Electional and horary astrology are two areas of astrology that deserve more attention from students and professionals than they sometimes get.Related in interpretation but different in intent, horary and electional astrology are two forms of astrological chart analysis that are similar by analogy to
relationship between deductive and inductive reasoning.
In horary astrology, a question is asked at a specific time and a chart is cast for that moment. Then
chart is interpreted according to
rules of horary interpretation to yield an answer.
In electional astrology, someone wants to choose an auspicious or lucky time for an event in
future that can be planned, such as a marriage, signing real estate papers, or, in
case of Ronald Reagan, a presidential swearing-in ceremony. The astrologer begins by speculating with
client on a desirable time in
future and then casts a chart for that time and date. This chart is interpreted according to
guidelines for electional astrology in order to determine if this is
best possible date to insure success.
In reviewing a tentative electional chart,
astrologer must decide whether or not
date and time are satisfactory. In truth, since it is not possible to get a “perfect” electional chart, s/he usually winds up casting half a dozen charts and trying to choose
one that makes
most sense.
Ivy M. Goldstein-Jacobson is
High Priestess of Horary and Electional Astrologer. She has done
most recently to develop and refine
art of this kind of interpretation. Mrs. Jacobson lived from 1893 to 1990. Another expert in
field is William Lilly. He wrote in
17th Century!
Mrs. Jacobson’s wonderful books are now back in print and available on several Internet sites. Many are available secondhand through amazon.com Mrs. Jacobson’s book on horary is called “Simplified Horary Astrology”.
Another essential tool for interpreting charts this way is Rex E. Bills’ “The Rulership Book”, also widely available on
Internet. The Rulership Book tells you what sign rules just about anything you can think of from Israel to
kitchen sink. This information is critical to horary and electional chart interpretation.
Let’s look at some of
basic steps for reading an electional chart for an operation. Suppose a client has come to asking when is
best time for surgery to remove her uterus.
1. The first thing is to identify
rulership of
area of
body being operated on. We establish this through Bills’ “Rulerships” book or general knowledge --
uterus is a reproductive organ and is therefore ruled by Scorpio and
planet Mars.
The rest of
interpretation follows these general guidelines.
2. The 8th house signifies surgery (Jacobson: “The 7th rules
doctor or physician:
surgeon who usually cuts away a part that then dies is ruled by
death-8th.”)..
3. The 1st house signifies
patient.
4. Mercury represents
instruments
surgeon will use.
5. The recovery process is signified by
6th house.
Examine
rulers of these houses and
planets that inhabit them to see what kind of aspects and information are revealed, positive or negative.
For example, if Taurus rules
6th house,
ruler of that house is Venus. Look to see where Venus is in
chart and how it is aspected in order to find out how
recovery process will go.