If you've ever been captivated by the world of horary astrology, then you know its power to provide deep insights and guidance. As an ardent practitioner myself, I've experienced firsthand the mind-bending revelations it offers. Today, I want to share some thoughts on how to embark on your journey into the fascinating realm of horary astrology.
Embrace the Apprenticeship
Learning horary astrology is a long and immersive journey, much like mastering any craft. Even after completing formal courses, you'll always find room for growth and refinement. It becomes a way of life, ingrained in your very being. So, don't expect instant mastery from a single article or book. Instead, adopt a mindset of continuous learning, keeping the flame of curiosity alive.
Lay the Foundation
Just as in coding, where you need a solid understanding of the building blocks, horary astrology requires familiarity with the fundamental principles. This includes gaining competence in drawing and interpreting charts, grasping house rulerships, understanding planet and sign significations, and developing knowledge of planetary motion and synodic cycles. These skills lay the groundwork for your horary practice.
The Power of Doing
In horary astrology, there's no substitute for hands-on experience. Attending classes and absorbing theoretical knowledge is beneficial, but true growth comes from practicing judgment and seeking feedback on your interpretations. To kickstart your horary journey, I highly recommend the Horary Practitioner Course offered by the STA (School of Traditional Astrology).
Where to Begin?
Imagine the equivalent of the famous "Hello, World!" code in coding. In horary astrology, your starting point would be identifying the relevant houses and their rulers. Let's say you're answering a client's question about a potential love interest cheating. The querent represents the 1st house, while the 7th house symbolizes the love interest. To delve deeper, you'll also consider the Moon's position and condition, as it holds significant sway over all horary questions.
The Importance of Houses
To better grasp the dynamics at play, let's explore the essential significations of the houses. If you're already familiar with natal astrology, you'll find many similarities:
- 1st House (Ascendant): The querent's well-being, mindset, and personal circumstances.
- 2nd House: The querent's financial and material resources.
- 3rd House: Siblings, communication, short journeys, and local connections.
- 4th House: Home, family, heritage, and legacy.
- 5th House: Children, romantic partners (in conjunction with a spouse), pleasure, and entertainment.
- 6th House: Health, challenges, employees, and pets.
- 7th House: Love interests, business partners, open enemies, and relocation desires.
- 8th House: Debts, inheritances (or the love interest's finances), fear, and transformation.
- 9th House: Philosophy, spirituality, knowledge seekers, distant travel, and legal matters.
- 10th House: Careers, achievements, authorities, and judges.
- 11th House: Friends, dreams, hopes, and recovery.
- 12th House: Isolation, sorrow, secrets, institutions, and hidden adversaries.
For a more comprehensive understanding of the houses, I recommend Deborah Houlding's book Houses: Temples of the Sky and William Lilly's Christian Astrology (pages 50-56).
An Example to Illuminate the Path
To illustrate the process, let's analyze a chart I examined for a friend. She approached me with concerns about her boyfriend's honesty and the future of their relationship. In the accompanying chart, take note of the Moon's placement on the 7th cusp, indicating a strong focus on the love interest.
Caption: Analyzing a horary chart is an integral part of honing your skills.
To proceed, you need to determine the planets ruling the relevant houses. In this example, Jupiter represents the querent (ruling Sagittarius, the 1st house), while Mercury embodies the love interest (ruling Gemini, the 7th house).
The Art of Judgment
Now comes the pivotal point of assessing the condition and aspects of the planets involved. Unfortunately, Jupiter and Mercury in this chart don't form any aspects, indicating a lack of connection or alignment. Even the Moon, the potential bridge, fails to link them. Regrettably, the answer to my friend's query leans toward a negative outcome.
But we've only scratched the surface. In the next part of this series, I'll delve deeper into the essential dignities and accidental fortitudes of the planets, unveiling further layers of interpretation for my client's enigma.
Recommended Resources for Horary Enthusiasts
As you embark on your horary astrology journey, I've compiled a list of valuable resources to aid your exploration:
- Deborah Houlding: Houses: The Temples of the Sky
- Dr. J. Lee Lehman: The Martial Art of Horary Astrology and Learning Classical Horary Astrology: Examples and Workbook
- Helena Avelar & Luis Ribeiro: On the Heavenly Spheres: A Treatise on Traditional Astrology
- Dr. Benjamin Dykes: Traditional Astrology for Today
- Skyscript: Explore Deborah Houlding's insightful free introductory articles and more.
While William Lilly's Christian Astrology is an essential read, the archaic language may prove challenging for beginners. However, it's a valuable addition to your library. To guide you further, I've shared an informative 1.5-hour lecture on Vimeo titled "Stellar Spoilers: An Introduction to Horary Astrology" by NR Caradog.
Unlock the magic of horary astrology, and may your journey be as enriching as it is enlightening!
