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jimblejamblewritings · 2 years

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snow falls hot | part 15.

Summary: (Y/N) Snow isn’t a Snow at all. She’s a Targaryen— Rhaegar’s child. Taken in by the Starks, she leads her life as another on of Ned’s bastards. Will she be able to live in Westeros comfortably? More importantly, does she have any ambition to see herself one day on the Iron Throne?

Warnings: it’s game of thrones…

Pairing: gendry x reader

Word Count: 3.7k

Previous Part | (Series Masterlist)

Winterfell was thriving. The North was very much the same. It was still taking time to recover after the dead marched through. But the North felt promising with you. The lords and ladies of their houses had confidence when they agreed that you should lead. Under Ned’s thumb, side by side with Robb. It was obvious you knew the North in and out. And from little, the ones old enough to remember you remembered the air of royalty and leadership that trailed behind you as you walked through Winterfell.

You and Shadow had come back from Bear Island the day before. Some of the Free Folk were now living there with all of House Mormont killed. The Free Folk adapted well to living inside the Wall. They still did things their way but found that a lot of their customs aligned with typical views of the North. Shadow became the best resource possible. You quickly could reach the farthest ends of your kingdom. If supplies were needed, you could take them by strapping a basket to her legs.

When you didn’t need to go very far or the baby wasn’t in the mood to fly, you would take Grey Wind. The wolf reached full height when he was practically still a puppy, but the spryness of a young almost teenage wolf was apparent. He seemed to run faster nowadays and get distracted rather easily sometimes. Ghost often came with you if he wasn’t trailing behind Tormund who stayed in Winterfell instead of marching South.

The gates opened to let you and Grey Wind back inside. You laughed as you watched the children race after their dragons— Eddard stopping briefly to wave to you before following his friends. Sansa approached, her dragon blowing a puff of smoke before flying far away in the other direction. You slid off of Grey Wind, who licked the back of your hand and walked away to wherever he was going.

“You’re barely showing,” she commented. “Was it like that with Eddard?”

Having missed your first pregnancy, Sansa was very much involved with this one. She was there for every task to the point where she was almost pushing the midwife out of her job. You laughed and held your stomach.

“Oh no. By the time we reached the Twins it was fairly obvious I was pregnant. Sam is learning about children from the midwives. They say sometimes you stay small all the way until the birth.”

Before Sansa could say something else or take another step, Jaime and Brienne approached on horseback. They jumped down from the horses and Jaime brandished a letter. You looked at the wax seal with a dragon on it— it could only be from Daenerys. You tore through the seal.

“What is it?” Sansa asked as your eyes scanned the paper quickly.

“It’s from Varys.”

“What does the Spider want?” Brienne asked.

“He says Cersei has brought all the citizens into the city… a human shield.”

“Surely—”

“She won’t attack? They killed her dragon, taken her closest friend captive. She says she will tear Cersei from root to stem. When the false queen doesn’t surrender because we all know she will not, Aunt Daeny wants everyone to know it was Cersei’s fault the sky was brought down on King’s Landing.”

You read the exact quote from the parchment. You read the paper once more and crumpled it up.

“How did she take Meereen, lead the Dothraki? She has always used fire to get what she wants. Brash and a tyrant. A single utterance of a word she doesn’t like and she thinks you must be destroyed from it as if everyone will agree with every decision you make. She speaks of breaking a wheel but all she has done is continue it, she thinks because her people aren’t in chains that means she is just.”

The three around you watched as your eyes went white and Grey Wind returned to your side. Another flash of white and Shadow dropped into the courtyard. You turned to Sansa.

“I know you’ve only ridden her for fun but the saddle is in the stables, Eddard is comfortable as well if you need help.”

You adjusted your bow, sword, and quiver of arrows and swung back onto Grey Wind. Jaime grabbed your arm.

“Where are you going, Your Grace?”

“I need to get my brother before our Aunt leads him to his death.”

“He is capable. This is Jon— ”

“No! He isn’t Jon Snow or Lord Crow or whatever. His name is Aegon, Aegon Targaryen-Stark and I will not let that usurper of a Dragon Queen take his life. Gendry is with him!”

“You are pregnant.”

Brienne’s words stopped you. You relaxed your fingers from where they were gripping Grey Wind’s fur and looked at three of your advisors in front of you. They watched your fingers dance on your stomach before you squared off your shoulders and looked them in the eye.

“I had a dream and Daenerys has taken the second path. One that promises fire and blood on the backs of innocent people. I wanted to put my faith in her because she is family, it has been broken. I am not the Queen in the North, nor the rightful heir to Seven Kingdoms or an Iron Throne. The Iron Throne is a chair, a concept that no longer exists. Seven Kingdoms do not exist, only one and that is Westeros. I am Queen of Westeros and two false queens threaten my people.”

Brienne, Jaime, and Sansa all bowed down understanding that nothing would change your mind. They didn’t want to agree but acknowledged you were speaking like a true royal.

“What would you have us do, Your Grace?” Sansa asked when they stood back up.

“Little Bird, keep Winterfell in the dark. Northernmen do not need to march for me, they are needed here. You will arrange for Uncle Edmure and the Vale to escort Bran, Tormund, Sam and anyone else you deem important to King’s Landing. They will need to leave tomorrow. You and Eddard will as well. Fly to us on Shadow.”

“Should you not take your dragon?” she asked.

“No. She will see Shadow a mile away. I want to save King’s Landing not rain fire on them. Grey Wind, big as he might be, is less noticeable.”

“And us?” Brienne asked, motioning to her and Jaime.

Your eyes went white and they watched Grey Wind howl. Not long after, Ghost appeared.

“Riding a direwolf is much like riding a horse. Do you two need a saddle?”

Ghost growled slightly when Jaime went to attach his horse’s saddle to the wolf until you shushed him. The dire wolf let the saddle be strapped around him and then both new riders get on. You nodded at Sansa before Grey Wind sped off. Brienne and Jaime both held to Ghost’s fur with a nervousness as he followed behind his brother.

The wolves were well on the path to King’s Landing when you stopped so they could drink. With the people in the land now knowing who you were, you weren’t concerned about food. If the three of you got hungry, any tavern or farmer would be glad to feed you. The wolves were lapping at the river water when you gasped. Brienne and Jaime were up immediately but you reassured them it was fine.

“You sounded anything but,” Jaime commented.

“I’ve never dreamed while awake before. Ser Jaime, what did my grandfather say before you killed him?”

“Burn them all… why?”

“Dracarys,” you whispered.

“I’m sorry?”

You shook your head. There was no way to tell them you saw Missandei’s head. You saw fire not just red but green as well. The ringing of bells still echoed in your ear. There was no way to tell them that what you saw was like the Long Night only fire instead of ice and the living instead of the dead. You walked away from them to bend down and pet Ghost and Grey Wind while they were drinking. Jaime and Brienne watched you sit in the grass between the wolves who eventually sat down as well.

“Was she always like this?” Brienne asked him.

Jaime nodded. “I remember seeing her in Winterfell, how they loved her. She was a Snow then but there was always something different about her. Of course back then I was only thinking not the worst choice for a wife that Robert could have made me take.”

Brienne lightly hit his shoulder and Jaime chuckled before continuing.

“But yes, she’s always been like this. A bit more hardened now.”

“Who wouldn’t be after what has happened to her. I can’t help but think how different the world would be if Ned had told the truth,” Brienne pondered.

“I’d still be queen,” you said suddenly and looked back at them.

Your two knights jumped slightly in surprise, thinking you hadn’t been listening to them. You laughed and stood up to walk back over to them and sit down. Brienne held up a canteen of water and you took it along with some bread that was in their bag. Picking at the bread, you took a bite and chewed a bit before continuing to speak.

“Your words are kind Ser Jaime but I haven’t always been like this. I wasn’t smart. I told Ned to bend the knee to Joffrey and he died.”

“You did?”

“Varys took me to see him in the dungeons and Ned told him. My biggest kept secret was one shared by too many people to be a secret if any of you were aware the other ones knew. Our trusty spider told Ned he had a choice to install the true ruler and I… I still remember what I said, I… Lord Stark will bend the knee. My decisions led many to death when I was younger, more stupid.”

“You did what you thought was right to protect your family and your people.”

You shook your head at Brienne’s words. “But I didn’t. I second guessed my own dreams because I was so determined to be a plain girl, just live.”

“What changed that?”

“There’s a small farm nearby, I know the family. They took care of Eddard and I when he was still a baby. Winter was coming and they, the other families around, were barely surviving. My dreams became too much to ignore anymore— that’s all I did after Robb’s death, ignore my dreams. But I couldn’t anymore… I used to scoff at the idea of birthrights and prophecies.”

“Now?”

“Now? I still think they can be a crock of shit,” you chuckled at how the two knights looked stunned at your word choice. “But they also mean something to those willing to rise to the occasion.”

Jaime raised his canteen.

“Enith of House Targaryen-Stark. First of Her Name, Commander of Beasts, Shadow Rider, and Magic Entertainer. Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men. Lady of Winterfell, Azor Ahai, rightful heir to the Iron Throne and the Seven Kingdoms now turned one. Queen of Westeros.”

Brienne raised her canteen as well. You bowed your head and with a smile held up the bread in your hand as a toast. The two knights seemed so sure of you that you couldn’t help but be sure of yourself. As soon as the sun broke the horizon, you guys were immediately back on the wolves. In a few hours, Sansa would be sending the Vale to protect Bran on his way. In a few days, she and Eddard would be in King’s Landing. Not just to save innocent citizens but to save your son as well, you didn’t have much time.

The wolves were almost at King’s Landing when you abruptly stopped. Brienne and Jaime looked around in confusion when you jumped down from Grey Wind. Your head whipped wildly and you turned to face them, worry apparent on your face.

“Do you hear it too?”

“Hear what?” Brienne asked.

“The bells.”

Jaime couldn’t help but adjust his grip on his sword, having heard a conversation similar to this before. Brienne cleared her throat to inform you that she hadn’t. Jaime shook his head in agreeance. You nodded slowly and laughed. Jaime held onto his sword a bit harder. Even Brienne was slightly worried.

“Magic is madness. It isn’t ringing— it’s death. It always comes back to the Doom doesn’t it?”

“Your Grace?”

“Daenys Targaryen, the reason our House even exists today. The Doom, whatever it was, sounded like ringing in her dreams. Death has always sounded like the ringing of bells and it haunts us all whether we know it or not.”

“What are you saying?” Brienne tried to find meaning in your words.

“The gods don’t flip a coin each time a Targaryen is born. We are all mad. We all hear death, play with magic, exist in realms man probably shouldn’t go. It isn’t fate or the gods’ whim that some of us are tyrants, potentially even evil. That is a choice all on our own.”

“What you hear?” Jaime asked as he relaxed his grip on the sword. “This bell ringing, death… does that mean Daenerys has made her choice?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“I hear death and it tells me to protect the living and avoid it. Aerys heard death and it told him to kill who he perceived as an enemy and ensure it. Jon— Aegon— hears death and it tells him to keep fighting and hold it off another day, for enemies and his people alike. I do not know what Viserys heard, we’ll never know what Rhaegar heard. And I don’t know what Daeny hears, not for certain. I don’t think she quite knows herself.”

“But she will make a choice soon.”

“She will.”

“And?”

You touched your stomach, the icy wound chilling your fingertips.

“I haven’t looked for ghosts since getting stabbed by the Night King. They remind me too much of my own death to speak to them but they are forcing me to listen. If I am to protect the living and avoid death, we cannot wait for Daenerys to decipher what the bells mean to her. The people cannot wait.”

“We need to warn them, then.”

“Sansa should be flying overhead soon. King’s Landing might be on fire when we get there, Cersei hiding in the Red Keep. I don’t know about Jon and Gendry, or Arya. We have to be smart, you are my Queensguard but the people are more important than I am at the moment.”

“You want us to help get them to safety?” Brienne asked.

“Yes. I’ll find everyone else on my own. I’m going to kill Cersei and when Daeny comes for her head she will see me sitting on the throne instead, waiting for her to answer to all her crimes. But I need you two to move as many people out of the fire’s path… and don’t get yourselves killed while doing so.”

They nodded and you made the little journey left into King’s Landing. Armies stormed the streets and the fire hadn’t started yet and while you had hope, you were worried it was coming. Grey Wind raced through the streets until you found your men, Jon, Gendry, and Ser Davos leading them all along with the Unsullied. Lannister men were in their way— a tense standoff. Gendry and Jon were surprised to see you in front of them. You jumped down from Grey Wind and Gendry was immediately to you, hand on your stomach.

“Take our armies and go back to your camp.”

“You swore an allegiance to help Daenerys,” Grey Worm interjected.

You ignored him and looked at Gendry and Jon then at the Lannister army behind you. “Their swords are on the ground. Have they surrendered?”

“Yes,” Jon responded.

“Good, take them with you. And if any would like to go back to Winterfell or even Casterly Rock they are welcome to stay in our camp until we leave. You are done here.”

“Of course, Your Grace.”

“Your allegiance—”

“Is to my Queen,” Jon cut Grey Worm off. “And that is not Daenerys.”

Bells started to ring and you shook your head. At first Northern men were smiling in relief but one look at their queen and they knew something else was wrong. Your grip on Gendry’s forearms tightened. You looked to the skies to try and find the large looming form of Drogon.

“Tell them to stop,” you said. “Tell them to stop ringing the bell.”

Your hands moved to cover your ears but the ringing could still be heard. You felt surrounded and soon the physical bells sounded like the ones of spirits and you knew what your Aunt’s choice would be. You looked past Gendry at Jon.

“Get the people out of here! As many as you—”

Fire. You all ducked as fire swept overhead, hitting the tops of buildings right around you. Grey Worm picked up his spear and threw it at the Lannister army— the Unsullied and even some Northern men resuming in fighting. Jon, Gendry, and Ser Davos rushed you to the side underneath the cover of another building as the men began a rampage. You organized as quickly and as efficiently as you could. The Northerners that hadn’t gone red with bloodlust listened to Ser Davos’ orders to sweep the streets before everyone was turned into ash.

Others went with Jon to stop the Unsullied from attacking more Lannister men, who were retreating, or innocent civilians now that Daenerys had declared war on all of them. Gendry went with you on Grey Wind as you tried to avoid the fire and race through the Red Keep. A puff of green caught your eye in the distance. Wildfire, the random spots left by Aerys were lighting up around the city. You and Gendry reached the Red Keep, not completely in shambles but parts of it damaged.

“Arya?” you questioned at the figure in the distance by the stairs.

Your sister straightened up and looked at you. You cleared the distance first to give her a hug.

“Oh, I wasn’t sure if you were in the city or safe.”

“Daenerys—”

“I know. Jon is trying to get her to stop. They are helping people to safety. Where is the Hound?”

“He just left to fight his brother.”

“You and Gendry clear the people from the Keep before the fire reaches. Take Grey Wind with you, he’ll lead you back to me when you are finished.”

Arya nodded and gave you another hug before running off. Gendry stepped up to you again. His hands rubbed over your stomach as he looked over you. His lips mashed up against yours, not quite fitting properly together, before he followed Arya. You watched the three figures disappear before making your way up the stairs and into the castle.

Cersei knew when it was time to retreat. There was an exit through the dungeons. She would leave there and live another day. Live another day to fight off the Dragon Queen. Her footsteps echoed against the concrete but abruptly stopped when she became aware that she wasn’t the only one making noise in the dungeon. Faint humming made her stop running and slowly walk, the humming turned into low singing.

“Only a cat of a different coat, that’s all the truth I know,” you began to sing as your fingers traced your bow. “In a coat of gold or a coat of red, a lion still has claws…”

You were sitting on the large dragon skull that you touched years ago. Cersei backed up when suddenly an arrow zipped past her, causing her to stop and turn back to you. She stood deathly still and you couldn’t help but smirk as you pointed an arrow at Cersei. It was like herding a sheep, she only moved when you made a motion.

“If you had had better control of your son, maybe we wouldn’t be here now,” you said.

“Please,” Cersei muttered.

“Are you here to beg for mercy? Bend the knee to me, ask me to be honorable? You should have left us alone, all the Starks ever wanted was to be left alone.”

“It was war.”

“I’ve heard your brother say that before. You know, Stark men don’t fare well when they come South. Luckily, I am not a man and we are no longer just Starks.”

Before she could say another word, you let the arrow fly. Cersei sunk to her knees as she clutched at her shoulder— you were careful not to aim directly for her heart. You slid down from the dragon skull, pulling out your sword. It scraped against the concrete as you dragged it.

“Our House live by a code. The man who passes the sentence must swing the sword. Cersei Lannister, for your crimes against Westeros, I sentence you to die—”

“I am with child,” Cersei begged. “Let me live my life in the dungeons, I beg of you.”

“You’re pregnant?” you asked with eyebrows raised as she nodded frantically.“Who is the father?”

“Euron Greyjoy.”

Cersei watched your hand automatically go to your own stomach. “You are too, with child? You have a new lover?”

You nodded without much thought. “Gendry… Robert’s bastard.”

A chuckle escaped your lips as your words sunk in that Robert Baratheon was still haunting everyone in a way— his presence forever known. The chuckle erupted into laughter and soon Cersei joined you as she realized the same thing. The dungeon echoed with shrill laughter of women and then fell silent as Cersei’s head hit the floor, your sword making a clean cut through her neck. You bent down to where her head was.

“I am not Ned or Robb, I will not die by honor. A lesson the Lannisters taught me.”

You picked her head up by the hair and began to walk out of the dungeons. Grey Wind greeted you as you made your way to the main area again. Only Arya was with him.

“Sansa’s arrived.”

“Here.” You threw Arya Cersei’s head. “Let us greet the Dragon Queen and our guests.”

(end)...

#game of thrones fic #asoiaf fic #gendry x reader

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cripplecharacters · 2 years

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I am writing a fantasy story where the main character isn't disabled but her brother is, he has a spinal injury from when he was a kid that restricts him to a wheel chair. The father of the main character is the main antagonist because his motivation is to expose a magical world and use their powers to help humanity but at the serious determent of the magical creatures. The father wants to heal his son. Would it be ablest if the father does end up succeeding in healing the son?

Hey, anon! My main question for you is what’s the son’s perspective in this story? In my opinion, that’s what would determine the way I see it-- from the way this is described, the son doesn’t have any agency in your story. Does he want to be healed? How does he define healed-- is it alleviating his pain, restoring his ability to walk, or both? Is he aware of his father’s actions, and if so how does he view them? I would be very cautious of aligning the son with the father for reasons related to his disability and ‘curing’ it, in particular; this is a plot where I advise being very aware of stereotypes, negative tropes and overdone disability narratives.

- Mod Teeth

Hello! I agree with Mod Teeth. I think the son’s perspective will do most of the work of determining whether it would be an ableist outcome. In general, I am erring on the side of saying that most likely yes, it would come off ableist.

It is worth saying that there are definitely some disabled people who would really like a cure, as well as others who would like a partial improvement. Many of us do not though, and I would tread very carefully on the idea of writing a story where a disabled character themselves really wants to be healed especially if you yourself are not disabled. It can be hard to write a narrative like that that does not reinforce the idea that all disabled people should naturally want to be healed. I think it’s possible, but I would be really mindful of how you do it if you decide that the son does want to be healed.

I could also see a way to write this in which it is shown to be ableist in the story but not ableist of the writer if the son very much did not want to be healed. That is, if the perspective of the sun as well as the main character made it clear that the sun did not want to be healed and that their father was acting on ableist preconceptions and not listening to what his son actually wanted. This way of going about it would make it clear that it is not acceptable to cure someone without their consent, showing that the character of the father was ableist but that the writer understands and is not themselves being ableist but is rather depicting an ableist arc and showing the audience that it is a bad thing. You could depict the father’s intentions as ableist whether or not the son does actually get cured in the end.

In general though, I would personally encourage you not to actually cure him in the end. Not only does it have a lot of potential to come off ableist if not done carefully, but Mod Teeth also had a great point about being mindful of overdone tropes or stereotypes, because cure narratives have been done so many times that it’s also just a tired trope that often just isn’t as interesting and revolutionary to see as the alternatives.

Also, as a bit of a sidenote, I would encourage you to consider rethinking what language you use around the sun and his condition. “Restricts him to a wheelchair” can come off fairly negative and give off the impression that it is sad that he uses a wheelchair, when in reality, mobility aids are often tremendous sources of freedom and independence for most disabled people. Something as small as shifting around some of that language can do tons for shifting the way the audience thinks about this disabled character. I would suggest using words like “uses a wheelchair” rather than phrases like “restricted to a wheelchair” or “wheelchair-bound.” Changing that language also goes a long way toward giving that disabled character more agency, subtly reframing him from someone who is tied down to this mobility aid against his will to someone who chose to use this wheelchair to empower himself and give himself more independence and freedom of movement.

— Mod Lane

#anonymous #Mod teeth #SCI representation #wheelchairs #cure trope #mobility aids #disabled characters #writing disabled characters #disabled fantasy characters #mod Lane #writing advice #fantasy setting

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kalidesoul · 10 months

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Helllo! I hope you are enjoying life to the fullest. I'm N. I am an Aries sun libra moon and Gemini asc. Can you do a reading on my career and fs? I'm meant to leave for Italy for my masters and although it's a done deal, I'm having this weird unsettling feeling. Maybe it's because I will be staying away from home for like a year for the first time. But is it the right decision for me or should I just pivot? I mean is this the thing for me or is it just a gimmick that I am pursuing just because I can? And about the fs, specifically I would like to know about them? How would they be like? I mean my sister got married recently and the entire marriage thing kinda left a sour taste behind. The way the things are chaotic is just plain indigestible for me. So, if you could do a reading on this, I would really appreciate that! If it helps, I happen to like reds and pinks a lot. I love jewelleries, specifically rings considering I'm wearing atleast 4 at a time. So pretty please! I hope you do one for me if possible but it's okay if you can't find the time? Anyway, I wish you nothing but luck and abundance. I hope you have a great weekend ahead! ❣️

Hello N! I'd be happy to do a tarot reading for you regarding your career and your feelings about leaving for Italy for your masters, as well as a reading on your future relationships (fs). Let's explore each aspect of your inquiry:

Career and Decision to Pursue Masters in Italy:

Card 1: The Seven of Cups

The Seven of Cups often represents a multitude of options and dreams. In the context of your career and decision to pursue your masters in Italy, this card suggests that you may have various aspirations and opportunities to choose from. It's natural to feel a bit unsettled when embarking on a new journey, especially one that takes you far from home. The Seven of Cups advises you to take some time to clarify your goals and priorities. Ask yourself what you truly want to achieve and how this opportunity aligns with your long-term vision for your career and personal growth.

Card 2: The Eight of Pentacles

The Eight of Pentacles signifies dedication and hard work. This card indicates that pursuing your masters in Italy requires commitment and effort to excel in your studies. It may also suggest that this opportunity can lead to valuable skills and expertise that will benefit your career in the long run. The Eight of Pentacles encourages you to focus on honing your craft and putting in the necessary effort to make the most of your educational experience.

Card 3: The Wheel of Fortune

The Wheel of Fortune represents cycles of change and destiny. In the context of your decision to study in Italy, this card suggests that there are aspects of your journey that are beyond your control. Embrace the changes and opportunities that come your way, knowing that the Wheel of Fortune will guide you towards growth and new experiences. Trust in the unfolding of your path and have faith that this opportunity will bring positive transformations in your life.

Future Relationships (fs):

For your reading on future relationships, I will draw one card:

Card: The Four of Wands

The Four of Wands represents celebration, harmony, and stability in relationships. This card indicates that your future relationships will likely be characterized by joyous and harmonious moments. There's a potential for forming strong bonds and meaningful connections with others. The Four of Wands encourages you to create a supportive and nurturing environment in your relationships. Learn from the sour taste left by your sister's marriage and aim to cultivate a sense of order, love, and respect in your own connections.

Your love for reds and pinks, as well as your fondness for jewelry, particularly rings, might symbolize your appreciation for passion, romance, and beauty in your relationships. Embrace these elements as you interact with others and express your authentic self in your future connections.

Overall, the tarot cards suggest that pursuing your masters in Italy can be a significant opportunity for personal and professional growth. Embrace the changes and new experiences it brings, and trust in your ability to navigate through the uncertainty. As for your future relationships, focus on creating a stable and harmonious environment, and your genuine connections will flourish.

I hope this reading provides you with clarity and guidance. If you have any more specific questions or need further insights, feel free to ask. Wishing you all the best in your journey, and may your weekend be filled with joy and abundance! ❣️

#energy work #gratitude #confidence #healingjourney #spiritual community #positivity #occult #spiritual knowledge #self improvement #shadow work

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infernalwitxhcraft · 1 year

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Let's Talk - Creating Your Own Wheel of the Year

In this first edition of Let's Talk, I want to begin a discussion on the wheel of the year. Please keep in mind, as I often try to remind others, that this is how I feel in my personal practice. You do not have to agree or do the same thing. I'm offering food for thought in this post.

Let me preface this by saying that the wheel of the year is a wiccan made concept, created by Gerald Gardner. Although he claims the wheel is ancient and took inspiration from celebrations of the old, in reality it's a relatively new concept. And as someone who isn't wiccan but feeling like I was a bad witch for not celebrating it when I was much younger, many of the traditions from the wheel stuck. Because everyone else took part in celebrating the sabbats, I did too. I wanted to partake in what other witch friends and mentors were doing. Sure, the mythology never resonated behind the stories of what happens on so-and-so day and I made that clear to everyone back then. But I liked the overall atmosphere and feel of it. The unity. The coming together to celebrate, well, the earth. Not to sound new age-y, for the love of the gods.

But the issue here is also that we are not farmers anymore, if we want to consider the actial *real* celebrations that took place historically, and ignore the whole Gardner creation for a second. The festivals were created to honor these kinds of cycles and are claimed to trace back to certain traditions that link back to old times. Whether this is true or not isn't easy to verify, as far as what actually was being celebrated and how it was done goes. Plenty of great historians are working on it though (I recommend keeping up with their research). Back then, however, farming was the way of sustaining life and most families partook in it.

Another issue that I have with the wheel is that it's a mash-up of different celebrations from Europe. Gardner makes it seem as if everyone did these, no matter where they were located when that wasn't the case. It seems a little disrespectful. Not to mention, we all come from different cultural backgrounds. I sure as hell can tell you my austronesian tribe wasn't dancing around a maypole or leaving candles in the window for a goddess to symbolize the winter ending. Yes, we did have our celebrations and festivities. But they were very different, as one can imagine. It's a little weird for me to have the mastermind behind this big religious movement feel that everyone should follow these sabbats and esbats that may or may not have existed, not considering other cultures exist. Why does, at times, it feel that Wicca was only created for those of European descent? I mean, Gardner did partake in cultural appropriation, but when I had studied Wicca to understand it better, it really did feel as though only white people were intended to follow it. Interesting subject for another time, I suppose. If you are wiccan, by the way, please do not take it as that I am ripping on you or your practice.

When I look at these things, I have to think about how it relates to me and my practice. I made my own wheel to not only deepen my practice, but to do things that made sense to my beliefs. There are many non-wiccans that do this by the way, if this is your first time hearing this concept! Some witches add or take sabbats away. Some decide not to follow the wheel at all. Some celebrate on different days, when the changes of the seasons happen depending on their particular climate. I'm an astronomy nerd, so I find following the planetary alignment to resonate with me on the solstices and equinoxes. Plus, I don't live in a climate that has varying seasons. It's known as: hot, hotter, stupid hot, and warm over here!

For me, I do like celebrating the other days. Some, such as Lammas, I just observe. I do find it to be a fertile time for doing abudance rituals however. Imbolc I also don't celebrate, but find it to be a day that is excellent for spirit communication. These also tend to match up with demonolatry rites - such as Beltane being linked with the Rite of Leviathan or the First Rite to Lucifer being linked to the Spring Equinox (aka Ostara on the wheel of the year). I love Samhain and will never stop celebrating it! I'm big on ancestral veneration in my practice after all, and I follow it up with All Soul's Day since that is a part of my own culture.

Some of the holidays I added in, outside of the sabbats, esbats, and demonolatry rites, are because they are of importance to me. Why not celebrate them and make it personal? I do rituals on them anyways! I do at least one tribal harvest festival celebration a year, to make sure abundance comes to my people and to appease the ancestors, for example.

Something else I take into account is my local climate, when the seasons *sort of* shift, and the seasons regarding produce and harvesting. Even hurricane season plays it's role. I find this adds depth to my celebrations and keeps me closer to the area I reside in. It might be something to add into your annual calender as dates to pay attention to.

Oh and wait, as a reminder, get this: want to forget the wheel of the year altogether? You can! You 110% do not have to celebrate anything. How cool is that?!

Don't let people push it on you. You do you, boo. If you do decide to celebrate some or all of it or create one that is entirely your own, I hope you have fun with it!

If you have anything you'd like to discuss regarding this topic, please do add your opinions to it!

#witchcraft #witch #witchblr #wheel of the year #wicca #let's talk #witchy discussions

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