The Art Of Imagination

faye (she / her) i like art and literature

[kosmogrl]

[kosmogrl]

october will be good october will be good october will be good october will be good october will be good october will be good october will be good october will be good october will be good october will be good october will be good october will be good october will be good october will be good october will be good october will be good october will be good october will be good october will be good october will be good october will be good

[gloomyarchive]

Childhood vanished into silence.

[professor-winter]

ʀᴀɪɴʏ ᴛʀᴀᴠᴇʟꜱ

[gatheringbones]

“When she comes home to me, I must caress the parts of her that have worn thin, trying to do her work in a man’s world. She likes her work, likes the challenge of the machines and the quietness of the night, likes her body moving into power. When we go to women’s parties, I watch amused at the stares she gets when she answers the traditional question “What do you do?” with her nontraditional answer “I load trucks in a warehouse.” When the teachers and social workers no longer address their comments to her, I want to shout at them, Where is your curiosity about women’s lives, where is your wonder at boundaries broken? My woman poppa is thirteen years younger than I, but she is wise in her woman-loving ways. Breasts and ass get her hot, that wonderful hot which is a heard and spoken desire. I make her hot and I like that. I like her sweat and her tattoos. I like her courtliness and her disdain of the boys, I mother her and wife her and slut her, and together we are learning to be comrades.”

— joan nestle, my woman poppa

[the-mortuary-witch]

THE SABBATS

[breelandwalker]

2025 Witches' Calendar

For all my witches out there, here’s a handy list of the 2025 dates for the solstices, some commonly-referenced holidays, full and new moons, and special astronomical events. I’ve listed my sources at the bottom.

Dates and times for all events are calculated for Eastern Standard Time, USA, Northern Hemisphere. Adjust for your location as needed and check the DarkSky Placefinder to see what special events will be visible in your area.

On a related note, readers are encouraged to create their own seasonal calendars, holidays, and observances based on your local biome and personal preferences. Enjoy!

Solstices, Harvests, Quarter Days, Some Common Dates

February 1-2 - Imbolc / Candlemas / High Winter

March 20 - Spring Equinox / Ostara

April 30-May 1 - Beltane / May Day / Walpurgisnacht

June 20 - Summer Solstice / Midsummer / Litha

August 1 - Lughnasadh / Lammas / Summer Harvest

September 22 - Autumn Equinox / Mabon / Fall Harvest

October 31 - Samhain / Halloween / Final Harvest

December 21 - Winter Solstice / Yule

Full Moons

January 13 - Wolf Moon ♋

February 12 - Snow Moon ♌

March 14 - Worm Moon ♍ (Lunar Eclipse)

April 12 - Pink Moon ♎

May 12 - Flower Moon ♏

June 11 - Strawberry Moon ♐

July 10 - Thunder Moon (aka Buck Moon) ♑

August 9 - Sturgeon Moon (aka Corn Moon) ♒

September 7 - Harvest Moon ♓ (Lunar Eclipse)

October 6 - Hunter's Moon (aka Blood Moon) ♈

November 5 - Frost Moon (aka Beaver Moon) ♉ (Supermoon)

December 4 - Cold Moon ♊ (Supermoon)

* The full moons in September and October are almost EXACTLY equidistant from the Autumn Equinox this year, so whether you'll have a Harvest Moon in September or October depends on where you live!

New Moons

January 29 ♒

February 27 ♓

March 29 ♈

April 27 ♉

May 26 ♊

June 25 ♋

July 24 ♌

August 23 ♍

September 21 ♍ (Seasonal black moon, second new moon in Virgo)

October 21 ♎

November 20 ♏

December 19 ♐

Special Celestial Events

March 14 - Worm Moon Total Lunar Eclipse

March 29 - Solar Eclipse

September 7 - Harvest Moon Total Lunar Eclipse

September 21 - Seasonal Black Moon / Solar Eclipse

November 5 - Frost Moon Supermoon

December 4 - Cold Moon Supermoon

(Check the DarkSky Placefinder to see what will be visible in your area!)

Mercury Retrogrades (in case you need them)

March 14 to April 6

July 17 to August 10

November 9 to November 29

Happy Witching!

SOURCES & FURTHER READING:

Bree’s Lunar Calendar Series

Bree’s Secular Celebrations Series

Moon Info - Full Moon Dates for 2025

Calendar-12 - 2025 Moon Phases

Full Moonology - 2025 Full Moon Calendar

AstroStyle - All the 2025 Full Moons

Your Zodiac Sign - Astrology Calendar 2025

Old Farmer’s Almanac - Mercury Retrograde Dates 2024-2025

Sea and Sky - Astronomy Calendar of Celestial Events 2025

DarkSky International - Dark Sky Placefinder for Stargazing

Patheos - 2025 Wheel of the Year Astrological Calendar

Image Source - How Stuff Works

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[aquaglow-deactivated20250214]

confidence guide for awkward girls 💫

LEARN TO SHUT UP. this is the first advice because it is probably the most important one, but the one that took me the longest to comprehend and master. girl, literally just shutting the fuck up does wonders. most of the times I was embarrassed out of my mind was coz I said something completely avoidable, only because I believed that being quiet was either rude or more awkward than whatever I rambled at that moment. bzzt, WRONG! being quiet means first of all being non-reactive, which gives you time to really reflect on what's being said and whether or not it even requires a response, and guess what; like 80% of the time, it does not. you are allowed to not respond, nod along, go "hmm" or "oh!" and leave it at that.

LEARN TO "FAKE" SMILE. this may seem controversial but it helps me so much. I've always been accused of looking mean, bitchy or just too serious, especially since I started to shut the fuck up (see previous item). and I am guilty as charged: I do have a RBF and when I am focused my eyebrow goes ò_o and I look judgemental and almost evil, and when I tried to balance it out by being funny or witty, it just came off even more awkward. the solution? I've started practicing a fake smile in front of the mirror when I was about 13 years old until I got the muscle memory of it so perfectly that now it's my response to nearly everything that I don't want/can't respond to. throwing an easy smile into a conversation will make you seem relaxed and in control even if you're bubbling anxious inside, and people will feel more at ease with you. also: learn to be generous with compliments, and try to make them your auto-response as well!

STOP COMPARING YOURSELF. comparison is the mark of insecurity and envy, and it's one of the ugliest and most useless habits you can have. yes, useless: what benefit do you get from comparing your face and body and circumstances to somebody else's? and please don't pretend you're getting "inspiration" from them. listen, you are your own lane. you are your entire universe. there is no other life to be lived, no other body to embody. this is it. these are the cards you were dealt with. the longer you try to peak into somebody else's cards, the longer you'll be ignoring yourself and neglecting your game. abandon ideas such as comparison, imitation or judgement towards others. confidence starts and ends with focusing on yourself.

LEARN TO CUT PEOPLE OFF. accumulating people in your life like they're pokémon is gonna be your downfall, because it's obvious not everyone can stay. imagine if a growing tree held onto all its leaves and branches, even the ones in obvious decay, how ugly and weak that tree would be, how much energy those dying parts would steal from the new ones in need of flourishing. it's the same with relationships. when someone disrespects you, hurts you, or simply doesn't align with you anymore, and you find excuses to keep this person around, what you're doing is betraying yourself, and how are you gonna have confidence in someone who betrays you? learn to cut people off or to simply let them go, and watch yourself become lighter and brighter.

QUIT BEING A BITCH. something people don't seem to understand is that the rude, conceited, mean girl persona is always revealed to be a small, petty and insecure rat on the inside. I've wasted years of potential connections trying to emulate the Blair Waldorf-y, Regina George-y vibes, trying to balance out my awkwardness with what I thought was their fierceness, because I was missing the whole point that their confident selves were lies. no girl or woman who is confident in herself spends any amount of time being a bitch, scheming to take people down, minding everyone else's business to make sure she stays on top. true confident people are kind even in the face of rudeness, they glow in shadows; their strength lies in tenderness. the sooner you give this mean girl show up, the better.

ABANDON YOUR NEED FOR APPROVAL AND COMPREHENSION FROM OTHERS. seeking approval is a very obvious trap but seeking comprehension is also dangerous, because the second people start doubting or questioning you – which is always going to happen when you decide to make a change of habits, traits, lifestyle etc – and you decide to explain yourself, you're accepting the premise that what you're doing is incomprehensible. if you're truly sure of yourself, there will be no need to assure others of yourself. if your peers or strangers don't understand it, so what? that's their enigma to sort out. respond to yourself and yourself only. if you understand and approve yourself, that's all you need, period. live for your damn self.

GOOD LUCK, LITTLE STARS 💫

[bloomzone]

HOW TO HEAL AFTER A BAD DAY ৎ୭ ॱ ₊ . *

“ It doesn't matter what anyone says. If there's something you want to do, don't mind what others think and just trust yourself.” -Lalisa manoban

Healing after a bad day is essential to maintain your well-being and resilience. Here are some strategies to help you recover and find peace after a challenging day:

by: ★﹕bloomzone﹒

1.Acknowledge Your Feelings:

Allow yourself to feel your emotions without judgment. Acknowledge what you're feeling, whether it's frustration, sadness, anger, or disappointment.

Journaling: Write down your thoughts and emotions to process and release them. Writing can help you gain clarity and perspective on what happened.

2.Self-Compassion:

Be kind to yourself: Practice self-compassion by treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer to a friend in a similar situation.

Positive affirmations: Repeat positive affirmations or self-compassionate statements to counter negative self-talk and boost your self-esteem.

3.Physical Relaxation:

Deep breathing: Practice deep breathing exercises to calm your nervous system and reduce stress. Focus on slow, deep breaths to bring relaxation to your body and mind.

Progressive muscle relaxation: Tense and release each muscle group in your body to release physical tension and promote relaxation.

4.Engage in Self-Care:

Take a warm bath: Soak in a warm bath with Epsom salts or essential oils to relax your muscles and soothe your mind.

Engage in a hobby: Do something you enjoy, whether it's reading a book, listening to music, painting, or going for a walk in nature.

Healthy meal: Nourish your body with a balanced and nutritious meal to support your physical and emotional well-being.

5.Connect with Others:

Reach out to a friend or loved one: Share your feelings with someone you trust and feel supported by. Talking to others can provide comfort and perspective.

Social support: Surround yourself with positive and supportive people who uplift you and make you feel understood.

6.Mindfulness and Meditation:

Mindfulness practice: Practice mindfulness by focusing on the present moment without judgment. Mindfulness can help you calm your mind and reduce stress.

Guided meditation: Listen to a guided meditation or visualization to relax your mind, release tension, and promote inner peace.

7.Reflect and Release:

Reflect on the day: Take some time to reflect on what happened during the day, what you learned from the experience, and how you can move forward positively.

Let go: Release any lingering negative emotions or thoughts through activities like meditation, visualization, or simply taking a few deep breaths and letting go of what no longer serves you.

You are capable of overcoming any challenge that comes your way. Remember that setbacks are just temporary roadblocks on the path to success. Stay focused on your goals, believe in yourself, and trust in your ability to rise above any obstacle. You have the strength, resilience, and determination to achieve great things. Keep pushing forward, stay positive, and never underestimate the power of your own potential. <143

[thisus3rhaspass3d-deactivated20]

Nobody tells you how hard it is to rewire your brain so you can allow amazing things to happen to you after so much trauma or hurt. Blessings exist, good people exist, a softer life exists. Let it happen.

[creativestalkerrs]

write vivid character description and personalities

I posted this on my Substack blog as well, subscribe to that for more content. Apart of creativestalkerr’s writing lessons.

writing good character descriptions to maximize your character, their personality and their story.

When creating strong characters that stand out, choosing traits for them not only advances your character but can help advance the overall story and plot. Your description of your character(s) is woven into the story itself.

Weiterlesen

[lizormianillustration]

whatever was left, that was ours for a while.

sunrise - louise glück

LizzieOrmian.redbubble.com

[play-now-my-lord]

sometimes I miss las vegas. It felt honest in way nowhere else I've lived has. Honest in the ways it hated you and tried to kill you. Honest in that everyone was on meth or running from meth. Honest in that tourists and locals viewed each other with open spite and tried to avoid each other at all costs. Honest in that if you just picked a direction and walked all day and laid down to sleep you'd never get back to civilization and would probably die of thirst. You don't get any of that in the pacific northwest

[play-now-my-lord]

Everyone who lives there wants to escape, but it mutilates you, learning to live there prepares you to live nowhere else on earth. It's a place where ambition goes to die. The casinos are all laid out to draw feet into their gravity, implosive forces on a tremendous scale. Twisting the orbits of daily life like an occult star. You walk into a convenience store, a laundromat, a pharmacy, and there's always someone there up front, by the slot machine, just gambling everything away. Usually smoking, often retired. They'll run out of money and just sit there for a while, not looking at anything. Every day feels like poison in the bloodstream, blackout curtains drawn against the oppressive light of the sun, wall AC caked with frost, dark all the time. Light is for outside. The lights outside are so bright you could walk onto the street with a book at midnight and keep on reading. Keeps killing birds, knocking them out of the sky. They used to detonate nuclear weapons under the earth, keeping their eye sharp for the end of days. They used to set them off above ground, too, and I imagine those people at the up-front slots, dead eyes catching distant reflections of hydrogen bombs, not even paying attention - pulling the arm, pressing the button, winning big, and going back to the busy work of losing everything

[thinksmiles]

Thank you for indulging the present moment so deeply. Thank you for getting lost in the wonder of this life, for choosing curiosity over aversion and love over fear.

[novlr]

How do I write a good monologue? Where a character has the upper hand over their rival, and they want them to KNOW IT

As a creative writer, mastering the art of writing a monologue can enrich your story and be a great tool for worldbuilding and revealing shocking truths. Characters may deliver monologues to express their inner thoughts, reveal their motivations, prove they have the upper hand, convey their emotions, or share their personal insights with the reader.

Understanding the reasons behind a character’s monologue can help you create one that is both compelling and resonant. Let’s explore the essential elements and techniques for how to write a monologue that truly connects with your audience.

Understand your character

Before writing a monologue, it’s essential to delve deep into the complexities of your character. Understand the motivations, fears, and desires that drive them both within the story, but also within the scene.

A well-crafted monologue should offer a window into the character’s inner world, revealing their personality and inner conflicts. By considering the character’s background, experiences, relationships, and the journey that led them to this point, you can discern how these elements have shaped their perspective and informed their voice. This depth of understanding ensures that the character’s monologue remains authentic, resonant, and true to their identity.

Establish theme and purpose

Every monologue should serve a purpose within your story. It’s crucial to know the thematic significance of the monologue and how it contributes to the overall narrative. Whether it serves as a moment of revelation, introspection, or a pivotal decision for the character, the monologue should align with the plot’s overarching themes.

A character’s emotional state when delivering their monologue is also a key element. Whether it’s passion, vulnerability, anger, or resilience, the language and tone should resonate with the character’s emotional journey, ensuring that it serves an integral part of their development and the story’s progression.

Craft compelling dialogue

When you write a monologue, pay close attention to the rhythm, pacing, and cadence of the dialogue. Consider the emotional state of the character delivering it, and let it influence the flow of their words.

Utilise vivid imagery, metaphor, and sensory details to create a striking and evocative monologue that engages your reader’s imagination. Experiment with the structure and length of the, allowing it to mirror the character’s state of mind. By carefully considering these elements, you can create dialogue that truly captivates and resonates.

Don’t infodump

Monologues can serve an important purpose in any story, and while a certain level of information reveal is necessary, it’s also important not to go overboard into infodump territory.

When you write a monologue, it’s essential to avoid excessive exposition of backstory or revealing plot details in a way that feels forced or unnatural. What this does is overwhelm your audience with large chunks of information, breaking the pacing and flow. Instead, try to integrate relevant details seamlessly into your character’s dialogue. Allow the information to unfold naturally, and make sure that you also reveal information at other key moments in the plot, rather than saving it all for a single monologue.

Embrace vulnerability and authenticity

A powerful monologue often stems from a place of vulnerability. Allowing your character to express raw and genuine emotions, even if they are conflicted or imperfect, can deeply resonate with the audience.

Try to avoid clichés and generic expressions; instead, infuse the monologue with your character’s unique voice and perspective. Authenticity and vulnerability not only add depth to the character’s words but also create a genuine connection with the reader, inviting them into the character’s inner world.

[fishwife-hiwaaranit]

When it comes to textured hair there’s many styles, here some I’ve seen at powwows. Braided locs have to be my favorite style so far 💖

(Edit)- i didn’t communicate this very well but this is a merging of cultures. Culturally/traditionally no we didn’t have cornrows/locs these are black hairstyles, and then mixed with our hairstyles because of the influence of Afro indigenous people (the two braids)💖 having two braids for some regalia is very important and so these are hairstyles I’ve seen Afro natives wear for powwows. Not saying two pigtails are just a native thing but cultural context is important

Reminder braids are not a universal hairstyle between tribes! I’m coming from the perspective of Great Plains tribes. I just thought I might share what braided hair means to my community and people. I see people trying to make ocs or redesigns of characters who are native but don’t actually represent us too good. Reminder to always research a tribe before making a character learn their protocols and at least try to learn something new! 🌸💖🍇

I just wanna say I love our hair! It means so much to us please take care of it🥺💖

[daisywords]

some misc worldbuilding questions to get your gears turning:

Do they have germ theory or some equivalent? How do they conceptualize the spread of disease and infection?

Is the everyday economy based more on trade/barter or currency? Is the currency valuable in its own right, or is it just something agreed upon to have value (eg. salt or gold vs. paper money)

What is their main method of lighting? What resources does this use?

Primary mode of transportation? How much does this vary based on things like purpose of travel, social class, etc.?

How much of a knowledge/education gap is there between social classes? Is there a baseline of education that everyone gets/is expected to have?

What are the most popular modes of storytelling? Is everyone telling campfire stories? Are they going to plays? puppet shows? are they going to the cinema? are they reading novels or epic poetry? Are there any folk characters or pop culture things that most people are familiar with?

Where does most people's moral framework primarily come from? Religion? Philosophy? Are there different schools of thought? How much do they vary?

Is there anything considered scandalous/improper/taboo that's normal in your own culture? and vice versa

Do most people live and die where they are born, or is it common to relocate and travel widely? how much does this vary by class/profession/region?

What do they do with criminals? Do they have an extensive prison system? If so, who funds/runs it? If not, how is crime discouraged/managed? Are there specific punishments for specific crimes?

How rigid are their class boundaries? How possible/common is it for someone to change social classes?

Is there anything that people get dangerously addicted to in your world? How accessible is it?

How easy is it for someone to do research/look up information they don't know? What is the primary method of doing this?

What holidays do they have? Any weird traditions? Fun traditions? Are they universally celebrated, or only by specific groups of people?

How do they dispose of their dead? How do they honor their dead?

How much exchange is there between cultures? Do people of different groups intermingle, or do they mostly stick with their own people?

How common is it to speak more than one language, and who is most likely to be multilingual?

How much do regional dialects/accents vary within the same language? Are there any dialects/accents that are stigmatized? Do different accents have different associated stereotypes?

This isn't meant to be taken as a checklist that you have to completely fill out btw. Just things that might help add flavor to your world and characters. (Also mostly things I end up thinking about logistically anyway as they become relevant to the plot or a character's frame of reference.) Enjoy!