The ancient Greeks believed that a trio of goddesses known as the Fates or Moirae controlled a person’s destiny. These goddesses were thought to be the daughters of either Night or Zeus and Themis and were traditionally portrayed as old women. The first daughter was Clotho, the spinner of life, symbolized by a spindle; the second daughter was Lachesis, the giver of lots, symbolized by a scroll or globe; and the third daughter was Atropos, the unbending one, who cut the thread of life and was symbolized by scales or shears. The decisions ....