Success and Failure - How Much Is Fate and How Much is Free Will?

by Robert Wilkinson

Today's post takes a look at one of the intersections of fate and free will. One misconception about Astrology is that because our birth chart shows it's a "good" time or "bad" time then we are powerless to change the course of events and must accept the inevitable "good" or "bad" that is supposed to follow. This of course ignores the fundamental fact that we alone manifest our lives through the consequences of our actions and inactions.

To quote some timeless wisdom from The Bard, "The fault, dear Brutus, lies not in our stars, but in ourselves if we are underlings." It is our responsibility to act as we should and not act as we shouldn't. It is in our actions or non-actions, and whether these are in our best interests and can really get our intention accomplished, that determines much of what happens in our lives.

Our stars cannot make anything happen of themselves, nor can any Astrological, Tarot, psychic, or "spiritual" self-help reading make a thing happen or not happen. In my book "A New Look At Mercury Retrograde," there is an explanation about why planets do not cause anything:

Even if we use astrology, we still live our own lives and make our own choices. Invariably, we are either acting, not acting, or being acted upon. Planetary configurations are relevant to us in our chosen field of activity, in our life energies, and the varying circumstances that influence us. An astrological configuration cannot make us act appropriately, or solve a problem in and of itself. Many configurations completely pass us by, with the "good ones" not magically bringing expected good nor the "bad ones" visiting disaster upon us. Any configuration only manifests to the degree we are living life, and not merely being spectators waiting for something to happen.

No matter how great the aspects in our chart are, if we are limited we cannot achieve the best use of those aspects. If we avoid looking at key limitations and choose to push forward with something, or fail to follow through at critical moments due to fear, attachment, or buying into illusions, then we will experience failure. These teach us to accept or get beyond those limitations, and not blame circumstances or someone else for our failure.

While sometimes things seem to turn around "magically," usually the "success" or "failure" of something involves several factors, among them circumstances, effort, and timing. If these are not correct, then usually we don't achieve the desired results. The last two are within our control, while the first usually isn't. And if the circumstances are not correct, then no amount of effort or right astrological timing will make our project succeed.

"Real world" circumstances influence our choices to act or not act in our best interests, and while we don't control the circumstances, we always control our responses to those circumstances. Some circumstances do not permit "success" as we envision it, and even when they do, if we don't do the right things in the right ways and times, we cannot succeed.

For example, we cannot drive two thousand miles with only $20 for gas (unless we have revolutionary technology!) We cannot catch trout in a bass pond, nor can we plant potatoes in great soil with the Moon in a fertile sign and get a crop when there is snow on the ground. We cannot sell products to people who want to buy something else, or make someone "do the right thing."

We cannot make someone else want to be in a healthy relationship with us if they don't want that. And while we can pray for some things, we cannot make them come. Some things are beyond our control.

That brings up a key point. If we visualize a desired end clearly, have the skills and resources that must be used to that end, start it at the right time in the right way, and persevere in doing what we must to achieve the result, then usually we get some measure of success. HOWEVER! If in doing that effort we violate one critical factor, then no matter what, our efforts will never succeed.

Regardless of what we believe is good or desired, we must not violate our integrity and what we're here to learn and Be, or at some point our "truth of being," or karma, or guardian angel, or another Spiritual component in our lives will put a stick in our spokes to keep us from error. Something about "leave us not in temptation" comes to mind. Spirit has many ways and means to redirect us from erroneous aim, whether we think we are in error or not.

If our desires are pulling us away from what we are to learn about selfless service this life, then at some point our desires will be frustrated or wrecked altogether. We can effort mightily toward some end, but if it's fundamentally not true for us, or is leading us away from our best and Highest Self and purpose for being on Earth, or the "failure" is part of our higher path of Self-realization, then our efforts cannot bring us the success we hope for. This helps us learn detachment, dispassion, and discrimination.

When our best efforts have failed, it's important to do reflective work using objectivity and compassion to understand if we were in error, and if possible make appropriate corrections. We cannot afford to find fault in circumstances or any other external thing, even if these were involved in what did or didn't happen. Ultimately it's all about our responsibility to act or not act appropriately, and see what constitutes "right view," "right effort," "right action," and "right realization."

Of course, compassion also dictates that we remember the hard human truth that even if we do everything correctly, "sometimes the answer is no." A crop failure may not come from our actions or inactions, but it's always important to take responsibility for whatever part we did play in the larger event, and if we "failed," examine how we can become better people for the experience.

Our willingness to find appropriate ways to rise to our challenges determines how the outcome of those challenges affects our lives. How we respond determines future possibilities of succeeding in fulfilling our purpose. Sometimes just rising to the occasion brings forth our better Self, whether we "succeed" or "fail" at whatever. An apparent defeat today can bring forth skills and understandings that could be an important key to future successes.

I'll close this brief essay on our responsibility to drive our own boat and not blame externals for our apparent worldly failures and frustrations with a reminder from The Three Truths: "Each man is his own absolute law-giver, the dispenser of glory or gloom to himself; the decreer of his life, his reward, his punishment." Something to consider as we move and groove through the intersections of fate and free will.

(Rewritten from an article originally published in February 2008)

© Copyright 2010 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[Triana]

Fantastic! Nice work, Robert.

[Skye]

This is an amazing article.

[Micheline]

Hi, Robert, I totally agree with this. I does not matter how much your chart promises. It is up to you to make the most of it or what you have and develop yourself and make yourself what you want to become.

I have a friend who had a nice way of putting.

You are just becoming more of who you are!

I really liked that.

peace

[Robert]

Hi Triana - Glad it stuck a chord.

Hi Skye - Yes, I'm often amazed at what happens when I get out of my own way....

Hi Micheline - I've seen "good" charts where the people were lousy, and difficult charts for wonderful people. We are truly just becoming who we REALLY are, rather than the accumulation of character traits and karmic tendencies that have no reality. And of course, as I just mentioned, getting out of our own way usually clears up many things about what's true for us or not.

[Jessica Cohodes]

This came at the exact moment I needed it. Stuck with a decision to take an offer for a corporate job to get closer to sustaining my family, or take my chances on continuing my consulting from home for future flexibility/volunteerism/gardening/etc. So how do I know how I get in my own way? Am I being obstinate for not wanting to work for a big corporate job that will not challenge me while not wanting to leave my young children, or am I finally being brave to define an authentic path for myself and give up materialism all together? I still don't know! Oy.

Thank you always for your posts and brilliant insight.

Taurus Sun, Scorpio Moon, Sagitarius Rising

[WarriorLady]

Thank you so, so much, Robert.

I publish weekly Tarot readings and counsel folks whenever I have time. And the first words that always come out of my mouth are "Now, I cannot tell you what to do." Then I move on with what I see in the cards and I also work with a little of what I see in the astrological chart.

It's all fun and games until someone asks what they should do with their lives! As a leader (counselor/astrologer/reader-- we're leaders), I feel that we need to be fair in our process by giving the recipient of a reading the sense-- the reality-- of responsibility for and control over their actions.

I've had a couple of folks never speak to me again because of this, but that itty-bitty number will never exceed the number who come back for more. Why? Because I focus on helping to empower others and helping them to learn how to empower themselves. (And you do the same, which is why so many love coming back here to read your articles and support your mission.)

I believe that the reason we become so confused when it comes time to make a decision is because we've probably been raised and/or educated in such a way that others have made decisions for us. Many of us have had little control over our own lives, we haven't been taught to take control, we don't feel worthy of taking control and being ourselves, and I feel that it is sometimes my job to remind others that the opposite is actually true.

Yes, the opposite is true. What we cannot control are natural occurrences (earthly shifts) and other people.

I conclude with a huge burp (Sagi rising here, too).

[Morvah]

Beautifully written Robert with a lovely freshness - this can't be repeated often enough. Its sad that so many still want someone else to take their decisions for them, tell them what to do and be. So more power to you and Warrior Lady and all who bring light into dark places.
Shanti

[Valerie]

Thank you Robert, and I remember the first article you wrote. Excellent recap we can all use. There are so many variables to consider in chasing Success. For me, my timing in the history of technology has been bad, but I think it's karma. In which case, if you get lemons, make lemonade. Or, something gets in the way, go around it. Work with what you've got. Also, with all my Cancer planets (5, plus south node), I am extremely passive in my whole approach to life and have even at times held myself back. Like I'm being too careful. Sometimes I just like to sit back and watch what the other fools are doing. I hold myself responsible for everything I do or don't do. This responsibility is something most people forget about, then they get mad or frustrated when they fail.

WarriorLady, I agree. I tell people when I do their charts that they have free will and can make their own decisions. I'm very emphatic about that.

Just an afterthought. I recently got a wonderful note from a young man thanking me for helping him to choose art as a career, and I realized that this was the true measure of success, not wealth or fame. It meant more to me than any Pulitzer Prize ever could. Put that in your pipe and smoke it, folks. :)

[anon]

Great article Robert. I have almost nothing but success in life, however almost none of it turned out how I wanted, or how I projected. This humbling realization turns my focus inward, to try to find what is real behind the masks of success.

[Robert]

Hi Jessica - I believe that as we embrace Dharma, the flow becomes natural, whether difficult or easy. Sometimes, we have to take on "temporary hardships" to ensure future well being. And of course, the opportunity to give loving care to those who have been close to us is a great thing! It is useful to remember that to defer is not the same as abandoning something. Some of what you ask is much more important than can be answered in a comment stream. FYI, Buddha was a Sun in Taurus with Moon in Scorpio. Perhaps there are lessons there.....

Hi WarriorLady - You're most welcome. To tell another what they must do would violate the Prime Directive. We must cultivate our "free will" or we will forever be ensnared by external appearances and opinions, most of which will only distract us from knowing the Truth of our Higher Self. We can suggest to others, but only up to a certain point. Then it's their life to sink or swim. That said, in my counseling sessions I offer others views of skills they may not know they had, and suggest how they might embrace their strengths and thereby overcome their deficiencies. Something about giving people fishing poles comes to mind.....

A big thumbs up to helping others to see it's entirely within their choice. Ultimately, the fact that someone who wants and needs wisdom chooses to reject or not speak with a source of light and wisdom is their loss. Not to sound too indifferent, but if Spirit and their Highest Self brought them to the Oracle, who are they to cop an attitude when they're given an answer they don't like? We must learn to make our own decisions lest we fall prey to another's manipulations. Taking responsibility for our decisions and actions is a healthy Saturn.

Hi Morvah - I do believe those who walk the walk perfectly understand the beautiful necessity of singing our own song while driving our own vehicle! Blessings be to music teachers and driver ed instructors in whatever guise they appear!!

Hi Valerie - Yes, this life and its lessons were set up last time, and how we respond, regardless of whether we apparently "succeed" or "fail," determines the tendencies next time. Also, the strength and imagination that's generated in an honest effort goes a long way to making sure it doesn't happen again. And boldness can be a disaster or a blessing, depending on how and when it manifests! Glad you could serve as a good guide for an artistic Soul. Bravo!

Hi anon - Success can be defined many ways. If our youth sets us up to bless our world in wonderful ways, why knock the rock? Everything is leading us to generate good will and benefits in our world. When we go within we find what matters to us, and then can make it real to benefit what we care about. Meanwhile, life is truly what happens while we're making plans.....

[Valerie]

Thanks again Robert, you do us all great honor. :)