#so unbelievably good and true to the power of belief

[mobius-m-mobius]

🎃🎃🎃~Trick or Treat!~🎃🎃🎃

Treats of course!! Your Science & Fiction series is legendary for so many reasons but as per the course of Lokius themselves, the end of the beginning and the beginning of the end had me right from the start so here's a little something inspired by Mobius being Loki's rock whether he's always able to realize it in the moment or not 🥺🥰

[nerdygaymormon]

A friend of mine has a blog where he writes about that week's activities. He also regularly reviews new food products, and sometimes it's just his thoughts. This week's post really struck me and I want to highlight a few of the things he wrote:

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For the first time in my life, I began seriously considering what my life would look like if I left the Church. I realized that if I left, I wouldn't want a wife. I read accounts of straight men who left, and they would say, "I'm so glad I had my wife to help me get through that." But for me, having a wife would be a liability rather than an asset. And that made me realize that even staying in the Church, I don't want a wife.

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Faith is supposed to sustain you during hard times, so what do you do when your faith is your hard time?

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"You have to take adult responsibility for yourself, and you have to say, 'I am giving myself permission to belong here and to love these people, even though the written documents and the authority figures don't approve of me.'"

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In my current stage of faith, I am not concerned with whether or not the Church is "true." Like, what does that even mean, and how could I actually know that? I'm more interested in whether the Church is good, beautiful, and useful. And I believe it is, or at least can be—for straight people.

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Unfortunately, current Latter-day Saint theology does not yet include a place or an explanation for queer people, and our present leaders seem more interested in using their current understanding as a weapon against us than they are in figuring out where we fit.

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When so much has changed already, even in a short amount of time, why should I believe that where the teachings are right now is where they're supposed to be?

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And I also inherited a folk belief somewhere that Satan didn't have power to tempt people in the temple. So if I was at the temple doing baptisms for the dead and was attracted to a guy, then I was inherently evil, because Satan couldn't tempt me there.

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I truly believe that Dallin H. Oaks cares more about his personal interpretation of the Family Proclamation than he cares about people. I see it in the way he talks about the Proclamation, the way he talks about queer people, the way he talks about law, the way he has historically talked about the two great commandments, and the way he dismisses anyone who disagrees as apostate, unconverted, or unbelieving. As a lawyer, he seems to view everyone as an opponent he needs to win an argument against.

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If they expect us gays to be single our whole lives, they'll have to give us a better incentive than being second-class citizens in both the Church and the celestial kingdom, and they'll have to give us a better explanation than "This is the way it is because we say so."

[gunkreads]

Tagged by @highladyluck to give 3 book recommendations and tag a few people!

edit alright i didnt read the original. these were supposed to be one sentence each. fuckin whatever

City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett:

The Divine Cities trilogy is one of my favorite series ever. Fortunately, this is actually the weakest of the three and it still rocks ass. This book takes place in the city of Bulikov, once the greatest city on the Continent that ran on the power of highly active gods and slaves from the island nation of Saypur, now a center for the Saypuri counter-colonization of the Continent after a Saypuri guy went on the most successful deicide spree since God of War III.

This is fundamentally a conspiracy story, with the core plot question being "whodunnit" (or, more accurately, who's gonna dunnit). The core theme, though, is "What makes YOU the good guys?" The thing I find so strong in all of Bennett's work is that he presents characters who have actively orchestrated systemic evils, makes them sympathetic and interesting, and absolutely refuses to allow you to forgive them.

Turyin Mulaghesh, the #1 Woman Ever, is in this one. The second book centers around her. I'd confidently say these books are an excellent prelude or follow-up to The Masquerade; they're attacking many of the same questions from a very, very different angle.

Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames:

An all timer for a me for a reason. Pulp fantasy camp elevated to something greater. Eames understands that if you grab a concept and run with it, you can actually run far and fast enough that it's yours now. The cops won't get you.

This book is about a bunch of old retired guys who used to be The Rolling Stones Saga, the greatest rock mercenary band in the world. This world, Grandual, effectively asks the question, "what if being a hero was an actual job and a legitimate career path?" I'm not being cheeky with the strikethroughs. These guys are explicitly supposed to be 80s rock bands. It's an excellently woven bit of absurdity that feels completely diegetic somehow.

It takes place long after Saga's heyday, and Eames does an excellent job of having background characters trickle in half-true anecdotes supporting the protagonist, Clay Cooper, in his belief that Saga really DID go everywhere and do everything. They're going everywhere for the second time, but everything feels fresh because Clay's back fucking hurts.

The core plot is that the former lead singer swordsman of Saga had a daughter who took up the same trade, but got herself into an impossible siege, so Saga is getting back together to go bail her (and several dozen thousand other people) out.

Structurally, it's a fairly stereotypical fantasy adventure, crossing the country through all the standard Danger Zones and recovering your lost bandmates (one of whom is very explicitly just Mat Cauthon), but Eames squeezed absolutely everything he could out out of the rock band and old guy concepts. These guys are celebrities everywhere they go (Clay was the bassist so nobody recognizes him), and they have been EVERYWHERE. Eames layers on their experience with the world in a way that only deepens the worldbuilding, by omitting the initial description of places and phenomena in favor of Clay's second or tenth reaction to them.

Also, it's fucking fun as hell.

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss:

What are we even doing here. Don't even fucking talk to me. It's as good as everyone says. No, that's not true. It's unbelievably better.

The Name of the Wind is a story about what a story is. It could be about anything or anyone, except that it couldn't, because it's about Kvothe and it's about being alive. I can't even put two sentences together recommending or describing this book. I would be nowhere without it. I have read it and its sequel around 10 times and I'm overdue for a reread. I genuinely could not name a single aspect of the story that I'd consider a flaw. Caveats for certain people, sure, because I'm a critic at heart, but not flaws.

Tagging @pillowfriendly @briannysey @terramythos

[coolseabird]

What about you? Tell everything about the evil women you love!

Oooooh baby.

Lady Macbeth:

She's the template. She’s horrible truly. Has no issues with murder (until she does but mostly out of paranoia not moral issues with the act itself) and she drives Macbeth (and herself) to tragedy with her ambition. She sees herself as helping Macbeth to reach his full potential and that's she's doing it for THEM! Very nuanced character. I adore her. Girl boss 😌 I also loveeee this poster from the National Theater of Korea's production of Macbeth, this is her canon appearance to me now. Don't you want to do just a little murder for her? 🥺

Tamora (from Titus Andronicus):

She honestly is entirely justified in her desire for revenge at first. (Her son is brutally murdered and she's kidnapped by the Romans.) However, as she gains power and manipulates people and events more for her goals, her motives shift from vengeance to outright cruelty, and she becomes irredeemable. (Good for her) Also she (unintentionally) becomes a cannibal.

Edelgard von Hresvelg:

She's the villain to everyone else but she sees it as doing what is necessary. She's prepared to betray Dimitri brutally, she's the one who orchestrated an ambush on the others, and she's willing to drag countless others into her war to achieve her goal of dethroning the church. Ultimately though I'm still behind her 100%

Helga Sinclair:

She's a ruthless femme fatale, unapologetically in it for herself. I love her she never changes who she is even when she "helps" the others at the end it's just out of revenge. Also this scene changed my brain chemistry as a kid:

Brigid O'Shaughnessy:

Brigid O'Shaughnessy is the quintessential femme fatale. She lies, manipulates, and uses everyone around her, dragging the detective main guy into her dangerous schemes without remorse. She is so hot. (I love all golden age detective movie femme fatales... and she's the mascot for all of them)

Minthara:

Minthy...... my beloved. I love her more than words can express. She was an inquisitor who murdered unbelievers for TWO DIFFERENT GODS. (though one was a, uh, rather large brain borg cube thing but you know what I'm saying 🌀woooo you want to raid the grove so bad wooo🌀) She has a cut throat philosophy about life and has ZERO QUALMS about subjugating everyone else through brain parasites and conquering the world. At the same time though she loves those she cares about so deeply. She's a woman of extreme kindness and cruelty (when it's needed) and she will make you worse.

Lady Jessica:

I adore her. She raises her son to dominate others and she is totally chill with manipulating a whole people through religion to function as a weapon on her family's behalf. Not much else to say she's iconic.

Kreia:

Kreia's ultimate goal is challenging and hopefully destroying the Force itself (metal) and she will do anything to accomplish that. (murder) Beneath her objectively awful actions though, Kreia’s philosophy is good imo, it's that true freedom comes from relying on your own strength and rejecting breaking things down into black or white, good vs evil. So I wouldn't say she inherently is "evil" and she would probably laugh at anyone characterizing her as such. She's an anti-villain and you should side with her.

Olivier Armstrong:

She is an authoritarian power hungry general. She murders a man and buries him in concrete. (He deserved it though) She would 100% be a dictator if she could. I love her so much though because she has her own code of morality. She sees taking action on behalf of what you believe in as being honorable no matter what your beliefs are. If you want to not genocide people then you better damn well fight against those carrying it our rather than running away. Otherwise you're just a coward. What a queen.

Homura

What if Lucifer became the devil to save God from sacrificing himself for the sins of others? That’s Homura. (and the show isn't subtle about this haha, it's the actual metaphor) Her love for Madoka is so powerful that she’d burn the whole world to achieve her goal. She’s willing to kill, to doom humanity itself, all to protect the one she loves. Homura and Madoka are complete opposed as Homura would sacrifice everyone for Madoka, while Madoka would sacrifice herself for everyone. Selfish love vs Selfless love. Homura will happily become the villain if she has to. I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE MOVIE NEXT YEAR. HOW WILL IT END? I've been waiting a decade to see the conclusion.

Anyways, thank you for letting me yap about my favorite type of character <3

[safesthaveninexistence]

My beauty is compellingly on Godmode. My beauty is unignorably on Godmode. My beauty is prominently on Godmode. My gravitational pull's on Godmode. My instagram stories are on Godmode. My presence is on Godmode. My thoughts are on Godmode. My manifesting abilities are on Godmode. My powers are on Godmode. My beauty is excruciatingly on Godmode. My beauty is ASTONISHINGLY ON GODMODE. My beauty is perfectly on Godmode. My fame is on Godmode. My wealth is on Godmode. My dark magic, witchcraft, hoodoo, voodoo and white magic is on Godmode. The behind the scenes is on Godmode. My psychic presence is on Godmode. The way I draw attention is on Godmode. My effectiveness is on Godmode. The way I make shit happen instantly is on Godmode. The way I'm never frustrated is on Godmode. My compellingness is Godmode. The staggeringness of my immeasurable beauty is on Godmode. The peak perfection of my beauty is on Godmode. My mesmerism is on Godmode. My hypnotic appeal is on Godmode. My hypnotic attraction is on Godmode. My ability to spellbind them is on Godmode. My witchcraft is tangibly on Godmode. My spells are on Godmode. My Magic is on Godmode. The infinitelyevergrowinglyunsurpassablyandprofoundlyultraultraultraultraformidable loyalty of my Magic power to me is on Godmode. The infinitelyevergrowinglyunsurpassablyandprofoundlyultraultraultraultraformidable power and effectiveness of my eerie gravitational pull is on Godmode. My Godmodeness feels much more pronounced. My likability is on Godmode. My desirability is on Godmode. My sex appeal is on Godmode. My mental intelligence and mental health is on Godmode. My physical health is on Godmode. The way I control other people's lives is on Godmode. The way everything goes my way is on Godmode. The way I effortlessly put a spell on them is on Godmode. My psychic presence is on Godmode. My Divinity is on Godmode. My Godmode is on Godmode. The way I'm clearly the prize is on Godmode. My intentions are on Godmode. I tangibly look like the Kingdom Of Heaven on Earth. My popularity is on Godmode (chills). I'm rigged to be brave (chills). I'm rigged to be unconquerable. I'm the apex predator of being unconquerable. My power of the mind is the apex predator of the power of the minds. All power of the minds are naturally rigged in my favor, in my own benefit only. All power of the minds are rigged to work in my own benefit only. Anybody who isn't using the power of their mind are naturally rigged to hand over the power of the mind to me and I utilize it to effortlessly achieve all I want. Anybody who does use the power of the mind are naturally rigged to hand over their power of the mind to me and I utilize it to effortlessly achieve all I want. I have absolutely no reason to be insecure forreal. My fears and worries don't exist behind the scenes. Spiritual psychosis doesn't apply to me. Mental health issues doesn't apply to me. My Magic and power is naturally rigged to discard all beliefs that causes fear in me. Yeah I'm so iconic I'm different. I'm rigged to never be thrown off my game. Undesirable and unfavorable realities are rigged to never come true on its own. All infinite versions of me are within me in this current body so therefore shit gotta occur baby and we're all colossally happy in this one body. They're naturally rigged to choose my thunder over anyone else's sunshine. I'm rigged to create space for Magic. I'm rigged to be self-centered. I'm rigged to be validated. I'm rigged to be unable to give my power away. I'm rigged to use each and every Planck length inch of my power COMBINED ALL AT ONCE TO GIVE ME MY DESIRES INSTANTLY. My life is rigged to get so unbelievably good. They're rigged to not expect an apology from me. I'm naturally rigged to get it (chills). I'm rigged to create Godtier space for Godtier Magic. I'm rigged to give only positive meanings to things that effortlessly lead me to my desired/dream reality. My shadow self is rigged to be satisfied. Each Planck length inch of my shadow self is rigged to be colossally satisfied.

[basicsofislam]

BASICS OF ISLAM: Fasting: The wisdom of fasting

The hawk’s swooping contributes to the sparrow’s alertness and agility. Although rain, electricity, or fire sometimes harms people, no one curses them. Fasting may be difficult, but it provides the body with energy, activity, and resistance. A child’s immune system usually gains strength through illness. Gymnastics are not easy, but they are almost essential to bodily health and strength. People’s spirits are refined through worship and meditation as well as through illness, suffering, and hardship. These allow them to acquire Paradise, for God gives a large reward for a little sacrifice. Hardships and sufferings promote people to higher spiritual degrees, and will be returned manifold in the other world. This is why all Messengers experienced the most grievous hardships and sufferings.

Hardship, suffering, and calamity cause believers’ sins to be forgiven, warn them away from sins and the seductions of Satan and the carnal self, help them appreciate God’s blessings, and open the way to gratitude. Also, they urge the rich and healthy to be concerned about the ill and the poor and to help them. Those who have never suffered cannot understand the condition of those who are hungry, sick, or stricken with a calamity. In addition, these afflictions may help establish closer relations between different social sectors.

The role of intention in fasting

Intention has a prominent place in our actions, for God’s Messenger told us that our actions are judged according to our intentions. Intention is the spirit of our actions, for without it there is no reward. 

If you remain hungry and thirsty from daybreak to sunset without intending to fast, God does not consider it a fast. If you fast without intending to obtain God’s good pleasure, you receive no reward. So whatever one intends, one gets the reward thereof. Those who have a firm belief in God, the other pillars of faith, and the intention to believe in them will be rewarded with eternal felicity in Paradise. But those who are determined not to believe, who have removed the inborn tendency to believe from their hearts, will be victims of their eternal determination and deserve eternal punishment. As for those with deeply ingrained unbelief and who have lost the capacity to believe, we read in the Qur’an: 

As for the unbelievers, it is the same whether you warn them or warn them not. They will not believe. God has set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing, and on their eyes there is a covering (Baqara 2:6-7).

Favoring the Heart as Opposed to the Flesh

Human life is a composite of two distinct powers: the spirit and the flesh. Although they sometimes act in harmony, conflict is more usual—conflict in which one defeats the other. If bodily lusts are indulged, the spirit grows more powerless as it becomes more obedient to those lusts. If one can control the desires of the flesh, place the heart (the seat of spiritual intellect) over reason, and oppose bodily lusts, he or she acquires eternity.

Compared with previous centuries, people may well be wealthier and enjoy more convenience and comfort. 

However, they are trapped in greed, infatuation, addiction, need, and fantasy much more than ever before. The more they gratify their animal appetites, the more crazed they become to gratify those appetites; the more they drink, the thirstier they get; the more they eat, the hungrier they get. They enter into evil speculations to feed their greed to earn still more, and sell their spirits to Satan for the most banal advantages. And so they break with true human values a little more each day.

To sacrifice one’s enjoyment of worldly pleasures has the same significance for human progress as roots have for a tree’s growth. Just as a tree grows sound and strong in direct relation to its roots’ soundness and strength, people grow to perfection whose striving to free themselves from selfishness so that they can live for others.

Spiritual practices during Ramadan

Muhasaba (Self-Criticism or Self-Interrogation)

Self-criticism may be described as seeking and discovering one’s inner and spiritual depth, and exerting the necessary spiritual and intellectual effort to acquire true human values and to develop the sentiments that encourage and nourish them. This is how one distinguishes between good and bad, beneficial and harmful, and how one maintains an upright heart. Furthermore, it enables a believer to evaluate the present and prepare for the future. Again, self-criticism enables a believer to make amends for past mistakes and be absolved in the sight of God, for it provides a constant realization of self-renewal in one’s inner world. Such a condition enables one to achieve a steady relationship with God, for this relationship depends on a believer’s ability to live a spiritual life and remain aware of what takes place in his or her inner world. Success results in the preservation of one’s celestial nature as a true human being, as well as the continual regeneration of one’s inner senses and feelings.

Tafakkur (Reflection)

Reflection is a vital step in becoming aware of what is going on around us and of drawing conclusions from it. It is a golden key to open the door of experience, a seedbed where the trees of truth are planted, and the opening of the pupil of the heart’s eye. Due to this, the greatest representative of humanity, the foremost in reflection and all other virtues states:

“No act of worship is as meritorious as reflection. So reflect on God’s bounties and the works of His Power, but do not try to reflect on His Essence, for you will never be able to do that.”  (Tabarani, Mu'jam al-Awsat, 6/250; Baykhaki, Shuab al-Iman, 1/136.)

By these words, in addition to pointing out the merit of reflection, the glory of humankind determines the limits of reflection and reminds us of our limits.

Shukr (Thankfulness)

True thankfulness in one’s heart is manifested through the conviction and acknowledgment that all bounties are from God, and then ordering one’s life accordingly. One can thank God verbally and through one’s daily life only if personally convinced, and if one willingly acknowledges that his or her existence, life, body, physical appearance, and all abilities and accomplishments are from God, as are all of the bounties obtained and consumed. This is stated in: 

Do you not see that God has made serviceable unto you whatsoever is in the skies and whatsoever is in the earth, and has loaded you with His bounties seen or unseen? (Luqman 31:20), and: 

He gives you of all that you ask Him; and if you reckon the bounties of God, you can never count them (Ibrahim 14:34).

Of course, one should try to increase in all virtues during Ramadan, as this is the best time of year to do so.

[docholligay]

Ep 5: The Power of Belief

So this episode centered around belief, and what it means to truly believe something, which is something we’ve certainly come into contact with in the show, but this time it was a major component. 

From the beginning, where they hear something in the attic and everyone has their reaction to it: Lottie is a true believer, just as much as Laura Lee (Who I’ll get to later) though in another direction. For her, it has to be something supernatural and no amount of logic is going to convince her otherwise. To Taissa, it’s all bullshit, and a ghost could walk right up to her and she would have some other explanation. But note that both Tai and Laura Lee, believer and disbeliever, do not partake in the game of it. Belief is not a game, not a joke. 

And it’s Jackie, Jackie who has failed the girls in so many ways, who asks them to open the door to this question, and then walk through. She cannot possibly realize what she’s doing, she literally says this is just a game, but even if what happens is not factual, it is true and it is real, and the ways in which it is real and true are different for every single person in the room. What happened there, can only be answered by each individual. 

I love that we the audience are asked to experience things in a very similar way as the girls. When Lottie is possessed (or, ‘possessed’) we’re told she takes French. Her being able to speak French is not out of the question here. But, we’re then immediately told she sucks at it. Is that true? Or is that just Jackie not having paid enough attention to understand that Lottie is certainly good enough to construct, “He wants more blood?” Something I, a person who speaks very very bad French, understood no problem. The idea that French would even be spoken is a construction, Shauna calling him JAcques, and if they’re in the Canadian Rockies they are likely in Alberta, where French is present but not super common, honestly. Some random woodland Albertan does not speak fluent French. (Source: I dated a girl in Alberta) 

We, the audience, are given two equal scenarios here. It could be that she was possessed. It could be that it’s entirely in her head, and there is no ghost. The one I have a lot of trouble swallowing would be that Lottie is very intentionally pretending here. Lottie being a true believer makes her reliable in this even if she is out of her gourd. She is not a liar. If there is no spirit, then it’s something Lottie is doing unintentionally. I would die by that belief. 

Laura Lee, also true believer, from the very beginning says this is not something she wants to mess with, that she knowsthis is real, and she knows it’s dangerous, and she believes. Similar to Lottie, but where Lottie wants to believe and confront, Laura Lee wants to believe and avoid. Let’s just think about how brave Laura Lee--not unbelieving tough girl Taissa who must believe a little more than she thinks-- fully believing in the devil and demons and possession, must be to not only go upstairs and try to rid Lottie of her possession, but to get so close as to hit her with a bible, because she also believes that is the devil is real so must be God, and I am his agent? I am not Christian at all, but I find that very compelling. 

But anyway, so we are being asked about OUR belief too. The ‘will they or won’t they’ about the supernatural element of this show is INTENTIONAL, and I find that very interesting as someone who wants the show to be supernatural in nature. I respect it. I didn’t realize the wavering was part of the point, because ultimately so much of it is going to come down to “what do you believe?” Will lack of beklief protect you? The show takes pains to say it didn’t protect Travis. 

And that sets the stage to ask about right and wrong, about good and evil, about truth and a lie. What do you believe? ‘What happened?’ is given up as a simple question the girls simply enever wanted to answer, but I think it is, in some ways, not decided even between them. What do they believe? What do we?

[lunalilith19]

Scott Moir: Solar eclipse at 29° Aries 4/21/23

On April 21, there was a solar eclipse at 29° Aries. Solar eclipses are like a supercharged new moon - the sun and moon meet in the same degree and sign- and represent beginnings or new energy coming in. The effect of a new moon can last a month, but an eclipse resonates for about 6 months. This eclipse is at the very end of Aries and makes an out of sign square to Pluto. This brings up themes of power and conflict, and in Aries this relates to independence and personal courage. Ways you're not being true to yourself or where you need to stand up for yourself might come up.

The positive traits of Aries - being straightforward, brave, being real without apologies or hiding are good ways to deal with what comes up in the next 6 months, while negative traits of Aries - hotheadedness, impatience, intolerance, reacting and not taking time to look deeper - will cause you more struggle or pain.

Scott's Jupiter is exactly 29° Aries. And his Jupiter is the apex of his Thor's Hammer which involves his Venus and Saturn as well. Your chart is interconnected, so what affects his Jupiter affects the entire configuration - the entire Hammer was lit up by the eclipse:

In a Thor's Hammer or any pattern in your chart, the planets are constantly talking to each other - they never stop. His Venus square Saturn makes you want relationship very much, but also can give the belief deep down that you're not worthy of what you truly want. So self esteem needs to be worked on. It can also make it difficult for you to express yourself. Saturn can delay things, so you have to learn certain lessons before you can reap rewards. Thor's Hammers require a ton of trial and error - you have to keep trying and trying and trying. But they also give you the drive to do so. So you see this with Scott in work - Jupiter being the top of the pattern and connecting to Saturn gives him unbelievable drive in his work. Years of working relentlessly to become better at skating paid off

This also gives him a drive to be in a relationship, but IF he's not in a good place with his self esteem, he won't necessarily find the fulfillment he wants in one. So what this eclipse is bringing by highlighting all this Aries energy is a nudge towards a greater sense of self worth, showing up for himself and not putting others or belonging first at his own expense. Putting your own oxygen mask on before helping others, as they say on airplanes. A solar eclipse literally blocks some of the light of the sun, so this process regarding himself is likely to be internal and not necessarily visible to the outside. But the Jupiter-Saturn part relating to work could show up in more independence or putting energy into something new in that arena

[mobolanz]

2, 17 and 20 for any oc you want ❤️

Good thing I can count on you jo 😆💜

Okayyy for this turn I'll use my sailor moon OC Mia :3

2. Does your oc have any nicknames? How did they get these nicknames?

Yeup!:D

Amethyst: Her alias as a member of the black moon , ofc after the gemstone. Since all the members are named after ones (canon already having diamond, sapphire, emerald and ruby.)

Now speaking meta; 🤩🤩🤩

The stone's name literally meaning "not intoxicated/drunk". After the belief that the stone protected its owner from drunkenness. Amethyst activates spiritual awareness, opens intuition and enhances psychic abilities. It has strong healing and cleansing powers & encourages sobriety.

Another origin to it in Greek mythology: Amethyst was a young mortal who became the object of wrath of Dionysus after he (by different variations) became intoxicated by wine/ had his affections refused/ was insulted by another mortal; & swore to slay the next mortal to cross his path - creating fierce tigers to carry his wrath. The beautiful young maiden, Amethystos was the mortal. When she cried out to Artemis for help, the girl turned into a white, shimmering crystalline stone to protect her. Dionysus, humbled by her desire/ driven by grief, poured wine in remorse for his actions at the sight of the beautiful statue on the stone, turning it purple. As a result, the Amethyst is often associated with romance, lust and love.

Maid of violets is anofher one she has. More of a supporting title like black lady's "queen of darkness"

Maid for an unmarried woman acting as principal bridesmaid at a wedding. typically of noble birth, attending a queen or princess.

Violets symbolize modesty. According to Greek mythology again, violets were created when one of Artemis' nymphs, was transformed her into one, which in turn led the violet to become a symbol of modesty and devotion as well. (Also connected to the name maria which is what Mia (and ny own name) is driven from 😆💜) they also mean regality, leadership, strength, and grace. imbue the name with an organic spirit, beauty, delicacy, and vibrancy. comes from the Latin word viola, meaning purple.

And another one is "the wallflower" , in universe it's treated in almost derogatory manner, but I find it endearing 🤧 to represent like how she keeps her greatest parts hidden for modesty and knowing her place and not being allowed to grant the greatest parts of herself. And the next question shows this quite literally. Anither quite literally way this is shown is Her hair is almost unnaturally long but she keeps it tied in a way that.shocks everyone so much once she wears it down- even to "how come you don't do it more often?? It's lovely and unbelievable!" but when combed it's drawn like a rose, to symbolize her own true hidden greatness. (And the sad part she's barely being allowed to express it under the current circumstances she initially forces herself to adapt to). That also brings her love to certain things other people's eye wouldn't notice, the unnoticed details. But if I started a demande x mia meta post on how it ties to the diamond in the rough and makes them a great and symblic ship the canon was missing I'll reach the tumblr word limit if there is any.

17. What’s your oc’s biggest aspiration in life? Why?

All in all she's very much a person that loves giving of herself and her best qualities naturally when she truly wants and loves , from small acts to those she knows and to her career, it balances with her self value well often. sometimes it does slip onto the people pleasing territory but she has a certain boundary when noticing it does - that's really under a certain condition of not demanding of her to sacrifice what brings her joy, motivation and allows her to feel pleasant just to satisfy the other party's demands(ex. Her first job). Cuz even suggesting that is an ultimatum for her to he done with it. So long as those conditions are met wherever she is at life, she's content tbh 🤧

20. What does your oc’s bedroom/house look like? How does this reflect their personality?

For as small as the apartment she settled for is she loves decorating it around to the smallest details :3 like me she especially loves adding floral & gemstone related things. Then again that makes her a bit of paranoid perfectionist clean-freak. Smallest thing off place and it implies she's having a certain struggle. But like everything I said ahead suggests, if the detail symbolises balance or lack of- then not likely for most to realize the real problem, or even know there is one. 🤧🤧

Sheesh that's deep I was just basing it in musings I had at the beginning of the year xD. I should get back at the ditched sailor moon rewatch.

Oc asks

[nahalism]

the quote you reblogged : That is why mysticism is the only source of virtue for humanity. Because when men do not believe that there is infinite mercy behind the curtain of the world, or when they think that this mercy is in front of the curtain, they become cruel.

Made me want to ask you: Were you or rather are you ever in states where you don’t feel and believe there’s anything more to life? That there is no energy no soul everything is accidental and there is no higher power out there, that everything is meaningless and pointless. No matter what we do or think but it’s maybe easier or even necessary to believe that there’s something more to all of it, to us? Maybe we desperately need that? Maybe it would be impossible for us to function and keep sanity? Or are you unshaken in your beliefs, maybe life proved it to be true enough that you never get those nihilistic waves of everything means nothing

heyy. love the question, quick disclaimer :: ultimately, each person is entitled to their own beliefs. i believe what i believe, and allow others to do the same. also, re: the quotation, i think theres a differentiation between mythology and theology. its less directed toward the existence of a god, and rather pertains to the idea that a world/morality beyond that of the physical tangible realm is at play. if infinite mercy can be extended to people despite their past transgressions, in that, a person can make a mistake, but redeem themselves through their consequent deeds, it alludes to some higher goal to strive for than the base or hedonistic goals that otherwise drive us forward. if people didnt believe they could be better, or make good despite their past actions, being a better person, choosing to evolve, or choosing to self correct, would not only cease to be appealing but cease to be necessary. the fact we believe we can be better, should be better, and that the choice to be better leads to better, is what keeps the balance of good and bad in balance, and what keeps humanity from slipping into complete debauchery.

as for me, i was raised catholic & i didnt relate or buy into what they were teaching me at church. anytime i had a question the answers seemed completely far fetched and unbelievable, and i felt like people were more concerned with the idea of salvation, or the need to believe in something to feel there was an overarching purpose to life, than they were with what i understood to be the core principles of the religion. even the term religion rubbed me up the wrong way because i felt like, isnt it just a personal belief/conviction/way of life, opposed to a faction or group to 'belong' to. people spoke a good game but the enactment of what they spoke about left me wanting.

fast forward. beginning to ask those questions around age 7/8 was the start of my spiritual journey even though i wasnt aware of it at the time. by 10/11 i stopped going to church & was calling myself an atheist or agnostic depending on what my mood was on the day. not because i didnt believe or feel there was something out there, but because it didnt align with any religious views i was privy to at the time. then at 12 i experienced a traumatic incident, and as i started to spend more time alone i was shown certain things and would have very particular experiences / feel the voice of some force out in nature or speaking to me through my conscience. and when that happened i felt (not from the teachings or reasoning of anyone but myself) that that force and feeling i was encountering was my true understanding of god or this thing i knew existed but wasnt entirely sure about how it existed. that pervading presence, its voice and the way its guided me is the only reason i believe in a higher, supreme power.

thats when i began to study life thru the humanities and in doing so form my opinions and ideas on what i believe regarding my views on the world & spirituality. i studied through the lens of the bible, the qu'aran, hindu teachings, buddhist teachings, syncretism, kemetic texts and teachings, new age spirituality, gnosticism & even science. i feel as though all of them have appealed to me and allowed me to grow in knowledge and understanding & that whilst they use different language to explain themselves, they all point toward and explain one truth. however beyond that the point still stands that i just believe. — ive had experiences i cant doubt, and feelings i cant doubt, not that i havent doubted them, or questioned, but each time i did it only confirmed my initial belief and made me believe more strongly. and so yeah, without that fundamental belief, all of it would just be a beautiful story. i could read every text, but if i didnt believe in what i was reading it would be no more than a harry potter type situation. i couldnt be swayed into pretending i believed, not for the idea of heaven, a promised land, or eternal salvation. thats not what i get out of this. my relationship w god saved my life and it keeps rebirthing me, educating me, & moulding me, and in doing so brings new meaning to things id previously read & doubted/didn't understand (think the concept of ressurection). anyway

i know people are religious and believe in god (whatever term or label u wanna give that force) for a variety of reasons. i cant speak for them, because im sure many people do believe for the reasons u stated. my reasons are simply that i feel and believe there is a higher, supreme, overarching force, that is the matrix of the spirit that permeates every living thing. i think theres a design to the world, one too specific to be down to chance. i think life is eternal and that there is a point to the experiences and growth or lack of that we experience in this life. that generationally it has significance and that it will one day account for something bigger than what we can see or comprehend right now. and i feel that when i look into the spirit of another being whether its human animal a tree or fire/water etc, that we all share the same force that ignites and powers our beings. & those are a just a few of the reasons why i believe

<3 hope this answers for u. sending my love

[symbolicliving]

Weekly Astrology Horoscopes for All Signs September 18 to 24, 2023

Read Your Horoscope for Your Sun Sign, Moon Sign and Ascendant Sign for an Expanded Interpretation.

♈ Aries: Don’t make decisions on anger. Your judgment could be at a peak this week if you use it wisely. Fun and flirty makes romance happy and healing. Don’t let others joust your identity. How others behave can act as a mirror. Creativity and beauty elevates you above the happenings of mundane reality.

♉ Taurus: Your creative, fun loving energy is a key part of who you are. Your identity is more than the theater of how others see you. It is who you really are when you are in your own personal comfort zone. Be true to yourself and you’ll attract who resonates with the real you. Creating a beautiful home space inspires enthusiasm.

♊ Gemini: Cleared out clutter and debris from your life lets you move forward at a faster pace with smarter focus now. Having your personal life at home in order helps you to make new plans. Giving yourself a chance to have fun brightens up your relationships.

♋ Cancer: Your instincts are heightened. You’ll be able to see through any games and tell it like it is. Laughter, especially with old friends, can be good medicine. By the end of the week, you may consider what you are willing to release and transform in your relationships.

♌ Leo: Self worth, love and relationships has been a big part of the summer for you. As autumn begins sharing a renewed confidence in yourself can lead to potent attractions. Beauty, virility, gentleness and strength are in fine balance. Body language says a lot now.

♍︎ Virgo: After all you’ve been fixing to change, do you feel like you’re getting back on track? Did you have a chance to turn things around? Using your smarts and taking charge garners you admiration now. Are you getting enough rewards from your efforts to keep you motivated?

♎︎ Libra: Sometimes you have to battle with your own ego as much as battling the egos of others. Some people will try to hold power over your identity and you need to assert yourself. But your birthday is on the horizon and feeling attractive, sociable, expressive and virile is more fun. Determination in your talents gives you confidence and strength.

♏︎ Scorpio: Extra intuitive power is with you. Coincidences and psychic phenomenon could be more noticeable. Daydreams and flashes of insight can hint which way to go. You may prefer your personal space when others impose practical demands of you. Money flows when you’re having fun.

♐︎ Sagittarius: If things feel stagnant and aren’t moving, taking care of your natural health can give you a stronger foundation to make progress. Weight resistance and a slower pace to feel grounded in your body is indicated. Organic foods nourish and revitalize.

♑︎ Capricorn: Reality can seem unbelievable at times, and so can what people say and believe. Biases create conflict. It’s best if you focus your energy on your practical goals. Strategizing and weighing pros and cons can help success. New information can change your beliefs. Personal changes in your identity are felt by the end of the week.

♒︎ Aquarius: Doing something for yourself that makes you feel beautiful, gives you a big boost of self worth. Accept admiration and love from others for an extra bonus boost. Vintage jewelry can spark decor ideas for you and your home.

♓︎ Pisces: What other people think is changing and listening to new perspectives can help shift your thinking and activate new thoughts of your own. If you feel restricted or held back in any way, talking about bigger ideas is your best method to find smart solutions now.

Wishing us all a positive week. Thank you for sharing these horoscopes with your friends.

Read More About The Autumn Equinox And The Planets This Week

[haggishlyhagging]

I have no desire, and never have had, to fight against the specific doctrines of Mormonism, and I realize that patriarchy is fundamental to the social structure of the entire world, of every major church and government. I am as content to allow Mormons to believe what they wish as I am to allow Buddhists, Catholics, and Moslems such freedom. I was, and am, in political opposition only, and if the politics impinge upon the church's belief structure, that is not my doing. The leaders who have chosen to lead the church deeply into politics and in so doing have melded church and state—they are answerable for that.

Another ironic twist is that I was totally wrong when I avowed that the church belongs to the members as much as to the leaders. This simply is not true. But I can't express how thoroughly I once believed it was, which is one of the reasons I fought so long and hard against my excommunication. Didn't my love and service count for anything? I couldn't bear that it didn't. It seemed to negate my whole life—that I had, with my entire heart, loved and served seemed written off as if it meant nothing, had never been. I felt as if, in separating me from my history, the men of the church were destroying part of me.

But I learned the bitter lesson that, despite having given thousands of dollars and hours to its maintenance, any member can be ousted from the church at any time for any reason. The church belongs to its hierarchy, which is men in power. Those outside the hierarchy, and especially women, are at best only renters and at worst squatters in religious territory.

This truth is graphically expressed on occasion, as when one looks at a picture of the leaders of the church and sees row upon row of exclusively male faces. This is true on a local level, too. A year or so ago, the leaders in my ward decided it was time to build the long-awaited addition to our meetinghouse and invited the press to the groundbreaking. I was shamed by the picture that appeared in the paper, showing five or six men goofing around with a shovel. A reporter friend of mine, seeing the picture, called me and asked, "Aren't there any women in your church?" "Not that matter a lot," I answered. The picture told the whole story. Though half—or more—of the church population is female, the church belongs to the men; women are there only on sufferance. If we will be supportive and quiet and work hard and obey and never rock the boat, we can attend the meetings of the Old Boys' Club. But we can never belong.

By August 1978 when I testified before the subcommittee, the church had only succeeded in making me a feminist. And although the pain of being a woman in a church which was fighting women's rights was deepening every day, threatening to invade my whole life, I still thought I could be a good Mormon and a good feminist at the same time. It took many months, many instances of church leaders behaving in unethical ways, repeated beatings of my unbelieving head against the solid rock of chauvinism, and an excommunication, to teach me the impossibility of that combination. I learned that either one is true to oneself as a woman and to other women out of the direct experience of being female, or one is loyal to patriarchy's idea of what a woman is, which comes out of men's direct experience of being male and benefiting from the devotion and unpaid labor of women.

But women cannot serve two masters at once who are urgently beaming antithetical orders, though I know many who are trying to do just that—compromising, adjusting, rationalizing, excusing, apologizing for the men and for men's system. I understand perfectly why they do this, having done it myself for years. But it is psychologically unhealthful and in the long run spiritually disastrous for both sexes. Either we believe in patriarchy—the rule of men over women—or we believe in equality. We cannot believe in both at once. Neither can we with impunity choose not to choose which one we believe in. To remain in indecision, and perhaps thus to have our cake and eat it too, erodes great chunks of our identity, along with great chunks of our integrity.

I know whereof I speak. For the seventeen years preceding my feminist awakening in 1978, during which I was consciously and otherwise excusing the inequities of patriarchy, I was living a sort of half life, in half light, a grayish, half-awake limbo of neither clouds nor sunlight, a gray, same numbness. Because I was not allowing myself to feel the pain of oppression, and was in fact actively denying it, I was unable to feel emotions on the other side of the continuum either. When I cut off the pain, I cut off the joy. As Mormons know, there must be opposition in all things.

-Sonia Johnson, From Housewife to Heretic

[thecowardlycreative]

Apologies to OP for tacking my own planning notes on the end here but, just for the sake of having my thoughts written down somewhere—

It’s hard to justify conflicting pantheons or genuine atheism when there are people running around with divine powers. But, at the same time, this continent is huge and travel is hard (because money and monsters and faux-mediaeval technology) so having universal belief is also pretty unbelievable.

Current plan is a three tiered structure.

True Gods — these are universal beings that will still exist even if the entire cosmos implodes. Neither good nor evil, they represent things that are and must be and are above mortal morality. HOWEVER— their semi-absenteeism allows various interpretations of their person/abilities/portfolio. Think: the variety of Abrahamic religions on earth.

Belief Gods — these are deities that are powered by pure belief. Sustained and Sincere™ worship over centuries can create divine abilities in otherwise mundane things. Plenty of mountains, rivers, and other natural-world phenomena have become anthropomorphised and subsequently deified in this way. Same with particularly powerful/long-lived races. There have been a number of dragon belief gods. Eventually the True God of Balance descends and is like, ‘mate, you gotta come with me to the divine realm. You’re going to start screwing things up if you stay here among mortals’. HOWEVER — because they’re made purely of belief, their power is directly tied to their worshippers. The number and location of their worshippers determines where and how much power they have.

Immortals — these are just mortals that have extended their natural (or unnatural) lifespans to such an extent that Balance once again has to come down like, ‘mate.’ Tend to be the weakest of the deities, with only the power that they had as mortals (turned up to 11). Like belief gods, any additional power they obtain beyond their mortal abilities is directly tied to the number/region of their worshippers. Several immortals have eventually been reclassified as belief gods in this way. Unlike belief gods, however, they are still independent beings and will not cease to exist if they lose all their worshippers.

Even though these are just my current thoughts/planning notes, if anyone wants to chime in with anything, please feel free.

When inventing a fantasy religion a lot of people a) make the mistake of assuming that everyone in fantasy world would worship the same gods and b) assume that polytheistic religions see all of their gods as morally good

[crimeronan]

ooh, 27 & 30 for the wrap?

27. What do you listen to when writing?

this year as i was driving around imagining stories, i'd put on two playlists: the princess luz playlist, which is about being unbelievably sad, and my devin and nova playlist, which is all songs about having a HORRIFICALLY dysfunctional relationship.

when ACTUALLY writing, i gravitate toward instrumentals. i have still-very-much-in-progress instrumental playlists collecting music for each of the OCs, but they arent curated enough to link. if i'm writing a scene with a specific mood, i'll go on youtube and type "[x mood] epic orchestral mix."

if you've never done this for writing, it's a GODSEND. my most common searches are shit like "horror orchestral music," "drama/suspense epic orchestra mix," "devastation orchestral music mix," "powerful and emotional orchestral music mix"

there are too many bands and production companies i like to list them all here -- a LOT of musicians make electronic and orchestral scores that would fit intense movies. i've heard people say they use these mixes for setting the mood in TTRPGs, it's just as effective for writing.

as for specific instrumentals, i HAVE to recommend any and all of within temptation's. the instrumental versions of their songs showcase INCREDIBLE violin, piano, guitar, and general musical craftsmanship that usually gets lost under the vocals. they are fucking STUNNING.

my favorite one always fluctuates depending on my mood but for now i'll suggest trying shot in the dark to see if you like it. it's a pretty good preview of what their stuff sounds like.

30. Biggest surprise when writing this year?

honestly, i was surprised to rediscover how much i love horror writing, and equally surprised that so many people could get invested in my horror writing.

i know i'm a Good writer obviously. but i often think about fandom in terms of interaction with other people. i write a lot of dark shit in my own time that's just for me, but i'd sorta gotten used to thinking of fandom as being somewhere that i should write easy-to-read stuff. i didn't expect anybody to want to read anything else

(this isn't a Totally unfounded belief -- in my fandom immediately preceding this one, i was extremely invested in a main character with the darkest storyline in the books. at one point i wrote a novella about her and the people surrounding her that she killed/drove to suicide/emotionally destroyed, and unsurprisingly it's almost exclusively been read by like. tumblr mutuals. like ~12 kudos on each installment. which is still more than most writers would get!)

i started writing the longer luz fic bc horror has always been the easiest thing for me to write & i was in a lot of pain that needed venting. i didn't expect there to be an audience for it, i actually had braced myself for pushback bc sometimes certain toh circles can have...... interesting opinions about what is or isn't OK to do to a blorbo.

i really didn't think anyone would like reading my writing if it wasn't funny enough. and it's 100% true that the princess AU has a fraction of the kudos-based readership of wwaitsoatl. but the investment of that small readership is WILD.

i am. so grateful. aha

[safesthaveninexistence]

They're rigged to be unable to mimic my power. My affirmations and manifestations are rigged to go in the desired intention only. Everytime I see them in my imagination or mind they're rigged to give me precisely what I want in inexhaustible amounts. I'm rigged to have deep-rooted beliefs that my intrusive, undesirable and unfavorable thoughts never come true. I'm very grateful all things I don't want are rigged to not exist. They know it's futile to try to turn it into their favor. I'm rigged to steal their thunder and they're rigged to thank me for it. It's fact I'm a gorgeous girl that stands out from the flock. It's a fact I'm a gorgeous girl that stands out from billions of people. I'm the apex predator of being incomparable. It's a fact I got that incomparable glow unable to be found in anybody else. It's an objective fact no one else is ever like me. It's an objective fact I'm unbelievably perfect inside and out. It's an objective fact I live a fortunate life. It's an objective fact I live the luckiest life. It's an objective fact I live the most magical life. Everything I say about myself is actually true that's why I'm dangerous ;). It's an objective fact I'm an attention magnet. It's an objective fact I'm a money magnet. It's an objective fact I'm absolutely everybody's type. I'm the first person they want and crave to be around (chills). It's an objective fact I'm the apex predator of being peng. It's an objective fact I'm just too unbelievably attractive, inside and out. I'm objectively special. They see me everywhere. They're objectively in love with me. Im objectively brilliant. Im objectively the apex predator of being radiant. Im objectively put on the pedestal by absolutely everybody. It's an objective fact I only radiate and ooze staggeringly unrivaled mellifluously supreme validated energy. The past is objectively revised into my favor on absolutely all and each energy level, covering absolutely all the devils. Even the year of their birth is utterly rigged into my favor. In rigged to have already tapped into my true power (chills). My awareness is the apex predator of awareness. I'm the apex predator of having all eyes on me. I'm the apex predator of being their love fantasy. My spiritual strength is the apex predator of spiritual strength. The deeper recesses of my brain, subconscious and consciousness is rigged Laika to me in the flesh and in the way I fully expect. I'm rigged to attract women lovers who are a year older than me, beliefs aligning with mine, can cook, have green eyes, magical and are just my dream women in general. My powers are rigged to never stop amplifying. My truth is cool (chills). Me expressing my truth is cool. Me living in my truth is cool. I'm real cool just by being myself. Just by being myself is a cool ass compelling melody. My relevancy is the apex predator of relevancy. My relevancy is on Godmode. Nothing changes the fact I still got people compellingly interested in me and violently engrossed with me. Nothing changes the fact everyone still compellingly pays attention to me the most. Nothing changes the fact I'm still doing supremely good🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰. Nothing changes the fact extremely potent and powerful ass blessings still come my way left and right. The devil is rigged to never come my way. Everything is rigged to never make me question myself. Everything is rigged to show me I'm doing absolutely everything right fr. It's okay for me to share what I know. I'm rigged to have all the tools to succeed. I'm rigged to have all the tools to get my desires so unbelievably and astonishingly fast. It's all rigged to work out for me from beginning, middle and end. My habits are rigged to change to align with the Zillionaire Superstar version of me. I'm rigged to be enabled to do everything right. I'm rigged to experience astonishing magic. I'm rigged to be the apex predator of being blessed beyond unfathomable, unprecedented, astonishing, breathtaking, unthinkable and awe-inspiring measure. The best route for me is rigged to be the easiest one.

[basicsofislam]

BASICS OF ISLAM: Fasting: The wisdom of fasting

The hawk’s swooping contributes to the sparrow’s alertness and agility. Although rain, electricity, or fire sometimes harms people, no one curses them. Fasting may be difficult, but it provides the body with energy, activity, and resistance. A child’s immune system usually gains strength through illness. Gymnastics are not easy, but they are almost essential to bodily health and strength. People’s spirits are refined through worship and meditation as well as through illness, suffering, and hardship. These allow them to acquire Paradise, for God gives a large reward for a little sacrifice. Hardships and sufferings promote people to higher spiritual degrees, and will be returned manifold in the other world. This is why all Messengers experienced the most grievous hardships and sufferings.

Hardship, suffering, and calamity cause believers’ sins to be forgiven, warn them away from sins and the seductions of Satan and the carnal self, help them appreciate God’s blessings, and open the way to gratitude. Also, they urge the rich and healthy to be concerned about the ill and the poor and to help them. Those who have never suffered cannot understand the condition of those who are hungry, sick, or stricken with a calamity. In addition, these afflictions may help establish closer relations between different social sectors.

The role of intention in fasting

Intention has a prominent place in our actions, for God’s Messenger told us that our actions are judged according to our intentions. Intention is the spirit of our actions, for without it there is no reward.

If you remain hungry and thirsty from daybreak to sunset without intending to fast, God does not consider it a fast. If you fast without intending to obtain God’s good pleasure, you receive no reward. So whatever one intends, one gets the reward thereof. Those who have a firm belief in God, the other pillars of faith, and the intention to believe in them will be rewarded with eternal felicity in Paradise. But those who are determined not to believe, who have removed the inborn tendency to believe from their hearts, will be victims of their eternal determination and deserve eternal punishment. As for those with deeply ingrained unbelief and who have lost the capacity to believe, we read in the Qur’an:

As for the unbelievers, it is the same whether you warn them or warn them not. They will not believe. God has set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing, and on their eyes there is a covering (Baqara 2:6-7).

Favoring the Heart as Opposed to the Flesh

Human life is a composite of two distinct powers: the spirit and the flesh. Although they sometimes act in harmony, conflict is more usual—conflict in which one defeats the other. If bodily lusts are indulged, the spirit grows more powerless as it becomes more obedient to those lusts. If one can control the desires of the flesh, place the heart (the seat of spiritual intellect) over reason, and oppose bodily lusts, he or she acquires eternity.

Compared with previous centuries, people may well be wealthier and enjoy more convenience and comfort.

However, they are trapped in greed, infatuation, addiction, need, and fantasy much more than ever before. The more they gratify their animal appetites, the more crazed they become to gratify those appetites; the more they drink, the thirstier they get; the more they eat, the hungrier they get. They enter into evil speculations to feed their greed to earn still more, and sell their spirits to Satan for the most banal advantages. And so they break with true human values a little more each day.

To sacrifice one’s enjoyment of worldly pleasures has the same significance for human progress as roots have for a tree’s growth. Just as a tree grows sound and strong in direct relation to its roots’ soundness and strength, people grow to perfection whose striving to free themselves from selfishness so that they can live for others.

Spiritual practices during Ramadan

Muhasaba (Self-Criticism or Self-Interrogation)

Self-criticism may be described as seeking and discovering one’s inner and spiritual depth, and exerting the necessary spiritual and intellectual effort to acquire true human values and to develop the sentiments that encourage and nourish them. This is how one distinguishes between good and bad, beneficial and harmful, and how one maintains an upright heart. Furthermore, it enables a believer to evaluate the present and prepare for the future. Again, self-criticism enables a believer to make amends for past mistakes and be absolved in the sight of God, for it provides a constant realization of self-renewal in one’s inner world. Such a condition enables one to achieve a steady relationship with God, for this relationship depends on a believer’s ability to live a spiritual life and remain aware of what takes place in his or her inner world. Success results in the preservation of one’s celestial nature as a true human being, as well as the continual regeneration of one’s inner senses and feelings.

Tafakkur (Reflection)

Reflection is a vital step in becoming aware of what is going on around us and of drawing conclusions from it. It is a golden key to open the door of experience, a seedbed where the trees of truth are planted, and the opening of the pupil of the heart’s eye. Due to this, the greatest representative of humanity, the foremost in reflection and all other virtues states:

“No act of worship is as meritorious as reflection. So reflect on God’s bounties and the works of His Power, but do not try to reflect on His Essence, for you will never be able to do that.”  (Tabarani, Mu'jam al-Awsat, 6/250; Baykhaki, Shuab al-Iman, 1/136.)

By these words, in addition to pointing out the merit of reflection, the glory of humankind determines the limits of reflection and reminds us of our limits.

Shukr (Thankfulness)

True thankfulness in one’s heart is manifested through the conviction and acknowledgment that all bounties are from God, and then ordering one’s life accordingly. One can thank God verbally and through one’s daily life only if personally convinced, and if one willingly acknowledges that his or her existence, life, body, physical appearance, and all abilities and accomplishments are from God, as are all of the bounties obtained and consumed. This is stated in:

Do you not see that God has made serviceable unto you whatsoever is in the skies and whatsoever is in the earth, and has loaded you with His bounties seen or unseen? (Luqman 31:20), and:

He gives you of all that you ask Him; and if you reckon the bounties of God, you can never count them (Ibrahim 14:34).

Of course, one should try to increase in all virtues during Ramadan, as this is the best time of year to do so.