#this healed my soul and cleansed my mind

[silkscream]

once bitten, twice shy

megumi fushiguro x reader

ੈ✩ wc: 3.1k (i cannot write anything under 2k to save my life)

ੈ✩ tags: emotionally constipated megumi, tsundere basically, friends to lovers, a lil angst, not actually unrequited love, pining, alcohol, typical yuuji nobara antics

ੈ✩ a/n: this is not xmas themed despite the title BUT it does end up taking place on satoru's birthday for plot reasons. megumi fushiguro your intimacy issues bewitch me mind body and soul.....

megumi does not know what to do with his feelings.

he’s never been the type to be particularly in touch with them — he didn’t remember his parents enough to blame them for whatever avoidant attachment he’d accustomed himself to. or maybe, that was the exact cause of said attachment style. gojo taking him in when he was a child didn’t help either — the man also refused to be very vulnerable around him, merely acting as a benefactor and a nuisance at best.

and while he was closest to tsumiki, he’d still built up a wall around himself that she couldn’t get through, and she knew it. she couldn’t break through it in his pre-teen years, and certainly not his teenage years when he was taking out his aggression on his classmates. he would ignore her soothing words and resent her kindness. perhaps he’d taken after toji in that way. constantly fending for himself for the sake of survival. always convinced that he was doomed to be alone.

and then there was you.

he’d met you first at jujutsu tech before any of the other students could. after sparring with maki, he’d been dismissed to shoko’s office. he’d opened the door that september day and was immediately met with your wide eyes, your searing cursed energy. gojo had found another stray.

shoko had made him your first experiment and you excelled. his injuries were healed within minutes. if anything, he felt better than he had in months — after battling insomnia and panic attacks, he felt… calm. like his brain was cleansed and that he had nothing to stress about. (until the next time gojo had gotten on his nerves.)

your introduction to his class was nothing extravagant despite gojo’s theatrics. megumi couldn’t help but keep his eyes on you after that — during practice battles, lectures, or lunch. he was always hyperaware of your presence. he blamed it on your cursed energy.

he hates how enthusiastic yuuji is about you, how yuuji tells him about how he manages to get you alone even though you often keep to yourself, and how he thinks you’re so fucking pretty, and that you’d agreed to watch the human earthworm movies with him. (megumi had refused when yuuji asked.)

he stews in that anger quietly because he’d rather die than let anyone know. nobara knows better, of course. she teases him about it and brings up jealousy.

why should megumi ever be jealous of yuuji? the boy was a freak accident in human form, with no inherent technique. who fucking cares that he can make you laugh without any effort?

it doesn’t matter. it doesn’t. because you have no direct effect on megumi and you don’t distract him during school. he doesn’t cling onto the memory of your hands on his skin. he doesn’t wish for the feeling again. of course not.

he tells this to yuuji and nobara, too. there’s one day where nobara goes too far — she teases him about setting up a date, that you rave about him, that he’s definitely your type. megumi doesn’t believe a word of it, especially because you’re probably more comfortable with yuuji. he doesn’t care to date because it would hold him back. he’s too focused on his training, on being the best, because he’s determined to follow in gojo’s shadow even if he won’t admit it. he could be the second strongest. he could be the most reliable.

it comes out in all the wrong ways. he’s more irritable than usual, so he yells at nobara instead of seething in hushed tones. he rants about how he does’t need someone by his side, certainly not you, whose only benefit is to heal superficial injuries and not much else. how your combat skills are poor, how easily you get beat when you spar on the field. how compared to him, you’re weak, so you’re of no use.

unfortunately, you hear him. every thought on his mind that tumbles out of his stupid mouth, his tone spewing wrath. you know that megumi is a moody person, but you’d never think him to be mean.

you pretend you’re just passing by, but from the faces nobara and yuuji are making, megumi already senses your presence. the color drains from his face, cobalt eyes wide.

“i’m — i’m sorry, i didn’t mean —“

“it’s okay, fushiguro,” you say softly. even after that shitshow, you’re still fucking smiling. it puts a sinking feeling in megumi’s stomach.

“ah, i got an extra pack of mochi and thought you guys would like it.”

you hand over a small bag and megumi takes it wordlessly.

“that’s so sweet,” yuuji beams, attempting to deflect. “hey, i was just looking for you. do you happen to have those jujutsu history notes? kugisaki spilled a soda on mine.”

“you knocked it over!” nobara protests.

“you put it on top of my stuff!”

you take your notebook out of your bag and hand it to yuuji graciously, avoiding megumi’s gaze and making up an excuse to see all of them later.

apparently, “later” means a week after. megumi sees you in class, and while he attempts to walk you to the dining hall or invite you to hang out, you bolt out the door before catching anyone’s attention. he has to find out how you are from fucking yuuji, who somehow gets to see you around the dorms every other day.

“i think she just likes to keep to herself, s’all,” yuuji says. he can sense megumi’s anxiety just from being in the same room as him.

“but you see her all the time.”

“she’s been tutoring me a little. and we just like the same movies and stuff.”

yuuji shrugs casually. his nonchalance makes megumi’s blood boil, because of course he’s the one who gets to occupy all of your time. of course you’re probably most comfortable with him. he knows he shouldn’t be seething at the thought of you two together — it isn’t his right. but his jealousy is starting to get the best of him lately.

“are you guys together?” he blurts out.

“no?” yuuji furrows his brows. “if anything, i feel like nobara might be trying to make a move since she’s way nicer to her than she is to us. except i’m pretty sure she and maki have been going out lately.”

“maki?”

“dude, keep up!”

and when yuuji accuses of megumi having a crush again, the same way nobara did all those weeks ago before he made a fucking fool of himself, megumi shuts it down with a grimace and a blush. he’s merely concerned about your wellbeing is what it is. that’s what he’s able to muster up to yuuji, of course, who absolutely isn’t buying it based on his shit-eating grin.

it’s annoying, especially because yuuji can make you feel more comfortable, comfortable enough to hang with the whole trio, and the pink-haired bastard has to meddle like a little troll. bumping the two of you into each other like you’re in middle school. somehow, it worsens everything. not your dynamic, but megumi’s self-consciousness.

he was already so extremely aware of you, but now he’s convinced that some angel above has tied the red string between you both extra tight. megumi looks for you in every crowd, awaits your arrival every day in the classroom and at lunch, and it’s starting to feel pathetic — the lightness in his chest whenever you’re even so much as ten feet away. his heart even beats faster at the anticipation of your text in the group chat, for fuck’s sake.

and then there’s gojo’s birthday party, a surprise orchestrated by the four of you, despite megumi’s reluctance. you’re particularly more radiant than usual. maybe it’s the lighting. maybe it’s the dress you have on.

despite the amount of shots he’s been forced to take in the past hour (three), megumi is still sober enough to feel anxious around you. though, he thinks he might be drunk enough to be lost in your image, fixating on your collarbone and the way your hair falls in your face as you laugh at one of gojo’s stupid jokes. it’s when the two of you lock eyes that megumi feels out of it, because you smile at him. you fucking smile.

if the warmth of the liquor wasn’t currently raising heated blood to his head, he’d deny the sparks that came from the mere sight of your smile, but he was hopeless. you’re mesmerizing. dizzying. he doesn’t know what to do with his face, not when his cheeks are flushing red and his motor skills are slowing down. fuck, maybe he was a lightweight like gojo after all.

he’s clearly out of touch with reality, because the moment fades as soon as it comes. perhaps it wasn’t a moment at all. he watches you tuck a strand of hair behind your ear, your mouth moving slowly as you mingle with other classmates. he’s fucking fixated on your mouth — your lipstick tonight is a blush red with a shiny gloss reflecting light. megumi has only dreamed of what your lips would taste like once or twice. no more than that. he swears on it.

there’s brief eye contact between the two of you again for half a second. there’s a coy smile on your face as always before you slip out the back door of the house.

there are so many bottles around the place that no one will notice megumi taking an entire bottle of champagne for himself. he scowls at the taste, of sickeningly sweet pears — courtesy of gojo, probably. his head swims and thinks of you.

his momentary peace is rudely interrupted by the sound of nobara’s voice in his ear, asking for you.

“ijichi’s setting up karaoke!”

“there is no way in hell that i’m—”

“i don’t care what you do, emo, but i need her to do a duet!”

megumi heaves a sigh, making his way to the backyard where he finds you sitting on a tree stump. even with the dim fairy lights, he probably would’ve missed you if not for the cherried end of your cigarette.

“fushiguro-kun,” you nod at him.

“megumi,” he rasps. “just… megumi is fine.”

“oh, i get special privileges now? how come?”

there’s no mirth in your tone. you’re teasing him. he doesn’t answer your question.

(the mere act of you teasing him becomes an intimacy in itself — he had never thought that you would be comfortable enough to talk to him in jest. you’d maintained your distance from him fairly well.)

“didn’t know you smoked.”

“only when i drink,” you shrug. “ieiri-san doesn’t make much of an effort to hide her cigarettes, either. don’t tell on me, though.”

“wouldn’t dream of it.”

he doesn’t know where to look. luckily, you’re not looking at him, so he can settle his gaze on your mouth nursing the cigarette. plump. glossy under the moonlight.

megumi is not used to wanting. he had never asked gojo for anything during his adolescence, and refused any gesture of kindness from anyone. he was convinced since childhood that there was no point in desire because disappointment would be on the other end of it either way.

he’d like to be a monk about it. he could control himself and focus on his studies. never spare you a glance again that isn’t platonic. and then a cool december wind blows past the two of you, and he smells your amber perfume.

and when he turns his head, you’re looking at him, eyes bright.

“so… not enjoying the party?”

“i’m not really one for parties.”

“me neither,” you shrug. “that’s why i like to do my little ritual of escaping.”

“we have that in common.”

you hum, a noncommittal noise. you take another drag of your cigarette, which disintegrates slowly.

“what a pair, the two of us.”

megumi can’t pick up any sarcasm from your voice, though he assumes it. it makes his stomach drop even though the statement is harmless. the two of you. together. it makes endless futures bloom in his mind. maybe it’s the prosecco, but it almost makes him want to vomit. to think that he was even good enough to be beside you in your future.

you curse quietly when you pull your phone out of your jacket pocket to check the time, realizing it’s dead. megumi gives you a once-over. the jacket you’re wearing is all too familiar. like him, you’re not one to wear very many colors. but this jacket is bright red, varsity style, and oversized on you.

“is that itadori’s jacket?” megumi stammers.

“oh, yeah. i didn’t realize how cold it would be tonight.”

“oh.”

“why?” you give him a curious smile.

“nothing,” he coughs. “are… you two…”

you laugh and it’s like a song to him.

“i think he might be my best friend, s’all. why? you jealous?”

he looks at you again, head-on, your eyes still bright. brighter than fluorescents. there’s something in your irises that is meant to provoke him, but he’s dispensed of his usual cautious nature after he takes another gulp from the bottle.

“more than you can imagine,” he huffs.

“sorry?”

“’m not repeating that.”

“what, you’re not saying you’re like, into me, are you?” you exasperate.

megumi remains silent, cheeks flushed. he thinks that if his head could heat up any more, he’d end up with a migraine.

you breathe the tiniest gasp. if it wasn’t for how close megumi was to you, he wouldn’t have noticed.

“i kind of thought you hated me, you know,” you admit.

“i could never hate you. i don’t think anyone could.”

“you don’t have to pretend,” you sigh. he didn’t notice until now that your cigarette was finished, discarded onto the dirt with your boot to crush it into ash. “i— beyond the politeness, i get it. that i’m not your type or whatever. you don’t even have to be friends with me, fushiguro-kun.”

“megumi,” he emphasizes.

“megumi.”

“i’m not pretending. i… i really fucking like you,” he slurs. “it kind of scares me how much.”

“you’re drunk.”

“i am. i know you heard me say all that shit to kugisaki and itadori, but it’s because they put me on the spot and i was nervous. i don’t know how to… deal with feelings. honestly, if i wasn’t even a little drunk right now, i’d probably have left the party with my tail in between my legs and avoided you for the next fucking week, and you don’t deserve that. you deserve… everything.”

“even you?”

when did you get so close to him? if he sauntered just a few inches in your direction, he could touch your noses together. he can smell your perfume so deeply.

“it’s the other way around,” megumi breathes. “i don’t deserve you. not anything close to you.”

“what if i want you regardless?” your voice is just above a whisper. a prayer, a hymn. a wish to be blown out.

megumi swallows the lump in his throat. he blinks at you, dark indigo luminescent. the world slows down. he may owe it to the liquor and the wine, but he assumes it’s just your presence. your scent, the softness of your hair in between his fingers, your soft breaths.

“what do you want, megumi-kun?”

he remembers something gojo said. that to be a jujutsu sorcerer, he has to be selfish. he’s not sure if that philosophy applies to the situation at hand, but he’d be damned if he let you crawl into bed tonight without knowing how he truly felt about you. so, uncharacteristically, he takes a leap forward.

he unwinds the tension in his body and presses his lips to yours. it’s soft, chaste, innocent. something like a pause. he’s afraid to touch you, but you’ve already reeled him in with arms thrown around his shoulders, fingertips touching the softness of his black hair.

you bump your nose with his, shyly, and he kisses you open-mouthed. tongue in your mouth, meshing the taste of tobacco and prickly pear. the vanilla chapstick that he’d put on before he followed you out to the backyard.

he has one hand caressing your jaw and the other on your shoulder, thumb brushing over your collarbone in a way that makes your entire body shiver. you’re embarrassed at the pool of desire in between your legs.

megumi has never let himself be full of wanting, but at the moment, his veins are surging with it. it’s like a drug to him — your warmth, your scent, the saccharine taste of your mouth. your flesh is so soft, so pliable, from the way you dip towards the cavern of his lanky body, pressed against him chest to chest. letting his hand dig into the fat of your hip. fingertips grazing the skin underneath your shirt.

maybe it’s the liquor, but he’s feeling experimental — he tucks your bottom lip in between his teeth. pulls your hair ever so slightly. you mewl into his mouth quietly and he thinks that he’s never felt anything better than this. you’re wrapped up in all of him. you can quite literally feel the heat on his cheeks and both of you realize how aroused he is, his bulge prodding your thigh.

“fuck,” he whispers into your mouth, and he pulls away. only a few inches are separating you as he takes a moment to breathe. his eyes are blown out wide, black stretching across dark blue. both of you are stunned, panting, and the tension is more palpable than ever.

a rustling of grass makes both of you jump. when he turns, he sees yuuji and nobara staring with wide eyes.

“you owe me 7,000 yen,” yuuji deadpans to nobara.

“seriously, fushiguro? i didn’t think you had it in you!”

“i always had faith in you, fushiguro!” yuuji chimes.

while you giggle, megumi growls under his breath at the new intrusions of dumb and dumber.

“i personally thought you were way out of his league,” nobara tells you.

“eat shit.” megumi seethes with arms crossed, and despite his wrath, he resembles more of an angry kitten to you than any potential threat.

“sheesh, don’t summon a shikigami on them, megumi,” you tease with a pleased grin.

“i—” he stumbles over his words in frustration, grimacing. “what do the two of you want, anyway?”

“gojo-sensei got ijichi to sing doja cat.”

“oh, i’ve gotta see this,” you snort, grabbing megumi by the hand as you begin to usher the crew back inside. his heart leaps at the feeling of your fingers intertwined with his.

despite his inhibitions, megumi’s decided that he could get used to this.

[coven-of-genesis]

Affirmations for each of the four elements

Fire (Associated with passion, energy, and transformation):

I am a powerful creator, and my passion fuels my success.

I embrace change and transform challenges into opportunities.

I radiate confidence and inspire those around me.

My inner fire burns brightly, igniting my purpose and motivation.

I am courageous and take bold action to achieve my goals.

Earth (Associated with stability, grounding, and abundance):

I am deeply rooted like a strong tree, grounded in the present moment.

Abundance flows effortlessly into my life, and I am grateful for all that I have.

I trust in the process of life and have unwavering faith in my journey.

I am resilient and adaptable, finding strength in the face of challenges.

I create a solid foundation for my dreams and manifest them with ease.

Air (Associated with intellect, communication, and mental clarity):

My thoughts are clear, and my mind is focused on my highest good.

I express myself confidently and communicate my ideas with clarity.

I embrace curiosity and open myself to new perspectives and knowledge.

I breathe in fresh inspiration and release any mental clutter.

I am in tune with my intuition, and it guides me in making wise decisions.

Water (Associated with emotions, intuition, and healing):

I flow with the rhythm of life, embracing the ever-changing tides of emotions.

My intuition is a guiding force, leading me to make choices aligned with my soul.

I am connected to the healing power of water, cleansing and renewing my spirit.

Love and compassion flow through me, nurturing myself and others.

I release any emotional baggage and allow forgiveness and healing to take place.

Feel free to personalize these affirmations or create your own based on your relationship with each element and your specific intentions. Repeat them regularly with belief and conviction to strengthen your connection with the elemental energies.

[stormofdefiance]

True knowledge exists in knowing you know nothing || Dr. Ratio & Socrates

Okay, I legitimately laughed out loud writing that title, but listen. LISTEN.

Ratio's inspirations derive from many sources; from referencing Archimedes's brain-blast in the tub, to being doomed to have his head bonked by Newton's apple ad infinitum in his idle animation, to his ultimate line ('esse est percipi' / 'to be is to be perceived') a direct quote from Berkeley on Idealism - it's apparent that his design nods towards scholars across time periods rather than being a direct parallel to a singular academic.

Nevertheless, just for fun, I've been rotating Ratio and ancient greek philosophers around in my head and have had a great time chewing over how parallels Socrates in particular. I am in no way saying that Hoyo even thought about Socrates while they were designing Ratio, but I thought I'd share my thoughts. I think there are some worthwhile parallels to be drawn that touch on all aspects of Ratio's own philosophy regarding ignorance, the value of knowledge, and his deep appreciation of life. So, let's get into it.

Ratio is interested in humanity and curing 'ill minds with knowledge', that 'to turn a blind eye to the folly of others is not an etiquette, but a wicked worldly practice.' Ignorance is a disease - this is a concept that can be viewed through a Socratic lens. Socrates believed that that virtue and knowledge were impossible to separate from one another, and that virtue could be developed through acquiring knowledge and insight. If knowledge is virtue, then ignorance is vice. In Socrates's mind, no one would rationally choose to do something bad. People might choose to do bad things, but this is rooted in their own perception of the world - as in, someone would only choose to do something bad (for the world, or for themselves) because they believed (erroneously) that it was the right or good thing to do. To Socrates, the cure to this was knowledge: 'There are two kinds of disease of the soul, vice and ignorance.' & 'What does most harm in the world is not sinfulness but ignorance'.

To Ratio, 'If ignorance is an ailment, it is the duty of the scholars to weed it out and heal the universe'. He views his own ignorance as 'filth' that must be cleansed through methods such as reading. He also views knowledge as a method for humans to overcome their problems - 'Another day has passed. If your problem still hasn't been solved, is it possible the problem is you?' & 'You look distressed. Is something troubling you? if so, you can figure it out for yourself.' These statements sound harsh, but they also clue us into Ratio's philosophy - that through self-examination and improvement, one can overcome one's ailments.

Socrates was also known for being a trouble-maker, he was abrupt and tactless and did not care for someone's social standing nor decorum. He was also known for using what is now called the Socratic method, asking a series of questions that ultimately seek to show contradictions in the beliefs of those who posed them, and to move systematically towards a hypothesis free from contradiction. Socrates rarely made assertions himself - after all, he had no wisdom of his own. But he could interrogate others in order to expose their own foibles, much to the embarrassment and annoyance of those around him. He was once described as a 'gnat' chewing on the 'lazy horse of Athens', causing it to wake up and spring to life due to his persistent gnawing and prodding. Ratio also employs the Socratic method - 'I'm asking questions' - and also adopts sophist tactics such as playing devil's advocate and taking opposing sides (with both himself as seen a story quest, and with others as we see with his texts urging us to take up a side so he might debate us). Through questioning and interrogation, upsetting what we consider social convention and norms, we can dispel contradictions and thereby come closer to some form of truth.

To add to this - as highlighted in the replies below - Ratio’s skill ‘intellectual midwifery’ is a reference to the Socratic method. The idea being that Socrates helped those around him give birth to the knowledge that was already within them, rather than treating his students minds as empty vessels for him to fill with his own answers. Again this is beautifully echoed in Ratio - he doesn’t want to tell you how to live your life, he wants you to work out for yourself what it is you need, thus empowering oneself through self-examination and questioning.

Socrates did not believe in writing anything down. He believed that face-to-face communication was a far more effective way of communicating knowledge - which means, unfortunately, what we know of Socrates is primarily derived from secondary sources. Much of what we know about him today comes from Plato's dialogues, and Plato was known for liberally exercising artistic license.

Although Ratio is not dead, I find it interesting that his character story is told exclusively through secondary sources. To quote - '…There are no less than eight documentaries detailing his legendary exploits, and over a dozen memoirs about him. However, despite the plethora of commentaries, none of them seems to provide a compelling perspective.' It's as though there are no surviving fragments penned by Ratio's hand and all we have to go on is through the lenses of other people. This challenges us, perhaps, to try to think about our own interpretation of Ratio since secondary sources cannot be taken as a wholly unbiased account - and once again employing the Socratic method and empowering the reader to come to their own interpretation.

While Socrates left no writing behind, he was interested in spreading knowledge. Socrates spent most of his life in Athens, a city that was, during his lifetime (~470-399 BC), a hotpot of scholars, wisemen and philosophers. Athena, the Greek god of wisdom, was named after the city - her symbol the owl that is also appropriately perched on Ratio’s shoulder. Also in Athens at this time where the sophists. The sophists were a class of intellectuals who were known to teach courses in various subjects - but often for a high fee, and generally centred around the idea that persuasion and the use of knowledge as a tool was more important than wisdom or truth itself. There's some debate about whether Socrates could be characterised as a sophist himself, but, crucially, he is characterised as refusing to take payment for his teachings. He was born a plebeian (perhaps you might describe it as a mundane background.) He was known to dress in rags and go barefoot, speaking to and (often antagonising) people from all walks of life, preferring the marketplace as a center of debate than palaces or courtrooms. I can't help but think of the sophists as similar to the genius society (or at least Ratio's depiction of them in contrast to himself), cooped up in ivory towers and gatekeeping knowledge to the most privileged. He doubts if Herta's talent is always helpful to others, he compares Screwllum to a 'monarch'. Then again, the sophists may in fact be a bit of a parallel to the Intelligentsia Guild - from Ratio, 'when someone is willing to listen to knowledge that is being disseminated and circulated, a price is created'.

Socrates (or at least the Platonic depiction of Socrates) was at one time declared the wisest man in Athens by the Oracle of Delphi. Socrates balks at this assertion - how can he possibly be the wisest man in Athens when he in fact knows nothing at all? This was not a claim made of modesty - he truly believed that he had no wisdom, that he was unsure what 'wisdom' itself even was. Ultimately, Socrates concludes that the only way that the Oracle could be correct is that by actually acknowledging that he knows nothing he paradoxically is the wisest man in Athens. All wisdom, therefore, is rooted in wondering, with wondering only possible if one is open to admitting one's own ignorance.

What I love about all of this in relation to Ratio is that Ratio styles himself as a mundanite. The Intelligensia Guild advocates that 'all knowledge must be circulated like currency' and accepts 'all beings… who seek to learn'. Ratio has no time for the satisfied self-styling of intellectualism, he himself states that 'to speak knowledge, we must first make people realise their own folly.' No one is above criticism in this regard, even himself - again, to quote 'Whenever someone agrees with me, I feel like I must be wrong.' Again, I feel as though he would resonate with Socrates here: 'Smart people learn from everything and everyone, average people from their experiences, and stupid people already have all the answers'. With Aventurine, he is quick to mock his appearance as over-the-top and vapid - once again making it clear his distate for vanity and hollow displays of showiness (albeit he may have been acting for Sunday's sake here. Also, no comment about this coming from a man who runs around in a toga, lmao) Equally, with Aventurine, it is clear that Ratio is willing to learn from him - he apologises when he offends, he abhors his methodology and yet he still relies upon it and trusts in Aventurine's plan, he is drawn to him in some ways precisely because he is so different to himself. Aventurine (at least styles himself) as impulsive to Ratio's slow and steady methodology, Aventurine whose learning has been entirely self-made vs Ratio who has spent his life in classrooms, Ratio who scoffs at Aventurine's favourite games of chance yet adds slot machines to his simulated universe. And to Socrates, the experience of aporia – in all of its discomfort and disruption – is the very catalyst of wonder, and that wonder was not just the root of wisdom but also the way to live a good and happy life. There is something beautiful in this to me, and this extends to Ratio. Ratio fundamentally cares about life. For all his brashness, his lashing out against 'idiots', his harsh demeanour - he wants people to live good lives, he wants to contribute to the good of humanity - all people, even those he is annoyed by, he cares so profoundly and absolutely about life. The entire reason why he is obsessed with wisdom and learning is not to exalt or elevate himself, not as some kind of ritualistic expression of piety towards a deity, but it is instead an expression of devotion towards life itself. Ratio has a strict work out routine not so that he can show off his body, but because living healthily is living well and working out is a component of that. Even the way he fusses and worries about Aventurine, someone he is pointedly irritated by, reveals how deeply his care runs. So so much of his character is centered on caring for life, even if it is not immediately obvious.

Finally, I'd like to highlight some ways in which Ratio is not like Socrates. First of all, Socrates was repeatedly described as 'ugly' by fellow philosophers Plato and Xenophon - this is contrast to Ratio being repeatedly described as 'handsome'. This is an interesting subversion to me (albeit likely an indulgent one) as in both cases both men attempt to distance their physical appearance from the weight of their words. Ratio wears the bust for many reasons, but way to view it is that he is attempting to stop his appearance from bearing any influence in the subject of debate.

Socrates was also said to be blessed by a divine touch, and as we know, this is something that agonises Ratio as Nous has not yet turned THEIR gaze towards him.

Lastly, Ratio has - thankfully - not yet been ordered by the state to drink hemlock for all his trouble-making and blustering. Though perhaps he may someday be put on trial by the IPC if the theories that he is working alongside Aventurine to undermine the corporation are true - we will just have to wait and see.

Thanks for reading my little ramble. I'd be super interested in anyone's thoughts if they'd like to share, but regardless, I'll leave off on some of my favourite wee quotes from the Rat man:

'Even a life marked by failure is a life worth living - it is only in moments of solitude and despair, when help is absent, that fools grasp how to pick themselves up.'

'Do stay alive. I wish you the best of luck.'

[adobealmanac]

How I was taught to cleanse with fire

Many cultures around the world use smoke and fire for cleansing and purification rituals. New Mexico is not different in that manner, as often I see curanderos (and spiritual leaning Catholics) burning a variety of herbs, woods, and resins to cleanse themselves and their spaces. Sometimes we even use mezcal to cleanse by spraying it from our mouths. While not necessarily ‘fire’, it does have that flame element to it. Spraying mezcal from the mouth is often done to cleanse the body or mind of someone, rather than a space.

I grow a variety of herbs on my property and I often find myself inclined to use them over store bought bundles or incense as it feels more traditional, and connects me to the earth and to my ancestors. My grandma taught me how to burn desert sage to purify a space, which is one of my favorites to use spiritually for cleansing. It brings an energy of healing and calmness when you burn it, and also works great for purification. I think of it as the lavender of sages due to its warm hug-like energy it brings.

To begin cleansing with desert sage, you first must hold the sage in your hands, and close your eyes. Envision happiness, and warmth, and hugging your own abuelita. Think about the warm yellow energy of the desert sage and how it brings that feeling of walking through a winter landscape knowing that you will be home soon. Enjoy the feeling and scent of the unburnt sage. Once you feel ready to begin, open your eyes, and take one deep breath in and out. Now, you must open the front door of the place you are cleansing, and optionally more windows if the space is large enough. The thick adobe of my grandmothers house wouldn’t allow any spirits to leave if you didn’t allow them to exit somehow. Begin by walking around the space with the unlit sage, feeling the energies of the space and finding spots that you need to focus on. Once you have identified the dense spots, you can light the sage. I always light the largest end of the desert sage bundle as I find it is the easiest to work with, allowing you to hold it by the smaller portion. Allow a large ember to form, about the size of a dime. Then, while walking through the space blow on the ember allowing the smoke to fill the direction you are blowing into, as this brings life and soul into the sage you burn. While doing this be intently focused on removing ‘anything bad’ as my grandmother would say. Be sure to blow the smoke into each of the four corners of your house too, to fortify and protect your space. I usually include the outdoor corners too, if the weather is calm enough outside to allow my sage to burn. Once you have hit all of the dense spots with your smoke, place the desert sage into a cooking pot in the kitchen or living room until it ceases to burn. This allows the smoke to do any remaining work it needs to. Once complete, thank the spirit of the sage by holding it again in your hands, giving it a sort of hug, and verbally thanking it. You may leave an offering at the bush you collected it from if you harvested the sage itself, otherwise you could also leave the offering near your favorite plant, I suppose. Once complete store your sage respectfully until the next time you need to purify your space.

Allow the front door and any open windows to remain open for at least 30 minutes after the final ember went out. Remember to always practice fire safety and never leave a sage bundle burning unattended.

If desert sage does not grow near you, look into if it would be able to successfully grow in your plant hardiness zone. If not look into using a native sage variety that grows in your area! In my opinion it is always best to use herbs that are from the region you live in over imported ones any day. And of course, do your best, because no one is perfect. If store bought is all that is available to you then use it! Or, if you already have a store bought herb bundle go ahead and use that. Be resourceful, and stay safe out there!

[ancientgoddessofegypt]

AN ANGEL READING ; PICK A PILE. GO SLOW!

PILE 1 ~ 'LOOK BEYOND'

If you picked this pile, you have to go with source on this one. Your path isn't linear, and neither are you. Protection is granted whichever path you choose to walk. Gifts will start to show itself more soon for people who picked this one. These gifts could be known but you've kept them hidden, or they are starting to grow and you can feel and see them much better. Boldness is a theme for this group because it helps you shine bright like a light bulb, you'll stick out like a green thumb and the soul mates and partnerships connected to your life path/ hearts desires will become a growing opportunity. Work on this, and by the spring/summer months you'll see a noticeable difference in your income and your way of life as a whole.

Themes: Bunnies, River banks, Walks at the park, Cool outfits, Divine ephiphanies.

Numbers: 333, 211, 316, 411, 414, 666, 999

PILE 2 - PAST LIFE MEETING

If you picked this pile, you'll be having a soul mate connection of a life time. This isn't no ordinary love, this person has known you from many different worlds besides this one. It's an opening of the heart for this group. It's asking you to take a leap of faith as there is a sense of newness coming around the corner with this partner. Enjoy the experience with bonding with a soul just as deep as you. There is nothing to be ashamed of or afraid of. Bliss is an ethereal feeling that makes the high feel worthwhile. This is a strong partnership ready to overgo intense feelings of the path they've chosen in order to grow on a deeper soul level.

Themes : Lovers, Channeler, Divine Timing, Peace of Mind, Glory, Special Occasions, Romantic

Numbers: 444, 212, 222, 333, 555, 999

PILE 3 - EMPTY CLIPS

Going outside and getting some fresh air. Bonding with nature and the tides. Exploring the open zones in your area. There's so much to see if you look around. Traveler. Take that train or that bus, where will you go next? Seek for more. The journey is in the pineal gland (third eye), you have to want this. You have to focus and just go for it. Be bold and be righteous. In times of traveling, you will have protection around your aura. Mystical experiences could be noted during this time as the veil is insightly thin right now.

Taking a trip can help cut off old ends and dying partnerships will seize to exist in the next few months. You have to go within and just go with the flow my love. Take the chance, it'll be worth it in the end.

Themes : Adventure, Travel, Oceans, Beaches, 'Narley dude', Making a move, Going slow, Captivating energy.

Numbers: 616, 555, 777, 888, 909

PILE 4 - 'UNWANTED ENERGY, STAYING STILL

If you picked this pile, it is necessary for you to lay low for a while. Your vibration is a little more sensitive than usual. If you picked this group you could possibly be an empath. Also take note that you should consider doing any energy cleanses as needed for your energy to get a boost. Just stay out of drama, gossip and focus on journaling any emotions that make you feel stagnant, sad, depressed, angry, etc. Working on your shadow and inner needs will be substantial for your growth in the later years. So being more secretive on this type of work will be the best choice. You could be a light for other people and could be called into the spotlight for healing. Sensual energy is in your aura waiting to be fully tapped in. You are gracious, please remember. Venus energy is surrounding your being. Look at the stars, and look back at yourself. Remember you are your worst enemy at times, but you can always be better than today.

Themes: 'Shhh, I heard she's got problems', gossip, hear say, crying out loud, making space for yourself and for others, being insane.'

Numbers: 808, 222, 111, 777, 711, 303, 313

[milkoomi]

₊˚⊹ ᰔ a guide to meditative showers ᝰ.ᐟ

showers are the best way to relax and pamper yourself, but i’ve found that treating your shower as some kind of meditation method/ritual really helps to relieve any unwanted stress that’s been weighing down on you! it allows you to fully clear your mind and cleanse yourself both physically and mentally!

let’s begin !!

ᝰ.ᐟ visualize

create an image in your mind that shows all the stress washing away from mind, body, heart, and soul. make sure that mental image is clear to really manifest all that’s weighing you down getting washed away from you and going down the drain.

think about it when you wash your hair! i saw a post here on tumblr that said something along the lines of “scrubbing away the dirt and oils from your scalp is like scrubbing away all that’s weighing on your mind”. so just imagine while you wash your hair that all the anxiety, stress, or even doubts that are clouding your thoughts being lifted from your brain and out of your head through your scalp and as you go to rinse out your shampoo, all those worries and negative thoughts are flowing away from your mind

you can use this same method while washing your body as well!

ᝰ.ᐟ say your affirmations

speaking to yourself out loud helps to really lock in those positive thoughts and good vibes! affirm yourself over and over the affirmations you want to hear.

“i am washing away all the doubts, anxiety, and stress”

“i’m cleansing myself from all my worries”

“i am nourishing my mind, heart, body, and soul with good, positive, healing, and calm energy”

ᝰ.ᐟ give each step an affirmation/manifestation

as you pump or squeeze shampoo onto your hands, say an affirmation or a manifestation. this allows you to feel like each product with that affirmation is physically going into your body.

each pump of shampoo i put into my hand i’ll say something like: “i am capable”, “i have overcome my worries and fears”, “i am enough”, etc.

ᝰ.ᐟ take deep, calming breaths

whether it’s before, during, or after your shower, remember to take those deep breaths. relaxing breaths eases your mind because it forces you to focus on your breathing, letting your mind take a break from any worrisome thoughts that might have taken over. you can even find a good breathing exercise to follow!

𝜗𝜚 final notes 𝜗𝜚

showers are the best times to get some “me-time”, and you should make the most of it! whether it’s to prepare yourself for the day or you’re unwinding from a long day, taking a meditative shower will help clear and ease your mind and body!

live and love, babe.

sincerely, juno ⭑.ᐟ

[blackfeather96]

Songs that remind me of One Piece ships and why.

Lets start with:

Luffy x Boa - Addicted to you by Avicii

I think this songs describes Boa's obsession with luffy very well.

"You came into my crazy world Like a cool and cleansing wave Before I, I knew what hit me, baby You were flowing through my veins"

What can she do? It's Luffy :D

Sanji x Pudding - Stereo Love by Edward Maya and Vika Jigulina.

This song describes a bit the pain that Sanji went trough in Whole Cake Island, with Pudding's lies, yet he still tried to make it work. :(

"I can fix all those lies But baby, when I run, I'm running to you You won't see me cry, I'm hiding inside My heart is in pain but I'm smiling for you"

Usopp x Kaya - If you're not the one by Daniel Bedingfield.

Because in my heart, Usopp thinks about Kaya every sigle day and he loves her.

'Cause I miss you, body and soul so strong that it takes my breath away And I breathe you into my heart and Pray for the strength to stand today 'Cause I love you, whether it's wrong or right And though I can't be with you tonight You know my heart is by your side"

Robin x Law - Mirrors by Justin Timberlake.

Because of their similar past and personality. They have been trough a lot of pain, but Robin was healed in a way that Law wasn't yet, and In my delulu mind she can heal him.

"It's like you're my mirror My mirror staring back at me I couldn't get any bigger With anyone else beside me And now it's clear as this promise That we're making two reflections into one 'Cause it's like you're my mirror My mirror staring back at me Staring back at me"

Zoro x Tashigi - Another Love by Tom Odell.

Because the main reason why people ship them, is because zoro finds tashigi similar to Kuina, and it doesn't matter how their relationship will develop tbh, I think he will always see her as someone similar to Kuina.

"I wanna sing a song that'd be just ours But I sang 'em all to another heart And I wanna cry, I wanna fall in love But all my tears have been used up

On another love, another love All my tears have been used up On another love, another love"

Franky x Robin - We found love by Rihanna.

Because they met on a sea train on the way for their execution, and they did have some great moments there :)

"Yellow diamonds in the light Now we're standing side by side As your shadow crosses mine What it takes to come alive

It's the way I'm feeling I just can't deny But I've gotta let it go

We found love in a hopeless place"

Nami x Luffy - Believer by Imagine Dragons.

Because she was broken, but he made her a believer.

"I was broken from a young age Taking my sulking to the masses Writing my poems for the few That look at me, took to me, shook to me, feeling me Singing from heartache from the pain Taking my message from the veins Speaking my lesson from the brain Seeing the beauty through the...

Pain! You made me a, you made me a believer, believer"

Ace x Yamato - Thousand Years by Christina Perri.

Because Yamato was waiting for Ace to return, and he would still be waiting...

"I have died every day waiting for you Darling, don't be afraid I have loved you for a thousand years I'll love you for a thousand more"

Zoro x Sanji - One more night by Maroon 5.

Because they are always fighting :D If they are a thing, this is their song.

"You and I go hard At each other like we're going to war You and I go rough We keep throwing things and slamming the doors You and I get so damn dysfunctional we stop keeping score You and I get sick Yeah, I know that we can't do this no more, yeah

But baby, there you go again, there you go again making me love you Yeah, I stopped using my head, using my head"

Sanji x Nami - What are words by Chris Medina.

Because it doesn't matter where, when or how. Sanji will Always be there for nami.

"Anywhere you are, I am near Anywhere you go, I'll be there Anytime you whisper my name, you'll see How every single promise I'll keep 'Cause what kind of guy would I be If I was to leave when you need me most"

Zoro x Robin - She's crazy but she's mine by Alex Sparrow.

Because she's crazy, and he always saves her when she's in danger.

"The kinda girl who really loves to dance She loves to mess around with her friends Wanna know her now, wanna love her now I wanna make her be my girl She likes to give a smile to every stranger She loves to get her ass in any danger Wanna love her now, wanna love her now I wanna make her be my girl"

Hiyori x Zoro - Make you feel my love by Adele.

Because she fell in love for him in Wano and was always worried about him and took care of him when he was hurt, but he had to leave.

"When the rain is blowing in your face And the whole world is on your case I could offer you a warm embrace To make you feel my love

When the evening shadows and the stars appear And there is no one there to dry your tears I could hold you for a million years To make you feel my love

I know you haven't made your mind up yet But I will never do you wrong I've known it from the moment that we met No doubt in my mind where you belong"

Koala x Sabo - Can't help falling In love by Elvis Presley.

It's a simple yet beautiful song, as we haven't seen much about them, but I do think Koala couldn't help but falling in love with sabo. :)

"Take my hand Take my whole life, too For I can't help falling in love with you"

I probably forgot a lot of popular ships, tell me what you'd like me to write about next! Don't forget to give me your opinion and other songs for this ships!

[shelovesplants]

I don't just smoke weed to get high 💨

I smoke weed to heal,relax, and cleanse my mind,body and soul 💨🩷🙌✨️

[secteel]

Why was Yamamura locked up?

Back to lore digging because I had so many questions, and so many personal headcanons without actually sharing them to see if some people agreed, but the League's been on my mind for the most part! I always wondered why Yamamura was locked up in the dungeons (going mad/blood-drunk usually meant the Hunter of Hunters would come for you rather than getting imprisoned I assumed), if he had been locked up in the living world at all. So far, we just see him in such state in the Nightmare, but considering Maria spent the later half of her life in the Research Hall, and that it is where we find her in the Nightmare, I had reasons to believe that Yamamura got locked up at some point, and died in his cell like Gracia did. ''Shrouded by night, but with steady stride. Colored by blood, but always clear of mind. Proud hunter of the church. Beasts are a curse, and a curse is a shackle. Only ye are the true blades of the church.'' That chant sounded more like a mantra when I first heard it, and upon the thought of people imprisoning Hunters who had gone mad or gone against the Healing Church's dogma (like Gracia in her own cell who is found in a praying position), I suspect that Yamamura was probably tormented over and over again, most likely through torture, to the point of not being capable of any form of speech rather than reciting the same chant over and over again. After all, when we find him, he keeps on bashing his head against the wall- ''There shall be no sympathy for those engaged in the bloody mission of the League. No matter that an oath must be taken to uphold the illusion.'' - League Staff

Now with that in mind, we already know that Yamamura went mad after years and years working for the League, and that he eventually died. That description kinda gives off the impression that the Church did not really like the League as a whole (considering you find Valtr in the woods and that he seems rather disgusted by the 'mad doctors'). We know the Healing Church isn't so keen on sharing much of their knowledge with Yharnamites, let alone foreigners who take up arms to fight against beasts without seeking their support (I mean Valtr, Yamamura, and Madaras cannot really be considered Yharnamites, and we know that Gascoigne parted from the Church at some point). Therefore, it could be somewhat plausible for Church Hunters to have locked up Yams under the intention of "fixing the madman by reminding him who is in charge of Yharnam". ''A standard hunter's hat, worn by Yamamura the Wanderer. This hat and staff were given to him when he became a hunter and confederate of the League.'' - Yamamura Hunter Hat Also! He's not wearing his hat in the cells when we find him! It's a very interesting detail considering Fromsoft games do not do things randomly. Maybe he abandoned his oath when he went mad? Maybe the Church took it away from him to truly strip him from any attachment he had in the past? Maybe the Church was twisted enough at that point for their Hunters to truly believe that tormenting a poor foreign man with nothing to lose would bring him salvation and cleanse his soul.

"Perhaps there is some mercy in the madness. Those who wish to see vermin can, and those who choose to are provided with boundless purpose.'' - Vermin All in all, I'm not so sure as to why exactly Yamamura was locked up, but I'm certain it has something to do with more than just going mad from working for so long for the League. I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts though!

[hiswordsarekisses]

This is long but hopefully worth the time. I was just absolutely floored by this guys words. I have followed him for quite a while now. He has shared so much that has helped me to understand a certain loved one in my life who does not share his level of selfless love, or the importance of his family. If I were able to share my heart with this person - this post would be it, however, he he would not hear it. But that does not stop me from healing while I wait.

When you are actually carrying trauma because of someone’s severe mistreatment of you, and then you become able to understand their mind and ways better - it really takes so much of their power to hurt you away. As a result it has turned out a great deal of personal healing to my soul. And I am grateful.

But what stood out the most to me about this man, was the way he has obviously surrendered his life to the Lord, which is the true fruit of repentance. He doesn’t just say he loves God and his family - he lives it out loud.

The Lord is transforming him to be a keeper of The Word - and the Lord has also empowered and made him ABLE to keep it.

Because the Lord doesn’t just tell us how to behave because of how we were created to live. And He does not just tell us what is expected of us because He is Holy. No. He has poured His Spirit into our hearts. The exact same power and spirit that raised Jesus to life again. He is literally working within us to DO the very things He expects of us - leaving us no other excuse but the “I do not want to” excuse.

Because Love supplies what Love demands.

The Bible instructs men to love their wives (and children) “as Christ loves the church and gave Himself for her, cleansing her by the washing of the water of His Word.”

This man, seeing the things in his life, mind, and heart that needed to be transformed committed himself to lifelong therapy and has purposed in his heart to “put their needs above his own” and become what they need, regardless of what that means for himSELF.

And I don’t think it even had anything to do with “what is the right thing to do.” He took no thought of what it would cost him - except that it would cost him his life - because that’s what love does. It was the natural, organic fruit of the love of God, and that fruit proves that the Father, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus - the Word, is active and alive in his life.

This man said no to his “self” - and he said no to his flesh. He stepped up - and he stepped out in faithful obedience to be the man God has called him to be in His Word - and walking it out by the power of the Holy Spirit.

As a result of His obedience, the Lord blessed him with life. He blessed him with joy. He blessed him with peace. And so much more - these are the blessings and fruit of obedience. All of which he would have forfeited in order to continue to put himself first, and love himself the most.

To love is to look outward.

To look outward is freedom.

This is love. And this is life.

To walk as Jesus walked, and love as He loved, is to SO be looking to the needs of those God has entrusted to our care, that we forget about self.

To look outward from self - and looking toward our beloved. To seek what is THEIR ultimate best, no matter what the sacrifice - or death to our own self-life should mean, regarding them as first and most important.

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” ~ Philippians 2:3-4

Jesus teaches us to love others AS we love ourselves. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard that verse ignorantly interpreted to back up “self-love” - as in “we are supposed to love ourselves in order to love others.” That is backwards and could not be more absurd, or more twisted, than by the pit of hell itself. Jesus is saying to love other “AS” we love ourselves. He even says more clearly in another verse (just in case you doubt my interpretation): “No one has EVER hated his own body/self, but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church.”(Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭29)

Oh we do definitely take good care of ourselves. Rest assured, there is no love lost when it comes to self.

That’s the whole problem.

We love ourselves TOO much! If we all truly loved each other AS we love ourselves, there would be peace on earth.

That is WHY “all of the law hangs on Love, because Love does no harm to its neighbor.”

And if we all truly loved others AS we love ourselves, there would be much less depression and mental illness in the world, among other problems, because in loving others we would not be so caught up in ourselves.

Think about it.

Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, mind and soul, and love others as you love yourself. Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law. (Romans‬ ‭13‬:‭10‬‬)

One last thought to ponder. . .

If we are not loving others as we love ourselves, then it’s safe to say that we are not fulfilling God’s law - therefore we are not only walking according to the flesh, we are technically workers of lawlessness. (Remember when Jesus said that “many on that day will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness’ (Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭22‬-‭23‬‬) ???

“Now a certain ruler asked Him; ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, ‘why do you call me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery, Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, (etc.) And the ruler said; ‘I have kept all of the commandments from my youth.’ So when Jesus heard this, He said to him; ‘You lack “one” thing. Sell all that you have and distribute it all to the poor and you will have treasures in heaven - and come and follow me. But when the ruler heard this he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.”

That “one thing” was love.

This ruler did not love others AS he loved himself. Otherwise he would not have even hesitated to give them the riches instead of keeping them FOR himself. So he not only chose to love himself more than the poor, but he also allowed it to keep him from following Jesus. 🥺

What good is it to get your way in that thing you want so badly - or to hold so tightly to what you think you need at the expense of your family and everything else you will lose in the end…

but to also to lose your very soul?? 🥺

We cannot love others as we love ourselves - or love like Jesus loved - on our own. This is not a post about salvation by works/love. But the Bible is our measuring stick, and we are told to “examine ourselves to see whether our faith is genuine.” We can’t manufacture it, but it’s good to know so that we can pray for God to fix us.

2 Corinthians 13:5 also says that we can know whether or not we pass the test. The test is the Word. If our life does not match up with the Word of God, are we at least seeing progress?

Do we at least desire to match up with the Word of God?

Are we convicted about the ways we miss the mark?

Because these things make a difference. If we did not pass the test it would be one of the following reasons:

1. Our life does not match up to the Word of God.

2. We do not care if our life matches up with the Word of God or not.

3. We do not think it even matters if our lives matches up to the Word of God.

4. We have no conviction about our life not matching up with the Word of God.

5. We definitely do not desire that our life wouid match up with the Word of God.

If even one of those statements are correct we are in trouble. We should not answer yes to even one. But, now we can check each one of those and ask ourselves the complete opposite. Every single one should be yes, and Amen.

The more and more God transforms us and renews our mind through His Word, the more our lives will match up with His Word. That is because the more we know Him, the more we love Him - and that love causes us to keep His commandments organically, naturally, and spontaneously as a result.

Jesus said if you love Him you will keep His commandments. Keeping His Word is a very serious symptom of salvation. It’s not works.

John the Baptist taught to “bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” Repentance will always cause the fruit of transformation.

Thanks for listening.

~dana jean.

[eldenseal]

Consumables - Item Design

I wanted to try my hand at some Dark Souls/Elden Ring style game objects, I decided to design them with the idea that they are 'consumable' in mind. Descriptions of each under the cut.

Kintsugi Scroll - Many have made alterations to this incantation, so much so that it's paper has been repaired countless times. Potent single use healing item.

Stardrop Honey - A rare clarifying substance harvested from larva that fell from the night sky. Cleanse your weapon of inflicted effects.

Serendipt Beast Paw - Said to bring immense good luck, but only to those who slayed the beast themselves, otherwise it brings the opposite. Boosts item discovery.

Blessed Diphylleia - They're wet with holy water. Consume to cleanse curses.

Pickled Mortfish - Extremely deadly to eat untreated, hence it's name, however when pickled the flesh becomes quite flavourful. Temporarily boosts immunity.

Mimic Key - A mimic in the shape of a key. Much less dangerous than the Chest Mimic, but it's bite is still painful. Can it be used somewhere though?

[daportalpractitioner]

cycle syncing guide: nu moon in gemini

the nu moon in gemini takes place on june 6, 2024 at 7:37 AM CST. major themes include: sisterhood wounds, friendship, ancestral communication, relocation, sacral + throat chakra healing, and breaking generational patterns.

bleed phase: sisters bleeding with the nu moon are in one accord with nature's rhythm, so the need to detox, cleanse, and start anew will feel really apparent. if there are friendships and social circles that you have outgrown but haven't had the courage to cut ties with, then this is your invitation. your ancestors will be speaking to you in order to help you navigate this season in life. so, if you are one to venerate your ancestors, then this nu moon would be a great time to spend some intentional time at the altar or in nature with them. it's time to move forward from the past and stop giving the past permission to be your current story. you have to make room for all the beautiful experiences that match the energy that you're stepping into by releasing all that once was from your reality. some of y'all also may be experiencing constipation as a physical manifestation of you holding onto SHIT that has no business being here anymore.

follicular phase: my follicular sisters may feel increased creativity and inspiration during this nu moon. this is giving you the momentum, power, and strength to choose a different story. it's a beautiful time to think about what you want your life to look like in the next months, by the full moon in gemini in december (gemini is the master manifestor). be mindful of placing limitations on your vision because of what your 3D reality looks like. with this energetic portal, you'll be surprised at what's going to manifest from it. this is a social time to also meet up with your sisters and spend intentional quality time with the women that choose to pour into you.

ovulatory phase: this nu moon is bringing big life changes to my ovulating sisters. there is a strong need for a change that better suits you. you could be thinking about relocating, getting into a more serious commitment, going back to school, or changing careers. regardless of what the change is, it's important that you make a move with the urges that you're receiving. change is scary, but soul necessary for your growth and overall satisfaction in life. you have to take accountability for writing your own story. at the end of the day, this is your life and it is your duty to call the shots around here. take a risk like you know that God has your back.

luteal phase: this nu moon may hit the luteal sisters hard as it has a heavy emphasis on deep healing + curse breaking regarding wounded sisterhood. wounded sisterhood stems from the mother wound and we can only show up as better sisters when we actively work on remedying the relationship that we have with our greatest mirrors — our mothers. a lot of us come from homes where our mother was not properly supported by her community, a wound that has trickled down to us, creating a blockage in how show up for our connections (especially with our sisters). we're being called to address the pains that have led us to not experience genuine sisterhood so that we can then take accountability for the ways in which we've kept perpetuating the cycle. sisterhood is crucial for each woman and how you show up for your sisters is reflected in how you show up in all areas of your life. accept what has already transpired and release it with love through compassion and forgiveness. give yourself permission to eject yourself from this painful story because you deserve to write a nu one where you are chronically experiencing mutual, reciprocated love and trust from other women cause there is nothing else in the word like it.

[ladycrocy]

Kinktober - breathplay

Doflamingo x Crocodile

Summary: Doflamingo cleanses Crocodile of his past sins so that he may worship him properly like the god he is.

MDNI!!!

Word count: 966

Warnings: NonCon, blood, Religion, Religious Imagery & Symbolism, Pain, Nipple Clamps, Cock & Ball Torture, Breathplay, Derogatory Language

Notes: I realize after I wrote this, how little breathplay there is in this story.. I got carried away.. Enjoy!

Breathplay Baptism of a Crocodile

Baptism

Doflamingo dragged the already broken Crocodile through the middle of the pews. Every step bounced

his sore body until Doflamingo had climbed the steps to the stage. His silence made the reptile uncomfortable and

fearful. When was he to finally be cleansed of his sins. Or was it his biggest fear yet.. was he

the sin? Doflamingo then picked him up and carried him to the baptism tank. It was empty but seemed to have been

modified slightly. There was a ring hook that had been screwed into the bottom of the tank. Doflamingo

set him on his feet gently. The blonde's face held no compassion as it once had. Crocodile didn't hesitate to

stand and awai his orders. It was obvious that his mind was quickly breaking, and soon he would be

nothing more than Doflamingo's twisted doll to do with as he saw fit.

"On your knees.." Doflamingo's voice demanded, and the brunette's body followed its command. He pulled from his

pocket three clamps. One was much larger than the other two. They were rough and had sharp edges. To add to the discomfort, they were made so if they were pulled, they would tighten their grip. This made them almost impossible to

rip off. Crocodile winced in anticipation of the pain, yet Doflamingo had grabbed the reptile's jaw first. Placing

an open mouth gag in Crocodile's mouth that was so wide it made his jaw sore. His whimpers meant

nothing to Doflamingo now as he reached into the other man's mouth and grabbed his tongue. He pulled it out. With

two thin rods, the blonde male placed one on the top of Crocodile's tongue, and one on the bottom. He then bind them. That forced the reptile's tongue to hang out of his mouth rather lewdly. His large, fearful eyes gazed up at Doffy as his tears filled with fear and pain.

Doflamingo grinned as he watched Crocodile's expression as he clamped the first nipple. The brunette's back arched instinctively, and a scream was let out through the open gag. Then another as he clamped the other nipple. Nothing compared to the echoing cries when he took the third, larger

clamp and attached it to the sensitive head of his member.

Crocodile's breathing was heavy, and his body shaking from the immense pain. Unfortunately for the

sandman, the pain was only beginning. Doflamingo then connected a chain to nipples and his groin; the

chain then ran through the ring hook at the bottom at the tank, and back up. Finally, it attached the

end to the gag. Crocodile couldn't even fathom what Doffy actually had planned... until he began to fill the

tank with cold water. The sandman soon realized that he was going to have to choose comfort or

breathing. As the water began to rise, his heart began to race. The pink feathered man trailed his hand across

the rim of the tank. He glanced up at the large statue of a crucifix as he spoke. "God has

abandoned you..." He paused and listened to Crocodile's mournful pleas. Doffy then cut his eyes over to

the other man. "...but I haven't. I will cleanse your soul. It is now your turn to show me just how much you

are willing to go through to be healed and allowed back into my holy light. The water is going to

rise enough to where you will have to torture your own sinful body in order to breathe. Try not

to breathe to hectically, or you will end up taking it in your mouth and drown yourself."

The evil, pink menace stopped the water just at the level he had said. Crocodile squirmed in the water.

Tugging so hard at his sensitive areas just to catch a breath through his nose. Coughing up

water that had poured down his throat. He could only handle the pain so long before his head

went back under water. However, he was hardly able to take a big enough breath to hold it for very long, and the pain started all over again. The harder he tugged the tighter the grip of the clamps held

onto his nipples and overly sensitive cock.

Doflamingo watched on in sadistic pleasure through the tank's clear sides. Crocodile's arms were still bound behind his back, and were of no use to help in any way. This torture went on for what seemed like hours, but actually was only thirty minutes. The sandman was just about to give up and allow the waters to take him before he heard the click of

the drain. Gasping for air, he watched the water drain down along with his tears. Doflamingo leaned in and took hold of the chain, placing his other hand under Crocodile's chin and forcing him to look at him. "I am your only God now. Are you ready to worship your God?" Through the tears

and fear the reptile quickly nodded his head. Doffy smirked, and his voice was low and

menacing. "Good boy~" With one great tug, he ripped the clamps from the other man's nipples and cock. Little

droplets of blood fell as he screamed out and fell to the bottom of the tank in the fetal position. Doffy then tugged at his chain that was still attached to the gag. "Come on now, whore... your God doesn't like to be kept waiting..." With shaky legs Crocodile stood and climbed out of the tank. He began to follow his new blonde God.

Doflamingo undid the sandman's arms and pointed down. "A whore like yourself doesn't

deserve to be at eye level with their God.." Crocodile then got on all fours and began to crawl. Doffy then

led his newly acquired slave to his quarters to begin their new life.

AO3

[george228732]

A little fun fact about my AU here since AU Posting is busy.

You know that in several art pieces, I used Film Tape symbolism? My AU, basically can be interpreted as a theater play, in which the outcome is always a bad ending.

In context, Cosmounse made the script that way, and Fylass wants to rewrite the part of the script that's not written yet, based on countless other scripts he managed to see in back stage (Note, this is not literal, just an interpretation of certain outcomes based on that idea since the AU was partly written with that interpretation in mind, that's why in my fic, the names of the chapters are from other stories or plays).

Which for it, means that Fylass helped in changing the ending, with the help of the others, reason on why some parts of my AU seem to be very fitting in the context of a play. I made jokes about Fylass "Undooming the Doomed narrative" but it's not really that much of a joke, which pretty much implies that if no one had done anything or be made aware of what was happening, my AU would've always ended up in a hypothetical Bad Ending.

Besides the religious take on it that's basically what happened in the Garden of Eden with Fylass being Lucifer, and Adam and Eve being the ones he loves. The Apple is the "Forbidden Knowledge" so in this context is basically The Truth and yet another reason why Fylass' main color is Red.

It kinda goes along with the lines of Fylass hating Magolor! Just that in Magolor's case, He's both Jesus and Judas, but in Fylass' case, God and the Devil are one and the same, since at the end of the day, you can figure out he has both roles. Fylass did bring down the Pardus Clan with him, like how Lucifer brought down Adam and Eve, but also in Popstar he tries to take the role of a messiah figure to save 4 people, also why Crowned Fylass both takes inspiration from the bible and pagan holidays, with the main one being Walpurgisnacht (Witches Night).

Also for more parallels, Walpurgisnacht was a celebration for the person "Saint Walpurga" who seemingly kept the witches away from the masses and healed the sick, not too dissimilar from how Fylass behaves with the Dream Team and Wave Three. And last but not least, it was rumored that Saint Walpurga was a witch herself, and the reason why Fy is a basilisk, which are creatures that are kings of serpents, fire, and usually come from Hell.

Now Niru

Niru, for the ones that don't know, is Void Termina when Kirby was still part of him, being the body that surrounds Void's Soul. He is often associated with Water, but specifically fluids in general, since he's meant to be something that flows as time passes. He gave impurities and some darkness to his creations to truly enforce free will, but overall, he was sad seeing his creations be sad over these things and knowing that if they believe in god, they would be begging for them to cleanse their sorrows, so at one point, he regretted his decision and started to slowly consume those impurities himself, being something like, carry the burden of others upon himself, but eventually this made him lose himself in corruption and became Void Termina.

Before he was sealed though a part that wasn't corrupted by the Darkness was separated from him and became Kirby, while the Darkness that got loose in battle became 0, who can reincarnate constantly thanks to Niru's impurities.

At the end of the AU, both parts reunite, and Kirby swears that he, along with the others will help him carry the burden and cleanse him of his Impurities, something they achieve.

In terms of Motifs, if Fylass' motifs are religious, Niru's are Cosmic.

Normally, when a Star gathers insane amounts of energy, they explode and become supernovas, a thing that parallels Niru but instead of Exploding, he gets consumed by a Black Hole he did himself.

Also the fact that he's based on Owls, being Night Birds, and Lovecraftian Entities, specially Cthulhu, who belong to Cosmic Horror.

He also shares a motif with time and a play along with Fylass and Cosmounse

If Fylass is the Pendulum and the script writer, and Cosmounse is the hands and the Director, Niru is the Hours and the Play itself, or rather, he's the End Roll.

Also he's based on The Happy Prince

[micropoe10]

𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐭🏵

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏: 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐧

Before Tav and Tadpoles, there was just a man, his goddess, and the desire to serve her no matter the cost. Gale Dekarios was her chosen, her pupil, her lover. But what was she to him?

A goddess bound by duty, a woman haunted by her past, and the man who taught her to love again.

I was inspired to lore dive into the goddess Mystra after seeing this gorgeous piece of art by the wonderfully talented @ssalballoon 🏵

I was determined to learn as much as I could about the goddess of magic and weave a story of a time before she became the most hated diety in all of Faerun.

Edited by the amazing @editing-by-night thank you for everything! And for putting up with my grammar and my questions. 🏵

And to @brabblesblog without you, this story would still be in limbo! Thank you for holding my hand and gently pushing me through 🏵

The weave crackled and vibrated, its amethyst hues now tinged azure. Small radiant sparks lept from her fingertips as Mystra quickly retracted her hand. The energy that permeated the air sizzled. This was new magic, it was spectacular, brilliant, and messy. It fascinated and terrified her. The last time that she felt new magic, Netheril was falling from the heavens and her essence was sundered, leaving her old life behind. She shook her hands free of the new magic’s sensation. It was a cold, distant feeling as she pressed her thumbs to the pads of her other fingers. Her pensive gaze was locked on her fingers; the lingering pinprick sensation weighed heavily within them. 

She took a deep, calming breath, stretching her fingers before her as she called upon the weave again. She opened clouded eyes as vibrant swirls of amethyst and lavender flowed around her. The winds picked up, causing wisteria petals to fall from the trees above, cascading down upon her like a healing rain, cleansing her of the passionate thoughts that flowed through her mind. She could feel her concentration slipping as images of the night before came into view in a sultry haze. 

Tender lips trailed down her back, as page-worn hands gripped her hips pulling her to him. Their bodies entwined, wrapped in mulled-wine-colored satin and stardust. Two touch-starved souls consummating their love amongst the expanse of stars in the skies of Elysium exchanged hungry, breathless kisses.

Mystra gasped, her eyes flying open. Her heart raced, her palms were sweaty and there was a delicious slick heat pooling between her thighs that she couldn’t ignore. She noticed the weave no longer held its violet shades but had taken on the tranquil blues once again.

“Damnit!” She cursed. With an aggressive swipe of her hand, the weave dissipated into a fine mist. She stood there in the courtyard, covering her face. Her fingers softly kneaded away the tension in her forehead as she sighed in frustration.

“What are you doing, Mystra?” She questioned herself, or was it her sanity? With scarlet cheeks, she continued with the personal interrogation. “You told yourself, you promised Kelemvor that you wouldn’t do this again,” she groaned. “It’s as if you didn’t learn from the first time.” If only Kelemvor could see her now, would the lord of death be displeased by her actions? Her mind twisted to that hazy day they had shared in the gardens of Dweomerheart - her home.

On the outermost part of Eronia lay the glittering city of Dweomerheart, the opulent seat of knowledge and devotion to spellcraft, and the home of Faerun’s deities of magic. Set high into the rugged mountain terrain the city looked out upon the borders of the astral sea and the vast expanse of Elysium.

It was a day like any other as the goddess of magic walked the ivy-laden cloister of the Akademia. She stopped within the white granite courtyard to admire the bowing branches of the world tree that dared intrude upon her realm.

Mystra stood, arm outstretched, grasping a crystalline branch and wondering what world she held in her palm. What universe could be destroyed with a snap of her fingers or a flick of her wrist? She had been tasked to preserve magic and to preserve life alongside it, but mortal life was fickle and fleeting and she would only be helping it along.

The thought brought her more joy than it should and it was only the sound of quickening footsteps from behind her that broke her out of her rumination. She let the fragile branch slip from her fingertips to see one of her attendants approach her.

“My lady, the Lord of Death waits for you in the courtyard.” With that, they took quick leave and she retreated down the steps to greet her guest.

“I’m always pleasantly pleased when the goddess of magic herself deigns to permit me an audience. All the more surprised when I’m welcomed into your domain, my lady.” With a curt nod, Kelemvor bowed before her.

“There is no need to be so formal Kelemvor, we’re old friends are we not? Besides, I've called you here for a more personal matter entirely.” Mystra said, holding her hands in front of her. Her fingers found purchase, clasping onto the sleeves of her dress.

“That you should call me here for guidance and counsel. Your message sounded most urgent. I am truly honored. But do you not have others around you who may better understand whatever it is that troubles you?” His question rang true, she did have others whom she could confide in, but none that would give her an honest answer without fear of angering her. No, she didn't want answers that were pleasing to her, she wanted a solid answer even if she objected to it. Which she most likely would.

“I’ve taken upon myself another chosen.” She didn't miss a beat as she got straight to the point. She did not meet his gaze at first, her eyes downcast. 

“Oh? Do you not still have that aging wizard doing your bidding?” He chuckled from under his hooded cloak, confused, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Who, Elminster? Well… well, of course, he is the most loyal of any chosen I’ve had. But I am the puppeteer to his marionette and if I cut the strings before I have someone new all I’ll have is a pile of old bones not even worth reanimation.” She said almost incredulously, waving a hand around like she was controlling the imaginary strings of an obedient puppet.

“Your chosen, Mystra…” Kelemvor wandered around the courtyard contemplating his words carefully, pausing to pour a glass of ambrosia wine. “With your presence, the weave needs not another chosen to hold the balance. I don't want to see you hurt again.” Kelemvor’s tone shifted, his tattered robes dragged against the stone walkway as he continued to move about the gardens.

“My chosen are not your concern, nor is the weave. The individuals that I choose are there to uphold balance within the weave. Their power is astronomical, their knowledge far superseding scholars.”

“And your chosen… this time?” He sat in a chair opposite where she was standing.

She eased at his question, even taking a seat across from him. “Gale..Dekarios of Waterdeep. He shows extraordinary power and has had an understanding of the weave from an early age, Kelem! Elminster found him when he was but eight, Eight! He’s older now. Easier to mold..to teach.” she sighed, pressing a hand to her abdomen to calm her nerves

“You mean that it’ll be easier to convince him to bed his goddess without rhyme or reason?” Kelemvor prodded.

“Is that really what you think I do? I’m not some common prostitute, I don’t whore out my magic. What happened then won’t hap…”

“I don’t want you to make the same mistake Mystra, what happened with Karsus was preventable. But you thought you could change him, mold him. You even bedded him once, didn't you? He was only ever in love with your power, and…” Mystra’s voice cut him off.

“You tread on dangerous ground Kelemvor!” The wind whipped through the buildings, and trees creaked as her face hardened. Her fingers dug into her palms. The air was thick with the weave’s choking grasp. “What happened with him was an oversight. I was foolish, I’ll admit it, but none of us were prepared and…”

“You,” Kelemvor interjected swiftly.

“What?” Mystra said, taken aback. The winds calmed.

“You weren’t prepared for him. You were dead Mystra. The weave was in disarray, the crown gone.” Mystra shook her head, her lips pursed with a look of pain and malice, but he continued. “You opened yourself up, gave yourself freely to a man you thought you could change, one you could trust. One of your ‘chosen’’. The balance of Elysium is still fragile even after all these years…and the scales are not in your favor. You need to tread carefully.” 

Kelemvor leaned across the table to lift her chin to stare into the iris eyes of one that had seen so much of the world. She leaned into him, her lips mere inches from his. “All mortals are the same, Mystra, you can’t change them. They are ambitious, greedy creatures. For as long as we’ve known each other, mortal and god alike have craved your power the most. I’m afraid, dear friend, that it is you who are the puppet. And if you’re not careful, someone will cut your strings, and that might be all it takes.”

Her breath caught in her throat. She could feel his icy touch cooling her flesh where his hand rested upon her cheek. “You’re wrong Kelem. I’ve watched him grow, his grasp on magic far supersedes any of the others that have pledged themselves to my service. Gale Dekarios is nothing like Karsus and I’ll prove it. He WILL be my next chosen.” She stood and pushed away from the table then past her old friend, a look of wilful defiance in her eyes as she batted away his hand.

“And what if you’re wrong, about the Dekarios boy?” He asked calmly, turning to look at her. Mystra froze, her fists clenching. “He’s just a man, a mortal, they make mistakes almost as much as we do.”

“I won’t make the same mistake a second time Kelem. He shows promise, I’ll do better. I won’t fall for him. I can’t afford more setbacks; I have too many enemies on my heel.  But if you need reassurance, if he fails me…I’ll find some way to kill him myself.” Mystra walked out of the garden, leaving Kelemvore to sip his drink in silence.

“Good morning,” Gale whispered, scratching at the back of his messy head and sliding his fingers through his chestnut locks. His hand settled on the back of his neck and he tilted his head to look at her from across the small courtyard. His words dragged her out of the memory with a heavy heart and an exhausted smile. 

“Good morning Gale,” she purred, her back still to him as she quickly wiped a rogue tear from her cheek. 

Gale ran the back of his fingers up her arm as he stood behind her on the balcony. Her fingers lay elegantly splayed out on the granite balustrade, as if ready to conduct an orchestral symphony betwixt the weave and stars. He felt her body quiver as she exhaled softly between parted lips. He leaned in closer, his hand sliding down, slowly dragging the strap of her gossamer silk dress off her shoulder. His nose tickled the outer shell of her ear and he felt her heat radiate there. Hot and steady breath ghosted her skin as he dragged his tongue fervently against the crook of her neck, kissing her tender flesh. 

Her eyes fluttered closed. Behind them, she could see streaks of iridescent violet and lustrous hues of amethyst. Her breath quickened, releasing an enraptured moan.

“Stop!” she exclaimed, stifling the moan almost as quickly as it escaped her. She pulled away from him, rolling her shoulders back and taking a deep breath to calm herself. “You’ve grown too bold, Gale.” Her words were filled with a sad longing as she spoke to him from over her shoulder.

“If I took too many liberties, I apologize. It’s just that after last night I thought...well, I assumed this would be fine.” Gale spoke softly and with a wry smile, He stepped toward her as she turned to face him.

“You think I don’t long to feel your hands upon me? To breathe in the sickeningly intoxicating smell of mahogany and parchment from your skin?” Her breath quivered, her heart raced and her chest heaved as he looked up at her with the same desire that had been present last night.

“Mystra...”

“I would be lying if I said that I didn’t enjoy it, Gale, but it never should have happened. I can’t do this again!  I made a promise I wouldn’t do it aga…” The panic set in and her composure slipped its almost near unbreakable defenses. Gale gently took her face in his hands and she slipped her hands between them, pressing them against his chest.

“Mystra..breathe.” Small petals fell around them as he thumbed away the tears from the corners of her eyes. He pulled a petal from the braided crown on top of her head. “You know wisteria symbolizes long life and even love.” He looked at her as she scoffed.

“Love…you think that’s easier for me because I’m a goddess? Like I’m given a choice? My first and only love will ALWAYs be the weave, it has to be! What we did last night was not love. Lust, desire even, I'll grant you that much, but not love. The sooner you learn the difference, the better off we’ll both be. Don’t disappoint me, Gale.”

Tag List: @brabblesblog @capraqueen @kasumitanart @tallymonster @ssalballoon @troutsoup @tragedybunny @astarioffsimpmain @nightmarecait @bunnidarling @iizuumi @acystreia

If anyone else wants to be tagged please let me know!! I will figure out how to get this up on Ao3 soon I swear!! Yes, I also took some lore liberties and changed a few minor things. TWs to be added once I figure out what they will be.

[traumacatholic]

Can you please pray for me im suffering too much and i am very suicidal. Thank you so so much. <3

Of course, may God bless you and have mercy on you. May He send you the comfort and strength that you need. Please also do try your best to reach out to people in your life about this, preferably a doctor if possible or look into a mental health support service that you can call or send an email to. It's always a good idea to have multiple forms of support that are aware of how you're currently feeling. And charitable mental health resources might be able to help you to engage with accessible resources and support. I know that at least here, some of them do offer workshops or free counselling and support that you can access.

I'm going to attach some prayers under the read more, hopefully some of them will be of help to you. Please also check my mental health tag, as I do share a lot of workbooks and other resources and apps that you might find beneficial to engage with. A lot of these resources are free.

Prayer against Depression: Prayer to the Mother of God

O my beloved Queen, my hope, O Mother of God, protector of orphans and protector of those who are hurt, the saviour of those who perish, and the consolation of all who are in distress: Thou seest my misery, thou seeset my sorrow and my loneliness. Help me; I am powerless. Give me strength. Thou knowest what I suffer, thou knowest my grief. Lend me thy hand, for who else can be my hope but thee, my protector and my intercessor before God? I have sinned before thee and before all people. Be thou my Mother, my consoler, my helper. Protect me and save me; chase grief away from me; chase away my lowness of heart and my despondency. Help me, O Mother of my God!

Prayer against Depression and Sorrow

O Greatly-merciful Master, Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me and cleanse me from every sadness and disturbance and cowardice. Drive away from me every spiritual choking and demonic sorrow, that I sense in my body and my soul. For You are our Joy, and the Hope of all the ends of the earth, and those far off at sea. Be merciful to me, O Master, upon my sins. Take from me the heavy burden of sin and despair. Drive far away from me every sadness and laziness. Confirm me in Your Love, and with unassailable hope and unshakable faith in You, through the intercessions of Your Spotless Mother, and all Your Saints. Amen.

Prayer for Mental Health

O Master, Lord my God, in Whose hands is my destiny: Help me according to Thy mercy, and leave me not to perish in my transgressions, nor allow me to follow them who place desires of the flesh over those of the spirit. I am Thy creation; disdain not the work of Thy hands. Turn not away; be compassionate and humiliate me not, neither scorn me, O Lord, as I am weak. I have fled unto Thee as my Protector and God. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee. Save me for Thy mercy's sake, for I have cleaved unto Thee from my youth; let me who seeks Thee not be put to shame by being rejected by Thee for mine unclean actions, unseemly thoughts, and unprofitable remembrances. Drive away from me every filthy thing and excess of evil. For Thou alone art holy, alone mighty, and alone immortal, in all things having unexcelled might, which, through Thee, is given to all that strive against the devil and the might of his armies. For unto Thee is due all glory, honor and worship: To the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen (source)

Prayer to St. Anastasia the Greatmartyr

O holy saint Anastasia, healer and minister to captives, who did suffer greatly as a martyr while relieving the suffering of the poor and the sick, pray for us who are ill in soul and in body. Relieve us by your intercessions from the illnesses of our minds, from all evil temptation that seeks to disturb us, and from the suffering of our many afflictions. We ask these things boldly of you as you boldly approach the throne of our Lord Jesus Christ who alone is the Healer and Lover of Mankind. Amen.

Your lamb Anastasia, calls out to You, O Jesus, in a loud voice: ‘I love You, my Bridegroom, and in seeking You I endure suffering. In baptism, I was crucified so that I might reign in You, and I died so that I might live with You. Accept me as a pure sacrifice, for I have offered myself in love.’ Through her prayers save our souls, since You are merciful.

Prayers to Saint Dymphna (These can be said individually, or you could put them all together)

I turn to you, dear virgin and martyr, confident of your power with God and of your willingness to take my cause into your hands. I praise and bless the Lord for giving you to us as patron of the nervous and emotionally disturbed. I firmly hope that through your kind intercession He will restore my lost serenity and peace of mind. May He speak to my heart and reassure me: "My peace I give you. Let not your heart be troubled nor let it be afraid." Pray for me, dear St. Dymphna, that my nervous and emotional turmoil may cease, and that I may again know serenity and personal peace. Amen.

I appeal to you in my illness, dear St. Dymphna. I would be so grateful for a total and happy recovery, for the blessed gift of health in every fiber of my being. May the Lord Jesus, who mercifully healed the sick during His earthly days, have pity on me and make me well again. Ask Him to command sickness to depart and grant me a full measure of health, that I may rejoice in giving Him glory and praise. Amen.

Glorious St. Dymphna, you are the patron of the nervous and emotionally disturbed. I am certain, however, that your charity embraces everyone. I am certain that you lend a listening ear to any prayer offered for any special need. You will, I am sure, take my problem to heart and pray for me that it may be happily settled. (Here mention your special problem or difficulty.) You will plead for me and obtain the help I need. Already I offer you my sincere and grateful thanks, so great is my confidence that God will hear and answer your prayers. Amen. St. Dymphna, Virgin and Martyr, pray for us. St. Dymphna, patron of nervous and emotional illnesses, pray for us. St. Dymphna, crowned for the glory in heaven, pray for us. St. Dymphna, faithful to your covenant with Christ, pray for us. St. Dymphna, precious in the eyes of the Lord, pray for us. St. Dymphna, our helper in every need, pray for us. St. Dymphna, our friend at heave's court, pray for us.