probably millennial cringe

dedication of the crater to carroll

the messy floating group hug after the dedication to carroll

the nutella flying by (it was a cry laugh but did make me emotional because it was just so human and ridiculous)

reid (?) saying hello to his kids and making heart hands and showing off his bracelet and mission control saying "copy heart, copy bracelet"

christina was talking about seeing the moon during her status report (?) and she said that she had a moment where she realized that it was a real place that actually exists and not just a poster, and that she imagined herself walking on the surface

again when victor's report said the same thing

"copy, full moon joy"

the announcement of beating the apollo record and the statements/speeches to follow, specifically when they said they wanted to inspire the next generation to beat their record soon

"we will continue our journey even further into space before Mother Earth succeeds in pulling us back to everything that we hold dear" ohhhh man

every time the crew gave an exciting detail in their reports and the science team at mission control nerded out. reminded me of those deep sea diving videos where marine biologists laugh at creatures they've never seen before

victor saying "hey babe" when he was told his wife was visiting in the viewing bay, hearing christina laugh in the background, and then him adding "i love you from the moon"

all of the clear & respectful communication about the light shade on the window. idk why it got me but it did. kind professionalism is crazy

pre-blackout goodbyes....real tears

"as we prepare to go out of radio communication, we’re still going to feel your love from Earth. and to all of you down there on Earth and around Earth, we love you, from the Moon." "when we burned this burn from the Moon, i said that we do not leave Earth, but we choose it. and that is always true. we will always choose Earth. we will always choose each other." come ONNNNN #hopecore #girlwhoisgoingtobeokay

the return speeches as well

"integrity, from Earth, our single system, fragile and interconnected, we copy. those of us that can are looking back."

seeing the integrity, the moon, and the earth all together in one shot. i took like 30 screenshots

mission control literally jumping up and down over impact flares

everything about the eclipse shot including the radio-in saying it was too incredible to capture on camera and "we're going true sci-fi"

everything else

my coworker in her 70s looking over my shoulder every 20 minutes and gasping and saying "that's just so incredible......i hope my grandkids are seeing this"

locking fingers without even thinking about it as soon as their hands accidentally brush

pulling them in by their tie/scarf

leaning in for a kiss but hovering just out of reach with a tiny, smug smile

kneeling before them to help put their shoes on or take them off

grabbing them by their chin when they're mouthing off

sitting on their lap facing them, putting arms over their shoulders and leaning in with a small grin

slowly approaching as the other walks backwards until their back hits the wall

realizing the other is watching and making just the tiniest head tilt and smirk, but it's enough to frazzle their partner

resting their hand on the other's knee, absentmindendly rubbing their hand up their thigh

“If she’s got the temperament for it, she should try her luck inland,” they advise. “No point her starting a temple here if she’d find her people elsewhere, with a little searching.”

At first, your parents are reluctant to send you away. Though you’re well-behaved and diligent in your chores, you’re a sickly child with no God to worship. And besides, you’ve always been the dreamy type–inclined to lose track of time watching the path of rain droplets chasing down the window, or the fronds of an anemone as it sways in a rock pool.

Instead, they send you to the temple of the Storm to learn all you’ll need for your own God. You are happy there, for a time: making up beds and serving food to the castaways who pass through, keeping vigil at the lighthouse, burning incense and praying with the loyal widows and orphans of the drowned.

One such widow, an old, old lady, touches the mark on your forehead. “I recognise those letters. We wrote this way in the town where I grew up, way off past the mountains.”

Your heartbeat quickens. “What does it say!?”

She squints, eyes engulfed by wrinkles and hidden behind smudged glass. “A… Ar… Oh, I can’t remember how to speak it. I left before I learnt my letters properly. There was a war, you know. But I remember,” she says, mistily, “the most beautiful pink and white flowers used to grow, on the borders of the wheat fields…”

You try to ask more questions, but remembering the war distresses her, and so you speak of other things. When she’s drifted off to sleep, you get to your feet, go home and tell your parents: you are leaving in search of your God.

Step 1: Add some silly rule to the task to make it more interesting and whimsical.

Step 2: Pretend Sam Reich just told you to do it.

Here are a few examples that have worked for me recently.

My friend pointed it out first, and then I started noticing too. Why would books that multiple libraries definitely, 100% had digital access to a couple of months/weeks/days ago disappear?

Amazon is getting exclusive rights to them.

Ebooks that the public library once had digital copies of are now only available through Amazon. Audible boasts on their covers about Audible-exclusive audiobooks that did not used to be Audible-exclusive. Entire series and collections are disappearing overnight.

a dick

he/him pronouns

XY chromosomes

things you DO need to be a man

the swiftness of a coursing river

the force of a great typhoon

the strength of a raging fire

the mysteriousness of the dark side of the moon

^this post was brought to you by LGBT^

Let's

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Business

Lilith, a figure of immense complexity and enduring fascination, has intrigued scholars, mystics, and artists for centuries. Her narrative spans ancient Mesopotamian mythology, Jewish folklore, Christian tradition, and modern reinterpretations. This comprehensive study of Lilith sheds light on her multifaceted nature and the diverse ways she has been perceived and venerated throughout history.

Origins of Lilith

Before she was a feminist icon and a Pinterest board muse, Lilith had some humble beginnings. In ancient Mesopotamian texts, Lilith is depicted as a demon or spirit associated with the wind and storms. In Sumerian mythology, she is referred to as "Lilitu," a dangerous, winged demon who preyed on pregnant women and infants. Talk about a dramatic entrance into history!

Her first gig was a cameo in the "Gilgamesh" epic, one of the oldest known literary works, where she’s hanging out in the Huluppu Tree, likely causing some trouble. Clearly, Lilith was destined for bigger things than just being a wind spirit with a bad rep.

Lilith’s character gets a serious makeover as she moves into Jewish mythology, proving that even ancient beings can rebrand. Enter the "Alphabet of Ben Sira," a medieval text that gives Lilith a juicy backstory: She was the first wife of Adam, made from the same earth. But unlike Eve, Lilith wasn’t about that subservient life. She wanted equality and independence, which led to her dramatic exit to the Red Sea. It’s like the first season finale of a supernatural drama!

In later Jewish folklore, particularly in the Kabbalah, Lilith evolves again, this time into a demoness associated with the dangers of childbirth and the seduction of men. Think of her as the original femme fatale, with protective amulets and incantations used to ward off her malevolent influence, especially around newborns and mothers.

Lilith didn’t stop there; she made her way into Christian tradition too. While she doesn't get as much screen time here, early Christian writings often drew on Jewish traditions, portraying her as a symbol of evil and temptation. By the Medieval and Renaissance periods, Lilith was all over art and literature, often depicted as a dangerous temptress. She was sometimes conflated with Eve or the Whore of Babylon, representing the archetypal fallen woman. Medieval artists and writers sure knew how to milk a scandal.

Lilith in Modern Culture

Fast forward to the present day, and Lilith is everywhere – from feminist manifestos to your favorite TV shows. Modern views often celebrate Lilith as a symbol of female empowerment and independence.

Feminist scholars and writers have reclaimed Lilith as the ultimate rebel with a cause. Her story is a powerful narrative of a woman who chose autonomy and self-determination over subjugation. This reinterpretation has inspired various works of literature, art, and activism. It’s like Lilith went from the misunderstood villain to the anti-heroine we all secretly root for.

Lilith’s presence in popular culture is extensive, spanning literature, film, television, and music. She’s a bit of a cultural chameleon, appearing in all sorts of contexts.

Literature: Lilith shows up in works by authors like George MacDonald and Neil Gaiman, often as a complex and powerful figure.

Television and Film: Shows like "Supernatural" and "True Blood" have featured Lilith as a character, usually emphasizing her demonic and seductive traits.

Music: The Lilith Fair, a music festival founded by Sarah McLachlan, celebrates female musicians and draws inspiration from Lilith's mythological legacy. You know you've made it when you have a festival named after you!

Lilith in Modern Paganism and Occultism

Lilith holds a significant place in modern pagan and occult practices. She is revered by some as a goddess, a symbol of liberation, and a guide for personal transformation.

In modern pagan traditions, Lilith is often honored as a goddess of independence, sexuality, and feminine power. Rituals and invocations dedicated to Lilith emphasize her role as a protector of women and a source of strength. It's like she’s the spiritual equivalent of Wonder Woman, but with more edge.

Lilith's association with dark and forbidden knowledge makes her a potent figure in various occult traditions. Practitioners of witchcraft, ceremonial magic, and other esoteric disciplines often invoke Lilith for empowerment and transformation. She’s the go-to gal for those looking to add a bit of dark feminine energy to their practice.

Lilith's journey from ancient demon to modern icon reflects the evolving nature of mythology and the power of reinterpretation. Whether seen as a malevolent spirit, a symbol of feminist resistance, or a goddess of empowerment, Lilith continues to captivate and inspire. Her story is a testament to the enduring human need to explore, challenge, and redefine the archetypes that shape our understanding of the world.

Further Reading and Sources

For those interested in delving deeper into the study of Lilith, the following sources provide extensive information and diverse perspectives:

Black, Jeremy A., and Anthony Green. Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia: An Illustrated Dictionary. University of Texas Press, 1992.

Leick, Gwendolyn. A Dictionary of Ancient Near Eastern Mythology. Routledge, 1991.

Patai, Raphael. The Hebrew Goddess. Wayne State University Press, 1990.

Schwartz, Howard. Lilith's Cave: Jewish Tales of the Supernatural. Oxford University Press, 1988.

Baskin, Judith R. Midrashic Women: Formations of the Feminine in Rabbinic Literature. University Press of New England, 2002.

Pagels, Elaine. Adam, Eve, and the Serpent. Vintage Books, 1989.

Ostriker, Alicia. Feminist Revision and the Bible. Blackwell Publishers, 1993.

Hurwitz, Siegmund. Lilith: The First Eve: Historical and Psychological Aspects of the Dark Feminine. Daimon Verlag, 1999.

Gaiman, Neil. The Sandman: Season of Mists. Vertigo, 1992.

MacDonald, George. Lilith. Chatto & Windus, 1895.

Hutton, Ronald. The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft. Oxford University Press, 1999.

Farrar, Stewart, and Janet Farrar. A Witches' Bible: The Complete Witches' Handbook. Phoenix Publishing, 1996.