#sapio speaks

[sapi-o-phobia]

this lovely comic reminds me of a video essay by Zoe Bee, “Why We Secretly Want the World To End”

[sapi-o-phobia]

DUDES IM LOSING MY FUCKING MIND AT THIS SCENE FROM ANDOR

THAT’S JUST MY POLAROID CAMERA

One of the best navigational tools ever built (polaroid sonar sx-70)

[sapi-o-phobia]

fever ray - what they call us

[sapi-o-phobia]

recently learned that when a cat isn’t neutered until adulthood, he will have developed tomcat jowls, aka the Chubby Cheeks of a Man

[sapi-o-phobia]

this is a synopsis of love on & from planet earth

reblog or reply with your love song. you know, the one that you think is what love sounds like

[sapi-o-phobia]

I’m kinda freaked tf out because it’s been too long since I’ve done a dinner date. And it’s tomorrow?? What do people talk about during these?? What if I rant about Cúchulainn or ergodic literature without realizing it??

[esperhuntress]

Ozpin, James, and Dr. Oobleck are so hot.

[thenightfolknetwork]

I’ve been with my fiancé for over 8 years now. We’ve been friends for even longer and just last summer we had been planning our wedding ceremony. Now, his family hadn’t been the best supportively, not when he came out as gay, and especially not when he, a Sapio, started dating me, a giant. They then effectively disowned him after we announced our engagement. I think they might have had some weird hope he’d ’change his mind’ or that it was a ‘phase’. This was about 3 years ago now, and I can’t speak for my partner, but he admitted though it hurt, he was relieved to be away from them after all the abuse.

Anyway, the reason for this letter is about 7 months ago we had gotten word that his family had been in a serious accident and that his parents, sister and her husband had passed away and he was listed as next-of-kin and subsequently guardian for his 4 year old nephew.

Now, we never really talked about kids beyond some vague idea. But my partner wasn’t going to turn away the kid, nor did I expect him to. So, after the funeral service and sorting with social services, we brought his nephew home.

It has been an adjustment for all of us, getting used to having a kid around and him being in a new environment that’s more geared for my size honestly. and we’ve been trying to find a good child psychologist for him. but the main problem is… well, he’s afraid of me.

I can’t really blame him for that, after everything he went through, but it still hurts sometimes when he flinches when I enter a room or speak to him. Or how he looks ready to cry when I open my mouth. Even trying to hide when he sees me just reading a book. I’ve grown up in a mixed community, but the way the kid looks at me, for the first time in a very long time, I feel like a monster.

My partner has told me once when we were in bed that his ‘family’ had been filling the kid’s head with anti-nightfolk ideologies and even some rather… well, blood-libel comments. I think he was trying to comfort me as he noticed the way the kid had been a lot more skittish with me than with him. He has been trying to explain that a lot of the stuff his folks talked about was lies and really bad stuff, but it’s hard unlearning these sort of things. I had suggested we postpone the wedding, at least till things settle.

I have been trying to seem less ‘intimidating’, not smiling with my fangs and trying to look smaller than I really am. But I’m worried he might never not be afraid of me. And I never told my partner, but I’m afraid that he will be forced to pick between me and the kid, and I don’t want him to do that as I know either option will hurt him.

So I’m asking. Is there anything I can do to try and help seem less… monstrous to my nephew?

I'm afraid there are no quick fixes here, reader. Your nephew has been exposed to some seriously toxic ideologies from a very early age. That isn't the sort of thing you can fix over night.

I would caution against trying too hard to diminish yourself or your creaturely traits as part of this process. You want your nephew to be comfortable with you, not with a nervous caricature of yourself.

Instead, I encourage you to behave at home as normally as you can, being as friendly as he'll allow you to be and respecting his boundaries when he expresses them.

If you haven't already, talk to your partner about what your strategies are going to be to improve the situation. This is a long-term project that needs complete buy-in from both of you to succeed.

As much as possible, your partner should be exposing your nephew to the idea of difference, teaching him that it's OK to notice that other people are different than him, but that he still needs to treat them with kindness and respect.

There are so many more resources available today to help children learn about these matters, from books and films to websites dedicated to help you discuss these issues in an age-appropriate way.

Books like Paws, Claws and More, What's for Lunch? and My Daddy's A Mummy are a great way to start these conversations and to help introduce your nephew to these ideas in a way that is accessible for him. Talk to your local librarian for more recommendations.

The best way for him to learn to trust you is through spending time with you, drowning out the hateful ideas he's been taught through real, lived experience of being safe and happy in the company of people in the community. Make sure to set time aside for all three of you to spend time together, doing activities your nephew will enjoy.

Of course, his exposure to the creature community shouldn't start and end with you. If you can, consider getting him involved in mixed genus groups where he can meet liminal children his own age. It might be a bit of an adjustment for him, but it will a huge boon to him in the long run.

Finally, please consider seeking out some additional support for yourself during this process. This is a difficult, highly emotional situation, and you need to find people who you can talk to about it beyond your partner, whether that's to talk through possible solutions or just to vent occasionally.

Fortunately, reader, if there's one thing children are built for, it's learning. It will take time and emotional commitment, but with a little effort, I think you and your partner will be able to teach your nephew a kinder way of looking at the world.

[For more creaturely advice, check out Monstrous Agonies on your podcast platform of choice, or visit monstrousproductions.org for more info]

[natalchartnurtures]

Venus got Sapio-Love on her Mind

Note: This post might not give you anything new if you're at an intermediate or advanced level of being on the astrology wildride :p

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Air Venus, on a good day: "This fine day, I trust in my intelligence and speak my mind. I enjoy bossing up problems; growth and innovation might as well be my last name, and I love to see that in other people too."

Why?- When Venusian energy merges with air energies, it creates an unbelievable concoction of beauty and intelligence, the best of both worlds. It's my favorite thing to see.

As we already know, air energy pertains to the mental realms of our beings. This aspect, highlighted through one's Venus, showcases what they enjoy in other people and what they value in general. Intelligence? Oh, they find it incredibly attractive! because it feeds and nurtures their OWN intelligence and expands their own mental horizons. It's a language of love for these Venusian individuals.

Ever met an Aquarius Venus? They just adore unique qualities that make people stand out. Its incredibly encouraging for those who feel like outcasts or invisible in a crowd. It's like a beacon of acceptance and appreciation. Which honestly, we need more of in the world today. Ya'll do us a great service you beautiful Venus in Aquarius people :)

Then there are the Libra Venuses, where Venus is right at home in Libra's vibe. Libra Venuses love charming the pants off people (or as Gen Z would say, "rizzing people up"). Their "no conflict" approach to love is admirable, always aiming for that win-win situation. And trust me, their intelligence shines.

And let's not forget the playful Gemini Venuses! On their good days, they effortlessly flirt and keep conversations engaging. Their minds are like specific Wikipedia pages stacked up together. They sure as hell love making sure you never have a dull moment in their presence – as long as they think you're worth it, of course! Whoops.

That was my take on Air Venus energy.

Thanks for stopping by!

[annaberunoyume]

It's a Gemini Moon thing ♊🌝:

Will read a psychology book just for fun.

Needs a partner that can keep up with its 1000 mph brain.

Will have varied interests that ranges anywhere from cooking to Alastor Crowley.

Have the hardest time falling asleep.

Will buy tons of books, but not always read them.

Their room could be described as a happy rummage of lots of trinkets picked here and there.

Most likely sapio-sexual.

May find speaking ASMR videos (like whispering and reading) soothing. Or just listen to podcasts until drowsy.

[sapi-o-phobia]

excerpts from Kayleb Rae Candrilli’s “Valentine, Nebraska: Cherry County”

(me on a first date) and what do you think of the inherent intimacy of surgery? have you considered the love someone must have to put their hands under your skin and hold the most grotesque parts of you and put them back together nicely? is anyone really closer to you than that? we all get uh a little enamored on the surgery table don't we haha. wait come back

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Not Johnlock but a general question: Does Sapiosexuality fall under the m-spec umbrella? Do you know anything about this subject? I was thinking about it but couldn't find a relevant article anywhere. I know what Sapiosexuality is, but I wanted to know about the details.

Hey Lovely!

LOL first off, I had NO idea what M-spec was, so I had to look it up and it makes TOTAL sense why sapiosexuality is confusing in that respect.

Secondly, my knowledge on sapiosexuality is very limited, but I imagine it CAN fall under the m-spec umbrella? Just logically speaking from my brain of course, but I also took 36 years to figure out I was panro-ace, so I'm probably not the best person to ask, hahaha.

I dunno, to ME it makes sense that it's under that umbrella, but I am not the authority on it, LOL.

Any Sapios able to clarify for Gregor what they think?

[reigntheday]

Minors DNI

37/M/Canada, husband of legionsoflibations, Kinkster, Demi, Sapio, Cis/trans women and femboys, not sub/sadist/masc.

Not here to prove anything to anyone. I won’t answer questions which I post - they are posted because you either get it, you don’t, or you learn and grow. Welcome to being a human being. Don’t be a shit. Not here for casual/hook ups, if you’re looking to speak honestly and seek actual connection over art, erotic art, anime, books, movies, kinks/fetishes, fitness, sports you play, then feel free to DM me. Otherwise, I respectfully ask that you please keep to yourself

[sapi-o-phobia]

[sapi-o-phobia]

i like how the goalie’s job in hockey is to use those thick thighs

[thenightfolknetwork]

People have been ignorant to me for as long as I can remember.

Of course, as a child I didn't mind very much. It was a chance to educate Sapios, to show who I was and what that really meant. But honestly, it's gotten tiring. I can only deal with one more "Are you related to Mothman?" or "Aren't moth people only in America?" I will go beserk.

It's just so irritating. It gets under my skin like nothing else. Of course I'm not Mothman's cousin or aunt or sister or niece. Mothman doesn't even really exist in the way Sapios think he used to. He's not the only moth person on the planet, or even ONE of them. The Sapios for decades have just caught snapshots of various moth people over time and referred to all of them as 'Mothman' their made-up famous cryptid. It's stereotypical at best, and offensive at worst.

Moth people are extremely diverse and we live all over the world, not just in Washington state or Oregon or any other forest-y biome in the USA. I've never even *been* to America. Recently, I was at the supermarket, just buying my regular shopping, when a curious worker approached me. I prepared for some of those questions, but he just looked at me and said "Nice cosplay, looks really realistic!"

It's just, ugh. I know he was trying to be nice, but I'm sick of all this ignorance. I just wish Sapios could be more reasonable. How do I deal with all the comments without getting angry?

I don't think you need to worry overmuch about not getting angry, reader. Anger seems to me a perfectly appropriate and reasonable response to this kind of ridiculous stereotyping. The trick is to channel your anger in a healthy way – and what that looks like will depend entirely on you.

Anger is a very poorly understood emotion, often treated as synonymous with violence, losing one's temper, or being unstable. People believe anger cannot be expressed calmly, or without a loss of control. Even when people express their anger in safe, healthy ways, others often feel uncomfortable, especially if their actions have been the cause of this anger.

But that, as they say, is their problem. Your anger in these situations is justified, reasonable and entirely healthy. Of course you're angry when people reduce your entire genus to a flat stereotype. Of course you're angry to have your body compared to a fancy dress costume. And of course that anger has built over time, as these insults are layered one on top of the other, piling up over the years and years of unchecked sapio-normativity.

Instead of trying not to get angry, I urge you instead to let yourself use that anger as a driving force behind positive action. The next time a person says something unspeakably ignorant about your genus, express yourself. Stay calm, and speak clearly and firmly. Let them know that actually, such statements are in extremely poor taste and that you'd like them to apologise.

You don't have to go any further than this. You aren't responsible for other people's education any more than you're responsible for their ignorance. If they want to know more, you can point them in the right direction to educate themselves – the National Lepidopteran Alliance website is an excellent starting point. And if they are upset by your anger, so be it. That's the price they pay for being so utterly insufferable.

[For more creaturely advice, check out Monstrous Agonies on your podcast platform of choice, or visit monstrousproductions.org for more info]