#that it Might teach them how to connect to god better? all of that is worth it to you?

[2024skin]

Lmfao @ the idea that it's possible to raise children religiously in a healthy way

[laismoura-art]

Ok so...

Twice now i’ve seen people approach @elsa-fogen about a take that is “Alastor is in hell because of Voodoo” (the latest one basically saying he is in hell solemnly because of Voodoo”) and I can’t help but feel there’s reeks of religious intolerance from his take (even if it’s not intentional) cause let’s not forget, Voodoo is a religion (main one in places such as Haiti and Gana), and it’s often stigmatised and viewed through the wrong light. So you all can understand how a take like this could rub someone the wrong way and be deemed as religious intolerance.

But as I know this fandom is PAINFULLY stubborn and probably will want to keep exploring this take even if it makes some people uncomfortable (take the people who refuse to acknowledge Alastor as aro and the people who refuse to stop calling Alastor a wendigo for instance) I would like to offer an alternative take: 

See, I’m not from Voodoo and it’s not that big of a religion here in Brazil, however, we do have two other religions here that are similar/derivatives from Voodoo (Candomblé and Umbanda) and face similar prejudices, so I’m making this based mostly on these two but know that it also applies to Voodoo. 

In Umbanda, we have a higher god, the Orixás (entities that provide guidance and protection) and we have spirits, these spirits divide in different groups and offer advices and guidance to all types of people, there are spirits that look after women, children, grieving parents and even the lost (such as drug addicts).

But as we have good spirits, we also have bad ones. they are popularly known as “espiritos de porco” (pig spirits) who are usually mischievous and even ill intended spirits that might loom over you if they feel a bad energy coming from you or if you are spiritually unprotected and they will start to cause you misfortune and even make you feel weak and sick.

Some ill-intended people use these bad spirits against people they want to harm, the bad spirits may guide them in performing a ritual or maybe the spirit will loom on this targeted person. 

It’s (partly) due to people like this that these religions have such bad reputation, but these people basically perform their religion in a corrupted way! Umbanda is a religion that connects you with nature and guides you spiritually, it’s deeply connected with healing practises (mentally, physically and spiritually), but as I said, like EVERY other religion, it can be corrupted and used to harm.

I think the best use of “corrupt vs proper use of religion” I’ve seen comes from Disney's The Princess and the Frog. People usually remember Dr Facilier better, who used Voodoo against his enemies and to harvest power (much like a certain deer man we all know and love) but we also had Mama Odie (which is a real figure in voodoo, mind you. Also present in Umbanda, a Mama Odie is sort of a priestess of the religion) notice how she is a much more accurate representation of the religion, she lives in contact with nature, she performs her rituals and prayers in the wide while dancing with a very positive energy around, and she wears white (which is the most recommended colour to wear during rituals, as it’s a neutral colour and pleases all Orixás). 

So as you can see, there’s good voodoo practicants and bad ones, and in the end it’s all about how you use your religion, if you use it as you were taught, with pure intentions, seeking guidance and protection of good spirits and Orixás, or in a corrupt way, surrounding yourself with bad spirits and helping them spread their bad energy. 

So what I am hoping with all this is is that people put a stop to “Alastor is evil because he uses Voodoo” and adopt the “Alastor is evil because he does malpractice of Voodoo” which is a much more accurate to reality and respectful take. 

I’d even like to offer a headcanon of my own: 

That Alastor's mom was from Voodoo (maybe even was a Mama Odie herself) and taught Alastor all she knew and he corrupted her teachings and started using them for evil (perhaps even to aid him in his killing) and THAT, that corruption, was what sent him to hell, and true redemption for him would not to give up his powers/forsake his religion but actually to go back to his roots and use his powers for good (perhaps in a way that he ends up healing/saving someone (hopefully Charlie or Rosie)👀

[fallingdownhell]

May I request Zhongli, Itto, Kaveh and Cyno with an s/o who's got crazy good luck? They could win any challenge or game presented to them, never get hurt (to badly), and are always making loads of cash (somehow).

I can imagine at least one of those characters getting jealous over something like this.. Characters Included: Itto; Cyno; Zhongli; Kaveh Content: gender neutral reader; established relationship; crack??; some fluff and comedy; nothing too serious here, just some funny headcanons Word count: 942 words Have fun with this<3

Itto

the man, the myth, the legend himself..

he gets SO incredibly jealous. When he challenges you jokingly at first, and you keep winning against him..

His pride is on the line here, okay?

you win a match of TCG against his amazing deck? That's fine, he can always challenge you for another round

but when you keep on winning and winning, he gets more and more desperate with each passing round

okay, screw TCG. How about a beetle fight? He's sure to win this, no doubt about it!

...what do you mean he lost again?

he's heartbroken. Will fall to the ground in disbelief. Have the gods truly forsaken him now?

a little drama queen about it, but it wouldn't be the Itto you know and love if he wouldn't act like this

still, you do feel a bit bad about it. To the point where you decide to only do the bare minimum and let him win against you, so he'll cheer up again

when he does win, his spirit is back up again immediately, bloating about his superior victory for the rest of the day. Like, seriously, he won't shut up about it anymore

unless someone were to mention all his previous losses, then he's back to sulking again

however, the next day, all is forgiven and forgotten again

Cyno

one night, after dinner, he was talking about his new deck in TCG when you decided to ask him if he could teach you how to play

immediate sparkles in his eyes as he gets all excited and pulls out a new set of cards for you. He's been waiting for this day to come!

takes his time to explain the rules to you and helps you build your deck. If you ask him questions, he answeres them paitently

then comes the time for your first duel. Even though you are his partner and it's your first ever match, he doesn't plan to go easy on you. Well, maybe a bit, but he still will take this match very seriously

But when you end up winning against him, he's dumbfounded. How did you manage to do that?

He'd quietly mumble something about beginners luck, then challenges you to a rematch. This time, he plans to go all out

...and he looses again

now thourougly confused, he's looking at his cards like he might find the answer in them, while you are laughing your ass off. Your stomach hurts from all the laughing, but you can't calm down. Cyno's just so cute when he looks so shaken up

it's a mystery to him, how you could win against him, despite him having the better cards, the better deck and obviously having more expierence playing the game

in the end, he does swallow down his pride and congratulates you to your win, though he will work his deck over and challenge you again at a later point in time

Zhongli

as an adventurer, it is unavoidable that people get injured every now and then. It's just a risk that comes with the profession

and yet, Zhongli has never seen an injury on you more severe than a cut and maybe some darker bruises

don't get him wrong, he's glad that you're not getting hurt all the time. It's just that your stories and the results don't match up most of the time

"And get this. Then, a huge rockfall comes falling down in our direction! Can you imagine that?" "Darling, that's very serious. How did you manage to avoid that?" "I don't know. Guess I just got lucky. I only got hit my a small one on the head, but it wasn't even big enoug to give me a concussion, so all's good!"

"I almost fell down a cliff today!", "A group of Ruin hunters attacked us today!", "We got locked in a cave, but luckily, they were connected to other caves, so we got out no problem."

almost every other day, you come home with a similar story and every time, Zhongli questions just how much luck one single human can possess to come out mostly unharmed every single time

still, every time you set out for work, he can't help but worry about you. What if one day, your luck runs out on you? You reassure him that you're careful, but it does little to appease his mind when you come home with yet another tale to tell...

Kaveh

Kaveh isn't one for gambling, never has been and never will be. Though, he knows that you like to induldge from time to time, so when you invite him to come along with you, he agrees

and then he witnesses you winning each and every game you partake in. Doesn't matter how rigged the games might be, you make it look so simple

with a huge grin on your lips, your arms raise into the air as you declare your victory one again, and he's left dumbfounded

when he catches a quiet moment, he can't help but ask you about it

"I don't know. I just always had really good luck when it comes to those type of games.", would be your nonchalant explanaition

now he gets why you don't go out to play more often. You'd get banned from every single location if you were to do this regularely

Going home from a place like this with such a massive win.. he's too stunned to speak, but nonetheless very impressed and proud of you for it

will accompany you more often when you want to go out to gamble again, just to see your excited and joyful expression again

[lets-try-some-writing]

hello :] this isn't really a request so much as a hypothetical question, but have you ever thought about writing what would happen if optimus stayed regressed after s2e2 and was brought back to the team as orion pax, with the team having zero idea what to do with him and needing to adjust to living with a guy who's definitely not optimus in optimus' body while also at the same time working to figure out how on earth they're supposed to get his memory back (and needing to teach him pretty much everything about the current operation all over again)??? again, not explicitly a writing prompt, but i do want to know if you have any thoughts (｡･∀･)ﾉﾞ

I SWEAR this is a fic about this on Ao3 that I read at some point. Look it up. It's somewhere, maybe in the Optiratch stuff. I can't bloody remember. That said, here are my thoughts on the concept.

I imagine that it would be a very difficult adjustment for both parties on some fronts, but also probably a lot easier in some areas as well. Orion Pax was not a warrior, but he was a brilliant tactician unburdened by the horrors of war that left Optimus so very shattered in some regards. Orion's youthfulness and extensive knowledge would allow him to come up with plans that may not be new, but surprising enough to be effective due to having long since been lost to time. Think of it like turning up to a shootout with spears and somehow winning due to cunning. That's how I see Orion's logic working.

Additionally, Orion would be a fantastic foil and glue for the entire team. Being far more emotive, I imagine he would bring much needed life and wisdom back to the group, giving them hope for a better future. It would be like having a young and fresh off the Matrix Optimus back, if only without the added god knowledge. He could actually connect to his team, helping them through their issues as they in turn help Orion adjust and slowly work through the absolute mountain of data and war crimes witnesses by both sides of the war.

Battle would be difficult for him though, and I do imagine Ratchet is suddenly going to have to get back on the playing field while Orion re-learns how properly fight. I think he'd pick it up quickly, muscle memory and all that. But the mental effects would be difficult for him initially, thus leading me to believe he'd be a bit of a homebody while he learned the ropes. But having to learn all these things would give him yet another excuse to bond to his team and learn new battle tactics that he can apply better than Optimus (being so set in his ways) ever could. Who knows? He might actually be able to do some actual damage to Megatron.

Essentially, the mental stuff would be a LOT for Orion, but I imagine he would adjust and maybe even end the war peacefully with the help of his team. Or barring that, he can use old cleverness to earn them a victory without as much bloodshed.

[the-earth-priestess]

A PICK-A-PILE FOR THE QUEER GOTHS 🔪🥀🩸

(and really, anyone who wants to play)

WHAT'S HOLDING YOU BACK FROM LOVE?

rules: feel out the vibes of each set of images. you can take as long as you like, you can choose more than one or all if you want, either way it's better to go with your gut instincts. then read the corresponding info under the cut. take what resonates, leave what doesn't, have fun! 🩷🖤❤️

also note that this can be interpreted however you like. it doesn't have to be romantic love; it can be any kind of love -- platonic, familial, spiritual, or some secret other thing. anything you like. your limit is your imagination.

Pile 1.

Pile 2.

Pile 3.

Pile 1.

You are holding onto something or someone in your heart that is blocking the flow of your emotions. Whether this be a person in your life right now, a ghost of what was, or more like a collection of memories, God is encouraging you to let go. You don't have to forgive or forget, but moving on is essential for opening up yourself to new love. You need to make the space for it.

You need to remember that you are growing at your own rate, and that's okay. Comparison is the killer of joy. Allow yourself to breathe, and be kind to your own being, as you make progress.

You have someone you want to be closer to, and you could very well be if you pursue it. It's important to take the initiative. You never know unless you try, and you only increase your chances of love if you try.

You need to practice being assertive to be loved. Asserting your boundaries is an important aspect of healthy relationships and the key to being loved the way you need. You need to teach those around you how to love you, even if there's already an emotional connection. Real love takes effort.

You've been pushing yourself too far and too hard as well. Maybe you've been taking care of others without letting yourself be cared for in the process. You need to relax and take a breather! Let yourself regain your energy, because you need to learn how to love yourself amongst learning how to love others, too.

Pile 2.

Things feel chaotic in your love life right now, but instead of shying away from it, try leaning into it. Try looking at things upside-down. You might like what you see.

You've been reaping the benefits of your sown harvest. Your emotional capacity is plentiful and abundant, and so you could try giving where others are in need! What you give to the world returns to you tenfold; this is how the world and God's part in it works.

Your appearance is unassuming, perhaps... but you know the strength you hold within. This is a gentle reminder to not let the opinions of others sway you when you know that you are surrounded by love, warmth and prosperity.

You're nearing the end of a cycle. You'll be collecting the fruits of your harvest, and you can take time to enjoy them; the good and the bad and the in-between; learn and live. You will see another spring just like this one.

A difficult decision is to be made, but you know what you're going to do. You need not hesitate, and you will feel relief in the fallout. You will find your way forward from this, it will not last forever.

You have things you've been keeping from people, and not maliciously -- but it would do you good to get it off your chest. The other person might have something to share too, and you can grow closer through trusting each other.

Face your enemies and stand your ground. You don't have to sacrifice your agency for them. You don't owe them that. You're facing these difficulties because of them, and it is not your fault. Be good to yourself by allowing yourself to be heard.

You've been facing so many situations that are outside of your control, but the way you behave is not outside your control. You know what you need to do, and being good to yourself is part of the journey. Pick your battles. Listen to your inner voice that knows which ones to fight.

Recenter yourself. You've been wearing thin because of these struggles you've been facing, so take time for yourself. Find that balance, reacquaint your body and your mind. It will help you when you need it most.

Pile 3.

Seeds remain dormant for many years waiting for the right conditions to sprout. Now is the time to bide your time. Wait until you're sure you're ready.

You're plentiful in emotional energy right now, bountiful and steady in ways, but someone around you could be struggling. Who haven't you heard from in a while? Maybe you could check in with them.

Your needs are being overlooked by others right now; consider communicating to let yourself be heard. If you have communicated multiple times and it's never gone well? Consider cutting out that which doesn't help you prosper. It's courageous to choose yourself first and foremost.

Taking a break from love is not weakness, it is strength in its own right. You need time right now. You need time to process, to meditate on things. And that's okay. So take all the time you need and know your worth.

Take a step back and soak up some restful energy in the sunshine. You need to tend to your anxieties and worries; soothe them, or try learning how to soothe them. Become acquainted with yourself and how to self-soothe; it is essential that you relax right now.

You're grieving right now. Whether that be the loss of a relationship, a life or a connection entirely, this is a gentle reminder that you are not alone and that the love you cherished will return to you in a new form.

Thanks for playing! :) Please reblog and let me know how it resonated if you enjoyed! 🩷🖤❤️

[explodingchantry]

dai harbors such disdain for the elves it's honestly baffling. Both of your elven companions hold disdain for the dalish. neither of them ARE dalish. a dalish inquisitor barely gets a say in being forced to carry the title of herald of andraste and inquisitor. their clan can be wiped out in a war table mission with no consequences, no cutscenes, no dialogue, no nothing as a result. you can get one of the most beloved companion of the game defending slavery to you. you can get an elf to command orlais from the shadows but the game goes to great length to let you know that she is corrupt and untrustworthy, too, like the humans.

solas, who is FRAMED as being not just trustworthy, but extremely knowledgeable and wise, denies his connection to the elves. he believes himself better than the dalish who are foolish worshippers of the monsters who enslaved them millenias ago, and better than the city elves who let themselves (in his eyes) be persecuted by humans. if you romance him he takes away your vallaslin, one of the most culturally significant symbols of the dalish, because it actually used to be a marking forced upon them by their evil slaver gods. ther dalish are constantly, over and over, portrayed as foolish and misunderstanding their past and heritage, with very little opportunity to argue against that even as a dalish inquisitor.

Non dalish know more than you even when you are a dalish inquisitor. Morrigan, a HUMAN, teaches you, a dalish elf, about ancient elvhen magic and artifacts. Solas, who through the game is portrayed as a non-dalish elf, teaches you about ancient elvhen magic and artifacts whilst at the same time mocking the dalish who wish to retain their culture, heritage and knowledge

it is so meanspirited. the reveal that solas is fen'harel does very little to soften the blow, especially since it's hand in hands with the reveal that flemeth, a HUMAN, is mythal.

i know there's some interesting lore bits that ties ancient elves to humans, but that doesn't matter, okay? What matters is that the fucking writing is biased against elves. the writing could've raised these questions, offered these earth shattering discoveries, without being so mean spirited and biased against elves and especially the dalish.

imagine being a player who doesnt care to dig into the deeper lore, whose never played a dragon age game before. you would be left scoffing about how foolish the dalish are, obsessed with their past to the point they'll happily believe falsehoods and venerate evil slavers. you wouldn't care about any of the lore implications. and even if you did, it wouldn't remove the negative bias the game really shoves at you. it's literally baffling how no one in the writer's room was like "hm, maybe we should offer a proper dalish point of view to some of these things. maybe we should hold back on the fantasy racism just a teensy bit, considering our fantasy races and cultures are deeply tied to real ones in the real world with very obvious inspirations. it might be best to not portray one of our marginalised races and people as stupid idiots who got their entire heritage all wrong. maybe."

[anthroamazed]

tips for stem majors in math and science courses (spoonie + neurodivergent friendly)

hi y’all! my nameis lila and i’m a 28 year old physics and anthropology major who’s about 2 years through college (in the US)! as we’re coming up on the start of the fall ‘23 college semester, i thought i might share some really solid hacks for fellow STEM students taking science and/or math courses that i’ve basically built my college academic career on. and! these study tips are spoonie and adhd friendly! as a matter of fact, a lot of these are tips/methods that specifically work for me as a neurodivergent spoonie (i have pretty severe adhd, as well as POTS and ME/CFS), but that i think non-disabled/non-spoonie and/or neurotypical students could also benefit from using! so with out any further ado, here are my 7 tried and true study hacks for college math and science classes…

1) discover your learning style and tailor your studying towards leveraging it.

you’ve probably heard of visual, audio, and kinesthetic learning styles, but did you now there’s actually way more learning styles than just those three? i’m personally a “social learner,” meaning i learn best through discussion and socialization with 1+ other people to interact with. this could look like teaching other classmates concepts and methods that we’ve learned or discussing ideas with classmates and/or professors until i fully understand the concepts at play and how they connect and can reflect them in performing analysis and application, etc. honestly, figuring out my learning style was hands down one of the most helpful things i’ve done in college. it has allowed me to choose professors who i will mesh better with in terms of how they teach, as well as to adapt materials and methods to my style of learning in order to master them quicker and more effectively.

2) rewrite your notes after lecture, for the love of god.

this tip actually comes from my high school IB Math HL teacher, who told me to do this when i originally left high school for college. even if you think you’ve mastered the basics of the topic covered during the lecture, rewriting those notes after lecture helps really hammer in the knowledge that you’ve already established and also helps to get the wheels turning on pieces of information you might have less of a grasp on. try tp set aside at least 30 - 40 minutes after class to just rewrite your notes and try to really digest the information.

3) body doubling is one of the most beneficial things ever to be invented even if you’re not adhd, and i WILL die on that hill, thank you very much.

“body doubling” or “having an accountabilibuddy” are interchangeable terms in the adhd community that mean you have one or more consistent study buddy/buddies who you do all the homework and/or studying with in person on a regular basis, even if you’re just working next to each other in total silence. this does a couple of things. first off, it forces homework/assignments/studying to become a concrete social obligation you need to regularly show up for, rather than a nebulous obligation based on an invisible deadline. second off, it gives you 1+ partners to work out your problems concerning course topics with. third off, it allows you to build a network of peers where you feel comfortable helping each other with course material (this is especially great because it’s likely you and your classmates have different strengths regarding course content). tbh, body doubling is the other method that i, personally, have found most useful in college and i highly recommend trying it, even if you don’t have adhd.

4) teach others/your classmates the analysis and application methods you’ve learned, even if those methods aren’t 100% solidified for you (trust me on this).

the goal of stem courses is never memorization, but rather being able to understand a topic well enough to analyze a similar situation and apply the what you’ve learned creatively. this is where teaching others comes in. in order to teach others a concept and its related analysis and application well, you have to have at least a fraction of a decent understanding of these things yourself, and, further, often time in teaching these things you also learn to grasp the concepts/aanalysis/applications even better than you did before with each new teaching session. basically: teaching others is a creative way of also teaching yourself. you get the benefits of repetition, of thinking about a concept/technique/analysis and application in a new way, and of getting to apply the concept/technique/analysis and applicatioin to a new scenario each time. plus, you’ll typically make friends quickly in the process! there’s really no downside to this tip imo ;-)

5) utilize your college’s tutoring center/program(s), even when you don’t think you need to.

usually colleges have either set up a general “tutoring center,” on campus where you can find tutors for all different kinds of topics and courses available during regular hours for walk-in sessions and/or appointments free of charge or departments will hold regular weekly (or twice weekly) free on-campus tutoring sessions for specific courses. regardless of which of these options your college has, i highly recommend attending at least one tutoring session/appointment (ideally with the same tutor if/when you eventually find one you click with) every single week, even when you don’t feel like you’re struggling with the topic(s) covered in that week’s lecture. this will help you review topics and techniques covered in lecture, deepen your understanding of them, and, if nothing else, it’s an excuse to get homework out of the way while having someone else there who can help you if/when you get stuck. attending at least one session weekly also helps you get into a habit and routine of keeping up with your assignments, so you’re not left scrambling at the last minute before they’re due.

6) if you have accommodations, request access to record lectures. if you do not have accommodations, ask your professor if you are allowed to record lectures. IF YOU RECORD LECTURES, DO NOT FORGET TO REVIEW THEM!

okay, so first up for my fellow spoonies and neurodivergent peeps: when you apply for/renew your accommodations, make sure that “recordinng lectures” is on your MOA (memorandum of accommodations), because so long as it is, your professors legally cannot deny you permission to record lectures without risk of themself and the college being sued for an ADA violation. also, make friends with a classmate and ask them to record lectures and send them to you if/when you are absent (let the professor know that you’ve asked this classmate to record and send you the lecture if you are absent)

now, if you aren’t disabled, a spoonie, and/or neurodivergent, you aren’t guaranteed permission to record lectures. however. ask the professor if you can have their permission to audio record lectures (be sure to also let them know that such a recording would be for personal use only and that you don’t plan on distributing the recordings). i’ve found that many professors don’t mind you having an audio recording.

even if you aren’t an audible learner it can be really useful to have these recordings to review at a later point. oftentimes reviewing lecture recordings can be useful if you glazed over and missed a section of the lecture and/or if you can’t remember what a professor taught during a section of a lecture.

7) last but not least, on a related note, if you have accommodations, also request access to your professor’s lecture notes. if you don’t have accommodations, check if your professor posts their lecture notes for students to use.

having your professor’s notes can be extremely useful for review purposes, but they can also help you understand where your professor is going with course content and what they want to stress as important.

[ancientgoddessofegypt]

Dark Moon Lilith/Waldemath Lilith (H58) : Mother Gaia, Spiritual Realm, Shadows, Night and the Moon.

Waldemath Lilith (h58) was discovered by scientist George Waldemath .

Wanting to take the time to explain my feelings towards this placement. As it's different from the other lilith placements, but has nothing to do with lilith in its entirety.

When Waldemath saw the planet in the sky, he said he seen it as a dark shadow in the sky and thats when he got the name for it.

Connecting it to lilith is great, but understanding its prophecies are bit different. So lets begin.

With the energy of dark moon lilith, its connecting to a cosmic force that focuses on the 'Mother'. Who is that you might ask?

Well in this case, The Mother is the Universe. But its so much deeper than that.

Because we exist in a timeline where we don't say thank you to mother gaia, where we pretend that the feminine is lesser than the masculine. Where we think of 'God' as a masculine entity and nothing more.

And this is where it gets challenging.

To say its a lilith placement isn't far fetched, just have to take into note that this energy that the dark moon portrays is far more connected to something spiritual than the lilith placement itself.

This one focuses on the spiritual elements, the ancestor, the mother, the unseen forces and realms that we hear about but can't get our grip on.

So when I say this placement has some deep shit to unravel, I mean it.

So starting off with someone having this placement in there first house. These individuals could deal with the world where the empathic effects can be overly daunting or exceptionally healing.

At some point, people will look to you as something other than. For better or for worse.

In the beginning phases of life, you may be forced to see how much different and sensitive you are to others and this may shape you in a way that makes your outlook on life far connected to something spiritual and enlightening. You can explore the different realms and find solace in what it is you came to do without shame once you realize those experiences where you were outcasted were suppose to shape you into your original form.

You're different in a way that connects the universe to your vision, never forget it.

Someone with this placement in the first house would have to learn the hardships & lessons of being 'Other' and knowing how to navigate things in a way that correlates with their plane of existence. You're not alone in it, and deep down you are a source of divine inspiration because all your life you had to get your level of intellect and knowledge from some where. And at times this can reflect on your appearance and show itself brightly. You have a big aura that shapes the people around you, and a lot of times people can see you in a odd way than most, but it's Mother.

Mother isn't just one thing, she is everything. And thats you.

Now for someone who has this placement connected to the Sun, you will have to surrender to the divine forces within more often than you'd like. The shame, guilt and fears you've succumbed to where not that of your own, which is very similar to lilith, but again, its connected to something cosmic. It's as if your life force is here to shape the perceptions and realities of others with just your mere presence. You have a gift that enlightens a lot of people into being who they are and you're very captivating to say the least. You may have been bullied with how unique you stand in your aura but thats because children and even adults had not known what the outer realms we're trying to teach them.

The way you express your divine feminity is not that of anyone else, which can confuse others and they'll try to change your perception of what it is and what it isn't. But you'll keep going nonetheless.

You're a shape shifter, a healer, and a vortex opener. Someone who knows the ins and the outs when it comes to spiritual knowledge. But you keep this to your self. Something about you is incredibly magical, and the more you connect to nature, crystals and animals the higher your vibration will be.

Moon aspecting the dark moon can show an individual whos psychic prowess can take form and connect to the areas around them. You're likeliness is like a witch, and you're connected to the stars and all things unseen in a way that most people will never grasp. It. isn't for them too. You're like the crone but you haven't lived that long yet, its been ingrained in you since a young age.

You guys are different in the way you carry yourself, you could end up going into something connected to candle magick, witchcraft if you will, as the feminine magic you carry needs expression at some point.

Theres a special quality to the connection you have with others, it passes the concept of time and other things related to beliefs in religious doctrines. You have a interesting persona and the way you carry yourself is unique and has nothing to do with social standards carried out in society.

Your energy holds weight and it may push people into believing in something and thinking deeper than what is totally normal.

This was a fun, short, intricate analyzation of the planet and the energies connected to the big 3. I hope this helps someone wanting to learn more about the dark moon and its ties to the spiritual. More to come on this. Adios!

[rakubalka]

Shortly after being accepted into the Black Bulls Asta gets put as the stand on medic for his squad by himself .

Late on he gets put as the actual main madic for his squad because Grordon the only other person who knows any sufficient amount of medicine can't heal properly because of his poison element . When people find out he is an actual doctor that is , the with years of practice are a bonus .

One of the first things he does is teach everyone especially Vanessa how to sew wounds . He also starts to give medication to however needs it and overall tries to keep them in good health .

They mainly consist of the following :

Yami :

Immediately got banned from smoking

Would complain from the lack of smoke if he wasn't testing the medical drugs Asta is trying to feed him to detirmen what works best

As a result there are moments he has some of the worst headaches in his life and moments of absolute bliss of no longer having to feel peoples magic at all

Also as a side effects suffers from stomach and/or digestive problems partially because of medication partially because of just genetics

I wanted to keep the gag while giving an explanation and it was either this or making Yami lactose intolerant

Maybe both

Later on got given TheTalk™ from Asta

Finral :

Has mostly normal check-ups

Gets checked regularly for any poison attempt's by both Asta and Gordon

None have worked so far

Absolutely willing to either help or just directly supply any and all medical plants Asta wants

Was the first person to get TheTalk™ from Asta

Nacht :

The moment Asta finally gets his hand on him Nacht is going to pray to every God out there for help

Jokes on him

Asta has WAY more connections than him

He isn't going to like the vaccination

Neither will he like being put before a mind healing specialist doctor but he doesn't have a choice

Because displeasing Asta in the Medic™ mood is going to get all the fear he needs for a lifetime put in him in a few minutes so he shuts up and listens carefully

Nacht doesn't know what he is more - impressed , absolutely terrified or romantically interested in a never before seen by himself way

Apparently he has a type and that is a kind hearted and compasioned very competent absolutely terrifying people

He has no idea how to deal with those feelings especially for people who are half his age

He thought Asta was bad enough on his own and then he met Rebecca

And started to even more seriously question his taste

He didn't start to romantically pursue either of them before they're in their 20's however because he does have standards and one of them is not dating a child or grooming said child

Gordon :

Finally has a doctor who can help him heal without his mana going hare wire

Started to receive both medical cream and better medical make up from Asta to help with his skin condition

He and Asta gave the recipes to his family as the skin condition runs in it

Both of them along with Zora and however knows enough rune magic are trying to make a magical instrument to amplify sound so in a dire situations he can scream for help or to help get peoples attention for something important

Because he has an old scar/wound on his vocal cords making him unable to speak barely above a whisper he carries a notebook to communicate

Gray :

After getting Gray the check up they immediately got to TheTalk™

Both Asta and Gray come to the conclusion that with Gray experiencing very little if any gender dysphoria when constantly transformed might mean they are nonbinary , gender fluid , agender or something else they don't know at the moment

The only thing Asta recommends is more moving and to eat more

Also starts Gray on taking anti anxiety medications

Later after Gray Gordon and Gauche started dating in a trouple he gives them the longer more detailed version of TheTalk™

Gauche :

Asta immediately got up to speed by Mother Theresa(the nun) , Captain Yami and Finral as to their plan to get through Gauche tick skull that he finally has a proper support system and needs to stop being so co-dependent on his sister as it's not healthy for either of them

Asta also starts to search for a mage that can finally properly and more importantly permanently heal the wound in Gauche's nose that causes him to get a nose bleed any time he fell even a speck to much of love , be it platonic or romantic

The wound in question is almost as old as Marie and that and never healed properly

He is in love with his sister PLATONICALLY , not romantically cause that would be nasty

He is practically her parent figure and I don't think I need to explain how fucked it would be for your parent figure to be romantically interested in you , and while I want to point just how desperately he needs help because of all the mental problems he has that line I am not crossong

Also at some point also gets Gauche to start seeing a mind healer regularly because he desperately needs it

Vanessa :

Got banned from drinking permanently

Got started on both anti depression and anti mana overstimulation drugs because she definitely needs it

Charmy :

At first Asta though she had problems

Then later on found out she is just a human-dwarf hybrid and was like "that explains it"

Other than that she is in perfect health

But they both had to re-organize the menu and what ingredients are allowed because the only reason no one is having mana induced cancer is because of Henry taking the extra mana

Fun fact for this - the way we see Charmy is purely stylistic to us to everyone else she looks like a normal young lady around Asta's height when in her dwarf form , in her human form however she is actually taller than Julius

Zara :

The moment Asta finds he is a member he gets the vaccines and the long overdue check up

Also any and all insects he presents to Asta are either getting a) made into medicine , b) given to Charmy to cook or c) eaten raw

Needless to say Zora is both terrified and impressed of Asta

And when he learns Asta full name and does a double take . Because this is the older of the Winter Brothers™ of Hage village !?!

He is honestly surprised he didn't get jumped by the other one

Not that he didn't get death treats stares from Yuno mind you he just didn't realize that Yuno is fully ready to kill him and take care of the body by himself

He is terrified

He also gets bullied by Asta to wear sunscream

Henry :

Gets his check up regularly

Is on a very strict dietary and exorcise plan made by Asta so he is in good health

Also started to get documented by Asta as while there have been people with this curse/sickness in history they are still pretty rare

Nero :

First started getting check ups not by Asta but by a veterinarian

Later it came out she has a human form

Asta has no idea how the Deal™ would have affected Nero so he tries to monitor her health a lot so that he can understand what is healthy for her

Also while looking like a young adult she is very much a grandma at heart , she does mother hen people into seeing Asta

Luck :

Immediately gets started on anti mana overstimulation drugs

Also tried anti anxiety medications, it did not work and if anything it made tings worse

Got permanently put with a mind healer similar to Gauche

Magna :

Got a plan to up his mana capacity by Asta and Charmy

Also got to a mind healer because of self worth issues

Still batshit insane and yet one if not the sanest member of his squad

Noelle :

Asta saw the family issues and mana problems a mile away

And decided she is one of his now effective immediately

She can't go to a mind healer other than Mark because of security reasons but that doesn't stop her family from being a supporting environment

And while therapy is out the table at the moment

She still starts to take medical drugs from Asta like everyone with high mana

Vanessa's and Captain Yami instructions and advices as to how to better her control are very informative and useful

Later on also gets tutored by Klaus on how to move metal mana or just heavier and denser mana

Libei :

Asta is banging his head at the wall but mark his word he will make sure everyone he cares about is safe , healthy and happy and Libei is in that group of people

Asta(himself) :

Has a visit to the doctor around two time a moth

Can actually get given directly to the newbie to use healing as Asta's body will react positive to any healing other than the one using one own mana to do it

Any and all questions are welcome

Might later on also add the future members

[chrollo-lucilfers-chains]

Currently thinking about...

Chrollo, whose s/o is a history professor teaching at yorknew university, specialized in historical artifacts.

Chrollo, who loves the way their eyes sparkle when they look at historical pieces and who takes them to museums and galleries all around the world.

You two are the hot, mysterious, well-read couple that shows up on art installations just to judge the pieces. Every academic around dreams of being like you or at least knowing you.

He however loves when you wear those gigantic, dramatic sunglasses while outside. It's cute.

His s/o, who's become sort of famous in the art world, as they always show up to gatherings on the arm of that charming gentleman (who nobody assumes might be responsible for the art pieces being stolen later).

Chrollo's arm is always wrapped leisurely around your waist during these events, as he takes a sip from an expensive wine glass.

Chrollo, who brings his s/o little trinkets™ home, like a cat would, only for them to be like ?!?

"What the.... This is like two thousand years old and only three copies still exist!! How did you get this?!"

He never tells them. He doesn't have to because they're too busy nerding out about the apparent value of the artifact.

Chrollo, who adores when his s/o goes into their little rants and infodumps because 1. He likes listening to them talk 2. He's becoming kind of invested in art history because of them and 3. He can now gouge the exact price he can sell the piece for in the black markets.

Chrollo, who sneaks into his significant other's lectures to soak up all the knowledge when they're too busy for him at home.

Chrollo, who shamelessly uses your connections and knowledge in the arts and history and who becomes really good in locating the most expensive object of a collection.

The troupe is impressed by his knowledge. Little do they know he's just repeating what you told him a few hours ago.

Pakunoda, who is the only one that knows you (she's been having weekly tea parties with you for about two years) and who just watches the chaos go down with a knowing smile.

Chrollo, who started the relationship on a whim but has gotten invested in your world. He's obsessed.

Honestly might get a degree in art, history or something too, just for the aesthetic™.

You hate that he archives that so easily. It's one of the most genius but annoying things he's done.

Like, you're proud of him but god dammit, why is he so good at everything!?

Chrollo, who loves the looks your students give you when he picks you up with his car, dressed in suit pants, a tight dress shirt and sunglasses, with the arms of the shirt rolled up to the elbows, exposing his muscular forearms.

The students are drooling. So are you.

Say what you want but Chrollo's got the most beautiful hands and long, slender fingers (great for stealing stuff and unbuttoning shirts, if you get the hint).

Emo boy™ is in his suit phase. You don't mind, you're definitely not complaining.

He's into the academic aesthetic now, you're not getting rid of him anytime soon.

Chrollo, who told Pakunoda he keeps you around because of your knowledge and connections.

Pakunoda, who knows better.

You, his s/o, who is relatively oblivious to all of this thievery and mischief going on and who is just happy having such a great boyfriend who's also invested in your interests :)

[welikeimagines-andfandoms]

Imagine being best friends with Charles Xavier, dating Dean Winchester and your father being Athelstan

Charles:

- Meet in university

- You’re friends with Raven first but after the battle with Erik you grow closer to Charles

- Never let him feel bad about himself and his chair

- Often make fun of him calling him ‘old man’ and sitting in his lap to ‘go for a spin’

- Youre the first one he calls on when Logan comes around

- Charles helps so many mutants but you are the one that truly helps him

- You’ve been around a lot longer and help him to guide students with their mutations and become like an Aunty to Storm, Jean and Scott

- Always know you’ll lose Charles as you’ve lost many friends before but he always knows the right thing to say

- You help Charles run the mansion but you also help mutants who want to be more nomadic like you

- You’re Charles right hand man

Dean:

- You meet on a hunt and becomes confused when he finds you talking with the vampires instead of killing them

- Thinks you’re a vampire yourself

- It takes a while for him to trust you but once he does, you both connect quickly

- loves hearing your stories

- Is like a little boy when you teach him how to fight with a sword

- Tries to be serious when going to the X-Mansion for the first time but once again feels like a little kid

- Both him and Sam get along with Logan

- Kurk is like a fanboy when he meets Castiel

- He loves hearing about all the old rock concerts you went to

- Sam likes your older historical stories

- Dean playfully rolls his eyes whenever you and Cas get into ‘bible talk’ as Dean calls it

- Dates to museums where you explain more than the museum does

- Teaching the boys old healing things you’ve learnt over time

- Dean loves how dominant you are in the bedroom

- Calls you his warrior

- Wonder Woman and Batman for Halloween

- Singing him old songs from your childhood when he’s sick

- Sometimes museums become a bit too much and you cry seeing your lost friends and family, but Dean holds you and makes you feel better

Athelstan:

- never really knew your mother

- Raised between different friends (Royal and Viking)

- Kept both Nordic and Christian faith

- Go to every museum expo about your father/family that you can

- Lagertha, Ragnar and Bjorn know you but are kept from Aslaug and Ragnars other sons

- When your mutation develops, your father thinks you’re a gift from God, and Ragnar, Lagertha and Floki believe you to be a child of the Aesir

- Ragnar believes you can be a great asset but Lagertha and Athelstan try to keep you out of battle, believing you need to be treasured

- You are taught how to fight however

- Growing up being told stories of both the bible and the gods

Charles and Dean:

- Charles is sceptical when he meets Dean at first but is quickly won over

- Dean is very polite and proper when he meets Charles for the first time

- He even worries about what to wear and almost wears his FBI suit

- You make sure they meet at a BBQ so Dean is more relaxed

- Overtime Charles becomes like grandad to Dean and helps him in life

- Sometimes mutants turn out to be monsters and vice versa so they end up calling each other every now and then

- Charles gets Dean to paint some demon sigils around, just in case

- Dean and Charles ganging up on you with old lady jokes

- “Dean we’ll have to get the fire department on call.” “Why’s that?” “Well with the old lady’s birthday coming up the cake might just be a major fire hazard”

[its-short-for-jackalope]

OKAY, WE GOT A TRAILER AND A TITLE AND I HAVE THOUGHTS

You know what that means: it's brainrot time.

🏝 TITLE REVEAL: WHO IS THE SEARCHER IN THE SHADOWS?

quick note, I love this title. It's rad as hell. 10/10. anyway—

of course when I hear the word "Searcher" I immediately think of the one and only Addison Arvad, missing captain of the Antikythera and beloved wrecker of journals.

look at her. I love her. she's beautiful. also I am lowkey obsessed with how Jackie draws hair. (please teach me your secrets.)

We didn't get to learn much about Capt. Arvad in episode 3, but we do know that she was a Searcher who disappeared without any explanation, along with the rest of her crew. Kal probably had something to do with it, since he was attempting to retrieve the ship's orrery and said some vague stuff about fog and vortices, but even he doesn't seem to know exactly what happened to her and the crew.

Whatever the case, her disappearance is the reason most of the events in TGOA even happened, so it would make sense for her to be a big part of the next episode. And if Addison is the Searcher and the Searcher is in the shadows, then I have two (and a half?) theories.

The first is that she (and her crew, if they survived, who are also presumably all Searchers) are lost somewhere and that whatever "fogging the vertices" entails led to her getting whisked away somewhere else. She could be trapped there, trying to get out, and/or maybe she is in shadows in the same way Margaret was—maybe she has lost her memories and her magic.

The second theory is actually an idea @man-down-in-hatchet-town proposed that promptly blew my mind: what if whatever happened to Addison led to her getting corrupted and going dark and she is the villain of the episode? I honestly love this idea so much and I think it would be fun and also delightfully heartbreaking after hearing that entry from Addison's journal and getting a glimpse of the person she once was.

(also every pulp fan I know is in complete agreement that we want a cool female villain, pretty please Matt— 🥺🙏)

🏝 OH GOD, THE TIME TRAVEL

I've already yelled a bit about Rose being separated from Samuel and the others, so I'm not gonna repeat myself here, but I also have other thoughts about the time travel!

The trailer has confirmed that Rose was indeed sent two weeks into the past like Ahlaam said she would be. I think it's safe to assume that Rose will have to wait those two weeks until she can reunite with the others, and I also believe we're gonna have to wait with her.

Rose’s two weeks are going to be important—she's meeting Dakkar and hopefully getting some Travelore™ about the island and The Blazing World, and probably getting into some sort of trouble that better not require a printing press plate to resolve, since she doesn’t have it right now—so I don’t think they're going to just blip by. Otherwise what’s the point of sending her back in time?

I think it’s a pretty safe bet that we (the listeners) are probably going to be doing some time travel ourselves, hopping between Rose's two weeks with Dakkar and the rest of the brick family in the present as Sia takes them to the island and they get started on all that mysterious work they have to do. I have no idea what they're going to find there except maybe a rocket? but I can imagine Samuel and the others following Rose's trail as they piece together what's happened to her and learn about this place and its inhabitants, and then the storylines will connect by the end of the episode and we'll get the twins back together and they'll never be separated again!

Isn't that right, Mr. Dahan?

/lh

Alternatively, I suppose the Ellen Austin could be met on the shore by a Rose who has already spent two weeks on the island and then we could get relevant flashbacks here and there, but I don't think that's as likely. It might be too impractical for this medium when we have a lot of story (and lore) to cover and only so much time to sing about it! Plus, that"By the time our heroes are reunited" bit really makes me think that they won't see each other until closer to the end of the episode. The reunion is absolutely gonna make me cry. I can't wait.

🏝 TRAVELER ISLAND, BABEY!

The island's inhabitants have magic similar to Margaret's, and are led by a new group of powerful Travelers.

...Well, maybe it's not Traveler island, exactly. I'm guessing that most of these ~inhabitants~ are actually Searchers. Sia might not be the only Traveler, but I don't think there are a lot of them out there. It makes more sense for there to be less Travelers and more Searchers to balance things out if the Travelers are significantly more powerful like they've been implied to be.

I definitely think Ahlaam is one of the "new group of powerful Travelers" and I'm super excited to get to know her more. (I am also hoping that maybe we'll get a Jackie Traveler character? 👀) I still don't know if Dakkar is a Traveler or not, but I'm inclined to believe he might be a Searcher—mostly because his portrait doesn't have glowing eyes and flashy gold jewelry like Sia or Ahlaam. (I also feel like it may not be a coincidence that he's wearing a light blue-ish colored shirt like Addison, even if it's a different style and looks considerably less like a space suit, lol.)

They speak of a lost kingdom, The Blazing World, and how what occurs on Lincoln Island will impact an entire civilization.

The Blazing World!!! Rose hasn't heard this name yet, but we have! (and Margaret and Samuel.) The people on Lincoln Island could be survivors/refugees from the Blazing World, or perhaps they are all here on a war mission and this is simply their base of operations. Either way, I'm sure the civilization being impacted is the Travelers'; even if this island isn't currently sheltering all that remains of their people and this is only an outpost for the war, they still have some valuable people here—like Margaret, who is recovering her memories and I am certain has an incredibly vital role to play in this war—and the aftermath of whatever happens will undoubtedly be felt beyond the shores of Lincoln Island. Either our heroes succeed in whatever they're trying to do here, or it goes wrong and the Blazing World potentially loses valuable warriors & resources, and the war against Itzal takes a turn for the worse.

🏝 THE "D" WORD: DESTINY

By the time our heroes are reunited, they will be closer to understanding their destinies than ever before...

Destiny... oh, I've had many thoughts about this and been part of multiple discussions with various friends about fate and coincidence and puzzle pieces coming together in this story. enough that I'm almost not sure where to start.

...Eh, chronologically, I guess.

1817 — the year the Stratford family paper stand was established and the year Anna Hanover's father lost his place in the world. Both of these events affected the characters' lives, helping to cement the twins' love of stories and giving them an eventual connection to the New York Sun that would allow them to publish the moon hoax, and giving Anna her tragic backstory and a goal that would drive her to construct her own moon out of brick rather than ink.

1829 — the year I believe Margaret Cavendish arrived in New York City. She lost her memories and her magic, and the Travelers set her up here to live in comfort and safety and loneliness. We don't know why this happened yet, but I think it's safe to assume the location isn't a coincidence when we know at least one Traveler with precognitive abilities and it's only a handful of years until...

1835 — the year of the moon hoax and the brick satellite. Samuel and Rose Stratford write a story that takes the city by storm, attracting the attention of both Margaret Cavendish, who has been looking for answers and winds up with more questions and magic she doesn't remember or understand, and Sir John Herschel, who doesn't want fantastical stories written about him, thank you very much—but wait, how did he get here? He was in South Africa, a whole other hemisphere! How did he find out about the hoax so quickly?

Well, someone brought him the newspaper that made him come to New York, meet the Stratfords and Margaret, and invite them all to work on the brick satellite with him. They go to British Guiana, manage to finish the satellite alongside Anna, get it into the sky thanks to Margaret's Radiance, and finally meet the Traveler out in space, who somehow knew they would be there and knew Margaret's magic was returning but is surprised that her memories weren't. The Traveler knows more than she's telling, but rather than explain she sends the quartet back to Earth.

1874 — the year the quartet are teleported to. They happen to meet a friendly bosun who offers them a place on a ship that'll take them to New York, right where they want to go. Perfect, right? But in reality it takes them to a ghost ship that just so happens to contain some stuff that helps Margaret remember some things. There's a crazy awesome magic battle, sailors vanish, the ghost ship vanishes, and by the end of it all they're sailing towards a mysterious island and the Traveler, Sia, is telling them they have a lot of work to do.

...okay, the point I'm attempting to make here is that yeah, it definitely seems like something has been leading them here, to this time and place. I just can't tell if it's ✨️destiny✨️ or if it's just Sia, who can see into the future and had a clear hand in at least some of these occurrences. She sent our heroes to 1874 in a flash of light, right into Morgan's path, into Kal's, into the Antikythera's. And if she did that, who's to say she hasn't been guiding the quartet in more covert ways this whole time? Someone had to get that paper to John. Someone—specifically a Traveler someone—had to get Margaret settled in New York.

You could say that it's all destiny and that Sia's foresight and her actions are simply destiny's way of getting shit done, that it was all going to happen this way no matter what. You could also go round and round questioning how destiny and precognitive abilities work & influence each other until your brain feels like it's melting (why yes, I am speaking from experience) but I think I'm going to skip that and focus on a different question instead:

What does destiny (or Sia) have in store for our heroes?

I don't know, of course. probably a rocket at some point? gotta wait for the episode to find out.

but regardless of who or what has been pulling the strings, it took a lot to get our heroes to this point and the idea that they're meant to be here, that they've always been headed toward something that's more than this the lives they had before is so unbelievably exciting??? even if you don't care for the idea of destiny or fate, you know great things are coming and that the story is gonna get bigger and wilder.

🏝 YEAH I KEEP MENTIONING THE ROCKET, DON'T I?

might as well actually give it its own little section on this ramble-y ass post, lol.

We've had hints that there'd be at least one rocket in the story from the very first M.A.I.A. transmission. (If you haven't seen those, you're missing out!) Now that we're getting new cast photos where everyone has been posing with a little red rocket, it looks like it's time!

Maybe the quartet are going to help the Travelers build a rocket. Maybe they're going to help repair a rocket that already exists. Maybe they're going to go to space again, or another planet—The Blazing World?—or maybe they're only going to see the Travelers off and that'll be it. (Okay, that last one would be a little disappointing, lmao.) Hell, maybe they're only going to Lincoln Island to meet a rocket that hasn't arrived yet! So many possibilities!

...hmm. I think that's it? I think that's all the thoughts I had. I have been putting this post together off and on since last night so if I missed anything or it seems a little disjointed then that's why, lmao.

this is admittedly less of a theory post at times and more of a John impression (it's not my fault I have questions!) but why wait for M.A.I.A. transmissions and more information when I can shout about it all now? the universe simply wouldn't be right if I didn't seize every opportunity to scream about Pulp Musicals.

anyway, if you read all of this then I hope you enjoyed it! you can expect/dread more posts like this in the coming weeks, as soon as we get more info and M.A.I.A. transmissions. can't wait to see my best girl again. 💙

...I really hope Matt and Jackie have gotten that window fixed.

[ds9promenade]

Podcast episode discussing DS9 "Past Tense" & "Far Beyond the Stars"!

My friend Laura invited me onto their podcast to unpack Deep Space Nine episodes 3x11 & 12: "Past Tense" and 6x13: "Far Beyond the Stars," using them for a broader discussion on the role of science fiction in dreaming better futures into reality.

In our conversation, we:

compare the 2024 of "Past Tense" to our 2024

share our theories about historical events that may have inspired both episodes, as well as their relationship to other works of speculative/science fiction

point out and offer revisions for parts of "Past Tense" that somewhat undercut the story's intended messages about the evils of capitalism, ableism, police / military violence, and anti-homeless laws

gush about the artistry of the filming and acting in "Far Beyond" (Avery Brooks monologues my beloved)

and more — with a dash of humor as we go!

Give "Sanctified Imagination Far Beyond the Stars" a listen wherever you get podcasts — or read along with the transcript!

(CW: Christianity) — please do go in forewarned that Laura's Autistic Liberation Theology podcast centers around reinterpreting the Bible from a trans & disabled lens. If you skip to 44 minutes in you'll miss most of the religious commentary, except for when it makes sense to bring it up re: Joseph Sisko's 1950s incarnation as a street preacher.

If you are interested the full episode, some of the places we go in our winding conversation are:

Womanist midrash & sanctified imagination, which enact this call to imagine possibilities for the oppressed — to "make a way out of no way"

How Jesus's use of parables to teach about his envisioned "Kingdom of God" —where there's access for all, oppressors reformed and oppressed liberated, all needs met and all gifts celebrated — invites people to engage their sanctified imaginations to join in the work for a more just world, here and now

AutScape's & Crip Camp’s modeled possibilities for a fully accessible, disability-centered world

various directors / show writers who, through writing, discovered something new about themselves (think the Wachowski sisters & The Matrix, Dan Harmon and Community)

If you give it a listen (or read), I'd love to hear what you think! Did you connect with the concept of imagining better futures into reality? Any other Star Trek episodes you think encapsulate that well?

____

Transcript of the above audio clip:

Avery: I definitely think the writers of this episode were thinking about how When Deep Space Nine was coming out, people's response to seeing Sisko was, Yeah, is, you can't have a black space captain. A black man can't be the hero of Star Trek!

Which just shows, like, for the viewers, like, Yeah, we've come a long ways here in the 90s. But we still think it's ridiculous to imagine a black space captain and it's only just becoming possible now.

Laura: yeah the um, , editor of the magazine says "put it in a drawer for like a couple of decades and might be--" it's like, yeah, that's

Avery: Yeah.

Laura: inside joke.

Avery: At the end, when, um, Benny Russell breaks down after being fired and everything, the street preacher comes back and, Benny says, "Tell me, please, who am I?"

Don't you know?" "Tell me." "You're the dreamer and the dream."

Laura: ah, this is so amazing.

Avery: And, like, yeah, that fits on so many different layers with, uh, Benny Russell is dreaming Sisko and dreaming Deep Space nine, and also Sisko is dreaming him, and also breaking the fourth wall,

Laura: yeah, because they're, neither of them are real, they're both fiction and yet they're, yeah. real.

Avery: Yeah. Yeah. Breaking the fourth wall, the writers and Avery Brooks are the dreamers, and the dream. This is, this is what, people have been dreaming of, this even the possibility of this. And they're making it true.

Laura: and at the end, you see him looking out the window and seeing Benny Russell in the reflection of the glass and

Avery: it's such a good shot. It's so good. It like gives me chills

Laura: you Have to cast something into the space you're not there yet to-- that becomes you.

Avery: Yeah. dream yourself into being.

[jessequinones]

Creating your indigenous group.

Hi there, so you want to create an indigenous group in your world that’s not set on Earth? Great! I hope I can help by informing you of some things you should and shouldn’t do while creating your indigenous group for your story.

Before I continue, I must let you know I’m Taíno, and I don’t represent Native people as a whole, let alone represent my community as a whole, which is a perfect segue into the first point!

Indigenous groups aren’t a monolith!

When creating indigenous characters, many people will make everyone behave the same (except for one Native who’s different from the rest, and this is the only Native with whom the main character interacts).

For example, in Pocahontas, a 1995 Disney film, she’s the only one who acts differently from her tribe.

The Na'vi act the same, except for Neytiri.

The point I’m trying to make is that many people, when writing Indigenous characters, create a planet of the hat tropes. Sure, maybe two or three of the characters in a tribe might behave differently, but those are the exceptions. If anything, it proves what I just said: Most Indigenous groups are written to be monoliths.

Where you grow up and where you came from doesn’t automatically make you part of the hivemind. Let’s take the United States, for example. What’s the culture of America? How diverse is it? If I create a tribe based in America, what kind of people would I be making?

The United States isn't a monolith of ideologies and philosophies. An American from the North could have wildly different opinions and beliefs than an American from the South. So why does everyone in your indigenous group follow the same beliefs?

If you want to create a warrior Indigenous group whose central belief is “the strong will prevail” (First of all, that’s not original), but secondly, where’s the scientist? Where are the people who create better weapons to make fighting easier? Where are the people who generate armour so their warriors can stay in the fight longer? Where are the blacksmiths who made these weapons? Where are the teachers and educators to help train the newer warriors? Where are the doctors to help heal those who survived their fights so they can fight another day? Where are the cooks to ensure the warriors can fight on a full stomach?

See where I’m coming from? A society that’s bent on fighting still needs its basic needs met. A cook in a fighting society might be a cook because they don’t like to fight, but they don’t hate others who do. A teacher might be a teacher because they love the history of fighting and have more of a strategic mind than the quick reaction you need while in combat. A builder might be a builder because they can’t fight, but they can support their people by building them houses. Expand your society to something more than just a hivemind.

Religion

It’ll be hard to create an indigenous group without mentioning religion. For this reason, I’ll split this category into those without and those with computers.

Before computers (religion):

I don’t think I know of a single indigenous group with no connection to religion. Religion is the backbone of society. If you’re creating an indigenous tribe in a world that doesn’t have computers, you need to make a religion.

Please understand Indigenous people are the first people to set foot on your land and create a society. They could only survive because of religion. Religion helps teach others what’s right and what’s wrong. What’s dangerous, and what’s safe? To explain the unexplainable. The Norse and the Greek Gods? Those are religions, not myths. Religions that helped their community thrive and expand.

Religion gives a society a set of rules to follow and obey to keep everything in order. If you’re creating a society before computers, yes, many of your indigenous characters will be religious, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be a monolith.

Christians may believe in the same God and read the same book. However, you can still encounter two very different Christians from each other. Your indigenous group who follow a religion don’t all have to be the same person.

If you struggle with creating a religion or may have religious trauma, keep in mind that religion doesn’t have to be a core thing in your indigenous society, but more so, a set of codes and laws that affect the society you’re trying to create.

These codes and laws can be simple: "Thou shall not kill an innocent or steal from the hungry."

To something more complex, like saying a prayer before taking someone’s life or else they'll burn in Hell.

Religion also helps explain the unexplainable. Simple questions such as, "What is life?" "What’s my purpose?" "How was I created?" have been asked thousands of years ago, and all of these questions have been answered by religion in some way or another. Before science, before technology, before we knew the world was round, we had religion to explain things and guide us to where we are today.

After computers (religion):

If you’re creating an indigenous group of people set in a world with technology such as computers, yes, you still need to create a religion for said indigenous group. However, if you don’t want to write about religion, you can avoid it. Just because your indigenous character is indigenous doesn’t mean they have to be religious as well, especially in an age where technology is available.

Take, for example, me. I’m Taíno but not religious, though I understand and acknowledge the religion and myths my people created.

Religion doesn’t play as much of a role in a new-age society as an old-age one, so religion doesn’t have to be in your story if you don’t want it to. However, keep in mind if you’re creating an indigenous group. They wouldn’t have gotten to where they are if they didn’t have religion to guide them.

Culture

What’s the culture of America? Or Australia? What’s British culture? When we think of Indigenous culture, we often think of everyone acting the same. However, that’s only because when their history was being recorded, it was recorded using a biased lens and from a small selection of people that was then generalised for everyone.

Indigenous people have existed for thousands of years. We have a rich culture, and it has changed over the years. Still, we don’t know what we used to be or where we came from because when we were “discovered”, the people who "discovered" us only jotted down notes of what they saw and, more often than not, what they didn’t understand and assumed everyone in our tribe did the same thing when that’s simply not the case. Even “warrior-type” cultures like the Spartans or the Vikings, who fought a lot, had a rich and more profound culture that was more than just beating their opponents.

Indigenous people also spread out and didn’t stay in one area. We travelled and interacted with each other. We didn’t hide in our little corner of the world waiting to be “discovered” because we had already discovered others. Like today, we had beef with our rivals and greeted friends with open arms.

When you create your indigenous group, and you think of what their culture will be like, understand this. Culture is created and changed based on the general ideas and beliefs of the masses. You might have a group of Indigenous people be more peaceful, but then the war came, and they lost, so they changed into a more warrior-focused kind of tribe. Culture is formed and moulded by interaction with others, and often, things such as war will change the culture of a society. However, remember that smaller subcultures will emerge if your society is big enough. This is why it’s impossible to define current US culture.

Also, when talking about your indigenous culture, how big should your indigenous group be? I know 1,000 people sounds like a lot, but that’s a dying community. Depending on the story you’re creating, Indigenous people, before getting killed, were in the millions, just like the modern day. So, there’s a good chance subcultures might’ve formed.

You could have your indigenous group have a cultural mindset where you need to eat lots of food. They’re a peaceful group of people who don’t want to fight. However, they have a military because while they may be quiet, they understand if they’re defenceless, they’ll get killed. So, a warrior from the same tribe might also believe in eating as much as you can, but this warrior might do it for other reasons. The cultural idea of eating lots of food is prevalent in both groups, but they behave differently based on what they do and who they are.

Just remember the one thing I mentioned at the start of this article: Don’t create a monolith or a hive mind. Not everyone in your indigenous group will act the same as everyone else. If this kind of thing is challenging, try imagining the modern world. Not much has changed from when indigenous people roamed the world to what happens today; the main difference is technology and the speed at which everything gets done.

Indigenous people fought amongst themselves; they hated who ruled them, and there was religion, science, and wars, just like today. The only difference was that Indigenous history was erased and changed.

Look at Indigenous people for examples of creating your indigenous society. This will depend on the kind of story you’re creating, the characteristics of the world, and so on. To simplify things, I’ll divide this into two sections: Before and after computers.

If your story is set in a world before computers, then you’ll most likely be thinking about creating your indigenous group to be kind of stereotypical. Keep in mind when looking at real-life examples, ask yourself this. “Why did they create this? Why did they believe that? How come they behave this way?”

Indigenous people created a club, then a spear, then a bow; if we weren’t killed off, would it be weird to assume we wouldn’t develop swords?

Indigenous people don’t wear clothes; is it because of the climate they are in? Is it because they believe the body is beautiful and has a different standard of beauty?

Indigenous people created herbal medicine; if we weren’t killed off, do you think we’ll just stick with that, or would we continue to craft what we made into more powerful medicine and maybe create pills?

If you’re creating Indigenous people set before computers, think about the area they live in and the climate. Look at others who lived in a similar environment to where you want your group to be. Figure out what and why they did what they did instead of just copying them.

It’s also a good idea to credit who you took inspiration from and speak to them. Ask questions, observe their community and learn their history. It’s the least you can do if you’re going to be using them as a base for creating your indigenous group.

After computers: If you’re creating an indigenous group of people set in a world that has computers and other advanced technologies, and you keep them in the past, using spears and stuff...yeah...that’s just racist.

People grow with technology; anyone who doesn’t will get killed. The Spaniards and the British discovered how to use guns and smelt iron before the rest of the world, and they used that to their benefit.

Indigenous people of today, the reason why we cling to the past is because that’s all that we have left. Our ancestors didn’t survive long enough to adapt to the new world. So, if you’re creating an indigenous group of people set after computers, make sure they’re at the same level as everyone else and not stuck in the past. We’re not stuck in the past; it’s just that our ancestors couldn’t survive to make it to the present day, and the past is all we have left to prove to everyone we’re still alive.

Language

Depending on the story you’re creating, you don’t need to create a new language for your indigenous group. Take, for example, Avatar the Last Airbender. Nearly everyone is codded or was based on an indigenous group, with the water and air nations being the prominent examples; however, everyone speaks the same language.

If you’re creating a story with multiple different languages, then I recommend having your indigenous culture speak their own language. It’s just an extra bit of world-building that can help define your world better, as you can use this new language to create names and other things.

What are some examples of indigenous people in media? Someone asked me for some examples of Indigenous people in media so they could see what other creators did and learn from them. The thing is, I can’t answer that, at least not in a way that says, “This is a good example.” Not because I don’t want to, but because I’m Taíno, and my group is so underrepresented that I can’t recall the last time we’ve been in the media.

I can’t and won’t speak on native rep when it comes to indigenous groups of whom I don’t belong. It’s hard to even talk about fictional Indigenous codded characters because most of them take massive inspiration from a single group of Indigenous people.

Examples are the following: The Celtics (Dragon Age Inquisition: Aavar), Aztecs, Mayans, Incans (Maya and the Three) Inuits, (Avatar the Last Airbender: Water Tribe), Native Americans (but more specifically, the natives who reside in modern America and parts of Canada...Avatar: Na’vi)

My view of these characters will differ from someone who’s a part of those cultures, and I won’t speak over their own views and opinions. So I can’t give you any examples for now because I don’t know any. Both The Pirates of the Caribbeans and Our Flag Means Death have Taíno rep. (Whether or not the writers knew natives who live in the Caribbean would be Taíno people is another topic)...I mean, in Dead Man Chest, the natives saw Jack Sparrow as a God...a white guy viewed as a God amongst the Natives...yeah...you can see why I can’t give you any good examples, right?

Overall, there are many factors to consider when creating an Indigenous group. If you have any more questions, please message me, and I’ll try to answer them. I hope you enjoyed this and have a good rest of your day.

Bo-matúm

[madfaithconnections]

2 Thessalonians 3:16: A Tarot Reading For Finding The Path To Peace

(2 Thessalonians 3:16) — May the Lord of peace Himself give you His peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.

This scripture reminds us that at all times, we have access to God’s peace. So, how can we connect with that peace, especially in stressful situations? I’ve decided to pull some tarot cards to see what messages come through about ways we can better connect with God’s peace when life feels overwhelming.

Whenever people think of tarot, the Bible might not often come to mind. Sometimes, tarot and religion carry stigmas. I respect those who may feel conflicted about combining them. For me, I dismiss my ego and focus on my personal relationship with God.

Much like tarot, religion itself can have both light and dark sides depending on intentions. Faith is what you make it. If your intentions are rooted in love and growth, then your practices will reflect that. For me, tarot strengthens my spirituality and connection with God.

The first card that came out while shuffling was the 10 of Pentacles.

10 of Pentacles Overview

The 10 of Pentacles represents abundance, legacy, stability, and lasting success. It embodies the culmination of long-term efforts and the rewards of a well-established foundation, often symbolizing family, heritage, and generational wealth. This card reflects harmony within a community or family unit and a sense of security that extends beyond material wealth to emotional and spiritual fulfillment.

Key themes:

Legacy: The impact of your actions on future generations.

Stability: A period of security and peace.

Connection: A sense of belonging in a family, community, or spiritual lineage.

Fulfillment: Reaching a milestone that provides contentment and joy.

10 of Pentacles in Seeking God’s Peace

When seeking ways to connect with God’s peace, the 10 of Pentacles suggests grounding yourself in stability and reflecting on the interconnectedness of your spiritual heritage and life’s blessings. This card encourages finding peace through:

Gratitude for Blessings:  Acknowledge the abundance in your life — whether material, emotional, or spiritual. Recognizing these gifts can center you in God’s peace. Often, shifting your focus from what you lack to what you already have can bring a sense of calm almost instantly.  Reflect: What gifts in your life remind you of God’s presence and provision?

Family and Community:  God’s peace can often be found through harmonious relationships and a sense of belonging. The 10 of Pentacles invites you to lean on the people in your life during hard or stressful times. By centering yourself in love, you may naturally find a sense of calm.  Reflect: How can your relationships reflect God’s love and peace?

Legacy of Faith:  This card symbolizes the wisdom and traditions passed down through generations. Exploring spiritual teachings or reflecting on your ancestors’ faith journeys can help you tap into God’s enduring peace. Tradition is valuable, but creating your own path is just as valid. Exploring the many ways God shows up in the world is an exciting and peaceful adventure.  Reflect: What spiritual practices or traditions bring you closer to God?

Finding Stability:  The card suggests that peace is rooted in a strong foundation. Whether through prayer, meditation, or daily rituals, nurturing your spiritual base helps you anchor yourself in God’s tranquility.  Reflect: How can you create a stable routine that invites God’s peace into your life?

The next card that came through was the 6 of Cups.

6 of Cups in Seeking God’s Peace

The 6 of Cups invites you to reflect on the joy and innocence of your past while allowing healing from any lingering pain. This card encourages peace through reconnection and gratitude.

Reconnecting with Simplicity:  Embrace childlike faith and wonder, trusting in God’s love and care. Simplifying your faith can bring a deep sense of peace.  Reflect: How can you reconnect with the simple joys of your faith or life?

Healing Through Forgiveness:  The 6 of Cups often suggests releasing bitterness and finding peace by forgiving yourself or others.  Reflect: Is there a past hurt or regret you can release to make space for God’s peace?

Cherishing the Past:  Reflect on happy memories and the blessings God has provided throughout your journey. Gratitude for the past can ground you in the present.  Reflect: What memories remind you of God’s love and peace in your life?

Acts of Generosity:  Sharing your blessings in small, meaningful ways reflects the spirit of God’s peace.  Reflect: How can sharing your blessings deepen your connection with God’s peace?

The third card that came through was the 3 of Wands.

3 of Wands in Seeking God’s Peace

The 3 of Wands is about expansion, vision, and anticipation of growth. It suggests looking ahead with optimism and preparing for the next phase of your journey.

Faith in the Unknown:  Trusting in God’s timing and provision as you step into new opportunities brings peace amidst uncertainty. Like the Fool card, this reminds us that living in the moment can bring peace, free from the fear of what’s to come.  Reflect: How can you place your plans and dreams in God’s hands?

Expanding Spiritual Horizons:  Exploring new ways to connect with God — through prayer, study, or creative practices — can deepen your peace.  Reflect: How can you expand your spiritual practices to grow closer to God?

Preparation Through Faith:  Peace comes from preparation and trust. By aligning your actions with your values, you create a solid foundation for God’s blessings.  Reflect: How can you prepare your heart and mind to receive God’s peace?

Hopeful Anticipation:  Instead of worrying about what lies ahead, trust that God has a plan and your journey is unfolding as it should.  Reflect: How can you release control and rest in God’s guidance?

Affirmations to Connect with God’s Peace

“I find peace in the blessings and stability God has provided, trusting that His love surrounds me in all I build and share.”

“I release the past with gratitude, finding peace in God’s grace and the joy of the present.”

“I trust God’s guidance as I step forward with faith, knowing peace is found in His plan for my journey.”

I hope this has inspired you to explore ways to connect with God’s peace in your life.

Until next time,

Madison

[walkswithmyfather]

‭‭Psalm 119:65-72 (NKJV‬‬). “You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord, according to Your word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge, For I believe Your commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word. You are good, and do good; Teach me Your statutes. The proud have forged a lie against me, But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart. Their heart is as fat as grease, But I delight in Your law. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes. The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.”

“The Field Trip of Trials” by In Touch Ministries:

“While not pleasant, trials give us the opportunity to connect with God intimately.”

“When we were still in school, most of us probably preferred the hands-on learning of field trips to classroom lectures. A lot of adults, however, no doubt wish they could absorb life lessons from a book instead of from their own painful mistakes. But the truth is, there are some things we learn best through experience.

Some trials are the result of sin and can play a big corrective role in our lives. God might use them to draw our attention to unhealthy habits, attitudes, or activities we have tolerated or overlooked. No matter how trivial we may think a sin is, it should have no place in a believer’s life.

Or it could be that God is showing us something we need to release to Him—perhaps a relationship, goal, or ambition. And sometimes He calls us to exercise self-control so that we can pursue Him to a greater degree.

If we never had any troubles, we would continue in what’s comfortable, easy, and enjoyable but might end up missing God’s best for our life. That’s why the psalmist said, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, so that I may learn Your statutes” (119:71). Any hardship that drives us to God and His Word is good for us. That’s because what we gain in knowing the Lord is worth so much more than all the wealth and fame the world can offer us.”

(Photo by Michael Cummins at Unsplash)