“In times of turmoil – turn to the Fates.”
It is interesting to me that people talk about working with all kinds of Deities, but rarely do I hear talk about the Fates Deities. In our current world, with our current problems, I would think they would be the ones at the forefront of discussion, since they are the Weavers of change and cycles. Then it dawned on me, perhaps people either do not really know Them or do not see Them as I do.
Who Are The Fates?
Many Deities from a perspective could be associated with the idea of Fate, but I only know three groups who are the personification and actual Fates themselves.
Fates are generally a group of 3 female Divine figures. One who rules over the past, one who rules over the present, and one who rules over the future. It is together that they Weave and tend the fabric of life, the Web, moving and shifting the energetic strings for different outcomes and movements within the cycle of life.
I have seen some people associate them with Death because one of the Greek Fates is depicted as the one who cuts your string when your time is up. I see Them more engaged in the living cycles of life though – concerned about the cycles and repeating patterns of time – How we shift and move the strings of the Web through our actions, observing the results, and creating new patterns within cycles.
You could say They are the Keepers of Life, time, paths, and outcomes. Although that is a simplistic way of seeing Them, it works. One rules the Past, what has been – One Rules the Present, what is now – One rules the Future, what can be. They are not separate though, They are One in Their movements and work. All three sides are needed to create change, to forge new patterns, to hold and manage the Web of Life. They are equal to each other and part of each other.
They are also not really part of any Patheon but make up a Patheon all Their own. Everything, even the Gods, were beholden to Them because They weaved the Web of all things, including the fates of the Gods.
They are also all depicted as women, the Feminine Divine, for it is only through women that new life (birth) occurs.
These are the most famous and probably the ones people tend to think of the most. Three Women: Clotho, Lachesis, and Aisa. Three sisters who control Birth, Life, and Death. Often depicted with a spinning wheel and scissors.
The Norns are from Norse culture. Urd (the Past), Verandi (Present), and Skuld (what shall be). Three women who are depicted in two ways: The first is weaving, often in the form of weaving a tapestry but also a web. The second is at the base of the World Tree. Taking water from one of the sacred wells, mixing it with the dirt, and writing the history, present, and futures onto the tree itself with the mud, infusing the tree with their prophecy and bringing it forth into reality.
The last of the Fates Deities isn’t a separate trio of women, but one. Santa Muerte, although seen largely as Death itself, but because of Her female form and because of why people call to Her, She is not Just Death but Life and Birth – She all three Fates in One.
Her devotees come to Her about all aspects of Living, petitioning Her help in matters of love, justice, money, protection, work, study, just to name a few. One reason She is such a fast growing Deity popularity wise, is because devotees say She is fast in Her delivery and is extremely present in their lives. She is the Mother and that is how many see Her.
My Experiences
I have never worked with the Greek Fates so I know only what I have read, and I rarely see anyone talking about forming deep relationships/ devotion with Them.
The Norns I have worked with. Not from a devotional way per say, but more from a working and learning from Them aspect. I found Them to be fairly welcoming but more observational then intervention. This doesn’t mean They don’t, but I thin it definitely depends on your relationship with Them and the reasoning behind the changes you want. I learned a lot from Them though and gained a lot of insight into the Web, energy shifting, and cycles themselves.
Santa Muerte I have had a lot of experience with and have written about some of it over the years. Out of the three sets, She would who I would recommend for people who want the active work and not just the knowledge/wisdom. She is very present and working with Her gets tangible results. Like all Deities though, She is not a vending machine – and unlike some, She does require a strong bond/ devotion between you – the stronger the bond, the better the work.
Building that bond isn’t hard, imo, and it can go much faster than I have seen with other Deities. There are reasons for that, one of them because She is already connected to you, it is more a matter of you recognizing that, embracing it, and feeding the bond between you. She will demand certain things from you – what those are will be personal between you and Her – but we are talking about things such as time, commitment, and devotionals, not so much the physical offerings people think of. Many people who come to Her are poor, destitute, especially in Her early risings in Mexico, so spending money on items is not really the mode here. Candles, flowers, a glass of water, and image of Her is a perfect way to start an altar/ sacred space to start building that relationship – and if you can’t do any of that because of living circumstances you could just wear Her image (such as a medallion) or get a rosary and dedicate it to Her (if you are not christian which we here aren’t, take the cross off it – just my suggestion).
Why Fates Deities?
We have a lot going on in the world right now. We are at a time of chaos in change. From Technology, to economics, to politics, our world is being turned upside down and each of us is facing various uncertainties, more than the norm. In my opinion this is the perfect time to connect and work with the Fates. They control all of the Web and through Them the future is being weaved. If the working relationship is good, They can be your greatest ally in securing your future goals and current needs.
If you are scared, if you are struggling, if you are getting battered by the storms – pick one of the Fates groups, which ever you are drawn to, and start connecting. Reach out and start talking to Them. Use whatever your divination techniques are and start learning about Them from Them and strengthen/ building the bond.
One Divination Technique – Fates Dice
There is one divination technique that I personally like and it is a quick and easy way to start your day off with – Fates Dice. I will give you an example of mine, but you can also create your own with whatever your focuses are.
First I use 4 different kinds of dice – a d20 d12 d9 and d4. The d20 gives me the focus. The d12 gives me the constellation – thus its area/energy. The d9 gives me the planet and its domain energy. Lastly the d4 to see where in the cycle I need to focus – past, present, future, or all. In the picture below you will see my associations and chosen words for each.
In the morning I get up, roll the dice, and get either something I need to focus on that day – a movement I need to make, something to be aware of, or something I need to think deeper about. It’s quick, easy, and starts my day with our connection in mind.
In the End
If you have already worked with Deities before: We all have our own ways of doing things, communicating, and building bonds. Don’t get stuck in the logistics of what others say, use what you already know and follow the lead of the Fates you choose. Let Them guide you and tell you how to create and build with Them.
If you are new to Deities: Listen to others, get ideas and inspirations to experiment with and try. Go with what works and gives you real results. Once you have found your mode to communicate with Them, start learning directly from Them because our lessons, needs, and path are individual – they may resonate with others but also be vastly different.
That is what I would advise at least.
“In an uncertain world, it is always good to have the Fates at your back.”
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