#savage dog cerberus

[aliciavance4228]

Cerberus this, Spot that... but when will people get over the fact that indeed, Hades gave a ridiculously common dog name to his three-headed giant hound, and start talking about his goddamn horses?!

Hades has a golden chariot drawn by a team of four immortal, sable-black horses. All nice and cool, until you discover that the names of his horses are Alastor, Orphnaeus, Aethon and Nycteus, according to Claudius.

Orphnaeus crudele micans Aethonque sagitta ocior et Stygii sublimis gloria Nycteus armenti Ditisque nota signatus Alastor.

Orphnaeus, savage and fleet, Aethon, swifter than an arrow, great Nycteus, proud glory of Hell's steeds, and Alastor, branded with the mark of Dis. (1.284–285)

At first you would be like: "Okay, but all of those names sound badass, right?" Right?! Nope!

Orphnaeus means darkness.

Aethon means blazing or burning.

Nycteus means night.

Alastor means destroyer or avengener.

After naming his dog Spot dude literally tried to find some dreadful names for his horses so that he would no longer embarass himself, and he succesfully failed. It really seems like an edgy 12yo emo kid gave them those names, not an ancient deity who rules over the third part of the world.

Honestly I believe that the main reason why Hades and Persephone don't have any children in the vast majority of greek myths isn't because Hades was regarded as infertile or any shit like that, but because Persephone knew that he would give the worst names possible to his children.

At this point I'm really surprised that he doesn't have "Giver of Bad Names" as one of his epithets.

[shipburner]

Where Do Paw Patrol Characters End Up In Dante's Inferno?

Cap’n Turbot: First Circle (Limbo, virtuous pagan). Our guide into Adventure Bay the Inferno.

Skye the air rescue dog: Second Circle (Lust, crime of being a girl). Your helicopter cannot save you from the violent winds.

Zuma the water rescue dog: Third Circle (Gluttony). You’re a surfer, ergo a Californian, ergo you smoke weed. Enjoy being savaged by Cerberus!

Chase the police and spy dog: Seventh Circle (Violence) (Ring 1, violence against neighbors). Boil in blood you fucking pig.

Tracker the jungle rescue dog: Seventh Circle (Violence) (Ring 2, violence against self). Sadly his paranoia has resulted in a visit to the Wood of the Suicides.

Rubble the construction dog: Seventh Circle (Violence) (Ring 3, violence against nature). Your soft heart has earned you the fate of all homosexuals: running in circles in the burning desert.

Everest the snow rescue dog: Eighth Circle (Fraud) (Bolgia 1, panderers and seducers). Crime of being a girlboss. March forever, whipped by demons, just like a living sled dog!

Rocky the “eco pup”. Eighth Circle (Fraud) (Bolgia 10, falsifiers, specifically of things). Recycling is a form of alchemy. Fortunately there are no baths in this ditch of disease!

Marshall the fire dog: Ninth Circle (Treachery) (Judecca, traitors to their lords). His clumsiness was the downfall of the whole PAW patrol.

Ryder the human: frozen instead of Satan in the exact center.

[helpallthenamesaretaken]

E👏P👏I👏S👏O👏D👏E SEVENNNN

We just started off with percy walking his way into crusty’s place like woah hold there buddy we’re starting quickly

the set is so pretty and colourful why couldnt everything else be like them ahem ahem waterland cough cough

Why do they know everything already 😭they’re really taking out the middle school cluelessness out of everyone in this show and its making me mad sometimes

What do you MEAN he casually has an entrance to the underworld?

walker’s acting was rlly good in this ep btw

The whole bed scene was so anticlimactic and quick STOP

”youre lucky we let you keep your head on” YEAH WELL SO IS DISNEY

grover just walking in like is it over now?? DISNEY I BEG OF YOU LET GROVER DO SOMETHING

grover’s squeaky ball to calm himself down😭 🥺

Sally and percy angst was not on my bingo card but here we are

WHEN YOU HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO KEEP HURTING EACH OTHER 😭😭

That transition was neat

wow what a well lit underworld dayum

its confirmed percy and annabeth watched that movie

“Only suckers wait in line” savage

rip ‘we drowned in a bathtub’ hello ‘everyone is dying to some extent’

i dont know if its just me but i feel like the jokes and the humour of the show was more aligned to its pjo adult fans, rather than the books, which rick included middle school humor because that was what the initial audience was. I mean removing the fun of the lotus casino and replacing it with a scene of percy driving a car (which is an activity adults do) and the dying on the inside is something only adults in their quarter life crisis complain about

Idk it doesnt feel like annabeth is scratching cerberus because she genuinely likes dogs, it feels like more of a strategical move which i am not the happiest about BECAUSE I WANT SOFT ANNABETH

squeak squeak

PERCY PULLING ANNABETH UP FROM A CLIFF

”excuse me” i love how professional she is

i read so many fanfics and theories on how the fourth pearl would go missing?? And grover lost it??? Thats it???

I hate that principal why are you taking something a 10 year old said and say he needs ‘psychological monitoring’?? Hon he drew a horsie with wings that he claimed he saw, he doesnt need to go to a psych ward or therapy or something

but imagine percy hearing this in the other room🥺

I feel like all of them have a reason to get rooted and stuff in asphodel but its apparently only annabeth so

not grover seeing two of his friends turning into trees🥺

Idk grover’s not that emotional at all about anything?? Hes supposed to be scared and on the verge of tears 24/7? Not aryans fault just the writers

ANNABETH STRESSING ON THE FACT THAT THEY NEED TO SAVE PERCYS MOM TOO 🥹

Percy rlly just said “periodt💅”

They really copy pasted hades from the musical why is no one talking about that?

walker’s acting>>>>>

why are you trying so hard to get rid of me 🥺

THE WHOLE SALLY AND POSEIDON SCENE 😭 NO SALLY U ARE NOT FAILING

I love the fact that percy’s still chilling there

I WAS ACTUALLY EXPECTING POSEIDON TO GO ACT AS A WAITER TO TALK TO PERCY LOLL

what do you mean they have to find the helm too???

why no one help grover up??

poseidons speech as percy gets up and looks at ares is peak cinema

[deathmetalunicorn1]

Hiya! I saw Reader with dog who transform into a giant beast. Can I request ROR x teen!reader who had few puppies who love her, get clingy and they protect her but they transform together because they had powers, when they separated they’re cute but when they transform together they’re brutal and savage and became a massive size. How the ROR react when Reader had puppies who had powers.

Take all the time you need. No need to push to hard.

-You had been gifted three puppies from your Uncle Hades, who said that you needed to be protected now that you were a teenager, but his words couldn’t be heard over your delighted squeals when you were attacked with kisses, almost instantly crying on how cute they all were.

-Your puppies quickly bonded with you and loved you to pieces and were quick to defend you against anyone or thing that they considered as a threat, like a plastic bag, a goose, and Ares for some reason.

-As they grew, the only seemed to grow in size, but still remained the same as far as looks, now looking like giant puppies that looked like toasted corgis.

-Once old enough you learned what Hades meant that your puppies, Meatloaf, Pot Roast, and Brisket, and Cerberus were the best of friends, when you saw your three puppies seemingly fuse into another three headed dog, one that looked like a menacing wolf, with glowing blue eyes, blue flames around their feet, and a tail made of blue flames behind them.

-Dinner Time’s flames didn’t hurt you while they were in this form, the flames would only hurt those they would deem as a threat, and despite looking like a miniature Cerberus, who was as big as an elephant, while Dinner Time was only the size of a rhino, he was still a giant baby for you, rolling over to get belly rubs.

-You learned at each of the heads on Dinner Time had his own special ability, the one on the far left was Meatloaf, who could shoot flames from his mouth, the middle head was Brisket, and he could shoot lightning from his mouth, and Pot Roast was on the right and could shoot out a poisonous gas that would only affect his target.

-When out and about around Valhalla, your puppies were separated, walking with you, each demanding their own cuddles, love and for you to play with them, but you didn’t mind.

-Raiden was one of your good friends that the puppies deemed safe, playing with him as they could roughhouse with him, the same went for Lu Bu.

-Goll loved your puppies, constantly fawning over them, and Loki loved to tease them, throwing sticks but he really hid it behind his back.

-Some were a bit wary of your puppies, as they knew what they looked like combined, like Ares, who has no idea why they didn’t like him, even when you did, hugging him and calling him big brother, they would always growl, but they wouldn’t attack as they know you would be upset.

-You had been sitting with Jack, Kojiro, and Shiva, Jack trying to teach you and Shiva how to play chess while Kojiro was relaxing when a rouge god went to attack you.

-You immediately shouted out, “Dinner Time!” and your three puppies leapt up, glowing bright blue and fusing into your giant doggy which immediately pinned this god down, howling loudly into his face, making the god faint.

-Jaws were dropped on all faces except you own as you ran over to Dinner Time, your hands scratching up his neck, asking if he was okay, to which he barked happily over.

-Shiva spoke up, despite knowing the answer, “Hades gave you these, didn’t he?” you beamed brightly up at him, “He sure did! They’re my cute little babies!!” as you said this they transformed back into their corgi-esque looking forms, attacking you with kisses again as you giggled, so happy with your precious babies.

[verdantlyviolet]

Some Pet Dog Names from Ancient Greece

When the hound has caught the hare, or been otherwise victorious in the course, you should […] pat him with your hand and praise him, kissing his head, and stroking his ears, and speaking to him by name […] for, like men of generous spirit, they love to be praised; and the dog, if not quite tired out [from the hunt] will come up with joy to caress you. (Arrian, On Coursing, XVIII Pg 116 trans. William Dansey)

As many dogs were hunting hounds or guard dogs in Ancient Greece, it followed that the naming convention was dependant on psychology; to name the dog something strong or skilful was to boast of the animals’ superiority to others of its breed, just as it reflected on the owner. There are some well known dogs in Ancient Greek history that many are aware of, namely Cerberus, Odysseus’ faithful dog Argos, and Alexander the Great named a city after his dog Peritas. We are lucky to have two lists of excellent dog names from authors Xenophon and Ovid.

From Xenophon (~ 430 - 355 BC), in his treaties on Hunting, we have the below list:

Give the hounds short names, so as to be able to call to them easily. The following are the right sort: Psyche, Thymus, Porpax, Styrax, Lonchê (Lance), Lochus, Phrura, Phylax (Sentinel/Guardian), Taxis, Xiphon, Phonax, Phlegon, Alcê (Stout), Teuchon, Hyleus, Medas (Crafty), Porthon, Sperchon (Bustler/Hasty), Orgê, Bremon, Hybris, Thallon (Vigorous), Rhomê, Antheus (Blossom), Hebe, Getheus, Chara (Jolly/Ecstasy), Leusson, Augo (Bright), Polys, Bia, Stichon, Spudê, Bryas, Oenas (Blueskin), Sterrus, Craugê, Caenon, Tyrbas, Sthenon, Aether, Actis, Aechmê, Noes (Counsellor), Gnomê, Stibon, Hormê (Impetus). (Xenophon Kynegetikos On Hunting 7.5)

A kind person on Reddit suggested these names could also translate as:

Psyche = Psyche / Spirit

Thymus = Pluck

Porpax = Buckler

Styrax = Spigot

Lonche = Lance

Lochus = Lurcher

Phrura = Watch

Phylax = Keeper

Taxis = Brigade

Xiphon = Fencer

Phonax = Butcher

Phlegon = Blazer

Alce = Prowess

Teuchon = Craftsman

Hyleus = Foster

Medas = Counsellor

Porthon = Spoiler

Sperchon = Hurry

Orge = Fury

Bremon = Growler

Hybris = Riot / Insolence

Thallon = Bloomer

Rhome = Rome / Mighty

Antheus = Blossom

Hebe = Hebe / Youth (Young’n)

Getheus = Hilary / Happy

Chara = Jollity

Leusson = Glazer

Augo = Eyesbright

Polys = Much

Bia = Force

Stichon = Trooper

Spude = Bustle

Bryas = Bubbler

Oenas = Rockdove

Sterrus = Stubborn

Crauge = Yelp

Caenon = Killer

Tyrbas = Strongboy / Riot

Sthenon = Sky

Aether = Sunbeam

Actis = Bodkin

Aechme = Wistful

Noes = Gnome

And from Ovid (~ 43 BC - 17 AD), in his Metamorphosis, of the dogs that attacked their master Actaeon, we have:

First ‘Black-foot’, Melampus, and keen-scented Ichnobates, ‘Tracker’, signal him with baying, Ichnobates out of Crete, Melampus, Sparta. Then others rush at him swift as the wind, ‘Greedy’, Pamphagus, Dorceus, ‘Gazelle’, Oribasos, ‘Mountaineer’, all out of Arcadia: powerful ‘Deerslayer’, Nebrophonos, savage Theron, ‘Whirlwind’, and Laelape, ‘Hunter’. Then swift-footed Pterelas, ‘Wings’, and trail-scenting Agre, ‘Chaser’, fierce Hylaeus, ‘Woody’, lately gored by a boar, the wolf-born Nape, ‘Valley’, Poemenis, the trusty ‘Shepherd’, and Harpyia, ‘Snatcher’, with her two pups. There is thin-flanked Sicyonian Ladon, ‘Catcher’, Dromas, ‘Runner’, ‘Grinder’, Canache, Sticte ‘Spot’, Tigris ‘Tigress’, Alce, ‘Strong’, and white-haired Leucon, ‘Whitey’, and black-haired Asbolus, ‘Soot’. Lacon, ‘Spartan’, follows them, a dog well known for his strength, and strong-running Aëllo, ‘Storm’. Then Thoos, ‘Swift’, and speedy Lycisce, ‘Wolf’, with her brother Cyprius ‘Cyprian’. Next ‘Grasper’, Harpalos, with a distinguishing mark of white, in the centre of his black forehead, ‘Black’, Melaneus, and Lachne, ‘Shaggy’, with hairy pelt, Labros, ‘Fury’, and Argiodus, ‘White-tooth’, born of a Cretan sire and Spartan dam, keen-voiced Hylactor, ‘Barker’ […] First ‘Black-hair’, Melanchaetes, wounds his back, then ‘Killer’, Theridamas, and Oresitrophos, the ‘Climber’, clings to his shoulder. (Ovid Metamorphoses III 206-233 trans. A S Kline)

Theoi has Brookes More’s translation which offers a few English variations on the names.

A few fun ideas to keep in mind if looking to name a new pet in Ancient Greek style.

For I have myself bred up a hound whose eyes are the greyest of grey; a swift, hard-working, courageous, sound-footed dog[…]. He is most gentle, and kindly-affectioned […] as soon as he catches sight of me, showing symptoms of joy, and again trotting on before me. […] He is the constant companion of whichever may be sick; and if he has not seen either of us for only a short time, he jumps up repeatedly by way of salutation, and barks with joy as a greeting. (Arrian, On Coursing, V Pg 78-80 trans. William Dansey)

🐶 Sources

Xenophon Kynegetikos

Arrian On Coursing

Ovid Metamorphoses III

Dog shaped Rhyton by the Brygos Painter in Aleria

[godsofhumanity]

Do you have any headcanons for the kings & queens of the underworld like Hades, Osiris, Hel? Like how they act around each other?

this ask came to my inbox on Dec 26, 2022. i'm sorry it took me so long.

so, i like the idea that the Underworld is kinda connected. like.. no matter which pantheon's realm of the dead it is, there are pathways at some place that connect the world of the dead with other worlds of the dead..

i think that's part of the reason why there are so many underworld guardians,, and why it's so popular to have some sort of savage, wild animal guarding the gates.

with Hades, i've already mentioned this before, but i like the idea of him having a very paternal side... i think Zeus, as god of the skies and "father" of mankind (forget Prometheus for a second hahaha), and given his billion trillion children, he definitely has a fatherly side. and i think it's the same deal with Hades- having to look after so many countless subordinate deities and ghosts etc must surely give you a paternal side too.

so i like the idea that Hades has a natural fatherly gravitation towards Hel. Hel is one of the younger deities i think.

also, Macaria, who is Hades' daughter, i think is besties with Hel, and with Anubis' daughter Kebechet also, so these girl goddesses of death are always hanging around Hades..

i've never really imagined Loki as having a very "hands-on" approach to fatherhood. i don't think he ever interacted that much with Hel, or with her other monster siblings except when he needed them for his antics. maybe that's because the long distance made it difficult, maybe because he wanted to keep them out of Odin's mind.. idk. i just don't think he was very much in Hel's life.

so that's why i think there's a lot of room for Hades to enter into Hel's life and become that missing father figure.

individually, and as an adult, i think Hel tends to be isolated... she doesn't engage all that much with her own pantheon, and she definitely doesn't engage with other pantheons. i think maybe she's partial to fellow death gods, but anyone else, she'd just not engage with.

Osiris. my favourite guy. i think he's very different to the other gods because while Hades and Hel i might describe as a little "edgy", a little emo.. Osiris is, in my mind, a total sweetheart. a bit of a jock even maybe.

he's full of bright smiles, and funny (read: cringey) jokes. when i think about Hel and Hades (the locations), black, and moss green colour schemes come to my mind.. but when I think about the Egyptian underworld, it's very bright- gold, blue, red, green.. all the colours. it's a happy place.

i think Osiris' personality reflects this. he's like the Baldr of Egypt. so he gets along very very well with Hades and Hel... it's difficult to dislike him.

i like to imagine that they have very deep, philosophical discussions about the meaning of life, the importance of mortals, the value of soul.

also, i'd like to point out that all 3x (greek, norse, egyptian) pantheons have a special dog-like creature with a special role in the process of passing from life to death... i think that Cerberus, Garmr, and Ammit are very friendly with each other :-))) they probably go on walks together

[ironwitchau]

A Brief History of the Cerberus

By Zagreus Cles

For most of the Savage Ages the Cerberus was used as a type of guard dog. Most documents from this time are lost but from what we know they would protect money, treasure, and even people with their lives should they need to. It is unknown as to why but a few years before Belos came to power reports of Cerberi, wild and tame, attacking witches flooded the news. One such attack claimed that a witch bought their child a Cerberus as a friend and protection only to wake up in the middle of the night to find their child dead with a bloody Cerberus standing over them. When nothing was done, citizens took their own hands and hunted down any Cerberus they could find. When Belos became Emperor an official bounty was placed and within the first decade the Cerberus was brought to the brink of extinction.

When only a few domesticated Cerberus, often owned by the richest of residents, were left, Plant Coven witches noticed a problem. Lipidberries and Blood Berries were becoming scarce. While looking into it, the Beast Keeping Head at the time found that the decrease of berries was linked to the increase of Bronza Stag. The Bronza Stag’s main predator was the Cerberus due to their ability to melt the stag’s iron fur. Without the Cerberus, the Bronza Stag population had a boom until there weren't enough berries to feed them and other animals. Upon realizing this, a campaign was started to bring the Cerberus population back up.

Today the Cerberus is regarded as one of the most aggressive demons in the demon realm, right up there with the Slitherbeast.

[neciebee]

This drabble is only vaguely tangential to the prompt, but that's what prompts are for. Right? Right?

First time posting a drabble. I'm overstimulated again and I punched this out to quell my roiling brain. No idea how long it is, I just made words go after, before, or between other words. Hounds are involved.

The bond between a smokehound and its master is immutable once formed. Fae and beast hunted with one mind, one heart, one soul. They shared their meals, their spaces, their lives. Smokehounds were so rare, many believed them a myth. To have been chosen by one of these ethereal entities was to have been blessed by the Mother.

When Eris first found the tiny wisp of a whelp, he knew his future would be vastly different from what he had previously planned. There was no other sound in the forest; not even the whisper of winds through leaves red as his hair disturbed this poignant moment. It was as though the land of Autumn held its breath for the Heir to accept his Companion. There had not been a smokehound in the Royal Court for millennia. The last was the legendary Cerberus, who - with his High Lord master - oversaw four hundred years of smouldering peace.

Nowadays, all known bonded smokehounds accompanied so-called 'lesser fae' - creatures so in tune with nature that one might think they were avatars of the forests, fields, and fjords. Rarely heard and never seen, the faefolk and their elemental beasts stewarded the most magic-imbued enclaves of the Autumn Realm. Smokehounds were thoroughly Autumn, and they elected their masters as such.

Eris held the tiny creature to his heart, appreciating the enormity of his gift from the Mother. Autumn had chosen him.

~

The second smokehound was no more of a surprise than the first. Though bony and lean, the wild, savage hound took down a puca that Eris and Artaban had been tracking through the forest. At first, the Heir thought the animal a manifestation of illusory puca magic. When the hound laid the carcass at his feet and its intelligent eyes met his, he knew he had been granted an unprecedented second blessing.

The Court was in uproar when he attended the throne room with both hounds in tow. Not even his High Lord father, Beron, could say a word against the holy union between the Autumn Heir and the Autumn Protectors. The Mother will do as she Wills.

~

Five centuries since he laid eyes on his first pup, he was called before the throne. Nine hounds shadowed his steps in refined formation. He approached his father, High Lord of Autumn, and graciously bent to one knee.

"Eris," spoke the High Lord in a high, snide tone. "Eris, Eris, Eris. It seems you are more mutt than prince these days." He surveyed the assemblage coldly, though Eris could taste the undercurrent of jealousy in his words. Autumn had not bestowed its High Lord many favours throughout the centuries, and he was loath to wonder why.

"I assure you, Lord Father, that every last one of my hounds has the purest power of Autumn's Holy Protectors." Each of his nine hunters had come to him as an evocation of Autumn's old magic, chosen as a custodian of the Kingdom of Fall and Flame.

"I would not begrudge you Artaban, nor even Bellamy - though plural bonding is unprecedented. The Mother has deemed you a dog, and a dog must have his pack. But capturing nine mutts is vulgar! You are flaunting your avarice before Nature and the Gods!"

Eris smoothed one hand down Artaban's sleek crown. His first hound was the most devoted, the most protective, the most vicious. "Until I stop encountering Autumn Vitae in need of their true master, I will be taking care of my twelve hounds."

Beron shot from his throne, nearly tumbling down the dais. "HOW DO YOU ALREADY HAVE THREE MORE? WHERE ARE THEY?" His puce visage became mottled with anger... and fear.

The picture in Eris mind coalesced upon the three new additions to his pack. No... four. Wagging tails and wet snouts overcame the gleeful grasping of scarred hands. Eyes of hazel lit up with elation as they beheld the infantile howling of unweaned, furry beans. Fat, stubby paws padded unforgivingly over the sensitive membranes of Illyrian wings. The sounds from the shadowsinger's throat would either end him, or fuel him for countless eons.

Eris raised his hands in a signal to his pack of loyal and lethal hounds. "The pups are with my mate," he said plainly, as nine shadowhounds tore Autumn's Menace apart.

~

@chunkypossum @mistandmemories @the-darkestminds @jules-writes-stories @shadowsandlint @secret-third-thing @pippsmcgee @astro-h0e-4azris @buffy-vanserra @brunetterebel010 @g00seg1rl @born-to-riot @acourtofladydeath @iftheshoef1tz @mudandmire @fieldofdaisiies @murphbees @nus4y @areyoudreaminof @greenvelvetcouture @fourteentrout @packdontendwithblood @aurorasleeps-27 @buffy-vanserra @queercontrarian @amarillis39 @climbthemountain2020 @a-novel-idealist @talibunny30 @ysmtttty @jolenes-library @molcat07 @hnyclover @catboyjamesbond @yanny-77

"you know you are only supposed to have 1 apprentice maybe 2 not 15." said the wizard council member "well until people stop leaving surprisingly powerful orphans at my doorstep I'll be taking care of my 17 apprentices." The council member snapped their wand "WHERE DID YOU GET 3 MORE!"

[scrivnomancer]

Goodnight out there, whatever you are.

[cerastes]

Ceobe bingo

International Dog of Fun.

I love Ceobe. I love the decision to make a Dog that represents two things in one fell swoop: Cerberus, guardian hound of Hades, and domesticated dogs.

It's such a power move to represent both within the same character! I get to embrace my fuckin' MYTHOLOGY NERD side: You know why Ceobe loves honey cakes so much, to the point that they were the event currency of Ceobe's Fungimist? It's because the mythological Cerberus' favorite snack were, in fact, honey cakes. Psyche, the Greek Goddess of the Soul, pacified Cerberus with honey cakes in her trips to Hades, one of her many escapades and fun adventures that I recommend you read up on. You know how Heracles had to overcome Impossible Tasks? Well, he's not alone! Psyche had to overcome her own set of Impossible Tasks, given to her by none other than Aphrodite.

But I digress. Ceobe! Ceobe is certainly more than meets the eye, a wild presence, and savage existence, guided almost entirely by instinct and desire, yet, she isn't entirely selfish, and will relent if given enough incentive. She loves Doctor because they spoil her! She loves Sesa because he tells her so many fun stories! She loves Vulcan because she teaches her so many things! She loves the entire cooking staff at Rhodes because they make tasty meals! She is simple, and simple, as most engineers will tell you, is best.

An International Dog of Fun And Love.

Ceobe also is a living impossibility: Her Oripathy is so grave and bad that it is considered a miracle that she survived as long as she did. But it doesn't matter to Ceobe, Ceobe is having fun, Ceobe loves Rhodes Island, she is fine just going on her day to day.

It's fascinating how much you can tell an audience through gameplay mechanics alone: Ceobe is immensely strong, carrying a small arsenal on her at all times, but she mainly uses her staff to shoot Arts projectiles, then determines which way to best dispatch her current enemy, whether it be her axe, knives or spear, and then enchants the weapons accordingly. Her Arts as very conceptual, from what we've seen: She was Weapon Arts. It's how she got rid of all the rust on that hammer she found in the Crimson Troupe's castle. Her Arts are much like her: Full of potential, not entirely understood, and whimsical.

Dog's fun.

[philosophicalparadox]

The Three Wise...Dogs?

Have a concept I made for Savages that didn't entirely make it into the story.

Also, I am Much better at critters and other animals than I am humans, which is all too evident here. I also suck at backgrounds.

Inspired by Cerberus and Loki's hounds, these dogs guard various aspects of the Layrinth.

Balthazar guards the Gate of Death (borrowed from Norse myth) at the entrance of the labyrinth. He has the voice and personality inspired by Smaug, basically. He's also the oldest. His other duties include coming to the aid of his master when called or when intruders try to steal anything from him, and to make sure no one who comes into the labyrinth makes it back out with anything they aren't supposed to have. Only absolutely obedient to Samael, and will not obey another without being ordered to.

Melchoir is a troublemaker with a sadistic streak. Has a personality kind of like Amaimon but far more impulsive and eager to play. Gets along with Asmodeus and has been known to prefer his company. Guards the 3rd ring and keeps The Mother and The Father from advancing beyond that point. Also is in charge of keeping track of everything and everyone coming in and out of the Labyrinth, and reports anything odd to Caspar. Is afraid of Balthazar.

Caspar is the second eldest and easiest to reason with. He oversees the entire Labyrinth and is basically there to keep Lucifer or any other visitor from ever reaching the innermost rings. He can be reasoned with however and will allow passage if you have a good enough argument. He is the last line of defense before one encounters The Nightmare herself, which he often strongly advises against. He is also the only one that She will not try to attack besides Samael himself.

Man solid colored black and white animals are really hard to colour.

These three are based on Nordic Elk Hounds, which feature all over Norse myth and are one of the oldest breeds on earth.

:) please no reposting I worked hard on these and have never done a rock based background before.

[valhallasoutlaw]

Soft spoilers for Loken!!!

Alrighty, I'm probably just projecting a bit, but Garviel is deeply personal to me so here's my thoughts

...

Cerberus, quite simply, was someone Garviel made up. When you crack, when you TRULY break because what you've been through gets too hard to bear and suicide isn't an option, you invent someone strong enough to endure.

Captain Garviel Loken of the Mournival couldn't survive past Istvaan III, it just wasn't possible. Space Marines are pack creatures. They need brothers and structures and a purpose, and in the decimation that followed the betrayal, only savages and animals lived to talk about it. It was dog-eat-dog on the edges of a burning wasteland, so utterly alone that the sight of another being meant an enemy, not a brother. Only animals survived, so, Garviel did the rational thing and created an animal to survive FOR him.

The Greek myth Cerberus, as we all know, is the three headed hellhound at the gates of the Underworld. I've always thought that the name was an interesting one to take until I remembered that Cerberus was a GUARDIAN. He protected everything within the walls of Hades from outsiders and was one of the last lines of defense against a threat. This could be connected to the fact that Loken was found defending Tarik Torgaddon's corpse, but I think it's deeper and far more tragic.

Cerberus was protecting Garviel, first and foremost. Underneath Cerberus was a man so dedicated and devoted to the cause that losing it destroyed him. Years of love and care and courage and purpose and loyalty were all annihilated by the first sight of falling bombs, and it utterly shattered him. That kind of heartbreak kills people, and one could say that it killed Garviel. He couldn't keep going, but deep down he knew that he was the only one who could do what needed to be done, so he let the guard dog of a 30,000 year-old myth take the reigns. Cerberus was strong. Cerberus was vicious and relentless in a way that Garviel just couldn't be anymore, not after he had lost everything like that.

Cerberus knew that the man he was protecting had unfinished business. So, when Garro came along and Cerberus finally knew it was safe to open the gates, he finally stepped aside.

I think this is what Malcador means. If Garviel breaks again, the guardian he invented to fight in his place won't be there to protect him. Horus is the last line, the final and penultimate heartbreak that--this time--will destroy Garviel forever.

I finished The Buried Dagger and it has left me with Thoughts on Loken. Mostly that I should have read this one a lot earlier.

Spoilers and thoughts below the cut

😔

Malcador tries to give him a new name as one of the founders of the Grey Knights, but he rejects it. In front of the Emperor, no less. Boy has balls of steel.

Now this is INTERESTING. Malcador has earlier said this to another Knight, Yotun:

There's a lot in this chapter about how Malcador has travelled all the possible futures:

And then he says that to Loken. 'Horus will destroy you.' It's not a threat to try and make him change his mind. It's a fact.

I think we've been told already what will happen to our boy.

'Cerberus will not save you', though. Malcador, what did you mean by that?

🧐

[mistressofthemightydead]

Three Faced Hekate, Come to me Beloved Mistress

Graciously hear my sacred spells:

Image of Night, Youthful One, Dawn-born Lightbringer to mortals

Who rides upon fierce eyed bulls.

O Queen, you who drive your chariot on equal course with Helios,

You dance with the triple forms of the triple Graces

As You revel with the stars.

You are Justice and the Thread of the Fates,

Clotho Lachesis Atropos,

O Three Headed One You are

Persephone Megaira and Allecto

O One of Many Shapes who arm your hands with

Terrible dark-glowing lamps,

Who shakes locks of fearsome serpents at your brow,

Whose mouths send forth the roar of bulls,

Whose womb is thick with reptile-scales,

At whose shoulders are rows of venomous serpents,

Bound across Your back beneath murderous chains.

O Night Bellower, Lover of Servitude,

Bull Faced and Bull Headed One

You have the eyes of bulls and the voice of dogs.

Your forms are hidden in the legs of lions.

Your ankle is wolf-shaped, and savage dogs are friendly to You,

Wherefore they call You

Hekate, Many Named, Mene,

Cleaving the air like Arrow Shooting Artemis.

O Goddess of Four Faces, Four Names, Four Ways,

Artemis, Persephone, Deer Shooter, Night Shiner,

Thrice Resounding, Triple Voiced, Three Headed, Thrice Named Selene

O Trident Bearing One of Three Faces, Three Necks, Three Ways,

Who holds undying flame in triple baskets.

You frequent the three ways and are Mistress of the Three Decads.

Br gracious unto me who is invoking you and hearken favorably.

You encompass the vast world at night,

You make the Daemones shudder and the Immortals tremble,

O Many Named Goddess who brings glory to men,

Whose children are fair,

O Bull Eyed One, Horned One, Nature, All Mother,

Who brings forth both Gods and men.

You roam around Olympus and traverse the wide and fathomless Abyss,

You are the Beginning and the End, and

You alone are Mistress of All:

For from You are all things,

And in You, Eternal One, do all things end.

You bear at Your brow an everlasting diadem,

The unbreakable and irremovable bonds of great Kronos,

And You hold in your hands a golden scepter which is encircled

By a formula inscribed by great Kronos himself

Who gave it to You to bear in order that all things remain steadfast:

“Overpowerer and Overpowered One,

Conqueror of Men and Damnodamia,

You rule Chaos, Araracharara ephthisikere,

Hail Goddess and

Attend Your Epithets!

I offer You this incense Child of Zeus

Arrow Shooter, Heavenly One, Goddess of Harbours.

Mountain Roamer, Goddess of Crossroads,

Nocturnal One of the Underworld,

Shadowy One of Hades,

Still One Who Frightens

Having a feast among the graves.

You are Night, Darkness, and Broad Chaos,

For You are Necessity, hard to escape

You are Fate, You are Erinyes and the Torture,

You are Murderess and Justice

You hold Cerberus in chains,

You are steely blue with serpent scales,

O Serpent Haired and Serpent Girdled One,

Blood Drinker

Death Bringer Who Breeds Corruption,

Feaster on Hearts,

Flesh Eater Who Devours Those Who Died Before Their Time,

Grave Resounder,

Driver to the Wanderings of Madness,

Come to my sacrifices and fulfill this task for me!

Greek Magical Papyri

[dyns33]

When Michael and his dear wife, Y/N arrived at outpost 3, all the residents get surprised when Michael announced himself to them to see next to him a cute 3 year old Samoyed dog , her name was Cerberus but was a girl. Everyone think she was really cute until Gallant call her by her name and she reacts with a loud and savage barking that left them all scared, including Venable. But on the other hand, when the couple were alone in their room, she was a little cloudy of love. Just as Michael.

I’m more a cat person, but samoyed dog are super cute... and I see Michael more as someone who will likes cats, but would prefer dogs. The boy is insecure, he needs his pet to show that they love him all the time, and cats are little fuckers. 

          The residents of Outpost 3 were already very surprised that someone from the Cooperative had managed to cross the radioactive cloud to come here, in order to test them and determine who could come to the Sanctuary to be saved. They were even more surprised when they discovered that this man, Langdon, had not come alone, accompanied by his wife, a charming young girl compared to him. When she was smiling, sweet, friendly, he was cocky, cold, mean. If it was difficult to know why a man as handsome as he was with a woman like her, even if she was pretty, they understood even less how such a nice woman could have fallen in love with such a cruel man. The residents were even more surprised when they discovered that they had also come with a dog. For them, the notion of pets no longer really made sense. If an animal was not radioactive, it should be eaten. Langdon was then very clear.

           "This is Cerberus. Our dog. If anyone dares to touch her, they will die immediately. If someone, even without having killed her, dares to eat her, they will die immediately. Understood ?"

           "Yes." muttered Gallant, raising his hand to speak. "Cerberus, huh ? But... why that name... if it's a female ?"

Langdon didn't seem to want to answer, ignoring the question to continue explaining the reason for his presence, while (Y/N) was playing with their dog, which licked her face affectionately. The residents were then certain of two things : she had to choose the dog, because the ball of fur was really adorable, and to compensate, he had to choose the name, regardless of whether it was a female, to not sound ridiculous if he were to call it in front of witnesses. They couldn't be more wrong, but they had no way of knowing. It was Michael who insisted on having a dog. He had always dreamed of having one, but Constance was afraid he would kill it and Miss Mead was allergic. And it was (Y/N) who had chosen the name, as a joke first, but also for other reasons. Reasons that only seemed obvious if you knew the dog well. It did not take long to arrive, barely a few hours after they had moved into their room. After his cooperation, Gallant believed he had a chance with Langdon, who had been very ambiguous. He then knocked on the door, pretending to want to know if the couple would come to dinner with them, and when they would continue their little conversation. Immediately upon seeing him, Cerberus had risen, staring at him, scrutinizing his every move, checking that he was not threatening her masters. Gallant, seeing that the dog was looking at him, smiled at her, leaning over to try to pet her.

           "Hi Cerberus."

The barks sounded throughout the Outpost, freezing the blood of all the residents. It was not the barking they had imagined for such a cute dog. Quickly, Gallant backed away, pressed against the wall, saving his hand from a painful bite. (Y/N) couldn't help laughing, and Michael had a small grin, hidden quickly, as he asked the intruder to leave. That was why she was called Cerberus. Like the underworld keeper, she watched over her masters. She didn't like anyone other than them touching or calling her. And when she barked... it was the cry of a demon. The sellers thought they wouldn't like her because of that, that's why they had a hard time selling the dog, but when they saw her, saw her loving eyes and after hearing her, Michael had melted for her, as it had melted for (Y/N) before. Only his wife and their dog could see his real face, his shy smiles, his rosy cheeks, his sparkling eyes. (Y/N) didn't know who was the most adorable when he cuddled their dog on the bed, turning his loving puppy eyes towards her, hoping for her petting.

           "Are you coming to join us ?" he asked her, and Cerberus, as if to make sure she couldn't say no, even if she never said no, looked at her with the same eyes.

How to say no to that ? So she came and lay down next to them, one hand in Michael's hair, another on Cerberus' head. They knew it was not practical to bring her everywhere with them, but they couldn't leave her alone at the Sanctuary. She would let herself die, thinking that they had abandoned her. Michael would do that, if they left him alone. And that was why (Y/N) couldn't stay at the Sanctuary with the dog while he was visiting the Outposts. So they stayed together, Cerberus keeping company to his wife when Michael interviewed the residents. And she kept the room, never sleeping completely, on the bed, checking that no one came in when they were vulnerable. It wouldn't happen after they all heard her bark and Gallant told how the dog had almost eaten his hand. Michael had to resist laughing when he saw Venable tremble every time she crossed Cerberus' path, clutching her cane, ready to defend herself if the dog attacked her. They were all focused on the dog, forgetting that the real beast they had to watch out for was him.

[celticcrossanon]

Will Prince Harry Attend Remembrance Day? Draft, WIP

This is speculation only.

Practise spread - we will see how much I get written up.

Celtic Cross Spread

Spread drawn at  approximately 4.15am on the 15th of September GMT

Cards used: The Mythic Tarot (the cards are based on a version of Greco-Roman mythology; the descriptions are more the mixed, popular culture version of mythology than the original myths, so keep that in mind as you read the interpretations below)

All interpretations taken from the book that came with the cards

*

The Celtic Cross had 3 Major Arcanas out of 10 cards, so while this is significant for the BRF and will be played out on the world stage, it is not hugely significant for them (only 1/3 or so of the cards were major arcana). Of the remaining 7 cards, there were 3 Cups, 2 Swords, and 2 Wands. No Pentacles. So this is not about money, it is about family and emotions and being nurturing (Cups), long-term, strategic planning (Swords), and the image that is communicated to those outside the BRF (Wands). Repeated numbers were two Sixes, two Twos, and two Nines. I usually only consider repeated numbers if they repeat three or more times.

*

Bottom of the Deck - Overall Theme - Strength (Card 10)

This card shows Heracles wrestling with the Nemean Lion in a cave.

The lion can represent royalty, even at its most destructive, i.e. Harry. The lion is also the infantile, savage, and completely egocentric beginnings of individuality, i.e. Harry's attempts to 'find himself' as a person and all the damage these attempts have caused to others. The lion here is the Nemean Lion, which possessed a hide that no weapon could pierce, giving it a shield of invincibility, i.e. Harry's position in the Royal family. Here the Nemean Lion stands for a "Me First" drive that will happily destroy anyone and anything in its path, as long as its gratification is assured. One of the manifestations of this "Me First" drive is an furious, explosive, rage-driven tantrum when the person does not get their own way. Another is bombast and an inflated sense of self importance, making the person savage and unrelenting both towards the people on whom they are dependent (i.e. Harry and the BRF) and the people [who they see as] stealing their limelight (also harry and the BRF).

Heracles wresting with the lion shows the struggle we all face to subdue the lion's unbridled individualism and make it serve a higher purpose; the need to subdue our desires and care for others so that together we can form a caring and responsible community instead of being a collection of individuals running rampant and destroying each other in our need for instant gratification. It is considering the long-term consequences of our actions and putting other's needs before our desires. Courage, strength and self discipline are necessary to see the struggle through to a successful conclusion.

In this specific instance, the card shows the BRF (and their long tradition of service to their country) wresting with Harry's unbridled egomania. Do they include him as part of the family (and the BRF is all about family), or do they cut him off and show quite clearly that however loved as a brother, he is no longer a member of the Royal Family. Will they sucumb to his temper tantrums and unjust accusations, or will they hold firm for the good of "the Firm"? What damage will he do if he is allowed to attend? If they place limits on him, will he follow them (hint: No)? These are the questions the BRF is struggling with at the moment, and while the course of action may seem clear to an outsider, for them it is not yet decided.

*

Significator: The Moon (card 18)

This is where the situation is at this moment in time. 

The card shows the goddess Hecate, associated with the Moon, magic and the underworld. Hecate is an ancient goddess, as the BRF is an old regime. She is shown of the card with a cute-looking (not terrifying) Cerberus, who guards the entry to the Underworld, a domain associated with her and full of mystery, wisdom and hidden riches. To me this signifies that Prince Harry thinks that going back to the BRF (here represented by Hecate and the underworld) will be easy, as there is no monster guarding the way, only a cute dog (who will be expected to roll over and obey his commands). Hecate, shown here as an older woman (and usually shown as a very old woman, like the Queen) is looking to the past, the present and the future all at once, as the BRF must do in making this decision. As an impersonal image of the feminine, one of the rulers of the Underworld, she represents the Queen in her role as the ruler of Great Britian and some countries of the Commonwealth, a figure who cannot be the warm and loving grandmother that we know she is with Harry, but who rather must be the impersonal Ruler who puts the good of her country above all else.

In the bottom right hand corner of the card, supporting Cerberus and Hecate, is a crab. The crab is the sign of Cancer, and Cancer is the sun sign of Prince William. Prince William may very well be acting as the 'right hand man' pf the Queen during this decision making process. The unseen presence of the underworld in the background suggests the hidden presence of Prince Charles, a sun sign Scorpio, as Scorpio is the sign that rules the Underworld. Prince Charles may be working behind the scenes in this decision, absent in flesh but present in spirit. 

The road to Hecate's realm is the 'royal road' of dreams, and Prince Harry may well be hoping to either using his visible status as a royal (supported by an appearance at Remembrance Day) to fulfil his non-royal dreams, or to use his appearance at remembrance Day as a road back to his previous status as a taxpayer funded working Royal sometime in the future, or both together.

Hecate was associated with the crossroads, which suggests that this decision is a crossroads for the BRF - they have to choose a path and move forward on it, removing all other options. Hecate also had the power (according the to tarot book) of bestowing or withholding from a mortal any desired gift, and that is exactly the position that the BRF are in - do they bestow the desired gift of attendance upon Harry (and his wife), or do they withhold it?

So the BRF is facing a choice, a crossroads. There is confusion (heart versus head) and anxiety over this choice, and it has not yet been made. The Major Arcana card says that this is a major decision and one that will have a lasting impact on all involved.

* Crossing Card : Queen of Cups

This is the main obstacle in making the decision.

The card represents Helen, the woman who was married to one man (the King of Sparta), fell in love and ran away with another (the Prince of Troy), and thus instigated the Trojan Wars (during the course of which she took three more lovers). As a woman who created a crisis in the ruling family of her country by following her own selfish desires, the parallel to Meghan Markle is obvious. If you look at the woman on the card, she resembles Meghan Markle as she is today with her long black extensions. As well as creating trouble wherever she goes (as Helen of Troy did), Meghan Markle has also run away with a prince of the BRF (a neat inversion of Prince Paris running away with Helen). My feeling is that the obstacle is not so much Meghan Markle herself, but rather her effect on Prince Harry, the loved grandson of the Queen and prince of the BRF.

The Queen of Cups can be seen as a woman who is a catalyst for the emergence of deep feelings and fantasies that have previously been hidden from awareness, and there is no doubt that in his association with Meghan Markle, the public have become aware of Prince Harry's rage and contempt for both the BRF and his position within it, something that was previously skillfully hidden by the 'Hero Harry" and "Harry the lad" PR. This emergence in the public eye of the 'real' Prince Harry is also part of the obstacle the BRF faces in making this decision.

Another meaning of the Queen of Cups is a loving and nurturing woman. As such, the card can be taken to represent Princess Diana. From this perspective, the obstacle is not Meghan Markle herself but rather  her unsuccessful attempts to push herself onto the public as Princess Diana 2.0, with her constant cries of "racism" and her accusations of the BRF as "unsupportive", "mean", and "treating her like they did Princess Diana". While easily disproven in themselves, these statements gain traction when they are supported by Prince Harry, either by his actions, his own statements against the BRF, or his silence.

Prince Harry is considered by most to be under the thumb of Meghan Markle. He supports her behaviour in tearing down his family and appears to be transforming into a woke male version of herself. Prince Harry is known to have mental issues, and as the nurturing, caring force represented by the Queen of Cups the BRF may hesitate to do anything that could worsen hos mental state. Unfortunately, this leaves them open to emotional blackmail by Prince Harry (the negative side of the Queen of Cups), as he will not hesitate to use the "Princess Diana Card" and remind everyone of the trauma he suffered as a child to get his own way (the fact that Prince William suffered the same trauma while also a child does not seem to occur to anyone).

The crossing card is a Minor Arcana card, so while the obstacles are being considered carefully by the BRF, they are not a huge problem, as would be the case if a Major Arcana card appeared in this position. The Minor Arcana card shows something that is a nusiance but that also is a problem that is  definitely manageable/surmountable.

* Crowning Card and Base of the Matter Card: Ace of Wands and Six of Swords

This is where I made a mistake in the spread. 

When I drew the cards, I drew the Ace of Wands as the third card and put it in the Crowing Card position, and then I drew the Six of Swords as the fourth card and put it in the Base of the Matter position.  However, before I started this spread, I formed the intention of doing the spread as it appeared in the accompanying book, and that book spread has the third card as the Base of the Matter and the fourth card as the Crowning Card.

I put the cards in the wrong positions. Bollocks.

Rather than choosing between my intention to follow the book spread or my instinct in putting down the cards, I have decided to honour both and read both cards together as both the Crowning Card and the Base of the Matter Card (next time I will double check the spread before I draw the cards).

Card 3: the Ace of Wands 

Due to certain life events, the Ace of Wands is strongly linked in my mind with the male, um, 'manhood', and that phallic imagery immediately suggests that someone here is being "led by their dick", that someone being Prince Harry (apparently Prince Charles referred to it as being 'cunt-struck'). This association is strengthened by the card showing a male wearing a crown and holding the world in one hand while the other holds a thick wand emitting flames (the phallic imagery of the wand is obvious and I won't detail it here). The crown and the world can be taken as showing Harry's previous status as a royal prince, where the world was his oyster (more or less).  

The image on the card is the god Zeus, who is famous (or infamous) for not being able to keep it in his pants, and thus reinforces the "led by his dick" meaning. 

The Ace of Wands as a card symbolises the creative power of the imagination, the impulse that makes us restless and dissatisfied until we formulate and manifest it in the world (successfully or not). It is important to note that here the idea has not been thought through and formulated; it is simply a dissatisfaction, a feeling that things could be different. I believe that it was this feeling of dissatisfaction that led to Prince Harry leaving the BRF. He could have looked for ways to improve his role/position/life within the BRF. Instead he chose to leave when his wife did and, together with her, to pursue another future outside the BRF. 

The Ace of Wands, like all aces, also indicates something new. This indicates that this situation is something new for the BRF - never before has a blood royal left Great Britian to live as a minor celebrity n Hollywood. As with all new situations, they may be uncertain as to what is the best response, especially as we now live in an age of instant social media (and not the previous time of newspaper media, which was slower and could be controlled by the BRF).

Card 4: the Six of Swords 

Here we have Orestes, the doomed hero, travelling to Argos to fulfil his terrible duty to murder his mother. He is travelling through rough water, although calmer weather lies ahead. This figure again has echoes of Prince Harry, whose mother died when he was young, and who has left the country of his birth to travel overseas and make his home in another land. This is the Prince Harry who is no longer a working royal and who has left the BRF for the life of a wanna-be celebrity in Los Angeles. Orestes's future murder of his mother could show Prince Harry's future 'murder' by overexposure of his mother's image via documentary, after dinner speeches, and Netflix musical, as well as his constant use of the "Princess Diana Card". For both Orestes and Prince Harry, this journey appears to be one-way; both have left with no intention of returning to their former place of residence.

Orestes was born in Argos, banished to Phocis, and returned to Argos to avenge his father by murdering his mother. Harry was born in Great Britain, willingly left for a life in Los Angeles (and there are articles saying how unhappy he is there and how he feels in 'exile'), and now  he is trying to return home - to resume his role in the BRF, or like Orestes, to 'murder his mother' by trying to complete the destruction of the public image of the BRF who bore, raised and nurtured him? Both interpretations are possible, and indeed by doing the first the BRF may achieve the second. Popular opinion seems to be that the UK public are very glad to be rid of Prince Harry and his wife, and they do not want them to return - ever. These sentiments and the possibilities of what Prince Harry will do in Los Angeles are things to be considered in making the decision whether to extend him an invitation or not.

The Six of Swords in general shows a time of moving on, a time when clear thoughts, understanding and logic will ease a difficult situation and propel you into smoother waters. Sentiment and emotions (cups) play no part in this process, it is all duty and an acceptance of your obligations. This, then, appears to be the path of the BRF - to decide with the mind and not with the heart.

Together 

As the Crowning Card, these two cards show the situation as it appears to others - Prince Harry being led by his dick to leave the BRF and create a future for himself in another country as a minor celebrity.

As the Base of the Matter, these two cards show other motivations - Prince Harry being prompted to leave by dissatisfaction with his life as well as sexual desire, the idea of having him invited to remembrance Day bringing with it the danger of destroying the reputation of the BRF, the fears of what exactly he will do in Los Angeles if he is - or is not invited, and above all the necessity for clear, logical thought without sentiment to find a path through this situation.

*

Past Influences: Justice (card 8)

This is what has influenced the situation in the past. The situation is moving away from it.

The Justice card shows the goddess Athena, seated on her throne, holding the sword and scales of justice. Athena sprung fully formed from the head of Zeus, so this Justice is impersonal, abstract, a thing of thought and not passions. This is further emphasised by the armour worn by the goddess. Her chest and her back are encased in steel, stiffening her spine and enclosing/locking away her heart, the seat of emotions. It is like the judgement handed down in a court case is supposed to be - the situation is weighed against the law and, if found wanting, a punishment prescribed by the law is delivered. There is no room for the passions or emotions in this sort of justice. Facts are all that matter.

The female goddess Athena represents the Queen, a powerful female who made the decisions in this matter. This impersonal, abstract, emotionless justice is how the Queen has dealt with this situation with Prince Harry in the past (to the best of her ability). She has considered the facts, weighed them in her mind, and delivered a consequence. The goddess is armoured and armed with a spear, and so the Queen has acted not out of personal pain but in defence of her institution (the BRF) and her realm.

As the goddess is sitting down, the consequences were more often passive than active; the result of Prince Harry's repeated actions rather than actions taken to forestall them. Like the scales the goddess holds in her hand, the Queen did her best to deliver consequences that she saw as balanced and fair (no matter how the rest of the world saw them). Athena is the goddess of strategy, and the Queen would have taken the strategic long view when deciding on the consequences for Prince Harry's actions. Justice is the card of Libra, and Libra aims for civilised harmony, so the Queen may have had that as a goal in making her decisions (for example, playing Happy Families and presenting aunited front to the world).

The fact that this is a past influence suggests that things are going to change. A new force will lie behind the actions of the BRF. Prince Harry may not be aware of this change. Justice is said to be blind, and he may go blindly forward, expecting everything to work out the same as it had in the past.

This is a Major Arcana card, so it was very important in the past for the treatment of Prince Harry to be seen as fair and unbiased by emotion. Whether this holds true for the future remains to be seen.

*

Future Influences: Nine of Wands

These are the influences on the situation that are going to appear in the immediate future. The situation is moving towards this.

The Nine of Wands shows the ship Argo just before it passes the final obstacle in its journey home, the Clashing Rocks, and comes into the safe harbour of the city of Argos. The sails of the ship are tattered and torn, for it has been through many difficulties on its voyage, and only one final obstacle remains between it and its goal. That obstacle is the Clashing Rocks, a pair of huge rocks that clashed together whenever a ship sailed between them, crushing the ship between them. The captain of the ship, Jason, acted on the advice from a crew member and released a dove between the rocks to see how fast the crew would have to row to escape them. The dove lost a few tail feathers, and by rowing at a similar speed, as fast as they could, the Argo passed between the rocks, losing only its stern ornament. After this defeat the rocks became motionless, facing each other across the sea.

For this card, the Argo represents both the BRF and Prince Harry. Both have been battered by the events of the past, and both want to come to a calm and stable future. Standing between them and this outcome is the Clashing Rocks, which represent the interests of the BRF on the one side and the desires of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on the other. A passage between the two needs to be negotiated without destroying either the BRF or Prince Harry. Then the rocks will freeze in place, the calm and stable future will be reached, and both parties will continue to hold the positions that are seen at this event. Otherwise, one or both party will be destroyed between the rocks of their conflicting goals.

Like the dove, both Prince Harry and/or the BRF might have to lose a few tail feathers to achieve this result. The compromises will not be significant in the overall scheme of things - the dove can still fly away and regrow its feathers; similarly both Prince Harry and the BRF will recover from whatever compromises they have to make to achieve this future.

The passage to this future will not be easy. The sea around the rocks is turbulent and the crew of the ship are exhausted. it is the same with the BRF and Prince Harry. They have both been on a long journey, and both are exhausted, and finally the end is in sight. Then one last hurdle appears. The obstacle may have been foreseen, as the crew of the Argo knew of the Clashing Rocks, or it may suddenly arise from the depths and stand before them. They must try again, one last time, to overcome this obstacle and finally reach their goal. 

The Nine of Wands represents one last burst of energy that comes from the willingness to try again, one last time, even though you are exhausted, when a final obstacle arises and stands between you and your goals. That willingness to try will bring forth fresh energy and new ideas. It is this last burst that can carry both Prince Harry and the BRF through the rocks and through any compromises into the safe harbour beyond, their positions set for the future. The alternative is for one or both parties to be destroyed. Blindly rushing ahead, refusing to take the time to observe and plan and take advice, will result in the person being crushed between the rocks and drowning. Only by planning and taking advice, as Jason did when he released the dove and calculated the rowing speed required, will a safe passage be assured. 

The member who advised Jason to release the dove was Phineus, a King rescued from his torments by two of the crew of the Argo during their long journey, and who then joined the crew on their quest. Perhaps someone in a similar position may offer wise advice to the BRF and/or Prince Harry.

Wands can represent PR (creativity, ideas). It is very likely that this final obstacle (future influence) will either be in itself or will come from PR pieces designed to stir up the emotions of the general public (emotions are water and the ship is sailing through a turbulent/stirred up sea). As the PR from the Harkle camp has already shown itself capable of being extremely nasty, I expect either something even nastier from them that completely crosses one or more lines, or for Meghan Markle to turn on Prince Harry and tear him to pieces. The current trend of the Harkle PR can go either way.

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Where One Finds Oneself: Judgement (card 20)

This is what will happen in the near future. The situation is moving towards this.

Here we see Hermes the Psychopomp, the traveller between two worlds, who brings messages to and from the Underworld, summons the dead to the Underworld, restores the dead to life, and who leads heroes out of the Underworld. 

When we die, it is said that our life passes before our eyes, and in we go the the abode of the dead, where we are judged for our deeds and delivered into peace or torment. This is where Prince Harry will find himself. Gone is the abstract justice of the past, now his actions will be judged with emotion, based on how they affect the BRF, and he will be punished or promoted accordingly.

If we look at the picture, we can see a land of glowing wheat fields at the top of the stairs. To me this is England, the Underworld is the life of exile in Hollywood, and Hermes is the messanger between the worlds, with a message  that has been or will be sent to Prince Harry. How Prince Harry responds will determine whether he is led out of the underworld and back to the wheat fields of England, or whether he is left to languish in the darkness of Hollywood. Hermes as a God often displays deceit and trickery, and here he could also represent not a message, but Prince Harry trying to lie and cheat his way back into his past privleges as a member of the BRF.

Whether or not Prince Harry returns to England, he faces a judgement. Should he be restored to some of his past privleges, should he be seen to be a member of the Windosr family but not the BRF (i.e. present in a minor role), or should he simply be excluded from all public events? This is not the cold, abstract, passive Justice of the past, but a Judgement that is active, as Hermes is upright and moving in this card, and a Judgement that is emotional, full of the hurt and pain that he has caused to others (to his family on a personal level, to the BRF as an institution, and to the British public whose taxes have supported him his entire life). This is a very different sort of "judge and jury" than in the past, and I don't think Prince Harry is aware of the change. He is represented here by the dead people, as he "died" by cutting himself off from the BRF. They are swathed in bandages that block their eyes, ears, and mouth, as Prince Harry is blind, deaf and dumb to the changes that await him in the BRF.

The Judgement card is the card of Pluto, the ruler of Scorpio, and Prince Charles is a sun-sign Scorpio. This suggests that Prince Charles is going to move from a force in the background to a major player, front and centre (as Hermes is in the card) in the decision about whether Prince Harry is invited to Remembrance Day or not, and if so in what capacity. Scorpio is a water sign, and water signs are very emotional, so this judgement of Prince Harry's worth as a member of  the BRF is going to be based on an emotional response to all his past actions, the good and the bad, the ones Prince Harry accepts as his and the ones where he places the blame upon others . The Judgement card is a Major Arcana card, which says that the judgement on his position is a major event and it will be seen on the world stage. 

The Judgement card also shows the personal process in which Prince Harry will find himself in the near future. He will face the consequences of all his actions, both those he admits to and those where he has avoided responsibility. All of those actions will be called to account, not just on a world stage but also on a personal stage, and Prince Harry will be confronted with the realisation of what he has done and how it has created his future (whether he accepts his part in this or chooses to play the eternal victim is another matter entirely). The  Judgement card signifies the end of a chapter in his life. Whether the next part is sweet or bitter, as part of the BRF or alone in Hollywood, will be the result of all his actions, past and present.

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Views of Others: Two of Cups

This is how friend s and family see the situation.

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Hopes and Fears: Six of Cups

This is what the people involved hope for and fear from the situation.

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Final Outcome: Page of Swords

If no energy shifts, this will be the outcome of the situation.

Clarifiers: Queen of Swords, Seven of Pentacles

I pulled two clarifying cards to help me understand the outcome.

Queen of Swords

Seven of Pentacles

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