Sexuality, Sensuality, Seduction

This topic goes in and out of being taboo. But at some point, it has to be pondered.

It is not uncommon for sexuality, sensuality, and seduction to find an outlet in art. And as natural as that is, with the universe and life expressing itself through us, it can still be met with resistance and rejection. And that is natural, too. There are numerous reasons for it.

As with other aspects of your work, they are not guaranteed to be welcomed by everyone. And in this case, in particular, it is a significantly risky and delicate matter. So it can require solid confidence to pull off and not be too shaken by its reception. As well as making sure that it is appropriate for the age range that it is directed at and the place(s) it will be at. Plus, it helps to be tasteful enough with it.

Nevertheless, while you can harmlessly explore and experiment with sexuality, sensuality, and seduction in works of art, it is important to note that the same harmlessness may not be returned to you. These are components that can evoke extremely intense reactions - against and in favor. And it is not too unlikely to arouse forms of obsession, too - to stop you or to keep you going.

If this is something that you will choose to do with your art, proceed with caution. Check your levels of comfort with it. You could try stepping out of your comfort zone to see if something goes with you and suits you. But if upon a few tries you are still uncomfortable, then it could be a sign to give it up. Some people are more open and inclined to share these sides of themselves than others, so it is more fulfilling and worthwhile to them. And if that is not you, that is okay. Furthermore, you may be getting ahead of yourself rather than honoring your pace, and that is why it doesn’t feel quite right although it eventually might.

Overall, the problematic implications of it are innumerable and debatable. Venturing and threading into this isn’t without its challenges. But if you are a responsible and sensible adult, then you can manage to take your chances.

Who Do You Attract and Repel?

Is there something wrong with you, causing you to attract the people that you do? Or quite the contrary? What is happening exactly?

You may fall under the impression or hold the belief that one attracts people who are like themselves. And there is truth in that, but it doesn’t end there. It is not that simple, it is more complicated than that.

You are a multifaceted person, capable of giving to others and capable of taking from others. And you will attract givers and takers, people who seek to complement you, people who seek to be complemented by you, and people who seek both. Depending on what you are abundant of and what you are in lack of, as well as how much access there is to either, you will attract them - for a wide range of motivations and intentions.

Furthermore, there are ways in which you will repel them. Mostly, your standards and your boundaries will keep people away. Those who don’t meet your standards and/or would rather trespass your boundaries. Whether they’re reasonably placed or not, is another matter.

You will also repel people who are not ready or who prefer not to receive from or give to you. If you make a want or a need known, you might scare away a few. And if you make an offer known, you might also scare away a few. However, this is all part of the process of finding who you can vibe with, with whom you can be in a mutually beneficial relationship with. And seeing who is only passing by, not meant to be close to you.

In general, people look for complements, or they look for similars, or they look for opponents. When they are looking for complements, consciously or not, they will be drawn to what can be shared - whether that is resources, growth, or something else. When they look for similars, they’re looking for easygoingness, something that won’t shake them up too much, something that they can flow with without too many ups and downs or surprises. When they look for opponents, they may be on a path of self-destruction (yet, destruction precedes creation), or they may be on a path of growth - aggressive, violent, radical growth.

What you reveal about yourself, or what is obvious or can be sensed or intuited, determines then what type of people will come into your life. And you can exactly pinpoint why they’re there if you pay close attention and get enough hints and clues for it. This will also lead you to get to know yourself better. Maybe there are aspects and details about yourself that you overlooked but others noticed. So it is an opportunity to take a look at yourself and see what is attracting or repelling different people.

We come into this world with gifts and may be fated to do a number of things while we’re here. And through the people that you attract or repel, you can come to realize what those things are, to lean on your gifts and your fate.

If you usually attract sick people, maybe you’re a healer. If you usually attract unsure people, maybe you're a sage. If you usually attract vulnerable people, maybe you’re a champion. If you’re currently attracting particularly kind and cruel people, then maybe you’re at a low point in your life or struggling in some way. And so on across countless dimensions of who you are and where you’re at.

Cancer's Basics

♋ CANCER

Transit Date: Late June.
Starting Summer.

Position: 4th.
Element: Water.
Quality: Cardinal.

Symbolized by: The Crab.
Typically Associated with: Home, family, nurture. 

At Best: Protective and caring.
At Worst: Territorial and reactive.

For context and more of relevance, please read about The Zodiac.

Putting your All into your Work

How intense is too intense? Should you really be cutting down and softening your edge? If you’re upsetting, unsettling, stressful, overwhelming, and more through your art, is that a sign to adopt moderation?

There are different answers for different circumstances and situations, but it definitely isn’t universal that your much is too much. Even when, indeed, there is objectively a lot to handle, it is still relative to the recipient’s capacity to handle it. Whether because they are currently occupied enough or because, by default, they don’t have a large threshold for what you’re bringing. 

And that’s not necessarily something to look down on others for. It is what it is. Some people have a high tolerance for a certain thing, while some people have a low tolerance for that same thing, and all that’s in between.

Being such, you must instead ask yourself what is truly important. Is the value you bring worth it? Even if not to everyone? What is poison to some, is medicine to others. And even medicine can be unpleasant and uncomfortable, painful also.

But the universe, the world, people, and yourself alone are enormous if you really look. You are free to choose which aspects and layers of yourself or of anything to reveal and share and, realistically, it can’t be all at once. However, be careful not to limit yourself into a miniscule fraction out of fear of offending and displeasing others. At least not if your aim is to make art.

Art, first and foremost, is there, with its numerous mediums, styles, and techniques, to serve as an outlet for what makes up life, in all its glory and splendor, as well as that which is not so admirable. Art is exploration, experimentation, experience, exposition and explanation. Less than that doesn’t make it full justice.

Yet, being able to take the time, energy, and resources to work on a piece of art of that degree is a luxury that few can afford or sacrifice for. Nevertheless, you can aspire to push the boundaries of what you can do at a rate that suits you.

Releasing Inhibitions and Becoming Comfortable

Are you holding back? Shrinking down? Dimming your light? Trying to fit in where you don’t belong? That’s just the way of life. Or is it not?

There is truth in the saying that, to survive, one must adapt. But this isn’t always the case. You may be giving up too soon by choosing to appease an environment instead of taking up space in it or, if that cannot be done or is not worthwhile, finding or building ones that allow you to better exist. Where you can be yourself while still on the road to improvement.

It can be difficult to begin, however, especially if you happen to be relatively unusual as a person or ironically ended up surrounded by people significantly different from you, where you’re not quite understood or appreciated and expectations are placed upon you that stifle you. You may have become extremely self-conscious, filled with shame and guilt, over things that might not be as big of a deal as they were made out to be.

Maybe you became your own worst critic, too. By internalizing harsh and undue criticisms that came your way. It is as if they repeat themselves over and over again. And now you find yourself needlessly worried or even hating yourself. And maybe a part of you still knows that they shouldn’t be given such importance. Yet, people do. So, consequently, they matter.

But that’s the thing. It is on you to advocate for yourself - continually. Because you will keep encountering people that, whether out of ignorance or malice, will find fault in you over trivial or even valuable things. You can respond, out loud or in silence, depending on what’s most favorable, with the facts. There is somebody claiming that you’re too this or too that? That’s their view, influenced by their interests and preferences, perhaps their prejudices too. It isn’t necessarily correct or close to an objective reality. And maybe you are, a bit too this or too that. But then, so what? Is it really such a problem?

If traits and aspects of you are indeed a problem that should be solved or fixed, that is for you to recognize and tend to within your means, at a reasonable pace that you can adopt. Everything else is what makes you, you. And you’d be depriving those that seek or yearn for somebody like you by hiding and suppressing yourself.

To genuinely resonate and connect with others, you must drop the act. Not everybody will like and welcome the real you but, if it is a lost cause, that only redirects you to someone else that might. Furthermore, by allowing yourself to simply be, you give others permission to do the same. And soon enough, you’ve contributed to forming an atmosphere of authentic expression, where you can feel free and relaxed.

There are those that demand “perfection” to a suffocating degree. That may change or not. But then there are those that are immensely relieved where “imperfections” have room to be.

Yes, I like Money.

I'm giving into a supernatural pressure I'm sensing to speak about money sooner than later. Something I had programmed to cover more extensively in December. But long story short: 

I used to be hyper-independent and prideful and wouldn't accept money from anyone unless it was clearly earned transactionally. However, this was a self-preserving response to toxic and harmful behaviors I had encountered that wounded me. (Manipulative/coercive/humiliating stuff.)

I healed from that. I'm still wary about receiving money from people as gifts, but I don't immediately turn it down or get offended like before. I just need to be sure that it is freely given in goodwill and that it is not putting a strain on the person. 

In this case, I'd be deeply grateful. I've received a few donations already (TYSM Tumblr mutual 😭💛) that I haven't yet properly shouted out. They meant A LOT to me, though. One of the first ones literally had me uncontrollably crying in public as though it purged misery out of me that I wasn't fully aware I had buried. It came at a time when I was feeling a tad too exploited while trying to be tough about it. The following ones have put me and kept me in a state of relief and tranquility that I immensely appreciate. So, no, it's not just money.

That said. I don't expect money from everyone who has it. I only demand it when people are making me go out of my way, draining my resources, or getting me invested with false claims or promises. Don't want that ugly side of me? Avoid these unless you're ready to compensate proportionally.

As for the jobs I'm offered, I'm extremely busy nowadays, running low on both energy and time. I only accept jobs that are incredibly easy for me to do or even feel like a break (e.g. home & pet sitting) with generous pay. I know it sounds spoiled and entitled, but my focus is currently on my own projects. And fortunately, I can still afford that.

Summer Season

In June, get ready to welcome the arrival of Summer!

Summer is the second season in the cycle. Considered a season of vibrance. 

It is when the sun shines brightest and the heat shoots up, 

calling for a break from strict routines to venture out, 

be refreshed and soothed, and make the most of it with various different activities. 

You could resist it and be frustrated, or you could give in and have a blast.

During this season, we are prompted to let go of inhibitions and have fun.

Guess I'm a Mom, too!

Before too long, just oughta put this here because I love how cute this treat looks.

Mother's Day is the last Sunday of May for me, here, in the Dominican Republic. And my mother, even though I'm only a Cat/Dog Mom and sometimes the Mom Friend, tends to get me little gifts for the occasion (this is only one of many waiting for me for when I visit). Which I find sweet but also amusing. She says that at times it's as though I'm her mom, too (long story short, she's the more energetic and spontaneous of the two).

I like to consider myself the "Vodka Aunt", but I can't deny that I do tend to step in as "The Mom" when the situation calls for it and I'm able to fill that role. Yet, I'll always be in awe of literal mothers that are exemplary nurturers, consistent and reliable. Y'all are the true superhumans and you deserve the best!

EDIT (6/15/2023): Got clearer pictures!

Temporarily Inactive Sites

Hey, all. 

As some of you might have noticed, I haven't been updating my secondary sites lately (PhantomShuffle, DarkSpectacle, HorrorStumble) even though I promised weekly content releases (with exceptions). I ran into a series of setbacks and I couldn't follow through with that. Just managed to (somewhat) continue with the content for the main site (TintySun) alone. 

I'm no longer majorly affected by the setbacks, but now have plenty to catch up with and more to tackle while my energy and focus aren't entirely optimal yet, so returning to them will still take a while. Fortunately, although the content was time-sensitive (seasonal), it won't lose its value and I can still put it up later on to be visited and revisited whenever. Plus, there are still plenty of months left in the year for me to, hopefully, do so before the next one starts and pace things well again for the next phase.

If any of you were anticipating and looking forward to more, I'm truly sorry about the delays and thankful for your patience. I'll make up for it!

Lateblooming

Why does it take some more time than others to have something they’re good at or be good at something?

You’ve probably heard of the term late bloomer. Lateblooming can apply to various different aspects and dimensions of learning and developing into someone admirable or at least worthy of praise. Usually, though, this is associated with talents and skills that seem to come quickly and easily to some but not to others, making it a matter of context. It basically refers to being behind at something in relation to others.

But why is it taking someone longer? Could be a number of reasons:

a) They have extra obstacles and challenges to overcome, inside or outside.
b) They are multi-talented, unable to stick to a single thing but able to synthesize or extract from many.
c) They are “talentless”, though maybe ambitious and persevering enough to keep going regardless.
d) They have not yet found their talent and are still searching for it, elusive as it may be.
e) They are not where their talent lies, so progress is harder and slower.
f) They are confusing or stealthy about it.
Etc.

Considering these possibilities, it can be oversimplistic to measure the totality of someone based on where they are currently at, to give up on yourself or on them, and assume that you are doomed to always being less-than. When you might just be a late bloomer, like many other accomplished people that exist or existed.

Being a late bloomer doesn’t guarantee that you will eventually be better than everybody else, but it is sometimes the case. When you finally gain some sort of momentum and are propelled forward. When you persist after others have stopped or ceased to have intense dedication. When it turns out that you were actually accounting for more and it’s key. And so on. It can be tempting to seek this sort of glory out of spite, too. For all the times you were doubted or overlooked, maybe even ridiculed and humiliated. But simply reaching a level that you’re happy with, if not much else, can be fulfilling enough. 

It is up to you and maybe you're not too late.