#Defensive Communication

[rae-butter]

Honestly, I love it when characters relapse. When someone who’s gotten over their anger issues falls into a situation so out of their depth they fall back on their old habits. When someone who’s learned to open up becomes a recluse again in order to cope with something outside their control.

There’s just something so horrible, so toxic, about watching a character grow and then slip back into their old selves in order to cope, bc you know they still care, that they’re the same inside, but watching them hurt so hard they don’t know what else to do brings a sense of catharsis.

[developmentlifeskill]

How to Handle Defensive Behavior in the Workplace? 7 Tips for Managers

All of us have experienced defensiveness at some point in our lives. Whether we’re feeling overwhelmed or insulted, defensive behavior is simply how our brain reacts in difficult situations. But while defensive behavior in the workplace can be frustrating for employees and managers alike, it’s not always easy to deal with.

[smitethestate]

[thererisesaredstar]

Guerillas of the National Liberation Front expel U.S. forces from Saigon & mark the reunification of Vietnam, April 30th 1975

[victusinveritas]

[astra-ravana]

Easy Curses for Beginners

Here are some simple yet unusual curses for beginners. These curses are low-energy, easy to perform, and require minimal tools. They are subtle and perfect for those just starting their baneful practice, but still pack a punch. Always be mindful of your intentions—curses can carry karmic or energetic consequences. Always start the curse process by protecting yourself and end it by cleansing yourself. Remember to do your own research before using baneful magick.

The Rotting Fruit Curse

Causes a person’s luck, relationships, or finances to decay over time.

Needed:

• A piece of fruit (apple, orange, etc.)

• A slip of paper

• A black pen

• A dark place (cupboard, drawer, or under the bed)

Instructions:

Write the target’s name on the paper. Place the paper inside or beneath the fruit. Hold the fruit and focus on your intent—imagine the person’s life slowly rotting just like the fruit will. Place the fruit in a hidden, dark place and leave it to decay. Once fully rotted, dispose of it far from your home.

The Knotted Thread Curse

Traps a person in misfortune, confusion, or stagnation. The target experiences obstacles, delays, and problems that keep them from progressing in life.

Needed:

• A piece of black thread or string (12 inches long)

• Your voice and breath

Instructions:

Hold the string in your hands and focus on the target. With each knot you tie, say a phrase like:

• "With this knot, I trap your fate."

• "With this tie, your plans fall apart."

Tie nine knots while envisioning the person becoming stuck, unable to move forward in life. Hide or bury the thread somewhere secret.

The Echo Curse

Makes a person’s words return to them, causing gossipers or liars to suffer their own consequences. Their own words work against them—exposing their lies, making people distrust them, or causing them to face social backlash.

Needed:

• A mirror (small handheld one works best)

• A marker or lipstick

• The person’s name (or just "liar," "gossip," etc.)

Instructions:

Write their name (or a word representing their offense) on the mirror. Hold the mirror and say:

"What you say returns to you, every lie and every word untrue."

Place the mirror facing a wall or inside a dark drawer, so their energy is reflected back to them.

The Cracked Egg Curse

Causes a person’s stability to fall apart—relationships, money, confidence, or mental clarity. The target experiences instability, whether emotional, financial, or personal.

Needed:

• A raw egg

• A marker

• A place to smash the egg (outside, near their path, or a trash bin)

Instructions:

Write the person’s name on the egg. Hold it and whisper your curse into it, such as:

"May your life crack like this shell."

Imagine their stability shattering like the egg will. Smash it on the ground or in a trash bin.

The Slipping Shadow Curse

Causes a person to lose focus, forget things, or make mistakes. They struggle with their memory, lose track of things, and make more mistakes.

Needed:

• A black candle

• A piece of paper

• A pencil

Instructions:

Write the target’s name on the paper. Light the black candle and hold the paper over the flame (don’t burn it yet). Whisper:

"Like a shadow slipping through the cracks, your mind stumbles, your focus lacks."

Let a few drops of wax fall on the name, then crumple the paper. Blow out the candle and throw the paper in a busy place (so their energy is scattered).

The Splitting Roads Curse

Causes confusion, indecision, and emotional instability. The target struggles to understand what's happening and make the right choices.

Needed:

• Two twigs or sticks

• A piece of string

• A crossroads or a place where two paths split

Instructions:

Tie the two sticks together at one end, so they form a V shape (symbolizing a forked path). Hold them in your hands and say:

"Your choices split, your path unclear, may confusion follow near."

Leave the sticks at a crossroads or place where two paths meet.

The Ink Spill Curse

Causes a person’s words (spoken or written) to be misunderstood, ignored, or turned against them. Everything they say becomes misinterpreted, loses power, or backfires.

Needed:

• A pen

• A piece of paper

• A cup of water or ink

Instructions:

Write the person’s name and a word representing their harmful speech (ie: “lies,” “gossip,” “manipulation”). Hold the paper and whisper:

"Your words twist, your message lost, what you say will bear the cost."

Drop the paper into the water or ink and let the words dissolve. Dispose of the soaked paper in running water (sink, river, or toilet).

The Cold Shoulder Curse

The person experiences social isolation—people ignore them, avoid them, or lose interest in them. This will eventually lead to profound loneliness.

Needed:

• A small ice cube

• A photo of the person (or just their name written on paper)

• A freezer

Instructions:

Place the ice cube on top of their name or photo. Whisper:

"Like ice, you freeze in place. No warmth, no friends, no welcome space."

Wrap the paper/photo in a piece of cloth or plastic and place it in the freezer.

The Crumbling Foundation Curse

Causes a collapse in a person’s relationships, home life, or work environment. The target experiences instability in their personal life making it harder for them to maintain relationships or stability.

Needed:

• A small handful of graveyard dirt

• A piece of paper

• A black pen

Instructions:

Write the person’s name on the paper. Hold the dirt in your hand and whisper:

"Your foundation weakens, your roots unsteady. That which holds you crumbles already."

Sprinkle the dirt over the paper and then fold it, with the dirt inside, like a little packet. Throw into running water or the rubble of a collapsed building.

[bixels]

As cameras becomes more normalized (Sarah Bernhardt encouraging it, grifters on the rise, young artists using it), I wanna express how I will never turn to it because it fundamentally bores me to my core. There is no reason for me to want to use cameras because I will never want to give up my autonomy in creating art. I never want to become reliant on an inhuman object for expression, least of all if that object is created and controlled by manufacturing companies. I paint not because I want a painting but because I love the process of painting. So even in a future where everyone’s accepted it, I’m never gonna sway on this.

if i have to explain to you that using a camera to take a picture is not the same as using generative ai to generate an image then you are a fucking moron.

[boy-gender]

im really glad we as the trans community seem to be drifting away from posts where some transphobic fuckwit asks a bad faith question about transness and we spend hours gathering sources theyre never gonna click and presenting explanations theyre never gonna read and instead now we're prioritizing our own mental bandwidth by just saying we fucked their moms. I love that for us and i think its a way better use of everyones time

[teaboot]

Anon I’m not gonna respond to your message because there is no WAY it isn’t going to just end up attracting a million bad-faith takes haranguing both of us, but I just want you to know

I agree with you. Like seriously, no “except”s, I agree with your argument, I understand and I agree, I was talking about a different thing though and I think that maybe got lost in the stream

secondly,

This is hilarious. Did you not know that I’m a trans guy too? Look at us. We’re the Spider-Man meme right now. Why should we fight

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

Luo Binghe? Sorry, I only know Binghorse now.

[hoarder-of-rats]

As an Aroace who never gets crushes, I must say reading a first-person romance-focused slowburn thing is absolutely insane

This is trying to convince me that almost having a panic attack due to being in the same room as someone else, while also being miserable when that same person isn't there, is normal and good and *checks notes* HEALTHY????

Sorry guys you're making this up

[marielaanything]

It's too funny that the Marauders stan are so frightened by the allegations of racism and that they can no longer be able to defend their "innocent sunshine boy James Potter" from bullyng anymore.... as if James Potter had been a saint before the new casting of snape 🤦🏻‍♀️

Comment on what was the screenshot that made you laugh the most or left you thinking wtf

I don't understand the eagerness of the white marauders stan to make James Latino (In a stereotypical way because what do they know about Latin America?) What is the need? Because is trending? Bad Bunny was right with: ahora todos quieren ser latinos. But James is the epitome of a privileged white boy (le falta sazón)

Girl was in disbelief because the more White Privileged coded character... Was actually white omg

[thererisesaredstar]

Palestine-Cuba solidarity poster

Rafael Enriquez (1980)

[vesna-v-irkutske]

what was nikita's last known picture? :(

I think the last time we saw him was during sentencing, April 2nd, 2013. A WHILE ago.

"Lytkin was nervous and shaking: he was grinning, then wringing his crossed hands into a lock, then shifting from one foot to the other."

"Lytkin was visibly nervous, but he didn't lower his eyes. He remained in this state even when his term of imprisonment was read out."

The judge reads the verdict. Artyom nods when he says, "The court is convinced that the fair criminal punishment for this crime will be life imprisonment."

[astra-ravana]

Combat Magick: The Art Of Mystical Warfare

Combat magick is the practice of using metaphysical and energetic techniques for defense, offense, and strategic advantage in spiritual or psychic conflicts. It blends elements of protection, attack, and counterattack, often drawing upon personal will, energy manipulation, and ritual magick to influence outcomes in battles—whether physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual.

Principles of Combat Magick

• Energetic Warfare – Combat magick works by manipulating energy to shield, attack, or neutralize threats. Practitioners learn to harness their own energy and direct external forces to achieve victory.

• Intent and Willpower – A strong will is essential in combat magick. The practitioner's intent determines whether their spells are defensive, retaliatory, or aggressive.

• Cleverness and Intellect - When it comes right down to it, your mind is the single best weapon in your arsenal. The practitioner should possess a some level of mental prowess before attempting combat magick.

• Ethical Considerations – While some use combat magick for self-defense, others employ it for baneful purposes. Some witches mayfollow guidelines such as the Threefold Law or personal codes of conduct that forbid the use of such workings.

Forms of Combat Magick

Defensive Magick (Shielding & Warding):

• Shielding: Creating energetic barriers around oneself or others to deflect attacks (psychic, emotional, spiritual).

• Warding: Placing protective symbols, sigils, or enchanted objects around spaces to prevent intrusion.

• Cleansing & Banishing: Removing negative influences through smoke cleansing, salt, sound, or sacred words.

Offensive Magick (Curses & Hexes):

• Curses & Hexes: Directing harmful energy toward an opponent to weaken, confuse, deter, or harm them.

• Energy Manipulation: Sending concentrated bursts of energy to disrupt an enemy’s balance.

• Elemental Combat: Calling upon fire, water, air, or earth to aid in magickal attacks.

Counterattacks & Reversal Magick:

• Mirror Spells (Return to Sender): Reflecting an attack back to it's source.

• Unbinding & Curse Breaking: Severing unwanted energetic ties or removing hostile spells.

• Reversal Magick: Redirecting negativity away from oneself and sending it elsewhere.

Tools & Techniques Used in Combat Magick

• Sigils & Symbols – Used for protection, strength, or attack. Examples include Algiz (protection), Mars glyphs (aggression).

• Herbs & Crystals – Protective plants like blackthorn, vervain, or dragon’s blood; stones like obsidian, hematite, or black tourmaline. Baneful components include herbs like datura, calamus, belladonna or Spanish moss and stones like opal, sardonyx, and garnet.

• Blood & Personal Energy – Some warriors of the craft may infuse spells with personal essence or their own blood to strengthen the magick.

• Chanting & Incantations – Words of power can amplify intent and activate spells more effectively.

• Astral Combat – Fighting in the spiritual realm through visualization, dream work, or projection. This can help you catch your target in a vulnerable position and quickly gain the upper hand.

Who Uses Combat Magick?

• Witches & Sorcerers – Those who practice both light and dark magick for protection or justice.

• Psychic Warriors & Energy Workers – Individuals who engage in spiritual defense against negative entities or forces.

• Shamans & Spirit Walkers – Practitioners who deal with hostile spirits or supernatural threats as well as those performing exorcisms.

• Chaos Magicians – Those who employ sigils, servitors, and energy constructs for their warfare.

Combat magick is not for the faint of heart—it requires discipline, mastery of energy work, and deep self-awareness. While it can be a powerful tool for protection and justice, it should always be wielded with wisdom and responsibility. Whether defending against psychic attacks or engaging in mystical battles, combat magick remains an essential part of the spiritual warrior’s arsenal.

[hellyeahscarleteen]

Staying Safe While Homeless

A SAFETY GUIDE FOR YOUTH EXPERIENCING ANY KIND OF HOMELESSNESS

When you are experiencing homelessness, it can be difficult to feel safe. In some cases, being homeless as a young adult might feel safer physically and/or emotionally than where we came from, or you might find you don’t feel safe anywhere. In survival mode, the idea of true safety can sometimes feel unobtainable. Safety can feel like a privilege that you can’t access at all, or can only have in parts. Safety can also take a variety of forms. When talking about safety, we want to think about physical safety, as well as mental or emotional safety. Safety, most broadly, can also include security of our resources, like personal belongings that we need to take care of ourselves. Ultimately, what feels safe or as though it is a reasonable risk to one person might feel incredibly unsafe to someone else. Here are some tips for thinking about safety if you’re experiencing any form of homelessness:

Staying aware

The key to trying to keep yourself safe is going to be focused on being aware of your surroundings and their unique qualities, and being aware of who is near you. Risks and safety are going to look different in each situation.

If you are taking any medications, utilizing any substances like alcohol, or are otherwise in a state where your reaction times, or your ability to process information, are or might be impacted, try to keep the company of people who you trust and who can make safety assessments for both of you while your judgment or responsiveness is altered.

Staying safe while couch-surfing

When couch-surfing, many homeless youth feel like they can let their guard down a little when it comes to safety. If you are staying with trustworthy adults⁠ who you know well, this might be the case, and can be a much-needed respite from feeling like you are in constant crisis.

However, couch-surfing can sometimes involve staying with people you don’t know well, or don’t know at all. These people might be well-intentioned, or could have their own motivations for why they are offering help. When couch-surfing, be aware of where your belongings are, and keep your most important documents (identification, important paperwork etc.) with you at all times. This way, if you have to leave quickly, the chance is low of you being separated from the things that you need most. Be aware of any kind of unwanted advances (emotional or sexual⁠) that make you feel uncomfortable. You do not owe anyone intimacy in exchange for them letting you stay with them. As a homeless youth it’s so important to trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is. If your gut is sending you signals that you aren’t safe trust yourself and get out⁠ of that situation as quickly as possible. Tell someone you trust that you aren’t feeling safe wherever you are, or if you are alone, but have a cell phone, text or call someone you trust and let them know where you are and what’s going on. Get yourself somewhere where you feel safer, or at minimum where there are other people around.

Staying safe while on the streets

While it’s a challenge to keep from getting stopped/harassed by police or private security, as much as possible try to stay in well-lit populated areas. Stay with other homeless youth as much as possible. Try not to be alone: there is safety in numbers. Homeless youth sleeping together on the streets are less likely to be targets of exploitation or violence. While sleeping, hold your belongings, including your shoes, while you sleep to protect them from getting stolen.

Staying safe in shelters

If you know that you are going to need to stay in a shelter, and you live in a city with options, talk with your homeless friends about their experiences in different shelters. Other homeless youth may have had experiences at shelters that will help you determine which facility or program is going to be safe for you. Anytime a lot of youth are together, be it high school or a homeless shelter, there can also be cliques and drama. Be aware of what is going on around you, but thoughtful about how and when you do or don’t engage. Getting involved in shelter drama or politics could jeopardize your housing or safety if conflicts escalate, which could lead to unsafe situations. If you are staying in a shelter, you’ll also want to keep your belongings on your body or locked up to keep them secure from theft.

Trust your gut!

If you don’t feel safe in a situation, even if you aren’t exactly sure why, trust your internal sense of what does or doesn’t feel safe. Part of being a homeless teenager means sometimes needing to keep yourself safe when nobody else is willing or able to do so. If you don’t feel safe, make it your priority to do whatever you can or need to do to get yourself into a situation where you feel safer.

Trust your gut feelings. If you feel unsafe in a situation, try to leave it.

Read the full version by Sassafras Patterdale below