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lily, superstar…

and her dedicated photographer

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i get that americans love their cultural imperialism, but it really does piss me off that june is “international” pride month just because something happened in the united states.

in aotearoa, june isn’t our pride, it’s theirs. marsha p johnson and sylvia rivera are their historical figures, not ours. the phrase that “you owe your rights to Black trans women” is true there, but here we owe our rights to (mostly) Māori historical figures. i have the freedoms i do because of the legacy of an entirely different set of people operating in an entirely different context at entirely different times.

But because of american cultural imperialism, most queer people in Aotearoa don’t even know our own queer history. Carmen Rupe, Ngahuia Te Awekotuku, the Dorian Society, Gillian Laundon, Georgina Beyer, and the Wolfenden Association are some of our queer history. We should know their names! we should know what they did for us! but because of the power of the american imperial machine, we don’t.

our national pride month should be july, the month that the Homosexual Law Reform Act passed in 1989. our two largest cities hold their pride festivals in february and march, respectively. american queer history has very little (or nothing, depending on who you ask) to do with our queer history. anecdotally, from my own queries, queer youth in aotearoa know more about american queer history than our own.

anyway, happy pride, americans. i’m truly sorry that most of you don’t see the negative impact your nation’s culture has on the rest of the world. and to the rest of the world reading this, try searching for your own country and culture’s queer history, don’t accept the american narratives as your own. we deserve our own histories divorced from the cultural hegemony of the USA.

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Gay sex as a metaphor for friendship

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You can actually be horny for something and also interact with it from a critical/academic perspective it's called having depth

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merry litha to anyone who celebrates ☀️

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𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐚

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What is Litha?

Litha is a solar festival celebrated between June 20th and 22nd in the Northern Hemisphere, and around December 20th to 22nd in the Southern Hemisphere. It marks the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and the moment when the sun reaches its peak power. Traditionally, Litha honors the height of light, the fullness of life, and the abundance offered by the Earth in bloom. It is the midpoint of the Wheel of the Year, when nature is at its most alive: fields are green, flowers are open, fruit begins to ripen, and warmth fills every corner. Litha celebrates vitality, strength, joy, and the energy of the sun at its zenith. Fires are lit in its honor, herbs are gathered, and the power of manifestation is strong. Yet, within this brightness lies a quiet turning point, from this day forward, the light will begin to wane. Litha carries both celebration and awareness: the joy of what has flourished, and that all things are cyclical, Now it’s a great time to reflect on personal radiance, express gratitude and to honor the sun and all solar deities.

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History of Litha

The name Litha comes from Anglo-Saxon sources and was recorded by Bede as the name of the months around midsummer. However, the solstice has been celebrated across many cultures for thousands of years. In Celtic lands, midsummer was a sacred time when druids lit bonfires on hilltops to honour the sun and support the fertility of the land. Sacred herbs were gathered at dawn, believed to be especially powerful when infused with the longest light of the year. In ancient Rome, this period was dedicated to Juno, goddess of marriage and women, and to Vesta, the goddess of the hearth fire. Her temple was opened to women, and offerings of grain were made to ensure household blessings. In ancient Greece, midsummer was connected to Hera, Aphrodite, and it was also believed that Prometheus stole the fire from the chariot of the sun and gifted it to humanity at this time. In ancient China, the summer solstice was linked to yin, feminine, earthly energy, in balance with the winter solstice, which represented yang. ⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠄⠄⠂⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁

Litha and the Faerie Folk

Midsummer is also a time when the faerie realm is believed to be especially active. Just like Beltane, Litha is considered a liminal time, when the veil between worlds grows thin and the unseen becomes just a little more visible. In Celtic folklore, the fae wander freely during the solstice, drawn to beauty, music, laughter, and offerings left in nature. People once left milk, honey, or bread under sacred trees, near springs, or in gardens to honour them and ask for protection or blessings. Wildflowers and oak groves are especially associated with faerie energy at this time, and some believe that in the shimmer of heat on the solstice horizon, you can sense the opening of other realms: Avalon, Tir na nÓg, the Land of Youth. It’s believed that faeries hold their grand celebrations within mystical faerie rings. These circles, often found in grassy meadows or forest clearings, are thought to mark the dancing spots of faeries. To honor these elemental spirits, offerings of honey, butter, or creamy milk are left in the hopes of gaining faerie favor. (source)

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Midsummer Herb Ritual

Litha is also traditionally a time for harvesting herbs used in potions, elixirs, and spells, a moment long held sacred in magical practice. Since ancient times, it has been believed that when the sun is at its peak and the earth is overflowing with life, the bond between plants and those who work with them grows especially strong. Witches, healers, druids, and others in tune with the land’s rhythms would venture out to gather herbs with deep care, following the natural flow of the day. Some plants were picked at dawn, others at noon, some at sunset, and a few in the gentle quiet of late afternoon. They used small blades, sometimes curved or shaped like serpents, and approached the task slowly, with reverence. Before cutting, they would sit with the plant in stillness, offering a soft prayer or moment of presence. Only a small amount was taken, never more than needed, always leaving enough so the plant could continue to grow and thrive. Gratitude was at the heart of the act, gratitude for the plant, for the living earth, and for the unseen spirits watching over the wild. The herbs gathered during Litha were believed to be especially potent. Little was required. Just sunlight, clear intention, and a respectful hand. Many flowers are linked to this time of year, but the most well-known is St. John’s Wort, valued for its protective and healing properties. Roses, in every color, are also deeply connected to Litha, representing love, passion, and the fullness of life under the midsummer sun.

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The Rise of the Holly King

The myth of the Oak King and the Holly King is often told to explain the shifting balance of light and dark throughout the year. The Oak King rules from the winter solstice to the summer solstice, he is the spirit of the waxing year, of expanding daylight, growth, and vitality. He represents the rising power of the sun and the energy that brings life back to the land. But at Litha, when the light reaches its peak, his brother, the Holly King, returns. The Holly King rules from the summer solstice to Yule, guiding the year into the waning half. He is the spirit of stillness, reflection, and retreat. Their meeting is not a violent battle, but a symbolic shift, one steps back so the other may rise. This story reminds us that light and dark are both sacred, and that every high point contains the seed of return. Just like the sun, we too rise, peak, rest, and begin again.

Litha and Goddess Áine

Áine is a Celtic goddess very closely associated with Litha. is the Celtic Goddess of Midsummer and Queen of the Faeries, deeply tied to both the light of the sun and the mystery of the fae. As a solar deity, she is honored during Midsummer celebrations, being associated with summer, love, protection, fertility, wealth, and sovereignty. On the eve of the 23rd, just after the solstice, people used to gather on Cnoc Áine, where she was said to dwell. They would light bunches of straw and hay tied to poles. These poles were then carried in procession to the top of the hill. Later, people would run with the flames through their fields and between the cattle to bring good luck for the rest of the year. Áine is also connected to horses, animals considered sacred and symbolic of midsummer in Irish tradition. It was said that she could take the form of a red mare named Lair Derg and ride through the fields during the solstice, blessing the land with fertility and magic. Offerings to Áine might include flowers, honey mead, and horseshoes.

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Magic Correspondences

Planets: Sun

Season: Summer

Element: Earth, Fire

Time Of The Day: Noon (when the Sun is at its highest)

Tarot Cards: The Sun, The Empress, The Wheel Of Fortune, 9 Of Cups, The Emperor, The Strength

Colors: Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue, Gold, Red

Herbs: Fennel, Ivy, Yarrow, Verbena, Mugwort, Sage, Mint, Basil, Clove, Thyme

Fruits: Cherry, Raspberry, Peach, Strawberry, Berries, Pineapple, Orange, Apricot, Nectarines

Vegetables: Spinach, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Carrots

Crystals: Jade, Carnelian, Peridot, Citrine, Tiger’s Eye, Sunstone

Runes: Kenaz, Fehu, Ehwaz, Sowilo

Trees: Oak, Birch, Elder, Linden

Goddesses: Brigid, Hel, Amaterasu, Hestia, Juno, Hera, Aphrodite, Áine, Freyja, Bastet, Hathor, Sunna, Flora, Vesta

Gods: Apollo, Helios, Lugh, Baldur, Ra, Zeus, Horus, Dionysus, Aten, Loki, Jupiter, Thor, Cernunnos

Dragons: Fafnir

Flowers: Daisy, St. John’s Wort, Rose, Lavender, Sunflower, Poppy, Calendula, Honeysuckle, Foxglove, Chamomile, Marigold, Jasmine, Peony

Animals: Horse, Bee, Butterfly, Lion, Wren, Moth, Bull, Cow, Hawk, Lizard, Donkey, Hawks, Eagles, Swans

Magical Powers: Good Energy, Solar Magick, Confidence, Healing, Love, Power, Warmth, Success, Fire Magick, Fertility

Symbols: Birch, Sun, Horseshoe, Flower, Butterfly, Summer Birds, Sea Shells, Sun Wheel, Bonfire, St. John’s Wort, Faerie Rings, Roses, Oak, Spiral

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Activities to Do:

☀️ Read A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare

☀️ Take a bath with rose petals or rose essential oil

☀️ Swim on this day to honor both the water and fire elements

☀️ Drink St. John's Wort tea (⚠️Just a quick warning: consuming St. John's Wort while on certain medications, like antidepressants or some painkillers, can trigger serotonin syndrome, which is a serious and painful condition. So make sure to check first or skip it if you're unsure.)

☀️ Craft faerie houses in your garden

☀️ Meditate while lying in the grass, letting the sun touch your skin

☀️ Bake a honey cake for the sabbat

☀️ Go camping to connect with nature

☀️ Craft a homemade sundial

☀️ Leave offerings for the faerie folk

☀️ Create a Litha altar

☀️ Make a flower wreath or crown

☀️ Honor solar deities

☀️ Dance around a Birch tree

☀️ Wear bright colors (yellow, orange, green, blue) to reflect solar energy

☀️ Make lavender lemonade

☀️ Spend time in the sun (don’t forget sunscreen!)

☀️ Do a tarot reading outdoors

☀️ Read poetry in nature

☀️ Host a garden party or BBQ

☀️ Make a Litha magick jar

☀️ Watch the sunset or sunrise from a peaceful place

☀️ Water your garden with intention

☀️ Leave water bowls outside for animals

☀️ Dance around a bonfire at dusk

☀️ Eat fresh fruits in celebration of the season

☀️ Meditate outdoors and ground yourself in the sun’s energy

☀️ Bake sun-shaped cake or bread

☀️ Make a fruit and veggie salad

☀️ Cleanse your crystals in the sunlight

☀️ Leave seeds out for the birds

☀️ Plant trees or herbs in your garden

☀️ Make sun tea by infusing herbs in a jar under the sun

☀️ Hang a horseshoe on your door for luck and protection

☀️ Create a sun catcher

☀️ Spend time outside with your pets

☀️ Make sun water

☀️ Eat honey

☀️ Host a mini gather with loved ones

☀️ Learn about sea witchcraft

☀️ Do your makeup, nails, or outfit in festive Litha colors

☀️ Go collect seashells if you live near a beach

☀️ Draw the sun wheel symbol and place it on your altar

☀️ Bake sun shaped cookies

☀️ Collect flowers and place them on your altar

☀️ Read about solar deities and their myths

☀️ Make lemonade with herbs or edible flowers

☀️ Reconnect with your inner child: play, dance, read, do activities you loved as a kid

☀️ Make a daisy chain

☀️ Set intentions at sunset for the rest of the year (until Yule)

☀️ Craft a sun wheel

☀️ Honor the sun through rituals

☀️ Harvest herbs from your garden

☀️ Start a herbarium

☀️ Research about draconic magick, dragons resonate with Litha’s fire energy

☀️ Have a picnic at noon to soak in the sun’s peak

☀️ Get yellow or orange candles and inscribe them with runes or sigils

☀️ Engage in gardening and connect to the Earth

☀️ Practice a solar plexus chakra meditation

☀️ Perform spells for confidence, personal power, and abundance

☀️ Visit a botanical garden

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Food and Drinks:

Grilled veggies, grilled chicken with rice, barbecued or flame-grilled food, honey cakes, honey, lavender cheesecake, lemonades, orange juice, summer salads, croissants with jam, bread and pastries, cakes with edible flowers, mead, sun tea, mint tea, spiced punch, rum, ale, wine, milk (for the faeries), strawberries, raspberries, peaches, oranges, lemons, pears, grapes, summer squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, butternut squash, carrot cupcakes, tomato soup, mushroom appetizers, spicy foods, curries, spiced cakes, cinnamon toast, pumpernickel bread, bread with grapes, white bread, potato salad, pasta salad, rice salad, strawberry tart, raspberry tart, leafy green vegetables, spinach, basil, thyme, sunflower seeds, pine nuts.

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sources: Midsummer: Rituals, Recipes & Lore for Litha (Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials, 3); Midsummer: Magical Celebrations of the Summer Solstice by Anna Franklin; Magie Blanche by Eric-Pier Sperandio; https://thebusypagan.com/pagan-holidays/litha/

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fifteen - june 15 - jegulus - james raising harry - @taylorswiftmicrofic - word count: 612 - based on @ccccatttta 's post!

“Alright, Haz. Fifteen pounds, and that’s it, okay?” James said anxiously, hovering outside of the store door and hanging the crisp notes to his son.

“But Da!” Harry whined, frowning. “What if that’s not enough to get you something pretty?”

Harry had been begging for weeks to get James something for Father’s Day. The problem was, nobody was available to take him to the store, and of course, Harry refused to allow James to go in with him, since that would ‘ruin the surprise.’ So, after much negotiation on Harry’s part and worrying on James’s, they’d settled on a small store in their neighborhood with one way in and out. Harry had fifteen pounds and fifteen minutes. 

“Whatever you can get me with that will be perfect, darling,” James said, smiling at the five-year-old. “Now run quick! We still need to get lunch!”

So, beaming, Harry bolted inside.

And James immediately began biting his fingernails.

It wasn’t that Harry wasn’t capable. James and Lily had raised the young boy to be exceptionally polite, and he was able to use money enough to at least give a store clerk the right amount needed. 

It was the fact that he was doing this alone. Which meant that one, he could face danger and two, he might be capable of doing other things alone and therefore he was growing up and might no longer need James.

Both things were equally terrifying.

But still, James reminded himself that the young boy needed independence, and he had to make sure to give it to him. So he waited, eyes on the time, and allowed his son to peruse the small store.

It was only when ten minutes had gone by that the door opened again and Harry ran out, grinning, tugging a man along behind him with a triumphant look on his little face like he’d just found buried treasure.

“Da! I got you this!” he exclaimed, pulling the man to James.

James gaped. 

Not only was the man looking down at Harry with a kindly bemused look, but he was fucking stunning. Black curls, blue-gray eyes, a smile that made James’s stomach lurch, perfectly chiselled cheekbones and jawline…fuck. 

“Er, hi,” James said awkwardly, acknowledging the man before he turned to his son. “Harry, who’s this?”

“This is your present! A pretty boy for you! And he was free!” Harry answered excitedly, jumping up and down a bit. “Happy Father’s Day.”

The man spoke for the first time. “Sorry, he was very persuasive,” he chuckled softly. “I didn’t know how to tell him I’m not for sale.”

“Th-that’s okay,” James stuttered, already embarrassingly taken by the man. “What’s your name?”

“Regulus,” the shorter man smirked a bit. “And you?”

“James.”

“Well, James. Harry. Happy Father’s Day,” Regulus said with a small smile.

“Wait!” Both Harry and James yelled out at the same time, causing Regulus to turn.

“You are my present,” Harry declared, frowning and stomping his foot.

James took that as an opening. “Erm. We shouldn’t let him down, you know? I think…you should at least give me your number?” he asked giving Regulus a hopeful grin.

At that, the shorter man let out a little laugh. “Oh, that’s what you’re going with? ‘Give me your number, for the children?’” He raised an eyebrow, but he was grinning.

“Yes,” James replied, smiling too.

“Well, good for you that I happen to like kids. Much more than adults, actually,” Regulus snorted, reaching for James’s phone and programming in his phone number. “Harry has won my favor. Let’s see if you do, too. James.”

A few moments later, both Harry and James left the store, beaming and giddy.

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all quiet in a western font

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Happy pride from Mary and Regulus!!🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

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address - jegulus - @into-the-jeggyverse - word count: 155

“Reg, baby? Mail for you.”

Even after months of being together, the pet name; the soft way James spoke to him; made Regulus’s face turn warm. He looked up from the book he was reading and met the older boy’s eyes only to find him standing in the doorway, a small, adoring smile on his ridiculously handsome face.

“What?” he demanded, a bit self-conscious at the attention.

“You’re reading in my bed,” James said happily, pointing out the obvious.

The blush on his cheeks was strong now. “It’s more comfortable than the one in the guest room,” he mumbled, avoiding eye contact. 

“It’s cute,” the older boy replied happily, a smug look on his face as he held out the letter. “Look at the address.”

Unsure, Regulus took the envelope from his boyfriend.

Regulus A. Black James Potter’s Bedroom Potter Manor Wiltshire

“Guess Hogwarts knows where you sleep, even if my mum doesn’t,” James beamed.

--

Guys is Wiltshire a good place for James to live? I've only ever been to London....

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remus john lupin - RJL

' ma lune ' my moon in french by sirius

' moony ' ' moons ' used by james, peter and sirius

' rem ' used by the girls ( lily calls him john when they are playfully fighting )

' rere ' used by pandora ( they share a bond talk to the wall )

' remy ' used by regulus ( my shaylaa )

hope calls remus Meleğim ( my angel ) and Bebeğim ( my baby ), these still make remus embarasses

my hcs for him

welsh - turkish ( hope is turkish + she wears a hijab ) ; internalized ableism ; the freaking tallest person ever ; dyslexia and dysgraphia ; AMBER EYES ( they have gold in them ) ; eat less meat he could ( eat it only right after moons because he could barely stay on his feet ) ; freckles !! ; fav subjects are DADA and history of magic ; salty over sweet ; STRONG accent ; swears all the time ( in welsh mostly ) ; favorite color is purple ; uses charms / amulets to cover is scars ; smokes MUCH ; best quidditch commentator ever ; get easily tan ( but he is often pale because lycanthropy ) ; aquiline broken nose ; know how to drive since he is like 16 ; not religious ; he and peter are the brain of the best pranks ; average good at school but needs to study many hours ; gryffindor prefect since second year with lily ; anger is his predominant emotion ( hates that sometimes ) ; very judgemental but also really kind ; not the beautiful type but attractive type ; the first marauders he talked ans trusted was james ; trasfered in england at nine after living in Cardiff ; strong welsh accent ;

fifth part ( mjm version )

( @glueandmorphemes FINALLY my boy )

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This one was particularly lovely

Chapter 8 - 25

intertwined

Read Heartstopper Online

More info/buy the books: https://aliceoseman.com/

Heartstopper updates three times a month, on the 1st, 11th, and 21st at 11am UK time.

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I really like English sometimes. The phraseologisms "break a leg" and "knock yourself out" are both of the same genre of violent positivity that I really enjoy in my life.

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so transfem joker starts sleeping with transmasc joker, and she finds out that he used to be butch robin, who then transitioned and started sleeping with, you guessed it, gay batman

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i need magical media about being a trans man. i saw the tv glow and the people's joker were uplifting and beautiful and i'm still crying, but is there anything like that for trans men? any recommendations please 🥺