One Of The Things I Love Most About Mulan, That’s Rarely Commented On, Is Just How Much Of A Sacrificial

hi dear! how do i get started in tarot? do ya have have resources you could direct me to? (:

I can throw you a couple links, sure: 

[Connecting With a New Deck] 

[50 Tips for Tarot Novices and Masters Alike] 

[Intro to Tarot] 

[Tarot Myths] 

[Tarot 101 - Tips] 

[Tarot Tips for Beginners] 

[Tarot Tips for Newbs] 

[Things I Think Newbie Tarot Readers Need to Know] 

More can be found in my [#tarot tag] on my blog! ^^ 

For me, starting tarot reading was as simple as finding a deck that I liked, finding some spreads, and practicing. Depending on why you want to read tarot, your approach may be different. For instance, tarot for me is about introspection and helping myself find some answers or advice I may not have seen at first glance. Tarot can be used for other purposes, though, such as spirit communication, so what you want to use your cards for can change the approach in which you go about it. (In regards to doing tarot for spirit communication, I am afraid I have no personal advice there.) 

Research, of course, is something I always recommend when getting into a new skill. You’re working on that, which is awesome, though I do believe it is important to also leave Tumblr for research purposes. Yes, there’s great stuff here, but there’s also great resources to be found in other areas of the internet, as well as off it. If you can, try to find some beginner’s books on tarot (I am certain there are PDFs of a few somewhere around too), and look into it as much as you can. Sadly, resources can and are likely to show conflicting information, so it’s always beneficial to cross reference and fact check as much as possible. 

Once you’ve got a grasp of tarot - or even if you don’t - picking a deck can prove a daunting task. I personally don’t feel any one deck is “better” than any other for someone new to reading. You will always hear how the Rider-Waite is standard, but that is only because the cards depict symbolism in which they try to make the meaning of the cards clear. Less convoluted, the images try to tell the story of the card, in a way that might make it easy to understand on sight. Not everyone grooves with that, but it definitely can prove helpful at the start when you aren’t sure what every card means. And, let me tell you, even after like three years, I still have to look some cards up, 78 is a lot to remember with an inconsistent memory.  

I would recommend, mostly, just finding a deck that you like, one you think is pretty, or you would like to try out. There may be some research you have to do into that, or you may just be in a store and you find a deck that “calls to you.” There is really no wrong way to pick a deck, as long as you are happy with your choice. (Some decks may not work out for every reader, though, which can be a concern if you buy your first deck and end up not liking it or it’s uncooperative, but it’s a risk we all kinda take. I’ve bought a few decks that I don’t connect with, or that no longer work for me, and that’s okay. It doesn’t mean you can’t read or won’t be a good reader if that happens - find another deck you like and keep trying!) Printing a deck out, or creating your own, can be a good option for those on a budget, but creating a deck can be very time and energy consuming, and also a daunting task all on its own. 

Also, if you find the book or guide that comes with your cards is lacking, it is also okay to find external resources for card interpretations. I personally enjoy [Learn Tarot’s pages of reference], and am even writing them down, since I know some of the books for my decks weren’t very helpful in the meanings. A lot of people will say reading from the book is bad, learn to trust your gut more, etc., but each person reads differently. I feel it’s important to just try it out, try different things, and find your style. 

Once you have a deck you like, a lot of people recommend cleansing it. There are many ways to do that. And of course, there’s the first shuffle (or shuffles), which can always be a pain when they’re all in order. I like splitting the cards into piles and shuffling those together for a while, it’s proven effective for me. People also talk about ways to bond with your deck - things you can do with it or to it to help it grow accustomed to you or make readings easier or more accurate. Those are also things that would be great to look into. 

Doing readings can seem daunting too. I was nervous for my first few as well. And it is perfectly acceptable to read and practice on yourself. Just take it at your own pace, use your book or guide if you need to, and even asking someone’s opinion on an interpretation can be helpful if you’re stuck. Mostly, though, just read. Draw some cards and try to find what they’re saying. As a skill, it does take practice and time before you may feel confident with what you’re doing, if your readings are good or accurate, and that’s okay! There is no pressure or anything, and we all started out in that exact same spot. (Also, reversals aren’t necessary if you don’t wanna read that way - I don’t, but it’s up to you to decide what you wanna do for yourself and your tarot practice.) 

Creating spreads can also seem hard too, but that is also something you don’t need to worry about unless you want to - I use mostly existing spreads for my readings, and they work just fine.; Creating spreads can take time and energy one may not have, and it’s cool if you never want to do it, or just save it until later, but know that whatever you decide to do is cool. There are so many amazing spreads already in existence, to cover a lot of different topics and questions that may occur. Some also find great results in just winging spreads - asking a question and drawing as many cards as they feel is right or for clarification. Again, experiment, try things out, find what you like doing and what works for you, and what may not. We each have our own way to read and do things with tarot. 

I hope that helps you, good luck with your tarot journey! ^^ 

My dad needs help

I use to try avoid post like these but, karma has a funny way of working. I know that I don’t post a lot and am not really that popular but my family needs help. My dad, Carlos, fell down a flight of stairs and hurt his arm and shoulder and is now unable to go to work. He is has a very strong sense of pride, so he didn’t even tell me. (machismo, but anyway)  I just noticed that my family back home was struggling more than we usually do. I’m in college, so I don’t regularly get to see them. My sister told me what happened, and how there isn’t enough money to make bills. 

He’s a good man and I am soooo soooooo lucky to have this man as a father. He was the best father to me when I came out, and actively worked to make schools more accepting of the LGBT+ community ever since. He has ALWAYS been serious about keeping our roots (Afro-Cuban), and our religion. If anyone was down the would always make time to make people smile.

He actively tries to make peoples days brighter, whether it’s at work or in the grocery store. I know that he’s in a bad place right now, and just won’t mention it. He went to the doctor yesterday and was told that he needs to have the surgery as soon as possible to prevent any permanent damage to his shoulder and arm, he estimated that he would need the surgery by May 5th before the injury does damage to his nervous system. My mother and my sister are constantly at their alter praying for change in this situation.

So, all my siblings and I are starting a GoFundMe campaign for him so we can pay for the surgery. I completely understand if you can give any donation (I’m a college student, I know), I would just ask to please please please share, or pray to whichever god(dess) you worship, or even do a small spell for us to reach the goal. I just want my dad to be back the goofy, kind man that he is.I can’t thank you guys enough for even reading this. 

LINK: https://www.gofundme.com/carlos-needs-your-help-for-surgery

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE SHARE

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PRAY FOR US

LINK: https://www.gofundme.com/carlos-needs-your-help-for-surgery

Moana + characters being aware that they are in a Disney movie

I feel like when you’re writing, organizing chapters and dialogue is easy

but jfc, the amount of time it takes to constantly keep people moving and make sure they’re in the right spaces and trying to come up with wording for it is always such a shock. 

Like, fuck, I made you pick up a coffee cup, you need to put it down at some point. also I can’t remember what I dressed you in, can you push up your sleeves? I don’t remember if you even have your shirt on.

and YOU. YOU OVER THERE, you got out of your chair earlier, but did you come back yet? Are you coming back? Where did you even go and why’d you get up? Fuck, I can’t make you sit down again already, you just stood up, go…over there. go get more coffee. Did you bring your mug with you? fine. bring the pot to the table and—wait, wasn’t the coffee pot already over here? shit, hold on, I need to go back and re-read and re-write

@whos-that-foxi-lady, look what you made me do. I skipped out on working on thesis for this omg. Based on this post:

I imagine after the reveal, Marinette might still struggle with being fully comfortable with Adrien, so he’ll occasionally iniate fist bumps to remind her its just Chat. They’d probably do this often before they get comfortable hugging or even holding hands. Sunshine boi is a patient sweetheart. - @whos-that-foxi-lady

Man..I haven’t drawn a comic in so long. I’ve been so busy ; u ;

PLEASE DO NOT RE-UPLOAD. DO NOT DUB. DO NOT MAKE SOME VIDEO.

REBLOG ONLY PLEASE.

My Kind of MariChat

Chat and Marinette hanging out as friends and talking about their crush struggles with each other.

Chat not saying who he likes, because he knows that Mari is best friends with the Ladyblog girl and he can’t risk Ladybug finding out how he feels through the Internet. How tacky!

Mari not saying who she likes, because she’s afraid Chat will see her love for Adrien as just a celebrity crush. Also she has a tendency to malfunction when speaking his name aloud.

Chat giving Mari advice about how to calm her anxiety and be more confident when talking to her crush.

Mari giving Chat advice about how to come across as more genuine and less flirty when talking to his crush.

The two being 100% oblivious.

The two practicing on each other and totally NOT blushing  ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

The two encouraging and pushing each other to ask their crush out.

The two making a pact to do so the very next day.

Mari going up to Adrien at school and remaining 50% calm as she asks him out for ice cream.

Adrien internally screaming because he didn’t realize Mari had a crush on HIM and now he feels like a jerk.

“OH, uh that sounds like it’d be a lot of fun, but I can’t eat ice cream… model diet, you know?”

Marinette trying to recover. “Oh, right. Well, uh…what about a movie?”

Marinette regretting her decision the moment he says “Look Marinette-”

Adrien trying. “You really are an incredible girl and it means a lot to me that you’d even ask. I just- I already have feelings for someone else.”

Marinette accidentally blurting out, “Who? Chloe?”

Adrien not knowing whether to laugh or gag. “No, no, no! She uh, she doesn’t go here. You wouldn’t know her.”

Marinette thinking that it’s probably some gorgeous model.

Marinette sending only one text to Alya instead of her usual 50.

“He likes someone else.”

An akumatized villain showing up at the absolute WORST time.

Chat Noir noticing that his lady is off her game for some reason.

Ladybug noticing that Chat is making fewer puns for some reason.

Chat pulling her away from the press after the battle.

“My lady, I need to tell you something… I love you.”

Marinette’s gut clenching because HOW did she not realize Chat had been talking about HER and then she’s reminded of Adrien’s rejection and she’s overwhelmed by hurt and confusion and guilt and-

BEEP BEEP go the earrings.

“Chat… this isn’t a good time. I- I have to go.” 

“Then meet me tonight on the Arc de Triomphe at 11 o’clock.”

Ladybug just nodding before she swings away.

Chat trying not to be discouraged.

Marinette checking her phone after she detransforms.

Alya: “Oh girl. I’m so sorry.”

Alya: “Are you okay?”

Alya: “I’m mandating an emergency sleepover tonight. Just you and me.”

Crap.

Marinette trying to “go to bed” early so that she can sneak out and meet with Chat.

Alya making her stay up because it’s a Friday night and “you promised me we’d watch Moulin Rouge”.

Chat somehow managing to set up a candlelit dinner on the Arc de Triomphe because he’s a hopeless romantic.

Chat pacing back and forth with droopy ears as it gets later and later.

Chat growing incredibly disheartened as he picks at the food and thinks about how he rejected Marinette only to be rejected by Ladybug.

Mari worrying about Chat and crying over Adrien.

Chat finally heading home around 1:00 AM but stopping when he sees Mari on her balcony. 

Mari feeling awful and tearing up when she sees Chat.

Chat feeling awful when he sees how upset Mari is.

The two hugging and crying and realizing how much they hate seeing the other hurting.

The two trying to comfort and encourage each other.

Mari telling Chat how funny and brave and kind he is.

Chat telling Mari how talented and beautiful and endearing she is.

Mari and Chat looking into each others eyes, each wondering if they’ve been pursuing the wrong person all along.

Chat leaning in slowly and kissing Mari.

Mari kissing back.

Alya opening the trapdoor and screaming.

The End (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

When people say all straight pairings are boring and forced as hell, then this means they obviously have never watched FMA Brotherhood to witness one of the most beautiful and most perfect ships ever:

The Kickstarter Needs You