#that house is basically the 3rd leading presence

[tytonnidaie]

you know what fuck all of you for making fun of the babdook (2014) when the kid was acting his heart out!!!!! that movie is outrageously good and when i rewatched it recently i was even more impressed than when i first watched it. AND the ost fucks btw. if u even care

[readingsbylibramc]

birth chart reading for @haruyooooo

hello! welcome to your reading. l'm gonna give you a quick overview of what l'm going to analyze about your natal chart. feel free to ask me anything if something isn't clear, of course. you'll find out your dominants' influence on your persona, your physical appearance, impression on others and the way you approach the world; your ego, identity, the real you; your reactions, your desires, inner emotions; your way of expressing your feelings, your mind and ideas; your desires and approach to love; your energy tank, instincts and temperament; in-depth analysis of each house with their rulers and analysis of heavy aspects; love life + soulmates/karmic partners interpretation; your relationship with your friends; your family life; your approach to career and work in general + possible jobs suggestion; your style, fashion sense analysis; life purpose and past life description; basic transits' analysis to describe your current mood and, last but not least, your secret skills, how to make the most out of your soul and manifest what you desire based on your birth chart.

🦋 chart shape, dominants

your chart is a locomotive shape. this means that you're a very ambitious person, with a lot of energy. the moon has a big influence on you, and your life revolves around understanding your feelings and emotional growth. the empty part of your life is what you have to develop, hence your family, financial life and also your romantic life.

your dominant planet are mars, uranus and saturn. you may be a trendsetter among your peers, or you may even become pretty well-known in your field. you're probably very smart and witty, you know how to make your way through things, you have great problem-solving skills. you're creative, artistic and sensitive, yet you're also ambitious and goal-oriented, you're not afraid of fighting for what you believe. in group settings, you usually take on leadership roles; you are very mature and responsible, thus making it easy for you to lead a team.

your dominant element is fire. you have a warm heart, even though it may be covered by your confidence and independence. in fact, you always strive for the first place. people may be intimidated by your presence, as you're a serious competitor. thanks to this competitive nature of yours you may be very positive and optimistic, making you a good and supportive friend/partner.

your dominant sign is capricorn. you're hard-working and stubborn, once you have something in your mind no one can stop you. you strive to be the best at what you care about, especially in work. you're very polite, and this may even make you seem snob sometimes. actually, you're a very loyal person, who's also a great listener.

🌎 ascendant in capricorn, 23° / 3rd decan ruled by saturn and mercury

you're an affectionate person, yet your heavy capricorn influence may make you feel restricted to share your vitality with others. others' first impression of you is that you look like some sort of authority, someone who needs to be respected. even when you're joking, you still have this seriousness to your aura that is hard to go unnoticed. you care about your manners, and just your overall impression in general. you may take extra care of your clothes, your hair etc. you don't want to look disorganized, in fact you probably own an agenda or even just write your appointments somewhere. you have a cautious approach to the world, you're very responsible, especially when people you love are involved. you may have a very serious expression to you that could actually make you seem intimidating. generally speaking, you still have a serious look on your face that looks quite intimidating. you also look introverted, and you most probably are. you're very modest, and that's because you're secretly kind of insecure about your appearance. you always feel like you're not enough, and that you constantly have to improve yourself to be accepted. this gets better with time, though. physically, you're probably very attractive and don't realize it! especially with your scorpio midheaven. you may have an amazing bone structure with high cheekbones, a defined jawline and naturally straight, pleasant teeth. you may probably also have an amazing posture and walk, even though you may suffer from scoliosis or other bones diseases in your early years.

capricorn ascendant conjunct capricorn venus: you have the planet of beauty (venus) conjunct your appearance (ascendant). you're surely very attractive! even if you're not a conventional beauty, there's still a certain charm to you that can't get overlooked. you're very feminine and polite, especially with strangers. you care about the impression you make on others, even though you shouldn't worry that much, as it's generally good. you're probably very sociable, it doesn't matter whether you're introverted or not. you still have amazing social skills, and you also have a very charming voice. you literally draw people to you, I imagine it's not hard for you to make new friends and engage in conversations randomly. you also care a lot about the way you look, hence you probably have a skincare/workout routine, and you're fond of shopping and selfcare in general. you want to always look at your best; that's caused by the fact that you're secretly quite of insecure about your looks. you may have the tendency to think that the compliments you receive aren't honest, and people are just trying to be nice to you. another downside to this placement is that you may attract people's jealousy. even though this could be a self-esteem boost for someone, it may be hard for one to handle, in your case especially in relationships, maybe with your friends, but I'll talk more about this later.

capricorn ascendant conjunct capricorn mars: you easily come off as more assertive and arrogant than you actually are. this manifests both in your face and in your words. you could say things impulsively, and sometimes you're too blunt and hurt people's feelings. you don't do it on purpose, though, there's no malice behind your acts; it's just your natural way to express your opinions. on the other hand, you probably have a very strong charisma to you that makes you look very captivating and bold. people see you as a leader, and hence they could get intimidated by your presence. to cope with this placement, you can try controlling yourself and your words before speaking. I'm aware that it's a way to vent your anger, but you can find another way that doesn't hurt others.

capricorn ascendant square aries saturn: you may be shy and have self-esteem issues, especially during your early years. because of that, you may often appear as insecure to others, or even unreliable. you have a strong desire to be with someone and commit to them, you despise supertificial bonds, but at the same time you may find yourself being too shy to approach others, especially during your early years. you may not be the most confident person on earth, but as time goes by your grow more and more confident. this may apply more to the younger you, actually. you don't feel much comfortable around other people, and others can sense that; your insecurity is exposed to the world, and some may take advantage of that to hurt your feelings. you're afraid of being judged, whether it's for your appearance, or maybe because of your ideals or interests. hence, you end up becoming reserved. this is something that will be solved through growth and time; the older you get, the easier you'll be on yourself. also, thanks to this aspect, you're a responsible person with defined values. to cope with this placement, I'd suggest you to do what makes you feel the best. there are different ways to boost your self-esteem, so maybe you can work on that and then start expressing yourself freely; if you do it without the fear of being judged, you will shine even more.

☀️ sun in sagittarius, 19° / 2nd decan ruled by jupiter and mars

in life, you strive for freedom and independence. you are an extremely wise person, and you believe strongly in your beliefs. you rarely change your mind, but most of the time you’re an open-minded person. you love learning about anything, and you may also have a good memory. in fact, it’s common for you to be the one who explains things and possibly even leads a group, and this could unluckily make you seem as a know-it-all. you do take pride in your wisdom, indeed. your deep way of thinking is also where your desire for freedom comes from, as you wish to be able to expand yourself through travelling and new experiences. you may also be attracted to foreign things, such as foreign literature, fashion, art, music etc. it’s another way to travel and open your mind, without actually having to leave your house when you’re busy. when you get angry, you can actually get very rude and offensive, even towards authorities. you’re short-tempered, and you despise being told what to do. you’re also a good, loyal friend, and you’re the type to stand up for them and defend them during a fight. you’re very outgoing, especially with people you feel comfortable with, and you probably love talking. you’re able to put a smile on others’ face just by telling your stories, even though you never truly go in-depth. in fact, you have a shy side to you that makes you more secretive, regardless of your friendliness.

🌙 moon in taurus, 9° / 1st decan ruled by venus

the moon is exalted in taurus, so it's definitely a good placement! you're very peaceful, you try to avoid conflicts when you can. this placement makes you crave stability, whether it's financial, in love etc. you must be very stubborn, as taurus is a fixed sign. this placement, paired with your hard-working capricorn energy, makes you settle on making your ideas concrete, and it's very beneficial. it makes you capable of achieving any goals in your life. you're also very artsy, and you may fancy particular art styles. you have a good eye for aesthetics, and you care a lot about the looks of your house, body, clothes etc. you have excellent concentration, and that is another thing that helps you achieve your goals and make your ideas concrete. last but not least, you're amazingly patient, and that makes you a great friend. probably, they vent a lot of their worries to you, as you're also a great listener.

taurus moon square capricorn venus: there are contrasting feelings in your relationships with others; after all, your taurus moon wants to commit to someone and be loyal to them. on the other hand, your capricorn venus wants to be free. you don't want to feel tied to someone, you still need your independence. those two desires of yours probably contrast each other, stressing you out. you want a calm, almost boring relationship, but with this placement you can't seem to have one. your feelings and self-esteem may depend a lot on your relationships, not only with your lovers, but also with your friends. if someone isn't loyal to you, you immediately start blaming yourself. in your life you may lack intimacy, and while it may make you feel better at first, based on the rest of your chart you actually need someone on your side. you can't do everything on your own. you need to find someone that projects your ideals of love. if you need a free-spirit, go look for one. it may take you a while, but if you learn all the lessons you need to learn from your breakups, you'll be able to live a peaceful life with your spouse.

taurus moon square aquarius jupiter: you enjoy making different experiences and living your life to the fullest, making you also a risk-taker. you may lack self-control. with this trait you get bored easily, and you may have a reputation for being flaky. you tend to overindulge; you may spend too much money, or even develop eating disorders like binge-eating. at least, you're able to build your life again and have a fresh start, but you risk to get stuck in this cycle. you have the potential to master different talents, but you may struggle to develop them due to this placement. you're a procrastinator, and you find it hard to focus on more things at the same time. you may also attract people with different beliefs and ideas from you, causing you to fall out with them easily. there are also positive sides to this placement, though! you're probably naturally lucky, even though luck may not always be by your side. you have a nice sense of humor, making you more likeable.

🗣️ mercury in capricorn, 2° / 1st decan ruled by saturn

you can come off as cold by the way you speak. when you're speaking to someone you're not close to, you choose your words more wisely and patiently; with your friends, on the other hand, you take off your mask and you just act the way you feel to. you may also be the type to give dry answers, such as 'ok', 'alright', 'good' and so on. your tone is calm and placid, while your voice sounds quite youthful, but still with a note of steadiness. you're funny, but your humor is more sarcasm-based. you're not intimidated easily; even when someone tries to argue with you, you don't back up from it. you may dive deep into your mind to find the right answer you to your problem. even if it takes you some time, you manage to find a solution. a downside to this is that you may lack patience. mercury is also retrograde, so you may have trouble communicating your thoughts in a clear and understandable way. due to this, people may misunderstand your ideas and opinions and viceversa. you're more introspective, you're better at thinking than speaking, which may make you more of a listener.

❤️ venus in capricorn, 29° / 3rd decan ruled by saturn and mercury

you seem like the type of person who's not totally into the idea of love and relationships, especially in your early years. you find your individuality way more important, and you feel the need to establish your status in the world. yet, there's still a place in your heart that desires love, but it's quite hidden. maybe, you're actually afraid of falling in love; or perhaps, it's the opposite: you jump into relationships, even if they aren't actually your priority. it may be hard for you to fall for someone, but once you do, you're totally invested in them. you're quite of a traditionalist when it comes to love; you may the type that prefers being courted, rather than court yourself. you're also quite into clichés, and you're looking for a polite and ambitious partner. someone who has a stable job, and is also wealthy. basically, someone that looks (and possibly is) rich and noble. you may also have the tendency to date people that are older than you, and possibly also soulmates from your past lives. in fact, you attract many karmic partners that are here to teach you lessons. your relationships may be quite painful, or at least they're so intense that they are hard to forget. with this placement, it's also recommended to get married after your saturn return, hence after your 28-29 years old, to avoid any kind of challenges.

capricorn venus conjunct capricorn mars: you are very serious when it comes to love. you seek intense, long-lasting relationships, filled with both romance and passion. ironically, you tend to attract people that are the opposite, who are only looking for fun and casual romance. that could afflict your self-worth significantly, as you feel unlucky in love. this is also another placement that indicates that one of your parents, probably your father, or still anyone of the opposite sex probably influenced your approach to romance and sex. there are different scenarios I have in mind, but I'll talk about it later in the family life section.

capricorn venus conjunct capricorn neptune: this placement balances your strict, detached capricorn venus of materialistic earth energy, giving you a place in your heart for romance. you probably dream of a love like those you hear about in fairytales; you're not only looking for a partner, you literally want a princess/prince, who's willing to give their all to you. you find yourself daydreaming often about love, and it may also be your source of inspiration for creativity and art in general. probably, you may idealize people too much; that is, you may create a version of others that only exists in your head. hence, once you get to know someone better, they turn out to be the exact opposite of what you thought. this causes you to be sort of naive when it comes to relationships, so pay extra attention to this problem now that you're aware of it.

☄️ mars in capricorn, 24° / 3rd decan ruled by saturn and mercury

you're a serious competitor, as your mind is very strategic. your ambition makes you want to be the best wherever you are, and you may actually overwork yourself to achieve your goals. establishing your status is important for you. you may not be the type to act instantly, you prefer taking your time to follow a plan. in fact, you probably write down what you have to do in an agenda, or even in your phone's notes app. you have this strong sense of duty, as you feel 100% responsible of your fate. you're sure that, if you don't work hard, you don't deserve success and recognition. in fact, you don't take orders from others, you are your own boss. you could have materialistic tendencies, as wealth is what motivates you the most to work or just take action in general. you may often experience burnouts, as capricorn, especially in mars, brings intense workaholic tendencies.

🏡 houses

your 1st house is in capricorn. neptune, venus, jupiter, mars and uranus are also sitting there. with your first house in capricorn, you care a lot about your status and about your goals. you always give the best of yourself, and you want to be acknowledged and praised for your achievements. it helps boosting your self-esteem, even though you may have the tendency to think that the compliments you receive aren’t honest. capricorn is ruled by saturn, the planet of karma, therefore you most likely need to work hard to get what you desire. you don't receive anything for granted, you could even feel unlucky in a certain sense as you have quite a bit of undealt karma to you, but for sure your hard work (which you certainly don't lack) will pay off. you’re very electric and noticeable, you probably appear as someone quite edgy too. it’s hard for you to blend into society, and hence you may end up not having many close friends, especially during your early years. in fact, you may find yourself befriending people with your same interests, it’s very important for you. you may have frequent mood swings, and you could get nervous quite easily. due to neptune in this house, you appear as a very genuine and honest person. you have a reassuring aura about you, which could attract people to you. in fact, you seem and sound like a healer, hence broken people may find comfort in you. you’re an hopeless romantic, and this may make you look sort of naive, almost childlike. you feel the need to revolution the world, there’s an hidden rebel in you that needs change and justice. yet, you struggle to take action. it’s like your assertiveness is stuck deep inside of you, and you can’t take it out. hence, you cope with this through escapism; you may oversleep, overwork, drink, daydream, do drugs… anything that allows your mind to travel away from your sense of justice.

your 2nd house is in pisces. your relationship with money may not be totally stable; you may get distracted easily, and you could lose your money around. you could be quite messy, overall, or in general, this is usually a placement that indicates sudden money loss. this placement also confirms that your self-esteem isn’t stable either; you could be quite insecure, and you may idealize a lot the way you look. for example, you could think that you have an ugly nose when it’s actually the opposite. same goes for your belongings; you may think that you have saved loads of money, you spend them, and then you realize you didn’t really have much.

your 3rd house is in aries. saturn and the moon are also sitting in this house. when you communicate, you take a lot of pride in your opinions. you hate admitting that you’re wrong, especially since you’re a perfectionist. you could be quite impulsive, and you may speak with a naturally loud tone of voice. you’re extremely good at coming up with plans easily, even though you may have trouble sticking to them, as your fiery nature gets easily bored. you are very artistic and creative! you’re able to convey different emotions through your speech, hence you could do well as an actress/voice actress. you could also be good at drawing, or at least you have great potential to be a nice artist, as your emotions and creativity are directly connected to your intellect and words. hence, you could also be a writer, especially a poet. saturn here may bring you some challenges in the way you think and/or speech; you may have adhd, for instance, making it hard for you to relate to others. you may also have problems with your voice or with the way you formulate speech. in the worst case, this placement can make your relationship with your siblings turbulent; abortion is also possible.

your 4th house is in taurus. your childhood probably wasn’t turbulent, unless for those topics I talked about in the sun section. it was mosty quite peaceful, and you probably were able to express your creativity. maybe, your parents were a bit strict or over-protective, possibly materialistic too. the ruler of the 4th house, venus, is in the 1st house: you are probably a very family-oriented person. even if you don't plan to have a family in the future, you value your small community regardless of blood. you can actually be quite selfless sometimes, as you would do anything for the few people you trust and care about.

your 5th house is in gemini. you feel able to express yourself and your creativity through communication and media. probably, when you were a child you used to love puzzles. you have tons of hobbies, and they are all quite different from each other. they have the goal to stimulate your mind in some way, so for example if you read a book, it has to be about something interesting for you, that allows you to open your mind and also that teaches you something. if you don’t dedicate some time in your daily routine to nurturing your hobbies, or even just watching a tv show or hanging out with your friends, you don’t function correctly. because of that, I’d suggest you to pursue a career that involves your passions. so for example, if you like taking pictures you could become a photographer.

your 6th house is in gemini. in your daily routine, especially at work, you have to communicate a lot. you come in contact with lots of people, or maybe you write stuff like blogs or books. generally, you have a very hectic schedule, as you have different hobbies and appointments that you can’t abandon. this placement indicates that you may be prone to overwork yourself, as you put a lot energy in your job. your ideal career has to include something that allows you to express your personal taste, ideas and interests. in this way, it won’t feel too heavy to you, and you’ll find pleasure in working. you want to have everything under control, you can't bear not being organized. you most probably write down your appointments and stuff on an agenda, or perhaps even in the notes app of your phone. you're extremely precise, you want everything to be perfect. you probably care a lot about your appearance; you most likely have a skincare routine, workout... just anything that makes you feel healthy. you love taking care of yourself, especially of your hygiene. you also put a lot of effort in your outfits, you fear not being at your best state. you're very smart and insightful, and you strive for perfection; you want to prove your power to yourself, as it helps you boosting your self-esteem. in fact, it depends a lot on your achievements; if you don't meet your expectations, you start going through a hard time of insecurity and struggles.

your 7th house is in cancer. in marriage, you’re looking for an affectionate and caring partner who’s willing to nurture you. you’re also the type to like younger people to nurture by yourself, you want to be the one in charge, the leader, even when it comes to relationships. you’re looking for someone you feel at home with, someone that is worth calling ‘family’. you need to feel emotionally secure with your future spouse, almost a soulmate-like relationship. in addition, I assume that you also want to feel financially secure, and you wouldn’t mind being spoiled with gifts and just affection in general. this placement makes you very patient with other people, you could be the type to give other possibilities to others for example. you always try to be nice and gentle with your words, you don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, even though you may unconsciously fail at this.

your 8th house is in virgo. you use a practical approach when it comes to intimacy, you may struggle to let go around others, especially with your pluto energy in the 11th house that gives you major trust issues. you’re extremely secretive, you hardly ever talk about yourself, and you may even despise being too exposed. you’d rather stay by yourself, in fact you have a very mysterious vibe to your aura. also, with virgo in the 8th house, you may feel so tied to a schedule, to a plan, that you lack flexibility. you're too logical, even though deep down you have this intuition that you can't fully express. on the other hand, while this makes it hard for you to get closer to your spiritual, higher self, you're extra good at handling situations here on the earth. for example, you may handle money very well if you're well-organized. transformation in your life happens when you're able to stimulate your logical mind to earn awareness of your problems. to make it simple, you may often not realize your mistakes yourself, others have to let you notice, but thanks to your heavy mercurian energy in your chart you're able to solve your problems by your own. you just lack a more intuitive side.

your 9th house is in libra. your beliefs and life philosophies were shaped by the outside world. that doesn’t mean you’re basic; you just don’t look enough in yourself, you prefer taking inspiration from others. e.g, if you see everyone wearing pink, then you start wearing pink too. there’s nothing wrong with that of course, especially if it’s about shallow matters, not like politics for example. yet, if you don’t, try to find out your sincere opinion in yourself. in fact, when you realize that you don’t feel attached to a certain topic or opinion, you just leave it behind and seek other truth. you hate being told what to do, you want to be free in the decisions you make. you may find yourself more at ease with foreigners, not with people from your birth country, perhaps because you prefer their culture / ideals.

your 10th house is in scorpio. pluto sitting here reinforces this scorpio energy. you may have a reputation for looking mysterious, as you’re probably not very sociable. you’re extremely motivated to achieve your goals, even though you may feel lost and confused due to your plutonian energy. you’ll pursue a career that involves looking for the truth, hence you may be a detective, a scientist, a poet etc. overall, once you find your true vocation, you’ll have no problems working, even though it may take you a while to find the right job for you due to your midheaven being in scorpio.

your 11th house is in sagittarius. the sun is also sitting in this house. your friends may be very open-minded, and you might have met them in school. they could also come from a different cultural background, or maybe they’re directly from abroad. at first, you struggled to make friends, as you were very secretive. with time, you’re learning to trust people and to transform and grow up through them. even though you may face some insecurities, you’re typically a strong-minded person. you strive for independence, as you focus your existence on your witty intellect. you have the ability to achieve great things, as your mind is literally revolutionary, even though you may struggle to make those projects concrete. a downside to this placement is that you may not give enough importance to your words; you’re brutally honest, and you may often hurt someone with your thoughts. even though you may appreciate it, as you don’t like it when people aren’t straight-forward, you probably don’t realize the effect your words can have on others. you’re also quite stubborn, and you take particular pride about your ideals. you may feel offended when people disagree with you. or maybe, you don’t even say your opinions, because you could be aware of the weight of your words and you don’t want to hurt others, or you’re afraid of being judged. people may define you as cold, but you’re really not. you just struggle to look sweet like other signs, and your heavy scorpio energy doesn’t help either.

your 12th house is in sagittarius. mercury is also sitting in this house. you're particularly interested in religion and higher beliefs, hence meditation would be effective for you. yet, you need to get enough sleep, or you could not be able to fully embrace the spirituality of this placement. you may also be able to have prophetic dreams, or at least they have a strong moral beyond them. possibly, you could make lots of good dreams, you hardly ever have nightmares. perhaps, your dreams could bring you luck; for instance, you may dream about the winning numbers of the lottery, or maybe they may warn you about certain people or events in your life that could harm, you are strongly connected to your higher self. you probably lose yourself in your own thoughts very often, starting daydreaming instead of doing what you have to do. you’re very creative and artistic, and you’re also able to fully convey your emotions in your words, even though it may be perceived as confusing sometimes. that’s because not everyone is as empathetic as you are. on the other hand, you may have the tendency to lie, or just being confusing in any way. you may not always express what you want crystal clear, as you want to able to modify the story just in case you encounter some hardships. also, you never truly express your feelings, probably out of fear.

❤️ love life, soulmates

in love you attract cancer, taurus, leo, virgo, gemini and scorpio. your future spouse will most probably have cancer, aquarius and scorpio placements, hence they’ll be very hard-working, intelligent and witty, but also very sensitive and a bit moody. it may be love at first sight, and you may find them very attractive. you could meet them in a crowded place, hence at a party, at a concert, at the mall, etc. or also at an event of any kind. your children will be heavy in virgo, pisces, sagittarius and gemini placements, hence they’ll be very smart and slightly arrogant too, they'll probably love being knowledgeable and they will like studying or researching. yet, they could be a bit too stubborn and sometimes materialistic.

👶🏻 family life

your mother was a caring person, even though she could’ve been a bit too protective and/or materialistic. she was also quite impulsive, and she probably hurt people easily even if she didn't mean to, as she was very straightforward. she’s probably a taurus or a libra, possibly even a scorpio, sagittarius or capricorn, or she has at least some placements in those signs. your father is a bit more chill than your mother, but he may get jealous easily. or maybe, it was your mother who did your father’s 'role’. hence, she was the dominant figure in your family. he’s probably a scorpio or any other water sign. if you have siblings, they’re probably aries or scorpio. you might fight a lot for control, especially during childhood. you’re also quite possessive of your things, but overall you also have a deep bond. even though you may argue quite a bit, you still have affection for each other.

📊 career

you could do well at a variety of jobs to be honest! with your gemini in the 6th house you could actually work in different fields before sticking to one career, hence you’re pretty experienced. I certainly see you being successful in your career, you will most likely work alone and you'll most likely be a boss. you're very hard-working, so I can see you having your own business for example. otherwise, you may also do well in an aesthetic field, you probably have great creative talent. you may be an artist, a creative director, a screenwriter, a writer, a singer, a musician... or even more practical jobs like lawyer, judge, possibly also a therapist or psychologist. in particular, I can see you doing well in a job where you get to interact with people; you would make a great nurse, for example. you may also work in a field related to fashion and the arts in general. my advice is to pick the career that makes you feel more emotionally fulfilled, as your success is highly influenced by how you feel. if you're not satisfied with your job, you're automatically going to underwork and feel stressed.

🧥 fashion sense, style analysis

your style may be quite androgynous, yet still very classy. even if you’re wearing a simple sweatshirt, you make sure that it’s all neat and high quality above all. you could fancy wearing basic, ageless pieces, such as blazers, jeans, shirts etc. you mostly wear monochrome shades, such as black, white, beige, grey etc., but you still make them look effortlessly trendy. you could also be into retro trends, especially 20s/60s fashion or even 70s or 80s.

👁️ past life, life purpose

during your past life, you probably didn’t have as many challenges as in this life. you most likely used to be very independent and stable; perhaps, you were rich, hence you didn’t really need to rely on others to survive. in this lifetime, you need to put your independency aside, you need to trust people and develop strong bonds with them. your path to luck and abundance may be long and steep, but you may achieve great personal success in this lifetime thanks to your relationships with others. you just need to work on your self-esteem and have stable finances without being too materialistic, you shouldn’t over-indulge. money is important, but you probably won't struggle with that in this lifetime, so focus on feeling comfortable with others. you may be meant to marry someone rich, or perhaps you're going to get an inheritance.

🤔 major transits analysis / april 24

with pluto transiting your packed 1st house, you may be undergoing major changes in your life these last few years. you could be experiencing sudden loss or traumas, you may lose or cut off people from your life to make space for others. you could also experience significant changes in your physical appearance. even though it sounds scary, pluto is the planet of transformation. changes that occur during this span of time, are probably dor the best.

[okuhle23]

ASTROLOGY OBSERVATIONS- 008

Credit: @okuhle23

☆Sagittarius/Jupiter in the 4th house may have many family members, especially female relatives. This is because 4th house represents family and the mother/mother figure. ☆Neptune in the 8th aspecting Pluto/Lilith (tight orbs) may have OF or make money by using their bodies online. Sometimes by making videos or taking pictures of them doing 'taboo' things. (if ya know what I mean). This is because Neptune rules over photography and cinema while Pluto, Lilith and the 8th house represents sex/taboo topics. This is a theory, lmk if it resonates. (and remember this won't resonate for everyone) ☆TW: drugs and alcohol: Neptune represents alcohol and drugs, so Neptune negatively aspecting Jupiter may overindulge in alcohol and drugs. This is because Jupiter expands whatever its aspecting, so in this case its expanding the use of alcohol and drugs (Neptune), and negative aspects (squares, opposition) can make the effects negative resulting in addiction etc. (just cause you have this placement doesn't mean ur an alcoholic, it ain't gonna resonate for everyone) ☆Nobody talks about how beautiful Venus-Jupiter people are. This is cause Jupiter expands ones beauty (which is shown by Venus). ☆Sun in the 8th have great *ahem* stamina, this is because Sun rules stamina and 8th house represents sex. ☆Mercury rules the skin, so planets aspecting Mercury can have some kind of effect on your skin, negative aspects (squares/ oppositions) can bring opposite effects: ~Venus aspecting Mercury has smooth, pretty skin. ~Saturn aspecting Mercury can have dry skin. ~Mercury aspecting Neptune/Moon may have hydrated skin as Moon represents fluids and Neptune is a water planet. ~Mars aspecting Mercury can get flushed skin easily, reddish undertones to the skin. ~Jupiter/Sun aspecting mercury can make your skin oily but bright with golden undertones. ☆Aries/Mars in the 3rd can mean that you have/had great influence in your classroom, you may have been the leader of many group projects. You could also be the oldest sibling or you influence/lead your siblings.

☆Mercury rules communication and technology and can therefore affect the way you come across online depending on which house it's situated in. • Mercury in the 1st: your social media content could be self-based, most likely to post selfies (pictures of themselves), blog about their own personal experiences and vlogs. • Mercury in the 2nd: could be an influencer or could post expensive things onto their socials. Might be an online makeup artist/artist. You could follow clothing/beauty accounts. Aesthetically pleasing account and never post pictures where they're looking 'unpresentable'. • Mercury in the 3rd: posts interesting and informative information online. May be a troll. Might follow car accounts, read e-books or read the news often. These people basically like anything that expands their knowledge. When texting you can be witty and funny, (king/queen of memes) • Mercury in the 4th: could post their children or their family quite a lot. May follow food accounts, parenting accounts?, and self-care accounts. You might take everything that you read/see online to heart, remember to take a break from time to time (to much time online may drain your energy). • Mercury in the 5th: large presence, may also post things that are centered on themselves, mostly pictures of themselves. They might also overshare a bit too much online. May follow art accounts, and uses the internet to make friends and expand their social circle. • Mercury in the 6th: similar to Mercury in the 3rd house. You may not be online too long. You may follow food accounts, health accounts. A lot of people with this placement also like doing home workouts (Chloe Ting and all that). When texting you use proper grammar and punctuation (stereotypical ik but mostly ture). You may also be extra careful of what you post online, and don't like to overshare online. • Mercury in the 7th: check Mercury in the 2nd. Might post their significant other online a lot. Might follow aesthetically pleasing accounts and their own account could be beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. Might not like posting pictures of themselves because 7th house is opposite the 1st house (which shows the your persona and appearance)this is a theory lmk if it resonates. • Mercury in the 8th/ Scorpio: may post taboo things online, might even read smut. Dark humor. Might not post anything online at all and just use social media to stalk others(jk but seriously tho). Probably don't like posting pictures of themselves often. I'm guessing many anons have this placement. • Mercury in the 9th: may post travel videos/ pictures a lot. They love taking pictures of their experiences. Might be into philosophy or spirituality and might even post religious things on their socials. Type to post daily quotes/affirmations on their story. Has a lively online persona and is very funny over text. • Mercury in the 10th: may use their online platform to advertise their business. May not spend a lot of time online, as the 10th house is ruled by Capricorn which represents restrictions. Their social media platform is neat, presentable and clean. • Mercury in the 11th: may have many online friends, and uses social media to make friends. May use their online platform to raise awareness about things that they care about because 11th house represents humanitarian deeds. May also ghost people over text or take a while (4-5 business days) to respond to texts. • Mercury in the 12th: may be into spirituality. May post a lot about astrology, tarot. They rarely troll, they may be really kind and loving online. You may have stalkers/hidden enemies online. You may have online friends from many different countries, as 12th house represents foreign affairs.

Hope you enjoyed it💕

x Okuhle ❤

Check out the rest of my blog: @okuhle23

[leoprincess777]

♦ busting SYNASTRY MYTHS ♦

11th HOUSE SYNASTRY - THIS SYNASTRY DOESNT MEAN SOMEONE SEES YOU AS A FRIEND OR YOU ARE BETTER OFF AS FRIENDS, STOP REPEATING THIS SURFACE LEVEL SHIT YOU’VE BEEN EATING UP FROM MODERN ASTROLOGY POSTS. This is the house of wealth and gains, it’s the fullfillment of our desires and sudden profits. It’s an indicator of your sources of income and allies. So of course, you will have strong foundation with someone you have 11th house synastry with because it will be built on a ground of trust and support. Along with emotional connection, there’s also a mental connection that makes you share your secrets and ideas to them as you would do to a friend but that’s only one piece of the puzzle WHICH DOESN’T MEAN THAT YOU WILL BE GOOD FRIENDS (you can’t make that comment for any type of relationship in this synastry because if 11h is afflicted by malefics that will most likely bring a negative result which can make you enemies or drain one another’s life force lmao). More than anything, especially if you have your 7th house lord in your partner’s 11th house you will gain so much from them in so many ways including oppurtunities and finances and helping you achieve your earthly desires. They will be your ally and support, supporting you in your pursuits and opinions. It’s like a debate team with financial support lol. It can also indicate you will go back to university and complete your education or get a new degree after you get together with this person. Most of this also goes for 3rd house synastry.

5th HOUSE SYNASTRY - “This indicates a fleeting romance” FUCK NO. That’s one of the most trumped-up interpretations i’ve heard. You CAN’T predict the longevity of a relationship based on house overlays. Ever heard of Davison charts? Anyway, prominent 5th house is anohter EXCELLENT synastry. It often donates a relationship where you can discuss ANYTHING - your wildest thoughts, plans and experiences. Someone you jump from topic to topic. Very often the planet person is the “childlike” one which the house person adores and takes inspiration from. Planet person becomes a ball of joy and energy that makes the house person destress and cheer up, thought it can feel like an ‘overdose’ sometimes. Both parties become some sort of an energy source for each other. You play games together, indulge in fun activities, create things (can even be an invention) together. Even doing nothing and just talking to each other feels fun and full of laughter (unless there are some other placements disturbing this synastry). This is the synastry of never-ending honeymoon. A couple with rahu/mars in 5th house might have a son as the first child. If venus is there with the nodes, it might be a son with venusian qualities. You can also get more popular or lucky if you are with someone you have 5h overlay with. The house person also pushes you to focus on your studies more.

12th HOUSE SYNASTRY - There’s a lot of stigma around his house (8h as well) and people often fear it. Weeeeeell...It IS a karmic house so people you have this synastry with are likely to be karmic partners. HOWEVER, don’t take this to oH NO this is not my TWIN FLAME this is a KaRmiC pErson shit. Literally almost everyone is a karmic partner lmfao, there’s a difference between good and bad karma. This synastry can play out good or bad depending on your own individual karma with this person and how you are managing your life. You can look to Rahu/ketu & saturn to get more info on the karma and to see how it’ll play out. Basically the planet person becomes your escape especially if their sun/moon falls into your 12h. They can end up being your savior. There’s an undeniable theme of profound change that this synastry brings. It often leads you to liberation, through a path of restriction. You need to overthrow the restrictions the other person brings to achieve total liberation. This is often a part of the soul’s karma. A couple with this overlay often keeps a secluded relationship from their relatives (maybe even ghost their families lol) and tend to travel together. They often open up to each other surprisingly quickly about their past and traumas, though there’s a really odd distrust within the couple.

6th HOUSE SYNASTRY - People have a very poor understanding of the 6th house, it’s often condensed to ‘service’. 6h synastry is similar to 12h synastry as they are the same axis anyway, but the difference is 12h’s effects are more abstract meanwhile 6h’s effects are much more physical and can be observed on a practical level. The theme with this house is “either serve or die” and has a karmic tone to it too. It’s not often this dramatic tho lol but usually a couple with 6h synastry feel a deep sense of responsibility towards each other which can make it hard to leave even if it turns toxic. Planet person often triggers the house person’s instincts to ‘serve’ the planet person in one way or another - the house person may do random gestures, buy lots of gifts, support them every way possible etc. so in this way it’s a very cute and beneficial synastry, because they are very much involved in each other’s lives and make a visible impact. They often make one another’s daily routines change, so they can spend time better. Though, one of them can treat the other like an assistant or in worse case scenario, a slave. Think I’m a slave 4 U by Britney Spears lol. They can begin constantly demanding things and get mad when the other doesn’t live up to their expectations. They can also become a disciplinarian for the other (this can also apply to 10h synastry) 

OTHER NOTES ♥☺

If you have a mutual mars overlay with someone in 10th house (your mars in their 10h, theirs in your 10h) your aggressive energy as a couple will most likely be public. Meaning you are prone to have public arguments or fights. Alternatively you can also do illegal business or outlaw activities together, often involving some sort of violence or marsian quality.

If someone’s rahu falls into your 4th house, they will feel peace in our presence but they might drain the peace out of you, meaning they can emotionally and physically drain you, bring conflict and chaos into your life. It may become addictive in some cases. Rahu person will keep wanting more. If at the same time your rahu falls into a water house in their chart (so if ur rahu falls into their 4h,8h,12h houses) you will keep giving more and also find it addictive and hard to get out of. It will push you to surrender.

Rahu in 7th overlay indicates a pre-destined marriage/partnership

Moon in 1st or 2nd house is a very common overlay between soulmates and married couples. Moon in 2h is especially a very auspicious placement in terms of material wealth. The planet person often spoils the house person and knows EXACTLY what to get to the house person as a gift, they have a natural understanding of what the planet person would like and their needs (unless afflicted or outweighed by other malefics placements)

[personal experience] Gemini moon men always try to make me talk about myself so they can gather and store information about me, all the while i’m a sagittarius moon (so sidereal scorpio and in opposition to their moon) and i never reveal anything important or “deep” about myself - i can make myself look like i’m being vulnerable and intimate but when the conversation is over, they realize i didn’t reveal to them anything that is actually valuable and important SHDAIWHJGJGKJG which is why after some time...like in about 2 days they even start trying harder. One of them literally begged me to talk about myself and i think this is a good example of the synastry between this axis

[ariesjupiter]

Mitski Birth Chart Reading

This is just my interpretation based on Mitski’s birth chart and what I know of her music. Let me know if you have any suggestions of someone I should make a post on next! If you’re interested, I offer natal chart readings, just check my pinned post!

Libra sun: In terms of basic personality and ego, Mitski is focused on creating balanced, harmonic relationships. Intimate, one-on-one relationships are a major part of her identity. Libra is ruled by venus which represents love and beauty. After all, she is known for her lyrics relating to her romantic relationships. The lyric “I love everybody because I love you” is so profoundly Libra to me. She is friendly and charming. She sees herself reflected and other people and people see themselves reflected in her (for better or worse). Venus also rules the arts and Mitski is a natural artist in every sense of the word. Her music sonically is very unique, inventive, and creative as she experiments with mixing different genres. This is influenced by her sun in the 11th house. Sun in the 11th house also indicates an emphasis on friendships and memberships of certain groups and communities. It also indicates an importance of her hopes and dreams. Her sun in 3° explains why she is such a talented writer, communicator, and lyricist. Peak libra sun culture: “Young adult romance is the shit” (a real quote from the queen herself). And let’s not forget her iconic quote from 2016: “I’m a libra so my sexuality is essentially “you can really be any gender as long as you treat me like a princes.” Truer words have never been spoken.

Capricorn moon: Despite how personal her music is, Mitski is a rather private and reserved person, particularly when it comes to expressing her emotions. Also, Capricorn is associated with the father and she has been known to be especially private regarding her dad’s career. She is serious and intense with emotions but can sometimes get detached. The emphasis is on having control over her feelings. She is ambitious and a practical person. Her emotions are connected to her career. Those who do not know her well may see her as cold. In temperament she tends to be melancholic. Emotionally mature and wise beyond her years. Straightforward and honest with her expression. She is dependable, loyal, hard working, & realistic. Emotional fulfillment is often tied to achievement and success. Her moon in the 2nd house and 2° suggests material comforts make her feel safe. With the 2nd house being associated with venus, she is able to express her emotions in an artistic way. Could be protective over material objects. Sentimental. Music has a big impact on her emotions and mood. Peak capricorn moon culture: “I didn’t really feel anything. I’ve stopped feeling things for a long time” - Mitski, The Fader Interview, 2017. In all seriousness, I hope my capricorn moons are doing good.

Virgo mercury: Mitski is practical and detail oriented when it comes to communication and matters of learning. She takes the time to choose the right words to convey her thoughts. She is clear and concise. Mercury is in its sign of rulership here. Her mercury in the 10th house suggests that she will be known for her communication style. Has a lot of thoughts but is also organized. Analytical. Mitski likes making lists. Loves to give advice. Mercury is in 16° (cancer degree) and she has a soft spoken voice. Talks about the past and her roots (cancerian themes).

Virgo venus: In love, Mitski will assume a caretaking role and will gladly help her partner finish mundane tasks and chores. A devoted and faithful lover. Love is about the mundane and routine details of life. Love is about service. Acts of service tend to be virgo venus’ main love language. She wants to help improve her partner’s life. She is patient and observant. Values love that is simple and authentic. Appreciates a partner with whom she can have intellectual conversations. May have a tendency to be too critical on herself when it comes to love. Venus rules aesthetics & style and she tends to have a modest fashion sense. Mitski has voiced her interest in astrology and how she has asked people she’s interested for their birth times lmao. Her venus is in the 11th house, she treats a lover like she would treat a friend. In fact, romantic love probably equates to platonic love in her book. She has her venus in 24° which is a pisces degree, which explains this natural interest in astrology.

Gemini mars: Could be impatient because she moves quickly. Efficient. Has a lot of goals and likes to keep busy. She thrives when she talks to others and exchanged ideas. Likes to multitask. Very versatile. Probably has a flirty, bubbly energy when she’s attracted to someone. Attracted to intellect. Desire to see things from multiple perspectives. Gemini rules the hands so she’s skilled with playing instruments and writing. Likes to try new things. Witty and humorous. Could have nervous energy or fidget often.

Leo jupiter: The planet of luck and expansion in Leo is a big indicator of fame. Her jupiter is also in the 9th house and in 7°. Jupiter in the 9th indicates being born in a different country from where you reside now. Mitski is biracial and has lived in multiple countries growing up. She loves to learn, particularly about other cultures and ways of life. She is open minded, philosophical and values freedom and being independent. She attracts good fortune when she travels (touring!) and also when she focuses on partnerships/intimate relationships (7°). Combining this energy, Mitski attracts luck when she acts dramatically, demonstrates/teaches her knowledge, expresses herself artistically, shows her warm hearted and sometimes stubborn side, & takes chances, shows her bravery, and takes the lead. Be the Cowboy is big leo energy 🤠

Capricorn saturn: Mitski is responsible, practical, goal-oriented, and cautious. With saturn in the 3rd house, she probably had to grow up quickly and become mature at a young age. Capricorn saturn people tend to be very successful people. Strong willed. Tendency to be quiet and is a good listener. Could also be outspoken. With saturn in 18° (virgo degree), she’s very hard working but she may need to learn how to take a break and let herself rest and recharge.

Capricorn uranus: This placement also indicates that she goes after her goals and is efficient and practical in achieving them. Uranus being in the 2nd house shows that she could make money from being unique and groundbreaking. 2nd house also rules the voice! Her values are unique and she could be resistant to change them. Her self esteem could be in a constant state of flux and be tied to money. Her income could rapidly change, like maybe she did not get paid much but then suddenly she starts making a lot of money. Uranus is in 5° which is a fame degree. She’s famous for being authentically herself and very much an individual in the industry that can’t be compared.

Capricorn neptune: Capricorn neptunes are most likely realists. She is skilled at going after her dreams. Her dreams are practical and connected to themes of wealth, power, and control. Neptune in 3rd house shows a dreamy, poetic way of communicating. A very creative placement. Dreamy vibes. Could be elusive in communication, open for interpretation. Neptune is in 11° so this gives aquarian energy. Idealistic with friends and always searching for ways to achieve her dreams.

Scorpio pluto: Her power lies in her ability to analayze human interactions and be introspective with herself since it’s in the 1st house. She is very self aware. Mitski understands that life is about going through changes and she welcomes the ability to grow and rebuild. She has intense, deep emotions but has control over them and how she expresses them. Pluto in 16° adds a cancerian energy. Her strength lies in her ability to nurture and be empathetic.

Scorpio rising: First impressions of Mitski can be that she’s mysterious and secretive. A powerful and intimidating presence. This explains to me why she loves dressing in black. She probably has a strong dislike for anything superficial. She likes to get to know people on a deeper level and connect with them. She likes honesty and is probably very perceptive and intuitive. Privacy is so important to her! She has a lot of layers and wants people to unpack them, but it may take her a while to open up. She is powerful and has endurance. Her presence leaves an impact on people. Loyalty and intimacy is important. She’s not afraid to talk about taboo topics or scary, heavier emotions. Passionate and even a tendency to get fixed on or obsessed with something or someone. Her rising is in 15° (gemini degree) so she’s clever, curious, and thinks quickly. a little more flexible than a regular Scorpio rising would be.

Leo midheaven: People might see her as dramatic or arrogant. In the public eye, she was meant to be a performer. At her concerts she’s known for putting on a good show & includes interpretive dance and choreography. She becomes herself more when she’s on stage. The stage is where she shines. Has a lot of pride connected to her career. Reputation for creatively expressing herself and being brave and taking risks. Wants to be admired, especially regarding her career. Her purpose is to become a leader. Mc in 22° (capricorn degree) shows that she is a very hard worker when it comes to her career. She won’t let anyone stop her when it comes to achievement and success in her field. Another indicator of being at the top of her career and being publicly recognized for it!

TLDR: Mitski is a natural born singer, performer and artist. She is unique, talented, and an introspective writer. Being earth and water dominant, she balances practicality & stability with sentimentality & raw emotion. With all of her Capricorn placements, she is grounded and doesn’t let fame get to her head. Her chart ruler is Scorpio pluto in the 1st which means that major transformations will be a big theme in her life, especially regarding herself & her identity. She is always reflecting and looking at herself on a deep level.

[moltensunlight]

Some basic world building for my version of the Kusakabe role swap au:

- The fire happens at the Kusakabe house when Sho is 5 (same age Shinra was in canon), which means Shinra’s Adolla Burst suddenly awakens when he’s 9

- Like what it says on the tin, events play out like they did in canon, but this time with the white-clad taking Shinra instead of Sho

- Sho’s 3rd-gen pyrokinetic abilities activate - six fiery wings that sprout from his back and draw in all the heat in the area, leaving the space around him cold as ice

- Shinra is brainwashed by Haumea to the extent that he’s effectively a slate wiped clean - and retains no memory of his life before joining the white-clad

- Whereas in canon Shinra is the pillar of rage and Sho the pillar of apathy, in this au Shinra is the pillar of apathy, and Sho is the pillar of grief (not a canon pillar title, but one I feel would lead to ‘despair’ all the same), and instead of rage at the destruction of his home and his family, he feels overwhelming sadness and grief, sparing him any of the ‘devil’ treatment that Shinra canonically got

- Sho will end up following Shinra’s canon path to Haijima and then the Fire Force, sans being called a demon of course - more often than not he’s called an angel, or as being watched over by one

- After his parents leave, Arthur winds up at a convent that the white-clad use to scout powerful pyrokinetics, and as soon as they catch wind that Arthur is a plasma-user they scoop him right up

- Despite being a part of an evil organization (and knowing that), Arthur retains his sense of self, translating everything through his imagination like he does in canon

- After several years of training and (attempted) indoctrination, Arthur is assigned as Shinra’s guardian - they’re both 12 at this point

- Sho is still closely watched by the white-clad, and when he joins the Fire Force Academy, they send Arrow in as an older recruit (her story being that she’s had a change of career) to watch over him, and despite her also being a recruit, she ends up as a kind of mentor-figure for Sho

- Company 8 starts the same time it does in canon, but remains just a 4-member group for some time, struggling to get on its feet. There are several members that wind up coming and going between the core 4 (Ōbi, Hinawa, Maki, Iris) before Sho joins, those temporary members either winding up as unfit for what Company 8 stands for and being recommended to a different Company by Captain Ōbi, or being a few rookies from other Companies doing the whole ‘rookie training’ system that the 8th does with the 1st in canon

- Sho joins Company 8 when he’s 17, with Arrow following soon after - the both of them good friends by this point

- Things begin to progress as they do in canon, only there’s a lot more of Shinra & Arthur’s presence in the white-clad incidents, and though Joker does still clue Sho in on his brother still being alive during the rookie games, Sho winds up seeing Shinra several times before the second meeting with Joker, where Joker tells Sho that his brother is a commander for the white-clad

- Shinra winds up being called the ‘devil’ of the white-clad by the members of the special fire forces, as once information begins to be exchanged between the companies, it comes out that they’ve all seen him before - and the devil is always accompanied by someone wielding a blade of plasma. Of course this is before Sho is actually able to put together that the devil is his brother

- Shinra’s trademark smile begins when he first sees Sho during his missions, because though he might not consciously remember his life before the white-clad, some deep unconscious part of him does, and it causes the muscles in his face to tense up into that smile the more he’s faced with situations and people that remind him of that past

- Sho actually does save Shinra down in the Nether, unlocking Shinra’s memories via Adolla Link, and Arthur steps in to prevent Haumea from brainwashing Shinra again, allowing the brothers to escape

- Haumea runs off before Arthur can defeat her, and Arthur then joins back up with Shinra and Company 8 as they’re leaving the Nether

- Shinra & Arthur are brought into protective custody by the 8th, and they begin to divulge the Evangelist’s plans

- There is of course a private confrontation between Shinra & Arthur and Arrow, as they know her mission, but none of the rest of the 8th do, and she pleads with them to keep it a secret - having had a change of heart herself

- Shinra and Arthur are stupidly strong, having been raised amongst the white-clad, but Shinra has to learn/relearn his pyrokinetic abilities without the use of his grace-fueled light speed and time travel that had been supplied by the evangelist

[slimesidian]

Might we have Team ZITS lore 👉👈🥺

U want Team ZITS lore??? Owo U want the most thought out lore I Have!?!?!? Okay this will be Super Long and I apologize in advance.

-Mod Slime

We will not be going in order of the acronym but rather an order that I think fits better. So we're gonna start with Impulse n Skizz respectively!!

Impulse was born human, much like Skizz, but unlike Skizz, Impulse was abandoned in the End. Why? He doesn't remember. He doesn't remember who left him there either, but he does remember being cared for by a tall lady with long black hair, a long purple dress, long dragon horns, a tail, and giant dragon wings. She cared for him, made survival easier for him(in more ways than he's aware of) for so long until one day she just disappeared.

He didn't know where she went, he was only 7 or 8 at the time. Years passed, he got used to being alone, to only speaking the shorthand Galactic of the Endermen, to eating nothing but Chorus Fruits, and the cold became nothing but the norm for him.

Then came Skizz. He didn't want much from the End when he showed up, just to explore, really. He just wanted a little adventure. He did not expect to find a random Player already there and seemingly living there in an Endstone hut.

The two didn't really click at first. Impulse actively tried to shut Skizz out. He didn't like the strange presence of the human at first… but Skizz started leaving little gifts for Impulse. Mostly food. Impulse didn't understand at first what the food was. He'd never had anything like it before. 

Eventually Skizz managed to convince Impulse to come with him, even if they couldn't understand each other. While tryna get home the two got separated, and Impulse almost died while Skizz was looking for him.

Luckily, Skizz killed whatever had been attacking Impulse and carried him to the house they'd call home for years to come.

While it's just the two of them, Skizz teaches Impulse basic English, while Impulse tries to teach Skizz how to speak and write Galactic in return. Learning together makes their transition from knowing nothing to knowing enough balanced between the two, and now sometimes they'll slip language mid-sentence.

Once they can properly communicate, things get a lot nicer, and it's easier for Impulse to trust Skizz now. In fact, he's already gotten attached. No going back now.

Anyways, now I get to introduce the Next of the quartet to join! And that's Zed. I may change this order one day but the story of how they were found wouldn't change! Anyways, it's time for the amnesia boy.

So Zed kinda just wakes up in a forest with no knowledge of who he is or where he is or how he got there. All he has is a plain white sweater and some simple jeans. He wanders around aimlessly for a bit, accidentally adopting a brown sheep in the process, and eventually stumbles across Impulse and Skizz's shared home. 

Impulse sees him first and is immediately confused but welcoming, and it honestly doesn't take long for Zed to be adopted into their found family dynamic. They help him make a better sweater, this one being brown, much like his current aviator jacket.

Zed doesn't actually know it at the time but he was made. He's a robot that imitates life. He doesn't remember this fact, though. He doesn't know what he is, but his ears and eyes are proof that he isn't human. At least that's his initial thought.

And finally, Tongo Tak himself.

Tango is actually the oldest of the four members, but in Netherborn years he's in his developing stage. He has yet to develop any of his fire powers, and his eyes are severely sensitive.

He pretty much had a difficult time surviving since he was alone, so one day while in the Deep Nether(1.17 Nether) he tried to steal gold from some Piglins, he just needed enough to make armor, even if it was bad. Sadly he got spotted and had to run.

He eventually bumps into Impulse, who he hides behind as the Piglins approach. Tango is kinda covered in arrows and slashes and Impulse just pulls out his own bow and starts shooting at the Piglins while also nudging Tango towards the portal.

When they get through the portal Impulse breaks it so they can't be followed. It's night when they show up, so Tango's eyes aren't in as much pain as they could be. They did try to ask him if he wanted to go back, and every time Impulse tried to put him back, Tango kept coming back. Eventually, the trio just decided he was gonna be part of their family.

Tango can't actually speak English, he can only make weird grunts and squeaks and noises like that of Nether mobs. Zed picks up on this and is the first of the trio to communicate with Tango.

Over time, it's obvious that Tango has trouble adjusting to the Overworld. He almost goes blind before they have to make him Redstone eyes. Impulse and Zed worked on the eyes together while Skizz made sure Tango didn't hurt himself by running into things.

The four pretty much vibe until Tango and Impulse decide to make Moonlight SMP(and this SMP is why I'm tempted to change the order of the members of Team ZITS meeting).

This leads to Zed and Tango creating alter egos(Wormman and Dr. Tangno) and that's that.

Next thing they know Tango is being asked to join Hermitcraft, and he takes the offer and is absolutely ecstatic about the new server, so much so he begs X into bringing Impulse via summoning circle.

That leaves Zed and Skizz both terrified because Impulse just vanished but they do learn that he is okay and he is not dead.

Nothing lore wise happens until Zed goes to Hermitcraft for the first time and accidentally splits into himself and the embodiment of his memories from Moonlight, but only the memories where he was dressed up as Wormman. Thus, the Wormman we know and love(and miss) came to be. 

Skizz kinda ended up alone in their old world but he and Impulse make enough worlds together that it's fine. And they all get together and keep in touch! And eventually Skizz joins Legacy so he's not completely lonely anymore!! (and also he's pretty much adopted by Pearl as a younger brother. She already adopted Grian and Sausage so why not Skizz too)

I think that's it on the main lore front. The only other important thing to note is that Skizz is no longer a human as of 3rd Life. His code got infected with the code of the Enderman that killed him and now he's an Enderman hybrid. 

I think that's it? It probably isn't but that's my ZITS lore :D

[jessilyria]

ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING WE KNOW ABOUT THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY SEASON 2

Hello! This covers everything from trailers, promo pics, interviews, and articles. Pics and links will be included. The info is in vague chronological order (as much as it can be.)

Needless to say, this post contains SPOILERS and is LONG ^‿^

If you’d like a non-spoilery version with just the basic facts please check out my Umbrella Academy Timeline.

***********************************************************************

According to Steve Blackman, season 2 is about second chances and the endgame is still to stop the 2019 apocalypse (X).

The opening scene of season 2:

The siblings arrive in the past at different times, but all in the same spot - an alleyway with some dumpsters which leads out onto a high-street. 

Noticeable locations on the high-street include a beauty salon for black people, and an electronics shop which later on closes down and becomes a base for the group.

The order they arrive in is the order the promo pictures were released: Ben & Klaus, Allison, Luther, Diego, Vanya, Five.

It will likely take a while before the whole team is reunited, and possibly longer before the siblings begin to meet the new characters: “It was several episodes before we all started to interact with each other” (X).

Ben & Klaus land in February 1960 (X). As Klaus is sober, his powers continue to develop and he uses them to impresses some people. (X)

"Klaus effectively starts the hippie movement off early by founding a cult whose philosophy is based on the lyrics of pop songs that have yet to be written. “Don’t go chasing waterfalls. Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to,” he tells one awed follower." (X)

"Destiny's Children! Let us commune with music." *starts whistling*

But Klaus isn’t as happy as he seems in this new life of cult stardom. “He can’t deal with the praise; it’s just become strangulating.” (X)

There’s also tension between Klaus and Ben, but its unknown whether this is because of the cult, because Klaus is "trying to rekindle his relationship with Dave" (X), or because Klaus’ evolved powers mean Ben can now possess him (X). Either way, Ben’s “determined not to be invisible to the ones he loves, willing to go further than ever before to make his presence known.” (X)

As Klaus is wearing the same outfit as the promo pics (and has a long beard which he later loses), its likely the following scene takes place early on.

Klaus: Now what? Ben: Remember when I told you the engine was overheating? Klaus: Yeah, well, being smart doesn't make you interesting. Ben: Neither does your beard.

Ben: You think I’m just going to keep following you everywhere for another three years? Klaus: Yeah, you are my ghost-bitch, remember?

*************************

Klaus: My skin was on fire! Ben: Good! I’ve got to get to San Francisco, I have unfinished business.

Allison is second to appear in 1961 (X). "Confused and looking for help, Allison walks into a diner and is greeted by a “Whites Only” sign, then chased across town by a group of white men until she finds sanctuary in a beauty parlour for Black women that doubles as a meeting place for civil-rights activists." (X)

Its been confirmed that the below image is from ep 1. (X)

Have you experienced discrimination by your employer?

She meets a man named Raymond Chestnut who is a “born leader with the smarts, gravitas, and confidence to never have to prove it to anyone. He has the innate ability to disarm you with a look, and is a devoted husband.” (X)

Luther appears on April 10th 1962 and lands on a dumpster.

He ends up working for Jack Ruby (X), a mysterious man who owns a nightclub (and who fatally shot Lee Harvey Oswald after Oswald was in custody for JFK's assassination). Luther’s job involves being a driver, bouncer, and underground fighter.

Its been confirmed that the following scene is from ep 1. (X)

Diego appears on Sep 17th 1963. One of the first things he sees is a televised address from President JFK.

He ends up in an insane asylum for stalking Lee Harvey Oswald and spouting “delusional claims” about JFK’s assassination (X). Its here he meets Lila Pitts, “a chameleon who can be as brilliant or as clinically insane as the situation requires”. She’s also "unpredictable, mischievous" and "sarcastic" with a "twisted sense of humour." (X)

Vanya appears on Oct 12th 1963 (X). “She arrives and gets hit by a car, driven by a woman (Sissy). She smashes her head on the cement... She remembers her name, but nothing else.” (X)

She gets a job on a ranch as a live-in-nanny for Sissy, a "fearless, no nonsense Texas Mom" who "married young for all the wrong reasons" and is "eager to rediscover what love has to offer." (X)

Because she has forgotten her past traumas, Vanya is “much more confident and more in touch with her emotional self” (X). She forms a unique bond with Sissy’s son, Harlan, who is non-verbal (X). Its been confirmed that the following photos are from ep 1. (X)

Vanya: I wish I remembered something.
 Sissy: The doctor said it would take time. Don’t push yourself.

Vanya is also slowly discovering her powers on her own.

Five appears with Hazel on Nov 15th after witnessing the world going down in nuclear explosions.

Five: What was that? Hazel: The end of the world, November 25th 1963. Five: And where am I now? Hazel: Dallas, ten days earlier. Five: ...I need to find my family.

But of course its not going to be that easy, the Commission is still out there and “will hunt us down wherever and whenever we go.”

In the trailer we are introduced to the head of The Commission, a fish named Carmichael. He sends three Swedish assassins, Oscar, Axel, and Otto, to hunt down Five and the others.

At some point they acquire a milk-truck and one of them dresses as a milkman. On a location shoot, the Swedes were seen in their truck outside a house in an urban area. They check a map and one of them pumps a shotgun (X).

Whilst searching for his siblings Five encounters a man named Elliot, an "alien obsessive (who) witnesses The Umbrella Academy's separate arrivals." He agrees to help Five find the others. (X)

“3rd EVENT, April 10th 1962″ is above photos of Luther arriving, “September 17th 1963″ is above photos of Diego arriving, and the right column are photos of Vanya arriving still in her White Violin outfit.

Five manages to find Diego in the asylum and they have a conversation.

Five: Listen to me very closely, you gibbering moron. You are not going to do a goddamned thing. Diego: Why not? Five: Because we have to stop the apocalypse. Diego: But that doesn't happen for another 60 years. Five: Not that apocalypse, this is a... new one. It followed us.
 Diego: *begins laughing*

At some point after this the Swedes storm the asylum.

“Who are those guys?!”

Diego and Lila seem to make their escape from the Swedes and the asylum pretty quickly however. Its been confirmed that the below pic is from ep 2. (X)

Based on Diego’s outfit and length of beard, the following two scenes take place around the same time. First, a heated car conversation which Five crashes.

Diego: You don’t know anything about me! Lila: I know everything. You are an open book written for very dumb children. Diego: I am n-not trying to b-be a hero, okay? Lila: Then why are you doing this?
 Five: *appears in the backseat* Because he is an idiot. Lila: Who the hell are you? Five: Hi, I’m his loving brother. Diego: Who left me to rot in the nut-house. Five: To protect you from yourself.
 Lila: Thats quite sweet. Diego: Okay. Both of you. Out.

And second, a dark encounter with a familiar figure...

Reginald Hargreeves & Pogo

The summary for episode 2 also mentions that “an incident at the bar leads Luther to Vanya,” and “Five finds an unsettling surprise in the film Hazel left behind,” which likely links to this image:

Its been confirmed that the following scene is from ep3 (X). Klaus is seen emerging from a river - now confirmed to be the River Ganges in India/Bangladesh which is considered sacred and purifying (X). Considering the series spans 10 days and is set in Dallas, this scene is very likely a flashback.

Note Ben in the background.

Klaus is also seen in similar attire in a wealthy looking house, which is potentially part of the commune where the cult operates.

Note Klaus no longer has his long beard.

And here’s Ben in what looks like a room in the same house. It's interesting to note that Ben (or the actor) is looking straight into the camera, implying its a first person point-of-view.

Apparently also in ep3 we have this delightful gem of Klaus being Klaus. (presumably theres a pool at the commune?).

Episode 3 also sees the Swedes chasing Vanya in a cornfield until she uses her powers to defend herself.

Thanks to this, Five is able to track Vanya down (X). It's been confirmed that the following pic is from episode 3. (X)

And based on Vanya's clothes, Five then takes her to a cafe to explain a few things.

Vanya: Are you gonna tell me what the hell's going on? Five: When you were a baby you were bought by an eccentric billionaire. He raised you in an elite academy with six other siblings with extrodinary powers, but in the year 2019 in order to avoid the apocalypse we jumped into a vortex and ended up being scattered throughout the timeline in Dallas, Texas. Vanya: ... Five: Any questions? Vanya: ... what do you mean the apocalypse?

At some point ollowing on from this (but unknown which ep) Luther and Vanya have this conversation:

Vanya: What caused the apocalypse? Luther: ... You did... but not alone. I was part of it, we all- Vanya: How? Luther: You got angry. Lost control, you... blew up the moon. It slammed into Earth wiping out everything.

In ep3 we see both Allison and Raymond actively involved in the protests against the segregation by taking part in a sit-in (X).

Allison: I’d like to be served, please.
 Waitress: *pointing to a Whites Only sign* Can’t you read, girl?
 Allison: Seven languages.
 Customer: Oh, you smart one, huh?
 *The door opens and many other blank protesters enter.*
 Allison: We’d like to be served, please.

However, it goes badly as "police brutally attack (the) peaceful protestors." (X).

The summary for ep3 says that “Allison reconnects with Klaus,” and in ep4 she is “searching frantically for Ray.” It seems, based on the following pics, that she finds Ray in jail and Klaus & Ben have a hand in getting him out.

Note the word "buearu" on the window and Ray in the background.

Based on Klaus' outfit, its sometime around this point he goes on a massive bender. We see him running with a bottle of whiskey, his gleeful cult following him, and dancing in a drinks aisle.

Note that Klaus is bleeding from his lip.

Following on from this, Klaus wakes up on Allisons floor, feeling worse for wear.

Ben: And how are we feeling this morning? Klaus: Ugh, peaches and cream, how are you? Ben: Curious. How many more rock bottoms are you going to have to hit before you start taking care of yourself?

In episode 4 “Vanya contends with a crisis at the farm.” Could this link to her developing romance as, despite Sissy still being with her husband (X), she and Vanya begin exploring a relationship?

The summary confirms that in ep4, “Five, Diego, and Lila crash a party at the Mexican consulate.” But the Swedes are still hot on their tail.

Note the third Swede in the background, chasing Five?

After surviving this, they return to their base. The following pic has been confirmed as happening in ep4 (X).

At some unknown point the Swedes (or two of them) also go after Allison, though it appears she fights back (and kills one of them?).

"They weren't here to sell vacuums!"

Also at some unknown point, Allison and Luther have a catch up. Based on Luthers partially healed face, this is after his conversation with Vanya in ep2.

Luther: We did it again… apparently.
 Allison: Did what again?
 Luther: Ended the world.

Also at some unknown point Vanya and Diego reconcile: “I don’t remember what I did, but I’m sorry, if that means anything,” Vanya tells Diego as he threateningly juggles a knife. “It does,” he responds, before accepting her as a confidant he can turn to for advice on how to handle his feelings for Lila. (X)

It appears that ep5 is when the whole family finally reunites. The episode summary explains how “summoned to an emergency meeting, the siblings hatch very different plans for how to spend their last 6 days on Earth.” (I have no idea what order the conversation goes in as each bit is a snippet from a different promo vid).

Five: Klaus, is Ben here? Klaus: No, unfortunately ghosts can’t time-travel. Ben: Are you kidding me?

Five: (I/We) really screwed the pooch on this one, the whole going back in time and getting stuck thing. But the real kick in the pants here is… we brought the end of the world back here with us. Klaus: Oh my god, again? My cult is gonna be so pissed. I told them we had until 2019. Five: We have until Monday.

Klaus: Is it Vanya? Allison: Klaus! Klaus: What? Its usually Vanya.

Vanya: None of us are supposed to be here, right? I mean, what if its us?

Luther: Diego's been stalking Lee Harvey Oswald. Diego: Hey, you're working for Jack Ruby! Klaus: Allison has been very involved in local politics. Allison: Okay, you started a cult! Ben: Thank you!

“We have to make it right again, before everyone and everything we know is dead.”

Following on from this, Klaus, Vanya and Allison have some bonding time in the beauty parlour.

Vanya: How do you guys deal with this? Allison: What? Vanya: I mean all of it. Time travel. Seeing the dead...?

Vanya: I’m gunna tell Sissy that I love her… I don’t want any secrets.
 Klaus: Yeah? Allison: Yeah! Yeah, yeah, you’re right. Yes. Cos, y’know, if, if its all going to go tits up the least I could do is be honest with my husband. Klaus: Oh… does that mean I have to face my cult? I just hate group breakups, thats why I stopped dating twins.

“Klaus, Vanya, and Allison end a moping session by dancing together to Twistin’ the Night Away.” (X). Its been confirmed that the following pic is from ep 5. (X)

In episode 6, “Dave visits Klaus’ compound” and “the siblings meet their father for dinner” in a Tiki bar. Its been confirmed that the following pic is from ep 6 (X).

An interview with the cast has them talking about ‘the elevator scene’ and how hard it was to shoot because everyone kept cracking up. (X)

Five: All right, quick run down. Luther; super strength, Klaus can commune with the dead, Allison can rumour anyone to do anything-
 Diego: Yeah except she never uses it.
 Allison: I heard a rumour you punched yourself in the face.
 *Diego punches himself in the face.*
 Reginald: *looking at Vanya* And you?
 Luther: Uh, maybe we don’t… take Vanya for a test drive.
 Klaus: Oh yeah thats probably not a good idea…
 Vanya: What, I think I can handle it.
 *Despite everyones protests, Vanya explodes a fruit bowl.*

Based on Luther and Klaus’ outfits, the following scenes also take place sometime around the same time (ep6/7).

First, Luther pulls up to a house in an urban area, he gets out the car and has a conversation with a man (X). This is the same house where the three Swedes were seen in their milk-truck at night.

Note the gun and flask on the seat.

Next, Allison and Raymond deal with a body (of a Swede?) while Klaus & Ben don’t help. The summary of ep6 also mentions that Allison gives Ray a peek at her powers, which is maybe why he’s on board to deal with a body.

But what's the big flash that startles them? Well it may have something to do with all this craziness:

Note the chairs and people on the ceiling.

It’s hard to tell but since Ben is there, this could be Klaus being thrown backwards? The outfit certainly looks similar.

In an interview, the cast talk about how the room had to be painted completely white (then returned to normal), and how nice it was for the character of Ben to be able to share a moment with Vanya (X). This implies Vanya looses control and Ben is able to talk her down.

At some unknown point, it looks like the siblings all return to the academy.

Note that the background behind Klaus implies he’s sat in the same seat that he did as a child.

An interview asked the question "You all eat 'brain' at a family dinner..." (X) and in a different interview the cast talk about the brain acid trip (X). Could this be when that happens?

Either way, things likely don’t run smoothy. “Reginald still proves just as capable of preying on their deepest insecurities, while somehow leaving them attacking each other instead of him.” (X)

The summary for ep7 mentions someone named Carl issuing a warning to Vanya, and in ep8 it states that the FBI torture her, so its most likely the following images are from this time:

The tape recorder is turned off...

The figure from behind slaps a cloth over Vanya’s face as she takes on the appearance of The White Violin.

“A dimly lit room... Vanya is strapped to a chair. The floor is soaked with water. At the moment she is being tortured for information... After an electric shock the lights on the ceiling begin to flicker. “‘Is she doing that?’ asks a fearful FBI agent.” (X)

Also in ep7, “Five travels to 1982 to carry out his new mission”. Theres a possibility that Luther is also involved in this as a promo pic has snow surrounding the house, which I don’t think would happen in November in Dallas?

Five: I need a spotter. Luther: What is that? Like a wingman?

The summary for ep8 includes the fact that “Diego discovers what causes the apocalypse.”

“Everything in our new lives is connected to the plot to assassinate the president. That can’t be a coincidence.”

The fact we see the gun Five was going to use to assassinate JFK, implies this scene takes place on Nov 22nd, 3 days before the apocalypse. And we know from the summaries that in ep8 “Five concocts a risky plan to intercept another version of himself.”

Old Five, young Five (who’s still really old Five), and Luther.

However this may not go to plan as the summary for ep9 says, “the Fives plot against each other.”

And the summary for episode 10 is: “reeling from the events at the Dealey Plaza, the siblings head to the farm to help save Harlan.”

MOMENTS I CAN’T PLACE:

Someone flips over a table in what looks like it could be a distillery. Based on outfit and hair this could possibly be Lila, Klaus, or (less likely) Diego. Five is also there.

A similar (the same?) person flips over while avoiding gunfire. There are targets and what looks like training equipment, and the person shooting is standing under a large umbrella.

If the flipping person is Lila, then this may link to what the summaries reveal about her arc: In ep5 she confronts her mother, in ep6 the Handler is mentioned (albeit talking to Five), and in ep9 she learns the truth about her parents…

Five sneaks through a room with a camera and lights. On the blackboard the word “Pogo” is written, implying this could be Reggies house and this room is where he is teaching and studying young Pogo.

Diego walks into a control room. It looks like there might be 2-way glass. Could this link to ep8 when Diego discovers what cases the apocalypse?

Five is seen in a building with wooden panels on the walls.

Based on the background of this shot of Carmichael, the building could be part of The Commission.

“You...”

Five gets buried in rubble. Aidan looks chill about it though.

***********************************************************************

Well done for making it all the way! 

I’ve tried to avoid speculation as much as possible and keep the language suggestive. I don’t know all the facts, I WILL have made errors, probably many! So please take all this with a suggestive grain of salt, I am just a hooman trying to use her squishy brain.

Please let me know if you spot any errors, think of anything else I can add, or if you want more info about any specific event ^‿^

[rainydayreadingblr]

Annotations on Iain Reid's "I'm Thinking of Ending Things"

This book was quite a ride (for everyone involved)! As I read it I took note of certain things, and have typed them out for you all to read. Let me know if you thought of something similar while reading this book, or if you have questions, and especially if you disagree with me on some point; I love discussing books, and would be more than happy to do that, especially with this book, which was so engrossing.

I should start off with what I made of the book. I understand that there are several schools of thought regarding what actually happened in this book, and for my annotations to make sense, you need to know my views on things. Obviously, there will be spoilers ahead, so if you haven't read this book, go do so!

So, here's my take: Jake and The Girlfriend (TG) are going on a road trip to Jake's parent's house. TG reflects on the car ride over that she is thinking of breaking up with Jake (hence, "I'm Thinking of Ending Things"), because she feels like they aren't connecting in the ways a couple should- but she hasn't quite made up her mind. When they get to his parent's house, which is a farmhouse, TG immediately feels like something is off. She finds framed photos of herself as a child in the house, when she goes to the bathroom her slippers move on their own, and Jake's parents give her the creeps (and just aren't good at dinner table small-talk). After Jake and TG depart, they stop at a Dairy Queen for frozen lemonade, where they are greeted by 3 very unusual servers. After that, they go to an abandoned school to throw away the cups, in which they are ultimately trapped in and separated by a creepy custodian. The custodian chases TG and Jake around the school for hours, until TG finds herself in the janitor's closet waiting for him. This is the point where all the pronouns are mushed together, and we readers find out that Jake and TG are the same person. Then the custodian finds them/him in the closet, and merges his consciousness with theirs (because he is also Jake and TG) slowly kills all of them with a wire hanger, committing suicide and "ending things."

Now, I think that every character in this book was manifested by the janitor (who I'm assuming is named Jake), and is a side of the janitor himself. Not just the 3 in the closet at the end. I think that Jake has a severe multiple personality disorder, and became suicidal, so he made up a whole trip to his parent's house and  place of work in order to rationalize killing himself. I think that while he was at work at the school, Jake mentally drove himself and his imaginary girlfriend to his dead parent's farm, and then took himself on a trip down memory lane by exploring his room, the farm, and the basement, but through TG's eyes. He then left and drove to Dairy Queen, where he got some drinks for himself and TG. Then he mentally drove to his school to throw away the cups, which was his way of explaining why Jake stopped at the school, which would eventually lead to his and the janitor's death, which was the goal. But physically, I think Jake/the janitor was at the school the entire time.

The book vaguely clarifies that TG was never a girlfriend of the janitor Jake, but was instead a girl he met in a bar many years ago and then became obsessed with. I believe that that is true. That would explain her namelessness (Jake never got her name in the bar), and her presence in the imaginary car ride. But I think that the only part of TG that was borrowed from her real life person was her looks; I think Jake made up his own personality for her that would satisfy his suicidal fantasy, and actually made her the manifestation of his suicidal thoughts, which is why she was the one "thinking of ending things."

Now that we've covered my basic opinions, let's get to the annotations:

1. The most obvious: the nosebleed in the bathroom. Though I am a complete novice to the horror genre, do nosebleeds ever signify something good for the characters? It seems like nosebleeds are a common omen of things going downhill. This particular nosebleed reminded me of one in the Netflix show, The OA (stellar show by the way. I highly recommend it). In the show, the main character gets nosebleeds as a form of premonition, and after not getting one in years, finds herself with a nosebleed as a warning of impending danger (I won't spoil what it is, but I sincerely hope you watch the show and find out).

2. Twos. Twos are all over this book, it seems: Jake+the girlfriend, the dead lambs, the dead pigs, the parents, the number of cars on the road is never more than two, the original servers at DQ were only 2, two lemonades at DQ, the number of cars at the school (supposedly. Jake and the janitor drove the same car, so there was really only one car, but TG saw two... It's really just a confusing worm hole there), and my copy of the book has the sentence "I'm thinking of ending things" written twice. I think twos play an important role in the book. Possibly because threes represent balance in literature, so by nature twos would represent being unbalanced and unstable (and the whole point of the book was to feel 'unbalanced' or 'uneasy')

3. The "police lineup" comment from the girlfriend, when she was saying she could pick Jake out of a police lineup based on his walk. What a weird thing to say! Why did she automatically place Jake in a police lineup as a place she'd have to identify him? Why not a grocery store, or a fair, or a parade? Or literally anything other than a police lineup? (This thought gets even more confusing when you take on the fact that Jake and the girlfriend are the same person, which leads to the question: why would Jake need to pick himself out of a police lineup? For all the indecision throughout the book about whether TG made up her mind to end things or not, I think the janitor already made the choice to do it, and was unconsciously placing himself in a police lineup because he felt like he was also killing his other personalities, which would be murder.)

4. The waving man outside the girlfriend's window was Jake. Maybe he became so obsessed with her that he stood outside her window, and then narrated that experience from her point of view in his subconsciousness? This idea is made more plausible because at the window of the school, the janitor does the exact same thing (stands at a window, stares, waves, then leaves) and we know the janitor is Jake. So the probability that Jake was stalking the girlfriend goes up significantly.  

5. Rashes. It is mentioned in one of the italicized interviews that the body was found in the closet with rashes on his arms and neck, and from then on there were 2 (another instance of twos!) instances of rashes (that I could find). The first was the 3rd server in the Dairy Queen, the one that told the girlfriend that she was worried, who had rashes on her arm. The 2nd was as a metaphor for fear ("Untreated, it will only fester. Fear is a rash" pg 186). So, then, is the 3rd Dairy Queen waitress an embodiment of the fear that Jake feels? It seems like it, given that she was 'worried', and seemed timid and uneasy, and had a rash, which symbolizes fear.  

[nyanpoe]

(Rough) summary of the last NatsuYuu arc

Featuring chapters 106 and 107, “Visiting a late friend”. 

Note that my japanese isn’t the best, so i might have misunderstood some things.

Also: my own personal notes are in cursive.

In chapter 106 Natsume takes the wrong bus home after going to some far town (if i remember correctly Touko had asked him to run an errand or smth). Yorishima gets on that same bus and after seeing each other (they were like the only ones in the bus) they start chatting. If i remember correctly, Yorishima had offered to show him the correct bus/way home, but he was on his way to return a book to an old friend (named Kusakabe) he used to exchange letters with who had already passed away, so Natsume offers to accompany him.

We get some more insight into Yorishima’s character, how he’s pretty grumpy, asocial and a shut in. If i remember correctly, in the book he was going to deliver, which was one that Natori retrieved from his mansion in the Miharu arc, he found a letter where Kusakabe told him to go visit him someday.

When they get to the house of Yorishima’s old friend, they are greeted by his 3 beautiful daughters AND feel a weird presence in the house.

The chapter ends with Yorishima telling Natsume that Kusakabe only had 2 daughters, not 3.

Here 2 cute screenshots i took of the chapter

Chapter 107 (later part) starts with one of the letters Kusakabe wrote to Yorishima, where he talks about how he can hear his daughters (note: 娘, musume) played despite having told them to being quiet as he was writing. He also notes how he likes it when it’s lively, and contrasts it with Yorishima’s hypothetical reaction.

The daughters (who are all a bit weird and very pushy) talk a bit about Yorishima and how much their father used to talk about him. Once they leave the room, Yorishima and Natsume discuss how one of them might be an ayakashi, as he is sure Kusakabe had always wrote in his letters about only 2 daughters. 

Yorishima starts cursing about how nothing good happens whenever he leaves his house and apologizes to Natsume for dragging him into such a mess. Natsume then realizes he feels like his old self, and reassures him that going all this way for his friend is a very important thing and he'll tag along, for Kusakabe's sake, and mentally adds for Yorishima’s sake too. Natsume then kicks Nyanko-sensei outta the room and tells him to go investigate which daughter might be the imposter (since he was just eating cake and being an ass lol).

Natsume asks if there’s lead to tell apart the fake one, but Yorishima says that none of them resemble Kusakabe physically, although their mannerisms sometimes do. 

AND WE GET A FLASHBACK OF THEIR COLLEGE TIME.

In it, Kusakabe tells Yorishima (after failing to feed him an onigiri) about how he should have also gone watch the meteor shower, how pretty it was etc and how the stars seemed to go and fall from all directions, to which Yorishima was like bruh how could that be and if it wasn’t perhaps a tanuki or ghost playing a prank on him. Kusakabe says that maybe that was the reason why the rest didn’t seem to react to it, but that was all the more reason why it would have been merrier if Yorishima had been with him.

Yorishima immediately tells Kusakabe that he should confess to Kyouko-san already and that he actually would have wanted to see the meteor shower with her instead, leaving the other quite dumbfounded as meddling into other’s affairs (or even caring) was pretty out of character of him. Yorishima just answers that if his roommate is being a pain he won’t get peace either so he should be done with his business. He also tells him that he’s a good man, so there’s no way he’ll get rejected.

~end of flashback~

After that we get a 4 pages Nyanko-sensei pov of spying on the girls, who start acting all creepy, making him freaks out and run away.

The last page has a letter from Yorishima to Kusakabe, in which he thanks him for the last letter and congratulates him, saying he was surprised when he learned about his 2 daughters.

Back to Yorishima and Natsume, Yorishima seems to hold his arm, making Natsume worry and ask if it doesn’t hurt (thinking to himself that it’s the rumored ayakashi arm, and wonders if it’s really true) but the other says he was just deep in thought. They discuss about the daughters again, saying that if they look like kusakabe, what similarities they have etc. Since they dont look alike natsume asks if they dont look like the wife then, but Yorishima says he actually doesn’t know about the wife, neither name nor face. He never got to meet her, as he never met Kusakabe after college again. He says that Kusakabe wrote whatever came to mind in his letters and never got to tell him about getting married not his daughters being born, but mentions that he used to date a girl called Kyouko when they were in college. He says that they looked very happy and (not sure of the jp wording here) just looking at each other/at them? made them blush. 

Natsume assumes that that must have been his wife then, but Yorishima says that she had died in an accident. He talks about how Kusakabe used to be pretty depressed after it, but since he didn't want to make Kyouko sad he came back to his usual self eventually. Still, he didn’t date anyone after that, that’s why he was very surprised when reading the letter talking about his daughters. Knowing that he was able to form a family, after everything that happened, made him so happy he started trembling.

Nyanko-sensei interrupts them and cries a bit about how the girls were Too Much. After that, the lights go off and Yorishima runs to check that the girls are ok. He starts mildly gay panicking bc he doesn’t want anything bad to happen to his friend’s house. He says to himself that it would have been better if Kusakabe had at least told him how his daughters were called, and remembers the note in the book asking him to come pay a visit someday.

He runs into the youkai and asks who is she, to which she replies that she is kusakabes daughter. Yorishima says that he only had 2 so that's not possible but she says that Kusakabe just never got to tell him about the 3rd (among us voice kinda sus). She tells him that if he catches her she'll tell him the full story. While chasing for her, he starts shouting that it’s Kusakabe’s house, even if he passed away, saying in his mind “isn’t anywhere anymore”, it’s the house of his dear friend, and he won’t forgive her if she tries to do something to his beloved daughters.

He catches the youkai and: turns out all the daughters were DOLLS.

Apparently, Kusakabe bought 2 dolls at an antique shop and when writing the letter, he used the word musume, which can mean either daughter or simply young girl. The daughters say he had realized that Yorishima misunderstood and thought he meant biological daughters, but decided to play along and keep using musume when talking about them. And so, when Yorishima visited him, he would learn the truth. He looked forward to when he would come and find out.  That’s why the dolls decided to carry on with that wish, and tell him about how fun and merry Kusakabe’s time there had been.

(Here comes the part where I’m not really sure about some things, and I’m not sure either what they are referring to Exactly so I might have misinterpreted it.)

The dolls say they were actually upset at him for never once visiting Kusakabe, but that seeing his arm they understand he couldnt come. Then, Natsume thinks to himself "to his dear friend... (deepl translation:) in the midst of all the bewitchment...". Yorishima here regrets not being more sincere in his replies to the many letters Kusakabe sent because he thinks that’s probably why he stopped sending them (i think?),and the daughters ask him if he knows why he died. When Yorishima says he heard he died of illness, they say: "yes, the reason is similar to yours (that i understand maybe i read it wrong). he simply stopped sending letters when he lost the strength in his handwriting". (when he didnt have enough strenght to write properly basically, bc that’s shittily worded).  Here they show that Kusakabe told his daughters that Yorishima is very intelligent and his own handwriting was very strong and beautiful, so he would notice and get weird worries. 

The daughters then say that there are a lot of letters he never got to send. 

In one of those letters, he writes Yorishima that he had ordered a new doll for his daughters, so it seemed like his house would become even more lively (and also something about a job but idk if it refers to the doll or smth else). A sepparate bubble shows: “one day, when you come...”.

With the book being returned, the daughters have then acomplished their mission. When they leave Natsume wonders what will they do from now on.  Here Natsume wonders about Yorishima’s regrets, the reason why he couldnt pay a visit to his friend, and his own duty with the book of friends.

Yorishima thanks Natsume for his helps and Natsume says its a good thing he came to see him (aka Kusakabe). He is holding the book open, and as the wind makes the pages flip one last note, with a pretty shaky handwriting ,appears between them. Natsume asks what does it say.

Yorishima says that it just says as usual, just some foolish things.

[a-long-walk-in-the-forest]

Astrology guesses for Sasuke  pt-2

I personally don’t have the best (or in anyway complete) grasp on practically any of the characters, specially Sasuke (despite him being my favorite character). Also I would appreciate it if shippers stay away from this particular post. 

With that out of the way, lets talk about pluto. (incomplete, will edit later)

Pluto is a generational planet so in order to discuss it, we need to take into account generational themes and also note that the theme associated with the sign it is in will be present throughout the generation (keep in mind that the transformation wont necessarily be successful but it will be a theme). In order to have an easier time with this and narrow down our options I will start with natal house placements and potential house overlays and aspects. Afterwards we will have a look at the time line and transformational themes across generations. We might not come to one definite conclusion. 

I have no doubt that Sasuke has pluto in harsh aspect to his personal planets. I say this because not only is he often seen as a scorpio by viewers but all his significant relationships are plutonian in nature and everyone is out to control him. Pluto is generational while personal placements aren’t which means That it makes sense for a whole generation (from itachi to naruto) to be so obsessive, manipulative and controlling towards him (or at least be inclined to do so).

If we go by my guesses in pt-1 of this series, we have 4 main signs to start with.

aquarius -> naruto = 7th, sasuke = 1st

leo -> naruto = 1st, sasuke = 7th

taurus -> naruto = 10th, sasuke = 4th

scorpio -> naruto = 4th, sasuke = 10th

I’ll jot down the potential aspects to sasuke’s personal planets bellow and then we will get to natal and synastry interpretations for both aspects and house placements. The ascendant ones are out of sign and are possible but not certain also the moon and mercury ones wont necessarily be both (could only be one) but the 1st decan ones (other than ascendant) would be at the same time and would exist if pluto is there. Another thing to note is that it is possible for his mars to be in the 3rd decan instead of the 1st (opposite his moon instead of square his sun and saturn but still in 10th) therefore for a more comprehensive exploration we will have a look at alternative possibilities in later posts, if possible.

pluto in aquarius (1st decan) -> opposite sun, square mars, conjunct asc

pluto in aquarius (2nd or 3rd decan) -> square moon, opposite mercury

pluto in leo (1st decan) -> conjunct sun, square mars, opposite asc

pluto in leo (2nd or 3rd decan) ->square moon, conjunct mercury

pluto in taurus (1st decan) -> square sun, opposite mars, square asc

pluto in taurus (2nd or 3rd decan) -> conjunct moon, square mercury

pluto in scorpio (1st decan) -> square sun, conjunct mars, square asc

pluto in scorpio (2nd or 3rd decan) -> opposite moon, square mercury

I’ll lay down the information first and then discuss my personal opinion on the subject.

Here are some short descriptions for pluto in the houses (natal) from cafe astrology:

1st->

You radiate intensity, and others’ first impressions of you tend to be strong, one way or the other. You might often intimidate others with your manner. You can be very protective of your privacy, yet you generate much intrigue and interest with your strong presence. You might struggle with fears of being overpowered, rejected, or minimized, yet few are able to guess that you could be anything less than confident. Your first instinct in new situations is gutsy and determined, defensive and intense. You rarely accept the obvious or the surface of matters — instead you look through situations in order to read any information on hidden levels. Strive to avoid getting your back up or viewing life as a battleground.

7th->

With Pluto in the seventh house of the horoscope, power struggles in close personal relationships are themes. This can play out in a variety of ways. You might simultaneously fear and desire complete absorption in a close one-to-one relationship. You might find yourself both drawn to and resistant of close partnerships, fearing loss of control over your own life. You might be drawn to people who are intense, jealous, possessive, or obsessive, or possibly who you feel are powerful. On the other hand, your own resistance can bring out control issues in a partner, who fears the loss of you or your betrayal. In fact, you might bring out the “worst” in others by your relationship behavior — you tend to be the catalyst for others to discover their more primal instincts and fears. Never underestimate your role in this interplay, and don’t make the mistake of thinking that you are simply a victim. You also discover your own power through your relationships, and this may or may not be comfortable. How you deal with it determines outcomes. You might feel trapped in a difficult relationship, or have a hard time finding the deep connection that you crave. Obsession in your interactions with partners can be a big theme in your life. Watch that you don’t project your own urge for control onto your partner. Strive to come to terms with your own intense and deep-seated fear of losing someone you love and fear of betrayal, or you will meet these energies repeatedly in your closest relationships.

4th->

Early experiences may have led you to feel self-protective or to be secretive about yourself. A parent might have been secretive or ashamed, for example, and this pattern is deeply ingrained in your psyche. You might feel a sense of guilt for where you came from, even if most of you feel proud of your roots. A parent might have encouraged you to look beyond the surface of matters, and might have encouraged in you a love for psychology. A parent might have been very protective of you and attempted to shield you from negative experiences, and you subsequently grew to fear change. Or, your early experiences might have included a shocking, intense, or scary event that lives within you. Alternatively, you might have absorbed the strong fears or obsessions of a parent.

10th->

There is something very unique about you that makes you stand out from the crowd. Your ambition may be well-developed, or you pursue your goals with great focus and determination. You might have a strong interest in research, making improvements, understanding how things work, and transformation and these are qualities that you use most notably in your career or in your dealings with the public. Some of you could have a parent who is/was quite driven or work(ed) in healing or research professions. Your personal presence is strong, and you may find that you might inspire love-hate reactions as a result, particularly in your professional experiences. Nevertheless, you can be very persuasive when you choose to be. You have an especially strong sense of commitment and responsibility, but you are unafraid of going against the grain or bucking traditions if you feel they are outdated. Sometimes with this position, there are deep issues that need to be confronted revolving around the relationship with the father. Many of you are perfectionists and especially detail-oriented, particularly on a professional level. You tend to naturally take the lead, and you don’t always enjoy being in the position of a subordinate.

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Now lets write a basic interpretation for natal aspects:

-sun

conjunction:

The need to shine, be seen or be the center of attention, is integral to the multi-life empowerment journey. A person with this aspect is learning about empowerment through developing and expressing creativity, being willing to have and share opinions, and generally take up space and be noticed. A major need is to leave a personal mark on the world.

The disempowerment in many lifetimes involves not being seen, having the voice shouted over or lost in a crowd, power struggles with others possessing strong egos, pride, self-aggrandizement, arrogance, and needing but not getting attention or recognition. This person will have a strong (and perhaps dominant) personality whether he or she likes it or not, and past pain that has festered into anger may be very obvious. Alternatively, the person might try to hide his or her ego or creativity in an effort to avoid being seen or competed with, as that has been a source of difficulty in many lifetimes.

square:

The person’s empowerment path over many lifetimes has been criticized, pressured, or been in friction with others with strong personalities and egos. The chart holder is learning about egoic energy through pressure to change from those with charisma, creative streaks, and social status (popular). The pressure might come from a leader, or someone else others orbit.

Disempowerment in many lifetimes can come from being shamed, teased in public, controlled, dominated, coercion or being forced into doing something against one’s will and moral compass. All of these things can occur when the Sun influence perceives a need to knock the chart holder down a peg or two, or put him or her in his or her place. This path is one involving learning about what power really is: Is it having the attention of others and bullying, or is it in true and unapologetic self-knowledge and self-acceptance?

The chart holder may somehow seem to find conflict with charismatic, dramatic, popular others everywhere he or she goes. To own positive Sun qualities and overcome beliefs from the past are key.

opposition:

The chart holder has in many lifetimes felt blocked, confronted, or stopped in his or her tracks by others who are or seem dominant or powerful, or have the ears of many. This could be a leader of some kind, or an entertaining figure who’s orbited by others for some reason.

The chart holder will have had a contentious relationship with strong egoic energy in many lifetimes. The result can be that, at the first sign of resistance from strong-seeming others, they rise up in defense or yield a bit too quickly. This person is learning over many lifetimes about the true nature of power and overcoming fear of shadows within, eventually becoming able to work through power issues in various kinds of relationships while standing his or her ground, neither believing that battle or being a wallflower is automatically necessary. Part of this path is in speaking truth to power, but beginning it within the self.

-mars

conjunction:

The best and worst experiences in many lifetimes for the person are intertwined with Martian behaviors, attitudes, and experiences. The person is learning over time how to become strong and confident through making self-assertive choices. He or she is in process of learning the right ways to use Mars, including learning to come out lifetimes of fear and pain when it comes to using Mars energy. It’s possible that he or she has felt forced to attack or defend the self (or family, religion, culture, nation, etc.) and now carries guilt, shame, and regret when it comes to using Mars energy in any way. The result can be someone overly aggressive (but who would like not to be), someone passive-aggressive, or someone with significant buried anger afraid to show or act upon it.

The point of this aspect is to learn to use Mars energy in healthy ways. To get there, you have to overcome fear, pain, guilt, shame, etc., sourced in unhealthy expressions from the past. You need to learn you don’t have to defend yourself, and you don’t have to pre-emptively take things to make sure they are not taken from you. Finally, Mars’ desire energy has been a source of difficulty in many lifetimes from both sides (when you have desired and been wounded as a result, and when you have been desired by others and been wounded as a result), and a grounded approach to healthy desire – both sexually and otherwise – needs to be explored so that you do not lose power if you do not get what you want and don’t feel powerful if you do.

square:

Along the path to Plutonian empowerment, Mars people, situations, and issues have brought pressure and friction to you in many lifetimes. This signature is one that indicates power struggles, yet with various kinds of outcomes. In many lives you have been on both sides of what looks like winning and losing, and along the way have experienced a great deal of conflict with others who appear or threaten to have more power than you do. Some with this aspect have become conditioned to hide their will, desire, fire, and “yes/no” function, while others have become conditioned to be live with tension and anxiety, never really knowing if they are safe and can relax. Through war, bullying, intimidation, competition, and abuse of any kind, a person with this natal aspect has been through the ringer when it comes to fighting and defense, and is likely tired of the fight.

Resolution of the tension involves owning the power to say “yes, please” when you want something and “no, thank you” when you do not. This is basic (and likely seems too simplistic to provide anything of value), but it is critical that you reclaim the willingness to use Mars within you in its most basic expression. Along the way, you’ll have to heal and release fears of being overpowered or abused (or, even, killed). With this aspect you have seen in some lifetimes minor conflicts turn deadly, and you must now learn healthy conflict and to own the confidence that you have the right to choose as you desire. Saying “no” to someone does not have to mean a terrible outcome, and it’s time that you learn to own the power to do so.

opposition:

With the planets opposing in your chart, it’s an indicator that Mars people, situations, and issues have blocked you from being or feeling able to pursue and achieve your empowerment in many lifetimes. Oppositions can challenge and confront us, making us aware of something about ourselves that leaves us feeling stripped bare and vulnerable. With these energies, you’re doing the thing that will give your life meaning and make you feel that you matter (Pluto) and finding resistance and challenges from strong-willed others willing to fight (Mars). The result can be that you expect a fight all the time, even when others are trying to help and support you. You might also buckle at the first sign of someone else’s desires competing with or being the opposite of yours. This is because you in many lifetimes have become exhausted through the struggle to make happen what matters to you most.

In some lives, you rise to the occasion and feel that you win against Martian sources. In others, you feel run down and lose life force energy in the process. Either way, it’s important now that you learn to discern not just what’s worth fighting for and why, but also if there is even any conflict in a given situation. You can overcome feeling that fiery others are adversaries and that you have to fight to prove that you and your cause are worthy, and this will require understanding that winning and losing are not the point of Plutonian empowerment. Instead, it’s all about self-knowledge and self-acceptance. When you see this, you can see others who bring Mars energy to you not as enemies and foils but as those who are in your life to pull out of you your deepest strength and sense of conviction.

-moon

conjunct:

The multilife empowerment journey is inextricably intertwined with issues related to family, belonging, emotions of all kinds, and dealing with and addressing needs. The person will feel deeply and strongly, and might have found family when young not being able to understand or hold space for what – and the depth to which – he or she processed emotionally.

In some lives, this conjunction indicates not being accepted by family, or being taken away from them. It can also be that a person needs to leave family, community, and/or home in order to be fully authentic and honor the self. Adoption, grief from the loss of family, and feeling/being disconnected from home and a sense of safety and security with tribe are all parts of this journey.

Being a parent holds special weight (though not all with this aspect will opt for it) because there are both many happy and unhappy memories from various lifetimes related to it. Some with this placement will not seem to grow up, still waiting for the family of origin to support and validate their needs.

Critical to this conjunction is processing, expressing, and moving through emotional blocks. Empowerment here rests on the chart holder validating his or own feelings, needs, and experiences, even if no one has, will, or can.

square:

Along the chart holder’s empowerment journey, he or she will experience friction with or criticism from/to family, community, and people close to him or her. It may be that family in some lives tells the person that love is conditional, as long as he or she conforms to their expectations. It can also be that the values and lifestyle of the person are different enough from his or her family so that he or she doesn’t feel entirely welcome or safe.

One result is that the person isn’t sure now if he or she has support or will be supported if pursuing what matters most to him or her. This aspect points to many lifetimes of conflict with family, and in some lifetimes this conflict can be deeply harmful. The chart holder might not trust the self to make the right decisions (since seemingly everyone who loves him or her doesn’t understand or support a core part of him or her – there must be something wrong with him or her), or might always keep others at bay just in case they turn out not to be supportive.

This aspect describes both a need to learn about the true nature of family, security, and belonging and a need to learn to take care of one’s self in the most important and meaningful ways. Just because this person has been close to others who doesn’t get his or her core self doesn’t mean that that core self is invalid, but the chart holder is the only person who can make that self-validating decision.

opposition:

In many lifetimes when working to become empowered, strong, and confident, the chart holder will find him- or herself at odds with family, community, and those closest to him or her. It’s possible that loved ones are or seem unavailable to the chart holder because they’re dealing with their own issues, unable to give him or her the attention, nurturing, and care that he or she needs.

This aspect indicates a need to learn about where one belongs and where love comes from. Some with this aspect will not feel that they can work with their families of origin due to a history of finding out that their families deeply do not want for them what they want for themselves. Some will seek out other families (tribes) or create their own families in order to heal a sense of belonging, while others might feel isolated and live through loneliness as they process feeling/being at odds with those who love them.

In the end, the healing process involves learning from loved ones how to validate the self and, if possible, remain connected to family and community.

-mercury

conjunction:

The empowerment journey of the soul is inextricably linked to Mercurial issues. The chart holder will have an intense, perhaps obsessive curiosity and need to get at the truth, while sometimes simultaneously dreading it. Being deceived is painful for this person but beyond it, he or she has phenomenal radar for dishonesty, being able to sense it a mile away. In many lifetimes, truth and lies figure prominently in all aspects of the Pluto path, and this person may now be dealing with the results of having or being forced to lie for some reason in many lifetimes.

This aspect is also about having or being denied access to education, being able or not able to speak one’s truth, and the very basic human intellectual function of asking questions and getting answers. It could be that the person in many lives has become disempowered through learning difficult truths or, perhaps, delivering them to others verbally or in print.

The healing path involves being willing to face/own the truth and bring honesty to all situations.

square:

In many lifetimes, the person’s ability to manifest Plutonian strength and confidence is met with friction, pressure, and criticism from communicators, teachers, and writers – those who generate and carry information. Such people will challenge the assumptions according to which the chart holder will do this most important part of living, and he or she may carry difficult emotional residues from arguing, being called out, and having to defend him- or herself. It can also be that some type of information itself is what brings the tension, as when you get an answer to your question and it makes your life harder.

Squares have the inherent feeling that one says to the other, “You’re doing it wrong – here: do it this way.” As a result, the chart holder might expect conflict with and difficulty from people who in some way live out the symbolism of Mercury. The most critical self-esteem thing in many lifetimes, after all, has been interfered with by Mercurial people and, sometimes, what they say has messed everything up for the chart holder. He or she may also resist giving in to new information or learning many new things, as there can be unconscious memories from many lifetimes that new information just might signal the beginning of the end.

opposition:

The person’s journey to become empowered and make his or her life meaningful in numerous lives is blocked, challenged, and ground to a halt by Mercurial people. They tell him or her new information that slows down the most important thing he or she has to do for the self. This can also be about the revelation of new information or details, and also potentially involves the chart holder’s closely guarded personal information being made public in some way. Whether this is fact or rumor makes no difference – damage can be done.

As a result, the chart holder might have a contentious relationships with various kinds of Mercurial people. He or she may feel a need to keep too many things private, fearing being made a laughingstock. This can affect the chart holder’s relationship to basic education and doing research on his or her own behalf, potentially having developed beliefs/karma that too much information – as well as the kinds of people who traffic in it more than most – can get in the way of what he or she perceives truly needs to be done.

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Lets go onto synastry house overlays (usually with synastry people write them with romance in mind but we can still get a general understanding of how they will show up in platonic/family relationships):

1th->

Positively the Pluto person can help the house person transform areas in their life in which they need transformation. In the negative the Pluto person can be bossy, controlling, dominating, pushy, manipulative or a whole slew of other negative Pluto traits. The house person might find the Pluto person to be too overbearing. The Pluto person likely has a very powerful personality and presence. However, if used appropriately the Pluto person can help the house person become more dominant and to learn to set proper boundaries with others or to take better care of themselves or any other positive transformation. Negatively this placement can point to obsession, manipulation control or domination. 

If the Pluto person is evolved in their Pluto or their use of power then this can point to a powerful attraction with a lot of passion, and the two can be seen as a power couple. If both are attracted to each other then they are likely VERY attracted even mesmerized feeling caught in a spell. Depending on the house person's nature and whether or not they get on well with more dominant personalities or not will depict whether or not the interaction is smooth. Typically, the house person will find the Pluto person alluring, powerful, intense, and sexy. The Pluto person can help motivate the house person, and help them empower themselves and be more confident in their pursuits. The Pluto person may also have strong ideas on how the house person should behave, act, or carry themselves. As long as the Pluto person is not a bully or mean in their delivery this placement can be very positive.

7st->

When your Pluto is in your partner's 7th house your partner finds you secretive, elusive, intense and mysterious. The Pluto person may become obsessed with the house person. The house person may look up to or respect the Pluto person's fearlessness, or how they wield their personal power. Negatively, the Pluto person may try to control the house person or who the house person associates. They might be dominating, controlling, possessive, jealous or vindictive. The Pluto person may also have strong ideas on what a relationship should be and how one should act in one. If this is a romantic relationship, then this relationship has the potential to deeply impact and transform the both of you. Marriage may be an ultimate goal or partnering in some form. Positively the Pluto person will enable the house person to present themselves much more powerfully, to set proper boundaries with others, and exude more personal power. If married, and the two of you decide on divorce, there may be many power struggles, and vindictive behaviors brought out, and you most likely will not remain friends. Again much depends on how mature both are, and whether or not either one has issues with power, to begin with.  

4th->

The Pluto person may take a deep interest in the house person's family and early upbringing. If you are living together, the Pluto person may try to control things in the home or be more dominant in the home. The house person may feel that the Pluto person is too dominating, controlling or bossy at home. The house person can help the Pluto person overcome any of their childhood traumas, by being a place of comfort for the Pluto person. This can ignite a very powerful bond if handled correctly. You have an opportunity to develop a strong intimate bond. In the positive: The Pluto person can help the house person overcome many phobias or fears that stem from childhood. If the focus is on the inner healing of past hurts and family issues, issues with patience and understanding then deep healing is possible. The Pluto person may focus much of their energy on home matters or discussing family matters with the house person.

10th->

The Pluto person will take a strong interest in the house person's public standing and career. The house person will be someone the Pluto person respects and see's many of their talents. In the negative, the Pluto person may try to control the house person's career or decisions made about it. The Pluto person can suggest powerful ways in which the house person may obtain their worldly goals. This is sometimes found in the people who become strong supporters, and marketers of their partner. The Pluto person will likely want to manage the house person or in a negatively suppress their career desires, or hold them back.   It is also possible on the very negative that the Pluto person can somehow destroy or harm the house person's reputation and our public image and Career. This is a great place for an actor and his agent, or business manager, even recruiter or headhunter they will work very hard for you. In a love relationship, you can expect the strong support of the Pluto person or disagreements and control.

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Synastry aspects next (from youtube videos by truth in aspect astrology):

-sun

conjunct:

The pluto person feels like a lot of parts of themselves that have remained hidden or have not been understood, the things they wouldn’t share or show, the sun shines its rays upon and the cold and insecure part of themselves is drawn out and made to feel warm. the sun brings out the plutonic qualities within the pluto person. The sun is the very conscious part of ourself while pluto is the unconscious and when these to meet in a conjunction the sun person makes you aware of all that unconscious stuff like past traumas and hidden difficulties. The pluto person has more interactions with these things through the interactions with the sun person. very often it is the way that they interact with each other that brings these out, not outside forces but how they relate to each other. the pluto person very much wants the attention of the sun person because the sun person makes them feel secure and warm and seen when usually these are the dark cold parts of them selves. so they feel happy because the environment that they are. in is so inviting. the sun person is seen as very physically attractive by the pluto person because the pluto person very much likes the way that the sun [presents themselves and the way in which they have established their identity. There is typically quite a bit of sexual attraction on both sides so they feel like more because they have gain each others attention and problems between these two can really surface when that attention is put elsewhere or is mitigated. these two are likely to avoid each other initially and a lot of times permanently. the sun person has a creeping sense that the pluto is somehow going to control their identity and see them as a threat to their identity because they actually are. prolonged contact between them causes a breakdown in the sun person as a result of how the pluto person behaved towards the sun person. the sun wants to get away because they know what is coming. pluto is really about death and rebirth so the sun person has a real chance of some kind of psychological or spiritual breakdown that could lead to a break through in terms of identity expression. through struggle and hardship together and intensity the sun really becomes more balanced when it comes to their identity and ego. The pluto person will not understand this or be able to really see why their actions towards the sun person have resulted in this loss of identity and break down. the pluto person could be potentially destructive to the sun person. You can have this in a lasting relationship where both people are very centered in themselves and the pluto person has worked through their plutonian stuff or doesn’t have a lot of stuff to begin with, but typically thats not the case.

square:

this is the aspect of hard transformation because pluto is about hard change that we have to work for. when we have this in synastry it is typically attractive in synastry and is hard to resist. we want to see what the other person is about. most of the time when we have this the really difficult parts of it are cut off, a lot of times the people don’t go through with the relating with this aspect because there is a certain amount of hostility or enmity and it can preempt the most potent effects of this aspect because the people will not actually get into a relationship. the pluto person very much wants to control or dominate the sun person. they want to take over because there is insecurity and fear involved and they justify to themselves that they can or should do something. it also represents our resentment so there is a striking of the pluto person when they meet the sun person in a square aspect that brings up the urge to take control of the sun persons identity, expression and the physical body such as location or whereabouts. It could be a situation where the sun is more attractive in a relationship and the pluto person feel the need to control or dominate their looks. Both undergo a potential breakdown followed by a potential breakthrough if they actually do engage in an ongoing relationship. the pluto person brings out a lot of psychology out of the pandoras box of both of them so they let out a lot of hidden, nasty, undealt with past, abusive and unaccepted traits, issues and things that have to do with what we have not accepted within ourselves in both people. in the sun it’s about ego and structure of the ego and they have to reinvent their identity. the pluto causes both of them to puke up a lot of their past. there is opportunity for change and transformation because of the difficulties between these people. this is a soul mate aspect in a sense that it has the potential to bring the two people into who they are meant to be because a lot of people who create difficulties in our lives are often some of the most important people in out lives (life journey) and if it wasn’t because of interaction with those people we wouldn’t be who we are. pluto causes us to grow because we have to through the experience of pain and crisis. typically we don’t see this being expressed to the fullest extent because the sun will fight back and there won’t be a long term relationship.

opposition (there wasn’t a video for this):

Sun opposite Pluto is an aspect in which domination struggles are inevitable. Both partners strive for power and the other one somehow threatens it.

This aspect is like a competition of egos, in which each partner tries to dominate, demanding, at the same time, of the other one to be perfect in your eyes. This is a very difficult aspect to deal with.

One of the most problematic elements of this connection is the lack of mutual tolerance.

You are attracted to the other one, otherwise you would not be in a relationship, but you also want them to be more perfect, more according to your demands and standards, which are high.

This connection is not easygoing and it is always tense, as you try to prove you are something your partner sees in you and vice versa, very likely. It could feel artificial and forced.

Both have strong egos, unwilling to change in order to suit the other one’s expectations, while demanding the same from the partner. You want to control everything and this ego competition would make a central place in your relationship.

Over time, this could be devastating, exhausting and it could even make one loses self-confidence and self-integrity, depending on individual charts.

Was there any hope for this strong and tense opposition to work out fine? Of course there is, but it requires full dedication of both parties. You have to be ready for making certain effort that is contrary to your own convictions.

The key thing is that you stop projecting your egoistical aspirations onto your partner and the other way around. Try to see them the way they are inside and accept what you see.

At the same time, stop pretending you were something they want you to be, but act yourself.

-mars

conjunct:

square:

It triggers some explosive feelings in two people. Mars sees pluto as very forceful or pushy or controlling. you need to see the strength of these planets to see how this is going to show up. if you have a mars in pisces or sweetly aspected or in the 12th house and a pluto tht isn’t very aspected at all and doesn’t really play into their life that can take alot of the sting out of this square and make it way less dramatic than you see typically. because when we see this square we typically want it. we are working something out. there is drama because we are dealing with someones power and someones ego and when they meet they intensify. here the mars person doesn’t want to stand down they do feel a subtle awarness that the pluto person is trying to control or manipulate them in some way so there is a very erruptive reaction that the mars person has. bitter resentment with this square is the norm because there is a war going on and nobody wants to not be right when dealing with mars and pluto specially mars. pluto can eventually accept that it’s not right it could lead to the crash and burn which leads to the rebuild. mars never wants to admit to not being right. so it is a very hard headed aspect. there is no gentleness or understanding tat exists between these to forces in their lives. violence can show up if the people involved are prone or if the mars is being really forceful and the pluto person is dealing with a lot of abuse or past pluto issues. you can see a very unhealthy power dynamic show up as a result of this square. this square will always land drama into a relationship but you have to look at the natal charts to see the level of that and the potentials. the mars person often does a lot of going off and erupting because the pluto person really annoys them. mars feels needled and pushed and will put up with it with creates this friction and build up of energy which will eventually explode. there is also an underlying and unconscious sexual competition between these two people. The pluto person is very much threatened by the independence of the mars person. the mars person is threatened by the controlling tactics of the pluto person. so we have this dance of resistance between the two that could also create some sexual tension. sometimes it brings about sadomasochistic behavior depending on the natal charts.  the mars person will enjoy beating the every living daylight out of the pluto person. so it is on where we have to treat it carefully because the level of passion can boil over into hatred and resentment. the mars person is very reactive in this relationship. the pluto person is more the stand back and watch and subtly manipulate and position themselves so they can force a reaction from the mars person it makes them feel seen and powerful to be able to drive the mars person crazy. pluto is death so anywhere it is in synastry it has a sucking behavior, it wants to take. that is why it represent the other partners resources not things we make for ourselves, but the value we take from another. so they want to forcibly take the energy of the mars person as they explode they suck up the energy they get from the mars persons reaction without knowing that they are causing it.

opposition (no video for this):

You can you trigger intense willfulness, competitiveness, and passion in one another because you inspire each others desire, need to control, and willingness to go to extremes of intensity in order to win. You are working at this relationship from two opposite angles. You have the potential to transform yourselves and your partnership into a potent, assertive force if you can agree to honor both of your leadership qualities and learn to take turn supporting each others self expression. When the first persons Mars is in opposition to the second persons Pluto, everything has a tendency to become exaggerated which can cause arguments if you both stress the need to things in your own way.

-moon

conjunct:

square:

opposition:

-mercury (couldn’t be bothered to look up videos)

conjunct:

They see themselves in each other, Pluto possibly more clearly through Mercury’s communication. It is likely the Pluto person will show how they relate to Mercury on their own time and decision. There is a connection between communication and sharing + the renewing, compulsive, and transformation energies of Pluto. Maybe this relationship is all about sharing past trauma, past and current fears, and secrets.

square:

One person may pressure or coerce the other into things they don’t want to do or more likely pressure them into statements they don’t really mean. Standing your ground can be a lesson along with tolerating other’s opinions and allowing people to make their own decisions.

opposition:

There is a lesson and challenge for thinking for one’s self. Also letting go of fixed ideas or opinions is a lesson. One might try to control the other’s thinking and decision making. One might also look to the other to form opinions. Letting go of control is important.

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Now that thats out of the way lets write the descriptions for the signs that they are in too and we will get to the theorizing:

leo:

The easiest thing for Pluto in Leo to do is reinvent themselves whenever need be. If they find themselves in a less than desirable situation, they can change and adapt in a way that is most advantageous to them. That’s also the best way for them to discover new traits and skills to continue on their quest for self-discovery.

The Leo Pluto people express themselves best in a creative setting for they love to go overboard whenever possible. Their glamorous attitude and approach to everything set them apart from the competition and keeps them in the spotlight, which is where they want to be. That’s the only way they know how to move forward and gain perspective on the world as a whole.

One thing Pluto in Leo has to be careful of is overstepping their bounds when it comes to leading projects or groups. They tend to automatically take over any situation because they are natural born leaders. But they don’t pay attention to whether or not someone has already taken on that role. So, their quest for control or power can be squashed before they even begin.

This does not bode well for them and the other people involved, because they have quite a temper. They have been known to throw a tantrum with their loud lion roar. They make a scene that disrupts the flow of everything going on around them.

They can handle change, but only when they are the one allowed to deal with it. If it’s left up to other people to reconcile the consequences, these people will have a hard time taking a back seat in terms of making decisions.

They are used to being the authority on everything and are unable to easily accept when someone else takes the reins or proves to be more knowledgeable. That’s the best way for them to remain at the forefront.

When it comes to their personal growth, the they are steps ahead of others because they are always looking to improve their station in life. But they need help from their large social circle if they are to extend that kind of attention toward other people.

While they are generous with their time and effort, it’s usually because they want people to hang out and do things with them. That’s how they flaunt their wealth and fame.

They sometimes have trouble seeing the bigger picture, and it takes the help of their social network to keep them focused on essential matters. Pluto in Leo would instead go out and play than stay in and work, and it takes a lot for them to settle down and do what’s best for everyone.

aquarius:

The best part about Pluto in Aquarius is their desire to do good in the world and for others. Their humanitarian efforts have the ability to bring about important changes in society. They believe you can improve upon any idea.

The Aquarius Pluto zodiac sign hate to see any injustice in the world. They feel there is a solution for everything if you can think outside the box. They desire change, which fits in well with their capability to go with the flow.

As long as they are the ones who are eventually able to control the direction of change, they will demand it every time. Their constant search to find out how everything works bring about more questions in need of answers, and they feel they know to find those solutions.

The Pluto in Aquarius isn’t satisfied with traditional definitions and explanations. So, they spend their own time and resources on researching whatever topic interests them at that time. And once they become interested in something it can quickly become an obsession.

They tend to get so involved in their research they can either leave people behind or run right over them in their search for the truth. If they are to grow and develop as a person, they have to learn how to work well with others.

As long as they understand other people are willing to go the distance for the same social issue, they might be more accepting of their offer to help. And outsiders will have to adapt to the work and thought process of Pluto in Aquarius because they are the most unconventional people to work with.

Their ego is what keeps them on track, for they feel they are one of the few who have the capability to create positive change. But being the social butterflies they are, Pluto in Aquarius do need other people to bounce their ideas off of to determine whether or not they will work. In this sense, they create their own “dream team” to help. This is the only way they struggle to control the situation – when they believe they have the right solution. They make sure their theory is solid before implementing it. But because they are so protective of it, they don’t trust anyone else to execute it. This can make it difficult for them to get something off the ground, and that’s where they have to learn to delegate authority and accept aid. Their brilliant mind shines through in everything they do and helps to inspire others to do more with their lives. That’s how social movements begin.

taurus:

Pluto in Taurus doesn’t mind getting comfortable and staying in one place or doing one thing for a long time. Only when that system stops working or they are forced to change do they make any effort to do so. 

As long as they don’t allow their stubborn nature to get in the way of their progress, they will land on their feet every time. And when they’re on that quest for answers that no one can seem to give them, they won’t give up until they find them. They know best what to do, and they will spend plenty of time convincing others of their mental prowess.

The Pluto in Taurus sign people can become quite obsessive when it comes to finding something new that they like just as much as the old. They can lose themselves in their stubborn habits. Once they are involved in researching different tactics and strategies in their lives, they can’t let it go until they have a new set-up.

This means other people may be put on hold while these people are trying to restructure themselves and their schedule. And if other people have a say in these changes, it takes even longer to finish. They are not great at allowing other people to come in.

Also, they hate to delegate authority or take over in any manner. They have their way of doing things, and no one can convince them that any other way is just as effective. This can hinder their progress at times if they take on a bigger project than they realized.

The best thing for them to do is step back from the situation to gain a little perspective on the subject. This is where their network of friends, family, and co-workers can help them out. Nudge this person in the right direction, and they will eventually see the light.

Pluto in Taurus enjoys comfort and beauty a lot. Thus, it can be difficult for them to let go of the cozy environment they have created and do something different. They despise chaos and try as much as possible to avoid messy experiences.

They should learn to embrace these kinds of developments and see them as improvements in their life. Then, they will be able to overcome any obstacle. Some may see this as Pluto in Taurus struggling for control. But, those who know them understand that’s just the way they work.

scorpio:

It doesn’t mean the Pluto in Scorpio sign have a negative understanding of the way the world works. They are prepared for the worst if it ever happens. They also have a better attitude towards things like change, tragedy or death. They know these things are a given and they accept them for what they are – inevitable.

This means they can also be well-adjusted people who are ready for anything. You certainly want them on your side in a difficult situation (or any situation for that matter). They are strong, confident and very protective of their loved ones. This is most important to the Pluto in Scorpio.

The Pluto in Scorpio people keeps everything close to the vest. They don’t let on to what they’re thinking or feeling. They don’t even like to talk about their past, as it may allow others to hold some power or control over them. They need to always be in control and will fight for the ability to gain the upper hand every time. This means they can be manipulative at times, especially when they need others to agree with them or be on their side.

It’s best not to go against Pluto in Scorpio, for they take every little offense personally. Because they feel everything so deeply, it doesn’t take much for them to believe they have been slighted. And once you are on their bad side, it’s challenging to get back on their good side.

They are the most intense sign of the zodiac. This means their reaction is stronger than the offense itself. And since they tend toward darker thoughts and a more pessimistic view of life, it’s difficult for them to snap back to a lighter viewpoint.

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The whole timeline themes thing can wait for another post because it’s too much for this post.

Now lets discuss. 

honestly I’m not sure because most of it makes sense and I can see a mars square dw between naruto and sasuke for instance but I don’t see it between sasuke and Itachi and if he has it with one he has it with the other unless the orb is really not that small. 

let me say the things which I feel don’t fit for each:

pluto in aquarius (1st decan) -> I don’t think sasuke’s pluto in narutos 7th fits. also I feel it’s naruto who wants to beat sasuke up not the otherway around (mars square pluto).

pluto in aquarius (2nd or 3rd decan) -> 

pluto in leo (1st decan) -> 

pluto in leo (2nd or 3rd decan) ->

pluto in taurus (1st decan) -> 

pluto in taurus (2nd or 3rd decan) -> 

pluto in scorpio (1st decan) -> 

pluto in scorpio (2nd or 3rd decan) -> 

[readingsbylibramc]

birth chart reading for @victoria10h

hello! welcome to your reading. I’m gonna give you a quick overview of what I’m going to analyze about your natal chart. feel free to ask me anything if something isn’t clear, of course. you’ll find out your dominants’ influence on your persona, your physical appearance, impression on others and the way you approach the world; your ego, identity, the real you; your reactions, your desires, inner emotions; your way of expressing your feelings, your mind and ideas; your desires and approach to love; your energy tank, instincts and temperament; in-depth analysis of each house with their rulers and analysis of heavy aspects; love life + soulmates/karmic partners interpretation; your relationship with your friends; your family life; your approach to career and work in general + possible jobs suggestion; your style, fashion sense analysis; life purpose and past life description; basic transits’ analysis to describe your current mood and, last but not least, your secret skills, how to make the most out of your soul and manifest what you desire based on your birth chart.

🦋 chart shape, dominants

your chart is a splay shape, meaning that your planets are located randomly in different groups in your chart. people with this type of chart are usually very talented at different things. they can focus their attention on different matters, from family, to work, to love. everything is important for you, and you try to live your life to the fullest. you may be particularly talented at things that require action, it doesn’t matter whether it’s physical or mental. you may be very good at sports, dancing… or maybe you’re good at leading, you could easily be the boss at your work place. since you’re interested in so many things, you could easily be skilled at all of them to be honest. my advice would be to pick the hobby that is most important for you and care about it more than the others. that’s because people with this chart usually tend to do so many things that they may lack precision. it’s better to give all of yourself to what’s important for you.

your dominant planets are mercury, the sun and pluto. you are definitely a very witty person, you have a strong personality and charisma that makes you stand out in a room. you also have a way with your words, you could have a talent for writing, public speaking, singing... anything that requires you to use your thoughts and voice.

your dominant sign is leo. you are extremely charismatic, it's easy for you to feel confident about yourself, or at least you project an image of you that looks very put-together. you are a perfectionist, you want to be perfect and you also expect others to try as hard as you. you have high standards, but only because you know your worth.

your dominant element is fire. you have a warm heart, even though it may be covered by your confidence and independence. in fact, you always strive for the first place. people may be intimidated by your presence, as you're a serious competitor. thanks to this competitive nature of yours you may be very positive and optimistic, making you a good and supportive friend/partner.

🌎 ascendant in scorpio, 22° / 3rd decan ruled by mercury and venus

your scorpio rising makes you quite pessimistic; you see the world as a place full of dangers and malice, hence it’s hard for you to trust people. this may be translated into fear; you’re either scared of other people, and hence you look more vulnerable, or maybe you’re the one who prefers to look intimidating to avoid problems. you can sense others’ emotions very well, so they have no secrets for you. you can perceive any single emotion in people just by looking in their eyes. while this is good, as you understand who’s best for you and you’re aware of the dangers you may face, scorpio risings tend to take advantage of this and be a little manipulative. this awareness of the world makes you look mysterious and secretive, as if you always know something more than others (and you probably do). pluto is also the planet of transformation, and you might experience a lot of rebirths throughout your life, both physically and emotionally. you might lose/have lost a big amount of weight, for example, which makes you look like a different person. or maybe, you like dying your hair of a different colour, giving you a different vibe. you wish you could be softer and show your inner emotions more easily, as scorpio is a water sign. the thing is, since it’s a fixed sign, it’s hard for you to be flexible and adapt to changes. when they happen, they’re usually out of your control as they’re literally life-changing. physically, I see you having a square face with high cheekbones. overall, your bones are very prominent and you’re naturally skinny. your eyes are extremely magnetic, and they could also be quite big and/or round. you might have either very pale skin, or just an olive skintone. sometimes, even a mix of both. your hair, eyebrows and lashes are very thick and dark too. you're at least of average height, and you could have something smaller on your face, like a small nose, eyes, lips etc. you may also have very thick hair.

scorpio ascendant square leo mars: you easily come off as more assertive and arrogant than you actually are. this manifests both in your face and in your words. you could say things impulsively, and sometimes you're too blunt and hurt people's feelings. you don't do it on purpose, though, there's no malice behind your acts; it's just your natural way to express your opinions. on the other hand, you probably have a very strong charisma to you that makes you look very captivating and bold. people see you as a leader, and hence they could get intimidated by your presence. to cope with this placement, you can try controlling yourself and your words before speaking. I'm aware that it's a way to vent your anger, but you can find another way that doesn't hurt others.

🌞 sun in virgo, 4° / 1st decan ruled by mercury

this is the least intimidating virgo decan. you probably have a reputation for always being calm and elegant, as you try to avoid conflicts as much as possible. you're very smart and insightful, and you strive for perfection; in a room, you always want to be the best, whether it's fashion-wise, or maybe at work or school. you're a perfectionist, you can't bear being #2. to be perfect, you don't bring others down, though. that's because you want to prove your power to yourself, not to others. it's like a way to increase you low self-esteem. in fact, it depends a lot on your achievements; if you don't meet your expectations, you start going through a hard time of insecurity and struggles. you find beauty in aesthetically-pleasant things, therefore you care a lot about hygiene and possibly about looks too. for example, your house probably looks very neat, and you chose your furniture wisely. you clean it everyday, you can't stand dust or any bad smells. you're also very organized, but you tend to base your life too much on a schedule. you love communicating. you're also very introspective, and you're fond of art and creativity in general. you're very critical, both of yourself and of others. you don't do it with malice, though, but you want to frequent people that try to be at their best all the time, just like you after all.

leo mars conjunct virgo sun: with this placement, you may be quite straight-forward. you are very impulsive and honest above all, you say things as they are. you're able to be very brave when you want to, and even if you do get emotionally hurt, you know how to stand up for yourself again. you strive to achieve your goals and make your dreams come true, you're an hard-worker. some may call you impatient, and you may actually be, but in reality you just can't wait for things to happen. for example, let's suppose you're going to the mall to buy the playstation you always wanted. you'd start only thinking and talking about that playstation until you actually get it in your hands. you get easily excited. also, this is another placement that indicates that is hard not to notice you. you have a very strong charisma that makes others stare. you strive to be the number #1 at whatever you do, you're a serious competitor and you'd do anything to win and achieve your goals.

🌙 moon in aries, 28° / 3rd decan ruled by mars and jupiter

you aim for greatness. this is where your strong desire to be the #1 comes from, pretty much. you're very proud of yourself, and you don't like to acknowledge your mistakes. you always want to look like you have your life together, even in certain moments when you feel lost. I would say that this is a sort of self-sabotaging mechanism, as you can literally go as far as forcing a smile if it shows the world that you can stand by yourself. overall, I would say you deal with your emotions in a very 'child-like' way; after all, mars is pretty self-centered. you tend to preserve yourself more, unless someone really special to you is involved. in fact, aries moon makes you really protective of your loved and trusted ones, even though they're not many because of your high standards. you're also very honest, you speak from your heart. while it's a positive trait, you may be too blunt and ruin your relationships because of that. you're both smart and fast, hence you may get annoyed when people mishear or misunderstand your words.

aries moon opposite libra venus: your feelings are very intense. you may tend to react aggressively, or at least overreact. you feel the constant need to express your emotions, but you also want to be understood by others. you tend to be aggressive because you're actually afraid that others may be the first ones to hurt you. you don't really do it with malice, it's your way to defend yourself from eventual enemies. this placement also indicates that your childhood / family life was or will be quite turbulent. to cope with this placement, I'd suggest you to be a little bit more mechanic when you express your feelings. you don't have to hide them, just try not to vent all your anger around.

aries moon square leo jupiter: you enjoy making different experiences and living your life to the fullest, making you also a risk-taker. you may lack self-control. with this trait you get bored easily, and you may have a reputation for being flaky. you tend to overindulge; you may spend too much money, or even develop eating disorders like binge-eating. at least, you're able to build your life again and have a fresh start, but you risk to get stuck in this cycle. you have the potential to master different talents, but you may struggle to develop them due to this placement. you're a procrastinator, and you find it hard to focus on more things at the same time. you may also attract people with different beliefs and ideas from you, causing you to fall out with them easily. there are also positive sides to this placement, though! you're probably naturally lucky, even though luck may not always be by your side. you have a nice sense of humor, making you more likeable.

🗣 mercury in libra, 1° / 1st decan ruled by venus

you're very diplomatic! you always try to be nice and gentle with your words, you don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. your tone of voice is extremely soft, sometimes it could even be hard to understand what you say, as you could naturally have a low voice. you're extremely balanced, you have amazing problem-solving skills as you're able to see both sides of an argument. it's natural for you to understand what's right and what isn't, and most of the time you're actually right. when you're with someone you're not really close to, you could even be the accommodating type who allows others to speak over your voice, or maybe you let others speak first as a gesture of kindness. I feel like with your aries moon you have very strong opinions, and you're actually particularly proud of them. luckily, this placement makes you able to communicate them with diplomacy. you could often get angry if someone tries to prove you wrong, but aside from that, you try to be very elegant and formal when you speak. you're probably not fond of cursing, or at least you try to appear as mannered as possible with people you're not comfortable around. last but not least, you're such a charismatic, smooth talker that you come off as davery persuasive. you're able to trick people with your words, which appear very diplomatic and calm.

libra mercury square gemini saturn: this placement gives you limitations and lessons regarding the way you think and talk. it may be that you’re too shy to approach others and to say what you think, so you just don’t try. otherwise, if you actually take action and try to overcome this problem, you could get into trouble. that’s probably caused by the fact that you don’t really pay attention to your words. you’re quite straight-forward, and due to your fire energy you always seem as if you’re up for a fight. you may be particularly pessimistic, or maybe you lack confidence in social interactions due to these problems, which could be possibly caused by your parents, or perhaps interfer in your relationship with your family. in fact, you may argue quite often with others, and misunderstandings are also common. this is something that gets naturally better with time, but in order for it to happen you need to take action. you may for example start speaking with others more at work, anything that allows you to challenge your mind and voice, in order to make you gain experiences and become a master at it. many celebrities, once they mastered this hard aspect, got loads of success. you can do that too, you just need to work on it.

❤️ venus in libra, 20° / 3rd decan ruled by venus and mercury

love this placement! you're very romantic, you're not looking for a partner, you're looking for a whole disney prince(ss). you do care about looks when choosing a lover, but not necessarily a conventionally beautiful person. they have to appear perfect to your eyes, and this usually depends on the way they treat you. in fact, you despise vulgar, rude people. people that act like that immediately become unattractive to you. you're also very picky, exactly because you're looking for the perfect lover. you're probably the type to cry at movies. you're also quite of a cliche; you're into roses, romantic dinners, sunsets... anything romantic that you hear about in fairytales. the problem with this placement is that you may overestimate the people you frequent, ending up having different expectations from reality.

☄️ mars in leo, 28° / 3rd decan ruled by the sun and mars

praise and success are what motivate you the most. your main goal in life is being praised for achieving your goals, you wouldn't feel motivated without compliments. therefore, you put energy in things that make you feel confident and noticed, as you enjoy being seen. for example, if you feel confident being well-dressed, you could spend hours in the closet to look how you want. you are very creative, you get an energy boost through creative outlets, and hence your hobbies (reading, writing, dancing, singing, drawing, etc.) recharge your battery. this placement also makes you very extra, especially with people you're close to. you may gesticulate a lot, you could as well enjoy mimicking others' voices. you're basically very dramatic, you look like an actor when you react, but at least you're very fun and entertaining to watch and listen. this placement gives you a strong charisma and it makes it impossible not to notice you. you could overreact from time to time, and you may also be particularly pessimistic, but above all you appear as someone very bold and strong-minded.

🏡 houses

your 1st house is in scorpio. pluto is also in this house. you fulfill your ego when you deal with intense situations that satify your needs. that is, you find strenght in getting out of your comfort-zone. even though you may be afraid of it. you’re an enigma: you know everything about others, but others know nothing about you. it’s your way to protect yourself from eventual enemies, as you’re prone to have a few of them throughout your life. the sun and mercury are also here: you’re an individual full of vitality, even though it may be hidden by your scorpio ascendant. you have a strong and independent mind, and you tend to use logic over emotions.

your 2nd house is in sagittarius. you tend to overindulge in 2nd house matters, hence you may spend too much money, you could overeat, or even overestimate your own skills. especially since chiron is here, your deepest wound may be related to the fact that you have an exaggerated vision of yourself. maybe, you’re too confident, or perhaps it’s the opposite. that is, you underestimate your worth way too much. pluto here points out that you could often experience sudden changes regarding money. since you spend so much, you may find yourself lacking money from time to time, therefore be careful to how you spend them.

your 3rd house is in capricorn. neptune and uranus are also sitting in this house. you enjoy listing and talking about your duties and goals. you’re the type to write down your tasks in your agenda, e.g. tidying up your room, feeding your plants etc. the problem with this placement is that you may struggle to take action, and procrastinate. or maybe, you could do the opposite and overwork yourself. no inbetween. also, when you were a child you probably started speaking later than other kids, or you speak so fast that you end up stuttering. you learn the best when you’re close to creativity or imagination, you’re very intuitive and hence it’s easier for you to learn new topics. while you’re very empathetic and you’re able to properly convey your thoughts and feelings in your speech, you may also come off as sensitive or over-emotional. you have a very distinctive way of thinking and speaking. you don’t like being like others, you don’t follow trends. you’re probably the trendsetter, and you may find confidence and pride in your ideas and opinions. some may even define you weird, but you have very strong beliefs that could actually be helpful for the world. you’re quite 'ahead’ of others from this point of view, you’re able to find beauty in things without being influenced by others.

your 4th house is in pisces. when you were young, you probably didn’t feel at ease with yourself. you might have been the outcast, that one kid that stood out in the daycare. you probably didn’t have many friends either, but you weren’t that sad about it. you enjoyed playing, drawing and watching your favorite cartoons alone. you find emotional comfort and security in your home, in your parents and in just family in general. you used to be very attracted to arts when you were a kid, and you kept this love with you while growing up. maybe, you were the type of child to lie to your parents. you have a good relationship with your parents, even though you may argue often as you’re all quite impulsive and unpredictable. you may even be an absent parent, maybe your parents are divorced or one of them died in the worst case.

your 5th house is ruled by aries. the moon is also in this house. you find confidence in your creativity, and you have the desire to express it to the world. I think you’re probably the type to organize and arrange all the meetings and parties with your friends, you’re practically the leader of your friend group. you may have aries hobbies, therefore you may be into sports and challenges of any kind. you could also enjoy working out and taking care of your physical appearance in general, you always try to look good. when you feel comfortable, you are a social butterfly. even though it may seem like you're looking for attention, it's not your priority. you're so charismatic and bubbly that you get naturally noticed. you can be quite dramatic when you express your reactions; e.g. you scream when you're angry, or maybe you get really loud when you're excited or happy about something. you could also vent your emotions punching things, for example. you'd do anything to help someone. you just want the best for anyone, even though people may take advantage of this generosity of yours. in addition, you could hardly ever say no, especially to people you're not close to. your heart is aligned with your feelings; you're naturally kind-hearted, you're prone to say things as you feel them. on the other hand, you may not be aware of how your thoughts may influence others. you're also very artistic! you might be into drawing/painting, or at least into art history, or maybe literature, poetry etc. anything that involves creativity and self-expresssion. you can be quite egotistic regarding your emotions: you always try to interpret people's feelings, so you get deeply upset when people don't understand you, especially when they don't even try.

your 6th house is in taurus. you may find yourself dating people at your work place, or maybe at school you used to go out with people from your class/school. romance is part of your daily life for you. you like surrounding yourself with venusian aesthetic, so you probably take care of your body, your fashion, your home and so on. you may also be very fond of animals and money. this placement usually makes someone procrastinate a bit, you may have the habit of dedicating yourself too much to your passions without finishing your work, but I don’t think it’s your case. there are other placements in your chart that make you more hard-working than you look. you are in fact very dedicated to your job and routine. you probably don’t like changes, you’d rather follow a schedule in your day-to-day life. your job and skills could be the key to make you gain more confidence in yourself, as they would give you the independency that you crave due to your scorpio rising. you could also work in a place where you have to handle others’ money or possessions in general. the 6th house is also about health, and you could suffer from leg pain and injuries, as well as problems to your neck, throat and thyroid.

your 7th house is in taurus. in a marriage you seek security, both emotional and financial. you want a loyal partner that would never do anything to hurt you, and that has a wealthy job as well. intimacy and trust also matter a lot for you in a long-term relationship. you look for someone you can always count on, and that is willing to support you through thick and thin. it may take you a while to find someone worth to be your lover, but once you find them, you'll always be loyal to them as long as they're respectful. they're your most precious possession, hence you're very jealous and protective of them. if it becomes unhealthy for both you and your partner, it's surely an issue you have to solve, maybe together. you're also the type who likes to be spoiled by their lover, and wants to make lovely gifts as well. these gifts don't have to be expensive, even homemade things are fine. for example, you may melt at the thought of your significant other taking their time and do something exclusively for you, like baking a cake or writing a poem. little gestures that show you their love. in a potential partner, you also care about how they present themselves. I'm not necessarily talking about conventional beauty, but more on a self-care side. you like people who smell good, have a nice fashion sense and maybe people that are quite conceited too (obviously not to the point of narcissism).

your 8th house is in gemini. saturn is also placed in this house. you may frequently find yourself thinking and studying occult/taboo topics, such as paranormal events, thrillers, tarots, astrology etc. you’re interested in finding out the truth, not only among your peers but in the whole world. you have a desire that all the malice that is hiding behind the government etc. gets exposed, even though you may be so interested in them that you could get used to it and end up overlooking them. saturn here makes you afraid of intimacy; you could have suffered a lot because of family, lovers or friends, and hence you're scared to open up to others. it's extremely hard for you to trust someone, you're always very guarded and because of that you feel as if every relationship of yours lacks depth. luckily, this is something that is going to get better when you become more mature. it's a lesson that you need to learn to overcome your insecurities, and while you may be struggling, it's going to get better in the future.

your 9th house is in cancer. jupiter and mars are also sitting in this house. someone close, important and intimate with you may teach you the biggest lessons in your life. you could also live abroad with your family, or become a teacher in a daycare/primary school. you have a knack for philosophy, and you may be interested in foreign culture, music, fashion etc. possibly, you may live abroad with your family, or at least someone in your home environment can speak different languages. there may also be teachers in your family, and most of your values and philosophies were taught to you by your parents. you are driven by a strong sense of justice that makes you want to discover the truth. you hate lies of any kind, you want sincerity from those around you and you're the first to be constantly honest. you value your freedom a lot, your life motto is most likely 'live and let live'. you think everyone should live their lives by their own standards, without feeling afraid of being judged or criticized. you're a very pure and genuine person, you hardly ever judge a book by its cover, and you're also extremely open-minded. you're thirsty for knowledge of any kind, you're always up to learn something new. you may also be interested in foreign languages and cultures, as well as philosophy, literature... anything that can teach you something new about the world. you may be quite impulsive, and when you get angry you tend to be very blunt. you may say things that hurt others, as you're brutally honest, even though that wasn't your intention. you may also appear as flaky, since you don't like feeling tied to something or someone. you could often change your favourite colour, food, singer... you despise boredom, and your need for freshness may also manifest in your relationships.

your 10th house is in virgo. the sun and mercury are also sitting there. you might be seen by strangers as a caretaker, someone extremely organized who has their life together, but that also doesn’t hesitate to take care of their emotional and physical needs when needed. your ultimate job would have to be some sort of healing career, you want to give and teach something through your work. in addition, your career is where you put most of your energy. you’re driven by a strong sense of duty, and your career is also able to increase your confidence. you want to be a leader and create a name for yourself. you will also get to communicate something through your career, or you’ll use your voice and thoughts to make money. you could easily become a writer, a lawyer, a diplomat, an interpreter, you could work in a field related to marketing, etc. you’ll be emotionally involved with your job, you’ll pursue a career that satisfies you not only economically but also emotionally. you may also have to work in contact with people from all over the world, you may be known worldwide for your skills and talent. you may have to speak a foreign language for your job, and you could interact with people with a different cultural background from yours. you'll probably also be independent, you may have your own business for example. you probably don't have to depend on others.

your 11th house is in libra. venus is also placed in this house. you enjoy getting to know new people, maybe you have to do it because your job requires that. but just because you need to communicate with other people, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re your friends. basically, you’re the type to know a lot of persons, but you may always feel lonely. that’s because your bond with them is kind of shallow, they’re not someone too intimate with you. hence, you feel as if you can never share your feelings with anyone. your friends may also be very good looking, perhaps even a bit more extroverted than you. you're not into clichés. sure, you need a loyal partner who's stable both emotionally and financially, but at the same time they must have something unique about them. you're not the type to fall for the first guy you see down the street. in addition to that, you're not into the typical, cheesy romantic stuff. you want your partner to be a friend, not only a boyfriend/husband. you want to feel able to talk and vent to them, just like you'd do with a friend, but also someone that is willing to stay with you through thick and thin. you hardly fall in love at first sight, and you act quite casually around your crushes. in fact, most of the times you come off as so detached that you hardly look like you're interested in someone. people could get intimidated from you because of that, in fact sometimes you just wish you could be the one taking the lead and ask others out, and maybe you do. also, you need a partner that can stimulate you mentally. you can't stand a boring relationship with no amusement and excitement, you want someone that can constantly surprise you in some way. in fact, you'd probably choose brains over looks. last but no least, you hate feeling committed. that doesn't mean that you're unloyal, not at all. but you can't be with someone possessive that wants to take control of your life, it would be the death of you. you're able to stand up on your own.

your 12th house is in scorpio. this is another placement that indicates that you crave intense, life-changing bonds, but that you also tame them. you’re afraid of being betrayed, and hence you just end up repressing your feelings. on the other hand, this placement makes you extremely spiritual. you may be attracted to the occult or any spiritual topic: astrology, tarots, even spirits. you may use these tools to get to know yourself more. you can become aware of your karmic issues thanks to astrology for example, and use it to finally solve and break free from your limitations. it’s important for you to get closer to your spiritual, higher self in this lifetime. it will probably make your life much easier. you could even have very vivid dreams, and perhaps you may predict the future through them.

❤️ love life, soulmates

in love, you attract taurus, aries, cancer, sagittarius and leo. your future spouse is probably going to have prominent taurus/2nd house placements, as well as some leo/sun/5th house dominance too. they may be foreign, or at least from a different culture/religion from yours, and they’ll be as open-minded as you. they’ll also be very intelligent and philosophical. you may meet them at work, and they’ll be a big boost for your self-esteem and reputation. you could also meet them online, maybe on social media or through a dating app. your children are probably going to have prominent aries placements, or at least they’ll have aries/fire traits: they’ll be active, impulsive, energetic and a bit immature, and they may also develop a rebel/emo attitude during their teenage years.

👶🏻 family life

your mother is probably a very caring person that knows how to stand up for herself when she has to, but she may struggle to do that. she’s very smart and optimistic, and she could be into fashion and self-care. yet, she coule be a bit moody, over-emotional and impulsive. she may have pisces, aquarius, virgo and / or cancer placements in her chart. your father is a bit more serious and focused on work, but he always made sure you had what you needed. he also has a more playful side to him, that he may not show often. he could be a pisces, a cancer, a leo, a capricorn, sagittarius or virgo. if you have siblings, they probably have prominent capricorn / aquarius / pisces placements in their chart. you may fight often with them, and you may be quite possessive of each other. yet, this relationship gets naturally better as you grow up, you are going to get along more in the future.

📊 career

I imagine that you would do best at a career that involves healing, teaching… I can see you doing well in the medical field, for example. especially as a nurse, where you mostly interact with patients. you may also work for associations like the onu, where you’re surrounded by people from all over the world. hence, you get in touch with different cultures that can help you opening your mind. you want a wealthy job, where you can be your own leader and use your imagination. overall, you want a job where you don’t really have to depend on others. actually, you probably strive to be your own boss. you may work in marketing for example, or in anything that deals with economics. you may also be suited for politics.

👚 fashion sense, style analysis

you’re very traditional about your clothes, maybe even basic. you’re the type to have lots of essential clothes in your wardrobe, e.g a white shirt, white t-shirt, jeans etc. you love wearing sophisticated, elegant fits. for example, you may be fond of wide leg jeans, or maybe flare trousers, boatneck sweaters, tiny jewellery… things like that, that are always a must have. you may fancy pastel colors, or even neutral shades like black, white, grey, beige etc. you’re also the type to follow fashion trends.

👁 past life, life purpose

in your past life, the focus was on yourself. maybe, you had trouble with self-esteem and identity in general. you had to work hard and finally understand who you were to fulfill your past life purpose. hence, this lifetime your focus will be on the bonds you create with others. even though at first you might feel almost scared of the idea of marriage, this lifetime you're here to develop this matter. after all, you may despise love for your troubled past. with your north node in the 7th house, you're naturally lucky in love. there's nothing to be afraid of, you only need to take small steps and open your heart to someone, putting your worries and insecurities aside.

🤔 major transits analysis / march 22

transit sagittarius moon is currently conjunct your natal sagittarius pluto. these days, you're probably feeling quite emotional. you may tend to feel more sensitive than usual, you could be a roller coaster of emotions and you may prefer being alone than in public, even though you still need comfort from your loved ones. in addition, the moon is also opposite your natal saturn: you're being very crytical with yourself, way more than usual. you may be thinking about your life purpose, your future, but at the same time there's something that worries you and doesn't allow you to focus. it could be a relationship of any kind, not just a romantic one. perhaps, this problems may also interfer with your finances.

🧿 manifest what you want, secret skills

the best way for you to manifest is idealizing and acting at the same time. you have both energies combined in your chart, which is great actually! I’d suggest you to first picture what you want in your life, and then do something concrete to manifest it. for example, let’s suppose you want this gucci bag; first, think about it deeply. then, you could try going into a gucci shop and just walk around, maybe even touch that bag. you’ll get results if you believe it! it’s also great to write and read/listen your own positive affirmations, such as 'I love my gucci bag’, 'the gucci bag my mom gave me is amazing’ and so on.

this is the end! thank you again for booking a reading, hope it resonated with you :)

- libramc xx

[staystrange]

i’m gonna make this place your home

Schitt’s Creek • Patrick Brewer/David Rose Rating: T • ~2.5k words • ao3

Who knew that when his dad had bought David this town as a joke, he’d actually bought him the life he’d always dreamed of but never thought he could possibly have?

-or-

David and Patrick visit the house, tour the house, and move into the house.

Title: "Home" by Phillip Phillips. Yes, I know, this is the cheesiest and most obvious choice, but Patrick kinda did make "this place" (Schitt's Creek) David's home, so I stand by it.

“I just don’t think I’m finished with this place.”

If you had told David when he first moved to Schitt’s Creek that he’d face his parents and his sister in the motel room they grew to call home and say those nine words out loud and mean every single one of them, he’d have told you that you were absolutely incorrect. It did feel a little scary to say them out loud so definitively, even though he knew it was the right — heck, the only — decision; his stomach was tight with anxiety the entire day, only loosening its hold when he saw the joy on Patrick’s face as David stood with Patrick in front of the house and told him he’d put an offer in for it. Or at least, he’d tried to put an offer in; his heart was in the right place, but he had no idea what he was doing.

It had been a combination of his conversation with Patrick and his heart to heart with Stevie that had opened his eyes to the fact that everything he had always wanted that he thought he would find in New York was actually right there in Schitt’s Creek, in the last place he’d ever thought he’d find it. Who knew that when his dad had bought David this town as a joke, he’d actually bought him the life he’d always dreamed of but never thought he could possibly have? People always said that money can’t buy happiness, but David honestly thought he had a uniquely strong example to prove those people wrong. It was a little bit too much to wrap his head around, and the thought of it brought tears to his eyes, something he’d realized had been happening a lot more since Patrick wandered into his life.

Patrick, who stands next to him as they face the house they will soon be calling their home, the two of them alternating between staring at the house and staring at each other. They probably stand in front of the house for longer than is considered socially acceptable for two almost-married people who had just bought their first house together (especially because they have no idea if anyone is even home, and if they are, whether they saw any of the makeout session they’d just had on the front lawn), but they are too happy to care. They are going to get married, they are going be husbands, and this house is going to be theirs.

“At this point, who even needs a wedding, am I right?” Patrick asks David.

“Oh, I do, I need a wedding, big time,” David replies, and Patrick just smiles.

———

Even in the midst of all of the last minute wedding planning (“Oh my God, Patrick, I forgot to pick up the flowers for my bouquet and your boutonniere from the florist!” “It’s okay, David, I’ll pick them up tomorrow.”) David makes sure that he and Patrick find time to actually see the inside of the house; he thinks it would be a good idea to actually make a plan with the current owners instead of just driving by the house and staring at it like he’d done every day, sometimes multiple times a day, since they’d put the offer in.

They close the store early that afternoon and drive over to the house, David’s hand holding Patrick’s tightly between them as Patrick drives. Patrick pulls up smoothly to the curb, putting the car in park before opening the driver’s side door and quickly walking around to the passenger side to open the door for David, who can’t help but smile at his husband’s unnecessary chivalry. Patrick holds his hand out to David, who takes it, standing and using the momentum to pull his almost-husband into a gentle kiss. They walk hand and hand up the path to the front porch, Patrick ringing the bell before smiling at David.

A woman opens the door after a few moments, her eyes crinkling in the corners as her smile spreads across her face. “Well hello again, Patrick,” she begins, recognizing him from their previous meeting, “and you must be David! It’s so great to finally meet you in person — I’ve heard so much about you from your fiancé.”

David blushes a little, though he makes a futile attempt to hide it since he’s in the presence of a complete stranger who is selling them her family’s house; he’s trying to make at least a decent impression so they’ll know their house is in good hands. “It’s lovely you to meet you as well…” he trails off, realizing he doesn’t actually know her name.

“Penny,” she replies, holding out her hand.

���Penny,” David repeats, shaking her hand. Penny looks out behind him and Patrick down the path that lead back to the street, confusion shaping her features. “Is something wrong?” David asks, sudden concern bleeding into his voice.

“Oh, I just figured Ray would be here to facilitate this tour since he’s the realtor.”

Patrick can’t help but let a burst of laughter escape his lungs, prompting David to direct a horrified look at his fiancé. “I used to live with Ray when I first moved here,” Patrick explains to Penny. “I think David and I have spent enough time with him to last a lifetime.”

“Say no more, I totally understand. Why don’t you two come in?” Penny replies, opening the door wide.

“Thank you so much,” David says, he and Patrick following her inside.

David fiddles with the lower of the two rings on his left ring finger as Penny closes and latches the door behind them. As she does, another woman walks into the room, her hair tied up in a messy bun on top of her head. There are paint splotches all over her light wash jeans and grey shirt and a paintbrush is tucked behind her ear. “Hi David and Patrick, I’m so sorry I look like this; inspiration struck this morning and I just had to get started on this painting before the idea slipped out of my head.” David smiles in understanding, as does Patrick.

“This is my wife Noelle,” Penny says to David.

“Nice to meet you, Noelle,” David says. “I’d shake your hand, but…” He trails off, nodding at the paint splotches on Noelle’s hands.

“No worries, I wouldn’t shake my hands in this state either,” Noelle replies. David immediately likes her.

“Shall we begin the grand tour, then?” Penny asks.

“Whenever you’re ready,” Patrick answers politely.

“I’m going to head back to the garage and work on this painting — I mean, pack up all of the stuff that’s left in there,” Noelle finishes hastily off a stern look from Penny, but David can tell there’s no real force behind it. She waves as she heads back to the garage, and Penny smiles quietly to herself with a look on her face not unlike the one David often sees on Patrick’s face when David gets overexcited like that.

“So as I told Patrick when I called him about the house, our daughters Alexis and Daisy are off to college this fall, so we’re moving down to Florida to be near them. Not too near them though, we want to give them their space and their freedom, but we’d at least like to be in the same country.” Penny laughs. “And we know them well enough that they’ll want us to be close by for when something inevitably goes wrong in their apartment.”

“Your daughter’s name is Alexis?” David asks Penny as she leads him and Patrick into the kitchen. “That’s my younger sister’s name, too.”

“Oh, really? What a lovely coincidence.” David smiles softly. “Does she live here in Schitt’s Creek?”

“She does, but she’s moving to New York City to pursue a career in PR after our wedding.”

“Oh, how exciting!” Penny leans her back against the kitchen counter. “And speaking of, congratulations!” She gestures to David’s rings. “When’s the wedding?”

“September 3rd,” Patrick replies, a huge grin on his face.

“Oh, wow, that’s coming up! I can’t believe you two managed to find time to visit the house with all of that going on; we certainly wouldn’t have had time for anything like this that close to our wedding. And speaking of, let me actually give you the tour instead of talking your ears off.”

Penny shows them around the whole house, ideas for furnishings and color schemes popping into David’s head so fast he can barely type them down into the notes app on his phone. He shares some of them out loud with Patrick as well, and based on the grin on his face that has somehow gotten bigger as the day goes on, he loves them all. By the time they’re about to leave, David has a clear picture of exactly what he wants their home to look like, and he’s itching to grab a pencil and sketch it all out to show Patrick.

“Thank you so much for showing us around,” Patrick says when they’re back at the front door again. “And thank you so much for taking me seriously and actually calling me when you decided to sell. I’m honestly surprised you didn’t just think I was crazy or something.

Penny looks surprised for a moment. “No, of course we didn’t think you were crazy! We thought it was very sweet actually, and I’m glad we could make this happen for you.”

“Us too,” Patrick responds, glancing at David to confirm, which he does with a smile and a nod.

Later that night, David’s at Patrick’s (he basically lives there at this point, if he’s being quite honest) and he’s sitting on the couch with his back against the arm, his sock-covered feet on the cushions and his sketchbook in his lap. Patrick is draped over his shoulders, his arms crossed over David’s chest, pressing kisses to David’s neck as David draws out some of his ideas for their house from earlier that day. He’s sketching out their bedroom, humming to himself as the pencil moves on the page. After a few minutes, he turns around toward Patrick and sets the sketchbook on the arm of the couch so that he can see the page right side up.

“So this is what I’m thinking for our room. We could put the bed against the wall and paint the walls that dark blue that you like and we could get bedding to match and —” David looks up at Patrick and stops, realizing that Patrick has been staring at him the whole time he’s been talking instead of at the drawing of what David’s describing. “Honey, you’re not even looking at it.”

“Hmm, you’re very distracting when you’re excited,” Patrick responds.

“Okay, Patrick, but I need you to look at what I’m describing because I want to make sure you like it so we can order this stuff and get this all ready to go because I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be worrying about all of this while we’re on our honeymoon. I just want to focus on being with you.”

David didn’t expect to get this sappy; it must have been seeing the house with Patrick that turned him all soft. Actually, maybe it was just Patrick.

“Fine,” Patrick whines over-dramatically, kissing David’s cheek before picking the sketchbook up and leaning his elbows onto the arm of the couch. He takes his time, running his fingers over the page, careful not to smudge the pencil lines. “I love it. I love you.”

Patrick hands the sketchbook back to David, who takes it with a smile. “Thank you, I love you too. Now let me sketch out the rest of the rooms because I have so many ideas to run by you.” David turns to a blank page in the sketchbook, tapping his pencil against the page as he decides which room he wants to visualize next.

He’s just decided on the dining room when Patrick takes the pencil out of his hand. David whips his head around, incredulous. “And what the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

“Making sure that my fiancé takes a break from the constant planning and actually gets some rest since our wedding is only a few days away and I know he certainly doesn’t want the exhaustion to show on his face in our wedding photos,” Patrick replies, holding the pencil above his head where David can’t reach it from his seat on the couch. “You know I’m right.”

“Fine,” David says, closing the sketchbook and resigning himself to his fate. “But you have to come to bed too; I don’t want you to have exhaustion showing on your beautiful face either. And that goes for always, not just at our wedding. You spend way too much time working on spreadsheets and not enough time sleeping.”

Patrick laughs. “Whatever you say, David.”

———

The wedding is beautiful. Even though the rain throws a bit of a wrench into things, everyone in David’s life in Schitt’s Creek rallies together to make the day as perfect as it could possibly be. David has never felt more loved in his entire life.

None of it feels real until the day David and Patrick actually move into their house. He hadn’t realized how much stuff he’d managed to accumulate since moving to Schitt’s Creek until he had to pack all of it up and load it into the moving van. He’d helped Patrick too, especially because so many of his things had ended up at Patrick’s apartment anyway.

They stand in front of the house again, just like they had the day David told Patrick he wanted to stay in Schitt’s Creek, but this time with the moving van in the driveway and the empty house in front of them waiting to be filled with them and their lives and their love. They hold each other close, excited to begin their lives together but not really looking forward to the actual manual labor involved in unpacking everything they own. So instead they procrastinate in each other’s arms, in each other’s faces, in each other’s kisses.

When they’re finally finished unpacking, or at least as finished as they’re going to get on the first day in their new home, David sits down on their bed, pulling Patrick down beside him. “Hi,” he says simply.

“Hi,” Patrick replies. “Welcome home.”

It’s in that moment that everything hits David, even as he’s extremely distracted by Patrick’s mouth on his. He feels a sudden warmth in his chest, and he knows that Stevie was right that day they visited the house — he’d won. He’d really won.

David and Patrick wear identical ear-to-ear grins when they break apart. “I guess it’s time to start thinking about another housewarming party,” Patrick says.

“Sure, but make no mistake, I will be doing the planning this time,” David replies.

[hawkbucks]

Bucky and Steve’s entire friendship starts when Bucky spots Steve reading a Captain America comic on the playground, promptly sits down next to him, and goes: “You like Captain America? He’s cool, but I think Winter Soldier is better.” Steve, of course, is offended that this kid has the audacity to imply someone is better than his beloved Captain, so they argue about the finer points of the Captain and the Soldier, discussing their actions at such depth that you’d forget they’re just a couple of 3rd graders with scraped knees and wild hair. At the end, they agree to come to the conclusion that the Captain and the Soldier are equally as cool. Whenever they’re able–a.k.a when Bucky saves up enough of his allowance to afford a few issues for him and Steve (because, as much as Steve protests against Bucky buying him things, Bucky knows he wants that Falcon issue)–they head down to the comic store around the corner from their school run by a kindly man named Abraham. Abraham slips them snacks sometimes: bags of chips, candy bars, etc. If they prove they’re doing good at school, they also get free books. Tables and chairs are scattered around the store, usually reserved for the game nights that the store hosts, but Abraham allows them to do their schoolwork on those tables. They try to draw out their visits as long as they can, because they just love exploring the store, and Abraham is such a good guy, you know? One day, when Steve is over at Bucky’s house and they’re watching cartoons, Steve gets an idea. He turns to Bucky and proclaims that they should open up a store together. It’ll be the best store ever! Bucky sagely nods before he runs off to grab a notebook and pencils to plan it. Their store looks as follows: 3 stories at the minimum, and there’ll be a slide leading from each floor to the one below. They’ll have cool statues to put on display, a gigantic collection to sale, and a pyrotechnics display at the cash register at Bucky’s suggestion. And they’ll make a lot of money. It’ll be the best store ever.

Unfortunately, said best store ever ends up being pushed to the back burner once they realize that opening and managing a business isn’t as easy as it sounds, especially for a couple of kids. “We’ll just do it later, when we’re grown ups,” Steve says, and Bucky agrees. They grow older. Steve turns from the shortest kid on the playground to the guy that people have to crane their necks up to talk to (Bucky teases him and says that he’s become the real life Captain America. Steve retorts that that makes Bucky the Winter Soldier), and Bucky grows his hair out, looking more and more like a hipster everyday (which he vehemently denies. “Where’s your manbun?” “I will smack you.”). Interests come and go, but they still find themselves stepping into Abraham’s shop. Abraham’s older now, grayer, but he still slides them Snickers every once in a while.   Bucky ends up enlisting in the army to help pay for his tuition while Steve goes to art school to get a degree in illustration. An incident with an IED later, and Bucky comes home with an honorable discharge and an empty left sleeve. Steve visits him as often as he can, usually filling in the gaps when Bucky’s own family isn’t over. Sometimes Natasha (a girl they befriended in middle school after she came dressed as Black Widow for Halloween) and Sam (a boy they got to know during freshman year of high school when he complimented Bucky on his prime taste in superheroes because of the Falcon button pinned to his backpack) drop in, with Natasha keeping him company by watching trashy reality TV with him and Sam listening to him vent and offering a shoulder if he ever needs one. Hell, Abraham sends him a card through Steve when he heard about what happened. (He ends up getting all of them gift baskets as thanks for being there. Sam tries to decline his at first, but the lure of raspberry tarts was too strong.) One day, Steve comes over with Indian takeout and turns on some good ol’ History Channel. “Speaking of history,” Steve says in between bites of naan, “do you remember that store we wanted to open when we were younger?” Hit with that blast from the past, Bucky nods. He doesn’t have the notebook that they used when they first came up with the idea, but he stills remembers the basics of what they put down. Like the pyrotechnics display that he wanted. Steve asks if he’s still open to the idea, and Bucky replies, around a mouthful of rogan josh, that he is. It’s… been a while since he’s gotten out of his apartment to do something other than shop for groceries, pop into the Chinese restaurant right next to the building, or visit the doctor for those couple of appointments about him possibly getting a prosthetic, courtesy of some company that’s looking to do test runs of their new line. A whole bunch of Googling and Binging and Yahoo Answers-ing and they think they might have a slight idea of how to start a business. Slight is the operative word here. Like with many things, they end up going to Abraham for help. Abraham is a godsend, answering all of their questions and offering to point his customer base their way once he closes up shop for good (Steve may or may not have gotten a bit misty-eyed hearing about Abraham’s inevitable retirement). Fast forward, and their shop is open. Steve drew up the logo (gotta put that degree to use somehow), while Bucky was the one who came up with the interior design (and no pyrotechnics displays). Natasha and Sam are hired, with both of them helping to run their social media presence. They get a decent amount of people at their grand opening despite their location being slightly out of the way, and apparently those people liked their experience because they end up getting a handful of regulars, most notably some guy named Clint that Natasha claims to know, a pair of Norwegian brothers named Thor and Loki that Sam swears are actual gods, a timid PhD student named Bruce, and a woman named Carol and her girlfriend, Maria who are the biggest Captain Marvel fangirls that they’ve ever met. Their popularity grows–especially after Abraham closes–and they soon find themselves making a healthy bit of profit. Healthy enough that they’re able to decorate their shop more (Natasha insists that they place a life-sized statute of Black Widow near the front doors) and they tack-on other things, like shirts and posters and snacks to sell. Bucky gets his prosthetic somewhere around the first month that they’ve been open. It’s a wickedly shiny silver, and Steve suggested that he place a red star sticker on his wrist (because his shoulder isn’t visible 99.9% of the time) to represent Bucky’s favorite hero, and Bucky actually does that. Sometimes people ask to touch it. He lets them. Sometimes people ask what happened. He deflects them. At some point, a guy walks in with ruffled hair and glasses and Bucky nearly chokes on the soda that he’s drinking. Sure, they’ve had their fair share of cute customers, but that guy’s cute, and he’s gonna end up making a fool of himself. It’s not like he can ask Steve to talk instead because Steve just went out on his damn lunch break. He tries not to stare at the guy as he peruses the shelves and rifles through the boxes of back issues they have set out in the middle of the floor. He tries really, really hard, taking his phone out and scrolling through whatever social media website and liking the replies to their posts. Every once in a while, he glances at the door, half-expecting Steve to walk in at any time.

Then the guy (now dubbed Cutie in Bucky’s mind) comes up and he smiles at Bucky in greeting and Bucky would probably sob if that wouldn’t make him come off as a complete weirdo. Cutie hauls up a veritable stack and places it on the counter. Despair courses through Bucky’s veins when he sees the Captain America comic on top, because he could do so much better. “Mmm, I’m just getting those because my friend likes Captain America,” Cutie says and oh, shit, did he say that out loud? “I’m partial to Iron Man myself.” “Iron Man’s cool an’ all,” Bucky replies, somehow managing to keep himself from running out the front door and never looking back, “but he’s not my favorite.” Cutie’s eyes flick down to the red star sticker on his wrist. “Let me guess: Winter Soldier?” Bucky clicks his tongue. “Yup.” Cutie laughs, and it’s a really nice sound that Bucky wouldn’t mind hearing again. When he’s finished ringing Cutie up, he mentions the membership that they have going and how members have a pull list and would he like to sign up?  Mentally, he crosses his fingers that Cutie says yes because it would be a shame if he only got to see him once in his life. A damn, damn shame.

So, he should be thankful that Cutie says yes and he finds out that Cutie’s name is actually Tony and Tony just moved from Malibu and it was his friend James–whom he calls Rhodey–that recommended this place to him. (He goes through a list of James in his head, and figures that it most likely is James Rhodes, who also happens to be a member. He should send him a gift basket.)

Tony ends up leaving around the same time Steve comes back from his lunch break, and Steve must have this sort of sixth sense because he sends Bucky a knowing, amused look.

Tony drops by every 2nd and 4th Wednesday, and it’s always at 12:40 PM, give or take a few minutes. His pull list isn’t particularly long–or at least, it isn’t something that he needs to drop in twice a month for, but Bucky’s not going to complain, not when he’s able to see the way Tony’s eyes sparkle when the topic crosses over to a story arc that he’s passionate about or the way the tip of his tongue pokes out between his lips when he becomes engrossed in what he’s reading. They swap stories, with Bucky finding out that Tony used to be in the robotics club when he was in high school and how his father used to tell him that comics were all “bullshit,” so that threw him off of them for a bit. He always asks Bucky if he recommends something before he leaves, if he saw that episode of Game of Thrones, or if he’s simply feeling okay.

Tony’s visits last longer and longer and longer, until it’s basically just him and Bucky talking for hours on end, their topics ranging from comic cons to what they had for dinner last night. (Steve laments how he’s always the one stuck helping customers because he doesn’t have the heart to interrupt him and Tony when they look so concentrated on each other. He begs Bucky to just ask Tony out already because he can’t take it anymore.)

Bucky ends up asking Tony out on accident. Y’see, Tony was excitedly talking about the movie adaption of Iron Man that’s supposed to be coming out soon, and Bucky blurted out that he wouldn’t mind taking Tony out to see it, just the two of ‘em and some popcorn.

Tony says that he’d love to, and Bucky wonders if he should thank Steve for going out to lunch those few months ago.

[frmartinshomiliesandreflections]

3rd December >> Fr. Martin’s Gospel Reflections / Homilies on Matthew 7:21, 24-27 for Thursday, First Week of Advent: ‘It was founded on rock’.

Thursday, First Week of Advent

Gospel (Except USA)

Matthew 7:21,24-27

The wise man built his house on a rock

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock. But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and struck that house, and it fell; and what a fall it had!’

Gospel (USA)

Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Whoever does the will of my Father will enter the Kingdom of heaven.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.    “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”

Reflections (9)

(i) Thursday, First Week of Advent

In the gospel reading, Jesus makes a distinction between two kinds of listening, the listening that leads to action, to doing, and the listening that has no impact on behavior. He calls on us not only to listen to his words, but to act on them. Jesus wants his word not just to impact on our ears but to impact on our lives. Every minute of every day we are hearing something, if we are fortunate to have reasonably good hearing. However, we are not always listening to what we hear. Much of what we hear doesn’t require attentive listening. There are other times when we really do listen to what we are hearing. When someone we love, someone who matters greatly to us, has something important to say to us, we listen very carefully. What they can may enter deeply into us and impact on what we do. Attentive listening to what we consider significant can really shape our whole life. This is the kind of listening that Jesus calls for. He loves us so much that he laid down his life for us; he calls us to love him as he loves us. When he speaks to us, he has something very significant to say, because his words reveal God and God’s purpose for our lives. Here is a speaking that calls for the most attentive listening possible. Such deep listening will impact on us deeply and will shape our way of life. When that happens, Jesus says, we are like the builder who built on rock. Our lives will be solidly grounded and deeply rooted. In the words of today’s first reading, ‘the Lord will be our everlasting Rock’. In the words of Saint Paul, we will be ‘rooted and grounded in love’, in the Lord who is love.

And/Or

(ii) Thursday, First Week of Advent

We can probably easily identify with the weather image that Jesus uses in this morning’s gospel reading, ‘Rains came down, floods rose, gales blew’. It sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Apart from actual physical storms, we can all be struck by storms of a different kind no matter what part of the world we are in. The church has been through quite a storm in recent weeks, and the storm is still howling. As individuals, we can find ourselves battling against the elements of life, as we struggle in one shape or form, for one reason or another. Jesus declares in our gospel reading this morning that difficult times will indeed come for all of us. The real issue is the extent to which we are equipped to deal with them. When the storms come will we find ourselves at the mercy of the storm, tossed about helplessly, or will we be able to withstand the storm and move through and beyond it? Jesus states in our gospel reading that he can be our rock when the storm comes. If we listen to his words and try to act on those words we will remain upright and standing when the storm breaks around us. Jesus brings us back to basics, the doing of God’s will as Jesus has revealed it for us. If we keep on returning to that focal point then the Lord will see to it that we endure, regardless of the strength of the storm.

 And/Or

(iii) Thursday, First Week of Advent

The parable of the two builders we have just heard brings the long Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s gospel to a close. The Sermon on the Mount is full of wonderful teaching; it has been analyzed and reflected upon for the last two thousand years, and rightly so; its message continues to speak to us today. Yet, Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount by declaring that it is not enough to listen to the teaching of the Sermon and to admire it; we must live the teaching, allow the values of the Sermon to shape our lives. If we listen to it and do no more we are like the builder who built his house on sand; if we listen to Jesus’ teaching and put it into practice we are like the builder who built his house on rock. We have been made more aware of shoddy building practices in recent times here in our own city. Building an apartment or a house to required standards is the responsibility of those in the building trade and only a small proportion of us are involved in that trade. However, we are all involved in the work of building lives to the standard that God wants and expects from us. In this morning’s gospel reading Jesus declares that the way to do that is to listen attentively to his word with a view to allowing his word to shape all we do and say. That is what Mary did; let it be to me according to your word. She is our model and inspiration in Advent.

 And/Or

(iv) Thursday, First Week of Advent

The image of rock is to be found in both readings this morning. The prophet Isaiah speaks of the Lord as the everlasting rock. Like rock, the Lord is enduring and faithful. Therefore, he can be relied upon; he can be trusted. If we come across a substantial outcrop of rock one day, we know that it will be there again the next day, and the following day, and long after we have gone, just as it was there long before we were born. In speaking of God as a Rock the people of Israel were trying to capture that sense of the reliability, the durability, the faithfulness of God. God can be relied upon; he can be trusted. This morning’s gospel reading was taken from the gospel of Matthew. At the beginning of his gospel, Matthew gives Jesus the title Emmanuel, God-with-us. As God with us, Jesus embodies the reliability, the faithfulness of God. He has that rock-like quality of God; he is with us to the end of time. In this morning’s gospel reading he declares that those who build their lives on what he says, those who listen to his word and keep it, will be building their lives on rock. He is the reliable foundation of our lives and if we give ourselves over to his word and his presence we will draw from his strength especially when the storms of life threaten to engulf us.

 And/Or

(v) Thursday, First Week of Advent

We know that a building is as good as its foundations. If the foundations are flimsy, the consequences for those who live in the house can be catastrophic, especially if unusual stress is placed on the building because of weather or some other disturbance of nature. The most important part of the house is that which is not immediately visible. In the gospel reading, Jesus draws on that image of the house to speak about the foundation of our lives as human beings. He declares that entrusting ourselves to him, listening to his word and trying to live his word, will provide a foundation for our lives that will enable us to withstand the great storms of life. We need some solid ground under us as we go through life. Jesus presents himself as that solid ground. If we build our lives on all he says and does, he will prove to be a rock, enabling us to stand firm even when the disappointments and sufferings of life leave us feeling very vulnerable. As human beings we long for security at many levels. Jesus tells us that we will find our ultimate security in him if, in the phrase of Saint Paul,we allow his word to dwell in us richly.

 And/Or

(vi) Thursday, First Week of Advent

This morning’s gospel reading makes reference to listening, speaking and doing. Jesus refers to those who ‘listen to these words of mine’, to those who say aloud, ‘Lord, Lord’, and to those who act on his words. When it comes to our faith, listening and speaking are important, but Jesus declares that listening and speaking on their own, without doing, have little or no value. This passage comes at the very end of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is saying that his words in the Sermon on the Mount are not just there to be listened to and admired; they are not just there to be responded to in words of prayer, ‘Lord, Lord’. Rather, they are there to be lived, to be acted upon. Each day we hear the call to live the message that Jesus proclaims. We are to translate his teaching into living. Advent is a season when we are called in a special way to live the word of Jesus that we listen to. In this regard, Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a very good model for us. On one occasion when some women in the crowd around Jesus declared Mary blessed because of the Son that she bore, Jesus replied, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it’. Mary if blessed not primarily for the son she gave birth to but because she heard God’s word and lived it every day. That is our calling too and, in this season of Advent, we can look to Mary as our inspiration as we try to respond to this calling.

 And/Or

(vii) Thursday, First Week of Advent

There are many images of God in the Jewish Scriptures. All such images are simply that, images. They give a very small window onto God. They attempt to express some element of God’s reality which, in itself, is always beyond our full comprehension. We find one such image in today’s first reading. Isaiah speaks of God as ‘the everlasting rock’. There is very little in our created world that could be considered ‘everlasting’. Yet, perhaps rock comes close to being an exception to that rule. There is something about rock which is clearly enduring and reliable. When Isaiah speaks of God as an everlasting rock, he was expressing his conviction that God was someone who was enduring and reliable, and, therefore, to be trusted. We step on rock knowing that it will hold us up. We can trust rock. Isaiah in that reading calls on his hearers to ‘trust in the Lord forever’ because he is an ‘everlasting rock’. Jesus is the one who reveals God to us in a way that no other human has ever done or could ever do. It is not surprising then Jesus uses the image of rock with reference to himself. In the gospel reading this morning he declares that those who listen to his words and live by them are like builders who build a house on rock. We live in a world in which so much is disposable, so little lasts, in which the rate of change is constant and progressive. We often feel the need to find some solid ground that endures, that can be trusted and relied upon. Jesus declares himself to be that solid ground and he calls to us to build our lives on him by allowing his words to shape us.

 And/Or

(viii) Thursday, First Week of Advent.

The weather is a great topic of conversation in Ireland. Maybe that is because it changes so frequently. There is always something to say about it. We are very familiar with the weather referred to in today’s gospel reading, rain, floods and gales. Such weather was less common in Palestine, the land of Jesus. Yet, occasionally in the winter months people had to contend with rain, floods and gales. It was probably tempting for builders in that climate just to build for the better weather that was the norm. However, the really wise builder built with a view to the worst case scenario, even though it may not arise very often. That meant paying more attention to the foundations of a house than might have seemed necessary. Jesus draws a lesson from this scenario for our own lives. Our lives can be going along fine for a period of time and then some severe storm hits us unexpectedly. We find ourselves in a kind of a whirlwind that throws everything out of kilter. Jesus is saying that we need to prepare for that scenario. Our lives need the kind of foundation that will enable us to survive such traumatic experiences. Jesus offers himself as that foundation. If we listen to his words and try to live them every day of our lives, we will be putting down a foundation that will stand to us when the storms come. We don’t wait for the storm to come to start looking for a foundation. The laying of a foundation that gives us something of God’s own strength is something we do every day, little by little, by opening our lives to the Lord’s word and allowing it to shape who we are and all we say and do.

 And/Or

(ix) Thursday, First Week of Advent 

When people were building houses in Palestine in the time of Jesus during the dry season as the weather was fine and warm, it was tempting to build them in a way that did not take into account the wilder weather to come during the winter, when heavy rain and strong winds could affect that part of the Near East. It was easier to build on sand than on rock but it was also shortsighted. What serves in good weather does not always serve in bad weather. Building on rock ensures that the house will stand regardless of the weather. The gospel reading suggests that we have to build our lives in such a way that we will stand firm, not just when all is well, but also when life gets difficult, when the storms come our way and threaten to engulf us. We are to build for the worst of times and not only for the best of times. Jesus declares in the gospel reading that if we not just listen to his words but also try to act on them, we will be building our lives on rock. If we embrace his life and message and allow our own lives to be shaped by it, then we will be building our lives in such a way that we will stand firm when the trials and tribulations of life assail us. We need a firm foundation, we need resources to fall back on, when our vulnerability is exposed by life’s storms. Jesus tells us that he is our primary resource. He will be our firm foundation, if we keep on trying to take the path that he sets before us by his teaching and his way of life.

Fr. Martin Hogan.

[monkey-network]

An Unfortunate Critique of Spiderverse - Part 1 (of 3)

Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse was a fun award-winning 2018 animated film with a basically unanimously positive fandom, regarded generally as both a masterpiece Spider-Man film and a remarkable animated film overall. And while I do not disagree with that, it definitely earned its spoils, it pains me a bit to bring up the reason(s) why I can’t call it the masterpiece that many claim. I like this film, but I don’t love it as much as others and I wanted to express why. And I will see to be critical, not cynical. Fair enough? Spoilers ahead for this... 2018 film that you should’ve seen already.

Part 1 ~ The Spiderverse Squad

Now believe me when I say that I enjoyed this trio. Spider-Ham wasn’t as funny as I figured, but he still stood out like Peni and Spider-Noir in a respectable way. I especially loved the fandom’s reaction to them with fanart and jokes galore. But on a look back, it dawned on me that while their presence was welcome, our writers blew the load too soon and wasted these characters. Roll with me, will ya?

If you come to know me, you’ll figure that characters are the element I find the most crucial of your story; you mentally can’t just throw in random heroes into the story unless they’re significant to the protag, story, or world as a whole. It’ll feel weird, like you have no coordination. And yeah, the B team adds to Spider-verse’s worldbuilding mechanic that is the multiple universes; it thematically makes sense that more than one Spidermun can exist. And additionally kicks ass, no objections here. The problem I argue comes when while they add to the world building, it honestly added little to our boy Miles’ story, and it’s that disconnect that makes the characters feel more unnecessary than before. This doesn’t help when things could’ve worked far better if it only involved Gwen and Beter. To explain this better, I wanna bring up a couple films that are similar to Spider-verse yet knew how to use their secondary characters, the first one being...

Kung Fu Panda, baby!

The furious five sans Tigress is about the same as Spider-verse’s B-Team where Po really doesn’t rely on them to both unleash his inner strength and face the final boss in the end. They’re his muse for enjoying martial arts. Po interacts with them a little more than Miles does with the others, but we still have that disconnect between the upcoming novice and the experienced. That disconnect however is counter-balanced by their significance in the story, not only in certifying the stakes that come with Tai Lung, but being the necessary crew to another important character: Tigress.

Tigress is not only a character that Po looks up to, she’s a character with something to prove herself. She puts down Po because she’s envious of the special treatment he’s involuntarily receiving and mirrors the villain Tai Lung before his descent to villainy. The movie would’ve probably been fine if the Furious Five didn’t exist and it was just Shifu and Po training together, but having the five, and Tigress especially, in the story adds a great triangle of interaction between Po and Shifu, Shifu and Tigress, and Tigress and Po. Which makes it all the more poignant when she runs away to face Tai Lung herself, stern in proving herself to both Shifu and Po. We know that she wouldn’t win against him, but that loss is added two-fold when the other four were there to support her. The others aren’t as cynical towards Po, but it’s understandable that they sided with Tigress, thinking their experience together will help them succeed. It makes sense that the four willingly fight with Tigress, and it’s reasonably daunting when Tai Lung is able to tower all of them by himself. Compare this to Spiderverse where we kinda don’t get see our heroes and villains, excluding Miles, stack up that well until the 3rd act; it’s hard to wonder if who’s evenly matched and who can overpower whom. It doesn’t help that Peter, Gwen, and Miles are all isolated from the other three during the final fight in the warp terminal. 

It’s in the end where Po proves himself the Dragon Warrior, he not only earned that respect from the five but feels more complete knowing he and his idols look up to each other in a way. We really don’t get that interpersonal synergy with Miles and the B team beyond the moment of them together post Aaron’s death and their initial meeting, the best we get is that Miles knows he isn’t the only Spider-man but even that doesn’t feel as personal as his relationships with Gwen and Peter. Plus while Gwen and Peter are important characters, we don’t see much of a personal connection between the five Spidermun, it mostly comes off as an obligation that they’re together. Now I won’t lie, this is a pretty unfair comparison. The B-team came together on the fly, and it’s not like Miles, Gwen, and Peter knew who they were in the first place. But remember when I said a couple of films in the beginning? This leads to an ironic situation, coming from one of my other favorite movies about being special...

Been a while since I talked ‘bout this beauty

I think it’s safe to say Spiderverse and The Lego Movie have a kindred story beat where our hero meet some tagalongs that have their own thing but nonetheless contribute as supporting characters. But unlike Spiderverse, the Lego Movie showed something I never figured about characters until I saw it once again last year. The other characters have their stake in the plot, but they are also relative features of our main character Emmett. Unikitty resembles his boundless optimism, Benny his excitability, Batman his emotional conviction, and so on. It’s a stretch, but it is possible to note supporting/secondary characters as facets of who our main character is, what they lack or what’s the most prominent idea of them. In Steven Universe, the crystal gems are separate elements of who Steven is at his best or wants to be. Beastars has Legosi, Louis, and Haru have differing aspects of growing up that blend well when united. It’s essentially the braincells meme, the parts make up the whole. Gwen and Peter fill those parts exponentially for Miles, with Peter’s experience and Gwen’s finesse in her skill, to show him the work that goes in being a hero. Same goes for Aaron and Jefferson on a more personal level, being the ones to give Miles the necessary conviction to become the hero. All I gotta ask is: Can ya say the same for Peni, Noir, or Porker?

Again, not that they’re bad characters, but they mostly felt detached from the story in multiple angles

Now at this point you’ll probably say, “Monkey, we get it, where are you going with this?” Well, I can’t help but feel the B-team, while alright on their own, unfortunately feel like cameos that overstayed their welcome. Beyond the initial meetup, the interactions we get with them are second to none, there is no significant dynamic between the B-team and the two spidermun that are more significant to the story. I feel a little less charitable for media wasting potential and it doesn’t help that writing them out until the final fight is very easy. “Peni and Sp//dr were responsible for repairing the flash drive?” Well, I can say a few hints in the movie can point to Aunt May, Peter, and/or Gwen doing it instead. It’s hard to come back to this film compared to the others I’ve exampled when the back of my mind is going “Why are ya’ll here?” I say it would’ve been surprisingly cathartic if the B-team came near the end where they helped out and met up with the trio before bouncing back to their dimensions. As such, we could put more time in for Miles and Gwen together at Aunt May’s house the same way Peter and Miles got earlier before the plot generally runs the same, we have less voices but we build on those character dynamics for more than that bus ride they share. Add to that character theme of Miles, Gwen, and Peter B. being the different generations of Spider-man or something. Overall, I love them, and they feel wasted in this film.

I just can’t see Spiderverse where the focus of these three subsides the interest for the other three

I wanted to discuss this particularly because as much I can say that much detail in the film fundamentally works, which I will discuss later in this analysis, it stands to say that not every ambition in this undoubtedly ambitious movie was added well. It’s honestly how i feel with randomness humor, it’s fun at first but you gotta do more than enough to make it timeless while keeping the surprise of it intact. Or else you just wish they just replaced that joke with something more constructed. Said before, they don’t or weren’t able to utilize these characters beyond their cameo level moments, and it is not a good thing that they’re potentially saved for the sequel because I hate the idea of depending on a sequel to fix the 1st movie’s issues. I gotta wait to 2022 for a potentially better management of characters and that bothers me. I appreciate what I got, but I unfortunately can’t say that appreciation equates to a free pass of what’s detrimental to my love for this film. Now, I tagged this as part one for a reason, because this is only a symptom, a fun size piece to a bigger story problem I have.

Next time. Otherwise, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy your day.