#I may or may not post the result depending on if i like it or not

[gothitelleex]

I love Raphael from BG3.

He's a complex character and I absolutely adore every take I've seen and the different prospectives on his character from the fandom.

I also signed the petition for the romance route. But honestly speaking: I want an ending where Tav/Durge/OC gets to decide join him in conquering the 9 layers of hells. I don't even care if it's only as a foot soldier! Or even better, a maid! I honestly would still enjoy it nevertheless.

So. This made me think: what would be like to work under Raphael?

(This is my personal take, so don't come at me please, I have anxiety. Also, I might have gone really deep into the argument in my own way, have mercy.)

(Spoilers under the cut for act 2, 3 and post final boss)

Generally speaking + surviving methods: we get some details from the game already on how Raphael's behaves as a boss. He can be absolutely cruel and straight up torture you if you screw up big time or even small time (or in the case of Hope, he'll keep you in his basement if you don't play along with his whims and refuse to submit). He could scorch your fingers for minimum mistakes (like we read in the house of hope, pardon me I don't remember if it was a diary or not, where he described the performances of the people working under him). What these minimum mistakes could be? For how I see it, it could be when one of his warlocks/debtors are late, or they aren't dressed the part, or they accidentally knocked something down, ect.

Raphael strikes me as the tipe who wants everything to be perfect in his standards at every moment. He also loves to have everything and everyone around him under control, and he is more or less quick to anger; so to survive, the worker would need to be an expert in his mood swings too, and they would need the capacity to dose their words well in some situations. Raphael would want perfection, so the worker should at least be good at covering up their mishap unless they want to join the lemurs.

Would bootlicking work? I think he's not so stupid to not realize when people are sucking up to him, so I believe it could be fine depending on the situation. I also think the bootlicking shouldn't be too obvious or he may think the person in front of him is making fun of him and that could result in death. Or worse: it's hell, who knows what could happen there.

Of course I believe he can be a gentle boss as long as you live up to his standards: something that is almost impossible, and I say almost since Korilla exist. That woman got her fingers scorched a few time and that was it, and I'm pretty sure she's the only one who didn't get punished more severely.

Korilla is the idol of every loyal worker to Raphael, I can bet my soul on that! Everyone who works with her envies her and/or take example from her.

Long story short: if you want to survive while working under Raphael, be Korilla. ʕ　·ᴥ·ʔ👍🏻

Post ending: durge and co have defeated the Nether brain and it's now time to fulfill the deal and give the crown to Raphael.

Now, speaking of the game. I'm going to use Durge because it's my durge Iris that would be crazy enough to sell her soul to be a servant of Raphael. That drow is batshit crazy, but that's a story for another post.

So Raphael comes to collect his crown at Wither's party, and durge not only kneels to give it to him, but they also ask to be granted the honor of working under him in order to see the Archdevil Supreme Raphael's triumph! Raphael would accept and create a new contract, I believe.

Your Durge has accepted Bhaal? No problem! They just have to tell daddy dearest that mortals aren't a worthy sacrifice, so they decided to start their murder spree with devils! Hey, besides it's a war in the hells, there is no place for morality there, so Durge could go crazy without restrain. I believe in this case Raphael wouldn't trust Durge to remain loyal to him and put aside Bhaal's orders, so he would take precautions in any case. Whatever your Durge would want to betray Raphael in the end or not, it would add more spice to the already complicated situation in the hells and in their relationship, whatever it is. I like to think how the situation could lead to a delicious psychological dark romance! In this case I imagine Raphael using every chance to subtly remind Durge who's boss. And unless Durge really enrages him, I don't think he would stop being polite, especially because it was Durge who gave him the crown. My ideal ending if this scenario would be Durge usurping Bhaal and take his place as the God of murder, while also being married to the Archdevil Supreme of the nine hells, Raphael. ʕ ꈍᴥꈍʔ💅🏻

If your Durge is a resist Durge? In this case things would be less violent and I believe Raphael would be less wary of them in general, tho in the case of a contract, I doubt he would be as kind as he was before when he needed something from them. Now they're his to command, he's not just a simple ally to them anymore. So Durge would need to be Korilla 2.0. And as much I'd like the contrary, I don't think Raphael would have someone work closely under him without a contract. So, yet again, praise Korilla for her existence.

Long story short again: be Korilla. ᕦʕ •ᴥ•ʔᕤ

If you've read everything, just know that I love you🪅

P. S: I would work for him as a maid who cleans just to enjoy all the drama while being in the sideline. Just let me be a random NPC who cleans and secretly simps for their boss lol.

P.p.s: I love you Korilla, please just a chance!

#baldur's gate 3 #bg3 #bg3 raphael #this is a long essay and the point is that i want to be Raphael's personal maid #Korilla is underpaid #bg3 korilla #korilla hearthflame #house of hope #bg3 durge #resist durge #bg3 ocs #bg3 scenarios

[nightswatchdisbandmentera]

Just gotta say, I’m realizing that how people discuss the Jon-Gilly situation is essentially how fandom has chosen to interpret Jaime and the trebuchet baby…there’s an interesting discussion to be had there, but this fandom just wants to focus on the extremely wrong thing in either scenario. Oh nuance, how I weep for you.

#I’m so so so tired #so tired #jon snow #asoiaf #valyrianscrolls #interesting how the whole gilly ordeal is essentially co-opted depending on what part of the fandom you’re in #either to prove Jon is an evil callous monster with no compassion or feeling #completely ignoring that jon literally has to mentally harden and berate himself to do this #that he takes no joy in it - which parallels Aemon telling him to kill the boy because there will be no joy only hardship in his command #that this whole thing isn’t about him being unfeeling or without compassion #but about him trying to do good by others but going about things in a way that yields not so ideal results - presumably #because there is a chance that poor monster may be fed to the flames anyway post stabby stab #this is something that appears in other people’s arcs btw but some of y’all will ignore that 🧐 #other people will decide to take the Gilly situation and compare it to a completely unrelated and irrelevant event like?!! #and I won’t even mention trebuchet baby lmaoooo #Jon and Jaime being so popular in fandom but subject to the most surface level analysis imaginable #you HATE to see it #you are a hero to some and a villain to others #oaths and vows #the heart in conflict with itself #almost like that’s the point yeah?

[lipshits-continuous]

Complex analysis is actually wild. Some of the wildest results that you'd never think would be true are in fact true and just !!!!!!!!

I'm planning a series of posts that illustrates this because some of the results are just mind blowing

#the series of posts will likely be quite long depending on how much detail and how far back I go #I will likely have to start with the definition of complex differentiation and holomorphicity #as well as the definition of contour integrals and build up the results #some of the proofs of theorems are quite long some I may only include the outlines if it makes posts ridiculously long #complex analysis #maths posting #lipshits posts

[forecast-rain]

I'm feeling better now ^^"

#cloud posts #I think this is partially the result of emotionally distancing myself from everyone for like. 3/4/5 years. #that changed last year but. #yeah I think I may have a tendency to focus in on new people too muhc ^^" #or just generally have my emotional state too dependent on other people.

[becomingthatgirl111]

organize your week like this to be closer to the best version of yourself

i interpret the process of becoming our best version as climbing a ladder, on each step, we learn something new that serves us, and the next we complement it with something new, and so on until we reach the end and after many small habits we have become that version we wanted to be. little by little we are learning and although sometimes it is complicated to climb because of the adversities that may arise we can always take up the path again and put into practice what we have learned. that said, today i want to share a method that i have created to organize our habits and thus fulfill them more effectively and feel motivated. in this post i will only present some examples, you have to apply it to your own situation and my recommendation is to start now even with small habits that will be the ones that will lead you to success. i recommend that you try it for this week and write down your results, if it has worked for you keep using this "organization method" and adding new habits or increasing its time.

organize by categories.

create groups to categorize the habits you want to implement in your life, for example like this (the habits are examples, use your own)

🌿 health (body and nutrition)

10 minutes of exercise every day

30 minutes of walking every day

drink a lot more water

start eating consciously

one self-care day a week, for example on friday. we can take this day more relaxed and take more care of ourselves, dedicate more time to our personal and mental care.

do massage with the quartz roller and gua sha

make an appointment for nails, hairdresser, spa, eyelashes or even go to a coffee shop with yourself.

use a face mask and hair mask

🌿 personal growth

read 10 pages a day

listen to personal growth podcasts or audiobooks (choose one and listen to it all week long)

choose an affirmation and write it down every day

record in a diary or an app your mood and what you did during the day.

create a to-do list of what you will do for the day (the night before)

choose a video of affirmations and listen to it every day at a time that suits you best

🌿 studies

study about what you are studying or training for.

dedicate e.g. 20-30 minutes each day to study or review.

study a new language, 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week.

🌿 hobbies

1 - 2 hours to what you enjoy doing (depends on the day and your schedule)

you can write down in a notebook the groups you want to choose for yourself and then the habits you are going to implement, even if they are very small, for example 5 minutes of daily exercise, that is a good start.

to stay focused and not fall into old habits we can also replace the old habits with new ones that we want to implement in this way.

old habit: too much time on instagram new habit: reading or listening to an audiobook while i take a walk. or even just 15 minutes of social media a day.

other examples:

drinking soda or alcoholic beverages > drinking a lot more water and starting to drink natural juices.

watch a lot of series on netflix (or any streaming platform) > read or listen to podcasts/audiobooks that nourish my mind.

overthinking, worrying > meditating for about 5 minutes

lying in bed without doing anything > organizing my room

think in negative > think about the things you would like to happen to you

other tips to connect with your best version

write in your diary how you would act, be and what habits your best version would have. this will give you clarity about what you want and you will feel closer to that because you will know how to act.

establish small habits to start with and take it as a kind of game or test during this week. don't push yourself too hard.

at times when you don't know how to act or react, think about how your best version would act and what it would do.

write down things you are proud of or would like to be proud of.

if you are easily distracted or do not know what to do at any given moment, set alarms to know what to do at that moment.

if you use social media a lot, set a limit of use.

choose habits that you know you will be able to do easily, that will make you gain confidence and little by little establish those habits in which you have procrastinated or which are more difficult for you.

think big, open yourself to the possibilities that life offers you every day and keep a positive attitude towards any situation.

apps i recommend: habit: it serves to keep track of your habits and also get organized, it's a kind of to-do list. daylio: you can record your mood, what you did during the day and your habits, it also allows you to write and add photos. it is very complete, it can be used as a digital diary. notion: to get organized.

duolingo: if you want to learn a language a few minutes a day will be enough. i learned a lot of grammar in english thanks to this, which works if you practice daily.

and as always my blog is about this and there will be many more related posts in addition to the existing ones, all to be our best version 🤍 in fact if you try it i would love to know your results.

#health and wellness #healthy #health #habits #habit tracker #healthy lifestyle #healthy living #level up journey #levelup #leveling up #feminine energy #divine femenine #that girl aesthetic #that girl #clean girl aesthetic #clean girl #pink pilates princess #greenjuicegirl #green juice girl #dream life #self love #self improvement #self concept affirmations #healthy weight loss #health journey #high value mindset #high value woman

[lostboywriting]

OHHH, I just thought of something.

It's been bugging me that Norris, Chester, and Augustus started speaking around a year ago, and I've been wondering about the significance of that timing. At first I thought maybe it was some consequence of whatever RedCanary stumbled into at the Magnus Institute, because that was a bit over a year and a half ago--we know from the case numbering system that the episodes are taking place in the present day (episode 2 was taking place on Jan 18 2024; note for my fellow US folks that the dates are the UK standard with day first, not month). And from the dates on the forum posts, RedCanary's series of unfortunate events was in April 2022.

BUT based on their case numbers, which give the date the case's events happened even if that's not said in the episode, all the incidents Sam has looked at so far were from mid 2022. They're not perfectly grouped together; the dolls and Arthur and RedCanary were all April through May 2022, while Daria's therapy appointment was September--that last one's a bit of a jump, but it could have happened depending on how cases are being allotted among the various workers. But they're all close enough that it's a plausible assumption, I think, that FR3-D1 is generally finding these things roughly as they're posted and then adding them into people's queues for review. This would mean they're at a current backlog of around a year and a half. (Looking at you, Gwen...)

If that's the case, and if the OIAR's workers have been maintaining a roughly constant rate, then around a year ago they would probably have been reviewing a lot of cases that FR3-D1 found in early to mid-2021. Which means they'd have been opening files that have been sitting in their database untouched since that time.

MAG200 aired on March 25, 2021.

Whether Chester and Norris are a Ushanka'd JMart, or something resulting purely from Annabelle Caine's manipulation of their voices, or something else entirely... l don't know. But I am betting that they didn't start as part of the system, like Colin thinks they did. I think there was some direct consequence of MAG200's events which led to them being embedded in a post that FR3-D1 scraped up, and that they simply weren't activated and "let loose" until some unknowing office worker clicked on their file.

#apologies if someone else has said all this already! I haven't seen it in the tags but I could well have missed it. #the magnus protocol #the magnus protocol spoilers #tmagp #tmagp speculation #tmagp spoilers #tma spoilers

[serialunaliver]

How can narcissistic personalities result from trauma?

While narcissism as a personality trait has existed for a long time, there is an increasing amount of people who associate the term the diagnosis "narcissistic personality disorder". I have put this in quotes because I believe cluster B personality disorders should not exist as diagnoses because they stigmatize maladaptive personality traits developed in response to trauma, and this stigmatization hinders a victim's ability to seek support and advocate for themselves.

I am a child abuse victim diagnosed borderline personality disorder with narcissistic traits and this post is based on a combination of research and personal experience. As mentioned above, I am opposed to referring to victims as narcissists, but for the sake of this post, I'll be using phrasing recognizable to people with misconceptions about the topic. Please bear with me.

Childhood trauma is a common contributing factor in cluster B personality disorders even in the psychiatric diagnosis; however, when most people think of these disorders, they think of an abuser and not a victim, especially in the case of narcissism--after all, the term 'narcissist' is a pejorative with synonyms such as 'conceited' and 'self absorbed'.

In order to grapple with the source of a narcissistic personality developed in response to trauma, you must first be aware of what narcissism in NPD is actually like. These narcissists are not supervillains who successfully gain the love and support of everyone. Narcissism holds you back in life. For example, it makes rejection and criticism especially difficult to deal with, which can make maintaining relationships or even having a consistent career difficult. The confident demeanor of a narcissist--while it lasts until narcissistic collapse--is not genuine self-love. It's a way to mask vulnerability to avoid harm that was inescapable in the past. A narcissist is significantly more self-conscious than the average person, as they must inflate themselves in every scenario in order to feel safe and secure. This is where we can see the internal suffering of a narcissist and how such a personality is, at its core, a defensive reaction to trauma.

But what about entitlement?

"I deserved the pain." Self-blaming response to trauma.

"I deserve better". Healing response to trauma.

"Others deserve worse". Vindictive response to trauma.

While narcissism is associated with the last response, it's entirely possible for narcissists to have escalated from the first, or even cycle between all three. You have to keep in mind a narcissist is not actually in love with themselves--but in order for a person to be entitled, you may be thinking they must see themselves as superior in some way, right? Well, it's more complicated than that. Different responses to trauma can arise depending on the person's life experience, past trauma, and current situation. Interaction with victims that have similar trauma, such as in a group therapy setting, can provoke a narcissist's view on vulnerability. With their perception of the world and human relationships, they may view other victims as weak if they appear to have a more 'sensitive' reaction, because this is the type of reaction narcissists try so badly to hide in themselves in order to avoid potential harm. If a narcissist views an abuse victim--or anyone, really--as 'weak' in comparison, they will feel wounded and experience vindictive jealousy when a person that triggers their vulnerability in some way has successes in life. This is where the sense of entitlement comes in. As a defensive reaction, narcissists try to convince themselves they are in some way more deserving of a better life. "A better life" for a narcissist, as developed through trauma, often involves some sort of power. This can lead to fixation on things like wealth, fame, and material items. Anything to appear 'better'. Anything to appear secure. Any way to feel in control and invincible from abuse.

It's not a sympathetic reaction to trauma, but it is equally painful and damaging as any other. If you are a victim with this sort of behavior, you're not "hopeless" like the internet will tell you. At age 25, I have not intentionally caused anyone pain in 6 years. The vindictive feelings are there, but I choose to back away when I feel I may involve others in my own pain. "I don't deserve it, but neither do you."

#ok to rebwog #i'm having uh. Troubles lately so I wrote this thing #seriousposting

[cryptenby]

please consider helping us stay housed and take our cats to the vet

hello, it's me again, asking for help. I'm so fucking sorry. you may see another post of mine floating around with notes, but we haven't received more than $30 in nearly 4 weeks.

as i've mentioned before, my partner and i have two cats that we care for and due to our circumstances, neither of them have had updated shots in about two years. one of them has frequent vomiting from eating her food without chewing (as told to us by a vet last time we were able to go), and we would like to check on that and have them both checked out with updated shots.

this is an extremely difficult decision, but we are considering rehoming one of our cats to hopefully reduce the burden on all of us, and ensure they can both receive more regular care. we are also, unfortunately, asking for help staying housed as things aren't super great on that front either. I am currently in a program for software engineering that will end in May and hopefully result in a job but future money won't feed us today. we are hoping to raise $1000 for the estimated costs for shots and vet visits, as well as housing costs.

please consider helping us. I know we've depended on a lot of kindness and I swear we will give it back as soon as we can. all we ask is that if you have it to spare, you consider sharing it with us.

cash & vnmo: torkz428

pypl: torkz

$0/1000

#mutual aid request #trans mutual aid #emergency funds #disabled mutual aid

[cobragardens]

The Colors of Crowley

Black is the color Crowley uses to cover himself, red is the color that represents Crowley to himself, and yellow is the color that represents Crowley to Aziraphale. What each color symbolizes and how it's used give us important information about Crowley (and to some degree Aziraphale) and about the ineffable relationship.

I feel kind of dumb writing this post because I'm sure it's glaringly obvious to everyone else, but there's this Metro UK article of all things (the Metro is owned by the hardcore rightwing Daily Mail, btw, so please don't link to it) that mentions the red stitching on Crowley's gloves in 1867, and it made conscious some details I had only subconsciously noted, so fwiw to anybody else, here are my notes on the colors associated with Crowley in Good Omens and their significance in the context of the way each one is used.

I don't think we need to cover black-as-evil in Western color symbology. [And yet here's a long-ass paragraph about it anyway! --Ed.] Light:dark::good:evil has been a thing with Christianity since before Christianity was even Judaism. The Israelites picked it up from the Zoroastrians way back before YHWH had subsumed El as 'God,' which may have been before they were Israelites as well; I mean it was a LONG time ago. Good Omens has been using black and white to represent Hell and Heaven, respectively, long before the show. In the UK, the book was published in paperback with a choice of black or white cover with an illustration of the contrasting character in the contrasting color: Crowley illustrated in black, Aziraphale in white. The current hardcover is grey.

Crowley wears black, and the Bentley is black. At the metanarrative or authorial level this is obviously for the purposes of the black/white demon/angel contrast, but on the intra-narrative level, the Watsonian level, it's interesting to note that Crowley doesn't have to wear black. He's obviously not free to choose from the full color palette, but Furfur's shirt and sash are is dark emerald green, Dagon is in ultramarine (as befits a marine Elder God), and Shax has only been on Earth for four years before she's wearing head-to-toe oxblood. When she shows up later in battle dress she's got a lot of oxblood there, too. And yet Crowley wears black.

Authorial reasons aside, black suits Crowley for a couple intra-narrative reasons. For much of history, black was the most expensive color to dye and maintain in clothing, and as a result it has always been fashionable. And for several centuries in Christendom, wearing black was also a sign that you were in mourning, which was a social and religious obligation when someone close to you died. Whether you could wear other colors with it depended on how long ago that death had occurred.

Again: black is what Crowley chooses to cover himself, and as there is a sharp distinction between how Crowley presents himself to fulfill his obligations and who he thinks of himself as being, there is likewise a distinction between the colors that represent those two quantities as well.

Red is the color the show uses to represent Crowley to Crowley. The most obvious reason is his hair. This is another change from Book Omens, where Crowley is described as having hair that is "dark." A lot of fans in the UK hated the change when S1 came out because fans hate change and the British have a thing against gingers, but Crowley's red hair suits him better than dark imo because the Mother of Demons in Jewish religious literature, Lilith, is traditionally depicted with red hair. Red hair has been associated for more than a millenium in the Middle East and England and Wales with sorcery, witchcraft, demonic influence/possession, and satan-worship.

Crowley wishes his mom was this cool with snakes.

A good case can be made that Crowley genuinely likes the color red in addition to considering it demonically appropriate. I say this for three reasons. Firstly, because when he has a (limited) choice of (again, demonically appropriate) colors, he always chooses red. The marble of the desk in his apartment is not green or grey. He can have any color stitching on his gloves or lining of his jacket collar he wants, but it's always red. Secondly, it's not only red he chooses, it's almost always bright red.

We know Crowley's red isn't supposed to represent blood or violence, because we have another demon character whose use of red represents just that, and it's not the same red:

Compare Shax' oxblood and burgundy to

and

and

and

Crowley's red isn't just red, it's lipstick, cherry, crimson red. And in case we weren't sure that we should read this red as symbolizing passionate, romantic love:

Romantic symbolism aside, bright red is also the color of passion (romantic or otherwise), optimism, heat, vitality, life, (hell)fire, and warning.

Red and black says don't fuck with Jack.

The third reason I think we can safely say that Crowley actually likes the color red is that he hides it. It's always tiny little touches, some of which you have to look for to see. (I still don't know where they snuck in the red on his Elizabethan habit, e.g.) And we know this color is a risk for him, and that he is right to hide it, because Ligur, who doesn't approve of any of Crowley's less-than-fully-demonic embellishments and may share Hastur's opinion that Crowley has gone native, comments on one of Crowley's more noticeably colorful items.

And I think the red tells us one more thing about Crowley, too.

Bright red is the colorest of colors, you know? When we can choose only one color to represent all colors, to represent colorfulness itself, we choose bright red (even in cultures where red symbolizes other meanings than it does in Western art).

Remember how Aziraphale gives Crowley's jacket a tartan collar when he swaps bodies with Crowley and impersonates him in Hell because Aziraphale feels the need to maintain some small secret token of his identity, some tiny unremarked sign of something he loves and thinks is beautiful, when he is down there alone in the gloom among enemies?

Crowley is down there alone among enemies every second of every day and night, whether he's in Hell or on Earth. And he's already had his identity stripped from him once. If you were someone who said

about this

and then you got recruited by the fash downstairs bc the fash upstairs threw you out for not being fashy enough and you had to start wearing nothing but dark colors and more importantly had to hide everything that made you feel warmth or softness or joy, and that was it, that was the deal for eternity, but you could add one (1) little touch to everything you wore to remind yourself that there is some beautiful part of you left, something you loved once, that no one has yet been able to steal or brutalize out of you...what color would the stitching on your gloves be?

Lastly, Yellow represents Crowley to Aziraphale. I'm going to skip the chain of evidence for this bc I think it's obvious, but the way it's used also lends itself to some inferences supported in other areas in the show.

Here's where I think changing Crowley's hair to red from Book Omens' dark is a good decision in another way. Crowley always has red hair, and if he has any color in his clothes it's going to be red. Red is eye-catching; it always stands out, but it doesn't stand out as demonic. And yet the color Aziraphale associates with Crowley and calls "pretty" isn't red.

I suspect that when Aziraphale says he can make Crowley an angel again, Crowley hears "You're not good enough for me to accept you as you are, let me fix you" because these are words Aziraphale has said to him many times, and has meant some of those times. But

tells the audience differently. The color Aziraphale associates with Crowley, the color he calls "pretty," is the color of Crowley's only overtly demonic feature. Aziraphale doesn't love the angel he knew who isn't Crowley, he loves Crowley, the demon, the person he is now, his yellow demon irises.

Yellow appears in three other places in S2, and they're all symbolically significant, and in fact serve to establish another symbolic significance to the color yellow in addition to that of Yellow Is the Color of My True Love's Eyes.

One of them is a feather duster:

Crowley reacts to a feather duster like a cat confronted by an unfamiliar object

The other three are private conversations between Aziraphale and Crowley:

The walls that surround Crowley and Aziraphale when they speak openly about their situation and how they will handle it are drenched in yellow, and that is super interesting, because in Western color symbolism yellow is the color of fear. The archangel of whom Crowley and Aziraphale are both (rightly) terrified wields a tool the color of fear. The color of fear saturates the backdrop of conversations between Aziraphale and Crowley when they have to discuss their situation and their actions openly.

Remember how Aziraphale's voice shakes here?

Crowley realizes the crows have just handed an angel evidence the angel can take to Hell and use to have Crowley killed

Even the Bentley, that clear sign of Aziraphale's love for Crowley, is also a yellow coffin enclosing him. For Aziraphale, thoughts of Crowley are always entangled with fear, because Crowley is not just Crowley, he is also Crowley's Fall.

And I think fear is what Crowley's eyes themselves represent. For Crowley, fear is now a fundamental part of his perception, his nature, his identity.

The angel Aziraphale once knew is not Crowley, and yet from what we've seen, the chiefest difference in character between this sweetheart and this mischief-maker--

--is that the Starmaker does not know yet that he should be afraid, and the Serpent does. That knowledge and its fear has, shall we say, colored his view of the world.

Aziraphale learns that fear early by observing others rather than Falling himself, and knows enough that by the first time we meet him in the Before, he is already afraid.

Pink was once symbolically equivalent to red; in modern Western color symbology it is a color of innocence, youth, beauty, and first love. Hashtag just sayin'.

The cruellest thing this suggests to me is that, rather than rebellion or his propensity to ask questions, rather than the knowledge of good and evil, the Starmaker's Fall was caused by his innocence. it wasn't the questions that were the problem: it was that he didn't know any better than to speak them out loud.

Y'all, Crowley and Aziraphale do not suffer from communication problems. Despite both being male-coded and British, they don't even seem to lack emotional intelligence. What they do have is a universe of silence and fear they have to communicate within and around. What they lack is the safety to speak and love freely. The true color of Crowley is crimson, but someone gave him those eyes, and Aziraphale either watched that happen or knew about it, and now Crowley covers himself in black--which btw is also the symbolic color for mystery and secrets--and only lets Aziraphale see him as he really is now, because Aziraphale won't judge him for his yellow eyes (or punish and forsake him for his questions). Because Aziraphale carries that fear with him too.

#good omens #good omens 2 #good omens analysis #good omens crowley color analysis #good omens crowley color #crowley #good omens colour analysis good omens crowley colour #good omens colour #good omens meta #angel!crowley #starmaker

[howtofightwrite]

If you’ve already answered this, I’m sorry. How much of a liability is long hair in a fight? I mean it probably depends on the skill of the fighters and the tendency to grab each other’s hair as well. Is long hair still dangerous if it’s tied back?

Not that much more of a liability than having long hair in any athletic or otherwise hazardous situation. The biggest risk is the hair getting in your face (which yeah, keeping your hair bound will reduce the risks.)

The irony is, the risk of an experienced fighter grabbing your hair is probably lower than the risk of them grabbing you some other way, simply because hair offers no joint control. If someone wants control over your head, they're better off grabbing your head directly, rather than trying to tug on your hair in the middle of a fight. Also, if someone is going after your head, they have to get past your defense. That's not something that's likely to happen unless the fight is going very poorly for you.

The liability with long hair isn't in the fight itself (at least not when anyone knows what they're doing), it's in the ambush. It's when the fight begins with them getting a hold of your hair. Especially from behind. As I mentioned, it's not as good as getting a solid grip on the target's skull, but, for someone who doesn't know what they're doing, it is an easy way to grab onto someone.

Similarly, if the victim doesn't know what they're doing, they may not understand how little control their attacker has over them, and that the only leverage their attacker has (from grabbing their hair) is the ability to inflict a bit of pain in the scalp.

There's a logistical problem with grabbing someone's hair. As mentioned, it doesn't really control them, so you're giving up one arm to mildly inconvenience them. You now only have one arm which you can use to attack or defend yourself. They have two arms that they can use to attack or defend themselves. Meaning, they have one hand to deal with your remaining arm, and another hand free for unrestricted strikes to your face. This is not a good position to be in.

Outside of hand to hand, the biggest danger is simply getting hair in your face. Which you would have had to deal with on a daily basis anyway. In that case, yes, binding it will take that out of the equation entirely.

So, how much of a liability? On its own not much. There are other potential situations where it could cause catastrophic problems, like if the hair gets caught in heavy machinery, or something similar. In that respect it's more of a liability in an industrial setting. It still means keeping your hair short, if you're expecting to fight, is a good idea, but it's not the end of the world. If you do have long hair, keeping it tied back (ideally in a bun), means it's very unlikely to be a problem at all. The end result is that while it's not a major problem, it is one that can be easily dealt with ahead of time, and probably should be, because while the risks are fairly limited, there's no reason to leave them unaddressed.

-Starke

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#writing reference #writing advice #writing tips #how to fight write #starke answers

[hausofneptune]

"sweet" takes / aspects and placements that deserve more love!

[astro notes no. 004]

since i did that “spicy” takes post i wanted to also make a post in defense of the negative takes i hear about certain signs/placements and showing some love to the ones that i feel like don't get as much appreciation as they deserve! hope y'all enjoy! ♡

disclaimers | masterlist | ask

[content warning: abuse, addiction, self-harm/suicide. nothing detailed or explicit, just a warning for those who want to avoid these topics.]

aquarius placements are not unemotional sociopaths and honestly this is such a goofy ass take. aquarius’ archetype literally centers around their need to advance society and wanting to help those around them as a means to do so. can their saturnian influence make them come off as cold in their approach sometimes? sure. but the whole “aquarius doesn’t have emotions and doesn’t care about anyone’s feelings” doesn’t make any type of sense considering the fact that aquarius craves connection with others in order to feel fulfilled

speaking of saturnian influence, y’all need to check up on your saturnian friends, especially if you’re below the age of 30. people tend to bring up how destructive and chaotic pluto is and the effect it can have on you if it’s tightly aspecting your personal planets, but i feel like people overlook the way that saturnian energy literally starts chipping away at you the moment you pop out the coochie. a lot of saturnians will consciously put too much on their plate because they don’t know how to function without overworking themselves, or, they’re distracting themselves from heavy emotions that they don’t want to feel. the idea of being alone with their thoughts is the most terrifying thing to them, and they would definitely benefit from having people around them that can slow them down and help them relax

to any parents (or people who work with children), please be gentle with your water sign babies. especially the scorpios and pisces. i feel like we don’t give children enough credit for how intelligent they actually are, and when it comes to water sign children i promise you, they know exactly what the fuck is going on. they know that you’re stressed out, they can recognize the energy in the room, and they’re internalizing all of your emotions and can be more prone to feeling overstimulated because of it. be patient with them, and as a former water sign baby myself, give them a hug for me <3

and since we’re giving out hugs, i gotta give a virtual one to my pisces and virgo placements. pisces and virgo are both signs of service, and typically opt to suffer in silence for the sake of those around them. i feel like pisces is the “worst” of the two, as pisces struggles with boundaries, and even when we’re being mistreated or abused by others we can literally convince ourselves that that’s actually not the case and that everything’s fine. pisces is also the only water sign that doesn’t have “armor” (cancer [the crab] has its shell, and scorpio [the scorpion] has its exoskeleton, claws, and stinger), which results in us getting hurt a lot. it’s typically why some pisces placements are prone to escapist tendencies, addiction, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. but pisces is the oldest of the zodiac, and there’s so much wisdom and spiritual knowledge that we unlock once we grow and evolve enough to “swim away” from the shit that doesn’t serve us

and i bring this up because i feel like pisces is constantly coded as “delusional” or “hyper-emotional”, and i know y’all love pointing out how “judgemental” and “nitpicky” virgo is. and while those stereotypes can be true depending on the person, i feel like the amount of energy pisces and virgo put into helping other people is constantly overshadowed by whatever “flaws” they may have. there was a tweet i read that said “maybe the final stage in your healing journey is finally telling people to fuck off”, that’s very much so the advice i’d give to pisces and virgo. your worth is not intrinsically linked to how much pain you can withstand or how much abuse you can tolerate from people who claim to love you. you deserve so much more and i promise there’s something bigger and better waiting for you on the other side of what it is that you’re currently settling for

i feel like the importance of 12H, neptune, water sign placements can often get overlooked in comparison to more practical, “realistic” planetary/sign placements. it’s definitely important to have balanced, grounded energy in your chart alongside these types of placements, but i feel like people underestimate how powerful it is to have spiritual and creative placements as well. and while these can be difficult aspects to master, i feel like once you do get to a point where you’ve done the work it can not only make you an incredible artist, but an extremely compassionate, empathetic healer. people with these placements tend to go through a lot, and experience an insane amount of turmoil. but no matter how tired you are, and no matter how misunderstood or lost you may feel, you’re here to serve a greater purpose and your craft is sacred. you have tools at your disposal that it takes people years upon years to develop, and it’s not something that should be taken for granted

i'll most likely end up doing a part two to this, but that's all i've got for now. as always, if anyone has any of the placements/aspects mentioned in this post i'd love to hear how they manifest in your life, and if you have any input in general feel free to let me know!

#astro notes #astro observations #nepnotes #nepnotes3 #astrology aspects #astrology #aquarius placements #saturn #saturn astrology #saturn aspects #12H placements #saturn placements #scorpio placements #scorpio astrology #12H astrology #pisces placements #pisces astrology #virgo placements #virgo astrology #water signs #water sign placements #neptune #neptune aspects #neptune astrology #birth chart notes #birth chart observations #astrology observations #astrology notes #birth chart reading

[declareqenius]

stitched up

warnings: blood, stitches

summary: you were sent on a mission with your father, tony stark, but something went wrong with the new prototype, resulting in you being injured. wanda needs the closeness and the confirmation that you’re right in front of her, but natasha’s emotions nearly get the better of her. 

a/n: this is not how i wanted to end this originally, but i’m having some writer’s block and just wanted to post something again. i may do a part two but it depends on if y’all would like to see a part two or not! 

“If your arm wasn’t bleeding this much, and if my mind and heart didn’t ache every time I glanced away from you, your father would be hanging from the ceiling by his ankles.” 

Of course, leave it to your girlfriend to say something so poetic, yet so vulgar, in a semi-serious situation. 

Wanda’s arms are crossed as she worriedly checks over the rest of your body, trying to keep herself from peeking at the gushing blood coming from your shoulder. The only thing that holds her back from storming down the hallway in search of your father is her need to see that you’re going to be okay. Meaning she has to sit there and watch on as Bruce slowly stitches the gash shut.

“We both know you would do so much worse than that, Wands.” You try to mask your slight wince with a cheeky grin, but of course your girlfriend notices. 

“You’re right. I think I’ll let Natasha have her fun first.” She makes it sound like a joke, however you both know it’s far from such a thing.

Wanda’s eyebrows are still tightly furrowed together, her eyes constantly checking over you as if the second she looks away some new injury will magically appear. Even though you’re the one covered in blood with the stitching needle in their arm, you can’t help but want to comfort her. 

“Hey, love,” you gently place your first finger under her chin and guide her head until her eyes meet yours, “I’m alright. It’s okay.” 

She searches deeply within your eyes, and it’s a miracle you maintain eye contact with her. The sheer build up of love, worry, and warmth you find within her soft green irises takes you aback.

“It shouldn’t have happened.” 

She says it so firmly. The sentence is so contradictory to the emotions she showed you seconds ago. The feelings she only allows you and Natasha- your other, probably furious, redheaded girlfriend- to read and memorize, to know like the back of your hands. 

Her Sokovian accent is thick, which only happens when she’s scared, angry, or safe. And, right now with Bruce in the room, you know it’s a combination of the first two. 

“You’re right, as always,” you give her a smile, which she mirrors, and you stow the memory away as a small victory. “But it did happen. And there’s nothing we can do about it now except let Bruce stitch me up, okay? I’ll be good as new afterwards. Right, Bruce?” 

Your eyes don’t leave Wanda’s because you know looking at Bruce will somehow make the stitching process hurt more. 

The man only gives a nod and soft grunt of approval. 

“See? Nothing to worry about, my dear.” 

“Nothing to worry about, huh?” 

A calloused voice cuts through the room. You’re the first to snap your head up and break the heartfelt moment with Wanda. The quick movement causes Bruce to tug the stitches more than intended, and you close your eyes and take in a slow, deep breath. The soft hand soothingly running along your uninjured arm is the only thing keeping you completely grounded at the moment.

“Cause from where I’m standing, detka, it looks like something we should be worried about.” 

Once you open your eyes again, they immediately fall upon Natasha, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed and undoubtedly pissed off. 

You’re aware her anger isn’t directed at you. You know _why _she’s pissed. Your emotions would most definitely get the better of you if either one of your girlfriends was injured and you couldn’t do anything to prevent it. It would be worse if you could have prevented it.

The certainty of your words and relaying the facts to her wouldn’t calm her down, but you know there’s no calming her down on your part. Not when you’re sitting on a stool injured and had to be carried to the med bay so you wouldn’t bleed to death.

“HYDRA got the jump on us, Nat. We weren’t expecting it and there was nothing that could have been done to ensure our safety. You know that. We had the Iron Man suit and the counteract prototype with us, and that’s it. Dad decided to use the prototype because it was all we had. It malfunctioned and I didn’t have enough time to move out of the way after the HYDRA agent pushed me towards it.” 

You’re clear with all of your words and your voice never wavers, nor does your eye contact. Natasha may be the Black Widow, and only a very select group of people could ever talk to her the matter-of-fact way you just did, but sometimes she needs a reminder that things happen no matter how much one tries to prevent them. 

“He could have kept you safe. That should have been his priority. You’re his daughter, Y/N. That’s way more important than barging into an intel mission unprepared! With only a prototype, no less. Especially when it puts your life in danger!” 

The two of you hold eye contact with each other for a few seconds until you glance away and focus on watching Bruce finalize his stitch-work. Watching the needle thread through your skin makes the pain undeniably worse, but you can’t seem to force yourself to look at your girlfriends. 

You don’t see the guilt-ridden regret that crosses Natasha’s features before she looks at the floor beneath her.

Tony wasn’t unprepared for the mission. Neither were you. Both of you surveyed the perimeter twice. Both of you were careful at every corner you turned. HYDRA just happened to outsmart two of the smartest people in the world.

Minutes later and Bruce finishes stitching your left shoulder up. Natasha stands at the door impatiently and Wanda watches her but still makes sure to have some physical contact with you. 

“Alright,” Bruce stands from his chair, “twenty-five stitches. No major physical activity for the next two weeks. That includes missions, working out, and... I don’t have to say it. Let’s give the wound time to heal itself, okay?” 

You nod and thank him before he takes his leave, passing by a very guilty, annoyed Natasha.

“Natalia, podoydi syuda, pozhaluysta.” 

Wanda is the first to speak once Bruce leaves, and you’re grateful she took the initiative. Neither of them like seeing you hurt since both have lost so much in their short lives, but Natasha eats herself up over your injuries. She always thinks she’d be able to do something to prevent them, especially in the field. Wanda’s reactions are slightly more reasonable, but her worry gets the best of her and she often needs physical contact to remind herself you’re still there. 

Natasha begrudgingly takes a seat next to Wanda, who immediately holds out her hand to give the former assassin the option of physical contact. Your shorter girlfriend hesitates before she gently take Wanda’s left hand in her right but makes no move to touch you or glance in your direction. 

The chairs they sit in are lower than your stool, and part of you finds it funny that you’re the one that’s been placed in that position. 

“Moglo byt’ gorazdo khuzhe,” Natasha mutters, staring at her boots and focusing on the way Wanda’s thumb rubs back and forth along the back of her hand.

It could have been much worse.

“Odnako eto bylo ne tak. Ona vse yeshche zdes', i my nuzhny yey pryamo seychas.”

It wasn’t, though. She’s still here and she needs both of us right now.

Wanda’s voice is soothing as she softly speaks to Natasha. 

You let them have their moment and offer the Sokovian a small smile when she sends a gentle wink your way. 

Both know you don’t understand the conversation. You’ve picked up some basic Russian, words or phrases they say a lot, but when they get into full conversations and larger sentences, all you can do is either pretend you’re busy or sit and watch their facial expressions to gauge the nature of the conversation.

They speak a minute longer and Natasha starts relaxing. Her furrowed brows even out, her drawn lips ease into a relaxed expression, and her eyes- although still holding an ounce of anger- start to glisten. She finds the need within herself to look at you, check you over for any other injuries- although Wanda has done that several times over- and finally, search your beautiful eyes with her own. 

“Nat-” 

You move to speak, wanting to voice your concerns and reassure both of them you’re okay even though they can see you sitting here in front of them. However, Natasha stands from her seat and takes a step over to you. She keeps her eye contact with you and gently, with a slight nod of confirmation from you, she slots herself between your legs. Her hand comes up to your cheek and she notices a small bruise forming above your eyebrow. It makes her eyes water a little more. 

“I’m sorry, muy lyubov. You’re injured and I’ve been acting like a dick. I won’t apologize for wanting to keep you safe, or wanting to make Tony pay for his lack of common sense, but I will apologize for directing my anger toward you. You didn’t deserve that. I’m sorry, detka.” 

“It’s okay, Nat. I forgive you. I understand why you were so angry, I mean, I would be too if you or Wands were in my position. So, I get it, but next time I need you to try and talk to me, okay?” 

Natasha nods her confirmation, and you know from the look in her eyes that she’s determined to work on her communication with both you and Wanda. 

“Thank you, my love.” 

Sometimes you all understand each other in different ways and need each other for different things, but in the end, the three of you fit together like nothing anyone has ever seen. The journey has been long and will continue to be, but none of you would have it any other way. 

Natasha’s eyes are still teary, and you can’t help but tilt your head up just enough to catch her lips in a slow, soft kiss. Enough to remind her that she’s forgiven and that you’re not going anywhere. You break apart after a few moments and see Nat’s small smile. It could be better, but you’ll take it for now. However, you notice Wanda getting impatient after having watched you kiss Natasha. 

You look over at Wanda with a grin on your face, “Anything you’d like to say, Wands?” 

“My turn.” 

Wanda gets up from her chair and stands to the left of Natasha. She gently cups your left cheek with her right hand and kisses you much like you did Natasha, except with more fervor- as if she could express gratitude for your life through a kiss. When she pulls away there’s a smile on both of your faces, and her eyes have replaced worry and anger with unconditional love. 

It never ceases to amaze you how willingly and openly your girlfriends give themselves to you. 

#wandanat x reader #wanda maximoff #natasha romanoff #they're here #i'm trying to get back into writing please go easy on me

[novaandmali]

ARTISTS WANTED! 

We’re making a new book filled with pulpy sci-fi illustrations based on classic artworks (pre-1800), and, as always, LGBT and POC inclusive <3

Applications open March 25th at noon - the application will NOT be available before that time and will be removed after apps close. HUGE shout out to @ Nukeillustrate for this absolutely stunning piece, lovingly borrowed from “And They Were Monsters.”

The application will NOT be available until that date - we will post it here, instagram (nova_mali), bluesky, and tumblr (novaandmali). The application will be open for five days (March 29th) or until we hit 1000 applications. Please be sure to set an alarm and get your application in ASAP - we will not be able to take any applications through email, dms, or after they close.

A tentative schedule:

Results emailed by April 3rd - everyone will get an email! Sketch due May 15 Final work due June 15 Kickstarter runs July 1-31

We are looking for 50-60 artists (who MUST be 18+ years old by April 3) to join us to create a piece of digital art and/or merch. Traditional art is also accepted if scanned/photographed at a professional level.

We're looking specifically to increase the diversity of our artists, both in regards to race and gender - we want to be including all kinds of voices. Same thing with our art - we're looking to increase the variety of cultures, body types, and disabilities represented.

This is a PAID job. We’ve paid in the range of 200-300 for similar projects in the past, based on a set contract amount plus anything left over after production and shipping, split between everyone. Example: $150 in the contract and $100 extra per artist share. The additional amount will depend on how successful the Kickstarter campaign is.

I’ll post more later this week but first and foremost, get ready to go looking for interesting classical art to re-do into pulpy sci-fi! Your app will ask you what you’re thinking about creating. This is not a final answer but we want to know what vibe, what era, etc what you’re thinking about. 

We’re asking for art pieces that are pre-1800. I want you to really get digging and find some epic cool old stuff, particularly from more women artists and artists of color. Non-Western art is very very much included in our scope of work - we can’t wait to see your ideas!

I know older art tends to have weird people or weird perspectives - that doesn't need to translate to your final art. Just get funky with where you're finding inspiration! We will discuss this in more detail once we’ve hired everyone.

We really want to play with the idea of taking something very very old and make it very very futuristic - it should be funky and fun, and of course full of delightfully gay art <3

I’ll post exactly what questions the app will entail later this week.

The application will include things like: a link to your portfolio (instagram and twitter are NOT accepted as a portfolio) and an idea of what art pieces you’re thinking about and how to transform them.

We also ask for a short artist bio, like twitter style - short and sweet. Please don’t talk down about yourself or your skills - talk yourself up! Make me excited to see your art!!

About us: we’re two non-binary lesbians who really love cats and gay art. We’ve enjoyed our work as a queer publishing house and can’t wait to do more! Some of our previous works include classics but make it gay, And They Were Monsters, and Cover Me Queer.

Check out our work at www.novaandmali.com . 

#scifiart #scifiedit #art history #lgbtq books #lgbt art

[theresattrpgforthat]

SYSTEM OVERVIEW: Forged in the Dark (FitD).

I’m taking a break from my regular recommendation posts this week to talk about a few different indie ttrpg systems that have gained a lot of traction over the past few years - how they work, why I like them, and what kinds of games there are out there that use them!

I don’t think it’s a secret that I’m a big fan of Forged in the Dark games. I’ve sung the praises of games like Brinkwood, Slugblaster and The Wildsea time and time again, and I’m even designing my own FitD hack! So let’s talk about what makes this system tick.

The Action Roll

The core mechanic of Forged in the Dark games is the Action Roll. To do most things in these games, the player will have to assemble a small pool of d6s. These dice may come from skills, special abilities, inventory - it depends on the game, but you’ll usually have somewhere between 0 and 4d6 to roll.

When you roll, you look for the single highest dice (or multiple highest, if you manage to get two 6s). If your best result is a 1-3, you’re not going to get what you want. If your best result is a 4/5, you’ll probably get a success with a cost - whether that be harm, only part of what you want, or more trouble down the road. If you get a single 6, you do it - and if you get multiple 6s, you do it well!

What I like about this is that it’s easy to tell at a glance how well you do, and that the dice used for this system are the most accessible dice on the market. Not only that, the possibilities of a 4/5 are quite broad - you could have a consequence that is physical harm to the character, but you could also embarrass them, break their stuff, or just hint at bad things to come!

But Mint, how do you roll 0d6? Well, in particularly difficult scenarios, the player will roll 2d6 and take the lowest number instead. This originates from the progenitor of Forged in the Dark games, Blades in the Dark, which is meant to be particularly difficult and punishing.

Position & Effect

Another core mechanic of FitD games is Position & Effect. These are narrative tools that help the GM communicate to the players how dangerous the proposed plan of action is, as well as how likely the characters are to succeed.

Position is going to be Controlled, Risky or Desperate, indicating how much danger the characters are in, but also the stakes of failure. Failing a Controlled roll means you’re probably going to get out of there with minimal harm, or possibly a chance to try again. Failing a Desperate roll means that shit is going to hit the fan, and you’re going to be caught up in all of it. Risky rolls are somewhere in the middle, and considered the "standard" difficulty.

Effect is a metric for how successful your character is going to be. Picking a lock might not be dangerous, but if your character isn’t a thief and doesn’t have any lock-picks, they might not be very effective! Players can alter the effectiveness of their actions by changing how they go about solving a problem, using the gear they have on hand, or agreeing to approach the problem from a more desperate Position.

What I like about this is that Position & Effect encourage conversation and agency between the GM and the players. The players have final say over what they do, but the GM is able to communicate why they feel certain approaches may be more or less effective. The story is generative, and the way the rolls are adjudicated allow all of the parties to contribute to what happens next.

The Resistance Roll

Related to this conversation about agency is the Resistance Roll. If a player doesn’t like the consequence that the GM hands out, they can choose to Resist the consequences. They usually do this by rolling a certain number of resistance dice, and spending a player resource called Stress. (Other games use other names.) Depending on the consequence, the player might resist it outright or reduce the severity, but spend too much stress and you run into different kinds of consequences - whether that be Trauma (Blades), Trouble at Home (Slugblaster) or something unlucky (Antiquarian Adventures). Stress can be managed during a phase typically called Downtime, through various activities dependant on the setting.

I like this mechanic not just because it gives players agency, but also because of the Stress track tied to it. This is a player resource but it can also be a track pointing a change in the character, a chance to build in narrative themes, or a reason to role-play certain narrative effects. Many different FitD games use Stress in a number of unique ways, and I think tweaking this element can do a lot to determine the tone of the game.

Crew Sheets

This leads to the next bit of Forged in the Dark games that I really like - Crew Sheets. Similar to a number of other narrative games, FitD has character playbooks (which are kind of like character classes in D&D, but also are a carryover from PbtA games - I’ll talk about them more in the PbtA post), but Forged in the Dark games also have a uniting theme that gives your players a reason to work together.

In Neon Black, this is your local community, which both takes care of you and asks you for favours. In Moth-Light, this is your Pact, which determines not just your group’s goal, but also the tone and themes of your story. In Brinkwood, this is your Rebellion and the Faerie patron who is taking care of you - but it’s also the Mask playbooks that all of the players share, with special magical powers that help you fight Vampires.

Modular Systems

There are bits and pieces that also exist in FitD games that help define the experience. Clocks, for example, are abstract representations of looming consequences or player goals, and allow you to work towards a big pay-off over time. Factions can represent a changing social landscape, with friends and foes that you can turn to for help or strike out against in order to gain ground. Harm can alter how many dice you roll, or how effective you are when acting. These are interlocking pieces, but they’re not necessarily required.

Most of what I’ve covered in this post is not strictly necessary for a Forged in the Dark game. The Wildsea doesn’t use Stress or pre-set playbooks. Protect the Child doesn’t use Trauma. Scum & Villainy adds a Gambit mechanic that gives you extra ways to earn dice. Slugblaster changes how you Resist consequences, and External Containment Bureau moves the Clock mechanic to the front and centre, while doing away with Factions pretty much altogether. All of these games have enough pieces to be considered Forged in the Dark, but the play experience is very different, and each mod included, altered or dropped are usually choices that support the genre or tone of the game.

I’ve talked about a number of Forged in the Dark games in the past, but here’s a few more that I’ve got my eyes on.

Dusk Academy, by Skullery Maids, is a game about a private school for teaching magic to girls.

CRASH/CART, by Galen Pejeau, is a game about paramedics in a near-future California.

a|state, by Handiwork Games, is a game set in a strange and Dickensian city.

Girl By Moonlight, by Evil Hat, is a game about magical girls, mech pilots, and other larger-than-life characters.

There is a good list of Forged in the Dark games on the Blades website, and I've also got a Forged in the Dark collection on Itch.io!

If you are looking to make your own game, John Harper has released the Game SRD on the BitD website. These rules are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) license, which means that you can create your own games using this system as long as you give appropriate credit to Harper.

What Forged in the Dark game has caught your eye? Let me know in the tags / comments!

#tabletop games #indie ttrpgs #game recommendations #forged in the dark #mint speaks #system overview

[spiralingthoughtpost]

Vedic Astrology Observations

Ketu Dominant Men

(GIF context: This GIF shows Jamie Dornan [Magha Moon] in 50 Shades of Grey, which has heavy themes of both Ketu and Mercury– Magha and Ashlesha.)

Ketu or "Chaya Graha", envisaged as the dragon's tail or a headless form, is a symbol of the utmost spiritual significance in Vedic astrology. It is the shadow planet representative of the South Node of the Moon, and it has the most significant karmic role. Ketu represents the process of spiritual growth that comes from isolation, detachment, and renunciation. Through the immersion of intuition and ascetic practices, Ketu facilitates the shedding of life's illusions and aids in the journey towards spiritual enlightenment, demonstrating how its influence tends to embody the more complex and often challenging aspects of the human experience on the path to spiritual release. In the kundli (birth chart), wherever Ketu is placed signifies where the soul is stripped of its external dependencies and illusions. Simultaneously, the placement of Ketu indicates where one possesses natural power brought into this incarnation from a previous mastery in prior lifetimes. Tapping into this energy requires a process of purification, where one is compelled to let go of attachments, desires, and even identities that no longer serve spiritual growth. This celestial influence, while guiding us towards spiritual enlightenment through the accumulation of past knowledge and garnered lessons, is regarded as a malefic influence. It is often associated with the idea of sabotage or obstruction in one’s material life. Ketu's malefic character can be understood as a necessary catalyst for transformation. Just as a dragon's tail signifies the end of a creature and a headless form denotes a lack of conventional sensory perception, Ketu's influence is about the cessation of the familiar, more comfortable aspects of life. This nature of Ketu reflects the complicated and somewhat paradoxical journey of spiritual growth. Similar to Rahu, it challenges individuals by disrupting the status quo in ways that may initially appear destructive or sabotaging. These disruptions are not arbitrary, however; they are purposeful, forcing introspection and reassessment of one's life path for the sake of uncovering higher truth.

Ketu, in Vedic astrology, holds a significant influence on an individual's personality and life path, and this influence extends distinctly to Ketu-dominant men, distinguished by having primary placement(s) in either of the three Ketu ruled nakshatras: Ashwini, Magha, or Mula. Ketu's dominance in a chart often results in a personality that sets people apart in their approach to life, relationships, and self-expression. While many of these observations may apply to both men and women, there are particular traits and tendencies that seem to be more pronounced in Ketu dominant men that I'd like to focus on. By looking at the examples given in this post, I hope you'll be able to look at Ketu a bit more clearly through the expression of its natives.

(GIF contexts: First one is of Alexander Skarsgard [Magha Sun, Moon, and Asc. If you want to understand magha in men, study this guy, lol. The second GIF shows Daniel Gillies [Magha Moon and Ashwini Jupiter.])

In Vedic astrology, Ketu's influence in Ashwini Nakshatra creates distinctive qualities in men under its sway, embodying a dynamic and vivacious essence. This nakshatra conveys notions of speed, agility, vitality, courage, and tenacity, traits deeply ingrained in Ashwini men. They are often perceived as energetic and quick in thought and action, carrying a persistent zest for life that propels them towards new ventures and experiences with remarkable swiftness. This Nakshatra, associated with the Ashwini Kumaras – the twin horsemen sons of Surya (Sun god) known for their healing prowess in Vedic mythology – bestows upon its natives a natural inclination towards healing and rejuvenation, be it in physical, emotional, or spiritual contexts. Ashwini men exhibit an adventurous spirit and a curiosity that extends beyond the physical and into spiritual and intellectual explorations. However, this constant pursuit of novelty can manifest as a tendency towards restlessness or impulsivity, which can be particularly dangerous given Ketu's theme of temptation and continual transformation. Ashwini's initiatory nature also comes with the caveat of dropping old paths and starting again. The influence of Ketu in this nakshatra forces new beginnings, and sometimes this can be harsh for the natives and those around them, since it can feel like they are not really present unless there is fresh excitement. They can be sort of "hit it and quit it" when it comes to many different things in their lives, and you will have to look to different areas of the chart to see if they can be "tamed" so-to-speak. Ashwini Nakshatra also holds a special significance as it is the exaltation point of the Sun, a factor that adds another layer of complexity to Ketu's influence in this nakshatra. The Sun's exaltation in Ashwini indicates a nature compatible and conducive to the energy of the Sun, which is known for its righteous purity and expenditure of energy in addition to its scalding nature when things get too close. Since Ketu cannot provide or reflect its own light, its ability to give energy will depend on the planets it is with and the energy it absorbs from others (but it will do best by itself realistically). This will inevitably create a sense of exceptional vitality, confidence, and a strong sense of self for these individuals. Ketu's celestial alignment with the Sun in this nakshatra suggests that, while Ashwini brings qualities of introspection and spiritual inclination (especially as it relates to initiatory beginnings), they also possess a powerful presence, an ability to lead, and a radiant quality symbolistic of inborn power. In essence, the exaltation of the Sun in Ashwini Nakshatra can bring forth a unique archetype of individuals who are not only seekers and healers but also leaders and changemakers.

(GIF contexts: The first GIF shows Dwayne Johnson [Mula Moon]. The second one shows Arnold Schwarzenegger [Mula Moon]. I am fairly certain both have been open about being naturally fit but then eventually switching to steroids)

Magha Nakshatra is characterized by themes of royalty, nobility, and the ancestral lineage, standing as a testament to the "mighty one." Symbolized by the royal throne, Magha is connected to themes of authority, power, and respect for tradition. The symbol of this nakshatra is the royal throne, and the ruling deity is Pitris, which are the ancestors. These signify natives who will have a deep connection to their ancestors and will receive blessings of power because of this. Men under the influence of Magha Nakshatra often display a reverence for their heritage, showing a notable pride in their ancestry and a commitment to preserving the legacy bequeathed to them through generations. This reverence for lineage is more than a nod to status or pride; it's an acknowledgment of the wisdom, duties, and responsibilities inherited from their forebears. Ketu's influence in Magha enhances the introspective and spiritual facets of these individuals, urging them to explore the meaning of existence beyond the mere physical realm. They often exhibit a strong inclination toward exploring rituals, history, and metaphysical truths, seeking to understand their place within the cycle of life and death. Magha men often possess an inherent sense of authority and a demeanor that commands respect, often finding themselves in roles that allow them to exert significant influence and guidance over others from their drive for power and recognition (one example of this is Donald Trump who has Magha ascendant, but I would not consider him Ketu dominant). Their leadership comes from a dignified bearing and nobility, reflecting Magha's royal "kingly" symbolism. Additionally, these natives are very creative and habitual. They are guided by their intuition, which taps into Leo's vibrant reservoir of artistic flair and inventive fervor. This intuitive connection fuels their desire to engage with the world in a way that feels instinctive and natural, allowing them to operate almost on "autopilot," where they do much the same things day after day so that they can free up their mind to focus on aspirations they consider more important. Such an approach enables them to withdraw into their inner worlds, providing a sanctuary where they can be free from the burdens of planning or deliberate thinking.

The final and most refined Ketu-nakshatra, Mula, encapsulates the essence of transformation and an unyielding pursuit of truth. Its ruling deity, Nirriti, is the goddess of destruction and dissolution, playing an important role in its influence on this nakshatra and its natives. Represented by the root of a plant, Mula signifies the foundation, inception, and the most profound layers of being. Men influenced by Mula Nakshatra are distinguished by their urge to unearth the underlying truths of life, a quest that compels them to probe into and understand life's most fundamental elements. These individuals are propelled by a need for authenticity and are often involved in tearing down superficial or outdated structures to rebuild more meaningful and genuine ones. This can make them seem intense or extreme, but their actions are motivated by a sincere desire to uncover and establish truths. Their journey is one of continuous transformation with phases of destruction and rebirth, reflecting the cycle of life itself. This endeavor is challenging and demands courage, as it often entails venturing into the obscure and uncharted territories of the psyche and the external world. Such journeys can be as unsettling as they are transformative, leading to significant upheavals. Being at the height of its expression and the final gandanta, Mula personifies the essence of Ketu in its most powerful manifestation, showing its natives as relentless seekers of the hidden, uncomfortable truths that lie at the very heart of existence. Their journey is one of perpetual evolution, driven by the need to strip away all that is insubstantial to reveal the core truths that make up the cosmos at large.

(GIF contexts: The first one shows Jonathan Rhys Myers [Mula Moon and Asc.] The second one shows Cillian Murphy [Ashwini Moon]. The third one shows Milo Ventimiglia [Ashwini Moon.])

Individuals with a dominant Ketu as a whole in their astrological charts exhibit a character depth that is both remarkable and elusive. Their disposition, heavily influenced by introspection and a pronounced spiritual bent, markedly differs from the traits typically associated with other planetary dominants. Such individuals often exude an air of understated simplicity, coupled with an inherent complexity that defies superficial expectations. The influence of Ketu in their lives is distinct and potent, shaping their perspectives and actions in unique ways. For example, these Ketu-dominant individuals frequently exhibit a noticeable disengagement or indifference towards conventional societal success metrics and rules, such as material wealth, status, or typical career achievements and are more focused on base survival. However, this lack of interest does not necessarily preclude them from attaining these successes. In fact, their innate ability to unearth concealed truths often positions them as agents of significant change or realization in others, providing them with a unique form of attention and influence. This laissez-faire attitude towards success and rules in addition to their ability to attract and channel energy from their surroundings can paradoxically lead them to positions of immense power, despite an apparent absence of traditional discipline and seriousness often observed in most other leaders. Their ascent to such roles can seem almost suspicious, calling to question the subtle yet powerful influence of Ketu in their personal and professional trajectories as it relates to subverting the rational mind.

In social contexts, Ketu-dominant men command a subtle yet significant influence, characterized by an allure that is both captivating and somewhat unnerving. In gatherings, they might not be the most vocal figures, yet their impact is tangible, drawing admirers and leaving a memorable imprint on those they encounter. This influence resembles a kind of gravitational force, attracting people not through an assertive persona but through the depth of their character. People in the vicinity of Ketu-dominant men often feel an inexplicable urge to confide in them or seek guidance, perceiving a hidden wisdom. However, this magnetic pull can also lead to a dynamic where others project their desires onto these men, interpreting their enigmatic, void-like nature as a blank slate for their emotional or psychological needs. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced with Mercury-dominant and Moon-dominant women, who are drawn to these men, sometimes mistaking the serene stillness of Ketu for the intense solar energy associated with a solar mastered masculine principle. Such misinterpretations can give rise to complicated interpersonal relationships, where Ketu-dominant men become the unintended focal point of intense expectations or emotions from others. Their role in social groups often hinges on their capacity to absorb and subtly influence the energies around them. This makes them effective, albeit unobtrusive, leaders, advisors, or agents of change. They possess an ability to uncover truths and insights that might elude others, and this gives them power to understand, influence, and transform the energies around them in drastic ways.

Broadly speaking, the energy absorption characteristic of men with a dominant Ketu often translates into a desire for activities that enhance their physical vitality, giving them the ability to store more and consume more excess energy. A significant number of these men gravitate towards bodybuilding among other intense fitness regimens, and even those who do not actively engage in such pursuits will still often possess well-defined physiques, simply because they are predisposed to having to rely on others. This tends to evoke extreme envy in other men who typically idolize their appearance similar to the way they do with Saturn men, but even more so, because Ketu isn't restricted in the same way Saturn is. Ketu isn't the type that is working out 5 days a week, maintaining a strict diet to stay in shape, and putting in the time and effort to rise to a position of authority. It is more like eating whatever they want and barely exercising to somehow still maintain a six pack (and taking steroids) and being stumbled upon by a modeling agent who signs them out of the blue (this reminded me of that one guy, Jeremy Meeks, who was arrested and became a model from his mugshot He has Jupiter in Mula). This physicality, however, is just one facet of their widespread appeal. These individuals are also often the subjects of envy for their innate stillness and detachment, traits that enliven them with a magnetic quality. This magnetism, ranking them as one of the most heated polar influences second only to the sun, manifests in a presence that is both captivating and subtly disquieting, affecting others on a deep, subconscious, and often uncomfortable level. The allure of Ketu-dominant men does not stem from their vibrance or charisma in the conventional sense like it does with other heated planets such as Mars; rather, people are drawn to them out of a sense of obligation or a feeling that they should offer everything within their means to these individuals, sensing unconsciously that they are dependent on energy exchange. This dynamic is reminiscent of an authority figure who commands an obsessive following, akin to a revered boss to whom everyone wants to offer gifts, engage in discussions, seek approval from, or in extreme cases cross professional boundaries with. Their natural Tamasic disposition, which requires external sources of vitality to sustain itself, inevitably attracts individuals ready to lavish them with excess energy and resources. However, this can be a double-edged sword. The instinctual adoration they receive, a facet of Ketu's malevolent influence towards the native acting as temptation from their spiritual purpose, can lead them down more sensual and materialistic paths, particularly if not moderated by external forces. This situation is comparable to enabling a drug addict’s harmful habits, where indulging their vices and forgiving them in moments of weakness exacerbates their challenges rather than aiding recovery. This example is especially critical to consider, seeing that Ketu natives' susceptibility to losing themselves in substances like drugs and alcohol that cloud the conscious mind is extremely high. These are the type of individuals to indulge in these types of things like drinking, smoking, or whatever else they can use to blot out their sense of identity–much more than they probably should. Recognizing and addressing this vulnerability is important, as it plays a significant role in their journey, particularly when they are eventually compelled to confront the repercussions of their actions when led down the wrong path. When Ketu dominant individuals engage excessively in materialistic pursuits rather than in intuitive self-exploration, they often find themselves mired in dissatisfaction and left with a sense of emptiness that they struggle to comprehend.

The enthralling influence of Ketu can have a major impact on those around them, sometimes leading to attempts by others to remodel themselves to better align with the preferences of the Ketu-dominant person. This adaptation often entails the erosion of personal boundaries and the suppression of self-preservation instincts, driven by an overwhelming fascination or obsession with the Ketu individual. It is almost like they are cult leaders who, without trying, command power over others. This phenomenon mirrors certain dynamics observed with Moon-dominant individuals, who are recognized for their emotional depth, capacity for nurturing, and power over the masses, but Ketu's influence pushes this to another level entirely. The power wielded by Ketu-dominant individuals, therefore, transcends mere emotional or even subconscious manipulation or influence; it taps into a more fundamental level of interaction, where the boundaries between self and other blur. This positions Ketu-dominant individuals, especially men, as extremely influential figures in the lives of those they interact with, capable of inspiring unsettling transformations in their admirers and followers.

Ketu-dominant men have a tendency to be more explicit in their expression of sexuality, occasionally casting a sexual hue over interactions that are otherwise non-sexual, through both overt and subtle displays. This pronounced sexualization of their interactions and aspects of their persona is reflective of their complex nature and serves as a method of attracting others for the purpose of energy exchange. They often utilize their physical presence and sexual magnetism as mechanisms to draw others into their orbit, encouraging an exchange of energy that transcends mere physical attraction. However, this aspect of their identity, while significant, can overshadow other dimensions of their personality. The focus on their sexual allure and the power dynamics it engenders contributes to a skewed perception of their character, often magnifying the "bad boy" archetype they follow. This label stems from societal expectations and projections rather than the individual's authentic self. In reality, many Ketu-dominant men may not inherently embody the dark or mysterious persona often ascribed to them; rather, they seek normalcy and genuine connection. It is just that they struggle to do so due to the intensity of Ketu leaving them bereft of normalcy. The misalignment between perception and reality can lead these individuals to be pigeonholed into roles that don't fully resonate with their true selves from an early age, compelling them to navigate a complex social landscape that emphasizes their sexual persona and outward eccentricities over their true identity.

(GIF contexts: The first one shows Justin Timberlake [Mula Moon and Magha Asc] and Mila Kunis in Friends with Benefits. If you have not seen it, their "arrangement" basically overly gets complicated because it gets too emotionally intimate and intense for them. The second one shows Jared Leto as Joker in suicide squad. I think this is a good example of how people tend to perceive these people as being darker than they really are and get casted in roles that emphasize their darker aspects. It's also fitting that the Joker just wanted to be alone but has Harley Quinn constantly chasing after him.)

When Ketu dominant individuals are more aligned with their purpose and resist extreme temptations, their interests often veer towards spiritual, creative, or philosophical domains. In these areas, they seek deeper, existential meanings and truths. Their pursuit of understanding the subtle intricacies of existence frequently leads them to explore unconventional paths, whether it be in metaphysics, the occult, philosophy, religion, or other subcultural movements that provide them with a sense of purpose. In environments where superficial interactions are commonplace, these individuals may not be easily understood or appreciated. Their depth and complexity demand more than superficial engagement for true comprehension, but most people should be wary of this, as like I said they can seem simple and grounded but will shake up your life in more ways than what you're probably wanting. Nonetheless, there remains a tendency for people to be drawn to these individuals, often submitting to their enigmatic draw they have that makes people stop thinking so much about rationality. This attraction, however, can sometimes result in Ketu dominant individuals being perceived as aloof or controlling, which is a misinterpretation of their true nature. Their apparent detachment is not indicative of a lack of empathy or a desire to dominate (they really don't want any control; people just give it to them). Instead, it stems from their intense internal focus and the ongoing process of inner development and self-realization. Their internal journey is a reflection of their outer nature, often misunderstood by those who only engage with them on a surface level. The depth of a Ketu dominant person's introspection and quest for understanding transcends the ordinary, making them complex figures who navigate their existence in ways that are not immediately apparent to the casual observer. Their journey is not just about self-discovery in terms of labels or findings one's place in the material world but also about how this internal transformation manifests in their interactions with theirs and other peoples' spirits.

Ketu dominant men often have compelling and unique perspectives on life and relationships, favoring deeply meaningful connections over temporary, superficial ones, which is usually what people want them for. Not many people can handle giving their energy away constantly, so even though it can feel like you want to give everything you have to them, when you have nothing left to give and they still aren't satisfied, it will start to take a toll on even the most fortified levels of patience. Their approach to love and relationships is characterized by a certain, shall I say... unpredictability; they are known for oscillating between periods of intense engagement and phases of extreme solitude. This pattern, which might resemble love bombing to certain people, reflects their struggle to balance their rich inner world with external relationships. These relationships are crucial for their vital energy management, yet maintaining them can be challenging due to their inward focus. In the context of friendships and family relationships, Ketu dominant individuals often appear to be on the receiving end more than anything. They can recycle energy they get from other sources to redirect it, but they'll get burnt out fairly quickly if others are not also consistently pouring themselves into these people. They maintain an aura of mystery, even among those closest to them because they can go from being hyper-social to complete hermit at the drop of a hat, in addition to being completely different in their heads compared to how others perceive them. Their approach to relationships deviates from the traditional, being more aligned with spiritual and intuitive interpretations of connections rather than conventional societal norms. This unconventional approach to relationships often leads to associations of then with the concept of "Twin Flames," likely due to the intensity and depth of connections they forge, but I wouldn't say these are particularly unique experiences to have with these people. They are just generally intense when it comes to everyone. Speaking of this, they will often be the ones to initially pursue the relationships with someone they want (including the women) and can be very persistent at it. They can become a bit overbearing, since in instances like that people initially were willing to give them energy but then started getting followed as they pulled away (kind of like having a stray dog follow you home after you feed it that can become aggressive if you don't continue to take care of it [while it may or may not destroy your home]; just a metaphor; it is not meant to be derogatory in any way-- some people can handle it and will love to do that, and it helps if they have more sattvic energies to balance it out so that it isn't super demanding). Anyway, back to the matter at hand. Yeah, they are typically the one's to initially pursue relationships with the people they want. Ketu dominant men are typically drawn to partners who share a similar depth and understanding of life in addition to their willingness to provide for him (this doesn't always mean financially; they can be very financially well off but still need a lot of attention, sex, etc. because they need energy exchange to function.) However, their compelling nature tends to attract a diverse array of individuals, many of whom may attempt to pretend to be someone they are not to align with the Ketu individual's desires, often at the cost of engaging in a sort of unspoken rivalry, where people stake claim to the Ketu person. This phenomenon demonstrates the effect of Ketu dominant individuals and those drawn into their orbit, highlighting the intricate dance of identity and adaptation in their relationships and the intensity people have a hard time understanding rationally. Their journey in love and companionship is not just about finding a compatible partner but also about navigating the intricate dynamics that their nature inevitably invites.

(GIF contexts: The first is of Chris Pine in Wonder Woman. I looked specifically for this example because I remember watching this and thinking how odd it was for him to make this otherwise normal scene so sexually intense, looking at Diana while standing there naked and commenting on being "above average." The second one pretty much speaks for itself, lol, and is of Eddie Cibrian [Mula Moon]. The third is of Derek Hough [Ashwini Moon and Mercury]. The fourth is Mickey Rourke [Magha Moon]).

Ketu-dominant men often personify the archetype of the solitary seeker, captivating everyone's attention despite their preference for solitary introspection. They mirror the essence of an isolated mystic or artist that people are still obsessed with, drawing people to them who feel a compelling need to help them exchange energy in various forms (while I was kind of just exploring this thought, it reminded me of the Lion from Sing 2 played by Clay Calloway and the movie showed them going out in the middle of nowhere to go get him for their concert, and it turns out he has Mula Sun). This dynamic resembles the experiences of being famous, where, irrespective of one's desire for privacy, there is a constant pull from others to engage in some form of energy exchange, be it through a photograph, a conversation, a performance, or more intimate interactions. This intensity of interaction can be overwhelming and is a testament to the powerful presence these individuals possess.

In their professional lives, they may gravitate towards roles that favor deep analysis, solitary work, or engagement with the metaphysical aspects of their field, but there are usually still aspects of power – be it as researchers, healers, spiritual leaders, or creative artists. Their approach to relationships and social interactions is apparent from a discernible depth; they are the individuals who, at gatherings, might be found in the center of everything even though they were just trying to sit in a quiet corner to have a deep conversation with someone else. Preferring the sanctity of their personal space, they also might not even attend even though people will still try to drag them out. With the sun, it is more direct and will burn people that get too close, whereas for Ketu it can become draining and overly intense in the sense of Ketu men's piercing ability to reveal hidden truths. It demonstrates the paradox of their existence: while they are naturally inclined towards isolation and introspective pursuits, their fundamental nature attracts others who seek to either bask in their aura or dole out energy, even when Sun and Ketu natives themselves prefer the quietude of their own company. (As a side note, Ketu can really piss off the Sun sometimes, because Ketu doesn't combust. It can latch onto the solar energy without having to deal with the harshness of it, and that seriously disturbs Sun-dominant individuals because they are both very heated in polarity). In their professional lives, Ketu-dominant men typically gravitate towards roles that require deep analysis, solitary work, or a focus on the metaphysical dimensions of their field. Even in these settings, elements of power and influence are often present, whether they serve as researchers, healers, spiritual leaders, or creative artists. Their unique approach to relationships and social interactions is marked by an unmistakable depth.

(GIF contexts: First one is of Hugh Grant [Ashwini Moon and Mula Jupiter]. Second one is Tyler Hoechlin [Ashwini Moon and Jupiter].

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[majorbaby]

it takes a conscious effort to break your patterns of consumption and unlearn the notion beauty, interiority, diverse ways of existence aren't exclusive to whiteness or maleness. part of that isn't your fault. certain music is played on the radio, certain shows survive cancellation no matter what, certain people seem to be able to commit the worst possible acts against other human beings and are excused on account of their creative genius. others are selectively punished, with good reason sure, but still, selectively.

now more than ever it's easier to immerse yourself in art made by people outside of the mainstream. reading lists, free resources, playlists... all this stuff is more accessible than ever, but you've got to make an effort to give it a try. it's black history month, the recs are pouring in, go have a look. or take a chance on something absolutely no one has recommended anywhere and if you find something you like, rec it to someone else because the likelihood is they haven't heard of it.

tracy chapman's "fast car" is one of eleven songs that appears on her self-titled debut album. can you name the second hit single from it? if you're american and you fell anywhere left of center as of the 2016 election, it should be on the tip of your tongue if you were engaged in your country's politics at the time, regardless of your level of actual investment in the system. if not, the next time you're doing a task you need both hands with, washing the dishes, having dinner, doing your makeup, put that album on.

there's a post with over 100K notes on here that i see all the time of bruce springsteen and clarence clemons kissing. there's a part of that that is immediately meaningful to many if you're lgbtq, and a part that is harder for non-black lgbtq people to feel the weight of. but it is worth trying to do and was part of the reason why they kissed so often in the first place. clarence clemons was from norfolk, virginia. he released multiple albums outside of his work with the e street band. they may not be for you, but give them a try.

give enough music, or movies, or books that aren't a part of the approved canon a try, and there's no way you won't find something you don't feel as passionate about as you do about springsteen, siken, the beatles, what have you.

james baldwin was a prolific artist. see if you can't find something of his you like more than giovanni's room.

immerse yourself in ringo sheena, who mitski cites as one of her influences.

if you have difficulty paying attention to music you don't recognize, (i get it) make a playlist that alternates tracks you know and love with brand new tracks. start small. 5 faves of all time, 5 you're going to try out. you won't like everything, but you might find yourself looking forward to 6 songs instead of 5 eventually.

for movies, pick an actor whose performance you loved in something and explore their work. last year i picked whoopi goldberg, also a prolific artist, with a vast body of work that's pretty accessible as a result of her constant, intentional effort.

if you're an artist yourself, you can only stand to improve by getting to know your fellow artists better. so expand your notion of what art is. you can do it for free in lots of cases, and you're spending that time listening to music or reading or watching movies or series anyway, what have you got to lose?

anti-racism sometimes means engaging in real-world narratives of pain endured by brown and black people. that pain permeates much of our art, but we're just as three-dimensional as everybody else, and every aspect of our experiences come through in our work. you know that already, because what else is happening when you indulge in various genres. for everything you love or enjoy, there's a brown or black person who's doing something along those lines, in many cases, those genres wouldn't exist in their current form without the influence of our communities, some more than others, depending on where you're from. you can actually keep one foot inside your comfort zone and dip your toe into something else. that choice is both a joy and a luxury.

#im saying this with generosity #the best time to start was ten years ago the next best time is today #hope i don't regret this. lol.