Thank you for clarifying this, it is an important point.

Perhaps what you find offensive is that “The Secret” suggests that anyone can experience this no matter what religion or practise they follow?

No matter how much we pray for it.

“The Secret” is brilliant “truth” insomuch that it capitulates on the premise of thought changing reality. However it neglects to focus on the motivation that fuels that thought.

In New Age thinking, the motivation is ME ME ME. In the teachings of Christ the motivation is “not my will, but Thine, oh Lord my God”

Even if you have to sweat blood and tears in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The pure channel of prayer inspires upon us what to pray for, and produces results, in His time and not necessarily overnight. However if we are inspired to pray for a desired outcome of our own selfish motivations (ie) a man desires a certain woman for a lover, or a woman desires a certain sum of money to purchase a certain pair of shoes . . .

“surely, thou shalt NOT be disappointed”

That my friend is manipulation of the energies of the universe to fulfill a carnal purpose, and that, is perversion of the power of prayer. You are correct in that PRAYER CHANGES THINGS. If it was He who inspired the change.

While there is a basis of truth in this theory, unfortunately there is a strong element of truth in the best lie. After all, the serpent, the subtle of all the creatures in the garden, told Eve the truth, with the exception of one word:

“Ye shall NOT surely die, for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”

Well, he was right. Except for one word, and that makes all the difference.

(Leo + Libra is a very good match by the way)

“Libra’s amorous playfulness blends marvelously with Leo’s dash and energy. Leo’s generous, expansive sensuality really lights Libra’s fire, and the thermometer moves up to torrid. Libra does have to approach Leo carefully on matters involving ego, but that won’t be a problem for tactful Libra. In a real conflict, Libra knows how to yield gracefully. Together they share a love of luxury, going to parties, and creating a beautiful home that serves as a stage set for these two stars.”

- Joanna Martine Woolfolk, author of “Sexual Astrology”

I appreciate your keen analysis of my situation with the Scorpio.

A couple of details, though: I don’t believe in using astrology to “get” who you want…I believe in using astrology to ATTRACT who you want. The distinction is substantive and essential.

Second, and most importantly, all seductions are not doomed unions between mismatched species. Some are mutually satisfying and pleasurably connections between compatible people. Your “do you really want to go there” argument is (alas) pretty damn persuasive when it comes to my particular depressing fixation on a Scorpio…but that doesn’t mean that astrological tips for attracting someone’s interest can’t be wonderfully helpful for, say, an Aries man trying to compete with three other Aries men, a Gemini and a Sag for the affections of a Leo woman.

When I first met my Libra ex, we both experienced love (or, huge infatuation) at first sight…but we were both coy about it and a little bit “hard to get”…it wasn’t a waste of time and energy at all. Rather, it was the kind of titillating play that Leos love.

Re: me and the Scorpio–I should clarify that he came over here because I invited him, and he gave me lots of signals that night that he doesn’t see me as a potential sexual partner…like suggesting twice that I should get back together with my ex (and believe me, I did NOT bring up my ex.) He really might have been there not to research an interest in me, but because he views me as a friend. And as for seeing if I would “seal the deal”–his whole thing of firmly telling me to go back to my ex, not touching me and not even really coming near me…all through that long talk with our eyes locked…for hours…well, I INVITED HIM OVER, brought alcohol into the mix, and was as subtly sexy as I could be. It was so clear I would “seal the deal.” (Also–he clearly has no desire to “get to the point”–the guy is GLACIAL. Taurus Rising. And he’s confused. He’s a mess of contradictions, with this weird emotional lag time that means if I say something in March, he responds in June.) He has so many wonderful qualities, but if he IS attracted to me, he’s really being kind of a weenie.

You’re right that this is no fun.

I keep deciding to get over my feelings for him. And then I see him again, and it all comes flooding back, and I find myself on an astrology forum obsessing about him. I know that obsession says unflattering things about me…but it doesn’t mean that I view him as an object or that I want to “get” him, and it certainly shouldn’t imply that I would ever want to manipulate or trick someone into…well, anything.

The situation–mostly, my own feelings–has caused me pain, and I’ve wanted to explore every possible option for how to deal with it. But, god help me, one rotten unrequited thing between a Lioness and an insect should not be used as an argument against the delights of seduction, in general.

I maintain that astrological tips, used with a spirit of compassion, fun, love and respect, can help a shy Virgo delight a hard-to-get Taurus by bringing her pie, and that such a pursuit is not a waste of valuable energy!

(can’t blame it on Mercury retrograde since he started behaving himself on the 17th)

I suppose we could explain these fiascos by blaming the energies at play in the universe for sure, as per Jeff in a previous blog, and the following excerpt (Rob Tillett, editor and publisher of Astrology on the Web, has written many articles. Rob lives in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, on the east coast of Australia).

“At 04:01 UT (Universal Time), on Friday, Oct. 12, 2007, Mercury, the cosmic trickster, turns retrograde in Scorpio, the sign of the Scorpion, sending communications, travel, appointments, mail and the www into a general snarlup! Once again, it’s one of those tricky time zone issues, as in the Americas it happens late on the 11th! This awkward period begins a few days before the actual turning point (as Mercury slows) and lasts for three weeks or so, until November 1, when the Winged Messenger reaches his direct station. At this time he halts and begins his return to direct motion through the zodiac.”

“Everything finally straightens out on November 17, as he passes the point where he first turned retrograde. Mercury turns retrograde three times a year, as a rule, but the effects of each period differ, according to the sign in which it happens (see box for Retrograde Periods in 2007).”

“A planet is described as retrograde when it appears to be moving backwards through the zodiac. According to modern science, this traditional concept arises in the illusory planetary motion created by the orbital rotation of the earth, with relation to other planets in our solar system. Planets are never actually retrograde or stationary, they just seem that way, due to this cosmic shadow-play.”

“Retrograde periods, although often problematic for us earthlings, are not particularly uncommon. Each planet retrogrades, except the Sun and Moon. Although a powerful astrological influence, Mercury is quite a small planet that travels at a relatively fast speed through the zodiac. Despite being the closest planet in our solar system to the Sun, it is not always in the same sign as the Sun (for example, this time Mercury turns in Scorpio while the Sun is in Libra but heads back into Libra just as the Sun strides into Scorpio).”

http://www.astrologycom.com/mercret.html

by the way, the little bugger was retrograde in Scorpio, of all signs