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gffa · 4 years

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So, I was yelling about this in a previous post, but TIME TO YELL ABOUT THE JEDI TEMPLE DIAGRAM. This is from the Star Wars Locations rerelase from 2016, so it’s considered part of canon, but take it with some grains of salt, as a lot of the older reference books tend to not actually appear much in canon/were still working with Legends material that isn’t always part of canon. (Also, only what’s specifically said in this book is canon, not what Legends context they used to have. The Jedi having an Agricultural Corp--which has never been mentioned in any canon book/comic yet, by the way--doesn’t mean that the Jedi Apprentice books’ context for how the AgripCorp worked are canon. Remember: Dooku: Jedi Lost had an Initiate who was sixteen and would still wait another year, so the age limit is not canon. And given that the infirmary is staffed by the Medical Corps, it’s possible that these branches aren’t separate from the Jedi Order at all, but instead are now career paths within the Jedi Order.)

"THE HEART AND HOME of the Jedi Order" HI THANKS I’M CRYING IMMEDIATELY UPON STARTING ON THIS

"It is a place of spiritual growth" also got me right in the feelings place

"Jedi scholars disagree on the location of the Order's first temple, making cases for Coruscant, Jedha, and Ossus as well as worlds shrouded in myth, such as Tython and Ahch-To." First of all, I bet those discussions were NERDY AS HELL and second I love the reconfirmation that there are Jedi Scholars, that that seems to be their whole focus in life, just the study of the Force or of Jedi History or whatever else they chose.

"Jedi archaelologists teach that the Temple is not a single structure but agglomeration of many structures--one that tells a millienia-long story of expansion oand appropriation, ruin and reconstruction. The Temple is an archaelogical treasure it itself, bearing the scars of Sith occupation and a patchwork of ancient architecture adapted for different functions over time. Some sublime examples of earlier construction have been preserved intact as museums to the heritage of the Jedi."

MAIN SPIRE:

"Pinnacle room of the Temple Spire, the most sacred Jedi site, comprising the oldest known suriviving Jedi texts, is a carefully controlled environment."

"Hall of Knighthood. Padawans are raised to the status of Jedi Knight here in a ceremony of deep spiritual significance. The status of Master is also formally conferred here."

"Meditation chambers where Padawans awaiting Knighthood spend the night before the ceremony, communing with the Force.”

"Memorial statues of most revered Jedi, surrounded in tower by repulsorlifts."

"Peak of the original sacred spire around which the earlieest incarnation of the Jedi Temple was constructed."

"Meditation blacony surrounding original peak."

"Lower balcony around peak presents a series of holo-depictions of the history of the Jedi. The smallest younglings are brought here for their education."

"The sacred spire in its natural state, with ancient meditation balconies and access points to the original cave chapels."

"Chamber of Conclave, where representatives of the Jedi Order from across the galaxy meet once a year to hear reports from the Jedi Council."

RIGHT HAND SPIRE:

“Meeting chamber generally used by Jedi High Council."

"Holographic situation map of galaxy."

"Each Council Tower has a data and planning center linked to the Library and Archives."

"Hangar for Jedi starfighters with extendable launch/landing platform."

LEFT SIDE SPIRE:

"Jedi Reassignment Council Tower houses Chamber of Judgement."

MAIN ZIGGURAT:

"Mosaic floor salvaged from the ancient Jedi Temple of Ossus."

"Communications control for Jedi Council Tower, where Obi-Wan alters the Jedi recall signall to broadcast instead a warning."

"Clerestories allow light into contemplation gardens."

"Offices of the Jedi Exploration Corps."

"Lightsaber crafting facility, with lightsaber practice gallery behind."

"Workshops, storerooms, and maintenence facilities, as well as control and switch rooms."

"Reading room of earlier Jedi Library salvaged because of its architechtual merit. Now converted to a formal banqueting hall for ceremonial/diplomatic occasions."

"Ancient remnant of earlier Temple has been preserved as museum of Jedi history."

"Jedi Archives and Library includes holocron vauls with ancient lore accessible only by Jedi Masters."

"Temporary accommodation cubilcles for Jedi Knights and Padawans in transit or awaiting re-assignment."

"Jedi Agricultural Corps research labratory, containing alien flora for research."

"Library and Archives data storage stacks, with Analysis Rooms behind."

"Area around base of Tower of First Knowledge devoted to the ongoing training and education of Padawans."

"Arcade of stained-glass windows and statues honoring Jedi heroes who were instrumental in wresting control of Coruscant from the Sith a millennium ago."

"The Room of 1,000 Fountains lies beyond this arcade."

"Salvaged remnants of earlier Temple, believed to be about 2,000 years old."

"Holographic training area used by Padawans and Knights, in which realistic battle scenarios can be generated for practice in lightsaber skills."

"Tablets with the Jedi Code and laws."

"Service ducts running throughout the Temple."

"Early rotunda chapek, retained within modern structure, reserved as a place of meditation for newly selected Padawans."

"Ancient exterior wall of the Temple precinct, now closed by later sheathing."

"Medical center and infirmary, staffed by Jedi Medical Corps."

"Sith containment cells, constructed centuries ago to hold hostile Force-users and their creatures and servants."

MAIN ENTRYWAY:

"The Processional Way to the Jedi Temple terminates in this ceremonial staircase, crowned with the statues of two Warrior Masters and two Sage Masters."

"Formal entrance. Massive pylons are decorated with sculptures of the Four Masters who founded the Temple."

"Monumental Temple entrace hall, where Yoda and Obi-Wan discover many of the Jedi dead after the attack on the Temple."

#jedi order #jedi temple #reference #meta

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biorust-art · 5 years

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I'd love to hear about your symbolism for the three tarot cards you drew, especially The Tower! (I read tarot, and I love seeing how people interpret the messages into their own drawings ❤️)

:0 ! okie- most of its fandom based so you kinda have to read Satan and Me (if you dont already) to understand it fully but! ill try my best.

First of all here are the pics to ref back too:

okay here we go

Tarot cards Symbolism-

Characters-

The star- is Lucifer for obvious reasons- his face is hiddenin all the cards I drew for him and the main feature is his wings – except thereare only two pairs instead of three. He is falling, and out of his hands are MichaelmasDaisy which symbolizes ‘Farwell’.

The Moon- is Michael, I chose him for this one (in stead oflike- the Sun) because of his close relationship to the Star. He is flying andout of his hands are Iris flowers called ‘Lucifer’. He is holding his heart symbolizingthat he’ll never really let him go- even if he is shown literally letting theflowers fall. His bralettes are like cuffs.

The Star and the Moon. – I put these two together for areason- A) because im mean like that. B) notice how their hands are both facingupward, this symbolized how they’ll never agree (this is directly contrastingthe High Priestess and Devil card- in which Natalie’s hand is downward aka-they can take each other’s hand. Lucifer is in the bottom corner while Michaelis in the top – represents the position that they are in- in a literal and metaphoricalsense – Michael will always see himself as above Lucifer. Both of their backgroundsare sunsets- representing the end of an era/ relationship.

- The flowers I used to represent these two are asfollows-

- Alstroemeria- devotion, friendship

- Basil- love, hatred

- Columbine red anxious/ folly

- Lavender devotion/ distrust

- Thyme strength courage

- Violet faithfulness

I use the flowers in both an ironicsense and a more face value sense- to kind of mark the confusing relationshipthey have with each other and the mixed feelings after the fall.

The Tower- This one is Lucifer’s soul (this is gonna beconfusing if you don’t read the comic rip) I chose him for the care bc he isliterally on a tower and for the fact that this Literally is Hell. To be there,to see Lucifer’s soul would mean that the worst has happened and has yet tocome. This also echoes the fact that Lucifer’s soul itself had to endure millenniaof torture. However there is a lighter side, he is looking off into the edge,with a life line holding him down- so he can’t be touched by the other soulsbelow him. On his back there are two scars (spoiler alert) it’s a call to Lucifercutting off his wings ->A drastic change as happened- for better or forworse- who knows.

Background for the Tower

The ‘milky way’ a cross the sky also symbolizes Lucifer’scut wings and how whats happening does effect hell. The stars are red andusually paired together to act like eyes / to give hell a more creepy vibe and,the falling stars are new arrivals into Hell.

Continuing with the Victorian flower symbolism- children’sgraves were usually placed near Oak trees- a reference to how Natalie signedaway her soul (and died) while she was still a child (the tree is a manifestationof her contract in hell) as well as how Lucifer’s soul looks like a child. Thereare tally marks carved into the tree to mark the ‘days’ that lucifer has beenwith the tree.

Mushrooms represent both rot and regrowth and, while alsobeing fitting for the environment, represents how a soul can change rapidly etc.Most of them are parasitic or poisonous including ‘destroying angel’ and ‘angelof death’. They are also the color of the rainbow (see- lucifer’s wings)

The boarder- Sorry you’ll have to compare the rest of my Tarotcards to see the pattern but! All the cards have basically the same boarder witha few significant differences.

- The color of the column- basically it representshow close the character is to heaven- the marble/gold in the Star and Mooncards vs the black in the Tower.

- Markings- the Tower has eyes at the top – aka-hell is literally peaking out and there are hand markings on the column once againto emphasis hell’s influence.

- The gate- Lucifer’s gate is open while Michael’sis closed while Lucifer’s soul has none at all. This can be a number of things –like the openminded-ness or loss of virtue (not in the sex way) while in hellthere are little morals left. Can also represent the gates of Heaven- openmeaning they will never hold Lucifer again while Michael is locked behind it. (onceagain- no gate in Hell)

- The stained glass. There are little circles atthe top and on the gates- notice that there are 8 of them – one for each colorof the Archangels + Lucifer. Due to the fact I put the layer on Opacity, theTower’s stained glass is only red/magenta >;}

- The skys beyond the gate. Each card was different.In the Star- it’s a rainbow of colors not only going back to his wings but alsohis family and, some of the stars are falling while others stay still. In theStar’s is only shades of blue- aka- Michael’s colors (and only Michael’scolors) and, the stars are not moving. The Tower is a direct continuation of thebackground with the same red star pattern described before.

Thank you for the ask! I know it was a flood gate, but I do appreciateit and I hope you’ve enjoyed reading haha

The original post is HERE (original tarot set HERE) and Satan and Me can be read HEREor on TAPAS

#satan and me #asks #thank you!#long post

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memfish88 · 3 years

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What do Butterfly Koi fish eat? Butterfly Koi For Sale near me

Bring beauty by harmonious diversity of colors. Butterfly koi wears a graceful, graceful appearance and a graceful swimming style that captivates the hearts of aquarium lovers. Why is butterfly koi so popular? How to take care of them is the most correct way? Let’s find out interesting information about this fish through the article below .

Origins of koi butterfly fish

Known as one of the koi fish breeds that possess a beautiful appearance. Butterfly koi, scientifically known as Assorted Butterfly Koi- Cyprinus carpio, is extremely popular among aquarium hobbyists.

The truth about the origin of the butterfly koi has not yet had an accurate answer from scientists. But many rumors suggest that they come from Indonesia and are descendants of the koi breed as well as Asian carp.

Of the koi breed, the butterfly koi is the most prized species.

At competitions, TV programs, butterfly koi always lead the way in the high rankings and bring glorious victories to their owners.

For those who play fish for many years, this koi is not often used in the answer as traditional koi.

However, people still fall in love and fight to bring this fish home.

Because the fins are long, smooth, carrying the body of a fish, but their swimming looks like a butterfly trying to fling its wings so that it is very skillfully and gracefully fluttering into the sky.

It is therefore not uncommon for them to call their fins “underwater butterflies.”

Appeared in Japan for a long time, but recently, butterfly koi has received attention and attention from people.

The number of koi fish is increasing at a dizzying rate. Because the breeding form and the need to buy as ornamental becomes a favorable market for breeders.

Butterfly koi was the product of breeding and breeding during this period and New York is one of the potential markets.

This is also where the breeders bought stout long carp from Indonesia.

At the Blue Ridge Fish hatchery, North Carolina. When buying the carp from here for research, scientists have discovered an interesting point.

These are the genes of the carp’s long fins and the koi’s vibrant colors that create a nice diagonal line between the two.

The results were not unexpected when the koi butterfly fish was born healthy with long and smooth fins that captivated the heart.

Because of this, many people still used to call them the butterfly koi carp, but in fact, the two species are completely different.

The Shape and Size of the Butterfly Koi fish

Proudly favored by nature for its graceful, beautiful waving set, butterfly koi fish when swimming in a fast glide look like fluttering butterfly wings.

Compared to the original (standard) koi, there are many differences.

However, if you consider only from a color perspective, it is difficult to distinguish when the basic colors such as white, yellow, orange … are common in both species.

A butterfly koi develops, its fins reach a minimum until the blood vessels can no longer continue.

The bigger the koi is proportional to the longer the butterfly’s fins. So it doesn’t matter when you confuse an adult butterfly koi with a long dragon moving through the water.

Their antennae (antennae) are even long-lasting and can be forged into sophisticated designs.

The fish’s tail and fins are visible to the naked eye and appear fragile, with many longitudinal folds.

There are few butterflies with one color, the mix of colors on the body is quite harmonious, the fish’s tail when moving is what attracts the opponent’s vision the most.

This is also an important point if you want to distinguish two standard breeds and butterfly koi.

In discussions about the butterfly koi, people often talk about their beautiful, “miraculous” fins.

If you come across a butterfly koi with a mutated long fin, it is unusual because of genetic deviation.

Instead of growing more in body length, they develop their fins to their maximum.

However, this problem is not much of a concern because many other fish breeds often have this situation, typically such as: Siamese fighting fish, Simpson’s fins gun, long fin chest and fins. long black.

Any biologically but significant deviation will bring about an unexpected commercial value.

Similar to the standard koi, the butterfly’s fin organ is made up of dozens of cartilage rays that lead outward to perform a support function.

Initially they develop very straight, but over a long time they start to bring parallel shape.

The longer the butterfly tail, the longer it brings high economic efficiency because people love the graceful appearance when swimming from the tail.

Although they have a small body and are just a normal ornamental fish , their lifespan will surely surprise you when it is even 3 times the age of a human.

The average is 25 to 35 years, with good care and nurturing conditions, there is a possibility of living up to 200 years.

How to raise butterfly koi fish in a glass tank

The ideal amount of water to acclimate to the butterfly koi is around 1000 gallons of water.

To build them a comfortable environment, farmers need to add objects such as rocks, aquatic plants, rockets …

Butterfly koi personality is a species that likes to explore and explore, they often dig everywhere for food as an instinct available.

Because they eat a lot, the amount of waste generated is no less, to keep the lake clean and fresh, you should pay attention to change the water regularly.

Provide a quality filtration system and place large rocks so they can dig freely without injuring themselves.

Male and female butterfly koi can be easily identified by looking at their anal parts.

Males the anus are recessed, as well as a nodule on the head, females on the contrary, do not have this.

The female koi moth lays very “intoxicating”, sometimes up to 1000 eggs per cycle. The hatching rate of the eggs lasts from 4 to 7 days depending on the temperature of the water at that time.

If you have a need to breed and nurture your koi butterfly cubs, you should be careful. During the first week of postpartum pepper consumption should only feed the fry with pureed frozen food.

Gradually, they feel their health getting better and better and adapt to a new environment to switch to small pellets.

Around week 3 to 12, the color of the koi butterfly will begin to show up clearly, lasting until much later.

The food of koi fish sold in the market is quite diverse. You do not need to buy food for ornamental fish in general, but koi fish have a separate diet that will help them adapt and grow better.

In addition, to ensure the absolute health of the butterfly koi fish, the farmer needs the following parameters:

Minimum koi aquarium size: 1000 gallons

Care Level: Easy

Personality: Peace

Water conditions: 36-90 ◦ F, KH 2-12, pH 6.8 – 7.2

Maximum size: 90cm

Color: Black, orange, red, white, yellow

Diet: Omnivorous.

How many Butterfly Koi Types?

As mentioned above, among koi varieties, butterfly koi is the most typical, most beautiful and most popular species.

The reason for this trait is its bright colors, beautiful fins with special patterns, which also makes butterfly koi a valuable fish.

Although it was born later, it is known as the typical koi breed.

In addition, the striking lime yellow and platinum ogons are two colors that fall in the stunning category of the butterfly koi.

In addition, copper gold and neon-white are also two pretty special colors, they make koi butterflies surprisingly brilliant and graceful.

Sorogoi butterfly fish

Described as “adult, good-natured” in butterfly koi varieties, sorogoi often wear gray or black overall.

At first glance, maybe sorogoi does not make you feel impressed by it almost fading in the world of colorful colors.

However, it is only when you see them swimming that you really feel attractive and you are as if you were caught in their curves along the water.

Their graceful appearance, the ability to control their bodies ice underwater as if they are “dancing” will probably make you feel a lot of shock.

Black and gray have always been two colors representing mystery and elegance, depending on the perception of each person, each culture has a different way of feeling.

Sometimes, black is also the color representing elegance, symbolizing men.

That is why sorogoi is still preferred and chosen by many people. They become “typical faces” present in most aquariums at home of many families.

Black butterfly koi fish

Unlike the genes of some sibling koi, the black butterfly koi has an unusually large size and appearance.

In the middle of the water, their glossy black appearance becomes sparkling, creating a distinctive and unique eye-catching look.

The fish fins of the black koi grow to the maximum, the larger they try to stretch, the more they grow in size like a jet black dragon is able to swim upstream skillfully.

Owning a black butterfly koi is likened to having a tiny water dragon.

The shadow under the water is like a shadow but not a shadow. In Japanese culture, black butterfly koi is a symbol of luck.

Milk white butterfly koi (tancho ghoshiki himitshu)

This is a fish breed that has recently appeared in Vietnam. They wear milky white body is a blend of yin and yang giving people an overall look that both matches and harmony when viewed in terms of color.

Along the spine of the milky white koi, a row of butterflies runs steadily in a straight line.

Some special figures have a red circle at the top of the head as a characteristic highlight.

Because of this, the Japanese are extremely loved by the red stain that looks like the national flag of Japan mixed with a white background equivalent to 80%.

The price of the white butterflies on the market is very high.

Platinum Butterfly Koi

Just like the name suggests, the glittery butterfly koi has a sparkling body under the water, creating an eye-catching look that makes the viewer seem fascinated at first sight.

Under the light, this fish is much more prominent, depending on the color of the light on the body of the fish that they reflect into different colors in the extremely diverse darkness.

What do butterfly koi fish eat?

This fish is named by taking the name of the koi species of the same species and adding the word “gin rin”,

There are also two other more common types of butterfly koi fish that are more common: butterfly koi in aquarium and butterfly koi in garden.

The size of the backyard butterfly koi is larger than the other butterfly koi. Depending on the farming location, family members can choose suitable breeds.

Tips:

[TOP 10] Best Koi Food Reviews in 2021

How much does butterfly koi cost? Where to buy and sell

The prices for each butterfly koi breed are not the same. Depending on purity, health condition, longevity and color, there are compatible prices.

According to the reference on the online stores and in the aquarium stores, in general, butterfly koi fish have the following prices:

Butterfly koi fish type F1 mazabuki ogon price Contact Betta koi fish costs: Contact Koi fish imported tancho price: Contact Phoenix tail fish cost: Contact

source https://memfish.net/butterfly-koi/

#fishtank #aquarium #fish #aquascape #aquariumhobby #aquascaping plantedtank #freshwateraquarium #ree

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octaviainthewasteland · 7 years

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34 for the prompts, with Allura

34: “You come to my room and wake me up at 4 am, to cuddle?”

i’ll stay in my corner and cry

Also, let’s assume that in space they have the same time measurements as on Earth.

AO3

A skill to fall asleep anywhere, in any position, and with any noise in the background was simply a part of being an Altean alchemist. As early as during the student days, it was necessary to learn how to use any available moment to the fullest and get as much sleep as possible in between shifts, endure the never-ending partying behind the cardboard wall, and ignore the roommate who quite vocally revised her formulas for a test next week. Having moved to her own place, a modest one-room apartment, with barely enough space for her and Kova, she would expect for things to become easier, but in reality, she did not spend much time there, due to constant trips and expeditions. After spending three nights without sleep, investigating loose subsurface rocks in the north, Honevra dozed off without any concerns for the deafening roar of the engine and did not stir even in particularly dashing turns and bumps. Sometimes her reports were slightly crimpled, with stains from the energy drinks and dried spots of drool, as she slept like a log right on the desk.

Strangely enough, it seemed like Zarkon was finding this habit of her entertaining. She began to wake up in a comfortable bed instead, without any recollection of how she got there and actually took off her shoes and glasses. Once as she had not yet completely fallen asleep, she felt through the slumber, how carefully she was embraced and lifted from her workplace. Zarkon himself was a soldier, and a paranoiac hence could rest soundly only beside her.

Was it the work stress, the all-consuming responsibilities of the royal representative, age, something else – yet lately more often than not Honevra was suffering from insomnia. She was no fool, she was aware that the generals did not approve of their great lord marrying a commoner. They wanted to get rid of her.It seemed like paladins liked her, especially so after Zarkon, drunk with joy, had been singing the folk songs at the top of his lungs at their wedding, just to please her. Except for Alfor. No, of course, as the embodiment of diplomacy, he was nothing but friendly, however, Honevra caught his tense unreadable gaze more than once or twice. Nevertheless, he was always cordial and friendly, smothering her with kisses in greetings, and while inviting Zarkon to visit him, he never forgot to extend his invitation to her separately.

That did not lessen her neurosis, maybe even fueling it further. Therefore, picking up the soft thud of the door being opened, Honevra instantly jumped off the bed, clutching a dagger in her hands. She did not go to bed without it under her pillow, and it was a betrothal gift from Zarkon. Galra attached huge importance to struggle and strength of body and mind, and Zarkon made sure that if needed, she would be able to hold her own.

In the hallway, in a distant lilac light from the corridor, stood the princess. Barefoot, in a nightgown, with loose hair – a wavy mane flowing below her waist.

“What happened?” Honevra pushed the blanket back, prepared to act fast at the slightest hint of danger.

Friends had been staying with them for a week already, but that evening they had received a distress signal, a cry for help, and her husband, along with Alfor, set off in their lions into the night. If someone dared to try and take advantage of their absence to cause any harm to the little princess, they would regret it. Oh, Honevra would take care of that.

The princess bit her lip and shifted from one foot to another.

“Are there any ghosts?” she muttered under her breath.

Honevra’s expression softened a bit, and she dropped the dagger, pretending that she was fluffing the pillow. Frankly, she was pretty annoyed to end up as a designated babysitter, and she could not find the right way to approach the princess. On the one hand, there was a person of royal blood in front of her, and Galra were pretty serious about status and hierarchy, but on the other, here and now Honevra was a queen-consort herself. Besides, the princess was only a child.

Honevra got reminiscent of her early days on Daibazaal. It was difficult to get used to the high ceilings and pointed structures, to deep dark colors and military austerity, borderline asceticism.

After a reserved nod, the princess trotted to the bad and ducked under the blanket, building a cocoon. Despite the fact that the bed was wide and had just enough room for five, she settled right at her side, wheezing tranquilly. Watching her fiddling from the corner of her eye, Honevra grabbed the watch from the nightstand.

“You come to my room and wake me up at 4 am, to cuddle?”

Well, it was unlikely that she would get any more sleep tonight.

“Your father will return before you know it. You won’t even have time to miss him.” She forced out awkwardly, lost as to how to comfort her.

Whatever said, it would be lies, obviously, as the little princess missed her father dearly already, otherwise she would not have come running to the only Altean in the whole palace. Even if Honevra did not feel like one of them anymore.

“When I grow up, I’ll pilot the Red Lion,” she quietly confessed.“If I am allowed to mention, it takes a lot of courage to pilot the Lion. How can it be someone who’s afraid of ghosts?” teased Honevra.“I’ll be like father. I’ll defend the universe. Together with the future prince. Or the princess.”

Honevra glanced at her, but the effect of her raised eyebrow was lost on the naiveté.

“Father told me a secret, that you’ll have a babe.”“A son,” she said with certainty, “the prince”.

Allura squawked with delight.

“Can I?”

Still a little dumbfounded and amused, Honevra rose on the bed, leaning on the headboard. Her condition was not yet evident, and she had not told anyone, not even her husband, but Alfor, perhaps, felt a lump of new energy beneath her heart.

A warm tiny palm pressed against her abdomen. Allura closed her eyes, her nose wrinkled in concentration. The marks on her cheekbones were gleaming a baby pink. Honevra could not remember when was the last time her own marks glowed. It haunted her, a creeping feeling that each day they were getting darker, sharper. Physical appearance was not of any significance for her, but it was something more and it worried her. As a matter of principle, she did not shapeshift to blend into Galra, she was not going to try to hide her heritage, nor be embarrassed by it.The dim marks, however, was yet another step away from Altea.

When Zarkon peeked into her chambers, in his smoke-smeared armor, with a tattered cloak, with a tired face, covered in scratches and little burns – but safe and sound – he found his wife abstractedly combing Allura’s hair with her fingers. The girl and the cat, a tangle of legs and tail and fur, snuffled faintly in her shoulder.

His face beamed, and he wore an oafish grin as he crept up to them, tiptoeing so as not to disturb the sleeping beauty. Leaving a soft kiss on the top of her head, he sank down beside her, using the nightstand as the backrest, and stretched his lengthy legs out.

Soon Alfor appeared in the doorway too, out of breath in a search for his daughter. Their eyes met, and Honevra put a finger to her lips, urging him to stay quiet. Zarkon gave out a big snore in agreement and slipped off the nightstand onto the edge of the bed.

Alfor squinted and laughed silently.

After listening to the report on how exactly they have managed to capture one of the intruders, a well-known enemy of the Empire, Haggar orders to throw the girl into the prison cell until further directions.

#Allura #haggar #honevra #zaggar #zarkon and alfor are friends #it hurts my soul #i hate this thing when it's all good and tender but then you realise everything will soon go to hell #votlron

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tipsycad147 · 5 years

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8 Quick Candle Spells For When You Need Magic In A Hurry

SL Bear

Witches love working with candles, and rightly so. Whether you’re burning sigils, performing a ritual, or simply setting the mood, having a lit candle near during spellwork is like having a little companion with you. It’s also a great visual of something happening — especially helpful for those more hands-on witches who work their magic more tactilely and less mentally.

A candle is nothing but action. It flickers with life, melts sinuously before your eyes and can set things on fire! It’s powerful, and not only that, but because of its versatility it has a lot more uses than you may realise. I want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your candles so you can use your waxy little friends to their fullest potential.

Wax & Wick

I don’t know about you, but using candles is pretty essential to my craft. If I’m trying to work a spell, you better believe I’ve got at least a few candles lit, and when I write spells, I always include a lot of them. Lately, though, I’ve cut almost everything else away except candles. While other tools are fun to have, candles are quick and more than enough for most spells. So, I want to share a few of the new ways I’ve been using them.

1. Dressing Candles

You’ve probably heard about anointing candles in oils and dressing them with herbs — it’s pretty standard. But there are so many other options beyond oil and herbs you can use! Are you a sea witch? Let the candle sit in the sun for a while to soften it, then pack it in sand. Earth witch? Do the same thing, but with loose dirt. You can crumble up another candle and roll your spell candle in the waxy dust as a way to reinforce your intention — two colours instead of one. Roll the candle in eggshells and salt to add another layer of protection in warding spells. Roll black banishing candles in cracked pepper to give your spell an extra boost.

I’ve rolled candles in loose pet fur and even used candles to crush seeds. This is a great way to save money, too. Instead of buying expensive “spell candles” with a lot of ingredients mixed into the wax, you can add exactly what you need just by rolling your candle in it. It’s also safer than burning these candles because whatever you’re rolling the candle in is on the outside of the candle and away from the flame, unlike the herbs and flowers in spell candles that are sometimes right next to it while the candle burns!

If you’re having difficulty getting elements to stick to the waxy surface of the candle, you can warm it up slightly beforehand or apply a very thin layer of diluted honey, so it’s tacky before you roll.

2. Time-Elapse Spells

It’s a long process to burn a candle down, so this method is perfect for spells that also take time — like self-improvement spells or spells for reaching a goal. Think of your candle as a timeline and divide it into different sections by making thick grooves in the candle’s surface. The spacing is up to you. If you’re doing a self-improvement spell, you may see that certain aspects are bigger problems than others and will take longer to burn away.

Likewise, with reaching a goal, certain obstacles are smaller than others. Once you’ve divided your candle up, make sure each section represents what you’re trying to banish or strengthen (intention is key here). You can write the word in the wax or apply other symbols as you see fit. As you begin this process, light the candle and let it burn through each section as you consider what needs to change, how to accomplish this, and what additional magical help you may need.

3. Carving & Cutting Candles

Another standard practice is to carve words or symbols into candles. You can take this further by carving the candle into a specific shape. This isn’t easy, and it takes practice, but it’s a lot of fun and results in a very potent magical object. If you’re doing a spell to protect a loved one, you can carve the candle into the shape of a person and give it a few defining features.

Cutting candles or snapping them is another way to symbolically link or break something. If you take a tapered candle and cut out a small section in the middle, you make a sort of nunchuck. These two candles are connected by a single wick and can be burned side by side in unison — what happens to one happens to the other. This would be good to use in spells involving siblings, spouses, or close family members.

4. Saving The Wax

Coloured candles have a LOT of dye in them. If you’ve ever gotten wax on your clothing or carpet, you’ll know that it can stain. But you can use this to your advantage by taking a candle used in a spell and, after it’s burned down, using the wax as a writing utensil. Imagine that you’ve charged a candle with a certain intention because you used it in a spell for love. That candle’s sole purpose was to help manifest something you want — it’s programmed. This magically charged, colourful wax can now be used for other things — like drawing love sigils to bolster your spell.

Have more than one colour? You’ve basically got a set of magic crayons, and if you’re creatively inclined, there is really no limit. Melt them down for altar decorations. Draw an image of what you’re trying to manifest on a piece of paper and hang it over your bed. This even works with white candles! Because watercolor is repelled by wax, you can draw beautiful sigils on paper with white wax and then paint over them with watercolour to create a beautiful little tribute to your sigil, and to keep it in mind and focus on it while you go about your day.

5. Sigil Candle

Tired of constantly re-activating sigils? When I’m making sigils, they are typically single-use. Other sigils, however, become very important and their intentions are ongoing. I use one for success that I’ve had for over two years and since being successful is something I’d like to be continuous, I draw this sigil on everything. I also used to consistently re-activate it.

The problem with this is that even though I wanted to incorporate it in my weekly altar ritual, I’d forget or get too busy and the sigil wouldn’t get burned. As you can imagine, this leads to erratic results. So instead of drawing the sigil each week and burning it (something that for me involves going outside in unpredictable weather), I simply found a way to “auto-activate” it when I burned my altar candles each week. Problem solved.

Search online for prayer candles. Helpful hint: The Dollar Tree sells them in cases of 12 for $12. They come in a lot of colours and are in 8 inch glass cylinders. Once you’ve picked a colour that matches your sigil’s intention, take some paint or a sharpie, and draw your go-to sigil on the glass. Now, whenever you’d like to activate your sigil, you can simply light the candle. It’s lovely; the glass gets warm and the wax slowly moves down the sigil. A very gentle activation that’s easy and paper free.

6. Dripping

I don’t know about you, but I buy very temperamental (read: cheap) candles. The candle goes out constantly because the wick drowns in the melting wax. This means I have to babysit my candles and pour out the overflow of wax whenever the flame is in danger of going out. I’m forever having to find containers for the wax, then dislodge the wax once it hardens, and repeat the whole annoying ordeal every week or so.

There are a lot of things you can do with leftover wax, like making new candles or just letting it pile up to create interesting altars. You can also get creative with how you drip it. On a flat surface you can drip the wax in a circle or design and, depending how you make the edges of the circle, add water to it. This gives you a lovely little lake to work spells with. Make a second circle within the first and you create a mote, within which you can perform a spell with an extra protective or strengthening layer.

7. Reading Flames & Ceromancy

Reading candle flames is a technique often used for divination or to gauge how a spell is progressing. If the candle flame is lively and flickering and tall, then your magic is working or similarly, the answer to whatever question you’re posing is yes. If the flame is low and barely there, your magic is not working or the answer to your question is no. If the flame won’t stay lit or goes out entirely, more time or effort is required. If the candle is noisily crackling and popping, it could mean a spirit is trying to make contact.

Personally, I’m not that fond of this form of reading. I can influence the candle’s flame by simply turning on a fan or sitting in a still room. I’m not saying this isn’t a valid magic, but I do think it’s a little flimsy. Instead of reading the flames, try reading the wax — a method of divination called ceromancy.

Get a large bowl filled with water and gently stir it. While the water is in motion, add a stream of hot wax and see if you can divine anything in the shapes the wax forms. Hearts and teardrops are both significant. Does the wax spiral or just sit gently on top of the water? As the wax floats and more drips are added, what are your first impressions?

Pro-tip: Burn and drip candles of different colours when you’re first beginning with ceromancy — it makes finding the clues much easier if there is more than one colour in play.

8. Sealing

Cord, herbs, the ash from a burned sigil, and more can be combined into a small, portable, and scented disk with wax melted over it, then arranged on altars, placed on your desk or stored in the refrigerator for safe-keeping. These waxy spells can be as small or large as you like, combined with other wax spells or snapped in half if you’d like to perform a banishing or other symbolic breaking.

You can add oils before the wax hardens. You can draw shapes in the cool wax. If you’re worried about the wax breaking or becoming damaged, add your spell ingredients to a small tin before covering with wax, so everything is protected. This will also prevent your wax from accidentally re-melting all over your belongings in the heat!

https://thetravelingwitch.com/blog/8-quick-candle-spells-for-when-you-need-magic-in-a-hurry

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treesntigers-blog · 4 years

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It’s that time of the year again where we all forget our quarrels with our siblings and just spend an entire day celebrating your love. Whether it was fighting over a toy, deciding which cartoon to watch, or getting scolded by mom, those memories are part of the real-deal growing up. Sadly, those moments and times are deeply missed and craved for, now. You may be far apart, but you will always have that place in each other’s hearts. As Raksha Bandhan is about cherishing the love and relationship shared by siblings, why not surprise them with a trip this year?

1. Trees & Tigers, Sariska

Situated in Rajasthan, Trees & Tigers is a luxury boutique resort surrounded by unbound nature, spectacular wildlife, and picturesque Aravalli Mountains. It is well rounded in terms of indoor & outdoor activities, multicuisine restaurants, modern rooms, and more. The resort prides itself by not confining its guests to hotel rooms but rather have personal cottages, each combined with its personal courtyard and private machaan to absorb nature to its fullest and live like the King or Queen of the Jungle. The resort has managed to capture the authentic vibe of the wildlife, which pulls you away from the hustle and bustle of the city life.

The food is made at a premium level and can be customised according to directory needs giving you the complete feeling of luxury. They also offer village tours, tiger safaris, hiking, sleeping under the stars, and several other seasonal packages. It’s not only the perfect place to unwind and relax but you can also kick in some adventure by visiting the Sariska National Park or Sariska Tiger Reserve which is 15kms from the resort. The wildlife in Sariska includes Indian Leopards, Royal Bengal Tigers, Neel-Gais and so much more. Hospitality is also maintained at high standards at the resort and you would be lucky if you can find a room or two available on the weekend throughout the season.

2. Rajbari, West Bengal

A 2.5 hour drive from Kolkata, Rajbari is less of a hotel and more of a discovery. Restored after decades of dilapidation, this resort is home to the most breathtaking entrances in India. To stay here is to enter a deeply authentic and intricate story centered around the magic of West Bengal. Enjoy the charm of the old world at this heritage resort. Located about an hour and 30 minutes from Kolkata, The Rajbari Bawali is a 300-year-old boutique heritage property that has been elegantly turned into the best luxury heritage resort near Kolkata. You can sail on a country boat along the Hooghly River before rejoicing in the Sanskrit evening prayers and as dusk falls, make your way through the local dishes in the candlelit dining room. Simply stroll around the 4 acres of royalty that holds a different treasure for each guest. The authentic style of living is complemented with sophisticated comfort and luxury.

3. Wild Mahseer, Assam

Such pride in this wild corner of North-East India, known as ‘the land of the rising sun’, is evident in each area of the charming property, nestled in 22 acres of lush Addabarie Tea Estate. A deep and unswerving commitment to the surrounding environment underpins every part of life here and guests are immersed in the rich rhythm of nature. Experience the art of mindful tourism while living within the biodiverse haven of the Eastern Himalyan Botanic Ark. Every room is decorated with an array of exquisite ornaments, paintings and wall hangings personally selected and shipped from every corner of the world, highlighting the different faces of Asia.

The resort is passionate about portraying the region’s biodiversity. Whether it’s forest bathing, river safaris along the mighty Brahmaputra or visits to Assam Silk Weavers, they do it all! Their most famous and well-known experience is a drive to the Kaziranga National Park, home to the Great Indian One Horned Rhino. It is a combination of old -world charm and gracious living, set in lush surroundings with a vast range of activities, which make Wild Mahseer the ideal getaway.

4. Bari Kothi, Murshidabad

Few visitors to India even hear of Murshidabad, let alone visit it! Murshidabad is home to one of the largest palaces in India, most mosques built in a day, glorious architecture and an extremely intriguing history. Bari Kothi has been loving restored and is a sight to behold. Keeping this tradition of oral storytelling alive, Bari Kothi hosts a special session for our guests to connect with the intangible significance of the place, architecture and objects both emotionally and intellectually.

It is set in Azimganj, “the Varanasi of the East” with a warren of mosaic floored ballrooms, Burmese teak pillars, Belgian Chandeliers, faded portraits and vast stained glass windows. All of these magnificent parts of the resort descend onto the family ghat and stretch into the holy waters. Reminiscence and remember the 18th Century with Bari Kothi!

5. Pepper Trail, Kerala

Dive deep and explore the Jungle in this idyllic corner of North Kerala. Nestled among the mountains of the Western Ghats and swimming in heritage, storytelling and tranquility lies Pepper Trail. They are a working tea and coffee plantation with houses built about 40 feet away from each other - the resort is a true embodiment of wildlife with their hand carved beds and their locally sourced textiles.

Indulge in their personalised service, enjoy fine dining, explore the plantation, discover the local lore or relax with a soothing Ayurveda massage. Enjoy at the Pavilion and give your taste buds a treat with the seasonal local dishes bursting with amazing flavours! Eat while being serenaded by flashing birds and know you are in paradise. A selection of complimentary activities is offered in the area such as guided plantation walks, open jeep safaris, cycling, fishing, canoeing and coracle rides.

Remember Raksha Bandhan is not limited to your blood relationships and may also be representative of ties other than blood ones. It is thought of not only as a festival of sibling love, but also friendships and and association of support - show your loved ones that you truly care and make some more memories.

We hope that gives you a better idea on how to spend this Rakhi with your loved ones! At the end of the day, our most vital recommendation before booking to you is to thoroughly look through the reviews on Trip Advisor and Tripoto. My top recommendations would definitely be Trees&Tigers, Sariska and Rajbari, West Bangal, but that doesn’t make the rest any worse. Book now and plan your post lockdown trips! Don’t miss the chance to gift an experience!

Set amidst the sprawling lush landscape Trees & Tigers is a luxury resort that aims to provide its guests with the best cultural and wildlife experience. We would love to hear from you. Please send us your complaints, comments, and compliments.

For More information please visit our site.

https://www.treesntigers.com/sightseeing.htm

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thereliquarian · 6 years

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Severance

I grew up hearing the adage that Art Imitates Life, and in mine it seems that my Life Imitates Art. This has been especially true since beginning the Reliquarian, if you’ve read some of the other blogs I’ve spoken of the parallels, and how almost unnerving it is when something I write then shows up or happens in my real life. Some of the parallels are more subtle, and perhaps it is a subconscious and intrinsic infusion into the artistry that I understand on a deeper level than I recognize on the surface. If nothing else I have learned both in Artistry and Life nothing turns out the way I originally envision, but in the end, despite the struggle and frustration, when I let go of what I think it should be, it becomes what it is meant to be, and there is beauty in it that I couldn’t imagine at its inception.

Nostalgia is the third character to be introduced in the visual elements of the story, and this image is actually the last photographic illustration in book one. It has been an interesting dance in this project being both artist and author, and creating them simultaneously. It’s a bit like watching a close race or a good game where both opponents are fighting and stealing the lead back and forth. Some of the characters have been visual representations in my mind and the story of them builds around the image, and others I write into the story and the inspiration for the images come from the writing. This one came from the name, the idea of Nostalgia, which is something I have always been enamored with as a concept. Nostos being Greek: Return Home, and Algos: Pain. It’s a wistful longing to return home. It feeds in also to the adage of “home is where the heart is.” Nostalgia is wide spread to the longing for something that we want to return to, a moment, a memory, a place, a loved one. All I knew of her was that I wanted her to be the visual embodiment of what Nostalgia would look were it fashioned into a humanoid type personification.

The crude idea we began with was that she needed to illuminate light. She lives in a place called the Atheneum, that is a museum of sorts for lost and discarded things. In the simplest of terms we might call her a hoarder, and in the realm of fictional characters she’d have gotten along fabulously with Miss Havisham, only it is life she is mourning the loss of rather than a lover.

My mother spent most of my childhood in a relationship with an Antique Dealer and Treasure Hunter, and our house was constantly described as creepy, a museum, and ‘interesting’. My father and I have been estranged since I was 3, and several small bridges have all been built and burnt to bridge the gap, so this man has been my only subject of “dad” and while he never married my mother, and they ultimately parted ways, he still refers to, and introduces me as “My daughter of choice.” His house now is an old farm, the chicken coop larger than most people’s garages, and the Barn towers over the property there, all full of oddities, trinkets, and treasures, some that only he sees the value in. The house is always dim, the lights are rarely on, even at night, to protect the patinas and paintings of rare artifacts that might be damaged by the light, and for as long as I can remember he carries a flash like as most carry their phone, or wallet, or keys, so that light is with him when it is needed.

They say we write what we know, and so much of the storyline of this character is rooted in memories of my past. A thin walkway between rooms, flanked on all sides by minuscule and monumental things of varying importance, some lovely, and some grotesque. The place I wrote was what I might have called home as a child on a more grandious scale, as Nostalgia has want to always do: Turn what we remember into more than it was, anchoring our spirits towards past and keeping us from the future and more importantly: the present.

The initial concepts were to make the dress a gown of vintage and victorian lampshades. To include photographs and frames upon it, and have her carry ‘the weight of the world’ literally upon her at all times. It would be couture, but also serve purpose, as the common psychology of hoarders is “I need, or will need this.” The Atheneum would remain dark at all times save candles dimly lighting the silhouettes and her gown which would carry its own light with it, illuminating only where she passed.

Once I latched onto this idea, the dress bodice became inspired by stained glass. Particularly a Tiffany Lamp my grandmother always had on her serving hutch in the dining room. Originally I thought blue, but once painted it didn’t seem illuminated and I moved towards yellows and golds. (The Tutorial on how to do this is in the queue for those interested.)

When I get stuck {as I often do on this project} I often sit with the word I’m trying to convey and write as many connected words, synonyms and symbols as I can think of to play off of. With Nostalgia one of the first and strongest was candles. Perhaps because it denotes an earlier time, and older day. I’m drawn to the warmth of fire, and the glow of it’s light, it romanticizes everything, and I have handwritten most of this book’s first draft by candlelight. Returning again to my childhood my mother was not one for precision, and while others were building sand castles out of buckets and sculpting clean, smooth lines, mine taught her children “drip castles.” Closer to the water’s edge, with the wet, muddy sand, dripping into uneven and erratic towers, and continuously washed away by the lapping waves. At home she had a coffee table covered in years of candle wax. A waterfall of color, cascading down until it became a mountain, and I was always mesmerized by it.

I too the inspiration from that and created the shoulder pads of the dress, so it would seem there were piles of candles close to her face, illuminating the words she read, the things she searched for, and ultimately, like all else, melting away into a nothingness, and replaced with the next layer upon it.

I will always, in some ways be a “poor kid.” This method of thought was not only reinforced by humble beginnings and watching my single mom struggle to pull herself from the hole my parents dug together; but also by grandmother, who was a child in the midst of the great depression, and understood poverty and scarcity in a way no one from any generation beyond her can relate to. This has not only attributed to the way money is handled in my personal life, but I also believe it greatly influenced and made possible the Reliquarian project thus far.

I am lucky to know many talented artists in the fantasy and fine art realms, but when I hear their budgets for shoots, I all but fall over from sticker shock. I can’t imagine those price tags for the final image, so I instead imagine the ways around it. I am a creative at heart and I think while some feel a sense of pride in being able to afford such luxuries I will always feel the same sense of accomplishment in the act of creating these pieces for fractions of cost.

The headdress was mostly items from the local dollar store, and remnants from other shoots. I wanted it to have a bit of a catholism edge to it. I remember my grandparents taking me to church and lighting candles in memory of those no longer with us, and I remember the statues and figures in the sculptures and stained glass murals that I always admired. The headdress nodded to both, having the ability to light the candle, and having that more church statue feel in the color and texture.

In spending time in Cambodia last year it was common to see altars outside nearly every house. They pray to buddha and light incense as offerings. To nod to the other religion and culture that I have always identified strongly with we added incense which still gave a sort of “Holy Mother” feel to the headdress. It created a sort of halo about her, and was accentuated with the dissected pieces of an oriental fan. I wanted to create the idea that we are our own churches, we pray and meditate and connect with our gods at the altar of our own minds. Anyone who seeks God in brick and stone, or thinks their rituals are where God is found is a fool, it is always within, our divine self is the connection between mortality and immortality, between creator and created.

With Nostalgia’s intricate bodice and headdress complete, focus shifted towards the set. So much detail in this project is so minuscule in the grand landscape of the image. If asked to describe the Reliquarian in 3 words I would simply say The Reliquarian is: ‘Art Within Art” The images within the story, the wardrobe and sets within the image, the details within the details. It is a mixture of all mediums of expression, and the intertwined consciousness of many minds that are significant in my world.

It seemed fitting to shoot the scene for the last book in the place that first inspired it. It took nearly 3 days simply to clear enough room to have a line of sight for the camera. It was dark, and dusty, and nostalgic as it should have been. As the last image in the first book it had to be potent, and it had to represent the core of the project, which is the idea of Art within Art. To take that further I made her literally art. Not only in the elaborate costuming and ornate details of beading, wire work, and sculpture, but by placing her within a literal picture frame, one my husband Michael hand built for this piece. Our child within the story is so captivated and distracted by all the things within the Atheneum that it is some time before she notices the frame is a doorway into another room of the building, and not a literal painting. Cadence has been with me on this project since it’s inception 5 years ago… that’s nearly half her lifetime. It has been fun and challenging to create it with her, and I often hope she looks back at these moments and memories with a sense of nostalgia and love for these moments, as I know I will. Still as mothers and daughters do, we have bickered over different elements of the project, and one in particular has been her long beautiful hair that is so glorious in the initial images. She begged me to cut it, something I distinctly remember doing myself, as a child. When I was not victorious in my plea, I cut all of it in the midst of rebellion, and frustration about my life in those moments… in hindsight I was on a very detrimental and damaging path right then, unable to see past the hurt of the present moment, and the helplessness I felt in being a child and not in charge of my own life and direction. My tangled curls were simply metaphoric for the hopeless web I found myself ensnared in. In hindsight I can look back, now more than double that age, and see that some of the dismay was in relation to my perspective, and not entirely my circumstances, but that was something I couldn’t see at the time. I’ve worked hard to give both our children a really good childhood, in some regards, I, like all parents have failed, but overall I have felt mostly successful.

This year was a difficult one for our family, especially the last few months, we have all been struggling with many circumstances beyond our control. It is the first time I feel I truly failed in my ultimate purpose as a mother: To protect and safeguard the life and well being of my children, mentally, emotionally, physically. Tragedy and hardship is a necessary trial we endure so that we might see the true nature of all those close to us, and this year certainly did just that. Cadence begged to cut and donate her hair last time during her father’s deployment in Afghanistan, and I saw a bit of metamorphosis take place within her emotionally and manifest physically. It was a healthy means of expressing what was within and what she was without. Given the nature of the year’s struggles I saw her grappling with how to come to terms with it, and again it was time to let some versions of self go… for her and I both.

Danielle, my hair goddess and guru was the only one I’d entrust her locks, and sense of self worth with, and she reminded me that hair holds weight from all the time it grew to it’s current length, for many it’s a way of declaring freedom, of letting go, of allowing one’s self to shed the exoskeleton of a version of themselves they have outgrown.

For Cadence, some of this is simply youth, some of it is innocence she is willingly shedding, and some has been taken from her before it should have been by a world she will learn to be, often times unforgiving and apathetic. Interestingly as life imitates art, and art imitates life the easiest solution in terms of the Reliquarian, was to make Cady’s journey part of the child’s journey within the story. And so Unsung is distracted by all the lovely and strange forgotten things within the atheneum. She plays dress up in the clothes she finds there, studies the oddities, and eventually finds herself in front of an antique mirror and a collection of shears and scissors. What she sees and what she feels are out of syncopation, and so she chops her hair, severing it from her head in an attempt to sever the past struggles and sorrows that have been tethering her to past days, and keeping her from moving forward.

As I am always behind the camera in these moments, I often forget that I myself am a part of the story in its creation. The nights before a shoot are often spent with another creative in the project, and always the final touches and nuances are placed only moments before the shutter fires. The true gift has always been that amazing people not only become part of the project, but bring other amazing people into the Reliquarian. Jaye, brought his wife’s incredible talents to Higher Learning and introduced his artistic and creative daughters to me. Siena has been with me ever since. Sarah Jane sent me to Danielle, who has not only done hair for the shoots, but created stunning transformations in real life, and brought her friend on set to help fill in the shooting space on the day. Donna Maria was a student at a workshop that quickly identified as a kindred spirit and agreed to play the part of Nostalgia. Remy played Deception’s character in Higher Learning and has also done makeup on half the sets for shoot days.

The day of is always full of snacks, and last minute panic attacks, and stress, and excitement, and good people, and I love every second of it… Of course looking back I am struck with the nostalgia of the memory which conveniently leaves out all the headaches and anxiety of the day. Siena stayed up till about 3 am with me the night before melting wax, and then snagged this behind the scenes as we finally began to shoot the scene, and when I saw it, it reminded me of all the reasons I have invested so much of my life, my money, my time, myself into this project. It is the embodiment and culmination of every creative fiber of my being, every nuance, and every inspiration all converge here, in the moment I push the shutter button, after months of prep and frustration, inspiration, and the journey between what I think it will be and what it becomes. It’s the Severance. It offers a final payment of purpose, it ends the literal chapter or in this case book, and allows me to move forward towards the next ones… though from time to time I shall revisit them with a sense of fondness and nostalgia…

from Severance

#Severance #Reliquarian #book #quote #art #photography #fantasy #Jessica Lark

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michaelbradford-things · 7 years

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Want To Improve Your Home Without Breaking The Bank? Here’s How

The idea of trying to improve the value of your home can be so overwhelming, especially if you watch television shows where the hosts are always doing big, grand projects.

But increasing your overall home value doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. You don’t need to add another room or do a complete renovation. By following just a few simple steps, you can dramatically improve the worth of your home and attract potential buyers.

Even if you’re not planning on selling your home, these steps can significantly increase your quality of life.

Clean The Clutter

Cleaning your home can have an exponential effect on its value to buyers. Few things turn a buyer off like a dirty house, while a clean house significantly attracts potential purchasers. Consider for a moment: if you had the choice between two identical houses, one clean and one cluttered, which would you pick?

Cleaning has several other specific advantages.

It allows you to spot maintenance issues that are hidden behind junk. Clearing out boxes allows you to see that small leak with your water heater or that mold growing in the corner. Spotting these before they turn into big issues can save you massive amounts of money.

A clean house is healthier for your family. Junk and dirt can cause allergens and bacteria to breed. By cleaning your home, you not only add value, you also create a friendlier space for your family.

As Jessica Gopalakrishnan says:

“Starting with a couple hundred dollars on a few things could increase the value of your house by a few thousand dollars. People are surprised by that. It’s exciting. People think they have to put in a lot of money to see a big difference and they really don’t.”

The first, and perhaps simplest way to add value to your home is to simply freshen it up. It costs little to nothing and can have a dramatic effect.

Freshen Up That Curb Appeal

How much curb appeal does your home have? Remember, the front of your home creates a potential buyer’s first impression. If your home looks dingy and overgrown from the curb, it can create a negative feeling in a potential buyer. Spending time sharpening up your curb appeal can significantly increase the overall value.

As realtorRoger Voisinet says:

“People forget about their trees more than almost anything. It could really make a significant difference in the price. Nobody likes to spend money, but landscaping might even be the most important thing, even if owners have kept up the house.”

What are some simple ways to do this?

Maintain your lawn and shrubbery. Overgrown bushes and grass are an immediate turnoff for buyers. Simply trimming your shrubs and cutting your grass can improve the look. If your lawn is dry or brown, spend some time nurturing it back to a fresh, green look. Planting flowers can also add some splashes of color.

Freshen up your shutters and front door. If your shutters are faded and peeling, give them a fresh coat of paint. Same goes for your front door. A brand new front door can make a big difference.

Power wash your house. Simply cleaning the exterior of your house can make an enormous difference, clearing away years of grime and giving your house a clean, fresh feel.

Here are some additional simple ways to improve your curb appeal:

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Double Down On The Kitchen

The project with the greatest return is almost always going to be your kitchen. Because it’s the focus of so many family activities, few things matter more to potential buyers than the kitchen space.

There are some simple ways you can really improve the look of your kitchen without breaking the bank.

Paint or refinish the cabinets. Even the most dated, ugly cabinets can receive new life with a fresh coat of paint. Another easy way to improve your cabinets is to replace the outdated hardware with something modern and clean.

Add a tile backsplash. A backsplash is a simple, cheap way to give your kitchen a dash of color and class.

Switch to stainless steel. Stainless appliances, faucets, and other items will give your kitchen a new, modern, clean look. This is significantly more attractive to buyers.

Add a pot rack. A pot rack opens up the space in the kitchen and will immediately catch the buyer’s eye, particularly if you also add in a rolling island.

Renew Your Bathroom

Perhaps more than anything else, the bathroom needs to have a new, clean feel to it. Few things turn a buyer’s stomach more than a dingy bathroom. By making a few simple upgrades, you can cause the value of your home to surge.

Install a luxury faucet. If your bathroom makes people feel like they’re in a spa, they’ll immediately be at ease. A luxury faucet is a really simple way to do that.

Install granite countertops. While formica countertops are cheap, they don’t hold up well and look low quality. A granite or marble countertop is a wonderful way to make your bathroom inviting.

Use wall mount lighting. Overhead lighting is harsh and creates a sterile feel. Use warm, wall mounted lights to generate a warm ambience in your bathroom.

Replace frosted glass with clear.

Clean the grout and remove any rust stains.

Lay heated floors. Few things are more luxurious than heated floors.

Knock Out Some Walls

Open floor plans are all the rage these days. Taking out a few non-structural walls can give your home a feel of openness and space. This is a minor job that costs very little, but the payback in terms of home value can be significant.

Your goal should be to make the home feel less confined and tight. If there are narrow hallways, consider trying to open those up.

Let There Be Light

Adding light to your home immediately makes it feel more welcoming. There are numerous ways to do this, including:

Dimmer switches that allow you to increase the light or cut it down for ambience.

Sun tubes, which let in natural light but are cheaper than cutting out skylights.

More windows. Admittedly, this is more expensive, but the results can be dramatic. If you have any broken panes, immediately repair those.

A dark house feels cut off and dank. Letting in light immediately increases the overall value.

Make sure to stay away from harsh lighting, like overhead fluorescent lights.

Here are a few more tips for brightening up your home:

youtube

Add Green Options

More and more, buyers want energy friendly housing solutions, such as solar panels, energy saving air conditioners, pellet stoves, and other money savers.

The installation of these items can represent huge savings for potential buyers. If they know they’re going to save thousands every year in energy costs, they’re more willing to spend up front on purchasing the house.

This is especially important for the future. If you hope to sell your home in five years, install green options now.

Improve Those Floors

Floors are one of the first things people notice when they enter a house. If you’ve got orange carpeting, that’s where their eyes will go. There are some very simple ways to improve your floors and thus improve the value of your house.

Patch any bits of broken tile.>

Nail down any squeaky boards and repair any damaged ones.

Refinish wood floors.

Rip out wall-to-wall carpeting and install laminate.

Making these small improvements can bring back almost a 100% ROI.

Conclusion

Improving your home value doesn’t require months and thousands of dollars. You don’t need to be a home renovation expert or have your own reality television show. In fact, most of these home improvements are relatively small and can be done for a few hundred dollars.

Even if you don’t want to sell your home, there is value in making these changes. They can dramatically increase the beauty of your home and quality of life you experience.

It’s an oft-repeated cliche that home is where the heart is. If that’s true, isn’t it worth a bit of time and money to make that home as nice as possible?

Want To Improve Your Home Without Breaking The Bank? Here’s How was first published on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

Read Full Article: https://brandonholdensite.wordpress.com/2017/09/13/want-to-improve-your-home-without-breaking-the-bank-heres-how/

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brandonholdenme · 7 years

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Want To Improve Your Home Without Breaking The Bank? Here’s How

The idea of trying to improve the value of your home can be so overwhelming, especially if you watch television shows where the hosts are always doing big, grand projects.

Even if you’re not planning on selling your home, these steps can significantly increase your quality of life.

Clean The Clutter

Cleaning has several other specific advantages.

A clean house is healthier for your family. Junk and dirt can cause allergens and bacteria to breed. By cleaning your home, you not only add value, you also create a friendlier space for your family.

As Jessica Gopalakrishnan says:

The first, and perhaps simplest way to add value to your home is to simply freshen it up. It costs little to nothing and can have a dramatic effect.

Freshen Up That Curb Appeal

As realtorRoger Voisinet says:

What are some simple ways to do this?

Freshen up your shutters and front door. If your shutters are faded and peeling, give them a fresh coat of paint. Same goes for your front door. A brand new front door can make a big difference.

Power wash your house. Simply cleaning the exterior of your house can make an enormous difference, clearing away years of grime and giving your house a clean, fresh feel.

Here are some additional simple ways to improve your curb appeal:

youtube

Double Down On The Kitchen

There are some simple ways you can really improve the look of your kitchen without breaking the bank.

Add a tile backsplash. A backsplash is a simple, cheap way to give your kitchen a dash of color and class.

Switch to stainless steel. Stainless appliances, faucets, and other items will give your kitchen a new, modern, clean look. This is significantly more attractive to buyers.

Add a pot rack. A pot rack opens up the space in the kitchen and will immediately catch the buyer’s eye, particularly if you also add in a rolling island.

Renew Your Bathroom

Install a luxury faucet. If your bathroom makes people feel like they’re in a spa, they’ll immediately be at ease. A luxury faucet is a really simple way to do that.

Install granite countertops. While formica countertops are cheap, they don’t hold up well and look low quality. A granite or marble countertop is a wonderful way to make your bathroom inviting.

Use wall mount lighting. Overhead lighting is harsh and creates a sterile feel. Use warm, wall mounted lights to generate a warm ambience in your bathroom.

Replace frosted glass with clear.

Clean the grout and remove any rust stains.

Lay heated floors. Few things are more luxurious than heated floors.

Knock Out Some Walls

Your goal should be to make the home feel less confined and tight. If there are narrow hallways, consider trying to open those up.

Let There Be Light

Adding light to your home immediately makes it feel more welcoming. There are numerous ways to do this, including:

Dimmer switches that allow you to increase the light or cut it down for ambience.

Sun tubes, which let in natural light but are cheaper than cutting out skylights.

More windows. Admittedly, this is more expensive, but the results can be dramatic. If you have any broken panes, immediately repair those.

A dark house feels cut off and dank. Letting in light immediately increases the overall value.

Make sure to stay away from harsh lighting, like overhead fluorescent lights.

Here are a few more tips for brightening up your home:

youtube

Add Green Options

More and more, buyers want energy friendly housing solutions, such as solar panels, energy saving air conditioners, pellet stoves, and other money savers.

This is especially important for the future. If you hope to sell your home in five years, install green options now.

Improve Those Floors

Patch any bits of broken tile.>

Nail down any squeaky boards and repair any damaged ones.

Refinish wood floors.

Rip out wall-to-wall carpeting and install laminate.

Making these small improvements can bring back almost a 100% ROI.

Conclusion

Even if you don’t want to sell your home, there is value in making these changes. They can dramatically increase the beauty of your home and quality of life you experience.

It’s an oft-repeated cliche that home is where the heart is. If that’s true, isn’t it worth a bit of time and money to make that home as nice as possible?

The post Want To Improve Your Home Without Breaking The Bank? Here’s How was first published from http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

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condoconnections0 · 7 years

Text

About Condo Connections

Condos For Sale in Stamford, CT - 203-803-4053

Here at Condo Connections, we focus on helping people, organisations and families like yourself purchase or provide the very best houses, townhomes, and condos in Stamford, CT

We have actually been offering condos and homes in the Stamford, Connecticut real estate market, and focusing on condos, in Stamford since 1998, and understand every condominium complex and every community well. When you handle us, you can be assured you are getting the very best details and recommendations on your condo residential or commercial property offer. Home representatives that do not concentrate on condo sales are normally uninformed of the distinct attributes of condos for sale in Stamford. Put our Stamford condo property experience to work for you!

Buyers:

No matter what you are looking for in your Stamford condo houses experience, we likely comprehend the best real estate for your requirements. Are you searching for a condo for the warm months when you are not in Florida? It is typically less costly to buy roomy and full-featured townhouses or condo houses than to rent a house in town. Call us today or send our contact kind for a timely callback and let's begin taking a look at homes that fit you today.

Are you looking for a waterfront condo place? Perhaps a condo complex that accepts household pets? Or condo homes that will allow you to obtain active and remain healthy, with a gym and swimming pool? No matter what you prefer in realty, we understand where to find it and would take pleasure in to expose it to you.

Our services for buyers are One Hundred Percent absolutely free. We'll browse condos for sale listings, set up condo showings, work out, and deal with the documentation.

We have access to all condo and real estate listings in Stamford and the surrounding location. Our website has a direct Numerous Listing Service (MLS) feed which uses you access to browse all the realty, including condos for sale in Stamford.

The numerous listings feed upon our website is continually updated to give you the very best listings of condos for sale. For all your condo buying requirements in Stamford, CT, Condo Connections is your finest source of assistance. We provide important information about property or business residential or commercial property listings, schools, locations, and functions. We can point you to sources of additional details about each condo community.

Sellers:

If you own a condo in Stamford that no longer serves your requirements well, it is a fun time to put it on the marketplace. We always have a list of buyers that are searching for houses and condos for sale in Stamford, so we will be glad to assist you offer your condo house. We'll also take pleasure in to expose you houses and condos that may fit your present requirements better.

With our prolonged experience in the property market in Stamford, we know exactly what works to market a home, and ways to get the most direct exposure for your condo to get it used quick and for top dollar.

We can use assistance on any needed upgrades that will utilize you a high return on your investment. In fact, we can do a walkthrough and examination when we satisfy you at your house.

Regularly, an affordable fresh coat of paint can include thousands to the value of condos for sale in Stamford. New carpet or other flooring is likewise a reasonably budget friendly refurbishing that can net you a higher sale price and a quicker sale. New lighting is another idea that can offer condos for sale a fresh look at a bargain cost. Buyers want condos that are ready for the moving truck!

We have several commission strategies used, so you can select. Only need to note on the Numerous Listing Service? We have a prepare for that! Need thorough condos for sale help? We take pleasure in to assist with your entire technique. We will market your home or business through the multiple listing service and other effective channels. We will email images and details about your townhouse or condo for sale to all potential houses purchasers we have in our system.

Due to the fact that we are experts in condos for sale, we have more condo purchasers prepared, prepared and able to buy. For instant condo sales assistance, please call us at 203.628.4818 or go to our contact form to obtain in touch.

Stamford, CT Highlights

If you are relocating to the area from state, and looking, or in other places in Connecticut, you may not yet recognize with Stamford. While it's not totally cosmopolitan like Chicago, or its big sibling, New York. Stamford has a lot to use. Let us reveal you around a little!

Stamford is found on the Long Island Noise. While it's not Miami, or throughout Florida, it does provide fishing and crabbing, in addition to swimming and public beaches at Cummings Park and Cove Island Park.

SoundWaters Coastal Education Center provides boat flights on the Long Island Sound, in addition to shows, lectures, and workshops to keep you busy.

The Stamford Cone is among the most recognizable structures in town. It's a 45-foot-tall stained glass structure, right in the middle of town. It's open to visitors during the day and shines incredibly during the night.

Stamford is quite a global city, with 7 airports to whisk you anywhere in the world you wish to go quickly. There is also Metro-North New Sanctuary Line and Amtrak service that takes you by rail to Manhattan in less than 45 minutes. Easy gain access to numerous state highways and Interstate 95, which takes you all the way south to brilliant Miami Beach Florida if you want. Condo living makes travel a breeze.

Stamford citizens are extremely informed, with 9 from 10 having a high school diploma and virtually half have actually made a minimum of a bachelor's degree. This makes it one of the best-educated cities in the country. There are a couple of significant colleges in the location - Sacred Heart University and the University of Connecticut Stamford.

Needed a shopping fix? Take a look at Stamford Town Center! It provides more than 100 stores, including lots of favorites like Apple, Pandora, Saks Fifth Opportunity Off 5th, Macy's, Talbots, Loft, and Armani Exchange. When you develop a hunger, you'll discover a few of your preferred quick bites like Sbarro and Panda Express, or take your time and have a leisurely meal at The Capital Grille or go with an incredible dessert at the Cheesecake Factory. Visit us at our website https://www.condo-connections.net/.

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