Where does the phrase "star-crossed lovers" come from? What does it mean to be star-crossed?

by vertexoflife
ComradeSomo

"Star-crossed lovers" is from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The stars in question refer to astrology, the concept that heavenly bodies can determine one's fate. So, it means that the lovers are being opposed, being "crossed", by fate - that their union is destined to fail.