Notes on Horary Astrology By Juan Estadella
A horary chart is a chart raised for the moment of the birth of an idea, a question or an event. Although the so-called interrogations or horary charts, calculated for the moment of a question of your own or of a consultant, are the best known part of horary astrology, they are not the only ones, evidently. In fact, the subject calculated for the moment of an event (a business or sentimental proposal, an accident or a telephone call, for example), anything, is likely to be analyzed by itself, entering the chapter of horary astrology. These charts are sensitive to transits, being fully operational at this level: when the planets in transit touch the cusps of radical houses something can happen, basically according to the transiting planet and the cusp of the house itself. You can even see the development of a trip by studying the chart of departure, which in my opinion should be raised exactly by the time the person leaves his house to undertake the trip.
Personally, in the past I experienced in depth all kinds of event-charts, as I call them: from the opening of a current account in a bank to the installment, so to speak, of a new refrigerator. As an anecdote, I remember having handled and explored a letter that I calculated for the moment when I first entered a musical bar in the Plaza Real in Barcelona (Spain), curiously called Karma. It was there on January 2, 1991 and that letter not only reflected everything that happened to me there during the three or four years in which I had fun in the early hours of Barcelona, but even my appearance of that time, for example, or the innumerable and intense relationships that I lived with Spanish and foreign girls, as well as the different stages I went through in this place of entertainment, until I stopped going to have a steady girlfriend. It is important to note that when a fact or event is not fortuitous but is chosen, astrologically selected, it no longer belongs to this field of astrology, but is part of the so-called electoral astrology.
In practice, in relation to time charts, the consulting astrologer can raise a letter by the time he receives a client’s visit; exactly, by the time he enters the door and takes a seat, beginning the consultation. The hour and day of the consultation should not have been chosen by the astrologer himself, but simply be the result of mutual convenience or for reasons of agenda. Some astrologers, such as Evangeline Adams or the Barcelonan Joaquín Teixidor, have used this letter as an auxiliary to guide themselves in the process of astrological counseling; However, I am not in favor of this procedure.
Regarding the horary astrology related to interrogations, which we will see below, in my opinion should be used with caution, it is certainly limited and there are important theoretical gaps, with consequences in practice. Sometimes, they are useful letters to see the context of a certain reality, rather than to give conclusive answers, type yes or no. I understand that it is a dubious resource. It is not smart to rely entirely on a time chart to give a definitive answer about something, especially if it is an important issue. It is better to rely on the radical letters of the people, companies or countries involved and use the transits, for example. After all, the astrologers who practice this astrological branch recognize that the reliability of a time response is not very high. Thus, if it is not effective in a high percentage, it is better not to use it as the main asset to give an answer about something relevant. On the other hand, the texts on horary astrology that I examined, which are many, have important inconsistencies. What gives an affirmative answer according to the method of M. E. Jones, offers a negative response following the keys of O. Barclay. Sometimes, the answers are supported by convoluted arguments, elaborated a posteriori. I remember a passage from the book of a deceased British author who, in response to a question thrown by himself into the air about whether England and the European continent would ever be linked by a tunnel, gave a no answer. Years later, an underground tunnel united them, as we all know … Questions like will G. W. Bush win the presidential elections? I believe they can not be answered. As the reader can see, although I also use part of the time astrology that refers to interrogations, I do not stop showing myself a little critical with it. And I am not the only astrologer reluctant about this astrological section: Charles Carter, for example, also distrusted. Neither were Alexander Marr’s astrologers or the likes of Jean Baptiste Morin. Last left written for posterity his opinion, contrary to his practice, as can be seen in the prologue of the book XXVI of his famous Gallica Astrology.
About the Interrogations
There are different ways to interpret a horary chart, although some rules seem to be the same for all astrologers (traditional rules):
1. The letter must be “radical”, it must reflect the questioner and / or the question itself. For example: if the astrologer asks something about a friend and the Ascendant is Virgo, it is normal to find Mercury in the XI house. The Ascendant and his ruler even physically describe the person asking, according to Lilly.
2. The time chart, itself, explains the situation, issue or idea; by planets in houses, signs, aspects or others.
3. The house system of Regiomontanus (Lilly used this system) is usually used in Horary Astrology (A. Louis uses Regiomontanus and Koch). However, some studies or evidence suggest that the Topocentric System should also be used here.
4. Questions that are not very specific, confusing, abstract, forced or that are not well-founded or directly or indirectly related to the person who asks may not be valid in order to give an answer. For example: who will win the presidential elections?
5. If the answer to a time chart is very difficult or intricate, it is better not to judge it.
6. Do not ask the same thing two or more times.
7. According to Anthony Louis, the maximum percentage of effectiveness that a good astrologer can achieve with Time Astrology can be between 75 and 80%.
8. The letter does not show the psychological state or offer any moral judgment, it only shows the reality.
9. In theory, Horary Astrology offers direct, clear and forceful answers (type yes or no) as the natal charts can not do by themselves or through planetary transits or other predictive techniques.
10. The time to calculate the time chart is when the astrologer understands the question (by letter, phone, e-mail or in person), not when the questioner thinks it for himself. The place to calculate the letter is where the astrologer is at the time they ask the question.
11. The person asking (even if it is the astrologer asking something for him) is always represented by the house I.
12. Saturn in house VII: possible limitation, error or delay in the answer or judgment of the astrologer. When the questioner is another, the astrologer is always represented by the house VII. An exception is if the person asks for their partner or someone represented by the house VII.
13. With Saturn in the Ascendant, especially retrograde, something rarely comes to fruition, although the letter can be interpreted.
14. The Ascendant less than 3 ° may indicate a question or situation premature. It may be early for an answer. It may reflect a new situation.
15. The Ascendant to more than 27 ° may indicate a question or late situation. At the time of the question, the situation may be changing, irreversible or inevitable.
16. The simplest and most emphatic answer in Horary Astrology is that which is deduced from the positive angular relation (60 ° or 120 ° greater harmonic aspect) between the regents of the two main houses related to the question. Generally, it is between the ruler of the Ascendant that he asks in relation to the ruler of the house or sector about which he is asked (for example: for a short trip, house III). Obviously, it is not always that simple, because there are always other conditioning factors. Thus, if one of these regents is retrograde or in poor cosmic state, the affirmative answer will involve some problems or disadvantages in the development or result on what is asked. Also, if the Moon performs some disharmonious aspect before changing the sign, it is a negative condition, despite the fact that the answer is affirmative when prevailing consideration of the regents of the houses involved.
17. If the primary significators of the houses involved do not form aspects between them, generally nothing happens. We must assess its cosmic state and movement.
18. The minor aspects are auxiliary aspects and are only used punctually.
19. How to analyze a specific area, according to Olivia Barclay: locate the house of the question (for example: the profession, house X). If at the top is Sagittarius, see what house Jupiter is in, its ruler, examine its cosmic state and the planetary aspects it receives.
20. It is essential to correctly identify the significators or regents of the matter in question. An error can mean an erroneous opinion. For example: the questioner is always represented by the Ascendant, the ruler of the Ascendant and, secondarily, by the planets that are in the house I (eventually, also by the Almuten of the Ascendant). Generally, it is also represented by the Moon, which usually shows what the person thinks or an issue that worries or motivates them.
21. The person or question asked is represented by the ruling planet of the house that belongs to the question. For example: if someone asks about a child, the ruling planet of the sign that is on the top of the house V represents your child.
22. House VII is, both for the astrologer who asks for himself or for a client who asks, “the other” about whom he asks himself, provided he can not be assigned another house or sector (the neighbor’s house III, the son the house V or the friend the house XI).
23. Derivative houses must be used. For example: if a mother asks about the health of her child, she is represented by the house I, her son by the house V and the health of the son by the house X (it is the house VI from the house V).
24. Traditional regents must be used, but secondarily the modern rulers can be used (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto).
25. The natural ruler can be important. For example, Mercury: books, communications, brothers, children and others.
26. Planets in houses are of secondary importance. If they are beneficial, it can mean a positive trend; and vice versa if they are malefic. Also the planetary accumulations in a sector or house are relevant.
27. Angles in Cardinal, Fixed or Mutable signs: there is a difference. For example: in Mutables signs the situation may be unstable or changing.
28. It is important to consider the retrograde planets.
29. It is important to take into consideration the application or separation in interplanetary aspects.
30. Sometimes the square and the opposition can be positive if they involve beneficial planets, planets in positive houses or sectors or that are in signs where they have dignity.
31. The cosmic state of a significator or of a planet is very important.
32. Mutual Reception is also important. Between two significators can lead to an affirmative answer (even without being in appearance) if there is no contradiction in the time chart, but only by “domicile” because “exaltation” is not strong enough. It is also important to consider the set of planetary dignities.
33. The dispositors are also used.
34. It is important to consider configurations such as Prohibition, Reframing and others.
35. The Moon is always cogent on a time issue.
36. The Moon (at home) reflects the issue, directly or indirectly.
37. The aspects that the Moon has done in the same sign before the question mean events that have led to the question or past events more or less recent, that have already occurred, related to the question or question. The future aspects, before the Moon changes sign, are the events that will occur. Basically, the major aspects are considered.
38. The final aspect of the Moon before changing sign will show the general conditions about how everything develops. Sometimes, the last aspect of the Moon shows the outcome of the question or question. However, in truth it is the significators (regents of the houses involved) that show the result or the development in itself of what has been raised or those that answer the question.
39. The application Moon by sextile or trine to the Sun, if no evil is involved before the appearance is perfect or complete, promises success or a positive result.
40. The Moon in Vía Combusta (15 ° of Libra to 15 ° of Scorpio) may reflect an adverse condition or be related to diseases, damages, dangers, fears, death, and / or difficulty in responding.
41. The Empty Course Moon is when the Moon does not do any major aspect before changing sign. Nothing will be given regarding the situation posed or questioned. Nothing develops, things do not go forward, nothing happens. See if the significators of what is asked or raised do one aspect among them, as the result could vary.
42. When the Moon is in the last degrees of a sign (especially in Gemini, Scorpio or Capricorn), it is not advisable to judge a time chart or it is difficult to give an accurate answer.
43. The New Moon is usually negative, especially if it is applicative.
44. You have to use the Fixed Stars for conjunctions to planets or cusps of houses (orb of 1 °).
45. The Lunar Nodes are valid in Horary charts.
46. The Party of Fortune is totally valid. Some astrologers consider that if the Moon aspecta (greater aspect) to the Part of Fortune is not really Empty of Course. The rest of Arab Parties are also used.
47. The Midpoints are also valid.
48. The Antiscists and Antiscides must also be taken into account.
49. Some astrologers take into consideration the “Planetary Hours”.
50. When you ask something like: what is the best place to go on vacation?, you can see where are the main significators (ruler of the Ascendant and / or House IX …) and locate them in the letter as they are in the North , South or Southeast. And when we ask about an object our lost, we locate it on the map by means of the location on the letter (North, West …) of the ruler of house II.
51. Planetary transits are operative in horary charts. Some astrologers, like Anthony Louis, use them. However, there are other traditional techniques to locate the development or resolution of a time chart in the future. For example, moving the degrees that mediate between two planets to days, years and similar solutions.
52. The theory of M. E. Jones, in relation to the affirmative or negative answer of a question according to the aspect that is between regents of the same axis domal, is not operative according to A. Louis. It is also my opinion.
The measurement of time in astrology (indicative)
Angular houses or cardinal signs: fast (minutes, hours, days).
Succedent houses or mutable signs: slow (days, weeks, months).
Cadent houses or fixed signs: very slow (weeks, months, years).
The direction of the signs
Aries: East, Libra: West, Cancer: North, Capricorn: South.
The directions of the houses
House I: East, house VII: West, house IV: North, House X: South.
The height, level or location of something by the Element
Fire: half height, heat or fire.
Earth: low or at ground level, under the ground or on the ground.
Air: high or at a height, near a window or upstairs.
Water: low or at ground level, in humid or wet areas.
Interrogation: an example
To illustrate this part of the time astrology, I prefer to use an example of Olivia Barclay, included in her work Horary astrology rediscovered. It is a very simple case: someone asks the astrologer if he will be able to buy a house.
Figure 1.
Will I get the house?
The relevant houses are: the house I (in Cancer) and its regent, the Moon, which represent the one who asks the question, and the house IV (in Virgo) and its ruler, Mercury, which represents the house itself, the goods estate. It seems that the ascending sign represents the person asking the question well: a woman, mother of small children, who is also a nurse.
The answer is, in this case, affirmative: yes you will get to buy the house. The Moon, ruler of the Ascendant, and general meaning, will complete a trine with Mercury, ruler of the house IV. And it is the last aspect of the Moon before leaving the sign. In addition, the Moon has already entered the house II (purchase). This positive response also supports the location of Jupiter on the Descendant, to 1º of orb.