Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Astrology of Fate

Rate this book
Combining an understanding of astrological symbolism and the psychological processes involved in the pursuit of individuality, the author shares insights about how the concept of fate evolves. Through myths, fairy tales, and zodiacal signs, she shows usthis mythological journey.

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

124 people are currently reading
1900 people want to read

About the author

Liz Greene

76 books448 followers
Liz Greene is held in high esteem by astrologers all over the world, professional and non-professional alike. She is a prolific author of books and various publications and has been instrumental in shaping modern psychological astrology.

She holds doctorate degrees in psychology and (as of 2010) in history and is a qualified Jungian analyst. She also holds a diploma in counselling from the Centre for Transpersonal Psychology in London, and a diploma from the Faculty of Astrological Studies, of which she is a lifetime Patron.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
238 (52%)
4 stars
145 (32%)
3 stars
59 (13%)
2 stars
7 (1%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for PJ Who Once Was Peejay.
207 reviews32 followers
June 10, 2015
The title of this book might imply a certain hopelessness or a sense of being trapped by Fate. Nothing could be further from the truth. What this book reinforced for me is the knowledge that when we begin to comprehend the necessity behind our existence, there is liberation. When we get down to the bedrock of who we are, we see that our true individuality makes us participants in the journey of our life, not helpless creatures stuck in a vast spider web of someone else's making. The Astrology of Fate reminds me of James Hillman's book, The Soul's Code, which also showed me that in accepting and understanding who I truly am, I can be more than the facts of my life--or the configuration of my stars.
Profile Image for Colin McPhillamy.
41 reviews6 followers
July 17, 2016
Anyone with a more than passing interest in astrology would benefit from acquaintance with Liz Greene's books. She combines an easy writing style with some academic and intellectual heft which provides deep insight into astrological principles, yet remains accessible to all levels of understanding.
Sign by sign, myths and meanings are explored and expounded in depth and detail. This whole volume riffs on the meeting point of fate and free will.

This book is also remarkable for the personal story in the Fate and Sychronicity chapter where Liz Greene tells us of her singular encounter with Isobel Hickey. Whatever Ms Hickey's purpose, and however conscious it was or was not, her rejection of the young Liz Greene spurred the development of 20th and 21st astrology in a way that perhaps could not have been achieved otherwise.

Now, in the second decade of the 21st century, it would be hard to overstate the value of Liz Greene's contribution to modern astrological teaching, thinking, practice and its integration in the helping professions.
Profile Image for Sofia.
3 reviews
August 19, 2013
This was definitely a book I was able to deeply resonate with. Having Pluto strongly aspected in my chart as well as Scorpio as the only water sign where I have planetary placements, Liz’s tales, myths and case studies were very easy to relate to and I saw myself enjoying the journey into the underworld, albeit still more on an intellectual level (I felt the people in the case studies had a first hand experience of Pluto energies stronger than I have ever had).

Also, I thought it was great to explore the idea of fate as the “darker aspect” of what we identify as one's "purpose". As Liz points out herself, it seems that nowadays when we believe we have no control over what happens in our lives we immediately relate it to something bad (fate), whereas when we believe we are pursuing something ourselves, something that we feel good about or that we believe will brings us happiness we tend to call it “purpose” or “destiny”. Thinking of both these concepts as actually being different facets of the same “force” or “universal intelligence” that drives us from within and also from outside makes total sense to me.

All these praises being sung, I also noticed that the book carries a heavier interpretation of Astrology that perhaps will not be everyone’s cup of tea. In addition to questioning the idea of Astrology only presenting “potentiality” in someone’s chart (after all, she is advocating for a deeper consideration of the fundamental issue of fate in how Astrology works), the myths, cases and stories used to illustrate the book seem to all possess a clear penchant for the “dark side” of things. It is a great book, however, and perhaps it is just as difficult a read as facing our own journey into our personal (and collective) shadow.
Profile Image for Myr.
16 reviews
August 19, 2012
Love this book. Alot of research and knowledge about roman and greek mythology all woven through the fine lens of a jungan scholar and an adept astrologer.
The psychological depth inwhich Liz Greene is able to penetrate and decipher human nature at its most primal makes for informative reading.
This book would be a good read for all who work in the mental health professions?
Profile Image for SL.
452 reviews23 followers
Read
August 28, 2020
Overall an interesting read - not going to rate this one because I feel like I'm just trying to learn from these astrology books more about it, rather than rate the quality. Much to contemplate and think about, I appreciated a lot of the insights on family astrology (so cool that it's all connected) and the Jungian concepts that linked to astrology are cool. However, the downsides, as with most old astrology texts is that they are incredibly white (Western focus), heteronormative, and not at all really careful about rape culture (like, there's some awareness, but I seriously think that if we were more cautious, we could've avoided uncomfortable... hm, what's the word? interpretations? Also I'd add that I think this text would be better once I've studied more of aspects, etc, and have a better ability to really picture/visualize them.
11 reviews2 followers
February 5, 2022
Ho praticamente divorato questo libro, leggerlo in questo periodo della mia vita è stato davvero un incontro del destino.

Avrei voluto valutarlo con 5 stelle però devo ammettere che molte parti del testo sono rivolte esclusivamente a chi ha una conoscenza approfondita dell'astrologia per cui mi sono risultate un po' ostiche (ho una conoscenza astrologica ancora molto basilare).

La parte più straordinaria in assoluto è stata la prima intitolata "Moira". L'autrice fa un'analisi tra il concetto di Destino e il Femminile che mi ha letteralmente sconvolta per la sua profondità e per gli spunti di riflessioni incredibili che regala. Anche la riflessione su Plutone e sul suo significato archetipico e astrologico mi ha aiutato a fare chiarezza su un pianeta che è molto difficile decifrare.

La seconda parte, quella dedicata ai miti connessi a ciascun segno zodiacale, è quella più leggibile per chi non ha una minima conoscenza di base dell'astrologia, ma è anche quella che getta una luce nuova rispetto ai miti di base che vengono comunemente associati a ciascun segno.

È un libro che consiglio assolutamente anche se mi rendo conto che non è un libro per tutti e, per essere apprezzato davvero, necessita di una certa sensibilità e predisposizione.
Profile Image for Neelam Kapadia.
2 reviews15 followers
Read
March 27, 2013
Liz Greene has a wonderful knack for getting under the skin of each sign. Loved the myths,,especially the aries, sag, aqua n cancer ones.
The intense section on 'Pluto and the family/collective fate' strangely manages to give hope, and serenity to the individual having heavy aspects with Pluto.
The part on fate and synchronicity is a section no one would understand unless they experienced it themselves. She explains in the most simple no frills manner, the meeting of the inner subjective experience and the outer objective 'event'.If a person is even mildly aware of the mysterious unity between 'what happens outside' and 'what is going on inside',this chapter is sure to set their blood on fire.The quotes by Jung, says it all,,'free will is the ability to gladly do which I must do''.The whole point of the book seems to be in that mysterious paradox/marriage of destiny and free will.
'Jungians' would nod at every word. For the beginner,read for 'soul tremors'.
Profile Image for Kira G.
113 reviews
September 7, 2015
Introspective and healing. The title of the book may imply a certain hopelessness or a sense of being trapped by fate. Nothing could be further from the truth. What I felt that Liz Greene did an amazing job of exploring was the knowledge that when you begin to recognize the necessity behind our existence and ALL of our experiences, what you find is liberation.
Profile Image for Emily Zuckerman.
37 reviews
October 23, 2024
Really interesting read overall but part of the time (a lot of the time) it was hard to follow and felt like a chore to finish despite really enjoying the subject matter. Parts of this definitely did not age well lol
Profile Image for Anita Ashland.
278 reviews19 followers
August 1, 2020
Jungian analyst and astrologer Liz Greene takes on the topic of fate in this masterful book. She doesn't offer easy answers and deals with the topic with much depth. She reminds us that individuation is the endeavor to, as Jungian analyst Aniela Jaffe said, ‘make what fate intends to do with us entirely our own intention’

She also has a section devoted to the Pluto archetype in astrology. "Pluto's favourite entrances, I believe, are the volcanoes, where some apparently insignificant event triggers a great gush of alien and often terrifying rage, jealousy, hatred, fear or murderousness, that reveals that we are not quite so civilised as we seem. "

Parents, fate vs. Providence (i.e. God's will), the 12 zodiac signs, and insights about many of the other planets are some of the other topics she covers.
Profile Image for Dee Dunckley.
45 reviews3 followers
August 25, 2012
Excellent work on Pluto using astrology, mythology and psychology (including actual case studies) to explain the various ways this small but intense planet can work on the psyche, experiences and circumstances that combine to make up a person's 'fate'.
Profile Image for Yitzchok.
Author 1 book45 followers
January 22, 2014
I wasn't crazy about the lengths and details of all the myths associated with the zodiac that Liz expanded on in such great deal. However her chapters about fate, about how she became an astrologer, were awesome!
Profile Image for Jon Adler.
114 reviews1 follower
January 13, 2024
Really good. I got this copy from the library, and ordered my own before I had even finished it.

My one caveat is that the chart examples & walkthroughs can be a bit overwhelming and tedious, but that’s par for the course with Greene’s work; definitely would be easier to track with those in an in-person classroom setting.

Greene does a great job explaining fate through the ages, and how the Greeks and Medievals viewed the inevitability of things happening. She also goes through & explains in depth the myths associated with each zodiac sign.

I’d previously read her do this very thing in *Modern Lectures in Astrology*, but she went more in-depth here. I particularly, of course, was focused on the myths which are most pertinent to my chart: Cancer, Capricorn, and Gemini. I had forgotten how the crab was associated in myth with Hera, and how it fits into the larger Greek dichotomy of Hera (female) vs Zeus (male) - in the broadest archetypal terms.

Her chapter on how Medieval astrologers predicted the death of King Henry II of France was amazing. I’m fascinated by the idea of our relationship with fate as a species developing over time - how life in the modern world might give less power to our relationships to signifiers in our charts. I want my own copy in part to be able to refer to that story again and again.

Towards the end, Greene also talks about her own experiences with synchronicity & astrology, and recounts her initial exposure to astrology at the hands of Ms. Isabelle Hickey. Greene usually avoids discussing her personal life (at least, in the works I’ve read of hers), so it was fascinating to hear about their meeting - and, how after a warm and excited welcome, Hickey turned on Greene and made it clear she wanted nothing to do with her, even refusing to share a copy of her chart after their reading. Greene pointed out that this baffling experience probably compelled her even *more* to learn astrology for herself, to try and understand the sudden shift in Hickey’s countenance - a fascinating anecdote. Makes me like Greene even more.

Greene also includes a glossary of mythic figures at the end, which I think will be quite useful in my studies going forward.
68 reviews
November 24, 2023
A dense but fascinating book examining astrology through myths / with a Jungian lens. There's an emphasis on Pluto which I now understand to be a real scary planet. I think my favorite part of this book was that Greene teaches us to treat examining different parts of birth charts (particularly planets in a certain house) as entering a temple of a God. This treatment of signs is so distinct from other astrology books I have read, which Greene would term "cookbook astrology." She goes through each sign and examines the myths associated with it - it's absolutely fascinating and really fun for anyone who enjoys astrology, myths/fairytales, or just even just thinking about why certain symbols have been pervasive across history.

It was a bit too dense for me though and I lugged through it for months (didn't help that the font was so small on the free eBook). Some of it felt a bit dated as well. I hope to give the parts I really liked a reread and recommend to anyone interested in astrology!
Profile Image for Sarah Murphy.
71 reviews
February 8, 2023
This book is very much based on myths ...Jung theory and psychology. It was written almost 40 years ago, but I don't think it dated. It is interesting as long it questions the usual way the future is derived and that instead a broader look at the subject matter...are we as humans fated and what is fate. I read the book years ago, then just read it again. It doesn't offer solid conclusion, it is rather a philosophical, theological and psychology debate about astrology from a devination point of view. Liz Greene is a psychogist and using astrology to treat patients ...It is interesting as are here discussions about related subject matters in other books she has written. She writes from a different angle, and makes the reader think long after the book is finished and put down.
Profile Image for Debby Friday.
66 reviews4 followers
September 29, 2024
Liz Greene is my favourite astrology writer and I have several copies of her books but this is by far my favourite of them all. Highly recommend to all who are serious about astrology as a spiritual practice and interested in understanding the mythical and philosophical underpinnings of how the planets work in our lives. I go back to this book often just to reflect and I always take away something new.
Profile Image for Britt.
37 reviews1 follower
July 1, 2024
I forgive Liz Greene for conflating signs/planets/houses because she does such an amazing job of weaving together myth, story, philosophy and Jungian psychology. I'll return to this book time and time again.
Profile Image for L.A. Jacob.
Author 19 books11 followers
March 26, 2018
Dense, but informative. Unfortunately I couldn't read it very well because the print was so small. Didn't finish it.
Profile Image for Dian Burns.
Author 19 books2 followers
February 19, 2022
Thoroughly researched, over opinionated and not worth the read.
Profile Image for Mallory White.
15 reviews
December 5, 2024
Doesn't get better than Liz Greene! Not for beginners , it's more of a dense read but absolutely fantastic for the astrology students.
Profile Image for Katie.
25 reviews1 follower
December 9, 2024
greene manages to answer all of the secrets of the universe without making any definitive statements

incredible exploration of pluto, familial astrology, and personal daimon
Profile Image for Emmish.
303 reviews
May 18, 2021
are we fated or are we free?
wow one of the most mindblowing books i've read

-DARK side of astro with pluto
-image as mediator from literal to figurative
-helped me get more on board with God via the Moira fate Providence Synchronicity Self thing
-destiny/grace or gloom? (providence/moira) (314)
-myth functions on inner and outer level- your character is your destiny (271)
-is Self it??? Or are there newer constructs we can conceive of to......idek the right verb. x our fate?? not reconcile, not ameliorate.....reminiscent of hollis's spiral imagery- we will face the same tasks in diff situs/levels but depth psych is helpful in that we can at least be aware of that. i hated that before- anything short of free will/you can assign meaning to exp (dfw) was unpalatable to me.
-what u love is your destiny (169) one of my fav passages "thus one's love is one's destiny, because it reflects the god within oneself" (169)
-psychic inheritance, pluto as scapegoat/magnet for "bad" projections
-Cancer as ouroboros, nurturing the image to form, Great/Terrible mother, Aquarius as Prometheus, instinct for consciousness and unconsciousness- a lonely cost to giving humans fire, Pisces as the fishes, the victim and savior hand in hand.
Profile Image for Jack.
15 reviews14 followers
March 10, 2025
Perhaps one of the most pervasive and insoluble questions that has plagued myriad philosophers, poets and thinkers for time immemorial is the question of whether we are fated or free. Liz Greene’s The Astrology of Fate is not an attempt to answer this question once and for all, but to dissect the question itself and to open doors by asking such questions, rather than providing a determined search for an unambiguous answer. This makes for a very enlightening and thought-provoking read, full of references to astrology and mythology.

Greene illustrates that fate has long been associated with the feminine and thus introduces us to the ancient concept of Moira. The Moira sisters, or the Erinyes, are three mythological women (often depicted as witches) who span and weaved the thread of our lives, from birth to death in Greek mythology. Why is there an association between fate and the feminine? Is it because we most closely associate the inception of our lives with the life-bearing personal mother, and which invokes some primeval, buried memory of the womb waters in which we gestate, grow, come to term? Discussed at length here is Neumann’s conception of the two-faced Great Mother, which is both benevolent and giving, yet also seductive, devouring, destroying, a minion of justice.

This brilliant book appeals to me on a visceral level, much like Camille Paglia's Sexual Personae (1990), because it tears our insipid, corporeal modern day rationalism to shreds, scattering it across the dank, dark forest floor that is Mother, or Fate, personified. Back to the barren earth this man-made hyper-rationality goes, its paper degrading and rotting amongst the underbrush, the twigs, the skeletal branches and decaying leaves that carpet the floor of the forest where it belongs. It is, perhaps, an exclusively male fantasy to eschew the sacred feminine principle - man, who is fated ultimately - to be swallowed back up by the mother that spat him back out in the beginning, who must reject the dark and spidery web of fate. Man, at his most optimistic or hopeful, who builds civilisation, and creates the body-and-flesh-denying Judeo-Christianity with its Sky God, in an attempt to deny the passage of time written on his mother-born body that he tries, futilely, to escape.

Yet our existence is not as hopeless as I have portrayed. Greene suggests there is a curious chasm that may be bridged between fate and free will, or Moira and the spirit. I won’t go into the how, or the why, because I think everyone interested in mythology and fate would benefit greatly by reading this superb book that shines an astrological lens on the dark, primal nature buried in everyone’s psyche and shunned in the last 2,000 years by Judeo-Christian culture.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.