The Three Fates and our Heroes

By Resti H. Santiago

Andres Bonifacio

The concept of fate was not very popular in the 20th century because the previous century's mantra was all about freedom. This may partly explain why astrology has to be reformulated. But denying fate would not eliminate it from our lives.

If we are to believe Plato's "Myth of Er," fate is actually an agreement or arrangement that we had with God, sealed by the Fates, prior to one's incarnation. Denying that there is no binding agreement does not free us from what has actually been agreed upon.

It is for this reason that I want to emphasize that despite 20th century thought, fate still exists. But that does not mean there is no free will. A more realistic approach that astrology can show is that there is fate, and there is free will. The reason why astrologers can make predictions is because there is fate. The reason why astrologers can err in their interpretation is because there is free will.

Clotho, from where the word cloth came from  
is the "spinner," who spun the thread of life.

Astrology plays a special role in the process of knowing and dealing with our fate, because that is precisely the realm of astrology. Knowing what is fated can offer us a certain degree of freedom. Knowing that we have to work on something with someone - puts  us in the right direction. Knowing that there is order in the universe assures us that wisdom and happiness are achievable.

To demonstrate that there is fate, I would show through the lives of our heroes how the three daughters of fate work. First is Clotho, who spins the thread of life. With Clotho, the kind of life experiences that will "clothe" one's incarnation is decided. It must be noted that the spindle of necessity, upon which the thread of life is spun, is connected with the motion of the planets. Hence, whichever planet is highlighted is equivalent to the kind of life chosen for us. Consider these astrological facts:

Manuel L. Quezon's most dignified planet is Mercury, the planet of communication. He was known to be a great orator and is considered to be the "Ama ng Wika."

Andres Bonifacio’s most dignified planet is Mars, the planet of war, conflict and violence. Bonifacio initiated the armed movement for national liberation and his life was filled with conflict, betrayal and violence. He was killed by fellow Filipinos fighting for freedom.

Lachesis is the "allotter" or drawer of lots,
she measures the thread of life
allotted to each person.

Next is Lachesis who measures all that Clotho has spun, whether it is the length of one's life or the length of one's relationship or projects. Again this is tied to the motion of the planets, because specific areas of our horoscope chart are activated, favored or hindered in relation to the motion of the planets.

When Bonifacio formed the KKK, Saturn was in Virgo, in a harmonious relationship with his Mars and Jupiter in Scorpio. Mars is the rebel and stands for the use of arms. He was successful in organizing the people in a secret society.

When the “1896 Revolution” broke out, Saturn was conjunct his Jupiter and Mars, limiting his luck (Jupiter) and military capabilities (Mars).

When he was killed in 1897, Saturn was conjunct his North Node.

By looking at how his life followed the influence of Saturn, we can see how our actions are limited or  hindered by the planets. The motion of the planets is fixed, we can calculate, just as what Lachesis is supposed to have done, when good luck will begin and when it will end.

The last of the Fates is Atropos, who cuts what needs to have an ending. Atropos is death, putting an end to one's life, association, luck or bad luck. This means that there is time for everything and that major opportunities do not knock twice. At the allotted time, we can see the signature of the planets signifying either opportunities or beginnings (Jupiter/Venus) challenges or endings (Saturn/Mars).

Atropos is the "inevitable",
who the cuts the thread of life.

On December 30, 1896, the date that Jose Rizal was killed by firing squad, the malefic planets were active in his chart. The Moon in Scorpio was moving towards Saturn in Scorpio, the ancient planet of death. Saturn, being the planet of restriction and hardships has been hovering over his sect Light (Moon in Scorpio) for more than 2 years already, while he was still an exile in Dapitan. Mars, the other malefic planet was in Gemini hitting Rizal’s  Sun (the other Light) located in Gemini. We see here the two malefic planets - assaulting the Lights in the chart of Rizal. The Lights symbolize the source of one’s light and life. Even Jupiter, the lucky planet, is opposing his Ascendant sign or body.

Modern man may have drank too much from the “river of forgetfulness.”  We have forgotten fate and it is astrology’s role in the collective human experience to show that fate exists whether we know it or not.


From Medieval Astro-clock 2013