays.

More beige and gray than pure white; more charcoal gray and dark walnut brown than true black.

Among other colors, mostly earth tones and jewel tones. Very limited brights.

Polished metal and glass also add shininess.

Old-fashioned. Vintage. Antique.

Clutter, texture, patterns, variegation. Minimalist/clean aesthetic avoided.

Aged and distressed.

Lighting often yellow/orange due to coming from fire. Blue/teal light often coming from moonlight and certain magical light sources.

Now, here are some things we actually don't see. I'm not mentioning them to discourage you from using them if they're what you really want, but to inform you about them so you can consider whether they might throw off the vibe for you:

Green/purple/black combos.

Purple/silver/black combos. Pink/purple/teal combos.

Pink/black combos.

Orange/black combos.

Green/orange/purple combos.

Red/black combos.

Basically a lot of combos commonly associated with Halloween, witches, or vampires.

Big raw crystals. We see crystal balls now and then, but that's it.

Other natural items used as decorations - feathers, pinecones, sticks, etc. The one exception I can think of are the shells embedded in the walls of Shell Cottage.

Crushed velvet. Lots of fantasy uses this, HP films don't.

If you need inspiration, go look up medieval and renaissance diagrams and illustrations of stuff like the four elements, the zodiac, the solar system, and all that. Go look up alchemical symbols and emblems. Search up pre-WWII vintage ephemera. Go look up Victorian clipart. Look up stuff like botanical, zoological, and astronomical books and art from the 17th-19th centuries. Look up vintage wallpaper and fabric patterns. Look at vintage-style crafts. Research period architecture and fashion. Research European heraldry.

If you're wondering what exactly you're going to design around without Hogwarts and the Four Houses, here are some suggestions:

The four classical elements (earth, air, fire, and water)

The four seasons

Card suits - Tarot, French, whatever you want

Holidays - Halloween, Christmas, whatever

Fairy tales

Flowers

Mythical creatures

Bugs

Birds

Any other animals you like

Ecosystems

Your own original worldbuilding

So yeah, there ya go. You don't need to keep participating in HP to indulge in the aesthetic.

[NOTICE: Anybody who clowns on this post by making this about them and their childhood, patting themselves on the back about their chosen means of "ethical" participation, praising the fandom, or adding any other form of irrelevant bullshit is getting blocked. Also, I don't want to hear about PJO or Earthsea again for the millionth time, either.]

[caligvlasaqvarivm]

Just read your eridan essay. I left a lot of words in the tags (sorry about that btw. I'm @kitkat-not-karkat, those were my tags) and I just. Holy fucking shit man.

THANK YOU FOR PUTTING IT INTO WORDS. Like. Genuinely. Thank you.

That said, do you have any ideas on why Eridan might specifically flirt as a sort of default response sometimes? (I really hope I'm not misremembering that, the fandom bastardizes the poor guy to be Cronus 2.0-)

I have my own personal speculation here, but I'd love to see your take on it!

I think it's a few things all working in tandem, and I think you definitely nailed at least most of it! I do agree that a huge part of his fixation on romance is the fact that a romantic partner is "supposed" to stick around, and Eridan is simply desperate for attention and friendship.

There are a lot of people who idealize relationships and believe that they're the "fix" or "solution" to their emotional problems, and Eridan's obsession with blackrom in particular (where the caligulas part of his trolltag comes from) definitely has shades of that. A kismesistude is an outlet for violent urges, as well as a romantic interest who ideally doesn't ghost you or leave you alone (cough Vriska cough), and one of the two concupiscent quadrants that needs to be filled so you don't get culled.

An interesting thing is constantly being implied within the comic, which is that moirallegiance is actually kind of the most important quadrant for trolls, but their culture has de-emphasized it in favor of the two breeding-related quads. After all, since adult trolls don't have to raise their own young, what Karkat calls "mating fondness" is biologically much less imperative to their species compared to the quadrant that keeps volatile trolls from going berserk and killing people.

Moirallegiance is always treated with a sort of mysticism - it's called "magical" by the narration in relation to Kanaya and Vriska's moirallegiance while that's still extant, it's the only quadrant described as "soul mates," and in contrast to "mating fondness," Karkat mentions the "mystical forces governing moirallegiance." Moirails - Equius and Nepeta being confirmed, but I genuinely believe that that's what Feferi and Sollux would have resolved to in that hypothetical golden ending - are also the quad that spends the most time together, rather than the two concupiscents. The initial description of the pale quadrant even outright says that the attraction is "instinctive." There's something magical and destiny-laden in a moirallegiance that just isn't there to the same extent in the other three quads.

But in Alternian society, kindness, guilt, and the other kinds of things you'd share with a moirail are considered weakness, especially for highbloods. When Feferi is breaking up with him, Eridan flips out the hardest at the implication that she felt the need to take care of him, insisting that he was perfectly fine. I think this is the reason, in addition to the painful breakup, that Eridan never pursues pale relationships, even though a moirail is what he desperately needs. Instead, he pursues the much more societally acceptible pitch quadrant, which can serve a similar purpose of discharging some of his pent-up aggression.

Moreover, his flirting isn't nearly as relentless as people think it is, although he IS both really stubborn AND really socially inept, which makes it difficult both to get a "no" through his brain, AND to make it stick. Another part of it is that he's operating at very little self-awareness, which means he'll often be doing something without consciously realizing it. Also, he's desperate as hell, and has basically no ability to differentiate good and bad attention. This leads to a pretty messy cocktail that basically means:

He'll hit on anyone at least once (desperation), with the exception of people it would be really weird to hit on, for example, their dancestors, who are way older than them.

If a rejection is not made excruciatingly clear, he probably won't register it as a rejection (dumbassery).

Nearly any attention he gets might be misinterpreted as flirting, even after a rejection is made (desperation, also, can't differentiate between good and bad attention).

Even after a rejection is made and he logically understands it and outright says he respects it, he might still act in a flirtatious way unconsciously (zero self awareness).

Because he will hit on anyone at least once, and is constantly making things weird and leaping to "romance?" even when there's no flirtatious intent, people kind of assume he's always hitting on them, even when he isn't.

His emotions always running at a fever pitch, and the lack of self-awareness he cultivates in order to help deal with his horrible cognitive dissonance, mean that even HE'S not sure about his real feelings. He's always feeling SOMETHING very, very intensely (it's the trauma and anxiety), which he mistakes for true caliginous hatred, or fevered flushed intent. Unlike Cronus, who's basically just trying to get some action, Eridan genuinely feels something for people, and his extreme lack of emotional intelligence means he has no idea how to parse his own tempestuous emotions. He always leaps to feverish concupiscent attraction because that's just how intense his emotions run at any given moment.

#4 is happening to Feferi and Sollux, IMO, while Rose never properly rejected him, so he still thinks they have a chance, and the same happened with Vriska when she started ghosting him post-kismesistude. #5 can be seen in his last memo with Karkat, where Karkat starts to wonder if past!Eridan was redflirting with him by inviting him to LOWAA, even as Eridan himself has no idea what the fuck Karkat is talking about.

Thing is, he DOES actually accept rejections once he gets them through his thick skull, which sets him apart from Cronus, who gets rejected, knows it, and keeps going. It's just... Eridan's messy. His emotions are all over the place, and too big for his stupid body, so he's always making things weird and intense.

I blame his lusus, personally. In a previous post, I talk about how a huge factor in his inability to identify negative attention is because he's basically being emotionally neglected. This has also led to his desperation for attention in general. When combined with the trauma from all the murdering and the pressure society puts on him to fit into a certain mold, it leads to some pretty explosive emotional ourbursts, of which his intense, insistent, and downright uncomfortable flirting is a major facet, but also, only a facet.