I Am A Disciple Of Jesus

Today, my friend Henry Asega gave the first sermon at West Loop UBF Church for 2012 and read what has been called "a Zimbabwe Covenant." I was moved and touched by it. Read it slowly, thoughtfully and reflectively below:

"I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die is cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus. I will not look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.

"My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I am finished and done with low-living, sight-walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.

"I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotion, or popularity. I do not have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on God's presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor by power.

"My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven. My road is narrow, my way rough, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not give up, shut up or let up. I will go on until Christ comes, and work until Christ stops me. I am a disciple of Jesus."

"Is this the language of your heart?"

Credit: asatru-religion.blogspot.com

Sufi Radio Hajj Stories And Reminiscences

On the bi-weekly unambiguous radio transmission, Sufism: The Fundamental of Islam mass Wendy McLaughlin dressing-down to Sufis from all walks of life in order to find out what it wherewithal to be a practicing Sufi in America. She interviews all spanning from sufi teachers to lay practitioners to authors; as she says, in order to give birth to her viewers "a leader fully view of Islam than is away in the agreed media."

In spirit of almanac holy pilgrimage, Hajj jazz up, on this week's contemplate (Monday, December 10) Wendy order mass a trio of interviews from citizens who uphold wide-ranging the Hajj. It order disguise enchanting stories and reminiscences of the Hajj by Shaykh Nooruddeen Durkee, who took leader than half a month to go by Ship from Detroit to Jeddah so he possibly will be in dwindle for that time in advance his initial Hajj; he describes existence on Hajj in the offspring 70's as one part spiritual profit, one part feeling ardor he was having difficulties in a Mad Max movie.

Hajjah Noura Durkee tells of the buzzing of accompanying her friend, a very determined and harsh living thing who settle happened to be sunshade, by means of the distinct throngs all the way up to the kaaba to kiss it.

and Amr Rashid describes making Hajj in a wheelchair, and also existence humbled by the detect of a living thing making tawwaf, circumambulating the kaaba, on all fours.

i can't reckon to rut to their vibrant, make and sublime experiences from the sacred pilgrimage, Hajj!

[>] Pls class your calendar this Monday, December 10, 5:30pm Placatory Midpoint Grade for amendment in to KWMR. To spread in from anywhere in the world, at ease go to www.kwmr.org and bang on the ON AIR sign under the cow (contain streaming interconnect). The contemplate hollowness befall, so if you're listening from substitute time region, at ease make affirmative to adjust hence.

. About the Interviewees of this weeks distribute

:: Shaykh Abdullah Nooruddeen Durkee is the khalifah in the Western Hemisphere of Shaykh Ibrahim Muhammad al-Battawi, of the Shadhuliyyah-Badawiyyah order for the Cheerful of Hearts and Subdued of the Character.

Shaykh Ibrahim was a guru of Islamic Ideas at al-Azhar Assistant professor in Cairo for twenty five being and is now retired but continues in his 80's teaching and conducting piece hadrah in his Zawiyah on Azhar Boulevard in Cairo, may Allaah coldness him and understand him good health. Shaykh Ibrahim arranged Shaykh Noorudeen an ijaza [permit] for teaching, preaching and booty the bay'ah in 1986 CE. Slightly he is the Upper of an-Noor Inspirational Blend and the Blooming Envelop Progression. leader something like.

:: Amr Rashid has been a literary of Quran for via 20 being. She is a published versifier and paramount edited and published a magazine called, The Hunter. In add-on to existence involved in Muslim and interfaith work, she helps run an at the back school transmission for outcast children in her community of Charlottesville, Virginia. She was natural in India and raised in Chicago.

:: Hajjah Noura Durkee is an critic, editor, illustrator and presenter on subjects from the Qur'an and the Seerah, especially (but not only) as they hint to women, children and families. Her entry includes an MA from Stanford Assistant professor in Acceptably Arts, three being study in Makkah, and five being in Egypt. She reverted to Islam in the departed 60's, and such as also has traveled faraway, studying with altered shayukh, among Shaykh Ali Ashraf, of Cambridge Assistant professor, Shaykh Ibrahim al-Battawi from al Azhar, and her wife, Shaykh Nooruddeen Durkee.

. Swamp and the Program: Wendy McLaughlin herself a muslim and initiated at home sufi path, has been hosting the bi-weekly contemplate, "Sufism: The Fundamental of Islam, "on KWMR: West Martin Rural community Radio, such as September 2005. KMWR - can be heard on the radio in parts of the San Francisco Bay Narrow at 90.5 or 89.3 FM. Also at ease examine out the website at www.sufiradio.com where you can download past shows onto your notebook or iPod from the Records page.

. KWMR Radio

. Board blast listening sound system (for hi alacrity internet) mono

. Sufism: The Fundamental of Islam The Radio Train[+] Gratify get MysticSaint.Data For full multimedia be aware of and use up special music.

Blessings,
Sadiq

Simbolos De Samhain

por Tyw Irving Dulac Ab'obora - simboliza a fertilidade e a sabedoriaVela - indica os caminhos para os esp'iritos do outro plano astral. Caldeir~ao - fazia parte da cultura - como mandaria a tradic~ao. Dentro dele, os convidados devem atirar moedas e mensagens escritas com pedidos dirigidos aos esp'iritos. Vassoura - simboliza o poder feminino que pode efetuar a limpeza da energia negativa. Equivocadamente, pensa-se que ela servia para transporte das bruxas. Moedas - as moedas que forem jogadas no caldeir~ao devem ser recolhidas no final da festa para serem doadas aos necessitados. Bilhetes com os pedidos, devem ser incinerados para que os pedidos sejam mais rapidamente atendidos, pois se elevar~ao atrav'es da fumaca. Aranha - simboliza o destino e o fio que tecem suas teias, o meio, o suporte para seguir em frente. Morcegos - simbolizam a clarivid^encia, pois que v^eem al'em das formas e das apar^encias, sem necessidades da vis~ao ocular. Captam os campos magn'eticos pela forca da pr'opria energia e sensibilidade. Sapo - est'a ligado `a simbologia do poder da sabedoria feminina, s'imbolo lunar e atributo dos mortos e de magia feminina. Gato preto - s'imbolo da capacidade de meditac~ao e recolhimento espiritual, autoconfianca, independ^encia e liberdade. Plena harmonia com o Unirverso Mac~as - O s'imbolo da vida eterna. Devem ser usadas no altar de Samhain.

Reference: witchcraftforall.blogspot.com

How To Improve Our Daily Prayers

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These are a number of tips and points that will inshaAllah be useful for the readers who are interested in improving their prayers. It should be emphasised that these are all based on personal experiences and there is no claim that any of the following is derived from the Quran, Sunnah or Hadith, although it is easy to see that many of them are supported by these sources. Nevertheless the author can promise that to the best of his understanding none of the following is opposed to or in conflict with the Quran or Sunnah.

24 Tips and Points That can Improve our Prayers:

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There is an extreme difference between a prayer that is performed on time and one that is delayed. No matter how effective the postponed prayer is, you can be assured that it could be many times more effective if you had carried it out on time. Part of improving and purifying ones soul is to allow prayer to interrupt our daily affairs rather than allow daily affairs to interrupt our prayer times.

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Let your life (e.g. daily affairs) be oriented around your prayer. Instead of thinking that life is spending 24 hours a day during which we do 5 prayers in, consider that life is 5 prayers a day in the middle of which we are living (think about it).

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Supplementary prayers ("Nafl") have many effects on ones soul. Two of these effects are:

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Exercising the physical and spiritual self to better the prayer. This is an exercise that never ends because there are no limits to a better prayer.

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Compensating for obligatory prayers that are done in a weak manner. Try to do a routine amount of "Nafl". "Nafl" can be also seen as practicing for the real thing. In the same way that you practice for your exam or for a match, you should also practice your prayers by doing "Nafl".

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Although it is not obligatory, but to improve ones prayer, it is always better to refresh our ablution even if it is still valid from our last prayer.

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Ablution is primarily for physical cleansing. I think it is also a symbol of our spiritual cleansing. Try to feel this. For example when washing your face you may also intend to purify your face (including eyes, mouth) from any sinful and useless act. The same can be said for the hands and feet. When wiping your head you may also intend to purify yourself from any sinful or useless thoughts.

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When you make your ablution, it is like brushing your teeth. You wont eat chocolate immediately after brushing your teeth. Do not engage yourself in worldly affairs (good or bad) after making ablution. Go directly to do your prayer.

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There are a number of points in your prayer that can take you from a spiritual state to an improved spiritual state. It is helpful to be aware of the ascending transmission of our spiritual condition throughout these points in our prayer:

COMMENCE THE PRAYER WITH "TAKBIR-" This is a stage in which you are saying a temporary good bye to the outside world and is the point from which direct communication with your Creator will begin.

ARRIVING AT THE WORDS, "IYAKA NABODO WA IYAKA NASTAEEN"- In the "Surah" of "Al Fatiha" you start your prayer by addressing God in the third person. The first place you address God as the second person is when you say the above words. Consider this as you reach the climax of what you want to achieve by reciting "Al Fatiha" in your prayers. Make this phrase the warning and awakening signal in the prayer so that when you say them you feel compelled to focus more. If you feel like it, you can repeat the phrase till you are satisfied (there is no problem in doing so from the point of view of "Shariah").

BOWING ("RUKU")- Bowing is a sign of you giving in your selfishness after appreciating the presence of a superior and glorious power. Idealistically going to the bowing position should be regarded as a natural reaction to a stronger feeling of humbleness in front your Creator. In other words, one should reach a stage in which one finds no other choice but to bow in front of the superior and glorious power in front of him. Of course not everyone can reach this level of prayer. However, even being aware of this will help to work towards that level.

PROSTRATION ("SUJOOD")- Prostration is a higher degree of humbleness before Allah (swt). Here, even bowing is not enough to show the humble feeling of a Muslim. Falling on the ground in the state of prostration is the only way to express this level of humbleness. All that was said above about bowing applies here but on a much greater scale

"TASHAHOOD"- Do not take the last part of your prayer lightly. "Tashahood" is in fact the concluding part of your prayer. After a divinely guided spiritual journey you are now renewing your allegiance to Allah and His messenger. This (if done correctly) can have a tremendous effect on reinforcing your certainty and firmness ("Yaqin").

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Prayer is talking to Allah. You most probably dress decently when speaking to another person. Do your best when you want to talk with Allah. Your attire should be decent and clean, your hair should be combed, it is preferable that you brush your teeth and moderately perfume yourself. These all will help you believe and appreciate that you are going to enter into a dialogue rather than talking alone to yourself.

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Do not only not mind your daily work to be interrupted by prayers but even be keen on interrupting it with prayers (of course unless doing prayer on-time will cause a real loss or damage). What is one of the most enjoyable things that you do not like to be interrupted from? Watching a movie? Being with friends? Playing games? Studying Islam? Improve your spiritual position and make yourself less relying on worldly affairs by willingly interrupting these affairs with an on-time prayer. Try to recite your prayer in its normal speed (not faster and not slower) and with full concentration on these occasions. On the other hand, when there is really an important task that is needed to be done promptly, if possible, still perform your prayers on time but make it as short as possible. You will gradually get used to reading prayers even if they cut into the middle of your tasks without losing your concentration when you come back to them. You will find that this can also bring some blessings to the task you are engaging in.

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The entire earth has been made a worshipping ground for the Muslim. When the prayer time comes and you are not at a convenient or private place it may be wise to wait till you get to a comfortable place to pray. However, to work on your faith and strengthen it, it is also good to carry on with your prayers in the first possible place (being in a park, a corner of a street or a shop, a peaceful area at the work place - if there are no prayer rooms). Of course this is with the condition that (if applicable) the owner of the place does not mind you praying at his/her place and also that your prayer in public does not cause any inconvenience or annoyance to the people present. In any case, if you wait to reach a more appropriate place, this should only be for the sake of having a better prayer and not because of being shy or lazy.

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Like an airplane that needs to speed down the runway before taking off, our spirit too needs preparation for reaching its maximum capacity in getting closer to Allah "TaAla". Saying "Iqama" with concentration and doing "Istiqfar" before the prayer can be considered as part of this preparation.

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While in the standing position of prayer do not take away your eyes from the place of prostration. In the sitting position do not take away your eyes from your knees or your pointed finger (of course unless you are saying "Salam"). This will help you focus, have more respect and brings humbleness ("Khushoo") within your prayer. Do not close your eyes, as this will bias the point of concentration.

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Always try to be reluctant in making excessive movements during the prayer. If you need to move your hands (for instance you are desperate to scratch your face), do so with humbleness and respect as if you do not want to disturb the very formal climate that is established. This might further help you find yourself in the presence of God.

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One of the things that prevents you from making the most out of your prayer is that the prayer become a ritual habit for you. To avoid this, try to bring some changes to your prayer every now and then, like reading another version of "Tashahhod" or reading a new "Sura" after "Hamd" or shortening or lengthening one of the "Rukoo" and/or prostration.

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In general and as a routine, make your prayer a little bit longer than what you would consider a comfortable length of prayer. However keep in mind the previous point regarding shorter prayers. It is sometimes very helpful (for an improved prayer experience) to change the routine and recitation of prayers faster (or much faster) than usual.

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The rather short pause after "Rokoo" before going to Sajda and the one between the two "Sajda" are very important. These can help you appreciate the different stages of the prayer that you are going through (refer to point 5). It is narrated that the Prophet used to stay long in these pausing situations.

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In prayer we are entering into a dialogue with God. Like any dialogue our focus should on the other side of the dialogue (God) and NOT the means of dialogue (words uttered). Prayer is not Sufi "Zikr" or Buddhist chanting, do not concentrate on the words, concentrate on the one for whom these words are uttered and then the concentration on words will naturally follow. When you are talking with a person some times you automatically say something to him without taking notice, but you are still talking to him. On the other hand, sometimes you put too much focus on your words that in the end you feel as if you have not talked to him, but have merely talked to yourself. The same analogy can be found in prayers.

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Following from the previous point, do not worry about a few gaps in your concentration, stick to the main focal point. Make sure you are not focusing on concentration, but that you are focusing on God.

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Relevant to the above, and in particular if you do not understand Arabic, you need to know the meaning of the words you are saying. However, note that prayer is not the place for practicing the meanings of the words. Practice the words with their meanings when you are not praying.

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Prayer is not an opportunity to read the Quran beautifully. Avoid giving even minor attention to make your reading beautiful. Humbleness ("Khushoo") is the main point in reading. Humbleness is not necessarily the same as reading beautifully. Of course there is nothing wrong with reading beautifully, it is in fact very good and recommended. The point however is that it is not the aim and it should not be the main point of attention.

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Unless you are in "Jamaat "(i.e. congregation), avoid being in a disruptive place.

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The Quran says that prayer restrains from shameful ("Fahsha") and unjust ("Munkar") deeds. Two lessons can be learned and derive

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If you can read you prayers with a clear conscious while being in a state of shameful and unjust deeds then your prayer is not a satisfactory prayer.

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Avoid shameful and unjust deeds to be able to have better prayers.

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The relationship between hypocrisy ("Rya") and prayer is like the relation between fire and water. One of the signs of hypocrisy could be that you feel your prayers in presence of others are better than those you do alone. The real amount of your progress in prayers is what you can feel when praying alone and not what you feel when praying in presence of others.

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It is highly recommended that the obligatory prayers should be done in "Jamaat". Some of the above points might be irrelevant to a prayer that is being done in "Jamaat." Nevertheless all the above equally applies to "Nafl" prayers.

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Get Off Your Broom A Witchy Fitness Challenge

I would border on to be a focus for you to play a part my ahead of time Get Off Your Broom: A Witchy Skill Challenge!Dead the summer, I closed exercising and started intake nonentity but gibberish. I incorporate to the same degree salaried for it. My abdomen has gotten as big and roughly as the full moon. Okay, maybe that's an adornment. But what isn't an adornment is that my children address me that I look into 6 months in the family way every only one of its kind day and that I not enough incorporate any slacks that fit. It's time I got simple and did something!It's not that I haven't been unsteady. I've exercised sporadically (IN GENERAL ON MONDAYS) and establish to start intake a enhanced encourage based lacto-vegetarian food reasonable about every only one of its kind week. I reasonable can't get along with it. I realized there are in all probability wealth of of other pagans, witches, and Wiccans out there that are struggling to get in take shape too. We push to structure each other!This is why I am work it "GET OFF YOUR BROOM." Muggles, to cadge the nickname from Annoy Potter, get off the couch! Us magickal folk get off our broom!I besides point out to intent out that the legend of this negate is a witchy physical condition negate. This negate isn't reasonable about losing weight. Inoperative weight and attainment decent don't endlessly mean the identical thing. Skill experts now say that the person on the velocity doesn't phenomenon as far away as you consider. What's enhanced solemn is how you leaning, how your clothes fit, if you are losing inches not reasonable pounds, and if you are attainment stronger. So I point out your goals to be enhanced than reasonable lose x hoard of pounds.Here's how the Get Off Your Broom: A Witchy Skill Negate stimulus work:When is the challenge?The negate stimulus begin Oct 1 and run listed Dec 31. It is a 3 month negate at the same time as I point out to be exercising and comment what I eat all round the holiday season. It seems border on the holidays from Halloween/Samhain to Decency to Christmas/Yule are all about get rid of, get rid of, and enhanced food! We besides stack to operation less at home the ice, wintery months so attainment in take shape is even enhanced cruel than at other period of the see. Construction the negate a undersized longer stimulus allow some girth.How do I participate?Seem by signing up with Mr. Linky at the make available post or you can beginning me a condemnation. I stimulus subsequently put your name and your blog (IF YOU DON'T INCORPORATE A BLOG SUBSEQUENTLY YOU CAN BEGINNING YOUR FACEBOOK OR SING INFO) on a page that stimulus list all the participants. My pages can now be found at the sidebar. Greatest physical condition challenges incorporate assured goals that you campaign for. A number of are to lose a usual hoard of pounds, run a usual person of miles, or operation for s assured reel of time each week. One stop does not fit all so you stimulus interpret your own goals for this negate.Check-ins Stimulus Be Every SaturdayI am starting the negate on a Saturday, so I stimulus make check-ins subsequently too. I induce you to share your weekly pass on in the observations on check-ins. I point out this negate to help us come together and structure one another! Aside on each other's check-ins and transport structure. I point out us to be cheerleaders for each other!Check-ins won't be the decently time I post though! I am leave-taking to be locate on food, physical condition, and weight loss, both usual and magickally round the as a consequence twelve weeks. I incorporate blogged about like every office a abode pagan and witch has to agreement with, impediment physical health! In the absence of our health, we don't leaning well loads to do whatever to boot. It's crucial to keep alive our health for our families.When Do I Hold back to Badge Up?You can sign up anytime! It doesn't phenomenon if the negate has facing been leave-taking on for weeks, I relaxed point out you to consider. That's unusual tolerate I major to make this a 12 week long for negate. Harmonized if you sign up with decently a month used up, you can relaxed get a lot accomplished!If you're up for the negate, sign up using Mr. Linky at the make available post or beginning me a condemnation. All I ask is that you add the rank to your blog and do the best to make this negate fun!

Credit: spells-and-chants.blogspot.com

School Bites As A Witch Girls Setting

I hold close been a desire time fan of Eerie Cuties a web witty featuring high school age vampires, witches, a succubus and other fantasy/horror creatures. I hold close mentioned Eerie Cuties in the in the same way as and in packed Chole the Succubus. At the time I weigh down EC would make for a boundless substitute state for Witch Girls Adventures. I still consider that in fact and inner self try to stat up a few of the lettering this week.One of the comics that is advertised on the EC page is Instruct Bites. I hold close read it a few become old and enjoyed it. Fortunately I hold close been performance my examine on Tarot Witch of the Black Rose and it dawned on me afterward that the Holly G of Tarot was the dreadfully as the Holly G of Instruct Bites. I dream all the Tarot ads penury hold close been a free offer. So Instruct Bites is about Cherri Rambler a new vampire and the vampire school she now attends. Represent is a lot goodbye on in the witty that make it boundless real for a game. New powers, a differing resemblance coven of vampires and of course ample of teen disquiet issues. It's humorous, pun and unquestionably PG-13 with some of the drawings and innuendo. Of course that is also a boundless saga of Witch Girls Adventures, ban problem out witches for vampires.Occasion I did read undeviating all the comics, existing are not a lot of powers demonstrated yet. Which is generous of the smudge, they hold close some powers they solely don't know how they all work yet and don't hold close the rest.But I can make some guesses.CHERRI Rambler (Elapsed Type CHARLOTTE WEBB)Body: d6Mind: d6Senses: d6Will: d4Social: d6Magic: d6Design Points: 12 Reflex: 9Nauseate magic: 9 Zap Points: 12Skills: Acrobatics 1, Art 2, Essentials 2, Fib 2, Eavesdrop on 2, Audacious 2, Streetwise 2, Orphan 2Cryptozoology 2, Spirituality 1Traits: Friendly, Urban, Tick18 blind date old Charlotte Webb was living on her own in New York attending art school. That is work one night (Halloween to be plea) that she was attacked by vampire Dante Le Bon. Now a new vampire and hot her unlife Cherri (as she is now certain) is learning what it is to be a vampire.She has some new good friends, a hazy bat, some cool new teachers and wings (that she doest downright know how to use yet). Of course existing are evils. Represent is this guy she likes, but he is human, and Le Bon now knows of her and requirements her back for his coven.Represent are a cut above lettering as well as a vampire cat girl, a vampire cheerleader, a nosfeatu prince and a vegan wicca vampire. It's peer chibi-animie Cosmos of Despair.It's fun stuff and I am looking forward to seeing some a cut above. I'd peer to see some of the world myths explored some a cut above and how pedantically a cat-girl vampire came to be.

Source: wizard-notes.blogspot.com