FLUSHED WITH PRIDE, WE OFFER THE LATEST UPDATES ON WORLD TOILET DAY

TODAY November 19 is WORLD TOILET DAY and we are flushed with pride to have kept you on the edge of your seats for two years with headlines on what's new in ancient toilets.

We were the first to report the discovery by Philippe Charlier, a Parisian forensic expert, that Ancient Greek ceramic discs which hitherto had been thought to be gaming pieces may actually have been used as a form of ANCIENT TOILET PAPER.

Charlier (pictured here) presented among other things, a Greek proverb stating, "Three stones are enough to wipe one's arse," as evidence that such stones were used to clean up after going to the bathroom.

This blog also was among the first to report on the discovery of the world's oldest WOODEN TOILET SEAT (top of entry) in September 2014 at Vindolanda Roman Fort near Hadrian's Wall in northern England.

The Vindolanda experts also unearthed a WRITING TABLET (shown here) believed to be from 105-120 AD. The tablet was found just 12 inches (30 cm) from the wooden toilet seat. 

The tablet is one of 12 found at Vindolanda this year and one of seven found from the same building level.

Andrew Birley, head of the dig, stated he was "looking forward" to reading the tablet's text.

The site, near Hexham, has earlier revealed gold and silver coins and other artefacts of the Roman army.

Dr Birley stated : "If we are really lucky the person using the seat will have had verbal diarrhoea and we will be able to get their personal thoughts regarding life 1,900 years ago."

The Romans used wooden tablets covered with a layer of wax for writing. They would scratch words into the wax using a stylus.

THE LEONID METEOR SHOWER BRIGHT FIREBALLS IN NOVEMBER

ARE you ready for a good, predictable meteor shower? Then break out your favorite skywatching gear because the LEONID METEOR SHOWER shower is already sparkling the skies.

In the pre-dawn hours on the mornings of November 16th-19th, the offspring of Comet Temple/Tuttle will be flashing through our atmosphere at speeds of up to 72 kilometers per second. You can expect to see dozens of meteors an hour.

ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD will greatly interfere with fainter meteor trails, but don't let that stop you from enjoying early evening observations, or enjoying your morning coffee with a handful of "shooting stars" which will be emanating outward from the constellation of Leo.

The waxing Moon is going to be a major interference, but we could see a rate of about 20 per hour.

Although the Leonids are regular and occur at the same time every year, the are highly variable from one year to the next ... sometimes producing few meteors and other years lots. 

As our Earth passes through the dusty matter left over from a broken-up comet, it may encounter a place where the comet let loose with a large amount of its payload ... or it may pass through an area where the "comet stuff" is thin. 

We might even pass through an area which produces an exciting "meteor storm" like the Leonids produced in 1883! 

For those in the know, the Leonid meteor shower also made a rather incredible appearance in 1866 and 1867 ... dumping up to 1,000 shooting stars recorded even with a Moon present! 

It erupted again in 1966 and in 1998 and produced 3,000 (yes, 3,000!) video recorded meteors during the years of 2001 and 2002.

But remember, human eyes may only be able to detect just a few. And the numbers vary from night to night.

If you want to see the Leonids, it might be good to watch the nights of November 16th through 19th. Instead of just going out one night, you might want to go out twice.

Look for ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD and he will be shooting lion-hunting arrows your way.

ASTRO FORECAST: NOVEMBER 18th—28th, 2021

Antinous is a Moon God. He is, of course, many other things and he wears many hats. But one of the ways he was worshiped in Antiquity was as ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD.

His worshipers looked skyward and saw His beautiful face perpetually turned towards the Earth. The Man in the Moon was actually the Blessed Boy in the Moon for the ancient priests and worshipers of Antinous. Swiftest and most youthful of all the Zodiacal deities, Antinous speeds through an entire year's worth of Astrological signs in just 28 days.

ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD represents our deepest personal needs, our basic habits and reactions, and our unconscious gay selves. Where Hadrian the Sun acts, Antinous the Moon REACTS. How do we instinctively react or respond to problems? What do we feel we need for a sense of security? Look to ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD for answers.

ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD is both our inner boy child and our inner lover. His ever changing phases, as he sweeps past all the other Planets in all the Signs, make us at turns responsive, receptive, and reflective. Eternally youthful, ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD represents our childlike spontaneous and instinctual reactions.

ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD beams down on us to make us imaginative, creative, intuitive, sentimental, adaptable, introspective, and protective. On the negative side, and depending on where he is in the Zodiac, he can make us moody, restless, and irrational.

Antinous Astrology Forecast

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NOVEMBER 18-28, 2021

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18th, 2021

This week, war god Mars is in 180-degree opposition to Uranus. This configuration occurs only every two years and it spawns rebelliousness and dissatisfaction resulting in riots, revolutions or, at the very least, arguments with your neighbors. Or ... you can harness this powerful Mars/Uranus energy to achieve something constructive to help people who are weaker than you ... people who need your help very desperately.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19th, 2021

Overnight Thursday-Friday, there's a partial Lunar Eclipse when we come to the TAURUS FULL MOON. That is the lunar phase which, in Antinous Moon Magic, is called the HADRIAN's VILLA MOON. This is a way for Antinous the Gay God to help you find your spiritual home, the celestial palace you have made for yourself. This Moon is aimed at helping you focus and center your spiritual heart.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20th, 2021

This weekend, you might want to purchase a lottery ticket when Venus forms a trine aspect with winner-take-all Uranus. Not only is this a fortuitous configuration good for making money, but it also greatly enhances chances of love and romance. So, go ahead — take a chance on love.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21st, 2021

This weekend, Mercury is in a tight, 90-degree square angle to Jupiter. Beware of online websites that promote gross exaggerations or promises that sound too good to be true — because most likely they aren't true. Or on a whim, you might take on a large assignment on the mistaken belief that you can easily manage it, when in fact it overwhelms you. Moderation and caution are the keywords for Mercury square Jupiter. On the other hand: don't be so cautious that you fail to buy a lottery ticket — because Mercury square Jupiter can sometimes favor the underdog with unexpected good fortune.

MON-TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22nd-23rd, 2021

This week, healing energies get a sudden and dramatic boost when Aquarius Saturn forms a sextile aspect with CHIRON IN ARIES. This is a good time for health checkups and medical treatment ... also, you can expect a positive and expansive outlook, which can benefit your well-being at this time. You may be more open-minded with regard to experiencing new things, which will allow healing of your mind, body, and spirit. For instance, you could seek higher understanding and meaning in your life through a guide, mentor, or spiritual person or increase your inner knowledge by means of educational processes, religion, or meditative practices during this period. An urge to travel to far-away places (real or imaginary) may also be experienced. You may discover new perspectives on your beliefs, faith, and sense of hope. Restoring peace and harmony in your personal life and relationships is possible now through your interest in healing your own wounds, as well as extending compassion and generosity to others.

WED-THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24th-25th, 2021

This Thanksgiving holiday, Mercury leaves dour Scorpio and wings its way into high-spirited Sagittarius, where it will stay until 13th December 2021. No matter what your Sun sign is, this abrupt change will lighten your spirits. It is like tossing and turning all night and then seeing the pink glow of dawn on the eastern horizon. Everything will be better. Now, this does not mean that Scorpio Mercury is bad. On the contrary, Scorpio Mercury urges you to probe into deep thoughts and dig out the truth, even if it is unpleasant. That is very important. But Sagittarius Mercury urges you to look on the bright side, to find joy in your life and pursue the light at the end of the tunnel. The only disadvantage to Sadge Mercury is a certain tendency to be so busy talking about the light at the end of the tunnel that you miss the freeway exit to the tunnel — but Sagittarius Mercury is always optimistic and will find an innovative way to reach the destination.

FRI-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26th-27th, 2021

This weekend, we come to the Virgo Third Quarter Moon, which brings down powerful healing energies. In Antinous Moon Magic we call this the AESCULAPIUS MOON in honor of the Classical god of the physician's art. Meditation and rituals carried out tonight are ideal for bringing down healing energies for yourself and those you love during the coming year.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28th, 2021

This weekend, the Sun aligns in conjunction with Mercury in fiery Sagittarius. Mercury is considered to be "combust" because the sun is burning it up. ... This configuration sparks extremely creative energies.

SNEAK PREVIEW OF NEXT WEEK:

Another exciting week lies ahead between November 29th and December 5th when ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD aligns in conjunction with his heavenly father Ra-Herakhte for the SAGITTARIUS NEW MOON. In Antinous Moon Magic, this is the lunar phase we call the FORTUNA MOON. This is the classic good luck moon of the astrological year ... More details next time ....

THE HADRIAN's VILLA MOON THE TAURUS FULL MOON

TONIGHT's Taurus Full Moon is the lunar phase which is called the HADRIAN's VILLA MOON in Antinous Moon Magic.

The Taurus Full Moon best represents home and comfort following the harvest. In the Northern Hemisphere autumnal storms rage and temperatures plummet. 

Crops have been harvested, animals brought in from the meadows. It is time to come in from the cold.

Each lunar phase represents a Divine Spirit or Archetype. The Spirit of the Hadrian's Villa Moon is the Spirit of Home-Sweet-Home. 

This is the Spirit which loves to build a comfy nest, a place to call one's own. Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home for this Spirit. It is the Spirit of the special place which is your home, whether it be a rented room or a sprawling mansion.

This Spirit invites you to step inside, close the door behind you, kick off your shoes and revel in being Home.

The key words during this lunar phase are: Home. Hearth. Comfort. Security. Stability. Nesting. Cocooning. Tradition.

Meditation and magical rituals performed during this lunar phase are well suited to delving into issues concerning your home base, the place or situation where you feel at home and most comfortable. This can involve a house or apartment. It can also be a city or a state of mind.

It can literally refer to your domicile in questions about material matters such as mortgages and repairs.

In a larger sense, the energies which are exalted during this lunar phase concern your spiritual center, your focal point of being.

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME By Our Crystal Meditation Adviser Martin Campbell

THERE's no place like home and tonight's Taurus Full Moon ... "Hadrian's Villa Moon" ... is full of joy and settled comfort. 

You can luxuriate in the calm and comfort of the home be it a physical space, the welcome in your lover's arms or or that calm and comforting space in your consciousness when you you know you are safe and warm. 

There are really only three crystals I would advise meditation with for this moon phase:

1. Emerald - it brings a happy home, fidelity from your partner and protects you from external dark magic or ill intended enchantments. Emeralds sound expensive but those are the faceted ones in fine jewels - the 'raw' unfaceted ones are much cheaper and much more powerful (as is the case for all crystals, incidentally).

2.  Purprite – It is the crystal recommended to help you during a house move. It is also known to disperse negative energy and help you to feel at home in your future plans. I have strong personal experience of this lovely iridescent purple stone. 

My partner and I moved home in April this year. We had a worrying time leading up to the move when our first buyer dropped out. We were devastated because we thought we may lose our dream home. 

We were sitting in our old home one evening when we heard a loud bang in the kitchen. 

My wall-rack of crystals was in there. (Photo at left)

On the kitchen floor, the other side of the room, was my Purprite. 

It had leapt across the wide room somehow. 

We kept it by us while the legal process happened - we found a new, better buyer, moved quickly and go £20,000 more than expected for our old house!

3. Your favourite crystal - if you have a crystal with you feel 'at one', regardless of the level of vibration associated with it, then it may be the best one for you to use right now.

As I've said before, you don't need to be an expert - just choose a crystal you like the look of, feel of, colour off. You will have been drawn to those sensation because that crystal is vibrating at the level you need or are in tune with.

Love and Light,
MARTIN

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

MARGUERITE YOURCENAR SHOWS YOU HOW TO PRONOUNCE THE NAME 'ANTINOUS'

IN a rare interview with our beloved Marguerite Yourcenar, author of the landmark classic historical novel MÉMOIRES D'HADRIEN (Memoirs of Hadrian), notice how she pronounces the name "Antinous."

CLICK HERE for the interview that was done for French television in 1979.

You will hear his name spoken correctly in the VIDEO when she says that "Hadrian was the only man to raise a cult for a male lover for a boyfriend for whom he was preoccupied with creating the greatest multitude of portraits in antiquity of any other person than of ANTINOOS!"

She pronounces it "On-Dthee-Noh-Oows" which is the Greco-Latin way. And according to the glyphs on the Obelisk of Antinous, it is the correct pronunciation. 

In English it is usually pronounced "an-TINN-oh-us" which cannot be how he called himself.

Flamen Antonius Subia, who is from El Paso, explains:

"Latin is only straight-forward for Latinos...and by that I do not mean only for Hispanics, but for all Latinos...Anglo-Saxons pronounce everything in their Germanic accent...all the vowels and some of the consonants are usually wrong.

"I feel sweetly vindicated and comforted by hearing that the Grand Lady herself says his name the same way that I say it...the way I knew that it should be pronounced...

"We should speak his Most Holy Name the way that He himself said it, the way that his his mother said it the day he was born, and the way that Hadrian said it...when he spoke to him directly...and the way the ancient priests said it when they prayed to HIM."

QUINTUS AURELIUS SYMMACHUS VENERABLE SAINT OF ANTINOUS

WE are proud to consecrate Quintus Aurelius Symmachus as a Venerable Saint of Antinous for his unyielding efforts to uphold the Religion of Antinous in the face of Christian opposition.

A Roman statesman, orator, and man of letters who lived 345 – 402 AD, he held the offices of governor of proconsular Africa in 373, urban prefect of Rome in 384 and 385, and consul in 391.

Symmachus sought to preserve the traditional religions of Rome at a time when the aristocracy was converting to Christianity, and led an unsuccessful delegation of protest against Gratian, when he ordered the Altar of Victory removed from the curia, the principal meeting place of the Roman Senate in the Forum Romanum.

Two years later he made a famous appeal to Gratian's successor, Valentinian II, in a dispatch that was rebutted by Ambrose, the bishop of Milan.

Symmachus's career was temporarily derailed when he supported the short-lived usurper Magnus Maximus, but he was rehabilitated and three years later appointed consul.

Much of his writing has survived: nine books of letters, a collection of Relationes or official dispatches, and fragments of various orations.

Antonius Subia says:

In an age when almost all other Roman Nobility were turning away from our ancient Religion, this gentleman stood strong and faithful and was a voice of dissent against the tidal wave of Christianity that was enveloping the Roman world.  This was the time when the Ancient Religion of Antinous was finally suppressed and destroyed.  We can be sure that this Great Noble Roman was one of the last champions and defenders of our God.

The portrait above shows the Apotheosis of Symmachus ... a relief depicting Symmachus being carried up to the realm of the gods by two divine figures as though he were being deified.  The Zodiac figures may indicate that his Deification took place around the Winter Solstice.