Horary astrology, one of
the oldest forms of astrology is used to answer a specific question, usually,
but not always, involving a yes or no answer. Meaning, “of the hour”, Horary
is founded on the premise that the answer to a question lies in the moment it is
asked. The existence of a problem implies that the solution also exists and is
held in the moment of inquiry. The Horary chart is calculated for the time the astrologer receives and
understands the question. The matter must be of personal significance and
meaning for the person asking the question, who is called the Querent. There must be a
sincere and valid need for the answer.
A question of great importance shows unmistakable
significance in the chart that is drawn up, whereas trivial or confusing
questions will show that very kind of chart. The significance one is able to
extract from a Horary chart depends upon the quality of consciousness of the
person posing the question. There are often special ties between the Horary
Chart and the chart of the Querent for truly pressing concerns. Any confusion in
the mind of the Querent will also show in the chart.
Posing the question clearly is of utmost importance since
it can’t be changed later. The lifespan of a question is about three months so
there’s no use seeking a better answer every day by modifying the wording of a
question. This only results in less and less meaningful charts.
However, there is a form of astrology called Electional Astrology in
which you can choose the best time to undertake anything from marriage to the
opening day of a business. A book on selecting an appropriate time for these and
other undertakings is called Timing
of Events by Bruce Scofield. This and other recommended books can be found in the library.
There are tips in my book, Lunar
Nodes about selecting the best time for any undertaking to secure extra
blessings.
Horary charts should be reserved for special matters
because they require that very rigid rules be applied and complete objectivity
is required in order to arrive at a correct answer. Among the more difficult
techniques to master, a book called Horary
Astrology, Plain & Simple by Anthony Louis may be a big help in
learning to interpret these charts. See
the reader reviews.
With no allowance for
subjectivity, the answer is there and the astrologer must go about finding it
without personal attachment. In fact, this is one of the Strictures Against
Judgment, among the first features to assess when reading the Horary chart.
These are the traditional strictures against judgment,
meaning that there is some element present that causes the chart to be invalid.
Modern astrologers differ in their adherence to these strictures and may read
the chart, considering the strictures as precautions only. I hold to them to arrive at the correct answer, but also observe
the remaining chart features. The Strictures are:
Less than 3
degrees on the Ascendant: One indication of an invalid chart is having less than
three degrees of a sign on the Ascendant. This deems the question premature. The
matter has not developed sufficiently for such a question at this time.
Later than 27
degrees on the Ascendant: Having more than 27 degrees of a sign on the Ascendant
position indicates that the matter has already come to conclusion, thus the
question is no longer relevant.
The one exception to these first two strictures is when the
degree rising also conjuncts a planet in the chart of the Querent; in that case
the question is of some special concern and importance, especially when the planet is
significantly tied to the matter in question.
Void of Course
Moon: If the Moon is Void of Course, the chart is unreliable and nothing will
function properly. Void of Course means that the Moon is so late into a sign
that it will make no major aspect to another planet before leaving the sign its
in. The Moon holds great importance in Horary charts. It rules function and so
this absence of a future aspect suggests that nothing will come of the question.
It may also denote lack of clear purpose in the mind of the Querent or
vacillation on the matter. Find out what
a Void of Course Moon is good for.
Saturn in the
Seventh House: If Saturn is in the 7th house, it also renders the
chart unreadable. In this case it’s the astrologer reading the chart whose
judgment is impaired and who may be unable to arrive at the clear and correct
answer.
Moon in the Via
Combusta: The last stricture is if the Moon is in the Via Combusta; 15 degrees
of Libra to 15 degrees of Scorpio. Traditionally, this portion of the zodiac
contained several malevolent fixed stars that debilitated a planet.
Seginus, at 17 Libra
was associated with loss through friends and companies; disgrace and ruin.
Foramen, a redish star at 22 Libra, was associated with peril.
Because the precession of the equinoxes now places the
traditional Via Combusta some ten degrees earlier, this stricture is often
ignored. Here, however, the Moon is said to function similar to Moon conjunct
Uranus, indicating abrupt changes that will alter the situation and/or bring an
unfavorable outcome for the Querent.
The exception to this stricture is if the Moon is in the
23rd-24th degree of Libra. These degrees traditionally partake of the
fortune from two beneficial fixed stars.
Spika, also known as
Arista is a twinned star at 23 Libra, bringing unexpected advancement and honor beyond all
hopes or capacity. Arcturus was said to bring riches, honor and high renown. A
reference in the Library by Vivian Robson, called Fixed
Stars & Constellations covers each
of the fixed stars, their zodiac position and meaning.
Read Nodal
Degrees & Fateful Events for information on a condition that takes
matters out of the hands of the Querent.
The Querent is the person with the query of course. The
Significator for the Querent is the planet ruling the 1st house of the chart.
The subject of the inquiry is called the Quesited and this Significator is the
planet ruling the house relevant to the inquiry. Each house rules different
issues and this is why the question must be clearly stated and clear in the mind
of the astrologer. Deciding on exactly which house is to be under scrutiny
before proceeding to read the chart eliminates confusion.
The 10th house governs questions pertaining to career, so
the ruler of the 10th is the Significator of the Quesited for these
inquiries. Questions pertaining to marriage are a 7th house subject,
so the planet ruling the 7th becomes the Significator. Real estate is
governed by the 4th, children and romance by the 5th,
property and possessions by the 2nd, employees by the 6th,
lawsuits by the 7th, etc. (see more on The
Houses)
Sometimes the Significator of the Querent is also the
Significator for the Quesited. In such a case, the Moon becomes co-Significator
of the Querent and the Quesited retains the original Significator. The Moon also
becomes the Significator of the Querent if the original Significator is
retrograde or not in aspect to the Significator of the Quesited.
Since the 1st house rules the Querent and the
question, planets placed there are quite significant in determining the outcome.
The Sun in the 1st house indicates a question of some significance
and that a solution will come about quickly. The Moon in the 1st house shows
indecisiveness on the part of the Querent.
Mercury in the 1st house indicates speed in
regard to the matter and may be connected to a document. Venus or Jupiter in the
1st house is beneficial. They show an outcome likely to be that which
the Querent desires, unless afflicted. Mars in the 1st house
indicates immediate action.
Saturn represents delays in regard to the matter and
additional responsibility. Uranus indicates surprising changes. Neptune shows
that the Querent is not aware of all the facts. Pluto indicates a complication
and the Querent is vulnerable; likely to exposure or to be thrown into a
position of isolation in some way. For more on each of the planets, link to Planetary
Keywords and see the info below about Other
Planets.
There must be an aspect between the ruling planet of the Querent
and the ruler of the Quesited. Since separating aspects generally show what has
already taken place, it is the applying aspects to consider. The conjunction,
parallel, sextile and trine indicate a favorable outcome, with the latter two
showing that little effort is needed to bring about a conclusion favorable for
the Querent.
Squares and oppositions indicate obstacles and therefore
are less likely to produce the outcome hoped for by the Querent. Since the 4th
house governs the end of matters, if the 4th house from the subject
is studied, it will provide these answers. For example, if it is a career
concern, the 1st house is fourth from the 10th
house, ruling over the query. If the question surrounds a friend,
an 11th house subject, the 2nd house shows the end of
matters in regard to such a question.
Because the Moon is the most important figure in a Horary
chart, the aspects it has formed or will form are all very important. The first
aspect made by the Moon suggests what first to expect in regard to the question.
The nature of the planet to which the aspect is made reveals details so that one
might expect delay for example, if it is Saturn. A confrontation might be
indicated by Mars; unexpected complications if Uranus and so on. This doesn’t,
however, affect the final outcome. The last major aspect made by the Moon before
leaving the sign it is in tells of the outcome. If this is to a retrograde planet, things will not go as
planned regarding the subject of query. Note: As with any chart reading, there
are usually several contributing features indicating a similar outcome.
The amount of time involved can be found by counting the
number of degrees between Significators for an aspect to be exact. Time is
measured in days, weeks, months, years or unknown according to the quality of
the sign the Signifcator of the querent is in, and its house occupancy. In a
cardinal sign and angular house, time is in days; in a cardinal sign and
succedent house, time is in weeks; in a cardinal sign and cadent house, time is in
months. If the Significator is in a fixed sign and angular house, time is in
months; in a fixed sign and succedent house, time is in years; in a fixed sign
and cadent house, time is unknown. If the Signifcator is in a mutable sign and
angular house, time is in weeks; in a mutable sign and succedent house, time is
in months; in a mutable sign and cadent house, time is in years.
In addition to the importance of the planets ruling the
Significators, each of the planets in a Horary chart also bring further
definition to the reading.
The Sun may be considered a co-ruler of the Querent if a
man. The Sun also signifies the person of authority or from whom a favor is
desired, a powerful relation or person whom is able to save the Querent from
embarrassment. More about the Sun.
In addition to often being the co-ruler of the Querent and
question, the Moon may also symbolize the mother or the woman involved in the
issue. It is the co-ruler if the Querent if a woman.
Mercury represents the messenger of news and may symbolize
merchants, secretaries or those who live by their wits.
Venus symbolizes the person in whom the Querent is
interested. It also represents artists, designers and decorators, those who deal
in finery, pleasure or amusement.
Mars symbolizes the strong and aggressive friend if under
beneficial aspect or an enemy if afflicted. It also represents those who work as
surgeons or with sharp instruments.
Jupiter symbolizes a wise friend, a person of integrity who
can be of assistance. It also represents lawyers, judges and dignitaries.
Saturn symbolizes the person who may endanger the success
of the Querent due to narrowness of outlook or ulterior motive if Saturn is
afflicted. Otherwise it shows conservative or aged friends or relatives; those
of prudent counsel.
Uranus symbolizes the friend of the Querent in an
emergency, unexpected elements, inventors and astrologers. If in favorable
aspect, it signifies a person bringing new and beneficial propositions. If in
unfavorable aspect, it may show loss through risky speculation.
Neptune symbolizes persons of mysterious origin; prophets,
spiritual counselors or those concerned with the investigation of metaphysical
secrets. It also signifies those engaged in pursuits involving water or other
liquids.
Pluto symbolizes the leader of an organization pursuing a
boycott or strike to further a principle. It also signifies the instigator of a
reform movement or mass reaction.
To find out more about any of the planets, link to Planetary
Keywords in the Tutorial.
Horary charts can also be drawn up for such pressing
matters as finding a lost item or missing person since both direction and time
span can be found in the chart. For stolen items, the chart can tell such
details as to the thief, the direction taken and disposal of the item, as well
as the potential recovery of the item. Such horary uses are beyond the scope of
this article. The book Horary
Astrology, Plain & Simple goes into depth on these uses of
horary. See the reviews.
The Horary chart below reflects a query regarding whether
or not to apply for a new job opening in the Querent’s company. Complicating
the question from the onset was the fact that she’d just gotten a promotion
and had not yet begun her new responsibilities when a better paying position
opened. The two positions were not in the same capacity and her question was
whether or not to apply for the newest position.
As we can see, the chart reflects the situation quite
efficiently.
The first thing noted is the Void of Course Moon, indicating that she might be
unclear of her purpose. It also suggests that nothing would function properly in
the situation. With a Void of Course Moon, beneficial chart features cannot be
relied upon and much of the good in these charts will never come to pass. As it
turns out, the Moon is the ruler of the Querent because Uranus is retrograde.
Notice also that with Uranus and Neptune near the Ascendant, there are
unexpected complications and mysterious factors surrounding both Querent and
question and the South Node punctuates these elements. Since the 1st house is
fourth from the house in question (the 10th), these features also reveal much about the
final outcome.
Now,
going by the Strictures, the answer to the question is that nothing more will
come of the query so take a look at this turn of events...
The next major aspect
that the Moon makes is an opposition to the Sun, reflecting authorities in
general; her employer and the person from whom she was seeking favor. The
opposition itself suggests a separating trend. The Sun is in a cardinal sign and
succedent house, indicating that time is in weeks. The number of degrees for the
aspect to be exact is between 5 and 6 and just over five weeks later, she left
her job and relocated due to a pressing family matter.
My
books, Predicting Events with Astrology
and Identifying
Planetary Triggers, incorporates the use of some
very simple Horary rules to help determine what lies in the immediate future for an
individual. To see excerpts go to News Line or go to
Book Reviews to read reviews and order.
I recently "met" Anthony Louis, the author of Horary
Astrology, Plain & Simple. He asked for the data for that old
question chart of mine for his research and came up with some amazing findings
that I was not aware of.
Here's that Horary chart and Anthony's impressions for my question "Can I be a successful
writer?" , which I excitedly posed early in my astrology years.
Using traditional methods and the Regiomontanus house system used by Lilly, the
chart has 11 Cancer 42 rising.
With natal Uranus conjoining
the horary Ascendant, this is a significant chart and certainly relates
to your career in astrology.
You are shown by the Moon, and by Almuten Jupiter.
Note: Almutens were used by the Arabic astrologers
and refer to the planet with the most essential dignity at a point along the
zodiac. The idea was that a planet with
the most dignity was the most free to act effectively on behalf of the Querent.
In your chart, Jupiter was Almuten of the degree rising,
and being most dignified there was an excellent Significator for a question
about publishing.
Both Moon & Jupiter occupy the 9th of publishing, a
favorable indicator. Carol Wiggers calls
this "emplacement" since your Significators are in the house of
publishing. Jupiter applies to trine the
Ascendant.
Moon has just completed a conjunction with Jupiter and goes
on to conjoin Mercury.
This may be considered a "translation of light" in which the
Moon takes the light of Jupiter and carries it to Mercury.
The point of this is that the meaning of the aspect(s) becomes a triple
conjunction: Moon conjunct Mercury conjunct Jupiter all in the 9th of
publishing, a very good omen.
In addition, all three planets in the 9th apply to conjoin
the career MC. Jupiter will get there in
10 degrees, suggesting some significant success in 10 years (Jupiter is
cadent and mutable) -- so a major book contract in 1996?
Moon and Mercury arriving there soon suggest publications of articles or
less significant material.
Jupiter also squares the Part of Fortune in Gemini in the
12th, a good aspect for a writer of occult subjects.
(Lilly would say that this square in signs of short ascension is similar
to a sextile).
Your hopes & wishes are shown by the 11th ruled by Mars
and Venus. Both Venus & Mars apply
favorably to aspect Jupiter, ruler of the 10th of career.
This confirms that you will achieve your wish to become a writer.
Saturn, ruling the 9th of publishing (Aquarius, traditional
ruler), is retrograde near the 6th cusp, so the process will be slower than you
would like and require a lot of effort.
Finally, the dispositor of the Gemini Part of Fortune in
the 12th (work done in a quiet setting, like writing) is Mercury which exactly
conjoins the MC, another very favorable sign.
I think Lilly would have used your chart as an example of
"dwelling in houses plus translation of light by the Moon" (see pages
118 -119 of my horary book).
In your chart, the Ascendant ruler and Almuten both occupied the 9th of
publishing and the Moon translated the light from Jupiter to Mercury,
reenergizing that earlier Mercury-Jupiter conjunction in the 9th, which is an
excellent omen for writing a successful book.
Since Jupiter represented you, its conjunction with the MC
symbolized a major career event related to publishing in 1996. Best wishes, Anthony.
Pretty impressive! 1996 is the year I did the major work on
my first
book and submitted a proposal. This was followed by the publishing contract - extremely accurate.
Visit Anthony's
website and browse his horary articles. See
the reader reviews
of his book.
My books, Predicting
Events with Astrology, and Identifying
Planetary Triggers, shows how to use one simple horary secret from which
to forecast more accurately. Read reviews.
©1999 - 2009, Celeste Teal
