The debate of free will is an age-old one and the study of astrology clarifies this in a tangible and certifiable manner: if something is not allocated potential in the birth chart, it cannot manifest in the life. While many people struggle to come to terms with this in today’s age of relativism and modernism, astrology proves it quantifiably.

While buying lottery tickets provides hope and a platform for dreams, if it is not indicated in the nativity, it would be more prudent to invest that money in something that can yield results; while desiring a large family is noble, if fertility is an issue in the nativity, fertility will be an issue in the life; while dreaming of becoming a Springbok hooker is a great aspiration, if the propensity for sporting aptitude and skill is not part of your bag of tricks, you may reach the level of club rugby, but national accolades will evade you.

It is far wiser to work with what you have and to maximize the areas of strength displayed in the birth chart. This would alleviate many of life’s hardships and disappointments as you would be painting on a canvas with which you are familiar. Astrology is also able to highlight the pitfalls and areas of vulnerability such as medical issues: implementing a wellness programme which would alleviate some of the negative impact of those planetary placements is advisable.

This does not mean we cannot allow ourselves to dream, and hope is an integral part of the human psyche; but far better to dream of (and hope for) things we could possibly achieve, than to dream for the sake of.