#the occult world of sabrina

[tiredmoonslut]

Remember when CAOS was gonna continue as a comic and then it never did and Sabrina ended up being on Riverdale instead

[witchyintention]

The Modern Witch Rises: Witchcraft in the 20th and 21st Centuries

If the Middle Ages were the era of torches and pitchforks, the 20th and 21st centuries have been all about reclaiming witchcraft’s mystique and power. Gone are the days of hiding your cauldron in the pantry—modern witches are loud, proud, and very much in the public eye. But how did we get here? Let’s explore the cultural evolution that brought witchcraft from whispered superstitions to Instagram-worthy spell jars.

A New Dawn: The Occult Revival of the 19th and Early 20th Centuries

While this section technically dips into the late 19th century, it’s impossible to discuss modern witchcraft without mentioning the Occult Revival. Secret societies, like the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, were at the forefront of this resurgence, blending ancient magical traditions with contemporary philosophies. Figures such as Aleister Crowley (The Great Beast 666 himself) brought esotericism back into the limelight, albeit with a flair for controversy.

This revival was deeply intertwined with the spiritualist movement, which gained popularity in the late 1800s. People were attending séances, communicating with spirits, and exploring mysticism like it was the Victorian version of binge-watching Netflix. This movement laid the groundwork for the modern re-emergence of witchcraft as a personal and spiritual practice.

Wicca and the Rise of Neo-Paganism

Enter the mid-20th century, when witchcraft was no longer just a shadowy whisper—it was formalized into a modern religion. British civil servant and occultist Gerald Gardner is often credited with founding Wicca in the 1950s. Gardner blended elements of ancient paganism, ceremonial magic, and folk practices into a cohesive framework that became the foundation for modern witchcraft. With its focus on the cycles of nature, reverence for the divine feminine, and the rule of "harm none," Wicca quickly gained traction as a countercultural movement.

Wicca’s popularity exploded in the 1960s and 1970s, coinciding with the rise of feminism, environmentalism, and a broader pushback against patriarchal and industrial systems. Witchcraft became a way for women and marginalized groups to reclaim power and autonomy. The goddess was rising, and she wasn’t about to take a backseat anymore.

Pop Culture: The Witch Becomes Iconic

In the 20th century, witches found a new home: the silver screen. Hollywood’s portrayal of witches ranged from the wicked (The Wizard of Oz’s cackling Wicked Witch of the West) to the whimsical (Bewitched and Sabrina the Teenage Witch) to the downright terrifying (The Craft and Hocus Pocus). These depictions both reflected and shaped public perceptions of witchcraft, often intertwining it with themes of empowerment, rebellion, and independence.

By the late 1990s and early 2000s, witches had become a pop culture staple. Shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed presented witches as powerful, relatable characters grappling with the complexities of their powers—much like the real-world practitioners redefining their craft.

The Witchcraft Renaissance: 21st Century Magic

Fast forward to today, and witchcraft has undergone a renaissance, thanks to a mix of cultural shifts, technology, and a growing desire for alternative spirituality. Modern witches are everywhere: on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and even Etsy. Hashtags like #WitchTok and #WitchAesthetic boast millions of views, with creators sharing everything from spell recipes to DIY crystal grids.

But what’s driving this resurgence? For one, we live in a world where traditional institutions—religion, government, corporations—are increasingly seen as untrustworthy. Many people are seeking spirituality outside the confines of organized religion, turning instead to practices that feel personal, empowering, and deeply connected to the natural world.

Witchcraft also resonates with the modern emphasis on self-care and mental health. Journaling becomes shadow work; aromatherapy transforms into potion-making; mindfulness becomes meditation under the full moon. The line between wellness trends and magical practices is delightfully blurry.

Intersectionality and Inclusivity in Modern Witchcraft

One of the most significant developments in 21st-century witchcraft is its embrace of diversity. Unlike its earlier iterations, which often focused on European pagan traditions, modern witchcraft draws from a wide array of cultural practices. Hoodoo, Santería, Brujería, and other Afro-Caribbean and Indigenous traditions have gained visibility, often through practitioners reclaiming their ancestral heritage.

This intersectionality has also extended to gender and sexuality. The archetype of the witch is no longer exclusively female—modern witchcraft celebrates witches of all genders, including nonbinary and transgender practitioners. Queer witches have found a welcoming space in the magical community, where self-expression and authenticity are celebrated.

The Digital Coven: How Technology Changed Witchcraft

Gone are the days of furtively borrowing a spellbook from the library. Today, the entire magical universe is just a click away. Online platforms have created virtual covens, where witches can connect, share knowledge, and support one another regardless of geographical barriers. Reddit forums, YouTube tutorials, and Discord servers have democratized access to witchcraft, making it more accessible than ever before.

Of course, this digital shift isn’t without its challenges. The commodification of witchcraft has led to a booming market for overpriced crystals, dubious spell kits, and “moon water” that’s really just a fancy way of selling bottled water. But at its core, the internet has allowed witchcraft to thrive in ways that would have been unimaginable a century ago.

How Modern Witchcraft Helps Us Navigate Life

At its heart, witchcraft in the 20th and 21st centuries is about empowerment. Whether you’re lighting a candle for protection, setting intentions with the new moon, or simply taking a moment to honor the elements, witchcraft offers a way to connect with yourself and the world around you.

It’s also profoundly adaptable. Unlike rigid religious systems, modern witchcraft encourages creativity, experimentation, and individuality. There’s no “one right way” to practice—only what feels right for you. And in a world that often feels chaotic and unpredictable, that kind of agency is a kind of magic in itself.

The Future of Witchcraft

So, what’s next for witchcraft? If history has taught us anything, it’s that magic is resilient. As we move further into the 21st century, witchcraft will likely continue to evolve, blending ancient traditions with new technologies and cultural movements. One thing’s for sure: witches are here to stay, and they’re not going back into the broom closet anytime soon.

[princess-of-the-corner]

ML Plot Points: The Agreste Family Part 2.

Nathalie is the one who I had to think about the longest, and the reason this took me so long. I wanted all three of the Agreste family adults to reflect another character by having the same issues, but different reactions to it, and I couldn’t choose a character to make her a reflection of. I wanted her to have issues taking responsibility and being the one who is in charge, as well as having confidence issues. I also wanted the character she’s linked to to be one of the teen Miraculous holders.

I quickly discarded Alya and Nino because they have no relation to the Agrestes. Same thing with Luka. I thought about making it Chloe, but I didn’t because I couldn’t come up with a way to link them that I really liked. I even thought about making it Sabrina due to their similarities (assistant to another character, fades into the background easily), but I didn’t like that option either. Then it hit me.

There is a character who’s also been in the background, but who took center stage for S5 due to Gabriel getting wounded by Felix. Another character who has issues with control and who is linked very thoroughly with the Agreste household. A character who, if I link Nathalie’s backstory with, gives me full leeway to make her childhood fucked. And less importantly but kind of amusingly, continues the trend of the adults being a different gender from teens they are linked with.

Felix.

I won’t go too into Nathalie’s backstory with her parents, but the long and short of it is that they were extremely abusive both physically and emotionally and that she grew up thinking that she was useless and that deserving of that treatment. At some point in her late teens, but before she went to college, her parents died.

Naturally, when she was in college, she was a complete nervous wreck. Gabriel somehow managed to befriend her through sheer introvert solidarity and through him, she met Emilie. Slowly, but surely, they got her to come out of her shell. Turns out, she’s actually a hardcore conspiracy theorist and is into occult stuff. She also loves travelling and seing different places.

After they finished college, she ended up staying with Gabriel and Emilie and lived in their house. Wanting her to come out of her shell more, they agreed to help her with her travels and accompanied her to places all around the world. She was just as surprised as them when it turned out one of her conspiracy theories was right. There was a weird temple in Tibet that disappeared for seemingly no reason 200-ish years ago. And there were two magical artifacts that were spared and which they could track down. After a few years of research, she successfully got her hands on one of the two brooches and gave it to the most important woman in her life. All was good. Professionally, she had become Gabriel’s assistant and lived a comfortable life. Personally, she spent almost all her time either with her girlfriend or her boyfriend. She is loved, she is cared for, and she works at keepin things neat and tidy for them while helping Emilie take care of their son. Life is good. 

Two years later, she tracked down another of the artifacts and gave it to the most important man in her life. Then it turned out the magical artifact she gave Emilie was killing her. They only found out about this thanks to Nooroo and after she made Amelie’s sentimonster child, so she’s already screwed.

Obviously, they panic a bit. They had all noticed Emilie was a bit more lethargic, but they didn’t think too much of it. So, they do everything they can to help her. They have Hawkmoth akumatise her to create the glass coffin that would keep her in stasis should her condition get beyond control. They keep three year old Adrien from noticing how sick she is because they can fix this. She can fix this.

After a decade of attempts and dead ends, she finally tracks down the guardian. Finally, someone who can actually, genuinely help them. They recognize that the prize for his help will probably be their brooches, but her life is more important, even if they’ll miss Nooroo and Duusu.

And then he betrayed them.

They have to force his hand.

They thought of trying to sell themselves as the heroes and the Guardian as some villain who just wants power, but for that they would have had to go public a long time ago to build up trust with the people. They never intended to be heroes, they just wanted to use their powers in peace. If they try now, it’s just going to raise doubts.

So instead, they sell themselves as supervillains. They lean into all the tropes to make people think they’re actually ruthless. It doesn’t matter. If they get their hands on the miraculi and heal Emilie, they will never appear publicly as Hawkmoth and Mayura again.

It will be worth it. 

It must be worth it.

She doesn’t know what she’ll do if it’s not.

I got kinda invested in that one, not sure why tbh. 

Like I mentioned at the beginning of the post, Nathalie as an adult is a reflection of Felix. They both spent their childhoods with parents that treated them awfully and grew up with problems about control. But whereas Nathalie is extremely unwilling to be the one in control, getting nervous and uncomfortable having to make decisions, Felix is violently opposed to giving anyone even the slightest control over him.

-

 Oh I love that actually!

[planetbluegaming]

"Emails I Can't Send" Sims 4 Legacy Challenge

Did I decide to make a Sims 4 legacy challenge based on Sabrina Carpenter's latest album "Emails I Can't Send"? Yes I did!

The album is very love and break up based in my opinion however I still thought it could be pretty fun to try and turn that into a legacy challenge. I've decided in this to cut a couple songs from the main album to use a couple from the deluxe album "Emails I Can't Send fwd:" since those gave me more ideas.

I have made some general legacy challenge rules however I am not going to dictate your gameplay so if you do something different such as a different career or trait then go for it!

General legacy rules:

1. Regular legacy challenge starts with 1800 simoleons or 0 if you want a bigger challenge. However, you can use money cheats for your first lot/house if you wish.

2. Mods are allowed. Use CC, use cheats, use MC command center, use whatever your heart desires.

3. Follow the rules in each generation. *rules are optional additional rules that are up to you to decide if you wanna complete them.

4. I have a brief storyline/background for each generation but feel free to make up your own or adjust to fit your gameplay.

5. If you want to play as an occult sim for any generation go ahead! I won't be making any of them occult so you have the freedom for that.

6. Keep the same last name throughout all generations.

7. Feel free to move lots for the start of each generation but don't move during a generation. If you do this, roll a number between 1000 and 7000 for the money you can take with you.

Gen 1: Vicious

As a teen you had a relationship and your partner seemed almost perfect, as did the relationship. That was until you found out that they were jumping between you and another. Finally realising this, as a young adult you cut all ties with them and tried to move on with your life, first healing yourself before wanting to help others heal.

Main colour: Red

Traits: Hot Headed, Geek, Good

Aspiration: Inner Peace (move onto Zen Guru if you finish the first)

Career: Yoga or Meditation Instructor (choose a part time job as well if you want to)

Rules:

1. Complete the Inner Peace aspiration

2. Max the wellness skill

3. Find true love as an adult

4. Have at least one child

5. *Complete the Zen Guru aspiration

Gen 2: Read Your Mind

As a child your parent(s) always brought you up to believe in inner peace and that everything was hard but you could make it easy. However, you decided you wanted to live in reality. As soon as you aged up into a young adult you moved out and started to navigate the harsh world on your own.

Main colour: Yellow

Traits: Adventurous, Gloomy, Overachiever

Aspiration: Renaissance Sim

Career: Business

Rules:

1. Complete the Renaissance Sim aspiration

2. Max the business career

3. Max the logic and writing skills

4. Adopt at least one child no younger than a toddler

5. Marry someone with the overachiever trait

6. *If you have Get to Work, open a business of your choice

Gen 3: Tornado Warnings

Growing up, your parent(s) didn't really have an awlful lot of time for you. They were very career and business focused but never parenting focused. You caused a lot of trouble as a kid in attempt to get their attention but it didn't work. As a young adult you find yourself a partner who isn't the best influence on you but you're both in love. You both always ignore those tornado warnings.

Main colour: Purple

Traits: Goofball, Jealous, Party Animal

Aspiration: Chief of Mischief

Career: Retail Employee

Rules:

1. Complete the Chief of Mischief aspiration

2. Max the Retail Employee career

3. Max the mischief skill

4. Be with a sim who has the kleptomaniac trait

5. Have as many children as you want

Gen 4: Because I Liked a Boy

Growing up with parents who cares more about fun than grades and behaviour, you developed a keen eye for theiving. Especially from your second parent. You never really wanted to work or settle down either, life was just a lot of fun for you.

Main colour: Pink

Traits: Kleptomaniac, Ambitious, Self-assured

Aspiration: Public Enemy

Career: Criminal

Rules:

1. Complete the Public Enemy aspiration

2. Max the Criminal career

3. Max the fitness and mischief skills

4. Never settle down/get married

5. Have at least one child from a "one night stand"

Gen 5: Already Over

As a teen you have a partner who is no good for you and you know it however, you can't get your mind off them. After high school you decide to end things because you want to be a better person, especially better than your parent and they weren't making that any easier. For a while you go no contact until one day they pop back up into your life and you can't help it, they're already over right?

Main colour: Orange

Traits: Art Lover, Romantic, Ambitious

Aspiration: Painter Extraordinaire

Career: Painter

Rules:

1. Complete the Painter Extraordinaire aspiration

2. Max the Painter career

3. Max the painting skill

4. Have a long-term live in partner who you cheat on when the ex comes back into your life

5. Break up with your partner and marry your ex

Gen 6: Nonesense

Seeing your parent get back together with their one true love, their highschool sweetheart, made you want to find that kind of love. You have troubles along the way as you see the best in everyone even if they aren't that good. You do find your true love and live happily ever after.

Main colour: Rainbow (all colours)

Traits: Romantic, Neat, Cheerful

Aspiration: Serial Romantic

Career: Social Media

Rules:

1. Complete the Serial Romantic aspiration

2. Max the Social Media career

3. Max the charisma and media production skills

4. Don't find THE ONE until you've completed the serial romantic aspiration

5. *Have children with whoever along the way or with the one in the end

Gen 7: Skinny Dipping

Seeing what your parents went through to get together and being so happy made you excited to find love of your own. However, the one you thought was the one ended up having you swimming in the edge of cliff. Arguments and expectations, you want it to just be water under the bridge so you can find happiness.

Main colour: Blue

Traits: Active, Loves Outdoors, Music Lover

Aspiration: Soulmate

Career: Writer

Rules:

1. Complete the Soulmate aspiration

2. Max the Writer career

3. Max the writing and singing skills

4. Make sure your soulmate isn't the original partner (from the storyline)

Gen 8: Decode

You thought you'd end up having a big happy family in life. That was all you wanted. Your partner was very indecisive about having children with you so eventually instead of letting their confusion keep you up at night you decided there was nothing left to decode and ended the relationship. On your life's journey you found you didn't need a romantic partner to have a family.

Main colour: Monochrome (black/grey/white)

Traits: Family Oriented, Childish, Foodie

Aspiration: Big Happy Family

Career: Culinary (Cook branch)

Rules:

1. Complete the Big Happy Family aspiration

2. Max the Culinary (cook branch) career

3. Max the cooking and gourmet cooking skills

4. Have a minimum of four children with at least two different sims

5. *Find love in the end and settle down

Gen 9: Feather

Your life was laid out on a platter. Your parent(s) had a career in mind for you and even a partner but that wasn't what you wanted. You wanted to decide for yourself. Besides, that potential partner wasn't all that nice to you anyway. So you slammed the door on your way out to start your own life.

Main colour: Green

Traits: Music Lover, Genius, Clumsy

Aspiration: Musical Genius

Career: Entertainer (music branch)

Rules:

1. Complete the Musical Genius aspiration

2. Max the Entertainer (music branch) career

3. Max the singing, guitar and piano skills

4. Find love after your career is stable

5. Have two children

Gen 10: Opposite

This was it, you thought you'd found the one! Except when your wedding day rolled around they said "I don't" instead. Your heart shattered but to make it worse, only days later your saw them with another that was the polar opposite of you. That destroyed your heart. For good.

Main colour: Black

Traits: Mean, Loner, Perfectionist

Aspiration: Villainous Valentine

Career: Critic (either branch)

Rules:

1. Complete the Villainous Valentine aspiration

2. Max the Critic career

3. Max the charisma and writing

4. Don't have any children

If you play this legacy challenge whether you build, create Sims or share you journey I'd love to see! Use either hashtag #EICSLegacy #Emailsicantsendlegacy

[ziggysarcana]

Walking through the picturesque streets of Cardinal Hill, you find Joel Cassius Durant, the 29 year old Bazaar Exchange pawn shop owner and shopkeeper originally from Cardinal Hill, Washington. Living alongside them in such a small town, you know that they're strategic, eccentric and self-sabotaging, but what you might not know is that they are a witch, and that they’re hiding something… ― LaKeith Stanfield, bisexual, gender fluid, and he/they.

Name: Joel "Cash" Cassius Durant (Joe-el)

Alias: Cash, Jo, El

Gender/Pronouns: Genderfluid , He/They

Age: 29

Birthdate: 07/20/1963

Big Three: Leo, Virgo, Libra

Occupation: Bazaar Exchange pawn shop owner and shopkeeper

Height: 6'0"

Hometown: Cardinal Hill, Washington

Family: Imani Durant (mother), Cassius Morrison (father), Micah Durant (brother), Goldie Green (maternal cousin)

Friends: Lorelei Bauer (ritualove)

Relationship Status: single

Sexuality: pansexual

Other Relationships:

Character Inspiration: Kendall Roy - Succession, Ambrose Spellman - Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Ryuk - Death Note, Jordan Belfort, Jack Kelly - Newsies, Data - Star Trek TNG

Joel Cassius Durant was born at the stroke of the afternoon, in the quiet town of Cardinal Hill, Washington. The circumstances were unconventional even from the start. His mother Imani and his father Cassius were never married. In fact, their relationship had resembled a lightbulb. One that grows bright and brighter until it quickly fizzles out. Imani, a witch with a deep rooted connection to the natural world and a long lineage of witches; was a free spirit who felt confined by society's expectations but did her best to raise Joel. Cassius was a wandering soul, searching for his place in a world where he felt that he had never belonged. Imani raised him on her own for the most part, save for the help she would receive from her mother, her sister and her brother in law. She is a fiercely independent woman who weaved her craft with a regular lifestyle, what she thought was best for her sons. She was often misunderstood by the humans around her. To everyone else, she was an eccentric recluse who dabbled in the occult. She could often be seen walking around with not so much as a sock covering her feet, having conversations with plants or sending her sons to school with strange smelling teas. To Joel, she was just mom. An enigmatic and powerful woman who instilled within him a deep respect for the world. She was also the owner of a cozy pawn shop on the edge of town -- selling, buying and trading all kinds of wares, magical and normal items alike.

He grew up feeling as if magic was as natural as taking a breath, or the way blood pumps without you having to will it to do so. But he leaned, with haste, that the world wasn't always as it seemed. His mother taught him from a young age to listen, carefully, to the indiscernible vibrations of this dimension and others. To decipher the signs it gave. Imani never hid her witchcraft from him. She had him around all the time so this meant he was able to watch in on rituals and spellwork. Joel particularly enjoyed watching her heal others. One thing she wanted her children to know, and they do; magic is not only a gift but it's a responsibility. Imani often said "what you take from the world, you must always give back". A philosophy that has stuck with him his entire life.

His father on the other hand, was a presence in his life but he learned that he wasn't a permanent one. He would drift in and out of Cardinal Hill, sometimes offering only brief moments. Despite all of this, Joel knew that his father loved him. He never doubted it. Some of his best memories happened during the stints that lasted months. He inherited from him a restless energy. One that had led him to dream of something more. Something more than a small town. Often times Joel would dream of joining his father on his travels, perhaps to a far away country. Somewhere new to feel the energy of, maybe bring back his mother some cool tchotchkes for the shop.

As a child, his parentage made the brothers stand out like a sore thumb. Joel was often bullied by his classmates for being an odd and quiet little boy. Kids would whisper, call him names or tease him. Especially when he tried to share with the other kids the things his mother had taught him. His brother Micah was always there for him, telling off the other kids if he ever saw this. But as he grew older, in his teen years; something shifted. Joel grew taller, more handsome and undeniably charming. People started to actually warm up to him and he wasn't just the weird kid anymore. He was just the guy with the sweet smile and the quick wit. He remained reserved though, skeptical of others. And Joel didn't really belong to anyone, not like everyone else seemed to. He was still, underneath it all, the kid who felt like he didn't fit the mold of society's expectations. People started liking him, sure -- but he never truly opened up to many. Stuck with the thought that no matter how accepted he was, no one would ever truly understand them.

By the time he had turned 18 he had such a desire to break free from Cardinal Hill and explore the world beyond. Joel had leaned everything his mother could ever teach about magic and about Washington, but he wanted to explore beyond that. He had a deep respect for everything she had given him, his skills and the shop but he could never really envision himself taking on the life that Imani wanted for him. Her world was one of isolation and intrsopection, but he didn't want that to be the all encompassing theme of his life. Spellwork and the shop. God! It made him sick to think about. He wanted, nay, needed to see the city lights and feel the pulse of the world under his fingertips. Where people chased their dreams and didn't give a damn what got in their way. He needed that. So when he was 19, he finally said goodbye and moved to the big city. New York City, of course. Where he arrived with a backpack and eyes full of wonder. Imani supported her son's dreams, as much as she could. She tried to see it as a pit stop in his bigger journey. A journey that would hopefully lead back home. Before Joel left, she gave him a warning: "If you give the city an inch, they will take a mile. Be careful what you trade for your dream."

Joel's life when he first arrived in New York was, for the lack of a better word, good. Better than someone would expect for coming to a big city with no job or somewhere to sleep. It was exhilarating but it was a hustle. He worked a number of odd job's in the beginning to get by. Delivery boy for a local florist, waitstaff for a catering company, and cleaning Wall Street toilets. They never quite settled into one thing, trying to do as much as he could and as efficiently as he could. Always moving, always doing better. There was no way he was going to let his mother and his brother down. And besides, this pace suited him. He reveled in everything about the city -- the nightlife, the food, the people! Joel wanted to devour this city, make it his own. It was during this time that a new friend had shown him the world of back door betting and card games. This was a world that dangled everything he ever wanted in front of his nose; it's saccharine scent lingering in his nostrils for too long for him to ignore. Wealth, freedom, power. Joel quickly moved into these circles -- his charismatic personality enabling him to gain this access.

Bets were made here by the flick of the wrist and games stretched late into the night. Reputations built and shattered simultaneously. With a single hand of cards. It didn't take long for him to become a regular. He gained a bit of a reputation for being an incredibly lucky high takes gambler; or perhaps, he just was that good. Charm, wit and his intuition helped push him to places he could only dream. He found himself rolling in cash. But the higher you climb, the higher the stakes. The line between reward and ruin was thinner than the threads of the universe itself. For a while, he was the man on top -- he had everything he ever wanted. But Joel learned the hard way that if you play with fire long enough, you'll eventually get burned.

When Joel was 27 he found himself at the proverbial rock bottom. His luck had ran dry. He found himself in a situation that gave him no way out. He made the hardest decision of his life and returned home to Cardinal Hill with his tail between his legs. Even though his relationship with his mother was complicated, she welcomed him back home with open arms. As all mothers do. Joel never spoke about what happened and she never pushed him to open up; afraid he might break. Imani offered him the old pawn shop, hoping it would give him a sense of purpose, and to be honest, she was getting too old to run it all by herself. It wasn't the life he had envisiioned for himself but it was a chance to rebuild his life. To gain some normalcy and security. Not wanting to be 'the guy who lives with his mom', he moved in with his brother for a year until he saved up enough to get a trailer in the local park. One he's very proud of.

Now at 29, he is proud to run the cozy and magical Bazaar Exchange. It has it's own peculiar mystique; a place where memories seemed to linger and lost things found their home.

He is more guarded than he used to be and much more introspective. More wise now than ambitious. Joel mostly keeps his personal life to himself, hiding his past with a wry smile. Cardinal Hill, a place where he used to feel trapped, has turned into somewhat of a refuge for him. Keeping the danger at more than an arms length. Though most don't know the full extent of his daunting past, it continues to haunt him. He's not just an eccentric shopkeeper or a talented witch -- he's a man who has seen the true underbelly of the world and felt the crushing weight of failure. Even crawled through that weight with his sanity mostly in tact. His magic remains quieter than his mothers, but all the resident's of Cardinal Hill know they can come to him for help with magic. Like a well of ancient knowledge.

Additional Information/Headcannons

His name is pronounced 'Joe-el', not 'Jol'. If you mispronounce it on accident he will politely correct you but if you think it's funny to do it on purpose, he won't even respond. He's known to say 'on Christmas, do you sing 'Nol! Nol! Nol!' no? it's Joel, like Noel, get it right!'

Joel is very superstitious. Especially when it comes to numbers. 7 is his lucky number, and he always looks for it in everything; even better if it's in a succession of 3.

He likes to convince people that he has a keen ability to find lost things, but really it's because he calls on Saint Anthony for help. The holy saint of all lost things.

Joel can't stand formalities or small talk. He's always been a rebel when it comes to societies expectations and rules.

Despite this, ironically, he is always on time. If he's late, then it's time to worry about where he is. It just drives him crazy to be late to anything, never wanting to run behind schedule.

He wears one of his father's old watches, at all times. Except for when he's in the shower.

Joel is obsessed with the moon and has an unexplainable connection to it. He has a large collection of moon themed trinkets; pendants, decor and sketches.

Wanted Connections:

ex lovers: someone from New York or Cardinal Hill, this can range from casual flings to high school sweethearts.

friends: drinking buddies, witchy friends, friends to play soccer with or parlay, or just regular pals

shop regulars and newcomers: customers who haggle successfully or unsuccessfully, fresh faces, anything in between.

spellwork clients: anyone struggling with spell casting or divination may come to him and ask for help. Joel is happy to give it.

feel free to approach me with any ideas you may have !

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 4/5

Book Blurb: Yellowjackets meets The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina in this genre-defying, older-YA masterpiece from two of comics most acclaimed talents!

A young adult detective hero finally grows up, in the first volume of this new hit series from award-winning creators Ed Brubaker (Reckless, PULP, Kill or be Killed) and Marcos Martin (The Private Eye, Daredevil), with brilliant colors by Muntsa Vicente.

Friday Fitzhugh spent her childhood solving crimes and digging up occult secrets with her best friend Lancelot Jones, the smartest boy in the world. But that was the past, now she's in college, starting a new life on her own. Except when Friday comes home for the holidays, she's immediately pulled back into Lance's orbit and finds that something very strange and dangerous is happening in their little New England town...

This is literally the Christmas vacation from Hell and neither of them may survive to see the New Year.

Review:

A teen detective comes home for Christmas during college and finds herself drawn back into her best friend and fellow detective's orbit... and the strange and deadly things happening in her small New England town. Friday Fitzhugh grew up solving crimes and digging into occult cases with her best friend Lancelot Jones. But as they grew up they separated ways and now Friday is back home for vacation and finds herself once again drawn back to Lance. Friday also might have feelings for him... yet something sinister is happening in town and their lives might be in danger. Can these two find a way to reconnect and solve the case or will one of them be killed? This was definitely a really interesting first book in the series and leaves you with a deadly cliffhanger. I liked the kind of cozy small town vibes the story had and I enjoy the relationship between Friday and Lance. It's like a mixture of post young adult detective novel meets kind of horror mystery. Definitely give it a go!

*Thanks Netgalley and Image Comics for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[therosegoldbourdoir]

"While Melissa Joan Hart's Sabrina was the quintessential '90s teenage witch—a lovable, klutzy high school student with a penchant for well-intentioned magic gone awry—Kiernan Shipka's Sabrina took a decidedly different path. The "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" offered a darker and edgier narrative that explored themes of the occult, horror, and the battle between good and evil."

[witchblr-historian]

Why Witchblr?

Topic Selection

Do you wish you could influence the world around you with nothing more than candles, crystals, and intention? Have you ever considered reblogging a series of emojis that could change the weather? When presented with the opportunity to analyze a niche culture within the nooks and crannies of the internet, the first people that came to mind were witches on the social media platform Tumblr. As an active participant in the community for over a decade, I have always found that the group has pros and cons, and I am familiar with the outsider’s mostly negative opinion of the average Tumblr user.

Often, “witchblr” is considered to be shallow and insular, with priorities warped by aesthetics rather than an interest in genuine practice. Tumblr lends itself to easy mocking, as it is the self-proclaimed home of the weirdos, where its users operate under pseudo-anonymity and rarely link their blogs to their other social media accounts that have their real names and faces. It is because of this back-alley atmosphere that Tumblr provides that witchcraft has flourished within its algorithm. Even in 2024, the practices of witches is considered a taboo topic, and thus users tend to be more willing to discuss it openly if their true identity isn’t linked in any way to the conversation. Using the perspectives of Kyle Chayka, Walter Benjamin, and Marshall McLuhan, I intend to dig into the culture and find a conclusion as to whether or not the witchcraft practiced on the platform is genuine, or if it is a trendy fad that has, for the most part, waned in its authenticity.  

Theoretical Background 

To determine whether the practices undertaken on Tumblr are legitimate, first, we must investigate the origins of witchcraft. Genuine historical witchcraft is something many of us are vaguely familiar with the American Salem witch trials, African witch doctors, as well as the global influences of paganism in many of its forms. The term witchcraft has largely been used by those outside of the practice to define that which differs from their customs, thus the term is loaded with implications of that which is evil and unnatural. However, in the 1990s, American culture found itself entranced by the aesthetic of witchcraft following the popularization of Wicca, a Neo-Pagan religion founded in the early 20th century. This is evident in the production of media such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997), Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996), The Craft (1996), and Hocus Pocus (1993), as well as paralleling the rise in the alternative feminist culture, defined by engagement with that which was rejected by “mainstream society”, embracing the taboo that had been discarded by the larger cultural zeitgeist. By the time Tumblr debuted in 2007, the 90s fad of witchcraft had died down, but left an unmistakable mark on American culture, seen by the Ouija Boards™  and tarot decks being sold in Barnes & Noble to this day. 

“Historically speaking, Witchcraft tends to peak in mainstream popularity during periods of unrest or other forms of cultural change. [...] Witchcraft tends to attract young people, more specifically young women. If offers these seekers a path or find and to embrace a personal agency that they might otherwise lack. Sometimes these explorations into the occult serve as a way to rebel against the status quo, or serve as a way to find oneself (Greene.)”

Modern witchcraft on Tumblr is primarily expressed as rebloggable spells, entries about spirit interactions, virtual offerings for (usually) pagan deities, and tarot readings done through the ask box. Chayka’s discussion of the Mechanical Turk in his book Filterworld seems ironically similar to the idea of finding a blog of an individual claiming to be a grand oracle and petitioning them for an energy reading. Oblivious to the true inner workings, users find comfort in that ambiguity, trusting the diviner to uncover a truth about the querent by engaging in the mystic arts. By not looking under the hood to see the reality of a relatively ordinary person shuffling cards and drawing one whose prewritten description will influence the choices the querent makes, we are more willing to believe in the extraordinary. Like the Mechanical Turk, part of us wants to be fooled into believing in a more whimsical world where there is such a thing as the unknown where impossible things seemingly occur. Tumblr witches, however, have turned the vagueness of these interactions into a form of religion. It is almost impossible to question, as a core belief of the Tumblr witch is that everything happens for a reason. There is the thought that you were always destined to pick that specific card you chose during the reading and that any reflections that may seem inaccurate might not have happened yet, or could be from another’s perspective. There is always a way to twist a reading to fit the querent’s unique situation, and I say this as someone who has been reading and authentically believing in tarot since 2017. There is inherent manipulation occurring, however innocent the intentions, which is why I see this as a modern representation of the Mechanical Turk. We’re willing to believe in something we logically know to be highly unlikely, and, so long as we aren’t presented with the blueprints behind its function, we will buy into it over and over again.  From the perspective of Walter Benjamin, however, he would likely scoff at the ease of replication of content. The auras he discusses in The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction are produced by original material, which is watered down by how many instances of the material occur. The value of knowledge is decreased by how many people know it if we are to believe Benjamin’s theorems. This is true to an extent, but I disagree that the sharing of information is to its ultimate detriment. According to a survey I conducted within the witchblr community, 68.2% of active users primarily utilize the community for education (2024 Tumblr Witchcraft.) The dissemination of knowledge is invaluable, and in the modern day, more accessible than ever. While Benjamin might object to this, saying there is more value in quality over quantity, I do not believe those correlate to the same extent in the modern era. If all the information was coming from one source, perhaps that might be true, but given the number of users, the quality of posts isn’t related to the quantity being produced. Then, that high-value content is circulated by those who reblog it, educating themselves and their followers in the process. For a community like witchblr which prides itself on its ability to see auras, Walter Benjamin’s anticipated perspective of them is dated and inaccurate.  Marshall McLuhan brings a unique take to the conversation, with his well-known mantra of ‘the medium is the message.’ In his book Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man, McLuhan investigates the understanding of why content was delivered through a specific platform, rather than valuing the content itself all too highly. Tumblr is unique in this regard, as it has numerous functions that differentiate it from other platforms. When asked ‘Why is Tumblr home to such a substantial witchcraft community? What is unique about the platform that is beneficial to witches?’ numerous self-proclaimed Tumblr witches gave incredibly insightful takes. 

“Tumblr has a sort of unique atmosphere that reminds me of alleyways that exist between communities and cultures. Tumblr is a sort of catch-all for those who don’t quite fit neatly into any one box, or have such a hyper-specific niche box they fit in that Tumblr is the only place online that has other like minds.”  “Tumblr as a platform is, to me, a very even mix of text, photo, and video posting, making it extremely practical for those who wish to create all kinds of posts. (Further, the text customization options aid peoples’ aesthetics in ways no other platform does). As well, the crowd on Tumblr is naturally a ragtag bunch of queer, marginalized, and otherwise othered people, which I believe makes witches feel right at home.” 

So Tumblr provides a space where text isn’t limited, customization is expected, and mainstream folks are the outliers. The medium is defined by its impracticality and stands almost as a contradiction to modern society’s need to boil down information to the bare minimum to make it as clickable and shareable as possible. Due to this, Tumblr as a platform is almost impossible to define by McLuhan's hot mediums vs. cold mediums theory. It straddles the line due to the effort that can be put into posts, and the minimal effort required to interact with said posts, but also fosters subcommunities of high activity and allows for two-way interaction through content creators and their followers, both cloaked in the safe veil of a charmingly funny username. McLuhan would likely see that the form of witchcraft practiced on Tumblr is defined by the medium, by the ability to write a lengthy blog detailing the difference between using cinnamon or salt in a ritual, and other users’ ability to reblog that lengthy post to their blog, and, by extension, their followers, with a single tap.

Methodology

As mentioned, I developed a survey and distributed it on Tumblr under all the relevant witchy tags I could think of. I kept it open for a week and ultimately received 44 responses. Knowing the predominant demographic of Tumblr skews young and female, I first asked general questions to see how the witchblr community in specific would differ from Tumblr at large. To the question of gender identity, I discovered that the majority of witches on the site are non-binary, though they are closely followed by cisgender women. Additionally, while the majority of users identified themselves as between the ages of 16-21, the majority also favored users who have been on Tumblr for ten or more years. Three-quarters of the users surveyed identify with the term witch, which means there is a not insignificant portion of the community who feel they are outsiders, even within this group defined by being outliers, though this may be concerning the gendered nature of the term ‘witch’ and the skew in gender identity leaning towards non-binary. In my investigation into the motivations of Tumblr witches, I asked about their religious beliefs as well. The majority of respondents indicated that 65.9% are some variation of pagan, second place being a surprising Christianity, with 56.8% saying that their religion is indeed relevant to their practice. The other percentile likely approaches the craft more as a hobby than a religion, which is also an authentic way to engage with the topic as far as I am concerned. In regards to the creation of content, 58.1% of users mainly reblog content created by other users, with only 16.3% of the surveyed witches producing original material. The remaining 25.6% did an equal mix of both. This indicates that Tumblr does trend towards an echo chamber effect, where a smaller percentage generates the material that is further circulated by the majority. A community with some similarities to witchblr exists on the app TikTok, endearingly referred to as witchtok after the same naming convention. To analyze what overlap existed within these communities, I found that 59.1% of Tumblr witches do not use TikTok, with 31.8% sharing that they are active on witchtok, with the remaining 9.1% saying they are active on TikTok, but don’t engage with witchtok. I theorized that because of Tumblr users’ anonymity, this is a large reason users find it easier to discuss taboo topics such as witchcraft. This was supported by evidence from the survey, saying that the majority of users do have other social media accounts, but that they only post witchcraft-related content on Tumblr. Also surprising was that 55.8% of users claimed they were already practicing witches by the time they first started using Tumblr, with the remaining percentage saying they began practicing as a result of seeing others’ posts on the topic (2024 Tumblr Witchcraft).

Creative Expression

My creative expression was to create the survey and engage with the witchblr community by creating a blog called the @witchblr-historian to host and distribute the survey. In addition, this paper will be published on that blog for any curious Tumblr witches to read through. The survey revealed many insights, but some of the responses that I felt resonated most distinctly were from the long answer questions. Here are some responses I felt were poignant. 

Why did you start practicing witchcraft? 

“For myself, to feel as if i’m have a sense of control in regard to my life” “To hopefully provoke good things in my life (make my illness feel less painful, make others happy, have good luck, etc)” “To cope with grief from the sudden unexpected death of my maternal Gramma.” “I was feeling powerless over my own life.” “It felt like a natural progression given my preexisting faith” “A way to gain control over my very out of control youth” “It was a way to feel powerful and in control of my power when i was in an abusive home.” “I read Scott Cunningham's Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner and went ‘yeah, that makes sense.’”

How did you get started using Tumblr?

“I have experience with being cyber bullied on social media so I made a Tumblr as a way to keep my online communities without feeling exposed or unsafe.” “I rediscovered it; I used to have a blog as a teen but made a new one for my magical studies.” “Before I had made a tumblr, I used the website to study and learn about divination and witchcraft, basically anything occult related. I made an account to have a digital collection of my findings” “Discovered some cool friends (who are witchy-esque themselves) from Livejournal moved to Tumblr so I followed them.” “Heard about it for awhile, joined after seeing some interesting links on google during research”

Why is Tumblr home to such a substantial witchcraft community? 

“The lack of a forced algorithm allows for a community of choice, you only have to see what you're looking for without other stuff being shoved in your face. That and tumblr has for a longtime been a place for people outside of societal norms to carve out a chosen community.” “Tumblr seems more welcoming to the obscure and has somehow miraculously managed to maintain its sense of community (regardless of random/area of interest).” “Good for archiving and recalling multiple types of resources, can function as a journal or log, feels like one might be able to connect with others like them, inspiration” “The fact that almost closeted witches won't have their relatives seeing their posts in Tumblr because it's a more obscure forum, maybe?” “The same reason why other communities thrive here: the platform allows for long text content all while allowing for social interaction. - Traditional blogs are more self-contained -> the social dynamic isn't as strong - Tiktok isn't ideal for long, sourced content + it's video based - Youtube is better for long video essays, but the video format makes it more difficult to keep for later as reference (lack of reblog on a personal space) Tumblr hits that sweet spot where you can easily curate your experience, bookmark/reblog what you want to keep, create your own content and share/interact with a community.”

What have you gained as a result of joining the witchblr community?

“I gain more confidence, and knowledge” “I have gained a few new friends and perspectives” “I’ve learned more about my own and other’s religious practices.” “I can teach baby witches! This give[sic] me so much happiness. And i can engage with others that worship the same gods as i do” “I married someone from it who reached out offering a tarot reading for a tarot reading. The witchblr community has probably the biggest hearts and the least judgmental attitude of any community on Tumblr.” “Resources, and tidbits of information not found in books - mainly first-hand accounts of thoughts and experiences of actual practicioners[sic] that can't be sanded down into generalized, mass-marketable content, along with stories of "simplified" versions of spells and rituals that likely don't sell well because it's not Aesthetic or awe-inducing. There's less pretentiousness (?) or overglorification [sic] of stealing from Jewish culture - generally much more mindful of cultural appropriation.” “Ideas on how to practice without necessarily breaking the bank”

What are some of the negatives of the witchblr community? 

“I fear that because I don’t align with everything that others believe that I will be shunned” “You can't trust everyone, and every bit of information must be fact checked.” “so far I've seen misinformation (some of it a potential safety risk e.g. burning respiratory hazards for spells or immersing reactive crystals in salt water), a lot of art theft (and apathy towards art theft) and a surprising lack of knowledge among americans of like, basic modern american folk magic. people who want to feel connected to their roots end up looking near-exclusively to european neopaganism, and while there's nothing intrinsically racist or sexist about these religions or their gods, it's easy to fall into white supremacist spaces if you approach these practices from a place of ignorance.” “A lot of racism and stealing of closed cultural practices” “its kind of… focused on aesthetics and “oooh spooky” from what ive[sic] seen rather than actual witchcraft.” “People love to spread misinformation. Also infighting” “I dont[sic] think there is one”  “some people think they know everything about everything and everyone. they read not-so-old books written by white, eurocentric authors and try to shove the ideals of those same authors down everyone's throats, as if they were an absolute truth. witchcraft has existed for much longer than one can even imagine, wanting to standardize it based on anything whatsoever is completely meaningless” And, lastly,

What is your overall impression of witchblr?

“Much more community based than anywhere else I've looked online, even if I have yet to feel that sense of community myself. There's an abundance of personal experiences, theories and historic findings (even if sources aren't always made clear). Overall I feel it's a safe space for folks just getting into witchcraft to be open publically if they so choose. Unlike sites like Reddit, folks on Tumblr don't seem as quick to judge.” “It's a sort of insular community that is quick to judgement, but in its better moments tries to be an open and welcoming space” “i like it a lot :) i love our community, especially since i dont[sic] have one irl, and its been so important to me & my craft in learning and evolving” “Vast, welcoming, and beautiful.” “I'm quite jaded about it nowadays. I feel like it can be a great community to kickstart a practice, to have an introduction to concept one wouldn't necessarily think about researching, but it is not the end all be all of the backbone of a practice. I think too many people get caught up on the social media/influencer/ aesthetic aspect of the community and forget to actually do the work. It's not a coincidence that a lot of experienced practitioners become less active or move on once witchblr no longer serves them.” “Witchblr is a collection of mostly like minded people. There are different branches, but I think that the majority understands that each person’s craft is their own. Many of the blogs are baby witches, which is great to see people starting on their journey. The blogs from more experienced and knowledgeable practitioners are the true gems to me.”

Final Thoughts 

Ultimately I would argue that Tumblr’s unique brand of witchcraft is entirely legitimate. If the medium is the message, as McLuhan says, Tumblr as a platform is a perfect medium for witchcraft to thrive and existed in the perfect era for it to reach its peak in 2017(Tiffany). Chayka himself couldn’t ridicule the simple algorithm that users understand how to utilize. Benjamin, perhaps, would double down insofar as to say that the ease of practicing witchcraft now, if your standard is a virtual altar and reblogging spells to cast them, is virtually null, but I have to disagree. Seeing the responses received, I am inclined to believe that these Tumblr witches take their craft seriously, and are indeed an authentic modern incarnation of the practice. They use intention and energy, they read tarot, commune with spirits, make potions, cast spells, meditate, and live the lifestyle they feel is most correct regarding their beliefs. I see this as a valid form of self-expression, and, should one choose for it to be considered as such, it should be treated no differently than other religions. There are the inherent cons of the community, with a tendency to jump to conclusions and occasionally go on witch hunts of their own, doxxing canceled bloggers. But what community is this not the case for?  I’ll leave you with this last quote from the survey conducted, a respondent whose nuanced opinion encapsulates the community as well as provides some worthwhile advice.

“Oddly inviting and yet also rather toxic. Though that's what naturally happens when multiple niches come together. Tumblr both sickens me sometimes, and yet it can be quite comforting and I learn a lot here. If I do get bothered, I'll take a break.”

Works Cited

Benjamin, Walter. The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. Translated by J. A. Underwood, Penguin Books, 2008. Chayka, Kyle. Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture. Doubleday, 2024. Clements, Mikaella. “A Brief History of the Tumblr Witch.” Medium, The Establishment, 14 Mar. 2018, medium.com/the-establishment/a-brief-history-of-the-tumblr-witch-8f30657849f. Greene, Heather. “Tumblr’s Witch Community Appears in Site’s Top Rankings for First Time.” The Wild Hunt, 6 Dec. 2017, wildhunt.org/2017/12/tumblrs-witch-community-appears-in-sites-top-rankings-for-first-time.html. McLuhan, Marshall. Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. MIT Press, 1994. Tiffany, Kaitlyn. “How Witches Took over Tumblr in 2017.” The Verge, 12 Dec. 2017, www.theverge.com/2017/12/12/16766260/witchblr-tumblr-trends-2017-witchcraft-crystals-fan-tarot.

[wanderingwolfwitcher]

"Doubtful it was Henselt's extended family, House of the Unicorns is busy warring with each other over that throne, last I heard from Kaedwen. Could well be cultists... but not yours or Henselt's. Nobody so ordinary..."

Eskel reasoned quietly from where he stood, looking to where the book had previously sat. Ideas came to mind, swimming from his past... unpleasant possibilities. Turning on his boot, passing by Sabrina, he went to the window and looked out on to the morning... to the stables where Scorpion resided, seeing the town's folk starting to come out of their homes and into the streets, opening their shops. Working their farms. All blissfully unaware of the true horrors that walked the world, that dwell in worlds beyond this one and between worlds. Cosmic and demonic terrors alike that would break the minds of any that looked upon them. That tried to fathom them. And those that served such unnatural forces willingly and gleefully. All the common folk cared about was working for their Lords and Kings, toiling away at the lands, raising families and fighting the odd war. Others... were far more ambitious. Even more so than his present companion. Walking voids, with bottomless insatiable appetites for more power and knowledge, ever pushing the boundaries, shattering them. If there was anyone he wanted in possession of that book even less than Sabrina, it was the beings he was thinking of. Who would be capable of bypassing his medallion, senses and magical traps, with their supernatural knowledge. Even as the Witcher prayed to Melitele he was wrong, he had the sinking feeling he was right. At last, turning his viper eyes away from the window again, he looked back at the nude, crimson haired Sorceress, marred visage studying her perfect pale beauty grimly for a long moment. Then, at last his deep, calm voice spoke to her gradually, laying it out for her, with evident reluctance.

"This... may fall more under my area of expertise and knowledge than yours, this time. Not sure I should be sharing any of this... old Witcher secrets... but I'm the Grandmaster now. Our secrets belong to me. Bear with me. It could be the Dark Ones and Cenobites, from the far east. From the shadowy Lost City of Rathma. Sect of desert cultist mages that lived out near Zerrikania and Ofir territory. Stuff of nightmares... not sure they were even humans. Demon summoners and Necromancers who worshiped not Dragons like the Zerrikanians or some vague God like the Ofiri, but so called Outer Gods of the Outer Voids and the Great Old Ones. Said to have had a hand in writing demonic books like the Necronomicon, along with crafting occult puzzle boxes that were gateways to other dark worlds. The creator of the Witchers, Alzur, knew them centuries ago, lived among them for a time, learned some of their occult, Necromancer, summoning and demonic secrets before returning to the Northern Kingdoms. He was like you in that way... put the forbidden knowledge he gleaned to use for his own ambitions... unfortunately. Didn't end well for him or anyone, but that's another story."

"According to legends I heard from the older Witchers growing up, the ancient books in Kaer Morhen's libraries, along with stories later from travelling Ofiri Runewrights and Zerrikanian warrior women, the cult were once a good deal more powerful. They sought to conquer the east, wake and summon the eldest and most dangerous of their Gods... Azathoth... in a mass sacrificial blood ritual of some sort. The Witcher School of the Manticore out there went to war with them back in the day, alongside the armies of the monarchs of those lands, managed to prevent the summoning, killed most of the cultists and slew their army of demonic and undead thralls. Razed Rathma and broke their expanding, sorcerous hold on the east, but a few got away. Was probably them who conspired to destroy the Manticore Witchers and ruin their standing with the Queen of Zerrikania in 1146, with an unusually powerful Fire Elemental that killed most of the Witchers and much of the royal family. Revenge. Always mages bringing us Witchers low, for the crime of tempering their ambitions. Restoring sanity to the land. No good deed goes unpunished. Long story short... could be a longshot, but if I know of anyone in the world besides you who would want that book, it would be them. If any of them remain."

@fallesto

Sabrina stormed back and forth for the moment, her mind was racing along with her heart, not good, not good at all. "I spent so much time on that thing!" she snapped at the witcher, her voice tight with tension. "We need to track it down, now!" She didn't care about modesty or decorum at this moment. All she cared about was that book and the havoc its loss could wreak. As she looked at the lump in their bed. The witcher, still lying on the bed, stretched his muscular arms over his head, a lazy smile playing on his lips despite the urgency in her voice and then the jests! But his playful tone fell flat as he sat up, reading the anger in her eyes.

He knew better than to underestimate her when she was like this. He had to know it was unwise to poke her annoyance.

The book was not just a source of power or knowledge to her; it was a piece of her life, she had spent these years reading it, learning from it, expanding her knowledge. Years of study, countless hours of poring over ancient words, and the ultimate key to her greedy nature for knowledge had been bound in those pages. Her eyes searched his, looking for understanding, but finding only the beginnings of his normal blaming her. "That shall be a long list" she repeated, her voice shaking with a mix of anger and fear. The fiery passion from the night before replaced by a steely resolve. She stood with her hands on her hips, naked in the early morning light, her voluptuous breasts heaving with the rapid rise and fall of her breath. Her fiery red hair cascaded down her back, framing her sculpted shoulders and the fiery determination etched into her face. Her eyes, usually a soft hazel, were now hard and sharp, and filled with annoyance, she is the one who takes, no one takes from her.

Her mind raced through a list of potential suspects, each more dangerous and cunning than the last. There were those who coveted her power, those who bore ancient grudges, and those who simply enjoyed the thrill of chaos. She ticked off names, one by one, her teeth grinding together as she weighed the likelihood of each culprit. The room around them was a mess of tangled sheets and scattered clothes, a silent testament to the passionate night they had shared, now forgotten in the face of the crisis. “Most mages are gone, my last student died as well, thankfully. I have no contact with the lodge, they think I am dead, best to keep it that way.” Her breasts rose and fell as she paced back and forth, her mind racing. As she paced, bare feet padding on the ground as her mind was going a mile a minute.

“Henselt is dead.” As she was narrowing it down for the moment, it could be cultists, she had a cult in her name when she died, and then when she vanished as well without a trace, stuck in a form of a horse for fucking years, as she grits her teeth. “Could be his followers, fucking unicorns.” As she spits fire for the moment, and closes her eyes. “More than likely, followers of Henselt, wanting that stupid fucking pig brought back to life.”

[brookston]

Holidays 11.18

Holidays

Antibiotic Day (EU)

Battle of Vertieres Day (Haiti)

Botox Cosmetic Day

Cabaret Day

Calvin & Hobbes Day

Chinita's Fair (Maracaibo, Venezuela)

Constitution Day (South Africa)

Day of Army and Victory (Haiti)

European Antibiotic Awareness Day

European Day on the Protection of Children Against Sexual Abuse & Sexual Exploitation

Family and Community Day (Australia)

Fish on Fridays OK Day

Flag Day (Solomon Islands)

Have Sex With A Guy With A Mustache Day [ website ]

Hel Anseilak (Elder Scrolls)

High Five a Librarian

Homeland War Victims Remembrance Day (Croatia)

International Cult Awareness Day

International Day for Child Sexual Abuse & Exploitation Prevention, Healing & Justice

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Men

International Day of Islamic Art

International Day of LGBTQ+ People in Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day

Lenny Face Day (a.k.a. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°); Abeldane Empire)

Married To A Scorpio Support Day

Mickey Mouse Day

National Adoption Day

National Cash Back Day

National Day (Oman)

National Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Awareness, Research & Education Day

National Goodness Pays Day

National Injury Prevention Day

National Princess Day

Ned Ludd Memorial Machine-Smashing Day

Occult Day

Push-Button Phone Day

Quince Day (French Republic)

Rehang La Day (India)

Sonic R Day

Teddy Bear Day

Time Zones Day

Total Disregard for Taste Day

Vertieres Day (Haiti)

Virtual Reality Day

William Tell Day

World Adult Day (India)

World Day of the Anticoagulated Patent

World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

World Day of Research for Health

World Fellowship Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Australian Gin Day

International Poitín Day

National Apple Cider Day

National I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Day

National Vichyssoise Day

3rd Saturday in November

Bobunk (Celebration of cats, food, liquor, food with liquor in it and food shaped like cats, from Sabrina the Teenage Witch) [3rd Saturday]

Buddhist Elephant Festival (Thailand) [3rd Saturday]

Family Volunteer Day [Saturday before Thanksgiving]

Guinness World Record Day [3rd Saturday]

International Games Day [3rd Saturday]

International Restaurant Day [3rd Saturday] (also Feb, May & Aug)

National Adoption Day [Saturday before Thanksgiving]

National Day of Play [3rd Saturday]

National Survivors of Suicide Day [Saturday before Thanksgiving]

Surin Elephant Round-Up begins (Thailand) [3rd Saturday]

Independence Days

Belcity (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Lanevinia (Declared; 2018) [unrecognized]

Latvia (from Russia, 1918)

Morocco (from France & Spain, 1956)

Western Sahara (from Morocco, 1976)

Feast Days

Abhai of Hach (Syriac Orthodox Church)

Aleister Crowley Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Alphaeus and Zacchaeus (Christian; Saint)

Angrboda’s Blot (Pagan)

Ardvi Suva (Mother of Stars; Ancient Persia)

Barulas (Christian; Saint)

Bon Om Touk begins (Water Festival; Cambodia)

Charles Fort Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Constant (Christian; Saint)

Dedication of Saints Peter and Paul (Christian; Saints)

Dios (Festival to the Sun God; Ancient Rome)

Dolores (Muppetism)

Elizabeth of Hungary (Church of England)

Embrace Chaos Day (Pastafarian)

Feast of the Virgen de Chiquinquirá or Chinita's Fair (Maracaibo, Venezuela)

Gabrielle (Muppetism)

Gaspar de Crayer (Artology)

Hilda (a.k.a. Hild; Christian; Saint)

Jean Paul Lemieux (Artology)

Juthwara (Christian; Saint)

Lhabab Duechen (Descending Day of Buddha; Buddhism)

Mabyn (Roman Catholic Church and Anglicanism)

Maudez (a.k.a. Mawes; Christian; Saint)

Nazarius (a.k.a. Nazaire; Christian; Saint)

Odo of Cluny (Christian; Saint)

Remembrance Day of the Sacrifice of Vukovar (Croatia)

Romanus of Caesarea (Christian; Saint)

Rose Philippine Duchesne (Christian; Saint)

Talk Like Donald Duck Day (Pastafarian)

William the Silent (Positivist; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Lucky Day (Philippines) [63 of 71]

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Premieres

Achtung Baby, by U2 (Album; 1991)

Adam’s Rib (Film; 1949)

And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, by Dr. Seuss (Children’s Book; 1937)

Ben-Hur (Film; 1959)

Blink-182, by Blink-182 (Album; 2003)

Brainwashed, by George Harrison (Album; 2002)

Britney, by Britney Spears (Album; 2001)

BURN-E (Pixar Cartoon; 2008)

Bushy Hare (WB LT Cartoon; 1950)

Calvin and Hobbes, by Bill Watterson (Comic Strip; 1985)

The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, by Mark Twain (Short Story; 1865)

A Christmas Story (Film; 1983)

Disenchanted (Film; 2022)

The Edge of Seventeen (Film; 2016)

Fagin’s Freshman (WB MM Cartoon; 1939)

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Film; 2016)

I Know What You Did Last Summer (2015)

It (TV Mini-Series; 1990)

I Tawt I Taw a Buddy Tat (WB LT Cartoon; 2011)

The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, by Genesis (Album; 1974)

The Land Before Time (Animated Film; 1988)

Léon: The Professional (Film; 1994)

Made in Heaven, by Queen (Album; 1995)

Malcolm X (Film; 1992)

The Menu (Film; 2022)

Merlin the Magic Mouse (WB MM Cartoon; 1967)

MTV Unplugged in New York, by Nirvana recorded (Album; 1994)

Oedipus, by Voltaire (Play; 1718)

Oliver & Company (Animated Disney Film; 1988)

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (Novella; 1962)

Porky the Giant Killer (WB LT Cartoon; 1939)

Powderpuff Girls (Animated TV Series; 1998)

Radio, by LL Cool J (Album; 1985)

ReLoad, by Metallica (Album; 1997)

Starr Trek: Generations (Film; 1994)

Steamboat Willie, featuring Mickey Mouse (Disney Cartoon; 1928) [1st Sound Cartoon]

The Swan Princess (Animated Film; 1994)

Unplugged in New York, recorded by Nirvana (Musical Concert; 1993)

Walk the Line (Film; 2005)

The Wall, by Jean-Paul Sartre (Short Stories; 1939)

The Winter of Our Discontent, by John Steinbeck (Novel; 1961)

Today’s Name Days

Odo, Philippine (Austria)

Leonard, Odo, Pavao, Petar, Roman (Croatia)

Romana (Czech Republic)

Hesychius (Denmark)

Ilo, Ilu (Estonia)

Jousia, Max, Tenho (Finland)

Aude (France)

Alda, Bettina, Odo, Roman (Germany)

Plato, Platonas (Greece)

Jenő (Hungary)

Aida, Oddone (Italy)

Aleksandrs, Brive, Doloresa (Latvia)

Ginvydas, Ginvydė, Otonas, Romanas, Salomėja (Lithuania)

Magne, Magny (Norway)

Aniela, Cieszymysł, Filipina, Galezy, Klaudyna, Odo, Otto, Roman, Tomasz (Poland)

Platon (Romania)

Eugen (Slovakia)

Odón, Román (Spain)

Lillemor, Moa (Sweden)

Roma, Roman, Romanna, Romona (Ukraine)

Odelia, Odell, Odo, Sutherland, Sutton (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 322 of 2024; 43 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 6 of week 46 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Ngetal (Reed) [Day 19 of 28]

Chinese: Month 10 (Gui-Hai), Day 6 (Geng-Chen)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 5 Kislev 5784

Islamic: 5 Jumada I 1445

J Cal: 22 Mir; Oneday [22 of 30]

Julian: 5 November 2023

Moon: 31%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 14 Frederic (12th Month) [William the Silent]

Runic Half Month: Nyd (Necessity) [Day 8 of 15]

Season: Autumn (Day 56 of 89)

Zodiac: Scorpio (Day 26 of 29)

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 11.18

Holidays

Antibiotic Day (EU)

Battle of Vertieres Day (Haiti)

Botox Cosmetic Day

Cabaret Day

Calvin & Hobbes Day

Chinita's Fair (Maracaibo, Venezuela)

Constitution Day (South Africa)

Day of Army and Victory (Haiti)

European Antibiotic Awareness Day

European Day on the Protection of Children Against Sexual Abuse & Sexual Exploitation

Family and Community Day (Australia)

Fish on Fridays OK Day

Flag Day (Solomon Islands)

Have Sex With A Guy With A Mustache Day [ website ]

Hel Anseilak (Elder Scrolls)

High Five a Librarian

Homeland War Victims Remembrance Day (Croatia)

International Cult Awareness Day

International Day for Child Sexual Abuse & Exploitation Prevention, Healing & Justice

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Men

International Day of Islamic Art

International Day of LGBTQ+ People in Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day

Lenny Face Day (a.k.a. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°); Abeldane Empire)

Married To A Scorpio Support Day

Mickey Mouse Day

National Adoption Day

National Cash Back Day

National Day (Oman)

National Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Awareness, Research & Education Day

National Goodness Pays Day

National Injury Prevention Day

National Princess Day

Ned Ludd Memorial Machine-Smashing Day

Occult Day

Push-Button Phone Day

Quince Day (French Republic)

Rehang La Day (India)

Sonic R Day

Teddy Bear Day

Time Zones Day

Total Disregard for Taste Day

Vertieres Day (Haiti)

Virtual Reality Day

William Tell Day

World Adult Day (India)

World Day of the Anticoagulated Patent

World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

World Day of Research for Health

World Fellowship Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Australian Gin Day

International Poitín Day

National Apple Cider Day

National I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Day

National Vichyssoise Day

3rd Saturday in November

Bobunk (Celebration of cats, food, liquor, food with liquor in it and food shaped like cats, from Sabrina the Teenage Witch) [3rd Saturday]

Buddhist Elephant Festival (Thailand) [3rd Saturday]

Family Volunteer Day [Saturday before Thanksgiving]

Guinness World Record Day [3rd Saturday]

International Games Day [3rd Saturday]

International Restaurant Day [3rd Saturday] (also Feb, May & Aug)

National Adoption Day [Saturday before Thanksgiving]

National Day of Play [3rd Saturday]

National Survivors of Suicide Day [Saturday before Thanksgiving]

Surin Elephant Round-Up begins (Thailand) [3rd Saturday]

Independence Days

Belcity (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Lanevinia (Declared; 2018) [unrecognized]

Latvia (from Russia, 1918)

Morocco (from France & Spain, 1956)

Western Sahara (from Morocco, 1976)

Feast Days

Abhai of Hach (Syriac Orthodox Church)

Aleister Crowley Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Alphaeus and Zacchaeus (Christian; Saint)

Angrboda’s Blot (Pagan)

Ardvi Suva (Mother of Stars; Ancient Persia)

Barulas (Christian; Saint)

Bon Om Touk begins (Water Festival; Cambodia)

Charles Fort Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Constant (Christian; Saint)

Dedication of Saints Peter and Paul (Christian; Saints)

Dios (Festival to the Sun God; Ancient Rome)

Dolores (Muppetism)

Elizabeth of Hungary (Church of England)

Embrace Chaos Day (Pastafarian)

Feast of the Virgen de Chiquinquirá or Chinita's Fair (Maracaibo, Venezuela)

Gabrielle (Muppetism)

Gaspar de Crayer (Artology)

Hilda (a.k.a. Hild; Christian; Saint)

Jean Paul Lemieux (Artology)

Juthwara (Christian; Saint)

Lhabab Duechen (Descending Day of Buddha; Buddhism)

Mabyn (Roman Catholic Church and Anglicanism)

Maudez (a.k.a. Mawes; Christian; Saint)

Nazarius (a.k.a. Nazaire; Christian; Saint)

Odo of Cluny (Christian; Saint)

Remembrance Day of the Sacrifice of Vukovar (Croatia)

Romanus of Caesarea (Christian; Saint)

Rose Philippine Duchesne (Christian; Saint)

Talk Like Donald Duck Day (Pastafarian)

William the Silent (Positivist; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Lucky Day (Philippines) [63 of 71]

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Premieres

Achtung Baby, by U2 (Album; 1991)

Adam’s Rib (Film; 1949)

And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, by Dr. Seuss (Children’s Book; 1937)

Ben-Hur (Film; 1959)

Blink-182, by Blink-182 (Album; 2003)

Brainwashed, by George Harrison (Album; 2002)

Britney, by Britney Spears (Album; 2001)

BURN-E (Pixar Cartoon; 2008)

Bushy Hare (WB LT Cartoon; 1950)

Calvin and Hobbes, by Bill Watterson (Comic Strip; 1985)

The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, by Mark Twain (Short Story; 1865)

A Christmas Story (Film; 1983)

Disenchanted (Film; 2022)

The Edge of Seventeen (Film; 2016)

Fagin’s Freshman (WB MM Cartoon; 1939)

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Film; 2016)

I Know What You Did Last Summer (2015)

It (TV Mini-Series; 1990)

I Tawt I Taw a Buddy Tat (WB LT Cartoon; 2011)

The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, by Genesis (Album; 1974)

The Land Before Time (Animated Film; 1988)

Léon: The Professional (Film; 1994)

Made in Heaven, by Queen (Album; 1995)

Malcolm X (Film; 1992)

The Menu (Film; 2022)

Merlin the Magic Mouse (WB MM Cartoon; 1967)

MTV Unplugged in New York, by Nirvana recorded (Album; 1994)

Oedipus, by Voltaire (Play; 1718)

Oliver & Company (Animated Disney Film; 1988)

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (Novella; 1962)

Porky the Giant Killer (WB LT Cartoon; 1939)

Powderpuff Girls (Animated TV Series; 1998)

Radio, by LL Cool J (Album; 1985)

ReLoad, by Metallica (Album; 1997)

Starr Trek: Generations (Film; 1994)

Steamboat Willie, featuring Mickey Mouse (Disney Cartoon; 1928) [1st Sound Cartoon]

The Swan Princess (Animated Film; 1994)

Unplugged in New York, recorded by Nirvana (Musical Concert; 1993)

Walk the Line (Film; 2005)

The Wall, by Jean-Paul Sartre (Short Stories; 1939)

The Winter of Our Discontent, by John Steinbeck (Novel; 1961)

Today’s Name Days

Odo, Philippine (Austria)

Leonard, Odo, Pavao, Petar, Roman (Croatia)

Romana (Czech Republic)

Hesychius (Denmark)

Ilo, Ilu (Estonia)

Jousia, Max, Tenho (Finland)

Aude (France)

Alda, Bettina, Odo, Roman (Germany)

Plato, Platonas (Greece)

Jenő (Hungary)

Aida, Oddone (Italy)

Aleksandrs, Brive, Doloresa (Latvia)

Ginvydas, Ginvydė, Otonas, Romanas, Salomėja (Lithuania)

Magne, Magny (Norway)

Aniela, Cieszymysł, Filipina, Galezy, Klaudyna, Odo, Otto, Roman, Tomasz (Poland)

Platon (Romania)

Eugen (Slovakia)

Odón, Román (Spain)

Lillemor, Moa (Sweden)

Roma, Roman, Romanna, Romona (Ukraine)

Odelia, Odell, Odo, Sutherland, Sutton (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 322 of 2024; 43 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 6 of week 46 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Ngetal (Reed) [Day 19 of 28]

Chinese: Month 10 (Gui-Hai), Day 6 (Geng-Chen)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 5 Kislev 5784

Islamic: 5 Jumada I 1445

J Cal: 22 Mir; Oneday [22 of 30]

Julian: 5 November 2023

Moon: 31%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 14 Frederic (12th Month) [William the Silent]

Runic Half Month: Nyd (Necessity) [Day 8 of 15]

Season: Autumn (Day 56 of 89)

Zodiac: Scorpio (Day 26 of 29)

[dezcitrustea]

Autumn Shows

Pretty Little Liars

Synopsis: Four friends band together against an anonymous foe who threatens to reveal their darkest secrets, while also investigating the disappearance of their best friend.

Review: A campy high school mystery.

Gilmore Girls

Synopsis: Set in a storybook Connecticut town populated by an eclectic mix of dreamers, artists and everyday folk, this multigenerational drama about family and friendship centres around Lorelai Gilmore and her daughter, Rory. Lorelai owns the town's bed-and-breakfast, the Dragonfly Inn, with best friend/chef Sookie, and contends with weekly dinners with eccentric, well-off parents Richard and Emily Gilmore (who always have something to say about their daughter's life). After high school, Rory attends Yale University but frequently returns to Stars Hollow to visit her mom.

Review: A fun show about family drama. The Gilmore girls do be messy.

Charmed

Synopsis: A group of sisters discover they are witches. Luckily for the world, they're of the good variety. Banding together in their ancestral home in San Francisco, they work together to fight evil, with each having a specific special power. Although outwardly they are average women, with jobs, relationships and friends, they are also powerful witches, but when they work together, their powers are enhanced. As The Charmed Ones, their destiny is to protect innocents from evil.

Review: Fun witch shenanigans and sister dynamics.

American Horror Story

Synopsis: An anthology series centering on different characters and locations, including a house with a murderous past, an insane asylum, a witch coven, a freak show circus, a haunted hotel, a possessed farmhouse, a cult, the apocalypse, a slasher summer camp, a bleak beach town and desert valley, and NYC.

Review: Different storyline every season. I liked the first season and coven the most.

Sabrina the Teenage Witch

Synopsis: Sabrina Spellman is a teenager with magical powers who comes from a long line of witches. Until going away to college, she lived with her wacky aunts, who would teach her to use her witchcraft wisely, and Salem, the talking black cat, who always has a scheme up his paw. As a high-school student, Sabrina is less judicious about using her powers than when she enters adulthood.

Review: A fun romp. Named my cat after Salem.

The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Synopsis: This adaptation of the "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" tale is a dark coming-of-age story that traffics in horror and the occult. In the reimagined origin story, Sabrina Spellman wrestles to reconcile her dual nature -- half-witch, half-mortal -- while standing against the evil forces that threaten her, her family -- including aunts Hilda and Zelda -- and the daylight world humans inhabit.

Review: If Sabrina the Teenage Witch was made by the people who made Riverdale. Cool visuals.

Wednesday

Synopsis: While attending Nevermore Academy, Wednesday Addams attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart a killing spree and solve the mystery that embroiled her parents 25 years ago.

Review: Campy murder mystery. Gwendoline Christie, need I say more.

The Vampire Diaries (anything in the franchise really)

Synopsis: The lives, loves, dangers and disasters in the town, Mystic Falls, Virginia. Creatures of unspeakable horror lurk beneath this town as a teenage girl is suddenly torn between two vampire brothers. / (The Originals) A family of power-hungry thousand-year-old vampires look to take back the city that they built and dominate all those who have done them wrong. / (Legacies) Hope Mikaelson, a tribrid daughter of a Vampire/Werewolf hybrid, makes her way in the world.

Review: Ridiculous campy action no matter the series or episode you watch.

Supernatural

Synopsis: This haunting series follows the thrilling yet terrifying journeys of Sam and Dean Winchester, two brothers who face an increasingly sinister landscape as they hunt monsters. After losing their mother to a supernatural force, the brothers were raised by their father as soldiers who track mysterious and demonic creatures. Violent memories and relationship-threatening secrets add additional burdens on Sam and Dean as they investigate all things that go bump in the night. As old tricks and tools are rendered useless and friends betray them, the brothers must rely on each other as they encounter new enemies.

Review: Demons, vampires, camp ridiculousness.

[wanderingwolfwitcher]

"Didn't really think so. They aren't very good at hiding it... their feelings of superiority over everyone else. Usually know one when I see one. Wouldn't be caught in a village like this if they could help it either. Prefer luxury, in all things."

Eskel's deep, calm voice returned to her slowly, viper eyes looking back at her from where he stood, arms folded comfortably over his armor and cloak. So, she had untrained magical potential, it seemed. It popped up invariably among folk, usually younger than she was, but it wasn't unheard of in adults. While he had mastered all the Signs, their potential, and the art of boosting, combining and modifying them further, had vast knowledge of the occult, necromancy, demonology and curses... the rest of the arcane was another matter, one he couldn't teach her. With ancient Aretuza destroyed for good by Radovid's army, much to his own personal, private approval, the only magical schools in the Northern Realms were the Ban Ard Academy for males exclusively right there in Kaedwen under Rector Dorregaray of Vole, and the new school that had been recently built in Kovir and Poviss, mostly for females, under Rectoress Margarita Laux-Antille. A somewhat more tolerable Sorceress and former Lodge member than most of them, not that it was saying much. Considering who had comprised it, that was a low bar to clear.

The Kingdom of Kovir and Poviss was where Triss was mostly at these days as well, as a royal court Sorceress for King Tankred Thyssen and part time teacher at Margarita's school. Likely Rhaena would be better off there, under their tutelage than dwelling in villages, where the superstitious folk would be liable to turn against her if they found out that she had magic to her. Run her out of town or try burning her at the stake... especially if they were supporters of Radovid. While a hag of a witch like Sabrina Glevissig had more than earned such a grisly fate, this young woman had not. It stuck him as another bitterly amusing joke of destiny... that he of all people should have to deliver someone to become a Sorceress, after his unpleasant experiences with such types. He rubbed his marred cheek absently as he considered it all, before she spoke again, began to sob over what she had seen drawing the Witcher's attention back to her. He nodded, moving over closer to her and reaching up the eastern woman's tears, offering what silent comfort he could in his touch, and quiet verbal comfort, reassurance.

"Of course you couldn't stop it. It wasn't you, and it had already happened. Try not to beat yourself up over it. It was the father's doing, and he's paid the price. Nothing else to be done about it. No stranger to death on the Path, seen all manner of them. Grisly, usually. And it's always the innocents who suffer the most. Just gotta learn to live with it... do your best. Such is the world we're in. I can't teach you to control your powers. You're going to need help, but won't find it in this kingdom. You belong in Kovir and Poviss, far safer territory for those of magical potential. There's a school for it out there as well, would accept you in a heartbeat, I'm sure. Know one of the teachers."

@rhaenaofmyr

@wanderingwolfwitcher [as discussed]

She clutches the cloak tighter about her frame, drawing the hood up over her head to at least try to keep the snow out of her eyes.

Rhaena had thought she would grow used to the chills that winters on The Continent brought. It had been near four years since she had fled from Westeros, where she had been condemned to a life of poverty in King’s Landing. She’d had no clue where she would end up when she stole away into the belly of a merchant ship, and it would seem that had the crew- she would later learn that their original destination had been Essos, but wild storms had sent them adrift and now here she was.

She’d traversed her way through this strange new world, eventually settling in a small village close to the mountains of Kaedwen. Of course, without a coin to her name, she had had to find work quickly, but the village’s pleasure house had employed her the moment they had laid eyes upon her. It was not something she particularly enjoyed, but it earned her enough to purchase a small homestead on the outskirts of the village.

The storm had set in as she was returning home and quickly, she had lost her bearings in the blizzard. She’d ended up in the forest that circled the village, entirely blind to the true way home. She paused for a moment, dark eyes casting this way and that to look for something familiar. But so thick was the snow that she could scarcely see her hand in front of her face. And she did not see the creature until it had knocked her to the ground, sharp claws pressing into her chest as it pins her down. All she can see now is teeth, growing ever closer as it leans down to take the death bite-

Suddenly, she hears the swing of the sword through the icy air, the thud of the creatures head as it lands close to hers, and feels the warm spray of blood across her face. Eyes remain shut for several moments before she slowly opens them, gaze falling upon the man in the dark red cloak, who stands above her.

Eyes wide with fear, she scrambles to her feet. Beneath the hood, she can make out yellow eyes and a large scar that marrs his face. She’s seen him around the village from time to time- she cannot recall his name, but she knows he is one of the elusive Witchers who spend their winters nearby.

“Th-thank you, Ser…” she says with as much bravery as she can muster, words heavily accented. “Forgive me but…I have no coin for you…”

[tiredmoonslut]

I hope the Occult World of Sabrina can make sense of the series' ridiculous worldbuilding because we've got:

Witches of Satan who were actually witches of Hekate the whole time but somehow didn't know this so they signed their souls off to Satan in exchange for powers they...apparently already had all because the First Witch Lilith did it first and somehow despite being The First Witch™ did not know about Hekate so sure whatever that makes sense

Pagans who are apparently not witches despite doing witchy magic who pray to old gods of nature who may or may not have been real and somehow do not have any relation to Hekate, yknow, a pagan god

Ancient cosmic bogeymen who want to devour the universe and came from...somewhere.

An afterlife system in which you can go to Heaven or Hell, except there's also a spirit realm for Voodoo practitioners headed up by Baron Samedi and a place called the Sweet Hereafter so who even knows at this point

Witches who have 13-month pregnancies, witchy birthmarks, can live for centuries, and don't get sick--but also apparently only have access to their power because of Satan but also no because Hekate

I just...make it make sense

[coffeewithhercinnamon]

MS as M&M quotes

[thetvmoviefan]

WELL THIS HAPPENED