RETROGRADE MERCURY IS YOUR KEY TO ASTRAL TIME TRAVEL

MERCURY is currently Retrograde, which means it seems to be "going backwards" as seen from the Earth. Many people are afraid of Retrograde Mercury, but in ANTINOUS MOON MAGIC we know it is a key to astral time travel. 

Mercury goes retrograde three or even four times a year (usually for about three weeks each time). Though Mercury spends only about 65 or 70 days a year in Retrograde phase, its effects on the Mercurial areas of cognitive reasoning, commerce, travel and communications are profound.

Retrograde Mercury is said to be a bad time to make agreements, make major expenditures or sign contracts. 

It is dreaded for spawning three weeks of computer snafus, travel disruptions and communications glitches. 

The conventional astro-wisdom is that you should not sign a contract during Retrograde Mercury. You should not start a new job or make a big expenditure during that phase.

HOWEVER ... the rule-of-thumb about Retrograde Mercury is that if you made preparations for these things BEFORE Mercury went Retrograde, then the outcome will be fine. If you made the decision beforehand to sign a lease, or register for classes, or purchase a particular car/refrigerator/flat-screen, then you need have no qualms about signing on the dotted line.

Say, you applied for a job and the employer told you you had the job and that the contract was being prepared — and then Mercury goes Retrograde. Don't panic!

The decisions were all made ahead of time, so you can sign on the dotted line with no worries. Just don't be surprised if there's a last-minute hitch and the signing has to be delayed because the secretary misspelled your name and so the contract has to be corrected and printed out again.

A Retrograde Mercury period is also a good time to re-work, re-edit, re-do, re-hash, re-finance and re-decorate — any "re-" operation involving going back and polishing up something which needed attention.

In ANTINOUS MOON MAGIC, we take this "going back" aspect a step further by suggesting that a Mercury Retrograde period is an optimal time for magical rituals to change the past.

In fact, this is the most magical aspect of Mercury Retrograde — the fact that you can "turn around" with Antinous/Mercury and go back and change things in the past which then have a beneficial effect on the present.

For example, I may have hurt someone in the past (perhaps even inadvertently) with the result that this person is resentful and hateful towards me, putting up roadblocks in my personal or professional life. 

By means of magical visualization techniques and the appropriate rituals, I can access Antinous/Mercurial energies to go back to the precise moment when the injury took place. I can re-enact the incident on the magical level — this time deftly averting the injury. By re-weaving the fabric of time and space, I supplant the hurt with positive emotions. 

You think it's impossible to change the past? Don't underestimate the power of Antinous/Mercury (below right) to transcend the boundaries of Space and Time!

What usually happens after such a Mercury Retrograde ritual is that the hurt person gets in contact with you, in the spirit of reconciliation, offering the hand of friendship, saying he has thought things over and wonders if he had been rash. This allows you to find out finally what actually had offended that person in the first place. 

It may be something you hadn't intended in the way it had been received. It may well have been a misunderstanding. But now the two of you can clear the air and finish the Mercury Retrograde healing process.

These magical techniques are also very good for Past-Life Incarnation Healing. Instead of re-living traumas from previous incarnations which block you (or your karmic relationships) in the present, you can change the past-life event to pave the way for healing.

A gay friend was tormented by past-life memories of being shot down in aerial combat during World War II. He was terrified of boarding a plane.

Thanks to Mercury Retrograde magic he visualized bringing his plane in for a safe landing. He could actually hear the screech of the plane's wheels as they touched the runway, safe and sound. 

His past-life soul was able to move past the trauma and to take a more active role in his current incarnation. Not only has he lost his fear of flying, but he is far less fearful in everyday situations, and he attributes that new-found courage to his grateful past-life self.

You CAN change the the past — with the help of Antinous/Mercury Retrograde.

THE LIGHTNING MOON OF ANTINOUS THE ARIES FULL MOON

TONIGHT's Aries Full Moon is the moon when surprises occur which can change your life in the blink of an eye.

In Antinous Moon Magic, we call this Lunar Phase the LIGHTNING MOON. Each Lunar Phase represents a Divine Spirit or Archetype. The Spirit of the LIGHTNING MOON is the Spirit of Suddenness. This Spirit is immediate, spontaneous, abrupt, instantaneous. It is all things that are as fast as lightning, quick as a flash, operating at the speed of light.

We call it the LIGHTNING MOON because of the bolt of lightning which nearly killed Hadrian and Antinous atop Mount Casius near the mouth of the Orontes River in Asia Minor. 

It was at the season of the Autumnal Equinox in the year 129 AD that the imperial court ascended Mount Casius as it was called by the Greeks and Romans. It was called Zaphon in biblical accounts and is called Mount Aqraa today, situated on the border between Syria and Turkey.

Atop this mountain overlooking the sea was a Temple of the Sun dedicated to Jupiter. A storm broke while they made their ascent, and Hadrian had the priests conduct the Equinox ceremony in the rain.

During the sacrifice at the altar, a bolt of lightning struck with a horrific, earth-shattering clap of thunder, killing the priest and the sacrificial animal together.

This was taken as a very significant portent, one that Antinous alone comprehended, the darkness of the coming death and transfiguration were presaged.

Hadrian took it as a sign that the gods of Syria had turned against him, thinking it was Baal-Zeus who struck down the priests as a warning to Hadrian of what lay ahead during the fateful journey which would end in the tragic death of Antinous.

The LIGHTNING MOON is the most impetuous and accident-prone moon of the year.

However, it is not a Lunar Phase to fear. Abrupt change can be frightening, but this Lunar Phase reminds us that change is a necessary part of life. And sometimes we need to be shocked out of lethargy in order to move in a new direction. 

In magical rituals, this Lunar Phase is ideal for effecting speedy and immediate results. In spiritual meditation, it is suited for bringing out inspiration which comes out of no where, like a bolt out of the blue. 

And in mundane, everyday life, it reminds us to watch our step, keep our eye on the road and don't stand exposed on a mountain top during a thunderstorm -- unless, of course, you are prepared to undergo a dramatic transfiguration.

Astro Forecast: Oct. 17th — 27th, 2013

Antinous Astrology Forecast

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OCT. 17th to 27th, 2013

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 17th 2013

On Thursday keep a sharp look-out on the romantic horizon when anything-goes Uranus is in a trine with ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD for a classic "love at first sight" scenario.

FRIDAY/SATURDAY OCTOBER 18th/19th 2013

Overnight Friday/Saturday a partial Lunar Eclipse during the ARIES FULL MOON reminds you that the calendar may say it is autumn, but you can still sow some wild oats! But be careful: In Antinous Moon Magic we call this the LIGHTNING MOON for the bolt of lightning which nearly killed Hadrian and Antinous atop Mount Cassius in autumn of the year 129 AD. The LIGHTNING MOON is the most impetuous and accident-prone moon of the year. Things are exacerbated by the Uranus/Pluto power struggle that has been going on for months. Uranus or Ouranus is the ancient God of the Heavens and Pluto/Hades is the Classical God of the Underworld. And they are now in conflict at right angles to each other. They have been moving into and out of this square aspect for months, and will continue to do so. The result is turmoil on all levels. Earthquakes, political and financial tremors, and even rumblings in your own personal life. The feverish rioting and bloodshed in the Mideast and the equally turbulent turmoil on global financial and economic markets are expressions of the clash of these two Gods.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 20th 2013

On Sunday you will want to watch out for hidden or secret enemies when Mars has a dangerous showdown with sneaky Neptune. The two mighty planets are in opposition to each other. So be wary of sneak-thieves and rivals. Remember, of course, that we are not only talking about human enemies, but also about alcohol, drugs and recklessness ... keep your eye on the road!.

MONDAY OCTOBER 21st 2013

On Monday the work week gets off to a sluggish start without any major astrological aspects to speak of aside from the fact that Mercury is standing still in space (as seen from Earth) and is poised to "go backwards" for the third and final time during 2013. You might want to sign contracts and make major monetary expenditures and travel reservations on Monday before Mercury goes Retrograde — because you the next three weeks will be an inopportune time for Mercury-related enterprices involving communications, commerce and travel.

TUESDAY OCTOBER 22nd 2013

RETROGRADE MERCURY begins on Tuesday. 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. So RETROGRADE MERCURY will be serving up glitches and snafus in the Scorpio-related areas of passions, secret agreements, independence and dependability. 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!

But this is not all bad. I read just the other day that one acclaimed astrologer says that this is the best time to buy a USED car or second-hand garment or old TV set. The idea behind that is that RETROGRADE MERCURY is a bad time to undertake NEW projects or acquisitions, but that you can splurge on RETRO things. It's a Collectibles Queen's dream, I tell you!

If they are having a close-out sale on end-of-the-line big-screen TVs — this may be the best time to buy one. And if you completed all the pre-signing details on a new house or a new job prior to the RETROGRADE MERCURY phase, then you can go ahead and sign on the dotted line. If you applied for a job two months ago and the boss calls you up now as says you've got it, then you got it under the pre-Retrograde conditions!

Or perhaps not. Astrologers are never entirely certain about such things. As the Empress Livia (wife of Augustus) said about her astrologer Thrasyllus: "Every good astrologer lies about the present. He tells the truth about the future, but lies about the present."

I'm telling you the truth about the fact that the next month or so will be difficult. But if you buy a crappy old used TV set today that turns out to be junk — well, I certainly wouldn't do that, not during RETROGRADE MERCURY, I don't care what any "expert" says.

I'm joking, of course. I'm trying not to scare you. People hear of RETROGRADE MERCURY and they want to put off all major decisions and hide under the bed for a month or so. As Emperor Hadrian knew, astrology is not intended to scare people. Hadrian was obsessed with astrology. He knew that astrology is intended to serve as a monitoring system or an early-warning system.

An astrological warning is like seeing a "Sharp Curve Ahead" sign on a dark roadway. Antinous-Mercury doesn't expect you to slam on the brakes and stop in the middle of the road and break down into sobs of fear at the steeing wheel. No, he wants you to proceed with due caution, using the experience and skill you possess as a driver.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 23rd 2013

On Wednesday the Sun leaves even-handed Libra and plunges into the dark and moody waters of Scorpio for four weeks. On the global level you can expect more whistleblowing revelations from computer hackers who are aided by the Scorpio Sun's love of airing out dark secrets. On the personal level, this is a good time to probe your inner darkest secrets, and perhaps also dare to explore some secret sexual fantasies.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 24th 2013

On Thursday we come to the most pleasant day of the week when ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD forms fortuitous aspects with the Sun, Neptune and Mars to energize and inspire you to fulfill your dreams.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 25th 2013

On Friday the work week ends on an ambitious note when ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD teams up with Saturn, Pluto and lucky Jupiter to make sure you clean your desk top of unfinished business in time to go out and party.

SATURDAY/SUNDAY OCTOBER 26th/27th 2013

Overnight Saturday/Sunday we come to the Leo Third Quarter Moon, which is called the BACCHANALIA MOON in Antinous Moon Magic. This Lunar Phase usually occurs close to the ancient festivals of Samhain, Halloween, All Souls Day, Dia de los Muertos and All Saints Day. This Lunar Phase reflects those festivals of peering into other worlds and states of being. In magical rituals, oracles and meditations, the keywords for this Magical Lunar Phase are: Gaiety. Revelry. Joy. Fun. Frivolity. Partying. Playing. Acting. Performing. Dancing. Theater and the Arts. All the world is a stage ... There is no end to the performance and nobody actually dies for real. We just undergo a costume change and take on a new role.

SNEAK PREVIEW OF NEXT WEEK:

Another exciting week lies ahead between October 28th and November 3rd when we come to the SCORPIO NEW MOON which in Antinous Moon Magic is called the ZELUS MOON of triumph over fear. More details next time ....

THE CAPRICORN FIRST QUARTER MOON THE MERCHANT MOON OF ANTINOUS

TONIGHT is the night of the Capricorn First Quarter Moon which, in Antinous Moon Magic, is called the MERCHANT MOON.

In Antinous Moon Magic, each Lunar Phase represents a Divine Spirit or Archetype. The Spirit of the Merchant Moon is Work. This Spirit enjoys taking up a task and doing it well and thoroughly. This Spirit likes to roll up its sleeves and get to work to see that a job gets done.

It is the proverbial Workaholic who lives only to work. It is the eager beaver, the busy bee, the workhorse who hates idleness and thrives on a job well done.

The Capricorn First Quarter Moon is an industrious, no-nonsense, let's-go-to-work sort of moon. It is symbolized by the Ancient Roman Merchant Ship which, alongside the trireme war ship, was the vessel which ensured prosperity, power and political unity for the vast Roman Empire.

Tonight is the best night of the year for working magical spells involving your life's Work. On the material plane, this can involve meditation, oracles and spells about your career, job, your employer or coworkers.

On a higher level, this lunar phase helps you to look into the broader implications of your life's calling. Do you live to work, or do you work to live? Are you able to juggle career and home life? Are you stuck in a rut?

This lunar phase brings out your spiritual ability to function in the world of work in general. On the earthly plane, it reflects your job/employer, your "day job" as opposed to spiritual or artistic endeavors.

For most people, and in most oracular readings, this lunar phase helps to sort out issues involving how you earn your living, and issues involving co-workers and job environment.

In a broader sense, the Merchant Moon helps you focus on your ability to keep your feet firmly planted on the material world while reaching for the stars.
 

Astro Forecast: October 10th — 20th, 2013

Antinous Astrology Forecast

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OCT. 10th to 20th, 2013

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 10th 2013

On Thursday you should brace for disappointment or at least confusion in love relationships when overly optimism Sagittarius Venus is at right angles to vague and dreamy Neptune. But not to worry too much: ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD forms positive aspects with both Neptune and assertive Mars to clear up doubts during the course of the day.

FRIDAY/SATURDAY OCTOBER 11th-12th 2013

Overnight Friday/Saturday the CAPRICORN FIRST QUARTER MOON occurs, giving you a blessed opportunity to reflect on business and career opportunities. In Antinous Moon Magic, we call this the MERCHANT MOON which offers you an opportunity to reap the benefits of your hard work — and find new opportunities for material advancement.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 13th 2013

On Sunday you might want to avoid discussions of deep and meaningful issues with your BFF because ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD forms adverse aspects to probing Saturn and suspicion-prone Scorpio Mercury. Any serious discussion is liable to turn into a bitch fight.

MONDAY OCTOBER 14th 2013

On Monday the work week gets off to a flying start when ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD forms a beneficent trine with the Sun before going into opposition to Mars. You should be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed all day, though the Martian stress levels may be a bit much at times.

TUESDAY OCTOBER 15th 2013

On Tuesday Mars leaves me-firsty Leo and enters dutiful Virgo where the Martian ambition will be channeled into productive avenues from now until December 7th. That means some protracted disputes will seem to resolve themselves almost literally overnight.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 16th 2013

On Wednesday you may want to buy a mid-week lottery ticket when ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD forms a fortuitous trine with lucky Jupiter. In general, it's a good day for getting things done effortlessly.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 17th 2013

On Thursday keep a sharp look-out on the romantic horizon when anything-goes Uranus is in a trine with ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD for a classic "love at first sight" scenario.

FRIDAY/SATURDAY OCTOBER 18th/19th 2013

Overnight Friday/Saturday a partial Lunar Eclipse during the ARIES FULL MOON reminds you that the calendar may say it is autumn, but you can still sow some wild oats! But be careful: In Antinous Moon Magic we call this the LIGHTNING MOON for the bolt of lightning which nearly killed Hadrian and Antinous atop Mount Cassius in autumn of the year 129 AD. The LIGHTNING MOON is the most impetuous and accident-prone moon of the year. Things are exacerbated by the Uranus/Pluto power struggle that has been going on for months. Uranus or Ouranus is the ancient God of the Heavens and Pluto/Hades is the Classical God of the Underworld. And they are now in conflict at right angles to each other. They have been moving into and out of this square aspect for months, and will continue to do so. The result is turmoil on all levels. Earthquakes, political and financial tremors, and even rumblings in your own personal life. The feverish rioting and bloodshed in the Mideast and the equally turbulent turmoil on global financial and economic markets are expressions of the clash of these two Gods.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 20th 2013

On Sunday you will want to watch out for hidden or secret enemies when Mars has a dangerous showdown with sneaky Neptune. The two mighty planets are in opposition to each other. So be wary of sneak-thieves and rivals. Remember, of course, that we are not only talking about human enemies, but also about alcohol, drugs and recklessness ... keep your eye on the road!.

SNEAK PREVIEW OF NEXT WEEK:

Another exciting week lies ahead between October 21st and 27th when we come to the Leo Third Quarter Moon, which is called the BACCHANALIA MOON in Antinous Moon Magic. This Lunar Phase usually occurs close to the ancient festivals of Samhain, Halloween, All Souls Day, Dia de los Muertos and All Saints Day. This Lunar Phase reflects those festivals of peering into other worlds and states of being. In magical rituals, oracles and meditations, the keywords for this Magical Lunar Phase are: Gaiety. Revelry. Joy. Fun. Frivolity. Partying. Playing. Acting. Performing. Dancing. Theater and the Arts. All the world is a stage ... There is no end to the performance and nobody actually dies for real. We just undergo a costume change and take on a new role. More details next time ....

THE TRIPOD MOON OF ANTINOUS THE LIBRA NEW MOON OF INDECISION

TONIGHT's Libra New Moon is the Lunar Phase we call the TRIPOD MOON in Antinous Moon Magic in honor of the clouds of incense with which three-footed incense braziers filled the Ancient Temples of Antinous.

The clouds of incense created a sacred other-worldly atmosphere of intoxication and purification.

By its burning, incense symbolized the zeal of the followers of Antinous, its sweet fragrance echoed the "scent of sanctity" believed to be exuded by the Most Great and Good God.

Its rising smoke symbolized the ascent of prayers to Antinous. 

Also, incense creates a cloud, which is another symbol for the altered state of the Divine. Incense blocks out everyday concerns of the rational mind and opens the heart to the Divine. Your soul is flooded by so many impressions that rational thought becomes clouded.

The Libra New Moon symbolizes those situations in which you find it hard to make decisions, you cannot pick an item from a menu because "it all looks so good" so you let others decide for you. This Lunar Phase is important in showing you how to "clear away the clouds" so that clear decision-making is possible.

Each Lunar Phase represents a Divine Spirit or Archetype. The Spirit of the Tripod Moon is the Spirit of Vapors and Clouds. This Spirit is intangible, hard to grasp, impossible to pin down. It is a Will-O'-the-Wisp. This Spirit is amorphous and formless, only vaguely discernible like the ectoplasm of a ghost.

It does not have its head in the clouds, but rather it is the clouds themselves. This Spirit has trouble making decisions, not because it cannot see any options, but rather because it can see every option and the ramifications of every decision. This Spirit has problems seeing clearly precisely because it see too much.

The keywords during this Lunar Phase are: Clouded thinking. Confusion. Distraction. Indecision. Doubts. Angst. Worries. Altered Consciousness. Smoke Screen. Haziness. Fog.

Meditation, rituals, smudge ceremonies and especially aromatherapy carried out during this Lunar Phase help to "clear the fog" about making important decisions as well as cleansing and purifying yourself and your sacred environment.

Astro Forecast: October 3rd — 13th, 2013

Antinous Astrology Forecast

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OCTOBER 3rd to 13th, 2013

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 3rd 2013

On Thursday tensions run high when our old friends Uranus and Pluto square off at right angles — again — as they have several times in recent months. Revolutions and economic chaos have been the result. This week, however, Uranus/Pluto have embroiled the Sun in their clash. On the personal level, this configuration puts the spotlight on personal relationships. On the one hand, Uranus is urging you to break free of all restrictions. But on the other hand, Pluto warns you to stand fast and not make any hasty moves, but instead to dig in your heels for the long haul. This results in massive feelings of guilt and fear — fear of what might happen either way. Become aware of where this fear is coming from (from guilt) and you can find a constructive way to appese both Uranus and Pluto without wrecking your relationship.

FRIDAY/SATURDAY OCTOBER 4th/5th 2013

Overnight Friday/Saturday the moon joins the Uranus/Pluto fray when it aligns with the Sun for the LIBRA NEW MOON ... the Lunar Phase we call the TRIPOD MOON in Antinous Moon Magic in honor of the clouds of incense with which three-footed incense braziers filled the Ancient Temples of Antinous. The clouds of incense created a sacred other-worldly atmosphere of intoxication and purification ... but made rational decision-making difficult. If you are having trouble "seeing the fog", the Libra New Moon will show you where the confusion lies.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 6th 2013

On Sunday the turmoil of recent days settles a bit when ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD forms positive configurations with ambitious Mars and inspirational Neptune. You perceive ways to improve things around you and you feel determined to do something.

MONDAY OCTOBER 7th 2013

On Monday Venus soars into jovial Sagittarius, leaving behind the murky moodiness of Scorpio for another year. Sagittarius Venus is supremely optimistic and eager to give everybody the benefit of the doubt when it comes to trust in matters of love. This is in stark contrast to wary suspicions which abounded when Venus was in Scorpio. From now until December 5th, Sadge Venus encourages you to give love a chance.

TUESDAY OCTOBER 8th 2013

On Tuesday you feel enabled to express your love in a distinctly no-nonsense manner when ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD aligns with exuberant Sagittarius Venus and Mercury aligns with profoundly intense Scorpio Saturn.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 9th 2013

On Wednesday your sense of optimism gets a much-needed boost when ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD forms a positive trine with spontaneous Uranus and a fortuitous sextile with the Sun.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 10th 2013

On Thursday you should brace for disappointment or at least confusion in love relationships when overly optimism Sagittarius Venus is at right angles to vague and dreamy Neptune. But not to worry too much: ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD forms positive aspects with both Neptune and assertive Mars to clear up doubts during the course of the day.

FRIDAY/SATURDAY OCTOBER 11th-12th 2013

Overnight Friday/Saturday the CAPRICORN FIRST QUARTER MOON occurs, giving you a blessed opportunity to reflect on business and career opportunities. In Antinous Moon Magic, we call this the MERCHANT MOON which offers you an opportunity to reap the benefits of your hard work — and find new opportunities for material advancement.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 13th 2013

On Sunday you might want to avoid discussions of deep and meaningful issues with your BFF because ANTINOUS THE MOON GOD forms adverse aspects to probing Saturn and suspicion-prone Scorpio Mercury. Any serious discussion is liable to turn into a bitch fight.

SNEAK PREVIEW OF NEXT WEEK:

Another exciting week lies ahead between October 14th and 20th when the ARIES FULL MOON reminds you that the calendar may say it is autumn, but you can still sow some wild oats! But be careful: In Antinous Moon Magic we call this the LIGHTNING MOON for the bolt of lightning which nearly killed Hadrian and Antinous atop Mount Cassius in autumn of the year 129 AD. The LIGHTNING MOON is the most impetuous and accident-prone moon of the year. Things are exacerbated by the Uranus/Pluto power struggle that has been going on for months. Uranus or Ouranus is the ancient God of the Heavens and Pluto/Hades is the Classical God of the Underworld. And they are now in conflict at right angles to each other. They have been moving into and out of this square aspect for months, and will continue to do so. The result is turmoil on all levels. Earthquakes, political and financial tremors, and even rumblings in your own personal life. The feverish rioting and bloodshed in the Mideast and the equally turbulent turmoil on global financial and economic markets are expressions of the clash of these two Gods. More details next time ....