#art do be keeping me in a pendulum swing between feeling like a god and a fool with no skills

[joyouss-whimsy]

I need to have an art rant

[whirlybirbs]

“ you're cute when you're tired. “ “ i'm always cute. “ for any of the 111th…putting fate in your hands 🤫

PERSONALITY   ;   officer glass x reader

summary: new bitter exhausted clone trooper oc dropped! get 'im while he's sleepy!

a/n: who knows!!! maybe we will get glass art this weekend, who knows!!!! but here's some new content for the 111th's growing roster! enjoy some,,, lore, too.

Glass can be a difficult man.

Sorry — Officer Glass. God forbid you make that mistake again. Just when you think you manage to form some sort of friendly, working relationship with the 111th's resident intelligence officer, you're left scrambling when he inevitably gets icy.

Like stab you with said icicle icy.

The Umbra, always looming in the airspace above the main battalion, is home-base for Mantle Squadron — under Captain Hart's orders, they worked directly with Republic Intelligence. More often than not, Mantle is responsible for keeping the players on the sabacc board straight while command kept their boots on the ground.

They're good at their job; in all honesty, they left little room for you to do your job.

Actually, scratch that.

Officer Glass left little room for you to do your job.

You'd never asked how Glass managed to earn his name — or even if he had picked it himself. Frankly, it's too fitting to consider an alternative. No doubt, the cruelly cold manner with which he handles most interactions inside (and outside) of the battalion made the name stick.

(And yet, there he was in interrogations as easy as ever. Terrifyingly adjustable. Constantly swinging, like a pendulum, between nice and horrifying.)

He's different from the other members of the 111th you knew. Even Second Lieutenant Razor, with all the swirling rumors surrounding him, is a treat compared to Glass. And you'd had at least three people tell you Second Lieutenant Razor had unlawfully executed prisoners of war on two separate occasions. Imagine that. What a fuckin' picture that paints.

As you stand outside the lower-level holding cell's security checkpoint, you check your chronometer.

He's late.

It gives you time to figure out how you're going to navigate this interaction with him — be it chaste flirts or steady silence. You can't help the bite of annoyance that settles in your chest. You knew, really, that at the end of this interrogation you'll be walking away with the same feeling you always do: longing.

Kirrii, one of your fellow Intelligence Officers and a close confidant, laughed in your face when you'd quietly admitted you had a new found admiration for the man — her lekku swatted side to side in the dark of your quarters as she shook her head and clicked her tongue.

"Please don't tell me it's his personality," she had chirped.

Maybe it was.

Eugh. It always is the personality, isn't it? At the end of the day, there are thousands of genetically identical troopers aboard this ship, even more with their boots in the Felucian mud — and every time, it's always the personality. Awol with the flirtatious charm, Hart with the swooning kindness — hell, the Commander with his genuine warmth? Even the battalion's CMO, as crass and ridiculous and loud and bombastic as he was, had quiet admirers.

The Fett genes were just an added bonus, you suppose.

You reach and rub the bridge of your nose.

With one long exhale, you decide that if Glass isn't here in the next five minutes, you'll go in alone — after all, this asset was high priority. An immigrated farmer from off-world. She'd been caught providing information to the Separatist Alliance. Her recent leak had ended in an ambush that had killed thirty men on the Southern line.

The order for answers had come down from Nyx himself — a rare show of controlled rage. Hart approved the interrogation. Republic Intelligence was vested in her motive. You and Glass had received the order about three hours ago.

He was off-shift.

The lift doors chime at that moment — and you lift your eyes from your datapad to see the Officer in question.

You have to hide a grin.

It's out of courtesy, really, as he nears in five long strides. His uniform is specific to his role — bridging the gap between soldier and spy, which his pistol strapped neatly to his hip and thigh. The black uniform, complete with gauntlets and minimal armor plating, is his usual day-to-day garb. However, you take careful note of the mismatched button halfway down his chest and the way his usual starched-to-intimidating-perfection uniform has a few more creases than normal.

You step in-front of him before he can tap his wrist to the door's panel.

Glass blinks at you. Heavy lashes narrow critically. His brown eyes seem darker in the low-light of the holding wing, like cold obsidian coins. Pretty nonetheless. There's a habitual snarl on his lips.

When your own pristinely white gloves reach to adjust the top button of his collar, he goes rigid. You see his Adam's apple bob. You're surprised when he lets you fix the uniform — even more-so surprised with yourself.

There's stubble along his jaw. His intricate buzzcut has gotten longer than he usually lets it.

"Enough," he snaps, his patience worn when you finally loop the last clasp; his voice is rough. He leans to tuck his datapad beneath his arm and smooth down his jacket, "I just woke up."

"I could tell," you croon, turning on your heel as you gesture for him to buzz you both in, "How cute."

"Cute?"

The grumble is so quiet you almost don't hear it. It's under his breath, uttered to the quiet dark. You're closer to the ship's engines down here. You wonder if he hopes the sound of space will swallow up his apparent offense at the compliment.

Difficult as ever.

[user-43424]

A Fool's Glance at Hermetic Knowledge

"Reality, weather approached imaginatively or empirically,

remains a surface, Hermetic"

- Samual Beckett  

When you hear the term Occult, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Men with long beards in long black robes? Weird goth kids claiming to be Satan? Most people only see the Occult as a wired cult with rituals and demons. However this is a gross misunderstanding of the Occult and its practice. It hardly scratches the surface   Occult Knowledge, is. The term Occult comes from the Latin root words, “Cleare” to hide; “Occulere'' to conceal; “Occultare'' secret. Occult literally means hidden knowledge. It's hidden because for the longest time throughout history it was illegal to practice anything outside of the State mandated religion even when the Occult Knowledge itself predates the State religion by thousands of years. It is also hidden by the willfully ignorant. Some people are just lacking the inner insight of this philosophy to gain anything from it. So its meaning is hidden from them by their own ignorance. Just like some people are stronger than others some people are just wiser than others.

Before we go into the Philosophy we have to first talk about, the Master of Masters in Hermetic Knowledge, it would be a disservice if we didn't talk about the man, the myth, the legend Hermes Tristmegistus, also known as the “Thrice-greatest Hermes”. Hermes being the messenger of the gods and the God of hidden knowledge. He is a combination of the Egyptian God Thoth and the Greek God Hermes. The hermetic tradition goes all the way back to Ancient Egypt and Greece, thus why Hermetic philosophy is centered around Hermes Tristmegistus, God of Wisdom. The Emerald Tablets is the collection of the Wisdom of the Thrice Great Hermes, the Center of This Hermitic Tradition the Kybalion subscribes to.

Hermetic Rules of Thumb:

Keep This Stuff Secret –

Some people still see these ideas as threatening to them in some way. Be it a religious conflict or a misunderstanding of the topic. It’s important you keep this information to yourself while you are learning about it. We like to think that the world today is open and free to believe whatever we want to believe, but the world is always changing. Keep your work to yourself not just for your safety but also so your truths and experiences remain your own. Untainted by others opinions. It is also very important that you come to an understanding of this material according to your own fruition. The way you see things, live your life and experience life is unique and should stay unique while you develop yourself and the understanding of this world. I like to think God; The ALL; or whatever the “Source” is. It prefers us to come to an understanding of it on our own in our own way. So during the development stage keep your work a secret.

Don't Throw Pearls at Swine –

If you know someone that won't understand anything about Hermetic Philosophy save yourself some time and headache and keep it to yourself. Chances are that even if they do find it interesting they will more than likely misinterpret the meaning behind words and miss the message behind them. Keep your Pearls for others with pearls.

Milk Before Babes, Meat for the Strong –

As someone just starting to look into Hermetic Philosophy it wouldn't do you well to slap you with advanced occult stuff. That would be like giving you a lesson in quantum physics to a five year old. Not because the kid is dumb but because the kid has not formed a basic understand of key concepts and principles to formulate an advanced understanding of what quantum physics is. Once the kid learns the basic concepts of physics he can later tackle the more advanced knowledge on the topic.

Don't Crystallize This Into a Creed –

Wisdom degenerates when you do this. All truths are half truths and everyone will discover something slightly different during their journey. This is your personal journey.  A key part of the Kybalion is The Law. The Law is the Hermetic Principle of Cause and Effect in its aspect of the Law of Attraction, Vibration and Polarity. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Nothing escapes this Law. However, reality is constantly changing and so some laws may also need to change with what is current. Political law is not always factual law thus the problem with censorship. The tides of change may end up covering the truth but there will always be ways to hide the truth in plane sight.  You don't always want a stone foundation when a more flexible foundation is way more stable and will last much longer. It is also important that we all find our own truths and not impose on other truths but try to find the whole truth through the combinations of other truths.

Share when the Opportunity Allows-

This breaks all the previous rules, rules are made to be broken if we never broke any of the rules we wouldn't get anywhere as a species, new things would never be discovered and the world would be boring. Just be smart with who you share it with. Some will not understand you and others will downright refuse to understand you, don't need to create drama for yourself with people who can't handle your truth. Remember also that your truth Is still a half truth and always listen and learn from the truths of others. This is exactly what I am doing right now! Break the rules!

There are Seven Main Principles that make up the Hermetic Philosophy.

Mentalism – You will hear this from me constantly, the Universe is Mental the more you  understand this the better you will understand this philosophy as a whole.   

Correspondence – As Above So Below is something else you will hear constantly. Its is good for understanding paradoxes and hidden secrets of nature     

Vibration – Everything is in motion all the time, even when its seems to be at rest the atoms  that make up the material are still in motion.     

Polarity – Everything is Dual as a result all truths are half truths that make up the whole  truth of the Law. All opposites are identical in nature but different in degree. As a result of this Principle things like Good and Evil; Light and Dark; Hot and Cold are two poles of the same thing.  

Rhythm – Think of a  pendulum and its swing, everything has a rhythm, everything flows in and out, everything has its tides, everything rises and falls.  

Cause and Effect –  everything happens according to Law. There is no such thing as  chance, chances is just an unrecognized Law. Nothing escapes this Law.  People who understand this plays the Game and ceases to be an NPC.    

Gender – Gender is everything and the Law of Gender is set between a Masculine and Feminine principle. There is mental gender and there is physical gender. There is no exception to this rule in the Hermetic Philosophy. Every Male form has hidden female elements and every Female form has hidden masculine elements.  

This Philosophy is a Precursor to Science

These laws are present in everything. The most notable and concrete is that of Newton and his Laws of Physics. Newton's third law is: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. The statement means that in every interaction, there is a pair of forces acting on the two interacting objects. This goes right along with the principles of Cause and Effect and Polarity.

Polarity is very well known in both Physics and Chemistry especially when in electromagnetism. It is present in the study of magnets where they label the two sides of a magnet; the North pole and South pole. You also see it in batteries labeled with positive (+) and negative (-) poles. Very familiar because you see them in almost every electronic device that needs a battery.  

Rhythm and vibration is also a physical science. The study of vibration is called Cymatics and it is used in the healthcare field, art and music and engineering and electronics. It is the one principle you see, feel and hear. You can’t see without light and the way it vibrates into your eyes. You can hear sound because of your ears and you can feel the same vibrations with your hands on a speaker.  

Gender is present in biology and psychology. It is studied in biology through genetic makeup of an organism. In psychology both the masculine and the feminine are present in the psyche through the Anima/Animus or in the Brahman the Shiva/Shakti.

Hermetic philosophy, is not a religion it is a very basic understanding of how our reality works. You can use this in any aspect of your life from your job to your hobbies to how you raise a family. Its principals are present in every field of study from physical sciences, political sciences, engineering, even literature and art. Understanding the hermetic principles opens up windows of deeper understanding that will make your path in life easier to follow. That is why I personally think about them whenever I encounter a problem.  

I hope you found this interpretation of the Kybalion interesting. It really has helped me understand spirituality and philosophy on a different level. This information can and has been used over the course of history to form a deeper understanding of the Universe and our role in it. I Am the Fool! May the light of wisdom show you through the darkest of times.

Sources: The Kybalion, by the Three Initiates

[dharc16]

Hey witches! It’s been a while, I am back with this post for all you beginners out there! Hope you like this

DIVINATION 101

WHICH WAY IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Divination is one of the most-practiced branches of magick. Even non-magickal folks will sometimes flip a coin to make a decision, or crack open a fortune cookie with more than idle curiosity. As a student of the magickal arts, it's likely that you dabbled in divination as one of your first forays into the Mysteries. Skillful divination puts you in touch with both your inner knowing and external wisdom that will help you along your path.

But many beginners ask the question, Where do I start? How do I navigate the maze of stones and bones and cards and tea leaves and other options confronting me? In this article, I'll discuss five common methods of divination: Pendulums, scrying, Runes, Tarot, and freestyle reading. I'll then put on my Professor Trelawney glasses and peer into your soul to recommend the best method for you. Each recommendation is based on your skills and proclivities--and just for fun, your star sign.

Keep in mind that no single method is necessarily better than another. (Also remember, it's okay to practice more than one method!) I don't buy into the myth that says that a reader who uses Tarot cards is somehow less talented than a reader who doesn't. The goal is to find the best expression for your natural psychic gifts. Starting with the right tool(s) will accelerate learning and cut down on frustration.

Pendulum Dowsing

A pendulum is basically a weighted string that is held in one hand. The user (or dowser) observes the subtle movements of the pendulum to gain information about a question, object, or environment. Put another way, dowsing uses your physical body to express phenomena that are detected by the psychic senses. (For an easy introduction to pendulums, see this article.)

One of the advantages of pendulum dowsing is that it requires very little investment of time or money to get started. There's nothing to memorize. You don't need a book, chart, or specialized equipment. You can dowse with a necklace, a fishing bob, even a teabag! What you do need is unwavering concentration and a good dose of body-based intuition.

Swing into dowsing if you:

Favor a simple, "yes or no" answer to your questions

Can usually trust your gut feelings

Excel at grounding and centering your personal energy

Want a tool that's compact and convenient

Identify as a kinetic learner/thinker (more than verbal or visual)

Pendulum powerhouses: Virgo, Cancer, Aquarius, Taurus

Runes

The Runes are both an archaic Norse alphabet and a set of powerful magickal symbols. The 24 letters of the Elder Futhark are the most common form of runic divination. They are inscribed on tiles of bone, stone, or wood and shuffled by the Rune reader. They are traditionally a masculine tool associated with the deity Odin. Each Rune has at least three meanings: A phonetic sound, a literal meaning, and a figurative or abstract meaning. From narrowest to broadest interpretation, the Rune called Berkana could stand for the letter "B", the Birch tree, birth, creativity, or the feminine principle.

Despite this apparent complexity, the Runes are famous for giving it straight. They have their own personality, and are never hesitant to point out folly or disaster. Modern readers often try to moderate the voice of the Runes by employing multi-tile, Tarot-style readings. But the purest way to consult the Runes is by drawing just one Rune stone--a "take it or leave it" proposition that doesn't leave any room for waffling.

One more thing: The Runes are a special treasure of Odin--legend has it that He hung on the World Tree for nine days and nights to receive the secret alphabet. The Runes reward devoted study and shy away from dilettantes. To truly unlock their secrets, be prepared to make some sacrifice reminiscent of (though not necessarily equal to) the God's own.

Take up the Runes if you:

Don't mind receiving answers that are harsh or blunt

Are willing to study or meditate on the symbols to receive their wisdom

Rune-meisters: Scorpio, Aries, Capricorn, Sagittarius

Scrying

Scrying encompasses such time-honored practices as gazing into crystals, water, or fire. Along with dream interpretation, it is one of the oldest forms of divination. The term comes from the archaic word "descry," meaning "to make out dimly."

The scryer goes into a relaxed, meditative state and gazes into a bright or reflective object. (A popular choice is a bowl filled with water or a crystal ball illuminated by candlelight.) The resulting information is usually in the form of imagery, but some scryers may also hear sounds or feel sensations during a session. With any luck, the scryer's visions will shed some light on the question or situation at hand.

Successful scrying does require a certain amount of natural ability. Some beginners gaze for long hours and experience only frustration. But anyone who is able to have visions will find their skills developing with practice. Focus improves, images intensify, and interpreting the visions becomes easier for the practiced scryer.

Try scrying if you:

Are a visual thinker (artist, designer, daydreamer)

Have experienced psychic dreams or spontaneous visions

Are drawn to sparkly or reflective objects

Enjoy trance and meditative states

Have knowledge of dream lore and symbols

Super scryers: Pisces, Gemini, Scorpio, Cancer

Tarot

It's no secret that I judge the Tarot to be (probably) the finest divination method ever created. It bridges the gap between intuition and knowledge. As a consummate narrative tool, Tarot dovetails with our human tendency to tell stories about ourselves. A few random cards can illustrate the past, present, and future of any drama, along with its stars and its supporting cast.

Still, Tarot's not for everyone. It's a complex method (or can be) and often throws hippie-dippy, purely-intuitive types a curveball with its 78 cards and nearly infinite permutations.

Here's a secret: Invest as much or as little study time as you want. Unstudied beginners can still get satisfactory-to-great results by responding to the imagery on the cards. People with a head for facts and correspondences are great at teasing out additional meaning from a spread. But readers who can integrate both their left- and right-brain functions are predisposed to become Tarot adepts.

Tend toward Tarot if you:

Are drawn to art, literature, history and mythology

Have a good memory and make connections easily

Are a natural storyteller

Welcome complex or ambiguous answers

Are both creative and analytical, and able to balance these traits

Tarot superstars: Gemini, Sagittarius, Libra, Virgo

Nothing at All

Some readers don't use any tools at all. Instead, they rely on some combination of gut instincts, energetic perception. They listen carefully for psychic signals from their body and

inner voice. Empty-handed readings can be done for yourself or others.

The potential pitfalls are obvious: If you come up blank, there's no real starting place for the reading. (Struggling readers often resort to cold reading tactics or self-help cliches rather than real information.) Then there's the problem of bias: Without external tools guiding you, you're more likely to let your personal opinions and preconceptions color the reading. Good communication skills are essential to this type of reading. Many talented readers fall flat because they can't articulate what they're seeing or feeling.

Kick it freestyle if you:

Are very sensitive to energy (and good at putting your feelings into words)

Can easily put aside your biases during a session.

Find divination tools distracting

Are a natural healer who holds others' best interests at heart

Have the confidence to deliver a reading without tools for backup

adapted from Grove and Grotto

Unencumbered wonders: Aquarius, Aries, Pisces, Taurus

[kusunokihimea]

     [ Sooo I’m gonna talk about a thing under the cut that’s honestly been eating at me for like...a good while now, and that’s: RP burnout.

     I’m not really sure when I started feeling so...disconnected? from RP here on Tumblr. Don’t get me wrong: I love my muses, I love my threads, my partners, my friends...something just feels...off. I feel drained whenever I go to tend to my drafts. And it’s not that I don’t like them, or want them, I just feel...uninspired? I guess? Like I want the stories to continue, I just...don’t feel like I can.

     At the beginning of June (and technically for a week or two before) I worked REALLY HARD on my OC x Canon ship week, and wrote MASSIVE drabbles. Seven of them. All in a row. And I LOVED it. Before I was ever into RP, I was into writing fics. It’s how I got into fandom way back in like...idek when. 2006? 2007? I got into Naruto, my first real fandom experience, through Quizilla and the fic writing community. Then I moved to fanfiction.net. Then I started RP in like...2012? 2013? with a few friends. And I loved it! It was a whole new way to write stories and flesh out characters...some of it even inspired an entire worldbuilding project of mine, Nightwalkers. And a few years later, when I started getting really sick, I dropped fic writing completely, and devoted entirely to RP a few months later. I’ve been here ever since.

     But lately...I dunno. I guess it’s just the pendulum swinging back the other way? I’m enjoying writing fics again. I’ve been doing daily drabbles over on @365daysofsasuhina. I haven’t missed a single day, and we’re halfway through the year. Granted, some nights I’m tired or grumpy and don’t feel like doing it, but I do it. I did the OC x Canon ship week. And I’ve been doing both RP-related drabbles and prompted drabbles from friends for months and months. And keep getting new ideas, when in the past...that was gone.

     So what does this mean? I dunno. I love RP. Maybe I just need a break. Maybe I’m spreading myself too thin, cuz gods know I do that literally all the time. There’s so much I wanna do! I have like a dozen sideblogs, all for different projects, and...all are suffering because I just don’t have time to tend to them all. Icons. Art. Drabbles. Other RP blogs. A personal blog.

     I love all my muses. But lately I’ve gotten this feeling that I’m just...trying to do too much. Hyuuchiha has 17 muses. This blog has 12, including some NPCs. I’ve had itchings to do two more, move things around, try to branch out...but at the same time I also wanna just strip the blogs to their bare bones. I’ve thought of making Hyuuchiha purely Sasuke and Hinata, maybe their two kids. Because I don’t have enough time for all those muses, and...most get overlooked anyway. Probably because most are OCs, or underrated canons. Just stinks when you put so much work into building muses...and then have no time for them. And when you DO, it seems no one else does (except those of you who are always around - I see you, I do). But I mean in the grand scheme of things, I get single digit percentage interaction in regards to followers. On both blogs, tbh. And I love the interactions I get, it just...feels like there’s this crowd of people around, with maybe 5 who even seem to notice I’m here. And I wonder if me and my habit of taking on too much is to blame.

     I feel the same way about this blog. I have muses who hardly get touched. And while I’m sure that’s partly my fault for not putting them out there enough...I dunno. It makes me wonder if it’s worth having them around at all.

     ...to be fair, life itself has been REALLY hard on me lately, too. I’ve had friendships go south, family being nasty, my job is dragging out and I’m not getting paid, all while having to work even harder and getting extremely tired. My health, mental and physical, is suffering. I’m barely hanging in there most days, in all honesty. Which I know most folks don’t wanna hear about: we’re here to RP, not talk about our real lives and problems...but that DOES affect how and when and if we can RP. And I’m not one to pretend that RL doesn’t play a role in my hobby(s). I’m human, and so is everyone else.

     I’m getting all sorts of off-track, but...in short: I’m majorly burnt out. In MANY regards, and I’m not sure how to like...salvage the situation. Do I just majorly downsize my blogs and turtle to active followers? Do I take a hiatus? Do I drop RP altogether and go back to ficcing full time for my writing hobby? I dunno. I think this has been a long time coming between life and frustrations here.

     So...just a heads up, that for now, I’m gonna just...take it slow. I need to think about these blogs and how I wanna handle them. Maybe make another sideblog for archiving muses I need to put on a backburner. Cuz I don’t want all that work to go to waste, and granted, 98% of those OCs are ALAS related, and...gods know I’ll never finish that. I haven’t even worked on it in years because...what’s the point? So what’s the point with the muses, too? I want to keep writing, and I’m not dropping threads. It just...might be a while until I get to them. Some muses (and thus their threads) might be dropped, but...not for now. I need to think first. I guess most of this is just me thinking out loud (well not out loud, but...you know what I mean).

     Anyway...change is probably coming either way. Just...not sure how, yet. All I ask is that you be patient with me. This community and the friends I’ve made have been what’s kept me afloat for about four years now. I’m not leaving or letting that go. But something’s gotta give =/ ]

[freedom-shamrock]

Good Kitty

Also on AO3 Chronologically follows “Nightmare Fuel,” but can stand on its own. 

Marinette twirled around, feeling the fabric swing around her legs as it swirled around her.

"Slow it down just a little," Chat suggested.  "Purrfect."

His praise made her heart beat a little faster.  Their photoshoot in the evening sunlight of the middle of summer wasn't the only reason she was warm

"Keep the smile and when I tell you to freeze, I want you to just stop spinning," he said.  "Got it?"

"Better hurry up before I tip over," she replied.

"Aaaand… Freeze!"

The skirt of the dress obeyed the laws of physics and continued wrapping around her before eventually swaying back like a pendulum.  The world still seemed to spin around her, and she was relieved to feel his steadying arm around her her a moment later.  "Oooooh.  Sooooo dizzy."  She laughed.

"I'd like to do a couple more of those to be sure I really captured the swing of the fabric," he said, brushing his lips against her forehead.  "But you won't have to twirl so long for those."

"You're really good at this stuff," she said, slipping her arms around his waist, and blinking up at him as Paris continued to rock and sway in her distorted vision.

"Uhhh… I am?" he seemed genuinely surprised.

She nodded.  "You know, we need to have a photo viewing session.  I keep forgetting that you haven't gotten to see how your efforts have paid off."  She should have done that ages ago.  "I mean, you model the stuff amazingly well.  Between that, and the fact that you understand me when I go all design mode, I have a strong suspicion that you're in the industry."  She pressed two fingers to his lips to keep him from confirming or denying.  "But I'm not a model.  I barely know the first thing about presentation and photo composition.  You've been coaching me into positions that show off my designs really well.  And your pictures only need to be cropped a little.  We haven't had to reshoot anything… other than the stuff from the day of dead batteries."  She moved her hand up into his hair.  "You're amazing."

His cheeks were pink, and he looked ridiculously happy.

After several moments of him just beaming at her, she broke the silence.  "What are you thinking?"

"I like it when you think I'm good at something," he said simply.  "It makes me absurdly happy when you compliment me."  He glanced away.  "It's probably compensation for my stupid home life.  And I hadn't really paid attention before, but I react when anyone tells me I did something well.  It's just a lot stronger when it's you."

"Is this like a bedroom thing?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows at him.

His bright eyes went wide.  "Uhm.  No?"

"Hmmm."  She walked his fingers up his arm to tap on his bell.  "You don't sound so sure about that, Kitty."

"Because I have no idea," he admitted.  "You're my first girlfriend, and the first person I've even kissed because I wanted to."

So far they were much more tease than touch, though cuddles and sweet kisses were always on the agenda.  He couldn't get out of the suit until he was ready to reveal himself, and it seemed they were both reluctant to push too far toward something they couldn't finish up yet.

"You are the sweetest, kindest person I've ever met," she said, pitching her voice a little lower than usual.  She ran her thumb over his jaw and watched intently for any sign that it was doing something for him.  "You're so smart and talented, not just at your superhero work."  Yup.  His pupils had definitely gotten bigger.  "The pictures you've taken are so much better than anything I could have done on my own.  Between your instructions and your camera work, I look like an actual model in some of the pictures.  I expect my parents will want to frame one.  Or five.  They are sooooo good."  She brought up her other hand so she could frame his face between them.  "Have I told you lately how devastatingly hot you are in that black leather getup?"

There was the purr.  She sighed, closing her eyes and leaning against him, feeling the vibration through his suit..  "Oh, that's nice," she whispered, knowing his sensitive cat ears would pick it up.  "I love when you do that."

"You're doing this on purpose," he accused, nuzzling the side of her face.

She smiled, her breath catching a little when she felt his lips on her neck, just below her ear.  "Is it wrong to tell you how good you are at being my boyfriend?"

His tiny whimper was the only warning she got.  Suddenly his arms were tight around her, the camera apparently forgotten and dangling from his wrist bumping her in the right butt cheek.  His mouth opened on her neck, his hot tongue stroking across her skin.  Until now their kisses had been relatively chaste.  They'd only recently tried French kissing, which they both agreed, while grinning stupidly, they needed more practice on.

She clung to him as his devilish lips moved down to a spot right above her collarbone.  Her knees went a bit wobbly, and she was, once again, glad he was so strong and steady.  She didn't have to think about the pithy basics of balance or standing while he did whatever that was to her neck.  He sucked lightly on her skin and she was barely even aware of the gasp she let out.  It seemed to encourage him, and his teeth came out to play next, gently nipping.

That… oh god, that was too much.  Catching his chin in both hands, she gently forced his lips up to hers for a much more fierce kiss than she'd ever given him.  Her tongue delved greedily into his mouth, and she felt his moan more than she heard it.  When she finally drew back, she caught his lower lip gently in her teeth.

They were both breathing heavily as he rested his forehead against hers.

"I think I have a thing for neck kisses," she whispered, once she could talk again.

He chuckled.  "Is this like a bedroom thing?" he asked.

"Definitely," she replied.  She'd liked it far too much to make it something he had to tease out of her.  "And you are appallingly good at neck kisses.  Oh.  My.  God."

He hummed.  "I don't know.  I think there's some room for improvement."  He straightened up to look into her eyes.

There was something devious in his expression.  "This is payback, isn't it."  It wasn't even a question.

"What would I need to pay you back for, love?"  His crooked grin was full of mischief.  "What if I just like making you feel nice?  It did feel nice, right?"

"Holy fuck, yes."

He laughed outright at that.  "Can I do it again, then?" he asked.  "I want to see if the other side of your neck is equally responsive."  He ran one claw lightly over her skin, as if pointing out the path he wanted to take.

She tilted her head slightly, displaying her neck for him.  "Yes.   Please ."

By the time he'd concluded that she might actually be more sensitive on that side, they'd lost their window of money light on this particular rooftop.  But she was totally okay with that.

Next in series > Not Teasing

Marichat May, Day 22, Rooftop Kisses This is also a continuation of my Miraculous Acts of Kindness series proposed by @squirrellygirlart on Tumblr. @australet789 is an amazing artist, and their work does an excellent job spanning all options from sweet and fluffy to dark and angsty. Oddly, while I can't do angst fiction or film right now, a little art is okay. They also have a fic in progress called "Fractal," which I haven't read because I can't really do body horror at the moment. You can find that on AO3.

[tipsycad147]

Exploring your psychic gifts: Which divination method is right for you?

Posted by Michelle Gruben on Jun 16, 2016

Divination is one of the most-practised branches of magick. Even non-magickal folks will sometimes flip a coin to make a decision, or crack open a fortune cookie with more than idle curiosity. As a student of the magickal arts, it's likely that you dabbled in divination as one of your first forays into the Mysteries. Skilful divination puts you in touch with both your inner knowing and external wisdom that will help you along your path. But many beginners ask the question, Where do I start? How do I navigate the maze of stones and bones and cards and tea leaves and other options confronting me? In this article, I'll discuss five common methods of divination: Pendulums, scrying, Runes, Tarot, and freestyle reading. I'll then put on my Professor Trelawney glasses and peer into your soul to recommend the best method for you. Each recommendation is based on your skills and proclivities--and just for fun, your star sign. Keep in mind that no single method is necessarily better than another. (Also remember, it's okay to practice more than one method!) I don't buy into the myth that says that a reader who uses Tarot cards is somehow less talented than a reader who doesn't. The goal is to find the best expression for your natural psychic gifts. Starting with the right tool(s) will accelerate learning and cut down on frustration. Pendulum Dowsing A pendulum is basically a weighted string that is held in one hand. The user (or dowser) observes the subtle movements of the pendulum to gain information about a question, object, or environment. Put another way, dowsing uses your physical body to express phenomena that are detected by the psychic senses. (For an easy introduction to pendulums, see this article.) One of the advantages of pendulum dowsing is that it requires very little investment of time or money to get started. There's nothing to memorise. You don't need a book, chart, or specialised equipment. You can dowse with a necklace, a fishing bob, even a teabag! What you do need is unwavering concentration and a good dose of body-based intuition. Swing into dowsing if you: Favour a simple, "yes or no" answer to your questions Can usually trust your gut feelings Excel at grounding and centring your personal energy Want a tool that's compact and convenient Identify as a kinetic learner/thinker (more than verbal or visual)

Pendulum powerhouses: Virgo, Cancer, Aquarius, Taurus Runes

The Runes are both an archaic Norse alphabet and a set of powerful magickal symbols. The 24 letters of the Elder Futhark are the most common form of runic divination. They are inscribed on tiles of bone, stone, or wood and shuffled by the Rune reader. They are traditionally a masculine tool associated with the deity Odin. Each Rune has at least three meanings: A phonetic sound, a literal meaning, and a figurative or abstract meaning. From narrowest to broadest interpretation, the Rune called Berkana could stand for the letter "B", the Birch tree, birth, creativity, or the feminine principle. Despite this apparent complexity, the Runes are famous for giving it straight. They have their own personality, and are never hesitant to point out folly or disaster. Modern readers often try to moderate the voice of the Runes by employing multi-tile, Tarot-style readings. But the purest way to consult the Runes is by drawing just one Rune stone--a "take it or leave it" proposition that doesn't leave any room for waffling. One more thing: The Runes are a special treasure of Odin--legend has it that He hung on the World Tree for nine days and nights to receive the secret alphabet. The Runes reward devoted study and shy away from dilettantes. To truly unlock their secrets, be prepared to make some sacrifice reminiscent of (though not necessarily equal to) the God's own. Take up the Runes if you: Feel a connection to the Norse pantheon (especially Odin) Don't mind receiving answers that are harsh or blunt Are willing to study or meditate on the symbols to receive their wisdom

Rune-meisters: Scorpio, Aries, Capricorn, Sagittarius Scrying Scrying encompasses such time-honoured practices as gazing into crystals, water, or fire. Along with dream interpretation, it is one of the oldest forms of divination. The term comes from the archaic word "descry," meaning "to make out dimly." The scryer goes into a relaxed, meditative state and gazes into a bright or reflective object. (A popular choice is a bowl filled with water or a crystal ball illuminated by candlelight.) The resulting information is usually in the form of imagery, but some scryers may also hear sounds or feel sensations during a session. With any luck, the scryer's visions will shed some light on the question or situation at hand. Successful scrying does require a certain amount of natural ability. Some beginners gaze for long hours and experience only frustration. But anyone who is able to have visions will find their skills developing with practice. Focus improves, images intensify, and interpreting the visions becomes easier for the practised scryer. Try scrying if you:

Are a visual thinker (artist, designer, daydreamer) Have experienced psychic dreams or spontaneous visions Are drawn to sparkly or reflective objects Enjoy trance and meditative states Have knowledge of dream lore and symbols

Super scryers: Pisces, Gemini, Scorpio, Cancer Tarot

It's no secret that I judge the Tarot to be (probably) the finest divination method ever created. It bridges the gap between intuition and knowledge. As a consummate narrative tool, Tarot dovetails with our human tendency to tell stories about ourselves. A few random cards can illustrate the past, present, and future of any drama, along with its stars and its supporting cast. Still, Tarot's not for everyone. It's a complex method (or can be) and often throws hippie-dippy, purely-intuitive types a curveball with its 78 cards and nearly infinite permutations.

Here's a secret: Invest as much or as little study time as you want. Unstudied beginners can still get satisfactory-to-great results by responding to the imagery on the cards. People with a head for facts and correspondences are great at teasing out additional meaning from a spread. But readers who can integrate both their left- and right-brain functions are predisposed to become Tarot adepts. Tend toward Tarot if you: Are drawn to art, literature, history and mythology Have a good memory and make connections easily Are a natural storyteller Welcome complex or ambiguous answers Are both creative and analytical, and able to balance these traits

Tarot superstars: Gemini, Sagittarius, Libra, Virgo Nothing at All Some readers don't use any tools at all. Instead, they rely on some combination of gut instincts, energetic perception, and channelled messages to steer the reading in the right direction. They listen carefully for psychic signals from their body and inner voice. Empty-handed readings can be done for yourself or others. The potential pitfalls are obvious: If you come up blank, there's no real starting place for the reading. (Struggling readers often resort to cold reading tactics or self-help cliches rather than real information.) Then there's the problem of bias: Without external tools guiding you, you're more likely to let your personal opinions and preconceptions colour the reading. Good communication skills are essential to this type of reading. Many talented readers fall flat because they can't articulate what they're seeing or feeling. Kick it freestyle if you: Are very sensitive to energy (and good at putting your feelings into words) Can easily put aside your biases during a session Have a working relationship with deities, spirit guides, or ancestors who assist you in reading Find divination tools distracting Are a natural healer who holds others' best interests at heart Have the confidence to deliver a reading without tools for backup

Unencumbered wonders: Aquarius, Aries, Pisces, Taurus

https://www.groveandgrotto.com/blogs/articles/which-divination-method-is-right-for-you-five-ways-to-explore-psychic-gifts