VENUS AND JUPITER FORM DOUBLE STAR TO BRING YOU GOOD LUCK TONIGHT

THE two brightest planets in the night sky, Venus and Jupiter, will dance together overnight Saturday/Sunday 27/28 August, in their closest encounter until 2065. Here's how to see them.

Go outside Saturday about half an hour or 45 minutes after sunset and you will see Venus and Jupiter paired in an extremely close configuration … called an "appulse" by astronomers.

Depending on where you live on Earth, the two planets will almost appear to touch, caught passing each other like two ships in the twilight.

Actually, Venus and Jupiter are in conjunction at least once every year … but rarely so close that they seem to be a double star … which is what as meant as an "appulse" conjunction.

 Be sure to take a look ... it will take until 2065 to catch an approach closer than this.

Astrologically, it is good news good news after weeks of tension when Venus aligns in conjunction with Jupiter. 

Venus conjunction Jupiter is a textbook alignment for love and good fortune in all sorts of relationships ... romantic relationships and business relationships. 

A chance meeting or unexpected phone call or message can open a window of opportunity to make things happen fast.

IT'S CINNABAR FOR THE CONSOLATION MOON By Our Crystal Meditation Advisor Martin Campbell

OUR inimitable astrology expert Hernestus has advised me that tonight is the Antinous Consolation Moon (Gemini Third Quarter Moon).  

It is the lunar phase of small gifts - count your blessings even if they are small.

We can get complacent. We are surrounded by so much comfort, good health, friendship, family and social stability. 

We forget that so many gay people would be unbelievably grateful for such things in parts of the world where they are poor, persecuted or worse.

We must be thankful for all the blessings in our lives however small. 

If you would like to meditate holding a crystal to help you to count your blessings then I would suggest using:

1. CINNABAR - These crystals (top of page) help you to accept everything just as it is.

2. CELESTITE  - They attract good fortune and trust in the infinite wisdom of the divine to meet your desires.

Love and Light,

MARTIN

To get more advice from Martin Campbell and to find out how to contact him CLICK HERE.

THE ANTINOUS MOON OF CONSOLATION THE GEMINI THIRD QUARTER MOON

TONIGHT's Gemini Third Quarter Moon is the lunar phase of serendipitous good fortune which we call the CONSOLATION MOON in Antinous Moon Magic.

Each Lunar Phase represents a Divine Spirit or Archetype. The Spirit of the Consolation Moon is the Spirit of the proverbial Cloud with a Silver Lining.

This Spirit calms and soothes and says it will all be better ...  and manages to work minor miracles which do in fact make things better.

This is the Spirit of the little things in life that make one smile ... a chance encounter, a pleasant discovery, a little something that brightens one's day.

This Spirit cannot solve all problems, but it can offer rest and refreshment and a word of encouragement and a kiss which invigorates and restores faith.

It is called the Consolation Moon because it is the Lunar Archetypal energy of serendipity and fortuitous misadventures. You win the Silver Medal (but not the Gold). You win $20 in the lottery (but not the jackpot of $20 million).

You open an email from an online bank expecting bad news ... but instead you find that your old Aunt Minnie has transferred a little money to you. 

Or you suddenly find $50 in an old wallet.

We associate this Lunar Phase with Antinous/Eleusis as depicted in the statue at the top of this entry. 

We remember the initiation of Antinous into the Eleusinian Mysteries in Greece at the outset of Emperor Hadrian's Imperial Tour of the Eastern Provinces.

It represents the spiritual illumination which Antinous received during the initiation ceremonies in the dark labyrinth ... his personal assurance that he could triumph over death, that death is not the end.

Meditations and rituals tonight should focus on finding ways to change a dire situation into a more positive one ... or turning a seemingly coincidental encounter into a serendipitous opportunity for gain.

ASTRO FORECAST: AUG. 18th — SEPT. 4th, 2016

Antinous Astrology Forecast

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AUG 18th to SEPT 4th, 2016

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THURSDAY AUGUST 18th, 2016

On Thursday we come to the AQUARIUS FULL MOON. This is the summertime moon of generous gifts which we associate with Antinous/Vertumnus, the shape-shifting God of summertime bounty and generous gifts. We call this the DONUM MOON when magical rituals are performed for fortuitous gifts.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY AUG. 19th-21st, 2016

Enjoy a weekend devoid of complicated planetary configurations. The only sticking point is on Saturday when ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD goes VOID OF COURSE — causing delays, rescheduling, lost messages and missed opportunities. Remember we always say you should think of ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD as your favorite rock or pop star giving a concert. The VOC MOON is the break between sets. The singer goes back stage for a costume change and psychs themselves up for the next set. Meanwhile, the audience is waiting impatiently out front while video projections and doo-wah girls fill the interlude. That's what a VOID OF COURSE MOON feels like. Nothing much will happen during this VOC period — nothing bad, but nothing good either, just nothing. But on the plus side, a VOC is perfect for meditation, dream-scaping and contacting the spirit world.

MONDAY/TUESDAY AUG. 22nd/23rd, 2016

The work week starts on a fortuitous note when Mercury aligns in perfect conjunction with lucky Jupiter in caring-sharing Virgo even as the Sun leaves selfish Leo and enters Virgo. These configurations can mean good news in health issues and are also a good omen for surgical procedures or even just style makeovers.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 24th, 2016

At mid-week things get intense when Mars aligns in perfect conjunction with Saturn in hot-blooded Sagittarius. It is like driving down a highway with one foot on the brake and the other on the accelerator because Mars in Sadge wants to press the pedal to the metal, while Saturn wants a cautious, go-slow approach. The result is pent-up frustration which boils over into rage. Open warfare breaks out not only in crisis regions of the world, but also in street traffic, in your work place and in your domestic relationship. Cold-blooded, vengeful wrath strangles out rational thought.

THURSDAY AUGUST 25th, 2016

Overnight Wednesday/Thursday ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD squares off against the Sun for the GEMINI THIRD QUARTER MOON which in Antinous Moon Magic is called the CONSOLATION MOON because it is the Lunar Archetypal energy of serendipity and fortuitous misadventures. You win the Silver Medal (but not the Gold). You win $20 in the lottery (but not the jackpot of $20 million). It is about finding a $50 bill in an old wallet.

FRIDAY/SATURDAY AUG. 26th/27th, 2016

Now we come to one of the most anxiously tense times of the year 2016 and the hazard lights start flashing when fiery Sagittarius Mars squares off against nebulous Pisces Neptune. Imagine yourself barreling down a freeway at high speed ... and suddenly being enveloped in a fog bank which cuts visibility to zero. If you don't reduce speed immediately, you are bound for disaster. Sadge Mars is the fast sports car thundering down the highway ... and Pisces Neptune is the fog bank ... and you are in the driver's seat. This astrological configuration spells trouble for people who proceed full speed through life without any regard to their surroundings. They will come a cropper this week. However, this Mars/Neptune Square configuration is excellent for people who have latent intuitive, artistic or spiritual talents ... like Antinous-Dionysus. Mars invigorates and enlivens these talents. So the answer is: Proceed with caution, but keep your eyes open for brilliant new opportunities and insights which otherwise would have flashed past you unseen at high speed.

SUNDAY AUG. 28th, 2016

Finally we come to some good news after weeks of tension when Venus aligns in conjunction with Jupiter. Venus conjunction Jupiter is a textbook alignment for love and good fortune in all sorts of relationships ... romantic relationships and business relationships. A chance meeting or unexpected phone call or message can open a window of opportunity to make things happen fast.

MONDAY AUG. 29th, 2016

On Monday expect a message from an old flame when Mercury aligns with Venus in conjunction in Virgo. Mercury is standing still in space and is about to turn around and go backwards ... as seen from Earth. Because Mercury is poised to go Retrograde right now, you may get a message from an old business partner or from an old lover who rekindles interests you thought were long extinguished.

TUESDAY AUG. 30th, 2016

On Tuesday Mercury does an about-face and goes "backwards" as seen from Earth until September 22nd. This RETROGRADE MERCURY phase is a time of confusion in communications and commerce. About three times each year, Mercury the communications wizard turns into Mercury the fast-talking con man. This is the RETROGRADE MERCURY phase, and it lasts about three weeks. Because Mercury is in Taurus, RETROGRADE MERCURY will be serving up glitches and snafus in the Taurus-related areas of home comforts, domestic issues, home appliances, home finances as well as communications, computers, transport, travel and social media. If you are buying a new mobile phone, be sure to read the fine print about hidden costs. Planning to move into a new apartment? Check the kitchen and bathroom for tell-tale signs of mold before signing the lease. Remember over the next three weeks that MERCURY wants you to play his sly game to win — not to be a whining victim. Make him proud of the way you play his game!

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 31st, 2016

On Wednesday Venus leaves guilt-tripping Virgo and enters lovely laid-back Libra for a month. As this new cycle takes hold in your life, romance and social interaction take on a greater importance for you. Harmonious ties to others are what you yearn for; refinement and elegance are what you seek. The ideal partnership, the perfect balance, the highest standards of truth and beauty — these are some of the things that quicken your pulse now.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 1st, 2016

On Thursday we come to the Virgo New Moon, which is the lunar phase in Antinous Moon Magic we call the PLOTINA MOON in honor of Emperor Trajan's wife, the Empress Plotina, who lobbied on Hadrian's behalf, ensuring he would be Hadrian's successor ... The Spirit of the Plotina Moon is the Spirit of the Crone, the Wise Woman, the White Witch, the Great Mother Isis ... But "she" is a Spirit Guide who transcends gender — she is the ancient gay wizard in your soul. This New Moon signals the beginning of the last third of the calendar year. It is time to start wrapping up your projects for this year ... and making good on those bold and ambitious New Year's Resolutions.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY SEPT. 2nd-4th, 2016

This is going to be a tense and difficult weekend when upheavals occur and when political assassins and terrorists find ample opportunities to do their mischief. First of all, problems arise out of no where when the Sun squares off against Saturn, as it does twice a year. Saturn is the cosmic teacher, focusing the rays of the intuitive Pisces Sun on problems in your life which need to be corrected ... and giving you insights to solutions to those problems. Making matters worse, Neptune rises at sunset to make its once-a-year opposition to the Sun. Dreamy Neptune creates a smokescreen of illusion, confusion and profusion of conflicting images which overwhelms the conscientious Virgo Sun. On the down side, you may find yourself unable to see clearly which route to take in life. On the plus side, you perceive intuitive insights which ordinarily are lost in the glare of the sun. And there's more: Retrograde Mercury aligns with Jupiter to bring you mixed blessings from the past. These tidings from the past could be a check which you forgot to cash ... or they could be bills you forgot to pay!

SNEAK PREVIEW OF NEXT WEEK:

Another exciting week lies ahead between September 5th and 12th when we come to the Sagittarius First Quarter Moon, which we call the EQUESTRIAN MOON in Antinous Moon Magic ... the Lunar Phase we associate with spiritual movement and progress, astral travel and astral projection ... On the material level, this Lunar Phase is excellent for making travel plans and for carrying out rituals for a safe journey with bountiful spiritual rewards ... or at least for washing that vehicle of yours .... More details next time ....

ARE YOU NERVOUS, TENSE, IRRITABLE? BLAME IT ON TONIGHT'S 'ALMOST' ECLIPSE

ARE you feeling nervous and irritable? Blame it on the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse ... an "almost" lunar eclipse which does not appreciably darken the moon ... but which is nonetheless astrologically powerful. 

Tonight's Aquarius Full Moon ... or DONUM MOON of Antinous ... occurs when the Earth is exactly between the Sun and the Moon. Usually the Moon is above or below the Earth's shadow. But tonight the Moon clips a corner of the Earth's shadow.

The very bright Full Moon will be imperceptibly dimmer ... but not engulfed in the full shadow of the Earth. This "almost lunar eclipse" will be visible from the Americas in the early hours of August 18 ... to the extent that your eyes can note any difference in brightness.

Even though you may not be able to clearly see the eclipse, you will definitely end up feeling its effects in a meaningful way. 

This lunar eclipse is more noteworthy than usual because it will be taking place in the constellation of Aquarius, and when we are in Leo (July 23–Aug 22) as we are now, it’s opposite the sun. As such, the darkened moon will have a profound impact on all of our lives and we can expect a major shift to come our way!

Every person will experience a sort of change in their own personal way, from slight to life-altering, and here are the more significant ways in which the lunar eclipse may affect us:

Some people will be touchier than usual and quick to anger or upset, especially those who already have a short fuse.

Some of us will crave extra love, support, and attention, especially the mothering type that is more nurturing and encouraging overall.

Some people will begin to stop caring so much about what others think. They will start deciding things on their own and for themselves. Whereas the opinions and judgments of others would have once bothered them immensely and held them back, they will no longer have that negative, stifling effect.

Some people will become more confident, self-aware, and conscious of their choices. In turn, they will also shift into a happier and more enlightened phase of their lives, which is always an upgrade and a good thing!

DIAMONDS FOR THE DONUM MOON By Our Crystal Meditation Advisor Martin Campbell

OUR astrology adviser Hernestus has advised me that today is the Aquarius Full Moon which is the Donum Moon of Amtinous Vertumnus. 

Hernestus further advised me that crystals for any meditation today should have attributes which focus on the Aquarian ability to appreciate the bounty of life. 

It is about giving and being open to receiving gifts. 

With this in mind I would recommend that you meditate using the following crystals:

Cinnabar - this unusual red crystal (below right) can be quite expensive but it is worth considerings because of its appropriate attributes for today's focus on abundance. Cinnabar is known to attract abundance. This may be particularly via trade but it will only focus on trade which is positive and undertaken with no ill intent or aggression.

Diamond - you knew I was going to say that didn't you?! Hopefully you have one or know someone who has one ... like Hernestus in the photo above. 

Maybe you have given one as a gift or may receive one as a gift. 

Whatever the circumstances they help you to manifest - attract - abundance into your life. This abundance will most often be in love, relationships or wealth. 

People have not given diamonds for millennia for no reason.  The givers were usually wealthy, the receivers usually delighted and loving in return. 

Hadrian gave Antinous a spear head made from diamond. Antinous both treasured it and used it to save the man he loved by killing a charging lion with that same spear head.

Carnelian - these lovely orange or light reddish brown stones are my favourite crystals I carry one with me always. They bring joy and vitality, energy but also ground you in the current reality. 

I have them in many forms and have just commissioned a new silver ring set with a Carnelian - the ring is the eternal snake of life forever eating its own tail. 

Anyway, Carnelian also invites abundance into your home (especially if you have a Carnelian near your front door). 

Since I have loved and cherished my Carnelians I have paid off the loan for my house, bought a much bigger 'new ' house (its Victorian) and have abundance of love, happiness and joy in my life."

Love and Light from my screen

MARTIN 

To get more advice from Martin Campbell and to find out how to contact him CLICK HERE.

THE AQUARIUS FULL MOON THE DONUM MOON OF ANTINOUS

TONIGHT'S Aquarius Full Moon is the summertime moon of generous gifts which we associate with Antinous in his guise as Vertumnus, the shape-shifting God of summertime bounty and generous gifts.

This is the full moon of letting go, breaking out of restrictions, busting out of prisons, liberating yourself from the chains which restrain you.

It represents a boon (material or otherwise) which comes your way through generosity. It is an unexpected gift from someone else.

Or it is a gift you give to yourself. The Aquarius Full Moon is about philanthropic generosity

 In ANTINOUS MOON MAGIC we call this the DONUM MOON when magical rituals are performed for fortuitous gifts. 

Antinous/Vertumnus is the divine aspect of Antinous representing his gift-giving ability. He holds a symbolic gift of fresh-ripened fruit and summertime blossoms which he is eager to give to you without reservation.

It is yours. No questions asked. Take it.

Vertumnus also symbolizes his ability to morph and change bad luck into good luck. The Ancient Etruscans believed Vertumnus was a shape-shifter who could change his form at will. He brought gifts and bounty to those who had the "eyes" to perceive him in his many guises.

The Romans adopted Vertumnus and he became associated with the changing bounty of summertime, when fruit and vegetables materialized out of the ground and ripened and were ready for harvest — the bountiful gifts of nature.

According to Ovid's Metamorphoses, Vertumnus was enthralled with Pomona, the goddess of orchard fruits, and desired to be one with her. But she spurned him.

He assumed many guises — a fisherman, a soldier, a peasant, a reaper, etc. — but she turned him away every time. Finally, he assumed the form of an old woman and was so aged and unattractive that Pomona let down her guard.

Thus, Vertumnus engaged her in conversation and they became inseparable — which was what Vertumnus had wanted all along.

Ovid says that the moral of the tale of Vertumnus and Pomona is that you should never judge a gift by its outward appearances. Never reject the hand of friendship.

The Aquarius Full Moon is about philanthropic generosity. The Ancient Romans celebrated the feast day of Vertumnus — the Vertumnalia — during the cycle of the Aquarius Full Moon in early times (and on August 13th in later times) by giving each other baskets of fruit, flowers and other symbols of nature's bounty. The Aquarius Full Moon is associated with Antinous/Vertumnus in Antinous Moon Magic rituals.

Go outside tonight and look up at the full moon, with shooting stars cascading from all sides. This is the FULL MOON to wake up and break free of all mental, spiritual, political and ideological strictures. It is the gift of an opportunity.

The PERSEID METEORS (which reach their peak at this time of year) are symbolically aimed at you. 

Antinous is aiming his gifts of new opportunity directly your way. All you have to do is reach out and grasp it — and it's yours.

ASTRO FORECAST: AUGUST 11th — 28th, 2016

Antinous Astrology Forecast

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AUGUST 11th to 28th, 2016

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THURSDAY AUGUST 11th, 2016

On Thursday be careful about confiding in others, because Mercury-trine-Pluto means all secrets will be revealed.

FRIDAY AUGUST 12th, 2016

On Friday the year 2016 gets a reboot when Saturn turns around in space and goes Direct ("forward" as seen from Earth) again for the first time since it went Retrograde on March 25, 2016. As Saturn retraced its steps over the last five months, we all revisited issues and problems in our lives which needed to be remedied before we move on. Saturn, the school teacher of the Zodiac, forced you to sit down and complete your homework before moving forward to the next class.Now, with Saturn moving forward again, this means a breakthrough in logjams in Sagittarius Saturn topics such as karmic trust issues in relationships, business partnerships and legal matters. You will see progress again in those areas and can make new commitments and set lofty new goals.

SATURDAY/SUNDAY AUG. 13th/14th, 2016

This will be a weekend of trials and tribulations when love goddess Venus forms challenging configurations with Saturn and Neptune. On Saturday, Venus is in a 90-degree right-angle square to stubborn Saturn. Venus-square-Saturn means that relationship discussions are fraught with stumbling blocks. And because Venus and Saturn also have a play in money and business, you can expect problems in that area as well. Then on Sunday be careful about the person you take home from the clubs because Venus is in 180-degree opposition to dreamy Neptune. The Venus/Neptune opposition means you may see romantic situations through lavender-colored glasses which blind you to unpleasant realities. You wake up the next morning to the stark and naked truth.

MONDAY/TUESDAY AUG. 15th/16th, 2016

The first part of this week is dominated by Uranus, when the Sun forms a positive trine aspect with Uranus which blows in a breath of fresh air which rejuvenates and invigorates you and encourages you to act first and ask questions later.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 17th, 2016

On Wednesday love planet Venus is in a beneficent trine aspect with Pluto. Virgo Venus is looking for someone to share a nurturing life with, while Capricorn Pluto is looking for a profound relationship which endures for all eternity. So this Venus trine Pluto configuration can help you find your soul mate. Venus trine Pluto is also very good for financial and business transactions which will provide long-term yields.

THURSDAY AUGUST 18th, 2016

On Thursday we come to the AQUARIUS FULL MOON. This is the summertime moon of generous gifts which we associate with Antinous/Vertumnus, the shape-shifting God of summertime bounty and generous gifts. We call this the DONUM MOON when magical rituals are performed for fortuitous gifts.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY AUG. 19th-21st, 2016

Enjoy a weekend devoid of complicated planetary configurations. The only sticking point is on Saturday when ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD goes VOID OF COURSE — causing delays, rescheduling, lost messages and missed opportunities. Remember we always say you should think of ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD as your favorite rock or pop star giving a concert. The VOC MOON is the break between sets. The singer goes back stage for a costume change and psychs themselves up for the next set. Meanwhile, the audience is waiting impatiently out front while video projections and doo-wah girls fill the interlude. That's what a VOID OF COURSE MOON feels like. Nothing much will happen during this VOC period — nothing bad, but nothing good either, just nothing. But on the plus side, a VOC is perfect for meditation, dream-scaping and contacting the spirit world.

MONDAY/TUESDAY AUG. 22nd/23rd, 2016

The work week starts on a fortuitous note when Mercury aligns in perfect conjunction with lucky Jupiter in caring-sharing Virgo even as the Sun leaves selfish Leo and enters Virgo. These configurations can mean good news in health issues and are also a good omen for surgical procedures or even just style makeovers.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 24th, 2016

At mid-week things get intense when Mars aligns in perfect conjunction with Saturn in hot-blooded Sagittarius. It is like driving down a highway with one foot on the brake and the other on the accelerator because Mars in Sadge wants to press the pedal to the metal, while Saturn wants a cautious, go-slow approach. The result is pent-up frustration which boils over into rage. Open warfare breaks out not only in crisis regions of the world, but also in street traffic, in your work place and in your domestic relationship. Cold-blooded, vengeful wrath strangles out rational thought.

THURSDAY AUGUST 25th, 2016

Overnight Wednesday/Thursday ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD squares off against the Sun for the GEMINI THIRD QUARTER MOON which in Antinous Moon Magic is called the CONSOLATION MOON because it is the Lunar Archetypal energy of serendipity and fortuitous misadventures. You win the Silver Medal (but not the Gold). You win $20 in the lottery (but not the jackpot of $20 million). It is about finding a $50 bill in an old wallet.

FRIDAY/SATURDAY AUG. 26th/27th, 2016

Now we come to one of the most anxiously tense times of the year 2016 and the hazard lights start flashing when fiery Sagittarius Mars squares off against nebulous Pisces Neptune. Imagine yourself barreling down a freeway at high speed ... and suddenly being enveloped in a fog bank which cuts visibility to zero. If you don't reduce speed immediately, you are bound for disaster. Sadge Mars is the fast sports car thundering down the highway ... and Pisces Neptune is the fog bank ... and you are in the driver's seat. This astrological configuration spells trouble for people who proceed full speed through life without any regard to their surroundings. They will come a cropper this week. However, this Mars/Neptune Square configuration is excellent for people who have latent intuitive, artistic or spiritual talents ... like Antinous-Dionysus. Mars invigorates and enlivens these talents. So the answer is: Proceed with caution, but keep your eyes open for brilliant new opportunities and insights which otherwise would have flashed past you unseen at high speed.

SUNDAY AUG. 28th, 2016

Finally we come to some good news after weeks of tension when Venus aligns in conjunction with Jupiter. Venus conjunction Jupiter is a textbook alignment for love and good fortune in all sorts of relationships ... romantic relationships and business relationships. A chance meeting or unexpected phone call or message can open a window of opportunity to make things happen fast.

SNEAK PREVIEW OF NEXT WEEK:

Another exciting week lies ahead between August 29th and September 5th when we come to the Virgo New Moon, which is the lunar phase in Antinous Moon Magic we call the PLOTINA MOON in honor of Emperor Trajan's wife, the Empress Plotina, who lobbied on Hadrian's behalf, ensuring he would be Hadrian's successor ... The Spirit of the Plotina Moon is the Spirit of the Crone, the Wise Woman, the White Witch, the Great Mother Isis ... But "she" is a Spirit Guide who transcends gender — she is the ancient gay wizard in your soul. This New Moon signals the beginning of the last third of the calendar year. It is time to start wrapping up your projects for this year ... and making good on those bold and ambitious New Year's Resolutions .... More details next time ....

TOPAZ HELPS YOU AT THE THIEF MOON By Our Crystal Meditation Advisor Martin Campbell

OUR inspirational astrology expert Hernestus has informed me that today is the second Scorpio First Quarter Moon in succession. It is the THIEF MOON of Antinous. Hernestus suggests that this moon will have you focusing on your own "inner thief". The aspect of you robbing you of the qualities which would otherwise permit you to progress spiritually.

We all have such blocks, doubts, hang-ups. For years I was completely closed to faith. Christianity rejected me and I knew nothing about other mainstream religions. My culture told me that any non-mainstream religions were cults or devil worshipers. 

So I closed myself off and just focused on worship of material objects like most people around me. I told myself that faith was nonsense, superstitious 'mumbo jumbo' that only weak people needed. 

Yet I sub-consciously knew there was a 'lack' there in my soul. I first found Gaia calling to my feminine side, it made sense.

Mainstream religions were typically all male macho Gods - maybe a female divinity would work better for a gentle gay boy?! 

It worked for a while but nature needs balance and so I found Antinous dragging me out of my spiritual closet to give me a divine male balance! 

Since I opened myself up to Gaia and Antinous I have found other gods and spirits who support them and me. There is no going back in that spiritual closet now!

To help you dismiss your doubts to the closet and embrace your inner spiritual diva I recommend that you focus on/hold the following crystal while you meditate:

TOPAZ - these semi-precious crystals sound expensive but usually aren't as expensive as you may imagine if bought as a stone rather than within a jewel. 

Their ability is to get you focused on 'being' rather than 'doing'. We all 'do' stuff all the time which distracts us and keeps us achieving 'things'. 

How often do we just 'be', sit still, listed to our heartbeat, focus on our breath in and out? How often do we question what we are doing or why we think a certain way? Why are we so full of doubts and uncertainties? 

Topaz helps you to cut through all of that nonsense and see the trust in crystal clear sight."

Love and Light,

MARTIN 

To get more advice from Martin Campbell and to find out how to contact him CLICK HERE.

TONIGHT IS THE MOON OF PROMETHEUS THE SCORPIO FIRST QUARTER MOON

PROMETHEUS was the first thief and it was thanks to his larcenous thievery that humans are not living in burrows and dens like animals.

He stole fire from the Gods and brought it down to us mortals living on Earth. And at this, the hottest time of the year (in the Northern Hemisphere at any rate), we celebrate the SCORPIO FIRST QUARTER MOON with this legendary act of "breaking and entering with malicious intent to commit a felony."

Tonight is the night of the THIEF MOON, the PROMETHEUS MOON.

In ANTINOUS MOON MAGIC, each phase of the moon represents a Divine Spirit or Archetype. The Spirit of the Thief Moon is the Divine Thief. This Spirit is the stealer of hearts. He sneaks up on others and intentionally relieves them of those things they hold dear. We associate this lunar phase with Prometheus.

One of the Titans, Prometheus fashioned men out of clay (women did not appear until Pandora), and Athena breathed life into these clay men. Originally all men had Prometheus' power to foretell the future (the Greek name "Prometheus" means "Forethought") but Zeus became enraged that a Titan had created a sentient and nearly divine race, so he stripped them of that fortune-telling power and also stripped them of fire.

Prometheus urged his fellow Titans to use cunning and stealth to overcome the Gods. But when the Titans opted for brute force, Prometheus foresaw the outcome and betrayed the Titans and went over to the side led by Zeus.

But when Zeus turned against men and wanted to smite them all and create a rival race, Prometheus betrayed Zeus by stealing fire and giving it to his clay men so that they would have a light to see their way without the help of the gods — even if only a few were clairvoyant, not all, as he had originally intended.

Outraged, Zeus bound Prometheus to the rock and his eagle dined on his liver every day. But being a Titan, he could not die, and his liver was restored every night.

In the end, Prometheus won his freedom by foretelling that Zeus would meet his downfall if he mated with a certain mortal woman — which is why Poseidon fell and Zeus did not, because Zeus heeded the foretold warning.

Prometheus was the first thief. He was the first Divine friend of mankind. It is fitting that Prometheus graces the fountain at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan. Prometheus was mankind's first divine friend, who gave us the civilization-building gift of fire. It was stolen from the Gods!

Thus the SCORPIO FIRST QUARTER MOON is a time of cunning and deception, thievery, robbery, stealth. Unlike the PERDITION MOON, which is about loss in a general sense, the THIEF MOON is about intentional taking. 

In a very literal sense, it can signify a night when break-ins or burglaries are rife. But most often it represents your inner self — the things you rob yourself of — self-esteem, self-love, self-confidence, for example. By robbing yourself of these qualities, you are vulnerable to real-life thieves. 

But this lunar phase is also talking about the positive aspects of being a thief, like Prometheus or Mercury. Antinous/Mercury is the God of Thieves, Con Men and Convicts. Prometheus stole fire from the Gods to give to mankind, saying it rightfully belonged to mortals. Mercury famously stole from Apollo and yet charmed his way to "acquittal". 

Tonight's lunar phase is reminding us about the "inner thief" inside all of us — the ability to take what we need without asking in advance. It is about getting back what is rightfully ours by means of cunning and skulduggery. We are all thieves, only the dishonest ones deny it.

The SCORPIO FIRST QUARTER MOON is the moon of thievery and deception heading towards the AQUARIUS FULL MOON next week — which we call the DONUM MOON of generous gift-giving.

ASTRO FORECAST: AUGUST 4th — 21st, 2016

Antinous Astrology Forecast

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AUGUST 4th to 21st, 2016

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THURSDAY-FRIDAY AUG. 4th/5th, 2016

Overnight Thursday/Friday you can start making plans for a weekend party when Venus enters Virgo — Virgo Venus is the ultimate party organizer. Just avoid the Virgo Venus tendency to over-analyze and to offer "advice" (which is to say "criticism") where it is not wanted. Virgo Venus also likes to worry and fret and feel inadequate. Instead, play up the Virgo Venus panache at being the hostess with the mostest and plying your guests with food and drink and ensuring they are having a fabulous time.

SATURDAY/SUNDAY AUG. 6th/7th, 2016

This first weekend of August is particularly contentious when Mercury squares off against Saturn and Venus and Mars are in a 90-degree right angle to each other, causing chaos in love relationships. Meanwhile Mercury is in opposition to nebulous Neptune, filling your mind with unfulfilled fantasies. This is the astrological textbook recipe for a relationship in which tempers are always hot, the sex is always hot, passions are always hot and in which you are fighting violently with each other one moment — and then violently having sex the next moment. Just saying.

MONDAY/TUESDAY AUG. 8th/9th, 2016

This work week gets off to a slow start when ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD goes VOID OF COURSE for most of Monday and early Tuesday in the Western Hemisphere — causing delays, rescheduling, lost messages and missed opportunities. Remember we always say you should think of ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD as your favorite rock or pop star giving a concert. The VOC MOON is the break between sets. The singer goes back stage for a costume change and psychs themselves up for the next set. Meanwhile, the audience is waiting impatiently out front while video projections and doo-wah girls fill the interlude. That's what a VOID OF COURSE MOON feels like. Nothing much will happen during this VOC period — nothing bad, but nothing good either, just nothing. But on the plus side, a VOC is perfect for meditation, dream-scaping and contacting the spirit world.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 10th, 2016

On Wednesday we come to the Scorpio First Quarter Moon, which is the lunar phase we call the THIEF MOON in honor of Prometheus ... the first thief ... and it was thanks to his larcenous thievery that humans are not living in burrows and dens like animals ... Rituals and meditations tonight can focus on your "inner thief" — the things you rob yourself of — self-esteem, self-love, self-confidence, for example. By robbing yourself of these qualities, you are vulnerable to real-life thieves ... Tonight's lunar phase is also reminding us about the ability to take what we need without asking in advance. It is about getting back what is rightfully ours.

THURSDAY AUGUST 11th, 2016

On Thursday be careful about confiding in others, because Mercury-trine-Pluto means all secrets will be revealed.

FRIDAY AUGUST 12th, 2016

On Friday the year 2016 gets a reboot when Saturn turns around in space and goes Direct ("forward" as seen from Earth) again for the first time since it went Retrograde on March 25, 2016. As Saturn retraced its steps over the last five months, we all revisited issues and problems in our lives which needed to be remedied before we move on. Saturn, the school teacher of the Zodiac, forced you to sit down and complete your homework before moving forward to the next class.Now, with Saturn moving forward again, this means a breakthrough in logjams in Sagittarius Saturn topics such as karmic trust issues in relationships, business partnerships and legal matters. You will see progress again in those areas and can make new commitments and set lofty new goals.

SATURDAY/SUNDAY AUG. 13th/14th, 2016

This will be a weekend of trials and tribulations when love goddess Venus forms challenging configurations with Saturn and Neptune. On Saturday, Venus is in a 90-degree right-angle square to stubborn Saturn. Venus-square-Saturn means that relationship discussions are fraught with stumbling blocks. And because Venus and Saturn also have a play in money and business, you can expect problems in that area as well. Then on Sunday be careful about the person you take home from the clubs because Venus is in 180-degree opposition to dreamy Neptune. The Venus/Neptune opposition means you may see romantic situations through lavender-colored glasses which blind you to unpleasant realities. You wake up the next morning to the stark and naked truth.

MONDAY/TUESDAY AUG. 15th/16th, 2016

The first part of this week is dominated by Uranus, when the Sun forms a positive trine aspect with Uranus which blows in a breath of fresh air which rejuvenates and invigorates you and encourages you to act first and ask questions later.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 17th, 2016

On Wednesday love planet Venus is in a beneficent trine aspect with Pluto. Virgo Venus is looking for someone to share a nurturing life with, while Capricorn Pluto is looking for a profound relationship which endures for all eternity. So this Venus trine Pluto configuration can help you find your soul mate. Venus trine Pluto is also very good for financial and business transactions which will provide long-term yields.

THURSDAY AUGUST 18th, 2016

On Thursday we come to the AQUARIUS FULL MOON. This is the summertime moon of generous gifts which we associate with Antinous/Vertumnus, the shape-shifting God of summertime bounty and generous gifts. We call this the DONUM MOON when magical rituals are performed for fortuitous gifts.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY AUG. 19th-21st, 2016

Enjoy a weekend devoid of complicated planetary configurations. The only sticking point is on Saturday when ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD goes VOID OF COURSE — causing delays, rescheduling, lost messages and missed opportunities. Remember we always say you should think of ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD as your favorite rock or pop star giving a concert. The VOC MOON is the break between sets. The singer goes back stage for a costume change and psychs themselves up for the next set. Meanwhile, the audience is waiting impatiently out front while video projections and doo-wah girls fill the interlude. That's what a VOID OF COURSE MOON feels like. Nothing much will happen during this VOC period — nothing bad, but nothing good either, just nothing. But on the plus side, a VOC is perfect for meditation, dream-scaping and contacting the spirit world.

SNEAK PREVIEW OF NEXT WEEK:

Another exciting week lies ahead between August 22nd and 28th when ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD squares off against the Sun for the GEMINI THIRD QUARTER MOON which in Antinous Moon Magic is called the CONSOLATION MOON because it is the Lunar Archetypal energy of serendipity and fortuitous misadventures. You win the Silver Medal (but not the Gold). You win $20 in the lottery (but not the jackpot of $20 million). It is about finding a $50 bill in an old wallet .... More details next time ....

LAPIS LAZULI FOR THE SACERDOTE MOON By Our Crystal Meditation Advisor Martin Campbell

OUR fabulous astrology expert Hernestus has informed me that today is the The Leo New Moon or "Sacerdote Moon" of Antinous". Hernestus suggests that this moon will encourage us to focus on spiritual insight and invigorating your connection with your spirit guide. Spirit guides come in many forms and watch over every aspect and object in our lives. We are used to the concept of (typically!) a native American standing at our shoulder and gently guiding us down the right path.  Or maybe a specific angel who you identify with and gives you particular aspects of their soul to guide you.  These are correct for many people - but not all. You see these guides, angels, saints, gods - whatever you want to call them - are divine aspects of you. You simply call in divinity to support and guide you in any way you need. So you can have a guide to help you with writing, numbers, emotion, mending a broken computer or choosing the right shirt for that important date. Soman and I regularly call for such divine help. If we have lost something or need help with something we ask the angel of that 'thing' to help us.  For example, we were putting up some new light fittings. We are no electricians so some things baffled us. We consciously called on the angels of light fittings to help us.  Within minutes we had figured it out and the lights were up and working! So what crystals would make this connection to such guides more fluid and significant? I would suggest the following: Kyanite - these crystals are typically banded layers of crystal - often in roughly rectangular chunks. There are various colours. It can be used to make a clear connection to the divine spirit you need at any given time.  Lapis Lazuli - these are fabulous, deep blue, stones flecked with gold. They have many dramatic aspects to them which made them much sought after by ancient priests, Kings, Queens and Emperors. The Pharoahs of ancient Egypt often incorporated them into their jewels (top photo). Part of the attraction was that Lapis assists the holder/wearer to quickly connect with a spirit guide. In Light and Life, MARTIN To get more advice from Martin Campbell and to find out how to contact him CLICK HERE.

THE LEO NEW MOON HELPS YOU BECOME WHO YOU WERE BORN TO BE

TONIGHT's Leo New Moon is your opportunity to let your inner Sun shine forth so that you become the being you were born to be.

In the Religion of Antinous we call this the SACERDOTE MOON because it represents the priestly spiritual development of Antinous from boyhood to mystery initiation and finally to godhood.

Each lunar phase represents a Divine Spirit or Archetype. The Spirit of the Sacerdote is Spirituality itself. It is holiness and sacredness personified.

The Leo New Moon is the fierce moon of kindling the flame of courageous new faith.

This is the night to kick-start your self-esteem, to jump-start the dead battery that is your career or your love life or your artistic ambitions.

We all know the feeling -- chronic low self-esteem, chronic insecurity, a habitual feeling of powerlessness, of being at the mercy of others.

Take heart!

We are approaching one of the most sacred periods in our Liturgical Calendar. ANTINOUS THE GAY GOD is saddling up and preparing to engage in the SACRED LION HUNT.

The LEO NEW MOON which ushers in the season of the SACRED LION HUNT. Antinous fights the lion and grapples with the lion -- he and the lion become ONE and the SAME -- they join forces to create divinity -- HOMOTHEOSIS.

The awe-inspiring "Strength" card (shown here) from Stevee Postman's COSMIC TRIBE TAROT beautifully symbolizes what we are talking about.

During the LEO NEW MOON, we have the opportunity to shine. There's an ebullient child-like energy that draws forth the playful and creative self that resides within. Yet, when doing so care is usually taken since Leo wants to be nothing if not dignified.

The Sun God sign Leo aligns us with a feeling of wanting to be recognized and embraced for the special being we are. If other people's interactions with and attitudes towards us do not meet with these expectations, our pride is hurt and we roar with indignant rage.

Which is not a bad thing. Most gay men have problems expressing anger. We have been taught to be "nice" boys. We have been brainwashed to believe that "nice" means never daring to speak up for ourselves, never taking care of "Number 1". The result is that our pent-up rage sometimes makes us turn into a wild and raging beast -- the lion!

ANTINOUS THE GAY GOD has mastered the art of grappling with those leonine energies. He shows us that it is possible to become one with our "inner lion" -- without being devoured by it.

He shows us how to harness the enormously powerful Leonine energies inside us in order to boost our self-esteem, to end our powerlessness, and to energize us into standing up for ourselves with dignity and pride.

Antinous allows us to see how important it is to be generous in spirit and to radiate our inner light to those around us. He shows us how if we do not let our vital energy flow,  we may experience stress, tension and RAGE in our hearts, bodies, and mind. The Leo New Moon reminds us that we should proudly express our essential self -- a being that has great gifts to offer those with whom it orbits.

The SACRED LION HUNT demonstrated to Hadrian and the world -- and most importantly to Antinous himself -- that Antinous was no longer a common-born kid from the provinces. It showed that He was on the road towards Divinity.

The New Moon in Leo is also special to the Religion of Antinous because the Leo New Moon is creative and playful. The Leo New Moon is a bit of a show-off and likes to be in the spotlight, with all heads turned his way -- as with the Beauteous Boy himself.

The Leo New Moon is also eager to throw out old and ineffective habitual ways of thinking -- "I'm old, fat and stupid" "I'm unworthy" -- and eager to go for new solutions which will help us to get out of the rut which has become our everyday lives.

Many of you are familiar with the experience of waking up to the fact that your life is no longer working the way you have set it up. Sometimes this is due to a shift occurring inside yourself over time, and sometimes it is part of the larger shift that is currently affecting all humanity.

Change is happening at such an increased rate that it is difficult to predict what the future holds. As a result, many of the old ways of planning out a life are no longer applicable, and if you cling to them you feel strangely out of tune with reality. If you are in tune with the LEO NEW MOON energies around you, you will begin to question ideas that just a few years ago seemed sensible.

In the simplest terms, the shift you are undergoing right now has to do with recognizing yourself as being more than human -- the process we call HOMOTHEOSIS -- remembering that your earthly aspects are a very small part of who you are.

In truth, you are a multidimensional being. Gay-Man-Godliness-Becoming-the-Same.

When you begin to realize this, the life you planned for a limited conception of yourself no longer fits. You must meet the needs and qualifications not only of your body (the "monkey" as Flamen Antonyus calls it) but also of your Spiritual Heart. 

This realization dawns slowly for some and with the suddenness of a bolt of lightning for others, and each of you must find the way that works for you to integrate this new and larger sense of self into your life plan.

Tonight during this Leo New Moon, take time to reflect on becoming who you were born to be. Rather than focusing on a specific task, go to the center of your heart and meditate on the core strength of your soul. 

Perhaps you are here to bring beauty, whether through art, justice, or fashion. Perhaps you are here to help heal the  offering of the world, whether through your writing, activism, or as a physician. 

Or maybe you are here to bring insight and truth where there is confusion and ignorance....

By the way, Leo rules the heart, spine, and hair. Pay extra attention to these parts of your body around the time of this Leo New Moon.