OK, this book/movie has gotten so much attention, become such a big hit that you can barely breathe without someone mentioning it near you.
I just read a very funny review by a woman who practiced the secret for two months describing her experience. She was disappointed to say the least, but she WAS very funny about it. Look, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that this book and movie are total oversimplifications. Hmm, then again, maybe it DOES take a rocket scientist. This book IS selling at a rate of 150,000 copies per week. It is not just a book or just a movie, it is a movement.
I find it telling that this movie came out in the middle of the Jupiter-Pluto alignment that is all about winning at all costs. Clearly this IS the theme of The Secret Movement.
Look, I spent the first decade of my life immersed in the midst of all those mind-control guys who started the personal development movement, guys like Guru Ram Dass and all the psychedelic hippie guys like Timothy Leary. Yes, Aura IS my real name. (I’m probably the only person on the Internet not afraid to say who I am.) This was kind of the birth of the whole ‘mind-control’ movement. And let me just say this for the record, there was more than just a little bit of an ugly side to it all. But that’s a subject for a different article.
I won’t exactly say that the motivating force behind the desire for mind control is megalomania, but well, it is megalomania.
And then as a young adult I studied the esoteric principles that make the universe work. I belonged to some of those ’secret societies’ and I learned what they were about. Today I own “The Complete Teachings of The Golden Dawn” and if you have any knowledge of these things you will understand that it will contain pretty much all the secrets of all the secret societies that ever were. The exception here would be the teachings of Alestair Crowley who was waaaay too creepy for any reasonable person to want to learn about. But this is just my point. Megalomania, creepy. This is what you find when you dig deep into the vaults of those who seek to manipulate the inner mind.
Here’s the truth: The REAL SECRET: the inner mind can definitely be manipulated. If you want to really learn how, then study some of the great salesmen of time. They know how to manipulate your inner mind - that’s why they make so much money.
The archetypes are very real, they really work - but not in the way people have been led to believe in ‘The Secret’. They work in real time, they work in the way we humans process information and understand the world - this is why a salesman can manipulate others with them. Whole religions have been started by the manipulation of these archetypes. Don’t get me started on that track. I am very pro spirituality, I believe in the church of the big trees. But I am not fond of organized religions. Hierarchy is a device of those creepy megalomaniacs. Jesus would never have stood for it, he was a very non-hierachy kind of guy.
We can’t get away from it, this manipulation of consciousness, our whole society is bound up in it. We even see it in the symbols used by McDonalds - those golden arches, which I nicknamed the tefflon tits. No real nourishment there, but that’s what we go there thinking we’ll get. Even the symbolism of oil companies, like 76 is designed to trigger specific reactions in our minds. Believe me, these people DO understand what they are doing. But no, they won’t be handing out the whole instruction manual in a movie like ‘The Secret’. Frankly even if anyone was inclined to share the real truths with humanity, it’s just too complicated to put on the 5th grade reading level.
So, yes there are SECRETS TO THE UNIVERSE, but you won’t be grasping them in a 90 minute movie. They can’t be explained in a few short sentences. And all those famous people who seem to have known ‘The Secret’ knew WAY MORE than this movement alludes to.
The real secret is that Byrne, who wrote the secret either really does know some of this esoteric archetype stuff (that’s why she’s sold so many books) OR she is a darling of someone who does. Either way, they’ve sold the books and movies to you! Isn’t it time you understood how your own mind is working to make you think that solving all of life’s problems is as simple as thinking positive?
Isn’t it time to actually break free of the hypnosis that is thrown upon us?
My real theory here is that The Secret was so successful because so many people are looking around at the world and realizing that there is some pretty bad news. Al Gore made a pretty compelling statement about global warming. War is hell, and it’s not ending. Celebrities delight in showing us the famine in Africa and India. We should think we’ve got it pretty good. But fantasy thinking is just, well, a lot more appealing.
Hey, I love all sorts of shiny new toys too, but I know a truth about the Universe and Universal principles - Nobody can manifest anything that isn’t in alignment with their level of consciousness. In other words, I’m too aware of oil problems to go out and get a guzzler, no matter how much delirious wishful thinking I apply to the situation. My argument is that if you know someone who IS creating things like this by using the Secret, you should probably run, you’re not likely to find a lot of consciousness there.
If you’re reading this, then it’s a good bet that YOU are a little too self aware to waste your time in wishful or shallow thinking - at least not all the time. So I made a CD, called The REST of the Secret that explains how this really works. I’m not selling wishful thinking. I am explaining how the archetypes of the mind work. These archetypes ARE principles of Astrology, and the CD will give you an overview of how it works. Oh, and it’s free.
And, by the way, if you DO try and use The Secret without a full understanding of it, don’t be surprised if it backfires on you. That’s what happens when you tell your unconscious something that is out of alignment with your inner being. But how do you know what IS in alignment with your inner being? Well, that’s what I teach.
But in a nutshell, as far as ‘The Secret’ goes here’s what it is: Venus is the Law of Attraction. She is also Earth and nature. We have been kicking her ass for a very long time, and if we want to clear that up we’ve got a lot of work to do. That’s the real story. But you’re right, the way Byrne dressed it up sounded a whole lot better.
VENUS was the goddess of love and beauty in Greek myths. Her realm of rulership was the art of courtship and seduction, as well as objects of luxury, sensuality and indulgence. VENUS was the quintessential goddess of desire, and her influence always imparts an inclination towards the better things in life. Her taste is impeccable, manners and presentation are of supreme importance to her. The role VENUS plays in the world is to bring grace, beauty and charm to the area of life that she touches. However, she is also capable of being spoiled, self-indulgent, and lazy and at times even morally challenged. Sometimes too much of the good things in life can get the better of even a goddess. She does have a good sense of humor though, and can enjoy a good joke, even at her own expense. Without her influence none of us would know how to flirt and seduce one another. She brings playfulness and joy to the process of courtship.
But VENUS is not all feather boa’s and bubble baths. VENUS is also considered the goddess of war, while MARS (her secret lover) is considered the god of war and love. Hmm, it’s interesting that love and war should be so closely connected don’t you think? You see VENUS can be pretty tough on the battlefield of love, and she knows how to win without it seeming like a battle. And besides if she has her way it’s always a two-sided win. But if things get ugly, watch out. VENUS knows how to get her fair share, she could just take you for all your money! But basically she really just wants everything to be beautiful and erotic all the time.
VENUS is the traditional ruler of both Taurus and Libra. The side of Venus that represents love rules Taurus. This is why Taurus’ can be so earthy and materialistic. If you really love that blouse and that pair of earrings, well you just have to have them don’t you? And how about that cute thing at the checkout line in the grocery? Taurus’ can be indulgent, and once they find what they like, they don’t like to change it. That would upset the order of their creature comforts, and that would be, well um, uncomfortable. So, Taurus has gained a reputation for being quite stubborn. But it is due to Taurus’ influence that we have much that is truly beautiful in the way of art and objects that enrich the quality of our aesthetic experience of life.
Libra on the other hand, could argue you into a coma, changing their point of view as often as their clothes (and that’s often). Since the warlike side of VENUS rules Libra, Libra’s often consider a good stimulating debate to be foreplay! Under a Libra’s cool eye, the trappings of love are really well planned out strategies. Don’t be fooled by that charming lighthearted attitude, or innocent air head act. The Libra usually knows exactly how to get what they want, and they use lots of charm to do it. Don’t ever underestimate the power of beauty, charm and social graces to influence the public, politics and even overthrow the bastions of world power. Most Libra’s can strategize as well as Napoleon! I also use the ASTEROIDS as rulership of Libra, since they lend depth the issue of human relationships, which is Libra’s domain. If you are a Libra, or want to read more about how the ASTEROIDS influence relationship dynamics read that page too.
No matter where VENUS is placed in the Natal Chart, her influence is always felt in terms of our individual values, and what we consider important. Although Taurus and Libra are the only signs ruled by VENUS, everyone has VENUS’ influence on some part of their life. For more information about how VENUS influences you, you might want to have a Natal Chart Interpretation.
Taurus is acquisitive and sensual in the extreme and can judge their experience of life by the things they feel touch taste and own. They have good taste, and want the best in life.
The Bull has been accused of being materialistic, and while this can be true, the sensate being that is Taurus appreciates and cherishes the finery and luxury in life, and often acquires it for this reason. But they have no problem working hard for those things. The trouble is how hard on themselves they can become in this quest for comfort and luxury. They are rarely frivolous, they simply recognize and appreciate quality and value, and make sure that they get the most that is possible.
The saying, ‘If you would just give me the luxuries in life, I would gladly do without the necessities,’ can apply to certain natives of this sign. This internal yardstick measuring ‘the best’ and constantly finding the world lacking can lead to disappointment and frustration for our Bullish friends. Is it any wonder that the Stock Market uses the Taurus symbol to indicate positive economic growth?
Yes, things of value and resources are usually what the Taurus is most interested in. This includes a fine palette for discerning the best in art, fabric, quality craftsmanship, and music. Never forget that music has a visceral effect on your Taurus, and can single-handedly melt and seduce even the most impenetrable Bull’s façade. In fact if you are trying to influence any Taurus in any way, you will be well rewarded to use beauty, pastoral surroundings, sensual luxuries and delicious scents, sounds and tastes. The earthy Bull experiences life through their physical senses, please them and you will be rewarded.
Usually physically beautiful, but sometimes vain, the sensuality of the Taurean is legendary. Slow and thorough, they will bring you an appreciation of the physical that you may not be able to reach on your own. When a Taurus decides to do something, well, they only want to do it if they can do it right, beautifully and with utmost class.
Usually they have strong ideas about things, and once their minds are set on something trying to dissuade him is like trying to move Mount Olympus – a noble but ineffective effort. In fact, once a Taurus decides they have had enough of you and what you have to say, up come the iron walls, and the only way to cope with being shut outside the fortress is to just wait for the BULL to decide to give you a second chance. My only suggestion for someone who has found them selves on the wrong side of this impenetrable citadel is to send gifts. Isn’t that how Troy was conquered?
The Bull learns about themselves through the issues represented by their opposing sign Scorpio. A great deal of the Taurus psychology is devoted towards property and material security, as well as individual autonomy of resources. Scorpio represents shared resources and the sexual merging between two individuals. Therefore, the Taurus will learn a great deal about the self by merging, bonding and sharing with another person. After all, what good are all those physical, sensual resources if they aren’t to be shared? It is also an essential part of the Bull’s process to learn to cope with the inevitable issues of control and balance that merged resources represents within a sexual partnership.
If you love Taurus rub his or her shoulders, kiss and whisper sweet nothings in her ear. She will melt. Share good music, good food and beautiful views of nature with your earthy paramour, and you may be confronted with more sensuality and erotic license than you were ready for!
Above all else though, if you treat your Bullish love like a cherished, adored and beautiful deity they will return the favor with luxury, sensuality, beauty and devotion. When a Taurus gives their heart and decides to love you, they do so with all their heart, soul and body.
Our VENUSIAN friends are not only looking for harmony, symmetry, balance, grace and beauty, they also seek and long for the blending of harmonies, the union of opposites. If they Yin they seek your Yang, if they’re Blue they seek Orange, or Purple for their Yellow. The psychology of the LIBRA cannot exist without a polar opposite through which to define the self.
The SCALED ONES define themselves through both their similarities and their differences to others. No one is more viscerally aware that the human experience is painfully isolated by our individuality, and yet endlessly fascinating because of our differences, comparisons and similarities.
Your LIBRA neighbor can become enthralled ad infinitum with the aesthetics of self and other. Lost in the endless kaleidoscopic fascination of the play of light between individuals, the magnetism and beauty of attraction. The endless harmonies and changing light works set off through human chain reactions can pull our visual LIBRAN into a veritable vortex of fascination, from which they may never emerge.
To call them shallow would, well, be shallow of us. Although your friend the SCALES can indeed appear obsessed with dreamy, frivolous pastimes there are very real forces pulling within them with which they must contend.
LIBRA is the zodiac sign charged with understanding the nature of pairing, partnering and union with others. They are painfully, exquisitely, aware that individually they are alone, and must join forces with others. The entire focus of their being is hurled into an awareness of this need, and the process of understanding, contemplating and creating such unions has such depth, such meaning and such repercussions that they anguish, assess, weigh, balance, question, test, verify, test some more, and generally spend all of their time deciding what to do and how to do it. Until of course they see, feel or learn something new. Then the entire process begins all over again.
The LIBRA more than any other sign must test and retest their own senses. And through this constantly evolving process he comes to understand his own likes and dislikes. It is a slow evolution. She tries spicy peppers because you like them. Hmm, so interesting, fascinating this sensation of burning fire in my mouth. I must understand more. Why do you like this? Pretty soon, sweat pouring down her lovely face she decides, no, I don’t like this. You must be crazy, why would you suggest such a thing to me? But then if you like it, there must be some secret locked within this torturous experience that will lead me to a deeper understanding of my bond with you. And so it goes for the SCALE PERSON testing one thing and then another against all previously known experience. Seeking to understand. A never-ending journey to be sure.
And yes, the LIBRA person has a well developed sense of aesthetics. They want life to be pleasing to the senses. They want to be pleasing to the senses and to be appreciated as such. Worship her, and she will worship you back. Trouble is, all this art, beauty and illusion can become, well, a bit stagnant.
Like water that sits still for too long, your LIBRA has been know to get a bit muddy. This is how he learns from his complimentary sign ARIES - who teaches him about the value of action, motion and enthusiasm. Ultimately the SCALE-BEARER learns to understand all this union, balance, testing and verification as part of a life filled with direction, process and motion. And then he finds his place in the world as the judge and champion for the virtue of fairness.
If you love a LIBRA stare deeply into his eyes. Compliment him or her, both with words, and with your actions. Shower beauty upon her. Take him to a museum. But most of all convey with your words and actions your respect for the bond, mutuality and union that you share together. They will fill your days and nights with dreamy romance, poetic musings, and lyrical lovemaking
Taurus is acquisitive and sensual in the extreme and can judge their experience of life by the things they feel touch taste and own. They have good taste, and want the best in life.
Our VENUSIAN friends are not only looking for harmony, symmetry, balance, grace and beauty, they also seek and long for the blending of harmonies, the union of opposites. If they Yin they seek your Yang, if they’re Blue they seek Orange, or Purple for their Yellow. The psychology of the LIBRA cannot exist without a polar opposite through which to define the self.
