#emotional intelligence skills assessment

[enhansenperformancesblog]

Enhansen Performance: Transforming Leaders and Teams Through Innovative Development Programs

In today's fast-paced and competitive business world, effective leadership and strong team dynamics are essential for success. Enhansen Performance is a leading provider of innovative development programs designed to enhance leadership skills, foster psychological safety, and promote resilience in the workplace. With a focus on cutting-edge tools and methodologies, Enhansen Performance is dedicated to helping individuals and organizations reach their full potential.

Resilience Training Sydney

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and challenges. Enhansen Performance offers comprehensive resilience training Sydney programs that are designed to equip individuals with the skills and strategies they need to thrive in today's ever-changing business environment. Our training programs focus on building emotional resilience, stress management, and coping mechanisms, enabling individuals to navigate challenges with confidence and resilience.

Emotional Intelligence Skills Assessment

Emotional intelligence (EI) is a critical leadership skill that can significantly impact one's effectiveness as a leader. Enhansen Performance offers emotional intelligence skills assessment tools that provide individuals with valuable insights into their EI strengths and areas for development. Our assessments are designed to help individuals enhance their self-awareness, empathy, and relationship management skills, leading to improved leadership effectiveness and team performance.

Psychological Safety for Self

Psychological safety is essential for creating a supportive and inclusive work environment where individuals feel safe to take risks, share their ideas, and express their concerns. Enhansen Performance offers workshops and training programs focused on developing psychological safety for self. These programs help individuals build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging, enabling them to contribute more effectively to their teams and organizations.

Coaching for Managers

Coaching is a powerful tool for developing leadership skills and enhancing team performance. Enhansen Performance offers coaching programs specifically designed for managers, equipping them with the skills and tools they need to coach their team members effectively. Our coaching for managers programs focus on developing key leadership competencies, such as communication, collaboration, and decision-making, enabling managers to drive performance and engagement within their teams.

Emotional Intelligence for Leaders

Emotional intelligence is a critical skill for leaders at all levels of an organization. Enhansen Performance offers programs focused on enhancing emotional intelligence for leaders, helping them develop the self-awareness, empathy, and relationship management skills needed to lead with authenticity and impact. Our programs are designed to help leaders build stronger relationships, make better decisions, and create a positive work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration.

In conclusion, Enhansen Performance is committed to transforming leaders and teams through innovative development programs that enhance resilience, emotional intelligence, and psychological safety. Whether you're looking to enhance your leadership skills, build a more resilient team, or create a more inclusive work environment, Enhansen Performance has the expertise and programs to help you achieve your goals.

[saipushpalearner]

Personalized Learning 

Master personalized strategies for agility with Everything DiSC Agile EQ’s customizable training modules. 

[kleopatra45]

Mercury in the House [Solar Return]

Mercury in the 1st House

When Mercury is in the 1st house of your Solar Return chart, communication and intellectual pursuits take center stage for the year. You may find yourself more curious, talkative, and eager to learn. Your ability to express yourself is heightened, making this a great year for networking, studying, or starting new projects that require mental agility. Be cautious of becoming overly nervous or scattered in your focus.

Mercury in the 2nd House

With Mercury in the 2nd house, your thoughts and conversations will revolve around finances, possessions, and personal values. This year, you might explore new ways to make money, manage resources, or assess your worth. Analytical thinking will aid in budgeting and investment decisions. Be mindful of not becoming too materialistic or overly worried about financial matters.

Mercury in the 3rd House

Mercury in the 3rd house emphasizes communication, learning, and short trips. This year, you may be more involved in writing, teaching, or engaging in frequent conversations. Your mind will be sharp, and you could take on new studies or skills. Siblings, neighbors, and your immediate environment play a significant role in your experiences. Watch out for becoming too scattered or superficial in your interactions.

Mercury in the 4th House

When Mercury is in the 4th house, thoughts turn towards home, family, and personal foundations. You may find yourself more involved in family matters or interested in genealogy and history. Communication within the home becomes crucial, and you might engage in home improvement projects or move residences. Emotional intelligence is essential to navigate family dynamics effectively.

Mercury in the 5th House

With Mercury in the 5th house, creativity, romance, and children are highlighted. This year, you might explore creative writing, engage in playful intellectual pursuits, or enjoy hobbies that stimulate your mind. Romantic relationships could involve more communication and mental connection. Be aware of becoming too critical or analytical in matters of the heart.

Mercury in the 6th House

Mercury in the 6th house focuses on work, health, and daily routines. You’ll likely be busy with work-related tasks, and your attention to detail will be sharp. This is an excellent time to organize your workspace, improve efficiency, and focus on health through diet and exercise. Avoid becoming overly worried about minor health issues or getting bogged down in mundane details.

Mercury in the 7th House

When Mercury is in the 7th house, partnerships and relationships take center stage. Communication with significant others, business partners, or close friends becomes crucial. This year, you may negotiate contracts, resolve conflicts, or discuss the future of your relationships. Be cautious of becoming too argumentative or overly reliant on others for mental stimulation.

Mercury in the 8th House

With Mercury in the 8th house, your thoughts dive into deep, transformative topics such as psychology, finances, and shared resources. You might engage in research, explore occult subjects, or deal with inheritances and taxes. Intense conversations and a desire for profound understanding mark this year. Be mindful of becoming too secretive or obsessive in your thinking.

Mercury in the 9th House

Mercury in the 9th house emphasizes higher learning, travel, and philosophical exploration. This year, you might pursue studies, travel abroad, or engage in discussions about religion, law, or ethics. Your mind will be open to new ideas and cultural experiences. Avoid being overly dogmatic or scattered in your intellectual pursuits.

Mercury in the 10th House

When Mercury is in the 10th house, career, and public image are in focus. This year, you might take on roles that require communication, writing, or teaching. Your professional reputation could be shaped by how effectively you express your ideas. Networking and strategic thinking will benefit your career. Be careful of becoming too consumed with public opinion or overly concerned with status.

Mercury in the 11th House

With Mercury in the 11th house, social connections, and future goals take precedence. This year, you might join groups, clubs, or organizations that align with your interests. Friendships and networking play a significant role in achieving your aspirations. Collaborative projects and innovative ideas will flourish. Avoid spreading yourself too thin or becoming overly dependent on group approval.

Mercury in the 12th House

Mercury in the 12th house brings a focus on introspection, spirituality, and hidden matters. This year, you might find yourself drawn to meditation, dreams, and subconscious exploration. Communication may take on a more private or secretive nature. Writing in a journal or engaging in solitary intellectual pursuits can be beneficial. Be mindful of becoming too reclusive or overwhelmed by unconscious fears.

Retrograde

Mercury retrograde in the houses of a Solar Return chart signifies a year of introspection, reevaluation, and revisiting past issues related to the themes of each house. Communication may be more reflective and internalized, with possible misunderstandings and delays in these areas.

In the 1st house, it prompts self-reflection and identity reassessment

In the 2nd house, a reevaluation of finances and values

In the 3rd house, reconsideration of communication and local interactions

In the 4th house, reflection on family and home life

In the 5th house, rethinking creativity and romance

In the 6th house, revisiting work and health routines

In the 7th house, reassessing relationships

In the 8th house, deep introspection on shared resources and transformations

In the 9th house, reconsideration of beliefs and long-distance matters

In the 10th house, reevaluation of career and public image

In the 11th house, reflection on friendships and future goals

In the 12th house, a deep dive into the subconscious and hidden aspects of life.

©️kleopatra45

[prettieinpink]

5K SPECIAL | CREATING YOUR OWN GARDEN𝜗𝜚

This is a guide to make your mind like your own garden flourishing with plants, flowers and butterflies. Having a good mental mindset, and being in the right state of mind is essential to being the best version of yourself.

This guide is divided into four sections: mindset, self-care, mental wellness and emotional intelligence. I hope you can take away something useful and take care of yourself! 💖 

MINDSET

Your mindset can easily determine how you go through life. It influences how you feel, act, behave and your thoughts. When you have a poor mindset, it is going to be difficult to go through life, even if your life is easy. 

However, once we grow and improve our minds, it is easier for us to navigate life, improve our well-being and increase our chances of success. 

Before we get into mindset shifts, I want to explain how exactly you can implement them in your life. I feel like there’s so much talk about mindset, but no one exactly explains on how to implement them. 

IMPLEMENTING 

The first thing to implementing mindset shifts is making a conscious effort to be aware of your thoughts. If you want, practice mindful activities to improve your self-awareness of your thoughts. 

You have to be able to catch a thought in its passing and whoosh it away from your mind. If you don’t whoosh it away, those simple thoughts build each time which can soon turn into the way you think.

Secondly, after increasing your awareness, identify what exactly about your thoughts or mindset you’d like to shift, and what you would like to shift to.

Thirdly, is to completely immerse yourself in that mindset shift. The mind learns through repetition, meaning that repeating it enough will make your mind learn it. 

Set your mindset shift as your weekly intention, say affirmations, and prayer, read books on it, put a quote on your phone as your wallpaper, just make it so that mindset shift is constantly on your mind. 

Lastly, do small actionable things that reinforce that mindset shift. I recommend you do at least one habit every day for this. 

This is not the only method to implement mindset shifts, but for me, it’s the one that is highly effective. I recommend doing some research on your own, and making adjustments when needed depending on how you think. 

MINDSET SHIFTS

This whole part we’ll talk about the mindset shifts I think everyone should at least try to implement in their lives if they want to improve themselves. These mindset shifts are my absolute favourites and they improved the quality of my life. 

After each one, I’ll state a small habit you can incorporate that contributes to that shift. 

Live your life with your highest self in mind. 

This is more intentional living than an actual mindset shift, but still as important. Whatever you do throughout the day, consider if it aligns with your highest self. If not? Release it. Your highest self knows what's best for you, trust them. 

At the end of the day, reflect on your daily habits, which include all habits you did today whether they were ideal or not. What habits aligned with your highest self and which didn’t? The ones that didn’t, why? How can you change or remove this habit to get closer to your highest self?

Rejection is just redirection.

As someone who has gotten rejected from the things that they wanted and felt so lost in the pursuit of fulfilment, this mindset shift saved me. You have to stop chasing the things that aren’t meant for you if life has proved it isn’t.

While I’m not saying give up after the first try, but try to step back and assess the situation. If you are qualified and ready for this thing, then why is it still not yours? Because it isn’t meant for you. God is trying to nudge you into a different path, recognise his signs. 

To handle rejection better, look for the lesson(s) you’ve learnt, and the skills you grew and see if there is another area of life that you can apply them to. 

Keep yourself on a pedestal.

I am worthy so much to me. It sounds like a weird sentence, but you should start treating yourself like a treasure and avoid giving out that same treatment to most people because you have your soul, which homes itself in your body. Every day, you are living through this soul and body. 

So, why would you take care of someone else’s soul and body? You are never going to be the soul that lives in their body, or the body which homes their soul. Don’t neglect yourself in the priority of someone else. 

Practice setting boundaries with others and recognising when someone wants more than what you’re willing. 

You choose the life that you want.

You have choices and options every day to do things that will eventually have an outcome. Whether this outcome supports the vision of your dream life or not, all depends on how you choose to live your life now.  

I don’t have a habit with this one but keep in mind that absolutely nothing is controlling you, and your choices are of free will. Circumstances can change, but that is why we have to adapt and be flexible.

Fear is a step to success

If you’re not scared, you’re not doing it right. Fear can hold us back, but that is why we have to twist fear into a source of motivation instead. If we were always in our comfort zone, stepping back when we feel a sliver of fear, we allow fear to dictate our life and its course. 

You can’t be successful unless you do the uncomfortable. For this one, do something each day that scares you or makes you uncomfortable. It doesn’t have to be anything extreme, but simple things like exercising longer than usual or talking to someone who you wouldn’t imagine yourself with. Those little risks are so important. 

Embarrassment is not a real emotion 

This one is a bit controversial, but I do not believe in the concept of embarrassment. Yes, things can sometimes be awkward, but it is fully in your control if you want to feel ashamed or not. Being embarrassed only holds you back, and doesn’t allow you to live life to its fullest. 

I would recommend doing a small risk every day as well, but of things that would usually feel awkward. 

Progress over perfection/completion

Perfectionism which is allowed to be nurtured over time can create an avoidance mindset towards doing harder things in life. While we should strive for excellence in everything we do, we shouldn’t allow it to consume us. 

(the avoidance mindset is when we put off/avoid tasks that we believe to be out of our abilities, and so that completion of the task is poor quality/not done well.) 

This one is less common, but I know a few people who would not do a task if they knew it would not be fully completed in their desired time frame. However, each minute of work contributes to the results or completion of something. 

Every day, do one thing that will add up to the completion of your long-term goals. 

To welcome tomorrow, you have to let go of yesterday. 

Living in the past makes us neglect our present self. I’m not saying forget everything that’s happened, but never allow the past to consume your mind. Acknowledge that you’ve been hurt, you’re longing or you were happier. Then, release it. 

Journaling is the perfect way to stay in touch with the present. You can type it, write it, vlog, draw, or compose to journal. 

Everyone has their beauty.

This one helped me a lot with comparison. I saw beauty, not as a measure or a value of someone, but rather something that everyone has uniquely and it cannot be valued. I have my sense of beauty, and you have your beauty as well. We are two different people with unique features, traits and qualities, so our ‘beauty’ can’t be measured against each other. 

Define your beauty. You could be smart, feminine, book beauty or dark, flowers, creative beauty. You add your details to your beauty and never try to define someone else's. 

To conclude this section, your mindset is very powerful. To achieve your goals, work on your mindset. Also, don’t try to work on more than one mindset shift at a time. Implement one fully then work on the next one. It could be overwhelming if you’re doing more than one. 

SELF-CARE

The next chapter of this guide is about self-care. Self-care is important for maintaining balance in our lives and generally keeping ourselves happy. However, most people don’t understand the concept of self-care, so they just end up doing a bunch of random things and wondering why they don’t feel better.

Yes, you can coddle or pamper yourself when you want, but it is not self-care. While activities from these three things do overlap, do not confuse the terms with each other. 

Self-care is simply what it says. Taking care of yourself. Taking care of yourself looks different for everyone. My idea of self-care will be different to yours.

REDEFINING SELF-CARE.

When you imagine what self-care looks like, it’s typically someone else’s definition of self-care which has been reinforced in your mind. You have to redefine your idea of self-care to match your goals, energy levels and circumstances. 

Before you do, self-care is not always about taking a break. It seems that way, however, self-care can also be having the discipline to do the things that you don’t want to, but are good for you. 

Here are some questions to help you redefine your self-care:

What does self-care mean to you? Does that meaning align with your current values and needs? 

Do you have any negative associations or misconceptions of self-care? Why?

How do I feel in all areas of my life? (physically, mentally, spiritually, professionally). What areas need more attention and how can I improve that area(s)?

What activities bring me happiness, fulfilment and a sense of renewal? 

What tasks do I have to do, which are good for me but I hesitate in completing that task?

How would I like to feel after complementing my self-care rituals? 

Envision your life if it had complete balance and self-care incorporated. What habits would you be doing to support that vision? 

My idea of self-care is completing all of my non-negotiables, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, taking somewhat productive breaks and talking to others daily. 

THE SEVEN PILLARS OF SELF-CARE 

Self-care has seven pillars, which you all need to take care of to have a balanced life. However, balanced self-care does not mean equal attention to each pillar. It means that each one is up to the same standard of self-care you’ve put for yourself. So, you need to allocate your attention appropriately. 

MAJOR PILLARS 

Physical - The well-being of your body. 

Mental - The state of your mental health, mind and emotions. 

Spiritual - The strengthening of your relationship with God while nourishing your holy spirit. 

Personal - Doing things that bring you enjoyment and fulfilment + embracing your identity.

MINOR PILLARS

Social - Connecting with friends, family or even strangers.

Professional - Your work/school life. 

Environment - Keeping your space clean and extracting anything that holds you back. 

Major and minor do not add or take away the value each category has, it just means that major pillars may need more attention compared to the minor ones which may need less attention. Of course, you may need to focus more on a minor pillar, as self-care is individual to you. 

I would’ve added a list of things that you could do for each category, but I want you to think about what you need for each instead of relying on strangers with different lives for self-care. 

Maybe you need to focus on exercising and doing your hobbies more. Or you need to create a better work/life balance for yourself. It all depends on your values, needs and circumstances. 

MENTAL WELLNESS

Mental wellness is the state of our cognitive, emotional and psychological functioning. When we are mentally well, we can cope better with challenges, develop a habit of having positive thoughts, and greater happiness and improve most areas of our lives overall.

There are a lot of things that contribute to our mental wellness, and I most likely won’t have everything here. Just a little disclaimer as well, it is completely normal to have a fluctuating mental state especially when we are going through unfavourable change. 

DIGITAL MINDFULNESS

Social media is a huge part of our lives but is also the main factor of mental destruction. I’m not going to say delete all of your social media, but I want to introduce to you a few ways to mindfully consume and rules with managing screen time. 

MINDFUL CONSUMPTION

To consume content mindfully, go onto apps intentionally and know what your purpose is when using that app. For example, if you want to find new habits that you can do, you could search on Tumblr or if you want a quick break from something stressful you can watch an episode of something on Netflix. 

It doesn’t matter what the purpose exactly is, but the action of being intentional. 

After you consume what you want, download images, and screenshots, and take notes or any documentation of what you found/learnt. This is more so the information is remembered/used. 

Manage your notifications. You do not need notifications from every app. Except for messages and phones, I do not put notifications on my device. I believe that if something is important enough, I’ll remember to check my phone later without the help of a notification. 

Only consume quality content. It is so easy to consume content that has obviously been reposted or is blatantly spreading misinformation. Only consume from people who you trust and you’ve followed/subscribed to. While yes, you can explore but be very mindful when doing so.

You should be decluttering, organising and deleting on your devices routinely.  This reduces the amount of distractions on your phone and makes it more intentional. Only keep the things that align with your needs, values and goals. 

DIGITAL BOUNDARIES

Have rooms or zones in the house in which you’re not allowed to use any devices or the devices you choose. For example, the bed, bathroom, office, when you’re eating at the dining table, etc. 

An alternative is having a period of a day when device usage is not allowed. It could be right after you wake up, right before you go to sleep or just in the middle of the day. Either, I recommend you have a time or place in which device usage is not allowed.

While I encourage everyone to keep up with socialising with their loved ones and friends, I don’t support dropping everything just to talk to someone. E.g If somebody wants to text while you’re in the middle of a study sesh, just say you’ll talk later. 

MANAGING STRESS

Stress is an unwelcome yet common feeling we all have. No matter what’s on your plate, we tend to stress a lot, especially in a society that is going so fast and makes us feel like we’re falling behind. 

To manage stress, you need to be self-aware of when you feel stressed. A lot of people actually can’t recognise when they feel stressed, and I am one of those people. Instead, I rely on mental or physical signs that tell me I’m feeling stressed out. 

SIGNS OF STRESS

Unusual lack of motivation or discipline

Feeling tired constantly even if haven’t done anything exhausting

Inconvenience impacts you more

Overthinking about small things

Trouble with sleeping

Low appetite

Focusing is harder

Crying or feeling tearful over small things

This is not the complete list of symptoms, but these are the things I feel/do when I feel stressed. Stress will look different for everyone, so you need to be able to create your own list of signs when you feel stressed. 

CREATING A STRESS MANAGEMENT PLAN

Creating a plan helps you to be prepared to effectively address and cope with stress. It allows you to be more productive and improves mental health when you use this plan when needed. 

Here are a few steps to creating your own!

Identify stress triggers. What do you dread the most? What makes you feel drained? What do you overthink about? Answer these questions to figure out what triggers your stress.

Assess your coping strategies. Notice if you have any ways of coping that are self-destructive, as this only contributes to your stress. 

Choose 1-3 activities that are fun to you and are not self-destructive. These activities do not have to be productive or beneficial, but they have to make you feel relaxed and generally feel better

Choose one relaxation technique and one self-care activity. These are up to you, as we tend to neglect self-care relaxation when we’re stressed. 

Optional, but have one person who you can talk to when you’re stressed. When we are stressed, we tend to look at the smaller picture but talking to someone else helps us gain a greater perspective on the matter. 

PRETTIEINPINK’S EXAMPLE PLAN

(If doing something that is my stress trigger, slot a time in the day to do my plan.)

Journal about why I’m stressed 

Make a cup of strawberry and mango tea

Read a nice story while drinking tea

Guided stress meditation

Eat some fruits 

Another thing when creating you plan to not restrict yourself using time. Allow yourself to take as much time as needed to alleviate yourself of stress. 

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE 

Being emotionally intelligent is a skill. It is the ability to understand, process and communicate emotions effectively. 

There are times when we do sometimes let our emotions take over and they dictate our actions, thoughts and words. This is why we need to build this skill, to get that control over our emotions back. 

Thinking before you speak is an oldie but goodie. What we say can drastically influence the current situation for better or for worse. If you think that what you might say is rude, offensive or crude, don’t say it at all. 

Also, stay quiet! I am all for standing up for yourself when being disrespected, but you need to recognise when someone is trying to rile you up... They WANT a reaction out of you. Most likely to use against you. Silently exit the situation instead. 

If you are someone who gets a lot of energy from big emotions like anger, dejection, sadness, and jealousy, try to channel that energy into something that requires you to have a lot of energy and is beneficial to you. Keeping that energy in until you blow up is a no-no.

Not everyone is trying to hold you back with ill intent. People’s previous experiences can influence the advice they give to you because they have your best interest at heart. They know that their method worked, which is why they’re advising it. These types of people don’t understand that there is more than one way, but they still love you.

Avoid prolonging emotions. When you’re sad, don’t listen to depressing music. When you’re angry, don’t consume ragefuel. It’s very easy in this age of consuming to amplify therefore prolonging emotions, but it holds us back. Process it, and move on.

Stop acting on a whim. Go where your heart takes you, but reflect on it and create a plan. When you do, you end up in unfavourable circumstances. The most common one is working so hard to get to a certain point, only to realise that you don’t even like it. This is why reflection is important. 

Be kind even when you’re not receiving it. Kindness is only kind when we do it out of pure love instead of personal gain. Stop expecting people to be kind to you after you’ve been kind to them. Kindness is a debt-free action.

[ariesmoontarot]

Tarot Card Guide🃏

Numerology:

0: Infinity, eternity, cycles, the void, possibilities, circle of life.

1 (Ace): Leadership, rulership, influence, authority, beginnings, manifestation, action, independence, taking initiative, will-power.

2: Duality, opposites, balance, extremes, femininity, intuition, crossroads, diplomacy, polarity, contrast, planning steps.

3: Collaboration, groups, arts, imagination, fun, gatherings, creativity, self expression, initial achievement of goals, growth, vision.

4: Stability, logic, reason, intelligence, endurance, foundation, hard work, pragmatism, material reality, problem solving, perception.

5: Change, freedom, challenge, conflict, loss, instability, risk, innovation.

6: Love, romance, sex, loyalty, relationships, harmony, communication, problem solving, cooperation, domesticity, healing, service, reciprocity, emotions.

7: Patience, determination, occult, mystic, paranormal, spirituality, contemplation, withdrawal, metaphysics, reflection, motives, assessment, intellect, solitude, control.

8: Progress, drive, ambition, enterprise, effort, focus, prosperity, abundance, movement, action, change, authority, manifestation coming, business, goals, mastery.

9: Wisdom, charity, activism, fruition, manifestation, attainment, understanding, completion, conclusions, compassion

10: Wholeness, completion, fulfillment, end of a cycle/chapter/job/relationship, end of a journey, renewal.

Element:

Air: White (clear)- Intellect, thoughts, mental, beliefs, conflict, truth, fairness, justice, learning, observation, mental stimulation, wittiness, skills, communication, perspective, perception, awareness, strategies, experience, pain, bittersweet, abrupt, swift or abrupt pace/change, quick pace, quick witted, week(s).

Earth: Green- Material resources, possessions, physical, surface level/what you can see, wealth, environment, nature, home, attainment, relationships or connections you have with people, work, physical manifestations, career, money, school/education, stability, health, attachment, body, patience, slow and gradual pace/change, year(s).

Water: Blue- Emotions, love, empathy, spirituality, creativity, happiness, sensuality, romance, compassion, soul connections, intuition, healing, sensitivity, the subconscious, depth, beneath the surface, dreams, flow, month(s).

Fire: Red- Passion, ambition, excitement, energy, action, creativity, efforts, perseverance, will, endurance, challenges, competitors, conflict, anger, growth, maturity, logic, drive, inspiration, ideas, influence, magnetism, plans, visions, sexuality, intimacy, attraction, spirituality, fast and steady pace/change, day(s).

Major Arcana:

0. The Fool: Upright- Free spirited, innocence, youthful, new beginnings, spontaneity, adventure, originality, freedom, idealism, new relationship, new job, new business, new business, new venture, spontaneous spending, financial opportunities. Reversed- foolishness, naive, reckless, impulsive, risky, careless, distracted, immature, childish, gullible, dull, stale, non-committal, flighty, irresponsible, overspending, oversharing, being taken advantage of, stale and boring job, seeing life through rose colored glasses, inconsideration.

1. The Magician: Upright- Manifestation, creation, will-power, determination, concentration, resourceful, skill, ability, desire, powerful, creating opportunities, being proactive, using skills to create, alchemist. Reversed- Abuse of power, manipulation, cunning, trickery, illusion, deception, wasted skills/talent, low willpower, insecurity, doubts, powerlessness.

2. The High Priestess: Upright- Intuition, mystery, alluring, sacred/hidden knowledge, unconscious, spirituality, higher power/divine, inner voice, deep passion and intimacy, calm exterior but intense emotion beneath the surface, education, instincts, not revealing too much for good reasons, remaining patient for the right time to say, reveal, or do something, a guide, mentor. Reversed- Suppressed feelings, ignoring intuition, lost inner voice, lack of awareness, uncentered, secrets, hiding true self, lack of information, feeling isolated, hidden motives, superficiality, confusion, cognitive dissonance.

3. The Empress: Upright- Mother/maternal figure, divine feminine energy, wife, queen, compassion, submissive, pregnancy/conception, birth, creation, creating a new idea, healing, sensitivity, intuition, empathy, sensuality, beauty, abundance, nature, self-expression, supportive person, committed relationship, compassionate coworkers/colleagues, creativity at work, freshening up office, generosity, sharing, material wealth/comfort. Reversed- Lacking empathy, unsupportive, insecurity, overbearing, smothering, negligence, lack of growth/progress, immaturity, jealous, clingy, lack of self-worth/confidence, feeling insecure at work or with finances, codependency, lack of self-assurance, moody, irritable, overwhelmed.

4. The Emperor: Upright- Father/paternal figure, divine masculine energy, husband, king, leadership, boss, authority, power, higher position, principles, independence, good reputation, logic, supportive, provider, committed lover, stability, passionate, initiative, structure, self-control, calm, protective, self-disciplinary, practicality, focus, creates rules/systems, knowledgeable, strategic, goal-oriented, very serious/traditional person, routine, older/wiser, isn't always emotional and uses logic and reasoning in love, careful about spending time, money, etc. Reversed- Rigid, egoic, stifling, controlling, possessive, abuse of power or authority, toxic masculinity, tyranny, lack of self-control/discipline, recklessness, temperamental, power struggles, competitiveness, overbearing partner, bad reputation, bad boss, mediocre, low concentration, bureaucracy, over-spending, coldness, unauthenticity, narcissistic, overly logical, close-minded.

5. The Hierophant: Upright- tradition, religion, social groups, marriage, conventionality, conformity, education, knowledge, beliefs, ceremonial, institutions, safe/traditional person, avoiding taboo, spiritual love, morals and ethics, sharing a set of beliefs, teamwork, mentor, teacher, success in work groups, keeping money safe. Reversed- untraditional, unconventionality, breaking taboo, breaking out of social/familial norms/expectations, new approaches, rebellion, subversiveness, values not aligned, stale relationship/job/investment, peer pressure, bureaucracy, confinement, stifling, taking risks with finances, new institutions, breaking down a traditional set of beliefs (could be religious).

6. The Lovers: Upright- Love, union, connection, marriage, a deep and spiritual relationship, partnership/friendship, teammates, duality, reverence, commitment, choices, romance, togetherness, trust, balance, harmonious, romance at work/school. Reversed- lack of harmony, deception, unfaithful, infidelity, separation, lack of trust, imbalances, non-committal, romance at work causing trouble, not responsible about finances, conflicts between colleagues/friends/family, detached partner, one-sidedness.

7. The Chariot: Upright- Success, ambition, determination, will-power, control, self-discipline, focus, moving forward, pursue a plan with a structured and ordered approach, action, taking control, motivation, direction, strength. Reversed- Lack of control, lack of direction, aggression, forceful, powerlessness, obstacles, obsession with finding love, lack of ambition, pushy, rushing, hesitant about financial decisions.

8. Strength: Upright- Confidence, strength, will-power, courage, humility, bravery, compassion, inner power, resilience, perseverance, fearlessness, strong caring relationship, self-mastery, boldness, large purchases, controlled spending, self-control, discipline, taming the ego, beauty and the beast. Reversed- Insecurity, lack of control, fear, ego, ruthlessness, weakness, inadequacy, coward, forcefulness, domination, low self-esteem, negativity about love, imposter syndrome, fear of making big moves, compulsiveness, compulsive spending, hesitancy about spending.

9. The Hermit: Upright- Solitude, self-reflection, inner voice/guidance, wisdom, old soul, lone traveler, retreat, separation, seeking truth, contemplation, introspection, search for self, withdrawal, dark night of the soul, tapping into the unconscious mind, digging deep within yourself, seeking answers, pausing love to introspect, self-understanding in love, contemplating next steps, searching for purpose, less focus on materialistic things, contemplating the role of finances in happiness. Reversed- Loneliness, isolation, lost your way, recluse, anti-social, rejection, returning to society, distance, feeling distant from partner, realigning career to internal goals, outcast at work, working alone, better understanding of material situation.

10. Wheel of Fortune: Upright- Change, direction, closing a cycle, ending a chapter/relationship, coming to an end, fate, divine timing, patience, good luck, the inevitable, favored outcome, fortune, decisive moments, changing of season, making adjustments, navigating change with partner, opportunities present, adaptable, flexibility. Reversed- No control, control issues, bad luck, unfavorable outcomes, resistance, delays, obstacles, holding onto the past, refusing to change, something completely outside of your control causing delays.

11. Justice: Upright- Fairness, balance, karma (can be good or bad), consequences, getting sentenced, legal matters, truth, law, accountability, honesty, integrity, pleading, cause and effect, compromise, give and take, equality, reciprocity, repentance. Reversed- Lack of accountability, unfairness, injustice, not facing the consequences, imbalance, dishonesty, breaking the law, corruption, retribution, treating someone unfairly, blaming the wrong person, untrustworthy financial dealings, avoiding financial accountability, unfair love/work/family life, sinning, deception.

12. The Hanged Man: Upright- Surrender, changing perspective, stagnancy, pause, sacrifice, release, martyrdom, waiting, uncertainty, lack of direction, contemplation, suspension, indecision, patience, repentance. Reversed- Stalling, needless sacrifice, fear of sacrifice, stagnation, disinterest, standstill, apathy, changes in love, new perspective, new career move not working, procrastination, failed investment, wasted sacrifice.

13. Death: Upright- Endings bring new beginnings, dark night of the soul, spiritual rebirth, ego death, could be literal, letting go, release, metamorphosis, transformation, change, transition. Reversed- Fear of change, fear of letting go, not accepting an ending, having a difficult time with a loss, staying the same, holding on, stagnation, repetitive, going in circles, unhealthy financial habits, resistance, lack of growth, inadaptability.

14. Temperance: Upright- Balance, harmony, flow, reciprocity, equilibrium, middle path, patience, divine timing, finding meaning, moderation, calm, serenity, peace, tranquility, careful consideration, steady and slow progress, diligence. Reversed- Excess, extremes, too much, imbalance, overindulgence, impatience, hastiness, rushing, recklessness, all or nothing attitude, temporary fulfilment in a situation.

15. The Devil: Upright- Fear, addiction, materialism, feeling chained or tied down in some way, escapism, lust, overindulgence, excess, oppression, control issues, sexual manipulation, powerlessness, pulling strings, codependency, limitations, hedonism, selfishness, obsession, self-sabotage, bad habits, lack of self-control, blaming/ lack of accountability, toxicity, addict, substance abuse, abuse. Reversed- Release, freedom, revelation, independence, reclaiming power, regaining control, ending co-dependency, taking accountability, empowerment, breaking out of bad habits, ending toxicity.

16. The Tower: Upright- Sudden upheaval, revelation, unexpected, shocking disaster, shocking situation, chaos, the breakdown of a faulty relationship or lifestyle, faulty foundation, the breakdown of illusions, broken pride/ego death, destruction, trauma, the breakdown of beliefs that are no longer useful, sudden loss. (the tower usually happens very quick and abruptly) Reversed- Averting disaster, trying to keep something from inevitably falling apart, resisting change, leaving a weak relationship, surviving disaster, overcoming chaos, surviving, leaving a temporary situation, avoidance, repeating financial troubles.

17. The Star: Upright- Hope, rejuvenation, healing, inspiration, fame, wish fulfillment, faith, renewal, positivity, optimism, reaching goals, accomplishment, awakening to oneself (finally seeing your potential). Reversed- Unhopeful, lack of faith, uninspired, negativity, pessimistic, despair, depression, despondent, self-criticism, lack of confidence, unmotivated, dissatisfied.

18. The Moon: Upright- Secrets, illusions, unconscious, intuition, dark night of the soul, in the dark, hidden truth, hidden emotions, the unseen, confusion, complexity, mystery, uncertainty, let your intuition guide you through the things you can't see or understand, repressed intuition. Reversed- Deception, truth revealed, clarity, what's done in the dark always comes to light, misinformation, misinterpretation, fear, confusion, trickery, sabotage, paranoia, misunderstanding, understanding, anxiety, inner realization, not facing the truth.

19. The Sun: Upright- Happiness, coming out of a dark night of the soul, joy, abundance, manifestation, inner child, creativity, clarity, healing, revitalized, vitality, creative ideas/opportunity, creativity in love, children, optimism, positivity, celebration, party, success, confidence, radiance, enthusiasm, energetic, bubbly, strong financial situation. Reversed- Negativity, depression, sadness, insecurity, secrets, hidden truth, feeling unsuccessful, creative blocks, lack of energy, unenthusiastic, inner child wounds, pessimistic, unable to see joy in love or anything, boredom, taking things for granted, unrealistic beliefs/ideas, unappreciative, hardships are only temporary the sun will shine again, overly optimistic.

20. Judgement: Upright- Self-evaluation, facing judgment, spiritual awakening, renewal, finding purpose, reckoning, reflection, gaining self-awareness. making adjustments in love, renewed love. Reversed- Lack of awareness, lack of accountability, self-doubt, self-loathing, failure to learn lessons, denial, self-denying.

21. The World: Upright- Coming to a close, wrapping things up, cycles ending, certain phase ending, relationship ending, endings bring new beginnings, moving on, completion, achievement, fulfillment, sense of belonging, wholeness, harmony, enlightenment, nirvana, connectedness, gratitude, feeling love, in alignment. Reversed- Lack of closure, emptiness, feeling incomplete, missing something, lack of achievement, taking someone or something for granted, false measures of success, close to completing a goal, unfulfilled, ungrateful.

Court Cards:

Kings: The Leaders/Authorities- Usually a father figure or a highly evolved person who could embody masculine energy, but certainly doesn’t have to. Upright- They’re very responsible and have a high position in some way. Provides, takes initiative, has stability, their reliable, supportive, protective, strategic, charming, powerful, commanding, esteemed. Reversed- Abusive, narcissistic, controlling, possessive, egotistical, overbearing.

Knights: The Go-Getter/Pursuer- Usually a young adult or someone who’s just starting to master a certain task, skill, or ability. Upright- They learn by taking action and not being scared of the action they take. They dive into any situation. Courageous, willful, risk-taking, passionate, offering, adventurous, persuasive, charming, suave, confident. Reversed- Arrogant, irresponsible, flighty, impulsive, prideful, non-committal, player.

Queens: The Creators/Care-takers- Usually a motherly energy or someone who is more evolved and mature within their energy. They handle situations like an adult would. Upright- They’re very intuitive & led by their heart majority of the time. Creative, nurturing, receptive, generous, compassionate, alluring, independent, and patient. Reversed- Introverted, co-dependent, overwhelmed, manipulative.

Pages: The Messengers/Scholars- Usually a teen, young energy, or someone who is not yet fully matured in a specific area or in general. They observe, research, and take in almost everything. Upright- Curious, innocent, inspired, playful, optimistic, imaginative, in awe of life and their experiences. Reversed- Naive, immature, compulsive need to be right, has a lot to learn.

Minor Arcana:

🗡️Swords: Air Element- Gemini, Libra, Aquarius.

King of Swords: Upright- Head over heart, disciplined, truthful, honest, intelligent (intellectual), reason, authority, integrity, morality, serious, high standards, strict, observant, keen, clear minded, spiritual understanding, open minded, diplomacy, good judgment, rational, reserved, controlled emotions, stern but righteous mentor, challenges or challenged to do yours or their best, thinking realistically, logical, boundaries, detail-oriented, picky about who is allowed close to them, makes smart decisions, cool, calm, collected, blunt, mentally stimulating, self-control, good thinker and communicator, mentally stable, knowing when to speak or listen. Reversed- Cold, inhumane, cruel, heartless, ruthless, oppressive, secretive, selfish, narcissistic, controlling, mentally abusive/disturbed, dishonest, ingenuity, dominating, judgmental, overly opinionated, overly critical, low standards, always wants to be right, uses intellect to an advantage, dark minded, pessimistic, dark humor, mentally unstable, extreme vulnerability, ferocious, doesn’t communicate, cold shoulder, ghosts or blocks people, narrow minded, over sharer.

Knight of Swords: Upright- Assertive, direct, impatient, intellectual, daring, communication, focused, perfectionist, ambitious, likes a challenge, easily bored, needs mental stimulation, fears about intimacy, messenger, decisive action, quick thinker/communicator, difficulty committing, getting things done quickly, really focuses on what they have in mind, efficiency, making big moves, focus on financial goals, taking action towards goals, defending beliefs. Reversed- No direction, disregarding consequences, unpredictability, aggressive, bully, mentally abusive/disturbed, intensely argumentative, ruthless, vicious, arrogance, ferocious, intimidation, fraud, dishonest, scams, coercion, shady, rude, tactless, ignorant, doesn’t communicate at all, ghosts and blocks people.

Queen of Swords: Upright- Honest, truth, observant, rational, keen, intelligent (intellectual), open minded, fair, calm, disciplined, reserved, self & spiritually aware, principled, perceptive, objective, constructive criticism, independent, good judgment, balances logic and emotion, looking at the facts before making a decision, detail-oriented, thinking realistically, blunt, telling it like it is, high standards, picky about who is allowed close to them, boundaries, wise guidance, teacher, mentor, respected, knowing when to speak or listen. Reversed- Pessimistic, malicious, dishonest, harsh, bitter, spiteful, cruel, deceitful, unforgiving, cold shoulder, cold hearted, ghosts or blocks people, wants to be right, narrow minded, selfish, mentally unstable, mentally abusive/disturbed, trauma, toxic person, poor communication, confusion, irrational, extremely vulnerable, overly critical, judgmental, overly opinionated, uses intellect to an advantage, overthinker, over sharer.

Page of Swords: Upright- Curious, witty, chatty, communicative, messenger of legal matters/gossip/agreements/truth, inspired, vigilant, alert, mental agility, loves to learn, passionate about debates/ heady discussions, shy, intellectual person, lack of emotional intimacy, flighty, nervous, anxious, could be in school, brainstormer, ambitious. Reversed- Gossipy, scatterbrained, cynical, sarcastic, insulting, rude, lack of planning, talks too much, anxious chatter, argumentative, loves to be right, defensive partner, failure to communicate healthily, over sharer, flighty, uncertainty, over-thinker, researching but taking no action, insensitive, deceptive, all talk no show, two-faced, stalker, instigator.

Ace of Swords: Upright- Clarity, truth, spiritual awakening, revelation, communication, new perspective, learning a lesson, mentally maturing, breakthrough, new idea, vision, force, focus, facing problems honestly, facing reality, stimulating situation or environment, think rationally, avoid making emotional based decisions, sharp mind. Reversed- Confusion, brutality, chaos, lack of clarity, not facing the truth, miscommunication, hostility, arguments, destruction, uncertainty, clashing perceptions, painful words, failure to learn, unable to express thoughts clearly, boredom, double check finances/statements/legal documents.

Two of Swords: Upright- Indecision, confusion, illusion, second-guessing oneself, trying to listen to intuition, stalemate, stuck in the middle, denial, hidden information/secrets, choosing between two directions, things, or people, choosing between love/family/work, conflicts at work, taking sides, avoiding decisions, difficult choices, being gaslighted. Reversed- Lesser of two evils, no choice is a right choice, confusion, failure to make a choice, inaction is an action, hesitancy, too much information, truth revealed, clarity, anxiety, can’t prioritize love/work/family, stressful decisions, accepting financial position.

Three of Swords: Upright- Heartbreak, sadness, grief, depression, betrayal, third party interference, breakup, pain, heart issues, sorrow, loss, trauma, tears, argument, hurt feelings, feeling hopeless, disappointment, division of assets after divorce or breakup. Reversed- Healing, forgiveness, recovery, reconciliation, repressing emotions, holding onto sadness, moving on after pain, separation, putting conflicts behind you, developing better processes, building savings, finding stability, severe grief about finances.

Four of Swords: Upright- Meditation, rest, recuperation, relaxation, finding a peace of mind, sanctuary, self-protection, rejuvenation, a choice to withdrawl, exhaustion, a need to find quietness, alone time, taking a vacation, mental health day, anxiety about finances, avoid overthinking, contemplation, restoring, getting better sleep/taking a nap. Reversed- Restlessness, burnout, stress, mentally drained, recovery, awakening, re-entering world, release from isolation/withdrawal, refreshed, rejection from pressuring lover, reigniting passions, not accepting support, overcoming stress.

Five of Swords: Upright- Combativeness, wanting to be right, bully, one undermining the other, challenging beliefs or opinions, not being heard, not listening, arguments, disputes, aggression, intimidation, conflict, hostility, stress, tension, refusing to agree with someone else, irritability, fighting, defensiveness, being taken advantage of. Reversed- Reconciliation, resolution, agreement, compromise, revenge, regret, remorse, cutting losses, walking away, breaking up, forgiveness, open dialogue, sabotage, loosening of tension, relief, resentment.

Six of Swords: Upright- Overcoming a hard time, moving into calmer waters, leaving the past in the past, moving forward, moving away, leaving home, leaving a job, leaving a relationship, departure, distance, accepting lessons, feeling sad but moving on, reconciling after a fight. Reversed- Holding onto the past, stuck in the past, haunted, can’t move on, creating conflicts, self sabotage, trapped at job/relationship/or in a situation, avoiding dealing with finances, emotional baggage, unresolved issues, resisting transition, returning to the past, returning to trouble, running away from problems.

Seven of Swords: Upright- Strategize, sneakiness, secretive, thief, lies, deception, scheming, trickery, resourcefulness, cunning, trying not to get caught, manipulative tactics, affair, sparing feelings, feeling suspicious, gossip, jealousy at work, shadiness, fraudulent, scams. Reversed- Confession, getting caught, conscious, regret, maliciousness, truth revealed, end of playing games, dropping pretension, liars exposed, consequences of actions, changing approach, consequences of dishonesty in financial dealings, still deceiving after being caught.

Eight of Swords: Upright- Self-sabotage, limiting beliefs, fearful, overthinking, analysis paralysis, mental captivity, restricted, victimized, paralyzed, helpless, powerless, imprisonment, feeling controlled, smothered, suffocated, passive in love life, dependence on person or job, can’t change careers, fear of job change, anxiety about money, can’t see financial opportunity. Reversed- Freedom, release, taking control, survivor, facing fears, empowered, surrender, clearer perspective, active role in love life, new job to reach potential, freedom from anxiety, continued struggle, intensified anxiety, paranoia, fears clouding the truth, dissociation, self-acceptance.

Nine of Swords: Upright- Anxiety, overthinking, losing sleep, restless mind, replaying events and experiences over and over again, nightmares, sleep paralysis, isolation, fear, terrified, breaking point, mental breakdown, crying, despair, trauma, needing to open up about pain and grief, not trusting, suspicious, regretful, no coping mechanisms, stress, panic, consuming worries, feeling deprived. Reversed- Seeking help, alienating stress by opening up, clarity, finding peace of mind, stresses manifesting in real life, poverty, lack of resources, learning to cope, recovery, facing life, shame, guilt, mental health issues.

Ten of Swords: Upright- Betrayal, deception, attack, ending, loss, destruction, sabotage, pain, dead end, failure, ruin, exhaustion, bitterness, victimization, collapse, tragedy, breakup, infidelity, failed investment, loss of finances/home. Reversed- Survival, improvement, healing, lessons learned, despair, relapse, putting relationship back together, changed jobs, found less stressful work, avoided financial ruin or bankruptcy, can’t get worse, only upwards, inevitable.

🏅Pentacles: Earth Element- Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn.

King of Pentacles: Upright- Abundance, prosperity, security, ambitious, safe, kind, patriarchal, protective, businessman, provider, sensual, reliable, supportive, patient, loyal, self-assured, trustworthy, committed, successful, prosperous, father/husband, generous, good partner, diligent, careful, practical, reserved, good reputation, good at saving and investing, referrals, encouraging, conservated, mentor, teacher, friend, family member, family/career oriented. Reversed- Greedy, materialistic, wasteful, chauvinist, poor financial decisions, gambler, exploitative, entitled, possessive, physically/financially abusive, attachment issues, co-dependent, stubborn, controlling, insecure, egotistical, bad reputation.

Knight of Pentacles: Upright- An offering of commitment or secure relationship, offering to work together, long term investment, practical, reliable, efficient, stoic, slow and steady, hard-working, committed, patient, conservative, loyal but stubborn, focused, goal-oriented, determined, frugality, efficiency, charming. Reversed- Non-committal, lazy, insecure, unreliable, overly stubborn, obsessed with money, workaholic, dull, boring, no initiative, cheapskate, irresponsible, gambler, risky investments, homebody, neglecting relationship/friends/family/self, little or too much ambition, wasting time and money.

Queen of Pentacles: Upright- Generous, caring, nurturing, homebody, good business sense, practical, comforting, welcoming, sensible, luxurious, gentle, supportive, patient, committed, mother/wife, friend, lover, teacher, mentor, stable, conservative, encouraging, good partner, trustworthy, reliable, loyal, family oriented. Reversed- Co-dependent, controlling, insecure, materialistic, selfish, unkempt, jealous, insecure, greedy, gold digger, intolerant, self-absorbed, envious, unfaithful, bad partner, money mismanagement, hoarding, smothering.

Page of Pentacles: Upright- Ambitious, diligent, goal oriented, planner, consistent, star student, studious, grounded, loyal, faithful, dependable, connectedness, quiet/shy, steady, diligent, dedication, big dreams, setting good habits. Reversed- Foolish, immature, irresponsible, lazy, underachiever, procrastinator, missed chances, poor prospects, all talk no show, non-committal, boredom, monotonous relationship, avoidant, wants easy results with no work, insecure, greediness, begger.

Ace of Pentacles: Upright- Long term opportunity, new opportunities, a long-term goal, accomplishment, committed relationship, graduation, physical manifestation, resources, abundance, family, prosperity, security, new venture, receiving the fruit of your labor, an investment, new job, privileged person/couple/family, attaining financial wealth, inheritance. Reversed- Missed opportunity, missed chance, bad investment, scarcity, deficiency, instability, stinginess, lacking financial support, self-doubt, money issues affecting relationship, job loss, bad financial decisions/habits, needing to budget your resources.

Two of Pentacles: Upright- Balancing out work/family/love, balancing self care/work, balancing out your time and energy, adaptation, balancing resources, spirituality and practicality, flexibility, multitasking, prioritizing what's most important, resources are tight/unstable finances, weighing out the best options. Reversed- Disorganized, scattered, overwhelmed, imbalance, messiness, chaos, overextending, unfocused, negligence, taking things/someone for granted, overworked, too much of something, juggling a lot all at once, too many bills, can't keep up with deadlines or payments, focusing too much on one area and neglecting another.

Three of Pentacles: Upright- Sharing ideas, shared goals, partnerships, collaboration(s), group effort/project, working with others to achieve the same goal, teamwork, apprenticeship, pooling energy, a goal or project requiring diverse skill sets and opinions to create a successful outcome, learning about finances, getting advice about a long-term goal, investment, or project. Creative hobbies. Reversed- Disagreements, not working together, refusing to take on another's ideas or opinions, lack of cohesion, apathy, poor teamwork, poor motivation, conflict, ego, competition, stress and frustration with partner or colleagues, conflicts in practical life, office politics, avoiding learning about finances or required skills/resources.

Four of Pentacles: Upright- Materialism, possessiveness, hoarding, stringiness, stability, security, insecurity, savings, wealth, frugality, boundaries, guardedness, greediness, not wanting anyone or anything to take away wealth, clingy, jealously, control issues, holding onto the past, imposter syndrome, paranoia, avoiding collaboration, stable finances, saving for future, conservation. Reversed- Greediness, stinginess, possessiveness, overcoming jealousy, letting go of the past, letting go of past or overdue relationships, generosity of with colleagues, risky work decisions, spending, donating, giving, sharing resources.

Five of Pentacles: Upright- Hardships, hard times, loss, loss of home, eviction, isolation, feeling abandoned, adversity, struggle, unemployment, alienation, disgrace, losing something valuable, depression, feeling distant, outcast, poverty, debt, bankruptcy, tight finances. Reversed- Overcoming hardships, positive changes, recovery from loss, overcoming adversity, forgiveness, feeling welcome, opening yourself up to others, friendships at work, saving, paying debts, charity, improvement.

Six of Pentacles: Upright- Generosity, charity, giving, community, material help, support, reciprocity, gratitude, supportive relationship, mentor, being valued employee, investors, donations. Reversed- Power dynamics, abuse of generosity, strings attached/offerings, inequality, extortion, taking advantage or being taken advantage of, controlling lover, hidden agendas, sucking up to bosses, being a pick me, teachers pet, lack of help, unfair loans, resentment, abuse of authority, domination.

Seven of Pentacles: Upright- Patience, harvest, rewards, results, growth, planning, perseverance, determination, hard work will pay off in time, effort, friendship turns to romance, evaluation of progress, slow and gradual progress. Reversed- Unmotivated, laziness, waste of time/energy, lack of energy, procrastination, one sided effort, unfinished work, low effort, impatience, lack of growth, lack of reward, hard work not paid off, lay-off, no results, can't rush or hurry love, stagnancy, losses, little financial compensation, distractions.

Eight of Pentacles: Upright- Skill, talent, craftmanship, quality, high standards, expertise, mastery, commitment, dedication, accomplishment, achieving goal, cultivating success, promotion, financial rewards, becoming financially independent, diligence, passion. Reversed- No motivation, uninspired, no passion, neglect, tedious job, low quality, low standards, carelessness, overspending, impatience, bad reputation, mediocracy, laziness, low skill/talent, dead end job.

Nine of Pentacles: Upright- Self-assured, confidence, independence, stability, success, achievement, rewarded efforts, leisure, material security, self-sufficiency, joy, freedom, high standards for partners, balance of love and independence, spending. Reversed- Insecurity, living beyond means, obsession with work, false success, fear of giving of independence, being guarded in love, desire for fast success/money, desire to succeed with no work, overspending, acting on impulse.

Ten of Pentacles: Upright- Inheritance, financial freedom, coming together of family, legacy, roots, ancestry, windfall, foundations, marriage, privilege, affluence, stability, long-term success, long-term manifestation, culmination, long-term relationship, milestone, family approval, stable future. Reversed- Acting on too much short-term fulfillment, family disputes, bankruptcy, debt, fleeting success, conflict over money, conflict in between love and family, outside opinions affecting love life, instability, breaking traditions, company dissolutions, unstable career.

🍷Cups: Water Element- Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.

King of Cups: Upright- Wise, diplomatic, balance between head and heart, devoted, advisor, counsellor, compassion, faithful, loyal, loving, gentle, supportive, caring, intuitive, spiritual, calm, balance, control, goes with the flow, mysterious, intimate, values connection and openness. Reversed- Cold, moody, bad advice, overwhelmed, anxious, repressed, withdrawn, manipulative, selfish, secretive, deceitful, unfaithful, emotionally manipulative, controlling, victimization.

Knight of Cups: Upright- Idealist, charming, artistic, graceful, tactful, diplomatic, mediator, negotiator, romantic, a lover not a fighter, messenger, invitation, romance, attraction, flirty, hopeless romantic, player, unrealistic expectations. Reversed- Disappointment, tantrums, moodiness, turmoil, avoiding conflict, vanity, obsessive, serial dater, extreme player, passive aggressive, wishy-washy, false appearance.

Queen of Cups: Upright- Compassion, warmth, kindness, intuition, healer, counsellor, supportive, devoted, loyal, faithful, empathetic, trustworthy, attractive, deepening existing relationships, submissive, caretaker, generous, calm, comforting. Reversed- Martyrdom, obsessive, clingy, attachment issues, co-dependent, insecurity, giving too much, overly sensitive, needy, fragile, one-sided love, emotional exhaustion, overextending, victimization.

Page of Cups: Upright- Idealism, sensitivity, dreamer, naivete, innocence, inner child, head in the clouds, message of love, persistence, new perspective, imaginative, easily falls in love, happy surprise. Reversed- Emotional vulnerability, immaturity, over-expressive, being taken advantage of, easily fooled, overly sensitive, victimization, emotionally co-dependent, disappointment, very unrealistic, escapes from reality, unrealistic thinking, overindulgence in a fantasy.

Ace of Cups: Upright- Emotional awakening, new love, pregnancy, birth, spiritual awakening, new feelings, happiness, creativity, intuitive and emotionally led actions are favored during this time, release of emotion/tears, letting go of emotional baggage and stress, deeper intimacy, next level in friendship, openness. Reversed- Blocked emotion, repressed intuition, breakup, sadness, depression, emptiness, emotionally exhausted, coldness, emotional loss, blocked creativity, feeling unloved, gloominess.

Two of Cups: Upright- Trust, balance, harmony, duality, emotionally deep connection, spiritual connection, complimenting each other, healthy balance between two people, close bonds, attraction, mutual attraction/feelings, coming together, reconciliation, new relationship. Reversed- Lack of trust, imbalance, disharmony, miscommunication, distance, lack of communication, deceit, secrets, pain, infidelity, tension, separation, breakup, division, withdrawal.

Three of Cups: Upright- Friendships, parties, gatherings, celebrations, community, group events, social events, friendship leading to love, deep friendship with lover, meeting someone at a party/gathering, financial milestone. Reversed- Gossip, scandal, third party interference, isolation, short but exciting romance, one night stand/sneaky link, excess, loneliness, overindulgence, imbalanced social life, solitude.

Four of Cups: Upright- Apathetic, depression, sadness, bitterness, resentment, emotional turmoil, choosing to remain unhappy, pessimism, contemplation, feeling disconnected, melancholy, boredom, indifference, discontent, lack of excitement. Reversed- Overcoming sadness, choosing to be happy, clarity, sudden awareness, acceptance, excitement, new inspiration.

Five of Cups: Upright- Sadness, loss, grief, heartache, disappointment, crying over spilled milk, focused on the negative feelings, mourning, feeling let down, dwelling, self-pity, regret, things are still salvageable. Reversed- Acceptance, moving on, finding peace, contentment, seeing the positives, healing, relief, rebuilding.

Six of Cups: Upright- Nostalgia, reflecting on the past, learning from past experiences, bittersweet memories/feelings, childhood, reciprocity, receiving/giving love, receiving/giving gifts, comfort, familiarity, sentimentality, back when things seemed simple, healing, comfort, reliving happy memories, reconnecting with someone from the past, learning lessons, returning to comfort zone, moving back in with someone. Reversed- Stuck in the past, moving forward, leaving home, independence, clinging to past connections/lovers, hard time being present, leaving job or relationship, letting go of something that was once good.

Seven of Cups: Upright- Temporary options, illusions, fantasy, imagination, choices, searching for purpose, daydreaming, wishful thinking, indecision, now is not the time to make a long-term investment or decision based off of emotion, be cautious. Reversed- Lack of purpose, disarray, confusion, diversion, distractions, clarity, making choices, overindulgence, choosing between long-term and short-term fulfillment.

Eight of Cups: Upright- Abandoning a relationship, pulling back love and emotion to seek a more fulfilling investment, walking away, letting go, searching for truth, leaving behind something or someone, stepping outside of what's familiar, abandoment issues/fears, taking vacation, escapism, choosing happiness over financial security, disillusionment. Reversed- Refusing to walk away from something that is no longer fulfilling, avoidance, fear of change, holding on, resistance, fear of loss, fear of feeling negative emotions, stagnation, monotony, accepting less, staying in bad situation.

Nine of Cups: Upright- Contentment, self-assurance, emotional independence, wishes coming true, satisfaction, success, achievements, recognition, pleasure, appreciating love/life/family, avoid being cocky or overconfident, abundance, positivity leading to romance, enjoying the luxuries of life. Reversed- Unhappiness, ungrateful, smugness, lack of fulfilment, disappointment, underachievement, arrogance, snobbery, spoiled, unappreciative.

Ten of Cups: Upright- Happiness, homecomings, fulfillment, emotional stability, security, domestic harmony, sharing joy and abundance with others, commitment, marriage, lasting relationship, sense of belonging, fulfilling and supportive job, feeling of having enough, dreams coming true, inner happiness. Reversed- Unhappy home, separation, domestic conflict, disharmony, isolation​, shattered dreams, broken family/relationship, divorce, domestic disharmony, meddling relatives, external factors affecting love life, a short fling, adversity, arguments about money, hostile work environment, family/relationship conflicts, needing to defend oneself or relationship, face any criticism with your partner as a team.

🪄Wands: Fire Element- Aries, Leo, Sagittarius.

King of Wands: Upright- Leadership, authority, mentor, provider, action, assertive, passionate, confident, mature, energetic, intimate, sensual, perseverant, determined, disciplined, self-control, will-power, courageous, vision, bigger picture, innovative, boldness, perfectionist, focused, dominate, optimism, daring decisions, taking risks, highly capable, charismatic, high position, well respected, knowledgeable, logical, stability, generous, overcomes challenges. Reversed- Reckless, temperamental, rash, angry, controlling, jealous, insecure, possessive, physically abusive, forceful, domineering, tyrant, vicious, powerless, ineffective, weak leader, overbearing, impossible expectations, egotistical, impulsive, overindulgence, lack of self control/discipline, passive aggressive, narcissistic, energetically/physically drained, toxic and enjoys it.

Knight of Wands: Upright- Assertive, initiative, passionate, takes action very quickly, acts off impulse, charming, restless, energetic, courageous, hero complex, rebellious, hot tempered, free-spirit, fearless, erratic, flight, always moving and doing something, antsy, difficult to commit, brave, sudden influx of money, using finances for travel, expanding horizons, action, adventure. Reversed- Anger issues, controlling, insecure, prideful, egotistical, overly impulsive, immature, overindulgence, arrogant, reckless, impatient, lack of self control, passive aggressive, volatile, domineering, physically abusive, energetically/physically drained, toxic and enjoys it.

Queen of Wands: Upright- Confident, independent, optimistic, bold, attractive, passionate, energetic, self-assured, determined, social, charismatic, vivacious, uplifting, protective, supportive, openness, cheerful, inspirational, strong, courageous. Reversed- Selfish, obsessive, controlling, attachment issues, overindulgence, insecure, temperamental, lack of self-control, low self-worth, lack of confidence, jealousy, demanding, vengeful, bully, overly dominate, unmotivated, overspending, energetically/physically drained, toxic and enjoys it.

Page of Wands: Upright- Adventure, excitement, fresh ideas, cheerfulness, energetic, fearless, extroverted, lively, eagerness, temptation, exploration. Reversed- Flighty, non-committal, lack of direction, insecure, drama starter, creates conflict, hasty, impatient, lacking ideas, tantrums, laziness, boring, unreliable, distracted, interferes in other people's relationships, unenthusiastic, toxic and enjoys it.

Ace of Wands: Upright- Inspiration, creative spark, new initiative, new passion, enthusiasm, energy, attraction, follow your instincts, flirtation, excitement, will-power, drive, desire, determination, creation. Reversed- Lack of energy, lack of passion, unmotivated, unenthusiastic, boredom, short-term affair, creative block, financial loss, risky decisions, delays, blockages, obstacles, conflict, chaos, hesitancy.

Two of Wands: Upright- Planning, taking steps, innovation, making decisions, leaving comfort, taking risks, progression, moving forward, setting goals, envisioning dreams, laying the foundation, leaving home. Reversed- Fear of change, playing it safe, procrastination, bad planning, not thinking ahead, not setting long term goals, unexpected obstacles, lack of control, overanalyzing, avoiding risk.

Three of Wands: Upright- Momentum, confidence, expansion, growth, foresight, looking ahead, having a vision, creating a stable foundation/relationship, next stage in relationship, new horizons, rapid growth. Reversed- Obstacles, delays, frustration, impatience, learning to compromise, feeling caged, restriction, limitations, lack of progress.

Four of Wands: Upright- Stability, deepening relationship, marriage, family, stable foundation or relationship, community, home, celebrations, reunions, parties, gatherings, belonging, holidays, engagement, relationship going public. Reversed- Instability, broken home, lack of support, home conflicts, transience, conflicts, burdens, feeling unwelcome, lack of roots, not knowing where you fit in, insecurity.

Five of Wands: Upright- Challenges, conflicts, chaos, interference, competition, obstacles, arguments, hostility, fights, aggression, rivals, egos clashing, accept the challenge as a way to improve yourself instead of feeling malice or taking things personal, playful banter, fighting over a person. Reversed- Respecting differences, avoiding conflict, resolution, trying to keep the peace, overcoming obstacles and challenges, cooperation, truce, agreement, harmony, peace, end of conflict.

Six of Wands: Upright- Triumph, victory, success, achievement, overcoming obstacles/setbacks, rewards, recognition, praise, acclaim, pride, strength. Reversed- Setbacks, obstacles, excess pride, punishment, lack of recognition, feeling unloved, feeling neglected, failed project, being overlooked, financial loss, failed investment, bad purchase.

Seven of Wands: Upright- Protectiveness, standing up for yourself, defending yourself, protecting territory, boundaries, on guard, standing on business, fighting for love, fighting for what you believe in, facing challenges, protecting finances, maintaining control, perseverance. Reversed- Giving up, admitting defeat, no confidence, overwhelmed, drained, defensiveness, denial, a breakup from external pressure, surrender, lack of self-belief.

Eight of Wands: Upright- Sudden change, progress, change in energy, movement, speed, quick decisions, excitement, positive growth, important news, surprises, traveling, cash coming in and going out, motivation, impact. Reversed- Panic, waiting, slowing down, misunderstanding, delays, hectic pace, confusion, career stagnation, lost chances, overwhelmed, lack of patience, chaos, losing momentum, hastiness, being unprepared.

Nine of Wands: Upright- Last stand, persistence, grit, resilience, perseverance, close to success, fatigue, hard-work, love isn't easy, success isn't easy, self-improvement, temporary pressure, economic duress. Reversed- Stubbornness, rigidity, defensiveness, refusing compromise, giving up, defiance, combativeness, pushing people away, one-sided effort, struggling, exhaustion, fatigue, unsure motivation.

Ten of Wands: Upright- Overwhelmed, burdens, a lot of responsibilities, keeping a lot in, physically/energetically drained, exhaustion, needing support, duty, stress, obligation, burning out, struggling daily, large unavoidable expenses, being overworked, accomplishment after much hard work. Reversed- Can't delegate, overstressed, burnout, refusing to ask for help, finding support, relief, carrying too much, collapse, breakdown, lightening the load.

[cardiac-arresting-sweetheart]

Yandere Psychosophy/Attitudinal Psyche

Inspired by yandere MBTI and yandere Big Five. Personality test/self-assessment for this Google document verison of this

Overview

This is a yandere typing system based on the original Psychosophy (also remade as Attitudinal Psyche) system. Originally, it was divided into four aspects: logic, physics, emotions, and volition/will.

These placements are divided into another four placements: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. The 1st placement is characterized by absolute, possibly even arrogant, confidence in that aspect and feeling no need to improve or change it. It is very rigid and unchangeable. The 2nd placement, on the other hand, is the most flexible placement. It is characterized by confidence but not arrogance, feeling little weakness in this aspect. To the user of the 2nd function, it is comfortable and easy to use with others and develop further. But the 3rd placement is the opposite. It is the most uncomfortable to use, with a constant feeling of insecurity associated with it. There seem to be two most common approaches to this function: aggressively overusing it or the opposite, neglecting it. This is the placement that needs the most improvement. Finally, the 4th placement is the most underused and is seen by its user as either unimportant or better with a quick fix. These four placements form the foundation of understanding an individual's strengths, weaknesses, and areas for potential growth within this typology system.

In summary...

1st placement: Confident Function (1V, 1L, 1E, 1P) Strong, Aggressive, Monologue

2nd placement: Flexible Function (2V, 2L, 2E, 2P) Strong, Passive, Dialogue

3rd placement: Insecure Function (3V, 3L, 3E, 3P) Weak, Aggressive, Dialogue

4th placement: Unbothered Function (4V, 4L, 4E, 4P) Weak, Passive, Monologue

Yandere System

So what about the yandere system? It follows the same placement rules as the original system but uses its own aspects. The yandere Psychosophy system is divided into four four aspects, respectively: cognition (C), aggression (A), expression (E), and determination (D).

Cognition, equivalent to logic in the original Psychosophy system, reflects how a yandere processes information, plans their actions, and uses their intelligence to manage their obsession.

Aggression, equivalent to physics in the original Psychosophy system, evaluates how a yandere uses power, intimidation, or violence to get what they want or control their darling.

Expression, equivalent to emotion in the original Psychosophy system, focuses on how freely a yandere shows their affection and obsession for their darling.

Finally, determination, equivalent to volition/will in the original Psychosophy system, assess how either determined or fragile a yandere is in achieving their goals with their darling.

Placement Descriptions

Cognition (C)

1st Placement (C1): Exhibits absolute confidence in their ability to strategize and plan. This yandere is highly analytical and methodical, always staying several steps ahead. They see no need for improvement in their cognitive abilities and are often seen as calculating masterminds.

2nd Placement (C2): Confident and comfortable in their cognitive abilities, they can adapt plans fluidly and are skilled at thinking on their feet. They are open to developing their strategic thinking further and are effective planners who work well with others.

3rd Placement (C3): Struggles with insecurity regarding their cognitive skills. They might oscillate between overanalyzing situations to compensate for their perceived shortcomings or neglecting planning altogether. This yandere needs the most improvement in how they process information and strategize.

4th Placement (C4): Minimally engaged in strategic thinking, often relying on intuition or others for planning. They see detailed planning as unimportant and prefer quick fixes or spontaneous actions.

Aggression (A)

1st Placement (A1): Extremely confident in using aggression and violence to achieve their goals. They are unyielding and often intimidate or overpower others without hesitation. Improvement is seen as unnecessary as they view their aggressive approach as highly effective.

2nd Placement (A2): Uses aggression when necessary but with restraint and control. They are comfortable leveraging their power but prefer to balance it with other methods. Open to refining their approach, they effectively combine intimidation with strategic non-violent tactics.

3rd Placement (A3): Feels insecure about their use of aggression. They may either overuse violence in an attempt to assert control or avoid it altogether out of fear or uncertainty. Developing a balanced approach to aggression is crucial for them.

4th Placement (A4): Rarely resorts to violence or intimidation, viewing it as a last resort. They prefer non-aggressive methods and see aggression as unimportant or something to be avoided. They often look for quick, peaceful solutions.

Expression (E)

1st Placement (E1): Highly expressive, openly displaying their emotions and obsession with intense fervor. They are unapologetically passionate, showing no need to alter their expressive nature. Their overt emotional displays are a core part of their identity.

2nd Placement (E2): Comfortable and confident in showing their emotions, they balance expressiveness with control. They can openly share their feelings and are adept at adjusting their emotional displays to suit different situations. They find it easy to develop and fine-tune their emotional expression.

3rd Placement (E3): Struggles with expressing emotions, feeling insecure about their displays of affection or obsession. They may either overexpress in an attempt to compensate or hide their emotions entirely. Improving their emotional expressiveness is a key area for growth.

4th Placement (E4): Minimally expressive, often appearing detached or indifferent. They see emotional displays as unnecessary and prefer to keep their feelings hidden. Quick, minimal expressions are preferred, avoiding deep emotional involvement.

Determination (D)

1st Placement (D1): Exhibits unshakeable determination and willpower. This yandere is relentless and unwavering in their pursuit of goals, seeing no need to alter their approach. They possess a strong sense of purpose and are highly driven.

2nd Placement (D2): Confident and adaptable in their determination, they pursue goals with a balanced approach. They can persist through challenges while remaining flexible. Open to enhancing their resolve, they effectively combine willpower with adaptability.

3rd Placement (D3): Feels insecure about their determination, often fluctuating between intense bursts of willpower and periods of doubt. They may either push themselves excessively or give up easily. Developing a consistent and confident approach to their goals is essential.

4th Placement (D4): Exhibits low determination, often relying on external factors or others to drive their actions. They see strong willpower as unimportant, preferring to go with the flow or avoid direct confrontation. Quick, minimal efforts are favored over sustained determination.

Possible Types

CDEA, CDAE, CEAD, CEDA, CADE, CAED, ACDE, ACED, ADCE, ADEC, AECD, AEDC, EACD, EADC, ECAD, ECDA, EDAC, EDCA, DCEA, DCAE, DEAC, DECA, DACE, DAEC. (First letter is the first placement, second is the second placement, etc.)

Conclusion

That's all! Thank you for reading, and feel free to reblog with the type you think you are or maybe even type a character :D And feel free to send asks or comments if you have any questions.

[oneatlatime]

More Zuko Alone Thoughts

Last season our expository Zuko episode was The Storm, an episode which I loved. It was both a well-written and well-animated piece of media, and enthralling to watch. I don't want to say enjoyable because of the subject matter discussed, but it was certainly good.

This season's expository Zuko episode was Zuko Alone, and I didn't like it. Although it was animated fantastically, I found the characterisation of Zuko in the present day sections to be completely off. I found it embarrassing, awkward, and frustrating to watch. Now, I've seen the rating this episode has on IMDb, so I know this is just my opinion, and a fairly unpopular one at that. I'm also aware that I'm biased because Zuko is not my favourite character. But I want to explore why, in my opinion, The Storm stuck the landing while Zuko Alone flubbed it.

Here's what I think is the main reason: The Storm is Aang's story about his past, juxtaposed with Iroh's story about Zuko's past. Aang and Iroh are our storytellers; Aang and Zuko are the stories being told.

Zuko Alone is Zuko's story of the present, being experienced through Zuko's perspective, juxtaposed with Zuko's story in the past, being experienced through Zuko's memories. It's too much Zuko, and unlike the characters in The Storm, Zuko has no idea what's going on.

Despite his flightiness and inability to take things seriously, Aang is perceptive, socially and emotionally intelligent (as much as a 12 year old can be), and able to be subtle when the situation calls for it. Look at The Great Divide: as soon as he had the appropriate backstory info, he saw right to the heart of the conflict, he saw that it was stupid as Hell, and he saw and successfully executed a way to fix it that relied entirely on an accurate assessment of all involved parties' stances. And it worked.

Iroh has easily the highest perception stat in the whole show, when he isn't being deliberately obtuse. His wisdom is off the charts, if his one liners are anything to go by.

So despite some very (very) notable differences, Aang and Iroh have similarities in their personalities and their perspectives, and importantly for this post, in their self-knowledge.

Then we get Zuko, who has the perceptiveness and subtlety of a mud brick to the teeth, all the wisdom of a bandaid wrapper, and the social and emotional intelligence of something that starts to grow in your sink when it's been too long since you did the dishes.

Aand and Iroh can see the themes, lessons, mistakes, and places for improvement in the stories they're telling, about themselves and others. Zuko is stumbling through both his past and his present. The Storm is compelling because the audience gets to simultaneously learn expository detail and watch Aang and Iroh go through a process of self-analysis, recrimination, and commitment to doing better. It's an info dump with a hefty dose of character building on the side.

Zuko in Zuko Alone is a dumbass blindly stumbling into the same mistakes we've already seen him make, learning nothing in the process (that I could detect - maybe he'll run into the family's older brother in a few episodes and work up the courage to save him based on what he learned during his time with that family, who knows). Zuko has been trained to be a fighter, not a person, so of course he's going to fail at the 'soft skills' parts of being human. So Zuko needs someone with him to do/model that soft skills work until he learns how to do it for himself. But Zuko is alone in Zuko Alone, so the character development that could have happened doesn't.

I don't need morals and themes explicitly spelled out in the narrative; I'm fine with subtext. But Zuko in Zuko Alone so thoroughly misses what's going on in the episode that it's annoying to watch. And there's no indication at the end of the episode that he's learned anything from having missed those things. There's no indication that he's aware that there was anything to miss.

In The Storm, Aang has Katara to bounce off of and help talk him through his story. Iroh's wise enough not to need a foil, but he does have the ship's crew, both as a reason to tell the story and as an audience to play off of. Heck, in Bato of the Water Tribe, Sokka has Bato giving the speech about the lonely wolf to help him understand the point Sokka's dad was trying to make in the flashback, and avoid the wrong course of action (leaving Aang behind). Aang moves on from self-recrimination and Iroh has won back Zuko's crew's loyalty at the end of The Storm; Sokka has finally understood 'being a man means being where you're needed the most' by the end of Bato of the Water Tribe. But Zuko is alone by choice in Zuko Alone, so he finishes the episode exactly where he started, his mother's last words entirely misinterpreted. No wiser, probably unable to even articulate where he went wrong beyond fire = bad in this context.

There seems to be a theme in this show of the necessity of friends and family networks and support. Aang (with Katara's help), Iroh (with the crew as audience and motivator), Sokka (with Bato's help), all come to better understandings of their responsibilities and/or their mistakes by working things out with the help of at least one other person. Zuko ditches Iroh to play at being a lone wolf and fails in a way that's frankly embarrassing to watch.

So the reason I don't like Zuko Alone is that he's doomed to fail from the start. Zuko is (trying to) go about his character development in a way this show has already showed us is opposite to how it should be done. I'm not fond of 'doomed from the start' narratives as a general rule, mostly because to me they feel like a bad investment. If you know it's all going to end badly (because it started wrong), then why bother committing the time and effort the narrative asks of you? (She says, having read The Silmarillion twice).

So if I became Queen of the world tomorrow and decreed that Zuko Alone needed to be changed to fit my personal tastes, how would I do it? The obvious answer is to shove Iroh in there, but it probably wouldn't work anyway, because Zuko is not showing any signs of being ready to listen - REALLY LISTEN - to those wiser than him. I'm not sure if he's even ready to admit yet that there are people who ARE wiser than him. He's already admitted that there are people with more martial prowess than him, like his sister, but I don't think Zuko actually values wisdom enough to see its worth. So it's probably not even on his radar. If Iroh's presence wouldn't work, what about having a removed narrator, like Iroh did for Zuko's story in The Storm? A narrator who is not as thoroughly blind to what's going on in the past and the present as Zuko. Maybe a single episode character, who tells the story of that time a stranger came to town? That might work. It would fit with the genre this episode is paying homage to. Or you could have an interesting juxtaposition, where the narrator character is not omniscient, narrating the present only, and Zuko is completely alone during the flashback bits. That would probably lead to Zuko making the same mistakes anyway, since it's really his past that he needs to work through.

Or maybe I'm reading way too much into this and I just don't like Zuko enough as a character to like a Zuko-centric story, no matter how it's told. Or maybe 24 minutes of second-hand embarrassment is 24 too many for me. At least he's keeping Song's horse bird fed.

[starryluvs]

Emotional intelligence and how to build it.

What is emotional intelligence or EQ?

Emotional intelligence (otherwise known as emotional quotient or EQ) is the ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict.

Emotional intelligence is commonly defined by four attributes:

1. Self-management – You're able to control impulsive feelings and behaviors, manage your emotions in healthy ways, take initiative, follow through on commitments, and adapt to changing circumstances.

2. Self-awareness – You recognize your own emotions and how they affect your thoughts and behavior. You know your strengths and weaknesses, and have self- confidence.

3. Social awareness – You have empathy. You can understand the emotions, needs, and concerns of other people, pick up on emotional cues, feel comfortable socially, and recognize the power dynamics in a group or organization.

4. Relationship management – You know how to develop and maintain good relationships, communicate clearly, inspire and influence others, work well in a team, and manage conflict

Building emotional intelligence,

key skill 1: Self-management

In order for you to engage your EQ, you must be able to use your emotions to make constructive decisions about your behavior. When you become overly stressed, you can lose control of your emotions and the ability to act thoughtfully and appropriately.

Think about a time when stress has overwhelmed you. Was it easy to think clearly or make a rational decision? Probably not. When you become overly stressed, your ability to both think clearly and accurately assess emotions—your own and other people's—becomes compromised.

Emotions are important pieces of information that tell you about yourself and others, but in the face of stress that takes us out of our comfort zone, we can become overwhelmed and lose control of ourselves. With the ability to manage stress and stay emotionally present, you can learn to receive upsetting information without letting it override your thoughts and self-control. You'll be able to make choices that allow you to control impulsive feelings and behaviors, manage your emotions in healthy ways, take initiative, follow through on commitments, and adapt to changing circumstances.

Key skill 2: Self-awareness

Managing stress is just the first step to building emotional intelligence. The science of attachment indicates that your current emotional experience is likely a reflection of your early life experience. Your ability to manage core feelings such as anger, sadness, fear, and joy often depends on the quality and consistency of your early life emotional experiences. If your primary caretaker as an infant understood and valued your emotions, it's likely your emotions have become valuable assets in adult life. But, if your emotional experiences as an infant were confusing, threatening or painful, it's likely you've tried to distance yourself from your emotions.

But being able to connect to your emotions—having a moment-to-moment connection with your changing emotional experience-is the key to understanding how emotion influences your thoughts and actions.

Do you experience feelings that flow, encountering one emotion after another as your experiences change from moment to moment?

Are your emotions accompanied by physical sensations that you experience in places like your stomach, throat, or chest?

Do you experience individual feelings and emotions, such as anger, sadness, fear, and joy, each of which is evident in subtle facial expressions?

Can you experience intense feelings that are strong enough to capture both your attention and that of others?

Do you pay attention to your emotions? Do they factor into your decision making?

If any of these experiences are unfamiliar, you may have "turned down" or "turned off" your emotions. In order to build EQ—and become emotionally healthy—you must reconnect to your core emotions, accept them, and become comfortable with them. You can achieve this through the practice of mindfulness.

[Listen: Mindful Breathing Meditation]

Mindfulness is the practice of purposely focusing your attention on the present moment—and without judgment. The cultivation of mindfulness has roots in Buddhism, but most religions include some type of similar prayer or meditation technique. Mindfulness helps shift your preoccupation with thought toward an appreciation of the moment, your physical and emotional sensations, and brings a larger perspective on life. Mindfulness calms and focuses you, making you more self-aware in the process.

Developing emotional awareness

It's important that you learn how to manage stress first, so you'll feel more comfortable reconnecting to strong or unpleasant emotions and changing how you experience and respond to your feelings. You can develop your emotional awareness by using HelpGuide's free Emotional Intelligence Toolkit.

Key skill 3: Social awareness

Social awareness enables you to recognize and interpret the mainly nonverbal cues others are constantly using to communicate with you. These cues let you know how others are really feeling, how their emotional state is changing from moment to moment, and what's truly important to them. When groups of people send out similar nonverbal cues, you're able to read and understand the power dynamics and shared emotional experiences of the group. In short, you're empathetic and socially comfortable.

Mindfulness is an ally of emotional and social awareness

To build social awareness, you need to recognize the importance of mindfulness in the social process. After all, you can't pick up on subtle nonverbal cues when you're in your own head, thinking about other things, or simply zoning out on your phone. Social awareness requires your presence in the moment. While many of us pride ourselves on an ability to multitask, this means that you'll miss the subtle emotional shifts taking place in other people that help you fully understand them.

* You are actually more likely to further your social goals by setting other thoughts aside and focusing on the interaction itself.

* Following the flow of another person's emotional responses is a give-and-take process that requires you to also pay attention to the changes in your own emotional experience.

* Paying attention to others doesn't diminish your own self-awareness. By investing the time and effort to really pay attention to others, you'll actually gain insight into your own emotional state as well as your values and beliefs. For example, if you feel discomfort hearing others express certain views, you'll have learned something important about yourself.

Key skill 4: Relationship management

Working well with others is a process that begins with emotional awareness and your ability to recognize and understand what other people are experiencing. Once emotional awareness is in play, you can effectively develop additional social/emotional skills that will make your relationships more effective, fruitful, and fulfiling.

Become aware of how effectively you use nonverbal communication. It's impossible to avoid sending nonverbal messages to others about what you think and feel. The many muscles in the face, especially those around the eyes, nose, mouth and forehead, help you to wordlessly convey your own emotions as well as read other peoples' emotional intent. The emotional part of your brain is always on—and even if you ignore its messages—others won't. Recognizing the nonverbal messages that you send to others can play a huge part in improving your relationships.

Use humor and play to relieve stress. Humor, laughter and play are natural antidotes to stress. They lessen your burdens and help you keep things in perspective. Laughter brings your nervous system into balance, reducing stress, calming you down, sharpening your mind and making you more empathic.

xoxo,f

[rreskk]

Im a huge fan of all your writings, your page is my all time favourite on Tumblr and I jus noticed you’ve taken requests and was wondering if you can write some smut of Trevor x his Therapist or Doctor

I fucking love this idea! Sorry it took long, I've been having a brain-rotting phase about my OC :)

Summary: Your favourite client has become more... Of a "friend."

TW: -Smut

Pairings: Therapist Fem!reader/ Trevor Philips

Word count: 1265

AUGUST, 26TH – 1985

You’ll see grieved people hover in and out of your office with a suicidal tendencies, more likely than never. You’d also have people who’ve been through wars, people who have slept with family members, confessed murderers, suicidal drug-addicts, sociopathic teenagers, depressed elderly ladies, wealthy white men, menopausal women, schizophrenics, sexually confused religious men, teenage dirtbags; the list going on and on and on and on. Your folders only stack up with every unstable being paying brain-surgeon bucks to talk about how crappy life is. Some stories you wept alongside them, some you had to give them the cold-shoulder, some you had to refuse service. All in which was based in the memo when you began working within the professionality.

However, there was this one man with mountains of issues and emotional depth, some criminal, some traumatic, some petty; but he interested you greatly. A so-called trainee pilot for the Airforce. Personal record was fresh, great skill in flying, physically active, single, citizen of Canada. However, he was referred after his team had identified slight dangers in his emotional intelligence and anger management. He was once called “a fucking pyscho” by his referral, which had caused some mishap of violence. Nonetheless, the front page had suggested he was aggressive when “provoked”.

The first session was tricky, as predicted from his difficulties on concealing emotional bondage. But as the sessions became a regular occurrence, he slowly loosened up. Only recently had he talked about his childhood. Through painful cries and many times of walking out of the office eruptively, in which he returns hours later to continue, believing you are “the only person who cares” – his words exactly when you question his behaviour.

Unconsciously, you both grew close. After a good few weeks of working along side him, Trevor had named every person in his life; mother, father, brother, past lovers, past friends, etc… He trusted you with this information, and when he spoke freely about them, his eyes would stare into yours with tensity. He self-indulged in the eye-contact. You understood that it was his way of seeing your internal reactions and thoughts. Trevor’s constantly assessing you like you are with him, and whether it was meant to happen, it fell into this hole of deep relation. He relied on you. Extremely clingy. His sessions would extend from an hour to 3 or 4. It had gotten to the point where you with drawled other patience, just so you could invite him in again. Your managers assumed he needed more focus, so they allowed. But was it about focus?

No.

It was something more personal than that. A transference. Therapist and patient romance. Forbidden touches of his hands against your thighs turned into extreme penetration in your office. From the desk to the sofa, from the floor to your bathroom. At some point, he had been everywhere with you. Trying to overcome this situation was flawed, and every-time you tried to give him this professional support, it turned into a lustful beg of his fingers and filthy tongue.

“Fuck – “ You panted when he crawled over you on the sofa-bed, his penis frantically searching for the entrance as he used his tongue to leave trails of his saliva against your jawline. Whereas the moments prior to this, he was talking about the lack of love given from his mother, and he instead admitted that the maternal need had been transferred onto you. Trevor struggled to explain his insane attraction to how “caring” you are, forgetting that it was your profession. But the way you’d reassure and rub his back – it always gave him a reason to go home and relieve that naughty arousal. And every session, he’s excited for this specific reason.

“I tried to book a session last week,” He murmured darkly as his cock injected into your pussy, “The prick downstairs told me you were busy – with what?” His voice crackled a bit at the pleasure of having your warmth surrounding his erection.

Holding onto his shoulders, you breathed out a shaky moan, his name staining the tip of your tongue. The question went ignored until you found the capacity to give him the deserved answer.

“I had training.” You could barely say.

Trevor huffed in jealousy, his hips finding a steady pace as he gripped your hips to line up the act of penetration. Despite the angry frown plastered on his face, you knew he was enjoying himself. The way his tongue curled up between his lips, the concentration dilating his pupils. You had analysed his behaviour from day 1, so it became an easy job to predict his overall mood.

“I’m more important…” He breathed softly and ushered you to wrap your legs around his hips.

“I know…”

“I fucking love how loose you are,” Trevor desperately kissed your quivering lips before breaking away to increase the speed and groaning your name. “Oh… Oh, fuck. Yes. Mmm…”

The clock was ticking and when he was occupying your cunt, eyes began to fall upon the ticks and the toks. You’ve mentioned before this that a patient was planned to arrive within the next hour, so the nerves were beginning to boil your blood. The last thing you’d want is to be caught; especially with one of your most dangerous clients who’s supposed to have “professional” support. 

“Look at me.” He soon begged when noticing your lack of attention. His hands fell onto your breasts and gave them a loving squeeze, continuing the thrusting.

“I ought to…” It was hard to be vocal, so you tried a little harder, “I ought to prepare for the next – “

Trevor whimpered angrily and fucked you harder than before. His hands gripped onto your breasts, teeth grinding. He repetitively shook his head and silenced you from saying anything more.

“No, no, no!” He pled. His temper starting to spark.

You grasped his wrists, moaning out of pure bliss. This encouraged him to thrust a little faster, his shaggy mullet falling into different directions and flows. For a young pilot, he was especially rugged and quite ill-looking, but it made this more exciting. You were fucking an ill client… That was such an exciting experience, but why? The psychology was hard to work out, even for you. So his witchery could be blameful, the way his mouth casted spells on you.

“Please – “ You moaned and closed your eyes.

“Look at me!” Trevor whined again, his hands cradling your face as you both came close. He winced. The sluggish rock of his hips slapped against yours for the last time before he pulled out, cock ejaculating white fluids upon your stomach. “Oooohhh… Fuck!” Your patient ecstatically exaggerated.

You too had came. To refrain noise, it became a squeal of pure lust. When his warm semen painted your stomach, your fingers instantly rummaged through your clit, feeling how much cum he made you squirt. And with a moan, you felt him take charge of the inspection and licked up the white strands with his tongue. Trevor brushed your pussy and slurped up your taste with a puppy glimpse in his eyes. He looked at you when licking, begging to be praised.

“Fuck… Yes – “ Then the door knocked.

With quick motion, you threw on your shirt and zipped up your skirt as he groaned. Trevor wiped his mouth and gave your cheek a last kiss before throwing on a shirt and walking out. You noticed on the way out, he had gave your next client the meanest look to man-kind.

And the next week; that client had never returned.

[captaintoomanybattles]

Steve Rogers is Not a Himbo

I always find it odd when people refer to Steve as a “himbo” or make jokes about him being a “dumb jock” or whatever. I just... don’t know where that comes from?

 In canon, Steve is really smart. It’s not just that he’s a “tactical genius”, we see over and over that he has great deductive skills, he’s observant, thoughtful, and knowledgeable, and he’s excellent at quickly assessing situations/people and figuring out a course of action based on that. Just a few examples off the top of my head:

CATFA:

manages to infiltrate a HYDRA stronghold, take it down, and save several hundred prisoners, BY HIMSELF

leads an elite team of five people to successfully take out more HYDRA bases

after the ice, he wakes up in a strange place and immediately figures out that it’s not New York and that the woman there is lying to him

The Avengers:

figures out Loki’s plan to use Stark Tower at the same time as Tony

finds SHIELD’s stash of HYDRA weapons (before Tony is able to find out what SHIELD is hiding)

makes pretty much all the leadership decisions during the Battle of New York, including the timing of when to close the portal 

CATWS:

realizes that something hinky is going on with SHIELD, and connects it to the helicarrier project (which Fury hadn’t done)

is able to successfully figure out who can be trusted and who can’t (when even Fury put his trust in the wrong people)

realizes that the ambush in the elevator is going to happen before it does

figures out where the secret HYDRA bunker is at Camp Lehigh

comes up with the (ultimately successful) plan to take down the helicarriers

CACW

is the only person we see actually READ THE ACCORDS and make his decision based on that

figures out how to dismantle the Iron Man suit enough that Tony won’t be able to keep fighting

rescues his friends from the Raft, one of the most secure prisons in the world

I think maybe people confuse Steve’s rashness with stupidity, but... Tony Stark is arguably more rash than Steve, and no one argues that he’s not a genius. Steve doesn’t have a strong sense of self-preservation, and he tends to take risks-- but his risks generally pay off, and when he does make a mistake, it’s usually because he’s in the grip of strong emotion (like when Rumlow mentions Bucky in CACW,). I think perhaps it’s easy to overlook Steve’s intelligence because it’s less flashy than some of the other characters’, and perhaps because he’s not an inventor or a scientist. But he is, in fact, extremely intelligent, and I think that deserves to be acknowledged a bit more often.

[enhansenperformancesblog]

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[zukosdualdao]

i don’t like it when people call zuko stupid/dumb, etc. for many of the same reasons other people don’t (it’s generally ableist to make fun of people for lack of intelligence, but it makes me especially uncomfortable when part of the abuse zuko has suffered is specifically being treated like he is by ozai (and azula, who obviously learned this behavior from her father and seems to delight in being able to manipulate zuko so well when that is, of course, an effect of trauma.)

but i ALSO don’t like it because it doesn’t actually match up with what we see about him in the show. zuko, at multiple points, is able to logically assess information and react accordingly, use his bending and general combat skills and environment creatively, and when he is actively trying to grow and change, gets a lot better at emotional insight with both himself and others.

(moments that come to mind re: some of these abilities are when he’s looking for iroh in the first winter solstice episode, one of his crew members sees the spot where iroh was taken and assumes there was a landslide, and zuko is immediately like “no, land doesn’t slide uphill, he was taken by earthbenders.” also i think about him sliding the table between him and jet before their epic sword fight all the time. LOVE a character who is resourceful in their fight sequences. another is in boiling rock when they escape the prison but still need to get off the island, and zuko stops and deduces that azula must have gotten there somehow and then quickly finds the airship that they use for the rest of their escape.)

i think part of this idea comes from iroh telling zuko he doesn’t think things through and zuko later taking that to heart, and there is an element of truth to this, but i think it’s actually somewhat of an oversimplification on iroh’s part (and therefore in common fandom interpretation of zuko as a character.)

the thing is, some of the things zuko does that people deem ‘stupid’ are actually just showcasing that the tunnel vision he succumbs to when desperate makes him not only cause harm to others, but himself, because he becomes actively careless about his own life and general well-being.

for instance, a scene i see people attribute to zuko not being smart a lot is when he breaks into the nwt by following the turtle seals under frozen pathways. and i disagree! this is simultaneously really clever (zuko is #very good at breaking and entering) and very reckless. (he is very desperate by this point, even moreso than he has been all season, because his resources have pretty much vanished, with zhao having his ship exploded and commandeering his crew.)

and the line he has here shows that he actually is thinking about the logical consequences of this potentially very dangerous course of action: “they have to be coming up for air somewhere.” it’s not that he doesn’t think about what could happen next, it’s that to him, the risk seems worth the reward. and when he gets desperate enough, he decides his options are “figure it out as i go” or “die trying.”

and like. that is, to me, a more interesting trait, and also deeply concerning! i don’t read zuko as actively suicidal in the show canon — the comics are a whole different beast we won’t talk about today — but it is certainly risky, self-destructive behavior that is like… just to the left of passive suicidal ideation.

that’s also why i think iroh probably knows he’s oversimplifying a little in his assessment of zuko not thinking things through. because it’s a lot easier to tell himself that the nephew he loves dearly just isn’t thinking things through than actively devaluing his own safety to this degree. it’s also part of why he becomes so adamantly, deeply concerned (to the point of sounding almost stern) when zuko despairs that “there’s no hope at all” in book two. because once you give up on there being any hope left in the world or in your own life, it becomes a lot easier for those semi-passive self-destructive behaviors to become a lot more active.

[n3xii]

Your finances for the month of August

Hello! today's pick a card is about your financial situation for the month of august, we will be discussing the flow of your money, advice for you, and your overall mindset towards money. choose a picture from below using your intuition, then go to your pile!

PILE ONE

your mindset- king of cups

in the month of august, you will be approaching your finances patience and trust as well as more tolerance towards any fluctuations in your earnings that occur . I see that your attitude towards money will be highly influenced by your emotional intelligence and trust in your intuition. I also feel that your attitude will come from a place of demonstrating maturity when it comes to your boundaries with money, for example; you won't give freely to others just because they ask, you wont spend impulsivly or act on the desire to spend your money on something that doesn't hold long-term value to you. in other words, your spending habits will demonstrate your sentimental values and long-term goals for emotional stability rather than your short-term desires for gratification.

your money- the world

this month, you will be reaching a milestone or sense of emotional fulfillment with your financial goals. your money will provide you a sense of accomplishment and balance. this makes sense considering that we learned that your mindset towards finances is emotionally balanced and influenced by your desire to be mature with your spending habits. this means that because you're not allowing emotional impulses to dictate your actions, your mindset will be very financially rewarding this month. new horizons will be opening up for you this month as a result as well, new investment opportunities, being able to purchase something you've always wanted, being able to fund traveling.

advice- 3 of pentacles

the advice for your finances this month is actually quite practical. for one, seeking counsel from experts, advisors and highly skilled individuals will be very rewarding. this is because the three of pentacles emphasizes the importance of collaboration, so collaborating with people you look up to intellectually in order to expand your knowledge, insight and skillset will consequently expand your wealth. the following people or courses of action may be important to you:

-coworkers, counselors, financial advisors, workshops, classes, learning from videos or books, reaching out via networking.

the three of pentacles also talks about planning and attention to detail, so tracking your spending habits and placing extra attention to where your money is going, and how your money is helping you this month will help you reach the energy of the world card, which indicates massive success and achieving a big milestone.

PILE TWO

your mindset- the sun

The Sun card indicates that your mindset towards money is optimistic, bright, and filled with a sense of abundance. in august, you will be approaching financial matters with clarity, confidence, and gratitude. to be specific, your mindset is fueled with confidence in yourself, you will exhibit a strong belief in the potential for creating abundance, i say this because the sun card is about fertility and positivity. so in a way, your mindset will be very fertile for growing your finances as opposed to being barren or negative, meaning your mindset is exactly what it should be. it will be a place where abundant thoughts and attitudes grow instead of a place where negativity thrives.

your money- judgement

im seeing that in august, this will be an important month for reviewing and assessing your finances. it makes sense that you got the sun card, as the sun card is about awareness. you will become more conscious and aware of your habits, spending, and attitudes, which may be why the sun card showed up to describe your attitude. I feel that this assessment of your values and feelings that you have towards money will motivate you to shift your values, thus creating a fertile and positive environment in your mind towards money. Im also seeing people in pile two pay off debts or any outstanding money owed, so for my pile two's, you will be receiving a clean slate this month whether it be in your mindset or literally with your debts

advice- nine of wands

Financial advice for the month of august is very much focused on remaining motivated and resilient. no one said maintaining a good mindset would be easy, in fact it requires authentic effort and evaluation of your current values to cultivate a positive outlook on life overall. when you arent aware of what you value then there will be little to no meaning behind the actions you take. so when it comes to your finances, having a clear idea of what you value longterm will motivate you to stay committed to your vision of success. im also seeing the need for spiritual protection. because you will be working towards a more positive mindset this month, your frequency will be getting higher and higher, thus more agitating to people who want to bring you down. find or maintain spiritual hygiene this month especially when it comes to the realm of finances. you are really close to your goals this month pile two, you will have moments of exhaustion and fear, you will have moments where remanences of past mistakes and financial decisions start to weigh you down, but the number one way to transform those experiences into something that thrushes you forward is to learn from them.

PILE THREE

your mindset- strength

Overall, the Strength card portrays a mindset towards money that is strong, disciplined, and bold. You approach financial matters with patience, courage, and harmony. Your ability to control desires, make bold decisions, and trust your instincts will contribute to a positive and empowered outlook on your financial life. your mindset will be similar to pile one, it is of maturity and emotional intelligence, but for this pile, your outlook on finances comes from a more spiritual and primordial place. you will also have a bolder mindset, meaning you will want to make impactful decisions that cultivate wealth this month and you dont want to do that by playing it safe all the time

your money- two of swords

im seeing a state of paralysis when it comes to money because your desire to be bold and make courage's moves towards wealth will alternatively cause you analyze, probe and think deeply about your options. Overall, the Two of Swords indicates a period of uncertainty and indecision in your financial matters this month. It advises you to confront any financial challenges with an open mind, seek clarity with a balanced perspective, and avoid avoiding important financial decisions. By taking the time to understand your financial situation and seeking guidance if needed, you can make more informed choices and navigate any financial challenges more effectively.

advice- ten of swords

Avoid Extreme Pessimism: While the Ten of Swords can represent challenging situations, it's essential not to succumb to extreme pessimism about your financial prospects. Remember that difficult times can also lead to valuable lessons and opportunities for growth, this month is about embracing renewal and the inner strengh within you. i feel like this month, your mindset will start out really bold and strong, but become less certain the more you're confronted with opportunities to showcase that boldness. avoid pessimism and staying stuck in your mind all of the time. your mental habits will contribute strongly to your financial situation by creating fear and uncertainty.

[beardedmrbean]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Among images of the bombed out homes and ravaged streets of Gaza, some stood out for the utter horror: Bloodied, abandoned infants.

Viewed millions of times online since the war began, these images are deepfakes created using artificial intelligence. If you look closely you can see clues: fingers that curl oddly, or eyes that shimmer with an unnatural light — all telltale signs of digital deception.

The outrage the images were created to provoke, however, is all too real.

Pictures from the Israel-Hamas war have vividly and painfully illustrated AI's potential as a propaganda tool, used to create lifelike images of carnage. Since the war began last month, digitally altered ones spread on social media have been used to make false claims about responsibility for casualties or to deceive people about atrocities that never happened. While most of the false claims circulating online about the war didn’t require AI to create and came from more conventional sources, technological advances are coming with increasing frequency and little oversight. That’s made the potential of AI to become another form of weapon starkly apparent, and offered a glimpse of what’s to come during future conflicts, elections and other big events.

“It’s going to get worse — a lot worse — before it gets better,” said Jean-Claude Goldenstein, CEO of CREOpoint, a tech company based in San Francisco and Paris that uses AI to assess the validity of online claims. The company has created a database of the most viral deepfakes to emerge from Gaza. “Pictures, video and audio: with generative AI it’s going to be an escalation you haven’t seen.”

In some cases, photos from other conflicts or disasters have been repurposed and passed off as new. In others, generative AI programs have been used to create images from scratch, such as one of a baby crying amidst bombing wreckage that went viral in the conflict’s earliest days.

Other examples of AI-generated images include videos showing supposed Israeli missile strikes, or tanks rolling through ruined neighborhoods, or families combing through rubble for survivors.

In many cases, the fakes seem designed to evoke a strong emotional reaction by including the bodies of babies, children or families. In the bloody first days of the war, supporters of both Israel and Hamas alleged the other side had victimized children and babies; deepfake images of wailing infants offered photographic ‘evidence’ that was quickly held up as proof.

The propagandists who create such images are skilled at targeting people's deepest impulses and anxieties, said Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, a nonprofit that has tracked disinformation from the war. Whether it's a deepfake baby, or an actual image of an infant from another conflict, the emotional impact on the viewer is the same.

The more abhorrent the image, the more likely a user is to remember it and to share it, unwittingly spreading the disinformation further.

“People are being told right now: Look at this picture of a baby,” Ahmed said. “The disinformation is designed to make you engage with it.”

[astroscientia]

🌊Astrological Observations: Part 4🌊

Hard Neptune transits (square, opposition, conjunction) can cause health issues, especially if it is aspecting your natal Mercury, Moon, or Sun. For example, when Neptune touched my Moon last year, I caught a virus that wrecked my immune system for months.

Neptune-Sun transits weaken the body to infections, viruses, and bruising while reducing our ability to see through other people's deception.

The sign in the 6th house indicates the type of health issues people might have. Having Leo in the 6th could indicate heart issues, for example.

Having Neptune-Sun aspects in the natal chart could also indicate the father's absence either through illness, substance abuse, working abroad, death, abandonment, etc. These natives and 12th house suns feel like their power was taken from them and that they cannot change the course of things. As such, they learn to be passive in life. If they have more cardinal placements, they might experience a need to overcompensate for an inner sense of feeling powerless and helpless.

Hard Saturn-Mars or Pluto-Mars aspects can indicate violence. They usually need to exercise or healthily express their frustrations; otherwise, they risk becoming abusive. After years of bottling up their emotions, they're prone to harsh and intense rages.

Since Mars represents our ability to defend ourselves, survive, and feel vivacious, having Saturn in a harsh aspect with Mars can indicate that a person fails or is too terrified of defending oneself. They subconsciously accept that they will fail at holding their ground. With time, this creates a lot of frustration from feeling like they are constantly being stepped on. As a result, these natives overcompensate by self-asserting themselves in the wrong situations and in the wrong manner.

Saturn-Mars natives may also scare themselves out of any competitive situation even though they can succeed. Their belief in their own impotence and powerlessness makes them self-sabotage and detail themselves in competitive situations. Their life lesson is to be disciplined and self-assess their abilities properly so that they can enter any situation confidently. They need to learn, through repetition, how to be courageous.

Hard Mars-ASC aspects indicate lots of accidents and head injuries in youth. These people usually have scars on their bodies from surgeries or accidents.

Usually, when Pluto touches a part of the chart, secrets are involved. Pluto-Mercury means knowing the secrets of your friends, cousins, siblings, or local environment. Pluto-Venus indicates issues around secret love affairs or money.

Interestingly, I noticed that Pluto-Mercury or Pluto in the 11th house can indicate being sexualized by your friends or having a sexual relationship with them.

Having Sun-Mercury-Pluto aspects is an indicator of debilitating intrusive thoughts. It can create over-identification with one's thoughts while feeling like your mind is your enemy.

Sun-Mercury alone can mean that your intellect and communication skills are your source of pride, esteem, and achievements.

Saturn-Mercury natives feel like they must think 100 times before speaking because of their immense fear of humiliation. This placement, along with Saturn in the 3rd or 9th, is a big sign of feeling ashamed of how one communicates their ideas and identity.

Also, Saturn-Mercury aspects and a retrograde Mercury can make the person avoid doing exams or forget all their knowledge during exams because of their anxiety. This placement can also indicate a speech impediment.

Uranus-Mercury natives are usually incredibly intelligent, and their processing speed is phenomenal. They can catch and retain information quickly and with minimal effort, unlike Saturn-Mercury natives who need to drill the information into their heads agonizingly.

Jupiter-Mercury individuals are usually intelligent but sometimes incoherent and imprecise with their communication. They also struggle with synthesizing information. They are better researchers than they are articulators because they cannot focus on the information that they have except with a lot of effort. They're the type of teacher or professor with much information but are not very organized.

Thank you for reading!

[yilisbookclub]

This is the book you want to read if you want to learn how to gain control of your emotions.

"Emotional Intelligence 2.0" is a self-help book written by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves, published in 2009. The book provides a practical guide to improving emotional intelligence (EI) skills, which are essential for personal and professional success.

The book begins by defining EI and explaining why it is important, and then goes on to provide readers with a self-assessment tool that helps them identify their EI strengths and weaknesses. The assessment is based on four core EI skills: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management.

After completing the assessment, readers are provided with a step-by-step program for improving their EI skills, including specific strategies and techniques for enhancing each of the four core skills. The book also includes real-world examples, case studies, and practical exercises that help readers apply the concepts and strategies to their own lives.

Emotional intelligence can be learned and improved: The book emphasizes that emotional intelligence is not fixed or predetermined, and that anyone can improve their EI skills through deliberate practice and effort.

Self-awareness is the foundation of emotional intelligence: The authors suggest that developing self-awareness is crucial for improving emotional intelligence, as it allows individuals to recognize their emotions and understand how they impact their thoughts and behaviors.

Emotional intelligence can improve relationships: The book highlights the importance of social awareness and relationship management skills in building and maintaining positive relationships with others.

Stress management is a key component of emotional intelligence: The authors emphasize that individuals with high emotional intelligence are better able to manage stress and regulate their emotions, which can lead to improved health and well-being.

The book provides practical strategies and techniques: "Emotional Intelligence 2.0" is a practical guide that provides readers with concrete strategies and techniques for improving their emotional intelligence skills, including specific exercises and activities that can be practiced in daily life.

"Emotional Intelligence 2.0" is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their emotional intelligence skills and enhance their personal and professional relationships.