#wooden wisdom 2024

[fuckyeahelijahwoodfan]

Elijah wood and Zach Cowie of wooden wisdom dj last night in Vegas for cardano event .

[betterthanyalls]

hey betty wetty bo confetti

How’s about Ares x Reader in which she’s the daughter of Odysseus and and and she’s defending Telemachus & Penelope from the suitors and after getting into a fight with Antinous or however u spell his name, she meets Ares somehow?

BTW DONT FEEL PRESSURED OR FEEL THERES A TIME LIMIT - TAKE YOUR TIME 🫵🫵🫵🫵🫵🫵🫵🫵🫵

Okay love ya 🤩🤗

that nickname concerns me BUT HIIIII so ion know how good this is :sobs: , i made it in the span of like 2-3 hours from a burst of motivation. HERE YOU GO TAKE THIS AS A LATE BIRTHDAY PRESENT

Masterlist

Warrior's Blood

Ares x Reader

EPIC: The Musical ~ Oneshot ~ Action

Words: 1.4K

Published: 11-3-2024 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A loud belch sounded from the palace’s dining hall, followed by boisterous laughter and unorganized yells. The princess of Ithaca glared down the hallway while she stalked past the dining hall to her destination of the training grounds. “Men,” a loud voice called, the speaker standing up on a wooden bench, “we have been waiting for the throne for far too long. Can’t you see we are being played?”

Y/n slowed her pace, taking a peek into the crowded room to see the one suitor she hates the most speaking. Antinous. 

“I say, we take the throne. That boyish prince and his sister only stand in our way to the queen. Once we are rid of them, we shall have full access to the crown." Cheers and yells followed quickly. The onlooking royalty sneered in disgust. Normally, Y/n would only walk away and tell her mother about the new plan, but something inside her felt different—an urge to fight, a need for conflict. 

Taking a step into the light of the hall, Y/n cleared her throat.

“What would my mother think of this? Threatening to kill both of her children and then seizing her by force?" Y/n had to keep from gagging, not only at the idea of their threat but also the horrid stench of the room. 

Antinous turned to the princess with a look of pure murder and flame.

“Well, if it isn’t the weak girl. If you speak even a word of our plan, I will rip you limb from limb so you can meet your father in the underworld,” he stalked towards the younger girl with a vicious grin. “Now that I’ve thought about it, how about we begin that plan now? Starting with you.”

Y/n was wise enough to duck down, blocking an oncoming punch, only to be nailed in the gut with his knee. Falling to the ground with a sharp gasp, she was pulled to her feet by her hair. “Come on, girlie. You had the strength before to challenge me; where is it now? You’re as weak as your father.”

Staggering and getting out of his grasp, she pulled up a loose fighting position. The princess narrowed her eyes at Antinous’ insults while taking steps back to match his steps forward. Y/n tried to find some sort of strategy to take him down, like how Telemachus taught her. Her brother would always say to fight with wisdom, but there was no wisdom anywhere near this fight. Strategy only works if your opponent has strategy too. Antinous was anything but a planned fighter. 

So with her next best option, Y/n grabbed a nearby vase and chucked it at her rival's head. She missed, making Antinous even more angry. With a yell, a foot made contact with her stomach, throwing the princess to the floor and her head hitting a pillar. Pain shot through her entire body as she struggled to regain her breath. 

‘So, I did this easily. Thanks for the amazing lessons, Tele.’ Her mind wandered, forgetting about her approaching opponent as she took a glance at a nearby wall. There, up high, hung a tapestry by her mother. The twelve Olmpyians were displayed with divine glory. Glory that could help Y/n not die, if only they saw her. With nothing left to lose, the princess sent up a silent prayer before deciding to help herself.

With much pain and huffs, Y/n managed to stand on her feet once more with a sway.

Antinous offered a loud laugh, ricocheting off the stone walls.

“You just can’t stay down, can you? Do you not want to see Odysseus in Hades?”

“Don’t you dare speak my father's name,” she hissed through gritted teeth. She leaned onto the pillar with one hand while her other held her hurt stomach. Something other than pain burned inside her—a yearning to see him hurt, to see Antinous suffer. 

A new energy boosted her body; her muscles didn’t feel as sore, and the pain was dissipating. Deciding not to question this, Y/n dodged another punch aimed for her jaw. With fast footing, she grabbed a spear off the wall beside her and countered another punch.

Antinous grabbed the spear to rip it from Y/n’s grasp. Quickly, Y/n pulled the spear closer to her and kicked Antinous in the ribs. Instead of knocking him down, he only stumbled back. 

‘Left’ A voice spoke in her mind. Y/n was about to question the order until she noticed Antinous barreling towards her and instantly followed the demanded direction. 

Dodging a swipe of his sword, the princess swung her spear down at the man's knees, causing him to trip. Looking down to where he fell, a sudden push of rage flowed through her veins.

‘Blood’

She didn’t need to hear the voice again to know exactly what to do. With momentum, Y/n brought the weapons head down into Anitnous’ thigh, earning a scream from the male. She ripped the weapon from his flesh only to bring it down once more with another bloody cry. Her thoughts seemed barren except for a new order from the unknown voice. 

‘Stop’

That order only seemed to boost her adrenaline. Stop? She couldn’t. Not with all this pent-up anger and frustration she felt for Antinous. Y/n needed to make him learn where he stood as a guest in her kingdom. But as she raised her spear once more, the voice barked a command louder and all her pain and exhaustion rushed in.

‘STOP’

In an instant, her spear clattered to the floor as Y/n held her head with a groan. Antinous was being tended to by his fellow suitors, who had opted to stay on the sidelines. With labored breaths, Y/n managed to stumble away from the dining hall and towards the empty training grounds. 

Exhausted, she slumped to the sandy floor and leaned her back against a rack of swords. Her eyes shut against the glaring sun as the royal attempted to regain her breath. To her pleasure, the heat was blocked by a sudden shadow. The young adult cracked open her eyes to see a darkened figure wearing the full armor of a Spartan soldier. A mixture of emotions flooded into her soul as she recognized the nation's armor. Was this news of her father from serving beside the Spartans? But her hope was snuffed out as the familiar voice spoke.

“Stand up.”

She wanted to argue, but something in her felt compelled to follow the instructions. So, shakily, Y/n stood up in front of the warrior. From a new angle, she could see the stranger's identity. All breath escaped her lungs as she recognized the being from similar statues and paintings.

“Ares.”

The god, who towered over her with his divine form, smirked at the recognition.

“Indeed. I’ve seen your skill, princess of Ithaca. You fight well,” the god of war stalked around the girl in a circle, seeing her state after the fight. 

Finally, the two pieces connected in her mind as she turned to face him.

“It was you. The voice. The orders. That was all you.”

“You follow orders well, except for when you’re told to stop. I like that sort of fight.” Ares stood tall, power and bloodlust radiating off him as his armor seemed to brighten a bloody red in the sun’s light.

“Why’d you stop me anyway? You are the god of bloodlust, are you not? I could’ve killed him and solved the whole problem!” Y/n argued, upset at the missed opportunity.

“Have you forgotten the laws of hospitality? You would have been punished harshly by the gods had I let you continue. Not even I can defy those.” He glared down at her with warning. In response, she looked away with a defeated huff.

“Why’d you even help me then?” She grumbled, looking at the nearby swords; a few training weapons had begun to rust from limited use. 

"You have the ambition needed for the battlefield. Why would I let such skill go to waste with no proper mentor?” This caused Y/n to look at him instantly in shock, meeting the gaze of a grinning god beneath his helmet.

“Mentor?” 

“Y/n of Ithaca. You fight to protect. You fight to the last stand. That is a warrior’s blood. Like your father before you, you have the makings of a legend.” Ares held out his hand like he was shaking for a deal. “Become my champion, and I will help you become stronger than any opponent you shall face.” 

Y/n thought it over for less than a few seconds before grabbing the gods hand in her own and shaking them up and down. 

“Deal.”

[gladiatorcunt]

- DO LEVIATHANS DREAM OF ALIENS? | 1a.

this is a low flying panic attack (cybersex is holy)

cw: kinktober prompt (aliens made them do it - bc he asked them too), nonconsensual voyeurism, extreme dubcon, yandere jacaerys, reader has a pussy, 4.6k of porn with plot, getting your back blown out in the 2001: a space odyssey trip scene, inspired by the mentioned movie, old valyria lore and obvious au where the valyrian gods are aliens, restraints, stray mpreg mention at the beginning, world building before the fucking, pussy slapping, piss kink mention

please do not repost, translate, or feed this work to ai

kinktober 2024

2 BC, Gaelithox Star System inhabitant number 616. Subject Name: Earth (Human Outreach Base)

In the wake of doom, the world smoldered. Every realm, known and unknown, was reduced to scalding ash. Except for a volcanic island guarding the entrance to Blackwater Bay by the name of Dragonstone. A century later in his eternal wisdom, Lord Aerion Targaryen set his three children, Aegon, Visenya, and Rhaenys to take to their dragons and scour the vast emptiness for a miracle. In another universe, there were countless bounties to acquire and lush land to conquer, gilded crowns to pass on to the heirs shared between them. However, this was not to be. Visenya’s sharp eyes spotted gigantic chunks of metal in the narrow sea that resembled castles. One was as black as her brother’s dragon’s, Balerion, scales and as all encompassing as the volcano Valyria’s capital city was built in. The other, a muddier brick red with specks of green and even bigger than the former. She shouted to her siblings, pointing and informing them that she was going to land Vhagar on one of them. Rhaenys and Meraxes followed quickly after her, then Aegon and Balerion.

The violent winds assaulted their skin as they dove down, their blood rushed to their hands and caused a pounding sensation in their ears. It felt akin to a leap of faith, they were lighting a match and tossing it onto a pile of Godswood. Blasphemous and crazed. When flayed open, Targaryens are revealed to be plundering leeches with flaming branches for veins. Birthed from white fire, they are harbingers of calamity and tragedy, some say the heat slowly singes their bones and then their brain until they die. Ripping through an ill-omened husk that wails tears of blood and exhales soot.

All three dragons hissed as their claws kissed the unfamiliar material. It was only for a moment, and strangely they titled their heads up and roared into the skies in unison, a jubilant chorus as if they were connecting with the truest parts of themselves. Visenya and her siblings watched in confusion until they were done. Then their focus shifted to the ginormous metal ovals beneath their feet, Visenya and Rhaenys were on the smaller one while Aegon was on the largest of the two. He walked along the cool surface and stopped at what appeared to be a window of sorts, an opening into the inner workings of the beguiling monolith. Before he could consult with his sisters, he tossed them a self assured grin, pulled open the hatch, and jumped boot clad feet first through it.

When he landed with a harsh grunt and the feeling of his bones being briefly jostled, he discovers that the inside closely resembles the innards of a ship. Unlike the traditional boats that traverse on water with their sails made of flax and their hard wooden bodies, this one seemed to be purely metal. Sleek and shiny, light coming from the opening bounced off of his sword as he used it to gain a feel for his surroundings. It was just as massive on the inside, he had the thought that you could very well fit every major family of Old Valyria in there along with their dragons. Though he did not mind being part of the only ones who could benefit from it, perhaps it was the gods' choice to allow only them to survive.

There were many flashy brightly colored knobs, and Aegon felt out of his depth at the sheer amount of them. A command center maybe, a gravelly voice inside him whispered, controls the entire ship and every single facet of it. He would have to explore this specific mechanism further with Visenya, his eyes wandered elsewhere down the hall to his left. The shadows beckoned him forward, and forward he went.

As he explored the ship, Aegon mentally noted the presence of personal quarters, kitchens, places in which one could conduct work, and all the things one would essentially need to live a happy life. It bore familiar cornerstones of Valyrian architecture, winding spiral spires and exquisite detailing. There was even its very own dragon pit resembling the Bojurlion arena that once sat parallel to the palace in the civic center of Valyria, stables and all sorts of riding equipment and armor included. He strongly felt that such a thing surely proved that this was the miracle his Lord father had sent him to find, from the teats of the gods and into the lap of their chosen one. They must have delivered them a shelter and a way to blaze their trail anew, this time the flip of the coin was in the Targaryens’ favor.

To the Targaryens in the long gone days of Old Valyria, survival was a choice when you were doomed to be the middle of the pack, never soaring higher or lower than where the gods put you.

He climbed through the same opening hours later, eager to catch up with his sisters. It turns out that they had an adventure of their own, their ship was similar to the one Aegon had explored, though they described it as having a much lighter energy and a deceptively cozier atmosphere. The three siblings climbed aboard their dragons and took to the skies once more, carrying hope and fierce determination in their hearts. Lord Aerion was relieved to hear of the gods’ saving grace, and in no time at all, their belongings, dragons, and servants were all ushered into either of the two ships after numerous exhaustive back and forth journeys. Remnants of Old Valyria, maesters, descendants of blood mages from the Anogorian, workers from the bathhouses, soldiers who served in the Valyrian navy, and even merchants from the street markets.

It was quite the shock when the ships shook terribly as soon as their doors closed, and gasps wrung out when the main area was flooded with white light as the vessels rose into the heavens and beyond them.

Soon both ships teemed with life, Honorary Queens Rhaenys and Visenya were wed in Dragonstone’s church. They even had biological children with the help of maesters and the ship’s wildly advanced scientific center. A miraculous device allowed their DNA to mix together and be planted in Rhaenys’ womb, with no need for a man’s contribution. Two sons were born, Maegor and Aenys. On The Red Keep, King Aegon found love with the son of a blood mage newly finished with his apprenticeship, and soon they too were wed and bore heirs of their own. Three daughters, one named after Aegon’s first love, a Baratheon. As the centuries went by, these communities in space grew much like they would have on the ground, however they do dock on Dragonstone island occasionally. It was agreed that life would be better spent among the stars than battling to live to see the next day in the dirt. They took all their human ways with them though, buried under their jewels and extravagant lifestyles, their hierarchy and ruling class and debatable penchant for fire and blood.

124 AC, Gaelithox Star System inhabitant number 460. Subject Name: Valyrian Peninsula Cluster (Interior Quadrant)

It is said that The Red Keep eclipses the Earth’s sun but Dragonstone intimidates it, depicted as having a presence so foreboding that any celestial body dims when the insidious ship passes them by.

Hopeful Would-Be-Prince Jacaerys kneels before a marble statue of the Mother.

“There is something very wrong with me, Mother.” His shake, an icy chill floods through his veins in the lukewarm temperature controlled chapel. “A sickness… a hunger… today I nearly bent my servant over while they drew my bath and tongued their cunt, I do not know if their resistance would have stopped me.”

Their tears would have looked transcendent in the reflection of the steaming hot water.

The statue’s eyes glow and emit a monotone beeping sound, standard routine for every prayer and confession.

The usually pleasant and well mannered prince frets, chewing at his fingernail in thought. Artificial breeding is all too available an option, these days one merely has to go to a maester and undergo the procedure, creating almost spontaneous life from the DNA one already possesses. Such things do wonders for couples with incompatible reproductive organs and those that want to be parents on their own, but it’s not enough for Jacaerys.

You could still be distant. There is no corner of the ship where you are free from his reach, but the prince would very much prefer it if you did not feel the need to scurry off at all. He thinks of himself as a wondrously different young man in comparison to his uncles and stepfather, Jacaerys loves you like a dragon loves a sleep. Helpless to the fear of being devoured by his hunger, but he’d keep you and roll you into a cotton ball in his mouth, savoring the pristine hairs left behind in the grooves of his forked tongue.

Wrestling you and bringing your body to the maesters, watching as they plant his child in your womb, would be meaningless to him. He wants to say he’d conceived your children in your marriage bed, as his family had done for generations before him. The advancements in technology had caused a decline in the tradition’s popularity, and that is precisely why Jacaerys wishes they had never set foot for the stars. You’d be more capable of succumbing to him if you were made to endure the pleasure he knows you could feel, without the miracle procedure. You have not yet mentioned a desire to carry children, not that that topic typically is shared between a servant and their liege.

The population on the ship is declining, the Targryens not producing the numbers they have in the past and various deaths in the family and amongst the smallfolk being a couple of the reasons. Madness from a lifetime of staring out floor to ceiling to wall windows of the same sparkly abyss, the traditionalists who spurn the technological wonders of the gods and grapple with complications in childbirth, the murders brought on by cabin fever. Unfortunate events have given Jacaerys the answer, the gift of a perfect reason to have you. To indulge in the murky facets of his soul, nursing from your bitter burning cup of wine and you in turn his.

If he were to be so goddamn lucky as to be in the same room as you, you would stumble out of there with a tummy full of triplets and a bounty of stretch marks.

“I would give all I am and have to be a loving husband, a dutiful father, if you would see it fit for that to be my path.” He bows his head and brown curls cascade around his face, an angel in the mouth of the guillotine. “At least cure me of this ailment if not, I can hardly stand the teasing from my uncles when I lose focus during the training simulations.”

Nightmares are becoming dreams in my darkest hours.

“My deepest thanks for hearing my prayer, I… I apologize, it is rather foolish I admit. I am not sure what’s come over me.”

The statue's eyes dim and it whirs as it powers down upon the prince’s exit. A most trouble occurence for one of their very own, but once this message is approved and received, the Gods will know the apt solution. Dragon eggs are their own star systems too, the cracks betwixt specks of color in the scales their own constellations, and the men born from them are the apples of the gods’ chromatic rainbow eyes.

A ghostly roar nips at Jacaerys’ heels as he strides towards his chambers, kicking off and throttling the silver pipes.

“For what it is worth, I am of the opinion that your brown hair and brown eyes suit you. Being around your family is no different than going for a stroll in the snow, but you stand out as the tree of solace in the middle. Sturdy and warm in its own way, something you rest on when you grow weary of the world around you.”

Your widening eyes are the first things he sees when he next wakes up. Jacaerys is content to consider this a dream until he moves to brush some of his hair away from his face and is stopped by a harsh clang.

The universe is howling.

He looks down to see valyrian steel chains dragging on the floor attached to cuffs around his wrists. The chains are of considerable length, he imagines that he could walk around the entire room and never get the bindings to go tight. His cuffs are so loose they hardly serve their purpose at all, but his flesh stings when he attempts to touch them. They would likely singe his skin off to the bone if he was their true prisoner and resisted. You have similar ones, but as soon as Jacaerys relaxes his chains vanish and he sits up to take stock of the room you are being held in.

Something sort of like an atrium, gleaming metallic tones with high ceilings and a large divot in the floor where the bed you both are on stands. Tall pillars showcase scrolling led screens, high valyrian scrawlings are preserved and repeated in scarlet pixels. The walls are replaced by windows into the vast openness of space, but it is different from what Jacaerys is used to. Outside is a sea of pure black, neon colors make up the waves, they seem to continuously bleed and fold into each other at the midpoint. There are no stars, no planets, but if Jacaerys squints and pays close attention he can just about make out the heavy flap of leathery wings.

“Shh, shh, it’s alright.” The prince whispers, turning his focus to your panic and stroking a finger down your cheek. “If we were supposed to be dead, we would not even be having this conversation.”

“The princeling is correct. You are safe in *indistinguishable*, this designated facility, our audience chamber, so long as you comply with us and our own.” A chorus of deep and crackling voices boom all at once in both of your minds, their syllables and inflections in their speech overlapping and melding together. “We have heard his prayers for your companionship and have decided to grant Jacaerys Velaryon his heart’s deepest desire. For he has raised valid concerns, this blessing is a multi purpose one.”

“Think of it as a bedding ceremony, and all that that name implies. Once conception is confirmed, you will face the brunt of a painful headache as we leave you. When you stumble into slumber, whether wrapped in an embrace or seperate, vessel number *indistinguishable* Dragonstone will house you once more.”

You gasp as the voices go quiet, and Jacaerys knows you must be aware of the feeling of being watched. It makes the hair on the back of his neck stand up, and gives you goosebumps down your forearms. Goose-pimpled flesh that Jacaerys traces with his fingertips, it’s the least he can do to give you a moment to calm down and get your bearings. Perhaps this is a sign that he has gone truly mad, because he can’t find the same trepidation in your expression within himself.

How often do prayers get answered? Yes, having a swarm of otherworldly all knowing beings witness your love making is quite unusual, but there is nothing Jacaerys would not put up with to form an everlasting covenant with you and your body. So he lays beside you, watching the fabric of your uniform shift and swish as you stretch your legs, a bumbling baby deer finding its footing.

He would smile and laugh, because he’d truly believe no one had ever been happier in their lives than he, but you probably would not take it all that well.

You shut your eyes tightly, either coming to grips with the bizarre reality you now found yourself in or desperately clinging to the hope that this was all a dream brought on by contaminated rations.

“M-my prince… this is not how i envisioned this moment.” You murmur at last, your eyes opening to meet his.

He wonders what you mean by that, could you really have wanted him in all the ways he has wanted you? Surely not all of them, but in the most basic and carnal of them.

Suddenly he knows in his bones that is what the two of you are meant to do, that this is so impossibly right that it must be woven in the grand fabric of fate’s design.

Jacaerys tuts and extends an offering of peace, entertaining his fingers with yours, “I’ll be gentle, this is my first time as well. It was not like I could practice without you finding out about it, I did not wish to hurt your feelings.”

Your brows pinch as he speaks, an instinctive coo gets trapped and tangled in his vocal chords. That expression is precisely why he is glad to be relying on scandalous hologram demonstrations and enticingly hedonistic data scrolls, amusingly numerous and often exuberantly descriptive. His confidence is triple what it was once years past, and Jacaerys would dearly love to lead you by example.

Fake it till you make it, but he is cocky enough now to believe you will never have to pretend in the first place.

A lock must have opened inside you, an opening made ready for him, because your brow lines smooth out and you go lax on the bed spread. You blink up at him as if trying to eat your nerves with your eyes by overindulging on the sight of him. Your face must be hot to the touch, as brave of a front as you’re putting on, you are not immune to embarrassment or fraying nerves.

Jacaerys sharply inhales and takes the tentative first step, settling a hand at the top of your chest and dragging it downward. His fingers catch on the buttons in your bodice and he undoes them with only a couple minor fumbles here and there.

“Ah.” The prince groans, peeling back the black panels in your uniform to uncover the skin beneath. “These breasts are wasted on servant rags, they’re so beautiful. You’re so very beautiful, my love.”

Your teats are round and perky things, so over encumbered with themselves that your flesh pushes out in between his fingers as he squeezes them softly. You softly moan and recline even further on the bed, as much as you are able with the chains still holding onto you. Jacaerys chuckles and lifts each one as if here debating on which decorative jeweled necklace weighed more, the rubies or the emeralds.

“Thank you, my prin- Jacaerys.” You sigh, never forgetting your well taught manners, and then gasp, “Wait, do not just grope them like that- Gods-“

Upon further investigation, the ruby, your right breast, is marginally heavier and bigger, but Jacaerys refuses to have favorites so resolves to love the emerald just as much. He rolls them in his palms for a bit before departing with a loving pat to your nipples.

His palms softly fall to bracket either side of your head, caging you in. “Now come, grant me a kiss, your nerves will fade with practice. What is there to be afraid of?”

His voice grows shakier than he’d like it too, a genuine hint of uncertainty shining through. In this he knows, at least, that it would do you a world of good to take your own leaps of faith. It would have been cruel to ask you such a thing when he had been sitting farther away, but now he is oh so close, the tips of your noses brush against each other is a shy sort of kiss.

Your eyes flick down to his lips and before he can say anything else, you’re leaning forward as much as you can and pressing against them. Jacaerys is pleased that his earlier assertion of your temperament was correct and turns his head, deepening the kiss and slotting his lips in the empty spaces left by your own as they part.

He laughs when the kiss is broken, airy and on the wings of a more formidable beast than love. The beings watching must already be impatient, for when he presses his chest further into yours, he notices a sudden lack of clothes. As if the Gods had grown tired of waiting for you to undress each other properly, not that Jacaerys minds all that much.

The prince snakes a hand in between your bare bodies, slipping down to cup your mound. He sweeps you up in another kiss so as to not afford you the opportunity to shy away when his digits sink into your slick.

“This cunt is overflowing, is this where it feels best? My thumb is right on your pearl just. like. this.” He teases and sketches tight circles on your bud, shifting his body weight to keep you down when you kick out your legs reflexively.

You keen into his open mouth, a high pitched bottle rocket about to go off and explode into bursts of bright color “Yes! Jace, just like that, don’t stop, oh my Gods- I’m so wet, how am i so wet?”

You ask him about your own body like you’re genuinely bewildered and Jacaerys is so charmed, so in love. He wouldn't peg you as the type to go a long while without slithering your hands up your skirt and delivering an unsatisfying orgasm, this much liquid must be drowning you. He takes his sweet time, flicking and playing your pearl in an obsessive fashion, taking your plush breasts into his mouth as his tongue lavishes them in saliva.

You’re making such melodic sounds, one of the songbirds must have escaped from the automated menagerie and fluttered their wings into his arms. Pinks and oranges and greens and purples and oranges spill across the void in his peripheral vision, but this bastardized marriage bed is the only thing Jacaerys cares about. It doesn’t matter that there is no sound save for the squelch of his fingers in your cunt and his rose petal pink lips popping off your tits repeatedly.

Jacaerys has seen many moons during the ship’s travels through the vastness of space, but the way your hips are arching off the bed in search of more of his touch would make any one of them bleed red in embarrassment.

Amused, he teases you now, slowing down his concentric circles into loose ringlets. “So this is not enough?”

“Jacaerys, please- You know it’s not.” You glare but still grind your hips up into his hand, not even bothering to address him by his title, he’ll let it slide in this instance.

He dips down to press a few last kisses to your breasts, nipping at your pebbled nipples and sliding a finger into your cunt. He crooks his fingers, going at a leisurely pace and waiting until you’re near tears to insert a second.

“Mmh, who knew i’d come by such a hungry cunny, almost carnivorous in its attempts to keep me inside its snatch.” Jacaerys grins and pumps his fingers, going faster as he slips a third and then a fourth one in, feeling how your walls cling onto their shape.

You’re like a leech, suckling at his flesh to the point of blood loss.

“ ‘m not…… don’t talk about it like that. Fuck, yes- Jace- take what’s yours already, i’m burning up.”

He kisses you again and abruptly pulls his fingers out of you, slapping your clit in one heavy strike. For all his efforts of taking things slow and keeping the atmosphere gentle and loving, you inspire such a deep teasing streak in him. He could never seriously hurt you, but quick smacks resulting in your eyes flashing with lightning aren’t off the table.

You whimper, wetting yourself under the heel of his palm. The intense colors around you swirl into a psychedelic kaleidoscope pattern, rhythmic beeping comes from the pillars and the atrium seems to hold its breath. You don’t notice when your mind begins to unravel, babbling about needing it being too much and you need to pee. Because there’s a drop of shame that your intuition injects in you, something more than being on the brink of a climax.

“You’re so sensitive, my love, did the slaps make it worse?.” He coos, serving you slap after slap after slap, nothing worse than what would make his hand and your mound sizzle. “Good, you can piss if you need to, there is nothing to be embarrassed about with me.”

You’re so cute, he could never understand how people could stand marrying for anything other than love. The worry that his heart will expand too quickly and splatter around the rungs of his ribcage, that you feel when you lay with someone you love, is a sensation he would slay his kin for. He is aware of its luxury, that he is lucky to experience it at all during his life on the spaceship he will live and die in. He sends a brisk thank you to his ancestors for taking yours with them when they departed and took flight from Earth, the beauty of your swollen tits and stomach will honor them.

And oh, how he wants to make you come on his tongue and around his fingers and every other way possible. In the depths of his soul, Jacaerys wants you to feel as if you were falling from a very high tower, a royal with no choice but to fall skull first into the great nothingness of the beyond. The fragments would adorn the cobblestone just like how your tears frame your lashes.

No, the first time you shatter and crumble to nothing will be around his cock. Stardust sprinkled over the void, scattered like ashes.

Perhaps the worst sin Jacaerys will commit tonight is that he is too impatient to continue the foreplay. He knows that no amount would prevent you from enduring any pain, but he also knows that he did not do enough. He, and the celestial Gods hidden in the stellar bushes, wants you to feel the burn of his cock stretching your walls. Commencing a wedding of sorts between your cervix and his throbbing tip.

“W-wait, ah!”

“Be pliant for me and take my seed, stop being so stubborn and let yourself have this, allow it to blossom and it can just be us for the next round, sweetling. I swear it.”

He will guide you through all the details later.

The neon waves crash against the windows, and the led scrawlings on the pillars glitch and scramble and unscramble themselves as you come together. The atrium dissolves into numbers after you’ve fallen asleep for the final time in the chamber, Jacaerys’s hand clutching your belly and your head pillowed on his chest. Giant wings cradle the pair in their center, ghastly creaking and groaning as they slice through the shifting rainbow patterns. Each moon along the journey is full and winking.

Jacaerys thinks he sees a comet fly over your heads when he’s halfway to consciousness, and he traces the valyrian letters for ‘I love you’ into the bloated skin of your stomach.

The chapel has mysteriously changed places on Dragonstone by the time of your actual wedding, the statue lies dormant.

[dreamdepot]

New Story: Dreams of the Kingdom

[Link x Male!Reader]

Power. Wisdom. Courage. The legend of Hyrule has always been the story of three. Where does that leave you, oh mighty prince of the wild?

A sequel story to Prince of the Wild.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Edited 7/5/2024 - Links have been updated

Chapter 1: The Slumbering Beast

>Next

Chapter 1 is now up on Wattpad, A03, and below the break

For links to the prequel Prince of the Wild, please see the following links:

Wattpad AO3

The ballroom was filled with laughter and music. The moonlight streamed down through the windows on the festivities. You straightened your crown, trying to make sure you looked just right in your reflection on the window. Tonight was going to be special; you just knew it.

The music swelled with a flourish of the violins. People glided across the polished marble floors, twirling to the beautiful piece. You could see your best friend, the royal poet and maestro Sharpe, absolutely beaming as he conducted the orchestra.

You let your eyes wander over the crowd. Your father, King Rhoam, was stoic as ever, watching from his own corner. Princess Zelda, your younger sister, was happily chatting with Robbie and Purah, no doubt sharing research notes. Impa and Mipha were laughing over drinks while little Sidon chowed down on snacks. Revali was attempting to dance with the ambassador from Hytopia, but it was impossible to tell who was worse at it. Daruk was drinking each of the castle guards under the table. Apparently, none of them ever heard that Gorons were unaffected by Hylian liquor. Your heart swelled with happiness, though it still felt a little empty without the one who was most important to you.

“Waiting on someone, sparrow?” Urbosa asked, gently laying a hand on your shoulder. She had a knowing glint in her eye as she sipped her Noble Pursuit.

“You wouldn’t have happened to-”

“I believe I saw him walking towards the Sanctum.” Your heart skipped a beat, and you were ready to run upstairs, but Urbosa’s grip held you back. “Don’t get into trouble, sparrow. You still need to make an appearance later tonight.”

You blushed but nodded. “Of course, you know I’m always professional.”

“Of course,” Urbosa said. She brushed a stray bit of your hair back and smoothed some wrinkles off your coat. “Go, I’ll cover for you.”

You barely got out a “thank you” before dashing out of the ballroom to the stairs. The music grew fainter and fainter as you made your way up the castle. A giddy bubble of happiness felt ready to burst out of your chest. You were Prince [Y/n] Daltus Hyrule, Lord of Akkala, Order of the Picori, Colonel in the Grand Hylian Army, Defender of the Holy Triforce, and Champion of the Goddess Din – but the most important title of all was Boyfriend of the Hylian Champion. Reaching the top of the steps, you pushed the doors open as quietly as you could.

“Link?” you called out. The torches were all lit inside, but all was quiet. You shut the door and entered. “Link? Are you here?”

No response.

You frowned, walking past the thrones, ignoring how the shadows danced on the walls. Suddenly, a wooden training sword clattered to the ground right at your feet. You looked up, seeing the knight grinning from the upper floor. “Oh, you’re on!”

You picked up the sword – slightly upset it was a single handed one instead of your preferred claymore – and mounted the stairs, charging up to the hidden lounge above the Sanctum. Link met you halfway, your swords clashing with a dull thonk. You drove him backwards up the stairs, slash after slash. Link laughed with each one, parrying them effortlessly.

The two of you clashed, when you saw your chance. You parried his blows, and…

…pulled the small rug from under him. Before he could get up, you pointed your sword at his chest. “Finally!” You shouted. “I win!”

“One out of – what, a thousand?” Your knight grinned.

You shrugged. “Hey, I’ll take it.” You helped him up and pulled him into a hug. “You didn’t get hurt when you fell right?”

“No, I’m fine,” he laughed. “Takes more than a practical joke to hurt a knight, your majesty.”

You took his hand and started leading him downstairs. “We should head back before Father gets upset.” You reached for the door but stopped. Someone was standing on the balcony overlooking Hyrule Field.

“Hello?” You let go of Link’s hand as you walked over to the balcony. The music seemed to fade away as you got closer. The figure didn’t seem familiar. “Oh, pardon me, but all guests should be downstairs. I’d be happy to show you the way.”

“There’s no need for that, I’ve been waiting for you,” a rumbling baritone voice said. The figure turned, revealing a wall of a man with a piercing glare. It felt like he could see you through to your soul. Your head throbbed with a migraine. For some reason, your left hand – the hand emblazoned with the mark of the Triforce of Power – felt like it was burning.

“Who are you?”

The moonlight turned a bloodstained red. “Of course you would forget me, but I certainly haven’t forgotten you and your treachery.” He reached out, firmly gripping your chin and tilting your head up to look you in the eyes. Panic rose in your throat looking into his glowing red and yellow eyes. He let out a low rumble of a laugh. “Don’t worry, I’ll be seeing you soon to take what is rightfully mine, little prince.”

The world swam and grew dark as a terrible laugh filled your ears. A scream tore from your throat. Pain shot through your body…

==

“[Y/n]! [Y/n]!!” Link shook you gently. “It’s okay! I’m here, I’m here…”

You gasped for air, looking up to see your handsome knight looking down at you. He wrapped you in his arms. “It’s okay, it’s just a nightmare. You’re going to be okay.”

You held him close, not caring how tangled you were in the sheets. It was still late, and the moon hung outside your window – thankfully still its normal pale color.

Your heart slowed as Link held you and stroked your hair. “Big spoon or little spoon?”

You told him your preference, and the two of you shifted to a more comfortable cuddling position. “It was the same dream,” you finally said.

“The royal ball and the stranger?”

“Yeah,” you said. “He knew me. I… I don’t know how to explain it but looking at him felt like… pure evil… It was almost like the Calamity.”

Link nodded. “Do you want to go talk to Symin about it? He helped Zelda when she had those nightmares last year.”

“Maybe,” you said. “I’m just confused. He knew me, Link. He said he was going to take what was ‘rightfully his’.”

“I’m sure it’s just a silly dream, but…” Link frowned and pressed his hand to your forehead. “Hmm doesn’t seem like a fever, but maybe the gloom is getting to you.”

“It’s not the gloom,” you said, pushing his hand away. “Maybe I’m stressed out? Maybe… maybe I’m just missing them.”

Link sighed. “I miss them too.”

“I did beat you this time though.”

Link snorted. “So, you’re saying you can only beat me in your dreams?”

“Shut up,” you laughed.

The two of you stayed quiet for a moment, just enjoying the cuddling. It was hard to believe it had been five years. Five years since you woke up in a cave, five years since you found Link without his memories, and five years since the two of you saved Hyrule and your sister. The life of the “lost prince” was never dull with Hyrule’s greatest swordsman as your boyfriend and Princess Zelda as your sister. The three of you had helped to rebuild most of Hyrule, bringing the people back together and creating a semblance of a government. Your New Hyrule Trading Company was now run through the Stable Association, a union-run business, giving you more time to train the new militia taking care of monsters across the land – not to mention helping your sister run things. “Helping” may be a bit generous, as Zelda was much more suited to academics than government and diplomacy. Most of the time, you and Link helped to set treaties and lead major reconstruction projects while Zelda focused more on educating Hyrule’s children and surveying old ruins.

Everything had been going well for a time, until a few months ago. Certain caves and old wells began to leak an odd crimson mist. At first, it seemed harmless, but then the sickness came. There were a few isolated cases that seemed to clear up quickly, but over the past few weeks, reports were getting worse. The mist was only growing thicker and more toxic. Purah named it the gloom, and it seemed to be tied to the malice that Calamity Ganon once produced. The difference was that this gloom was toxic and lingering. It seemed to seep from underground, though no one could figure out where or why. The worst of it came from the depths of Hyrule Castle. Whatever it touched, it devoured in decay. Your pride and joy, the construction of New Castle Town, was rotted back to rubble. Each time you had Hudson Construction try to rebuild it, they never got past laying the foundation before the houses would begin to decay. Residents were forced back to build a new settlement called Lookout Landing, just south of the ruins. Even then, it was little more than a lightly fortified trading and research outpost.

“Hey, I can tell Zelda to postpone the expedition,” Link said.

“No!” You said, then paused. “I appreciate the thought, but it’s too important to investigate the gloom. We need to get to the bottom of it – literally.”

Link rolled his eyes. “Right, but if you need to rest, you need to rest.”

“I know, but I promise I’ll be fine.” Link frowned, staring into you. “Okay, I’ll go see Symin after the expedition, but I promise I’ll be fine.”

“Good.” Link smiled, leaning forward to give you a gentle kiss.

The two of you talked for a little while more before you both drifted off into a gentle sleep. While Link may have been next to you, something still made you feel restless.

==

The next morning seemed to pass in a blur, and you weren’t truly shaken from your thoughts until you were descending into the depths of Hyrule Castle.

“This gloom keeps getting thicker,” your sister, Zelda, commented as you descended. She held the torch for you and Link. The two of you remained calm, but you were both on high alert. The weight of your Sword of the Six Sages was a comfort, not knowing what could be around the next corner. “We’ve been descending for a while now… These tunnels are deeper than I thought. What could be down here?”

“I have a feeling even Father didn’t know about these tunnels,” You commented as you passed some luminescent moss. “Some of this looks older than even the Sheikah tech.”

“I wish we were coming down here to explore for more academic reasons instead of trying to find the source of the gloom,” Zelda said, scanning over the wisps curling around her feet. “Though here, it seems almost misty and not concentrated enough to harm us…”

“What’s the plan then?” Link asked.

“We’ll keep going. With it coming up from beneath Hyrule Castle…” Zelda paused, then turned to you and Link. “We do not know what waits below, so we need to be ready for anything. But I know I’ll be okay with both of you. Let’s go solve this mystery.”

“That said, it may be best for you to stay behind one of us.” You drew your secondary weapon, an Eightfold Blade, and took the lead.

“As you wish… General,” Zelda said with a little laugh.

“You appointed me as head of Hyrule’s military, let me do my job, Princess,” you snarked back. You led the way deeper. Water dripped down the walls, leaving chalky stains. You could see just ahead that the cave looped into some ruins. “I bet no one has been down here in centuries…”

“Exactly, isn’t it exciting?” Zelda said. You smiled, happy to see your sister in her element. You couldn’t begin to count the number of ruins you explored with her over the past few years. While her obsessions may have moved on from the Sheikah, the promise of a new discovery always got her excited.

Before you could take another step, you heard something you hadn’t heard in five years. It was a familiar chime. Both you and Zelda turned to Link, seeing the Master Sword begin to glow. “It must be sensing something,” Zelda muttered. “I knew we had reason for concern…”

“Maybe we should have investigated the castle sooner,” you added. “Perhaps something from the Calamity is still lingering here.” Zelda shifted uneasily.

Link was always quick to notice when your sister was worried. “We’re going to be okay. If it really is something left over from the Calamity, it can’t be that strong with Ganon sealed away. Between the three of us, I know we can handle it.”

“Of course,” Zelda said, “I needn’t worry with the two best swordsmen in Hyrule around. All the same, we should proceed with caution.”

“Onward then,” you said, though you swapped from the smaller blade to your primary weapon granted to you by the Great Deku Tree: the Sword of the Six Sages. Link too drew the Master Sword and joined you in front of Zelda. It was best not to take chances. The soft white glow from your sword and the soft blue from the Master Sword was a small comfort to the three of you in the dark caves. With that, you continued deeper into the ruins.

As old as they were, the ruins were well preserved and mostly still standing. A few walls had collapsed to rubble, but the path was still clear. The gloom had grown a little thicker but clung to the floor and merely wrapped around your ankles, harmless for now. Zelda paused for a moment to observe the architecture. “Easily older than the Sheikah, and this unique style… wait!” She knelt at a fallen relief. “Something is written here… yes. I think this may be from the Zonai!”

The farther you walked, the better condition the ruins were in. “Yes, yes!” Zelda said, getting more excited with each step. “These carvings are absolutely Zonai in origin. I can’t believe we’re finding evidence of one of the oldest civilizations known to history directly under the castle.”

“The Zonai built those labyrinths, right?” Link asked.

“Yes, and they were said to worship the dragons. It’s said the Zonai had godlike powers and at one point lived in the sky. Unfortunately, we still know so little. Many history books on the Zonai give us more stories than factual history.”

Soon you came to the end of the hall, where two towering statues stood. Zelda stopped to inspect them further. “Is this what the Zonai looked like? They seem so different than us, and such large ears… I wonder if they were associated with the ancient city-state of Skyloft? Or perhaps they were some sort of precursors to the Oocca Civilization?”

You had a different question on your mind. “If they lived in the sky, why are they here underground?”

“An excellent point…” Zelda muttered, lost in thought. “Let’s see what else is ahead.”

You looked at the statues and for a moment, they seemed to shift. Their eyes seemed to glow with the faintest light, watching you. You rubbed your eyes and they appeared normal again. “Maybe it is the gloom,” you muttered to yourself.

You caught up with Link as the three of you made your way down the stairs, deeper and deeper. The ruins opened into a massive hall. Suddenly, you heard a familiar chittering. “Heads up,” you said, easily dispatching a keese. Link nodded, charging the second while you cleaved the third and final. You sheathed your sword, watching the keese fall to the ground.

“You aren’t hurt, are you?” Zelda asked.

“Zel, they’re keese. Link and I take care of keese like every day.” Still, she looked the both of you over, before giving a nod of approval. You couldn’t fault her, since you knew you’d be doing the same to her and Link if the roles were switched. With the monsters dealt with, you could take in the room. One wall was mostly covered by fallen rocks – likely from the Calamity – but the rest of the room was filled with sprawling carvings.

Zelda turned and let out a little gasp. “Look at these murals.” She walked the torch closer, letting the light dance across the eerie images. “The written histories of the Royal Family include stories of a great war fought long ago.”

Your many hours of tutoring in the Castle library played back in your head. “This isn’t just any war, Zelda,” you frowned looking at the murals. Zelda may have been the brains of the family, but you certainly knew the stories of your kingdom inside and out. You stopped before a carving of a wave of monsters. “This was clearly a very bloody one, and if we’re in the oldest part of the castle, it might be… Zelda, you don’t think it’s… that legend, do you?”

“What legend?” Link asked.

You felt a pit growing in your stomach. “The legend of the Demon King… an evil to surpass Demise.”

“Precisely,” She said, running along the walls. “It’s said that our ancestors – the first of Hyrule’s royal family were born from a union with the gods who descended from the heavens. These murals tell a similar story, and if they are accurate, then the gods mentioned were the Zonai… They must have forged a relationship with the Hylians of that time, working together to establish the kingdom of Hyrule!”

She turned to where the murals started to depict a man with a grotesque wave of red behind him. You felt a chill go down your spine. It couldn’t be possible… he couldn’t be the man from your nightmares. “This figure,” Zelda continued, “He seems to be stealing something of incredible power from the young kingdom. This all aligns with what I’ve read during my studies… and this!” She said, running back to the last panel. “And this shows the Demon King, and a fierce battle against him. If the creature depicted here really does represent the Demon King, then…” She stopped and gasped. “Incredible! This mural must be the great war recorded in the royal histories! This is the First Imprisoning War and the events that led up to it! This is a huge discovery!”

Zelda started fiddling with her pack. Link took the torch for her as she fished out her Purah Pad, Purah’s fantastic upgrade to the Sheikah Slate. You on the other hand stood frozen at the last panel, staring into the gargoyle-like grin of the monstrous Demon King. You took a shaky breath. “First Imprisoning War?” Link asked you.

“The First Imprisoning War sealed the Demon King. The Second sealed the king of thieves – who once tried to steal the Triforce from the Sacred Realm. Right, Zelda?”

“Yes, exactly, though some scholars suggest the Demon King and the king of thieves could have been one and the same – not that I necessarily subscribe to that theory,” she said, snapping photographs of the mural. “Why are you so jumpy?”

“No particular reason,” you muttered back. Link placed his hand on your shoulder, asking a silent question. “Later,” you whispered to him. He offered you a smile that helped to calm you.

“The part I don’t understand,” you said, steeling yourself, “is what he stole.” The three of you walked back to the third panel. “These objects… what do you think they are? Tears of Light? They don’t look anything like the Triforce.”

“Another excellent question,” Zelda said, lowering the Purah Pad. “Perhaps this was before our ancestors discovered the Triforce? Or perhaps it was hidden away. I would hate to think of what could have happened if the Demon King had stolen it.”

“Yeah,” you said, instinctively rubbing the tattoo on your hand. The power thrummed through your body for a moment, but it didn’t make you feel any better.

“Only more and more questions,” Link said, handing the torch back to Zelda.

“Maybe we’ll find more answers farther ahead,” she said. “Let’s keep moving deeper.”

This time, Link took the lead with Zelda while you brought up the rear. Your hand twitched and your gut twisted. It wasn’t like you to be so unnerved by something like that, but something felt deeply wrong, and the deeper you walked, the more the feeling grew.  

The three of you exited the staircase and entered into a massive chamber. “Oh Hylia…” Link muttered. A twisting ribbon of light drifted from some kind of pyramid collector lined with runes, feeding into a skeletal glowing arm with a warm green-blue light. Most disturbing of all was the desiccated corpse the hand was pinned to, digging into the chest. Dark clouds of gloom spilled from the wound.

“What is that...” Zelda murmured. “How long has this been under the Castle?”

As the three of you drew close, the arm’s light faded, and it fell to the ground. A glowing tear shaped stone popped out of the arm’s bracer, bouncing on the floor to Zelda. She tapped it hesitantly before picking it up. The stone glowed with warm golden light in her hand.

Suddenly, the three of you heard a crack and a heartbeat. You and Link instantly moved in front of Zelda, drawing your swords. The corpse cracked, its fingers starting to move, then its arm, then its spine, until finally, the head snapped towards you, demonic eyes glowing in your direction.

A burst of concentrated gloom and malice burst from his chest, rushing straight for Zelda. Link stepped in, shoving you away and knocking it back with the Master Sword. It doubled back, crawling up Link’s arm, burning away at his skin.

“Link!” You shouted, preparing to swing your sword at the gloom.

“No! It’ll get you too, don’t!” Link summoned every ounce of strength and swung the Master Sword at the gloom again.

You could hear a crack, and the Master Sword’s blade shattered in his hand.

The tip of the sword flew from the mess, slicing across the corpse’s cheek. You and Zelda rushed to Link’s side, helping him to stand. You tried not to look at the terrible burns on his arm, keeping your attention on the monster in front of you.

“Was that the sword that seals the darkness?” A raspy voice came from the corpse. “A blade that shatters so easily against my power cannot save you from me.” His eyes scanned across you as he tried to pull himself up. “Zelda… and you, who carries that fragile sword is Link. Rauru placed his faith in you and that was all you could do?” He turned his eyes to you, and the monster seemed to smile.

Suddenly, the eyes felt very familiar. You could hardly choke out the words. “It’s him.”

“Ah… [Y/n], you do remember me. And here you are, right where I want you. Millenia of preparation, all coming down to today. Oh, how I’ve waited for this moment.”

“How do you know our names?” Zelda asked.

He didn’t answer. Instead, he summoned a miasma of pure gloom and malice, releasing it from his chest into the runed pyramid above. The caves shook and a terrible earthquake tore through the walls. Boulders tumbled from all above you as the ground started to give way. You looked up and could see the stars as the corruption forced Hyrule Castle into the sky. As the gloom dissipated, the altar collapsed, and the corpse tumbled into the darkness below.

The earth still shook as Link fell to his knees, the decayed Master Sword still in hand. “Link!” you and Zelda both shouted, but it was cut off by a scream, as the ground gave way. Both of you began to fall back into emptiness. Link leaped after you, reaching out to catch you. He opened his hand, stretching out…

Your fingers barely missed his.

You turned to reach Zelda, but the stone glowed bright and she disappeared in ribbons of light. Link tried to reach you again, but the glowing hand seemed to regain its power, holding him aloft before yanking him upward in a burst of light.

You fought to stay calm, hearing the demented laugh of the monster somewhere deep below you. You pulled your left hand close to your chest. A familiar warmth spread through your body as your hand began to glow with a golden light.

A familiar voice whispered in your ear, albeit more urgent than the last time you heard it. “Sleep. He won’t get his hands on you today.”

As your consciousness began to fade, you wanted to ask what she meant. Instead, as sleep overtook you, there was only one thought in your mind.

Link, Zelda, please be safe.

[withcameraandpen]

Sondam Week 2024, Day 6

Give it up for the Day 6 prompt, Future! I took some liberties with this one (as if I haven't been this whole time lol), but enjoy chapter 6 of The Despair Killings! You can read the rest on AO3 here!

Gundham marched across the gravel parking lot of Hope Springs Therapy, opened the door, and went inside. It was a quarter to twelve, which would fit in snugly with the average therapist’s schedule; Komaeda offered 45-minute sessions, and coming right before lunch meant Komaeda couldn’t rush off to some other appointment. Gundham had him trapped.

He waited patiently, sitting in a hardbacked wooden chair as he catalogued every inch of the room until the door to Komaeda’s inner sanctum opened. Komaeda emerged with a weary patient in tow, a young lady with auburn hair and freckles. Komaeda also looked tired, but he perked up when he saw Gundham waiting.

“Hello, Agent Tanaka,” he said. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

He stood. “I have more questions regarding a former client.”

“Of course.” Komaeda turned to the young woman. “We had a good session today, Mahiru. Do something nice for yourself.”

“I will,” said the young woman. “Thanks, Nagito.”

She nodded at both men and then left, heaving a sigh as she walked through the door. “Come with me, Agent,” said Komaeda. “Do you mind if I make myself some tea?”

“Not at all.”

Komaeda led him through a narrow hallway and into a modest kitchen at the back of the office. On the spindly table in the corner of the room sat a decorative incense burner that resembled the leaning tower of Pisa. “I hope you don’t mind incense, either,” said Komaeda as he picked up a box of incense sticks on the table. “I’m a firm believer in the restorative power of scent.”

“By all means.”

In short order, the incense was lit, its heady scent washing over the room. Komaeda opened a cabinet and pulled out a box of tea bags. “What can I do for you, Agent?”

“I was deliberating on the records your shared with us of Mister Kuzuryu’s visits,” he began. “I thought it odd how rarely Kuzuryu mentioned his wife’s death during your sessions, even though he’d been seeing you for over a year.” At first, he assumed it was Kuzuryu’s natural reticence to speak of a difficult loss, to say nothing of his potential involvement. But after fair Sonia shared her wisdom, Gundham saw sinister machinations in the doctor’s omission.

“Not for lack of trying,” Komaeda replied with a sigh. “But I wasn’t surprised. Even when they’re going to therapy, people hate talking about the reason they’re there.”

“What did he share with you? Did he ever allude to playing a role in the incident?”

Komaeda’s eyes flashed. “He’s still protected by client confidentiality, even after death.”

Gundham shook himself. Do not be hasty. “Indubitably.”

“Luckily, I can tell you one thing.” Komaeda poured a cup of water and put it in the microwave. “He never shared a specific reason for coming in, though he sought me out shortly after Peko’s death.”

“So that was merely interpretation.” Gundham found that hard to believe. “What do you make of Mister Kuzuryu also being stabbed by one of his wife’s swords?”

He frowned. “I don’t know what you mean. What am I supposed to make of it?”

“Well, it’s highly coincidental, isn’t it?”

“I think it’s sad.” His lips pursed. “And stunning beyond belief. But I suppose people find romance in rumor.”

“Do you believe Kuzuryu was innocent? Did he ever say so?”

Komaeda’s eyes flashed. “I can’t tell you that.”

Gundham was onto something. His reticence, his guarded demeanor, the sharpness in his eyes – yes, Gundham was close, indeed. “Did you ever treat Kazuichi Soda? He was the most recent murder victim.”

“The mechanic, right. It’s awful, isn’t it?” he said, his voice flat. “I can hardly keep them all straight anymore, which is its own kind of awful.”

“We are working our hardest.”

“Of course you are. My apologies, I meant no offense.”

The microwave beeped. Komaeda took out the mug and put the tea bag in, allowing it to steep as he turned back to Gundham. “I’m afraid Kazuichi wasn’t a client of mine.”

“How odd,” Gundham replied. “A friend of his told me he had seen you the day of his death.”

He shrugged. “Maybe in passing?”

“No, I’m afraid she was quite explicit. According to her, Mister Soda had a meeting with his therapist the day he was killed.”

“Must not have been me, then.” He shrugged, though his eyes were locked on Gundham. “Maybe he had an online therapist? In all likelihood, he did that or maybe went to the next town over to keep his treatment as private as possible.”

“I see. And what of the other victims? Did you ever treat Nekomaru Nidai and Ibuki Mioda?”

“No.” He sighed bitterly. “You know what town you’re in, don’t you? Around these parts, you can’t admit to being different in any way, and that includes needing mental health support. I hope all these people were seeking support, and I hope their friends and family seek it as well, now more than ever. No one should grieve alone.”

Gundham blinked. Something about Komaeda’s speech muddled his mind. “You seem to resent how people treat mental health here.”

“I think people would rather say they were having an affair than admit to seeing me.” The steam from the mug warmed his face, turning his cheeks rosy and giving his eyes a hazy look. “But if I have to be half the town’s mistress in order to heal them, so be it.”

Gundham’s mind turned to sticky black muck. His eyelids grew heavy. “May we open a window?”

Komaeda’s head tilted suddenly. “Do you use a lot of incense, Agent Tanaka?”

“I am accustomed to the smell, yes.”

“You must be. You’re very resilient.”

The world tilted suddenly. Gundham was falling, his head smacking against the countertop as he crashed to the ground. He tried to get up, but his limbs were too heavy, his arms lying still at his sides.

A smug grin grew on Komaeda’s face. He walked over to the incense burner, plucked the stick out, and then stuck it in his cup of tea. The end fizzled out.

“It’s impressive how long you lasted,” he said. “It was almost too much for me, even with the tea’s aroma blocking it out.”

Darkness called to Gundham, pulling him down to some cold, watery, unknowable depths. “It was only a matter of time till someone found the connection,” said Komaeda, opening a drawer. “I destroyed all their records, though I couldn’t resist keeping Fuyuhiko’s. What a fascinating subject!”

He knelt beside Gundham and pulled his limp wrists together, a zip tie in hand. “He admitted he killed his wife in our first session. He showed deep remorse, but at the same time, petrifying fear that he would be found out. People are so afraid, aren’t they? I’m starting to think real, genuine joy is just an absence of fear.

“When I made my mind up about what I had to do, I knew I had to take out any mention of Peko in my notes. We all had our suspicions, but that’s quite different from knowing for sure, isn’t it? He told me he plunged her own sword into her, enraged when she admitted she stepped out on him. With him dead, there’s only one other person in the world who knows which one it is.”

“The one you used on him?” Gundham wheezed.

Komaeda grinned. “The police are idiots, but even that’s too much of a coincidence for them.”

He snapped the zip tie around Gundham’s hands, cinching it so tightly that the plastic dug into his wrists. “The others?” Gundham choked out. “Is this what you did to the others?”

“Most of them.” Komaeda sat back on his heels, watching him. “But nothing lasts forever. I knew someone at some future point would figure me out, but I got pretty lucky it was you.”

Gundham’s tongue felt thick and numb. His eyes fluttered, growing heavier with each blink, as he asked, “Me?”

Komaeda’s grin widened. “Someone Witch Creek won’t miss.”

Sonia paced the length of her motel room, limping along as the sun crept down to the horizon. She’d been a ball of nerves since she and Gundham parted ways. The tension grew every minute until this one, when it finally became unbearable.

She unlocked the door and flew out of the motel room, marching to the car parked on the opposite side of the lot. The plainclothes police officers inside jumped when they saw her in the rearview mirror. The one in the passenger seat reached for the door, but the driver side officer held him back.

Sonia went to the driver’s side window and knocked. The officer rolled it down, staring at her with his surly, piggish eyes. “You shouldn’t be out here, y’know.”

“It’s an emergency. Have you heard from Agent Tanaka?”

“No,” he said gruffly.

“Neither have I, but he said he’d be back hours ago.”

The officer shrugged. “He’s not a predictable guy, in case you didn’t notice.”

“He’s not predictable, but he is reliable,” she retorted. “Aren’t you worried?”

“Matter of fact, I’m relieved.” The officer chuckled. “If he’s off on a bender, we might get to move on the case.”

“He could be hurt!” she exclaimed, aghast.

“He’s armed, ma’am. He’ll be fine.” He leaned out of the car. “But you won’t be unless you get back to your room and stop talking to us.”

“Is that a threat?”

“It’s a reminder that someone’s more concerned with you than the devil worshipper.”

She bit back a huffy retort and stormed back to her room, slamming the door behind her. She knew something was wrong. Why did Gundham go in alone? Had he told anyone about the connection between the victims, or that he was going to see that connection?

Even if he had, every other officer would probably dismiss him just like those other two. After that chilly reception, no wonder he saved his energy!

Calling the station wouldn’t help, either. They all thought he was a madman and his deduction would be dismissed as the ravings of one. Why was Witch Creek so stuffy and proud to the point it made them stupid?

She picked up one of the “evidence” boxes the police had brought her earlier, filled with the clothes and toiletries they smuggled out of her home to avoid rousing the killer’s suspicion. She pulled out sweaters and fleece-lined leggings, digging until she found her switchblade at the bottom.

She had asked for it as a safeguard, imagining she would keep it under her pillow as she slept. Now she stuck it in her pocket as she pulled on her jacket and boots, and then undid her ponytail and wound it back up into a bun. She walked over to the bed and crawled across it to the window.

She pushed the thin curtains aside. Through the window, she saw the busy highway and the McDonald’s right next to it, with a long line of cars wrapping around the building just in time for the drive-thru dinner rush. The police hadn’t put a sentry here in part because there just wasn’t anywhere to park a car where an officer could both hide and protect her, and also because it was too busy for someone to sneak in without being spotted. They never thought about someone sneaking out.

She knew she would be spotted and the gossip would make its way to her guards before long, so she had to move. “If it ain’t broke,” she muttered to herself as she climbed out the motel window, “don’t fix it.”

[casualjacobwrites]

FFXIV Write 2024 Prompt #1 - Steer

It's time once again for me to try to do this challenge (dear gods please don't look at anything I wrote last year). Anyway, had an idea with Sicard and Emmanellain that popped into my head. Might continue it with other prompts if inspiration is kind. No spoilers really, though Sicard as a character doesn't show up until very late in the Shadowbringers expansion (in the pre-Endwalker stuff).

Word Count: 806

__

"Listen well, old boy. I'm not one for repeating myself."

"Who are you callin' 'old boy'? I'm a man, not a boy, an' I'm not old neither," Sicard yelled loud enough to be heard across the Astalicia. Two deckhands ducked behind a crate while a third hurriedly picked up his mop bucket and darted toward the cabin. "As for not repeatin' yourself, that's a laugh! There's nothin' you love more than the sound of your own voice while tellin' the same borin' story over an' over again."

"What? My stories are not boring!" Emmanellain de Fortemps lifted his chin and looked to one side. "You're too uncultured to appreciate them."

"Uncultured? I'll bloody show you uncultured!" Sicard grabbed the front of the elezen lordling's shirt with one hand while raising the other in a fist. Emmanellain's blue eyes widened, his mouth opening in equal parts shock and terror. Just as he pulled back to throw the first punch, a shorter elezen with red hair darted between the two men and pushed them apart.

"Master Spence, please forgive my lord's poor choice of words. I fear he's been in the sun too long." Honoiroit spoke at a loud volume, yet somehow managed to sound calm. Despite his young age, his years spent as the manservant to the second Fortemps son had made him something of an expert in conflict resolution.

"I have not--" One withering look from Honoroit and Emmanellain's protest died on his tongue. Still, he was quite aggrieved. "Perhaps we both spoke out of turn." It was as close to accepting blame as he ever got.

"Both of us? I'm not the one who--" Sicard stopped as Honoroit's baleful eyes turned to him. He lowered his hand and loosened his grip on the elezen's shirt. "Mayhap his lordship would enjoy some fruit belowdecks where it's cooler." No one listening in would miss the sarcastic emphasis he placed on the word lordship.

"That would be delightful, yes." Honoroit offered Sicard a slight bow then grabbed his noble charge by the wrist before he had a chance to say another word. "Come, my lord. A quick repast will be quite refreshing."

Sicard watched the pair leave the quarterdeck then kicked an empty wooden bucket that had been left by another crew member. It bounced off the side of the ship then clattered loudly onto its side. A few heads turned to see what caused the noise, but no one dared approach the acting captain of the Bloody Executioners.

Down in the guest cabin Honoroit was wishing his master could leave well enough alone. "Perhaps the captain feels you overstepped, my lord."

"Overstep? How could I overstep? I merely suggested the route young master Spence charted for our return trip could be shortened." Emmanellain held up a slice of citrus fruit as he spoke. "He should be grateful for my advice. There are many young men in Ishgard who would give their right arm for guidance from a man with as much worldly experience as me."

Sicard was the same age as Emmanellain to say nothing of his many years of seafaring and piracy, but Honoroit knew better than to point out such obvious facts to his master. "That may be so. Under the circumstances, however, it might be better to be more discreet when sharing your, ah, wisdom." For anyone else, calling whatever nonsense that spouted out of the noble elezen's mouth wisdom would be difficult to say with a straight face. Fortunately the young manservant had a great deal of practice at maintaining a neutral expression. "Some men might be intimidated by your position and lineage and thus are not receptive to critique no matter how constructive."

Emmanellain sucked on the slice of fruit as he considered Honoroit's words. After swallowing some of the pulp he leaned back in his seat. "You may have a point. 'Tis such a pity how men like him allow their pride to get in the way of bettering themselves."

"Truly not everyone can be as humble as you, my lord." Though his tone was drier than the deserts of Thanalan, his master nodded thoughtfully as though he'd spoken a profound truth.

"Quite right, my friend. Quite right, indeed." A few blessed moments of silence followed as Emmanellain enjoyed his selection of fruits along with a cup of his favorite Hingan tea. When he'd finished his small meal he daintily wiped the corners of his mouth with a cloth napkin then turned to Honoroit with a smile. "I have an idea as to how I might steer master Spence toward a better course. Bring me my atlas."

With a growing sense of foreboding, the young manservant went off to find his master's collection of nautical maps. If he returned to Ishgard without his hair turning gray, it would be a miracle.

[gatekeeper-watchman]

Daily Devotionals for September 21, 2024 Proverbs: God's Wisdom for Daily Living Devotional Scripture: Proverbs 25:4-5 (KJV): 4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. 5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

Proverbs 25:4-5 (AMP): 4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth (the material for) a vessel for the silversmith (to work up). 5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation).

Thought for the Day

Removing dross from silver in order to form it into a precious vessel, is comparable to removing wicked administrators from positions of authority. Before silver can be fashioned into a beautiful vessel, it must be refined. When melted, the "impurities" surface and can be removed. A righteous king's administrators represent him throughout his kingdom. His rule will not be righteous until the wicked are removed. This is what will happen when Jesus returns to rule as the King of kings: the wicked will be removed from the earth and the righteous will remain: "The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth" (Proverbs 10:29-30).

"…Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house, there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of the earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor" (2 Timothy 2:19a, 20). God's people are likened to two kinds of vessels: gold and silver "vessels of honor" and wood and clay "vessels of dishonor." Gold and silver vessels are durable and beautiful. Clay vessels chip and shatter; wooden vessels warp in water and burn in fire; neither have the strength of gold and silver. God desires that we have a place among His vessels of honor. "If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work" (2 Timothy 2:21).

How we respond to life's trials determines what kind of vessel we become. Trials "heat up our circumstances" and bring hidden sins to the surface. "For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried" (Psalm 66:10). Each time we choose to obey God and put to death our old nature or resist the devil, a little more of the "dross" is removed, until we come forth as pure as silver or gold.

Following is a portion of Psalm 119. Its author, knowing that God will remove the wicked like dross, cried out to God to help him keep His commandments. He knew that he could not respect God without respecting His Word. May we be as wise: "Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood. Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies" (Psalm 119:117-119). Prayer Devotional for the Day Dear heavenly Father, thank you for the ongoing work that You are doing in my life and others. I do want to cry out as David did for grace and strength to keep Your commandments. May I always love and respect You and Your Word above all else. I know that when I choose to do this, You will protect me from the enemy and keep me in a place of safety. Lord, cleanse me from every evil thing so that I will become a vessel of honor for Your glory. Purge the "dross" from my life so that I will shine for You as silver and gold. I ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus, my redeemer, and your son, Amen.

From: Steven P. Miller, @ParkermillerQ, gatekeeperwatchman.org TM, ‎Friday, ‎September ‎20, ‎2024 Founder and Administrator of Gatekeeper-Watchman International Group

 X … @ParkermillerQ

https://www.facebook.com/gatekeeperwatchnanhttps://www.facebook.com/

Instagram: steven_parker_miller_1956

#GWIG, #GWIN, #GWINGO.

[dfroza]

A link to my personal reading of the Scriptures

for the 7th of november 2024 with a paired chapter from each Testament (the First & the New Covenant) of the Bible

[The Book of Luke, Chapter 2 • The Book of 1st Samuel, Chapter 14]

along with Today’s reading from the ancient books of Proverbs and Psalms with Proverbs 7 and Psalm 7 coinciding with the day of the month, accompanied by Psalm 47 for the 47th day of Astronomical Autumn, and Psalm 12 for day 312 of the year (with the consummate book of 150 Psalms in its 3rd revolution this year)

A post by John Parsons:

The “Tree of Life,” etz ha’chayim (עֵץ הָחַיִּים), is mentioned ten times in the Scriptures. It first appears in the Torah as the center of the paradise of Eden (Gen. 2:9; 3:22-4), but it is soon lost to humanity because of Adam’s transgression. In the book of Revelation, it reappears in the center of the Paradise of God (Rev. 2:7, 22:2), resurrected on account of the faithful obedience of Yeshua as mankind’s “last Adam” (1 Cor. 15:45). Those who have washed their robes by means of His righteousness are given access to this Tree in the heavenly Jerusalem (Rev. 22:14). The paradise lost by Adam has been regained by the greater ben-adam, Son of man, Yeshua the Messiah.

In the book of Proverbs, the Tree of Life is a metaphor for the life of wisdom (chokhmah), which is the implied subject of our verse above (see Prov. 3:13). Traditional Judaism identifies talmud Torah (the study of Torah) as the Tree of Life, promising wisdom to those who “lay hold of her” (a Torah scroll has wooden rods called atzei chayim – the “trees of life” – used to roll the parchment). According to the Rabbis, the eternal life that was lost in Eden was restored to humanity with the giving of the Torah at Sinai.

A midrash says that in the paradise of olam haba (the world to come) there stands the Tree of Life, with the tree of knowledge forming a hedge around it. Only the wise one who has cleared a path for himself through the tree of knowledge can come close to it (which is said to be so enormous that it would take 500 years to walk around it). Beneath the Tree flows forth the water that irrigates the whole earth, parting into four streams, the Ganges, the Nile, the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers. In mystical (i.e., gnostic) Judaism, the Tree of Life is depicted as an elaborate symbol, the meditation of which is said to “clear the path” back to paradise.

Followers of Yeshua understand that He (alone) is the Tree of Life, the Center of the true Paradise of God (Rev. 22:2). He is the Seed, Root, Trunk, Branches, and Fruit that comes from heaven. The first Adam lost access to God by means of his transgression (eating from the tree of the “knowledge of good and evil”), but the “Greater Adam” reclaimed our access by means of His obedience, resisting the power of evil even to the point of death upon the “tree” of the cross (Phil. 2:8). The resurrection of the life of Yeshua is the “firstfruits” of all who put their trust in Him (1 Cor. 15:20; Jas. 1:18). Yeshua is the “Tree of Life in the center of the Paradise of God,” and all who retain Him are forever blessed indeed. Say ye Amen.

[ Hebrew for Christians ]

========

Prov. 3:18 reading:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/prov3-18-jjp.mp3

Hebrew page:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/prov3-18-lesson.pdf

11.7.24 • Facebook

from Today’s email by Israel365

Today’s message (Days of Praise) from the Institute for Creation Research

[revlyncox]

Transforming Toward Interdependence: The Joy of Climate Justice

Remembering our love for the earth and imagining climate justice solutions might get us where we need to go faster than panicking until we shut down and do nothing. We can be realistic about the devastating impact of climate change and still move forward with justice and equity. This sermon was delivered to The Unitarian Society in East Brunswick on September 29, 2024.

How did you fall in love with the earth? 

I remember falling in love with the earth several times over when I was growing up. Some of those times were at the nature center at a regional park. It was a wooden building with a deck all around it. The approach to the front door was a wide footbridge over a ravine with trees growing in it, which made the building seem almost like a treehouse. The wood interior with exposed beams felt warm and relaxing and welcoming, much like this room except without stairs. 

Inside, there was a hexagonal sunken area where the rangers could bring animal ambassadors. There were tanks and enclosures with lizards and frogs and turtles. But the nature center was just a starting point. From there, we could go walk in the woods and maybe even meet more of those lizards, frogs, and turtles, remembering that we share our world with them, or perhaps that they are generous enough to share their world with us. 

Summer day camps in the parks helped that love grow. We created beautiful centerpieces for the lunch table with rocks and leaves that would then get returned to their places, never picking anything alive. We went on walks and learned “hiking etiquette,” about how to move branches out of the way with kindness and how to respect the habitats that were off the trail. We all chose nature-inspired camp names and each wrote them on a round slice of wood that we hung on our necks with yarn. Other kids chose names like Butterfly, Rainbow, and Chickadee. I chose Gnome, after the mythical creatures with pointy hats and beards who live close to the earth. (So, yes, I was always like that, in case you were wondering.)

Falling in love with the earth was, in part, about getting comfortable with being around non-human living things. It was about learning the names of the other beings who shared my local ecosystem, developing a sense of awe and wonder and affinity for life. There are probably facts about the Eastern Narrow-Mouthed Toad or the Eastern Screech-Owl that I memorized when I was seven and have since forgotten. What I remember is the feeling of being at home in the world, part of something larger than myself. I remember the love.

This love for the earth shows up differently for everyone. Of course it does, we each have relationships with different microclimates and ancestral cultures that have their own wisdom. But I believe the love holding it all together is the same. This love, this relationship, is one to which we must return as we make repairs. By holding onto this love, we may find the strength to transform our way of life. 

Biologist Edward O. Wilson popularized the term “biophilia” in his 1984 book of the same name. He wrote that biophilia describes "the connections that human beings subconsciously seek with the rest of life." It is innate, it’s part of how we are wired as humans and how the interdependent world of which we are a part functions. 

More recently, marine biologist Ayana Elizabeth Johnson extended this concept in her book, What If We Get It Right: Visions of Climate Futures. She writes:

[B]iophilia can be a powerful driving force for conservation, for maintaining a proper respect for the millions of non-human species on this planet who also deserve to thrive and do all the fantastic and weird things they do. We are but a miniscule part of an interdependent multitude. The web of life is vast. And really, really cool.

This innate sensibility tends to get muted as we “mature,” making it all the more important to revisit and rekindle those early sparks. That feeling of awe that rushes through us when we get up close to the natural world is a signal. Like all strong feelings in the heart and gut, it is telling us something about what matters–about where we can find joy and connection, about what is valuable and sacred, about how to orient a moral compass in a decaying world. In other words, it is telling us how to survive. 

[This quote is from the introduction, “Prelude: An Ocean Love Story.”]

Dr. Johnson makes the point that love requires something of us, and that love is more likely to motivate us than fear or panic or despair. We have had information about human-caused climate change for over a hundred years. We need information to act strategically, but the information by itself isn’t moving us to transform our national policies, economies, and cultures fast enough. Our love for the earth might give us that push, a draw to move toward something rather than running away from something, inspiration for possible futures that are just, equitable, and sustainable. 

Humans are in a relationship with the earth, and relationships take work. True love means acting in support of the wellbeing of the beloved. Of course, we are also in relationships with each other. Human relationships also matter. Corporate lobbyists and politicians who run on an ethic of domination instead of interdependence will tell us that we can’t have a system that allows us to feed and protect our families while also caring for the planet. But in our hearts we know that love doesn’t work that way. Systems of extraction and control that got us into this environmental mess also yielded systems of racial oppression, gender oppression, and economic inequality. Love is not a zero-sum operation. If we are going to find a way forward–transition our economies beyond carbon, mitigate the effects of climate disaster, and re-order our way of life so that everyone can share in abundance–we should follow the wisdom of love. 

So, when did you fall in love with the earth?

Sometimes that love starts on the scale of things that fit in the palm of our hands, dandelions or ladybugs or newts. We become fascinated with the smallest beings we can see, and the relationship of that being with our ecosystem grows our love outward. Sometimes that love starts from the cosmic level and works its way in. Earlier this morning, we learned about Maria Mitchell. She was the first professional woman astronomer in this country, an early faculty member of Vassar College. Her love of the stars ignited her curiosity, and her curiosity led her back to a passion for equality on earth. According to biographer Debra Michaels and the National Women’s History Museum, Maria Mitchell “defied social conventions by having her female students come out at night for class work and celestial observations, and she brought noted feminists to her observatory to speak on political issues, among them Julia Ward Howe.” 

For Maria Mitchell, as much as she loved science and math and the surfaces of Jupiter and Saturn, she made the connection that the search for truth must be conducted in an equitable way. Loving the solar system means loving the planet we’re on, and loving the planet we’re on means making it a more just place to live. 

Maria Mitchell is not the only one whose cosmic love turned back around to love and action for the earth and its people. Cosmonaut Aleksei Leonov, the first human to conduct extra-vehicular activity in space said, “The Earth was small, light blue, and so touchingly alone, our home that must be defended like a holy relic. The Earth was absolutely round. I believe I never knew what the word round meant until I saw Earth from space.”

Similarly, astronaut Karen Nyberg said, “In the future, I would like to be more of an advocate for animal conservation. Every single part of the Earth reacts with every other part. It’s one thing. Every little animal is important in that ecosystem.” Nyberg continued, saying that seeing the planet from above “makes you realize that, and makes you want to be a little more proactive in keeping it that way. If I could get every Earthling to do one circle of the Earth, I think things would run a little differently.”

Love that comes from the cosmic scale and back around to the earth reminds us that this is the only planet we have. And, really, it’s the best planet. It’s not too hot and not too cold. It has an atmosphere. We have something really good going here, and the planet deserves our care. Loving the earth from the outside in reminds us that we have a duty. 

And, as these scientists and astronauts imply, loving the earth is not a single-issue quest. Loving the earth means gender justice. It means protecting animal habitat. It means conservation. It means just and compassionate immigration policy. It means peace. As Dr. Nyberg said, “Every single part of the Earth reacts with every other part.”

In other words, interdependence is the truth, it is our past, it is our future. This is why we are transitioning from talking about environmentalism to talking about climate justice. Environmentalism is taking care of the earth, and seeing this as one set of issues separate from other social issues. Taking care of the earth is important, but we come to understand more deeply every day that our interdependence means that no issue is really separate from any other. The climate justice movement connects the dots to all of the ways damage to the earth has impacted people, and all of the ways our solutions for the health of the ecosystem must also bring about justice and equity and repair for the people who have been harmed by politics of domination and extraction. Love for people and the planet; it’s all the same love that we embrace at the center. 

The University of California Center for Climate Justice names six pillars of climate justice that describe a whole system of organizing and solutions. These pillars include social, racial, and environmental justice; respect for indigenous leadership; and equitable investment and local sovereignty that will give communities the resources they need to mitigate harm and to adapt to a changing climate. Love for our planet is a big love, and we need to think big as we put the work into that relationship. 

In What If We Get It Right, the book I mentioned earlier by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, the author interviews people from a multitude of disciplines and movements, asking each of them about their vision for what is possible. They suggest solutions like supporting young farmers in sustainable practices; reforming the U.S. Department of Agriculture and addressing its historic racial discrimination; bringing an ethic of environmental justice to our design of cities, public places, and homes; moving retirement funds out of fossil fuel-supporting banks and into investment in equitable clean energy in the Global South, and dozens of other ideas. The practical and technical pieces are all there for a better world that we could move toward. 

Many of our neighbor UU congregations are engaging in the Climate Justice Revival this fall to learn about those solutions, to create rich pictures of a just and sustainable world, and to have some discernment about what each of us has to offer and feels drawn to do. Our climate revival is likely to be in the late spring so that we can focus on the work of the Mission Statement Task Force and the Contract Minister Search Committee this fall, but we can still hold the interconnections and wholeness of climate justice in our minds and hearts. Perhaps our racial justice work this year could zoom in on environmental racism. Perhaps our support for immigrant neighbors will take into account climate migration and the impact of climate change on immigrant workers. Perhaps we will prioritize clean energy and renewable resources as we make decisions about this building. Every piece matters, and we don’t need to wait until we can get our arms around the whole planet before we start hugging the trees that are in our care right now. 

We know that the challenges are enormous. For too long, we have been daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. We may not finish in this generation, but we can get started. And no one person can do it alone, nor should we try. The key is to organize and to work together. The solutions are all connected, and so anywhere we start is the right place, as long as we have a love for the whole and an awareness of our interdependence. 

Love asks us to change for the wellbeing of the beloved and for our own wellbeing. Let us open our minds and hearts and move with joy toward what is possible: an adaptable, equitable, and just society and a planet that can begin its process of healing. Say yes to love. For the sake of the “lives our lives prepare,” may it be so.

[noeticprayer]

SCRIPTURE READINGS for Sunday September 15, 2024

1 Corinthians 1:18-24 (First Nations Version)

The message of the Cross seems foolish to the ones who are walking a path to a bad end. But for us who are being set free and made whole, the message itself is the power of the Great Spirit (God the Father).

For it has been written in the Sacred Teachings, "I will tear down the wisdom of the ones who see themselves as wise and undo the understanding of those who think they know all things."

So then, where are the ones who think they are wise? Where is the scroll keeper who explains the meaning of our tribal law? Where is the trained speaker of this present world? Has not the Great Spirit (God) made the ones who are trusting in the wisdom of this world look foolish? In His great wisdom Creator knew that the world through its wisdom would not come to know him. So his heart was glad to rescue and set free the ones who trust in the "foolishness" of the good story (Gospel) we tell.

The people of the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel) require powerful signs. The Wisdom Seekers (Greeks) search for wisdom. But we tell the good story about the Chosen One (Christ), who died on a tree pole-the Cross. This message puts a stumbling stone in the path of our Tribal People and is nothing but foolishness to the Outside Nations. But to the ones who have been called out from among our Tribal People (Judeans) and the Wisdom Seekers (Greeks), the Chosen One (Christ) is the power and wisdom of the Great Spirit (God the Father).

Creator's foolishness is wiser than the wisest of human beings, and his weakness is more powerful than the strongest of all.

John 19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28, 30-35 (First Nations Version)

"Behold the man!", Spear of the Great Waters (Pontius Pilate) said to them. The crowd stared at Him in stunned silence. But then the head holy men and the lodge guards began to shout, "Death! Death on the cross!"

"Then take Him and kill Him yourselves," Spear of the Great Waters (Pilate) said to them. "I find no guilt in Him!" They answered him back, "Our law tells us he must die, for he has represented himself as the Son of the Great Spirit (God)." When Spear of the Great Waters (Pilate) heard this, his fear grew stronger, so he took Creator Sets Free (Jesus) back inside his lodge. "Who are you, and where are you from?" he questioned Him.

Creator Sets Free (Jesus) stood there and remained silent. "Speak to me! Do you not know I have the power of life and death over you? I can have you killed or set you free," he warned Him. "Have you nothing to say?"

"The only power you have is what has been given you from above," He answered. "The ones who have turned me over to you carry the greater guilt."

When Spear of the Great Waters (Pilate) heard this, he took Creator Sets Free (Jesus) and went to the Stone of Deciding, called Gabbatha in the tribal language, and sat down. It was now midday on the Day of Preparation for the Passover Festival. He brought Creator Sets Free (Jesus) before the people and said, "Here is your Chief."

"Take Him away! Take Him away!" the crowd shouted with one voice. "Nail Him to the Cross!"

"Would you have me nail your Chief to the Cross?" he asked them. This time the head holy men answered back, "We have no other chief than the Ruler of the People of Iron (Caesar)."

Spear of the Great Waters (Pilate) then turned Creator Sets Free (Jesus) over to the soldiers to have Him put to death on a pole tree-the Cross- so they took Him away.

The Cross was an instrument of torture and terror used by the People of Iron (Romans) to strike fear into the hearts of any who dared to rise up against their empire. The victim's hands and feet would be pierced with large iron nails, fastening them to the Cross. The victims would hang there, sometimes for days, until they were dead. This was one of the most cruel and painful ways to die ever devised by human beings.

The soldiers placed a wooden crossbeam on His back and forced Him to carry it to the place where He would be executed.

Creator Sets Free (Jesus) carried the crossbeam to the Place of the Skull, which is called Golgotha in the tribal language. There they nailed His hands and feet to the Cross, along with the two others, and placed His Cross between the two of them. Spear of the Great Waters (Pilate) fastened a sign to the top of the Cross where they attached the crossbeam with these words written on it:

CREATOR SETS FREE (JESUS) FROM SEED PLANTERS VILLAGE, CHIEF OF THE TRIBES OF WRESTLES WITH CREATOR

This was near Village of Peace (Jerusalem). So that many of the Tribal Members could read it, the sign was written in Aramaic, their tribal language, but also in Latin and Greek, the languages of the People of Iron (Romans).

Standing near the Cross was Bitter Tears (Virgin Mary the Theotokos), the Mother of Creator Sets Free (Jesus), who had come to see Him, along with her sister. Two other women also came with her, Brooding Tears (Mary) the wife of Trader (Clopas), and Strong Tears (Mary Magdalene) from Creator's High Lodge (Magdala). He Shows Goodwill (John the Theologian), the much-loved follower of Creator Sets Free (Jesus), was also there with them.

When Creator Sets Free (Jesus) looked down and saw them, He said to His Mother, "Honored woman, look to your son." Then He said to his follower, "Look to your Mother." From that time the follower took Bitter Tears (Virgin Mary the Theotokos) into his family and cared for her.

Creator Sets Free (Jesus), knowing He had done all the ancient Sacred Teachings had foretold, said, "I thirst".

He then tasted the bitter wine, turned His head to the sky and cried out loud, "It is done!" He then lowered His head to His chest and, with His last breath, gave up His spirit.

Creator Sets Free (Jesus) was dead.

Soon the sun would set and a special Day of Resting would begin, when no work could be done. It was time to prepare for this day, so the Tribal Members asked Spear of the Great Waters (Pilate) to have the legs of the men on the crosses broken, which would make them die sooner. Then they could take the bodies down and prepare them for burial.

The soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men on each side of Creator Sets Free (Jesus). When they came to Him, they saw He was already dead. Instead of breaking His legs, one of the soldiers took a spear and pierced His side. Blood and water flowed out from the wound.

The one who saw these things with his own eyes is telling the truth about this-so that all will believe.

+

[fuckyeahelijahwoodfan]

I'm Taking notes from King

Stretching is so important while tweeting 😍😂

[pnp-pujanpujari]

Ganesh Chaturthi Puja Guide: How to Celebrate with Devotion and Tradition

Ganesh Chaturthi, one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India, marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom, prosperity, and new beginnings. This festival brings families and communities together to welcome Lord Ganesha into their homes and hearts with great devotion. Here's a comprehensive guide to performing Ganesh Chaturthi Puja, ensuring you honor the tradition while invoking the blessings of the deity.

Preparation for Ganesh Chaturthi 2024

1. Selecting the Idol:

The first step is choosing a suitable idol of Lord Ganesha. Traditionally, the idol is made of clay or eco-friendly materials. Opt for an idol that resonates with your devotion. It’s also essential to consider the size of the idol based on the space where the puja will be performed.

2. Setting Up the Puja Area:

Cleanliness is crucial in setting up the puja area. Choose a clean, sacred spot in your home, preferably facing east or west. Place a clean cloth or a wooden platform as the base. Decorate the area with flowers, rangoli, and lights, creating a festive ambiance. 

3. Gathering Puja Essentials:

Before the puja begins, ensure you have all the necessary items like turmeric, kumkum, sandalwood paste, betel leaves, betel nuts, coconut, fruits, sweets (especially modaks, which are Lord Ganesha's favorite), incense sticks, diya (lamp), and flowers. Aarti thali and a small bowl of water are also essential for the rituals.

Ganesh Chaturthi Puja Guide

1. Pranapratishtha:

This is the most significant part of the Ganesh Chaturthi puja, where life is invoked into the idol of Lord Ganesha. The priest or the head of the family performs this ritual by chanting specific mantras and offering flowers, turmeric, and rice grains (akshat) to the idol. The belief is that Lord Ganesha descends into the idol to bless his devotees.

2. Shodashopachara:

After Pranapratishtha, the deity is worshipped with 16 forms of offerings known as Shodashopachara. These offerings include water for bathing the deity (Abhishek), fresh clothes, sandalwood paste, flowers, incense, light (Aarti), and naivedyam (food offerings, including modaks). Each offering is accompanied by specific chants and prayers.

3. Ganesh Aarti:

The Aarti is the most vibrant part of the puja, where devotees sing the praises of Lord Ganesha while rotating the Aarti thali in front of the idol. The Aarti, which is usually performed twice a day (morning and evening), is accompanied by the sound of bells, claps, and conch shells, creating a divine atmosphere.

4. Prasad Distribution:

Once the Aarti is completed, the prasad (sweets and fruits offered to the deity) is distributed among family members and guests. Sharing the prasad symbolizes sharing the blessings of Lord Ganesha.

5. Visarjan:

The conclusion of Ganesh Chaturthi is marked by Visarjan, where the idol of Lord Ganesha is immersed in water, symbolizing his return to Mount Kailash. The Visarjan can be done on the same day or after a specific number of days, depending on family traditions. During the Visarjan procession, devotees chant “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya,” asking Lord Ganesha to return soon next year.

Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is not just a religious festival but a cultural celebration that fosters unity, joy, and devotion. It’s a time when people come together to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha for wisdom, prosperity, and the removal of obstacles. The festival also promotes the values of eco-friendliness, with an increasing emphasis on using biodegradable materials for the Ganesha idol and puja items.

Promoting Pujanpujari.com: Your One-Stop Solution for All Puja Needs

As you prepare for Ganesh Chaturthi, ensuring that all your puja essentials are in place is crucial. At PujaNPujari.com, we offer a wide range of eco-friendly Ganesh idols, puja items, and decorations that align with traditional values. Additionally, our platform provides astrology services, online pandit booking, and customized puja packages to help you perform your rituals with ease and authenticity. Let us assist you in celebrating this Ganesh Chaturthi with devotion, while also supporting sustainable practices. Visit PujaNPujari.com today to make your festival preparations complete and spiritually fulfilling.

[pestcontrolserviceindore]

How to Get Rid of Termites: Quick Tips | Ideal ASR Corporation

Understanding the Importance of Termite Treatment in Indore

Termites are insects that can cause great damage to wooden structures, and consequently, they need to be treated the same way as other pests such as rats and Cockroaches. This article aims to explain why this is the case.

Termites are destructive insects that mostly infest homes and buildings and should be managed appropriately. Since most of the cities in Madhya Pradesh are highly prone to termite attacks, such as Indore, it is wise to prevent the problems before they happen. At Ideal ASR Corporation, we appreciate knowing the value of Termite Treatment in Indore, and we are committed to giving you assurances about your property against these damaging creatures.

Trusted Termite Pest Control Service in Indore – Read More

Quick Tips for Termite Treatment near Me

Identify the Signs of Termite Infestation

The first thing that needs to be done in the case of termites is to get to the signs of the problem. This will include checking for mud tubes, wings, noises behind walls, doors, and floors, and any signs of wood decay. These are signs you should not overlook to avoid further extension of the problem’s impact if you observe them.

Termite Control Services in Indore 2024 | Ideal ASR Corporation-Read More

Choose a Professional Termite Control Company

There are times that you will need to search for Termite Treatment Near Me; it is essential to use the services of Ideal ASR Corporation, a professional pest control company. Consulting with us means getting in touch with a team of professional exterminators who have vast experience handling termite-related issues and will have you sorted out in the shortest time possible with long-lasting solutions.

Trusted Rodent Control Service in Indore 2024 | Book Online- Read More

Schedule a Termite Inspection

As soon as you start any form of treatment, it is advisable to hire a professional to conduct a termite inspection of your premises. Our technicians will give a first opinion on how serious the infestation is and what treatment plan should be followed for your particular case.

Opt for Termite Prevention Measures

This is a voice of wisdom that says it is easier to prevent the occurrence of termites than to get rid of them when they have infested your home or business premises. But beyond exterminating current pest colonies, we also provide chemically treated timber prevention to prevent any form of Termite invasion in the future. Whether it is making the soil unfriendly for the termites or using barriers, we are the ones to call.

Best Termite Control Company in Indore 2024- Read More

Termite Companies Near Me: Why Choose Ideal ASR Corporation?

Expertise and Experience

Ideal ASR Corporation is a well-known name, which has been providing Pest Control Services efficiently in Indore for several years now and specializes in providing the best termite treatment. Technicians: All the technicians that are employed at the company are trained on a regular basis to ensure they have adequate knowledge in termite control procedures as well as techniques.

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Customized Solutions

We acknowledge the fact that any occurrence of termites is distinct in terms of severity and scope therefore, at AP Pest Control, we assign personalized treatment according to your resource constraints and requirements. The advantage of engaging our service is that we will be able to manage any levels of insect control issues with enhanced ease.

Environmentally Friendly Products

At Ideal ASR Corporation, it is our principle to place your family’s safety as well as the protection of the environment. That is why we offer environmentally safe measures as we eliminate termites while at the same time minimizing the possibility of harm to your family, pets, and nature.

Termite Treatment & Termite Control In Indore - Ideal ASR- Read More

Conclusion

What a termite eats is to take over your home or commercial establishment? It is for this reason that professionals emphasize the fact that if you have termites in your home, you can exterminate them if you seek help the right way. If you are experiencing current rodent problems, we have solutions for you, as well as a range for protection should the problem persist in the future. Contact us to eliminate the termites from your Indore home or office and get our effective termite treatment.

Ideal ASR Corporation - Contact Us

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Business Mail Id: idealasrcorporation@gmail.com

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[fireangelsstuff-inactive-2024]

Dog Yearly Horoscope for 2024

Atime of transformative change is on the horizon for Dogs. 2024 will be a year that will demand immense personal growth from people who were born in the year of the Dog. The Wooden Dragon, which is the symbol of the year 2024, is prepared to empower Dogs with the energy they need to achieve their aspirations, but in return, it demands from them decisive action, an openness to new circumstances, and the agility to adapt to rapidly evolving situations. The Eastern horoscope for Dogs in 2024 promises both growth and development in all aspects of life. However, these changes will not come without their challenges. Only by overcoming these obstacles will the Dogs truly realize their full potential.

Dogs, accustomed to stability, may be discombobulated by 2024, bringing a whirlwind of unforeseen situations. Events will unfold at a dizzying pace, potentially leading to some unfortunate, rash decisions. In 2024, it is crucial to avoid impulsiveness and unjustified risks. Haste in actions, especially in anything that is related to business or a professional area, will only lead to setbacks and disappointments.

Dogs must embrace decisiveness, courage, and a commitment to personal development, both professionally and spiritually. They may even discover new facets of their personalities and cultivate hidden talents. Many situations will require intuitive solutions, so it is essential to heed one's inner voice. Spiritual growth should be the overarching priority for 2024. Achieving inner harmony will positively influence all aspects of Dog’s life and have lasting effects throughout and beyond 2024.

Not everything will be smooth in personal relationships for the Dog. People born in the year of the Dog should anticipate frequent provocations from those around them, leading to potential conflicts. Emotional restraint, tactfulness, and a positive mindset will be invaluable tools for navigating these challenges. Relationships within Dog’s network, whether professional or personal, could lead to lucrative opportunities in 2024 and beyond, so Dogs are advised against jeopardizing these valuable connections.

The success of a Dog's personal life in the year of the Dragon is entirely up to the effort they put in. If they want to strengthen their feelings or increase the attachment of their partner, they need to be more decisive. The romantic horoscope for Dogs in 2024 suggests that it would be very beneficial to add variety and excitement to their romance. An important aspect will be the intimate sphere. It is worth trying something new, adding passion and mystery. Experiments and open conversations will add harmony to the relationship. In the year ruled by the Dragon, it is advisable to seriously consider marriage or having a child if either of these is in the cards because the time is favorable for either or both. Partners on the verge of a breakup may be able to reconcile as the Dragon energy brings more calm and wisdom into our everyday lives.

The earlier period of 2024 can, however, still be dangerous for the exacerbation of conflicts. Quarrels are not excluded; dissatisfaction of the partner with the Dog's busyness can be one of the reasons for contention. Even strong couple’s relationships can come under threat. Therefore, it is worth spending more time with a loved one, and when resolving controversial issues, try to find a compromise.

For single Dogs, 2024 is a good year to start new relationships. It will pay off to be more active in getting to know people, expand one’s circle of communication, and not isolate oneself from the world and, especially, other people. It is highly likely that for the non-attached Dog, the first half of the year will provide them with a chance to meet a person who will seem to fit the definition of an ideal partner. Towards the end of the year, the flow of attention from the opposite sex will subside, and the time will be optimal for the Dog to take a break and understand their feelings if the Dog has not found someone special until then. Both single and involved Dogs can use this time for self-reflection in order to better understand themselves and their partner in the context of their relationship.

The year of the Dragon is a time of great change and transformation for Dogs. The Dragon's energy is powerful and unpredictable, so it is important to be prepared for the unexpected. However, this energy can also be harnessed to achieve great things. Dogs who are willing to step outside of their comfort zones and embrace new challenges can expect to see significant growth and progress in all areas of their lives, especially in the areas of professional development.

Initially, Dogs may face financial instability in 2024. However, everything that happens during the period with the influence of the Dragon should be taken as necessary. The first half of the year can knock Dogs off their feet with unexpected, but non-negotiable, large expenses. Dog’s income may also not meet their expectations. But all this is temporary. By the middle of the year, the situation should improve. As the year progresses, there will be many opportunities to improve their financial situation. The main thing is to act quickly and not to be afraid of obstacles.

Dogs are characterized by hard work and the ability to generate realistic ideas, so the Dragon’s energy will give them a chance to use their skills to acquire a stable source of income. There will be more than enough avenues for opportunistic growth The main thing Dogs should keep in mind is not to give in to panic when financial instability arises. If the Dog happens to start their own business in 2024, there is a good chance that business will develop at a rapid pace and can become profitable sooner than originally expected. The same prospects exist for expanding an already existing enterprise. Dogs are advised to be very careful with dubious offers promising incredible income. They would be much better off investing it in their own growing business, if they have one, or in a conservative but stable investment vehicle in order to preserve their capital.

The Dragon's energy is potent and often disruptive, and it can be difficult to adjust to the changes it brings. However, these changes are ultimately necessary for the Dog in order to reach their full potential. The Dragon is a symbol of strength, courage, and transformation, and its energy will help people born in the year of the Dog overcome their fears and limitations. In order to make the most of 2024, Dogs need to have a clear vision of what they want to achieve. They should set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals and develop a plan to achieve them. They should also be prepared to take risks and step outside their comfort zones. This is not the time to play it safe.

The Dragon's energy is conducive to creativity and innovation, so it is a good time to pursue bold projects and new business ventures. Dogs should not be afraid to think outside the box and come up with new ideas. They should also be prepared to put in the hard work and dedication that it takes to make their dreams a reality.

The Dragon's energy can help Dogs advance their careers, but they will need to be willing to put in the effort. Dogs should take advantage of professional development opportunities and network with other professionals in their field. They should also be prepared to take on new challenges and responsibilities. Strong relationships are essential for success in any field, and this is especially true in the year of the Dragon. Dogs should make an effort to connect with their colleagues and mentors. These relationships can provide valuable support and guidance and help navigate the challenges and opportunities of the year.

The Dragon's energy is often associated with career advancement, so Dogs should not be afraid to apply for promotions or look for new opportunities. They should also be open to the possibility of making a career change. The Dragon's energy can help Dogs rediscover their passions and find a career that is truly fulfilling. Overall, the year is not going to be especially easy for the Dog, but it will be a year filled with potential. Dogs who are willing to put in the effort and embrace the changes that come their way can expect to see significant growth and progress.

As health and wellbeing go, Dogs will experience a surge of energy throughout the year in 2024. However, almost all of their strength will be spent on work and/or studying. Therefore, it is extremely important to take preventive measures in order not to burn out. This is especially true of making the necessary adjustments to their lifestyle. In the year of the Dragon, it is favorable to give up bad habits, replacing them with healthy ones. Such an exchange will go less painfully and faster than at any other time. We recommend paying particular attention to the regimen and quality of nutrition. The body should receive the necessary amount of vitamins.

Physical activity will also be required. Dogs are advised to take up running, swimming, or perhaps even just power walking. It is equally important not to forget about mental health. Emotional instability can lead to the development of depressive episodes and the exacerbation of chronic diseases in the second half of the year. Yoga or meditative practices can help to quickly restore emotional balance and to react less sharply to problems and life’s disappointments. It is necessary to maintain an optimistic attitude. The year of the Dragon is favorable for surgical intervention, so Dogs should not delay treatment if that is something they need to do.

Overall, the year 2024 will be one of tremendous change and personal growth for those born in the year of the Dog. The intense Wooden Dragon energy will demand determined action, openness to new circumstances, and adaptability in order to empower the Dog to achieve their aspirations while employing their full potential. Dogs will face numerous challenges in 2024, including potential conflicts in relationships, financial instability, and the need to step outside their comfort zone. However, embracing change and taking risks during this transformative time can lead to great advancements in careers, personal lives, and important self-discoveries. Key themes for Dogs in 2024 are avoiding rash decisions, pursuing creativity and innovation, connecting with supportive relationships, and prioritizing health through positive lifestyle adjustments. With courage and commitment to self-improvement, Dogs can harness the powerful Dragon energy to realize significant growth in all aspects of their lives by the year's end. The combination of all these factors promises Dogs both turbulence and opportunity in equal measure. By rising to meet the Dragon's dynamic shifts with flexibility and vision, the Dog stands to gain prosperity and enlightenment surpassing any stable yet stagnant years prior.

--

Copyright © Daily Horoscope.

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[ashleysingermfablog]

Wk 17, 27th of May, 2024 Research

Sacred Sites & Rituals in the Ancient Celtic Religion by Mark Cartwright

From the text: Sacred Sites & Rituals in the Ancient Celtic Religion by Mark Cartwright…

Chapter: Natural Sacred Sites

The Celts believed certain natural sites had spiritual importance; these sites included hills and mountain tops, impressive trees, and bodies of water such as springs, rivers, lakes, and bogs. Especially sacred were those points where movements of waters joined like estuaries and river confluences.

Such sites were considered meeting places between the physical and supernatural worlds as water was a conduit to the Otherworld.

The sources of major rivers were particularly attractive to the Celts and sanctuaries are attested at the sources of the Marne and Seine Rivers. Nearly 200 wooden sculptures were discovered at the latter sanctuary, known as Sequana (also the Celtic name for the Seine), located northwest of Dijon. The high number of precious artefacts recovered from the River Thames over the last few decades indicate that this, too, was a major destination for votive offerings deposited by British Celts. A votive offering or votive deposit is one or more objects displayed or deposited, without the intention of recovery or use, in a sacred place for religious purposes. Such items are a feature of modern and ancient societies and are generally made to gain favor with supernatural forces.

Archaeology has shown that the ancient Celts would make offerings to their pagan gods by sacrificing valuable metal items to bodies of water — entire hoards of votive offerings have been excavated from rivers, including swords, torques, shields, and other items fashioned from metals like silver or bronze or even gold.

A group of 16 artefacts – found on Anglesey and all dating to the Iron Age and Roman period – were recently declared Treasure in Wales. They were found by Ian Porter in March 2020 while metal-detecting in a field under pasture in Llanfair-Mathafarn-Eithaf Community.

From the text: A spring filled with votive offerings?- Llanfair-Mathafarn-Eithaf Community, Anglesey...

It is not believed that these objects represent a coherent hoard – rather, as their findspot lies next to where a spring emerges in a boggy area of the modern field, it is thought that they may have been placed there as repeated religious offerings. The artefacts include Iron Age chariot fittings as well as Roman cavalry fittings, and all date to between AD 50 and AD 120, around the time of, or soon after, the Roman invasion of Anglesey in AD 60/61. Among the items are three bridle-bits, a terret (or rein-guide), a set of four harness discs known as phalerae, and a ram’s-head fitting, probably from a vehicle or staff, which is decorated in the late Celtic art-style. Also discovered was a large Roman copper ingot, weighing an impressive 20.5kg, which is thought to derive from copper mined at nearby Mynydd Parys; a decorated brooch; four coins (the latest of which dates to AD 364-378); and a lead pot repair.

In Celtic Wales, there certainly existed variations in religious practices across both time and space but there are notable points of commonality across Iron Age Europe.

The religious leaders in Celtic communities were the druids. Known for their great wisdom and knowledge of traditions, druids managed religious rituals, interpreted events of nature, divined the future, and made medicinal potions. Druids were repositories of the community's history and may also have been required to cast taboos (or, less accurately, spells) on people, ensuring compliance to the society's rules. Druids thus had the power to exclude individuals from religious rituals.

Individual trees were held as sacred by local communities and tribal gatherings were often held under their shade. A nemeton or sacred grove of trees was also the site of certain rituals. At what must have once been such sacred areas, votive plaques have been found dating to the Gallo-Roman period. Inscriptions on these plaques reveal they were dedicated to gods of specific types of trees like Fagus (beech), Robur (oak), and several others who have not yet been identified. 

[alice-the-arcane]

May 1st, 2024

Around late November of 2023, I started working with the Norse Pantheon (specifically Odin, who became my patron god). Occasionally, Odin gives me wisdom through dreams; last night was no exception.

Five men sporting Viking-like hairstyles walked behind me over a rickety wooden bridge. The bridge led through a bog (or possibly a swamp) and ended at a pod-like structure filled with plants and a single chair. I stepped into the doorway and turned around.

One of the men began to speak, "You've been sentenced to death. The way of which you die is up to you. You may choose from three options: lethal injection, drowning, or the pill."

Well, I knew lethal injection was a total joke. And drowning is said to be one of the most painful ways to go. 

"Tell me about the pill," I say. "How long does it take and what's it feel like?"

One of them begins to speak. 

"You know when you're in a storm with everything being chaos, but then you get to the eye of the storm and everything is calm? That's what this pill is like." I nodded and extended my hand for the pill. They handed me a glass bottle of beer to wash it down. 

"To Valhalla," I say as I take the pill. "How long does it take?"

Another viking answers, "Three minutes."

The door to the pod closes, and I sit in the chair behind me.

After 30 seconds, I begin to convulse; leaning forward, I spill something reddish-brown out of my mouth, burning my throat, bubbling and dissolving the plant it falls onto. Leaning back into the chair, I watch as black-and-white visions of a creature cloud my mind. It had black hair, pale skin, and wide eyes with an even wider grin. I was in a tornado of wind and images.

And just as soon as it started, it ended. I was oddly calm and knew that this was the next life. The next thing I knew, I was floating outside my parent's house in the dark, and my bedroom light was off. 

I had noticed a change in my spiritual body in death. I had become a creature, able to shape-shift, tasked with roaming the land and protecting those who needed it. So I left and began journeying the roads, shifting into a six-legged spider-like animal high above the trees. Later, I became a blue and white wolf, grabbing onto cars and trees and vaulting around the landscape. I'm sure I would have turned into a bird to test out flying if I had the time, but I didn't.

My alarm had woken me up.