..you may have heard of the mythical (from Chinese and other Asian mythology) red thread of fate that is supposed to connect a person with their true love. The red thread of fate ties them to each other and according to what I’ve read, ensures they will end up together. I wonder if a similar metaphorical red thread connects us to particular people (not just lovers), situations, or events, and they show up in our lives at some preordained time.
I love this post because yes, our protagonist's must encounter challenges and demons for our readers to see that they have grown and expanded. And we as authors must put our beloved protagonist in harm's way. Many a writing instructor I have heard say: who wants to read a book where nothing happens? I remember in an early astrology class when we were dissecting our own charts, I was stricken with the fact that I had a fair amount of squares and oppositions in my chart. Alack and alas, I was doomed! But the astrology teacher came over and said, "Aah, yes you have this square and that opposition, but you must realize these are what make a life. These trials, these ups and downs and how you handle them are what makes life interesting. If you had none of those, your life would be boring." That bolstered me and I came to embrace challenges (what else could I do)? I found out later that a co-worker of mine had the most pristine chart: Trines, conjunctions of primo planets, no squares. She has led a predictable and comfortable life and I am happy for her. Me, mine's had challenges, but I've overcome them, and through strife, I've learned a heckuva lot. And have a lot of stories to tell. So yes, I'll always look for that protagonist who has a lot on her plate b/c life is a banquet, and not always what we think we'd like, but oftentimes that is what gives it spice.
Jeanine, I have natal squares and retrogrades, with a few sextiles thrown in to sweeten the deal. I agree, it does make life interesting. And, yes to the stories! Thank you for reading and sharing!
A wonderful and very thought-provoking post, Priya.
I don’t feel as though fate discounts agency or freewill. I think of fate as that feeling in us that calls — like the one that called you to write a novel. And I feel like it is our freewill to choose if we follow the call. However, I do think that if we don’t follow our call — it can often lead to a lot of heartache and struggle because we’re not honouring what our soul wants us to do. And however again, I think that even when we follow our call that doesn’t mean our lives will be easy and that everything will work out — but we will, at least, feel like we’re doing what’s right for us.
That’s my long-winded way of saying it’s complicated haha :)
Michael, you just summarized what it took upto my forties to learn! Fate also in the kinds of situations we may find ourselves in and what we do with them is up to us! Thank you for reading and sharing!
Thought provoking is there is a hormone produced in human brain and kidneys that leaks into bloodstream. It increases insulin resistance to not have high levels of glucose in the blood. Perhaps there the answer to fate lies within the genetic code.
As for red thread to connect true lovers; I think the thread ensnares brings a couple together and chemistry, pheromones, eyes pierce into the heart and soul of one another. The couple have free will to engage in a relationship or not. It’s their choice. With frequency of divorce maybe wrong one. Try again.
As for fate, best used as a metaphor in a story. However dreams do see more of future possibilities. You just have to recognize their significance.
Richard, fate as metaphor is brilliant! It can be biological limits, or other constraints that are part of reality. Thank you, there is lots to think about there.
Interesting musings, dear Priya. I do believe we're connected to particular people, situations, and opportunities that indeed teach us about ourselves more, that make us change, that make life easier or maybe harder. But it's for the better even if we may not see it at first.
Priya - you ask if we believe in fate. I've lived many decades with an absolute belief in Fate. Many unpredictable turns in my life path were solely the result of Fate's breeze against my face. Sometimes Fate's force is not a breeze, but life-challenging gusts that upend even the firmest of intentions for pursuing a particular path.
A few decades ago, there were some soft revolutions in authoritarian societies around the globe. I was much impressed with these seemingly spontaneous group outbursts of people's desire to live more authentically, in responsive, self-determined civil spheres. A few intellectuals began writing about the emergence of "civil society" movements as a force for positive global change.
I wanted to be involved in this emerging field. Anticipating what credentials someone would need to have agency in such ad hoc movements, I began master's degree study in the New York State University system, with stated goals of learning the genesis of this new movement toward civility and assisting the furtherance of the apparent trajectories of disparate, but similarly attuned groups.
At the time of beginning the master's study, there were not any established degree programs encapsulating what I wanted to study. Step one was to define what I wanted to learn, and get the unique plan approved by the State University system. I was successful in this and began the individualized program of study. I imagined I would finish the master's, retire from my day job, and begin an encore career promoting democracy overseas.
Overpowering gusts of Fate blew me completely off this path. Simultaneous demands on my time for a huge years-long project in my day job, and extra requirements in my step-parenting overwhelmed me.
Had my plan been successful. I would likely have found myself in the midst of serious trouble in Ukraine or Georgia - two former Soviet countries I had focused on. Certainly, I'd now either be imprisoned or dead had not Fate knocked me off my path.
Your fabulous writing so often instigates reflection of my life path. It makes me want to re-read Erving Polster's "Every Person's Life Is Worth A Novel," and continue this examination of Fate you've inspired.
Richard, thank you for sharing this story. So much makes sense in retrospect. It reminds me of a children’s book that one of my kid’s read- It could’ve been worse. It’s about all the near misses we don’t realize we were in danger of.
Priya, your essay beautifully talks about finding your passion and facing your fears. Your thoughts on writing, fate, and free will are interesting and easy to connect with.
I love this post because yes, our protagonist's must encounter challenges and demons for our readers to see that they have grown and expanded. And we as authors must put our beloved protagonist in harm's way. Many a writing instructor I have heard say: who wants to read a book where nothing happens? I remember in an early astrology class when we were dissecting our own charts, I was stricken with the fact that I had a fair amount of squares and oppositions in my chart. Alack and alas, I was doomed! But the astrology teacher came over and said, "Aah, yes you have this square and that opposition, but you must realize these are what make a life. These trials, these ups and downs and how you handle them are what makes life interesting. If you had none of those, your life would be boring." That bolstered me and I came to embrace challenges (what else could I do)? I found out later that a co-worker of mine had the most pristine chart: Trines, conjunctions of primo planets, no squares. She has led a predictable and comfortable life and I am happy for her. Me, mine's had challenges, but I've overcome them, and through strife, I've learned a heckuva lot. And have a lot of stories to tell. So yes, I'll always look for that protagonist who has a lot on her plate b/c life is a banquet, and not always what we think we'd like, but oftentimes that is what gives it spice.
Jeanine, I have natal squares and retrogrades, with a few sextiles thrown in to sweeten the deal. I agree, it does make life interesting. And, yes to the stories! Thank you for reading and sharing!
A wonderful and very thought-provoking post, Priya.
I don’t feel as though fate discounts agency or freewill. I think of fate as that feeling in us that calls — like the one that called you to write a novel. And I feel like it is our freewill to choose if we follow the call. However, I do think that if we don’t follow our call — it can often lead to a lot of heartache and struggle because we’re not honouring what our soul wants us to do. And however again, I think that even when we follow our call that doesn’t mean our lives will be easy and that everything will work out — but we will, at least, feel like we’re doing what’s right for us.
That’s my long-winded way of saying it’s complicated haha :)
Michael, you just summarized what it took upto my forties to learn! Fate also in the kinds of situations we may find ourselves in and what we do with them is up to us! Thank you for reading and sharing!
Yes, I totally agree with that as well. Thanks Priya :)
Greek mythology: There are three Fates:
Knothole: controlled length of human life.
Atropos: cut the thread of life.
Lachesis: measured the length of life.
Fate becomes a metaphor. Like Karma.
Thought provoking is there is a hormone produced in human brain and kidneys that leaks into bloodstream. It increases insulin resistance to not have high levels of glucose in the blood. Perhaps there the answer to fate lies within the genetic code.
As for red thread to connect true lovers; I think the thread ensnares brings a couple together and chemistry, pheromones, eyes pierce into the heart and soul of one another. The couple have free will to engage in a relationship or not. It’s their choice. With frequency of divorce maybe wrong one. Try again.
As for fate, best used as a metaphor in a story. However dreams do see more of future possibilities. You just have to recognize their significance.
Richard, fate as metaphor is brilliant! It can be biological limits, or other constraints that are part of reality. Thank you, there is lots to think about there.
Knothole s/b “Klotho”
Interesting musings, dear Priya. I do believe we're connected to particular people, situations, and opportunities that indeed teach us about ourselves more, that make us change, that make life easier or maybe harder. But it's for the better even if we may not see it at first.
I agree, Nadia, that often how it has helped is only visible in retrospect. Thank you for reading!
Priya - you ask if we believe in fate. I've lived many decades with an absolute belief in Fate. Many unpredictable turns in my life path were solely the result of Fate's breeze against my face. Sometimes Fate's force is not a breeze, but life-challenging gusts that upend even the firmest of intentions for pursuing a particular path.
A few decades ago, there were some soft revolutions in authoritarian societies around the globe. I was much impressed with these seemingly spontaneous group outbursts of people's desire to live more authentically, in responsive, self-determined civil spheres. A few intellectuals began writing about the emergence of "civil society" movements as a force for positive global change.
I wanted to be involved in this emerging field. Anticipating what credentials someone would need to have agency in such ad hoc movements, I began master's degree study in the New York State University system, with stated goals of learning the genesis of this new movement toward civility and assisting the furtherance of the apparent trajectories of disparate, but similarly attuned groups.
At the time of beginning the master's study, there were not any established degree programs encapsulating what I wanted to study. Step one was to define what I wanted to learn, and get the unique plan approved by the State University system. I was successful in this and began the individualized program of study. I imagined I would finish the master's, retire from my day job, and begin an encore career promoting democracy overseas.
Overpowering gusts of Fate blew me completely off this path. Simultaneous demands on my time for a huge years-long project in my day job, and extra requirements in my step-parenting overwhelmed me.
Had my plan been successful. I would likely have found myself in the midst of serious trouble in Ukraine or Georgia - two former Soviet countries I had focused on. Certainly, I'd now either be imprisoned or dead had not Fate knocked me off my path.
Your fabulous writing so often instigates reflection of my life path. It makes me want to re-read Erving Polster's "Every Person's Life Is Worth A Novel," and continue this examination of Fate you've inspired.
Richard, thank you for sharing this story. So much makes sense in retrospect. It reminds me of a children’s book that one of my kid’s read- It could’ve been worse. It’s about all the near misses we don’t realize we were in danger of.
Priya, your essay beautifully talks about finding your passion and facing your fears. Your thoughts on writing, fate, and free will are interesting and easy to connect with.