#spiritual guardianship

[ryanranney]

Riddle of Orion

Transfer of rite of 2005 While the world looked on at storms Seeing none of what awaited Sleeping to the constructed facade He that arose did so to prepare Alter sun and moon phase energy light Chase the land and sea as they cried Set seal upon mans thoughts and works Full transfer revelation of 2006 While the world looked on to new moons Seeing not where all did wake now Lulled into the norm of…

[compassionmattersmost]

Spirals of Harmony: A Deeper Look into the Crop Circle of August 29th

There’s something undeniably captivating about the crop circle that appeared on August 29th. As I gaze upon its intricate design, I’m drawn into a world where geometry and spirituality converge, where the mysteries of the universe seem to be woven into the very fabric of the earth itself. This particular formation, with its flowing spirals and perfectly balanced symmetry, speaks to something deep…

[silveredsticks]

i do not know what i am going to do when nectarine season ends

[serpentface]

A pair of Czekl drakes readying at a flower duel.

The one stretching and yawning is dressed in full dueling/dancing attire, which shows off material wealth via fine clothing and feathers while also exposing the sexiest part of his breeding plumage (in this culture it's the head and neck) and his flushed blue skin.

The other is his pair bonded partner, whose drab full body covering and clipped quills establishes that he is not available for reproduction this year, and meets expected modesty standards for a seasonally celibate drake. His presence makes his reproductively available partner more attractive to prospective hens, as it indicates that the celibate drake will have no offspring of his own this year and his full investment will be in his partner's young (and thus that of any hens who choose him).

---

[Key for the typical sex assignments across qilik sexual variation:

Hen: Lays eggs, has duller coloration year-round, largest average body mass.

Drake: Produces sperm, has brighter coloration that molts into very colorful breeding plumage, skin seasonally flushes blue, smaller average body mass.

Faeder: Produces sperm and is usually physically indistinguishable from hens in average size and coloration. Can be anywhere between 1-25% of the sperm producing population.]

---

Qilik species-wide descend from an ancestral mating system in which hens did not form pair bonds with drakes and played no role in raising subadult offspring, and rather would mate with chosen drake(s) and leave their eggs with the most favored suitor. Drakes would form long term pair bonds with other (usually related) drakes and cooperatively brood and raise young together. Faeder would wander through lekking grounds and opportunistically mate with hens (without having to directly compete with drakes) and play no further role in hatching/rearing their offspring.

They have brief windows of seasonal fertility triggered by the springtime increase of daylight hours (with some equatorial populations having their cycles triggered by seasonal rains instead). Most drakes experience a significant surge of testosterone which causes their springtime molt producing very bright new feathers and their skin to flush blue (if they are well-nourished).

Modern qilik have full behavioral plasticity that subjects this baseline mating system to tremendous cultural variation. There are some broad commonalities- drakes perform the majority of child rearing across most cultures, forms of drake sexual display (whether directly involved in reproduction or not) are nearly ubiquitous in the form of various cultural practices (dances, songs, mock or real combat, etc), and seasonal fertility is a purely biological trait and a universal.

The nomadic culture and heavily dispersed population of the Czekl people means reproductive arrangements are rarely made in advance. Rather, regional populations assemble in established locations during mid spring for a month-long event where the usually separated hen/faeder clans and drake clans can mingle. This is a time for trade, for drake parents to find suitable clans for any of their young adult hen/faeder children, and for individuals looking to reproduce to find a suitable (and highly temporary) partner.

In this culture, hens usually play no direct part whatsoever in their children's lives and may very well never see them hatched. Hens are believed to be the mechanism that supplies spiritual ancestral guardianship to their young, but their material responsibility begins and ends with finding a drake who can show himself to be strong, handsome, healthy, tied to a good clan, and economically secure enough to take good care of their offspring. This process is sometimes accomplished with simple meeting and talking, but the flashiest ways for drakes to advertise themselves is the flower duel.

This is a combination of a dance and a fight, in which available drakes congregate on a dueling ground, match up against the best looking rival they can find, and attempt to pin them to the ground while also dancing to chanted music and showing off their finest clothing and sexy feathers. Hens will watch these proceedings (usually aided by other members of their clan), and can approach anyone that catches their eye after the fact to converse and ensure that they have found a good father for their children. This also functionally provides a mechanism for drakes who do not have a pair-bonded male partner to attract a co-parent, and this culture's equivalents of romance stories lavish attention to narratives of flower duel rivals becoming enamored in the process of their mock battle.

Czekl culture places very little expectation on even temporary fidelity, and hens will often mate with multiple drakes per season and only provide their single egg (often of indeterminate siring) to the one they deem best. It's up to an individual drake to not only prove that he's extremely sexy and excellent father material, but that he can be good company for the week or so between the first (of usually many) acts of breeding and his reproductive partner(s) laying their eggs. While hens and drakes rarely form any sort of permanent bond in this culture (and aren't likely to see each other whatsoever for the rest of the year), these temporary friendships can be meaningful and enjoyable. There's plenty of things to do at this gathering besides just showing off and fucking, and temporary mates that actually hit it off will often bring their respective clans together to socialize and trade.

---

The modesty standards of qilik cultures trend towards regulating attire of drakes more intensely than hens/faeder, especially when in breeding plumage and skin condition. Czekl society has fairly limited modesty standards, with the cloaca being the only part of the body expected to remain publicly covered in most contexts regardless of gender. The only major exception is that drakes who are choosing to remain celibate for the breeding season (or who have secured as many partners as they can handle) are expected to demonstrate this with full body covering. The exposure of seasonally blue tinted skin and breeding plumage is treated as an advertisement of full sexual availability, and uncovered drakes who refuse any mating are often subject to aggression and treatment as sexually deviant.

Czekl drake pairs typically take turns playing the reproductive role, hence the routine presence of seasonally celibate males at this event. A drake being able to display that he not only has a bonded partner but one who will remain nonreproductive for this season increases his chances of reproductive hookups. It tends to be assumed that partnered drakes will disproportionately invest in their own offspring, so having sex with a drake who has a celibate male partner is seen by most hens as guaranteeing a better future for the one and only egg they can lay each year.

This perception is a cultural bias rather than a response to behavioral drives, as partnered drakes do not actually show instinctive preference for their own young over that of their pair-bonded partner's. The evolutionary background for this is rooted in pre-behaviorally modern qilik male partners very frequently being biological brothers, and thus reaping selective benefits in mutual care for their related young. This is not as ubiquitously the case for behaviorally modern qilik, though incest taboos are rarely applied to bonded drake relationships. In the Czekl sphere, up to a quarter of these nonreproductive pair bonds are between male siblings.

It is exceptionally rare for qilik cultures to form taboos surrounding homosexual behavior between drakes, and when extent they tend to regulate actual sex acts rather than the forming of these pair bonds in of themselves. Less rare is acceptance of drake celibacy (outside of various religious contexts that dictate it), referring to complete/attemptedly lifelong abstinence from mating with hens. Czekl (and most central plains qilik groups) do not police the sexuality of drakes as aggressively as more intensely hen-matriarchal cultures do, but it’s still an expectation that all drakes will participate in bringing offspring to their clans over the course of their lives. Those who remain Serially (rather than seasonally) celibate are often subject to discrimination and sometimes even ousting from their own clans. The clan is the central unit of Czekl society and drake clans (treated as bloodlines) are sustained by their members providing offspring, so choosing never to do so is treated as imperilment of a clan's future.

Czekl drakes forming permanent pair bonds with hens is considered unnatural and deviant (though not aggressively policed, and very rare in practice), and forming these with faeder is HIGHLY stigmatized (faeder themselves are treated as barren hens in spite of their actual fertility, and are discouraged both from mating with hens and from forming bonds with drakes/joining drake clans). The practice of seasonally celibate drakes appearing in this public setting with full body covering has (culturally unintentional) functions in enabling these stigmatized drake/faeder pair bonds to fly under the radar (by giving an avenue for a faeder to hide her dull coloration and therefore sex assignment, under the guise of being a celibate drake), and allowing them to obtain offspring for themselves.

[deepwoundsandfadedscars]

Sat down to have a chat with my cousin before he flies home tomorrow to his wife, just cause I was anxious that she would try to twist it against me if she talked to him first, I explained my side of what the interaction was and the blatant lies she claimed, and he's not at all surprised and in fact is already planning on getting a paralegal when he gets home to start getting her the fuck out of his life

Me last night: hmm maybe I want another tattoo, I'm going to start talking to this artist *sends message*

My cousins wife: *sends an incredibly hostile message about how I've been ignoring her and she's gone above and beyond for me trying to be supportive of me, when in reality she hasn't texted me first since November and when I text her, she's very short with me and makes no effort to continue a conversation with me*

"Yeah hi, artist? Make that three tattoos"

[travismartiinez]

YELLOWJACKETS + ANIMALS

SHAUNA - WOLF

The Wolf is a powerful creature with its unwavering ferocity and long fangs, known to represent sharp intelligence, dominance, resilience, and even isolation. When alone, it is sometimes used to symbolize a lack of trust or deception. 

It is also known to symbolize determination, an appetite for freedom, greed, a reliance on instinct, and feeling threatened. As a pack animal, the Wolf understands the importance of social connections and power. 

TAI - COUGAR

While quiet on its feet, the Cougar is an extremely fierce creature capable of standing alone and it often represents leadership, primal power, responsibility, and confidence. It is also known to symbolize standing behind convictions and living without guilt. 

The Cougar has been regarded as a messenger between humans and the divine, with connections to the spirit world. This, along with its solitary nature, makes the Cougar an enigmatic animal though its strength is unquestionable. 

JACKIE - FIREFLY

The Firefly is small and does not pose a threat, but its beauty captivates those lucky enough to witness it. With its light, the Firefly represents guidance in the dark, hope, and the transience of life. 

The Firefly is often associated with the souls of those who have died. 

MISTY - RACCOON

While the Raccoon is small, it is an incredibly capable creature due to its dexterity and thus it often symbolizes resourcefulness, elusiveness, curiosity, and mischief. It is also known to represent the ability to be innovative in challenging situations. 

The Raccoon is sometimes considered deceitful and secretive due to its masked appearance and suspicious behavior. However, this may also symbolize the need to uncover the hidden truth and explore mysteries. 

NAT - DEER

The Deer is a swift and agile creature, known for its gentle nature. It often represents sensitivity, empathy, vulnerability, and compassion for others. It symbolizes sharp instincts, love, timidity, and perception as well. 

It is also a symbol for the Hunt. The Deer is prey to many predators in the wilderness and has been used to represent a nomadic lifestyle as it must always be on the move. 

LOTTIE - BEAR

With its shaggy fur and formidable strength, the Bear commonly symbolizes untamed wildness and the primal nature within oneself. It also represents protection, territoriality, courage, fear, and power.

The Bear has also been seen as a symbol of spirituality, teaching, healing, and even rebirth. As such a powerful force of nature, it is linked to intuition and the ability to see beyond the surface level of the world around us.

VAN - MOOSE

The Moose is a large and imposing creature, with mighty antlers that symbolize spiritual illumination and intuition. It is known to stand its ground, and naturally commands respect as it strides through the wilderness. 

It also represents authenticity, stubbornness, confidence, and isolation as a result of self-reliance. The Moose has been regarded as incredibly wise, symbolizing the ability to share knowledge. 

BEN - GROUNDHOG

Despite its gentle nature, the Groundhog is a creature capable of withstanding extremely harsh conditions and thus often symbolizes resilience and practicality. The Groundhog is also a symbol of resistance to change, stubbornness, and isolation. 

It represents introspection, as well as the ability to retreat and reflect as the Groundhog hibernates through the brutal cold of winter. 

TRAVIS - ELK

The Elk, with its large antlers, is often seen as a symbol of masculinity and strength, as well as guardianship. It protects the herd when needed and represents bravery, strength, as well as resilience. 

Beyond its physical prowess, the Elk also symbolizes elements such spiritual awakenings, dreams, love and a strong connection with nature. 

AKILAH - MOUNTAIN GOAT

While not large or ferocious, the Mountain Goat possesses unyielding strength and determination thus it is often a symbol of balance. It represents exploration, stubbornness, the ability to navigate challenges, ambition, and grace. 

The Mountain Goat has also been regarded as a connection to the divine, with the ability to deliver messages. In addition, it is deeply connected to the wilderness and the unknown within as well. 

LAURA LEE - DOVE

The Dove glides gracefully through the forest and appears as a symbol of peace and faith. Its soft and beautiful nature represents positivity, spiritual growth, and finding harmony amongst the chaos. 

In addition, the Dove symbolizes freedom to connect with spirituality especially in regard to its ties to Christianity. 

MARI - WOLVERINE

Though it is not very large, the Wolverine is undoubtedly fearless and capable of being very fierce. Thus, it often symbolizes strength, voracity, and an ability to standing ones’ ground even against larger opponents. 

The Wolverine is capable of holding its own in conflict with other predators, such as wolves or bears, due to its cunning nature. It has been linked to mischief and spirituality. 

JAVI - FAWN

The Fawn, as a young Deer, is extremely vulnerable within the wilderness. It represents youth, innocence, and defenselessness. 

Because of its vulnerability, the Fawn can also symbolize fear and timidness. 

GEN - SKUNK

Due to its distinctive spray, the Skunk is often regarded as repulsive in its effort to defend itself against larger predators. It may even symbolize over-reliance on defensive tactics and hostility. 

CRYSTAL - MOCKINGBIRD

The Mockingbird, with its ability to mimic other animals with its songs, is often used to symbolize innocence, playfulness, and communication. The killing of the Mockingbird is often seen as a horrific act due to their gentleness. 

MELISSA - POSSUM

Because of its ability to play dead, the Possum is a very capable creature. It is often used to symbolize strategy, adaptability, and awareness. 

[courtkossai]

priorities

not important :

whether experience is measurably real or not - virtually all alterhuman experiences will never be measurable enough to satisfy detractors , regardless of origins or expressions .

whether experience is possible to prove or not - some folks speak of experiences that do not line up with currently known advances , experiences that seem to break laws of physics , experiences with basis in religion and spirituality , or in general scientifically unverifiable . literally so what ?

these categories rigid , and do not address legitimate concerns . folks also take these categories as opportunity to argue - only X is measurably real , Y is not , only X is possible , Y is not - but that will not change individual experiences or worldviews .

while there can be legitimate reasons to talk about proven science and consensus reality , discussion of personal experience without any enforcement or danger on others is not reason .

these arguments only lead to animosity and frustration , and at time various armchair diagnoses even where actual medical criteria is not fit - which can hurt everyone .

actually important :

distress levels - is this experience stressful , and how much so ? what would help to address and treat this distress , if anything ? some folks will say medication . some folks will say therapy . some folks will say , simply , community acceptance .

comfort levels - how comfortable is this experience ? sometimes comfort can come hand in hand with distress , but which one is more abundant and why ? what would make experience more comfortable , if anything ?

risk levels - whether one might misjudge safety and try things that could be fatal , neglect ADLs like nutrition and hygiene , or otherwise follow impulses and poor judgment calls that might worsen life . what can one do to lessen these risks , if anything ?

autonomy and dignity of risk - ability to make any choices in these above categories , even if against long-term best interests . that is life sometimes . everyone deserve right to autonomy and choice - unfortunately , while some would benefit from support , many only have choice to be either totally dependent or totally independent . this must be fix at system level , not push individuals into total dependence and legal guardianship .

these categories able to change with time and mental state , address actual concerns of safety and happiness , and not exclusive to any framework of experience .

there should not be any stigma to admit that instincts high and might need someone to monitor safety for today , that animalistic language is more comfortable than human language , or to make choices against grain . this is personal safety and happiness .

should also be mindful not to dictate what anyone else experience , or to let others do this . this can include :

anyone who actively want to categorise all religious and spiritual explanation as delusion - even though this is not applicable framework , hurt folks who do fit and use this framework , and generally frustrate everyone .

anyone who actively want to categorise all psychological explanation as secretly religious or spiritual - this can trigger psychosis in vulnerable folks , and generally frustrate everyone .

anyone who promise to teach secrets under conditions of payment , secrecy , and/or isolation - demands for secrecy and especially isolation major red flags this arrangement is likely abusive .

anyone who , in general , regularly argue about what origins , expressions , and worldviews deserve respect , and which ones to treat as lesser or cast out .

understand what red flags of abusive behaviours and potential cults look like , and do not tolerate intentions to hurt or throw peers under bus . direct attention to individuals of concern , rather than sweep statements about entire worldviews and frameworks . this is community safety and happiness .

[imharnaannesta]

I’ve seen a lot of conversation about Anakin Skywalker and grooming and whether if someone just did something differently would Anakin have fallen. And they’ve sparked a thought of my own that I haven’t been able to put into words.

Which is that regardless of whether it would have changed anything I believe that the Jedi Order failed in their duty of care to Anakin.

Firstly, I believe that the second Qui-Gon, being a Jedi Master on a mission as a representative of the Jedi Order, takes Anakin from his mother the Order has a duty of care to Anakin. Like if Qui-Gon had taken Anakin and immediately gotten into a speeder crash that was his fault and killed them both I think the Jedi would have been liable in a wrongful death suit. Qui-Gon may have been acting outside of his mandate but I don’t believe that changes that the Order bears some responsibility for his actions. Being a Jedi Master gives him a level of authority and if he abused that authority or uses it for actions outside his mandate then the Order is responsible for responding appropriately.

When the Council decides he shouldn’t be trained the next steps should not have been letting Qui-Gon take him into an actual war zone. Whether they’re training him or not he’s a child and until they’ve made other arrangements they are responsible for his care. If Anakin had died on Naboo it would have been due to the negligence of the Order.

The responsible choice would have been to find Anakin a place to stay in the temple until arrangements could be made for him to either be returned to his mother or entrusted to a guardian. In either case it would be the responsibility of the Jedi to ensure to the best of their knowledge and ability that Anakin was being placed in a safe and stable environment. A member of their order took Anakin from one home, if they do not care for him they cannot just wash their hands of him without doing their due diligence.

Secondly, once Anakin is a member of the Order it is the responsibility of the Order to ensure that children in their care are safe. That is the responsibility of any person or organization with guardianship of children. And I cannot fathom a world in which it is responsible to allow an adult outside the order, who has taken a special interest in a specific child, to have enough access to that child to be considered the child’s friend. The only legitimate interest Palpatine could possibly have in Anakin is in his role liberating Naboo (a thing he shouldn’t have been involved in anyway) and that’s certainly not enough. And frankly even if Palpatine was interacting with Anakin under supervision it clearly wasn’t enough. Even later, they shouldn’t be sending a nineteen year old to have solo meetings with the Chancellor. Especially if the Chancellor has taken interest in that nineteen year old.

And before anyone argued that Palpatine made them… I don’t care. If they suspected Palpatine’s interest in Anakin was anything less than pure (and they should have because aging politicians have no legitimate reason to be getting close with random children) then they should have been fighting tooth and nail every step of the way. And the fact that they send him into the viper’s den more than once suggests they aren’t making that effort.

If Palpatine was abusing Anakin in ways other than emotional and arguably spiritual then would you still say the Jedi had to let Palpatine have access to him? Because what he does to Anakin is arguably worse in some ways given how it turns out.

Thirdly, Anakin returns from fighting in the outer rim, is ordered to begin spying on the Chancellor (who the Jedi Order allowed him to have enough contact with in his childhood to consider him a friend), and then shows the signs of struggling emotionally. They do not push him on this, Yoda asks him about it and gives very surface level advice. And then they allow the armed and very powerful veteran of a large scale interplanetary conflict to continue his spying mission and go on his merry way.

This is not to say I think Anakin’s fall is anyone’s fault but Palpatine’s and Anakin’s. But Anakin is coming out of a psychologically damaging environment and being put into an extremely difficult position emotionally by being asked to spy on Palpatine. He’s already emotionally volatile and he is extremely well trained, armed at all times, and capable of being extremely dangerous. As is any Jedi. And given those factors I think not pushing when he appears less stable than usual and potentially not forcing medical intervention is negligence.

This is also not to say that the Jedi somehow brought their fate onto themselves. The destruction of the Jedi Order is Palpatine’s doing and very little they could do outside of successfully killing him would have prevented it by the time it came to pass. Anakin’s involvement in it is also not ultimately the fault of the Jedi Order. But that doesn’t mean that they didn’t fail Anakin.

It might not have changed anything. It doesn’t mean that they are responsible for Anakin’s actions once he swears his allegiance to Palpatine. It doesn’t mean the Jedi are bad as a whole. Or even that any of them are bad people. But I do think they had a duty of care. And I do think they fell short.

And now I kind of want to write a fic where Padme successfully finds and frees Shmi and brings her to Naboo and Shmi sues the fuck out of the Jedi Order for the way Qui-Gon went about acquiring her son. And for allowing him to go with Qui-Gon to Naboo.

[portraitsofsaints]

Happy Feast Day

Saint Samantha of Clonbroney

Died: 739 AD

Feast Day: December 18

Patronage: spiritualness

Saint Samantha (Samthann or Samthana), a maiden of Ulster, Ireland was entrusted by her family to the guardianship of the Irish king Cridan. The king wanted her to marry and arranged for her marriage but after a miraculous event when a heavenly light emitted from her face as she was sleeping, he relented. She was then allowed to enter a convent to become a nun, eventually becoming abbess of the convent of Clonbroney, that was founded by St. Patrick. Many miracles are attributed to her, but mostly she was known for her wisdom in teaching and being a spiritual advisor to others.

Prints, plaques & holy cards available for purchase. (website)

[marvelshifter111]

Could you make a Powers (second sphere) and Seraphim (first sphere) abilities? Angelology is one of my favorite things to learn about.

thank you for requesting! sorry it took me so long

Powers and Seraphim abilities

Second sphere: Powers

Role: Guardians of the cosmos, maintaining order and protecting the world from demonic forces. They are considered warriors of God who ensure divine justice.

Abilities of Powers:

Cosmic guardianship - Powers are responsible for maintaining the balance of the universe, ensuring stars and celestial bodies remain in their divine order.

Protection against evil - They are tasked with defending humanity and the world from the influence of dark forces, including demons and malevolent spirits.

Judgment and justice - They carry out God’s justice by punishing evil spirits and enforcing divine law.

Inspiration of strength and courage - Powers can instill divine strength and courage in mortals, particularly in times of spiritual or physical conflict.

Weaving spiritual energies - They manage the flow of spiritual energies, ensuring that divine blessings are channeled to where they are most needed.

Guidance of leaders and warriors - Powers often guide rulers, warriors, and those in positions of authority to act righteously.

Dispelling chaos - Powers have the unique ability to restore order in chaotic situations, whether in the natural world or the spiritual realm. They can calm storms, end conflicts, and bring stability where there is discord.

Sealing boundaries - Powers can create or reinforce spiritual barriers to prevent the intrusion of malevolent forces into sacred spaces, people, or objects. They are the architects of divine wards and protective seals.

First sphere: Seraphim

Role: The closest beings to God, existing in perpetual worship and adoration of the Divine. They embody pure love and illuminate the heavenly hierarchy.

Abilities of Seraphim:

Perpetual worship and praise - Their primary purpose is to sing praises to God, endlessly proclaiming His holiness. ("Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts.")

Bearer of divine love - Seraphim are embodiments of divine love, radiating pure and perfect love throughout creation.

Illumination and Enlightenment - They illuminate the minds of lower angels and humans, helping them understand God’s will and nature.

Purification by fire - Seraphim wield the holy fire of God, capable of purifying souls and removing sin. Their name literally means "burning ones."

Eternal radiance - They shine with an intense, unearthly light, reflecting the glory of God. This radiance can inspire awe or purify those in their presence.

Channeling divine will - As the closest beings to God, Seraphim serve as conduits of His will, passing divine knowledge and commands to the lower spheres.

Guardians of divine secrets - They protect and maintain the sacred mysteries of heaven, ensuring that only those deemed worthy can access them.

Transformation through love - The Seraphim's love has the power to spiritually transform those they touch, bringing them closer to God’s divine essence.

Key contrast between powers and seraphim:

Powers focus on protecting and enforcing divine order within creation, often acting as warriors and guardians.

Seraphim are devoted entirely to God’s presence, serving as beacons of divine love and enlightenment. They interact less with the material world and more with the celestial hierarchy.

[heavenboundhotel]

✨VARIEL✨


Alias: Vera

Species/Origin: Fallen Angel

Gender/Pronouns: Female, She/Her

Sexuality: Lesbian


Appearance:

Personality:

Vera is a soldier, first and foremost. At least, that's how she views herself. She does genuinely love Lithop, but she can't help but see herself as indebted to her in a way. All Vera knows is violence, she's never been more than a weapon, a part of a machine. She is happier no longer being an exorcist, even if she is now stuck in Hell, but is struggling to acclimate to its environment, and her newfound freedom. She has a habit of sticking to a strict schedule, even if its usually unnecessary, out of pure familiarity and comfort. She's very protective of Lithop, deeply admiring her compassion and enthusiasm but fearing that her naivety and stubborness will get her hurt, and she'll lose the only person who has ever cared about her. Vera can come off as very standoffish and doesn't easily get comfortable with others, but is extremely loyal once she does.

Backstory:

Variel was created after Heaven’s shift from guardianship to militant exorcism - her true purpose as a guardian angel trained out of her to be replaced with violence, trained from the beginning to view demons and sinners as irredeemable threats. As one of the younger angels molded exclusively in this hardened role, Variel had a reputation as a skilled and relentless exorcist. She was among the most efficient of her peers despite her young age, partially due to her ability to channel her buried guardian instincts into an intense focus on “protecting” Heaven from Hell’s sinners, even if it’s through destruction.

Variel's guardian origins occasionally stirred beneath her disciplined exterior, though, surfacing in ways that troubled her. She tried to suppress these feelings as "weakness," not wanting to disappoint her superiors or her comrades. Over time, she became skilled at ignoring her guardian instincts, even as they subtly influenced her. She showed mercy by giving swift ends to her targets.

The defining moment came during an extermination one year when Variel encountered a young sinner, a child. She'd never questioned her orders before, but the innocence and fear in the child’s eyes ignited her buried guardian nature, triggering a powerful urge to protect rather than destroy. Despite the risks, Variel defied her mission, taking a protective stance in front of the child. This act of compassion went against everything she’s been trained for, but her instinctual need to shield the helpless overrode her loyalty to her duty.

After her defiance, Variel faced judgment at the hands of her fellow exorcist, Lute. Seeing Vera’s betrayal as intolerable, she decided to mete out “divine punishment” herself. She violently gouged out Variel's eye, and cut her wings off - marking her as fallen and trapping her in Hell. The brutal act was both physically and spiritually devastating for Variel. The pain of her injuries solidified the gravity of her decision, as she was officially exiled from Heaven.

Severely injured, Variel was found by Lithop, who brought her back from the brink. Variel's initial instincts were to distrust Lithop, even as she was too weakened to resist. As Lithop tended to her wounds and protected her from being discovered, Variel's guarded heart began to soften, not used to someone so caring in Hell. Over time, she found herself inexplicably drawn to Lithop’s innocence and fierce belief in redemption, emotions she struggles to reconcile with her hardened worldview.

Knowing she couldn't return to her old life, Variel embraced her fall by shedding her old name, adopting “Vera” as a symbol of her new identity. While the change is largely practical (hiding her status as a fallen angel), it also reflects her internal shift. Vera is no longer tied to Heaven’s mission; she’s forging her own path, albeit skeptically. She agrees to support Lithop’s goal, not out of faith in the plan but because she believes Lithop’s heart is in the right place. Her love for Lithop becomes her new guiding force, though she remains wary of Hell’s dangers and the naivety of Lithop’s vision.

[compassionmattersmost]

Patterns of Wonder: A Connection to the Cosmos

As I gaze upon yet another crop circle formation, I am struck by the sheer complexity and precision of its design. The intricate patterns woven into the fields are more than just a visual spectacle—they are a doorway into the profound mysteries of the universe. Each curve and line seems to pulse with an energy that is both ancient and timeless, stirring within me a deep sense of amazement and…

[kiiwicatty]

A Maedhros Crossroads: A Silmarillion x Devil May Cry Crossover AU Concept

Greetings fellow lore enthusiasts, I’d like to share another crossover AU idea blending Tolkien’s Silmarillion and Devil May Cry. This one explores a “what if” scenario for Maedhros (Maitimo) and his unexpected role in the Sparda family’s fate. Let’s dive in:

Premise: After casting himself into the fiery chasm with a Silmaril, Maedhros does not die. His soul bypasses the Halls of Mandos entirely, instead crossing dimensions into the Devil May Cry universe. Wounded and disoriented, he is discovered in a forest by young Vergil and Dante, who were still kids. Though initially wary of the towering, flame-haired stranger, Eva senses a quiet nobility beneath his somber demeanor and invites him into their home.

A Guardian with Ghosts: Once a leader to six brothers, Maedhros finds himself tending to the half-demon twins. His centuries of caregiving (echoing his later guardianship of Elrond and Elros) make him surprisingly adept at handling Dante’s mischief and Vergil’s solemn curiosity. Yet guilt plagues him—a Kinslayer questioning whether he deserves this fragile domestic peace.

Foreshadowed Tragedy: Haunted by prophetic visions (a nod to Elven foresight), Maedhros glimpses fragments of the future: Eva’s death, the brothers’ fracturing bond, and the cyclical violence spanning DMC3-5. These visions mirror his own family’s cursed legacy, sparking dread that history may repeat itself.

The Attack Reimagined: When demonic forces assault the Sparda household, Maedhros intervenes. Drawing on First Age combat prowess, he single-handedly stalls the horde, buying time for Eva and the boys to flee. Though he slaughters countless demons, even his legendary strength falters against overwhelming numbers—a turning point that rewrites canon by sparing Eva’s life.

Thematic Threads:

Redemption Through Sacrifice: Can Maedhros, burdened by oath-driven atrocities, protect this new family without reigniting his own darkness? Bloodlines of Fire and Redemption: Where Fëanor's oath condemned his house, Sparda's lineage—guided by Maedhros' scars—may yet rewrite their fate

Quiet Resilience: Eva’s intuitive trust in Maedhros contrasts with his self-loathing, creating a nuanced dynamic of healing and unspoken understanding.

Open Questions (Your Input Needed!):

How might Maedhros’ presence alter Vergil’s path? Could paternal mentorship soften his obsession with power? Should Maedhros survive the battle, bearing new scars (physical and spiritual), or let his fall mirror his Silmaril quest’s end? Could his Elven heritage interact with demonic energy (e.g., Silmaril resonance clashing with Sparda’s bloodline)?

This AU is still evolving, and I’m eager to hear your thoughts! Whether it’s feedback on the premise, plot suggestions, or shared headcanons, let’s refine this concept together. Feel free to reply or DM—let the crossover brainrot commence!

[seeker-ophelia]

Hallelujah

(There are no Veilguard spoilers in this content, it was all created in early September, I’m only posting it now).

So I found this old Bioware article from 2014…

Its about what the writers listened to when they wrote their characters.

I was immediately struck by Weekes’ (writer of Bull, Cole, & Solas) comment that he wrote whole swaths of Solas dialogue listening to K.D. Langs cover of Hallelujah.

Because when I was playing Origins, way back in 2009, as soon as I heard the words “The Chant of Andraste” I thought of Hallelujah.

No better parallel could exist for me. Hallelujah, if you listen to the lyrics, is not really church related, yet it got absorbed into the church as a hymn. Its fucking sad, and yet we’re praising god or some shit?

Kinda like how I feel The Chantry has changed their religion, their original purpose, Andraste and the Maker and all that, into something horrible (subjugation/lobotomization of mages, feeding templars crack, you know, nOrMal StUfF).

I love the parallels there. And I love that Weekes used this sad-ass fucking dirge for our sad-ass fucking egg, especially considering what KD Lang said about it:

Canadian singer k.d. lang said in an interview shortly after Cohen's death that she considered the song to be about "the struggle between having human desire and searching for spiritual wisdom. It's being caught between those two places."       (Be still, my heart.)

And I thought about how Legends Shouldn’t Be Given The Weight of History, and how The Chantry’s purpose has been twisted, and how Hallelujah’s purpose has been twisted, and at the time, I was completing The Temple of the Emerald Knights in DA:I. I was thinking about how the Elvhen temple is littered with statues of Andraste and Mythal (dragon), how there’s a Knight, Andale (which is so obviously Andraste, prob Flemythal reincarnate of some sort).

The blending and melding and mushing of cultures and religions as time drags on, how originally good or pure purposes are changed or shifted, or corrupted.

And I thought of Andraste again.

I have been unhealthily obsessed with this artist named Aly, who is a Bard in Thedas and sings at The Dread Halla Tavern (you can find them on spotify here);  

(for clarification, this human is not me, I am not a singer, she is very good, you should go listen to all her songs-after you read this).

Anyways, I got to thinking…

What would Andraste’s Hallelujah sound like?

I had to write it.

Its sad and beautiful and tells the story of a woman flighting against forces she has no hope of defeating (But we still have to try).

[Andraste’s Lament]

And I got immediately transported to a smoky, dimly lit tavern in Southern Thedas. Aly has just sung Andraste’s Lament, and is approached by Neria, a lone Dalish Elf who clutches a scrap of paper tightly in her hand.

Aly listens to this elf tell her a story of a sad song her mother used to sing her when she was young, before she got killed by bandits. And could she sing this song for her, please, she even has a few coppers.

And Aly sits down, scans the paper, and realizes it’s a different version of Andraste’s Hallelujah.

Written in small looping script at the top, in Common, is Dirge of the Dread Wolf.

And she sings it softly to Neria, a strange story of mothers and gods and tricksters and wolves, and Neria’s eyes well.

[Dirge of the Dread Wolf]

She ends the song, the last beautiful Hallelujah trembling through the thickness of the tavern air.

Neria sniffs once, and then begins a new story. Aly listens to this Elf speak of a crumbling Dalish temple deep in the middle of nowhere, where she found a piece of paper beside a four legged statue that has since eroded to expressionless guardianship, of words crossed out and changed and smudged.

Then she shakily hands Aly a different piece of paper.

This velumm is significantly older than the first, thicker, almost crumbling around the edges.

And its Hallelujah again, but its spelled wrong, and some strange name with too many n’s in it is written at the top.

And Neria asks Aly if she can sing this.

But it’s written in Elvhen, and Aly shakes her head, she doesn’t think she can stumble through all the strange Dalish a’s and ash’s and am’s (there's so many damn vowels in Dalish…).

But, Aly halts the elfs falling face, she is more than willing to sing this in Common, if Neria will stay to act as translator.

So the two bend their heads close over the bar, and Aly pulls out her small precious notebook where she writes down the lyrics to her own tunes, and they quickly make work of the Elvhen words, Aly humming and hawing as she changes some words to better match the pattern of the song.

And soon they have a brand-new Hallelujah, and Aly asks Neria to pronounce the name at the top.

Ghil-an’nain, Neria says, and make sure you spell the hallelujah right.

H, a, l, l, a, l, i, e, u, y, a.

What does that mean in Dalish? Aly asks the elf.

And Neria shrugs. Halla is like a halla, she assumes. But this word lieu, she doesn’t know.

Aly assumes in the context of this song it must mean birth, but Neria shakes her head. Shena is the verb for born.

Well, what about victory? But Neria shakes her head again. Ena’sal’in is the word for victory, or triumph.

Aly blows out a breath. She’s a lyricist. What would make this poetic.

What about truth?

The elf thinks, and a small smile grows on her lips.

She can’t think of a Dalish word for truth.

Ghilan’nain’s Truth of the Halla?

Aly’s beautiful soprano soon fills the room, and her eyes widen when a soft Alto joins her, singing along in the original Elvhen.

[Ghilan’nain’s Truth of the Halla]   

A haunting melody, completely changed by the understanding of the root of halla lieu’ya, not a praise to The Maker, or the curse of a trickster, but the story of a young god, beaten and battered and blinded, and her creations, and her destruction of them.

[Ghilan’nan’es Halla’lieu’ya]

The tavern erupts when they finish, and poor Neria blushes furiously as her back is slapped, and her hair is tousled, by the patrons of the establishment.

Aly and her new friend make their way to the bar, where foaming tankards await them.

They cheers, and as they tip the beer back, a city elf approaches them, dressed like a Dalish, but he has no vallaslin. He pushes his cowl down to reveal a bald head and shocking purple eyes. His voice is quiet, with a deep, romantic lilt.

“Where did you find that song?”

…

Please be gentle with any constructive criticism on my voice, I am absolutely NOT a singer, I know I don’t have a superstar voice but I’m also not tone deaf, so just… don’t be shitty to me, internet. Listen to the lyrics, not the delivery.

If anyone’s actually interested, I'll message you the lyrics. I also did record all four songs (Andraste, Dread Wolf, Ghilly (English), and Ghilly (Elvhen),) but can only put one video per post. Maybe I'll link them later if people are interested.

*It did not even occur to me until after writing Andraste’s Hallalujah that someone might have had this idea already. I did a little googling afterwards, and someone has put solas’ dialogue to the tune of Hallalujah, but no ones “re-written” it yet in this context (that I could find). My query to you is, why would Solas speak in Leonard Cohen's hallelujah/iambic pentameter if he had never heard it before?

---

Obviously, this can never be turned into a real song, because Sony owns the rights to the OG Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. But the romanticism of this song, changing through the ages, was too good to pass up. I hope you enjoy it, sincerely, and if you are a better singer than I, by all means, use my lyrics and record it, and please send me the link so that I can listen to it!  

Thanks to Weekes, Leonard Cohen, & The Dread Halla Tavern for inspiring this.

Bare your blade, and raise it high.

[serpentface]

Renyari Asinya, member of the Hoüheteni warrior order, posing with a handcannon.

Most of his weapons and armor are self-supplied, though the handcannon is allotted from the Odonii priesthood's armory and the helmet is made to standard as a marker of this warrior order. It's trimmed and caped with the mane of a wildtype lion, rather than the pale to white furred semi-domesticated temple stock. The mane is worn for ceremonial purposes and can be unclipped and removed from the helmet when in combat, though many will choose not to.

Two of three khattanocuy on his belt are rewards for distinction in combat, and the center one is Hoüheteni specific and made with sacrificial temple lionsmane that only Odonii, their blood kin, and their associated warriors are permitted to wear.

---

Imperial Wardin has eleven total major warrior orders, and a couple dozen minor (mostly ceremonial) ones. Warrior status is distinct from being a common footsoldier mobilized in states of active warfare, with warriors having an esteemed social standing and receiving special privileges and command roles over common soldiers. The vast majority of warriors are noblemen (and the inclusion of combat training in the childhood education of male nobility serves to bolster these numbers), though these orders are not outright averse to merit-based induction. Distinguishing yourself in combat as a footsoldier is one of very few avenues of upward mobility for lower class citizens (even peasantry), as induction into a warrior order usually grants a degree of wealth and privilege, and can sometimes entail receiving a sub-nobility lordship status and allotment of land. Captured enemy combatants may (very rarely) be inducted if they demonstrate exceptional prowess and are deemed likely to integrate well and find their given status favorable.

The primary use of these orders over the state's history has been subjugation and maintenance of tributaries, and upkeep of a loose border with the Wogan kingdom of Morihe to the east (with which mutual hostilities are near-constant, though conditions of outright warfare are not). Imperial Wardin has not expanded in any major way (barring its ultimately brief hold of Finnerich) in about a century, so many of these orders have developed functions that are more ceremonial than anything else, and some outright just do petty mercenary work or function as forms of urban law enforcement.

The Hoüheteni are unique among these orders, having originated separately as a class of servants, squires, and guards to the Odonii priesthood and their temples. Their initial roles in combat was just as ceremonial as that of Odonii, being arms bearers and war dancers while their associated priestesses performed their battlefield functions of spiritual guardianship. However, the fact that these squires were not necessarily Restricted to noncombatant roles would routinely lead to instances of them actively engaging and being encouraged to do so. Actual combat training gradually became a requirement for this role and improved their viability in the field.

They achieved their status during the peak expansionist period of the state after its initial formation. They first received major commendation in the process of subjugating the Wermani kingdom, which fought a lengthy war before its rulers finally submitted to tributary status. A group of pre-Hoüheteni squires are known to have helped turn the tide of an ambush in the early stages of the war by taking up weapons of fallen soldiers, with one remembered famously for killing a Wermani lord with a thrown spear at a distance (depending on accounts, this ranges from an impressive 15 meters to a completely ridiculous 40, given he's not described as using a spear-thrower). These men went on to serve increasingly active roles in the fighting for the duration of the war.

The Usoma at the time was Hittsanaebiwa Yanne, who is remembered quite favorably by the general public but has been recorded as as impulsive and unresponsive to cautious counsel. Upon the triumphal return with the spoils of war and first payments of tribute, Hittsanaebiwa singled out and rewarded the pre-Hoüheteni squires by declaring them an official warrior order to the Odonii priesthood, gifting them the full rights and privileges of other warriors (including armament) and granting landed status and command roles to the most distinguished members. He did not, however, place them within the core military structure under his own appointed general, instead moving a few men from other orders to be their commanders and symbolically assigning the Odomache as their general.

This move was not Completely absurd in context. At this time, the Odonii were a fairly decentralized priesthood entirely dependent on the state for its functions, and the role of Odomache was exclusively ceremonial with little to no hard power. In granting the Hoüheteni the status of a warrior order, he was empowering them to be better guardians to their priesthood and a symbolic completion of the concept of Odomache as the protector and ensurer of sovereignty, in creating a warrior order devoted to It specifically. This was also a political move, demonstrating the state's increasing wealth and power by socially and materially rewarding not only the warrior-nobility but the outstanding merit of common folk (these guys were essentially servants, none were nobility) who achieved this conquest. It was a popular move with the general public, and also a very bad one in retrospect.

This decision went on to be a thorn in the side of every Usoma since then. By the time the Usoma Hittsanaebiwa Yanne died, the Hoüheteni had nearly tripled in number, distinguished themselves in further conquest, and cemented themselves in the public consciousness as beloved, venerable figures. This was now a private militia existing outside of the central structure of Wardin's military under the command of an increasingly powerful priesthood, and represented an extremely obvious political threat to the already shakily centralized monarchy.

While not Directly within the command structure headed by the Usoma, they are still subject to his laws and decrees. Thus, there have been many decrees over the decades since to curb them from becoming Too powerful, while avoiding risky maneuvers such as 'revoking their status or disarming or killing them' likely to anger the general public or make outright enemies of the Odonii. Their number is presently capped off at a maximum of 300, on the given basis that their status is highly elite and should be restricted to only the best of the best. In tandem, a policy began of promoting distinguished combatants to Other orders in the central command structure as quickly as possible, improving the material privileges for these inductees (more land allotments, gifts of state weapons and armor, etc), and requiring inductees to swear binding oaths of service to their Specific Order to prevent them from being tempted away. This intended to reduce the pool of potential inductees to the Hoüheteni and force more to be chosen from eunuch squires (who serve the ceremonial/servant roles the Hoüheteni once did).

The goal was to physically weaken the order by depriving it of intact men, and to decrease its public esteem by the same means. This was ultimately not successful, as the presence or lack of testicles does not innately change a person's capability of killing things with swords/spears/arrows/gun's, and the novelty of a warrior order that was notably successful and fearsome AND composed of eunuchs on more than an incidental scale only improved their public opinion, by and large.

Restrictions around the allotment of handcannons were also gradually tightened, with only 30 being permitted for Hoüheteni use in conflict (to be given to only their most Elite high ranking members), with the concession that the greater number allotted to the Odonii for ceremonies and perpetual armament was permissible to be used for training their men. Under the Usoma Amanti Asita during the conquest and partial colonization of Finnerich, the number was decreased to only 10 on the basis that gunpowder and these highly costly weapons were in greater need by other orders dispatched to combat more frequently. He commissioned 10 high quality handcannons for Hoüheteni use, as well as a lavish gift of 300 (nonfunctional) gold handcannons for ceremonies.

Growing tensions between the Odonii and the monarchy in recent history lead to more overt tightening of the leash. The Usoma Amanti Asita, towards the end of his reign, forbade the Hoüheteni from attending the annual rites at the Sons of Creation as soldiers (though they had the same permission as every other citizen to travel as unarmed pilgrims). Instead, in an unprecedented move that is Ostensibly a major honor, he provided members of his own personal guard to attend the Odomache and the senior Odonii present. This has remained the case since that point.

The Usoma Amanti Stawis later prevented Hoüheteni from being dispatched to the rebelling Finnerich on the basis that cavalry had to be heavily prioritized for allotment of state weapons, resources, and ship space. He also provided members of his personal guard to protect the attending Odomache. All this ultimately looked really, really bad when the Odomache proceeded to get captured and killed and paraded around on a lance as a severed head.

The anxieties involved in these decrees are evident to everyone involved, and the conciliatory gifts of beautiful useless weapons and lavish praise have utterly ceased to curb ill will after the recent death of the Odomache. At this point, Hoüheteni opinions towards the Usoma Amanti Stawis trend towards the "he conspired to have her killed and needs to die badly", to the point that the Odonii are beginning to have difficulties controlling the regicidal sentiment in their own militia (which, in spite of tensions, is not a sentiment shared by the majority of Odonii leadership).

This came to a head in an assassination attempt on Amanti by a group of nine Hoüheteni (who at least Appear to have been acting alone, or at least not on the behest of the senior Odonii as a collective) two years before present. The attempt was foiled and the conspirators were executed by means of forced honorable suicide (decided upon as the best possible option for a deeply unpopular ruler in troubled times, giving them what is culturally the Cushiest death sentence possible to minimize potential public anger while not appearing outright passive). He decreed that Hoüheteni could no longer carry combat weaponry on their person within city limits (which is entirely forbidden to all civilians who are Not within warrior orders or Odonii, regardless of other status), thus effectively (though not explicitly) revoking their status as a warrior order altogether. This doesn't end up helping things much, and the Hoüheteni can now be collectively described as a revolutionary force whose ideological goals are to replace the monarchy with the same kind of monarchy except it's headed by a god-king.

---

This order is notably unique for a large portion of its members being eunuchs. This is entirely because many of its members are graduated former servant-squires to the priesthood, and these squires are required to be castrated to begin with. Eunuchs aren't outright Forbidden from joining other warrior orders (they have same overall Legal status as men even if socially considered de-gendered) but are less likely to be invited to begin with, as eunuchs aren't often nobility and are subject to cultural assumptions that (aside from a few outstanding outliers) they are innately weaker than intact men. Squires to Odonii have at least some combat training and opportunities to demonstrate themselves as viable, and are semi-frequently rewarded with Hoüheteni status when noted to excel (though most graduate to administrative or training positions instead). It is not an all-eunuch warrior order however (none exist here) and an approximately 2/3rd majority are intact men.

Much of its membership is composed of family members of Odonii, but initiation as Hoüheteni is EXTREMELY selective (due to its imposed membership cap) and is the most preeminently merit-based and least nepotistic of any Wardi warrior order. Not even being nobility blood kin to an Odonii with enough skill for merit-based promotion to other orders is necessarily sufficient.

Hoüheteni function primarily as light infantry. Most carry a javelin + spear thrower set, and a sword and light shield for melee. Strong proficiency with throwing spears (with or without a spearthrower) is the central requirement for selection as Hoüheteni. Their armor needs to be on the lighter side, and most will wear linothorax rather than the heavier iron scale/lamellar shown worn by a commander here. As they are funded by a wealthy priesthood and are limited in number, all members are supplied with linothorax, an iron helmet, javelins and a sword (though still generally have to obtain their own shields and any additional armor).

In organized battles with both sides in formation, they serve primarily to disrupt and soften enemy lines for the heavier infantry and cavalry of other orders behind them. In such open battles, they are known for singing coullagri summoning prayers to Odomache prior to their advance and mimicking the eye rolling and teeth baring of Odonii battlefield performance. More commonly, they're just used as lightweight smash and grab raiders against disorganized targets. Because they now only have 10 allotted handcannons at any given time, they don't have an organized artillery function. Use and assignment of their limited firearms is very flexible- Hoüheteni commanders carry them on a ceremonial basis, but in actual combat will generally assign them to their subordinates to provide cover fire from concealed or semi-distant positions.

Outside of combat, their non-ceremonial functions are primarily in training the squires of Odonii, and getting the Odonii themselves to required ceremonial weapons proficiency. Some act as guards to the Odomache or to senior Odonii when traveling. Hoüheteni aren't actually dispatched into combat very often (especially since BITCHASS Amanti Stawis has mostly prioritized developing sea trade over landgrabbing and tributary acquisition), and in practice these duties are 90% of their job. It is at least Heavily Suspected that some Hoüheteni function as enforcers for the Odonii priesthood and may have periodic involvement in assassinations at the priesthood's behest.

[brujadepinarrio]

🐕San Lazaro💜

In Cuban folklore, San Lazaro(translating to Saint Lazarus) is a revered figure embodying a blend of religious and cultural narratives. This veneration primarily intertwines two distinct biblical accounts of Lazarus:

Lazarus of Bethany: Known as the friend whom Jesus resurrected after four days in the tomb.

The Beggar Lazarus: Featured in the parable of the rich man and the beggar, where Lazarus, a destitute man covered in sores, receives solace in the afterlife.

In Cuba, the depiction of San Lázaro predominantly reflects the beggar narrative. He is portrayed as an elderly man in tattered clothing, bearing crutches, with sores on his body, and accompanied by dogs believed to lick his wounds for relief. This imagery resonates deeply with many Cubans, symbolizing compassion and the hope for healing. 

The devotion to San Lázaro is especially evident on December 16th-17th, his feast day, when thousands of Devotees journey to the National Sanctuary of San Lázaro in El Rincón, near Havana. Devotees often undertake this journey to fulfill promises, seeking blessings or expressing gratitude for favors received.

Afro-Cuban Tradition & how San Lazaro regardless of syncretism or not is important to Cuban folklore

This veneration also reflects the syncretism in Cuban culture, where San Lazaro is associated with Babalú Ayé, an orisha in Santería known for healing and protection against diseases. This fusion of Catholic and African traditions underscores the rich, intertwined spiritual heritage of the Cuban people.

Thus, San Lazaro stands as a potent symbol in Cuban folklore, embodying themes of suffering, compassion, and the enduring hope for healing and redemption.

Afro-Haitian Tradition:

particularly in Haiti, San Lázaro is associated with Papa Legba, a loa in Vodou who serves as the intermediary between the spiritual and mortal realms. This connection arises from shared attributes of guardianship and mediumship.

Offerings given:

Devotees of San Lázaro (also syncretized with Babalú Ayé) offer various items to seek his blessings, particularly for health and protection. Common offerings include:

Food Items: Roasted corn on the cob, toasted bread with palm oil (manteca de corojo), and unsweetened espresso coffee. 

Beverages: Dry wine, rum, or gin, often sprinkled or blown over his image or shrine, though many prefer it professionally and put it in a cup or bowl.

Other Offerings: Cigar smoke, incense, and candles are used to sometimes purify the space and honor San Lázaro. 

In some traditions, specific animals like goats or roosters are sacrificed as part of the ritual.

Until next time, see you later🐕✨💜🩼🌽