Horary Astrology
Synonym: Astrology of the moment
Horary astrology is also known as interrogational astrology. It is a branch of astrology that uses a horoscope to answer concrete questions.
In India it is known as prashna (or prasna), which means “question” in Sanskrit.
In Arabic it is known as masa’il, which means “questions” or “interrogations”.
History
Some have speculated that it was the latest branch to have been established, with some of the earliest complete texts on horary dating to the early Medieval period (5th through 8th centuries CE).[2]
Method
A chart is erected for the moment a question is posed or for the moment that the astrologer understands the Querent's question; and, ideally, for the astrologer's location.[3] Questions usually concern a particular decision or event in which the individual is unsure of the outcome, for example in health matters, profession, relationship, or travel. There is almost no limit on questions so long as they are not trivial, misleading, or immoral/illegal. Examples of horary questions are, "Will we get married?", "Where is my missing cat?", "What will be the outcome of my anticipated career move?"
Horary astrology is consequently not specifically concerned with the querent's birth horoscope, its perivatives, personality, or self-awareness. Some modern horary astrologers, however, do recommend looking at both the horary chart of the moment and the natal chart for a more complete picture of the issue facing the native.
The astrologer concentrates less on the horary horoscope as a whole and more on those aspects or specific Significators which are relevant to the client's question. These are usually limited to a few planets, signs and houses. The horary horoscope can only be interpreted in relation to the client's question.
Interpretation (rules)
Many horary astrologers observe further limitations, understood as outright prohibitions against interpreting the chart, or as simple cautionary guidelines. For example, if the Ascendant is between 1 and 3 degrees or 27 and 30 degrees of a sign of the zodiac, some horary astrologers consider the timing to be too early or late to answer the question. Others argue that such a chart can be read if certain situations apply, or even if the chart otherwise appears to address the question.
As with elections, where the aim is to find the most favourable time astrologically speaking, interpretation in horary astrology is done along the lines of traditional or classical astrology. For example, both branches still work with the classical system of Rulers, even though more modern horary astrologers do take Uranus, Neptune and Pluto into consideration. Both systems still divide aspects into helpful and unhelpful; although most horary astrologers use only the Major Aspects. Horary astrology contains a significant number of guidelines for chart interpretation, unlike the more impressionistic modern Psychological Astrology.
Horary astrology aims to give the most concrete answers possible, which is the reason for such strict rules of interpretation. It would be inappropriate to offer a psychological interpretation of such a horoscope.
See also
Weblinks
- Learning Horary Astrology (Deborah Houlding, 2003)
- Ibn Esra: 120 Aphorisms for Astrologers (Houlding, 2004)
- Lilly's Considerations (Lilly's rules compiled by Houlding; PDF)
- John Frawley: Horary Astrology (Chapter from his book "The Real Astrology", 2001)
- The Katarche of Horary (Chris Brennan, 2007)
- Questioning our Horaries (Some fundamental questions raised by Houlding, 2003)
- Prediction, Providence & the Power of the 'Self' in Horary(Houlding, 2006)
- Attention all Shipping! Aphorisms for Travel at Sea (from Lilly's CA., pp. 157-166 & 422-429; Houlding, 1993)
- Relationship Horaries (Houlding, 1993)
- Traditional Aphorisms for Pregnancy Charts (Houlding)
- Where is it? Lost Object Horaries (Houlding et al, 1994)
- Which House Rules Cars? (Ema Kurent; Skyscript, 2009)
- Aspects, Orbs & Perfection. From William Lilly's Christian Astrology (1st ed. 1647) (Christopher Warnock)
- William Lilly's War Charts (David Plant; 1993, 2008)
- Ivy Goldstein-Jacobson's Sick Boy Horary (Maggie Hyde, 1995/ 2005)
- Will this be a permanent relationship? (Judged by Olivia Barclay)
- Download Horary Helper v5.00 (Allen Edwall, 2010)
Bibliography
- Appleby, Derek and Cornelius, Geoffrey, 2005. Horary Astrology: The Art of Astrological Divination, Astrology Classics
- Dunn, Barbara, 2009. Horary Astrology Re-examined, The Wessex Astrologer
- Dykes, Benjamin, ed. 2010. Bonatti on Horary, Cazimi Press
- Lehman, J. Lee, 2002. The Martial Art of Horary Astrology, Whitford Press
- John Frawley: The Horary Textbook - Revised Edition, Apprentice Books 2014, 334 pages, ISBN-10 0953977471, ISBN-13 978-0953977475
Notes and References
- ↑ Painting by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, 1340
- ↑ Text partly taken from Chris Brennan's Astrology Dictionary
- ↑ Many horary astrology consultations take place over the telephone or Internet, meaning that the client and astrologer can be in different places