Basic Astrology

Current Planetary Hour:

Horary astrology is the asking of questions and obtaining answers by consulting a chart set for the time, date and location of the querent. The name of horary comes from the Greek "hora" - an hour and means "of the hour". The chart is set for the moment of "birth" of a question. Generally only the traditional seven planets are used (Sun through to Saturn) although if the other three outer planets are prominent, they shouldn't be ignored. The answer to the question is obtained by observation of the strengths and positions of the planets, and by the aspects they make. Arabic parts, antiscions and maybe a few fixed stars are used to give additional information or to provide a more helpful answer. With horary astrology it is like having another toolbox of additional tools and gadgets. Some of these tools may not be that useful on their own, but when used in conjunction with the main tools, they can add some rather intricate detail to the object.

Much can be learned about general, traditional astrology by practising with horary charts. Horary, because of its nature, is more precise and detailed. The different techniques involved can be applied to a birthchart for greater insight into the understanding of the life's path, but in a more mundane way rather than psychological.

Two major contributors to horary astrology were William Lilly, known as the authority of Horary, and John Dee. Another was John Gadbury, a former student of Lilly's. Lilly wrote a book on the subject in three volumes entitled "Christian Astrology" (1647) and it is to this day the "bible" of horary for many astrologers. Much earlier than Lilly were the works of Ptolemy and his teachings are most often the basis of the work of later astrologers.

Considerations before Judgment and the Strictures

Planetary Hour - The Lord of the hour should be of the same triplicity or nature as the Lord of the Ascendant

The chart is not fit to judge if the following apply:

Early Degrees of Ascending Sign - 00-02 degrees (too early to render a judgement as more on the matter has yet to come to light)

Late Degrees of Ascending Sign - 27-29 degrees (said to be past judging, i.e. that the querent probably already knows the answer)

7th House - contains Saturn or is its ruler. The seventh house governs those we have relations with in whatever capacity and Saturn is the greater malefic.

Moon in Late Degrees of a Sign - 27-29 degrees

Moon in the Via Combusta - last 15 degrees of Libra and first 15 degrees of Scorpio

Void of Course Moon - when the moon will make no major aspects before leaving the sign it is in. Its interpretation is that nothing will happen in respect of the question asked. The exceptions to this, which are only applied if the chart generally looks promising, are if the moon is in Cancer or Taurus (its dignity and exaltation and therefore strong) or in Sagittarius or Pisces (the exaltation of the benefics Jupiter and Venus).

If the horoscope passes these considerations it is said to be Radical (fit to be judged). However, not all of the strictures are actually used now and there were more. Lilly himself, although propounding these strictures, does not appear to have adhered to them all. The main ones used today are the Void of Course Moon and the Moon in the Via Combusta, and often the early or late degrees ascending. Lilly said of the early or late degrees of the ascending sign that it was still safe to judge if the querent's natal ascendant is of those degrees.

Related Links

Advanced Astrology

Other Astrology

Relationship Astrology

The Strength of the Planets depends on whether they are in or have:

Dignity - a planet in the sign that it rules

Exaltation - a planet in the sign where it is strong - this can act like an exaggeration

Detriment - a planet in the sign that is opposite to the one it rules

Accidental Dignity - a planet strengthened by house placement or by aspect to a benefic (Jupiter or Venus) or conjunct a benefic fixed star, or cazimi.

Accidental Debility - a planet weakened by house placement or by aspect to a malefic (Saturn or Mars) or conjunct a malefic fixed star, or combust or under the sunbeams.

Other factors concerning the strength of the Planets:

Retrograde - the apparent backward motion of a planet as seen from the earth, therefore weakening the planet

Peregrine - a planet without any essential dignity, wandering aimlessly around and very weak

Cazimi - a planet within 17 minutes of conjunction to the sun, "in the heart of the sun". This position is one of strength

Combust - a planet too close to the sun, within the usual orb of 8 degrees or less, so as to burn up in the heat and is therefore seriously weakened

Under the Sunbeams - a planet in the same sign as the sun and within 17 degrees of it. This makes the planet slightly weakened.

Mutual Reception - is when one planet occupies the sign of dignity of another and the planet whose dignity it is occupies the sign of dignity of the former planet. E.g. Mars being in Libra and Venus being in Aries - they are each in the other's dignity. This is very favourable, as there is a mutual interest in the other, but must also be taken in the context of the planets involved.

Translation of Light - a fast moving planet separating in aspect from one planet to apply to another planet, (like a lighting technician having just shone the spotlight on one actor and now moving it to shine it on the next.). Two planets that may not have been in aspect to one another or were separating from aspect, being brought together by a third party.

Applying Aspects - show what is about to happen

Separating Aspects - show what has already happened