#my name comes from a river in Ireland

[snazzi-strawberri-artz]

YEAHHH OC DESIGNS BABEY!!!!! OK SO LIKE THESE PPL ARE LIKE THE MAGIC COUNCIL AND ITS THEIR JOB TO GUIDE AND PROTECT THEIR PEOPLE YAYAY!!!!

(NOTE: I DID NOT MAKE KAZEMIS PATTERN I FOUND IT HERE)

Character lore and ramblings below!!

ARKENAS MY BELOVED!!! Hes Filipino because i said so JKSDHDS

Hes wearing a zoot suit which is a suit originated from african americans and would become popular with italians, filipinos, mexicans etc AND LIKE ITS PERFFECT FOR ARKENAS Because this type of suits were typically worn by performers due to how its easy to move around in AND HE himself is a performer as hes a very well known magician and illusionist!

Hes more of a sillay guy always looking to entertain people, but his magical performances got so good that people were struggling discerning what was real or not, enough that he was was given the title of master!

He always tries to befriend Magnus but always kinda fails at it JKHDHSD

Magnus!!! He wasnt always so serious and brooding, in fact, he was a slick playboy back in the days. But because of uhhh many plotlines and backstory that will take too long to explain hes always feels sad and empty despite not knowing why...😲

IMOGEN MY BELOVED!!! She comes from Ireland!!

Shes known for her experimental ways of doing Alchemy, for not sticking to rules and regulations and doing whatever she wants, and in that way she had become the embodiment of alchemy in a way it is all about risky experimentation and she goes through with it because she likes the thrill!!

Because of this she had done many contributions to the field of Alchemy, despite being deemed "unproffesional" by others

She also likes to do flirty teasing with Valentina because she thinks its cute how she reacts and crumbles HEHE

VALENTINA!!!!! ONE OF MY FAV DESIGNS IVE EVER MADE🥺 Im so happy with the way she looks!! She was initially gonna be the master of ALL the elements, but because her design turned out too look more Earthy and Firey, i only made her master of that!

She has like rich posh aristocracy vibes and owns various fashion businesses while also doing her duties as a magicia master! 🙏 SLAY

As for her design i really wanted to give of posh businesswoman whos also fashionable!

Lowkey has a crush on Imogen but is in denial <3 Valentina is also besties with Kazemi and they like to gossip all the drama over tea <3

KAZEMI MY WIFE MY EVERYTHING I LOVE YOUUUUU AUGH Shes also one of my fav designs along with Valentina!! Shes also from Japan >:]

Ive actually done quite abit of research on her name AND KAZEMI IS LITERALLLY THE MOST PERFECT NAME BECAUSE IT MEANS WATER OR WIND WHICH IS WHERE SHES MASTER AT...,, AND TOMIKAWA MEANS RICHES AND ALSO RIVER OR STREAM AND LIKE IT RELATES TO HER BECAUSE SHES WORKED SO HARD TO GET TO HER POSITION AS SHE ALWAYS KNEW SHE WAS DESTINED FOR PROSPERITY AND WEALTH RAAAA but if anyone like actually knows more abt japanese names and thinks that the name could be improved PLEASE DONT HESITATE TO DM 🙏

But yes due to how she more on the polite and demure side and her magic being water and wind, shes more underestimated and seen as more 'weak' than the others. But just how the seas can be gentle and also be a terrifying, great force, she can be too 🥺

Shes trying to court Samara btw 🥺 she relates to Samara in a way where their magic is underestimated due to how it looks "harmless", but both actually having the ability to do great harm if you know how to do it. Shes seen that Samara can do harm and damage if she wanted to, and she was like 'i want her" JKSDHJSHD

SAMARA!!! 🥺 Shes more of the precise, rational, proffesional type! Always wanting everything to be clean and pristine, thats why she mainly wears white. Shes also Arabic :D

Shes known as one of the greatest healers in the world, known for her quickness and precision, basically knows every body part and muscle and veins and how to heal it as well as how to damage it!! ^-^

As for her veil type i used a niqab! Well a half niqab specifically, as it doesnt cover the entire half of the body. Their design is influenced by Arabic fashion as well as like nurse doctor outfits in the 1900s :D

Figuring out her name was a bit tricky because im not familiar with Arabic names and i also didnt want to go to babynames.com for it because i know its a bit more complicated but i managed to get help from friends who are more qualified n knowledgable about arabic names😭 THANK YOU @lastcookieontheplate MY DEAR FRIEND

AND AND she doesnt want to admit it but she gets flustered and blushy whenever Kazemi does her courting attempts <3 HEEHEE

ANYWAYS THATS ALL OF EM!!!!! Say "BERRI IS SO PRETTY AND COOL" If youve reached this far!

#star chronicles art #BOOM #IM SO PROUD OF THESE RARARARARARA #I think i pushed myself out a bit of my usual design comforts!! #By like really using shapes as well as using patterns and textures #as well as how the shapes tell the personality of the character #By the way this is all set in around 1920s america! #you must be asking berri if this is set in murica why r they all not white-SHHH ITD BE BORING AS FUKKCCKK #And also lots of immigrants came around late 1800s onwards which included but not limited to people from ireland japan philippines etc #i also have done so much research in terms of 1920s clothing and styles for each of them #SObbing crying i mean research is fun and also a bit hectic BUT ALSO FUN #im not grammar checking tihs btw. its 3am

[pvffinsdaisies]

Ireland Headcanon Masterpost

Artwork drawn by @nordickies

Part three of creating master posts for my interpretation of certain characters & nations. This time we’re doing the lovely miss Ireland! Who has been occupying my mind a lot recently. Before we get into it, I want to say that I have not been developing Ireland for even half as long as I have been every other character I have. She’s been a floating concept in my mind for years, but I only actually started to develop her properly last month. For most of the time I’ve had her, she’s just been a pretty face and a name, and I’ve been having so much fun actually exploring her. If you enjoy reading her information, I’ve also made posts for Scotland and my OC of Northumbria, both of those posts are going to be much longer than this one is.

I want to emphasise that I am no history expert, and I do not even wish to be associated with historical hetalia. However, as I am from England, it means I am treading a very fine line with my portrayal. That being said, if anyone from Ireland sees this post and takes issue with anything I say here, I encourage you to reach out and correct me! I am still learning, and, as I’ve said before, my portrayal is still very new.

PHYSICAL

Ireland stands at about 5’5, or about 165cm. Making her about the average height for an Irish woman. She still gets teased by Scotland for being “short.”

She has pretty small features. Small, green eyes, a tiny little button nose, and a small mouth with thin lips. She is very pretty, but she still looks quite approachable.

She has long, beautiful ginger hair. It’s pretty wavy, her natural texture is 2c, but she styles it pretty often. Her siblings have always loved to tease her about her hair- the colour and texture- so she’s pretty insecure about it.

She’s very good at styling her hair because of this, though she’s no longer a massive fan of fancy up does. She insists she’s no good on hair that isn’t her own, but she taught most of her siblings how to do at least a plait growing up.

Ireland is covered in freckles, from head to toe.

Her skin is naturally very pale, but it’s also very sensitive, and can turn red pretty easily. She always has to be careful about the stuff she puts on, or else she’ll come out in a rash.

She has a tooth gap between her two front teeth, it represents the River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland.

She has a rectangle body shape, although she used to be a bit curvier when she was younger.

Once rounder and softer, her body still hasn’t returned to how it looked before the potato famine of the 1800s. Her size is far healthier now, but she’s still quite thin and boney. Ireland is not her ideal size, and wishes she could gain a bit more weight to feel more comfortable.

That being said, her bottom is actually pretty plump. Representing the mountains that lie around the edge of Ireland.

Whilst she does like to wear make up every now and then, she’s actually pretty bad at it. Her application can be patchy, and she’s not the best at matching shades. It’s nothing you’ll notice straight away, however, and she genuinely does feel prettier when she wears it.

She has the Triskelion, or the Celtic Spiral Knot, tattooed on the inside of her upper, right arm. The symbol has different meanings depending on who you ask, but she had it tattooed to represent the continuous of life, and moving forward. It was also just a way for her personally to show that she will never, ever let her culture be stripped from her.

PERSONALITY

Ever the extrovert, Ireland is friendly and welcoming to everyone she meets. She has a natural ease about her, and a remarkable ability to make people comfortable around her quickly. Within 2 sentences, you could easily feel as though you’ve known her your entire life. Like you’re laughing and joking with an old friend.

Much like her brother, Scotland, Ireland is remarkable at comedy and making people laugh, she firmly believes a good sense of humour goes a long way. Her humour is a bit more lighthearted and witty than the rest of her siblings.

Ireland shows her affection through teasing and sarcasm. It’s how she jokes with her friends, and the more she teases you, the more she likes you. It could come across as mean, but her tone is usually playful enough to not cause harm.

Her culture truly means everything to her, and she loves sharing it with people. She actually loves meeting tourists, she loves telling them stories of her people, and she actually isn’t opposed to sharing her past with them. She will proudly gives them ideas of other places in Ireland to visit, and things to do, she hopes that everyone who takes the time to come visit leaves happy and smiling, having had a fun, interesting and informative experience.

However, she is also extremely protective and defensive of herself, her culture and her past. After years of oppression, being ignored and spoken over, who can blame her? She isn’t too appreciative when someone speaks on her behalf, she doesn’t like other’s sharing information without consulting her directly. She is vocal, and not afraid to step up and correct people, and put them in their place.

Empathy is where Ireland truly shines. Easily feeling and immediate connection with and understanding for those going through hardship. She will always be an advocate for the underdog, for those whose voices are not being properly heard. She longs to provide the compassion, and the feeling of having someone in your corner, that she lacked when she was suffering.

That being said, she can be very judgmental, and she’s a huge gossiper. She usually attempts to soften it by saying something like “and, god love them” or “god, bless their heart” or “but who am I to judge?” as though she’s not just been talking shit for the past hour.

Ireland cannot hide her feelings, and she doesn’t see the need to. She’s very open when she’s happy, upset, angry etc.

For as open a person as she can be, she still hasn’t quite processed her hurt and her negative feelings correctly. Choosing to brush it off, and pretend she no longer cares. She can grow very resentful because of this, but she absolutely refuses to accept this may be a problem.

Ireland can be feisty and fiery if need be, she knows how to defend herself and she will! She’s never been shy, no matter what, and she won’t let someone walk all over her. She never has, and she never will go down without a fight. She prides herself on this.

Ireland is extremely laid back, she’s not prone to jealousy or possessiveness, and she’s certainly not over-protective about anything. She doesn’t see the point of trying to cling onto someone, it all just seems pointless.

HOBBIES

Ireland is creative mind, and one of her best skills is gold-smithing and her ability to work with metals. She prefers to make her own jewellery, and she loves making fancy and intricate broaches especially. However, she mainly does smaller projects now, as her workshop is merely a cleared out space in her basement. She’d love to find a bigger place to rent out.

You will rarely ever find someone who’s a better storyteller than Ireland, she truly has a way with words. Be it short stories, poems or songs, she excels at it. She absolutely loved to share her stories with her siblings when they were growing up.

Music means a lot to Ireland, she wouldn’t know who she is without it, and as well as writing songs, she also sings. She doesn’t have the best voice, but it’s pretty and melodic. It’s soft and calming, and she has fine technic. But it’s certainly nothing special.

She also plays the harp, which she’s very skilled with.

Ireland loves a party and celebration, and she always goes all in. She seemingly never gets tired, or never needs to go home to rest, she can just keep going.

On a calmer note, she also loves just sitting in a pub and having a few casual drinks. Doesn’t need to be a celebration. She especially loves a proper Irish bar, and she almost has a sixth sense where she can find one wherever she goes.

Speaking of bars, Ireland is pretty good at snooker. She’s no hobbyist though. She and Scotland are at pretty much an equal level, and they’re the only two in the family who stand a chance of beating one another.

She loves a good walk around the countryside, and she’s always driving out of the city to have a stroll. Though she will constantly complain about the sheep blocking the road.

She does boxing, though she’s still a very low level beginner, and definitely not good enough to go up against anyone yet. It was a hobby she picked up a few years back, to try and help her build some strength and muscle.

As well as sharing her own, Ireland absolutely loves taking the time to learn about other cultures of the world too. Every time she has a meeting in a foreign country that she doesn’t visit too often, she tries to see and do as many cultural things as she can outside of work. She absolutely loves travelling.

She adores animals, she firmly believes they’re smarter than humans give them credit for, and she loves to draw them! She’s not the most skilled artist, she really only does sketch work in a sketch book. She rarely attempts to colour in, or smooth out the lines.

Ireland’s favourite, and her comfort show, is Father Ted, she puts it on whenever she’s upset. Without fail, it will always make her laugh, even if she’s seen every episode about 1000 times already.

Ireland enjoys knitting, alongside some of her other family members. She pretty much exclusively knits all of her own cardigans herself.

LIFESTYLE

Ireland uses the human name Saoirse Ó Raghallaigh, which later got anglicised to Saoirse O’Reilly. Between the use of these different spellings, she was forced to take the name Kirkland for a time. She changed it back following independence, but used the new spelling to help blend in with her people.

Irish is her first language, and she is determined to help keep the language alive. She offers tutoring lessons for people (Irish or not) to learn the language. Unfortunately, she’s not the best at teaching.

Alongside Irish, she also knows English, ISL (Irish Sign Language), Latin and BSL (British Sign Language). She knows a little bit of Manx and Scottish Gaelic.

Saoirse currently lives in Dublin. She used to own a farmhouse, but following independence she decided it’d be best to move to the city. She sometimes misses her old house, and you’ll catch her reminiscing on it. She doesn’t hate city life, though.

She is incredibly family oriented. If you ask Saoirse, family always has and always should come first. As the oldest, she helped raise all her siblings the best she could. She always felt closest to Northern Ireland and Scotland when they were growing up, and whilst she & Scotland are still close to this day, things with N. Ireland have been better. Their relationship has recently been… strained, to put it nicely. Saoirse is still waiting for the day when they can be close again. She never has and never will stop reaching out.

Ireland does not have any pets. However, for most of her life, she had a Wolf friend who would always find its way back to her no matter where she travelled. She did not own this wolf, it was free and was part of a pack, however, it was supposedly immortal, like many hetalia pets. It was killed in the 1700s. Ireland has a picture of it that she drew herself hung up in her living room.

In terms of religious beliefs, Saoirse would describe herself as “Catholic Pagan.” She might get some strange looks from foreigners who hear this term, but her religious beliefs combine both Catholicism and Celtic Paganism. She believes in the Lord, and in Jesus, but also believes in and sees traditional folk creatures. She seeks guidance and truth in tales from both religions.

Out of all of her siblings, Ireland is probably the worst driver. She usually is not in front of the wheel when someone else is in the car, because they don’t feel entirely safe in the car when she drives.

Saoirse is so bad when it comes to procrastination. She’s perhaps too laid back in that aspect. She doesn’t like to rush anything, and will continue to push back things she needs to do until she can actually be bothered. If anyone calls her out on it, she’ll blame the weather, saying something like, “have you seen how it’s raining out there? It’s not fit to do anything!”

She has a small fairy friend who lives at the bottom of her garden, named Órlaith, who likes to sneak inside the house and cause trouble when Saoirse isn’t in. Otherwise, you can sometimes see her fluttering above her shoulder. It’s not uncommon for the pair of them to gossip together about certain people they meet.

You’ll never not see her without a cup of tea. She perhaps has too much of it, drinking multiple cups at home, and taking some out with her in a travel mug if she’s going somewhere. If she’s visiting someone, she’ll be sat waiting to be offered a cup of tea. She drinks the most out of the whole family, which drives england nuts. She’ll get grumpy if she doesn’t have a cup of tea on a morning.

#had to get this up on st paddy’s day ☘️ #Saoirse my darling 💕 #hetalia #aph ireland #hws ireland

[marsprincess889]

NAKSHATRAS AS GODDESSES

3/27

🔪KRITTIKA🔥

DISCLAIMER: This is based solely on my research and the patterns that I saw. I can't promise that I'm gonna be sure in all the coorelations, but I'm going to attribute each nakshatra a goddess that I think fits it the closest. If you're dissapointed, to make up for it, I'm going to list some other deities in the end that I think also fit the nakshatra. Don't come for me if you think I'm wrong, be respectful in the comments if you think so and have fun 🤍

This was easy and almost immidiate. The associations between this goddess and Krittika are so apparent I didn't hesitate for a second. Look out for other deities similar to her in the end.

Brigid

Pantheon: Celtic (Irish)

Name meaning: "the exalted one", "strength"

Associations: fire, spring, poetry and inspiration, healing and herbalism, smithcraft, agriculture, cattle and sheep.

Symbols: Brigid's cross, holy wells, eternal flame.

Brigid is one of the most highly- revered and widely worshipped Celtic goddesses. She'a triple goddess, representing the maiden, the mother and the crone. As a Maiden, she rules over poetry, music and ispiration. As a Mother, she's presiding over healing. As a Crone, she's the goddess of fire and smithcraft.

Frequently depicted with fiery red hair, she is no simple goddess, also ruling over waters and serenity. She's a protector of women and children, presiding over childbirth and motherhood. Also frequengly depicted with lambs and sheep (krittika's yoni animal) and swans. She's closely connected to agriculture and farm animals.

Brigid, also being connected to wells and rivers, has many landmarks in Ireland with a body of water. The most famous one is a well in Kildare, Ireland. Water from that well is said to have healing properties.

Her father was Dagda (good, great god), leader of the Irish tribe Tuatha Dé Danann ("people of goddess Danu"), which consisted of Irish deities who lived there before the ancestors of the modern Irish had arrived. Dagda was a wise man, an all-father and a Druid. Brigid married Bres, another member of that tribe and together they had three children. One of them, Ruadán, died and Brigid mourned him with profound and painful sadness. She's very devoted to protecting children and this might be a reason why.

In honor of her, there's a sacred fire lit in Kildare and is guarded by the Sisters of St. Brigid. There has been a fire in Kildare since the time Brigid was worshipped. It has been put out several times, but has been re-lit and is still burning. This suggests that the worship of Brigid has endured as she she survived and was made a Catholic saint when Christianity came to Europe.

I want to talk about why I chose her for Krittika while comparing her to very similar goddesses.

First one is the Roman Vesta. Virgins were chosen to keep the fire of vesta burning and it was said that if even one of them gave their virginity, the fire would burn out. In those instances when fire burned out by itself, the poor Vestal Virgins were to blame. Vesta is also the Roman Equivalent of the Greek Hestia, both being goddesses of the hearth, fire and home.

Krittika is the nakshatra that burns impurities through being precise and cutting away all that is not nessecary, hence a sharp object and a flame being its symbols. Bridging the signs of Aries and Taurus, it's often fiery and passionate but also feminine and nurturing.

An Indian deity ruling over Krittika is Agni_ God of fire. An Indian goddess that is coorelated to Krittika (and also Purva Phalguni) is Tripura Sundari, meaning "the most beautiful in three worlds". This three world- triple goddess coorelation is apparent to me, besides the obvious fire associations, as well as nurturing, fertility and agriculture.

In the lunar mansion of Krittika, there's a constellation called the Pleiades, often called "the seven sisters". This is another confirmation of Krittika's very feminine nature, despite also representing the birth of the cosmic man and being very fiery and passionate in general.

Some other deities that I'd coorelate with Krittika:

Hestia- another virginal goddess of fire, also associated with home and hearth

Tripura Sundari- Indian goddess, "the most beautiful in the worlds"

Vesta- Roman goddess of fire and virgins

Bel- Celtic sun and fire god, also associated with healing, thunder and purification.

That's it! I hope you enjoyed reading about Brigid. This is a very condensed post but I said pretty much everything I wanted to say. I hope you understood Brigid's energy and made the coorelation between her and Krittika. If you're Krittika, even if you're not, COMMENT, like and reblog. Love u, take care ❤🔥

#krittika #krittika nakshatra #nakshatras #vedic astrology #astrology #astrology observations #vedic astrology observations #brigid #celtic mythology #irish mythology #ireland #celtic #goddess #goddess brigid

[wheelchair-wizard]

Irish Celtic Myths.

Vol 4

The Salmon of Knowledge . Myth 1 Fionn

Long ago when Fionn mac Cumhaill, the great leader of the Fianna of Ireland, was still a young boy he was sent to live with a very wise man named Finnegas. Finnegas was a poet who lived on the banks of the river Boyne and was renowned throughout Ireland for his vast knowledge. As well as being renowned for his skills in composing and reciting poetry Finnegas knew more about the ways of the world, including the secrets of the birds and animals and plants and stars, than other man in Ireland. It was because of his vast knowledge that Fionn had been sent to learn from Finnegas. Fionn loved to listen to the old man's wonderful stories and his many words of wisdom which he too, in time, would learn to recite. In exchange for the wisdom Finnegas would pass on to him, Fionn would help about the house, cooking, cleaning and fishing for the old man.However, despite Finnegas' vast knowledge, he did not know everything and there were times when Fionn's endless curiosity got the better of him, and he was left unable to answer the young boy's questions. ' Is there a way to know everything?' Fionn asked him. This was a question that Finnegas had asked once too and was the very reason why he now lived next to the river Boyne. It had been told by the druids of old that living in a still, dark pool in the shade of the overhanging hazel trees was the Salmon of Knowledge. It was as result of eating the nuts of these magical hazel trees that the Salmon had acquired all the knowledge of the world. And so it was that, according to prophecy, the one who would eat the Salmon would gain the

knowledge for themselves. Finnegas had been living on the edge of the river for several years now, attempting to catch the Salmon and gain such wisdom. It so happened that one day, not long after Fionn had come to study under him, Finnegas went fishing and finally caught the Salmon. 'I've caught it! I've caught it!,' he cried happily. He immediately reeled it in and ran up to Fionn with the Salmon in his arms. 'You must cook it straight away!' Finnegas ordered Fionn, dancing and skipping with excitement. As Fionn began to set up the fire and spit in order to cook the Salmon, Finnegas warned him, 'Cook it, but whatever you do, do not eat a single bit of it!' Fionn nodded and went about cooking the Salmon while Finnegas went to fetch some extra firewood.Upon his return Finnegas found the Salmon laid out and ready to eat. He looked at Fionn and thought he saw something different about him, as though the light of wisdom now shone in his eyes. 'Have you eaten any of the Salmon?' he asked Fionn anxiously. 'I have not!' Fionn replied. 'Have you tasted its skin?' he continued to enquire. 'I have not!' Fionn replied, 'but when I was turning it on the spit I burned my fingers, so I put my thumb into my mouth to ease the pain.

Finnegas' heart sank. 'That's enough!' he told Fionn, 'You have tasted the Salmon of Knowledge; in you the prophecy is fulfilled. You are the one who has gained all the knowledge of the world.' He then ordered Fionn to eat all of the Salmon. However, when Fionn was finished he realised he didn't feel much different nor did he feel any wiser than before. When he told this to Finnegas, Finnegas replied, 'If it was your thumb you first burnt, then place it in your mouth.' Fionn did as Finnegas suggested and immediately all the knowledge of the world rushed into his head. 'You must go now! There is nothing more I can teach you,' Finnegas informed him, 'You are destined to become a wise poet, warrior and leader.' And so it was that when Fionn grew up, he did indeed become a wise poet, warrior and leader. He became a great leader of the Fianna, the greatest band of warriors Ireland has ever known.

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[bonjourxrenae]

🇮🇪 🇵🇱 IREPOL FANFIC ARCHIVE 🍀 👑

Scéalta le Casadh by bonjourxrenae (@bonjourxrenae)

A historical one-shot about their first meeting - what starts as humble research becomes a quiet whirlwind romance:

Doctor O’Connor figured the best way to learn more about a nation was to glean that information from another nation. It had been the only reason Ireland came to Warsaw: to interview Poland, gather information, and help edit the manuscripts. In truth, he had become enchanted by the land during the few months he had stayed in Warsaw. The people were kind and devout, the kind of people Ireland felt warmest around. He had brought his flageolet and played for the children on the streets. The food and the folk dances comforted him, sunrises and sunsets were clear, and the reflection of the moon on the waters of the rivers and lakes had all but taken him under. He had become enamored. He understood what the doctor meant. He had to know more.

M’fhíorghrá / My true love by Felicja_Julieanne (@felicja-j)

A soft one-shot, wherein the two have other plans that don't involve staying at the UN formal:

“You’ve talked with your boss already, right?” “Yeah, but he ditched me the first occasion he had. Why?” Ireland smiles at him. “In that case, he knows you’re here. No one said we have to stay til the very end.” He pulls Poland a little closer, and lets himself rest his head against Poland’s hair. No one is looking in their direction anyway. “How about you run away with me, love?”

Of Irish coffee and milk tea by Felicja_Julieanne (@felicja-j)

A collection of drabbles, ranging from soft and domestic, to angst with character death.

A Game of Guinness Telephone by Husaria (@lithuanias)

Meet-cute Human AU one-shot, in which a stranger buys Ireland a pint at the pub... then promptly leaves before he can get a word in:

Alfred returned with another Guinness. Seán blinked. “Thanks, but I’m not even done—” “Oh, I know,” said Alfred. “This is from—” He gestured towards an empty barstool at the end of the car. “—he just left.” Seán swiveled around to look at the front door. “Who left?” “Some guy. He ordered you a Guinness. I…I thought he wanted to talk to you.” “Who was he?” “Beats me,” said Alfred. “First, he asked if we carried…a…I can’t even pronounce it and then just ordered a Guinness. I think we carry the beer he mentioned…Do we—?” Seán sipped his stout. “Did you get a name?” “Nope. Had an accent. I think he was Polish.” “What’d he look like?” “A bit shorter than you. Blond. He couldn’t have been older than twenty-five. Oh, and he had a white cat with him.”

The Seal Lord by bonjourxrenae (@bonjourxrenae)

Fantasy AU multi, featuring Ireland as a selkie and Poland as the young dignitary who accidentally summons him:

It was hard to say how much time had passed, or how many tears he’d wept. Get it together, he told himself, slapping his cheeks until his senses returned. Feliks breathed in the salty air, filled his lungs with the chill so deep it almost hurt. While he had the time, he listened to the hush of the waves against the shore, the cry of the gulls overhead… The airy sound of a tin whistle playing close by… Feliks turned toward the sound. In the haze of sundown, he saw him: a tall man with copper red hair bent over a stone, his feet buried in the sand. He was soaked to the bone, dressed in nothing but what appeared to be a large fur skin, glossy from the salt water. As he played, his thin fingers fluttered over the sound holes, trilling every other note. It was a song Feliks did not recognize, yet felt drawn to all the same. As he approached, the sand shuffled noisily beneath his shoes. The strange man drew away from the flute and looked over his shoulder at Feliks, a boyish smile curled on his lips. “Ah, so you’re the one what called for me.”

Sleepless by Felicja_Julieanne (@felicja-j)

A deeply emotional Human AU, in which Feliks realizes he's asexual and comes out to his partner:

Seán walks up to him, and sits on the other side of the windowsill seat. The moonlight shining on his face makes him seem more pale than usual, but it accents all the right angles, and seems to highlight all his freckles. Feliks almost wants to ask to paint him like this. Maybe another night. “Are you okay?” “Yeah,” Feliks answers. Too quick, he then realizes. “I just, uhm. Can’t sleep, I guess.” Seán raises his brows, and smiles. “And my guess, is that you’re lying.” Feliks feels his breath catch in his throat. “Y’know… whatever it is, you can tell me.” “There’s not-,” his first instinct is to defend himself, but then… he doesn’t. Avoiding this conversation has been draining him mentally. As much as Feliks is terrified to bring it up, he wants to talk to someone. He needs to. “I’ve- … It’s been a weird couple of weeks, I guess.” “Is everything okay?” Seán asks with concern. He leans forward, his hand on Feliks’s leg. He smiles with reassurance, but Feliks sees something else in his eyes. He must be worried, and Feliks doesn’t exactly blame him. He’s been way too distant lately. No wonder Seán knows something is going on. Feliks is terrible at hiding things. He turns to the window, resting his forehead against the cold glass, and closes his eyes for a moment.  “No, it’s not.”

#Hetalia #HWS: Ireland #HWS: Poland #Irepol #fic recs #I still love em tbh #back in 2018-2019 me and two others went INSANE about these two and I'm here to make it everyone's problem #:)

[k00294664]

Movement 13-01-24

After brainstorming the word Movement, I've settled on the Yellow River as the foundation for my project. It is a stream, a tributary of the River Boyne, that flows through our farm back in Offaly. The River Boyne is one of Ireland's most mythologically significant rivers with interesting tales and legends associated with its origin.

Throughout the project, I tried my best to tie each of the electives together. I used my printmaking material in both my stop motion animation and plastic sculptural work. I also projected my animation across the prints and sculptures towards the end of the project.

While I won't be picking a discipline as a B.Ed student, I will integrate the different skills I learned in these electives into my teaching practice going forward. I hope to bring what I learned with this project into the classroom and get students passionate about animation, printmaking and sculpture, all of which are lacking in today's second level art education.

I hope to convey the movement of this stream throughout the project while also delving into the lore and myths about the river that have survived the passage of time.

The River Boyne is linked to the Irish goddess Boann. She is said to have meddled with Connla's Well by walking counter-clockwise around it. This led to the waters of the well rushing up and catching Boann in a flood. She lost an eye, arm and leg in the waters which later became the River Boyne. I find the imagery of this mythology so surreal and captivating and I intend to implement it into my exploration of movement.

Another aspect of the Boyne's history I find interesting is its name. The word Boyne comes from the Irish "bó fhionn" which translates to "white cow". This ties my idea closer to home as we have one Charolais Limousin cross cow that has a pale coat. She will be a part of my primary research going forward. Above is the start of my exploration of ideas in my sketchbook.

#movement #river boyne #river #irish mythology #sketchbook #mindmap

[coraline-piange]

an analysis and interpretation of first time by hozier

okay so. i have spent a ridiculous amount of time thinking about the song and talking about it to my friends and eventually wrote this little ig you could call it essay about it and thought "why not share it with other people?". this is not a perfect analysis or anything, i literally wrote this on one go last saturday afternoon so like. don't expect too much profoundness lmao. anyways, if you're also obsessed with the song pls let me know your thoughts xoxo

the song starts with the speaker telling us they have always been uncomfortable with hearing their name and feeling disconnected between their body and their soul, calling it "an uneasy ally". their soul "felt nameless as a river undiscovered underground". there's an identity here that is removed from their name, removed from what society tells them their identity should be, waiting to be discovered. it is buried under their skin, and flows through their body. the image of a river brings with it the association of the possibility of a  high tide, of unrest. this is reinforced by calling the soul an "uneasy" ally. this secret identity is a source of sorrow, discomfort, unrest and pain for the speaker. however, that "awful sound" that is their name and therefore their identity suddenly is a good sound coming from the addressee's mouth. being observed through the love interest's eyes changes the speaker's perception of their own identity.

in the second verse the speaker drinks the river lethe "dry" the first time they kissed the addressee. the river lethe is one of the five rivers in the greek underworld. specifically, it represents oblivion, forgetfulness and concealment. the word lethe is also connected to the word "aletheia" which means truth — or more accurately "un-forgetfulness" or "un-concealment" through the privative alpha. here the speaker drinks in forgetfulness, drinks in some kind of concealment while kissing the addressee: they are entering a lie.

the next line references the river liffey, saying it would have been easier on their stomach (than the lethe). liffey is a river in eastern ireland that flows through dublin which is only 20 km away from bray where hozier was born. it represents home therefore but with a bittersweet twist to it. even drinking from this river that is supposed to represent comfort and security would have been less painful than drinking from the lethe, drinking in a lie. there seems to be a history there, something that would have made drinking from the liffey still painful. the origin of the name for the liffey is not entirely clear. there's some speculation that the name of the plain "life" which it was named after comes from an indo-eurpoean language that was spoken in ireland before the celts arrived. in this case, the river would represent life, and drinking from life would be painful - but not as painful as drinking in a lie. another name for the river used to be "an ruirtheth" which means "fast or strong runner". the implication is that running away from whatever the love with the addressee represents would have been less painful than what ended up happening.

however, the addressee "spoke some quick new music" that "soothe[d] this soul". a soul that always has been and always will be "unearth without a name".  the hidden river inside of the speaker was calmed down by the addressee but it remains, just waiting to be discovered, to be given a name, an identity.

then comes the chorus. a part of the speaker "must have died / the first time that [the addressee] called [them] baby". this is immediately contrasted with the next two lines, saying a part of them "came alive / the first time that [the addressee] called [them] baby". it is a process of revival and dying, happening simultaneously. some part of the speaker dies - that undiscovered river that is smoothed over, that is unearthed but yet remains nameless. however, there is an uncertainty about it. it "must have" died implies a speculation from the speaker. they think that is what happened but they aren't quite sure about it. in contrast, the wording of the second part of the chorus is much more definite: some part of the speaker did come alive when the addressee called them baby for the first time. the certainty contains the more positive force that changes the speaker.

in the second verse, the lyrics evoke imagery of a grave: the speaker's mother leaves flowers "here", that they think they owe their life to. the line "gifting life to you again" represents the idea of reincarnation, being reborn. the speaker lives "mostly underground", seemingly cut off from their senses ("unknowing either sight or sound"), cut off from their body. this could be a nod to the speaker's body being a grave their soul is buried in, suffocating. only their mother who has given them their original name and identity, the one they detest so much, seems to reach out. the speaker feels they owe her for this, she is the reason that in their outward death, they remain alive inside.

however, when the speaker "reach[es] up for sunlight", they are "ripped out by the stem". any search for joy, warmth and life ends in pain, in being uprooted and in being rejected. only then does the speaker realise they are dying: their river is "drying out, then drowning blindly". they are simultaneously depleted of their secret identity, being denied authenticity and drowning in the high tide that is their want for authenticity. the flowers, representing the life their mother planted have been "ripped out by the stem" and are now "blooming forth its every colour / in the last moment it has left". there's a sense of urgency, of showing "your true colours" before it all ends, before it is too late.

life is suffering, life is pain. sharing the space with "simple living things, infinitely suffering" implies the pain inherent in living, in existing in this world. and yet it also means "fighting off […] the absence of itself" for "all creation". being alive means fighting death, means fighting to survive, means fighting to keep existing, and that connects every living being.

then comes the chorus again. here are two small changes in the lyrics. this time around it's "each time that you called me baby". the speaker and the addressee have come to a regularity. and each time the addressee called the speaker baby, another part of them died, their identity slowly being chipped away by the lie they first entered when they kissed. the other change is that a part of the speaker "stayed alive" when being called baby. there's no resurrection, no part being reborn and coming back to life the way there was in the first chorus. instead, there is a steadiness the addressee provides. this steadiness is reinforced through the repetition of "each time that you called / each time that you called". there's an ellipse here, leaving out the part "me 'baby'" that was included in the preceding similar lines. this breaks up the steadiness, and makes room for something missing, implying an absence. the speaker stays alive each time the addressee calls — there is an implication of dependency and maybe even desperation; it doesn't matter what the addressee calls the speaker, as long as they speak the speaker will stay alive.

this is underlined in the bridge with the repetition of the line "whatever keeps you around, it keeps you around". "around" here can mean alive, and the speaker is in a way saying the end justifies the means: as long as you stay alive, it doesn't matter how. this is accompanied by the speaker telling the addressee to "c'mere", craving maybe the way the addressee makes them feel partly alive.

the third verse starts with the line "the last time it was heard out loud". "it" refers to "baby" which stands for the name and for the identity of the speaker, dressed up as an endearment that soothes. this last time left the speaker and the addressee "shocked". it is unexpected and abrupt. "the perfect genius of our hands and mouths" could either mean a creational energy during the intimacy between the two or reference the idea of guiding spirits called genii from the ancient roman religion. their hands and mouths were shocked, not even the guiding spirits could foresee an end to the regularity and to the dependency established in the second chorus and bridge.

they were shocked "to resignation as the arguing declined", realizing their relationship had already died alongside the speaker during the second verse. there is no point in arguing, no point in continuing to use "baby" to soothe the unhappiness of the speaker.

the speaker poses the question "are there limits to any emptiness?" that they have been wondering about since they were young. they are familiar with a feeling of emptiness, with the dried-out river inside them. they are looking for an end, looking for a way to stop the emptiness from consuming them completely.

they can't even remember when the last time was that the addressee called them baby and smoothed over the emptiness. they ask: "when was the last time? / c'mere to me, when was the last time?".

the third chorus changes the lyric to "the final time you called me baby". this is the end that was indicated in the third verse, resumed in the finality of the last chorus. the implication here is that the end of the speaker's dependency on the addressee to soothe over their emptiness, their river, has left them to fully die. the last tie to the living world has given way. and then there comes the "but". the speaker has lost their connection to life through their significant other and died "but some part of [them] came alive / the final time you called me baby”. the end is also a beginning, a resurrection and rebirth. this is similarly structured to the very first chorus but the parts that die and come alive are switched: in the first chorus, the speaker's hidden identity dies while their name, their assumed identity comes alive. there's a temporary comfort in it found in the love of a loved one. in this last chorus, the remains of the assumed identity die together with the relationship. and out of the ashes, the hidden identity can start to rise.

the song is about being different than society expects you to be and having to hide parts of you, then finding comfort in the affection of a loved one but ultimately realizing that it isn't enough, and gaining the courage to be your true self, uncovering the parts you have concealed before.

#hozier #first time #first time by hozier #song analysis #lyrics

[the-darkness-does-not-bargain]

spare some hcs for your immortal roommates au to share with the class? 🤲

It would be my pleasure, anon.

As mentioned previously, I think Lilith and Ava met during Rome's conquest of Gaul, some 50 years BCE, and their first "home" together was a cave in the Argonne. Lilith was either newly or recently turned into a vampire, and she stumbled into the cave to escape the sun, only to find Ava already there. Tensions were high at first, but Lilith couldn't leave because there was no other reliable cover within a day's walk. Oh she looked, high and low, but always had to run back to Ava's cave before each morning.

Vampires in this setting start out weak and get stronger over time, so Lilith would have been only a little stronger/faster than a normal human at this time, and very vulnerable to sunlight. Ava helps her stay sane and fed, and this is how their arrangement begins.

Lilith has probably kept her name for her entire life, but Ava? Who knows? The name Ava seems to have roots in a few different places. So, a name of uncertain origin for a girl of uncertain origin.

Ava already had some years on her by the time they met. If asked about how she became immortal, she'll either make something up or claim she doesn't remember, which isn't entirely true. I think it was the result of a freak magical accident, the result perhaps of touching a source of magic older and wilder than humanity itself. Maybe this magic is something Ava can still touch, but she doesn’t (👀).

After they leave the cave, they really go everywhere: Ireland, Norway, Siberia, Byzantium. They bunk with Silk Road caravans and Danes sailing the rivers of England. They have boxes of relics saved from all their travels that would make museum curators salivate.

By the 2020s, they've been most places at least once, but time changes so much that each one feels new when they go back. They have an enduring soft spot for France, however, even though the cave they met in was destroyed by shelling in WW1.

Sometimes Ava had to hide bat!Lilith in her clothes to protect her when they couldn’t find cover before sunrise. Lilith still likes to cling to Ava's chest and listen to her heartbeat with her little bat ears. And when Beatrice comes into the picture, she likes to lay as a wolf in Ava's lap. So, bat gf up top + wolf gf on bottom = Ava is trapped on the couch for hours completely unable to move.

Ava probably still works in a bar, and she'll occasionally lament about wines or liquors that don't exist anymore and all the ways you could mix them with coke and lime juice. She once tried to recreate an old-as-dirt type of vodka based on nothing but a half-remembered recipe and its taste. That didn't go well, and Lilith has since forbidden any alcohol production in their living space.

Lilith absolutely sulks in the closet when Ava first invites Beatrice to stay. She hangs upside down and chirps angrily whenever Ava opens the door. Eventually, Ava has enough and just snatches her up in a towel, enduring a bite on the hand to cuddle her gf in a little bat burrito until she calms down.

All three girls have nightmares, most to least going: Bea, Lil, Ava. Ava’s nightmares are ancient, Lilith’s are not quite as old, and Bea's are relatively recent. When Lilith would wake up scared, Ava would sing her a lullaby in a language long dead, and with time Lilith returned the favor on those rare nights where their roles were reversed. They bring Bea into this tradition eventually, and it's their way of keeping the old songs alive by comforting each other.

That's what's coming to mind right now! Hope you like them! Ask again later and I may have more. @ftm-viktor-hargreeves what do you think?

#warrior nun #immortal roommates au #ava silva #sister lilith #sister beatrice #ava x beatrice x lilith

[goneahead]

The Lost Land

I have two daughters. They are all I ever wanted from the earth. Or almost all. I also wanted one piece of ground. One city trapped by hills. One urban river. An island in its element. So I could say mine. My own. And mean it. Now they are grown up and far away and memory itself has become an emigrant, wandering in a place where love dissembles itself as landscape. Where the hills are the colours of a child’s eyes, where my children are distances, horizons. At night, on the edge of sleep, I can see the shore of Dublin Bay, its rocky sweep and its granite pier. Is this, I say how they must have seen it, backing out on the mailboat at twilight, shadows falling on everything they had to leave? And would love forever? And then I imagine myself at the landward rail of that boat searching for the last sight of a hand. I see myself on the underworld side of that water, the darkness coming in fast, saying all the names I know for a lost land. Ireland. Absence. Daughter.

~~Eavan Boland

#eavan boland #eavan aisling boland #irish poetry #women poetry #goneahead reblog

[rjalker]

haven't read it yet

Melion

by anonymous

A story of a werewolf knight of King Arthur's court

4k words long

[read more was here]

In the days when Arthur reigned, he who conquered lands and dealt out rich gifts to knights and barons, there was with him a young lord whose name, I have heard, was Melion. Full brave and courteous was he, and made himself beloved of all; and he was of right great chivalry and goodly fellowship.

The king had a full rich following, and throughout all the world he was famed for courtesy and prowess, and bounty and largess. Now on that day when all the knights made their vows—and know ye that well they held to them—this same Melion pledged him to one that thereafter brought him sore mischance. For he said he would never love any maid, howsoever noble and fair, who had ever loved any other man, or had been talked of by any. For a long time matters went on in this wise: those who had heard the vow spread it abroad in many places, and told it to the damsels, and all maids who heard it, had great hatred of Melion. And they who were in the royal chambers and served the queen, and of such there were above a hundred, held a council concerning the matter, and swore they would never love him, or hold speech with him. No lady desired to look on him, or any maid to talk with him.

Now when Melion heard this he was right heavy thereof; no more did he desire to seek adventure, and no will had he to bear arms. Full heavy he was and sorrowful, and he lost somewhat of his fame. Now the king had news of the matter and had great grief thereof, and he called the knight to him, and spoke with him. "Melion," saith King Arthur, "what hath befallen thy wisdom and thy worth and thy chivalry? Tell me what aileth thee and conceal it not. If thou would have land or manor, or any other thing—so that it be in my realm—it shall be thine according to thy desire; for gladly would I lighten thy sorrow," so saith the king to him, "if that I might. Now upon the sea shore I have a castle, in all the world is not such another; fair it is with wood and river and forest which are full dear to thee, and this castle will I give thee for thy cheer; good delight may ye find therein."

So the king gave it to him in fee; and Melion gave him thanks thereof, and went away to his castle, taking with him an hundred knights. Right pleasant was that country to him, and so was the forest that he held full dear; and when he had lived there a year through, he grew greatly to love the land, for he sought no disport but he found it in the forest.

Now on a day, Melion and his foresters rode to the chase; with him he took his huntsmen, who loved him with true love, inasmuch as he was their liege lord, and all honour was found in him. Soon they came upon a great stag, and forthright let loose the dogs upon him. Thereafter it fell that Melion drew rein amid a heath that he might the better listen for his pack. With him was a squire, and in his leash he held two greyhounds; and anon, across the heath, the which was green and fair, he saw come a damsel on a fair palfrey, and right rich was her array. For she was clothed in scarlet samite, laced full seemly, and about her neck hung a mantle of ermine, never did queen wear better. Well fashioned was she of body, and comely of shoulder; her hair was yellow, her mouth small and shapely, and red as any rose; gray-blue were her eyes, and clear and laughing; right fair was all her seeming, full winsome and gracious; and all alone without fellows came she.

Melion rideth to meet her, and courteously he greeted her: "Sweet, I salute you in the name of the Glorious One, of Jesus the King; tell me of what house you are, and what bringeth you hither." And the damsel maketh answer: "Even that will I tell you in all truth: I am of good parentry and born of noble lineage, and from Ireland have I come to you. Know ye that I am much your lover. Never have I loved any man save you only, and never will love any; so great praise have I heard of you that no other save you alone have I ever desired to love, and never shall I feel love for any other."

Now when Melion heard that his vows were fulfilled, he clipped her about the middle, and kissed her thirty times over. Then he called together his folk, and told them the adventure; and they looked upon the damsel, and in all the realm was none so fair. So Melion took her to his castle, and the people rejoiced greatly. He married her with great splendor, and made great cheer thereof, that for fifteen whole days the tourneys lasted.

For three years he dearly cherished her, and during those three years they had two sons, whereof he was right glad and joyful. And on a day he rode into the forest, taking with him his much loved wife, and a squire to carry his bow and arrows. He soon came upon a stag, and they pursued it, but it fled away with lowered head. Thereafter they came into a heath, and in a thicket the knight saw standing a right great stag; laughing, he looked down at his wife. "Dame," saith he, "if I would, I could show you a right great stag. Look ye, he is yonder in that thicket." "By my faith, Melion," said she, "know ye that if I have not the flesh of that stag never more will I eat morsel." Therewith she falleth in a swoon from her palfrey. Melion raised her up, but might not comfort her, and bitterly she began to weep.

"Dame," saith he, "mercy in God's name. Weep no more, I beg of thee. Here in my hand I have a ring; see it now on my finger. Two gems it hath in its setting, one white and one red, never were any seen of like fashion. Now hear ye a great marvel of them: if ye touch me with the white, and lay it upon my head when I am stripped naked, I shall become a great wolf, big of body; and for your love I will take the stag, and bring you of its flesh. But I pray you, in God's name, that ye await me here, and keep for me my garments. With you I leave my life and my death; for I shall have no comfort if I be not touched with the other gem, for never again shall I become man." Therewith he called his squire to take off his shoes; the youth stepped forward and unshod him, and Melion went into the wood and laid aside his garments, and remained wholly naked, save that he wrapped his cloak about him. Now when his wife saw him stripped of all his raiment, she touched him with the ring, and he became a great wolf, big of body. So fell he into sore mischance.

The wolf set off running full swiftly to the place where he saw the stag lie; forthwith he set himself upon the track,—now great will be the strife before he hath taken and caught it, and had its flesh. Meantime the lady saith to the squire: "Now let us leave him to take his fill of the chase." Therewith she got her to horseback; no whit did she tarry, but she took with her the squire, and straightway turned her towards Ireland, her own land. She came to the haven, where she found a ship; forthwith she addressed her to the sailors, and they carried her to Dublin, a city upon the seashore, that held of her father, the king of Ireland. Now hath she all that she asks. And so soon as she came to the port, she was received with great joy: with this let us leave her, and speak we again of Melion.

Melion, as he pursued the stag, pressed it wondrous hard, and at length he drove it into a heath where he soon brought it down. Then he took a great collop of it, and carried it away in his mouth. Swiftly he returned again to the place where he had left his wife, but did not find her, for she had taken her way towards Ireland. Right sorry was he, and knoweth not what to do when he findeth her not in that spot. But none the less, though he was a wolf, yet had he the sense and memory of a man. So he lurked and waited until evening fell; and he saw men loading a ship that was to set sail that night and go straightway to Ireland. Thither he went, and waited till it grew quite dark, when he entered into it at adventure, for he recked little of his life. There he crouched down under a wattle, and hid and concealed himself. Meantime, the sailors bestirred themselves, for the wind was fair, and so they set forth towards Ireland, and each had that he desired. They spread aloft their sails, and steered by the sky and stars; and the next day, at dawn, they saw the shore of Ireland. And when they were come into port Melion tarried no longer, but issued out of his hiding-place, and sprang from the ship to the sand. The sailors cried out upon him, and threw their gear at him, and one struck him with a staff, so that well nigh had they captured him. Glad was he when he escaped them; and he went up into a mountain, and looked long over the land where he knew his enemies dwelt. Still had he the collop he had brought from his own domain, but now, in that his hunger was great, he ate it; sorely had the sea wearied him.

And then he went away into a forest, where he found cows and oxen, and of these he killed and destroyed many. So began his war, and in this first onset he slew more than a hundred. The folk that dwelt in the greenwood saw the damage he wrought to the beasts, and ran flocking into the city, and told and recounted to the king that there was a wolf in the forest that wasted all the land, and had slain many of their horned beasts. And for all this they blamed the king.

So Melion ran through the forests and waste places, and over the mountains, until he joined company with ten other wolves; and he so cajoled and blandished them that they followed after him, and did all his desire. Far and wide they wandered through the land, and sore mishandled both men and women. So lived they a year long, and wasted all that region, harrying the land and slaying the folk. Well knew they how to guard themselves, and by no means could the king entrap them.

One night they had wandered far, and wearied and spent, they lay in a wood near Dublin, on a little hill by the sea shore. Beyond the wood was a meadow, and all round about was plain country. There they entered to rest, but there they will be ensnared and betrayed. They had been seen of a countryman, who ran forthright to the king: "Lord," saith he, "in the wood yonder lie the eleven wolves." And when the king heard him he was right glad, and spoke to his men of the matter.

Now the king called together his men: "Barons," saith he, "hearken to this: know ye of a sooth this man hath seen all eleven wolves in my forest." Then round about the wood they let spread the snares with which they were wont to take the wild boar. And when the snares were spread, the king went thither without tarrying, and his daughter said she would come with him to see the chase of the wolves. Straightway they went into the forest in all quiet and secretness, and surrounded the whole wood, for they had folk in plenty, who bore axes and staves, and some their naked swords. Then they cheered on their dogs to the number of a thousand, and these soon found the wolves. Melion saw that he was betrayed, well knew he that sore mischance had befallen him. The wolves were hard pressed by the dogs, and in their flight they came upon the snares, and all were torn to pieces and slain, save only Melion. He sprang over the traps, and fled into a great wood; so by his wit he escaped them. Meantime the folk went back to the town, and the king made great joy. Greatly he rejoiced that he had ten of the eleven wolves; well was he revenged on them, in that one only had escaped. But his daughter said: "That one was the biggest. And yet will he work you woe."

When Melion had stolen away he went up into a mountain; full heavy and sorrowful was he because of the wolves he had lost. Great travail had been his, but anon he shall have help. Now at this time Arthur came into Ireland to make peace, for there was war in the land, and he was fain to bring the foes into accord, in that it was his desire to subdue the Romans, and he wished to lead these men with him to battle. The king came privately, bringing with him no great host; some twenty knights only had he in his train. Sweet was the weather, and fair the wind, and the ship was full rich and great; trusty was her helmsman, and full well was she dight, and plenteously garnished with men and arms. Their shields were hung along the side,—right well Melion knew them. First he spied the shield of Gawain, then saw he that of Iwain, and then the shield of Idel the king; and all this was dear and pleasant to him. Then saw and knew he the shield of Arthur, and wit ye well, he had great joy thereof; glad and blithe was he, for he hoped yet to have mercy. So came they sailing towards the land; but now the wind was contrary to them, and they might not make the port, whereof they were right sorry. So turned they towards another haven some two leagues from the city, where, of old, had been a great castle which was now ruined; and when they were come thither, darkness fell, and it was night.

So the king is come into port; sore wearied and spent is he, for the ship had much discomforted him. And he called his seneschal: "Go forth," saith he, "and see where I may lie this night." The seneschal turned back into the ship, and called the chamberlain, saying: "Come forth with me, and let us make ready the king's lodging." So they issued out of the ship, and came to the castle; and they had two candles brought thither, and forthwith had them lighted; and they let bring carpets and coverlets, and speedily was the chamber well garnished. Then the king issued forth, and went straight to his lodging, and when he came therein right glad was he to find it so fair.

Now Melion had not tarried, but straightway went to meet the ship. Near the moat he halted; right well he knew them all, and well he knoweth that if he hath not comfort of the king, he shall come to his death in Ireland. Yet he knoweth not what to do, for he is a wolf, and so hath no power of speech; yet none the less will he go thither, and set himself at adventure. When he came to the king's door, right well knew he all the barons; for nought staid he, but hath passed straight in to the king, though it be at the hazard of death. At the king's feet he cast himself down, nor would he rise; whereof, lo you, Arthur hath great wonder, and he saith: "A marvel see I; this wolf hath come hither to seek me. Now see ye well that he is of my household, and woe to the man who shall lay hands on or hurt him."

When supper was made ready and the barons had washed, the king likewise washed and seated himself. Napkins were spread before them; and the king called to Idel and made him sit at his side. And Melion lay at the king's feet,—well knew he all the barons. Oftentimes the king looked down at him, and anon gave him a piece of bread the which he took and began to eat. Then greatly the king marvelleth, and saith to King Idel: "Look now, know ye of a sooth this wolf knoweth our ways." Then the king gave him a piece of roast meat, and gladly the wolf ate it; whereat Gawain saith: "Lords, look you, this wolf is out of all nature." And the barons all say one to another that never saw they so courteous a wolf. Thereupon the king let wine be set before the wolf in a basin, and so soon as he seeth it, he drinketh it, and certes, he was full fain of it; good plenty he drank of that wine, as the king well saw.

Now when they arose from meat and the barons had washed, they issued out upon the sands. And always the wolf followed after the king, and might not be kept from him, wheresoever he went. And when the king desired to go to rest, he commanded that his bed be made ready. So he withdrew him to sleep, for he was sore wearied; but with him went the wolf, and he lay at the king's feet, nor might any man dispart them.

Passing glad was the king of Ireland in that Arthur had come to him; great joy had he thereof. Early at dawn, he rose, and went to the haven together with his barons. Straight to the haven they came riding, and each company gave fair welcome to other. Arthur showed the king much love, and did him much honour. When he saw him come before him, he would not be proud, but raised him up and kissed him. And anon the horses were made ready, and without any tarrying they mounted and rode towards the city.

The king mounteth upon his palfrey, and good convoy he hath of his wolf, who would not be disparted from him, but kept always at his stirrup. Passing glad was the king of Ireland because of Arthur, and the company was rich and mighty. So came they to Dublin, and lighted down from their horses before the high palace. And when Arthur went up into the donjon tower, the wolf held him by the lap of his garment; and when King Arthur was seated, the wolf lay at his feet.

The king hath looked down at his wolf, and hath called him up close to the dais. Side by side sit the two kings, and right rich is their following; right well are the barons served, for throughout all the household great plenty is dealt out. But Melion looketh about him, and midway down the hall he saw him who had brought thither his wife; well knew he that she had crossed the sea and was come into Ireland. Forthwith he seized the youth by the shoulder—no stand can he make against the wolf—but Melion brought him to the ground amid the hall. And he would have straightway killed and destroyed him, had it not been for the king's sergeants, who ran thither in sore disorder; and from out all the palace they brought rods and staves, and anon they would have slain the wolf had not Arthur cried out: "By my faith, ill befall whoso layeth hands on him, for know ye, the wolf is my own."

Then saith Idel, the son of Irien: "Lords, ye misdo herein; the wolf would not have set upon the youth, and if he had not sore hated him." "Thou sayest well, Idel," quoth the king; and therewith he left the dais, and passed down the hall to the wolf, and saith to the youth: "Thou shalt tell us why he set upon thee, or else thou shalt die." Melion looked up at the king, and gripped the youth so hard he cried out, and prayed the king's mercy, and said he would make known the truth. So now he telleth the king how the lady had brought him thither, and how she had touched Melion with the ring, and how she had borne it away with her into Ireland; so hath he spoken and told all, even as it befell.

Then Arthur bespoke the king: "Now know I well this is sooth, and right glad am I of my baron; let the ring be given over to me, and likewise thy daughter who stole it away; evilly hath she betrayed her lord." So the king went thence, and entered into his daughter's chamber, and with him went King Idel, and he so coaxed and cajoled her that she gave him the ring, and he brought it to King Arthur. Now so soon as Melion saw the ring right well he knew it; and he came to the king, and knelt down and kissed his two feet. King Arthur would fain have touched him with the ring, but Gawain would not so have it: "Fair uncle," saith he, "do not so, but rather lead him into a chamber apart where ye twain may be alone together, that he have not shame of the folk."

Then the king called to him Gawain, and Idel likewise he took with him: so led he the wolf into a privy chamber, and when they had come within, shut the door fast. Then he laid the ring upon the wolf's head, and all his visage changed, and his face became human. So turned he to man again, and he spoke, and fell down at the king's feet. They covered him over with a mantle; and when they saw him very man, they made great joy. But the king fell a-weeping for pity, and weeping asked him how it fell that by sin he had lost him. And then he let summon his chamberlain, and bade him bring rich raiment. Fairly they clothed and arrayed him, and so led him into the hall; and all they of the household greatly marvelled when they saw Melion come in amongst them.

Then the king of Ireland led forth his daughter, and gave her over to Arthur that he might do as he would with her, whether it were to slay or to burn her. Saith Melion: "I will touch her with the ring, nor will I forbear." But Arthur said to him: "Do not so, rather let her be, for the sake of thy fair children." All the barons likewise besought him, and Melion accorded it.

Now King Arthur abode in Ireland until he had assuaged the war; then he went again into his own land, and with him took Melion; full glad and blithe was he thereof. But his wife he left in Ireland, and commanded her to the devil; never again would he love her for that she had done him such wrong; never would he take her unto him again, rather would he have let burn or hang her. And he said: "Whoso believeth his wife in all things cannot help but come into mischance at the end, for it is not meet to set your trust in all her sayings."

True is the lay of Melion, so all good barons declare.

#public domain #free books #Rjalker reads stories of King Arthur #werewolves

[breitzbachbea]

tell me what have you seen in ireland? uwu

Oh my god. Oh myyy god. I'LL GLADLY TELL.

So, I did just stay in Dublin bc I like to really get to know one place on my own terms instead of hopping from place to place and only see a bit. I did spend one day in Derry, though.

In Dublin, I went to:

- Dublinia, a museum about medieval and viking Dublin. One of the students working there talked his whole shift away with me and became a friend.

- Christchurch Cathedral, where Strongbow is buried

- St. Patrick's Cathedral (even found two of the mismatched tiles, bc 'only God is perfect'!)

- Dublin Castle (Saw the River Puddle! Or is it Poddle? I'm so bad with Irish river names)

- Strolled through St. Stephen's once, but didn't explore much.

- Went to the see the Book of Kells and the Long Hall in Trinity College (their Cicero bust is so funny)

- Went to the Cobblestones pub with a tumblr mutual and it was a lovely evening

- Visited Henrietta Street 14, one of the old Georgian townhouses that tells the stories from the British High Life to Irish squalor in Dublin

- Just walked around in Grangegorman and Phibsboro, bc that is where Harry, Soph and Paddy live (DESPAIR. still have no clue where I want Charlie to reside.)

- Went to the 'Dead Zoo', the national natural science museum.

- Went to the national archaeological museum and saw a cool sword. And got more extra viking info, bc it was with my Dublinia friend.

- Went to the museum of Modern Irish Literature, which was 80% James Joyce. (One room encourages you to write down the beginning of a book and I just left the beginning of a Harry and Charlie One-Shot at the wall).

- Went to the National Gallery and saw some John Keats and Renaissance Era stuff

- Went to the General Post Office Museum with their great contextualization of the Easter Rising with what came before and after. (Love the poster walls that really embed you in the Zeitgeist).

- Went to EPIC The Museum of Irish Emigration. That one was fun, I think.

- What's it called, Merrion Square? Wherever the Oscar Wilde statue is. I went there.

- In Derry, I went to the Guildhall to see their exhibition on the Ulster Plantation. That was cool!

- I also went to the Free Derry Museum, which does such a good job of contextualizing the beginning of the Troubles.

- And I walked the entirety of Derry's walls once!!! And bc the busride didn't go through Belfast, I saw a lot of the countryside in Derry, Tyrone and Armagh.

- Went to St. Michan's to see the Crypt YEHAAAAW. (The bodies are mummified bc of the temperature staying the same, the limestone walls and the methane gas that comes up through the ground).

I honestly may have forgotten something, I'm not sure. It was all in all a great trip and I already ache to return, the same way I ache to return to Sicily. I know it's Scottish and there is no Ocean in sight but ... my bonnie lies over the ocean ...

#beareplies #mary-eve #I also spent too much time and money in Hodges and Figgs. God. I have barely a cent to my name now.

[ayamari-no-goshi]

Can you share the lore of your cursed ancestor? Has there been anything historically or recently that happened that have curse vibes or have been attributed to the curse? I’d love to hear more about this!

So my dad’s mother’s family is not only old, but well documented. Through her side, I’m a descendant of the Fitzgeralds. Oh boy are there are weird legends surrounding them, and it’s hard to get some of the specifics on the legends in the US. I know the Welsh side has some legends too, but I’m not even gonna try with that due to how convoluted that section of the family tree is.

Please keep in mind, I don’t know if my branch of the family (which no longer carries that last name) did something in the US that worsened whatever bad juju was accumulated or we just somehow concentrated it.

With that out of the way, buckle in, this is gonna be a longish post

Firstly we have John Fitzgerald (1st Baron of Desmond). He was called “the ape” because his grandson was “rescued by such a creature.” I’m as stumped as anyone else on that.

Gerald FitzMaurice Fitzgerald (Gearóid Iarla) the 3rd Earl of Desmond mysteriously disappeared around the shores of Lough Gur, a lake with its own legends. In tales, Gerald had a romantic relationship with the Goddess Aine, who is sometimes called the mother of the Fey. Legends vary on how consensual it was.

In the legends where it was a more loving relationship, Aine has him sleeping under or near the lake where he’ll rise again to assist Ireland regain glory. In legends where their relationship wasn’t great, she cursed him to wander the shores of the lake as a ghostly horseman every 7 years. I should also mention one legend has him transformed into a goose and disappear in the river Maine. But there’s also a legend he and his warriors are in a suspended state near an old fort called Hacklim.

Now, this one is unclear. It could be in relation to the 3rd Earl of Desmond or a later Earl in the same family with the same name. He was rumored to be a magic practitioner. The legend goes his wife wished to know an arcane secret. Gerald, who deeply loved her agreed on the condition she didn’t make a noise during the rituals needed. She did eventually cry out which sunk the castle into the waters of Lough Gur. He is said to have become a vampiric revenant and occasionally abducts young women to drain their life.

(The Fitzgeralds were originally invaders to Ireland, coming over with Strongbow. They were not well-liked during their early history)

While I can’t find much information about it, Clíodna, who is stated to be the queen of the banshees, was reported to have affairs with various members of the Fitzgeralds, most likely due to her association with the lands of Desmond.

Now there is a legend of a man who’s name translates from Gaelic as John fitz-James Fitzgerald (this could be the 13th Earl of Desmond or someone unrelated), who dropped dead on his wedding day - the rumor was he was spirited away by the Fey, specifically Clíodna. The daughter of a local wise woman was able to bring him back after a poetry contest and talk about a dowry.

(As a fun side note, she is involved in the legend of the Blarney Stone - which I have kissed)

So, basically, family screwed around with a very powerful entity. The Fey are associated with death in some legends (Lough Gur is sometimes said to be an entrance to the underworld).

Weird crap just happens to us. It’s to the point where I know to expect weird if I’m traveling anywhere outside the US. Evacuations, injuries, accidentally making people fall in love with you, etc. weird crap.

It’s become a joke that you don’t officially belong to the family until you have your first near death experience (my official count for those is currently 7). Most of my cousins, aunts, uncles, of course my dad, and grandmother have all had them. Friends joke that death is flirting with us, but due to the associations between the Fey and death, it might be them trying to reclaim us instead.

It’s not normal things either. Example, my dad should have died in a car accident at 16, but he got out of it with a pinched nerve and some cuts. I’ve seen a photo of the truck he was in after he got rescued - the cabin was flattened. Another example, when I dealt with anaphylactic shock, the reason I was hospitalized as long as I was was due to my immune system rebooting itself like a computer. I still don’t know how it did that.

We don’t particularly like drama but we attract it. Oh boy do we attract it. I don’t want to get into that.

The family is weird about lying. Like, my dad has a physical response if he lies. It’s the weirdest thing. I don’t care to lie either, but I don’t have a breakdown over it. Dad will.

Nothing about us makes sense

#thanks for the ask #long post #folklore #legends #reasons the family is cursed

[theficpusher]

as in olden days by scrunchyharry | T | 18430 Château Frontenac hotel, Christmas 1925 When his father insisted the entire family spend Christmas abroad in one of his new investments, Harry dreaded the prospect of being trapped for weeks in the biting Canadian cold, so far away from the roaring excitement of his London life. As he crossed half of the world to be buried under a thick blanket of snow, he never imagined he would meet a charming bellhop who would do his best to keep him warm.

When I Run Out of Road by QuickedWeen | M | 24170 It's 1932 when Harry Styles sets off on an adventure to the African continent and the most popular new travel destination: Nairobi. He has reservations at the best club in town and plans to stay for a few weeks. What he doesn't expect is to meet and get to know a wonderful family along the way. The Deakins are sponsors of the Royal Ballet, traveling with the company to see them perform in Nairobi for the first time. They take Harry under their wing, treat him like part of their family, and change his life in ways he never imagined.

Through Lonely Streets and Neon Lights by sweetly_disposed | M | 25107 1920's era, Great Gatsby inspired. Harry is a poor boy living in the South Village. Every night he watches the North City come alive and longs of crossing the river to be a part of it and escape his dreary life. The infamous Mr Tomlinson lives across the river from Harry. His parties are the stuff of legend; people on both sides know about them, and all Harry wants is a chance to go to one. When fate swings his way and he finds himself in Mr Tomlinson's house, he gets much more than he could ever have bargained for.

Embellish Your Heart by letsjustsee | nr | 28611 “You’re sort of a mystery, Harry Styles,” Louis says, and Harry looks surprised before he laughs loudly. “Am I?” Louis nods his head a little. “A very interesting, intriguing mystery.” Or, a Bootlegger AU where it's 1925 in small town America, and Louis Tomlinson has never met anyone quite like Harry Styles.

You Came Just Like A Flower In My Darkest Hour by graceling_in_a_suit | T | 44273 Harry had spent a thousand years as the king of a false kingdom, no one but his empty-minded subjects to distract him from his loneliness. Then, he saw a stranger in a mirror to another world. He was exquisite, this stranger; Harry wanted nothing more than to know him, if only he could be free from the spell that kept him trapped. But even once his wish had been granted (at the cost of his voice), and he'd gotten to live in the stranger's world and in his house and in his heart, the spell would not be so easily broken.

see the sparks filled with hope (you are not alone) by niallszayn | M | 57527 „Hello,” Niall mumbled, hot flush already crawling up his neck again. „I should…I won’t keep you from your work.” Zayn sighed a little and rubbed at his forehead, leaving a small smudge of dirt behind. Niall’s fingers twitched with how much he wanted to reach out and wipe it away. Ireland, 1923. When Niall returns from war, he’s not the same young man he was before. Back home at his parent’s mansion, it takes an old friend and young gardener to get him to open up. But what is Zayn to Niall? What can he be?

Chasing Empty Spaces by Lis | E | 79028 The year is 1934 and Harry Styles was to inherent the largest tobacco firm in the south. His parents have picked out the “perfect” girl for him to marry and he has the privilege of receiving the highest education possible. The problem was, Harry hadn’t realized he didn’t actually want any part of that future until he met a mechanic named, Louis Tomlinson.

Through Eerie Chaos by MediaWhore | G | 102104 For as long as anyone can remember, Old Hillsbridge Manor has always been believed to be haunted. Everyone in the village agrees and keeps a respectful, fearful, distance. New in town after a bad breakup and an internship that led to disappointment rather than a permanent job, Harry Styles figures taking pictures of the decrepit building could be a great new creative project. Or at least a much-needed distraction while he searches for a job and crashes at his parents’ new house. No one warned him about the apparitions though; about the music, the laughter, the people who flicker and vanish when you call after them, the echoes of a past that should be long gone… Harry has never believed in spirits but even he can admit that there’s something weird going on. What starts as mere curiosity evolves into a full-blown investigation and soon enough, Harry finds himself making friends with an aristocrat from the 1920s and struggling with finding the best way to tell him that he’s dead. The Ghost Hunter AU where Niall lives to prove ghosts are real, Zayn is a skeptical librarian and Harry gets caught up in a century-old mystery and catches feeling in the process.

The Florentine Letters by forreveries | E | 118277 Oxford University, June, 1935. The edge of summer has just begun to dawn over the university campus, exams are almost over and the dust is just beginning to settle over the desks. Harry Styles, in the last years of his PHD study of The Renaissance, has managed to maintain a safe existence within the walls of his books and classes and late night romances. He's made a place that's safe from the expectations of high brow society and the cold stare of his father. That is, until an all too sharp, all too witty, and all too handsome man walks into his life. Louis, the cocky man with the smile, brings with him a strange object - declaring that it's a puzzle piece from the one and only Leonardo Da Vinci. He speaks of age old mysteries, and puzzles that cannot be solved without Harry's help. Immediately, Harry is quite literally swept off his feet, and together they take their chances on the find of a life time - Da Vinci's lost works. But what Louis doesn't mention is the high stakes game of cat and mouse that comes with chasing things that do not belong to you. A game where nothing, and no one, is as they seem.

#1920s & 1930s #The Florentine Letters #forreveries #Through Eerie Chaos #mediawhore #Chasing Empty Spaces #lis #see the sparks filled with hope (you are not alone) #niallszayn #You Came Just Like A Flower In My Darkest Hour #graceling_in_a_suit #Embellish Your Heart #letsjustsee #Through Lonely Streets and Neon Lights #sweetly_disposed #When I Run Out of Road #quickedween #as in olden days #scrunchyharry

[duskforged]

Writeblr Intro

edit (1/6/23): updated links

Hello, I’m Hesperos! Aside from being a writer, I’m also an artist and worldbuilder. I currently live in the United States. My pronouns are they/them, and I consider myself both transgender and non-binary.

Of all the genres, I enjoy fantasy most, followed by sci-fi. I worldbuild and create conlangs as a hobby, though one day I hope to turn it into a career path.

I primarily participate in Storyteller Saturday, Blorbo Blursday, and Worldbuilding Wednesday, as well as reblog various ask games. However, I'm open to virtually all asks, so feel free to drop by.

As far as commissions go, I take character art commissions only at present.

Links:

About the Author

Ahvan Worldbuilding Masterlist (wip, coming soon)

Links (commissions, ko-fi, etc)

Primary tags:

#dusk in progress - general WIP tag

#dusk speaks - rambles and little tidbits, also asks

#dusk draws - personal art tag

#dusk conlangs - conlang tag

#answered - answered asks (also tagged with the asker's username if applicable)

My work-in-progress works are under the cut!

SANCTUARY

(title wip)

wip intro | character list

After the New Ánasezian Movement, Lady Alessámira Nasánza Solsinat is a knight who has retired from war, living comfortably on her family's ancient estate. However, this quiet life is abruptly upended when Alessa discovers the fae on her property are being brutally exploited under the new regime. Between social pressure to conform and her own budding feelings for one of the fae, will she be able to keep the peace of her land? Or will all dissolve into mayhem and strife once again?

Tag: #sanctuary

The overarching themes may change over time as I work further on the story and its plot, but as it currently stands, it contains:

A virtually all-queer cast, including a bisexual protagonist, non-binary love interest/deuteragonist, genderqueer characters galore, and more

A setting region originally inspired by the themes of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales

Ancient magic, defined between Natural and Synthetic, with spirits both natural and otherwise

Sweeping landscapes, located in the southern hemisphere of their planet

Two! Moons!

At least two constructed languages (currently simply naming languages, but may develop into something grander)

(Though there are hints of romance in the summary and ultimately in the story itself, it takes a relative backseat to the rest of the themes. I am unsure if the main couple will even be ‘together’ at the end of the novel, beyond close friends. There will also be no strong erotic themes - it may be mentioned here and there, but nothing beyond that.)

_____

AMID WISTERIA

wip intro

Arêllan ve Povunra Aelisâm is a young elf growing up on the isolated western coast of Aeros, after their family was banished from the capital of Maêla nearly fifty years ago. On the cusp of 29 years old, their mother declares they are to be adopted into the esteemed and ancient family of Llanaere and live in the capital until they come of age. Without a chance to refuse, they find themself navigating changes to customs and traditions, family dynamics, and discovering secrets meant to be left alone. Can they bond with the Llanaeres in the bountiful opportunity of the capital, or will they find themself unmoored and adrift?

Tag: #amid wisteria

This work takes place in the same world as Sanctuary, but in a different time and place.

The protagonist is a child, and in their culture, children are referred to as exclusively gender neutral regardless of biological sex, until they come of age. They may also be read as non-binary/transgender by reader preference.

(This may become a series following Arêllan as they grow up in Maêla, but that is yet undecided!)

_____

UNTO SUMMER KINGS

wip intro

Arthur lives between the fall of the Romans and before the Viking Age, not that he knows it. Born to an herbalist on the edge of two Briton kingdoms, this simple life is all he knows. Until the rivers run red with the blood of his people, dead on Saxon swords, he, his sister, and his friends flee towards the realm of Uther Pendragon, whose court holds secrets even he could not dream of.

Tags: #unto summer kings; #the round table Series: The Round Table, part 1 of 4.

Since this time period is relatively hard to study, as the original Britons had no written language, some things here may be entirely made up. This also took place before the different Brythonic cultures (such as Welsh and Cornish) diverged from one another. Nothing is intended to be two-dimensional, including the Saxons and slow conversion to Christianity during this time period.

#writeblr #writeblr intro #wip intro #writers on tumblr #writer #my writing

[wonderandwanderinginmexicocity]

The Art of Remembering

“So long as we are being remembered, we remain alive.”

― Carlos Ruiz Zafón

For most of us, autumn is a contemplative season. If spring represents birth and renewal, and summer the glory and vitality of youth, then there is a wise wistfulness to the fall, of reflecting before the inevitable coming of winter and death. Being a transitory season, not quite summer and not quite winter, many cultures have viewed this time of year as a season where magical things can happen.

Halloween and the Day of the Dead are in many ways very different holidays from different places, but they are both based on this idea that this time of year is special, and that the border between worlds becomes thin and spirits can move amongst us. The ancient Celts of Ireland would leave out food and treats to try to appease the spirits that may cross over. From here it is easy to see where trick or treating evolved from, and the Celtic holiday of Samhain eventually became a major source for modern Halloween. The Aztecs believed that in the fall, spirits of loved ones could cross over, and visit us for a while. It wasn’t a time of sorrow, but a time of joy and remembering those who are dead but are not gone from our hearts. For the Aztecs, death was merely a door to another room, and we keep people alive by remembering and honoring them. These ancient beliefs underpin the modern practices of the Day of the Dead. 

El Día de los Muertos is largely celebrated, both in private homes and in public displays, by the creation of ofrendas. These offerings or altars are meant to be a physical manifestation of the remembering, complete with photos of the deceased and items that they enjoyed or used, such as candy, cigarettes, or cans of beer. There are a lot of personal and regional variations in the styles of ofrendas, but there are certain symbolic items that are placed on the ofrenda that are crucial and long predate the arrival of the Spanish in Mexico. 

One of the most important symbols of the Day of the Dead is cempasúchil, the Aztec name for the fragrant marigold flower native to Mexico. The Aztecs believed cempasúchil had a special smell that would guide the dead back to their families, so it is naturally an important part of the ofrenda. The flower is associated with Mictecacihuatl, or the Lady of the Dead, who permitted spirits to leave the underworld to commune with their families. 

There are other ancient components of the ofrenda. Ceramic or sugar skulls are included to represent the truth that death is a part of life. An important element of the altar is salt, which represents the purification of the dead after they have moved on from this life. The salt is meant to purify the souls of the ancestors, so that they are able to travel back and visit next year. Candles are included to represent hope and faith, and light the way to the altar. An important symbol of the spirit and the afterlife is the xolo. Native to Mexico and one of the few domesticated animals of the Aztecs, the breed xoloitzcuintli was believed to help the spirits of the dead cross the Chiconauhuapan river and enter the underworld, Mictlān. In ancient times, people were even buried with these dogs. But today, placing a figurine on an altar will do. On my ofrenda, my xoloitzcuintli is also an alebrije, a spirit animal that is meant to guide and protect the dead as they travel through Mictlān. A common offering that is placed on the altar is water. In ancient times and today, it is believed that that the first thing the souls of the departed ask for after arriving in the underworld is water, as they are parched from their long journey. 

In my second year living in Mexico, I decided to make my first ofrenda, in large part because I find the tradition touching and also, I hope, cathartic. In the United States, we tend to work very hard not to think about death and mortality, despite its universal inevitability. We pay a high price for these mental gymnastics: We often don’t take the necessary time to think of our loved ones who are gone, how they cared for us and made us the people we are today. As I look upon the faces of my grandparents, so young in their photos, I can’t help but wonder about their dreams and aspirations, if their lives turned out as they hoped, and what it must have been like to live through the Great Depression and World War II. El Día de los Muertos is not supposed to be a sad day, but a celebration, and yet I can’t help feeling bittersweet about the whole experience. These were people I loved. People who made me feel safe and loved. I am sad they are gone. But the Day of the Dead has given me the opportunity to honor them and be grateful. And maybe invite them to visit for a while. 

#halloween #dayofthedead #thedayofthedead #ofrenda #altar #eldiadelosmuertos #diadelosmuertos #travelgram #mexico #México #culturamexicana #ElDíadelosMuertos #DíadelosMuertos #ofrendas #tradicionmexicana #autumn #fall

[thatgordongirl]

Ghosts Stars Names Clarence - Clear/ One who lives near the River Clare

Clarence had both Scottish roots in the ancient kingdom of Dalriada and Irish heritage as it may be in relation to the Clare River in the West of Ireland. It could also be in relation to the title Duke of Clarence from the 14th century, implying royal heritage. It is a name that was very popular during the late 19th century and early 20th century, so he may have been born around the time Fanny was living on Button House. He also may have died before Captain was stationed at Button House and thus would’ve been around during the 1920s-1938. It’s also possible he’s from the late 14th century around the time of Edward IV and Richard III’s reigns. 

Since all the names at least briefly allude to the character’s personality or status within their lives, Clarence may have been some kind of moral guidance or advisor, due to his name being associated with clear and water. He could’ve been a calm person who went with the flow and thus would’ve been a compatible friend for Robin. His name also being a title given to a 14th century royal prince who married someone of the Claire family may also imply royal heritage. 

Godric - God ruler 

Godric originated in Anglo-Saxon England, with many saints and sheriffs of the 11th century having that name. The name could form from anywhere between the 5th and 11th centuries. Like most names during that time, it holds religious significance. The name died out after the Norman conquest, so it is likely Godric was from before William the Conqueror, so at least before 1066. He would have come from Early Medieval Europe. 

Since his name is in relation to God, there isn’t much we can gain from its meaning. Similar to the plague ghosts his name is a product of his time and would mostly be religious in some way. However, he may have been around during the time of the Romans invading, or a bit later when the seven kingdoms were established. We’ll never really know until we’re shown him. He could be of German descent. 

Elizabeth - God is my oath 

Elizabeth has roots in both Hebrew and Greek, coming from the Hebrew words shava meaning oath and el meaning god. It was a name more common in Eastern Europe from the 12th century. In Medieval England it was sometimes used to honour a saint. Due to  Elizabeth I’s reign it became very popular during the 16th century, though it stayed a top ten name until 1945. 

The name Elizabeth is was also a Dutch family name Elisabeth, which may imply Dutch heritage. She could have either been from around the Middle Ages, during Elizabeth I’s reign, or just after death. The name implies importance and someone who is very regal, so she may have been part of the aristocracy during James I/VI’s reign. She may have been around a similar time to Humphrey, or may have been born in the second half of Elizabeth’s reign. 

William - Resolute protector/strong-willed warrior 

The name is of Germanic origin but was also popularised in England by the reign of William the Conqueror, it is also derived from the name Wilhelm. It is comprised of the elements Wil, meaning will of desire, and helm, helmet or protection. Similar to Elizabeth, William is a name that has been popular for centuries and has stayed in the top ten most common. It is typically knows as of old Norman origin. 

His name implies he may have been a soldier or warrior of some sort, perhaps having fought in a war. It may also imply the polar opposite, that he was supposed to be a soldier but deserted the army he was a part of. Either way, he may have been named after the arrival of William the Conqueror or departure as a tribute when the king died. The ghost could also possibly be from that time but be compartment unrelated to conflict, being named later on during the reign of William and Mary or William IV. 

#bbc ghosts #we know nothing about them so speculators of course #fanny button #the captain #thomas thorne #julian fawcett #pat butcher #humphrey bone #robin bbc ghosts #kitty bbc ghosts