Please, Spread This For Those Who Might Need It Right Now

I dont know who to ask and the internet is not giving me much but, is incense dangerous to animals? I really like burning incense for spells, cleansing and generally bringing a nice smell to my house, but i also want to get pet rats and i dont know how those two will work together. Is there anything i can substitute for incense in spells etc or what should i do in general?

WITCH SAFETY 101: HERBS / ESSENTIAL OILS / INCENSE AND PETS

Hi! It is ok to burn incense with pets as long as they are in a separate room away from the smoke. Cats are risky because they don’t have the enzyme we have to break down essential oil particles but things like lavender are safer. Since rats are usually in cages most of the time, as long as you keep them in the cage in a separate room, and after, let the room air out through the windows for an hour... It should be safe.

Incense is safe as long as you keep it in a different room than your animals because certain animals can be more sensitive than others. 

Rats have a very sensitive sense of smell that even little things can disrupt their respiratory system. So make sure you don't burn it for too long and be very careful about what you burn. And to make sure you burn it far away from the rat.

It is your choice if you want to eliminate all risks or limit them. I have 2 cats, and as long as I have followed these safety precautions (5 years), they have never gotten sick or lethargic. 

I’ve actually seen some fear-mongering posts that say if you burn anything in the house it will automatically kill your animals. While this is good information to keep people from posing a risk to their pets, if you take proper precautions, it should be ok if your animal does not suffer from (Breathing problems, bad liver, or a heart condition. When in reality, if your pet is suffering from essential oil/incense poisoning, it will not kill them in a single day, but poses a risk if you ignore the symptoms. You will see the symptoms as follows:

Dizziness (You can tell by your animal's eyes rolling back and forth)

Vomiting

Shaking and tremoring

excessive drooling

diarrhea

Collapse or seizures

Lethargy, depression, or dullness

If you see any of these symptoms, contact a vet immediately.

Safety precautions:

- Keep your pets away from smoke/diffuser and in a different room

- Make sure to clean the area if something spilled

- Keep what you're burning high up

- Work in a highly ventilated area

- Keep it away from fabrics and carpets.

Remember that these incense/herbs/oils are toxic to rats:

- Peppermint + Eucalyptus (Will kill them instantly don’t do it)

- Jasmine

- Lavender 

- Black pepper

- Rosemary

- Oregano

- Sage 

Part 2: If all else fails

Take a pot of water, boil some vanilla extract, orange peel, and star anise, and it will make your house smell wonderful. You can substitute incense for beeswax candles anointed with special oils and herbs that are nontoxic to rats!

Medical Sources:

Cats:

https://emergencyvetsusa.com/scents-that-are-bad-for-cats-dogs

https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/blog/essential-oils-cats/

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/essential-oil-and-liquid-potpourri-poisoning-in-cats

https://www.today.com/pets/essential-oils-danger-cats-warning-signs-look-t121300

Dogs:

https://emergencyvetsusa.com/scents-that-are-bad-for-cats-dogs

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/essential-oil-and-liquid-potpourri-poisoning

https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-safety-tips/essential-oils-dogs/

https://coralvilleanimalhospital.com/news/essential-oil-diffusers-and-your-pet

Rats:

https://animalknowhow.com/what-essential-oils-are-safe-for-rats/

https://luciesapothecary.com/essential-oils/essential-oils-pet-safety/

http://pghspayvac.com/essential-oils-toxic-for-cats-dogs-rabbits-birds

Reptiles:

https://eluxemagazine.com/culture/articles/which-essential-oils-can-hurt-your-pets/

https://www.animalaromatherapy.com/educate-empower/safety/fish-reptiles/

Birds:

https://www.thesprucepets.com/are-essential-oils-safe-for-birds-4587493

https://eluxemagazine.com/culture/articles/which-essential-oils-can-hurt-your-pets/

https://organicaromas.com/blogs/aromatherapy-and-essential-oils/is-it-safe-to-use-essential-oils-around-birds

https://callmeoil.com/essential-oils-that-are-safe-for-birds/

I hope this helps!

I’m not even sorry, this is my fave season 🎃

can we like…get rid of the so-called leather and rubber “pride flags” ? it’s honestly ridiculous and offensive to the lgbtq community. those aren’t pride flags. 

I found a lady statue with an umbrella at Goodwill and want to paint her to look like Lady Dimitrescu to sell on Etsy, but I’ve watched a single playthrough of Resident Evil three years ago and it was Corpse playing so I really don’t remember any of the game itself. Can someone let me know if she has an umbrella please? I see there’s some umbrella symbol/symbolism surrounding her character and I can paint it to look like that, but I’m kind of lost. Any help would be appreciated !

what's up ! non-exhaustive list of stories featuring weird plants :

The Day of the Triffids, John Wyndham

The Night of the Triffids, Simon Clark

In the Tall Grass, Stephen King and Joe Hill

The Boats of the 'Glen Carrig', William Hope Hodgson

The Man Whom the Trees Loved, Algernon Blackwood

The Red Tree, Caitlín R. Kiernan

Annihilation, Jeff VanderMeer

The Willows, Algernon Blackwood

The Nature of Balance, Tim Lebbon

'Bloom', John Langan

The Ruins, Scott Smith

The Wise Friend, Ramsey Campbell

'The Green Man of Freetown', The Envious Nothing : A Collection of Literary Ruins, Curtis M. Lawson

The Beauty, Aliya Whiteley

The Ash-Tree, M.R. James

Canavan's Backyard, J.P. Brennan

Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Jack Finney

The Hollow Places, T. Kingfisher

'Reaching for Ruins', Crow Shine, Alan Baxter

'Vortex of Horror', Gaylord Sabatini

Hothouse, Brian W. Aldiss

Vaster than Empires and More Slow, Ursula K. Le Guin

Odd Attachment, Ian M. Banks

Deathworld #1, Harry Harrison

The Bridge, John Skipp and Craig Spector

'The Garden of Paris', Eric Williams

Apartment Building E, Malachi King

The Seed from the Sepulchre, Clark Ashton Smith

Rappaccini's Daughter, Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Nursery, Lewis Mallory

The Other Side of the Mountain, Michel Bernanos

The Vegetarian, Han Kang

Sisyphean, Dempow Torishima

The Root Witch, Debra Castaneda

Semiosis, Sue Burke

The Wolf in Winter, Charlie Parker #12, John Connolly

Perennials, Bryce Gibson

Relic, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Gwen, in Green, Hugh Zachary

The Voice in the Night, William Hope Hodgson

Ordinary Horror, David Searcy

The Family Tree, Sheri S. Tepper

The Book of Koli, Rampart Trilogy #1, M.R. Carey

Seeders, A.J. Colucci

Concrete Jungle, Brett McBean

The Plant, Stephen King

Anthologies/collections :

The Roots of Evil: Weird Stories of Supernatural Plants, edited by Michel Parry

Chlorophobia: An Eco-Horror Anthology, edited by A.R. Ward

Roots of Evil: Beyond the Secret Life of Plants, edited by Carlos Cassaba

The Green Man: Tales from the Mythic Forest, edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling

Sylvan Dread: Tales of Pastoral Darkness, Richard Gavin

Evil Roots: Killer Tales of the Botanical Gothic, edited by Daisy Butcher

Weird Woods: Tales From the Haunted Forests of Britain, edited by John Miller

'But fungi aren't plants' :

The Fungus, Harry Adam Knight

Growing Things and Other Stories, Paul Tremblay

The Girl with All the Gifts, M.R. Carey

Mexican Gothic, Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Fruiting Bodies, and Other Fungi, Brian Lumley

'The Black Mould', The Age of Decayed Futurity, Mark Samuels

What Moves the Dead, T. Kingfisher

The House Without a Summer, DeAnna Knippling

Mungwort, James Noll

Fungi, edited by Orrin Grey and Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Trouble with Lichen, John Wyndham

Notes :

all links lead to the goodreads page of the book, mostly because i like to look at book cover art ;

list features authors/books that i love (T. Kingfisher, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Ursula K. Le Guin, the collections from the British Library Tales of the Weird, etc.), but also a few that i don't like and some that i have not yet read ;

if upon seeing that list the first novel you check out is by Stephen King's you have not understood the assignment ;

not all of those are strictly horror stories, some are 100% science fiction (Brian W. Aldiss' Hothouse for instance).

Why does being a fan of Eddie Munson have to be some sort of social crime? I cant wear a Hellfire shirt in public without being crazy or odd. No buying shit for bands and older versions of D&D that I didn’t really think about liking till the show reintroduced me to them cause it makes me a poser and a wanna be of someone.

No cosplays or quoting, no sharing my opinion on how I feel the season should have went, no mentioning his name in conversation, and definitely no being inspired by his character to embrace myself and interests.

It is oh so frustrating to know that not only in person in the small town I live in but online people STILL get backlash and hate for enjoying his character. Always grouped with the fans who made some pretty poor choices and that makes us all disgusting or what “ruined” a fandom like not every piece of media has that side. It has been since 2021 and it still doesn’t tire these people out!

Its a character who is shown as an outcast and OFCOURSE it will bring out the “weird” people to be themselves! Its not a crime and definitely doesn’t deserve your constant bullying. No one is hurting you and even then you deal with that one individual not treat everyone in the community the same way. Not knock down their works(art, writing, music, or otherwise) because you disagree! To not welcome people into the rest of the community or allow them to enjoy other pop culture attached is vile.

Interests are how people grow to become their own person! Especially teenagers and young adults whose mental development doesn’t stop till they are 25!!!! NEVER and I mean never treat people like shit because of something they like even as specific as a character! Its not your business or responsibility to make them feel the need to make you comfortable!

If you feel differently that is fine but I wont welcome it on my page especially when I already face the hardship of homophobia and transphobia here already!

END OF STORY!

As above, so below (my socks feel bad rolled up and unrolled)

📚 QUEERBOOK 2024 is hereee! We made a book by and for LGBTQ+ youth! 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

Last year, we asked LGBTQ+ youth: what's your idea of a "queer utopia?"

Not gonna lie - with more than 150 bills introduced in 35 states in 2023 that aimed to restrict student access to inclusive and diverse books and other library materials, the theme felt pretty radical.

And you DELIVERED. With the help of our Youth Voices (amazing queer youth activists from across the country), we compiled your amazing submissions of poetry, short essays and letters, visual art, photography, and more into Queerbook 2024. Like a yearbook, it captures what queer youth are feeling, going through, and hoping for - right here, right now across the U.S.

It's also no accident that it's the perfect small-ish size to stash in your locker or backpack so you can crack it open any time you're looking for some queer connection. :3

Read some more about the book and grab your own limited-run copy of Queerbook 2024 now here.

Dysphoria Tips Masterpost

Emery, Lee, and Charlie say:

Hey, everyone! Dysphoria is a real pain in the butt to deal with, and we know it can be difficult to find ways to lessen it or distract yourself from it. You don’t need to have dysphoria to be transgender, but many (if not most) trans people do have dysphoria. And gender dysphoria (for those who have it) just sucks. 

Since we get a lot of asks from people who are looking for tips to help manage their dysphoria, we thought we would make a masterpost to help everyone out. So, this is some added advice from the mods on coping with it! The key is distraction, and trying to remember that it will get better one day. Here we go!

Articles and Posts About How To Deal With Dysphoria

Dysphoria when you have to sleep

Dysphoria when you have to go swimming

Dysphoria that prevents you from leaving the house/doing activities of daily living

Disablity-friendly dysphoria tips

Dysphoria on vacation

A coping tip

Body neutrality

Dysphoria while at camp

Motivating yourself to socialize

Calming down when you can’t correct people who deadname you

Overcoming invalidation

Staying clean when you have dysphoria about showering

Shower dysphoria

More on shower dysphoria

WikiHow to cope with gender dysphoria

9 strategies for dealing with body dysphoria

How do I deal with dysphoria?

20 Small Things To Do When Gender Dysphoria Gets You Down

25 Things I Do To Make My Body Dysphoria Feel Smaller and Quieter

More on coping with dysphoria

Dealing with dysphoria

A post with suggestions for coping with dysphoria

Take care of your mental health

8 tips for managing dysphoria and mental health

Waiting for or in-between surgeries

Wishing I was cis

Transfeminine-Specific

Transfeminine Dysphoria Tips

More dysphoria tips

Hip dysphoria

Transfeminine Period Dyphoria

Having sex or masturbating

In-the-closet transfeminine dysphoria tips

More in-the-closet transfeminine dysphoria tips

Transfeminine resource page

Songs

Virtual makeover

Dysphoria about not being able to birth a child

Height dysphoria

Our Transfeminine resources have a ton of info that can help you wherever you are in your transition, from finding breast forms, DIY voice training, clothing styles, info on medical transitioning, and more! So check out all the links in the Transfeminine resources!

Transmasculine-Specific

Transmasculine dysphoria

Dysphoria when you have to wear a dress

Dysphoria and periods

Masturbation with dysphoria

Binding when you don’t have a binder

Height dysphoria

Hip dysphoria

Our Transmasculine resources also have tons of helpful stuff for people at any stage of transition, including info on how to get short hair when your family doesn’t want you to, info on medically transitioning, passing tips, packer info, and more! So check out all the links in the Transmasculine resources!

Non-binary specific:

How to feel more androgynous

Mix and Match Androgynous Swimwear For People Of Any Gender

Practical Androgyny

Formal Tips for Nonbinary Cuties

Activewear for the androgyne aesthetic

Our Non-binary resources has a bit of stuff on non-binary medical transition, pronouns, gender neutral language, and more!

General Tips

Making a music playlist of your favorite songs! 

You can also explore new music on YouTube, or check out some CDs from your local library.

We had a whole assortment of recommendations a while ago for music that helps people when they feel dysphoric because they can sing along. You could try to sing along to music, or lip synch if that makes you feel better, or just listen to your fav songs!

Cleaning or tidying and/or doing laundry; doing something to make your environment/surroundings better can also give you a sense of accomplishment.

Name and pronoun affirmations 

You can make yourself some cards with your name and pronouns on them and carry them with you, or doodle in a notebook or make virtual edits and/or ask supportive friends and family to verbally participate in these affirmations

Wearing clothes that you feel good in (shoes, hats, dresses, sweaters, accessories etc.)

Taking up a hobby that you find enjoyable (skateboarding, making bracelets, writing, learning a new language, playing an instrument, joining a tabletop gaming club, etc.)

Watching YouTube videos (let’s-plays are Emery’s fav, and Lee likes music videos)

Dyeing your hair and/or getting a haircut (this can make you feel like a million bucks). 

Info on getting short hair is here for transmasc people!

Transfemme people could try buying some cute hairclips or headbands from CVS or another store, which are small enough to easily hide if you’re in the closet.

Check out our dysphoria tag! You’ll see other suggestions on things to do, and Qs from other people who are dysphoric. Remember, you aren’t alone.

Journal about how you feel. 

You could have one journal for negative things, because it feels good to get them out, and another journal for positivity and notes to yourself. Or you could write everything all in one place, it’s up to you. 

You could also post on a private sideblog, or type in notes on your phone if you don’t have access to a physical journal

Practice some grounding/calming/meditation techniques.

Soothing grounding exercise 

Physical grounding exercise

Mental grounding exercise

Grounding techniques 

It’s a good idea to do something that makes you feel extra valid as your gender, like packing, binding, tucking, and wearing breast forms.

Maybe trans feminine individuals could put on makeup, or clear nail polish, or use flower-scented body wash when they shower. We have info on tucking here.

Trans masculine people could put on a button up, or masculine-coded clothing, or make a beard with makeup. We have info on binding without a binder here, and packing without a packer here.

Practicing Self-care, ex. taking a bath with a bath bomb (if that doesn’t induce dysphoria) to wind down.  Maybe having tea and going to bed early?

You feel like sh*t: interactive self care

Talking to and getting in touch with other trans friends/people you may know, who will understand what you’re going through and are willing to support you is important!

If you don’t have a GSA at your school, PFLAG meetings in a nearby town, or any other local LGBT support groups, online community can be helpful too.

Take a walk and/or exercise a bit!! Even if you’re unable to do that because of disabilities, get some fresh air and new scenery if you can.

Find little things to appreciate about your body, or try not to think about it at all. Remember, this is about what helps you best, and it’s different for everyone.

Spend time with a pet, if you have one!

Try to work on planning your transition. Have a goal, and plan how you’ll get there.

Gather information about legally changing your name where you live when you turn 18 or the age of legal adulthood, read up on the effects of hormones, look at different surgery techniques and surgeons and prices, etc. We have info on some of the above in our transfeminine and transmasculine resource pages.

Start saving money now, even if it’s only a few dollars a month, or a few coins. When you turn 18, you’ll be informed and ready to start your transition, even if it involves saving money for a few years after to be able to afford it if your insurance doesn’t cover it fully. It’s possible, and you can do it! 

Watch other people’s transition videos, and read their transition blogs. Again, this may help or make it worse, but you will be better prepared.

Go to your local public library and read a book, if you can! That might distract you, and it can be either fun or educational or both. 

You can also see if they have any programs/events coming up, or see if they have any museum/zoo passes you could check out.

Listen to music, wear comfy clothes, curl up with a blanket, and chill out. Be cozy!

Have a countdown until you’re 18 (you could use an app or write it in a calendar) or a countdown until you’re able to get a new shirt, or whatever you’re looking forward to. Countdowns can be motivating.

Get organized! Clean things, sort through your things, make lists of what you need to do, color code, or whatever you want. It’ll help take your mind off things, and you’ll be helping yourself later.

Make your own Activity list of things you can do to help with dysphoria or distract yourself. Try to include as many healthy options as you can!

Include 3 things minimum that you know you’ll be able to do, like putting on affirming underwear or going on a walk for example, but make sure it’s three things specifically that you can do. 

Include 3 goals you will have to work harder to do, like maybe exercising or filling out a DBT or CBT worksheet.

Tips For When Dysphoria Makes You Want To Self-Harm

Holding an ice cube in your hand

Writing in a journal (it can be extremely therapeutic)

Listening to music

Playing a video game (a puzzle game or fighting game might be particularly helpful since they require a lot of concentration)

Going for a walk (exercise can produce feel-good endorphins in your brain)

Watching a funny youtube video or doing tongue-twisters (laughter also produces endorphins)

Taking a hot shower (they’re particularly great for relieving tension)

Practicing breathing techniques (inhale for 8 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds and Belly breathing)

Drinking tea (something like chamomile, mint, or peppermint is best)

Coloring (I personally really like ones that feature Disney characters!)

You can google “Coloring pages” and just print some out! I (Lee) like mandalas

Reach out to a friend or family member; they can distract you, and it’s harder to do anything when you’re in the company of others.

We have more info on coping when you want to self-harm here.

Take care of your mental health! You can try getting a therapist and being in therapy, and take a peek at a few of the things below:

Awareness of unhealthy thinking styles

Distress tolerance skills

Distress tolerance activities

Panic list for distress tolerance

Improving distress

How to make a comfort box

Emotion regulation skills

Emotion regulation worksheet

Problem goal framework

Mindfulness of your current emotion

Letting Go of Painful Emotions

Vicious cycle and alternatives

What will help?

Positive self-talk

Self-validation

Behavioral Activation

STOPP worksheet

Triggers

Coping with dissociation

Handling dissociation

10 Tips on How to Work Through Feelings of Social Isolation

An interactive self-care guide

Anxiety Masterpost

Check our Mental health page for tips on dealing with specific issues

YouTube Videos That Talk About Dysphoria

FTM ~ what is dysphoria (uppercaseCHASE1, white transman YouTuber)

NON-BINARY DYSPHORIA?? (OutOfThisBinary, a channel run by several nonbinary YouTubers)

HOW I MANAGED DYSPHORIA (Kat Blaque, black trans woman YouTuber)

QAC 26 - Gender Dsyphoria: It’s Complicated. (a rant) (QueerAsCat, black afab nonbinary YouTuber)

DRAW MY LIFE (princessjoules, Vietnamese trans woman YouTuber) Tw: mentions of transphobia and abuse

Distract yourself! Watch TV, play video games, or do craft, or waste a few minutes on one of the websites below:

tap the keyboard to play the piano (Tw: flashing lights)

listen to rain

cute little games

click on the ad to donate food to pet shelters

free rice.com

NASA pic of the day

gibberish essay typer for fun

military time clock that changes color

play echogenesis (basically click on stuff and listen to music)

make designs

drag your mouse for an expressionist painting

this website just says “heeey” and “hoo” repeatedly

do nothing for 2 minutes

look at calming scenes and listen to relaxing music

sound effect drums

dramatic music plays while the things you type fall off into space

click on the boxes to make electronic music

comic asteroids explode

colorful sand layers

whale follows your cursor

watch indie movies

rabbit: watch netflix online with a friend

watch netflix with a friend

find the song that was playing in that show/movie

How to Download Songs or other Audio from Tumblr

infinite jukebox

play all the music posted on a tumblr blog

code academy: learn to code

learn a new language

learn new stuff

learn sign language

draw something or edit pics

make homemade playdough

make stress balls

print mandalas to color

cool crafts

Our Suicide Hotlines and Crisis Resources is a list of places you could contact to talk to someone if you’re feeling suicidal. Please, reach out and get help. We can’t answer suicidal asks, but we care about you.

Reblog this and tell us how you deal with dysphoria!

Something about how the Eye’s always been there. About how Jon’s voice starts slow and monotone in the first season, when he still doubts these statements. Something about how, toward the middle of the statement, before the thing happens, he takes a breath where the victim took a breath, where their thoughts stumbled. About how he reads them and laughs when they do, and how his tone changes.

Something about how, in Mag 33, Tim was asking Jon why he classified things under the wrong date, someone’s name was wrong, something was cross-referenced wrong…he Knew all along, and had no idea he did.

Something about how he knew everything since the beginning, he read the statements as if they were his own stories, with fear and questions and scoffs and stutters. Something about how the Eye’s been in him since he worked above the basement.

Something about how Jon would read each statement and give what seemed to be an initial reaction to the content—shock, fear, ‘more spiders’— and then say “I had Martin look into this,” and then explain what they followed the case with, even though this seems to be the first time he’s read it. About how the Eye looked into every case, or set it before any of the gang and had them look into it before Jon could read it.

And now, something about how the computer voice fades. How Jon’s voice is still there, how he’s still real. How he’s real on his own terms, in computers still run by the Eye. How he can’t escape but he’s still listed as “unknown” on his Wiki page. Something about how Jon Simms is still out there and still being human through these wires.

Something about how the Eye’s known and loved Jon, and how the Eye still crinkles when someone tells a lie and how Jon’s still human enough in there to read these statements to everyone, listening or not.