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Saturday, December 30, 2017

Journey to Kol Adair

Death's Mistress (Sister of Darkness: The Nicci Chronicles, #1)Death's Mistress by Terry Goodkind
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Coming off the heels of the last adventure with Emperor Saluchan and putting the Omen Machine back to the under world and ending all prophecy for good, Nicci and Nathan are summoned to the layer of Red the witch woman. Braving some hazardous swamps to ge there, they find out they have another mission and that is to save the world and make Nathan whole. They are charged with finding the city of Kol Adair, which is at the other end of the DHaran Empire..
Enroute to Kol Adair, Nicci rescues a young man who is about to be killed by the name of Bannon. Bannon works on the wave walker, his captains ship. THe ship goes searching for Wish Pearls. It is on board this ship they come under attack for stealing pearls that belong to the selka. The selka are a race of sea people egineered by the wizards to fight in wars. The ship is attacked and of course the only three to survive are Nathan, Nicci and Bannon.
As they are shipwrecked on a strange and distant shore, they come across a small fishing town that is isolated from everything else. The villagers are very hosptable to the trveling trio. Yet only after being there for a while the town is attcked by Narukai slavers. Nicci is able to access her magic and use wizard fire to fend off the attackers. Nathan and Bannan must make do with swords. Nathan has lost his magic ever since the Omen Machine was returned to the underworld. When he does access his Han things go awry.
Their next adventure takes them to towns where everyone has been turned to stone. A wizard gone rogue has gone around assessin peoples guilt an turning them to stone. Nathan goes off on his own and sees a tower adorned with painted glass windows. THe wndows depict battle scenes of old. It is here that Nathan must battle some magically charged statues.
Their next two adventures take them to a place that is bein ravaged by another wizard called the Life Drinker. Rolland a wizard who accessed an ancient library was dying dying from/a wasting disease. To cure himself he used magic which casused him to drain the entire valley of life. Piecing together magic from ancient books they obtain a magic acorn from the tree of life. The next adventure has a priestess sacrificing herself to reanimate the valley. things seem to be going haywire. Kol Adair is a ways off still.

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Monday, December 11, 2017

The Most Holy Death

Devoted to Death: Santa Muerte, the Skeleton SaintDevoted to Death: Santa Muerte, the Skeleton Saint by R. Andrew Chesnut
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

THe cult of Santa Muetrte has grown by leaps and bounds since Dona Queta publicised her in her quesadilla stand in 2001. Before that he worhsip was kept under wraps with only a few people activelyfollowing her. Santa Muerte is a local homegrown Mexicn saint that is not CANONIZED by the Catholic Church. Most of her devotes are Catholic yet this movement seems to have the potential to break off into its own religious movement.
There are many saints that Mexican will pray to . THe most noteable one is the Virgin of Guadalupe, which was who the author was researching. Something was missing, a certain enthusiasm and after all theVirgin had been written about many times. Inspiration came when the author heard of the Mexican government destroying like over 40 shrines dedicated to the most holy death. This was part of an ongoing war against the drug cartels and Santa Muerte is a narco saint.
Many of her devotees are criminals, drug dealers, prisoners and also prison guards, policemen and soldiers. She is the most popullar saint, surpassing all of them in terms of sales items. But what is the story of this saint or this Grim Reapress. THe books is divided into chapters based on the color of candles her devotees will work with. Black is often the color most associated with her. Black is used for protections and cursing enemies. Back in the 80s and 90s when drug dealers kidnapped an american tourist and sacrificed him in a mixed palo mayombe ritual. Another case hapended in the 90s when a bust displayed Santa Muerte with black candles. The colors that are most popular to work with are white and red.
Thee first chapter is based on the brown candle. Brown is used for knolwdge and Enlightenment. This chapter discusses hsitory of Santa Muerte and her possible origins. THe chapter also covers offerings, the hsitory of Dona Queta and David Romo. Dona Queta opened a shrine to Santa Muerte from her quesadilla stand in the crime ridden neighborhood of Tepito. David Romo was allied with the Traditional Catholic Church and he opened up a church dedicated to Santa Muerte. David Romo has since been victimized by the government and was charged with kidnapping. The origins of Santa Muerte are hazy. Some are saying that she is a Mexican version of the Aztec goddess of the dead. But this cannot be because not all Indians were aztecs. Rather she is the Grim Reapress from Spain, who was La Parque or the parched one.
The next color they talked about was the black candle. In this chapter the author discusses how she is associated with cursing and protection. The drug dealers will ask her to help them with drug shipments or getting rid of legal authorities. Black is not a popular color but it is one most publicly associated with her. Thanks to cinema and media. White is for protection. Here the author discusses how the Saint protects her followers from witchcraft and other foul magic. Santa Muerte is as much a death bringer as she is a mother, healer and love doctor.
Red is the love candle. Most of her petitions are love petitions, especially jilted women who wanted their wayword husbands to change their ways. This has been her traditional roll historically. The other candle are green for justice, good for money, purple for healing. Finally the rainbow for all purposes. If you love Santa Muerte then get this book.

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Thursday, December 7, 2017

Tarot Magic

Tarot SpellsTarot Spells by Janina Renee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I got this book as a gift from a friend. Following pagan tradition it is a gift for a gift and I gave my friend a Santa Muerte Candle. Phoenix you are still remembered.

This book is an older edition. The spells are relatively simple to do. Unlike most Wiccan spells such tools like candle, incense , athame a and wands are optional. Most spells make candle, flowers and crystals optional.

At the books beginning there is a general opening and closing of the spell. The opening and closing is generic and no particular deities are called upon. The option is yours whether you want to use it, modify it or disregard it.

After the general opening and closing there is a meditation for each card you put down for the spell. Finally there are affirmations. You can break these visualization and affirmations off from the spell and use it independently as a stand alone should you so choose.

The appendices which are rather many give over lots of good information about what each tarot card means, what different colors correspond to and a few other goodies on Chrystal's plus there is an extensive bibliography in the back.

The spells are great for beginners just getting started and some of the more advanced practitioner might appreciate the simplicity.

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Saturday, December 2, 2017

Modern Day Genocide

ISIS: Caliphate's Sex SlavesISIS: Caliphate's Sex Slaves by Brad Power
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

ISIS: The Calhate's Sex Slaves

The book was way to short. I read it in an hour. Glad I did not pay nine buck for this book but got it off the Kindle Lending Library. What Brad Power does in this short pamphlet like book is give the reader a laundry list of crimes committed by DAesh against primarily the Yazidi community. There is scant mention of the other communities effected by the cultural genocide.
The aim of Daesh was to ethnically cleanse Iraq and Syria of any non muslim, non Sunni or non Arab prescence. Their take over began in August 2014. The start of the campaign was besieging local towns. First the fighters would demand the villages turn over all their weapons or die. If the villages had any weapons they would turn them over. Then they were told to hand over mobile phones and gold. Third they were told to convert to Islam or die.
The final assault came when they gathered the villagers and separated the men from the women. The men were taken away from the village and murdered enmasse. The women were distributed as spoils of war. Life as slave is terrible. Women asyoung s twelve are raped repeatedy through out the day. Many time they are forced into a marriage and forced to convert to islam. Women have comitted suicide things were so bad. Imagine bein rapd 30 time a day and passed around from man to man. Slave markets and concentration camps are poppingup all over Iraq and Syria. THe Yezidees have been forced tohide at Mount Sinjar for refuge. They have been abandoned by the Kurdish militias and the Iraqi army.
ISIS is aworld wide phenomona. Fighters come from over the world. Most are from Syria and Iraq. Yet others are from Russia, Europe, Africa and the Central Asian republics. The women are sold as slaves. The younger and prettier they are the more they cost. Buyer are coming in from all over the world. Truly sad.

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Friday, December 1, 2017

Inside Look at the Viking Rus

BLADE HONER - Book Two: My Enemy's Head (Blade Honer, #2)BLADE HONER - Book Two: My Enemy's Head by Maria Kvilhaug
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book was a great read. It was very informative and it gives the reader an inside view as to what Viking Rus life was like in Audjeberg. This novel was also very entertaining and enjoyable. Once I started I found it really hard to put down. The story reads more like a narrative of life in the viking compound and how the two young girls captured from their village are getting used to lif with the Russ.
From the previous story Zivah and Thordiss were kidnapped from from their village and were the sole survivors of a massacre. zivah was brought over as a slave, while Thordiss was recognized as the lady of the court. In effect she is the only free woman in the Viking settlement. The rest of the women are slaves or sheaths. Slaves wear collars and call their masters either house bond or herri. There is an illusion that viking mistreat women, nothing could really be further from the truth. Vikings thought it unmanly to make a woman sad and that would also displease the gods. Viking can only do it with any woman only if sh agrees. Sheaths are basically like concubine, save that they are shared between six men, but those are lovers that are permanent.
Slowly but surely the girls get used to with the Viking and even enjoy bein among them. In Norse culture women are blade honers which means it is their job to give men a hard time so as toughen them up and make them warriors. Men listen to the verdict of women, it is important because it is always true. In Norse culture men must respect women.
There is one Viking, despised thoroughout the camp, who is known for abusing women. When he goes to far with Zivah and hurts her and humiliates her a group of Vikings go to the kindly women, who are priestesses of Hel, Goddess of the underworld. They give Hialti a taste of justice, which is where the title comes in. Acccording to their rules if a man seriously harasses a maiden the warriors of the clan go after that man cut off his head and give it to the woman. The skull is dipped in silver and used as a drinking cup.
After this there is a ritual of the Yule where in Thordiss shows her real power. It is during these rituals oor holidays that the rules are turned upside down. as they get used to camp life Zivah learns to warmup with Thioden, the skald, to whom she was given. It takes time to realize that in a harsh environment, what seemed to be cruel was really a kindness. Thioden who hails from Europe did not partake in the slaughter but he is still he is trying to be worhty of her affections and forgiveness. Thioden teaches THordiss her innner spiritual power and about Norse life. Thioden is a prince who has in soul song to rule people. He was taught a long time ago by wand witches how to serve the people he rules.
The book also gives the back story on the slaves and how they came to the encampment. It tells what life was like and how degraded they had been before they arrived to Arnulfs encampment. Over all life got better for slaves once they were owned by vikings. They had ben slaves all their lives. The book progresses to happy ending and reconciliation.

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Saturday, November 25, 2017

Jinn Boy part II

Earth Boy (Djinn-Son Duology, #2)Earth Boy by Sami Shah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pakistan is a place loaded with jinn. The author, Sami Shah, grew up in the midst of them, inundated with stories and tales. His sister at three would see the head of a jinn in her bathroom and scream. In their abandon Ned storage room their lived a jinn who would damage a TV set if it went on too late.

Enough on the author, Iblis the leader of the jinn had been cast out of heaven for refusing to bow down to Adam. It was not that Humans were inferior lumps of clay , but rather that they were given Allahs greatest gift, the power to create. For this he refused to bow and so he was exiled to the earthly plain banished from Heaven and the realm of the jinn. Once the quiyamat is over Iblis will burn in fire but ultimately he will be redeemed.

Dajal is a one eyed devil who longs for the destruction of mankind so he can return to then Earth and rule over it. He might not be a jinn but he is one powerful demon. Back in biblical times King Solomon had a ring that could control jinn. He used the ring to build Jerusalem and his temple. The Jinn were forever incensed about this. What would happen if the ring were go fall into the wrong hands?

Interesting questions. So Wahid hooks up with Iblis and together they venture the world of the jinn. Their first stop is a white mosque were Wahid must free someone who has been chained up a real long time. After freeing someone they meet Alexander the Great. They find Gog of Magog and realize they must get through where those warriors are imprisoned to get to Kaf, the fabled city of the jinn .

Iblis cannot go with him and Wahid does not get the welcome he so desired. He is still on his quest to free Maheen. Things do not go without a hitch. Someone is killing jinn and kidnapping them . First they thought it was Wahid, so then send him to find the jinn killer.

Wahid has adventures with jinn, the Pakistani secret service and raging zombies from the dead. In the end he finds out the mystery of his birth and how to use his powers. A couple of people from the first book make a reappearance. Professor Rahim who denied the existence of jinn and Badshah the seven year old king of Karachi. Remember never mess with the jinn. They can be tricksters with their own agenda.

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Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Jinn Boy part 1

Fire Boy (Djinn-Son Duology, #1)Fire Boy by Sami Shah
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fire boy

Wahid lead an almost typical childhood, growing up tall and lanky with a mop like hair style. Like for all teen ages it is still a challenge to chat up the girl he likes . Growing up with asthma makes things even more difficult. Being a total waste of introvert he plays dungeons and dragons with his friend Hamza and company.

Things change when driving back from a party with the girl and a drunk friend, their car is attacked by some very mysterious strangers. His friend dies and the girls soul is stolen by Jinn. While she lies in a coma, her general of a father wants him to pay. So away he goes to beach house to hide and to find a away to go to the world of the Jinn. So he asked around on how to find the Jinn.

While he is looking to find Jinn, the Jinn are hiring killers to kill him. The assassin mKes his living killing and torturing people. He kills Hamza in an attempt to find Wahid. In the mean time Wahid goes to a Sufi mosque and then meets the king. The jinn have fled to Kaf and Wahid is the reason why.

Wahid has a big challenge, to find Azazel and find a a way to Kaf. Written with excitement and he Mor this book will hook you and you won't put it down till your done. Somewhat like Neil Gaiman's writing.

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Saturday, November 18, 2017

A Survey of the European Witch

The Oxford Illustrated History of Witchcraft and MagicThe Oxford Illustrated History of Witchcraft and Magic by Owen Davies
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Owen Davies who has written several books on witchcraft and cunning folk has gone ahead and given an overview of magic and witchcraft going all the way back to Sumerian times up to the present, documenting how witches are perceived in the the movies. OOwne Davies has written two of the essays himself and the rest are drawn from contributing authors.

Going back to Sumeria, which was one of the first societies in general. It is in this society that that European or Western Magic has it's roots. There were alway evil spirits to look out for. THe Mesopotamians shared their space with these spirits and believed in placating them in order to be left alone. Good spirits also had to be placated. There was always the fear that someone would use magic against you. Magicians could be temple priests or wise men outside of the temple. The same held for Egypt.

The Greeks learned lots of there magic from the Egyptians, Phoenicians and Sumerians.They absorbed their ideas of astrology and took on a lot of their myths and made it their own. Greek magic used defixiones or lead sheets that were rolled up with an inscription and cast into the Earth or into water. It most be noted that during these Ancient times it was not considered bad to work magic. Witches and magicians were not considered bad. Magic workers were judged by the work they produced. There was n attitude against magic.

In Europe societies were magical as well. THe Norse deemed magic to be feminine and it was considered improper for men too engage in such practice. As Christianity rolled into Europe from the Middle East, not everyone came onto it automatically and dropped their old pagan religion. What happened was an amalgamation of Christianity and ancient pagan customs being absorbed by the new religion. Churches were built on top of old Pagan shrines.

The attitude towards magic was not negative although the church did try to stamp it pagan practices. What got someone into trouble was if they we're accused of using negative magic against someone. THis would result in a flogging or some minor punishment.

European contact with the Middle East via the crusade, 1492 brought Ancient Greek learning back. Too Europe along with many Islamic ideas on magic. This was also when witches were being demonized. Where as before magic was looked down upon now active witch hunts though the inquisition were rising up. People were put through such horrible torture that they often did not survive the investigation. If a witch survived the trial then it was proof that she was a witch.

The Catholic CHurch and the PRotestants would accuse each other of witch craft. Foreign ideas were threatening. Important to note is that the same things Romans said against Christians the Christians would now say against witches.

THe anti magic attitude would die down and magic would be more accepted . By the 1950's most of the anti magic laws we're gone. Some of the greats in magic would arise from the 1900's too the present. Crowley, Gardner, MEsmer to name a few. Former masn would join magic order not with the intent to manipulate the environment but to come closer to God and achieve perfection.
THe book finishes first with surveys on witches in the cinema and anthropology studies of witchcraft and magic.



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Monday, November 6, 2017

Tripping With Jesus

The Psychedelic Gospels: The Secret History of Hallucinogens in ChristianityThe Psychedelic Gospels: The Secret History of Hallucinogens in Christianity by Jerry B. Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Psychadelic Gospels

A raging argument in the the religious scholar community is the debate about the role of ehtneogens or psychadelic drugs on the development of Christianity and other religions. Most religious leaders will try to deny the role of psychodelics in the religions development while someone more open minded might say there is quite a bit of eveidence pointing to the use of hallicinogens.
Starting off with the research of R.Gordon Wasson the author Doctor Jerry Brown and his wife Juliie go traveling to differnt destinations around the world to show the evidence of psychadelics in religious art work. Going through th world relgiions the authors discuss Soma in the classic Rigveda. It appeaers to be a hallucinogenic drink. It is drink that conveys wisdom. It also offers immortatlity. What made up this drink? Some artistic renditions show a mushroom lie fly agaric or Amanita Muscaria. This mushroom was also used by the siberian shaman. There art depicts its use. In fact the Santa Clause legend comes from this. The shaman would have reindeer pull his sled and from an opening in the yurt he would climb through and enter the house. THe Ancient greeks with thier rituals to demeter and the rights of Eleusisis. THe would take egort which grew on Barley and this took them to the underworld and gave them immortality. The art work depicts wheat stocks which is what Ergot grew off of.
R. Gordon Wasson, who was an assitant banker for JP Morgan , was the ametuer scientist who spear headed this movement and he wrote several books on it. His big claim claim to fame was meeting Maria Sabina and the exposure led to tourists combin the hills of Oaxaca looking for a psychadelic experience. This disrupted life for her and it caused enough commotion to/hve here son killed.
Mr. Gordon Wasson never dared to venture that psychadelics played a part in the developement of Christianity. Someone name John Allegro would make that claim and would ultimately be discredited for it. R. Gordon Wasson worked with the vatican and his role was to suppress this theory or information.
The authors Jerry and Julie Brown explored the churches of Europe and examined the art work in Frocault Church, Saint Martins and a few others. The illustration and carving clearly depict serveral mushroom like ilustrations. Juding from this it is easy to say that ethneogens played more than a small role in the developement of Christianity. After all they did play a role inthe developement of the other religions.
The Nag Hammadi Scriptures offer a zen like Christianity. Jesus lived in Egypt for a long time and he must have learned from the Egyptian mysteries. His deth and resurrection weere not literal but rather ppart of an ancient spiritual practice where the Shaman ventures tothe other side in search of gnosis. The Egyptians also used ethneogens.
MANY people have used psychaedelics including steve Job and other scientists. Time is coming to reexamine our relgions and philosophies and look for different interpreations.

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Thursday, November 2, 2017

Commentaries on the Art of War

The Art of WarThe Art of War by Sun Tzu
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Learning the Art of War

This is one of the all time great military classics on strategy put out by the Chinese. The book comprising of 13 chapters was penned by Sun Tzu and has been studied widely both with in and without China. Even business men are reading this great book of strategy.

The subject of Sun Tzu can be rather nebulous. Some historians find that there's sources that mention Sun Tzu in context of some event and then there are other historical sources that mention him in the same context as not being there. There is some speculation about his existence. There is also speculation about his role in Chinese society. It is widely believed that he was a general and a noble.

This book is a translation of Sun Tzu's famous text yet it also proffers a historical background and commentaries on what Sun Tzu wrote. The commentaries themselves are rather informative and help to give the reader clarity and background. However, sometimes they are placed right in the middle of the quote which makes it difficult to get the whole gist of the quote unless you go back and reread what you just read.

The original work as noted earlier consists of thirteen chapters which tell about almost every aspect of military planning, execution and post victory. The first three chapter talk about planning a siege, attacking by stratagem and waging war. The next 4 chapters discuss tactical design, energy, finding the enemies weak points and maneuvers. Finally there is variations of tactics, marching the army , terrains, nine situations and the use of fire and spies.

For the master strategist or someone aspiring to be this book will have several nuggets of wisdom. The importance of knowing yourself and your enemy are vital to your success. Variate your tactics and keep your enemy confused never let the enemy figure you out. Keep them guessing as to your actual plans and intention. Not only should your enemy be in the dark but so should your subordinates. There is plenty of people nformation about how to treat the troops and more.

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Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Coven Wars of World WarII

Lammas NightLammas Night by Katherine Kurtz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lamas Night

World War II is in full swing, the British are evacuating Dunkirk. Among the soldiers and the intelligence people fleeing , a British agent named Michael Jordan is among them. On his person are some valuable photographs about the Nazi occult program. Wounded and making his way across the English Channel even after the boat he is on sinks, Michael must get to John Graham. Michael is also a member of a witch cult.

From the bowels of Germanys' occult program, John Graham, witch father and M16 agent accesses the second road to infiltrate the German occult program. He sees Sturm, a dark magician dedicated t Satan. Sturm protects Hitler from any from of occult attack.

France has fallen and something must be done quickly to thwart Hitler's next move, invading England. The military handles troop movements but the witches of England must do something magical to veer Hitler's plan. John Graham has the unfortunate the task. Of trying to unite the witches and occultist and have them do their Lamas Night Ritual to defeat Hitler or at least get him to change his mind. Not all the witches agree, there are still laws on the books against witchcraft, some other witches Just do not agree.
To get the witches to cooperate John must find a leader who will unite the witches. Only one person who could really qualify and that's Prince William. The Prince is a fifth wheel, will never inherit the throne, cannot go into deep action due to the fact he is royalty. He is of then old blood. Slowly to William learns about the witch cult and the witch blood that flows into his veins. Will Prince William succeed in uniting the witches?

This work of fiction covers a lot of ground. It talks about Sir Francis Drake and his magic that supposedly stopped the Spanish Armada from invading. Then there are the pat life regression where in the various members discover what their past live were like and what roles they play. Remember the king is tied to the land and a sacrifice must be made every 7 years.

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Sunday, October 29, 2017

The Sight of Eddie King

I Have the Sight (EDWARD KING #1)I Have the Sight by Rick Wood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Eddie King has been tortured by visions ever since his sister died in a bike ride with him on the estate. Eddie himself was rendered unconscious for a period of time and was tormented by visions of haunted lady and a demon. Is the haunted lady his sister? Who is the demon? With Cassy dying Edie king’s life becomes topsy turvy. Out of the corner of his eye he sees a girl with scars and black hair just staring at him. His father develops a drinking problem and becomes abusive with his wife. His best friend Jenny comes out that she is gay. As the years roll by Eddie’s fortunes wane and he is hardly considered stable. Having taken up with Jenny and Lacy, he soon finds that he is wearing out his welcome.

A plunge of the bridge into the freezing waters below send him back to the underworld where he is tormented by the lady. It maybe his sister? He confronts the demon Balam, who has his sister prisoner.
When he wakes up it is three months later and finds out that he was out for three months and he was declared brain dead. His life is starting to really fall apart. His visist to the psychic does not go a planned and she introduces him to Derek and Levi, two semi pro exorcists.
Eddie has been cursed and blessed. He can go the underworld which is off limits to mortals. But he was not supposed to be there and so something had tried to take his place. Eddie can also see demons while other people cannot see them. The demon Lamashtu has a hold on Eddie and soon he will die.
The big questions remains? Or should I say several questions still remain. Can the exorcist fights Lamashtu? Will Eddie free his sister from the demon’s clutches? Will Balam be defeated?
Find this out and ore by reading he story. It is free off amazon and definitely worth the read. Would be nice if it was longer and had a few more details thrown in to fatten the book up a bit. Over all this guys Is a good story teller.


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Friday, October 27, 2017

Pazuzus Child IV

Pazuzu's Child IV Enter Pazuzu The blond figure walked slowly through the blasted and burned remain of the hairy ape like Graham . Bending over carefully so as not to smear dirt or blood on his off white suit he slowly picked up the head of a fallen Trajan. "You are one ugly creature" he held the ape like head at arms length and examined the head as though he were admiring it. He squinted his eyes and scrunched his face in disgust as he noted the extra long canine teeth of the creature jutting up from its lower jaw. Much like fangs but placed on the wrong part of the jaw. The rest of the face was much like a cross between a gorilla and a chimpanzee. " Truly an ugly creature" he said quietly enough for only himself and the decapitated head he held in his hand. Shuddering at the ugly creatures head in disgust he threw it back in the ground, where it rolled until it gently hit a tree. There was a hollow thunk sound as though one were knocking a watermelon. Casually he walked over to some of the human remains. He kicked the carcass of a bearded thug going stiff with rigor mortis. " Evil doer" he whispered with an devilish undertone "too Bad It Was Not I Or one Of My servants who did you in, I could have fed off your soul" He chuckled to Himself and then walked on toward the Vortex. How convenient he Thought to himself, the fog suppresses all sound coming from the tiny little glen. And so he walked through the vortex whispering to himself quietly. " Dam trajan" he was shaking his head " one day I shall words with that dwarf king Oid" _____________________________________________________________________________________________ The Usurper King The court of Uruk was bedecked in opulent splendor with craftsmanship never viewed before by the Viking king. If one could get used to the heat the desert realms of Sumeria were not half bad. Still despite the opulence and wealth, the King Ragnar much preferred his homeland, the kingdom of the Danes. Ragnar knew that was not an option. Death had opened her doorway and was devouring literally everything in sight. The sailing from Norseland to the realm of the Phoenicians had been smooth enough and the Phoenicians themselves were not warrior types but rather merchants who quite ,quick and ready to engage in commerce of any sort. The main cargo the Vikings were interested in was slave. In a world based on need a mug of mead in the midst of the desert sun was of more value than all the gold in the world. Death was reaching out into his world , his people with an evil of her gnarled claw like hand. The slaves were not for labor or any other uses people had for them. They were used for sacrifices. Perhaps it was 10 years ago when the dark goddess of death reached her bony hand into the realms of the northern lands. Plagues started to attack and decimate the land and it's people. The dark goddess of death had sent her minions to feed upon the souls of the living. By day she would grow stronger, her power would was like the increased light of the moon. Death wanted to over come the living. She would feed off the souls of human sacrifices. There was sorrow in the Viking kings eyes when he purchased is group of slave. The warlike Akkadians had over taken villages and enslaved entire populations. "You will enjoy these slaves" the Akkadian had declared with a belly laugh while pointing to the enslaved women and children. They were poor unfortunate creature chained in a cage like defeated animals. " I am afraid my procurement of slaves is not for enjoyment or labor. " whispered back the Viking king ,his saddened face portraying his shame. He shook his head and then continued "they are to be sacrificed to the dark goddess of death" "Ereshkigal" spat the Akkadian chief. "The dead have no business with the living" "Tell that to her and her demons that come from the underworld devouring everyone in sight." Answered the Viking scornfully. " in our corner of the world we call her Hela" The Akkadian chieftain shrugged "maybe that is what you call her in your snow covered lands , I do not know or maybe the land of the dead is divided up into regions and cities like the land of the living and the two we are talking about are different queens of different land in the realm of the dead." The Viking king sighed and took a deep breath. " your gods out here in the desert h realm have the same stories and everything yet they have different names. " The Akkadian chief laughed heartily. " perhaps we are all the same" he said. " maybe The Gods walk among us In Disguise taking a different name with every different place. " " perchance" muttered the Viking , hand slowly stroking his beard. " This death goddess is devastating plague upon my land" The chieftain smiled clapping the Viking king upon his shoulder. " she will take and take and when you can give her no more then she will launch her war up on the living" the chieftain paused . He was looking at the Vikings face making sure his words were sinking in. " Many gods and goddesses have challenged death and lost but there is a magician who can help " " who can challenge death ? " the Viking asked in amazement " not even Odin could rescue his son Baldur from the clutches of death.. " "Death can be beaten" laughed the Akkadian " I think there are two goddesses who have defeated death . Anatu and Ishtar but they have not been seen gracing the desert sands for a long time. Which is why you must go see the magician . " _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Lair of the Magician " The Northern Goddess of death " chuckled the gap toothed magician " an emaciated lady the spawn of demons. " the cloaked magicians tone became serious. " She is one who has never tasted defeat she will not be easily defeated. " the Viking kings face was crestfallen. "Must my people be constantly sacrificed to this soul hungry goddess" lamented Ragnar. " God's and goddesses feed on human souls " countered the old magician. " so do demons ,especially those of the under world . They wait like predators hoping to pounce upon a hapless victim. " The angry Viking slammed his two fists into the old stone table. The magicians tools that were laying upon the table shook and rattled. The stone table itself became cracked. " Must I allow this evil demon free reign to slaughter my people? " bellowed the enraged viking " relax" the magician said with a reassuring smile. "There is one who can defeat this decrepit queen of the dead." " who is this warrior that can lay this demon to rest once and for all ? " demanded Ragnar . " he is a warrior demon of utmost strength. " explained the gap toothed magician with another reassuring smile. " a demon? " screamed the Viking leader with rage. " A demon? " "Demons and gods do feed off of human souls" whispered the magician "some will feed off on other deities and demons, pazuzu is one such spirit." The Viking day enraptured by the magician . " pazuzu, son of Hanbi, is one such demon. He is evil against evil. He is a demon that feeds off of other demons" " is he dangerous to humans ? " the Viking king asked cautiously. " Only evil doers" the gap toothed magician laugh back. "Only evil doers" "How do I reach Pazuzu? "Rather queried eagerly. " I conjure him" the magician said with a glint in his eye. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Conjuring pazuzu A light knocking sound had some him up. Pazuzu questioned himself as the fog was lifted slowly from his mind. How long had it been since a human had last summoned him. The sleep had been long. Milenia, centuries of years? Pazuzu opened his mind's eye and gazed upon an old darkened Arabian magician calling his name inside a circle of salt. At the circles East end was a large triangle abutting the circle. There is where they would trap him! "Think today I will take a human form" he said to himself. His minds eye surveyed the temple. Solid walks and floors of ancient limestone. The chamber itself must have underground judging by the look of things. The smoke coming from the censers had nowhere to go, so the room was filled with the smoke from the burned frankincense and myrrh. To go there would suffocate him. "Decisions, decisions" pazuzu muttered to himself, wondering what his next move would be. No one in Earth one ever bothered with the old ones. Earth two it was still alive. Still no one summoned demons and even fewer people even bothered summoning pazuzu. He stopped and paused again. "Guess I can check out earth two or stay trapped in this nether realm forever," the old demon thought to himself . "Freedom is freedom so here goes nothing" and so Pazuzu descended to Earth 2. The triangle protected him from offensive odors of the frankincense and myrrh and so he appeared before the cowled magician. Dressed in his creme colored suit with black alligator skin shoes. His hair was a light blind cut one side shorter than the other. His eyes were hazel and he flashed a smile so delicious he could charm just about anyone. "Well it has been heaven knows how long since those Christian looneys banished me to some realm where I have been forced to sleep." Pazuzu said quite gratefully flashing his oh so delicious smile. " our task is the goddess of death, she is escaping her realm and claiming the souls of the living. " the magician informed of he demon in a tone of severity. "Well I will tell you" the demon explained with a chuckle under his breathe . " I brook no quarrel with Ereshkigal , and I am not so keen to have one . Pazuzu's tone became more serious and his delicious smile began to fade. "She has a different name" said the magician " in the north where the snow drifts cover the earth, she is called Hela" Pazuzu paced around the salt lined triangle , his thoughts racing to his head. What seemed like an endless river of minutes. From his silent musings one would here the words freedom, war and fighting. Finally he stopped and fixed his hazel eyes on the magician who summoned him and he smiled a devilish smile. "There is a way but it is 10 years in the making and as luck would have it, this coincides with my plan." The Viking and the Sorcerer turned and gave each other a puzzled look/ " Oh come on why the puzzles looks " he yelled outva, loud laugh. In fact he laughed so hard that his face turned red. Sitting on what would seem like an invisible chair he began to explain what his plan would entail. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Pazuzu's Plan " I think it was around the year 1972 on Earth one or there about, I am not totally sure" began the blond demon still sitting aloft on his invisible chair. "Maybe the dates don't matter" he continued " You are not familiar with that any way.but I did see a young child possessing all that righteous fury that would make him the perfect avatar. " the magician and the Viking listened on with the appearance of awe engraved upon their face. " he had berserker blood running in veins and he had been adopted by a family just days after he had been born.. As you know family member can change their mind and some how convince themselves that they have the right to reverse a situation and relative today as before do not always mind their own business, like they should. So an Aunt and her children tried to take the little boy back. This young boy had no idea of anything. First they tried to talking to him in a church. Mind you I saw all this imprisoned in the realm the Christians locked me away in. Might I tell you that to do such a thing to a child is a horrid thing to do. The little boy was not scared like most little boys his age would be, he was angry, he was enraged, he was ready to wreak havoc. That little boy what I was looking for , a rager. Oh how I loved it. I Digress unfortunately, back to this young boys story and why I liked him so much. The courts do not always dispense justice. They forced the boy to meet the aunt and her children. Thinking his adoptive parents were his real parents he was , of course, repelled by them. In his mind they were repulsive creatures. Then a couple of days later they came in a van to take him back to his biological family. His adoptive mother had a different story to tell. She has told him that they wanted to adopt him back in the city of his birth but that she had changed his mind. The boy was sad as anyone his age would be going through such an ordeal. The young one was no one to bow down to the wicked savageness of sorrow no he was plotting his escape or his return to home. No sooner had they parked the can and gotten into the house the young boy flew into a rage. The furniture was smashed into pieces. He ran around the house like a lunatic evading capture from the larger adults and locked himself in a room with a younger girl. This poor girl was duly afraid of this raging monster of a boy who stood before her. The girl was deathly frightened and the little boy with glowing red hair wanted to go home to his mother and father . A funny deal was struck, she would feign injury from the knife he held in his hand and in exchange he would do her no harm. Needless to say the deal fell through. The adults in the room opened the door, detained the boy, plopped him back into the can and drove him back home. Parent and child were reunited and I knew then that I had found my avatar. " The Viking and the magician understood most of the story, yet there were concepts and words they did not understand. Pazuzu patiently explained what a van was, what a court was and what adoption was among other things. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Pazuzu' Return to Uruk. Through the vortex he had walked. Glancing down at the ground covered with puddles of blood, the old demon chuckled. He kicked the severed law and then thought about it. Pick it up he thought to himself and put it in a purple velvet bag. It would come in useful later he thought to himself again. " Earth 2 a world free of religious domination " he said to himself out loud with a smile. Taking in a deep breath ,he decided to look around. " One day both worlds shall be mine" In the midst of the dark woods he walked to an open space and resumed his true form. From out of his back a multiple colored plumage of wings emerged. His face was that of a mad dog or hyena , perhaps a combination of the two. Hands and feet turned to pass and claws. Off into the air he flew. Pazuzu knew where the Viking king was, and he knew how to get there. ........…..............................................................................////./////........................................................... The winds from the West blew hot that day, bringing with them got burning sands. Fear over took the residents of Uruk. Many ran in doors and his for the fear was so great. The more superstitious would seek refuge in the temples of various deities. Those who were brave or felt they had not a trace of sin walked through the streets openly and brazenly. Yet there those who regarded Pazuzu as friend. Midwives had pendants dedicated to Pazuzu for despite how evil the from appeared to be he was the one who protected children from wicked goddess Lamashtu. The demoness was the queen of a class of demons who killed children and seduced men in the night. The union between these delineates and men produced children who were half demon and half human. Along with the wind often came plague and disease. No one was protected from the plagues that came with wind. Many died with sores covering their bodies. Their Skin Would Melt Off Their Face. Pazuzu landed, his form so hideous that even the one with bravest of hearts felt their souls melt in fear. Those brave ones who did not die, fled. Once Pazuzu appeared as the blond boy in a creme colored suit the plague stopped. People still fled. The bazaar was lined with abandoned stalls and shops. Still no one who was about would steal because the dread Lord Pazuzu loved to sla wrong doers. The numerous Viking guards moved aside as the familiar stranger in a creme colored suit walked with a swagger towards Ragnnar. " By Thor's beard you have returned, is it that time already! " the bearded Viking king exclaimed a loud. The demon gave a mild chuckle then said quietly his tone almost a whisper. "Well two things old friend, if I may so call you that. First this is the desert land and Thor has no sway here and second yes my avatAr has arrived"I

Friday, October 20, 2017

Say Bradbury Writing

Zen in The Art of WritingZen in The Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ray Bradbury is on of the foremost American writers in America, who better to help the writer learn his craft then one of the masters. I could say that it all happened when he was a small boy collecting Buck Rogers’s comics and then to be considered normal he ripped them u and threw them away. This was a sin against his soul, something he deeply regretted. So the young boy rebought the comics and decided to stay true to himself. Smart decision.
The true writer must stay true to himself and find his own voice. The writer must live life to the fullest. For the writer cannot be a good writer if he or she does not live life to the fullest. He or she must have gusto and zest and it will infect his or her writing. Or should I say it will infuse his or her writing.

The writer by requirement to survive must write every day. Some writers will write a whole story in one day. Other writers will do only a few pages. The main thing is to write. Like any other art and in this I do consider sports and dance art forms, it must be practiced every day. Writing everyday does not only make the writer better at his or her craft but rather writing cleanses the writers mind.
Along the way through these easy to read and equally entertaining chapters, Ray Bradbury will tell you about his writing experiences and over several good tidbits on how to boost creativity. One thing a writer must realize is that short stories or poems can become novels. Novels can turn into screenplays. Just because your work is rejected by one publisher does not mean it will not be accepted by another publisher. Remember you are not a failure at writing until you stop writing. Ray suggest writing every day even if you end up trashing 4/5 of what you write that one fifth is what will make it.

A couple of techniques that the beginning or struggling author might find useful are word lists and realizing that your characters are really alive. The word list is nothing more than a word association. You write down a word on a piece of paper and after you get enough of them start writing your own story. Don’t worry the subconscious will feed the rest . It is good to remember that when writing you should immediately write down your story. Just spit it out. Do not worry about editing or correcting the words just get the story out . Another technique is to create or discover the character and let the character run. Your character will run forward and write the story for you. All the aspiring author has to do is just narrate what was seen in the minds eye.

Poetry and screen writing have a lot in common. Whereas the novelist strive to write the word but ow sot need to condense words or turn a paragraph into a picture. As writer he was frustrated when he had to condense his writing by to thirds but it was done and it was a success. Poetry is a picture contained in a stanza or paragraph.

Writing is Zen. The author must find their voice and not be an imitation of others. There is only one you just like there is only Shakespeare. Do not write for money but rather work , don’t think and relax.


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Monday, October 16, 2017

It Could be True

The White Man's Burden: Of Lies and DeceitThe White Man's Burden: Of Lies and Deceit by Isaiah Israel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The prevalent myth is that white Europe is the apex of human development and culture and that modern white society brought modernity to the third world. History has proven this notion quite false. Many of the concepts that are thought to be white or European were actually thought of by people of color. The pillars of our society originate in Africa and the Middle East. Many good books have been written about this subject that document where everything came from.

I am on the fence about this one. They make several claims that yes are believable yet so far out of the box that I want more substantial proof. Would be nice if what they were saying was footnoted and lead back to a credible source. The book is filled with lots of pictures and I mean lots of them. Some are repeated multiple times. You there are put up with intent that certain personages were black. Some of the pictures are believable and others do not cut the ice. The book is done in an inte view dialogue style which is fine and may make for easier reading, yet it lacks the scholarly punch. It is obvious that some serious research went into this book so why not write it scholarly style. Through out the book white people are insulted much the same way that African Americans are by white supremacists. Calling white people people sub human, disease ridden knuckle draggers is not a way to reach an educated audience. While yeah sure I get the resentment but that is not going to reach out and touch an educated someone.

Most of us got it, mankind came out of Africa and we got most of our civilization from people of color. History is coming out with how people of color or mixed race people made incredible contribution to society but that contribution was white washed. Now this book does make a lot of radical assumptions. First off it says that the first people everywhere were black and that these blacks people were the ones who started all the societies. Once again believable but I want footnotes to the source. This means that the first native Americans were black. Those who started European civilization were black. Later on in northern India or Central Asia there were mutations, they were called Albino Dravidians. They multiplied and stayed to themselves but were so hounded and torn by Turks and other Asians that they fled to Europe where they were given protection by black Europeans. The black Europeans then brutally enslaved these white peoples even going so far as to take their skin and use it for book binding. The black kingdoms would later fight each other thus giving the white peopleca chance to over throw them. This culminated in 1492 with expulsion of the last moorish kingdom. The black nobility would be complete over thrown by like 1848. Quite a wild claim one that is not mentioned in History books. When talking about it I would like to know the source. There are several things you will,learn about like the sickness that white people are at risk for and how white peoples are dying off. You will also learn that the United States is still owned by Britain. It could b true.

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Thursday, October 12, 2017

Pantheism 101

One Heart, Many Gods: The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Devotional PolytheismOne Heart, Many Gods: The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Devotional Polytheism by Lucy Valunos
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This tiny booklet is designed for the new devotionalist to polytheism or the worship of many gods. The author fortunate to say is not dogmatic about her approach but rather she gives suggestions that are up to you as to whether to follow or not. The author has benefited from having learned from such other spiritual tradition such as Catholicism, Hoodoo, Wicca and Norse paganism.
Now this maybe a small book but I learned a good many practical things from it. Things that I would like to remember. One of the most important things is setting up a time both during the morning and during the evening. The morning is not as complex as the evening prayers. The morning prayers are usually briefer and done with a divination of sorts. The evening prayers are much longer and usually have meditation involved. The when and where you have your devotion is not set in stone. The gods are understanding and you can work devotional times around your schedule. Let us not, as the author reminds that we can devote many different times to our gods if that is where we are at. Devotions can be done at any time and simple hard work can be a devotion enough for a deity.
Offering are a big part of polytheism. There is much talk on what to offer deities. The bottom line is that it is the thought that counts not how expensive is the gift you give to the deities. Besides, food, drink, incense and candle there are other ways we can give to the gods. Sometimes we can help out by giving charity or helping a certain group that is important to the deity. Offering can be charity or acts of kindness.
Candle are a big offering item to the author. White candle tend to be all purpose. When devoting a candle to a deity you will want to be careful or at least mindful as to which color you get. There is also a recommended process of cleansing a candle and charging it and I find it very comprehensible. The author advises the reader to use 7 day candles with the wick in the center. First you clean the glass down with water or a cleaner of sorts. Then over incense you cleanse the candle of any negative energy. Next you use a marker or paint an you write the deities name on the candle. Then you dress the candle with oils and herbs scared to the gods. Barring that, if you cannot get the candle out of the glass you can carve the deities name on the top and bore a certain amount of holes into the candle top side to be filled with herbs and oils. Finally you can charge the candle with visualization or say a prayer of intent as to why you are giving it.
The author goes on to distinguish between altar and shrines. The altar is your working space either for devotion or magic. The altar is the deities’ home. Regardless of what you are working with always remember to keep it clean and tidy. Keeping it clean is a gift unto the gods themselves. I wish I had rea this book earlier as it makes forming your spiritual practice a whole lot easier. Very valuable.




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Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Pazuzus Child part III

Wise words of Nabu The bald prophet bedecked in white robes graced across the stone floor of the temple. His hands were folded behind his back with eyes looking heavenward he silently mused the information he received from the priestess. "An anzu with a severed paw? " he questioned allowed. The priestess nodded her head in confirmation. " you know " he said while continuing to pace the floor " that is quite a difficult task" Nabu paused to let the information sink in. " I do not believe that any creature or animal from this planet could perform such a feat" "Are you implying what I think you might be implying?" Asked the worried priestess. "My jinn informants have told me that walk ins to our world have increased" Nabu said matter of factly. "I know better priestess than to doubt your dreams and if it be vivid then it shall happen soon or it already has happened" "No human is capable of severing the paw of those ferocious beast" she stated adamantly. "Trajans have been coming through the portals and--" "Pah " interrupted the priestess. "They are dangerous to humans but to an anzu they are mere pests" "Some humans come through and they come armed with weapons I have not yet seem" stated Nabu. "Their planet is a twin of ours " the priestess said "if my dreams carry portent something grave is about to begin" ----------------------------------- The Wounded Anzu Nabu could not have been more wrong the priestess thought to herself many strangle monsters and creatures had been coming through the portals. That was not forgetting the demons and angels who could traverse worlds at will. The priestess thought it over as she made her way back to the temple. Angels could care less what happened in the worlds but demons were always up to some mischief. Weapons from the other world, the twin world. She had seen their weapons. Knives, swords , axes and spears, humans across the different worlds has those. Then there were those iron fire sticks they spewed hot burning metal. Iron fire sticks did not sever paws. In front of Inanna's a crowd of people had been gathering. What are these simple people gawking at she asked herself. The throng of people created a blanket line thick barrier between her and spectacle. "Make way " commanded the priestess. People began parting and moving to the side as she marched her way through . The first sight of blood caused her heart to plummet down to the pit of her stomach. Crimson red puddle glistening in the sun right next to the pawless hand of the flying leopard. Suddenly she grasped trying to catch her breath. People turned and stared in surprise. " What's wrong with priestess " they would with fear and concern oozing from their voice. The priestess bolted from the group and closed the temple doors behind her. Suiting down she struggled to catch her breath. With heavy grasp she recovered her breath and coming to grips with the concrete reality of her dream. It had been morning when she visited Nabu. It would take till late afternoon until she recovered from her shock. Her evening ritual had commenced with the setting of the sun. A pinkish glow of clouds and sun was splayed across the sky. Inside the temple the Priestss had lit up the coals and she cast her herbs on the coal and a cloud of smoke rose into the air. Drowsiness crept into her bones and her almond eyes became heavier and lidded. The image appeared above the burning coals. "Isharra you have summoned." StAted the voice from the emerging form of smoke. "Inanna divine goddess of love and war I have been given a dream and its contents be true" said the priestess summoning the goddess as she materialized in the smoke . As the beautiful lady emerged from the smoke the priestess described her dream. The beautiful form listened, she was lithe, tan, clad in only loin cloth and a covering over her chest. "Isharra my child," the goddess cooed "your land has been plundered and pillaged by the blue eyed invaders from the North. They take our maidens and enslave the youth. The folk are oppressed " isharra listened intently " salvation has arrived in the form of a great warrior who comes through the vortex from the original home planet. Their blood he shares yet he is watched by the Jinn." "Why would the Jinn have interest in a northern warrior from the vortex?" Questioned Isharra. "The Jinn have their machinations and scheme just like mankind and the Gods" the goddess gently explained. " "I have seen the men from the original world they are not strong of spirit or body but they have dangerous weapons" Isharra commented scepticly. "Northerners have the Warriors fury" smiled the goddess "this warrior will be Uruks salvation." The goddess paused while the priestess meditated. " you shall travel to Abzu and meet him in Enki's realm'" _____________________________________ Journey to the Abzu Cages filled with young women were trundling by western gate as Nabu bade Isharra farewell . The fear was palpable in their eyes. Legend of the harsh cold north abounded in Uruk. The poor treatment of nubile slaves was well noted. Young men would be conscripted into labor battalion of war battalions. Oppression weighed down heavily on residents of Uruk. "The dealers are dangerous, priestess" warned the scribe.. "we are well prepared Nabu believe me" she chided back at her friend with a smile. The priestess sucked in a deep breath through her nose and then smiled again. Nabu looked at her quizzically. "Change is in the air I can feel it " she said confidently. In the distance a group of slave traders appeared as if my by magic from the hot shimmering sands of the desert. Nabu looked at the priestess again. "Are you prepared to deal with this mirage that is popping out of the desert?" Nabu questioned the priestess. "Oh king of scribes do you not realized by now that as much as I am a servant of the goddess I am also her warrior" she smiled and then bade for her friend to continue. So they continued their march toward the realm of Enki. The four or five fur clad barbarians temained behind them in the distance. After a few hours they came upon the Euphrates river. Village people or Fellahin as they were called had set up a nameless town. A desert town by the edge of a fast moving somewhat muddy river. The fellahin would set out to the river and bring on fish. The fish not only provided food for families but could be traded for other goods. Straw boat of the fellahin could easily traverse a river, provided the weather was good. Families built mud and straw huts. Tent like eateries were set up by the rivers edge offering cooked fish, fruits and clean water for drinking. Isharra had been this way before. The cooked fish could be rather nauseating. Dates , figs and water would be sufficient. Sweat dripped down her body. Her clothes drenched with sweat as though she had cooled herself off in the river. Nabu noticed his friends condition and made comment. "This desert is hot but should you enter a vortex that takes you to the planet of the scribes you feel the real meaning of heat" "The planet Nabu is next to the real Of Utu" she shot back"a planet next to a star is a fiery death for anyone who crosses the wrong vortex." Her friend looked out to the river, with a glance of disdain he considered the straw boats of the fellahin. The Phoenicians Nabu thought to himself were the real boatmen around here. Having to flee their city states from the onslaught of the Northern invasion. Merchants and ship builders, that is what the Phoenicians were. Fleeing to safety and hiding at the first sign of fighting . Later they would reemerge, sometimes rebuilding somewhere else. With their superior ships they soon over took the boat trade especially to the sea. Of course the northern barbarians had ships as well but they were vicious and violent, in a battle the Phoenicians were no match for the Northern barbarians. As regrettable as the violence had been the Phoenicians added grandeur of sorts to the Euphrates. They stood grand in their majestic ships. Their beards well groomed and clean with curly hair going down the sides and the back. The merchant kings as some people called them looked regal in their white and purple wardrobe. To travel this hot desert was pointless. Nabu and the priestess needed a sea worthy ship that would take them to Dilmun, the island paradise and gateway to Enki's realm. The dinging ring of the town bells aroused Nabu from His reverie. The fellahin dashed this way and that way like rats scurrying in panic. Any who attempted to resist was most brutally cut down. The wooden cages were being filled with people they had captured. Two of the raiders suddenly eyed Nabu and Isharra. The prophet stood suddenly and uttered something in a language Isharra did not understand. From out of the desert skies a wind storm erupted with sudden and violent ferocity. The raiders rushed forward only to be pushed back by the winds excessive force. Sand got in their eyes leaving them blind. Isharra took advantage by unsheathing her dagger and thrusting it into any raiders unfortunate to cross her path. Down they fell into earn pools of their sticky red blood. Some would fall grasping while trying to hold their innards from spilling out recklessly. Isharra had effectively dispatched 3 of the raiders. Seven more still remained the warrior priestess was ready. It was something like a mirage or illusion. A shimmering filled a small place of air. The air had become a somewhat deadly still. The raiders, Nabu and the priestess stood and stared as what appeared to be a large eye has materialized and then began to open. Isharra turned to look at Nabu. He gave her back the knowing stare. Someone had opened a portal or a vortex. The two figures walked through the portal. One a definite stranger to these parts with fiery red hair, beat up looking blue pants and an animal Hyde coat of the likes she has never seen before. The other figure a man also came through. A dark man of African complexion dressed in a cloth hat, a light blue shirt and strange blue pants that were quite alien to her. The tendrils of heat were coming off his body as though they were water vapors forced into evaporation in the desert heat. He was jinn she thought to herself that much was obvious. They were masters at portal traveling. The raiders looked at the strangers in awe. A jinn set in battle mode could be quite the dangerous thing. Yet, the jinn did not attack rather he seemed to whispering something into the other stranger's ear. As if the strange red hair and bizarre clothing were not enough, the man with strange clothes lunged toward the attacking raiders. His greenish hazel eyes flared as though pit with an angry fire that lit up from his eyes. One of the raiders swung a broad sword at the foreigners head but he ducked it rather skillfully and then landed a strong right punch into the raiders rib cage. The raider bent forward just in order to receive a left hook to his jaw. He went down unconscious. Another warrior rushed forward using the exact same maneuver that the previous raider had used. The foreigner or Darren as is his name ducked the blow and picked up a dead fighters sword. Darren slashed the attackers legs knocking him down on his back. As the raider struggled to get off his back Darren jammed the sword into the raiders chest. He died gurgling in his own blood. Another attacker tried to grab him from behind. Darren effortlessly slipped under his arm and jammed the attacker in his ribs and as his head bent down Darren grabbed him by the hair and flipped onto the sand. The body hit the desert floor with a giant thud. The raider made an attempt to get up and continue his assault but Darren drive his foot down into his assailant throat. Another attacker was sent hurtling toward a wooden cage filled with female captives. They grabbed their oppressor and held him by his arms and hair. Darren finished him Off with a lunging kick to the chest. The other two attackers fled. One of the looked back and yelled "Traitorious Khazars, I know you sword of God and for your treachery you shall pay." _____________________________________ Enki's Realm The Phoenician boat docked upon the shore upon seeing that the fighting was over. "hail and come aboard" the Phoenician bellowed out with a smile that showed his pearly white teeth. Nabu smiled and waved back at his friend. Isharra glanced back at the Jinn and Darren and cast them s serious look. It made Darren feel quite unwelcome. " I think now is the time to bring out the paw" the jinn said quietly in Darren's ear. Isharra walked over quietly and cautiously. The look of confusion written on her face plain to see. Darren pulled out a sack covered with dried blood and showed them the paw of the wounded leopard with wings. "so is it this walk in that shall be our savior?" She questioned the jinn with what sounded to Darren to be laced with an element of scorn. "he could be" Murad answered back non chalantly. "He did cut the paw off a raging Anzu that was about to rip out heads off for dinner. So yeah he might be." "A walk in" replied the priestess with scorn. "well Isharra " he said with a smile " You might not like walk ins but just remember you people originated from his world so in a way you are also walk ins" Isharra snorted angrily and then turned to her friend Nabu. The bald scribe beckoned them aboard the ship. The priestess turned back to Murad and Darren. "Jinn we are traversing over water to Enki's realm" she said in a serious tone. "Oh I know " he chuckled. "you should have made the walk in go back to his own realm " she sniffed and then turned toward the ship beckoning Darren to follow. By the island of Dilmun, perhaps a few feet or yards from the shore , a giant hole emerged that lead to some where beneath the ground. Hiram the burly bearded Phoenician pointed it out to Darren. "That hole in the sea will take you to Enki's realm, he is the good lord of the deep." "lord of the underworld?" Darren questioned. Isharra scowled while Nabu seemed to remain indifferent. "By Ilu's beard no, his realm is a large sea beneath the surface of the land. It is his kingdom and most beautiful it is " "An underwater sea? " Darren shot back incredulously. "A sea of sweet water that will quench any thirst you may have " Hiram belly laughed holding his gut and showing his teeth. "Is this entrance and sea also on my planet?" Darren asked this time with a tone of curiously. "the sea is there but not the entrance, I do not think Enki wants your earthlings wandering into his realm" the Phoenician replied. " your people have damaged the planet enough."

Friday, October 6, 2017

Hunt for the Red Scorpion: Yesterday's War on Terror

From the Tower of DarknessFrom the Tower of Darkness by Carroll Runyon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The war on terror is not a new thing. Ever since the Europeans took control of the Middle East after World War I they have been wrestling with the aspect of terror. This is an adventure packed novel taking place during that time period, written by a master occultist. There is not too much occult stuff thrown in except that the main bad guy from Corsica, Scorpio La Rouge uses astrology to plan his operations.
Alan Vaughn is a British agent assigned as an intelligence officer of sorts in Egypt. He has learned the ways of the Near East and can blend in quite effectively. The novel starts off with a show down with Echmet Yosef in the African desert. Alan’s Objective is to break into break into Scorpio La Rouge’s safe and steal some precious documents and a Seal of Solomon. The documents implicate some dirty secrets about some big wig French people that could bring them down. La Rouge is also running guns for the French so they can arm the Mahdist movement in Sudan and weaken the British sphere of influence. Another thing is Princess Shebaba and illegitimate heir to the throne of Ethipoia. She is a dancer for La Rouge and a lover of Alan Vaughn. Together they work on a plot to crack the safe and get the goods. Alan hires some thugs and the princess has Zagussi, her body guard helping her. Things go awry during the break in . They are captured on board a ship here even more adventures ensue until they finely land on the base of operations in Africa.

For those who like high adventure novel this one is for you. There is plenty of intrigue to go around. I liked it because it is about the Middle East.


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Wednesday, October 4, 2017

African American Medicine of the Gullah.

Hoodoo MedicineHoodoo Medicine by Faith Mitchell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a shot little book that I wish was quite a bit longer. Faith Mitchell generated this book by traveling to the Sea Side Islands off the coast of the Carolina’s these islands were home to a large African American community back during the colonial period. Back in those times it was all African American with the exception of a few white people who were plantation owner and over seers. The language they spoke was gulla. Even up to the 1930’s the area was rather neglected. As the population grew people began moving out. Mostly it is the older generation of people at that know about the herbal cures.

In Africa the elders knew what each of the herbs and plants could heal. When they came to the new land they had to make substitutions. Some of this was based on their own knowledge, other of it came from the Europeans and the Native Americans. The Native American knew about the plant lore and taught a lot of that lore to the Africans. Most Hoodoo medicines are a one single plant or two to three at the most. For the Hoodoo practioners sicknesses came in the guise of three things . The first was regular illness, the second was sickness sent by someone with occult powers and finally the third illness was because of sin.

In the beginning many people would consult Native American Healers and African American Healers. But as time progressed it was illegal to consult anyone but a white European doctor. Thus the only people to be treated would be other slaves if even that.

The second part of the book talks about herbs and what they were used to cure. There is an extensive bibliography in the back. The herb section tells the name of the herb the first part renders a description. Next it tells you which part of the plant to use. Finally what it is used for.
Some example
White Root: usd for colds an drunbk as a tea. Swamp Grass has the leaves used for sprains. It also tells how the European used the herbs as well.


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Thursday, September 28, 2017

Snow White Retold

The Shadow Queen (Ravenspire, #1)The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Irina was an eldest daughter of the king of Morcant and she had been scorned but she nestled her hatred in her heart an on day she would have vengeance. Her younger sister had gotten married first to King Arlen of Ravenspire. From that union came Prices Lorleigh and Prince Leo. Irina gets her vengeance when her younger sister dies under mysterious circumstances. Upon marrying King Arlen she immediately set upon takin control of the kingdom with poisonous apples that have a black gooey texture. People are like Zombies with almost no will of their own. Both Irina and Lora leigh are Mardushkas or sorceresses. Irina takes it upon herself to train the young princess to be powerful Mardushka like herself. When Loraleigh sees the evil Irina’s impact on the kingdom she goes against her mentor and tries to take her down and at first she fails, with nothing to show for her efforts save for a dead father and she and her brother made fugitive.
Wandering her kingdom like a fugitive hiding herself and her magic from Irina, Loraleigh plots her revenge and the plot to restore her kingdom. Doing her best to help the starving people under Irina’s reign. She goes about fomenting resistance with the help of Leo and a loyal guard named Gibril. The plot takes a turn with the entrance of the King of Eldr, his name is kol. The draconi of Eldr can shape shift into dragons and have two hearts. One heart is human and the other is dragon. Seeking Irina’s help to rid his kingdom of an ogre invasion the newly crowned king finds himself trapped and transformed into a terrible predator. Loraleigh must battle the evil queen and her formidable ally to both rescue her kingdom and stay alive.
This story in a new entry into the realm of retelling faerie tales albeit with a twist. In this tale Snow White is a sorceress powerful enough to challenge a wicked queen who has stolen her father’s throne. The huntsman is a prince who can shape shift and not some lackluster bounty hunter. He is a good guy but forced to do an evil queen bidding. For those who like the retelling genre you are sure to like this. I just cannot convince myself to believe that people can shapeshift into dragons.


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Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Pazuzu's Child part 2

Chapter 4 : THE Attack of the Trajans. THe paused in conversation should have brought about a quiet silence interrupted only by the rustling and sound of animals in the woods. INstead a loud roar resounded in the forest. THe sound of cracking tree branches made a lid crack much like an individual fire work being lit on the 4th of July. "Here they come again" complained the Jinn smacking his hand against the ancient wood table. " Thos stupid beasts just never learn" "Trajans?" Enquired Darren. "Remember those hairy ape like creatures?" The Jinn shot back. "Oh yeah" Darren answered back dreamily. "Ready to see me in my real Jinn form?" The Jinn smiled with a look of expectation written on his face. THE furious monsters screeched and howled outside the old wood cabin. Build like tall gangly chimpanzees they moved with a stark coordination that left one rather frightened at how easily they could move and how fluid for a creature so tall and skinny. Slowly like a cart hunting its prey they would creep towards the cabin making their frightening screaches. When the two figures appeared in the door way the monsters hurled their spears at the two. Seeing the oncoming missile like object hurtling toward him Darren barely evaded being hit as he moved put of the way . THe spear penetrated into the wood with a loud "thwack". With slight noise the spear vibrated in the wall. THE launching of the second spear brought about a very different reaction. THE Jinn had caught the missile hurtling toward him effortlessly . Upon his capture of the missile it immediately burst into flame. Darren looked at the jinn with a puzzled expression. "Locke I told you my body is made of smokeless fire" Daren just nodded. THE creatures turned their heads and communicated with each other with signals of shaking heads, grunts and growls. THey appeared confused but simple animals often make rash decision when they are in a panic. THree of them rushed forward with their javelins in a vain attempt to gut the older darker man in the stomach. "Get ready" the old man said giving Darren a wink. In a matter f seconds his body began to expand and change. THE loud explosion knocked Darren to the floor. When he looked up as if in a daze he noticed a large monster like figure was standing their facing down the three hairy Trajans with their razor sharp teeth jutting from their lower jaws. THe huge mister had a body of burning fire and his eyes were a deep blood read of flame like coals. As the three hardly masters attmpted their charge the Jinn caught one and held him in his hand. He inspected the squirming ape like a child examine an insect he is about to kill or smash. THe Trajan immediately burst into flame. Blood spattered too the ground while the rest f the body turned too ash which a sudden wind which came about rather conveniently blew them away. A second Trajans stabbed the giant fiery jinn in the back. THe wooden javelin thrust in with no resistance. THe wooden staff burst into flame and the metal tip fell to the dirty ground. A meaty ball of fire in the shape of a fist exploded the hairy creature and that was the end of him. When the Jinn walked away a glowing metal spear tip remained burning a bright red on the ground. The third Trajan groaned in fear and ran toward the darkness of the forest. A jets treat of flame erupted from the Jinn's right hand.. The fleeing Trajan burst into flame. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Chapter 5: Horse and Carriage. "We. Must go and quickly" the Jinn said urgently. Darren followed along silently, reeling still from the jock oogf observing the transformation he was unable to speak. Quickly they ran through the forest and headed towards a dirt road with a lantern and bench on the side of the road. "Do they have busses on these dirt roads?", Darren ventured to ask. "THis is definitely not Los Angeles." "Like I said earlier, this is not Los Angles it is not your world, this is sort of liked an Earth 2" explained MUrad. The screeches and the yells of the remaining Trajans began to get louder and the crackling of bushes seemed to be getting closer. " I hope the carriage gets here soon because I do not like the sound of what is coming our way through the forest." A slight tone of panic invaded the Jinn's voice as he looked worriedly toward the direction where the sounds were coming from. "Shouldn't be a problem " Daren stated matter of factly " I saw what you did to those creatures back there and believe me when I say that that you could take out an army has of them" The sound of the horse and carriage came rumbling through . Murad grave a sigh of relief as the antiquated horse and buggy approached. THe driver brought the horses to a halt and the two got on. OOnce they seated themselves the conversation continued . " To do what I did back there expends a lot of energy" commented the jinn. "You've taken on five guys before how did you feel after the fight was over?" THE Jinn asked his question in a challenging manner. "I'll bet you might have been tired" he commented almost as if an after thought.. Darren kept his counsel. " I have more teach you" MUrad continued once he ascertained that no one would be listening in on the conversation . "You see Darren" He continued " My job is to guard the portal or vortex between this Earth and your Earth" " Are there any other Earths?" Questioned Darren. "No there is just these two, however let me explain something to you. But before I do that I would like to know if you have ever heard of read such classics as "Alice in Wonderland, Wizard of Oz or the Chronicles of Narnia?" Darren nodded in the affirmative. The Jinn continued . "In those stories you see characters going through a rabbit hole and winding up in a different world or maybe a windstorm takes a young lady to Oz or some kids go to Narnia through a wardrobe .Those are like portals or vortexes to other worlds. After your experience you may find that those classics were really not that fictional but rather based on reality" "You mean these authors traveled through these portal and went to the worlds they wrote about?" Darren asked excitedly "that is is awesome." "I am not so sure about those authors or those worlds they wrote about but there are people and we call them "GateHoppers" they make it their business or should I say there fortune t travel through these gates and exploit whatever they can" the Jinn answered back. " THere are some people that actually conduct commerce between the different worlds but it is very disruptive and it messes up the natural order of things." "Are saying that people bring stuf from one world too the next and sell it?" Daren questioned the Jinn. "Basically yes" the jinn with a sour expression written upon his face. "Most of the stuff they sell is not your typical merchandise like clothes, games or books but rather like weapons and slaves." "Slaves?" Darren asked jolting bolt right into his seat. "Like I said earlier there are a few people not a lot who travel these gate ways." the Jinn responded with slight irritation in his tone. "Which is where my tribe of Jinn come in." A bit of joy crept back to voice as he continued to explain his tribes role with regards to watching the gates. It was obvious that this was a source of pride for MUrad. "Our job is to stope these gate hoppers and prevent them from going through the gateways and bring their weapons and slave." MUrad paused as if to let the information slip in. "Just imagine there is a primative world and two. Nations or tribes are fighting. If someone from your world sells them weapons or firearms why that could tip the balance . As for slaves nay rich people can afford them and they keep their slaves inside " "Yeah I guess you are right abut that" Daren said sounding rather abject. "There are world that a man can find himself , now sometimes these gateways will take you to a different time period and that could be past or present." "Let me ask you something" Daren interjected " Go ahead" replied the Jinn. "If I went to the past. That means I could change it. Right?" Darren asked. "Here is the catch my young friend" explained the wisened Jinn 'what has happened has happened the past cannot be changed. You can try too change or prevent some historic event but the timeline corrects itself and goes back to the way it was." "So you can watch but you cannot change anything what about the future? Is that right?" "Going through the gateway can take you into the future, but one thing" the Jinn paused and again he habitually rubbed the stubble on his chin "I call it a false future, because I can only temporarily exist because someone can always change their mind in the present and that in turn effect the future." "So what your saying is that I can jump into the future but if I go back to my time and somehow reach that futures I once saw it will be changed? Is that right?" Asked Darren. "My point exactly" confirmed the Jinn " If you should cross a gate and go into the future and then go back to your time line you will have already changed the future" " How is that ? " Darren asked almost demanding an answer. "Nothing is set in stone, we have free will and we can do what we want" replied the Jinn. "You see someone goes into the future or they step through a gate, guess what happens?"MUrad said quizzing Darren. He spent a few moment trying to figure it out before he came up with an answer. "You can see the future and you can see how things are going to be" Ventured Darren "Well that is one ways of looking at it but you are only partially correct" MUrad countered with a slight laugh. "Point is once you enter the gate you are no longer in the timeline , it is like you disappeared, your future self is not there , but the current you will be." "What's the point of going through this future gate then?" Mused Darren. MUrad folded his hands on his lap. "See where your friend end up, look at investment trends" answered MUrad " You know which stock will make money which ones lose, that kind of knowledge fright there could make you a millionaire " "I see" Darrent said quietly. "It's not like I can see my future self and learn from his mistakes " THe jinn shook his head back and forth with a smile. A sudden roar etched through the woods as the carriage rambled through the dark woods. MUrad adopted a very serious look. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Chapter 6 Attack of the Anzu THe carriage careened off the road into a clump of tree.. THE banging and the bouncing knocked them around like marbles on a jar Being shaken up. Darren's head banged solidly into the carriages roof Ceiling. HIs head made a hollow thud sound like a customer hitting a watermelon to determine it's quality. The roaring gt louder and louder . THe sound seemed to be descending from the air. Murad had not lost consciousness, after all a Jinn cannot get knocked out that easily. Murad moved the small curtain aside that acted as a barrier between the driver and his passenger. THe driver was not there. All that remained was large puddle of drying stick,y blood on the seat. If this is what I think it is Murad thought to himself things are not looking too good. The large cat likes roar echoed through the wood. A sound like wood being torn apart like paper could be heard as a large paw punched through the wall of the carrage. The paw felt around as is searching for something . Murad put up his Pinter finger and it lit up like a knife or blade cast into flames. The Jinn's hot finger penetrated the huge oversized cat like paw like a hot knife going through butter. THe creature immediately wrapped its paw and belched 0ut a furious roar. A series of intense bangs rocked the carriage and it seemed as though the wall would not be able to hold up. Another paw reached through and knocked the jinn down. Darren was just beginning to stir and his eyes were still a blur. Noticing that his fridge end was down and that this creature might well devour or at least kill them both. Darren realized that he would have to act quick if they were to get out of this mess alive that he would have to act quickly . A sharp spear like piece of wood broke free from the carriages wall and was lying right next to Darren. Quickly he grasped the wood , careful note to get splinters and rushed toward the probing paw that was searching the cabin as if looking for something. The harsh hitting movement of the other paws knocked against the carriage , knocking Darren to his feet at least three different times before he got close enough . A tool box slid it from under a seat and spilled out all it's. Contents some of which consisted oF sharp tools which could prove useful in trying to defend against what was beginning to seem like an oversized cat. It seemed like a cat but why did it come from the sky? The walls of the carriage were beginning to cm e apart. Acting quickly Darren pierced the creatures not hand and wedged his wooden spear into the crack. The giant creature's paw was trapped. An axe fell it of the tool box and slid to where Darren had the creature's paw trapped. Furiously he hacked at the monsters wrist. As the hand was severed from the wrist blood gushed every where. Murad grabbed Darren's wrist and pulled him through the carriage door. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Part 2 Chapter 1 Desert Oasis The smoke of Frankincense, Myrrh and permeated the inner sanctum of the temple. THe small cubicle liked room was filled with fragrant smoke that made me feel as if they were trapped with hi a small room of fog/ Grasping for air the elder priestess struggled to breathe. THe dream had been frightening ,the dream had been a portent. The last time she had such a vivid dream was when the conqueror from the north assumed the throne of Uruk. It had been dark days since. THe dream slowly came back to her, but it was no dream but rather a vision. In the dream a wounded creature flew through the air and died right at her feet. THe creature was an Anzu which was basically a leopard with wings. Known to be quite ferocious and powerful, due too their large size. Anzus could fly through the air swoop down and catch a grown man for a meal.. The vision had been vivid. The leopard like creature with it's yellowish brown skin had been flying through the air in lame circle going round and round. Upon seeing a town with people the Anzu flew down and landed. In the vision , the priestess head been on the outskirts of town collecting herbs for healing and offerings. The wounded creature was bleeding profusely with a bloody trail that followed him wherever he flew. When he landed, it was a few feet from where she was. "Frightening beast who have you decided to hunt this time? " she had asked knowing full well that these predators were dangerous and responsible for killing people. "Priestess of the Sacred God Sin please believe I have been deprived of food for days. On the brink of starvation I believed I would die when I chanced upon a human and a Jinn wandering about in the Central woods across the sea in a carriage. I attacked they fought back , the human stabbed me through the hand and pinned it to a wall in the carriage then he got it an axe and cut off my paw. So now death calls me back to Ereshkiagal's realm" the Anzu told his story his voice tinged with regret and anger. THE priestess leaned down too touch the dying beast to sea if she could heal him, he had lost too much blood . THe vision was too vivid. Dark clouds were forming on the horizon . Slowly the aged priestess ambled her way it of the room and into the main chamber. Catching her breath again she stiffened her body and picked up her pace. WIth deftness she dodged through the thronging crowd of people in the sook on her way to the temple of Nabu, the scribe God would be able to interpret this vision. Breathless from her run through the sook, she straightens herself up and walked toward the Zigguarat of Nabu. Although a priestess and one with an excellent relationship with the god she still could not storm up that mountain of building and petition the god. No she had to go through the lower levels with all the other worshippers. "Your face looks troubled moon priestess" noted the priest of Nabu. Concern was etched on his face. THE light shined off his bald head as he bowed reverently to the moon priestess. "It is a vision, priest and a troubling one at that." Sheer replied gulping down saliva "I can see" said the concerned priest. THe priestess shared the contents of her dream.

Baba-Sali

Baba-Sali
Holy Morroccan Sage engaged in Prayer

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One blond hair blue eyed Calfornian who totally digs the Middle East.