Total Control

[Chu]

So, I've been studying astrology more lately. (Although I still can't really discern why, but that's an entirely different subject.)

Well, as I browse through websites and forums and such, I'm seeing quite a few people trying to rule their lives with astrology. They feel that they have so much knowledge on the subject that they can use it to their advantage and stay a step ahead in life. Of course, there's always the element of surprise, not to mention the fact that it's much easier for us to analyze the past than the future, but that's beside the point.

Some of these people even plan pregnancies around astrology, and some take that a step further and schedule cesarean sections in order to ensure that their children have the right sun, moon, ascendant, descendant, midheaven, etc. So, in essence, they're trying to control what personality their child will have.

Maybe I'm idealistic, or maybe you could call me old-fashioned, but I'd rather "leave it to fate" to decide such things. I feel that if I were to have a child, I'd want them to turn out the way they were naturally intended, even if the end result wouldn't be that good. It would just make me feel more comfortable knowing that "this is how things should be" rather than knowing that I "tempted fate" or something. Now, I'm not sure how many of you know me that well, but this actually conflicts with my personality quite a bit. I'm an all-or-nothing go-getter. I'm controlling. I'm anxious. Hell, even my astrological personality (the controlling, manipulative Scorpio in Sun and Moon) points toward that. You'd think that I would jump at the opportunity to decide my child's personality, especially considering my growing knowledge in the field of astrology. But... it just feels wrong.

Of course, I don't mean to judge the people who would or do decide to control these things; I have absolutely no problem with it. It's just that I, personally, would be uncomfortable to try something like that.

I was also skimming through some horoscopes of mine for February. (I honestly don't put much faith in horoscopes, but hey, I was bored and already on the website. So sue me.) I happened to come across something talking about how Mars would have more prominence in my life this month. Considering I'm a Scorpio, whose ruling planet is Mars, this means quite a lot. I'll experience greater intensity in my relationships with others and have a greater drive to achieve what I want. It also went on to say that this is the first time in two years that I've experienced something like this. Two years ago, my relationship with my ex really started taking off. Needless to say, it made me quite excited to see that, even if I'm not all that trusting of it. Regardless, the horoscope gave me a little faith, as I'm at a time in my life where I'm seeking my own sense of "self" while fighting with depression and anxiety. Quite good!

Anyway, I'm ranting. The point of that tangent is that even that horoscope doesn't drive me to control or manipulate anything. It even mentioned specific dates where I'd make more progress in relationships with people (romantic or non-romantic) but still, I don't want to act on it. It's no insecurity or anything; again, I prefer to let things happen as they may.

I'm not trying to validate or invalidate astrology in any way here; it's simply a gateway into a conversation.

Say that, hypothetically, you were given something or learned something that allowed you to control any given aspect of your life, whether it be professionally, financially, romantically, etc. Would you take advantage of that "power" and try to make the ideal life for yourself (or those around you) or would you refrain from taking advantage of it? To what extent would you use it, if any? What types of things would you control?

This reminds me of something though: genetic manipulation. I couldn't even begin to understand the subject or possibilities, but I know that some people hope to be able to manipulate their child's DNA while it's still in the womb. Whether they want to change it's personality or physical appearance, they seem quite taken with the idea. Would you do that?

[ecco]

manipulating genetics... if i knew i were pregnant with a child that could have some condition or deformity or anything that could affect their quality of life (as well as possibly mine as a parent, depending on the problem) then given the chance, i would alter it. i would not mess with trivial things such as appearance, though. for example, my mum has only recently begun to open up to me about her condition (she also has NF, which is less of a pain but i have seen people stare when i'm with her before and i know she has had trouble from some people over it) but the condition she is so secretive about, i don't even know the name of it, but i now know it's the reason she's been an insomniac since she was 7 years old - she's now late 40's, and hasnt since slept a full night. knowing how badly this has affected her life, if i had the chance to prevent my own child going through such a thing, i would take it.

i belief we are in control of our own "fate" (or rather, just what happens in our life) to some extent, but that's not to say it's easy. in fact, it's incredibely hard to control your life to take the path you want it to. there are always obstacles in the way - be that other people, your health, your mental health, the laws of your country, your capabilities and so on... but, i do think there is the chance to shape things how we want, and sometimes it works. other times... it doesnt. and of course lady luck has her fair share of fun with our lives, like it or not...

as for astrology... i'm not sure, i think it may hold small parts of the truth. certainly i find that star signs tend to match up to people's personalities well - i'm pretty much a typical libra, and sam as a leo? wow. they dont come any more leo-like than him! XD
but, i dont think astrology gives us any particular advantage. however, if you heed it's advice and it turns out to be right about the sort of day you're going to have, sometimes it can pay off. ie, say it tells you that even if all you want to do is socialise, what you should be doing is fulfilling some sort of solitary endevour - sometimes it turns out that that was the right advice! but again, other times, completely wrong... XD

[Chu]

I don't even know if I'd manipulate the genes in that situation, honestly. Not sure why though... Maybe I would. o-0 It's hard to put myself in such a distant position.

I dunno, I can't help but feel that we're not in control of our lives at all. I have no evidence to back up this claim, of course, but I just think that there's something much larger and more complex going on pulling all the strings. Doesn't necessarily have to be a God or anything, but something. Spirituality will continue to confound us until the end of time.