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diff --git a/public/images/making-resin.jpg b/public/images/making-resin.jpg
index 8409bb9..e37e561 100644
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diff --git a/public/images/ttrpg-dice.jpg b/public/images/ttrpg-dice.jpg
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diff --git a/src/components/hero/AnimatedBackground.tsx b/src/components/hero/AnimatedBackground.tsx
index ee5da10..dfd0429 100644
--- a/src/components/hero/AnimatedBackground.tsx
+++ b/src/components/hero/AnimatedBackground.tsx
@@ -1,18 +1,19 @@
 /**
  * AnimatedBackground.tsx
  * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
- * The hero background island. Three layers:
+ * The hero background island. Layers:
  *
- *   1. A CSS-driven mesh-gradient layer (always on, GPU-friendly, animated via
- *      the `animate-gradient-shift` keyframes in global.css). Tuned to the
- *      night-sky palette: midnight indigo with violet + gold nebular edges.
- *   2. A faint static SVG ornament layer (astrolabe + sacred geometry) baked
- *      in as absolutely-positioned decorations for esoteric texture.
- *   3. An optional lightweight <canvas> star field: dozens of twinkling stars
- *      with thin constellation lines drawn between near neighbors, plus the
- *      occasional slow shooting-star streak. We render at devicePixelRatio and
- *      cap the count for perf. It pauses when off-screen and is fully skipped
- *      when prefers-reduced-motion is set.
+ *   1. A CSS-driven night-sky gradient (deep blue, darker at top → lighter near
+ *      horizon) plus a diagonal Milky Way galaxy band and teal/violet nebula
+ *      clouds. GPU-friendly, animated via `animate-gradient-shift` keyframes.
+ *   2. A faint static SVG ornament layer (astrolabe + sacred geometry) for
+ *      esoteric texture.
+ *   3. An optional <canvas> star field: a dense field of slowly-twinkling stars
+ *      with thin constellation lines between near neighbors, plus the occasional
+ *      shooting star. The WHOLE field rotates together very slowly around the
+ *      field center — reading as a slice of sky turning as the planet rotates.
+ *      We render at devicePixelRatio and cap the count for perf. It pauses when
+ *      off-screen and is fully skipped when prefers-reduced-motion is set.
  *
  * The component is presentational only; it reads CSS variables for colors so it
  * adapts to the section surface tone automatically.
@@ -24,9 +25,21 @@ interface Props {
   particles?: boolean;
   /** Tailwind/className passthrough for the root. */
   className?: string;
+  /**
+   * Opt-in View Transition name. Unset by default. The View Transitions API
+   * requires this name to be UNIQUE within a page snapshot, so the page must
+   * opt in on AT MOST ONE field (typically the hero). Applied via the `.vt-sky`
+   * CSS class rather than React's inline style to avoid an SSR/hydration
+   * attribute mismatch.
+   */
+  transitionName?: 'sky';
 }
 
-export default function AnimatedBackground({ particles = true, className = '' }: Props) {
+export default function AnimatedBackground({
+  particles = true,
+  className = '',
+  transitionName,
+}: Props) {
   const canvasRef = useRef<HTMLCanvasElement>(null);
 
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -45,15 +58,15 @@ export default function AnimatedBackground({ particles = true, className = '' }:
     const dpr = Math.min(window.devicePixelRatio || 1, 2);
 
     interface Star {
-      x: number;
-      y: number;
+      // Position in sky coordinates (pre-rotation). The whole field rotates.
+      rx: number; // offset from field center (cx, cy)
+      ry: number;
       r: number; // base radius
-      vx: number; // slow drift
-      vy: number;
       tw: number; // twinkle phase
-      tws: number; // twinkle speed
+      tws: number; // twinkle speed (slow)
       baseA: number; // base alpha
       anchor: boolean; // brighter "anchor" star used for constellations
+      hue: 'white' | 'gold' | 'violet' | 'teal';
     }
 
     interface Shooter {
@@ -61,15 +74,15 @@ export default function AnimatedBackground({ particles = true, className = '' }:
       y: number;
       len: number;
       speed: number;
-      angle: number; // direction of travel (radians)
-      life: number; // 0..1 remaining
-      maxLife: number;
+      angle: number;
+      life: number;
     }
 
     let stars: Star[] = [];
     let shooters: Shooter[] = [];
     let nextShooterAt = 0;
     let t0 = performance.now();
+    let angle = 0; // current field rotation (radians)
 
     // Resolve star colors from CSS variables so the field matches the theme.
     const gold =
@@ -85,10 +98,25 @@ export default function AnimatedBackground({ particles = true, className = '' }:
       getComputedStyle(document.documentElement).getPropertyValue('--color-cream').trim() ||
       '#f4f1e8';
 
+    const hueColor = (h: Star['hue']) => (h === 'gold' ? gold : h === 'violet' ? violet : h === 'teal' ? teal : white);
+
     // Max distance for two stars to be connected by a constellation line.
-    const LINK_DIST = 132;
+    const LINK_DIST = 168;
     const LINK_DIST_SQ = LINK_DIST * LINK_DIST;
 
+    // Rotation speed: a full turn takes ~6 minutes, so the drift is felt but
+    // never distracting — "as the planet rotates".
+    const ROT_SPEED = (Math.PI * 2) / (6 * 60); // radians per second
+
+    function pickHue(): Star['hue'] {
+      const n = Math.random();
+      // Mostly white stars, with occasional colored ones for richness.
+      if (n < 0.7) return 'white';
+      if (n < 0.85) return 'gold';
+      if (n < 0.94) return 'violet';
+      return 'teal';
+    }
+
     function resize() {
       if (!canvas || !ctx) return;
       const rect = canvas.getBoundingClientRect();
@@ -98,97 +126,117 @@ export default function AnimatedBackground({ particles = true, className = '' }:
       canvas.height = Math.floor(height * dpr);
       ctx.setTransform(dpr, 0, 0, dpr, 0, 0);
 
-      // Cap density: one star per ~9k px^2, max 140. Anchor stars are rarer.
-      const count = Math.min(140, Math.floor((width * height) / 9000));
+      // Dense field tuned for ~40% constellation coverage on any slice. Stars
+      // live in a sky disk larger than the viewport so rotation never reveals
+      // an empty edge. Radius = distance to the far viewport corner.
+      const cx = width / 2;
+      const cy = height / 2;
+      const maxR = Math.sqrt(cx * cx + cy * cy) + 40;
+
+      // One star per ~4000 px^2 of the disk, capped for perf (~12% anchors).
+      const diskArea = Math.PI * maxR * maxR;
+      const count = Math.min(420, Math.floor(diskArea / 4000));
       stars = Array.from({ length: count }, (_, i) => {
-        const anchor = i % 11 === 0; // ~9% anchors -> the brighter backbone stars
-        const r = anchor ? 1.4 + Math.random() * 1.3 : 0.4 + Math.random() * 1.1;
+        const anchor = i % 8 === 0; // ~12% anchors -> denser constellation backbone
+        // Uniform-ish distribution across the disk via sqrt on radius.
+        const rr = maxR * Math.sqrt(Math.random());
+        const a = Math.random() * Math.PI * 2;
+        const r = anchor ? 1.4 + Math.random() * 1.4 : 0.35 + Math.random() * 1.1;
         return {
-          x: Math.random() * width,
-          y: Math.random() * height,
+          rx: cx + rr * Math.cos(a),
+          ry: cy + rr * Math.sin(a),
           r,
-          vx: (Math.random() - 0.5) * 0.06,
-          vy: (Math.random() - 0.5) * 0.06,
           tw: Math.random() * Math.PI * 2,
-          tws: 0.4 + Math.random() * 1.1, // twinkle cycles/sec-ish
-          baseA: anchor ? 0.55 + Math.random() * 0.35 : 0.18 + Math.random() * 0.4,
+          // Slow twinkle: 0.15–0.5 cycles/sec.
+          tws: 0.15 + Math.random() * 0.35,
+          baseA: anchor ? 0.55 + Math.random() * 0.35 : 0.16 + Math.random() * 0.4,
           anchor,
+          hue: anchor ? (Math.random() < 0.5 ? 'gold' : 'white') : pickHue(),
         };
       });
     }
 
     function spawnShooter(now: number) {
-      // Diagonal streak starting somewhere in the top half.
       const startX = Math.random() * width * 0.8;
       const startY = Math.random() * height * 0.5;
-      const angle = Math.PI * (0.18 + Math.random() * 0.12); // ~32-54deg down-right
-      const speed = 5.5 + Math.random() * 3.5;
+      const a = Math.PI * (0.18 + Math.random() * 0.12);
       shooters.push({
         x: startX,
         y: startY,
         len: 90 + Math.random() * 120,
-        speed,
-        angle,
+        speed: 5.5 + Math.random() * 3.5,
+        angle: a,
         life: 1,
-        maxLife: 1,
       });
-      // Next shooter in 5-13s.
       nextShooterAt = now + 5000 + Math.random() * 8000;
     }
 
     function frame(now: number) {
       if (!ctx) return;
-      const dt = Math.min(0.05, (now - t0) / 1000); // seconds, clamped
+      const dt = Math.min(0.05, (now - t0) / 1000);
       t0 = now;
+      angle += ROT_SPEED * dt; // whole sky rotates together
       ctx.clearRect(0, 0, width, height);
 
-      // 1) Constellation lines (drawn first, behind stars). Connect near anchors.
+      const cx = width / 2;
+      const cy = height / 2;
+      const cosA = Math.cos(angle);
+      const sinA = Math.sin(angle);
+
+      // Rotate each sky point about the field center into screen space.
+      const project = (rx: number, ry: number): [number, number] => [
+        cx + (rx - cx) * cosA - (ry - cy) * sinA,
+        cy + (rx - cx) * sinA + (ry - cy) * cosA,
+      ];
+
+      // Project every star's sky position into screen space once.
+      // Each entry carries the source star + its rotated (x, y).
+      const proj = stars.map((s) => {
+        const [x, y] = project(s.rx, s.ry);
+        return { s, x, y };
+      });
+
+      // 1) Constellation lines (behind stars) — connect near anchor pairs.
       ctx.lineWidth = 0.6;
-      for (let i = 0; i < stars.length; i++) {
-        const a = stars[i];
-        if (!a.anchor) continue; // only anchors backbone the constellations
-        for (let j = i + 1; j < stars.length; j++) {
-          const b = stars[j];
-          if (!b.anchor) continue;
-          const dx = a.x - b.x;
-          const dy = a.y - b.y;
-          const d2 = dx * dx + dy * dy;
+      for (let i = 0; i < proj.length; i++) {
+        const A = proj[i];
+        if (!A.s.anchor) continue;
+        for (let j = i + 1; j < proj.length; j++) {
+          const B = proj[j];
+          if (!B.s.anchor) continue;
+          const ddx = A.x - B.x;
+          const ddy = A.y - B.y;
+          const d2 = ddx * ddx + ddy * ddy;
           if (d2 > LINK_DIST_SQ) continue;
-          // Alpha falls off with distance; gentle pulse tied to time.
           const proximity = 1 - Math.sqrt(d2) / LINK_DIST;
           const pulse = 0.5 + 0.5 * Math.sin(now / 1400 + (i + j) * 0.7);
           const alpha = proximity * 0.22 * (0.55 + 0.45 * pulse);
-          ctx.strokeStyle = `rgba(232, 181, 74, ${alpha.toFixed(3)})`; // gold, rgb fixed for perf
+          ctx.strokeStyle = `rgba(232, 181, 74, ${alpha.toFixed(3)})`;
           ctx.beginPath();
-          ctx.moveTo(a.x, a.y);
-          ctx.lineTo(b.x, b.y);
+          ctx.moveTo(A.x, A.y);
+          ctx.lineTo(B.x, B.y);
           ctx.stroke();
         }
       }
 
-      // 2) Stars (twinkle + drift).
-      for (const s of stars) {
-        s.x += s.vx;
-        s.y += s.vy;
+      // 2) Stars (slow twinkle; positions already rotated).
+      for (const p of proj) {
+        const s = p.s;
         s.tw += s.tws * dt;
-        // Wrap softly at edges.
-        if (s.x < -4) s.x = width + 4;
-        else if (s.x > width + 4) s.x = -4;
-        if (s.y < -4) s.y = height + 4;
-        else if (s.y > height + 4) s.y = -4;
+        // Cull stars rotated off-screen for perf.
+        if (p.x < -8 || p.x > width + 8 || p.y < -8 || p.y > height + 8) continue;
 
         const twinkle = 0.6 + 0.4 * Math.sin(s.tw);
         const alpha = Math.max(0, Math.min(1, s.baseA * twinkle));
-        const color = s.anchor ? gold : s.r > 1 ? white : s.r > 0.7 ? violet : teal;
+        const color = hueColor(s.hue);
 
         if (s.anchor) {
-          // Glow halo for anchors.
           ctx.beginPath();
           ctx.fillStyle = color;
           ctx.globalAlpha = alpha * 0.5;
           ctx.shadowBlur = 10;
           ctx.shadowColor = color;
-          ctx.arc(s.x, s.y, s.r * 1.8, 0, Math.PI * 2);
+          ctx.arc(p.x, p.y, s.r * 1.8, 0, Math.PI * 2);
           ctx.fill();
         }
 
@@ -197,19 +245,19 @@ export default function AnimatedBackground({ particles = true, className = '' }:
         ctx.globalAlpha = alpha;
         ctx.shadowBlur = s.anchor ? 6 : 3;
         ctx.shadowColor = color;
-        ctx.arc(s.x, s.y, s.r, 0, Math.PI * 2);
+        ctx.arc(p.x, p.y, s.r, 0, Math.PI * 2);
         ctx.fill();
       }
       ctx.globalAlpha = 1;
       ctx.shadowBlur = 0;
 
-      // 3) Shooting stars.
+      // 3) Shooting stars (screen-space; not part of the rotating sky).
       if (now >= nextShooterAt) spawnShooter(now);
       for (let i = shooters.length - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
         const sh = shooters[i];
         sh.x += Math.cos(sh.angle) * sh.speed;
         sh.y += Math.sin(sh.angle) * sh.speed;
-        sh.life -= dt * 0.5; // fade over ~2s
+        sh.life -= dt * 0.5;
         if (sh.life <= 0 || sh.x > width + 60 || sh.y > height + 60) {
           shooters.splice(i, 1);
           continue;
@@ -218,8 +266,8 @@ export default function AnimatedBackground({ particles = true, className = '' }:
         const tailY = sh.y - Math.sin(sh.angle) * sh.len;
         const grad = ctx.createLinearGradient(sh.x, sh.y, tailX, tailY);
         const headA = Math.max(0, Math.min(1, sh.life));
-        grad.addColorStop(0, `rgba(244, 241, 232, ${headA.toFixed(3)})`); // star-white head
-        grad.addColorStop(0.4, `rgba(232, 181, 74, ${(headA * 0.6).toFixed(3)})`); // gold mid
+        grad.addColorStop(0, `rgba(244, 241, 232, ${headA.toFixed(3)})`);
+        grad.addColorStop(0.4, `rgba(232, 181, 74, ${(headA * 0.6).toFixed(3)})`);
         grad.addColorStop(1, 'rgba(232, 181, 74, 0)');
         ctx.strokeStyle = grad;
         ctx.lineWidth = 1.6;
@@ -228,7 +276,6 @@ export default function AnimatedBackground({ particles = true, className = '' }:
         ctx.lineTo(tailX, tailY);
         ctx.stroke();
 
-        // Bright head dot.
         ctx.beginPath();
         ctx.fillStyle = `rgba(244, 241, 232, ${headA.toFixed(3)})`;
         ctx.shadowBlur = 8;
@@ -271,26 +318,49 @@ export default function AnimatedBackground({ particles = true, className = '' }:
     };
   }, [particles]);
 
+  const skyClass = transitionName === 'sky' ? 'vt-sky' : '';
+
   return (
     <div
-      className={`pointer-events-none absolute inset-0 -z-10 overflow-hidden ${className}`}
+      className={`pointer-events-none absolute inset-0 -z-10 overflow-hidden ${skyClass} ${className}`}
       aria-hidden="true"
     >
-      {/* Layer 1: animated mesh gradient (midnight indigo -> violet + gold edges). */}
+      {/* Layer 1: night-sky gradient — deep blue, darker at top, lighter toward
+          a low horizon. Evokes a true clear night sky rather than a flat color. */}
       <div
-        className="animate-gradient-shift absolute inset-0 opacity-95"
+        className="absolute inset-0"
+        style={{
+          background:
+            'linear-gradient(180deg, #04061a 0%, #070b24 32%, #0a1230 58%, #0e1a3e 82%, #12224a 100%)',
+        }}
+      />
+      {/* Milky Way galaxy band — a soft diagonal luminous streak with a denser
+          core, blending teal + violet + faint gold. Sits over the base sky. */}
+      <div
+        className="animate-gradient-shift absolute inset-0 opacity-90"
         style={{
-          backgroundColor: 'var(--color-surface-sunken)',
           backgroundImage: `
-            radial-gradient(60% 80% at 15% 10%, color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-amber) 18%, transparent), transparent 60%),
-            radial-gradient(55% 70% at 85% 0%, color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-violet, var(--color-secondary)) 30%, transparent), transparent 60%),
-            radial-gradient(70% 90% at 50% 110%, color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-amber) 14%, transparent), transparent 60%)
+            radial-gradient(38% 70% at 68% 38%, rgba(111, 182, 173, 0.22), transparent 62%),
+            radial-gradient(30% 55% at 72% 44%, rgba(139, 123, 216, 0.26), transparent 60%),
+            radial-gradient(22% 40% at 76% 50%, rgba(232, 181, 74, 0.12), transparent 60%),
+            linear-gradient(115deg, transparent 30%, rgba(236, 233, 255, 0.06) 45%, rgba(236, 233, 255, 0.09) 52%, rgba(236, 233, 255, 0.05) 60%, transparent 72%)
+          `,
+          backgroundSize: '200% 200%',
+        }}
+      />
+      {/* Nebula clouds near the corners for color depth. */}
+      <div
+        className="absolute inset-0"
+        style={{
+          backgroundImage: `
+            radial-gradient(45% 55% at 12% 12%, rgba(139, 123, 216, 0.18), transparent 60%),
+            radial-gradient(40% 50% at 88% 88%, rgba(111, 182, 173, 0.16), transparent 62%)
           `,
         }}
       />
       {/* Faint astrolabe + sacred-geometry ornaments for esoteric texture. */}
       <svg
-        className="absolute -left-40 -top-40 h-[34rem] w-[34rem] animate-spin-slow text-(--color-amber) opacity-[0.08]"
+        className="absolute -left-40 -top-40 h-[34rem] w-[34rem] animate-spin-slow text-(--color-amber) opacity-[0.11]"
         viewBox="0 0 100 100"
         fill="none"
         stroke="currentColor"
@@ -317,7 +387,7 @@ export default function AnimatedBackground({ particles = true, className = '' }:
         })}
       </svg>
       <svg
-        className="absolute -right-44 bottom-[-12rem] h-[30rem] w-[30rem] text-(--color-violet) opacity-[0.08]"
+        className="absolute -right-44 bottom-[-12rem] h-[30rem] w-[30rem] text-(--color-violet) opacity-[0.11]"
         viewBox="0 0 100 100"
         fill="none"
         stroke="currentColor"
@@ -343,10 +413,10 @@ export default function AnimatedBackground({ particles = true, className = '' }:
         className="absolute inset-0"
         style={{
           background:
-            'radial-gradient(120% 80% at 50% 30%, transparent 40%, color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-surface-sunken) 70%, transparent) 100%)',
+            'radial-gradient(120% 80% at 50% 30%, transparent 40%, rgba(4, 6, 26, 0.7) 100%)',
         }}
       />
-      {/* Layer 3: canvas star field (skipped under reduced motion). */}
+      {/* Canvas star field (skipped under reduced motion). */}
       <canvas ref={canvasRef} className="absolute inset-0 h-full w-full" />
     </div>
   );
diff --git a/src/components/layout/Footer.astro b/src/components/layout/Footer.astro
index 8247698..2552294 100644
--- a/src/components/layout/Footer.astro
+++ b/src/components/layout/Footer.astro
@@ -2,27 +2,39 @@
 /**
  * Footer.astro
  * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
- * Minimal footer: social links (mdi icons), copyright, and the spec microcopy
- * "Built with intention. Powered by caffeine." No emojis per spec.
+ * Minimal footer on a deep night-sky surface: a faint static starfield accent,
+ * a StarBurst mark beside the name, social links (mdi icons), copyright, and
+ * the spec microcopy "Built with intention. Powered by caffeine." No emojis.
  */
 import Icon from '@components/Icon.astro';
+import StarBurst from '@components/mystic/StarBurst.astro';
+import StarField from '@components/mystic/StarField.astro';
 import { socials, footerMicrocopy, siteIdentity } from '@lib/site';
 const year = new Date().getFullYear();
 const socialList = Object.values(socials);
 ---
 
 <footer
-  class="border-t"
+  class="relative overflow-hidden border-t"
   style="border-color: var(--color-border); background: var(--color-surface-sunken);"
 >
-  <div class="container-prose flex flex-col items-center gap-6 py-10 text-center sm:flex-row sm:justify-between sm:text-left">
-    <div class="flex flex-col gap-1">
-      <p class="font-sans text-sm font-semibold" style="color: var(--color-text);">
-        {siteIdentity.name}
-      </p>
-      <p class="font-mono text-xs italic" style="color: var(--color-text-subtle);">
-        {footerMicrocopy}
-      </p>
+  {/* Faint static starfield — carries the night-sky treatment into the footer. */}
+  <StarField
+    class="pointer-events-none absolute inset-0 h-full w-full"
+    style="color: var(--color-accent); opacity:.35;"
+    density="sparse"
+  />
+  <div class="container-prose relative z-10 flex flex-col items-center gap-6 py-10 text-center sm:flex-row sm:justify-between sm:text-left">
+    <div class="flex items-center gap-3">
+      <StarBurst class="h-5 w-5 shrink-0" style="color: var(--color-accent);" />
+      <div class="flex flex-col gap-1">
+        <p class="font-sans text-sm font-semibold" style="color: var(--color-text);">
+          {siteIdentity.name}
+        </p>
+        <p class="font-mono text-xs italic" style="color: var(--color-text-subtle);">
+          {footerMicrocopy}
+        </p>
+      </div>
     </div>
 
     <ul class="flex items-center gap-2">
@@ -43,7 +55,7 @@ const socialList = Object.values(socials);
       ))}
     </ul>
   </div>
-  <div class="container-prose pb-8 text-center text-xs" style="color: var(--color-text-subtle);">
+  <div class="container-prose relative z-10 pb-8 text-center text-xs" style="color: var(--color-text-subtle);">
     &copy; {year} {siteIdentity.name}. All rights reserved.
   </div>
 </footer>
diff --git a/src/components/layout/InterestHero.astro b/src/components/layout/InterestHero.astro
index 50ce83d..525c404 100644
--- a/src/components/layout/InterestHero.astro
+++ b/src/components/layout/InterestHero.astro
@@ -41,11 +41,12 @@ const {
 } = Astro.props;
 ---
 
-<section class="relative overflow-hidden pt-28 sm:pt-32">
-  <!-- Calmer background: gradient only, no particles on interest pages. -->
-  <AnimatedBackground client:idle particles={false} />
+<section class="relative min-h-[60vh] overflow-hidden pt-28 sm:pt-32">
+  <!-- Full animated Milky Way field + stars (matches the Home/Interests hero).
+       Carries the per-page morph name (one .vt-sky per page snapshot). -->
+  <AnimatedBackground client:idle transitionName="sky" />
 
-  <div class="container-prose relative z-10 flex flex-col items-start gap-6 py-12">
+  <div class="container-prose relative z-10 flex flex-col items-start gap-6 py-16">
     <Reveal>
       <a
         href="/interests"
diff --git a/src/components/mystic/CircuitField.tsx b/src/components/mystic/CircuitField.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8ade863
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/components/mystic/CircuitField.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,240 @@
+/**
+ * CircuitField.tsx
+ * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * The Professional page's counterpart to ConstellationField. It draws a faint
+ * circuit-board pattern — orthogonal traces connecting node pads, with a slow
+ * "signal pulse" traveling the traces — instead of stars and constellations.
+ *
+ * Crucially it carries the SAME `view-transition-name` ("sky") as the star
+ * fields on other pages. So when you navigate from, say, the Home hero
+ * (ConstellationField / AnimatedBackground) to the Professional page, the
+ * browser's View Transition morphs the star field into the circuit field as
+ * one element — constellations visibly transform into circuitry.
+ *
+ * Honors prefers-reduced-motion (renders a static board) and pauses off-screen.
+ */
+import { useEffect, useRef } from 'react';
+
+interface Props {
+  className?: string;
+  /**
+   * Opt-in View Transition name. Unset by default. The page should set this on
+   * AT MOST ONE element per page (the hero field). Applied via the `.vt-sky`
+   * CSS class to avoid an SSR/hydration mismatch with React's inline style.
+   */
+  transitionName?: 'sky';
+}
+
+interface Trace {
+  x1: number;
+  y1: number;
+  x2: number;
+  y2: number;
+}
+interface Node {
+  x: number;
+  y: number;
+}
+
+export default function CircuitField({
+  className = '',
+  transitionName,
+}: Props) {
+  const canvasRef = useRef<HTMLCanvasElement>(null);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const canvas = canvasRef.current;
+    if (!canvas) return;
+    const ctx = canvas.getContext('2d');
+    if (!ctx) return;
+
+    const reduce = window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches;
+    const dpr = Math.min(window.devicePixelRatio || 1, 2);
+    let raf = 0;
+    let width = 0;
+    let height = 0;
+    let t0 = performance.now();
+
+    let traces: Trace[] = [];
+    let nodes: Node[] = [];
+
+    const gold = '#e8b54a';
+    const violet = '#8b7bd8';
+    const teal = '#6fb6ad';
+
+    function build() {
+      if (!canvas || !ctx) return;
+      const rect = canvas.getBoundingClientRect();
+      width = rect.width;
+      height = rect.height;
+      canvas.width = Math.floor(width * dpr);
+      canvas.height = Math.floor(height * dpr);
+      ctx.setTransform(dpr, 0, 0, dpr, 0, 0);
+
+      // Build an orthogonal circuit on a grid: place nodes at grid intersections
+      // (with jitter + random omissions), then connect neighbors with right-angle
+      // traces. This reads as a PCB / schematic, not a star map.
+      const step = 64;
+      const cols = Math.ceil(width / step) + 1;
+      const rows = Math.ceil(height / step) + 1;
+      const present: boolean[][] = [];
+      nodes = [];
+      for (let r = 0; r < rows; r++) {
+        present[r] = [];
+        for (let c = 0; c < cols; c++) {
+          // ~62% of intersections get a pad.
+          present[r][c] = Math.random() < 0.62;
+          if (present[r][c]) {
+            const jx = (Math.random() - 0.5) * step * 0.25;
+            const jy = (Math.random() - 0.5) * step * 0.25;
+            nodes.push({ x: c * step + jx, y: r * step + jy });
+          }
+        }
+      }
+      traces = [];
+      for (let r = 0; r < rows; r++) {
+        for (let c = 0; c < cols; c++) {
+          if (!present[r][c]) continue;
+          const here = { x: c * step, y: r * step };
+          // Right neighbor.
+          if (c + 1 < cols && present[r][c + 1] && Math.random() < 0.7) {
+            traces.push({ x1: here.x, y1: here.y, x2: (c + 1) * step, y2: r * step });
+          }
+          // Down neighbor.
+          if (r + 1 < rows && present[r + 1][c] && Math.random() < 0.7) {
+            traces.push({ x1: here.x, y1: here.y, x2: c * step, y2: (r + 1) * step });
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    }
+
+    function frame(now: number) {
+      if (!ctx) return;
+      const dt = Math.min(0.05, (now - t0) / 1000);
+      t0 = now;
+      ctx.clearRect(0, 0, width, height);
+
+      // Traces. A signal pulse brightens a moving window along each trace, with
+      // traces staggered so pulses are distributed across the board over time.
+      for (let i = 0; i < traces.length; i++) {
+        const t = traces[i];
+        // Base trace — clearly visible violet conductor line.
+        ctx.strokeStyle = 'rgba(168, 158, 220, 0.55)';
+        ctx.lineWidth = 1.4;
+        ctx.beginPath();
+        ctx.moveTo(t.x1, t.y1);
+        ctx.lineTo(t.x2, t.y2);
+        ctx.stroke();
+
+        // Pulse: a bright gold "signal" traveling the trace. position 0..1,
+        // looping, with traces staggered so pulses spread across the board.
+        const period = 6 + (i % 7);
+        const phase = ((now / 1000) % period) / period;
+        const px = t.x1 + (t.x2 - t.x1) * phase;
+        const py = t.y1 + (t.y2 - t.y1) * phase;
+        ctx.strokeStyle = gold;
+        ctx.globalAlpha = 0.95;
+        ctx.lineWidth = 2.2;
+        ctx.shadowBlur = 10;
+        ctx.shadowColor = gold;
+        ctx.beginPath();
+        ctx.moveTo(px - (t.x2 - t.x1) * 0.08, py - (t.y2 - t.y1) * 0.08);
+        ctx.lineTo(px, py);
+        ctx.stroke();
+        // Bright pulse head dot.
+        ctx.globalAlpha = 1;
+        ctx.fillStyle = '#fff4d6';
+        ctx.beginPath();
+        ctx.arc(px, py, 1.8, 0, Math.PI * 2);
+        ctx.fill();
+        ctx.globalAlpha = 1;
+        ctx.shadowBlur = 0;
+      }
+
+      // Node pads — solid teal fill with a brighter violet ring (solder pad).
+      for (const n of nodes) {
+        ctx.beginPath();
+        ctx.fillStyle = teal;
+        ctx.globalAlpha = 0.95;
+        ctx.arc(n.x, n.y, 2.4, 0, Math.PI * 2);
+        ctx.fill();
+        ctx.globalAlpha = 0.85;
+        ctx.strokeStyle = violet;
+        ctx.lineWidth = 1.4;
+        ctx.beginPath();
+        ctx.arc(n.x, n.y, 4.5, 0, Math.PI * 2);
+        ctx.stroke();
+      }
+      ctx.globalAlpha = 1;
+
+      void dt;
+      raf = requestAnimationFrame(frame);
+    }
+
+    function drawStatic() {
+      if (!ctx) return;
+      ctx.clearRect(0, 0, width, height);
+      for (const t of traces) {
+        ctx.strokeStyle = 'rgba(168, 158, 220, 0.5)';
+        ctx.lineWidth = 1.4;
+        ctx.beginPath();
+        ctx.moveTo(t.x1, t.y1);
+        ctx.lineTo(t.x2, t.y2);
+        ctx.stroke();
+      }
+      for (const n of nodes) {
+        ctx.fillStyle = teal;
+        ctx.globalAlpha = 0.95;
+        ctx.beginPath();
+        ctx.arc(n.x, n.y, 2.4, 0, Math.PI * 2);
+        ctx.fill();
+      }
+      ctx.globalAlpha = 1;
+    }
+
+    build();
+    if (reduce) {
+      drawStatic();
+    } else {
+      t0 = performance.now();
+      raf = requestAnimationFrame(frame);
+    }
+    const onResize = () => {
+      build();
+      if (reduce) drawStatic();
+    };
+    window.addEventListener('resize', onResize);
+
+    const io = new IntersectionObserver((entries) => {
+      if (reduce) return;
+      for (const e of entries) {
+        if (e.isIntersecting) {
+          if (!raf) {
+            t0 = performance.now();
+            raf = requestAnimationFrame(frame);
+          }
+        } else {
+          cancelAnimationFrame(raf);
+          raf = 0;
+        }
+      }
+    });
+    io.observe(canvas);
+
+    return () => {
+      cancelAnimationFrame(raf);
+      window.removeEventListener('resize', onResize);
+      io.disconnect();
+    };
+  }, []);
+
+  const skyClass = transitionName === 'sky' ? 'vt-sky' : '';
+
+  return (
+    <canvas
+      ref={canvasRef}
+      className={`pointer-events-none absolute inset-0 h-full w-full ${skyClass} ${className}`}
+      aria-hidden="true"
+    />
+  );
+}
diff --git a/src/components/mystic/ConstellationField.tsx b/src/components/mystic/ConstellationField.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f05d94e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/components/mystic/ConstellationField.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,255 @@
+/**
+ * ConstellationField.tsx
+ * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * A calmer, reusable star-field island for SECTION backgrounds (everything that
+ * isn't the hero). Compared to AnimatedBackground it is:
+ *   - sparser and dimmer (so foreground content stays readable),
+ *   - slow-blink only (no shooting stars / nebula),
+ *   - the whole field rotates together very slowly, reading as a slice of sky
+ *     turning as the planet rotates.
+ *
+ * Carries a `view-transition-name` (default "sky") so that when the browser
+ * morphs between pages via Astro's <ClientRouter />, the hero's star field and
+ * a section's constellation field cross-fade/translate as one continuous sky.
+ * On the Professional page we render CircuitField instead, which shares the
+ * same transition name — so constellations visibly MORPH into circuit traces.
+ *
+ * Honors prefers-reduced-motion (renders a static field) and pauses when the
+ * section is off-screen.
+ */
+import { useEffect, useRef } from 'react';
+
+interface Props {
+  /** Density multiplier. 1 = default; lower for quieter sections. */
+  density?: number;
+  /** Tailwind/className passthrough for the root. */
+  className?: string;
+  /**
+   * Opt-in View Transition name. DEFAULT IS UNSET so the field carries NO
+   * view-transition-name. The View Transitions API requires the name to be
+   * UNIQUE within a single page snapshot; assigning "sky" to every instance
+   * caused "Unexpected duplicate view-transition-name: sky" + transition
+   * aborts. The page should set this on AT MOST ONE field per page (typically
+   * the hero), and it must match the corresponding element on the destination
+   * page for the morph (e.g. constellations -> circuitry) to play.
+   *
+   * Set via the `data-sky` attribute + the `.vt-sky` CSS class (see global.css)
+   * rather than React's inline style, which avoids an SSR/hydration mismatch.
+   */
+  transitionName?: 'sky';
+  /** Star color theme. 'gold' leans warm, 'violet' leans mystic. */
+  tint?: 'gold' | 'violet' | 'teal';
+}
+
+export default function ConstellationField({
+  density = 1,
+  className = '',
+  transitionName,
+  tint = 'gold',
+}: Props) {
+  const canvasRef = useRef<HTMLCanvasElement>(null);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const canvas = canvasRef.current;
+    if (!canvas) return;
+    const ctx = canvas.getContext('2d');
+    if (!ctx) return;
+
+    const reduce = window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches;
+    const dpr = Math.min(window.devicePixelRatio || 1, 2);
+    let raf = 0;
+    let width = 0;
+    let height = 0;
+    let angle = 0;
+    let t0 = performance.now();
+
+    interface Star {
+      rx: number;
+      ry: number;
+      r: number;
+      tw: number;
+      tws: number;
+      baseA: number;
+      anchor: boolean;
+    }
+    let stars: Star[] = [];
+
+    const gold = '#e8b54a';
+    const violet = '#8b7bd8';
+    const teal = '#6fb6ad';
+    const white = '#f4f1e8';
+    const accent = tint === 'violet' ? violet : tint === 'teal' ? teal : gold;
+
+    // One full rotation every ~10 minutes — barely perceptible, "planet turning".
+    const ROT_SPEED = (Math.PI * 2) / (10 * 60);
+    const LINK_DIST = 175;
+    const LINK_DIST_SQ = LINK_DIST * LINK_DIST;
+
+    function resize() {
+      if (!canvas || !ctx) return;
+      const rect = canvas.getBoundingClientRect();
+      width = rect.width;
+      height = rect.height;
+      canvas.width = Math.floor(width * dpr);
+      canvas.height = Math.floor(height * dpr);
+      ctx.setTransform(dpr, 0, 0, dpr, 0, 0);
+
+      const cx = width / 2;
+      const cy = height / 2;
+      const maxR = Math.sqrt(cx * cx + cy * cy) + 40;
+      // Tuned for ~40% constellation coverage. One star per ~6500 px^2, scaled
+      // by density; ~14% anchors for a rich constellation backbone.
+      const count = Math.min(
+        260,
+        Math.floor(((Math.PI * maxR * maxR) / 6500) * density),
+      );
+      stars = Array.from({ length: count }, (_, i) => {
+        const anchor = i % 7 === 0;
+        const rr = maxR * Math.sqrt(Math.random());
+        const a = Math.random() * Math.PI * 2;
+        return {
+          rx: cx + rr * Math.cos(a),
+          ry: cy + rr * Math.sin(a),
+          r: anchor ? 1.1 + Math.random() * 1.0 : 0.3 + Math.random() * 0.9,
+          tw: Math.random() * Math.PI * 2,
+          tws: 0.1 + Math.random() * 0.25,
+          baseA: anchor ? 0.4 + Math.random() * 0.3 : 0.1 + Math.random() * 0.3,
+          anchor,
+        };
+      });
+    }
+
+    function drawStatic() {
+      if (!ctx) return;
+      ctx.clearRect(0, 0, width, height);
+      const cx = width / 2;
+      const cy = height / 2;
+      for (const s of stars) {
+        ctx.beginPath();
+        ctx.fillStyle = s.anchor ? accent : white;
+        ctx.globalAlpha = s.baseA;
+        ctx.arc(s.rx, s.ry, s.r, 0, Math.PI * 2);
+        ctx.fill();
+      }
+      ctx.globalAlpha = 1;
+      void cx;
+      void cy;
+    }
+
+    function frame(now: number) {
+      if (!ctx) return;
+      const dt = Math.min(0.05, (now - t0) / 1000);
+      t0 = now;
+      angle += ROT_SPEED * dt;
+      ctx.clearRect(0, 0, width, height);
+
+      const cx = width / 2;
+      const cy = height / 2;
+      const cosA = Math.cos(angle);
+      const sinA = Math.sin(angle);
+      const project = (rx: number, ry: number): [number, number] => [
+        cx + (rx - cx) * cosA - (ry - cy) * sinA,
+        cy + (rx - cx) * sinA + (ry - cy) * cosA,
+      ];
+
+      const proj = stars.map((s) => {
+        const [x, y] = project(s.rx, s.ry);
+        return { s, x, y };
+      });
+
+      // Constellation lines between near anchors.
+      ctx.lineWidth = 0.5;
+      for (let i = 0; i < proj.length; i++) {
+        const A = proj[i];
+        if (!A.s.anchor) continue;
+        for (let j = i + 1; j < proj.length; j++) {
+          const B = proj[j];
+          if (!B.s.anchor) continue;
+          const ddx = A.x - B.x;
+          const ddy = A.y - B.y;
+          const d2 = ddx * ddx + ddy * ddy;
+          if (d2 > LINK_DIST_SQ) continue;
+          const proximity = 1 - Math.sqrt(d2) / LINK_DIST;
+          const pulse = 0.5 + 0.5 * Math.sin(now / 1600 + (i + j) * 0.7);
+          const alpha = proximity * 0.24 * (0.55 + 0.45 * pulse);
+          ctx.strokeStyle = `rgba(232, 181, 74, ${alpha.toFixed(3)})`;
+          ctx.beginPath();
+          ctx.moveTo(A.x, A.y);
+          ctx.lineTo(B.x, B.y);
+          ctx.stroke();
+        }
+      }
+
+      // Slow-blink stars.
+      for (const p of proj) {
+        const s = p.s;
+        s.tw += s.tws * dt;
+        if (p.x < -8 || p.x > width + 8 || p.y < -8 || p.y > height + 8) continue;
+        const blink = 0.55 + 0.45 * Math.sin(s.tw);
+        const alpha = Math.max(0, Math.min(1, s.baseA * blink));
+        ctx.beginPath();
+        ctx.fillStyle = s.anchor ? accent : white;
+        ctx.globalAlpha = alpha;
+        if (s.anchor) {
+          ctx.shadowBlur = 6;
+          ctx.shadowColor = accent;
+        } else {
+          ctx.shadowBlur = 0;
+        }
+        ctx.arc(p.x, p.y, s.r, 0, Math.PI * 2);
+        ctx.fill();
+      }
+      ctx.globalAlpha = 1;
+      ctx.shadowBlur = 0;
+      raf = requestAnimationFrame(frame);
+    }
+
+    resize();
+    if (reduce) {
+      drawStatic();
+    } else {
+      t0 = performance.now();
+      raf = requestAnimationFrame(frame);
+    }
+    const onResize = () => {
+      resize();
+      if (reduce) drawStatic();
+    };
+    window.addEventListener('resize', onResize);
+
+    const io = new IntersectionObserver((entries) => {
+      if (reduce) return;
+      for (const e of entries) {
+        if (e.isIntersecting) {
+          if (!raf) {
+            t0 = performance.now();
+            raf = requestAnimationFrame(frame);
+          }
+        } else {
+          cancelAnimationFrame(raf);
+          raf = 0;
+        }
+      }
+    });
+    io.observe(canvas);
+
+    return () => {
+      cancelAnimationFrame(raf);
+      window.removeEventListener('resize', onResize);
+      io.disconnect();
+    };
+  }, [density, tint]);
+
+  // Apply the view-transition-name via a CSS class (global.css `.vt-sky`) rather
+  // than React's inline style: avoids an SSR/hydration attribute mismatch and
+  // keeps the name off by default (only one field per page should opt in).
+  const skyClass = transitionName === 'sky' ? 'vt-sky' : '';
+
+  return (
+    <canvas
+      ref={canvasRef}
+      className={`pointer-events-none absolute inset-0 h-full w-full ${skyClass} ${className}`}
+      aria-hidden="true"
+    />
+  );
+}
diff --git a/src/components/nav/NavBar.astro b/src/components/nav/NavBar.astro
index 0cd5777..65d1ab5 100644
--- a/src/components/nav/NavBar.astro
+++ b/src/components/nav/NavBar.astro
@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@
  * Mobile renders a hamburger (MobileMenu.tsx) with the same two-group structure.
  */
 import Icon from '@components/Icon.astro';
-import ThemeToggle from './ThemeToggle.tsx';
 import MobileMenu from './MobileMenu.tsx';
+import StarBurst from '@components/mystic/StarBurst.astro';
 import { navGroups, siteIdentity } from '@lib/site';
 
 const path = Astro.url.pathname;
@@ -31,12 +31,15 @@ const isActive = (href: string) =>
       aria-label="Primary"
     >
       <!-- Logo / identity -->
-      <a href="/" class="group flex flex-col leading-tight" aria-label={`${siteIdentity.name} home`}>
-        <span class="font-sans text-base font-bold tracking-tight" style="color: var(--color-text);">
-          {siteIdentity.name}
-        </span>
-        <span class="hidden font-mono text-[0.65rem] uppercase tracking-[0.18em] sm:block" style="color: var(--color-text-subtle);">
-          {siteIdentity.tagline}
+      <a href="/" class="group flex items-center gap-2 leading-tight" aria-label={`${siteIdentity.name} home`}>
+        <StarBurst class="h-4 w-4 shrink-0 transition-transform duration-700 group-hover:rotate-90" style="color: var(--color-accent);" />
+        <span class="flex flex-col">
+          <span class="font-sans text-base font-bold tracking-tight" style="color: var(--color-text);">
+            {siteIdentity.name}
+          </span>
+          <span class="hidden font-mono text-[0.65rem] uppercase tracking-[0.18em] sm:block" style="color: var(--color-text-subtle);">
+            {siteIdentity.tagline}
+          </span>
         </span>
       </a>
 
@@ -63,14 +66,11 @@ const isActive = (href: string) =>
           </div>
         ))}
 
-        <div class="ml-1">
-          <ThemeToggle client:idle />
-        </div>
+        <div class="ml-1" />
       </div>
 
-      <!-- Mobile controls -->
+      <!-- Mobile controls (theme toggle removed: dark mode is forced for now) -->
       <div class="flex items-center gap-2 md:hidden">
-        <ThemeToggle client:idle />
         <MobileMenu client:idle groups={navGroups} currentPath={path} />
       </div>
     </nav>
diff --git a/src/layouts/BaseLayout.astro b/src/layouts/BaseLayout.astro
index 7453b84..a130ba7 100644
--- a/src/layouts/BaseLayout.astro
+++ b/src/layouts/BaseLayout.astro
@@ -54,10 +54,13 @@ const ogImageUrl = ogImage
 ---
 
 <!doctype html>
-<!-- `no-js` is removed by reveal-init.ts the moment JS runs. While it stays,
-     the global.css `.no-js .reveal { opacity: 1 }` rule guarantees content is
-     never invisible even if the reveal script fails to load. -->
-<html lang="en" class="no-js" data-theme="light">
+<!-- no-js guard: removed by reveal-init.ts once JS runs; while present, the
+     global.css `.no-js .reveal { opacity:1 }` rule keeps content visible even
+     if the reveal script fails. Theme model: data-theme on <html>, data-surface
+     on <body>. DARK MODE IS CURRENTLY FORCED — light mode is deferred (the
+     site is designed for dark first). theme-init.ts pins data-theme="dark" and
+     ignores any stored/OS preference until light mode is reintroduced. -->
+<html lang="en" class="no-js" data-theme="dark">
   <head>
     <meta charset="UTF-8" />
     <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" />
@@ -79,7 +82,10 @@ const ogImageUrl = ogImage
 
     <link rel="icon" type="image/svg+xml" href="/favicon.svg" />
 
-    <!-- Theme boot: blocking inline script prevents flash of wrong theme. -->
+    <!-- Theme boot: blocking inline script prevents flash of the wrong theme.
+         Dark mode is currently forced (light mode deferred), so this just pins
+         data-theme="dark" before paint. No data-astro-rerun needed since the
+         theme never changes across navigations. -->
     <script is:inline set:html={themeInitScript} />
 
     <!-- Reveal-on-scroll observer. Pairs with Reveal.astro / [data-reveal].
diff --git a/src/pages/about.astro b/src/pages/about.astro
index aec3972..e674305 100644
--- a/src/pages/about.astro
+++ b/src/pages/about.astro
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import SectionHeader from '@components/layout/SectionHeader.astro';
 import SplitTransition from '@components/layout/SplitTransition.astro';
 import CelestialImage from '@components/mystic/CelestialImage.astro';
 import AlchemicalDivider from '@components/mystic/AlchemicalDivider.astro';
+import ConstellationField from '@components/mystic/ConstellationField.tsx';
 
 // Spec "Quick Facts", emojis -> mdi icons.
 const quickFacts = [
@@ -31,15 +32,18 @@ const quickFacts = [
   description="The human story behind the resume: Greg Kilmer on curiosity, tabletop RPGs, resin dice, and a Philadelphia apartment with too many board games."
 >
   <!-- Header -->
-  <section class="container-prose flex flex-col gap-10 pb-10 pt-28 sm:pt-32">
-    <Reveal>
-      <SectionHeader
-        kicker="About"
-        icon="account-details"
-        title="The person behind the projects"
-        subtitle="Two wings of the same house. This page is the bridge between them."
-      />
-    </Reveal>
+  <section class="relative overflow-hidden pb-10 pt-28 sm:pt-32">
+    <ConstellationField client:idle className="opacity-40" tint="violet" transitionName="sky" />
+    <div class="container-prose relative z-10 flex flex-col gap-10">
+      <Reveal>
+        <SectionHeader
+          kicker="About"
+          icon="account-details"
+          title="The person behind the projects"
+          subtitle="Two wings of the same house. This page is the bridge between them."
+        />
+      </Reveal>
+    </div>
   </section>
 
   <!-- Section 1: The Short Version -->
diff --git a/src/pages/index.astro b/src/pages/index.astro
index 7d2ad11..70fb3b0 100644
--- a/src/pages/index.astro
+++ b/src/pages/index.astro
@@ -1,14 +1,14 @@
 ---
 /**
- * index.astro — Home (Landing)
- * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
- * First impression page. Full-width hero with the animated background, the spec
- * headline/subheadline/intro paragraph, and the two CTA buttons. Below the fold
- * is the 3-column snapshot grid (Professional, Tabletop, Making) plus the wider
- * Reading & Media strip. All copy is verbatim from the spec.
- *
- * Emojis from the spec table are rendered as mdi icons (no emojis per spec).
- */
+* index.astro — Home (Landing)
+* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+* First impression page. Full-width hero with the animated background, the spec
+* headline/subheadline/intro paragraph, and the two CTA buttons. Below the fold
+* is the 3-column snapshot grid (Professional, Tabletop, Making) plus the wider
+* Reading & Media strip. All copy is verbatim from the spec.
+*
+* Emojis from the spec table are rendered as mdi icons (no emojis per spec).
+*/
 import BaseLayout from '@layouts/BaseLayout.astro';
 import Reveal from '@components/motion/Reveal.astro';
 import AnimatedBackground from '@components/hero/AnimatedBackground.tsx';
@@ -17,68 +17,63 @@ import SectionHeader from '@components/layout/SectionHeader.astro';
 import CelestialImage from '@components/mystic/CelestialImage.astro';
 import AlchemicalDivider from '@components/mystic/AlchemicalDivider.astro';
 import SacredGeometry from '@components/mystic/SacredGeometry.astro';
+import ConstellationField from '@components/mystic/ConstellationField.tsx';
 
 // Snapshot grid content from the spec, with spec emojis mapped to mdi icons.
 // Each card now carries a vibe-matched stock image (swap for real photos later).
 const cards = [
-  {
-    icon: 'briefcase',
-    title: 'Professional',
-    copy: 'From SAP-adjacent cloud apps to full-stack mobile — a decade of building software that businesses actually use.',
-    href: '/professional',
-    image: '/images/pro-workspace.jpg',
-    alt: 'Developer workspace with code on screen',
-  },
-  {
-    icon: 'dice-multiple',
-    title: 'Tabletop',
-    copy: "Currently running two campaigns in Foundry VTT and playtesting MCDM's Crows. Always rolling dice.",
-    href: '/interests/ttrpgs',
-    image: '/images/ttrpg-dice.jpg',
-    alt: 'Polyhedral dice on a dark surface',
-  },
-  {
-    icon: 'palette',
-    title: 'Making',
-    copy: 'Resin dice, 3D prints, and whatever else catches my eye. If it involves layers and precision, I am in.',
-    href: '/interests/making',
-    image: '/images/making-resin.jpg',
-    alt: 'Resin crafting in progress',
-  },
+{
+icon: 'briefcase',
+title: 'Professional',
+copy: 'From SAP-adjacent cloud apps to full-stack mobile — a decade of building software that businesses actually use.',
+href: '/professional',
+image: '/images/pro-workspace.jpg',
+alt: 'Developer workspace with code on screen',
+},
+{
+icon: 'dice-multiple',
+title: 'Tabletop',
+copy: "Currently running two campaigns in Foundry VTT and playtesting MCDM's Crows. Always rolling dice.",
+href: '/interests/ttrpgs',
+image: '/images/ttrpg-dice.jpg',
+alt: 'Polyhedral dice on a dark surface',
+},
+{
+icon: 'palette',
+title: 'Making',
+copy: 'Resin dice, 3D prints, and whatever else catches my eye. If it involves layers and precision, I am in.',
+href: '/interests/making',
+image: '/images/making-resin.jpg',
+alt: 'Resin crafting in progress',
+},
 ];
 ---
 
 <BaseLayout>
   <!-- ===================== HERO ===================== -->
   <section class="relative flex min-h-[88vh] items-center overflow-hidden pt-16">
-    <AnimatedBackground client:idle />
+    <AnimatedBackground client:idle transitionName="sky" />
 
     <div class="container-prose relative z-10 flex flex-col items-start gap-8 py-20">
       <div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-10 lg:flex-row lg:items-center">
         <Reveal as="div" class="max-w-2xl grow">
           <span
             class="mb-5 inline-flex items-center gap-2 rounded-full border px-3 py-1 font-mono text-xs uppercase tracking-[0.18em]"
-            style="border-color: var(--color-border); color: var(--color-text-muted); background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-surface-raised) 60%, transparent);"
-          >
+            style="border-color: var(--color-border); color: var(--color-text-muted); background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-surface-raised) 60%, transparent);">
             <span class="h-2 w-2 rounded-full animate-pulse-glow" style="background: var(--color-accent);"></span>
             Developer. Maker. Storyteller.
           </span>
 
-          <h1 class="text-balance" style="color: var(--color-text);">
+          <h1 class="text-balance" style="color: var(--text);">
             Greg Kilmer
           </h1>
 
-          <p
-            class="mt-3 font-sans text-xl font-medium sm:text-2xl"
-            style="color: var(--color-accent);"
-          >
+          <p class="mt-3 font-sans text-xl font-medium sm:text-2xl" style="color: var(--color-accent);">
             Software Developer &middot; Maker &middot; Tabletop Gamemaster
           </p>
 
-          <blockquote
-            class="mt-7 max-w-2xl border-l-2 pl-5 text-lg leading-relaxed"
-            style="border-color: var(--color-accent); color: var(--color-text-muted);"
-          >
+          <blockquote class="mt-7 max-w-2xl border-l-2 pl-5 text-lg leading-relaxed"
+            style="border-color: var(--color-accent); color: var(--text-muted);">
             I build things with code during the day and with resin, plastic, and
             imagination at night. I lead cloud and mobile development at Implico,
             run D&D campaigns that span years, and fill my shelves with Brandon
@@ -100,74 +95,58 @@ const cards = [
 
         {/* Hero portrait — framed in celestial ornament. Swap for a real photo of Greg. */}
         <Reveal as="div" delay={120} class="w-full max-w-sm shrink-0 lg:w-80">
-          <CelestialImage
-            src="/images/hero-portrait.jpg"
-            alt="Greg at his desk"
-            aspect="4/5"
-          />
+          <CelestialImage src="/images/hero-portrait.jpg" alt="Greg at his desk" aspect="4/5" />
         </Reveal>
       </div>
     </div>
 
     <!-- Scroll cue -->
-    <div class="pointer-events-none absolute bottom-6 left-1/2 -translate-x-1/2 animate-float" style="color: var(--color-text-subtle);" aria-hidden="true">
+    <div class="pointer-events-none absolute bottom-6 left-1/2 -translate-x-1/2 animate-float"
+      style="color: var(--color-text-subtle);" aria-hidden="true">
       <Icon name="chevron-down" class="h-7 w-7" />
     </div>
   </section>
 
   <!-- ===================== SNAPSHOT GRID ===================== -->
   <section class="relative overflow-hidden py-20 sm:py-28">
+    {/* Slow-rotating constellation field behind the section — a slice of sky. */}
+    <ConstellationField client:idle className="opacity-60" />
     {/* Faint sacred-geometry ornament behind the section. */}
-    <SacredGeometry
-      figure="flower"
-      class="pointer-events-none absolute -right-40 top-10 h-[40rem] w-[40rem]"
-      style="color: var(--color-violet); opacity:.06;"
-    />
-    <div class="container-prose relative flex flex-col gap-12">
+    <SacredGeometry figure="flower" class="pointer-events-none absolute -right-40 top-10 z-0 h-[40rem] w-[40rem]"
+      style="color: var(--color-violet); opacity:.08;" />
+    <div class="container-prose relative z-10 flex flex-col gap-12">
       <Reveal>
-        <SectionHeader
-          kicker="The two wings"
-          icon="home-heart"
-          title="A snapshot"
-          subtitle="One house, two wings. Polished and precise on the professional side; warm and inviting on the personal side."
-        />
+        <SectionHeader kicker="The two wings" icon="home-heart" title="A snapshot"
+          subtitle="One house, two wings. Polished and precise on the professional side; warm and inviting on the personal side." />
       </Reveal>
 
       <div class="grid gap-5 md:grid-cols-3">
         {cards.map((card, i) => (
-          <Reveal delay={i * 90}>
-            <a href={card.href} class="card card-interactive group flex h-full flex-col gap-4 overflow-hidden p-0">
-              <div class="aspect-[16/10] w-full overflow-hidden">
-                <img
-                  src={card.image}
-                  alt={card.alt}
-                  loading="lazy"
-                  decoding="async"
-                  class="h-full w-full object-cover transition-transform duration-700 group-hover:scale-105"
-                />
-              </div>
-              <div class="flex flex-col gap-4 px-5 pb-5">
-                <span
-                  class="inline-flex h-12 w-12 items-center justify-center rounded-xl"
-                  style="background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-accent) 16%, transparent); color: var(--color-accent);"
-                  aria-hidden="true"
-                >
-                  <Icon name={card.icon} class="h-6 w-6" />
-                </span>
-                <h3 class="font-sans" style="color: var(--color-text);">{card.title}</h3>
-                <p class="grow text-sm leading-relaxed" style="color: var(--color-text-muted);">
-                  {card.copy}
-                </p>
-                <span
-                  class="mt-1 inline-flex items-center gap-1 font-sans text-sm font-semibold transition-transform group-hover:translate-x-1"
-                  style="color: var(--color-accent);"
-                >
-                  Learn more
-                  <Icon name="arrow-right" class="h-4 w-4" />
-                </span>
-              </div>
-            </a>
-          </Reveal>
+        <Reveal delay={i * 90}>
+          <a href={card.href} class="card card-interactive group flex h-full flex-col gap-4 overflow-hidden p-0">
+            <div class="aspect-[16/10] w-full overflow-hidden">
+              <img src={card.image} alt={card.alt} loading="lazy" decoding="async"
+                class="h-full w-full object-cover transition-transform duration-700 group-hover:scale-105" />
+            </div>
+            <div class="flex flex-col gap-4 px-5 pb-5">
+              <span class="inline-flex h-12 w-12 items-center justify-center rounded-xl"
+                style="background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-accent) 16%, transparent); color: var(--color-accent);"
+                aria-hidden="true">
+                <Icon name={card.icon} class="h-6 w-6" />
+              </span>
+              <h3 class="font-sans" style="color: var(--color-text);">{card.title}</h3>
+              <p class="grow text-sm leading-relaxed" style="color: var(--color-text-muted);">
+                {card.copy}
+              </p>
+              <span
+                class="mt-1 inline-flex items-center gap-1 font-sans text-sm font-semibold transition-transform group-hover:translate-x-1"
+                style="color: var(--color-accent);">
+                Learn more
+                <Icon name="arrow-right" class="h-4 w-4" />
+              </span>
+            </div>
+          </a>
+        </Reveal>
         ))}
       </div>
 
@@ -177,13 +156,12 @@ const cards = [
 
       {/* Wider strip: Reading & Media */}
       <Reveal delay={120}>
-        <a
-          href="/interests/reading"
-          class="card card-interactive group flex flex-col gap-4 overflow-hidden p-0 sm:flex-row sm:items-center sm:justify-between"
-        >
+        <a href="/interests/reading"
+          class="card card-interactive group flex flex-col gap-4 overflow-hidden p-0 sm:flex-row sm:items-center sm:justify-between">
           <span class="flex items-center gap-4">
             <span class="hidden aspect-square w-32 shrink-0 overflow-hidden sm:block">
-              <img src="/images/fantasy-books.jpg" alt="Fantasy bookshelf" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="h-full w-full object-cover" />
+              <img src="/images/fantasy-books.jpg" alt="Fantasy bookshelf" loading="lazy" decoding="async"
+                class="h-full w-full object-cover" />
             </span>
             <span class="flex flex-col gap-1 px-5 py-4 sm:px-0 sm:py-0">
               <span class="font-mono text-xs uppercase tracking-[0.18em]" style="color: var(--color-text-subtle);">
@@ -194,9 +172,10 @@ const cards = [
               </span>
             </span>
           </span>
-          <Icon name="arrow-right" class="h-6 w-6 shrink-0 transition-transform group-hover:translate-x-1 sm:ml-4" style="color: var(--color-accent);" />
+          <Icon name="arrow-right" class="h-6 w-6 shrink-0 transition-transform group-hover:translate-x-1 sm:ml-4"
+            style="color: var(--color-accent);" />
         </a>
       </Reveal>
     </div>
   </section>
-</BaseLayout>
+</BaseLayout>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/pages/interests/index.astro b/src/pages/interests/index.astro
index 80255b7..a67b864 100644
--- a/src/pages/interests/index.astro
+++ b/src/pages/interests/index.astro
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import Icon from '@components/Icon.astro';
 import SectionHeader from '@components/layout/SectionHeader.astro';
 import AnimatedBackground from '@components/hero/AnimatedBackground.tsx';
 import SacredGeometry from '@components/mystic/SacredGeometry.astro';
+import ConstellationField from '@components/mystic/ConstellationField.tsx';
 
 const interests = [
   {
@@ -68,9 +69,10 @@ const interests = [
   description="The fun wing: tabletop RPGs, gaming, reading, resin dice and 3D printing, and Pokémon. Where Greg's passions live as stories and collections."
 >
   <!-- Hero -->
-  <section class="relative overflow-hidden pt-28 sm:pt-32">
-    <AnimatedBackground client:idle particles={false} />
-    <div class="container-prose relative z-10 flex flex-col items-start gap-6 py-12">
+  <section class="relative min-h-[60vh] overflow-hidden pt-28 sm:pt-32">
+    {/* Full animated Milky Way field + stars, matching the Home hero treatment. */}
+    <AnimatedBackground client:idle transitionName="sky" />
+    <div class="container-prose relative z-10 flex flex-col items-start gap-6 py-16">
       <Reveal>
         <SectionHeader
           kicker="The personal wing"
@@ -84,12 +86,13 @@ const interests = [
 
   <!-- Interest grid -->
   <section class="relative overflow-hidden py-12 sm:py-16">
+    <ConstellationField client:idle className="opacity-45" tint="teal" />
     <SacredGeometry
       figure="metatron"
-      class="pointer-events-none absolute -left-48 bottom-0 h-[38rem] w-[38rem]"
-      style="color: var(--color-accent); opacity:.05;"
+      class="pointer-events-none absolute -left-48 bottom-0 z-0 h-[38rem] w-[38rem]"
+      style="color: var(--color-accent); opacity:.07;"
     />
-    <div class="container-prose relative">
+    <div class="container-prose relative z-10">
       <div class="grid gap-5 md:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3">
         {interests.map((item, i) => (
           <Reveal delay={i * 80}>
diff --git a/src/pages/professional/index.astro b/src/pages/professional/index.astro
index 30dc1c3..39fd61e 100644
--- a/src/pages/professional/index.astro
+++ b/src/pages/professional/index.astro
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import SkillGrid from '@components/professional/SkillGrid.astro';
 import ProjectCard from '@components/professional/ProjectCard.astro';
 import AlchemicalDivider from '@components/mystic/AlchemicalDivider.astro';
 import Astrolabe from '@components/mystic/Astrolabe.astro';
+import CircuitField from '@components/mystic/CircuitField.tsx';
 import { getCollection } from 'astro:content';
 
 const experience = (await getCollection('experience')).sort(
@@ -38,12 +39,16 @@ const projects = (await getCollection('projects')).sort(
 >
   <!-- Page header -->
   <section class="relative overflow-hidden pt-28 sm:pt-32">
+    {/* Circuit-board field. Shares view-transition-name "sky" with the star
+        fields on other pages, so navigating here morphs constellations into
+        circuitry. */}
+    <CircuitField client:idle className="opacity-70" transitionName="sky" />
     {/* Slowly rotating astrolabe ornament behind the header. */}
     <Astrolabe
-      class="pointer-events-none absolute -right-48 -top-24 h-[34rem] w-[34rem] animate-spin-slow"
-      style="color: var(--color-accent); opacity:.10;"
+      class="pointer-events-none absolute z-0 -right-48 -top-24 h-[34rem] w-[34rem] animate-spin-slow"
+      style="color: var(--color-accent); opacity:.13;"
     />
-    <div class="container-prose relative flex flex-col gap-10">
+    <div class="container-prose relative z-10 flex flex-col gap-10">
       <Reveal>
         <SectionHeader
           kicker="Professional"
diff --git a/src/scripts/theme-init.ts b/src/scripts/theme-init.ts
index 0345d5a..d721021 100644
--- a/src/scripts/theme-init.ts
+++ b/src/scripts/theme-init.ts
@@ -2,34 +2,23 @@
  * theme-init.ts
  * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Inlined (as a string) into the <head> of BaseLayout.astro so it runs BEFORE
- * first paint. Reads the saved theme from localStorage, falling back to the OS
- * preference via prefers-color-scheme, and sets `data-theme` on <html>.
+ * first paint. Doing this inline + blocking is what prevents the flash-of-wrong-
+ * theme (FOUC). Keep this file dependency-free and tiny: it ships to every page.
  *
- * Doing this inline + blocking is what prevents the flash-of-wrong-theme (FOUC).
- * Keep this file dependency-free and tiny: it ships to every page.
+ * DARK MODE IS CURRENTLY FORCED. The site is designed dark-first; light mode is
+ * deferred. This script pins data-theme="dark" and ignores any stored/OS
+ * preference, so the page never flashes light and the (removed) toggle can't
+ * desync it. To reintroduce light mode later: restore the stored/prefers-color-
+ * scheme logic and re-add the ThemeToggle.
  */
 
 export const themeInitScript = `
 (function () {
   try {
-    var STORAGE_KEY = 'gk-theme';
-    var stored = localStorage.getItem(STORAGE_KEY);
-    var prefersDark = window.matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)').matches;
-    var theme = stored || (prefersDark ? 'dark' : 'light');
-    document.documentElement.setAttribute('data-theme', theme);
-
-    // React to OS theme changes only if the user hasn't chosen explicitly.
-    if (!stored) {
-      var mq = window.matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)');
-      var onChange = function (e) {
-        document.documentElement.setAttribute('data-theme', e.matches ? 'dark' : 'light');
-      };
-      if (mq.addEventListener) mq.addEventListener('change', onChange);
-      else if (mq.addListener) mq.addListener(onChange);
-    }
+    // Dark mode is forced for now (light mode is deferred).
+    document.documentElement.setAttribute('data-theme', 'dark');
   } catch (e) {
-    // If anything fails (private mode, etc.), default to light.
-    document.documentElement.setAttribute('data-theme', 'light');
+    document.documentElement.setAttribute('data-theme', 'dark');
   }
 })();
 `;
diff --git a/src/styles/global.css b/src/styles/global.css
index a292282..f87fe9f 100644
--- a/src/styles/global.css
+++ b/src/styles/global.css
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@
   }
   .btn-secondary {
     background: transparent;
-    color: var(--color-text);
+    color: var(--text);
     border: 1.5px solid var(--color-border);
   }
   .btn-secondary:hover {
@@ -291,3 +291,20 @@
     transition: none;
   }
 }
+
+/* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * View Transition name utility. Assigns `view-transition-name: sky` to a single
+ * hero/section field per page so the browser morphs the star/circuit field as
+ * one element across navigations (constellations <-> circuitry).
+ *
+ * IMPORTANT: the View Transitions API requires this name to be UNIQUE within a
+ * page snapshot. Assigning it to more than one element per page throws
+ * "Unexpected duplicate view-transition-name: sky" and aborts the transition.
+ * Only ONE field per page should ever carry `.vt-sky`.
+ *
+ * Implemented as a CSS class (not React inline style) so SSR + hydration
+ * attributes match exactly and React never rewrites the property.
+ * ------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+.vt-sky {
+  view-transition-name: sky;
+}
diff --git a/src/styles/themes.css b/src/styles/themes.css
index 67427a4..1b034e0 100644
--- a/src/styles/themes.css
+++ b/src/styles/themes.css
@@ -4,121 +4,115 @@
  * Two-axis theming model for the site:
  *
  *   1. Global light/dark mode   -> set on <html data-theme="light|dark">
- *   2. Section surface tone     -> set on a wrapper via data-surface:
+ *   2. Section surface tone     -> set on <body data-surface="...">
  *        data-surface="neutral"      Home / About / Contact  (deep night-sky)
- *        data-surface="professional" Professional wing       (polished obsidian + gold)
- *        data-surface="interest"     Interests wing          (candlelit study under stars)
+ *        data-surface="professional" Professional wing       (obsidian + violet/gold)
+ *        data-surface="interest"     Interests wing          (candlelit study)
  *
- * The semantic tokens (--surface, --text, --accent, ...) are redefined for each
- * (data-theme x data-surface) combination below. Components only ever reference
- * the semantic tokens, so swapping either axis automatically restyles them.
+ * SELECTOR MODEL: data-theme lives on <html>, data-surface on <body>. We match
+ * the descendant combination `html[data-theme=...] body[data-surface=...]`.
+ * `:root` holds the light/neutral FALLBACK only; every other rule beats it via
+ * specificity (0,2,0) > (0,1,0).
  *
- * Palette direction: night-sky mystical — midnight indigo bases, star-gold
- * accents, mystic-violet secondary, nebula-teal tertiary. Light mode is
- * reinterpreted as a "twilight"/parchment variant so the toggle always works
- * without breaking the celestial mood.
+ * STATUS: DARK MODE IS FORCED (light mode deferred). The dark rules below are
+ * tuned for contrast first — --text / --text-muted / --text-subtle are kept
+ * bright against the deep surfaces so content always stands out. Light rules
+ * are retained for the day light mode is reintroduced.
  *
- * `theme-init.ts` (inlined in <head>) sets data-theme before paint to avoid a
- * flash of the wrong theme. data-surface is applied by the layout wrappers.
+ * `theme-init.ts` (inlined in <head>) pins data-theme="dark" before paint.
  */
 
 /* ===========================================================================
  * DEFAULT / NEUTRAL SURFACE (Home, About, Contact)
- * Deep midnight indigo with star-gold accents. The default night sky.
  * ======================================================================== */
 
-/* Light + neutral — twilight parchment (warm, low-contrast, still celestial). */
+/* Light + neutral — fallback (not currently used; dark is forced). */
 :root,
-[data-theme="light"][data-surface="neutral"],
-[data-theme="light"][data-surface="neutral"] body {
-  --surface: #f3eee0; /* aged parchment / star-map paper */
-  --surface-raised: #fbf7ec;
-  --surface-sunken: #e7dfca;
-  --text: #1c1830; /* deep indigo ink */
+html[data-theme='light'] body[data-surface='neutral'] {
+  --surface: #efe7d2;
+  --surface-raised: #f7f0dc;
+  --surface-sunken: #e3d9bd;
+  --text: #1b1730;
   --text-muted: #4a445e;
   --text-subtle: #6b6582;
-  --border: #d8cdb0;
-  --accent: #9a6b1a; /* deeper gold for AA on light */
-  --accent-contrast: #fbf7ec;
-  --secondary: #6f5fb6; /* mystic violet */
+  --border: #d2c6a2;
+  --accent: #7e5512;
+  --accent-contrast: #f7f0dc;
+  --secondary: #5e4f9e;
 }
 
-/* Dark + neutral — the canonical night sky. */
-[data-theme="dark"][data-surface="neutral"],
-[data-theme="dark"][data-surface="neutral"] body {
-  --surface: #0b1026; /* midnight indigo */
-  --surface-raised: #161b3a; /* indigo panel */
-  --surface-sunken: #070a1a; /* near-black void */
-  --text: #f4f1e8; /* star-white */
-  --text-muted: #c7c3df;
-  --text-subtle: #8e89b5;
-  --border: #2c3160;
-  --accent: #e8b54a; /* star gold */
-  --accent-contrast: #0b1026;
-  --secondary: #8b7bd8; /* mystic violet */
+/* Dark + neutral — the canonical deep mystical nightscape. High-contrast text. */
+html[data-theme='dark'] body[data-surface='neutral'] {
+  --surface: #070a1c; /* near-void midnight indigo */
+  --surface-raised: #11163a; /* indigo panel, violet-edged */
+  --surface-sunken: #04061a; /* deep cosmic void */
+  --text: #f6f4ff; /* near-white for max legibility */
+  --text-muted: #d4d0f0; /* bright enough to read clearly on deep blue */
+  --text-subtle: #a8a2d8; /* lifted from the old #7e79b8 for contrast */
+  --border: #2e3470;
+  --accent: #f0c262; /* slightly lifted gold for pop on dark */
+  --accent-contrast: #070a1c;
+  --secondary: #b3a4ec; /* brighter violet, easier on the eye */
 }
 
 /* ===========================================================================
- * PROFESSIONAL SURFACE
- * Polished obsidian: deepest indigo with gold + subtle violet. Confident,
- * precise, the "polished wing" from the spec — now with a starlit edge.
+ * PROFESSIONAL SURFACE — violet-dominant obsidian, dark by default.
  * ======================================================================== */
 
-[data-surface="professional"] {
-  --surface: #0a0e22;
-  --surface-raised: #141a38;
-  --surface-sunken: #05081a;
-  --text: #f4f1e8;
-  --text-muted: #c5c0db;
-  --text-subtle: #8782ad;
-  --border: #292e57;
-  --accent: #e8b54a;
-  --accent-contrast: #0a0e22;
-  --secondary: #8b7bd8;
+body[data-surface='professional'],
+html[data-theme='dark'] body[data-surface='professional'] {
+  --surface: #080a20;
+  --surface-raised: #121638;
+  --surface-sunken: #040517;
+  --text: #f6f4ff;
+  --text-muted: #cec9f2;
+  --text-subtle: #a59fd6;
+  --border: #2e3270;
+  --accent: #f0c262;
+  --accent-contrast: #080a20;
+  --secondary: #b3a4ec;
 }
 
-/* Light professional: keeps a dignified deep tone, slightly lifted so the
- * global toggle is never jarring next to a parchment Home page. */
-[data-theme="light"][data-surface="professional"] {
-  --surface: #1a1f44;
-  --surface-raised: #252b54;
-  --surface-sunken: #141838;
-  --text: #f4f1e8;
-  --text-muted: #d4d0ec;
-  --text-subtle: #aaa5cd;
-  --border: #3a3f72;
+html[data-theme='light'] body[data-surface='professional'] {
+  --surface: #21183f;
+  --surface-raised: #2c2152;
+  --surface-sunken: #18113a;
+  --text: #f1edff;
+  --text-muted: #d5cff0;
+  --text-subtle: #aaa3d6;
+  --border: #3c3170;
+  --accent: #7e5512;
+  --accent-contrast: #f1edff;
+  --secondary: #b6a6e8;
 }
 
 /* ===========================================================================
- * INTEREST SURFACE
- * Candlelit study under a starfield: warm amber-gold bases with deep indigo
- * text by default (light), flipping to a warm brown-indigo at night. The
- * "fun wing" stays inviting, now with an esoteric warmth.
+ * INTEREST SURFACE — warm plum-brown night, dark by default.
  * ======================================================================== */
 
-[data-theme="light"][data-surface="interest"],
-[data-surface="interest"] {
-  --surface: #f6ecd2; /* warm candlelight parchment */
-  --surface-raised: #fdf5dc;
-  --surface-sunken: #ecdcb4;
-  --text: #241a2e; /* plum-indigo ink */
-  --text-muted: #5c4a3a;
-  --text-subtle: #826a52;
-  --border: #ddc79a;
-  --accent: #9a6b1a; /* deeper gold for AA */
-  --accent-contrast: #fdf5dc;
-  --secondary: #6f5fb6; /* mystic violet */
+body[data-surface='interest'],
+html[data-theme='dark'] body[data-surface='interest'] {
+  --surface: #170f24; /* warm plum-brown night */
+  --surface-raised: #221630;
+  --surface-sunken: #100920;
+  --text: #fbf2e4; /* warm near-white */
+  --text-muted: #ecdcc6; /* lifted for contrast */
+  --text-subtle: #c4ab8e; /* lifted from #a99a86 */
+  --border: #3e2f4a;
+  --accent: #f0c262;
+  --accent-contrast: #170f24;
+  --secondary: #c8abe0;
 }
 
-[data-theme="dark"][data-surface="interest"] {
-  --surface: #1a1320; /* warm brown-indigo night */
-  --surface-raised: #261c2e;
-  --surface-sunken: #120d18;
-  --text: #f6ecd2; /* warm starlight */
-  --text-muted: #ddcbb0;
-  --text-subtle: #b09a82;
-  --border: #3a2c1f;
-  --accent: #e8b54a; /* star gold */
-  --accent-contrast: #1a1320;
-  --secondary: #b09a78; /* warm gold-bronze secondary at night */
+html[data-theme='light'] body[data-surface='interest'] {
+  --surface: #f4e9cf;
+  --surface-raised: #fdf4d9;
+  --surface-sunken: #e8d8b2;
+  --text: #22152e;
+  --text-muted: #5c4733;
+  --text-subtle: #826a4f;
+  --border: #d8c290;
+  --accent: #7e5512;
+  --accent-contrast: #fdf4d9;
+  --secondary: #5e4f9e;
 }