I'm Thinking About His Dark Materials Again. Specifically The Societal Quirks That Lyra's World Has As

Tide Spells

mer interruption: the following is an excerpt from one of my favourite books. Please remember to treat the sea with respect and do not leave anything behind that was not originally from the sands and sea.

High Tide Spell

The high tide spell is a short, sharp piece of operative magic that you can use when something needs to be done quickly. It works best at spring tides when the tidal and lunar powers are at their peak. It is used to attract something that is urgently needed, or to make something positive happen. It is a very short spell that carries a strong sense of urgency. The spell is written using a very brief form of words in the sand or shingle as the tide is rising and just before it reaches its peak, just above the tideline. As the spell is written, the magical will is concentrated on the spell succeeding. The witch then watches until the sea has washed the spell away and the work is done.

Low Tide Spell

A similar spell is worked at low tide to banish or remove something. Again, the power of this spell is very quick and concentrated; it is worked in a few minutes and sent on its way. As with the high tide spell, words are written in the sand just as the tide turns, but this time at the very lowest point of the tide, so that as it begins its climb up the shore whatever you need to banish is taken by the sea. As soon as the words have gone under the water, the spell is done. For both these spells, use as few words as possible; you could even just use initial letters. Concentrate hard on your objective as you write them into the sand then let it go so that the tide can do its work.

Text - A Sea Witch's Companion - Practical Magic of Moon and Tides, Levannah Morgan

Cute ocean dividers - cafekitsune

Intended for reference and educational purposes - please supplement with your own research and knowledge!

Chicken Griffin

One thing they don't tell you about being an adult therian is that much of the online community gradually feels more and more alienating. Posts about wearing gear to school or writing about your theriotype at college stop feeling relatable. And it's admittedly hard not to get grumpy about it. Sure, occasionally you see some insights about working a 9 to 5 when you're a dog, or managing your appointments when you're a bird, but most of the short-form writings you come across feel less like the relevant ramblings of your peers, and more like looking through a window at a life you had to leave behind. I don't miss school, good gods, nothing could ever make me wish I was 16 again. But I do miss the relative simplicity of it, and the ease with which I related to other school-age therians.

yes, i'm a witch

Yes, I'm a witch, I'm a bitch I don't care what you say My voice is real, my voice is truth I don't fit in your ways

I'm not gonna die for you You might as well face the truth I'm gonna stick around For quite awhile

— casual ways to connect with deities

pray to them

straight up just talk to them, tell them about your day

offer some of your meal to them (or alternatively, the steam from your meal)

cook with them and/or for them

pick a movie to watch with them, especially if it connects to things they rule over (i.e. a romcom with hera or aphrodite, a documentary about the sea for poseidon, etc)

give them the first sip of your morning drink, or even make a cup for them

assign them a stuffed animal and take care of it as a devotion to them (bonus points if that animal is sacred to them or if you associate it with them)

say good morning/good night

thank them for the things you see (i.e. thanking apollo when you see a pretty sunrise/sunset, thank hypnos for a good night’s sleep, etc)

blow kisses to them

the gods show you the version of themselves that you need most, your experiences won't be identical to other worshippers/devotees out there because you are different from others and that's okay. that just adds to how beautiful the connection to the theoi really is.

Some Extinct Relatives of Living Crocodylians Were Vegetarians

http://www.sci-news.com/paleontology/extinct-crocodyliforms-vegetarians-07336.html

pan: if you could go back in time what would you do?

will: probably kill baby hitler

pan: you can't do that! it's a baby!

will: what would you do

pan: kill 11 year old hitler

pan: fifth graders are the worst

in a series that is so deeply critical of religion, making one of the most heinous, despicable characters in the story a heretical scientist is such a good balance. like, the magisterium are oppressive and controlling and undeniably evil, but pullman also says that things aren’t justified just because theyre done in the name of science instead of religion. both asriel and the oblation board were willing to sever children. they’re two sides of the same coin. he is the same as them.

Sacred Plants & Flowers ~ Hellenic Gods

Part 1 of ?: The twelve Olympian Gods

Because I keep looking it up myself, I decided to write down a handy list with sacred plants/flowers and plants/flowers strongly associated with the Theoi. Feel free to add on to this list.

Find more lists of sacred plants/flowers here.

Aphrodite Rose, Anemone, Myrtle, Myrrh, Apple, Lettuce, Pomegranate, Linden, Lime (large-leafed)

Apollon Laurel, Larkspur, Cypress, Palm, Sweet Violet

Ares none known

Artemis Cedar/Juniper, Chaste Tree, Cypress, Laurel, (Persian) Walnut

Athena Olive Tree

Demeter Wheat, Poppy, Barley, Mint, Chaste Tree, Fig Tree

Dionysos Grapevine, Ivy, Bindweed, Pine Tree, Elm Tree, Fig Tree, Fir, Calamus

Hephaistos none known

Hera Pomegranate, Apple, Chaste Tree

Hermes Crocus, Strawberry Tree

Poseidon Pine Tree, Wild Celery, Parsley, Rock Rose

Zeus Oak Tree, Olive Tree, Manna (Ash), Wild Celery, Parsley, White Poplar

Resources: theoi.com, plants of greek myth flora 1 & flora 2 Dividers by: @firefly-graphics