Horary & Electional Astrology, page 1

Synopsis: Named "Christian" to avoid hassles (some things never change), this is the most famous, the most celebrated astrology book in the English language. It has been prized by students ever since its first publication in 1647. The Horary Astrology in these pages is demanding and precise, combining science and art. Properly used, it will give answer to any well-defined question. William Lilly, famous throughout England for his almanacs & forecasts (he predicted London’s Great Fire of 1666), lived during the English Civil War & was a minor historical figure in it. Into his studio came the rich and poor, the noble and ignoble, with problems great and small.

This new edition restores Lilly's original page layouts, with marginalia. Modern spelling throughout, this edition includes Lilly's bibliography, his original index & a new glossary. Also includes his original woodblock charts, and their modern versions. This is Lilly's great work as he himself knew it. Click here for a PDF of Chapter 22 (first chapter of Book 2).

Contents, comment.

Astrology Classics, 552 pages, paper.

Part One: Introduction to Horary in General: White Belt: Why this book & why the title; Yellow Belt: What is horary astrology? Where & when? Asking & negotiating the question; Green Belt: Before you run the chart. General delineation methods. Considerations against judgment. Timing & direction. Blue Belt: Other considerations. Orbs, antiscia, sect, pitted & other degree types. Mute signs & other sign classifications.

Part Two: Specific Types of Questions: First House: Planes, trains & automobiles, Health & happiness (maybe not in that order); Second House: Money; Third House: Is the rumor true? Short trips. Neighbors. Siblings. Fourth House: Housing, Buried treasure, Removal & lost items; Fifth House: Sex, Children, Agents, The stock market & other gambling; Sixth House: Health, Pets, Working conditions & Hiring; Seventh House: Marriage & partnership, Theft, Fugitives, Buying, Selling, Competitions, Lawsuits & wars, Open enemies; Eighth House: Death, Inheritance, Debts, Taxes & Insurance; Ninth House: Travel, Religion & Education; Tenth House: Promotions, Honors & Higher-ups; Eleventh House: Friends, Organizations & Administrative bodies; Twelfth House: Enemies, Imprisonment & Obsessions.

Part Three: Advanced Concepts Red (Brown) Belt: Alternate methods: Distinguishing between multiple members of a class; Revisiting the 5th & 7th houses; Consultation charts. Earning your horary black belt.

Appendices: Synopsis of classical concepts necessary to understand horary; Who were those guys, anyway?; Glossary; Table of Essential Dignities; Cross Reference List of Methods; Endnotes; Index.
A footnote: The Table of Examples lists 91 charts used in this book, which does not count 5 variations of #90.

Comment: Astrology relates to Judo as “good technique applied to lots of examples ultimately allows Mastery to manifest.” The first part of this book is an exposition of Lilly-esque horary basics. The rest is a demanding analysis of the houses & a large number of questions based on them, all from the author’s practice. Of note is her gift for mundane charts (will Noreiga die?) & for reading difficult charts, in which she excels. This will quickly become a modern classic. Paper. Whitford, 352 pages.

Contents:

To the reader
Acknowledgements
Key

1. He arrives & the journey begins
Interlude: "The sportsman of the century" The chart of Muhammad Ali.

2. The chart for the event
Interlude: Babe Ruth hits 60 home runs

3. A day at the races
Interlude: The greatest racehorse ever?

4. The question of profit

Appendices:
1. How to calculate antiscia
2. How to calculate Arabian Parts
3. Answers to set question
4. Judgements of set charts

Index

Comment: The book is in the form of a dialogue between a first person Master Astrologer, and a gaudily clad youth who seeks enlightenment. The very first words of Chapter 1 set the stage:

I was sitting at the mouth of my cave, boiling a few roots to make the simple soup that is all the mortal sustenance a Master Astrologer either needs or desires, when a squawk from my pet raven alerted me to the impending arrival of a gaudily clad youth, whom I could see guiding his mule along the winding track that leads up the hillside. I calculated (Solar Fire 6) that I had just time enough to eat the soup before he arrived, so was applying a balm of ewe's milk to my burning tongue as he dismounted.

"Master", he began, "your prowess in predicting sports results is the subject of unceasing wonder in every land through which I have travelled."

"How much wonder?" I asked.

"Lots of wonder," he replied.

"Is that all?"

"Oh, lots & lots of wonder. First magnitude wonder."

"Ah!"

"I want to learn your secrets. Teach me, oh Master!"

"My child, do you understand that which you ask? Are you ready to abjure all interest in the fleeting pleasures of this world?"

"I am."

"Are you ready to mortify your flesh, spending days and nights in unending toil?"

"I am."

"Do you have a Visa or Mastercard?"

He rummaged through his saddle-bag til he found one, which I then handed to Sedna, my raven, who hopped into the cave to process the transaction. We sat in silence, small beads of nervous perspiration forming on his upper lip, until Sedna emerged, bearing a slip of paper, which he gave to the boy, and his card, which he gave to me. "I'll hold on to this," I explained. "There will doubtless be other expenses along the way. Now we can begin."

Saying this, I hit him sharply across the shoulders with the stick I had been using to poke my cooking-fire. "Thank-you, Master," he said, bowing low.

"He will be a good student," I thought. "Best order more sticks." I passed the card back to Sedna. (pgs. 1-2)

Contests: Will we win this match/series
Title fights: Will the king lose his crown
Long term-forecasts: How will we fare this season
Beating the bookie: Will I profit

Each with their own unique approach. Interestingly enough, if you want to beat the bookie, the matter shifts from the 5th house, to the 8th. A surprising, excellent book.

Apprentice Books, 203 pages.

Part 1: Chart: Where is the cat?; 1. Introduction to horary; 2. Getting started; 3. The houses; 4. The planets; 5. The signs; 6. Essential dignity; 7. Accidental dignity; 8. Receptions: Chart: Did he really love me?; 9. Aspects; 10. Antiscia: Chart: Why isn't he calling?; 11. The fixed stars; 12. Arabian parts; 13. Timing; 14. What is the question & who is asking it?

Part 2:
15. First house questions: The ship that I sail in, Physical appearance
16. Second house questions: Lost, stolen, strayed, Chart: Where is my shawl?, Money, Chart: Should I buy silver?
17. Third house questions: True or false?, Letters, phone calls, visitors
18. Fourth house questions: Property deals, Other sale questions
19. Fifth house questions: Pregnancy, Adoption
20. Sixth & eighth house questions: Medical questions, Questions on death, Chart: Will my friend live?, Doctors, medicine & surgery, Hiring staff
21. Seventh house questions: Love & marriage, Should I stay or should I go?, Sports & contests, Trials, Chart: Will we win?, Politics, Chart: When will she fall?
22. Ninth house questions: Knowledge, journeys & dreams
23. Tenth house questions: Job questions
24. Eleventh house questions: Will I get my wish?, How much is my tax bill?
25. Twelfth house questions: Witchcraft & imprisonment, Chart: Will Deirdre be sent down?
26. The weather: Chart: What will the weather be at my party?
27. Electing with horary.

Part 3: 28. Astrologer & client.

Appendices: 1. Chart calculation; 2. House meanings; 3. How to spot an aspect; 4. How to read the square chart. Index.

Comment: Frawley's long-awaited new book. His approach is analytical, he invites us to a detailed study of why life is the way it is, why things work out they way they do. Among many highlights, the astrological houses that signify the rooms in your house (eg, 5th house: nursery, 6th house: utility room, 8th house: bathroom, 11th house: guest room, 12th house: garage, etc.), the longest section on "Will I die?" that I have read in any horary text (Frawley has some interesting ideas), as well as the best use of Antiscia to date (useful for everything except death & pregnancy, he says). There are not a lot of charts in this book, though Frawley gets a lot from each of them. His analogies are as sharp & as illuminating as ever. The book lacks the sardonic humor of his earlier books, which is just as well. Frawley's work is based on Lilly's great book (above) & is thoroughly updated. A great & unexpected bonus is the author's detailed descriptions of the actual life of an horary astrologer & the clients & their questions (easily the best since Donna Cunningham's Consulting Astrologer's Guidebook, sadly out of print). In sum, an excellent book.

Apprentice Books, 270 pages.

Introduction, by Victor Laude
Acknowledgements
Key

1. Introduction to traditional astrology
2. The rise of modern astrology
3. Horary astrology
4. The nature of time
5. The order of the cosmos
6. The outer planets & the asteroids
7. The planets & their essences
8. Aspects
9. Houses
10. Electional astrology
11. Natal astrology
12. Mundane astrology
13. Astro-meteorology & horticultural astrology
14. Medical astrology
15. Synastry
16. Magical astrology
17. A guide to practice

18. Appendix: Some popular fallacies
Further reading.

Comment: In this wicked new book John Frawley gives a scathing critique of modern astrology, sharply contrasting it to the “real”, medieval (aka William Lilly) stuff: Horary (the book’s main focus), Electional, Natal, Mundane, Weather, Medical, Synastry & Magic. Along the way are some of the best remarks on why houses & aspects are the way they are & not the way we often imagine them to be. There is no “cookbook” to this book, but there are scads of penetrating insights, honed by 30 years practice & many public lectures. Frawley has a tremendous grasp of the fundamentals & a sharp sense of humor. The result is the best intro to medieval astrology yet written. I found this book impossible to put down.

Apprentice Books, 191 pages, paper.

1. In at the deep end: Are you receiving me? Mutual receptions: Our magic wand. The trial. The default option. New old techniques. Born to be bad. A word from Neptunia.

2. Let's get this straight: The rule of three. Location. Numbers. Hayz. Light. The nodes. The moon. Timing & precision. The seasons. Aldebaran. Uranus. Fixity & angularity. Aquarius. Arithmetic. The nature of the question. Lilly's calculations. Cazimi.

3. The master astrologer: William Lilly: Astrology on the barricades. Pictures of Lilly. A word from Neptunia.

4. The background: The most beautiful music. Time is money. A word from Neptunia. The moon as mind. Why it goes wrong.

5. Advanced techniques: The assessment of temperament. Medical: Sexing the cat. The internal king. A word from Neptunia.

6. The houses: A final word from Neptunia
Reading & references.

Comment: Even better than his first book. Gone is the constant sniping at contemporary astrology. While it was cute, it kept Frawley from getting down to the task at hand, which he does here. And that is to teach the simple rules by which you may employ traditional (eg, William Lilly's) astrology in your practice. Often given in pithy form: Dignity shows their [eg, the planets] power to act. Reception shows their inclination to act. Aspect shows the occasion to act. (pg. 4). Frawley explains in detail how Lilly read horary charts, which, by the way, was not quite the way Lilly described it himself. Frawley tells us why. Confused by all the detail in horary astrology? Frawley gives useful shortcuts, along with a mine of useful tips & techniques. Along the way are a host of observations, for example, that Lilly does not represent the "golden age" of astrology, but rather its tarnished silver age. Many surprises, too. From page 109, Why It Goes Wrong: The most illuminating astrological text we have found recently is Norman Dixon's On the Psychology of Military Incompetence. As the title suggests, it attempts to unravel the causes of the recurrent military propensity for blunder - without resorting to transits of the outer planets in order to do so. Frawley's point is that horary astrologers & military commanders tend to make the same kinds of mistakes for pretty much the same reasons, with pretty much the same awful results. Astrology that challenges, astrology that makes us think. Astrology as warfare, astrologers as generals, for better or worse. Another great book.

Apprentice Books, 217 pages, paper.

Contents:

Preface, by Ernest Grant
Preface, by John Story
Preface, by W.J. Simmonite

Introduction

Prognostic Astronomy, or Horary Astrology:
Zodiac
Aspects
Orbs
Persons described by the twelve signs
Disposition produced by the planets
Employments
Local places ruled by the signs
Local places ruled by the planets
Things ruled by the planets
Countries & cities under the influence of the twelve signs of the zodiac
Signification of the twelve houses
A diagram exhibiting the principal significations of the houses of the heavens

General judgment of the houses
Symbolical testimonies of poverty
Points in genethliacs
The doctrine of elections

Terms used in this work

Comment:

The most celebrated of all 19th century horary texts. The author was a headmaster of a private school & practiced herbal medicine. His original book on horary dates from around 1851 (not 1849, as there are charts in it from 1850). It had numerous editions in the author's own lifetime, and was then brought out in a new edition in 1896 by John Story, a copy of which I have in my library (Ballantrae edition, bless his Irish soul). Of his edition, Story said:

Reader, it gives me great pleasure to again publish this useful store of knowledge for the benefit of my fellowmen. The teaching & rules laid down in this book will most assuredly benefit you with a little study & care. My task is now to issue to the world the Sixth Edition of "Horary Astrology," it being the true key to Scientific Prediction. The first edition was issued by the late Dr. W.J. Simmonite, M.D., Ph.D., who bid the world adieu in his Meteorological Almanack of 1862. The present volume has been very much enlarged, more than any of the former editions, and contains rules by which thousands of enquiries with regard to the future may be answered. (pg. v)

In 1950, Ernest Grant, one of the founders of the American Federation of Astrologers, took Story's version of Simmonite's book & brought out his own edition. Of it, Grant said,

Both Dr. Simmonite & Mr. Story found their experience in England where they were largely dealing with a homogeneous population with a common hereditary background.... In America, however, astrological experience is found in a heterogeneous population whose hereditary background, both physically & psychologically, springs from almost all races in Europe & Asia, now so intermixed that many occultists express the opinion that a new race is being developed.

In this work we have adhered as far as possible to the terminology used by the original authors, identifying our additions & modifications of the original by parenthetical expressions of our views & experiences.... It should always be remembered that all astrological interpretation must be made in light of environment - environment of all kinds - and the middle of the twentieth century is a long, long way from that of the middle of the nineteenth century. (pg. iii)

1896, paragraph 273, Absconded Mother, Dead or Alive, pg. 110, (chart not shown) ends with:
The student may erect a figure for Feb. 1ld. 6h.30m. PM, 1850. The querent's mother was found drowned; her mind at times was insane.

2009, paragraph 299, Absconded Mother, Dead or Alive, pg. 90, chart given, but the conclusion, that the mother drowned, is not, presumably because it was in the paragraph with the chart data, which was deleted.

Grant has also seen fit to include Pluto, and to second-guess (in parenthesis, as promised) where it suits. This meddling dates his work. Story's original had a useful index but the Absconded Mother was not in it. The AFA has a very detailed table of contents (which, in setting out the Table of Contents, above, I ignored, it ran to more than 100 entries), but as the TOC is in order of appearance, it is not much help in navigating the book. Both 1896 & 2009 are hindered by poor page layout (no headers at the top of the pages), which is a significant drawback for the new 2009 edition, as it lacks an index. While I'm on the subject of gripes, the AFA has taken lately to publishing books in a cumbersome 7.5 x 9.35 inch (19 x 23.5 cm) format, which makes for line lengths that are difficult to follow, and book that is unwieldy to hold. This is another one of them.

All that aside, this is an enormously useful book. The basic point of view is Lilly; there are, if I am not mistaken, tables taken directly from Lilly (presuming they were original to Lilly himself). Simmonite is full of useful rules, practical tips & solid delineations, but it seems as if his book has never yet been properly printed, so that users can easily, and rapidly, find all the many gems buried in it.

AFA, 165 pages.

5. Elections for every occasion: Audition, Cosmetic surgery, Purchase jewelry, Purchase a car, Pass an examination, Travel by car, Buy or sell a home, Move into new home, Gambling I, Gambling II, Acquire a pet, Physical examination, Marriage I, Marriage II, Marriage III, File tax return, Settle an insurance claim, Legal proceedings, Air travel, Business I - restaurant, Business II - photography studio, Business III - daycare, Business IV - astrology business, Organize a group, Apply for membership, Enter a rehabilitation facility, Enter the hospital;

Conclusion; Appendix A: Principle horary rulerships; Appendix B: Alphabetical list of electional house rulerships; Appendix C: Sample election charts; Appendix D: One more electional chart; Glossary; Bibliography.

Comment: The introductory chapters are an excellent overview of the subject. Included, for the first time I can remember, a rule for lunar occultations (eg, when the moon eclipses a planet): Occultations prevent you from getting the full benefit of the planet occulted. (pg. 40) In other words, while a Moon/Venus conjunction may be helpful, when the Moon physically obstructs Venus, it makes things worse instead. The cookbook section updates Robson. Hampar does not cover as many subjects as Robson, but for the ones she has, she gives far more details, including sample charts. Hampar treats electional astrology in ways similar to that given horary astrology, eg, she gives the key to finding one's own rules. A very good book.

Llewellyn, 195 pages.

Foreword by Robert Hand
Preface
Ingroduction

Part 1: How to do it:
1. The moment & the question
2. The planets
3. The houses: Turning the chart. The axes: 1-7, 2-8, 3-9, 4-10, 5-11, 6-12
4. The satellite
5. Terminology & aspects
6. The dignities & evaluations of the planets
7. Planetary hours
8. Divisions of the ecliptic
9. Cautions & strictures
10. Collection
11. Sorting out the jumble
12. Perfecting the matter
13. Antiscia
14. Fixed stars
15. The Part of Fortune
16. Regiomontanus & house systems

Part 2: Specific questions:

17. Regarding specific questions

18. Partnership questions: Shall we stay together? Will my wife come back to me? A husband asks about his marriage. Will I ever go off with my lover? Will anything come of this love affair? Is this the right time to separate? Will my husband ever go?

19. Questions concerning things lost or mislaid: Where is Max the cat? Blackberry the rabbit. Where is Teddy? Where is Chloe? Where are my spectacles? Where is my front door key?

20. Miscellaneous questions: Will we get the house? Shall I buy the house? Will I make money at this (professional) job? Shall I go to Australia? Where is Ann Lock? I have fallen in love with a Bentley. The Herald of Free Enterprise. Is AIDS a man-made disease?

Part 3: Mundane:
21. An introduction to mundane astrology
22. Eclipses & syzygys

Part 4: History:

23. Egypt

24. Early astrologers: Manilius, The temples of Manilius, Vettius Valens, Ptolemy, Palchus, Al Biruni, Bonatus & Cardan, John Dee, Culpeper, The Enclosed Scheme (diagram), A Modern Decumbiture, King Charles I, Nativity of Nero, Reader Participation, Lily & his contemporaries, Lilly's letter to the Student, Galileo, Flamsteed

25. The houses in history

26. Modern contributors to horary techniques

Notes
Glossary
Bibliography
Index

Comment:

In 25 chapters, find out how to make & judge an horary chart & answer questions such as, "Will I go off with my lover?", or "Will we buy the house?" The work of noted experts through history (Manilius, Al Biruni, Cardan, Antigonus, William Lilly) compliment the author's text. A complete guide to this complex, arcane, little-known - but valuable - corner of astrology.

Whitford, 349 pages.

Contents:

Foreword
Introduction
Terms of art

Part 1: Methodology: Ancient & medieval astrological doctrine:
1. The planets
2. The houses
3. Signs of the zodiac & their divisions
4. Planetary sect
5. Planetary movement & aspect
6. An evaluation of planetary strengths & weaknesses: Essential dignities & debilities
7. An evaluation of planetary strengths & weaknesses: Accidental dignities & debilities
8. Reception
9. Almuten
10. Signification
11. Considerations before judgement
12. The question
13. Planetary testimony preceding judgement
14. The possibility of the matter propounded
15. The impossibility of the matter propounded

Part 2: The possibility or impossibility of the matter propounded: Questions & judgements:
16. Second house matters: Wealth & possessions
17. Fourth house matters: Land & property
18. Fifth house matters: Pregnancy
19. Sixth house matters: Health & sickness
20. Seventh house matters: Marriage & relationship
21. Seventh house matters: Lawsuits & disputes
22. Tenth house matters: Career & achievement
23. Tenth house matters: Sport

Afterword
Bibliography
Index

Comment:

Barbara Dunn was a student of Olivia Barclay (1919-2001) and now teaches Barclay's Qualifying Horary Practitioner (QHP) correspondence course. This book, as the title suggests, is an expanded re-write, on steroids, of Barclay's Horary Astrology Rediscovered. It has much the same organization as Barclay's book: All the many details are given in the first section. Chart examples, which is to say, Questions answered, are given in the second section. Notably, as you will see from the list of contents above, they are not comprehensive. Lacking are 1st, 3rd, 8th, 9th, 11th & 12th house matters. This, also, was true of Barclay's book.

Get this book if you've reached the end of your studies but are frustrated with difficult-to-read charts. Get this book if you want to get ALL the many rules, all the tiny details, all the many differing points of view from notable astrologers through the ages, including Lilly, Bonatus, Al Biruni, Partridge, Culpeper, Coley, Ramesey, Abu Ma'shar, Dariot, Dorotheus, Gadbury, Masha'Allah & others. Modern exponents (such as Appleby, Louis & Lehman) are notably missing, with the exceptions of Geoffrey Cornelius & Robert Hand. This is a pity, as in the first section there are many tables extracted from Lilly & Al Biruni. All done by hand, or photocopied from R. Ramsey Wright's 1934 typescript. I myself published a fully reset version of Lilly (2004), as well as a fully reset version of Al Biruni (2006), both of which are known to the publisher, if not the author herself. I would glady have made pdfs available, if I had been asked. It's a nagging little thing, I confess, but it would have been pleasing to have seen my work acknowledged, along with providing eager students access to source materials, as many of the books in the bibliography are, in fact, out of print & so not available.

In the first section Dunn reprints many of Lilly's original woodblock charts as examples, though without modern renderings as an aid. These ornate charts are difficult to read, unless you take the time to copy them out, by hand. In the second section, questions answered, charts (computer drawn) are according to the zodiac. Which is to say that some houses look big & enormous, while other houses are squashed & tiny, and this because they were set, for the most part, at the latitude of London, 51 degrees north. While the printing is nice & clear, in many charts neither the cusps (to the nearest minute of a degree) nor the planets themselves are all that easy to make out.

The author is widely known in the UK. Among her many credits, horoscopes & columns in Best, Bliss, Caribbean, Cosmopolitan, Inside Soap, London Portrait, New Woman, Sunday Mirror, Daily Mirror, The Sun, etc. She also does pre-recorded tarot & horoscopes, available by phone. Combined with her QHP coursework, this is a busy woman.

Wessex Astrologer, 536 pages.

Contents:
Index of horoscopes in volumes 1 through 5
Introduction

HORARY ASTROLOGY:
1. What is horary astrology?
2. Horary rules & strictures against judgment
3. The houses in horary astrology
4. The planets
5. Timing
6. Relationship questions
7. Purchases & sales
8. Questions about health
9. Of kith & kin & here & now
10. Fly me to the moon
11. Am I having fun yet?
12. Whose money is it, anyway?
13. Where did I put it? It can't be lost
14. Compound & multiple questions
15. And the winner is...
16. Universal questions
17. "Classic" horary charts
18. Questions for you to answer.

ELECTIONAL ASTROLOGY:
1. What is it?
2. General rules
3. Marriage
4. Moving into a house, apartment or condo
5. Buying or selling property (house or land)
6. Buying a car
7. Starting a business
8. Election for surgery
9. Other election options
10. Conception & fertility elections
11. Odds & ends.

Appendices:
Parts of cars
Answers to horary test questions
Answers to electional test questions

Comment: This book combines Horary, the art of answering questions with astrology, with Electional astrology, the art of choosing the best time to start a new project. As always, the authors excel in clear explanations with lots of examples, including "test yourself" charts (with answers) to solidify knowledge & confidence. The horary section includes Uranus, Neptune & Pluto & new & old rulerships. Contents: Horary rules and strictures against judgment; Houses, planets, timing in horary; questions specific to the houses; Lost items and persons; Compound and multiple questions; Contest charts; Storms, earthquakes and wars; "Classic" horary charts; General rules of electional charts; Marriage, housing, property purchases, starting a business, surgery, conception and fertility, other election options.

ACS, 238 pages.

Foreword

1. Horary delineation
2. Planets & horary
3. Signs & horary
4. Houses & horary
5. Aspects & horary
6. First house questions
7. Second house questions
8. Third house questions
9. Fourth house questions
10. Real estate questions
11. Lost articles & missing persons
12. Fifth house questions
13. Sixth house questions
14. Strikes
15. Health
16. Seventh house questions
17. Marriage & divorce
18. Eighth house questions
19. Ninth house questions
20. Tenth house questions
21. Eleventh house questions
22. Twelfth house questions
23. Timing horary charts
24. Public interest charts
25. The horary connection

Comment:

A solid book on horary. The introductory sections are not as good as I've seen elsewhere, but the examples, which take up the bulk of the book, are immediate, personal, and have a psycholgical slant. For those of you who have an understanding of the basics & want to "humanize" horary (which so often seems impersonal), this book may be of help.

AFA, 246 pages.