#scrying for summer

[making-your-fave-in-fr]

I made Stella (+ Daffodil), Summer, Atul, and Gwen from Spiritfarer in Flight Rising!

No scry information bout’ these guys since they’re all old and have since been lost to time. Sorry!

The urge to make Spiritfarer fandragons is strong...

[lokabrenna13]

I mentioned in my previous post that Loki was creating forms in the incense smoke this morning. Lucifer was too. Loki has been doing this for years.

This isn't a full smoke scry, but I wanted to post this because what was happening here this morning was absolutely amazing. Much of this is personal. However, Loki was very excited about sharing the video. The camera didn't pick up all the details, but...

Lucifer appears in the smoke as a winged being/angel ❤️, but since the camera wasn't picking up the details, He looks a bit like a dragon here. The trident also appears a few times. Loki appears as a hooded figure looking into the candle flame during the last few moments of the video ❤️. He has appeared in this form before. The camera wasn't picking up His face very fully at all. And there are hearts ❤️😁.

Birds, a few snakes, and dragons appear here as well. I'm also seeing the runes Perthro, Eihwaz, and Sowilo. I understand what this means for me, but this may resonate with some of you as well. A risk taken or a venture into the unknown will lead to transformation (snakes and Eihwaz) and success. Eihwaz could also be indicating some resistance to your efforts, but ultimately, you have the strength to be victorious. The birds could imply a message about a transformative opportunity. The implications are spiritual, but this can apply in other areas of life as well.

Hail Loki! I love You!

Hail Lucifer! I love You!

#pagan #midsummer #sowilo #summersolstice #solstice #paganholiday #northerntraditionpagan #nordicpaganism #loki #lokabrenna #hailloki #godspouse #lucifer #morningstar #haillucifer #candle #incense #smokescrying

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Some Magic-Related Vocabulary

for your next poem/story

Amulet: An object worn, carried or placed to guard against negativity or other vibrations. A protective object.

Astral Projection: The practice of separating the consciousness from the physical body so that the former may move about unhindered by time, space or gravity.

Bane: A poison; that which destroys life. "Henbane" is poisonous to hens.

Banish: To drive away evil, negativity or spirits.

Beltane: An ancient folk-festival day observed by Witches that celebrates the fully blossomed spring. April 30 or May 1.

Censer: A vessel of metal or earthenware in which incense is burned. An incense burner.

Chaplet: A garland or wreath of flowers or leaves worn on the head, as in the chaplets given to classical Greek heroes as symbols of honor.

Clairvoyance: Literally "clear seeing." The ability to perceive facts, events and other data by other than the five "normal" senses, unaided by tools.

Curse: A concentration of negative and destructive energy, deliberately formed and directed toward a person, place or thing.

Divination: The art of finding things out through means other than the five senses, using tools such as tarot cards, crystal balls, and so on.

Enchant: "Sing to." Magically speaking, a procedure whereby herbs are aligned with your magical need prior to their use.

Evil Eye, The: Supposed glance capable of causing great harm or fear, once almost universally feared.

Fascination: The art of placing other people under one's power through sounds, gazes, colors, etc.

Hex: An evil spell; a curse.

Incubus: A male demon or spirit which was believed to sexually tempt and abuse women; the succubus was the corresponding female demon.

Infusion: An herbal tea.

Lughnasadh: An old harvest festival celebrated on August 1st or 2nd in Europe, reverencing the abundant (harvested) fruits of the Earth. It is still observed by Wicca.

Magic: The practice of causing needed change through the use of powers as yet undefined and unaccepted by science.

Magic Circle: A ritually-created circle (or sphere) that offers protection to the magician during magical rites.

Magician: A person of either sex who practices magic.

Magus: A magician.

Midsummer: The Summer Solstice, usually on or near June 21st, one of the Wiccan festival days and an excellent time to practice magic.

Pendulum: A tool of divination which consists of a heavy object suspended from a string or cord. The end of the cord is held between the thumb and forefinger; questions are asked and their answers divided by the movements of the pendulum.

Pentagram: A five-pointed star which has been used in magic for centuries. Highly symbolic, it is also a protective device.

Poppet: A small doll made of various substances to influence a person's fife. In herb magic, either a carved root or a cloth image stuffed with herbs. The use of poppets is known as "image magic."

Power Hand, The: The hand you write with; the dominant hand. This is a magically potent hand.

Samhain: An ancient festival day marking the beginning of winter. Also known as "Halloween" and All Hallows Eve. It is observed by Wicca with religious ceremonies.

Scry: To gaze into a pool of ink, fire, crystal ball, etc. to awaken and summon psychic powers.

Spell: A magical rite.

Talisman: An object worn or carried to attract a specific influence, such as love, luck, money, health; as opposed to an amulet which keeps forces from its bearer.

Wicca: A contemporary religion with spiritual roots in prehistory that worships the life-force of the universe as personified as a God and Goddess. It is sometimes erroneously referred to as "witchcraft."

Witch Bottle: A bottle or jar containing herbs, pins, shards of glass and other objects, designed to protect a person or area from evil and curses. Usually buried or placed in a window.

Witchcraft: The practice of natural magic, as that of herbs, stones, and candles. Spell-casting. Still used by some to refer to the religion of Wicca.

Wort: An old word meaning "herb." Mugwort preserves the term.

Excerpt from Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs More: Word Lists ⚜ Esoteric Vocabulary ⚜ On Magic

[harridansibyl]

Personal associations/interpretations of the dark/mystical houses (4th, 6th, 8th, 12th)

4th house

twisted tree roots, cultural practices, heirlooms, photo albums, inherited features, traditions, the mother, past lives, generational trauma, picture books, garden beds, childhood homes, ancestor altars, hand written recipe books, hearth, squeaky wooden floorboards, genealogy archives, caves, oak trees, baby wrap carriers, emotional security, cultural heritage, building foundations, photo albums, genetics, laundry lines, swing sets, property, mines, crops, sanctuaries, the chest and heart, home steads, fields, farms, root cellars, harvests, pots on stoves, brooms, backyards, agriculture, vines on trellises, handmade blankets, grandparents house, laundry baskets, attachment styles, singing lullabies, history, deep emotions, instincts, the unconscious, summer, waxing moon, vase of flowers, bath time, picking berries, celebrating holidays, chicken coops, older sisters, family gatherings, stone paths, forest walks, ancient structures/buildings, ancestral languages, cupboards, staying in

6th house

vitamins and supplements, morning routines, pharmacies, tasks and lists, doctors offices, health food stores, stomach medicine, hygiene practices, journals and planners, schedules, herbal teas, personal rituals, emergency kits, dog walks, lymphatic drainage, caregiving, donating blood, examinations and checkups, meditation, colour coordination, sticky notes, gastrointestinal problems, folded laundry, labels on everything, retirement homes, hand washing, braided hair, herb gardens, filing cabinets, face masks, kombucha, detailed diagrams, volunteer work, medicine cabinets, cleaning supplies, shelves, acts of service, skin care, organic linen, gauze and stitches, stress-induced illnesses, essential oil/herb baths, house plants, instructions, repetition, holistic medicine, giving advice, yoga studios, "gut feeling," bone broth

8th house

altars, divination, near death experiences, candle wax, feeling crushed by a heavy weight, grave dirt, red/dim lighting, funerals, double income, control, the underworld, cheques, insurance, heirlooms, ghost sightings, power imbalances, crime documentaries, ouroboros, bank accounts, grief and loss, shadow work, the womb, manipulation, scrying mirrors, Russian nesting dolls, keys, mortuaries, tests from the universe, pendulums, crime scene tape, the phoenix, projections, credit scores, animal bones on a forest floor, blood stained sheets, metaphysical shops, spiritual attacks, deep emotions, snakes, dead flowers, late autumn, wedding veils, envelopes, full moon, muddy boots, shadows at the corners of your vision, scarab beetles, inner processing, experiencing crisis, inherited possessions, natural disasters, sexual trauma, psychological studies, ancestral connections, cracked dolls, veil between realms, mental illnesses, deep connections, intimacy, reincarnation, torture devices, keys, whirlpools, the sound of sirens, unconscious fears, intense first impressions, pushing limits, feeling bound, scratches on walls, ten of swords

12th house

abandoned places, liminal spaces, long winters, shadowy figures, reoccurring dreams, repeated patterns, fog-filled forests, self analysation, inner worlds, cave systems, unfinished basements, hallucinations, solitary confinement, empty parking garages, spiral staircases, substance abuse, trapped in purgatory, hidden beneath the surface, maladaptive daydreaming, hospital hallways, confines of society, waning moon, moths, wandering aimlessly, disconnection from the world, psych wards, healing others, tired eyes or dark circles, chronic mental illness, suppression, addictions, hiding places, overnight shifts, unexplainable experiences, past life karma, exhaustion, cobwebs, others projections, catacombs, bird cages, premonitions in dreams, prescription bottles, self destructive patterns, late night walks, misty lakes, the feeling of walking out of the movie theater at night, identity crises, blurred faces, empty public transport, astral projection, comas, diary entries, dissociative episodes, shape shifting, generational trauma, observing people, mirrors, padded rooms, the afterlife, chain link fences, paradoxes, feeling misunderstood, repression or memory loss, hikikomori, the freeze response, disappearance, waiting rooms

[tiredwitchplant]

It's Time for Samhain! (Oct 31- Nov 1)

What is Samhain? In the Celtic calendar, Samhain marks the end of summer and the harvest season, and the beginning of the dark, cold winter months. It falls opposite Beltane on May 1, which represents the beginning of spring and the life-filled growing season.

It’s believed that the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest on Samhain. Historically, people were worried that they would encounter ornery spirits if they ventured outside on Samhain night, so they dressed as ghosts or wore masks to disguise themselves. Folks would leave treats on their front porch or place an extra setting at the table to welcome any friendly spirits who stopped by. You can see how these Samhain rituals easily morphed into our modern-day version of trick-or-treating in costume.

Nighttime bonfires were another of the long-standing Samhain rituals - this one was thought to help combat the impending darkness of winter and the fearful chill that accompanied the idea of roaming spirits. Because the veil between living and dead is believed to be the thinnest on this night, Samhain is also a powerful night for divination and spellcasting by candlelight.

Usual Symbols of Samhain:

Ale or Mead

Pumpkins

Skulls

Besom or Broom

Beans

Cauldron

Bats

Keys

Squash

Pomegranate

Nuts

Apples and Cider

Bones

Herbs and Plants for Samhain:

Rosemary – Associated with remembrance and is needed during this season in taking time to honor the memories of our ancestors and other lost loved ones. Can be used in an incense blend and at ancestor altar

Fall Flowers – Includes flowers like marigolds and chrysanthemums. Are associated with protection and chrysanthemums come in handy with connecting to the spirit world

Apples (the fruit, branches and blossoms) – Is considered sacred to a lot of gods. A good apple harvest means that the gods have shown the community their favor. You can use apples in different rituals, especially divination

Pomegranates – Is associated with the realm of the underworld and helps with communication with the dead. It is also associated with fertility of the fall.

Squashes, Pumpkins and Gourds – Is associated with abundance and provides sustenance for your family when the fields become bare and covered in snow. Is linked to psychic awareness and development and protection.

Mugwort – Is associated with divination and dreaming. Using Mugwort baths or incenses in the rituals can focus on treating depression, especially with the seasons changing

Rowan Trees – The branches and berries are a way to keep evil spirits out of your house and are associated with good health. If you plant a tree near a grave, it will prevent the dead from rising.

Sage – Is associated with cleansing and grounding. Is a great incense to cleanse your home to bring in the new and out with the old

Hawthorn – Has been associated with the gateway between humans and the spirit world. Is also rumored to an area where you can see fairies.

Crystals for Samhain:

Amethyst – Aids in opening one’s third eye and is valuable to be able to see Samhain’s spirits around

Black Obsidian – Is great for grounding and protect from evil spirits. Can be used in scrying when speaking to deities and spirits of Samhain

Citrine – Is used to honor the sun. Aids in prosperity spells and carries joy

Black Tourmaline – Wards off unwanted spirits from your property and can be buried into the ground to protect from psychic attacks and spirit intrusion

Orange Calcite – Orange is a sacred color to Samhain. This stone is associated with one’s sacral chakra and can cleanse and align reproductive organs, sexuality and get creativity flowing

Bloodstone – Known to heal cardiovascular illness and disease. Can help with ancestry links and work

Spirit Quartz – Is great in helping communicate with the spirits of Samhain and releasing old and toxic habits

Lepidolite – Used to appease the fairies that roam during Samhain

Serpentine – Is associated with snakes and aids in remembering past lives. Loki seems to like this stone and may be great to use for him if you work with him during this season

Dragonstone – Dragons are guardians of the earth, spirits of place, and connect us to Mother Nature. Helps say goodbye to the old years and our old selves

Skull shaped Stones – Since skulls are symbols of Samhain, skull shaped stone can help with symbolism during this holiday. They represent the life-death-rebirth cycle, wisdom and our ancestors

Spells and Rituals:

A Samhain Tea (Apple and Hawthorn Berry)

1 apple, sliced

2 Tablespoon dried hawthorn berries (or 4 Tablespoons fresh)

1 cinnamon stick

A pinch of cloves

4 cups water

Honey, to taste (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a small stockpot.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.

Strain the plant material from the tea, then transfer the tea into two mugs.

Enjoy one for yourself, and leave the other on your table or front porch to nourish any wandering spirits who may pass while the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest.

A Pumpkin Spell for Prosperity

A pumpkin

Some paint

Go to the pumpkin patch (or local store) and select a pumpkin. Or let the pumpkin choose you.

Bring it home and paint prosperity symbols on it – money signs, runes for prosperity or harvest glyphs (whatever means prosperity to you).

Then place by your front door to invite prosperous vibes into your home this Samhain season.

Bonfire Release Purification Spell

Paper

Pen

Source of fire (bonfire, fireplace, candle flame)

Gather your materials and sit by the fire.

Take a few minutes to just listen to the fire crackling.

Gaze into the flames and connect with this powerful element.

Next begin to think about what habit or person you are releasing this Samhain. Think about why you’re purifying your life from this thing or person.

Then write the habit or person down on the piece of paper.

Fold it away from you 3 times.

Hold it in your hands and allow all of the negative thoughts and energies inside of you to “drain” out of you and into the paper.

Then throw it in the fire and say,

“After this Samhain, never again. Never again. I release _________ from my life by the power of the Samhain fire. So, mote it be.”

How to Make a Samhain Altar

Beautiful autumn leaves or flowers that you collect on a nature walk

A candle

A mugwort bundle

A string of rowan beads

A bowl of apples or a small pumpkin

A hawthorn wand or bowl of freshly picked hawthorn berries

A picture of your ancestors

To make an altar, first find a corner of your home or a table surface where you can arrange a few treasures. You don’t need a ton of space. You could use the top of a dresser, the corner of your desk, an unused side table, etc. 

After you’ve assembled your altar, spend some time sitting quietly in the space. Light the candle and/or mugwort wand, sip on a cup of Apple & Hawthorn Berry Tea and meditate on this energetically powerful day. 

I could find specific written instructions for a crystal grid but I found a video!

Crystal Grid for Samhain

Let's get ready for Samhain and have a great and safe time!

[achaotichuman]

Acotar Rant

I actually think Elain being selfish and manipulative is a very interesting character flaw for her. It clashes with what she tries to project which is an image of perfection, loveliness and kindness.

Thing is, she isn't inherently kind. She isn't merciful or innocent. She killed a man with zero hesitation. We have no idea how she even got across the fucking battlefield, you don't think she struggled to get there??? She purposefully set out to murder a man and it didn't so much as affect her later from what we can see. She doesn't show mercy.

When people talk about Elain killing Hybern, no one ever brings up how fucking out of character that would be for her in their version of her. Just, so many people are like "Elain should get credit tooo!!!!" and then their version of Elain is the perfect, kind flower girl who can do no wrong. Like, no, if you want her to get credit you have to acknowledge that was pretty cold-blooded, and its perfectly in character for canon.

Consider how Feyre reacted to killing Hybern soldiers in Summer. She vomited her guts up and felt guilt even though they were the enemy. Elain doesn't so much as bat an eyelash.

She is selfish. Compare her actions to Nesta's throughout the entirety of ACOWAR, Nesta is out there trying to help purely out of the kindness of her heart, and Elain fucks off, because she doesn't want to.

She lets everyone baby her, she packs Nesta's things and doesn't utter a single word when the IC locks her up, even though Nesta would have taken a knife to Rhysand's throat if he dared do the same to Elain.

And its not that she feels threatened by the IC, and this evident for when she cries and says 'Nesta isn't trying' and allows herself to their manipulative device to force Nesta into scrying.

Elain is not stupid, that's quite obvious. She's shown herself to be observant and intelligent, so I doubt she was unaware of the NC using her. She knew, and she actively allows it.

I use the wording 'she lets', because I think for Elain. Instead of having the same rhetoric of her being a defenseless child who cannot think for herself, she actively has to work against bad habits and built in tendencies.

She clearly WANTS to express an image of perfection and kindness, even though her natural inclination seems to skew to the negative.

To have a perfect character is to not have a character at all. There's no growth or journey, and for Elain, she'll always side with the person that's most likely to give her the outcome she wants the most.

She wants to be left alone? She lets the IC baby her.

She wants nothing to do with Lucien? She sticks by Feyre (who routinely sees her and Azriel as a better couple.)

Now I don't think she is a mastermind or actively working for an evil cause, I just think she is naturally drawn to selfish desires even at the expense of others.

And this would make her so so interesting. She's not perfect, the projection of her image is by design, it's not the 'real' Elain, she's a bit shitty. It makes her more *human*, it makes her less of a cardboard cut out. Now we have actually have a path of growth laid out. It involves deciding between continuing down a line of chasing fleeting happiness and materialistic desires drawn out but the former future she had promised as a human, or actively working towards being the person she truly aspires to be. That truly kind and gentle soul.

Elain has a very empty character, and I will tell you that it was a choice to make her like that. It makes her so much easier for SJM to write, because she is malleable, SJM can turn her into anything she pleases later on. So, my arguing that Elain is inherently selfish is mute because despite the actual actions of Elain's character, SJM will not reflect on them as foreshadowing, Elain is like this because making her do anything of value would deprive SJM of her writing freedom while writing her. Because she would actually have to stick to whats already been set up, even a little.

What I actually think will happen, is Elain will be Rhysand 2.0

She'll do things that are inherently bad, but get away with them because 'shes perfect and can do no wrong.' Thats how SJM writes, and she'll either make Lucien a shitty person along with it, or make Lucien Elain's bitch who will simply become an empty character to slap beside Elain.

Anyway, regardless of potential, Elain will be like the rest of the lot. She has to be to fit in with SJM's brand.

This is not an incredibly deep dive into my thoughts on Elain. I have a lot more, but this is a pretty good generalization of them all. If SJM is not a coward, she will make Elain selfish and have her recognize that.

She lets everyone baby her

I would also like to reinforce, I use the word 'lets' here because Elain does not fight against the constant infantalisation even though it's clear as day, because she wants the image of being perfect. And I can go on and on about how thats probably the result of her childhood and being the middle sibling often comes with trying to get the attention of your parental figure when usually it will be cast on the eldest and youngest. But y'all ask if you want that deep dive.

Kaaaaaay bye

[kelliealtogether]

So I can't get enough of the fanart of Adam with a beard that @try-set-me-on-fire has been blessing us with, and I wrote a little something inspired by this art of theirs because we love a beardy, unkempt, mysterious Adam Parrish.

Adam Parrish never anticipated growing a beard would itch.

Before averting the end of the world, he always shaved before his facial hair made it past the stage of stubble. Unlike Gansey, Adam had the capacity to grow something other than a scraggly tuft on his chin, but — as evidenced by Ronan when he lowered himself to show up for classes prior to dropping out — scruff took the dignity of the Aglionby uniform down a peg. Dignity being an aspect of the school uniform he needed most, Adam lathered up every morning with dollar store shaving cream and used a dollar store razor to clear his jaw, cheeks, upper lip, and chin of the faint blond fuzz that appeared overnight. It was the last step of the perfunctory routine he’d crafted to get ready with minimal effort and time, a step that often left his face dotted with bloody bits of toilet paper, the quantity driven by how much sleep he’d stolen the night before.

That routine followed him to Harvard, moving from his tiny, antiquated bathroom in his apartment above St. Agnes to a shared dormitory bathroom, where it stuck around until Adam returned to campus after a two week leave of absence because reacclimating his soul with his body was a lot more difficult than he initially planned. 

Not to mention with Ronan back from the sweetmetal sea, and with every ley line everywhere awake, Adam wasn't exactly rushing to return to classes.

But when he did, the Adam Parrish who returned to Harvard wasn't the same Adam Parrish who had left campus one evening to scry and find his boyfriend. The Adam Parrish who returned to Cambridge for his final semester in the Ivy League aligned closer with the Adam Parrish he'd been the past summer at the Barns. An Adam Parrish who didn't have to perform, not because it didn't matter, and not because he didn't care, but because he didn't want to. He didn't have to. The past few weeks had given him some perspective on what really mattered, on the fragility of not just his own body and mind, but the whole world, and as soon as he admitted that he didn't want to stay at Harvard and that he didn't want to keep acting like a cut-rate Gansey, he reached a level he'd learned about in his first semester psychology class but never personally experienced. 

The morning he returned to campus, Adam put the picture-perfect student who looked like he belonged on brick-paved walkways and around stacks of leatherbound library books on a shelf behind his closet door. He donned flannel instead of tweed. Jeans instead of slacks. He shoved his feet in old, scuffed sneakers instead of pristinely polished secondhand brogues, and he wore an old oversized Harvard sweatshirt Blue had found him in a thrift store after he’d gotten his acceptance letter instead of plain, drab sweaters Adam bought because he thought they looked academic. 

In the end, he returned to wearing all the clothes he’d initially left behind at the Barns when he’d driven away in August because they didn’t match who he’d wanted to become at Harvard. 

He’d really been such a fool not all that long ago. 

Without cuffed sleeves and cuffed hems, he became almost unrecognizable. Unimpressive. Unremarkable. The dorm proctor stopped him and asked him who had signed him in as a guest before realizing she was talking to Adam. Professors did a double take when he stopped by during office hours to turn in make-up assignments. Classmates who always asked him to study with them hardly looked his way. Just a change in wardrobe alone — from classic to comfort — stripped away so much of the false front he’d put up for months, enough that the Crying Club didn't notice him waiting for them when he asked them to meet him in Thayer's basement so he could provide an explanation and attempt an apology.

Then Adam’s already-perfunctory morning routine became impossibly more perfunctory when, first, he ran out of the styling paste he used to wrangle his self-cut hair into something presentable, and then — a few days later — ran out of shaving cream. 

Unless he looked closely at himself in the mirror — steam swiped away to make a lopsided circle large enough for his shower-pinked face — Adam couldn’t tell he hadn’t shaven. In the thin, sickly gray of the bathroom, he had to tilt his head one way and lift his chin before the coarse, fair hair on his jaw caught a little bit of light. Straight on, he looked the same as he always had: feather boned, gaunt cheeked, thin lipped, wary eyed. 

Except those wary eyes had recently lost their dark circles. 

That first morning, Adam told himself he’d stop by a drugstore and pick up more shaving cream, but he didn’t. And he didn’t the next day. And he didn’t the next day either. By the fourth morning, he finally began looking slightly scruffy. Or maybe slightly rugged. Nothing like Ronan — who grew a five o’clock shadow by noon — but when Adam ran his hand across his jaw, rough hairs scraped his palm, and he didn’t have to move his head a certain way to see the stubble on his face. A distinct coating of fair hair covered most of the bottom half of his face, a subtle shadow Adam didn’t totally hate, and if he left it alone, he’d save himself five to ten minutes every morning. 

So he left it alone. 

But then it started itching. 

“The fuck is that sound?” Ronan asked during one of their nightly phone calls. 

While Adam sat on his bed in his Harvard dorm, Ronan sat in a hotel room somewhere in the Great Smoky Mountains, priming to track down a dreamer he’d been encountering in dreamspace the past few days. In an effort to help, Adam had flipped some tarot cards onto his comforter, and while figuring out their meaning, he’d started absently scratching his jaw right by where he held his phone to his right ear. 

“What?” Adam replied, hearing Ronan’s question but not picking up its meaning, too absorbed in figuring out how Temperance fit into any kind of reading involving Ronan. 

“That sound,” Ronan said. “It’s like I’m in a damn cabin in the woods and the monster of the week’s trying to get through the door.” 

Adam furrowed his eyebrows, still focused on the wispy figure pouring smoke-like water from one cup into another. “The monster of the…” Slowly, Ronan’s words sank in and Adam stilled his fingertips on his face before dropping his hand into his lap. “Oh.” 

“Oh?”

“I was scratching my face.” 

“Why? Do they have fleas at Harvard? Bed bugs? Magical mosquitos?” 

“No,” Adam said flatly. “I ran out of shaving cream and haven’t shaved in a few days and my — beard? I guess it’s a beard. My beard itches.” 

Silence stretched across the phone line for so long Adam checked to make sure the call hadn’t disconnected because Ronan’s phone died, but the time still ticked upward on the screen of his phone. He’d simply rendered Ronan speechless for a few moments because he hadn’t picked up a razor in a week. 

“You have a beard,” Ronan said when he finally got his wits back about him. 

“It’s not really a—” 

“Don’t tell me it’s like that little soul patch thing Dick tries to grow everytime he has ideas about being manly.” 

Laughing dryly, Adam gave up on interpreting Temperance and laid back on his bed, rubbing his hand over his cheek to ease the itch instead of scratching as he replied, “It’s not like that. But it’s not a beard beard. I said it’s only been a few days.” 

“Send me a picture.” 

“I’m not sending a picture.” 

“Because it’s coming in uneven. I bet you look mangy.” 

“I do not look mangy.” 

“I bet you do. That’s why you won’t send me a picture.” 

“I do not look mangy,” Adam repeated. “Jesus, Ronan. If I send you one, will you quit saying that?” 

“I make no promises, Parrish.” 

A half hour later, after they finished their call, Adam did take a photo of himself. Mostly because when he sent a rare selfie to Ronan, Ronan sent one back, even if it was only one side of his face or a close up of an eye. And because it was for Ronan, Adam put a little effort into the photo, shifting his head on his navy pillowcase until he found a good angle and smiled a little when he hit the shutter button. He looked at the photo briefly before he sent it to Ronan, and it surprised him that his facial hair wasn’t growing unevenly at all. One spot near his left ear was a little thinner than everywhere else, but his facial hair was an otherwise perfectly even layer half a shade lighter than the hair on his head.

Yet this did not stop Ronan from sending Adam a picture of a mangy dog instead of a selfie, followed by a single-worded message moments later. 

Shave. 

Usually, Adam left contrariness to Ronan, who had perfected the art of antagonism a long, long time ago. But something about the single-word reply irked Adam. It came across as a directive, an order, even though Ronan would never mean it that way, and it tightened Adam’s jaw, making it ache as well as itch. He closed out of the message and willfully ignored it the rest of the night and into the following morning, when he found himself in Walgreens to pick up a new tube of toothpaste. 

On his way through the store to the register, Adam didn’t avoid the shaving aisle and instead paused in front of the cans of shaving cream for a long minute. He stared down the red, white, and blue cans of Barbasol, and leered at the far fancier cream-and-navy Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel. 

Shave. 

It seemed like only yesterday they’d made up in the sweetmetal sea, where the two of them had intertwined and recounted their rights and wrongs, made their admissions and their apologies. And Adam wasn’t mad at Ronan. A year or two ago, he would have been, and receiving a photo of a scabby, patchy-haired dog would have sent them straight into a fight. Now, Adam well understood it was Ronan being Ronan, which meant he was being a dick despite the fact he loved Adam. So Adam wasn’t mad, but he was a little peeved. 

Just peeved enough to be petty. 

He turned away from the myriad shaving creams and shaving balms and aftershaves and headed to the front of the store to buy his single tube of toothpaste. Then he walked back to campus, let himself into his dorm, and — wastefully — threw away the last of his razors. 

The next few weeks, neither of them brought up the beard thing. Once, Ronan asked if Adam got shaving cream and Adam indirectly answered that he’d gone to the drugstore. However Ronan interpreted that was up to him, but he didn’t ask about it again, leaving Adam to assume he’d interpreted the response as a positive toward Team Shave. They exchanged photos but no selfies, simply snapshots of tangled roots obstructing a ley line or reawakened Rockefeller beetles crossing Harvard Square in a tidy single-file. And when they talked, Adam did everything he could to keep his hands away from his face, even going so far as sitting on his hands after putting Ronan on speaker. 

Finally, in the fourth week of not shaving, the itching waned, and when Adam looked in the mirror, the hair on his face had definitively turned into a beard. Thick, blond hair covered his jawline and chin and it crept toward his cheeks and down his neck. A full mustache crossed his upper lip, and the space between his bottom lip and chin had filled in almost completely without bare spots beneath the corners of his lips he’d seen on other men. All together, it served to make him look far older than nineteen. Wiser. A little mysterious. Rough and rugged and a little unkempt — something he’d never been before — like he’d been put through the wringer. 

In a lot of ways, he had. 

And the worst — but probably easiest and most bearable — wringer was yet to come, because as spring break loomed ever closer, Ronan reminded Adam of the plans they’d made long before Adam had returned to Cambridge. “You’re still coming to the Barns, right?” 

“Yeah,” Adam told him. It wouldn’t be like last summer, when the Lynch family farm had been paradise for Adam and Ronan. Mór Ó Corra and the New Fenian would probably be there if Ronan didn’t force them out of the place for a few days — for entirely selfish reasons, Adam hoped he would — but Adam would never turn down the chance to go back to the Barns. To go home, though that location constantly changed depending on where Ronan was any given day. “My last midterm is Thursday and I’ll ride down Friday.”

“You’re taking the bike instead of the shitbox? Are you gonna return the favor?” 

“I’m planning on it.” 

Adam could hear the devil of Ronan’s smirk when he said, “Good.” 

Midterms raced by despite long nights, long papers, and long exams, and Adam cleanly survived them. He even thought about leaving for the Barns on Thursday night until he remembered his journey back from Virginia on his dreamt motorcycle. Exhaustion on that ride had done him no favors despite having a lot to think about, and he’d rather get to the Barns in one piece than be scraped off the road somewhere in New Jersey. Catching up on sleep could wait until the Barns though, and Friday he woke with the sun so his wheels hit the road before rush hour, his new facial hair adding some padding and warmth beneath his helmet that hadn’t been there before. 

Nine hours later, when he turned up the Barns’ rutted driveway, Adam knew he’d find Ronan waiting for him on the farmhouse’s front porch. Probably leaning against the same pillar he’d leaned against the night of his birthday when Adam joined him outside and they’d kissed for the second time. Thoughts of that night, of getting his hands on Ronan again, of kissing him again carried Adam down the driveway, and when the woods opened up into the rolling fields of the farm, the first thing Adam saw was Ronan, a dark silhouette against the whitewashed house, leaning against the exact same pillar. 

Only the BMW occupied the gravel parking area in front of the house — Mór Ó Corra and the New Fenian presumably made to temporarily flee — and as Adam nuzzled his motorcycle next to Ronan’s recovered car, Ronan started his slow descent from the porch. 

The reckoning came as Adam slowly unbuckled the strap beneath his chin and lifted his helmet from his head, and he hadn’t fully freed himself of it when the crunch of gravel beneath Ronan’s boots stopped and Ronan said, “You shitbag. You said you got shaving cream.” 

“I said,” Adam started, pulling his helmet all the way off and setting it on the motorcycle’s seat before he looked at Ronan, “that I went to Walgreens.” 

Ten feet away, Ronan stood with his arms crossed over the front of his black zip-up hoodie, his pale blue eyes narrowed to slits as he looked at Adam. He looked no more indignant than normal with his lips pressed together in a thin line and the fingers of both hands curled into the sleeves of his sweatshirt, but for a long minute, he just looked, and Adam looked back. He wanted to close that ten feet between them — badly — and throw his arms around Ronan, get him close again, but Adam had lobbed the ball over the net by not picking up a razor in six weeks. It was Ronan’s turn to volley. 

And volley Ronan did. 

Throwing his arms down at his sides, he stalked across the gravel left between them and instead of pulling Adam into a hug, he took hold of Adam’s cheeks. “What the fuck, Parrish?” he growled, thumbs beginning to brush over Adam’s beard, from his cheeks down to his jaw, over and over again. 

For the first time in his life, Adam understood why cats and dogs liked being pet. All the tension from nine hours on a bike melted from his muscles as Ronan’s thumbs skimmed across his beard, and Adam almost closed his eyes and sighed. He didn’t, because he wanted to watch Ronan as his gaze traveled over Adam’s face, assessing his sideburns and mustache and neck line. Finally, Adam replied, “I thought it’d be funny. You pissed me off. With shave.” 

“You asshole,” Ronan said, thumbs stopping but still holding onto Adam’s face. “I didn’t mean it.” 

“I know.” Adam had always known. Things weren’t like that between them, except for when Ronan wanted them to be. “Do you like it?” 

“Yeah,” Ronan replied, nodding as a slow smile crept across his lips. “Yeah, I think I do.” 

“It’s not mangy.” 

Ronan laughed loud enough it echoed off the farmhouse and startled Chainsaw — perched on the porch railing — into flight, and as she soared circles overhead, Adam and Ronan wrapped their arms around one another and pulled each other close. 

“No, it’s not mangy, Parrish,” Ronan said, and just before he put his lips to Adams, he added, “It’s a damn nice beard.” 

[magical-girl-coral]

Good Guy Porter AU (AKA @wh1teegretorchid and I jokingly starting a prompt together at discord only for it to get wildly out of control.)

*Instead of being raised in the Cliffbreaker clan, Porter's father stole him away while he was still a baby to live in Bastion city where the stench of the city could cover their tracks. Thanks to the spy tongue curse, Porter's father couldn't tell his son why he ran away from home or why they can't connect with their family. All he could tell him was to stay in Bastion City no matter what.

*It stayed that way until Porter's father was diagnosed with lung cancer from the toxic air of the city. He joked in his last days that if he knew this is how he would die, he would picked up a pack to enjoy the ride. He died six months after starting his cancer treatment.

*Traumatized from his father's dead and pissed at the city for taking away his only family, Porter buried him as close to the Elmville as possible before moving their permanently. He bought a nice house in Tillering with what his father gave him in the will and became a health nut as a trauma response.

*This Porter is a redemption paladin in the honor of his father, who always believed in second chances, especially after escaping the Cliffbreaker cult.

*He starts working at Aguefort a week after settling down at his new home. He meets Jace Stardiamond at a teacher's night out during a weekend and they immediately entered a situationship.

*This Porter didn't meet Kipperlilly until near the end of her freshmen year. He found a day after the prompocalypse, punching a tree out of jealousy of Riz's success as a tragic rogue and frustration of doing everything by the book but getting no rewards for it. He suggests to her to multiclass into barbarian so she'd have a healthy outlet for her rage under watch of an adult. She reluctantly agreed when Jawbone said it was a good idea.

*While training with Porter after class, he starts suggesting her to go on adventures rather than killing pests in the school backyard behind the school's back, teaching her to break rules that hold her back. The High Five Heroes become actual accomplished adventurers on their own and Kipperlilly's need for validation from strangers weakens after bonding with her team and bonding with Porter.

*Shits goes sideways after the High Five Heroes return from their spring break. Lucy starts to get distant from everyone else, backing out of team bonding activities and failing her cleric classes. She gets more snippy and abrasive, causing concern about her friends and family. On the day her loved ones gathered for an intervention, Lucy goes missing.

*One the same day Lucy is declared dead from a scrying spell, the world delves into darkness for six months thanks to Riz. A voice in the back of Kipperlilly's head points out how convenient was for Lucy's killers that the Night Yorb was released on the day the town found out she was gone. Her hatred towards the Bad Kids come back with a vengeance.

More details under the cut.

*The party joins Porter's unofficial bootcamp to train so they could catch Lucy's killers. Oisin got buff, Ruben became emo, Ivy started dressing punk and they all maxed out their levels. They called it "the summer from hell."

*Porter and Jace were hit hard by Lucy's death too. Porter's developed a nasty temper and Jace was stressed out from trying to keep everyone in line. Porter's house became their HQ.

*Kipperlilly had already pretty much lived with Porter and Jace since her sophomore year thanks to a combo of found family and her parents being that neglectful. What was once a happy home turned into a horror movie where they're all trying to survive each other's grief.

*In the middle of summer when Gilear declared he plans on going on a trip with Hallerial, Jace is named the vice principal. He used his new found position to rewrite the party's achievements into just grinding rats in the Far Haven Woods so they'll be underestimated and whoever killed Lucy won't go after them. They renamed themselves the Rat Grinders to sell it, as much as it pained them.

*Ruben's song Get Mad in this world is a part of a five song demo album where he wrote a song for each stage of grief he suffered following Lucy's death. Get Mad was the anger stage and it became the song of the summer after a bunch of other teens related to it thanks to the lack of sun.

*Kipperlilly's campaign was written in Lucy's honor, calling out the school's irresponsibility with the students' livelihood and all the other injustices they've faced. In this timeline, Kristen does not call her four different dogs. Even she knows better here.

*Mary Ann joined the owl bears as a healthy outlet to the the stress caused Lucy's death and her teammates going fucking insane. She secretly burns through a rage every morning to stay stable.

*One of the plot ideas is that the bad kids get to be treated like NPCs for once, for better or for worse. Adaine's wizardry supplies get payed by Oisin along with the rest of the wizards to point out how insane it is that they have to buy it themselves. Kipperlilly hacks into the police data base to find possible suspects and releases Sklonda's final paycheck since she was already there. Gorgug and Fig aren't being personally groomed by Porter so they have an easier time with their classes. Kristen didn't lose Cassandra in this world and Fabian gets a new maid who's a "friend" of Cathilda's to look after him. He wonders what that speared sun tattoo on her shoulder means though.

*During the shrimp party at Fabian's, Oisin and Ivy's job was to drug up people at the party to loosen their tongues and gather more information was Kipperlilly was sneaking around at the police department. Oisin continued to hit his shots after meeting Adaine, but his aim was a lot shakier and he kept looking over his shoulder to see if someone is still there.

*When Fig disguised herself as Lucy and went away on her skateboard, the hair on Ivy's arms stood up. She iced out Fabian from the rest of his friends and once they were finally alone, she took out her knife form her boot and threatened to skewer him if he doesn't tell her what he knows about Lucy. Fabian confessed he thought they killed Lucy because their first quest involved a preppy girl selling out her blue skinned friend to get a position in the student body. A misunderstanding cleared but a mental breakdown on the horizon, Ivy and Oisin book it out of the party to relay all the information to the rest of their party.

*Buddy's introduction was planned by Porter with recommendations in the hopes of getting the party a cleric with a deity that's the exact opposite of Lucy's might make it easier on the Rat Grinders. Unfortunately, he has the same bright eyed and believing there's good in everyone attitude that Lucy had, so he only pours salt in the wound.

*Buddy is having the worst time. His new party was visibly on the brink and none of his words of advice are helping. Helio won't answer his prayers when he asks what's going on. His grandfather is breathing down on his neck and keeps insisting on converting the rest of the Rat Grinders even when Buddy respects their no. And why does everyone seems angrier lately?

And that's all for now because this post is getting heavy and my computer is gonna break soon. I have enough for a part two but only god knows when that will be written down.

[space-writes]

find the word

tagged by @oh-no-another-idea, thank you! my words are heart, under, lime, and summer. these are all from Awakened Witch.

[ID - a green and black decorative divider]

heart

The first time Leshanna had walked through the tall, gilded gates of the University, the sheer size of the place had rendered her speechless. Cradled in the very heart of Cyvanil like an enchanted pearl, every building was soaked in magic, the grand towers and walkway bridges and myriad courtyards the product of decades of intertwining of architecture and magic. Learning to navigate the place had been a course of study all its own, one which—like most of the others she’d enrolled in—she’d never managed to master.

under

Grisaille ran the exposed bone of her fingertips around the edge of the scrying bowl, then charted a path across it. Ripples spread, and a new vision appeared within its red depths: a wide expanse of dark sand beneath a clouded night sky. Undisturbed. Quiet. “They never found a way to eradicate you,” she whispered, as the vision followed her will and settled over a swathe of sand identical to any other in the whole of the Howling Desert. “Only to keep you buried as you were the first time. Sweeping problems under the rug.” She traced the vision of the sand, a faint smile tugging her thin lips. “We shall have to burn the rug, I think.”

lime

Large as Zhirasea was, Sorrow had come to know one particular street very well indeed, and could have found it by smell alone. New scents whose names he’d learned were saffron and cinnamon, cardamon and tumeric; rose water and dried lime. Grilling meat and vendors cries, flatbread and round bread and rice and all of it for sale hot and fresh and ready for empty hands and hungry stomachs. It had a real name, of course, but the locals called it something he couldn’t quite pronounce, but that translated—according to the Wraith, whose Infernal he didn’t entirely trust—to ‘Salivating Street’. Given the reaction Sorrow’s tongue had to the place, it seemed apt.

summer → winter

winter is the only season i have in this book so far, since that’s when it’s set rn

Hounhol wasn’t where she’d imagined herself ending up, but it was pleasant enough, particularly now that winter had brought the temperature down to something far more acceptable. Not that the others agreed—the moment the first sprays of frost had appeared, Aliyne had gone straight to the nearest enchanter and thrown yet more of Cidra’s hoard on a collection of heating charms, which now hung throughout the house everywhere except Leshanna’s room.

[ID - a green and black decorative divider]

no-pressure tagging @aalinaaaaaa @eccaiia @winterandwords and @asterhaze with the words hold, barrel, lock and heat.

Valloroth taglist: @cherrybombfangirlwrites @reininginthefirewriting @memento-morri-writes @foxboyclit @lawful-evil-novelist

@at-thezenith @morganwriteblr @fayeiswriting @serenanymph

@sam-glade @viscerawrites @thegreatobsesso @flower-reads @the-inkwell-variable (ask to be +/-)

[thedeathwitchescats]

daily offerings I want to add into my practice

First up is deities I actively work with and worship heavily

Hades

Tarot pulls

Working on my death alter

Cleaning ((offering both to him and the spirits))

Lighting his candle ((maybe not daily but more regularly than I do right now))

Meditation

Keeping good finances ((once I score a steady job going every day will be devotional time to him as well))

Wearing his necklace or other devotional jewerly

Persephone

Spring and summer

Keeping my room tidy

Keeping my [her] plants alive

Fall and winter

Tarot pulls ((I need to get her a deck))

Moving my meditation with hades outside to honor her as well

Aphrodite

Daily showers

Listening to self love subliminals

Eating fruit

Lighting her candle for skin care ((as well as doing regular skin care))

Daily self cleansing ((even if it is just intentional showering some days))

Remembering to eat every day

Ares

Shadow work ((targeted at anger))

Calming exercises

Deep breathing

Remembering to vent my feelings when they get too big ((even if it is just to his candle))

Dionysus

Sadly I am not able to be medicated ((mental health spooky shit)) yet but that is going to be a devotional act for him once it happens. Currently tho:

Tracking my sh recovery journey

I am going to work on a playlist for him but listening to it will be a daily devotional act ((even just a few songs))

Not daily but regularly watching musical cartoons

Also not daily ((dionysus is very chill in my practice so I dont often work with him every day in large capacities)) but working with and making spell oils

Lady Morrigan

I know some people worship the morrigan as three separate entities but often she presents herself to be as one sole entity ((often as the aspect titled Badb)) so I just refer to her as "Lady Morrigan")) however you work with/worship her is totally valid

Study celtic mythology

Scrying work

Daily coffee with her

Asking for her advice with decisions I know I shouldnt make on my own

Lilith

Shadow work ((general digging into my inner self))

Self love practices ((taking daily time for myself, also considering starting yoga again as a devotional act for her))

Lighting her candle while i get ready ((I wanna do this with a couple people for different reasons but for her specifically I want to devote the time I get dressed to her))

Moon cycle calendar

Queen Maeve

Tend to the plants

Making an alter to the fae is going to be a big devotional act for her as it is gonna be my first outdoor alter

Reading mythology with her

Practicing traditional magic

Now for guides and deities I worship casually

Lady Asteria

I want to start a dream journal dedicated to her

Sleep meditation

Lady Freya

Taking care of my kitten

Caring for my personal relationships

Cerridwen

Writing poetry for her

Working on my stories

Asmodeus

Boundary work ((this was why he first appeared into my space, what him and I worked on most while I worked with him, and it is what he helps with now that he took a step back))

Knowing when to quit some things

Lucifer

Shadow work ((when I devote the shadow work to Lilith he usually pops in too))

[thewitcheslibrary]

Elements of energy work

Earth-

It signifies stability, material items, and finances, and it regulates tangible objects such as our bodies, homes, cars, personal belongings, and sense of touch.

Earth traits include groundedness, manifestation, resourcefulness, safety, growth and growing things, health, financial issues, solidity, and a connection to nature and the world around us.

Altar tools to represent-

herbs

ceramics

pentacle

Tarot representation-

pentacles

Time-

midnight

winter

Plants and herbs-

Dark dry woody roots,

ground veg,

grains

Crystals-

Hematite

smokey quartz

jasper

black tourmaline

Tigers eye

petrified wood

Agate

jet

Planets and zodiacs associated with-

Saturn

venus

Taurus

capricorn

virgo

Magick uses-

Prosperity

manifesting

grounding

abundance

health

Protection

herbalism

elementals/fae (not recommended to work with unless you know what you're doing)

Kitchen magick

Geomancy

runes

Bone divination

Air-

Air signifies communication, intellect, and everything related to the mind, including imagination, thoughts, memories, and knowledge. Air regulates gaseous stuff, including the atmosphere, winds, weather, and the sense of smell.

Air attributes include our inner dialect of thoughts, the interchange of ideas in interpersonal communication, and the clarity with which we communicate.

Altar tools for air-

Athame

smoke

bells

feathers

tarot for air-

swords

Crystals to represent air-

Clear quartz

labradorite

flourite

calcite

selenite

kyanite

Iolite

apophyllite

Time associated with air-

Spring time

dawn

Plants and herbs-

anything warm and moist

anything with aerials

Planets and Zodiac signs-

Mercury

Uranus

Gemini

Libra

Aquarius

Magick uses-

Astrology

divination

Astral travel

communication

purification

focus

travel

visualisation

channeling

breathwork

smoking (smoke cleansing)

Fire-

Fire symbolises activity, creativity, passion, and vigour. It oversees physical energy and everything associated to it, including heat, light, electricity, motion, sight, and energetic impulses.

Leadership, personal power, will, adventure, inspiration, and the ability to complete tasks are all examples of fire attributes. The element of fire promotes ambition and brilliance.

Altar tools-

dagger/athame

candles

tarot associations-

wands

crystal associations-

Lava rock

citrine

bloodstone

fire opal

ruby

fire agate

carnelian

sunstone

obsidian

garnet

time-

midday

summer

Plants and herbs-

anything hot

thorny

stingy

stimulating

Planets and zodiacs-

mars

sun

jupiter

Aries

leo

Sagittarius

Magick uses-

transformation

will

power/force

masculinity

energy building

evocation

protection

strength

creativity

sex magick

water-

Water symbolises our emotional nature, intuition, fertility, and sense of taste. It is also tied to our relationships and interactions with others. Water regulates all liquid stuff and everything connected to bodies of water.

Water attributes include emotional equilibrium, empathy, gut instincts, and psychic skills.

Altar tools-

shells

chalice

mirrors

tarot-

cups

time-

dusk

autumn

Plants and herbs-

anything cooling

anything moist

any plants you find growing near water

Crystals-

moonstone

turquoise

rose quartz

chalcedony

amazonite

aquamarine

lapis lazuli

kunzite

Planets and zodiac-

moon

neptune

pluto

cancer

Scorpio

Pisces

Magick uses:

mediumship

hydromancy

water scrying

relationships

femininity

healing

lunar magic

dream work

subconscious

tea ceremonies

love

alchemy

Spirit-

Because spirit is not tangible, its correspondences differ from those of the physical components. Planets, tools, and other objects may be associated with it by various systems, although these associations are significantly less standardised than those of the other four elements. The element of spirit has various names. The most popular are spirit, ether or aether, and quintessence, which is Latin for "fifth element."

There is no universal symbol for spirit, however circles are prevalent. Eight-spoked wheels and spirals are also used to symbolise spirit. Spirit connects the physical and spiritual realms. In cosmological conceptions, the spirit is the intermediary substance between the physical and heavenly realms. Within the microcosm, the spirit serves as the link between the body and the soul.

Invoke your god or goddess. This can be accomplished by looking into their correspondences and making sacrifices or burning suitable incense, for example. If you discover a chant you enjoy, you may utilise it as well, or focus on this god, welcoming the message they wish to convey to you.

Practice divination! This is one of the most effective techniques to connect with the spiritual dimension. It allows you to bypass your conscious mind, which sometimes prevents us from receiving subconscious instructions. Whether you use tarot, a pendulum, or runes, calling on spirit or a specific god can help you connect with this element while performing divination.

Keep a dream notebook. We frequently receive messages in our sleep that we quickly forget unless we write them down. When we sleep, our conscious mind is not functioning, leaving us more receptive to receiving messages from Spirit. To interpret the dreams, become familiar with common symbolism and interpret them instinctively.

Draw, paint, or colour a mandala. This is a style of meditation derived from the Buddhist and Hindu practices of Tantra. Mandalas became popular in the New Age movement after Carl Jung presented them as a tool to examine the subconscious, and they can now be found almost anywhere, including adult colouring books.

[punderdome]

Infernal Jurisprudence: Chapter 8

Summary: Raphael receives a translation request.

[AO3]

Chapter 8: The Forge

Heat radiated off of the great forge in the Underdark.  Raphael found it pleasant enough.  Avernus could be significantly more punishing in climate, but the Grymforge was pleasantly warm like a vacation spent under a delightfully punishing sun.  Given a comfortable set of lounge furniture and a cool glass of virgin blood, Raphael imagined a full day of relaxation in the cavern. It was a pleasant atmosphere indeed with the heat of magma and the familiar smell of sulfur in the air.  The glowing caverns below were crawling with hidden beasts well adapted to the heat.  Raphael watched their camp with interest through his scrying mirror.

Tavara and her companions had set up camp on a rocky ledge as far from the boiling rocks and sulfur fumes below as they could locate.  Raphael’s prized investments seemed to be wearing down due to punishing temperature.  Their morning training sessions became sluggish and no amount of water seemed to perk any of them out of their malaise.

The Little Mouse had taken to using her excess magic on their ewers of water, trying to cool them down enough to be satisfying.  All of the adventurers savagely consumed the water supplies as soon as they were cool.  The white dog and Owlbear were panting, and the druid tried his best to shield them from the climate.  Tavara cooled down another ewer of water that was cold enough to still have chunks of ice floating on the surface as it was served.

“Soldier, you’re a lifesaver,” the burning Tiefling panted.  “I didn’t think I could get any hotter, but every day we spend over the lava pits makes me worry my tent is going to burn down.”

The Gith had dressed down to just her leather harness.  “In Creche Kliir we train in all manners of climate.”  Despite the Gith’s claims that she was unaffected by the heat from the forge below, she was avoiding using the grindstone to hone the edge of her blade as she typically did in the evenings, choosing instead to polish and wipe the surface of her armor clean.  “The sweat serves to purify the body and the heat prepares it for other activities.”  

“I’m all pent up, and even I don’t think I could handle a romp in the bedroll right now,” the Tiefling responded.

“A bit of rest and acclimating will do all of us wonders before we go to the surface to explore the forge,” the wizard piped in unnecessarily.  “There’s nothing like a good rest out of doors on a hot summer’s day to cleanse the spirit.”

“I wish it didn’t come at the expense of my sleep,” the Sharran was trying to fix her black braid, which was completely limp and matted with sweat and grime.  “Are you sure we can’t return to the Duegar camp?  At least the Lady’s stonework was significantly cooler,” she whined, continuing to plait her limp black tresses.

Tavara, for the most part, seemed unaffected by the atmosphere.  Raphael could see her magic flicker almost imperceptibly with frost on her scales before it was immediately melted.

“If we rest well tonight, we can unlock the secrets of the Forge tomorrow and find our way to somewhere more pleasant,” she assured the group of companions as they sat around an unlit fire pit.

“Are we finally continuing to the creche?” the Gith inquired with a definite lack of patience.  “You promised me that we would seek my people for a cure.”

Tavara looked at her pensively and took a long pause before answering.  “After we find the secrets of the forge, I promise you that we’ll seek your people at the creche.”  There was a slight flicker of uncertainty in his Little Mouse’s voice, given they were so close to the Shadowcursed Lands.  Raphael needed her to seek the creche and the Githyanki.  The Forge would provide them protection they needed for an inevitable fight with the Githyanki.  Raphael needed the Gith knight seeking rebellion needed to nurture the seeds of doubt in the Lich Queen with Tavara’s companion.  

“This heat is absolutely murder on my complexion.  My skin is so dry, and all my blood supplies are much too viscous,” The vampling whined.  Not receiving the sympathy he was seeking, the vampire spawn groaned sarcastically before retreating towards his tent for the night’s rest.  “Although I am sleeping warmly for the first time in a few centuries,” he muttered sarcastically.

“Pleasant dreams, Astarion,” the Sharran taunted.  Within an hour, all of Raphael’s investments had sought their tents for a restless night of sleep in the hot air.  Raphael placed his scrying mirror down and left them to their rest.

There was a prickle on the back of his neck, and Raphael could sense a mortal summoning him to Grymforge.  He rose from his desk in the Devil’s den, snapped in a flurry of embers, and arrived at a dark and isolated part of Tavara’s camp.  The Little Mouse and the rest of her companions were trying to sleep in the sweltering heat, though there was one cold undead waiting for him in the soft orange glow.

“Well, well, the vampling cries my name and summons me to the Mortal plane.”  Raphael grinned and stalked comfortably forward, unbothered by the swelter.

The vampire spawn tried to carry an air of bravado but quickly lost all nerve.  “I require a favor from you, devil,” the vampling started.

“A favor?  A boon?”  Raphael jeered.  “If you seek charity, you might find it in better supply at a temple of a lesser god.”

“I-” the vampling’s voice broke deliciously as Raphael prowled around him in large circles.  He tried to maintain his composure and spoke again.  “I want to make a deal.”

Raphael cocked an eyebrow, immediately searching for what trade might be on offer.  “What is it that you seek?” he inquired coldly.

“I have scars- old ones -written in Infernal,” the vampling’s fluster was readily apparent.  “They’re a pact from my old Master.  I need to know what the terms are for the full contract.”

“What brings you to request my presence and translation when I am confident that a certain sorceress could translate them for you?” Raphael inquired curiously.  Why was the vampling seeking out the Hells when the Little Mouse surely wouldn’t have asked for anything in return?

“I need a full translation, word for word.  One that isn’t going to omit the details.”

Curious.  Raphael had not suspected duplicity from his Little Mouse.  She tended to be fair in her dealings and overly honest with her companions.  Perhaps she had a manipulative streak that she was hiding behind her scales.

“Very well.  I will translate your scars, but I require a service from you in return.”  Raphael knew what he wanted, and the vampling was the perfect vessel to acquire the information he was seeking.  The scrying mirror could only do so much.

“What kind of service?” Raphael recognized the stench of desperation after so many centuries of negotiating contracts.  The vampling would inevitably agree, even if he found the terms distasteful.

“I seek information, and you will provide it to me,” Raphael grinned.  

“What is it that you want to know?” the vampling’s red eyes darted around nervously.

“I require secrets,” Raphael purred in a low voice, deliberately leaving the spawn on edge.

“Secrets?  What kinds of secrets?  I know so many I could tell you,” The spawn laughed nervously.  “ Gale made love to Mystra.  Lae’zel tried to sleep with Wyll.  Karlach touches herself each night and isn’t quiet about it.   Does that make you content?”

Raphael kept quiet.  The less he commented, the more unnerved the vampling became.  He waited patiently for the spawn to break, pacing slowly in front of the desperate vampling.  The vampling fidgeted with his hands.  It was time.

“I wish to know Tavara’s secrets.”

The vampling grew quiet.  Raphael cocked his head, patiently waiting for the spawn to respond.

“How many secrets?” the vampling finally asked, his mouth twitching quickly.

“One hundred.  I wish to know everything about her, and should you agree, I will translate your scars,” Raphael offered.  He wanted to know everything.  Every preference.  Every story from her past.  Every sin.

“Thirty,” the spawn countered.

“Seventy,” Raphael taunted.  “You know there are few on Prime Material who could provide you the same gift, the number being much smaller since you already rejected the first translation.”

“I could settle for fifty,” the vampling avoided Raphael’s gaze.  Raphael snapped and a contract scroll appeared in his hands.  A black quill appeared in his other hand.  He surveyed the creature in front of him.  The desperation within the spawn was thick and dripping.

“A simple contract.  I will translate your scars for fifty of Tavara’s secrets.”  Raphael held out the contract scroll and quill.

“Each secret is defined by a single piece of information that can be communicated in Common tongue using proper grammatical structure using no more than two Sending spells,” the spawn clarified, pointing for Raphael to write it into the document in Infernal.

Raphael let out a great, booming laugh.  The vampling had some law education.

“Then, I recommend you make each word count,” Raphael was savoring each part of the negotiation.  He amended the scroll with the additional definition.

“If I find anything particularly interesting, I want to negotiate the value of the information,” the vampling countered.

“What kinds of secrets do you find particularly interesting?” Raphael probed, trying to ascertain how close the Little Mouse was to the vampling.

“I know how and to whom she lost her virginity,” the vampling asserted with a weak smile.  Raphael’s jaw clenched.  “I know things of that personal nature about her.  We’ve had so many deep discussions like those held between the best of friends.”  Raphael hesitated to move and reveal his hand.  He deeply wanted to know how many men before had bedded his consort.

“Very well, but should you overplay the value of your information, I will require interest on your contract and you will find yourself deeper in debt to me.”  Raphael snapped and the modifications appeared on the vampling’s contract.  “Your soul belongs to me until you have repaid what you owe,” Raphael sneered.

The infernal runes swirled over the contract, glowing like the sea of magma bubbling far beneath them.  The spawn took the offered quill and signed the contract.

Astarion Ancunin.

Far above a boiling lake

Another soul is ripe to take

Calling above the ring of fire

Secrets to fuel burning desire.

Raphael snapped and removed the spawn’s frilled shirt.  The vampling quickly moved to cover himself and only hesitantly let his hands drop to his sides.  Raphael slowly stalked behind the vampling and observed the scars carved into his back.  He glowered at the language carved into flesh.  Mephistopheles.

He ran a Hellish finger over each pass of the blade on the vampling’s back.

“How much did she tell you?” Raphael inquired.  “I do not wish to waste my time reading words that you already know.”

The vampling swallowed and started to squirm beneath his touch.  Raphael only pressed his fingers harder into the vampiric scars.  If he won’t hold still, he would need to be restrained.

“She said it was the Rite of Profane Ascension.  Should Cazador complete the Rite, his seven thousand and seven vampire souls would be sacrificed and submitted to Mephistopheles in Cania.  That was in exchange for Cazador gaining incredible power as a Vampire Ascendant.”

“That is indeed what the contract says,” Raphael quickly flicked the pad of his finger over a particularly jagged Infernal rune.

“I asked Tav what powers the Vampire Ascendant would gain, and she claimed she didn’t know.  I wanted to see if I could undertake the Rite myself.”  The vampling twisted again, but Raphael cocked an eyebrow, finding the hole in the information the Little Mouse had provided.

Such a naughty, naughty Little Mouse.

The powers of a Vampire Ascendant were written clearly in the contract.  Raphael chuckled at the Little Mouse’s deceit.  She clearly didn’t want the Rite to be performed and was trying to make it seem unimpressive.

“You will gain all the powers of a Vampire Ascendant,” Raphael’s voice took a low, gravelly bite.  The spawn shifted at his non-answer.

“Which are?” the spawn seemed to suddenly be concerned that Raphael was translating the pact truly, but he stilled in order to allow the cambion time to continue reading.

“The ability to walk in the sun absent the tadpole in your skull, to begin,” Raphael purred, placing his hands on the vampling’s shoulders firmly and watching him cower with a delectable glee.  “Strength, far more powerful than any other vampire in existence with the ability to take more chiropteran or gaseous forms, as it pleases you.”

The spawn turned around, sensing he was done with his reading and his posture raised further into confidence.  “Your bite will cause gangrenous necrosis on your victims after feeding, and it will no longer take so much effort for you to drain them all dry,” Raphael continued.

“What else?” the spawn spoke up with a look of wonder on his face.

“Armies of lycanthropes and ghouls at your disposal.  You will develop charms to far surpass your current form.  The ability to control and to be able to resist being controlled ever again.”

“I wouldn’t have to live in fear,” the vampling said under his breath.  Raphael knew the comment wasn’t directed to him, but he acted on it anyway.

“You wouldn’t have to fear everything, at least.”

“Thank you, devil,” the spawn said again with a half-smile on his face.

“The pleasure is all mine,” Raphael purred.  He moved to depart, but the spawn quickly stopped him.

“Tav’s favorite color is boreal blue.”

[skogenraev]

Getting Back into Witchcraft After a Break

Acknowledge the Break

Before jumping back in, take a moment to reflect on why you stepped away. This isn’t about judgment but understanding.

Were you overwhelmed or burned out?

Did life demand more of your time and energy?

Were you questioning your beliefs or struggling with doubt? → Write in your journal or meditate or draw how your time away has shaped you. This can help you clarify what you want to bring back into your practice and what you’re ready to let go of.

Start with Self-Compassion Your craft doesn’t require perfection. You’re not “behind” or “out of touch.” The beauty of witchcraft is its adaptability. Be kind to yourself and resist the urge to compare your journey to others’. Recognize that even mundane experiences can be a form of magic. Reconnect with Your Why

Ask yourself what drew you to witchcraft in the first place.

Was it a love of nature?

A connection to something greater?

A desire for empowerment, healing, or self-discovery?

Rekindling your “why” can reignite your passion and help you determine what aspects of the craft to focus on first.

Start Small and Simple

Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to do all the things right away. Start with bite-sized practices:

Daily grounding: Take a few deep breaths while visualizing roots connecting you to the earth.

Light a candle: Focus on the flame as a symbol of your rekindled practice.

Morning or evening affirmations: Speak simple, empowering phrases to set your intentions for the day or night.

Observe the natural world: Notice the moon’s phase, the weather, or seasonal changes.

Small acts of magic build momentum over time.

Reassess Your Tools and Space

If you have a magical space, tools, or supplies, take stock:

Cleanse your tools: Use smoke, sound, or sunlight to refresh them.

Declutter: Let go of items that no longer resonate.

Reorganize: Arrange your space to reflect your current energy and intentions. → If your tools feel unfamiliar or you’re starting from scratch, remember you don’t need anything fancy. A notebook, a candle, and your intuition are enough.

Rebuild Your Foundations

Returning after a break is an opportunity to revisit the basics (just some options - no need or have to)

Meditation and visualization: Strengthen your focus and inner awareness.

Energy work: Practice grounding, centering, and shielding.

Correspondences: Relearn the meanings of herbs, crystals, colors, or elements that resonate with your practice.

Lunar and seasonal cycles: Reconnect with the moon phases, solstices, or festivals.

Explore What Feels Fresh

Your interests may have shifted during your break. Explore new areas of magic:

Divination: Experiment with tarot, runes, pendulums, or scrying.

Spellcraft: Try simple spells for protection, abundance, or self-love.

Nature magic: Work with seasonal energies, local plants, or animal spirits.

Deity work or spirit communication: If you work with deities, reintroduce yourself and reestablish your connection.

Follow your curiosity rather than forcing yourself to do things the “right” way.

Journal or Document Your Practice

Keeping track of your practice can help you stay engaged and reflective:

Daily reflections: Write down small magical moments or rituals.

Dream journaling: Explore messages or symbols in your dreams.

Grimoire: Update old entries or create new ones with fresh insights.

Embrace Seasonal and Cyclical Magic

The seasonal shifts are a great way to align yourself with natural energies.

Winter: Focus on rest, introspection, and shadow work.

Spring: Plant seeds of intention and engage in renewal rituals.

Summer: Embrace creativity, passion, and abundance.

Autumn: Release what no longer serves you and prepare for the darker half of the year.

Seek Community (If Desired)

If you feel isolated, reconnecting with others can inspire and motivate you:

Join online groups or forums.

Attend local witchy events, workshops, or festivals.

Share your journey with trusted friends or like-minded individuals.

Reminder: Community can be supportive, but your practice is deeply personal and doesn’t require external validation.

[bonepriests]

my summer solstice hatch is so cuuute. little faded primary colors guy.

im pretty set on the coatl scry but need to go digging around for spiral hatchling accents, haven't seen many floating around! save me game database save me

[blushingtendertiel]

7, 9 & 10!

Thank you for the ask!!

7. The ideal perfect dragon (scry ok!)

Nooooo don't make me choose this is horrible.... well I am going to approach this with what would be the most classic dragon tm of all my dragons and id say its Wyrm. After we got the gold hoard apparel I was like I want to make a very very classic european fairytale dragon and ended up with him:

9. Dragon with art (or that i wish has art)

Many of my dragons have art but I think DarlingDecay has the most! Please check out her bio!!

10. What flights have you been in?

I started in nature bc I did like a quiz which flight I would belong to, it was summer 2014. Pretty soon after I changed to lightning bc my friends were there. In september 2016 I changed to plague and have been here ever since✌️