Does Free Will Exist?

Dear Yael,

If free will really exists and we can actually choose what will happen in life, then how can you explain astrology?  If it is true that astrology tells us our future to a certain degree, does that not negate free will?

Nitsana

Dear Nitsana,

 
This is a brilliant question, and I am so happy you sent it in.  I would like to address the concept of free will.  I would also like to clarify that I will not be applying any religious viewpoints in order to respond to your question, making it so any individual can relate to what I am about to say.

I have had many people ask me if I believe in Astrology as if it is a god or some form of religious credo.  For me, even though I understand the workings of each astrological sign, the temperaments of the individual, and the physical attributes pertaining to each, I use Astrology as a tool in my life.  I do not buy into reading one's horoscopes every morning, nor do I believe that anyone nor anything can dictate a man's life - what it is now nor what it will be. 

However, after several years of personal studying (reading books and paying attention to basic Astrological trends and characteristics in life), I have come to understand that Astrology does not negate freewill, of which I am an avid proponent. 

Regarding freewill and the concept of predestination.  Imagine there are points A, B, C, D, and so forth.  Suppose we know that you will arrive at each destination, but how you arrive is your own decision.  Will you choose to use your legs, car, boat, or a plane to arrive at each point? The predestination factor always exists, but how you arrive is up to you.  Will you get there today or tomorrow?  That is also up to you, your environment, and other prevailing factors. 

Now, you may ask, "is it possible for me to avoid point C, if I make a different decision at point B?"  Perhaps you will avoid point C for a moment.  Perhaps point D will direct you to point C.  Eventually, you will arrive there, even if 10 years later. 

Human beings always have options.  Every choice, every moment is a crossroads, a life-altering event.  None of this negates freewill.  Nor does it negate predestination.  They can coexist.  Perhaps predestination and freewill constantly test and affirm their validity.  There is no male without female, nor a moon without a sun, nor a desert without an ocean. 

Astrology should not be used to avoid one's personal responsibilities in life, nor should it be looked to in place of God, religion, or one's own personal belief system.  I cannot argue that Astrology is the end-all and be-all.  It is a means to understand the self, others, and to accept our weaknesses and strengths.  I also do not believe that Astrology predicts your future.  An individual is made up of his past experiences, education, environment, DNA, and inner psychological workings.  Astrology is merely .05% of the entire person, in my book.  Those individuals who depend on it with their very beings will surely be disappointed.  Astrology is a supplemental device, not the root of life.

The meat of western Astrology is very complex.  In short, it gives you basic guidelines and trends according to the seasons and planetary alignments.  Some periods of the year are calmer than others.  Others are more tense.  One's interaction with these alignments depends on the nature of the individual's zodiac sign (and not simply the Sun sign, but also the Moon, the Ascendant, Mars, Mercury, Venus, etc).  Each of us reacts to external stimuli (i.e. the planetary shifts) according to our astrological profile.

Finally, I would like to recapitulate that there is no contradiction between Astrology and freewill.  Perhaps, all of this may seem paradoxical, but a dear friend of mine recently reminded me that for human beings to truly manifest their potential, they must live in and embrace this balance in life.  Her words, "The trick is to embrace it, not to fear it."

Once more, thank you for your fascinating question,
Yael