#the day not even st mark's mother celebrates

[pictureofdoriaaaaaangay]

~ "There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark's Eve, Blue. Either you're his true love," Neeve said, "or you killed him.

[ebaylee422]

Decking the Halls

Steve Harrington X Girlfriend!reader

Author’s Note:  Angst to cute sex, I’m not sorry. This is post Season 3, pre Season 4. I just love being angsty. I also really needed to clear my drafts soooo X-mas in March everyone!

Summary: Stockings aren’t the only things being stuffed this Christmas season. Steve has never decorated for Christmas, he’s embarrassed and doesn’t want to ruin your sprit by avoiding you. Don’t worry though, he shows you just how appreciative he is after. 

Characters: Steve Harrington, Girlfriend reader, mentions of shitty parents and the rest of the ST nuggets. Best Friend Robin Buckley!!

Warnings/Tags: Smut (Minors DNI!!!) abandonment issues? as an intro, p in v sex, marking kink, praise kink, fem oral (receiving). breeding?

Word Count: 3k

Part One/?

You had tried everything to get Steve into the Christmas spirit: buying decorations for your apartment, getting matching pj’s, going to watch the lights in Indianapolis,  watching Christmas movies, the Ice-Skating was most regrettable because you fell forward and knocked your teeth hard enough to bleed. Even planning a white elephant with him and his friends, sharing hot cocoa and warmth of your space heater. What you didn’t know is as soon as he left your place he was greeted by his parents' empty house. Decorated from some stupid trendy catalog his mother only glanced at before swiping a credit card. His father, not even home long enough to realize the tinsel monstrosity within the living room. The presents underneath were fake, they stopped being real when his father told him to grow up. That Santa wasn’t real, saying he needed to start giving instead of hoping for some joy from a fat man each holiday season. So that’s exactly what he did, the first Christmas he’d enjoyed in a long time was on Christmas of 83’, when he was with Nancy. They’d gotten each other meaningful gifts, it was the happiest Christmas he thought he’d ever had. Even if he went home unable to look at his pool outside for too long knowing his friend had died. Even if there were disgusting monsters trying to eat his friends when they had the chance. How horrible humans were in comparison, like the Russians nearly beating him to death at Starcourt. Instead of celebrating what he was thankful for, he felt immense guilt every holiday. He’d confided in you once about his survivor's guilt, as you had called it a couple months ago during an intense flashback. You’d comfort him, make sure he wasn’t alone. He didn’t want to be anyone’s burden, Steve knew you were worried about him it would show whenever he ‘had’ to leave for work or Robin’s, or get clothes from his place.

It all came to a standstill when you’d asked him if he would come pick a Christmas Tree with you. Wanting to have it up before the kids came over, finish decking-the-halls you’d told him. Only Steve didn’t know what picking out a Christmas Tree was, sure it’s self explanatory but what if he made a fool of himself. With his pretty rich boy ‘I’ve never had to pick one out’, it seemed too intimate. Sure you’d bared your body-mind-and-soul to him, but wanting to do something so domestic together like picking out a Christmas Tree. For your first Christmas together as a couple, it was scary for him. So instead of being a Scrooge so he could work on his feelings, he faked an illness even going as far as calling out sick today. Keith hadn’t been too happy but chopped it up to Steve sucking too much face on the job and gave him the day anyway. And he was back to square one, an empty ugly house with none of your warmth. People would think his middle name was self-sabotage, especially when that door-bell rang. He got up from his cocoon from the coach with a groan, an aching shooting up to his spine when his socked feet hit the freezing hardwood. Shined and renewed for the inevitable party his parents would throw this Christmas Eve for work friends, where they forgot they even had a son. He stopped dead in his tracks shaking the sleep from his eyes when they were met with yours, holding a tote bag while shaking the light dusty of snow off your figure. It melted into your skin leaving you shiny with the dew, nose and ears kissed pink while your chin and neck were tucked tightly with the collar of your coat and scarf. You smiled at him as he studied your form, like an angel sent just for him. He was bundled up in simple joggers, thick wool socks and heavy blanket around his shoulders worn like a cape tucked around his body, but shirtless still despite it being nearly as cold inside as it is outside. Shaking your body of the remaining snow, laying the tote bag of groceries and sick necessities you’d brought over on the stairs so you could slide out of your heavy snow covered boots.

“Hi baby, how r’ you feeling?” you asked him with a voice full of sticky sweetness and adoration. His face changed in that moment from shock to guilty, you felt the change floating in the air like oil through water.

“What are you doing here?” He asked louder than either of you had expected, causing you to turn his way fully as you began to undo the ties of your coat. 

“I came to check on you, bring you some-”

“Why?” He scoffed, tucking the blanket to cover himself from the breezing air flow of the open hall. You were wearing a red corduroy skirt, with black stocking underneath and a cream sweater that didn’t even compare to how soft your hair was laid across your shoulders. You looked at him like he hung up the stars, even though you were the brightest thing about his life.

“Robin called me worried about you saying you called out because you were sick. So I canceled the tree plans to come check on you because you didn’t call me. I even whipped up some Chicken and Rice soup and scrunched up a couple medicines.”

“You shouldn’t have done that, I’m fine Y/N. You should go get your tree and I’ll see you on Friday like you planned.” he brushed off your kindness,

“Well I wanted to take care of you.” you told him shyly, "You haven't been around as often."

“Okay thanks.” he shook his head, body and tone still uncomfortable and unmatched of your own tenderness.

“Do you not want me here or something?” You scoffed with affection grabbing the bag from the stairs, stepping in front of him giddy with untamable affection.

“No.” He answered quickly and when your face dropped, his own heart went with it when you backed away from him. “No, I mean yes but not right now. I’m just-”

“It’s fine, Steve." You cut him off, turning away and grabbing your stuff. "I get it, I’m sorry I could’ve called.” he stopped you putting out his hand as an olive branch. You took it without hesitation, sniffling away the tears that built up for weeks of you arguing and avoiding each other. 

“Don’t you dare apologize, especially to me.” He took your reddened cheeks in his hands as he pressed a kiss to your temple, “I’m just being an idiot, I’m sorry but I’m not even sick so you doing all this nice shit over-” 

“I know you’re not sick, Steve. You’re a terrible faker.” You said factually, with a teasing tone. Still not looking at him but rather at your wiggling toes against the shiny floor.

“Oh really now? Robin didn’t tell you anything.”

“Well the strange, ‘Steve wanted my shift the same day he always has off’ the one day I could go tree picking with you. Then calling out and claiming illness, and not calling me is pretty obvious.” You let the bag fall again, his shoulders relaxed as you tugged on the length of his blanket. “Are you breaking up with me?” you asked with furrowed brows and a whimper to your voice.

“No!” Steve yelled, “No never no, I-I love you so much. You are my favorite everything Y/N.” He wrapped you both in the blanket tugging you flush against him. “I just have a hard time with the holidays, I don’t really know what to do with myself. I didn’t want to be embarrassed, it was a lot of pressure.” You both held each other silently letting the fear wash over both of you, until you giggled into his neck.

“I love you, Steve. Honestly, just talking to me would’ve saved us both a headache.” He sighed heavy as he wrapped his arms tighter around you, head resting on your chin.

“Jeez, what are we gonna do with me?” he whispered into your scalp, the fluffy hair on his chest tickling your cheek as you were held by his heart.

“I can think of one.” You pursed your lips, closing your eyes with your chin held high awaiting a kiss. He obliged you immediately, cupping your cheeks in his hands to accurately press his lips to yours. His hands were freezing, sending a shiver and gasp involuntarily out of you. Steve took the opportunity to lick into your mouth, tasting-ly. Pulling back before you could reciprocate, you whined gripping his biceps accidentally pushing off his blanket.

"I'm sorry." He whispered, nose brushing against yours.

"I didn't mean to pressure you, you just seem so sad."

"You make me happy."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, you could meet me in an ice cream shop above a secret Russian base. While enjoying strawberry more than chocolate ice cream and you'll still make me happy." 

"Well, if our circumstances of meeting are the worst part of the relationship, I think that's a pretty good incentive to making better more normal memories, yeah?"

"Maybe." He kissed the tip of your still pink nose.

"Maybe, we could go back to my place? It's always freezing here." You added with a shiver making the hairs on your arms stand up.

"Not when you're here. Just stay here a second longer." His lips moved with their own incentive. It didn't take much convincing on either of your parts before you were upstairs in his room. A path of clothes thrown haphazardly off of each other through broken giggles and soft kisses, until your just in under clothes. He holds you to him as he opens the door to his room, and your feet barely touch the floor as he twirls the two of you around. Bringing you down with him as he falls backward on the bed with a thud. Kissing you with fondness, sweet like the honey color of his eyes. You loved him so much it hurt like the side pains after laughing so hard you teared up. Like when you realize that magic might not be real but people were and kindness. Kindness and compassion were the real magic. People found a reason to be with each other, even if it was once a year. Steve never had that. Everything in his life was transactional, Christmas, school, his parents, most other relationships. Those few closet to him probably haven't ever seen this side either. The checkered boy room with little to no traces of living aside from Steve's nightstand with Polaroids of everyone scattered about. A bin in his closet kept hidden away where he'd kept his Scoops Ahoy name tag, a letter from a pen-pal in sixth grade, ticket stubs of every drive in movie. Some more Polaroids for his eyes only you'd given him after you first started dating, and he'd left his shirt in your room. Even as you lay on top of him now, kisses sucked into your neck, his strong hands massaging your sides in worship. You couldn't help what words came out next.

"Come with me." You begged him breathlessly opening your eyes to see his lips swollen and slick, hair haloed and shaggy around his face and sheets. Like melting caramel against the ugly grey and navy bedding.

"Already babe, I haven't even touched you." He mumbled rocking his pelvis into yours, forcing your legs to accommodate him more with a thigh on either side of his hips. You sat up taller straddling him, a pout etched into your face.

"No, I mean. Come home with me, lets live together. I'll get rid of things you can bring whatever you want, I can dip into my tuition nest egg and buy whatever we need for the apartment. Make it yours too, or we can find another one that you like better. I just want you all to myself." He sat up holding onto your waist so you didn't fall, making you squeak with the shift in position. Your heart sank as his eyes were so wide they could've jumped out of his skull.

“What?” he asked as his breath caught in his throat, a pure swell of undoubtable happiness warming him from the tip of his nose down to his sock covered feet.

“It’s just, I wasn’t lying Stevie. I wanna take care of you, you give so much to every-” He kissed you, desperately. Teeth clashing and tongues forming together making you dizzy enough to loose balance upright on your knees. Pulling back to gasp for air, a string of spit connecting you to him. He wiped it away, tucking his head into your chest.

“You’re perfect. I’ll do anything to make you happy.”

“Even picking out a Christmas Tree with me?”

“I will grow you a damn Christmas Tree, even better I’ll get the kids to help me chop down one in my backyard!”

“Stevie! That’s dangerous.”

“Well, sweets. 

Danger.

Is.

My middle name.” He trailed four kisses down your body, stopping just shy of your covered mound. Hooking his fingers under the band of your underwear, biting your hip making you buck up long enough for him to shimmy them off your legs.

“I thought your middle name was Alexander?”

“You won’t your own name once I’m done with you.” He said sultry, kneeling at the foot of the bed. Yanking your ankles to bring you closer to his mouth, spreading your legs wide and over his shoulders. You were beautiful, regardless what you were doing but letting him take care of you. Make you feel good and be vulnerable, made his head spin. Your lips were sticky with arousal, he could smell your sweet nectar begging for him to taste you. Marks still slightly visible from last time, he started there sucking and biting the mailable flesh. 

“Stevie, please-” You cried out, hands trying to find purchase with his. He stopped sucking a bruise, eyes blown wide when he found yours. Locking your hands to your sides,

“Your so sweet, baby. Asking so nicely.” He chastely kissed on your hood, tongue licking underneath to wet and flick at your clit. You groaned and threw you head back, “So sweet, baby. Keep your legs open for me. I have a lot of apologizing to do down here.”

“Stevie, no I want you. Please.” You writhed on the bed trying to keep your legs spread for him, he blew cool air at your entrance causing you to clench around nothing. You body craved to be filled, senses overwhelmed of one thing: Steve, Steve, Steve!

“Just wanna warm you up, we have all the time in the world sweets. Wanna wreck this bed before leaving.” He was antagonizing you, teasing with his pretty words and slightly movements you couldn’t even respond him. He licked a line from your entrance to your clit, groaning at your taste. Hips colliding with the end of his bed to relieve pressure as he sucked your clit into his mouth. Rolling the bud with his tongue, your nail dug into his knuckles as you shook with ecstasy.

“ ‘S so good, Stevie. Don’t stop-” You were so pent up from earlier all it took was a few more rolls of his tongue against you and for you to fall apart. Concentrating on keeping your legs open for him, as he licked you clean. Nudging his nose against your sensitive clit, he let go of one of your hands tangling it in his hair.

“Hold it out of my face, baby. I want one more before I cum inside you.” He coated his fingers with your release, slowly sliding in one as his tongue still fucked into you. You couldn’t help rocking your hips against his face when he added another finger inside you. Scissoring, stretching you and rubbing against your spongy spot. You tugged at his locks when he came back up to suck at your clit again, you didn’t even notice the heat break in your belly until you gushed and clenched around his fingers. You pushed at his forehead from sensitivity, barely able to catch your breath when you pulled him up to kiss you. lips and chins dripping of you. Trailing your nails down his soft tummy following the happy trail underneath his boxers, you met him halfway stroking his thick cock with your slick. Still coating his hand, pre-cum dripping from his tip making the sounds completely pornographic.

“ ‘m not gonna last baby, want you so bad.” He whispered against your lips, breathing heavy with a sheen of sweat layering you both in the smell of sex.

“Need you too, wanted you ages ago.” You sassed, making him laugh against your cheek as he stood. You wrapped your legs around his waist, his cock twitched when it brushed against the inside of your thigh.

“You gotta big mouth on you, sweet girl.”

“You better do something about it, Harrington.” With a roguish grin he ran his length over your clit once before pushing ever so slightly inside. Taking your breaths away, you were the girl and only girl who could take Steve’s fat cock completely. He just has to ease you into it, inch by inch until his hip bone grazed the back of your thighs. Steve stood tall and far enough away you couldn’t kiss him from where you were sprawled out under him. You pulled and squeezed at your breasts still contained by your bra. His cock glistening with your slick as he pulled his hips back, then pushing deeper inside his sack pressed tight against your ass. Steve nearly loss his balance when you clenched around him, putting his hands under your knees. Folding you in half made it feel like he was in your throat, he leaned over you the pressure of his body as he set a ruthless pace set flames in your abdomen. Pounding his cock into you over and over again moaning out praises as he bullied all the way to your cervix. Punching breaths out of you watching as your tits bounced, you had enough pulling him fully on top you. Hands indenting his shoulders as your hips met his, clit pulsing and with need. 

“You feel so good. Shit, shit- I’m cumming, cumming inside.” Steve’s core tighten as he ran two finger over your clit, heat erupted across your body. You milked Steve dry, his warm seed and your three orgasms dripping from each others groin. You pulled him on top of you, comforted by his weight on you as his cock softened inside you. 

“Do you really want too?” You asked in the post orgasm bliss, running a hair through his now tangled locks. “I don’t want to trap you with amazing sex and joy but it’s definitely a perk.” Steve rose onto his elbows, still seated inside you. Brushing the hair out of your face, with softness.

“I’m sure we can wreck this bed a lot more than just cum stains.” Pushing at his chest, he pulled out of you gently. Scurrying to his bathroom where you listened as he turned on the faucet in the shower. Sitting up, he came back with all his glory. Hand raised for you to take, the same olive branch you’d given him at Starcourt. All this time. “I can’t wait to spend Christmas in our home, together.”

You’d never been so excited to spend the holidays with anyone else.

Masterlist 

[tellmeallaboutit]

knock knock (Raphael x F!Player)

Chapter 13, In Which Your Father Hangs Himself

AO3

MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING: this chapter deals with suicide and this is NOT the last time this work will feature suicide in graphic detail. Other warnings include: prostitution, sexual aggression / assault, xenophobia, toxic relationships.  

This is chapter from Raul's POV. This got too large for Tumblr so I will only leave the first scene here.

****

"Tell them to go to hell," your father said.

He wasn't even looking at you - he was looking at the fireplace, slumped in his chair, his hand rubbing Bella - his favourite cane corso, a beast of a dog, who lay at his feet with her heavy belly full of pups. She bared her teeth at you when you tried to approach, so you kept your distance. 

"Papa, I obviously cannot do that," you said.

He was in one of his moods, you could see that. 

One of those days he thought he had the holy right to make other people’s day hell. 

"Why not?"

You drew in a sharp breath before answering, "Because today is your eightieth birthday. Because everyone's here to celebrate. The house is more crowded than St Peter’s on Easter Sunday. Because the Prime Minister herself has just..."

He cut you off mid-sentence with a raised hand. "I'm not in the mood for a party. You deal with it, Raul".

Two months of preparation, in which you had to get personally involved because of the announcement he was hinting at. A public announcement he should damn well should make, because he clearly couldn't run Avernus anymore.

"Are you deliberately embarrassing me in front of all these people?" you said. 

"You're embarrassing yourself in front of these people, Raul”, he answered and made a grating initiation of somebody else’ voice, because you surely don’t sound like that. “Oh no, what if they don't like me, what if they think less of me, oh no, oh no. You always worried too much about what people thought of you. They should worry about what you think of them, if you ever wish to amount to anything”.

Merda! You should have known better than to return to Napoli for this farce.

"Ah, forget it. No matter what I do, you will find something to criticise."

Finally, your father looked at you. You took after him in appearance, or so they said; you barely remembered your mother anyway to cross-check. That’s what another thirty years will do to you; grey out your black hair, bloat your jawline, steal your muscles and mark your face with age spots.

There was not so much time left. For him, even less.

God willing.

"No matter what you do? You do nothing," he stated, a look of genuine surprise on his face. "What exactly do you do?"

Don’t answer. Don’t… you… bloody…

"I run an international law firm!”, you exploded. “I employ thirty thousand people worldwide... and I built it from scratch! I own estates EVERYWHERE! PRIVATE JETS! ALL WITHOUT YOUR HELP!" 

He scoffed and looked back at the flames. That was a special talent of his; reducing you to a raging mess while he remained an epitome of calmness.

"He has private jets, look at him. Without my help you'd be making pizzas for tourists, Raul."

This was pointless. It had always been pointless.

What had you ever hoped for? Did you truly think there would be something to make this man proud or happy?

"What did you expect from me?”, you asked. “What was I supposed to achieve to make you proud?!"

"Something that matters", your father shrugged. 

"And what's that supposed to mean? WHAT MATTERS TO YOU?"

"Legacy matters" he said, patting Bella's head. "Isn't that right, Bella? My sweet girl gives me at least five quality cubs every year. Did you know her last litter won Italy’s top prize? That's a good girl.” Then he turned his gaze back to you. "Not like those scrawny things you've been chasing since school. All this whoring, all this sin, and not even a single bastard to show for it".

Bella stuck her tongue out and panted, looking up at your father with sheer devotion. For a fleeting moment, you thought of putting a bullet in his head, and then in hers.

"You can't be serious. You know very well how hard I tried..."

"Obviously not hard enough," he said. "Here I am at eighty, and what legacy do I leave? For whom? Generations before you had given everything, sacrificed everything, everything, and for whom, for whose future? Who will inherit this country? The Muslims?"

He spat on the floor.

"I'll tell you who will inherit my fortune," he continued. "The Church. At least they have the decency to remember who we once were. What we fought for. What we dreamed of building. A nation of pride and ambition and honour. But you, Raul? You fled your home to where the money was and sold your soul to the golden calf”. 

What? No way. Not to the Church. The old man is getting dementia, he is incoherent. That's it, that's what's happening: your father is going senile.

"That's enough," you finally manage to say through clenched teeth. "I'm not going to stand here and listen to this madness any longer. I have too much dignity for that."

“You wouldn’t know dignity if it hit you in the face,” he said. "Maybe my mistake was loving you too much. Spoiling you rotten. Poor boy, he lost his mother so early."

You bristled at his words, but refused to let him have the satisfaction of a response. Instead, you turned on your heel to leave, only to collide with that damned bronze monstrosity.

That thing - the statue that haunted your childhood nightmares; always guarding the door, ensuring no one dared disturb the man who loathed disturbances - Mephistopheles as depicted by Jacques Louis Gautier.

"I swear to God," you seethed. "That damned statue... I've hated it my whole life. The minute you're in the ground, I'm smashing it into dust."

"It serves its purpose," he replied coolly. "Reminding me of my failures when your presence is not enough”.

You paused at the door, deciding that today was the last day you would ever try for him. 

Avernus Capital wasn't worth it. 

Nothing was worth it.

"You know what, Papa?" You asked, struggling to keep your voice as calm and composed as you father’s, "I hope it's your last birthday."

You were hoping for a reaction. But just like always, he failed to deliver what you hoped for. 

He offered none; even the shrug he gave was half-hearted. Bella fell asleep despite all the commotion; her head resting on your father’s shoe.

"Keep hoping," he said. "I plan on living until I'm a hundred and fifty, and then some."

[whencyclopedia]

Holidays in the Elizabethan Era

During the Elizabethan Era (1558-1603 CE), people of all classes greatly looked forward to the many holidays and festivals on offer throughout the year. The vast majority of public holidays were also religious commemorations, and attendance at service was required by law. Still, the feasts that accompanied many of these 'holy days' were anticipated with pleasure, and many secular traditions began to appear alongside them such as playing football on Shrove Tuesday and giving gifts to mothers on the third Sunday before Easter. Holidays were also an opportunity to visit towns for a local fair or even travel further afield. The Elizabethan period was the first time the idea of a Grand Tour of Europe caught on amongst the rich, seen as a way to broaden a young person's horizons and round off their general education.

Holy Days

The concept of an extended holiday as a period of rest from work is a relatively modern idea. Throughout the Middle Ages, the only time a worker had off work was Sundays and holy days, that is days established by the Church to celebrate a religious matter such as the life of a particular saint or such events as the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas and his resurrection at Easter. In the 16th century CE, these holy days became known by the now more familiar and wholly secular term, 'holidays'. The Elizabethan period was also the first time that such religious holidays came to be associated less with Church services and more to do with taking a 24-hour break from everyday life and, if possible, enjoying a little better quality of food and drink than one usually consumed. However, it is to be remembered that attendance at church on the main holy days was still required of everyone by law.

In the second half of the 16th century CE, there were 17 principal holy days recognised by the Anglican Church, some of which, as today, moved particular dates depending on the lunar calendar. These holy days, and their celebratory or commemorative purposes, were:

New Year's Day (1 Jan) - the Circumcision of Jesus Christ.

Twelfth Day (6 Jan) - the Epiphany when the Magi visited Jesus.

Candlemas (2 Feb) - Feast of the Purification of Mary.

Shrovetide/Shrove Tuesday (between 3 Feb & 9 Mar) - the last day before the fasting of Lent.

Ash Wednesday (between 4 Feb & 10 Mar) - First day of Lent, the 40-day fast that leads up to Easter.

Lady Day (25 Mar) - Annunciation of Mary and considered the first day of the calendar year in England (when the year number changed).

Easter (between 22 Mar & 25 Apr) - the Resurrection of Christ and including nine days of celebration.

May Day (1 May) - commemorating St. Philip and Jacob but also considered the first day of summer.

Ascension Day (between 30 Apr & 3 Jun) - Ascension of Christ and a major summer festival.

Whitsunday (between 10 May & 13 Jun) - Pentecost when Christ visited the apostles.

Trinity Sunday (between 17 May & 20 Jun) - Feast day of the Trinity.

Midsummer Day (24 Jun) - also commemorates John the Baptist.

Michaelmas (29 Sep) - marks the end of the harvest season and commemorates the Archangel Michael.

All Hallows/Hallowtide (1 Nov) - the feast of All Saints (Hallows).

Accession Day (17 Nov) - commemorates Elizabeth I of England's accession.

Saint Andrew's Day (30 Nov) - commemorates St. Andrew.

Christmas (25 Dec) - the birth of Jesus Christ.

Continue reading...

[magixfairyix]

Trix Week Day 7 (Childhood)

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

TW: Death of family, blood and mild mentions of gore

@bellatrixobsessed1 @trixweek

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

What Darcy remembered from her childhood were times of laughter and freedom.

~-~-~-~-~

She was running through the streets, ribbons and pendulums moving back and forth as the chilled wind blew through this specific settlement; the one that was the center of the planet of Zenothe, where most of the celebrations took place. 

Liiu was the name of the settlement, and it was also used as the Zenothian word for ‘home.’

Other Zenothians would travel either by magic, or, for those who weren’t adept in transportation or portal magic, by making the physical journey. Several other settlements had less rabid creatures than Liiu and were able to train them to be able to be ridden, and it was a wonder to see wolf-like creatures and others coming over the horizon.

She held several bags of herbs she got from one of the official covens in Zenothe, a smile on her face as she maneuvered around the bustling crows and the towering tents and ribbon-wrapped poles being put up.

She didn’t remember too much about what her moms told her about The Festival of the New Night last night, for she was too excited to pay a lot of attention. They said it was to celebrate the longest night of the year, and that she wouldn’t be able to stay for the entire celebration due to its twenty-four hour length.

But she would try to convince her moms to at least let her stay up until the bonfire started.

She swung open the door to her home, one made of wood and with a roof shingled of the same material that had different patterns of leaves and runes carved into them. She recognized the one that her mother taught her was for protection on the doorway before walking in.

She saw that her mom—Jes—was busy working at the kitchen counter, cutting an herb she didn’t recognize, but she guessed it was to throw into the bonfire to set intentions for the coming year. It smelled nice though, and she felt hopeful that it was going to be a good year.

Her mother—Resite—must have still been talking to the neighbors.

Jes gave a warm smile to her, and she retur

She retur

She

Sh

*@^

Darcy knelt over the unconscious bodies of her parents, hands trembling as any chance of breathing seemed to stop. Jes’ body was collapsed over a log laid out in the field, and Resite was next to her; the two of them held hands, they must’ve been on a walk.

Everyone on Zenothe was in the same state.

She still felt the feeling of her psychic magic active in her mind.

She heard Liliss’ laughter.

Freedom.

She was free; Darcy.

Free from having any happiness holding her back.

Salt from tears stung.

Tears stung

Stung

St

%#*

Her hand stung.

She was digging her nails into her palm, she thought, while she was sleeping.

Lightning lit up the dormroom and she saw her palm littered with small, crescent moon-shaped marks. 

She used to have a bracelet like that. 

Like that

That

Th

*@^#

That she liked the smell of blood sometimes.

She attacked Musa with a spell, and she didn’t even mean for it to draw blood. The fairy just lost balance and fell onto one of the sharp rocks in Darkar’s fortress, skewering her in the midsection and going all the way through to the other side. 

The Winx were screaming as if the injury couldn’t be healed by magic, and Darcy felt something deeper than the usual apathy.

Did she feel safe?

It felt better doing the damage, Darcy knew that much.

No one would hurt her.

Hurt her

Her

*%*

Her mother—Resite—must have still been talking to the neighbors.

Jes gave a warm smile to her, and she retur

She retur

She

Sh

S

Suffering

Ering

Ring

Ringing in her ears; cries of her pain.

She

Sh

Shh

Shh

Things will be alright

Shh

It’s okay

Kay

Ay

Y

Why?

Why was she doing this?

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

She placed a cup of tea in front of Darcy.

Darcy smiled softly to herself, trying to keep her balance on the kitchen stool. She thought it would be easier when she grew older and her legs actually reached the ground, but now Jes had to remind her not to fall back and hit her head.

“What do you see?” Jes smiled softly.

Darcy saw pride in her mom’s eyes and how excited she was for The Festival of the New Night. She didn’t want to ruin the day for her. If Jes was happy, then Resite would be happy, and maybe they’d allow Darcy to stay up past her bedtime to watch herbs and crystals burn in the bonfire.

Darcy ignored the cruel smile in her tea leaves.

She smiled and looked up.

“A storm.”

A storm

Storm

Rm

^#^@

Stormy weather was the usual at that time of year.

Darcy wrapped her arms around herself, nails digging into her arms. She looked up at the dark clouds above her that limited the sight of the few stars in the sky. If everyone around her was conscious, they would be celebrating.

She couldn’t remember the name of the holiday, because after all, it had been years since she left Zenothe. Raindrops fell onto her face and her shirt became soaked from the grass she was lying down on, and she didn’t shut her eyes. It stung a bit, the water, but it was better than numbness.

Icy and Stormy would be wondering where she was. They were back at Cloud Tower, likely rummaging through more books in the library. But even if they did notice Darcy’s absence, they wouldn’t know where to find her.

Darcy gripped Jes’ limp hand before letting go almost immediately.

She let out a bitter laugh that clogged her throat.

Her throat.

Her…

…

*#^$

What Darcy remembered from her childhood were times of laughter and freedom.

And they were a twisted sort of hell.

[thepastisalreadywritten]

SAINT OF THE DAY (July 6)

July 6 marks the feast day of St. Maria Goretti, a young virgin and martyr whose life is an example of purity and mercy for all Christians.

St. Maria Goretti is best known for her commitment to purity and the courageous defence of her faith at the young age of eleven that made her willing to undergo death rather than participate in a sin against God.

She is also remarkable for the forgiveness she willingly granted her attacker as she lay on her deathbed.

Maria was born on 16 October 1890 in Corinaldo, Italy. Her father, a farmer, died of malaria when she was young, and her mother had to work to support their six children.

Maria took care of the younger children while her mother worked. She prayed the Rosary every night for the repose of her father’s soul.

She grew in grace and maturity. Her cheerful obedience and piety were noticed by those around her.

On 5 July 1902, a neighbouring farm hand, Alessandro Serenelli, tried to rape Maria.

On several prior occasions, Alessandro had harassed Maria with impure advances, all of which she has vehemently rejected.

This time, he locked her in a room and tried to force himself upon her.

She fought against him, shouting, "No! It is a sin! God does not want it!"

She warned him that this was the path towards hell.

When Maria declared that she would rather die than submit to this sin, Alessandro angrily grabbed her and stabbed her 14 times with a knife.

Maria was found bleeding to death and rushed to the hospital.

As she lay dying, she forgave Alessandro for the crime he had committed against her, saying:

"Yes, for the love of Jesus, I forgive him...and I want him to be with me in Paradise."

Although the doctors tried to save her, she died two agonizing days later, only eleven years old.

Alessandro was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

He remained unrepentant until one night, eight years into his prison term, when Maria appeared to him, dressed in white, gathering lilies in a garden.

She smiled, turned towards Alessandro, and offered him the flowers. Each lily he took transformed into a white flame. Then Maria disappeared.

From that moment, Alessandro converted and found peace. He repented of his crime and changed his life.

He was released from prison three years early and begged forgiveness from Maria’s mother, which she duly granted.

Alessandro moved to a Capuchin monastery, working in the garden as a tertiary for the remainder of his life.

He was one of the witnesses who testified to Maria's holiness during her cause of beatification, citing the crime and the vision in prison.

Many miracles were attributed to Maria Goretti after her death.

Pope Pius XII beatified her on 27 April 1947 and canonized on 24 June 1950, becoming the youngest Roman Catholic saint officially recognised by name.

Her feast day is celebrated by the Church on July 6.

She is the patron saint of purity, rape victims, young women, and youth in general.

On her feast day in 2003, Pope John Paul II spoke about St. Maria Goretti at his Sunday Angelus, noting that her life provides an exemplary witness of what it means to be "pure of heart."

"What does this fragile but christianly mature girl say to today's young people, through her life and above all through her heroic death?" asked the Pope.

"Marietta, as she was lovingly called, reminds the youth of the third millennium that true happiness demands courage and a spirit of sacrifice, refusing every compromise with evil and having the disposition to pay personally, even with death, faithful to God and his commandments."

"How timely this message is," the Holy Father continued.

"Today, pleasure, selfishness and directly immoral actions are often exalted in the name of the false ideals of liberty and happiness.

It is essential to reaffirm clearly that purity of heart and of body go together, because chastity ‘is the custodian’ of authentic love."

[sixminutestoriesblog]

St. Lucia

I'm a little behind on this one. St. Lucia's Day is December 13 but since I didn't realize that until too late, we're going to do this a little bit belated.

St. Lucia's (or Lucy's) celebration is, for the purpose of this post, going to be about the Scandinavian side of things. On December 13th, the shortest day of the year according to the old Julian calendar, young girls dress in white robes with red sashes, set a wreath of holly on their head, crowned with - if they're old enough and trusted enough - lit candles and hand out coffee and sweets, often saffron buns or ginger cookies, to members of their family or nearby neighbors. Cranking it down a few years, small children dressed in white robes carrying, again if they're old enough, candles, also form a parade and sing as they too hand out treats or follow an elected Lucia who does that herself. Lucia means 'light' and this tradition is supposed to help you shore up enough of it for the coming winter months as well as to mark the Winter Solstice.

How did this all come about though? St. Lucia is from the Mediterranean.

Let's start at the beginning.

St. Lucia was a Christian martyr who was born in Sicily and died in 304 at the age of 25. During her life, she brought food to either the poor or the Christian martyrs hiding in the catacombs depending on the story you read. She wore a candle on her head so that both of her hands would be free to carry more food. Her mother arranged a marriage for her, since Lucia's father had died when she was young and the mother, dying herself of bleeding issues, feared for her daughter's future. Lucia however was a Christian woman that had dedicated her virginity to God, something many early female saints seemed to do, and after her prayers brought about her mother's healing, she convinced the woman to call off the engagement. Instead, she dedicated her dowry to Christ and distributed it among the poor. This did not go over well with her ex-fiance who snitched like a little bitch to the governor. Since Christianity was illegal at the time, Lucia's arrest was ordered, with her punishment being service in a brothel for daring to break up with a man. When the soldiers rolled up to take her away however, they found they couldn't move her, even after they'd hitched ox to her to try. Strangely dedicated to their work in the face of the miraculous, they then heaped wood around her and set her on fire.

This, also, did not work.

Finally, some go-getter in the group got creative and ran her through with a sword (or spear).

This worked.

Or it didn't, depending on the story because at least one of them says that she didn't actually die until she'd been given Last Rites. Honestly, whoever gave her Last Rites should have just kept their mouth shut and she'd probably still be around today.

During the period between the 8th and 12th centuries, Scandinavian countries gradually adopted Christianity and St. Lucia came with it. The St. Lucia that became known in Scandinavia however wasn't entirely the woman she'd been in Sicily.

You see - before St. Lucia came to Scandinavia, there was Lussi Lagnatti, Lucy Long-night, and she also claimed December 13th, except she claimed its long, dark hours instead.

If St. Lucia brought hope and healing with her, Lussi brought terror, punishment and the dead with her in the dark of the longest night of the year. On Winter Solstice, everyone stayed locked safely inside their houses where they hung axes, scissors and knives over their doorway and marked crosses on their houses to keep her at bay. During the Winter Solstice the veil between worlds grew thin and things leaked through. Lussi was accompanied on her travels by walking dead, evil spirits, trolls and other shuddery creatures. It was a Wild Hunt of its own, with Lussi as its leader and woe to anyone they found outside. If the victim was lucky, they would be found miles from where they'd started, confused and beaten.

If they were unlucky, they were never found at all.

Lussi, like many winter creatures, had a penchant for naughty children and workers, especially women, that hadn't finished their winter chores by the time of the Solstice. She and her hoard would damage their houses, their barns and sometimes even snatch them up to carry them away forever.

Little wonder that light-giving, hope giving, generous Lucia took her place in the hearts of Scandinavia. Or perhaps Lussi simply reformed into the light side of her dark coin. The young girls that wake up early to dress and feed their family do so before the sun, moving in the darkness of the house after all.

There's one more piece to our puzzle however. Germany also had a white clad woman that wore candles in her crowning wreath and gave out gifts. Her name was Christkind. She was supposed to represent the baby Jesus and was accompanied by Hans Trapp, a stand in for the devil.

So there you have it. Sweden is said to be the start of St. Lucia's Feast in the North, a famine there in medieval times saw a boat miraculously appearing on Lake Varern, headed by a woman of glowing light who handed out food and then vanished with the boat directly after, but it quickly spread to the neighboring countries, even more so in the 1900s. These days Lussi and the Christkind are almost entirely forgotten but St. Lucia still walks the early morning hours, bringing the light with her and giving out her food with both hands, reminding everyone that the winter is long yet but there is also warmth and hope even in these darkest of days.

[royalfamily-of-windemburg]

Tiaras and Crowns Moment at the New Year's Eve Celebration

Last night, the Royal Family of Windemburg celebrated its traditional New Year's Eve banquet, an event full of elegance, glitter and majestic jewels, where not only members of the royalty were present, but also important leaders, politicians and renowned businessmen of the country.

Queen Isabella was, as usual, the centre of attention. Her Majesty wore the iconic Windemburg Red Flower Tiara. Accompanying this spectacular tiara, the Queen wore an elegant red dress with a large bow, which highlighted her stature and sophistication. At her side, Prince Consort Phillipe impressed with the famous Aurora Borealis Crown, known for its interchangeable rubies that shone with special intensity during the evening. Both radiated majesty and were, without a doubt, the most admired personalities of the evening.

For her part, the Queen Mother, always imposing, chose for the occasion the impressive Forest Emerald Tiara, a jewel with enormous emeralds that reflected her status and experience as a key member of the monarchy. Princess Francesca, the Queen's younger sister, also wore a dazzling tiara with floral motifs, known as the Dawn Lily Tiara.

Among the renowned guests were the Duke and Duchess of St. Sequoia. The Duke wore the St. Sequoia Crown, a piece of gold and pearls with more than a hundred years of history. The Duchess, for her part, surprised the public with a small pearl tiara never seen before, a rumor that quickly spread among the attendees indicates that this delicate piece was a personal gift from her husband on her last birthday,

The Duke and Duchess of St. Sequoia’s children also made an appearance alongside their parents. Prince Liam, newly active in his royal duties, and his younger brother Prince Uriel posed proudly at the entrance to the event, drawing admiring glances for their poise and presence.

The newlyweds, the Countess and the Earl of Simton, showed off their union with a photograph in which the Countess shined in the same tiara she wore on her wedding day, the Simton Tiara. Finally, Princess Victoria, mother of Countess Viviane, surprised with a silver dress that stood out for its sophistication.

The event, as every year, was a display of tradition, richness and elegance, marking not only the end of a year, but also the firm legacy of the Windemburg monarchy in history. Tell us in the comments, which was your favorite look?

Comments section:

RoyalFanatic12: Queen Isabella was radiant! That floral tiara is simply spectacular. What a way to end the year!

SophiaBlossoms: I love it, every member of the family looks so iconic. I can't pick a favorite!

AntiRoyalty: It's a waste of public money!

MichelleGit1: Prince Henrik giving his wife a tiara for her birthday, how nice that they are still so in love!

[thecatsandthecrone]

Wheel of the year: Lammas

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash  

☽🔮☾🕯🃏🌕🕸✨🍃🍄🧿🌙✩ 🪄📚

Also known as "Lammas" or "August eve", Lughnasadh is the first of the three harvest festivals observed in wiccan tradition (and in witchcraft). Lughnasad, often celebrated between the 1st to the 3rd of August in the northern hemisphere (1st February in the southern one) celebrates the impending leave of summer and the return of colder seasons, shorter days and of course, autumn.

Lammas comes right after Litha and right before Mabon.While the name "Lammas" comes from the anglosaxon words for "loaf mass", we aren't exactly sure of how, when or why this tradition originated. Some people believe it started from anglosaxon tradition, other suspect that while the name is anglosaxon the origin is celtic, and yet others think this tradition may have originated in early christianity. Regardless the origin, we know that the earliest tradition of this day was to bake a loaf of bread with the recent harvest, and to take it to the church to be blessed (and to thank the universe for the lovely bounty bestowed upon you). Likewise, it is also known that this particular sabbat was incorporated into wiccan faith later and reluctantly, perhaps due to its christian ties.

Lammas marks the beginning of the harvest that started in midsummer, and the harvest of the first fruits of the year.As it is to be expected, this festival has deep ties to agriculture and farming, to prosperity and to wealth. Back in the day, it was considered that collecting the harvest before Lammas was bad luck, as it would mean the previous' years harvest had ran out before its time. This festivity is closely linked to christian imagery, christian deities and saints due to its suspected origins. It is particularly tied to Christ (who is said to have transfigurated during this time) and to St. Peter in chains, said to have been released from prison in this day. The festivity is also tied to the celtic Lugh (the horned man), whose mother is said to have cleaned the fields of Ireland for agriculture, and died of exhaustion right after. Any other deities tied to the harvest, abundance, prosperity, fields or the hearth might be honored during this sabbat. This sabbat honours any imagery related to field and harvests, abundance and prosperity. As expected, the cornucopia is very present in this festival, usually filled with the first fruits of the havest: wheat, corn, grapes, apples, etc. Feminine or masculine imagery is also relevant (corn dollies, effigies) and so are the Sun, the water (particularly rivers and springs) and the soil. There are numerous traditions linked to this festival: the most evident one is baking and blessing, be it bread or cakes. Banquets and feasting are also common in most countries. Decorating your house or altar might be an option if you are a solitary practitioner, and in some countries they decorate the town square and throw a big party: another crucial theme of this festivity is sharing !

What kind of traditions you can participate in depends heavily on your country and if you are out of the broom closet or not. If you are in Germany, you might have Oktoberfest to look forward to, and some areas of northern France also celebrate "August day". Even if you are a solitary practitioner or in the broom closet, here are some ways to partake the joy that you can use to  honour this day. -Feast: The climax of every sabbat ! Feasting is a staple in every festival and Lammas is particularly suited to it because of its ties to abundance and the harvest. Meals that are particularly fitting would be bread or wheat cakes, corn, beer, grapes, apples, berries and fresh herbs. -Decorate: Joining the decoration efforts at your local festival or fair is just as valid as making some humble decorations for your house. Ribbons, corn dolls, cornucopias, scythes and baskets are lovely options. -Bake: Baking anything with seasonal ingredients such as cereals, fresh herbs, fruits or berries is an excellent option. You could even make decorative break that is scoured with designs such as leaves, suns or flowers. -Share: One of the most important parts of Lammas is sharing. This festivity celebrates prosperity and abundance, and sharing shows not only that you care but also that you have enough for yourself and to pass around !

-Honour your deities: No deity hates being honoured and remembered. Prayers and offerings are two excellent ways to show your gratefulness for the abundance that surrounds you. -Pilgrimages: Several traditions associate this festival to pilgrimages. In christian tradition it was commos to make a pilgrimage to a bakery for your loaf of bread, and then to a church to bless it. In celtic tradition, there was a tradition to go to a well, turn around it clockwise, and leaving offerings like coins. With your friend or on your own, take a little "pilgrimage" to a bakery, curch or well. -Decorate your altar: Like with any other festival, seasonally decorating your altar is a fantastic option. Fruits, bread, and decorations in gold, yellow, red and orange are the best options. Colours associated with Lammas: White, red, orange, yellow, gold, brown Crystals associated with Lammas: Agate, moonstone, sunstone, jasper, Food associated with Lammas: Bread, cakes, cereals, beer, corn, herbs, spices, berries and seasonal fruits

I hope you have enjoyed this post. If you would like me to continue making posts like this please support me so I can continue making them: you can support me by donating here https://ko-fi.com/bunnymatchamochi or by visiting my Etsy store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LovenestAtelier?ref=profile_header Reblogs and likes also help ! Thank you so much for reading me !  

[cyarskaren52]

Babyyyyyyyy this is some soap opera level Rich White People mess HERE. He told her ass “I know you’re in love with him sexually and mentally” IN FRONT OF THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

Italian high society in shock as millionaire banker throws ultra exclusive engagement party at Turin villa - only to make accusations against fiancée in his speech

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Millionaire banker Massimo Segre accused his fiancee of cheating on him in front of distinguished guests

READ MORE:  Princess Carolina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies makes a statement in a VERY big headpiece as she continues St Tropez trip with sister Princess Chiara

Italian high society has been left reeling after the wedding of a millionaire banker in Turin took a dark turn, when the groom accused his bride of cheating in a speech at the engagement party causing a huge public spat between the pair. 

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Massimo Segre, 64, gathered guests at his mansion in Turin, to celebrate his upcoming nuptials to Cristina Seymandi, 47.

But instead of the usual loving speech you may expect to hear about a bride-to-be, Massimo instead accused his future wife of cheating, to the shock of Torinese high society.

Over a lavish banquet, he said: 'I want to give Cristina the freedom to love.

'Specifically, to love another person; a notable lawyer, who she clearly cares about more than me'.

Man calls off wedding in front of guests after fiancée 'betrays' him

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'Dear Cristina, I know how much you are in love with him mentally and sexually,' he added.

'And I know that before him you had a relationship with an industrialist acquaintance.'

Stunned, Cristina looks around the room of some 150 guests for support as her fiancé shares painful photos of his partner with another man.

'Don't think it pleases me to look like a cuckold in front of all of you,' Massimo then tells his friends, clearly devastated by his partner's alleged betrayal as the event goes silent. 

'Cristina is so good at telling her truths, that I couldn't leave her alone to narrate the reason why I'm ending [our] life together tonight.

'It's a banal story of infidelity, even premarital. I am so disappointed,' he says. 'I am heartbroken.' 

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View galleryMassimo was seen reading a prepared speech in Turin about his wife's alleged infidelities 

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View galleryA moment of shock as Cristina  looks around, accused of having an affair with a lawyer 

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He then wishes her well, before telling her to go to Mykonos with her lover, as it is already paid for.

As soon as the speech finished, the lights dimmed and Massimo left the stage.

Italian media reported that guests were annoyed at being 'used' as part of the show. 

Stunned guests stared on in silence unsure what to think.

Since the engagement party, a video taken by one of the guests has gone viral, leading to Cristina to become the subject of death threats.

In a letter to the director of the Zona Bianca TV news programme, Christina said Massimo had committed an act of 'psychological violence' and had 'meticulously planned his revenge'.

She added that she had a valuable sapphire ring given to her by Massimo's mother to mark their engagement which had 'mysteriously disappeared' 15 days before the party.

Speaking to the Times, Cristina's adviser said she will be taking legal action for 'reputational damage' against he former fiance.  

'She has suffered very serious attacks on social media and threats from Italian citizens. It has been traumatic,' she said.

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View galleryCristina Seymandi, an entrepreneur and politician 

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View galleryMassimo is pictured (right) in a post on Instagram 

Her lawyer,  Claudio Strata, added the banker had 'intentionally humiliated her'.    

'The letter was read out in front of dozens of people and it was captured in a video that was sent to the newspapers. We don't think this was improvised.' 

Massimo categorically denies having published the video, let alone having allowed it to be filmed.

He has since accused Cristina of stealing €700,00 (£598,000) from the couple's joint account, but she says the money was transferred with his consent before the relationship ended. 

Cristina snapped back after the event in an interview with La Stampa.

She said that the bags for Mykonos 'were already packed' and urged onlookers to reserve judgement: 'Within every family, the dynamics are very complex and difficult to understand from the outside.'

She said at the time she thought: 'He's gone crazy'.

'He was very tired at the time,' she said.

'I am sure there's someone behind him who fanned the flames. In short, manipulated him.' 

She also noted: 'The work stands and I can't afford to lose it.'

'My professional life requires me to react and remain lucid. I will think about possible protections in civil and criminal matters.' 

Cristina  summed up: 'It was a farce, let's face it. Serious things are resolved another way.'

'Now I will consider whether to sue him,' she said.

Viviana Ferrero, former vice president of the Turin city council and friend of Cristina , described the put-down as a 'sexist lynching'.

She said: 'Two things hurt me, the end of a beautiful love story and the lynching in which Cristina it's been going on for days. A sexist, chauvinist, violent, horrendous lynching.

She went on: 'Dirty laundry is washed in the family and they, even if for a short time, were a very special family. 

'And they could have been one of the most beautiful couples there were, because they combined so many qualities. 

'I don't rejoice when the rich cry.'

Massimo's mother, Franca Bruna Segre, was also known as a key figure in Italian finance, at the top of Banca Intermobiliare before her son became its financier. 

The 64-year-old is also a director of Directa Sim, a company dealing in online trading, and has involvement in other sectors including health and media.

Complicating matters, Cristina is professionally tied into some of these businesses, listed on LinkedIn as a director of Directa Sim since February.

She also has been named CEO of Savio Thesan Spa, a company she joined by taking over his shares through the recently established Hope SRL. 

Cristina is the daughter of a renowned accountant from Turin and has held roles in politics and business over an eventful career.

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View galleryCristina looks on as Massimo accuses her of having an affair with an unnamed lawyer 

In 2021, she backed the mayoral campaign of centre-right candidate Paolo Damilano in Turin, who promised to make her deputy if he won.

Damilano lost in the run-off to centre-left candidate Stefano Lo Russo, and as a candidate for councillor Cristina was able to collect only 318 'preferences'.

Segre and Cristina met around the time of the pandemic but had their wedding delayed twice as a result.

Finally, the plans had been made and 'around 200' guests invited to the lawn overlooking the Mole Antonelliana, a landmark in Turin, to finally announce the date in October.

But what started with general thanks to the audience for coming took a sudden turn when Segre took the chance to out his partner.

Massimo Segre's speech in full 

'Tonight, I'd like to gift Cristina the freedom to love. To love a person, a known lawyer, who she clearly cares more for than me, and who I think managed to become obnoxious just to avoid slighting me. 

'My dear Cristina, I know how in love you are, both mentally and sexually, how did you manage to self-confide? And I know that before him you had a relationship with a well-known industrialist. 

'My dear friends, don't believe that this pleases me to be a cuckold in front of you all, but Cristina was so good at telling her truths that I couldn't leave it to her to tell the narrative of why I will be leaving her tonight. 

'What did she say to her poor mother? Because the woman became afraid that her daughter was no longer safe to sleep with me. And so what did she say to all of you that drove away the truth? It's a banal story of infidelity, even premarital.

'I am very disappointed, heartbroken. I blame myself for not having understood how a woman can't really love you if a marriage puts you against your own children, with who I have painstakingly tried to recover a relationship that has deteriorated in these three years. 

'My dear Cristina, go to Mykonos with your lawyer, be happy with him, you know it's all paid for, like how he paid for the trip to Vietnam with your daughter, a splendid young lady who I am very disappointed to have been involved in this situation. 

'I confirm, if you want, when you return we could evaluate how to continue a professional collaboration, however our story ends today. 

'I wish you happiness with your new partner and to continue shining in the world that you have done all these years. Sorry to you all and good night.

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[pictureofdoriaaaaaangay]

happy St Mark's Eve, everyone <333

[gwendolynlerman]

Deutschribing Germany

Public holidays

Public holidays can be set by the federal government or the Länder. Only the Day of German Unity is set by federal law; the rest of them, even those celebrated all over Germany, are made holidays by state legislation. As a result, there are between ten and thirteen (in Bavaria), depending on the state. Most states have either ten or eleven public holidays.

The nine holidays observed nationwide are the following: 

January 1 - Neujahrstag (New Year’s Day)

Karfreitag (Good Friday)

Ostermontag (Easter Monday)

May 1 - Tag der Arbeit (Labor Day)

Christi Himmelfahrt (Ascension Day): it commemorates the ascension of Jesus into Heaven and takes place 39 days after Easter Sunday.

Pfingstmontag (Whit Monday): it celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit and marks the resumption of ordinary time. It takes place fifty days after Easter.

October 3 - Tag der Deutschen Einheit (German Unity Day): this holiday commemorates German reunification in 1990.

December 25 - Weihnachtstag (Christmas Day)

December 26 - Zweiter Weihnachtsfeiertag (Boxing Day)

Public holidays observed in only some states include:

January 6 - Heilige Drei Könige (Epiphany) - Baden-Württemberg (BW), Bavaria (BY), and Saxony-Anhalt (ST): it celebrates the visit of the Three Wise Men after the birth of Christ. Groups of children dressed as the Three Wise Men known as Sternsinger (star singers) go from door to door to sing, ask for donations for worthy causes, and perform the traditional house blessing by marking the year over the door with chalk.

The numbers indicate the year, while the letters mean either the names of the Three Wise Men (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar) or the Latin phrase Christus mansionem benedicat (May Christ bless this house).

March 8 - Frauentag (Women’s Day) - Berlin (BE) and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (MV)

Fronleichnam (Corpus Christi) - BW, BY, Hesse (HE), North Rhine-Westphalia (NW), Rhineland-Palatinate (RP), and Saarland (SL): it celebrates the Eucharist, that is, the body and blood of Christ embodied in sacramental bread and wine. It takes place sixty days after Easter Sunday.

August 15 - Mariä Himmelfahrt (Assumption of Mary) - BY and SL: this holiday celebrates Virgin’s Mary ascension into Heaven after her death.

September 20 - Weltkindertag (World Children’s Day) - Thuringia (TH)

October 31 - Reformationstag (Reformation Day) - Brandenburg (BB), Bremen (HB), Hamburg (HH), MV, Lower Saxony (NI), Saxony (SN), ST, Schleswig-Holstein (SH), and TH: it celebrates the onset of the reformation, as Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-five Theses on this day.

November 1 - Allerheiligen (All Saints’ Day) - BW, BY, NW, RP, and SL: this holiday commemorates all Christian saints.

Buß- und Bettag (Repentance and Prayer Day) - SN: it falls on the second Wednesday before the First Sunday in Advent.

While Father’s Day has a fixed date (Ascension Day), Mother’s Day takes place on the second Sunday of May. Furthermore, there is another unofficial holiday, Rosenmontag (“rose Monday”), which takes place on the Monday before Ash Wednesday. It is a de facto holiday in Catholic western and southern Germany, and especially celebrated in Carnival strongholds such as Aachen, Bonn, Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Mainz.

Some public holidays (Good Friday, All Saints, and Prayer and Repentance Day) are quiet days (stille Tage), which means that public dancing, live music at inns, and noisy activities around the house, such as playing loud music, vacuuming, and construction with electric tools, are prohibited.

Holidays that always fall on Sunday are not determined by law but are quiet days: Volkstrauertag (Memorial Day), which takes place two Sundays before the first day of Advent and commemorates people who died in armed conflicts, both military and civilian, and Totensonntag (Sunday of the Dead), which is the Protestant equivalent of All Souls’ Day that commemorates the faithfully departed and falls on the last Sunday of the liturgical year in the Evangelical Church.

Some days that are not designated as public holidays are quiet days in certain states, such as Ash Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Holy Saturday, All Souls’ Day, and Christmas Eve (beginning in the afternoon).

[ancestorsalive]

"Nollaig na mBan Sona Daoibh"

Nollaig na mBan or Women’s Christmas falls on the 6th of January each year. Women traditionally enjoyed a day of pampering while the menfolk took over all the housework. This old Irish tradition acknowledges the graft of weary mothers and grandmothers over the festive season. The day is more commonly known to the rest of the world as the Feast of the Epiphany or the Twelfth Night and sometimes Little Christmas. It marks the official end of the 12 days of Christmas. These days husbands get of lightly as most celebrants enjoy a pamper day at a spa interrupted by lunch with Prosecco.

Traditionally Christmas Day was celebrated with men's fare like beef and whiskey Nollaig na mBan is more associated with the dainties preferred by women like cake, tea and wine. In France to celebrate Epiphany they eat Galette des Rois (translates as King Cake), made of puff pastry and frangipane. The tradition of King Cake extends through many countries including Spain (who have Roscón de Reyes) & Greece (Vasilopita), they even had a similar twelfth night tradition involving a cake or pie in England. In French and English custom a bean and a pea was included, the receivers of which became king or queen for the evening. In Italy, on the eve of epiphany, gifts are delivered to children by Befana (an old woman similar to St Nicholas or Santa Claus). Luckily no carrots had to be left out for the reindeers so the Italians left out wine and morsels of food for her. She must have been well plastered and stuffed by the time she got home!"

~ Shared with thanks from Kate Plumridge @ The Silver Tent

[stowrice]

Unwavering Faith despite uncertainty

When I was a kid, the familiar story and scenes of Christmas that were always retold centered around how the angel declared to Mary that she would bear our Savior and how Jesus was born in a very lowly condition, receiving three gifts from wise men from the East. This marked Jesus' dwelling with us.

However, what’s striking about the story I used to hear and watch is that the characters most often highlighted were our Blessed Mother and Jesus. What’s also amazing is that throughout the life of Jesus, Mary was the parent who was always present, accompanying Him even at His death on the cross.

Similarly, we Filipinos show our love and devotion to our Blessed Mother. For instance, we are currently celebrating the Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo, a nine-day novena Mass that begins on December 16 (or the evening of December 15) and concludes on December 24, with the Misa de Gallo on Christmas Eve to accompany our Blessed Mother as she carries Jesus in her womb.

And as we continue to journey with our Blessed Mother, on the third day of Misa de Gallo, we hear about another character who was present at the first coming of Jesus. Unlike our Blessed Mother, this character is not mentioned much throughout Scripture, nor is he present during the ministry of Jesus. This character is quite fascinating. Though we have limited knowledge of him and he is not often spoken about, like our Blessed Mother, he is also a significant instrument of how God dwelt among us and became human like us.

In my Christology class last semester with Fr. Arnel Aquino, SJ, part of our outline was to discuss Jesus’ anthropology, particularly His infancy narrative. The infancy narrative in our class was quite similar to the Christmas story I heard when I was a kid. However, what’s quite amazing about the infancy narrative in our class is that we didn’t just highlight our Blessed Mother, but also St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, whom we only hear about twice in the Synoptic Gospels. We also explored the context of the birth of Jesus and how chaotic the situation was at that time.

Joseph, a quiet yet significant character in Scripture, is portrayed without grand descriptions or fanfare attached to his name. He is known as a carpenter, as Jesus was referred to by the hierarchs as "the Son of the Carpenter." Joseph was a man of unwavering faith who fearlessly obeyed God's plans without question, surrendering everything to follow Him.

What’s striking about Joseph’s story, as reflected in today’s readings, is his profound love for our Blessed Mother and Jesus. Despite being a devout Jew, he embraced Mary’s condition with remarkable courage, knowing she might be seen as an adulterer for bearing a child that was not his. Without confusion or hesitation, Joseph followed God’s plans completely. After receiving the Angel's message in a dream, he abandoned his own plans and devoted himself to caring for Mary and Jesus.

Pope Francis highlights St. Joseph in his apostolic letter Patris Corde, describing him as a father obedient to God. With his fiat, St. Joseph protects Mary and Jesus and teaches his Son to “do the will of the Father.” Called by God to serve the mission of Jesus, he “cooperated… in the great mystery of Redemption,” as St. John Paul II said, and is truly “a minister of salvation.”

St. Joseph embraced God’s will without hesitation or complaint, despite uncertainty and contradictions to his own plans. He was filled with profound love and committed himself to doing what is right and just. For this reason, may today’s readings help prepare and inspire us for the coming of Jesus. Like His earthly father, St. Joseph, may we be willing to follow God’s plans over our own and be courageous enough to serve our brothers and sisters in great need.

[cruger2984]

THE DESCRIPTION OF THE TRANSLATION OF THE HOLY HOUSE OF LORETO Feast Day: December 10

"Loreto, after Nazareth, is the ideal place to pray while meditating on the mystery on the Incarnation of the Son of God." -Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Loreto is a charming hill town of some 10,000 inhabitants in the central Italian region known as the Marches. It is famed throughout the world for the Holy House of the Virgin Mary of Nazareth. Bordering the Adriatic Sea, it has been an important pilgrimage destination for nearly eight centuries.

The Holy House is enclosed within ornate, Renaissance-era marble beneath a large basilica, also built during the Renaissance.

The House itself consists of three walls of stacked stones. It is believed that Mary grew up and the Annunciation took place within these walls.

The House is now used as a chapel. Toward the front is a stone altar, known as the 'Altar of the Apostles.' Along with an ancient plate, these relics arrived in Loreto together with the Holy House.

So how did Mary's House end up in Loreto? In order to answer that question, it is necessary to visit Nazareth.

Today in Nazareth there is another important basilica — the Basilica of the Annunciation. Built over a grotto, this is believed to be the site where Mary was visited by the Archangel Gabriel and gave her Fiat — her consent to conceive, bear a son and name him Jesus.

The Basilica of the Annunciation is the largest church in the Middle East. The actual church is modern, consecrated as recently as 1969. However, the site has a long history. Archaeologists have determined there are the ruins of four other churches beneath and around the grotto. A good guide will point out the remnants of the previous churches.

First, a small synagogal basilica, dating back to the 2nd or 3rd century AD, was built around the cave. Next, in the 5th century during the Byzantine period and the era of Emperor Constantine and his mother, Helena, a larger basilica was built. This church was destroyed in the 7th century after the Muslim conquest of Palestine.

After the Crusaders reestablished a Christian kingdom in the 12th century, they rebuilt a larger basilica on the same site. However, this church, too, destroyed in 1260 by Sultan Baybars and the Mamluk army.

Finally, during a period of calm, the Franciscans rebuilt the church in the 18th century. This was expanded into the current Basilica of the Annunciation that pilgrims visit in Nazareth today.

Given the long history at the grotto in Nazareth, it is clear that there was devotion to it as the home of Mary and site of the Annunciation from at least the 2nd century onward. It is very likely, however, that there was a monument or marker at the grotto and House even in apostolic times. Since devotion to Mary dates back to biblical times, sites relating to her life would have been protected and considered holy.

So, how did the walls get to Loreto? For many centuries, tradition held that angels miraculously carried the Holy House from Nazareth to Loreto in 1294. This is attested to by numerous artistic depictions in and around the Holy House of flying angels carrying the House.

This tradition is celebrated during the feast of the 'Translation of the Holy House' on this date. Every year, the faithful gather in the square in front of the basilica on December 9.

Late at night a bonfire is lit, symbolizing a type of 'navigational beacon' that guided the angels to Loreto on that night.

For this reason, Our Lady of Loreto was proclaimed patroness of aviators. Pilots returning home after World War I asked Pope Benedict XV for a patron. On March 24, 1920, he assigned them Our Lady of Loreto. The first centenary was recently celebrated.

Others speculate that the Holy House of Loreto, like many relics from the Holy Land, was brought to Italy by ship at the conclusion of the Crusades. This was not uncommon, as the relics of St. Mark’s in Venice, St. Nicholas in Bari and St. Andrew in Amalfi were all brought by Crusaders to Italy during this period.

In the early 1900s, a priest and papal archivist was studying Vatican documents when he discovered a ledger detailing items that were brought out of the Holy Land during the period of the Crusades.

The sanctuary of Loreto is a place of prayer. It is documented that at least 150 saints and blessed have made a pilgrimage to the Holy House in Loreto. Their names are inscribed in a marble tablet upon entrance to the basilica.

The Holy House is also a site of miracles and conversions. Testifying to graces received are displays of gifts and 'ex-voto' medals given to the church by the faithful out of gratitude for blessings received through the intercession of Our Lady of Loreto.

Further, today a commission of doctors meets regularly in Loreto to study reports of miraculous healings. The commission functions similar to the one in Lourdes. Some have been determined indeed miraculous and 'not of natural origin.'

Source: National Catholic Register

[for-d-win]

Solemnity of All the Saints 2024

Good evening, dear brothers and sisters!

Tonight, we start celebrating the Solemnity of All the Saints in Heaven.

Pakitandaan po, November 1 is All Saints' Day. Sa November 2 pa po ang All Souls Day. Madalas po kasi, napagbabaliktadnatin

Anyways, for our reflection this evening, I wish to bring your attention to the title of our celebration tonight.

What are we celebrating again?

We are celebrating ALL Saints' Day!

Notice that there is the word "ALL!"

Why can't we just call it Saints' Day or Day of Saints - why is there a need to mention that we are celebrating ALL Saints' Day?

Let us now go to our First Reading, coming from the Book of Revelation.

Can you recall how many were marked with a seal as seen by St. John? Ilan po ang nakitang nakaputi at mga namarkahan ni San Juan?

There were 144,000 - since they are wearing white, we can presume, these were the saints.

However, I asked Britannica Encyclopedia, how many are the known saints right now? Only 10,000!

Who are included in this group?

Our parish patron - San Felipe Neri

Patron of Missing Things - St. Anthony of Padua

Patron of Eye Problems - St. Lucy

Foster Father of Jesus - St. Joseph

They are part of the 10,000 known saints.

How many more are remaining in what St. John saw in our First Reading?

134,000 - and who might they be?

According to Pope Francis in Gaudete et Exultate, there is a great chance that included in this second group are our departed mother, father, grandparents, and friends.

And this gives us a great hope, that if our relatives might be saints already, WE CAN ALSO BE SAINTS!

May we live by what St. Therese of the Child Jesus said, "I will spend my Heaven doing good on earth!"

Let sainthood be a lifestyle for us! May pag-asa - pwede tayo maging santo! Remember what Jesus told us in the Gospel, "Rejoice and be glad for your reward will be great in heaven!"

Na kahit pala puro hirap at tiis muna tayo ngayon, sa kabilang buhay, may pagka-santo na nag-aabang sa atin!

Just a little pabaon: sabi sa Second Reading, "Everyone who has this hope based on Him makes himself pure."

Kalinisan po sa susi sa pagiging santo - nawa'y maging malinis ang ating pag-iisip, nawa'y maging malinis ang ating mga intensyon, nawa'y maging malinis ang pananalita nang tayo'y maging marapat magsuot na puting baro ng mga santo.

Amen.

Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14 1 John 3:1-3 Matthew 5:1-12a

01 November 2024

Homily given at San Felipe Neri Parish