#<- specifically the one from lunar sanctuary

[autistickaitovocaloid]

Some guys from those cool dream games

[flaggermuser]

Like Lavender, She Blooms In The Most Unlikely Places

Homelander x Luna (Supe OC)

Prompt: Morning routine/Making tea for a loved one/Skincare

1,706 words || Technically classed as Kidnapping, Homelander's Cabin, Something Like Friendship, Pancakes, Tea, Morning Routine, Skincare ||

This takes place in the year between S2 & 3. Luna is a moon-powered supe whose powers are tied to the lunar cycle.

Special thanks to @theonlymanintheskyisme for being my beta

Divider by cafekitsune

Luna lies passed out from exhaustion.

Even since the livestream ‘disaster’, Ashley, under orders from Stan Edgar, has been ramping up efforts to make Luna more friendly, more appealing to the public.

Public and personal appearances, photo shoots, PR stunts - it’s been endless.

There’s barely been any time in between for Luna to think, let alone rest. But at least time, it’s all been above board with no revealing outfits or sleazy situations, thanks to Homelander’s influence.

He’s been present at every single event, watching from the sidelines, keeping a close eye on Luna.

Even now he stands at the foot of her bed, a bag slung over his shoulder and a soft smile on his lip. She’s so tired, she’s not even had time to change, lying on her bed still dressed in her suit, complete with her boots and gloves.

And, more importantly, the crescent moon pendant.

After that night when she screamed at him, finally revealing the truth about how she felt, he’d flown to Switzerland and had it made to his exact specification. 

Finally, she had something that was hers.

He moves to the side of her bed, lifting her into his arms, careful not to wake her although he’s sure that she’s too deep in sleep to even realise what’s going on. Her head lulls against his chest, forcing his breath to catch in his throat.

She looks so right in his arms like she was made to be held by him, like she was made to be with him.

Exiting her apartment via the door to the launch pad, he takes off into the night, flying high above the city. If Stan Edgar and Ashley aren’t willing to give Luna a break then Homelander will, in the one place that Vought can’t find them.

They’ll be able to spend some time together, away from prying eyes.

It’s close to midnight when he arrives, carrying her inside his secret sanctuary and gently placing her down on the bed, taking the liberty to remove her boots, socks and gloves before covering her with the duvet.

There’s a strong temptation for him to join her, to pull her close and hold her while she sleeps but he resists. He’d much rather she welcome him into bed willingly. Plus his couch is comfortable.

He leans down to kiss her on the forehead and whispers, “Good night, sleep well.”

It's almost midday when Luna finally rouses from sleep.

She grunts, scrunching her eyes closed as sunlight pours in from a nearby window, bathing her face in light. While she slowly adjusts to being awake, she rolls over and slowly sits up, taking in her surroundings. Confusion stirs in her mind - she's no longer in her apartment but in a cabin.

How did she get here?

She glances down at her body, relieved to find that she's still clothed except for her gloves, her boots and her socks. Someone has gone to the effort to make sure she’s comfortable.

“Good morning sleepyhead, or should I say afternoon?”

Standing in the doorway comes her answer - Homelander.

Ever since the last Luna’s Full Moon Extravaganza, the softcore porn livestream that Homelander sabotaged, things are different between them now, something bordering on the fringes of cordial, enough that she’s still sitting there instead of running for the hills.

“Where am I?”

“This is my cabin. You looked like you needed a break so I brought you out here. And don't worry about the tracking chip, they won't be able to find you here.”

She squints at him, his words are more unsettling than comforting. Had he kidnapped her? Also, where was here?

“Oh, I almost forgot.”

He disappears for a few minutes, only to return with a bag and a mug of lavender tea - a drink she's had every morning since childhood. She lets out a soft sigh, not surprised in the least that he knows about it.  He places the bag down beside her and the mug down on the bedside table, just about letting go as she picks it up, taking a long sip.

It tastes exactly the same as if she made it - the same species of lavender, no doubt the same brewing technique that she uses. 

“I hope you don’t mind,” he begins, rocking back and forth on his heels before gesturing to the bag. “But I brought some things you might need from your apartment including a change of clothes. And there are fresh towels in the bathroom, it’s just down the hall. I’ll have breakfast ready for you when you get out.”

There’s something tranquil about being in the middle of nowhere.

After everything, Luna is almost grateful for Homelander kidnapping her, if that’s the correct term for what he did. The silence is only broken by intermittent birdsong, soothing enough for her to relax for the first time since she joined the Seven.

The hot water of the shower helps to melt away any remaining stress, cleansing her skin of makeup and, metaphorically, the bullshit of Vought. She feels like herself again, able to commence her morning routine in relative peace without some idiot intern busting in to drag her away for some godforsaken reason.

Stepping out of the shower and grabbing a towel from the nearby rack, she pauses for a second, noticing the vanity littered with her skincare products, the ones from her cosmetic line, taken from her apartment.

They weren’t there when she started her shower so chances were that Homelander had arranged them just so while she was in there. She would be more appalled if it wasn’t for the fact that Homelander had already seen her naked the night of the incident.

If he didn’t take advantage then when she was at her most vulnerable, would it be logical for him to take advantage now that they were cordial?

He’s gone out of his way to make sure she’s remotely comfortable and she’s grateful, opting to enjoy not being at Vought Tower and being subjected to a full schedule, rather than focus on all the questions muddling her mind.

Her morning skincare routine is simple. She starts by washing her face with an exfoliating face scrub, massaging it in, and rinsing it off completely. Next, she applies her toner with cotton pads, brightening and hydrating her skin. Then comes her serum, eye and SPF 15 face cream.

By the time she’s finished, she looks extremely refreshed and smells like moonflowers.

Hanging up the towel, she reaches down into the bag he brought her and pulls out the clothes, her face dropping into a scowl.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

Pancakes.

Homelander’s signature dish.

There’s something about pancakes that he finds comforting enough for him to dedicate time to perfecting his recipe. It’s a traditional American breakfast.

He’s made sure to get some blueberries, after all, Luna looks like a blueberry pancake kind of woman. He’s almost done with the stack when he hears her clear her throat, looking in her direction and pressing his lips together to stop himself from laughing.

“Really.”

Not only is she still wearing the pendant, she’s also wearing the clothes he bought her, and by clothes, it’s a Homelander branded pyjama set, straight from Vought’s in-house merch store. It’s comprised of shorts and a tank top low-cut enough that he gets to see that white ink crescent moon tattoo that sits above the valley of her breasts.

Yet from the look on her face, she doesn’t find it as amusing as he does.

“Was this your first choice or was the fetish version of your costume not available?” She asks with the tiniest hint of bite, chewing the inside of her cheek.

He swallows down his laughter, “Oh come on, I think it suits you.”

He grabs the plate of pancakes, arranged in an impeccable stack, and places it down on the table, ushering her over. 

“I took the liberty of making blueberry pancakes,” he continues. “You look like a blueberry gal.”

Her eyes flicker between him and the pancakes, taking a few moments longer to linger in place before taking her seat. While she eats, he begins to make her another cup of lavender tea, using lavender that he’d grown only a short distance from the cabin.

He started planting it her first week in the Seven.

A silence falls between them, it feels more domestic than anything else. He places the mug next to her as he sits down with his stack of pancakes, soaked in fresh maple syrup. 

“Thank you,” the sincerity of her words makes his heart beat a little faster. “For bringing me out here, for making me comfortable and for these fantastic pancakes.”

He chuckles softly, she’s been saying thank you a lot recently and every time it sounds sweeter than the last, “You’re welcome.”

“But fuck you for making me wear this.”

The anger behind her words disarms him but before he can act, she starts laughing, the smile on her lips making her eyes shine bright. It seems she does find the situation just as amusing as he does.

She’s so beautiful when she genuinely smiles, not the forced one she usually wears. It only goes to prove that she’s comfortable around him and that she trusts him.

It feels so right to see her sitting next to him, eating pancakes he made together while she’s dressed in his branded merchandise so his name is emblazoned across her chest.

This is the kind of intimacy that he’s craved for so long.

It was purely sex with Stormfront.

And it was all for show with Queen Maeve.

Even Madelyn used affection as a weapon.

But with Luna, there’s a chance for something real. However, he doesn’t want to push her, to force her into something she’s not ready for. It has to come naturally and it has to come from her. 

And he’s willing to do anything to help it along. He’s already sowed the seeds, proving he could be trusted to look after her. It’s only a matter of time until she comes around to the idea of being with him. Finally, he’ll have what he’s always wanted.

Someone to love him.

[explorewithkunal]

Unveiling the Wonders of Leh Ladakh: Your Guide to the Best Places to Visit

Leh Ladakh, often referred to as the “Land of High Passes,” is a mesmerizing region nestled in the northernmost part of India. Famous for its stark landscapes, serene monasteries, and challenging roads, Leh Ladakh is a paradise for adventure seekers, nature lovers, and spiritual travelers alike. The region's breathtaking beauty, with its high-altitude deserts, pristine lakes, and majestic mountain ranges, offers an unforgettable experience for anyone who ventures into this remote part of the world. In this article, we'll explore some of the amazing places to visit in Leh Ladakh, each offering its own unique charm and appeal.

1. Khardung La Pass: Conquer the World's Highest Motorable Road

2. Pangong Tso Lake: A Stunning Brackish Lake

Pangong Tso Lake, stretching over 130 kilometers, is one of the most famous and beautiful lakes in Leh Ladakh. The lake's crystal-clear blue waters reflect the surrounding snow-covered mountains, creating a breathtaking panorama. The unique feature of Pangong Tso is its ability to change colors, ranging from shades of blue to green and even red, depending on the time of day and weather conditions. Visitors often camp by the lake to witness its beauty at sunrise and sunset, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and photographers.

3. Nubra Valley: A Desert Amongst the Mountains

4. Magnetic Hill: A Mysterious Phenomenon

Magnetic Hill, located on the Leh-Kargil-Srinagar highway, is famous for its gravity-defying phenomenon where vehicles appear to move uphill against gravity when parked at a specific spot. This optical illusion has intrigued visitors for years, making Magnetic Hill a popular stopover on the way to Leh. The surrounding landscape, with its barren hills and clear skies, adds to the surreal experience, making it a perfect spot for photography and exploration.

5. Hemis Monastery: A Spiritual Retreat

6. Tso Moriri Lake: A High-Altitude Gem

Tso Moriri Lake, situated at an altitude of 4,522 meters, is another stunning high-altitude lake in Ladakh. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and vast open plains, Tso Moriri is less crowded than Pangong Tso, offering a peaceful and tranquil environment. The lake is part of the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary and is home to various migratory birds, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. The crystal-clear waters of Tso Moriri, reflecting the surrounding mountains, create a picturesque setting that leaves a lasting impression on visitors.

7. Zanskar Valley: A Remote Paradise

8. Shanti Stupa: A Symbol of Peace

Perched on a hilltop overlooking Leh, Shanti Stupa is a white-domed Buddhist stupa that symbolizes peace and harmony. Built by Japanese monks as part of the Peace Pagoda mission, the stupa offers panoramic views of Leh and the surrounding mountains. The serene atmosphere and stunning views at sunrise and sunset make Shanti Stupa a popular spot for meditation and photography. It’s a place where visitors can find tranquility and connect with the peaceful vibes of Ladakh.

9. Lamayuru Monastery: The Moonland of Ladakh

Lamayuru Monastery, often referred to as the “Moonland of Ladakh,” is one of the oldest and most picturesque monasteries in the region. The monastery is famous for its unique lunar-like landscapes, with barren, cratered hills resembling the surface of the moon. Lamayuru hosts several annual festivals, including the famous Yuru Kabgyat festival, which attracts numerous visitors. The monastery’s stunning location and rich history make it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Leh Ladakh.

10. Thiksey Monastery: The Mini Potala Palace

Conclusion

Leh Ladakh is a land of unparalleled beauty and rich cultural heritage. From the majestic Khardung La Pass to the serene Pangong Tso Lake and the spiritual Hemis Monastery, the region offers something for every traveler. Whether you're seeking adventure, tranquility, or spiritual enrichment, Leh Ladakh's diverse landscapes and cultural treasures promise an unforgettable journey. So pack your bags and embark on an adventure to discover the best places in Leh Ladakh – a land where the earth meets the sky and the spirit finds peace.

[nobully]

   company .   silently  sit  with  my  muse  to  comfort  them.

𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃  &  𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄

Wang Yi sits on the edge of the building, staring out at the expanse of city below him and skies above. He's in his pajamas, but the night's still chilly—probably too cold to stay out long. The tips of his fingers are already turning numb, but he warms them with his breath to keep them warm. It's quiet here, and—a blanket drapes over his shoulders as he puffs into his hands. Wang Yi looks up to see someone else standing over him with an unreadable expression.

Rooftops are supposed to be sanctuaries. That doesn't mean much when you can ride clouds or climb buildings whenever you want, though. Staring into the familiar golden orbs of Sun, Wang Yi sighs before drawing the warmth of the blanket closer around himself. He's not so petty to reject kindness when it comes to him like this. The guilt still chafes though, so instead of thanks what comes out of his mouth sounds more like an accusation instead.

' Do you ever stop caring? '

In response, Sun just finds his own spot on the ledge next to him. Their shoulders touch as he sits, and Wang Yi doesn't immediately think to draw away, because they've sat like this before and the body remembers where the mind would rather forget.

After a few moments of silence—tense on Wang Yi's side, a mystery on Sun's—the Monkey King finally speaks.

"You come from a world that knows about me, right? So...we probably have the same stars."

Wang Yi looks up at the Spirale skies above them, strange with flickers of familiarity. ' Probably, ' he agrees after a while, because it's obvious Sun is waiting for him to speak first.

"Wanna hear a story?"

' ...I already know your story. '

"Nah, this one's not written in the books."

Sun's head comes to rest on Wang Yi's shoulder and again, he doesn't draw away. This is familiar as well.

"Let me tell you all about the 28 Lunar Mansions..."

Asterisms? Wang Yi thinks. Names for them anyways—names so old that no one knows what they mean anymore. But Sun does. Or maybe he's making them up—but does that really matter, when Sun Wukong is made up too?

His thoughts hurt. Compared to that, Sun's voice is much more soothing. He speaks of gods and Heaven, of tumbling past the stars themselves, and the legends that worked together to make them true. Groups of stars gathered in specific clusters, framed in a way to house the moon as it circled the Earth each month...sometimes Sun falters, perhaps because he's yet to remember the entire tale, but he's quick to recall another and pick up the thread again.

Eventually Sun runs out of stories to share and falls silent, but he doesn't move away and neither does Wang Yi. The two of them sit side-by-side in silence until the fading night changes into dawn, bringing with it the advent of a new sun.

New Sun, old Sun...

Wang Yi squints his eyes against the light before simply closing them altogether. He doesn't actually fall asleep, but Sun seems to think he has, and gently guides his head to lean on him. Or maybe he does know but is pretending not to—this version is harder to read. Wang Yi doesn't bother to correct him either way.

...in the end, they're both warm, huh.

[solowonderer]

5 Fascinating Places To Visit In Namibia

Namibia is the most fascinating country in the south-western part of Africa. The country is well known for its diamond industry and its San culture. The country is home to several natural attractions. Some of the places that cannot be missed while you are in Namibia These are Fish River Canyon Park and Epupa Falls. 

If you have included in your Namibia vacation fun-filled activities such as being adventurous and fond of nature photography, then Namibia is an ideal place to explore. If you are planning to travel across the country with specific itinerary plans, then connect to the Satguru travel agency for more details. 

Let’s read about some of the fascinating places to visit in Namibia. 

Namib-Naukluft National Park

The Namib-Naukluft National Park consists of the Namib Desert and the Naukluft Mountain Range. With a beautiful scenic view, it’s the largest game reserve in Africa. The park is made up of red sand dunes, and a shifting landscape is the perfect view to see when you are in this wonderful place to visit. You can spot some of the most remarkable high dunes in the lunar-esque landscapes. 

Sossusvlei is the most famous area of the park, Namibia's most popular strip of sand, where gargantuan dune fields tower more than 300 meters above the ground. Kuiseb Canyon must also be checked out. 

Etosha National Park

Etosha National Park is the second-largest park in Namibia after Namib-Naukluft. At this park, herds of zebra, antelope, and wildebeest can be seen around the waterholes. It’s a great place to experience a self-drive safari. It’s a perfect place that provides incredible safaris to tourists. 

Your trip to Etosha National Park would be incomplete without taking pictures of the scenic beauty of the national park. The Two Palms area is a perfect place for the photographers to capture the frame through their digital cameras. Etosha National Park is an ideal place for bird watching. Different species of birds are found in the park. A visit to Etosha National Park would be incomplete without taking pictures of the park's spreading scenic beauty. Namutoni Spring is the perfect place in the park from which you can spot various species of birds. You can enjoy nightlife at Okaukuejo Water Hole. The best thing to do in the park when you are tired of camping and experiencing the wildlife reserves is to relax while taking a spa session at one of the lodges of the National Park. For better accommodation in Etosha National Park, consider Satguru Travel Agency for a better result. 

Swakopmund

If you want to see where local Namibians go on vacation, check out the coastal destination of Swakopmund. Originally a German colonial city, Swakopmund boasts a lot of colorful and historic architecture.

Swakopmund is a destination mostly preferred by the local Namibians. It’s considered the coastal destination of Swakopmund. The city is filled with lots of colorful and historic architecture.This city is known to be the adventure capital of Namibia and is easily accessible for several activities. Here, you can relax on the beach, go quad biking in the desert, or enjoy camel safaris. This place is also a center of attraction, serving great international restaurants and delicious food from local restaurants. 

Fish River Canyon Park 

Next, we are talking about the second-largest canyon park in the world, Fish River Canyon Park. It is known as the Visrivier Afgronde in Afrikaans. The canyon is framed by the Fish River, which is one of the longest in Africa. For hiking, the Fish River Canyon is very popular. Winter months are the best for experiencing hiking. Check the prices for day hiking at Fish River Canyon. Check out the Satguru Travels online booking for more information. 

 Waterberg Plateau Park

Next, the most popular place to visit is Waterberg Plateau Park. This park is a large sandstone plateau of red sandstone that was procured as a sanctuary for endangered animals. With the help of your guide, you can spot animals like buffalo, antelope, and rhinoceroses. 

The park is home to more than 200 species of birds and a perfect breeding ground for Cape vultures. Travelers set aside a week for adventurous or extensive hikes in the Waterberg Plateau Park. For all hikers, April to November is the best time to enjoy hiking with your tour guide. 

[quaranmine]

im not into hermitcraft, not even the slightest bit, but i logged off of tumblr for 3 days to return to the hermitcraft world being lifted towards the moon??? That grows big?? ?And theres a cult??? Around the moon???? Big Moon???? Something about a company too??? I think they hate the glare guy. he looks like he has zero thoughts constantly.. .But why sleep deprived skins??? Do yall need therapy holy shit-

(btw ur not obligated to explain, im just so lost and i think its very funny not knowing any of the context)

oh anon 😭 this is so funny here I'll try to give a short breakdown. if you want to continue to not know context you can skip it. honestly you may end up more confused anyway though!! yes the hermitcraft server is going through it and it seems we're hurtling towards the apocalypse at a rapid pace. it may possibly happen next week. multiple people are, like, fleeing the planet since it seems doomed. so:

1. Moon is big because it is moving closer to earth. It seems like it will crash into the server.

1a. Tango is trying to set off an explosion on the moon to put it back in its original orbit. mumbo wanted to blow up the moon but failed.

1b. keralis is inexplicably in space and has been for months despite being seen by the server more recently than that, and i for one am really interested in knowing if this is like, a hallucination? or a clone? or an alien? is keralis just Like That? bdubs can also apparently travel to space regularly. this is not explained

2. The moon being so close is affecting gravity. Everyone seems to have permanent flow falling and jump boost. The blocks that were being picked up and dropped back down are now just flying off into space and not returning so the ground is littered with holes (although not really from an out-of-story perspective). there's also a lot of earthquakes. basically, it looks and feels like the world is literally disintegrating around them

3. the Mooners is a...group (cult) created by Mumbo worshipping "The Great Lunar Neighbor." Mumbo was convinced that they had angered the moon by sleeping the night away, and that if they all stayed awake they would please the moon.

4. hence, the sleep deprived skins of everyone who joined the mooners who didn't sleep for days. also, they made the phantoms laugh and recorded hallucinations for each other. they are dedicated to the bit. impulse built a sanctuary for the phantoms since they're "friends." pearl is having a sleepover <3

4a. the one who wants bdubs (glare guy) dead is scar. he only joined the mooners so he could specifically murder bdubs. bdubs is known for always sleeping ASAP (the exact thing the mooners is against) but i think scar would have murdered him no matter what because he's just Like That

4b. cub thinks one of the paintings in the game (a moon with a flaming skull) is a prophecy, apparently. also scar is being a perfect little scamming capitalist and fleecing everyone in exchange for getting on a rocket to escape the planet

5. there's also a mind controlling moon rock that ren and doc have been killing hermits and sacrificing their heads to it. also, the hermitcraft server may be a simulation according to ren and doc's lore. frankly I don't think I could explain hermatrix lore to you but it's an arg basically that is being solved by the community as episodes release and seems to influence this lore

6. the moon being closer also seems to be interfering with evil xisuma's magical powers, causing xisuma to start to break free from mind control he's been under all season? at least based on what I hear on tumblr, im not caught up on X right now. basically the whole evil empire is yet another plot thread woven in that connects in places! also there was an animation on one of X's videos a few months ago with some hels (evil) hermits in it and I'm still wondering about that too

7. i don't think i even have to answer this they ALL need therapy. we all need it too

[ashistrashhh]

here are some fic recs!! including sakuatsu, bokuaka, kuroken and matsuhana bc i couldnt help myself

if you want, ask me about a certain ship and ill give you some recs!

-sakuatsu-

Marble and Sandstone by red_camellia

rating: G words: 12,937 chapters: 2/2 

author summary: Miya Atsumu only cares about volleyball and nothing else. That is, until he develops a strange obsession with the marble statue of a young man that seems vaguely familiar in his university's arts department. One day that statue comes alive as the very real Sakusa Kiyoomi, and they are left with the mystery of why Sakusa Kiyoomi was turned into a statue and only came back to life when Atsumu touched him. Their new-found connection and the strange mystery turns Atsumu's life upside down, not least because of his growing feelings for Sakusa.

my notes: this was a rlly cute fic!!! 11/10 would read again!!

let it go (paint my body gold) by lunarism

rating: T words: 3,272 chapters: 1/1

author summary: It becomes a routine for them. Sometimes they go grocery shopping and make dinner together, other times they end up talking until Sakusa feels like his own shower and bed is calling him. Every single time Sakusa gets home, shrugs his coat off, balls it up, and proceeds to scream profusely into the fabric for a few minutes.

my notes: pining!!! sakusa!!! also casual painter!atsumu!!! and they paint together!!!

craft a miracle with these hands, lips, (silence) by chrysanthe (sonderesque)

rating: T words: 4,252 chapters: 1/1

author summary: ‘Someone is here to ruin your night,’ his door tells him. ‘You should let them in.’ “I’M HOMELESS OMI-OMI. HOMELESS,” yells the one here to ruin his night. “LET ME IN.”

(What does Kiyoomi sell his sanctuary for?)

my notes: hnnn rlly fuckin cute,, and domestic,,,,

Clipped To You by littleboat

rating: T words: 8,174 chapters: 1/1

author summary: It starts with Hinata Natsu, of all people.

Well, if Atsumu’s being honest with himself, it started way before that, but he’s not, so that’s besides the point. And thankfully, he’s just petty enough to blame all of his problems on a thirteen year old girl.

or Sakusa starts wearing hair clips and Atsumu is more than a little obsessed

my notes: minor kagehina, bokuaka // god these fics rlly make me simp for fictional characters even more than i should. but!! sakusa!!! in hairclips!!! and a pining atsumu!!!

learn how to lay me down in something other than danger, other than fury by rosevtea 

words: 34,211 chapters: 1/1

author summary: All of the ways fellow college TA Miya Atsumu reinvents Kiyoomi's definition of normal.

my notes: god i loved this. it’s a fake dating au and like,, even though they’re “dating” sakusa keeps letting his guard down little by little around atsumu and it surprises everyone. komori and akaashi just know  that they’re were genuinely pining for eachother

among probabilities and a thousand fates by aalphard

rating: T words: 15,675 chapters: 1/1

author summary: prompt fill for “in a world where the red string of fate exists, person a’s finger always twitches when person b, who can see the string, tugs on their string” | or sakusa thought he had a tic and atsumu liked to see his confused expression when it started to happen exclusively when he was around.

my notes: i! loved! it!! so basically atsumu and osamu have the rare gift of seeing the red string of fate, so they know its real but sakusa, like most other people dont believe it exists. so atsumu gives sakusa a (kinda) hard time. rlly cute!! i love soulmate aus!

-bokuaka- 

love in the time of wifi by dalyeau

rating: G words: 4,177 chapters: 1/1

author summary: Akaashi is coming to terms with the fact that he might be romantically interested in his volleyball captain. Hence, doing what any sixteen year old with a problem should do. He asks about it online.

my notes: really cute fic about akaashi asking what he should do about his crush on a site similar to reddit. its kinda a “i didnt know it was you” kind of fic and it made me happy

steam by orphan_account

rating: E words: 8,474 chapters: 1/1

author summary:

 bokuto: why is he so hot bokuto: why am i so gay kuroo: LMAO you mean your vice captain right bokuto: yeah

The coach blew the whistle for practice to begin, and Bokuto drummed his fingers against the bleachers, awaiting Kuroo’s reply. He was about to walk away, when his phone buzzed in his hand.kuroo: i got this bro bokuto: what bokuto: wtf does that mean

Bokuto started to panic.

my notes: explicit!!! but really wholesome. kuroo is honestly the best wingman. i also think this is my favourite bokuaka smutfic?? 

just to miss the sun by rosevtea

rating: T words: 15,126 chapters:1/1

author summary: Everything begins to implode when MSBY Jackals outside hitter Bokuto Koutarou crashes Akaashi's livestream.

my notes: akaashi is a booktuber and bokuto crashes one of his streams. fans begin to speculate. rlly fluffy and can u tell i like bokuaka

brain fish by iceblinks

rating: T words: 12,026 chapters: 6/6

author summary: Akaashi wakes up to a string of texts from an unknown number. 

my notes: i love text fics and i love wrong number aus so u can tell how much i loved this. really fluffy and i come back to it time to time

-kuroken-

us three by honey_s

rating: T words: 5,137 chapters: 1/1

author summary: Kuroo’s gaze flits over to the utensil. His eyes bulge out of his skull. “Wh—is that a meat hammer? Put it back!” Akaashi’s head recoils back in confusion. “I don’t understand the problem here.” “Why on Earth have you got a fucking meat hammer? We aren’t going to kill somebody!” “Well,” Akaashi begins, clearly taken aback, “I apologise for assuming. I had heard Kenma-san had been hurt in school and after getting a message from both of you to meet late at night, I merely filled in the blanks and assumed we were going to beat someone up, for lack of a better term.” “Not literally! I meant metaphorically, or figuratively, or something!” “Idiomically?” “That isn’t a word, Bokuto-san.” “Jesus Christ,” Kuroo groans, dropping his head into his hands. “We're going to jail."

my notes: bokuaka and kuroo are ready to beat someone up for kenma!! and we stan!! 

Cherry Pits and Cat Tattoos by strawberryriver

rating: G words: 6,141 chapters: 1/1

author summary: 

Kuroo has been in communication with his soulmate ever since they were kids. They've known each other for so long that he never really worried about when or how he would meet them. At least, not until he meets the roommate of Bokuto's soulmate.Soulmate AU in which things written on your skin show up on your soulmate. Companion piece/same AU as Serendipty

--------------------

Kuroo Tetsurou liked to write on his arms. Despite his mother's half-serious warnings about “ink poisoning” or staining his skin, he insisted on marking his arms and legs wherever he could. Not like his best-friend-since-always Bokuto Koutaro, who had to write on his arms or he’d forget to breathe, but artfully. He’d draw designs, animals, the occasional chemical compound. The whole idea behind soulmates fascinated him: how one person could mark their arm and someone potentially thousands of miles away, would have that same mark appear. The amount of articles, studies, and books he’d read about the topic, even at a young age, could put an undergrad researcher to shame.

my notes: again with the soulmate au bc i cannot help myself. but really cute!!! probably gonna read this again later!

Boom, Toasted by protostar (hearthope)

rated: T words: 6,782 chapters: 1/1

author summary:

 FROM: yuuji any bets on who hes texting??

FROM: eita He's smiling at his phone. Kuroo, probably

FROM: kentarou Kuroo

TO: fake family Have any of you ever once considered not prying

FROM: eita You deserve it

FROM: yuuji how can we not when ur in love!!

Kenma gets a text from an unknown number. He'd be lying if he said the guy behind it wasn't kind of endearing.

my notes: again, i love wrong number texts. it focuses more on kenma’s friendship, but kenma’s pov with texting kuroo is more than him realizing feelings and stuff. really cute, ive read it multiple times. 

Japan's most subscribed by NeverNothing

rating: T words: 3,631 chapters: 1/1

author summary: Kuroo Tetsurou @blacktetsurou changed his bio : volleyball player, co-owner of Bouncing Ball Corp. and so much more ;)

my notes: i! love! social media! fics!!! really cute and basically people wondering who the mysterious kuroo is to applepi. 

MATSUHANA!!! the underrated gem

texting (with a capital S) by parenthetic

rating: M words: 2,119 chapters: 1/1

author summary: Hanamaki breaks his No Texting In Class rule, and it's all downhill from there.

my notes: honestly more funny than it suggests, but its matsuhana, they’re meme lords.

rated m for by orphan_account

rated: T words: 10,692 chapters: 1/1

author summary: He should have known that there was a Specific Reason™ why it was so absolutely vital that he and Matsukawa specifically meet for a reading of the script. He should have known that there had to be some evil catch beyond sitting in a tiny, cramped studio with his newly sworn enemy.

Hanamaki stares at the title of the script he’d so gracefully neglected the night before.

FORBIDDEN PARADISE

“Excuse me,” Hanamaki starts, raising a pen in the air while staring blankly at the packet in his free hand. “Just to clarify, you want me to record a boy's love CD with Matsukawa?”

my notes: a very good voice actor au. there is some misunderstanding on hanamaki’s part bc he didnt finish listening to matsukawa, and this is really cute and i love matsuhana. 

In A Quiet Night, All Sounds Carry by levyovochka

rating: E words: 4,794 chapters: 1/1

authors summary: “Ah, ah, Too—!”

Hanamaki hates his university dorm.

“—ru, let me cum, please!”

Hold up. That’s a fucking understatement. Let him rephrase it: Hanamaki loathes his university dorm with passion. Detest the damned abomination, abhors it—

“—ru! Coming, coming—”

It has only been a month and Hanamaki already wants to die.

my notes: as u can guess minor iwaoi // rlly well written and bottom hanamaki rights and maybe my favourite matsuhana smutfic??? and hooh boy i simp for matsukawa

call me maybe by totooru

rating: T words: 33,689 chapters: 14/14

author summary: Hanamaki texts the wrong number when trying to extort tips out of Oikawa in order to defeat Iwaizumi in arm wrestling, and then continues to text the witty stranger who had answered.

my notes: minor iwaoi, daisuga, bokuaka // god i think this is my favourite matsuhana fic overall, maybe in general, but my god is it great. this is probably a common rec, but its understandable as to why it is. basically au where makki texts matsun (who goes to karasuno) instead of oikawa for tips to beat iwaizumi at an arm wrestling match. but they keep messaging. and holy shit i love their conversations. please read this, it is 256/10

there we go!! i might go a part two with more ships (kagehina, tsukkiyama and iwaoi) but this took up way to much time lol. i have an essay due in a couple hours. but hope u like these fics as much as i do!!

[nightfoxproductions726]

The Gods and Goddesses of the Kaeyama

The Gods and Goddesses of the Kaeyama

This list is about the major deities that are currently known in Bolyra and parts of the Kaeyama. There will be a part two to this over time. Also, there are Demigods and Demigoddesses as well as Lesser Gods and Goddesses known as Guardians. These deities will get their own special blog post in the future.

Corrus: Corrus is the void God of the galaxy, the creator of the planets, and the starting deities of those worlds. He’s also known to destroy planets when he sees fit. Or he’ll destroy a planet, if a deity or the mortals of said world has done something to upset him. While he’s somewhat known to the planets, he’s not known to have worshipers by any of the mortal races. 

Twin Goddesses, Aletha and Nephele of the Kaeyama: While Corrus is known to create planets, he doesn’t breathe life into said worlds. This is where his daughters, Aletha and Nephele, come into play. They are the ones who created the Kaeyama Cores, the Nundorth Forest, and the LifeBlood Tree. These two are currently sealed away in the highest Punishment Realms due to becoming corrupted and nearly destroying the Kaeyama with their wars.

Tovldir the God of the Night and Dreams: Tovldir, his brother Dinir the God of Light, and his wife, Oelia Goddess of the Twin Suns where the first deities of the newly formed planet to emerge from the soil of the Nundorth Forest near the base of the LifeBlood Tree. Tovldir is known for being the creator of the stars, raising the Twin Moons, and creating some laws for the mortals. He and Oelia besides a few select Gods and Goddesses are the only ones known across the Kaeyama and worshiped.

Oelia the Goddess of the Twin Suns: Oelia is the second known deity outside of a few select Gods and Goddesses known across the Kaeyama. She’s the one that raises the Twin Suns and collaborates laws with Anise the Goddess of Lands. 

Dinir the God of Light: Dinir the God of Light is known for bestowing nonhuman races with the Light Magic ability and creating the Zenirons with Terinea's help through some special clay she had created, a race that is known specifically for wielding Light and Healing Magic. He’s also the one that created the Light Magic system in which it doesn’t affect a user unless they use Light Magic for Healing or their body has lost the ability to use magic (e.g. cursed). 

Anise the Goddess of Lands: Anise the Goddess of Lands is known for keeping an eye on the wellbeing of plants, nature, and fertility of the grounds. Her spirit animals, Silvercrest the Barn Owl and Selene the Snowy Owl, assist her in ensuring the lands are safe. She’s also the one that breathed life into the countries.

Maaos the God of Time and Magic: Maaos is the master over time and magic. He has control over time and issues out who can use magic or not. This God is part of the reason why only 8% of the human population can actually use magic.  

Auna the Goddess of Waters: Auna the Goddess of Waters and her Dragonfly Nymphs along with the Lunar Oceanids and their God, Cyresis, are known for keeping the waters pure to ensure plant growth, clean drinking, and bath water. As a way to keep waste down, Cyresis and some of his Lunar Oceanids, have agreed to dealing with the waste within the waters. 

Akbris the God of Truth and Knowledge: Akbris the God of Truth and Knowledge is the one who bestowed the mortals with knowledge and to be truthful towards others. Since he’s been sealed away by Demon Lords, the people have forgotten about him, and his teachings.

Ophine the Goddess of Fertility: Ophine the Goddess Fertility is the one who’s in charge of ensuring safe births with her Midwife Healers and also watches over the Churches and Sanctuaries that are in her name. She’s known as the Mother Goddess to orphan children, who pray to her to ensure they get loving homes. 

Levtar the God of Justice: Levtar the God of Justice is known for being judge, jury, and executioner when it comes towards crimes against humanity. He as well as Tovldir are known to give special people premonition dreams, but this is only utilized if it affects that person or the country. 

Terinea the Goddess of Wellbeing: Terinea is known for assisting those who cannot be helped by her Healers. Which ranges from severe injuries, unknown diseases, and helps those with mental illness. Now, when it comes to the mental illness portion, she’ll alleviate symptoms and act as a therapist. 

Zinas the God of Flames, Blacksmith, and Hearth: Zinas is a God who has control over flames and protects people in Blacksmithing. He’s also known for hospitality and hearths in ensuring they never harm mortals. 

Umbra the Goddess of Shadows: Umbra is known for bestowing the Shadow Elves with their abilities when Maaos could not. She’s also the daughter of the late Krolenta and has her right wing Shadow Phoenix, Nite, at her ‘command’ and the wife of Umbra the Goddess of Death.

Laeyr the God of War and Battle: This God is known for watching over those during times of wars and battles. He either assists them in fights, take those who have perished off to the side to let Morrigan and her crows deal with them, and gives advice on how one can proceed against an enemy.

Morrigan the Goddess of Death: Morrigan the Goddess of Death and her crows are known across Bolyra for collecting souls. Or in rare cases bodies and souls of the deceased, if they don’t have loved ones to perform death rites. She’s also the wife of Umbra the Goddess of Shadows.

Other Worshipped Deities:

Cyresis the Lunar Oceanids' God: Cyresis and his people, the Lunar Oceanids originally lived on a water planet called Tamesis, but after an invader species called the Cirein-cròin, a destructive silverfish like being that can grow into monstrous portions as it feds on people and wildlife, came and tainted the pure waters, which forced them to flee. While attempting to find a new home, Auna the Goddess of Waters of the Kaeyama, offered them a home at the Eternal Abyss, the Rosecier’s River, and the other various water locked areas. They agreed as they promised to assist her in keeping the world’s waters pure as a deal.   

Nephayh the Goddess of the Desert: Nephayh resides in the Grim Desert at a Temple on the outskirts of Taedmorden and used to be worshipped by a group of tentacle-faced people called the Desert Dwellers. But after their corruption at the hands of those of illegal brainwashing magic, she just roams the halls of her temple to keep intruders away who attempt to bring back the Twin Goddesses. Since her temple is a portal to the highest Punishment Realms.

Ra’sa the Tigris’ Goddess: Ra’sa is known to outsiders as the Goddess of Revenge as she punishes those who do terrible things to the Tigris. She’s also known to bestow spells that are considered illegal across the Kaeyama. But to the Tigris, she’s called Their Protector or Mother to some. 

Anurnel the Divine Spirit of Love, a Forest Elves’ deity: Anurnel is a Divine Spirit who goes by they/them pronouns and keeps an eye on the growth of the Shaenathaes Forest along with Anise and her Spirit Animals. They are also worshiped by the Forest Elves for happy loved ones, crop growth, and family. 

Deities who have passed, but still remembered and worshiped:

Krolenta the Goddess of Shadows and Death: Krolenta is a Goddess who hails from Helina and was highly respected as well as worshiped in her time. She’s also the mother of Umbra and Firn, who is a Shadow/Ice God. Krolenta is still worshiped by small groups in Helina and is still widely worshiped in Namaru. Krolenta died along with her Shadow Phoenix Army, except for Nite, while trying to stop Aletha and Nephele’s fighting. 

[emsartwork]

Oh, could you tell us about specific festivities or holidays each planet has? Like, are they significant to events or locations, are they based on legends or mythos, that kinda stuff!

They’re based on all kinds of things! 

below the cut this is hella long

Starting with the basics, Day of the Rose is a reference to a famous lady magic user(Lesya) who focused on caring for outcasts in society, she used a mix of Fairy transformations and Witch style magic but her title is Mage of Roses. When she died, thousands of people placed roses over her grave, and started giving roses to women who were similar to Lesya and the flower itself became a symbol of honor and respect for compassionate and inspiring women.  It originated on Magix but is celebrated Dimension wide. Mothers are the most common recipients of roses, but anybody can give a rose to any woman they want to show appreciation for.  Magix city has a large parade with floats and dancers and street food and carnival games, other parades vary.

Hala, or, The Storm Celebrations. Andros has a a lot of rain in general, but early spring is monsoon season, boats don’t go out and people stay inside unless absolutely necessary. Hala is both a celebration of the rainy season which brings life afterwards, and a ceremony that is supposed to ease the potential damage from the storms. Always held on a full moon, Hala is celebrated with feasts, traditional/ceremonial dances, and large bonfires in the evening(with more dancing and food). Hala also includes a commemoration of Queen Nephele, who protected the capital city from a record breaking storm for more than a week(she survived but had lasting health complications due to over use of magic). Aisha is pictured here in Hala ceremonial dance wear, featuring a headdress, braided cords, shells, and fan leaves. 

The most practical of Holidays, Zenith “celebrates” the end of winter with a few days off and a relieving breath of fresh air. Zenith technology keeps the most bitter cold out of communities, but the difference in air temperature can lead to the snow melting and re-freezing at the boundary. Eventually this leads to a build up of packed ice creating a “zenith snow globe” as its jokingly called. Once the temperatures rise enough that the dome won’t reform, the dome is shattered and the ice packed up and shipped out for various purposes. The shattering of the ice dome is considered especially beautiful to off-planeters, but zenithians consider it a matter of necessity.   

Solaria has the Summer Center Festival, held twice a “year” when the planet is in the center of it’s orbit. It a huge, three day party, Solarians feast, dance, drink, and decorate themselves, their hair, and literally everything else with ribbons gemstones and glitter. Each day is supposed to represent one of Solaria’s suns, the Dawn Star, the Dusk Star, and the Second Sun of Solaria(not a real sun, a magical power source), but much of the distinctions between each day have been lost as the festival has gotten older. Another holiday on Solaria is a much less popular one called Iahlayculi (ee-ah-lah-koo-lee, don’t ask its a mash up of like three words and languages) or the Night of Many Eyes. Its celebrated once a year, whenever the most moons will be around the planet (calculated with astronomy and physics and shit). It’s much more somber than The Summer Center Festival, and is considered a time of great self reflection and magical potential. Practitioners wear a loose draped dress, a wreath around their head, and craft a lunar lantern(usually magic but sometimes by hand). The wreathes are burned, and the lanterns released to the sky as offerings to the moons of Solaria. This celebration is a favorite of witches(especially Mediums and Psychics) but the general population views it as a little too occult. 

Firefest is held at the height of summer. There isn’t really a central location for the celebration, though the capital city is known for it’s fireworks display. Each community puts together it’s own local festivals featuring a large bonfire, large and small fireworks, and food/game booths. The Firefest honors the first king and queen of domino, Volenae(queen) and Zaphiric(king). They were also the first holders of the Dragon Flame and Phoenix Flame.  They aren’t a married couple but siblings, sharing a joint reign over Domino and eventually creating two bloodlines for the dragon and the phoenix to flow along. Volenae’s symbol is antler like horns, and Zaphiric’s symbol is a black feather, both of these feature prominently in folk art and Firefest masks.

Celebrated in late summer, The day of the Singing Whales is the one time a year the whales surface for a breath of air. It is unknown if the Whales are Natural Animals, Fairy Animals, or Ethereally Blessed beings. While the Whales only surface in one specific bay, music festivals are often held inland, and everybody participates in fireworks and festival type games after sunset.

The day of Returning is an odd holiday for non-Lynpheans. While Lynpheans are known for their nature preservation and association with living plants, the Day of Returning celebrated the ever present death in nature. Lynpheans are very familiar with death, and don’t view it as a “bad thing” most of the time. Untimely death or unwarented violence is frowned upon but Lynpheans understand that death follows life and life follows death. In fact in some Lynphean dialects, “death” is refered to as “returning” (ex: Old Uncle Bush returned peacefully in his sleep last may.)  Mushrooms are the central icon of “returning” being organisms that live off of death in a very tangible way. The Common Lynphean Green Cap is the most popular to use. The cap of Green Cap contains psychedelic substances that can very often result in death. However, the stalk of the Green Cap contains the anti toxins. When taken alone the cap results in severe hallucinations and eventual death. When the stalk is taken alone it clears the body of toxins and has pain relieving effect. When taken together the cap and the stalk produce a mild euphoria, sometimes with (usually auditory) hallucinations(basically its kinda like acid). On the Day of returning Local Temples/Sanctuaries open up the use of the mushrooms as a way to come in to hear the voice of nature and connect the spirit with the physical manifestation of death. These Mushrooms are easy to get addicted to, and are a controlled substance limited to ceremonial or pharmaceutical use, but possession isn’t criminalized and the Lynphean community is very involved with addiction recovery programs.

A Lady I’ve mentioned in passing a few times, Reagis the Cruel, Fairy of Lace. When the Anscestrals first started looking for the Dragon Flame, they placed a Fairy on the throne of Eraklyon as pawn, “blessing” her with their power and tying her core magic to the planet itself. Reagis is Eraklyan, and reigned with an iron fist. She had no empathy for basically anyone, but hated men especially(bad childhood and lots of trauma combined with a superiority complex and power equals big yikes), placing them lowest on the social status and promoting women like her above them. Compassion was a social sin, an act of kindness towards another could lead to public censure and imprisonment, and the people of Eraklyon started to abandon each other emotionally. Sky’s Grandfather and Grandmother, Oris and Edra(along with a young Erendor), resisted and became anonymous figures who helped people in trouble. Eventually they had enough of a following to hold a proper rebellion. Oris and Edra lead the charge and Edra(a warrior) fought with Reagis while Oris(a magic user) worked on disconnecting Regis from her power sources which revived her every time Edra did manage to land a blow. When Reagis was finally un-linked her magic core freaked tf out and Edra landed one final blow with her spear to make Reagis’s magic go completely berserk and burn her up. Edra unfortunately took too much damage and passed after that. Oris was crowned king, established New Earklyon Day, and ruled for a few years before also passing away (due to complication in his core magic because of the way he un-linked Reagis’s from the ancestrals and the planet), and Erendor took the throne. New Eraklyon Day is celebrated with a parade in the capital city and is a national holiday(ie, day off work). Street fairs along the parade route are also common. Reagis’s reign is partially why women aren’t trusted in positions of power or the emotional realm of decision making, and are instead usually pushed towards physical fighting and enforcement.

Vaonaa celebrates the Festival of Threads! The festival is to honor the Ethereal Fairy known as The Threaded One. The Threaded One is unusual for Ethereal Fairies, in that they have regular, benign, interactions with a specific people at a specific time in a specific place (ethereals are usually much more unpredictable). But for whatever reason, The Threaded One seems to enjoy the Festival of Threads. The Festival is centrally located at the Woven Temple, but smaller scale local festivals are also common. The event happens over four days, with a different activity and group each day. The first day the grass fibers are gathered by the youths in the community, this is preformed as a game with kids leading lines with a flag and running/ducking in a pattern across fields to grab the grasses. The second day the adults preform the spinning dance, rotating and using drop spindles to spin the grass fibers into threads. The third day is when the elders groups together and weave the story of the year into the textile in a mix of group chants and oral poetry. The fourth day is for everybody, and the fabric created for the ceremony is burned in a hug bonfire as a sacrifice to The Threaded One. The bonfire is usually when The Threaded One publicly appears but some years they appear periodically through the other four days.

(psa: Vaonaa is very heavily based on Navajo native american culture, I very loosely based this festival on some of the four/nine day healing ceremonies, but ultimately I didn’t want it to just be a weirder version of a religious and culturally significant ceremony so I changed and added a lot. As always, please let me know if you have issues with this im always willing to listen and learn.)

Another practical society, Zhen’s featured festival is the Spring Shear. Just as winter is ending, local communities on Zhen start a flurry of activity. The domestic herds of Argali are sheared, and the wild herds are searched out and counted, hunted, selected for domestication, or moved to a different location. While Argalis do produce a wool like substance, they do not absolutely need to be sheared the way our sheep do. Their wool is shed or scrapped off by the sheep naturally, and it comes off in fluffy chunks, but the Zhen people find it useful and easier to shear their herds for a clean fleece. The fleeces are carded, spun, and wound onto spools in huge huge amounts, a lot of weaving is done at this time as well but its not the main focus. After the majority of the work is done, Zhenese relax and eat/drink/play in a fair like environment, usually held in market squares of estate courtyards. 

On Koyu, the Koyuvian Silk Moths are an iconic animal. Uniquely adapted to it’s environment, the Koyuvian Silk Moths are one of the only creature to live in the outer reaches of the Tangles, feeding off the radiation and burrowing into the living fungal limbs. However, the pupal stage is too fragile to survive the outer Tangles, so the moths travel inward to lay their eggs. The caterpillars eat a the leaves of a luminescent plant called Naemtaj, and eventually produce a silk strand cocoon and transform into the moth. After the moth wiggles out of the cocoon, they’re wings begin to glow and they begin to flock together to travel to the outer Tangles. This is the signal for the Koyvians to begin hunting for the cocoons when begin to give off a faint glow as they deteriorate with out the moth’s body chemicals to keep it intact. The Koyuvians must move fast and usually have several locations in an area with a boiling pot to stabilize the strands as they hunt for the cocoons. Eventually the searching dies down and the silk strands are brushed and wound onto spools for future use. The anticipation before the moths are born is buzzing with energy and bets are placed on who can find the most cocoons. After the work, the Koyuvians relax with food and drink. 

[coffeeman777]

The Eschaton: A Timeline of Events

Part One

Introduction

There are many views of the end-times within Christianity. I am a premillennial post-tribulationist, and this is my understanding of how all Bible prophecy pertaining to the future will play out.  While I don't claim the dispensationalist title, I do hold to the same basic hermeneutic (the historical-grammatical method) that dispensationalists do, so there is some overlap. I am not dogmatic about my views here; end-times prophecy is something all Christians should study and discuss with each other, but never divide over. I realize some of you will disagree with my interpretation of these things, and that's ok.

Jesus told us that we can't know the exact day and hour of His return (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32), but He did tell us we can know the season of His return by the signs of the times in the Scriptures (Matthew 24:32-33), and He rebuked the Pharisees for failing to discern the signs of the times pertaining to His First Coming (Matthew 16:1-4), and taught His disciples to watch and be ready for His Second (Matthew 25:1-13).  Jesus told us about the future specifically so that we would be ready and not taken off-guard when these things happen; I believe we can know and understand (at least in a general way) what is going to take place in the end times, and so be prepared as the Lord intended. 

Let's get into it.

The Time of Jacob's Trouble

One of the most end-times focused books in the Bible is Daniel. The prophet Daniel received insights about the future of Israel, among other things. In Daniel chapter 9, the angel Gabriel comes to Daniel and tells him this:

24 “Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. 25 Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. 26 And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. 27 And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”

The word translated as "weeks" here is the Hebrew "שָׁבוּעַ," (shä-vü-A), which denotes a period of seven years (the same word is used in Genesis 28-29 where the Scriptures record Jacob's working seven years to marry Rachel). So we gather that this prophecy pertains to a period of 490 years (70x7) that will "finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place," or in other words, finish all the stuff in God's plan for this age, and to bring about the next age, which is the Millennial Kingdom. It's also important to note that these years are Hebrew lunar years, each with 360 days, and not 365 day solar years.

The first 483 years of this 490 year time period have already come to pass since Daniel received this prophecy. To summarize:

vv 25 refers to the Persian King Artaxerxes I issuing his decree for Jerusalem to be rebuilt after Babylon destroyed it (Ezra 7:12-26 records this event). vv 26 refers to Jesus (the anoined one, which means Messiah) being "cut off," the penalty for our sins which He bore. "The people of the prince who is to come," is a reference to the Roman troops who sacked Jerusalem in AD 70; and the prince is the Antichrist. vv 27 refers to the final 7 years, the "Time of Jacob's Trouble."

So, if you're doing the math as you read along, you'll see a big gap between the first 483 years and the last 7. If the first 483 years are completed when Jesus is crucified, that means there's almost 2,000 years between that and the final 7. So why the huge gap? As Gabriel says in Daniel 9:24, "Seventy weeks are decreed about your people, and your holy city..." The subject of "your" here is Daniel, and Daniel's people are the Jews. The Jews' holy city is obviously Jerusalem. So, this 490 year period of time has Israel in focus. Israel was judged for rejecting the Messiah, and ceased to be a nation following AD 70. The final week, then, couldn't transpire until Israel was a nation again, and the stage was set for all the rest of the prophecy to take place.

The Time of the Gentiles

The Lord Jesus spoke of the time of the Gentiles in Luke 21:

"24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."

The Apostle Paul gave us further insight into the mystery in Romans 11:

11 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. 12 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean...25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in."

The gap between Daniel's 69th Week and his 70th Week is this "Time of the Gentiles,"  the time period in which God draws the Gentiles in to His covenant. This is the time we presently live in; the focus is the Church.  But very soon, the Time of the Gentiles will come to a close, and Israel will again be the focus.  At that point, we will enter into Daniel's 70th Week, also called "The Time of Jacob's Trouble," "The Tribulation," and "The Day of the Lord." 

[sciencespies]

Biologists discover ancient microbial ecosystems beneath the dinosaur-killer crater

https://sciencespies.com/nature/biologists-discover-ancient-microbial-ecosystems-beneath-the-dinosaur-killer-crater/

Biologists discover ancient microbial ecosystems beneath the dinosaur-killer crater

How did life arise on Earth? How did it survive the Hadean eon, a time when repeated massive impacts excavated craters thousands of kilometres in diameter into the Earth’s surface? Those impacts turned the Earth into a hellish place, where the oceans turned to steam, and the atmosphere was filled with rock vapour. How could any living thing have survived?

Ironically, those same devastating impacts may have created a vast subterranean haven for Earth’s early life. Down amongst all those chambers and pathways, pumped full of mineral-rich water, primitive life found the shelter and the energy needed to keep life on Earth going. And the evidence comes from the most well-known extinction event on Earth: the Chicxulub impact event.

A new study presents evidence that the Chicxulub crater was host to an enormous subterranean network of hydrothermal vents that could have provided a sanctuary for microbial life.

By extension, much earlier impact craters likely provided the same sanctuary. The study is titled ‘Microbial Sulfur Isotope Fractionation in the Chicxulub Hydrothermal System‘. The lead author is David Kring from the Lunar and Planetary Institute. It’s published in the journal Astrobiology.

The idea that life could have arisen and persisted in the network under impact craters is called the impact origin of life hypothesis. David Kring is a leading scientific voice supporting that hypothesis.

While massive repeated impacts made Earth’s surface uninhabitable during the Hadean eon, the same wasn’t likely true of the region under the impact craters.

According to Kring, those same impact events “…were producing vast subsurface hydrothermal systems that were perfect crucibles for pre-biotic chemistry and habitats for the early evolution of life.”

In this new study, Kring and his colleagues present evidence from the International Ocean Discovery Program and the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program.

Those programs provided rock cores from the Chicxulub crater ring. Specifically, this study is based on about 15,000 kilograms (33,000 pounds) of rock retrieved from a bore-hole 1.3 km (0.8 miles) deep.

(David A. Kring)

Above: Section of the Chicxulub core with the hydrothermal minerals dachiardite (bright orange) and analcime (colourless and transparent). The minerals partially fill cavities in the rock that were niches for microbial ecosystems.  

The team of researchers found tiny spheres of pyrite called framboids in the sample, only 10 millionths of a meter in diameter. 

Since pyrite is an iron sulphide, it contains isotopes of sulphur. Those isotopes showed that the framboids were formed by microbes, and those microbes were part of an ecosystem that was adapted to the heated mineral-laden fluid that flowed through the underground network. That network was present under the shattered peak ring of the Chicxulub impact crater.

Life needs energy to survive, and this microbial life got its energy from chemical reactions in the system of rock and fluids.

They converted sulphate in the fluid into sulphide, which was then preserved as pyrite. These ancient thermophilic microbes would have been quite similar to the thermophilic microbes that populate extreme environments on present-day Earth, like deep ocean hydrothermal vents and the hot springs in Yellowstone Park.

In their paper the authors write:

“Sulfur isotope analyses of pyrite framboids in impact breccia from the Chicxulub crater indicate thermophilic colonies of sulfate-reducing organisms inhabited the porous, permeable rock beneath the floor of the crater and fed on sulfate transported through the rock via an impact-generated hydrothermal system.”

They add that the same sulfur-reducing organisms persisted for 2.5 million years after the impact, and that organisms found under Chicxulub now are probably the direct descendants of those earlier organisms.

This study comes at the tail end of 20 years of research into the impact origin of life hypothesis. Dr Kring’s involvement began before that when he co-authored a 1992 study that linked the Chicxulub crater to the K-T boundary mass extinction. Dr Kring was also involved in research showing that the region underneath the Chicxulub crater was porous.

Subsequent research showed that the region was riven with a vast system of hydrothermal vents. Now, this study shows that the system of vents hosted life.

It’s been a long arduous path to this latest discovery. The timing and duration of bombardment during the Hadean was difficult to establish, since none of Earth’s Hadean craters are still around. Study of lunar craters and lunar samples from the Apollo missions showed that the Moon was subjected to intense bombardment for approximately 400 million years during the Hadean. The Earth would’ve suffered through the same episode.

The Chicxulub crater is the only reasonable proxy for a Hadean crater. So the crater is one way to develop and test the impact origin of life hypothesis.

As the authors write in their paper, “Chicxulub is the only large peak-ring basin that is still intact and provides an opportunity to study the remnants of an impact-generated hydrothermal system, from depth up to and including the venting surface environment, similar to those that may have existed earlier in Earth’s history.”

It also took time and effort to establish how long the vast hydrothermal systems under these craters existed. The question was: Did they last long enough for evolutionary processes to occur, and for biological material to migrate to adjacent impact craters and their systems?

Extensive modelling showed that the systems of vents were long-lived enough for both things to happen.

The authors write: “Thermal evolution models of that and other hydrothermal systems indicated they were long-lived and produced significant volumes of porous, permeable rock suitable for thermophilic organisms.”

There’s still more work to be done to confirm the impact origin of life hypothesis. In a two-page brief, Dr Kring outlines some of that work.

First of all, core samples from the Chicxulub crater need more study. Kring wants to retrieve more information from those samples about the evolution – both thermal and chemical – of the system of hydrothermal vents.

There’s also a need for a better understanding of the energy available to microorganisms in the granitic crust that was present during the Hadean.

And to clarify the chronology of impacts on Earth, researchers need more samples from lunar impact basins like the South-Pole Aitken basin and others.

But the cherry on top might be finding samples of Hadean Earth on the Moon itself.

“If sedimentary and fossiliferous samples can be located, they would provide a direct record of the early evolution of life on Earth,” Kring writes.

This article was originally published by Universe Today. Read the original article.

#Nature

[uhxrp]

therians

“I THINK WE ALL HAVE TO FIGHT THE WEREWOLF WITHIN US SOMEHOW.” ― WILLIAM KEMPE

I. OVERVIEW

no one knows how therians began, but they know how the stories go: a shifter was cursed, creating a new species, one that bent to the schedule of the moon and was forced to be one with their form. in the beginning, therians were known as a subspecies to shifters, but shifters and therians made clear that neither side agreed with that. the rivalry between the two species is intense, a hatred at what shifters could become when cursed and a hatred at being ostracized and disowned from therians.

still, therians are very similar to shifters. they, too, have the ability to take on a new animal form. they, too, have an easier time blending in with the mortals than the other supernaturals. being out in the open has not been any easier for them since the emergence, they also have an innate dislike of vampires, and they have also always been caught in the middle of two worlds.

still, therians have a way of not arguing that capture in a way shifters do not. perhaps because of their curse, therians own who they are in a more prevalent fashion. they refuse to hide what makes them special, and they refuse to let themselves be captured in other ways more often than other species as well. perhaps this is why it was the therians who started the sanctuary, why it was the therians who fought so hard against the government lists and mandates that called them lesser.

opposing shifters, therians have a harder time controlling their changes and often change with a great deal of pain that shifters do not go through. additionally, the curse has a few other specifics in relation to the lunar cycle causing them to transform against their will with the full moon, their forms being harder to control, and their bite being more infectious than that of shifters.

wolves those of this species gifted with the form of a wolf are known as wolf therians, werewolves, or, more commonly, just wolves. they have the ability to turn into wolves of slightly abnormal size, and with it many other abilities to go alongside this form.

II. STATISTICS

therians possess a physical and mental condition beyond the peak of human condition. they are stronger, faster, more durable, more agile, among other things. as opposed to shifters, therians don't often find their two forms at odds with one another as a side effect of their cursed nature. they are both their human and animal forms simultaneously, and even when in their human form they often feel more animal than mortal.

LIFESPAN

the average lifespan of a therian is 79 years, though this may change depending on things like gender or country of origin. this is the same as mortals despite their bodies being more durable than that of mortals. therians are more susceptible to premature aging and death due to their shifts, however, which can greatly affect this.

CREATION

therians can be born as therians to at least one therian parent or created through an infectious bite from a therian.

TRANSFORMATION

therians can become spirits after death, losing their animal forms and abilities in this process.

PROCREATION

therians can mate with other therians, mortals, fey, hunters, merfolk, shifters, and witches. due to the nature of their curse, the children of therians are almost always therians regardless of the other parent's species. while they can procreate with fey and merfolk, the societal demands for those species mean such pairings are rare; often, these pairings can result in magical anomalies, and so have nearly always been avoided.

[homehearthandheart]

Music Monday / 23 December 2019

Welcome, Devotees!

Is your devotional work just the same old song? Try one of the following:

Home Maintenance: Find a playlist of songs that you really enjoy, that remind you of your Gods and Spirits, and that helps motivate you to get stuff done. While you’re playing that music, tackle a few of the places in your living space where stuff just seems to pile up–clothes on the floor, piles of junk mail, dirty dishes, etc. A clean home is more hospitable to the Gods and Spirits, and you can dedicate the act of cleaning up to Them!

Deity Devotion: Write a song for one of your beloved Deities. It can be as simple as giving new words to an older tune, but give it a try and see what comes.

Shrine Improvement: Do you have a playlist of music that you can have going in the background during prayer time and ritual? In Hellenic and Roman religion, background music helps drown out outside noise that could contain bad omens. Try putting a playlist together and experiment with playing it during moments of prayer.

Today in the Hellenic Calendar: 

Today is the 26th of the lunar month.

It’s also the date of the Athenian Haloa—see below for more details!

If you like incorporating daily hymns into your prayers, Drew Campbell recommends the following prayers for today: To Leukothea (a mortal woman who became a Goddess; she helped keep ships safe and saved people from drowning); and To Palaimon (the son of Leukothea, also a savior of ships and the drowning).

Kalà Háloa! (Happy Haloa!)

In the Attic (Athenian) calendar, today marks the Haloa, an agricultural festival to Demeter, Dionysos, Kore-Persephone, and Poseidon.

This festival, part of the Eleusinian cycle of festivals, was celebrated by women only. Since men were legally obligated to pay for female family members’ participation, it is a heavily documented festival—but since it was a women-only one, we know very little of what happened in it.

Presumably, this festival honored Demeter as overseer of the final harvest of the year; first-fruits from this harvest were carried to Her sanctuary at Eleusis today. It also honored Dionysos, since it coincided with the proper time of year to prune the grapevines, and featured a procession to Poseidon in His role as a nurturer of plant life.

During the feasts of this festival, we know that cakes shaped like genitalia were served. As with several other Dionysian and Eleusinian festivals, these may have helped to ward ill fortune and malevolent entities away from the rites. (Or it may have helped make grumpy spirits laugh, resulting in them being less likely to bring ill fortune with them!)

If you wish to celebrate the Haloa today, try having a feast of foods that follow Eleusinian prohibitions: heavy on the grains and WITHOUT wine, pomegrantes, and non-poultry meat. (Fish are permitted, though.) And if you can get obscenely-shaped loaves of bread or pastries, more the better!

Since this festival took place at a specific point in Hellas’ agricultural festival–the start of the sowing season–don’t feel like you HAVE to celebrate this festival, or like you have to celebrate this festival at this point in the year. Try celebrating it:

If you have a particularly close devotional relationship with Demeter, Dionsyos, Poseidon, and/or Persephone.

If your agricultural cycle matches up with Hellas’–search online to see what’s growing and being harvested in your area and when those harvests take place!

If you live in an area that relies heavily on agriculture, and want to help ensure the fecundity and safety of the crops this year.

If you want to work with the Gods and Spirits of your place to ward off ill fortune during the “dead time” of your year—whether that’s a cold winter, a barren summer, or a time where the rains don’t fall.

Daily Reminder: If you know of any resources you’d like us to incorporate on our site, or any sites/projects you’d like us to signal boost, send us an ask or fanmail!

[betsyandmaxwellandduchessohmy]

concepts: dadsona is one of the dads that joseph did away with in the cult ending. imagine the absolute FREAKOUT when he opens the door to find dadsona beaming at him with a plate of brownies, laughing. (Good thing we had good medical insurance, right?) But dadsona's hands are so cold. They talk at length, but never seem to stop for breath. no blinking, either. (1/2)

(2/2) and every goddamn night, joseph can see them, standing out in the street and watching his bedroom window. just watching, ever-polite. he visits their grave the next day, and it's still there. dead, but not gone. very very angry at you, joseph. So Very, Very Angry. (SORRY IF YOU DONT LIKE HORROR JUST THOUGHT IT WAS NEATO)

((ARE YOU KIDDING THIS IS NEATO BURRITO! I don’t know how good my response will be since, for all my interest in horror, I actually don’t write horror a lot. I kinda rushed through the end of this so I could post something this week, so sorry if that's a little obvious

I’m kinda on the fence about the cult ending as a whole, because the developers already messed with Joseph’s character enough by not allowing him a truly happy ending, and it just feels like the icing on the cake of that whole shitshow. But, part of me also kinda likes it? I can’t explain why. I think any story with a More Than Meets The Eye element, I kinda like a little. And I like horror! I understand that this wasn’t the most appropriate place for it, but I like it! So! CULT ENDING WARNING FOR PEOPLE WHO DON”T LIKE/DON”T WANT TO SEE CULT ENDING STUFF

This one really got away from me, and it came out way more Amanda-centric than I think Nonny intended, but I love the idea of Amanda practicing any kind of witchcraft. I just wish dadsona had been alive to have a talk with her about practicing dark magic responsibly.))

~~~

Amanda didn’t question it much, when the book showed up on the doorstep while she was cleaning up the house. She almost tossed it out - It was an ancient thing, the edges of the pages in tatters, the title on the leather spine almost completely lost to age. But out of curiosity, after glancing around briefly and finding no one in sight to have left it, she brought it inside.

She sat in the half-packed living room, intending to look through the fragile pages for some note to give her an explanation, and then set it aside and leave it be. She wasn’t in the mood for pranks and if this was Emma R.’s idea of a funny joke now, she was going to kill her.

A page near the back of the book was marked with a lump of dried root, and Amanda felt her throat close up a little when she read the title at the top of the page.

Returning The Wrongfully Taken

She inhaled sharply, resisting the urge to toss the book as though it had burned her, the way her instincts told her to.

Instead, she tentatively picked up the root, setting it aside as she read through the ingredients. And the ritual. And the incantation. The root, she figured, was probably the mentioned aconite. It was the only ingredient she didn’t at least have a vague idea about. It was all very complicated, but at the same time, she couldn’t bring herself to care. She’d played witches with Emma when she was little, and had started taking an interest in wicca a few years ago without really pursuing it, but this seemed like the kind of book the Wicked Witch might’ve had on her shelf. And that actually made her hopeful, in a tentative, scary kind of way, that it was real.

She didn’t know what the book meant by Wrongfully Taken. A quick glance through the table of contents said there were other necromancy spells for people who died before their time - even one specifically for people lost to the sea. But whoever had left this on her doorstep had marked “Wrongfully Taken”, and given her one of the ingredients that wasn’t found in any of the other dead-raising spells. Were they mistaken, or was she missing something?

In any case, she decided she had to try. What did she have to lose, anyway? A few bucks on ingredients and one night of her summer.

She would give up a lot more, if there was even a scrap of a chance that she could see her dad again.

~

Almost every family in the Cul-De-Sac had offered to let her come stay with them until she went off to college. Robert offered condolences, and Joseph told her to come by the church any time when he brought a plate of cookies by a few days after the funeral, but she understood neither of them were really in a position to take her in, even just briefly. She didn’t want to impose on anyone, but she just… couldn’t live in that house by herself, even if she could afford it. And none of her old friends seemed interested in offering.

In the end, she’d accepted Lucien and mister Bloodmarch’s offer. Damien knew a lot about plants, which was useful, and she felt a little less awkward about the whole thing since she was living with someone closer to her age who didn’t currently hate her.

And missus Christiansen came to visit quite often, which surprised her a little. She hadn’t known Mary and Damien were friends. Good friends, too, considering the way she just let herself in. It was always a little unsettling when Amanda came downstairs after all day in her (Temporary, Still-Packed) room and found her in the sitting room.

Much like today.

Lucien had called her from the door on his way in, saying she'd gotten a package (more of her ingredients, she was sure,) and she came down to find Mary sitting in the red room, drinking tea like she lived there.

“Hey there, Amanda,” she greeted casually, taking a sip out of Damien’s delicate teacups. Amanda had used them a few times, but she tried not to because she was terrified of breaking them.

“Hey, missus Christiansen,” she replied, giving her a friendly smile before turning toward the kitchen. “Lucien? Where’d you put that-” the package dropped into her hands. “Thank you.”

Lucien gave her a nod and a smile, passing her on his way up the stairs and left her awkwardly standing on the landing.

“What’d you get, kiddo?”

Amanda felt a lump in her throat as she turned from the stairs to Mary. Damien and Lucien mostly left her to herself. Offered themselves up if it seemed like she needed an ear, but letting her grieve alone when she needed. So they hadn’t really asked about her packages, or why she asked the questions she did. Maybe that was why, after a beat, she decided to share.

“Oh, you know. Dittany, copal incense, myrrh oil,” she hummed casually, giving a shrug as she pulled the tape off the box. It looked like this one also contained the death’s head hawkmoth she’d gotten from an online specialty store that worked with a butterfly sanctuary. She figured she could give it to Damien once she was done with it. Mary gave a hum of interest and Amanda paused, catching a whiff from her cup.

“What’re you drinking?"

“Elderflower tea. With a little chervil and mugwort. Little something a friend of mine cooked up, thought I’d bring some over for Dames. You wanna try?” she asked, lifting the pot. Pausing a moment, Amanda gave a small nod, taking a seat across from her and setting her package aside as Mary poured her a cup and held it out. There were still flecks of ingredients floating in her cup - she knew people did that, but it struck her as odd for some reason.

“Never took you for a tea drinker, missus Christiansen,” Amanda hummed thoughtfully taking the cup as carefully as humanly possible.

“I’m not really. But I’ve been told it’s in bad form to have wine before noon,” she returned, leaning back and taking a sip through her smile. “And call me Mary, kiddo. I’m not the stickler for formality that Damien is.”

Amanda managed a chuckle at that, taking a sip and feeling… strangely comfortable, for the first time in a while. She hummed in satisfaction, leaning back a bit herself.

“This is really good,” she hummed without really realizing she’d spoken. Mary smiled, and suddenly looked very tired.

“I’ll pass along the compliment,” she stated, setting her cup aside. “My friend’s a real hippie type. Apparently this stuff is supposed to heighten your connection to the spiritual plane,” she added, her tone a little intentionally dramatic. Amanda nearly spit out her tea, but she managed to maintain composure and swallow like a normal person.

“Oh. Really?” she asked carefully,

“Oh, yeah, she’s really into all that stuff. Tarot and lunar cycles and all. Not really my thing, but hey, tea’s good,” she hummed. Amanda paused a moment, taking another long sip from her cup, almost forgetting how delicate the porcelain in her hands was. This all seemed… a bit too convenient. Mary had a friend who was into what sounded an awful lot like witchcraft. Mary brought over tea that was supposed to help someone connect to the spirit world. Mary lived right next to her old house and would certainly not look out of place leaving something on her grieving neighbor’s doorstep. Amanda swallowed hard.

“Mis- Mary, I-”

“I’m home!” Damien called from the door, moving through the house with a dramatic flourish that made his cloak whirl.

“Welcome back, Sweetpea,” Mary called. Amanda swallowed her words, forcing a smile when she felt Damien place a hand on her shoulder, clearly glad to see her out of her room. Mary stood to hug him and Amanda finished her tea, standing carefully to go rinse out her cup.

On her way toward the kitchen, she glanced back, and managed to catch the meaningful look Mary shot her. She gave her a nod, and the older woman seemed to relax just a touch further into Damien’s arms. Swallowing hard, Amanda turned and retreated. She had work to do.

~

Amanda felt drained, but satisfied. She’d followed the instructions to the letter. She’d performed the ritual exactly as the book had said, and now she knelt before her father’s grave, quietly counting the weeds that had started growing on the turned earth. The book said the spirit might take a few minutes to manifest, so she wasn’t going to get nervous about whether or not it had worked yet.

She hadn’t gotten another chance to talk to Mary, which was regrettable, but otherwise didn’t bother her much. She couldn’t tell if it was just bad luck or if Mary was actively avoiding her, but she chose to believe it was the former. Still, she could’ve used some help with all this. Even if Mary actually didn’t know, she would’ve liked to meet this mysterious ‘friend’.

She shook off the thought and crossed her legs, picking up a thermos full of the tea Mary had given her - Well, given Damien. Semantics. It wasn’t bad, just weird. The moon was full and bright, casting white light on her as she turned to lean on the headstone and took a swig of the earthy, almost bitter mix.

“You gonna share?”

Amanda gasped, nearly dropping the thermos as she looked up at the voice.

“Dad!”

She threw herself at you, and you grunted when she pushed you to the ground, landing firmly on top of you, arms around your shoulders. Groaning, you hugged back, smiling as you looked down and ruffled her hair.

“Alright. Let me up, sweet pea. Dead or not, being crushed isn’t great for the old man bones,” you hummed, coughing for emphasis. Amanda laughed through her tears, kissing your cheek and sitting up.

“God, I’m sorry, I just..” She leaned in as you sat up, wrapping her arms around you and burying her face in your chest. Your clothes felt wet and salty, but she chalked it up to her tears and didn’t question it. “I’ve missed you.”

Your smile softened and you tucked your daughter close, resting your chin on her hair.

“I missed you too, Panda,” you murmured, kissing her hair. Clearing her throat, she sat back again, wiping her eyes with the sleeves of her jacket.

“Okay, first things first. I need to know. The spell I used, it implies that you were taken, not that you just died. What- did something happen? Before the boat sank? After? I just. I need to understand.”

You paused a moment, expression going cold as you remembered. Flashes of ropes. Of warm water getting quickly colder as you sank. A dark cave rank with the stink of rotten earth.

“Joseph,” you murmured, though it came out more like a growl.

“Mister Christiansen got out alright. The coast guard picked him up and-”

“Of course he got out. He’s the one that sank the boat,” you murmur, something dark coming over your look. Amanda froze up a little at it, zombies and vengeful spirits catching in her head for a moment. She shook them out and reached up, placing a hand on your face.

“Dad?”

You sigh, placing your hand over hers. The darkness faded and she let out a tiny sigh of relief.

“It’s… A long story, Manda Panda. I don’t think I understand most of it myself, but…"

“Dad. Tell me.”

So you did.

~

Joseph blinked in surprise at the knock on the door, setting aside his book and pushing to his feet. He wasn’t expecting anyone. Maybe someone from the church? It was fundraiser season, too, he recalled, the mere thought of cheap-tasting chocolate bars making his expression sour briefly.

Clearing his throat, he straightened his clothes and put on a charming grin before reaching for the door knob.

“Hey there! How can I.. help…”

“Hey there, Joe! Been a hot minute, huh? It’s good to see you!” you greeted jovially, quietly relishing the way the color drained from his face.

“Oh. Um. Yeah! It. It sure has,” he nodded, eyes flickering from your smiling face to the plate of brownies you held, to the clothes you wore - just slightly damp, the same ones you were wearing-

“These are for you, by the way. Make sure you get one before the kids get to ‘em, kay? Made ‘em with hot fudge,” you grinned. Even with the cheerful curl of your mouth, Joseph could see something in your eyes. Something not quite right. They were the same shape, same color, but… brighter. Too bright. Just on the near side of glowing. You were still talking, something about his kids and the recipe you used and health insurance. You went on and on, and never took pause long enough to breathe, nevermind get a word in. So he feigned listening until you finally stopped. It took him awhile to realize that you were waiting for an answer to a question.

“Oh, I, uh,”

“Joseph? You alright, man?”

Joseph looked past you, spotting Mat out on the sidewalk, giving him a smile that betrayed concern.

“Oh, I’m alright, Mat. Just enjoying the morning air,” he assured, cheerful as ever. You raised an arm to wave, but Mat was already moving on, not even acknowledging your presence. Turning back to Joseph, you kept smiling, still unblinking, placing the plate of brownies in his hands before he had time to realize he was taking them.

“He’s a real sweetheart, that Mat,” you hummed thoughtfully, cocking your head slightly at Joseph in a way that made a shiver shoot down his back. “But most of the people around here are good folks. If anyone did anything to hurt any of them- why, I might just have to kill them over it!”

You laughed, even as Joseph suddenly felt very cold. Words like that should not make someone like him shrivel and retreat, but under normal circumstances, you were mortal, which you clearly weren’t anymore because he’d felt the life drain from you and how was it you were even standing here?

“Heh, sorry if I spooked you with that one. Amanda’s been getting me on the “Fatalistic Humor” game her generation’s got going on. Figure it’ll give me an edge with her friends,” you added with a shrug. “Anyway, I gotta get going, but I’ll see you around, yeah?”

You started away from the house, still smiling over your shoulder, waving at him. He paused a moment before the feeling came back into his legs and he stepped inside, closing the door with a sour expression and dumping the plate into the trash.

“Like home you will.”

~

The thing was, he didn’t stop seeing you.

You were in the window at the Coffee Spoon. Crossing the street downtown. Ducking into shops to escape the rain or the heat. And no matter where he saw you, you always met his gaze. Always with that same cheerful grin and those dead, cold eyes. He’d thought himself impervious to intimidation up until this point, when he started panicking in front of his neighbors. They didn’t suspect anything though - save Robert, perhaps - just thought he was a man wracked with guilt over the death of another neighbor. He actually said your name once, when he saw you over the fence during a barbecue, and Brian had reassured him that it was just his eyes playing tricks on him.

No one else had seen you.

He could go into a shop you had just left, describe you to everyone in there, and none of them would have seen you.

Not that he did that. That would make him look like a crazy person.

But it was unsettling. You shouldn’t be here. Even with the level of ability humans had, necromancy alone shouldn’t have been able to bring your soul back from where he’d stuck it. But here you were. Everywhere. He couldn’t go more than a few hours without seeing you, unless he stayed inside all day with the curtains drawn.

Even when he did just that, the nights were worse.

His dreams were plagued with you. They could start innocent, even sweet, before devolving into a horror show, his own tactics and methods turned against him in a way that made him sick. And when he woke, he automatically looked to the window - the only dim source of light from the streetlamps outside. And there you stood, still smiling with cold, dead eyes.

He had guided evil this far. This should not be enough to turn the tables on him. But here he was, more and more scared of a dead man.

How the mighty fall.

[lovehaswonangelnumbers]

New Post has been published on https://lovehaswonangelnumbers.org/21st-june-29th-july-2019-eclipse-season-returning-from-exile/

21st June – 29th July 2019: Eclipse Season - Returning From Exile

21st June – 29th July 2019: Eclipse Season – Returning From Exile

By Sarah Varcas

21st June 2019 sees a number of astrological events occurring in quick succession, alerting us to a significant energetic shift. At 8:27 a.m. Neptune stations in its own sign of Pisces, beginning its annual five-month retrograde journey. At 2:03 p.m. the Moon becomes void-of-course in Aquarius until it enters Pisces exactly 24 hours later. This is a particularly long stint for a void-of-course moon. At 3:55 p.m. the Sun enters Cancer, marking the Summer Solstice in the northern hemisphere and the Winter Solstice in the southern hemisphere. Amidst all of this an eclipse season  begins which lasts until 29th July, featuring a solar eclipse in Cancer on 2nd July and a lunar eclipse in Capricorn on 16th July.

When so many shifts coincide with the start of an eclipse season we know this will be an energetically significant few weeks. It may help to think of energy as encoded wisdom: a particular resonance or vibration with the potential to recalibrate our understanding of life in general and/or specific situations in particular. This current season will illuminate the feelings, sensations and intuitions which reveal the quality of any given moment. Like learning a new language, we can become more intimately acquainted with the nuances of our inner wisdom which will, in turn, help us draw upon the information encoded in the prevailing energetic field. We can invite guidance on how to integrate these new levels of awareness into daily life, seek clarity about when to share what we perceive and when to remain silent, and explore when to act on intuition and when to simply acknowledge its guidance, postponing action for another day.

Whilst the impact of eclipses always radiates through the following six months, the eclipse season itself establishes the perspective and state of consciousness needed to make the most of these cosmic graces. In this instance, the shadow work begun when Saturn and Pluto turned retrograde in April will act as an important foundation stone for us. The extent to which we’ve embraced the personal shadow as manifested in recent weeks, will in large part dictate the extent to which we can confront challenges and receive blessings in the weeks yet to come.

A Formidable T Square

But the real story begins on 18th June when Pluto begins to oppose Mercury conjunct Mars in Cancer, all forming a T Square to Eris until 24th June. Here we find Eris poking at our sensitivities. Tendencies toward passive aggression and ‘acting out’ (whilst claiming we’re not!) may be heightened. Stay alert to your true feelings, aim for sensitive but honest communication and remember we’re all under pressure here and relationships may suffer as a result! This alignment demands a pragmatic approach to interpersonal dynamics alongside a willingness to recognise not only where our own wounds skew our perception, but also how we continue to wound each other.

This isn’t an exercise in self-blame, but in understanding the ego-force that inescapably shapes our lives. No one can avoid subjectivity. We all see life through our own eyes, assess it according to experience and react to protect what feels like a vulnerable core. In doing so we impinge upon the lives of others, often in ways we fail to perceive. Relationships are intensely complex. This T Square will bring some of those complexities to the fore, muddying waters and revealing the grey areas where we can’t simply point the finger and say ‘this is all YOUR fault!’. Only by setting blame aside can we make the connections which reveal what’s really going on.

This heavenly configuration acts as a doorway into the eclipse season, supporting those who seek to master emotions and penetrate their true message, not be forever swamped by their unremitting force. We cannot wait for feelings to subside, fear to abate, emotions to settle or our brains to churn out the chemicals of happiness to ease our lot. Instead we must get to know our feelings: how they arise, their triggers, their patterns and, most important of all, how we create, perpetuate and manage them. In doing so we may just discover an inexorable source of energy to draw upon when we life is overwhelming and we feel we don’t have what it takes. This T Square assures us we do. Always. As long as we’re prepared to call upon our inner warrior as much as our inner empath; to resist as much as acquiesce; to speak out perhaps more than we hold back, whilst knowing sometimes silence is the truest response of all.

Neptune Retrograde

The signature of this eclipse season is writ large by Neptune’s retrograde station at 8:27 a.m. on 21st June in the 19th degree of Pisces. The Sabian Symbol for this degree is a master instructing his disciple, a motif which speaks of the transmission of wisdom from one who knows to one who seeks. In its retrograde phase Neptune reminds us the knower and seeker are one and the same. We need only still the mind and look within to discover well-springs of wisdom: the very heart of all that we are. But how often do we ignore a wordless inner knowing and choose what’s ‘expected’ over what feels right? How often do we profess a certain belief only for it to go out the window once challenges arise? How often do our feelings tell us one thing but we do something else instead?

Such common-place self-betrayals cast into exile the part of us that actually knows what’s best. Our inner guide can no longer communicate because we’re shutting it out. A vibrant and wise part of us is silenced. We continue with our lives largely oblivious to this fact, but each time we agree when we want to disagree, act when we want to stand back or say nothing when we want to speak up, another part of our core essence is cast into darkness. The longer we live this way, the more of our psyche and spirit is disenfranchised and the smaller our lives become. Eventually, when we really need to draw on our inner-sage, we don’t even share the same language and our exile is complete. The journey of awakening is akin to emerging from this exile to embrace fully the role of wise counsellor, teacher and seer, to and for ourselves.

But in its alignment with Saturn, the Moon’s Nodes and Jupiter this month, Neptune alerts us to the risk of ‘spiritual-bypassing’. To awaken is not to escape into bliss or to avoid the cut and thrust of daily life. We awaken within the fabric of our humanity, not to escape it. We continue to live in a world on the brink, where societies have been torn apart by deep divisions of suspicion, hatred and fear the world over. Where human activity threatens the survival of countless species including our own and patriarchal posturing continues to eclipse a more equitable and heart-centred expression of our humanity. To awaken is to see all of this and our part in it. And then to birth a wise and noble Self that counters the dominant narrative of greed, aggression and war with a commitment to peace, wisdom and hope.

Void of Course Moon in Aquarius

Between Neptune’s retrograde station at 8:27 a.m. on 21st June and the solstice point at 3:55 p.m. when the Sun enters Cancer, the Moon begins a twenty-four hour void-of-course period in Aquarius at 2:03 p.m. A void-of-course Moon makes no more aspects to planets until it enters its new sign, and therefore signals a time of stillness during which activity and effort produces few useful results. Given the Moon’s key role in any eclipse season (both solar and lunar eclipses are dictated according to the moon’s cycle), this is an important significator for the coming one, best read as a warning not to invest too much importance in the effectiveness of our doing but instead focus more on the quality of our being.

This void-of-course Moon speaks of loneliness. It digs at those parts of the self which feel out of place and make it hard to fit in when we most want to. Not to be confused with the uniqueness so cherished by the Aquarian spirit, this disheartening experience of not finding our space in the world can leave us ever more isolated. We may increasingly feel this way as the eclipse season progresses, or we may encounter others struggling to find their place in a confusing world. It may be tempting to feel something’s seriously wrong, that we’ll never find our way back to a sense of safe community. But take heart: every void-of-course Moon is resolved as it enters its new sign, and as much as this one will colour the coming weeks, so too will that sense of resolution.

An Aquarian Moon is resolved as it enters Pisces: the final sign of the zodiac where individuality surrenders to the imponderable mystery from which all life is born. If we feel out of step with our environment or alone in our pain, this Moon connects us with the Great Heart vast enough to contain all joy and suffering, all hope and despair. And as the Sun enters the Moon’s own sign of Cancer at the solstice, it affirms this heart as our true home, offering sanctuary from the growing dislocation of humanity in the ever more frantic modern world.

Eclipse seasons often pose challenges, disguised as disasters or strokes of good fortune in equal measure! Even the best that life offers can stress us out if we let it! What if we mess it up, or it doesn’t live up to expectations?! The mind can turn anything into a source of trouble and eclipses often bring out the inner drama queen or king! So if you find yourself spiralling off into an emo-meltdown, spiritual emergency or plain old temper tantrum in the coming weeks, bear that in mind! Things just may not be as dire as they seem or as far beyond your influence as they feel. A change of perspective may be the key to a change of fortune. And some good old-fashioned patience could be the difference between make or break in the weeks to come.

We have a solar eclipse in Cancer on 2nd July and a lunar eclipse in Capricorn on 16th July. I’ll be sharing more about these specific eclipses soon.

Sarah Varcas

*****

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Unexpected Inspiration character aesthetic: Rosalie

If she and Camille didn’t go back, then she could stay here, with comfortable beds and good food and maybe clothes that didn’t itch so terribly. All she had to do would be to… not find them.

Rosalie is a timid young woman far from what was once her home; eight years ago she and another priestess were sent away from the Sanctuaries of Shadow and Light in order to complete a specific task. Rosalie has struggled with her role in this, as she could have predicted from the lunar branding she received as a child. The fuller the phase of the moon, the more power a priest or priestess holds, and hers is no more than the tiniest sliver of a crescent. While Rosalie might lack magic strong enough to reliably make more than one shadow listen at a time, what she lacks in power she makes up for in kindness. Kindness was not an encouraged trait in her home temple, but it earned her the intense loyalty of one shadow who has stuck by her for the better part of her life. The shadow is really the only “better part” in her life, to spin the phrase another way. Part pet, part companion, and entirely her only friend, this shadow will do anything to keep Rosalie safe. With the support of her “pet,” she finds herself questioning her orders. If she has the courage, she can choose another path, but courage was never one of her strong traits. Rosalie is one of the main POV characters in the Unexpected Inspiration series.