Lunar Phases - October 2021
"I witch you a Happy Halloween!"
Announcements
•Please give a huge congratulations to LEVITY, BRESSA and APPA for being
promoted to apprentice administrator! Good luck with your training!•Congratulations to DEVASKA for joining the Art Review Team!
•Congratulations to TOTEM and GHRIMELDA for being promoted to Gamma!
•Also congratulate GHRIMELDA for joining the Forum Moderation Team!
•Wolfhome Administrator Applications are OPEN! Head over here and read the instructions carefully if you are interested in joining the administration! Good luck to all the applicants!
•Ensure to read Underdog's post about Chatland's zero tolerance policy on cyber-bullying. You can head over here to have a read, and remember, it is always better to be kind!
Event Committee Events
(C) Teak
This month is choc-FULL of exciting Events! You can view all current events by heading over HERE!
There are heaps of prizes to be won and stamps to be collected!
Remember, you can spend your earned stamps at Eventful's Treasure Chest
for awesome prizes!
This months event's include:
•Fall Food Favorites
•Mad-Libs
•Halloween Game and Movie nights
•Dress up the Guardian Contest
•Guess how many!
•Halloween Trivia
•Halloween Pumpkin Carving
•Wolfhome Caption Contest
•International Moon Viewing Day Photography
•Fall Food Favorites
•Mad-Libs
•Halloween Game and Movie nights
•Dress up the Guardian Contest
•Guess how many!
•Halloween Trivia
•Halloween Pumpkin Carving
•Wolfhome Caption Contest
•International Moon Viewing Day Photography
Member of the Month and Artist Spotlight - October
Congratulations to vivfox for being chosen to be Octobers Artist
Spotlight, and Teak for being chosen to be October's Member of the
Month! Don't forget to give them both a big congratulations for their
positive contributions to the community!
Artist Spotlight - vivfox!
How long have I been drawing? I don't remember the exactly age but somewhere around toddler-hood I picked up a pencil and never set it down. I don't know if its this that keeps me drawing but its what I love the most: you can create anything you want with a pencil. You paint, draw, doodle literally anything. There aren't rules, you can drawn an orange crocodile with a purple hat or you can draw up a whole world. It's a visual creation that is moreorless limitless with what you can create. Thats kind of like magic I think. Advice I have for other artists: 1. Stop looking outward for assurance. You'll never like your art, if you can't tell yourself that and believe it. Which you should, no one is a bad artist. 2. Own ourself, own your style, own your mistakes. You are beautiful, your art will only continue to get better. 3. Practice. Practice. Practice. Grab a tutorial off dA and practice following the steps. Look at pictures of everything and try to get a basic shape. Do reference studies until you can recreate the subject of the study organically on your own. Play with your brushes and settings. Get to know them. Thats really it :D
(c) vivfox
Member of the Month - Teak!
I've been on Wolfhome since late 2012 and I haven't really left since. I've had some pretty good memories here and got to know a lot of people. I volunteered here as an admin for 7 years and it was an unforgettable experience. I'm glad to have had that opportunity to give back to the community in some way. Now, I plan events on the event committee team. I'm 23 years old and I'm a high-school teacher who draws animals and wildlife. Animals and wildlife conservation is very close to my heart and is a common theme in my works. I love my pets (Sandy the dog, and 3 Betta fish) and I play games in my free time to wind down. Thank you so much for nominating me to be this month's MotM, I appreciate the opportunity and the recognition.
Don't forget, you can nominate a community member for Novembers MoTM and Artist Spotlight! Head over here if you'd like to nominate somebody! The Event Committee is always looking for nominations, and this is a fantastic way to recognize valuable contributors of the community.
Artist Spotlight - vivfox!
How long have I been drawing? I don't remember the exactly age but somewhere around toddler-hood I picked up a pencil and never set it down. I don't know if its this that keeps me drawing but its what I love the most: you can create anything you want with a pencil. You paint, draw, doodle literally anything. There aren't rules, you can drawn an orange crocodile with a purple hat or you can draw up a whole world. It's a visual creation that is moreorless limitless with what you can create. Thats kind of like magic I think. Advice I have for other artists: 1. Stop looking outward for assurance. You'll never like your art, if you can't tell yourself that and believe it. Which you should, no one is a bad artist. 2. Own ourself, own your style, own your mistakes. You are beautiful, your art will only continue to get better. 3. Practice. Practice. Practice. Grab a tutorial off dA and practice following the steps. Look at pictures of everything and try to get a basic shape. Do reference studies until you can recreate the subject of the study organically on your own. Play with your brushes and settings. Get to know them. Thats really it :D
(c) vivfox
Member of the Month - Teak!
I've been on Wolfhome since late 2012 and I haven't really left since. I've had some pretty good memories here and got to know a lot of people. I volunteered here as an admin for 7 years and it was an unforgettable experience. I'm glad to have had that opportunity to give back to the community in some way. Now, I plan events on the event committee team. I'm 23 years old and I'm a high-school teacher who draws animals and wildlife. Animals and wildlife conservation is very close to my heart and is a common theme in my works. I love my pets (Sandy the dog, and 3 Betta fish) and I play games in my free time to wind down. Thank you so much for nominating me to be this month's MotM, I appreciate the opportunity and the recognition.
Don't forget, you can nominate a community member for Novembers MoTM and Artist Spotlight! Head over here if you'd like to nominate somebody! The Event Committee is always looking for nominations, and this is a fantastic way to recognize valuable contributors of the community.
October Birthdays!
Happy birthday to these special October Wolfhomies!
If you'd like to add your birthday into our calendar, please head over to the Master List of Birthdays!
Kishori - 4th
Herb, gringo - 5th
Reika/veronique - 5th
Valter - 8th
If you'd like to add your birthday into our calendar, please head over to the Master List of Birthdays!
Kishori - 4th
Herb, gringo - 5th
Reika/veronique - 5th
Valter - 8th
Oki - 9th
Saoirse - 12th
Bodach - 14th
Mr English/Yuki - 24th
Petal - 22nd
Ixouron - 27th
Saoirse - 12th
Bodach - 14th
Mr English/Yuki - 24th
Petal - 22nd
Ixouron - 27th
Gossip and Advise
Article written by Cider
A Brief History of Black Cats
Spiders, bats, pumpkins, and ghouls are all classic symbols of Halloween. But one symbol is often also a part of our daily lives, the black cat. Black cats have long been associated with witchcraft, dark and stormy nights, and bad luck, but where did these dark associations come from? Maybe it harkens back to a long-forgotten history of humans huddling in caves, while fearsome creatures prowled just outside the fire’s light. Or maybe legends of witches transforming into mysterious creatures started these superstitions. Wherever the fear of black cats came from, it is most certainly unfounded. Black cats, and cats of all colors, make wonderful companions and can be lovely additions to any home.
Often thought of as the familiar to witches in the Middle Ages, black cats most likely were lumped in with bad feelings at at time in European history when superstition ruled much of human behavior. However, when you look further back, you will find that other cultures actually elevated black cats to a higher status and some even viewed them as vessels of godly powers. In Ancient Egypt, cats were held in the highest regard, and black cats particularly were seen as the hosts of divine beings. Bastet was the Egyptian goddess of the home, fertility, and protection from disease. Bastet had the head of a cat, and so she was a positive association for our feline friends. Other cultures had fruitful superstitions as well, including Japan, where black cats could be seen as signs for prosperity in finances and in love. Not all Europeans hated black cats either, in Ireland they were often seen as signs of good luck, and in France they were good omens of magical events to come.
One of the most infamous myths around black cats is that they will bring bad luck when they cross your path. This urban legend most likely ties back to medieval times when any animal with dark fur or feathers was thought to be a signal of impending death. In 16th century Italy, it was thought that a black cat would lay on a person’s sickbed soon before their death. And in some cultures, it was believed that another family member would die if a black cat was seen during a funeral. Worst of all, beginning in 13th century Europe, and lasting all through the 17th century witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts, black cats were killed along with anyone thought to be a witch due to their associations. Sadly, this dark time in European and United States history left a lasting impact on the reputation of black cats that persists to this day.
So, what is the truth about black cats? They are just like any other cat! Cats are wonderful animals that have taken our hearts from the time they first decided to cohabitate with humans. There is some debate on whether cats can truly be considered domesticated, since they are physiologically unchanged from before they came to human society, but either way, they are often welcome creatures in most homes. When humans switched from hunting and gathering nomadic lifestyles, our food storage and waste brought in many pests, including rodents. Noticing abundant food around human society, cats decided they would come around and began the domestication process around 7500 BCE. Since then, they have proliferated around human society and are a familiar sight in all parts of the world.
There are of course some risks associated with all cats, but none of them are caused specifically by black cats. One problem cats can cause is the decimation of bird populations. Cats are so well adapted to surviving in most environments that they have plenty of free time to hunt for fun. They can quickly become an invasive species in parts of the world where they don’t have natural predators, and this overpopulation, combined with their incredible hunting abilities, can kill 2.4 billion birds every year in the United States alone. For this reason, it is crucial to keep cats indoors, or only have them outside on a harness and leash or under close supervision. Cats also need to be spayed and neutered so that they don’t add to the problem of stray and feral cats. There are up to 160 million feral cats in the United States, and sadly over 860,000 cats are euthanized in animal shelters every year.
These numbers have very real consequences, especially for black cats. Black cats are much more likely to end up in animal shelters, and once they are there, they are much harder to home. The RSPCA reports that 70% of felines in their shelters are either black cats, or black and white. Tabby cats in shelters get 30 times more interest on social media than black cats! It’s sad to think that centuries-old superstitions still cause trouble for these sweet cats to this very day.
Next time you are looking to add a furry companion to your household, consider adopting a black cat. They are often anecdotally considered to be the friendliest cats with great personalities, and a lot of affection to give! You’ll also be helping to reduce their populations in animal shelters, and to end the stigma about their luck. If you already own a mini house panther, don’t forget to celebrate National Black Cat Day on October 27th, and have a happy Halloween!
Sources:
https://www.ethosvet.com/blog-post/wher ... r-bad-rep/
https://www.thesprucepets.com/black-cat-folklore-554444
https://www.ethosvet.com/blog-post/wher ... r-bad-rep/
https://www.nola.com/archive/article_eb ... ce68f.html
https://www.aspca.org/helping-people-pe ... 000%20cats).
https://nationaltoday.com/news/black-cats-shelters/
Article written by birdie
OCTOBER HOROSCOPE
OCTOBER 2021- The month to cleanse your life and find balance; but the road is a rocky one.
We’re getting close to fall, (or spring for you southern hemisphere types) and with Uranus still in retrograde, (which comes with the saying I absolutely adore: “change or die”) there’s change, change, change all around.
And this month, the glorious month of Libra and Scorpio, is a climactic one for change. October is very much matching with the signs that pass through it- we’re going to be searching for balance, and dealing with some serious deep thinking and passion.
Starting right from the get-go, we’ve got 7 planets in retrograde. (well, 8, but Mercury is specifically in Virgo, so I’ll get to that later.) Pluto, Saturn, and Jupiter will end their retrograde this month (on the 6th, 11th, and 18th respectively), so the first two weeks of October are going to feel the most chaotic and overwhelming. The entire month, though, there’s Ceres, (big time on Ceres- this one will pull very strongly for some) Uranus, Neptune, and Chiron. And what do all of these big rocks have in common? Change. Capital C, change. A lot of it being intrinsic change- if you’ve been putting off any sort of work on yourself, like breaking bad or harmful habits; this is going to be the time to do it. Keeping yourself stagnant, turning a blind eye to inner toxicity, or just not giving yourself the worth or love you rightly deserve, will make this a very, very tough time.
Uranus, as mentioned above before, (re: change or die) is going to be that quiet force in the back that’ll be enhancing the absolute need for change. This gassy ol’ thing will be in retrograde all the way until January, so accepting the changes you need to make is going to make life a whole lot easier.
And it’s going to be much more than just an “adapt and go with it” kind of change for October; the combo of Neptune, Chiron, and Ceres (retrograde hitting on the 8th) is going to shake things up. Relationships and your internal self are going to be especially affected. Ceres is going to create some catalysts in life- especially if you find yourself to be a bit codependent on others. Ceres brings about a heightened awareness of toxicity in relationships- don’t be surprised if little things people do bother you a bit extra or if you’ve got alarms going off in your head more in regards to someone more often than usual.
If you’re the type to tend to ignore red flags, this is not the month to do it, nor will it be easy to. Jupiter and Pluto retrogrades will give you a bit of a leg up in a sense; both will give you a push to really take action to communicate and vocalize changes you need. Chiron and Neptune will help out a lot with getting through any conflicts, especially if you’re more sensitive to Pluto and the feelings of isolation/loneliness it can often bring. Chiron will open the door to really, actually look internally and recognize any negative thoughts or feelings you’ve been having. Sources of internal pain will also be more apparent, making it easier to find ways to cope and recover. Neptune- though it can make life feel a little rough- will help out by really keeping you self-aware. You, and everyone else, are going to be much more aware of any sort of lies or attempts at hiding things. Even if those lies are to yourself! This is going to help keep you honest and on task, and if you’re focusing on internal growth and self-love, this is going to make the process much more smooth and give better results than usual. Which, in turn, will make dealing with everyone on the outside much easier.
Saturn will also help divert the focus from personal relationship issues by turning your attention to work- what really is your position? What could you be doing that would benefit yourself more? What traditions (“this is just how we’ve always done it” ugh. eyeroll.) are obsolete and negative to productivity. Even if questioning these things might be mildly stressful for some; it will likely be a much more smooth deal than what it seems on the surface. So question authority, set those boundaries, advocate for yourself!
In summary, the best way to survive this month is: hold onto your self-worth. Build your self-worth up to what you actually, really deserve. (Which is a lot more than you probably think!) Take time to develop self-love. Create a foundation inside yourself to keep steady in the chaos that’ll be going on around you. Hold onto all of this and use your strength to face the toxicity in your life and do what’s best- either remove it from your life, or change it. Whether it’s a person or a job or a community; if you’re realizing you’re gaining nothing but toxic things from it, separation (or staying separated) is likely the best move.
If you'd like to contribute to writing an article for November's issue, please message TEAK!
A Brief History of Black Cats
Spiders, bats, pumpkins, and ghouls are all classic symbols of Halloween. But one symbol is often also a part of our daily lives, the black cat. Black cats have long been associated with witchcraft, dark and stormy nights, and bad luck, but where did these dark associations come from? Maybe it harkens back to a long-forgotten history of humans huddling in caves, while fearsome creatures prowled just outside the fire’s light. Or maybe legends of witches transforming into mysterious creatures started these superstitions. Wherever the fear of black cats came from, it is most certainly unfounded. Black cats, and cats of all colors, make wonderful companions and can be lovely additions to any home.
Often thought of as the familiar to witches in the Middle Ages, black cats most likely were lumped in with bad feelings at at time in European history when superstition ruled much of human behavior. However, when you look further back, you will find that other cultures actually elevated black cats to a higher status and some even viewed them as vessels of godly powers. In Ancient Egypt, cats were held in the highest regard, and black cats particularly were seen as the hosts of divine beings. Bastet was the Egyptian goddess of the home, fertility, and protection from disease. Bastet had the head of a cat, and so she was a positive association for our feline friends. Other cultures had fruitful superstitions as well, including Japan, where black cats could be seen as signs for prosperity in finances and in love. Not all Europeans hated black cats either, in Ireland they were often seen as signs of good luck, and in France they were good omens of magical events to come.
One of the most infamous myths around black cats is that they will bring bad luck when they cross your path. This urban legend most likely ties back to medieval times when any animal with dark fur or feathers was thought to be a signal of impending death. In 16th century Italy, it was thought that a black cat would lay on a person’s sickbed soon before their death. And in some cultures, it was believed that another family member would die if a black cat was seen during a funeral. Worst of all, beginning in 13th century Europe, and lasting all through the 17th century witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts, black cats were killed along with anyone thought to be a witch due to their associations. Sadly, this dark time in European and United States history left a lasting impact on the reputation of black cats that persists to this day.
So, what is the truth about black cats? They are just like any other cat! Cats are wonderful animals that have taken our hearts from the time they first decided to cohabitate with humans. There is some debate on whether cats can truly be considered domesticated, since they are physiologically unchanged from before they came to human society, but either way, they are often welcome creatures in most homes. When humans switched from hunting and gathering nomadic lifestyles, our food storage and waste brought in many pests, including rodents. Noticing abundant food around human society, cats decided they would come around and began the domestication process around 7500 BCE. Since then, they have proliferated around human society and are a familiar sight in all parts of the world.
There are of course some risks associated with all cats, but none of them are caused specifically by black cats. One problem cats can cause is the decimation of bird populations. Cats are so well adapted to surviving in most environments that they have plenty of free time to hunt for fun. They can quickly become an invasive species in parts of the world where they don’t have natural predators, and this overpopulation, combined with their incredible hunting abilities, can kill 2.4 billion birds every year in the United States alone. For this reason, it is crucial to keep cats indoors, or only have them outside on a harness and leash or under close supervision. Cats also need to be spayed and neutered so that they don’t add to the problem of stray and feral cats. There are up to 160 million feral cats in the United States, and sadly over 860,000 cats are euthanized in animal shelters every year.
These numbers have very real consequences, especially for black cats. Black cats are much more likely to end up in animal shelters, and once they are there, they are much harder to home. The RSPCA reports that 70% of felines in their shelters are either black cats, or black and white. Tabby cats in shelters get 30 times more interest on social media than black cats! It’s sad to think that centuries-old superstitions still cause trouble for these sweet cats to this very day.
Next time you are looking to add a furry companion to your household, consider adopting a black cat. They are often anecdotally considered to be the friendliest cats with great personalities, and a lot of affection to give! You’ll also be helping to reduce their populations in animal shelters, and to end the stigma about their luck. If you already own a mini house panther, don’t forget to celebrate National Black Cat Day on October 27th, and have a happy Halloween!
Sources:
https://www.ethosvet.com/blog-post/wher ... r-bad-rep/
https://www.thesprucepets.com/black-cat-folklore-554444
https://www.ethosvet.com/blog-post/wher ... r-bad-rep/
https://www.nola.com/archive/article_eb ... ce68f.html
https://www.aspca.org/helping-people-pe ... 000%20cats).
https://nationaltoday.com/news/black-cats-shelters/
Article written by birdie
OCTOBER HOROSCOPE
OCTOBER 2021- The month to cleanse your life and find balance; but the road is a rocky one.
We’re getting close to fall, (or spring for you southern hemisphere types) and with Uranus still in retrograde, (which comes with the saying I absolutely adore: “change or die”) there’s change, change, change all around.
And this month, the glorious month of Libra and Scorpio, is a climactic one for change. October is very much matching with the signs that pass through it- we’re going to be searching for balance, and dealing with some serious deep thinking and passion.
Starting right from the get-go, we’ve got 7 planets in retrograde. (well, 8, but Mercury is specifically in Virgo, so I’ll get to that later.) Pluto, Saturn, and Jupiter will end their retrograde this month (on the 6th, 11th, and 18th respectively), so the first two weeks of October are going to feel the most chaotic and overwhelming. The entire month, though, there’s Ceres, (big time on Ceres- this one will pull very strongly for some) Uranus, Neptune, and Chiron. And what do all of these big rocks have in common? Change. Capital C, change. A lot of it being intrinsic change- if you’ve been putting off any sort of work on yourself, like breaking bad or harmful habits; this is going to be the time to do it. Keeping yourself stagnant, turning a blind eye to inner toxicity, or just not giving yourself the worth or love you rightly deserve, will make this a very, very tough time.
Uranus, as mentioned above before, (re: change or die) is going to be that quiet force in the back that’ll be enhancing the absolute need for change. This gassy ol’ thing will be in retrograde all the way until January, so accepting the changes you need to make is going to make life a whole lot easier.
And it’s going to be much more than just an “adapt and go with it” kind of change for October; the combo of Neptune, Chiron, and Ceres (retrograde hitting on the 8th) is going to shake things up. Relationships and your internal self are going to be especially affected. Ceres is going to create some catalysts in life- especially if you find yourself to be a bit codependent on others. Ceres brings about a heightened awareness of toxicity in relationships- don’t be surprised if little things people do bother you a bit extra or if you’ve got alarms going off in your head more in regards to someone more often than usual.
If you’re the type to tend to ignore red flags, this is not the month to do it, nor will it be easy to. Jupiter and Pluto retrogrades will give you a bit of a leg up in a sense; both will give you a push to really take action to communicate and vocalize changes you need. Chiron and Neptune will help out a lot with getting through any conflicts, especially if you’re more sensitive to Pluto and the feelings of isolation/loneliness it can often bring. Chiron will open the door to really, actually look internally and recognize any negative thoughts or feelings you’ve been having. Sources of internal pain will also be more apparent, making it easier to find ways to cope and recover. Neptune- though it can make life feel a little rough- will help out by really keeping you self-aware. You, and everyone else, are going to be much more aware of any sort of lies or attempts at hiding things. Even if those lies are to yourself! This is going to help keep you honest and on task, and if you’re focusing on internal growth and self-love, this is going to make the process much more smooth and give better results than usual. Which, in turn, will make dealing with everyone on the outside much easier.
Saturn will also help divert the focus from personal relationship issues by turning your attention to work- what really is your position? What could you be doing that would benefit yourself more? What traditions (“this is just how we’ve always done it” ugh. eyeroll.) are obsolete and negative to productivity. Even if questioning these things might be mildly stressful for some; it will likely be a much more smooth deal than what it seems on the surface. So question authority, set those boundaries, advocate for yourself!
In summary, the best way to survive this month is: hold onto your self-worth. Build your self-worth up to what you actually, really deserve. (Which is a lot more than you probably think!) Take time to develop self-love. Create a foundation inside yourself to keep steady in the chaos that’ll be going on around you. Hold onto all of this and use your strength to face the toxicity in your life and do what’s best- either remove it from your life, or change it. Whether it’s a person or a job or a community; if you’re realizing you’re gaining nothing but toxic things from it, separation (or staying separated) is likely the best move.
If you'd like to contribute to writing an article for November's issue, please message TEAK!
The Playground
Happy Halloween! There are some fun contests to participate in this month in our bulletin board!
CAPTION THIS!
Check out the banner entries that our community members made for the Fall Banner Contest!. Congratulations to Zalasly for winning first place! All of the entries are wonderful!
(c) Zalasly
(c) Luminosity
(c) FreakishNightmare
We hope you enjoyed this month's issue of Lunar Phases!
Remember, if you'd like your artwork featured in next months issue, head over to Lunar Phases monthly prompts HERE!
If you'd like to contribute to next months issue, message TEAK!
Special thank you to Cider and birdie for their contributions to this month's issue of Lunar Phases!
Written by Teak, Cider and birdie
CAPTION THIS!
Check out the banner entries that our community members made for the Fall Banner Contest!. Congratulations to Zalasly for winning first place! All of the entries are wonderful!
(c) Zalasly
(c) Luminosity
(c) FreakishNightmare
We hope you enjoyed this month's issue of Lunar Phases!
Remember, if you'd like your artwork featured in next months issue, head over to Lunar Phases monthly prompts HERE!
If you'd like to contribute to next months issue, message TEAK!
Special thank you to Cider and birdie for their contributions to this month's issue of Lunar Phases!
Written by Teak, Cider and birdie
