Defusing the Power of Prophecy and Fate: Why Your Future Is Built by Decisions, Not Predictions

The weight of prophecy—whether magical, cultural, or simply inherited—can feel inescapable. It drags you like a current, especially when everyone expects you to play out their script. In Kaelan’s case, the 'prophecy' that he’ll bring war tempts everyone to treat him as a threat or pawn. But as the characters gradually recognize, scripts require participation: you only fulfill a prophecy if you accept its rules and arrange your actions accordingly.

Behavioral science calls this the self-fulfilling prophecy problem—when what you expect (about yourself or others) shapes behaviors that lead to the predicted result (see Merton, 1948; Rosenthal & Jacobson’s 'Pygmalion Effect'). The antidote is to recognize the script and try contrary action. Acting against expectation, even in one small way, disrupts the momentum of fate and often leads to a self-generated story, not a dictated repeat.

Whether with family, career, or personal weaknesses, the future is always partly built by present choices. You can choose different endings even when everyone else assumes the old one.

Have you ever felt like you’re acting out someone else’s story for your life? Today, take a few minutes and jot down the most powerful 'scripts' or predictions others have handed you—about success, love, temperament, or destiny. Notice where you might subconsciously cooperate with these stories. This week, intentionally go against one of them—make a new choice or try a new behavior to prove to yourself that your path is still being written. Reflect on the outcome, even if it feels small.