#advanced alchemy

[swaxe]

i do think a lot is lost when you try to directly link the Bob's Burgers cast with The Great North one... like, you can say wolf is like gene. and that is correct. but ham is also gene. and judy. and honeybee. his essence is split between all of them.

"Judy is like Tina" well yes but tina is also ham. they are both tina. but most importantly beef is the most tina.

[kuuwo]

❄️Winter❄️

[lesinthearchives]

Alchemy and a Cup of Tea

By Rebecca Thorne

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book of year: 14

Favorite quote:

“what we know is always a risk. But I think we’re a lot braver than we know . . . and I think most choices turn out okay, eventually.”

First, Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this ARC of Alchemy and a Cup of Tea.

I am SO sad to be done with a series that has easily become one of my favorites but a lesson I learned from Winnie the Pooh, “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard”. I stumbled upon the Tomes and Tea series by accident last year and have completely fell in love with it. I was given the opportunity via NetGalley to advance read both the third book, Tea You at the Altar and this book, Alchemy and a Cup of Tea.

This series follows Reyna, an ex-queensguard turned Tea seller, and Kianthe, The Arcandor and Mage of Ages, as they leave their provincial lives to open a tea and bookshop in a little village ravaged by Dragons called Tawney. These books are so cozy and I love having the opportunity to share them with my friends.

Something I will say is that Rebecca Thorne really keeps you on the edge of your seat with these books even the last. It’s 11:30 pm on a work night, I’m 75% of the way through the book, and we are tying loose ends just to fray some others. I look forward to reading into some other works of hers.

[sparklespectres]

Actually, the difference between the fears in TMA and the fears in TMAGP isn’t that they’ve manifested more as desires, they‘ve just changed from being an outside, god-like force/power into an unregulated man-made one. This is why there are so many incidents involving things that are much more socially constructed/human than natural (the entertainment industry/social media, gambling, debt/wealth, scientific experimentation, etc). What we’ve been perceiving as ‘desire’ is actually more of a desperation/greed for wealth, fame, power, reverence, etc. In this essay I will-

[mechanicalriddle]

third of a bag of cashews will NOT save you from not eating lunch, hummus and crackers, however, will

[monards]

rip rhinedottir taking middle school biology probably could’ve saved you

[iamwinklebottom]

Justice Against The Abuser | Fact Vs. Fiction, Abuse, Evil, & Unjust Magick | Conjure For Client

[guided-by-the-skies]

Alchemical Symbolism In The Tarot | Part 1

One interpretation of alchemy (by Carl Jung, whose work inspired the MBTI) is that it represents the process of individuation (development of a full fledged adult personality).

One alchemical symbol that has suggested links to the tarot is that of the green lion eating the sun. There are a few symbolic means of this and most of them are to do with the sun as the ego or consciousness and the green lion as a greater spiritual self that devours it (symbolising ego death as a stage in the journey to individuation)

Does The Alchemical Lion Have Any Connection To The Strength Card?

I did wonder this as the sign Leo is also about ego and the strength card CAN (in some interpretations) represent us suppressing or trying to tame our emotional selves, subconscious mind, or shadow (which is why shadow work is so hard!)

Even good cards can have 'double edged sword' explanations (just like 'bad' cards). Strength can be a great card to get if you need strength in the classic way to get through difficult times. But sometimes it's important to use less strength over ourselves and just let things be. The emotional water signs (pisces, cancer, and often scorpio) tend to be best at this, as do NP and SP mbti types. Essentially, instead of taming the lion on the card, what about just letting it be? This can be an interpretation of the best course of action when strength reversed shows up. In some ways, this is part of the process of shadow work.

*this is not to say Leos are really ego driven! Ultimately every sign is to some extent. However many people do believe that there are connections between tarot, astrology, and alchemy, which is ngl super interesting and something I am planning on doing more posts on- so the same animal symbolism appearing across disciplines felt worth mentioning.

[thesleepingdemonofhogwarts]

[shabadarada]

Made Asanagi in adorable home & made the mistake of givibg them a child now im back to thinking about what their ideal life post dragon slaying would've been had Himawari not died. & If The. Whole thing w Asa's family & kingdom was resolved. Maybe.

[faultyvessel]

And THAT there was the most important line of the episode

[the-grey-necromancer]

Weird Ingredients/Components

Here is a short list of weird ingredients/components that I have used in various magical practices. Beside each of them you will see the method of acquisition or source of the ingredient/component.

shadows- Bag of Night (enchanted object)

fungal spores- harvested local fungi

light- crow feathers

kraken ink- Kraken Rum bottle

gargoyle dust- gargoyle statue

lamprey saliva- Jarred Horror (enchanted object)

cat eyes- cat's eye gemstones

bird hearts- small bell jar

human ashes- Asian art urns

tiger eyes- tiger eye gemstones

pufferfish flesh- preserved pufferfish

monk blood- Benedictine brandy bottle

peace- olive oil bottle

rage- French mustard crock (the brand name is a pun)

essence of enlightenment- Lucky Buddha Beer bottle

frog slime- strange carved frog bottle

preserved flesh of redheads- Scottish Ginger Preserves jar

devil claws- bag of devil's claw herb

brain fluid- pieces of Native American method tanned leather

As you can guess some of these obviously require certain spells to acquire. I am not going to disclose them of course, but if you can figure a way to do similar things yourself then more power to you! I hope that you find this interesting and of inspirational value to your personal practice.

[jadeannbyrne]

Jade Ann Byrne Presents: Neon Nights: The Taco Bell Cosmos

In the vast expanse of a future not wracked by dystopian cliches but painted with the neon glow of endless possibility, a figure stood beneath the celestial marquee of Taco Bell, a testament to the eternal human saga of late-night cravings. Jade Ann Byrne was her name, a contractor to this grand establishment, a caretaker to an army of automatons crafted in her own image. With a cascade of…

[miqo-tia]

Boom was quite successful as an alchemist in the Garlean army, and even though he knows his creations were rarely if ever used for peaceful purposes, he is still proud of his handiwork.

Ever since he defected, he has missed the Garlean workstations and supplies he got used to. He dreams of building his own workstation imitating a Garlean one, and has plans of tracking down the famous ex-Garlean inventor Cid Garlond to assist him at this.

[himasgod]

Hiya, could I please request first years with a reader/Yuu who's actually a lot older? Like, old enough to be a second or third year or maybe old enough to graduate but thanks to Crowley they're stuck in first year 😞

FIRST YEARS X READER

Where you are some years older than them, already graduated back in your world

Some clarifications of the dynamic, in case anyone needs them <3

At first, Ace doesn’t notice you're older. You’re smart, quick-witted, lowkey hot under stress, which is kind of his type, and you're way more competent than the average freshman. He assumes you just have your life together.

Then one day you offhandedly mention you already graduated somewhere else in your world. That this isn’t your first rodeo. That Crowley, in all his magnificent wisdom, stuck you in first year anyway.

“Wait. WHAT?”

He laughs—loudly.“Oh my Seven. You’re an undercover senior?! That’s so cursed. I love it.”

From then on, it’s constant teasing.

“Hey, Grandma, need help crossing the road to Alchemy?”

“Should I walk you Ramshackle after class, or do you want your cane first?”

But the teasing isn’t mean-spirited—it’s Ace’s very acelike way of flirting. What gives him away is the way his eyes linger on you when you laugh, the way he blushes when you lean in too close. The way he gets weirdly smug when you call him cute.

At some point, he admits it:

“Y’know… it’s kinda hot, actually. You being older and all. Like you’ve got everything figured out.”

“I’m literally re-doing high school.”

“Yeah. And now you’re stuck with me,which is obviously the real tragedy here.”

Despite the joking, he starts to really look out for you. Carries your textbooks. Makes sure you eat. Challenges anyone who talks down to you for being a “first year.”

He doesn’t say it out loud, but he thinks you deserve more than this weird limbo Crowley dumped you in. And if he can make you smile through it—even if you’re older, even if it’s complicated—he’ll take every chance he gets.

The moment Deuce finds out you’re older than him, it’s over. He’s already liked yo, your poise, your patience—but learning you’re basically repeating school? That you’re dealing with all this on top of it?

He looks at you like you’re a war hero.

“You’ve… already graduated? Like from a whole school back in your world?”

“And now I’m back in first year hell.”

“That’s amazing! I mean—horrible! I mean—”

He bows.

“I promise to support you to the best of my ability, sen—uh—Yuu!”

After that, Deuce is 1000% more formal. He tries so hard to be “mature enough” for you—sits straighter, studies harder, even pretends he totally understands advanced spell theory just to impress you.

You try to ease his tension, but he keeps glancing at you like you're this untouchable inspiring figure.

Which is hilarious when you’re both in a group project and you groan, “Gods, not again,” because you’ve done this assignment in a past life.

“It must really suck, huh? Being older and stuck with a bunch of us dummies.”

“You’re not dumb.”

“Still… I wish you didn’t have to go through this. You deserve better.”“But selfishly, I’m glad I met you this way.”

He gets bolder after that. Offers you his hand when you’re tired. Studies next to you even when he doesn't have to. And every now and then, he’ll slip:

“When we graduate—uh—I mean—when you re-graduate, I hope we can… keep seeing each other? If you're not back in your world by then....”

The crush is obvious. He respects you, maybe a little too much, but there’s something so earnest about how badly he wants to deserve you.

That might be what makes you fall for him in return.

When you first meet, Epel thinks you’re cool as hell. Calm under pressure, sarcastic, kinda intimidating in that “I’ve seen some things” way. He definitely does not clock you as someone older than him.

Then you casually mention you’ve already graduated once. And the look on his face is priceless.

“WAIT. YOU’RE—YOU’RE A WHOLE ADULT?!”

He’s flustered for like three straight weeks after that. Can’t make eye contact. Keeps forgetting his words around you. He’ll be like:

“I wasn’t checking you out! I mean—yes, but I mean, you’re all wise and stuff and I’m just a country boy and—"

Runs into a door.

What makes it worse (for him, better for us): the crush only deepens. Epel is so into the idea of someone older, more experienced, who doesn’t treat him like a delicate little flower. You actually listen when he talks. You know how to handle things. You’re cool.

He starts trying to prove himself: carrying things for you, using big words, pretending to know complex magic theories.

“Oh yeah, totally read that thesis on temporal rune distortion. Real eye-opener.”

(He 100% did not. He saw the title once.)

Eventually, he drops the act. One day, you’re both sitting under a tree after class, and he looks at you.

“I know I’m younger. And maybe I still got stuff to learn. But I ain’t a kid. I mean what I say. And I think I… y’know… I like you.”

There’s a beat of silence. He fumbles.

“Romantically! I mean romantically!!”

You laugh, but the warm kind, and Epel is pink for a week.

He doesn’t stop trying to impress you. But now he does it honestly, with his real self.

You tell him early on. It’s not like you’re trying to hide it.

“I’m technically older. Like, I was going to enter university back in my world. I should be in like... third or fourth grade here. But Crowley…”

Jack’s eyebrows go up.

“Seriously? You already graduated?”

You nod.

“…That sucks.”

And it does. But the way he says it? You know he gets it. He respects you even more after that. You’re responsible, experienced, and clearly strong enough to endure the humiliation of being stuck in first year again.

He also becomes so respectful it's actually kind of adorable. Like you’re this older pack member or smth. Holds doors open for you. Offers to carry your things. Tries not to speak over you.

You catch him watching you sometimes—like he wants to say something but keeps holding back.

Eventually, he admits it:

“I know I’m younger. But I don’t think feelings care about that stuff. I’ve… liked you for a while.”

He avoids eye contact.

“I respect you too much to pretend I don’t.”

If you accept his feelings, Jack is overjoyed—in the quiet, overwhelmed mood. He’s loyal to a fault, protective, and so serious about making you feel respected, not “babysat.”

He knows you’ve had a life before this. But he wants to be part of the next chapter.

When you reveal your age and educational background, Sebek does not take it well.

“You are a first-year! A fellow beginner! It is utterly irrational for you to be older than me!”

Cue him spiraling. He's stomping around, muttering about rules, ORDER. But then he is very flustered. Like so so flustered.

“How DARE Crowley place someone of your caliber in the same year as—”

Pause.

“…As ME.”

Then silence. Then blushing.

Because Sebek absolutely has a crush on you. And now he’s losing it internally because you’re older, more experienced, and somehow even more alluring.

He starts acting even more pompous—like he has to prove himself worthy of your attention.

“Older or not, I shall surpass you through diligence and dedication!”

He shouts this in the hallway. Loudly. In front of everyone.

He won’t say it, but he’s in awe of your emotional maturity. You don’t get rattled the way others do. You handle Crowley’s nonsense with a sigh. You don’t baby him, but you do take him seriously, which throws him completely off balance.

And that only deepens his feelings.

Eventually, after much overthinking and dramatic pacing, he storms up to you one day and blurts out:

“YOUR AGE IS IRRELEVANT TO ME. I ADMIRE YOU. I—CARE FOR YOU. ROMANTICALLY. PLEASE—DON’T LAUGH :( ”

You don’t.

Instead, you gently kiss his cheek. He goes silent.

His ears are red for three days. He refuses to make eye contact and keeps yelling “FOCUS!” at himself under his breath.

But he also stays by your side. Proudly. Passionately.

[sqgeism]

haii!! Can I ask the reaction of amphoreus men to the reader don’t feel like they deserve them and feeling guilty about it? 🙏

𐙚 𓏵𓏵𓏵 𐙚 if i'm turning in your stomach | amphoreus men x gender neutral reader

💌 — ; am i making you feel sick ? he's so.. happy with you, and you don't seem to understand. they're in the glory and light as a chrysos heir, what could have possibly be seen in you for them to ever want to share that light?

love mail — haiii anonnie ! thank you for requesting :D in this fic, i mention the very likely theory of phainon being kevin from hi3 ! it isn't a major plot point but it is mentioned so if ure confused dont worry so am i ヽ(´Ａ`)ﾉ love u guys mwah ! 2/5.

now.. anaxa isn't a fan of gossip, accepting words at face value is foolish. especially since he is a man from a field of alchemy, trying and testing until he sees results. in this case, the truth.

but when a mutual companion, that babbling blue haired student of his, tells him that you've been feeling rather.. sad recently, he was determined to find out why.

in your defense, you were never meant to have him figure out, but this concoction you were working on was really starting to get on your nerves. you figured anaxa was still at the academy, so you were free to yell at the vial of glowing liquid like you could peer pressure it into getting it to cooperate. "stupid, stupid." you grumbled, your fists curling into a ball on the table. "i hate this, why can't i just... be like anaxa? he must feel ashamed with me. i can't do something as simple as a healing potion, after all."

you know these words aren't true, but you can't completely erase the fact you still feel them. your boyfriend was praised for his expertise in his field, couldn't you at least have learned something?—

it was then that you felt someone press up against your back, head leaning over your shoulder as anaxa sighs. his hands wrap around your waist, looking at your face like you're the moon. "your ingredients are perfect, dove. down to the measurements, but i'm sure your error comes from your order of mixing. listen to me, start with.."

you listen to his guide, trying to perfectly replicate the sequence as he speaks, but it's distracting. he hasn't.. stopped looking away from you while you work. not to mention, his hands trace the curves of your waist, as if keeping your body to memory. his sultry voice in your ear is NOT helping either.

"i heard you, you know." he mumbles, shifting his head to press kisses to your shoulder blades, somewhat relishing the way you shiver.

"do you really think i'd ever focus my time on someone who self proclaims their inadequacy?" you don't answer. "your intelligence is unmatched, dove. i couldn't think of anyone with a brain like yours, while also having a heart kind enough to open a man like me."

his advances move up to your neck, and at this point, the potion is long forgotten. your hands are too shaky to focus anyway. "please.. never think you're not good enough for me. i couldn't handle you leaving me for false truths."

your husband is a literal king, warrior, and an unmovable force.. you wonder why he settled down with an ordinary mortal. you're not quite in the spotlight, and instead, a humble historian. which means you're well versed in mydei's tales, especially ones pertaining to his past. according to rumor; mydei is fated to fall for someone for all of eternity, they were originally a warrior sworn to him, but had died tragically for mydei in the middle of a battle, in fear that the enemy had possibly been able to reach his weakest spot. after a desperate plea from the gods, they had been kind enough to have his lovers soul reborn every time they've come face to face with death. you.. were apparently the first one he's met ever since 'your death'.

and while you're.. comforted by that idea, the fact that you're fated to find mydei in every life you'll live, you also feel.. unsure. had the chrysos heir fallen for you, or for someone you used to be. and you could never really live up to be who you were.

that person was a warrior, one mydei cherished like his other half, and the myths of the two of them are romantic. how he spent hundreds of years mourning them, how they haunted his narrative. could he ever truly love who you are now?

"sweetheart?"

mydei's voice breaks through your thoughts, and you come back to reality—surrounded by your ancient maps and history. you're in your study, staring down at one of the many books written on the chrysos heirs. "are you staring at that old thing again? i told you, i don't like the way they drew me in that book." his laugh makes you feel guilty, you aren't even sure why. something about his love feels undeserving.

when you don't reply, he realizes you're not quite on a page about him.. but about you. your past life.

mydei knows how you feel about it, you've talked about it under the moon with him in hopes that its light will keep your secret safe. but he knows reassurance won't fix your insecurity easily, he needs time, and he'll give you all of it. he's waited to find you for all these years, what kind of man would he be to make you think you're anything less than precious?

carefully turning your body to him, his hand trailing up your cheek as he feels his heart ache. "sweetheart, my darling.." before he can even finish, you lean your head against his bare chest, listening to his heartbeat in silence. "mydei, do you promise.. that this heart is mine? you.. you aren't after someone who i once was, and rather who i am now?"

he knows he'll have time to give you proper reassurance, but he knows you just need a few words now. "i promise, with all i am, that i have fallen in love with you all over again. and that i am yours, body and soul."

with all the mystery that surrounds your boyfriends identity, you can't help but think about it as well. do you.. really know him? does he not trust you to know him? you aren't sure. maybe you aren't as special as you thought you had been, that phainon's sweet words of how much he loves you are.. false prayers.

but you have no reason to doubt him, he's never stayed out too late or hung around people that made you question his motives, he's a good man. and you're starting to think that you don't deserve him for doubting that.

the idea clouds your mind the whole day, and for aeon's sake.. you and him are having a date night at his place. he notices it quickly, how your mind just can't seem to focus. how you move away from his touches and hesitate with every kiss, was there something troubling you? was he troubling you? that's when he's had enough of the lack of communication, he turns off the tv, pulls the blankets down, and gives you a confused but also rather upset look. "honey, what's going on in that gorgeous head of yours?

he holds his hand out to you, but you move away, the cold shoulder has never been so sweet. "phai.." you hesitate to finish your sentence, but phainon waits.

he's been known for his patience, he always has been. he was a composed man, a gentleman, he could surely hold himself togethe—

"am.. am i really anything special to you?"

he feels his heart sink to his stomach.

there's an sting that he's never quite felt before, overwhelming his body greatly. he's sure he can hear his heartbeat, or perhaps lack thereof, it's as if his world has stopped at those words.

you've begun to tear up now. "i don't know i just.. the people have been telling me things— and i'm realizing now that i don't.. i don't really know anything about you and.. i.. i'd want to get to know you better, but i understand if you don't want to, and don't trust me but—"

seeing you cry makes him remember something distant, a life he once lived in a different world. making someone he also loved so dearly cry because of what he's done.

phainon crumbles, moving closer to you to wipe your tears. you two are face to face now, his lips only a breath away as he's reminded why he loves you so much.

you're you, so human, so selfless. how could he be blind to your struggle, when he claims to watch you so carefully? "oh, angel. i'm so.. so sorry. there are things i cannot tell you yet, but i can tell you that i could never let my heart be taken by anyone else."

feather light kisses press against your eyelids, and you shudder at the contact. "sweet, sweet angel. please don't cry. i promise i'll make it up to you one day."

© sqgeism or wtv (^_^;)