pareidolia: [n.] the imagined perception of a pattern or meaning where it does not objectively exist, as in considering the moon to have human featuresBRB SETTING STUFF ON FIRE
laterz
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The S.O. is making honey cakes
We also have pink zinfandel and whiskey.
Gonna party with Thor and Loki tonight. Aw yeah.
The dappled paths we walk
The majority of stories in our society revolve around the binaries of light vs. dark, good vs. evil. People “choose” to be “good” or “bad.” And while these might work for children, who might have problems grasping the gray areas in between, I see it in the adult world as well. “Make good choices,” “don’t be a bad person,” even the pagan community’s “love and light.” We have equated good with light, bad with dark.
Others have argued the case for the dark more eloquently than I can. But that’s not what I am talking about. What I’m saying, what I’m screaming out into the aether with the vague hope someone will take something away from it, is that nothing, nothing in this world is purely light or purely dark. We all walk dappled paths. Choices can lead more toward the light/good or more toward the dark/bad, but there will always be both. Always.
And that’s okay. Just know, if you’re striving to be wholly good or wholly bad, that you aren’t going to get there. We live liminal lives. We are the gray area, the space between, the dappled path.
So don’t wish me light and don’t wish me dark. Don’t warn me away from either. Instead, wish me luck on my journey as I struggle to reconcile my relationship with both. Give me support as I choose which parts of my life to bathe in light, which parts to shroud in shadow. Watch me grow as I integrate both into my whole being.
I’ve never danced with a god before.
I haven’t been talking with Persephone much lately (seems Persephone Kore and I don’t have that much in common. It’s almost painful, being in her presence. She has the innocence I’ll never get back. I’ll probably rededicate myself to her when the autumn equinox rolls around and she descends again), but Loki’s been poking at me a lot.
On Names
I’ve been thinking a lot about writing this post, and I’m not really sure exactly what direction to take it, because I have a handful of things I want to talk about. I think first, I want to talk about labelling and names being slightly more formal labels, and second, I want to talk about the power of names and about True Names (the way I understand them). I’ll try and keep it to those two subjects.
This may not make a whole lot of sense to anyone but me. But if you’re curious about my views, read on.
You are such a damn Scorpio.
(I kid because I loev.)
It’s actually nice that you put this down, because I was starting to wonder what the hell you wanted to be called. I guess it doesn’t matter too much, then?
Names are odd things. They seem to change the self, or at least the expression of the self, depending on what they are. The way my online name is different from my offline name, my online self is different from my offline self. They’re both me—just different versions of me.
Lots of interesting thoughts, though.
…I NEED THIS.
This is the way I see Thor.
Not dressed to the nines in armor or fighting gear, not bashing a giant over the head with his hammer, simple clothes, just standing there.
This is pretty much exactly how I see him, too. This art is gorgeous; I love it.
Thor’s not one of mine, but I can’t not smile at this. It’s like physically impossible. (He’s such a hick, ye gods, I love it. XD)
The mating of Hades And Persephone is such a primal story, filled with conquest, hunger, desperation, and love …
Ooh, I like this picture, this is a good picture.
Okay, I snerked.
Realtalk time. [tw: ableism, ageism]
This is an interesting post talking about how the internet is supporting and perpetuating phases that most people would grow out of in another situation.
I find that this is especially true with things like “otherkin” identities and the crisis that tumblr especially seems to have with making sure everyone has their own special sexual identity.
Sometimes it really is in your best interest to leave things you were once passionate about behind. This allows you to expand your horizons and find something else to be passionate about that is more beneficial to you.
You… have no idea what being otherkin is, do you? Because, uh, it isn’t a “passion”. Cooking, gardening, etc- those are passions. Species and sexuality are just things you are. I suppose that sex can be a passion as well, but who you desire to have it with isn’t a passion in itself.
Not to mention that passions are numerous. A person is allowed to be passionate about multiple things at one time- someone can be passionate about romance and mechanics. And also be otherkin and a “special” sexuality.
Wow, that’s…a lot of ageism and ableism in one place.
I’m trying to articulate what I actually think about that original post up there, but I’m too busy side-eyeing the fact that every other word out of their mouth is essentially “y’all are crazy”. That’s…pleasant. That really reinforces your point. Mm-hmm.
Look. We all have our passions and hobbies and things we just plain like, yeah? I mean, I’ll buy that. And the internet can certainly help us find others who share those passions. But our identities? Those are not under that category. Talking about our identities, discussing our experiences and fighting for fair treatment (or at least fighting to not be abused or treated like we don’t know better, like, ah, the above post does), now that might be a passion. But our identities in and of themselves? No, I really don’t think those qualify as passions.
I have a very real problem with anyone who labels anyone’s sexuality, especially, as “special”. Of all the things to target. I mean, I have a very real problem with anyone who targets anyone’s identity, period, as fair game. But for some reason, the “special sexuality” thing really rubs me wrong (along with “special gender identity”, but that wasn’t addressed here).
I’m firmly of the belief that the internet is not going to do anything to validate or invalidate anyone’s identity in the long run—it might take someone longer to shift they way they view their identity, or longer for them to come to terms with a new identity or to move away from an old one, because they do have the resources at hand to be able to discuss and explore and exist in what should be a safe space. That’s something we’ve not had the luxury of partaking in before.
If someone identifies as otherkin one week and then decides they aren’t otherkin the next week, that’s fine. I don’t think the internet is to blame for them identifying as otherkin in the first place any more than it’s to blame for them no longer identifying as otherkin. Likewise, if they still identify that way three years later, I don’t think the internet’s to blame for that, either. All that means is that they’ve been introduced to resources and to identities they otherwise wouldn’t have been introduced to before, and hopefully they’ll come out the other side a little more open-minded and with a little broader understanding of our diverse experiences as sapient beings.
I believe that all the internet does for anyone’s identity is give them like-minded and like-identified people to talk to and gives them terms to apply to what they already felt. But that’s just my two cents on the matter.
I’m not even going to read the original post because I just do not have the spoons for that bullshit right now. I will cut somebody if I go read that shit now, not even gonna lie.
So I’m just gonna say this:
Sometimes it really is in your best interest to leave things you were once passionate about behind. This allows you to expand your horizons and find something else to be passionate about that is more beneficial to you.
Who the hell are you to tell me what I should be passionate about? Who are you, random fuckass on the internet, to tell me, a person whom you do not know in the slightest, what is beneficial to me as a person with autonomy and a brain of my own and thoughts of my own and emotions of my own? Where the fuck do you get off patronizing me like that?
Do not give me that paternalistic horseshit. I am not interested in your “”“”concern”“”” for my “”“”well-being”“”“. Don’t delude yourself into thinking you actually give a shit, okay? You’re doing yourself and everyone around you a massive disservice by conflating your personal fucking discomfort over my identity with real compassion.
Also:
Why the fuck is it wrong to be passionate about things? Why are only teenagers and children allowed to scream and jump up and down about “silly” things? What the hell is “growing up” to you people, anyway? Is it losing interest in “silly” things and becoming passionate about “appropriate” things? Who gets to say what’s appropriate and what’s not? ”More beneficial”? Why do you get to say what’s more beneficial to me? That shit’s not universal.
Okay, I think I’m done.
Reblog this if you post wiccan/pagan/occult realted things
I need to follow more blogs that do!
a whole lot of isms
- Theism - the belief that at least one deity exists
- Liberal theism - belief that at least one deity exists, without adhering to an established religion
- Classical theism - at least one deity exists, who is the absolute metaphysically ultimate being
- Open theism - belief that at least one deity exists, and does not interfere with the free will of human beings
- Monotheism - belief in the existence of only one deity
- Polytheism - a belief in the existence of many deities
- Hard polytheism - a belief in many deities as distinct, separate beings
- Soft polytheism - a belief in many deities which not as separate beings but as different faces of one universal force
- Henotheism - belief that there many be more than one deity, but only one is worshipped
- Kathenotheism - the belief that there is more than one deity, but they are worshipped one at a time, as then they are treated as supreme in turn
- Monolatrism - the belief that there may be more than one deity, but only one is worthy of being worshipped
- Pantheism - the belief that the physical universe is equal to deity, and that deity exists in everything in the universe
- Panentheism - the belief that the physical universe is equal to deity, but that it also extends beyond it (deity is more than just the physical universe)
- Deism - belief that at least one deity exists and created the world, but does not intervene in human affairs or change natural laws
- Classical deism - the belief that human beings’ relationship with the creator god is impersonal (god will not individually intervene)
- Modern deism - classical deism integrated with modern philosophy and scientific ideas, posits that humans’ relationship with the creator god is transpersonal (god is above the personal/impersonal duality)
- Pandeism - belief that deity created the universe, but is now equivalent with it
- Panendeism - combines deism and panentheism, posits that the universe is part of (but not the whole of) deity
- Polydeism - belief that multiple gods exist(ed), but they do not intervene with the universe
- Autotheism or egotheism - divinity is inherently within oneself and one has a duty to become perfect/divine, can encompass self-worship
- Hedonism - belief that pleasure or happiness is the highest good, a devotion to maintaining personal pleasure
- Eutheism - belief that deity is wholly benevolent
- Dystheism - belief that deity is not wholly good, and is possibly evil
- Maltheism - the belief that a deity exists, but it is wholly malicious
- Misotheism - not a lack of belief in deity, but a hatred of any and all deities that might exist
- Animism - belief that non-human entities are spiritual beings, or contain some kind of life-principal
- Ditheism or duotheism - the belief that two deities exist and they are equal (e.g. the Lord and Lady in Wicca)
- Atheism - the lack of belief in any deity
- Agnosticism - the belief that it is unknown or unknowable whether or not deity exists (can be combined with other terms, e.g. “agnostic atheist” - belief that it is unknown or unknowable whether deity exists, and encompasses lack of belief in any deity)
- Gnosticism - the belief that it is possible to know whether or not deity exists (can be combined with other terms, e.g. “gnostic theist” - the belief in the existence of at least one deity, and the belief that it is possible to know for certain whether this deity exists)
EDIT: Adding, thanks to beyond-the-wand!
- Panapatheism - belief that multiple gods exist, but you don’t care to worship any of them
- Atheogenecism - belief that god/s did not create the universe or world, though it doesn’t necessarily mean that they don’t exist.
Wanted to also add animism. :)
- Animism - belief in the existence of individual spirits that inhabit animate and inanimate things such as animals, plants, rocks, rivers, mountains, etc. and natural phenomena such as rain, thunder, lightning, wind, etc. The belief in innumerable spiritual beings that can intervene in human affairs and capable of helping or harming human interests. .
Some useful words. One of these days I’ll actually do a big Thing about what I believe in terms of deity and other such related shenanigans. (If only to fully articulate it to myself.)
Herbs for Protection
General Protection ~ Hawthorn, Comfrey, Heather, Hyssop, Bay Leaf, Mistletoe, Mullein, Peony, St. John’s Wort, Solomon’s Seal, Vervain, Clover, Mugwort, Agrimony, Poke, Overlain, Violet, Aloe, Fennel
Against Negative Energy ~ Nettle leaves, Elecampane, Rosemary, Yarrow, Dill, Ivy, pennyroyal, Betony, Cayenne, Fern
Banishing ~ Dragonsblood, Angelica, Cactus, Asafetida, Garlic, Rue, Heliotrope, Lilac
Protection of Material Items ~ Juniper, Myrrh
Home Protection ~ Marjoram, Bay Leaf, Coriander, Holly, Foxglove, Pure Salt, Camomile
Uncrossing ~ Ague Root, Hyssop, Peppermint, Thyme, Cinquefoil, Wormwood, Verbena, Rose
Ward Off Evil both Spiritual & Mundane ~ Acacia, Basil, Agrimony, Sandalwood, Boneset, Mullein, Rosemary, Frankincense, Rue, Violet, Caraway, Balm of Gilead, Fern, Lilac, Periwinkle
Bad Dreams & Nightmares ~ Lavender, Dandelion, Hyacinth
Physical Attack ~ Carnations, Geranium, Camphor, Elder, Vetivert, Juniper
Psychic/Astral Attack ~ Cedar, Clove, Dill, Ivy, Yarrow, Nettle leaves, Pennyroyal, acacia, St. John’s Wort,
