✧ Character Building ╱ Not A Girl Yet Not A Wolf - Blog Posts
Patricia Smith, from Teahouse of the Almighty; “Building Nicole’s Mama”
[Text ID: “and she is an empty vessel waiting to be filled. / And she is waiting. / And she / is / waiting. / And she waits.”]
Le Comte de Monte Cristo | The Count of Monte Cristo (2024) dir. Matthieu Delaporte & Alexandre de La Patellière
hyper specific 5am collection about freshman year of college (so far) and the pit it leaves inside your chest !!!!!!
Constantin Émile Meunier, Ophelie / D.H. Lawrence / Sung Hwa Kim, Untitled / pinterest user wuxianspeare / Albert Camus / pinterest user raiiiisha / Ramón Casas, Tired
IL DESERTO ROSSO (RED DESERT) 1964 | Michelangelo Antonioni
cursed with "do you still like me?" "are you mad at me?" "did i do something wrong?" disorder
i was an isolated child
last words of a shooting star - mitski / interlude - jeremy lipking / beast monster thing (love isn't love enough) - car seat headrest / untitled - franz wright / twilight: new moon (2009) / teen idle - marina and the diamonds / my year of rest and relaxation - ottessa moshfegh / morning sun - edward hopper / look who's inside again - bo burnham / a girl ago - lucie brock-broido
tarot card pull
the past - the king of swords, reversed
appearance and symbolism
a king sits on his throne while holding a double-edged sword that points upwards in his right hand
the blue tunic that the king wears is a symbol of his spiritual understanding
the butterflies on the back of his throne are indicative of transformation
the king of swords radiates intellectual power, clear thinking, truth, and authority
card meaning
in reverse, the king of swords can show shows tyrannical, abusive and manipulative habits
it may indicate the misuse of one’s mental power, drive, and authority
if the king of swords appears reversed, he is encouraging you to challenge your assumptions and beliefs
the butterflies on his throne now appears at the base of the card, signifying the process of discarding outdated, self-limiting thinking
this card can also suggest that intelligence and discernment is not being used to their fullest potential and important information that could help overcome obstacles or move forward is missing
he challenges you to resist the temptation to fall back into old, rigid ways of thinking that limit growth and possibilities
the present - the knight of cups
appearance and symbolism
the card which depicts a young knight who is gloriously riding a white horse while at the same time holding a cup as if he is a messenger of a certain sort
he is moving slowly forward which provides the entire setting an overall impression of peace and calmness
the horse is known to represent one's drive, energy, and power
the horse's colour is white, which is a well-known symbol of spirituality, light, and purity
he wears the wings of hermes, the messenger god, on his helm and his feet, and fish decorate his tunic, symbolising his ability to communicate clearly about deep unconscious feelings that can be difficult for others to put into words.
card meaning
the knight of cups is the most feminine amongst all the knight cards in the tarot, but it's important to note though, that this doesn’t even slightly suggest that he is any less of a worthy knight, but implies that he is in proper touch with his emotions and his intuition, and that he uses them for his own well-being and during his romantic quests
when faced with a decision, the knight of cups is going to listen to his heart, regardless of whether this is actually a logical choice or not
he appears as a messenger – and with him, he carries an invitation or an arrival of something or someone which is going to have a certain emotional benefit
as a knight, he is also charged with taking the gifts of his suit, and bringing it outward into the world - therefore can also represent the undertaking of some project with significant emotional or creative value
the knight of cups is the tarot’s brave messenger of love, who can communicate his deepest feelings without fear or embarrassment
he represents all forms of love: romantic, passionate, platonic and familial, and reminds those who believe they are alone that they are connected, valuable, loved, and accepted
the knight of cups appears when it’s time to be emotionally courageous
he teaches that communication about feelings heals isolation and confusion - the more difficult the subject, the more healing to be gained from talking about it
the knight of cups is eternally optimistic that the future will be brighter than times before, and knows that the heart is not as fragile as it pretends to be
the future - the sun, reversed
appearance and symbolism
the sun is the source of all the life on our planet, and it represents life energy itself
there is a child depicted in the card, playing joyfully in the foreground - a symbol of our innocence, it represents the happiness that occurs when there is alignment with the true self
the child is naked, meaning that he has absolutely nothing to hide
the card also depicts the childhood innocence and absolute purity - emphasised through the white horse upon which the child is riding
the horse here is also a symbol of strength and nobility
the Sun is the most powerful card in the deck, representing triumph, positivity, and things generally falling into place as they should
card meaning
in the reversed position, the sun indicate significant difficulties finding positive aspects to certain situations, with clouds blocking out the warmth and light needed to progress
it may also indicated an unrealistic outlook, or overly optimistic perception of certain situations
however, it could possibly show that despite setbacks, things may be beginning to brighten
the horse on the card is a reminder that any assistance required to get to the next place in life is out there, and will arrive just when it is needed
even when the sun is hidden behind clouds, it always reappears, and even when darkness engulfs the world every night, the sun promises to return with the dawn - it is a universal truth that light will always resurface, even after the darkest moments
the birthchart of dacey stark
sun sign : cancer
cancers are astrologically wired to channel their intense emotions to caring for others and expressing a unique understanding of the human condition and heart. compassionate, often sweet, always deeply feeling, you can rely on the cancers in your life to offer a shoulder to cry on. typical sun in cancer traits include being nurturing, sensitive, compassionate, self-protective, security-seeking, and loving. since the emotional, maternal moon influences cancer's personality so intensely, the water sign tends to prioritize — and occasionally twist themselves into knots — to make most people in their life feel even slightly more comfortable and secure. they'll pour their heart into caring for plants and pets just as much as they do loved ones. while they're loyal to the core and will always show up for their friends, family comes first. cancer's intense connection to their emotions doesn't come without its negative side, which is a tendency to be moody and snappy when rubbed the wrong way in a particularly sensitive, agitated state. whether they're worked up or drowning in their feelings, they'll be quick to retreat into their shell.
moon sign : aquarius
there may be something about an aquarius moon that somehow “separates” them from everybody else. a fixed sign, which gives qualities of focus, perseverance and endurance, when an aquarius moon individual has a clear idea, they are unlikely to easily change it. their position as someone already ‘on the outside’ gives them the ability to interpret the world around them from an often unique point of view. the placement of the moon in aquarius gives them incredible compassion. they are the person who will "take a bullet" for the one they love, and will be the first person to stand up for the rights of another. they can be very caring when they want to be, though it may not read that way to others at first, because you are also a quiet person who keeps their emotions to themselves. an aquarius moon knows what they want and believes in personal freedom and choices. they will uphold what you believe in, no matter how far-fetched others may find their decisions. in some ways, they prefer solitude as it makes them feel safe, and independence is their calling card. those around them will notice that they only march to your own drum, and they accept this about them. an aquarius moon is a deep thinker — so much so, that they tend to get lost in thought. people think of them as a worrywart, spending way too much time overthinking things until they make very little sense.
rising sign : pisces
pisces is a mutable water sign, and those with this rising sign appear deeply emotional and sensitive. the symbol for pisces is two fish swimming in opposite directions, representing the duality and connection between the imaginary world and physical reality. they are masters of making the imaginary seem possible, but they also can succumb to melancholy and suffering. it’s in their nature to go with the flow, like swimming through the waves of the ocean. this can sometimes lead them to be overly trusting, and they might struggle with setting boundaries. pisces risings possess a natural ability to connect with the energies of others, giving them an emotional intelligence in new social situations. while they have a gentle demeanor, they can also be elusive, often escaping into their rich inner universe to find comfort. pisces ascendants might find solace in the arts or healing modalities—whether it’s through music, painting, or writing—as a means to channel their vivid inner world. they can gravitate toward spirituality, but they also should be aware of becoming lost in their own illusions. the rising sign strongly influences physical appearance. the pisces rising often has a dreamy and mysterious look about them, with features that appear delicate and otherworldly. their eyes, in particular, are known to appear captivating, soulful, and dreamy—often reflecting a depth of emotion. like their symbol, the fishes, a pisces is not in a rush. they uncover the mysteries and depth of emotion with ease. not one for conflict, they can bring serenity and soothe those around them. they are also highly in touch with their intuition, whether they are aware of it or not. they are dreamers, artists, and healers, who are here to create beauty, inspire others, and bring a sense of enchantment to the lives they touch.
Nikos Engonopoulos, from Bolívar, a Greek Poem
Sylvia Plath, from The Collected Poems of Sylvia Plath; "Three Women,"
Audrey Hepburn as Sabrina Fairchild
Sabrina (1954) dir. Billy Wilder
Frances Ha (2012) Lady Bird (2017) Little Women (2019) Barbie (2023)
WRITTEN BY GRETA GERWIG
Rainer Maria Rilke, from a letter featured in Letters to Merline, 1919-1922
May Sarton, from Journal of a Solitude [ID in alt text]
westerlands attire
dacey dresses with the exact opposite intention of standing out or making a statement. her clothing is chosen to help her blend in, not make a scene, and not be noticed. just nice enough that people aren't going to say she looks bad, but not remarkable enough to comment on.
she favours darker colours, but never black. greys, deep blues, burgundy and forest greens are common colours in her attire.
july 12th 115 ac - dacey stark is born
the fourth child of house stark was born two moons too early and far too small. as a baby, she barely cried, but was prone to illness, particularly of the lungs. it was not expected that she would be long for this world. infants with such weak constitution rarely do, but against the odds dacey grew. she remained a frail child, prone to sickness, and her childhood was mostly spent confined inside winterfell to preserve her health.
129 ac - the dance begins
as she approached adolescence, a question lingered over what to do with dacey stark. while her siblings began to be fostered or trained for their duties as a stark, dacey remained in winterfell, sheltered and protected in order to maintain her health. with the dance of the dragons breaking out during her teenage years, her opportunity to explore the world outside of the north was further stripped from her. she waits out the next ten years in the north, purposely kept as far away from any conflicts as possible.
140 ac - the dance ends
with the leaders of westeros proclaiming independence from the targaryens, dacey finds her position shifting. she is slow to adjust to the change, maintaining her reclusive lifestyle except when absolutely necessary. she does put her complete faith in her family, particularly owen, and trusts and supports his decisions without question. however, at her core she begins to develop idealistic morals of pacificism, which will begin to shape her personal views and how she reacts to things.
post-dance
dacey continues to rarely leave the north, notable exception being to the vale, where she meets and forms a friendship with guinevere lannister. when the kingdoms are gathered in the north, she is more visible than she normally would be, but still seen less often than her siblings and very quiet publicly. she is a soft-hearted person, however, and does offer support to people she recognises to be suffering, including seffora merryweather, and engages in plenty one-on-one conversations whilst fading into the background in group settings. she remains in complete support of the king's decisions.
northern wars
it is during the conflicts in the north that dacey truly develops her distaste for war and violence. however, she is not foolish enough to voice her pacifism out loud, though when asked, she will always answer as honestly as she can: she knows her ideas are idealistic at best, and unrealistic at worst, but she thinks there is a better path than violence, aggression and fighting. despite this, she still believes the king knows best, and does not ever argue with his decisions or contradict him, either publicly or to his face. she remains in winterfell for much of this time.
death of jon stark
the death of a brother marks the beginning of a shift in dacey. still reclusive by nature, she begins to make her presence more known within the north and quietly attempts to aid her brother the king as best she can. she doesn't quite fill the gap left by jon, but she does try and lessen it slightly. the starks meet to discuss retaliation, and dacey advocates for justice over vengeance.
the kidnap of cassana stark, the deaths of rosalyn arryn, and the disappearance of alysanne stark
when further tragedy hits her house in close succession, dacey becomes more present than ever in order to better support her brother and the rest of the family. she takes the initiative to push herself out of her comfort zone and become more involved as best as she knows how whilst handling her own feelings and anxieties privately.
recent events
dacey attends both king jahaerys' coronation in the crownlands, where she largely keeps to herself, stopping at her blackwood cousins' home in the riverlands on her way back to the north, and the celebration of prince arthur's birth in the westerlands.
{Words by José Olivarez from Citizen Illegal /@fatimaamerbilal , from even flesh eaters don't want me.}
{ Words by Megan Fernandes, from "Fabric in Tribeca," in Good Boys / Silas Melvin, from "Twenty," Grit }
Virginia Woolf, from a diary entry written in October 1920, featured in The Diary of Virginia Woolf: Vol.2, 1920-1924
Sharon Olds, from "Known to Be Left", Stag’s Leap
{Words by Anaïs Nin, from The Diary Of Anais Nin, Vol. 4 (1944-1947) / Cynthia Cruz }
Charles Bukowski, "no title," from What Matters Most is How Well You Walk through the Fire
