ANTINOUS INVICTUS AND THE SOLSTICE

ON Tuesday at 04:47 Universal Time (8:48 p.m. Monday at the Hollywood Temple of Antinous) the sun "stands still" ("Sol Stasis") — the December 21/22, 2015, Solstice. 

This is a special day every year in the Religion of Antinous for it marks the return of Sol Invictus, the Unconquerable Sun.

The return of the sun is the Conquest of Unconquered Light over chaos and darkness, the emergence of Phanes-Eros-Dionysus from the cosmic egg (image at right).

On this day, we observe the moment when the unknown god Bythus-Narcissus gazed into the pool of the abyss and saw his own reflection. 

His image caused the birth of the thrice-great Phanes-Eros-Zagreus, the saviors, who together are called Antinous Invictus.

The three-fold mystery of their birth is the descent of Phanes-Beauty, Eros-Love and Zagreus-Ecstasy into our world. 

These great spirits are the divine light of Antinous the God, it is their presence at the ground of our soul that is our immortal spark.

Within us all is the perfect image of the perfect face of light and love, a reflection of Narcissus-Bythus gazing down into the darkness of our world.

Antinous Invictus the perfect image of the perfect face of light and love will illuminate the way ahead.

It was Hadrian's dream to create the perfect civilization ... a civilization based on the Hellenistic principles of love, beauty, learning and tolerance. And it was his dream to create the perfect religion ... a religion which would encompass all others.

In the Northern Hemisphere today is the Winter Solstice and the days will be getting longer now. In the Southern Hemisphere it is the Summer Solstice and the days will become shorter now.

Wherever you live on this blue marble of ours, it is the same moment in the eye of Antinous the Gay God.

ONE-OF-A-KIND ARTIST BOOK ABOUT ANTINOUS THE GAY GOD

ONE of our favorite artists has just released a one-of-a-kind book entitled "Antinous the Gay God."

New York artist CARMINE SANTANIELLO announced it today.

Closed it is 20 x 15 cm (8 x 6 inches) and it folds out to a width of 120 cm (48 inches).

Handmade archival papers are lithographed with chine colle and assembled into hard covered illustrated artist books with accordion folded pages.

Carmine says: "My recent works are mixed media monoprints utilizing urban images that I photograph are included in my art along with drawing through a printmaking process - Paper Lithography.

"I am greatly inspired by urban images such as graffiti, dripping/splattered paint, marred subway tiles, posted bills etc.

"To me I see them as intriguing environments that work so well to house my figures and portraits.

"For me, artistically as well as aesthetically the combination of the two creates an emotionally charged work of art.

"I also love the contrast of the beautiful male form in a somewhat abstract urban setting. The juxtaposition of the two - artistically as well as aesthetically - creates an emotionally charged work of art."

FOR PURCHASE INQUIRES PLEASE EMAIL:Carcs2@aol.com

To check out more images by Carmine: CLICK HERE.

A TRUE SAINT OF ANTINOUS: GAY MAN GAVE LIFE TO SAVE OTHERS

A gay man's courage in the face of imminent death helped most hostages at his café in the heart of Sydney to escape ... though he paid for his bravery with his life.

Worshipers of Antinous in Australia and New Zealand have canonized Tori Johnson as a Saint of Antinous ... the first Saint of Antinous from Australia ... for wrestling a gunman to the ground ... giving a chance for others to flee to safety.

Tori, an openly gay man who had been with his partner Thomas Zinn for 14 years, was the manager of Lindt Chocolat Café in busy Martin Square in the heart of the financial district of Sydney in mid-December 2014. 

He was on duty when an Islamic radical held the staff and customers as hostages for 11 hours ... before Tori rushed him in order to permit the other hostages to flee to safety ... resulting in Tori's death.

Tori, 34, who was one of two persons killed during the Sydney siege, soon became a national symbol of heroism. Candlelight vigils along with statues and memorials have commemorated his selfless heroism for trying to snatch the weapon from the gunman to allow the other hostages to escape. 

His parents and his lover became the focus of a nation's grief and gratitude.

"We are so proud of our beautiful boy Tori, gone from this earth but forever in our memories as the most amazing life partner, son and brother we could ever wish for," the family said in a statement.

Friends of Tori described him as "a loving, placid and very gentle soul ... a true gentleman".

Co-workers said they were not the least bit surprised at his bravery.

"He was an amazing man," said Peter Manettas, who worked with Tori for nearly seven years. 

"He was a selfless person who always put staff above everyone," Manettas said. "He always put himself second."

Others spoke of his loving compassion for everyone, even strangers.

When Tori heard of a 6-year-old boy (photo at left) who had never eaten a candy Easter egg because of a rare food-allergy disorder, Tori invited the boy and his family to the café. 

He created a giant Easter egg made entirely of pure chocolate … one of the few foods that the boy could eat safely.

"My son still talks about it all the time," said the boy's mother, Mercedez Hinchcliff. "It taught him that some people do go out of their way for other people."

Tori Johnson is a true Saint of Antinous!

GOLDEN MASK BACK ON VIEW IN CAIRO BUT IS IT TUT'S OR NEFERTITI'S MASK?

THE famous golden mask is back on display at the Cairo Museum .. amidst a growing mystery as to whether it belongs to Tutankhamun or to Nefertiti.

At a news conference at the museum, experts said they used beeswax to reattach the beard ... using the same beeswax technique that the Ancient Egyptians had used.

They also discovered a hitherto unknown golden rod inside the beard for attaching it to the chin of the mask.

The mask fell victim to a BOTCHED REPAIR JOB over a year ago when it was lifted from its glass display case and the braided divine beard, precariously held in place by a small pin, came loose.

The staff panicked and glued it back on with epoxy resin.

The good news is that the glue is gone, the beard is back on in a proper fashion.

The restoration allowed an EXAMINATION that supports Dr. Nicholas Reeves' theory. 

He believes NEFERTITI could be buried in secret chambers, says  believes that Tutankhamun's famous mask was actually made for a female predecessor: his step-mother, Nefertiti.

But for now, Tutankhamun's golden mask is back on show, delighting visitors who will no doubt be taking an unprecedented interest in his chin.

In July 2015 Reeves published evidence that Tut's tomb had originally belonged to his stepmother Nefertiti.

He believes her remains may still be hidden there ... in hidden chambers concealed behind secret doors.

This blog's was among the first to report his theory.

Our initial story in July (which you can READ HERE) made headlines around the world.

JALALUDDIN RUMI SAINT OF ANTINOUS

ON December 17th the Religion of Antinous celebrates the life of the Sufi mystic Jalaluddin Rumi who dedicated his life to the illumination he received through the love of another man.

The mystic lover and poet Jalaluddin Rumi, better known simply as Rumi, was united with his beloved on this day. 

Born in Afghanistan in 1207 CE, his family moved to Turkey while he was still young. 

In the city of Konya, not far from the Bithynian birthplace of Antinous, Jalaluddin Rumi established himself as a traditional Islamic teacher.

But then one day he met Shams-e-Tabriz, a wandering Sufi mystic. 

Shams set Jalaluddin free from worldly concern and revealed the inward love of god as expressed through music, poetry and the whirling dance that simultaneously confuses and centers the soul of one who spins.

When Shams mysteriously disappeared, Jalaluddin went in search of him, only to discover that Shams was within his own heart.

From that day forward, Jalaluddin Rumi became a profound teacher of mystic eloquence whose poetry refers to god as the Lover within. 

The homoerotic character of Jalaluddin Rumi's spirituality, referring both to his love for Shams and his love for god, has ingratiated him to gay men because of the depth and sensitivity and sacred intimacy that his words exude.

Jalaluddin Rumi and his Mevlevi Order are the last remnants of the Bithynian-Phrygian ecstasy cults of Dionysus and Attis, and they are distantly connected to the Religion of Antinous, through the mystical charge of homoerotic spirituality.

Jalaluddin Rumi expressed total love, proclaiming that all religions were one. And on the day of his funeral, his bier was followed by a procession made up of representatives from five different faiths.

We sanctify Jalaluddin Rumi as a Saint in the Religion of Antinous. He died on December 17th, 1234.

TRANSGENDER SEX WORKERS TARGETED BY POLICE IN POMPEII VICE CRACKDOWN

THE oldest profession of all appears to be alive and well in Pompeii after a blitz by vice police near the ancient city netted €200,000 in fines from street prostitutes and their customers in just two weeks.

Many of those targeted by police were transgender sex workers, some of whom actually entertained customers in the ruins of Pompeii.

Most, however, mingled with tourists lining up for admittance into the famous archaeological site and found customers that way.

On average the 30 or so prostitutes working in Pompeii were each fined six times in 15 days.

That came after authorities ordered a crackdown in streets where visitors arrive from all over the world to gather to enter the celebrated archaeological site.

The links between past and present activities have not been lost on locals. Ancient Pompeii was one giant, seaside fleshpot for Rome’s upper classes, where aristocrats and merchants thought nothing of mixing business with pleasure, before it was destroyed by a devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius  in 79 AD.

At that time the city was not embarrassed to advertise the carnal pleasures on offer. 

Erotic art is found in several of Pompeii's villas.

And in 2006 thousands of tourists queued to see the city’s most extravagant brothel.

The Lupanare ... from the Latin word lupa for prostitute ... was re-opened after a lengthy restoration and has drawn huge crowds ever since.

Last year three tourists... a Frenchman and two Italian women ... were caught HAVING A THREESOME inside the ruins of the ancient brothel.

In the 21st Century, the sex trade is more frowned upon than in the 1st Century. 

In addition to handing out €400 fines during this months's raids, the police issued local "expulsion" orders to 12 women to prevent them from re-entering the area.

Four others were accused of having breached existing orders.

Police also arrested one prostitute and a client who were caught in flagrant.

Naples's Il Mattino newspaper said the action took place mainly in the three streets Via Villa dei Misteri, Porta Marina Inferiore and Via Plinio, all close to the archaeological site, where the prostitutes worked day and night and even mingled with tourists or commuters there and in the nearby train station.

Many were dressing in dowdier clothes to throw police off the scent, while others were conducting business in the local supermarket, approaching potential customers with the age-old question: "Have you got a light?" Affirmative responses led to a discussion of menu prices that range from €30 to €100, not including the cost of a hotel. 

BIRTH OF THE DIVINE LUCIUS VERUS

ON December 15th the Religion of Antinous celebrates the birth of the Divine Lucius Verus, who was born 48 days after the death of ANTINOUS in the year 130 AD (Year 19 of Antinous). As an 8-year-old boy he was hand-picked by Hadrian to become future co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius.

And Hadrian's wisdom in choosing him was realized when Lucius Verus proved to be a wise and diligent leader who combined efficiency in government along with a sense of charisma and high-drama style.


A handsome young man with naturally sandy-blond hair, he instructed his team of imperial stylists to sprinkle gold dust in his carefully coiffed hair and beard to highlight the natural blond sheen. 

Verus led a high-stepping lifestyle and kept a coterie of glitterati, actors and favourites with him. He had a replica tavern built in his house -- a sort of in-house Studio 54 -- where he staged lavish parties with his friends until dawn. 

He also enjoyed roaming around the city among the population, without acknowledging his identity. The games of the circus were another passion in his life, especially chariot racing.


Lucius Ceionius Aelius Aurelius Commodus Antoninus was the son of Lucius Aelius Caesar, His mother's name was Avidia. After the unexpected death of young Lucius's father, Lucius Aelius Caesar, Hadrian then adopted Antoninus Pius to be his successor, and ordered that Antoninus adopt Marcus Aurelius, Hadrian's 17-year-old nephew, and the 8-year-old Lucius who took the name Lucius Verus.

As a boy Lucius Verus was educated by the foremost Roman scholars including the historian Marcus Cornelius Fronto. He was watched over by a devoted freedman of his father named Nicomedes, a name with Bithynian connotations and of almost homosexual allusion.

Originally Hadrian desired that Lucius should marry Faustina the Younger, daughter of Antoninus, but then Antoninus canceled this arrangement and Faustina married Marcus Aurelius instead. Lucius married Lucilla, the daughter of Marcus Aurelius, in 161 a year after becoming Emperor in 161.

War broke out with the Parthians and Marcus Aurelius sent Lucius Verus to head the Campaign, but he is said to have spent his time drinking and banqueting, leaving the war in the capable hands of his  generals. It was a wise decision. For this victory, he was awarded a triumph.


In general, the duties of running the government were left in the hands of Marcus Aurelius, while Lucius Verus spent his time with actors and musicians, and at the chariot races. 

He is said to have excelled his eccentric father Lucius Aelius in ostentatiously exhibiting his pleasures on an Imperial scale, much to the disapproval of the stoic Marcus Aurelius. The two co-emperors, however, always maintained cordial relations.

Lucius Verus was born in the year 130, only 48 days after the Death of Antinous. This is of course very important to consider, and certainly must have left a life-long impression of Lucius Verus. Considerations of reincarnation are open for contemplation.

His death in the year 169 was sudden and unexpected, occurring during a military inspection, likely due to dysentery or possibly smallpox, as he died during a widespread epidemic known as the "Antonine Plague". 

Despite the minor differences between them, Marcus Aureliusgrieved the loss of his adoptive brother. He accompanied the body to Rome, where he offered games to honour his memory. After the funeral, the senate declared Verus divine to be worshipped as Divus Verus.

Many people (even modern-day pagans) balk at believing in the divinity of the emperors, preferring instead the Classical deities of the Roman Republic.

Pagans find it extremely difficult to worship human beings as legitimate gods, because they have no believable supernatural powers, it's too obvious. There are other reasons of course, but this is one.

Why not Worship Lucius Verus and Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius and all the Antonines, why not call out to them, why not praise them and declare our loyalty to them and hope for whatever benefit we might gain? 

The odds seem as favorable with them as with anything else that people call Gods.

For this reason, among others...we turn to ANTINOUS...because he IS a human being...and he WAS deified...ANTINOUS is in every way Both God and Man...we can believe whatever we want about him...but only so long as we do not delude ourselves into thinking that we can placate ANTINOUS, that by worshiping HIM, that we will somehow purchase his good favor...that we will be rewarded for our good faith.

We don't see any harm in asking ANTINOUS to give us the Moon and the Stars and the Beautiful Things of the Land and the Sea...and we are proud to ask ANTINOUS to watch over His People, all the Homosexuals of the World, to protect them and Guide into the Future.

This may seem to be a violation of our personal creed of not asking for fulfillment of our selfish whims...but it is not a violation of that creed...perhaps because it is not for ourselves...and also because we  do not expect ANTINOUS to respond in any way or form...it is not so much a response from ANTINOUS Himself that we are seeking, but a Response from the Antinous within Our Hearts and from the Antinous within All of Our Hearts.

It is We who must watch over ourselves and the whole world...through the Power of Antinous Love within us all.

Lucius Verus IS a god and he represents the Power of the Antinous Love which resides within us all.