#ss: ritual

[junkyard-gifs]

Harry Francis as Mistoffelees, peeking. 👀

He lurks in the shadows a lot in this production and I love it. That's their benevolent little cryptid.

City Springs, May 2023. With Steven Etienne as Mungojerrie and Olivia Windley as Sillabub.

[lozelinkhyrule]

The giving of the cloth segment is just precious showing how much Zelda trusts Link 🥹

[umemiyan]

very gently kissing his little eyebrow scar

[ladymariayuri]

The good retail workers at Spectrum Internet in (redacted), Ohio are going to be granted entry into the kingdom of heaven

[telemna-hyelle]

Six down, only one more to cross post!

“Hey, Zelda.” Link dredged up a smile. “It’s been a little while since we—since I saw you last.”

 Zelink Week 2022 Day Six: Ritual

[epitome-the-burnkid-viii]

🧩The good, bad, weird, & wild! Fortified with memes, music & movies!!!📺 Welcome to the 🎱#youtuberecommendedchronicles🔮 Come find my podcasts #SupplementalBroadcast & #PanPanenPiousPropheticPonderings on YouTube & Rumble!🎙️ Soundtrack available on #C0P3RN1CANR3C0RD5 via #SoundCloud📻 #TheGreatsResist #TheGreatAwakening #TheGreatTaking 🪬🕯️😱🧿🫶🏼👽

[chamannorteno]

Rituales para prosperar el año 2024

Los Rituales para prosperar el año 2024 son rituales que se realizan con el objetivo de atraer la abundancia y la prosperidad a la vida de la persona que los realiza. Estos Rituales pueden ser realizados por personas de cualquier religión o creencia, y pueden ser personalizados para adaptarse a las necesidades y deseos específicos de cada persona.

[29121996]

.

[plague-of-insomnia]

Is Sebastian “Evil”?

Recently, I saw a post by @puppyfan9000 about Sebastian, commenting on whether or not he is evil, suggesting he’s more like a lion, who preys on animals for survival and not because they’re “evil.”

I guess I had not fully appreciated how many people apparently view Sebastian through the lens of Christian demonology and dogma and thus view him as evil, some apparently going as far to say he’s the villain of the series. (Yana has said he’s the protagonist, actually, but go off, I guess.)

While I can’t ofc know what Yana had in mind with Sebastian when she created him, I do feel like the manga does a good job of pointing out that demons are not innately good or evil, and the truly “evil” ones are humans themselves.

(This is gonna be a bit long so I’ll go ahead and tuck the rest under a read more.)

Shinto Kami & Three Natures

One of the cores of Shinto belief is the kami, sometimes translated as “god,” though I think “deity” is better since the former often has an association with “good” in the western mindset.

The thing about kami is they aren’t good or evil; they exist outside those human parameters. They’re more like a force of nature than what we in the west might view as demonic or godly.

And each kami has 3 natures, or mitama:

aramitama - rough and wild

nigimitama - gentle and life supporting

sakimitama - nurturing

[SS from Handbook of Japanese Mythology by Michael Ashkenazi]

Think of these three as different colored liquids all contained within a vessel. Each kami has a diff amount of each, with one or more of these natures dominating in different situations and at different times.

Connected to this, the line between a “god” or “kami” and a “demon” (so many words you can use here, including akuma, or even yokai) is fluid in Shinto belief.

A kami can “fall” and “devolve” into a baser yokai or “demon” if they become impure (purity is a big part of Shinto belief and ritual), and/or if their aramitama nature becomes more dominant.

Even so, these beings aren’t considered “evil” in the same sense that a Christian views Satan as “evil.”

Just as the destruction caused by a hurricane can’t be called “evil,” the behavior of a kami or other spirit likewise is neither good nor evil. It simply is.

Yana has described him as “without shame or moral sense” but I think this is a bit misleading in translation (though the original Japanese is lost so I can’t say for sure what she said exactly). I think what she means isn’t “he’s evil” but that “he exists outside the framework of human morality.”

Humans Vs Demons in the Manga

I feel like to call Sebastian evil is to miss the fundamental message of the manga: that humans (and formerly human creatures like shinigami) are far more demonic than demons.

Ciel says that almost verbatim, depending on the translation (and if you’re talking about the manga vs the anime) at the end of the circus arc, and Seb replies that is something that sets humans and demons apart.

Sebastian doesn’t kill for the sake of killing. He only kills on command/when necessary to execute (ha) Ciel’s orders/goals. More than once he’s expressed either his distaste at Ciel’s desires, and while Ciel calls him a beast, he takes offense to that.

From Sebastian’s perspective, humans are interesting because they are more complex than demons, who seem to be driven largely by their hunger and not much else.

Recall that Sebastian hesitated to burn down Kelvin’s manor with all the children inside, and it confuses him enough he even questions Ciel about it later. Likewise, while he does kill everyone involved in the Green Witch arc, that was far less about his being “evil,” and more about his doing the job that Ciel ordered him to do while giving him a chance to get his own “revenge” for nearly losing his meal due to the effects of the gas.

I think the closest thing to “evil” Sebastian gets in the manga is when he first makes the contract with Ciel and tries to trick him by making him believe his brother is alive, since he can’t actually resurrect the dead. But I feel it’s telling that is “day one” Sebastian and he has certainly grown and changed since then.

The Ripper Arc: The First Evil

The first true arc is the ripper arc, and I think it’s important because it shows us early that while Sebastian is a literal hellspawn, it wasn’t a demon involved in the serial murders but rather a human—Madam Red—and someone who was once human—Grelle.

Grelle then kills Red in cold blood because she’s become “boring,” which, as far as we know, Grelle never regretted or felt remorse over.

I’m not quite sure if I would even call Grelle evil, but the point is clear: humans, and former humans, are more demonic than demons.

We see it again and again, with the cult, with Kelvin, with the German military in the GWA, with Undertaker and the Aurora society— perhaps it is telling that Sebastian is the only known demon in canon (no, season 2 of the anime is not canon), because it really forces us to see that even the worst of Sebastian’s actions pales in comparison to the depravity of human beings.

If we do wanna look at non-canon, the first season of the anime featured an Angel, a being that is normally associated with being “good,” who becomes so twisted and obsessed with “purity” that they let their aramitama nature take hold and commit great evil in their quest for purification. Even so much as to try and ally with a demon and offer Sebastian any souls he wishes in exchange for Ciel.

So once more we see a non-demon character being the evil one— and Pluto, who is technically a demon, isn’t “evil.” He only “becomes evil” when Ash/Angela break his mind and force him to attack the city.

Ignoring Ciel’s Commands

Finally, I think it’s important to point out that despite promising to always fulfill Ciel’s orders, there have been several times in the manga that he has disobeyed in order to protect Ciel.

One example happens in the circus arc. Ciel’s asthma flares from the harsh conditions at the circus, but he’s determined to go out regardless. But they’re stopped by Agni and Soma.

Agni then gives Sebastian a harsh lecture that makes him realize that simply always following Ciel’s orders isn’t enough if doing so puts his life at risk. So he goes against Ciel’s wishes and not only makes him rest, but let’s him sleep as long as he needs to.

Later, during the Weston arc, when confronted by Undertaker again, Sebastian ignores Ciel’s orders to try and catch him because he learned from his experiences on the Campania and doesn’t want to risk putting Ciel in danger again.

If Sebastian were truly such an evil being, an embodiment of sin, then why would he care about Ciel’s health? Yes, he’s cultivating his soul for optimum yumminess, but harvesting him a bit early wouldn’t really affect him that badly.

Though Sebastian says that he’s doing it because of the terms of their contract or because he’s “taken great pains” to cultivate Ciel’s soul and doesn’t want him stolen, I don’t think that is entirely the truth. While he ofc doesn’t want to lose his meal, I think it’s more than that.

No, he protects Ciel because he wants to. He keeps him safe and out of harm because he chooses to. And demon or not, I don’t think someone like Agni could call an evil being his friend.

[succulentsiren]

How to Structure Your Life Like a BOSS: SucculentSiren X @femmefatalevibe

FemmeFataleVibe

• Set Priorities

• Write Everything Down

• Devise A Plan

• Prioritize Important Tasks Like Non-Refundable Appointments

• Consider Batching Similar Tasks For Better Time Management & Productivity

• Become Attuned To Your Natural Energy Patterns

• Develop Self-Awareness Around Your Self-Sabotaging Behaviors

• Drop Inconsequential Tasks and Conversations

• Find Mentors (Online or IRL) Who You Allow Into Your Inner Circle 

Ask Yourself: * What are the main 3 action items you could complete this week that would best serve your goals?

* Approximately what percentage of your to-do list each week aligns with your priorities?

* What are some habits you could add or eliminate that would help you feel more in control of your life?

✦•······················•

SucculentSiren

• Time Management - Become aware of how you are managing your time. Set timers to remind you of your daily goals. Things flows easier when you set time aside everyday rather than trying to do everything at once or procrastinating. It can literally be just 10 minutes a day. This builds consistency and habit. You’ll also become less stressful in knowing that you don't have to complete everything all at once.

• Self Awareness - Identify what you want, how you want your life to look, what things in your life you would like to change, who you want to be seen as, etc. Develop self belief where you believe you're capable of achieving and having all your desires. Take calculated action towards your goals. You don’t have to start big. Start small instead and learn from there. Stay persistent and always remember your end goal. ‘Rome wasn't built in a day.’

• Mentors - Learn from people who inspire you. Everybody influences you, so follow those who motivate you to be and feel better about yourself.

Q&A

Q: Many people find it challenging to put themselves first and make something of themselves. How would you recommend prioritizing yourself?

SS: If someone else can have it why can’t you? Build up your self esteem. Write down what it is that you desire most for your life and act in accordance to those beliefs. Nothing is too big or small for you to achieve.

FFV: Give yourself at least 30 minutes after waking up to focus on yourself. Do your skincare, have your coffee, listen to music, journal, read. Allow yourself to ease into your day.

Have your non-negotiables for the day. Get them done when you say you will and don’t push yourself to do more if you’re exhausted or get too overwhelmed. Communicate your bandwidth to others so you set realistic expectations involved for any project, event, get-together, or errand.

Ensure you give yourself enough time to eat 2-3 healthy meals daily, drink enough water, move for at least 20-30 minutes a day, and have a hygiene routine (shower skincare, home cleaning, etc.) that you perform daily/weekly depending on the task.

Give yourself at least an hour before bed to wind down – with a book, TV show, drinking tea, journaling, relaxing music, etc.

Incorporate daily/weekly rituals you enjoy into your schedule. Make these self-love practices as much of a priority as taking a shower or a work task. These activities could be doing a face mask, getting your nails down, have a great cup of coffee or tea, watching an episode of a TV show, a long walk around your neighborhood, calling someone you love, etc.

✦•······················•

Q: What are some tips to maintain balance between work, play and rest?

FFV: Give yourself “business hours” to do your work/important tasks – even if you don’t have an employer setting your schedule. This tip is essential if you’re self-employed, a business owner, or a student. I share my business hours in all of my contracts so my clients know when I’ll be available.

Timeblock everything: Your work tasks, cleaning schedule, errands/appointments and even your resting/self-care hours. This process allows you to stop decision fatigue from taking over your life. If you say you’re cleaning from 2 -3 pm tomorrow, get it done so you have from 3 pm onward to chill, take a walk, and watch TV later that weekend afternoon.

Decision on your must-do self-care rituals for the day/week and keep your promise to do them for yourself.

Become attuned to your social battery. Know how many hangouts per week or nights out helps you thrive (say 1-3 times per week if you’re more introverted or busy with work, school, family, etc.). Make an effort to plan these events on your social calendar ahead of time or know yourself well enough to remain open to last-minute plans on certain days/times of the week (if you’re prone to cancelling or flaking).

[therosewitchcottage]

𝕮𝖚𝖗𝖗𝖊𝖓𝖙 𝕴𝖓𝖘𝖕𝖎𝖗𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘…

Floating ghosts through old libraries

Ancient tomes filled with old knowledge

Violens singing through the mist

The first whiff of brewed coffee in the early morning

Rays of sunlight glinting off of a polished stone

The hum of cicadas in the summer morning warmth

Gentle breezes carring well wishes from around the world

Scents of books and ink in a small room

Fluttering wings of moths at twilight

Quiet whispers from a lover in the depth of night

The scent of rose and lemongrass

The sound of pages turning rapidly from an excellent book

Soft shuffling of feet as folks browse through odd shops

Giggling from the table across from you as someone reads a message on their phone

The gentle caress of satin on skin

The celebration of fruit and knowledge, taking that first bite of an apple

Warm spices floating on your tongue after a taste from a warm drink

Cool water dancing in moonlight before you plunge in

Dragonflies flitting about

The collecting of crafts to tie one over for the cooler months

Scented candles during ritual

Speaking with demons and gods/sses about your day

The shuffle of cards and the subsequent knowledge they offer

Flickering flames of candle light

Soft ticking of a clock behind the song of a cello

[junkyard-gifs]

Riccardo Sinisi as Carbuckety and Hannah Kenna Thomas as Victoria.

Vienna revival, 24/06/22; filmed by @cryptidvoidwritings and @falasta.

[soldierpet]

I've only worn an SS uniform once. It belonged to a collector/enthusiast. Once I had everything on, I stood there practically shaking because this taboo dream of mine had finally come true. Putting one on is an amazing ritual, as with any beautiful uniform. The man I was with just stood back and said, "Look at you. For such a good boy you definitely look evil".

[password-door-lock]

Mystictober Day 17-- Vampire/Elixir

Vampire Ray gives you a special elixir (1.2k words).  Content warning: blood, blood drinking, manipulation

“How are you feeling, my prince(ss)?” Ray asks. You have no idea how he got into your room… or when, for that matter. Being a vampire, Ray is sneaky and quick. Being freshly-built— much to your surprise, as you had no idea that new castles were still being erected in the 21st century— Magenta lacks the squeaky floorboards and creaking doors that would otherwise give him away. 

“Alright,” you assure him. “Um, just a little….” You search for a word that won’t offend him to communicate the troubling situation. You haven’t been outside in days, and it’s starting to weigh on you. “Restless.” That’s a nice, neutral descriptor, right? You don’t want to scare Ray or put him off, but you do want to be able to spend at least a little bit of time outdoors. You don’t think that’s too much to ask for. 

“Once that V is taken care of, we’ll be able to have our moonlight walks again,” Ray’s tone is casual, but of course it would be�� vampires murder one another, not to mention humans and other mortals, on the regular. Ray has no reason to be disturbed by whatever is happening in the dungeons of Magenta. Your last trip to the garden was just before V arrived. After the strange vampire made the mistake of attempting a conversation with you, Ray tearfully confined you to this room with assurances that you’d be released promptly. This was nearly a week ago.

You have everything you need— clean clothes, a warm bed, and three magnificent meals each day. It’s clear that Ray is smitten with you, and that he delights in providing you with luxury far surpassing anything you’ve ever known before. It’s also clear that you’re his only source of food. He comes to you tired and wan, and leaves reinvigorated, though not before personally ensuring that you dine on the most luxurious fare available. 

“Did you eat well?” Ray asks. You know that if he took one sip of your blood and thought you were even the slightest bit malnourished, he’d pull away immediately and nurse you back to health. This might become a hazard to his own health, as well, considering how hungry he always seems. 

“Of course, Ray.” You undo the top button of your shirt, giving Ray more space to drink from your neck.

“Um, but before we do that—” With a gentle hand, palpably cold even through the leather glove, Ray arrests your wrist. “I talked to my Savior, and… she thought it’d be best if you… became a member of this place.”

The Mint Eye— named for the unnatural shade of some vampire’s irises— has a number of dedicated human believers, all of whom are used by the Savior and a select number of vampires. “If I become a believer,” you begin, “Would… would you still be the only one that feeds off me?” The Savior has been known to drain believers completely, after all. Ray warned you on your first day here not to leave your room unaccompanied for this very reason. He explained that his Savior is good and benevolent, but doesn’t seem able to stop herself from feeding to completion, even if it costs her prey their life. You wonder how hungry she must be for this to be the case. 

“Oh, of course,” Ray holds your hand, settling it into your lap as though he might induce your relaxation by manipulating your limbs like a doll’s. “In fact… once you do this one thing… no other vampire could ever drink from you. They— they wouldn’t want to taste your blood, not even a little bit.”

Oh. Then whatever this ritual is, the Savior has probably performed it on most of the other believers— that’s why Ray only drinks from you. He doesn’t say it aloud, but the implication is clear: if you refuse, the Savior might intervene, and then, without a doubt, Ray will go hungry. 

“Okay,” you agree, avoiding Ray’s gaze. You’re somewhat daunted by the prospect of participating in an arcane rite that will cement your membership in a fucked-up vampire cult. At the same time, you don’t want Ray to starve, and you don’t want to become the Savior’s victim. He’s framing it like you have a choice, but he must understand that you do not. 

“Really?” Ray sounds so cute that you can’t help but laugh. You regain a little more of your confidence, set at ease as you always are by his calming presence. He’s giving you puppy dog eyes, which are incongruous with his large, obtrusive fangs. 

“Really,” you respond with newfound resolve. 

“All you need to do is drink,” Ray informs you calmly, using his fang to make a small incision on the underside of his wrist. The blood pools slowly as he holds his arm out to you.  “From my veins. Then you’ll be mine forever, and nobody else can have you.” 

“Will it hurt you?” You ask. Ray’s blood flows much slower than a human’s would, but you are understandably disturbed by the large wound in such a vital place. Sure, it’s fine for you when Ray drinks your blood, but he’s a vampire. There are chemicals in his fangs to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone involved, and his saliva has healing properties to ensure that the wound closes quickly and without infection. 

Ray chuckles, bringing his wrist right to your lips. You can practically taste the blood already. “I’ll heal in a few minutes. Drink.” 

You do as he says, bracing yourself for the horrible, salty flavor of human blood. Not being a vampire, you’ve never had any interest in consuming the stuff. But the elixir running through Ray’s veins is surprisingly sweet, and his free hand playing with your hair feels surprisingly comforting. The entire ordeal is quite intimate, and it’s difficult to tell whether your blissful lightheadedness is due to the vampire blood in your system or the contact between your lips and Ray’s cool skin. In this moment, the only thing you know is that you belong to him. You would follow Ray to the ends of the earth. 

“That’s it,” he encourages you. “Good. You’re doing so well, my prince(ss).”

You’re so dizzy that you hardly even notice when Ray pulls away. “Huh?” You ask, perplexed. You barely even got a taste. 

“You did so well,” Ray praises you, “But… prince(ss)... now it’s my turn. I’m… starting to get hungry, and the ritual is already complete.” There’s a wild look in his eyes. Something about watching you drink from his wrist must have invoked something within him— or maybe your senses are heightened somehow, and you’re better able to pick up on the world around you. 

“Of course.” He must be even hungrier after having his blood taken— you always are, and you usually get to eat before feeding Ray. “Please, go ahead.” For some reason, you desperately want him to drink your blood. In fact, you don’t think you’ll ever be happy again if Ray isn’t feeding from you for the rest of your life— but that’s no cause for concern, is it? You’re here with him at Magenta, where the two of you can take your time. 

[helios-kirbs]

fanart of r/ss by @stormyweathersslightlyclever my favorite pookie ever

[catcas22]

Definitely how it Happened

Lansseax: Vyke, what was it your people call that thing you do? With the rings? Vyke: ... What? Lansseax: You know, the mammal pair-bonding ritual. Vyke: You mean marriage? Lansseax: Yes, that. Lansseax: Do you want to get married? Vyke's brain: sdfghjkjbvvvjd;ss Vyke: Sure.