#so they feel liminal or the magic equivalent

[puppetmaster13u]

Robin when Klarion joins them behind the car because he got curious and also starts word vomiting because he's never gone to a pizza place and they should totally go but they need human money for that:

Prompt 68

Danny stares up up up at the being cooing down at him, a mass of eyes and tendrils and whatever else twisting in and out of portals, shattering to sand and reforming, buckling into a smaller shape and expanding in an ever moving form. This was not what he was expecting when Clockwork offered to introduce him to Chaos, but maybe he shouldn’t be so surprised. 

Bonus DPxDC crossover: Clockwork introduced his lil baby ghostling to his old friend Chaos so they can set up playdates between their two kids. Klarion and Teekl are now being spotted with a white-haired boy and a green puppy that can go giant and monstrous like Teekle, to Young Justice’s (And the league’s) concern

[recurring-polynya]

I'm on vacation, so here is a random grab-bag of Soul Society thoughts I had while staring into the sea today (this is mostly for @bleachbleachbleach but you can read it too)

One of my favorite conceits of B3's writing (I feel like things that appear in fanfiction are sort promoted from headcanons but I don't have a good word for it) is the notion that Rukongai has its own magic that is fundamentally different and, in fact, somewhat opposed to shinigami magic. This first shows up in Afar, Afar, where Momo loses her ability to see spirits in Junrinan (and perhaps even her memory that such a thing exists). There was also a notion of it in REVERSE THE BONE (the best Weird Rukongai fic ever written) about the train, which already exists in a sort of quantum state where it sometimes exists both forward and backward in time, but also that the journey depends on the passengers. There's a quote at the beginning, but nonetheless, has completely rewired my brain (it has been over a month, and I am still thinking about it):

Hisagi does not find this mollifying. “Yeah, but I don’t even think Captain Kuchiki gets the same train as the rest of us. Have you ever tried to use his restaurant reviews? Because I always print these things, and they sound great, then I go. And then they’ll look at me like—Well. It’s like I’m not even at the same restaurant. But hey, at least you’ll get to see a lot, right? I’ve heard East Rukongai these days is… fine!”

Within the context of the story, this is just hyperbole. Of course Byakuya experiences things differently, he's incredibly rich and powerful, etc, etc, but the thing that sticks in my head about this is that Byakuya is fundamentally different from Hisagi, and also Hitsugaya and Hinamori, who are the protagonists of this piece, because he is a creature of Soul Society and they are not.

The Rukon is a place for ghosts. For beings that lived a life on Earth and died. It is an afterlife. A thing I find incredibly interesting is that nearly all the Rukon-hailing shinigami we know of died as children. Additionally, they are all Really Good at being shinigami--captains and vice-captains, although this is a function of Bleach being a story about the more powerful members of Soul Society. Anyway, I think this is not a coincidence.

Two things that are true about Bleach are that: a) liminal things, hybrid things, things that exist at the boundaries of two other things, tend to be more powerful b) power is also achieved through transformation

It makes 100% sense to me that a child ghost has more potential to become in Soul Society. We also know that aging is non-linear, and that age changes tend to come in concert with increases in power. All of this feels very consistent and right to me.

In particular, consider Rukia, who died as a baby (and we don't know this for sure, but her sister, who died as an older child or teen did not seem to have the same potential). She was human, but only got to live a small fraction of the life she could have, and instead, went to Soul Society, and became such a creature of Soul Society, that she not only achieved bankai, but trained in the Royal Realm, a thing that few other shinigami get to do.

This reminded me of a line from my own fanfic, Hold On, Hold On, where I was trying to make sense of the "lieutenant is equivalent of nobility" thing (through the convenient mouthpieces of Kira and Hinamori):

“High ranking shinigami are basically considered to be nobility,” Izuru explains. “Or close enough for most purposes.” “The argument goes,” Momo elaborates, in a way that she knows will resonate with Renji, “that the reason nobles are noble is because their souls are so pure and strong, right? So how else can you explain the captains that come from Rukongai? You can’t, so you have to act like they’re noble, too, right? Noble logic.”

And while I don't think I'm wrong, what if there's more to it? What if there is something that is fundamental to one's nature that nobles and powerful shinigami have in common, something that also corresponds to the nature of the Seireitei.

There's one other thing that I think they may have in common, and that's the ability to reproduce. Fanon is split on this topic, but I've always been of the mind that having babies in Soul Society is something only people with strong spiritual energy are able to do. So, in that sense, if noble people see themselves as defined by having been born in the Soul Society, of being creatures who have never lived, it's not exactly the same, but a Rukongai wandering soul who gains the ability to reproduce is certainly a step closer, no?

(Is this the part where I talk about Soul Society nobility and their parallels to faeries, with their low birthrate and stealing babies and people of talent to join their underground magical kingdom?)

An interesting ramification of all of this, is that you've got Rukia and Renji, who represent one of the most successful cases of dead souls acclimating to Soul Society and reaching the highest echelons of power, but I strongly suspect that there are still some fundamentally Rukon things about them-- things they see, things they feel, things they remember. What makes this extra cool to me is the fact that they hang out with Byakuya, the product of dozens of generations of Soul Society lineage. In fact, the catalyst for all of this thinking was me thinking about Byakuya having an instinctive distrust of the sea, whereas Rukia and Renji and Hisana all love it. Now, I am generally not very interested in Ichika, but I am interested in the fact that she is something different than her parents. That on some level she has more in common with Byakuya. I mean, is this the origin stories for Soul Society's noble clans in the first place? Some souls made themselves powerful enough to make more of themselves?? That is a pretty interesting thought to me, not that I've come up with anything interesting to do with it. It's like, what if you were a changeling, and you got adopted by the king of the faeries and you had a baby with another human changeling, but your baby was a faery? (Polynya, this was the plot of Books of Magic. Kinda sorta. You have somehow achieved your life goal of six degrees of John Constantine-ing Tim Hunter and Kuchiki Rukia and it was entirely by accident.)

Anyway, that was my complete quota of interesting Ichika thoughts for today (I still think it would have been cooler if they got to conceive a baby in the Royal Realm but no one asked me).

The more interesting direction that these thoughts took goes back to B3's fic, in the sense of: do the nobles avoid the Rukon? What is it that they don't like about it? The implication is always just basically that it's poor and not as nice as the Seireitei, but what if there are things that are in opposition to the law and order that people like Yamamoto have imposed on the controlled area inside the city walls. Even the Shiba, the infamous rebel outcasts only live in District 1.

Consider Ukitake's backstory--his noble family were so desperate to save their sick child that they went out to District 76 and made a deal with a god/a piece of the Soul King (is there a difference? does it matter?), a thing which gave Ukitake the capability to become a vessel for a god. I feel like Mimihagi wouldn't/couldn't have made that deal with an ordinary soul. This happened a super long time ago and I bet there have been all kinds of cautionary tales, etc, to discourage this kind of behavior today. (Which also ties a little into Yhwach's "the Gotei used to be better, you suck now" comment)

I'm not really converging on any sort of conclusion, here, it's just sort of interesting to me. The Rukongai sort of represents wild lawlessness, I think, the loss of rules and sense. The TYBW is all about how the order of Soul Society (and Hueco Mundo and the Living World) is a thing that was invented for and by the shinigami for their own benefit, and I think they don't even really have control of their entire realm, just the central bit.

There's a constant fanon outcry of "why do the shinigami neglect Rukongai?" and it's always because "Soul Society sucks" and "Central 46 is dicks" etc, but I think it's interesting to think about the shinigami as a social order that truly has limited power, and that there is a lot of shit in the Rukon that is more than is dreamt of in their philosophy, if you get my drift, whether it's werewolf clans or trains that don't obey the laws of time and space. It's like the way in a horror movie, the cop or the army dude gets taken down by the monster in the woods who is eventually defeated by a teen or something. Shinigami are very powerful when it comes to dealing with the interface between the World of the Living and their personal World of the Dead, but they are less well equipped to deal with the things in their own backyard.

Regretfully, none of this cohered in my head into anything that I could spin into a good story (I'm not sure they even cohered into this essay), but maybe it will roll around in my head long enough to grow a pearl, who knows?

[hiding-in-your-shadow]

(OOC under the break)

Hey, Ainsley here! This is me as of about a week ago.

No, I'm not an evolved Haunter. I was a human girl who worked as a Barista at the Oh Deerling Coffee Haus, but about a week ago I woke up like this and, well, it just didn't work out, y'know?

Anyway, I heard there's a good community here on Rotumblr, so I thought I'd give it a shot. See if I can do some networking and whatnot.

Oh! Y'all probably wanna know about my pokemon. It's just the one. Flitter the Ribombee. I can actually have a real conversation with her now, so that's interesting. There's a lot of upsides to this whole "Gengar" thing. Downsides too...

Anyway, I like weird stuff. Y'know, liminal spaces, cryptids, that kinda thing. I wonder if that's why I wound up a Gengar instead of some other pokemon... But yeah, I like friends, so hit me up!

OOC Notes:

This is an OC Pokemon IRL Ask Blog. As such all in character posts will be tagged #pkmn irl.

This is also an Eeby Deeby blog, so if that's not your thing, no hard feelings. Check out my Ikoni Dweebs or IkoniNovelist blogs if you're inclined.

This is a side blog for Ikoni Dweebs. All asks will show up as if coming from that blog but will be signed off by Ainsley.

Ainsley lives in the pokemon equivalent of the PNW in a fan-region I created called Ikoni. You can find details on Ikoni on the pinned post for the Ikoni Dweebs blog if you're interested in learning more about it.

This blog will use strong language at times, but is uninterested in NSFW content. I will straight up block you if you send NSFW.

This blog only follows other IC blogs. If you follow this blog and I like your non-IC blog I might follow it from my main, non rp account.

Pelipper and Musharna Mail are on. May turn on things like Magic Anons in the future, but not at this time.

In Character Anon Hate also tentatively on. If it gets too crazy I'll probably close it, but I do like me a bit of angst. Careful though, she bites back, lol!

Finally, I am currently going through college, and while i'm not overloading myself on courses anymore, there will almost certainly be a dip in activity starting in late September. Doesn't mean I'm dead, college is just really REALLY busy, lol.

[aikoiya]

DPxHP HC - Thoughts On Obscurials & Wizardry

Something I don't understand is why, when Danny is brought to a Wizarding school & Danny refuses to cooperate, why don't people tell him that if he doesn't use his magic & train it, that he runs the risk of developing an Obscurial?

Like, all they'd have to say is that his magic will eat him from the inside out & that it could result in wild, violent, & dangerous outbursts that could potentially hurt, if not kill, others.

If nothing else, he'd listen to a warning that suggests he or his loved ones could be hurt through his actions.

---

While Illvermorny is recognized as the wizarding school in America, the truth is, it's just the biggest & most recognized. In reality, America is too big to only have 1.

Instead, there are several, the second most famous one resides near Salem, while another can be found in New Orleans, which also has a vast magical community & has America's equivalent of Diagon Alley, which can be found under Bourbon Street in the catacombs, Bazar du Sous-Sol du Laveau.

There are also several small wizarding schools that teach courses on traditional Native American magics, as well as other courses on the magics of other cultures. That is, alongside American magic which is a mix of different culture's magical disciplines.

Like, I can absolutely see Amity being a sort of no-man's land for magic considering the amount of ghosts there are there. It'd absolutely be a Statute of Secrecy risk.

But at the same time, the Salem Magical Institute, the New Orleans Seminary of Voodoo (or NOSoV), known locally as New Orleans Séminaire du Vaudou, & any other schools available would have to take in the magical Amity children because of the possibility of them becoming Obscurials & becoming even bigger risks to the Statute of Secrecy.

At the same time, I imagine that MACUSA has tried to Obliviate the no-maj residents to get them to forget the strange, solid ghosts that have been appearing in the town. Which, I think it'd be interesting if the magical community has had a remarkably small amount of encounters with. Like, the most well-documented Hereafter/IR ghosts that they know about are poltergeists & there's still very little on them. I read a fic where Constantine has never actually met one & even once compares them to demons alongside ghosts even though I think the IR ghosts would find that insulting & inaccurate. I mean, demons are evil by default. Ghosts are more ambiguous.

That is, even though wizards & wiccans use Lethe river water in forgetfulness potions, they get it from an old fountain in Greece where an ancient temple to Hades lays. As such, it's been largely forgotten by the wizarding world that the fountain was built by an ancient thanatomagical priest of Hades, Persephone, & their children, Zagreus & Melinoe, or that it's from the Underworld, which is just a small section of the IR.

However, I feel like ectoplasm has a small resistance to certain magics, especially the Obliviate spell. As such, because most of the townspeople are in some stage of liminality, they can't be Obliviated.

Either way, they might not want to have anything to do with anything that violates the Statute of Secrecy, but in order to minimize & control the problem as much as possible, they have to.

Like, no one seems to take this fact into account when they write DPxHP crossovers.

---

Another thing is the reactions of the Fenton parents to the revelation of magic existing. Particularly, that they would be very stubborn about disbelieving it.

Both of them.

They're both scientists after all.

Though Jack, having come from a line of supernatural hunters, would be much easier to get to believe it, but at the same time, he is very much against it. He was always the black sheep of the family & was always very terrible at the clan's apotropaic magics & never really understood the process. Like, he just couldn't wrap his head around the 'mechanics.' So, he rejected it, asserting that it was all phoney & hocus-pocus & he instead sought out a way to fight ghosts using something he did understand. Which was science & engineering.

On the other hand, Maddie would absolutely NOT believe in it at all & would be utterly convinced that it was all hooey & it would be like pulling teeth to get her to believe otherwise. Not only that, but she'd get angry about people trying to convince her & her family otherwise.

It wouldn't be until it all comes to a head, possibly Jazz developing an Obscurial & beginning to slowly die, that she'd realize that it's real. But even then, she wouldn't react well. It would destroy everything she thought she knew about the world while Jack would adjust... rather clumsily, but he'd adjust.

Like, I imagine that Danny, Jazz, Sam, Tucker, & Ellie would all have magic & that when an eagle first came with Jazz's letter, & Maddie was the one who read it & scoffed, then threw it away.

It'd be a similar scene to the first book/movie where the owls kept coming. Only here, Maddie would find a way to repel the animals. Maybe some sort of force field around the town, which could be what caused the issue in the first place.

Then, as more & more kids would start getting ill with some unknown illness that lashes out & destroys things, then begin dying, Jazz included. After the first couple of deaths, MACUSA Aurers would come & use their magic to destroy the field.

After which, they'd escort representatives of the Salem Magical Institute, New Orleans Seminary of Voodoo, or Illermorny, as well as healers & Obscurial experts, to the homes of magical children with new letters & begin to try & save as many children as possible.

There would be stern lectures on the negligence of magic & the dangers of Obscurials.

For families like the Mansons, there would also be a clarification that while the sort of witches they were always warned about did exist, they are by far, NOT the norm.

That magic itself isn't evil, rather it's neutral, & that it's just something you're born with. It only becomes a real danger through misuse or disuse.

The only way to become the sort of witches that they fear is for an individual to make a bargain with some dark entity, either for magic or more power.

That there is a distinct difference between the wiccans & wizards (which is what I call the general wizarding public) of wizarding world society, called light magic, & the witches & warlocks of dark magic.

Even still, I don't think the Manson parents would approve. Ida would be supportive if cautious, while Jeremy would be dubious, both due to their religion, but not Pam. Pamela would reject the training of magic outright as a result of generations of anti-magic & Scourer thinking.

It's from her side of the family that Sam gets her magic from & one of her ancestors was a dark witch burned at the stake during the Salem Witch Trials before the invention of the bluebell flame spell. This resulted in magiphobic ideologies in her family &, as a result, they tried to reject their abilities.

Pam had always feared that her daughter would turn out like her ancestor & now, she feels that her fears have been realized.

Though, despite canon, the true emotion behind all her anger & derision is legitimate fear for her daughter.

---

Currently, American magic-users get their wands from a wandmaker in New Orleans: Violetta Beauvais. She creates scarily powerful wands out of swamp mayhaw wood & hairs from rougarous, the dog-headed monsters native to the swamps of Louisiana.

Wizarding World Masterlist

[lmelodie]

I must now infect YOU with OC beach day asks, so, WOE! BEACH DAY BE UPON YE AND YOUR OC'S?

(Killian doesn't strike me as a beach guy, but Mera is like. A force to be reckoned with and I need to know if she COULD drag him to the beach >:)

I'm SO GLAD YOU ASKED! And I'm also really glad that you have such a good handle on these characters personalities. I've also added Lucy as well because she has become my oc-in-law of sorts. BEACH DAY FUCKERS LETS GOOO!

Chimera:

Mera loves the beach a fair amount, but she's banned from quite a few beaches because of her tendency to “enhance” the PH level of the water. She’s not allowed at a handful of different lakes.

But! The bodies of water she’s allowed to go to she has a blast. She usually goes by herself or occasionally with a gaggle of her friends. And after getting all her stuff set up its straight to the water!

I've mentioned it before in a different ask, but she LOVES splashing around in the water. She brings her own giant rubber ball (the ones that the tigers get to play with in zoos) and goes HAM! She likes swimming under the water too and being fully submerged. 

Maybe she catches a stray fish in her mouth, who knows.

When not in the water however its tanning hour. She tans like a champ and is two or three shades darker than when she arrived. She does The Cat thing where she’ll find a nice patch of sun and bask in it for a long while. Some kind of alcoholic drink next to her and she’s good for a looong time. She pulls a Blaise and becomes the sand.

She also has her own music blasting somewhere next to her as a soundtrack for her trip. If no one else at the beach likes her music taste, then they must suffer anyway cause she’s not changing it >:)

If she is so inclined, she will be bringing the latest trashy romance novel she's into atm. Ya know, essentials.

If she’s with the girlies she will be spilling ALL THE GOSSIP. She is all over that rumor mill and will be talking shit about everyone while she’s there.

I feel like she has her own specially made chair set up so that she can comfortably relax and veg out on the sand. Considering the awkward physique. 

She has also been known to frequent nudist beaches on occasion. Nudist magical beaches are very far and few between, so she actually tries her best to NOT get banned from the few that there are. She’s all about letting the lord hold her tits from time to time.

But as far as clothing goes, she already wears garments that are practically bikini tops anyway, so her swimwear is basically the equivalent of two pasties and couple of strings. Helps with the tan lines at any rate.

Killian:

You are very right in that Kills has informed me personally that he doesn't like the beach all that much lol. Most of the time will not humor the thought of going to one. It’s just not his thing; it's in broad daylight, there's not a lot of places to hide or lurk, its uncomfortably hot.

(Cue cartoonish image of a random goth at a beach)

HOWEVER, the only time where he will consider going to the beach is if it's at nighttime. Nighttime beaches kinda act as a weird liminal space (in my opinion), and he’s always looking for more of those to hang out at. So, he’ll only go as long as it's after sunset.

Chimera (and later Jack when they eventually get back together), plan this accordingly if they want to invite him on this kinda outing. They will compromise and plan the day so that it goes from early evening to full nighttime so that he won't be as uncomfortable. 

He also doesn't dress for the occasion either. He will wear his usual full coverage outfit to the beach and strip accordingly. Leaving the shirt and pants with the legs rolled up.

(This beach episode thing has made me realize that I do not like to think about this man's grippers being out in any capacity.)

And he doesn't even do much while he’s there either! He’ll mostly just wade through the shallows and think. Shoot the shit with whoever he happens to be with. Scare any straggling passersby. Ominously lurk in the far distance.

He likes talking with Mera and having a drink but ultimately complains a whole bunch that they could've just done this at home and how his coat is now full of sand. She will try and splash him a little, but this just gets on his nerves more than anything. They might have to fight about it, they might scrap.

Post Reunion with Jack, he is a little more lenient with him, and complains a lot more silently. Jack fully understands that this not his comfort zone and tries to dial back the Jackness as much as possible. It only works some of the time.

Jack will also throw snowballs at him, but that's just something he does in their day to day anyway. So they will ALSO scrap. If Mera annoys him, Jack must have a death wish.

MAYBE romance happens. MAYBE. I will let you decide what exactly goes down if anything at all 😉

There was one time where he ended up bringing very illegal fireworks and let those off from the shoreline. He did like that part at least.

Lucy:

Lucy liked the beach before getting powers, but after? She LOVES the place. And that’s because of the moon and its effects on the tides. After getting her powers she finds being at the beach a lot more peaceful and centering than before. She ends up actually buying property on the beach front at some point and just lives there later in life :)

She is a volleyball QUEEN. She slaughters at beach volleyball and Charlie thinks he can win every time thinking THIS TIME will be the one. And he always loses and never learns. She walks away 20 bucks richer on beach days.

She also enjoys a good footrace, never one to be the fastest but consistently comes in second or third and is always a good sport about it.

One of her more odd abilities is to be able to perfectly split and evenly divide things (she's like a living set of scales) so this means she can actually MOSSES THE SEA and carves out a little alcove for herself to walk along the bottom of the ocean floor and collect shells and sea glass.

Sibling Stack beach edition is literally just Charlie throwing the likes of Luce and Buddy straight into the water. And this never gets old.

She's a fan of both burying someone and getting buried in the sand, she gets a kick out of both.

She might also bring along a certain fiery mermaid friend named Ryder 👀 I don't know exactly what his personality is yet, but he enables Lucy’s behaviors 100% of the time. Good and bad. He’s all about the girl boss AND woman fail moments. He’s the epitome of, Kick his ass baby I got your flower.

Like the twins he does make the water warmer, and they will go scuba diving together. Looking at all the fishes and reefs and things. She holds onto him while he goes swims super fast and she loves it to pieces.

She has sandwiches! She packs the picnic and caters to everyone's individual tastes.

She periodically bothers Jack about cooling her off during the day until he gets the idea to just dump her into a huge pile of snow on the sand.

Anyway, thanks for letting me ramble about the summer blorbos in the middle of spring.

[cloverwitch]

Khaire and welcome to my blog!

About me:

You can call me Clover or Clove, and my pronouns are she/her. I am nebulously in my 20s.

This is just a little side blog dedicated to my spiritual practice—somewhere between a digital grimoire, devotional blog, and the online equivalent of a cool rock collection. I mostly reblog things I think are funny, useful, interesting, or pretty. I may occasionally make original posts as well.

My original content tags are #personal for rambles, and #clover's grimoire for spells and things (though it's pretty sparse atm).

More info under the cut! Please read if it's your first time here. 💛

About my practice:

I'm a solitary witch of close to 10 years, though my practice has ebbed and flowed, and I still have much to learn; what knowledge I do have has come from a combination of research, community interaction, observing the practices of others, and trial and error. I focus especially on green magic, herbalism, cartomancy, and dream magic.

I am a Revivalist Hellenic Polytheist going on 5 years. At present, I am a devotee of Apollo, and work closely with Thanatos as well.

I am NOT a Wiccan or Pagan, so please do not use those labels for me/my content. I do NOT offer any divinatory/spellcasting services, free or charged, so please refrain from asking. I am NOT a New Age believer/follower, and I don't wish to interact or be associated with that community. I do NOT advocate for the use of spiritual/magical remedies in place of medical treatment, and if you try to tell me that my chronic illnesses can be "cured" with oils and crystals, I will block you.

I am pro-baneful magic, and sometimes use cannabis in my practice (though I don't talk about it much, and tag it appropriately if I do—and, for the record, I live where it is legal for recreational use). If either of these things make you uncomfortable, I understand, and you can avoid/block me with no hard feelings. Please do not shame me for these parts of my craft though.

Feel free to ask me questions, but bear in mind that I may choose not to answer; some parts of my practice I am not very open about, and I don't consider myself knowledgeable enough (nor do I have the time/energy) to be a teacher. If I do share anything, know that it will be information relevant to my knowledge, my experience, and my practice, and you may not find it applicable, agreeable, or useful.

Please note:

On this blog I do not stand for any form of bigotry, including biphobia, transphobia, ableism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and so on. If you hold any such beliefs, I kindly ask that you simply block me and carry on with your day. If you go out of your way to try and provoke me, I will simply block you. I do not have much energy to spare, and the last thing I want to do with it is waste it on bad-faith discourse and dead-end arguments with people who don't actually want to listen.

I strive to be open-minded and self-aware, and if I ever say or reblog something closed-minded, misinformative, offensive, etc. please don't hesitate to let me know. I believe the witchcraft community should be inclusive and respectful of all.

Banner and profile pics not mine. The sun dividers I use were made by @liminal-creations !

💛☀️💛

[starzzmissthesun]

since you offered askjdn this is going to be a long one so feel free to just ignore this completely if you want i don't mind lmao i've had a few ocs and they're part of a story that has been slowly forming in my mind for a year or so now. so basically its set in some sort of world based off of ancient china where it's an empire comprised of twenty-four islands ( named after the periods in the traditional chinese calendar ) there is no magic but there are still elements of fantasy ( specifically based off of wuxia ) and so we have this list of of ocs:

li xifeng -> runaway / exiled crown prince -> goes from kind of funny and playful and grouchy and cunning to ruthless and unrelenting and cold and cruel -> soft for very few people -> very much morally grey

li meiqi -> daughter of the emperor’s fav courtesan / the eventual empress -> heroic and morally good except for when it comes to xifeng bc they’d die for each other -> fierce but sweet -> struggles with her own identity ( xifeng is technically the 'main character' / the oc i started off with but meiqi plays a large role in their story as well as she is the 'hero' of the story )

empress / qixin -> courtesan turned empress -> craves control -> was given away without consent -> manipulative -> named as the beauty of a century -> really smart and good with poisons -> has a soft spot toward other courtesans

zhang lingxi -> unfalteringly loyal to xifeng -> calm and patient -> really good fighter -> trained in a monastery for fifteen years -> holds no grudges -> keeps xifeng in line but would also kill for him ruo limin -> son of the minister of finance -> hot-headed and stubborn -> devoted to meiqi -> a little arrogant -> makes a lot of enemies but also a lot of friends -> has a good heart and tries his best in the end chen ziyu -> empress' favoured attendant -> rumored to be her bastard child but isn’t -> lawful neutral -> thinks she’s doing what is right -> kind and quiet -> can be cruel if she needs to -> really good at hiding her emotions

xuanhe / dusk -> pirate queen / empress of the skies -> does not often get involved in other affairs -> falls fast and hard but doesn’t admit it -> inherently selfish -> protective of her ship / people -> cold and ruthless with a dry sense of humor 

mingtian -> hired bodyguard -> solemn and quiet -> loyal but drawn to money -> easily annoyed -> has his own set of morals -> dangerous when he needs to be 

liu jinghan -> xuanhe’s equivalent of a first mate -> mischievous and a bit childish -> looks young -> scornful and judgemental -> speaks her thoughts aloud -> whirlwind in a fight 

zhou chixi -> minister of war -> cold but kind -> bitter, holds grudges -> cares a lot for his son -> will side with whoever he thinks will win -> smart with military tactics -> past general (?) 

zhou anle -> son of chixi -> a bit cowardly -> spoiled -> tries to be kind -> scared easily -> anxious -> really good at poetry -> renowned poet -> easily taken advantage of 

wang ding -> servant of xifeng that followed him out -> small and nimble -> cautious -> one of the voices of reasons -> has seen as lot -> scarred on one half of his face -> loyal to xifeng and xifeng only

emperor li -> killed two brothers for the throne -> ruthless and unkind -> cares about the empire but not the people -> arrogant -> has little empathy but believes himself to be doing the right thing all the time and currently the list of main ships goes: xifeng x lingxi ( soulmates in every sense of the world, childhood best friends to lovers, dog and owner motif except it goes both ways, toxic in a codependant way ) meiqi x limin ( friends to lovers, arranged marriage, soft and fluffy but they could never be endgame because meiqi would always put the world over him ) ziyu x xuanhe ( strangers to reluctant allies to lovers, devoted to each other but also unwilling to show it, only one of these to get a happy ending ) mingtian x jinghan ( rivals to lovers, definition of dense on both sides, healthiest relationship out of all of these, so much banter between them ) extra themes of the story that i won't expand on because this is already way too long aksdjn: complex sibling relationships, found family, the fear of being known, war, doomed narratives

Woah, this is really really cool. Like the world itself sounds superrr interesting and the characters are all soo different and unique!! I really like how even just in several words to describe them, I can kind of get the sense of them, and I'm veryyy interested. I'm kind of drawn to meiqi x limin cause of how and why they couldn't work forever. But I'd really be excited to hear more about any of these characters cause like...wow...they all have such special things about them that I'd love to hear about. Also very curious about your story around this and the themes, because they are RIGHT up my alley. If you have any more things you'd like to share Please Do🙏🙏😭 cause youve piqued my interest:33

[thecicadasong]

People trying Gatekeep Welsh witchcraft 😭 Like babe, it’s ok; not even the Welsh care to know the language for the most part anymore. Most of us don’t even know we have a history. If you’re interested it’s good enough, please don’t let gatekeeping put you off.

We loved the chaos, and order fell into place naturally. It did not need to be forced or prised, and because of that those witches and wizards of times past found a natural union between order and chaos - such is the terror of the pagan. You don’t need to create some artificial order. It’s all there; it’s all around you. You can just be with the land; feel it. Let the song always being sung around you be heard; let it unravel you.

It isn’t order that inspires for the Welsh; it is Awen. Such a force comes not from without but from the underworld - or it’s Welsh Equivalent- from within. In every seemingly liminal space and moment both within and without this Awen can be tapped or perhaps it will strike you suddenly and inspire you that way.

You don’t need to pay any specific history respect; it’s stupid. There are tribes who will never be remembered, clans who were slaughtered and erased from history. Before that many things happened here too. Our history has always been intertwined and interwoven with those who came here and who we traded and met with: it doesn’t belong to us alone. There are no one ‘Welsh’ people; and today Wales is but a tree being tapped by the English state of control as all of the ‘UK’ has been for centuries.

So please don’t think some Welsh person has the right to tell you how to or how to not to do Welsh practice; or that you have to respect something in a certain way. The spirit of Wales would have you be as wild and as chaotic as the dragon that we allow to represent us. Be free. And enjoy if you can before you too become soil again. Fuck gatekeeping; nothing is ours. It never has been and it never will be. If people want to Gatekeep that which could inspire, serve, and expand the hearts and minds of others; it says more about them than it does you. It says they’d rather possess than share freely which has helped them also.

There is no qualification or empowerment or initiation needed. Most practitioners will automatically act with a kind of respect in regards to that they practice; it doesn’t need to be ‘manufactured’. And if Welsh people do have the authority to declare how our historical practices are partaken in by non-Welsh people in a modern time; I declare you can do whatever the fuck you want. It’s magic; it ain’t meant to be under the thumb and control of some imperialistic order.

You think one clan would tell another how to worship Brigid? 👀 That ain’t the spirit of most things that would consider themselves pagan; because pagan was used to label those beyond control and imperialist order. We got called savages by the romans because our freedom struck fear and envy into their core. Our spirit is the opposite of being bound and binding others; it is to be free and to free. So I find it ironic that Welsh people be binding and gatekeeping whilst declaring how Welsh practice is to be done. As if we’re a fucking monolith 🤦‍♀️

The control, the order, and the gatekeeping were exactly what we didn’t want from the romans. Artificial order which strangles and binds the beautiful chaos which if left alone finds its own natural order. And now we’ve become it. And we thrust it also upon others. Like gurl; the empire is within you fr.

[hag-rambling-on]

Fairy Transformations

Yes, they can go back to a previous form. Except Charmix, read it.

WARNING LONG POST

Winx - Yes

The most difficult of transformations, even if you only need to do it ONE time. And then the other times, to transform you again are optional. Love yourself. The wings are of medium-small size AND the only ones purely solid, like extra appendages. They move like the wings of a hummingbird.

Charmix - Yes/Redesign. Actually there are many types of Charmix. 

Charmix is what you call the temporary boost or power up, the antechamber you can summon while chasing a transformation, while fighting/training/searching for said form. It usually invokes the wings and superimposes some other characteristic detail of said transformation with your current form.

Obviously It's temporary and once you get the transformation you're looking for, you never get THAT Charmix again. Like If you was searching for the Believix, you lost your Charmix/Believix but still can get the Charmix/Enchantix, or if you were in Enchantix your Enchantix-Charmix/Believix.

I already said in another post, fairies spend a year shaping their basic fairy look - sometimes with hilarious results - until it stabilizes. The charmix is a similar process... but easier, more directed, more focused since unlike the basic form, you have a good foundation and an clear objective where the Winx was a doubtful jump where you did not see the end.

Enchantix - Yes

Sacrifice - but not - for others. Love others, apreciate others lifes. But not from a point your conscience perceive ir as selfish. Big but not solid wings, although fairies can perceive them as both an appendage and an extra sense. Most wings feel like this.

Believix - Yes

To be loved, believed by others. Very big wings too. Like basic ones, also like hummingbirds. It is highly influenced by the people around you, but it also allows you to influence them. Not many people use it. But it has a lot of potential.

Gifts of Destiny: Sophix/Lovix are reinvented, as they do not exist as this transformation per se. These are environmental transformations and some winx manage to win these in Believix.

Harmonix - Yes

It’s have a witch equivalent form.

A better form than enchantix, which works to face easyly any Realms Transformations (Life, Death, Space/Time, Dreams, Magic). So to get like all the new forms under here, you theoretically want to have the Harmonix first. Unless an Ethereal gives you a quick pass (which is what happens to the Winx with the Forestix and the Polarix). Kinda, love the world, the universe where you lives.

This is because the Harmonix gives you an overall boost in all magical abilities and allows you to move through all environments to some degree.

... I'd better redesign the costumes a bit because suddenly this is the most important transformation.

Ok, pre-series??? the easiest, trickiest of the roads to getting the Harmonix, was to go to Domino and have the "ok, just go away I’m working, gesh, I can believe I must donate 1h of my time every day to this” of someone from the royal family. Since they are "blessed" by an Ethereal on our planet of existence.

The other way is to go to a crossing of ley lines and open your magic core to natural magic, manifesting your resolution. The world is semi conscious, it does not care if you are good or bad, it look at your determination and if you do not let yourself be carried away by the waves, because as the weather changes, on the ley lines, the magic changes too, it can be overwhelming.

“Elemental” -More like Envionmental ones, Life Realm

My equivalent to: Sirenix, Sophix, Lovix, Greenix etctera.

Do not had exacty witch equivalents but their harmonix get the alltogether called Milieu Talismans.

You don't need the Harmonix for them, but it makes it easier.

To get these forms you are supposed to do a search for a special object at each transformation. If you have been able to tune into natural magic, it is a matter of doing it again and it will give you a vision. With time limit. You have to interpret the vision and complete the mision. Of course, if you love where you are, the mission is feels easy because you know how to move.

These are "blessed" by the Great Dragon, since they are transformations that affect the Plane of Life, so Bloom gets a +1 in all and usually seems the strongest one, minus in the Desertix, here +3.

Polarix: Won by the Winx during their Believix period. The perfect transformation for ice or snow users, for those living in the taiga, tundra, polar deserts or even the arctic. It has the peculiarity of covering the whole body, either with tights and long sleeves and translucent materials or clothes that really look warm. Fluffy it’s best, but also geometric details. Equivalent to the Lovix one.

Forestix: Won by the Winx during their Believix period. With details of flowers, branches, leaves, moss, mushrooms. Anything of a vegetable or fungus environment. It gives Flora more strength (+2) and she keeps its as her default form if there is any problem with their current one. Equivalent to the Sophix one.

Desertix: Deserts, savannas. Increases heat tolerance and and temperature changes in general, favors fire, fire related and crystal attacks. It would favor Bloom, if she got it. The wings give a rough impression, like swirling sand or fire.

Cavernix: Suitable for life in the deep Earth. Helps with pressure, darkness, temperature changes, lack of oxygen. Their outfits and wings show rigid lines and some kind of gem depending on the person. It would favor Diaspro if I had it. In fact, it also would favors Musa, because it boosts her ultrasounds.

Mountainix: A tactical agreement between heaven and earth. Altitude, lower oxygen, low temperatures. It is a form quite sought after by people who want a general boost in their magic since it takes up a bit of everything. This would be the best for Tecna as is a liminal transformation, as her magic is -liminal I mean- which tapes natural and artificial magics-

Skyix: If you want to live uniquely and exclusively in heaven, this is your transformation. If your magic revolves around the weather or winds, this is your transformation. Sometimes people get it accidentally while looking for the Mountainix. The ears disappear and the eyes change to adapt to strong winds and harsh weather. Featherlike wings.

Mermaidix: A form adapted to life in the oceans and the depths, includes beaches, mangroves, etc.  It can tolerate unsalted water, but not too well (marshes). It gives Aisha more strength. Wear details of the sea such as algae, corals, shells, starfish, sea dollars, etc and the wings become a little they act more like a dorsal fin, also, mermaid/octopi/jellyfish tails. Equivalent to the Sirenix.

Naiadix: The transformation akin of people of fresh waters like fountains, wells, springs, streams and brooks. Includes swamps and bogs. It can tolerate salty water, but not too well (marshes). Use very delicate fabrics, reeds, wild rice, water lilies and some other ornamental flowers. It maintains the legs but swimming membranes appear on the hands, feet and ears, the wings shrink to be more dynamic. It’s cries “wet”. Also favors Aisha.

Cosmix: This form doesn't actually fall under the Great Dragon, but the Ethereal that dominates it can't be bothered to cares. To get it you have to befriend a Lumen. Who are creatures that live in their stars (not planets). It allows you to move through space. Favors Stella.

MORIX AND SOMNIX, Death and Dreams Realms - mine and retouched dreamix/onyrix

They had witch equivalents.

Morix - The transformation blessed by the Phoenix. You must have Harmonix. A very misunderstood transformation, it allows you to communicate with the world of the dead, rest agitated spirits and the people they left here, not just summon zombies -which look like shadows. And you are sooo much harder to kill. It also increases your healing abilities, humans and nature related. [Not all Good is purely Good. And not all Evil is purely Evil.] Ripped, gnawed clothes. Their wings barely move. Darkar is a Morix Fae in this rewinxing. Witches from almost dying a couple of times can access this form. That's bad and sad and traumatic. And it doesn't work for fairies. It is a complicated transformation for the fairies if you have not received it as a gift. Accepting and welcoming death as part of life, especially for such long lives, is difficult.

Dreamix - CANCELLED, Harmonix acting as this au charmix. Time limit.

Somnix- You must have Harmonix. SO, kinda transformation blessed by another Ethereal but this one usually kinda say hi to people more frecuently (in their dreams -no joking). Then you have to immerse yourself in a magical induced dream, come out of your own dream and find the Door to the Ethereal Palace and get an ok. Or unconsciously wander outside of your own dreams long enough to collect energy from the Dream Plane. On the Plane of Dreams which watch out, it's a realm of dreams and nightmares. Good thing fairies attrack good dreams... normally. It’s the Onyrix one.

Bloomix - As much as it is one of my favorite designs when it comes to outfits... Cancelled.

It’s simply tuning in to a ley line and recharging in this au, although it is crazy, like having a broken leg, fixing it, getting high and going for a run, it is better to give some time or meditate, just meditate... unless you do it as a group in a wild magic crossroad and don’t die in the attempt I guess. Then Wild Renmants.

Faunix - Yes

Love and be loved by an animal. If Roxy were a fairy in rewinxing (here is a witch), she would have gotten this form by default.

Tynix - Cancelled

Along with MiniWorlds There are many planets, there are nature reserves. And if there wasn't, from enchantix you can miniaturize yourself.

Mythix -... YES

Ugg... I REALLY DON’T LIKE THIS FORM AT ALL. redesign redesign, REDESIGN.... *note to seft, armor, give the armor I delete in Bloomix*

Can be use by a witch, or even a specialist, Mike or Vanessa, same name.

You must prove themselves before any of the Seven Ancestral Rods. All identical in form and color, except when used. They contain the fragments of conscience and magic of their former users. And they demand fragments of yours to be used, so that each next user who comes is more worthy of their power and gets even stronger. Commit.

So it's someone else's clothes with little, very little influences from you. It includes armor -because I want- Because the Ancient Ones were prepared to die.

NYMPHIX - my version

Has a witch equivalent.

Only achieved by those who have achieved ... all of the different Realms. Daphne has it.. because, she's Dahne. And she is older than she looks.

A long robe-tunic-flowy cloth, any style, just a single accessory, bare feet.

You also have to pass a test somewhere in Magix or Hike's asteroid belt remains, but not even nymphs / lampads can share that information even if they want!.

PHILAUTHIX  - NEW

This is a hypothesized form only.  Or seen in precognitive visions "what if?"  1/-

Its looks like an ageless version of the winx form. With bigger wings, intricate details only appreciable up close, intangible.

Winx form is achieved by feeling proud or with yourself for a moment, and that memory is the activator of the subsequent transformations.

Philauntix It is achieved by loving yourself (2.0), the good and the bad, what you did, are doing and what you will do. Not forgiving it, loving it. And not for a second, it has to be something frequent enough that energy has been stored for a while to activate this transformation.

ENKIX  - NEW

Believed it was only obtained by those who have obtained in Nymphix... until the Winx obtained it. Be loved... by a Ethernal.

The last transformation for the last Realm. Magic. Magic at its Purest Form.

There may be more transformations based on things that people love. Music, travel. Or in different acts of love. Kill for love, surrender, give up something IMPORTANT for love. But I'm not going to start designing more.

[moonb-eam]

petitepeach’s fic masterlist

alternatively titled: is it really possible i’ve written over twenty stories about these clowns

hello sweethearts 💛 this may be entirely superfluous, as everything i write gets posted to my ao3 account, but i figured i’d make a tumblr list as well, for the sake of organization ✨

one-shots

i told you something safe (something i never said before) (4,780 words)

eliott was the one to say it first, is the thing.

or, five times eliott says i love you and one time lucas does

la lune et le soleil (6,081 words)

Don’t worry about the sun and the moon. They always find each other eventually. But only for very, very special moments.

or, a story about a moon, a sun, and a twilight sky

come with me, my love (to the sea of love) (4,816 words)

there’s a small touch of wonder to everything that lives in the ocean

for the 75 dates prompt, aquarium

multi-chapter au’s

sk8ter boi (19,251 words)

began as a prompt - "have i entered an alternate universe or did you really just crack a smile at me?"

a measure of stars (84,456 words)

Lucas glances up, even knowing the stars won’t be there. He squints into the pale blue, picturing the endless constellations of light. He frowns, says, “I don’t know,” when really, he thinks, I wish I was born a star. I wish I could dip my hand into the empty sea. I wish I could fall in love with another star and make a new constellation every night. “Marriage isn’t meant for me, anyway.”

Imane tilts her head back as well, sighing. “Nor I.”

Lucas scoffs. “You say that, but I just know, one day a man is going to fall madly in love with you, and you’ll find him exceedingly tolerable, and then you’ll be in trouble.”

or, a pride and prejudice au

series

maybe it starts now

so let’s take on the night (8,507 words)

“Basile and Arthur are trying to pick out guys for me.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Trying being the main word. Lulu is too picky.”

or, the one where Lucas goes to a party and meets Eliott.

build a new world for us two (6,334 words)

"When Lucas wakes, it's to sunlight in his eyes and warm sheets tangled around his legs."

or, the morning after the night before

interlude - the gallery (1,638 words)

it's devastating, to look at someone and realize, you could ruin me

show me some stars beneath this ceiling (8,513 words)

They are something. Something serious, maybe, but they are only something. The relationship equivalent of a liminal space. And Lucas is fine with that.

or, Eliott takes Lucas on a date, things are realized, and terms are set

no one ever tried like you (24,594 words)

But that’s what it’s like with Eliott. Lucas doesn’t think he can become any happier, and then he does. Just like that.

It’s his final thought before he drifts off, how he never thought it could be like this, so good that it aches.

He never wants to lose it.

or, there's heartache in these galaxies

interlude - idriss (8,821 words)

Idriss watches them and he thinks, fire, meet gunpowder.

a dream of you and me (43,840 words)

They kiss, and it's a kiss borne out of excitement, of the giddy rush of youth mixed with endless time and possibility, but it’s also a kiss of reassurance, a small I’m here with you and a beautifully comforting, I think we’ll be okay, the two of us.

or, there is love, and everything else will follow

tumblr prompts

no. 28 (1,424 words)

for the prompt - "marry me?"

nos. 35 & 1 (1,861 words)

for the prompts - "come over here and make me" & "you heard me. take. it. off."

no. 18 (1,614 words)

for the prompt - "this is without a doubt the stupidest plan you've ever had. of course i'm in."

no. 25 (2,485 words)

for the prompt - "i can't believe you talked me into this."

nos. 17 & 48 (2,047 words)

for the prompts - "looks like we'll be trapped her for a while." & "boo!"

no. 7 (2,496 words)

for the prompt - "i almost lost you."

tarot card prompts

not to me (not if it’s you) (4,109 words)

the star: renewal, hope, rest “i feel at peace” possible AUs/settings/ideas: star-gazing, lazy days, cuddling, spirit au

no sweeter innocence (than our gentle sin) (7,764 words)

the devil: failure, lust, temptation "you want it too" possible AUs/settings/ideas: desire, nsfw, unrequited love, demon au

ce destin est une marée (et nous sommes emportés) (24,201 words)

the high priestess: magic, dreams, knowledge “I had this dream, and now…” possible AUs/settings/ideas: visions, sold fortune, magic au

in a peculiar universe (also known as cross-universe hoopla)

and my love life waits (1,062 words)

in which there is far more romance at the skatepark than anyone would guess

i’ve learned to lose you (can’t afford to) (3,700 words)

While Sander’s first instinct would normally be to make a lame joke or change the subject completely, instead he sits back on his heels, takes a deep breath and asks, “Did you ever…hurt anyone?”

Eliott tilts his head. “Because you tried too hard not to?”

“No. Because you meant to.”

in which an empty art studio is as good a place as any to bare your soul to a stranger

[vermiculus-incipiens]

OOC INFORMATION:

What’s your name? Emmy

Preferred pronouns: She/Her

Timezone: PST (at the moment)

IC INFORMATION:

Character Name: Lily Ruth Potter, née Evans

What’s a hobby or pastime that your character enjoys? Lily enjoys baking, and it’s an extremely comforting activity to her. Strongly tied to memories of her mum, there’s something about the methodical nature, the familiar steps that puts her at ease. In addition there’s the balance of room for creative expression and experimentation but also the predictability of chemical reactions that underpin it. It is the sweeter version of potion making, with fewer adverse side effects.

Do you have any preferred ships or anti-ships? James and Lily together is the obvious canonical ship that is the basis upon which the entirety of Harry Potter is built—without them, there is no Harry Potter. That acknowledged, it isn’t my only ship for Lily. Exploring alternatives and different aspects of different relationships with her is just as important for me.

What do you think your character’s Boggart would be? If their greatest fear isn’t something that could easily take a solid form, what is it? Why? Greatest fears can change and shift over time. However, since about late 1975, Lily’s dominating fear has been a dark version of herself. Someone who has lost her moral guidepost and slipped down the path she could have seen herself following if she hadn’t ended her friendship with Severus back then, or gives in to the anger and frustration now. She knows how easy it would be to snap and start doing bad even in the name of goodness. In a bit of a cliche, this would have manifested as a slightly older version of herself, dressed in all black robes, a sneer on her lips and a hollow look in her eyes; a Lily that doesn’t look that different from present but feels decidedly off. Additional details that may make an appearance is a silver mask in her hand (after she’s seen those masks on Death Eaters in person) or the bodies of her loved ones around her feet (not excluding Petunia or Severus). Of course this has very recently taken another dramatic turn, even if Lily herself hasn’t fully realized it. Since Harry’s birth, her greatest fear has become losing him. Having the tiny life in her arms taken away or snuffed out. There’s a lot of guilt and worry over having a child in the middle of a war already, and the thought that she could be actively putting him in more danger weighs on her heavily. A particularly dark combination of these two boggarts could be that dark Lily holding a lifeless Harry in her arms.

What’s your character’s biggest pet peeve? Perhaps not small enough to be a pet peeve, or just a small aspect of a larger issue, but the insidious little backhanded complement of being ‘good—for a Muggleborn.’ So much praise she gets is qualified as such, as if her accomplishments and skills are amazing solely because she’s a Muggleborn and the implication of that being a severe disadvantage. Often it’s meant well, but it digs under her skin, another reminder of how much the magical society doesn’t value her and those like her, regardless of what might be said.

What would you consider to be an eccentricity of your character? Other witches and wizards would at least consider it an eccentricity that Lily still does plenty of things the ‘Muggle’ way. From ironing to doing dishes to cleaning up, Lily will go out of her way and inconvenience herself to do things without magic. It is some small rebellion, a refusal to conceded that magic is better in all things, that magical living is superior. There is nothing wrong Muggleness!

What is/was your character’s favorite subject in school? Why? There is a dual answer to this: Potion and Charms. Charms because it was the quintessential magic, what one thinks of with magic, what she dreamt of as a little girl on the banks of the grimy river in Cokeworth, planning out with Severus what their future would look like; Potions because of a resonance with her non-magical hobby of baking and the same scientific creativity. Plus it was something she excelled at and shared with her best friend for so long. These two subjects remain the focus of her magical research as well.

What time of day is your character’s favorite? What time of year? The liminal times are Lily’s favourite; sunrise and sunset, so full of possibilities, or new beginnings, the sort of raw reminder of life trudging ever on. Granted, these days that reminder is more of a grind, and those times bring more tension, breaths held as she waits for the return of those Order members out on raid. In an entirely bias move, winter is her favourite time of year, for the dual gift giving of Christmas and her Birthday. There’s also an adoration for cozy fires, chunky knitwear, and cuddling up against the biting cold of the snow.

What’s your character’s Patronus? If they can’t conjure one, what would it be if they could? Why? Lily’s Doe Patronus isn’t purely a reflection of her love for James. It is a representation of her gentle yet fiercely protective nature, nurturing through intuition and empathy, ruled by a sense of grace. Her current memory for conjuration would be the moment she first held Harry in her arms.

What is your character’s biggest vice (bad habit or immoral craving)? A flippant answer and a more serious once. Lily has a dreadful sweet tooth. The more serious vice is a strong predeliction to jealousy and envy. It would be easy to think that Lily, being pretty, intelligent, wouldn’t have anything to covet. Yet Lily has been denied something big since the age of eleven—being treated like a full, valid, worthwhile person by a large potion of her peers and people from this adopted world she is a part of. Her wanting nearly always is aimed at trying to fill that void. Wishing she was excelling more at a subject (Lily has always struggled with Transfiguration; while she does well and is accomplished at it, she had to work much harder at it than at any of her other subjects), wanting to be treated as a full equal (See again, ‘Good for a Muggleborn’), or the security of friendships and love and affection. Lily can crave things so deeply and turn into a narrow-minded, jealous little monster.

Is your character an introvert or extrovert? How well do they handle social situations? Lily is an ambivert, as comfortable in a crowd as she is in solitude. Always a popular person at school, she was infallible friendly, even if there were few people she actually committed and stayed close to as friends. That is a designation she values highly and holds close. She can hold up being the center of attention, but is more comfortable in a group of people she knows, and while enjoys quiet solitude, can’t put up with it indefinitely.

What is your character’s diet like? What’s his or her favorite food? Lily is still recovering from Baby Growing Diet and an almost excessive focus on eating well and nutritiously (the least she could do, if she was going to bring a child into this chaotic, war riddled world, is make sure they were healthy and given the best chance in life from the start). Prior to that, she had a fairly traditional, some might say bland, British diet. Meat and potatoes are what she grew up on in Cokeworth, which not much experimentation outside of that. There wasn’t much exposure to food from other cultures in a grubby town like that. To go with her sweet tooth, she would claim any number of biscuits, pastries, and cakes as a favorite. She has a particular fondness for Pepermint Frogs, however. The remind her of Winter all year round.

How do you think your character’s psychological issues have manifested and changed your character up to this point? Lily has been in a pressure cooker of stresses since she was eleven, and the root of those psychological issues stretch back to then. Her optimism has had a heavy damper put on it, and her openness with others is scorned and stunted. She is much more wary, less ready or able to believe in the innate goodness of people that was once so important to her. Her faith in justice and fairness are shaken and as the war drags on and on and seems more hopeless, she started to question if fighting here is even worth it anymore. She is incredibly tired and calloused towards the world. When they all hate her, how can she possible go on caring for them?

Give us a headcanon for your character. Anything is acceptable. Lily has a long standing, self-admittedly silly mental association between Severus Snape and Willy Wonka. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was a childhood favourite story, and Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory released in theaters in June of 1971, shortly before she and Severus went to Hogwarts. Between the two, a fantastical equivalency between Wonka giving Charlie the key to the chocolate factory and Severus ‘giving’ Lily the key to magic and Hogwarts was made. It’s a fond bit of nostalgia for her, even if it gained a sour edge to it over the years. Part of that has gone on to impact Lily’s relationship to movies in general; she doesn’t care much for going to see them anymore.

[thoughtsofalostwitch]

Hi how do I become a male witch for real to support to women I love who is a witch and because I'm honestly curious and interested in being a male witch

✧･ﾟ:* Sᴏ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴘʀᴀᴄᴛɪᴄᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʀᴀғᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ʟᴇᴀʀɴ sᴏᴍᴇ ᴍᴀɢɪᴄᴋ ᴀs ᴀ ᴍᴀʟᴇ ᴡɪᴛᴄʜ! *:･ﾟ✧ Merry Meet!  ☆ Thank you for being my first ask! First I would like to begin with the fact that being a witch means something different to everyone.

” Witch for me is my most powerful self. Deeply grounded. Always healing and protecting myself and those I love. Bending attraction into my direction. Spreading peace and love wherever I go. Respecting nature. Following my intuition. Calling on my guides. Working with my inner wolf. Connecting with myself on all levels. Increasing my vibration. Meditation. Gratitude. Love. Light. This is what witch means to me. ” -Lunas Grimoire " I think that magic plays a part in my day-to-day effort to visualize goals, deal with problems, and connect myself to nature. Spells and visualization are all about intentionality and channeling your life force!"  -HS “To put it simply, witchcraft is the practice of magick. This isn't to be confused with magic, which is what magicians do. Magick is a series of techniques a witch uses to harness energy (both external and internal) in order to change one's surroundings as well as one's self. It's also important to note that being a witch is not the same thing as being Wiccan. Unlike witchcraft, Wicca is a religion. However, it is common to meet witches who are Wiccan and vice versa. And most importantly, anyone can become a witch. Witchcraft is truly for everyone.” -The Witch Mommy ☆ So what is a witch?! ”First, many people do still use “witch” to mean “someone who worships the Devil and/or evil and who engages in gratuitous malevolence.” Present-day Witches generally feel that such a definition of “witch” results merely from Christian politics and propaganda. True, there are now “Satanic” churches, the most prominent having been Anton LeVay’s Church of Satan and the Temple of Set, and its members do call themselves “witches,” which certainly confuses outsiders. However, as J. Gordon Melton has pointed out, the members of these churches are actually atheistic, hedonistic, and egoistic in their ethics. Pagan Witches regard Satanist witches as Christian heretics and not Pagan at all. Setting all that aside, we can look at the more positive usages of the term.First, “witch” is often used to mean “someone who practices some form of magic.” But “folk magic” is ubiquitous, and those who practice it usually consider themselves to be devout members of the faith community around them, just with a special gift. They very rarely seem to think that their magical practice constitutes a unique religion. Nevertheless, there are quite a few such “magical witches,” and they logically must be considered part of the Craft movement.Second, “witch” is often used to mean “someone who has and uses unusual psychic talents.” It can thus be applied to Spiritualist mediums, to clairvoyant readers, to diviners, and so on. Again, such people almost always consider them to be members of the surrounding faith community, just with a special talent, and likewise do not regard that talent as constituting a different religion.Third, “witch” is now (and only recently) used to mean “someone who honors or worships the Old Gods” of whatever pantheon, though “Pagan” is also used with this meaning. Here the self-concept is that one is pursuing a religious path different from that of the surrounding community, but such pursuit does not necessarily involve any use of magic or psychic talents.It is only within the Pagan movement as inspired by Gardnerian Witchcraft that these three different meanings have been bundled together into the current concept of the Pagan Witch as practicing a unique and magical religion.At first, before the rise of the festival movement in America about 1980, a fourth meaning of “Witch” was included in this bundle: “someone who has been initiated as a member of an organized group (yes, a coven) that practices Witchcraft as a Pagan religion or as an apprentice of a master teacher of witchcraft.” Once the festivals had evolved to provide people with a way to celebrate the Wheel of the Year, and once enough “how to” books had been published to give people all the information they needed to practice the Craft as a solitary or only within their own families, joining a coven was no longer the only way to follow Wicca or a more generic form of Witchcraft as a spiritual path.There had been some solitaries even in the 1960s and 1970s, but as a result of the festivals, around 1980 the movement divided into two categories, one being a laity, who now constitute at least 90 percent of all Witches in America, the other being those who have been initiated into and practice the Craft within a coven or equivalent group. However, a First-Degree initiate of a coven is not regarded as having any special authority or expertise, given that anyone can learn from the published books about 99 percent of what that initiate would know. Instead, there is another level of meaning.” -Aidan Kelly Before you get started you must understand, there are many different paths or well types of witchcraft. ☆ The most common types usually include: 1: GARDNERIAN WITCH: A Gardnerian Witch is someone who follows the belief system of Gardnerian Wicca, which was created by Gerald Garner in the 1950s.  Gardnerian Wicca is hierarchical system that consists of a high priest and priestess as well as various initiations. So, one is not a Gardnerian Witch until they have learned their specific traditions and have gone through proper initiation. 2: ALEXANDRIAN WITCH: Alexandrian Witchcraft is like Guardian Wicca in that it is a formalized belief system which contains it’s own traditions and initiations.  Alexandrian witches follow some of the similar traditions in Guardian Wicca, but also incorporate ceremonial magic as well as the Qabalah. 3. SOLITARY WITCH: A solitary witch is someone who performs spellwork and rituals alone and without a coven.  This may be by choice, or perhaps they just haven’t yet found a group of fellow witches they would like to work with.  A solitary witch can incorporate various different paths based on their interest and may or may not use witchcraft as part of a wider spiritual path or religion. 4. ECLECTIC WITCH: An Eclectic witch is someone who pulls from various witchcraft traditions for their spellwork and rituals.  They rely on a variety of different cultures, beliefs, and systems to formulate their own personal witchcraft practice which may change and evolve over time. 5. TRADITIONAL WITCH: A traditional witch is someone who takes a historical approach to witchcraft.  They look at old grimoires, witch trials, various witch lore, and historical accounts to lay the foundation for their own spells and rituals.  Often traditional witches focus on working with the nature and history of the place they live and may work with the genius loci, or the local spirits. 6. HEREDITARY WITCH: A Hereditary witch is someone who was born into a family that practices witchcraft.  Usually their knowledge is passed down through generations and each family may have their own traditions and belief system.  Though, just because someone is born in a witch family it does not necessarily mean that they will be more knowledgeable or powerful than a non-hereditary witch. 7. HEDGE WITCH: A Hedge witch works with the liminal spaces and the spirit realm.  In the past a ‘hedge’ would mark a boundary of a village or settlement and thus represents the boundary between our physical reality and the spirit world.  A hedge witch may be skilled at crossing that boundary through practices like astral travel. 8. KITCHEN WITCH: A kitchen witch enjoys making their home and surroundings a sacred space.  They often like to incorporate witchcraft with their cooking and put their energy and focus into to the food and the meals they create.  They care deeply about the ingredients, and may have their own herb and vegetable garden. 9. GREEN WITCH: Green witches are extremely nature based.  They are likely to be in-tune with the seasons and often use natural materials to create their own magical tools.  They most likely try to perform all their spellwork and rituals outside in nature when possible. 10. COSMIC WITCH: A cosmic witch incorporates astrology and astronomy into their witchcraft.  They most likely closely follow the alignment of the planets and they will often will coordinate their spells and rituals based on the location of the planets and the moon. ☆ Labels.. Labels.. and more labels! Also, here are a few labels that are commonly passed around as well! It’s very important to remember that labels should never limit your practice. These are just classifications that I find useful in describing myself, and others have used to describe themselves. This list was made purely for fun. This is, by no means, a complete list. You do not have to ‘fit’ into any of these. A person’s craft is unique to them, that’s what makes it so awesome. (Warning: you may see some repeats from the previous list!) Omni Witch: A bookworm and a know it all, this type of witch studies and practices all the fields of magick. They are innately curious about everything, and love to learn. They are talkative and eager to share the massive amount of knowledge they have absorbed. Eclectic Witch: The Boho witch. She uses a combination or mix of whatever paths suit her best. Typically specializes in 2-4 different sects of the craft. She often will wear a mix-match of clothing, but enjoys long flowing things. She tends to be very random and eccentric, but is friendly nonetheless. Kitchen Witch: This type of witch uses easily obtained items and weaves magick into every aspect of their life. They are particularly fond of cooking, arts and crafts, sewing, cleaning, gardening and baking. They are skilled in potions, herbology, and subtle magick. Cottage Witch: A Witch who focuses on hearth magick. Much like the Kitchen witch, but with less emphasis on the cooking. They are the homemakers, the ones who decorate the house for the holidays. Usually empaths who are very sensitive to the people around them. Practical Witch: A branch of kitchen witch, they are adept at spellwork, and use their magick for everyday, mundane things. They adore the use of sigils and put them everywhere. Very down to earth individuals, who enjoy experimenting with ways to use magick to may their daily life easier and more enjoyable. Stitch Witch: A brand of Kitchen and Cottage witchery that holds magickal fabric work in high regard. They focus primarily on knot and stitch magick. Very scatter-brained individuals. Their room are always in disarray, fabric and thread everywhere. Usually fond of cosplay. LOVE making Halloween costumes for their family and friends. Green Witch: The woodland witches, these earthy individuals protect plants and love to garden. They usually are adept at spirit communication, hearing and responding to the needs of their many leaf-bearing friends. They thrive in natural environments such as forests, lakes, rivers and gardens. Green witches enjoy sunlight, growing plants and collecting rocks. They focus on holistic medicine and are learned healers. They are very familiar with their local region, having memorized all the species of plants, trees, insects, wildlife and flowers. They truly love the earth. Crystal Witch: A branch of Green witchery, these witches primarily work with stones, gems, crystals, and rocks. They LOVE geology, spend a lot of time hiking and collecting crystals. Usually very organized individuals that are in tune with the earth. They always know when the next local rock and mineral show is. Usually broke because they are always buying new rocks. So many rocks. Fucking rocks everywhere omg. Creature Witch: Another branch of Green witchery, mixed with spirit working and hedgecraft, these witches primarily work with Magickal and Astral creatures and spirits. They are very friendly people, and get along with all kinds of physical, and not so physical creatures. They collect fossils and bones and skulls and know the names and personalities of each spirit attached to them.Hedge Witch: A witch that lives between two worlds. They easily cross over into Elsewhere, the astral realm, and do so with ease. Often skilled at working with magickal creatures and familiars, they are very creative and artistic individuals. They are also very adept at psychometry, spirit communication, energy work, and time travel. Also called Astral Witches. Energy Witch: Witches that perform all of their magic internally. Their magic is one of pure energy, using circles cast in their heads and their imaginations to bring their will to life. Are usually shy and keep to themselves. They enjoy divination and astral projection. Also called Intrinsic Witches. Shadow Worker: A combination of energy and hedge magick, the shadow worker tames and summons Shadows of their own past and personality. They regret nothing, are very in tune with their emotions, and spend a lot of time meditating. They are not afraid to confront their mistakes, because accepting the flawed pieces of their personality gives them power. Spirit Worker: A Witch who communes with the dead spirits of humans, animals, and others entities. Some can even communicate with the spirits of trees, rocks, and man-made items. They are usually very outspoken, opinionated people. They use spirit boards and pendulums, among many other tools. They enjoy taking strolls in graveyards and having casual chats with the dead. Also called Mediums. Exorcist: A branch of Spirit Worker. They are usually hereditary, clairvoyant and raised into their practice. They learn their craft as it is passed down from their family members. They practice the archaic tradition of exorcism, aka banishment of dark or foul entities. Very somber individuals, who try their best to be optimistic. Oracle/Diviner: Branch of Spirit worker. Witches who primarily focus their practice on divination. Tarot, runes, pendulums, spirit boards, scrying, crystal gazing, aeromancy, stichomancy, sea gazing, animal gazing, bird watching, lynchomancy, ceromancy, astrology, numerology, amathomancy, dream interpretation, shufflemancy, tea leaf reading, people watching, palm reading, face reading. You name it, they probably know how to do it. Usually clairvoyant and have a number of other psychic abilities. Chaos Witch: A witch who uses baneful magick in their craft. They enjoy working with bones and are skilled at channeling and communicating with spirits. They will sometimes use demons, storm magick, blood magick, and cursing in their practice. They fear nothing. Commonly mislabeled ‘black’ or ‘dark’ witch. Which is not correct. Tsk tsk. Necromancer: A branch of Chaos magick, these witches take spirit working a step further, and are adept at communicating and controlling the dead. Necromancers usually have a familiar ‘wraith’ that acts much like an astral or spirit guide. Some can even raise the dead for a period of time to converse with them. Blood Witch: Another branch of Chaos magick, these witches primarily use blood in their rituals. They have a high pain tolerance, care little about what others think or say, and are very set in their ways. Some do it to prove how strong they are or devotion to their deities. Nonetheless, nice people once you get to know them. Perhaps a bit misunderstood. Sun Witch: A witch who draws their power more from the sun, than the moon as most witches tend to do. Adept at fire magic and are usually very spirited individuals. They use candles often in their practice, and love to throw barbecues and bonfires with their many friends. They enjoy sunbathing. Their magick comes in giant bursts and they will often use a lot of energy at once. Lunar Witch: A witch who primarily draws their power from the moon. They adore her and are usually adept at making moon water and knowing exactly what phase of the moon it is at any given time. They do not fear the dark, do much of their magick after the sun goes down, and have the ability to speak with the Lady Luna herself. These witches also may choose (or be chosen by) one of the moons of another planet, such as Miranda or Europa., and will work with that particular celestial body. Star Witch: Not to be confused with a Space witch, who works with all of the cosmos, primarily aliens and astrology. Star witches draw their power from constellations, stars, and the sun. They love star gazing, have star charts hanging on the walls of their room, and never miss a meteor shower. Very chipper individuals who always want to go to the planetarium rather than out to see a movie or to the park. They may also work with planets as well as stars. Storm Witch: This breed of witch is both terrifying and thrilling. They have a great sense of humor, and are usually very cryptic. They give zero fucks what people think of them and march to the beat of their own drum. They whistle up the winds and summon lightning. These witches are usually very adept at cursing and fear nothing. They like horror movies, cloudy weather, and casting emotionally charged spells. They are empathic individuals and always feel things to the extreme, there is no middle ground with them. Its black or white. Winter Witch: Witches who reside in the colder climates of the world. They cast snowstorms, collect hail and make poppets from snow. Blizzards are their best friends. They love cold weather, and usually draw their power from the snow and clouds, rather than the sun or the moon, as neither are usually very visible during storms. Despite their chilly disposition, they are warm and friendly once you get to know them. Sea Witch: These witches hone their craft near a body of water, and center their practice around it. Some sea witches will work with fresh water, such as rivers or lakes (in which case they will usually call themselves ‘river’ or ‘lake’ witches), some with the ocean. Sea witches without immediate access to a body of water are called ‘land-locked’. They often form connections with fish of all kinds, know their local areas very well, are good at predicting the weather, and are friendly with the nymphs, fae and dragons of their region. They enjoy collecting sand and seashells and are adept at storm and sun magic. Swamp Witch: A witch who works in the rivers and bayous of the world. They are adept at spirit communication and are versed in the traditions of their area. They enjoy wandering around their swamps, meeting familiars and befriending creepy crawlies. Their craft is usually a mix of traditional southern witchcraft and Hoodoo. They are very warm, hospitable individuals, but you should NEVER cross a Swamp witch. They are not afraid to curse your ass. These witches favor the healing powers of mud, enjoy mixing potions, reading next to a roaring fire and being with their family. Witch of the Waste: Desert witches who work with sand and limited supplies. Hardy herbs are their best friends and they often use a lot of bone magic. They have an extensive fossil and skull collection and are constantly pouring over old field guilds for their local area. They can whip up sandstorms in the blink of an eye, and befriend scorpions, snakes, and coyotes alike. They are an enduring species of witch, weathering everything the world has to throw at them. Few things dampen their spirits. Urban Witch: City witches who graffiti sigils on abandoned buildings, grow herbs in pots in their apartments and are very technologically savvy. Technomagic is their jam, usually rocking enchanted headphones, weaving spells from their favorite songs and using their cell phones as scrying mirrors.Tech Witch: A branch of Urban witchcraft, they work with html and other computer codes, have virtual altars to their deities, use old circuit boards as wards, old keypads from cell phones and laptops as spirit boards, and old broken electronic screens for scrying. They typically keep their grimoires as blogs. Very intelligent witches who are always on tumblr. Pop Culture Witch: A branch of Urban witchcraft. Witches that craft their spells based on popular music, movies, books and poetry. They are artistic and very educated and love to laugh. They can also curse the hell out of you. It’s not all Disney movies, folks. Artistic Witch: A witch usually covered in paint from head to toe. They draw, paint, dance, sing, and sew their way through their practice. They enchant their tablet pens and paintbrushes, use storm water for their watercolors, and strike real emotion into their audience. Dance Witch: Branch of Artistic Witch. They use dance in their practice, and are very physically sound. They may practice one on many kinds of dance, or even martial art. And they do so skillfully. They are usually very quiet people, but not at all shy or unsure of themselves. They would rather express their thoughts through movement and body language than actually speaking. Theatrical Witch: Branch of Artistic witch. A player. They act and perform in plays to honor their deities, spend countless hours perfecting their lines and adore being dramatic. Very charismatic people who take pride in their work. Persistent. Never take no for an answer. Melodic Witch: A branch of Artistic that primarily uses song and musical instruments in their practice. They are very busy people, constantly practicing whatever instrument has currently caught their fancy. They easily make friends with Sirens and Lorelai in their common love of song, and attract Fae and Nymphs alike with the sounds of their voices. Fae Witch: These witches are educated on all types of faeries, but usually prefer to work with a certain species or one they are familiar with. They are usually very playful and mischievous individuals, mimicking the creatures they work with. They are very attracted to shiny things and are easily offended. Nymphatic Witch: These cutie pies are usually Hellenistic in their choice of deities, and are well versed in all the species of Nymphs, what they like, and where they live. They usually work with the ones that live in their local area and mirror them in their personalities. They hate wearing clothes, but when they do they prefer pastel colors. They are very whimsical, pleasant people to be around. Draconic Witch: These witches are fearsome. They are knowledgable in all the species of dragons, their personalities and their migration patterns. They usually will have one or more dragon companion from their local area. They are skilled in astral projecting, storm magick and cursing. They love to collect things such as books and crystals. Vampiric Witch: A witch that either works with or is a vampire. They feed off the energy or emotions of others and use it to power their magick. They tend to be kind of clingy, but they are loyal as fuck and treasure their few friends. They have many secrets, and usually a dark past. They enjoy using blood in magick and are adept at healing and cursing. They are kind of vain, love gothic clothing, jewelry and expensive things. Astro/Space Witch: A witch who works with aliens. Usually very paranoid individuals, they adore star gazing, always know when the next astronomical event is, and love the documentary TV Show ‘ancient aliens’. They are usually adept at astral travel, astrology and sun magick. Demonic Witch: These witches work with Demons. They differ from Exorcists in that they actually summon them and get them to go their bidding, rather than casting them out. Can usually hold a grudge a hella long time. Not people to mess with. Stubborn and bull headed. Otherkin Witch: A witch who is Otherkin. They relate to an inhuman or an animal in either personality or spirit, or believe they are a reincarnation of such. They behaviors and choice in deities and certain practices in their craft will usually reflect their kind of Kin. An example would be that a Felinekin might like using catnip in their rituals, and might call on Bastet, Sekhmet or Freya in their magick. Ceremonial Witch: A combination of ceremonial magic and witchcraft. They focus on rituals and formal casting of magic. With robes and altars and everything. Also called Ritualistic Witchcraft or Traditional Witchcraft. Solitary Witch: A witch who works in isolation. Usually very independent and stubborn, they take orders from no one. Subtle Witch: A witch who cannot be openly witchy due to their family, friends or environment. Hereditary Witch: Someone who is born into a witch family and brought up learning about witchcraft, or folk magic. They take great pride in certain traditional magic passed down through the generations. Secular Witch: A witch who does not involve religion in their craft. Now that you’re a bit more familiar with the paths and labels- ☆ Let’s hit the books! Many people assume that becoming a witch simply means giving yourself the title of witch and then casting the occasional spell. This would be like buying yoga pants and mala beads, and calling yourself a yogi. But the truth is, becoming a witch takes a lot of hard work, discipline, and time. Therefore, after you decide which kind of witchcraft you are interested in, it's time to start studying. In order to learn about your craft, get your hands on as many books and articles as possible. Thanks to the internet, you can now watch videos online about becoming a witch, and you can even take witchcraft courses. Being a novice witch can be very overwhelming, so it's also a good idea to find a guide. An experienced witch can recommend reading, teach you some techniques for spells, and encourage you along your journey. ☆ Next gather your supplies!! You can never have to much in my opinion! Of course, you may also wish to buy some supplies in order to practice magick and cast spells. While you don't need to buy everything at once, here are some of the most common witchcraft supplies and tools: Mortar and pestle: These are used to mix herbs and other ingredients in order to create your blends and remedies.

Crystals: Crystals can help purify a sacred space before a ritual, as well as provide healing and protection.

Wand: This is a short stick (often selected from specific trees) used to cast a circle

Salt: Typically used to cast a protective circle

Book of Shadows: This is where you will organize and record things you are learning within the craft, as well as spells and rituals.

Herbs: These are used in spell workings, rituals, and magickal preparations.

God and Goddess statues: Used to decorate the altar and as a focal point during rituals, to draw attention to a particular god or goddess.

Altar: This is where you will hold sacred space, practice your craft, as well as keep your crystals, statues, and other witchcraft supplies. While there is more we could include on this list, these are the basic supplies witches use. As you refine your area of focus, you will have a better idea of the supplies that your brand of witchery calls for. ☆ What about spells?! Now, you're probably wondering, "Ok, but how do I cast a spell?".. The truth is, as frustrating as it sounds, there is no exact answer on how to cast a spell. This is because every witch is different and every witch has their own path. This means that a spell that works for one witch may not work for another. Learning to cast spells that work for you takes research, practice, and introspection. That being said, it can help to have some basic guidelines to get started. Then, you can tweak spells based on your own individual needs. This Simple Pleasures in Life spell is a great place to start. As you can see, becoming a witch and practicing witchcraft involves a lot more than just waving a wand around. ☆ Witch Youtube Channels: https://www.youtube.com/user/VideoJamGarden https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZfyjjVFNqNBLRg6p964AWQ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO6HYyldrzr3fTUWXLyJ3yg https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChHS4NI6U4XgCuYgsrygVCA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoJQafFd9es78EhaqXl4WNA ♡  All credit goes to their due sources.  ♡

[listing-to-port]

Happy  birthday to this, again (part one)

Listing to port is THREE today so, as is traditional, here is a list of the posts from that past year, in two parts, of which this is the first. Once again facilitated by the R interface to the tumblr api. Previously on listing to port: year one part one; year one part two; year two part one; year two part two; year three part two.

Hints, tips, life skills: Is it flu? A guide; Eight fun ways to break the ice at parties; Seven auspicious introductions; Several questions answered; Methods of survival; Eight methods of shelving; Ten situations that only book people will recognise; Nine ways to feel old; How to wash anything without it going grey or pink; How to find your name for almost any circumstance; How to Science: a guide; Escape routes; Things it is good to get off your chest; Nine punctuationary perils; Ten things about you that just might mean that you're a stick; Secret delights; Methods of fixing; Small talk notes; Ten ways to incorporate more exercise into your life; Seven things women are looking for in a man; Eight ways to be awake when you need to be; Ways to make a place feel more like home;Ten ways that people who like their coffee to be like their prospective sexual partners like their coffee; Eight ways of answering the phone; Eight strategies for dealing with awkward situations; Things to do on a rainy day; How to put on a duvet cover; Seven everyday hazards; Eight ways to defeat the ageing process; Eight decluttering tips; Nine morning habits of productive people; Ten ways to win friends.

Numerical ones: Seven cursed numerals; Six broken symmetries; How the numbers got that way; What happened after the thought experiments; Ten surprising averages; Outcomes for experiments; Seven tales of irresistible forces and immovable objects.

On art, architecture, music and suchlike: Ways of seeing; Turquoises; Inkstains; Seven things drawn in chalk; Nine popular music songs; Eight incarnations of stone light; Twelve other ways of going through doors; Gardens; The attic; Ten punks; Sundry magics of the theatre; Happenings backstage; Coloured rooms; People who might have written Shakespeare’s plays; Eight books that almost everyone needs to read; Eight tiny houses; Uncanny architecture; Seven haunted mansions; Six living statues; Nine poorly-remembered complete works; Seven unusual instruments; Works of indescribable horror; Six cities in love with their own reflections; Staircases; Pages; Nine brushes; Eight letters that have not yet made it into any alphabets; Seven architectures; Nine places made of words; Fonts; Dream rooms; Nine lanterns.

On animals and their doings: Ten ways to get this dog off your trail; Liminal cats; Seven bears repeating; Miaows; Ten modern dinosaurs; Eight reasons why hamsters have big cheeks; Cartoon bears; Nine lives; Seven sea horses; Animals with rhyming hobbies; Seven cat self-help books; Twelve sheep; Eight cats stuck up trees; Eight adorable puppies who will steal your heart; Nine unknown facts about dinosaurs; Eight octopus versions of things; Eight wolves.

On events: Nine Easter April fools; Cruel months; Seven creepy occurrences, explained; British holidays, explained; Five exclusive events; Seven ghost festivals; Eight halloween beauty routines; Nine burnings in effigy; Eight vegetable parties; Concurrences; Nine days off; Seven secret Santas; Seven Christmas dinners; Eight Christmas Futures; Christmases; Ten sticks through the heart of the old year; New Year’s Evolutions; Ten years; Nine beginnings.

On everyday things: Seven things I have felt like in the morning; Parcels; Nine reasons why your parcel was not delivered; Seven fragments of serendipity; Nine places we have looked; Pebbles; Visitors; Ants; Ten crates; Nine desks; Dots; Dark days; Nine boxes; Amazements.

On food: Five space cakes; Things that are better than sliced bread; Nine kitchen innovations that will change your life; Eight conceptual chocolates; Seven perilous cakes; Seven fruits having no equivalent outside the fairy realm; Seven harvests; Nine plums; Fast foods; Methods for chocolate delivery; Nine hot drinks on the menu; Courses; Breads.

On fashions and entertainments: Eight escapes from rooms; Seven powers that I shall gain; Ten necklines; Pockets; Twelve best towels; Dolls; Ten knights of the realm; Seven shampoos; My bookshelves: an alternative classification; Nine Summer clothing tips; Nine magic trousers; Twelve true fairytales of children’s tv; Ten spools of thread; Fairground attractions; Ten lovely dresses going cheap; Eight types of actor that you might find in a sandwich; Costumes; Eight minimalist decoration ideas; Half-time acts in the operating theatre; Ten scarves, evaluated; Nine bad behaviours at the movies; Nine gloves; Eight meta-records.

[queer-flesh-simulacrum]

Hot take: non-places in supermodern society serve the same mythological function to our subconscious as, say, the deep dark forest just outside the village, or the mysterious rock formation on the tall hill, or gazing out of the window into the pitch black during the witching hour did in premodern times.

It’s a similar feeling of uncanny loneliness; a place completely unclaimed by humanity. This is where All The Magic would happen in an old fashioned fairy tale, the only difference is instead of these supermodern liminal spaces being places devoid of evidence of mundane humanity in contrast with our every day experiences (the village vs the forest, a contemporary place of worship vs an ancient pagan one, your own home vs the darkness outside of it, etc.) these places feel so mundane and/or the abundance of human conviences that no one person could possibly consume at once feel so overwhelming.

When considering the fact that there’s hardly anyone ever frequenting a 24/7 store at certain hours of the night, the contrast of all of these signals of human comfort and the distinct lack of actual humanity feels almost like a cabin made entirely out of sweets just sitting out in the middle of a deep forest. (Was about to make a reference to how the myth of capitalist abundance functions against the backdrop of a gritty declining society in cyberpunk dystopias, but I feel like that’s for a whole different mini essay)

This is just my own attempt to make sense of this phenomenon, but I’m pretty convinced this is a similar kind of spooky feeling that our ancestors would deliberately weave into ghost stories. If that’s the case it would be cool to see more contemporary stories/media that uses the uncanny aspects of supermodernism to create a fantasy that people today can understand in the way people used to interpret folklore.

The closest thing that comes to mind like this now is maybe The Magnus Archives or even some creepypastas? Aside from stories though, if you watch any kind of “dead mall tour” videos, that’s definitely this era’s spiritual equivalent of gothic horror’s Creepy Old Castle trope (idea stolen from Contrapoint’s Oppulence video, but I’d bet that if Dracula was written today he’d be a CEO of some commercial real estate group living in the decaying palatial ruin of his failed 1980s American super mall).

That strange feeling of longing when you are at a train station, in a 24/7 open market, when you are buying a coke from a vending machine, watching the city lights glow from your window, when you're walking aimlessly on a busy street after 5 pm, that feeling as if something is missing in your life and it will never come back although it was never there in the first place; that inexplicable urban sadness.

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tag meme

Rules: Always post the rules. Answer 11 random questions posted for you. Create 11 new ones and tag 11 people. Let the person who tagged you know you answered. 

tagged by @ladyhedoniste​

11 questions for you:

1) What is your favourite piece of clothing?

Not to be too on-brand but probably my red trenchcoat. Also my pink beret.

2) Where do you feel the most at peace?

God I got stuck on this question -- nowhere, mostly. I’m just worried about different things in different places. Maybe at home in Maryland while on vacation? but even there I’m stressed about getting back to NYC.

3) What is your favourite decorative object?

I mean i’m a hoarder so I don’t have a real design aesthetic or anything, but I’ve started personalizing my office and I have a great pen holder that’s shaped like Lady Justice, with a badass sword and everything, that my dad bought me:

4) Where is your local liminal space?

I mean all subways are liminal spaces but mostly they’re terrible -- however when it’s actually running properly and not stopping in the middle of tunnels, I love the F train on Saturday mornings. It’s easy to get a seat and everyone’s p chill.

Also the subway on Halloween or during NY Comic Con is a truly magical place.

5) What’s your favourite terrible movie?

lmao Jurassic Park III maybe? It’s not legitimately terrible but it’s p unnecessary and a bit of a cash grab, but on the other hand they made the delightful choice to write Alan Grant having a poorly concealed affair with his younger male graduate student/research assistant. Why??? Why would they do this????? God knows but I love them for it.

In a similar vein I guess also The Eagle because it’s so lowkey gay but the movie doesn’t bother to confirm or deny it for the most part (except for one scene and it wasn’t even as jarring as the Master and Commander version).

Oh and D.E.B.S is an excellent film that’s kind of cheesy but was very formative and delightful to me.

6) What is your oldest childhood memory?

My dad holding me up and pointing at this cross-stitch family portrait that my mom made, that was hanging on the wall of our old apartment, and saying ‘that’s me! and that’s you! and that’s your mom!’.

7) How do you feel about perfume/cologne?

I’m very sensitive to smells (like, unusually so -- on the fanfic nonsense of being able to identify specific scents and remember them really intensely, but being grossed out by unpleasant ones to the point of distraction) so it has to be the right perfumes and colognes, and not too intense. I keep trying to find the right one for me to wear on a regular basis but usually strike out. 

8) Milkshake, float, or bubble tea?

ooooooh tough b/c i love all of these. PROBABLY float but only a purple cow -- vanilla ice cream + grape soda -- which is super rare. I only got it once at Bear Mountain but i still fantasize about it sometimes. the problem is it’s nearly impossible to get diet grape soda and that’s the only kind of soda i drink on the regs. don’t @ me the research about it causing harm is overblown and i’m choosing to have it as my one real vice. 

9) In any language, what is your favourite word?

lol the first one that came to mind is mierda, which I don’t even use. I like tierno too, and the English equivalent which is obviously tender -- luv the concept etc.

10) What is your pet peeve?

SO MANY but lately it’s people being loud on the subway, especially w/r/t music -- i shouldn’t be able to hear your music, dude. either because you’re playing it straight off your phone without headphones, or if you’ve got a wireless bluetooth speaker you’re carrying around, or because you’re singing along with music that you’re listening to. NO. it’s a lack of consideration for other people. Basic human decency in a city like new york, where we’re all on top of each other nonstop, is to be produce as little a sound/presence footprint as possible. keep your legs together when you sit, keep all your shit within your basic personal space bubble, and don’t touch people’s hands unless absolutely necessary. and DO NOT MAKE ME LISTEN TO YOUR MUSIC, i did not consent to that.

also all of the star wars fandom is my personal pet peeve obviously

11) What is the last thing you made with MS Paint?

voila. 

(i’ve made more recent things in photoshop but i only use ms paint at work b/c that’s the only place i have ms paint)

[dubiousculturalartifact]

OKAY Y'ALL IT IS MY BIRTHDAY TOMORROW

AND I WANNA HANG OUT WITH MY INTERNET FRIEND PEEPS

SO WHAT BETTER PLACE TO DO THAT BUT WITHIN THE GREAT LIMINAL SPACES THAT ARE COMMERCIAL CHAIN PANCAKE RESTAURANTS

HERE'S THE PLAN

AT 9:30 AM PACIFIC TIME

I SHOW UP AT MY LOCAL DENNYS RESTAURANT

YOU ALL GO TO YOUR LOCAL DENNYS RESTAURANT, EQUIVALENT BREAKFAST FOOD VENUE THEREOF, OR JUST HANG OUT AT YOUR HOUSE IDK I'M NOT PICKY ABOUT THIS

I MAKE A TEXT CHATROOM PROBABLY AND POST IT?

WE EAT BREAKFAST FOODS AND TALK ABOUT THINGS AND FEEL HUMAN CONNECTION WITH THE MAGIC OF WIFI, DESPITE THE VASTNESS OF GEOGRAPHY AND OUR OWN INHERENT SENSE OF ISOLATION IN A CONFUSING WORLD

IF WE TALK ON HERE OR ARE FRIENDLY YOU ARE INVITED