A narcissistic injury is a term rooted in psychoanalytic theory, referring to a perceived threat or insult to a narcissist’s self-image. It’s not necessarily a dramatic public humiliation—often, it can be a subtle slight, a disagreement, or a challenge to their authority, competence, or specialness. To most people, such experiences may sting momentarily but are…
Wellness
Tai Davis Joins Out In STL Board, Authors New Columns
Stepping into a new chapter with Out In STL feels like coming home — but with a louder soundtrack and a much bigger dinner table and I’m thrilled to introduce myself. I am Tai Davis, a proud creative, culinary enthusiast, and champion of vibrant, authentic voices. As a new member of the Out In STL…
What My Father’s Death Taught Me About Love Too Late
When my father died, I didn’t know how to feel. We weren’t close. We hadn’t spoken in years. There was no big dramatic fallout just a slow, quiet fade. Phone calls that stopped coming. Texts were never answered. Time stretched the distance wider until we were strangers who shared a last name. Then came the…
Eron Mazza: Queer Joy is Magic!
Let me be clear: Queer joy isn’t just a vibe—it’s a full-blown magical working. A spell. A hex against hopelessness. It is a monkey wrench tossed into the gears of A system that says we aren’t allowed to exist, let alone find joy in this life. We live in a system of oppression that would…
The spell begins the moment you decide
Picture it, a stretch of I-40 at night. I’m one of only a few cars on the road. I am driving to my hometown from Oklahoma City to feed the animals at my mother’s house. Inside the car I am coming to a decision. Do I live as myself? Or do I continue to live…
When Rejection Hits Hard: Understanding and Protecting Yourself from Severe Responses
Rejection is a universal experience—whether romantic, social, or professional, most people can recall a time when they were passed over, turned down, or excluded. But for some, rejection doesn’t just sting—it detonates. Their reaction is disproportionate and can create fallout that affects everyone around them, including friends, family, and even innocent bystanders. Understanding these intense…
Eron Vito Mazza: You’re Not Blocked. You’re Burnt Out
Let’s clear something up. Your aura isn’t blocked because you forgot to charge your water under a full moon or skipped affirmations last Tuesday. You’re not hexed because you didn’t buy that $88 citrine wand from a spiritual influencer who’s never worked a retail shift in their life. You’re burnt out, baby—not broken. You’re just…
Self-Care or Self-Avoidance?
Self-care has become the go-to buzzword of our burned-out era. And let’s face it—queer people need it. We’ve survived enough: familial rejection, spiritual trauma, political erasure, and the daily microaggressions that cut deeper than they should. So when the world feels like too much, yeah—sometimes a face mask, some candles, and a full Netflix blackout…
The Sacred Pause: Spiritual Rest as Resistance
I’ve been thinking a lot about rest lately. Not collapse. Not zoning out. But real, intentional rest. The kind that lets your nervous system exhale and your spirit come back into your body. And let me be honest—it’s hard. As a queer, trans, neurodivergent witch, I’ve spent most of my life running on survival mode.…
Eron Vito Mazza on Sacred Rage: The Role of Anger in Magic & Spellwork
In modern spiritual practices, anger is more often than not seen as an affliction—something to be healed, avoided, or even feared. But I am of the mind that anger and rage have a rightful place in magical settings. Anger has its role in magic just as much as love, healing, and all the so-called “lighter”…