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ollieofthebeholder · 2 months ago

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Some additional points from someone whose church has a food pantry:

We don't check your income. Like, seriously. We don't care how much money you make, if you're working, if you're on disability, if you're actually making what most people would consider plenty of money but you're trying to save up for something or pay down a debt or just don't know how to shop for yourself. Don't care, didn't ask, just get the damn food.

We are required to register you, with a name and address and how many people are in your household. It's because we're sort of a subsidiary of the Food Bank and this information is required (at least in our state). We're not tracking you, we're not going to chase you down, and we're not going to show up to inspect your house or whatever. We just need to know how many people we're helping.

You can go once a week. You're only supposed to go once every seven days. Some places are more lenient than others, but not all. (That's also why we have to register you. It goes to a centralized database and they can keep track of if you're going around to a food pantry every single day. Obviously if you have a big family you're going to get more leeway for that sort of thing, but what they don't want are people taking free food that's being given away from every single food pantry and selling it at a ridiculous markup.)

As was said - if you have dietary restrictions, ANY dietary restrictions, let the staff know. Especially if it's a place you go to regularly, they'll make sure to set things aside for you.

Some places will make up bags for you, which means that you turn up and get a set amount of groceries and won't know what you're getting. Others will let you "shop" - they'll have everything laid out, and while they might have limitations on how much of something you can take from any one table, it will almost always depend on the size of your family and how many people have come - and how close you are to the end of the line.

I think the stereotype a lot of people have in their heads is that everything you get from a food pantry is going to be, like, canned food just shy of its expiration date and generic dry pasta and so much rice. Nope. Not if you're going to churches. We partner with the grocery stores and they give us all their stuff that's still good but technically not in salable condition. Fresh produce, fruits and vegetables. Bagged salad - a lot of times it's the organic stuff, too, and that ain't cheap. Bread, so much bread - and not the commercial loaves, not the sliced bread with preservatives and God knows what else in it, the actual stuff from the bakery - sourdough loaves and fresh bagels and muffins and sandwich rolls. Cookies and cakes and pies. Wraps and pitas - not a lot of gluten-free stuff, unfortunately, but if you need that and tell them they'll keep an eye out for it for you.

(Bonus hint: If you tell them you have a birthday in your household in the next week, as long as you're not telling them this every week - and they WILL keep track - a lot of times they'll jump the line and pull a cake, assuming there's one on the rack, off the waiting shelves and give it to you in addition to your regular "take one thing from this shelf" option.)

As an extra plus, a lot of food pantries like this will also have other resources. Our church usually has fliers for free meals - for everyone or just for kids - and free or reduced-price vaccine clinics and dental services and medical check-ups. We used to have a bulletin board with job postings on it, but we might not have that anymore.

They're not going to preach at you. Promise. Especially if it's a church that has a specified time frame for the food pantry rather than a "walk up whenever", they don't have time. You will not be expected to sit through a sermon to get your food. They want you to eat. Maybe they'll invite you to a service, in a "hey if you want to come by on Sunday/Wednesday/whenever we're going to be doing XYZ" kind of way, but especially with our church, we assume you either have your own church to attend or have better things to do on Sunday. That's okay. We're not helping you because we want to bribe you into being good little Christians, we're helping you because you're part of our community and people deserve to eat.

There's no shame in going. Unless you're an entitled asshole who complains to the volunteers working there because you wanted a specific type of cake with three layers and special decorations and all they had was an 11" round cake with white frosting or because they won't let you take all the peaches or because they don't have eggs (side note, we very rarely get perishables in, they don't have as long a shelf life) or because they're making you wait with those people (and yes, I have heard all of these people - both when I was volunteering and when I was getting groceries from the pantry myself), nobody is going to look askance at you for being there. We're happy to see you, both because we like you and because we like seeing you fed.

Something that I have noticed is I know almost nobody my age that goes to a food pantry. I know people who regularly run out of money for food and in general have to eat an unsuitable diet because that’s what they can afford and they still don’t go to a food bank, im not sure if it’s because they’re embarrassed or maybe if you didn’t grow up going you don’t know much about it but if you’re financially struggling I really recommend it. And look into other options for food assistance too like community fridges and gardens and other programs that can assist you, where I live Salvation Army pays for an allotted amount of grocery delivery for low income people every month, in the summer farmers take excess produce to the library to be taken by anyone who needs it, etc. There are a LOT of resources for free food that you can look into especially if you are literally not eating because of your financial situation

#food pantries #signal boost

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tknblog · 2 months ago

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Watchmen Chapter I, a review

What can I say about Watchmen that hasn’t already been said… is what I would say if DC hadn’t just released the first part of an animated two part adaptation of what is considered one of the finest comic books of all time. But let’s talk about the comic book first.

Released as a 12-issue limited series in 1986 and rendered into a trade paperback combining all twelve issues in 1987, the creation of writer Alan Moore, artist Dave Gibbons, and colored by John Higgins, Watchmen was a critical and commercial success and has remained so since its release. It would win a Hugo Award in 1988 and be added to Time Magazine’s 100 All-Time Best Novels list.

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For more details regarding the Watchmen comics, please refer to the Wikipedia entry.

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Zack Snyder’s 2009 adaptation was something of a critical success, but in no way a commercial one. On a $150 million dollar budget it only pulled in $187 million at the box office, or in other words a commercial flop. A Director’s Cut would be released later in 2009, but that would only increase the film’s appreciation amongst critics and would not contribute to the studio’s bottom line in any significant way. A decade later, HBO would release Damon Lindelof’s Watchmen TV series which would, like the comics, receive wide critical praise and commercial success and currently has a 96% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However the show would differ significantly from the comics taking place thirty four years after the events in the comic books and focusing on racist violence in modern-day Tulsa, Oklahoma, the location of the tragic Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921.

DC’s struggle with feature films

DC is not known for making good live action adaptations of their comic book characters, aside from the Batman movies. I won’t go into details, but I’ll list a few: Steel, Catwoman, Constantine, Superman Returns, Jonah Hex, Green Lantern, Man of Steel, Suicide Squad, Justice League, Shazam!, Black Adam, The Flash, and Blue Beetle are most of their releases in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), and none of them performed well when compared to Marvel’s blockbuster run. There is, however, one medium in which DC has excelled and Marvel has not; animation. Their animated films, generally referred to as the DC Animated Universe, or DCAU, are produced by Warner Bros. Animation studio.

For a complete list of all DCAU animated films released, check the Wikipedia entry.

From 1993’s Batman: Mask of the Phantasm to the just released Watchmen Chapter I, DC has floated a literal armada of top-notch animated features. Sure, there have been duds like the unfortunate adaptation of the already unpopular comicbook, Batman: The Killing Joke, the 2nd and 3rd installments of the three part Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths film trilogy, and Superman/Batman: Apocalypse but there have been a lot more highly rated outings like Batman: Under the Red Hood, Justice League: Doom, the sublime Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Parts 1 & 2, and Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox. There are many, many more out of the near 60 films so don’t feel bad if I’m leaving off one of your favorites. I’ve already listed a lot of films, so let’s just move on to Watchmen Chapter I.

Editor’s Note: While DC has had an enormously successful run of animated features, the medium of animation in America has been relegated to the juvenile markets. There are pockets of successful adult animation, like Family Guy and other animated sit-coms and sci-fi like Scavengers Reign, but on the whole, animation isn’t taken seriously in the US.

The breakdown

Now, normally for a review of an animated film, television show, or short I would not go through the history that lead up to that property’s release, but Watchmen is different. Since it hit comic book shop shelves in 1986 and hasn’t been developed into a continuing franchise of any significance. I suspect a lot of our younger folk born since 2000 may not be as familiar with the comics as with older readers and an overview is helpful to understand the significance of Watchmen in relation to our history. So, let’s take a quick look at the spoiler-free Wikipedia synopsis:

Watchmen is set in an alternate reality that closely mirrors the contemporary world of the 1980s. The primary difference is the presence of superheroes. The point of divergence occurs in the year 1938. Their existence in this version of the United States is shown to have dramatically affected and altered the outcomes of real-world events such as the Vietnam War and the presidency of Richard Nixon. In keeping with the realism of the series, although the costumed crimefighters of Watchmen are commonly called “superheroes”, only one, named Doctor Manhattan, possesses any superhuman abilities. The war in Vietnam ends with an American victory in 1971 and Nixon is still president as of October 1985 upon the repeal of term limits and the Watergate scandal not coming to pass. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan occurs approximately six years later than in real life.

When the story begins, the existence of Doctor Manhattan has given the U.S. a strategic advantage over the Soviet Union, which has dramatically increased Cold War tensions. Eventually, by 1977, superheroes grow unpopular among the police and the public, leading them to be outlawed with the passage of the Keene Act. While many of the heroes retired, Doctor Manhattan and another superhero, known as The Comedian, operate as government-sanctioned agents. Another named Rorschach continues to operate outside the law. [SOURCE]

The fundamentals

The film lines up quite neatly with the comics. Chapter I covers the first five books of the twelve book series and the opening scene is almost a shot-for-shot, word-for-word adaptation of the opening pages. In fact, without having had the trade paperback in front of me while watching I could still tell that much of Alan Moore’s gritty dialog and story beats are translated almost directly from the comics to the screen with some streamlining by screenwriter J. Michael Straczynski (Babylon 5, World War Z, The Amazing Spider-Man). Watchmen is very character-driven, so a lot of time is spent with a focus on said characters. However, it is the comic’s more fleshed out dialog in which we get a larger sense of the world of Watchmen that appears to have been trimmed. A simple truth illustrating the differences between the comic and animation mediums is that what we do get in terms of texture and detail is often lost in the flow of the motion picture as we are unable to linger on panels and soak in the additional context that the comics allow.

Documenting all the little changes would take me a lot more time than I am willing to invest. Suffice it to say that the changes do not, as of yet, necessarily detract from the story and help to frame the necessary pacing for the motion-based medium versus the static page while maintaining the overall story arc of the first five issues.

Character design is, due mostly to the 3D CGI, smoother and slightly less textured than the meticulous art of Dave Gibbons (illustration and lettering) and John Higgins (colorist). The positives, however, are that there are no speech bubbles to obfuscate the visuals, the view is wider than in the comic panels, and we can see the body language of characters in motion. One early illustration of the differences is when Dan Dreiberg (Nite Owl II, voice acted by Matthew Rhys) comes home to find Rorschach (Walter Kovacs, voice acted by Titus Welliver) has broken into his front door and is eating cold beans straight from cans in his kitchen. Rorschach’s iconic pattern shifting mask is pulled up above his nose revealing the lower half of his face. In the comics, he clearly hasn’t shaved in days and has baked bean sauce on his chin where in the film he’s clean-shaven, as shown in the comparison below. This is a nitpick, but it’s indicative of some of the visual sanitization of the adaptation, likely for budget reasons and/or time constraints. For now, however, that remains speculation.

The comics are laid out by Gibbons in a perfect grid of three by three rectangular panels, only deviating to group into larger panels or , less often, divide them even further into smaller ones, but always maintaining the pureness of 90º angles. I find that this helps define the pacing of the comics, like driving with a steady beat to the ultimate climax of the tale. For the film, overall shot composition, set design, and world building are moderately strong, but is somewhat lacking in the ticking urgency in comparison to the source material. The Doomsday Clock plays a major role in the comics. The panel layout helps to subtly sell the slowly encroaching time, and I feel that is lost in this first chapter, though I can honestly say I don’t know how they’d fix that. The strategically placed shots of period newspapers, however, help to sell the stakes. If you can are able to see them in time.

There are many things to like about the animation. Color, lighting, and atmospherics are strong. The colors are vibrant and clean while still delivering that dark, foreboding, dismal feeling of experiencing a time on the edge. While the animation technique used is cel-shading it feels very mature, like many strides have been made in technique since 2004’s Appleseed, so it helps to deliver the appearance of the comics coming out of the pages. The one character that really jumped out at me, however, is Dr. Manhattan, and I think that this is mostly due to the fact that his radiation glow eliminates the need for cel-shading.

Character movement does suffer a bit from 3D figure rigging, but it’s clear they attempted to put a lot of care into trying to make characters look organic and their body language look natural. The end result, however, is that despite that effort, it’s not always successful. As has become common with Western 3D animation the characters are animated on the “twos”, which means they are moved every other frame, a technique from traditional animation due to the extreme cost of animation on the “ones”, or every frame. Unfortunately, there are a number of scenes where movement, such as walking, appears stiff. I am glad, however, that they didn’t go with motion capture.

The Ups

One of my favorite parts of Watchmen Chapter I is the flawless handling of the dismally depressing Tales of the Black Freighter that appears as a comic inside both the comic books and the film.

I also very much like the application of textures throughout which work very well with the lighting and color work.

The application of depth of field is also excellent which makes me suspect that a cinematographer was involved in production.

There are also some truly beautiful shots in the film.

The Downs

I’m not sure I’d call it an animation error, per se, but during Dr. Manhattan’s Mars monologue where he reflects on the accident that changed him, there is a scene where two characters meet and walk away and one of their shoes appears to pass through a rock. It just seems to me that they should have put the rock somewhere else, but it really stood out to me.

The 84 minute run-time does not work in the film’s favor, mostly because there is only one more part to be released. Unless Chapter II is significantly longer, they won’t be able to fully adapt all twelve issues of the comics.

Some of the ugly language from the comics is trimmed from the film. While I don’t like the words used, they aren’t applied gratuitously and have a sharp, cutting point that should have been maintained to illustrate the cultural and sociological undercurrents of division and fear that pervaded the US in the 80’s when the Cold War was intense and AIDS put people on edge.

Conclusions

Out of all of DC’s Warner Bros. Animation’s works Watchmen Chapter I sits near the top as one of the best, and not because it’s their first “R” rated film. It is clear that the production team took the adaptation seriously, though were likely saddled with some constraints as illustrated by the short run-time, that there will only be one more part to complete the adaptation, and that quite a lot of contextual dialog was removed in translation.

What I would really like to see from DC, however, is a real commitment to their animation works teams of writers and animators. I would see that as an increase in budgets for their animated features and to use their writers for their live-action films to increase the script quality well over their current efforts that have plodded onto the big screen.

TKN’s Nothing Score™

This is my first go at a rating system, so bear with me. I’m a nerd. I give Watchmen Chapter 1 three and a half Macs, mostly for story and accuracy and detract points for not going all the way with the animation. Being such an important work from the 1980’s, I believe it deserved a lot more attention and care.

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rupertsblogonfood · 3 months ago

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We have food at home! (Post #9, Prompt 7).

Before taking this class, I wouldn't think twice about the implications of my region on my food choices. Thinking about this prompt, I recently took a trip downstate and compared the two areas for ideas for my region, as it was my baseline.

What is the climate and locations?

In Massena, we have cold winters, and warm to hot humid summers. The plant hardiness level is 4b (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone, n.d.). Massena is on 3 rivers, the Grasse, Racquette, and St Lawerence. Archeological studies of the region around Massena and Akwesasne (which means "place of partridges") show evidence of extensive aboriginal use for hunting, fishing, and gathering berries and plants (Massena, n.d.). It is 75 miles from the Adirondacks and far from the Atlantic Ocean.

What is grown locally?

In the summer tomatoes, Corn, Cucumbers, Zucchini, and Berries. In the fall Apples, Pears, Squash, and Root vegetables (Eagle River Realty LLC, 2023). You can find any of these on farmstands on your daily drive. Local trends?

There aren’t many food trucks, but of the few that there are my favorite is the ‘Annita Burrito’ burrito truck outside the Healthy Way store in Massena, NY.

There is a cranberry bog in a nearby town, Brasher Falls, called Deer River where you can buy cranberries by the pound close to Thanksgiving (Sommerstein, 2021). As for farmers' markets and stands, there is a market in Canton, NY, on Tuesday and Friday, there are many Amish-owned ‘Martin’ Stores that sell fresh produce, treats, and cooking ingredients around the county, and I recently found a store in Hopkinton, NY, that sells fresh produce and house plants (Department of Agriculture and Markets, n.d.) ! I find these stores to be the best way to source seasonal produce other than growing it yourself. Stores like Walmart have produce that has been imported from all over the world, so I feel better choosing local.

It is very difficult to get fresh seafood, as we are far from the closest ocean. The seafood we eat is likely from a supermarket and exported a long way. As for meat, many local farmers raise cows, chickens, and pigs. Many still choose to buy meat from the supermarket but there is the option to buy it locally. My family buys a cow from my uncle who raises it for meat. A farm I have volunteered at, Bittersweet Milkweed Farm in Heuvelton, sells pork at their farmstand (Bittersweet Farm, n.d.).

There are some limitations to the food I can purchase locally, but that gives me all the more reason to spend time in the Kitchen creating new dishes. There is something so warming and special about choosing local produce and creating a home-cooked meal. Unfortunately for most, this is not an easy option as this can be more expensive and time-consuming.

References

This is a photo of us having a meal to celebrate the fourth with food harvested from the bittersweet farm!

Department of Agriculture and Markets. (n.d.). Farmers’ markets by County. Farmers’ Markets by County. https://agriculture.ny.gov/farmers-markets-county

Eagle River Realty . (n.d.). Evolving growing seasons in upstate New York. United Country Eagle River Realty | Hamilton and | Eagle River Auctions. https://www.eagleriver-realty.com/articles/news/evolving-growing-seasons-in-upstate-new-york

History. History | Massena, NY - Official Website. (n.d.). https://massena.us/173/History

Sommerstein, D. (2021). North Country’s only cranberry harvest is underway in St. Lawrence County. NCPR. https://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/44603/20211007/north-country-s-only-cranberry-harvest-is-underway-in-st-lawrence-county

Regenerative Agriculture in St. Lawrence County. Bittersweet Farm. (n.d.). https://www.bittersweetfarm.xyz/

USDA. (n.d.). Plant hardiness zone map . Garden. https://garden.org/nga/zipzone/

#food #shop local #seasonal #farmers market #upstate new york

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umichenginabroad · 4 months ago

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Week 7: Sustainability in Madrid - Pt. 2

Hello and welcome back! As promised, I have compiled a list some of my favorite ways to travel and live sustainably. These are some of the things that I did when I was in Madrid and traveling around to reduce my impact.

Bringing my water bottle with me – This might seem most obvious, as most people at Michigan already bring their own bottles to class, but it’s important – most of the waste of a plastic bottle occurs upstream before you even buy it! Madrid has some of the BEST tap water in the world, and you can find drinking fountains everywhere around the city that consistently have good water. Even the bathroom tap water is good!

Reusing jars – I unfortunately did forget my reusable “ziploc” bags for snacks and things, so I started collecting jars. Yogurt containers are great for storing any leftovers, and any glass jar makes for a great coffee mug!

Using your own coffee cup – I was unsure if they would allow it, but my favorite coffee shop let me use my own jar for coffee. This is a great way to stay circular and limit your waste impact! Most of the time coffee is a social outing, so you use the glassware there. But for those caffeine pick me ups between class I would always have a jar on me. Fun fact, most paper coffee cups aren’t even recyclable because they have a plastic liner on the inside :(

Walk – The beauty of living in a big city, especially Madrid, is that everything is walkable. Madrid is considered a 15 minute city, meaning everything you could need is only a 15 minute walk or bike ride away. I even opted to walk to class because it was more efficient than taking the metro.

Compost – Don’t forget to compost your food scraps! Madrid has a really good waste system, so it’s really easy to compost and recycle everything.

Fruit stands – I love that it is super easy to find fresh produce (and mostly locally grown) produce on every corner. Instead of buying fruit at a Día or Carrefour (the most commonly found supermarkets), opt to support the local economy and get any produce from your favorite fruit stand. Just make sure to politely let them know that you want to skip the plastic bag!

Tote Bags – this is an essential item, and it’s easy to pack! This is multifunctional and is great for groceries, school, a picnic, or just a day bag in general. Heads up, they charge you for plastic bags in Spain, so this is a great alternative.

Picnic lunch – I happened to have a little break between my classes, so I would bring my lunch (in one of my reused containers of course) and find a nearby park to decompress and refuel.

Clothes – Fast fashion is everywhere in Spain, and I beg of you to resist the temptation, (trust me) don’t buy from companies like Zara or Bershka if you can avoid it! If you forgot something, or are in the shopping mood, check out the vintage stores in Malasana, or find a Humana (there are so many of these) instead.

Traveling – If you plan on traveling for a weekend, opt to take a train if possible. Prices will be cheaper if not the same as a flight, and oftentimes trains are a much more efficient even if the journey is a little longer. Plus, you don’t have to worry about luggage fees etc. Madrid has two stations, and I recommend using Omio or Trainline for booking trips. If I haven’t convinced you already, traveling by train also reduces your carbon footprint substantially!

Packing up and Leaving – instead of throwing away things like non-perishable foods, clothing, or household goods, find a local charity or ask the school if you can donate things for future students!

Picture 1 - Staying hydrated and enjoying the view of the Clerigos tower in Porto, Portugal. Picture 2 - I loved bringing my tote bag with me everywhere. I could carry my water, a fan, and my wallet. An added bonus: it's easy to keep close to you, so the risk of being pickpocketed is significantly lower. Lucky to say I haven't had any issues with this!

These are just a few tips on how to reduce your impact abroad, or even things you can do back in Ann Arbor! Remember that sustainability is going to look different for everyone. We don’t need everyone doing zero waste perfectly, but a lot of people working to make small changes to their current habits. I hope you learned something new and try these recommendations out! Good luck, you’ve got this :)

#IPEMadrid #IPESummer24 #LillyStidham #UmichEnginAbroad

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rosestars · 6 months ago

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I too struggled to take care of my basic physical needs through my early 20s as a university student who also worked part-time and did additional extracurriculars. I was deep in anxiety and depression during that time, I was perpetually exhausted. I had no idea what it meant to actually care for my body. In therapy, we worked on my mindset a lot—but no one really asked me how much coffee I was drinking and whether I was eating enough food each day.

So I thought I'd dispense some big-sister type wisdom for folks who are struggling with this too. It's not intuitive and it can feel really overwhelming, especially when you're in a period of life where you're just learning so many new things in all areas of your life. I wish someone had told me some of these things a decade ago, so here are some strategies I've come to use over the years to support my body:

Prioritize sleep as if it's an obligation you have to a job or to another human. Getting 8+ hours of sleep has been the foundation for a lot of my personal mental health recovery and increase in overall inner peace. Not getting sleep really freaks out my body and nervous system. When I get enough sleep, I can think more clearly and have a way easier time making decisions, which helps with strategizing other self-care activities. Putting sleep first is not cool, especially when you are young and everything happens after 9 pm, but if you can, try to limit your late nights and always plan for recovery time after they happen.

If you work the night shift, make sure you really reduce the amount of light you are exposed to in the morning. Wear sunglasses or those crazy-looking orange or red-lensed glasses if you need to be outside between the end of your shift and getting into bed.

If sleep is a challenge, pay greater attention to general nervous system maintenence. Can you listen to relaxing binaural beats on public transit or a calming/funny podcast in the car? Reduce exposure to things that activate and scare you, which can include the news, true crime content, or anything that just freaks you out! If you're busy, you're activated enough.

On that note, be more mindful about how you consume caffeine. If you need a coffee right away in the morning, try to eat some protein first, like a couple scoops of low-sugar, high-fat yogourt, cottage cheese, a hard-boiled egg, a block of tofu or other plant-based protein thing. If at all possible, wait to have caffeine until after you eat a full meal. Stop drinking caffeine at least 8 hours before you plan to sleep, but for sensitive beings (like myself) 10-12 hours may be best.

Sugar is also a stimulant. You might feel pressure to eliminate sugar entirely as part of "eating healthy" but it's easy to make sugar a little gentler on the body through eating foods in a certain order. Sugar and carbohydrates (which metabolize into a sugar called glucose in the body) are a ready source of energy and when you're busy and you need joy, it's not feasible to avoid them. You can support your body by eating fibre before you have sugar and carbs. This can look like eating some greens before a plate of pasta or having a high-fibre cereal like All Bran Buds (inexpensive) before you go out for some sugary cocktails, for example. Fibre slows down digestion and reduces glucose spikes, which can help you feel more balanced, calm, and energized for a longer period of time.

Make getting greens into your diet as easy as possible. My tip here only works, unfortunately, if you have access to a freezer. I almost exclusively buy frozen vegetables. They are often cheaper and crisper-tasting than fresh produce and it's okay if I forget about them—which helps reduce my food waste and ultimately saves me money in the long run. They also take minutes to prep with zero chopping, and I hate chopping. Frozen broccoli goes in a microwave-save bowl with a couple tablespoons of water, covered with a plate, and steamed in the microwave for four minutes. Season with salt and butter, or kewpie mayo/sriracha mayo, curry powder, anything you like! Frozen spinach can be boiled, run under cold water when vibrant green, squeezed into a ball and topped with soy sauce and/or sesame oil for a very fast Japanese-style side salad.

Think of yourself as a literal child coming up to you and asking you to meet their basic needs. If a child came up to you and told you that they were hungry, would you send them away and say "I'm too busy to feed you." If a child was tired, would you prevent them from taking a nap? Some of us have had this very experience as a child, and so these moments are opportunities to literally re-parent ourselves. If you're working multiple jobs, trying to stay afloat in this hell-hole of capitalism, using whatever time you have left over to nourish yourself like you would your own kid, or a garden you're trying to grow, is critical.

Let go of the idea that busyness and overwork are noble and contribute to your worthiness. Needing rest, nutrition, and a sense of well-being is not shameful, it's not weakness, it certainly doesn't mean you should just work harder. Meeting our physical needs is one of the skills we get to hone as humans. We've devalued true self-care the same way we've devalued domestic labour. But these are the activities that make a life, the essential work of being alive, the tasks that are at its very core. As the poet Marie Howe says, it's what the living do. You will never outrun or transcend your human form, you must embrace it.

A disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist, therapist, or doctor. All these recommendations are completely anecdotal based on my personal experience! Always listen to your own body and refer to a professional if you're struggling beyond your capacity to care for yourself.

My early 20's was really me like "I WISH I had the time to eat healthy, sleep, and work out but I just have too many other important things in my life right now" meanwhile I was emotionally absent, disassociating from stress and lack of sleep and nutrition, and totally abandoning myself for an idealized version of me I thought I could become simply by force and willpower

Insane to reflect on like....if you don't take care of yourself you actually CANT show up for anything you love or want

Why doesn't anyone teach us that

#you’re doing great #you deserve to care for yourself #you deserve your own love #rest is your birthright #being human #having a body #growing up

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firstwatercapital · 8 months ago

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Too early to say inflation war is won; infra a bright spot: Arun Chulani of First Water

Arun Chulani, Co-founder of First Water Capital Fund, believes it is the investors’ job to try and create a diversified weather-proof portfolio that one can feel comfortable holding. In an interview with MintGenie, he shared his views on inflation, rate hikes and sectors he is positive about.

Edited excerpts:

What are your expectations from the Q4 numbers of India Inc? IT is expected to witness a lacklustre quarter. Do you see value emerging in this sector?

Of course, one should look at expectations on a sector-wise basis rather than a blanket approach.

Some thoughts are: For metals and more specifically steel, there has been a softening in coking coal prices, so I would imagine that margins should improve compared to the last quarter but is likely to be softer than last year as realisations have generally come off.

Textiles should also see a softening in the numbers, as recessionary fears impact orders.

The IT sector has seen growth so far, but once again the impact on its key customer segment, that of BFSI, will create a softening of future earnings as clients look to re-negotiate or put a hold on projects.

One bright spot should be infra as raw material prices are down, while the government continues to push its infra-led agenda.

How do you expect the trajectory of inflation and rate hikes for the rest of the year? Is the worst behind us?

When it comes to the near-term macro, anything can happen. But, at least to me, it seems that both have started to soften for now.

However, it is too early to say if the war on inflation has been won. Energy, one of the key protagonists of last year, has come off in comparison to last year.

While OPEC+ are aiming to keep a floor, future price hikes should hopefully not be as pronounced given that some producers have increased output and the world seems to be in a heightened phase of energy transition and strategic diversification.

The central bank is going to continue doing its key job, which is to tame inflation, but the decision-makers will be cognizant of the impact on growth prospects. And so, the RBI will likely look to balance between the two.

The Indian market has underperformed most of the major markets this year so far. We see the FPIs have started coming back. The concerns over valuation have eased and the RBI has taken a pause. What is your outlook for the domestic market for the next six months?

Six months is too short a time frame to take a view. Many have been dashed on the rocks of volatility trying to time the markets.

Better to take a long-term view and focus on finding well value stocks or screening for good managers.

Can the RBI remain on pause mode for a protracted period while crude oil prices are rising, and El Nino is looming which can impact monsoon and crop production? Do we have fresh risks of inflation?

Again, as I mentioned, trying to second-guess the impact of all these macro factors in the near term may leave one dizzy.

There is also the question of China’s opening up – why hasn’t there been any real inflation occurring as a result?

Is it because growth boosters have yet to kick in or is there limited juice left in the tank?

On average, China is 40-50 percent of global demand for most basic commodities, so what is happening here? There are too many factors out there and unfortunately, I am not a macro specialist.

But what I do believe is that India does have strong long-term tailwinds.

I would personally prefer to focus on companies that are relatively well-valued and should be in a good position to benefit from these macros.

That way should there be near-term macro-violence, I am not that worried as long as the structural story of my selected companies remains intact.

What sectors are you betting on at this time? Should one look at real estate stocks?

We are sticking to our bets of infra, chemicals, packaging, and metals. Again, while there be booms and busts, we believe that due to the various winds of China+1, the government-heavy infra focus, rising incomes, and per-capita catch-up, many of our stocks should be direct beneficiaries.

What are the key challenges which can upset the market? Can they trigger a knee-jerk reaction?

Market participants seem sensitive at the moment and who can blame them?

Recently we have seen a lot of things we haven’t experienced for a while – pandemic, major conflict, heightened geopolitical concerns, inflation, rate hikes and financial fragility. But still, we are standing.

Any escalation or negative news can create a knee-jerk reaction.

But I believe that it is the investors’ job to try and create a diversified weather-proof portfolio that one can feel comfortable holding and even add to when the storm clouds are out.

The views expressed are the authors own. Please consult your financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

To know more information visit us on:

#best equity funds in india #hedgefunds #india

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sapirmangoli · 2 years ago

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Blog Post #6: Comparison of Old & New Candyman film

Throughout this course, the comparison between the Old Candyman film and the new Candyman film has been quite intriguing to me. Candyman is an iconic horror movie that first hit Hollywood in 1992, and the film received a long-awaited sequel in 2021 with a new and exciting take on the original story. The new Candyman movie is directed by Nia DaCosta and produced by the infamous Jordan Peele, renowned for his socially conscious horror films and many films we discussed in this course, like Get Out, Nope, and Us. The original movie was directed by Bernard Rose and starred Tony Todd as a a main character. However, in the new film Todd's limited presence in Candyman 2021 is due to the fact that the film's main focus is not on Daniel Robitaille, but on two new characters who embody the Candyman in this particular story. In this blog post, I would like to compare the old Candyman movie with the new one, highlighting the similarities and differences between the two.

The similarities between the old Candyman and the new Candyman are captivating. Both films take place in the Cabrini-Green housing project in Chicago. This location is significant and plays a crucial role, and in both films, it becomes central to the film's plot. Both films revolve around the legend of Candyman, a ghostly figure summoned when someone says his name five times in front of a mirror. The character's backstory is also similar in both movies. More so, both films revolve around two recurring themes such as racism and police brutality. What makes the new film more impactful is that it delves more into the issue of racism and explores it with more detail, making it influential to viewers. One moment in the new Candyman film that resembles an incident we went through in 2020 was when the main character Anthony, gets killed by police for no given reason. This makes one reflect on the incident in America with a Black man named George Floyd when a white police officer killed him. The death of George Floyd resonated globally as an issue of racial injustice. He was pinned down by a white police officer who knelt on his neck while three other officers stood by, leading to his untimely death. This sparked widespread protests across the nation. Unfortunately, due to racism being an ongoing problem today, I believe it is essential for society to learn and shape their perspectives through different forms of art and film.

The differences in this film are also very fascinating to perceive. The original movie focuses on a white female graduate, Helen Lyle, investigating the Candyman legend. However, the new Candyman is revolved around a Black character named Anthony McCoy, and he slowly becomes obsessed with the Candyman legend and its connection to his family. Additionally, while both movies are horror films, the new Candyman movie is more of a social commentary that uses horror as a medium to address issues of race and class. The original movie is more of a straightforward horror film that displays jump scares and much gore.

Moreover, the new Candyman movie has a unique visual style that is distinctive from the original film. The new film's cinematography is more artistic and uses mirrors and reflections to create an uncanny atmosphere. Additionally, the special effects are also more advanced and modern. In contrast to the old film, the new film is more creative, especially with its terrifying depiction of Candyman.

Overall, the new Candyman movie is a worthy successor to the original film. It perpetuates the key elements that made the original movie a classic while bringing fresh ideas and themes. Even though the two movies are different in many ways, they offer a unique and terrifying take on the Candyman legend. Both include similar themes like racism, remaining an influential aspect to viewers. Fans of the original movie will appreciate the signals to the original, while newcomers will be introduced to a new and exciting take on the classic horror story. Ultimately, films like Candyman and other black horror films can empower Black audiences by providing a space to confront and process real-life fears and traumas in a safe and controlled environment. These films can also serve as resistance against systemic oppression and discrimination.

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goboymusic · 2 years ago

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I invented a #superhero called Boner-Man, whose boner has limitless stretch abilities, limitless strength, and moves at lightning speed (the protruding boner is always covered by a red spandex). He can use it to sling across a city like spider-man, or wrap it around the Earth’s moon and hurl it at an alien mothership. His powers are only present while aroused, and unfortunately he can only get aroused by frotteurism. This leads to endless legal issues and compromises by the judicial system as they must punish him, but not too much, because they still need his help.

“Under City Lights” was GoBoy’s 1st song made with #LogicPro, which has been used for every song since, and it’s about a girl that I was enamored with at the time. The chorus lyrics say “got a free lollipop from the party store,” because those were the first words she said to me. We ended up doing one of those “long distance relationship” things for a year.

This was written as a full length song, but only 1 minute of it was produced. Plan was to eventually produce the rest, but “Fresh Like Whoa (Song 4)” became a distraction because it was more exciting.

The chorus beat was inspired by “Burnin’ Up” by @jonasbrothers.

The chorus melody and lyrics were eventually reused for the bridge in “Girl Like That (Song 8).”

I watched the film “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” on an autumn night with about a dozen teens my age after uploading “Under City Lights” to the internet. It’s a fond memory.

For these early songs, plagued with bad production quality, a lofi amp plugin was used on a majority of the vocals, making it sound like I’m singing through a crappy radio transmission. The lofi amp plugin sounded good to me at the time because it cut out low frequencies and accentuated mid-high range frequencies. Those results could have been accomplished with EQ, which would have avoided the lofi sound, but I didn’t know that that was an option. Also wouldn’t learn about adding compression to vocals until song 9. (excerpts from post 1).

Girl pants, flat iron straightened #emo hair, gauges, screamo bands, necklaces, way too many bracelets. Stoney Creek #HighSchool friends and I were part of the American Midwest’s “scene subculture,” often labeled as “#scenekids,” which emerged from the pre-existing emo subculture. A subculture within a subculture (subcultureception). Basically emo, but our color scheme wasn’t limited to black. Some of the biggest artists to arise from this subtle counterculture subculture are We Came As Romans (@wecameasromans), Of Mice & Men (@omandm) and Beartooth (@beartoothband). This subculture consumed my life throughout the production of songs 1 - 4 (excerpt from post 1).

#GoBoy #UnderCityLights #3

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venalos · 2 months ago

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More curiosity.

Excellent.

Topace concealed a wicked grin behind a smile that appeared more genuine, along with an expression that seemed thoroughly delighted. "Reena..." they softly repeated, committing the name to memory despite not really needing to.

"Again, it is a pleasure to make acquaintance with you. Your name is quite lovely~"

They brushed a hand over their yukata, this time keeping themself from bowing again. That was enough bowing, at least for now. Instead they would produce a folded fan, seemingly from out of nowhere, and unfurled it to reveal its coloour as pitch black as their clothing and bearing a golden serpent design, the depicted beast near identical to the one coiling around their yukata. Topace's smile then curled into a smirk, which soon vanished behind their black-and-gold fan.

"I sell and barter various items ranging from everyday sundries to specialised goods, from necessities to luxuries~"

Their voice was a purr as they spoke, with a sprinkling of drama.

"My home region of Venalos is home to near countless Pokémon every bit as large and aggressive as they are dangerous and destructive..." Topace continued, their tone and gaze becoming sharper, as if retelling a heart-pounding epic. "We simply must defend ourselves, our homes, and our loved ones, even if it means to the death."

The fan was folded again in the blink of an eye, and Topace shifted it downwards to hold it with both hands in a silk-soft grip. They then explained, "Our culture puts strong emphasis on avoiding wastage, so we repurpose our slain adversaries. Fangs and talons for weaponry, scales and shells for armour, the list is nigh limitless~!"

What Topace did not mention was also, in their specific case, the selling of living specimens for even the most illicit of purposes.

"Our central governing body, the Hunter's Guild, however, has imposed harsh limitations on when and where us merchants may sell wares sourced from our local Pokémon," they sighed, their smile dropping into a genuine frown of sadness. "So, unfortunately, I currently do not bear the likes of Barioth fur coats or wyvern gem jewellery for you to sample... Though, of course, such rules are imposed as to prevent poaching."

Topace heaved another sigh, then perked up again remarkably quickly. "Enough talk, let us continue. I can already smell the fresh lake air from here~!"

They turned on their heels and continued towards Casseroya Lake, but not before gesturing with a sweeping arm for Reena to join them. This time they would walk by her side, as to avoid another minor mishap of her bumping into their ludicrously tall frame.

"It's not a problem. You help me, I help you." It's an easy enough idea to follow through with. Well, it should be. Some people weren't willing to keep their end of the agreement but so far, she has no reason not to believe that they won't. They seem quite nice after all!

"The Venalos region? Oh my. I haven't heard of that one before!" The books she read while growing up mentioned other places like Alola and Kanto but never a mention of Venalos. How fascinating! She can only imagine what that place must look like. Its pokemon must be very different considering how Kiko looks! She wanted to ask why they were out here but for the moment Reena held back on it. They had to get through these first set of questions after all! Hah.

The tsareena snickered in response. "Throw in a couple of extra berries for me and I'll keep my mouth shut!" Reena joked. "I'm just kidding by the way." Just to make sure they understood that it was a joke to start with. All she needed was those pokeballs.

"Wah!" The sudden stop catches Reena off guard and shortly afterwards she finds herself bumping right into Topace. "Ouff!" Reena stumbles back ever so slightly before rubbing her head. "Warn me next time you're going to stop please."

Non-existent brows arched in response. Oh. That's right. They hadn't introduced themselves, have they? How silly of her.

"Uh, it's a pleasure Topace. You may call me Reena." The pokemon perks up in response. Did she hear them correctly? A merchant? Well, that might explain why they're here all the way in Paldea! Must be to sell items and all that!

"Oh, what kind of goods do you sell?"

#Hooray! This time it didn't take me a million years to respond! juhoijKNJBHDV #sillymuses #“Ride On!” | IN-CHARACTER #“Quest Start!” | ROLE-PLAY #Topaz Triumph | TOPACE #Not Quite Human (Yet?) | REENA

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ererokii · 4 years ago

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hello !! can you write an eren x reader where eren is in his attack titan form??🥺 you can make it however you like!! thank you <33

HEIAJAGAIS ANOTHER EREN REQ MY HEART❤️ KEEP THEM COMING, I HOPE YOU ENJOY <3

The sky was exceeding limitations. The ethereal sensation of gazing upon the horizons with tranquil silence was enough to make you feel higher above than anyone in this world. The hues of blue mixed with pastel yellows and harsh oranges colored the world above, the adoration washing over your body.

The protection of the walls from the flesh-eaters outside was something you didn’t want to exist. You wanted to explore the outside. The want to feel the fresh grass from the outside world and the mysteries you can solve were left in your thoughts. If you reached out far enough, you swore you could have felt the roughness of the barriers touching your fingertips.

You shifted on the mount you were sitting on. Your fingers dug into the dark brown tresses of the creature underneath you. With the inhales and exhales from the Attack Titan, you were lifted faintly before returning to your usual spot. You could hear the noises he produced every few minutes. From subtle growls to small purrs.

“Eren, I hope I’m not boring you while I’m up here,” you spoke up after a few moments of silence. A rumble in his throat vibrated his whole body as he faintly shook his head as if saying he wasn’t bothered by it. After all, it was his idea.

Many times you asked him about how it looked through his eyes. Even though he was 15 meters, it was still enough to get you wondering about life from that high. Was he able to see it from a different view?

He wishes he has a view of your face. He chuckles internally in the carcass, thinking of the facial expression you were showing. Maybe you had the look of a child first entering the toy store in Trost District. Or perhaps you weren’t showing any emotion. Maybe, it wasn’t living to your expectations.

Slowly, you placed your hand down on top of his head, lifting yourself into a wobbly standing position. “D-Don’t move at all,” you whisper, his ears twitching as he caught the sound of your voice. Respecting your wishes, he stayed still as you stood up. Your arms lifted horizontally, feeling the breeze pass by your bare arms.

“This..” you trail off, a smile growing on your face. “Is amazing,” higher than the birds above, higher than any royal. You were beyond reality. The soft light of the sun shone against your face, a twinkling look in your orbs.

“Is it amazing up there, Y/N?” Eren asks himself as he stares straight forward, resuming titan form, having heard what you said moments ago.

His much larger hand lifts and stops by his forehead, palm open for you to step on. You avert your gaze to his hand and hesitantly walk on. You trusted Eren; you did. But being up this high without any gear was enough to light up fear within you.

You reach out and wrap your arms around his forefinger; the abnormally high body temperature provided you comfort. His fingers curled around your petite body in his hand, ensuring security as he lowered his hand.

Large turquoise eyes zoned on your figure, some steam emitting from his mouth as he opened it. The breeze caused his hair to sway, sending a shiver up your spine. Despite being surrounded by heat, the cold was able to creep up against you.

A noise of protest caught your attention, tilting your head in confusion. “What’s wrong?”

Of course, he couldn’t respond. His titan wasn’t able to speak. Heavy grunts emitted from his mouth as he brought you closer to his face abruptly. A sudden gasp slipped past your lips as your arms around his finger tightened.

You were as tall as his nose. It frightened you a bit to know a facial feature was practically more significant than you. A smile curled on your lips as you calmed down a bit, reaching out slowly and placed your hand on his nose. Upon contact, his eyes fluttered shut as his whole body seemed to relax.

It was odd to see a relentless creature, as the townspeople called him, finally at peace. Many times you’ve seen Eren in a tense situation or unfortunately losing control. Seeing him like this was enough to make you feel happy.

“You know, you aren’t so big and scary as you like to be seen as. You’re just a big baby,” you teased him, stroking his nose with the palm of your hand. It looked as if your words didn’t phase him. He was too busy enjoying your touch. Purrs erupted from the depths of his throat, his heart fluttering as your arms tried their best to wrap around the bridge of his nose.

His dark tresses fell behind your body, covering you from the world as it was just you and him. No one could see who the 15 meter was holding dearly to his face, but they had a feeling who. He could feel your face rub against the structure of his visage, a light brush coating his cheeks inside his form.

“You’re so cute...Do you know that?” Eren mutters to himself, fluttering his eyes shut in the carcass. “I wish I could see you like this for the rest of my life, Y/N..”

#eren jaeger x reader #eren x reader #aot #snk #aot x reader #snk x reader #attack on titan x reade #shingeki no kyojin x reader #aot imagines #snk imagines #attack on titan imagines #shingeki no kyojin imagines #eren jaeger #eren jaeger imagines

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celestialmango · 3 years ago

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🎀 The Jester, Perfume Assasination 🎀

Arc 3, chapter 1

Tw death, tw memory alteration,tw psycho fan girls, tw assault physical and verbal, hurt prey, soft vore, safe vore, willing prey, comfort.

You need groceries, a jacket to replace your favorite hooded on the Jester accidentally destroyed, then plaster and wall anchors Incase the jester tries to sit on your wall shelf after nomming again after the screws got pulled out of the wall, The Jester can be quite clumsy sometimes. Unfortunately you didn't expect crazed magical knight fan girls with a grudge to come after you while you were out.

🥭🍡🥭🍡🥭🍡🥭🍡🥭🍡🥭🍡🥭🍡🥭🍡🥭

"NOOOooOOooOo... DON'T LEAVE ME!" You sigh, standing at your apartment door, The Jester laying face down on the ground with their hands and a puddle of tears starting to form under your feet from their crying, "Jester." You call their attention before asking in a gentle voice "Were they accidents?" The Jester nods, still facedown on the ground, "And you already apologized?" They nod again, "Look sweetheart. I'm not going to leave you just because you ruined my jacket and broke a shelf, but you still have let me go out, that was my only jacket and I need to replace it, I need to go to the hardware store so I can fix the wall so I can hang the shelf back up and more importantly. I need to get more groceries. Plus." You flick the bell on the ribbon that The Jester had attached to your throat from your first meeting.

"I know how to call you if I need help, okay? Don't worry too much." You say to the them as they reluctantly let go and sit up "also." You pull the water wand they had given you as a gift while faking a cover story on how you got away from them and smile at them. "I'm always armed now and this thing has the pressure of a fire hose, if it doesn't stop an attacker it will certainly buy some time." The Jester grumbles but doesn't try stop you, you kiss them on the cheek causing them to turn red and steam "I'll back in a few hours." And with that you head out of your apartment walking to closest clothes stop while pulling a folding cart behind you.

In few minutes you reach The Trick Sleeve and quickly enter the magic themed clothing store, honestly as the knights became more popular, small stores started changing their names to ones you would expect to in a DND campaign. You look around the racks looking for a new hoodie, after awhile you find you one with a cool design made of a comfortable waterproof fabric and pay for it then wear it out of the store, next stop The Expert Gnome, luckily it's right across the street and you know the layout very well, they may have changed their name but they've kept the layout the same. You find some wall plaster then look for wall anchors checking the limit of the weight they can hold, after all you don't need another incident of The Jester having an accident from The Jester sitting on the shelf and pulling it out of the wall from both of your weight, why they thought it was a good to sit on the shelf after surprise nomming you, you will never know.

One last stop, you don't notice the two people who began to stalk you after you left the hardware store, it's only a few minutes walk to the store that will take to most of your time, The Fresh Way, at least one store in this district hasn't changed it's name, you always loved this grocery store, it's got amazing deals and The Jester has grown attached to the owners who are a very sweet couple with bad eye sight so makes and point to make sure it doesn't get destroyed during battles. The couple doesn't even recognize who your dear Jester is, the two just think The Jester is eccentric.

It looks like they have a deal on some of their quick meals so you grab a few, you pick up some fresh produce and a few more items then head up to counter to pay, it's a good total, you were lucky so many of the items you needed were on sale today, you still haven't noticed the two people who have been stalking you since the hardware store so you really don't expect to feel someone cover your mouth and dragging you into nearby alley then being thrown so hard into a concrete wall that it knocks the breath out of you and you crumple to ground against it, "See it is them." You're kicked in the ribs "Bet you think your hot shit don't you fucker?" The woman is hostile, the other playing look out to make sure you're not spotted.

"W-what?" You ask scared and bewildered, who is this crazy bitch, she kicks the side of your head knocking knocking you fully to the ground, "Did I say you could speak, honestly how a weak little worm got away from that crappy clown and had the gall to insult the Red Knight is pathetic." Oh shit, it one of the Knight's psycho fan girls, you start trying to crawl away only for the woman stomp down on your back making you cry out in pain. She notices the ribbon and bell around your throat, "What a cute choker, it would look so much better on me than a freak like you." The minute she leans down to rip it off and her fingers brush the bow the ends of the ribbon comes alive startling her as the ends weave through her fingers and wrap around her wrist.

The bell rings while you hear a sickening snap and the woman screams, she pulls her broken hand to her chest, you roll over and scramble backwards while she's distracted reaching into your pocket for your water wand, you blink and suddenly The Jester stands behind the woman looming over her shrouded in darkness thier eyes alight with rage, their hand wraps around her throat, lifting her off her feet and slamming her against the wall, the other woman tries to run but you fire off your wand cause her head to smash into the concrete ground knocking her out.

Your lover voice is harsh and slow, accentuating every word as they speak, glaring at the frighten woman "How.Dare.You.Touch.What.Belongs to me." Their hand squeezing her neck so tight she can't speak, she barely gets out "Please don't eat me." And The Jester sneers "I don't eat trash." They say mockingly before snapping her neck, dropping her corpse to the ground before moving over to the one you knocked out and places a hand onto the back of her head, there is a flash then The Jester lets go.

Their expression becomes soft as they look at the state of you, there are no words exchanged they kneal down and hug you as you begin to cry when it registers what just happened you, once your sobs subside they take you hands and gently shove them into their maw, they pause, staring directly into your eyes that speak a silent question you've learned to read by now, you nod and they begin to swallow you, they're careful in maneuvering you so they don't cause you any more pain, one gulp, you're on your knees shoulder deep, they place thier hands on your hips and gently lift, another gulp, waist deep in their soft throat hands moving to grip your thighs and keep you supported as the slowly angle you upwards, using gravity to help you slip in deeper, knees deep, you're starting to curl up in their warm stomach, one more gulp and you're all the way in, the warmth definitely helps with the pains which you know will heal and fade while you rest here, just like the bruise the Red Knight had given you on your wrist when they grabbed you a few months ago.

The Jester drags thier fingers across thier belly, smiling with affectionately and drawing soothing patterns on the bulge you make in their gut. Your ask them softly and curious "what did to that other woman?" The Jester blinks, "Altered her memory, as far as she knows the Blue Knight attacked her and the Red Knight killed the other." There's silence again, before you speak in a subdued tone as they begin to walk, "the folding cart is still outside the alley." The Jester laughs softly, "I know darling, I'm grabbing it right now, then we'll head home. The Jester wouldn't dare forget what his sweet snack left their little home for. I'm going to spoil you when we get back. The Jester will put your cart in their hammer space, so just snuggle up in there for now you tasty thing." You hums tiredly and do just that as The Jester takes the long way home so they can take the time to heal your wounds before they take care of you and spoil you with your favorite food and movies.

#tw death #tw physical assault #tw verbal assault #willing prey #soft vore #safe vore #vore.#v0re #v0r3 #v.ore #v*re #vo.re #vor.e #🃏🔔🎀

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lailoken · 3 years ago

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“:Pharmacopoeia: [Pt. 2]

Acacia (Acacia spp.). The Blossoms, as well as the Leaves of Our Tree, may be added to the bathwater for the magical work of Fortification, or nourishing and strengthening the Mind and Spirit. 55 grams of the fresh blooms, steeped in one litre of boiling water for 20 minutes, provides a virtuous Balneum.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum, O. sanctum). A Bath made from strong infusions of Fresh Basil is a superior Solar Rite of Self-Love. The friendly Genius of this plant aids in fortifying Courage and Will, as well as lending clarity of Mind. For this purpose, steep two handfuls of fresh sprigs, leaves, and flowers in one litre of boiling water for 20 minutes before straining and adding to the bath. Stronger infusions lend more power, especially when the spicy leaves are employ'd as a scrub. Basil is efficacious for charms drawing lovers, or money.

Broom (Cytisus spp.). Regard'd as a pest by farmers and some botanists, our Herb makes for a virtuous lustration. In particular, it owns the powers of obsta- cle-breaking and motivation, and is specially good at disrupting inertia. For a hot bath, steep between 150- 250 dried blossoms or approximately 300 fresh in 1.5 litres of boiling water. After steeping 30 minutes, strain and add to the bath.

Calamus (Acorus calamus). Our Root may pleasingly be added to ritual baths prior to magical workings, especially those involving sexual magics or oracular work. Calamus has strong affinities with the water element and was employed in the Herb-sorcery of ancient Egypt and Sumer. Harvesting the fresh root from bog or marsh is preferred, as the spicy root-odour is so much more alluring fresh than the rank, wither'd nubs from the Apothecary's jar! For a strong decoction, employ 33 grams of the fresh Root, or 50 of the dried; bring to a boil in one litre of water, and steep for 15 minutes. Most Essential Oil of Calamus commonly available is of dubious quality. Let the Skill'd One distill oil from living, vigourous roots and use sparingly in Bath and Balm.

Carnation (Dianthus spp.). Gillyflowers, as Carnations were known to the medieval apothecary, are an excellent agent of simultaneous Exorcism and Invigoration, a friendly spirit most pleasing to the gods. Carnation baths prior to works of High Magick rival both Agrimony and Vervain in efficacy. Of fragrant carnation, take 40 blossoms and infuse in a litre of cold water for 3-5 hours. Add this infused water, along with the flowers themselves and a few fresh ones, to a lukewarm or cool bath. Employ the flowers to scrub the body.

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita). Perhaps the most comforting Herb taken as a bath, Chamomile is excellent for reducing trauma, and may be considered an elemental correspondence of the Watery Part of Earth temper'd by the Warm Virtues of Sol. For a healthful slumber or to relieve extreme nervous tension, a bath may be made with the fragrant blossoms, and will readily offer its Gifts. Use 50 g. of the flowers steeped in 1 litre of boiling water. A strong infusion of the golden Blossoms makes an excellent traditional gambling potion for washing the hands prior to throwing dice or cards. If using Essential Oil of Blue Chamomile, add 3-5 drops to the bath, increasing as desired.

Chaste Berry ( Vitex agnus-castus). The Candomblè abô, or sacred baths, employ various species of Vitex against the Evil Eye; 'tis also esteem'd as a suffumigant. Of the dried or fresh berries, use a decoction of 18 g. of the Herb to 450 ml. boiling water. Of the leaves, use 33 grams in 650 millilitres of water.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum). The Genius of Our Bark invigorates and fortifies, but it is especially skilled at promoting the powers of Harmony. Thus a Cinnamon ablution serves prior to a confrontation where a harmonious outcome is desired. Other excellent uses for this bath are as a preparation for Sexual Magic workings with a partner, or for fertility rites of conception. For a Cinnamon bath, make a strong decoction of 60 grams of crumbled twigs or chips in 550 millilitres of water. Avoid the Essential Oil as it is a dermal irritant and lacks certain Virtues of the Genius present only in the bark.

Cymbopogon (Cymbopogon spp.) A fragrant and wondrous plant genus which includes a number of different species of fragrant, tropical grasses. Three are widely known and prais'd, especially in the form of their Essential Oils rendered up as True Gold by fractional distillation; these are Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus), Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii), and Citronella (Cymbopogon nar-dus). All bear exquisite perfume and are suit'd to cleansing of the Oratory as well as the Brethren and Sisters of the Wise who enter the Temple. For infusions, use 44 grams of chopp'd rhizome and grass to 600 millilitres boiling water, steeped thirty minutes. The Oleum Essentia may be used freely in Compound'd Mists.

Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menzesii). Not a True Fir in botanical nomenclature, Our Tree is nevertheless a fast-growing evergreen conifer with an Eager Spirit of Cleansing. Native to North America, it is now widely cultur'd for its versatile timber. Its pitch excels as a fumigant and the citrus-odour'd Leaves make an excellent Philtre of Cleansing and Exorcism. Several American Indian nations in the Tree's native range traditionally employ'd a decoction of the branches and twigs as a purifying body-wash in sweathouse rites. For a wash or asperge, a strong decoction may be made with a generous handful of the pulverized leaves or green branches boil'd twenty minutes in 650 millilitres of water and strained. These potent leaves render up their Goodness in tincture by means of Aqua Angelis; indeed, the Green Magus skill'd in extractions will know this to be true.

Fir (Abies spp.). The leaves -needles, as they are known- are employ'd for their magical properties of Illumination and Inspiration. Several handfuls of the young shoots may be decocted in a litre of water. This is an appropriate ablution for rites of Pan, especially if the sorcerer is to invoke the rustic god, for this is His Tree. If employing essential oil of Fir, begin with 3 drops in bathwater.

Geranium, Scent'd (Pelargonium spp.). Scent'd Geraniums proceed forth from the Mansions of the Greenwood like a parade of fair-odourd jewels, remarkable in beauty and divers aromas. Almost all species of Pelargonium wield potencies of Banishing and Exorcism, and simultaneously the Power of Brightening: these spirits encourage great cheer unto all wherever their virtues extend. Rose, citrus, mint, nutmeg, pine, and even chocolate-scent'd varieties may be found, having unique aromatic notes that provoke, in addition to the aforemention'd qualities, a most unsettling Strangeness of Thought. One handful of the whole leaves, infused in 600 millilitres boiling water, produces a fragrant and potent liquid useful against noisome spirits. Tincture freely.

Hops (Humulus lupulus). Baths of the Herb are, in general, soporific and useful to allay Moods. A bath made with 50 grams of the dried fragrant blossoms, steeped in a litre of boiling water, will provide calm. However, by acquaintance with a friendly hop-farmer, or tending the Vine oneself, one may make use of the spicy blossoms, peerless newly-gather'd, and in no way compare to the inferior dried Herb, many of whose Virtues have fled upon dessication.

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis). Ours is an Herb of the Mint Family possessing supreme antibacterial virtues. Hyssop was used, in times of European plague, along with Juniper, for strewing and combatting the Vapours of Affliction. It has a long history of being used to consecrate spaces and persons prior to magical workings. An ancient recipe for Hyssop Water, used for purification of the Sorcerer prior to the Work, is made thus: "A bunch of vervain, fennel, lavender, sage, valerian, mint, garden basil, rosemary, and hyssop gathered in the day and hour of Mercury, bound together with a thread, spun by a young maiden, when dipped in water and sprinkled, will chase away all phantoms that shall hinder or annoy." A simpler infusion may be made with 40 grams of the Herb steep'd in I litre of boiling water.

Jasmine (Jasminum officinale). The Jasmine belongs to the Olive family, known as Oleaceae, from which so many beneficial and virtuous Herbs proceed, so we may take refuge in its noble lineage. When considering the types of magic Jasmine may be put to in sorcery, Lust and magnification of the Sexual powers are first and foremost. For men, this is the Spirit of Satyros; for women, the charms of the Nymphae. For magics of Attraction it is unparallel'd, as well as in Sexual or Nubility rites. Unfortunately, the range of the plant is very limited, and in northern latitudes must be grown in a glasshouse. One may employ the oil, known as Jasmine Absolute, in the quantity of drops per 100 litres of water (Jasmine absolute is costly; thus the oil amount is also a consideration of frugality) or, if access to a blooming Jasmine is assured, about 80 flowers added directly to the bath. Two false-Jasmines are worth mentioning, as both have similar, though less pronounced, magical virtues as the classic Jasmine. The first is a hardy plant known Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides); the second is Potato Jasmine (Solanum jasminoides). Both may commonly be found at nurseries. Of the two, the former has a richer and more complex scent. Both plants are prolific bloomers in a variety of cultural conditions. For a hot bath, use at least 75 blossoms of Star Jasmine; or at least 100 of Solanaceous Jasmine. For a cold bath, knead 30-100 flowers of each kind into four litres of water and pour liberally on head and body, letting the perfumed waters air-dry on the skin.

Juniper (Juniperus spp.) For treating nervous conditions, a bath made with the Berries and fronds is much esteemed. A handful or two of the fresh, pulverized Shoots and Fruits may be ground and placed in a cheesecloth bag and add'd to the hot water of an ablution, several minutes before entering. Dried leaves may be used as well; a purposeful decoction can be made from 33 grams of the dried leaves, simmered in 1.5 litres of water for 20 minutes.

Larch (Larix spp.). Rare though the tree is in the literature of sorcery, its virtues should not be overlooked by those living beneath its branches. A strong spirit of Courage, Triumph, and Protection, the Genius of the Larix will stoutly defend all who are its allies. An ablution of Larch leaves is noted for its properties of Centering and Inspiration, as well as Fortifying and Invigorating the spirit of the warrior riding into battle. Make a decoction using 1.5 litres of boiling water, in which are simmer'd 85 grams of the young shoots, well-chopped, for twenty minutes. Strain the brew and add to the bath. Galangal (Kaempheria galanga ; Alpinia galanga). Washing one's hands in a tea brewed from Galangal root is a potent charm for success in gambling, as Root Doctors and other Voudou sorcerers know. The Root's magical provenance of empowering the Derma is, in a similar way, hail'd by Ritual Magicians who blend its Oleum Essentia into the famed Oil of Abramelin. For use as a potion or hand-wash, employ 40 grams of the fresh Root in 1 litre of water; bring to boil, then simmer in a covered vessel for 15-20 minutes. If circumstances force use of the dried Root, employ double the amount, as many of the virtues have, by this time, escaped into the aethyrs. For ablutions prior to magical rites, the amount may be increased greatly according to Need.

Maize (Zea mays). A number of Yoruba-derived religions in the Americas employ Maize as an Ally for women in childbirth. In Candomblè abô, Maize is sometimes added to the bathwater. Sweet corn may be knead'd in cold water for an Enchanted Bath that summons all the good things provided by the Sun and Jove; such magics might encompass general Beneficence, Healing, or the sudden influx of monies, goods, or knowledge.

Mint (Mentha spp.) The Herb is easily grown and readily dominates moist ground. Strong infusions are an excellent feature of a cleansing brew or as an adjunct with other Herbs. Peppermint and Spearmint are very easily found, the former being somewhat more aggressive in magical action. Infuse 80 grams of the fresh, chopp'd Herb in 1 litre of boiling water for twenty minutes, using a plant press to press the marc dry.

Orange (Citrus aurantium). For the purpose of an enchanted Bath, three parts needs concern us. The first is the fragrant leaf, whose goodness reaches its peak just prior to flowering. These leaves, crush'd, steeped in cold water, added to the bath, promote much of the same simultaneous relaxation and stimulation as does Lavender, but with a Solar, rather than a Mercurial, emphasis. 150-200 grams of the fresh leaves, mashed in a solitary litre of lukewarm or cool water, suffices to provoke a most pleasant perfume. The gentle flowers, also called Neroli, may be added to the Bath in the quantity of 50-90 blossoms: it is recommended that they be added directly to the water, and their petals used to scrub the body. Their virtues tend toward Beauty, Invigoration, Fortification, and Lust. The rind of the fruit also possesses much virtue and may be made into a hot infusion, to bring Joviality or thwart rude spirits. Employ 100 grams of the rind, steeped in 1 litre of boiling water for 30 minutes. Scrupulously avoid using citrus Essential Oils in the bath: it can irritate the Derma and increase photosensitivity.

Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium). Another True Mint, Pennyroyal exceeds in cleansing virtue both Spearmint and Peppermint, and possesses a vigilant warrior Genius which gleefully annihilates flocculum abomini. In this, she is best used as an Asperge, Wash or Mist. Similar in many ways to Hyssop, her principles are well-retain'd in tincture, though infusions are also impeccable. The sorcerer is enjoin'd to employ the whole herb when flowering, as the blossoms provide added banishing vigour, without compromising the integrity of the Leaf. 50 grams of well-leav'd infloresences, cut and mashed, steep'd in a litre of boiling water for twenty minutes, yields a masterful infusion. As the Herb has strong action on the Womb, baths of Pennyroyal should be avoided by pregnant women as a general precaution. Pennyroyal gives a fine tincture, especially in ethanol exceeding the proof of 100.

Pericon (Tagetes lucida). Decoctions of the fragrant plant have been used for healing and purifying baths, but it is difficult to procure outside Mexico. As this is an Herb with a potent and varied magical pedigree, seeds are worth seeking, so invite this marvelous Green Spirit into the magical garden. A decoction may be made using 50 grams of the fresh, chopped herb, including the stems and whole blossoms, in one litre of water. Boil and simmer in a covered vessel for 5 minutes, allowing the decoction to sit off the fire for an additional ten minutes. Of greater excellence is a strong infusion, employing 100 leaves steeped in 350 millilitres of boiling water.

Pine (Pinus spp.). To convoke the genii of the Imaginal Mind, an invigorating Bath may be made with the young shoots. Several handfuls, after they have been truly ground, may be add'd to the hot bathwater some minutes before 'immer- sion. For a Balneum of superior strength, simmer 65 grams of fresh, chopp'd Pine needles in 1.5 litres of water for 20 minutes; strain, and add to bath.

Rose (Rosa spp.). A warm or cold infusion of the petals may be used for Ablutions of Fortification, that is to say, beautification, and the gentle but potent repair of injured psychic structures. Rose may also be employed in the magical manner of Balm of Gilead, a rare and precious resin now virtually impossible to obtain, known for its powers of consolation to the Heart. Roses may be used fresh or in the form of Rose Water; Rose Absolute may augment the Balneum in the quantity of a half dozen to ten drops in the hot water. Rose water is a supreme Asperge, especially for purposes of Consecration, and may be used in the form of a Mist. Rose water or Hydrosol are readily available. A Compound'd Mist may be made using the Standard Formula with 4 drops Otto of Rose.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). In general, this Herb has a strong and ancient association with mankind, and has serv'd as an Ally in many Endeavours. It is abhorrent to most Foul Spirits and entirely appropriate for their dispersion. For treating nervous conditions, a bath made with the fragrant Leaves, has been much esteem'd, and if flowers be gathered in sufficient quantity, their powers exceed that of the Leaves by a factor of three. A hearty infusion is generated of 70 grams of chopp'd sprigs to 800 millilitres of boiling water, steeped for half an hour. Better still is the Essential Oil, extracted by one's own cunning or obtain'd from a good distiller. A Compound Mist of Rosemary is made by dissolving 40 drops of Essential Oil of Rosemary in a single fluid ounce of Perfumer's Alcohol, then adding 80 ml. of distill'd water. This may be mixed and added to the Atomizer. To commune with Rosemary Spirits, retire at sunset to a candlelit bath chamber, drawing the hottest water possible. Burn dried rosemary leaves and wood continually as an incense of beckoning pleasing to the plant. Into the water pour two litres of masterfully-strong decoction of the plant's leaves and flowers, as well as five large Rosemary branches, freshly cut, leaving some hardwood and greenwood stem in the water. Immerse into this Fragrant Potion, covering as much of the body as possible, beckoning the plant as the Mind is subsumed by Green Reverie.

Rue (Ruta gravaeolens). Rue has an ancient magical pedigree of exorcism and protection from Maleficia, especially the Evil Eye. Baths of strong Rue infusions are useful for persons harass'd in the night hours by unwanted spirits. Conversely, in some streams of popular lore, sorcerers of malign intent utilized Rue in potions to effect destructive magic. Our Herb works as a hot infusion, added to a hot bath, or a cold infusion, kneaded in water and poured over the body. For the former, steep 50 grams of Rue in 1.5 litres of boiling water for 30 minutes, then strain and add to the bath. For a cold bath, knead 65 grams of fresh Rue in 2-3 litres of water in the Ritual Bowl for 20-30 minutes, invoking the Genius of the Herb as the leaves are shredded. This philtre should then be poured solemnly over head and body in small cupfuls. As an herbal medicament Rue possesses abortifacient properties; pregnant women should avoid a Balneum with strong Rue content, as it may adversely affect some sensitive individuals.

Sage (Salvia officinalis). Harvested fresh, well-steep'd, strained and added to the Bath, Culinary Sage is an impeccable friend for the magical purposes of Illumination. Of the fresh or dried leaves, one should steep 55 grams in a litre of boiling water. It is advised that for longer, more deeply-focused Baths, one may wish to burn the dried leaves as an accompanying incense. Sage wood and twigs contain additional virtues especially suited for Determination and Focus; these may be decocted in a ratio of 30-50 grams of the twigs to 1 litre of water. Other Sage species, while their Genii vary considerably, are also appropriate for Illuminating and Fortifying Work, such as White Sage (Salvia apiana); Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans); and Black Sage (Salvia mellifera), the latter resonating with Cain of the Forge.

Sagebrush (Artemisia spp.). Verily, without doubt, and truly: Our Gray Lady of the Waste is a peerless Ally for driving off rank Ghosts of Offense. Numerous species of desert Artemisia are all known as Sagebrush. A number of North American nations used various species of wild sagebrush as a cleansing bath, sometimes following the Sun Dance, or in sweat lodges. Many tribes burned the plant at the beginning of ceremonies, to both purify and "open the ways". A philtre from the Herb may be made by way of Solar infusion: put 40 grams of the fresh Herb into a 1-litre jar, fill with water, and allow to steep in the sun at least 5 hours. This should then be strain'd and used at room temperature to wash the body, much in the manner of Rue. For a traditional bath, steep 60 grams of the fresh Herb in a litre of boiling water for 20 minutes. Strain and add to bath.

Sassafras (Sassafras albidum). Prior to entering situations in which one will assuredly be under spiritual attack, a Balneum of Sassafras Leaves will provide a protective armour. Use 40 grams of the dried leaves steeped in 1 litre of boiling water for 45 minutes, or better still, knead 80 leaves in 3 litres of cold water. The bark is also efficacious; decoct 20 grams in 750 millilitres of water for 20 minutes. Avoid the Essential Oil for all but the most powerful Asperges.

Spruce (Picea spp.). A strong decoction of 75 grams of the fresh, pulverized shoots may be added to the hot water of the Balneum; in this way the Genius of the plant will especially grant the powers of Illumination. Such baths with Spruce are naturally balancing to the body's streams of power, and stimulate the nerves. Virtuous floor-washes can be brewed with Branches of Spruce for purifying funerary rites, keeping the ghost of the deceased from lingering. In Sweden, Spruce needles are placed as a Ward outside a church to keep trolls away. The fresh leaves, chopped and beaten, may be drown'd in Perfumer's Alcohol for one lunation, yielding an Emerald Essence of great savour to the Nose and Spirit. The beneficence of this Philtre where routing septic spiritual matter is concern'd is readily demonstrated. Strong infusions or decoctions of Spruce, also excel as asperges prior to collective works of magic.

Tobacco (Nicotiana spp.). Decoctions or infusions of varying strengths may be used. The chief powers lent are the attraction of Beneficent Spirits, the type of which may be of aid in all manner of sorcery, but particularly those imparting informations from the depths of the Astral Well; or those promoting the increase of Wealth. Those bearing the Arms of the Warrior are advised that one may also conjure, with Our Good Leaf, the principalities resonant with the acts of Conquest and Acquisition, or Mars in Good Favour with Saturn. For ablutions, the preferr'd method is to employ 65 grams of the fresh leaves, knead'd in 2 litres of cold water, steeping for half an hour, then employ'd in a cold bath.

Valerian (Valeriana officianalis). A strong decoction of the fragrant, chopped Root may be employed for a Purification or Relaxation bath. Use 20 grams of the dried Root to 750 millilitres of water, simmered for 20 minutes. If, by the good graces of the spirits, the plant dwells within thy Medicine Garden, there is no more pleasant a Root-Bath than that freshest radix given us by Valeriana; 33 grams, mashed well, infused into a 450 millilitres of hot water, and a similar amount infused in cold water, adding both to the bath.

Vervain ( Verbena spp.). A certain folk potion of Old known as Juno's Tears was made from Vervain steeped in water; the resulting extraction was used for house-cleansing, and possessed an uncanny aptitude for chasing Noxious Spirits. When the fresh plant is employ'd, a quantity of flowering tops in the amount of 30 grams should be used, well-steeped in 800 millilitres of boiling water for half an hour. The herb merchant generally sells Vervain in its dried form, the Leaf being cut and sifted, but with blossoms absent. Of dried Vervain, use 45 grams in a litre of boiling water, steeped 30 minutes.

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium spp.). A fragrant plant of the Sunflower kin, Our Herb makes a fine restorative Balneum. 50 grams of the plant, with fresh, flowering tops preferred, steeped in one and one half litres of boiling water for the space of 20 minutes, creates an ablution that aids in helping the Flights of Mind achieve concrescence. In accordance, this bath is esteemed for divination, wherein Spirit becomes flesh in the form of a Hallow'd Sign. All Artemisia species are hallowed unto Lilith, and especially Dragon Worwmood (Artemisia dracunculus), known to the vulgar as Tarragon. According to lore, this plant sprouted on the ground trodden by the Crafty Old Serpent after he was expel- I'd from the Garden. Dragon Wormwood and Absinthe Wormwood are both appropriate herbs for dedicatory baths unto Liliya.”

—

‘5: Of The Balneum Sagax’

Ars Philtron:

Concerning the Aqueous Cunning of the Potion and its Praxis in the Green Arte Magical

by Daniel A. Schulke

#traditional withcraft #grimoire #sabbatic witchcraft #sabbatic tradition #cultus sabbati #sabbatic craft #daniel a. schulke #poison path #Ars Philtron

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