Moirae

## Overview

In Greek mythology, **THE MOIRAE** (often known in English as the Fates) were personifications of destiny. They were three sisters: Clotho (the spinner), Lachesis (the allotter), and Atropos (the unturnable, a metaphor for death). Generally, they were considered to be above even the gods in their role as enforcers of fate, although some myths claim Zeus, the chief of the gods, was able to command them and was their father.

The concept of a universal principle of natural order and balance has been compared to similar concepts in other cultures such as Vedic Ṛta, Avestan Asha, or Egyptian Ma'at, suggesting the Moirae may have roots in Proto-Indo-European cultures and mythology. Their equivalent in Roman mythology is the Parcae.

## History

The Moirae, or the Fates as they may more commonly be known, are three ancient goddesses from Greco-Roman mythology. They were the daughters of Chronos and Ananke, two Primordials slain by the Titans during the Protogenomachy, but were fortunately saved by Nyx as she fled into the Dimensional Gap to escape the Titanic usurpers. As they grew up, fleeing from one esoteric realm to another with their foster mother and siblings, they began to learn how to cultivate the chaotic energies of the void and became powerful spellcasters.

At some point, they came into contact with Zurvan, who was impressed with their occult talents. Through eldritch pacts with the Progenitor, they were initiated into the Disciples of Destiny and were taught how to master the most powerful Dominion of the Fortune Purview, Destiny. When the Titanomachy broke out, the Moirae, much like the rest of their foster family, chose to side with the Kronides against the Titanic regime.

Some think that it was the intervention of the Moirae that may have made an Olympian victory even a possibility. Others think the sisters might have exaggerated their contribution to the war effort. It's impossible to say which theory holds more merit.

Following the fall of the Titans, the Moirae accepted Zeus' invitation to permanently relocate to Mount Olympus and become members of his personal court. Of course, this decision didn't come out of nowhere. An eldritch deal had been made, and though the details were never revealed to anyone else (even Zeus' siblings were in the dark), the Moirae pledged undying fealty to Zeus, accompanied with some magical assurances that would, hopefully, prevent them going turncoat on the Olympians.

The role that the Moirae played in ancient Greek life is an important one, and it is possible to find mention of them in nearly every Greek hero's saga. They were seen both as goddesses to worship and praise, but also ominous figures to fear. Mortals and immortals alike, if they have a hint of common sense, would fear and revere the Moirae, for they are not somebody to make enemies out of. For example, just check any Greek myth where people tried to fight against destiny - and subsequently, the Moirae - and see what fate awaited them.

However, while Greek legends and Theoi propaganda like to remind mortals that they cannot run or change their fate, the Moirae were not as all-powerful as they advertise themselves to be and their machinations do have their limits. Even they were unable to stop the encroaching of the Christian faith that dominates the majority of the western world and condemns pagan gods such as them.

## Trivia and Notes

### Trivia

* Some believe that Zeus' epithet Moiragetes(Leader of the Moirai) refer to more than his position as the adopted father/sworn liege of the Moirae, and that Zeus, much like the sisters, could have been initiated into the Disciples of Destiny at some point. Neither Zeus nor any of the Moirae has confirmed or denied anything.
* The Moirae are also classified as an immortal coven of eldritch witches, with Clotho as the Maiden, Lachesis as the Matron, and Atropos as the Crone. Some occult texts also attributed Zeus as the Elder or the Father of the coven.
* The Morae hate being mistaken for the Norns, who are seen as "inferior copies" by the sisters. The feelings are *very* mutual.
* Their duties include annual reports to Zeus in regard to any and all Fatebonds established by the Theoi and their Scions, as well as telling him of any potential prophecy so he may make adjustments in their wordings before they could be revealed to Apollo and/or the oracles.
* Several gods often work as agents of the Moirae, tasked with carrying out certain tasks that would cause a butterfly effect that would (hopefully) cause an intended effect to come to pass. Among these gods are Eileithyia, Tyche, Nemesis, Thanatos, and Eros.
* In ancient Greece, murder and suicide were considered blasphemies against them.
* In ancient Athens, women would offer them locks of their hair for a good pregnancy.
* According to Pausanias, in ancient Athens, people used to revere a pre-Olympian incarnation of Aphrodite known as Aphrodite Urania, titled "Eldest of the Fates". However, Aphrodite herself has rebuked this claim.
* In Plato's Republic, the Moirae were said to sing in unison with the music of the sirens: Lachesis sings of things that were, Clotho sings of things that are, and Atropos sings the things that are to be.

### Notes

* The name "Moirae" comes from Ancient Greek: μοῖρα, which means "lots, destinies, apportioners". It is related to *meros*, "part, lot" and *moros*, "fate, doom".
* In many versions, the Moirae were the daughters of Nyx, either with Erebus or by herself. However, in Hesiod's Theogony, the Moirae were called the daughters of Zeus with Themis and were sisters to the Horae; and in the Orphic hymns, they were instead portrayed as daughters of Chronos and Ananke.