A ghost in black

Italian, she/her. My fandom Twitter account. Fandom and some random personal rambling. Marvel, TVC all media, MDZS all media, Spartacus, Oscar Isaac and Elvira, Pedro Pascal, The Musketeers, LOTR, SPN and a lot more. This blog is drama and hate free, safe for everyone. May (definitely) contains NSFW.

[cmorgana]

IF YOU'RE UNDERAGE PLEASE UNFOLLOW ME 🔞

The content of my blog isn't suited for you and I don't have (nor want) responsibility over your online experience. I don't have to protect you from explicit content, it's you who have to avoid it, so leave now, because I won't be blamed for you seeing something you aren't supposed to.

THIS IS A 18+ BLOG, NO SUITED FOR MINORS.

[storrmshot]

master, phi, paran, peem, dad

i loved khemjira no one loved it more than me

(drawing after a long time🫠)

[davastationart]

Khemjira (2025)

[peepeetor]

Live nunew reaction

[hinmotion]

🕯️Khemjira Must Know - a post that you might need - EP 5 🕯️

A collaboration project with Ella (moonrabbit1702) to research and compile details about Thai culture and beliefs shown in both Khemjira the novel and Khemjira the series! If you see a similar thread out there on Twitter, this is an extended version of it. Disclaimer: Since both of us are not Thai & English native speakers, this is done in a more learning & sharing spirit. We have no intentions to spread misinformation or state ours as facts and we make sure to have a source for anything we present. If there are any mistakes, we sincerely apologize. We welcome everyone to correct any wrong information and contribute new ones as we’re sure that we might have missed as interfans! Let’s make the experience of watching Khemjira both fun and informative together.

Check out EP 1, EP 2, EP 3, EP 4 posts if you missed it!

The information in orange is from the official English translation of the novel. Any media or Tumblr post will be linked directly while other sources can be found in this References Google Docs. As always, apologize for any grammar or formatting errors.

1. Bai Sri Su Khwan/ Soot Khwan

1.1. Bai Sri Su Khwan ritual / Soot Khwan (Isan dialect)

In the novel, Chapter 17:

“After the unpleasant events had passed, the villagers organized the Baci (Bai Sri) ritual or ‘Soot Khwan’ in the Isan dialect, which was a Thai blessing ritual, for the students to restore their spirits and morale and bless them with good fortune for the future before they embarked on their long journey back to Bangkok.”

Bai Sri Su Khwan or sukhwan, can be categorized as a “calling the khwan” ritual and is practiced in Lao and Isan [1]. Sukhwan, then, can be classified into these groups, or rather “component of many larger rituals” [2, p. 134]:

Rite of passage: marriage, ordination;

Pregnancy;

Threshold ceremonies before starting an enterprise: “entering of a new phase of activity which requires protection, blessing and morale charging” i.e before going on a trip, before going to military service,...;

Reintegration, i.e returning after a long trip, returning after military service,...;

People have prolonged illness;

Cleansing inauspiciousness: “when objects considered unlucky impinge on human beings by `moving out of place'” i.e a vulture on the house’s roof, a toad entering the house, lightning strike the house,...

[3, p. 225-226]

Sukhwan can also be performed on “buffalo, carts, and other things related to a villager's everyday life” [4, p.117]. This ritual is said to be carried out by Isan villagers in Bangkok. For example: taxi drivers performed sukhwan for their taxi [4, p. 101-102]. 

Just like khwan, sukhwan rituals also hold significant social meanings in Isan.

“Suk[h]wan not only emphasises a unity of k[h]wan and being, but also a unity with others, with the community, and with the whole of nature. In the case of a marriage, suk[h]wan means not only a wish that the couple be strong and ready to face the new life, but also that their k[h]wan will be united, becoming one. The couple will be at one with each other, with the community and the whole congregation present at the ceremony. The suk[h]wan ceremony for a person about to depart on a long and important trip means also that the k[h]wan of that person and of the community remain united, even though a long distance may be between them. Similarly, the suk[h]wan ceremony performed after someone's long absence from the village means a reintegration and reunification of that person with the community. And, a suk[h]wan for a sick person is an act of solidarity, a means of telling the sick person, 'We are with you and our spirit is with yours.' [...] The gods, angels, guardians, the phii of ancestors, and the community are unified.”[4, p. 57]

1.2. The song Granny Si sang - 32 and 92 khwan

In the novel, Chapter 17, in the Bai Sri Su Khwan ritual, Grandma Si sang a song called  "Sukhwanlum Sukhwanthoeng" (Su-khwan-lum Su- khwan-thoeng) (สู่ขวัญลุ่ม สู่ขวัญเทิง).

This song is somewhat similar to the song she sang in EP 5, but it’s not the same. After checking multiple versions, it is not uncommon for it to be sung a bit differently, and varies from person to person, from culture to culture.

“Sri, Sri, today is a good day. Sri, sri, today is auspicious date. Let’s decorate the offering and call khwan. Come, khwan, all the thirty-two of you. Come and join the ninety-two others. Come to the body…”

“This old shaman is calling you back. Come, khwan, come. Head’s khwan do come to the head. Eyes’ khwan do come to the eyes. Mouth’s khwan do come to the mouth. Hair’s khwan, from the hairline to the middle of the head, do come and see the body. Shoulders’ and eyes’ khwan do come to the body together with feet’s khwan, hands’ khwan, navel’s khwan, and underbelly’s khwan - never part again. Come, khwan, come. Breasts’s khwan do come to the two breasts. Hair bun’s khwan do come to the hair bun. Legs’ khwan do come to the legs. Arms’ khwan do come to the arms. Neck’s khwan do come to the neck. Waist’s and brows’ khwans, too. Every khwan that belongs in a body do come and rejoin the flesh.

In Isan and Northern Thailand, traditionally, a person is known to have 32 khwan. The location of khwan on your body may vary from different beliefs and traditions, like heart, crown of the head, eyes, ears, mouth, noses,... [20, p. 124]. This amount may also be related to the theory of 32 natural elements inside the body in Buddhism [21, p. 143-144]. We found no credible source on 92 khwan.

2. Khem, Jett, Chan making bai sri (บายศรีพญานาค - The seven-headed naga shape) 

This bai sri is inspired by Por Kru’s back tattoo, which we have explained in EP 3 post, the Naga King - Maha Ananta Phaya Nakarat (aka Shesha Naga).

A general bai sri making process [5][6]:

Prepare banana leaves – Cut from stalks, clean by wiping in one direction, tear into 2-inch strips.

Make small cones (luk bai sri) – Fold banana leaves, roll into pointed cones, insert flowers, and staple.

Wrap cones – Decorate cones with ribbon or banana leaf strips, fold petals, and secure.

Assemble cones – Arrange and staple cones layer by layer. 

Prepare base – Wrap foam with banana leaves, secure with small nails, and stack into desired tiers.

Make a central cone – Roll a 24-inch banana leaf into a cone (15 inches tall, 6 inches wide), secure with staples and sticks.

Final assembly.

Decorate – Spray with oil for shine, add flowers with skewers.

Check – Ensure sturdiness and neatness before use. (Takes ~2 days to complete.) 

📷: วิทยาลัยชุมชนสระแก้ว and ไพวัลย์ ปิ่นหนองแก้ว [5]

Above is the process of making a typical 3-tier bai sri, as you can see, it requires a lot of precise and handiwork, which explains why Khem’s hands were injured when making the 7-headed Naga bai sri, considering it’s a more complex bai sri.

3. Wai Kru ritual (พิธีไหว้ครู)

In the novel, Chapter 17:

“To become a magic student, one must perform the Wai Kru ritual, [...]. Therefore, they had to prepare an offering tray of flowers, incense sticks, and candles to pay respects to Por Kru.”

Chapter 18 described the ritual in these steps:

Charn lift the bai sri tray to Paran.

Paran lit incense sticks and candles to worship the Triratna.

Charn prostrated to the Buddha image.

Paran clasped his hands in prayer.

After worshipping the Buddha, they recited the Preliminary Homage (บทสวดนมัสการ พระพุทธเจ้า) to the Buddha to pay homage to the Buddha.

Charn made an oath “Dear my revered teacher, I, Charnvit Phani-chakorn, offer my body and mind to become a faithful student and learn from you. I shall study diligently, obey your teachings, act toward you with respect, and not bring any dishonor to you.” And then, he prostrated.

Paran took the bai sri tray, set it aside and bent down to touch Charn’s head, closed his eyes, and chanted the khatha.

Paran took a holy thread, tied it around Charn’s wrist, and blessed him with happiness and prosperity.

The Wai Kru ritual (พิธีไหว้ครู) is a Thai ritual in which students pay respects to teachers and express gratitude for their work.

Thai culture demonstrates its beauty most clearly in the way respect is shown to teachers. The Wai Kru ceremony is unique to the teaching profession. It is performed before beginning studies in educational institutions, in Thai music, Khon and drama, craftsmanship, and other fields. This sacred ritual makes it evident how deeply the ancestors respected, honored, and had faith in the vital role of teachers.

In particular, the fields of dance (natasin) and music (duriyangsin) place importance of teachers. This is because some musical compositions or dance movements are considered sacred. If the Wai Khru and Krob Khru (initiation/consecration ritual) are not performed beforehand, these cannot be taught to students. If they are taught without the ritual, it’s believed that misfortune may befall the teacher or the students, which is regarded as violating the teacher’s sanctity.[7]

And as in the scene, when we consider the nature of practicing magic, encompassing ritual, meditation, using symbolic objects, or focusing intention and belief, with differing cultural, religious,..., we can see that Charn performing the Wai Kru ritual is necessary. 

It is also believed that if students sincerely pay respect to and remember their teachers’ kindness, their studies will proceed smoothly and they will achieve success in life, as they receive blessings from their teachers.   

[9][10]

4. Floral alms (เหรียญโปรยทาน) 

Alms flowers or Floral alms (เหรียญโปรยทาน) are coins wrapped in ribbons shaped in flowers or various other shapes. They are used to throw away during religious events as donations to make merits. You can fold ribbons around coins in flower shapes (bullet wood flowers, roses, lotuses,...) and fruit shapes (orange, apples, dragon fruit,...).

📷: maekhaohom_ribbon [11]

📷: poohandmake [12]

And if Khem wants to do something weird, maybe these 😆

📷: เหรียญโปรยทาน Ribbon Art [13]

5. Leklai (เหล็กไหล)

As seen in EP 5, Paran gave Charn something.

In the novel, Chapter 18, after Charnvit brought the red paper containing “Immense popularity. Invulnerable protection” back, Paran gave him a coin made from Leklai for protection. Charnvit must refrain from breaking the third precept as its worship ritual - abstinence from unchastity. (yes, if you're having the same question i had, read until the end =)))))) )

According to the official Khemjira Twitter [14]:

“[...] Chanwit, who found a red scroll bearing the words: "Invulnerability, and glory". This signified that the Lek Lai (a mystical, living mineral) had chosen him as its bearer. Thus, Pharan bestowed that amulet upon him, making it a destined companion which could be used in times of need, not merely kept for veneration.”

“Lek Lai is believed to possess powers of invulnerability, protecting against all dangers. It is said that if the bearer venerates the Lek Lai, observes moral precepts, and possesses merit, they will be granted protective powers such as being immune to blades and stabs, not drowning in water, and not burning in fire.”

Leklai (เหล็กไหล) is an extremely rare magical metal. It is believed to melt when exposed to a fire [15]. It is also said that ordinary people cannot cut Leklai by themselves because it is guarded by deities, forest spirits, mountain guardians, Nagas, or giants who are ready to harm intruders if they are not virtuous, blessed, or powerful in magic. The Leklai itself is also said to resist being taken—for example, there are stories of people who touched it and felt as though they had been struck by lightning or electrocuted by high voltage. Its name can be translated as “Steel Eel”, referring to its fluid-like properties and its “lived in spirit”, which is said to be capable of making its own choices, "swimming across mountains", protecting its wearer from harm (including bullets) and entering a victim’s body in liquid form [16].

📷: La Magie Du Bouddha [18]

The Leklai obtained is considered extremely sacred. It is often embedded in the body of its owner, and it is said that nothing can harm a possessor of Leklai: knives, guns, or even bombs. Gunpowder of all kinds cannot be ignited in areas where Leklai exists.[17]

📷: La Magie Du Bouddha [19]

From a scientific perspective, Leklai is simply a metal or other material with a low melting point, naturally occurring such as meteorites from outer space or silicates from deep within the Earth, or synthetics such as mercury or gallium, which can liquefy at room temperature, as well as other alloys. The rainbow-like colors are caused by thin-film interference, light waves reflecting off the surface of the material and interfering with each other. [17]

📷: Tiia Monto (via Wikipedia)

You can read about the harvest method of Leklai from an ancient text, translated by Kunzang Namdjial (as he requested not to copy & paste anywhere except for private use) on Here [18]. It is a complicated and spiritual process.

6. Misc:

6.1. Charn and Paran's red scroll:

From the official Khemjira Twitter [14]:

"Pharan, the shaman, a collection of sacred amulets prepared for each of his disciples. Each amulet contained a red scroll inscribed with letters, serving as its representative before being hidden in a sacred forest for new disciples to search for. If a disciple discovered a red scroll, it meant that the amulet represented by that scroll had chosen the disciple. This was the case for Chanwit, who found a red scroll bearing the words: "Invulnerability, and glory."

Jet's is a wooden Buddha amulet. In the novel (Chapter 18), it is a wooden carving of a monkey - helps with luck and business matters.

6. 2. Paran & Charnvit - The Eight Precepts - Physical intimacy

@myarcadiandream asked on the EP 4 Post: "So does Paran have to follow the 8 precepts everyday? Is he even allowed to have a physical relationship with Khem?" so I figure I should share it here too. I also edited a bit of my original reply to make it clearer.

In the Special Chapter "Heading to the Capital City", when Paran and Khem became boyfriends, he said he would only observe The Eight Precepts on Buddhist holy days from then on. That implied Paran had been observing The Eight Precepts daily during the main chapters.

"I broke the precepts earlier." [...] "From now on, I'll only keep precepts on Buddhist holy days..."

In that chapter they kissed and it was also mentioned he still kept the Five Precepts (I would assume daily because the day it happened was not mentioned as a Buddhist holy day), in which instead of "refrain from all sexual activity", it's "refraining from sexual offenses". Therefore, having physical intimacy with with your appropriate partner (i.e. not someone else’s wife or husband) is totally fine.

"[...] because Por Kru, who'd reduced his observance of the Eight Precepts but still kept the Five Precepts, wouldn't lie to him."

So coming back to Charnvit, it's possible that he also only observes the Eight Precepts on Buddhist holy days like Paran. And CharnJet did kiss in the main chapters, so it's safe to said he is not abstaining from unchastity every single day.

We actually want to dive deeper into the Eight Precepts and how it ties to Paran's power and his relationship with Khem, his romantic feelings towards Khem etc etc for this EP but it took longer than we thought. It's mainly because neither of us is Buddhist and we know no shaman, except for the OG in Ubon😔. We were also extremely busy with work these past weeks. So we decided to ask for some help from Thai fans and spend more time reading into this. Hopefully, we can come up with something next week! If anyone writes or has information about this, feel free to share and/ or reach out!

[hinmotion]

A thread from Ella: About Phi Bun Rebellion - “กบฏผู้มีบุญ” (Holy Men’s Rebellion) (Twitter)

Grateful for Ella because I was knocked out last night but she managed to write these 😆Pasting the entire thread:

1. What's Holy Men's Rebellion?

Holy Men’s Rebellion (กบฏผู้มีบุญ): The rebel leaders or their groups proclaimed themselves to be “men of merit” or supernatural figures — such as Phra Si Ariya Mettrai (Maitreya), the future Buddha in Theravada Buddhist belief.

When enough people believed and became their followers or disciples, they would use force to attack and seize towns in order to establish their own rule. However, many groups were suppressed before they could attack state officials.

2. Causes of the Holy Men’s Rebellion in Isan (1901–1902)

The causes were not singular, but a combination of many factors. Based on numerous documents, they can be summarized into 2 big categories:

Political Causes a) Internal politics b) External politics

Socio-economic Causes

(I will provide more details in the Khemjira Must Know thread)

Below is a photo of the “Holy Man” Rebellion in 1901, where soldiers detained rebels at Thung Si Mueang, Ubon Ratchathani. Photo from the book History of Isan by Toem Wiphakphotchanakit.

3. Methods of the “Holy Men’s Rebellion”

1) Rumors & Prophecies: Spread through mor lam singers, who were both entertainers and community messengers. Content included criticisms of Thai officials, curses, and promises of miraculous change.

2) Rituals: Holy water, exorcisms, karmic cleansing — villagers believed these would wash away sins and prepare them to receive salvation.

3) Objects of Belief: “Magic stones” (hin hae), sacred roots, or flowers believed to turn into gold, silk, or elephants.

4) Chain Letters (Books of Prophecy): Manuscripts like Book of the Holy Man, Book of Thao Phaya Thammikarat, Book of Phra In, Local Chronicles. These circulated widely, functioning like “chain letters,” warning of calamities but promising salvation to those who believed, copied, and spread the texts.

Cre Pic: The Isaan Record.

It is claimed that this picture is from the era of the Holy Man Rebellion, featuring Mor Lam Sopha and Major General.

4. Effects of the Movement

The prophecies spread panic and hope across Isan. Villagers abandoned farming, threw away money believing it would turn to iron, hoarded stones, bought goods without bargaining, or even sold/bought husbands due to apocalyptic rumors.

Some officials and towns were so swept up in the hysteria that normal work stopped.

The Thai government responded by sending special commissioners (notably Phraya Suradet Wises Ritthothisit) to investigate, suppress leaders, and dispel rumors.

Reference: 1) Saisakun Dechabut. The Commoners’ or Holy Man Rebellion: A History of the People’s Struggle Against State Power in Siam. (Bangkok: 2012). Gypsy Publishing. 2) Weerawat Somnuk. The “Holy Man” Rebellion Series in Isan (Part 4) – Klon Lam, Prophecy Texts, Ideologies: Weapons of the Holy Man Rebels Against Bangkok. (Feb, 2021) (https://theisaanrecord.co/2021/06/02/phi-bun-rebellion-4/) 3) Suwit Theerasasawat. The Holy Man Rebellion in Isan, 1901–1902, and Thailand’s First Chain Letter. Silpa Wattanatham Magazine, November 2006 Issue. (https://silpa-mag.com/history/article_8986)

[bird-inacage]

A TleFirstone Gifset | Iconic Moments: Songkran 2025 😳 (P1/P2)

Since Khemjira introduced me to this pair, you bet I've been catching up on all their lore. They were at Songkran earlier this year being hella clingy with one another, and yes I had to make a dedicated gifset.

First is clearly very, very, drunk in most of these. Bless him. The boy can barely hold himself upright, and has got the 100 mile giddy stare whenever anyone asks him anything. Tle, being the sweetheart he is, was taking good care of this baby.

[prapaiwife]

I did not expect this, just a kiss atmost,but no!? I loved how stinking cute yet very much so intimate that this was between them. This was gradually building up from the earlier episodes to the climax here!! With jet clearly attracted and drawn to charn, he didn't hold back in his feelings and took the initiative. It was with charn being brave to tell Jet everything about their past lives. And jet not thinking so much about the what ifs only thinking on what he wants. Or more so what he's been wanting and / or thinking about but wasn't sure! And so this moment he didn't hesitate and didn't let this chance slip and kiss him first, and charn being so ready to do it again properly this time where it's. They were both so giddy and shy once they both realized the feelings were mutual and have been for a while!! I also loved how even though charn can't see without his glasses, he went with jet's movements and his hands on his body to guide him throughout the whole scene. IT WAS SO GOOOD!!!😭😭😭

[cmorgana]

Ok but how does the chastity thing gonna work if he gets his powers back and he's a shaman again, but he's married to khem? Not a shaman anymore, just powers back?

[ileftmysoulinnorway]

IWTV S3: Sixth week of production/SDCC

To be honest, I'm still a little overwhelmed.

First official photos

(x), (x)

The poster

So many photos of the cast

(x), (x)

Cast announcements!

(x), (x), (x), (x), (x)

The Panel

The rest of it.

Season 3 is officially called The Vampire Lestat.

Akasha was cast, but they are not announcing who will play her yet.

Claudia was confirmed for season three, but Rolin was very secretive about her role.

Real Rashid was officially mentioned.

The Sneak Peek

TC playing the drums, unlike in the book.

Ryan Kattner, one of the S3 writers, also plays in a band.

New song lyrics and and the violin.

This bombshell

The highlights for me: Young Lestat and Never Fucking Happened.

It's not a divorce:

Fender's line of Lestrat guitars

(x), (x)

Other articles and interviews

DenOfGeek

Lestat’s setlist reveals his most vulnerable memories, where he can divulge his feelings on vampires he’s known and loved... The songs also provide a narrative frame and build towards a bigger picture.

Entertainment Weekly

There may be new opening credits with the TVL song.

S3 is not a musical.

Variety

Bowling!

Daniel will be afraid and angry. He is getting used to being a vampire and still chasing the story. He will be much more focused on Lestat, who is making his life difficult.

TV Insider

Sam had to learn like 12 instruments.

They’re putting a lens on the messiest three to four months of Lestat’s life.

The Hollywood Reporter

Daniel Hart about the songs.

MTV

What does it mean to be a rockstar? Why is Eric the most chronically online of them all?

Screen Rant

The premiere could be in April (I was right!).

"He basically has to explain to the world why a particular rock album almost destroyed the entire planet."

"Armand and Daniel will be face to face again. We we've already shot some of it and it's pretty intense."

Louis has diversified his life.

IGN

"Rolin has done a wonderful job of like sort of integrating the two time periods simultaneously as we go along. It's not like in the book."

Daniel is not ghostwriting Lestat's book.

Press Conference

Some songs will be about Louis.

Did they do any filming?

I thought they were either on a break for SDCC or in The Studio. But then Eric mentioned his recent bowling experiences and that he had already shot some scenes with Armand, which must have happened during this week.

Let's see if they will go straight back to it on Monda

[hyohaehyuk]

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6

via tinitiny2

[cinemairon]

XiYao Free me up

[cherizsaw]

My boys 💕

[tikklil]

Aftermath

[cherryysundae]

[cmorgana]

I find incredibly funny that most of us grew up with harry Potter, thinking of Remus, Sirius, Snape as of "old" men, the adults when we were kids, the movie made them old too, but they're actually in their early 30, around the age a lot of people who grow up with the books is! Damn, I'm older than them, but in my head they are "old men" still.

I was reading a fic, it turned dirty and I was like "oh, the old men are going at it" and then I realized the old men were like 33!! They're going at it and they're damn young!

[feyrischan]

Jiang Cheng came to me crying and told me to post this on Tumblr