𝓀𝒶𝓇𝓂𝒶 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒸𝒽

Below gives insight into how one might prepare for a child during pregnancy, their hopes and potential as a mother/parent. The 5th House rules over creation, legacy, and pregnancy.

Aries/Mars in the 5th House = Confident in their decisions as they prepare, leader of the household and will be giving orders that must be followed - is the captain now, is very brave with their pregnancy, could try to do everything on their own at times, Mars tends to be associated with an unexpected or impulsive pregnancy (could be unplanned or a planned birth that is premature), could find their assertion and inner warrior through pregnancy, won't hesitate to take care of their own needs, passionate and enthusiastic in their anticipation.

Taurus/Libra/Venus in the 5th House = There is a great focus on getting ready in the material and financial world, their environment must be stable, works hard to make the nursery and home welcoming and comfortable, works hard to make their self as comfortable as possible during pregnancy too, is very protective and cautious around pregnancy, Venus in particular is debated to indicate a very smooth or "easy" pregnancy.

Gemini/Virgo/Mercury in the 5th House = SO MUCH RESEARCH - parenting books and blogs, singing and talking to the belly often, may like to be part of support groups or around other pregnant woman or mothers of newborns, Virgo in particular can be highly critical of themselves during pregnancy and/or critical of their family in relation to the pregnancy, some debate Mercury and Gemini could indicate twins, very good at sticking to healthy habits, vitamins, and eating, may need a lot of verbal reassurance at times.

Cancer/Moon in the 5th House = May have a lot of expectations about being a mom/parent, could idolize this part of their life, can be highly sensitive and introspective during their pregnancy, is SUPER protective and may be very selective about who is in their life now, their emotional and intuitive connection to their baby may seem supernatural, is good at nurturing themselves and the baby, is associated with being highly fertile, may be attracted to ideas of a natural birth, breast feeding, or other natural methods in pregnancy and babyhood, may seek a lot of advice or become inspired by their own mother or grandmothers.

Leo/Sun in the 5th House = Goddess levels and attitude towards motherhood/parenthood, can be demanding during pregnancy, it is all about HER until the baby is born, isn't afraid to make pregnancy a little fun in their preparations - maybe they get really creative with the nursery or finds a lot of joy in getting to know other expecting mothers/parents, with the Sun in particular their identity may be changed in pregnancy, maybe they makes their identity all about being a mom/parent, or may highly project their identity onto the baby in pregnancy and babyhood, is devoted and adoring to their child and very proud of the both of them.

Scorpio/Pluto in the 5th House= Pregnancy may force them to deal with deep and important questions, might heal themselves during or through pregnancy somehow, could be introspective during pregnancy and may be tempted to isolate at times, there are themes with control such as becoming highly controlling during pregnancy, taking control of their own life, or refusing to let anyone control them, is perceptive and intuitive towards their pregnancy and child, may become softer and more compassionate through pregnancy, crazy pregnancy dreams and intense cravings.

Sagittarius/Jupiter in the 5th House = Won't let pregnancy slow them down or restrict them, could face important questions about responsibility and sacrifice, excited and impatient about the pregnancy, curious about other women's/parent's experiences, can approach pregnancy in a very open-minded way somehow, pregnancy may be a strong spiritual experience, makes decisions quickly, can gain a lot of wisdom from pregnancy, some debate Jupiter in particular indicates having multiple pregnancies close together or having twins or more at one time, the cravings may drive them crazy, could somehow have a "lucky', "blessed", or maybe "easy" pregnancy.

Capricorn/Saturn in the 5th House = Wants to be a hardworking parent, wants to mentor as a parent or maybe mentor and guide others in pregnancy and motherhood/parenthood, fantasizes or plans to "master" motherhood/parenthood, looks forward to or takes on the authority and respect of motherhood/parenthood, Saturn in particular can be associated with fear and insecurity about being a parent but also overcoming that fear, will only become a mother/parent once they are truly ready, may be tempted to do everything on their own or feel like they have to, can be controlling during pregnancy and don't mess with their routine and organization, is very serious about their potential and preparing for their child.

Aquarius/Uranus in the 5th House = Can be very particular in their pregnancy but also confident, pregnancy may be daunting or force them to mature, will have unconventional views and approaches to pregnancy, somehow this pregnancy could be a rebellion or liberation for them, places a lot of importance on the society and community they will be raising their child in, may try to change the world for their children or take a "having children and raising them to make the world a better place" stance, Uranus in particular is associated with unexpected birth (early or late) or unplanned pregnancy and adoption or surrogacy as well, Uranus is also associated with choosing to not have children, may want to connect with other pregnant woman or moms of newborns, could want a lot of social reassurance and activity during pregnancy, may have unique symptoms and cravings.

Life on planet Earth will always have an element of unsatisfactoriness. This may range from full-blown hellish suffering to simply wanting more despite having so much already. There is no creature on this Earth that is without some form of suffering.

The cause of the unsatisfactoriness is existential confusion. Because we don’t know what we are, we take ourselves to be what we are not: a body, a mind, an agenda, a history with an intended future, a personality. All creatures seek happiness and avoid suffering. But what we think will bring us happiness and what we think will cause us suffering both depend on who we think we are. If we do not know who and what we actually are, we will never know how to really be happy and how to truly be free from suffering.

Existential confusion is not permanent and can be ended. Over the millennia, there have been humans who have realized enlightenment and became free. There is nothing preventing you from doing the same.

There is a path available that features deliberate practice to end existential confusion: the Dharma. Dharma is the no-nonsense, just-the-facts approach to finding insight into your existential condition and enjoying freedom from its limitations. More information and guidance is available today than any other time in history.

Some people suffer too much and it makes it almost impossible to practice the path. If you are one such person, do not give up. There are adjustments you can make to support you. And it is our job to find ways to help reduce your suffering so that you can practice.

Other people suffer too little. Due to their privilege and/or immense good fortune, they have not suffered enough in this life to allow them to realize something is wrong. They haven’t noticed this sense of unsatisfactoriness even though it drives much of their daily activity.

However, the majority of humans fall in-between those extremes. So why are they not on the path?

Either they haven’t encountered clear and true teachings, they were never told freedom is possible, they have yet to see clearly their own suffering, or they have yet to clearly discern the cause of their own suffering.

These Four Noble Truths of the Buddha are The Good News that buddhists offer the world. Contemplate each for yourself:

Are you suffering? Are you unsatisfied? Do you feel a lack of wholeness? What elements of your daily life trouble you? Why?

Regarding your answers to #1, ask yourself how your identity plays a role. How might your sense of self, your sense of being an individual, be a cause behind your suffering?

Have you ever tasted freedom from your sense of self? Or tasted a freedom that is beyond this human world and its unsatisfactoriness? Think about what that was like and how it differs from your ordinary feeling of pleasure or happiness from daily life.

Ask yourself what you are doing to free yourself. Is it working? Does it make sense in light of the contemplations of #1-#3? Are you feeling enthusiastic about your path and practice? If you lack energy or motivation, it can help to return to these contemplations.

The Noble Truths were the first teaching of the Buddha and you can see why. It establishes the reasons to practice the path in earnest. 🙂

May all beings be free.

THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY (2010)

THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY (2010)

IT'S CALLED A BOQUILA TRIOFOLIOLATA AND IT'S FUCKING WITH MY BRAIN

IT APPARENTLY CAN MIMIC OTHER PLANTS AND AT FIRST I WAS LIKE "oh cool man it must take it's genetic code and copy it or feel the roots or something like that!! :3"

AND THEN I READ AN ARTICLE ON IT AND THESE FUCKING PARAGRAPHS HIT ME LIKE A BUS

LIKE READ THIS SHIT

Spirited Away (2001), dir. Hayao Miyazaki

I present to you a different idea.

There’s several themes behind Spirited Away: Capitalism’s effect on Japan, Environmental issues, and notably, Chihiro’s coming of age story.

From what I know, the idea of time passing differently in spirit worlds, is more based on western stories of the fae. 

But something more common in Japanese folklore is spirit trickery/deception. Or more accurately. What you see, isn’t always what’s actually there.  Chihiro starts this story as a young child, before her coming-of-age arc, that more or less forces her to become ‘an adult’. More accurately. The challenges she faces makes her mature as a person. What’s the most common thing in folklore? Children see what’s actually there.