Astrology: Working with Fate, Not Being Ruled by It

Fate vs free will is one of the first concepts we are introduced to in astrology.

Whether or not astrology means that our lives are fated in a mechanical way—whether the stars and planets are somehow pulling the strings, making our paths inevitable. My conclusion is that astrology isn’t about being controlled by fate. In fact, astrology is about recognizing the patterns in time that we can engage with and make choices about.

It’s true that life follows certain cycles, and astrology helps us see these repeating patterns. But instead of seeing fate as a rigid, unchangeable force, I view it more as a living rhythm—a pattern that offers us opportunities to participate and shape our experience.

To better understand this, let me share an example from my own life.

I grew up in New England, where my family had a cabin near a ski resort. In the winter, it was inevitable: snow would fall, temperatures would drop, and we’d gather at the cabin for ski trips. It was a predictable, seasonal cycle. But here's the important part: while winter was inevitable, it wasn’t mechanical—it wasn’t something that just “happened” to us without any participation on our part.

Winter was coming, and that meant we had to prepare. We needed firewood to stay warm, and this had to be gathered and stored in the summer. If we ignored this task and waited until the cold hit, we’d be caught unprepared, facing the discomfort of cold nights and struggling to stay warm. It wasn’t just about waiting for winter to arrive; it was about preparing for it, so we could make the most of it.

This cycle of preparation and outcome perfectly illustrates how I view astrology. The patterns of time are predictable, but how we engage with them is up to us. We don’t have to be passive. If we take action now—whether it’s cutting the wood or making informed decisions about our future—we can shape our experience.

A Map of Time's Cycles

Astrology doesn’t work like a blueprint that predetermines every detail of your life. It’s not about mechanical fate where things happen whether you want them to or not. Instead, astrology shows us the cycles of time and how they will manifest in our lives. These cycles are predictable, but they’re filled with qualities that influence us differently depending on when they come around.

Think of it like the changing seasons. Every year, summer and winter come around at the same time, but no two summers or winters are exactly the same. Each season carries its own unique qualities—whether it's the warmth of a particularly sunny summer, the crisp bite of an early autumn, or the challenges of a particularly harsh winter. Just as each season brings a new flavor, each year brings a slightly different version of those cycles. For example, winter in Southern California will be mild and rainy, offering a different kind of experience than winter in Vermont, which could bring snowstorms and deep freezes. And even more intriguingly, Australia experiences winter at the opposite time of year, so while we're in the throes of summer, they're preparing for the cold. These differences highlight that cycles aren't just about repetition; they are dynamic and shaped by both external forces and how we interact with them. The quality of each season—and of each cycle in our lives—may be familiar, but always unique. Understanding these variations, and knowing what to expect, is crucial. It's not just about passively waiting for things to happen, but about recognizing the specific qualities of the cycle you're in, and using that awareness to engage with it in the most effective way.

In astrology, we have similar cycles: transits, progressions, and returns that happen at regular intervals. Just like the seasons, we can anticipate when these times will come, and more importantly, we can prepare for them. This doesn’t mean everything is set in stone, but it does mean that life comes with recurring themes, energies, and challenges. The key is knowing what’s coming, so you can engage with these energies consciously and make the most of them.

Fate as a Pattern, Not a Prison

Fate doesn’t have to feel like a prison. Rather, it’s like the ongoing rhythm of seasons or the predictable nature of winter in New England. The patterns of life repeat, but each time with unique flavors, qualities, and opportunities. This is where astrology comes in: it helps us recognize these qualities and participate with them in a way that benefits us.

Let’s say that in the coming year, you’re experiencing a transit that suggests a time of increased responsibility—perhaps in your career or with your family. This transit might signal a time when you’ll face more demands, perhaps a leadership role or a promotion, or a situation where your ability to manage things will be tested.

If you know this is coming, you can begin to prepare yourself. You can start building your capacity for responsibility, managing your time better, or getting your paperwork in order. You don’t have to be blindsided by the pressure that’s coming your way. Just like preparing for winter by cutting wood in the summer, you can take action now, and when the time comes, you’ll be ready to engage with the responsibility in a way that aligns with your goals.

This is the heart of predictive astrology: by understanding what energies and opportunities are coming our way, we can choose how we want to respond. The outcome isn’t predetermined, but the energy that surrounds it is. We don’t have to wait for life to happen to us—we can shape it by aligning our actions with the cycles ahead.

Empowerment Through Awareness

The purpose of astrology isn’t to predict a future that’s fixed and out of our hands; it’s to show us the qualities of time, so we can make better, more informed decisions today. When we understand what’s coming—whether it’s a challenging time, a growth period, or a time of rest—we can use that knowledge to plan and prepare.

Think of astrology as a tool that allows you to navigate the twists and turns of life more effectively. When you can see the larger cycles at play, you can make informed choices that align with the energies around you. If hard times are coming, you can take action now to minimize their impact. If opportunities for growth are ahead, you can prepare to seize them. Astrology helps you participate in your life, instead of feeling like you’re a passive observer at the mercy of fate.

Engaging with the Flow of Time

In the end, astrology is about engaging with time consciously. Just like preparing for the inevitable winter, we can prepare for the energies and challenges that astrology points to. We are not at the mercy of a cold, unfeeling fate; we are part of an ongoing, living cycle that we can understand and participate in. By tuning into the rhythms of time and the cycles of the cosmos, we empower ourselves to make decisions that shape our future.

Life isn’t something that just happens to us. With astrology, we get to participate in the unfolding story, navigating the cycles and waves with intention and awareness. Just like cutting wood in the summer for a warm winter, we have the ability to prepare today for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow, ensuring that we make the most of our time, our fate, and our future.