#what i need does not yet seem to exist. or would require superhuman strength.

[krawdad]

Actually I think I trust a power tool to take impacts without slowly breaking itself apart more than a probably overpriced fitness lifestyle type device

The game is, I guess, only doing enough damage to separate scar tissue while not like. Creating more.

[theastromancer]

Sun in Aquarius

“The symbol for Aquarius, ♒️, represents waves of air, or electricity. The ancients saw the image of air as showing the nature of Aquarius. In modern times we see an association with electric current. People born with the Sun in Aquarius possess the qualities of the air and electricity.

Aquarius is the water- bearer pouring water from a jug representing the quality of air to carry and distribute all things that renew and refresh. The water-bearer epitomizes the ideal of human friendship, the quencher of thirst and the reliever of suffering. Electric current sparks, energizes, and makes possible the technology that can relieve human need and suffering.

Air creates the space where all can be and exist in relative freedom, yet all must share.The air serves all equally, without prejudice or exception, for the common good. Aquarian’s are learning that being a good friend is not an easy idea to uphold, and that it requires a discipline and compassion that seems almost superhuman. Aquarius represents a very evolved state of consciousness, it is the second to last sign in the zodiac, and asks us to do something extraordinary. Aquarius represents the Divine potential of human idealism, not easily realized, but nonetheless ultimately what is needed.

We all depend on one another for survival and companionship. The water-bearer represents the altruistic ideals that human existence is dependent on and that cannot be forsaken. No one can be denied air or water and survive for very long. Without water, a plant or animal can only live a few days, nothing grows, and food would not be available. Without air, though, no living thing lasts more than a few minutes. The water-bearer shows us that the ideal of friendship, community and coexistence cannot exist. The water-bearer is not a warrior, but rather a humanitarian, and does not react to or deny anyone, but rather delivers the help and relief wherever it is needed. The water-bearer is the true friend who is there when you need him or her.

For Aquarius, friendship is paramount. They will do anything for their friends. They are idealistic and are attracted to causes affecting the greater community. They bond with others who have like ideals and can be avant-garde or unconventional. Aquarians spontaneously perceive the way to improve conditions and solve puzzles, and even when they are conventional, their idealism is still part of whatever they get involved in. They are principled, innovative, devoted, and loyal.

Aquarians are very idealistic, and because of this they can be judgmental and reactionary. They will look at the attitudes and politics of another or a community and judge according to their Aquarian ideals. They can be attracted to organizations that work toward the betterment of humanity, or they can be attracted to counterculture groups that react to the contradictions they see in society or in their social conditions. Aquarius can be creative, inventive, original, and progressive but can also be destructive, reactionary, unconventional, eccentric, or deviant, and it is up to Aquarius to learn the difference.

Aquarians just want to be a friend and be helpful. Sometimes their tendency to bond so strongly with another or a group causes them to adopt the impassioned sentiments of the other or the group. They take up philosophies, lifestyles, fashions, social attitudes, and such and derive their identity from their associations. They just want to be a friend and so go along with the movement of the collective pulse. They are principled but sometimes let their impassioned identification with what is to them popular override their individual sense of what is right and wrong. They can commit or support acts that, if they were to step back and look, would be seen as reactionary, confrontational, dissociative, or unfriendly toward certain others. They may not see the contradiction this is to their ideals.

Aquarians can be detached. Their idealism tends to cause them to intellectualize relationships. Their identification with their own ideals can cause them to be intensely independent. Even though they do bond with others, their ideals keep them separate and real intimacy and receptivity may be resisted. They have more of a friendship than a romantic attitude toward relationships. They can be eccentric and try to establish relationships that are unorthodox or experimental with mixed results. Their ideals about how a community should be can separate them from the community they are concerned for and really want to be a part of.

Life is mostly about the people we spend time with. This is so important that we tend to depend on others for our strength or to tell us what is right or wrong. We are exclusive in our friendships. We are friends with this person and not with that. We identify with this group and disassociate with another. We are loyal to one faction and therefore the other becomes our rival. The most important lesson Aquarius is here to learn is to see its own contradictions.

The task for Aquarians is to examine what is in their heart and be brave enough to stand up for it. Sometimes it is necessary for Aquarians to stand alone when their friends or group have a thought or want to do something that goes against what Aquarians know in their heart, but, if they don’t forsake the convictions of friendship, eventually, when others finally see the wisdom of Aquarians’ choice and example, they will not only be invited back, but probably will be asked to lead. Aquarians are natural born community builders and the goal is unity, not separation.

The best strategy for Aquarians is to stay the course, to listen to what their heart is telling them, not to disassociate from others, but rather to promote the ideals of friendship in their attitude and in their actions, and, by doing so, help to break down the barriers of exclusivity and nationalism and encourage an ever-expanding unity of brother/sisterhood.

Selfishness causes Aquarians to disassociate from others and be concerned mostly with their own independence, and the exclusively selected groups with mutually shared causes that determine their friendships and associations. Aquarians’ desire is that others recognize their special uniqueness and acknowledge their genius. It is difficult for Aquarians to see their own selfishness, because, in their dealings within the community, they see a world that does not live up to the common ideals of freedom, friendship, and community and feel like they are just being innovative. And the confusion comes because they are right that everyone must be ingenious and creative in helping to cause social change yet at the same time remember inter-dependency. Selfishness causes Aquarians to rationalize what is right and wrong and confuse the lines of righteousness by justifying being reactionary toward what they perceive as unrighteous. Aquarians are here to learn and discover that their ability to unite people rests in the ability to be an example that never compromises the ideals of friendship and community.

The discovery and use of electricity has revolutionized the world. Through its humanitarian application, the world’s problems can be alleviated. Aquarius’s message to the world is that we are all part of an interconnected, interdependent family. Aquarius says that the sense of friendship must be our guide in all our interactions. Aquarius must clarify and purify it’s heart to view with compassion the mistakes of others and wish only to help. Aquarians must not allow a reactionary view of the world to cause them to be self-serving or to use their creative genius to support exclusivity. It is only through identifying with being human oneself that one is able to understand how to be truly humanitarian.

Only the Divine knows truly the way to unite all people. By focusing their meditation on the opening of the Heart Chakra, Aquarians learn to be guided by the will of the Divine, to love one another, and to become the solution they wish to see in the world, the innovative, pioneering, resourceful example and inspiration the world needs.

When the Sun is in Aquarius, the Earth is in Leo. Aquarius focuses on the ideals, while Leo focuses on the personal expression of the ideals. Aquarius finds balance and harmony within itself when it focuses on developing a Leo perspective. Aquarius’s nature is to focus on the issues and causes of righteousness in the world; therefore focusing instead on one’s own inner righteousness brings balance to the Aquarius expression.

Earth in Leo

Earth in Leo, when the Sun is in Aquarius, indicates that Aquarians find completion when they focus on their inner honesty and developing genuine compassion in themselves. When Earth is in Leo, the social being that is Aquarius learns how to be a true friend through making sure to not compromise what one knows to be good i one’s efforts to bring about change. This friendly personality finds a way to connect and form alliances when it focuses on Leo goodheartness. Leo teaches Aquarius that it is a good heart that can see a good heart in others. This gives revolutionary Aquarius inner strength and a measure for truth, and facilitates and satisfies Aquarius’s need to serve the just cause. When Aquarius Sun becomes balanced with a Leo Earth, the Divinely inspired vision of community meets its most beloved citizen and the holy communion manifests.”

—Divine Love Astrology

[devilmaycry-arts]

Vergil

I knew all the info but reading this was is still interesting these character profiles are missing the events and info from the Dmc Anime and Dmc 4.

Intro: Vergil is Dante’s twin brother, another son of the Legendary Dark Knight Sparda and his human bride Eva. Alike Dante, he is half human and half demon, and so possesses amazing powers and abilities, however Vergil has chosen a very different path for himself. Whereas Dante has dedicated himself to hunting and killing demons, Vergil has become solely obsessed with gaining more power, no matter the cost. Powers and abilities: At a basic level, Dante and Vergil have extremely similar, if not identical abilities and powers. It is in fact stated in the manga, that they were born with “identical faces, identical powers” However, the two have very different combat styles, developed and trained at different rates, and utilise their gifts in very different ways, and so, they now demonstrate/manifest very different abilities to each other. Despite this, I would definitely assume they both share near identical natural powers. Vergil is alike Dante, gifted with superhuman speed and strength, and due to incredible regeneration abilities, he has amazing endurance, his wounds healing near instantly. As a secondary character we don’t see as much of Vergil though, and his powers have not been tested as far or as often as Dante’s during the games. He has also not been subjected to as much punishment as Dante, so we have not seen his regeneration tested in many ways. Again, despite this, it is logical to assume his regeneration works in the same way as Dante’s does, (i.e. Vergil also, can’t be cut up, as by the time the blade has sliced through him, the wound has healed over already. Possibly seen in his final battle of DMC3, were it seems Dante cuts him clean through the torso, yet he stays whole) and that Vergil can survive all the things Dante can/has. These include, gunshots to the face and body, multiple stab wounds, being impaled, smashed into the ground by a large demon etc. Therefore, also alike Dante, Vergil can be worn down by continuous attacks, and when he is tired or consistently/badly wounded (which makes him tired anyway), he is far more susceptible to damage. If really exhausted and beaten, Vergil can pretty much be killed by anything that would usually be fatal to a human. Speaking of rumoured natural ability, in Dante’s profile it is discussed how he can seemingly master any weapon he picks up nearly instantly. Vergil also demonstrates this ability, although again it is unknown if it is due to a wide knowledge of different weapons and fighting styles which he can adapt to anything he gets, or some kind of natural power/superhuman intelligence that lets him learn skills and master combat styles at a far faster rate than a human. (I repeat- not academic intelligence) Again, we do not see as much of Vergil using this power, and in fact in Vergils case it can only really be seen in the case of the Beowulfs, which might just have been a display of already present martial arts ability. And unlike Dante who just takes whatever he gets, apparently enjoying the variety and fun he can have with each weapon, Vergil seems to instead base his use of a weapon on if it is powerful enough to be worthy of his attention. (When he receives the Beowulfs, he give them a brief test run before presumably deciding to use them) Once he does find a new worthy weapon however, he seamlessly incorporates it into his fighting style. Due to Vergils more discerning eye, (and perhaps Dante stealin up all the weapons and killing all the gatekeepers himself) he only carries a small selection of preferred weapons of choice. Also, whereas Dante’s abilities in DMC3 are fragmented, Vergil has but one “style” when playable, which is known as Dark Slayer. In its description it states, “The power of darkness gives birth to all kinds of new abilities” so we could easily assume that these powers come from Vergils acceptance of his demonic side and the darkness within him. Dark Slayer is mostly based around various advanced teleportation techniques. Using these skills, Vergil is an extremely skilled teleporter, although, he is only seen teleporting over relatively short distances. Vergil also possesses the ability to magically generate ghostly floating swords in the air around him, which he can then fire at enemies. As stated in his DMC3 file, Vergil refuses to use guns (except in that unique “Jackpot” scene with Dante), as he doesn’t see them as weapons of a true warrior. So instead he makes use of these “summoned swords” when at range. He has exceptional skill summoning and manipulating these blades, demonstrating various formations and techniques with them, although the more advanced summoned sword skills, which involve generating groups of them, are quite draining, and use up demonic energy. When they hit, the swords shatter like glass, and it is interesting to point out that in design, the summoned swords are actually ghostly forms of the Force Edge. The very thing Vergil so desperately wants in DMC3. (Perhaps he has deliberately made them this form, or it is a subconscious thing, or, most likely, it is just a completely unimportant aesthetical element) It has also been suggested, that the source of Dante’s infinite ammo when using guns, is a similar power to what Vergil is using to create these swords out of seemingly nothing. i.e. Dante is magically generating the ammunition into his weapons. (Further development and theory of this idea has led to the suggestion the twins are using some form of alchemy- this is as yet circumstantial) Also like his brother, many of Vergil’s powers come from his use of “devil arms” weapons that either were once demons themselves, are charged with demonic powers, or contain a demon. These usually must be earned, either by defeating the demon, or enduring a test, as generally in order to use a devil arm, you must first prove yourself worthy to the demonic presence in the weapon. Vergil’s demonic blood means that he cannot only wield these weapons, but he can access and channel their powers. When using a devil arm, Vergil can be granted a selection of new abilities. One of Vergils signature abilities, another one he shares with Dante, is that he can “devil trigger”, and assume a demonic form. However, he discovered/unlocked this skill before Dante did. In DT, Vergil is considerably more powerful. He is stronger, faster, and he takes far less damage. He even heals faster, if possible. Vergil requires a devil arm to DT, channelling the demonic essence in the weapon through him using his demonic blood. This means that depending on the weapon he is using, the DT will look different, and have different powers, reflective of the devil arm itself. Vergil can only stay in this form for a short time, as it costs him considerable demonic power, and is rather draining. Vergil’s powers and abilities as Nelo Angelo are discussed later. History: Dante and Vergils earliest history is for the most part unknown. Sparda died sometime during their childhood, and some even say they never met their father. However there is evidence that both the Sparda brothers did know him, at least long enough to form an opinion of him, as it states in Dante’s Code 1 profile, Vergil “reminds him of his father”, who was “cold-hearted”, and if Vergil has successfully emulated his father so, he probably had a living model to base himself on. This is of course, only speculative and the evidence is circumstantial. After Spardas death, Dante and Vergil were raised by their mother, Eva, in a house on the outskirts of town. Both received half of an amulet. Dante was very close to Eva, and Vergil apparently was jealous of their relationship and felt she loved Dante more than him. Then when Dante and Vergil were around 8, demons attacked their house. Eva told Dante to hide, and from his hiding spot, he saw his mother brutally murdered. The demons then reported everyone dead and when they left, Dante thought both Eva and Vergil had been killed. Vergil’s real whereabouts during the attack are currently unknown. However, there is a scene within code 2 of the DMC3 manga where Vergil is put through a mental test by a demon. This featured a complex hallucination, wherein Vergil appeared around 8-10 years old, and is in a cemetery, naked, carrying only the Yamato sword, under attack by a legion of demons. As he is impaled against a gravestone by their spears, and even the Yamato itself, Vergil remarks that the scene is familiar. This is perhaps a nightmarish interpretation or twisted version of what happened to him that night. This is however speculative, and as it was a demon inspired hallucination, cannot be trusted as fact or explicit truth. The next 10 years of Vergil’s life are as yet completely unexplained. It is unknown where he was, how he survived, if he went to school, what he was doing in that time, if anyone raised or looked after him etc. In fact, Dante (and likely everyone) continued to believe Vergil was dead until the DMC3 manga, when he resurfaces. (It is also not definitely known if Vergil knew Dante was alive, and if he did, when he found out) DMC3 Vergil Like Dante, Vergil was deeply affected by his mothers’ death, and suffers from a powerful self-loathing due to his hybrid existence. However, unlike Dante, who is sickened by his demonic side and the darkness within him, Vergil instead despises his human side. Vergil sees his emotions as a cancer constantly poisoning him, making him weak and incomplete, unworthy. There are various fan theories and interpretations of Vergils motives, many believe that he secretly holds himself responsible for Eva’s death, as he was not strong enough to protect his family, or even himself, and that his experiences have led him to believe that in order to have control over (and protect) yourself, your life and what you care about, you need power. This is popularly based on Vergils line to Dante “without power you can protect nothing, especially yourself” Although it has been put forward this was directed at Dante’s struggle to defend the humans, but still he refuses taking the power necessary to do it, or that Vergil was remarking ironically on the fact Dante is too weak to save even himself, never mind everyone/anyone else. The topic remains a matter of interpretation. It is however stated in his manga profile that he seeks power to “validate his existence”. Vergil clearly admires and emulates his father. Sparda was strong, powerful, a true warrior (he could have defended Eva against that attack, in fact) It certainly appears that Vergil wants to be like him. After all, it is from his father’s side Vergil’s strength comes from, his demonic side; his weakness comes from his humanity. In his eyes that humanity that what holds him back and makes him unworthy (of the legacy of Sparda, of life and living). Vergil therefore believes that if he gains enough power, he can become worthy again, a complete being rather than an incomplete and corrupted halfling. This will be in his eyes validating his existence. Just like Dante, it is his endless rage and self-hatred that drives him. However, whatever the reasoning was behind Vergils quest for power, it has become his obsession, and has consumed him utterly over the years. When Dante asks him what he will use all that power for, Vergil has no answer. And one of the greatest ironies of all is that although Vergil wants to be like his father, and Dante begins DMC3 hating Sparda, Vergil entirely missed the point of who Sparda was and what he stood for, in the end it is Dante who really follows in his father’s footsteps. It is said in the manga that Vergil is extremely selfish. And Vergil has always been jealous of Dante. When they were children he felt Dante got more attention from Eva than he did (although we know Vergil loved her as well) and he believes Dante’s power should be his. It may seem childish, but Vergil apparently doesn’t like sharing the legacy of Sparda with Dante, who he probably sees as unworthy of it. Perhaps this is the reason the only time Vergil ever seems to derive pleasure in battle is against Dante. A common debate between fans is the question, is Vergil evil? In order to remain as unbiased as possible, a definitive answer will not be given here (although funnily enough the manual does call him Dante’s “evil” brother..) In utter contrast to Dante, Vergil is always cold and rational. He has discarded/suppressed his humanity, and all his emotions with it. He sees humans as insignificant insects, kept weak and useless by their emotions.

[zoealicestromberg]

The superheroes of popular film have little in common with the heroes of the real world.

In the real world, we celebrate the disruptors, the innovators, the paradigm shifters, and the crazy inventors — the people who bring about change and make things better for everyone around them. But in the fantasy realms where every physical trait can be amplified and every intellectual capability multiplied, all that our superheroes seem capable of doing is punching bad guys in the mouth and protecting the status quo.

Stripped to the essence of his character, Wolverine is basically a pair of fists with retractable claws and an indestructible human attached. When Hulk smashes, what does he smash with? The archetypal superhero is a hands-on vigilante clad in form-fitting lycra. Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, and The Flash all assert their heroism by busting small-time street criminals and delivering violent sermons on the importance of law and order. Why must they be so unambitious with their powers and yet so generous with their fists?

FINDING NEW HABITABLE PLANETS WOULD BE SO MUCH EASIER WITH SUPERMAN'S HELP

Batman’s stated goal is to rid Gotham City of crime, but he rarely undertakes the actions that can tackle the causes rather than the effects of criminality. Bruce Wayne could use his lofty social standing to lobby for more education funding, tighter gun control, and a social safety net that would prevent young people from resorting to a life of crime. His wealth could be used to support drug clinics and foster prisoner rehabilitation programs to reduce recidivism. Instead, he puts on a black mask and a husky voice and goes to pound hapless street thugs in the night.

Superman’s reduction to a punching machine — particularly prominent in his movie outings — is even less excusable than Batman’s since the Man of Steel actually has superhuman powers. He can hear, see, smell, and remember things in ways the rest of us can only dream of. His strength is otherworldly, and he can literally fly out into space on a whim. Think of all the impossible construction and exploration projects we could complete if we had a real Superman to help us. Instead, he gels his hair back, puts on a cape, and manhandles a different set of anonymous thugs to the ones Batman’s taking care of.

IF FISTFIGHTS WERE EFFECTIVE, BATMAN WOULD HAVE RETIRED HIS CAPE BY NOW

Perhaps I’m being unfair. It’s undeniable — whether you read the comics, watch the movies, or soak up the animated TV series — that superheroes are invariably busy countering one villain or another. How can Thor discover his (or her, depending on the era) real purpose in life if Loki’s constantly poking and prodding at the very fabric of existence? Most superheroes gain their powers through some calamitous event that leaves them emotionally or physically scarred. Dealing with one’s own dark history requires thoughtful introspection, so between that and all the kung fu training that everyone other than Neo has to do to qualify for heroic status, I can see how the time to think more broadly can become scarce.

But don’t we deserve a higher class of hero to match the Joker’s better class of criminal? Every news broadcast will tell you how terribly unfair and unjust the world is: from corruption in the highest echelons of power to basic lack of opportunity, the themes of iniquity are as ancient as human civilization itself. To be my hero, you have to do something to change these awful societal habits, not merely contain them. Batman celebrates the 75th anniversary of his debut this year, and in all that time the only thing he’s truly improved is the muscularity of his physique.

Why must the initiative and disruption always come from the supervillains? I’ve just watched Guardians of the Galaxy (late, I know), and I wonder what any of the heroes would be doing were it not for the bad guy stepping in to make things interesting. Their entire affiliation is predicated on having someone to guard against. The same applies to Star Wars without Darth Vader or X-Men without Magneto’s clique. The crazy thing about superhero tales is that, more often than not, they move to the rhythm of the active and dynamic anti-hero rather than the reactive and theatrically overdressed good guys.

HE'S 'FASTER THAN A SPEEDING BULLET,' BUT HE DOESN'T HAVE TO ACT LIKE ONE

Just once, I’d like to see a superhero movie where the protagonist’s innate abilities are matched by a proactive mind that can solve problems without resorting to violence. There’s an easy symbolism in literally knocking out the baddie — one that’s echoed by Superman flying through the air with his fists clenched — but films don’t need to rely on it so often as to drain their heroes of all complexity and nuance. The original comics provide more rounded personalities to their heroes, though much of that richness is lost when they make the transition to film.

We are in the midst of a period of unprecedented popularity for superhero movies right now, which can mask those films’ basic inadequacies. But watch a more subversive fantasy like V for Vendetta and you’ll be reminded of all the character depth and narrative variety that’s sadly missing from the current crop of ham-fisted law enforcers. V’s enduring cultural resonance suggests that there’s room for more tales like his on the big screen. The world will always have a use for its superpowered pugilists, but it also needs superheroes that can set an example for positive change that’s brought about through force of will rather than the simple force of fists.