I’ve just found a beautiful explanation for the difference between ‘fate’ and ‘destiny’. It was written by Caitlin Matthews for edition 37 of ‘The Magician’ — the journal for The Tarot Guild of Australia.

Caitlin Matthews

“Fate is that which we cannot alter – e.g. our place of birth or basic physiology. Destiny is that which lies potentially within each of us: e.g. the gift of art that can develop, with practice, until we attain artistic expertise, or that can simply remain a pleasant hobby. Free will is about the choices we make for ourselves, the game we play with what we are given (both our fate and the potentialities of our destiny) and where we centre ourselves.”

People who are new to Tarot are often confused about the role of fate in their lives. They mistakenly assume their fate is inextricably linked to whatever they see in Tarot cards about their future. In reality, Tarot offers guidance about the most likely future outcome that will eventuate if you stay on your present course. At any point in life you can decide to change your present circumstances — and thereby change your future. This is how free will can alter your destiny.