Atropos 273

AtroposAtropos was one of the three Moirai, sisters known in English as “the Fates”.  The Fates were the daughters of Erebus (“Darkness”) and Nyx (“Night”), and even Zeus was subject to their dictates. Atropos was known as “the Cutter”, for it was her responsibility to determine the means of one’s demise, and to sever the thread of life at death.
She is also referred to as “the inflexible” or “the inevitable” due to her implacability. Atropos has lent her name to the plant genus Atropa, of which the most well-known poisonous variety is Atropa belladonna (“Deadly Nightshade”), from which the drug atropine is derived.

Astrologically, Atropos is a marker of death, also representing endings or transformations of other types. Individuals with Atropos prominent may acquire a reputation for “hardness” or inflexibility, and might find employment in hospice or other end-of-life positions.

Alex Miller is a professional writer and astrologer, author of The Black Hole Book, detailing deep space points in astrological interpretation, and the forthcoming Heaven on Earth, a comprehensive study of asteroids, both mythic and personal. Alex is a frequent contributor to “The Mountain Astrologer”, “Daykeeper Journal”, and NCGR’s Journals and “Enews Commentary”; his work has also appeared in “Aspects” magazine, “Dell Horoscope”, “Planetwaves”, “Neptune Café” and “Sasstrology.” He is a past president of Philadelphia Astrological Society, and a former board member for the Philadelphia Chapter of NCGR.

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