AN ASTROLOGER'S LOOK AT FATE
By Anne Boyle
Copyright 2002. All rights reserved

Once upon a time, there lived in Isfahan a young man who worked as a servant for a wealthy merchant. One fine morning the carefree young man rode to market to buy fruit and wine, and there in the marketplace he saw death, who beckoned to him, as though about to speak. In terror, the young man turned and fled, taking the road that led to Samara. By nightfall, filthy and exhausted, he had reached an inn there. He procured a room and collapsed upon the bed with mingled fatigue and relief, for it seemed he had outwitted Death. But, in the middle of the night, there came a knock on the door. In his doorway stood Death, smiling at him. "Why are you here?" demanded the young man, white faced and trembling. "I saw you only this morning in Isfahan." Death replied, "Why, I have come to collect you, as it is written. For when I was you this morning in the marketplace in Isfahan, I tried to say to you that you and I had an appointment tonight in Samara. But you would not let me speak and you ran away."

This simple folk tale poses many questions: What if the servant had spoken to Death? What if he had gone to a different town? What if he had not gone to market? Ultimately, it asks the questions: "Are we fated or are we free? Do we have a choice?"

Fate, from the oldest times, was an omen of doom and death. The word 'fate' means, "as it was written". This can be a terrifying thought. It implies that we have no power or control. While fate is irrevocable, it also depends upon the will of man for its unfolding. The inner life of man seems colored by fate in the form of unconscious complexes that shape his choices more powerfully than any conscious decision. We have never lost our fear of fate.

Astrology and other forms of divination are an attempt to "read what is written." While ultimately no one can predict final outcomes, the astrologer may be able to provide a helpful roadmap along the way. The horoscope chart is a map of the psyche, giving glimpses of unconscious complexes. But, it is never fixed in time. It is constantly changing and evolving as we wander through the pathways, hopes, sorrows and dreams of a lifetime.

The planets of the zodiac symbolize different aspects of man's fate in the form of these unconscious complexes. Saturn represents the teacher, a lesson never to be forgotten. Uranus is coincident with sudden crises, traumas or brilliant ideas. Neptune shows the dreamer of dreams, a spiritual influence but may also bring disillusionment and sadness. Ultimately, they are all aspects of a power in the universe, who is savior and keeper of souls, a power beyond the limit of our sight.

The planet Pluto seems most directly connected with man's fate. For Pluto carries the darkest implications of all -- death. Therefore, Pluto is often accompanied by deep suffering, which insight cannot prevent. However, the astrologer with gentle compassion can help the client through these difficult times. Inevitably, as the result of this 'death', and 'return to life', there are deep changes in the psyche. Therefore, transits are often accompanied by depression, as one loses everything previously used to define identity. Eventually, one springs back into a renewal of life with the discovery of new, exciting and enriching resources and more profound sense one's purpose and autonomy. The intensity of Pluto transits often brings up fear, rage, jealously in terrifying ways. Feelings of low self-esteem, worthlessness, emptiness are part of this process. During this process, an astrologer must empathize and be with the client, providing a strong shoulder without necessarily being able to change things.

Every astrologer who has the privilege of helping someone through these difficult transits of life must show the ability to "be with suffering." The need to listen deeply and to bring comfort to the client is important. Even more importantly, the astrologer needs to encourage the client to move forward, not to wallow in the past, but to have the courage necessary to reach ahead, and to have the radiant hope that all will be well. For Pluto also brings healing, and may even find beauty in suffering; the transformation complete as the transit comes to an end, and an old way of being dies.

The familiar expression, "Let go and Let God" is appropriate. We need to relax into the changes, with the certain knowledge that what happens is meant to be, and that we are most surely and lovingly cared for in times of change, and always. We do not need to have all the answers. It is important to live in the moment.

Are we fated or are we free? The poet R. M. Rilke's words seem very reassuring. "Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.