When good fortune strikes, the sentence “It’s written in the stars” is frequently uttered.
Lucky breaks, whether they’re as big as finding a parking spot in a congested lot or as small as meeting your soulmate, can make us wonder if a higher power is at work. How we interpret these moments and how much effort we put into making good things happen depend on whether we see that force as fate or destiny.
Reason being, there is a subtle difference in meaning between the two terms, despite their frequent colloquial interchangeability. The main distinction between fate and destiny is the degree to which the outcome is perceived as entirely predetermined or beyond your control: The term “destiny” was used to describe a future that was mostly predetermined (by the stars), while the term “fate” was used to describe a future that could be changed by decisions and choices in the ancient Mesopotamian civilization of Sumer.
The Greeks and Romans, as well as contemporary philosophers, have seen the words’ meanings turned on their heads. Today, we know that fate represents the parts of our lives over which we have no control, while destiny refers to the future we can shape by “care, effort, and deliberate choices.”
Whatever you call it, the key to deciphering your natal chart and making the most of this information is realizing that both parts of universal predetermination and free will can impact your future.
The Significance of Fate & Destiny in Astrology
Astrology, also known as a person’s natal chart, begins to take shape at the moment of birth and is believed to foretell their character traits and social interactions. Your life’s trajectory is predetermined by your character traits, which include your aspirations, habits, tendencies, virtues, and vices.
From an astrological perspective, it is possible to make remarkably accurate predictions based on upcoming astrological transits when one is familiar with the character of the individual or entity with whom one is dealing.
Though we may be born with a predisposition to act or react in a particular way, we can all learn and adapt from our experiences, and this includes the ways in which we show the good and bad sides of our fundamental qualities. Someone with an Aries sun sign, for instance, could come across as self-reliant and assured in one setting, and narcissistic and egotistical in another—two sides of the same coin, really.
The part of fate that can be changed, according to historical understanding, is the part that deals with our personal agency and actions. One interpretation of the famous quote by the pre-Socratic philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus, “a man’s character is fate,” is that a person’s deeply held views and deeds determine their destiny.
Based on our character traits and the strength of our free will, we have the ability to manipulate our astrology charts to alter our fate to the extent that we see fit.
As an example, a “love of fighting” or “fighting for love” could be experienced by some people if their natal charts have Mars, the planet of aggression and power, and Venus, the planet of love, in conjunction. This means that these planets were in the same degree of the same zodiac sign at the time of their birth. So, while some aspects of your astrological chart may be more difficult than others, there is no such thing as a “good” or “bad” chart. Ultimately, your future, whether you choose to call it fate or destiny, will be subjective.
Fate vs. Destiny: The Difference
For reasons already mentioned, the Sumerians initially viewed fate as changeable and destiny as immutable. The origins of this belief can be traced to the time when the Sumerians named the planets and called their orbits around the sun “destiny.”
The only way to alter one’s fate was with supernatural means and superhuman strength. According to astrology, people, nations, and kings were all “destined” to go through specific experiences, and it was thought that mere mortals had little chance of changing these destinies.
Conversely, the Sumerians held that human action and inaction were more closely tied to shorter timeframes and fate than to longer ones. That is, it was believed that human actions could influence one’s destiny. If one paused to take stock of their actions, inactions, and the logical progression of events, they could alter their fate.
But, as previously stated, the concepts’ meanings have been reversed since then: Modern society tends to define fate as the events in our lives over which we have no control, while destiny is more often used to describe the future in which we do have some influence. Things will happen according to fate, in my view. However, one’s fate is not sealed. It relies on your free will and requires action to materialize.
How to Make the Most of Fate & Destiny
Put aside fate for a second; according to contemporary thinking, there is a degree of free will that allows us to change our future. The power to choose one’s own actions or inactions has undoubtedly altered the trajectory of many lives. Most of us can probably think of an instance when this occurred. Not everyone realizes that every single second could be that pivotal moment that changes their lives forever.
As an example, certain aspects of my natal chart have always indicated that I would have an innate desire to travel and experience new cultures. However, the decision I made to leave my job and embark on a year-long globe tour was entirely voluntary, and it has undoubtedly influenced my life’s trajectory. “Fate and self-help share equally in shaping our destiny.” This is an often-quoted Indian proverb.
Your ability to make peace with your experiences and shape your future is enhanced when you acknowledge the significance of both free will and predetermination.
Knowing that everything happens for a reason can be a very reassuring thought, on the one hand. It might be comforting to know that no matter what you do, you will eventually reach your destination, whether things are going wrong or you are stuck at a crossroads and don’t know what to do.
On the flip side, taking stock of your own agency throughout life can steer clear of the passive passivity that accompanies leaving everything up to chance. Astrologically speaking, one way to harness that power is to familiarize yourself with your chart’s placements and what they reveal about your character, including your possible strengths and weaknesses. When you know your chart, you can use your free will more effectively to make your life what you want it to be. Indeed, the whole point of astrology is to assist you in actualizing your true self.
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