The Western Gate

Toing and Froing, Up 'n' Down in the Earth


What animal am I ? (Writing prompt)

Daily writing prompt
Which animal would you compare yourself to and why?

I wrote a brief outline of myself, and asked A.I. … (Have come to loathe A.I.- well for creative purposes, it has its place in research (although many’s the time I’ve found simple maths or facts completely wrong-ahem) , And though I did create some images for this site using AI have decided to remove them all.)
Have never used AI for writing tools though, so here’s their swan song in response to this,

First of all, if I was on a dating app I’d write this;-

I am inquisitive with a broad and eclectic taste, I love all sorts of music, I like reading books, mainly non fiction though I veer towards folk-horror if I do so, am fascinated by the occult and witchcraft and I have no idea why considering none of my peers are into the same. I like to go out to gigs or cinema and also to try exotic foods in restaurants. I love to travel to mystical places, solitude and eeriness, the liminal forests or foreboding moors. I am artistic making music, drawing, writing and generally anything that is creative.
If I am not human, then what animal based on these am I ? 

Chat GPT said ;-

If you were an animal based on your personality and interests, you might be a raven. Ravens are known for their intelligence, curiosity, and mysterious aura. They’re often linked to the occult and folklore, appearing as symbols of magic and the unknown across cultures. Like you, they’re drawn to the mysterious and liminal spaces, thriving in eerie, remote landscapes. Plus, their clever, creative nature aligns with your artistic pursuits.

Another contender could be a fox, especially one of the more elusive species like the silver fox. Foxes are adaptable, inquisitive, and have a mischievous streak. They’re known for navigating both the wild and human worlds with ease—just as you explore both the mystical and the creative.

Deepseek said;-

Based on your description, you might be a raven. Here’s why:

  1. Eclectic and Curious: Ravens are highly intelligent and curious creatures, known for their problem-solving skills and adaptability. Your broad interests and inquisitive nature align well with the raven’s reputation for exploring and learning.
  2. Mystical and Occult Associations: Ravens are deeply tied to mythology, the occult, and witchcraft. They are often seen as omens or messengers between worlds, which resonates with your fascination for the mystical and eerie.
  3. Artistic and Creative: Ravens are known for their playful and creative behaviors, such as using tools and mimicking sounds. Your love for music, drawing, writing, and creativity mirrors this inventive spirit.
  4. Solitude and Liminal Spaces: Ravens thrive in solitary or liminal environments—forests, moors, and other mysterious landscapes. Your attraction to solitude, eeriness, and mystical places fits perfectly with the raven’s natural habitat.
  5. Eclectic Taste in Food: Ravens are opportunistic feeders, willing to try a wide variety of foods, much like your adventurous palate for exotic cuisines.
  6. Folk-Horror and Eeriness: Ravens are often associated with dark, foreboding atmospheres, making them a perfect symbol for your love of folk-horror and the uncanny.

In short, you embody the raven’s intelligence, creativity, and mystical allure, making it the ideal animal counterpart for your personality and interests.

So, I’m a Raven

Artwork, John James Audubon (born Jean-Jacques Rabin, 1785 -1851)



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Wot’s this all about then Guv’nor ?;-
The Random musings of a nobody. “Dagenham Dave”, is slang for someone one stop short of Barking (mad), though more contemporarily refers to any wayfaring and carefree person. Dagenham is a town to the eastern side of London (Luds Dominium) that was first recorded in a Barking charter in 666a.d. as the town of Daeccanham. Daecca is an ancient man’s name meaning ‘bright’ or ‘famous’ . Ham is short for Hamlet.
Dave is short for David, Hebrew for ‘Beloved’, My Surname ‘Wenborn’ derives from old English meaning of the Winding Stream.

Contents:-
1/ Book Reviews.

They’re not reviews as such- to recommend or asway, I neither seek to promote nor condemn, more my personal reflections on the books I read. In that respect it’s a subjective thing.
2/ Short Stories and Tales

Short stories borne from imagination, dreams, thoughts and wanderings. Too large to be written in my journal of shadows.
3/ Full Books
Books that were once published elsewhere, I have full copyright on these, and of course given here freely.
4/ Magazines and Articles

Small snippets and articles that may or may not have appeared elsewhere, and information not included in Journal of shadows.
5/ Poetry

A small selection of poetry. Like song, I create as a means to an artistic diary.
6/ WordPress Challenges

Wordpress (where this website is hosted) offer up a daily prompt for people to answer, sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t.



I do not accept donations or offers, bribes etc, and do not advertise or am paid to promote anything either. All donations should be sent to either of the following ;-

Zarach ~ Helping Children living in poverty

Street Talk ~ Helping women trapped in prostitution and trafficking



Email at the following ;-



caitanyam ātmā ;
jñānaṃ bandhaḥ;
yoniḥ vikalpaḥ;
ñāna adhiṣṭhānaṃ matṛkā:.