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#a lot of the Marvel Family’s history is focused on them having a strong association with the Golden Age
daydreamerdrew · 2 years
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The New Champion of Shazam! (2022) #2
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sparklegemstone · 3 years
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Taking a break from work so time to write up more of my Loki trailer thoughts since all the cool cats around here seem to be doing it :-D.
In chronological order:
1) Personally I was 'meh' about the trailer starting with the Endgame scene just because I think the Russos did a terrible job matching the tone of that scene with the tone of the original Avengers film's conclusion and I want the Loki series to feel like a continuation of Avengers.  Alas, the Endgame scene grates on me as feeling inauthentic to the story it's supposed to take place in.  But I certainly understand the practicality of needing to put it in to give the audience the context for when/how this new story with Loki is taking place.
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2) But five seconds later on the other side of the wormhole…yay, Kate Herron fixed the tone!  This feels much closer in tone to when Thor and Lok depart for Asgard at the end of Avengers.  Excellent job Kate.
3) Was so pleasantly surprised by Owen Wilson's portrayal!  Very different than any of the comedic characters I strongly associate the actor's acting style with.  I like his character a lot with what we've been given so far.  It's instructive reflecting back on the potential concerns I had and that were being discussed in the fandom when we were working with scraps and rumors that we now know don't have merit: things like 'Hiddleston is only there to narrate the series' and 'How comedic in tone is this going to be if Waldron from Rick and Morty is hiring Owen Wilson?'.  Ah the good old days of baseless speculation.
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 4) I mentioned the frequently low camera position in another post -- it does a poor job of conveying how Loki carries himself, tall and straight and elegant.  It makes him seem more ordinary, but maybe that's the point -- equalizing him with Mobius rather than it being an Asgardian in a non-Asgardian's presence.
5) The way Loki goes from locked down and not letting any sense of what's going on his head slip to Mobius (what I feel is in-character for Loki) to suddenly being a lot more open with what he's actually feeling and having less guarded, more friendly/casual attitude toward Mobius is weird to me.  I think it's a cut just for the trailer and hopefully it will make more sense in context, but Hiddleston's acting here and the way he has no qualms about being physically guided out of the elevator by Mobius is one of the points where it felt more like Hiddleston playing a different character than playing Loki to me (and lacking Loki's costuming doesn't help that perception certainly).  Which I know is nitpicky, but I was just curious to see to what degree this would actually feel like 'fresh off of Avengers' Loki and so I'm paying close attention to what feels in and out of character for me.  Does Mobius say something to really throw Loki for a loop that would cause him to drop his guard like that?
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6) "Glorious" -> YAASSSS that's the Loki I wanted to recognize.  He's back!  I'm still having a hard time wrapping my head around how blessed I am, but we've got him back for more screen time.  Also, with him back in Stark Tower and the later image of post-apocalyptic Manhattan, I am super intrigued by the possibility of Loki (and me too!) experiencing different ways things could have played out on Earth, if he'd succeeded in his conquest for example.
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7) Loki's going to learn about what happened in the main timeline and the choices he made in the future?!  That's huge!  Should be a fascinating character moment.  This bit of Loki turning away from the projector gives me a lot of hope that the writing in the show is actually going to explore, honor, and authentically run with where Loki was as a character at the end of Avengers and the context of what he experienced rather than Marvel just plopping the "general" character of Loki into a genre-fied crime thriller show basically disconnected from the events of Thor and Avengers so they can say they made a Loki show.
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8) Do I like Loki in the beige detective jacket?  Nah, not really.  But I do appreciate that even with the earth costume they kept Loki's style of being completely covered up.  Also creates contrast with him not being in control when he's in the TVA prisoner jumpsuit that has short sleeves.
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9) Thought that was Nat on Voromir at first because of the purple environment.  Been reading some thoughts on how that's probably not Nat, and while the theories make sense, if that's true, why would Marvel put in a shot of a character that looks so much like Nat that it would cause confusion and maybe get her fans' hopes up?
10) I agree with @delyth88​ on the D.B. Cooper scene.  Didn't think I'd want Loki looking like Hiddleston, but I don't mind it / it's not taking me out of the scene as I might have expected.
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11) The fight choreo and edit into the twirling -- I already discussed this before, but the physicality of it is giving me human-strength!Loki vibes.  If instead the guy he's fighting is also super strong, wouldn't the plastic or metal disc thing between them break upon impact?  Also the fact that it seems implied that Loki would get hurt by jumping out of the plane w/o Heimdall’s help to catch him.
12) The twirling -- is Loki legitimately, celebratorily, uninhibitedly happy?  I feel like we've never seen him like that since the Thor cut scene before they all made that fateful trip to Jotunheim.  I read a theory that the roman numerals on the building in this frame might mean he is in Pompeii the year the volcano erupts, which is interesting.
13) Loki saying "Brother”,  “Heimdall", coordinating with at least Heimdall, traveling on the Bifrost -- HOPE!  BEAUTIFUL, WONDERFUL, HOPE!  I was honestly expecting the show to make no mention of anything connected to Asgard, except maybe segueing into Thor 4 at the very end, so the fact that Loki is (indirectly) interacting with Heimdall -- calling Thor "Brother" (even if not to Thor) !!!!!!!!!!!! -- interesting!  
14) The idea of him being D.B. Cooper is very fun! (though I didn't know who that was in advance).  It's very easy to pretend that Loki is real and has been an unidentified part of our history all along.
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15) I do not like the last scene with comics!Loki suddenly being brought to life.  In fact I had a very kneejerk dislike of it the first couple times I watched the trailer (so many watches ago :-P) because it presses a very personal button of mine, which is how the MCU is moving toward becoming more spectacle-driven and comic-book-y and therefore away from the grounded, character driven storytelling that I enjoy about the MCU.  I'm here for the character of Loki that I love as he is already established in the MCU, not the comics versions of the character.  Also, IMO the acting is out of character for MCU Loki and more goofy.
That said, I'm hopeful context will help a whole bunch here as @iamanartichoke​ has said.  Given all the timey-wimey multiverse shenanigans, it's probably not even Avengers!Loki anyway, and I'm certainly not going to begrudge the many fans who are excited to see comics references on screen.
Overall impression?  Very excited, very hopeful.  Would I selfishly want a story that's just a direct continuation of the Avengers and hyper focused on the exact context of the character of Loki as he was in Avengers, fleshing out the off-screen bits and up-until-now only implied emotional impact of what Loki experienced between the end of Thor and the start of Avengers, digging into his relationships with the Black Order, and family, reconciling with his heritage?  Uh…duh ;-).  
But you have to give an audience what they need as opposed to what they think they want, and from a craft perspective, this has to be its own story.  The Thor and Avengers stories are their own stories, they're told, they're done, even if certain emotional threads were left hanging / implied / off-screen that we as very detail-oriented Loki fans would like to see dealt with explicitly.
But given that this was always going to be its own story, I'm very hopeful that the series has an explicit creative goal of telling a story that also does a great job with emotional continuity and exploring the fallout of Thor and Avengers and what that means for Loki's character; of honoring, picking up from, and running with Loki as a character in the context of who he was when he surrendered to the Avengers and where he goes from there.
The Marvel Studios executives could have easily decided to make an isolated story featuring Loki that general MCU fans that don't think overly deeply about the character would have been very happy with and probably it would be very successful, and I would have gladly taken that over nothing.  But I'm optimistic that that isn't what we're getting and that they chose to ground their story in the specific context of Loki's character.  We'll see!
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tipsycad147 · 5 years
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How To Use The 22 Cards Of The Major Arcana In Magic
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SL Bear
The mysterious history and magic surrounding the Tarot make it a powerful ally for any witch. Everything about each card is significant, tells a story, and reflects some deeper meaning. The cards have been interpreted by everyone from psychologists to church leaders and over the centuries, the Tarot has been used to pass on knowledge and keep secrets. In fact, “arcana” means secret, and everything about these richly symbolic cards holds a clue.
You can build a relationship with your deck, learn to understand it, and even ask it for advice like an old friend. Every card holds an answer if you’re brave enough and wise enough to decipher it. Going beyond divination, these cards can be used in spellwork to guide along your intent in marvellous ways — and the closer you are to your deck, the better its magic serves you. While there is much to say about the various historical connections of the Tarot or its prominent place in the whispers and legends of witches and mystics all over the world, today I’m going to keep it simple and focus on which cards will serve you best depending on the spell or magic you want to do.
The Major Arcana
The Fool: This card represents naivety, youth, and new beginnings. In spellwork, this card can be used to bring bravery and joy when starting something new, like a relationship or a job. Any spells surrounding a child will be bolstered by the Fool, who represents innocence. If you feel you’ve been foolish lately, use this card to help reverse the damage by turning it from upside down to right side up during self-transformative spellwork. Because the element associated with the Fool is air, when using this card incorporate this element in some way for better results. Sing, speak, use the wind! Note: This card is light-hearted and free-spirited, and should never be used in hexes or curses.
The Magician: A tricky little card that must be used the right way. The Magician represents power and having the control necessary to wield it. Pair this card with others to create layers of symbolism and power during spells. The Magician paired with The Lovers can give you the upper hand in a relationship. When paired with The Sun, it can boost spells for success or to turn things in your favor. Reversed, the Magician becomes an illusionist, who seeks personal gain at the detriment of others. Can be used in magic when you need to hide your true intentions or as a last resort when other means to get what you want have been unsuccessful. Element: Air.
The High Priestess: This card is a sign of knowledge, balance, and intuition. Because the High Priestess is all about self-discovery and learning to trust yourself, her presence during meditation and astral travel is welcome. This card can be used on its own whenever you need clarity on a situation, during quiet reflection or paired with the Hermit when seeking inner truth. Simply hold the card, ask a question, and listen to your own inner voice to find the answer. Set this card nearby and take a long bath to help calm nerves and anxiety. Element: Water.
The Empress:  A sign of harmony, love, luxury, and motherhood. Particularly useful in spells directed at pregnant women, women hoping to become pregnant, and mothers. The Empress will help with spells of abundance and peaceful relationships, ensuring spells involving either of these pursuits are successful. Because of its connection to nature, this card is good luck for green witches and will be especially potent in spells involving herbs. Element: Earth.
The Emperor: A counterpart to the Empress, the Emperor represents fatherhood and control. Keep nearby when you are developing strategies and use in spells focused on discipline, like breaking a bad habit or achieving a goal. This card’s element is fire, so magic using candles will be given a boost when the Emperor is around. Keep in mind that unchecked, too much power corrupts and this card can be reversed in spells if you’re targeting a bully in your life.
The Hierophant: On its surface, the Hierophant represents establishment and a set tradition, passing down knowledge through structured methods. Not much fun but, I suppose, occasionally necessary. However, when you reverse the Hierophant, he represents rebellion. Turn the Hierophant upside down and use in spells seeking change to the status quo. This card, reversed, can also be used to change someone’s mind or open them up to new ideas. Element: Earth.
The Lovers: I love this card because it’s associated with my Zodiac sign, Gemini! The Lovers represent harmony, duality, balance, and bonding. Reverse this card in spells if you’re seeking to breakup a relationship. Use right side up and pair with rose quartz to bring harmony to your love life. The Lovers don’t just symbolise romantic couples, though. Whenever you’re performing spells to strengthen a bond between friends, family, co-workers, etc, make sure the Lovers make an appearance. This can also be used in spells meant to resolve an internal conflict and bring harmony to yourself.  
The Chariot: This is a winner’s card, to be used in spells after you’ve put a lot into work into something already to ensure positive results. I’ve pinned the Chariot above my altar as a constant power boost, along with keeping one near for every spell where I want to be victorious in a situation. This card is so powerful, you can carry it with you and use only with intention when you need extra willpower or to guarantee success. Bring it with you to the bank to ensure a loan, or a job interview. Pair with aventurine when you need extra luck. Wherever you have toiled, this card will help turn the tables in your favour. Element: Water.
Strength: While there are many different ways to be strong, the Strength card can represent them all in spells. When dealing with temptation, draw the Strength card to give yourself extra willpower and morale. Always keep one close when performing spells relating to bravery or facing your fears. This card’s element is fire, and this should be respected when using it. Add a red candle and the Strength card to any spell you feel requires extra fortitude — spells connected to leaving a bad situation, overcoming something that holds you back, or starting a new course in your life that you’re afraid of.
The Hermit: This card is all about wisdom and truth. Great for college witches seeking help with school. Light a blue candle and set the Hermit card next to it during studying to retain facts and information better. Carry this card and a piece of petrified wood while taking tests. The Hermit is also about discovering yourself and the knowledge we attain in our quiet moments away from everyone. Let the Hermit guide you during meditation and whenever you need a companion during work focused on inner peace and reflection. The Hermit’s element is earth, and performing these spells outside will be extra effective.
The Wheel of Fortune: Another great card to use in reverse, when you’ve been facing a lot of bad luck. Light a green candle and set the reversed Wheel of Fortune beside it. Then, as the candle burns, slowly (over the course of about an hour) turn the card right side to turn your bad luck around. This card is a reminder that things change, and neither good nor bad can last forever. Use in spells to control your fate by establishing where you want to go, and pointing the card in that direction.
Justice: This card represents an understanding that actions have consequences, which makes it a wonderful card to turn to when you want to make sure a foe gets what they deserve. If someone has wronged you, pair this card with the (humanely sourced) tooth of a predator and, because this card’s element is air, use your words to ask that your enemy is punished accordingly. When performing spells against another, turn this card upside down and cover its eyes (or, as the more modern decks can be quite abstract, put a black cloth over it) to protect yourself against retaliation.
The Hanged Man: This card is all about sacrifice and patience. The man is hanging upside down and therefore his view of the world is skewed, or perhaps he just sees things differently. It is suggested his pose is voluntary, a sacrifice to achieve another way of looking at the world — or achieving enlightenment. This makes the Hanged Man an excellent card for achieving higher wisdom through spellwork. Pair with howlite for patience and understanding in a trying situation. Especially useful for spells involving an altar or any grounding ritual involving water (the element associated with this card). I like to use this card after I’ve asked for help with something during a gratitude ritual — a good habit to get into. Place under your pillow each night to remember to be thankful.
Death: Quite the sinister card, no? Not really. The Death card is actually a symbol of a change, the end of something that has run its course so there can be something new. Whenever you want a spell for change, Death is the card you must reach for, especially if you’re finding it difficult to make this change on your own. This can be paired with the Wheel of Fortune card to bring an end to stagnant period in your life. It can be used with the Lovers card to get over a past relationship. I use it often for banishing spells to signal an end to whatever is pestering me. Element: Water.
Temperance: This is a good card to use when battling obsession or addiction. This card is about balance and serene control, however, when reversed, this card symbolises a life out of tune and excessiveness. Reverse this card in spells against your enemies to cause confusion and a loss of control. Use this card right side up during centring rituals to help find an equilibrium. Element: Fire.
The Devil: Reversed, this card represents breaking free of something holding you back and returning to happier times. Right side up, he represents being a prisoner of excess or trapped in a cycle of addiction. I only use this card reversed and pair it with the Emperor in spellwork to break bad habits (like spending way too much time on the internet, for example). Use during a cleansing exercise and pair with salt to release yourself from negative energies.
The Tower: Another favourite. This card is fantastic for banishing and, when paired with Death or The Wheel of Fortune, changing a situation definitively. This can apply to anything; work, relationships, or something internal. Whenever you feel stagnation getting the best of you, whip out this card and burn a white candle to bring about a sudden and huge change in your life. Note: Best results come when the timing of these spells coincide with the changing seasons. Make sure your intentions are clear and pair with the Star to avoid a change for the worse! Element: Fire, of course.  
The Star: Use this lucky little card for wishes and spells of abundance. The element associated with this card is air, so take this card somewhere where you can be alone and shout your wish into the universe. During the full moon, burn a green candle next to this card for some quick cash. Hang over your bed and before going to sleep, make your wish. It’s your own personal shooting star, witches.
The Moon: This card can help guide your intuition and reveal hidden truths about yourself. Dream magic and spells involving water will get a boost when the Moon card is added into the fold. While using other methods of divination, the Moon will make interpretations easier.
The Sun: Use the Sun in any spell to increase the chances of success. Add to an altar to make your workspace more magically potent. This card makes an excellent talisman, and can be carried with you to bring good luck and reduce the risk of negativity throughout the day. This is a happy card and will work toward positive outcomes in any spell, especially if paired somehow with honey and the colour yellow! Element: Fire.  
Judgement: Another card that focuses on consequences, which makes it a natural for spells directed at problematic people. However, unlike Justice, this card is not just about cause and effect, but awareness. If someone has hurt you in some way, this card will open their eyes to it when used in spells, and if you choose, you can find a resolution with this person. This card can also be used in personal spells to give you some perspective. It’s easy to believe we’re never at fault, but when Judgement is present, we can see where we’ve gone wrong and work to make personal improvements or amends.  
The World: The element for the final card in the Major Arcana is earth. Go outside, hold this card and perform a grounding. In spells, use this card for bringing harmony, peace, and happiness to yourself or another. This is a good omen card and represents contentment or enlightenment. Use in any spell that aims for stress relief, fixing an imbalance in your life, or simply when you need to get back to nature and feel reconnected to your craft!
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https://thetravelingwitch.com/blog/2018/8/26/how-to-use-the-22-cards-of-the-major-arcana-in-magic
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